Two Babylon state lawmakers face no major opposition by Leonard Greco

Senator Owen Johnson (R)

New York State Senator Owen Johnson can thank Joan Johnson (no relation other than party affiliation) and Congressman Rick Lazio. New York State Assemblyman Robert Sweeney can thank Steve Israel and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Both Babylon lawmakers are on the receiving end of a political gift of sorts—they’re not facing any major party opposition as a result of the vigorous races between Johnson and Israel for the Second Congressional Seat, and Lazio and Clinton for the Senate. Both the Democratic and Republican parties in Babylon decided not to put up a candidate and resources to oppose Sweeney, a Democrat and Johnson, a Republican who face reelection this year. Instead the parties decided to put all their resources, efforts and energies into getting their candidates elected to national office.

Both parties made the decision after some discussion both within their own ranks and between party leaders. With no viable potential candidates coming forward to raise the challenge, the decision was made, but stopped short of cross endorsements said both party chairman.

"We did not run a candidate (against Owen Johnson), and we’re not endorsing anyone in that race," said Democratic Party leader Jeff Casale. "Instead, we chose to direct our energies to other races."

Republican Committee Chairman Aprea echoed those sentiments. "(Instead of opposing Sweeney) we chose to direct our energies to other races. The congressional race to fill the seat vacated by Rick Lazio

AssemblymanRobert Sweeney (D)

(R-Brightwaters) is a big race for us," he said.

Sweeney agreed. "There was no formal agreement," he said. "The party leaders spoke to each other and neither had a candidate. Both decided to put their resources elsewhere. Why waste reserves when you can use them on races you think you can win?"

And why work to undo a dynamic legislative team that is, for all intents and purposes, "bringing home the bacon," say many within their legislative districts.

"I think that the fact that these two men are not being opposed speak a world about the job they have done for their constituents and the community they represent," said Amityville Mayor Peter Imbert, whose Village has been the recipient of millions of dollars in state aid through Johnson-Sweeney sponsored legislation. Specifically, money from Johnson and Sweeney helped the Village condemn and demolish the old Colonial Motel property and build a new public parking lot there, while other funding help equip the Village’s police and fire department.

"We have Senator Owen Johnson pushing for passage of these bills in the Senate and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney pushing for them in Senate. What more could we ask," he said. "It’s a beautiful thing."

Shawn Cullinane, the Administrator-Clerk for the Village of Lindenhurst said having a high ranking  Republican in the Senate where the GOP holds the majority and a high-ranking Democrat in the Assembly, which is ruled by Democrats has worked to Babylon’s advantage. "That seems to be the model that has brought us so much through the years," said Culliane. "And while we really have not had the opposite to compare it to, clearly it has not hurt us."

Cullinane said the success is also accomplished because the two men work in cooperation to bring results to their communities.

Sweeney is well-known for his penchant of walking his district, and despite the fact that he has no major party opposition this year, he’s not changing his tradition; one that has served him well since he first ran in a special election in 1988.

The same could be said for Republican State Senator Owen Johnson (R-Babylon), the Town GOP’s stalwart candidate and political powerhouse who is seeking his 20th term in the state senate and who rarely alters from his campaign strategy, which is to be a presence in the community, both during and after election season and to tend to the needs of his constituents.

"Right now that’s what I’m concerned with; just doing my job and helping solve peoples’ problems," said Johnson in a recent interview.

Although Johnson characterized the recent pullout of HMOs from Suffolk as a "terrible situation," he added that he’s not sure forcing companies that serve one county in the state to serve all counties, something that many Democrats support. "Yes, we have a problem," he noted. "But we can’t spread our problem to neighboring counties like Nassau and Queens, These HMOs are merely service agencies for a federal reimbursement program and under the present reimbursement formula they can’t do the job here (in Suffolk) without jeopardizing their own financial integrity.

Instead, Johnson said the federal government must adjust its reimbursement formula. "I’ve spoke to Rep. Rick Lazio’s office and they will be working to increase funding, which will lead to an adjustment in the formula," said Johnson. "Rep Charles Schummer is working toward the same goal."

The two candidates don’t have a free ride, however, points out one Republican. "Voters still have a choice because other candidates are running," he said.

Sweeney faces opposition from Conservative Louis Molinaro of Copiague, and Dennis Quinn of Lindenhurst, who is running on the Right-to-Life line.

"I am offering the public an opportunity to vote for respect for life," said Quinn, a 79 year old retired salesman. "I have nothing to say derogatory against Mr. Sweeney personally, but I think he is wrong on his position supporting abortions.

Quinn is a veteran, having served in combat during World War II. He resides in Lindenhurst and is a widow with two grandchildren.

Johnson, meanwhile, faces some opposition from Madeleine Sharp on the Right-to-Life line, and Noah D. Landon on the Green Party line. Neither Molinaro, Sharp nor Landon responded to telephone calls and letters in an effort to get their input and photographs.

Even in this low-key race, Sweeney said he believes voters still look at the issues and vote for the person who they believe can best represent their interests.

Johnson has supported a ban on partial birth abortions and worked to get the bill passed by the Senate. It failed to get Assembly approval, however. "Essentially, partial birth abortions are tantamount to killing the child," Johnson has said, adding that he is willing to make some concessions when the life of the mother is at risk. "Yet the Assembly has refused to pass the law."

Sweeney said the Assembly recognizes its legislative limits on the issue. "First, we have to comply with Supreme Court rulings," he explained. "There really is no choice about that."

He added that New York State already prohibits abortion of a"viable fetus" and that the New York State Health Department has evidence of compliance with no record of any partial birth abortions taking place in the state. The issue, he said, is one of protecting a woman’s right to choose.

Both lawmakers have fought to bring additional money to local school districts, Villages and downtown areas. They are part of an Albany delegation that passed along record increases in school aid while reducing the impact of school taxes on homeowners through the STAR and Enhanced STAR programs.

Sweeney is active in bringing greater public awareness about breast cancer, and has worked to bring additional health benefits to those suffering from juvenile diabetes and prostate cancer, among others. He is an original sponsor of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which offers free screening.

"I’ve also sponsored a law that makes insurance companies supply (better) coverage to diabetics, which includes purchasing equipment and supplies and proper education," Sweeney said.

Over the past four years, partly as a result of a solid local and national economy and partly as a result of fiscal accountability, the state has racked up surpluses, $860 million of which has been put into a rainy day fund to protect some of the programs like the STAR tax reduction plan, say both Republicans and Democrats. And, the benefits put into place are being protected even further with programs like the Bio Science park recently opened in SUNY at Farmingdale, which officials say will create 140,000 new high-tech and construction jobs on Long Island and add $200 million to the local economy.

On the local level, Johnson has worked to protect Long Island’s fishing industry and Sweeney has helped construct a new Recreation and Fishing Center at Cedar Beach Marina. He also fought to to have the annuity for blind New Yorkers doubled from $500 a year to $1,000 per year.

The 4th Senatorial District includes Amityville, parts of Copiague, the villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, West Babylon, North Babylon, Deer Park,

Wyandanch and Wheatley Heights, as well as West Islip, Bay Shore, Brentwood and Brightwaters.

The 11th Assembly District covers Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Wyandanch, North Babylon, West Babylon, Deer Park and a small part of Farmingdale.

Election day is Tuesday, November 7. The polls are open from 6 a.m., to 9 p.m.

—Carolyn James contributed to this story.