Golden’s October surprise: He’s running

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) has his platform, an open field, and a fund-raising apparatus — and he may have even found a date to announce his run for mayor.

As we reported last March, Golden has definitely dipped his toe in the Republican-light mayoral waters for 2009, but he hasn’t fully jumped in.

But that may change in a few weeks, when Mayor Bloomberg is the guest of honor at Golden’s Oct. 17 fundraiser at Gargiulo’s in Coney Island. The $500-per-plate fundraiser is Golden’s biggest so far.

Golden confirmed the mayoral appearance, but didn’t commit to saying whether he’d make anything official at the fundraiser.

“All I can tell you that it will be one intense fundraiser,” said Golden with cryptic smile.

He was quick to add that he’s not merely being coy about announcing his run; he simply hasn’t decided yet. “It is a difficult call,” said Golden. “I believe in continuing the 16 years of stewardship of the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations, and a lot of people are pointing me in that direction.”

Getting the nod from Hizzoner would be quite a boost to that end.

A Bloomberg endorsement would be political gold — especially for a state senator virtually unknown beyond his Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights base. Golden is considered a shoe-in to win his Senate district next year, a race that isn’t expected to put much of a dent in his $425,000 war chest. He’d need much, much more to run for mayor, but raising big cash would be easy — if (and it’s a big if!) he remains the only Republican trying to succeed Mayor Mike.

Golden also added that he was in no rush to make a decision.

“Some people have been running for mayor since the day they were born,” said Golden. “I still have some time. I can realistically wait until next year if I need to.”

Golden ‘running’

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

The state senator from Bay Ridge — who is flirting with a run for mayor — will be on hand for the May 20 “5K Run for Fun,” sponsored by the Brooklyn Road Runners Club and Harbor Fitness.

The 3.1-mile jaunt benefits the New York Fire Department, honors some fallen heroes and helps those flabby winter waistlines.

Most important, of course, are the heroes: William Lake, from Bay Ridge’s Rescue 2, and Jimmy Riches, from Ladder 114 at 5209 Fifth Ave. Both were killed on 9-11 — and both were long-time members of the Bay Ridge fitness club. Organizers feel the run is one way they can give back.

“It costs $15 to run, and all the proceeds go to the charity,” said Chris Ganim, who works at Harbor Fitness and is organizing the event. “It is a real good time and a real good cause and everyone is welcome; people even bring their strollers and walkers.”

Of course, as with his run for mayor, it’s unclear whether Golden is up to the full challenge.

“Marty uses a bullhorn to start the race,” Ganim said. “But I don’t think he will be doing any running.” — Lysiak

The run starts at 10:30 am at Harbor Fitness (9215 Fourth Ave.) and proceeds down Fourth Avenue to 101st Street, then heads north on the Shore Road Bike Path before turning back around at 79th Street for the homestretch. The finish line waits under the Verrazano Bridge. Call (718) 238-9400 for information.