A Monday morning rally is how this week began, with hundreds of political personalities gathered outside the Nassau County Legislature Building in Mineola, in support of maintaining jobs by keeping the Nassau Coliseum open. The two leading the chants before entering the legislative hearing were Long Island Federation of Labor’s Ryan Stanton and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties’ Matty Aracich. Union workers, residents and business owners gathered to testify to vote in favor of giving operational control of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to Las Vegas Sands – one of the many operators vying for one of the three downstate licenses that will be awarded next year. On the dais: County Legislator Siela Bynoe, who is now the democratic nominee for Kevin Thomas’ state senate seat… and in the room where it happened was Francesca Carlow, former owner of TRIO Hardware and past president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce…
In Manhattan this week, dining at separate tables at the Loews Regency for power breakfast, was US Senator Amy Klobuchar, Reverend Al Sharpton, and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Overheard, could Senator Gillibrand be interested in hosting an ‘electeds versus media’ pickleball tournament this fall? More details to come… Speaking of media, we heard Robin Roberts of Good Morning America was spotted dining at the back corner table of the Lambs Club this week… and Nelson Braff and Eytan Sugarman’s Hunt & Fish Club was the location for Jason Binn’s Dujour Magazine party, featuring cover star Rob Lowe… in the room where it happened you may have overheard Nelson recalling his Brooklyn College fencing and tennis days (he played on both teams!)… As well as bespoke tailor Gina Newman speaking with Fox News’ Bill Hemmer about Style Across the Aisle, taking place at Gracie Mansion during New York Fashion Week (more details below!)
In Queens Thursday night, dozens of political personalities gathered at Citi Field to watch yours truly shoot the tee shirt out of the cannon during the Mets Game 😉 as they attended the game…In Section 141 you could have met two of the five borough presidents – Mark Levine & Donovan Richards – hanging at an annual get together hosted by the honorable Mark Weprin, at which you would have also chatted with Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz and her chief of staff Robyn Enes, with her husband, Bobby Link, the three of which recalled fond memories of attending law school together; NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan and his kids, … Heading to the Democratic National Convention was a topic of conversation, Hersh Parekh, deputy chief of intergovernmental affairs for the Port Authority of NY/NJ will be heading there next month, as well as, Mark Weprin’s brother, Assemblyman David Weprin – who has been to every Democratic National Convention since 1976. David’s son Max was overheard having a lively conversation about Judaism and Israel with Comptroller Brad Lander’s son, Marek Barnette… which had its natural twists and turns, but the two aligned when the conversation shifted onto common ground: they realized they shared similar torah portions for their bar mitzvah, in different years, but each in the month of November…
At the same game, ‘Long Island Lobbyist’ Nicole Weingartner was spotted with DHC colleagues Zack Fink and Nick Terzulli, attending “The 13th Annual Assemblyman Ed Ra Mets Game” (Ed Ra will also be modeling in Style Across the Aisle, which was decided on-the-spot, as Lake Success designer Heidi Goldstein, was in attendance and will be suiting him up for the runway at Gracie Mansion!); Ashley Meza from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s office; Andrew Goldston, Director of Legislative Operations at New York State Senate; New York League of Conservation Voters’ Julie Tighe; and Veronica Ng, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs for Governor Hochul, talking about her recent move to government affairs for Walgreens…
Hamptons power philanthropy couple, Ken & Maria Fishel, hosted the annual Polo Hamptons match on their estate in Bridgehampton this weekend, attracting hundreds of people, most notably, PR pros, Todd Shapiro and Adam Weiss; NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher and democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman; Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright in her summer bright colors; 193 Group’s Zach Siegel and Katherine Kremer; Nassau County’s Lauren Summa; Morris Oiring, whose Oiring Group focuses on helping families with home care and residential facilities, and The Hamptons Cannabis Expo founder Gary Bierfriend…Spotted at the Westhampton Beach Farmer’s Market rocking a Mike 2020 totebag (TBT!) was Haley Schoeck, Chief of Staff at NYU Steinhardt along with her fiance…
Political Personality of the Week
The Honorable Mark Weprin, Vice President of Government Affairs, Invenergy
Mark Weprin is a widely recognized political personality, having formerly served in both the New York State Assembly and New York City Council. His father, Saul Weprin, also served in the New York State Assembly and was Speaker of the Assembly. His brother, Assemblyman David Weprin, also formerly served in the New York City Council as well!
As VP of government affairs from Invenergy, Mark leads the company’s engagement with elected officials, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders in New York State. A native of Queens, Weprin served in the New York State Assembly for 15 years, authoring more than sixty laws. He also served on the New York City Council, where he led the Zoning and Franchises of the Land Use Committee and was Chair of the Queens City Council Delegation before becoming Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs for the New York Governor’s office. Weprin was previously a Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig where he supported the government affairs and policy team and represented clients in legislative and regulatory matters at various levels of government.
Mark was born and raised in Queens. He holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from SUNY Albany and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
Fast Facts
- Elected and served in both the New York City Council and New York State Assembly
- Lovely wife Jennifer Walden Weprin served as Executive Director of the Queens County Farm Museum
- Son Sam Weprin works in NYC Mayor’s Office
- Organizes an annual invite-only Mets Game outing at Citi Field