by Jerry Burke
Some residents are specifically taking issue with the town's mass mailings, ensuring that residents are familiar with the man who replaced Joe Kearney as the Second District's representative, North Valley Stream lawyer Edward Ambrosino.
One such resident is Ambrosino's Democratic challenger, West Hempstead lawyer George Bassias. "Each week, I get reports about how proud the town is to have a budget surplus," said Bassias. "To be bragging about it, especially when the county is having financial problems, is unsettling."
Ambrosino, a familiar figure in county and town politics, disagrees. "People need to know what we're out there doing for them," said Ambrosino, who most recently served in public office as the head of the Sixth Sanitation District. "The job is primarily driven by constituent services."
The former counsel to the Legislature's Republicans when they were in the majority, says he's enjoying his new job since taking over for Kearney last March. "It's been fun," said Ambrosino. "I especially enjoy being able to assist individuals and organization meet their goals. There are still a lot of thing I want to help get done."
With the advantage of incumbency going to Ambrosino, Bassias acknowledges that his campaign is, in his own words, "like being a frog in a bucket of milk."
"The frog isn't going to be able to get out right away," Bassias said, "but as he continues to churn the milk, it will eventually become solid, and he'll make his way out."
Similes aside, the private-practice attorney who has been active in the Democratic Party since switching parties four years ago is focused on bring a balance of power to the heavily Republican town board. "I think, especially in my district, there are a lot of voices not being heard," said Bassias. "The one-party system [in the Town] doesn't allow for much debate," he added, noting a recent visit to a town board meeting at which the sole Democrat, Dorothy Goosby, found herself on the losing side of many 5-1 votes. "It is not healthy to run any level of government without both sides."
Ambrosino believes in a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" response to such criticism. "The Town of Hempstead, under Rich Guardino and Kate Murray, have worked very hard to keep things running smoothly," said Ambrosino. "Continuing that success is what is important."
With a few months already under his belt, Ambrosino takes his experiences to heart. "There are a lot of issues facing this district," Ambrosino said. "Illegal housing and our commitment to curbing it stands out in my mind." Ambrosino believes the measures the Town has made in making it easier for town inspectors to cite illegal renters are key to solving the problem.
Bassias agrees in principal with the new measures, but says that illegal housing is "a symptom of the problem" of the lack of affordable housing in the area. "They aren't going to solve the problem by throwing people out or fining them when they'll just turn around a few months later and do it again," Bassias said of illegal renters. "We need to tax them and make [the illegal two-family houses] safer."
Another issue important to Bassias is the state of the environment. "I'm afraid to let my children drink our water," he said. "For years the use of pesticides and their effects have not been properly addressed."
Ambrosino, also aware of the importance of environmental issues to voters, believes that he and the town have made it a point to address the problems. "We have and continue to work toward reducing the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers by our park crews," he said.
Ambrosino says the "marble cake" of government on Long Island is a complicated process, and that his experience in many of the layers gives him a unique understanding of how to deal with issues. "Especially," he said, "in regard to zoning in unincorporated areas. I am a full supporter of a 'smart growth' effort in revitalizing downtown areas."
Bassias goes a step further, admitting that he would like to see his own hometown of West Hempstead incorporate. "I think if we had a mayor and the power to control things ourselves," he said, "West Hempstead would see a much quicker response then what we sometimes get from the town."
One issue in particular, says Bassias, is what to do with the Courtesy Hotel, the site of many of West Hempstead's more high-profile crimes. "I think it's primarily a communication issue," said Bassias. "I wish we could sit down with the owner and make him understand our concerns."
Ambrosino believes that the Nuisance Law, passed in 2000, is being used within the proper context. "We are currently moving the case through the courts," he said. "It is a long process, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing is off the table in dealing with it."
