Town of North Hempstead Council Member District 2
Description:
Candidates (choose 1):
Cassandra J. Lems
Party: GRE
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 248-3059
Campaign Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1385174475123447/
Campaign Email: c_lems@yahoo.com
City/Town of Residence: New Hyde Park, New York
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: Reduce emissions from cars and other motor vehicles by providing shuttle service around commercial areas and to and from transportation hubs like the Long Island Railroad. Ban gas powered leaf blowers, which waste gasoline and are a huge source of pollution. Pledge to make the Town of North Hempstead a Zero Carbon Emission jurisdiction. Encourage the use of solar energy, wind power and other natural sources of energy rather than fossil fuel-based sources.
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: The convenience of internet shopping is cutting into retail sales. Brick and mortar shopkeepers should band together with local government and arts organizations to create events that draw people into commercial areas to encourage more foot traffic. Parking should be made more readily available, and free shuttle bus transportation around commercial areas should be provided during store opening hours. Traffic should be “calmed” to make it safer for pedestrians to walk in shopping areas. Landlords should not be allowed to hold empty commercial space for long periods of time. Local government should provide incentives to landlords to fill commercial spaces with tenants.
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: Many people seem to think the most important issue is high taxes, but that is short-sighted. The most important issue facing us is threats on multiple fronts to our natural environment. We need to do what we can to slow down or stop climate change. Gas-powered leaf blowers should be completely banned to protect air quality and to reduce noise pollution. More can be done to protect the ocean, our waterways and our drinking water from dangerous runoff by banning or restricting the use of certain pesticides, fertilizers, and other pollutants. Encourage residents to replace lawns with native species that do not require watering, so that our aquifers are not depleted so quickly. Reduce our output of solid waste, especially plastics and non-recyclables. Encourage the use of clean and renewable energy.
Ragini Srivastava
Party: REP, CON
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 305-4254
Campaign Web Site: https://VoteForRagini.com
Campaign Email: VoteForRaginiSrivastava@gmail.com
City/Town of Residence: Manhasset Hills
Prior Civic Service: Ragini has always been involved in community service.
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: The wise thing to do is to have a transition plan. Walls and levies are not a long-term solution. We will present past data and scientific facts to all stakeholders – owners, insurance companies, FEMA, etc. and work out a long-term transition plan. In the interim, of course, we need measures such as: Building water reservoir Constructing retaining walls Lakes, ponds Drainage system must be covered to prevent litter going into them Before any construction builders have to make sure they don’t block any waterway, they must acquire permission. Educate people Lot of plants, vegetation must be encouraged in low lying areas to prevent erosion …
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 town should have a downtown development corporation, or similar organization that is focused solely on promoting downtown as a destination for businesses, residents etc. —Our town should have public policies (grants, and other special incentives) to promote downtown development —Events like street fair, exhibitions can draw people to your downtown on a regular basis. We should plan public events that showcases local merchants, music and food —engage local vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs for downtown revitalization. small steps that can be taken — Should be safe to walk -narrowing lanes of traffic, two way traffic is good -installing benches, -planting trees, -hosting pop-up shops in empty storefronts to encourage business activity Put lights, music Make it beautiful so people want to spend time over there
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: The most significant issue for our town is financial mismanagement. If town officials are vigilant and dutiful, what happened with Clinton G Martin Park repairs won’t happen. Public funds would be utilized wisely, and we won’t have higher taxes. I will push for greater transparency in governance. I will push for improvements in infrastructure. But I also would like to see more people taking interest in community affairs and volunteering. I also want them to vote and hold public officials accountable. For example: scandal at Clinton G. Martin park (no accountability, stinks corruption) New tax assessment (hastily done, full of errors)
Peter J. Zuckerman
Party: DEM, WFP, IND
Biographical Info:
Campaign Phone: (516) 404-6643
Campaign Web Site: https://www.facebook.com/peter.zuckerman.52
Campaign Email: <friendsofpeterzuckerman@gmail.com>
City/Town of Residence: East Hills/Town of North Hempstead
Prior Civic Service: Incorporated Village of East Hills Trustee
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: I do not take lightly the issues we are facing as a result of climate change. To address these issues, it will take all levels of government working together. Here at the Town we are always looking for ways to preserve our coastline and to make improvements to combat erosion and flooding. Erosion has affected our natural wetlands at North Hempstead Beach Park; however, we are currently in the process of planning a redevelopment of North Hempstead Beach Park and we have made it a priority to improve drainage and runoff which will work towards combating the erosion of our wetlands. I will continue to remain committed to prioritizing environmental threats to our community and ensure that we have the funds necessary to address these issues.
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: Recently with my support the Town contracted a firm, Civic Moxie, to help us create a comprehensive Cultural Master Plan that would serve to showcase the cultural, tourism, and business attributes of North Hempstead. Civic Moxie will be providing us with guidance on implementation of this plan so that we are taking full advantage of all that we have to offer here in North Hempstead. This initiative will play an integral role in maximizing the potential of our commercial districts and downtowns. Another way we are looking to be helpful to our small businesses and commercial districts is by focusing on the navigation and speed of our own government processes. We have been working towards improving our Building Department by increasing manpower and implementing technology that will improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency. Our local businesses, residents, and the Town as a whole will benefit greatly from this improvement to our Building Department.
Q: What is the most significant or pressing issue facing the Town of North Hempstead, and how would you address it?
A: The most significant issues facing our residents is taxes. Not only are residents concerned with the fact that their taxes are very high, but they want to know that their money is being put to good use. Here in North Hempstead I am proud to say that we have earned a Aaa bond rating by Moody’s which is the highest bond rating awarded to any municipality. Our budgets at the Town, all of which I have supported, are fiscally responsible, stay within the New York State tax cap, reduce our debt, and maintain and improve services offered to our constituents at the most cost-effective way possible. I will continue to ensure that our tax dollars are being used conservatively, appropriately, and with the best interest of our taxpayers at heart.
