Ellen Birnbaum has lived in Great Neck for 32 years – and as the Democratic party’s nominee for Nassau County Legislator Judi Bosworth’s (D-Great Neck) seat, she is looking to expand her scope beyond the Gold Coast.
“I’ve always been interested in policy as it applies to local communities,” said Birnbaum, who serves as the Town of North Hempstead’s Director of Intermunicipal Coordination. “I think in this position in the town, I’ve gotten a better overview of the different levels of government.”
Birnbaum, whose husband Mark is a Village of Great Neck trustee, said she has had her eye on the county Legislature for some time, and when Bosworth decided to run for town supervisor, she leaped at the opportunity. She is running to represent Nassau’s 10th District, which under a newly redistricted electoral map includes Great Neck, Herricks, Manhasset, North Hills and parts of North New Hyde Park.
“I have been very involved in Democratic politics in Great Neck, so as a leader in the party I have known there would be movement in the party and I was just looking for an opening for the right position I could run for,” Birnbaum said. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in government and serve the public in an elected capacity.”
Birnbaum, who graduated from Cornell University with a degree in consumer economics and public policy, said one of her top priorities is to create partnerships between the county, villages and special districts – an extension of her work coordinating between governments in North Hempstead.
“I would like to enhance efficiency in government and be more cost effective,” Birnbaum said, citing road improvement and drainage projects as areas where local government could better coordinate with the county to save money.
When asked about several county issues, including the county’s fiscal oversight by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s efforts to shift the responsibility of paying for tax refunds from the county to schools and special districts and the costs of union contract arbitration to the county, Birnbaum declined to comment, saying that she would release policy positions on those matters over the summer.
Birnbaum said the consolidation of special districts can increase government efficiency in some cases, citing the ongoing unification of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District and the Village of Great Neck’s sewer system as a successful example that would save money.
“I’m very supportive of that especially when they’re located so close to each other,” Birnbaum said.
But she added that she recognized the value of local government, and that consolidation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
“I think there’s a benefit to the local government and local control, but when it comes to duplication of services that would be worth investigating,” Birnbaum said.
Birnbaum has served in a variety of local government and community service positions, including director of the Water Authority of Great Neck North, legislative aide to Town Councilwoman Lee Seeman (D-Great Neck), and positions with Temple Israel of Great Neck, the Great Neck Democratic Club, Hadassah’s Lulav Group, and Child Abuse Prevention Services.
One of her priorities is enhancing services for seniors, she said.
“I’ve been very involved with Project Independence, meeting with senior groups,” said Birnbaum.
She added that should she be elected she would advocate for emergency preparedness and anti-bullying initiatives in schools.
Birnbaum’s campaign is still in its infancy. She is yet to hire a campaign manager following her nomination at last week’s Democratic convention, and said she would begin campaigning in earnest during the summer.
But she does have a message for voters – that she possesses the right qualities to earn a seat in the Legislature.
“I’m am very responsive to constituent issues. I enjoy meeting people,” Birnbaum said. “I have a curiosity about how government works and I like to learn about issues. I am open minded and I’m committed to serving my community.”
With a one-vote Republican majority in the Legislature and a newly redistricted electoral map that could shake up the chamber in November, Nassau’s Democratic leaders will hope voters take that message to heart.
