Staten Island Politics: North Shore City Council Race

I know, it’s been a while.  I’ve been very busy since my last post.

With the results of the November election came a new Congressman from Staten Island, former North Shore City Councilman Mike McMahon (D), who takes over the seat vacated by Vito Fossella (R).  This vacates the seat for the 49th district, leading to a special election to be held on February 24th, 2008.

Personally, I am not in the 49th district, but Staten Islanders of all locations are effected by whomever gets elected.  The front runner is the Congressman Elects former Chief of Staff Ken Mitchell, and it seems you can’t shake a stick without hitting one of his competitors.  Those who have already filed enough signatures to ensure a spot on the ballot are Mr. Mitchell, former NYS Assembly candidate John Tabacco, and the Reverend Dr. Tony Baker.  Those who have yet to file include former NYPD captain Paul Saryian, former Borough Commissioner of Transportation Tom Curitore, Debi Rose (who originally ran against McMahon), Rajiv Gowda, Donald Pagano, and I might even be leaving people out.

It should be noted that this is a non-partisan election.

All of the candidates are preaching the expected philosophies and talking points.  Mr. Mitchell has received the most endorsements, including one from Mr. McMahon.  My problem with Ken Mitchell is that I have never heard him speak.  Whenever he attends events, most notably for me a protest against the closing of a fire house, he does not speak.  Instead, Congressman elect McMahon gives him a shout out.  No one should want to see anyone be elected if he can’t even be willing to show support for something as essential as a fire house.

There is one candidate who, to me, stands out among the rest, and that is Capt. Saryian.  He is committed to fighting the increase in homicide and rape on the North Shore, and has experience doing that.  He will fight for both a public hospital AND another police precinct, both of which are sorely needed.  His experience fighting and reducing crime rates as a captain makes him the best choice not just for the North Shore, but all of Staten Island.  Capt. Saryian also understands the necessity in keeping the Island’s firehouses open.

Isn’t that what we always hope for?  Someone who will fight for us, and get us the things we need?  Is there anything that we need more than more police, doctors, and fire fighters?  Instead of giving Staten Island a needed precinct, the NYPD has a trailer on Richmond Ave.  That is the way we treat NY’s finest?

Adding a precinct, building a public hospital, and keeping open the Islands firehouses is not something that will just benefit the North Shore, but Staten Island as a whole.

While everyone else is your business as usual politician, Capt. Saryian brings a strong desire to truly make a difference for the better on Staten Island.

The criticism against him is that he isn’t experienced enough to be involved in politics.  Let me say this to everyone that will listen – when it comes to being able to vote on an issue, you gain experience quickly.  You learn to listen to both sides of an issue and make the best educated judgment.  If you don’t think an NYPD Captain has had to weigh different options and take control of a situation based on his best assumption, then I do not believe you know enough about the NYPD.

If this is the best criticism you can come up with against him, then so be it.  I’d take a candidate like that anyday.