Since the end of 2006, Governor Eliot Spitzer has been naming key appointees in his administration. But of the nearly 60 appointees so far, no Chinese or Asian has been named to the top echelon; this lack of diversity is causing some concern in the Chinese community.

Councilman John Liu (D-Queens) admitted that it is a concern that Spitzer has not named an Asian official but thinks it is too soon to pass judgment, since Spitzer has been in office only one month, but that it is a development worth following.

There are two reasons to account for the shortcoming, according to some in the Chinese community. First, no Asian is in the core group of Spitzer’s transition team, barring the Asian community from the appointment process. Second, Spitzer, being the obvious winner during the campaign, did not really go into each community and establish contact. As well, many members of the Chinese community did not know him well while he was the New York Attorney General.

Virginia Kee, a founding member of the Chinatown Democratic Party, is one of the few Chinese in Spitzer’s transition team. She said that some Chinese Americans were on the short list for key positions. For instance, Benjamin Chu, the former president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, was one of the candidates for the Department of Health. Chu, however, declined the appointment after initial contact.

Some people also allege that some members of the staff at the Asian American Legal and Education Fund, whom Spitzer, as the Attorney General became quite familiar with, are also being evaluated for positions in the human rights department.

Ellen Young, the newly-elected State Assemblywoman, said that state officials should have diversity that represents the state population and hopes to see Asians in key positions.

Bonnie Wong, executive director of the Asian Women in Business, and former member of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s transition team, concedes that it is worrisome that Spitzer has overlooked Asians. According to Wong, the Asian community felt slighted during the past 12 years under a Republican governor, adding that Democratic governor should be more careful in presenting a diverse administration.

Although there are enough qualified Asians, opined Kee, many young Asians prefer to concentrate on their own career and not give up profitable jobs in finance or law to entering public service. Furthermore, the prospect of relocating to Albany is also an obstacle.

John Wong, executive director of Asian American Business Development Center, believes both sides need to do a better job. On one hand, Asians should be more willing to enter into public services. One the other hand, the transition team needs to be more aggressive in recruiting capable Asians.

Councilman Liu stated that there are many capable Asians, who are no longer satisfied by staying as mid-level bureaucrat, who can fill key positions. The new governor will be judged not only by his Asian appointees, but by the Asian community that is definitely watching.