Legislator Joseph Scannell (516)571-6205 Committees: Public Safety - Chair Labor - Chair Towns & Villages - Vice Chair Government Services & Operations Finance Judiciary	Upcoming Events 07-23-2008 - Mammography Van in Baldwin July 23
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Biography:

Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) is serving his fourth term as Nassau County Legislator. A life-long Baldwin resident, Legislator Scannell represents the 5th Legislative District, which encompasses Baldwin, Freeport, Lakeview, Rockville Centre, and South Hempstead.

Before his election, Legislator Scannell served for 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County. While in the District Attorneys office, he spent time in the District Court, County Court (felony trials), and the Special Investigations Bureau.

 As a member of the Legislature, Legislator Scannell has distinguished himself as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee by demonstrating a commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the county and the dedicated people who serve to protect them.

Legislator Scannell led the charge for an aggressive program to restore and maintain South Shore ponds. This includes multi-million dollar projects at Milburn Pond, Silver Lake, Lofts Pond and Tanglewood Preserve.  In addition, he has obtained $750,000 for community revitalization projects on Grand Ave. in Baldwin.

Most recently, in 2005, he took the noble cause of restoring the historical Nunley’s Carousel to downtown Baldwin as part of an expansive downtown revitalization project. Legislator Scannell has secured funding for the renovation of the famous merry-go-round which has been in storage at Mitchell Field for more than ten years.

Last year, Legislator Scannell presented the Village of Rockville Centre with a check for $160,000 for several capital improvement projects at the Sandel Senior Center and the Recreation Center.

In 2004, when plans were discussed to move the Counties First precinct out of Baldwin, Legislator Scannell blocked the project and received a commitment to keep it in Baldwin.

In Freeport, Legislator Scannell recently secured 6.2 million dollars for restoration of Guy Lombardo Avenue. The project includes brick walkways, new antique lighting, new curbs, sidewalks, new pavement, and restoration of grass areas.

For the fourth straight year the Legislature approved a “no-tax” increase budget for Nassau County taxpayers, and added belt- tightening measures for county departments while funding programs that benefit the County’s neediest residents.

Legislator Scannell was a leader in securing a $50 million environmental bond in 2005 and a $100 million environmental bond approved by the voters in 2006. These two bonds provide funds to preserve the few open spaces in Nassau County, and will ensure that future generations have natural areas to explore.

Legislator Scannell was also instrumental in passing a bill providing a partial tax exemption for qualified first time home buyers in Nassau County. The bill will provide a break on property tax bills for the first five years. The legislator also recently approved a “living wage” law that will increase wages for workers contracted by the county to $9.50, starting in 2007. Increases will follow in 2008 to $10.50 an hour and rising up to $12.50 an hour in 2010.

Legislator Scannell is an Eagle Scout whose commitment to his community is evident by the time he devotes to many local organizations. He is past co-president of the Baldwin Community Watch; two-time president of the Baldwin Kiwanis; founder of the Kiwanis Anti-Graffiti Committee; past president of Nassau Chapter of the St. John's School of Law Alumni Association; member of the Irish Americans in Government, a member of the Elks; a member of the Fraternal Order of Police; and an Honorary member of the Long Island Shields.

Legislator Scannell serves as chairperson on the Public Safety committee and vice-chair of Towns, Villages & Cities committee and the Judiciary committee. He is also a member of the Government Services committee and the Finance committee.

He is a graduate of Baldwin High School, C.W. Post College and of St. John's University School of Law. He is married to Merrill and they have a daughter, Brittney, and son, Brian.