Winners & Losers 3/18/16

Sometimes you don’t even know you’re a winner. A story spread this week that Sicilian mafiosos planned to kill Mario Cuomo on the Gov’s trip to Italy in 1992, but called it off after being scared by his security team. Now that’s a win! Other times, it’s more obvious, like when your team sneaks into the Big Dance on reputation alone after turning in a dud basketball season. As for the rest of this week’s Winners & Losers, we’ll let you decide.

WINNERS

Susan Lerner – Chalk up another victory to fans of ethical government this year, as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s advocacy group, Campaign for One New York, shuttered after two years of controversy and scrutiny, mainly from Lerner’s Common Cause New York, for its donors and spending. While de Blasio says it was closed so his fundraising could focus on his 2017 re-election campaign, his press team will be happy to be done with the constant pressure of Lerner and her compatriots on the matter.  

Terry MacRae – All aboard the Jolly Roger! Well, it might not a pirate ship, but Terry MacRae’s Hornblower Cruises ferries will soon be ruling the high seas of the East River and New York Harbor after winning the bid to operate the city’s upcoming five-borough ferry service. And just like any good pirate, the San Francisco-based Hornblower isn’t taking any prisoners – New York Water Taxi will probably close because of the deal.

Lawrence Quinn – True Irish pride! Former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s dad Larry penned a moving op-ed about finally being able to march up Fifth Avenue with his daughter in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s march – the first that allowed multiple LGBT groups to march openly – had a lot of new guests, like Mayor Bill de Blasio, who marched after skipping for years in protest. But it was the 89 year-old Quinn who made our Irish eyes smile and inspired his daughter’s hashtag: #LQwillmarch!

Sean Ryan – The Buffalo assemblyman has quickly become the Democratic frontrunner to replace Marc Panepinto in the state Senate’s 60th District this fall after the incumbent suddenly ended his re-election bid this week. Ryan had Democratic circles in Albany and Buffalo buzzing soon after the fallout, and while he has only said he is considering taking on the challenge at this point, the talk around his possible run alone has elevated his statewide profile. Even if he passes, a great St. Patrick’s Day indeed it has been for the Buffalo Irishman. Sláinte!

Lovely Warren – While Gov. Andrew Cuomo was the one who got to hold a big, flashy press conference (and reunite with his pal Bob Duffy) to announce more than 850 jobs from two new photonics companies moving to the area, the Rochester mayor and her constituents will be the ones to benefit from the two new manufacturing plants. Hopefully these companies fare better than SolarCity.

LOSERS

Carmen Fariña – New York City’s Renewal schools, a program aimed at turning around struggling schools, might need a turnaround program of its own. Violence at the schools is spiking. State Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch is continuing to voice her doubts about its effectiveness. Whether or not the criticism is warranted, it's looking like Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña “needs improvement.”

Liz Krueger, Daniel Squadron and Brian Kavanagh - Good government lawmakers and advocates were dealt a blow this week when a judge dismissed a lawsuit against the state Board of Elections, which would have closed the LLC loophole. Ironic timing, considering it’s Sunshine Week in Albany.

Shola Olatoye – U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s office is investigating whether NYCHA filed false payment claims and is probing their environmental and safety conditions, including elevated blood lead levels. Regardless of the outcome, NYCHA Chairwoman Shola Olatoye shouldn’t expect an easy out. Bharara is known for his prosecutorial crusades, and the authority is already dealing with a court-appointed special master on mold issues.

Marc Panepinto – Beware the Ides of March! The Shakespearean soothsayer’s warning proved fateful for the sitting Democratic state senator, as, amid a cloud of salacious rumors, he announced this week that he would not seek re-election. Only two years ago he won the unpredictable district from Republican Mark Grisanti in a wild four-way battle. Now the seat will again play a pivotal role in the balance of the Senate.

Tom Prendergast – After opening just seven months ago, the Hudson Yards subway station is already in full bloom - fungal bloom, that is. Design flaws have led to a number of leaks, which have required the MTA to shut down two of the five escalators and close the bathrooms. So, the station doesn’t appear to be what MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast had in mind when he said the No. 7 train extension “instantly creates an accessible new neighborhood.” Maybe they just needed to delay opening it another year or two.