The NYT piece on Amanda Burden painted a picture of a woman burdened with a tough and highly important job, but making good effort to keep it from getting the best of her. The profile goes over her accomplishments in the decade that she’s been head of City Planning, along with contrasting them with negative sentiments from her detractors. This back-and-forth presentation is prevalent throughout the text, keeping the piece somewhat balanced, if a bit on the positive side.
The writer mostly uses an encouraging light on Ms. Burden, presenting her attention to detail and sharp focus as beneficial facets applied to her career. Sections of the end of the story focus on the administrative aspects of rezoning and applying projects in the city, and on specific projects Burden hopes to get underway before the end of her term.
The point of view from the author seems to be revealed throughout the text, an optimistic sense that Ms. Burden will be able to get her projects underway and thus further leave her mark on the city.
