This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

Special Election: Who's willing to put our interests first

An op-ed by Coach Tom Gargiulo, candidate for state Assembly, 9th District, May 23

I’ve seen it firsthand. I know how it can start. And we have an obligation to stop it.

Safe, drug-free communities where taxpayers are the top priority. Not protecting illegal immigrants, violent drug traffickers, and gang members. This Special Election is about someone who’s willing to put our well-being first.

For 40 years, I’ve put the needs of our community – our children, our families, our seniors – first.

Find out what's happening in Massapequafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Teaching and mentoring our youth is one of the greatest privileges I’ve had in my life. I’ve had the tremendous responsibility of instilling responsible values in our youth, so that one day they’ll grow up and want to give back to their community, too.

I’ve taught my students – whether in the classroom or coaching – that playing by the rules, personal responsibility, being fair, and doing what’s right are the most important things in life. We need more leaders in Albany who preach and practice those values.

Find out what's happening in Massapequafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Our community can’t help but wonder if our elected officials in Albany really have our backs based on the values they’re preaching right now.

Assembly Democrats have made a recent push to protect the rights and privileges of illegal immigrants and gang members. They want to make New York a sanctuary state, which would allow illegals and gang members to live in our community with no consequence. In fact, Assembly Democrats want to double down and use $10 million of our tax dollars to help fight deportation of illegals and gang members.

Just last week, the same Assembly Democrats passed a series of crime victim bills but there was no legislation to protect victims of gang attacks like those MS 13 has perpetrated.

Our kids have enough challenges without the influx of gangs, drugs, and crime in their neighborhoods and schools.

We don’t need another rubber stamp in Albany supporting this dangerous agenda.

Our community deserves someone in the state Assembly who will promote safe neighborhoods for our families and seniors. That starts with the deportation of illegal immigrant drug traffickers and gang members. I will not support spending one dime of taxpayer money to fight deportation. I’ll oppose making New York a sanctuary state to harbor illegal immigrants.

I’ll always support policies that protect the men and women in blue, who work so selflessly to keep our streets safe. I’ll support investing in early education about the dangers of drugs and crime. Investing in youth programs and after-school activities is a smart start to help steer our kids to make good choices.

The vote on May 23 will be a referendum on sanctuary states, legal defense funds to stop deportation of gang members and drug traffickers, and crime. Voters will have a clear choice about who truly wants to protect our community.

###

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?