With less than two weeks to go before the November election, candidates for federal, state and judicial offices made their pitches to a modest crowd of prospective voters at the Williston Park Civic Association meeting last Thursday night.
State Sen. Jack Martins, incumbent Republican in the 7th State Senate District, spoke to those gathered as a neighbor, raising his four daughters with his wife, Paula, in Mineola.
“Like everyone else, we’re struggling,” he said, “wondering if the economy’s going to come back.”
Martins recalled the $14 billion state budget deficit that existed when he took office two years ago and the way it had been pared down through bipartisan efforts with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic majority in the state Assembly.
He also recalled the Legislature’s effort to give small businessmen “making it on a razor’s edge” some “breathing room” by repealing part of the MTA payroll tax.
Martins also recalled the passage of the bill putting limits on potentially addictive prescription drugs and the bill creating a DNA bank to make it easier for law-enforcement agencies to identify criminals.
“We’ve made a difference in two years,” Martins said. “I’m asking you again to put your trust in me. We do have the ability to make this state a better state.”
Martins beat Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson by a slim margin two years ago to win the seat in the 7th State Senate District which comprises New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Mineola, the Willistons, Albertson, Westbury and the villages of the Great Neck peninsula.
Martins’ opponent, Democrat Daniel Ross, cited his status as a captain in the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, his former status as a Boy Scout and his current occupation as a small businessman by way of introducing himself.
“I’m here as someone who runs a business, and someone who has experience in starting a new business,” said Ross, who manages a Subaru dealership in Hicksville.
He called for the state economy to be “gauged and managed” in a “realistic” way, criticizing unfunded mandates being imposed on local governments.
“That money being saved on the state level is being shift to the towns and the county,” Ross said.
He said his objective in running is “to be an advocate for you” and he expressed support for the bipartisan work in the Legislature.
“The great work that is taking place in the state, bipartisan work, I hope to continue.”
Gary Port, Democratic candidate in the newly configured 19th State Assembly District, pointed to his status as a small businessman and a father of two grade school children to emphasize his ability to identify with residents’ issues.
“I understand the problems of running a small business,” he said, adding, “I want to do what the rest of you want to do. I want to keep what I’ve built.”
Port is a partner in the law firm of Port & Silva in Floral Park.
He said that he and Republican Edward Ra, running as an incumbent in the redrawn district, share many of the same positions on the issues. Port said the fundamental difference between he and Ra is experience, noting that he is 50 years old and Ra is 30 years old.
“Ed’s a nice kid but he doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Port said.
Port also focused on the issues of development in Nassau County, which he said is “going backwards,” and cited the continuing problem with property assessments in the county. On the heels of the New York Islanders announced plans to move to Brooklyn, Port also cited what he called the “fiasco” with plans to develop the land around Nassau Coliseum. He also criticized the unfunded mandates the state has passed on to local municipalities.
“The Legislature has to be more on top of spending in the state for local government,” Port said.
The newly configured 19th district includes New Hyde Park, Mineola, the Willistons, Carle Place, Old Westbury, and Glen Head.
Ra was invited to the candidates night, according to Williston Park Civic Association President Mitchell, but did not attend.
Richard Stiek, Republican candidate in the 16th State Assembly District, noted that he graduated the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as an artillery officer before earning a law degree and moving to Long Island.
“I’m running against Michelle [Schimel] became I’m tired of seeing my property taxes go up,” Stiek said.
Schimel, the Democratic incumbent in the 16th Assembly District, did not attend the forum.
Stiek said he wants to tie fluctuation of property taxes to property values and called for an end to unfunded state mandates.
He also called for support for small businesses and criticized Schimel for voting in favor of the MTA payroll tax and unfunded mandates.
The newly configured 16th Assembly District consists of Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Herricks, Mineola and East Williston.
Steve Labate, Republican challenger in the reconfigured 3rd Congressional District, described himself as “a soldier and a dad,” noting his three terms of active duty in the U.S. Army since the attack on the World Trade Towers in 2001.
“We are a country that’s $16 trillion in debt,” he said. “The key point is I’m running for Congress because my kids deserve a future.”
He said the country is facing a “fiscal cliff” in January with $500 billion in proposed defense budget cuts that would translate to a military ground force strength of pre-World War II levels.
“As an American that makes me furious. As a soldier that makes me sick and my opponent is a big part of the problem,” Labate said.
He cited endorsements he’s received from Steve Forbes and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
The 3rd Congressional District includes all or part of Oyster Bay, Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Williston Park, Floral Park and New Hyde Park as west a northeastern Queens.
Mitchell said 3rd District Democratic incumbent Congressman Steve Israel had been invited to the forum. He did not attend.
Longtime Mineola resident Judge Scott Fairgrieve cited his 12 years of experience as district court judge as a prime consideration for voters.
“I think I’m known as a very fair, hard-working judge. You do not want politics in the judiciary,” said Fairgrieve, who noted he’s running on the Democratic, Independence, Working Families and Green party lines.
Fairgrieve said he has written more than 200 opinions in the cases – predominantly landlord-tenant suits – he’s heard during his tenure.
He cited his record of community service, including 12 years as a former trustee in the Village of Mineola, his position on the board of directors of the County Seat Kiwanis and his roles as trustee of the Mineola and Nassau County Historical Societies.
Fairgrieve’s opponent, Republican nominee Harvey Strickon, did not attend the forum.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
