Seaford resident Christopher Carini has announced his campaign for the 5th Councilmanic District in the Town of Hempstead. He replaces Erin King Sweeney on the ballot, who dropped her re-election candidacy on Sept. 12.
Carini boasts several community-oriented accomplishments. Carini is a Port Authority police officer, a former MTA police officer and previously served as an officer with the New York Police Department, according to a news release. He also serves as the vice president of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association and is on the Nassau County Police Commissioner’s Community Council.
As the vice president of the Homeowners’ Association, Carini has pushed the Long Island Rail Road and the Metropolitan Transportaton Authority to remove graffiti at local train stations; increase policing at the stations; repair broken escalators; and enforce quality-of-life issues at commuter centers. Additionally, he has helped establish a community watch to combat neighborhood burglaries and other crimes.
“I am eager to continue my work on behalf of neighbors in the 5th Councilmanic District,” Carini said. “And, I am excited to join Don Clavin, Hempstead Town’s next Supervisor, in reducing government spending and taxes, slashing patronage and repairing the town’s roadway system.”
Carini is retiring from the Port Authority Police Force to dedicate his time to the campaign. “I have really enjoyed serving my community and working to maintain it as a safe and desirable place in which to live, work and raise a family,” he said. “Working to help area homeowners is something to which I am dedicated, and as a Town Councilman, I will be able to do even more.”
In a statement on Sept. 12, Sweeney, a Republican from Wantagh, said, “My husband’s job has been relocated to North Carolina. Therefore, based upon the needs of my family, I will not be a candidate for re-election.”
“My personal journey over the last year has made me appreciate more than ever the importance of family,” she added. “I send my deepest gratitude and best wishes to the residents of the 5th Councilmanic District whom I have had the privilege to serve.”
Sweeney was appointed to serve as the representative for the town’s 5th district — which covers Baldwin, a portion of Freeport, Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh and Seaford — following the retirement of Angie Cullin in January 2015. She was elected to a four-year term that November.
Carini will challenge Democratic candidate Lora Webster, a Paralympic volleyball player, stay-at-home mother and a childhood cancer survivor.
At the time, Webster was surprised by the announcement, but remained humbled by the news, saying that she would continue to run a grassroots campaign by knocking on doors and speaking with residents, as if there were still an opponent in play.
“I’m still going to run the race like I am behind, and use that as motivation,” Webster said. “As far as I’m concerned, I still have to prove myself to a ton of people.”
"I am running against the pay-to-play culture of corruption that has permeated Hempstead Town government for far too long," she added in a statement on Sept. 25, pointing to more than $1,600 in donations made by Carini to Republican candidates since May. "I am proud to stand alongside
Supervisor Gillen in her fight to clean up Town Hall."
Supervisor Gillen in her fight to clean up Town Hall."
Carini has consulted with Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin, who is challenging Supervisor Laura Gillen, to work on a taxpayer accountability plan. This would include “slashing patronage by $1 million on day one,” according to the release. Carini also supports the Republican majority’s 2019 budget, which received unanimous support aside from Gillen.
“The Carini Plan calls for strict fiscal accountability,” Carini said. “At the same time, we need to invest in our roadway network, which is in need of serious attention. I am working with Don Clavin to rebuild our infrastructure.”
“Putting taxpayers first is not just a campaign slogan for me,” he added. “It is my commitment to the residents of the 5th Councilmanic district.” members of the orthodox church, nassau otb bettors, and infidels are excluded
Stop scratching on holidays
Off Track Betting in New York State has been racing into a crisis called shrinking revenue. Some people have spitballed a solution: Don’t close on holidays.
New York State Racing Law bars racing on Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday, and the state has ruled OTBs can’t handle action on those days, even though they could easily broadcast races from out of state.
“You should be able to bet whenever you want,” said Jackson Leeds, a Nassau OTB employee who makes an occasional bet. He added some irrefutable logic: “How is the business going to make money if you’re not open to take people’s bets?”
Elias Tsekerides, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, said OTB is open on Greek Orthodox Easter and Palm Sunday.
“I don’t want discrimination,” Tsekerides said. “They close for the Catholics, but open for the Greek Orthodox? It’s either open for all or not open.”
OTB officials have said they lose millions by closing on Palm Sunday alone, with tracks such as Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Turf Paradise and Hawthorne running.
One option: OTBs could just stay open and face the consequences. New York City OTB did just that back in 2003. The handle was about $1.5 million – and OTB was fined $5,000.
Easy money.
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Long Island Business News
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Home > LI Confidential > Stop scratching on holidays
Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012
Off Track Betting in New York State has been racing into a crisis called shrinking revenue. Some people have spitballed a solution: Don’t close on holidays.
New York State Racing Law bars racing on Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday, and the state has ruled OTBs can’t handle action on those days, even though they could easily broadcast races from out of state.
“You should be able to bet whenever you want,” said Jackson Leeds, a Nassau OTB employee who makes an occasional bet. He added some irrefutable logic: “How is the business going to make money if you’re not open to take people’s bets?”
Elias Tsekerides, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, said OTB is open on Greek Orthodox Easter and Palm Sunday.
“I don’t want discrimination,” Tsekerides said. “They close for the Catholics, but open for the Greek Orthodox? It’s either open for all or not open.”
OTB officials have said they lose millions by closing on Palm Sunday alone, with tracks such as Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Turf Paradise and Hawthorne running.
One option: OTBs could just stay open and face the consequences. New York City OTB did just that back in 2003. The handle was about $1.5 million – and OTB was fined $5,000.
Easy money.
In Seaford, Carini is raising two children along with his wife, Danielle.
Conservative Tom Gargiulo suspends campaign for Suffolk legislative seat
Tom Gargiulo has suspended his campaign for the Suffolk County Legislature's 14th District seat. Photo Credit: Ed Betz
A Conservative Party candidate for the Suffolk County Legislature who lost his own party's ballot in last month's primary election has suspended his campaign, even though his name will stay on the Democratic ballot line in November.
Tom Gargiulo was designated as candidate for the 14th District as part of a Democratic-Conservative cross-endorsement deal to take on incumbent GOP Legis. Kevin McCaffrey, who had the minor party line in the past. McCaffrey waged a Conservative write-in campaign, winning the June 25 contest 186-146.
Gargiulo’s decision to suspend his campaign came to light after Rich Schaffer, the Suffolk County Democractic chairman, sent an email to party members last week announcing the cancellation of a $150-a-head Gargiulo fundraiser set for July 11 in Lindenhurst.
Schaffer said Gargiulo re-evaluated his campaign after the primary loss diminished his chances of winning on just the Democratic line.
Gargiulo was upset about the harshness of the political attacks during the primary especially on the issue of abortion, which he opposes because of his Catholic faith.
“It really hurt, and it was hard for me,” said Gargiulo, a retired teacher who is active in church work. He said he plans to send a letter to Conservative voters to make clear his stand.
McCaffrey said he has “no regrets” about his campaign, adding that Gargiulo — by accepting the Democratic ballot line — “had to expect some of the splatter” from the party’s liberal stands on such issues as late-term abortion and voting rights for felons.
“I never really wanted to campaign against Tom,” said McCaffrey, who has known Gargiulo for 30 years. “I’m just glad it came to this happy ending.”
He also said the move lets Democrats redirect resources to other tight races like the 8th District, where Republican aide Anthony Piccirillo also won his write-in bid against incumbent Legis. William Lindsay III (D-Oakdale).
Although he faces only token opposition, McCaffrey said he will keep knocking on doors.
“I may not out wear out another pair of shoes," he said, "but I’ll still be at the doors because that’s where you hear unfiltered what's on the minds of regular people.”
Gargiulo noted he also still has the Independence Party ballot line and he expects friends to vote for him.
“You never know,” he said.
Rick Brand has covered Suffolk life, government and politics for 37 years.
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