By Cindy J. Roth
Denenberg did not always enjoy popularity, though. He is, after all, a Democrat in a largely Republican district.
He had run for New York State Assembly twice in the early 1990s, but lost both times. Then, in 1999, he was swept into the county Legislature, riding a county-wide wave of voter discontent with Republican rule. Now, he sits as a senior majority member of the Legislature and enjoys unprecedented power following the election of county Executive Thomas Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), whom Denenberg threw his support behind even before Suozzi won the September 2001 primary against state Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli.
The Herald recently sat down with Denenberg. This week, the paper details how the legislator got his start in politics. Next week, we'll look back at Denenberg's first term in office and ahead to his current.
A 50-hour, part-time job
David Denenberg grew up in East Meadow and now is a partner in the New York City law firm of Cobrin and Gittes, where he specializes in intellectual-property and environmental law. Over the past 2 1/4 years, he has taken a heightened interest in restoring Nassau's parks and preserving open space. He has also worked to secure funding for downtown revitalization projects throughout the district, which includes Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, Point Lookout, Seaford and Wantagh.
When watching Denenberg interact with constituents, one quickly sees that he enjoys a friendly rapport with many area residents, some of whom are even registered Republicans. He shakes hands wherever he goes, like most politicians. But he takes glad-handing a step further. Denenberg strives to remember people's names and their concerns.
The county legislator's post is supposed to be part-time, but not for Denenberg. He calls the position "the best 50-hour-a-week, part-time job I every had."
Denenberg is the only legislator to use part of his salary for a district office, located in Bellmore, where constituents can easily access all the services that his main office in Mineola provides.
Getting to the Nassau County Legislature, however, was one very bumpy ride for Denenberg.
Getting started
Denenberg first became involved in politics in 1987. At the time, he was living in Deer Park, attending law school at night to earn a law degree and working for the New York State Department of Environmental Protection as an engineer. He was also a registered Republican.
Denenberg started working as a campaign volunteer for Democratic candidates in Babylon, handing out their campaign literature and helping to register more Democrats.
"They didn't care [about party affiliation]," said Denenberg. "They just wanted your help."
At that time, Denenberg was first approached to run for elected office. Several Babylon Democrats asked him to run for a county position, but Denenberg thought he could not invest the time to campaign because he was attending school at night.
In 1991, Denenberg and his wife, Cara, moved to Merrick. He got involved with the fight against the Cedar Creek Park pelletization plant in Seaford, which was never built. A staunch environmentalist, Denenberg served as the lead attorney for SCARE, a citizen's group fighting the plant, and he monitored for any permit violation and adverse health effects caused by the plant.
In 1992, Denenberg ran as a Republican on the Democratic ticket against incumbent Charles O'Shea of North Merrick for a state Assembly seat. He lost the election, garnering 42 percent of the vote.
Denenberg said the Democratic Party gave him little help in that election because it was in shambles. After the election, he became a Democrat to help build the party from the ground up.
Denenberg started enlisting the help of Democrats in Bellmore, Merrick and Wantagh who did not want political jobs but rather wanted to see the Democratic Party reborn in Nassau.
In 1994, Denenberg ran against O'Shea again and lost. "It was just a bad year for Democrats, period," said Denenberg. "But what made it worse for me was Steve Sabbath (Nassau Democratic Party chairman at the time) sent people into the district to work against me. This is my own leader working against me!"
In 1999, Sabbath was arrested for extortion and a new, stronger Democratic Party emerged. Denenberg organized a solid base of volunteers to help run a campaign and threw his hat in the 19th legislative race.
"I said, you know what, I could win, and even if I can't, this will be a race no one has seen for a Democrat before," said Denenberg.
The 1999 race against Republican incumbent Edward Ward, Denenberg won grabbing 57 percent of the vote. This past fall, Denenberg walloped Republican Mike Carroll of Seaford, taking 60 percent of the vote.
"Reelection is more satisfying," Denenberg said. "Especially since people are registered two to one [Republican to Democrat in the 19th District]."
Over the past decade Denenberg has been able to transform his shaking start in government to one of political prowess. Next week the Herald looks at how by taking the agenda of putting residents issues on a platform above his own, Denenberg has become a solid force making a difference in the district.
Denenberg hosts sports rage forum
Sports rage has become an issue of increasing and unfortunate concern in today's society. To address this important social issue, County Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) will host a forum with experts in the field including Saul Lerner, director of athletics, health, physical education and driver education for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Greg Bouris, director of communications for the Major League Baseball Players Association and Dr. Ron Feingold, director of health studies and physical education at Adelphi University.
The forum will be held March 19 at 8:30 p.m. at Kennedy High School in Bellmore. For more information call (516) 571-6219
