Politics on the Hudson

Outspoken State University of New York Trustee Candace de Russy of Bronxville, Westchester County, was not renominated to serve on the Board of Trustees. She has served on the board since 1995. Her term expires this month, as do those of Father John Cremins of Queens, a member since 2002, and Teresa Santiago of Hartsdale, Westchester County, who has served since 2005.

In his first chance to affect the makeup of the 16-member board, which runs the 64-campus public system, Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer has nominated Carl Hayden, who served on the Board of Regents for 12 years, including one as chancellor; H. Carl McCall, state comptroller from 1993 to 2002; and Linda Sanford, a senior vice president at IBM. The Senate has to confirm the nominations.

Fifteen of the 16 trustees were appointed by Spitzer’s GOP predecessor, George Pataki. The sixteenth member is a student trustee, elected to serve on the board by the student body each year.

The governor has designated Hayden, who practices law in Elmira, to serve as chairman.

Current Chairman Thomas Egan of Rye, Westchester County, has been in that position since 1996.