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Democrats mount uphill battle in Oyster Bay Republicans in the Town of Oyster Bay held on, white knuckled, during the the voter backlash against GOP in 2002. They're counting on winning again this year, despite a lack of public confidence in the administration of President George W. Bush and a strong anti-war sentiment. Put simply, the GOP believes that voters are smart enough and astute enough to separate one Republican from the other, one issue from the other, and to make informed decisions. If they do that, they say, Republicans will continue to win because they have provided good government to the people of Oyster Bay. Running for reelection this year is Republican Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto in office since 1998. He faces a challenge from Democrat Joseph Terino. Venditto's team consists of Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker, Joseph Muscarella and Anthony Macagnone, while Terino has Jay Cherlin, Carol Gordon and Keith Scalia as his running mates. Oyster Bay Democratic leader Alex Sklavos, who was himself a candidate for Oyster Bay's top spot in 2003 acknowledges that Democrats have had a rough time in Oyster Bay, but said they continue to work hard in an effort to peak the public's interest in making a change. "We are out there knocking on doors, spreading our message through word of mouth and on our website and looking to expose the administration at town hall for its wasteful spending," said Sklavos. Republicans on the other hand said that they know that despite their past successes, they can't take voters for granted and have to be out there working for their support every election season- and every day once in office. "We take nothing for granted," said Massapequa Republican leader Bruce Foley. "We will be out there after Labor Day to remind people that they have to come out and vote for us," he said. Although the Democrats have just begun revving up their campaign, the Republicans say their campaigning never really stops. "Since our candidates are in office, they are out there all the time doing what is needed for the public and for the town," said Town Republican leader Jim Picken. In its 330 -year history, Oyster Bay voters have only been represented by a two-party board three times. And, while they may have had representation on the board during those times, Republicans still held the majority. Democrats have made some inroads, but it's been with very little long-term success. Demo- crat Lew Yevoli won three terms as Town Supervisor in 1991, 1993, and 1995, with pluralities of 50.06, 55.69 and 55.86 respectively, but never had a majority of Democrats supporting his administration and programs. The former New York State Assemblyman lost a bid for Nassau County Executive against Tom Gulotta in 1997. In contrast, Venditto has won his seat with pluralities of between 57.48 and 67 percent since 1997, and has managed to maintain the majority on the Town Board, effectively giving him the votes needed to define his administration. Democrats were successful at piercing the GOP hold on town government with the elections of Mary McCaffrey to the Town Council in 2001, Bonnie Eisler and Tony Macagnone in 1999 and James Stefanich in2000. But those were shortlived political achievements for the Democrats. McCaffrey lost her bid for reelection in 2005, Eisler did not seek reelection, and Macagnone as well as Stefanich changed their party affiliations from Democrat to Republican. If Democrats are to have any new success at winning the hearts, minds- and votes- of the public, they will have to come up with issues that voters can relate to and understand. Sometimes that is difficult, said Sklavos. That is evident in a visit to their website at oysterbaydems.com where under the heading of news and issues, the page currently comes up blank. A poll at the same site, however, shows that one issue that may be on voters minds is illegal housing. Seventy six percent of those responding said it was. "We intend to be tenacious in our questioning of the town government and will work to uncover some of the things that we believe the taxpayers should know, such as how much they are paying to special tax districts and for needless town jobs," said the Democratic town leader. One complex issue that may become a focal point of this year's elections, not only in Oyster Bay but throughout the county, is the five-year assessment freeze the Republicans are asking the Democratically-controlled County Legislature to consider. Even Democrats who agree that the concept is difficult to get across to voters have resisted, saying the plan is politically motivated and would set the county back in its effort to meet the legal mandate it has to bring equity to its assessments throughout Nassau, while Republicans said the change would allow that to continue but also force every taxing entity to go before the public when it wants to raise taxes. Getting the message out, however, takes time and money. Oyster Bay Democrats are holding a fundraiser brunch at TheStuart Thomas Manor in Farmingdale September 16 with tickets selling for between $80 and $100. Republicans, clearly favored in the business of raising funds for their campaigns, have a fall cocktail party planned for October 10. Tickets are $150 per person. A recent financial disclosure statement shows that the party received $12,000 in contributions since March of this year.
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