Cynthia Nuñez

This winter, Valley Stream residents saw firsthand what happens when local government is forced to do too much with too little.

After a major snowstorm, our community faced serious challenges clearing bus stops, municipal parking lots and other public spaces. While some neighboring communities managed to dig out more quickly, Valley Stream was left working against the clock, the weather and a shortage of the heavy equipment needed to respond as efficiently as residents deserved.

For families waiting at bus stops, seniors trying to safely access parking lots, small businesses hoping customers could return, and emergency vehicles that depend on clear roads, this wasn’t an abstract issue. It was a quality-of-life issue. It was a safety issue. And it was a reminder that when we fail to invest in basic public-works infrastructure, residents are the ones who pay the price.

That’s why I’m proud to have secured nearly $239,000 in Nassau County capital funding for the Village to purchase a new Caterpillar 930 front wheel loader and related equipment.

This may not be the kind of government investment that comes with a ribbon-cutting and balloons. A front wheel loader isn’t glamorous. It won’t trend on social media. But when snow is piling up, debris needs to be moved, roads need to be cleared and emergency access must be protected, this is exactly the kind of equipment that keeps a community moving.

The need for this equipment wasn’t new. In fact, this request was originally submitted to the county administration in January 2025. Unfortunately, instead of moving quickly to help Valley Stream prepare, the administration sat on its hands. And this winter, residents saw the consequences.

Valley Stream should never be left days behind other communities because basic equipment needs are delayed in Mineola. Local governments can’t plow roads, clear public spaces or respond to storms with press releases and promises. They need the right tools, in the right place, before a storm hits.

After continued advocacy and negotiations with the county executive’s office, we were able to get this funding over the finish line. The County Legislature has now approved the intermunicipal agreement that will allow the county to provide the capital funds to the village on a reimbursement basis. The village will purchase, own and maintain the equipment, and residents will benefit from stronger public-works capacity for years to come.

That matters, because this front wheel loader will support far more than snow removal. It will help with material movement, road maintenance, storm cleanup, emergency response and day-to-day municipal operations. It will help keep village and county roads open during emergencies. In plain English: It gives Valley Stream another critical tool to respond faster, work smarter and protect residents better.

This is what practical government should look like.

Too often, public debate gets consumed by political noise. But residents aren’t asking for noise. They’re asking for results. They want their roads cleared, their bus stops accessible, their parking lots safe. They want local services that work when it matters most.

That’s the standard I’ll continue fighting for.

Securing this funding wasn’t about scoring political points. It was about making sure Valley Stream gets its fair share and has the equipment necessary to serve residents properly. But it’s also fair to say this: When a community’s needs are delayed for more than a year, we should call that out. Valley Stream shouldn’t have had to wait this long for a common-sense investment that was clearly needed.

Now that the funding has been approved, the focus must be on getting this equipment into service as quickly as possible. Residents deserve to know that when the next storm comes, their village will be better prepared than it was this winter.

I’m grateful to the village officials and public-works employees who continue to serve this community through difficult conditions. They are the ones out in the cold, behind the wheel, clearing the way for the rest of us. This investment is about giving them the support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Valley Stream is a strong, hardworking community. It deserves a government that works just as hard. This funding is a step in the right direction — and I will keep pushing to make sure our community receives the resources, respect and results it deserves.

Cynthia Nuñez represents Nassau County’s 14th Legislative District.