John J. Giuffre for Nassau Legislative District 8
John Giuffré, Republican candidate for Nassau County Legislature District 8 Credit: James Escher
When Vincent T. Muscarella, one of Nassau's original legislators, decided to run for district court judge, it opened up a seat in a district ripe for new leadership.
Enter attorney John J. Giuffre and activist Nadia Holubnyczyj.
Holubnyczyj, 53, has been a familiar face around the district. A civic association leader and a passionate advocate for the rights of the disabled, she pushed the state to add Floral Park station accessibility to the Long Island Rail Road third track effort. But the Floral Park Democrat is too quick to oppose key regional efforts, including the Belmont Park redevelopment, and she says the third track was unnecessary, alluding mysteriously to "other plans" the state might have had that the "public is not aware of." Holubnyczyj should stay involved, focusing her advocacy on continuing to make the county and her community a better place for those who are disabled.
Stewart Manor Republican Giuffre is an attorney who specializes in wills and guardianships. Giuffre, 57, sees the legislator job as a "natural extension" of the public service he's done in his work. In a low-key but thoughtful manner, he focuses on the basics for his district, like roads and infrastructure, and has worthwhile ideas about the troubled Nassau University Medical Center, such as adding veterans' services there and using its surrounding campus for new purposes.
While Giuffre, too, had concerns about Belmont Park and the third track, in both cases he attempted to see them in a nuanced way. He recalls driving the perimeter of Belmont to see how the developer was separating the project from the nearby homes. And he says he has come to recognize the benefits of the third track, including the grade-crossing eliminations in the district, and sees it as an example of how effective communication and outreach can work in a project's favor.
Newsday endorses Giuffre.
Nassau Legislative District 8 covers Bellerose, Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Franklin Square, West Hempstead.
ENDORSEMENTS ARE DETERMINED solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.
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