Political Insider - Issue IV
By featured writer Marty Schwartz
For this column I have interviewed Nassau Democratic County Executive candidate, Tom DiNapoli.
BACKGROUND Age 47 and single. Resident of Great Neck. 16th District Assemblyman since 1986 and originally from Rockville Centre. Former Mineola School Board Trustee 1972-82. Masters Degree in Human Resources Managment from the New School.
POLICE CONTRACT This is the key. We must be tough and fair. Whatever is being negoatiated must be realistic as opposed to the past.
SALES TAX One of the more onerous taxes. I'm proud to have passed enabling legislation in Albany to exempt counties from clothing sales tax, something that Suffolk and NYC have taken advantage of, and Nassau unfortunately cannot take advantage of at this time.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING We've had meetings with the LI Housing Partnership and advocacy groups to find creative solutions to Long Island's critical problem. These solutions have come in the form of public and private partnerships that protect the community from over-development, but also focus on affordable housing for families starting off and senior citizens.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYSELF AND TOM SUOZZI Glen Cove is a nice small city. I've had 15 years in Albany working with issues that affect Nassau as a whole. This has given me the experience and insight into the problems Nassau now faces and the best solutions to its problems. Tom Suozzi has never had to address the problems and issues that I have worked on in almost 30 years in government.
TO BRUCE BENT You need to be accountable as to where you have been as the County has spiraled out of control. And by the way, no nukes!
SUCCESSES AS AN ASSEMBLYMAN I established the Veterans Toll Free Hot Line to access resources and support for NY veterans. I've also brought together diverse groups of people for common benficial results (i.e; Neighborhood Notification Pesticide Law, which protects families from toxins, and preserving 50,000 acres of Pine Barrens Land). Getting the NIFA legislation passed and bringing $105 million in State Aid to protect Nassau taxpayers has also been key.
CLOSING COMMENT What I bring to the County Executive office is to build partnerships and bridges and not build walls. That's what we need right now. There are many problems that need to be addressed and solved right now.
RHUBARB, SQUASH & YAKETY YAK
So, who's most likely to watch the Antiques Road Show? Bruce Bent, Norm Lent or Clark Kent?...Based on recent court challenges, dissident Nassau Independence members have lobbied Chairman Kapsis to rename the organization the "Green Party"...14th LD Democratic candidate, Dave Mejias, told me that he plans to spend as much as $50k to unseat incumbent Sal Pontillo...The #1 question I've been asked at the Massapequa Diner recently is how will the legislature go this November. After blowing my prediction in '99, all I can say is that it is too close to call. A lot will depend on the 4 key races for Democratic incumbents: Scannell (5th LD), Toback (7th), Muellers (18th) and Denenberg (19th)...I'm expecting District Court Judge, Mike Alonge, to win another 6-year term...Let's make incumbents Controller Parola and County Clerk Murphy the faves to win again...For the first person from South Farmingdale, who correctly picks the winner of the DiNapoli-Suozzi primary, that person will receive a free Receivership courtesy of the Nassau County Bar Association. Only kidding, well maybe!
