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By featured writer Marty Schwartz

I have profiled Suffolk’s 14^th District Republican legislative candidate, John Iliou.

BACKGROUND   Age 34; married with two children.  Lifetime resident of West Babylon.  Former Suffolk Prosecutor. Principal Law Clerk for a County Court Judge.  Law Degree from Union University (Albany Law School). Undergraduate Degree in Management from Hofstra University.

TAXES / SPENDING   The problem is that my opponent refused to support proposed budget cuts last year by County Executive Gaffney and instead, proposed a budget which led to a 30% tax increase on the County line for our Babylon residents. This was irresponsible and unacceptable. My opponent also voted for numerous sales tax increases and voted against the elimination of sales tax on clothing in Suffolk.

TO ED ROMAINE   The people want to feel comfortable that our elected officials are protecting us from scandals and corruption in County government. Continue to run your campaign in a manner that gets this message across.

HOW I WON THE INDEPENDENCE (I) LINE
My opponent was endorsed by the Babylon Executive Committee of the Independence Party. Through an extreme, in-house grass roots effort, we spoke to the members of the party, who indicated their preference to support me and help me achieve a write-in victory. This was not a campaign against the I Party but against a legislator who is out of touch with his constituents.  I look forward to carrying the banner of the I Party, which is a true party in terms of reforms and ideals.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MY ’01 AND ’03 RACES FOR LEGISLATOR   The difference this year is participation by both the Town and County committees.  After coming within 370 votes of my opponent two years ago, there is an enthusiasm that has led to new volunteers, added fundraising and the ability to get my message out.

AFFILIATIONS / VOLUNTEER   Former Trustee, West Babylon Board of Education, Volunteer Teacher Outreach Program, Board of Directors Splashes of Hope Children’s Charity, Past Lodge President - Order Sons of Italy America

LINDENHURST RESIDENTS   You have a good administration in the Village, which has done a great job in a fiscally sound manner. I look forward to working together with Mayor Distler to coordinate a County and Village effort to satisfy the needs of Lindenhurst Village.

IN SUM   My campaign can be summed up as an intense grass roots effort. I’ve knocked on almost 5,000 doors to get my message out.  In our community, people want to meet the candidate face-to-face so that they can make an educated decision in the voting booth.

About Marty Schwartz Martin H. Schwartz, Political Consultant and former Democratic Leader for the Massapequas. Mr. Schwartz is a Budget Analyst and graduated from Hofstra Business School. He can be reached at Reddog70292@aol.com.