Editorial: Browne in Nassau 5th District
Christian Browne, candidate for the Nasssau County Legislature, 5th District (June 24, 2011) Credit: David Pokress
This is the third battle for incumbent Democrat Joseph Scannell of Baldwin and Republican Christian Browne of Rockville Centre, and both previous contests were fairly close.
Browne, 35, is a civil-litigation lawyer. He says Nassau's problems were caused by unrealistic spending and pushing obligations into the future.
Scannell, 49, is a lawyer representing officers for New York City's police union. He has served six terms and says he's delivered for the district. But much of what he touts delivering, like the Nunley's Carousel restoration, is old news. He says the unions don't need to make concessions, but they clearly do.
The race has been dominated by Browne's vote, as a member of the Hempstead Town Zoning Board, to allow a nightclub bordering on a residential area. Opponents say it's a strip club. Browne says the license forbids any nudity. After the outcry, he voted with the majority to revoke the permit.
Browne has been persistent and intelligent in pursuing the seat. Newsday endorses Browne.
