TAMMANY HALL REVISITED

I don't even have to write this piece because Sally Goldenberg from the NY Post says it all. After you read this, please think about whether or not you want someone like Christine Quinn for mayor. She is expected to announce her candidacy at some point. It will mean more corruption, more pork barrel favoritism; more TAMMANY HALL and more politics as usual! It is unfortunate that Tony Avella's district has suffered from this favoritism because he has "defied her." His ethics stand out in a field of political hacks.

NEW YORK POST - July 4, 2008

QUINN PORKS A WALLOP

$$ FOR PALS; FOES STIFFED

By SALLY GOLDENBERG

Speaker Christine Quinn's friends on the City Council brought pounds of pork home to their districts - while neighborhoods represented by members on her enemies list often get beans, a review of this year's budget shows.

Her biggest victim was Tony Avella (D-Queens), whose "sins" were harshly criticizing her over the budget slush-fund scandal, voting against congestion pricing, which she pushed for, and running for mayor, a job she is expected to seek.

He got a mere $340,464 - the lowest of anyone on the council, which he said is "morally and ethically challenged."

Quinn insisted she's not doling out rewards and punishments. "There are many different factors that go into that decision making," she said.

Underscoring her point, Lew Fidler (D-Brooklyn), an opponent of congestion pricing but an overall ally of hers, topped the list with nearly $1.25 million.

Queens Democrat Eric Gioia, who has had several disputes with the speaker's office - though he voted for congestion pricing - got only $360,464.

The same amount went to Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), who opposed congestion pricing and blamed Quinn for the budget scandal and was angry she refused to name a Brooklyn street after radical Sonny Carson.

Two members - Michael McMahon (D-SI) and Domenic Recchia (D-Brooklyn), who decided at the 11th hour to vote for congestion pricing - each received whopping sums.

McMahon, who also defended Quinn after the scandal, got more than $1.2 million. He noted that he does well each year because he is Staten Island's sole Democrat on the council.

"The speaker never said to me, 'Look, if you vote for congestion pricing you'll get more money, or if you don't, you'll get less money,' " he said, but he acknowledged those who "continuously work with the leadership on issues . . . do well."

Recchia, who received more than $1.1 million, also voted at the last minute for congestion pricing, but said "there was no quid pro quo."