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Gonsalves is the choice in 13th District
In the race to represent Nassau County's 13th Legislative District, the Herald endorses 10-year incumbent Norma Gonsalves, a Republican from East Meadow. She faces political newcomer John Rossi, a Democrat from North Merrick.
Gonsalves, 73, is a retired educator who has lived in East Meadow since 1962, and learned the ropes of community activism by becoming involved in local civic groups. She was first elected to the County Legislature in 1997. Despite her 10 years in office, she continues to show the zeal and tenacity of a first-term legislator. She is a strong advocate for public safety, and continues to lobby for more police. Over the years she has asked for funds guaranteeing a stronger police presence in her district, saying that she wants to be proactive rather than reactive.
Gonsalves is not afraid to cross political lines for projects she believes in. She co-sponsored legislation with Democrat David Denenberg that bans littering, dumping and residents' encroachment on county land.
In February, she co-sponsored passage of a law that places strict limitations on off-road vehicles, making it illegal to operate them on highways, streets or sidewalks or in parking lots. The law requires anyone operating an off-road vehicle to have written consent from the property owner. Gonsalves said that the law's purpose is to ensure children's safety and protect the environment.
She is also working on bringing a veterans' clinic to East Meadow's Nassau University Medical Center. The clinic would replace the Veterans Administration clinic in Plainview, which is slated to be closed. Although the project has been in the works for over five years, Gonsalves is still fighting to secure state funds that would ensure the clinic's opening.
In pushing for tax relief for the county, Gonsalves is asking county leaders to cut spending and look into consolidating some departments. In addition, she favors the freezing of property assessments, whose steady increases, she believes, have contributed to the spike in property taxes. She is calling for a review and changes in the current assessment process.
Gonsalves, a member of the Legislature's Minority Affairs, Government Services and Operations, Planning Development and the Environment, Health and Social Services, and Public Safety committees, may be a seasoned incumbent, but her job as legislator is far from over. The Herald believes she should be given two more years to see her projects through, and to continue to serve the communities of the 13th Legislative District.
Rossi appears to have great potential in local politics, and we encourage him to stay involved and learn more about the issues facing the district.
In the race to represent Nassau County's 13th Legislative District, the Herald endorses 10-year incumbent Norma Gonsalves, a Republican from East Meadow. She faces political newcomer John Rossi, a Democrat from North Merrick.
Gonsalves, 73, is a retired educator who has lived in East Meadow since 1962, and learned the ropes of community activism by becoming involved in local civic groups. She was first elected to the County Legislature in 1997. Despite her 10 years in office, she continues to show the zeal and tenacity of a first-term legislator. She is a strong advocate for public safety, and continues to lobby for more police. Over the years she has asked for funds guaranteeing a stronger police presence in her district, saying that she wants to be proactive rather than reactive.
Gonsalves is not afraid to cross political lines for projects she believes in. She co-sponsored legislation with Democrat David Denenberg that bans littering, dumping and residents' encroachment on county land.
In February, she co-sponsored passage of a law that places strict limitations on off-road vehicles, making it illegal to operate them on highways, streets or sidewalks or in parking lots. The law requires anyone operating an off-road vehicle to have written consent from the property owner. Gonsalves said that the law's purpose is to ensure children's safety and protect the environment.
She is also working on bringing a veterans' clinic to East Meadow's Nassau University Medical Center. The clinic would replace the Veterans Administration clinic in Plainview, which is slated to be closed. Although the project has been in the works for over five years, Gonsalves is still fighting to secure state funds that would ensure the clinic's opening.
In pushing for tax relief for the county, Gonsalves is asking county leaders to cut spending and look into consolidating some departments. In addition, she favors the freezing of property assessments, whose steady increases, she believes, have contributed to the spike in property taxes. She is calling for a review and changes in the current assessment process.
Gonsalves, a member of the Legislature's Minority Affairs, Government Services and Operations, Planning Development and the Environment, Health and Social Services, and Public Safety committees, may be a seasoned incumbent, but her job as legislator is far from over. The Herald believes she should be given two more years to see her projects through, and to continue to serve the communities of the 13th Legislative District.
Rossi appears to have great potential in local politics, and we encourage him to stay involved and learn more about the issues facing the district.
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