David Sussman challenges Harvey Weisenberg

Lawrence resident Dr. David Sussman says he wants to bring common-sense thinking and reform to Albany.

“I believe people are doing all they can, but decisions have been made and policies instituted that just don’t work,” said Sussman, a Republican and a 17-year member of the Lawrence Board of Education, in explaining why he is challenging Assembly incumbent Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat from Long Beach, in the 20th District. “We have to make decisions that everyone makes personally all the time. When it comes to the state Capitol, they forgot how to make decisions.”

Sussman, who grew up in Cedarhurst and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1966, said he wants to take a businessman’s approach to the problems facing Long Island and the state. He thinks it is time to end tenure for teachers, Long Island school districts should receive their fair share of state aid and tort reform is needed to rein in malpractice lawsuits. “When mistakes are made, people need compensation, but this is not a casino,” Sussman said, referring to the large sums of money that plaintiffs are awarded. “We need to fix our house, especially here on Long Island, if we want our children to move back here,” he added of the high cost of living that drives young people away from Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Weisenberg has represented the district since 1989, when he was elected to the Assembly in a special election. The district comprises the Five Towns, Atlantic Beach, a portion of Valley Stream, East Rockaway, Long Beach, Oceanside and Island Park.

Sussman said that he respects Weisenberg and wants the campaign to be a “clash of ideas.” But he also said he “respectfully disagrees with what [Weisenberg] hasn’t done.”

He points to the lack of significant changes in education when it comes to tenure and an unsustainable pension system. “We have to live within our means and say we’ll take the burden and let our children live better,” said Sussman, adding that improving education, creating jobs and producing tax relief are interrelated.

Weisenberg complimented Sussman for engaging in the political process. “I wish him good luck and applaud him for getting involved,” he said. “I’m busy doing what I was elected to do, and I can’t worry about politics now.”

Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino, a spokesman for the Nassau County Republican Committee, said that Sussman was selected because of his background and the high regard people in the area have for him. “He is someone who is respected and has a proven track record,” Santino said, “and he certainly has widespread support in the community.”

Though he views the Assembly job as part-time, Sussman said he would be concerned about doing what he thinks is right for his constituents, not about getting re-elected. “I’m a physician — I perceive the Assembly meets half a year,” he said. “It isn’t meant to be your only job. I will not make easy decisions. You don’t write checks you can’t cash. That is why people in Albany make promises.”

Feedback about his candidacy has been positive, Sussman said. Dr. Asher Mansdorf, who has served with him on the Lawrence school board for more than a dozen years, said he thinks highly of his fellow trustee. “What makes David Sussman a fine public servant is he always puts the public first, and never puts himself first,” Mansdorf said.