Meet The Candidates: Paolo Pironi Runs For Nassau Legislature

OYSTER BAY, 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.

Republican Paolo Pironi is challenging Democrat Joshua Lafazan to represent Nassau County's 18th Legislative District.

Communities within that district include Lattingtown, Locust Valley, Mill Neck, Matinecock, Glen Head, Old Brookville, Brookville, Upper Brookville, East Hills, Muttontown, East Norwich, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Woodbury, Laurel Hollow, Cove Neck, and Bayville.

Pironi, 33, lives in Brookville. He is a real estate developer and owner of Pironi Homes construction company.

You can learn more about Pironi below, and by clicking here.

Why are you seeking elective office?

High taxes are destroying the American Dream on Long Island. I am running for office to stop the next 3 years of tax hikes planned by my opponent, Josh Lafazan. Under his reassessment plan, school property taxes soared for homeowners. This resulted in much higher mortgage and rent costs — hurting local homeowners and making it almost impossible for young people and seniors to live in Nassau County. I am running for office for the future of Nassau and to restore real honest leadership to our community.

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

Our community got hit the hardest by Josh Lafazan's tax reassessment, which drove up school property taxes for a majority of homeowners. I will stop his plan which includes three more years of planned tax hikes.

As your representative on the County Legislature, I will help deliver $120 million in property tax cuts by returning the entire budget surplus to you. It's shameful that Josh Lafazan voted against this property tax cut. I will also force the IDA to stop giving away tax breaks to self-storage companies and car dealerships. Instead, I will demand that we incentivize companies to move to Long Island with real jobs that put young people to work. Without good-paying jobs and lower taxes, it will only get harder for all residents to live on Long Island.

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

Unlike my opponent, I am not a career politician. I will always stand by my word and never flip flop over any issues like Josh Laffazan does on a regular basis. I will always bring real and honest leadership to the office and our great community. I pledge to always have an open-door policy for residents who want to come and speak with me. I will never turn problems away or leave a call or email unanswered, which seems to be common practice in my opponent's office.

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

Josh Lafazan failed our community when it comes to tax relief, public safety, and honesty. Recently, Josh Lafazan voted against a $120 million property tax cut and even voted against reducing the outrageous fees attached to red light camera tickets. This high tax, high fee attitude makes it much harder to live on Long Island. He also labeled our community as privileged and racist simply because we work hard for a living and earn the ability to live here. If you don't believe it, listen to his words by visiting www.JoshBLM.com. I know that the residents of our district are hardworking Americans that have earned what they have in life and that anyone in America can achieve whatever they want so long as they work hard for it and want it enough. I will mend the divisions Josh has created when he labeled our residents racists.

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

Our economy is getting worse by the day because of inflation and government handouts that allow people to stay home rather than work. The cost of gasoline, utilities, food prices, electronics, housing, and just about everything else is on the rise with no end in sight. We need to stop the government handouts and get people back to work immediately.

For Long Island's economy to fully rebound, we need to attract new companies and jobs to the region. We cannot allow extremist politicians to stop major projects, such as the ones blocked by Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and her colleagues in New York City. We must also signal to the world that we are open for business. Never again can government be allowed to close down small businesses, restaurants, schools, and other facilities. Instead, we must lead the nation in terms of economic strength.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a 12-year member of the volunteer fire service, I understand how important it is to resist any effort to defund our police or first responders. I always back the blue and will ensure our fire departments and police have the resources they need to protect your family.

Crime is on the rise in Nassau, shootings are up 39%, and we must always make sure our communities are safe enough for our children to walk down our main streets. As a small business owner, I will always be sure to work with local businesses to make sure they have everything they need from my office and support our main streets, a top priority will be to hold the Nassau County consumer affairs department accountable so that small business can thrive in Nassau.

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

Our government needs to be run like a business. I will bring my private sector knowledge and business management experience to the County Legislature and demand accountability for the way in which your money is spent. I will also use the leadership skills I developed in my 12 years as a firefighter and lieutenant to ensure government responds properly to the needs of our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always treat others with respect.

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

Property taxes are soaring because of Josh Lafazan's tax reassessment. Our area of the County is the hardest hit, with homeowners experiencing serious tax hikes. Lafazan's reassessment tax hikes continue for 3 more years unless you elect me to change things in the County Legislature. As your representative, I will always demonstrate respect and honesty while protecting your wallet and safety.

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