Secession surprise in Senate debate

Dormant idea to separate from NYC is revived in Lanza-Helbock debate

Friday, September 08, 2006

By ROB HART

ADVANCE ALBANY BUREAU

City Councilman Andrew Lanza raised the specter of secession during his GOP primary debate with Robert Helbock last night, saying he would support a "resurrection" of the movement spearheaded in the past by retiring state Sen. John Marchi, the man they're seeking to replace.

It was probably the most unanticipated response during the showdown sponsored by the Advance in front of about 400 people at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, in anticipation of Tuesday's primary.

"I think the best way to secure our future is to put Staten Islanders firmly in control of their own destiny, so I think it's a conversation that needs to be had, absolutely," said Lanza (R-South Shore).

Helbock, a top aide to Marchi (R-Staten Island) for the last 17 years, didn't take the issue as far, but he allowed that borough residents "may want to hear" about the prospect of secession.

Marchi first put forward the proposal to slice the Island from the other four boroughs, creating an independent city here, after years of neglect on the part of City Hall. The measure was blocked in Albany in 1995.

While the last two mayoral administrations have looked kindly on the Island, Lanza said it's unclear what the future holds.

The secession issue was one of myriad topics in the debate, televised by Time Warner Cable, in which the candidates were quizzed by Tom Wrobleski, Advance political editor; Stevie Lacy-Pendleton, Advance deputy Editorial Page editor, and Anthony Pascale, a NY1 news reporter. The forum was moderated by Advance Managing Editor William Huus.

WHERE THEY AGREE

Lanza and Helbock remained in GOP lockstep on most issues -- opposing gay marriage, pledging to stay tough on crime and promoting fiscal responsibility.

The issue of the death penalty occasioned their one major ideological difference of last night. Lanza, who is also the Independence Party candidate, supported reinstating it, while Helbock, the Conservative nominee, said it should apply only to terrorists and cop-killers.

The major barbs were saved for the campaign trail. Their race has been characterized as a mud-slinging battle waged through nasty campaign mailings, but while the debate grew tense at times, it never veered into hostile territory.

Lanza did jump on Helbock for a bill he drafted for Marchi to secure $250 million for transportation improvements, allowing tax revenue from developments like the proposed NASCAR track to boost that fund. The plan is partly inspired by a failed bill pushed by International Speedway Corp., the company seeking to build the track, to bond tax revenue for road improvements.

"Albany has to be a partner in respect to solving the [traffic] problem with no NASCAR strings attached," said Lanza. Helbock countered that he simply took NASCAR's idea and ran with it, and wrote the bill with no input from racetrack lobbyists.

POLITICAL INTRIGUE

Helbock also took a shot at Lanza for missing 72 of 153 Council committee meetings in 2005. Lanza said he missed the meetings because he was taking part in the Standards and Ethics sex-harassment investigation of a fellow councilman.

When Helbock noted that the absences continued after the investigation, Lanza said it was due to a backlog of obligations that accrued during the hearing.

Amid the back and forth, there was plenty of political intrigue to go around, solidifying the perception that, at least among the borough's Republicans, lines are being drawn in the sand.

Lanza alleged that Helbock's campaign is being driven by Borough President James Molinaro's well-known dislike of Lanza. Molinaro, a Conservative, who watched from the front of the room, has backed Helbock.

"I'm not driven by any one person other than me," said Helbock.

Countered Lanza: "I don't think that passes the straight-face test."

Lanza complained later on that Helbock hasn't divulged $20,000 worth of campaign contributions under $100, which is allowed by law, prompting the councilman to ask, "What are you hiding, Bob?"

Helbock said some of his supporters may fear retribution if they're named.

The Island's Republican Party -- including Rep. Vito Fossella, its premier elected official, who watched from the back of the hall during the debate -- is supporting Lanza.

"They're concerned about retribution from other individuals, if they support another candidate that something may be held against them," said Helbock.

After the dust settled, state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn), who is supporting the Democratic nominee, attorney Matthew Titone, said it was unlikely the forum would have a major impact on the race.

"On the big issues they agree, so now it comes down to a popularity contest, which is what primary contests are generally about," she said.

Rob Hart covers state government for the Advance. He may be reached at rhart@siadvance.com.

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