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Legis. Jack Eddington moves to Independence Party

Rick Brand on Long Island, Eden Laikin on Long Island, James T. Madore in Albany, Celeste Hadrick on Long Island

November 10, 2008

NEW INDEPENDENT

Eddington switches parties

Suffolk Legis. Jack Eddington has left the Working Families Party for the Independence Party, a move to assure his minor party renomination next year. Eddington said of the switch, which takes effect this week: "I just felt the values and principles of the Independence Party were more in line and consistent with mine."

Eddington's political ally, Suffolk Working Families Party chairman Chuck Pohanka, earlier this year lost a legal battle with the state party that took away most of his power. The courts ruled only the state committee has power to nominate candidates and allow nonparty members to run on the WFP line. Pohanka claimed organized county committees also had nominating power. That meant the state party could deny Eddington renomination next year, forcing him to wage a primary to win its ballot line.

Eddington of Medford also runs with Democratic support. His wife, Assemb. Patricia Eddington, remains a Working Families member but her aide, Donna Lent, another Pohanka ally, also switched.

Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk Independence Party chairman, welcomed Eddington: "He's as independent as you can get and there's nothing better than that." The lawmaker's change gives MacKay's party a bloc of two in the county legislature. Former Republican Legis. Jay Schneiderman of Montauk joined on July 4.

Dan Levitan, WFP spokesman, said Eddington did nothing to help build the party and "We're pleased ... that he's gone and out of our hair."

- Rick Brand on Long Island

HEMPSTEAD REPRISE

Ex-mayor's encore run

James Garner, the former Republican mayor of the Village of Hempstead, will run again next year - for the job he lost to Democrat Wayne Hall in 2005. Garner, the first black mayor in the predominantly African-American community, served for 16 years. Former village attorney W. Charles Robinson - now Garner's business associate - filed papers with the village last month for a fundraising committee for the race. The campaign treasurer will be Geraldine Barrows, Garner's former special assistant in the village.

- Eden Laikin on Long Island

THE PATERSON WATCH

Seeking to neutralize the special interests opposed to further budget cuts, Gov. David A. Paterson is making a public appeal for curbing spending.

Last week, he rolled out a Web site, www.reducenyspending.gov, about a $47-billion deficit over the next 3Â½ years. The site allows residents to suggest cost savings and spending priorities, and to create a balanced budget for 2009-10. "New Yorkers deserve a frank and honest discussion about the need for greater fiscal responsibility," he said. "I will continue to take my message ... to the people."

Liberals criticized the Web site, saying it emphasizes spending cuts over tax increases or tapping $1 billion in reserves. Paterson has dismissed tax hikes or more borrowing to close this year's $1.5 billion deficit.

Ron Deutsch of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness said, "The governor is seeking to punish the poorest ... while letting many of the wealthiest New Yorkers who caused the financial meltdown to escape unscathed."

- James T. Madore in Albany

TODAY ON THE BLOG

Apparently one way to avoid an investigation by the Nassau Board of Ethics is to ignore it. The Ethics Board recently wrote Nassau Minority Leader Peter Schmitt to say it was dropping an investigation into his alleged misuse of county employees and equipment after the Massapequa Republican refused to cooperate. Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) had complained that Schmitt's staff photographer allegedly took photos of Democratic lawmakers during a legislative session and used them in Republican attack ads. If Mejias' allegations were true, Schmitt misused county resources, the board wrote. However, "the board has determined that it does not have the resources or information to draw definitive conclusions," it said, while scolding Schmitt for his "disregard for the ethics investigatory process." Schmitt denied that he was unresponsive. "My staff and I corresponded with your office several times. " he wrote. "I remained available to answer legitimate questions." Mejias said, " An ethical person would come forward and say, 'Tell me what you need.'" - Celeste Hadrick on Long Island

NAKED AMBITION

Which was the most fevered lunge for self-promotion by a power player? Vote at newsday.com /spincycle.

1. State Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) and his Gang of Four, who threatened to hijack the newly won Senate Democratic majority.

2. State Sen.-elect Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona), who cut his own deal with Senate Democratic boss Malcolm Smith (D- St. Albans).

3. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who launched an effort to maintain power in the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate, even after he campaigned for John McCain.

Last week's winner (results not scientific): Gov. David A. Paterson (94%), whose campaigning for Senate Democratic candidates enraged Republicans.