No endorsement for Hempstead Town supervisor

The Town of Hempstead is the fulcrum of Nassau County's GOP political machine, a place where careers are made and insiders rise. It's perhaps best symbolized by a lineup of photos Hempstead Town Supervisor John R. Ferretti features in his Town Hall conference room — a series of former town supervisors, some of the region's most powerful Republicans. 

At the display's center is Ferretti, whose great-uncle, former party leader Joseph Mondello, is also featured.

Ferretti, a Levittown Republican, served as a county legislator before being appointed supervisor last year after former Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. resigned to take on a judgeship. Ferretti was easily elected last November and, due to a state election law change, he's up for reelection.

Ferretti, 43, emphasizes his experience in managing storms, staff and budgets. Last year, his budget reduced the overall tax levy and this year, he kept taxes frozen. But both years, he tapped significantly into reserves, and this year the budget also relies on the sale of multiple pieces of town-owned property, including the Capri Motor Inn site, to balance it.

While Ferretti can oversee the town's day-to-day needs, he lacks vision for its future, rarely willing to move beyond the narrow parameters of how he defines his job. When asked about building more much-needed housing, he points to developments in the works long before he got to Town Hall, including those in Baldwin jump-started by the first Democrat to sit in his chair in more than 100 years, former Supervisor and current Rep. Laura A. Gillen. Ferretti says he is "not anti-housing in the Town of Hempstead" but adds: "I don't think it's government's role to perpetuate housing." Instead of outlining a path forward, he falls back on what he doesn't want: "19-story high-rise apartment complexes like New York City" — a concept that has never been proposed, but one used for decades to alarm voters.

Ferretti does says he'd work with developers if plans are "within the character of the suburban neighborhood that we live in."

The same is true for Ferretti's take on the future of Nassau University Medical Center, Liberty Water and the Nassau Hub. In each case, Ferretti suggests a limited role for him and the town, and appears unwilling to lead or problem-solve.

Garden City Democrat Joe Scianablo claims to be "uniquely qualified" to run the town. A Marine combat veteran and retired NYPD officer, Scianablo, 49, promises more transparency, communication and advocacy. He appropriately expresses concern about the reliance on rainy-day reserves, pledges to end patronage jobs, and suggests a more even distribution of resources townwide. Scianablo said he'd promote Hub development and address aging infrastructure, but doesn't provide detailed proposals and strategies. And Scianablo lacks the management and organizational experience required to run the town.

Last year, the crux of Scianablo's campaign — and our endorsement — was based on Ferretti's problematic appointment. This year, Scianablo needed a new pitch, a comprehensive, informed game plan as to how he'd provide more dynamic, imaginative and meaningful leadership. That hasn't happened. Nor has Ferretti distinguished himself since his controversial ascension.

Newsday Opinion makes no endorsement in this race.