On Monday, August 31, Assemblyman Marc Herbst, who is supported by both the Republican and Conservative Parties, officially announced his bid for re-election in the 14th Assembly District and presented several awards to members of the district who have shown themselves to be advocates for the community.

The 14th Assembly District includes Island Trees, Seaford, Wantagh, Hicksville, and parts of Bethpage, Levittown, Jericho, and Plainview. Herbst has represented these areas in the State Assembly since February 1994, when he won a special election for the position with 75 percent of the vote. He was then re-elected for two additional two year terms.

Herbst, a lifelong resident of the 14th District, has been active in many different aspects of that community. He is a past president of the Hicksville Library Board, past president of Hicksville Community Council, former vice president of Hicksville Kiwanis, member of Seaford Historical Society, pioneer sponsor of Levittown's 50th Anniversary Committee, and a member of the Wantagh Preservation Committee.

Herbst's popularity in the district and in local government was emphasized by the number of people who turned out for the announcement of his re-election campaign. He was supported, not only by community members but by many other local politicians. Some of the elected state officials who turned out to show their support were; Senator Kemp Hannon, Senator Carl Marcellino, Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara, Assemblyman Steve Labriola, and Assemblywoman Kathleen Murray. Representatives from Nassau County included; Nassau County Clerk Karen Murphy, Legislator Ed Mangano, Chairman of the Board of Assessors Charles O'Shea, County Comptroller Fred Parola, Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Jim Picken, and Legislator Sal Pontillo. Councilwoman Linda Reed represented the Town of Hempstead, while Supervisor John Venditto, Town Clerk Fanny Corsentino, Councilman Joseph Muscarella, Councilman Angelo Delligatti, and Commissioner of Intergovernmental Affairs Maureen Fitzgerald represented the Town of Oyster Bay.

Herbst is considered an authority on issues such as energy and is the ranking Republican member of the Assembly Energy Committee. As Governor Pataki's lead advocate in the legislature for the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) takeover, Herbst led an aggressive campaign to bring about substantial reductions in Long Island's exorbitant electric rates. He led the debate on restructuring LIPA on the floor of the assembly, which resulted in a partial takeover of LILCO. He was also appointed to LIPA's Clean Energy Advisory Panel. In a recent interview about this appointment Herbst stated, "By working together, we can provide cleaner, renewable energy sources for the ratepayers of Long Island in the future." Herbst also has the highest rating among state legislators by the non-partisan environmental advocates.

As an assemblyman Herbst has been active in many different issues. Before the completion of his first full legislative term he was appointed vice chairman of the Republican Steering Committee. Besides the energy committee he also serves on the transportation committee, corporations committee, and labor committee. Recognized nationally, he also serves as New York State's co-chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council. He has sponsored several bills such as a bill mandating a 48-hour hospital stay to protect mothers and newborns, and Jenna's Law, which ends parole for first time violent felons.

Herbst said, "I am honored and privileged to represent our community in the state assembly. I have worked long and hard to deliver services to the people at the most reasonable cost. I have championed the cause of law and order, pushed for environmental protection, won reduced electric rates, encouraged business growth and development of them, worked hard to streamline government agencies, and sought all means of reducing the tax burdens we all face."

Herbst, a proponent of community service, joined his re-election campaign reception with the presentation of the 1998 Assemblyman Herbst Community Leadership Awards.

The first award that Herbst presented was the Long Island Leadership Award. He presented this to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1049. Herbst said that in the heat of the LILCO controversies and the LIPA takeover these workers took the heat for doing their job and got no recognition for the good work that they did. He said that this honor was for all those people who worked so hard despite the issues facing the electric company.

The Friendship Award went to the former Republican executive leader of the Levittown South district, Louis DiMitri. DiMitri recently stepped down from this position after serving as executive leader for over 20 years. Herbst said, "I want everyone to know what a great guy Lou is." DiMitri was not present but the award was accepted on his behalf.

Ann Ocker, of Plainview was one of the local Community Leadership Award recipients. According to Herbst, Ocker, who he has known for many years, taught him "low key 'do the right thing' loyalty." Ocker was cited for her involvement with the fire department and her work in the community.

After the awards were given out Herbst thanked everyone for their support and said that this would be a very different sort of campaign for him. His opponent, Barbara Bubin-Buonagura, has taken a strong stance against Herbst and his stand on various issues. Herbst said that he will not be involved in a negative campaign and that he would take the high way.

Herbst, in regard to his future in the assembly said, "I will continue to build on the excellence we now enjoy in education, recreation, and public services. I will also continue to do everything in my power to preserve the suburban quality of life we enjoy on Long Island by continuing to support efforts to attract new businesses to our area and embracing the new jobs that will come with them."