By Nick Buglione
Right now, Dunne and Legis. Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) represent the vast majority of Salisbury and East Meadow, respectively, the two neighborhoods that fall within the East Meadow School District.
Yet there's a chance that Dunne's district lines will be redrawn so that he no longer represents Salisbury, which would presumably be taken over by Gonsalves.
"There are rumors around that they might take that from me, and I hope not," Dunne said. "I would really like to continue serving the community of Salisbury, and I hope it's not taken away from me."
It's too early to tell, however, whether such a move will be proposed by the Nassau County Temporary Districting Advisory Commission, the 11-member appointed board responsible for analyzing U.S. Census data and recommending changes in district lines to the county Legislature before Jan. 4.
"I think it's a little premature; the commission is still meeting," Gonsalves said. "Some people have testified to put East Meadow together, and others have testified to keep it the way it is."
So far, the districting advisory commission has held three public hearings, and a fourth is scheduled for December.
Even if the change is recommended, it would still have to be approved by the Nassau County Legislature, said Teresa Butler, the commission's co-director. "We make the recommendations," she said. "[The Legislature] can make changes if they want, or they can take the recommendations of the commission."
Still, if the 15th District lines are redrawn, it would mean the East Meadow School District would largely be represented by only one county legislator, which some local civic leaders view positively and others negatively. "My opinion is, it's better to have one person representing one complete community," said Richard Cardozo, president of the Carman Community Association, a civic group based in Salisbury. "I think if you can keep the districts geographic, it's better."
Community activist Viki DeJong, who testified at a recent commission hearing and now lives within Dunne's district, agreed. "I personally think it's better to have one legislator who is more [in tune with the issues in your area]," she said.
Some believe that since Dunne lives in Levittown and represents that neighborhood, he's more inclined to focus on the issues of those residents. Dunne maintains, though, that he has worked on numerous initiatives in Salisbury, including the conversion of the sump on Salisbury Park Drive into a soccer field.
"To me, Salisbury is home," he said. "I do live in Levittown, but [Salisbury] is part of my extended home."
Meanwhile, proponents of keeping Dunne's district the way it is fear losing an extra voice in the Nassau County Legislature. "Redrawing the legislative lines, I feel, would water down our representation," said Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue in Salisbury. "Because we have so many issues here and we're the largest school district in Nassau County, we need all the representation we can get."
Robert Zafonte, president of the East Meadow Civic Association, echoed Meittinis. "I think two legislators in East Meadow is stronger for the community than one because each has one vote," he said. "I'd rather have two people fighting for East Meadow than one, regardless of party affiliation."
Gonsalves also said she would rather see Dunne continue to represent Salisbury. "I would say if it was good enough five years ago, then it's good enough now," she said.
The Nassau County Legislature district lines were drawn in 1995, based on 1990 census data. Each decade, after the census, they are redrawn. This marks the first time the county Legislature has had its lines redrawn since its creation.
The Temporary Districting Advisory Commission will hold its next public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 19. For more information, call (516) 571-6151.
