Daily News from New York, New York • 335

GOOD You don't have to be Italian to love pasta DAILY NEWS ACTION UUE Stamp of disapproval for mail-order ripoff Page 2 Wednesday, October 9, 1985 multi-candidate Republican primary after the leadership of the Republican and Conservative parties in Suffolk County agreed on a unity slate. He is listed in the House as a Republican and has consistently voted with the party. Understands switch "I have always been a welcomed guest of the Republican Party," Carney said. "Becoming a member of the family will enhance my position in the House and im- prove my ability to serve my constituents." Harold Haar, of Smith-town, N.Y., the Conservative Party leader in Carney's home district, was quoted in a Carney statement as saying the party regretted the decision "but we understand his reasoning." Carney said President Reagan acknowledged the decision with a letter that said, "I am delighted to welcome you to the Grand Old Party and I look forward to continuing our work together." the governor's race in 1986. "If the position was open, he'd go for it," said Tim Kelly, a Carney spokesman.

Eyes leadership job Kelly said Carney, 43, believed that with his growing seniority he'd have a better shot at a leadership job as a registered Republican. "If it came down to people who had the same amount of seniority, being an enrolled Conservative might not work in his favor," Kelly said. Carney's election in 1978 came after a victory in a THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON Rep. William Carney of New York announced yesterday he has dropped his membership in the state's Conservative Party to join the Republican Party and improve his chances of winning a House GOP leadership post. The four-term congressman from Long Island is interested in the job of deputy minority whip, whose current holder, Rep.

Tom Loef-fler (R-Texas), has announced that he will enter 'Saw door open I pal 3eatEn By ROBERT GEARTY I A III iW Daily News Staff Writer A friend of 17-year-old Sheila Bast testified yesterday that he saw the car door open just moments before it hit the Wantagh teenager, following an argument the auto's two occupants had with Bast and a group of her friends in a parking lot 11 Fair ballooning Visitors to the Long Island Fair, which is to take place at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Fairgrounds starting Friday and continuing through Monday, will be treated to a daily Grand Balloon Ascension, according to Nassau Parks Commissioner Abram C. Williams. "People never fail to respond to the awe-inspiring sight of an immense hot air balloon soaring its way towards the heavens, carrying people high into the sky," said Williams. Launch time will be 3:30 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

contract The Harris Corp. of Syosset has been awarded a contract totaling $38 million by the U.S. Navy to develop computer-controlled test systems. The new contract is expected to provide new job opportunities for workers of various skills, according to Phillip Farmer, vice president and general manager of the company's Government Support Systems Division, which is headquartered on Long Island. Harris is a $2.3 billion corporation that produces information processing, communication and microelectronic products for the hi-tech market.

Transport award State Sen. Norman J. Levy (R-Merrick) and Assemblyman Arthur (Jerry) Kremer (D-Long Beach) have been designated to receive the Commuter Assistance Award from the Island Rides the bicounty area's not-for-profit ride-sharing agency. They were chosen for "their foresight in supporting innovative, productive transportation alternatives on Long Island," said Robert Burke, vice president of Chemical Bank on Long Island, who is serving as chairman for the agency's first annual reception. Volunteer fete The efforts of more than 1,000 volunteers in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, sponsored by the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, will be recognized at special ceremonies today at Long Island University's C.W.

Post campus. Volunteers range in age from 60 to 92. The program has served Nassau senior citizens for the past 13 years. SUSPECT Frank Tusa is led into in pan sway or in which DeSantis allegedly bumped her car as they pulled into a municipal parking lot near Wantagh's Long Island Rail Road station. Beery, under questioning by Assistant Nassau District Attorney William Dempsey, said that before Hansen and DeSantis jumped back into their car following the argument, DeSantis said, "We'll be back.

Don't leave." Admitted drinking Beery admitted he had been drinking beforehand and that may have impaired his judgment. "I was intoxicated," he told Thomas Mason, DeSantis' attorney during cross-examination. Beery said that after DeSantis and Hansen jumped in the car, the auto sped out, stopped and came "shooting back at us" in reverse. He said the car stopped again, tires screeching, and sped past him, Bast and the other teens a second time. "Then it accelerated backwards again and came back and as it went back I saw the door open," Beery said.

After Bast was hit, Beery said, the car sped past him as he chased after it. Afterward, he said, "I ran back to where Sheila was. She looked mangled. There was blood all over her face and on the street." The trial, before Nassau County Court Marie Santaga-ta, is to continue today. court.

KEVIN KENNEDY PHOTO exit in Bay Shore," State Police spokesman Roland Russell charged. The bullet entered the back of Ragozzino's skull as his car went out of control and smashed into a tree. Mulvey and Tusa reportedly took off. At first, the death was thought to be the result of an accident. However, an autopsy the following day revealed the bullet wound and triggered a homicide investigation by State Police, who investigate parkway violations.

ioam months ago. "I saw the car door open," said John Beery, 20, a surveyor. "I saw the car door go by me and as it went by I heard screaming. I heard Diane's voice and Jennie's voice screaming, 'they hit her, my God, they hit Beery took the stand at the trial of Joseph DeSantis, 22, and Glen Hansen, 23, both charged with manslaughter in the death of Bast last Nov. 18.

DeSantis, the alleged driver, is also charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Indifference to life The prosecution claims the two men, both from Wantagh, showed a "depraved indifference" to human life. The defense calls the incident a tragic accident. Police said that DeSantis and Hansen got involved in a pushing and shoving match with nearly a dozen of Bast's friends following an incident deliberated two hours before finding Robert Turley guilty. Turley faces a prison term of 25 years to life on the charges, which include murder, sexual abuse, and attempted rape.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 7, Penny said. By EDWARD KIRKMAN Daily News Staff Writer An unemployed Wantagh mechanic accused of fatally wounding another man while both were driving in separate cars on the Southern State Parkway in July, was held without bail in First District Court, Hauppauge, yesterday. Frank Tusa, 21, of 3447 Ella Road, allegedly fired one shot from a high-powered rifle through the window of a car going in the same direction and operated by Albert Ragozzino, 23, of Levittown, police said. Tusa and a friend, John Mulvey, 20, also of Wantagh, were on their way home after a tour of Suffolk bars when they came across Ragozzino's car shortly after 2:45 a.m.

on July 7, according to police. "They had just decided they wanted to shoot somebody, nobody in particular, when they drove along side of the victim's car on the parkway near the Fifth Ave. Guilty in death of girl, 12 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RIVERHEAD A maintenance worker was convicted yesterday of sexually abusing and strangling seventh-grader Jennifer Goff in the woods near Nesconset. The 11-man, one-woman Suffolk County Court jury tic.