SPITZER: MY MISSUS WILL BE A BIG HIT

By KENNETH LOVETT

December 30, 2006 -- ALBANY - Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer yesterday defended the unprecedented act of giving his wife an office in the governor's wing of the Capitol, saying he expects big things from her.

The Post reported yesterday that Silda Wall Spitzer will be a non-paid adviser to her husband.

"The Capitol is big," Spitzer said. "She'll have a place there to work from because what she'll be doing is going to be important, I hope, and significant."

Spitzer told The Associated Press he expected his wife to build on the work she has done with Children for Children, a nonprofit group she created that promotes volunteerism.

Aides say Mrs. Spitzer, a graduate of Harvard Law School, will also serve as a non-paid policy adviser to her husband.

But the move drew criticism from some.

"It's peculiar and probably less than appropriate," said ex-state GOP chairman Stephen Minarik.

"If you're going to give her a job, just give her a job and pay her. To have her sitting there, does that mean people will be answering to her?"

Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson called Minarik's comments "ridiculous."

Several lawmakers - both Democrats and Republicans - said they have no problems with the office plan.

kenneth.lovett@nypost.com