Republican incumbent Peter J. Schmitt has represented the 12th Legislative District, which encompasses Massapequa, Massapequa Park and portions of North Massapequa, for the past five and a half years, serving as the Legislature's Deputy Presiding Officer from 1996 through 1999, and as the Legislature's Minority Leader since January 2000.

According to Schmitt, the most important issue facing Nassau County is the current fiscal situation and how to improve it. "Everybody knows where we are fiscally, and everyone knows that in order to get out of here we have to do one of two things. We need to raise taxes to bring in revenue, which the Republicans and myself are opposed to, or cut spending by extracting savings out of existing budgets," he explained.

At a recent Massapequa Kiwanis Club meeting, Schmitt blasted the "overly generous" union contract recently approved by the Democratic Majority. The contract, according to Schmitt, provides Nassau County Corrections Officers with over 29 percent increase in salaries, making them the highest paid Corrections Officers in the downstate region.

"I have stood up, as have all the members of my delegation to say no to overly generous union contracts, and we will continue to advocate cost cutting in county government, as opposed to increasing property taxes," he said.

Schmitt said he is also looking to be re-elected to continue making improvement in quality of life for Massapequa and Massapequa Park residents. He cited the completed Operation Downtown project on Broadway, and the current project on Park Blvd. in Massapequa Park, saying that if re-elected, he will continue to bring such projects into the area.

Other improvements planned for the Massapequas include redesigning and rebuilding the three pumping stations south of Merrick Road. "Let's bring them up to 21st Century standards, like I did with the two pumping stations on Alhambra Rd. and Biltmore Blvd." Schmitt said he also wants to see through to fruition the $10 million restoration of the Massapequa Preserve area, to restore it to pristine condition, dredge stream beds and raise water levels, and deal with pollution emanating from the Liberty site.

Schmitt emphasized that, as the Minority Leader of the Legislature, and as Majority Leader, if the Republicans take back the majority, he is in a position of enormous power and influence, which he has used and will continue to use to benefit the residents of the 12th Legislative District.

Schmitt's other experience includes an appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Community and Youth Services for the Town of Oyster Bay in 1984, where he served through 1995. Under his direction, the following programs were instituted: Cultural and Performing Arts, Group Activities Program for the Handicapped, and numerous Senior Citizens programs. He also established the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program and the Town of Oyster Bay Youth Bureau.

Schmitt served as a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Massapequa, Past Chairman of the Massapequa Heart Fund, Past Officer of the B.P.O. Elks 2162, Trustee for the Massapequa Historical Society and Past President of the Treehaven Civic Association. He received the Estabrook Award from Hofstra University for distinguished achievement, as well as many other community and civic awards.

Schmitt received his bachelor of arts degree from Hofstra University in 1973. He and his wife, Lois, have one daughter, Samantha, and reside in Massapequa.

Democratic challenger Joseph Tartaglia is a lifelong resident of Massapequa Park who claims that, if elected to the 12th Legislative District, he will bring forth an honest legislation that includes the people's decisions on the county's issues. "I may not be a career politician," he said, "but I can promise that I will treat each resident and issue I face with sincerity, honesty and concern."

One of the largest issues facing Nassau County, according to Tartaglia, is maintaining the county's reputation as a fine place to live and raise children. To this end, he sees preserving and protecting the police force as critical to Nassau County's revitalization. "Nassau County has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. We need to keep it that way."

Tartaglia also advocates closely examining the budget to try to balance spending with revenue in order to lower the deficit. "The implementation of long-term budget projections will both cut expenses and increase services. This will have a positive impact on the residents, resulting in a finer relationship between county government and its residents."

If elected, Tartaglia said he will ensure that taxpayers receive proper services for tax dollars. "It is extremely important that we balance staff so that various county departments are properly supplied with appropriate number of employees. Currently, there is a lack of employees, which creates a costly backlog, which, in turn, results in overtime costs. This means the taxpayers are paying more taxes for fewer services," he said.

Tartaglia, whose current profession is Computer Technical Instructor, is concerned with "the serious lack of technology in county departmental activity." He claims that many departments lack basic technological improvements, which results in a waste of time and money.

"The seriously outdated assessment process, for example, is the result of a lack of computerization," he explained. "It costs the county approximately $100 million per year for grievance/tax certiorari settlements. Similar deficits stemming from lack of computerization can be applied to several other departments, notably the Department of Traffic and Parking Violations."

Tartaglia is also concerned with preserving open spaces, such as the Massapequa Preserve, and preventing deterioration of parks and other lands. If elected, he would upgrade medical center/health clinics, as well.

"I have decided to get involved with my county's government because I love Nassau County and all that it represents," he said. "As a homeowner and a taxpayer, I understand what issues are important to the residents of this community. One day I would like to have a family of my own and raise them in Nassau, just as I was."