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VOL. 73 NO. 44
THE LEADER IN PROP ERTY TAX REDUCT ION
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Republicans, Democrats Both Optimistic O’Bay holds as Election Results Come In
the line on property taxes
By Christie Leigh Babirad and Carolyn James cbabirad@liherald.com cjames@liherald.com
New York State Assemblymen John Mikulin, the 17th AD, and Michael Durso, the 9th AD, both Republicans won easy victories on Tuesday. Mikulin defeated his opponent Harpreet Toor, 64 to 36 percent, while Durso garnered 66 percent of the vote. In other local races, Republican Andrew Garbarino defeated his Democratic opponent Rob Lubin in the 2nd Congressional District. Democrats enjoyed a victory in the 4th New York State Senate District with incumbent Monica Martinez defeating her opponent Theresa J. Bryant, 56 to 44 percent. “We’ve had a great night here in Nassau County,” said Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. “We’ve had some great wins and all of this talk about Nassau County going red locally with our candidates is a lot of nonsense. I think we’ve reestablished that.” Republicans enjoyed a victory in the 8th Senate District, which covers Massapequa, Babylon, and points east with a victory for incumbent Alexis Weik. She defeated her Democratic
Final 2025 budget has zero hike for 8th year By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent
Herald file photo
Joseph Cardinale with Republican supporter Guy Calla, Clerk of the S.C. Legislature, as they awaited final results Tuesday night at Republican headquarters. opponent Francis R. Dolan, 67 to 33 percent. Garbarino first greeted supporters at Republican headquarters in Nassau County, and later those in Suffolk where supporters gave him the victory sign. Both parties kept a close eye on the tight race in the 11th Assembly District, where Democrat Kwani O’Pharrow and
Republican Joseph Cardinale were neck-and-neck. “I’m feeling excited,” O’Pharrow said. “I’m excited about the election process and feeling confident.” Cardinale, who expressed optimism despite the uncertainty, added, “I gave it my all, stuck to the issues, and ran on my platform. That’s all I could do.”
ELECTION RESULTS Office
Leading
Opponent
NYS Senate District 8
Alexis Weik (R) ...................... 67%
Francis R. Dolan (D) ...... 33%
2nd Congressional District Andrew Garbarino (R)............ 60%
Rob Lubin (D) ................ 40%
NYS Assembly District 11
Joseph Cardinale (R) ............. 50%
Kwani O’ Pharrow (D) ..... 50%
NYS Assembly District 17
John K. Mikulin (R)................ 64%
Harpreet S. Toor (D) ....... 36%
Unofficial results as of midnight EST Wednesday
The Oyster Bay Town Board unanimously approved the 2025 budget for the General Fund, Special District Funds and Special Improvement District Funds at its Oct. 29 meeting. This budget was initially presented to the public at a hearing on October 15. The adopted budget has a real property tax levy of $232,987,272, which is $671 less than the 2024 tax levy. This marks the eighth consecutive year that the town has maintained the same real property tax levy. Town officials estimate that this approach has saved taxpayers a total of $10.4 million over the past eight years. In contrast, the Town of Hempstead’s 2025 budget proposes a real property tax levy that is 12.1 percent higher than its 2024 levy, while the Town of Babylon’s 2025 budget reflects a 9.9 percent increase over 2024.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino attributed the town’s ability to keep taxes stable to fiscally responsible budgeting practices, a hiring freeze, and expedited debt service payments, as well as higher interest earnings. “We have reduced total town debt by $185 million,” Saladino said. “As a result, 2025 debt service payments will be $8 million lower than in 2017, helping to alleviate pressure on the operating budget.” Saladino expressed pride in managing to hold taxes steady while also reducing debt. He highlighted achievements such as annual beach restoration, the repaving of 40 percent of town roadways, and improvements to sports fields, playgrounds, and restrooms, along with green energy upgrades to town buildings that save taxpayer dollars. No public comments were made. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4