To the Editor:
As we continue to enjoy the holiday season with our families, it is an especially appropriate moment to thank residents of Legislative District 11 for re-electing me and giving me the honor of continuing to serve you for another term.
Approaching a New Year always provides me with a spark of hope – and that fuels my determination to see Nassau County operate in a more equitable and responsible manner. With many of us contemplating our resolutions for 2026, it is an exercise that would benefit leaders of this County and the constituencies they will soon take an oath to serve.
These are but a few of the issues that County government should prioritize as we set our goals:
- To finally get the opioid funds into the hands of front-line agencies. Nassau County has been far too slow in its efforts to get nearly $100 million in opioid settlements to agencies providing life-saving prevention, treatment and recovery resources. As of December, a review of Nassau’s financial system shows that less than 7 percent has made it out of County bank accounts and into actual treatment initiatives.
With hopes of getting this vital program onto a better path, the Legislature authorized $1 million of the opioid funds to bring in an outside agency to cut through the red tape. But these funds have languished for years while lives continue to hang in the balance – and it must change.
- Remove politics from community grants. During the last two years, the Democratic Minority has fought tooth and nail to secure equitable resources for the communities we serve. We have had to take this approach because the current County Executive continues to act as though only the districts served by members of his party are entitled to those funds.
By sticking together as a caucus, we delivered $1.3 million to equip our first responders and firefighters; and advanced long-delayed grants from the Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund to support cultural agencies, such as the Sea Cliff Arts Council, that boost regional tourism. Despite the County Executive’s hyper-partisanship and stubbornness, we are delivering for our constituents. Yet, there is much more work to be done in 2026.
To date, Republican districts have received approval during regular Legislative business for 58 Community Revitalization Program (CRP) grants – for schools, libraries, parks and more. For Democratic districts? Just two. In the New Year, let’s judge these projects by how they will enrich the lives of children and protect our first responders – not whether the person applying is a Democrat or a Republican.
- Invest equally in Nassau’s infrastructure. The Democratic Minority secured a fiscal year 2025 capital plan that invests in our law enforcement and medics, strengthens vital infrastructure, and delivers tens of millions of dollars in resources for critical improvements in our districts.
Looking ahead to the 2026 plan, I will continue to prioritize these upgrades for District 11:
- Glen Cove, Glen Head & Sea Cliff — We remain focused on advancing the Shore Road flood mitigation, traffic safety and beautification project.
- Shore Road Seawall, Baxter Estates — I am continuing to work with many levels of government to secure the roadway, protect the beach from erosion, add ADA-compliant sidewalks, improve lighting and provide amenities such as benches.
- Baxter Pond, Baxter Estates/Port Washington — We are cleaning the basins to improve water flow and are working to secure approvals for dredging.
- Crescent Beach, Glen Cove — Our test results at the end of the summer were very promising, and we are very hopeful to share more good news in the spring!
- Extend a helping hand during the holidays — and all year long. A project nearest to my heart during this term of the Legislature was our successful efforts to secure $43,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that equipped Glen Cove’s NOSH food pantry and $50,000 for Plant A Row for the Hungry in Port Washington to feed families throughout our region. With Trump’s megabill, underfunding of federal nutrition assistance programs would be rampant, making it more critical than ever to support local hunger-fighting organizations.
That’s where each of us comes in — and I know the generous hearts of Nassau County residents can more than meet the challenge. Please consider supporting one of the many toy drives that will put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season, and all throughout 2026, give what you can to your local food pantry throughout the year. Together, we can give families the greatest gift of all this New Year – a chance at a new start and better days to come.
I wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year!
— Delia DeRiggi-Whitton
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, is the Democratic Minority Leader of the Nassau County Legislature. She represents the 11th Legislative District and has served since 2012.