Baldwinite enters the fray

Newcomer Nicolas enters race for seat on County Legislature

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Longtime Baldwin resident, Reginald Nicolas, 46, is making his debut on the political stage by campaigning for Laura Curran’s 5th District seat on the County Legislature, while she runs for County Executive.

Nicolas, a Democrat, is new to politics, but says he hopes to provide a voice for local residents. “I am running for this seat because Baldwin needs a strong voice to continue to move things forward. For too long we have been overlooked. Without that voice, I am afraid we will not progress.”

The 5th Legislative District includes most of Baldwin, all of South Hempstead, a major portion of Freeport, and parts of Rockville Centre, Merrick, and Oceanside.

Nicolas was born and raised in New York. He has been married for almost 20 years, and has three daughters who attend Baldwin public schools. He graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and later obtained his certification in case management. He is currently employed as a registered nurse case manager and has worked as a nurse for almost 23 years.

“I am a proven leader at my place of employment … I am responsible for the health and well-being of close to 200 patients. These patients include the chronically sick, the elderly and the disabled.”

He manages the day-to-day activities of these patients and ensures that they are receiving quality care. “It’s a tough job because I have to be attentive to patient and family complaints, as well as any health issues that may arise,” he said.

A member of the Baldwin Civic Association, he also started the One Baldwin Facebook group, which began from his desire to improve the community he said. “I started the One Baldwin Facebook group in the hopes of making a positive difference in our town and it has done so. Through word of mouth, the group has grown to 216 people. The group is a diverse group of people of all races and cultures who are working for the betterment of our town. I know how to bring people together.”

A Baldwin homeowner for almost 14 years, Nicholas said he has a vested interest in seeing Baldwin and the towns around it improve. “I have fresh ideas to move Baldwin forward,” he said. “I will be a strong advocate for the rebuilding of downtown Baldwin and the communities that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. They have been neglected for far too long.”

He also said he would fight for quality -of-life issues, seek improved community relations with the police and work on improving school ratings. “Quality-of-life issues are big to me, and I don’t want to see my neighborhood deteriorate,” he said. “I want to keep Baldwin beautiful.”

He said he would act as an advocate for the community he spent so much time in. Freeport Trustee Debra Mule, who has received Curran’s endorsement, is running against him in the primary.

For more information about Nicolas and his campaign you can check out his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ReginaldNicolas4NassauLegislatureLD5.