Scissura Takes Another Step Towards BP Run

A report this morning in City Hall’s newsletter says that Marty Markowitz’s chief of staff Carlo Scissura has taken another step towards a run for Borough President.

According to city election rules, chiefs of staff for elected officials are not allowed to campaign for office. Therefore, Scissura is stepping down from his position to that of  ‘special advisor’ in order to free himself up for the fight ahead.

From CityHallNews.com:

The move frees him (Scissura) from the restrictions that bar top city officials from raising campaign money or doing other overtly political acts. Scissura, who declined to comment, received Conflicts of Interest Board clearance for the move. Markowitz will not replace him as chief of staff.

Markowitz not hiring a replacement could make Scissura’s move, which includes a drop in pay from $139,000 to $124,000, look like nothing more than an empty gesture.

What do you think?

Is Scissura just doing what he needs to? Or does this epitomize the type of maneuver that makes voters more cynical?