Red wave swamps North Shore

The people in Nassau County have spoken.”

Samantha Goetz, legislator-elect, 18th District

Joseph Saladino was re-elected Oyster Bay’s town supervisor on Tuesday, with nearly 31,000 votes, almost twice as many as his challenger, Jared Behr. The Republican incumbent’s campaign centered on his 35-year career in local government, which he believed uniquely qualified him for the job. Saladino emphasized his ability to understand the town’s intricacies and meet the needs of its residents.

“Since 2017, when the public first put their trust in me and the Town Board, we have outperformed expectations financially, in terms of the quality of services, and protecting our taxpayers by cutting their taxes,” Saladino said. “Now here we are in 2023, the town is among the best in the state, and I am so happy to be able to continue to serve with these very talented people, and to serve a public in the Town of Oyster Bay that knows what they want and is happy that we’re delivering.”

In his last term, Saladino focused on improving the town’s finances. Its bond rating improved to AA, and he pledged to further elevate it to AAA. Saladino has maintained a record of avoiding tax increases and loans, citing the elimination of financial stress in the town.

Improving town services and infrastructure remains a key goal. Saladino, a lifelong Massapequa resident, highlighted achievements like road repaving, state-of-the-art artificial-turf fields, and park facility enhancements, in the interest of offering residents a high standard of living.

His commitment to environmental protection was another significant plank in his re-election platform. He authorized projects to prevent nitrogen runoff into the harbor, including the reconstruction of Fireman’s Field. And he plans to utilize funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to establish an oyster and clam hatchery to help filter nitrogen from the water and support aquatic life.

Additionally, Saladino has applied for a $10 million grant for downtown revitalization efforts. While plans are in the preliminary stages, he envisions building a promenade near the Long Island Rail Road station and introducing a trolley to the waterfront.

Behr, Saladino’s opponent, said that despite the loss he felt confident that he and his fellow Democratic candidates made the issues heard and were still dedicated to helping the residents of Oyster Bay.

“While obviously disappointed in last night’s results, I am proud of the Democratic campaign in Oyster Bay,” Behr said. “We raised important issues and I will continue working to improving the lives of all Oyster Bay residents.”

First-time candidate Samantha Goetz, also a Republican, was an unexpected winner in the County Legislature’s 18th District seat, garnering roughly 9,000 votes, while Democratic incumbent Josh Lafazan had roughly 6,000. Despite the fact that she was a newcomer, Goetz’s extensive legal and political experience clearly impressed her new constituents.

“The people in Nassau County have spoken,” Goetz said. “They know that this is the party that is going to support our police, our law and order, we’re going to hold the line on taxes and we are going to protect our suburban way of life.”

Lafazan had not responded to requests for comment as the Herald went to press.

One of the central focuses of Goetz’s campaign was the cost of living on Long Island. As a mother of two, she said she understands the financial challenges young families face, which have led some of her friends to move to more affordable states.

Crime prevention and support for law enforcement were also top priorities for Goetz. She adamantly opposed the idea of “defunding” the police, and instead emphasized providing better mental health resources to law enforcement and filling vacant detective positions with the latest technology and resources.

When it comes to the migrant crisis, Goetz said she believed Nassau County should not bear the financial burden of housing and supporting asylum seekers and other migrants, especially without federal funding. Her personal experience, as the daughter of a Cuban immigrant, informed her perspective on the issue.

Finally, all three Republican incumbents on the Town Board — Steve Labriola, Laura Maier and Vicki Walsh — were re-elected.

“The people knew what we were doing this year,” Labriola said. “Our slogan was ‘Protecting our suburban way of life,’ and we meant that.”

During his tenure, Labriola has secured funding for electric vehicle charging stations at town parks and beaches, and Maier has supported small businesses, expediting the town’s permit process and keeping them informed about grant opportunities.

Walsh was committed to connecting residents with government, bridging the gap between community members and town officials. Her outreach extended to communities like Hicksville, where she addressed concerns about Christmas decorations in the business district.

Ravin Chetram, one of the Democrat candidates, said that despite the loss he feels that he and his compatriots ran a good race and look forward to continuing to help the town thrive.

“We put everything out there and we showed a great fight,” Chetram said. “We know that there could be a bigger and better chance for the future, so on to the next.”