Nassau Legislature Candidates: Meet Michael Pesce

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

In District 12 — including Massapequa, Massapequa Park, East Massapequa and South Farmingdale — voters will select from two candidates: incumbent Republican James Kennedy and Michael Pesce, a Republican running on the Democratic line.

Patch reached out to both 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.

Michael Pesce

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 33
• Town of residence: Massapequa
• Position sought: Nassau County Legislator District 12
• Party affiliation: Republican running on Democratic line because it is no secret that there has been corruption within the Republican Party here in Nassau County. They perpetually nominate the same people that are a cog in the wheel and a part of the system. Running with the Democrats was my best option to hopefully make a difference.
• Family: Wife, Samantha; children Paul and Bobby.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Father is on town variance board for Massapequa Park.
• Education: Bachelors of business administration from Hofstra.

• Occupation: Associate real estate broker.
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A.
• Campaign Website: @michaelpesce4ncl (Facebook)

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

The single most pressing issue facing our community is that our elected officials are failing us. Nassau County was just labeled by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli as being under "significant fiscal stress," and ranked as the second most fiscally stressed county in the state in 2018. This was the third straight year of fiscal decline for Nassau County. In 2017 Nassau was the 3rd most fiscally stressed county in the state, and in 2016 Nassau was labeled as being in "moderate fiscal stress." Yet, Nassau County carries one of the highest average property taxes for single family homes in the nation. The fact that Nassau County has managed to put itself under such severe fiscal stress, while having some of the highest average property taxes in the country is simply mind-boggling. Clearly the Nassau County legislative budget review process has been failing for quite some time now. Furthermore, our current legislature is not addressing the issue, but rather playing politics, (i.e. blaming the opposite political party, past administrations, other departments of government, etc.) Consequently, fixing this issue is two-fold. First, I would seek to foster an atmosphere in the legislature where shifting blame and not working together to fix such issues is unacceptable. I would call out and stand out against legislature members that are embracing a victim mentality versus working to address and fix these grave financial issues. Secondly, I would work to formulate, introduce, and pass legislation that provides 100% transparency, as well as holds the county and its elected officials accountable as they relate to the county's finances.

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

The main critical difference between myself and the other candidate seeking this post is that I would bring significant previous business experience and acumen to the position.

My previous professional experience consists of over a decade of working within Fortune 500 companies, managing multi-million dollar sales territories, selling multi-million dollar medical equipment technologies, and as an associate real estate broker within Douglas Elliman and building a team that is in the top 8 percent of Elliman's teams nationwide.

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

The current office holder has failed the community in that he has brought complacency and zero leadership, that I am aware of, to the position. To my knowledge the current office holder has not ever introduced his own bill or voted any other way than the party line. He simply signs onto bills introduced by others, and then perpetually votes the party line. Furthermore, this specific position has been held within the current office holder's family for approximately 20 years. Having a position held by the same person, group, family etc. for such an extended period of time breeds complacency and inaction. It breeds a situation where an elected official is working more for himself and his party, than for the people that elected them. Lastly, the current office holder was in office for two to three years that overlapped with the corrupt Mangano administration, and he did not once stand up or speak out against the corruption.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The main issues that define my campaign are as follows. First, supporting law enforcement. For example, there is currently a detective shortage in Nassau County that is only expected to worsen. This is an issue that the current office holder has failed to address. How can we fix the drug and other safety problems to our community without supporting law enforcement's needs? Second, doing what is within the legislature's power to help fix the current state of fiscal stress that Nassau County has found itself in. Third, protecting our natural environment. We are a coastal community and our homes, beaches, Massapequa Preserve, etc. must all be protected.

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

I have had a successful business career for over a decade. As I mentioned above, working within Fortune 500 companies, I have managed multi-million dollar territories, sold multi-million dollar equipment to hospitals, built a real estate sales business that is in the top 8 percent of Douglas Elliman teams nationwide. My previous experience has taught me how to get things done and succeed within complex and high pressure environments.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

If you are going to do something, then do it right. For better or worse I have always taken this advice to heart and I am not able to do anything half way. I put my heart and 100 percent into anything I do, and fighting for my local community is something that I am very passionate about.

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

I was born and raised in Massapequa, and live their now with my wife, Samantha, and two children Paul and Bobby. I grew up playing sports, and participating in clubs, groups, organizations, etc. all within our local community. I attended the Massapequa school system from elementary school straight through high school. Massapequa is and always has been my home and I want to do what I can to ensure that younger and older generations choose to stay, and not leave. I do not need to become legislator, and I have no aspirations to pursue a political career. I am simply, like most, fed up with government and I am choosing to run and hopefully make a difference. Lastly, I encourage anyone who would like to, to reach out to me via Facebook.