Editor’s note: Kathy Hochul shows Eric Adams how to ‘get stuff done’

Eric Adams began his mayoralty with the slogan, “Get stuff done,” and he’s got a website to prove what he’s accomplished. Top of the list is “Protecting Public Safety,” linking to an April report offering how the mayor doubled down on efforts to reduce shootings and homicides with 1,200 new police recruits. It’s been six months since and there haven’t been any new updates to the list of accomplishments, leaving one to wonder what other stuff he’s gotten done? A City Hall spokesperson acknowledged the site has not been updated, but that accomplishments have been highlighted at the mayor’s more recent town hall events. Perhaps whoever is in charge of these updates is “distracted” by all of the investigations swirling around the mayor’s inner circle, although Adams has argued that’s not ever going to be the case, even after he himself was indicted on federal corruption charges. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul apparently lost faith in that assertion and told Adams that a shakeup was needed because the probes into his subordinates could hinder City Hall’s ability to function, the New York Post reported. Following that directive, Adams’ Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks made his exit, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright was reportedly being pushed out too. Adams’ controversial aide Tim Pearson handed in his resignation on Sept. 30. Schools Chancellor David Banks later announced his planned retirement at year’s end would happen instead on Oct. 16, because the mayor decided to “accelerate that timeline.” Both joined the wave of resignations already handed in from Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg and Police Commissioner Edward Caban. Rumors of who’s next might be more a matter of who the governor wants kicked out of City Hall.