Candidate Profile: Guy Leggio For Islip Town Council D3

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls on Election Day on Nov. 7, or early voting from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, to vote for their chosen candidates.

Write-in candidate Guy Leggio is running against Republican/Conservative candidate Michael McElwee Jr. and former Assemblymember Christine Pellegrino to represent the 3rd District on the Town of Islip Council.

Patch reached out to all candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

The Bay Shore School Board member and volunteer fireman told Patch why he should be elected for this position.

The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Name

Guy Leggio

How old will you be as of Election Day?

60

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.leggioforislip.com

What city or town do you live in?

Bay Shore

What office are you seeking?

Islip Town Councilperson

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Zone Three

Party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

High School Diploma

What is your occupation?

I am working as a bricklayer for the past 40 years, a wrestling coach for 30 years, a school board member for the past 16 years and a volunteer fireman for the past 39 years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I live in Bay Shore with my wife Maryann and my three children James, Christoper and Megan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have held public office on the Bay Shore School Board for the past 16 years.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because I have a deep connection to Islip, having dedicated years serving in various community roles. I understand our town's needs and challenges, and I want to use my experience to address them head-on. My mission is straightforward: to genuinely represent our residents and work tirelessly to enhance the quality of life in Islip for all.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

Water always needs to be cleaner, which means our soils can't be illegally dumped on to protect our natural water which filters through our ground. Our septic systems need to be fixed with no more waste going into old cesspools. We need more sewage plants, fiberglass tanks instead of cesspools and leaching fields.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc?

I think to improve our infrastructure we need to work with the Federal Government, State and County to improve our infrastructure. We need to work together to come up with a plan to make our roads safe.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

I plan on helping local business owners by running events to help improve business and sponsor grants to help with high rent costs along with helping them improve their business with better advertising, job trainings and job fairs.

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

I recognize both the challenges migrants face and the concerns of our community, which has been unfairly burdened with their share of shelters. Any plan to direct migrants to shelters on Long Island should prioritize community engagement, ensuring decisions are made transparently and with input from residents to achieve an equitable solution that respects all parties involved.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The major differences between the other candidates and myself is I'm for the people, not the politics.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

During my campaign, I'll focus on other key issues including: enhancing community engagement to foster stronger community bonds; advocating for the improvement and support of local services, especially our fire departments and schools; championing quality education to provide our youth with both academic and extracurricular opportunities; and ensuring our veterans and active service members receive the necessary support and resources, drawing from my own experiences in the Navy. My goal is to address the core concerns of our residents and work towards a prosperous Islip for all.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Throughout my 30 years in the construction industry, I've honed leadership and management skills while overseeing significant projects and teams. My disciplined leadership was also evident during my service in the U.S. Navy, especially when leading 86 men in boot camp. Additionally, my dedication to the community shines through in my roles as a longtime wrestling coach at East Islip High School, a volunteer with the Bay Shore Fire Department, and as a three-time president of the Bay Shore School Board. These experiences underscore my commitment and ability to effectively serve the Islip community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was during my time in the Navy: "Lead with integrity and always prioritize the welfare of your team."

Whether I was overseeing construction projects, coaching wrestling, or serving on the school board, this advice reminded me to always act with honesty, place others' needs before mine, and ensure that the collective good is always the primary goal.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Absolutely. It's essential for voters to know that my dedication to Islip and its residents is deeply personal. I've spent years embedded in the community, not just as a public servant but as a coach, a volunteer firefighter, and a neighbor.

Every decision I make stems from a genuine desire to better our community. My track record demonstrates a consistent commitment to service, whether in the construction field, the Navy, or our local schools. In this race, I'm not driven by politics but by a genuine passion for the well-being of our residents.

I believe in open dialogue and am always willing to listen, learn, and collaborate. It's my hope that together, we can continue to make The Town of Islip a place we're all proud to call home.

Additionally, since I am entering this race as a write-in candidate, you won't see my name on the ballot. But you can still vote for me during early voting and on Election Day by simply writing my name on the ballot. Just visit my campaign website to see how. www.leggioforislip.com