Special Election to be Held
Vote for Schimel and Wink Tuesday
March 23, 2007
On Tuesday voters in Nassau face two special elections. Here are our endorsements:
16th AD. The promotion of former Assemb. Thomas DiNapoli (D-Great Neck) to state comptroller leaves a very big chair to fill on the Assembly floor. Voters are lucky to have as fine a replacement as Michelle Schimel.
Vote for Schimel and Wink Tuesday.
Schimel, 49, is North Hempstead's town clerk. The Great Neck Democrat is best known as a gun-control advocate, but her experience - as a physical therapist, businesswoman and elected official - leaves her well prepared to tackle a range of issues. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious. The Republican, Ryan DeCicco, 26, is not actively campaigning. Newsday endorses Schimel.
11th LD. The election to replace former Legis. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), now in the State Senate, is about choosing the candidate who can do the best job in the remaining nine months of the term.
Lou Chisari, 38, a New Hyde Park Republican, and Wayne Wink, 40, a Roslyn Democrat currently on the North Hempstead Town Board, are both versed in the challenges facing the county. Each supports full development of the Hub area around the Coliseum and maintaining the county's commitment to the Nassau University Medical Center.
Chisari appreciates how high police salaries strain the budget and how inflexible work rules restrict intelligent deployment of the force. Wink, unfortunately, seems in lockstep with the demands of the PBA. On taxes, however, Wink wisely says an increase to balance the budget should remain an option, but Chisari defaulted to the tired GOP strategy of no tax increases.
Chisari, who says he would buck the rigid GOP leadership, brings an appealing dose of individuality. In this short tryout, however, the criteria is who would have the most influence right now. Wink, a former deputy counsel to the legislature, clearly can hit the ground running. Newsday endorses Wink. Copyright 2007
Posted Friday, March 23, 2007
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