by Maureen Ledden Rossi
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Despite the bitter cold February mid-day air, about one-hundred people descended on Town Hall Tuesday afternoon to demand that their votes in the November 2013 election be honored. It was an enormous collaboration of 18 organizations from every corner of the town. Smithtown is no stranger to protests, but today’s event was unique for a number of reasons. It was the first time in recent history that such an assembly of so many organizations joined together for one issue and spoke with a single voice. “Honor our Vote” was the message. Another first, Smithtown’s Town Clerk Vincent Puleo last week declared two positions on the Town Board vacant due to the absence of Supervisor Vecchio and Councilwoman Nowick’s filed oath of office. The press conference was called to demand the remaining members of the Town Board appoint Vecchio and Nowick to their positions.
Historic - Tragic – Bad Politics – Republicans Behaving Badly? Some might agree this fiasco fits the bill of all four. However, at today’s “Honor Our Vote” press conference there was a non-partisan feel in the air. It wasn’t about Democratic or Republican values, it was about American values. The crowd, unlike those inside Town Hall, was entirely united and the mood was upbeat.
Michelle Gary was on hand waving an American flag; she is from the Old Northport Road/Lawrence Road Task Force. The Task Force is a somewhat new organization formed to bring local businesses into compliance with zoning laws in her residential community. She said she felt today’s protest was enormously important. “As Americans we should all be gravely concerned when the democratic process is threatened and disrupted by archaic laws, complacency or personal politics,” she explained.
Disgust seemed to be the sentiment of many in the crowd. Several Democratic politicians who ran in November were on hand including Rich Macellaro who ran for Town Council, Eddie Haeffer who ran for Town Clerk and Gary Jacobs who ran for Leg. John Kennedy’s seat. “It’s the job of the elected officials to work together – this dysfunction in government has got to stop; it’s why so many of us were campaigning for change last year,” Gary Jacobs explained. *
The Kings Park Civic Association was represented by its President Sean Lehman, “If everyone was working in good faith this wouldn’t have happened,” he lamented. He also told Smithtown Matters in a telephone interview that no matter who won in November, if it were Snair or Creighton, he would still be standing outside Town Hall to ensure that the votes of Smithtown residents counted. He said he was pleased with the turnout and the representation of so many groups like his own.
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Larry Shaw reading statement demanding the Town Board “Honor Our Votes”Larry Shaw from the Old Northport Rd./ Lawrence Rd. Task Force was chosen to make a brief statement on behalf of the mosaic of protestors. “Your constituents come here today to ask you, our elected officials, to hear our voices, and honor our votes,” he shared. “For over two hundred years, the citizens of these United States have exercised the most cherished of rights, the right to vote for their elected leaders,” he added.
The montage of Smithtown residents weren’t the only ones demanding the situation be remedied immediately. About four hours after the press conference, state law makers Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) and Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (8th Assembly District) took their own action. “The time for politics is over,” said Flanagan. “This past November Smithtown voters spoke loud and clear by re-electing Supervisor Pat Vecchio and electing Councilwoman Lynne Nowick to the Town Board.” Flanagan and Fitzpatrick stated their intention to introduce state legislation that would allow Supervisor Vecchio and Councilwoman Nowick to serve out their full terms, instead of having to launch a new special election in the fall. A noble gesture, it would save taxpayers the cost of a new election; however, that legislation would have to go through both bodies of government, their Democratic opponents and ultimately Governor Cuomo.
Earlier in the week Councilman Bob Creighton said that he had planned to vote yes on the Resolution to reinstate Vecchio and Nowick. “The people of Smithtown spoke back in November and their votes should count,” he said.
Deputy Supervisor Tom McCarthy and Councilman Creighton ran into each other in Town Hall on Sunday and discussed the situation that is galvanizing the town and has all political eyes on our small piece of Americana. McCarthy said he was very impressed with his conversation with Creighton and with his demeanor. “He was a complete and utter gentleman about it,” said McCarthy. Councilman Wehrheim is out of town on a scheduled annual vacation and has not publicly weighed in on his decisions: however, many political insiders say they couldn’t image why he wouldn’t vote yes as well.
Organizations represented at Tuesday’s “Honor Our Votes” press conference:
Commack Community Association
Concerned Residents of Charter Oaks
Feal Good Foundation
Friends of St. James & North Smithtown
Fort Salonga Association
Kings Park Civic Association
Kings Park Neighbors Association
Lakebridge Association
Old Northport Road/Lawrence Road Task Force
Nesconset Sachem Civic Association, Inc.
Nesconset Taxpayers Association
San Remo Civic Association
Townline Association, Inc.
911 Responders Remembered, Inc.
NSCCA-North Smithtown Coalition of Civic Associations
Hillside Terrace Civic Association
Damin Park Civic Association
Edgewood Avenue Civic Association
* Originally posted as a comment from Eddie Haeffer. The comment was made by Gary Jacobs