By Stephen Witt
Call it one of the plums of political patronage. And in the Kings County Court system, where judgeships have the reputation of being made in the smoky backrooms of political clubs, the job has several contenders jockeying for position. The job is the Kings County Clerk, and it pays $136,000 annually. The position has been open since the death of Wilbur A. Levin last April. Interestingly, the job is also usually a Republican Party appointee since the governor, often a Republican, has a say in the appointment. Those considered on the short list for the job must go before a committee of four judges from the Appellate Division, Second Department, and headed by Republican Justice A. Gail Prudenti, a Pataki appointment. “It’s a political appointment. Everybody is trying to fight for the job,” said one source. “I hear Hy Singer [the County Republican Chair] wants to put in one guy and that [State Senator] Marty Golden wants somebody from the Conservative Party appointed.” The county clerk oversees 127 employees and is responsible for, among other things, judgments, notes of issue, selling of court index numbers, transcripts of judgments, business certificates, notices of appeal, property tax records, and military records. Matthew Kiernan, a top aide for Prudenti, said thus far about 150 people applied for the position and about 10 were interviewed. Among those interviewed were several with strong political ties, including Conservative Party District Leader John D’Emic, who sources say Golden is pushing. D’Emic, of Bay Ridge, is brother of acting justice Matthew J. D’Emic. Others in the hunt include Herbert S. Lupka, the chief deputy clerk in Brooklyn, who has been acting county clerk since Levin’s death. Lupka is a former Democratic district leader and comes through the clubhouse system. Sources say he has been actively courting Singer for the position. Also in the running is Nancy T. Sunshine, the chief clerk for Appellate Team Courts in Brooklyn, and married to acting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Sunshine; and Anne Swerne, counsel to Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. One name on the list who although a Republican is not as politically connected is Linda Caristo, who has been the executive Administrative Assistant to the last three county clerks, including Levin. She is the only candidate who has come through the ranks of first being hired after passing a civil service exam. “The county clerk is the highest [non-attorney] level you can go, but civil service people have never been considered because politics comes into play,” said Caristo. “There has been so much negativity as far as all the judges that have been indicted the last several years all based on politics, so it would be very refreshing for someone to attain the position as county clerk based on merits rather than who you know,” she added. Singer and Hynes both refused comment on the issue and Golden’s office did not return calls at press time. Kiernan said there might be another round of interviews before a new clerk is picked and there is no timetable for when a final decision will be made. The Parks Committee of Community Board 17, in collaboration with Flatbush Gardens and the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, will host the Second Annual “Jazz + Plus in the Park 2005 Concert Series.” “Oldies and Goodies Night” will be held from 6-9 p.m., June 24 at the Ditmas/Rail Road Park, Ditmas Avenue and 91st Street. “Steel Band Gospel Music” will be held from 2-4 p.m., June 26 at the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road at Ralph Avenue. Also among the days’ activities are the Organic Farmer’s Market, as well as demonstration cooking and floral arrangement secrets. The concert series has weaved together a wide cross-section of music: jazz, hip-hop, classical, reggae, steel drums and gospel, in a setting where parents and children, and community groups can participate and enjoy a diverse range of music in beautiful parks and institutions in the midst of their own community. According to Esther Haynes-Tross, chairperson of CB 17’s Parks Committee, “This project continues to be a labor of love for our community.” For more information, call CB 17 at 718-467-3536.
