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SPIN CYCLE

Eden Laikin on Long Island, Michael Amon on Long Island, James T. Madore in Albany, Rick Brand on Long Island

July 21, 2008

DETAILS KEPT SECRET

Acquitted inspector hired back

North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman acted quickly to rehire and lift the suspension of a building inspector acquitted last month on charges of extorting a campaign contribution for Kaiman during a work day.

But Kaiman is slow to disclose any details about the job the inspector, Thomas McDonough, now holds.

Despite a Freedom of Information request filed by Newsday on June 20, and several phone calls to spokesman Collin Nash, Kaiman has steadfastly refused to confirm McDonough's new title, current salary, or the amount he's to be paid retroactively.

Under a deal struck with the town, McDonough - cleared of all charges by a jury on June 19 - is to be paid the back wages that he missed after his arrest and suspension in October.

Sources say McDonough is in the town's Highway Department. And a department employee took a message for him last week.

Karl Kampe, director of the Nassau County Civil Service Commission, confirmed Friday that McDonough was returned from suspension June 24 - at a $68,495 salary.

McDonough was first hired by Kaiman in 1999.

- Eden Laikin on Long Island

STATE APPOINTEE

'Unaware' of donation

On the day Long Island fundraiser Howard Fensterman officially joined the state's Public Health Council, a Great Neck nursing home he co-owns and manages contributed $5,000 to Gov. David A. Paterson, who appointed him.

Fensterman joined the council, which approves nursing home and other health care projects, on July 11, but his spokesman Gary Lewi said Fensterman was "totally unaware that a check had been cut for a political donation" that day by Grace Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Lewi said the home's majority owners made the contribution. State records show Grace Plaza's majority owner is Benjamin Landa, who was not available for comment.

- Michael Amon on Long Island

THE PATERSON WATCH

Gov. David A. Paterson, who worked hard for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's unsuccessful bid for the White House, warned her supporters last week not to sit out the fall election, or vote Republican.

"The beliefs of Senator Clinton and Senator [Barack] Obama are very, very close on the major issues," Paterson told a radio audience. Paterson acknowledged the disappointment of fellow Democrats at Clinton's loss to Obama. Still, he challenged those mulling a vote for Republican John McCain. "Go ahead and do it. ... Look at the Supreme Court justices that he will appoint. We'll see how you feel then."

But Paterson's most controversial comment to National Public Radio's Michel Martin came when he said the Mets had a better chance of winning the next World Series than the Yankees, adding, "You're right, the Mets are really the only team in New York."

- James T. Madore in Albany

TODAY ON THE BLOG

Islip GOP mavericks who want to see State Sen. Caesar Trunzo step down as party leader are planning a demonstration tonight, but some critics consider the protesters as toothless as the town GOP. Frank Tantone, a dissident leader, said invitations were sent to all committee members, and they will gather outside the Third Avenue party headquarters at 6:30 p.m. They want Trunzo to focus only on winning his Senate seat, while allowing others to begin rebuilding the party. Trunzo said he was aware of the plan but has two other events and will not show up. "I wasn't invited," he said, adding he has no plans to quit. "Their group only got 198 signatures. That's not an awful lot of work," he said. Suffolk Conservative chief Edward Walsh, lately no friend of the Islip GOP, said the dissidents blew their chances by not acting in the recent petition period. Tantone said the group balked at putting up a candidate for judge because members did not want to dilute their numbers or divert attention from rebuilding the GOP. - Rick Brand on Long Island

NAKED AMBITION

Which was the most fevered lunge for self-promotion by a power player?

1. David A. Paterson, who's called New York's accidental governor, asking his audience at the NAACP: "Why was this non-illustrious title held all these years for me?"

2. Sen. John McCain drawing a standing ovation by saying, "I will get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. I will do that."

3. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Bronx, Queens) saying he is disappointed by the pace at which the government of India is moving on the U.S.-India nuclear cooperation deal.

Last week's "winner" (results not scientific): Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, who complained: "We have sort of become a nation of whiners ... This is a mental recession."