John Rennhack is the Democratic Party's candidate for the 12th district of the Nassau County Legislature. A native of Middle Village, Queens, he has lived in North Massapequa with his wife and their three children for the past six years.

Rennhack is a graduate of St. John's University and currently works as a Broadcast Satellite Distribution Manager for CBS Television.

"While I do not have the obvious political background as an office-holder, I do have experience in the real world of business," Rennhack said. "I am a true independent who will put people before politics and party. As a family man and a taxpayer who commutes to the city every day I know the burdens my neighbors face. I understand that what I would do in the legislature has real consequences. I am not a politician and I have not spent my adult life working in the political system. I have always worked in the private sector and know what that is like. I have the experience of a regular taxpayer. My intention is to be a true citizen-legislator. I want to do what I must for the betterment of the county and continue to work in the private sector. I will always tell you what I believe and not what I think you want to hear. I want to pass a county property tax decrease by three percent every day for five years if the next year's budget spending and receipts create a surplus and taking into account possible economic downturns in the next year.

"I want sunshine legislation that makes the workings of government accessible to all citizens," Rennhack continued. "Legislative hearings and meetings should be recorded and broadcast live on the county web page and on public access. Details of votes and a transcript of meetings and hearings should be available online. It is important that residents know exactly what their representatives are doing in their name and how that will affect them.

"The only good government is an open government and I will hold monthly 'town hall' meetings," Rennhack said. "I want to improve efficiency in county departments that can lead to cost savings without negatively affecting services. I want to work on the consolidation of special districts and reduce the tax burden on homeowners. We need a better Nassau County and I believe that by going to the legislature, that is what I can make it happen.

"My first goal is to sustain the fiscal recovery that the Democratic Majority and County Executive Thomas Suozzi have brought about," Rennhack concluded. "I will use my position to work with the towns, villages and school districts to keep taxes under control. I will not only have my own plans for the continued financial recovery of Nassau and keeping the county strong, but I will work with anyone who has a feasible and fiscally responsible plan. Politics cannot enter the equation when we are charged with the responsibility of keeping Nassau County the best county in the country."

---By Joe Scotchie