McCloy seeks seat in Legislature

Baldwin resident enters race to replace Curran in 5th District

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As County Legislator Laura Curran, a Baldwin Democrat, campaigns for Nassau County executive, her seat in the Legislature will become vacant, and available, and Baldwin resident Jack McCloy has announced his candidacy for it. The 5th Legislative District encompasses almost all of Baldwin and much of Freeport, along with parts of Merrick, Oceanside and South Hempstead.

McCloy, a Democrat who will be listed on the ballot as John P. McCloy Jr., is well known to many in Baldwin as an active member of the Baldwin and Baldwin Oaks civic associations and the Chamber of Commerce. He is an outspoken critic of the county’s red-light camera program, which he spoke about at length during one civic association meeting, claiming that “short-timing” yellow lights victimizes responsible motorists in an overzealous effort to balance the county budget.

For over five years, McCloy has advocated a change in the way county’s property-tax assessment are calculated to make them more equitable for taxpayers. As a member of the Legislature, he said, he believes he would have more leverage to implement those changes and reduce taxes in the process.

Most recently, he has singled out hikes in water rates and natural gas as further proof that residents are being squeezed. “I noticed how much more we pay for water, compared to other areas of Long Island, when I compared my water bill with my mother’s,” McCloy said. “Baldwin customers pay about eight times more than residents in western Suffolk.”

He added, “Residential gas delivery prices have gone up over 22 percent since December, and that’s just the first year of a three-year rate increase, which will eventually raise costs by over 65 percent.”

At a recent meeting of the civic association, McCloy said, “We rely on our elected officials to keep the lid on price hikes that affect our ability to live on Long Island. When there are no local elected officials on record opposing the most recent National Grid gas increase, it’s time for someone to stand up and say, ‘Give me a chance to represent your interests.’”

Although he is a lifelong Democrat, McCloy says he has widespread support because his positions are “constituent-oriented” and affect residents of all political affiliations.

In 2013, he unsuccessfully challenged Curran for the 5th District seat, which Joe Scannell was leaving. Curran took office the following January.

McCloy has lived in Baldwin for over 20 years, and has been a familiar voice at Board of Education meetings. He has a degree in biology from St. John’s University. He is married and has two adult children.

Curran declined to comment on McCloy’s candidacy, and county Republicans could not be reached at press time.

More information on McCloy’s platforms and agenda can be found at www.ElectMcCloy.com.