With just days to go before the first presidential debate ever on Long Island, crews worked to put the finishing touches in place Saturday at Hofstra University.

The eyes of the nation are expected to be on the Island Oct. 16, when Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) meet for their final debate before Election Day.

Melissa Connolly is in charge of coordinating the 3,000 media members who are expected to be at the debate, which she says will be a unique opportunity to showcase Hofstra University and Nassau County.

"Suburban voters are more than half of the voters in the United States," she says. "They're a critical part of the swing vote and having it here in the middle of the first suburb on Long Island is also a great way to showcase Long Island itself."