Team Glen Cove officially kicked off the 2025 mayoral and City Council campaign and unveiled the Democratic slate of candidates before a packed house at the Polish National Home on March 1. Four-term Councilwoman Marsha Silverman will run for mayor alongside City Council incumbents Danielle Fugazy Scagliola and John Zozzaro, former Councilman John Perrone, and candidates Theresa Moschetta, Carla Anastasio and Cathryn Harris-Marchesi.
Silverman, who first won a seat on the City Council in 2017, is known for her focus on fiscal responsibility, government transparency and public safety. In an interview with the Herald, she discussed why she is running for mayor, her accomplishments and her vision for Glen Cove.
Herald: What initially motivated you to join the City Council?
Marsha Silverman: “There were a few things when I first started getting involved that I noticed. We were doing budgeting practices in Glen Cove that were kind of frowned upon. And there was documentation from the state comptroller’s office slapping our wrist: You shouldn’t do this, you shouldn’t do that — things like using one-shot revenues for operating expenses.
“A one-time grant or reimbursement from the state or federal government would come in, and it was being used to keep the lights on and pay salaries. But when that year is over, you don’t have that one-time thing again. Then where do you get revenue to pay for ongoing operations.”
(A notable instance of this practice, Silverman said, was the sale of the Coles School, now the Tigerman School. The revenue from the sale was allocated to fund operating expenses such as salaries and utilities, but once the funds were exhausted, the city was left without a sustainable means to cover recurring costs.)
Herald: Why are you running for mayor now, rather than in past elections?
Silverman: “The time has to be right. I’ve learned a lot being on the City Council, and I feel like I’ve made some positive changes in Glen Cove, but there’s so much more to do. Now that I understand the ropes, I feel like I can take that next step and be ready for it.” Herald: What are some of your biggest accomplishments on the Council?
Silverman: “A lot of it has been finance-related. With the finance committee, we spearheaded a new procurement policy that’s been in effect for several years. We improved vendor vetting, ensuring that we’re not just doing business with the same companies without proper scrutiny. Now vendors must fill out qualification forms, confirming they have the proper licenses and that they aren’t under indictment or facing legal troubles. Before, we didn’t have that.
“I’ve also worked with labor unions to enact stronger safety regulations on work sites. One of my biggest accomplishments was pushing for OSHA compliance, because someone who comes to work in Glen Cove every day should be able to go home safely.”
Herald: What would be your top priorities if elected?
Silverman: “Downtown revitalization is a huge priority. If you look back on elections for years, everyone talks about revitalizing downtown, but after 5 or 6 p.m., it’s still very quiet. The Downtown (Business Improvement District) does great things, but we can do more. I’m thrilled about the new theater coming, and as a musician, I love that. But we need more than that — more attractions and activities for people of all ages, not just during work hours.”
(Silverman said she also wants to find revenue streams that don’t burden taxpayers with automatic enrollment programs such as Pipelogix LMS Inc. which offers sewer lateral oversight that charges $15.50 per month and building fees, and the addition of a water surcharge. She believes these are an extra burden on homeowners and renters.)
“I also want to improve city services. We should be thinking of residents and business owners as customers. Are there enough sanitation workers? Are there enough people in the building department? Right now we have a part-time building director who basically gets a full-time salary. If someone needs the director on an off day, we aren’t servicing the public the way we should. The government should run with a customer-service mindset.”
Herald: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the city?
Silverman: “We need to be much more selective when giving tax breaks. I’m not saying they should never be given, but they should only be granted when there’s a clear benefit to the city. For years I’ve been concerned about financial assistance to developers. Tax incentives should be used to bring business and industry that create jobs. The state comptroller measures cost per job created for every (Industrial Development Agency), and Glen Cove has consistently ranked at the bottom. That means we’re giving away a lot of money without getting much in return in terms of jobs.”
(Silverman said she often sees tax breaks given to apartment buildings, with the philosophy that bringing in more residents will boost local businesses, with little success. She believes that more apartments alone don’t create a vibrant downtown, and instead advocates for more vibrant businesses.)
Herald: What’s your vision for Glen Cove if elected?
Silverman: “We need to plan long-term, not just year to year, and make smart investments that benefit the city for decades to come. Glen Cove has so much potential, and I’m ready to lead us toward a stronger future.”
(Silverman said she hopes to see a vibrant downtown, where businesses thrive, where families want to stay, and where there’s financially responsibility.)
