Independence Party fundraiser no longer off limits

Last year, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy was about the only Democrat at the Nassau Independence Party fundraiser after Democratic County chairman Jay Jacobs issued a ban on attendance. But last week, a couple dozen county Democrats appeared, including legislators Kevan Abrahams, Judy Jacobs, Judy Bosworth,and Wayne Wink; North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman; ex-comptroller Howard Weitzman; and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. "I guess they got some big races this year," said Independence executive director Rick Bellando. "They came out and played nice." GOP chairman Joseph Mondello and Conservative chairman Danny Donovan appeared. Jay Jacobs didn't, but said he "wasn't boycotting" and told Democrats "if they chose to go they could go." -- Celeste Hadrick