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Four candidates, invited three showed-up. Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, not invited, not physically present and not a candidate, still very much present in the answers and statements given by candidates Creighton and Wehrheim. Smithtown Matters and Smithtown Messenger hosted a debate for Town Council candidates Tuesday evening at the Smithtown Fire House. Four candidates Robert Creighton, Lisa Inzerillo, Larry Vetter and Edward Wehrheim were all invited to participate. Lisa Inzerillo declined the invitation. A panel from local news outlets were tasked with questioning the candidates. The questioning from the panelists lasted one hour and then the floor was open to questions from the audience.
Despite political affiliation Creighton, Vetter and Werheim were in agreement on lot of positions. The first question of the night went to Councilman Creighton about pay to play. Candidate Creighton took the opportunity to clear the record regarding an incident involving accusations that involved his son attending his golf outing fundraiser. A clearly unhappy Creighton expressed his frustration with accusations that mar his reputation and question his integrity.
The second question went to Larry Vetter about the brain drain. Vetter listed the reasons young people leave Long Island which include the lack of job opportunities for our highly educated children,lack of community and the lack of affordable housing. Vetter pointed to areas of opportunities including multi-family housing, redevelopment of the Hauppauge Industrial Park and sewers for downtowns. Wehrheim pointed to the void created by the demise of Long Island’s defense industry. He spoke of efforts to reinvent the industrial park by creating a high tech park with high paying jobs. Creighton said the “Brain drain was a human drain.” He pointed to the vacant lot across the street from Town Hall saying that multi tenant housing for young people and seniors would help people stay in Smithtown. This proposal, said Creighton, has the support of Councilman Wehrheim. Creighton brought Supervisor Vecchio into the discussion pointing out how he has changed his position from opposing to recently supporting the redevelopment.
Edward Wehrheim answering a question.The third question went to Edward Wehrheim and addressed the acrimony on the Town Board. Wehrheim acknowledged problems, but the bad behavior, “Doesn’t come from our end.” Wehrheim said that he and Creighton are courteous and professional and prepared, not childish and foolish.” Wehrheim elaborated on the success he and Creighton have had bringing in tax-rateables. Creighton said there was a “ certain amount of division on the board” and that he and Wehrheim try very hard. He mentioned consolidation of services as an area that has fallen victim to partisanship with Vecchio and two others on the board opposing it.
KP Civic Association President Sean LehmannOther questions included the 2% tax cap which the candidates agreed was a “necessary evil”. Vetter and Creighton would not support breaching the cap and Ed Wehrheim said that if there came a time when there was not enough money to fund services like snow removal, then he would support breaching the tax cap. The candidates spoke about efficiencies, commissioners, mandates, and updating town building code.
Commissioners were Creighton and Wehrheim’s answer to Patrick Vecchio’s control over department heads. Creighton said it would be cost effective and challenged an Inzerillo piece suggesting that the piece overstated the cost of commissioners. All Town Board members act as liason to departments assigned to them by the supervisor. Councilman Wehrheim has resigned as liason to all the departments he was assigned. His reason for proffering his resignation is interference by Supervisor Vecchio. Wehrheim suggested that department heads are unwilling to speak with him for fear of retribution by the Supervisor.
Estimated counts have between 80 and 100 people attending the debate which lasted two hours and covered a great deal of territory. All three candidates were well prepared and stated their positions effectively. There were no flubs and some insightful moments. Robert Creighton and Edward Wehrheim are clearly running as a team. Many times they answered questions with Councilman Creighton and I or Councilman Wehrheim and I ……. Larry Vetter, a first time candidate, was able to articulate a common sense and practical approach to governing. His message was, I will do what is in the best interest of the public.
Councilman Wehreim gave the most impassioned closing statement. He adamantly exclaimed, ” I probably know more about town government than anyone, even the supervisor.” Wehrheim went on to challenge people to hold Inzerillo accountable for not attending the recent debates. He made the case that a person unwilling to go before the public is not worthy of receiving your vote.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.