But one candidate in particular intends to kick those shoes aside altogether and usher in…
By Jennifer Warren
Five Democratic hopefuls are vying with one another to step into Morton Povman’s (D-Forest Hills) well-worn shoes once he ends his 30-year run in City Council.
But one candidate in particular intends to kick those shoes aside altogether and usher in a new agenda reflecting the district’s new constituency.
That contender is Morshed Alam, a two-term member of School Board 29 and founding president of the New American Democratic Club. Alam, a native of Bangladesh who by day is an environmental chemist, is a member of the New Immigrant Community Empowerment Club, an organization dedicated to giving voice to new Americans.
Alam may be remembered for his surprising 41 percent showing against state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) without the blessing of the Queens Democratic Party. After losing to Padavan, he eventually became an assistant to state Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-St. Albans).
Alam has raised $6,771 in the race to represent Kew Gardens Hills, Flushing Heights, Briarwood, Jamaica Estates, Rego Park and parts of Forest Hills, according to a filing with the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Also vying for the seat is James Gennaro, the environmental policy adviser to City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Astoria). Gennaro is also president of the Saul Weprin Democratic Club, president of the Jamaica Estates Civic Association, a member of Community Board 8, and adjunct professor of political science and environmental public policy at Queens College. Gennaro has raised $52,032, based on his financial filings.
Jeff Gottlieb, another insider, has been Povman’s chief of staff for 18 years. Before that he was a 10-year staffer of then-Assemblyman Alan Hevesi, until the two had a falling out, which Gottlieb told the Times-Ledger has since been resolved. During his years in political training, Gottlieb taught social studies at Cardozo HS. He is also president of the Central Queens Historical Association. Gottlieb has raised $37,756, according to the Campaign Finance Board.
Barry Grodenchik has served as Borough President Claire Shulman’s chief administrative officer for 10 years. Prior to that, Grodenchik worked for then-Gov. Mario Cuomo as his Queens County regional representative and on Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn’s (D-Flushing) 1987 re-election campaign. He is also the district leader of the Stevenson Regular Democratic Club. Grodenchik, with the largest campaign treasure chest as of Feb. 23, has amassed $63,342, according to finance records.
David Reich is senior counsel to Councilman Seymour Lachman (D-Brooklyn). Reich served as legislative counsel to then-state Sen. Emanuel Gold (D-Forest Hills) for 5 1/2 years, is a board member of the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Homeowners Association and vice president of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. Reich has generated $18,677 in campaign funds, his filings show.
The political aspirants have thick resumés of community pursuits and brand-name endorsements. They also overlap in what they consider to be priorities for the district — education and youth services, police and public safety, and care for senior citizens. Reich cited zoning as a top priority.
The candidates do, however, vary in their war cries for the council seat. Alam, a longtime labor activist, believes that he — an immigrant with first-hand knowledge of the immigrant communities — is the one to represent the constituents of the 24th District.
“I’m not coming from anybody’s pocket. I’m not in the shadow of any big people. I’m for the working people,” he said. “If I win, I’m going to represent a new wave of people, because there’s a new wave of people in the community.”
Gennaro maintains that the role of councilman is twofold: One responsibility is to deal with local concerns at the district level and the other is to also tackle larger citywide issues. He contends that while his opponents may know one or the other of these roles, none of them have his scope.
“My full-time City Hall role — advising the speaker, advising the chairs of committees, drafting legislation, helping set the agenda — is part and parcel of a City Council member’s job. I know how the store works, so to speak.”
Gottlieb, handpicked by Povman as his preferred successor, is determined to stay the Povman course.
“I’ve seen his style. I’ve seen the way he interacts with members of the community. I have knowledge of the area, the civic leaders. I know how the legislative budget process works,” Gottlieb said. “I want to continue the good programs the councilman has started.”
Grodenchik said he would bring civility and cooperation to the post.
“I’m not a go-for-your throat kind of person. I’m not a soap-box stander,” he said. “I work well with everybody in the community. That’s one of my strengths.”
Citing his bosses, past and present, Grodenchik said “we’ve always worked together to solve problems. It’s not like Nettie or Claire is running out there with a sword to do it themselves.”
And Reich, the only attorney in the candidate pool, said his legal training makes him uniquely qualified for the post.
“I’ve actually written legislation, an area that I certainly have experience with.,” he said. After describing how he dealt with particular issues that constituents brought to him, he added, “You just analyze the situation, look for all the ins and outs. When you’re trained as an attorney, that’s what you do.”
Reach reporter Jennifer Warren by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
