Cuomo transition adds Great Neck PR man Zimmerman

Yet another prominent Long Islander will be taking part in Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial transition that kicks off a series of committee meetings Tuesday: public-relations impresario Robert Zimmerman, who will serve on the environment and energy committee.

"These are areas that are very critical to Long Island's future," said Zimmerman, a partner in the 23-year-old Great Neck firm of Zimmerman/Edelson, Inc. who is also a Democratic National committeeman.

Zimmerman was a backer of Cuomo's short-lived 2002 gubernatorial bid.

"My number one goal is to help governor-elect Cuomo on his agenda, and that's going to be my focus."

The transition committees begin meeting this week in midtown Manhattan, presided over by lieutenant governor-elect Robert Duffy.

Among the scheduled participants Tuesday are Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate minority leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).

Skelos called the process "a positive."

"Certainly, what's needed in this state is for the private sector, the public sector and labor all to get together and see how we can move positively to solve the state's problems," Skelos said in an interview Sunday.