There were tears of joy at the post election gathering of Babylon Town Democrats when it became apparent that America had reached a milestone in its history electing the first African American President. The evening was sweetened even further when it became apparent that Democrats had won the majority in the Senate and Congress and had taken over power in the New York State Legislature, the first time in more than 100 years; sweetened even more as the two Democrats seeking election in Babylon Town won easy victories that same night.

"It was a resounding victory," said Babylon Town Democratic Chair Robert Stricoff. "It was an unbelievable night —a great night to be a Democrat in Babylon and in America."

A recent ice cream party was held at Alleghany Avenue Elementary School in the Lindenhurst School District, to honor seven second and third graders who completed special reading and math packets over the summer. The material included a review of grade appropriate math skills such as addition, subtraction, money and time and reading comprehension and phonics.

"We are very proud of each student and their accomplishments," said teacher Lisa Randazzo. "These students were honored because they did something extra in completing the special packets."

At one point, the Democrats asked Richard Harris of Amityville, a veteran and a volunteer who first voted in the mid '50s, to speak to the crowd, which was electrified with the knowledge that they were living at this time and in this place. Harris brought the crowd to tears, talking about what it was like to be an African American. "What is so moving about this election is that an African American won with the support of both Blacks and Whites in this country," he said. "I never thought I would be alive to see this night and as I look at my grandson tonight I can truly say to him that he can be anything he wants. This is a great country."

On Long Island, voters helped elect Barack Obama on Election day, Nov. 4. Unofficial tallies showed that in Suffolk County, 318,920 voters voted for Obama to McCain's 289,236. In Nassau, the vote was 316,523 for Obama and 272,756 for McCain.

"In all my years in Babylon I have never seen the turnout like this," said Myrna Taylor of Amityville.

Earning reelection was Democratic Congressman Steve Israel (2nd District) who defeated Republican Frank Stalzer with 66 percent of the vote. Congressman Peter King (R-3rd District), defeated Democrat Graham Long with 64 percent of the vote.

Babylonians also returned all of their state lawmakers to Albany. Republicans, Sens. Owen Johnson (4th District), and Charles Fuschillo (8th District), defeated their opponents with 59 and 61 percent of the vote, respectively. Republican Assemblymen Andrew Raia (9th District), and Phil Boyle (8th District) won reelection with 61 percent pluralities, while Democrat Assemblyman Robert Sweeney won with 71 percent of the vote.

In the Town, it was a resounding victory for Carol Quirk, a Democrat who was running for the unexpired term of Town Clerk Janice Tinsley Colbert. She defeated Alice Cone of North Babylon with 67 percent of the vote. Democrat Antonio Martinez, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Quirk when she moved to the Town Clerk's post, was elected to fill her unexpired term on the Town Council. He garnered 58 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Joe Barone who ran a strong race.

"There is no question in my mind that the message of change was alive and well in Babylon and I believe that my showing with almost 42 percent of the vote wa s awe s ome , " said Barone the day after the election. "Those are very serious numbers for a first-time candidate running against a candidate who had the support of Steve Bellone, a very popular and strong Town Supervisor."

Barone said his campaign this year was just the "preamble" of what he expects to come—which is another run for the office. "We got the word out and got a ton of votes and undertstand that people are looking for change," he said. "We will be back."

"I think that our message that having some balance in Town hall certainly resonated, and I think our base was

more motivated to come out than they have been in a long time," said Anthony Pancella, the Babylon Republican Chairman. "Certainly we have taken some little steps and a lot of people were encouraged by it." Stricoff agreed that the Republicans in the Town did manage to get their base out, but that was all. "I think the Republicans have to be concerned that they got very few crossover votes, most of which went to the Democratic Party, he said. "If I were a Republican, that would be of concern to me." With both the Senate and Assembly

in Democratic hands, political pundits and the like were trying to figure out what it all means, particularly for Long Island. Some, like Pancella, said it would be devastating.

"We can look for a lot of money being diverted to New York City because Albany is now run by New York City Democrats," he said. "Even with the strong lobby we had from Albany, we were getting far less in state aid than we sent up there and that gap is only going to widen," he predicted.

Long Island had nine Republican Senators in Albany, a figure that was reduced to eight with the loss of Sen. Caesar Trunzo to Democrat Brian Foley. More significant, it meant the loss of the Senate majority for the Republicans and Senate leader Dean Skelos.

Not so, said Stricoff who said that the pressure to deliver is now on the Democrats and they are keenly aware of that. And, he added, state Democratic leaders are also aware of the importance of Long Island to the Democratic Party. "Our (Long Island's) voters are important and Albany insiders don't take them for granted," he said. "That would be a huge mistake and they (the state party leaders) are smart enough to understand that."

Nonetheless, Gov. David Paterson, facing the same financial pressures that are being felt in every community and every household in the state and the nation, has called lawmakers back to Albany Nov. 18 to look for ways to reduce state spending. Pancella said that adds to reality of what Long Islanders are going to face in the near future. "The change (in leadership in the state) has put everyone here on the Island in a different and more precarious position. We have been shortchanged for a long time, the discrepancy exists and it is only going to get worse."

"Governor Paterson has shown tough leadership in a tough time and is not going to favor one part of the state for the other," said Stricoff. "He will make sure that whatever pain there is to bear will be shared by everyone in the state."

"That hasn't happened in the past when you look at the what Long Island sends to Albany and what it gets back compared to New York City," said Pancella. "Why should we be confident now that we have a party in the majority that is beholdin' to city Democrats?"