Election 2011: 4th Legislative District

Two Long Beach residents are battling for the seat in Nassau County's 4th Legislative District. Incumbent Denise Ford seeks a fifth term, while her challenger Darlene Tangney looks to unseat her on Election Day, Nov. 8. The 4th Legislative District encompasses the entire barrier island, from Point Lookout to Atlantic Beach, and sections of Oceanside and Island Park. Residents can learn where they can vote here.

Denise Ford

• Hometown: Long Beach
• Time in Office: 4 two-year terms
• Occupation: Nassau County Legislator
• Family: Widow, three children

First elected in 2003, Denise Ford is the Republican incumbent seeking a fifth term in the 4th Legislative District in Nassau County. A resident of Long Beach for more than 30 years, Ford is a former technician and union shop steward from New York Telephone who retired in 1999. She currently serves as the chair of the Economic & Community Development & Labor Committee and vice chair of the Government Services & Operations Committee, and serves both on the Planning, Development & Environment Committee and the Public Safety Committee.

Darlene Tangney

• Hometown: Long Beach
• Occupation: Retired executive assistant
• Family: Married, four children

A 35 year resident of Long Beach, Darlene Tangney was elected to the Long Beach Board of Education in 2009, and has served as vice president. She has been an active volunteer in the community and schools for 20 years. She is the Chair Emeritus of the Long Beach High School PTSA Morning Madness Committee, which provides an alcohol- and drug-free environment on prom night; an active member of of Long Island MADD; and a founding member of the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking-Long Beach Medical Center.

Patch: What is the top issue facing Nassau County today, and, if elected, what do you plan to do to address it?

Ford: High property taxes are on the top of issues facing both residents and small business owners in Nassau County. Taxpayers are hard pressed and the small businesses, the prime employers in our community, are closing down and moving away.

In order to address this, I am proud that the legislature passed a fiscally responsible budget that does not impose a property tax increase and is the first-ever Nassau County budget that contains a spending decrease. There is much more to be done. One of the top priorities is to develop the Hub and bring more permanent construction jobs to the area.  

Tangney: Taxes are too high and this negatively impacts every facet of our lives from our quality of life to our local economy. In the worse economy since the Great Depression, my opponent tried to raise the sales tax, enacted $60 million in new fees and voted for a 47% pay-raise for Republican leadership.

We must cut spending. I’ll start by cutting the waste and patronage Denise Ford and the Republicans have created in the last two years. Looking at the 2010 budget, I found nearly $70 million in overtime expenses, $20 million in patronage contracts, $2 million for consultants and another $2 million for the Aug. 1 referendum that could have been held on Primary Day for no additional cost. This totals nearly $100 million in waste from my first read-through. We can cut this waste by voting out the people who created it, starting with my opponent.

If elected, what would be your top goals during your two-year term?

Ford: The development of the Hub area is very important, as it will bring in much needed jobs and revenue. With its close proximity to the campuses of Hofstra University and Nassau Community College, affordable housing for young people and seniors should be included in any development plans. We should also look at other vacant development areas, such as the Grumman property, and strive to bring more business there.

As a member of the Western Bays committee, the environment and cleaning up the waterways is a top priority. The county has already repaired much of the Bay Park Sewage Treatment plant which was left in such disrepair by the previous administration. We are currently waiting on the results of the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) study which will provide us with the necessary data needed to determine what needs to be done to restore our waterways. In short, two top goals are economic development and the environment, specifically the Western Bays.  

Tangney: My top priorities during my first two years and thereafter would be to improve our quality of life by bringing spending under control and making public safety a priority. For example, in recent years, sex offenders have been temporarily housed in the Plantation Motel and Long Beach Motor Inn with displaced families, including children. These motels are located near schools and public parks where our children learn and play, and for years my opponent did nothing.

As a PTA Central Council President and School Board Trustee, I have spent 35 years fighting to protect and educate our children and I would never have let this happen. Worse still, my opponent just voted to pass a budget that will result in closing police precincts. This will take police off the streets. I would end the $20 million in patronage and keep our families safe.

Does Long Beach factor into your goals? What issue in the city would you address first and why?

Ford: I care equally for all neighborhoods in my district and make it a priority to address the issues that are important to the residents. The residents of my district are fortunate to be afforded the luxuries of a beach community and the beautiful waters that surround it. I am committed to keeping these waters safe and clean. I am working with the city to continue to rebuild its infrastructure, including our roads and parks. I have also been working with the city and residents to improve the pool and recreation center.

Tangney: Having lived in Long Beach for 35 years and having raised my family here, I am committed to maintaining the unique quality of life that Long Beach has to offer. That begins with protecting our waterways. In March of 2010, under my opponent’s watch, sewage began leaking from the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant into Reynolds Channel and my opponent said nothing.

When legislation was proposed to warn residents of this danger, my opponent stood by and let the bill fail. For two summers our families and children have unknowingly swam in dangerously polluted waters. Now, just before a close election, my opponent is supporting a watered-down notification policy. She either wasn’t paying attention or saved this for an election issue. Either one isn’t acceptable. My first act will be to pass meaningful notification legislation and stop the leaks. 

What qualities do you bring to the legislature that you think would make it a more effective governing body?

Ford: While I worked for 25 years as a technician, I also served as a shop steward and learned to negotiate between management and craft. In the legislature, I work with both Republicans and Democrats. I pride myself on being an independent voice for the people of my community and voting for what I believe is right. It is important to point out that I was endorsed by both parties in the last two elections.

As your legislator, I have never voted to raise your taxes. I am committed to putting political differences aside and working with my colleagues in the legislature to make sure that our already overburdened taxpayers get some relief and can afford to live and work in Nassau County.   

Tangney: As a Long Beach School Board trustee, I have learned to work with both sides of the aisle to pass a no-tax increase budget without cutting staff or services. As a mother of four and caretaker of my parents, I have learned to do more with less. In these roles, I have learned to save money without harming our quality of life. For example, as a Trustee, I worked with the Island Park School District to share transportation services with Long Beach Schools. This saved taxpayers thousands.

Through the expansion of shared services, our school districts can cut out redundant services without sacrificing the quality of education our children deserve. It is this creativity, passion and experience as a trustee that I will bring to the legislature. We know that the policies of the last eight years don’t work; the need for change has never been more apparent.