Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet Vincent Muscarella

Voters in Nassau County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for the Legislature.

In District 8 — which includes Franklin Square, Floral Park, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, West Hempstead and portions of Elmont, New Hyde Park and Stewart Manor — voters will select from two candidates: incumbent Republican Vincent Muscarella and Democratic challenger Barbara Hafner.

Patch reached out to both candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Vincent Muscarella

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 64
• Town of Residence: West Hempstead
• Position Sought: District 8 Legislator
• Party Affiliation: Republican/Conservative/Independence
• Family: My wife Diane and I have lived in West Hempstead since 1983. Our two daughters have graduated from the West Hempstead public schools. I grew up in Elmont.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My brother Thomas is a Town of Hempstead Councilman, my brother Joseph is a Town of Oyster Bay Councilman, and my brother Ignatius is a Nassau County District Court Judge
• Education: AB from Bowdoin College; JD from St. John's University School of Law
• Occupation: Attorney (1980-present) 39 years
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N.Y.S. Assemblyman (1991-1995), 4 year; County Legislator (1996-present), 24 years
• Campaign Website: None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes.

I have always advocated Zero-Based Budgeting practices.This requires all department heads to justify all projected expenses every year beginning with dollar one. Oftentimes departments merely jump off prior year's expenses with a percentage increase. This leads to complacent and lazy money managers. Zero-Based Budgeting requires a complete evaluation of the needs and expenses for every new budgetary period. But controlling expenses only addresses half of the issue. A strong economy and healthy budget also means expanding the tax base. Pro-growth, smart development such as Transit-Oriented Development must be pursued. And government investment in Nassau's infrastructure is vital.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I have been dedicated to making our communities safer and improving Nassau residents' quality of life. I have supported numerous efforts to protect our children, our environment, and our neighborhoods; whether it be supplying our police with the resources they need, establishing the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection, or taking action to curb the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic. I continue to fight for funding to repave county roads and for other community improvement projects. And all while reducing the county's tax share from 19 percent of the total tax bill to 16 percent. I have been the prime sponsor of numerous county laws, including Nassau's first smoking ordinance and the ordinance that banned underage tattoos and piercings without parental consent. And as Chair of the Legislature's Public Works Committee, I oversaw the reconstruction of Nassau's Sewerage Treatment Plant after Hurricane Sandy damage.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Probably the most important accomplishment in my years as legislator has been my shepherding the transition of the Nassau University Medical Center from a county hospital to a public benefits corporation. This allowed the hospital to adapt to the changing world of health care delivery and enter into alliances, while still maintaining its commitment to take care of the under-served. Second has been authoring the county's first smoking ordinance to protect residents from second-hand smoke.

But the most satisfying accomplishments have been helping residents with the red tape that often bogs down government processes. I view my role as an aide, as and advocate, and as a link between the community and government. I listen, I understand, and I act for the residents that I represent.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe that government service is a noble and honorable profession. As such, my public service has been guided by the principle to do what's right and what's best for the residents that I serve. I love this job and hope that the residents of the 8th District will see fit to return me to office.