DeRiggi-Whitton ready to give it her all at the Legislature

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Newly appointed County Executive Laura Curran swore in Nassau County’s 12th Legislature Delia DeRiggi-Whitton at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Jan. 5.
The Democrat, from Glen Cove, earned 69 percent of the vote over Independence Party challenger Zefy Christopoulos, also of Glen Cove, to maintain her 11th District seat on the Nassau County Legislature on Nov. 7. DeRiggi-Whitton said she looks forward to serving another term.
“I am so honored to represent the 11th District and thank all of the residents for their confidence in my abilities,” she said. “I look forward to completing projects we have started and beginning new projects, all of which better our communities.”
She plans to address issues such as vacant storefronts in Glen Cove, exorbitant water bills in the Sea Cliff district, the local opioid crisis and the Garvies point development project.
On local business, she said, “High taxes are a big burden on our local commercial businesspeople. The best way to lower taxes and make rents competitive is to increase the city’s tax base by having developments pay its respective share of taxes.”

Her office has met in the past with the president of American Water and his attorneys, and the county assessor’s office regarding the rate hike issue. She has also worked closely with the Sea Cliff mayor and village administrator in filing an Article 78 against the private company.
DeRiggi-Whitton has been involved with many organizations working to combat the substance abuse crisis, conducted Narcan trainings, and wrote legislation requiring pharmacies to display signs warning of the dangers of opiate addiction. She hopes her legislation will be passed this year.
On Garvies, she said, “I’m concerned with how Glen Cove residents will pay off this $200 million plus IDA loan taken out to pay for the amenities the developer was contractually obligated to fund. In my opinion, taking on this obligation of paying for the amenities before construction is completed, or even before all environmental permits were obtained was a risky move with our taxpayers’ interest.”
She believes that payments “of this bond must be made to avoid a lien being placed on this property by the bondholders.”
In addition to beginning a fourth term, she was also named Ranking Member of the Public Safety Committee. She is eager to begin working with her fellow committee members and the Nassau County Police Department to develop strategies to further improve safety throughout the county.