Issuu

CANDIDATES

inS le Ba ide llot

OCTOBER 31, 2019

A LOOK AT THE

2019

VOTER'S GUIDE

ELECTION

ELECTION 2019

2019 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES Judges of the Supreme Court Vote for any three

Angela Iannacci

Christopher G. Quinn

Chris Garvey

Democrat

Running on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative party lines in the general election

Libertarian

Age: 59 Lives in: Manhasset Education: ■ Pace University School Of Law, J.D., 1986 ■ George Washington University, B.A., 1983 Legal career: ■ Associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, designated May 2017. ■ Acting presiding justice of the Appellate Term, 9th & 10th Judicial Districts, 2013-2014. ■ Associate justice of the Appellate Term, 9th & 10th Judicial Districts 2009 to 2017. ■ Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York, 10th Judicial District 2006. ■ Acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 20042005. ■ Judge of the Family Court, elected to Family Court 2004-2006. ■ Principal law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Allan L. Winick 2002-2003. ■ Angela G. Iannacci, P.C., Great Neck, 1996-2001. ■ Rossano, Mose, Hirschhorn & Corleto, P.C., Garden City 19901996.

Age: 64

Lives in: Amityville

Lives in: Wantagh Education: Bachelor of Arts from C.W. Post College of Long Island University, 1977; law degree, from Albany Law School of Union University in 1980 Legal career: After earning his law degree, Quinn was admitted into the New York State bar in 1981. He became a law clerk in Nassau County Court in 1985 until 1995. Quinn then became a New York District Court judge from 1998-2007. Quinn has been a County Court judge and acting New York State Supreme Court judge since 2008. In 2012, Quinn ran for a seat on the 10th District Supreme Court on the Republican and Conservative party tickets.. He was appointed as supervising judge of the Nassau County Court in 2013. In 2017, he wrote a letter to New York’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, informing her that he would be stepping down from his role to focus on his role in criminal court. Also in 2017’s general elections for New York’s local judicial offices on Nov. 7, the incumbent Quinn and Tammy S. Robbins defeated Joseph Conway and incumbent Jerald S. Carter for the Nassau County Court Reform primary for two open seats. Quinn received 27.89 percent of the votes, or 333 votes in total.

■ Rossano, Mose, Hirschhorn & Corleto, P.C., Garden City, 19871990. ■ American International Group, New York, N.Y. 1986-1987.

Stephen Lynch Democratic, Republican, Conservative Age: 68

David Gugerty

Lives in: Speonk

Legal career: Lynch is an Independence Party member running on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative lines in the 2019 general election. He currently serves as a New York Court of Claims judge in Hauppauge, having been appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012. Lynch was principal law clerk to State Supreme Court Justice William B. Rebolini from 2008 to 2012. Before that, he was principal law clerk to Justice Robert A. Lifson from 1995 to 2007. Lynch practiced with the law firms of Colleran, O’Hara, Kennedy, Lilly and Dunne from 1978 to 1981; Robinson and Lynch, as a partner, from 1981 to 1991, and Marino Bernstein and LaMarca from 1991 to 1995. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1979, the Federal Bar, Eastern District and Southern District of New York in 1980 and the Florida Bar in 1990. He is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, where he serves as a director. Lynch is a former member of the Nassau Bar Association and former member and director of the New York State Association of School Attorneys.

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Legal career: Garvey has worked for Roslyn-based Collard & Roe, P.C., since 1982. In that position, he has prosecuted patent and trademark applications in federal and state courts. In 1998, Garvey ran for governor on the Libertarian line. In 2006 and 2018, Garvey also ran for attorney general on the Libertarian line, and in 2017, he ran for Suffolk County district attorney.

David Sullivan Republican Age: 56 Lives in: New Hyde Park Education: Bachelor of Arts in economics and math from Fordham College, 1985; law degree from Fordham University School of Law, 1988

■ Gordon & Silber, P.C., New York, N.Y. 1990.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Fordham University, 1973; law degree, St. John’s University School of Law, 1978

Age: 69

Legal career: Sullivan started his legal career as the assistant district attorney for Nassau County from 1988 to 1995. In 1997, he served as associate village justice of New Hyde Park, then was the village justice of New Hyde Park from June 1998 to December 2002. In the following years until 2012, Sullivan was an acting Nassau County Court judge and justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He remained as a Nassau County Court judge before becoming an acting justice of the New York Supreme Court, where he serves today.

Democratic Age: 57

Thomas Rademaker

Lives in: Bayville Education: Law degree, University at Buffalo School of Law, 1987 Legal career: Gugerty was the Democratic commissioner for the Nassau County Board of Elections from 2015 to 2019. He stepped down from the position in August 2019. He worked in various positions for the county from 2005 to 2019, including two stints as the majority counsel from 2005 to 2006 and 2008 to 2009, public administrator in 2007, minority counsel from 2010-2011 and chief of staff for the Minority Legislative Caucus from 2012 to 2014. He worked in private law practice as a partner for the Forest Hills-based Davis & Gugerty Attorneys at Law from 1993 to 2005 on cases involving negligence, civil rights, landlord tenant and family law. He als worked as a criminal defense attorney in Queens from 1987 to 1993, and he served as a village trustee in Bayville from 1994-2002.

Conservative Age: 48 Lives in: Sea Cliff Education: Bachelor of Arts, SUNY Oneonta, 1993; law degree, Touro Law School, 1996 Legal career: ■ Judge, Nassau County Family Court, 2015 ■ Principal law clerk, Hon. Philip Grella, 2003-2014 ■ Attorney, Thomas A. Rademaker, P.C., 2000-2003 ■ Of counsel, Peace, Agresta, Lemke & Blum, Esqs.,1998-2000 ■ Associate, David K. Lieb, P.C. 1997-1998

ELECTION 2019

2019 JUDICIAL CANDIDATES Judge of the County Court

Judges of the Second District Court

Vote for one

Meryl Berkowitz

Gary Carlton

Joy Watson

Democrat, Conservative, Independent, Republican

Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent

Republican and Conservative

Age: 64

Age: 60

Lives in: Five Towns

Age: 65

Education: Barnard College, Mount Holyoke, Benjamin Cardozo Law School

Lives in: Valley Stream

Legal career: Berkowitz worked for Nassau County Legal Aid for 16 years. Then, she opened her own private practice in Hewlett, working on criminal defense cases. In January 1999, she was elected as judge. She is now the most senior judge at Nassau County Court, where she works on criminal felony trials. Other: She is member of Nassau County Bar Association and Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America -- an American Jewish volunteer women’s organization.

Lives in: Hempstead Education: Bachelor’s degree, State University of New York at Albany, 1982; law degree, Pepperdine Law School, 1985

Education: Bachelor’s degree, speech communications/broadcasting and political science, George Washington University, 1976; law degree, Albany Law School, 1979 Legal career: Carlton was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1980 and is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association. He worked as a personal injury lawyer in the Manhattan firm Goldberg & Carlton. He served as deputy attorney for the Village of Valley Stream, providing defense in tort accident cases for the last nine years. He was a Valley Stream Democratic zone leader since 2001. Carlton is a past co-president of the North Woodmere Civic Association and founder of the North Woodmere Park Foundation.

Legal career: Watson has worked for Nassau County for over 30 years. She started her career in 1986 as an assistant district attorney for the county and held the position for 19 years. During her tenure, she served as chief of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Bureau and was deputy chief of the Major Offense and Homicide Bureau. In 2006, Watson became principal law clerk to New York State’s Supreme Court Justice Karen V. Murphy, where she spent more than four years. In 2010, she was appointed deputy comptroller in charge of Audits and Special Projects, for Nassau County and served for close to three years. Since being elected in 2013, Watson has served as a judge on the Nassau County District Court.

RE-ELECT

BILL GAYLOR NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATOR FIGHTING FOR NASSAU TAXPAYERS!

FIGHTING FOR TAXPAYERS

ANNUAL COAT DRIVE Now through November 30th

Has held the line on county property taxes. Vehemently opposed the Governor and State Legislators on the new $1 billion commuter tax. Forced Nassau’s Assessor to mail notices to homeowners that disclose the impact of reassesment on your taxes. Sponsored legislation demanding that the Department of Assessment answer the phone when residents call with questions.

Do you have a coat in good condition that you are not wearing anymore?

PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES

Sponsored legislation to let homeowners decide if they want an elected assessor, answerable to the public. Supported free college tuition for Gold Star families and families of fallen first responders.

We are collecting gently used coats in all sizes. All donations will be distributed locally.

Fought for clean drinking water in Nassau County by demanding responsible action be taken by New York State.

1060704

Voted to create 24/7 hotline to help victims of opiod addiction.

VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5TH, ROW B PAID FOR BY FRIENDS TO ELECT BILL GAYLOR

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Drop off: Coach Realtors 314 Sunrise Highway, RVC

Pick up: Call Coach Realtors

516-536-8100

314 Sunrise Hwy., Rockville Centre, NY 11570

516-536-8100

email: rockvillecentre@coachrealtors.com

SEE THE CENTERFOLD FOR SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT

1061294

Secured millions of dollars to repave our roads.

SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT OFFICIAL BALLOT FOR GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 5, 2019 NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

ELE

Justice of the Supreme Court (Vote for any Six)

OFFICE

Juez de la Corte Suprema (Vote por cualquier Seis)

DEMOCRATIC

A REPUBLICAN

Rockville centRe

B CONSERVATIVE

IMPORTANT NOTE: ThIS BALLOT MAY ChANGE Due to ongoing litigation by the Women’s Equality Party, an additional ballot line may or may not appear on the ballot that voters see on Election Day. INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mark only with a writing instrument provided by the Board of Elections. 2. To vote for a candidate whose name is printed on this ballot fill in the oval above or next to the name of the candidate. 3. To vote for a person whose name is not printed on this ballot write or stamp his or her name in the space labeled “write-in” that appears at the bottom of the column, for such office and fill in the oval corresponding with the “writein” space in which you have written in a name. 4. Any other mark or writing, or any erasure made on this ballot outside the voting squares or blank spaces provided for voting will void this entire ballot. 5. Do not overvote. If you select a greater number of candidates than there are vacancies to be filled, your ballot will be void for that public office or party position. 6. If you tear, or deface, or wrongly mark this ballot, return it and obtain another. Do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs. Erasures or cross outs may invalidate all or part of your ballot. Prior to submitting your ballot, if you make a mistake in completing the ballot or wish to change your ballot choices, you may obtain and complete a new ballot. You have a right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot. 7. After completing your ballot, insert it into the ballot scanner and wait for the notice that your ballot has been successfully scanned. If no such notice appears, seek the assistance of an election inspector.

DEMOCRATIC

DEMOCR

Stephen J . LYNCH

Angela G. lANNACCI

David J. GUGERTY

Christopher G. QUINN

David P. SULLIVAN

Thomas RADEM

REPUBLICAN

REPUBL

Stephen J . LYNCH

Angela G. lANNACCI

David J. GUGERTY

Christopher G. QUINN

David P. SULLIVAN

Thomas RADEM

CONSERVATIVE

CONSER

Stephen J . LYNCH

Angela G. lANNACCI

David J. GUGERTY

Christopher G. QUINN

David P. SULLIVAN

Thomas RADEM

LIBERTARIAN

Christopher B.

Annette TOTTEN

WORKING FAMILIES

D LIBERTARIAN

F GARVEY INDEPENDENCE

INSTRUCCIONES

1. Marque solamente con el instrumento de escrituea proveído por la Junta Electoral. 2. Para votar por un candidato, que aparezca en esta papeleta, rellene el óvalo que se encuentra encima o al lado del nombre del candidato. 3. Para votar por una persona cuyo nombre no aparezca imprimido en esta papeleta, escriba ó marque con sello el nombre en el espacio en donde esta escrito “write-in” al final de la columna donde aparece el titulo del cargo. Debe rellenar el óvalo en el espacio en donde esta escrito “write-in” correspondiente al lugar donde a escrito el nombre. 4. Cualquier otra marca, ó escritura ó borrada que aparezca en la papeleta fuera del óvalo ó espacios en blanco, señalados expresamente para votar, harán que la papeleta quede anulada totalmente. 5. No sobrevote. Si selecciona más del número de candidatos requeridos en la posición vacante, su papeleta será anulada en esa oficina pública ó posición del partido. 6. Si rompe, ó mutila, ó marca la papeleta erróneamente, regrésela y obtenga otra. No intente corregir errores en la papeleta haciendo borraduras o tachando. Borrar ó tachar puede invalidar toda o parte de su papeleta. Antes de entregar su papeleta, si a cometido un error al completar su papeleta o si usted desea cambiar su selección, puede obtener y completar una nueva papeleta. Usted tiene el derecho de reemplazar su papeleta una vez haya regresado la papeleta original. 7. Después de completar su boleta, insértela en el escáner y espere el aviso que le diga que su voto ha sido escaneado. Si ese aviso no aparece favor de buscar ayuda de su inspector electoral.

WRITE-IN

This is not an actual ballot, but a composite of several s

Complete reporting on candidates running in districts covered by the For elec

ANTON’S C a r C a r e C e N T e r, lT d. 345 Sunrise Hwy. • Rockville Centre • 678-2064

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SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT COURTESY OF

ECTIon’19 County Court Judge (Vote for One)

District Attorney (Vote for One)

Fiscal del Distrito Juez de la Corte del Condado (Vote por Uno) (Vote por Uno) 7A

DEMOCRATIC

Madeline SINGAS

District Court Judge District 2 (Vote for any Two)

Hempstead Supervisor (Vote for One)

Hempstead Hempstead County Legislator County Legislator County Legislator County Legislator Town Clerk Receiver of Taxes District 4 District 2 District 6 District 7 (Vote for One) (Vote for One) (Vote for One) (Vote for One) (Vote for One) (Vote for One)

Juez de la Corte Distrito 2 (Vote por cualquier Dos)

Supervisor (Vote por Uno)

Secretario Municipal (Vote por Uno)

10A

DEMOCRATIC

Meryl J. BERKOWITZ

Gary M. CARLTON

Joy M. WATSON

10B

LICAN

REPUBLICAN TAX REVOLT

s MAKER

Francis X. McQUADE

Meryl J. BERKOWITZ

RVATIVE

CONSERVATIVE

s MAKER

Madeline SINGAS

Meryl J. BERKOWITZ

RATIC

s MAKER

11A

Receptor de los Impuestos (Vote por Uno)

13A

14A

DEMOCRATIC

Laura A. GILLEN

Sylvia A. CABANA

11B

REPUBLICAN TAX REVOLT

Gary M. CARLTON 9C

Legislador del Condado Distrito 2 (Vote por Uno)

Legislador del Condado Distrito 4 (Vote por Uno)

17A

DEMOCRATIC

Chandra M. ORTIZ

Siela A. BYNOE

13B

14B

REPUBLICAN TAX REVOLT

Joy M. WATSON

Donald X. CLAVIN, Jr.

10C

CONSERVATIVE

Gary M. CARLTON

Legislador del Condado Distrito 6 (Vote por Uno)

Legislador del Condado Distrito 7 (Vote por Uno)

17A

DEMOCRATIC

Jeffrey P. SAXON

Laura J. BURNS

Debra SIEGEL

17B

REPUBLICAN TAX REVOLT

REPUBLICAN

Kate MURRAY

Jeanine C. DRISCOLL

Gerilyn S. WRIGHT

Denise A. FORD

C. William GAYLOR

Howard J. KOPEL

11C

13C

14C

17C

CONSERVATIVE

Joy M. WATSON

Donald X. CLAVIN, Jr.

Kate MURRAY

Jeanine C. DRISCOLL

Denise A. FORD

C. William GAYLOR

Howard J. KOPEL

11D

13D

14D

17D

WORKING FAMILIES

Madeline SINGAS

Laura A. GILLEN

Sylvia A. CABANA

Chandra M. ORTIZ

Siela A. BYNOE

Jeffrey P. SAXON

Laura J. BURNS

Debra SIEGEL

11F

LIBERTARIAN

Francis X. McQUADE

Diane MADDEN 8G

10G

11G

13G

14G

17G

INDEPENDENCE

Meryl J. BERKOWITZ

Gary M. CARLTON

Joy M. WATSON

Donald X. CLAVIN, Jr.

Kate MURRAY

Jeanine C. DRISCOLL

Denise A. FORD

C. William GAYLOR

Howard J. KOPEL

sample ballots so as to reflect all the districts within the communities covered by your edition of the Herald.

e Herald – as well as the full text of our endorsements in each race – may be found at LIHerald.com under the Elections ’19 tab. ction results after the polls close Tuesday night, go to LIHerald.com.

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 5th.

F THE HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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1060513

It's your constitutional right to exercise your opinion by voting... your opinion could make a difference.

ELECTION 2019

DISTRICT ATTORNEY Madeline Singas Democrat Age: 53 Professional Experience: Nassau County district attorney Education: Fordham University School of Law On the issues: Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas believes it is her job to keep communities safe. She thinks her 30 years of prosecutorial experience qualifies for the position. Singas points to the 25 percent reduction in crime in Nassau, the 20 percent decline of opioid overdoses and her office securing the convictions of several MS-13 members as evidence of her qualifications. She noted her

partnering with multiple law enforcement agencies and her recruitment of “the best and the brightest” prosecutors to get that work done. Using asset forfeiture money, the DA’s office funded the expansion of Maryhaven’s New Hope Center — New York’s first 24/7 drug crisis center — that bridges the treatment gap between release from the emergency room to placement in longterm treatment. For those who need help, it shields them from facing complexities of the healthcare

bureaucracy and offers them care until a plan for treatment is established. Since the partnership, more than 2,600 people have received lifesaving treatment. Aiming to attack the root of crime, Singas highlighted programs that educate children in an effort to keep gangs out of schools. She said she will continue to prosecute high-level drug offenders and corrupt public officials, no matter the political party affiliation, while helping people get treatment to further reduce crime. When I first ran for office in 2015, I ran on my experience as a career prosecutor, not a politician. As district attorney, I’ve put my nearly 30 years of experience to work to keep our communities safe, protect victims, and to safeguard the rights of the accused,” she said.

Francis McQuade Republican Age: 65 Professional Experience: Lawyer, police officer, priest Education: St. John’s University School of Law On the issues: Francis McQuade, a lawyer, said that he district attorney is responsible for the safeguarding of civil liberties in the justice system and protection from unjustified prosecution, and believes that justice is not served when the handcuffs are put on. He pointed to his previous jobs as police officer, a post- sentencing counseling for the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections and manager of field opera-

tions for a 1,500 personnel company as experience to run the DA’s office. The single most pressing issue facing is the new legislation being handed down by New York state, McQuade said. He thinks the new judicial processes are borderline unconstitutional and dangerous to people’s safety. With cashless bail, there is an opportunity for criminals to walk away less than 24 hours after committing a crime, which can vary from petty to extreme, he said. The laws were designed to

protect those in the system from being treated unfairly, but we don’t need laws, which dismantle how we go about prosecuting criminals, McQuade said. To further reduce crime, McQuade aims to focus on the areas that have climbing rates still, expanding the use of alternative courts to help treat the root causes of crime as well administer justice. He believes in community policing. “The single most pressing issue facing our community is the new legislation being handed down by New York state,” he said. “These new judicial processes are borderline unconstitutional and dangerous to our safety. With cashless bail, there will be an opportunity for criminals to walk away less than 24 hours after committing a crime.”

ELECTION 2019

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD CLERK Sylvia Cabana Incumbent

Party: Democrat Age: 52 Professional experience: Town of Hempstead clerk; attorney Education: Bachelor of Arts, Barnard College; law degree, Hofstra University On the issues: Partisan animosity is not in the best interest of the people, and only serves as a distraction to those whose priority is to provide good governance to the people, according to Sylvia Cabana. The clerk’s office should be run as though part of a larger governmental organization, saving the taxpayers money by jointly coordinat-

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ing efforts with other departments, improving communication and sharing information, she noted. Career politicians seek only to take advantage of circumstances for their own ends, with no regard for the principles and values of the constituents they serve, she said. Working within budget parameters, she upgraded and streamlined all of the operations in the clerk’s office, including the passport division, vital records, archives and licensing by installing credit card

machines, online registration and application forms. She also created a computer program whereby residents can apply for parking permits online. She plans to continue digitizing services, enabling her office to share information with residents in real time, creating more openness and honesty in government. Modernization and transparency have been and will continue to be among some of the primary initiatives of the office, she said. Her political future is focused on doing all that she can to expand the services in the clerk’s office, and to continue the fight against nepotism and corruption.

Kate Murray Challenger

Party: Republican Age: 57 Professional experience: Deputy Nassau County clerk; former Town of Hempstead supervisor and clerk Education: Bachelor of Arts, Boston College; law degree, Suffolk University On the issues: Murray said she aims to create a paperless office and would continue technology upgrades. She would secure state grants for upgrades requiring the purchase of equipment. She would cross-train staff to produce a cadre of workers capable of performing one another’s jobs. She believes the clerk’s office can and should play a pivotal role in

enhancing the transparency and openness of government. The online posting of financial disclosures for elected officials and top managers, as well as realtime tracking of Freedom of Information requests would enhance responsiveness and accountability. Making Town Board calendars more userfriendly would encourage public participation. Moving forward, going paperless in the production of Town Board calendars is another area where costs could be

reduced or contained. No longer would staff be dedicated to photocopy records. Rather, the calendars, which consist of more than 100 pages on occasion, would be delivered to board members via tablet. Similarly, the implementation of license plate readers to replace parking permits at area train stations would increase the efficiency of public safety officers who patrol lots. As far as politicizing the office, she has never looked at any position as a stepping-stone for career advancement. She is focused, she said, on providing the best possible municipal services to Town of Hempstead residents at the lowest possible cost.

SEE THE CENTERFOLD FOR SAMPLE ELECTION BALLOT

ELECTION 2019

RECEIVER OF TAXES Chandra Ortiz Challenger

Party: Democrat Age: 55 Profession: Attorney Education: Bachelor of Arts from Long Island University Post, ABA Paralegal Certification from Adelphi University, law degree from Touro Law School On the issues: Chandra Ortiz said she believes the tax receiver’s office has a history of not adhering to budgets, using an outdated technological infrastructure and depriving taxpayers of adequate transparency. She believes the tax office has mismanaged its budgets to benefit politically connected individuals and that mailing costs have been abused.

The receiver of taxes office should not have allegiance to either party, but to the taxpayers, she said. She believes trust could be restored by doing more than just running seminars and webinars, but explaining the functions of the office and why certain decisions are made. Furthermore, the office could run more effectively if there were more communication, both within the town’s departments and with the county, she said, and cited the tax reassessment.

While she acknowledged that the it is not in her jurisdiction, she would seek to be in constant contact with the county executive and assessor’s office to help her constituents with any issues they may have. She said she intends to run an efficient tax receiver’s office using her 33-year experience in real estate law, both as an ABA certified paralegal and attorney, her 20-year tenure running her own legal practice and her work in the Tax Certiorari and Condemnation Bureau of the county attorney’s office.

Jeanine Driscoll Challenger

Party: Republican Age: 52 Profession: Associate Village Justice of the Village of Bellerose Education: Bachelor of Arts from Catholic University, law degree from Fordham Law School On the issues: Jeanine Driscoll said that the biggest issue facing the tax receiver’s office is the impact of errors made in the Nassau County tax reassessment. She believes certain taxpayers are being overcharged, and she would prioritize advocating for them and educating the public about property tax exemp-

tions and property tax assessments. She hopes to continue the work Don Clavin has done in the position regarding increasing eligibility for property tax exemptions for senior citizens and veterans. Driscoll commended the way the office has been managed and lauded its transparency in respect to the implementation of online tax bills, e-billing, online tax payments, email tax payment reminders and autopay tax payment features. To further increase transparen-

cy, she said she would help create an online system for taxpayers to track government spending, Freedom of Information Law requests and reviews of all town contracts, service agreements and other actions that provide for the use of private vendors. While greeting town residents, Driscoll said that concerns that caught her attention included the condition of roads, in addition to those regarding property taxes and the reassessment. When it comes to personal financial experience, Driscoll has managed the budgets of her own law office and has been doing her taxes for the past decade.

ELECTION 2019

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR Laura Gillen Incumbent

Party: Democrat Age: 50 Lives in: Rockville Centre Family: Married, with four children Professional experience: Town supervisor since 2018; formerly an attorney practicing business litigation since 2000 Education: Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, law degree from NYU School of Law On the issues: Since taking office, Laura Gillen has emphasized her desire to weed out corruption in the town. She has also taken steps to modernize its offices by upgrading

its systems, digitizing its records and uploading all its contracts to the town’s website. She said she plans to take aim at continuing to lower taxes in her next term, if elected, and noted that she has taken fiscally conservative measures to cut taxes over the past two years. Gillen is also focused on continuing to cut the supervisor’s staffing budget and trimming payroll. One of her major goals is improving the Building Department, which, she said, has been misman-

aged since Hurricane Sandy. Gillen said she plans to continue to push for an independent monitor to audit the department in order to find inefficiencies, streamline operations and assist homeowners in need. She added that she would also continue to focus on fixing roads throughout the town after allocating $59 million toward various road repairs in her first term. “Under my tenure, staffing is at its lowest level in years,” Gillen said. “I will continue to push forward on eliminating the nepotism and cronyism that has plagued Hempstead for decades and continue to trim payroll and hire on competence, not connections, to end the corruption tax.”

Donald Clavin Challenger

Party: Republican Age: 50 Lives in: Garden City Family: Married; three children Professional experience: Town of Hempstead receiver of taxes since 2001 Education: Bachelor’s degree from Canisius College; law degree from Hofstra University School of Law On the issues: Donald Clavin said his role as receiver of taxes for nearly two decades has enabled him to meet many residents and to understand their desire for lower taxes. He said his first decision in office, if elected, would be to

slash the supervisor’s payroll in half — by $1 million. Then he would eliminate all takehome vehicles for appointed officials and initiate a performance review of all town departments. Part of Clavin’s plan to review all departments, he said, is to call for the resignation of all department heads and to conduct a full management review. Clavin described the Building Department as a priority, but said paying for an outside audit is unnecessary and that he believed the problem could be solved

in-house. He added that he intends to have the office remain open on weekends, if necessary, to eliminate the backlog of building applications, and to update building and zoning codes to expedite permitting processes. Clavin said road improvements are also imperative, and he plans to double the capital roadway budget to $70 million to fix what he described as a crumbling infrastructure. Gillen pledged not to accept campaign contributions from town employees. Clavin, meanwhile, made no such promise. “If they want to open up their wallets and show their support, then I’m proud to do it,” he said. “I don’t pressure anybody. We shouldn’t put limits, because every special interest will have influence in your government.”

ELECTION 2019

LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 2 Siela Bynoe Incumbent

Party: Democrat Age: 52 Hometown: Westbury Professional experience: Current county legislator for the 2nd District and executive director of the Huntington Housing Authority; formerly assistant director of North Hempstead Housing Authority Education: Bachelor of Science from Hofstra University; Master of Public Administration from LIU Post On the issues: Bynoe has been a Nassau County legislator representing the 2nd District since winning a special election in 2014. She previously worked in the private sector

as a mortgage loan consultant and a credit loan officer, and then moved on to work for the Long Island Housing Partnership and established its Nassau County branch in Hempstead. She then entered the public sector, where she became assistant director of the North Hempstead Housing Authority, and moved on to become executive director of Huntington Housing Authority in 2006. As a legislator, she has continued to advocate for affordable housing and currently serves on the Eco-

nomic and Community Development Committee and is chairwoman of the Nassau County Land Bank. Additionally, Bynoe served two terms as a trustee for the Westbury School District Board of Education. She believes the biggest issue facing the 2nd District is taxes and also thinks she has a deep understanding of her community’s needs to help fix the problem by supporting the county executive’s tenant protection plan. She said she is qualified to keep her job because her “education and role as an administrator help identify issues and bring about solutions to everyday problems faced in the county.” Her opponent, Gerilyn Wright, did not return the Herald’s phone calls.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5 Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Don’t forget to vote! Visit www.liherald.com for results

The 2nd Legislative District takes in parts of Hempstead, Hicksville, Lakeview, New Cassel, Rockville Centre, Uniondale, Westbury and West Hempstead.

ELECTION 2019

LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 4 Denise Ford Incumbent

Party: Republican Age: 68 Lives in: Long Beach Professional experience: Retired telephone technician; county legislator since 2003 Education: Attended Queens College Family: Daughter, with two sons and two grandsons On the issues: Denise Over the past 16 years, Ford said, she has overseen many improvements in her district, including road repairs and redevelopment projects. She added that some of the planned work has not been completed, and she would like to remain at her post to make

sure that they are. Ford has focused her goals on creating shared services between municipalities to lower taxes, and on fostering more transit-oriented development in locations that make sense to strengthen the tax base. Weighing in on the controversial re-assessment issue, Ford said it is imperative to increase the dialogue between the county’s tax assessor and elected officials to help foster a mutual understanding so that information can easily be disseminated to her constitu-

ents. Ford said she has developed relationships with community members as well as those who make decisions that affect their lives over her 16 years, and she knows how to get things done. She described herself as being energized daily by the desire to help members of the communities she advocates for, and that she planned to continue to be approachable. Ford said she believed she deserved to be elected because of her experience within the district. “I have served this district for 16 years and am aware of the many issues and concerns,” she said, “and continue to work to address them. My experience helps me to know where to go to solve a problem and get an answer.”

Jeffrey Saxon Challenger

Party: Democrat Age: 37 Lives in: Long Beach Professional experience: Attorney Education: Bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University in 2004; law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 2007 Family: Wife, with two children On the issues: Jeffrey Saxon said a culture of corruption in Nassau County drove him to run for his first term in elected office, and that he believed it was time for a change. He is focused on many issues and projects, including road safety on Lido Boulevard by

the Long Beach Middle School; constructing bike lanes in Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach; infrastructure repair and improvement; encouraging the creation of affordable housing and revitalizing downtown areas to keep youth on Long Island; and ensuring clean, natural resources and turning away from fossil fuels to keep residents healthy and combat climate change. Saxon said the reassessment issue has been a problem for years and is on track toward being fixed

after, he said. The issue, he charged, was ignored by Republican administrations for years before Laura Curran was elected county executive. He added that he would like the county to audit water districts amid soaring rates. Saxon said a vote for him would help bring an end to corruption and bring about change in District 4. He also said that he supports consolidating different levels of government. “The massive, numerous bureaucracies are a waste of tax dollars,” he said. “In addition, we must encourage building new housing that is both affordable and in desirable locations.”

The 4th Legislative District encompasses Atlantic Beach, East Atlantic Beach, Island Park, Lido Beach, Long Beach and Point Lookout, and parts of Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Lawrence, Oceanside and Woodmere.

ELECTION 2019

LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 6 William Gaylor Incumbent

Party: Republican Age: 56 Professional experience: Practicing attorney; former Nassau County traffic court judge and a former Lynbrook Village Associate Justice for six years. Elected the District 6 legislator in November 2015. Lives in: Lynbrook Family: Married On the issues: A county legislator since 2015, William Gaylor has introduced legislation to combat scams on older adults and to end homelessness among veterans. He also supported capital spending to maintain and repair District 6’s roads,

buildings and the beautification of its parks. If re-elected, Gaylor said he hopes to identify new revenue sources and grant opportunities without raising taxes. Gaylor said his greatest concern with the county’s tax reassessment system is its lack of transparency. To combat this, he sponsored legislation to require tax-impact notifications are mailed to every county homeowner to provide additional information on how the reassessment will impact their tax bills.

“First and foremost, we have to address the lack of transparency in County Executive Laura Curran’s broken assessment system,” he said. “Residents have complained that their calls to the department and administration go unanswered.” Gaylor noted that Nassau sends billions more in taxes to New York state than it receives in state aid. One way to alleviate the financial burden on Nassau County, he said, would be to rein in spending at the state level and stop unfunded state mandates. Through the relationships that Gaylor has developed with community leaders and local Chambers of Commerce during his two terms as District 6’s legislator, he said he hopes to continue to develop an environment that will keep young families in Nassau County.

Laura Burns Challenger

Party: Unaffiliated Age: 50 Professional experience: Freelance writer Lives in: Rockville Centre Family: Married, with three children On the issues: An advocate for stricter gun laws for the past six years, Burns said she was inspired to push for change after the gruesome Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012. The day after Sandy Hook, Burns turned to Facebook and helped organize the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Six years later, the

organization is the largest gun violence prevention group in the country and has 5 million members scattered across chapters in all 50 states. Burns has been in charge of the group’s communication and outreach since its inception. Among the other issues that she hopes to address, if elected, would be the county’s tax assessment system. She wants to focus on ensuring that taxpayers in District 6 do not overpay. By completing a complete reassessment overhaul, Burns

said, the Legislature could move toward other pressing issues such as road conditions and building infrastructure. “The first step in fixing any problem is recognizing that we have a problem,” she said. “William Gaylor and the majority in the Nassau Legislature did nothing during the eight years of Ed Mangano’s administration, and so are complicit in the broken assessment system that has been passed along to the residents of our district.” An author who has written more than 50 books for children and teenagers, Burns said that she is a “regular person” who could make a difference. She added that she hoped to use her experience in pushing for tougher gun laws to help enact other changes in Nassau County.

The 6th District encompasses Malverne, North Lynbrook, Lynbrook and parts of Hewlett, Rockville Centre and South Hempstead.

ELECTION 2019

LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 7 Howard Kopel Party: Republican Age: 68 Professional experience: Title insurance agency owner/lawyer Education: Brooklyn Law School On the issues: Howard Kopel said he believes the recent countywide reassessment is flawed, based on the 265,000 contested valuations filed this year. He thinks that the current county administration proposal could lead to a disaster. He wants to take a step back to ensure that it gets done right, he said. He disagrees with the county administration that the tax roll is correct, said its defense of it, rather than

settle cases as done previously, could lead to a “catastrophic” future liability for refunds, which are included in budgetary projections. On the proposed county executive’s budget, Kopel said he disagrees with the county executive on staffing levels and aims to seek “reasonable and safe savings” to help ensure there is not “a dangerous reduction of services to residents. “ Like all of us, I want no increases on our residents, and I hope to find areas of reasonable and safe savings

in the proposed budget that can ensure the maintenance of our prized suburban quality of life,” Kopel said. Saying what he is “upset” with the “absurd delays” in getting the West Broadway project going, he said he would continue to push the administration to expedite the work, which is now planned for late 2020. With his now 10 years of experience in the Legislature, the current deputy presiding officer said that he believes he is well-regarded by Democratic and Republican colleagues for his knowledge of county government and finances, and would use his influence to benefit his constituents and the other county residents, if re-elected.

Debra Siegel Party: Democrat Age: 57 Professional experience: Lawyer Education: Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law On the issues: Debra Siegel said she believes the current county assessment plan is long overdue and is an excellent plan that needs to be put into effect immediately, so that homeowner values can be accurately reflected and all can pay their fair share. The re-assessment has been deemed fair and accurate by independent experts, she noted. Regarding the proposed county executive’s budget, she said she agrees with no

tax increases and no fee hikes, calling it a transparent fiscal plan “with no cushion budget gimmickry.” Siegel said she is not concerned about the number of vacant positions planned to be eliminated, but it is important to staff vital departments such as police, correction and probation officers. She said that in areas that were neglected for years, more employees are needed to meet the needs of the public. Meanwhile, there are efficiencies that

would allow the county to improve services with fewer people, such as centralizing accounts receivable operations and modernizing purchasing and payment operations, she said. Finding it “unacceptable” that the West Broadway project is yet to be done, she noted that progress is being made, and if elected she would hold a town hall meeting to help ensure that residents are informed. Siegel said she believes that her 30 years as a litigator and negotiator qualify her for the position.

The 7th Legislative District takes in Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Oceanside, Rockville Centre and Woodmere, and parts of Hewlett, Lawrence, Baldwin, Valley Stream and Lynbrook.