Know When to Say When

Assembly Member Farrell ridicules congestion pricing at a September hearing

What does a 75-year-old politician do after 35 years in the same public office?

If you're Denny Farrell, apparently, you go shopping for a different public office.

As we noted back in June after a report from Crain's, rather than easing into retirement from a lifetime of political influence, Assembly Member Farrell has his eye on Robert Jackson's city council seat, which will soon be open due to term limits. City Room reports that Farrell recently held a fund-raiser and has established "an exploratory committee."

Farrell says he's leaving Albany to spend more time his daughter, who's two years old. So, obviously, the man still has energy. But after so long in office, might it be time to give someone else a shot? According to Farrell, no.

"I will still be able to work for the people of this community," he tells City Room. "I can still continue to fight for improved education and for things that need to be done environmentally." (Or, in some cases, fight against them.)

City Room commenters so far aren't sold. Says one: "This is an example of New York politics at its worst! This Council seat should be for a leader with fresh ideas who is ready to work energetically and creatively on behalf of the district, not someone who has been in office for 35 years and just wants to shorten their commute."

Jackson, meanwhile, has filed to run for public advocate. "But if all else fails," he says, "I suppose I would run for [Farrell's] Assembly seat."

Now that's the kind of enthusiasm we need in Albany.

Photo montage: Streetsblog