The Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor race has been the center of attention, but there are also important elections happening in the town that voters should know about. Each of the candidates took time out of their busy schedule to explain why they deserve to be elected on Nov. 5.
Town Board Candidates
Councilman Steve Labriola (Republican): “As your town councilman and as a former chief deputy comptroller for Nassau County, I have a proven record of success with protecting taxpayer money, cutting wasteful spending and holding contractors accountable for their actions. As an assemblyman, I worked successfully with both Democrats and Republicans to accomplish great things, including strong laws to protect children from sex offenders.”
Erin Guida (Democratic): “I am asking residents to vote for me because of my experience and background in corporate America, the nonprofit sector, as well as having the perspective of a mom, wife and active community member who has the skills to be a team leader, administrator and budget manager. As your next councilwoman, I will work hard to find an innovative and effective strategy that will quickly address complaints, increase accountability and create well-paying jobs. Sadly, Oyster Bay residents have been paying for incompetence and complacency and we deserve new leadership that will make our finances, debt and procurement priorities.”
Laura Maier (R): “As a small business owner, I know what it takes to manage and train employees while also watching the bottom line. I will bring this private sector business experience to government to help improve the delivery of services while cutting costs and implementing efficiencies for taxpayers. It’s my priority to deliver an honest government that holds taxes down.”
Melissa McCardle (D): “I am uniquely qualified to be a councilwoman in the Town of Oyster Bay based on my experience as a social worker and educator, putting differences aside and working together towards common goals. Corruption and lack of accountability have broken the trust of the Oyster Bay community and I pledge to be transparent about spending and debt, bringing responsible government back to the taxpayers.”
Ned Newhouse (D): “With $700 million in town debt, amounting to $7,500 a homeowner, plus all the corruption and dumb lawsuits, we all end up paying for this with punishing taxes. I’m a 60-year-old successful turnaround executive that fixes and reforms bad companies into profitable ones. I’m fed up and I’m running to focus and fix our horrible roads, TOBAY Beach, commuter parking, almost non-existent recycling and debt reduction so we can have a better community and future.”
Vicki Walsh (R): “As a mother, business person and community leader, I’m running for office with the goal of building stronger bridges between government and our community. My background includes serving as past president and board member of the PTA, a religious education teacher, Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader, Boys and Girls Club volunteer and co-founder of the Veteran’s Day dinner connecting hometown heroes with local children. I will bring a business perspective to government and help forge greater partnerships with community groups to help reduce costs for taxpayers.”
Howard Rabin (Libertarian): “As a mature experienced attorney, business person, resident of the Town of Oyster Bay for more than 30 years, who is not beholden to any political party, I will be your independent watchdog, and if necessary, pitbull, to fight the rampant corruption, high taxes, patronage jobs and unnecessary government expenses in our town. My goal is to be your eyes and ears in town government and to make myself available to work to provide transparent government, which is exactly what our current governing board fears most.”
Town Clerk Candidates
Current town clerk James Altadonna is not running for re-election as he is currently running for town supervisor.
Rachel Klein (D): “I am a Plainview mom, educator, and civic leader who genuinely cares about our community, and I’m stepping up to run because I believe we deserve better in the Town of Oyster Bay. We need a local government that is accountable and responsive to all residents, not just a select few. I will serve my community as Town Clerk fairly, honestly and with integrity, while modernizing and streamlining services to make them more transparent and accessible.”
Richard LaMarca (R): “My 20-plus years of experience working in the private sector for a Fortune 500 company will benefit taxpayers. I am committed to our community, having served as a civic association president, chamber of commerce director and community representative for the police commissioner. As town clerk, I will cut taxpayer costs, eliminate waste, make services more efficient and create smartphone applications for residents to have better access to town services.”
Receiver Of Taxes Candidates
Jeff Pravato (R): “I’m the only candidate for tax receiver who has both public and private sector business experience. As a local village mayor, I held taxes flat for six straight years while repaving roads and earning upgrades from Wall Street credit rating agencies. As tax receiver, I will offer free help to residents challenging their property tax assessment, reduce taxpayer costs by creating e-bills and e-receipts and host free property tax exemption workshops.”
George Hignell (D): According to Nassau Democratic Committee’s website, “The citizens deserve a government that is looking out for their 401Ks and 529 plans, not one that’s over $800 million in debt and recklessly hands out another million in raises to loyal party members. This, coupled with the $10,000 SALT tax deduction cap, makes it imperative that we reduce cost for the taxpayers.”
