Most NY Brd of Elections staff there because of political connections."Man Behind the Curtains"

The man behind the curtains
Michael Ryan is the new executive director of the city's Board of Elections.


In October 2010, George Gonzalez, executive director of the New York City Board of Elections, was fired amid scandal. For nearly three years, the patronage-laden and much-maligned agency went without someone heading its operations, as its politically appointed commissioners (five Democrats and five Republicans) were unable to come up with the six votes needed for any candidate.

Finally, in early August, the gridlock was broken when five Republicans and one Democrat cut a deal to elect Michael Ryan, a former Democratic election board commissioner from Staten Island who has twice run unsuccessfully for Staten Island district attorney. Mr. Ryan is giving up his private law practice for the new gig, one of city government's most sought after and, with a $173,000 salary, among the best-paid posts. He started working full-time at the board only a few weeks before New York City's major Sept. 10 primary election.

snip

What's it going to be like running an agency where staffers have their jobs essentially because of political connections?



snip

How did the pieces come together politically that resulted in your selection by the board?


To speculate why it did happen, or why it didn't happen the first time, would undermine my ability to effectively run the agency. The fact is that the selection has been made.



Damn good question.






http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130825/POLITICS/308259992/the-man-behind-the-curtains