By Nick Buglione
Political newcomer Wanda Arroyo, a 31-year-old Republican from Uniondale, is the only person who stands in the way.
Corbin, 57, has served four terms as county legislator for the district that encompasses Westbury, New Cassel, Hempstead and slices of East Meadow, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre and West Hempstead. To date, he's won each election handily.
He believes his voting record and dedication to community service have been the keys to his success. "The residents of Nassau County, and the people of the second legislative district deserve representatives who will fight for their needs," Corbin said. "I have done this for almost 10 years, and I hope to do it for at least two more."
Corbin lists the hotly debated anti-smoking legislation among his crowing achievements during his last term. "I'm so proud of that bill, it's going to save lives," said Corbin, who co-sponsored the bill that barred smoking in all county indoor workplaces, namely restaurants and bars. "We had the toughest anti-smoking bill in the nation, and I am very proud of that."
Providing services to the indigent is an area Corbin says he's worked hard on during his last two years in office, particularly with the passage of charity and eviction policy laws.
The charity law essentially requires all hospitals throughout Nassau County to provide a certain level of health care to uninsured and underinsured patients and publicize the availability of those services.
"It's helping those who cannot help themselves," Corbin said. "Hospitals have tax-exemption status, and they need to take care of these people because of that status."
The eviction policy law offers a measure of dignity to tenants that have been evicted, Corbin said. In years past, when a tenant was evicted for failing to pay the rent, the county Sheriffs Department would step in and remove all belongings from inside the house, placing them out front.
"Now the bank or landlord has to house your belongings in a storage room for 30 days, and they have to pay for it," Corbin said.
"My accomplishments are evident," he continued. "I've included all my constituents in just about every county matter ... and because I've done that I feel my constituents should send me back here."
Several phone calls to Arroyo requesting a photo and interview were not returned at press time. In published reports, however, she's criticized Corbin, particularly for voting along with other Democrats to approve a property-tax increase.
Born the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Arroyo figures on tapping the Hispanic vote to unseat Corbin. She's maintained in published reports that Corbin has failed to adequately address the needs of the district's Hispanic and Caribbean residents. Hispanics make up about 30 percent of the 2nd District.
Arroyo works as a community outreach employee with the Association for Older Americans and earned her degree at St. John's University in political science.
Corbin just recently retired from his branch manager position with the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation, a career that extended beyond three decades.
