Will Federal Court Decision Hurt Wantagh Businesses?

Last week, a Federal Court changed the Congressional District presently served by Rep. Pete King, R-Seaford,, esstenially lopping-off Wantagh and moving us Wantaghvians into the district of Carolyn McCarthy, D-Mineola.  Although I had read about this in Newsday (http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/with-redistricting-comes-new-constituents-1.3614593) the stark reality and moment of it all did not hit home until last evening when we heard the knock on our front door during Jeopardy.

At the door was our friend and neighborhood Republican Committeeperson, paying a totally unanticipated visit.  She had a nominating petition for us to sign, putting Nassau County Legis. Fran Becker, Jr., R-Lynbrook, on the ballot to oppose McCarthy in November to become our new congressman. Becker's grandfather, Francis X. Becker, had nominated me to the Air Force Academy decades ago, and I couldn't sign the petitition fast enough.

Afterwards, I was left with my thoughts of how different the political landscape would be in Wantagh, having been excised from King's district. But even more dismaying was the thought of not being able to chat with him at the Concord Cleaners or on Park Avenue on Saturday mornings. But then I realized, you can take the district away, but you can't keep the man away from top quality dry cleaning and the good conversation with the great folks who work and hang-out at Warner's 7-Eleven.

See you around town, Pete!