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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!
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