December 16, 2005
NYWatch: THREE EASY PIECES
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SANDERS: Stepping down |
It's in the press: Steve Sanders (D-Manhattan), who for 28 years has held one of the most powerful seats in the New York State Assembly (in part by chairing the Education Committee for 11 years), has announced he will step down at year's end. His departure leaves a major power vacuum in the Assembly, leaving HW advocacy staffers to wonder last week whether departing New York City Councilwoman Margarita Lopez, who both represents and has long resided in the city's Lower East Side, might vie for the seat, which represents the district. "The neighborhood is highly impacted by HIV/AIDS," noted HW's Charles King, "yet Sanders never lifted a damn finger on AIDS. And you can quote me on that."
Will Lopez stop licking her wounds from her loss in the race for Manhattan Borough President—and do us a favor by running? At press time, her office hadn't returned calls. Maybe we'll have an answer for you next week.
GOODBYE, MARK
Mark Kissinger, senior deputy secretary for health and human services to Governor George Pataki, is leaving government to become head of the Home Care Association of New York State.
Kissinger has served as Pataki's top health and welfare aide for the last 18 months, and has become known over the past decade of his government service for his concern and compassion for poor, homeless and disabled New Yorkers. Unlike many top officials, Kissinger always held a particular concern for the poorest of the poor, including those struggling with multiple disabilities and diagnoses.
Housing Works clients and staff have appreciated the time and consideration they've received from Kissinger. His large and small efforts to help impoverished New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS have made a real difference. We wish him success in his new position.
SORRY, READERS
In our coverage last week of opposition to Harlem United's plans for an AIDS day-treatment center on East Harlem's 116th St. business strip, we reported that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) opposed the center before we received confirmation from the congressman's office of that fact. This week, Jim Capel, chief of staff in Rangel's district office in Harlem, got back to us to clarify that the congressman had earlier urged HU to find another location and still "would prefer that not be the site."
Capel said he thought that East Harlem businessowners opposed the site for the same reason that white folks haven't wanted black folks moving into their neighborhoods: "They think their property values are going to go down. I think they're wrong," he added, "but that's not what they believe."