Ambrosino faces chamber member for Council District 2

Incumbent Edward Ambrosino (R-North Valley Stream) is seeking another term as representative of the Town of Hempstead’s 2nd Council District. Ambrosino has served in this position since 2003. His Democratic challenger, Patricia Locurcio is a West Hempstead resident and member of the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as spokeswoman for HomeFreeHome, a volunteer organization that began on Long Island and works to grant resources to families in need. Locurcio did not respond to the Herald’s questions as of press time.

Herald: Why are you running for re-election and what were some of your accomplishments in your last term?

Ambrosino: I’m running because I have more work to do. I am proud of my accomplishments — we have torn down the Courtesy Hotel, developed new business, and have legislation that addresses illegal housing and penalizes those who destroy our communities. Yet, there is much work to be done.

Herald: What issues are important to you in this
campaign?

Ambrosino: Jobs and taxes. As an elected official, it is my responsibility and personal mandate to hold the line on taxes, and work day and night to create meaningful permanent jobs for my constituents. Nothing is more important than providing economic opportunity and an income to the families of the 2nd Councilmatic District.

Herald: Are there
any areas of the 2nd Council District that need revitalization,
and what can you do
to foster that?

Ambrosino: Community revitalization never stops. We have torn down the Courtesy Hotel in West Hempstead and will be building new housing for our young people and their families. We are working to make sure that the ideas voiced by the Elmont community in their Vision Plan become a reality. We are using our powers of eminent domain and federal grants to rebuild and re-engineer our communities. We are revamping the Town of Hempstead zoning code to address the fact that we are no longer a pedestrian community and must provide mixed-use developments.