Santino Challenged by Gillespie in Town Race

Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony Santino, who has served in the position for 20 years, will be challenged on Nov. 5 by community activist Patrick Gillespie.

The Fourth Council District recently saw some changes, as Woodmere, Woodsburgh and parts of Cedarhurst and Valley Stream were added, while South Hempstead and Baldwin were shifted out (find out what district you live in by clicking here).

See what the longtime councilman had to say was the most important issue facing the district in our questionnaire below. Gillespie, of East Rockaway, did not respond to our questionnaire by press time.

Tell us about yourself (age, town, profession, family, etc.).

Santino: I’m a 52 year old resident of East Rockaway, where I grew up and attended public school. My father and sister still live in our hometown. I’ve made public service a cornerstone of my adult life, starting out working for former Congressman Norman Lent. I’ve had the privilege of serving our community as a town councilman since 1993, having previously been elected Trustee and Deputy Mayor of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway.

Why are you running for this position?

Santino: Because despite all that the town has done to protect residents from higher property taxes, more needs to be accomplished. Homeowners are confronting extensive financial & personal hardships, rebuilding their homes & lives in the wake of Sandy. Many residents are also coping with the effects of the prolonged national economic downturn.

In times like these, local government has an obligation to extend a helping hand to ease taxpayers' burdens. I want to continue doing my job responsibly and responsively by listening to and helping our neighbors.

What qualifies you to serve in the position?

Santino: Two words: my record. Serving our community is an honor – and I look forward to continuing my work to accomplish more for our neighbors. It will continue to be my primary focus to ensure the town maintains its low taxes while providing outstanding services … while ensuring America’s largest township remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.   

What is your opinion of the most recent budget? Would you have done something differently with it?

Santino: Supervisor Murray and I have cut taxes for three straight years to protect residents from higher property taxes. And thanks to our fiscal management, the town has earned another Aaa bond rating — the highest available — from Wall Street. We are restoring our infrastructure impacted by Sandy and operating all town programs. Our top-notch finances made it possible to waive over $1 million in fees to help Sandy victims.

What is the biggest issue facing the district?

Santino: Protecting our homeowners and residents from future tidal flooding will be a priority. The town and I will work in a collaborative fashion with federal, state and county authorities to take all appropriate steps to harden our infrastructure to protect against another hurricane, storm surge and tidal flooding.

Every level of government must work together so we can prepare for any future extreme weather events that may hit our community. The town has already been at work replacing bulkheads since last year, repairing our Marine Nature Study Area that is a natural barrier against tidal flooding and working around the clock with our building department to help neighbors to raise their homes and apply for FEMA/ICC funds.

What is the biggest issue facing the town?

Santino: My town board colleagues and I want to pave the way for truly affordable workforce house for those younger people returning home from college, graduate school or military service. The key to this type of housing is that it needs to be within their economic means — so that young people can truly afford to live here.

The easy answer to this problem would be to build high-rise apartments that would forever alter the suburban character of life in America's largest township. The town's approach must be more balanced however especially because we do not wish to overburden our schools or infrastructure with a giant influx of residents nor create sprawling complexes that remain empty with little or no occupancy.

The town, on a case by case basis, continues to approve affordable workforce housing rentals that enhance, not detract, from our prized suburban lifestyle.

If you are elected, what is the one thing you’d like to see accomplished during your term?

Santino: To see my continued efforts and longtime advocacy for a complete, state-of-the-art reconstruction of the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, including construction of the much-needed ocean outfall pipe, occurs.

Working with County Executive Ed Mangano and Legislators Howard Kopel & Denise Ford, Nassau County has invested millions in upgrading, enhancing and improving the plant after years of neglect and repeated DEC violations — only to see the 9 foot tidal surge of Sandy wash much of the progress away. We must rebuild the county facility smarter and stronger than before, with the newest processing and odor control technologies.

Would you like to add anything else?

Santino: I am looking forward to representing new areas of Councilmatic District #4, including Woodmere, Woodsburgh and parts of Cedarhurst & Valley Stream. While I've continued to be actively involved in our community, neighbors should know that I will continue to provide the same type of responsive constituent services and personal outreach that has been the hallmark of my tenure on the Hempstead Town Board.