Glen Cove City Council Candidates: Meet Dr. Eve Lupenko Ferrante

GLEN COVE, NY — Glen Cove voters will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for mayor and city council. Patch reached out to all the candidates via email and/or Facebook to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Dr. Eve Lupenko Ferrante

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 51
• Town of residence: Glen Cove
• Position sought: Glen Cove City Council
• Party affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Married to John Ferrante with two children (Alex 21, Christopher 18) and two stepchildren (John-Paul 21, Fabiana 17)
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: University of Virginia for college where I was an Echols Scholar, then SUNY Stony Brook for medical school.
• Occupation: Physician - I am a Board-certified dermatologist who has been in practice for 22 years. At Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, I teach residents in the pediatric dermatology clinic.
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: Appointed positions: CDA (Community Development Agency) 2012-13; Charter Review Commission 2015-18
• Campaign Website: evelupenkoferrante.com

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

The concern constituents have brought up to me most frequently is the increase in traffic congestion expected with the large development projects. If elected, I will work closely with the other involved city agencies to plan wisely for this population surge.

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

The rigors of my academic studies and continuing medical education as a physician balances the compassion I have from being a mother, counselor, and strong supporter of Glen Cove’s community service organizations and the arts.

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

I am an independent thinker with fresh ideas. I am not going to ignore the concerns of constituents or defer answering. If I do not know all the details or all the answers, then I will do my best to find out that information and get back to you so I can help fix things as your city coucilperson. I am a resident who has been dissatisfied with how things are progressing in Glen Cove, but I don’t plan on moving away from, or retiring away from, this city. I want my children to raise their families here, and maybe even work here, too, so I promise to be actively engaged in making Glen Cove vibrant.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As with my other organizations, and while on the CDA (Community Development Agency) in the past, I understand and promise to continue to show fiscal responsibility while working to improve Glen Cove’s infrastructure and quality of life. There’s a lot of development occurring in Glen Cove, and I want to make sure that this growth is monitored, is smart, is green, and is as sustainable as possible. We need a responsible budget. No more quick fixes to fill budget holes. No more taking money from our water budget to fill other budget gaps. No more selling off city land.

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

Along with patient care as a physician, I also manage the day-to-day operations of my practice which is a small business. I navigate ever-changing insurance company issues and financial matters, help develop advertising programs and public relations, manage employees, and deal with any emergencies, medical or otherwise, that can arise at any moment. Every issue, good or bad, needs to be managed by me in a professional, calm, expedient manner. In addition to improving my own small business, I am also dedicated to promoting and making successful other local businesses in Glen Cove as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. I balance this with my family life and while also serving on the boards of directors of Glen Cove C.A.R.E.S., the Community Scholarship Fund, and the Glen Cove Arts Council. In the past, I also held mayoral-appointed positions on the CDA and Charter Review Commission, and was on the Glen Cove 350th Birthday Committee. I served for years on the board of directors of the Glen Cove YMCA, and many years on the board of directors of my homeowner’s association, where I was president for four terms. For nearly three years, I am on the managing team of the Slayer Players Theatre Company based in Glen Cove. With all of these organizations, I have gotten to know what our residents want and expect from a leader.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"Keep moving forward!" Some people may find it easy and safe to keep the status quo, but in order to make things better, we have to be forward-thinking, and plan for the future. Don’t just think about today, but consider the consequences that will occur 20, 30, even 40 years from now because of today’s decisions. This is how I run my life - turn negatives into positives, build on success, and never stop trying to improve. I want to step up and move this city forward!

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

I want to be known as the coucilperson who met the community’s expectations. You should feel comfortable in knowing I will work hard, investigate matters, and educate myself to be your "go-to" city councilperson. You should elect me for my problem-solving skills that I’ve developed as a parent, physician and supporter of Glen Cove’s business community and service organizations. My entire life has revolved around taking care of others, giving advice, and making well-informed, sometimes difficult decisions. Anyone who knows me can attest to my commitment to my projects, my friends, and my family. But I want to do more. I will work hard to improve the quality of life for all Glen Cove’s residents. Let’s work together to make life happier and healthier!