Bill Driscoll, the senior founding partner at The Parkside Group, has suddenly parted ways with Evan Stavisky and Harry Gianoulis. Driscoll was considered the most savvy at the political consulting and lobbying firm, always the 1000-pound gorilla in any room where the political landscape in Queens is discussed and debated. Parkside, which made its bones through its incestuous relationship with the Queens County Democratic Party, was once considered a firm that political candidates "had" to deal with in order to get the coveted county endorsement.

The relationship was originally forged by Driscoll in the 1980s. Prior to that he worked for party boss Tom Manton and was counsel to the Queens county clerk. Those familiar with the firm see the synergy of effective corporate lobbying tied to relationships built by helping candidates win elections…. all working together through the support of the Queens Democratic organization. Parkside has a reputation as "City Council Kingmaker" as well, lobbying its own political clients for committee posts inside the City Council.

Driscoll has apparently brought some clients (including Tully Construction and PACHA nightclub) to the firm he joined, Gotham Government Relations. He apparently also brought over a few former Parkside partners, including Tuffany Rasberry, a seasoned Brooklyn lobbyist. Could Gotham become the force that Parkside was? Time will tell.