Suozzi Announces Bid for Reelection

Four-term mayor Ralph Suozzi announced his bid for reelection Wednesday.

"I'm running on my record," Suozzi said in a release. "We've trimmed the deficit by 79 percent. We've had five budgets in a row for which our expenses came in under budget. We negotiated historic public employee and police contracts so that all new employees contribute to their health benefits."

The following candidates will run on his ticket for the Glen Cove City Council: Eve Lupenko, M.D., Martin Carmody, Nick DiLeo, Mike Famiglietti, Tony Jimenez, and Tim Tenke.

"I look forward to working with these exemplary public servants to continue to improve life in our beautiful waterfront community," said Suozzi.

Dr. Lupenko, who is running for the first time, applauded Mayor Suozzi for his tireless efforts regarding the Glen Cove Hospital. "Ralph Suozzi is always looking out for the health and well-being of the citizens of Glen Cove. He cares very deeply about this community. It's an honor to run with him," she said. 

Councilman Famiglietti said, "As former CEO of the YMCA of Long Island, I am amazed at how dedicated, focused and results-driven Ralph is, and how he handles everything thrown at him from Superstorm Sandy to the budget. He has demonstrated the ability to keep this city moving forward during some very challenging times. He never stops fighting for Glen Cove."

Mayor Suozzi has the support of the Democratic Party, the Working Families Party and the independent Glen Cove Voters Party, which he created in 2005.

Other achievements by Ralph Suozzi in Glen Cove are:

• Eliminated $4 million in annual expenses for the city's sewage treatment plant, transferred to Nassau County in 2008, saving $23 million to date.
• Initiated third-party ambulance billing in 2009, bringing in non-taxpayer revenue from insurance companies exceeding $3 million.
• Secured more than $35 million in federal, state and county grants.
• Secured nearly $1 million in FEMA funds following Superstorm Sandy, and helped thousands of residents during and after the storm.
• Upgraded key city equipment, including 3 new ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, sanitation trucks and street sweepers.
• Purchased lifesaving Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) devices for all public buildings and parks.
• Recently acquired $815,000 from the U.S. EPA to remediate the final acre and one third of the 52-acre waterfront redevelopment area.
• Saved the historic Glen Cove Mansion on Dosoris Lane.
• Implemented the Emergency Notification System, used to alert citizens about storms, emergencies, changes in municipal and special services, like the E-waste, S.T.O.P and Shed-the-Meds programs.
• Improved infrastructure throughout the city, at the Glen Cove Course and other city park and recreational facilities.
• Joined with Downtown Sounds to extend concerts beyond July to encompass August.
• Major improvements to roads, sidewalks and the water distribution system affecting all neighborhoods.
• Instituted cardboard recycling which lowers city trash expenses and provides a new non-taxpayer revenue source.

Suozzi opened a headquarters office at 3 School Street, which supplements the Nassau County Democratic Glen Cove headquarters located at 102 School Street.

Suozzi will run against Glen Cove Councilman and GOP candidate Reggie Spinello.

“I fully understand and accept the many challenges facing our city,” Spinello said in a press release. “I embrace the opportunity to utilize my skills and talents along with those of my running mates to effectuate positive change for Glen Cove.”

Promising to deliver strong leadership, he added, “Give us the opportunity and we will give you a better Glen Cove.” 

The slate of GOP candidates for the November 5 Glen Cove election features Reggie Spinello for mayor. Anthony Gallo, Jr., Pamela Panzenbeck, Efraim Spagnoletti, Linda Darby, Kristina Heuser and Charles Bozzello are running for city council. John DiMascio is running for Nassau County legislature.

The GOP headquarters opened last week at 149 Glen Street.