Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) advanced to a position of leadership on Jan. 5 when he was appointed deputy presiding officer of the county Legislature.
“I am really excited to take on the extra responsibility,” Nicolello said. “We have a lot on our agenda in terms of the budget and the continuing budget crisis in the county. I welcome the challenge.”
In his new role, Nicolello will preside at legislative sessions in the absence of Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow). He will also confer with Gonsalves, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and members of the Democratic leadership of the Legislature in the early stages of legislation to be considered by the county Legislature.
“This is why you would be in office, to have that impact,” Nicolello said.
Nicolello has served as the legislator from the 9th county legislative district since the county Legislature’s inception in 1996. He is chair of the Legislature’s Finance Committee. And he is vice chair of the Economic & Community Development & Labor Committee, and is a member of the committees for Budget Review, Planning, Development & the Environment and Towns, Villages & Cities.
His current district comprises most of his home town of New Hyde Park, parts of Floral Park and Garden City Park, and Mineola, Williston Park, East Williston, Carle Place and Westbury. A proposal approved by Republican members of a redistricting committee this week called for major changes to the district. The proposal failed when committee Democrats refused to vote on the measure and the issue now returns to the county Legislature.
Apart from the county budget, Nicolello said he sees the redistricting and the future of the Nassau Colliseum as most pressing issues facing the Legislature.
“I recommended Legislator Nicolello for the position of deputy presiding officer, and the delegation fully supported it,” Gonsalves said. “He will be a terrific asset for us moving forward, as he has been in the past.”
Nicolello’s appointment prompted praise from the other side of the legislative aisle.
“He’s a quality guy and a very diligent legislator and I wish him success in his new position,” said Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn). “Rich and I have had some profound policy disagreements but we’ve been able to get past them and be cordial with each other.”
Nicolello has been a practicing attorney since 1986 associated with the law firm of Congdon, Flaherty, O’Callaghan, Reid, Donlon, Travis & Fishlinger, concentrating in the area of insurance law.
A lifelong resident of New Hyde Park, Nicolello is a member and past president of the New Hyde Park-Floral Park Kiwanis Club, a member of the Sons of Italy Cellini Lodge,
A member of Notre Dame Parish in New Hyde Park, he is a 3rd degree member, Knights of Columbus, New Hyde Park Council. He is also a member of the New Hyde Park Memorial High School Dad’s Club, the Parks Civic Association, the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, New Hyde Park Lodge and the Mineola Lions Club.
