By Rich Bockmann
With the public forums all wrapped up, the race for City Council speaker shifts from something resembling the democratic process to an affair to be negotiated behind closed doors..
After a series of open debates in each borough among the handful of candidates vying for the city’s second-most powerful position — including front runners Dan Garodnick (D-Manhattan), Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) and Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) — the Council are scheduled to elect a leader Jan. 8.
Little is known about the practical details of how the Council will go about choosing a leader as the members attempt to strike deals outside of the limelight. What is known is that despite the fact the candidates have been making their pitches to the public, the ultimate decision is left up to the 51 members of the Council after they reach agreement on key appointments.
“I think doing the public forums was unique,” compared to past speaker contests, Weprin said. “I’m always one who likes to educate the public. I think people are more respectful of the outcome if they feel they’ve been part of the process.
“It’s informative for some people, even if we’re only really talking to the 51 voters,” he added.
Should Weprin ascend to the post he would be the second representative — the first was Peter Vallone Sr. — from Queens to lead the Council since 1989, when a U.S. Supreme Court decision abolished the city Board of Estimate.
Since then, Speakers Vallone, Gifford Miller and Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) have left their stamp on the city’s legislative body and the next speaker will lead his or her colleagues in a time of transition.
With the election of Democrat Bill de Blasio as mayor and a number of left-leaning lawmakers, the speaker’s race is seen as a test of the power of the Council’s Progressive Caucus, which includes Queens Council members Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst), Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) and Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside).
While Weprin is not a member of the caucus, he said he would like to bring a number of progressive reforms to the position, including a more equitable distribution of member items and a bottom-up process of bringing votes before the Council.
Quinn was notorious for her tight hold on the Council’s reins, letting few bills she disagreed with come up for a vote.
“I’m not opposed to having bills come to the floor that may not pass or I may not agree with. That’s called democracy,” Weprin said. “My vote is not going to be able to hold up anything if other people want it. I’m going to weigh in as heavily as I can and defend the people of my district. That’s my job.”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
