John Ferretti says the purpose of serving in local government is to make a difference in people’s lives every day — something he hopes to continue if he is elected to a full term as Hempstead town supervisor.
Ferretti, of Levittown, said he was proud of his record as a Nassau County legislator, where he opposed tax increases and supported responsible budgeting. In seven and a half years in the Legislature, he helped reduce county taxes by $70 million and block $150 million in proposed hikes. His top priority, he said, is ensuring that the community he grew up in remains affordable for families.
“My track record as an elected official is very clear,” Ferretti said, “I am a tax cutter, and that’s the way to keep residents able to continue to live in the homes that they grew up in, like myself.”
Ferretti, a Republican, was appointed town supervisor on Aug. 5 following Don Clavin’s resignation. Since he took office, the town passed a 2026 budget that cuts property taxes by $5 million. Ferretti said it is the responsibility of local officials to do everything possible to help residents afford to stay in the communities where they grew up.
His appointment was not without controversy. His Democratic opponent, Joseph Scianablo, filed a lawsuit claiming that Ferretti and the town board violated the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. In response, the board reappointed Ferretti at its Sept. 16 meeting — a move town officials said was necessary to protect taxpayers from the lawsuit. On Oct. 9, State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton ruled that the Aug. 5 appointment had violated the law, finding that plans had been made before the meeting.
Ferretti emphasized that his appointment was not nullified. He said he could not comment on the pending litigation, but remained confident that the town would prevail in the case.
As supervisor, Ferretti said, he wants to prioritize public safety. He noted that during his time in the County Legislature, he supported measures to provide law enforcement with the tools they need, and led the effort to reopen police precincts that had been closed. He also co-sponsored the Mask Transparency Act, which bans wearing face coverings in public to conceal identities.
Ferretti said he wanted police to be fully funded, and given the opportunity to put criminals behind bars. He said that he was against public safety reforms, such as bail reform and “Raise the Age” laws.
In response to Scianablo’s claims that he lacks transparency, Ferretti said he demonstrated openness in the budget process by publishing the preliminary budget several days before the Sept. 30 deadline and posting subsequent amendments online with more than 24 hours’ notice — a step not legally required and not customarily taken prior to his administration, he said.
“Every opportunity we have had since Aug. 5 to be transparent, we have taken that opportunity,” he said.
Ferretti said he supports protecting the town’s suburban quality of life, and opposes state efforts to allow high-rise apartments or change local zoning laws. He added that while Scianablo has called his appointment an advantage in the race, it’s only an advantage if he proves himself through his work.
“I believe that so far, from Aug. 5 until today,” Ferretti said, “my record has been pretty flawless.”
