By Harold Egeln
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BAY RIDGE – Last week’s political switch-a-roo of the Independence Party in dropping its support of Democrat Councilman Vincent Gentile to Republican-Conservative challenger Bob Capano was done because Capano can better grasp the importance of independent voters, claimed the party’s Brooklyn leader.

“Bob Capano pursued our support because he recognizes that independent voters have become a key constituency who’ve made the difference in the outcome of elections,� said Chair Robert Conroy of the Independence Party of Kings County at last week’s press conference held outside Morris Discount Variety Store.

In June the party, which claims 320,000 members statewide and a 13 percent growth in membership in Brooklyn last year, endorsed Gentile, a City Council member since February 2003, at the Democrat Party Stars and Stripes club headquarters. Making the announcement then was Frank Morano, a member of the NYS Independence Party’s executive committee.

“We are endorsing Bob because he would like to see a more nonpartisan approach in the City Council and in the election process itself,� said Conroy. “He shares our concern that almost one million independent voters residing in New York City are locked out of any meaningful participation in most City Council elections by the current system of partisan primaries.�

With over 6,200 new members joining the party in Brooklyn last year, Conroy said, “Our growth reflects a growing movement among voters who want to support the best candidate regardless of political party.� With the new members the party now has 28,000 Brooklyn registrants, noted Conroy.

Now that the Independence Party endorsed Capano, his name will appear on the ballot this November on the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines, fulfilling his stated wish to appeal to voters across party lines.

That fact made Capano honored to have the Independence Party support, as he did in his first run for elected office last year for the state Assembly. Capano was soundly defeated by Assembly-member Alec Brook-Krasny, whose district stretches to Brighton Beach. But Capano won more election districts than the incumbent in Bay Ridge.

“I share their [the Independence Party] commitment to responsible government spending, promoting school choice in New York, and in particular reform of our election process,� Capano said. “At City Hall I will continue to be an advocate for the people of Brooklyn and give the families of our community a councilman who understands and is in touch with their lives.�

Gentile’s Major Backers Include Markowitz

When Morano announced the Independence Party endorsement of Gentile on June 6, he said, “Gentile is the hardest working official I’ve ever known.� When Gentile first ran for office for the state senate in 1997 the Independence Party endorsed him.

Gentile, a former prosecutor who worked in the Queens courts, was a civic activist before his first election. His activities included being president of the Bay Ridge Community Council and promoting the work of the city’s first public advocate, Mark Green, now running for that post again.

Last week Capano called for the elimination of the public advocate post, backing a proposed ballot referendum on the issue sponsored by Democrat Councilman Simcha Felder. If the post were eliminated, Capano says, “it would save taxpayers money and eliminate an unnecessary layer of government.� He calls for a portion of the savings to be used to bolster community board budgets.

Gentile has the support of Borough President Marty Markowitz (for whom Capano had worked as director of community boards until 2005), Congressman Michael McMahon, Assembly-members Peter Abbate and Alec Brook-Krasny, Councilman Domenic Recchia Jr.; and rogue Republican Louis Wein of Staten Island, among others.

Capano served government leaders in both major parties. Besides Markowitz he worked as a community aide for former Borough President Howard Golden, a Democrat. He served as Brooklyn community liaison for Republican Congressman Vito Fossella.

Capano is an adjunct political professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Key Food supermarket manager who served until recently as president of the 68th Precinct Youth Council. He is a graduate of St. Patrick’s Elementary School, Xaverian High School, SUNY-New Paltz and Brooklyn College.

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