HS:
What’s your advice to real estate developers about the long-term impact of terrorist threats on the city economy?
CG:
Our business is coming back strong again, tourism is coming back, people are starting to travel more. All the factors that made New York a great city—the capital and financial center of the world—took over more than a century to develop. So we have a strong foundation here and we’ll only be stronger in the future. And I hope and pray that we don’t have any more incidents. I think our law enforcement people are up to the task of protecting us, and now everyone will be working harder to try and get information in advance of any further plans of attack.
Real estate investors are very informed people who know the market well and will recognize the need to rebuild over the next several years. Billions of dollars will be coming into Lower Manhattan from the federal government and insurance companies paying for damaged and destroyed buildings. Those dollars will create many opportunities for developers and the business community at large. We have to get through this first year, and maybe the second, but I’m confident that after that the future of Lower Manhattan and New York City and New York State is bright.
The Prez and the Chairman
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HS:
How would you rate Mayor Bloomberg’s performance so far?
CG:
I think in a very short period of time the Mayor has demonstrated strong leadership, intelligence, and understanding that he’s facing a lot of difficulties since 9/11, especially the negative impact on the economy. But I feel he’s stood up to the task—he demonstrated his extremely successful ability to make hard decisions in the private sector, and I’m sure he’ll bring those talents into leading this city.
HS:
On a lighter note, what’s your idea of a perfect day outside the office?
CG:
Not to have a cell phone, not to have to take phone calls, and not to have to bounce every 20 minutes from meeting to meeting where the issues constantly change. And for me that escape is going to the very tranquil Hamptons, and walking from my home down to the beach a few minutes away, and inhaling the beautiful salt air of the ocean, listening to the birds and the wind, because it’s so nice and quiet. That’s my perfect day and I remember after the first few weeks following 9/11, while we were working seven days a week, I took one Sunday off, and I went out there late Saturday night. I was only there for 15 hours—but 15 hours in the Hamptons, in late September, was very settling for me.
HS:
What quality do you like best about yourself?
CG:
I enjoy simple things—I don’t have to have the luxury, although all of us like to have some of it. I enjoy taking my morning walks down to the beach; I’m not a jogger but I do a brisk walk for three miles at least four days a week. I play golf occasionally, but in this job it’s difficult because golf is very time-consuming. And I enjoy simple things like going to a movie.
HS:
What quality do you like least about yourself? What would you like to improve?
CG:
We can all improve ourselves. I’d like to spend more time with my children Larry and Carla. Larry is a developer on Long Island and I’d like to spend more time with his family. That’s what I’m most disappointed in—that we’re so consumed by what we do in government that we sometimes sacrifice the time we should spend with our families.
HS:
What do you admire most in others?
CG:
Honesty, those capable of loyal friendships, those who don’t spread rumors and gossip, and people you can depend on if you need them. I guess people who make contributions to our community, to our society, not only financially but in giving of their time.
HS:
What living persons do you admire most?
CG:
Well, I certainly admire Governor George Pataki who’s not only my Governor but my friend. He’s a strong leader, intelligent individual, great family man—a very good father to his children, a good husband to Libby. And I have spent enough time with him to see all that for myself. He also enjoys the Hamptons and occasionally stays at my home in Bridgehampton.
I’ve grown to have tremendous respect for President Bush, for his steadfastness, his strength and leadership, and how he acted quickly in fighting terrorism. His personal relationships with President Putin and other world leaders have proven very effective and I believe will help the U.S. get further support from other countries in fighting terrorism.
HS:
With the weight of so many problems on you, how do you detach emotionally from it all?
CG:
I’ve been able to respond to difficulties throughout my life, whether it be in business, as an Ambassador, with emergency situations on construction jobs, and when we had to react after 9/11. I have the strength and ability to rally the troops and provide leadership—I think my background has helped me tremendously to fulfill the responsibilities that I have and the positions that I hold.
HS:
You said it, Charlie. Thank you.
