Commentary: The Influentials

Long Island Business News, Dec 28, 2007

Resi Cooper

Government Relations Consultant

She has her detractors - don't get the whiz kids at ConservativeAction.org started - but there's no refuting Cooper's ability to influence political landscapes. The former chief of Sen. Hillary Clinton's New York office now butters her bread as a private consultant, although critics insist she really hasn't strayed too far from the former First Lady. (Exhibit A: Upon going solo, Cooper aligned herself with Great Neck PR bigwig and renowned Democratic booster Robert Zimmerman.) Love her or hate her, expect Cooper to play a vital role if Hillary wins in 2008.

Dean Skelos

State Senate Majority Leader

He thinks an Island incubator designed exclusively for Hispanic- owned businesses is brilliant. He thinks video-gambling terminals at Belmont Park will catalyze positive changes in surrounding neighborhoods. He thinks sales of hybrid vehicles should be exempt from state sales taxes, and that Islanders pay more than they should to educate the state's children. Whether or not you agree with his positions, here's the skinny on Skelos:

He thinks, often beyond party lines. What more could you ask of a lawmaker?

Richard Schaffer

Suffolk County Democratic Party Chairman

Some say Schaffer gets too much credit for his Party's sudden surge in Suffolk. Simple GOP backlash, they say, courtesy of the stumbling Bush Administration and eons of Republican corruption on eastern LI. Some prefer to credit the leadership of dynamic Democratic D.A. Thomas Spota. But Schaffer's defenders note it was Schaffer who recruited Spota to challenge and ultimately defeat the late James Catterson in 2001; they'll swear the now-familiar ring of Democratic victory echoes directly back to their genial chairman. Bottom line: Suffolk Democrats have never done better, and it's happened on Schaffer's watch.

Helena Williams

President: MTA-Long Island Rail Road

A lawyer in private practice, a labor relations expert in the New York City mayor's office, president of MTA-Long Island Bus, Nassau County deputy executive ... it's been a steady rise for Williams, who accepted her most ambitious challenge yet when she took over the railroad in June. Among her first programs: the LIRR South Fork Initiative, which enhances rail services - reduced fares and special shuttle bus links - in towns and villages affected by the critical reconstruction of County Road 39.

Gary Dellaraba, Jeff Frayler

Presidents: Nassau and Suffolk Patrolmen's Benevolent Associations

Their inclusion here has nothing to do with the political influence of either Dellaraba (Nassau) or Frayler (Suffolk), even though Frayler doubles as president of the New York State Association of PBAs. This is about money: In 2007, the starting salary in the Suffolk Police Department was $57,811, rising nicely to $97,958 after five years; in Nassau, the numbers were lower - $34,000 to start, $91,737 after five years - but still entire tax brackets ahead of the $25,100/$59,588 earned by NYC's finest. Credit Dellaraba and Frayer, who are to LI's men and women in blue what Scott Boras is to MVP sluggers.