Civics host annual ‘Meet the Candidates’ night

Posted

On Oct. 25, the South Merrick Community Civic Association hosted its 15th annual “Meet the Candidates” night at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse in South Merrick,  in partnership with the South Bellmore Civic Association and the North and Central Merrick Civic Association.

The event drew a sizable crowd, and attendees were able to listen to and interact with candidates at both the town and county level.

Prior to the start of the evening, Berta Weinstein, vice president of SMCCA, announced the rules each candidate had to adhere to. Each candidate was allotted five minutes of open speaking time, followed by five minutes of questions. If both candidates for the same race were present, the incumbent could choose to speak first or last. If only one candidate was present, they would speak in the order in which they arrived at the meeting.

Issues discussed included the tax reassessment, the response to Covid-19 by both the county and Town of Hempstead, and infrastructure improvements such as road repairs and storm preparedness, among many others.

The candidates in attendance were, for Nassau County Executive, Laura Curran and Bruce Blakeman; for Town Supervisor, Jason Abelove; for Nassau County Comptroller, Ryan Cronin and Elaine Phillips; for Nassau County Clerk, Maureen C. O’Connell and Justin Brown; for Nassau County District Attorney, Todd Kaminsky; for Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District, Debra Mulé; for Nasasu County’s 13th Legislative District, Thomas McKevitt and Eileen Napolitano; for Nassau County’s 19th Legislative District, Steve Rhoads; for the town board’s 6th district, Matthew Galante; and for the town clerk, Olena Nicks.

For more information on the candidates, refer to our election guide inserted in this issue, or visit www.liherald.com.