Election 2011: 12th Legislative District

The race for the 12th Legislative District seat will feature Nassau County Legislative Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, against challenger John Rennhack.

Rennhack of North Massapequa has challenged Schmitt three previous times in 2003, 2007 and 2009.

The 12 L.D. covers Massapequa, Massapequa Park and portions of Seaford and North Massapequa.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Click here to find your polling station.

Several requests for interview from John Rennhack were not returned.

Peter Schmitt  

• Hometown: Massapequa
• Years in Office: 16

Schmitt has served as the Nassau County Legislature’s Presiding Officer and Majority Leader since January 2010. He served as the Legislature's Deputy Presiding Officer from 1996 through 1999 and Minority Leader from 2000 through 2009.

Patch: What is your plan to close to budget gap in Nassau County?

Peter Schmitt: A decade of lavish spending and 42.3 percent in property tax increases by the previous Democrat administration and Democrat Legislative Majority turned Nassau County into the highest taxed county in the nation, squandered budget surpluses, bound the county in unsustainable labor contracts, and left Nassau unprepared for the national recession. To manage this budget crisis, we must stop the tax increases, cut spending, reduce the size of government, and renegotiate labor costs. 

Since gaining the Majority on the Legislature in January 2010, I and my Republican colleagues have repealed the 2.5 percent Home Energy Tax and eliminated 16.5 percent in property tax hikes which has lifted a $485 million tax burden off the shoulders of Nassau taxpayers. We’ve cut $171 million in spending, and reduced the workforce by 1,200 positions. We must continue to make the tough decisions necessary to rightsize Nassau’s finances without increasing property taxes. 

Patch: Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced last month that the Tackapausha Museum in Seaford near the Massapequa border might be closed as a way to close the budget gap since it does not generate enough revenue. What is your position on whether the museum should remain open or not?

Schmitt: I do not want to see any county services eliminated or diminished. However, this county is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. I am aware of the proposal to temporarily close museums that do not generate revenue for the county, including the Tackapausha museum. This is unfortunate, but it is one of the sacrifices that we must make to fix the county’s finances. If closed, the museum would still be available for groups to visit; simply make arrangements in advance. Please note that the proposal would not close the Tackapausha Preserve. Once the county finances are strengthened, the museum can be opened again on a daily basis. 

Patch: What is your stance on whether the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in Wantagh should be changed from being run by the county to either full privatization or a public-private partnership as a way to close the county's budget gap?

Schmitt: The county’s sewage system is one of the most vital components of the county’s infrastructure. Upon taking control of the majority of the legislature in 2010, one of our first acts was to hold a hearing to uncover the depth of the neglect at the sewage plants had been subjected to over the past decade.  In just 18 months, we reorganized the staffing and dedicated millions in capital funds to upgrade the facilities. The concept of privatizing the county’s sewage plants is not a proposal that is currently before this legislature.  If it were to be considered, the legislature would undertake careful review of the proposal, as well as public opinion, to determine if such a transition would benefit the taxpayers and sustain the level of service provided. 

Patch:  What type of plan would you like to see put in place for the Nassau Coliseum property and the surrounding land?

Schmitt: On Aug. 1, the residents of Nassau spoke loudly and clearly when they voted against publicly funding the renovation of the coliseum. The 77-acre Hub property is the last large parcel of developable land in Nassau County, and we only have one chance to develop it correctly. I would like to see the Islanders stay on Long Island, and I would support a development proposal that is privately funded, creates construction and permanent jobs, and will showcase all that Nassau has to offer.      

Patch: What is your plan for creating and sustaining job growth on Long Island?

Schmitt: To create and sustain job growth in Nassau County, we must make it an affordable place to live and to run a business.  The taxes here are driving residents away and are not welcoming to small businesses. I will continue to fight tax increases and make Nassau more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.