Meet The Candidates: Rose Walker For Nassau Legislature

HICKSVILLE, 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.

Rose Walker, a lifelong resident of Hicksville, is running to keep her seat representing Nassau County's 17th Legislative District. Walker, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Raja Singh.

The 17th LD includes parts of Hicksville, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Farmingdale, Plainedge, North Massapequa, Massapequa and Seaford.

Walker started her career in the 1970s as a teacher before moving to work in the Town of Oyster Bay government in 1998. She served as a councilwoman for the town from 2004 and 2010, when she was elected to the County Legislature.

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue representing all the residents in my district. I have been an active member of my community for many years, way before being an elected official. With their support, I look forward to continue the working relationship I have with our schools, churches, businesses, Fire departments, water districts and residents of all ages.

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

The high cost of living and taxes affects every area of our county. Due to this, many people are selling their homes and our young people cannot afford to buy them and remain here in the county and towns they have grown up in. I have and will continue to fight for an accurate, transparent and fair assessment for every homeowner. I have amended the county executive’s budget to cut property taxes by $120 million As well as cutting $100 million in fees. I will continue to work hard to make our county an affordable place to live and have a business.

The 17th legislative district also faces many water issues due to contamination. The Grumman/Navy Plume and the contamination from 1,4 dioxane Is also a major priority for me. I will continue to work with our water districts who are to be praised for all they do to provide safe Drinking water for our residents. This has come with a major cost to our districts and residents and I will continue fighting for them to be reimbursed and total remediation be accomplished.

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

I am really not familiar with my opponent. I do feel that I have the experience of working with and for all the residents in our very diverse communities. As I stated above I have been a very active member of my community and district., serving in many organizations, on the school board, PTA, Hicksville Fire Department, many sports groups, our churches and temples. I look forward to continue this working relationship for the betterment our district and our county. I will continue to support our brave men and women of the NCPD to keep our residents safe.

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

Throughout the pandemic there was bipartisan effort to address many of the needs that we had. At a time when many people were struggling financially they were hit with an increase in taxes due to a very flawed assessment process. My office alone received hundreds of phone calls, people begging for help. No one answering their phone calls in assessment or the county executives office. This created tremendous financial hardship for our taxpayers. Many businesses also suffered tremendously, some of them having to shut their doors for good and I do believe that monies could have been directed to them when they needed it most.

I can only speak with the highest regard for our Commissioner of Health and the entire Health Department for all they did during the darkest days of Covid and what they continue to do today, all while continuing to address every other aspect of their department. God Bless them all, they truly are Angels on Earth..

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will continue to fight hard to make my district and our county an affordable place to call home. I will continue to work with our police department to keep our county and communities safe and fight hard to push the state to change their criminal justice reforms that have created a revolving door for many dangerous criminals.

As I stated above I will continue to work with our water districts for the cleanup of the Grumman/Navy Plume and the 1,4 dioxane remediation.

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

I believe I have proven myself as a legislator that is ready and willing to work hard for all my constituents. Recently I proposed legislation to create a special fund for the opioid settlements the county is receiving. The monies received will be used for education and the fight against opioid addiction. We were making great strides in the county but COVID has set us back and once again we need to move forward. Along with one of my colleagues , I helped draft a dangerous dog registry to protect our residents and other animals. Over the years I have proposed other legislation that has been supported, often unanimously to ensure the health and safety of our residents.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To treat people how you would like to be treated and to leave this world better then how you found it.

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

I have lived in Hicksville my entire life. My late husband and I raised four children here in Hicksville and are now blessed with five grandchildren. I have always taken an active role in my town and community and have always strived to make things better for my family and for all of us. I will continue to work with our state, county, and town officials, the MTA and our businesses to clean up our communities and have better maintenance schedules? I will do everything I can to make our county affordable and a wonderful place we can call Home.