For this column I have interviewed Nassau's 7th District Democratic
Legislator, Jeff Toback.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN R AND D LEGISLATORS (NASSAU)
At this moment, the D's come up with solutions and the R's only whine about
the problems. The R's didn't come up with an alternative to the tax increase
in order to close the $428 million budget gap.

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ISSUES
One-party control isn't working here. The Town provides most services to its
residents and most affects people's quality of life. I do not believe that
the Town does a very good job based on Town taxes. If you look around, we get
very little services for our money (I. e; parks, zoning). It's easy to amass
a surplus, when you overtax and underspend.

BACKGROUND
Age 42; married with three children. Lifelong resident of Oceanside. Attorney
in private practice and a Nassau Legislator since January 2000. Law Degree
from New York Law School.

MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR PATAKI
I would caution you, based on Nassau County's fiscal problems, from
supporting a budget that avoids hard choices and relies on fiscal gimmicks.

NASSAU TAXES
It's no secret that the cost of living in Nassau is very high. No one enjoys
raising taxes, but based on Nassau's fiscal situation since I've been in
office, tax increases were necessary. I know, however, that the 4-year plan
calls for no tax increases for fiscal years 2004-5.

ASSESSMENT
I am hopeful that the reassessment of all residential/commercial properties
will go a long way towards restoring us to fiscal health. It's hard for me to
believe that the people in power during the 1990s did nothing about this
situation.

HOBBIES
Golf, following the Yankees and managing my son's T-Ball team.

SUCCESSES AS A LEGISLATOR
I'm most proud of being part of the first functioning County Legislature. In
the first four years, the Republicans were rubber stamps, passing budgets and
projects that had no basis for reality. For the past 2 1/2 years, the
legislature scrutinizes all contracts and acts as an independent branch of
government.

ISSUES IN PROGRESS (OCEANSIDE/FIVE TOWNS)
We're working on getting capital into the district to restore the Oceanside
Triangle and the business district in Hewlett. We need to repair roads and
conditions in Meadowmere Park.

POLITICAL/PERSONAL GOALS (NEXT 2 YEARS)
To see that the 4-year plan gets implemented in Nassau, be the best
legislator that I can be, and balance my professional/political careers with
my family's needs.