Should Staten Island Secede from NYC?

That's a fantastic read hudson. Not long ago, I didn't know what the word "Secede" meant. That was until I recently saw an episode of Boston Legal where Massachusetts wanted to Secede from the USA because it did not feel the USA would protect Massachusetts in a time of war.

It was a very interesting episode, and I had no idea that the concept existed where a state, city or otherwise can effectively vote to leave the greater area.

Anyways, the case in the episode was nothing more than a political boost for Massachusetts, and really had nothing to do with wanting to secede from the USA. That's what makes this article so interesting to me.

This seems like a real genuine case where the locals really want to leave NYC. I wonder if this is representative of the whole though of Staten Island though?

As a local New Yorker, what do you think hudson? I don't know too much about Staten Island, although I do know it's where the rubbish is dumped quite often.

A very interesting read, thanks hudson.

AJ

Y'welcome.

I have been to Staten Island exactly twice - once to visit a friend of my ex, and once to visit Snug Harbor. It is nice enough, but it does not feel like NYC at all. I really have no reason to go there, and if the folks from Staten Island want to be on their own, then maybe they should.

Is there anyone here actually from Staten Island? What do you all think?

I saw that episode of BL too - very funny. But seriously, what would the effect be on the people of SI and the whole of NYC? How would people benefit?

NYC would have one less place to dump garbage. And SI would probably have to figure out which side of the Port Authority they belong to.

Yes! Though they should still somehow accept our garbage...

I've only been to Staten Island once and to me I do not care if they become independent or not. It is a decision that their poltical leaders will have to decide. Shouldn't there be a vote on this?

Why do I feel like if Staten Is seceded, they would probably charge us more to go over the Verrazano?

I say we keep them; what a fabulous dump site that island makes!

Secede or no, we retain the right to belittle them every chance we get...

Have never really stepped foot on Staten Island though have ridden the Staten Island Ferry a couple of times with visitors to show them the view of lower Manhattan. According to me its one of the best free attractions that we have in NYC.

Hear hear, uptowngirl. There are also some interesting characters among the regulars who perform during the ferry rides for spare change. Not always the highest quality, but definitely charming entertainment. I imagine also a nice thing for the commuters, a little liveliness before the office work ahead.

I've only ever driven though Staten Island, but I imagine that they have some affordable rents down there, though with good reason.

It is hard to say. Was Staten Island here before all the other boroughs? Was it here before Queens and Long Island were formulated as land plots? Interesting questions. I know there are a lot of Jews and Italians that live there. With the influx of immigrants to this city, I would not hesitate to guess that many different kinds of ethnic groups live there now.

I read somewhere that NYC wanted to be an independent state a few years back. I don't know how true that is, but at one time they were considering it.