POLICE Commissioner Ray Kelly will be ap pearing twice within a couple of weeks in Orthodox Jewish strongholds in Brooklyn, areas where at least one elected official says he’d be a strong contender for mayor in 2009.
Kelly has accepted an invitation to speak on Nov. 27 at a breakfast in Borough Park sponsored by City Councilman Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn).
Felder said the event could draw 400 to 500 people.
Speakers at Felder’s previous breakfasts have all been elected officials: Mayor Bloomberg, Comptroller Bill Thompson, former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Brooklyn DA Charles “Joe” Hynes.
“People in communities throughout the city are very, very appreciative of the job he has done to protect citizens,” Felder said, explaining why he invited Kelly.
Just days later and blocks away, the commissioner has an appointment to speak with residents at a local police community council meeting.
Paul Browne, Kelly’s spokesman, insisted that the two engagements are nothing out of the ordinary.
“He’s done many, many such events in his role as police commissioner during both tenures and over years in various capacities from precinct commander to first deputy commissioner,” Browne said. “It’s not a sign of him entering the political arena.”
But conservative Jews would certainly take a favorable view of Kelly if he decided to run for City Hall, according to Felder.
“A lot of people in my community are hoping that he will change his mind and seek public office,” he said.
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At least seven City Council members forced out by term limits in 2001 are considering comebacks in 2009.
And there’s still plenty of time for more to join the list.
The latest entry: Deputy Queens Borough President Karen Koslowitz is eyeing her old Council seat in Forest Hills, according to sources.
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A showdown is looming in the next race for Queens borough president.
Insiders say the Queens Democratic organization is zeroing in on Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer as its candidate to replace Borough President Helen Marshall, who’ll be term limited in 2009.
But City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., son of the former council speaker, says he won’t pull out of the beep race, no matter who else is running.
Expect a monumental confrontation if neither side backs down.