Polling the impact of L'Affaire D'Esposito

Daily Point

GOP gauging D’Esposito patronage fallout

Two weeks ago, Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito began to be publicly queried about his hiring of two women on his House payroll — one reported to be the daughter of his longtime fiancee, and the other a girlfriend.

He consistently denies wrongdoing or ethics breaches. But will the story make potential voters balk at his 4th Congressional District reelection bid against former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen? Nobody wants to know more urgently than the Nassau County Republican organization, which is polling the matter in CD4.

Questions from McLaughlin & Associates, obtained by The Point, followed a texted script that said: "Have you seen, read, or heard anything about Anthony D’Esposito having an affair and putting his mistress on [the] taxpayer-funded payroll?"

The choices are "Yes — a lot," "Yes — some," "No," and "Don’t know."

The poll also featured this wording:

"Congressional ethics rules forbid members from giving no-show jobs and having sexual relations with employees, but D’Esposito has continued a pattern of corruption and abuse he began as a town councilman, when he gave taxpayer-funded jobs to his fiancee and her son."

The consultant’s phrasing is not to spread or confirm these details but to test the public’s impression from hearing the facts described that way. What follows is: "Please indicate whether that statement raises very serious concerns, serious concerns, minor concerns, or no real concerns for you about Anthony D’Esposito."

GOP officials were contacted regarding the poll’s results but were not commenting publicly. As of Wednesday, there seemed little if any use of the story in messaging from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Gillen, meanwhile, released an ad addressing the immigrant influx that is meant to combat the GOP’s key issue for faulting Democrats. In the 30-second spot, a "Welcome to Nassau County" road sign stands in the background as she states:

"We're 2,000 miles from Mexico but we’re feeling the migrant crisis almost every day. But I want you to hear me loud and clear: If you send me to Congress, I will work with anyone from any party to secure our southern border, lock up criminals pushing fentanyl, and stop the migrant crisis."

Gillen concludes: "It’s time to stop pointing fingers and start getting things done for Nassau families."

She probably didn’t mean D’Esposito’s friends and family.

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Divided they fall

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Final Point

Progress at Belmont — and progress in Elmont

Nearly three years after UBS Arena opened to much fanfare, the nearby retail village — on the other side of Hempstead Turnpike — will open in a much quieter fashion.

The first stores in what’s being called Belmont Park Village are scheduled to open Oct. 16, as part of a "soft opening," with more to follow.

The 340,000-square-foot retail village marks the second phase of the broader redevelopment of Belmont Park, which began with the construction of the arena, where the New York Islanders play. Sterling Project Development, which was part of the original New York Arena Partners group that won the right to build out the property, is working on the village with Value Retail, a company founded by Islanders co-owner Scott Malkin.

Meanwhile, The Point has learned that the Belmont Park project’s developers are finally making progress on their promise to build a community center — one of the community benefits pledged when the development team first received the state’s go-ahead for the arena and retail.

According to Assemb. Michaelle Solages, a site in Elmont — and a potential operator — for the center have been found.

"It’s been a tough road," said Solages, who represents the area. "We are in a better place and I hope that we can finalize a deal soon."

Solages said officials are in the process of analyzing the building and assessing how much it will cost to renovate. She added that she hopes the community center could include child care, activities for seniors, and fitness and sports facilities.

"It’s still not finalized but I think this is the best place we’ve been in so far throughout the whole process," Solages said.

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

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