Republicans take legislature

The Nassau County Legislature has a new party in charge. Republicans will take control in January following an Election Day victory in the 7th Legislative District, which includes South Valley Stream.

Howard Kopel, a Lawrence resident and owner of Sutton Alliance in Valley Stream, defeated Democrat and five-term incumbent Jeff Toback, swinging the Legislature in favor of the Republicans.

The count on Election night had Kopel garnering 6,654 votes to Toback’s 5,554. It was the second straight match-up between the two. “I was here two years ago, but this time is much more fun,” Kopel said in his victory speech at Republican headquarters in Westbury. “We will fulfill our promise — we will lower taxes and spending.”

Speaking about his loss, along with those of other county Democrats, Toback said, “It seems that people have bought, for now, the argument that the Republicans have the answer with regard to high taxes, and time will tell whether or not they can keep their promises. Howard made a lot of promises. It will be interesting to see how he plans on keeping them.”

Marc Tenzer, president of the Mill Brook Civic Association, was out of town on Election Day but said he voted by absentee ballot for Toback. Tenzer said he was surprised by the incumbent’s defeat. “He’s helped us a lot on a lot of issues,” Tenzer said. “When we need him, he’s always there for us.”

But Tenzer said he wants the Civic Association to have the same relationship with Kopel and said he called the newly-elected legislator to congratulate him. “I said we want to have a meeting and we want to work together,” Tenzer said. “Jeff Toback is my friend and Howard will be my friend.”

In talking to some fellow residents of the community, Tenzer said several people voted against Toback because of the energy tax, which was enacted in June.

Other local legislators John Ciotti and Fran Becker retained their seats and will now be part of the majority. Ciotti, whose district includes North Valley Stream and the west end of the village, held off Democratic challenger Nina Petraro Bastardi.

Ciotti garnered 6,252 votes to Petraro Bastardi’s 4,654. “It’s a wonderful feeling. The people have spoken,” Ciotti said. “I am pleased that the Democratic voters had the courage to cross party lines and vote for their community.” The 3rd Legislative District has twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans.

Petraro Bastardi said she was encouraged by how many people had supported her throughout the campaign. “I just tried to meet as many voters as I could,” she said of her efforts leading up to Election Day.

In the 6th Legislative District, which includes most of the village, Republican Fran Becker, an original member of the Legislature, bested challenger Vincent Grasso. Becker had 9,002 to votes with Grasso picking up 3,713.

“This is an amazing night,” Becker said. “I’ve been a Republican since the day I was born and I know what Republican values are all about.”

Town of Hempstead

Kate Murray secured her fourth two-year term as Hempstead Town Supervisor on Tuesday night. The Republican from Levittown garnered nearly 65 percent of the votes as she defeated Democratic challenger Kristen McElroy, by a count of 82,265 to 44,530.