Darien D. Ward
Council Member, Town of Hempstead, 4th District
Party: Democratic
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
When in office, what will you do to reduce harm and ensure there is social and economic equity for Black Long Islanders? If you are an incumbent, what policies/initiatives/laws have you supported that do this?
The new leadership offered by the democratic ticket is to promote equitable and transparency in government. The democratic ticket seeks to be accountable to the communities' tax dollars spent.
As the twice elected president of the Baldwin Civic Association, Inc. the organization maintained an inclusive environment for its membership and small business to participate in our events. We advocated and received tax dollars in our community with the stated aim to ensure underrepresented groups get opportunities to participate in the redevelopment of Baldwin's downtown. The civic is committed to ensure the stated aims are achieved. Other concerns are outlined below:
Policing: Enlist and support community groups recommendations to the County Legislators identifying best practices to reduce the overrepresentation of police stops and force used in the interactions with the communities the police serve and protect.
Economic Development: Ensure TOH follows the law in its spending of dollars on goods and services offered by underrepresented social and economic groups. Aggressively promote TOH resources for small business advocacy. Highlight community signature events through "State of the District" publication.
Drug Abuse: Advocate for treatment of drug dependency as a health concern and not a criminal offense. Ensure the opioid crisis model of treatment and education is the community and police response for all drug dependencies in all communities.
Quality of Life: Ensure we increase quality of life for all communities to include TOH resources distributed equitably.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your campaign?
My vision for the Town of Hempstead is to champion a pay it forward citizenry; we are all in this together to maintain the best quality of life while addressing the economic challenges and demographic changes inevitable in our lifetime. Each community is unique and brings to the TOH a collective identity looking forward to economic prosperity and opportunity. Two parent income families are the mainstay of the economic reality and vitality of most of the communities. Each community belongs in the collective identity whether a hamlet or a village into creating a pay it forward to the next generation... I want to engage the community to realize paying it forward is to flourish and build a TOH with its best days are understood to be ahead.
The increased political polarization does not remove acting ethically, as I define making decisions that are fair, honest, and just for the public good. We cannot get all of what we want, compromise is good with agreement to terms to move the issue forward. I support ethical policing and police like I support ethical business practices and those business 's who adhere to the rules. Further, civic associations and chambers of commerce, special districts, villages, hamlets, one issue interest groups should be invited to discuss issues and help craft solutions to address resident safety, environmental concerns and business interests. Those who make up these groups are living with the issues and need a ready and willing TOH solution driven response. It starts with the TOH being the best host to bring competing interest to meet and agree to work ethically and financially to address concerns instead of pitting one group against another to score political points for the next election.