This week’s Regional Planning Association Assembly attracted all kinds of political personalities to the table – literally one long dais for the most important people in the room including its president & CEO, Tom Wright, board chair (and former Mayoral candidate) Ray McGuire, former NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Maryland Governor, Wes Moore… Before being seated, conversations could be overheard from people like NYS DOT Deputy Secretary Nivardo Lopez and Shari Hyman, VP Public Affairs for Turner Construction, on a variety of topics including how congestion pricing may evolve into more of the workforce working from home again… and how Rochester’s Senator Jeremy Cooney may be the next Transportation Committee chair in with senator Tim Kennedy now in Congress…
Holding court at the SL Green table where colleagues and friends were served prosciutto-wrapped chicken without a wine option, was new RPA board member Garrett Armwood with a busy night ahead including a ticket to DC for an off-the-record Senator Chuck Schumer and an upcoming flight to Paris…
In the Bronx this week, Opening Day at Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park Little League field is where Assemblyman Landon Dais was spotted mingling with hundreds of local community members and their children – he’s the assistant coach for the Mullaly Baseball Little League Team on which are his adorable kids, Lenox and Lexington… Former beloved Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was spotted having lunch at Zero Otto Nove on Arthur Avenue discussing the ties between politics and pop culture (our favorite topic!) including an upcoming cannabis venture with his buddy Fat Joe, and the fact that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and lobbyist Patrick Jenkins were college roommates at Stony Brook University…
While in Albany, we hear Assemblymembers Taylor Darling and Alex Bores spent some time in the members-only private gym – to work (instead of work out!) rumor has it that it’s a place free from hungry lobbyists… We hear 138 State Street is also a lobbyist-free zone that has both a rooftop and a bar… could that become a hot hang out for political personalities in the months to come?
In Manhattan, Rethink Food’s Matt Jozwiak while sipping Pinot Noir at Felice64, commented on his optimistic outlook on New York City, predicting currently vacant storefronts becoming ethnic and multicultural restaurants, bodegas and other small businesses, due in-part to the influx of entrepreneurial migrants… While at the 92Y, the Puerto Rican Miranda family including father Luis (MirRam Group) and son Lin-Manuel (Hamilton) spoke to a crowd of hundreds including Evelin Collado, Manhattan Borough Director for NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, office in a similar vein – “immigrants, we get the job done”
In Brooklyn this week for the signing of Sammy’s Law, which will lower NYC speed limit from 25 to 20 mph, was Governor Kathy Hochul alongside Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal at M.S. 51 William Alexander with parents, advocates and community members from Families for Safe Streets’ Amy Cohen and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio – who partook in a hunger strike to bring awareness to this legislation. Plenty of news cameras were on the scene to amplify a bittersweet celebration of this win despite the tragic loss of many children… Outside the event, Senator Andrew Gounardes chatted with community advocates while Assemblyman Brian Cunningham was spotted filming some content and snapping photos on the sidewalks of Park Slope, fresh back from Albany, rocking Alexander McQueen sneakers with a sharp blue suit…
Spotted in Soho this week at Lure Fishbar, seated in a bar booth where their monthly loud conversation recapping local and national news headlines wouldn’t interrupt other diners, was author, mother and community activist, Jackie Toboroff alongside Councilwoman Inna Vernikov and Executive Director of Lee Zeldin’s Zeldin Cares nonprofit, Vanessa Simon… Later that night at YOTEL Times Square, to celebrate the birthday of Council Member Erik Bottcher – who played guitar and sang for the crowd – were Assemblymembers Kenny Burgos and Tony Simone, Doug Samuel an architect for Calvin Klein who has ties to New Jersey politics and Meatpacking BID exec director Jeffrey Lefrancois…
Political Personality of the Week
NYC Council Member Inna Vernikov
Inna Vernikov is a Ukrainian-born American lawyer and politician, serving as the minority whip of the New York City Council. Inna is one of six Republicans on the council, who flipped a seat that had been traditionally Democratic for more than 100 years in South Brooklyn.
In 2021, seeing the chaos at both local and national levels, she ran for office to bring about change. Focusing her attention on rising crime, unreasonable mandates, and the migrant crisis, Inna prides herself on bringing common sense into city government.
Since entering her current role, Inna has become a leading voice against Antisemitism; making waves by bringing stories of antisemitic assaults to the national and international stage, assuring victims of antisemitic hate crimes face consequences, defunding CUNY school of law, and exposing CUNY’s antisemitism by holding an unprecedented hearing in the council. From sanitation issues, to illegally parked commercial vehicles, enforcement and confiscation of illegal vending, to ensuring small businesses and community organizations get the support and partnership they need from the City, these are the issues on which Inna is focused.
Inna was born in Chernivtsi in Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now southwestern Ukraine), to Jewish parents. She attended ORT Specialized School #41, a Ukrainian Jewish day school. At age 12, she immigrated with her family to the United States. She received a BA from Baruch College and a JD from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Before elected, Inna was the proud owner of an immigration and matrimonial law practice. And, gentlemen, she’s single!
Fast Facts
- Went viral for her Israeli flag dress
- One of Donald Trump’s favorite political personalities
- Recently launched a personal Instagram account
- Ukrainan immigrant
- Supporter of Israel
- Matrimonial attorney by trade
