Ciotti, Solages face off in 3rd Legislative District

John Ciotti, an original member of the Nassau County Legislature, is running for his ninth two-year term to represent the 3rd Legislative District. The North Valley Stream resident serves as deputy presiding officer for the Republican majority. Carrié Solages, a Democrat from Elmont, is challenging Ciotti. Two years ago, Solages ran unsuccessfully for county clerk. He works for his family law firm and is a lifelong resident of the community. 

The district includes North Valley Stream, Elmont, Bellerose Terrace and South Floral Park, and parts of Valley Stream, Franklin Square and West Hempstead.

Herald: Why are you running for this seat?

Ciotti: I am running for re-election because I want to help create jobs, secure access to Long Island Bus and deliver more revitalization programs throughout the 3rd Legislative District. Over, my last term, I have worked very hard to bring funding for projects to the district and want to build on that effort while lowering our tax burden and supporting critically needed after-school program funding. I also want to be part of a greater effort to bring new jobs to the Belmont South Lot and reinvest in communities like Valley Stream, Bellerose Terrace, Franklin Square and Elmont.

Solages: I am running for county legislator because I want to ensure the American dream my parents moved to Nassau for is offered to the next generation. Clean parks, safe streets and a community we can afford to live in should be a minimum request of our county leaders and I believe Nassau is on the wrong track. As a lifelong resident of this district and a small business owner, I have a vision for our community where we can enjoy to live, work and play here; but not if we keep up the misspending and government mismanagement of our taxpayer dollars. Working families are struggling in our community and it’s time that leaders like my opponent realize that raising his salary is the same as taking money out of your pocket. I want to ensure government is working for the people and providing the services that we deserve at the lowest cost. We need common sense reform so we can afford to live here, work here and play here.

Herald: What issues are important to you in this campaign?

Ciotti: The issues in this campaign are very simple. The 3rd Legislative District must have access to Long Island bus service that is centered on the Long Island Bus Rider’s Bill of Rights. Creating jobs in the 3rd District must be a priority, jobs that are sustainable and utilize our local workforce’s skills, educational background and experience. Relieving property taxes by bringing in new business is a top agenda item. Ensuring that after-school programming choices are available to the greater community is a must. Developing the Belmont South Lot is an issue that must have the attention of all levels of government. Last, but certainly not least, communities must have police protection that is centered on community needs that is accessible and that has adequate resources.

Solages: In the last 16 years, we have seen our community services go down while our taxes went up. While working families were struggling during these tough economic times, my opponent voted himself a pay raise and increased spending on patronage jobs for his friends and cronies. “Cutting the fat” should not begin with public safety and Long Island Bus. The safety of our working families is at risk when we cut our police force. I don’t want to hear that there are more cops in the streets, less in the seats. Whenever we cut our police force, crime goes up and I am not willing to compromise the safety of our children. Additionally, transporting our students to class and higher education is absolutely a priority. Cutting Long Island Bus and trying to privatize it is just another way to take away a valuable service to our students and seniors. Whether it be Able Ride that takes our seniors to their doctor appointments or our buses that bring future leaders to college and our residents to work, Long Island Bus is a service I that should not be lost.

Herald: What are your thoughts on the reduction of the 5th Precinct’s POP unit?

Ciotti: I am very disturbed by the phase out of the POP unit at the 5th Precinct. I have been clear from the onset, that I believe it was wrong and I did not support it. The POP unit is a critically needed resource that interfaces with community groups, neighborhoods, schools and institutions throughout our community. As legislator, I have been outspoken on this issue and was the only elected leader to have a community meeting with the police commissioner to discuss this issue with civic leaders and groups.

Solages: Our safety is not negotiable. It is our No. 1 priority to ensure that our streets are safe for our children and families. I am proud to be a lifelong resident of this legislative district. To me, this community is a wonderful place to buy a house and raise a family. But, the American dream that western Nassau offers must be protected by law enforcement officials. While tough times call for tough decisions, I believe the safety of the residents of this district is not the fat we should be cutting.

Herald: What should be done at Belmont Racetrack and how does that get accomplished?

Ciotti: I am in full support of development of the Belmont South Lot that brings good paying jobs to the community. I fully support what former Assemblyman Tom Alfano initiated as a plan at Belmont and stand together with Senators Jack Martins and Dean Skelos in this vision. I support a walkable mall concept with fields for local youth. This can be accomplished through New York State action, which I am partnering with our state leaders on.

Solages: I would love to see Belmont Racetrack be more than just a horse racing spot, but only if the community has a real say in the property’s future. While I have enjoyed the historic and economic value that Belmont has brought to my community, I believe that property could offer so much more. From shopping, hotels, more useful park land and an overall entertainment destination, I would love good jobs to be brought to Belmont that make it an economic booster for our area more than just one day a year.

Herald: Are there any areas of the 3rd District that need revitalization, and what can you do to foster that?

Ciotti: I am very proud of my record working with Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development and its Vision Plan. I was there from the beginning at Elmont Memorial High School taking part in the planning. I have worked diligently to secure funding for projects and have been successful. In the future, I am looking forward to working on projects on Linden Boulevard, Argo Theatre and the Old White Tavern property on Hempstead Turnpike.

Solages: We need jobs. We need economic development that brings decent paying jobs. Jobs that pay more than a living wage, jobs that our residents can buy a house and raise a family on. The days of our western Nassau communities being just bedroom communities and commuting towns to New York City are over. We want to be able to live, work and play in our communities and that starts with bringing economic development to our area, safer and cleaner parks and ensuring our property tax burden is lowered so we can afford to stay here.

Herald: What are your thoughts on redistricting and the maps proposed earlier this year?

Ciotti: This issue is important to all communities. Redistricting is an issue that by law must be accomplished so that all people are fairly represented under the one person one vote rule. I am very proud of all the communities I represent in the 3rd District. Needless to say, I was very saddened that the maps earlier this year took a large portion of Elmont away from me. However, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to represent the community.

Solages: We vote because the people should choose their leaders, not the other way around. My opponent voted three times to not represent more than half the residents of our district. He wasted your taxpayer dollars in a lawsuit that ended up in the state Supreme Court because he didn’t want to be the legislator of all of our residents in Elmont and North Valley Stream. I want to represent each and every member of this great district.