The Port Washington-Manhasset League of Women Voters sponsored a Candidates Night on October 19 for candidates for office in the Town of North Hempstead and for candidates for the Nassau County Legislature.

The most heated exchanges of the evening came from the candidates for the position of supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead--incumbent Democrat May Newburger, challengers Republican Maureen O'Connell and Right-to-Lifer Lorraine Pryhuber. Supervisor Newburger spoke first, telling the audience that she and her fellow Democrats are running on their record. "For the first time in 15 years,": she said, "every town fund is in the black. For the first time in 29 years, Moody's gave us an upgrade. I'm tired of hearing about debt that we inherited from a former Republican administration. We made a commitment. The Republicans left us the Morewood debt and a superfund landfill. We have put the town on a sound fiscal basis. Don't believe me. Believe Moody's and the independent audit."

Ms. O'Connell painted a different picture. After introducing herself as a registered nurse and an attorney, she said that she has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 1998. "The town is at a critical juncture," she said,, "with the debt consuming our resources." Assemblywoman O'Connell said that Supervisor Newburger has raised town general taxes by more than 40 percent. In addition, she said that 43 cents of every tax dollar collected in North Hempstead goes to paying interest and principal on the debt. She added that the town is facing a $20 million judgment which would be catastrophic for town services. She promised that, if elected, she will "return fiscal integrity to Town Hall and fight against wasteful spending and higher property taxes."

Ms. Pryhuber, a resident of Manhasset, said that she has worked in Town Hall for 18 years and understands the way town government is run. She is also the treasurer of the Village of Plandome Heights. She is running on a platform of cutting back government, and focusing on clean water and open space, "what you people need," she said.

The first question came from Neil Begley of the Bayview Civic Association, who asked about the proposed development of the property near the Manhasset viaduct which his association opposes. "You're referring to the North Hempstead highway yards," Supervisor Newburger said. "We have tried to consolidate our yards. We tried to sell that property for years and we never heard from Bayview," she said. She added that the property is located in the Village of Thomaston and that North Hempstead has had a difficult time with that village. "The village wants the highest tax return possible," she said. "What they propose is a monstrosity. I have spoken to the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District and the Department of Environmental Conservation about it," she said.

Assemblywoman O'Connell said that she is "very concerned" about the property. "It was sold before the Republicans of the town board (Angelo Ferrara and James O'Connor) took office, under the cover of darkness."

Ms. Pryhuber said that she believes property should be nurtured.

A member of the audience asked why the property had been sold without restrictions. Assemblywoman O'Connell said that the property should not be under the jurisdiction of the Village of Thomaston. "North Hempstead could have put restrictions on it but they are driven by the town debt."

"Here we go again," said Supervisor Newburger. "Our opponents don't have a fiscal message. Moody's doesn't think we're falling apart. My opponent is not highly educated about environmental issues. I chaired the Assembly committee on environmental issues. The state passes laws and the towns follow them. That's how it works."

Joan Kent of Port Washington asked the candidates how they plan to address the town's debt.

Ms. Pryhuber recommended a cut in taxes.

Supervisor Newburger said, "We've been doing it. We reduced the Morewood debt, sold property and built a golf course which is bringing a steady stream of revenue. Don't mix up, as my opponent does, deficit and debt."

Assemblywoman O'Connell said, "Look to the town attorney's office and stop bonding out legal work." She added that former Town Attorney Ivan Kline became a partner in a law firm that handled North Hempstead environmental issues after he left town government.

John Minogue asked what the supervisor proposes to do about commuter parking in Manhasset.

"We have discussed it with the Manhasset Park District," she replied, "and with our Department of Public Safety. We're trying but I agree it needs to be addressed. One problem is that private property owners are illegally renting spaces to out-of-town commuters."

Assemblywoman O'Connell said that commuter parking is part of a bigger problem. We need an overall evaluation of development, she said, citing as an example the controversy in Manhasset about the proposed King Kullen supermarket.

Ms. Pryhuber recommended that the town look at other areas to see how they are dealing with commuter parking.

In her closing statement Assemblywoman O'Connell said that the town is mortgaging our future because 43 percent of every dollar in the town budget goes to pay long-term debt. In the legislature, she said, she has voted for legislation to cut State taxes, produced State budget surpluses, increased State aid to education and helped reduce school taxes through the STAR program. "I know that the town can do better," she concluded.

Supervisor Newburger said, in her closing statement: "Who do you trust? People who brought the town out of debt or will you turn it over to people who are so desperate they overlook the facts. Ivan Klein was never a partner in that law firm. No judgment has come down against the town. As I said at the beginning, we are running on our records."

Subsequent to the Candidates' Night, we received a statement from Ms. Pryhuber in which she stated that, although she had been a lifelong Republican and a Republican committeewoman for 20 years, she now believes that "the two major parties are so much alike that true change is not possible without a whole new attitude and new thinking." After an unsuccessful attempt to run a Republican primary she accepted the designation of candidate for supervisor on the Right-to-Life line. "People think I am trying to take votes away from the Republican candidate but this is not the truth. I am trying to fight for the people in the Town of North Hempstead to give them the government they deserve and have not had for a long time." Ms. Pryhuber is running for supervisor on the Right-to-Life line. She is running for receiver of taxes as a write-in candidate. She says she is running for the position of receiver of taxes because "we can save money and lose nothing by eliminating the receiver of taxes position. This would save us $80,000 and in time more savings could be made." If a voter needs help in casting a write-in vote, there are two inspectors, one from each major political party, who will accompany the voter inside the booth to instruct the voter before the curtain is closed.