STATEN ISLAND — First the Brexit, maybe next the Stexit?
One city councilman thinks Staten Island should take inspiration from the United Kingdom's controversial European Union membership referendum and vote to secede from rest of the five boroughs — as they've been threatening to do for decades.
Councilman Joe Borelli called the shocking vote to leave the European Union "inspiring" in a Tweet Thursday night, arguing that Staten Islanders have already expressed a clear desire to break free from the city in the past.
The #Brexit is inspiring... especially 2 us on #StatenIsland...Perhaps time 2 rethink what many supported #secession pic.twitter.com/rLoBfPitcY
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) June 24, 2016
Twitter users and journalists were quick to point out that leaving New York City would likely mean an increase in property taxes, along with loss of services from the NYPD, Staten Island Ferry, and other city services. But Borelli was undaunted.
@AnnaESanders less pension liability, almost no money pit NYCHA & HHC. And oh no, we would lose the bail fund! (& other awful NYCC programs)
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) June 24, 2016
Staten Island came close to leaving the five boroughs in 1993, when 65 percent of residents voted in favor of an independent Staten Island city charter. But the plan stalled out in the state Assembly.
So what do you think, readers? Should Staten Island break away from the boroughs? Let us know in the poll below.
