Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Governor Paterson is a Funny Guy, Part 2


By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 12, 2008

Modified Sep 12, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Sep 12, 2008

Modified Sep 12, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

2008_09_paterfunny.jpg
Photograph by Diane Bondareff for ServiceNation

Last month, the NY Times had a feature on Governor David Paterson's use of humor to disarm audiences. Last night, we witnessed that in action, as he regaled the audience for the ServiceNation Summit:

Thank you. I was standing on the corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue right here in Manhattan once. And I approached a woman and-- very elegant and I asked her to look across the street and tell me if there was a drug store on the corner. She said, "I'd be delighted," and, then, took me by arm and led me across the street to the drug store.

She was kind of surprised when I went back and stood on the corner. And she came back and asked me why I wasn't going in the drug store. And I said, "A friend of mine told me that his office is located at 68th Street and Lexington Avenue across the street from the drugstore." And this woman was aghast.

But I thanked her for taking her time out to help me and told her it doesn't really matter, I applaud your service. So thank you very much.

Yesterday, Paterson announced the creation of a cabinet position for national and community service, which elevates Susan Stern, Chair of the State Commission on National and Community Service, to his cabinet.

Tagged

david paterson

governor paterson

humor

ServiceNation


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors

Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.

By

Ryan Kost

Published Oct 22, 2026


NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal

Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."

By

Elizabeth Kim

News

NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal

Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."

By

Elizabeth Kim


NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting

By

Charles Lane

Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds

By

Samantha Max

MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens

By

Ramsey Khalifeh


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .