County Legislator Richard Nicolello will square off against Democratic challenger Matthew A. Cuomo during at least four debates scheduled before Election Day, and already things are heating up.

With Nassau County's $100 million deficit taking center stage as the major issue of the campaign, there is no shortage of differences between Nicolello and Cuomo, who are running for the District 9 Legislative seat.

While Nicolello and his Republican colleagues in the Legislature are trying to distance themselves from County Executive Thomas Gulotta, on whom they are blaming the county's financial woes, Cuomo says the party infighting is nothing more than a campaign albatross.

"I would say that there is no dispute between Tom Gulotta and the Republicans," Cuomo said. "This is a show. Everything Gulotta's ever done since 1996, he's done because they let him do it. Now they're crying that all these games have been played on them by the master politician, Tom Gulotta."

Nicolello and the Republican majority have released a plan Nicolello says will rein in Gulotta's new budget as well as eliminate the yearly deficits. The plan includes requiring heads of county departments to justify their spending to the Legislature on a monthly basis.

"They're going to have to come to us and justify it," Nicolello said. "For example, with Medicaid payments, the Health Department has an estimate that the expense portion is going to be $70 million for the year. If they come in in January and $10 million is already spent, we know there's a major problem."

Nicolello insists the Legislature is doing the dirty work of cutting into a budget he says is filled with "a lot of gimmicks and a lot of phoniness."

Cuomo is joining sitting Democratic lawmakers in calling for an end to patronage positions.

"I'm not talking about a secretary to a department head who does a lot of work," Cuomo said. "I'm talking about titles like 'second deputy to the deputy.' How many friends and family members can we shove in jobs to keep them happy? The Republican's plan is to freeze the salaries. If these things aren't needed, why have them at all?"

Nicolello defended his own staff, saying he has one aide, who is paid about $30,000 a year. He said the Legislature is not the area where you will find extraneous positions, again aiming at the Executive branch. He also said Cuomo shouldn't be criticizing a process he has not even seen for himself.

"I've never seen him at Legislature meetings or any budget hearings," Nicolello said. "I don't even see him in the district. It's kind of unusual. Instead of engaging in a local race by meeting with the people, he sends out press releases."

Indeed, Cuomo sent out a release on Sept. 22 calling for more debates, claiming that at the time only one had been scheduled. Included in the release was a letter to Nicolello, who claims he did not even hear of such a letter until informed by the local press.

"I would be happy to debate you or appear with you before community groups," Nicolello wrote back. "As you may be aware, the following dates have already been scheduled. . . "

Cuomo defended his lack of attendance at Legislature meetings by saying, "There's nothing I can do to impact the process. Even if I wanted to speak, (Legislature Presiding Officer) Bruce Blakeman controls the floor. So, what am I going to do, sit there and watch them vote 14-5?"

The candidates will meet next Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. in Clinton Martin Park for a debate sponsored by the Coalition of New Hyde Park Civic Associations. Another candidates night is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. at Carle Place High School, sponsored by the Carle Place Civic Association. The last scheduled debate thus far is at Hofstra University Law School, Cushner Hall, on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m., sponsored by the Greater Westbury League of Women Voters.