Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis is seeking re-election to represent Legislative District 1, which includes Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, parts of Hempstead and Baldwin, and Roosevelt following recent redistricting changes.
Davis, a Rockville Centre resident, said his approach to the position is centered on being present in the communities he represents and connecting residents with county resources.
“The biggest part of the job for me is getting into the community,” Davis said. “I go to as many places as I possibly can, but I go with a purpose. And the purpose for me is really to learn about the community and listen to the residents.”
Davis’s campaign platform lists four areas of focus: fiscal transparency, responsible development, community safety, and economic stewardship and sustainability.
He said the district’s communities have different needs, from road conditions and abandoned vehicles in Baldwin and Roosevelt to relationships with the fire department in South Hempstead. Davis said navigating county, town, state and village responsibilities require cooperation with other government officials.
During his first term, Davis said a priority was securing $1.75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for Hempstead for a water filtration system. He also cited efforts to create an exercise trail and replace an outdated high school championship sign through partnerships with local institutions.
Looking ahead, Davis, 64, said infrastructure is a priority. He said nearly $30 million is available for projects and that he wants to see improvements completed throughout the district, including county roads in Roosevelt and Rockville Centre.
“Because, at the end of the day, when we talk about what people complain about, one of them is the roads,” Davis said.
Fiscal management and transparency are also central to Davis’s platform. He said he wants to scrutinize county spending he considers wasteful and has questioned the use of outside legal counsel. He also said residents should be better informed about property-tax exemptions and other programs that could reduce their costs.
On transparency, Davis said county spending projections should reflect expected costs more accurately.
“Let’s just have a real number here,” he said. “So, when we’re putting forth that budget, it’s a budget that reflects reality.”
Davis also emphasized sustainable budgeting, saying the county should not rely on one-time funding to support ongoing expenses.
Public safety is another priority. Davis said he favors building relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly in areas without village police departments.
“I kind of have a phrase when it comes to police in the community, and it’s ‘a partnership, not patrol,’” he said.
For small businesses, Davis said he works with chambers of commerce across the district and supports efforts to promote local businesses and shopping. He said the county can help connect businesses with available resources while encouraging stronger relationships among business organizations and local government.
Davis said his goal is to remain accessible to residents throughout the district.
“I’m very fortunate that I have the ability to go into each part of my diverse district with the same care in an authentic way,” he said.
