By Pat Biancaniello
Amy Fortunato is on a mission to become Smithtown’s newest council person by winning the November 6th special election and she is indefatigable in her effort. Answer your door and you might find her standing there. Attend any event in any part of the town and you will see Ms. Fortunato shaking hands, listening to people and talking with them about her ideas. According to Fortunato her motivation comes from a strong belief that taxpayers need an “independent voice for transparency” which she feels is missing on the current Town Board which is currently one hundred percent Republican. Willing to set aside partisan labels, Amy feels compelled to be an advocate for Smithtown taxpayers, pledging to hold government accountable; irrespective of party.
This is the second attempt to win a seat on the town board for both Fortunato and her opponent, Republican Thomas Lohmann. In November 2017 she received 10,196 votes to win 17.60 per cent of the total vote count finishing third behind Lynne C. Nowick 14,132 votes and Thomas J McCarthy 12,969 votes. Thomas Lohmann finished in sixth place receiving 5,394 votes or 9.31 percent of the vote in the 2017 election. Thomas Lohmann was appointed by the Republican town board to fill Ed Wehrheim’s vacant seat.
Amy Fortunato at 2018 Regatta on the RiverA political novice Fortunato is a pastor with a Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary, and a former Citibank manager with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. “While attending seminary, I learned what it means to truly listen. I believe we need public servants who are stewards of the public trust. We need honesty, transparency, and accountability. We also need someone who will advocate for all interests, and not just those who are the most vocal or financially invested.” She added, “It’s too easy for us to bring our own preconceptions and partisan opinions into a conversation, preventing us from effectively hearing another person’s concerns. I plan to approach this position with an unbiased ear, endeavoring to listen to all points of view.”
Fortunato hopes to focus on taxpayer/residents quality of life issues which she says encompasses the need for discussion and action on taxes, water quality, traffic safety and congestion as well as crime and substance abuse. She hopes to work with other board members to create an independent citizen’s advisory board to guide development in the town. “ The mirage that exists adjacent to Whisper the Bull, is a travesty. We must take action as a community to ensure that our children and residents can enjoy Smithtown’s natural environs, like the Nissequogue River without the visual affront of an adult entertainment venue. It’s past time that we addressed this blight that our politicians have been unwilling to address.”