The Mount Sinai resident first served in the town attorney's office. He later worked as deputy chief of staff to former Supervisor Brian Foley, and then briefly for acting Supervisor Lori Baldassare. He is currently deputy town supervisor for constituent service under Supervisor Mark Lesko.
Now John Leonard is seeking yet another job on Bald Hill: town councilman.
Mr. Leonard, who received the official nomination from town Democrats May 14, is seeking to be the first candidate elected without Republican backing in Brookhaven's 2nd District since councilmanic districts changed the town's political landscape beginning with the 2003 general election. And he has vowed to get there by taking a different path.
Mr. Leonard says he will not run on the same reform agenda as other recent Democratic candidates -- constantly reminding residents of Brookhaven's sometimes dark past -- but rather on very recent history, calling for members of both parties to continue to work together as he says has been done in recent months under Mr. Lesko.
"You will not hear me say [Crookhaven] during this election," Mr. Leonard said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "If you do, please hit me over the head."
But Mr. Leonard's opponent, incumbent Conservative Jane Bonner, said Mr. Leonard can't use the word Crookhaven in this campaign because she's maintained a clean record in her first 18 months on the Town Board.
"That simply doesn't apply to me," the Rocky Point resident said.
So whereas past campaigns have been flooded with partisan bickering, both Mr. Leonard and Ms. Bonner are hoping to spend the next four-plus months before Election Day focusing instead on issues -- with maybe just a little jabbing back and forth. And not unlike the 2005 general election, when Ms. Bonner and opponent Bill Shilling offered different perspectives on the Tallgrass Planned Development District in Shoreham, this year's election could come down to how residents feel about each candidate's position on development projects proposed in the 2nd District.
There is no shortage of building plans currently being floated in the district, which stretches along the North Shore from Wading River to Mount Sinai and cuts into parts of Ridge, Middle Island and Coram. From the residential Fairfield project in Rocky Point, to the mixed-use Sandy Hills development in Middle Island, and the commercial Main Street idea in Mount Sinai, several proposals have already come into the spotlight in the 2nd District. And preservation efforts at the Vassilaros property in Miller Place and the former Tesla lab site in Shoreham will surely take center stage in the coming months.
It's the candidates' differing takes on Fairfield and Sandy Hills that could impact the election, however.
Ms. Bonner, who strongly opposed the Tallgrass PDD has also been a vocal opponent of Sandy Hills, which has been proposed for just outside the 2nd District and would feature 135 housing units and 13,000 square feet of commercial space. The project has been met with support from Mr. Lesko and 4th District Councilwoman Connie Kepert, who will both appear on the Democratic line with Mr. Leonard come November. While Mr. Leonard declined to say he supports the project, he did say he believes some sort of similar PDD is "the type of project the town needs to move toward."
"We can't just always say no to development," said Mr. Leonard. "We have to look at a new model. We have to show our residents that this is the new model. Someone has to be the first. We need some type of leadership."
Mr. Leonard said he does not, however, see himself supporting the 239-unit Fairfield Properties project for Rocky Point, a plan Ms. Bonner had until recently appeared in favor of.
The councilwoman said her opinion has changed along with the collective voice of the community. She said she now believes that, given the current economy, Fairfield is not what Rocky Point residents think is best for the community. Her initial support for the project, which she called "too dense, anyway," had more to do with the sewers it could provide for the redevelopment of downtown Rocky Point.
"Now let's find another way for the downtown revitalization," Ms. Bonner said.
The second-year councilwoman won the 2007 general election by more than 6.8 percent of the vote. Since councilmanic districts, the Republican candidate has won the 2nd District race by no less than 5.5 points. But even though Mr. Leonard acknowledges that he is the underdog, he said he believes now is the perfect time for a Democrat to take the district.
"People have taken notice of the new atmosphere at Town Hall," Mr. Leonard said. "That can be attributed to [Mark Lesko] bringing everyone together." Mr. Leonard also pointed to the success Mr. Lesko had, faring better than Republican Tim Mazzei in the 2nd District, in the March special election for town supervisor as a sign that maybe the tide is turning.
Mr. Leonard made some pointed comments at Ms. Bonner, saying he would "care less about cutting ribbons at press conferences and more about cutting red tape." He also said she is "guided by too many partisan interests."
But Ms. Bonner said making appearances is part of her job, and one that helps her stay in touch with the needs of her constituents."
And the councilwoman feels confident her record will help get her re-elected. She pointed to her work regarding town vehicle reform and parks improvements as just two examples of work she's done to improve the 2nd District. She said continuing to find new revenue streams for Brookhaven and preserving open space would be priorities of her second term.
"I will continue to be about government accountability and improving the quality of life," Ms. Bonner said.
gparpan@northshoresun.com