The former NYC mayors referenced in the crossword solutions are Abraham BEAME and Edward Koch. Abraham BEAME was the mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977, and was the first Jewish mayor of the city. He was known for his fiscal conservatism and his efforts to reduce the city's budget deficit. Edward Koch was mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989, and is remembered for his outspoken personality and his commitment to improving the city's infrastructure.