June 16, 1997

Guy Molinari, Staten Island Borough Pres and Republican power broker, feuds with Assemblyman Robert A Straniere, who insists on seeking Susan Molinari's Congressional seat even though Republican Party has designated someone else; party's choice, Vito J Fossella Jr, is 32-year-old City Councilman with close ties to both Molinari and his daughter (M)

Many landlords oppose tentative agreement reached by Gov George E Pataki and legislative leaders; say deal on vacany-bonus plan, in which apartments will remain regulated but landlords will be allowed rent increases of 20 percent or more when units become vacant, is 'political compromise' that does nothing to help them (M)

National Trust for Historic Preservation on June 16 will place south side of Ellis Island on its annual list of 11 'most endangered historic places' in US; cluster of 24 buildings on south side, where hospital wards housed immigrants with communicable diseases, was ignored during island's celebrated restoration and has fallen into ruin; officers of New York Landmarks Conservancy, Municipal Art Society and Preservation New Jersey will urge Congress to finance emergency repairs to south side; map; photos (M)

New ferry service will make round trips from Jersey City to Sandy Hook, New Jersey's northernmost beach, starting June 19; ferry service will make trip possible in less than 45 minutes, compared with two or three hours by car (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

Sgt Major of Army Gene McKinney, first black man ever to hold that job, is preparing his defense against four women who have accused him of sexual harassment and other misconduct; Brenda L Hoster, his former special affairs assistant, has accused him of sexually assaulting her in Honolulu hotel room; military investigator on June 23 will begin closed hearing to decide whether there is enough evidence to order McKinney tried by court-martial; McKinney has accused Army investigators involved in his case of racism; photos (M)