Winners & Losers 2/12/16

Two of the biggest winners this week were U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, who dominated the New Hampshire primaries. But Sanders, who left New York decades ago, only sounds like he still lives here. And the Donald ... well, he's more of a national figure, despite his "New York values." So read on to see who made our list! 

WINNERS

Preet Bharara – The “Sheriff of Albany” actually traveled to the state capital this week to speak at the New York Conference of Mayors’ winter conference and a live interview hosted by WAMC. Not only did the federal prosecutors get to take a victory lap after the successful convictions of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, but he mixed business with pleasure and got to see Bruce Springsteen live at the Times Union Center. Was he born to run?

Michael Bloomberg – Sanders and Trump weren’t the only New Yorkers happy about the primary results in New Hampshire. Confirming this week for the first time that he is considering an independent presidential run, “El Bloombito” could have a realistic path to the presidency now with much of the political establishment and many ordinary voters in both parties unhappy with their options. Get ready to hide those extra large soda cans, America, because Bloomberg’s coming for you!

Alice Cancel – Cancel may not have won over her boss, Comptroller Scott Stringer, who endorsed another candidate in the race to replace Sheldon Silver, but she appeared to connect well with – and benefit from – the convicted pol’s remaining power base. Cancel emerged as the party’s pick thanks to the support of Silver’s wife, his former chief of staff and others in the Manhattan Democratic County Committee vote. Cancel will have to face Yuh-Line Niou, who received Stringer’s endorsement and the WFP line, as well as GOP businessman Lester Chang.

Michael Garcia – As Janet DiFiore was being sworn in as the state’s new Court of Appeals chief judge, former U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia was confirmed to the state Court of Appeals by the state Senate. Although he faced a few tough questions from state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., Garcia was unanimously backed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, making him the first Republican that Andrew Cuomo has nominated to the bench.

Johnson Lau - The Athenex CEO announced some big news this week as Cuomo joined him in Dunkirk to formally detail plans for a  $200 million drug manufacturing facility, to be paid for by the state. The company, headquartered on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, will produce cancer-fighting drugs in the economically distressed Chautauqua County town. With the state-owned facility up and running, officials say another 1,400 jobs will be added to the local economy. When looking to expand, it never hurts to have the state backing your operation.

LOSERS

David Borge – New Yorkers have known about water contamination in Hoosick Falls for two months now. But newly released emails show that officials – including Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borges – knew about the issue for 18 months and discussed it in closed-door meetings. Sure, environmental quality standards can be confusing. But when it comes to drinking water, it’s best to govern out in the open.

MaryEllen Elia – It seems like every time she turns around the state ed commissioner has a new headache in her home turf. The Western New York native has drawn the ire of the Buffalo Teachers Federation by granting newly-installed Superintendent Kriner Cash the power to circumvent the union’s contract at 20 district schools considered in receivership due to longstanding academic performance issues. The union has filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court contending that Elia’s actions constitute a violation of their long-expired contract with the district, another setback as they work toward a new agreement. We have to imagine that when Elia sees a 716 area code these days, she’s tempted to just let it go to voice mail.

Greg Galasso – The crane that collapsed and killed a man in downtown Manhattan Friday was operated by Galasso’s Bay Crane company. Even worse, the Post reported that Bay Crane had two serious accidents last year, and several victims described why they are fearful of the firm.

Leo Denault – Denault’s Entergy Corp. continues to break the one rule when it comes to keeping Indian Point from getting shut down – no accidents. This week, levels of radioactive tritium-contaminated water that leaked into the groundwater at the Entergy-owned nuclear facility have increased by 80 percent since last week’s initial report. That just gives Cuomo even more ammunition in his fight to shut down the facility, even if the levels aren’t a danger to the public yet.

James Sanders – The southeast Queens state senator has been dogged by rumors of corruption for years. It hasn’t slowed him down much  – maybe because his opponent in the congressional race has also been investigated  – but new rumors are never good and a couple with a nonprofit in Far Rockaway have filed a complaint with Preet’s office over an alleged bribe proposed by Sanders.  Time to remind your staff: no baby-mama drama or white powder issues!