If the saying holds true then no one person has contributed to local politics quite the way Archie Spigner has.

He is and always has been a fighter – one who has fought to win.

It is with that spirit that Archie Spigner has helped Southeast Queens to live, work, learn and prosper.

On the eve of his retirement from the City Council we realize that things might not seem the same without him as our representative in office.

But things also wouldn’t be the same if Archie Spigner didn’t dedicate over 30 years of his life seeing to the needs of Southeast Queens

I have worked with Archie Spigner for almost three decades.

I know him as a man who has always cared
about his constituents and tried to deliver
services efficiently. As the liaison for the entire Queens City Council delegation, he has played a major role in helping to shape the issues affecting our borough for more than a quarter century.

He has introduced major pieces of legislation that have improved our environment, protected our housing stock and given us the "Right to Know" law.

He has earned a well-deserved retirement.

– Borough President, Claire Shulman

Archie Spigner is truly a man for all seasons.
I have worked closely with him since 1974 both
as a councilmember and as speaker. He was
elected by me and his colleagues as deputy
speaker and as president pro tem of the council,
and he presided at many of our meetings.

He was and is a force for togetherness and consensus, and our county and city were blessed to have him as our elected representative. I am proud to call him my friend.

– Councilman Peter Vallone, Speaker of the City Council

In 1978, Allen A.M.E. Church embarked on its first community development initiative - Allen A.M.E. Senior Housing Complex at Linden Blvd and 167th Street. The site sat abandoned except for the illegal rubbish dumped by non-caring persons, and a few vacant homes.

With the assistance of Congressman Joseph Addabbo, Assemblyman Andrew Jenkins, and Councilman Archie Spigner, the project was successfully piloted through the Utilization Review Process (U.L.U.R.P.), and construction began according to the H.U.D. mandated schedule.

However, before the foundation was totally excavated, the sub-contractor reacted irately to not being paid on a daily basis. Since this was not ordinary business practice, the sub-contractor placed mounds of debris at all of the site entrances.

Councilman Spigner came to the site and was threatened with bodily harm by the sub-contractor, who raised a huge piece of wood into the air in a menacing manner. Mr. Spigner did not back down. He took off his jacket, picked up a plank and challenged the sub-contractor, who seemed shocked and suddenly surrendered his plank.

It is with this kind of spirit Councilman Archie Spigner has approached the problems facing Southeast Queens during his tenure in office. With an infectious smile, which hides a tenacious determination and an indomitable spirit, Councilman Spigner has been able to face the challenges of leadership and can walk away with his head held high.

— Reverend Floyd Flake, Pastor Allen A.M.E. Church

I have known Archie Spigner for many years and would like to share with you my many thanks for his assistance during my own tenure in city government.

Archie truly is the Dean of Southeast Queens Politics. He was one of the first people to reach out to me when I began my life in city government as a commissioner.

I thank his counsel and advice for helping me survive life in government. His presence was very comforting to me. I will always be grateful for his help and assistance and congratulate him on his many years of public service.

– Rudy Washington, Deputy Mayor

I am pleased to have this opportunity to join with family, friends and colleagues in honoring Archie Spigner for nearly three decades of service as New York City Council Member for District 27.

Since the birth of our country, Americans nationwide have dedicated themselves to public service. Spigner’s efforts on behalf of the 27th District remind us of the values, the lessons and the ideals that we want to bring forward into the present, so that we may use them to build our future. His dedication exemplifies the positive contributions an individual can make to his profession, community and country.

Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement and continued success in all of your future endeavors.

– Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Throughout his long and distinguished career in government, Archie Spigner has demonstrated a wonderful ability to recognize and address the needs and concerns of the people of his district, as well as those of the Borough of Queens and the City of New York. Downtown Jamaica has particularly benefited from his strong and persistent leadership.

Archie Spigner is thoughtful, accessible to all and dedicates his full powers and influence on behalf of any issue, program or project he supports. He has effectively used his position as City Council Deputy Majority Leader for the betterment and advancement of all phases of life in his district and Queens.

In the past decade, many, including myself, have heralded, saluted and honored Archie Spigner, the Deputy Majority Leader of the City Council of the City of New York as: "The best and most productive political organizer and leader in the City of New York."

I am honored to call this special man and leader "my friend." Ours is a friendship that has existed for decades. It was born and is sustained by respect for, and appreciation of, his leadership abilities and strength of character and commitment to the people and institutions of his political district, the Borough of Queens and the City of New York.

When the final story is written about the advancement of minorities in the political structure of New York City, there in the leadership circle, standing strong, will be Archie Spigner.

Good luck, good friend Archie Spigner. And let us meet often in the days ahead.

– Percy Sutton

Archie and I have been friends for well over 30 years. As I remember, we met when I was first elected a Democratic district leader in the 60s. At that time, Archie was the political operative for the Hon. Kenneth Brown, the first black assemblyman in Queens County.

I was young and inexperienced at navigating the political jungle. Archie acted as the liaison mediator and peacemaker between the renowned United Democratic Club and my fledgling 26th AD Democratic Organization Club.

I am sure Archie kept me from stepping on a few political land mines in those days. During the succeeding years, as Archie became district leader, Queens County’s first black City Council member and the deputy majority leader of the Council, we have had numerous occasions to work on many campaigns, crusades and community projects together.

Occasionally, we have been on opposite sides of an issue, but we’ve always managed to keep any disagreement strictly business, never personal. I admire Archie Spigner tremendously. I remember the days when he held down a full-time job to support his family, pursued a degree at Queens College, and continued community and political activities as well.

During my 10 years in the New York City Council, Archie has been a mentor, a role model, and a prime example of what public service is all about. I have great respect for Deputy Majority Leader Archie Spigner. His departure from the Council will be a significant loss to city government and to the Southeast Queens community. I’m very proud to be able to call Archie Spigner my friend and my colleague.

– Councilwoman Juanita Watkins

In the many years I have known Archie Spigner, my friend, colleague and leader, I have always respected him for his commitment to our city and especially to those who have been "shut out" of the political and economic sectors because of discrimination.

His work with A. Philip Randolph and the Negro Labor Council opened the doors for many. He has always supported legislation that has helped bring people into the mainstream. I note his initiation of the Minority/Women Business Development Program as chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and his great support for new and rehabilitated housing in the five boroughs as chairman of the Committee on Housing & Buildings.

I value his friendship and I feel our work together developed into a unique partnership that has improved the lives of many city residents.

– Councilman Wendell Foster, Bronx

One of the saddest parts about leaving the City Council is interacting with Archie Spigner. He wasn’t just a show horse; he’s a man who put together major achievements in the district. I like to call York College "the house that Archie built."

He displayed an amazing amount of wisdom to me. I found him to be as close to what could be considered a shaman. He could have been serving on several occasions as a congressman. But he chose not to because he felt that his job was not done as a councilman.

— Councilman John Sabini

In my opinion, aside from being one of the foremost political leaders in the borough of Queens Archie Spigner over the years has been one of the prime facilitators of many of the improvements that have taken place in Southeast Queens over the last three decades.

If you look at the components of Jamaica’s resurgence from the development of downtown Jamaica to the establishment of York College to improvements in Jamaica Hospital and other medical facilities to the development of the Hollis mini-mall, Baisley Park and countless others in the community, you find that Archie Spigner was involved in each of these initiatives.

In my opinion, for all the influence he accumulated, he remained very modest. He does not toot his own horn.

As a result, I don’t believe he’s given the credit for all that he has done.

With Wynton Marsalis

Archie brings home the bacon. Since my earliest years in the Council in the 1970s, Queens Councilmembers have kidded Archie about getting a disproportionate number of capital projects, and an outsize share of expense budget funding for services, in Southeast Queens.

The kidding reflected an element of truth. Archie has produced results for his constituents.

– Councilman Sheldon Leffler

SPEAKING OUT: The Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus of the City Council formally protested increasing incidents of firebombing of the homes of black citizens in the Rosedale area and other parts of New York State. Among those denouncing the acts of violence during a press conference at City Hall in 1979 are City Council Members (l-r, standing): Enoch Williams, Fred Samuels, Rev. Wendell Foster, Louis Olmedo and (seated) Archie Spigner.

SENIOR HOUSING DEDICATION: Taking part in the 1985 ceremony marking the dedication of International Towers, a $11 million, 159-unit housing complex for the elderly and handicapped older adults on 170th Street in Jamaica, are (left to right): Bianca Cedeno of Holliswood, a member of the NYC Housing Authority; John Simon, general manager of the HA; Rose Casola of the Tenants Planning Committee; Assemblymember Alton R. Waldon; Borough President Donald Manes, Mayor Ed Koch; City Council Member Archie Spigner and Buddy Addabbo, representing Congressman Joseph Addabbo.

Councilman Archie Spigner has been a member of the City Council since 1974 and has risen to the post of deputy majority leader, the second highest position in the council. His legislative responsibilities have included chairmanships of the committees on the Legislative Office of Budget Review, Economic Development and, presently, Housing and Buildings. He also serves on the council’s budget negotiating team and is liaison for the council’s 14-member Queens delegation. He was elected to the board of the National League of Cities, the major advocacy group for America’s urban areas, and now serves on its advisory board.

He has introduced a wide range of legislation: creation of the Environmental Control Board, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Economic Development Zones; increased penalties against non-conforming uses and illegal conversions of residential areas;
tax abatements for residential housing; unit pricing in drug stores; increased participation of minority- and women-owned businesses for city contracts and tougher fire, construction and lead paint safety requirements.

In the community, he was a leader in the efforts that led to the construction of York College in Jamaica, the Addabbo Federal Office Building, the Archer Avenue subway, the Jamaica Multi-Service Center and health clinics in Southeast Queens. His actions as chair of the council’s Housing and Buildings Committee resulted in the building of a large number of new housing units in Southeast Queens and throughout the city. In fact, under his chairmanship, the city’s $5 billion housing program was started. He has also affected funding for street and sewer construction in Southeast Queens, as well as new public libraries.

He was past chair of the Queens United Negro College Fund and the Boy Scouts Campaign. He is a board member of the United Black Men of Queens and of Jamaica Hospital, and is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in St. Albans.

Before his election to the City Council, Spigner was active in Local 1056 A.T.U. and also worked closely with A. Philip Randolph in forming the Negro American Labor Council, which fought to open up trade unions and apprenticeship opportunities for African-Americans.

As executive member of the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club, he was instrumental in electing the first African-American Supreme Court justice, assembly member, state senator and congress member in the borough of Queens. Also, Spigner played key roles in the campaigns of David Dinkins, Percy Sutton, Carl McCall, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Floyd Flake and numerous others.

He believes in a strong public education system and has funded capital improvements for a significant number of schools. Spigner is a graduate of Queens College, where he also did post-grad work. He represents the communities of Hollis, Jamaica, Queens Village, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Rosedale and Cambria Heights in Southeast Queens.

By STEPHEN McGUIRE

Whether it has been holding civic meetings in his Southeast Queens living room or occupying the
second most powerful position in the City Council, Archie Spigner’s political career has been one spent serving as an outspoken voice for his community.

Taking a walk through Southeast Queens one can see the impact of Spigner’s career. From Rosedale
to St. Albans, the fruits of his labor are evident everywhere.

The PRESS recently sat down with outgoing Councilman Archie Spigner as he nears the end of his last term and talked about politics, life and the future.

All Roads Lead To Southeast Queens

Spigner along with his wife Christine moved from the Bronx to Hollis in 1958, and the place hasn’t been the same since.

The road to Queens put Spigner on the road to politics. His first stop came in the late 1950’s when the future "Dean of Southeast Queens" was working as a bus driver with New York City Transit. His bus routes took him through the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, and Spigner on his way to a membership in the Amalgamated Transit Union. As a union member, his ability as a leader began to surface.

That leadership was put to the test while Spigner was working closely with civil rights activist A. Phillip Randolph in a key role in the formation of the Negro American Labor Council. Spigner delivered.

The labor council was an organized group of Black workers that demanded equal pay and the opening of unions and apprenticeships to African Americans.

"I headed up the Queens division of what was a Harlem-based group," Spigner said.

Through his leadership Spigner
was also able to help introduce big business to Queens’ Black labor pool.

Breaking Into Politics

In the early 1960’s Spigner developed what would become a lasting relationship with his local Democratic club.

He became a State Democratic Committee member in 1966 and later held the post of Democratic District Leader.

In 1968, Spigner was named assistant to Borough President Sidney Leviss. At the time he was laying the foundation of bigger things to come.

They soon did.

Change in the Air

The state of New York City politics was in the midst of a radical change back in 1973.

"There was a movement to increase the size of the council," Spigner said of the reapportionment movement that increased the number of councilmembers in the City Council. It was an opportunity for Spigner to throw his hat in the ring.

"It was a rough race,"he said.

It was also one where Spigner emerged victorious, becoming Queens’ first African American councilman.

His work in City Hall in the 27 years that followed included the passage of a wide range of legislation which shaped the political and economic landscape of Southeast Queens. Spigner’s initiatives put a new shine on the Big Apple, as well.

Sponsored By Spigner

In 2001, the results of Spigner sponsored legislation are almost everywhere.

Jamaica’s York College, the Addabbo Federal Office Building, the Archer Avenue subway station, the Jamaica Multi-Service Center and a number of Southeast Queens health clinics are only a few of the things Spigner has helped bring home to the community.

Spigner was one of the legislators behind the creation of Business Improvement Districts – the groups responsible for turning around places like Times Square and Jamaica Center, as well as many others throughout the city.

He was also the sponsor of legislation to create Economic Development Zones, an increase in penalties for illegal conversions and increased participation of minorities and women in the business and political arena.

Proud Moments

When asked about his proudest moments in his political career, Spigner talked about being able to change the fact that Southeast Queens was the only part of the City using a private water company.

"It was a hard and arduous challenge," Spigner said.

"Also, most of our parks have undergone major reconstruction," he added.

"Parks are essential to the quality of life (of a neighborhood) Renovated and well maintained parks are an asset," he said.

Spigner’s work in the council also helped to fix the once neglected main thoroughfares of Southeast Queens.

"Merrick Boulevard was once called Burma Road," Spigner said, explaining that the street was probably the worst in New York City.

His efforts helped in having the street reconstructed.

During Spigner’s tenure, areas where major flooding occurred have also been repaired. The installation of storm and sanitary sewers came to life with help from Spigner.

A Hero’s Heroes

Spigner has served as a political mentor for several Southeast Queens politicians, including incoming Councilman Leroy Comrie and Senator Malcolm Smith. But Spigner told the PRESS that he had some heroes of his own who inspired him as he ascended the political ladder.

Among those heroes was Paul Robeson, the controversial black renaissance man who raised eyebrows in his heyday.

"They thought he was a communist but he was an acknowledged intellectual. There was that song about Patrick Henry – he sang so well. Likewise, Robeson was a well-rounded black man."

Spigner also drew inspiration from A. Phillip Randolph who stepped into the limelight and became a very visible national spokesperson for African-American rights in the 1940s and 1950s.

"He was blessed with a strong voice – very articulate," Spigner explained.

However the one man with arguably the greatest influence on shaping the political thinking of Spigner was his mentor and contemporary, Guy Brewer.

Brewer moved to Southeast Queens from Manhattan in 1941 in hopes of establishing a black suburban community. Spigner’s story reads much like that of Brewer.

Brewer served as a five-term member of the State Assembly and the first African American Majority Whip in the State Legislature.

"Brewer was a leader. He was a radical – a radical conservative," Spigner said. "He was uncompromising in the concerns of Black people. He did not remove the responsibility of their contribution to their own empowerment and he would state it."

On Term Limits

In 1993 New Yorkers for Term Limits, through a difficult petition process, financed by cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, placed on the ballot a provision instituting term limits for New York City elected officials.

Under the 1993 term limits proposal, the mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough presidents and councilmembers would be limited to two terms in office from the next election forward.

Even though the voters have spoken in favor of limiting the terms of members of the council in two elections, Spigner seems to hold little affinity to the law that will make this his last month in the City Council.

The outgoing councilman described the term limits law as "catastrophic."

"It is bad public policy," he said.

Spigner said the law leaves little room for a council member to prevail.

On The Horizon

"With good health and good friends it’s a good start," said Spigner of the limitless choices he has upon the end of his last term in the council.

"I do want to do some things," he added.

Among those things may be studying music and learning Chinese.

"I have a flair for languages, I think."

"I have no immediate plans as of Jan. 1, 2002 but I would like to help Leroy (Comrie) be successful. I would like to contribute to that," he said.

It’s a political career that has spanned five decades. Through the years Archie Spigner has been there along with us to see Southeast Queens and the rest of our city change and grow. Here’s a look in words and photos, at some of the stories that have affected our lives during the years of Spigner’s public service.

1968 Archie Spigner elected State Committeeman 29th A.D.

1969 — Spigner appointed assistant to Borough President Sidney Leviss. A blizzard pounds New York City leaving Queens buried in over 20 inches of snow. It takes days for snow removal crews to dig Queens out and the failure of a quick response forever changes the dispensing of municipal services in the City in the years to come.

1970 – Spigner elected Democratic District Leader 29th A.D.

1973 – Mayor-elect Abe Beame inherits a city in the midst of fiscal crisis.

1974 — Archie Spigner elected to the City Council becoming the first African American from Queens to hold a council seat.

1975 — An Eastern Airlines
Boeing 747 plane en route from New Orleans to JFK crashed trying to land at JFK during an electrical storm. 109 people died.

Public transportation fare raised to 50 cents.

1976 — The United States celebrates its Bicentennial. Kneeling buses allow the handicapped easier access to public transportation. David Berkowitz, aka "Son of Sam" terrorizes the women of Queens. Rev. Floyd Flake appointed pastor of Allen A.M.E. church.

1977 — On a muggy July evening, a thunderstorm causes the power supply to New York City to be cut off. The blackout throws the city into darkness.

The transit system is in turmoil as ridership declines due to many moving to the suburbs and relying on automobiles.

1978 — Ed Koch begins his first term as mayor. Jimmy "The Gent" Burke, mastermind behind the $6 million heist at Lufthansa Airlines
at JFK International Airport, was believed to be responsible for the disappearance of 13 Wiseguys involved in the robbery. Henry Hill, immortalized in the film "Goodfellas" fingered him for 2 of the murders, and Burke was sent
to jail. Paul Vario was sent up the river for 6 years for helping to plan the heist.

1979 — All transit construction is suspended as focus is on repairing aging facilities and reversing
decay. Other problems included crime, graffiti, panhandling, and homelessness.

1980 — York College Breaks Ground. No further construction of the Clearview Expressway, state officials say. Originally planned to connect the Throgs Neck Bridge with Kennedy Airport, the highway now ends at Hillside Avenue. Handicapped access to buses is improved with wheelchair lifts. Public transportation fare raised to 65 cents.

1981 — Public transportation fare raised to 75 cents.

1982 — Spigner along with Mayor Ed Koch signs a bill renaming
New York Boulevard to Guy Brewer Boulevard in honor of the
former Assemblyman and
Spigner mentor.

1983 — Queens Chamber of Commerce elects its first female president, Margaret Swezey of Citibank.

1984 —Queens gets the new (718) telephone area code, which also covers Brooklyn and Staten Island. Public Transportation fare raised to 90 cents.

1985 — Spigner is named executive director of the Board of Directors of the National League
Of Cities.

1986 — York College opens. Queens tunes in to cable
television.

Borough President Donald Manes resigns as scandal investigations engulf Borough Hall; he commits suicide soon afterwards. In April, the dean of the New York City congressional delegation, Rep. Joseph Addabbo, dies at the age
of 61 after secretly fighting cancer for six years. The "bull’s-eye" transportation token is introduced, which is much more difficult to counterfeit than the older tokens. Private bus companies Queens Transit and Steinway Omnibus merge to form Queens Surface Corporation. Public Transportation fare is raised, hitting the one-dollar mark. Claire Shulman became the first woman to be elected borough president of Queens County.

A furor erupts after a black man is chased to his death on the Belt Parkway in Howard Beach. Jon Lester, Jason Ladone, Richard Riley, and Scott Kern were sent to prison.

Alton Waldon was sworn in as the new congressman from the 6th Congressional District after a judge declares him the winner of a
special election to succeed Addabbo. It was later determined that Floyd Flake won the election.

1987 - Congressman Floyd Flake was under tight police protection after receiving death threats as a drug battle raged in Flake’s district. Reverend Al Sharpton led over 100 demonstrators through Howard Beach to publicize that none of the defendants in the controversial trial were serving time in prison.

1988 —Spigner serves as a driving force behind the opening of the Archer Avenue Subway Station. Glenda Brawley, mother of Tawana Brawley, refused to answer a
Grand Jury subpoena that would have placed her on the hot seat in an upstate courtroom. She sought refuge in the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Queens for several days before turning herself in on the arm of Rev. Al Sharpton. The scourge
of crack rocks the city and takes the life of Rookie Police Officer Edward Byrne who was assassinated on Feb. 26, 1988 as he sat in a patrol car protecting the home of a drug witness in South Jamaica. Todd Scott, Scott Cobb and Philip Copeland were found guilty of first-degree murder.

1989 — Spigner assumes the role of Deputy Majority Speaker of the Council and takes a leading role in the revision of the City Charter.

1990 — Ground broken for Jamaica Market. Queens Public Library becomes the highest circulation library system in the United States. Nelson Mandela, recently freed from a South African prison after
27 years, made his first speech on American soil at Kennedy Airport. David Dinkins becomes first Black mayor of New York City.

1991 —Redrawing of district lines changes the number of City
Council members from 35 to 51. United States Tennis Association (USTA) plans expansion of U.S. Open tennis facility in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

1992 — Public transportation fare raised to $1.25. Queens ranks as the most ethnically-diverse county on the planet.

1993 — Port Authority proposes
a "light rail" system from Manhattan’s East Side to LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports. Construction begins on the new
civil court in Jamaica.

1994 — Officials approved Edward Byrne Memorial Park in South Ozone Park. Southeast Queens
led the city in fire-related deaths, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association and as
one of his last acts as mayor,
David Dinkins signed the lease for expansion of the USTA Center in Flushing Meadows Park. Rudy Giuliani elected mayor.

1995 — A crazed gunman named Colin Ferguson opens fire on a Long Island Railroad train after it passes through the Jamaica station. He is later found guilty in the murder of six passengers.

1996 — Port Authority scales back its airport access plan from Kennedy Airport to Jamaica. The famous Blizzard of ‘96 in January paralyzes Queens. In September, Magic Johnson unleashed plans to build a $5 million movie complex in Jamaica- the plan is later shot down.

1997 — Ground broken for the Northeast Regional Headquarters
of the US Food and Drug Administration in Jamaica. President Bill Clinton and a sell-out crowd at Shea Stadium celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier; the Interboro Parkway is re-named after the ballplayer. U.S. Open unveils the new Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium named for the African American tennis great. Two-fare zones, in which Queens residents had to pay two fares to get into Manhattan among other locations, are eliminated.

1998 – Ground broken on the AirTrain project. Queens County marks a century as part of Greater New York City.

1999 – Spigner helps obtain funding to alleviate widespread flooding in Southeast Queens. Metrocard vending machines are installed in major Queens subway stations.

2000- $1 million grant announced for a new College of Aviation at York College. U.S. Food and Drug Administration building opens in Jamaica.

Hello Governors:
Spigner with Governor Hugh Carey (top) who worked with Spigner in helping to bring York College to Jamaica and Southeast Queens’ own Mario Cuomo.

Jet Set:

The FAA proving flight for Pan Am’s New York to Peking service took of from John F. Kennedy International Airport
in 1980. Seen on the runway with the Pan Am 747 which made the flight are (left to right): Councilman Archie Spigner, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Philip Klutznick, Borough President Donald Manes and James Waugh, the airline’s senior vice president for maintenance and operations. Congressman James Scheuer is partially seen in the rear.

By MICHELLE SELLERS

Nobody may know Southeast Queens like Archie Spigner but nobody knows the Councilman like his wife of over 50 years, Christine Spigner.

Christine and Archie Spigner met in Harlem at a graduation party. They had two sons — one is deceased, another now resides in California.

Together Archie and Christine also have one grandson and two great granddaughters, who Christine called, "the apple of our eyes."

While the couple lived in the Bronx, Archie joined a democratic club.

The couple later moved to Hollis in 1958.

"When he got into politics our children were teenagers, so the good thing is I never had a babysitting problem. I could always go where he wanted me to go because I was free. I never felt like his shadow, this also has to do with my personality," she said.

"At one time he was the chairperson of labor and industries at the NAACP. He checked out complaints and did this with such ‘zest,’" Christine said.

Simultaneously Archie Spigner was working for transit on a split shift and for the three or four hours he was off, he would check on complaints that employees had.

"He was quite passionate then," Christine said.

"If it involves talking that’s him," said Christine adding, "He has a passion for politics. Although he’s going out of office, he has an undying passion for politics, but I do not think he will run for congress. It’s time for the young people to take over," she added.

If there was a household problem, Christine said, "I better call someone to fix it," because "chances are he wasn’t going to have time to fix things at home."

"We don’t do the same things, but the same way he can get involved in things, I can get involved with something.

"When someone calls about a problem he can solve-he’s on a high," his wife said. "But if he can’t resolve it, he’s on a low," she added.

"Sometimes I look at him and I think to myself, ‘How good it is to have a job you love.’

"He would never leave a stone unturned. He did his best to solve a problem. If it was a problem that he couldn’t solve-that troubled him."

Besides being a wife and mother, Christine Spigner is actively involved in community issues.

"I have been involved with many things," said Christine. "I am on the board of the Queens Borough Public Library, the board of visitors at Creedmore Psychiatric Center, the board of our church in St. Albans, the Daycare board of the Jamaica Branch of the NAACP. I am one of the founders of the Bridge Home on Springfield Blvd. and have sat on the board for the past six years, and am in a sorority and an organization for fraternity wives."

By MICHELLE SELLERS

Come Jan. 1 2002, Southeast Queens’ District 27 will have a new Councilman – his name is Leroy Comrie.

Few people know Archie Spigner
like he does – Comrie has worked closely with him since 1983.

"You get to know a person after 18-plus years. I am a frequent guest in his home, a car-pool companion to many meetings and events, a confidant, a student, a third son and now his successor," Comrie said.

When speaking of his political mentor, Comrie said "He shared with me how to be affective and is sharing with me how to be affective [in the City Council]. He is a
person that has a keen sense of the dynamic of a situation. He
does his homework and is never unprepared. He’s willing to listen to reason. He loves to debate. He likes to write and truly loves the City. He believes in the essence and beauty of New York and is working hard to represent this district."

According to Comrie, Spigner never takes anything at face value — he always queries.

"He has worked hard for equality
to ensure all are given equal treatment and that the district would have as much as or more than other districts," Comrie said. "He worked hard to be respected. He made sure he understood protocol in government. He is a prolific reader who liked to challenge people intellectually and is never afraid to enter into new areas. Archie is a lot tougher, smarter and hardworking than his detractors would have the world believe. He has never backed away from an issue in which he has believed.

"In the end," Comrie said, "[Spigner’s] legacy is enormous. We will not let him go quietly ino that good night, though. His knowledge and passion for government will be utilized by many of us seeking to make this a better city."

Looking ahead Comrie said "I anticipate that it is going to be a lot of work. We are in a changed world. There are budget deficits. It’s almost like going back to the 1970’s when there was a time of extreme need in the city, the government and the country. Throughout this my goal is to make effective change to protect the district."