Kopel will face Dem Plaut in 7th LD

Growing up in a household where the phrases “Let me help,” “How can I help?” and “I’m on it” were heard often is what propelled Cedarhurst resident and Lawrence Board of Education Trustee Tova Plaut to get involved in politics, she said.

Plaut has been tapped by the Nassau County Democratic Committee to challenge three-term incumbent Republican County Legislator Howard Kopel, a Lawrence resident, for a two-year term in the 7th Legislative District in November’s election.

The 7th L.D. includes the Five Towns areas of Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Woodmere and a portion of Hewlett, as well as Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Oceanside, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream.

Plaut is nearing the end of her second year of a three-year term on the school board.

“My incredible parents have dedicated their lives to helping the community,” Plaut said, “and, while their service never included political office, their leadership and the daily assistance they gave to neighbors, friends and strangers taught me that our duty in this life is to use our blessings to help others, and we did so. My interest in politics is better defined as an interest in community and the individuals that make up our community.”

Plaut, 45, has been married for 25 years to Danny Plaut, and the couple has lived in Cedarhurst for the past 19 years and have five children. 

Kopel, 63, has been married for over 35 years to his wife Esther, and has four children and five grandchildren. He is a congregant at several local synagogues, and a member of various local fraternal, service, and community organizations.

Kopel said that incumbents should not run unopposed. “I should have a challenger; no one should get a free ride,” he said. “I look forward to an interesting conversation and looking at [our] records.” 

In 2013, Plaut defeated Atlantic Beach resident Jesse Lunin-Pack in a school board election in which a recount was needed after a mistake was made when results were recorded on election night. 

Plaut has been the director of a private nursery school for the past decade. She was a recreational therapist and special education teacher at the school before she was promoted to director. She worked as a manager for the Thompson Medical Company prior to becoming an educator. 

As examples of her “interest in community,” she pointed to her position on the Lawrence school board; the volunteer work she did to help create and coordinate the Achiezer relief center after Hurricane Sandy; and finishing seven marathons, in which she and her children raised several thousand dollars for Chai Lifeline, a charitable organization that provides year-round support for families with seriously ill members, offering them hospital services, counseling, crisis intervention and insurance support.

Woodmere resident Michael Turi, acting president of the Five Towns Democratic Club, said his organization would support Plaut and the entire Democratic slate of candidates.

“Tova is a proven community leader, a mother, and she is not coming in as part of an established team,” Turi said. “She will be an independent who will serve as a watchdog for her constituents and generally a positive face for the community. We look forward to working with her, and think she will be a fantastic legislator.” 

During her nearly two years on the school board, Plaut said, she has met “the most wonderful and dedicated parents, students, faculty and neighbors.”

She added, “Each has helped me understand the needs of our community, and it is because of their concerns for the future that I decided to run for county legislator. This position will give me a greater ability to serve and assist the community, and help build a better future for our children so that they can grow up to be successful adults and raise families here, too.”