Mayor-elect Shayne Gallo has gone mum over the holidays, but then he wasn’t exactly Conservative Party candidate Rich Cahill Jr. during the campaign. Of particular interest is whom he names as corporation counsel, now that Mary Lou Christiana has announced her departure. Gallo, a lawyer, has said he’ll conduct city contract negotiations next year. Will Gallo the lawyer act as his own corporation counsel as well? Substantial savings in salaries notwithstanding, let’s hope he doesn’t have a fool for a client.
Memo to failed Second Ward aldermanic candidate Seth Allen: We get that it’s a Pike Plan protest, but please take down all those “Elect Seth Allen window signs” in the Stockade District.
And finally, best wishes to outgoing economic development official Steve Finkle, leaving city service after 15 years. Finkle, who battled some serious health issues during his tenure, was always available to reporters for details on the numerous projects under his control. He suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune better than he played golf.
A popular piñata for aldermen at budget time, Finkle saw the handwriting on the wall. His overseeing of difficult projects, from reconstruction of city hall (1998-2000) to restoration of the Pike Plan this year, is, as they say, a matter of record. Less apparent may have been his talent for prying grant money out of state and federal authorities, an average of $2 million a year. Some of that has slowed down in recent years, but what hasn’t?
I doubt if the city has seen the last of Steve Finkle, however. With his numerous contacts, he should have a successful new career as grantsman-consultant.
