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Fog/Mist Local candidates tackle topic of Albany reform
League of Women Voters host forum at East Meadow Public Library
Dysfunction and reform.
With Albany the main topic of conversation, those two words were used readily and often at Meet the Candidates Night on Sept. 29 in the East Meadow Public Library.
Local candidates for the state Legislature were invited to address a variety of topics affecting residents. The eastern Nassau County chapter of the League of Women Voters hosted the event.
The two-hour session featured candidates seeking office in districts that include East Meadow, Bellmore, Merrick and other parts of central and eastern Nassau County.
Reforming the often-criticized state Legislature is a heated topic this election season, and most candidates are pointing to the redistricting process that would take place during the next two-year term. Moderator Carol Goldfarb asked the candidates if they agreed with establishing an independent commission to redraw the districts that elected officials represent.
Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), a 21-year incumbent representing the 6th Senate District, which includes East Meadow, noted that he has pledged to support independent redistricting and the reform of budgeting and ethical codes. However, there are some issues to consider, Hannon explained.
“There is a question as to what’s independent,” he said. “There’s always a difficulty whether you just do it in a nominal fashion or come up with independent, nonpartisan, objective people. That is going to be difficult to achieve.”
Hannon’s opponent, Francesca Carlow, a Democrat from Plainview, said she also supports an independent redistricting process. “I understand redistricting and how vital it is to all of us,” Carlow said. “The career politicians up in Albany are constantly voted in because the lines that are drawn consistently map out the best for the incumbents.”
Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt, a Republican from East Meadow who represents the 17th District, used himself as an example of why districts should be redrawn independently. Parts of his hometown lie in four different Assembly districts.
