HERALD ENDORSEMENT

Re-elect Denise Ford in 4th Legislative District

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Republican incumbent County Legislator Denise Ford is being challenged by Democrat Keith Lebowitz in the 4th Legislative District.

Ford has worked hard for her constituents, and knows well the issues they face. She has overseen the repairs of the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant since it was extensively damaged in Hurricane Sandy, and is advocating for an ocean outfall pipe. She worked tirelessly to get the plant repaired and reopened after the storm. And she has pursued all available resources to help residents rebuild in the three years since.

Ford says she is frustrated by the delays in the reconstruction of Austin Boulevard, but assures residents that funding for the project is secure. She is also focused on repairing Beech Street, in Atlantic Beach, as well as the Nassau Expressway through Lawrence.

She fought for the takeover of the Long Beach Motel, which is almost complete, and wants to see senior housing in that building. She was instrumental in getting Shot Spotter installed in Long Beach, after several shooting incidents in the North Park and West End. Ford opposed a 25-year tax abatement and payments in lieu of taxes for the proposed iStar project in Long Beach, which the Industrial Development Agency has since rejected. And she is an advocate of the Zadroga Act, which provides medical help for those who worked at the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks. Her late husband was a firefighter who lost his life while on duty.

Lebowitz is passionate about making our area more affordable for young people. He says he is running because his children can’t afford to live here and he doesn’t want them to leave. His solution: build windmills and solar-power installations on unused county property, sell the excess power and use that money to take on some of the county’s problems.

But on the wide range of other issues facing the county, Lebowitz lacks ideas. That, and the fact that he has no governmental experience, convinced us that he would be unable to push through legislation that would help his potential constituents.

We urge voters to show Ford their support on Tuesday.