In the 8th Legislative District, Joseph DeFelice of Malverne is running against incumbent Vincent Muscarella, on the Democratic Party line. A graduate of St. John's University, where he obtained his jurist doctorate, DeFelice said he hopes to effectuate change if elected, particularly with the county's budget, which he feels Republicans during the Gulotta years grossly mismanaged.

"Republicans have lost touch with voters. They're simply interested in getting themselves back into power and making [Nassau County Executive] Tom Suozzi look bad," DeFelice said. "I'd like to get into office and use some of the common sense I have and try to make changes that will help the people of Nassau County. Following Tom Suozzi's budget plan, I think that that's the thing to do."

A county resident since 1978, DeFelice, a lawyer, said he'd like to see increased funding for the Office of Emergency Management, noting that Republicans stopped funding sometime during the summer with a 9-10 vote. "We needed a 13 vote majority to get that bond funded but were unsuccessful," he said.

If elected, DeFelice, who unsuccessfully ran against Tom Alfano in the 21st Assembly District in 2002, vows to make sure his constituents live in a safe environment. "This issue requires retention," he said, noting the federal Superfund site Genzale Plating Company, located at 288 New Hyde Park Road in Franklin Square.

According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, chromium, cadmium and nickel were once detected in both on-site and off-site monitoring wells. In addition, on-site wells showed contamination by volatile organic compounds. Measures were taken to clean up the site in 1995 and 1997 and in May 2000, the plant ceased operation.

"Although [environmental officials] don't feel contamination still exists there, I think it's important to be sure about that and clean that area up completely. I know they've taken the building down but I want to make sure the rest of the job is done expeditiously," DeFelice said. "If the water gets contaminated it will affect not only that area but areas like Franklin Square and West Hempstead."

In DeFelice's opinion, the biggest problem facing the 8th Legislative District is the county's budget. "Over 32 percent of our revenues are generated from sales tax. If we have a sinking economy and people moving out of Nassau County because of high tax rates or because we can't provide services, that's going to affect everyone," he said.

DeFelice vows to help get the economy going again in Nassau County if voters instate him as their new legislator. "I'd like to see something done about the mandates on school funding because that has really hurt county residents. High school tax rates have been worsened by the recent reassessment. The state needs to be pressured. At least that would give me a position to speak out on the issue even though we can't pass any laws on it."

DeFelice feels the problem could correct itself through Suozzi's plan to bring the county budget back to firm fiscal footing. "If you take away the mandates that we're required to put in place, like Medicaid and pension mandates, I think the budget has really been a plus rather than a deficit in the last two years," DeFelice said.

He said he wanted Suozzi's plan for the Sewer and Storm Water Authority passed as the county executive originally proposed it. "Under Suozzi's proposal, we would've saved $25 million a year," he noted. Under this compromised plan, DeFelice said the county would save only $6 million a year. "We had to raise taxes in other ways, to raise another $12 million," he said. "You might hear $18 million but it's really a $6 million savings."

Married 25 years with two teenaged sons, DeFelice is a former assistant district attorney in Queens County. He also worked as an attorney with Immigration and Naturalization back in the '70s. A past president of the Columbian Lawyers Association in Queens County, he currently serves as vice president of the Confederation of Columbian Lawyers, a group of Italian attorneys from all the city boroughs as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties.

"With places like Garden City South and Stewart Manor, this is a very attractive district for people who want to come and live in Nassau County. We want to keep it that way and keep it affordable," DeFelice said.

The 8th Legislative District encompasses Garden City, Floral Park, West Hempstead, a portion of Franklin Square, Stewart Manor, Garden City South, Malverne, Bellerose Village and small portions of North Valley Stream and Lynbrook.