Mark Lesko (D)
Incumbent from East Setauket who won special election last spring, seeking first full term
Previous occupation: Federal prosecutor
Why is he seeking re-election?
Mr. Lesko said he wants to continue to explore more ways to cut spending in Brookhaven. He has vowed to make sure Brookhaven will continue to have the lowest town taxes in Suffolk County if he's re-elected. He said he will also look to grow Brookhaven's economy by attracting more high-tech industry to the township, increasing the town's tax base and creating more high-paying jobs here. He also said he will focus on enhancing downtowns in Brookhaven.
His two cents: "From day one, we've changed the tone in Brookhaven."
Twenty questions:
1. If elected, will you cut taxes next year?
No, I intend to freeze taxes if possible.
2. How would you grade the current Brookhaven Town Board?
B-.
3. Which council district in Brookhaven currently needs the most attention?
District 6 (South Shore from Eastport to Mastic-Shirley, including parts of Ridge and Calverton).
4. Will you consider the dissolution of the Gordon Heights Fire District?
Yes.
5. On a scale of 1-10, how much fat do you think could be trimmed out of the town budget (1 being the least amount of fat)?
One -- I cut spending over 8 percent.
6. Have the Caithness funds been spent wisely?
Yes.
7. Has the town spent federal stimulus funds wisely?
Yes.
8. Do you think the hiring of park rangers was money well spent?
Yes.
9. Does the town need its own Justice Court to prosecute code violations and other quality-of-life issues?
No, a community court will be in the court system.
10. Should the public information office and economic development department be returned to the supervisor's office?
Yes.
11. Does the town need a Community Preservation Fund?
No, not now.
12. Should the Mott House be replaced with a community center?
Yes.
13. Does Kathy Walsh do a good job in the role of deputy supervisor?
Yes.
14. Would Steve Levy's Legacy Village in Yaphank be a good thing for Brookhaven?
It needs significant changes.
15. Has the town gotten the most out of its office of economic development the past two years?
No.
16. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being safest), how safe is downtown Rocky Point?
Seven.
17. If you could eliminate one particular job title from town government, what would it be?
Head of building department, fold into planning.
18. Have the GPS and vehicle control policy been good for the town thus far?
Vehicle control, yes, but it needs to be improved. We don't have a GPS policy and just created a GPS committee to create the policy.
19. Is Sandy Hills a good project?
Yes.
20. Tell us one good thing about your opponent?
Marty has increased revenues recently in the building department and has a good working knowledge of town government.
Show us the money
Lesko's Top 5 corporate campaign contributors since being elected supervisor:
1. Woodhaven Nursing Home, Port Jefferson
$6,250
2. Damianos Realty Group LLC, Smithtown
$5,250
3. New Suburbia, Jericho
$5,000
4. NLS Company, Valley Stream
$5,000
5. Campo Brothers Construction, Port Jefferson
$3,500
Martin Haley (R)
Shoreham resident and former county legislator seeking first Brookhaven elected office
Occupation: Town's commissioner of building and fire prevention
Why is he running?
Mr. Haley said he likes challenges and that his experience in local government would help him as town supervisor. Mr. Haley said he would support a public referendum on a 4 percent property tax cap. If elected, he said he would look to create an economic stimulus team to explore ways to help local small businesses during the economic downturn. Mr. Haley said he would also propose legislation that would "require that all acts of the Town Board include an economic impact statement." He said he believes the town supervisor should serve as a "CEO," and only hire commissioners with management experience to run town departments.
His two cents: "Brookhaven has been broken for a long time. I think I know how to fix it."
Twenty questions:
1. If elected, will you cut taxes next year?
Yes.
2. How would you grade the current Brookhaven Town Board?
B.
3. Which council district in Brookhaven currently needs the most attention?
District 6 (South Shore from Eastport to Mastic-Shirley, including parts of Ridge and Calverton).
4. Will you consider the dissolution of the Gordon Heights Fire District?
Yes.
5. On a scale of 1-10, how much fat do you think could be trimmed out of the proposed 2010 budget (1 being the least amount of fat)?
Three.
6. Have the Caithness funds been spent wisely?
Needs audit.
7. Has the town spent federal stimulus funds wisely?
Waiting.
8. Do you think the hiring of park rangers was money well spent?
No.
9. Does the town need its own Justice Court to prosecute code violations and other quality-of-life issues?
Yes.
10. Should the town's public information office and division of economic development be returned to the supervisor's office?
Yes on public information, no on economic development.
11. Does the town need a Community Preservation Fund?
A bonded type through public referendum.
12. Should the Mott House be replaced with a community center?
No.
13. Does Kathy Walsh do a good job in the role of deputy supervisor?
Yes.
14. Would Steve Levy's Legacy Village in Yaphank be a good thing for Brookhaven?
Not in its present format.
15. Has the town gotten the most out of its division of economic development the past two years?
No.
16. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being safest), how safe is downtown Rocky Point?
Eight.
17. If you could eliminate one particular job title from town government, what would it be?
Planning commissioner, roll it into building and fire prevention.
18. Have the GPS and vehicle-control policy been good for the town thus far?
Minimally.
19. Is Sandy Hills a good project?
Mr. Haley declined to answer question.
20. Tell us one good thing about your opponent?
He's more pleasant than [former Supervisor Brian] Foley.
Show us the money
Haley's Top 5 corporate campaign contributors in 2009:
1. FLS 555 Realty Corp., Bohemia
$2,000
2. Saljon Realty, Centereach
$1,250
3. Michael McCarrick Real Estate, Rocky Point
$1,250
4. Global Tissue Corp., Bohemia
$1,000
5. GB Realty, LLC, Ridge
$1,000
Why wait around?
The North Shore Sun will once again provide real-time coverage of Tuesday's local elections on www.northshoresun.com. Stories will be updated consistently after the polls close at 9 p.m. with results and reaction from candidates.