By Dana Williams
The two candidates are vying to represent a district that encompasses Lakeview, parts of West Hempstead, East Meadow, South Hempstead, Freeport, Hempstead and Roosevelt, among other areas.
Hooper, a 38-year Hempstead resident, said she decided to run for re-election because she wants to continue to improve the district. "I have work to continue," she said during a recent interview at the Herald offices. "There are many assignments that I have that need to be completed, and many more that need to be started."
During her current term, Hooper said, she has lobbied for and obtained millions of dollars for education, health care and revitalization and infrastructure projects, among other needs, in the district. In January, the Assembly passed a bill that wiped out the Roosevelt School District's $8 million accumulated deficit and provided the district with a $12 million grant for academic improvements. Assembly leaders said that the legislation would help bring the school's "funding in parity with other school districts in Nassau County and bring per-pupil spending in the district to the county average." The bill was authored and initiated by Hooper, and she considers it one of her most significant accomplishments.
"The Roosevelt School District did not have to take out a loan because of that legislation," Hooper explained. "The district is also getting $12 million in additional aid for educational programs."
Hooper also spearheaded efforts for a state-supported $220 million drive to rebuild all of the Roosevelt district's facilities. The plans have started to come to fruition, with the opening of a new $55 million middle school. School officials and students in the district -- the only district in the state that is run directly by the state -- celebrated the opening of the new building on Sept. 29.
Hooper also said that, along with state Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), she was able to earmark $91 million of the state budget for the Hempstead School District this year -- $15.2 million more than what was allotted in the budget former Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed in March. "That was the largest increase in aid in the history of the school district," she said.
Hooper has made several efforts to improve the quality of life for her constituents, she said. She was a part of an effort that provided $61 million to improve health care service delivery at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. The funds, Hooper said, will fund emergency room upgrades and other improvements at the facility. In November 2006, she acquired $1.5 million for the redevelopment of the Village of Freeport's downtown area, which is now under way.
Hooper, who serves on the Assembly's Education, Housing, Labor, Economic Development, Job Creation and Commerce and Industry committees, also said she is passionate about helping with community initiatives and organizations. In June she provided the East Meadow Public Library with a $5,000 grant to fund its Concert Series. She also presented Nassau County Auxiliary Police Unit 116 -- which serves West Hempstead and Lakeview -- with a $5,000 grant to help pay for emergency safety equipment and communication services.
When asked why voters should re-elect her, Hooper said they should do so because she would continue to make sure her constituents have a voice in Albany. "I work each day as an assemblywoman to give a voice to the voiceless," she said. "That is my job and I will continue to do that."
If she is re-elected, she said, one of her priorities would be to advance and complete projects she has begun in Roosevelt and Hempstead to create new, full-service health centers. The facilities, Hooper said, would help officials provide medical assistance to residents who are uninsured or whose coverage is limited. "The centers are under contract to be built," she said. "There will also be a MRI diagnostic center built in Hempstead."
Hooper also plans to continue to work with the New York State Housing Authority to obtain funds for six new single-family homes in Roosevelt, and to work with other elected officials to improve school district facilities and roads in Hempstead. "This work is all a part of my job as an elected official, and there are still many issues that I will continue to address and work on here in the 18th Assembly District," she said.
Bryant did not respond to several calls requesting an interview.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
