I was sad to hear about former Councilman Archie Spigner.

Although I met Archie a number of times, I really didn’t know him. But there is little doubt that Archie was, for more than three decades, a political force in Queensand during that period of time, cultivated the fields of opportunity and public service for those to follow him in Southeast Queens.

He sat beside Queens Democratic County Leader Donald Manes and later Tom Manton ensuring that the party recognized, supported and was responsive to his constituency. He represented Southeast Queens in the City Council for 28 years during which time he held many key positions
including Majority Whip and Queens delegation co-chair. He was a key player in the Council, but of equal importance, he was recognized by many of the city fathers as the voice of a very large black constituency.

Yes, Archie spoke for Southeast Queens and the borough’s black population. Archie worked within the system to make the system responsive to the needs of the Queens minority population – back then, even in Queens, minority meant black or African American. Archie was the spokesperson.

And now the community will remember Archie and his work because this Friday, May 6, (the day some of you are first picking up the paper), the United States Postal Service will dedicate the St. Albans Post Office located at 195-04 Linden Blvd. in honor of former New York City Councilman Archie Spigner.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the legislation naming Spigner’s hometown post office for him, will participate in the dedication ceremony.

And there will be no eulogy because Archie Spigner is not dead – he will attend the ceremony.

Archie and his wife Christine live in Southeast Queens’ Addisleigh Park. Archie continues to play politics, lobby, work for the community, and is alive and well in spite of having a United States Post Office named after him.

With no disrespect to Archie or those who supported or sponsored this naming, c’mon, give me
a break.

Where I come from, you gotta die first. Until we run out of dead Americans, should we start naming buildings – Federal Buildings – for live politicians? I thought to make a U.S. postage stamp you had to die first. Are buildings -- post offices -- different?

I mean, teachers who inspire the young, doctors who save lives, firemen and police who protect and defend . . . you get the idea . . . living or dead, are disregarded and a live politico is selected to become a Post Office.

Great black leaders, great leaders of Queens, borough children who gave their lives in this nation’s
wars, are dead and buildingless. There are some living Queens giants who have nothing more than plaques on their walls -- but that’s the way it should be. There are probably many great dead Americans who don’t even have a brick.

But a United States Post Office is now named for Archie Spigner a former Councilman.

Me, I believe in naming buildings for dead people. But if you’re going to change the rules as I know them, we might as well sell the naming rights.

“Def Jam Post Office anyone?

Sorry Archie, and congratulations, I think.

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The Curse

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

So, the impact of the bizarre actions of Councilman Allan Jennings spreads far beyond his Southeast Queens District. Jennings’ anti-social behavior has become an issue in the City Council election as far away as Riverdale – the quiet Bronx community where the City’s staid middle-class values of another era still struggle to survive.

This thriving but aging community is represented in the Council by Oliver Koppell, an ideological liberal throwback who has been a square peg in the city’s round political landscape. After serving in the State Legislature, it bestowed him with his 30 seconds of fame by appointing him to fill a vacancy as NY State Attorney General. After quickly losing the office at the polls, term limits revived his faltering political career and Koppell was elected to a vacant Council seat.

In the Council, Koppell seemed to have difficulty parlaying his impressive resume into power alliances and wound up being identified as an ally of Queens’ very own oddball Allan Jennings.

And now Koppell’s Primary opponent Ari Hoffnung, former president of the Riverdale Jewish Community Council, has demanded that Koeppel apologize for his relationship with Jennings.

When the Council voted 43 to two with four abstentions to censure and punish Jennings,
Koppell abstained because of his relationship with Jennings.

According to a report published in the the respected Riverdale Press, Hoffnung said, “Councilman Koppell must apologize for his ongoing support of Jennings. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue and the Council did the right thing by censuring Jennings.”

Citing Koppell’s donations to Jennings’ campaign in 2003 of $250 in March and $1,050 in June, and his service the same year as Jennings’ election lawyer pro bono, helping him regain a position on the ballot when thrown off, Hoffnung pointed his finger at Koppell “Jennings would not be in the City Council were it not for Koppell’s remarkable intervention in 2003.”

And so the sad case of Allan Jennings moves north to the Bronx.