Politics

Lamarre challenges Goosby in the Town of Hempstead’s 1st District

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Incumbent County Councilmember Dorothy Goosby, a Democrat from the Village of Hempstead, is running for reelection for an office she’s held since 2000. Challenger James Lamarre is a Republican, and he did not respond to the questions sent by the Herald.

The 1st Council District encompasses Hempstead, Lakeview and Roosevelt as well as portions of Baldwin, Freeport, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Uniondale and West Hempstead. The Herald asked the candidates questions focused on vital issues and what makes them qualified for the position.

  • Covid-19 has altered how we do “business as usual,” in terms of technology, healthcare, economy, etc. How do you plan to navigate the “new normal”?

Goosby: My response, along with my colleague to the “New Norm” has been to implement the following, which have been extremely successful. We will continue in this manner.

  • Mobile COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations
  • Vax Mobile-first in the State and second in the Nation
  • More than $11 million to colleges and schools
  • Over a million meals and 6 million for food banks
  • More than $800 thousand to local Villages
  • More than $400 thousand to fire departments
  • Small Business PPE Program
  • Expedited process for outdoor dining
  • Since the George Floyd protests, organizational/institutional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been put front and center. How would DEI instruct your practice as an elected official?

Goosby: My entire life and political career have been dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. I am a living testament of DEI. Goosby v. the Town of Hempstead has been cited in over 150 cases nationwide as an instrument God divinely used and continues to use to let the world know that diversity, equity and inclusion is our reasonable service to humanity.

3) What are the most pressing issues in your district, and how do you address these collaboratively with all stakeholders within the next term?

Goosby: My focus is quality-of-life equity because the disparities in my district remain unbalanced and alarming. In terms of sewage equity, our sewage system is at the forefront of my list. The Village of Hempstead must be repaired, not just the sewers maintained by the government. Sewers on private property are also beyond their lifespan and are cracked, broken and leaking, causing a serious health and environmental hazard to residents and to the environment. Also, the government must work together to find solutions to assist homeowners with costly repairs so that the corrective action plans don't simply fix just half of the problem.

In terms of water equity, the Northshore and Southshore must be treated fairly and equitably, as prices are Outrageous, and there is the potential municipalization for New York American Water

And on education equity, with the exception of Wyandanch, all of the charter Schools on Long Island are in my Councilmatic District. I applaud the Superintendent of the Hempstead School District, who has done an exemplary job with little to no resources. The state education dept. continues to flood Hempstead with the financial burden of charter schools to further deplete the already unduly stressed tax base. I understand NYSED is operating within the parameters of the law when granting charters to private organizations; however, lawful disparate practices birthed Goosby v. Town of Hempstead.

I eagerly look forward to slaying the giant of oppressive practices with these great people.