2011 Patch Elections: District 17 County Legislator

Patch has asked your candidates a set of questions. Check back each day for their answers. This week, we're looking at county candidates and next week we'll look at town candidates.

Party Lines

DiVincenzo: Republican, Independence, Conservative

Low-Hogan: Democratic

What community do you live in?

DiVincenzo: Tappan

Low-Hogan: South Nyack

How long have you lived there?    

DiVincenzo: 33 years

Low-Hogan: 15 years

How old are you?    

DiVincenzo: 63

Low-Hogan: 56

Provide family information.  

DiVincenzo: My wife Doreen has been a teacher in our community for 28 years. We have a daughter Angela and a son Mark. We also have a one year six months grandson named Luca.

Low-Hogan: Married to Michael P. Hogan with three step-children

What is your education background?   

DiVincenzo: Masters Degree in Finance from St. Peter’s College

Low-Hogan: I have an Associate's and Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, a Master's degree from Seton Hall University in College Student Development, and a Ph.D. from NYU in Higher Education.

Why do you think you are qualified for this position? 

DiVincenzo: I believe I have the qualifications to represent (voters in District 17)  on the county level. My professional experience includes owning my own clothing import business for 18 years and working for large organizations – Con Edison and the New York Cosmos soccer team. Currently, I am the Clerk of the Works for the Town Of Orangetown where I manage the town’s $50 million of ongoing public infrastructure improvement projects.

I’ve lived in Tappan for the last 33 years and I’ve been very active in the community. I am the past president of the Blauvelt Lions Club, the founder and board member of the Orangetown Education Foundation and the chairman of the Orangetown Traffic Advisory Board.

Low-Hogan: I believe I am qualified to be a Rockland County Legislator because I have substantial managerial and budgetary experience, both in higher education and in local government. I have been an Orangetown Councilwoman since 2008. I served as Chair of the South Nyack Planning Board from 2005-2007. I am also a graduate of the Pace University Land Use Training program.  

Beyond my governmental and professional experience, I am a thoughtful and independent thinker and voter, who examines issues from a professional and non-biased stand point. I am not beholden to any special interest groups.

Why are you running for this elected office? 

DiVincenzo: I am a newcomer to politics but I have a great passion for education and our community. I’ve been a School Board Member in the South Orangetown Central School District since 2007 and now I’ve decided to pursue a seat on the Legislature.

Low-Hogan: I am running for Rockland County Legislator because I believe our County is at its most critical juncture right now, and we need the best leadership possible in the County Legislature to get us through this period and make the difficult decisions that will affect our county for decades to come.

I believe that my honest, clear-thinking, straight-forward and objective leadership is what Rockland County needs right now. I will ask the tough questions and I will demand honest answers.  Then I will be willing to make the bold, progressive decisions needed to help set our county on the right path towards the future.

What are the three issues that most concern you?  

DiVincenzo:Balancing the needs of our constituents with the sentiments of our taxpayers. Review of all spending in order to determine what is useful and necessary and what may be considered wasteful. Work harder to survive this financial storm by showing more fiscal discipline.

I will work with my fellow legislators to help create economic development and continue to promote an education system that keeps Rockland County’s workforce a great asset.

Low-Hogan: 1) Balancing the County Budget and increasing governmental efficiency; 2) Ensuring that the most essential services of health, safety and welfare of our residents are protected; and 3) Protecting our environment, including our air, water, land use, planning and Tappan Zee Bridge development.

Explain your proposed approach to managing these issues.

DiVincenzo: Reconnect with the people we serve. Government on all levels must listen to the people.  People say lower taxes—government raises them. People say make it easier for small business to flourish—government suffocates business in red tape. People say close the budget gap—government has expanded it. People have to balance their budgets—government leverages our future by borrowing millions and trillions of dollars. The criteria for decision making must be different.

Low-Hogan: 1) I am calling for an independent financial analysis of all County departments which will examine departmental budgets and operational staffing issues; 2) Ensuring the essential services are maintained is connected to the independent financial analysis of all County departments.  We must examine what is going on operationally within all County departments in order to identify and preserve the essential services and to identify where there may be mis-management and waste;  3)  I will work hard to promote smart land use decision-making and to preserve our waterways.  I will demand direct involvement with TZ Bridge planning and development and will ensure that District 17 residents have a strong voice at the decision-making table.

Have you held elected office before? Please provide details of what position and for how long.

DiVincenzo: South Orangetown School Board Member since 2007.

Low-Hogan: Yes, I have been an Orangetown Councilwoman since 2008.  As Councilwoman I have been Liaison to the Town Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Architectural Review Committee, among other committees.

What organizations do you belong to?

DiVincenzo: Board Member, Orangetown Education Foundation; Chairman, Orangetown Traffic Advisory Board

Low-Hogan: Since 2008 I have been an Orangetown Councilwoman and that has taken up most of my time.  I am an Orangetown Democratic Committeeperson.  I am a parishioner at St. Ann's Church in Nyack.  I have been a member of the Board of Directors for the Association for the Visually Impaired of Rockland and Orange Counties from 1997 - 2007, and I have served as Chair and Vice Chair of that Board.  I am a member of the NAACP.

What is your campaign website?

DiVincenzo: www.GuyDeVincenzo.com

Low-Hogan: http://nancylowhogan.com