There’s no doubt that Marty Markowitz calls – sometimes screams — the shots at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
But it’s his chief of staff, Carlo Scissura, who makes sure the borough president’s political machine runs smoothly.
So it should not surprise anyone that Scissura, who earlier this year was tapped by Mayor Bloomberg to sit on the city’s Charter Revision Commission, was named one of the top 20 most influential unelected players or operatives in city government by City Hall News.
Scissura told the publication he’s the “consigliere” to the Brooklyn borough president, and says his job description is simply “everything.”
Markowitz credits him with helping do his dirty work, such as reaching out to communities to gain support for controversial projects like Atlantic Yards.
“If we aren’t able to get everyone to agree all the time, Carlo is at least able to lower the heat,” Markowitz said. “Plus, I value his judgment. He has a great ability to present all sides of an issue.”
The selections are not listed by number, although Bloomberg’s head speechwriter, Frank Barry, is the first profiled and Scissura is the fourteenth.
The City Hall News opted to exclude deputy mayors and commissioners.
While I enjoyed reading the list, I think it fails to show enough love to the outer boroughs.
Scissura isn’t the only Brooklyn resident to crack the list, yet he’s the only person on it who works specifically for Brooklyn residents.
If my two cents is worth, uhm, two cents, then how about throwing in Joe Chan, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership?
Also, how about Lynn Kelly, who heads the Coney Island Development Corp.?
