City Hall - March 1, 2008

Norman Siegel, right, kicks off his third run for public advocate (Page 8), Domenic

Rechhia

explains why he thinks his congressional campaign is right on pace (Page 18)

and Marcus

Cederqvist, left, Vol. 2, No. 10

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March 2008

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BY EDWARD-ISAAC DOVERE hat he is really hoping for, Mayor Michael Bloomberg often likes to joke, is a subway series.

The enthusiasm, the civic pride, the tax revenues—so much would be generated from an all-New York World Series.

In baseball, this only happened once, in 2000—the same year Rudolph Giuliani bowed out early from his Senate campaign.

The Mets and the Yankees squared off in

the fall. Giuliani and Hillary Clinton did not.

The 2008 presidential election was supposed to be the second chance for the race that was not, on a larger scale.

A year ago, six months ago, the political experts were sure they knew how things would go. By Super Tuesday, Clinton would be the Democratic nominee. Giuliani would be the Republican. And just for good measure, and because he saw an opening, Bloomberg would jump into the race too, as CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

discusses his new life at the Board of Elections (Page 43).

Get the facts: AND

TRAFFIC HEALTH TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND HEALTH: The risks, the evidence, the urgency Moderated by John M. Balbus, MD, MPH, Chief Health Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund

PRESENTED BY: Jen Richmond-Bryant Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Urban Public Health Program, Hunter College, CUNY* Patrick L. Kinney, ScD Associate Professor Dept of Environmental Health Sciences Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health* George D. Thurston, ScD Associate Professor NYU School of Medicine Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine * William Rom, MD, MPH Sol and Judith Bergstein Professor of Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine NYU School of Medicine* * Institutional information is provided for identification purposes only and does not constitute institutional endorsement

8:30 a.m. FRIDAY MARCH 14 140 Park Place between Greenwich and West Broadway, Room 12 New York City office of DC37 DC37 has no position on congestion pricing and are providing this space as a courtesy to members and their staff.

Briefing and Q&A for Decision Makers Come hear from top scientists and community leaders on traffic reduction and air quality.

Here’s a chance for city and state officials to ask questions of the experts before facing important traffic & transit decisions. Stay tuned for more briefings to be announced.

Light breakfast will be served. Members and staffers welcome. Closed to the press.

Did you know: • Children exposed to more traffic-related air pollution score lower on IQ tests. The effect of pollution on intelligence was similar to that seen in children whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant, or in kids who have been exposed to lead 1

Look out for additional information sent to your member’s office by Environmental Defense Fund including concise compilations of recent data on transit investment, traffic reduction and air quality.

• Stop-and-go traffic releases as much as three times the pollution of free-flowing traffic 2 • Children exposed to traffic pollution can have stunted lung development 3 • Traffic-related pollution has harmful reproductive effects: 4 Several studies confirm lower birth weight and other developmental problems in babies born to mothers exposed to traffic pollution.

1 2 3

4

S. Franco Suglia, A. Gryparis, R. O. Wright, J. Schwartz, and R. J. Wright, “Association of Black Carbon with Cognition among Children in a Prospective Birth Cohort Study” American Journal of Epidemiology, 167:280-286, February 1, 2008 U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency. “Technical Methods for Analyzing Pricing Measures to Reduce TransportationEmissions.”1998. Online resource, available at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/policy/transp/tcms/anpricng.pdf,2-18, 2-20. Last accessed October 19, 2007.

Gauderman, W. James, Hita Vora, Rob McConnell, Kiros Berhane, Frank Gilliland, Duncan Thomas, Fred Lurmann, Edward Avol, Nino Kunzli, Michael Jerrett and John Peters, “Effect of exposure to traffic on lung development from 10 to 18 years of age: a cohort study,” The Lancet, Volume 368, February 2007.

Ritz B, Wilhelm M, Hoggatt KJ, Ghosh JK. Ambient air pollution and preterm birth in the environment and pregnancy outcomes study at the University of California, Los Angeles. Am J Epidemiol. 2007 Nov. 1;166(9):1045-52. Epub 2007 Aug 4.

TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, OR TO GET MORE INFORMATION, please contact Mary Barber at Environmental Defense Fund (212) 616-1351 or mbarber@edf.org

T HE N UMBER T HEORY T EAM ith Dr. Gouraige as her mentor, Erica Fells presented a novel approach to Euler’s phi function, which dates from the 1700s and helps safeguard online purchases, at an international conference—a rare feat for a community college student. Now an undergraduate teaching assistant at Lehman College, she seeks a doctorate in math.

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Bronx Community College Dr. Rony Gouraige Ph.D., CUNY, 2006, after 12 years in banking Researches associative algebras, Lie algebras and quadratic forms

+

Erica Fells A.S., BCC, 2007 B.A. in Mathematics, Lehman College, 2009 NYC Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation grant Presented, Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics

Take a closer look at some of the areas where CUNY harnesses the power of faculty and student research to push the boundaries of knowledge and discovery.

T HE T EACHER D EVELOPMENT T EAM hen sophomore Christina Idava graduates from CUNY’s new Teacher Academy, she’ll help solve New York City’s chronic shortage of math and science teachers. The Teacher Academy offers full scholarships, and Christina has committed to teach math in a high-need The College public middle school or high school. of Staten Island Dr. Coffee teaches her honors-level calculus, troubleshoots problems and Jane Coffee Professor of Mathematics keeps her moving toward her goal.

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Director, CUNY Teacher Academy at The College of Staten Island CSI Dolphin Award for Outstanding Teaching

+ Christina Idava B.S. in Mathematics, 2010 Enrolled in CUNY Teacher Academy

Matthew Goldstein CHANCELLOR

Outstanding faculty.

Gifted students.

CUNY is their classroom.

CUNY is your University.

www.cuny.edu 1-800-CUNY-YES

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MARCH 2008

CITY HALL

Traveling Blues

Oversight procedures on expenses and legal issues unclear for overseas NYPD officers

BY ADAM PINCUS

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never been an allegation of improper activity, the posting of New York Police Department officers in foreign countries to combat terrorism poses complex questions that the City Council has yet to address, according to several Council members.

In the six and a half years since Sept. 11, the NYPD has led the effort to protect the residents of the city from more terrorist attacks. Department officers have helped fill a void left by ineffective federal agencies, several local national security experts said.

To defend the city, the department created the Counterterrorism Bureau in 2002, which develops security policies and implements public actions such as surges to sensitive locations and bomb detection checkpoints in the subways.

At the same time, the department expanded the NYPD Intelligence Division.

In 2002, it launched the small but high-profile International Liaison Program, as part of the Intelligence Division. Currently, 10 officers are liaisons to police departments and intelligence agencies around the world. Their posting overseas allowed them to arrive quickly following attacks such as the Madrid and London subway bombings.

The City Council Public Safety Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Police Department, has never held oversight hearings on the foreign postings, Committee chair Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens) said.

He acknowledged that he does not have the security clearance to view classified material, and he was not sure the Council had the capability to competently review such police activities.

“The City Council does not have any real expertise in that area to conduct meaningful oversight. Perhaps some other system needs to be established,” he said. “We should have oversight. That is what our forefathers envisioned when they came up with checks and balances. There is no way to perform an effective check if we weren’t actually aware of what is happening.”

The overseas officers are part of a vigorous effort by the NYPD to provide a measure of its own security, despite federal agents from the FBI, CIA and other agencies doing similar liaison work overseas.

Jerome Skolnick, co-director of the Center For Research in Crime and Justice at NYU Law School, explained the reasoning.

“The federal intelligence agencies did not prevent two major terrorist attacks in the City of New York on the World Trade Center,” he said.

NYPD officers are stationed in London, Madrid, Paris, Tel Aviv, Santo Domingo, Toronto, Montreal, Singapore, Amman and Lyon, where Interpol is headquartered, police officials said.

Their mission is to gather information from local law enforcement agencies that can then be used to prevent attacks here, uncover terrorists or their supporters here and develop information on terrorists’ tactics, officials have said.

However, they do not conduct investigations or gather raw intelligence, police spokesman Paul J. Browne wrote in an email.

In addition, NYPD detectives covered the March 2004 train bombing in Madrid, the July 2005 subway attacks in London and the July 2006 bombing of a train in Mumbai, India. This information is then used to help shape police tactics back in New York.

“The intelligence about how and where the Madrid bombs were assembled influenced how the NYPD patrolled the New York City’s mass transit system in the immediate aftermath of the attacks,” Browne wrote, as an example of how the information is used.

Council Member Hiram Monserrate (DQueens), a member of the Public Safety Committee and a former police officer himself, said hearings or a subcommittee should be formed, but would have to take into consideration the confidential nature of the police work.

“There are issues of national security or local security... some of which are sensitive,” he said. “We need to balance the need for oversight without jeopardizing ongoing [operations].”

Some law-enforcement experts and City Council members said there were some complex legal issues raised in the overseas deployments, though they were unsure of where these would be addressed.

A spokesman for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services said that he was unaware of anyone outside the police department on the city payroll working overseas.

Joseph King, a professor at the John Jay College For Criminal Justice, and a former Department of Homeland Security official, said he did not consider the question of oversight of the liaison officers very pressing.

“I don't see it as a real issue,” he said, confident the police were training their officers to avoid potential problems and providing internal oversight in the department.

But he asked what kind of oversight there was for the overseas officers’ expenses, which are paid for by the private New York City Police Foundation. Several American cities have such organizations to support police programs the cities do not fund.

“Does the New York City Council have oversight over those funds?” King said.

Council Member Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens), chair of the Civil Service and Labor Committee, said he too would consider holding hearings for the good of the city and for the good of the officers.

“I personally think the general public should understand how we interact with our neighbors overseas. If we have NYPD officers overseas,” Addabbo said, “what jurisdiction are we under and what protects the city personnel?” pincus_a@yahoo.com Direct letters to the editor to editor@cityhallnews.com.

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Conservatives Consider Radical Move in Staten Island Race As McMahon and Oddo prepare for tight race, Molinaro weighs options candidates, most notably James L. Buckley, a one-term United States senator from New York who won his seat on the Conservative Party Line.

Though Republican ideology has moved steadily to the right since the 1960s, Molinaro still sees the value in having a Conservative Party to help provide a prod.

“There’s a lot of disappointment in the Republican Party: too much ‘country club’ set,” Molinaro said. “It was the iron worker who elected Sen. Buckley.”

parole violation stemming from assaulting a paperboy and his office prosecuted the younger Molinaro, resulting in a five-year sentence, Donovan earned Molinaro’s wrath. The borough president, who felt Donovan should have stayed on the case, endorsed Donovan’s Democratic opponent.

The state and borough Conservative Party, however, endorsed Donovan, who was re-elected.

“It was a personal decision on the borough president’s behalf,” said Mike Long, the state party’s chairman. “The party dis-

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

“We’ve made the difference many, many times,” said Borough President James Molinaro of the Conservative Party. “The reason why people respond to us is that we’re selective in who we pick.”

Molinaro believes cross-endorsing delivers votes on the party line and demonstrates to other voters that the candidate with the Conservative endorsement might be worth attention.

BY DAN RIVOLI CONSERVATIVE PARTY endorsement is easy, said Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro (C-Staten Island). The nod will got to “who has the most goods.”

Historically, the Republicans have had the Conservative goods most of the time, though the Democrats have had their moments, too. But going into next year, Democrats in the borough are hoping that they might be able to snatch the backing of the 4,193-member strong Staten Island Conservative Party from the GOP. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island) received the Conservative Party endorsement in his two Council races. Going into his all-but-announced bid for borough president next year, McMahon said being on the Conservative line could make the difference in a tight race between his likely Republican opponent, Council Member James Oddo.

“The Conservative Party has a very strong tradition in supporting winning candidates,” McMahon said. “Anyone who runs for office in Staten Island, in particular island-wide office, will court the Conservative Party for support.”

McMahon said his past endorsements by the party put him in a good position for future support, though he is a

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ETTING THE

Democrat. He said the party’s endorsement process is based on political pragmatism instead of ideology.

“You don’t have to be ideologically pure but you can’t be a pinko communist,” he said. “I think you have to have a good working relationship with people in the party.”

McMahon is not the only one reaching across party lines. Oddo is courting Democrat consultant Hank Sheinkopf to advise his run.

Bipartisanship comes naturally to Staten Island politics, Oddo said.

“Often, we still feel it’s Staten Island versus the world,” he said. “We work shoulder to shoulder with each other on a daily basis, so it’s not a foreign concept to us.”

That, together with tight races between Republicans and Democrats for many offices in Staten Island, intensifies the power of the Conservative Party, said Richard Flanagan, an associate professor of political science at the College of Staten Island.

“Things are pretty tight here between the majority parties, so they still matter,” he said.

Molinaro was integral in the creation of New York’s Conservative Party.

Formed in 1962, the Conservative Party was the answer to New York’s liberal Republicans. The party backed its own

More often, though, the Conservative Party power is through cross-endorsing, which Molinaro believes both delivers votes on the party line and demonstrates to others that the candidate with the Conservative endorsement might be worth attention.

“We’ve made the difference many, many times,” Molinaro said. “The reason why people respond to us is that we’re selective in who we pick.”

And Molinaro has shown himself willing to use the Conservative Party line to try to hold sway over borough politics, as he did in last year’s race for district attorney.

In Dan Donovan’s first bid for district attorney, the Conservative Party line gave him his margin of victory. Molinaro backed his former aide.

But after Donovan recused himself from prosecuting Molinaro’s grandson for a

agreed with him. It certainly was an issue I disagreed with him on.”

Since the public schism, Molinaro has begun attending Democratic dinners and he has announced his support for the comptroller candidacy of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión (D).

Staten Island Democratic chair John Gulino said that Molinaro was invited to the dinners, as all party chairs are, out of custom. But he acknowledged that having the Conservatives at the Democratic table could help his party expand its base of power.

“I’m trying to create a presence for the Democrats in the south shore in Staten Island,” he said. “That might mean more candidates getting the Conservative Party endorsement.” danrivoli@gmail.com Direct letters to the editor to editor@cityhallnews.com.

INT. 680 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to repaving streets.

SPONSOR: Council Member Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn)

should own up to damage they do to city streets during construction.

He also wants to close a loophole under the current law which states that so long as the repaired area remains intact for 18 months, the utility companies are not liable.

While Felder expects broad support for his bill, he claims utility and con- Bills on the burner for the Council struction companies have told him new costs for repairs will be passed on to consumers.

He laughed off that logic.

“Too bad, what are you talking about?” he said. “You’re obligated to fix it right, that’s all.”

—DC

Simcha Felder wants an answer.

“Why should the taxpayers of this city have to endure streets that are in terrible shape and pay to repair streets that were ripped up by utility companies and construction companies?” he asked.

City roads are supposed to be repaved every five years. That is not often enough for Felder, whose office has fielded numerous constituent complaints about broken roads. He believes utility and construction companies

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CITY HALL

The Third Time, Siegel Hopes, Will Be the Charm Saying he has learned from his losses, Siegel starts campaigning and fundraising early like Lawyers for Siegel, being held for him at the Harvard Club March 28.

So in between trying his cases, he has assemHIS TIME, HE IS STARTING EARlier. bled a rag-tag group of volunteers to start getting This time, he is concentrating on raishis campaign apparatus in place. He has been ing more money sooner than ever making fundraising calls—though not as many as before. This time, he will call on some former he should, he admits—and meeting with camclients to speak for him, whether they be the paign consultants, both veterans and newcomers. parents of children whose right to have celluAdvocacy he knows how to do. Politics is a lar phones in public schools he has defended different story. But in this campaign, he is willor the firefighters he has represented in his ing to let others guide him more than he ever Sept. 11-related cases. has before.

This will be Norman Siegel’s third race for “I don’t think I’m the expert on the political public advocate. He still is not the expert on stuff,” he said. “I’ll listen. That’s a difference.” running, he said, but he is learning.

In this, he says, two former clients—Council And the campaigns of Betsy Gotbaum (D), Member Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) and State who beat him twice, have taught him some of Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), both of whom the most valuable lessons. were hosts for the kick-off party—are particularly The problem with running against valuable.

Gotbaum was not himself or his message, he He and Adams often discuss the campaign, thinks. The problem was the political profeswith Adams advising him at every turn and sionals she was able to hire, the strategy they appealing to fellow elected officials on Siegel’s crafted and the commercials she was able to behalf. place. Siegel took careful notes on every“I have been speaking to them for almost a thing. But what he noted most of all was the year now,” said Adams. emphasis she put on raising money, which Adams said he has been making some made all the rest possible. progress, but admits that with several estab“Watching what Gotbaum did in ’05 and lished politicians considering the race, getting how the last 10 days they were on all the stacommitments has been difficult. He thinks, tions all the time, I want to make sure we however, that the appeals may be beginning to have significant funds to do what we want to work, with politicians ready to let term limits do,” he said. end their careers next year.

So, though he prepared a speech for his “Those who may not be running for somecampaign kick-off event Feb. 25, he happily thing else can vote with their conscience and turned the microphone over to an elderly woman in the front row who interrupted Before his campaign kick-off event, which raised over $40,000, not with politics,” he said.

Adams has even accompanied Siegel to cerhim.

Norman Siegel danced an impromptu can-can on the sidewalk tain political events.

Cane in one hand, waving checkbook in with Ellen Levin of Critical Mass.

Siegel called Adams’ help priceless. the other, Marie Runyon screamed at the “I never had somebody who not only went through After two campaigns, Siegel knows that some will tar crowd to write checks.

“New Yorkers for Norman Siegel!” she shouted, hold- him as a perennial candidate, running just to run. On the the process, but won, and who’s doing okay now, who ing up her pen and telling the crowd to put up their contrary, he said, he just wants to finally get his dream could potentially not only go with me to some of these job. He never saw the office as a political stepping things, but advise me about where some of the political money. “S-I-E-G-E-L!” Siegel stepped forward again. Using two micro- stone, and at 64, would even be satisfied with one term, minefields might be,” he said.

Adams has also helped beat the fundraising drum. phones to compensate for the spotty speaker system, he supposing Mayor Michael Bloomberg successfully pushes for a charter change that eliminates the Looking out at the crowd at the campaign kick-off, he welcomed the crowd. His loyal suptold them that helping Siegel was a simple matter of office. porters were there. So were many of “What I’m hoping is that enough people principle. Siegel had helped all of them, Adams told his clients, past and present, includrealize that if he’s doing it a third time, he them. Now they had to step up and help him. ing the Grannies for Peace, the liti“We gotta raise the money. We gotta raise the money. must really want this,” Siegel said. “And gants in the Sept. 11 human remains then when they look at some of the other We gotta raise the money,” Adams told the crowd. “If cases, members of the black and people this time, they’ll say ‘Let’s give him a Norman loses this race because he didn’t have the Latino police officers groups, parents money, then everything we say we stand for, we don’t shot.’” suing the city over the cell phone ban, Council Member Eric Gioia (D-Queens) and stand for.”

HIV/AIDS advocates and Rev. Billy, the perSo far, the approach seems to be working, Siegel said. formance artist-activist who hired Siegel as his lawyer Assembly Member Adam Clayton Powell IV (Dwhen he was arrested for reciting the First Amendment Manhattan) are expected to make the race. Manhattan Between opening a new campaign account last summer Borough President Scott Stringer (D) and Council and the January filing, he raised just over $80,000, includin Union Square Park.

“I love Damon Runyon characters,” he said, looking Members Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan) and Helen ing several maximum $4,950 donations. That does not Foster (D-Bronx) are thought to be weighing runs as count the more than $40,000 generated by the almost 300 out at the crowd. “And we got plenty of them.” people who came to the campaign kick-off event. Put To the people in this crowd, Siegel is a hero. He has well.

Having so many elected officials in the race could together with the money he already has in the bank, been their lawyer, their representative, the man to stand beside them at rallies and lock arms with them at splinter the party establishment, which Siegel believes Siegel has already raised more than a third as much as he protest marches. They helped power him to the run-off would pave the way for him and his coalition of unusu- raised during the whole of the 2005 campaign.

This kind of response, he says, makes him confident in 2001 and mount a strong challenge to Betsy Gotbaum al suspects to squeak past.

But to get to that point, Siegel knows he will have to that he made the right decision to try one more time. in 2005. But to actually win next year, he knows, he will “We’re getting all this excitement and contributions, appeal not just to the Critical Mass riders, with whom he need more.

“The idea this time of taking our core constituency, danced an impromptu can-can on the sidewalk before and we’re still two years away,” he said. “In the past, that all the people that I’ve represented, zany characters and his speech to “Norman,” an old polka tune by Big Lou didn’t even happen in the year of the election. So somegroups—keeping that constituency and expanding it,” the Accordion Princess. He will need to make some thing is percolating.” inroads toward the establishment through more events he said, “that’s the plan.” eidovere@cityhallnews.com

BY EDWARD-ISAAC DOVERE

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Magna Charter

BY ANDREW J. HAWKINS MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG GETS HIS way, the city will soon see its eighth charter revision in nine years. The mayor’s office is declining to say what sort of changes the mayor has in mind or even whom he would name to the commission he proposed, leaving some wondering whether he plans revisions as expansive as those of 1989, which radically restructured city government, or whether he is simply looking to codify his legacy as he enters the lame duck phase of his administration.

In his State of the City speech, during which he announced this effort, Bloomberg made clear that he intends to target the appointment process of the city’s Board of Elections. Election commissioners are appointed by party bosses and approved by the City Council, a process viewed by some as political patronage.

“2008 is the 130th anniversary of the death of Boss Tweed,” Bloomberg said. “Let’s also make it the year we finally put to rest his style of politics.”

The commission is being given 18 months to review the entire charter, which Baruch College professor Doug Muzzio said is more than enough time to make wide-ranging changes.

“This would be a long one,” Muzzio said, “because he wants to do the big study and he wants it on the ballot

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Eliminating offices seems unlikely, but not impossible, in Bloomberg legacy bid Council Member Lewis Fidler (D-Brooklyn) said the current commission should look closely at the city’s laws governing term limits, but he doubts it will.

“When he first said it, in a moment of euphoria combined with stupidity, I thought maybe he was actually going to offer us a third term,” Fidler said. “Quite frankly, that would have been a hugely good government solution.”

In the past, the introduction of a charter commission immediately sparked rumors that offices such as borough president and public advocate, which were stripped of some of their power after the 1989 revision, would be eliminated.

If these are part of the proposed revisions, voters would face a ballot next year which asked them whether they wanted these offices to continue existing while simultaneously voting for who would be the new people to hold these offices.

But that may be too controversial for this commission, said Gene Russianoff, a senior lawyer at the New York Public Interest Research Group.

“They don’t want to put out a ballot initiative that’s going to be wildly controversial,” he said. “I don’t think he has an axe to go after anybody.”

Observers are While Russianoff has been critical unsure whether Mayor of the frequency at which both Michael Bloomberg Bloomberg and Giuliani have called is out to radically for charter revisions, he said he sensrestructure city goves a different spirit in the discussions ernment, or whether this time. he is simply lookFollowing the State of the City, ing to codify his Russianoff met with Deputy Mayor legacy as he pushKevin Sheekey and Anthony Crowell, es for the eighth Bloomberg’s special counsel, to discharter revision in cuss the proposal. nine years.

The feeling Russianoff and others have gotten is that Bloomberg will mostly focus on making permanent at the same time as the citywide elections of 2009, some of the innovations he has brought to city government over the past six years, including 311 and the cityexactly 20 years after the last big revision.”

Potential topics that could appear on the 2009 ballot wide performance reporting tools.

“What they say is it’s the end of their tenure in office include nonpartisan elections—which Bloomberg failed to get voters to adopt in 2003—term limits and cam- and they’d like to institutionalize some of the changes paign finance, Muzzio said. Bloomberg is vocal in his they’ve made,” he said. “I take their motives as sincere.”

Esther Fuchs, a professor of public affairs at support of term limits, and has recently ramped up his Columbia University who chaired a 2003 charter comcriticism of the campaign finance system.

Charter commissions have previously been wielded mission while serving as special advisor to Bloomberg, by both Bloomberg and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) to said the possibilities for change in this latest push are blunt public referendums and censor public officials. enormous. Modernizing and streamlining the adminis(In 1999, then-Senate candidate Giuliani famously creat- trative code written into the charter would be a major ed a charter commission stoked with loyalists to look at and much needed step, she said.

“There are all sorts of assumptions in the charter mayoral succession in an attempt to prevent thenPublic Advocate Mark Green from succeeding Giuliani that are detailed and go back to particular historic periods of time that don’t make sense anymore,” she said. if he was elected to the Senate.)

In a departure from previous years, Bloomberg said “When I was looking at it I was saying, ‘Why the hell the commission’s work will dovetail with a similar would the city charter have such detail on the structure of the Sanitation Department?’” review by Citizens Union, a good government group.

Despite what others think, Fuchs said she still Dick Dadey, the organization’s executive director, said the primary goal of any charter commission should expects the new commission to look very closely at the be to make city government more transparent and possibility of eliminating the offices of borough president and public advocate. accessible.

“In the back, you whisper about all the proposals “I don’t know if this is about his legacy,” Dadey said.

“I see it as more of a non-partisan exercise with an eye that could come through. Invariably,” she said, “those toward forwarding not any one political agenda but issues come up.” improving city government as a whole.” ahawkins@cityhallnews.com

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Campaigning for Change in Cobble Hill To Squadron, early start in primary will be key to unseating Connor

BY DAN RIVOLI

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EMOCRATS AROUND THE STATE

are making a vigorous attempt for control of the State Senate this year, and doing their best to tamp down on primary challenges.

Daniel Squadron is running anyway.

While State Sen. Martin Connor (DManhattan/Brooklyn) is legislating in Albany, Daniel Squadron is getting a head start on a primary challenge.

With six months until the election, Squadron, a first-time candidate, has made campaigning a full-time job in his attempt to mount a serious challenge to the 30-year incumbent.

“When you look at the change we need, the State Senate is really the center of it,” he said.

Though refusing donations from corporations, political action committees and lobbyists, Squadron has amassed a war chest of over $200,000. Among his 350 donors are family members who have given him $17,700. Connor, on the other hand, shows a $38,217 debt as of the January filing, which he has attributed to a campaign finance board bookkeeping error.

Connor’s chief of staff, Martin Algaze, said that Connor’s focus is on his Senate work.

“He’s got a lot to do for the state” instead of starting a re-election campaign so early in the year, Algaze said.

Algaze added that Connor will take the primary challenge seriously and, when the time comes, hire campaign staff and open an office. But he insisted that this was not yet the time for politicking.

“The senator will be doing all the things he needs to do to run for re-election,” Algaze said. “We’re not going to march to [Squadron’s] time schedule.”

In 2006, affordable housing developer Ken Diamondstone received 45 percent of the vote in his primary challenge to Connor. Diamondstone is reportedly mulling running against Connor again himself, which could potentially set up a fight for the Working Families Party nomination.

Diamondstone carried that line in 2006, and Squadron is hoping to get it this year.

Squadron’s family moved into the district in 1990, and he now lives in Cobble Hill. Though he may be young, he said, his roots in the district are deep.

“It’s the district where my grandfather was raised,” he said. “The area it covers, to me, feels like the center of the world.”

Squadron, whose neatly trimmed beard makes his 28-year-old face look a bit older, has been active in local politics for several years. In 2005, he was a field director for the mayoral campaign of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens) and communications director for the

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Whether talking about this, the constant struggle between development and affordable housing, or anything else, Squadron never strays far from the word “change.”

Transportation Bond Act. These experiences, he said, taught him the importance of retail politics, and help explain why he has planned so much time for his campaign.

“One lesson I really learned is you have to work hard and introduce yourself personally to as many people as you can.

And that’s what I plan to do,” Squadron said.

After the 2005 campaigns, Squadron moved to the political consulting firm Knickerbocker SKD and co-authored last year’s Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time with another former boss, Sen. Charles Schumer (D).

The ideas explained in the book, Squadron said, “show both a real idealism for big ideas that are also obtainable.”

He has started to craft a platform for such ideas on policy issues that affect the district. In rebuilding Ground Zero, which is in the Lower Manhattan portion of Connor’s district, he speaks of creating a construction schedule that benefits the city, the owner of the property and residents who are affected by the noise.

But whether talking about this, the constant struggle between development and affordable housing, or anything else, Squadron never strays far from the word “change.”

That, he believes, will be a good selling point in his State Senate race, and perhaps enough to put him over the top.

“When it comes to the broken culture of Albany,” Squadron said, “people don’t need a lot of convincing that we need a change.” danrivoli@gmail.com Direct letters to the editor to editor@cityhallnews.com.

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www.cityhallnews.com the newly installed executive director of the Manhattan GOP. Weingartner succeeds Marcus Cederqvist, who left to become the new executive director of the city Board of Elections.

A handful of Manhattan candidates for the November election will be unveiled in the coming months, Weingartner said. There will be a host of new Republican faces vying for open Council seats in 2009.

Republicans say the key to their success in Manhattan is name recognition, something John Chromczak, a medical technician at New York University and a novice to the political stage, said he will have to work on when he attempts to unseat incumbent State Sen. Martin Connor (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) later this year.

“Even if the majority of people who live in the district are Democrats, they’re worried about public transportation, they’re worried about congestion pricing,” said the soft-spoken Chromczak.

“I’m looking forward to the uphill battle.”

Chromczak, who has yet to file his intent to run with the state Board of Elections, said he was inspired to challenge Connor by the lack of political action following the fire at the Deutsch Bank building late last year.

Current Manhattan GOP chair, Jennifer Saul Yaffa, said she also relishes the idea of an uphill battle.

But the crucial task of fundraising is made all the more difficult by the lack of Republican elected officials to put a public face on the party, she said.

“People usually like to give money to officials,” Yaffa said. “It’s tough.”

The party’s new county club fundraising initiative, which requires members to pay $1,000 annually for a year’s worth of events, has netted the party $30,000 so far, she said. Last year’s annual Lincoln Day dinner brought in $300,000.

Another issue that befuddles some in the borough is the existence of two separate young Republican organizations— both called the New York Young Republican Club. The groups have made attempts to overcome the split which dates back to the Lindsay administration, but to little avail.

“We are recognized by the state and local GOP. They’re not,” Lynn Krogh, president of the New York Young Republican Club, said of the other similarly named club. “We’ve been working to bring them together. There’s still some wounds.”

Krogh said she also finds solace in the day-to-day struggle of being a Republican in Manhattan.

“It’s like pushing a 3,000 pound car up a hill,” she said. “It’s not an easy thing to do.”

Andrew Eristoff, a former Council member from the East Side who massiveSCOTT WILLIAMS

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Out to Pasture New life for Manhattan GOP may be years away, but some hold out hope for ’08 and ’09

BY ANDREW J. HAWKINS

O

N A RECENT CHILLY NIGHT ON

East 83rd Street, in the heart of the old Silk Stocking, a small group of young Republicans gathered for a pep talk from State Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn).

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Golden said, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, “I am impressed by the numbers I see in this room.”

The hundred or so in attendance smiled and applauded.

“You would expect them in Nassau and Suffolk,” Golden said. “But you wouldn’t expect them on the East Side of Manhattan.”

Less than a decade ago, this was strong Republican territory. The local state senator was a Republican, as were the local members of the Assembly and City Council. But in a process which began with Carolyn Maloney’s toppling of incumbent Rep. Bill Green in 1992,

Manhattan’s Republicans have fallen on harder and harder times.

And despite the turnout of eager Republicans sizable enough to surprise Golden, the trend seems unlikely to change any time soon.

Republican enrollment has remained stagnant for over a decade at about 113,000, which pales in comparison to the over 600,000 enrolled Democrats in the borough. In the six weeks leading up to the most recent voter registration deadline, 7,380 new Democrats joined the rolls in the borough, compared to just 1,049 new Republicans.

This was just the latest bit of bad news for a county party which has not had a single locally elected Republican since 2002 and had its former chair, James Ortenzio, plead guilty to tax evasion late last year.

That makes the task of rebuilding a tough one.

“We’re under no delusions that it is a difficult task,” said Jason Weingartner,

CITY HALL ly outspent but was soundly beaten by State Sen. Liz Krueger in 2002, said Manhattan Republicans prospects have suffered from the drop in crime he feels they helped make happen.

“Ironically, we arguably are victims of our own success,” Eristoff said. “Now that we’re through that crisis, a lot of voters have reverted to type.”

Eristoff said he was not optimistic about Republican chances in the nearterm.

“I don’t see any openings,” he said. “I wish I did. I think we all benefit from competition.”

A desire for competition, in addition to dissatisfaction with Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D), may be what swings the pendulum back in the Republicans’ favor, said William O’Reilly, a consultant who has long worked with Manhattan Republicans.

“We realize these are tough times,” he said. “We will be ready when the voters are ready to listen to us.”

But after so many elections with Republicans unable to break past 35 percent in the polls, some local activists are starting to wonder if that time will ever come.

“We show up with these guys with these great résumés,” said Robert Morgan, president of the century-old Metropolitan Republican Club. “But they’re Republicans, so there must be something wrong with them.”

By adopting an “if at first you don’t succeed” type strategy, Morgan said Republicans can win elections in Manhattan if they are willing to lose a few times first.

Joel Zinberg, an Upper West Side surgeon who in 2005 lost a Council race to Jessica Lappin, and Gregory Camp, a lawyer who last year lost a special Assembly election to Micah Kellner, are both expected to run again, according to Weingartner.

Lolita Jackson, former president of the Metropolitan Club and now the Manhattan director of the city’s Community Affairs Unit, is also viewed as a rising star with crossover appeal. A relatively young African-American woman with strong Republican credentials, Jackson has been courted to run by several, but has so far refused.

“The day she says yes is the day I hit the streets for her,” Weingartner said.

For now, though, Manhattan Democrats remain confident. Krueger, who began her career in elected life by nearly toppling local Republican legend Roy Goodman, represents the Manhattan district which many see as the most favorable for Republicans. But she has not faced a serious challenger since 2002, and so far has no opponent for this fall.

She consistently encounters Republicans in her district who say they feel disenfranchised by their own party.

“They say, ‘Damn it, I just voted for you,’” Krueger said, laughing. “And it’s like, ‘Well, you had an alternative.’” ahawkins@cityhallnews.com

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MARCH 2008

Despite Backing from Bloomberg and Quinn, Ferry Plan Faces Choppy Waters $100 million annual subsidy could sink expansion, pull money from elsewhere, some worry

BY ANDREW J. HAWKINS PLANYC, MAYOR MICHAEL Bloomberg called for expanding ferry service to new communities that are springing up along the city’s waterfronts.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) upped the ante in this year’s State of the City speech, promising a “comprehensive five-borough, yearround New York City ferry system.”

But with tough financial times ahead and ferries traditionally costing much and earning little, some of the same politicians and transportation advocates cheering the city’s plan are nervously wringing their hands.

Council Member John Liu (D-Queens), who chairs the Council Transportation Committee, praised Bloomberg and Quinn for committing to ferry expansion at a time when the city’s roadways are buckling under record levels of congestion. But he warned that the plan will not be cheap.

“We’re talking on order of $100 million a year to do it right as a connection to all five boroughs,” Liu said. “Although the price tag is high, it’s far more affordable and cost efficient than building new subway lines.”

For years the Council butted heads with Bloomberg over public subsidies for ferries, Liu said. But now he said he is

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seeing a change of heart at City Hall.

The city’s Traffic Mitigation Commission proposed using revenues from congestion pricing to create a $39 million “lockbox” from which money for ferry expansion could be pulled. But Liu and others stressed that cash will need to flow from other sources as well.

Reps.

Jerrold Nadler (DManhattan/Brooklyn) and Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan/Queens) have in the past earmarked millions of dollars for ferry expansion. And city officials are counting on a renewed commitment from Washington as well as financial help from the private sector.

Vincent Gentile (D-Brooklyn) said he eagerly awaits the day when he can say “all aboard” for ferry rides from his Bay Ridge community to Lower Manhattan.

“Ferries have been the only mode of transportation that hasn’t been subsidized by the city or the MTA,” Gentile said. “That’s outrageous, because it’s probably the most efficient, the fastest, the most direct route for many, many New Yorkers.”

The city could buy ferries and lease them back to the operating companies, Gentile said, as a way to mitigate costs.

But public funding tops the list of priorities for many cash-strapped ferry operators across the city. A few days before Quinn unveiled her five borough

“Wakefern Food Corporation/ShopRite relies on the port of New York and New Jersey to effectively remain the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. As the region’s leading supermarket retailer, all of us at Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite understand the benefits of the distribution efficiencies that the port provides. With $9.9 billion in retail sales and nearly 50,000 associates, we know what it takes to remain competitive.Our customers depend on us for fresh products and low prices — we dependon the port to help us keep that promise to our customers.”

vision, the New York Water Taxi, one of the city’s five still viable ferry operators, shut down its service between the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Manhattan.

Company president Tom Fox said that the financial woes afflicting most ferry operators underscores the need for city officials to identify specific and viable cash streams.

“Even with the best intentions, one has to not only find the money, but develop the fiscal system to disburse it,” Fox said.

The city is currently leafing through proposals for a ferry line linking the Rockaways to Manhattan. Quinn’s far grander vision, which is still in development, imagines lines connecting Hunts Point in the Bronx to Coney Island.

Some transportation advocates are worried that with only so much money to go around, the speaker’s focus on the waterways may come at the expense of street and transit improvements.

“Ferries require a much higher operating subsidy than surface transit,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “I think we really need to take a close look at being very strategic about which ferry trips are going to be subsidized and at where buses and bicycling and walking would be better.”

Frequency and connectivity are other issues the City Council needs to take into

account, said Roland Lewis, executive director of the Metropolitan Waterway Alliance.

“If you miss the 7:20, you might be waiting until 8:20 for the next ferry,” Lewis said,“or until 7:20 the next day.”

Lewis added that he believes new ferry terminals must be well-linked to bus lines and subway stations if the ferry system is to work.

City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn said that this is not the only issue of interconnectivity, insisting that the ability to move from one form of transportation to another with a single Metrocard would be ideal.

“You could imagine taking a series of East River ferries coming across the river, getting on a bus rapid transit system, taking that across 34th Street,” she said. “I think it all ties together.”

Regardless, with the political will to expand the city’s ferry system firmly in place, New York’s waterways may soon be teeming with dozens of new boats and thousands of new commuters.

Fox said expanding the city’s ferry service fits neatly into New York’s tradition of big ideas.

“We built the Verazzano Bridge. We built the Brooklyn Bridge,” Fox said. “We can build anything we put our minds to building.” ahawkins@cityhallnews.com

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Our region’s businesses rely on the port.

Without it there’d be no bananas for breakfast or other products we take for granted. Think of it — the port is responsible for: • More than $150 billion in cargo each year • 236,000 full time jobs in the metropolitan area • Serving 35% of the entire U.S. population The port of New York and New Jersey is the cornerstone of the supply chain that we depend on.

Joseph Colalillo Chairman and CEO Wakefern Food Corporation

The men and women of the port of New York and New Jersey...

New York Shipping Association, Inc. © 2008

Questions about congestion pricing?

Trusted experts weigh in…

Would congestion pricing gut the state’s environmental laws, as some assert?

The legislature’s Traffic Commission calls for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to focus on neighborhood-level impacts and to be completed before congestion pricing starts. Traditional EIS review stops when a project is built, but the Commission went further: it requires environmental monitoring and mitigation even after congestion pricing starts. This is powerful protection for local neighborhoods. The Commission proposal is the result of detailed analysis of over 30 alternatives and modifications reviewed in 14 public hearings. The best traffic models available today found clear air quality and traffic reduction benefits. The neighborhood-level EIS the Commission calls for will supplement this review with detailed modeling of mitigation alternatives. Congestion pricing delivers traffic decreases in every borough. For example, under the Commission’s proposal, congestion is expected to drop 39% in western Queens, as through-traffic headed to the central business district decreases. When traffic levels on our streets go down, that’s good for our lungs and the climate, and the improved mobility is good for the economy.

- James T. B. Tripp, General Counsel, Environmental Defense – www.edf.org

How do we make sure revenue from congestion pricing is actually spent on transit?

We all know stories about money collected by state and city government that didn't go where it should have. Like Lotto proceeds intended for improving schools. We always have to be vigilant about the difference between government promises and its performance.

But there is a good track record here. For 25 years, billions of tax dollars dedicated to transit have in fact gone to transit. With the right legal safeguards and with the right oversight - congestion pricing money will be spent on the right projects.

- Gene Russianoff, Senior Attorney, NYPIRG/Straphangers Campaign – www.straphangers.org

Is congestion pricing regressive and unfair to lower-income and middle-class New Yorkers?

No. The truth is, most low-income and middle-class New Yorkers will not pay the congestion charge, but will benefit from the policy.

After a thorough survey of the existing research, The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy finds that most low-income and middleclass New Yorkers don’t drive to work in the congestion pricing zone at all: overall only 5.2% of working New Yorkers do. Of the small percentage of people that do drive, the overwhelming majority choose to do so despite having mass transit options. 80% currently have a transit option available that would add less than 15 minutes to their one-way commute. Moreover, if the legislature chooses, it can modify tax policy to mitigate the impact on the very small number of lower income drivers without transit options. Meanwhile, congestion pricing revenues will be used to fund transit improvements in areas which currently have the fewest options, predominantly neighborhoods of the city’s current and aspiring middle class.

- Gene Russianoff, Senior Attorney, NYPIRG/Straphangers Campaign – www.straphangers.org

Is congestion pricing going to increase traffic and health burdens in neighborhoods already overburdened with pollution and asthma?

Low income communities that have served as the reluctant hosts to NYC's polluting infrastructure and highways stand to benefit the most from congestion pricing. In Sunset Park, for example, the Gowanus expressway has over 125,000 cars and over 20,000 trucks pass through Sunset Park, Brooklyn on a daily basis. The majority of Lutheran Medical Center's asthma discharges live along this corridor. Congestion pricing will reduce the number of vehicles coming through the Gowanus and other working class communities from Western Queens to Harlem, directly benefiting the local residents’ environment while also funding new transit options.

- Elizabeth Yeampierre, Co-Chair, The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance – www.nyceja.org

Are there other alternatives that would work better than congestion pricing to reduce traffic and raise needed funds to improve transit?

No alternatives can achieve both goals. Some have suggested stricter enforcement and higher traffic fines, but that will do little to reduce congestion except in some isolated locations. And if violations diminished, so would the revenue needed to improve transit. Others have said we should raise the money for transit by increasing the number of parking meters and the rates charged. This too might raise some money - but not enough. Let's face it. Congestion pricing is the way to do the job; charge those who can most afford it - and then let’s dedicate the money to make transit a more attractive option.

- Jeff Zupan, Senior Fellow, Transportation, Regional Plan Association – www.rpa.org

www.bettertransit.org

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CITY HALL

Recchia Says Slow and Steady Will Win the Race Fossella challenger yet to meet fundraising threshold, but DCCC remains confident “Nobody’s ever argued that this is a slam dunk for Democrats,” Israel said.

“This is going to be hard.”

The party has all but ignored Harrison, whom DCCC chair Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) referred to at a February campaign only as “another candidate” in the race. By contrast, Recchia, Van Hollen said, is a “candidate we think is a really good fit.”

“More importantly,” he added, “the people in his district think he’s a really good fit.”

Though Israel said that campaigning early often helps candidates looking to oust incumbents, he is confident that the delay will not hamper Recchia.

“In a normal political climate, waiting for a long time could be a disadvantage, but—and this is a big but—this is not a normal political environment,” Israel said. “The Democrats are revved up.”

Recchia has previously said Harrison should have started running immediately after his 2006 defeat, when he was the Democratic nominee.

Harrison, however, insisted that running too early, he said, “shows certain disrespect to voters.”

Harrison formally announced his 2008 bid last August. He has since put together a full campaign and has leases for campaign offices. He believes he started with more than enough time, but that the time has passed for a candidate to be able to enter the race and succeed.

“When it’s more than a year and a Council Member Domenic Recchia quarter out into the election, that said last fall that if he could raise should be a sufficient amount of $500,000 by Christmas, he would time to put your resources take the next step in his expected together,” Harrison said. “If run against Rep. Vito Fossella. you’re just starting right now He raised just $220,770, and has putting your campaign staff backed off of hard deadlines for his together, you’re late.” candidacy, saying “there’s no rush.”

Assembly Member Vito Lopez, the Brooklyn Democratic leader who has long been in Recchia’s corner for the Fossella spokesperson Georgea Kaye potential primary match-up, said that said the Ward investigation will not affect when Recchia reaches his $500,000 fundraising goal, matching funds from the campaign.

With the National Republican the DCCC will put Recchia’s campaign in Congressional Committee expected to the million-dollar range. That will immeput money into the race to protect the diately catapult Recchia into the next phase of his campaign.

“Domenic is right on target,” Lopez said. “He’s not waiting too long.”

Lopez said Recchia is courting elected officials while building support throughout the district.

“He’s putting time into this and building relationships,” Lopez said.

So while there may not be an official campaign operation in place, Lopez said, there is certainly a campaign underway.

“These are things that he is nursing seat, Israel said Democrats need a candi- and developing,” he said. date who can keep up with Fossella’s danrivoli@gmail.com fundraising and can deliver a winning Direct letters to the editor to message. editor@cityhallnews.com.

SCOTTWILLIAMS

him, he has brushed off these comments. His Council district covers a large portion of the Brooklyn side of the Congressional district, he notes, and for years he has delivered funds to Staten Island as chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee.

“No one says to me when I bring the money in, ‘Hey Councilman Recchia, when are you moving into the district?’” Recchia said.

However, he said that if he wins the seat, he would strongly consider moving into the district.

Despite putting off an official announcement, Recchia has already received the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which has prioritized the race.

Fossella has proven a strong opponent in the past, but with strong Democratic trends in New York and the presidential election this year, they are speaking confidently about this year’s election. The federal investigation into Fossella’s excampaign treasurer, Chris Ward, makes them even more hopeful.

“The Republicans have a huge problem now—they’re fundraising under a cloud,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Nassau/Suffolk), head of Northeast recruiting for the DCCC.

BY DAN RIVOLI MEMBER DOMENIC Recchia (D-Brooklyn) is showing signs he is serious about running for Congress against Rep. Vito Fossella (RStaten Island/Brooklyn). He is developing a campaign staff. He has out-raised his likely primary opponent, Brooklyn lawyer Steve Harrison. And his presence is growing on Staten Island— some have even taken to calling him Coney Island Dom, he said.

Unlike Harrison, however, Recchia has yet to put up a campaign website or rack up Democratic club endorsements. Nor has he officially filed his candidacy with the Board of Elections or moved into the district—though he currently lives only 20 feet outside the boundary.

Many people expected him to do all of this by now. He himself said last October that he planned to raise a threshold $500,000 by Christmas, though at year’s

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end he filed donations of just $220,770 with the Federal Elections Commission.

He has backed off of hard deadlines.

“There’s no rush,” he said.

Before making his candidacy official, Recchia wants to have his campaign apparatus fully organized.

“You can’t just wake up and say ‘I’m

“In a normal political climate, waiting for a long time could be a disadvantage, but—and this is a big but—this is not a normal political environment,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Nassau/Suffolk), head of Northeast recruiting for the DCCC. running for Congress,’” Recchia said.

“When you’re prepared, you’ll win.”

Though Recchia’s opponents have used his out-of-district address against

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Compared to the average salaries for the same title in the 20 largest cities in America:

NYC Corrections Officers earn 42% more NYC Sanitaiton Workers earn 66% more NYC Firefighters earn 7% more NYC Police Officers ear n 30% less

That’s why pattern bargaining doesn’t work.

PATRICK J. LYNCH President Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York

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MARCH 2008

CITY HALL

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With or Without Democratic Line, Baldeo Plans Senate Rematch

BY ADAM PINCUS BALDEO DOES NOT CARE that state and local Democratic leaders want him to stay out of the race against State Sen. Serphin Maltese (RQueens). After surprising nearly everyone with the margin of his loss to Maltese in 2006—with virtually no support, he came within 1,000 votes over the tenterm incumbent—Baldeo is determined to run again, and is revving up for a largely self-financed insurgent campaign for the Democratic nomination.

He will be in the race no matter what, he said, and is willing to devote his own money and much of his time to fighting all the way to November.

“The voters in the district want change,” he said. “We are here for reform.

We are not beholden to special interests, lobbyists and Democratic bosses.”

Baldeo currently has more money on hand than Maltese or his expected Democratic rival, City Council Member Joseph Addabbo.

The campaign for the seat, which stretches from Maspeth and Middle Village through South Ozone Park to Howard Beach, could cost more than $3 million between the candidates, insiders said, especially with the GOP’s now oneseat majority in the Senate. Like most of Queens, the district has a large number of immigrants. Half its population—

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LBERT

INT. 682 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to providing legal counsel for certain persons subject to eviction or foreclosure proceedings.

SPONSOR: Council Member Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan) While criminal defendants are guaranteed legal representation at trial, tenants facing evictions are not.

This does not make sense to Gerson.

“If you give me a choice, would I prefer to spend a month in jail and receive a fine or lose my Bills on the burner home forever? for the Council I’m not sure. I might opt for the month in jail,” he said.

In addition to putting eviction defendants at a disadvantage, the current system makes trials move more slowly and inefficiently, Gerson believes. Judges are forced to either assist defendants or ignore problems, he said, making cases drag on while the defendants struggle to understand legal technicalities.

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made up largely of Italians, Irish, South Asians, Guyanese and Hispanics—is estimated to be first or second generation.

Baldeo is himself a native of Guyana.

Addabbo said he will run on his record from two terms on the Council. He expects state and county party support, he said, but also hopes for Republican backing.

“Every community is different in my district, and I have answered each community according to their needs,” he said.

Addabbo said he expects to formally announce his candidacy in March or April.

At 75, Maltese is nearly 30 years older than either rival, but he said he is a hardworking author of more than 200 bills who delivers for his district and stays in touch by attending a daunting schedule of civic and religious gatherings.

“I love this job; I love what I do,” he said, adding, “You have to ask others if my mind is still sharp.”

He said he has been pledged support

by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) in both help and money.

“Senator Bruno indicated if I need it he would commit over $1 million to the race,” he said.

Maltese has raised more than Baldeo and Addabbo over the past year— $214,245—but after paying hefty campaign bills, was left with only $89,694 on hand as of his January campaign finance filing.

As of that same filing, Baldeo had raised $57,820 and Addabbo had raised $74,745.

Baldeo also loaned his campaign $243,000 over the last year, giving him more than $309,000 on hand, according to the records. He said the money was earned from his work as an immigration attorney, and through real estate and financial investments.

Addabbo has $77,709 on hand, including $25,000 in transfers from two Council campaign funds that were not registered with the state Board of Elections.

Democrats insist Addabbo will get sufficient funds from the party, noting Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, a fellow Queens Democrat, is headlining a fundraiser in April for him to do just that.

Already through Smith, Addabbo also received $28,500 in three contributions from liberal philanthropist George Soros and his family.

The close election in 2006, in which Baldeo lost to Maltese by 894 votes, should not give Baldeo any advantage with the party, a Democratic consultant said.

“The fact that Baldeo has run before does not give him some kind of hold on the nomination," said Scott Levenson, a political consultant close to the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

DANIEL S. BURNSTEIN

Says he will make racial debate central to Addabbo challenge ly in a dispute in largely white Howard Beach last year.

Addabbo said the dispute was not racially motivated, as Baldeo believes, and suggested that Baldeo was trying to misrepresent his position ahead of their upcoming primary battle.

“This situation that Albert labeled me a racist for, I think was a poor excuse for him to use this for political gain,” Addabbo said.

Baldeo plans to make campaign issues of that incident and “the fact that he has shunned minority staff,” he said, noting that though Addabbo’s Council district is largely white, “the Senate district is not reflective of the City Council district. It is a totally different ball game here.”

Addabbo said he had no minorities among eight fulltime and several part-time staff members, but that he was color-blind when he selected applicants.

“It is not the fact that I look not to hire. It is a question of Albert Baldeo raised $57,820, and loaned who has applied for me and his campaign $243,000 for a repeat bid to who is willing to do the work that I do. I demand a lot from unseat State Sen. Serphin Maltese. my staff,” he said.

Baldeo pledged to fight on, even if he Addabbo, Levenson added, “is widely respected by voters on both sides of the lost the party nomination. Even if not aisle and that is what it is going to take to running as a Democrat, he expects thousands of the Democrats who voted for win.”

Michael Reich, executive secretary to him in 2006 would vote for him in a 2008 the Queens Democratic Party, said general election.

And he intends to give them that Addabbo would make the stronger candiopportunity, no matter how the primary date against Maltese.

If Baldeo were to win the nomination, goes.

“My game plan,” he said, “is to seek as Reich said, “I feel our odds of winning many third-party lines and form my own the seat will be severely diminished.”

Baldeo countered that Addabbo was third-party line.” out of touch with the changing communipincus_a@yahoo.com ty, charging that the Council member Direct letters to the editor to should have supported a Guyanese famieditor@cityhallnews.com.

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Well designed and built with quality and care by a diverse and well-paid workforce. Housing that families stay in while their children and grandchildren grow.

When we build affordable housing, we are building the future—one house and one family at a time.

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5925 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10463 • Phone: 718.432.2100 • Fax: 718.432.2400 • info@nysafah.org • www.nysafah.org

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CITY HALL

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“I think if a person’s depressed about it, he must have an empty life and nothing to live for, and a man like that is probably so slow mentally that I don’t think it pays to worry about anybody that stupid.”

— nomination, she will not face Giuliani and Bloomberg.

Clinton may win the nomination, but the great fantasy of the New York presidential showdown is over.

Watching Clinton face Arizona Sen. John McCain will have its allure. Watching McCain battle Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the White House will be engaging too. But for New Yorkers, it just will not be the same.

There has not been a two-way New Yorker race since President Franklin Roosevelt trounced Thomas Dewey on the way to a fourth term in 1944. There has not been a three-way New Yorker race ever. With New Yorkers in recent years relegated to vice-presidential slots on alsoran tickets—Rep. Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and former Rep. Jack Kemp in 1996—the possibility of a clash of the hometown titans this year was almost too exciting for most people to comprehend. For New York political

New York is known for its international air, and that, along with the world’s image of people from the Big Apple, could make negotiations easier.

“New Yorkers are known to be strong and courageous, which represents the U.S. image very well,” Trump insisted.

But though Trump is a big promoter of New York and a fan of the three politicians, he did not see the lack of a three-way race as a problem for the city.

“I’d say that New York and New Yorkers get enough attention already,” Trump explained. “What matters is the entire country, and we should focus on getting the nation back together, whether it’s a New Yorker or not who starts to do that.”

Gay Talese, the author and consummate East-Sider, said he feels the lack of the Big Apple showdown acute-

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

junkies, the Clinton-Giuliani-Bloomberg race would have been like mainlining Alexander Hamilton’s secret stash with an Empire State Building-sized needle.

“Now you got nothing,” said Jimmy Breslin, the New York author and columnist. “That doesn’t make me happy.”

The presidential candidates should be talking about national issues, Breslin said, like the economy and the Iraq war. But thinking back to the sports pages of a half century ago, when there were three baseball teams to cover and loads of good copy, Breslin said a three-way New Yorker race would simply have been more exciting and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 entertaining.

“The newspapers, look at the old newspapers,” he a self-financed independent.

All the campaign headquarters were going to be with- said. “It was great.”

And he is not the only one. Other iconic New in walking distance of subway stops.

All the town’s political consultants were going to be Yorkers also looked back wistfully.

“It would have been wonderful, but it was never flush with business. intended to happen,” said former Mayor Ed Koch.

All the local reporters were going to go national.

“New York would have been the subject of so much Oh, the drama. attention.”

Oh, the opportunities.

To Koch, this is a relief. Though he has never made Oh, the frequent flier miles out of JFK, the stump speeches in Central Park, the Statue of Liberty cam- a secret of his distaste for Giuliani, he is a huge fan of paign commercial backdrops, the knishes on the cam- both Clinton and Bloomberg. And though he proudly backed Clinton in the Democratic primary, he said paign trail, the Big Apple pride.

Oh, the three-way presidential subway series that repeatedly going into this year that he would keep his options open for the general election, just in case will not be.

Bloomberg decided to run.

With Bloomberg out of the race, he is no longer torn. hen came Florida. Just like John Lindsay, the “Thank god I never had to make a decision,” he said. last New York City mayor to run for presiTo Donald Trump—who years ago flirted with dent, Giuliani ended his flailing campaign in the Sunshine State with a whimper. America becoming a new york presidential candidate himself— a choice between Clinton, Giuliani and Bloomberg rejected America’s mayor.

A month later came Bloomberg’s New York Times op- would have been good news for everyone, because that ed. He would not be a candidate, he wrote, using much would have made for an election with no bad choices the same language as he had over two and a half years of come November.

“All three are great New Yorkers, and great press conferences denials. But this time everyone accepted his finality. The secret strategy sessions were Americans, so it would have been a win no matter what,” he explained. over. The campaign that could not be would not be.

Plus, Trump noted, hailing from New York might be Though battered in the weeks leading up to March 4, with her primary showings in Texas and Ohio, Clinton is an asset in the White House. Experience with life in the still very much in the running. But even if she wins the city could help when meeting with foreign leaders.

ly—though only, he said, because Bloomberg will not be in the race.

Talese, who has known every mayor over his last 50 years living in New York, is an enormous supporter of nearly everything Bloomberg has done over the last six years. Had there been a Bloomberg for President campaign, he said, he would have immediately offered his services as a speechwriter.

“I’m depressed that Giuliani didn’t do well, but Bloomberg was the guy I really believed was our gift to the nation,” he said.

To Talese, Clinton is not a New Yorker in the same sense that Giuliani and Bloomberg are. So even though the junior senator remains in the race, as far as Talese is concerned,

CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com in fact helped build the nation—would have been a serious aspect of it,” he said. “They would have each one of them say what they did in managing and building New York.”

Though there could also have been a downside. A three-way race would have been a great commercial for New York, he said, but not necessarily for New Yorkers.

“A lot of people don’t like New Yorkers or they think that we’re too pushy,” Rubenstein said. “If the only three candidates were Rudy Giuliani, Clinton and Bloomberg, it would look like New York shanghaied the process.”

But life will go on, he said—especially in New York.

The rest of the country may have a harder time, Rubenstein said, given the consequences. Laughing, he rattled off a possible few.

“Federal support for congestion pricing will be redefined as subsidies for nasal spray, lost in the national debate will be the crucial discussion of meat versus dairy, the Second Avenue Subway tunnel could be left unfinished with Washington converting it into an ethanol holding tank, New York accents may be designated a second language, the Yankees may be confused as anyone living north of the Mason-Dixon line,” he said, “and mayonnaise could become the federally mandated condiment of choice for pastrami.”

Oh well, said famed New York comedian Jackie Mason. Though a proud New Yorker, Mason has never put much stock in having hometown candidates. So now that the great New Yorker showdown will never be, Mason said, he is doing just fine.

For those that are feeling dejected, Mason had some advice: get over it.

“I think if a person’s depressed about it, he must have an empty life and nothing to live for, and a man like that is probably so slow mentally that I don’t think it pays to worry about anybody that stupid,” he said. “If something that has absolutely no consequence of any weight depresses him, then I would take this guy to a sanitarium.”

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have been a year-long extravaganza for every newspaper and television station in town, the local political news business does not seem headed for its own recession, either—so long as Clinton’s campaign continues to stay alive, said Bob Hardt, NY1 executive producer and political director.

“Obviously, the three of them would have been the dream team situation for the New York media, but honestly, I think New York politicos would be thrilled to have any New Yorker still in the presidential race,” he said.

With the Ohio and Texas results in Clinton’s favor, Hardt said, “the tabloids are breathing a sigh of relief.”

The same is true for his station, he said.

“There is the local angle that we can really exploit as a local news station,” he said. “It makes it more interesting for us.”

And if Clinton wins the nomination and the presidency, that will create a new spate of New York political news to report, with all the speculation about who might be appointed to her Senate seat and who might be brought into her administration. New York media outlets may open bureaus in Washington, at least for her

“All three are great New Yorkers, and great Americans, so it would have been a win no matter what.”

—

the last hope that a New Yorker would be in the presidential race ended when Bloomberg published his op-ed.

“I was sorry to see that we don’t have any New Yorker in the race, but it’s not like I need to see the city represented. But in this case, I think the city had a gift to give,” he said. “Of course the city’s going to survive without a presidential candidate, but the nation is at a loss.”

Public relations impresario, Howard Rubenstein, agreed that the nation was at a loss, but the city is too, he said. There would have been no better way to promote New York than a Clinton-Giuliani-Bloomberg race, he said.

“The focus on the assets of New York, and how all three people contributed to building New York—which

till, perhaps the showdown might be saved.

A good enough run in Pennsylvania and the other primaries could give Clinton the nomination. A few renegade Draft Bloomberg supporters have yet to accept the mayor’s declaration.

Giuliani is doing well on Internet betting sites, as people try to guess who will be McCain’s choice for vice president.

But most New Yorkers, it seems, have come to terms with not having our local sandbox fight projected coast to coast. The parlor games, the speculation, the dinner conversations over the possible ClintonGiuliani-Bloomberg electoral math—who would have won? who would have carried New York?—are fading into history.

That could mean less business for New Yorkers who earn their living on politics. But with more than 300 candidates expected for next year’s races for citywide office, borough presidents and City Council, said veteran political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, there should soon be enough paychecks to go around.

“For political consultants who are New York-based, it would have been much more interesting if it had been Clinton-Bloomberg-Giuliani in the race,” Sheinkopf said.

“Now everyone—at least the New York-based people— are going to have to wait for the 2009 sweepstakes.”

And though a three-way race would undoubtedly

first year, Hardt said.

But even if Clinton ultimately falls short and leaves the race with no New York-based candidate, Hardt said the Big Apple’s deep and abiding interest in all things political will likely keep the airwaves full of political news.

Perhaps, said Rubenstein. But without a fight between local candidates to watch, the New York Nielsens for political coverage will not be quite as high for quite as long each night.

“I know New Yorkers will be turning off their televisions a little earlier,” Rubenstein said.

From a non-political public relations perspective, that is good news for anyone looking to get attention for any other story in New York over the next eight months, Rubenstein said. Without the coverage of local candidates sucking up all the available air time, he no longer has to worry about finding ways to get the many people and companies he counts as clients in the spotlight.

“If it were the two guys and the doll running, you wouldn’t have had a moment of open news coverage space on television or magazines,” he said. “I probably would have had to go on a six-month vacation.”

And having a race between three New Yorker presidential candidates worrying about appearing too partial to their home turf could have had a negative impact on getting New York-friendly policies in discussion, said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

“If anything, my sense is that there would have been overkill to avoid giving any special benefit to New York,” she said.

What there certainly will not be, she said, is a problem for New Yorkers getting access to the presidential candidates, whether or not any of them are from New York. With so much of the national news media and big political donors based here, presidential candidates never have any choice.

“All the presidential candidates make the proverbial trip to New York,” she said. “At least for the purposes of fundraising, they are all honorary New Yorkers.” eidovere@cityhallnews.com

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www.cityhallnews.com

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Deputies

BY DANIEL MACHT AST MONTH,

YVONNE GRAHAM made a decision that cost her $17,500. After six years as Marty Markowitz’s deputy, the 56-year-old decided to step down from the job. She did not go far, though: now a special assistant to the borough president, she helps in planning events and conferences.

And if she gets her way, she will not be going far for years to come: Graham took the pay cut and new position to allow her to start raising money to run for borough president herself next year, when Markowitz will be term-limited out of office.

Graham said her boss was behind her in this decision.

“We have a wonderful relationship,” Graham said. “Marty supports me in whatever endeavor I want to pursue.”

Asked if Markowitz had endorsed her for the job, Graham demurred. But she did say that the two of them had “worked hand-in-hand as partners.”

According to Graham, Markowitz shares this view.

“That’s what he said: ‘You have my support,’” Graham said.

The daughter of Jamaican activists, Graham moved to New York in the 1970s “like everyone who has come before me, to realize the American dream, to get educational opportunities, to own a home and support my family.”

As an emergency room nurse at Brookdale Hospital, Graham said she saw many with preventable ailments.

She began to pool resources with colleagues and later founded the Caribbean Women’s Health Association.

For 25 years, Graham said she has tried to help marginalized communities learn how government could work for them, and in her years as deputy borough president, she worked on persuading the city’s Department of Health to lessen bureaucratic delays for other non-profit organizations.

She also helped form a partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to create a Brooklyn-based health center focused on reducing cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, asthma and diabetes.

In her new, reduced role, Graham said she hopes to come up with a recommendation that suits Brooklyn and New York City after meeting with experts at a health care conference she has planned for April 4.

DANIEL S. BURNSTEIN

L

DANIEL S. BURNSTEIN

Earl Brown

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Yvonne Graham

Karen Koslowitz

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Karen Koslowitz Queens

Rosemonde Pierre-Louis Manhattan Rosemonde Pierre-Louis never cared too much about exercise. Then her boss, Scott Stringer, made her the point person of his “Go Green East Harlem” initiative, which looks to promote health, nutrition and environmental conservation in Upper Manhattan.

Pierre-Louis felt she had to lead by

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Ed Burke With next year’s elections approaching, four of the five borough presidents term-limited out of office, and the fifth, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, rumored to be considering a citywide run instead of seeking re-election, the deputy borough presidents are beginning to consider life after 2009.

Graham is not the only one with a varied résumé or an eye to the future.

City Hall caught up with all five deputy borough presidents, who reflected on how they got their jobs, what they have been focusing on, and what might be next.

legal advocate for victims of domestic violence. Even when dealing with horrible cases of abuse, Pierre-Louis said the work helped keep her spirits high.

“It never gets depressing when you are able to assist victims that have decided to extricate themselves from their relationships,” Pierre-Louis said.

That advocacy work was what brought her to Stinger’s attention.

Even though the borough president did not know Pierre-Louis personally, his team asked her to apply for the deputy position. She became the city’s first Haitian-American deputy borough president.

Pierre-Louis attends community meetings most nights after work, and has spent the past few weekends meeting with potential community board appointees. She said she is helping Stringer depoliticize the process.

“No other borough has an independent screening panel for community board applicants,” she said. “If the person does not pass the process, they don’t get through.”

But she is not blind to politics.

Stringer is thought to be eyeing a run for public advocate next year, but Pierre-Louis said she thinks he would make a good mayor.

“I think he has potential,” she said.

Pierre-Louis sidestepped a question about her own political ambitions. But she did not rule out a run for elected office.

“I do want to continue in government service,” she said. “This has been an incredible experience.”

Rosemonde Pierre-Louis example.

Since January, four days a week, she has woken up at 4:30 a.m. for boot camp. The 43-year old Harlem resident heads off to a local fitness center, where she sticks to a tight regimen which includes running and kickboxing.

That leads her into long days that often run into nights and weekends with the rest of her official duties on the job.

“I don’t have that much free time,” said Pierre-Louis, who lives alone with her dog Kelly, a pit bull-German shepherd mix.

Before joining Stringer’s administration, Pierre-Louis spent 18 years as a

“I am lucky for who I am working for,” Karen Koslowitz said of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “The only thing I can’t do is legislation.”

Back when she was on the Council, she saw one theatergoer carry a disabled person up the stairs to his seat and worried what would happen in a fire. She sponsored a bill to expand handicap accessibility.

After a nude club moved into her Forest Hills neighborhood, Koslowitz sponsored legislation to bar such clubs throughout the city.

Eager to get back to legislating, the 65year-old Queens deputy borough president plans to step down in the spring to run for the Council seat she was term-limited out of, now held by term-limited Melinda Katz.

With term limits bearing down on her in 2001, she briefly ran for the borough presidency, but she was denied public financing for filing late paperwork, and withdrew. She campaigned for Marshall. That helped earn her the job as Marshall’s deputy.

By the time they came into office in 2002, budget cuts had whittled down 100 Queens Borough Hall staff positions to 57.

To fill in the gaps, Koslowitz added the responsibilities of community board director and parks director to her portfolio.

CITY HALL Koslowitz said days at the office generally start at 8:30 a.m. and go for 12 hours straight.

“When you love what you do, there is no clock,” she said.

One major recent project has been rebuilding Community Board 13 in Eastern Queens. Tensions among the board’s leaders eventually led to the district manager resigning by a letter which told the chair and others, “You can take this job and shove it!!!”

Koslowitz said she will supervise the board’s next few meetings, and is meeting individually with members at her office to try to resolve the problems.

Whether as a deputy borough president or on the Council, Koslowitz said she puts a premium on being accessible to constituents.

“I love helping people, putting a smile on their face,” she said.

Earl Brown Bronx Earl Brown lives in Brooklyn. A former student at Brooklyn College, Brown, 53, is president of his co-op board in Prospect Heights.

And for the past six years, Brown has commuted to his job nearly seven days a week as deputy borough president of the Bronx.

“You can liken it to adoptive parents,” he said. “I chose you. I chose the Bronx. I think it is one of the most fantastic places on the face of the Earth.”

Brown got his start in politics in the ‘70s

www.cityhallnews.com as the community board’s liaison for thenManhattan Borough President Andrew Stein. He later went to work for Brooklyn President Howard Golden.

After serving as press secretary and ultimately a senior director for the School Construction Authority, Brown became an associate vice president of the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. That job put him in contact with then-Council Member Adolfo Carrión Jr., who later appointed Brown deputy in 2002.

Though Brown enjoys his current job, he said he misses the days of the Board of Estimate, when borough presidents wielded more power.

“It is really difficult to have a central government relate on an intimate basis with the needs of individuals,” Brown said.

“The BP tends to have a much more bird’seye view of the needs of people who live within their boroughs.”

Still, Brown points to his office’s role in helping bring 20,000 construction jobs related to the Yankees’ new stadium, 30 percent of which went to Bronx residents.

Brown also touts his borough’s lowered unemployment rate and 40,000 new housing units. The credit, Brown says, should go to Carrión.

“He is the person who should get all the press,” Brown said of his boss. “Any work I do is on his behalf.”

While not ruling out a run for elected office himself, Brown said he would likely try to find another job in government once Carrión is term-limited out in 2009.

“The sky is the limit,” Brown said. “I am

interested in public service and the ability to have a substantial positive impact.”

Ed Burke Staten Island A couple of years ago, representatives from the Staten Island Museum came to Deputy Borough President Ed Burke’s office with a request for increased funding. He told them that he would help if they secured a new exhibit for the museum.

“That’s fine,” Burke recalled telling them. “But first I have to see a pre-historic animal skeleton.”

The museum soon had a mastodon’s skull. A skeleton would soon follow, the representatives told Burke.

Burke claimed victory.

“I call the mastodon project a mammoth undertaking,” he said.

After 23 years in government, Burke said he is proud also of his role in more complex undertakings: slowing development, widening roads and helping his boss, James Molinaro, in a mission to revitalize the South Beach Boardwalk.

Still, Burke’s favorite role is as facilitator and cheerleader for the rebirth of Staten Island’s cultural attractions and 9,800 acres of parks.

“We’ve changed our image as the borough with the largest landfill to the borough of parks,” he said, noting how instrumental the borough president was in shutting down the Fresh Kills landfill.

Burke grew up in Brooklyn, where his grandfather used to take him to zoos and

MARCH 2008

museums. Now 49 and a resident of Staten Island, Burke said those experiences still inspire him, and led him to join the board of the Staten Island Zoo and volunteer to improve a local animal shelter.

Before being appointed deputy borough president, he worked as communications director and executive assistant to Molinaro’s predecessor, Guy Molinari, and earlier as Molinari’s congressional press secretary.

While working for Molinari, Burke discovered a new talent. Molinari was then trying to bring the Yankees’ minor league team to Staten Island, and Burke helped produce a video for the beginning of his 1999 State of the Borough which had the then-borough president acting out a scene from Field of Dreams.

Burke has continued the video tradition under Molinaro.

“I’m the first to admit that these speeches can be boring unless you make an effort to make serious subjects entertaining,” he said.

Despite his years working for elected officials, Burke rules out running for elected office himself. He does not know yet what he will do after Molinaro is termed out of office at the end of next year— some days he wants to stay in government, others he considers moving to the private sector.

“Being an elected official requires a passion for that job,” Burke said. “I like being behind-the-scenes to make that official successful.” dmacht@manhattanmedia.com

“They thought we would just believe all their Congestion Pricing promises. Not us.

We learned a long time ago that promises are not guarantees. We got the facts.

Their scheme doesn’t work.

And that’s a fact.”

GET THE FACTS ON THE CONGESTION PRICING SCHEME AT

www.keepnycfree.com Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free

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CITY HALL

www.cityhallnews.com

ON/OFF THE RECORD BREAKFAST

Getting Clear on Congestion Pricing ith just weeks to go before the congestion pricing deadline, city Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan was the guest at the Feb. 27 On/Off the Record Breakfast held at the Commerce Bank flagship location on 42nd Street and Madison Avenue.

From the changes made to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan by the Traffic Mitigation Commission to what is being done to court the Legislature, congestion pricing was the main topic of discussion. But also on the agenda were considerations of ferries, bicycles and pedestrian malls as Sadik-Khan spoke on the topic of “Congestion Pricing and the Future of City Transportation.”

W

Virtually everything in Hong Kong you use them, even to pay for school lunches. We’re not quite there, but I think there is a lot of opportunity and the technology is there, so the mayor’s put a big premium on technology and bringing new technology to New York City and bringing them to the streets of New York is certainly a high priority.

Q: You are a bicycle fan. Bicycle lanes are being expanded in the city. How do you see bicycles being further integrated into the city transportation system?

A: Well you know, we’ve got a great opportunity here. A lot of the things that haven’t been talked about in terms of congestion pricing are the fact that we will have more space to play with on the streets of New York. With the reduction of 110,000 less cars we are able to build out our public spaces and public plazas and that’s one area we’re spending a lot of time on and so too we’re spending a lot of time thinking what we can do to promote lowimpact, very cost effective ways of getting around.

56 percent of the trips in New York City are three miles or less, 21 percent are a mile or less and we’re a flat, compact city, so it’s a very natural mode of transportation. I think it’s been difficult because I think in a sense that bikes have been the poor stepchild in our transport network and have not been seen as an equal player.

Q: What do you think is necessary to get the Legislature to do that?

A: Well, I think we need to get out of the business of defending and prolonging our congestion crisis. There have been many studies done, most notably by the New York City Partnership, showing that congestion costs this city $13 billion a year. I think if you take a look at what the costs of congestion are, it’s really a safety issue. We’re talking about the safety of our streets, the safety of our environment, the safety of our civic life and I think that people are starting to understand that it’s just not working, we are really stuck in gridlock. And I think that the more people understand that, the better. It’s almost like the Barack Obama of transportation initiatives: the more people learn about it, the more people seem to like it.

Q: The Traffic Mitigation Commission came back with a modified version of the mayor’s plan. What is your take on the changes that were made?

A: The commission plan made the mayor’s plan better. It reflected the meetings we had across the region, in the city. We listened to what the public had to say about it, what elected officials and community organizers had to say about it, and as a result I think the plan is stronger than the original plan that was proposed.

Q: Do you think we’re likely to see more changes to the plan?

A: I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t really know what Albany’s going to do with the plan. I think there has been a lot of good movement. You know, we’re at an unusual turning point for transportation in New York City, and we have the opportunity, I think it’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity, to do something really positive for New York and deal with the traffic congestion we have and bring congestion relief to the city.

Those conversations are going on; a way to funding that program, that’s part of the terms of the debate that’s going on. And Governor Spitzer created a new account in the state budget for those congestion pricing revenues. I believe that we’re making headway up there and there will be a lot of conversations between now and March 31, when the vote is taken on the plan.

ANDREW SCHWARTZ

Q: What is your assessment of where things stand with congestion pricing at this point?

A: Well, I’m cautiously optimistic that it’s going to pass.

Q: Are there any more changes you would make to the plan at this point?

A: I was very impressed with the Congestion Mitigation Commission plan that was adopted and voted on and it was really an incredible experience to go through because you had people from all different walks of life and from all different political backgrounds who worked and wrestled collaboratively with it, who went to all the public hearings and feel very strongly that the plan is the best possible plan to reduce vehicle miles traveled by 6.8 percent, and get the equivalent environmental improvements associated with that and come up with money for the MTA’s capital program. I think it’s a real win-win for New York.

Q: If the Legislature votes to approve the congestion pricing on March 31, do you think it is realistic that we will actually see the cameras and the borders in place by March 31, 2009?

A: Well, there are several members of my staff in this room with circles under their eyes, actually that’s probably everybody on my staff, but in some ways it’s like an alternative universe because we are running as if we’re moving forward with the legislative approval on March 31, and we need to do that in order to have the program in place and ready to go in a straightforward way.

Q: Ferries are part of PlaNYC, and Christine Quinn has come out strongly in favor of a system. Do you think that ferries would be integrated into the system so that it could be one Metrocard swipe?

A: Well, that would be an ideal goal. When you go to different parts of the world, you see they have a single fare media that lets you go on subways, busses, ferries.

Q: You have traveled to several places around the world on the job. What are some things you have seen other cities doing when it comes to transportation which you think should be brought to New York?

A: Congestion pricing. Cities around the globe understand they have to look at their transportation systems differently. As a transportation commissioner it is about getting from Point A to Point B, but it is much more than that. If you take a look at the fact that DOT has jurisdiction over 6,000 miles of streets, so when you look at it from that perspective there’s a lot that we can do in that regard and that’s what cities around the world are starting to do and are starting to say, “Look, let’s look at this a little differently.” And so they’re starting to address that automobiles have taken over a lot of the cities and they need to perhaps throttle that back and make investments that make sense going forward. So, we’re taking a look at our streetscapes differently, kind of in line with what you’re seeing in Copenhagen and Paris and Sydney and Hong Kong, all over the planet because they’re taking a look, and they’re calming down their streets, building out the pedestrian plazas in areas and they’re making it attractive for people to walk around. And so that reclaiming of the street space and sort of redefining the public realm. What is it like to be on the streets of New York? Do you feel like you’re in your living room? So we’re moving in that regard. We’re making those kinds of investments, making more areas for parks and pedestrians, putting additional street footage out there, attractive amenities, that’s the kind of thing we’re in the process of doing right now because I think that defines quality cities and to a large degree improves the economic development opportunities, because companies want to move to places where it’s easy to get around, where it’s attractive to get around. So we should make those spaces where people gather in as attractive as they can be.

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Ron Sherman, President Jean Barrett, Executive Director Joeseph Giannetto, Director of Business Developement

WHAT CAN NEW YORKERS DO ABOUT CONGESTION? TAKE YELLOW TAXIS! YELLOW MEDALLION TAXICABS ARE VITAL to New York City’s mass transportation network and part of the solution to traffic congestion.

IMAGINE IF ALL 658,000 DAILY TAXI PASSENGERS suddenly drove to work or took already overcrowded subways and buses.

5 FACTS ABOUT YELLOW MEDALLION TAXICABS: 1. Yellow Taxis Move 240 Million Passengers a Year on City Streets – Second Only to MTA Buses Which Operate in All 5 Boroughs And Move 741 Million People a Year.

2. One Double-Shifted Yellow Taxi Transports an Average 84 Passengers a Day - the Entire Taxi Fleet Moves 658,000 Passengers a Day. 3. Taxis Discourage Driving: Only 22% of Manhattan Residents Own a Car – The Lowest Rate in the United States.

4. One Quarter of All Yellow Taxicab Passengers Earn Less Than $25,000 a Year.

5. The Yellow Taxi Industry Contributes in Excess of $75 Million a Year in City and State Taxes.

WHAT CAN LEGISLATORS DO? •

PASS CONGESTION PRICING – BUT WITHOUT THE $1 TAXI SURCHARGE WHICH PUNISHES TAXI RIDERS WHO DON’T DRIVE AND EASE PRESSURE ON OVERCROWDED SUBWAYS AND BUSES

•

ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFEST AND MOST COMFORTABLE TAXICABS AVAILABLE

“Together, taxi services and mass transit make it possible to enjoy a lifestyle unthinkable in most American cities: residents and visitors can access the myriad activities offered by the city without a private automobile, contributing to New York’s position as one of the world’s most environmentally efficient major cities.”

- Taxi 07: Roads Forward published by the DesignTrust for Public Space

MTBOT, a 55-year-old trade association, represents 28 yellow medallion taxi fleets located in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx and represents more than 25% of the industry with over 14,000 drivers. Our mission is to advocate for fleet operators who ensure 24/7 taxi service; advocate for the safety and comfort of our passengers and drivers; and provide opportunities and full-service work environments for taxi drivers as well as assistance at every level from expedited licensing to operating as knowledgeable, courteous professionals.

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THE

MARCH 2008

POWERGRID

Bang for the Buck

Who is getting the most for their money in the race for 2009 campaign cash?

The candidates have limits on what they can raise, but also on what they can spend, so finding fundraisers who can rake in the most for the lowest fee is important. Based on their totals for the last filing period and the amounts they reported spending paying fundraisers, here’s how the city’s top money magnets compare.

Amt. Spent on fundraising consultants/campaign workers last cycle

Amt. Raised last cycle

John Liu $593,681

$1,591,073 Anthony Weiner $33,007 Eric Gioia Melinda Katz

$48,000

$643,665 $561,146

$26,000

$97,388

William Thompson $1,059,537

$1,092,805 Christine Quinn

Adolfo Carrion Jr. $381,741

$92,662

$22,263

$14,784

$446,778 David Weprin Marty Markowitz

Simcha Felder

$297,760 $152,750

$26,000 $27,693 $3,340

30

MARCH 2008

ISSUE FORUM:

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CITY HALL

INSURANCE

Terrorism Insurance Bill Critical to New York Development

BY REP. GARY ACKERMAN

T

WO WEEKS BEFORE OUR NATION

rang-in 2008, the United States Congress, under leadership I was proud to provide, passed legislation to renew a vital terrorism-insurance program critical to the rebuilding of Ground Zero and essential to the future of large-scale development in New York. This bill, which President Bush signed into law, extends for seven years the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), a measure that established a federal terrorism-insurance program in the wake of September 11.

After the 9/11 attacks, which resulted in $30 billion of insured losses, many insurance companies excluded terrorism insurance from their policies, judging the potential losses from a major terrorist attack to be too great to insure against. In response, Congress passed TRIA, which created an insurance backstop from the federal government to protect against catastrophic terrorism-related losses.

The measure was extended for two years in 2005, but it expired on Dec. 31, 2007.

Failure to have extended TRIA would have been a disaster for metropolitan areas across the nation. However, it would have had a disproportionately adverse affect on New York, since our city is the economic engine of the country. It would have resulted in the destabilization of the economy and would have negatively impacted every type of largesize enterprise.

Without TRIA, all major real-estate development projects that create jobs, spur business and contribute to the economic prosperity of the New York area would not have proceeded. These include not only the critical rebuilding of the former World Trade Center site, but such vital undertakings as the building of the new stadiums for the Mets and Yankees, the construction of a new Madison Square Garden, the development of our waterfront and ports, the Nassau County hub on Long Island and any major hotel or office building in New York City or the New York metropolitan area.

Without terrorism insurance, banks would not lend money and developers would not be able to build. The domino effect would have been both alarming and profound.

Fortunately, the long-term renewal of TRIA provides a green light for all major projects and future development to move ahead. The seven-year extension of this

vital program also expands coverage to include domestic terrorist attacks (in addition to the existing foreign attack coverage) and maintains the same triggerlevel of $100 million before TRIA kicks-in.

During last year’s debate on TRIA, I consistently argued that a so-called “reset” provision be included in the legislation. This “reset” measure would have lowered deductibles for an insurer that pays out losses related to a catastrophic attack (an attack with insured losses over $1 billion) and reduced trigger levels (the point at which the backstop takes effect) for insurers across the country for any future attack. The “reset” mechanism is a critical item for TRIA since the provision would allow Ground Zero or any other site attacked by terrorists for a second time to be able to obtain terrorism insurance. Unfortunately, President Bush irresponsibly threatened to veto the legislation if it contained a “reset” provision, which forced Congress’ hand in passing legislation without this measure. To address this shortcoming of the legislation we passed, I have introduced the Terrorism Risk Insurance Improvement Act, which would add the “reset mechanism” to the TRIA program.

Almost one year ago, I chaired a Congressional field hearing at City Hall that examined the critical need for TRIA to continue. All of the witnesses who testified before our Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored

Enterprises—a distinguished group which included Mayor Bloomberg, Senator Schumer and a panel of leading developers, insurers, reinsurers and real estate investors—strongly advocated for TRIA’s renewal since the private market for terrorism insurance had not grown enough since 9/11 to sufficiently meet demand in many of our nation’s high-risk areas.

The recent passage of TRIA’s renewal was the result of many months and countless hours of hard work. I am extremely pleased and proud to have championed this issue both in the Financial Services Committee and in the full House of Representatives. The renewal of TRIA is a victory over the despicable terrorists who attacked us on September 11. It ensures that we will not entrust our local and national economy, and the future of major development, to the terrorist roulette wheel.

Congress has no greater domestic obligation than to ensure the safety of the American people, and this obligation extends to both acts of terrorism and to foreseeable and preventable economic turmoil.

I look forward to our city and our nation reaping the important benefits that TRIA will continue to provide for many years to come.

C

Gary Ackerman, a Democrat representing parts of Queens and Nassau, is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.

Bond Access Program For Minority- And Women-Owned Businesses Strengthened

BY SUPERINTENDENT ERIC DINALLO

B

USINESSES OWNED BY WOMEN AND

other minorities will have a stronger chance to compete for contracts on both commercial and public projects as a result of a new pilot program announced recently by Lt. Gov. David Paterson and the Insurance Department.

For too long, women and minority business owners have been held back from participating in state projects and other large undertakings because they had difficulty getting the necessary surety bonds. The New York State Bonding Initiative will open up new opportunities and give these business owners the chance to tackle more and larger projects.

The new program will help small businesses obtain the surety bonds they need to qualify for government and private construction projects. The new program substantially expands a previous plan by increasing the number of businesses that can be served. It also expands the program to include not only New York City, but Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Albany.

Continuing oversight will be put in place to

ensure the program’s effectiveness.

The announcement of the plan followed an Insurance Department inquiry into current market conditions affecting access to adequate contract bonding for small businesses. This inquiry looked into how access to bonding affects women- and minority-owned business participation in the state’s procurement process. Department representatives met with all stakeholders in this issue, and conducted fact-finding meetings and comprehensive research into the nature and history of this unique niche of the insurance market.

The inquiry found that women- and minority-owned businesses are often unable to compete for public and private projects because they have less experience and access to the capital they need to obtain bonding.

The goal of the new program is to make sure these businesses have a fair opportunity to compete for business with the state. The program—which is open to as many small businesses as apply—features the following elements: • An educational workshop series

designed to provide information to contractors to improve their operations and make it easier to be bonded or to increase their bonding capacity.

• One-one-one interactions with bonding professionals who will work with the business owner to assess bond readiness, identify and remedy deficiencies and assemble bond applications.

• Increased participation of the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guaranty Program in guaranteeing bonds on New York projects, including New York City projects.

• A new Capital Access Program developed by the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (DMWBD) and the New York Business Development Corporation.

Efforts to identify contractors who run solid construction businesses, but have not had bonds in the past.

• A commitment by the surety industry and companies with programs designed specifically for small and emerging contractors so that every contractor who successfully completes the Program can obtain a bond or bond line.

• Establishment of an Advisory Oversight Committee made up of representatives of the DMWBD and the Department of Insurance to monitor the progress and success of the program on a quarterly basis.

Making sure that women- and minority-owned construction businesses have an opportunity to participate in public and private projects will benefit all New Yorkers. In doing so, we will give these entrepreneurs an opportunity to grow their businesses, create new jobs and promote economic opportunity throughout the Empire State.

C

Eric Dinallo is the superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department.

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Insurance is Key to New York’s Economy and New Yorkers’ Well-Being

BY JOSEPH D. MORELLE NEW YORKERS, insurance may seem an arcane subject, best left to actuarial experts and policy wonks, and one we are reminded of only when monthly or annual premiums arrive in the mail.

In reality, insurance concerns are at the heart of New York’s many economic and social challenges. The way in which it is provided, paid for and regulated has great implications for businesses and individuals alike.

As the largest industry regulated entirely by the various states, and given New York’s position as an industry leader, our decisions have national and international implications.

It is hard to think of another sector that affects our private lives as broadly as insurance, and yet it is perhaps only in its absence that we realize this fact. Imagine facing catastrophic illness without a health care plan, or dealing with the aftermath of a car accident or house fire with no policy to provide financial protection.

Indeed, long before I was named chairman of the New York State Assembly’s standing Committee on Insurance in June 2007, I recognized the critical link between insurance and the health of our economy and well-being of our citizens.

I was an early advocate for a muchneeded overhaul of the workers’ compensation system, for instance, which had become enormously costly for employers even though it provided inadequate benefits to employees sidelined by work-related injuries.

Prior to the historic reform signed into law last year, workers’ compensation ranked very near the top of the list of forces killing jobs and opportunity in New York.

Restoring those opportunities has been the central theme of my efforts since joining the Assembly in 1991, and it will continue to serve as a guiding principle as I move forward as chairman of the Committee on Insurance.

To that end, my goals for 2008 and beyond include: • Regulatory reforms that will lift unnecessary bureaucratic and fiscal restraints upon the insurance industry, which will ultimately benefit consumers by reducing the upward pressure on premiums. This includes allowing insurance carriers the option to invest premium dividends and reserve holdings in overseas markets. Under current restrictions, the New York-based insurance industry is losing literally tens of millions of dollars

F

OR MILLIONS OF

in investment opportunities each year.

• Working in tandem with Governor Spitzer’s Commission to Modernize Financial Services to transform our regulatory framework from an outdated rules-based system to one governed by an approved set of principles. This will allow continued, necessary government oversight while allowing New York’s crucial financial sector to pursue more innovative practices and compete more effectively, particularly in overseas markets.

• Responding to concerns about instability in the bond markets, particularly in relation to recent downgrades in the credit ratings of major bond insurers. A hearing in New York City on March 14 will review the many implications of these downgrades and begin the discussion about the role state government can play in mitigating the impact on the economy and individual investors.

• Continuing efforts to achieve universal health care in New York, a goal set by Governor Spitzer, shared by New York’s Superintendent of Insurance, Eric Dinallo, and by many of my colleagues in the State Legislature. While there are legitimate concerns about how to achieve this in a manner consistent with financial responsibility, the cost of NOT providing health insurance to New Yorkers is far more prohibitive on multiple levels, fiscal and otherwise.

• Resolution of what many call a crisis with regard to medical malpractice. Under the aegis of the governor and Superintendent Dinallo, a taskforce is currently reviewing the reasons for New York’s high med mal expenses, and is charged with recommending short- and long-term reform options for controlling these costs.

Ultimately, we must derive a system that protects patients and physicians equally.

The outcome is critical, one directly linked to providing cost-effective universal health coverage and to Governor Spitzer’s efforts to increase the number of medical professionals serving our state’s rural areas.

As 2008 progresses, these are only a few of the matters that the Committee on Insurance will consider. As stated before, the overriding priority in all these deliberations will be a determination to provide the necessary insurance protections for New Yorkers while encouraging the economic prosperity that ultimately provides the foundation for all we hope to accomplish.

C

Joseph Morelle, a Democrat representing Monroe County, is chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee.

LIFE INSURER CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW YORK AND THE NATION The Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc. (LICONY) is the principal voice speaking on behalf of the life insurance companies in New York.

Here are just some of the facts and figures that detail the contributions the industry has made to the economy of New York and the nation: LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NEW YORK • Currently, there are 177 life insurers licensed to do business in New York State. Of that, 79 are companies with their home office in New York and 98 are foreign companies that are licensed to do business here.

• There were approximately 22,100 New York residents who were employed directly by life insurance companies in 2006. Approximately 73,000 New York residents are licensed to sell life insurance in New York.

• The life insurance industry generates thousands of additional jobs by the goods and services it purchases or leases from other businesses in the state, such as law, accounting, actuarial and consulting firms, computers and business machines, furniture and equipment, printing and delivery services, office supplies, cleaning, maintenance, repair, security services and other needs.

BENEFITS TO NEW YORK POLICYHOLDERS • In 2006, New Yorkers received approximately $30 billion from life insurers in the form of death benefits, matured endowments, policy dividends, surrender values, and annuity payments, the second highest amount of any state in the nation.

LIFE INSURER INVESTMENTS IN THE NEW YORK ECONOMY • In 2006, life insurance companies invested approximately $350 billion of their assets in New York’s economy.

• Of that, the largest proportion, $300 billion, was invested in stocks and bonds that helped finance state and municipal infrastructure, utilities, public and private construction, generating thousands of jobs and innumerable services in New York.

• Life insurers provided $20 billion in mortgage loans on farm, residential and commercial properties and owned $2 billion in real property in New York.

LIFE INSURANCE IN THE NATION • With $4.3 trillion invested in the U. S. economy, life insurers are one of the largest sources of investment capital in the nation: • Life insurers provide benefit payments in excess of $300 billion each year in the United States, helping families guarantee long-term financial security—now and in retirement.

• The life insurance industry’s retirement security and financial protection products cover over 65% of American families.

• Life insurers are the largest source of bond financing for corporate America.

NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS COVERED • New York residents owned 9 million individual life insurance policies in 2006, with coverage averaging $130,000 per policyholder.

• Individual life insurance coverage purchased in 2006 totaled $140 billion.

• In 2006, New York residents had $2 trillion in death benefit coverage.

• Group life insurance coverage amounted to $720 billion in New York State in 2006.

INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY • As responsible corporate citizens, life insurers have proactively invested in low and moderate-income housing in underserved areas and activities that provide benefit to our local communities. A number of our companies have dedicated community investment programs that undertake significant investments in affordable housing, supporting community development entities and engaging in direct charitable giving to initiatives throughout New York and the U.S.

How much does the life insurance industry contribute to the economy of New York and the nation?

We are proud to say it’s a lot.

Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc. 551 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10176 David J. Sloane Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York Chairman, LICONY Board of Directors

Thomas E.Workman President & CEO Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc.

34

MARCH 2008

CITY HALL

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ISSUE FORUM:

INSURANCE The Year Ahead for Insurance Issues in Albany

BY STATE SEN. JAMES SEWARD NUMBER OF IMPORTANT INSUR-

A

ance issues are pending this year at the state capital and as chairman of the New York State Senate Insurance Committee, I will be working to address them in a way that makes insurance of all kinds available and affordable for New York businesses and consumers.

One way to promote the availability and affordability of insurance is to work for a healthy and competitive market for insurance products. Regulatory modernization is key to a healthy competitive market because insurers are more likely to enter markets in states where they are not hampered in their operations by antiquated and cumbersome regulations and procedures. Along these lines, I am serving on the New York State Commission to Modernize the Regulation of Financial Services. The commission’s mandate is to review the state’s statutes and rules so that we have the most effective and efficient regulation of financial services and to advance New York as a leader in the financial services industry.

In the life insurance area, my top priority is passing a law to regulate life set-

tlements. Life settlements involve the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party for more than the cash value of the policy, and are currently not regulated in New York. It's my view that life settlements are important options for consumers who may not want or need their life insurance policies anymore.

However, consumer disclosures and protections must be enacted to guarantee

that New York consumers are making informed and intelligent decisions regarding the sale of their life insurance policies.

In the health insurance arena, one of my top priorities will be to continue to advance making health insurance more affordable and accessible, particularly for small businesses and sole proprietors. Although premiums have not risen as dramatically in recent years, small businesses and all consumers continue to struggle with higher taxes and energy costs. When faced with higher costs, small business owners are often forced to either shift more of the cost to employees or to terminate benefits altogether.

Or, all too often, it is the case that small businesses cannot afford to provide insurance in the first place.

My colleagues and I in the Senate majority have offered a series of initiatives designed to reduce health insurance costs for individuals and small businesses. They include the following: • Providing small businesses and individuals purchasing their own health insurance a state tax credit equal to 10 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums • Expanding the Healthy NY program

by increasing income eligibility from 208 percent to 250 percent of the federal poverty level and making the program universally available at the unsubsidized full actuarial cost • Encouraging greater use of highdeductible plans coupled with health savings accounts (HSAs). The policies would be free of state mandates, giving a choice of benefits and flexibility of pricing.

Last year, the governor directed the commissioner of health and superintendent of insurance to develop, evaluate and recommend proposals for achieving universal coverage in New York by May 31, 2008. A number of public hearings were held last fall to solicit insight, and a contract was recently awarded to the Urban Institute to assist in the development of a strategic road map for reaching the goal of universal coverage. I look forward to reviewing the final report and engaging in a thoughtful discussion on the topic as the process moves forward.

C

James Seward, a Republican representing parts of Herkimer, Ostego, Schoharie, Greene, Cortland and Tompkins counties, is chair of the State Senate Insurance Committee.

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Keeping the Urban Agenda on the Agenda www.cityhallnews.com President/CEO: Tom Allon tallon@manhattanmedia.com

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n December 2006, back when the ‘08 presidential candidates were all potential, City Hall editorialized in favor of having a New Yorker or two in the presidential race. Like so many others, we expected that Rudolph Giuliani and Hillary Clinton would at this point be in better shape for the nominations of their respective parties.

We thought the path to an independent run

by Michael Bloomberg would be much more certain. And we were even willing to still entertain the notion—already past ridiculous at that point—that George Pataki might test the waters instead of fading as thoroughly into oblivion as he has.

I

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To the editor: Thanks to City Hall for appreciating the Campaign Finance Board’s “tenacity” in enforcing the city’s campaign finance laws in its editorial of February 12.

However, I strongly disagree with the suggestion that the seven-year investigation of Miguel Martinez’s 2001 campaign is “pretty standard” for the Board.

Martinez’s audit was slowed by a complex investigation and a lawsuit brought against the CFB. In truth, three-fourths of our 2005 campaign audits were completed within 18 months.

This year, the CFB is undergoing changes to further streamline our enforcement processes. Last year’s “pay-

stand why the problems and concerns of day-to-day urban life could not have found a place amid talk of ethanol subsidies and border fences.

And maybe Clinton and Giuliani could have spent more time discussing specifics of how each contributed to the current success of New York, instead of actively distancing himself from the city and reinforcing many people’s image of the Big Apple as a modern day Gomorrah. The city and state may not be in perfect shape, but there is something, especially in the five boroughs, that is working, and Clinton and Giuliani could have done more to explain to America just what that is. As that editorial a year and a half ago pointed out, “the country would be unrecognizable if it were to experience the level of economic growth and overall reinvigoration that has defined the city in the last thirteen years.”

The candidates left in the race would do well to remember that. The candidates who have left the race—as well as all those in New York who supported them—have an obligation to help them see the light.

C

OP-ED

An Anti-Smoking Campaign Aims to Improve Our Quality Of Life

BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER LOU TOBACCO isturbingly, the average starting age of individuals who become daily smokers is 14.5 years and 90 percent of smokers begin this deadly habit before the age of 18. Due to these frightful statistics, nicotine addiction must be considered a pediatric disease, a fact of which tobacco companies are well aware.

That is why it is so important to target our children in my anti-smoking cam-

D

LETTERS CFB Is Right on the Money

Bloomberg was right in much of the sentiment he expressed as he finally opted out of the race: the urban agenda should have a place in this year’s presidential election. Having one, two, three or even four of these people in the race, we assumed, would put it there. By running, they could have helped pull the debate toward topics important to residents of New York and the nation’s other major cities. More homeland security and transportation funding, a re-calibrated approach to the war on drugs and crime prevention—these should finally be part of decisive discussions.

After all, 1 in 14 Americans lives in the New York metropolitan area. To have at least as much attention paid to our needs and concerns as is paid to the 1 in 100 Americans living in Iowa would make some sense.

Of course, Clinton and Giuliani had to focus on national issues in their races.

Healthcare, taxes, the Iraq war—positions on these were rightfully central to all the presidential candidates’ platforms.

But considering how many Americans live and work in cities, it is hard to under-

to-play” legislation sets new time limits on CFB audits: 16 months for citywide candidates, and 14 months for all others.

The new law also strengthens our training program, making our previously voluntary compliance training seminars mandatory for all campaigns.

With a record number of candidates expected for 2009, we aim to reduce violations and complete our audits on time without compromising the vigorous enforcement taxpayers expect. We are pleased the administration and the Council are supporting those efforts with the resources necessary to implement these reforms.

SINCERELY, AMY LOPREST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW YORK CITY CAMPAIGN FINANCE BOARD

paign, the same audience that tobacco companies are trying to hook on nicotine. I recently launched the “Tobacco Against Tobacco” campaign at Public School 6 in an effort to educate New York City children about all the harmful effects of smoking. The program aims to influence them at a young age so that they never start smoking in the first place. It also seeks to encourage our teens to kick the habit.

Building a healthier community starts with reaching out to younger generations in order to convince them that smoking has serious life-long consequences and informing them of the dangers of lighting up. With Staten Island’s youth smoking at more than twice the rate of their counterparts in the other four boroughs, the battle to improve the quality of life for Staten Islanders and New York City as a whole begins by winning the minds of our young people.

To win the minds of our young people, my “Tobacco Against Tobacco” campaign will focus on informing our younger generations about the dangers of lighting up that first cigarette. Our children, whether they are six or sixteen, need to know the health risk associated with smoking if we are going to make strides towards preventing them from ever starting.

Cigarette companies continue to target young people who have a natural preference for sweet flavors by using hip

marketing themes like ‘Caribbean Chill,’ ‘Midnight Berry,’ ‘Mocha Taboo’ and ‘Mintrigue’ to promote teen smoking. My campaign’s goal is to warn younger generations about these types of cigarettes, which may seem like harmless candy, but are in fact a gateway to a lifetime addiction to smoking nicotine.

Building on my “Tobacco Against Tobacco” campaign, I am also working with Assemblyman Matthew Titone to help pass legislation that he sponsors which would prohibit the advertisement of tobacco products on buses, bus stations and other mass transit vehicles that receive state aid or funding.

With smoking-related illness costing people their health, and costing the state $5.4 billion in Medicaid fees and $6 billion dollars in lost productivity, it is critical for us to reduce smoking rates in order to enrich the lives of New Yorkers and save the state billions in medical expenses.

While we face many challenges in preventing our youth from smoking, we can go a long way towards accomplishing our mission of changing teen perceptions of smoking and making sure that city residents kick the habit. Together we can make great strides towards eradicating this deadly addiction.

C

Lou Tobacco is a Republican representing parts of Staten Island in the Assembly.

CITY HALL

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MARCH 2008

39

OP-ED

Protest the Bad Math on School Budget Cuts

BY ERNEST LOGAN cross the city, individual school budgets have been cut an average of $70,000 because of an aggressive and ill-timed $100 million cut by the Department of Education (DoE).

Principals literally walked in to their offices halfway through the school year to find the DoE had pulled thousands of dollars from their school accounts. As a result, dozens of advocacy groups, community organizations, clergy, unions and elected officials have come together to form the “Keep the Promises” coalition.

Budget cuts always have the unintended consequence of leaving the most at-risk students behind and disenfranchising those students who have been thus far engaged and passionate about their education. Our goal is to get these funds restored and protect schools against future cuts. $70,000 is a significant amount for notoriously fragile school budgets to absorb mid-year, especially when you consider most schools still depend on grant writing, candy sales and other fundraisers to subsidize school activities and purchases. It is worth noting that while $70,000 may repre-

A

sent the average budget cut, 230 schools lost more than $100,000 and nearly 50 schools lost more than $200,000.

These cuts are forcing principals to discard some of their carefully-calibrated plans and make immediate reductions in programs and academic intervention services that students depend upon. Pick any neighborhood, and you will see the direct impact. In District 10 in the Bronx, for example, at least one school had to cancel SAT prep courses on weekends, affecting hundreds of students. In District 31 on Staten Island, a principal reported that After School Regents Review and Saturday AP Exam Simulations are no longer an option. In District 24, over one hundred students lost their Saturday Math Prep Program. In District 5, one school was forced to cancel testing tutorials for ELL students. These types of losses directly affect student achievement, test scores and graduation rates.

The cuts went deeper than programs, however. One school in District 2 lost fund-

ing that was allocated to pay for its graduation ceremony. A school in District 4 was in the process of purchasing air conditioners for classrooms that don’t have any. Still others can no longer afford much-needed library books, computers and classroom materials.

Extra-curriculars such as clubs, teams, music lessons and other after-school activities have also taken a major hit in all five boroughs. Complicating matters, parents

No one wants a system that places additional responsibilities and accountability on theshoulders of school leaders, then pulls the rug out from under them. now are scrambling to pick up their children earlier or find alternative programs— a major inconvenience for working families, especially mid-year.

In addition, schools trying to keep up with the ebb and flow of staff illnesses, retirements and maternity leaves are reporting that their efforts to hire personnel and pay substitutes are in jeopardy.

Increase Child Care In New York City

BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JESSICA LAPPIN inding safe, dependable and affordable child care in New York City is a difficult and often heart-wrenching task.

Far too many working families are forced to struggle with this issue each and every day because there simply are not enough day care slots to go around. In 2006, over 39,000 children were on Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) waiting lists for care throughout the City. And it is particularly hard to find slots for young infants. According to ACS, less than 3 percent of the children they serve are between birth and one year old. With our population estimated to grow by one million people by the year 2030, this problem will only get worse.

These numbers are especially disturbing within the context of our city’s economic future, since child care is the key to employment, advancement and economic stability. Without child care, it is impossible to lift oneself out of poverty or to remain in the middle class.

Some innovators, such as unions like SEIU 1199, have recognized this problem and developed solutions. In 1993, 1199 and health care employers joined together to create the 1199/Employer Child Care Fund to provide workers with child care services. The fund runs two of its

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Principals are being forced to combine whole classes in large group settings due to the lack of teacher coverage, or split up individual classes among other classes, thus increasing class size.

The members of the “Keep the Promises” coalition believe much more could have been done to prevent the cuts from reaching the school level, and we are profoundly disappointed that the Department of Education chose not to collaborate or make smart choices. We stand united to right that wrong.

This battle is also about principle and accountability. The school system has been redesigned to give principals more resources and more authority over their school budgets. Yet, this surreptitious and unilateral reduction of school budgets demonstrates how fleeting that power can be. No one wants a system that places additional responsibilities and accountability on the shoulders of school leaders, then pulls the rug out from under them. There has to be a better way, and we want to work with the Department of Education to fix that major inconsistency.

Is it possible that the DoE’s finances are so tight that it was necessary to leave schools unprotected? Highly unlikely, considering that high-profile, high-cost consultants and a multitude of initiatives were held harmless from these cuts. We may never know the true story, however, because most of the DoE’s finances and data remain clandestine and out of reach of any meaningful accountability. It is time to open the DoE’s financial books.

The “Keep the Promises” coalition came together because these challenging economic times demand strong leadership, and the children of this city deserve the quality education they have been promised.

Besides the restoration of the recent cuts, we are also campaigning against proposals in the State and City budgets that would cost city schools approximately $700 million and slow the pace of school construction. Our campaign will culminate in a large rally at City Hall at 4 p.m. on March 19. We encourage everyone who cares about New York City schools to join us.

own day care centers in the Bronx, operates summer day camps and holiday programs and offers subsidized weekend art classes.

Sadly, however, most private companies have yet to follow suit. Currently, only 5 percent of businesses in New York City offer on-site child care to employees. On the surface, this is surprising, since studies have shown that reliable child care has proven to save businesses money by reducing absenteeism and employee turnover. But real estate in New York is at a premium, and setting aside the space for child care facilities can prove costly and problematic.

Across America, even in places where real estate is a lot less expensive, other cities and states are using tax breaks to help defray the cost of building or running a center. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states either provide, or have provided, income tax incentives to employers who construct and operate child care facilities or pay for childcare services for employees. Two states provide property tax incentives for employer-provided daycare sites. But unfortunately, New York is not one of them.

We should—and can—change that. I recently introduced legislation that would provide a credit on the Commercial Rent Tax to businesses that

offer child care to their employees. An employer could either provide care in the space it rents, or it could pool its credit with other businesses to subsidize the operation of an off-site center.

This represents an innovative and timely approach because, unlike most other taxes, the Council can make changes to the Commercial Rent Tax (CRT) without Albany’s consent. The CRT applies to large businesses in Manhattan, located south of 96th Street, that pay more than $250,000 a year in rent.

In addition, I have also introduced a companion resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to enact legislation authorizing New York City to provide tax incentives to businesses that offer child care assistance to employees—regardless of their size or location throughout the city.

It makes practical and economic sense for New York City to join states and cities around the nation that recognize the need for new thinking on how to provide quality, reliable childcare. This achievable approach will help working families, local businesses, our economy and, ultimately, our city as a whole.

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Jessica Lappin is a Democrat representing parts of Manhattan in the Council.

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Ernest Logan is the president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators. 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.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Once a Candidate Himself, Now a Delegate for Obama Two decades after mayoral primary, Ravitch stays involved and boosts Illinois senator

BY MATT ELZWEIG 1989. NEW YORK City was rampant with crime and three-term mayor Ed Koch had become a divisive figure, after several investigations for corruption, a soured relationship with the press and feuds with other public servants which showed no sign of cooling.

Yet defeating Koch, an outsized personality and familiar presence who was determined to be the city’s first four-term mayor, would be no easy task.

Rudolph Giuliani wanted to try, but first he had to win a primary for the Republican nomination against Ronald Lauder. And the Democrats were not ready to let Koch get a free pass: taking on Koch was Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins, City Comptroller Harrison J. Goldin and Richard Ravitch, a businessman and attorney who had been chair of the Metropolitan Transit Authority from 1979 to 1983.

Ravitch got 5 percent of the vote.

Dinkins, who won the four-way race, went on to beat Giuliani by the slimmest majority for a mayoral candidate in 80 years.

Looking back, Ravitch explained his

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Richard Ravitch in a 1989 mayoral endorsement interview, and today, in his East Side law office. low showing by saying that when Dinkins entered the race he was “abandoned” by a lot of the people who had “encouraged” him to run in the first place.

But he does not sound bitter, two decades later.

Ravitch now runs Ravitch, Rice & Company LLC, a law firm on the Upper East Side, but he is still very active in poli-

tics and public service. He is also chair of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and of Waterside Management Company, as well as a trustee of the Century Foundation and Mount Sinai Medical Center. And he is on the Board of Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. Ravitch’s professional involvement with politics began in 1975, when Gov. Hugh Carey (D) tapped him to chair the

New York State Urban Development Corporation. He was appointed chair of the MTA in 1979.

He continued in various positions in and around government until his failed 1989 race for mayor. But though his own foray into elected life ended years ago, he has not strayed from political involvement. He is on the delegate slate for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama from the 14th Congressional District.

Ravitch said he is eager to see Obama in the Oval Office, convinced the Illinois senator could restore civility to Washington. From Obama’s books, Ravitch said, he believes the senator has the right kind of approach to tolerating those who disagree with him.

“That’s the most effective way of getting things done,” Ravitch said. “The United States has suffered egregiously as a result of the Bush Administration’s actions and words. And I can’t imagine anybody who could restore America’s greatness [better] than this guy.” melzweig@manhattanmedia.com Direct letters to the editor to editor@cityhallnews.com.

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IN THE TRENCHES

Disabled Activist, Out of a Job, But Definitively Not on the Sidelines Michael Harris wants to translate advocacy into policy and paychecks

BY CARL WINFIELD HARRIS IS LOOKING FOR a job. But he already spends his days working.

Harris spent just over six months as an administrative aide to Assembly Member Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan). Since leaving in December, the disabled commuter activist has been meeting with officials across the city to discuss wheelchair accessibility throughout the city’s public transportation options. In his off-time, he has been planning a vacation to Los Angeles— though even that will include some work, with a planned informal survey of that city’s public transportation system.

This is the kind of energy and devotion that have already gotten him noticed among the leaders of the city’s disabled, including City Disabilities Commissioner Matthew Sapolin.

“Michael is a shot of new blood for the movement,” Sapolin said.

The bubbly 24-year-old was born with a neurological disorder that limits his movement, though he has no trouble quickly weaving his red, motorized wheelchair through the tables at a Midtown diner while speaking in depth about his continuing efforts to get the Taxi and Limousine Commission to invest in a fleet of wheelchair-accessible Toyota

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Michael Harris, founder of the Disabled Riders Coalition, is interviewing with several local elected officials in search of a job in communications or policy.

Siennas.

He stopped talking only to check his Blackberry.

“I’m kind of a gadget guy,” he said, running his finger along the trackball.

While a senior at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, Harris became frustrated with the difficulties of getting into the city from campus. In response, he started the Disabled Riders Coalition as a senior project for his government class.

The movement quickly attracted attention.

“What really started as trying to get myself a route off campus transformed into a larger thing,” Harris said.

He attended one press conference Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other elected officials held to address the effects of token booth closings on disabled riders. Though he was impressed that they were speaking out on behalf of the disabled, he noticed that he was the only disabled person there.

“I looked around the room and said to myself: ‘Where are all the riders with disabilities to say it for themselves?’” he said.

Harris began organizing press conferences, writing letters and doing his own research on transportation accessibility.

That volunteer work caught the eye of Kellner, who won a special election for an East Side Assembly seat last June. A disabled advocate himself, Kellner soon hired Harris as an administrative aide— all that the budget allowed—but encouraged him to help craft policy on disabled

issues as well.

Kellner said this was a logical fit.

“When people think about straphangers, they think of Gene Russianoff. When people think about disabled riders, they’re going to think about Michael,” Kellner said.

Initially, Harris balanced his role as executive director of the Disabled Riders’ Coalition and his job in Kellner’s office. But he eventually found himself wanting to do more—and get paid more—than the position in Kellner’s office could provide.

“I was able to work on some policy issues,” Harris said, “but at the end of the day, it was a part-time position.”

Living with his parents in Bayside, Brooklyn, Harris supports himself with his savings as he looks for a new job. He is interviewing with several local elected officials he said, hoping to land something in communications or policy by the middle of March.

As for what might come after that, Harris said, he is still unsure. But elected life is appealing.

“My City Council member is term limited out in 2009. Would I run for my Councilman’s seat in 2009? Probably not.

Might I in eight years?” he said. “Quite possibly.” cwinfield@manhattanmedia.com

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Broadcast Newsmakers

DANIEL S. BURNSTEIN

For commercials and connections, local electeds nurture their on-air personas

Assembly Member Dov Hikind is one of many politicians joining the mayor on the airwaves to host their own fireside chats.

BY DAVID FREEDLANDER Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s radio show may be in limbo, but those in the market for a wireless political fix can still tune to AM 570 every Saturday night at 11 p.m. to hear Assembly Member Dov Hikind (D), a fiery Orthodox Jew from Borough Park, talk about life, the universe and everything.

Being on the air can be tough, Hikind says.

“I feel very lonely very often, of course,” he intones into the microphone. Hikind’s radio voice is reassuring and warm, like a pediatrician’s.

“Sometimes I think enough already! Let me just go pick fruit in Israel or something!”

On this night, the tables are turned.

Instead of Hikind asking the questions, he is being interviewed by his grown son Shmuel.

So of course, on this night at least, the show is not exactly Meet the Press.

“There is so much out there to admire about you,” Shmuel says. “How come you’ve never run for higher office?”

Hikind broadcasts his show live at 11 p.m. Saturday nights out of his neighborhood political club. His chief aide, Charni Sochet, mans the production, queuing up

“We sell enough advertising that this show has become extremely successful financially,” Assembly Member Dov Hikind said about his radio show. “That makes my wife a little happier about it.” callers and reading off advertisements for Passover vacations and local bakeries. They rent the time from Talkline Communications, a left-of-the-dial AM station.

“We sell enough advertising that this show has become extremely successful financially,” Hikind says. “That makes my

wife a little happier about it.”

Hikind is not the only politician hosting his own fireside chats—though with the care he brings to the broadcast and his commercial mindset, he does seem to take the job of broadcaster more seriously than most.

Council Member Gale Brewer has her own monthly public access television show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, as do State Sen. Tom Duane and Assembly Members Adriano Espaillat and Keith Wright. On the other side of the river, Rep. Ed Towns, State Sen. Marty Golden and Borough President Marty Markowitz all host regular shows on Brooklyn Community Access Television.

“It’s a format for electeds to talk to their constituents and let them know what’s going on,” said Greg Sutton, an executive producer at the Brooklyn station.

He says that as many as 10,000 people are tuned in to the station at any one time—a lot considering the burlesque quality of most of the programming. That is on average a .008 Nielsen share.

Public access has become the darling

of the resurgent media rights movement that says its decentralized nature is the answer to major media companies’ never-ending quest for consolidation.

Keeping these channels in use is what keeps Brewer on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, where she hosts a charmingly lo-fi public affairs program called, “This Side of Central Park.”

“We fought very hard for this kind of thing, and I think it’s important to keep the public access current,” she said. “If you are a public official you need to share information, and at my level of public office, there aren’t a lot of places to do that.”

Not that she fancies herself an expert broadcaster.

“I’m no Tim Russert,” she concedes.

Politicians have always been early adapters of new technologies, according to Robert E. Denton, author of Politics and Communication in America: Campaigns, Media, and Governing in the 21st Century.

“Politics is basically just a means of communication,” he said. “And politicians have been pretty quick across time in terms of picking each new technology, from pamphlets and the Pony Express to hiring campaign bloggers. Anything that creates an interpersonal conversation where you are able to clearly articulate your message points is good.”

But those who do it say the benefits are too great to pass up.

“In the absence of being able to spend time with every constituent, it’s the next best thing,” said Council Member Simcha Felder, who about once a month fills in for Nachum Segal on his show on WSNR620 AM. “It’s a way to get a feel about what’s going on in the neighborhood.”

And despite the glut of newspapers, radio and television stations focused on the city, Felder and others feel that too many media outlets are divorced from the concerns of everyday New Yorkers.

“The media is interested in selling whatever it is they are selling,” he said.

“They are most often not involved in the bread and butter issues of most people in the city. When else do you get to hear about sanitation issues, traffic issues, ticket issues? And these things are critical.” davidfreedlander@gmail.com Direct letters to the editor to editor@cityhallnews.com.

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s definitive announcement that he would not be running for president could have left some on his staff down in the dumps.

Some veterans of Mayor John Lindsay’s administration have a message for them: we know just how you feel.

Lindsay, who was elected to his first term as mayor as a Republican and his second as a Liberal, made an abbreviated campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. But after losing the Florida primary, he ended his campaign and returned to City Hall.

“Obviously, there’s enormous disappointment, but the campaign in that sense was a continuation of the mission that brought many of us to work for the mayor and to work for the city,” recalled Jay Kriegel, who became one of Lindsay’s deputy mayors after the campaign, and is now a senior advisor at the Related Companies.

But the Lindsay supporters, like many of those who were pushing Bloomberg to

run, had a sense that the campaign was over before the official word came. That helped, he said.

“By that point, the campaign was flailing, and we all realized we had a job we had to do,” he said. “Probably not unlike this band, it was a group of people that felt pretty passionately about what we were doing and worked very hard.”

Steven Isenberg, who left City Hall to work on the presidential campaign and returned as Lindsay’s chief of staff, said the first couple of days were the hardest.

“There’s no question there’s a disappointment, and a little bit that the air has been taken out of you,” he said.

That Bloomberg never actually started a campaign would make acceptance easier, he said. Still, Isenberg said, he would understand if some on Bloomberg’s staff found focusing on city government a little harder after entertaining dreams of West Wing offices and fancy Washington job titles.

But the one who always takes the end of a campaign the hardest is the prospective candidate himself, Isenberg said.

That is how it was with Lindsay.

“The one who has to think about it and deal with it psychologically more than anybody else is the mayor,” he said. “But truth be told, the way City Hall life is, after a few days you’re just back into it.”

Spitzer Gets PR Advice from Cunningham and Arzt Darrel Aubertine’s special election victory Feb. 26 might be good news for

Democrats, but if Gov. Eliot Spitzer really wants to lead him to victory, Bill Cunningham has some advice: go after an enemy that people can rally against, like bond insurers. Cunningham offered his advice as part of a panel on Spitzer’s first year in office held at the New School Feb. 27, the morning after Aubertine’s surprise win.

Spitzer has testified to Congress about the economic and job-growth impact of bond insurers, which backs the funding for construction of hospitals and schools.

Cunningham said Spitzer is on the “verge of attacking” them. George Arzt, president of Arzt Communications, has a different secret to success: reach out to outsiders.

“He needs to get new blood in government,” Arzt said. “He’s got to get an agenda going.”

Chick Lit Move over, Gloria Steinem. On May 14, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (DManhattan/Queens) will release Rumors of our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, a look at women’s rights in America.

Exploring such issues as domestic violence, poverty and reproductive freedom, Maloney seeks to expose the “myth that women have achieved equal status with men in American society.”

In the book, Maloney, a former cochair of the Women’s Caucus, outlines eight goals women must achieve to elevate the nation’s reputation in equal rights. She also tells the stories of women she considers to be inspirations, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (DCalifornia), Meryl Streep and Mia Hamm.

The book includes an overview of legislation currently in the works that would affect women and a “take action” guide for women who want to make a societal impact.

The Animal Agenda For many, Valentine’s Day was a time for romance and rose bouquets.

But for a group of animal rights protesters, Valentine’s Day was also the perfect time for a protest against the city’s horse-drawn carriage industry, which they fault with needlessly endangering and killing a number of horses.

“You can’t have this industry in New York and make it humane,” said Edita Birnkrant, a campaign coordinator at Friends of Animals, an advocacy group which joined in the protest at the corner of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.

With both sides cramming the sidewalk, the scene rapidly turned ugly.

One carriage driver looked on with a mixture of amusement and anger.

“Nothing ever satisfies these idiots,” he said. “These horses could

Senior Reporters

When only two journalists asked questions at Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s Feb. 29 press conference about a new package of bills to protect the elderly, Silver opened the floor to the seniors at St. Margaret’s House who there for the photo-op. They asked five before Silver called the event to a close. be living in a penthouse in the Plaza.”

Council Member Tony Avella (DQueens), who introduced a bill to ban carriages late last year, says more New Yorkers should be paying attention.

“The way we exist with animals in today’s society is a judgment against ourselves,” Avella said.

Avella has found some on the Council who agree with him, he said. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Unaff.) and Council Speaker Christine Quinn (DManhattan), who both call the horses a lucrative tourist draw, have not budged.

“There’s people that are willing to listen, and then there’s the mayor and the speaker,” Avella said.

With Bloomberg and Quinn both in favor of congestion pricing, Avella said he finds their insistence on keeping carriages on the street especially strange.

“For the mayor to be so hot and heavy for congestion pricing but to still allow horse driven carriages in these same

areas is absurd,” he said.

And that is not the only animal bill around. In the wake of the Michael Vick scandal, animal rights groups are petitioning Albany to create stiffer penalties for people who attend dog fighting matches.

But heightened tensions over control of the State Senate, as well as the approaching budget negotiations, seem to have distracted most lawmakers—and even the bill’s sponsor, Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (D-Brooklyn).

“I haven’t made a real push for it yet,” said Lentol (D-Brooklyn), “but I expect the bill to be acted on shortly.”

Lentol called the issue a no-brainer.

“If I have to come down on a side,” Lentol said, “I’d come down on the side of the animal every time.”

Containment Policy Council Member Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens), who represents Howard Beach, has often heard complaints about glass on the beach. One constituent, he said, nearly severed his large toe on a broken bottle left in the sand.

Much of the broken glass, he said, is concentrated around garbage cans.

“Someone goes to throw something, goes for a three-pointer and they miss, and they leave it there,” he said.

With warm weather on the way, Addabbo is sponsoring a bill to prohibit glass packaging within 150 feet of city beaches.

Hoping to avoid a confrontation with businesses, he suggested that stores could transfer anything sold in glass containers—like beer or fruit drinks—into containers made of plastic or other non-breakable material after purchase.

By David Colon, Edward-Isaac Dovere, Andrew J. Hawkins, and Dan Rivoli DANIEL S. BURNSTEIN

Lindsay Staffers Feel Bloomberg Staffers’ Pain

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:Election Results arcus Cederqvist was barely settled into his new job as the executive director of the New York City Board of Elections before Mayor Michael Bloomberg began firing off criticisms about the selection process for the Board’s commissioners, and the city began to gear up for the Feb. 5 primary vote.

But when all the votes were counted (or undercounted, according to some reports), Cederqvist, the former head of the Manhattan Republican Party, said he is ready for November’s general election, as well as the citywide elections of 2009. He discussed Bloomberg’s criticisms, the installation of new voting machines and the perception of his job as one of the city’s last patronage positions. What follows is an edited transcript.

Marcus Cederqvist, the new executive director of the Board

CH: Being new on the job, are there any changes or reforms you’d like to make to the Board of Elections?

MC: I wouldn’t say right away. The first thing is, keep in mind, I came in right before an election and that process was well underway already. And then it’s kind of responsible to see what the lay of the land is before you go and try to shake things up too much. I’m responsible for dayto-day operations, but obviously the ten commissioners run the agency and so any ideas that I might have, it’s incumbent upon me to sell them on it first.

of Elections, says there are some misconceptions about vote

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City Hall: Coming from the New York reporting and patronage at his new office.

Republican Party, you seem like a pretty partisan guy. What’s the transition like com- MC: Having been involved in elections before, I know ing from that to a non-partisan environment at the that those are artificial results. I know the responsible thing is to wait for the certified results. I’ve been Board of Elections?

MC: Well, my background isn’t quite that partisan. My involved in some really close races, so we know how last job was as the executive director of the New York important it is to wait for the actual results. New York Republican County Committee, but before that I was State has the most meticulous canvas procedure probachief of staff for a city councilman, and that was a pub- bly in the country. We have these unofficial results that lic service aspect of my background. I did that for six come out on election night and there’s a procedure for years. When I was at the county committee, just like all that, and that’s actually in accordance with state election campaigns and party organizations, you’re kind of a cus- law, as is the whole canvas procedure. One thing is, peotomer of the Board of Elections in a sense. So I had ple should have total confidence in the results because it worked with a lot of people on the board and I knew a is so meticulously scrutinized; it’s done in a very public lot of the people here and it was just a great profession- way. I mean, the machines are locked up election night al opportunity to come here. There’s a lot going on now, and sealed, and brought back to the voting machine facilobviously. They’re going to be changing the voting sys- ity and then they’re actually unsealed in a public process where representatives from the campaigns can be there; tem, so there are a lot of challenges ahead. they can verify what the board is taking down. And at this point, when you’re doing a recount, these are the CH: Who approached you about the job?

MC: John Ravitz was the first one who mentioned it. actual employees that are doing it instead of what are Again, he’s known me for years. I worked with him for a essentially volunteers on election night, when we have year when he was the chairman and he told me he was 31,000 poll workers and then those county sheets then leaving, although I guess the news was already out go to the police and they’re entered into their mainframe there, and that it’s something that I should consider. I systems, so there are a few layers where it is possible to talked to a couple other people and kind of threw my have some degree of error. It’s generally fairly accurate.

But also keep in mind, even if it was 100 percent accuhat in the ring. rate, you’re not including affidavit ballots or absentee CH: What was your reaction to the controversy sur- ballots and those have to be counted and they have to be rounding the vote to approve you as executive considered in the end results. So really, the certified director of the Board of Elections? There was some results are the important part. conflict between the party bosses in the Bronx and CH: Did it bother you at all that there was so much Brooklyn.

MC: That didn’t really revolve around me. That had to criticism from Bloomberg and others of the Board do with something else in the board that I’m not as following the reports of undercounted ballots? familiar with. I mean, it was a unanimous vote for me; it MC: It didn’t ruffle my feathers. I didn’t think it was parwas a little more non-controversial. All the delays in the ticularly helpful, though. I don’t think there are many board…it wasn’t really beneficial, honestly, because I people that are more accessible than me in terms of callcame right before an election, right as they were choos- ing me and finding out what’s going on, and no one did ing new voting systems: the BMD, ballot marking that beforehand. devices. It would have been nice if I could have come in CH: You did not get an advance call from City Hall? a little earlier and get oriented a little better.

MC: Yeah, no one with the exception of some of the CH: There was also controversy about the ballot reporters who speak to our office if they wanted to get counts the night of the presidential primary. What is a sense of what was going on. We would have been happy to share that with anyone if they had called us. your take on all of that?

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CH: The mayor has also made comments about wanting to revise the city charter, saying he wants to change the way the commissioners of the Board of Elections are chosen. Do you think he is right?

MC: My understanding is that the way everything is set up is done in the State Constitution, so that would probably be a state action. The other thing, honestly, is that the mayor’s criticisms aren’t new. He’s been critical of the agency since the beginning. As a point of disclosure, I worked very hard on the mayor’s re-election campaign, so I do have a certain connection with him and his administration. Nonetheless, I disagree with some of the things he said. He says we’re a partisan agency. We’re not a partisan agency. We’re a bipartisan agency and there’s a system of checks and balances in this agency from the top all the way down to the very bottom.

Everything that gets done gets signed off on a bipartisan basis and that’s to ensure…that’s the system of checks and balances we have in place. And I think the people who set it up that way were very prescient because that way, regardless of whatever party or parties are in control of City Hall, you have a very consistent structure here, so that people can have faith in the accuracy of the elections that are conducted here.

CH: So what are some of the changes that are going to be made in preparation for the election in November and the citywide elections next year?

MC: The commissioners a few weeks ago selected a new ballot marking device and there’s going to be one in every polling place in New York City. That allows people with all types of disabilities to be able to cast a ballot at their polling place, it helps mark the ballot for them and then, under federal ruling we also have to replace our entire voting system, you know; we have to replace the lever machines by September 2009.

CH: Some say that your job is one of the city’s last patronage jobs. Is that accurate?

MC: I’m not sure quite frankly that I’m the best person to answer that. In terms of the pay, I appreciate the compensation, but compared to other agency heads, it’s a lot lower. Now I’m not complaining. The money’s not the most important thing to me. It’s the challenge of the job and everything. The other thing is, the commissioners I don’t think would put people in here, including myself— especially myself because that’s what the question was—that couldn’t handle the job, because that would be deleterious to the whole agency and to what they’re trying to accomplish, which is conduct elections that the public has faith in. And so, no, I don’t buy that I was put here to serve the interest of some kind of party boss because frankly, that’s not really what I am anyway.

They put me here because they had confidence I could do the job, period.

CH: What’s going to happen to the old voting machines when they’re replaced? Are they going to a museum? Or do you get to keep one to put in your living room as a souvenir?

MC: Me personally? No, my place is too small.

—Andrew J. Hawkins ahawkins@cityhallnews.com

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