Opinion

Editorials

Nassau County government is badly in need of a fresh start, and in Tuesday’s election it’s guaranteed to get one, at least in the county executive’s office. But that new leader, whether Democrat Laura Curran or Republican Jack Martins is elected, is going to need help from the county legislature.
Nassau County is rich in opportunity and blessed in many ways. Nassau County government is riddled with problems and challenged in many ways. Because of that, the government is holding the county back. Effective and engaged lawmakers working together and moving Nassau forward would be a big change, indeed. 
The broken property-tax assessment system bleeds as much as $100 million a year and has led the county to rack up more than $1 billion of its $3.5 billion in debt, even as it shifts the tax burden to the county’s poorest property owners and enriches tax refund companies. Thanks largely to tax refund costs, and to generous compensation for police officers, the county’s budget is badly out of balance. The bus system faces route cuts practically every year, and crucial social services, such as youth programs, are often threatened by budget shortfalls. Because Nassau’s elected leaders have been unable to manage the finances, the county’s state oversight board, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, has imposed a control period for the past six years.
The public’s loss of faith in the government’s honesty is even worse than the loss of faith in its competence. Departing County Executive Edward Mangano is under federal indictment on corruption charges in dealings with a vendor. Former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre is fighting corruption charges related to a county contract. And investigations have uncovered a contracting system that is in many ways a license to reward the politically connected with taxpayer money.
Some improvements have been made in the county’s ethics rules and contract oversight. More are needed. The next legislature will need to address this first and foremost. But it also will need to address economic development at the Hub, the opioid crisis and infrastructure in disrepair.
Much must be done to help Nassau live up to its potential. And it will take willing legislators to do it.

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Nassau needs right lawmakers to live up to county’s potential

Editorial: Nassau needs legislators to step up

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Kevan Abrahams has had a constant uphill climb as the legislature’s minority leader, in a body where Democrats often can’t get legislation to a vote.
But Abrahams, 43, who has served seven terms, wants to keep climbing, and seems ready to have a partnership with a new county executive and a new leader of the Republican caucus. He understands the county’s ills and is willing to push on the most critical issues, including stopping corruption and fixing the assessment system. Abrahams, of Freeport, is focused on attracting business and jobs to his own district and beyond. 
Baldwin Republican Charlene Thompson, 51, an attorney and community activist, is a smart and ardent advocate, particularly on economic development and jobs. She’s particularly focused on developing opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. However, she needs more specific ideas beyond suggesting that an expanded tax base would solve the county’s woes. Thompson is a voice to be heard and should stay involved in politics. 
Abrahams has the experience and knowledge. He should continue to fight for his community and the county and to forge bipartisanship in the legislature.
Newsday endorses Abrahams.

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Kevan Abrahams to represent Nassau’s 1st Legislative District

Newsday endorses Abrahams for Nassau’s 1st LD

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Democrat Siela Bynoe, 50, of Westbury, remains consistent. Since winning office in a special election in 2014, she has worked on a few signature issues: helping to create a land bank program to refurbish zombie homes, expanding training for police and schools on how to deal with mental illness, and bringing police and community members together to set a non-adversarial tone.
Republican challenger James Lamarre, 41, of Lakeview, owns a small commercial and residential cleaning company and is a licensed financial adviser. He argues that he brings skills to effect positive change, but it’s hard to top what Bynoe is doing in that respect.
In her second full term, Bynoe should fulfill ambitious campaign promises to scrutinize bail practices and diversion programs, promote anti-corruption measures and encourage women- and minority-owned businesses to bid for county work.
Newsday endorses Bynoe.

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Siela Bynoe to represent Nassau’s 2nd Legislative District

Newsday endorses Bynoe in Nassau’s 2nd LD

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Democratic incumbent Carrié Solages faces misdemeanor charges of assaulting his girlfriend after he thought she hid his marijuana. The police complaint filed in June also alleges that he endangered the welfare of a child. 
Solages claims the allegations are false, calling himself the “victim of a setup,” adding that his girlfriend was the aggressor, not the victim. He has the presumption of innocence but given the severity of the situation, it might have done Solages, 38, of Elmont, and his district more good if he took time off to straighten things out. 
There are other concerns. Solages is mostly focused on Solages — touting as an accomplishment minor works such as writing a letter, and highlighting group successes as his own. He has a reputation for not working well with others, and now is not caucusing with his party. If re-elected, he said he would form his own caucus, putting himself before the good of his district or the county.
Republican Paul Sapienza, 65, owns a third-generation family bakery and is the president of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce. The lifelong Elmont resident understands his community and the need to build up its businesses to revive jobs and serve residents. “I never thought there would be a day I would do something politically,” he says of his first run for office. “But the issues are not about the people anymore but about politics.” 
Sapienza supports development around Belmont Park as long as it lifts the surrounding area. In contrast to many in his party, he supports the idea of an independent inspector general. He provides a quiet, intelligent voice at a time when that is exactly what the legislature and his district need.
Newsday endorses Sapienza.

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Paul Sapienza to represent Nassau’s 3rd Legislative District

Newsday endorses Sapienza in Nassau’s 3rd LD

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Denise Ford, 66, is a registered Democrat and Long Beach resident who has long caucused with the Republican majority. 
Ford, seeking an eighth term, has advocated well for her district, especially during recovery from superstorm Sandy. She has strong union support, but is open to reducing costs, including minimum staffing provisions that increase police overtime.
Her challenger is Democrat Jane Fisher, 58, a newcomer to politics who volunteered to run after being disappointed with the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Also of Long Beach, she works for the Nassau County Civil Service Commission and her fervent skepticism about county hiring and contracts is on target.
Ford has a unique political identity, and she should focus on joint solutions to get things done. To show her support for term limits, she could serve one last fruitful term. 
Newsday endorses Ford.

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Denise Ford to represent Nassau’s 4th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Ford in Nassau’s 4th LD   

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Both Democrat Debra Mule and Republican Kathleen Spatz are very active in the 5th District, much like Laura Curran, who vacated this seat to run for county executive.
Mule, 55, is a Freeport Village trustee. Spatz, 65, is the co-president of the South Hempstead Civic Association. Both are players in local revitalization efforts — Mule in downtown Freeport and Spatz in Baldwin. Scaling up to this new job would challenge each candidate. Spatz oversimplifies Nassau’s assessment issue by blaming it on superstorm Sandy and Mule opposes new county fees but has no alternative for generating revenue.
Mule supports an independent inspector general and staffing up the assessment office. She helped streamline Freeport’s budget and police contract, and is keen on infrastructure investment. She’s willing to cross party lines like predecessor Curran. 
Newsday endorses Mule.

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Debra Mule to represent Nassau’s 5th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Mule for Nassau’s 5th LD

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Lynbrook Republican William Gaylor is a cheerleader for Nassau County. The 54-year-old attorney seeking a second term sees a population increasing and an area that young people want to settle in for its top schools and quality of life.
Gaylor wants more housing so those young people can come back, and a new hotel for his district. His argument that huge strides have been made on Nassau’s budget and ethics reform is frustrating because there have been only baby steps.
His opponent, Democrat Dino Amoroso, 60, also of Lynbrook, has the knowledge and experience necessary to do the job. That’s because the attorney is a well-connected party stalwart who ran Nassau Off-Track Betting when Democrat Thomas Suozzi was county executive. But he does not seem passionate about becoming a lawmaker. 
Amoroso knows the county and what to do, but his blast from the past is not right to move the county forward.
Newsday endorses Gaylor.

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William Gaylor to represent Nassau’s 6th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Gaylor in Nassau’s 6th LD

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It often seems Nassau County government is wrongheaded. We’re hopeful Karen Blitz, a neurologist, can help.
This is the first time Blitz, 59, has sought political office, but the Rockville Centre Democrat believes her math abilities would help with the budget and she says her science background puts her in the perfect position to address public health.
A true political outsider, Blitz sees the county government as corrupt. She correctly wants an independent inspector general and believes Republican leaders can’t even admit to the problem.
Lawrence Republican Howard Kopel, 66, is after a fifth term, and wrapping up his strongest stint by far. Over the past two years, he’s been an increasingly vocal and effective advocate for the taxpayer, particularly in fighting a silly deal to “lease” the sewer system to an investor. But Blitz’s unique qualities are too much to pass up. 
Newsday endorses Blitz.

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Karen Blitz to represent Nassau’s 7th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Blitz in Nassau’s 7th LD

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This race is a second-time matchup between Nassau corrections officer and community activist Carl Gerrato and Vincent Muscarella, an original county legislator who’s been serving since 1996. Gerrato, 50, a Democrat from Franklin Square, would put must-be-addressed problems at the county jail on the agenda. However, Muscarella is a pragmatic, effective and engaged incumbent who can stand on his record.
Muscarella, 63, a Republican from West Hempstead, articulates nuanced positions on important relationships that require experience to understand, such as with the Nassau Interim Finance Authority. He favors crafting a compromise over installing a county ethics watchdog.
Muscarella also defends his support for video lottery terminals at Belmont Park, a strategy that netted Nassau millions when the machines went to Aqueduct Racetrack instead.
Newsday endorses Muscarella.

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Muscarella  to represent Nassau’s 8th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Muscarella in Nassau’s 8th LD

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Richard Nicolello is one of the two remaining original members of the county legislature. He’s seeking his 12th term, and if Republicans hold the majority, Nicolello, 57, of New Hyde Park, is the favorite to serve as the next presiding officer.
His long tenure gives him a perspective on how the legislature can work in a less partisan and divisive way — because, once upon a time, it did. Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, and Judy Jacobs, a Democrat, could gather their colleagues and iron out approaches to solve problems.
First, Nicolello must shed the faux campaign-trail talk about the county making progress toward fiscal stability. He has smart ideas about fixing tax assessments using computer modeling and making Long Island more affordable and exciting for young residents.
Democrat Mal Nathan, 54, of Williston Park, did not meet with the editorial board.
Newsday endorses Nicolello.

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Richard Nicolello to represent Nassau’s 9th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Nicolello in Nassau’s 9th LD

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Two years ago, Newsday did not make an endorsement in the 10th Legislative District, after Democrat Ellen Birnbaum made inappropriate racial remarks about the area around a New Cassel community center.
But in the years since then, Birnbaum, 62, of Great Neck, seems to have learned from her mistakes and stepped up her legislative game. She has clear district and countywide priorities for a next term, including reopening the Sixth Precinct in Manhasset, establishing a county independent inspector general and working to fully staff the county’s assessment office.
Her opponent, Republican David Adhami, 33, is a Great Neck attorney who insists legislators provide enough of a check on ethics issues, so no other reforms are needed. He was unable to articulate specific ideas on the county’s budget or developing the Hub. 
Newsday endorses Birnbaum.

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Ellen Birnbaum to represent Nassau’s 10th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Birnbaum in Nassau’s 10th LD

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Delia DeRiggi-Whitton is a rising star of the legislature. She’s smart and willing to stand her ground.
DeRiggi-Whitton, 48, wants an independent inspector general and a full ban on vendors’ political contributions. The Glen Cove Democrat fights for her district and on larger issues, like the opioid crisis; she’d like to put a Narcan kit in every household.
Glen Cove resident Zefy Christopoulos, 62, former chief of staff to Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello, is a member of the Independence Party running on the Republican ticket. Christopoulos’ strong voice, knowledge of the district, and support for economic development are welcome, but are not enough to turn out the up-and-coming DeRiggi-Whitton.
But DeRiggi-Whitton should reconsider her position on economic development in her district, especially her skepticism about the Garvies Point project.
Newsday endorses DeRiggi-Whitton.

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Delia DeRiggi-Whitton to represent Nassau’s 11th Legislative District

Newsday endorses DeRiggi-Whitton in Nassau’s 11th LD

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Democrat Alexander Melton, 22, works at an economic-statistical consulting firm and is running on an ambitious platform to change how the county operates. He emphasizes using data and technology to craft policy, like yearly property assessments, a transparent crime database, highway speed cameras instead of red-light cameras and a new county website.
He is challenging Republican James Kennedy, who is finishing his first full term. Kennedy, 45, is a former teacher who has prioritized adding more surveillance in the Massapequa Preserve and Narcan training sessions. A Massapequa resident, Kennedy exudes ambivalence on fiscal and management issues. 
Melton, a South Farmingdale resident, faces an uphill battle in a Republican stronghold, but his creativity and bold ideas are what’s needed in Nassau now.
Newsday endorses Melton.

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Alex Melton to represent Nassau’s 12th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Melton in Nassau’s 12th LD

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East Meadow Democrat Eileen Napolitano never stopped running for the legislature after she lost to Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves in 2015. Now Gonsalves is retiring and Napolitano, 55, is even more knowledgeable and ready to take the seat than when we endorsed her for it two years ago. 
An optometrist, Napolitano is focused on balancing the county budget and passing ethics reforms. She wants to see common-sense money-savers like moving the county away from paper paychecks and to direct deposit and paying civilians, instead of costly county cops, to drive ambulances. 
On assessments and the property tax system, she says it’s the government’s job to get them right by hiring a qualified assessor and staffing the office. She wants closed police precincts reopened, but also wants to end arcane police work rules that cost taxpayers a fortune without improving safety. 
She’s furious about huge administrative fees on traffic tickets and real estate paperwork that are burdening residents. She’ll fight for term limits, a better ethics board and an independent inspector general to clean up county corruption. And she promises to listen carefully and advocate for the wants of the community.
Republican Thomas McKevitt, 46, is a minority-party member of the State Assembly from East Meadow. An attorney, he says serving in Mineola, not Albany, would keep him closer to his family. That makes sense for McKevitt. The voters, though, would be better served by a county legislator with a zeal to serve and who could provide some details on how to do so. McKevitt, who says he will seek re-election to the Assembly next year if he loses this race, doesn’t seem to have his heart in it. 
Napolitano, on the other hand, understands how badly corruption has damaged the public trust, and that legislators must work hard to restore it. She’s ready for the job.
Newsday endorses Napolitano.

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Eileen Napolitano to represent Nassau’s 13th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Napolitano in Nassau’s 13th LD

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Running for a third term, Republican Laura Schaefer ticks off a number of constituent projects she helped along: a chairlift for a county building in Westbury, a disability access project for the Westbury Memorial Public Library, fire department equipment upgrades and road projects.
The Westbury lawyer, 49, complains that “government can be slow,” and she relishes working against that on behalf of the people she represents.
However, on countywide issues, Schaefer is not nearly as engaged, and her responses to questions on tax assessments and campaign contributions replicate the Nassau Republican playbook. If she were more energized in these areas, she could grow into a more effective legislator and step up to the larger issues facing the county. 
Democratic challenger Robert Pena, 24, of Garden City, is a medical student at Hofstra University. He’s bright, and we welcome his interest in politics.
Newsday endorses Schaefer.

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Laura Schaefer to represent Nassau’s 14th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Schaefer for Nassau’s 14th LD

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Dennis Dunne Sr., an original member of the legislature, left this seat in June after 22 years to serve on the Hempstead Town Board. The two candidates are making their first runs for office, both are from Levittown, the heart of the district, and both would bring energy and focus to representing it.
Michael Sheridan, 53, a Democrat and yoga studio owner, wants green audits of public projects, a solar array at the Hub and younger concert acts to give the county more vibrancy.
John Ferretti Jr., 34, knows local government and politics. An attorney, he is chief deputy county clerk, overseeing a large staff and budget. The Republican knows firsthand how burdensome the proposed hike in fees on real estate transactions will be and vows to stop them. He wants tax bills to reflect the actual whole value of a property, ending the mystery of fractional assessments. He’s got a better handle on the job.
Newsday endorses Ferretti.

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John Ferretti to represent Nassau County’s 15th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Ferretti in Nassau’s 15th LD

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When Arnold Drucker talks about his feats in the Nassau County Legislature after winning a special election last year, he holds up a binder of media clippings about himself and lathers his pitch in Democratic talking points. 
Eliminate outside contracts for legal work to stabilize the budget, the 60-year-old Plainview Democrat says. The culture of corruption needs to be eradicated. Clean up the county assessment system. 
His challenger, Republican Angel Cepeda of Plainview, agrees, but offers a better approach, saying the only way to get the county out of its fiscal woes is for Democrats and Republicans to work together. 
A former Plainview-Old Bethpage school board member, Cepeda, 56, says he would focus his legislative attention on revamping the assessment system, ensuring mixed-use development at the Nassau Hub and developing a stable and consistent budget line for public transit.
Newsday endorses Cepeda.

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Angel Cepeda to represent Nassau’s 16th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Cepeda in Nassau’s 16th LD

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Democratic challenger Ramandeep Arora uses the term “the corruption tax” to describe how county taxpayers are squeezed by higher fees, no-bid contracts and patronage jobs. 
Arora, 41, head of financial operations for a Brooklyn real estate developer, supports several reforms: appointment of an inspector general to vet contracts for conflicts of interest, limits on campaign donations, term limits and beefing up the assessor’s office.
It is hard to see how re-electing Republican incumbent Rose Marie Walker, 66, also of Hicksville, would improve anything. Of 124 new laws listed by the county website since she took office in 2010, none show her taking the lead as chief sponsor. She sits to reinforce the toxic status quo. 
Arora wants Nassau to pursue legal action on the Grumman plume, and he would use his financial acumen to help deliver a contract fair to police and taxpayers.
Newsday endorses Arora.

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Arora  to represent Nassau’s 17th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Arora  in Nassau’s 17th LD

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At 23, Woodbury’s Joshua Lafazan has served on the Syosset school board for five years. The registered independent running as a Democrat also graduated from Cornell University, received a masters in education from Harvard University and self-published a book about getting involved in politics. And he’s been a fighter against the opioid epidemic. On the legislature, Lafazan says he’d use his extraordinary surplus of energy to advocate for changes like strict term limits and ethics reform. Short-term, he wants common-sense steps like solar panels on the roofs of county-owned buildings. 
Seeking his third term, Republican Donald MacKenzie, 47, of Oyster Bay, has always argued that Nassau County government is generally doing an efficient and ethical job of running the budget and the government, and he doesn’t see a need for big changes. We disagree.
Newsday endorses Lafazan.

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Josh Lafazan to represent Nassau’s 18th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Lafazan in Nassau’s 18th LD

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South Bellmore Democrat Jeff Gold understands Nassau’s assessment system, a rare skill. The 55-year-old attorney was a commissioner on the county’s Board of Assessors and its Assessment Review Commission. He now teaches residents how to grieve taxes on their own. He says Nassau must create an accurate tax roll via a competent assessment department. 
His opponent, Republican incumbent Stephen Rhoads, 48, is seeking his second term. He agrees with Gold that the property tax system needs to be fixed, but the South Bellmore resident lacks Gold’s expertise. Rhoads also opposes an independent inspector general, a crucial change Gold favors. 
Gold understands his community and county government. He wants to fight waste and outrageous fees, and to work for economic development. But he stands out for his ability to knowledgeably guide assessment system fixes.
Newsday endorses Gold.

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Jeff Gold to represent Nassau’s 19th Legislative District

Newsday endorses Gold in Nassau’s 19th LD

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Newsday's 2017 endorsements for the Nassau County legislature 

Newsday

Read all of Newsday's picks for the Nassau legislature 

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