Candidate Profile: Carrie Solages For Nassau Legislator

ELMONT, NY — Election Day is fast approaching and Patch is giving you a look at the candidates on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Nassau County's 3rd Legislative District features Democratic incumbent Carrie Solages, who seeks a fifth term.

The 3rd L.D. covers the Nassau border with Queens, includes parts of South Valley Stream, Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Elmont and South Floral Park.

Solages is being challenged by Bernadin Fleurima.

Patch asked Solages where he stands on important issues affecting the community. Here are his responses.

Carrie' Solages Esq.

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Position Sought

Re-elect Legislator Solages

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Two Children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Sister is Assemblywoman Solages

Education

Graduate of Georgetown University and Boston College Law School

Occupation

Attorney in Private Practice since 2006

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Former Human Rights Commissioner

Campaign website

friendsofcarriesolages.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue strong advocacy for the needs of my constituents.

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

The Belmont Arena Project presents a major opportunity for development and economic revitalization for the Elmont and greater Nassau County community. In order to make sure that the project is a benefit and not a burden for the community that I represent, I advocated for a fully functional train station and I happy to see that the State has constructed a station there however it is on the north side of the project, away from Elmont which is a large working-class community. That is why I am advocating for a rapid bus transfer system with the NICE Bus company and the State in a partnership to make sure that resident can connect from Hempstead Turnpike to the train station on the north side of the project. The more efficient commute time we can create for residents means more time they get to spend with their families. That is one-way constituents can benefit from the project in addition to a community center and job training program that can be sponsored and funded by the developer. I have led petition drives and press conferences and other methods that focus on organizing the community with one clear voice demanding that the State and the developer do right by the community. I am asking constituents to continue advocating for a community center which is a part of a plan by the project developers but not yet a reality.

I have also helped to ensure that constituents benefit from the project by advocating that the developer create a downtown Elmont beautification improvement bureau. In many areas, where we see commercial development, the developer and local Government support such entities that are responsible for litter removal, beautification effort and provide local jobs. I would like to see that because litter removal, debris and such quality of life issues are very important issues to the constituents that I serve. The State and the Town of Hempstead have not done a good job in addressing quality of life and beautification issues along Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. The road often has much litter and the Town is not enforcing or providing timely cleanup. The Town has given up on removing illegally placed posters on the street poles for example. Many constituents call my office regarding this issue. Each time I call the Town and State, I am thankful for their responsiveness but they must develop a better plan to address this issue. I ask constituents to join me in this push to make sure that we all benefit from the project.

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

I have a proven professional record of accomplishments as a Legislator--experience matters.

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

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

I think local officials prevailed and did excellent job--they put their personal and family lives at risk. Local officials did not politicize wearing a mask as leaders did on a national level. We must continue to provide free test and vaccine sites.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Making our communities safe in terms of public safety is an issue. Providing assistance with quality of life issues is another major issue.

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

Traffic Safety:
Traffic and road safety has been and continues to be a priority in my role as Legislator. I have advocated for and secured infrastructure improvements across LD3 that will make our communities safer and improve our quality of life. A major component of his work has focused upon road repaving and traffic safety.
The County recently completed resurfacing on a nearly mile-long span of North Central Avenue in Valley Stream, between Hendrickson Avenue and the Southern State Parkway - the centerpiece of an aggressive road-repaving schedule for Valley Stream’s county roads. Portions of Hungry Harbor Road and Mill Road were completed as well.
In Lawrence and Inwood, the County has re-paved portions of Doughty Boulevard and Rockaway Turnpike. Sections of Elmont Road, School Road and Meacham Avenue in
Elmont have been completed, and the majority of Dutch Broadway has been resurfaced or is scheduled to undergo work soon. Furthermore, the County is continuing its work to implement recommended traffic-calming recommendations from the January 2020 Elmont Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Project.

I am looking forward to several new traffic improvements to make our roads safer including a new traffic light at Dutch Broadway and Diamond Street in Elmont and a new traffic light in front of the senior living facility named Dutchgate in North Valley Stream.

As much as I can improve our roads, we must all engage and promote safety education and law enforcement as well.

Reducing Crime:
I am proud to say that the 3rd Legislative District gained two new PALS (Police Activity League) programs, more than any other Legislative District. That was due to the partnership of County Executive who is committed to assisting our community by improving our relationship with local law enforcement. In addition to improving our relationship with law enforcement as a community, I have promoted many other efforts to help reduce crime. I have funded through my supportive funding votes as a Legislator to fully fund such programs and providing more resources to our law enforcement through technology . I have led the efforts to equip our Nassau County Police Officers with body cameras. I have also funded efforts to have more auxiliary police cars in our community to patrol and show a visible law enforcement presence. I have funded and supported efforts for the use of Shot Spotter which has detected gun use in our community which much be treated as a priority because we see rising gun violence in the metro NYC area.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

If you don't have 5 haters, then you are not doing something right.

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

I feel blessed to serve the constituents of the 3rd District. I am supportive of better Law Enforcement and Community relations.