The following are summaries of county and town races as previously reported in the Herald. more

While it might be easy to overlook the office of county clerk, the office plays an important role in keeping Nassau County’s court cases and real estate humming. They hum now, at least, and that’s in large part the work of County Clerk Maureen O’Connell, who has earned the Herald’s endorsement. more

The Rockville Centre school district learned last week that it has successfully challenged a lawsuit filed over the winter by Nassau County Legislator Roger Corbin to shift the payment of real estate tax refunds from Nassau County to school districts and other local entities. more

The two candidates running for the 3rd District seat in the Nassau County Legislature both know the challenges residents are facing. more

The Halloween spirit abounds as we near that spooky date. There’s much to see and do in the area, before the candy-fest arrives next Saturday. Whether you want to step back in time to celebrate Halloween the way Long Islanders did over 120 years ago, stop by Cradle of Aviation museum for some “haunting” after hours, visit the grounds of Nassau County Museum of Art all dressed up in its Halloween finery, or find some scary thrills at one of the haunted houses in the area, there’s something for Halloween lovers of all ages. Here’s a round-up of where to go this weekend: more

In what is becoming an increasingly bitter, partisan battle, Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Thomas Suozzi for the county executive’s seat. The race appears to boil down to three key issues: property taxes, a recently imposed 2.5 percent energy tax and the county’s troubled property-tax assessment system. Mangano is challenging Suozzi’s handling of all three issues, while Suozzi fires back that the county has consistently balanced its budget while improving its bond rating, which reduces the interest the county must pay when it bonds money for any number of projects. more

The race in the 5th Legislative District pits incumbent Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) against Republican and Conservative party candidate Chris Browne. more

Elton McCabe, a civic-minded Republican from Uniondale, is seeking to unseat three-term incumbent Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) in the 1st Legislative District next month. And while both candidates are promising to fight high property taxes, support community outreach programs and crack down on gang-related violence, they are also focusing on the potential for major change in areas like Uniondale and Hempstead if the highly anticipated Lighthouse project moves forward. more

While Nassau County residents are paying some of the highest taxes in the nation, Comptroller Howard Weitzman has done his part to ease the burden somewhat. During the past eight years Weitzman has shown that he is a competent financial watchdog, and has looked for savings in places no one before him ever tried. more

If re-elected, Leg. Francis X. Becker (R-Lynbrook) said that he can see himself accomplishing a lot more in the next two to four years. “I have the ability to help people,” said Becker, a six-term incumbent. “I want to continue to do so.” more