The Crazy World of Politics, by George Fiala

Menchaca loses leadership spot

Our cover story and editorial last issue was about the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and how Carlos Menchaca stood in the way of the Economic Development Corporation’s “fully cooked” (as he described it) scheme for it.

Menchaca used the power of his office to slow the process down in order for the Sunset Park community to have some say in the future use of that piece of public waterfront property.

We applauded his action, and still do. However, in holding up EDC, it was speculated that he earned the wrath of Mayor de Blasio, for whom EDC works for.
Following Menchaca’s move, a series of events made us believe that vested interests were conspiring against him. First, he was absent at the roll-out of the Municipal ID program, of which he was a co-sponser. Next, he was a no-show at the Mayor’s State-of-the-City speech. Finally, he was stripped of his co-chairmanship of the Brooklyn delegation of the Council.

A whole host of other reasons were given for taking away this leadership position for the freshman councilman. He was accused of not doing a good job – not calling enough meetings, possibly causing Brooklyn representatives to lose out on certain council appointments to city agencies.

However, as Menchaca’s mentor, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez pointed out, the Brooklyn council members did not boot his co-chair, Diane Mealy, only Carlos. Mealy has been in the council since 2006, Menchaca since 2014. One might think that Mealy would be even more responsible for not running the delation properly. Mealy ought to have shown Menchaca the ropes, so to say.We were pointed to the above tweet at presstime. A little investigation gave us some new facts.
The Port Authority held a public hearing on the Feb. 3 at Borough Hall to discuss their Cross Harbor tunnel/barge plan that would reinvigorate the freight train system that starts at 65th Street in Bay Ridge, and would bring freight by rail through Brooklyn and Queens to Long Island.

The purpose of this is to reduce truck traffic in the area. Menchaca gave testimony at the hearing that was somewhat negative, which surprised us.
It turns out that the districts surrounding the train tracks were upset at this plan, worrying about increased trains clogging up their ears and eyes with pollution and smoke. These districts include Bensonhurst, Midwood and Borough Park.

Evidently, Menchaca had a session with Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who represents Borough Park, making him aware of their concerns.

However, their has been a long-running feud between Hikind and Councilmember David Greenfield, who represents these communities in the City Council. Hikind has been allied with the anti Vito Lopez forces, and support Ken Thompson for District Attorney.

Greenfield has had ties with Lopez in the past, and supported Charles Hynes.

It was Greenfield, according to one news article, that instigated the coup that ousted Menchaca from his leadership role. In the end it was politics that pushed him aside, evidently.

Ortiz gains leadership spot

Lost in all this news was the fact that long term Assemblyman Felix Ortiz was given a new honor – Assistant  Speaker.

We kind of knew something was up. Ortiz attended Jo Anne Simon’s inauguration. Sheldon Silver was still holding on to his leadership spot that Sunday. The next day he was ousted. Ortiz rushed off to the Bronx after Simon’s inauguration ceremony. Which puzzled us until the next day, when Silver was stripped of the Speaker’s role, and rumors abounded that Carl Heastie of the Bronx would be named the next Speaker.

Felix’s name did not crop up in any of the news reports, but after all was said and done, he walked off with his new honor. Evidently, Ortiz did a lot of politicking in Heastie’s behalf.

The Star-Revue congratulates our Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.