Tiffany's, Term Limits and
A Proposal For The Future
Of Claire Shulman

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

TIFFANY’S: I’m not a Tiffany’s shopper.

I don’t judge people on what they wear, where they shop, or the shiny stuff they have on. I often don’t even notice that sort of thing. If I can buy it online, I usual do. If I need something — you know, like the old one has a hole in it — put me in a store, show me my size and I’m done. If, indeed, clothing makes the man, I’m easy.

But this past Saturday was my brother-in-law Gil’s 60th. We were meeting him and my sister Carole for dinner in the city and we had to get something special. So Lil, Allison and I went to the Miracle Mile — The Americana on Northern in Manhasset for you newcomers to the area — and I made my first visit to the newest Tiffany’s.

I’m sure I was once (maybe twice) in the Fifth Avenue flagship store, but that was many years ago and I was a tourist — looking not buying.

I remember when Allison was born and Steve Gerard, my old friend and Queens College fraternity brother (AEPi) gave us a silver spoon in one of those blue Tiffany soft rubbie bags — you’ll hear more about Steve later on this page. Lil has occasionally gifted one of our moms or someone special with a silver Tiffany pen in one of those blue status bags — expensive but not outrageous and what else do you get for people that don’t need stuff?

Giving Tiffany gifts in blue bags and boxes is a cool way to say, "I had money to spend on you but had no idea what you needed."

Well, we got uncle Gil a silver Swiss Army knife key ring.

Later, during dinner, he told us a story about how he once got a knife as a gift from a friend and it almost broke up the relationship.

It’s not that easy Gil. Happy Birthday!

Now, this is not a commercial for Tiffany.

It’s a commentary on the economy.

Saturday was beautiful. It was pleasant, sunny — you know as good a summer day as you get in New York. Everyone should have been away, or at barbeques, or the beach, or park, or outside breathing super pleasant air for the metro area. The stores should have been emptyish.

We had to stand in line at Tiffany’s.

C’mon, gimme a break.

The salesgirl told us there is always a line — it is often longer than the half an hour it took on Saturday for Lil to move from the end of the line to the front while Allison and I quietly caused mischief in the not-so-ostentatious store.

I mean, I’ve eaten at the most expensive restaurants, driven the most expensive cars, been exposed to the best life has to offer but all of that comes without standing on line, I thought.

Not so with Tiffany’s. You want to get help, you stand in line.

I guess the economy is just too good when the image store of the wealthy has to herd its clientele much like the movie theater does on weekend nights.

Maybe they just need more Tiffany’s. Looking at the line on Saturday, it seems fairly obvious, Tiffany’s is a field of dreams:

If you build it, they will come.

How about one in Bay Terrace, and maybe one on Steinway Street?

TERM LIMITS: This item is really the background of the next item.

I am not an advocate of term limits. In principle, I oppose them. The people should be bright enough to exercise term limits at the ballot box whenever appropriate. But big money, the advantages of incumbency, paid-for mailings, special interest groups and the lack of real campaign reform has made it near impossible to beat an incumbent.

And so, although this writer opposes term limits in principle, I applaud them in practice. Strange, huh?

The flurry of new political activity brought about by New York City term limits is refreshing to watch. A whole new generation of people has a chance to serve on the City Council. And there will be three new citywide officials and changes with most Borough Presidents.

The old guys (and gals) that had too much time to get too close to the special interest money and too much time to forget who they represent will make way for a class of new people who will have a limited time to leave their mark.

So until campaign reform deprives incumbents from the gray areas of getting fat at the public’s expense, term limits make sense.

And those dirty little rumors that we might see another sneaky little quickie attempt to do away with term limits engineered by the City Council and Speaker Peter Vallone continue to reveal the true desperation on the part of people who may have to enter the real world to earn a living. If the rumors are true and there is another attempt or even a trial balloon to eliminate City Council term limits, not only will it meet with public outcry and rejection, it will cost Peter Vallone any possibility of future elective office

Our words of wisdom to Peter Vallone and Alan Hevesi and Mark Green and all others who aspire to Citywide office: the people, in their infinite wisdom have spoken — not once, but twice. Leave term limits alone.

If our present Council wants to bring about change, they should address fundraising and campaign abuses. Let another Council and another City Administration revisit the Charter for a future class of office holders.

The worst thing about changing elected officials is the sorry look on the face of those who can’t accept the fact that the party is over.

CLAIRE SHULMAN: Now, in no way do I mean to suggest that when someone is term limited out of office, they should be done with public service. There are lots of opportunities for hard-working, bright public servants. There are different elective offices. One Councilman is running for Congress; many are aspiring Borough Presidents.

Some officials have served long and well and just don’t have an appropriate office for which to run. Such is the case with Claire Shulman.

Borough President of Queens since 1986, Claire Shulman has been above politics, above special interests and driven by a commitment to her borough Queens and its people. Harder working than most people a third of her age, she has the intellect, energy and vitality to continue to serve the people.

Rumors have had her as a Public Advocate candidate — a less than exciting office with little more than a not-so bully pulpit — a good stepping-stone for someone seeking a future in politics, but an inappropriate platform to wrap up a distinguished career of service.

Other rumors have Claire running for Council — she’d blow away the field in the 19th district. Perhaps she could put together a coalition and become Speaker or at least merit a significant committee chair. We think the Speaker scenario unlikely with her present political standing with the Queens Dem leadership but a committee chair would be hers if merit and experience matter in a new Council.

We would certainly welcome her voice in the 2001 City Council.

However, perhaps Claire is above the level of one of 50 odd (and many are) Councilmembers.

And we believe that our Borough President wants to continue in public service.

Other rumors have her as either Deputy Mayor or Chairperson of the City Planning Commission under Mayor Alan Hevesi. But they’re just rumors and require Alan to become Mayor and make such an appointment.

We have a better idea.

Queens College is without a President. The crowning jewel of the CUNY system needs someone who can lead it in this new millennium.

The new President must find the funds to save and build the Salik Aids research center; continue to maintain and build the educational standards that set Queens apart from all but the best; develop paths of opportunity for Queens’ new immigrant population to receive quality higher education; establish the College as the cultural and educational catalyst to meet the needs of the ever-changing, ever-challenging population of the nation’s most diverse county.

The ability to raise money, maintain independence, negotiate with the public and private sectors and to give of oneself tirelessly in the interest of quality education are requisites for the new leader of Queens’ leading institution of higher learning.

As a former educator in New York City, I believe that educational leaders are born and not made — as are great leaders in any field. Claire Shulman is not an educator by training; she is one by birth. She has the qualities, vision and respect to fill the difficult job as President of Queens College. And although I haven’t discussed this with her, I know she has the energy and enthusiasm and I’m sure – should the opportunity present itself – Claire has the desire.

So I say to CUNY Chancellor Mathew Goldstein, CUNY Chair Herman Badillo, Deputy Chancellor and Queens boy Jay Hershenson and my old friend Steve Gerard (the one with the silver spoon) who is now Chairman of the Queens College Foundation, and whoever else is involved in the selection process, the answer to your search is just five minutes away from the College. Take a ride down to Queens Boulevard; stop in; talk to Claire. I think you’ll agree that she’s the one.

And, if she’s not interested, you can reach me at the Tribune.

QUEENS STREETS: Damn, that John Rocker. The bad boy of baseball is never around when you need him.

If the hurler Queens loves to hate had taken the trains last week, he would have found them awash in dress whites – worn by sailors straight from the tall ships that graced NY Harbor in OpSail 2000.

The sailors descended on Queens by the dozens, hitting Main Street to take in the Asian culture during the day – then heading west to Long Island City and Astoria. They took-in the best of the west, including the Astoria Studios, P.S. 1, Athens Square on a "Greek Music Nite," and the Noguchi Museum.

Carrying cameras and sacks of souvenirs, the sailors ate their way through Astoria – dining on Greek, Italian and Pakistani cuisine in restaurants from Broadway to Ditmars, hitting hot dog and souvlaki stands in between.

Crew members from the schooners Soren Larsen (New Zealand), the Oosterschelde (Dutch) and Nova Scotia’s Rose weren’t hard to spot cruising through the neighborhoods, stopping for locals who greeted them with a handshake or a pat on the back. In an instant, they were members of the Queens community.

"This is wonderful," said a group from the Oosterschelde. "We have never been to New York City. People told us to go to Queens to see the real thing."

The crew men said they understood why. "Wherever we go, we meet someone who speaks a language we do. And last night we ate at a Greek restaurant, where we sat next to a family from Brazil.

"You can’t do that at home," said a crew member from Denmark.

Hey, Rocker, these guys found the real Queens. You should try it some time.

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Liz Goff contributed to this column.

Michael Schenkler can be reached at: MSchenkler@queenspress.com