Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

GLEN COVE, NY — Voters in Nassau County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for Legislature.

In District 11 — including Sands Point, Port Washington, Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Glen Head, Glenwood, Sea Cliff and Glen Cove — voters will select from three candidates: incumbent Democrat Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Republican challenger James Greenberg and Libertarian challenger Blay Tarnoff.

Patch reached out to all three 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.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 51
• Town of residence: Glen Cove
• Position sought: Nassau County Legislator (11th LD)
• Party affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Richard Valicenti, husband; three daughters and one stepson
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: Bachelor's degree from Hofstra University.

• Occupation: Nassau County Legislator
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: Nassau County Legislature (present); Glen Cove City Council (previous)
• Campaign Website: DeliaDeRiggiWhitton.com

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

Transparency. I will continue to work diligently to secure approval for legislation that eliminates waste, fraud and abuse from Nassau County's procurement process. I was a proud supporter of the Minority Caucus' efforts to create an Independent Office of the Inspector General, and I introduced and secured passage of legislation that requires the maximum expenditure connected to each contract that comes before the Legislature to be clearly quantified up front.

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

This is my only full-time job. In addition, prior to becoming a Glen Cove City Council member and then a Legislator, I dedicated myself to community service initiatives. Finally, because I joined the Legislature during the tenure of the previous administration, the misdeeds and corruption of others clearly highlighted the critical role elected officials must play in scrutinizing contracts, procurement proposals and legislative initiatives on behalf of taxpayers and how essential it is to adhere to the highest ethical standards

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

No response.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a devoted environmentalist, I was proud to secure passage of a ban on the use and sale of liquid waste from hydraulic fracking. Furthermore, I am active with inter municipal agencies like the Long Island Coalition for Aquifer Protection and grassroots environmental organizations like Port Washington's Residents Forward, and am a strong supporter of investing in our sewer infrastructure to protect and improve water quality.

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

This is my seventh election, and during my life, I have served on many committees and been recognized for my government, community and philanthropic work. I have the privilege of working to raise money for the Diabetes Research Foundation and have thus far played a role in raising more than $1 million for this cause. I am also eagerly anticipating beginning the work on our annual Toys for Tots drive, which has grown to become one of the largest such events.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

In this time of increased partisan strife, I've grown very fond of this statement: "The left wing and the right wing are attached to same bird, and we all have to work together."

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

I believe that my record of community service and tenure as an elected official has illustrated that I work hard to build consensus. By taking a problem-solving approach to governing, I have experienced greater success in my efforts to work across the aisle and secure positive outcomes for my constituents.