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Leg. Wayne Horsley faces Lindenhurst Republican Mark Gallo
Horsley, who was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in 2005, says the county has not raised taxes, but reduced them. Lawmakers plan to put forth another budget this year that doesn't raise taxes. "We [legislators] must keep the public in mind when working with public dollars. We recognize that the average person has trouble paying their electric bill," said Horsley. Challenger Mark Gallo says he would seek tax relief for voters by capping the gas tax at $2 and eliminating the 2.5 percent tax on utility bills. "I think these are two areas in which we can get something done," said Gallo, "and show the taxpayers we are trying to alleviate their tax burden." Gallo, a retired United States immigration officer and Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf, is now owner and president of Patriot Security Services Inc, a private security and investigation company based in Lindenhurst. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Empire State College. He ran for town board a year ago, losing to Jacqueline Gordon, a Democrat.
"I am for legal immigration, and we should encourage this," he said. "I wouldn't spend one dollar of taxpayer money to fund any programs for illegal immigrants." On this issue Gallo and Horsley agree. "We've got to close our borders," said Horsley. Gallo says he was prompted to run, in part, because of politicians' usual rhetoric. "We talk about the same issues every year, taxes, affordable housing, immigration - and nothing gets done. Let's elect some people to office who can make a positive change," he said. Horsley, who was first elected to public office in 1999 as a Babylon Town Councilman, is currently chair of Suffolk County's Development, Higher Education, and Energy Committee. In addition, he serves as vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and is a member of the Consumer Protection Committee, Public Safety and Information Committee, as well as the Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee. Horsley holds a doctorate in Modern World History from St. John's University. A bi-county wireless wi-fiproject, the largest of its kind in the country, will pilot in Suffolk County before the year is out. Horsley co-chairs the Wireless Commission that will make this project a reality. A supermarket-based recycling program for plastic grocery store bags is also an initiative introduced by Horsley. "As a legislator, I would keep all options open, look at all areas," said Gallo. "We need to try and bring down school taxes. Our county police taxes are another big cost."
The 14th district includes Lindenhurst and Babylon villages, West Babylon, North Lindenhurst and portions of Copiague, North Babylon and Babylon's barrier beaches. Election day is Tues., Nov. 6.
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