President's Message
By Alan Capper

January 2007

A very happy, healthy and fulfilling New Year to all our members. If 2006 was a good year for reporting from New York, then 2007 promises to be even better.

With the Democrats controlling the House and the Senate, we can comment on the actions of the increasingly isolated President, and observe whether his current mood of defiance on the war in Iraq can continue.

We will also be able to monitor the performance of the Democrats from whom all actions taken in the next year will have a direct impact on their election prospects in 2008. This year will see the presidential race heating up considerably.

In New York, we have a new Governor. Will he surprise us with some bold moves like Governor Schwarzenegger in California, now proposing state-wide health care coverage for all of California’s citizens? Will we see the growing gap between extreme wealth and extreme poverty in this city grow wider still?

New York has always been a city of great contrasts and never more so than now. The huge, and some might say, obscene bonuses paid on Wall Street at the end of 2006 have pushed property prices higher than ever in the city and as a side product, caused every Ferrari dealer in New York state to sell out completely and create long waiting lists.

For those of us who comment on lifestyle and social issues, we will see whether the overall crime rate continues to decrease, and witness the successful openings and closures on Broadway which had an enormously successful year in 2006.

In addition to all of this the Foreign Press Association will continue to build on its special events program, following our successful range of activities in 2006. The Executive Committee and the Program Chairman will be developing another series of visits, special occasions and events about which you will be updated regularly. Also, our “First Wednesdays” at the Players Club, will commence again on Wednesday, March 7 between 6:00-8:00 pm. This year we expect to have a series of speakers of interest to all our members and these events are an opportunity to network with other members in one of the most convivial and historic places in New York.

In 2007, New York will attract 46 million visitors. Whichever countries they will come from members of the FPA have the opportunity of telling them what to expect, keeping them up-to-date on events in New York and advising them on how to get the best out of this unique city. All the great stories and the surprising, unexpected dramas will be here for us to report on. We are privileged indeed.

Alan Capper