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GOP makes clean sweep on Oyster Bay Town Board; Mejias defeats Carman for legislative seat

GOP makes clean sweep on Oyster Bay Town Board; Mejias defeats Carman for legislative seat

This story was reported by Kate Mayberry and Michael Schnitzel and written by Mayberry

Though not the blazing bonfire of support that had burned for Republicans in Nassau County for decades, the results of last week’s elections proved that the party, quashed by the Democrats in 1999, was still a formidable force to be reckoned with. The GOP enjoyed a clean sweep for Town Council, defeating one of the two sitting Democrats. And, in the County, voters turned away the Democrats' hope to widen their majority, according to unofficial tallies.

"The Republican Party is alive, well, and kicking again in Nassau County," said GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello to a boisterous crowd at Republican Headquarters at Mirelle’s in Westbury.

Illuminated by bright camera lights, the crowd waited patiently for the results to be posted and then for the celebratory candidates’ entrance once they realized they had enjoyed wins in several areas.

Top, a delighted Steve Labriola greets supporters after learning he won election for Oyster Bay Town Clerk. Above, N.C. Exec. Tom Suozzi, center left and David Mejias celebrate Mejias' election to the N.C. Legislature as supporters gather at the Garden City Hotel.

As countywide results slowed to a trickle after 11 p.m., and the outcomes were evident, the Americana music being played stopped and the winning Republicans wound their way through the crowd greeting their supporters with handshakes, hugs and enthusiastic pats on the back.

One by one, the winners took their places in front, alongside Mondello as they were announced by their party leader at the podium.

Mondello said, "The pundits who proclaimed this party dead are eating their words tonight." he said. "We stand here proud, strong, and yes... we are victorious."

Mondello could not proclaim an all-out victory for the GOP however. The party, which had once ruled Nassau almost unopposed, failed to take back control of the Legislature— a much sought-after prize in this off-year election.

"We didn’t win the Legislature back, but the closeness of the races shows that we are still a contender," Mondello said in discussing county races.

Control of the Legislature remains as it stood, with the Democrats maintaining their 10-9 majority which was brought about by voter dissatisfaction with the Republicans in 1999 when the defeat of many incumbent Republicans ushered in a new era of Democratic control in Nassau County.

As he spoke to supporters at Democratic headquarters at the Garden City Hotel, N.C. Exec. Tom Suozzi looked to that victory with pride.

"This team combined a good chairman, Jay Jacobs, and good government to give us a win tonight," he told a cheering crowd.

"We are a team that can’t be beat," said County Legislature Majority Leader Judy Jacobs.

A triumphant win for Democrats came in the 14th District that covers parts of Farmingdale and the Massapequas. In that race, Democrat David Mejias, an attorney from North Massapequa, defeated Republican candidate Gregory Carman. The two were running for the seat vacated by Republican Salvatore Pontillo and Republicans had maintained high hopes that Carman would win and bring the Nassau County Legislature’s majority with him.

In other races, Republican incumbent Legislator Edward Mangano of the 17th LD, easilty defeated his opponent Linda Burns-Gleason with 69 percent of the vote, and Republican Legislator Peter Schmitt of the 12th District won reelection to his seat with an overwhelming 71 percent margin of victory over John Rennhack.

"I ran an uphill race against an entrenched incumbent," said a disappointed Rennhack. "I did my best to counter his lies and I will not stop after tonight."

Schmitt countered, "I’m glad the people could sift through the fantasy and see what’s really going on," he said. "It’s time to stop the property tax increases and protect our people."

"We didn’t lose anything and we didn’t gain anything," said Schmitt in assessing the night’s outcome. He pointed out that no Republican incumbent legislator was defeated by a Democrat this year.

"I believe our (Republican) message is getting out," said Schmitt, who said the party might have done better without the rainy weather and a two-hour mass transit delay out of New York City.

"People who vote in the evening after their city commute are usually Republican voters," he said.

If voters sent the message that they no longer held a grudge against Republicans, they also made it clear they were not happy with higher taxes. In every race where candidates had "tax" before their name, the incumbent was put out of office. That included Nassau County "Tax" Assessor Charles O’Shea, a Republican who lost to Democratic challenger Harvey Levinson. In a tight race that was not decided until the next day, Levinson squeaked out O'Shea by about 1,200 votes. Canning lost to Democrat James Stefanich by about 450 votes.

In this, the first year that county residents have seen the effects of Nassau County’s new reassessment of properties, and changes in methods for determining tax burdens, O’Shea and Canning were obviously not supported by voters.

But officials like Schmitt and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto said they were reluctant to make any connection between the defeat of two Republicans and taxes. Both pointed out that voters should realize that the reassessment was done while the Democrats were in control of the Legislature, and that it was fought by the Republicans. Instead, they attribute Stefanich’s win to name recognition.

"Taxpayers write his name on a check four times a year," said Schmitt.

"If it had anything to do with that connection (taxes), it is because of the myth that has been perpetrated by the Democrats that this was a Republican-created problem," said NYS Assemblyman Steven Labriola, who ran for and won election to the Oyster Bay Town Clerk office. "They should know that Republicans like Schmitt voted the idea down."

Venditto and Labriola also noted that Canning ran without the Independence party line, which might have given him enough votes to win the election.

From the earliest results of the evening it was evident that Venditto would defeat his Democratic opponent Alexander Sklavos for Town Supervisor by a significant margin, winning his fourth two-year term.

"Off-year elections allow and compel residents to look at their Town government. Residents are happy with the Town as is—the way it’s done by Republicans," said Venditto who said he will spend the next two years creating legislation that will build affordable housing units for young families in the Town.

"I call it ‘next generation housing’," said Venditto who also said he is working on another environmental bond act proposition. "I want to protect what’s built and preserve what’s open," he said.

Some of the most well-received results of the night included the triumph of newcomer Rose Marie Walker for Oyster Bay Town Council. With arms raised in victory beside her Republican running mates, Walker looked thrilled.

"I am ecstatic. I believe the Republicans create a strong government in Oyster Bay and I’m pleased to have a chance to be a part of it," said Walker.

Walker’s win is meaningful to the party, since combined with the reelection of incumbents Joseph Muscarella and Anthony Macagnone, the Republicans unseated Bonnie Eisler, one of only two Democrats on the Board. The only sitting Democrat after January 1 will be Mary McCaffrey.

One of the most happy candidates election night was New York State Assemblyman Steven Labriola who defeated Oyster Bay Town Clerk Martha Offerman by 6,000 votes. Labriola will leave his state post and return to his political roots in Oyster Bay, where he began a career in public service as the Town’s Director of Operations.

"Change is good," he said, adding that he has 10 years of experience in the Town, and that he doesn’t plan to stop creating legislation. "One of the reasons John Venditto brought me on board is because of what I can bring to the Town," he said.

Labriola added that he expects to be aggressive in his efforts to seek more grants for the Town by using the contacts he made as an Assemblyman. He also said he wants to work with the Town Board to create affordable housing for young families. "If we don’t help them get a start in the community, we’ll become a community of ‘double-income no children’ families," said Labriola.

Labriola said he expects to expand the role of Town Clerk and that the Town Board has the right to do that. "The role is limited only by my imagination," Labriola said. "And that goes for any office if you’re lucky enough to be chosen by the people. Officials should use some imagination to make their roles great."

A special election to fill Labriola’s seat is expected to take place after January 1 when Labriola is sworn in to Town office.