Democrat James Gaughran, who was Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s Long Island campaign coordinator, is angling for a $90,800-a-year post on the three-member State Liquor Authority board.
Gaughran, 50, an attorney and a former Huntington town board member and county legislator, has the backing of Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer, an early Spitzer supporter, for the job. The board oversees liquor licenses, bars and alcohol rules statewide.
The board seat that Gaughran is seeking now held by Lawrence Gedda, 76, a Lynbrook Republican, who has been a SLA board member since 1992 and an SLA employee for 43 years. His term is up April 12. The board is now 2-1 Republican.
Rick Brand
Gedda declined to comment, as did Gaughran, though he did confirm he has submitted his resume for the state post.
The SLA regulates more than 70,000 licenses and permits statewide. It generated $53 million in fees in 2005 and $6.5 million in fines and penalties, and terminated 464 licenses.
Comments (5)
Gaughran would be a nice choice for the SLA job. I'm interested to know who Spitzer will anoint to run his LI office. Will it be a real advocate for LI or a recycled patronage retread? i haven't heard many names being circulated. Then again, it probably doesn't matter.
Insiders say Ray Garafola is the front runner for the LI Office. He has excellent qualifications having been a no-show government employee for decades. Suffolk OTB, LIRR, Bishop, Lindsey, Souzzi, BOE.
Jim Gaughran is a guru. It's about time those Spitzer guys got around to hiring good people.
I'll send a case of my best beer to Mr. Spitzer if he sends an honest and ethical man such as "Jimmy" Gaughran to the SLA
Jimmy Gaughran has faithfully represented the people of Long Island and been a supporter of and advocate for the Democratic party for years and years. Any position he receives in the State administration is long overdue.