Kaminsky, McGrath offer plans for battling corruption, mitigating flooding

Incumbent State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) and Hewlett Harbor resident Christopher McGrath, both attorneys, are running in a special election to be held on April 19, the day of the presidential primary in New York state, for the State Senate’s 9th District seat vacated by Dean Skelos after his December conviction on corruption charges.

The 9th District encompasses Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, East Atlantic Beach, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Franklin Square, Island Park, Lido Beach, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Oceanside, Point Lookout, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, Valley Stream and West Hempstead.

With two of the most powerful elected state officials convicted of corruption — former Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver was found guilty of federal corruption charges in November — ethics and conflicts of interest are at the forefront of this election. As well, recent snowstorms and previous heavy rains showed that some areas of the district remain prone to flooding.