New York City Board of Elections
A Quiet Confirmation Tied to a Loud Controversy
Phil Foglia, a lawyer in the Bronx is up for a Republican commissioner slot on the Board of Elections.
If he passes a background check, the City Council would have to vote to confirm him. And normally, confirmation of someone in decently good standing is a breeze.
Here’s the catch. Foglia works at a law firm that is currently defending police officer Michael Oliver, who fired 31 of the shots that killed Sean Bell.
Foglia, for what it's worth, doesn't seem concerned that his appointment process will attract undue attention.
“I wouldn’t think so,” Foglia told me just now. “I don’t know why it would. One has nothing to do with the other.”
Added bonus: Foglia lost a City Council race against Jimmy Vacca. read more »
More Weirdness in Brooklyn: Wellington Sharpe Back on Ballot
A federal judge has just ordered Wellington Sharpe back on the ballot for the April 24th special City Council election in Brooklyn's 40th district, sources tell me.
Sharpe had been removed because he failed to collect enough valid signatures on his petitions. By my count, that makes a total of three candidates who will not be running for this office. For the second time in about two months.
Another candidate seeking to get back on the ballot, Maria Gina Faustin, remains off the ballot. For now.
UPDATE: A Board of Elections spokeswoman said the printing costs for the new ballot is between $45,000 to $50,000.
Events for June 20, 2006
The NYC Board of Elections will discuss its compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act and demonstrate the Avante VoteTrakker ballot marking device for disabled voters at BOE headquarters.
In the evening, Kevin Powell hosts a fundraiser for his congressional run.
—Nicole Brydson
