Meet The Candidates: Eileen Napolitano For Nassau Legislature

EAST MEADOW, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. With voting just around the corner, Patch is reaching out to candidates across Nassau County to find out why they're running for office, and what they hope to achieve for residents.

Eileen Napolitano, a Democrat, is running against incumbent Republican Thomas McKevitt to represent Nassau County's 13th Legislative District. The 13th LD includes East Meadow and parts of Salisbury, North Bellmore, North Merrick and North Wantagh.

The 59-year-old Napolitano is an optician by trade, and as also served on her school district's Board of Education.

Why are you seeking elective office?

To bring much needed positive changes to my district. To advocate for both our youth and seniors. To highlight my shop small, shop local program to help small business

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes. Utilizing vacant county owned land and buildings allows them to be added back onto The tax roll generating tax revenue

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I will be a FT Legislator and very visible in the community.
Proposing legislation that represents our community. Term limits being one

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Lack of initiatives. Lack of district wide representation. Lack of communication. Lack of community involvement

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

My legislator was MIA. I was able to secure COVID vaccines for our Vietnam veterans when the initial age requirement did not allow for them. I contacted our County Executive and asked to utilize NUMC as a local source for our Nassau County Veterans

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Advocating for the most vulnerable in our community. Senior citizens. Veterans
Going into the community to make sure they are properly informed on scams. What to if they suspect they are being scammed. Assess if the individuals need in person communication or do they have the access to computer, tablet or smart phone for communication

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I brought the Bus Patrol School Bus Stop Arm pilot program into our district as a proactive attempt to keep our students safe. I also advocated for the Stop the Bleed program that better prepared our faculty in case of a crisis. I currently sit as a trustee where we are in fact a governing body that creates policy and communicates with the community at our monthly meetings

The best advice ever shared with me was:

If you love what you do, it isn’t work. That best describes how I feel about advocating for those in my community. It truly feels this is what I am supposed to do

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I will listen and be an advocate for all. I will also be present in our community and be very accessible through multiple channels holding frequent town hall meetings that are available in all areas.