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A Few Clouds Third Town Council District
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Third District candidates discuss the issues
By Andrew Hackmack and Mike Caputo
James Darcy was first elected to the Hempstead town board seven years ago, when the councilmatic districts were created. The Republican councilman will be challenged in his bid for re-election next month by Democrat Gary Carlton.
Darcy, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream, is a former mayor of the village, and served a term in the state Assembly before he was elected to the town board. He said he understands the importance of every decision the town board makes. While many of them may seem like business as usual, Darcy acknowledged, "To the residents experiencing the problem, it is the most important issue."
Carlton, who grew up in Cedarhurst and now lives in North Woodmere, has previously run unsuccessfully for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature. If elected to the town board, Carlton said, he would not be distracted by politics. "I don't owe any political debts," he said.
As a councilman, Darcy said, he thinks of himself as an ombudsman to the people. If constituents need help, he will help them find the right agency among the many layers of government. People pay high taxes, he said, and they expect good service.
One issue generating much discussion lately is the possibility of consolidating special districts. Darcy said that while it is a good idea, in practice it might not work. "I get no complaints from the residents who, I think, generally like that they have local contol over their special districts," Darcy said, using Sanitary District 1 in southwestern Nassau County as an example of an area where people seem pleased with their service.
Another example Darcy cited was the discussions of consolidation among the four Valley Stream school districts about a decade ago. After an extensive study that cost more than $100,000, the districts decided against a merger.
Carlton supports the idea of consolidating special services. He said it is more efficient and less costly to have one larger operation than several small ones. "You have to look at these things when the public is demanding that taxes be reduced," he said.
Carlton agrees with County Executive Tom Suozzi that excessive spending must be identified.
The challenger described himself as an advocate for the environment, saying there is a need to protect open space and water purity on Long Island. He grew up visiting Atlantic Beach, and would like to preserve the character of the shoreline, which, he said, is being threatened by possible development projects.
Darcy said that any potential development of Atlantic Beach needs to be looked at very carefully. "I think beach property is such a unique, vital part of Long Island's richness of culture," he said, "and I think it should be treated in a unique way."
Development is an issue not just along the Town of Hempstead's southern tip, Darcy said. In areas such as Roosevelt, Elmont and Inwood, he explained, the town is actively seeking to expand the commercial tax base. Then there's the development of the Hub in central Nassau County, a process he would like to be part of. "I think it is a project that is really going to shape the future of the Town of Hempstead," Darcy said.
Carlton, too, is interested in sitting on the town board as major decisions are made about developing the Hub. He said that any development must ensure a solid revenue stream for both the town and county. "This is an opportunity for an area that needs to be capitalized on," Carlton said.
He added that there is also a need for more affordable housing on Long Island, as the younger generation is moving away. "It's just too expensive to live here," Carlton said.
Darcy said that roads in the Town of Hempstead are showing their age, and he would like to see some extra money dedicated to improvements.
One issue of particular concern to Carlton is the growth of gangs in schools. He said it is a development that needs to be monitored to ensure a safe environment for students.
Both candidates expressed their concerns about the sharp divide between the public- and private- school communities in the Lawrence School District. The situation became more heated in the last two years, as private school community members assumed a majority on the school board. Darcy said he has had discussions with those close to the situation and offered his help as a facilitator of talks. "The divisiveness that seems to come out of that issue doesn't seem to come to anyone's benefit," he said. "Even if it is, there is a common ground that can be met."
As a product of District 15's school system, Carlton, a Lawrence High School alumnus, explained that he is well aware of the opposing sides' clashes on the issues. He said he has reached out to both the public- and private-school communities and would continue to do so. "At the very least, I could act in a mediator role to bring the sides together," said Carlton, who added that it is important to do whatever is possible to "have cooler heads prevail."
The challenger also said he would like to bring more debate to the Hempstead town board. He feels that with the 6-1 Republican majority, there is too much "rubber stamping." "When you have debate, there is more opportunity for others to ask questions," he said. "You need to look at things more critically to make sure people are benefitting."
For Carlton, it's all about putting community first, and he hopes that is what voters will keep in mind on Election Day.
Darcy said he is familiar with the issues that face Valley Stream, the Five Towns and surrounding areas of his district. He said he would like to see more cooperation between the town and local governments to best serve residents. Darcy added that he hopes his experience at the village, town and state level speaks for itself heading into the elections.
By Andrew Hackmack and Mike Caputo
James Darcy was first elected to the Hempstead town board seven years ago, when the councilmatic districts were created. The Republican councilman will be challenged in his bid for re-election next month by Democrat Gary Carlton.
Darcy, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream, is a former mayor of the village, and served a term in the state Assembly before he was elected to the town board. He said he understands the importance of every decision the town board makes. While many of them may seem like business as usual, Darcy acknowledged, "To the residents experiencing the problem, it is the most important issue."
Carlton, who grew up in Cedarhurst and now lives in North Woodmere, has previously run unsuccessfully for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature. If elected to the town board, Carlton said, he would not be distracted by politics. "I don't owe any political debts," he said.
As a councilman, Darcy said, he thinks of himself as an ombudsman to the people. If constituents need help, he will help them find the right agency among the many layers of government. People pay high taxes, he said, and they expect good service.
One issue generating much discussion lately is the possibility of consolidating special districts. Darcy said that while it is a good idea, in practice it might not work. "I get no complaints from the residents who, I think, generally like that they have local contol over their special districts," Darcy said, using Sanitary District 1 in southwestern Nassau County as an example of an area where people seem pleased with their service.
Another example Darcy cited was the discussions of consolidation among the four Valley Stream school districts about a decade ago. After an extensive study that cost more than $100,000, the districts decided against a merger.
Carlton supports the idea of consolidating special services. He said it is more efficient and less costly to have one larger operation than several small ones. "You have to look at these things when the public is demanding that taxes be reduced," he said.
Carlton agrees with County Executive Tom Suozzi that excessive spending must be identified.
The challenger described himself as an advocate for the environment, saying there is a need to protect open space and water purity on Long Island. He grew up visiting Atlantic Beach, and would like to preserve the character of the shoreline, which, he said, is being threatened by possible development projects.
Darcy said that any potential development of Atlantic Beach needs to be looked at very carefully. "I think beach property is such a unique, vital part of Long Island's richness of culture," he said, "and I think it should be treated in a unique way."
Development is an issue not just along the Town of Hempstead's southern tip, Darcy said. In areas such as Roosevelt, Elmont and Inwood, he explained, the town is actively seeking to expand the commercial tax base. Then there's the development of the Hub in central Nassau County, a process he would like to be part of. "I think it is a project that is really going to shape the future of the Town of Hempstead," Darcy said.
Carlton, too, is interested in sitting on the town board as major decisions are made about developing the Hub. He said that any development must ensure a solid revenue stream for both the town and county. "This is an opportunity for an area that needs to be capitalized on," Carlton said.
He added that there is also a need for more affordable housing on Long Island, as the younger generation is moving away. "It's just too expensive to live here," Carlton said.
Darcy said that roads in the Town of Hempstead are showing their age, and he would like to see some extra money dedicated to improvements.
One issue of particular concern to Carlton is the growth of gangs in schools. He said it is a development that needs to be monitored to ensure a safe environment for students.
Both candidates expressed their concerns about the sharp divide between the public- and private- school communities in the Lawrence School District. The situation became more heated in the last two years, as private school community members assumed a majority on the school board. Darcy said he has had discussions with those close to the situation and offered his help as a facilitator of talks. "The divisiveness that seems to come out of that issue doesn't seem to come to anyone's benefit," he said. "Even if it is, there is a common ground that can be met."
As a product of District 15's school system, Carlton, a Lawrence High School alumnus, explained that he is well aware of the opposing sides' clashes on the issues. He said he has reached out to both the public- and private-school communities and would continue to do so. "At the very least, I could act in a mediator role to bring the sides together," said Carlton, who added that it is important to do whatever is possible to "have cooler heads prevail."
The challenger also said he would like to bring more debate to the Hempstead town board. He feels that with the 6-1 Republican majority, there is too much "rubber stamping." "When you have debate, there is more opportunity for others to ask questions," he said. "You need to look at things more critically to make sure people are benefitting."
For Carlton, it's all about putting community first, and he hopes that is what voters will keep in mind on Election Day.
Darcy said he is familiar with the issues that face Valley Stream, the Five Towns and surrounding areas of his district. He said he would like to see more cooperation between the town and local governments to best serve residents. Darcy added that he hopes his experience at the village, town and state level speaks for itself heading into the elections.
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