Antonia Novello

After a hiatus, we once again wade into the very uncomfortable waters of metzitah b'feh, the controversial circumcision ritual in which the practitioner, or mohel, sucks the blood from the circumcision to clean the wound. The practice has resulted in the death of at least one child from herpes.

A blog called The Canonist has acquired a letter sent by the city's Health Commissioner, Thomas Frieden, to his counterpart on the state level, Antonia Novello, criticizing the state's protocol to prevent the transmission of herpes from mohels to infants.

Frieden, who has circulated advisories in Yiddish warning of the dangers of the practice, notes in the letter that the state's protocol "does not mention any role for local health officers" and makes clear that his department "does not intend to cede its authority to investigate disease incidence occurring in New York City and to intervene when appropriate."

It's worth noting that back in January, the Central Rabbinical Council asked Frieden to do just that - cede his authority to the state health department, which they assumed would be less aggressive on the issue. The city's criticism of the practice grew into a full out campaign issue in some Orthodox sections of Brooklyn, where some Satmar members bristled at City Hall's interference in what they considered a religious rite (and right). Before Bloomberg's reelection there was even talk of a deal, in which the city would decrease their pressure in exchange for political support.

But according to the letter, Frieden hasn't backed down and is still on the case. He takes issue with language in the state's protocol that suggests that a community could by justified in not cooperating with an investigation into an alleged transmission of the disease. "There is absolutely no justification for not cooperating in an investigation surrounding a potentially life-threatening illness in an infant."

Perhaps the most troubling element of the letter, however, is what Frieden calls his "fourth fundamental concern" with the protocol:

"That the children of parents for whom metzitzah b'peh is not considered religiously necessary may undergo this procedure without the knowledge and/or request of both parents."

- Jason Horowitz

Laura Bush will speak at the United Nations General Assembly meeting on HIV/AIDS.

Health Commissioner Antonia Novello gives the Bronx Community College commencement speech.

Marty Markowitz kicks off National Caribbean-American Heritage Month at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

David Paterson gives the Borough of Manhattan Community College commencement speech at Madison Square Garden.

Jesse Hamilton will announce his candidacy for the 43rd State Assembly District at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Eliot Spitzer meets local supporters at the City Limits Diner in White Plains before traveling to Long Island to deliver remarks on the environment at Cold Spring Harbor State Park. He will then greet supporters and board a city-bound Long Island Rail Road train at the Mineola Station.

—Nicole Brydson

Even as the tally of Antonia Novello's grassroots supporters seems to have risen to at least one person, the State GOP seems is resigning itself to the candidacy of John Spencer. The conservative Yonkers Mayor -- dissed first for Jeanine Pirro and then, it seemed for a moment, for Ed Cox -- is now the only person seeking the Republican nomination, giving him a pretty good chance of getting it.

Albany Republicans, meanwhile, are apparently warming to Spencer. State Party executive director Ryan Moses tells The Politicker:  read more »

"John Spencer was a great Mayor of Yonkers with a real record of accomplishment. The Republican party would be well served if he was our nominee for the United States Senate."

On Jan.  read more »