Newsday's often-frustrating "Long Islander of the Century" project is winding down. For a year they've been publishing brief articles about all kinds of distinguished Long Islanders, including many who can hardly be considered Long Islanders.

It's particularly painful that Newsday's twenty-two "finalists" in the category of politics exclude some of the political giants whose work shaped our public life even today. People who should appear in any credible public history of Long Island, or who are just too interesting to ignore in any history. Anton Community Newspapers remembers the following people, in roughly chronological order:

1. G. Wilbert Doughty: Founder of Nassau's Republican "machine." As assemblyman in 1899, pushed through law ceding parts of Elmont and Five Towns from Queens to Nassau. From 1915-1919, masterminded changes to the Board of Supervisors and to the election laws that helped make the Nassau G.O.P. unchallenged force in local politics, and the financial piggy bank of the national Republican Party. A visionary who recognized that Long Island would someday be heavily populated suburbs. Longtime Hempstead Supervisor who made the deal with Robert Moses to build Jones Beach and the first parkways. Important contemporaries include Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., American Legion founder and legislator; Jeremiah Wood, Lieutenant Governor.

2. Philip J. Christ: Chairman of the Nassau Board of Supervisor, 1911-1917. "A man of impeccable integrity...based on personal competence and popularity..." according to County Historian Edward Smits. His mosquito elimination program led to development of shore communities like Kings Point. His tuberculosis hospital became Nassau Medical Center. After stepping down as North Hempstead Supervisor and Democratic Chairman, he founded a bank and was a force in charter reform. Important contemporaries include Hempstead Supervisor Smith Cox (R) and Oyster Bay Supervisor William Jones (D).

3. Samuel Seabury: Famous political reformer who left judgeship to run for Governor and to become conscience of state politics. World famous in the early '30s when his Seabury Commission led to public disclosures of Tammany corruption and the election of LaGuardia as mayor. Lived on his farms at Wyandanch and East Hampton, representing Suffolk County in numerous state and national Democratic conventions. Important contemporaries include famous litigator John W. Davis, nominee for President in 1924.

4. W. Kingsland Macy: Undisputed G.O.P. "king" of Suffolk County, 1927-1951. Cleaned the Klan out of Suffolk Republican politics and, as state chairman in 1930s, helped push needed relief measures and reforms through the state legislature. Suffolk grew under his guidance. Served in State Senate and Congress. Important contemporary: Congressman and national G.O.P. Chairman Leonard Hall of Oyster Bay; Longtime state legislator Genesta Strong of Manhasset, most influential woman in Nassau Machine.

5. John F. English: Dynamic Nassau Democratic Chairman, 1958-1969, who became power in national politics as national committeeman and presidential campaign operative. In 1960s, Dems won control of most county offices and numerous legislative positions, becoming wealthiest county party in America. Joe Margiotta, important contemporary, adopted many English techniques to aid in Republican rebound in 1970s.