Incumbent Lisanne Altmann is being challenged by Harry A. Demell in the race for Nassau County legislator in the 10th Legislative District. This district basically encompasses the entire Great Neck peninsula and a small portion of New Hyde Park. Elections are Tuesday, Nov. 8.

"I'm running again because there is a lot of work still to be accomplished," Lisanne Altmann told the Record. Legislator Altmann, currently serving her fifth term representing Nassau County's 10th Legislative District, is most anxious to "work with state and federal representatives to see how to continue to pay for much-needed services." She wants government to be able to "meet its obligations," and, as well, "continue our quality of life."

Ms. Altmann stated that, even though "the county finances are fixed, there are still challenges." And she said, "I will devote myself to seeing that we don't get short-changed again; I won't lose a chance to remind the state and the federal government of how much they owe us."

Ms. Altmann also wants to "continue to watch assessment," and she does hope to work on campaign finance. In addition, she plans to address some "pet projects" such as "safe street campaigns" and safety for pedestrians, locally and countywide.

Since the Democrats gained control of the legislature in January 2000, Legislator Altmann says that she has "dedicated myself to restoring the fiscal integrity of Nassau County." She is proud that in her position as chair of the Budget Review Committee, and said she has "brought to light numerous problems relating to the county's finances which resulted in a dramatic change in course for the county," which has resulted in major county bond rating upgrades.

Ms. Altmann also terms herself "a strong union supporter ... with a good working relationship with police, corrections officers and civil service unions." This, she says, "has helped forge a good working relationship between organized labor and the legislature."

Legislator Altmann has also been a staunch supporter of preserving the suburban character of Nassau County. In June 2001, she joined in unanimously passing legislation that created the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSPAC). In 2003, she approved legislation to preserve open space, recreational areas and other environmentally sensitive areas in the county. In 2005 she was named co-chair of the County Executive's Medicaid Advisory Group.

She has also supported, among other issues, the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Bill; tax relief legislation to ease the burden for veterans, the disabled and senior citizens; elimination of carbon dioxide emission from power plants; Charity Care legislation; legislation requiring county contractors to provide apprenticeship training programs; legislation to encourage minority groups and women to bid on county contracts; and voted to create the Office of Emergency Management.

Most recently, Ms. Altmann has advocated for Nassau County to upgrade its voting technology with Paper Ballot Optical Scanner (PBOS) voting machines as part of the county's movement to comply with the 2002 Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

In addition to chairing the Budget Review Committee, Ms. Altmann is vice chair of the Public Safety, Rules and Health and Social Services committees, and a member of the Towns, Villages and Cities Committee.

Prior to her election to the Legislature, Ms. Altmann, a Great Neck resident (and a graduate of South High) was a long time political activist. From 1992-1994 she worked as an aide to Congressman Gary Ackerman.

Lisanne Altmann says that she is "considered a maverick by many," but that she has "built a reputation on a candid and curious nature and transformed it into a successful career on the Nassau County Legislature."

"As your legislator, my first priority will be to make sure that skyrocketing taxes don't force families out of their homes," says Harry A. Demell, challenger for Nassau County's 10th Legislative District legislator's seat. "My second priority will be to assure that our district is a nice, safe place to live and raise a family ... that we get the services and quality of life we're paying for," he also stated.

"The main issue" said Mr. Demell, "will be how to pay for the financial problems that frankly both parties are responsible for." And he states that "there are only three ways to handle this problem ... we can either raise taxes, cut spending or borrow." Mr. Demell says that a vote for Republicans is the way to vote against more tax raises.

"I will vote vigorously to cut spending," Mr. Demell told the Great Neck Record. He states that "the first area of waste is government spending in the form of township governments." Mr. Demell supports eliminating "town councils, and town leaders." These services, he says, should be handled on the county level. "This whole level of government is waste by definition and in reality," Mr. Demell says, "there is no reason why the county and the villages and unincorporated associations cannot take up this slack (if any)."

Addressing unions, Mr. Demell says "We have to be more aggressive in union negotiations." He also states that "all county workers must understand that rising health costs must be distributed more evenly during this time of financial crisis." The alternative, he says, is "significant firings."

Mr. Demell, a Great Neck resident and an attorney by profession, limits his practice to visa and immigration problems. He has been practicing law for 29 years. He emphasized that he has "no wish for personal gain or a job through this election." His desire to run, and to serve the county and his fellow residents, is to see "Nassau County remain fiscally sound and try to improve the quality of life here."

Harry Demell has two children, ages 14 and 17, and he very much would like to see them be able to "remain and (be able) to afford to remain in Nassau County when they graduate college." He feels that "the current administration will either raise taxes or borrow us into a hole that I don't want my children to have to fill."

Mr. Demell has also been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1980 and he has been active in this organization's annual conference planning committee and he has also been active in congressional lobbying efforts.

Additionally, along professional lines as an attorney, Mr. Demell has been a Nassau County Bar Association member since 1990 and he chairs the Immigration Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Locally, Mr. Demell serves as vice president Chabad of Great Neck.

He is also the Conservative Party's candidate.

Anxious to serve Nassau County's 10th Legislative District, Mr. Demell's campaign literature proclaims, 'Harry Demell will fight for us!" Further, he feels that it is time for "someone with new ideas to come in and bring fresh ideas to the table."

Says Harry Demell, "I can do the job and will vote to significantly turn back the spending clock."