Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) was elected to a fourth term last fall, and is anxious to get back to work. "I'm very excited [about a fourth term]," said Scannell. "I like to raise the bar for myself. It's great to be able to have a tangible impact on the residents in my district."
During his previous terms, Scannell brought capital funding to the district, to be used for improvements to the business district on Grand Avenue in Baldwin. He was also instrumental in the renovation of area ponds, including the Tanglewood preserve in Rockville Centre, where over $4 million in county funds were used to dredge, install antique benches and lights, and refurbish pathways for recreational use.
Looking ahead, Scannell plans to continue his revitalization efforts. One of his biggest efforts will be to finally bring Nunley's Carousel back to Baldwin. The carousel has been in storage since 1998, when the county purchased it after the property where it stood was sold.
It has not been an easy battle for Scannell, having turned into a confrontation with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who wanted the carousel to be moved to Oyster Bay. "I'm very excited the county executive has agreed to bring Nunley's back," said Scannell. "It is a historic piece of South Shore history. People have such a personal connection to it."
Scannell's plan is to link his past efforts on Grand Avenue with the recent renovations at the Baldwin Library and the Baldwin Fire Department. He sees the corner of Merrick Road and Grand Avenue as the ideal place to do that, and he hopes to relocate the carousel to that corner and rename it Nunley's corner. "My goal is to make [the corner] into a family fun center like it used to be," Scannell said.
Rockville Centre also falls under Scannell's jurisdiction. Since it is an incorporated village, its government supersedes that of the county, which presents a unique challenge to any legislator trying to positively affect village life. In his last term, Scannell secured $150,000 for improvements to the John A. Anderson Recreation Center and the Sandel Senior Center. The senior center used its share for window treatments, which have already been installed. The recreation center will use the remaining funds for repairs to its air-conditioning and heating systems, which are scheduled to be completed by summer. "These efforts allow me to help the mayor in his efforts to keep taxes down in the village," Scannell said.
During his current term, Scannell has agreed to provide funding for structural improvements and a new roof for the Phillips House, which is the headquarters of the Rockville Centre Historical Society. "The trustees of the Phillips House Museum of Rockville Centre are indebted to Mr. Scannell for his interest in our museum," said Tom Hodge, exhibit director and corresponding secretary for the historical society. "He is arranging for a grant that will enable us to make much necessary repairs to our roof and its structures."
In his continuing efforts to bring services back to the 5th District, Scannell will hold tax assessment grievance workshops in both Baldwin and RVC. Residents have until the end of February to appeal their assessments. The seminars will be followed in the fall by tax-exemption workshops. Since he became a legislator, Scannell has held more than 70 community meetings.
This spring he will sponsor a child safety seat checkpoint in the RVC village parking lot on Sunrise Highway, and he will bring a mammography van back to the district.
At the county level, Scannell hopes to help maintain fiscal stability. "We had been one step above junk bond status," he said. "We need to keep the fiscal momentum going."
He also hopes to introduce a bill that will aid parents with autistic children. "When children with autism go to the dentist, they have to be sedated," Scannell explained. "The cost of an anesthesiologist is not typically reimbursed by insurance companies. A simple visit to the dentist can be financially debilitating for parents with autistic kids." He hopes to be able to offer affected families some relief.
Additionally, Scannell intends to propose legislation that will tighten county rules for sex offenders, expanding the restricted area around schools and parks from 500 feet to 1,000 feet and maintaining a database of all agencies affected by the release of a sex offender.
Commenting on the political aspirations of Suozzi, who has recently announced plans to make a bid for the governor's office, Scannell said, "I find it encouraging. He's obviously extremely talented, very smart and very organized. He really has a success story to run on here in Nassau County." Asked if he would be interested in the county executive's position if it became vacant, Scannell said, "I'm happy where I am. I still have more things I want to accomplish here. At some point in the future I would consider running for higher office."
Tax assessment
grievance workshops
Feb. 22, 7 p.m.,
RVC Public Library
Feb. 23, 7 p.m.,
Baldwin Public Library
