Herald Endorsement

Re-elect Dunne in 15th Legislative District

Posted

Dennis Dunne is one of the few original members remaining from when the Nassau County Legislature was formed in 1995. He has completed two decades of service representing the 15th District, which has changed shape through two redistricting processes, and now includes portions of North Wantagh, northern Seaford and Salisbury.

You can look at a 20-year-career in the Legislature and say it’s time to make a change. Or you can take the view that no one knows more about the issues facing the district than someone who has represented it for so long. In this election, we’re taking the latter view.

Dunne, a Republican, prides himself in his ability to help people. Constituent services are important to him, and he does a great job in that area. Over the years he has tackled many local issues, from the need to upgrade the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant to fighting for an access road at the Seaford Harbor Elementary School. He supports public-private partnerships as a way to save the county money, and some have been successful. So far, it appears United Water’s takeover of operations at Cedar Creek is a win.

Dunne, a former Marine, successfully lobbied to allow veterans’ and military organizations to use county parks for free. He understands that even a small county tax increase could be too much for some residents.

His opponent, Matthew Malin, a Democrat, lives in northern Seaford and is a 2010 graduate of MacArthur High School who studied political science at Hofstra. He did not answer questions the Herald sent him, and seems to have little interest in campaigning.

We support Dunne for re-election to the County Legislature.