Legis. Norma Gonsalves off Conservative Party line

Nassau legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) is off the Conservative Party line after a crucial number of signatures on her nominating petition were declared invalid.

Gonsalves needed 39 valid signatures from registered Conservative voters for the cross-endorsement. But in Nassau Supreme Court Thursday, more than half her 82 signatures failed to survive challenges, including signees who did not live in the district or were not registered in the party -- and two who are deceased.

"There seems to have been some sloppiness in the case," said her attorney, Charles Casolaro. Gonsalves, still the GOP candidate, faces Democrat Edward J. Kraus, a former chief of the North Bellmore Fire Department, in November.-- Robert Brodsky