Westbury and Carle Place residents headed to the polls on Nov. 6, to take part in the historic 2001 election in Nassau County, which saw a Democrat win the seat of Nassau County Executive for the first time in three decades. Democrat Thomas Suozzi, the mayor of Glen Cove, defeated Republican Bruce Bent in the bid for the top county job, to replace retiring County Executive Thomas Gulotta. The election also resulted in a Democrat winning the prestigious seat of county comptroller, as Challenger Howard Weitzman defeated Republican incumbent Fred Parola.

On local fronts, Westbury and Carle Place residents helped to vote a mix of Republican and Democratic candidates into other county and town offices.

Voters re-elected the Republican and Democratic incumbents to the 9th and 2nd legislative districts, respectively, but also ousted a Republican incumbent town council member and introduced two new Democrats to the town board.

Republican Richard Nicolello of New Hyde Park was re-elected as Nassau County legislator in the 9th Legislative District, which encompasses Carle Place, parts of Westbury, E. Williston, Williston Park, Garden City Park, Mineola, and New Hyde Park. He defeated Democratic challenger Dolores Sedacca, of East Williston, by a tally of 10,431 to 6,356, according to Nassau Board of Election Results released Nov. 7.

Democrat Roger Corbin of Westbury, who serves as deputy majority leader of the Nassau Legislature, was re-elected as Nassau County Legislator in the 2nd Legislative District. He defeated Republican challenger Michael Abrahams of Hempstead by a landslide vote of 6,807 to 1,568. The second district encompasses New Cassel, part of Westbury, Hempstead, Lakeview, and W. Hempstead. Democrats took a 10-9 majority of the legislature in 1999, and retained that majority in this election.

Democrat May Newburger of Great Neck was re-elected as supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, defeating Republican challenger, Town Councilman Angelo Ferrara of New Hyde Park by a vote of 30,857 to 20,404.

In the at-large election for two North Hempstead town council seats, Republican Councilman James O'Connor of Westbury, who was seeking a second term, was not re-elected. Democrats Fred Pollack and Wayne Wink, both of Port Washington, were voted into office, to take the seats of O'Connor and Ferrara, the councilman who ran for supervisor. When O'Connor was elected to the town council in 1997, he became the second Republican, alongside Ferrara, on the Democratic-majority board. Last week's election brings the Democrat to Republican ratio on the town board, which includes four council members and the supervisor, from 3 to 2, to 5 to 0.

The North Hempstead Town Council candidates received the following number of votes: James O'Connor (Republican): 21,840; Fred Pollack (Democrat): 29,028; Jerome Galluscio (Republican): 19,507; Wayne Wink (Democrat): 29,079.

Also in the Town of North Hempstead, Town Clerk Michelle Schimel, a Democrat, was re-elected, defeating Republican Catherine Rosso by a tally of 30,500 to 19,703.

In the Town of Hempstead's 6th Councilmatic District, which includes the Salisbury section of Westbury, Republican Councilman Gary Hudes of Levittown was re-elected. He defeated Democratic challenger Pat Maher of East Meadow by a tally of 18,507 to 11,813.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino, a Republican, was re-elected, defeating Democratic Challenger Kevin Gorman by a vote of 93,946 to 69,193.

In an interview following the election, Westbury's Roger Corbin thanked the voters for supporting his re-election, and expressed optimism about the Democratic-controlled county government.

"I'm excited. The residents have spoken. They apparently like our policies, and they understand what we're trying to do," said Corbin, who received 82 percent of the vote in his district. "For the first time since 1917, the Democrats are controlling both the executive and the legislative branch. And we have a lot to offer."

He added, "We have to do the right thing on behalf of these residents - the taxpayers of Nassau County," noting that raising revenues will be key to restoring fiscal stability in the county while maintaining services. "We're going to be successful when we do it. I am optimistic."

He also expressed excitement about County Executive-elect Suozzi, whom Corbin supported from the beginning of the Glen Cove mayor's county election bid.

"I think he has vision, like we have vision, like I have vision, in terms of how to save this county from the economic doldrums," said Corbin. "With our vision, we are going to move this county forward. We're talking about everyone working together - Democrats and Republicans working together, and that's the excitement about County Executive Thomas Suozzi."

Interviewed following the election results, Westbury's James O'Connor thanked the voters for the opportunity to have served as councilmember since 1997. "I'd like to thank the voters for allowing me the opportunity, in 1997, to serve the people of the Town of North Hempstead for the last four years. It was a wonderful opportunity. I really, really enjoyed it. I'm disappointed because I thought I was fairly good at it, but the people have spoken," O'Connor said.

He added, "I hope for nothing but great things for the Town of North Hempstead. I hope in some small way I contributed, and I really enjoyed my four years, and I thank the people for giving me that opportunity. It was really a lifelong dream fulfilled. I enjoyed it very much."