By Cindy J. Roth
The two are running in a special election Feb. 12 to fill the seat vacated by Kathleen Murray, who left the post Jan. 1 to serve as Town of Hempstead clerk.
The forum came in addition to a debate hosted on Monday by the Joint Council of the Merricks and the Joint Council of South Shore Civic Associations at the Merrick Public Library.
Much of Wednesday's debate centered around the Roosevelt School District crisis. The two candidates both support legislation proposed by Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick) that would allow the state Education Department to take over and provide operating aid for the Roosevelt district.
Both candidates dodged questions about what cuts they would make to secure additional education funding. McDonough did suggest bringing in more businesses to Roosevelt and other tax-poor areas to bolster their school finances.
McDonough, 64, a past president of the Merrick Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce and current president of the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce, believes business revitalization is key to bringing Nassau County out of its current fiscal doldrums.
November, 41, is a member of the Old Lindenmere Civic Association, Central Merrick Homeowners Association, president of the Merrick-Bellmore Democratic Club and district coordinator for Nassau County Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick). November said the heart of the community is the civics, not the businesses.
Additional questions for the candidates included Freeport Village's diesel Power Plant No. 2 and the women's health bill now in the state Legislature. Both candidates agreed that the plant must be either cleaned up or shut down, and November, a self-described environmental advocate, pointed out he is the only one of the two candidates who has spoken out publicly against the plant.
A question about the women's health bill and its conscience clause quickly turned to an abortion debate. The bill would allow religiously affiliated businesses and HMOs to opt out of covering contraceptives and other procedures that go against their beliefs. November said he is pro-choice, and McDonough, who is pro-life, said his personal views could be put aside if the majority of his constituents were pro-choice.
The debate concluded with both men explaining why they would be better for the assembly position. November stressed his work with government officials in the varying levels of town, county and state government, and he said a Democrat, as a majority member, could be more proactive in the Assembly.
McDonough said he is the best man for the job because he has done an assemblyman's work as a community activist in Merrick for years. He believes the assembly position would be extension of his current duties and a welcomed opportunity to serve more people.
