City Hall - February 1, 2007 by City Hall News

Patrick Lynch, right, explains in State of the Unions why he will not give up on higher police salaries, this month’s editorial wonders whether New York would have been better off just sticking with Alan Hevesi (Page 26) and Comptroller Bill Thompson, left, dips in to dim sum for his Power Lunch Vol. 1, No. 9

(Page 31).

February 2007

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The known and better-known romances of New York politics PAGE

After Troubled Year, Molinaro Resurfaces

INDEX: John Catsimatidis begins focusing on the 2009 race for mayor Page 10

Hedging bets on “Head of state of this government in exile” resumes individualistic BP style Hedge Funds

Exclusive first look at the new afterword from Brooke A. Masters’ book on Eliot Spitzer, Spoiling for a Fight Page 22

BY JAMES CALDWELL

State Supreme Court judges worry about the pitfalls of open elections Page 29

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Former Bloomberg presidential backer Taxi Ray begins his own White House run Page 28

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro.

ames Molinaro’s State of the Borough speech Jan. 18 featured a surprise visit from Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) and ended with the Beatles blasting from the theater’s sound system as the capacity

crowd of 500 were handed copies of the bestseller, “The Death of Common Sense.” The address, interrupted by frequent bursts of applause and spontaneous cheers and whistles as Staten Island’s Republican borough president CONTINUED ON PAGE

BY KENYON FARROW hile other public pension funds dove head first into the murky pool of hedge fund investments, New York City studied the waters. Now, the city may finally be

CONTINUED ON PAGE

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FEBR UARY 2007

STATE OF THE UNIONS

Thin Blue Bottom Line BY MATT ELZWEIG LYNCH, PRESIDENT OF the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), sees his union at a “crossroads.” He considers the tension between management and the union strictly professional and necessary for unionism to work. But his relationship with Commissioner Ray Kelly is complex—as a member of the Bloomberg administration and a veteran of the police force, Kelly is, in a way, both manager and member. Kelly is a close ally of Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R), the PBA’s sparring partner in salary and staffing debate. But though he runs the department, he is the first commissioner ever to hold every rank in the police department prior to his appointment. The city’s police officers have not had a contract since their last one expired almost three years ago. Their basic maximum salary is far below that of their counterparts in nearby police departments. And, according to Lynch, their health benefits are under attack.

ATRICK

Lynch is running for a third term this spring. He is, to date, running uncontested. Among his other concerns are bringing technology and equipment up-to-speed in stationhouses and on the street (“we’re driving around in radio cars that are falling apart,” he said), keeping staffing levels up, and continuing to make the union responsive to members. Lynch spent 16 years as a patrolman, and for a short time as a community affairs officer in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (the 90th Precinct), before first being elected union president in 1999. To him, the union was always “the mother and father,” of police officers, and workers everywhere, for that matter. Union-negotiated salaries made it possible for him to purchase a home blocks away from the house he grew up in, in Bayside, Queens. He was one of seven children, raised by a mother who emigrated to America from Ireland, and a father who worked for 30 years as a New York City subway motorman. His brother and uncle were also police officers.

But trends like taxing pensions and a drive by the city to replace “defined pensions” with 401k plans, which Lynch insists do not work, have him worried about the future. As an officer, Lynch was frustrated because despite his eagerness to be active in the union, he found that the leadership was unresponsive to members. Five years into his career he ran for delegate and won. With another delegate, he created a newsletter called Brooklyn North News, that he hoped would raise awareness about the lack of access to and communication with union executives that members had. He hoped that by increasing awareness he could influence the leadership to change. Encouraged by the newsletter’s popularity, he ran for president and won. This was a time, according to Lynch, when the PBA’s image was less than pristine. Not only were his predecessors conspicuously absent from the stationhouses, their tenure was tarnished by corruption scandals to the extent that federal investiga-

Animal Tactics ANDREW SCHWARTZ

How inflatable rats and other vermin became synonymous with labor

BY MATT ELZWEIG

LORESCENT

ORANGE

AND

unequivocal, the flyer read “Shame!” and listed the contractor by name. That contractor, Alexander Gurevich, of Continental Funding, L.L.C., answered a call from City Hall, but would not comment regarding his alleged use of nonunion labor for a project on 49th between Second and Third avenues. The flyers were attached by clipboard

to a giant inflatable rat. Towering rats, cockroaches and pigs have become standards in unions disputes around New York, almost always present when unions want to call attention to companies or contractors using nonunion labor. The animals first started migrating to cities like New York from Illinois, where Big Sky Balloons is based. The company, which is owned by Mike O’Connor, made its first animal, a rat, in 1990, after being commissioned by a Chicago union representative. O’Connor, who has been a hot air ballooner for 27 years, drew a rendering of a rat. His customer wanted something a little different. “More fangs and festering nipples … menacing,” O’Connor recalled of their request for changes. He honored this request, and made “Scabby the Rat” a reality for his client. Before long, O’Connor’s family business was servicing just about every type of union imaginable, from carpenters to asbestos removers. Today, rats are his biggest selling item, and O’Connor, who describes himself as “pro-union,” has sold 200-250 of them to unions in the New York-New Jersey area.

O’Connor said there are some competitors producing cheaper spin-offs of his products, but that Big Sky still gets “a majority of the orders.” He credits New York with making the rat his biggest seller. That balloon, he said, has become a kind of “icon,” has inspired a song and even appeared on an episode of “The Sopranos.” The other members of Big Sky’s menagerie include “The Greedy Pig,” skunks, bulldogs and cockroaches. All have been used by unions in New York. Big Sky’s newest addition is the Corporate Fat Cat, clad in a pin-striped suit and smoking a cigar, which was commissioned by the New York asbestos workers’ union. He said that animal “demonstrations” by unions have not yet resulted in any real backlash, at least not for him. But when questioned about this he told the story of a man from a union who called him up and asked if his company had any “giant cats.” O’Connor remembered a 20-foot cougar Big Sky had made for Lincoln Mercury, and he happened to have an extra without the carmaker’s logo on it, which he rented out to the caller. That caller turned out to be the president of a bank in Kenatigue, Illinois that was using nonunion labor. He set it up, towering over two rats, for a day. melzweig@manhattanmedia.com

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Changes ahead for PBA, but salaries remain key, as Lynch goes for third term

Though he has other concerns, Patrick Lynch always returns to the topic of police salaries. tors were subpoenaing them on what Lynch remembers as “a daily basis.” The most obvious change that needed to be made was as symbolic as it was physical. Lynch recalled his first order of business as removing a gate that blocked members from coming inside the office. It was as if the PBA needed protection from the cops, rather than the other way around, he said. The receptionist’s station was behind plexiglass. He removed that too. Removing the gate is symbolic in Lynch’s mind of his strong belief in giving members access to union executives. He and his staff began making regular visits to stationhouses around the city to gauge the concerns of the rank-and-file. “If you’re not talking to the members, you don’t know what the issue is of the day. If you don’t know what the issue is of the day, you’re wasting your time fighting other issues.” He calls a victory that resulted in the PBA’s right to have contracts heard under the auspices of the state PERB (Public Employment Relations Board), which took place during his first term, a “historic battle.” The PBA has so far been through PERB arbitration twice. “We had to fight for every penny we received, but we broke that pattern twice,” he said. “And we’re back into that battle again, unfortunately, because the city does not want to sit down at the table and realistically negotiate for how to solve the recruitment [and] retention problem. Their form of negotiation is ‘take it or leave it.’ That’s not negotiation.” But throughout it all, Lynch always returns to the salary issue: cops deserve raises, if only because it makes fiscal sense for the city: officers on the streets create safety, which improves neighborhoods by attracting both residents and businesses. Everything they do, he argued, “goes to the tax base. It all comes from police officers.” Bloomberg, he says, paid his employees at Bloomberg LP “market rate.” Now, Lynch feels, the mayor should do the same for police officers. melzweig@manhattanmedia.com

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ISSUE FORUM:

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FEBR UARY 2007

ENERGY

The 2003 blackout is still fresh in the minds of New Yorkers, and the Iraq War has made energy independence from the Middle East

enough of a concern to gain alternative fuel proposals a place in President George W. Bush’s 2007 State of the Union address. From Washington, Albany and New York, these are some perspectives on what the future of energy policy should be for the city and state, and what people should keep in mind as they craft it.

The Future of New York’s Energy Policy BY REP. EDOLPHUS TOWNS HIS YEAR, IN HIS

STATE OF THE Union Address, President George W. Bush stated that “America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.” This is an accurate assessment by the president. Americans are addicted to oil and this creates a problem of national security, primarily, in a city such as New York. This country must become more energy efficient. Keep in mind, the world now uses about 26 billion barrels of oil a year, and in new field discoveries we are finding less than 5.5 billion barrels annually. We must now look at possible alternatives to oil. One consideration is the use of hydrogen-fueled vehicles or hybrids. Hybrid electric vehicles are now offered by numerous auto manufacturers and are becoming increasingly more available. One example is the number of New York City cab drivers who now use hybrid vehicles. If you need an added incentive, most hybrid owners are able to qualify for a $2,000 clean fuel tax deduction on their yearly tax returns.

Another problem we have as New Yorkers when it comes to energy is our massive use of electricity. Most of us can remember exactly where we were in August of 2003 when New York City went completely dark. It was then this city faced the largest blackout in the history of America. More than 85 percent of the city’s power had been lost. There were about 3,000 fire calls reported, many from people who were using candles. Emergency serv-

ices responded to 80,000 calls to 911 for help, which is double the average amount. This cannot continue. It is imperative that we take the needed steps to prevent events such as these from ever occurring again. This means looking at alternatives to electricity such as wind, solar and yes, nuclear sources. As a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I inserted language in the Energy bill which passed the 109th Congress that would save New York’s high energy reliability standards for its electricity grid. This funding would have been slashed if the legislation had passed as it was initially written. The Senate version of the bill would have forced New York to actually lower its protections. This measure drew the attention of Governor Pataki, who expressed his thanks for saving those protections. Meanwhile, while we continue to experiment with alternative means of energy and until we find a solid solution to the energy problem, we must continue to remain considerate of the needs of this country’s most vulnerable citizens. Recently, President Bush sent his pro-

posed 2008 federal budget to this Congress. I was more disappointed by what I did not see in the budget as opposed to what I did see. The new federal budget cuts funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by 44 percent. LIHEAP provides a vital safety net for low-income households and assists millions of Americans in maintaining a basic standard of living by being able to afford home heating. It is my belief that once the alternate forms of energy are fully developed and New Yorkers become more knowledgeable about these resources, the newly introduced forms of energy will be readily accepted. However, we all must do our part. Something as miniscule as turning off an extra light or keeping a thermostat at a certain temperature can be extremely helpful, as well as save money.

Edolphus Towns is a Democrat representing parts of brooklyn in Congress. He is the third-ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Reliable, Clean, and Affordable: An Agenda for New York City’s Energy Future BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES F. GENNARO AST SUMMER’S BLACKOUT IN

northwest Queens – which left more than 100,000 residents and businesses without power, some for up to nine days – was the latest reminder of the importance of meeting the challenge of ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to reliable, as well as clean and affordable, energy. For years, under the strong leadership of Speakers Peter Vallone, Sr., Gifford Miller, and, now, Christine Quinn, the City Council and I have made progressive energy policies – those that promote reliable, “green,” and affordable energy in New York City – central to our agenda. In doing so, we have had many successes, particularly with respect to the city government’s own energy consumption – which amounts to an astonishing 10 percent of all the energy used in the city. We have also worked closely with the Administration on these issues, particularly with the City Economic Development Corporation’s outstanding Senior Vice President for Energy, Gil Quiniones. This past January, the Council adopted a bill I authored that will promote

clean, on-site generation by requiring the city to assess the use of this type of technology in its highest energy-consuming buildings. Not only does clean, on-site, or “distributed” generation combat air pollution by displacing dirty power plants, it is also a key strategy for improving the reliability of the distribution of power in the city by reducing the amount of electricity flowing through the grid. The Council also recently adopted another measure I authored that will slash the city’s power use – and save taxpayers money – by substantially strengthening requirements that the city purchase only the most energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, lighting, copiers, and computers. In addition, in September of 2005, the Council adopted landmark “green building” legislation, which I co-sponsored. Nationally, buildings account for 65 percent of electricity consumption and 30 percent of global warming pollution emissions. Our cutting-edge green building law will ensure that over $12 billion in future city building construction, including $5 billion in new schools, incorporates state-of-the-art “high performance” design features. This law will

not only achieve dramatic energy savings, but it will also make our schools and offices healthier, and create highquality jobs for trade workers. Through these Council-initiated laws, and many others, we have made major contributions to enhancing the reliability, “greenness,” and affordability of the energy used by New Yorkers. More work, however, still needs to be done. Therefore, the Council will build on its successful legacy and continue to help lead the city on energy policy matters. In particular, the agenda of our Committee on Environmental Protection, which I chair, will maintain its focus on reducing energy demand, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting clean, renewable, on-site power, and other critical energy policy challenges facing the city through oversight hearings and advancing necessary legislative solutions. In a related development, Speaker Quinn and I recently began a partnership with the Bloomberg Administration on an initiative to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable New York City over the next 25 years. This “PlaNYC 2030” initiative, ably spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and

Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability Director “Rit” Aggarwala, has many important goals, but none more so than those related to reducing air pollution (including global warming pollution) associated with power generation and use, and updating the city’s aging energy infrastructure. I believe that PlaNYC 2030 holds great promise for crafting effective strategies for addressing these issues, and I will work closely with the Administration in the coming months to coordinate this plan with our “reliable, clean, and affordable” energy agenda.

James Gennaro is a Democrat representing parts of Queens in the City Council. He is chair of the Council’s Environmental Protection Committee.

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Consider All the Factors in Meeting 21st Century Energy Needs

Dear Governor Spitzer, Please protect one of our greatest natural treasures, the Long Island Sound. As you are aware, Broadwater Energy, a joint venture between TransCanada and Shell Oil, has proposed to locate a Liquid Natural Gas facility in the middle of Long Island Sound. This threatens our environment, the lobster and commercial fishing industry, public access, recreational use and historical maritime culture.

BY STATE SEN. JAMES WRIGHT EW Y ORK IS GROWING — especially from the Hudson Valley down to New York City and out to Long Island. This sophisticated growth is largely due to our economy’s increased dependence on technology and computers. With this mounting energy consumption comes the need for an increasingly reliable energy system. As we continue to grow and expand, energy related issues will play an important role in our future. We cannot lose sight of the fact that a reliable energy system must be maintained. Reliability requirements continue to grow to serve the increasingly sophisticated technology of today’s future. While we must understand and accept the need to be stewards of our environment, it is equally important that New York’s energy policy does not become a subset of our state’s environmental policy. The new generation must be environmentally sensitive. The use of traditional energy resources, such as nuclear and fossil fuel based technologies, should be integrated with newer alternative and renewable energy resources for the creation of cleaner power. It should also be noted that these traditional technologies are continually being updated and improved. making them more and more efficient. Projections for increased energy consumption by the Independent System Operator indicate that the lower Hudson Valley region, New York City and Long Island will require “system reinforcements” in the near future. This underscores the importance of providing adequate and reliable supplies of energy to all of New York, but most immediately the metropolitan area. There are various options to providing for this need. Currently, the Public Service Commission is reviewing an application by a company that proposes to construct a power line from Central New York to the Lower Hudson Valley, just shy of New York City. The communities along the proposed route could be greatly impacted by the presence of this power line. There is no question that new energy resources need to be provided downstate, but should upstate communities be forced to accept higher energy rates and local negative impacts, such as devaluation of land and decreased tax base? I believe that the impact the power lines have on host communities must be a consideration. Opponents of this line suggest that since New York City and the surrounding area will be in need of more electricity, they should produce it in that region rather than transmit it from upstate communities—since the transfer of power would disrupt upstate communities and possibly increase upstate electricity rates. This situation illustrates the complexities of our energy needs, which must be balanced for all regions of the state.

FEB RUARY 2007

Reliability of transmission of power is as important as reliability of generation— regardless if the energy is being transmitted a short or long distance. Drastic weather in recent years, as seen last summer in Queens, draws our attention to the reliability of our state’s electric transmission system. We could have additional generation capacity, but if we do not have a reliable transmission system, the generation is worthless. This unquestionably is an area of future concern. Alternative and renewable energy has received increased attention in recent years. There is great potential in utilizing these new and developing resources. While I am a strong supporter of new energy concepts, it is important that we are mindful that they presently have limitations in terms of widespread use, generating capacity and reliability. Updating currently used technology, making it cleaner, safer and more efficient is as important as fostering alternative and renewable technologies. Conservation and energy efficiency also play an important role in the energy arena. Technology is forever changing and becoming more efficient. Items such as various household appliances are becoming more efficient and using less energy. As new research is conducted and implemented into real life, energy efficiency will increase, lowering our energy consumption. Conserving and using less energy through smart practices, such as turning off the lights and reducing use during peak demand periods, will also help make our system more reliable. Economic development is strongly connected to the availability of affordable and reliable energy. The Temporary Commission on the Future of New York State Power Programs for Economic Development issued a report in December that provides various suggestions to address the future of these programs in New York. The Legislature and the governor can use these recommendations as a guide to update current and establish new programs to aid our state’s economy and retain and create new jobs.

James Wright is a Republican representing Jefferson and Oswego counties and a portion of St. Lawrence County in the State Senate. He is chair of the State Senate’s Committee on Energy and Telecommunication.

A few will reap big profits from this industrial facility while long time residents and users of the Sound will suffer. Broadwater is NOT consistent with the values and uses of Long Island Sound and will set a precedent of over industrialization of this water body. Growth and opportunity doesn’t have to mean giving up what we love about where we live. Change is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of what citizens and communities value. We want an energy plan that decreases energy use, protects public health, ensures public participation, preserves our maritime heritage and maintains our waterways for all the public to share.

PLEASE OPPOSE BROADWATER. Signed, – Accabonac Protection Committee – Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organizations – Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee – Citizens Campaign for the Environment – Community Health and Environment Coalition of LI – Concerned Citizens of Montauk – Dark Sky Society – East Hampton Baymen’s Association – East Hampton Town Trustees – East Hampton Trails Preservation Society – East Norwich Civic Association – Eastern Long Island Audubon Society – Eastern Long Island Democracy for America – Environmental Advocates of New York – Friends of the Bay – Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc. – Long Island Citizens Action Network – Long Island Drinking Water Coalition – Long Island Environmental Voters Forum

– Long Island Pine Barrens Society – Long Island Seaport and Eco Center – New York Public Interest Research Group – North Fork Audubon Society – Northville Beach Civic Association – Open Space Council – Operation SPLASH – Prevention is the Cure – Renewable Energy Long Island – Save the Sound – Sierra Club- Atlantic Chapter – South Fork Groundwater Task Force – Southold Sound/Mattituck Inlet Preservation League – Surfrider FoundationConnecticut Chapter – Surfrider FoundationEastern LI Chapter – The Group for the South Fork – Town Board of East Hampton – United Civic Association of North Oyster Bay – Wading River Civic Association – Wildlife Protection Committee

“I loved being a New York City cop, but the top pay is just too low, so I had to leave.” “I loved being a police officer in New York City but the pay for senior officers is so low that I had to work a second job just to make ends meet. Today, I’m proud to be a Port Authority Police Officer where I earn almost $30,000 a year more than top pay at the NYPD. It’s sad, but just about every other police department in NYC area pays a lot more than the NYPD. I loved being a NYC cop, but the low pay left me and thousands like me no choice but to leave for a better paying job.”

Pay NYC Police Now. Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association

of the City of New York 40 Fulton Street

New York, NY 10038

212-233-5531

Patrick J. Lynch

President

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FEB RUARY 2007

Developer Donations May Be Loophole in Reform Efforts As pay to play proposals get off the ground, calls to look at land use BY JOHN R.D. CELOCK

Issue Forum for March:

LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT Is this a critical issue to your organization? City Hall provides you with an effective lobbying venue to reach the policy makers that impact your industry. Featuring viewpoints from elected officials relevant to this issue. Issue Date: March 12 • Deadline: March 8

LUCIA DI POI

MAYOR MICHAEL Bloomberg (R) has spoken in depth about contractual pay to play reform, he has so far placed little public focus on pay to play in the land use process. “Pay to play” generally refers to the practice of awarding no-bid contracts to campaign contributors. Many good government groups have joined him in calling this an area in major need of reform in city politics. The mayor’s office and the City Council are coordinating an effort centered on upgrading city databases, as well as examining who to include in the law and how to police the law. “It’s easier to say let’s end pay to play than to legislate meaningful and effective reforms,” explained Dick Dadey, director of Citizen’s Union. “So much of the issues affected by city pay to play are preempted by state legislation on procurement and contracting.” One idea being considered by city officials is to require candidates to check the donors who contribute and see if they have city contracts. This could be checked by running names through HOUGH

Vendex, the city’s contracting database. The Vendex database includes those with contracts, but does not include a list of those who are seeking a contract. No database currently exists of who has land use applications pending with the city. Advocacy groups argue that requiring the candidates to run their own checks would place a burden on the candidates, especially those running for City Council, who generally have smaller, less-financed campaign operations. An alternate proposal would place limits that would prevent contractors from donating during the life of a contract and for a period before awarding the contract. Placing the burden on a contractor may require a change to the state’s municipal contracting law, which sets out the requirements for who receives a local contract. Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser said many of the aspects of the proposed ban need to be negotiated, including a definition of who does business with the city. For land use applications, Loeser said, this will cover everyone from those seeking to install a patio or be limited to those seeking larger developments or city franchise contracts. The office of Council Speaker

Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for an end to pay to play in his 2007 State of the City address, but has so far not publicly addressed an aspect of this reform that many say is rife with abuse. Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) referred all calls to Council Member Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), the chairman of the Government Operations Committee. Felder’s office said negotiations are ongoing. According to a statement, Council staff is still researching the issue,

with legislation to be introduced shortly. Real estate is the city’s biggest industry. Routinely amongst the biggest donors to city officials are developers with applications pending before the City Council, the City Planning Commission and other land use and concession agencies. “Land use is more important than contracts,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the New York Public Interest Group. The city’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB) has released a series of recommendations regarding the land use process and who to regulate. These include calls for a ban on contributions from firms that submit planning, zoning and landmarks applications, as well as officers and owners of those firms and professionals authorized to do business on behalf of those firms. In addition, the CFB has proposed the city adopt a regulation governing the municipal bond industry for city contractors. The rule, adopted by the bond industry’s governing board, forbids bond firm employees from donating money to any candidate they cannot vote for, and then setting a $250 per year donation CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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State of the Union hosted by

Lillian Roberts District Council 37 Executive Director

How is a great union moving forward? Lillian Roberts, recently re-elected overwhelmingly for a third term as DC37 Executive Director, will be joined by her “Members First” winning team, DC 37 President Veronica Montgomery-Costa, Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin and Secretary Cliff Koppelman to discuss the promising future of this great union. The program airs at various times throughout the month on Channels 34, 56 or 57. Check DC37.net for programming.

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Check DC37.net for programming or listen to the show on your computer by going to www.dc37.net and clicking on Radio Show in the Newsroom.

REPRINTED FROM

THE NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED SUNDAY JANUARY 14, 2007

Smoke Damage By John A. Catsimatidis TWELVE years ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled that New York could legally tax Indian retailers on their cigarette sales to non-Indians, and the Legislature enacted a law, which took effect last March, requiring just that. But the executive branch has refused to enforce it, illegitimately depriving retailers and taxpayers of revenues as high as $576 million a year.

Finally, the government’s enforcement failure erodes public respect for the rule of law itself. The concept of equal protection, which obliges everyone to obey the law, is a great feature of American democracy. When the New York tax commissioner named the fear of Indian violence as reason to hesitate to enforce the cigarette tax equally, he set a deplorable precedent. There should be no “rioter’s veto” that stops law enforcement.

“Increasing tobacco taxes is the single most effective way to reduce tobacco consumption, particularly for kids.”

Indian retailers claim that the state’s effort to tax their cigarette sales is “like New York taxing New Jersey.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The Supreme Court put such arguments to rest in 1994 when it ruled that Indian sovereignty did not govern sales of any product to non-Indians.

That is why I filed a lawsuit last spring against these Indian retailers, including those from the Unkechaug Poospatuck Tribe and the Shinnecock Indian Nation, both in Suffolk County. Cigarette taxes help state and local governments Shouldn’t everyone who benefits meet their obligations to their citifrom doing business with New zens. Every non-taxed sale of a carton of cigarettes Yorkers share, on equal footing, the responsibility of means that there is less money for new schools, hos- keeping our communities strong and our children pitals and roads. As a result, our overall tax burden is healthy? increased. These levies were imposed for another important public purpose. Anti-tobacco groups have long argued that a higher cigarette tax helps discourage smoking by teenagers. The city’s health commissioner puts it this way: “Increasing tobacco taxes is the single most effective way to reduce tobacco consumption, particularly for kids.” That disincentive disappears when tax-free cigarettes are readily available at Indian smoke shops or on the Internet.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer has made it clear in his public statements that he believes it is right and necessary for New York to collect these taxes. New Yorkers should support him in that endeavor. Because when it comes to cigarette sales, “tax free” just isn’t. John Catsimatidis is the chairman and chief executive of Gristedes supermarkets.

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FEB RUARY 2007

IN THE CHAIR

Foster: Green Light More Green Space BY JAMES CALDWELL

HILE

SHE

GREW

in politics, Helen Foster never thought she would end up a politician. And, she said, she certainly never thought she would fill the same Bronx City Council seat her father, fellow Democrat Wendell Foster, held for 24 years. “Being the daughter of a minister and a politician you do everything,” she said. “I knew about petitions, I knew how to organize, I knew grassroots.” But there was a downside as well, she said. “I was the easy target because I was the incumbent’s daughter,” she recalled. Today, Foster chairs the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, a job she said gives her surprising leverage in addressing what she sees as the city’s pressing issues. Specifically, Foster has been a vocal critic of efforts by members of the Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) administration to promote “self sustaining parks,” or parks that pay for themselves through concession money and other private deals with the city. Foster calls that “privatization of public space.” Recently, an agreement between the Parks Department and a group of 20 elite Manhattan schools ignited a debate over access to public space and adequate funding for city parks. Foster, who attended one of the schools included in the deal, said the proposal amounts to wealthy schools leasing the city’s largest collection of playing fields in a no-bid contract. “What you see is a huge difference between parks for those that have, and parks for those that have not,” she said. “This is the time that we should look to start reinvesting in parks as a city and not looking for private donors.” But the issue that has gotten the most attention for Foster as chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee was her vote against the new Yankee Stadium, which will be in a Bronx Council district neighboring hers. While the proposal was overwhelmingly supported in the Council, Foster said the negative impacts of the project on the surrounding community and on parkland were too large to ignore. “To date, that was probably the hardest political fight I’ve fought, but it’s also the vote I’m most proud of,” she said. “I know hands down that I did the right thing.” Under the deal between the city and IMMERSED

the Yankees organization, replacement parkland is to be identified and developed by 2011, two years after the current scheduled completion date for the stadium. However, Foster said, the proposed park sites are exclusively to the south of the stadium, rather than to the north where green spaces are most needed.

In all, Foster said the deal was made with baseball, not the Bronx, in mind. “You’ve got the richest team in baseball in the poorest congressional district in the state”, she said. “And what do we have to show for it?” jamespcaldwell@gmail.com Direct letters to the editor to cityhall@manhattanmedia.com.

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Parks chair says her position gives her leverage far beyond committee jurisdiction

Council Member Helen Foster (DBronx) sees the creation and preservation of parks as integral to the city’s continued development.

CITY HALL

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FEBR UARY 2007

ELECTION FORECAST: 2009

Planning the Path from Gristedes to Gracie Mansion In 2009, Catsimatidis says, he will be in it to win, with $30 million THE CEO OF THE RED Apple Group, John Catsimatidis is the well-known proprietor of the city’s 43 Gristedes supermarkets. His campaign donations to Bill and Hillary Clinton have helped earn him a place in the Clintons’ inner circle and a pair of presidential seal cufflinks which he wears nearly every day. And he has made headlines himself, for everything from his role in the Greek Orthodox Church to his well-documented love of Mallomars. Now, after years of involvement and donations, Catsimatidis is in the early stages of plotting a 2009 bid for mayor as a Republican. Sitting in an office with walls covered in photos of him meeting with politicians ranging from Fidel Castro to Robert Morgenthau, Catsimatidis spoke to City Hall about why he feels the moment is right for him in 2009, his proposed signature project for the city, how much he plans to spend and which prospective GOP challengers he might have to face.

City Hall: What makes you think you should be mayor? John Catsimatidis: I love New York, number one. Number two, I’ve lived here all my life… I’ve never seen this city come as far in terms of obtaining greatness— because it’s the greatest city in the world—as it has in the last 10, 15 years. … There’s so much that we can do and envision that I think is so important. You need a visionary. You need someone that is going to carry forward. I think Bloomberg did a great job, and we can do even better. CH: Are you ready to leave behind your high-paying job to join the city payroll? JC: You know what I want my salary to be? The same as Bloomberg’s: $1 a year. I want to hire the most qualified people to run the city and hopefully, a lot of Bloomberg’s qualified people will stay on, but we got to do it. CH: You say New York needs a visionary. What would be your signature visionary project? JC: The Olympics are great, but we didn’t get it, and the Olympics to me is a great

ANDREW SCHWARTZ PHOTOS

thing, but it’s a two, three week thing at the most. It’s like a flash cube. … You know what I want? We had the 1939, 1964 World’s Fair. I want to put somebody in charge. I want to create a World’s Fair. It’s time. We haven’t had one in 50 years. Maybe by 2012, 2014, have New York hosting it.

I wasn’t going to run against him spending $80 million. The city has a good guy running it so why am I going to run against Bloomberg? But in 2009, it’s an open field, so it’s now or never.

CH: Why a World’s Fair? JC: You know what the tourism impact is? You got to remember the ‘63 ‘64 World’s Fair. It was two years, for four months. So it’s not a flash cube event. It’s a four-month event for two years, and it attracted a zillion people.

CH: Your plan is to self-finance. Will you be raising money as well? JC: I want to spend my own money. I think it’s a sin that the peripheral system in the city where people, politicians, are taking taxpayer money to run. I’m going to spend my own money and we haven’t set a limit yet. We may take contributions, but at a very low level.

CH: Other than a World’s Fair, what is on your agenda? JC: Education is important. Housing is important. Safe streets. I think Ray Kelly is doing a great job. I think we can’t just depend on the federal government to protect us against terrorism. We have to worry about number one—follow up on Ray Kelly’s system, on having our own intelligence network to protect New York.

CH: Would you run as a Democrat or a Republican? JC: I was a Republican in the 1980s. I was the chairman of the Lincoln Day Dinner twice. Then, I helped build the chapel at Camp David under George Bush Sr. So, I was a Republican. I like Ronald Regan. He’s a real cowboy. George Bush was a very decent guy. But I met Bill Clinton, and I fell in love with Bill Clinton.

CH: You’ve thought about running for mayor before. Are you serious about running in 2009? JC: I’ve talked about it before. The one nuance that nobody picked up on is: I said if Bloomberg doesn’t run, I’m going to run. Nobody picked up on that. … No.

CH: But if you run for mayor, it will be to follow Bloomberg’s lead and switch to be a Republican? JC: That seems like the most likelihood. The unfortunate thing about it is a moderate cannot win a Democratic primary in New York. The cards are stacked against him.

With President Ronald Reagan and wife Margo.

With wife Margo, Gov. George Pataki, former State Sen. Olga Mendez and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

With President Bill Clinton.

CH: Your name often comes up as part of Hillary Clinton’s inner circle. Do you feel like you’re in the inner circle? JC: I’m close to the inner circle, to whatever the inner circle is. I mean, I’m friends with Hillary and I’m friends with Bill Clinton. … They’re smart people and they should be in office because they do smart things, and I believe in that. CH: Have you already declared your support for her in 2008? JC: I’m supporting Hillary, yes. But Rudy Giuliani, being a great New Yorker, I’d support, if Hillary’s not the nominee. CH: Have other candidates who are looking to run come to you looking for money? JC: There’s always somebody coming looking for money. CH: Do you think money plays too big of a part in contemporary politics? JC: The problem with our political system is that candidates are always looking for more money. … Term limits have their sex appeal, but everybody is always looking for the next job. The problem with the City Council is that everybody is looking for their next job, and they’re always raising money, and they’re always looking for where their next bread and butter is going CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

With Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy.

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com

FEB RUARY 2007

Political

POWER Couples Power, goes the saying,

is the greatest aphrodisiac.

The world of New York politics is rife with couples who prove that maxim true every day. Young and old, newlywed and long-hitched, many of New York’s top politicos have found love with each other. For some couples, managing the various intersections and overlaps between their personal and professional lives has been easy. For some, this has proven more difficult. For everyone, it has been something of an adventure. Just ask Iris Weinshall, who first met Charles Schumer when he was a young member of the Assembly, and she was a graduate student on his staff. They reconnected a few years later, when she was working elsewhere in Albany. “He asked me to the Governor’s Ball,” recalled Weinshall. “And I was very excited to go with him.” Now, they have been married for 26 years, Schumer is the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, and Power couples profiles Weinshall is the city’s outgoing commissioner of transportation. compiled by: They disagree about politics occasionally, according to Weinshall, but try not to let that interfere with Edward-Isaac Dovere, their relationships with each other. Kenyon Farrow, “We’re both very strong people who stand our own ground and I think this is why it’s worked so well for Andrew Hawkins, us over the years,” she explained. Natalie Pifer, Schumer and Weinshall are a famous political power couple, like Former President Bill Clinton & Sen. Becca Tucker, Hillary Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg & outgoing State Banking Superintendent Diana Taylor, and Carla Zanoni Gov. Eliot & non-profit maven Silda Wall Spitzer. and Daniel Weiss. In the pages that follow are 20 more, who are involved in nearly every aspect of politics: elected officials, staffers, consultants, fundraisers, lobbyists, strategists and more. This is just a sampling. Senior Clinton advisor Howard Wolfson and Terri McCullough, chief of staff to House Charles Schumer and Iris Weinshall, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are not on the list, nor are Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs and lobbyBill and Hillary Clinton, ist Tom McMahon. Busy schedules got in the way of completing interviews. Eliot and Silda Wall Spitzer photographed by Andrew Schwartz In celebration of Valentine’s Day, this February City Hall tells their stories, exploring how each navigates the inherent Michael Bloomberg and Diana Taylor complexities of being a political power couple. photographed by Emily Rosenberg Rep. Eliot Engel—who is profiled along with his wife Pat, a strategic consultant—perhaps put it best: “For people who say that politics has no redeeming social value, they’re absolutely incorrect.”

CITY HALL

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FEBR UARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples SURI KASIRER BRUCE TEITELBAUM

Kasirer: The only thing we really can’t talk about is Israeli politics. You know it’s such a hot topic, we can’t talk about that.

Private equity investor; former mayoral chief of staff and Senate campaign manager for Rudolph Giuliani

What’s your favorite way to escape from all of it?

Founder, Kasirer Consulting

Kasirer: We go out with friends a lot. We love to travel. We go to Italy every summer, somewhere different in Italy—we have a lot of friends there. Teitelbaum: We just had a daughter, so a lot of our attention and energy is focused on her.

Married for: 8 years ✤

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How did you meet? Kasirer: We met [in 1993] when he was on the Giuliani campaign and I was helping Dinkins. Teitelbaum: I would see her very frequently at campaign events and thought she was a very sweet person even though she was a misguided liberal Democrat. A about three or four months of bumping into her pretty much on a regular basis, I though to myself it would be nice to ask her out, which I did immediately following the election.

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Teitelbaum: We have different political philosophies.

Would you want your kids to go into politics?

Suri thinks that government is great and that government solves people’s problems and that government is the answer to almost all problems and I think the opposite. ... It’s sort of fun to see how the debate goes and who can make a more persuasive point. We don’t sweep it under the rug.

DAVID YASSKY City Council Member (D-Brooklyn)

DIANA FORTUNA President of the Citizens Budget Commission

Married for: Fortuna: Do you remember, David? Yassky: 16 years. This year it will be 17

…on June 30. ✤

How did you meet? Yassky: We met in city government while working at the budget office in Albany. Fortuna: Under Koch, when Koch was mayor. Yassky: When I started there, Diana gave a presentation to the new people. I was very struck by her.

How did you go from a work relationship to a romantic one? Fortuna: Delicately. Yassky: But in our case, rapidly. Fortuna: I was immediately drawn to David as

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someone with a lot of passion— Yassky: for making the lives of New Yorker better. Fortuna: We had a lot of shared interests. Yassky: I personally thought Diana was very attractive. Fortuna: Not to mention that he’s extremely cute.

What’s your favorite way to escape from it all? Fortuna: I don’t think we do that. Yassky: Well, Diana sings and was just in an opera here in Brooklyn in December, so that is a way for her to relax. Fortuna: David’s idea of relaxing is watching the

KAREN PERSICHILI KEOGH MIKE KEOGH ✤

✤

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Yassky: Of course…I supported the Transportation Bond Act— Fortuna: and the CBC did not.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Yassky: If that’s what they want. We’re very blessed with two marvelous daughters who have a lot of interests and energy and I am confident about them figuring out what they want to do. Fortuna: They certainly have been exposed to a lot of politics. I’ve often wondered how that will impact them. They’ve been dragged to a lot of political campaigning events. David tries to disguise them by saying they’re fun. Yassky: I don’t take them too often. Only when it’s absolutely necessary. —CCZ

How do you escape from it all?

Director of Finance Division, City Council Married for: 8 years ✤

seven seasons of the West Wing with our 13-year-old daughter. They hit the pause button and she asks, ‘What’s a filibuster?’ and then they talk for ten minutes about it.

said, ‘That’s my husband.’ And she said, ‘Oh my god, he’s your husband?’ She really lit up. And it was always a joke with Mike, like, ‘Oh yeah, you got me my job.’

Director of New York State office, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D)

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Kasirer: I’d love to see her go into politics. I always tell her, ‘You’re going to Washington,’ you know? Teitelbaum: God forbid. ... It can be very, very unforgiving and I’d rather for her to choose something that would be more fulfilling for her and less confrontational, less tumultuous, if you would. But as long as she’s happy, she can do whatever she wants. —DW

Persichili Keogh: Disneyworld. We went to Disneyworld for Thanksgiving last year.

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How did you meet?

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

Keogh: I called Karen to see if the Council member she was working for would be interested in sponsoring legislation to help Irish nationals. Persichili Keogh: And I had no idea what he was talking about. Keogh: But that didn’t stop her from saying sure.

Keogh: Well I was working for Mike Bloomberg in 2005, and Karen vigorously supported Freddy Ferrer. And Karen won the argument, but I won the election. Persichili Keogh: I always win the arguments. was advising Hillary on this legislation today.’ It’s more global, big picture stuff.

Do you talk about work at home?

Do your professional lives overlap?

Persichili Keogh: We more talk about what’s going on that day or what’s in the news. It’s not so much that Mike comes home and says, ‘Today I talked to this organization and they want this.’ Or I go in and say, ‘I

Keogh: I actually knew her boss before she did. Persichili Keogh: And I knew your boss long before you did! But when I met the senator, she was looking at my résumé, and she said, ‘I know a Mike Keogh.’ And I

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Persichili Keogh: We have a 12-year-old daughter. She loves what we do. … She really sees what it’s like and she really gets what politics are all about. Keogh: She’s keyed into the fact that we both work for strong women in the public eye. —AH

CITY HALL

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FEB RUARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

JERROLD NADLER,

Nadler: We both supported Cranston for president in 1984. When Cranston dropped out, I went for Mondale, she went for Hart. Miller: I felt that Mondale wasn’t going to win and I also felt that I wanted to be part of a small campaign. ... I got to be a delegate at the convention and a whip for the Hart New York delegation. So, I got to tell all these big shots when to stand up and sit down. And he didn’t have tickets. He had to scrounge for a pass every day.

U.S. Representative (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn)

JOYCE MILLER Director of real estate investment for the New York City pension funds, New York City Comptroller’s office

Married for: 30 years ✤

✤

Nadler: It was a New Year’s Day party . . . I was talking to a bunch of people and Joyce and a friend came in and sort of came up to the group I was talking with and I didn’t know them, so I asked Joyce who she was, and she told me her name and I told her her address and I looked at her friend and I said, ‘What’s your name?’ and I told her her address. And I knew the two addresses because their names and addresses had been on a McGovern volunteer list three years earlier and we started talking after that and that was it.

EMILY ROSENBERG

How did you meet?

Do your professional lives ever overlap? Nadler: Joyce years ago was a Democratic district leader, when I was in the Assembly—she was a district leader from 1983 to ‘93. And in fact when I was elected to Congress, she and Scott Stringer were the campaign managers. And she’s been involved in all my campaigns, obviously—she’s a very skillful political person.

KENNEDY WILLIAMS-BENJAMIN, Chief of staff, Assembly Member Michael Benjamin

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

Assembly Member (D-Bronx)

money, but he was kind enough to show the appreciation for what I was doing. … He came to the play. He came for three days straight, he sat with the seniors, and it was fantastic. And finally we went out to lunch.

Benjamin: The abortion pill, Plan-B. Back in 2003, when the Assembly had first passed it, I had voted for it. After discussing it with her, telling her about my vote in 2003, in 2004, I changed my mind and voted in opposition only because it did not allow for parents to be informed as to their underage daughter taking such a powerful prescription.

Do you talk about work?

What’s your favorite way to escape?

Benjamin: The office needed somebody with direction, and who has good judgment when I’m not there. Kennedy has all that. She knows how I think, she knows what’s important, she knows people—that’s a great skill to have when you’re running a political office. Sadly, I’m unable to compensate her—she’s a volunteer chief of staff. We want to avoid any appearance of nepotism.

Williams-Benjamin: The only way I know for me to escape is to go on a vacation, and that is not happening. … The reason I do this is because I believe in Michael. … You find so many people out here in politics, it’s just politicking. The way that he cares for those seniors, and the way that he cares for the things he does now—that to me is an attraction. —EIRD

Married for: 39 months ✤

Benjamin: We met at around 1:30 in the afternoon, back on Nov. 5th of 2003. Williams-Benjamin: I was producing and directing a play in his district, at a senior center. I went to him to ask for money to produce my play. I never got the

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ERIC GIOIA

What’s your favorite way to escape from it all?

City Council Member (D-Queens)

Hernandez Gioia: Right now, we have a little baby. So our way of escaping is being with her. Gioia: We’ve learned that if you feed a seven-monthold about eight or nine ounces of milk, she will sleep for a movie. So one of the most important things I want to do this year is dispel the myth that you when you have children you can’t go to the movies.

LISA HERNANDEZ GIOIA President, The Esler Group

Married for: 2 years (dating for 4 years before that) ✤

✤

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

How did you meet? Hernandez Gioia: I’m from Seattle and I moved to New York at the end of 1999. I was doing some work on the Gore campaign in Washington before I left. I walked into the Gore campaign here and I met Eric. Gioia: Lisa walked in and was basically like, ‘I’m here to help. What can I do?’ It was her can-do attitude, and her vigor and energy…I guess that’s redundant, vigor and energy. Hernandez Gioia: So I was helping organize the victory party for Gore in Nashville. The night before an election, there’s not really so much you can do on the campaign. So we went to Opryland and went bowling. And that was it. Gioia: We drank bowling pin-shaped Budweiser. You

Nadler: If he wanted to, sure, and if he didn’t, also sure. Miller: No. I’d like him to have a social conscience. And I want him to be active on behalf of the right causes ... to really be involved and aware, but not to run for office. It’s a very difficult life and it’s not a life like other people have. It’s a very different way of life. And there are some really great things about it, but there are also a lot of sacrifices and it’s very hard on your family. —DW Williams-Benjamin: I guess sometimes it feels as though we only talk about politics. It’s probably me. I would bring up things about things that I feel that Michael is doing or not doing, or should be doing.

MICHAEL BENJAMIN,

How did you meet?

Would you want your kids to go into politics?

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

don’t think that you’re really going to impress a woman you like by drinking bottles of bowling pin shaped beer at Opryland. But it was the best date I’ve ever had in my life. Not that I had many dates before.

Gioia: I’m a Met fan. She’s a Yankee fan. Hernandez Gioia: Our daughter has both hats. She has a Mets hat and a Yankees hat. Gioia: We disagree on things, but there’s a presumption that Lisa is usually right. I can overcome that presumption, but it requires a lot of emeralds. Our strengths complement each other.

Do you talk about work?

Would you want your kids to go into politics?

Gioia: I don’t think it ever comes up in the sense that it’s the day-to-day, minute-to-minute stuff. It comes up a lot with Lisa saying, ‘I had to wait for three No. 7 trains to go by before I could get on this morning. And we need to fix this.’

Gioia: It’s the parents’ job to make sure their child has the opportunity to live up to their ability and whatever talents she’s blessed with. She has our genes. —AH

FEBR UARY 2007

www.cityhallnews.com

CITY HALL

JUDY RAPFOGEL

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

POLITICALPOWERCouples

Willie Rapfogel: Of course. Our organization is non-partisan, and Judy works for a Democrat. … George and Laura Bush have both given to the Met Council. There’s a video up on our website that includes a little mention by George Bush of Met Council in one of his speeches, which I’m sure every time Judy sees it, says ‘Oh God, a Republican.’— Judy Rapfogel: Every time, I’m proud and I cringe. Willie Rapfogel: One of our biggest challenges is that my organization is completely non-partisan, and we work with everybody, and I’m sure it causes some difficulty at times when Judy’s boss may be in a disagreement with an elected official, maybe a Republican like George Pataki or Rudy Giuliani, and our organization works with them. It’s got to make for some level of discomfort for both of us. But we get through it.

Chief of staff, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan)

WILLIAM RAPFOGEL Chief executive officer, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty

Married for: 33 years ✤

✤

Do your professional lives ever overlap? Willie Rapfogel: I think we’ve been very cognizant of it, very watchful about it, and careful to avoid conflicts wherever possible. The biggest conflict we ever had was a scheduling conflict once. At a breakfast for a Jewish organization, Shelly Silver was getting an award and I was supposed to present it. Shelly was stuck in Albany, couldn’t get to the breakfast, and Judy was the representative getting the award. So we felt a little weird. But we actually got breakfast together for the first time together in ages. Judy Rapfogel: And when matters regarding Met Council come up in terms of the state, I don’t participate in those discussions.

How did you meet? Willie Rapfogel: We met at the Educational Alliance on the Lower East Side where I had actually started a program for young teenagers who were hanging out in the streets, and Judy came to work at that program. Judy Rapfogel: We were married a year later, I think. Willie Rapfogel: Less than a year later. We met in August of ‘72, we were engaged in December of ‘72, married June of ‘73. Judy Rapfogel: We were 18 at the time.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Judy Rapfogel: I think it’s interesting that Willie and I both work to improving people’s lives in different ways. He does it through non-profits, I do it through government. Our children have found different ways of doing the very same thing. —EIRD

Do you talk about work?

BETSY GOTBAUM

Betsy Gotbaum: We talk more about politics in general. He doesn’t get into the nitty-gritty of my work.

Public advocate (D)

VICTOR GOTBAUM

Do your professional lives ever overlap?

Labor leader

Victor Gotbaum: We had sort of an alternate—in the first 15 years, I was doing my thing and she was at my side, and then as I got older, she was going to do things. I think we have a good relationship. If we have disagreements and it’s in her area, then she’s going to make a decision. If it’s in my area, then I make a decision.

Married for: 29 1/2 years ✤

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

How did you meet? Betsy Gotbaum: I was John Lindsay’s assistant for education and we were at a meeting in the chancellor’s office in the Department of Education, and I was there with the budget director, and he was there screaming and yelling at the chancellor. Nothing happened then. I

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remembered being appalled at the language that he used. Victor Gotbaum: During the Howie Samuels campaign, I came out of a meeting there that was going from disaster to most disastrous, and I come out, she confronts me, she says, ‘That schmuck Ken Auletta, he may be a good writer, but he shouldn’t be running a campaign.’ I’m putting it on poor Ken. I walk away from her, I go about 10 feet, I said, ‘That kid’s smart.’ I ask her out for dinner, and that was it. Betsy Gotbaum: We didn’t really start seeing each other until a little bit after that. But that was where we reconnected. He played tennis, and so I deigned to play tennis with him.

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Betsy Gotbaum: Oh sure, we have political disagreements. He may want a candidate that I don’t want or like, or vice versa. Victor Gotbaum: We very rarely disagree on politics. We’re having a disagreement now, because I think she should go for the big one, and she’s very reluctant. She hasn’t turned me down yet—I just think she’s the number two person in New York, and I think she’d be the best god-damned mayor the city’s ever had. —EIRD

JESSICA LOESER

Obviously we talk about our lives, we talk about work. We don’t talk about areas in which there could be a disagreement. We just don’t. We agree that we can’t talk about certain things.

Legislative counsel, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan)

STU LOESER Press secretary, Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Married for: 2 years ✤

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Do your professional lives ever overlap?

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Stu Loeser: We met at the State Democratic Convention in 2004. Jessica Loeser: Stu was working for Chuck Schumer. Stu Loeser: I was working for Chuck Schumer. He was being renominated for the Senate. … I had a cancelled event, I had a little bit of extra time, I saw her working. … And I asked a mutual friend, Chuck’s director of intergovernmental operations, who she was—she was clearly a staffer—and instead of telling me, he went up to her and said, ‘Chuck’s press guy is asking who you are; what do you think?’ And she said— Jessica Loeser: I said, ‘I’m working, I don’t know

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

How did you meet?

why you have time to have this conversation,’ and kind of walked away. Stu Loeser: But eventually, we exchanged names and telephone numbers, and we went out.

Do you talk about work? Stu Loeser: We don’t talk about specifics of our work.

Stu Loeser: We’d been married nine weeks when Speaker Silver killed—I was working for the mayor already— Jessica Loeser: When Shelly told the mayor ‘no’— Stu Loeser: When the speaker told the mayor that there would not be a— Jessica Loeser: West Side Stadium. Stu Loeser: A sports and convention center on the West Side of Manhattan. Jessica Loeser: I guess that was our honeymoon.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Jessica Loeser: We have a lot of plans for our imaginary children. Careers we haven’t mapped out just yet. —EIRD

CITY HALL

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FEB RUARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples GREG ATKINS Chief of staff, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (D)

JULIE HENDRICKS Account executive, Geto & de Milly

Married for: 3 years ✤

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Democrats convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. I was part of the New York delegation that went to Little Rock, and Julie was part of the Oklahoma delegation. We met on the platform committee. We were having an intense debate as to whether there should be an antideath penalty platform for the Democrats. And I won. Hendricks: We saw each other from across the room. Atkins: We actually didn’t get together until 2001 when Julie was working on the [Jim] McGreevey campaign and was in New Jersey.

What’s your favorite way to escape? How did you meet?

Atkins: We have two ways. First, which is more common because it’s in our face every day, is we just bought

Atkins: In August of 1999, there was a young

Assistant comptroller, Office of the State Comptroller

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Atkins: We still haven’t settled the death penalty issue. Hendricks: That’s one that we still argue to this day. Atkins: We talk more about strategy. We may disagree on strategy a little bit here and there. Hendricks: You disagree with me on strategy? Atkins: Uh-oh! It really just means in the details. Which means I follow her strategy, I put my two cents in, and it goes from there. —AH

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Adam and Dara Freed: Yeah. Dara Freed: We sort of talk it through and agree to disagree… Adam Freed: It’s never something we can’t work through.

Married for: 3 years ✤

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

Dara Freed: Movies and travel. Adam Freed: We’re lucky, because those happen to be two of my favorite things.

Former finance director, reelection campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D); member of finance team, Clinton transition from reelection to presidential exploration committee ✤

Hendricks: The only hard and fast rule we have is no impressions of political figures at home, which Greg is quite fond of.

What’s your favorite way to escape?

DARA FREED

✤

Do you talk about work?

Dara Freed: But it’s much more, ‘How was your day’ as opposed to ‘Hey, this is what happened.’

ADAM FREED

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a house last year in Dyker Heights. Let’s just say it’s not your classic fixer-upper but we’re redoing each room. And that’s a lot of work. We also love to travel. Last November we went to Portugal. Hendricks: There’s usually a post-election trip. That’s when the Blackberries go off.

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How did you meet? Would you want your kids to go into politics?

Adam Freed: We worked together on a 2001 mayoral campaign [Alan Hevesi], so politics brought us together. Dara Freed: Very slowly, basically people thought we were a couple. Once we convinced them we were not, we decided to become one.

Do you talk about work? Adam Freed: We try not to, but it happens. For the most part we try to focus on other things.

GREGORY MEEKS U.S. Representative, (D-Queens)

SIMONE-MARIE MEEKS Communications policy advisor for community health, Nassau County

Married for: 10 years ✤

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Dara Freed: If that was what they wanted to do… Adam Freed: That’s exactly what I was going to say. We would want them to do what would make them happiest. —CCZ

What sort of political issues have you disagreed on? Simone-Marie Meeks: There were several people running for a Congressional seat [11th district] in Brooklyn. I was clear on who I wanted to have that seat. And he begged me that ‘whoever wins is going to be my colleague. I can’t have you going to Brooklyn, campaigning for anyone’ ... I did not venture into Brooklyn because that’s not what I should have done. But I might add that my candidate [Yvette Clarke] sits in Congress today.

Do your professional lives ever overlap?

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

How did you meet? Gregory Meeks: We met in Albany, when I was a member of the state Assembly and my wife was the chief of staff for Gloria Davis.

Gregory Meeks: Definitely in Albany. Not as much here, because I’m in Washington and she’s in Nassau County. But there’s some ideas at times that she may have and may be utilizing in Nassau and I try to piggyback on them.

Has there ever been a conflict of interest? Simone-Marie Meeks: No, because [in the Assembly] he was a member, he could vote. I just followed directions. There was no conflict for me. Gregory Meeks: There’s conflict in the sense that there’s times when we have difference of opinions.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Simone-Marie Meeks: On the one hand, I would like to protect our daughters from anything that has to do with running for public office. And at the same time, we’ve taught them that there is a reason that you go into political office and it’s about service and the things you can do. Gregory Meeks: I would be proud of them in whatever they endeavor and I would never encourage anyone to necessarily go into politics, but one is starting to show some interest there, and so I won’t discourage it, either. —DW

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com

FEBR UARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples lawyers who are married have a common language, and we both love our work. We both love being lawyers and think it’s a noble profession and talk about the things we love all the time.

NORMAN SIEGEL Civil rights attorney

SARALEE EVANS Acting justice, State Supreme Court, New York County

Do your professional lives overlap?

Married for: 6 1/2 years ✤

✤

How did you meet? ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Evans: It was the year that the vote changed from 21 to 18. He went to work for the Civil Liberties Union again in 1973 and when the impeachment of Richard Nixon started fomenting, the CLU had an impeachment project. They decided to hire someone for the duration of the project and Norman called me and hired me and we worked together for about a year. We got to know each other and liked each other. Siegel: Our first date we went to ‘Saturday Night Live’ to see my friend Julian Bond, who was on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I don’t remember vaguely if Saralee was impressed with going to ‘SNL’ and seeing

Julian Bond, but her daughter Rachel was very impressed. I became cool.

Do you ever talk about work? Evans: Do we ever talk about anything else? Two

JEFF SIMMONS Communications director, office of New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson

ALFONSO QUIROZ Spokesperson, Con Edison

Together for: 4 years ✤

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ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Do you talk about work? Simmons: Oh yes, all the time. We talk a lot about politics, government, everything. Quiroz: I think that’s one of the reasons our relationship works so well is that we both understand the strains upon us and we both understand the need to be

Do you talk about work? Ballew: We do, I mean we’ve always been interested

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Simmons: We’re both Democrats. I dated a Republican once, and it’s not happening again. —NP

What’s your favorite way to escape?

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How did you meet? Ballew: My first job out of grad school was working for a small fundraising firm called McEvoy & Associates. Jonathan had just won his primary and came over and started using our firm as his general election fundraising firm and so we met because he was a client of ours. Bing: I asked her out about 2 a.m. on election night. ... I think we were both interested during the campaign, but neither of us thought it was wise to try and begin a relationship during a very exhausting campaign process.

Simmons: There are times when a reporter will call me, asking ‘Do you have an energy expert?’, so I’ll refer them over to Alfonso to just talk about Con Ed. And then he’ll tell me about reporters who have a government question to see if I can help out.

Bing: And what’s great being with Meredith is that even though she’s not doing a political job anymore, she knows the players, she knows the lingo, and that makes communication very easy because we both speak the same language when it comes to politics and I think that makes for a healthy relationship.

Married for: 1 year (dating for three years before that) ✤

Do your professional lives ever overlap?

Quiroz: We both love cooking. He’s a very good cook. I think the thing that makes it click is we both really enjoy our careers. And I think that’s what makes it so nice. You don’t have to be turned off unless you really want to be.

MEREDITH BALLEW

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out there and act quickly and pay attention to what’s going on in the news and be involved.

What’s your favorite way to escape ?

Executive director, Wall Street Rising

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Siegel: Our granddaughter Emma says she wants to be a judge. I’ve told her that you have to be a lawyer first. Evans: You have to get out of first grade. And learn to read. —KF

Quiroz: We met at the U.S. Open. We were invited by a mutual friend and he was sitting in between us and it just kind of went from there.

JONATHAN BING

✤

Do you want your kids to go into politics?

How did you meet?

Assembly Member (D-Manhattan)

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Evans: When I ran to become a civil court judge, and Norman was the head of the CLU—and it’s a non-partisan organization, so Norman’s board did not allow him to appear in any pictures with me for campaign purposes and did not allow him to do anything on my behalf. Siegel: My biggest asset I couldn’t make use of in my campaign [for Public Advocate], my wife Saralee, wonderful in her social interactions and as bright as they come. But it’s a reality that you have to face.

Ballew: We definitely are both big travel aficionados and like to get away as much as possible, schedules permitting. Bing: And right now as we’re expecting a baby, we have lots of groundwork that we have to do before the baby is born.

Would you want your kids to go into politics?

in politics I think our whole lives. ... My job isn’t political per se, although some of the issues that we deal with here are certainly political. So yeah, I think we definitely talk about both of our jobs.

Ballew: I would think with parents who are as politically interested as we are, it would be difficult for her to avoid a life that isn’t related somehow to politics, whether it just be on a personal interest level or professionally. But we would certainly support any career that she chose. —DW

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com

FEB RUARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples VALERIE VASQUEZ

Vasquez: We feed off each other, so things overlap in the sense that we’re both politically involved.

Press aide, New York City Board of Elections

JOEL RIVERA City Council Member (D-Bronx), Council majority leader

Married for: seven months. ✤

✤

Afterwards we exchanged numbers and talked. Rivera: There were about 50 students in the place. I noticed her when I first got into the place.

What’s your favorite way to escape? Vasquez: Mine would be to go shopping. His, he’s more of a movie buff…He’s more like a history buff, I’m more like ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Rivera: No, not political issues. We don’t talk too much in terms of political ideologies. We don’t have that type of conversation.

Do you talk about work? How did you meet? Vasquez: I was in Albany getting an award. I was the student government president at Queens College. He was newly elected…he gave an empowering speech, saying if I can run, you can too and said, ‘If you have any questions, feel free to call.’ Apparently he then noticed that there was one person not writing the number. I didn’t have a pen.

Vasquez: We try to balance it. With HAVA [the Help America Vote Act], when the City Council came up with a resolution about new voting machines I asked him if he was going to give us a hard time when we came before the Council.

Do your professional lives ever overlap? Rivera: It’s very rare that we see a situation like that.

Pat Engel: Anything—going out to eat—going to a movie; kids’ activity at school, going to Florida or a beach in summer. Eliot Engel: It’s very hard to get away from, because my business is politics and government and my hobby is politics and government. We try to involve ourselves with our kids, with our family, which isn’t always easy— it’s hard when you’re both working.

U.S. Representative, (D-Bronx/Westchester/Rockland)

PATRICIA ENGEL Senior consultant, Issue Dynamics Inc.

Married for: 26 1/2 years ✤

✤

Rivera: That would be up to them. What happened with me is that I obviously grew up in politics. I saw my father and admired what he was doing. I saw my mother and admired what she was doing. You tend to be involved in what your parents do…but that would really be up to them. —CCZ

What’s your favorite way to escape?

ELIOT ENGEL

✤

Would you want your kids to go into politics?

✤

How did you meet?

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

Eliot Engel: We met at a political club meeting. I was the president. … It was January of 1974. We were having our elections for a slate of officers for the club. I ran for delegate. I found out later she didn’t vote for me because, since I was president, she felt I already had an office. That was the beginning of our meeting. … She became one of my best friends, before we ever dated or started going out with each other. For a number of years, she and I were just very close personal friends. We collaborated politically. We worked together on political campaigns. She worked on my political campaigns when I ran for district leader in

Pat Engel: Not really. We really almost always agree politically. Eliot Engel: We tend to see these things pretty much the same way. Maybe some things might be nuanced, but we pretty much agree on a lot of things. ‘76 and Assembly member, ‘77. We got married in 1980.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Do you talk about work? Pat Engel: More his work than mine. I tend not to discuss what I am doing. It’s proprietary, and keeps everything more separated. I think it’s easier that way.

DARRYL TOWNS Assembly Member (D-Brooklyn)

KAREN BOYKIN-TOWNS Director of worldwide public affairs and policy at Pfizer, president of Brooklyn NAACP chapter and member of NAACP National Board of Directors

Married for: 11 1/2 years ✤

How did you meet? Boykin-Towns: We met in Albany, actually, when I was a staffer for then-Senator David Paterson. I was actually his chief of staff. And Darryl was a newly elected member of the Assembly from Brooklyn. Towns: That’s when we met, but I actually saw her walking down the street maybe a few months before we actually had the opportunity to meet. I was driving and saw her, and said, ‘Wow,’ you know? ‘That’s a pretty girl.’

Do you talk about work? Boykin-Towns: [Laughs] Sometimes I get in trouble,

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though, when I try and give my opinion just too much, because sometimes I can have very strong opinions. Being a former staffer, I have a good sense about this stuff, and so I will find myself engaging like a staffer with him. Then he will tell me sometimes that I don’t work for him, and I will tell him he can’t afford me. It goes something like that every now and then.

What’s your favorite way to escape from it all? Towns: I think our daughters do a good job of keeping us grounded, because usually they’re very limited in how much professional talk they want to hear. So they help us to get back to things that are important, like tennis lessons and school and, uh— Boykin-Towns: piano lessons.

Eliot Engel: I wouldn’t encourage them. I wouldn’t discourage them. I wouldn’t push them just because we did it, or I did it. —EIRD

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue? Boykin-Towns: Well I’ll start by saying that I don’t, you know, it’s sort of like staying in your lane, and so when people might ask me about endorsements, my thing is like, I’m not elected to anything. Therefore, I don’t count in that regard. Towns: If she has an opinion when I make an endorsement that she may not agree with, she keeps it to herself, which is always good.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Boykin-Towns: Well, our oldest daughter, if you would ask her, she says she’s going to be president of the United States. It’s so funny, because her grandfather, who you know is the congressman, took her onto the floor of Congress—she usually gets to go about once a year. And just this last year, one of the members said to her, Oh, I’m sure you want to follow in your grandfather’s footsteps. I guess we can expect to see you here. And she bluntly said, No. And he said, You wouldn’t? And she said, No, I’m actually going to be at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They all just almost had a heart attack. —BT

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com

FEBR UARY 2007

POLITICALPOWERCouples BILL PERKINS

not only as a Democratic district leader but she is the first African-American to be vice chair of the state party, during the Cuomo administration. So she has had her own long period of high level activism in politics. Pamela Perkins: We bounce ideas off each other. Bill has always been, in addition to my best friend and my husband, my political mentor. So we talk a lot. I ask for guidance from him or opinions. Bill Perkins: She’s the only consultant I don’t pay. And the best consultant.

State Senator (D-Manhattan)

PAMELA PERKINS Administrative manager, New York City Board of Elections

Married for: 8 years ✤

✤

How did you meet?

Do you talk about work? Bill Perkins: First of all, we enjoy the work we do. So it’s not as if that’s all we do, but obviously, since she’s

Do your professional lives ever overlap? Has there ever been a conflict of interest? Bill Perkins: I don’t know that there’s been a conflict of interest, but they have overlapped. For instance, when I was in the Council, I was the chair of the Government Operations Committee, which oversaw the operations of the Board of Elections, and especially during the period when HAVA [Help America Vote Act] was just coming into being, we had hearings with the New York City Board of Elections. She’s on that side of the table, I’m on the other side of the table. ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Bill Perkins: I was active in the neighborhood, and she was active in the neighborhood, ironically on the other side. In the sense of a political campaign, I was running for district leader, she was supporting the incumbent— Pamela Perkins: My mother was supporting the incumbent, and I was very young. Bill Perkins: This was in the ‘80s. Pamela Perkins: Eventually I wound up joining the club. I ran for district leader in 1983, and the rest is kind of history. Bill Perkins: It was a long period of getting to know you, being involved in different political campaigns. Pamela Perkins: I appeared in a piece of lit on behalf of the opposition. He never lets me forget that. Bill Perkins: You know how you win, right? You marry the opposition.

Would you want your kids to go into politics? Pamela Perkins: I don’t know so much politics, but I think at some point, in some level that our children have to do some public service, give back to the community, because they’ve been blessed. —EIRD

on the administrative side and I’m more the political side, and she actually has been in her own right a leader,

GLENN VAN BRAMER,

the point. Yoswein: It took me three years, I caught my first perch. van Bramer: I had it mounted.

Creative director, Yoswein New York

Have you ever disagreed on a political issue?

Married for: 18 years

Yoswein: No. Probably part of the attraction is that philosophically Glenn and I are very similar. van Bramer: Before I met Joni I had been active politically. She was active politically. As a matter of fact, the only campaign that we were on different sides on was the Bobby Kennedy/McCarthy campaign. She was 13 years old. 1968. I was working for Bobby Kennedy. Yoswein: My brother was a big Eugene McCarthy guy. He was 16.

JONI YOSWEIN, President, Yoswein New York

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How did you meet? van Bramer: Marty Markowitz’s campaign. Yoswein: 1985. van Bramer: Joni was helping run the campaign, and I was hired to do the literature and do the speeches. It really was ‘like’ at first sight. The first year of knowing each other we would just have lunch a lot.

Do you talk about work?

Your son, Jamie van Bramer, is a vice president at the firm. Did you encourage him to go into politics?

What’s your favorite way to escape from it all? van Bramer: Ice fishing. Yoswein: We have a log cabin in the Adirondacks. It is unbelievable. People don’t get it. van Bramer: You don’t catch much. But that’s not

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

van Bramer: We always have coffee and talk about our day. You can’t separate business and home life one hundred percent. But we never argue about work at home. Yoswein: And we’ve never tried to. Part of which is because we’ve created this very boutique firm where we like what we do every day.

van Bramer: Jamie chose this on his own. We’re very proud that he decided to work with Joni and I, particularly with Joni. I think that there’s something that’s very rewarding about working with public policy. I did it on and off my whole life. I worked in Congress. I was a county Democratic leader... van Bramer: I was active for a number of years, and was happy when Jamie decided to follow me into that. The other kids have their own interests. —AH

Political Power Couples For more political news at www.cityhallnews.com

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com cians from the Democratic Party already almost threatening me that they’re going to try to dig up dirt on me.

Catsimatidis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

to come from. I think we should have more business people, attract more business people into politics. … Tell me about what you can do for the system, not what you can take or get from the system. CH: Will you give to the other candidates running for president in 2008, or are you going to make sure you’re only with Clinton? JC: I’ll support them for vice president maybe. CH: Have you talked with the Clintons about your interest in running for mayor? JC: I’ve mentioned it to them. I’m not telling them they have to do one thing or another. Let their conscience be their guide. CH: Have they encouraged you to get into the race? JC: They said I should do it if it helps New York. CH: Have you talked to Michael Bloomberg about it? JC: He knows I want to run. CH: Are you concerned about being attacked politically over the course of the campaign? JC: I’ve already had a couple of politi-

CH: Like who? JC: I’m not going to say. All I said is, look, I’m the nicest guy in the world. … I’m not going to dig up dirt on anybody. But if somebody hits me, I’ll hit twice as hard. But, hey, what are you going to come up with? That I didn’t pay my sign bill for $24 10 years ago? I’m married, I don’t have any girlfriends, I don’t do drugs, I don’t drink. God only knows what they want to come up with. That’s why you can’t get more businessmen interested. Let’s talk about the issues and how to make New York better. And, hopefully, the press will be more responsible. CH: How much of your own money are you ready to spend on the race? JC: I mentally budget $30 million, which I stated would be 90 percent of the budget. But when you get pregnant, goes the old expression in business, you spend more. CH: Where does the fortune come from? JC: Gristedes only represents about 6 percent of our total interests. Twentytwo years ago we bought into an oil company that was in bankruptcy and we saved the company and we saved 3000 jobs in western Pennsylvania. We saved

FEB RUARY 2007

the company; I saved the company. I had a vision. I pulled the company out of bankruptcy using very little capital. It is now one of the most successful companies in Pennsylvania.

JC: I’ve talked to a lot of Republican leaders. CH: Did they seem eager to help you? JC: Yes, a lot of them say come back and that they will help.

CH: Have you started talking to campaign professionals about putting together a campaign? JC: We’re talking to a few who want to put together a team of advisors, of how

CH: Are there any potential Republican opponents you’re worried about? JC: Whoever has the money and is willing to spend it and deliver the message to New York.

Tell me about what you can do for the system, not what you can take or get from the system. we do this. It’s a big knowledge curve of how you do this and a businessman learns. You hire the right people to do things right and you use common sense. CH: Do you ever think about running for something other than mayor? JC: I’m a CEO. I’ve been a CEO for 37 years. I’m not running for something that I can’t make a difference. I want to be able to make a difference and a positive difference. CH: Have you talked with Republican leaders about the possibility of running?

CH: In a nutshell, what would be your platform? JC: I’m on the taxpayer’s side. I’m going to make sure the taxpayer doesn’t get screwed.

CH: Any suggestions for a Catsimatidis 2009 slogan? JC: We want to lower taxes. We don’t want to chase away the middle class. We don’t want to chase away the rich in New York. We don’t want to make it impossible for someone who’s not wealthy, to say, ‘I can’t live here anymore’ and move to Connecticut or Westchester, or move to Miami. And we want working people to have affordable housing and good transportation. CH: Did you do any special ‘Catsimatidis 2009’ promotions in the Gristedes stores? JC: [laughs] Free Mallomars.

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FEBR UARY 2007

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CITY HALL

EXCERPT EXCLUSIVE

The Defining Moment, Still Being Defined How Spitzer’s Hevesi disavowal came down determined that conference room in their midtown race.” Spitzer also S ELECTION DAY APPROACHED, Hevesi owed a new and unexpected issue Manhattan campaign headquarters. It was disinvited Hevesi another $90,000 in the emerged, which crystallized the a difficult moment. Hevesi had been a key from reimbursements tough choices that would lie ahead for ally in Spitzer’s campaign to hold corpo- Democrats’ longand forced the Spitzer. State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, a rate leaders accountable for the excesses planned Election embattled comptrollong-time Spitzer ally and personal of the stock market bubble. As the titular Night party at the ler to tell the public York friend, was prohibitively ahead in his race head of New York’s state pension fund, his New about the extra bill for reelection on the Democratic ticket, office had taken the lead in suing the direc- Sheraton, forcing just days before the when allegations surfaced that he had tors of WorldCom and the banks that had the comptroller election. “It was very improperly used state employees to chauf- sold the telecommunication firm’s bonds to organize a impressive the way he feur his ailing wife, Carol, and had failed to the public even as their in-house invest- separate gatherhandled it,” to reimburse the state for the expense— ment teams warned that the company’s ing for his supShechtman said.… despite a pledge three years earlier that he finances looked shaky. “It’s a very tough porters. The road ahead S p i t z e r ’s would do so. The embattled comptroller issue at a personal level....I’ve always liked would not be easy. apologized and promised to repay $82,000 Alan, counted him as a good friend and a stance on the Spitzer had promised to the state. Hevesi’s admission came right supporter,” Spitzer said later. “But when I Hevesi issue to provide more fundin before the first gubernatorial debate read the report, the conclusion wasn’t that stood ing for New York City between Faso and Spitzer, where Faso tough....The fundamental essence of a marked conschools, revamp pressed the issue. Spitzer seemed caught comptroller is to protect the public funds trast to that off-guard, giving an oddly double-barreled from improper use and this is right in the of Sheldon response. He praised Hevesi as “an hon- nexus.” Some of his staff counseled Silver, the powerful First look at an excerpt of the new est, stupendous public servant” but also Spitzer to wait for Governor Pataki and Democratic speaker of the state assemafterword from the book “Spoiling said, “What Alan did was wrong....If any- other state leaders to weigh in, but Spitzer bly and a man Spitzer would need to for a Fight: The Rise of Eliot Spitzer” body on my watch did that, trust me, there believed he had only one real choice: he work with to get things done in Albany. by Brooke A. Masters. would be very serious consequences, had to rescind his endorsement of Hevesi Silver stood by Hevesi and made clear R EPRINTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH TIMES BOOKS, AN IMPRINT OF H ENRY because I do not tolerate that sort of as soon as possible. “I don’t like to appear that he would prevent the assembly from HOLT AND COMPANY, LLC. COPYRIGHT (C) 2006 BY BROOKE A. MASTERS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. abuse.” Faso didn’t let the issue drop. “We to be reactive on judgment calls of that holding impeachment proceedings. Some kept hammering him about one set of sort,” he said later. “Had I waited it would Democratic legislators also grumbled privately about what they saw Medicaid, and revive the upstate econstandards for himself and as Spitzer’s quick decision to omy, all without raising taxes. He one for everybody else and Shortly after the ethics commission throw Hevesi under the bus. would also have to deal with ongoing I don’t think he liked it,” issued its report, Spitzer and his But Spitzer’s actions drew corruption issues in Albany. The Alan Faso remembered. Then, on October 23, campaign team huddled in a starkly praise from the ethics commit- Hevesi scandal resolved itself when tee chairman, Paul Shechtman. the comptroller resigned as part of a the State Ethics furnished conference room in their Though Shechtman had been plea deal. But Senate majority leader Commission weighed in. Its report, based on inter- midtown Manhattan campaign head- appointed by Pataki and had Joseph Bruno took Hevesi’s place on views with twelve witnessquarters. It was a difficult moment. helped hand Spitzer one of his the hot seat, disclosing shortly before few courtroom losses in the Christmas that the FBI was investigates and 2,000 pages of docmutual fund trading case against Ted ing his outside consulting work. “The uments, found there was no evidence to support Hevesi’s claim that his wife have made it appear I was testing the Sihpol, Spitzer sent word through his staff problem for [Spitzer] is there have required a security detail to protect her water and it would have made the decision to Hevesi that he would not tolerate been such expectations created,” said from threats made against her husband. appear to be more political.” The next day, attacks on the five commissioners, a not- John Faso. “‘Day One, Everything “State employees may not use public at a press availability outside an upstate insignificant threat because of the role the Changes.’ We’re going to find on day resources to care for their loved ones,” the diner, Spitzer said that he found the report governor would play in any impeachment two that people look around and not commission wrote. “Mr. Hevesi knowingly “very persuasive” and “deeply troubling or removal hearings. “I was so pleased by much has changed....He created this and intentionally used his position as New and disconcerting....It has certainly made the response of Eliot’s people,” Shechtman expectation. He runs the risk that if he York State Comptroller to secure unwar- me reconsider and reevaluate my support said in an interview, adding that he was can’t fulfill it then people will sour on particularly impressed when Spitzer’s staff him pretty quickly.” ranted privileges for himself and his wife, and what I will do in that race.” That wasn’t enough for New York’s and in doing so, pursued a course of conduct that raises suspicion among the pub- ferocious media. “‘Day One’ is now, members taking personal potshots lic that he likely engaged in acts that vio- Eliot,” the New York Post editorialized, against the councilman who proposed the lated the public trust” and state law. The picking up on Spitzer’s campaign slogan, ordinance. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 five-member commission also concluded and The New York Times headlined a Political consultant George Arzt sees that Hevesi’s $82,000 reimbursement was news story, “Spitzer’s Vow to Clean Up cap. Violators’ firms cannot receive bond the New York proposals going the way of insufficient and officially referred the case Albany Faces Test in Hevesi’s Troubles.” business for two years after the donation. the Jersey City proposal. While noting to the state senate and the state assembly. Two days later, Spitzer’s campaign issued Pay to play reform has been a hot topic that the majority of donations do not Spitzer ordered his office to open an a statement formally withdrawing his across the Hudson in New Jersey, as offi- influence a final decision, but rather give immediate investigation to determine how endorsement: “The outcome of the cials grapple with the state’s reputation as donators access to elected officials, he much more money Hevesi owed the state. Ethics Commission investigation pres- a hotbed for political corruption. A sees the status quo remaining. Spitzer also announced he would recuse ents information that compromises Alan statewide ban on contractual pay to play Given how many elected officials benhimself from the review because he had Hevesi’s ability to fulfill his responsibili- has already been enacted. Recently there efit from developer donations, Arzt said, candidate] J. has been a push for municipalities to one does not need a crystal ball to foresee previously endorsed Hevesi. But the ties....[Republican thornier issue of whether to continue to Christopher Callaghan’s experience and adopt their own pay to play bans relating the fate of a reform bill. support Hevesi for reelection still substantive positions lead me to believe to those who redevelop city land. “It won’t pass,” he said. remained. Shortly after the ethics commis- he is not qualified to be Comptroller. In January, Jersey City’s City Council johncelock@aol.com sion issued its report, Spitzer and his cam- Therefore, I can no longer support either voted down the land use proposal in a Direct letters to the editor to paign team huddled in a starkly furnished candidate in the state Comptroller’s heated meeting, which featured council cityhall@manhattanmedia.com.

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Last year, San Diego County’s experiment with hedge fund investing cost its pensions $87 million, when its hedge fund, Amaranth, bet heavily on natural gas and lost over 65 percent of its total assets. sions right now,” Thompson said. “A lot of it is because the stock market was down three years in a row.” According to Thompson, the city pours in $4 billion each year to fill the gaps the pension investments did not cover for the 237,000 retirees and beneficiaries who rely on them. “Our returns have been good, but not as good as we’d like,” said City Finance Commissioner Martha Stark, who also chairs the New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS).

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ready to stick in its big toe. Anxious to curb ever-shrinking pension returns, Comptroller William Thompson, Jr. (D) announced in January that the public pension boards were one step closer to investing a portion of their money in hedge funds, as part of an entire plan to help diversify portfolios which total nearly $100 billion in assets. “Look how much the city puts in pen-

NYCERS, one of the five major city pensions, approached Thompson’s office nearly two years ago, searching for ways to get better returns on the investments for the 344,000 total city employees who currently pay into the system. Each board is financially independent, and has a separate board of trustees made up of representatives from the city and labor unions. Each has an independent investment consultant. “Each board has its own personality,” explained Joseph Haslip, executive director of pensions with the Comptroller’s Office. Thompson serves as an advisor to all of the pension boards. He and his staff began conducting educational sessions for the boards on other investment strategies. The controversial hedge fund investments were one of the strategies discussed. “After learning about hedge funds, several expressed no interest, and some decided they wanted to learn more,” said Haslip. Those concerns were echoed by DC 37, one of the labor unions with a seat on the NYCERS board. Mike Musaraca, the union’s assistant director of research and negotiations, emphasized how cautiously they have moved in their decision-making. “Given the concerns, we have a responsibility to do our due diligence,” he said. Once primarily an investment strategy for wealthy individual investors, hedge funds became popular for public investments after the Sept. 11 attacks. During the stock market slump which followed, they provided new ways for pension funds to stem their losses, if

City Comptroller Bill Thompson wants to put a portion of city pension money in hedge funds, though some say this investment strategy is too risky. not gain huge profits. Since 2005, public pension investment in hedge funds increased by 66 percent, according to Greenwich Associates, an investment consulting firm in Connecticut. Still, hedge funds do have some complications, including their relationship with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), that make some investors leery. “There is no regulatory framework for hedge funds,” said M. Suresh Sundaresan, a professor of economics and finance at Columbia University’s Business School. “They don’t report to the SEC on a regular basis.” In short, hedge funds are not mutual funds, which invest for the long haul. Hedge funds use both long and short term investment strategies, in order to try to quickly buy “hot” investments or to dump “cold” ones. But jumping on the next hottest investment can prove fatal—either through bad management, bad investments, or both. Last year, San Diego County’s experiment with hedge fund investing cost its pensions $87 million, when its hedge fund, Amaranth, bet heavily on natural

gas and lost over 65 percent of its total assets. This followed excellent initial performance, with Amaranth up 30 percent during the first 10 months of the investment. When and if a public pension fund loses money, those losses must be integrated into the local government’s budget. Taxpayers are then forced to make up these losses out of funds set aside for other projects or public services. Several city officials said that if any of the pension boards decide to invest in hedge funds, they may start off small. They quoted investment figures between 1 and 5 percent of total assets. Once the pension boards invest, there are other ways to manage the risk involved. (By comparison, San Diego County had 20 percent of their $7.7 billion in assets invested in hedge funds.) “Over time, you can increase or decrease your investment,” said Sundaresan, of Columbia. “If you are actively managing the hedge funds, then you may be able to be successful.” Because of the potential for abuse, Haslip said the city’s pension boards are already planning to look closely at hedge funds that have achieved greater transparency by producing quarterly reports and benchmarks for investors. Based on these documents, industry associations rank the performance of hedge funds and their managers. “The more public pension funds get involved, the more transparent hedge funds have gotten,” noted Thompson. The comptroller’s office will be making a presentation to the boards in coming weeks. The boards will make decisions on the investments later this year. Boards which choose to invest in hedge funds will hire specialty consultants, independent of their investment consultants, to advise them on which funds are performing well, and how much should be invested. Haslip said New York’s pension boards did the smart thing to avoid a similar catastrophe by treading lightly into the new investment strategy. “I think it’s good that we didn’t rush in,” he said. “We waited and learned from the successes and mistakes of our colleagues across the country.” kfarrow@manhattanmedia.com

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ANDREW SCHWARTZ

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decried big government, outlined plans to expand parkland, widen roads and slash through bureaucratic red tape. “It was vintage Jimmy Molinaro,” said Council Member James Oddo (R-Staten Island). “It was really good to see Jimmy back being the Jimmy that I know and love.” Coming at the end of a year that saw a host of personal troubles for Molinaro, including the sudden death of his son in April from a drug overdose and another jailing for his troubled grandson, the evening had more the air of a triumphant return rather than staid political event. The boisterous night was a showcase of the popularity of a man who, since first being elected in 2001, has become as well known on Staten Island as he is seemingly unknown off of it. Ask a New Yorker to name the five borough presidents and most would come up with only three or four. Molinaro would almost definitely not be on many lists. But on Staten Island, everyone seems to know “Jimmy.” And those who know him best are quick to identify what they say sets him apart and accounts for his popularity. “Talking about Jimmy, you’re talking about somebody who’s not typical of the average politician,” said former Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari (R). “He brings a different perspective to the job than just about everybody else, because he approaches it as one of the crowd.” Molinaro grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and graduated from Murray Hill High School—the extent of his formal education. He ran a recycling business before becoming involved in politics in the 1960s as an early member of the state Conservative Party. He has remained a prominent party official ever since. After serving as deputy borough president for 12 years under Molinari, Molinaro was elected in his own right after term limits forced his old boss from office, beating out then-Council Member Jerome O’Donovan (D-Staten Island.) The race was close. Molinaro’s campaign benefited from then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s (R) strong support. Molinaro openly embraced his reputation as an everyman politician. His home phone number was listed for years. He refused an official driver, putting the money which would have paid that salary towards a senior care program open on Saturdays. “That’s my style,” Molinaro said. “I think you should be a part of the people you’re governing.” But those close to him admit that Molinaro’s informal approach to politics can sometimes come off as abrasive or gruff. “He’d be the first to admit that it may

As borough president, Staten Island’s James Molinaro has cultivated an image of being an everyman politician. not be pretty along the way,” said Oddo. “He may not use flowery language, although his language is colorful.” Molinaro agreed with this assessment of his style. “You’ve got to be what you’ve got to be,” he said. “You can’t pussyfoot.” Richard Flanagan, a professor of political science at the College of Staten Island, said that Staten Island’s unique political culture only added to Molinaro’s reputation on the island. “The borough president is more of a venerated figure here than he or she would be in the other boroughs,” he said.

“There’s a sense that Staten Island is not entirely a part of the city, and that the borough president is head of state of this government in exile.” Molinaro’s office is an expansive wood-paneled space on the first floor of Borough Hall. A picture of him with Sen. Charles Schumer (D) is prominently displayed outside the entrance. The two are close friends. Molinaro tends to speak in short, rapid-fire bursts. Recently, sitting behind his large desk in his large office, he talked extensively about his job, his friendship with the mayor, and his rela-

tionship with the media. He does not shy away from recognizing unpopular positions he has taken, such as his support for so-called “box stores,” which have been criticized by opponents of overdevelopment. More notably, Molinaro came under fire in 2002 for his support of Bloomberg’s 18 percent raise in property taxes in the face of the city’s $6 billion deficit. “Everybody blasted him, but I stayed with the mayor,” Molinaro said. “I went out on Staten Island and I preached that what he did, there was no choice.” He said it was a matter of policy trumping politics. “Because I’m a Conservative, it would have been easy to say we shouldn’t raise taxes,” he added. “But it wouldn’t have been right.” Since then, the two have remained close. During his visit to the State of the Borough speech, Bloomberg called Molinaro “a no-nonsense guy” and praised his dedication to public service. Molinaro has used that relationship as the foundation for the main focus of his office: getting City Hall to focus on Staten Island’s issues. For an office which had its staff cut by more than half when Molinaro took office, the borough president’s alliance seems like canny politics in the service of otherwise unattainable results. City Council Member Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island) said that given the reduced power of the office, Molinaro deserved high marks for drawing attention to Staten Island. “In the eyes of previous administraCONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Looking Past Molinaro, Oddo and McMahon Weigh Options president. erm limits on the horizon has Oddo said though “symbolicalmany people looking ahead ly, people would take from it certo the 2009 races, and the tain things,” a Democratic return contest to succeed James to Borough Hall would not necesMolinaro (R) as Staten Island borsarily mean a groundswell of ough president is no exception. political change on Staten Island. “Here’s my prediction: Mike “To the extent that the next McMahon is running,” said mayor will probably be a Council Member James Oddo (RDemocrat, it would probably help Staten Island.) the island if the next borough However, many expect Oddo to president were a Democrat,” said be facing McMahon—a Democrat Richard Flanagan, a professor of who was also backed by the political science at the College of Conservative Party in his 2005 Staten Island. “That’s not to say Council reelection bid—in a race that cross-party linkages can’t be most see as wide open in the made.” wake of term limits. Both will be Molinaro said he planned to term-limited out of the Council at the end of 2009. On the Council, Michael McMahon (D) and play a hands-on role in the race. Like McMahon, Oddo remains James Oddo (R) have been allies. But the He said he would consider non-committal. 2009 Staten Island borough president’s endorsing a Democrat, “if I felt that would be the best choice for “I have to figure out if I still race may pit them against each other. Staten Island.” want to be an elected official,” All in all, Molinaro said it was far Oddo said. “If you do this job the right Ralph Lamberti held the post from way and you wear your heart on your 1984 through 1989. Lamberti was too early to make predictions. “In politics, a week is a lifetime,” defeated after one term by sleeve, it takes a toll on you.” Staten Island has long been home Republican Guy Molinari. In his 12 he said. base for Republican politics in the years on the job, Molinari ensconced jpcaldwell@gmail.com city, and there has not been a himself in the minds of many as the Direct letters to the editor to Democrat in Borough Hall since penultimate Staten Island borough cityhall@manhattanmedia.com.

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Newmark Aims for Fresh Impact on Elections BY JOHN R.D. CELOCK END OF THE 2004 election, Steven Newmark boarded a flight home from Florida. After spending the previous two weeks working for John Kerry’s campaign, the then 27-year-old fledgling election attorney was at a low point. “It was one of the toughest flights of my life,” he said. Short on cash and high on student debts, he shared a cab back to Manhattan with an older woman to save money. They talked about his role coordinating New York lawyers to go to represent the Democratic Party in key states during the election. “She said to keep fighting,” Newmark said. “That lady inspired me to keep going.” Initially at Fordham Law School, Newmark was considering a career in labor or tax law. The Sept. 11 attacks changed his focus. He applied to the Army’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, but failed the entrance exam. Without a permanent job, he worked as a contract attorney for several Manhattan firms. Without health insurance, Newmark

T THE

recalls he was nervous to even step outside, for fear of getting injured. Then in early 2004, a college friend asked Newmark to run his insurgent campaign for Congress in Jersey City. He accepted the offer. Soon after, he began volunteering for the Kerry campaign, taking on increasing responsibilities in teaching election procedures to 1300 attorneys from New York who then went to work in other states. “Steve walked in as a volunteer,” said

“A lot of the problems with elections are not maliciousness, but incompetence.” — Steve Newmark

Molinaro CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

tions our problems were small problems,” he said. “But the borough president has been effective in getting the mayor to realize that overdevelopment and traffic and economic development are issues that loom large out here.” While he has sought to bring added attention to Staten Island, Molinaro has not often sought that same attention for himself, which might have something to do with his tendency to receive the type of attention politicians generally try to avoid. Specifically, since 2002, several city newspapers have taken pains to point out Molinaro’s connection to two Staten Island businessmen whose names surfaced during an FBI investigation into organized crime control of the Howland Hook Container Terminal. Both were substantial contributors to Molinaro’s 2001 campaign. One of them, Salvatore Calcagno, was Molinaro’s campaign finance chairman. Calcagno was reportedly overheard on an FBI wiretap meeting with organized crime figures and was subsequently investigated for income tax fraud. Molinaro was not connected to any wrongdoing. But he has nonetheless avoided much comment on the controversy surrounding his former campaign finance chief, or on consistently being named in coverage of the story.

well-known election lawyer Henry Berger, who mentored Newmark during the Kerry campaign. “He ended up running the export operation. Steve was the one who pulled it all together.” After the campaign, he recalled the three-hour lines to vote in minority neigh“I don’t argue because you can’t win,” Molinaro said. But he does think the treatment of his former associates has been somewhat unfair. “I do remember saying at the time, ‘Let he who is free of sin cast the first stone,’” he added. “Meaning, show me someone who doesn’t do a little cheating on their income tax.” And he does not think that he should necessarily be judged based on past associates. “I might have shook hands with five people who held up a grocery store the day before,” he said. Ultimately, Molinaro said, taking the heat is all part of being an elected official. At 75, Molinaro said he would not seek a third term even if term limits were not poised to force him from office at the end of 2009. “I think something happens to you after eight years,” he said. “I’m afraid that you’d become arrogant. And it would be a good time for some fresh ideas.” But though he will be near 80 by the time his term ends, Molinaro insists the end of his political career will not mean retirement to the home in the Florida Keys which he co-owns and where he often spends his vacation. “One thing’s for sure,” he said. “I will not do nothing.” jpcaldwell@gmail.com Direct letters to the editor to cityhall@manhattanmedia.com.

borhoods in Fort Lauderdale, compared to fast-moving lines to vote he saw in the more suburban and Republican areas. Comparing experiences over email with other attorneys he recruited and trained, he found an increasing number of voting rights stories. In response, he helped organize a meeting of attorneys and fellow Kerry campaign veterans. The New York Democratic Lawyers’ Council was born. Lawyers from the group have held training sessions on state election law and have assisted candidates across the state. They conduct voter education sessions and advocate for voting rights. The group is also monitoring the state’s long-awaited process of overhauling voting machines. Berger said Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ (D-Yonkers/Westchester) narrow victory over Republican State Sen. Nick Spano last year had much to do with the Democratic Lawyers’ Council’s monitoring of voting rights issues in Yonkers. But Newmark himself has been in Washington for the past year, working for the office which oversaw the International Teamsters Union elections. While there, he helped organize and lead the D.C. Democratic lawyers group. Similar groups

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

As Democratic Lawyers’ Council takes shape in New York, other states follow

Steven Newmark have sprouted in other states, and a national organization has begun to grow as well. Meanwhile, he traveled to Albania for several weeks in February as part of a group of American attorneys assembled by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to monitor national elections there. “A lot of the problems with elections are not maliciousness, but incompetence,” Newmark said. “The goal should be that voting should be easy and not difficult.”

INT 499 Sponsor: Council Member Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to health insurance coverage for surviving family members of deceased uniformed correctional and sanitation workers. Currently, the families of uniformed fire and police automatically qualify for extensive health benefits. Last year, Addabbo proposed a law to extend these benefits to all deceased city employees’ families. Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) responded by sending a bill to the Council only to add benefits for correctional and sanitation employees. “There are other people whose work puts them at risk,” said Addabbo. “I think this should be extended to meet the needs of all city workers.” Addabbo explained this was an important first, but Bills on the burner for the Council not a last step. “While I appreciate the mayor’s efforts here, I think there is more work to be done,” said Addabbo. Other bills are underway to extend these benefits to transportation workers and other city employees, Addabbo added. INT 508 Sponsors: Council Members Vincent Gentile (D-Brooklyn) and Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) A Local Law to amend the New York City charter, in relation to requiring the director of the mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs to send annual written notice to all veterans within New York City informing them of federal, state and city benefits to which veterans and their families are entitled. “It shouldn’t be a maze for veterans to find out where to get the assistance they need,” said Gentile. New York City’s nearly 400,000 veterans include soldiers who served as far back as World War II. This number also counts younger veterans returning home from Iraq. “Many have problems paying rent, and some are homeless,” noted Gentile. “This is an immediate way to get the information into the hands of veterans.” The proposed law is a part of the city’s renewed commitment to supporting military veterans. —Kenyon Farrow kfarrow@manhattanmedia.com

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kay, the deal is done. Alan Hevesi has been forced from office, fined and shamed. Tom DiNapoli has been installed in his place, the winner of the intramural popularity contest. He can now do what he wants with the state’s $145.7 billion pension fund and overwhelming power to audit, without having to face voters until Primary Day 2010, when our fuming governor will presumably be backing someone else to take DiNapoli’s place. The battle lines are drawn down the center of the state capitol’s lobby, with the insults and invectives flying freely from side to side. Would we have just been better off with Alan Hevesi as comptroller? Sure, the man pocketed the equivalent of about $200,000 in taxpayer money to give his incapacitated wife a chauffer and all-around helper. He called it a mistake. Others called it a felony. He did know how to be comptroller, though. Had there been an independent screening panel for the city comptroller’s job in 1993, then 13-term Assembly Member Hevesi would probably not have been recommended as a highly-qualified finalist. But the public backed him, and he learned on the job. There are not many backgrounds which prepare someone to manage $145 billion in state pension funds and audit across a state of 18 million people. As Hevesi’s successful track record during his term in Albany proved, eight

years of managing $90 billion in city pension funds and auditing across a city of eight million people stacks up pretty well. As for DiNapoli, it seems fair to say that he would have had a hard time convincing the statewide electorate to make him comptroller based on his background as the man with the sunniest disposition in Albany for 20 years and three years at AT&T while Ronald Reagan was president. Convincing colleagues in the Legislature who were looking to stick it to the governor was a different matter. Certainly, several past state comptrollers had as little relevant experience as DiNapoli, and did all right on the job. And our new attorney general’s main experience practicing law was a brief stint in the Manhattan district attorney’s office back around the same time DiNapoli was at AT&T. Speaking before the DiNapoli decision was made, panel finalist and Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman told City Hall, “In this case, we have a unique opportunity to pick someone solely on who’s most qualified to do the job.” (The full conversation is up on our website at www.cityhallnews.com.) With DiNapoli, it seems, that opportunity has been missed. Even for those who want to leave all that aside and ignore that behind-thescenes machinations led to 211 legislators picking a new person for a position which 2,349,578 voters said in November should belong to Hevesi. Can we really

Necessary Follow Through ony Avella made a lot of noise last November as City Council members moved towards raising their own salaries, along with bumps for other city officials. He complained on the Council floor, he gave interviews blasting the decision, he wrote op-eds (including one in these pages). Knowing that the proposal would pass, the Queens Democrat tried to attach an amendment which would have set the raise for future Council members, eliminated lulus and banned outside employment. The amendment failed. The bill did not, and passed the Council 41-5. Usually when this happens, politicians disappear again into the woodwork. But three months later, Avella is pushing a package of reforms which include the ideas in that amendment. He also wants to give committee chairs more independence from the Council speaker in putting items on their own committees’ agendas. Perhaps most importantly of all, he

wants to require Council stated meetings to start on time. This seemingly insignificant bit of legislation is, in fact, essential to the democratic process: a government which meets on its own schedule, sometimes hours after they are scheduled, is one destined to be closed and opaque. The Council’s consistent lateness prevents the press and public from reasonably attending its full meetings, a betrayal of the open government New York City likes to boast about at every opportunity. Some have accused Avella of grandstanding on this issue, whether for his own aggrandizement or for the sake of helping his unquestionably longshot 2009 mayoral bid. If so, Avella would not be the first Council member to introduce legislation in the hopes of stroking their own egos or boosting their own political careers. But one way or another, he is the most recent to take a hard look at the inner workings of the Council and try to do something about it. For that he should be applauded.

Would we have been better off sticking with Hevesi? say that New Yorkers’ best interests have been served by having this situation hang over the first five weeks of a new governor and supposed new mood in Albany? Can we really think that the war between Spitzer and the Legislature this has caused will give the state and its residents what is needed? Had Hevesi stayed in office, we could have avoided it all. He was a good comptroller with the world ignoring him, as it generally ignores all comptrollers. Imagine how careful he would have been with the world looking over his shoulder: a slightly compromised comptroller could have been the best thing to happen to New York’s finances in ages. Perhaps this will be the epiphany moment, the necessary spark to ignite the firestorm necessary to clean up New York state government. But probably not. Maybe DiNapoli will hire good people, and will pick up on the job as he goes. Maybe he will even reach a détente with Eliot Spitzer, and work on salvaging what should be a good working relationship between the state’s elected leaders. But probably not. So there is a lesson here, for Spitzer, who tacitly supported pushing Hevesi from power, and for all the people who were eager to see him go: sometimes when you go out for blood, you end up cutting yourself.

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OP-ED stupidest of all the stupid things that George Pataki did was to let Bill Powers, the legendary political tactician, get out of the big job which has now become so small. Only heaven knows what Mondello had in his portfolio to convince Bruno to promote him to the top political job. Maybe it was the loyalty of the Long Island Republican Senators who could not now vote for Long Islander Dean Skelos, the heir apparent.

As the Dust Settles, Who Will Get Covered? An Insider’s Look at the Players:

No one will be immune. No one. Even billionaires like Michael Bloomberg will have to worry. When Attorney General Andrew Cuomo looked like he would be fighting Spitzer for positioning in Albany, I wondered how that would play out. I’m not wondering anymore. Remember the old joke: “How do you play with a two-ton gorilla? Very carefully.” You just don’t know what Spitzer will do next.

Governor Eliot Spitzer Okay, we know that if you mess with him, he will fight until you are down. He said he was a steamroller and he meant it. In fact, such is his dominance in New York State that even his allies are more than a little worried. Back in the olden days, if you campaigned for a guy, you had bragging Senate Republican Leader rights and you Joe Bruno were owed. Bruno learned that lesson That’s all from Spitzer well. He told changed. Now BY ALAN Spitzer to stay out of the they’re all looking CHARTOCK Long Island Senate race over their shoulders, including the people who supported and that put Democrats just two votes away from taking control of their house. Spitzer campaigned for him. Truman’s vice president, Alben W. did exactly the opposite. He went in with a Barkley, once met a farmer on the cam- vengeance. He did some of the best politipaign trail who had turned on him, cal advertising I have ever seen, and he despite all the support Barkley had pro- cleaned Bruno’s clock. All the while, Bruno has been facing vided in previous years. He first quoted those now-famous words, heard in the an increasingly tough federal investigaKentucky fields: “Yeah, but what have tion over his own personal ethics, and he has been severely weakened. His handyou done for me lately?”

EMILY ROSENBERG

The DiNapoli fight will remain with us

New Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D) picked Republican State Chairman, Joe Mondello, is in full retreat. Members of the Republican Senate may have to be on the lookout for a new leader. Nassau Country and State GOP Chairman Joe Mondello This guy, the Nassau County leader, has now been officially declared as hamburger. He has lost everything on Long Island except his pants. Even they are on the way out. The county executive, the county legislature, the State Senate seat have all gone to the Democrats. For his good work he has been rewarded with the state chairmanship of the Republican party. Unbelievable. The single

With Democratic Majority, New York’s Future Looks Bright BY REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL ver the first 100 legislative hours, the Democratic Congress has taken steps to lead the country in a new direction, passing several bills that will provide short-term relief and long-term benefits to local residents. We took swift action to expand economic opportunities for millions of Americans by passing a long overdue increase in the federal minimum wage. In New York, it’s a measure that according to the Department of Labor will affect 661,000 residents statewide. We have taken steps to help students tackle the rising cost of education by cutting interest rates on student loans for undergraduates, saving the average college student in New York close to $4,750 by 2011. These legislative accomplishments – many which passed with strong bipartisan support – show that the Democratic leadership is focused on moving beyond the political gridlock that has plagued Washington, in order to work on the issues facing our great nation. Just as important as what has been passed is the way that 23 New York leaders have been embraced by the Democratic Party. Members of the local delegation who have served government ably for years now

head key panels on Congressional committees. Some of our newer members, particularly the freshmen representatives whose victories led to a Democratic majority, are now serving in critical leadership posts. We now have a Congress that will conduct oversight and restore checks and balances to our government. At a time when so many are questioning where this country is headed, it is our duty to stand up and get the answers that the public is seeking from this President and his Administration. Our New York delegation will be leading this charge. When our youth and the elderly programs need an advocate, they will find one in Education and Labor Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn McCarthy. If small business owners are looking for new opportunities, they can turn to Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. I am honored to Chair the Ways and Means Committee – including fellow New Yorker Joe Crowley – which has jurisdiction over our nation’s tax, trade, healthcare, Social Security and welfare policies. You can be assured our city will be in good hands. If an issue comes up in the Foreign Relations Committee, you can be sure that all eyes will be on legislators like Reps. Gregory Meeks or Gary Ackerman. The same can be

said in the Judiciary Committee, with Rep. Jerold Nadler. It goes without saying that the strength of our delegation is amplified by our representation in the Senate, with Senators Schumer and Clinton taking the lead on key issues. America faces some real challenges ahead. Far too many people are without healthcare, affordable homes or a secure job. Far too much money is locked up in tax code regulations that benefit the very few. Far too many schools are failing both urban and rural students, creating an educational crisis that threatens to not only shrivel the dreams of a generation, but also this country’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Democrats, with the help of our local delegation, will meet those challenges head on. They will do so with the combined experiences that we’ve amassed in our multicultural, multilingual state, including that of a former high school dropout that was born and raised on the streets of Lenox Ave. They will do so knowing that what is right for New York will be good for the nation.

Charles Rangel is a Democrat who represents parts of Manhattan in Congress. He is the chair of the House Ways & Means Committee.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Little left to be said. He got between a rock and a hard place. He knew that fighting with the new governor would be dangerous, but his Democratic conference leaned on him to take on Spitzer over the comptroller choice. Knowing that his conference was his board of directors and could revolt, Silver did the dumb thing. In a way, he was sacrificing himself for his members. I can’t tell you how many conversations I have heard about who the next speaker is going to be. That’s a tough one: even if Spitzer manages to displace Silver, there is no apparent strongman in the wings. Since so many of the Democratic conference were with Silver, the pickings seem quite slim. On the other hand, you have to figure that if Spitzer is as powerful as I think he is, he could pick an unknown for speaker, install him, and control the way things go. While unlikely, I wouldn’t count it out. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli I wouldn’t want to be him. One can only wonder how that battle is shaping up. The comptroller’s office can be quite powerful in a political battle. He will have an increased role in the way in which the budget battle shapes up. If he sides with the Legislature that elected him and not with Spitzer, it could get ugly. What’s more, the comptroller, who owes everything now to Silver and even to Bruno, has the power of the audit, which, if DiNapoli has the guts, could be used for political mischief. My bet is that the prosecutors are going to be very busy in the next few years. Let’s put it this way: in the mob, everyone would be going to the mattresses right now. It’s a good time to lay low.

Alan Chartock is the president and CEO of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio and the executive publisher and project

For more on Albany, it’s WAMC.org. director of The welcomes submissions to the op-ed page. A piece should be maximum 650 words long, accompanied by the name and address of the author, and submitted via email to cityhall@manhattanmedia.com to be considered.

FEBR UARY 2007

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City Council Aims to Put the Brakes on Pedicabs Compromise bill could require licenses, meters BY NATALIE PIFER URRENTLY, PEDICABS ROAM THE

city without liability insurance, an operator’s license or standardized fares. But two proposed bills would put an end to their freewheeling. Cabbies complain that pedicabs infringe on a taxi’s exclusive right to pick up street hails, guaranteed by a Taxi and Limousine Commission medallion. The Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, an advocacy group that represents 20 percent of the city’s taxicab industry, wants the city to confine pedicabs to prearranged pickups only. “People have invested a lot of money for that right, but pedicabs can just swoop right in and take your fare,” said the group’s spokesman, Michael Woloz. Under a bill authored by City Council Member Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan), pedicabs would have to seek licensing through the Department of Consumer Affairs, obtain liability insurance and submit to safety inspections. Additionally,

pedicab drivers would have to apply for an operator’s license, making them subject to both city and state traffic laws. “Our exclusive focus was safety and congestion prevention in impacted areas,” said Gerson, who also supports restricting pedicab use in high traffic areas during rush hour. Even a far stricter bill authored by the Council’s Consumer Affairs Committee chair, Leroy Comrie (D-Queens), validates pedicabs as a legitimate taxi alternative. Comrie’s bill has the support of the Bloomberg administration. Comrie’s bill has seven co-sponsors, among them Council Member Kendall Stewart (D-Brooklyn). “It’s something that has been part of the city for years, and the city needs to have some other means for transportation based on the fact that regular taxis are becoming so crowded,” Stewart explained. Currently, pedicab fares are negotiated at the beginning of each ride, but under Comrie’s bill, operators would be required to openly display their method

of rate calculation and provide customers with detailed receipts. Pedicabs would also be prohibited from operating in public parks, bridges or tunnels, routes which provide a major source of income for them. Also under consideration: working out how pedicabs will function in Central Park. Horse-drawn carriage drivers have protested their presence. Comrie’s bill would also ban the use of an electric assist, an operator-controlled battery boost, which Stewart explained is a necessary step “to separate pedicabs from motorized vehicles.” Chad Marlow, a lobbyist hired by the New York City Pedicab Association, said that electric assists provide less than a single horsepower and are “more than anything for safety.” Marlow added that the fiberglass shell to protect passengers on newer pedicabs would be too heavy to carry without an electric assist. They also enable older, more experienced drivers to fight physical fatigue and continue driving.

Free Rides and Campaign Promises from Taxi Ray

INT 513 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that all persons complete an approved boating safety training course before being permitted to operate small vessels in the waters around the city of New York. INT 514 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that the commissioner of the department of transportation enforce the speed limits in the vessel regulation Bills on the burner zone and the for the Council no wake zone by means of a photo violation-monitoring service. Sponsor: Council Member Michael Nelson (D-Brooklyn) Small boats and other aquatic recreational vehicles have become popular in New York. And according to Nelson and professional boaters, so has reckless behavior. “It’s sort of like driving a car,” said Nelson. “I found it strange not to mandate some boating safety training for small vessels.” Nelson, who is chair of the Council’s Waterfronts Committee, said this becomes especially important with water traffic in some parts of the city as crowded as midtown rush hour street traffic. At a recent hearing, professional boaters recommended to Nelson some new rules on the waves for thrill-seekers looking to get in on the mix. These laws are the products of those recommendations. Nelson also explained that while the speed limit would be “difficult to enforce,” measures like increased patrolling and use of photo radar machines could help catch speed demons on the water, just as on the road. “Hopefully we can preclude an unnecessary drowning,” Nelson said. —Kenyon Farrow kfarrow@manhattanmedia.com

ON THE

BY NATALIE PIFER KOTTNER, 80, ALREADY has 19 votes in his pocket for the next presidential election and he hasn’t even formed an exploratory committee. Kottner, better known as Taxi Ray, has not done much campaigning, either. Instead, he drives his 1982 Checker yellow cab throughout the city. He gives free rides to whoever hails him, inspiring both financial gratitude and that handful of promised votes. “I make more money from just tips than I would charging fares,” said Kottner, who no longer has a Taxi & Limousine Commission medallion. Kottner has been driving a cab since he came back from serving in World War II in 1946. He has been doing it for free for the last four years. Now, at the age when most are retired, Kottner says he is looking to a possible new career. An avid follower of politics, he is a particular fan of Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R)—such a fan, in fact, that he was promoting Bloomberg’s White House prospects long before it became a minor media obsession. For three years, his taxi top read “Bloomberg for President.” Kottner has since changed camps. “When Bloomberg came out in the newspapers and said he didn’t want to be president, I changed the sign,” said Kottner. Now, the sign reads “Bloomberg won’t Run, soooo… Taxi Ray for President.” Among Kottner’s platform issues are

Gerson said that he expects a compromise to be created by combining his and Comrie’s bills soon. But Marlow insisted that regardless of the final legislation, pedicabs will remain on city streets. “It’s a popular form of transportation,” he said. “And if you look at the bigger environmental and traffic problems, they’re a solution.” npifer@manhattanmedia.com

AGENDA

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Ray Kottner used to back Michael Bloomberg for president, but now he says he has 19 votes for his own White House bid. crime prevention and alternative energy sources, particularly wind power and fuel cells. To make New York City streets safer, Kottner would replace taxi cab drivers with young police officers. “I say that if the 12,000 yellow taxis had armed, trained police officers, there wouldn’t be any old ladies mugged in the streets for their pocket books. Now that’s a show of force,” said Kottner. In reducing the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Kottner would allow taxpayers to channel taxes away from government coffers and into financing alternative energy sources.

“People should be able direct their income tax to making windmills to make free electricity,” he said. And of course, the lifelong cabbie has a solution for gas guzzling taxi cabs. “The hybrid taxi situation is a stop gap. It’s an excuse not to do the right thing. The right thing is fuel-cell energy,” he said, calling for cabs to be outfitted with batteries which separate water and hydrogen, ultimately producing electricity. He has a lot of ideas, and the determination to see them become reality. “If Bloomberg won’t change the world,” Kottner promised, “then Taxi Ray will.” npifer@manhattanmedia.com

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FEB RUARY 2007

Supreme Court Judges Object to Possible Election Compromise Deal Legislature’s compromise deal would respond to Gleeson decision, but some say unfairly

SCOTT WILLIAMS

BY JOHN R.D. CELOCK

HE COMPROMISE DEAL TO AVERT PRIMARIES

for State Supreme Court justices currently being considered by the state Legislature has many detractors. Among its strongest opponents: sitting Supreme Court justices themselves. Last January, Judge John Gleeson wrote a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals which ruled the traditional judicial nominating convention system unconstitutional. The ruling was issued in a lawsuit filed by Brooklyn Surrogate Judge Margarita Lopez-Torres and New York University’s Brennan Center. In the aftermath, the Legislature has been rushing to implement a new system before a court ordered open primary would occur this year. The Legislature’s compromise plan, essentially copied from that used in statewide elections, is a so-called “hybrid” model: a spring designating convention, followed by a petitioning period for slots on a primary ballot. This deal is expected to pass soon. Many Supreme Court justices are opposed to any move which will force them to run in primaries to retain their jobs after the end of a 14-year term. Supreme Court Justice Marsha Steinhardt of Brooklyn, president of the Association of Supreme Court Justices, said she and her colleagues believe primaries would place sitting justices at a disadvantage in a reelection campaign. State judicial ethics rules prohibiting sitting judges from raising campaign funds and attending political events until a year before a judicial election are the main reason for a disadvantage. “We feel for a sitting judge, sitting on the bench for 14 years, an attorney with millions who wants a title can run against us. It is unfair and uneven,” she said. Steinhardt said she and other justices are hoping the U.S. Supreme Court hears the Lopez-Torres case and rules that the judicial nominating conventions can remain in their current form. Supreme Court justices are the only elected state

cross endorsed for reelection statewide, DeFrancisco noted that there have been several examples of county and family court judges who faced competitive primaries and general elections in their reelection campaigns. In order to change to an appointive Supreme Court, the state Constitution would need to be amended. To be added to the Constitution, an amendment has to pass two consecutive Legislatures and then pass a public referendum. This means that even if the For decades, nominat- Legislature voted on the deal ing conventions have immediately, the change could allowed state Supreme not become part of the Court judges to skip out Constitution until late 2009, and on many of the harsh real- therefore not affect elections ities of politics. Depending until 2010 at the earliest. Sitting Supreme Court juson how the Legislature tices also believe the size of their responds to last year’s judicial districts may be too big Court of Appeals ruling, to effectively campaign in, given these judges may soon the current restrictions imposed be flirting with aspects on their fundraising. Districts of political life that judges who do not run in primaries. Nearly others already know can cover a lot of ground, from one which combines Brooklyn every year sees primaries and general electoo well. and Staten Island to some tions for New York City Civil Court judges, upstate county and family court judges, Long Island dis- upstate which encompass eight or more counties. Legislators have discussed downsizing judicial district court judges, and upstate city and town judges. Steinhardt said that she and her colleagues are in a dif- tricts to create 60 countywide Supreme Court districts ferent category than Civil Court judges, since Supreme and one district encompassing upstate Essex and Hamilton Counties. Hamilton, with 5,000 residents, is the Court justices cannot run for a higher judicial office. By contrast, Civil Court judges can seek Supreme Court state’s least populated county. Proponents say doing so will allow greater geographic and racial diversity on the seats without being required to resign from the bench. “We are more out of the loop than Civil Court,” court. Currently in the district encompassing Brooklyn Steinhardt said. “Most of the Civil Court judges who and Staten Island, all the justices are from Brooklyn. Supreme Court Justice David Demarest of St. desire to move on up are able to keep political contacts, meet with delegates and raise money. We’re in the court- Lawrence County is the treasurer of the justices’ associahouse and can’t meet with the political types each year.” tion. He is facing reelection this year in the Fourth State Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse), the chair Judicial District, which includes the North Country. He said that while he is prepared to run in a primary, of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he does not see why Supreme Court justices want to be treated differ- the size of his district makes it tough to run a competiently from other elected officials in the state, including tive race and that as a resident of a smaller county he believes he would be at a disadvantage against an oppoother judges. DeFrancisco described the hybrid model, which he nent from one of the district’s population centers. “There is a crucial need to reduce the size of judicial helped design, as a middle ground which allows the system to be fair to incumbent justices, political insiders districts,” James Sample, counsel for the Brennan Center, said. “We have argued for countywide districts. It would and insurgent candidates. The model will allow those who receive the majority reduce campaign costs.” Justices are not the only ones opposed to the concept of a convention vote in the designating convention to run in a primary as the party’s designated candidate and of primaries. The state bar association has endorsed prithose who receive over 25 percent of the convention maries as an interim measure to comply with the federal court’s ruling, but has asked for a merit selection process vote to be on the primary ballot. Other candidates can petition into a primary. Under of appointment to be implemented. Mark Alcott, president of the state bar association, current state law, judicial candidates can run in multiple primaries without seeking Wilson-Pakula permission believes the current tinkering with the status quo provides ample reason to worry. from party leaders. “We are concerned about primary elections,” he said. “The purpose is so that the system is open and those not in the inner circle can run,” DeFrancisco said. “The “We are concerned about the corrosive influence of fact that you are a judge does not mean you are endowed money, and the need of judicial candidates to raise money.” with the job for life.” Unlike Supreme Court justices, who are routinely johncelock@aol.com

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FEBR UARY 2007

Political Pointers 101

Fields, Muzzio and others teach ‘How to Run for Pubic Office in New York City’ BY CARLA ZANONI H ABERER , 28, IS A student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). He was the president and treasurer of the now-defunct BMCC Republican Club. Haberer became interested in running for elected office through his affiliation with Local 157, the carpenter’s union. He said that a sense of patriotism also pushed him to think of running for office. Haberer said that he was once a Democrat, but now considers himself a Republican and said he is in good company with Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R). Haberer said he would like to run for public office in the near future. Tiffany Johnson, 24, wants to wait. She now works in public relations for Heart Share Community Services, a New Yorkbased nonprofit agency that assists developmentally disabled adults and is involved in Community Board 1 and 10. “I know 2017 is a long way away,” she said, “but I think with the experience I’m gathering now I will make a good candidate.” Both were among the 23 students who gathered at BMCC on a frigidly cold night in early February to hear from former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields (D). Fields reflected on her decision to seek public office in 1989 in a race against incumbent City Council Member Kenneth Clark. Fields said that when she approached her nearby Democratic political club, she was not met with open arms.

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

LAN

Former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields (D) is teaching “What Makes a Candidate?” the first in a 12-hour, six-session course sponsored by the League of Women Voters. “They told me it was not my time,” Fields said. “But nobody else can tell you when you are ready. You have to be able to focus and make a decision that that moment is the right time for you.” With that anecdote, she dug into the first of several pointers she had on “How to Run for Pubic Office in New York City,” a seminar developed by The League of

Women Voters of the City of New York. The 12-hour, six-session course teaches the basics of politicking and political law in New York City. It will be taught at community colleges across the five boroughs this year. Fields will teach each first class. Her seminar, “What Makes a Candidate?” leads students through a series of questions designed to prepare one for a run. She advised students to look at their personal, financial, family and professional situations. Fields also warned students to consider how the life change will impact them in the long and short run, a lesson she relearned last year in her aborted race for State Senate, which she called “grueling.” Also teaching seminars: Jerome Koenig, a former chief of staff of the New York State Assembly Election Law Committee; Jay Townsend, president of the Townsend Group; Amy Loprest, executive director of the Campaign Finance Board; Doug Muzzio, professor of public policy at Baruch College; and Rick Jungers, director of community outreach and media at Manhattan Neighborhood Network. League board members Laura Altschuler and Adrienne Kinelson will also assist in teaching. During the course, students will be led from the beginning stages of a political run to the more complex ones. Early classes will deal with basics like legal requirements for getting on the ballot. Later classes will deal with conveying concise messages and images to voters and crafting election day strategies. League of Women Voters executive director Alison Alpert said the group was

Teaching Policy, Too . Virginia Fields is not the only former Manhattan borough president using her background in politics to teach. Ruth Messinger is co-teaching a seminar on policy and politics at Hunter College with former aide and current City Council Member Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan). The course, entitled “On Policy and Politics,” is an undergraduate seminar for Hunter’s Public Service Scholar program. Messinger has taught at Hunter before, as well as Queens College. Brewer has taught at the Baruch Graduate Center and at Barnard, with Ester Fuchs, a former advisor to Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R). Among the assignments: writing a letter to the editor or op-ed and a class presentation on a new public policy to implement, complete with an analysis of cost and potential obstacles to implementing that policy. —Edward-Isaac Dovere eidovere@manhattanmedia.com

inspired to give the course because of the volume of calls it receives from aspiring politicians and curious New Yorkers. The league did a massive recruitment for the class with hopes that those interested in a City Council, delegate or state run would attend. Although several students who attended were from BMCC, many came from around the city. “We’re introducing people into what it takes to go from general interest to being able to get a run for office in place,” Alpert said. czanoni@manhattanmedia.com

Political Theater, Via PowerPoint Presentation Subjective Theatre troupe offers satirical seminar in conservative politics

audience over to their side. The presenters include a gay man who converting a roomful of lefty has decided to shun his homosexuality, a theater-lovers to the three G’s pro-life woman who tries to convince the (God, guns, and [reforming] gays) of audience that Planned Parenthood is a conservative politics? conspiracy for rich whites, and a man If you are in the Subjective Theatre who tries to promote the advantages of troupe, everything hinges on the ulterior pro-business legislation. motive: not really to convert, “The goal wasn’t to turn people but to motivate and challenge. conservative, obviously,” Alick said, With tongue firmly in cheek, “I thought, ‘Holy crap! There’s a Republican in the “but to motivate liberals to act.” the troupe set out in January to show!’” said producing artistic director Zachary Mannheimer agreed. put the fear of the Republican Mannheimer. “And that’s wonderful! Now we can “Antiwar rallies and petitions Party into New York’s dyed-inspeak to her afterward and find out what she thinks.” aren’t necessarily the answer,” he the-wool liberals with “Party said. “We think that people should Discipline,” a new play that just Producing artistic director Zachary in us,” said Jesse Alick, a co-author of funnel their energies into something ended its three-week run at the Asian American Writer’s Workshop on West Mannheimer recalled seeing an older ‘Party Discipline,’ who also is an actor more effective.” As to what could be more effective woman at one performance nodding her and the group’s assistant artistic director. 32nd Street. protests and sloganeering, In keeping with the seminar format, than The free performances were almost all head in agreement while one of the filled to capacity. Performances else- actors proselytized on creationism and the audience is seated at a large confer- Mannheimer had only one answer: “Run ence table with nametags on display. for public office.” where in the country, perhaps through the evils of evolution. “I thought, ‘Holy crap! There’s a Using a brand of touchy-feely social conlicensing of the show, are currently being —Andrew Hawkins Republican in the show!’” he said. “And servatism, the actors attempt to lure the discussed. ahawkins@manhattanmedia.com OW

DOES

ONE

ABOUT

Billed as a “political transformation seminar,” the performance relies on name tags, PowerPoint presentations, audience participation, and a heavy dose of conservative politics to breathe fresh air into an ideological debate that the group views as stagnant.

that’s wonderful! Now we can speak to her afterward and find out what she thinks.” According to Mannheimer, this is when theater can become a catalyst for change, challenging people rather than alienating them. “Each of us have a little conservative

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FEB RUARY 2007

POWER Chicken Feet and Dim

LUNCH Sum with Bill Thompson CITY COMPTROLLER BILL THOMPSON filed more than $1 million with the Campaign Finance Board, many view him as the frontrunner for the 2009 Democratic mayoral primary. He recently sat down for dim sum at Golden Unicorn Restaurant on East Broadway in honor of the Chinese New Year. On the menu: his so-called Snapple fast and why he no longer keeps fish for pets, as he chatted about his mayoral prospects and his thoughts on Tom DiNapoli.

FTER

City Hall: Are you an adventurous eater of Chinese food? Have you tried jellyfish? Bill Thompson: Yeah. CH: And chicken feet? BT: Chicken feet I haven’t tried…Chicken feet—there’s some things you draw the line at. CH: When conducting audits, how do you stay friendly with the city agency heads? Do they take your phone calls when you’re done? BT: Well, people take your phone calls even if they’re not happy with you. But the truth is there are some awkward moments, particularly with some of the commissioners of some of the agencies—people that you like. Or there’ve been some negative things that have come out. I understand nobody likes me looking over their shoulder and making recommendations. That’s part of the job. CH: What are your thoughts about our new state comptroller? Does it matter that he doesn’t have the financial experience that some had hoped for? BT: Is it helpful? It doesn’t hurt. But I think that if you look at Alan Hevesi, Carl McCall, Ned Regan—I don’t know that they had in-depth financial backgrounds when they got there. So is it helpful? Sure. If you don’t have it, is it the end of the world? No. And more than anything it’s a leadership position. There’re people who are there [at the agency]

CH: Do you like Hillary Clinton? BT: Yes, I do. CH: Have you endorsed her yet? BT: She only declared a couple weeks ago. CH: You haven’t picked a favorite for the presidential race yet? BT: No, not yet. But listen—do I like Hillary? Yes, I do. And we’ve had the chance to talk in the past, obviously to do things together. So no, I have to say that I’m definitely favorably inclined towards the senator from New York State. CH: What was it like growing up in BedfordStuyvesant? BT: I enjoyed it. I mean, I still live in Bed-Stuy. CH: Do you live in the same house you grew up in? BT: I do. I mean, I’ve lived in a number of other places over the years and we owned it. The house has been in my family since 1939. Let me tell you, the transition over the years— ’39 my family was the first black family on the block. And years later you see the block is becoming reintegrated. The neighborhood has changed dramatically over the years. CH: After eight years of Mayor Bloomberg, what sort of person do you think New Yorkers are going to be looking for in a mayor? BT: Oh, well, somebody who’s about—let’s see, how tall? No—who likes Chinese food. No, I think that the city would look for somebody—the city has grown and improved over the last 10, 12 years. I think people would like to see the city continue to grow, to improve, continue to be a safe city. You’re going to look for not just continuity—but that’s part of it. But I think the city will look to someone with new ideas and…vision for the next 10 to 12 to 15 years for New York City. I think that will be important. CH: Do you think voters will be looking for another outsider? BT: I don’t know that—there were a number of factors that went into Bloomberg being elected in 2001… I don’t think New Yorkers look and think, ‘Okay, somebody inside,’ or ‘Somebody outside.’ Eliot Spitzer on the state level is a reformer and he came out of government so I don’t know that it’s defined as insider-outsider.

CH: In 2009 we’re looking at some big players in the Democratic mayoral primary—you, Christine Quinn, Anthony Weiner, Adolfo Carrión—is it shaping up to be a messy race? BT: It’s way too early to be able to determine what type of election it’s going to be, what people will say. One would hope that—I mean, I know Chris, I know everybody in the race. Chris and Anthony and Adolfo. I think everybody would be comfortable in putting their credentials forward and their Thompson evaluates the selections on the dim sum cart. ideas for the future of what New York City should who will be helpful in a number of areas and it’s up to the be and look like and run on that. comptroller to take that advice and make decisions. CH: Do you have any pets? BT: No, I do not. [Dim sum cart arrives] CH: Not even a goldfish? BT: I used to really love fish. I grew up around dogs and CH: Chicken feet? Now’s your chance, Comptroller. cats and things like that. I used to love fish even though BT: [Laughs] I’ll follow your lead on the chicken feet. they weren’t there for that long and after a while it was CH: Should we try one? just kind of like— BT: Oh sure. CH: Okay, let’s be adventurous. Now you can say CH: Tired of flushing the toilet? A burial at sea. BT: Exactly. Goodbye. you’ve tried chicken feet. BT: Okay, if I die I’m blaming you. Mmm, chicken feet. You know, it’s not bad. Don’t bite it. All kidding aside, it’s not bad. CH: Do you buy CDs or do you download music? BT: I really don’t buy CDs as much anymore because Just don’t bite into it, because there’s feet in there [laughs].

ANDREW SCHWARTZ PHOTOS

BY CHARLOTTE EICHNA

The comptroller reaches for a chicken foot— his first. now you’ll download it. CH: What kind of music do you listen to? BT: It is mostly older stuff—’60s, ’70s, Motown—something along those lines. But still, heck, yesterday I downloaded a couple by Joss Stone, a couple by Gnarls Barkley, a couple by, heck, saw part of the Grammy’s last night, Mary J. Blige…So it’s some newer things, not a lot of rap. Occasionally Kanye West. CH: Do you still boycott Snapple? BT: That was such an unfair question…Most of the time I won’t pick it up. It’s in the office. I’m still Snapple-free. I’m sure I’ll break the Snapple fast sooner or later. Issue’s over. I’ve gone through withdrawal already. I used to drink either diet lemon or diet peach…I’m not avoiding Snapple. I made a joke at one point at the New York Post during the whole thing, I was like, ‘I’m sure if I was still drinking Snapple, you guys would take a shot and put it in the paper.’ And they went, ‘Absolutely.’ CH: Was math your best subject in school? BT: Definitely not. CH: The bill is $24.75. What is the tip? BT: Was it really $24? CH: Yeah, it really is. BT: I’m going to move in here. We should order lunch from this place! I’d leave like—you want to be generous—I’d leave like a $7 tip, a $6 tip. CH: What’s your tipping strategy? BT: I try and go 20 percent. Because that’s so cheap, you go a little bit more then. But would I do the 20 percent on the total, as opposed to the total with tax? CH: What about when liquor’s in? BT: I do the 20 percent on that also. ceichna@manhattanmedia.com

To read more about Bill Thompson’s views on Barack Obama, Mayor Bloomberg’s biggest mistake in office, whether he or Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum counts as the secondhighest city official and why counterfeit goods hurt more than just city tax revenue—and whether he buys bootleg CDs—visit www.cityhallnews.com.