Issue of effectiveness in 17th Assembly Dist. race

Thomas McKevitt and Thomas Devaney have more in common than just their first names.

Each has good things to say about the other. And each thinks he is better equipped to represent the people of the New York State Assembly's 17th District.

The Republican incumbent, McKevitt, 39, who won a special election in 2006, is vying for his third full term in Albany.

Opposing him is Democratic challenger Devaney, 33, a lieutenant at the East Williston Fire Department and a volunteer emergency medical technician for the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

A natural progression

Devaney says his bid for elected office is the natural progression of a life in public service that began as a Boy Scout growing up in East Williston, where he still lives.

"I really hope I get the chance to do this . . . I can definitely help out my area - an area I've been helping out for 15 years," said Devaney, a graduate of Chaminade High School, in 1995, and of Catholic University in Washington, D.C. "I can do more. That's what I want to do."

It was his commitment to emergency medicine and volunteer firefighting that spurred Devaney to run for Assembly.

Devaney said he became frustrated watching his fellow volunteer firefighters get short shrift in Albany with unfunded mandates and important benefits bills that were held up.

Devaney said that while McKevitt may have good intentions in Albany, he is hamstrung by being a minority member.

As a member of the Democratic majority in the Assembly, Devaney said, he would be able to help secure more grant funding for his district, become a chairman of a committee, and better represent the people of his district.

"[McKevitt] is not a bad guy. But if he's not going to make a difference and not make a change out there and continue everything as usual, then we need a chance up there," said Devaney, who has also secured the Working Families line on the ballot.

Above the political fray

McKevitt, of East Meadow, in turn called Devaney "a good guy" and a dedicated public servant, but said he "vehemently" disagreed that his opponent would have an easier time getting things done in Albany.

"The reality is that, this past year there is no grant money for anybody whatsoever - minority or majority," said McKevitt, a former Hempstead deputy town attorney and special counsel to the Uniondale law firm of Sahn, Ward, Coschignano & Baker. "I think it doesn't make a difference what party you're in . . . New York State is broke right now."

Still, McKevitt says he's been able to be effective in Albany by keeping above the fray of party politics. He said he's sponsored or co-sponsored 43 bills that have been signed into law, and was the very first Republican Assembly member to co-sponsor legislation to make no-fault divorce the law in New York.

"I think I've worked very constructively with members of the majority, and when I feel they're right I support them wholeheartedly," said McKevitt, the ranking minority member of the Assembly's judiciary and mental health committees. "I'll vote the way that is in the best interest of the people of the 17th District, period."

Working for reform

McKevitt, who also is running on the Independence and Conservative lines, lists among his top priorities working to abolish the MTA payroll tax, which he said forces suburban Long Island business owners to subsidize mass transit in New York City, and fighting for auto insurance reform.

Devaney said the most important reform needed in Albany is that of the Legislature itself, whose myriad ethical scandals have made New York State government a national laughing stock. He said he also supports a property tax cap.

The 17th District includes Carle Place, Williston Park, East Williston, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Garden City, East Garden City, Mineola, Uniondale, North Merrick, Merrick and North Bellmore.

As of April, there were 30,404 registered Democrats and 38,961 registered Republicans in the district.

As of a month before the election, McKevitt had raised $12,225 and had a war chest of $3,680, according to state campaign finance filings.

Devaney had raised $25,155 and had a war chest of $8,794.99.