By Zach Patberg
The newly elected Quinn (D-Manhattan) stripped Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) of his chairmanship of the Economic Development Committee, representing the sole pratfall in a borough delegation that otherwise maintained its dominance over most of the powerful committees.The title instead went to Councilman Thomas White Jr. (D-Jamaica), a past Council member who re-entered the legislative body after beating out Allan Jennings in 2005.Sanders, however, saw the demotion as an inevitable consequence of falling out of favor with the Queens Democratic Party leadership, but on the other hand he said he had been freed from citywide distractions so that he could focus more on his southern Queens district.”It was no surprise – anyone with eyes could see that this was going to happen,” he said. “Now that they've extracted a pound of flesh, can we get away from these secondary struggles and deal with the needs of the people?”Labeling himself an “unrepentant independent” — a title signaling his move to distance himself from the party — Sanders added: “The only tune I dance to is the tune played by the people of the 31st” Council District.Sanders said losing his chairmanship had little to do with his relationship with Quinn even though he did not back her in the speakership race. Instead, he said, the pressure came from the Queens Democratic brass, who he claimed was angered by his endorsement of Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his bid for a second term last year and “embarrassed” by his own ability to win re-election to the Council in 2005 without the party's full backing.But others saw a different reason for Sander's removal from his post.”He's got problems in his community,” said Queens Dem Party Executive Secretary Michael Reich, citing Sanders' past head-butting with district leaders as well as ethical concerns surrounding his recent marriage to his chief of staff while keeping her on his payroll.”All these issues brought together caused some to say maybe this isn't the guy we want as part of Quinn's leadership team,” Reich said, adding that the party did, in fact, back Sanders in 2003.Overall, Reich was pleased with the outcome of the Council's reorganization, which resulted in his borough retaining all its high-profile committee chairmanships, including Land Use held by Council members Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills), Finance held by David Weprin (D-Hollis) and Transportation held by John Liu (D-Flushing). Queens Dem Party head Thomas Manton, got the posts for the borough delegation in exchange for backing Gifford Miller for speaker in 2001 and Quinn in 2005. Miller was forced this year out by term limits.”Queens truly is an important player in city government,” Reich said. “We have a voice there.”A couple of Queens members even received promotions. Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) was upgraded from majority whip to deputy majority leader and from chairman of the Rules Committee to the more influential Consumer Affairs Committee. Comrie was one of the seven competitors running for speaker, but he stepped aside when it appeared that Quinn was receiving most of the support from the city's party leadership — a move that ultimately won him favor with Quinn.”When I realized which way the wind was blowing, it only made sense to me to not be standing like Don Quixote against it,” he said.Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights) was also named to chair the Women's Issues Committee.Reach reporter Zach Patberg at news@timesledger.com or at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
