HEARD AROUND TOWN

HEARD AROUND TOWN: * As if the impending three-way congressional race between Rep. Ed Towns, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron didn't have enough drama, the race could also well be a battle between two of the state's best-known political consultants -- who happen to be arch-enemies. As noted yesterday by Capital New York, George Arzt and Hank Sheinkopf, formerly close friends, now refuse to speak to one another. Arzt's firm is signed on as the campaign consultant for Jeffries, while Sheinkopf has a longstanding relationship with Towns and is already acting as something of a campaign spokesman. (Sheinkopf says he hasn't officially signed onto the campaign -- at least not yet.) "I'm looking forward to it," said Arzt of the likely competition with his nemesis. Sheinkopf was less diplomatic. "I don't know what George Arzt does, and I don't much care," Sheinkopf said.