Taxes, Accountability Among Local Issues Important to Malverne-West Hempstead Voters

Taxes, noise and a need for a safe, accessible playground will be among the issues on the minds of Malverne and West Hempstead residents when they head to the polls on Nov. 8.

This year, they will cast their ballots on a number of positions in the Hempstead Town and Nassau County government including Town Supervisor, a title currently held by Kate Murray who is running against challenger Gary Port. They'll also vote on races for Town clerk, receiver of taxes, councilmen, judicial seats and Nassau County legislators. (Look for Q & A's with the candidates later this week).

To gauge what matters most to local residents with election day approaching, Patch hit the streets, as well as the local LIRR train platforms, to hear what people had to say.

Patch: "What issues are the most important to you?"

"Taxes. My landlord just raised my rent because his taxes were raised...but property values haven't gone up."  - Natasha Lamarre, West Hempstead

"Budget deficits....making sure the dollars going to the right place." - Tom Carroll, 47, Malverne

"Empty stores and...a lack of a suitable park for the kids. It's terrible. As more and more families move into town the suburbs haven't been kept up." - Shelley Serber, West Hempstead

"Jet planes. Bill Huisman [director] of Aviation Development Council, came here four years ago and told residents that JFK was undergoing tarmac repair project [that would cause temporary increase in air traffic over Malverne.] That ended last year and the noise still happens." - Bob Yakomin, Malverne

"Taxes - lower them or atleast keep them the same, and more accountability." John Zenkewich, 55, North Valley Stream

"Bottom line: Lower our taxes." -Tom D., Malverne

Patch: "What do you think of the candidates?"

"Kate [Murray] her time is done. She's really ineffective. The patronage issue is going to blow up on her. - Bob Yakomin, Malverne

"I think [Kate Murray] has been doing a good job."  - Mirider, Malverne

"Kate's doing a decent job. We have airplane noise but we live 8 miles from an airport. " -Maureen Moses, Malverne (former West Hempstead resident)

"It doesn't matter who you vote for. [The rich] got them in their pockets. It's all the same rhetoric. They do what's best for themselves. I will vote though - if I don't I'm giving up my right. I think the people down on Wall Street need to get someone to organize...target a specific business and boycott it. And the young people need to wake up and realize what's going on. Read the Bilderberg Club." - A West Hempstead alum, retired teacher and 51-year resident

What will be on our mind when you cast your vote on Nov. 8?

Vote in our poll or sound off on our comment board below.