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First Spitzer Transition Team Meeting Set

Socialist Won’t Socialize

10 Questions with Malachy McCourt

GOP Challenger Says Bing Doesn’t Do Enough

Tough Times for Local GOP

Crowley on Malcolm Smith and Gay Marriage

Paterson on Malcolm Smith and Democratic Strategy

Krueger Faces a Challenge


News

Political Transitions for Transit Workers

The Money Trail: Loose Laws for Leftovers

A Cabinet Stocked with Imports Instead of Political Curry

For Alternate-Party Candidates, Winning Is Not Everything

Slow Progress for Disabled Voting

City’s Adult Literacy Programs Grapple with Funding Cuts

Though the Competition is Over, the Campaign Continues


Features

The October Poll: Which Council Member Would Have the Best Survival Skills on a Desert Island?

Photos from the City Hall lauch/Rising Stars party

The Hows of Political Activism at the Y

Pastrami and Pickles with Rep. Anthony Weiner


Poll

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Last month's results:
Which Council Member Would Make the Best High School Teacher?
James Oddo 39%

By Edward-Isaac Dovere

Sheldon Silver may be the Assembly speaker, but there are not many people who ever hear his voice.

The man in the trench coat may be an unlikely leader, but as the top statewide Democrat during the 12 years of the Pataki administration, just about everyone agrees that he has developed into one of the most effective. Expanding the post’s official powers and melding them with what everyone agrees is an unparalleled mastery of the state legislative process, Silver is now arguably not only New York’s most powerful speaker ever, but the most powerful speaker in America. More powerful, within his realm, than the speaker of the House is in Washington.

Love him or hate him, he knows how to do his job. That he rarely discusses himself or his work only adds to the aura of control, and he knows that this only makes him more effective.

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Editorial/Op-Ed

Editorial: When the Council Fears Debate

The View from Albany: Rivalries and Détentes as Albany’s Old Guard Meets New Guard by Alan Chartock

Read the Fine Print on Library Funding by City Council Member Vincent Gentile

Observation: At the Empire State Pride Agenda Dinner, Highlights and Pitfalls by Allen Roskoff


Issue Forum:
Big Box Stores

Thomas White

Diane Savino

Sara Gonzalez
Not long after Wal-Mart abandoned its efforts to open a store in Queens, the company began eyeing the southern tip of Staten Island. That plan is generating almost as much controversy, as opponents and proponents argue over community impact, employment opportunities and affordability. Although Wal-Mart has so far been kept outside the five boroughs, other “Big Box” stores have moved in: Ikea, Circuit City, Best Buy, Target and other large-scale retailers are already in or coming soon to many spots throughout the city. In the October issue forum, City Hall asked for views on what Big Box stores mean for the Big Apple.