The Issue: The passing of former Mayor Ed Koch, who served from 1978 to 1989, last Friday.
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We lost a great man and politician (“Ed Koch, 1924-2013,” Editorial, Feb. 2).
During his time as our mayor, Ed Koch brought New York City back from its own fiscal cliff.
His catch phrase was “How’m I doing?” He sometimes heard boos, but it did not bother him. He appreciated people’s honesty. If he could say his catch phrase one more time, he could adjust it a little, asking, “How did I do?”
Thank you, Mayor Koch. You will be missed.
Kim Cody
Whitestone
Koch was a straight shooter, and I liked him.
After he left office, he worked on Avenue of the Americas. I worked in the area with Verizon.
He was a big guy, and I would often see him waiting for his driver outside the building.
I would always wave and give him a “Hello, Mr. Mayor. How’m I doing?” I always got a wave back and a big smile.
Rest in peace, Mr. Mayor.Walter Murray
Clearwater, Fla.
Mr. New York is no more. With the death of Koch, it’s like we lost a part of history.
He was a complex man, bold and combative, with a sense of mission and joy.
As strange as it sounds, in a way, he was New York’s Ronald Reagan.
He changed the direction of New York politics from the philosophy of goodies for all, which almost bankrupts the city, to some sort of fiscal discipline.
And one could just imagine as Koch goes through those Pearly Gates and sees the Lord, Koch will ask, “How’m I doing?” And the Lord would say, “Just fine, Ed.”Gary Schwartz
Fort Lee
In reply to Koch’s famous question, “How’m I doing,” Mr. Mayor, you did fine. You were the best mayor the city ever had.Tom Dilberger
Belmar, NJ
All politicians today, whether Republican, Democrat or independent, in City Hall, the statehouse or Congress, could take a page or two from former Mayor Koch on how a politician should act, treat opponents and carry themselves in public. Koch had swagger, charisma and charm.
Whether you were a colleague or an opponent on an issue, being in his presence made you a better human being.
When he arrives at the Pearly Gates and asks St. Peter, “How’m I doing?”, he will get an angelic standing ovation.
Bill King
Elizabeth, NJ