By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

I’m from Queens. I’m into politics.

Now, not everyone who lives or works in Queens and is part of the large circle of political observers and participants thinks the same but . . .most of us took it for granted that we’d be routing for a Queens boy in the big 2001 Mayoral sweepstakes.

For a couple of years before the election, Comptroller Alan Hevesi and Council Speaker Peter Vallone were two of the four-person field. They were there back in 1999; they were there throughout 2000; and they’re still there, I think.

I’ve known Alan forever. Well, not quite forever. We’re not good friends. But I’ve been aware of him for five decades. He went to Queens College with my sister. He was president of their senior class and a great basketball player for a Queens kid. His political career began before my publishing career but our paths crossed, my friends were his friends, his friends my friends. We sort of grew up in Queens together.

We’ve had our differences. However, I was excited at the prospect that one of our own — a Forest Hills lad, a Queens College grad — was, as I saw it a year ago, the front-runner for Mayor of New York City. Now we’ve broken bread together, had disagreements, but more often than not I think we’re on the same page. I always assumed Alan was likely to be my candidate for Mayor.

Now that’s not an endorsement. I know and like the three other players in the race. Peter, the other Queens kid, is certainly a viable option. I’ve been impressed with Freddy Ferrer since I first met him. And Mark Green, philosophically, is probably the closest to my political roots.

I know them all. I like them all. And it is indeed a surprising field where I’m not uncomfortable with thinking of any of the four of them as mayor. It’s more than probable that one of them will be.

But way back when this race began, right up until recently, in the back of my mind, was that that someone was Alan Hevesi. I thought he would be my candidate. I also thought he would be more than competitive.

"Alan Who," who won an impressive battle for Comptroller and has served in that position since 1993, was the frontrunner of this field. His biggest problem was that Peter (Vallone) was also from Queens and certainly had a better relationship with Tom Manton and the Queens Democrats. But Alan kept his head down, made his peace with Manton and focused on raising funds for the race.

Alan walked the Rudy line without completely alienating the mayor, the party or the people. He did his job, played his cards carefully and, other than losing ground in the black community, did no long lasting damage to his solid reputation. He quickly and effectively outperformed the field in fundraising and was seemingly the frontrunner.

But, where was he?

Was "Alan Who" becoming "Alan Where," and why?

Issues came and went. He wasn’t there. He was missing for the Amadu Diallo protests. He should have been there. He really didn’t speak out on any of the mayor’s faux pas. He apparently kept his head in the City’s books.

The other candidates became more visible. Alan raised money and kept his head down.

Recently, Queens Boulevard became known as the deadliest street in the universe. Alan has to cross it everyday to go anywhere from his house and to go home. Death after death occurred in his home district. Protests mounted. TV cameras rolled and Mark Green stole the issue.

Freddy Ferrer, the Bronx Borough President, sends this Queens columnist endless emails and faxes. As a matter of fact, we receive ten times the number of faxes and emails from Ferrer than we do from any Queens elected official. (Aside to Bearak: STOP IT!). Freddy takes positions on everything – well almost everything and sends them around. He’s there for reporters, cameras and events. Not Alan.

The same for Mark Green. He works the press. He takes stands on issues. He works to become the anti-Rudy. He has used his position of Public Advocate to advocate — to get coverage, to let the people know he is there fighting for them. Not Alan.

Vallone too has been visible. His role as Council speaker has thrust him into the center of things. I’m not sure his choices have always been the best but he’s gotten the exposure. Sadly, although he has given lip service to opposing the Council’s self-serving term limit appeal, he has failed to put the weight of his office behind stopping it. Insiders whisper that he cut a deal allowing the renegade council members to operate freely to extend their own stay in office in spite of the public’s vote in two referendums. That issue will come back and haunt the Speaker and Alan could have had Queens. Term limits? Where’s Alan?

Queens Boulevard was abuzz with belief that Manton and company would abandon Vallone and go with Hevesi. Alan was to be the winner.

Alan kept his head down. Freddy mixed it up. Mark spoke out. Peter poured it on.

They whispered on Queens Boulevard, "Where is Alan?" Why isn’t Hank Morris (his campaign guru) getting him some press? Polls — Quinapiac, Marist – and Alan who many of us believed should have been one or two, was last — dead last.

He was nowhere. Mark Green led the pack – by a lot. Then it was close between Peter and Freddy. Alan trailed badly – very badly. But Alan’s people thought there was plenty of time to orchestrate another name recognition and approval coup. "Alan Who?" surprised everyone eight years ago.

But the polls got worse and the whispers on Queens Boulevard indicate that Alan is quickly losing what seemed to be the inside line at snagging Manton and company – not that they’re essential. Vallone seems to be emerging as the Queens insiders’ choice. Ferrer is at more Queens events than Hevesi and Mark Green is more visible on Queens Boulevard than Alan.

"Alan Who" is now "Alan Where?"

And we’re beginning to hear whispers of State Comptroller in 2002 instead of Mayor in 2001.

No it’s not all over — not by a long shot. Hank Morris is a talented image builder. But so are Hank Sheinkopf (Mark Green’s guy) and others. Alan is a hard campaigner. But so are Freddy and Mark. Alan has the most money. But they all will have maximum under the new City rules.

But the clock is ticking and Alan seems to have his head in the City books and not in the City election. Some may applaud it and say people who do their job well get promoted by the people...not if they don’t know about it. We haven’t received lots of audits showing how the Comptroller’s office is saving the City billions.

When is Alan going to become visible? We have no idea. We do know, however, that we’re hearing from Freddy and lunching with Mark Green.

Sadly, the only thing we have to say to Peter is that the term limits override issue has brought shame to you and the Council.

Alan, we miss you. We’d like to see and hear more of you. The people would too.

We were counting on you.

I’m from Queens. I’m into politics.

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By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

Now I understand it. After being the first out of the box condemning the City Council for its efforts to overthrow term limits put in place by the people, I finally understand. After banging away, week-after-week, for the past month plus, this writer has been informed by Council insiders that there is a rather simple explanation to the self-serving actions on the part of about two dozen term limited Council members.

It might be surprising that after the people twice have gone to the ballot box and voted to term limit the City Council members that these very same members would vote to disregard the will of the people. Now, in an exclusive interview, the real explanation has been offered by a senior member of the council, on the condition of anonymity.

For those of you wondering why elected officials would just disregard the people, this column offers the first reasonable explanation.

According to our Council source, the 22 members cosponsoring the bill as well as at least seven other members were earlier in their careers so desperate to win election, that they resorted to campaign extremes. Never reported before, but spoken of in backroom whispers, have been deals between candidates for office and figures from the dark side.

These figures, known by a variety of names, apparently have been visiting the halls of New York government for quite some time. When they encounter a vulnerable official or candidate, apparently they offer the help of forces from their organization in exchange for future promises.

Some believe it may be as simple as vulnerable Council members being in bed with fat cat lobbyists.

Our Council sources claim it’s not that simple. They informs us of inside knowledge of council members actually selling their souls to . . . well, it gets clouded at this point – but you get the idea.

It seems clear that once these dark side figures or fat cats get hold of you or your soul, they don’t want to let go. And you don’t want them too, either.

And so, why should they allow the council members they control to be term limited and leave the council? They shouldn’t. They won’t!

The only way a Council member who has made a pact is allowed to leave is for higher office or darker service. And so the figures of the dark side have taken control and have promulgated term limits repeal and have forced their council members do their bidding.

And all of the blinded council members become self-serving tools of the dark side.

Now, we’re not sure how to stop it, except to yell loudly and constantly.

And we’re not sure if it is a pact between politicians and the devil or between council members and fat cat lobbyists.

And in this case, we’re not sure there is a difference.