CSI in the News - CSI Today

Brooklyn’s ‘Freshman Class’ Enters Albany andWashingtonby Harold Egeln (edit@brooklyneagle.net), published online 01-04-2011Republican Malliotakis Praises Democrat CuomoBy Harold EgelnBrooklyn Daily EagleBROOKLYN — The borough’s legislative freshman class of 2011 entered office this week, breaking ranks with apolitical sea of returning incumbents.The new faces include cross-Narrows Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Congressman Michael Grimm, alongwith Kevin Peter Carroll, a district leader tapped by Councilman Steven Levin for a top staff post.As Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo took the helm in Albany on New Year’s Day, the new state leader earned thepraise of Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents the cross-Narrows 60th Assembly District coveringnorth Bay Ridge and Staten Island’s east shore.The new Republican-Conservative legislator, a former Pataki community liaison, spoke right after Cuomo’s remarksat the inauguration ceremony, giving support for change in a dysfunctional Albany.“I was inspired by Governor Cuomo’s remarks today and am eager to get to Albany to support him in his efforts tosolve the many problems facing the state,” she said. “The decisions we make this session will define the state foryears to come and we must all work together if we are going to succeed.”To achieve success, said Malliotakis, who campaigned for Albany reform, the state must “stop overtaxing and takemeasures to consolidate government,” as well as focus on ethics reform and transparency. “As Governor Cuomosaid, this is what the people voted for, and this is what they deserve.”Brooklyn Offices Still To Be Set UpMalliotakis, a Staten Islander who defeated two-term Democratic Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer inNovember, is unlikely to occupy Hyer-Spencer’s district office on Fifth Avenue. She may set up office space withinstate Sen. Marty Golden’s office two blocks south on Fifth Avenue, according to sources.Grimm’s Brooklyn district office may be located on 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights, according to media reports. The13th Congressional District covers southwest Brooklyn between Bay Ridge and Marine Park as well as all of StatenIsland.With the 2010 U.S. Census results in and the state losing two seats in the House of Representatives because ofpopulation decline, the congressional district may be expanded by a state redistricting panel, noted BrooklynConservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar.Although former Democratic Congressman Mike McMahon, who Grimm defeated last November, represented210,000 Brooklyn residents, Staten Islander Grimm may gain an extra 20,000 local constituents, Kassar speculated.Grimm, who was sworn in yesterday in Washington, D.C., will have his district inauguration ceremony on Sunday,Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. at the College of Staten Island’s Art Center. He recently announced his district director for BrooklynPage 106 of 157