The Herald endorses Republican Francis X. Becker Jr., who is seeking his seventh two-year term as a county legislator. Becker has represented the 6th District - which includes the incorporated villages of Valley Stream, Lynbrook, East Rockaway and portions of North Valley Stream and Rockville Centre - since the Legislature was formed in 1995. His constituents have returned him to office by a significant margin each time.
We agree when Becker says he is a good watchdog for residents of the 6th. In January he voted to approve property tax relief for the surviving spouses of deceased volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and residents with disabilities. In August he tried to eliminate the sales tax on clothing and footwear. He prides himself on being accessible, and he is a highly visible public figure. He boasts that constituents can call him anytime at home and, indeed, his number is in the phone book. We applaud his fine record of constituent services.
Whether Becker can maintain his enthusiasm and accomplish everything his district's residents expect is a valid question. During the last election, he said that being in the minority as a Republican wasn't easy, but that he was nonetheless able to work with those on the other side of the aisle to get things done. We sense that his frustration with his minority status has continued to grow.
Becker's challenger, newcomer Omar Jorge, is articulate and confident, and seems to have his finger on the pulse of what is going on in the district. His proposals are specific and his ideas are sound. His concern for residents is evident, and we encourage him to continue to serve the public in some capacity.
Nevertheless, we believe that Becker's experience in the Legislature and his knowledge of the issues in the communities he represents is too valuable to turn aside, and we encourage 6th District voters to return him to office.
