New York Conference Of Mayors Calls For Amendments

‘The Devilish Details’ of New Law for Village Dissolution

The sponsors call it the Empowerment Act for short, but local governments are calling it the Disenfranchisement Act because the sweeping legislation passed this June, going into effect in March 2010, requires voters to vote to dissolve or consolidate local government before they know whether such actions would save money, or not.

“There’s a lot of confusion about the Act and it’s up to you to educate your residents so they’ll know that signing a petition for dissolution sets into motion a complicated, expensive process where the cart is before the horse,” said Wade Beltramo, special counsel for the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) to a roomful of mayors and village officials from Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties at a NYCOM meeting held at Mineola High School on Oct. 29. Beltramo spent the evening giving a quick course in the new act, which is summarized below.

Republicans Take Control of Legislature

Maintain Stronghold in Oyster Bay Town, County Exec Race Not Yet Called

(Editor’s Note: The election numbers contained in this story were from the Nassau County Board of Elections and were still unofficial as of press time.)

Residents headed for the polls on this past Tuesday, Election Day, to vote for the candidates of their choice.

Mangano, Suozzi Vie for Nassau County Executive

In the race for Nassau County Executive, Democrat Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove will attempt to retain the post he has held since 2002. He is running against longtime Republican Legislator Ed Mangano of Bethpage.

Belesi, Mejias Vie for 14th Legislative District Seat

The 14th Legislative District encompasses the communities  of Farmingdale and portions of Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Plainview, Levittown and North Wantagh. Democratic incumbent Dave Mejias is seeking election to his fourth consecutive term as legislator of the 14th District. Opposing Mejias is Republican Joseph Belesi. The same questions were asked to both candidates running for the two-year seat. There is no limit to the number of terms legislators may serve. Their stories appear below in alphabetical order. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Meet the Candidates for Nassau County District Attorney

On Nov, 3 voters in Nassau County will select their representative for Nassau County District Attorney. Joy Watson will challenge incumbent Kathleen Rice. The candidate’s profiles are listed below.

Scalia, Venditto Vie for Oyster Bay Town Supervisor

The same questions were asked of both candidates running for Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, which is a two-year term. Incumbent John Venditto is running on the Republican, Conservative and Working Families Party lines. Challenger Keith Scalia is running on the Democratic Party line. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Their stories appear below in alphabetical order.

Majid, Walker Vie For 17th L.D. Seat

On Nov. 3, residents of Nassau County’s 17th Legislative District will elect a new representative to the Nassau County Legislature. Rose Marie Walker and Arshad Majid are vying for the position, which is being vacated by Ed Mangano, who is running for County Executive. The district includes Island Trees, Bethpage, Hicksville, Levittown, North Massapequa, Plainedge, South Farmingdale and Syosset. The candidate’s stories are listed below in alphabetical order.

Six Vie for Three Spots on Oyster Bay Town Board

The same questions were asked of all candidates running for the Town of Oyster Bay Board, which is a four-year term. In the event a council member leaves office prior to completion of a full term, the Town Board appoints a replacement. That person serves until the next regularly scheduled election, at which time the voters elect an individual to serve the remainder of the term. There is no limit to the number of terms council members may serve.

Incumbent Republican councilmembers Chris J. Coschignano, Elizabeth A. Faughnan and Joseph G. Pinto are being challenged by Democrats Matt Meng, Erin Reilley and Doug Watson. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Their stories appear below in alphabetical order.

Meet the Candidates Running for Town of Oyster Bay Clerk

Incumbent Republican Steve Labriola is facing challenger Democrat John Capobianco in the race for Town of Oyster Bay Clerk. Both candidates were asked the same questions regarding their campaign to compile the following profiles. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Mejias and Suozzi Introduce Area’s First Green Dog Park

Sixth Dog Park in Nassau County, Seventh Coming Spring 2010

Legislator Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) and Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi introduced a new recreational outlet at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for a very important constituent: man’s best friend.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place on Oct. 1, extends to six the number of dog runs offered in Nassau County parks and is the first in the area covered by the Town of Oyster Bay. The dog run, which is located near the entrance to the Village, provides separate areas for large and small dogs.  Benches at the new dog run where donated by the Boy Scouts of America.  The park will operate the same hours of Old Bethpage Village Restoration.