Town Supervisor: Lesko vs. Haley 18 comments below
Supervisor Candidates
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?
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18 comments found
Congratulations to Mr. Lesko : 11/4/2009
Mr. Haley certainly put up a formidable fight for the office of Town Supervisor. However we all know there can only one victor. Congratulations is in order for Supervisor Lesko. He has proven to the people that he is the right man for the job. He has proven to the people that he looks out for the best interests of everyone not just a select few. I look forward to future endeavors with Supervisor Lesko and the Town Board regarding recreational fishing within the Town of Brookhaven. Once again congratulations to Mr. Lesko and may he serve everyone well throughout his term in office. I would also like to wish Mr. Haley the best of luck in his future endeavors as well. Sincerely, Tom Farrell VP - NYCRF
Congrats to Mr. lesko : 11/4/2009
Congratulations to Mr. Lesko. It was a job well done! We finally have someone in office that has proven to work in a bi-partisan manner. If the republicans on the board do the right thing we will see some major improvements within the Town of Brookhaven. It is up to all of us to keep all of them in check to ensure they do the right thing. Congrats to Mr. Lesko!
JANE E. BONNER WINS : 11/3/2009
The Suffolk County Board of Elections has just announced the results of the election in Council District 2. JANE BONNER wins 55 % of the vote with 6,974 votes to John Leonard's 45 %, or 5,810 votes. Conggratulations to John Leonard for a hard fought campaign. Congratulations to Jane and to all of her supporters on a great victory.
Lesko & Leonard : 11/3/2009
Lesko and Leonard is the team we need in office. Each of them are very well educated and have the experience needed to lead the Town to prosperity. They have also proven to work in a bi-partisan manner. They have suceeded in doing so like no other has ever done so in the past. They are the fresh faces we needed in Government.
LESKO WILL LOSE! : 11/2/2009
Although many people are predicting a victory for Mark Lesko later today, there are many signs that he is not popular. The Republicans have conducted an anemic campaign, but with all the help the Republicans have given him, they have not given him the popularity and credibility he needs to govern. We await the results.
JANE BONNER IS A WINNER! : 11/2/2009
The last two comments were negative comments from people who have nothing nice to say about Lesko and Leonard. Support your candidate. Stop smearing JANE BONNER. I know that you have been trying for weeks to think of something positive to say about Leonartd and Lesko, but has it not occurred to you that there may not be anything worth saying? You can say that Lesko has done a good job, but you cannot tell us what he has done. It is childish to tell her to get a job at a delicatessan. You are implying that our small business people are not good enough for you and your buddies. You insult and display a condescending attitude to all people who own "Mom and Pop" businesses. They will take note of your attitude since it is shared by Lesko and Leonard. Thet will vote for JANE BONNER!
Mark Lesko : 11/2/2009
There will be no contest tomorrow. Mark Lesko is going to win by a land slide. He has done a great job so far and he will continue to do so.
Jane can work at the Deli. : 11/2/2009
Maybe the Deli will give Jane a chance after tomorrow. After all that is all she is qualified for. People wonder why there has been no improvement in certain areas of the Town. The reason is clear. We currently have some under achievers in office. One of them happens to be Jane Bonner. I for one am a bit tired of her hearing her whining and crying in public everytime something doesn't go her way. John Leonard will be the only educated choice.
JANE DID NOT CLOSE THE BEACH : 11/2/2009
Jane admitted that she voted to close Shoreham Beach, along with 6 other Town Board members including Kathy Walsh, Mark Lesko's hand picked Deputy Supervisor. She did not close the beach all by herself. Anybody who attacks Jane for her vote, should also attack Kathy Walsh for her vote and Mark Lesko for appointing her. Liberals are the true enemies of fishermen. They believe fishing constitutes cruelty to the ceatures of the sea and should be banned by President Obama's new socialist state. Lesko and Leonard are liberals and the true enemies of fishermen. Lane is Conservative who wants to conserve. Any fisherman who votes for Leonard and Lesko should be banned from fishing on Shoreham Beach. The ban can be enforced by sending Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin, together with their rifles, to patrol the beach send all liberals to fish in the East River where they will feel at home with their New York City liberals.
Jane Bonner closed Shoreham Beach : 11/2/2009
Anyone that claims on this blog that Jane Bonner was not responsible for the closure of Shoreham Beach was either dropped on their head at birth or just an absolute liar. Jane Bonner had her little puppet strings pulled by a few people and stuck the screws to everyone. She has catered to the chosen few and nothing more than that. The lies must stop! Jane has admitted over and over again in public forums that she closed Shoreham Beach.
JANE DID NOT CLOSE THE BEACH : 11/1/2009
The one or two left wing kooks who are working for Lesko and Leonard under the umbrella of the NYCRF are at it again. Jane Bonner is a Councilwoman. She cannot close a beach. If her vote was illegal, (which is an insane allegation) then the vote of Kathy Walsh was illegal. Since Mark Lesko appointed Kathy Walsh as his Deputy Supervisor with a $50,000.00 salary increase, Mr. Lesko should be tarred and feathered and run out of town. You left-wingers who claim you support fishermen, should demand that your members vote for Mr. Lesko's opponent since he has appointed one of your deadly enemies as his Deputy. Kathy Walsh voted to close Shoreham Beach. Mark appointed her as his Deputy. You cannot attack Jane without attacking Walsh and Lesko. All you do is attack Jane. You are endorsing candidates since you lie for Lesko and Leonard. The NYCRF is a fine organization with wonderful members. They should not be used by liberal extemeists who want to further their socialist agenda by electing Lesko and Leonard. The fishermen and fisherwomen of Council District 2 will be standing by Jane's side in victory on election night.
LIBEL : 11/1/2009
"SHAME ON MARK LESKO : 10/31/2009 Since the day he first won the special election in March, Mark Lesko has done everything possible to destroy the careers of strong, independent women. He thinks women are okay if they remain barefoot, pregnant and stay in the kitchen. He has attacked our Town Clerk, Pamela J. Betheil, he has personally smeared Councilwoman Jane Bonner and now he is smearing Carol Bissonette, a Deputy Commissioner, while ignoring her boss, the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, who is a man The list goes on. Any woman who votes for Lesko might as well move to the Middle East where women wear berkas and are stoned to death for disobeying their "man."" Whomever this is that keeps spewing this false information must realize they are guilty of libel.
Endorsement? : 11/1/2009
"The NYCRF should now clarify that they do not endorse candidates. The smears of Jane Bonner were in flagrant violation of the Charter of NYCRF. " The NYCRF never endorsed any of the candidates. They also never stated on this website or anywhere else anything other than the truth. All of the officers and delegates of the NYCRF happen to be fine upstanding individuals. That being said there is nothing stated anywhere that they can not speak the truth about the candidates without officialy endorsing someone. The fisherman are not a group of fools. They know that Miss Bonner is the one who spear headed the closure of Shoreham Beach to fisherman. They also know that the so called emergency situation had nothing to do with recreational fishing. By the way, would you care to share with all of us what the emergency situation was? Also if it was not for the fisherman working respectfully and peacefully with Supervisor Lesko and others such as John Leonard the beach would have never been re-opened. What Jane Bonner did was illegal and it was her intentions for the closure to be permanent. If she is so eager to violate the rights of the fisherman what is to say she won't do further damage in other area's? One sad thing about some of the voters in district 2 is that they seem to vote as per party line no matter how bad the other candidate may be. Hopefully that will change this time around. The voters did the right thing during the special election and i hope they do the same this time around.
THANK YOU, MR. YOUNG : 11/1/2009
Congratulations to William A. Young, the President of the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing, for posting on this site the results of his organiztion's surevey of the candidates on the issues which concern fishermen and fisherwomen who live in Council District 2. We can all read their answers and decide for ourselves who to vote for. This is how non-profit groups shold be distributing information. Before Mr. Young became involved, the NYCRF used this site to smear our Councilwoman, Jane Bonner. One or two left-wing extremists used this site to claim that Councilwoman Bonner had single handidly closed Shoreham Beach. Shoreham Beach was temporarily closed by a unanimous vote of the Town Board, because of an emergency. One of the Councilwoman who voted for the closing was Republican Kathy Walsh of Centereach. She was then appointed Mark Lesko's Deputy Supervisor with a $50,000.00 increase in salary. Lesko then asked the left-wing extremists to attack and smear Jane Bonner, while ignoring the fact that he had chosen as his Deputy somebody who voted the same way as Jane Bonner. The left-wingers went along with Lesko and smeared Jane. They have said nothing about Kathy Walsh and Lesko embracing a Deputy who votes with Jane Bonner. The NYCRF should now clarify that they do not endorse candidates. The smears of Jane Bonner were in flagrant violation of the Charter of NYCRF. Mr. Young, we appreciate your survey. Thank you.
SHAME ON MARK LESKO : 10/31/2009
Since the day he first won the special election in March, Mark Lesko has done everything possible to destroy the careers of strong, independent women. He thinks women are okay if they remain barefoot, pregnant and stay in the kitchen. He has attacked our Town Clerk, Pamela J. Betheil, he has personally smeared Councilwoman Jane Bonner and now he is smearing Carol Bissonette, a Deputy Commissioner, while ignoring her boss, the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, who is a man The list goes on. Any woman who votes for Lesko might as well move to the Middle East where women wear berkas and are stoned to death for disobeying their "man."
Their stances on recreational fishing : 10/31/2009
10/28/09 The New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing recently sent questionnaires to the following candidates running for offi ce in The Town of Brookhaven: Mark Lesko, Martin Haley, Jane Bonner, John Leonard. Listed below are the questions that each candidate was given along with their replies. (Each candidate was informed in writing that their responses would be made public) #1. Do you believe that recreational fi shing aids the economy for The Town of Brookhaven? Mark Lesko: Absolutely Martin Haley: Did not respond to questionnaire Jane Bonner: Yes John Leonard: Recreational fi shing certainly boosts Brookhaven’s economy, In Rocky Point, for example fi sherman from across Long Island fi sh our north shore beaches. And then afterwards visit our restaurants and bars, shop our stores and fi ll their vehicles gas tanks at area gas stations. Fisherman are an integral part of our local economies. #2. Are You in favor of increased fi shing opportunities and additional fi shing access within the Town of Brookhaven? Mark Lesko: Yes Martin Haley: Did not respond to questionnaire Jane Bonner: yes John Leonard: Yes #3. Are you willing to increase enforcement of existing codes and statutes in theTown of Brookhaven ? Mark Lesko: As Supervisor I have already started doing that through my Quality of Life Task Force Martin Haley: Did not respond to Questionnaire Jane Bonner: Yes John Leonard: Brookhaven Town is doing just that, thanks to Supervisor Mark Lesko’s Quality of Life Taskforce. #4. Would you be in favor of having a Recreational Fishing Advisory Board for The Town of Brookhaven with advisors not having fi nancial interest with the Town? Mark Lesko: Yes Martin Haley: Did not respond to Questionnaire Jane Bonner: Yes John Leonard: Yes,because I believe the doors should always be open at Town Hall.The advisory board should be comprised of a mix of people ,a mix of ideas and a mix of opinions. Sincerely, William A. Young President New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing
Haley? : 10/31/2009
Mr. Haley simply does not have what it takes to perform the task as our Town Supervisor. He should also realize taking credit for issues that he had little to do with is taboo. Brookhaven is finally being cleaned up with Mr. Lesko in office. Lets not step backwards and let it become Crookhaven again. Thank you to Mr. lesko for doing an outstanding job for all of us.
Vote for Lesko : 10/31/2009
Supervisor Lesko has been doing a dynamite job for the people thus far. It is unfortunate that he only carries one vote on the. He would be able to get much more accomplished if he had the rest of the board working in a bi-partisan manner. I.E. Jane Bonner needs the boot out of office. How dare she do everything possible in attempt to undermine the Supervisor. She even hampered improvements for the Veterans. A vote for Mark will be a vote for all of the people.
