As has been his custom for the last several years, New York State Assemblyman Marc Herbst kicked off his campaign with a fund raiser which he used as an opportunity to honor community activists and volunteers from each of the communities he represents in the 14th A.D., which encompasses Hicksville, Island Trees, Seaford, Wantagh, and parts of Bethpage, Jericho, Levittown, North Wantagh, and Plainview.

Herbst, who took office in 1994, noted that since his first election bid, the turnout for his campaign fund raiser has increased dramatically. This year it was standing room only at the Aug. 31 event, with an overflow of supporters standing outside of H.R Singleton's as he spoke about his time as a public official and honored those who have helped him along the way.

"Each and every one of you has had a major impact on me and keeps me focused on what this job is all about," said Herbst. "It's about helping people and doing the right thing and I've always tried to emphasize and remember where I came from and what the responsibility of a public official is and that is to help people and do the right thing and you don't do it alone."

Herbst explained that his job isn't just about going up to Albany to represent his constituents. He noted that he would be able to accomplish very little without the support of the people at home, "the people who do the quiet work day in and day out, making this a better place." He said that it is for this reason that he can't take credit for all that he has accomplished and this event honoring community leaders is his way of thanking all those who do so much for their communities.

The first award presented by Herbst was the Long Island Leadership Award, which was presented to an organization rather than an individual. He selected the Long Island Federation of Labor- AFL-CIO as this year's recipient of the award. According to Herbst this organization represents the working men and women of Long Island in various trades and construction fields. "If you look at Long Island as opposed to any other region, we have the finest roads, the finest infrastructure, the finest supermarkets, the finest everything, because the construction is done right," said Herbst. He noted that this labor organization is fighting not just for better wages, but fights for their retirees, for worker safety, and for apprenticeship and training programs. It was in recognition of what they do to help people in their field that Herbst selected the Long Island Federation of Labor as the recipient of the Long Island Leadership Award.

Among the individuals receiving the Community Leadership Awards was Plainview resident Antonette DeLucia., As the Town of Oyster Bay Housing Authority Tenant Commissioner, DeLucia runs the social activities and makes sure the residents' concerns are met, addressed and dealt with at the Plainview senior citizens' complex. Prior to moving to the Plainview complex, DeLucia lived in Bethpage where she coordinated a weekly shopping bus program for seniors with the Bethpage School District. She also coordinated monthly Mass for seniors at Barnum Avenue. Herbst selected DeLucia for this award in recognition of all she does for senior citizens, who according to Herbst, "are so vital, and have given so much to our community."

Herbst will be running for re-election on Nov. 7 on the Republican and Conservative Party lines. He is being challenged to a primary for the Independent Party nomination by Democrat Gary Burke.