The candidates who will be on the ballot for the special election for the 11th Legislative District on May 2 spoke before a Candidates' Meeting held jointly by the League of Women Voters of Manhasset-Port Washington (LWV), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) on Monday, April 17. The meeting was held at The Church of Our Saviour, Lutheran, in Manhasset. The special election was made necessary by the death of Legislator Barbara Johnson on March 9.

The candidates are Craig Johnson, Barbara Johnson's son, Democrat; Linda Green, former North Hempstead Town Clerk, Republican; Ben Zwirn, former North Hempstead Town Supervisor, Green Party; and Lorraine Pryhuber, Right to Life. The Monday night meeting was moderated by the LWV's Betsy Brody who, as is the League's policy, is not a member of the 11th District which covers Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn and a portion of Old Westbury.

The election is of particular interest because, since the death of Ms. Johnson, a Democrat, the Nassau County Legislature has been composed of nine Democrats and nine Republicans.

In their opening statements, the candidates set the tone for their campaigns. Mr. Johnson, a bankruptcy attorney with Willkie, Farr and Gallagher, told the audience that "the Democrats are the best hope for fiscal recovery. The problem of the highest taxes in the nation after 80 years of Republican domination won't be solved by Republicans. And it won't be solved by a third party candidate who will leave the legislature deadlocked." Johnson said that, although he doesn't believe that he is "entitled to the job," he does bring his mother's credentials and as a bankruptcy attorney has the expertise to help bring Nassau County back to fiscal stability.

Ms. Green said that the "overriding factor in a special election is which candidate best represents the district." She cited her own service as North Hempstead Town Clerk during which she was able to obtain New York State grants to upgrade the office's functions. As a member of the minority party in North Hempstead, she said she had been able to work well with the majority members. She also spoke of her work with Cancer Care and her career as a teacher and an assistant principal in Queens.

Mr. Zwirn immediately went on the offensive. "I have for a long time been critical of reassessment but it is done, it is passed. The system was broken and it should have been fixed 10 years ago, as I said when I was on the board of supervisors. Now everyone is paying too much in taxes," he said. "The county is battling to stay afloat. Nobody has the guts to make the cuts we need. I did it in North Hempstead and I can do it in the county."

Ms. Pryhuber, running on the Right to Life ticket, assured the audience that "I am not trying to take votes away from anyone, but people in need of help in this county are not getting it. "What are we doing for people," she asked rhetorically.

Following the opening statements the candidates were asked to respond to a number of questions which had been handed in by the audience. A brief summary of their responses follows.

Reassessment: Zwirn said that reassessment was passed by Republicans and Democrats. He said he would put a cap at 4 percent max, and make exceptions for senior citizens. He believes there will be a reassessment of commercial property and commercial real estate taxes will come down which will boost residential taxes even higher. He said the legislative candidates must be specific about the cuts they will make.

Ms. Pryhuber agreed and expressed concern that people will not be able to stay in their homes.

Mr. Johnson said that the reassessment could have been done in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s. He assured the audience that reassessment will not be done immediately but over a three-year period and that seniors and veterans will be protected. "A Democratic majority will assure that it will be done fairly," he said.

"It's not often that I agree with Newsday's editorials," Ms. Green said, "but there has been a rush to judgment. People are confused and reassessment won't solve the deficit problems." Acknowledging that the vote on reassessment has been taken, she said she would like to work on its implementation.

Laying off Police: Johnson said that he does not support the layoff of police officers. The Democrats will work with the PBA, he said, so that reductions can take place through attrition. He referred to Manorhaven which has only one police officer assigned to patrol its streets.

Ms. Green retorted that "Manorhaven might be better served by the Port Washington Police Department." She said she does not favor layoffs but would investigate using civilians in clerical jobs.

Zwirn said he would not lay off police but let attrition take its place.

County Income Tax: Johnson said he does not favor a county income tax. "The Democrats have put forth a common sense plan to reduce government and reduce the deficit" without such a tax.

Green said that she is not ready to think about such a tax. "It's rush to judgment again," she said.

Zwirn said that although an income tax would be fairer than our present system, the county would probably wind up with both. Still, he said, he would start looking at the possibility of an income tax.

Plan to Reduce Deficit: Mr. Johnson said that this is the "heart of the matter as to why we're here tonight. I support the plan of Jacobs (Democratic majority leader in the legislature) and the Democratic legislators." He added that "it's going to take both sides of the aisle and we have only 60 days to junk bond status."

Ms. Green said, "I support the Democratic plan, the Republican plan and the County Executive's plan. Parties have to come together and stop playing games."

Mr. Zwirn said that he had heard a log of general platitudes. "That's not a plan," he said. "You have to be specific." He then recommended a change in the Nassau County jail under which Nassau would send violent offenders, of which there are few, to New York City to a maximum security facility and accept their minimum security risks such as DWIs. He also talked about improving Medicare to take care of prescription drugs. "There are bold things out there," he said. "You have to comparison shop."

In his closing statement Mr. Zwirn asked the audience, "Who do you want out there fighting for you, the people who gave you the highest taxes in the nation? I'm the alternative."

Mr. Johnson said that given the current fiscal crisis you don't want a Republican or a third party candidate who would deadlock the legislature. I'll be the Democrat to put an end to one shot deals and an end to waste and cronyism."

Ms. Green said, "I'm a Republican but I was Linda Green before I was a Republican. I'm independent and I'll work to find solutions not rush to judgment."