Biography:

Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) is serving his fifth 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 being elected, Legislator Scannell served for 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County. While in the District Attorney’s office he appeared before the District Court, County Court (felony trials), and the Special Investigations Bureau.

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

Recently, Legislator Scannell scored a major victory for South Shore residents when he obtained a commitment that the First Precinct will remain in Baldwin at a new location adjacent to the high school on Grand Avenue.

A dedicated environmentalist, Legislator Scannell led the charge for an aggressive program to restore and maintain South Shore ponds. It 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 Baldwin’s Grand Avenue. He recently secured an additional $650,000 to repair and restore a shopping center on Atlantic Avenue in Baldwin.

In 2005, he championed the restoration of the historical Nunley’s Carousel. Legislator Scannell secured $425,000 for the famous merry-go-round. He is pleased to announce that this Nassau County landmark is up and running and open to Nassau County families at Museum Row in Garden City.

Legislator Scannell presented the Village of Rockville Centre with more than $500,000 for several capital improvement projects, community development monies, and Environmental Bond Act funding.

In Freeport, Legislator Scannell secured $6.2 million for the restoration of Guy Lombardo Avenue. The project includes brick walkways, new antique lighting, new curbs, sidewalks, new pavement, and restoration of grassy areas. He most recently presented the Freeport Fire District with $41,000 for fire apparatus. In addition Legislator Scannell secured $60,000 of Environmental Bond Act monies for the Brookside Preserve.

Legislator Scannell voted to implement a local law authorizing the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management to implement a tuition assistance program for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers and auxiliary police officers.

He has devoted his time to offering the community many services. Legislator Scannell has held 93 community meetings on topics including budget, senior services, assessment, crime, tax exemptions public work, hurricane preparedness, West Nile Virus, consumer fraud, and foreclosure prevention. He also held 8 child safety car seat checks, and 9 annual free mammography examinations.

An Eagle Scout, Legislator Scannell maintains a strong commitment to his community as evidenced 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.

In addition to his chairmanship of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, Legislator Scannell also serves vice-chair of the Towns, Villages & Cities 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.