State Assembly - 7th District
By Erica Jackson
In the State Assembly race, incumbent, Republican Michael Fitzpatrick is vying to keep his seat from Democratic challenger Richard Macellaro.
Michael Fitzpatrick has served in the New York State Assembly since November 2002. Prior to his election, he served as a Smithtown Town Board member for 15 years.
A graduate of Hauppauge High School, Fitzpatrick is an investment associate with UBS Financial Service, Inc. of Port Jefferson.
Fitzpatrick is active in the community and is involved in the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and sits on the board of directors of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame.
Fitzpatrick and his wife, Lorena have two children Corina and Michael. They live in St. James.
What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as a representative?
As the strongest fiscal conservative in entire legislature, I am uniquely qualified to deal with serious fiscal issues. I am a representative with the fortitude and the backbone to deal responsibly with these issues. That makes me uniquely qualified.
What do you hope to accomplish, if re-elected?
I look forward to partnering with the new governor to move this state on the right fiscal track and improve the employment picture for the people of this state. Building a stronger business climate is priority number one.
Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you.
I am willing to take a tough stand on fiscal issues and will defend my position.
Richard Macellaro holds a degree in political science from Queens College and has worked as a special assistant for two assembly members, Joseph Lentol and the late Fred Schmidt. He has 20 years experience as a home health care administrator.
Macellaro is active in the community and is an executive officer of the Smithtown Democratic Committee, a trustee of the Kings Park Fr. John Papallo Lodge and is an officer of the Lakebridge Condo II Board of Managers.
Macellaro and his wife, Diane have two daughters, Andrea and Jillian.
What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as the state assemblyman for the 7th AD?
As a special assistant for two NYS Assembly members for more than 5 years, I was responsible for constituent concerns and researched issues that were of significance to those Member’s districts. I was a founding member of a not-for-profit, community based organization (The St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp.,) partnering with government, industry, business, youth, education and neighborhood residents, to find common sense solutions to community problems. I was a Home Health Care Administrator, for more than 20 years. I wrote competitive and successful program and managed operating budgets ranging from $30 to $50 million per year. I supervised thousands of home care workers and advocated for safeguarding the rights of the elderly and disabled, working towards increased medical care, while reducing Medicaid costs. I was instrumental in negotiating contracts with worker unions, vendors and NYC governmental agencies. Additionally, I was a paid consultant for a local, proprietary Home Care Agency. I’m 58 years old and retired from full-time employment.
What do you hope to accomplish, if elected?
I will bring to the 7th Assembly District my experience and commitment as it applies to the various state issues. I plan to meet with as many of my neighbors, friends and residents to better my understanding of the issues and concerns that affect our community and to encourage a dialogue with various civic and elected leaders to arrive at the best solutions as they make important decisions for the betterment of Y(our) district. We need common sense solutions to district problems.
I have the training, education and ability to seek and provide funding sources to successfully maintain service projects, such as; health care programs (drug prevention and secession,) provide for more elderly or youth activities (recreational and sports associations,) job training and skills development resources, equal job protections for men and women, more jobs and better community jobs.
I hope to bring more funds back to the district by obtaining and providing more funding sources for district initiatives and insure that district residents and community based organizations receive funding for their activities, that benefit the District, including food pantries.
Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you.
I am not the incumbent. I hope to bring a new and refreshed prospective to the NYS Assembly and to initiate meaningful growth and development programs and projects for the entire district. I believe that we need to upgrade and expand upon new ideas and create a more harmonious atmosphere for district voters/residents. Competence, effectiveness, conciliation, tenacity and a full-time commitment will be the hallmarks of my tenure as your next assembly member.