Larry Seabrook | The New York Observer

More on the Withdrawn Budget Requests

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:37:38 -0400

Among the funding requests cut by the Council from its budget was one for the Bronx African American Chamber of Commerce, which was slated to get $10,000 at the request of City Councilman Larry Seabrook. The organization earned some attention when it came out that they never accounted for the ultimate destination of $994,488 they received last year.

After voting in favor of the budget, Seabrook told me, “I didn’t put it in --...

Quinn: 'I am Not a Target'

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:06:55 -0400

In her clearest remarks to date about the slush fund scandal at the City Council, Christine Quinn told reporters today, “I am not a target of the investigation.”

The remark came during a Q&A with reporters following her announcement that legislation would be passed later today in order to rezone Harlem and create a permanent office of long-term sustainability.

A newspaper reporter began his question to Quinn by saying, “You say that...

Congestion Pricing Passes Committee

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:05:45 -0400

Congestion pricing just passed the City Council Committee on State and Federal Legislation, 6-4. Members who voted in favor included Maria Baez, Melissa Viverito, Larry Seabrook, Joel Rivera, Mike McMahon and Hiram Monserrate. Those opposed included Lew Fidler, Joe Addabbo and Erik Dilan.

It goes to the full council...

Gaming Out the Congestion Pricing Vote

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:17:09 -0400

On March 8, The New York Times published a survey of where some of the City Council's 51 members stood on congestion pricing. At the time, 20 were against, 12 were for, and 19 were either undecided or did not respond to the survey.

More recently, Lew Fidler, an opponent of the measure, estimated that there were 29 members who will vote against it, but he also expressed concern over the pressure Michael Bloomberg has...

Quinn Weighs in on Radio Victory

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:42:46 -0500

Christine Quinn and two City Council members just issued a statement applauding a ruling that they say will prevent undercounting the audience for minority radio stations.

Quinn--whose likely mayoral bid would probably pit her against Bill Thompson--was joined by Larry Seabrook and Inez Dickens last September to express concern over the proposed methods for media monitoring by Arbitron.

From the statement: “We commend the Media Ratings Council’s decision to deny Arbitron accreditation...

Pro-Congestion Pricing Council Committee Will See Bill

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:05:27 -0500

So, how is Christine Quinn—a major supporter of the mayor's congestion pricing—going to get the (so far nonexistent) bill for the plan through the City Council, which has at least 20 members who have signaled they’re only lukewarm to it?

Crain’s Insider notes that the bill has been assigned to the Committee on State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Maria Baez, who supports the measure. Crain’s notes the bill was not assigned to...

Seabrook: N.H. Is 'Over,' Obama Will Win

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:38:21 -0500

I saw City Councilman Larry Seabrook running into City Hall just now, and asked him his predictions on tonight’s primary vote in New Hampshire.

“Predictions? That’s over man. That’s Obama!" said Seabrook, who hasn't endorsed a presidential candidate yet.

A few minutes later Dan Doctoroff strolled in (without a tie!). His predictions?

“I don’t know any more than I read in the newspapers,” he said. ...

Seabrook's Desk

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:20:06 -0400

After I posted Larry Seabrook's "lazy asses" comments earlier, a reader brought to my attention the following fact about the desk Seabrook purchased with his campaign funds:

It was bought from Tri County Office Furniture in Mt. Vernon, costing more than $1,200. (There are two invoices from Tri County -- one for $1,108, and the other for $150.)

I just called Tri County's Mt. Vernon office and asked if they had desks in the...

Seabrook: CFB 'Lazy Asses'

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:40:45 -0400

I spotted Larry Seabrook on his way into a meeting in Christine Quinn’s office with Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and some education officals just now.

Before he went in, I asked him about that fine he received from the Campaign Finance Board for allegedly buying furniture the day before the election with matching funds from the city.

Here’s what he told me:

“We...

Today's Arguments Over City Campaign Finance Rules

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:02:30 -0400

That’s what it looked like when the executive director of the city Campaign Finance Board testified to the City Council about the proposed changes that would boost matching funds, increase reporting requirements and restrict who can give to city candidates.

Inez Dickens asked if any of the people from the CFB had run for office, been a campaign treasurer, or had raised funds for one. No, they all said,...

Bloomberg on the Seabrook Exception

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:40:02 -0400

Here's a clip from yesterday's press conference, where Christine Quinn
and Michael Bloomberg declared that public matching funds for campaigns shouldn't
go to candidates that don't have competitive elections.

Despite the fact that he has always been a self-financed candidate, it's an issue with which Bloomberg is familiar.

Two years ago, he was dragged into a City Council race in the Bronx when eventual winner Larry Seabrook asked for matching funds based on...

Seabrook Speaks: Attendance, Matching Funds

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:52:57 -0400

Shortly after he was singled out for having one of the lowest attendance rates in the City Council, I happened to catch Larry Seabrook on his way to the National Action Network dinner at the Sheraton last night. Above, he's joined by Jose Rivera, the Bronx County leader. (Or, as he described himself, Seabrook's "street lawyer.") Seabrook explained that the story about his lackluster attendance was unfair because "suppose the highest [attendance rate] was 80" and...

Day 4: Puerto Rico

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 07:15:00 -0500

A mere four days after Election Day, Eliot Spitzer will be headed to Puerto Rico to take part in a post-election getaway hosted by the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. At the conference - which takes place from November 9 to 14 at the Intercontinental San Juan Resort and Casino - Spitzer is expected to talk about higher education. The itinerary is here. Another highlight should be a panel about economic development --...

Money for Nothing

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 07:15:00 -0400

After a number of stories last year (here, here, and here) pointing to a common scam perpetrated by candidates running against token opposition, the city's Campaign Finance Board finally issued a report this week on the 2005 elections addressing a little problem with the way they give away money. Under current rules, candidates may file a Statement of Need with the CFB, allowing them to collect matching funds for their campaigns even if their...

Statements of Need

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:15:00 -0400

Azi, a few weeks ago, remarked on one of the odder uses of taxpayer money: bolstering incumbents with token challengers. The Campaign Finance Board gave out $352,735 to five such incumbents yesterday. Before Charles Barron, Andy Lanza, Mike Nelson, Jimmy Oddo and Larry Seabrook could get their money, however, each filed a statement of need. Below, in their own words, are some of their reasons. Seabrook: "My general election opponent is...the nominee of both the Republican and...