State Legislative Candidates Debate

With Election Day almost a month away, six candidates for assembly and senate made a push for votes Wednesday at a Meet the Candidates event at the East Meadow Public Library.

Hosted by the League of Women Voters, the discussion was moderated by President Carole Goldfarb.

"We don't support candidates," said Goldfarb. "We only support issues."

The candidates present included those running for the Senate's 6th District seat, which includes part of Massapequa: Incumbent Sen. Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City, and Democratic candidate Francesca Carlow of Plainview. In the race for the Senate's 8th District seat, incumbent Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, was not in attendance, but his challenger, Carol Gordon, a Democrat from Massapequa, was on hand. Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt, R-East Meadow and Democratic canddiate Thomas Devaney of Williston Park, both appeared, as they are running for the Assembly's 17th District seat. Democratic challenger John Brooks of Seaford, is running for the Assembly's 19th District seat, although his opponent, incumbent David McDonough, R-Merrick, was not in attendance.

Changing the status quo in Albany has been a hot button issue as of lat and one audience member asked candidates if voting out every incumbent would be the right approach to making a positive change.

"I believe that we must bring new voices," said Carlow. "How could you constantly be rewarding someone who has failed?"

Carlow said that Hannon has spent 34 years in Albany, and she questioned the motivation of the current senator.

"I would be very scared if there was someone without experience trying to implement the federal healthcare reform in this state without knowledge of how the system works," Hannon responded.

Another audience question referenced term limits, and whether or not the candidates were in favor of them.

"If I spend the amount of time my opponent's done in office and don't pass double the bills, I wouldn't run again," said Devaney. "I believe in an eight-year term limit. If people do a good job, then they can run again in the future."

Brooks said he supported the eight-year term limit as well, and he claimed that it gives someone an opportunity to work their way into the system, but doesn't allow them to "make a career of what's going on."

A movement to have an independent group conduct a complete redistricting of legislative districts was also discussed. Several candidates were in support of this plan.

"East Meadow is split four ways," said McKevitt. "We can't do any worse with the independent redistricting."

Brooks added that the way the districts are aligned now takes all the power away from the people.

"It's shameful how these districts are laid out," said Brooks. "We have to turn this state around."

But Hannon stressed that precautions would need to be taken before allowing an entity to redistrict.

"We need to define what is independent," Hannon said.

One woman asked the candidates about the costs of early childhood education. She said it costs $13,000 per year to pay for a child's education, which can't be afforded by 75 percent of Long Islanders.

"We need to take care of our children. They are the key to the future," responded Gordon, who didn't go into specifics.

The goal of the League of Women Voters is to have the voters be educated before they make a certain decision.

"We want them to know that they're making the best decision," said Goldfarb.

For more information on the League of Women Voters, visit website.