by
NARR
When Nikki Perry came into work this morning, she did something a little out of the ordinary before opening shop
SOUND: Bell. Perry shouting. Shuffling.
Perry 01 TIME 0:13
Well, in fact, the first thing I did when I came into my office this morning was to put on the front page of the BBC world service to see what was happening, because I thought we would know this morning who was going to be the new mayor…
Perry is the owner of Tea and Sympathy in Greenwich Village. She has lived here for 27 years, but has been following the London mayoral race closely. She says family members still living in London have nothing good to say about Livingstone.
Perry 02 TIME 0:04
People are absolutely sick and tired of Ken Livingstone.
Livingstone has defeated challengers before in previous elections. But this time he is facing a formidable candidate. Polls immediately before the election show conservative Boris Johnson with the advantage. Perry thinks the change will be refreshing.
Perry 03 TIME 0:11
I would rather have somebody new. I would rather give Boris a chance. I would think after 10 years, a certain type of arrogance sets in.
During his term, Livingstone was praised for his handling of the 2005 terrorist attacks and for helping to win the 2012 Olympics for the British capital. Her husband Sean Dousset says those accomplishments aren't enough to merit a new term.
Dousset 01 TIME 0:27
You know, dealing with the terrorist attacks, it's bit of a case of the moment making the man, rather than the man making the moment. So as far as I know, he didn't do anything extraordinary, he was just did his job, and I don't think people should be lauded just for doing his job.
That's not all. Perry and Dousset find many similarities between London and New York. They are particularly outraged by the congestion charge that Livingstone implemented in London and has been proposed for New York.
Dousset 02 TIME 0:15
I think it's ridiculous in posing a congestion charge and then not providing a reasonably-priced alternative in the form of public transport. I think it's an exercise in folly and shows for what it is, which is a form of taxation without representation
The congestion plan failed to win passage in New York. The other thing London has in common with New York is prices, Dousset said. New York's prices are high, but they're nothing compared to London.
Dousset 03 TIME 0:10
To be honest, every time I go back there, I fail to be able to understand how people can afford to live in London anymore. And it doesn't seem that the mayor of London or anybody is doing anything to try to make it any better.
Dousset says, despite the candidates' promises, he is pessimistic that change will take place.
Perry, on the other hand, has a more optimistic view.
Perry 04 TIME 0:07
There's always going to be a change when the person on duty changes. Let's just hope it's change for the better.
Until the London mayor is officially announced, Perry will continue to refresh her BBC news page on her computer.
SOC
Euna Lhee, Columbia Radio News.