Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Beth Faughnan, a lifelong resident of Locust Valley, is running for the 18th Legislature District seat on the Republican and Conservative Party lines. Both elected offices are considered part time jobs.

An attorney practicing real estate and corporate law with Mohen & Treacy LLP in Locust Valley, Ms. Faughnan graduated from St. John's University School of Law, and worked for over 10 years at Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

She is a founding member of the North Shore Rotary Club; member of Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8, Glen Cove; chair of Missions & Charities, N.C. Board of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians; member of: Immaculate Heart of Mary Guild, St. Dominic's R.C. Church; Brehon Law Society of N.C.; Friends of the Bay; Planting Fields Foundation.

Councilwoman Faughnan said she is running for the legislature because, "I want to maintain the quality of life here on the North Shore. I think it is being lost due to the rising costs/lack of affordability. Middle class homeowners are being squeezed out, especially due to Nassau County's annual reassessment. By re-assessing every year, Nassau County causes a homeowner's annual tax bill to jump/increase from one year to the next, making it hard for a homeowner to make financial decisions and plan ahead."

If elected, Ms. Faughnan said, "The first thing I would do is to vote to freeze the annual re-assessment," and have them take place every five years.

Ms. Faughnan said she would take a serious look at the county budget - her biggest challenge - reducing the number and cost of patronage positions. She said, "The budget calls for $52 million in additional spending relying on $20 million in state aid, that hasn't yet been authorized, and on one-shot infusions of cash, such as $24 million from the tobacco litigation settlement and the temporary deferral of expenses."

She said, "The Nassau Legislature's Budget Review Office reported that Suozzi's County Executive payroll had grown from 193 appointed employees as of January 2002 to 435 as of March, 2007. The additional employees cost almost $19 million annually."

Ms. Faughnan considers major campaign issues as, "Affordability, responsibility for county hiring decisions, fiscal discipline," she stated. She is critical of the number of parks commissioners who have been appointed; that the Nassau OTB now has over four times as many political appointees and twice as many cars as it did 10 years ago; and that while the Dept. of Social Services was relocated to a rented building their original facility hasn't been sold.

Ms. Faughnan said the 18th District is still a like a small town where residents know one another and where generations of families often live near one another. She said her greatest concern is open space and environmental preservation in light of the fact that, "Villages were created a long time ago to protect against overdevelopment." __

This is the second campaign for Councilwoman Faughnan, she took office on Jan. 1, 2006.

Legislator Diane Yatauro is running for re-election in the 18th District on the Democrat, Independence, and Working Families Party tickets.

A 23-year resident of Glen Cove, she and her husband Barnard have two children, Mike, 22, and Noelle, 12. She is a former banker at Chase Manhattan Bank.

Ms. Yatauro's community service includes: teacher at St. Rocco's Church for 17 years; Boys and Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich vice president, board member; Portledge School board. She serves on the advisory boards of: Junior League, North Shore Boys and Girls Club, North Shore Museum. Member: Old Westbury Gardens, Glen Cove Sons of Italy, Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, Matinecock Rod and Gun Club. Supporter: Glen Cove Rotary, La Fuerza Unida, Glory House Recovery, Sea Cliff/Glen Head Lions Club, the Guild of St. Francis, Friends of the Bay, Glen Cove CARES, Ride for Life, L.I. Children's Museum.

Ms. Yatauro said, "My two reasons for asking to be re-elected are: I have demonstrated that I can make the tough choices when it comes to the budget, contracts, and protecting my constituents. I have always said that we need to bring government to the people, so I will continue to host my monthly meetings, 50+ to date, and use informational mailings, over 100 so far, to keep my constituents informed. I also want to finish projects that will improve the quality of life for the residents of Nassau County. (I was proud to complete the roadwork by the "Stands" in Bayville - which has stayed dry!) and we have several projects throughout the district which will need to be shepherded through the system.

"Locally, the county and Town of Oyster Bay are working toward a resolve of The Birches, in Locust Valley. I have made this a priority project since 2006 and want to see this issue amicably resolved. I want to continue to preserve our open space and I am working to save a couple of farms. On a county level I will continue to work with the administration with regards to the HUB project. This may be the last major building project that the county sees. It will bring much needed revenue, and it has a transportation component that would bring relief to the North Shore."

She said the challenges of being a legislator include a balanced budget, holding the line on property taxes, and maintaining "A" bond ratings.

She said, "I have not raised property taxes for the four years I have served. I have hosted 18 'How to Grieve Your Taxes' seminars. I backed the toughest Megan's Law in the state. I sponsored 'Tobacco 19' to protect our children."

Ms. Yatauro said, "The best part of my job is the everyday accomplishments I get to witness. The common denominator is always the same everywhere in the district, communities gather to honor everyday heroes."

This is her third run for County Legislator.