On the steps of Glen Cove City Hall, Paul Annunziato officially declared on May 27 that he has accepted the Republican party's nomination for Nassau County 's 18th Legislative District for the seat presently open since legislator Brian Muellers, a Democrat, has decided not to run for re-election. Prefacing his remarks with the statement, "Those who know me know I finish what I start," he then enumerated to the attendees just what he intends to do.

Stating the taxes are "out of control," Mr. Annunziato vowed to do his part to "get the county back on track" by using every opportunity to vote to cut government waste. He said he is appalled by too many empty storefronts, and feels government needs to be more deeply involved with business, giving more attention to the "entrepreneurial spirit," which he calls a Nassau County sleeping giant.

Always active in his community, Mr. Annunziato created the Locust Valley Civic Association and helped found the United Civic Associations of North Oyster Bay, where he serves as first vice president.

Mr. Annunziato has also been vocal on many environmental issues, including recently being appointed to the Nassau County Open Space and Park Advisory Committee where he continues to fight for the interests of the community.

Leo Drake of the American Legion Howard Van Wagner Post, spoke for the veterans when he said that Mr. Annunziato is dedicated to veterans' affairs, saying "I will be around to be sure he keeps his promises."

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto heartily endorsed Mr. Annunziato and remarked that "It is time to return this district back into a real legislative district." (Presently, the Democrats control the legislature by one seat.) "The time is now-the person is Paul Annunziato," he said.

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, Diane Yatauro announced that she will be seeking election to the 18th Legislative District, which in the next legislature will encompass Glen Cove, Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Bayville, Locust Valley and part of Oyster Bay, and part of Jericho on the Democratic ticket, as current legislator Brian Muellers is not seeking re-election.

Mr. Muellers said in a telephone interview: "I'm confident that Diane Yatauro will make a terrific legislator and will carry on with turning the county's finances around as we have started for the past four years." Mr. Muellers decided not to run for office because of the demands of his very interesting job as vice president of technology for medical materials at Pall Corporation and to have more time to spend with his new family. He was considering a run for Oyster Bay Town Supervisor. "It would have been fun and a great challenge, but it wasn't the right time in my life," he added.

Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp was there in Glen Cove to heartily endorse Ms. Yatauro, who has worked long and hard for not only Ms. Holzkamp's campaign, but also the campaigns of Brian Muellers and County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. Mayor Holzkamp remarked that Ms. Yatauro has been a part of our city for 20 years, and she looks forward to Ms. Yatauro being part of the team that will continue to protect the health and safety of our citizens.

County Executive Suozzi added his endorsement, noting that Ms. Yatauro exemplifies the type of leadership Nassau County needs, saying we need "...people who have the ability and integrity to work to push the plan through." Right now the legislature is in a very precarious position for the Democrats, as they hold just a one vote majority.

Ms. Yatauro spoke of her dedication to the North Shore. Much of her family lives here, giving her a strong vested interest in the area. She said she is committed to protecting our open spaces and waterfronts, and committed to Mr. Suozzi's agenda for reform of the county. While new to politics, she is not new to business or community involvement. A former second vice president at Chase Manhattan Bank, she is well known as she has been on the board of the Oyster Bay/East Norwich Boys and Girls Club, a trustee at Portledge School, and a teacher at St. Rocco's Church.

Ms. Yatauro's next stop on the campaign trail was a visit to Bayville where she spoke at the Village Commons in the center of Bayville.

Doug Watson, Bayville village trustee said of her campaign, "I will go outside the norm, I've never backed a candidate before. This time I've decided to get involved and volunteer to work with Ms. Yatauro's campaign."

She and her husband Bernard have two children, own a Nassau County-based telecommunications business and reside in Glen Cove.

(Note: D.F. Karppi contributed to this story.)