Captain's Choice. Assemblymember Clarence Normanís endorsement of William Thompson, Jr. for comptroller adds a new and possibly divisive dimension to a citywide race that features two prominent Brooklynites.

Norman, the county boss, endorsed Thompson over Councilmember Herbert Berman, who is a member of the county party's executive board. Thompson is the president of the Board of Education. "I've already told Herb Berman in deference to his candidacy that it will be captain's choice," said Norman, who stated that the county will remain neutral and the heads of individual clubs will be permitted to choose their own candidates. "(Thompson and Berman) are both Brooklyn's favorite sons and I think that's fair."

"It's his prerogative," said Berman. "As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't make a hill of beans of difference to me and my candidacy."

Now that Norman has chosen a candidate, the natural question is whether the county can really remain neutral. Jeff Feldman, executive director of the county party, did not return a call seeking comment. In the past, Feldman has stated that the county absolutely would not take sides.

If they do remain neutral, said one source, "Then youíve got to consider it a victory for Berman." But even if the county is behind Thompson, said another source, it may not have much effect. The source questioned the county's ability to deliver a truly significant vote and added that Berman would be backed by a number of district leaders, club heads and elected officials, especially in southern Brooklyn.

Norman's endorsement certainly strains relations between the county and the Thomas Jefferson Democrats, Berman's political club. And it also raises the possibility that captain's choice could be more divisive than anything, a notion that Berman refuted, saying that the controller's race doesnít have enough impact to really split the borough.

There had been whispers that Norman was leaning toward endorsing Thompson, a 25-year friend. But because both Berman and Thompson are known and respected by political leaders throughout Brooklyn, Norman's choice of one over the other was something of a surprise, especially because the county will have to be neutral even though its leader has publicly chosen sides.

Berman said that his networking will continue just as before. "I'm meeting with everyone," he said. "I'm not taking anything for granted."

Round Two. Barry Ford, a corporate attorney who lost a relatively close primary to Rep. Ed Towns in 1998, will try again in 2000. Towns won the 1998 race with 52 percent of the vote, a low figure for an incumbent, especially one of seven terms. Ford took 36 percent of the vote.Towns has blamed the low figure on the fact that he was busy helping his son, Assemblymember Darryl Towns, who was facing a strong primary challenge from Councilmember Martin Malave-Dilan.

Ford, of course, does not see things that way. "I think it's ridiculous, largely because (Towns) raised $700,000 for his campaign. He told political leaders in Brooklyn that he couldnít focus his energies on bringing an empowerment zone to Brooklyn because he had to focus on his reelection. He said to anyone that would listen that they should try to get me out of the race because it was hampering his ability to bring in an empowerment zone."

"That's ludicrous, said Karen Johnson, Towns' chief of staff. "The empowerment zone has nothing to do with that." Johnson explained that the area simply did not meet certain criteria, and that it was therefore designated as a strategic planning community, which entitles it to $9 million in city, state and federal funds.

Ford, however, continued to poke at Townís record. ìWe actually need real representation in the 10th District,î he said. "We need someone whoís going to carry forth a progressive agenda in Washington and Towns hasn't done it. In 16 years, thereís not one substantial accomplishment you can tie with him."

Ford added that he lost the race, quite simply, because he ran out of money, a mistake he said will not be repeated. "By the end of the year we will have a substantial filing to show our seriousness," he said.

Johnson took exception to Ford's characterization of Towns' record, stating that Towns, among other things, recently played a role in forcing the state to examine the underground boring option for the reconstruction of the Gowanus Expressway. He was also one of the original incorporators of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation. "Ford doesn't have a record of any kind of achievement or demonstrated public service upon which he could reveal his performance," she added. "He's a corporate lawyer who intends to raise money from major contributors in order to run for Congress. The only thing he ran on last time was attacking the congressman's record rather than coming forward with very good, sizable ideas."

While he has never held elected office, Ford stated that he is now working with a variety of community groups, such as the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Corporation, Advocates for Children and the Clinton Hill Society. "I do those things because I care about the issues but also because it deepens the connection with the people I want to represent," Ford said. "He attends lots of meetings and social functions but thatís because he wants to be seen before his campaign," said Johnson.

In any case, the race between Ford and Towns will spice up a primary slate that may also include a contest between Councilmember Una Clark and Rep. Major Owens, two long-time allies whose head-butting is sure to set off sparks.

Next In Line. One source said that Marsha Rapaport is a lock for the City Council seat that will soon be vacated by Howard Lasher, who is term-limited. Rapaport is the district leader in the 46th A.D. and a representative for State Senator Seymour Lachman. She also worked for Sam Horwitz, who held the council seat for 20 years before Lasher.

Other people who have been mentioned as candidates include Pat Singer, of the Brighton Neighborhood Association, Elliot Kramer of Community Board 13, and Brian Gotlieb, deputy chief of staff for Rep. Anthony Weiner and a member of School Board 21. "I don't think anybody is going to beat Marsha," said the source. "I don't think anybody is going to come close. She's made too many friends over the last 25 years."

Of course, stranger things have happened. That's why they hold the elections.

Borough Politics Archive
November 11 column.
November 4 column.