Daily News from New York, New York • 228

00 1 1 r-i p-. "-x i-1. 1 i I 1 i i I tit 4 1 1 i --i a rra raw hi-, VALUE ANDERSON DAILY NEWS i mi rams Congress offer the Republicans a choice." Romaine. from Brookhaven, is in his fourth term as county clerk and was a Suffolk legislator for two terms. He said he could beat Forbes, "because I don't think Mike Forbes has a strong base." Last fall, Forbes, in his fourth term, bolted the GOP and became a Democrat He intends to run again and has strong support from Suffolk County Chairman Dominick Baranello and New York State Democratic Chairwoman Judith Hope.

Before being elected supervisor in November 1995, Grucci, of East Patchogue, was a Brookhaven town councilman and chairman of the town zoning board, and served on the Suffolk County Planning Commission. He is president of the world-famous Fireworks by Grucci. was intense interest in me by the National Republican Committee after Mike Forbes switched parties and became a Democrat," Grucci said last week. He said he was prompted to run when "people in the street would tell me they'd like to see me do the same job in Washington that I've done in Brookhaven." He said his accomplishments include reducing town taxes by 20, setting up a fund to acquire environmentally sensitive lands, getting a referendum through for a $10 million environmental bond for open space preservation, and starting a program to improve the infrastructure and bring in more police to fight drugs and crime in some Brookhaven neighborhoods. Mark Broxmeyer, Suffolk GOP finance chairman, said he is raising money for Grucci's campaign, along with the National Committee.

"This is a 2-1 Republican district." Broxmeyer said, "and we feel we have a good shot at V. S. i teir In run for By DEBBIE TUMA Brookhaven Town Supervisor Felix Grucci has been endorsed by the Suffolk Republican chairman and Brookhaven Town GOP chairman to run for Congress against Rep. Michael Forbes (D-Quogue). Suffolk County Republican Chairman Tony ApoHaro said Friday that Grucci was one of eight candidates party leaders screened for the position.

Others included Suffolk County Clerk Ed Romaine, Assemblywoman Pat Accampora (R-River-head). Brookhaven Town Councilman John LaValie, Southold Town Councilman Bill Moore and Southampton Village trustee Bill Manger ApoUaro said the parry leaders chose Grucci, in his third term as supervisor, based on his record, "which is head and shoulders above anyone else in the field, with his significant tax cuts and substantial economic development efforts to better his communities." Apollaro said the Republican National Committee is "enthusiastic over the announcement that he is our choice." Grucci as also endorsed by several Republican leaders in the seven towns in the congressional district, which includes the five East End towns East Hampton, Southampton, Riverhead, Southold and Shelter Island along with Brookhaven and Smithtown. Despite the leadership's nod to Grucci. Romaine said he is still in the race for the nomination, and hopes to bag it at the countv GOP convention in March. "My campaign is geared toward the average committee person and Republican voter." he said.

"I am not just concentrating on leadership, but I am going for a broader base of support." Romaine said he has been getting "lots of calls supporting me for this race, and I feel I will Dad just manages to fit on the sled and it takes the rest of the family to make the vehicle move yesterday, on family fun day at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Other people (photo below) can Just Be back and let sled glide downhill. More wintry chill is expected for today. Li Jeanne Garcia during a robbery near a boatyard on Beaver Dam Road in Brookhaven on Nov. 6.

Garcia and her husband, Joseph, an Alzheimer's patient, were having lunch in their car when they were accosted by Hardy and his 18-year-old brother, Janerio, said police. Garcia was carrying $25 in her pocketbook, said Detective Lt. John Horan. Cops were led to the Hardys after their getaway car was captured by the boatyard's surveillance camera. Both men were charged with attempted murder and robbery.

The elder Hardy was arrested Jan. 7 at an upstate prison where he was serving a 15-month sentence for violating probation. His brother was collared last Monday. Robert Gearty After a 14-month investigation, Suffolk police have charged two Bellport brothers with robbing an elderly East Patchogue couple of $25 and then shooting the woman in the face with a shotgun. Cops said the arrests came after a painstaking investigation.

They accused Charles (T.J.) Hardy, 23. of Carver of firing a shotgun at 71-year-old NEWS BUREAU (516) 237-5494 Fax (516) 222-0545 Home Delivery 1-800-692-NEWS.