The race for Nassau County Legislature District 9 continues what now appears to be a tradition – an experienced candidate with strong credentials representing the Republican and Conservative parties and a little-known Democrat with few credentials who does little campaigning.
This year the candidate representing the Republicans and Conservatives is Scott Strauss, a former New York City detective and mayor of Mineola who is currently vice president of corporate security for Northwell Health.
Strauss is seeking to replace Richard Nicolello, the Legislature’s presiding officer who is retiring after more than two decades in a district that now includes Roslyn Heights, East Williston, Mineola, Garden City Park, North New Hyde Park, Floral Park and Bellerose.
Strauss is opposed is by Neeraj Kumar, of New Hyde Park, running on the Democratic line.
He is a laboratory supervisor at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx and has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Sabitribai Phule Pune University in India.
His website said he is running to ensure Nassau County has strict financial oversight, responsible budgeting, and transparency while keeping “important services that affect residents’ daily lives.”
He has communicated little else.
Much more can be said about Strauss.
He has received numerous awards for his bravery and service, including the NYPD’s top Medal of Honor recognition and the prestigious Medal of Valor, ranked third.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Strauss was part of a team that risked their lives to rescue two N.Y./N.J. Port Authority Police Officers trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center.
The story of these officers and their rescue was made into a movie directed by Oliver Stone, entitled “World Trade Center.” Strauss received the NYPD’s highest award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions that day.
Strauss is a 42-year member of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department where he was a line officer as well as the department’s chief. He is a two-time recipient of his fire company’s “Firefighter of the Year” award as well as the Town of Hempstead and the Mineola Fire Departments’ “Firefighter of the Year.”
He is also a member of many police, fire and health organizations, participates with other local organizations and knows the community well.
More importantly, as a trustee and the mayor of Mineola, Strauss was a vital part of a village-wide effort to develop a revitalization plan that included transit-oriented, retail and apartments near the LIRR train station.
At a time when many local officials say they should control decisions for much-needed housing but little is done, Strauss has helped produce hundreds of units that have revitalized Mineola’s downtown. As part of approvals, Mineola received money for important public amenities
Strauss was also a savvy negotiator when Gov. Andrew Cuomo pressed plans for a third track running through Mineola that the LIRR had a right to build under the law.
Rather than the knee-jerk reaction of some mayors to oppose the work, Strauss negotiated important public improvements to be made part of the 3rd track work such as eliminating street-level crossings and parking garages.
He is a thoughtful, public-minded person with a good appreciation of how government works and about the community he would serve.
We strongly endorse Scott Strauss for Nassau County Legislature District 9
