Oyster Bay Town Council Candidates: Meet Vicki Walsh

EAST NORWICH, NY — Voters in the Town of Oyster Bay will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for supervisor, council, clerk and receiver of taxes.

In the council election, seven candidates are vying for three open seats. Three candidates are running on the Democratic ticket and three are running on the Republican line. One is running as a Libertarian.

Comprised of the supervisor and six council members, the town board is the legislative body for the Town of Oyster Bay. The panel is responsible for operating the town, and does this by passing local laws, ordinances and resolutions.

Unincorporated areas in the town include Bethpage, East Norwich, Glen Head, parts of Glenwood Landing, Greenvale, Hicksville, Jericho, Locust Valley, Massapequa, North Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Seaford, South Farmingdale, Syosset and Woodbury.

Incorporated villages in the town include Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, Farmingdale, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow, Massapequa Park, Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay Cove, Roslyn Harbor, Sea Cliff, Upper Brookville and Westbury.

Patch reached out to both candidates via email and/or Facebook to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are their responses.

Vicki Walsh

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 52
• Town of residence: East Norwich
• Position sought: Town council
• Party affiliation: Republican, conservative and Independence.
• Family: My husband Patrick and I are raising three wonderful children.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: Bachelor of arts degree from St. John’s University.
• Occupation: I am a local real estate agent in the Town of Oyster Bay. Prior to this career, I spent seven years as an assistant director and event management coordinator at a public relations firm as well as some time in the world of investment banking.

• Previous or current elected or appointed office: This is my first run for public office.
• Campaign Website: VickiWalsh2019.com

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

High taxes is the number one concern for families and senior citizens on Long Island. I’m running for town council to deliver an honest government with taxpayers first and foremost in mind.

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

My team for town board includes Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Steve Labriola and local businesswoman Laura Maier. We share a common belief that government must do all it can to reduce costs, hold down taxes and deliver an honest government. In three years, Supervisor Saladino cut taxes, reduced debt by $160 million and hired an inspector general — who previously worked with the FBI and CIA — to review contracts and protect our tax dollars. That’s the team I want to join.

The Democratic slate has a record of hiking taxes by 53 percent and voting four times to bust the state property tax cap. They also failed to file their legally required financial disclosure statements with the town ethics board. There’s clearly a stark difference in this race.

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

The Town of Oyster Bay faced a dark chapter under the previous administration. Supervisor Saladino has cleaned house, hired an inspector general, cut taxes and reduced debt. I want to work with the supervisor to continue these reforms, protect taxpayers wallets and repave our roads.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I’m running for office with a common-sense plan to: hold the line on taxes, reduce debt, enhance ethics and repave roadways.

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

I have extensive experience with volunteer organizations. I am a past president and board member of our local elementary school Parent-Teacher Association and currently serve on the high school PTA and Parent-Teacher-Student Association council boards. My community involvement extends well-beyond the school, to also serving as a catechist for St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church in Oyster Bay and troop leader for both Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups in the Theodore Roosevelt Council. Through my volunteer efforts with the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, I spearheaded new programs to benefit children and increase awareness of the facility. I also volunteered time to bolstering relationships between children and senior citizens, particularly veterans, by coordinating a Veterans Day dinner. This appreciation dinner is a small way of giving back to our hometown heroes while also providing children an opportunity to learn about the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Its important to live your life with love and passion. Whether raising a family, volunteering in the community or going into the office each day, love what you do and put your heart into it all....it makes all the difference.

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

I continue to act as a liaison between residents, schools, groups and businesses. I love the Town of Oyster Bay and I’m proud of all it has to offer. I’m a firm believer that each day we are given an opportunity for positive change and improvements and I pride myself with being the "go-to person to help get the job done." I hope to bring these positive traits to the Oyster Bay Town Board.