Government officials define arrogance...get out of the way you little people

Pol's sins of the 'flash'
By DAVID SEIFMAN and REUVEN BLAU

Some top elected officials are strangely -- and illegally -- speeding through city streets with police-like sirens and flashing lights.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's SUV was seen last week zooming through red lights in Flatbush as if it were an emergency vehicle, on the way to a press conference with Mayor Bloomberg.
Markowitz defended the use of lights and sirens as "appropriate."
"They are only used with great discretion," insisted Mark Zustovich, the beep's spokesman.
"In this instance, he was on his way to an event with the mayor and the governor addressing the Haitian crisis and calling for emergency aid to those suffering in Haiti as well as their families here, the majority of whom live in Brooklyn."
He has been caught before blazing through Brooklyn.
In October 2004, one of his constituents complained that Markowitz's SUV whipped through a red light at Third Avenue and Sackett Street. An aide later said the beep was on his way to a speech.
When asked why Markowitz has lights and sirens in the first place, his spokesman replied, "They were authorized by the city of New York."
Not according to the mayor's office, which says it has nothing to do with what elected officials install in their vehicles.
Not according to the state motor-vehicle law, which makes no provision for elected officials to use equipment reserved for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars.
And not according to the NYPD.
"The NYPD is not involved in that issue with them," said department spokesman Paul Browne. "As far as I know, nobody sought our permission."
Other elected officials say they never -- or almost never -- turn on their lights and sirens.
"I can't imagine the possibility of when we would use it," said John DeSio, a spokesman for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
"The first new meeting of the Board of Education, when mayoral control lapsed, we were stuck in traffic on the West Side Highway. We waited in traffic. We were an hour late."
One official said sirens and lights come in useful when a borough president has to cross police lines at an emergency scene, such as a major fire or water-main break.
But at least one City Council member said he has been able to accomplish that without the bells and whistles.
"I don't see a reason for a siren. I never saw a reason for a siren, and this is my fifth year on the council," said Councilman Jimmy Vacca (D-Bronx).
"I manage to get there, and I drive normally. I don't see what the emergency would be that a borough president must be on the scene. That should be reserved for emergency personnel and the chief executive."
Ken Brown, a spokesman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles, pointed to the statute reserving sirens for emergency vehicles.
"It's a matter of enforcement," he said.