The Issues
THE ENVIRONMENT
Howard Knispel believes protecting the environment is one of the most important issues facing Suffolk County. Howard supports legislation to clean up toxic "brownfields". Howard supports "smart growth" initiatives and protecting public lands from development. We need to protect our watershed to insure clean drinking water. Howard will fight to stop the developers from trying to "pave over" Suffolk County.


POWER PLANTS - KINGS PARK ENERGY
Howard Knispel opposes the building of additional traditional power plants, especially in, or near, residential areas. While recognizing that overdevelopment of Long Island has created the need for more energy, Howard believes that the proposed plant in Kings Park is not the solution. It is too close to residences and may be an environmental hazard waiting to happen. We must, instead, look to conservation efforts, alternative fuel sources, additional fuel cells at existing plants, and retrofitting and upgrading older less efficient plants. Long island needs a comprehensive master energy plan to coordinate a cohesive method of energy delivery.


MASS TRANSPORTATION
Howard Knispel believes Suffolk County has to do more to encourage the use of mass transportation. Howard believes we need more consistant and publicized bus schedules. We need LIRR trains that run in both directions on a consistent basis, to encourage the use of the railroad for commuters staying on, or coming to, Long Island. We need to better coordinate transfers between the railroad and the buses. Commuting by mass transportation should be convenient and inexpensive.



ROUTE 347 EXPANSION
Howard Knispel recognizes the need to eleviate traffic congestion on Route 347 from the Northern State Parkway toward Port Jefferson. But many of the proposed solutions would mean displacing homes and businesses. Howard believes that any solution must meet community acceptance, with as little displacement as possible, whether it be overpasses, limited access or any other proposals.


DAY LABORERS HIRING HALL
Howard Knispel believes establishing a meeting place, or hiring hall, for day laborers, without regard to immigration stastus is a fundemental human rights issue. Immigrant laborers have been physically and violently attacked while waiting to be picked up for jobs. A centralized location, where day laborers can wait, rather than be scattered out along roads and in parking lots, throughout the county, takes minimal expenditure, and would provide safety both for the laborers and the community. These are simply people looking to do jobs most people do not want. The anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric aimed at these people does nothing but inflame a tense situation, possibly causing further incidents to occur. Unfortunately, the County Executive vetoed legislation passed by the legislature to create such a meeting place at little expenditure. Howard's opponent changed his vote from supporting such a place, to sustaining the veto. Howard would support reintroduction of legislation to create a day laborer's hiring hall.


THE NESCONSET ARMORY
Howard Knispel believes that the abandoned Armory building in Nesconset must be put to use rather than continue to lay vacant as a nuisance and an eyesore. The Town of Smithtown acquired this property in 1993 and has not used it. Meanwhile, across the street, the woefully inadequate Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Library pays tens of thousands of dollars in rent to one of the Suffolk Republican party's biggest contributors. We need to explore relocating the library to te armory site, as well as creating a teen or community center. There are many viable uses for this valuable property, laying vacant should not be one of them.


CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Howard Knispel supports public financing of campaigns. Howard believes that we need to even the playing field among the have and have not candidates. We need to limit the influence of large corporations, developers, landlords and other special interests. Taking money from these groups may make a candidate beholden to them rather than to the people. Legislators need to be responsive to all the voters, not just those able to make large contributions. Howard Knispel, unlike his opponent, will support campaign finance reform.


REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Howard Knispel, while recognizing that many people have different and heartfelt opinions on this volatile issue, nevertheless, firmly supports a woman's right to choose whether to comer to term witha pregnancy. This difficult decision should be made by the woman, after consultation with those close to her and her doctor, without any interference from the government.


LIVING WAGE and PRIVATIZATION
Howard Knispel believes all workers deserve a living wage, especially those who do work for the county. howard supports legislation that wouod require any company doing business with Suffolk County provide a living wage. Howard believes we should avoid contracting out work which can, and should, be done with county employees.


SENIOR CITIZEN RENT STABILIZATION
Howard Knispel believes rents are skyrocketing for apartments in Suffolk County. Landlords can raise rents for lease renewals to any level they want. Seniors, on fixed incomes, can be devastated by 10% - 15% increases in rent. It's impossible to get up and move every year so they are often stuck paying whatever the landlord demands. Some landlords on Long Island even pass along real estate tax bills to residential tenants, an unusual practice, especially since most tenants can not deduct this cost from their income taxes. Howard supports legislation that would tie rent increases to Seniors to the cost of living index. Howard's opponent has close ties to Long Island's landlords, receives large donations and obviously opposes such legislation.

ENDORSEMENTS
National Organization for Women (NOW)
New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV)
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund
Liberal Party

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