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Peter Schmitt and John Rennhack square off in NC 12th Leg. District

Peter Schmitt and John Rennhack square off in NC 12th Leg. District

by Andrew Coen

When he ran for office two years ago, Leg. Peter Schmitt was one of the few Republicans who managed to hang on to his seat as voters sent many of his colleagues packing. This year, said Schmitt, who is seeking reelection, the Nassau Republicans have returned to their conservative, fiscally responsible roots and offer the residents of Nassau the best opportunity for change.

Schmitt squares off against John Rennhack, a Democrat who counters that it’s the Democrats, lead by N.C. Leg. Tom Suozzi, who should be reelected to protect Nassau’s future.

The two men are seeking a seat in the 12th Legislative District, which encompasses Massapequa, Massapequa Park and portions of North Massapequa. The district has 52 percent registered Republicans, 24 percent registered democrats and 48 percent minor party and independent voters. Election day is November 4.

"I’m going to run on my record," said Schmitt, who has been the district’s legislator since 1995. Schmitt served as the Legislature’s Deputy Presiding Officer from 1996 to 1999 and became Minority Leader in January of 2000 after the Democrats took control of the Legislature. In addition to the Republican, he is running on the Independence and Conservative lines.

Before becoming a Legislator, Schmitt was Commissioner of the Department of Community and Youth Services for the Town of Oyster Bay and was known as the Music Man—he orchestrated the annual summer concerts in the Town’s parks. Schmitt graduated from Hofstra University in 1974 and lives in Massapequa

Rennhack is running for the first time for county legislature. A Broadcast Satellite Distribution Manager for CBS, he resides in North Massapequa, and says he is running so he can make a difference.

"I’m a progressive candidate looking to make a difference. I’m not a career politician."

In addition to the Democratic line, Rennhack, 33, is running on the Working Families Party Ballot and has been endorsed by the Nassau County Liberal Party.

Rennhack graduated from St. John’s University in 1991 with a degree in Communications.

In discussing how the Republicans have "gotten back to their conservative roots," Schmitt said they have been vigilant in monitoring county spending under Suozzi.

"The taxes are way out of control," said Schmitt. "We (the Republicans) have been steadfast in our opposition to these taxes. We need to find another way."

And, he added, the first "better way," is to reduce spending and the size of government.

But Rennhack Schmitt is is simply not willing to work with the Democratic majority in the legislature to come up with a feasible plan to ease the burden of taxes and maintain the county’s services.

"My opponent is an obstructionist and is opposed to any kind of change in the county," said Rennhack.

Schmitt laughed, saying: "If standing up against massive property tax increases and a half billion dollar increase in government spending and expansion of an already bloated county government is being an obstructionist, I plead guilty."

Rennhack points to the fiscal irresponsibility of the former Republican administration of Tom Gulotta and said that Suozzi and the Democrats are doing a good job in bringing the county back to solid fiscal health.

"We cannot go forward unless we clean up the past and refuse to go back to the old ways," said Rennhack. "The time of bad fiscal policy, government waste and fraud is over. We have entered a new century with a County Executive and Legislative Majority has made great progress in fixing the problems they inherited and we must not allow Nassau to return to the bloated, expensive and inefficient entity that it once was."

But Schmitt said the Democrats only solution has been to raise taxes. Part of the so-called plan for the county under Suozzi, a plan Rennhack supported, included creation of a water authority that would have been nothing more than a shell gave, double taxing residents and setting up a dumping ground for patronage. A compromise plan, with state approval was struck, that is more palatable, said Schmitt, but points out it would not have been accomplished had the Republicans not stood up and drawn a line in the sand.

"It’s a gimmick," said Schmitt of the plan. "What he (Suozzi) calls savings, is actually money he wants to take out of people’s pockets."

Rennhack is passionate about environmental issues facing the county and if elected plans to raise the consciousness about pesticides of the public as well as government.

"I would like to move the county towards organic pesticides and herbacides," said Rennhack.

He also supports government working to encourage the development of more affordable housing in Nassau.

"You have people that graduate from college that can’t afford to live here," said Rennhack. " Nassau County needs young energetic people who can keep the county going. They are being pushed out and I would like the county to work with the towns to use some of the commercial property to make some nice garden apartments."

Schmitt also thinks affordable housing is important, especially for seniors. "We need to provide more senior housing because we have a growing population of seniors and many of them want to give up their big homes and have decent alternative housing," said Schmitt. "They are the generation that helped to build this county and they shouldn’t be forced out because of the high cost of housing."

As the GOP’s highest ranking member of the Legislature, Schmitt says he can use his clout to work on important countywide issues, as well as to address issues and concerns in the Massapequas. "I can use my position, whether it is as the Legislature’s majority or minority leader, to influence what happens," said Schmitt. "That’s an enormous responsibility."

Rennhack says he will bring an independent voice to Mineola if elected and not be beholden to party loyalties. "I believe that I am there to serve the people and not my fortunes, or those that are connected to me," said Rennhack. "I intend to study and question every piece of legislation, especially on fiscal matters, so that when I vote I know that it is the best for the county, and not for special interests or to enrich the lives of others."

Election day is November 4. The polls are open from 6 a.m., to 9 p.m.