Spin Cycle

Gary Melius, owner of the late tycoon Otto Kahn’s Oheka Castle, and a poker buddy of super-lobbyist and former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, has a new title — as “chief advisor” to Frank MacKay, chairman of the Independence Party of America. In a letter naming Melius to the unpaid post, MacKay, who also heads the state and county Independence Party, said: “Your commitment to furthering the goals of the national party and your invaluable counsel on independent politics were all key considerations in this key leadership appointment.”

Melius, who was also County Executive Steve Levy’s biggest donor in his first four years at $51,200, joins Jimmy Tsunis, former Smithtown Conservative leader and for years a formidable GOP fundraiser, who earlier this year was named a national vice chairman/finance director of MacKay’s national party and a vice-chairman of the local party. Melius, a longtime Republican, will change parties, said MacKay, and will be involved in building the party organization and professionalizing its structure so the party can attract a national candidate of its own down the road.

Rick Brand