North, Central and South Merrick Civic Associations Host Meet the Candidates Night

This story was written by Chris Boyle.

The North, Central and South Merrick Civic Associations held their fourth annual “Meet the Candidates” night Tuesday in the clubhouse of the Merrick Road Park Golf Course.

According to North and Central Civic president Claudia Borecky, the joint effort between the two Civic Associations is of paramount importance this year due to recently redistricting, which changed the areas certain candidates serve.

“We do it to give the people an opportunity to know who their candidates are who are running in the races,” Borecky said. “It’s a very important year because we have the senatorial, the assembly and the congressional races redistricted.”

“For example, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy never represented this area before,” Borecky added. “A lot of people don’t know her. Also, in North Merrick, Assemblyman David McDonough did not represent our area, and now he will, so people will want to hear from him. It’s an interesting race due to the redistricting.”

Two candidates chose to make their presentation together — 14th Assembly District Incumbent David McDonough, R-Merrick, and 8th Senate District Incumbent Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick.

“Senator Fuschillo and I have done a lot with Governor Cuomo in eliminating New York State’s $13 billion deficit, and turning it around,” McDonough said. “As for jobs, we’ve also worked with the Governor to give companies tax incentives to hire people.”

Fuschillo agreed that he and McDonough had done great work together, and, if re-elected, the duo said they plan on doing even more for residents.

“I’ve been fortunate in my position, and Dave in his, to do what we can do to support the education system here in Merrick,” Fuschillo said. “As for the state, we’ve had two consecutive balanced budgets, and we’ve lowered the Income Tax rate for the middle class in New York to the lowest it’s been since 1957.”

Opposing Fuschillo in the Senate race is Democrat Carol Gordon, who is running for the third consecutive time. Gordon worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 25 years before leaving to become a small business owner and politician.

“I’m for the people and the issues that are important to them,” Gordon said. “I’m never going to give up until I’m elected.”

McDonough is opposed by Democrat John Brooks, who is running for the assembly seat for the second time. A former fire department chief, Brooks is determined to reduce local taxes and increase state aid to schools if elected.

“There have been too many cuts to state aid for schools,” Brooks said. “I have plans to get as much money for our children’s education as possible if elected.”

Another contested position represented at the meeting was that of the 4th District Congressional seat. Incumbent Carolyn McCarthy, D-Mineola, is well-known for her strong stance on gun control throughout her 15-year tenure. Due to redistricting, McCarthy now serves all of the Merricks and Bellmores, whereas previously she only served a small portion.

“I’m known very well for trying to reduce gun violence in this country,” McCarthy said. “But I’ve also taken up the causes of health care and education, because to me, all three pieces actually fit in to what I want to do for the American people...my constituents.”

Opposing McCarthy is Legis. Francis X. Becker, R-Lynbrook, who has served as a Nassau County Legislator for the past 17 years, in addition to being a small business owner and a financial planner.

“I understand how difficult it is for a family in this economy to survive, provide an education for their children and save for retirement,” Becker said. “That’s what I do each and every day, and working in the Legislature, I understand the challenges of government.”

Another rival for McCarthy’s Congressional seat is Conservative Party member Frank Scaturro.

“My father emigrated from Italy as a boy, and brought with him values that he instilled in our family,” he said. “Those values include faith, hard work, commitment to playing by the rules, and, of course, the emigrant work ethic, which for my money, is the same as the American work ethic.”

Neither of the candidates in the race for the 18th Assembly District, incumbent Earlene Hooper, D-Hempstead, or Republican challenger Elton McCabe, were able to attend the meeting.

In addition to those individuals running for political offices, other candidates represented and speaking at the meeting that night included Supreme Court Justices, County Court Judges, and 1st and 2nd District Judges.

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