Pataki's Parting Gift
Tap Seabrook For MTA Board Seat

By REUVEN BLAU

Correction Officers' Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook has been appointed to serve on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, a move critics of the Pataki administration labeled just another way the departing Governor was stocking open slots with his political allies as he leaves office.

NORMAN SEABROOK: 'No rubber stamp.'

Mr. Seabrook, however, defended the appointment, citing his law-enforcement and labor knowledge. "I bring security experience and I bring negotiating skills to the table," he said during a Dec. 14 phone interview. "I have a unique perspective of what's fair and equitable for unions. The unions can have a voice and know that there is someone on their side as well."

Predecessor Shifted

He replaces James H. Harding Jr., who resigned from the board and has since been hired by the Pataki administration to serve as the MTA Bus Company Vice President for Intergovernmental and Community Relations.

The 23-member board still has two vacancies, one that is designated to be filled by the Putnam County Executive and the other selected for the United Transportation Union. The four-year positions are unpaid.

Mr. Seabrook said he was honored to be considered for the post by Mr. Pataki, whom he endorsed in each of his two re-election runs. "I am very grateful to be confirmed by the State Senate," the union president added. "I will work diligently with everybody to ensure the people who ride the mass transit system get a fair and equal shake."

He said that he doesn't plan to be "combative," but stressed that he wasn't going to rubber-stamp decisions made by the MTA Chairman or others on the board. "I am not just going to side with someone because of our personal relationships," he remarked.

Kalikow Leaving

Earlier this month, MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow announced that he'll likely step down from his post in the second quarter of 2007, after overseeing the start of two subway expansion projects on Manhattan's East Side.

Transport Workers' Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint has said that Mr. Kalikow's acceptance of another term is "entirely improper and insulting" given that a new administration will be taking over soon.

Mr. Pataki has taken heat from state Democrats and good government groups for his decision to appoint many of his political allies to judgeships on the Court of Claims, positions which pay $136,700 a year. Those appointments include: Lieut. Gov. Mary Donohue, Gina Lopez Summa (the daughter of Assemblyman Vito Lopez), Daniel Conviser (a close friend of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver), Henry Zwack (a close ally of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno), and Richard Platkin.

As for Mr. Seabrook, the correction union president said that he spoke with Mr. Toussaint shortly after he was confirmed. "I have a very good relationship with Roger," Mr. Seabrook said. "Don't forget we housed him not long ago."