Top 10 stories of ‘11

Living wage

Councilman Oliver Koppell’s controversial Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act never made it to the City Council floor for a vote this year, but there was still plenty of action. The council held two hearings on the legislation — which would require developers receiving taxpayer subsidies to pay employes $10 with benefits, $11.50 without — and followed them with amendments to garner more support.

Unions (except for District Council No. 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, which is against it) and community groups held massive rallies in support of the bill, while some business groups and chambers of commerce launched an ad campaign to convey the message that the wage mandate will kill jobs. Since November, the bill has lost some support (Councilwoman Inez Dickens) and gained some support (Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio).

Schervier upheaval

After seven years serving as CEO of the Schervier Nursing Care Center, James Higgins left his position on March 17 after firing five high-level administrative employees. It is still unclear whether he resigned or was removed, but Schervier had some serious financial difficulties during his reign and there was speculation of an investigation by the Attorney General’s office around the time he departed.

Klein’s IDC

Oh the drama! To begin the year, state Sen. Jeff Klein stepped down from his high post in the Democratic Conference to form his own Independent Democratic Conference with three colleagues, citing disillusionment with the Democratic leadership. In the months following, Mr. Klein was accused of being a Republican and of being a traitor. But he swore to govern in a bipartisan fashion. The four-member IDC worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass 68 bills, compared to the Democratic Conference’s 103. The IDC also made its mark on the year by releasing a series of reports detailing ways the state could save money.

John F. Kennedy HS

The Panel for Educational Policy, whose members are appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and borough presidents, voted on Feb. 4 to close John F. Kennedy High School by 2014.