Bonner faces union challenge in primary Tuesday
Miller Place resident cites GPS initiative as reason to run
36 comments below
Now, as a result, Ms. Bonner, a registered Conservative with Republican backing, is facing a GOP primary from a labor-backed candidate for her 2nd District seat.
Miller Place resident Maria Navarro, a Republican union official with the support of the town's Civil Service employees, will appear opposite Ms. Bonner on the primary ballot Tuesday.
Ms. Navarro, who is a health office assistant at North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place, serves as president of the Suffolk Educational CSEA Local 870, a union representing more than 6,500 members spread out through 72 school districts. Although Ms. Navarro does not have the endorsement of the CSEA's regional legislative and political action committee, she has the support of the town's unions, according to political insiders. The GPS legislation was first introduced as a cost-saving measure by Democrats, prior to Ms. Bonner having been elected. The first bills introducing the policy were initially rejected, and after several delays the legislation was only approved when it received the support of Ms. Bonner and Republican Keith Romaine.
Ms. Navarro said she is running against Ms. Bonner for two reasons. First, Ms. Navarro believes she could be a better fiscal manager and doesn't believe the GPS initiative makes good use of taxpayers' money. Second, Ms. Navarro explained, residents have told her that the councilwoman has not listened to their complaints.
"I'd prefer to build bridges, not walls," Ms, Navarro said.
"If one supervisor can't supervise five people, it's a management problem," Mr. Walsh said. "We don't need to spend $1 million to monitor what the employees are already doing, which is their jobs."
Ms. Bonner refuted any claims that the initiative was a bad fiscal measure. According to numbers supplied by the town finance department, the GPS initiative saved 46,000 gallons of gas, almost 1 million miles, for a combined savings of approximately $300,000 between January and July. The department's records predict 80,000 gallons of gas, almost $1.6 million in mileage, and $600,000 will be saved between the period of January and December.
Ms. Bonner said she is seeking re-election because she wishes to continue to make government more accountable.
"This primary is not about good government at all," Ms. Bonner said. "It's about the unions being upset because I supported the GPS and vehicle policy. It's about the Democrats supporting my opponent because they know that I will be hard to beat if I get the Republican line."
Brian Eckhouse, communications director for the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee, said his committee does not get involved in Republican primaries.
Mr. Romaine also faces a challenge on the Conservative line this Tuesday. Mr. Romaine, a Moriches Republican, will be challenged by Christopher Marshall. Mr. Marshall also serves as first vice president to Ms. Navarro at the CSEA.
Ronald Lupski, a former Republican cross-endorsed by Democrats and the Working Families Party, has been challenged by Thomas Schiliro for the Democratic line. Joseph May, a Mastic Beach resident, is running on the Independence line unchallenged. Depending on Tuesday's results, the 6th District could have five candidates on the ballot come November.
In Suffolk County elections, incumbent Legislator Daniel Losquadro has been challenged on the Independence line by Bryan Lilly, a Democrat, whom he defeated in the 2007 general election.
peggy@northshoresun.com
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36 comments found
Vote for John Leonard : 10/17/2009
This council district election is very important for the people of Rocky Point and the surrounding hamlets. Jane Boner is so controlled she had to let Richard Amper write a letter for her and to inject his input on yet another study. This proves what a lot of people thought,Jane is not a free thinker. She was always told how to run her council district which she was elected to by lawyers and other political friends. I think the people need a change from this way of running this district. She excepted campaign contributions from Fairfield. Where are the ethics here, excepting campaign contributions from a builder knowing that the community is dead set against this project.. This has lot of people thinking. It was the people who stopped Fairfield. Not Jane Bonner. On October 10, 2009 there was a story in the North Shore Sun in which she is quoted saying, "That's because there hasn't been a good proposal," Ms. Bonner said in a telephone interview. What took her so long to come out against FairField project? In my opinion it looks like she was scared to say anything that would offend the builder,lawyers and local officials who in the first place wanted to get this project approved no matter how many people were against the project.When it comes to problems in the area like storm water run-off, every time someone calls her, she says were getting a study done. People have had it with Jane Bonner, its time for her to go. John Leonard has helped with some of our problems which is a start, a far better outcome than a study with the Storm water problem, Without the study John Leonard helped in saving tax payers hundreds of thousands of dollars from her waste full thinking, another study. So register to vote and vote her out. This council district needs help and that's John Leonard, he help us fishermen also.. Don't forget to vote and if you did not vote in years, register to vote we must vote Jane Bonner out this time for good...
Anti - Hispanic? : 10/16/2009
According to a gentleman by the name of Scott Santamaria, Jane Bonner may be a racist. Scott is an attorney who lobbies the Town for Walmart Corp. According to Scott, Miss Bonner closed down Shoreham Beach to fisherman because of the problem she was having with the illegal aliens down there. In particular the people of hispanic descent. She realized that some of the Hispanic population liked to fish. Whether they were fishing to put food on their table or not. She then comitted to the permanent closure of Shoreham Beach to fishing. This certainly seems to be a blatant act of Racial Discrimination. She not only violated the rights of the recreational fisherman, she had racial motivation behind it as well.
No way to Jane! : 9/30/2009
Over the past two years, we have been gathering information for a vast number of categories, so that we may continue to inform our and surrounding communities with fair and accurate information on important issues at different times. As you well know, Fairfield Properties announced that they would cancel their plans for their proposed Rocky Point PDD. At that time they announced that in two weeks they would submit plans for 47 single family homes (as-of-right) to be built on the property they own behind the Rocky Point McDonalds restaurant on Rte. 25A. At that time there was speculation that they would not make any move until after the elections. That announcement from Fairfield was 11 weeks ago and the elections are now upon us. As you may have already read, several of our elected officials are still spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars on what they call Corridor studies, Hamlet studies, Feasibility studies, etc. We believe that these Studies all point in the same direction; to facilitate the efforts of developers in proliferating their projects throughout or communities. One of our elected officials, Jane Bonner is running for reelection as our Councilwoman. Her district includes Rocky Point and several surrounding communities. Prior to running for our representative on the Brookhaven Town Council, Jane Bonner held a position on the Rocky Point School Board. According to the School Board Minutes, while she was on the school board, Jane negotiated with Fairfield Properties for a swimming pool for Rocky Point. This proposed swimming pool was part of a “community benefit” that we would receive in exchange for a zoning change so that Fairfield could build it’s dense project in our town. In other words, “What will it take to ‘buy’ the school board’s support”. Had it not been for vehement opposition to the Fairfield project by Rocky Point Residents Action Group and along with comunity oposition to Fairfield, I believe she would still be negotiating for the pool or for some other community benefit. Jane Bonner is presently endorsing another corridor study for the area along Route 25A through her district. This corridor study will cost hundreds of thousands of TAX DOLLARS. Our feeling on this is: If a corridor study is in favor of a sewer district, anywhere in the study, it will pave a path for Fairfield Properties to resubmit their proposal. Don’t forget the headlines 11 weeks ago. “we will submit a plan for 47 homes within two (2) weeks. Those plans have yet to materialize and have not been submitted to the Town of Brookhaven. And Jane Bonner has been silent on this from the beginning. Until the recent opposition to Fairfield, Jane Bonner was in our estimation “pro” Fairfield. While she openly opposed the Tall Grass PDD in Shoreham and the development of 60+ acres in Miller Place (single family houses on one acre lots would destroy the rural downtown feeling of Miller Place) she only stated that “I will do what the people want” when it came to the Rocky Point Fairfield PDD. On another front, while it is perfectly legal, moral, and ethical to accept campaign contributions from whomever you wish; the consequences attached to those contributions should be realized. When it comes to voting on a proposed project involving a campaign contributor, one should remove themselves from voting on that project. In no way shape or form do we allege and wrong-doings of any kind, but we do feel you should know who some of her contributors are. 1. John J. LaValle “LaValle said he plans to abstain from discussing and deciding the (Fairfield) matter because of his political and prior business relationships with Broxmeyer (the owner of Fairfield)."I never interact with their [Fairfield] applications," said LaValle, who at one point served as Broxmeyer's attorney. "I completely take myself away from the situation. I think that's extremely appropriate because I wouldn't want any wrong perception out there." (Newsday June 11, 2001) KUDOS to you Mr. LaValle. 2. “Friends Of John J. Lavalle”- contributions of $1,500.00 3. Jane Bonner received $500.00 of campaign contributions from Fairfield. With the election upon us, think carefully about all of our candidates….we would not presume to tell you how to vote…..these are important times in Rocky Point….think carefully and choose people that represent us. Rocky Point Residents Action Group
Council District 2 : 9/21/2009
To the last blogger! Know your history better. Councilmanic Districts were established by a special election in January of 2002. The first election for Council District 2 was in 2003. Kevin McKarrick, a Republican, was elected. He was re-elected in 2005. When he retired in 2007, Jane Bonner, a Conservative, was elected. The Democrats have had strong candidates in all three of these elections. This year, however, Mark Lesko, has revealed himself to be a hater of strong independent women. The manner in which he has treated our Town Clerk, Pamela J. Betheil, by demanding that she resign without a trial, has split the Democratic Party and infuriated women who feel that he treats women like they do in Iran. Stone them first, ask questions later. John Leonard is Mark Lesko's stand-in. He cannot think independently and Jane Bonner will win in a landslide. If you hate strong, independent women and feel they should all remain barefoot in the kitchen, vote for John Leonard! If you want women to put their shoes on and kick butt, vote for Jane Bonner!
Better people to serve? : 9/17/2009
Unfortuantely too many people that live in the District 2 area do not normally vote that way. Has anyone other than a Republican been voted in as a Councilperson in the past? I do not know of any at all. They have been voting for the party line whether the candidate was useless or not. Thats a shame because we have all had to pay for it. Especially with Jane Bonner.
REPUBLICANS -CONSERATIVES : 9/16/2009
The person who accused all of the Republicans who voted for Jane Bonner in the Republican Primary of "incompetence." should be ashamed. There are many conservative Republicans, conservative independents and conservative Democrats (Remember the Reagan Democrats!). There are even people with common sense who do not realize that they are conservatives. All of these people vote for the man or women who best represents their values, provides service to constituents, and votes for the best interests of the constitiuents. That person in District 2 is Jane Bonner. Republicans and Conservatives have supported each other's "good government" candidates for years and, on occasion, they are cross-endorsed by Democrats (Angie Carpenter for County Treasurer, etc). This is getting the best possible people to serve.
THE CONDITIONS IN BROOKHAVEN : 9/16/2009
One of the people who commented earlier blamed Councilwoman Jane Bonner for illegal aliens, a spanish deli, a tattoo parlor and every deplorable condition in Brookhaven Town. I originally moved to Brookhaven in 1968. While most of these problems did not exist at that time, they came along long before Jane Bonner came on the scene. Jane is trying to solve all of these current problems which she did not create. The next thing you know you will be accusing her of masterminding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
THE PRIMARIES : 9/16/2009
Just two days ago, on September 14, a blogger suggested that only one person was speaking up on behalf of Jane Bonner on this website. Another sugtgested that it might be Jane herself. Jane was obviously out campaigning and meeting the people. The bloggers could be any of the 1439 people who voted for her last night. The bloggers could also be Jane Bonner supporters who are not enrolled Republicans since it was a Republican Primary. They could be Democrats, Conservatives, Independents, Independence Party Members or Working Family Party Members. If Jane had only received one vote last night, it would be safe to assume that the same person had been doing all of the blogging for Jane. Jane's victory in November will be like a Tsunami. She has thousands of supporters who could be the bloggers. We will never know.
Bonner and Romaine cruise : 9/16/2009
Jane and Keith both cruised to victory last night. The union is not behind Bill Walsh's destructive plans!! Kathy Walsh should drop that guy like a bad habit and put him in his place for doing so much wrong. Way to go Jane, you set the tone for all the hate filled people who tried to bring you down. As for Maria Navarro, you were used and abused by a union leader who fed you to the lions in an ill fated plan brought on by greed. In the future you should be very weary of Bill Walsh. Bill Walsh has lost major credibility!!
Incompetence : 9/16/2009
It is very scary how incompetent some people are when it comes to the one they vote for. Jane is not a Republican. She is registered under the Conservative party line. This reminds me of the interviews of the kids voting for Obama.
Primary : 9/16/2009
This was only the Primaries, not the actual Election. For those of you who are happy with Jane you must love the current condition of our town. Ton's of illegal aliens hanging out by the deli. Graffitti popping up everywhere which is a major form of gang activity which jane has been denying and telling SCPD to back off. No gang activity at the tattoo parlor either. The issues of discrimination. Hmmmm What about the patronage positions she has filled. She should be brought up on charges not re-elected. Jane is far from what we need.
See Jane Run : 9/16/2009
Nice work Jane! All politics aside (and as a registered Democrat), Its clear to see we have an excellent public servant in you. Anyone with a brain cell can see this nonsense is a weak assed power grab for Marsha and the Dems. John Leonard's recent posturing with the Fishermen, Lesko and the NSBPOA is just pure fiction. Contrived and transparent.Real locals know you got our back Its a thankless gig for 60k. Thanks for busting your ass for us. Speak truth to power
: 9/16/2009
Congratulations Jane! Best of luck for in the Nov. election. You beat down the Union!!! KW -Please remember that you are a Republican - Not a Union Pawn. Please come back HOME - where you belong
CONGRATULATIONS JANE! : 9/15/2009
Congratulations Jane Bonner! The Suffolk County Board of Elections has announced that Jane Bonner has won the Republican Primary by a vote of 1439 (77.16%) to 426 (22.84%). The Fisherman came through for Jane! Everybody voted for Jane except for the isolated few who oppose GPS Systems. Let all Republicans, Conservatives, Democrats, Independents, Indepencence Party members and Working Family Party members unite behind Jane and give her the resounding victory on November 3 that she deserves.
Maria Navarro : 9/15/2009
Jane Bonner is an embarassment to the people of Brookhaven. She is the winner of the Patronage Award and no friend of the common folk who have little left to CONSERVE.
Novarro : 9/15/2009
Has anyone seen any results yet?
Novarro : 9/15/2009
I wish Miss Novarro the best of luck today. I hope she comes out victorious. We need to give somebody else a chance.
New face needed : 9/14/2009
Registered Republican and a recreational fisherman here that would vote for anyone other than Jane.
no way to jane : 9/14/2009
The majority of fisherman will never vote for Jane. She lied to us in person at more than 1 meeting. Some of you are probably really the same person that are for Jane Bonner.
COUNCILWOMAN JANE BONNER : 9/14/2009
The last two bloggers have some nerve complaining about "bullying" tactics. It is a few left-wing fishermen who are using a tax exempt organization to defame Jane Bonner and promote the left-wing extremist agenda of Mark Lesko and his puppet John Leonard. You clowns are the bullys! One of you even suggested that a very religious woman who happens to be engaged has been seen "frequenting taverns." You are worried about the IRS? It is Mark Lesko who calls law enforcement and demands that his political enemies be arrested. Just ask our Town Clerk, Pamela J. Betheil. Jane Bonner and her supporters will never contact the IRS. She wants them working on Congressman Rangel's tax cheat case, but when Tom Farrell poses with Lesko and Leonard on the cover of this newspaper and insists that he is a "non partisan" fisherman who only endorses fishing, you have to wonder how much bait he has been swallowing. The IRS reads the North Shore Sun. The fishermen will vote for Jane Bonner despite your lies, smears and bullying.
Bullying tactics : 9/13/2009
Bullying tactics will never stop someone from telling the truth when they have nothing to hide. It sure is time to clean house and get a new councilperson in district 2.
jane : 9/13/2009
Now there are threats of IRS investigations on here. How low can one go? The fisherman have done nothing wrong and have not endorsed anyone. They have spoken the truth and have shown their appreciation to those who have supported them in their efforts. If an investigation is what you want the ACLU can launch an investigation on a certain councilwoman and the rest of the board regarding matters of discrimination and racism. Don't forget several of the meetings were recorded. Both audio and visual.
JANE AND SHORHAM BEACH : 9/13/2009
Jane Bonner, as a Councilwoman, does not have the power or the authority to close Shoreham Beach. Shoreham Beach was closed temporarily by a unanimous vote of the Town Board. All 7 Town Board Members voted for it. Why do you pick on Councilwoman Bonner? Your "beef" is with the Town Board, including both Democrats and Republicans. Although Mark Lesko was not Supervisor when the vote was taken (Brian Foley was), Mark appointed Kathy Walsh as his Deputy Supervisor and gave her a $50,000.00 raise. Kathy Walsh voted to close Shoreham Beach. Yet, a few misguided fishermen have endorsed Lesko and Leonard. They attack Jane Bonner, but say nothing about Mark Lesko appointing Kathy Walsh. Their organization may lose its tax exempt status when the IRS finds out they have become a political tool of the left-wing extremists of the Democratic Party. "FISHERMEN, FISHERWOMEN AND BEACH LOVERS FOR BONNER! Get with a real winner
Bonner : 9/13/2009
The point is Jane Bonner "initiated" the closure of shoreham beach, a PUBLIC beach, for the benefit of a few water front residents, eventhough the majority of her constituents wanted it open. Over 450,000 people pay taxes for its use! She had her chance and did nothing. As far as I'm concerned, out with the old and in with the new.
GPS & AFFAIRS : 9/13/2009
Sexism and misogyony are running wild in Brookhaven. It is disgusying and it should not be condoned by our elected officials. The last blogger suggests that Mr. Walsh and the Unions did not want GPS Systems in cars, because all Town employees are having affairs and do not want to get caught at the homes of their lovers. Jane Bonner voted for the GPS System (not to cover up affairs of employees), but the last blogger the suggests that Jane has been frequenting taverns and could possibly be seeking out male companionship in taverns. YOU JERK! Jane is very religious and is engaged to be married. If you suggested that Mark Lesko and John Leonard go into taverns to seek female companionship, you would probably then imply that they are real studs. If it is a female, you imply that they are sluts. Double standard? If Mark and John want female companionship all they have to do is call Eliot Spitzer and John Edwards. Stop direspecting women! If women know what is good for them, they will vote to re-elect Jane Bonner.
: 9/11/2009
"Trust me, Jane is not posting these comments. KW is a controlled Union Hack and will Maria. Maybe EW doesn't want GPS on equipment, because they are all having affairs and don't want to be caught at their lovers house. Now, haven't I hit the nail on the head with "you know who". :) " Now that you mention it, Jane has been known to frequent a few local taverns. Hmmmm this could get very interesting.
: 9/11/2009
What you call the fishing lobby have not endorsed anyone. However the fisherman have brought out the truth and will not support anyone who has trampled on their rights. The Town board was misled by jane Bonner when she drove to have the beach illegally shut down to the fisherman. Lies and deceit are what Jane Bonner seems to be all about.
: 9/11/2009
Trust me, Jane is not posting these comments. KW is a controlled Union Hack and will Maria. Maybe EW doesn't want GPS on equipment, because they are all having affairs and don't want to be caught at their lovers house. Now, haven't I hit the nail on the head with "you know who". :)
hack : 9/11/2009
Maybe it's JB playing dirty politics by posting these negative comments below....Women are women, and when they feel threatened, they will resort to any lengths....
: 9/11/2009
Ever stop to wonder why the Union is so upset over the GPS systems ? If they were not doing anything wrong, then they would not have to run Jane out of town with their bullying tactics. Vote Jane Bonner. Not Maria, who is a political union hack
JANE BONNER AND THE BEACH : 9/11/2009
I have never met Jane Bonner or Maria Navarro. However, the fishiing lobby led by Tom Farrell, and other mis-guided individuals, are attacking Jane Bonner on the grounds that she allegedly closed Shoreham Beach all by herself. The truth is that no councilperson has the power or authority to close beaches. Shoreham Beach was temporarily closed by a unanimous vote of the Town Board. That vote was supported not only by Jane Bonner, but by Councilwoman Kathy Walsh, the wife of Union leader Bill Walsh. All Democrats and Republicans voted to close the beach. The fishing lobby has endorsed Mark Lesko and John Leonard. They will not be supporting Jane or Marie after Tuesday. Republicans who are voting in the primary on Tuesday - know who your enemies are. Also, know who your friends are.
NAVARRO : 9/11/2009
What a disappointment! It seems some people only respond to the Manipulation of the media even on the town council level, shame on you! After knowing of Maria Navarro for more than a decade, I find it hard to believe that a mother of six would ever be"rude in front of children". Navarro has a track record of volunteerism and service that dates back several decades. To assume Navarro would be a "union hack run by the unions", is not only an irresponsible comment but highly inaccurate. Navarro won the union presidency based on her ability to listen to those members who felt they were being ignored and has shown a natural ability to fight for those who are often poorly represented.She has achieved results! It seems obvious to most that she would be just as effective given the chance as council woman. I'm all for giving someone who is NOT a professional politician a chance to return town government back to the people. I'll be voting for Navarro!
: 9/11/2009
You admitted to being extremely rude and not very lady like yourself. Have you ever heard the story about sugar, honey and vinegar? You should listen to it sometime. If you want to vote for someone who does not represent all of the people you can re-elect you know who. If you want to vote for someone who is willing to step up and represent everyone then you have other choices. Miss Bonner didn't only illegally have the beach shut down to the fisherman. She had the access shut down to everyone last year prematurely. Only a few people that she was representing were able to enjoy our beautiful resources due to her actions.
Navarro : 9/11/2009
No you are incorrect. I was very nice to Ms. Navarro when she came to my door in Mount Sinai. She was the rude one in front of my children at my door. This whole primary is a joke, she is a joke, and the only thing real about Navarro is that she is being used like a pawn in the game of union politics. I used to be part of SEIU in my earlier life, and I know exactly what the "deal" is when it comes to things like this. This "deal" and "primary" stink to high heaven. Please do not come to my door again, as you will be wasting your time.
: 9/11/2009
What we don't need is another Union Controlled Board member. Vote Jane Bonner, one who truly stands up for the best interest of her constituents.
Navarro : 9/11/2009
The majority of the people I know that have met Miss navarro spoke very highly of her. They said she was extremely well spoken and very personable. It sounds like you were the rude one by using terminology such as a union hack. You and Jane Bonner should be ashamed of yourselves.
