Kudos to the challengers!
This year’s Democratic challengers for Town positions are an eclectic group with diverse backgrounds and agendas. They don’t have access to the “political machine” that Republican candidates have because Smithtown is a Republican town. The candidates get little guidance from incumbents, no one taking them under their wing and clearing a path for them. So the question is why do it? Why put yourself out in front of the public day in and day out during the campaign season when the chance of success is slim. Again the answers vary.
Running for Town Supervisor Steve Snair, now 32 years of age, grew up in Smithtown went off to college, then to law school and returned to his hometown remembering the fond memories of his youth. Naturally he sees things differently from when he was a child. Somehow, the lack of housing wasn’t so much of an issue when he was younger, somehow the traffic wasn’t so horrible, the buildings weren’t so dilapidated. Still anxious to live in his hometown, he looks for a place to live and to open an office. It’s difficult, really difficult for him to find a place to live but he does. He travels a minuscule distance between his home and his office and deals with a major traffic snafu that everyone agrees needs fixing, but no one has an answer. Snair’s running for office because he sees answers not just problems, he sees possibilities. He is the future and the future is knocking at the door asking to be allowed in.
Eddie Haeffer running for Town Clerk and Thomas McCarthy running for Highway Superintendent very different stories and different backgrounds. Eddie, a real estate agent and former Golden Glove Boxer,is a father with two young children and a wife, very recently diagnosed with breast cancer. What makes him put himself out there and ask people for their consideration? The impetus? An incident when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Main Street in Smithtown with a driver talking on a cell phone. His frustration is palpable as he describes his anxiety over a situation that changed his life. Grateful that no one was seriously injured, Ed feels that government can and should do more to protect citizens and enforce its laws. Eddie isn’t a Democrat, he’s a person wanting to make a difference.
To Thomas McCarthy it’s all about storm response. McCarthy, acknowledges the Herculean efforts of Glenn Jorgensen during the recent storm events, but feels residents were let down by the Highway Department’s response during the record snow storm earlier this year. McCarthy is extremely articulate in his message that there is a better way to run the Highway Department. A man on a mission, he hopes to turn the department around by implementing a more professional style of management and incorporating analytic programs for road construction and repair.
Adam Halpern and Richard Macellaro are the two candidates running on the Democratic line for Town Council. They could not be more different. Their backgrounds, style and approach is so different it is difficult to believe they are both running on the same line. What makes them run? Richard is the man who shows up for every meeting and can be found at almost every community event. He is the guy next door who smiles at everyone, gets along with everyone. Richard feels that the fighting and bickering on the Town Board is detrimental to taxpayers. Compromise, work together, and think out of the box are lines he uses to explain his views.
Adam Halpern, an attorney and former judge, is cautious and methodical. He is the quiet candidate who looks people in the eye and tells them he will never lie or mislead them. You walk away believing him. Quiet and studious, Halpern’s passion seems to be restoring trust in government by enforcing laws and codes currently on the books.
It is the policy of Smithtown Matters to not endorse candidates. This editorial should in no way be taken as an endorsement of any candidate, but rather it is a thank you. Thank you for your time, your passion and for sharing your vision.
It is now up to the voters. Remember to vote on Election Day - Tuesday, November 5th.
Pat