Two men, many differing opinions
Aside from their experience as prosecutors, candidates have little in common
4 comments below
Republican Tim Mazzei and Democrat Mark Lesko are both former prosecutors. But that's where the similarities stop. Both men have different philosophies on most of the major issues in Brookhaven.
But beyond that similarity on their résumés, Mr. Mazzei, the Town Board's Republican majority leader, and Mr. Lesko, a Democrat, have strong differences in opinion on what's best for the future of Brookhaven.
Even where they agree, like their mutual belief that the economy should be a top priority of whoever gets elected, they differ on how to get there.
Both men believe Brookhaven needs to do its part in making sure planning projects are fast-tracked in an effort to ensure decisions are made quickly on projects so work can be done sooner and businesses can get up and running. Both men believe this to be a key to reviving the local economy.
How the planning department runs, however, is something they don't see eye to eye on. Mr. Mazzei has called for a manager to run the department, where the commissioner post has been vacant for more than two months, and not necessarily a planner. "We need someone who knows how to manage and get the most out of people," Mr. Mazzei said in an interview with The North Shore Sun editorial board. "We have plenty of planners."
Mr. Lesko has raised concern over the removal of appointed Democratic commissioners and the decision to replace some of them with Republican officials from the previous Republican administration. Mr. Lesko, who touted his work as a prosecutor on several cases related to the Town of Brookhaven, said he believes the majority has opened the door back up to prior corruption, calling Mr. Mazzei a member of the "old guard" in Brookhaven. Labeling himself a reformer, he said his work as a prosecutor showed him where the "bodies are buried."
Mr. Mazzei, meanwhile, has disassociated himself from past corruption. In his Sun interview he said he had little connection with the Republican Party before being appointed to the Town Board in 2003. And he said he believes the current administration has done a good job and has steered clear of missteps committed by previous administrations.
Mr. Mazzei also defended his majority's elimination of citizen advocate positions from the supervisor's office, as well as the transfer of the public information and economic development departments from the supervisor's office to the purview of the entire Town Board. Mr. Mazzei said he would consider more changes of a similar nature if elected supervisor.
Mr. Mazzei also touted the elimination of community enhancement grants as a necessary cost-saving measure. Mr. Lesko said he would consider the reinstatement of those funds, but most likely not until after the economy improved.
Mr. Lesko criticized his opponent for leading the charge on many of the changes the current Town Board made to the structure of Brookhaven government. He said he would aim to reinstate the citizen advocate positions, if elected, while also looking to devote more attention to programs like 451-TOWN and ServiceStat, a management tool that tracks departmental performance in the town. Mr. Lesko accused Mr. Mazzei of neglecting those programs introduced by the Foley administration, an accusation Mr. Mazzei firmly denied.
Polls will open at 6 a.m. for Tuesday's special election; voters have until 9 p.m. to vote at their regular polling stations.
gparpan@northshoresun.com
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4 comments found
: 10/30/2009
There are a number of investigation, GOING ON RIGHT NOW, ALL OVER NEW YORK STATE, about Voter Fraud and Campaign Money Fraud, by the Working Families Party. Here's just one story of "how" they do it... YOU have to make a stand AGAINST CORRUPTION, with your Vote. Supporting Working Families Party/ACORN candidates, is SUPPORTING CORRUPTION. ALL THESE BROOKHAVEN CANDIDATES, ARE ENDORSED BY THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY, Mark J. Lesko Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven M. Cecile Forte Town Clerk, Town of Brookhaven John H. Rouse Superintendent Of Highways, Town of Brookhaven John J. Leonard Councilmember, 2nd Town District, Town of Brookhaven Constance M. Kepert Councilmember, 4th Town District, Town of Brookhaven M. Craig Charvat Councilmember, 5th Town District, Town of Brookhaven Ronald S. Lupski Councilmember, 6th Town District, Town of Brookhaven Anthony M. Parlatore District Court Judge, 6th District, Town of Brookhaven (6 Year Term) Robert A. Margolin District Court Judge, 6th District, Town of Brookhaven (6 Year Term) http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/elections/endorsements/suffolk-county-endorsements/ They have recieved ACORN MONEY.... http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/reports/rwservlet?cmdkey=efs_sch_report+p_filer_id=A08215+p_e_year=2009+p_freport_id=K+p_transaction_code=C IT'S YOUR PRECIOUS VOTE ! IF YOU WANT ACORN PEOPLE IN BROOKHAVEN GOVERNMENT, THE CHOICE IS YOURS ! http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/working_families_scam_to_boost_pals_YEZ7jXNl4QhmHQg3BsjHCM
: 4/1/2009
Guess the working party label didn't hurt him too much.
Lesko/Mazzei : 4/1/2009
The fact that Mazzei not only lost, but was trounced gives credence that there still are thinking, caring, and considerate voters in Brookhaven. We are not bent on destroying our Country as the previous poster decried, but we want was is best for all the citizens of this great town. Let's hope that the Republican/Conservative majority get the message in this vote and works with Mr. Lesko, and the minority to continue the reforms started by Brian Foley. If the Republican./Conservative majority continues to block the initiatives started by the Foley team (that was completely replaced in a spiteful show of political favoritism), their reign as the majority will cease come November.
: 3/27/2009
That LESKO is endorsed by the "Working Families Party" is good enough for me NOT to vote for him. These ACORN front groups are bent on destroying our Country with their Whacko Liberal Views !
