By KEITH GRANT
Carroll made his decision official in a letter written Monday to Nassau County Democratic leader Tom DiNapoli, just before DiNapoli declared his candidacy for County Executive. Carroll confirmed his intention to the Herald the following day, expressing a dissatisfaction with the party and the direction of the city.
"We can't stay status quo forever," he said. "You have to go forward, and we're going backwards."
To replace Cammarato, who also serves as the city's director of operations, Carroll must place 48 Democratic committeemen nominees -- two in each of 24 voting districts -- on a September primary ballot and receive a majority of the vote. That vote will determine the party's candidates for City Council, which now is wholly controlled by Democrats. Three council seats will be up for re-election, those of Dennis Kelly, Scott Nigro and Ed Buscemi. Buscemi, however, is expected to step down from the council in the coming months.
Carroll attributed what he called a grass-roots challenge to two main points: a perceived weak performance locally by Democratic candidates in the November election, and Cammarato's alleged attempt to force Carroll into retirement after nearly three decades leading the Recreation Department.
In the letter to DiNapoli, Carroll said he had supported Republicans Rick Lazio and Dean Skelos in November's election despite being a longtime loyal Democrat with opposing views.
"I never met Rick Lazio, never spoke to him and didn't believe in many of his issues, but I was and remain totally opposed to the so-called Long Beach Democratic Party under the leadership of Eugene C. Cammarato, who is currently attempting to have me retire from my position as Superintendent of Recreation for the City of Long Beach after 44 years of dedicated employment."
Carroll said that as a civil-service employee he can't be fired, and he does not intend to leave his position anytime soon.
"I'll go when I'm ready to go, like every other civil-service agent," he said. That being the case, Carroll said Cammarato, as director of operations, hired an outside auditing firm to investigate the Recreation Department, uncovering alleged misuse of funds. Carroll is fighting the charge and suing the auditing firm, he said.
Cammarato did not return phone calls from the Herald seeking comment. Several City Council members, however, did voice support for his leadership of the party, as well as his work for the City.
"I think he's been outstanding," Council president Joel Crystal said. "I got involved six years ago as someone who had never been involved in politics before, and from what I've seen, he's been a dedicated leader. I think he's separated his roles as the Democratic leader and his function as assistant to the city manager, and now director of operations. He's true Long Beach."
Council vice president Barbara Mosca said she had complete faith in Cammarato's leadership.
"I totally trust him. I think that Gene has just gone way overboard in his dedication to the city," she said. "Gene gets things done. He does the job tremendously. It's unfortunate that his name gets dragged through the mud."
Neither Buscemi, Crystal, Mosca nor council member Dennis Kelly commented on Carroll's decision to seek the party helm, which they said they were first learning of from the Herald. Kelly, however, did address the possibility of a primary challenge and suggested he is up for it.
"I'm expecting to run and I don't think a primary would really affect me in any way," Kelly said. "It'll probably be more hard work, but I enjoy campaigning."
The news was met with some enthusiastic support by several frequent and public critics of Cammarato. Frank McQuade, a Republican, voiced support for Carroll, saying the recreation boss would serve in the best interests of the entire community.
"Bob Carroll represents a measure of common sense and decency," McQuade said. "I hope he prevails, and I think he will."
The battle for Democratic leadership is one that affects the entire city, McQuade feels, because of Cammarato's position as director of operations, the No. 2 post in the city government.
"As long as he is director of operations, then what he does as the Democratic leader affects everyone," McQuade said.
A vocal opponent of Cammarato's dual role in Long Beach is activist Mark Jackson, who called Carroll's challenge "very healthy."
"Having one individual in a dictator-like stance, who allows no differing views, is totally wrong," Jackson said. "He shuts down all kinds of dissent."
Carroll echoed the sentiment that Cammarato is a one-man ruler and said that it was time to do away with that, a mission he believes will prove successful.
"If I didn't think I could win, I wouldn't do it," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be successful. If we get the right people involved, I think we will be."
