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Mystal, Brown and White vie for Legislative seat in 15th L.D. The two political opponents of incumbent Democrat Legislator Elie Mystal have critized him for not being a vocal and visible representative for his constituents. He responds by saying that he is too busy for "parties" and to be "politically expedient" because he is working hard in government to make life better for his constituents. "I am not saying the problems we have are his fault exclusively," said Mystal's Republican opponent Ed Brown of North Amityville. "I just think that the job is not getting done." When he talks about the 'job' Brown means bringing things like sewers to Wyandanch and affordable housing and jobs to North Amityville. He is talking about reducing crime and elevating the image of North Amityville and Wyandanch to give them a chance at becoming "like every other community" within the Town of Babylon. "We have to deliver our own destiny and we have to form our own image of ourselves and for our kids," he said. "I am out there doing those things every day," said Mystal. "And my record of success is clear." Mystal said he is proud to have fought to reinstate funding for not one but two health centers in the 15th District, which covers Wheatley Heights, Wyandanch, North Amityville, Amityville, East Farmingdale, Copiague and parts of North Lindenhurst. "Crime is down in the district and the county paid off a $36 million shortfall in Medicaid, and we did it all and still reduced taxes." Mystal also squares off against an independent candidate, Ed White who has waged a vigorous campaign. His support comes from the families he's worked with for more than 20 years providing free legal counsel to the Copiague Youth League. "He hasn't done the job," said White of Mystal. "He's never around and you can't represent people if you don't get out there and listen to what they have to say." White is an attorney with offices in Lindenhurst, specializing in telecommunications. If elected, he said he'd fight to bring more money to the district through grants and member items, and reach out to parts of the district that have been seriously under represented, such as East Farmingdale. He said his candidacy represents the kind of independence that both the Republicans and the Democrats have fought for years. "There is no real difference between the Republicans and the Democrats," said White who is running on "For the People" line. "They all work to secure their own reelections and to give their friends jobs, not to do what is right by the people." "We have one park in North Amityville that serves seniors, teens and children and families, and it is a small park," said Brown. "That is not the quality of life we should have in that community." Brown also said he'd work for more programs at the ACE Center, more tutoring and guidance for teens and better opportunities for families. "Our families are hurting today," he said. "I grew up in a poor family, so I understand. Now I want to give something back." Mystal said that's fine, but where has Brown been in the decades he's lived in Amityville. "I have never seen him at a civic meeting, a school meeting or anywhere else in this community," said Mystal. Meanwhile, Mystal said he's worked to bring more police to the area, more workforce housing and monitoring county programs to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for their dollar. "My opponents talk about what they will do, but they don't tell the public that all of their proposals will cost money," said Mystal. "And that means taxpayers have to come up with that money. I am not about to tell my constituents that I want to raise their taxes because I want to build a nutritional center, as my opponent Mr. White has suggested." White said if elected he would address what he described as a growing gang and violence problem in the district, and to build a recreation center and gym at Tanner Park. Depending on the outcome of November's election, he said his independent voice could become a swing vote in an evenly divided legislature. "The bottom line is that I have done the right thing for the people for 20 years." "What my opponents don't understand is that everything costs money and you can't have it both ways," said Mystal. "You have to make the hard choices between what residents need and want and what they can afford. That's just reality."
"We need a new beginning," said Brown. "We need to do more than talk about solutions; we need to empower people so that the American dream is available to everyone."
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