Candidates (choose 1):
Mariann Dalimonte
Party: DEM, WFP
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 253-6611
Campaign Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/dalimontefortowncouncil/?view_public_for=315596179306117
Campaign Email: friendsofmarianndalimonte@gmail.com
City/Town of Residence: Port Washington
Prior Civic Service: Mariann has been heavily involved in her community. She was the Co-President of HSAs at John Philip Sousa Elementary School and Carrie P. Weber Middle School. She was a Gala Committee member for the Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington. She currently is the Treasurer of the Pride in Port Committee, a Board Member for SOUPerBowl and HarborFest for the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce is a Port Washington Senior Citizens Board Member, and an Advisory Board Member of The Ed. Foundation. In recognition of her service, Mariann has received the Pride in Port Community Award, the Town of North Hempstead Woman’s Roll of Honor, and the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Award
Questions:
Q: As sea levels rise and flooding and erosion become greater threats to our community, what specific actions will you take to address these challenges? How will you budget and ensure that our town is prepared to thrive in the face of these changes?
A: Our community benefits from its beautiful coast, beaches, and parks. But those same resources are extremely vulnerable. In the face of the local risks brought on by climate change, it is critical that the Town of North Hempstead can work closely with our state and federal representatives to ensure that every available resource is used to mitigate potential damage and protect our community, our residents, and their property.
Q: How would you revitalize/better utilize our town’s downtown and commercial districts? What barriers exist to full occupancy of storefronts and what would you do to address them?
A: Our downtown has enormous potential, but there is a disconnect as to why businesses cannot thrive. The first step is identifying the problem, and we can best start that discussion by bringing together landlords, business owners, community leaders, and local elected officials. As the next Councilwoman, one of my key goals would be hold regular roundtable discussions, and not only have those honest discussions, but work towards building consensus and finding solutions.
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: Our residents face the burden of an enormously high cost of living and rising taxes, forcing middle class families to either struggle or leave our community entirely. The Town Board needs to continue to hold the line on taxes and ensure that our community can remain not just vibrant, but affordable.
Dina M. DeGiorgio
Party: REP, CON, IND
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 351-5808
Campaign Web Site: https://www.votefordina.com
Campaign Email: dina@votefordina.com
City/Town of Residence: Port Washington
Prior Civic Service: Councilwoman 2012 to present
Questions:
Q: As sea levels rise and flooding and erosion become greater threats to our community, what specific actions will you take to address these challenges? How will you budget and ensure that our town is prepared to thrive in the face of these changes?
A: As the Councilwoman of a waterfront community, making sure that my community is adequately prepared to prevent, manage, and respond to storms and flooding is my highest priority. This takes on a heightened responsibility with the profoundly negative impact Climate Change driven severe weather may have on our community. One of the largest responsibilities of a locally elected official is to bring resources from outside your community in to confront your challenges. I have worked with government partners at the county, state, and federal level and with the private sector, to bring in the resources that we need, and I will continue to do that in the future. I will advocate for the Port Washington Manhasset Peninsula to receive a $10 million downtown revitalization grant from the State of New York. A key component of the grant is to formulate capital projects that are essential to the future success and economic viability of the community, which would of course, in our case, include funding for flood mitigation and prevention and developing sustainable building practices and green infrastructure. As a public servant when Superstorm Sandy hit New York, I was deeply involved in the recovery efforts. I saw firsthand, how key stakeholders- local officials, federal agencies like FEMA, and inspired private citizens- worked together in the aftermath of the storm to rebuild our community. It is my hope that we do not have to face this challenge anytime soon, but I will always work to ensure that our town is prepared and ready in the event that we do.
Q: How would you revitalize/better utilize our town’s downtown and commercial districts? What barriers exist to full occupancy of storefronts and what would you do to address them?
A: Affordability and access to resources are the greatest barriers to re-locating or starting a business in Port Washington. As the councilwoman, I continue to advocate to improve and expand opportunities to start businesses in our town. During my tenure, I have worked directly with prospective and existing business owners to help them navigate the building department and to expedite their permit applications. However, more work needs to be done. The best way to encourage new small business development is to improve the business climate; and that begins with being a voice for small businesses, and fighting against policies imposed on us by governments- particularly at the county and state level, that increase the cost of doing business here and makes our property taxes some of the highest in the State. Obtaining the 10 million dollar downtown revitalization grant will make it possible to work with property owners to renovate and upgrade existing commercial space and to engage professionals to promote our town and to alert prospective new business owners that our vacant space is code compliant and “move -in” ready. This will streamline the building permit process and create commercial spaces that require less up-front financial investment on the part of the prospective tenants which will allow them to invest their capital into opening and growing their businesses.
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: Maintaining our quality of life and combating the ever-increasing cost of living are the most serious issues we face in our community. We are fortunate to live in a community that is diverse and beautiful, but that does not mean there isn’t room to improve. We need to invest in our Town’s infrastructure to decrease congestion, repair aging roads, and address a deeply concerning groundwater supply. We also need to encourage individuals, families, and small business owners to continue seeing North Hempstead as a financially attractive destination by decreasing taxes which would allow older residents to remain in their homes and encourage young families to establish roots and enjoy all that our community has to offer. It’s a lot of work, and it requires someone with the passion, determination, and experience to get it done. I will never stop being an advocate for our town by fighting to bring in the resources our community needs, working with anyone and everyone to do what I believe is right and best for our town.
Gary L. Donoyan
Party: LBT
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 312-8782
City/Town of Residence: Manhasset
Prior Civic Service: Internship, US Attorney for Southern District of New York; President of James Monroe Owners Corp. (co-op); Chairman of Cub Scout Pack 101 (Manhasset); Libertarian Party activist and attorney; American, New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations
Questions:
Q: As sea levels rise and flooding and erosion become greater threats to our community, what specific actions will you take to address these challenges? How will you budget and ensure that our town is prepared to thrive in the face of these changes?
A: Our town government is responsible for three parks (North Hempstead Beach, Manorhaven Beach, and Harbor Hills) and the town dock, which are adjacent to the Long Island Sound. To the extent flooding and erosion are, or are expected to be threats to those properties, our Parks & Recreation Department should be authorized to grant sponsorships to private individuals and businesses to fund specific efforts to prevent and ameliorate those threats. I will oppose any effort to impose carbon taxes.
Q: How would you revitalize/better utilize our town’s downtown and commercial districts? What barriers exist to full occupancy of storefronts and what would you do to address them?
A: I support reducing all of our taxes and regulations to the maximum practicable extent. North Hempstead’s businesses are also harmed by our zoning laws that restrict the methods available for sewage and wastewater disposal and restrict the right of landowners and vehicle owners to arrange private parking, and I will support an effort to repeal such laws to the extent permitted by county and state law. Our street parking laws should also be revised to maximize convenience for businesses and their customers, and to collect revenue only as an incidental effect.
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: Our most significant issue is the town government’s very existence. Town governments in New York State add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and expense and should be abolished. City, village and county governments can easily and efficiently replace all of the functions currently handled by the towns. The position I seek to fill, for example, should be eliminated. But until and unless that happens, I support the fair and efficient operation of our town’s government.
