By Tom Tracy
Although it’s a long shot, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz wants to be New York State’s next Comptroller. The Sunset Park legislator threw his hat in a very large ring that includes elected officials from Westchester, upstate New York and Long Island. All are vying for the position that Alan Hevesi left following last year’s chauffer scandal. The State Comptroller is the state’s chief fiscal officer and oversees pensions for state employees. Current candidates for the job include Nassau County Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, Irondequoit Assemblyman Joseph Morelle and Westchester County Assemblyman Richard Brodsky. Because so many people are in the running, officials from Governor Eliot Spitzer’s office created a special Comptroller Screening Panel which will determine qualified candidates. “I am encouraged that we have come together to endorse this overall plan, which will ensure a new comptroller is chosen fairly, deliberately and in full view of the public,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. “This joint agreement demonstrates a renewed commitment to cooperation trust and openness on the part of the Governor and members of the Legislature.” In order to create some buzz, Ortiz supporters have started a letter writing campaign of sorts to convince New Yorkers to back him for office. In an “open letter to the community,” Ortiz supporter Rosalie Fayad said that the Sunset Park legislator has what it takes to “fix society’s flaws.” “In a society that has many hidden flaws, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has had the experience to fix these flaws, that which other elected officials do not have,” she wrote. “New York is grateful for the effects of his experience, such as the improvement of sweatshop worker’s conditions, the initiation of what is now the ban of handheld phones while driving and the opening of centers to help those with eating disorders.” “He [Ortiz] is eager to explore new directions, working closely with the people of New York,” she wrote, adding, “The future New York State Comptroller’s position should be held by no other.” “I am sure that he has the wisdom to act justly according to the position’s demands, and will never compromise our moral and ethical expectations in the process.” Ortiz, who has been a state legislator since 1994, did not return calls about the Comptroller’s race as this paper went to press.
