http://www.politicker.com en http://www.politickerny.com/1383/how-chief-judge-picked ALBANY—There's less than a week left before David Paterson is required to make his pick for chief judge of the Court of Appeals, and despite making noise earlier about seeking options for a new slate of candidates (he was upset there are no women on the current list) said last Friday that he would interview and appoint someone according to the process. Errol Cockfield, a spokesman for the governor, confirmed Paterson began interviewing candidates Monday, between stints studying for the State of the State speech. Observers have placed their bets on Theodore Jones, an associate judge on the Court now, and Governor Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:01:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44369 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/max/26467/algeier-officially-district-25-assembly-race Gary Algeier, a former two-term Randolph Township Mayor and 12-year veteran of Council, today formally announced his candidacy for State Assembly in the 25th Legislative District. “Service in the State Legislature will continue a long tradition of community service,” said Algeier campaign manager Allen Napoliello. “Under Gary’s leadership, Randolph created Randolph’s award winning Freedom Park, preserved over 1000 acres of Open Space and Farmland, and has been a leader in shared services. Mr. Algeier is well known for his leadership in opposing the unreasonable quotas imposed by the Council on Affordable Housing." Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:19:00 -0500 Max Pizarro 44367 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1381/smith-moves-putter ALBANY—Malcolm Smith has taken office. The scramble for choice space began almost immediately after Smith was elected to the post Wednesday. Today, the door of what had briefly been Dean Skelos' office was officially re-lettered (by Frank Smith, who, without getting entirely specific on how much he was being paid, said it costs $125 to get him in the door, pun intended). As staffers moved boxes of Smith's supplies into the room, here's what I spied: -- A putting mat and putter. -- A bag of Wise potato chips (still tax free!) -- "The Prayer of Jabez" on his desk -- Pictures of Smith' family, him at a meeting of the Albany Gun Violence Task Force and "The Campaign For Reform," a caricature of Democratic leaders taking over the Capitol from the Albany project. Relatedly: After two days, the Senate web site has also flipped to include Smith's picture. Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:05:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44366 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/max/26466/corzine-answers-argument-government TRENTON – It’s very early, of course.  But Gov. Jon Corzine at his full-fledged press conference on the fourth floor of the Hughes Justice Center this afternoon, where he was flanked by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Attorney General Anne Milgram, suggested the déjà all over again feel of Gerry Ford’s defensive posture campaign against Jimmy Carter one day after Corzine’s presumptive chief rival entered the race for governor.   In that 1976 presidential contest between Carter and Ford, Carter was out in the hinterlands while Ford tracked the sedate and somber steps of good government, immersed in all the symbolic trappings of his office.  In this case, in the face of repeated Republican put-downs that Democrats with their overt culture of political patronage and government first ask questions afterwards approach, Corzine projected the image of an executive committed to making the engine run as he announced in the midst of a national recession the creation of a new state-supported mortgage foreclosure mediation program. Governor Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:59:00 -0500 Max Pizarro 44365 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1378/unhurried-demonstration-for-legalization ALBANY—Some pro-pot protesters are at the Capitol today. They figured the State of the State address would be a good occasion to bring their case to David Paterson. I told them the speech had already happened. "We thought today was State of the State," said Abigail Storm, leader of the dozen people from Citizens Against Marijuana Prohibition who were sitting in the well of the Legislative Office Building. One strummed a guitar. Another handed out Hippie Chips to passers by. The lobbyists were then shooed out of the Well - they had no permit to be there, as is required - by an events coordinator who wanted crews to begin setting up for Monday. I caught Storm as she and the others were planning their next move, and asked her to make her case for legalizing marijuana. Here it is: Governor Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:45:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44363 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1377/bloombergs-suburbs Yesterday on CNN, Michael Bloomberg made the case for spending federal money "at the city level, not at the state level" because, in part, that's where the people are. "Eighty-five percent of people in this country live in cities and we’ve got to get some money down there," Bloomberg said. A reader skeptical of that figure emailed a link to a 2002 Census report saying about half of the U.S. population currently lives in "suburban" areas. The U.S. population grew increasingly metropolitan each decade, from 28 percent in 1910 to 80 percent in 2000. Suburbs, rather than central cities, accounted for most of the metropolitan growth. By 2000, half of the U.S. population lived in suburban areas." A spokesman for the mayor explained that he was referring to "metropolitan areas," which include cities and suburbs. President Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:35:00 -0500 Azi Paybarah 44362 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/editor/26461/ferriero-will-resign-party-post Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero, under indictment on federal corruption charges, will resign on January 22, and has called a special election to pick a successor.  Ferriero says he is ending his leave of absence effective immediately so that he can help raise money for the party’s January 17 fundraising event. Ferriero was indicted on September 9 on eight corruption counts of influence peddling with a grants consulting firm he held a financial stake in. A trial is set for September 2009.  He went on a leave of absence just before the indictment was announced. “Unfortunately, I have recently been required to defend myself against an indictment which has no basis in law or fact.  I have been forced to dedicate my time and energy to clearing my name,” Ferriero wrote in a letter to Democratic leaders.  “I believe that it would adversely affect our party, and our candidates if I were to continue to serve as chairman while on trial several weeks before the November election.  It is for this reason that I am calling a special county committee meeting for January 22, 2009 to elect a successor.  I hereby resign effective on that date.” Ferriero says that while he had “strenuous disagreements with a few members of the party including (State Sen.) Loretta Weinberg and (U.S. Rep.) Steve Rothman,” he said “we are all Democrats that want what is in the best interest of the party.” “I am calling on everyone to come together so that we can continue the progress our party has made over the last decade,” he said. Likely candidates to succeed him are Michael Kasparian, a developer and Democratic fundraiser, and Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union business manager Richard “Buzz” Dressel, a Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Ferriero, 51, was first elected County Chairman in June 1998.  Five months later, Bergen Democrats broke the GOP’s 7-0 majority on the Board of Freeholders by electing Democrats Dennis McNerney and Douglas Bern, and won the race for Sheriff.  Under Ferriero’s leadership, Bergen County now has two Democratic State Senators, McNerney is in his second term as County Executive, and they hold all seven Freeholder seats.  Ferriero has helped Democrats achieve majorities in 25 municipalities. For now, Ferriero’s resignation ends a 31-year political career that began with his election to the Dumont Borough Council in 1977 at age twenty. The full text of Ferriero’s letter: http://www.politickernj.com/editor/26461/ferriero-will-resign-party-post#comments Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0500 editor 44361 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1367/pride-agenda-happy-smith-acknowledges-it-needs-more-votes ALBANY—Despite the coy confidence of one of the most outspoken critics of gay marriage that the issue won't come up this legislative session, advocates of same-sex unions don't believe they were sold out by Senate Democrats, as was reportedly the case in an earlier deal to make Malcolm Smith the senate majority leader. Alan Van Capelle expressed qualified outrage then, but this week he issued a statement lauding Smith's election as majority leader. In an interview afterward, he added that he's confident the issue can pass this legislative session. "I'm confident that if our community does the work that we need to do, and we've traditionally been good at, that we can win the bill. Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:06:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44360 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1376/thompsons-money-pitch Fund-raising against a mayoral candidate with unlimited resources is a daunting task, but at least it provides an easy pitch to contributors. Bill Thompson's mayoral campaign sent an email to supporters this morning saying contributing even as little as $25 "means committing to a mayor's race not dictated by personal bank accounts, but by the grassroots support of New Yorkers in every borough." From the fund-raising email:   Sunday is the first in a series of fundraising deadlines for our campaign -- and we need your help.   [skip] Contributing to our campaign means more than making a financial commitment -- it means becoming part of a team ready and willing to change our city. Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:21:00 -0500 Azi Paybarah 44358 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1375/hochbergs-appointment Fred Hochberg, dean of the Milano the New School for Management and Urban Policy, is reportedly getting an appointment with the Obama administration as the head of the Export-Import Bank. Hochberg, who is openly gay, worked as a deputy in the Small Business Administration under Bill Clinton. The possible appointment is getting praise from the LGBT community. The Human Rights Coalition sent out a statement saying Hochberg’s appointment “speaks well for the LGBT community.” Influential Democratic consultant and gay activist Ethan Geto told me, “Fred Hochberg has the credentials and is qualified for that position.” Geto stressed that Hochberg’s business acumen more than qualified for the position, but said he also benefited by a national push by the LGBT community for more appointments for openly gay people in the administration. Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:15:00 -0500 Azi Paybarah 44357 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1374/now-israel-heads-upper-upstate ALBANY—Representative Steve Israel will be in Watertown on Saturday, less than a week after his trip to Syracuse and Utica and the day before David Paterson visits the North Country city. Israel has said he is interested in being appointed to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Israel will visit Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, and gather with local political leaders for a "meet and greet," according to Lindsay Hamilton, an Israel spokeswoman. He will leave Saturday night. A Democratic source said the trip was planned very quickly. Most coverage of the "race" for the Senate seat has US Senate Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:04:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44356 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/26455/willie-browns-memories-24-years-legislature In September 2007, the Assembly Democratic Office celebrated its 35th anniversary. Former Assembly Minority Leader Willie B. Brown, who died on Monday at age 68, was invited to attend as a former Minority Leader, however illness prevented him from attending. The following is a letter he wrote to be read that evening: Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:01:00 -0500 Wally Edge 44355 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/max/26454/algeier-launch-25th-district-assembly-race Veteran Randolph Township Councilman Gary Algeier today will officially enter the Republican primary for the Assembly in the 25th Legislative District, according to sources.  Mulling the possibility of a run for some time now, Algeier informally announced his intentions to members of the Randolph Republican Club on Wednesday night. A Morristown attorney, the long-serving councilman is in a four-way contest for two assembly seats with Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Twp.), attorney Tony Bucco (son of veteran state Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) and Morris County Freeholder Doug Cabana. http://www.politickernj.com/max/26454/algeier-launch-25th-district-assembly-race#comments Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:41:00 -0500 Max Pizarro 44354 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/2269/politico-hattaway-likely-state-dept-post Boston Democratic analyst Doug Hattaway is now "likely" to be U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's spokesman when she becomes secretary of state, the Politico's Mike Allen reported this week. In his "Playbook" on Wednesday, Allen wrote: EXCLUSIVE: Democratic consultant Doug Hattaway, who developed a close relationship with Senator Clinton while traveling on her campaign during the campaign, is likely to get the podium at the State Department, joining Robert Gibbs as the administration's face to the world. Geoff Morrell will remain at the Pentagon. Hattaway has been rumored to be in the running for the post since last month. When reached by PolitickerMA.com, Hattaway declined to comment. President Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:01:00 -0500 Jeremy P. Jacobs 44352 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/2268/evangelidis-backers-launch-blog In another sign of a divided House Republican caucus, state Rep. Lewis Evangelidis and his supporters launched their own blog on Thursday calling for a "New Direction." Evangelidis, a Holden Republican, lost his challenge to state Rep. Brad Jones for House minority leader on Wednesday in a nine to seven vote. After the vote, Evangelidis issued a statement blasting the caucus process and he and his supporters voted "present" during the speaker vote instead of casting their votes for Jones. The new blog, "Campaign for a New Direction," lists all of Evangelidis' supporters as contributors. Those supporters are Reps. Todd Smola (Palmer), Susan Gifford (Wareham), Donald Humason (Westfield), Karyn Polito (Shrewsbury), Daniel Webster (Hanson) and Jeffrey Perry (Sandwich). Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:51:00 -0500 Jeremy P. Jacobs 44351 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1373/paterson-hasnt-interviewed-cuomo-kennedy-senate-seat ALBANY—David Paterson said he hasn't spoken to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo about an appointment to the U.S. Senate. "I have not talked to him necessarily about the Senate," Paterson said on Good Day New York. He said there are a number of interviews outstanding, including Caroline Kennedy. (Of Kennedy, this morning Paterson said he could "see that a person who wasn't in public service would have a little stage fright.") Cuomo's lobbying for the seat has been decidedly low-key, prompting speculation as to whether he actually wants it. Cuomo aides declined to tell The Times whether or not he has submitted a 28-page questionnaire Paterson is requiring of candidates. Governor Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:31:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44349 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1370/mid-morning-read David Paterson wants to know about his senator's children's MySpace pages. He doesn't understand all the attention focused on Caroline Kennedy, and said her lack of elected experience doesn't work in her favor. His State of the State speech showed how wrong Fred Armisen was, Casey Seiler says. Michael Bloomberg is reaching out to the G.O.P. line. The State Senate may be cautious in its approach to drug law reform. Malcolm Smith will meet this morning with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Yesterday Smith was in Syracuse, announcing the appointment of an upstater to a leadership post. Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:05:00 -0500 Jimmy Vielkind 44346 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/editor/26440/poll-corzine-leads-christie-continues-struggle-voter-approval Gov. Jon Corzine leads Republican Christopher Christie by seven points, 40%-33%, and has a 45%-40% approval rating, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released this morning.   Christie, the former U.S. Attorney who announced yesterday that he would run for Governor, is unknown to more than half (56%) of the New Jerseyans polled. In head-to-heads against other Republican candidates, Corzine leads former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, 46%-28%, and Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) by a 43%-23% margin.  Lonegan is unknown to 71% of the state, while 89% don't recognize Merkt.  A fourth candidate, Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine, was not included in the survey. In a Republican primary matchup, Christie leads Lonegan 32%-15%, with Merkt running third at 5%.  Christie has a 50% name ID among Republicans, while Lonegan is at 44% and Merkt is at 14%. http://www.politickernj.com/editor/26440/poll-corzine-leads-christie-continues-struggle-voter-approval#comments Governor Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:00:00 -0500 editor 44340 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickernj.com/max/26443/laboy-prepares-run-again-passaic PASSAIC - When Angel Laboy lost his city council bid last year to Ken Lucianin by 24 votes, he said he would probably come back this year, and time’s proved him right.  Laboy, a public school vice principal, is holding a fundraiser on Jan. 15th in which he hopes to lay the groundwork for what he believes will be about a $5,000-$6,000 race for council.  “I would like to run alone,” he said. “I have been approached to run on a ticket with several of the mayoral candidates, and I’m not ruling it out, but I’m leaning against it.” Local Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:04:00 -0500 Max Pizarro 44332 at http://politicker.com http://www.politickerny.com/1369/events-friday-january-9-2009 7 a.m.  Michael Bloomberg's interview with the "Early Show" airs live on CBS. 8:05 a.m. David Paterson will appear on "Good Day New York," WNYW-TV. 8:30 a.m. The trustees board of the City Construction Authority meets in the second floor conference room of 52 Chambers Street. 8:45 a.m. Matilda Cuomo and Maria Cuomo Cole unveil "special" Bloomingdale's window design celebrating National Mentoring Month. At Bloomingdale's on Lexington Avenue and 60th Street. 10 a.m. Directors of the Queens West Development Corporation meet at in the 37th floor conference room at 633 Third Avenue LONG ISLAND 10:30 a.m. M.T.A. officials celebrate the implementation of a "sodium-sulfur battery energy storage system project for reducing energy costs. Local Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:46:00 -0500 Em Whitney 44331 at http://politicker.com