Why I’m not voting for Koppell

To the editor:

I have lived in our community since 1967 and have been active in community affairs since I arrived. I met Janet Golovner soon after we enrolled our boys in the Marble Hill Nursery School in 1969. (Former executive director of the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation, Janet died recently.) 

In those days, Janet and I worked side by side for the betterment of our neighborhood as we watched our children grow. I value and love Janet’s son David.

Since the 1970s, I have supported the political aspirations of Oliver Koppell. My husband and I have contributed to his campaigns with money and with our time. We have stood on many a street corner and in front of many polling places in support of Oliver’s campaigns. We have been loyal supporters.  

No more.

David Golovner, in Oliver’s eyes, committed an unpardonable offense. He spent a few hours helping Oliver’s opponent a few days before primary day, 2009. Oliver won the election handily. (I was, by the way, helping Oliver.) 

Oliver learned that David had helped the opposition. A few months later, David applied for a job with the City Council for which he was highly qualified.  Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s office was told that Oliver Koppell was exercising his right to veto the appointment because David lives in his district. And that was the end of any Council employment for young David Golovner, the father of two small children. 

Some people may accept this as politics as usual, but I find it reprehensible to harm a young person’s career for such petty reasons. I confronted Oliver about it and he was in no way apologetic. He repeated that it had been his “right” to do as he had done. 

Shame on him! This is what gives politics a bad name.

 Judith McGowan