Scoopy’s Notebook

Take a memo…‘A.G.’: We hear Sean Maloney, former President Bill Clinton’s staff secretary (he handled all Clinton’s memos) and an East Village newcomer, no longer plans to run for the District 2 City Council seat of Margarita Lopez, who is term-limited out after 2005. Instead, Maloney reportedly plans to enter the crowded field for state attorney general, which includes potential candidates, former Public Advocate Mark Green, Andrew Cuomo, Charlie King and Assemblymembers Jeff Klein (Bronx), Richard Brodsky (Westchester) and Michael Ginnaris (Queens)…. Brian Ellner, openly gay president of Community School Board 2, is said to be planning to run for Manhattan Borough President.

Chad was hanging: We’re guessing Chad Marlow got more than a few concerned phone calls from local politicos over the June 12-13 weekend after he sent out an e-mail fundraising request that Friday for $7,000 for a poll to gauge support for a possible run against Councilmember Christine Quinn. However, Marlow said any calls he might have gotten didn’t affect his decision. Marlow certainly faced an uphill battle: Women candidates do better than men; Quinn is backed by State Senator Tom Duane; she’s a prospective candidate for next Council speaker; plus, it’s considered a gay district and in recent years only gay candidates have run. “What about Carlos Manzano?” Marlow asked. “I know — he doesn’t like to talk about it.” Manzano, who refuses to discuss his sexuality, is running for borough president.

at last! BAMRA elections: At the Bleecker Area Merchants’ and Residents’ Association’s recent meeting, members agreed that there will be a vote on new board officers very soon. Charlie Wolf will not be running for reelection as resident co-chair, but plans to stay on for a month during the “transition period.” “I have a fiduciary responsibility,” Wolf told The Villager, noting BAMRA has $41,000 in the bank. So far, Lois Rakoff is the only candidate to replace Wolf. BAMRA members also voted to accept Mayor Bloomberg’s invitation to cheer along the Olympic torch relay this Saturday as it passes through the Village.

Perfect Abingdon: Aubrey Lees, chairperson of Community Board 2’s Parks Committee, tells us the new and improved Abingdon Sq. Park will reopen to the public on Mon., June 21. Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner Bill Castro will preside at ribbon-cutting ceremony at a later date to be determined. At a cost of $800,000 to $900,000, the extensive renovation has added lawns, moved the “Doughboy” statue and will include installation of 41 new benches. Lees said the park’s entrances and pathways are all plenty wide and 100-percent A.D.A. handicapped accessible — though, we’re sure the Friends of Old Abingdon Sq. aren’t buying it.

Hudson roast: James Ortenzio, former chairperson of the Hudson River Park Trust, was honored recently by Friends of Hudson River Park at Chelsea Piers. Charles Gargano, chairperson of the Empire State Development Corporation, presented the award. Ortenzio described a bit of friendly jousting with Al Butzel, Friends’ president, that sounded a bit like a “Dean Martin Celebrity Roast.” “Only on the West Side,” said Ortenzio. “It was a mild mudslinging fest — but who wants a boring dinner?”

Flower children: Jo Hamilton and Florent Morellet recently checked out the Flower Market in Los Angeles; Morellet had some business to do in L.A., where Hamilton has friends, so the two co-chairpersons of Save Gansevoort Market decided to do some research on their proposal to relocate New York City’s Flower Market from the W. 20s to the Meat Market.

“D” for “dollars”: Stanley Cohen, the Jewish attorney who represents Hamas, tells us someone recently offered his landlord $9 million for the building on Avenue D — that’s right, Avenue D — where Cohen lives, but the owner didn’t bite. “The landlord has carved the building into cubbyholes for gentrifiers,” Cohen said, adding he’s moving up to the top-floor loft.