Daily News from New York, New York • 106

FbfirrfwmatkxiOT civic groups end entertainment see the News Eureaa (516? 237-5492 Fax (516)222-0545 Home Delivery 1-800-692-NEWS 1 DAN FARRELL DAILY NEWS B9KERS AND COPS make peace in parking lot after near-rumble outside Nathan's in Oceanside, LI Tuesday night ME Stands firm to nip rumble By SAMSON MULUGETA Daily News Staff Writer A. near-riot involving a motorcycle gang armed with guns, knives and bats outside an Oceanside hangout was snuffed out by a single gutsy cop who stood his ground, police said. A rumble among rival members of the Pagan motorcycle gang that left seven injured Tuesday night would have been much worse if not for the quick action of Fourth Precinct Officer Thomas Eagan, his supervisor said. The incident erupted about 8:15 p.m. outside a Nathan's restaurant on Long Beach Road when a rumbling parade of Pagans on Harley Davidsons spotted eight former members outside the eatery, said Deputy Chief Herbert Faust Eagan, who was on routine patrol, rushed to the scene moments after about 40 Pagans jumped on their former comrades with knives and bats.

One gun was later recovered nearby. "He jumped right in the middle of it and grabbed one person," said Faust "When they saw a uniformed officer, they stopped and started running and leaving the area. It was very courageous." The melee quickly drew a heavy police response: Two dozen Nassau County squad cars, a half-dozen ambulances and several police helicopters were used to hunt for suspects. Eagan arrested a 37-year-old Med-ford man who allegedly hit him with an ax handle during the melee. Robert Bauer was charged with first-degree riot second-degree assault on a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.

Eagan, whose right arm was struck by the ax handle, was treated at South Nassau Hospital and released. Six others were also injured. A 33-year-old man who was struck with a club and a 35-year-old man who was stabbed in the abdomen were taken to South Nassau Hospital. A 27-year-old man who was stabbed in the face was treated at Mercy Hospital. Three other injured men refused medical attention.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, police said. Tuesday night has been motorcycle night at Nathan's for the past 30 years. Dozens of bikers gather weekly at the spot "Most of them are law-abiding," said Faust Local and federal authorities keep a watchful eye on the Pagans, who have been visible on Long Island for over 30 years, Faust said. Cops had anticipated a problem with the Pagans on Tuesday but at energy costs on Long Island, a key goal of the LIA. Cuomo also said he will soon propose additional tax cuts, but promised he won't pass the costs on to local governments.

Speaking to the business leaders, Cuomo was careful to give some credit for his successes to state Senate Majority Leader Ralph Marino, the powerful Nassau County Republican. But he also blamed the GOP-con-trolled Senate for blocking the state takeover of Medicaid, which he said would ease the financial burden on Nassau, Suffolk and other local around his neck. But, indulging his penchant for metaphors, he said, "I seek to make of that albatross two giant wings that will lift me up out of the muck." The summit was the result of more than a year of meetings between government officials, LIA members and the public that produced an "action plan" to boost the region's economy by streamlining government and cutting taxes. Cuomo didn't address the summit's plan in detail. But he did endorse a proposal to consolidate school districts.

He also reiterated plans announced Monday to reduce the high tsiiM sob oirSra By MICHAEL S.C. CLAFFEY Daily News Staff Writer Gov. Cuomo had the Long Island political field to himself yesterday as he appeared before more than 1,000 business and political leaders gathered to discuss the region's economic future. Speaking at the Long Island Association's summit on the economy, Cuomo touted his three tax cuts and his support of high-tech industries to replace the 100,000 jobs lost on Long Island since the end of the Cold War. The rosy picture Cuomo painted went unchallenged, since Republican gubernatorial candidate State Sen.

George Pataki declined an invitation to appear. A spokesman said Pataki was preparing to release his welfare-reform proposals. Democrats, out in force for Cuomo's appearance, were quick to seize on Pataki's absence. was George Pataki?" asked Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi, a member of Cuomo's Long Island political team. "This is the most important business conference in Long Island history and he doesn't show, yet he can show up for a fund-raiser tonight" Pataki was scheduled to appear last night at a fund-raiser hosted by Nassau GOP boss Joe Mondello.

At times self-deprecating, Cuomo sought to convince the audience that he deserves four more years in office. He called the state's imposition of a hotel tax a "dumb mistake" that was being reversed. But he also cited achievements during his 12 years in office: spending $50 billion on roads and bridges; welfare reforms, and the creation of 13 advanced technology centers. Cuomo acknowledged thathis re- cord could also be ah: albatross has a $2.2 million budget The new legislature would initially cost $5.1 million a year. Parola's estimate was endorsed by Neal Lewis, a member of the charter reform commission that created the legislative plan.

Lewis is leading a "Vote Yes" effort for the charter. "I think it's a good estimate," said Lewis. "A $2.9 million increase is a bargain, considering that the total county budget is almost $2 billion. This new legislature will have the opportunity to more than pay for itself by rooting out wasteful spending." Parola said he thinks the new legislature will be well worth the extra cost because of the greater diversity afforded by 19 single-member districts. "Something you can't put a dol By MICHAEL S.C CLAFFEY Daily News Staff Writer Nassau's new legislature will cost the county an additional $2.9 million annually, according to a conservative estimate released yesterday by Controller Fred Parola.

That's how much more it will cost to pay for the proposed 19-member legislature, which is on the Nov. 8 ballot along with a bundle of charter reforms, Parola said. Among other costs, the figures assume that each legislator would have one staffer earning an average of $45,000 a year, and that the current Board of Supervisors' chamber would be renovated at a cost of $130,000 to handle the larger body. The current board, which was ruled. i i 1 CD Q.

a CO a T3 3 cr -i ro another, undisclosed location. Faust wouldn't specify why police had expected trouble', saying only that cops had "developed that intelligence." Police are eying links between Tuesday night's incident and a fight between Pagans and Hells Angels earlier this month at a Deer Park tattoo parlor One. and lar value rn is representative pWgovemmehtiBesaiaA 3Ciin T3.1KO woinuieialhincideiiTQj.