Election 2011: 5th Legislative District

In a familiar battle in the 5th Legislative District, Rockville Centre resident Christian Browne challenges incumbent Legislator Joseph Scannell for his seat on the Nassau County Legislature.

This is the third time Browne has challenged Scannell in the 5th District.

The 5th Legislative District encompasses Baldwin, Freeport, Lakeview, Rockville Centre and South Hempstead. Election Day is Nov. 8, and residents can find out where they can vote by clicking here.

Christian Browne

• Hometown: Rockville Centre
• Occupation: lawyer, Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid, P.C.
• Family: Married, two children

Christian Browne served in the administration of NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani from 1998-2002, ending his tenure as deputy director of the Office of City Legislative Affairs. He worked his way through Fordham Law at night and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2005. He then served for three years as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Browne is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Hempstead, the Board of Advisors of the Nassau County Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Rockville Centre Lions Club and the Long Island Business Council. He is an usher at St. Agnes Cathedral. He is also active in the Friends of Mercy Medical Center and served as the 2011 chairman of the group’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.

Joseph Scannell

• Hometown: Baldwin
• Time in office: Six, two-year terms
• Family: Married, two children

Before being elected, Joseph Scannell served for 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County. While in the District Attorney’s office, he appeared before the District Court, County Court (felony trials) and the Special Investigations Bureau.

Over the last two years, Legislator Scannell has presented the Village of Rockville Centre with more than $400,000 in funding for the refurbishment of Centennial Park, including a new playground surface, public bathrooms and auxiliary police office; secured $100,000 in funding for the renovation of Firefighters Memorial Park to accommodate the addition of three steel beams from the World Trade Center and just recently delivered a new Traffic Enforcement Vehicle for the Rockville Centre Police Department.

He is past co-president of the Baldwin Community Watch, two-time president of the Baldwin Kiwanis, founder of the Kiwanis Anti-Graffiti Committee, past president of Nassau Chapter of the St. John's School of Law Alumni Association, member of the Irish Americans in Government, a member of the Elks, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and an Honorary member of the Long Island Shields.

Patch: What do you think is the biggest challenge that you face heading into this election?

Browne: The biggest issues are the budget and tax situations. The county has a $310 million budget deficit, with the highest property taxes in the country. We have an emergency that has been building for some time and coming to a head. How can we deal with that? There is a divide on what people want to do. I come down on the side of no tax increases, spending cuts and taking on special interest groups. There will be losers in that process. It won't be a pleasant thing to do, but it's necessary.

There's two paths, do what I said, or try to raise a lot more revenue. I don’t think either party think taxing people is a good idea. Having said that, I will stand up and say, yes, I opposes tax increases, but I am wiling to make the cuts. Labor costs alone are driving the county into bankruptcy.

Scannell: In 2012, the county faces a $310 million budget gap and the Mangano Administration’s proposal to bridge that gap is out of touch with reality.  If this current proposal is passed as is, it will impact the way this County operates for generations to come. Basic services, including public safety, parks maintenance, road repair and snow removal, will be slashed to the bone.

The stakes are higher now than they have ever been before and we need to set aside partisan politics in order to work together on solutions that benefit the taxpayer. We need a legislator who will think independently and not just follow the direction of the party bosses.

Patch: What are your plans, if any, to specifically help Rockville Centre and its residents?

Browne: I grew up here. It's my home community I'm dedicated to do what I can for it. I have a good relationship with Mayoy Murray and all the trustees, and I would do whatever I can to assist them. I'm reluctant to make particular promises because I don’t see the job as a honeypot to dole out money to groups.

I would love to share sales tax revenue with villages, but can I promise that? No, I can't. I will do my best to make sure that the infrastructure in the village performs appropriately.

Scannell: In these difficult economic times, many of our towns and villages have been forced to slash budgets and cut back on basic services, which makes finding alternative sources of funding a priority. I have been working with the newly elected Mayor Fran Murray and his team in Rockville Centre to examine all ways that the County can provide assistance to the Village.

Recently, through Nassau County Community Revitalization Program (CRP) money I have assisted in funding the renovation of Firefighters Memorial Park and provided the RVC Police Department with new equipment and assisted in funding the renovation of Centennial Park and the Rec Center.

Patch: Why should Rockville Centre residents vote for you?

Browne: It’s a very different atmosphere and political dynamic [than in previous elections]. The issues I've been talking about are the issues of the moment and resonate with the electorate.

In 2007, were people upset about property taxes? Yes, but was there the crisis and urgency as there is today? Certainly not. As a fiscal conservative and government-reform minded person, I believe my issues are the issues of the day.

Scannell: I hope that residents of Rockville Centre will look at my accomplishments and track record of delivering for the district and providing exceptional constituent services during my term as a County Legislator. Over the last 12 years, I have secured projects for schools, villages, police and fire departments in the district. Additionally, we provide many free constituent services each year as a benefit to you the taxpayers.