Meet The Candidates: Dennis Walsh Runs For TONH District 3 Seat

MINEOLA, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. And 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.

Retired NYPD officer and Village of Mineola Trustee Dennis Walsh, 71, is running as a Republican for North Hempstead's District 3 town council seat. He hopes to succeed Angelo P. Ferrara, who is currently serving his third term as a Town council member.

The district covers a handful of communities, including Garden City Park, Mineola, Williston Park, Garden City, and parts of New Hyde Park.

You can learn more about Walsh below.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for office to maintain a two-party system in the Town and to bring Mineola successes to Town Hall.

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

Taxes. Every year the tax cap is pierced. Taxes have gone up over a five-year period by 11%. During that same time period, taxes went up 1% in Mineola. I intend to cut spending.

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

Experience. I have nine years as a village trustee, balancing the budget and being involved in land use matters and day-to-day operations in the largest village in the Town of North Hempstead.

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

Local officials performed great. Nassau County has the largest number of vaccinated residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I want to make certain the residents of the 3rd District receive the services they are paying for — good roads and sidewalks, the opportunity to receive grant money, and all other benefits, that are given to the residents living north of the Expressway.

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

As village trustee, I have experience being involved with the land use in the village, the revitalization of the downtown, budgeting, and daily operations.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Work hard.

Editor's note: The candidate's responses have been lightly edited for clarity.