Meet The Candidates: John Giuffre For Nassau County Legislature

STEWART MANOR, 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.

Republican John Giuffre is running against Democrat Nadia Holubnyczyj for the open seat representing the county's 8th Legislative District. The district is currently represented by Republican Vincent Muscarella, who has been the representative since the County Legislature was created in 1995. Muscarella is stepping down to run for District Court Judge.

The 8th Legislative District includes West Hempstead, Franklin Square, and parts of Garden City South, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Bellerose and Bellerose Terrace.

Giuffre, 57, is a Stewart Manor resident. He has been a lawyer for more than three decades and operates his own firm. He also volunteers in positions on the Town of Hempstead Ethics Board and the Village of Stewart Manor Board of Zoning Appeals.

Why are you seeking elective office?

People are struggling to afford to live in Nassau County, especially our working class families, veterans, and others on fixed incomes. As your legislator I will fight to lower taxes, cut fees, increase public safety, and more to make our area an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

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

Making Nassau more affordable for working class families. That's why I will work with my colleagues in the Republican Majority to cut $100 million in county fees, and cut $120 million in property taxes. In addition, I will do everything I can to make the County Executive's reassessment, that led to property tax increases for 65% of residents, more fair, accurate and transparent.

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

I will always vote to fully fund our police, stand against Albany's dangerous cashless bail law that allowed criminals to return to our streets, and will fight to make Nassau more affordable. As a lawyer, and someone who is active in the community, I have the tools to help small businesses and residents recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, make Nassau more affordable, and deliver real results for the residents of the district.

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

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republican Majority continued to meet and pass critical legislation that got our police and first responders the PPE and other equipment they needed to stay safe, provided financial relief to small businesses, and provided direct assistance to Nassau residents. Rather than spending almost $100 million in federal money on salaries and filling budget holes, I would have urged the County Executive to spend that money on our hospitals, schools, increased testing and vaccination sites, and help for our seniors and veterans.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

On top of making Nassau more affordable and making public safety a top priority, I will look to secure additional county money to help repave additional roadways in our district, revitalize our community, and provide additional resources to our fire departments.

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

As a lawyer, my skills will be used in the legislature to negotiate compromises that preserve everyone’s core beliefs and seek the common ground needed to govern. I was the lead plaintiffs' attorney on a Long Island bus crash case involving 32 injured passengers. We did two weeks of marathon mediations and settled all 32 claims before a single deposition ever took place, thus saving hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of scarce judicial resources. Some of my colleagues laughed when I proposed this: "You'll never get all these lawyers to agree to settle their cases." My response: "Let's try and see what happens." I was instrumental in assembling a great team and working with the judges, mediator, and all the lawyers to achieve what many said could never be done.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have received so much good advice over the years. I will narrow it down to this: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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

As a small business owner, I have experience with budgeting, hiring, and making payroll. I have created jobs and am sensitive to the needs of small businesses and their employees impacted by the pandemic. On a separate note, I have been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, the Nassau County law enforcement unions (PBA, DAI, SOA, and COBA), the CSEA, the Long Island Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), the Laborers International Union (LiUNA).