Hoping to be elected Legislator for the Nassau County' legislature's 11th District are incumbent Barbara Johnson, running on the Democratic and Independent lines, and her opponent, Tricia Zenobio, running on the Republican, Conservative, and Right to Life tickets. Legislators serve a two-year term. Prior to the interview, both candidates received a list of questions developed by soliciting different community constituencies.

Residence: Port Washington Education: J.D., Law, Seton Hall University; M.B.A., Pace University; B.A., New York University Occupation: Attorney in private practice; Nassau County Legislator Qualifications: Former North Hempstead Town Councilwoman; former Town of North Hempstead liaison to the Nassau County Board of Supervisors Question: The County's deficit is on the minds of all Nassau residents. What measures do you support to reduce the deficit? What would you oppose? What is your position on tax increases? BJ: To reduce the fiscal crisis, I propose we look at County waste and political patronage. I did a study of the last three years, and in that time, the County spent $6 million on outside law firms. When I questioned the County attorney, he said it was because of conflict of interest cases. I went back and counted up...(and found) three, maybe four a year, sometimes none. The reason for this ($6 million expenditure on outside lawyers) is they give these firms a certain amount of business, and the firms are going to make contributions. I never hold fund raisers; this policy keeps me fiercely independent...I told the County attorney, this has to stop, and it must stop now. Use the 60 County attorneys we have now. Also, there's a lot of political patronage -- millions of dollars worth. People are selected to become Commissioners not because they are qualified, but because they are executive leaders of the Republican Party. That's another thing I would eliminate: if you are an executive leader, you don't get the job. We are not a feeding trough for Gulotta's buddies! I would also eliminate cell phones, the cars, and most of the beepers. I am not proposing to get rid of the county workforce, the clericals, etc., but get rid of the top people! When I first ran, I was a Town Councilwoman, and I began to see the waste. It is outrageous. It is time for a change. Will we need a tax increase? I'll oppose it until we have done everything else possible to avoid this. We need to clean house first.

Question: What environmental issues or problems will you advance or tackle as a legislator? BJ: Here's an example of the dramatic change in the environment. I grew up in Roslyn Heights. We used to go out on Sundays on Manhasset Bay; for $5 you could rent a rowboat at Louie's. And there were little islands in the Bay. Those islands have disappeared because of pollution. I really became enraged. And so last summer, I was given three interns, and hired a fourth out of my own pocket. They spent the summer on Manhasset Bay, developing an enormous map. It has now become the basis of the Manhasset Bay cleanup. It took me four years of pushing the DEC, etc., to get to this point, but before me, 30 years [of inactivity] had elapsed. Now we have to do the same for Baxter Pond; it is the way station into Manhasset Bay, and it was being used to deposit junk! The cleanup money is in place for this -- I got federal money, state money -- and it has gone out to bid (for a contractor). It will have an underground spring, to keep it clean, and plantings around it. It is one of the most exciting things I have done. Another accomplishment is the improvement of Harbor Road. They are about to pick up the old asphalt. Before, children were going to school treading through water [up to their knees]. I do think the tree-cutting was premature, so I went to see the engineer. We are certainly going to plant new trees.

Question: Besides the Nassau County deficit, what do you see as the most pressing problems in the District? What will your priorities be, as a legislator? BJ: Traffic is horrendous, and I intend to attend different classes on this problem. Also, roads are deteriorating, though we are making strides, like on Main Street and Harbor Road.

Question: Are you a proponent of more housing for senior citizens? BJ: Affordable housing, yes. Not senior housing at $695,000 ! There has to be a balance between senior housing and regular housing, but most of that is a Town issue, because of the Board of Zoning Appeals and other factors.

Question: What should be done to increase legislative participation in, and oversight of, the county budget process? BJ: I'm totally in favor of it. I made a proposal that may go through. I proposed a three year budget. It can be changed, but at least it is a blueprint of where we are going. And there should be an Oversight Committee to see it through. It looks like my proposal will go through. I have been the only Democrat in the county who has been able to pass legislation, and this was to allow Nassau County Community College students to pay their tuition with credit cards. And I got something for disabled veterans. They get a certain amount of money from the Federal government, and it was being included as income and taxed. That was outrageous! I got that changed.

Residence: Sands Point Education: J.D. (In progress), Touro College; M.S. , LIU, CW Post campus; B.S., Bryant College Occupation: Law Clerk Qualifications: Two years with a NYS Senator responding to constituent concerns and developing community programs; eight years with a family owned construction management company; law clerk for Manhattan and L.I. law firms. Ms. Zenobio declined the interview, citing a too-busy pre-Election Day schedule. The candidate chose instead to reply in writing. Her responses, unfortunately, were not provided on a question by question basis, but rather written in an essay format . The following are excerpts from her written statement. TZ: As a lifelong resident of Nassau County, I know the level of services we provide our citizens and believe we must continue to do more. With some new insights and a fresh outlook, I believe we will come out of this crisis more stable than ever. These solutions are certainly not easy but in order to be the most successful, they must come with no bull, no gimmicks and no nonsense. Enough with the political debate and challenge in getting things done from the North Shore. We must all work together to fix the problems occurring in Nassau County. The deficit and budget are the pivotal issues in this campaign. As I see it, we have a twofold situation here: 1) our over $300,000,000 deficit and 2) Nassau County's structurally imbalanced operating budget. There are no easy solutions but if we bring it back to basics, start to work with honest and real numbers regarding sales tax revenues, consolidate departments and cut duplication of services, cut the fat and waste, cut patronage and non-essential jobs we will at least be on our way to fiscal management. It will be my responsibility to be accountable to this District for 100 percent oversight over the enforcement of these spending cuts by requiring department heads to come to the legislature quarterly for review of their performance within the budget. We need to create some new habits here in Nassau County. The most important habit is to no longer use any "one-shots" or non-reoccurring revenues to fill the gap in our operating budget. That is what has created our deficit and put this County in financial trouble. The new habits I intend to bring to Nassau County is to only use reoccurring revenues to balance our budget. Reassessment often comes up among our residents in the 11th District. I must be honest and tell you that until I see the numbers and get a definite answer on how reassessment will affect each and every household in this District, I cannot say whether I support or oppose it. One thing I do believe is that reassessment will hurt some people unnecessarily....