FOR THE RECORD

Slightly more than a month into his term, Governor Spitzer has already displayed more personality and straightforwardness than George Pataki did during 12 years in office.

Not surprisingly, his assertive style doesn't delight everyone whose path the Governor crosses. It's clear, however, that it will be difficult not to notice him for extended periods, as was sometimes the case with his predecessor.

During his Jan. 31 budget press conference, Mr. Spitzer delighted union officials with his response to a reporter's question focusing on plans to add more than 2,500 state workers in agencies including the state Department of Transportation (411 new workers) and Department of Environmental Conservation (109 additional budget lines). The reporter asked why state staff was growing when Mr. Spitzer was preaching greater government efficiency.

The Governor replied, "There are very targeted increases. We are going to gain efficiency by bringing back into DOT some of the design work that frankly it has been proven by a fair number of audits is done more efficiently at less cost in-house, and at DEC, where we need enforcement. These are the sorts of very smart hires that we will bring into the work force so that we will get better performance and better use of the tax dollars."

While his words and actions in those areas thrilled labor leaders like Ken Brynien of the Public Employees' Federation, Mr. Spitzer also managed to ruffle the feathers of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno by telling his fellow Republican, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, not to cross him because he was a "steamroller," according to the Jan. 30 New York Post.

Mr. Bruno recounted a tale about bringing an actual steamroller up to his farm to flatten out fields that had been trampled a bit by his horses.

"I took the steamroller down this little incline and turned it around, and I couldn't get it back up," Mr. Bruno told reporters. "And guess what? When the going gets a little bit tough, a steamroller spins. It doesn't advance."

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Being a New York City Firefighter still carries enough cachet that the FDNY has so far been able to avoid the recruitment problems that plague the NYPD - even though both agencies offer the low starting pay of $25,100.

But with cost of living skyrocketing in the five boroughs and beyond, including the six contiguous counties where firefighters are also authorized to live, some hopeful and even longtime FDNY members have noticed that starting and maximum salaries in cities like Yonkers and White Plains are way up.

According to a notice of examination on the City of White Plains's Web site, those who join that Fire Department can expect to come on the job at $48,982 and go up to $76,836 after seven years' service.

Add to that the fringe benefits there of being able to watch steamy cable shows in White Plains firehouses and march with green berets on St. Patrick's Day, and the FDNY may find itself struggling not just with recruitment, but also retention, much like the NYPD.

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District Council 37's Black History Committee will feature a Family Day Feb. 10 with a college fair and activities for younger children at the union's headquarters, 125 Barclay St.

The event, which begins at 10 a.m., is a continuation of the union's Black History Month celebration, which is dedicated to Sherwyn A. Britton, a co-founder of the panel 26 years ago who died last August at age 59.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts noted that in the past "you could count on seeing her in the lobby of union headquarters every night welcoming members and their families during the month of celebrations."

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The NYPD Emerald Society will hold its 54th annual dinner-dance Feb. 23 at Leonard's of Great Neck, with Bob Ganley, the vice president of the Sergeants' Benevolent Association, to be honored as Irishman of the Year.

Tickets are $80 per person and can be obtained by calling the NYPD Emeralds' first vice president, Tim Bergin, at (718) 478-7012.