By Adam Kramer
Yes, City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) is sporting a new dapper look.
The chairman of the City Council’s powerful Finance Committee and a member of a prominent Queens political family, Weprin has replaced his receding hair line with a new full head of hair. The Queens Democrat has also trimmed down his salt-and-pepper beard into a black mustache.
“It is a personal thing,” the 46-year-old Weprin said. “It was a good time to make a change.”
He said people constantly make changes to their appearance and he does not see why altering his look had attracted so much attention in the media.
“There is nothing magical about it,” Weprin said. “People change their looks all of the time. Besides, my wife is very happy with the new look.”
One political operative said she almost did not recognize Weprin the first time she saw him in the Council’s chambers last week.
“But,” she said, “I think he looks really good. It is a bold change in appearance.”
There has been talk that Weprin decided to restyle his pate because he has his eyes set on higher political office. He has been mentioned as one of the top candidates to replace City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan), whose term is due to end two years before Weprin’s second term.
The political operative said she was sure he would like to be city council speaker and thought the new image might have been made to improve his chances.
Weprin does not deny he has political aspirations beyond the Council but insisted he did not get the makeover for that reason. He said he chose to revamp his look during the summer because the budget battles were over and the summer is usually a quieter and slower time in the Council.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
