Candidate Profile: Susan A. Berland For Suffolk Legislature

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County residents are gearing up to head to the polls for Election Day on Nov. 2, where they will be voting on the Suffolk County Legislature. Incumbent Legislator Susan A. Berland is running in the 16th Legislative District against Republican challenger Manny Esteban Sr.

The 16th Legislative District is composed of Commack, Dix Hills, East Northport, Elwood, Melville and South Huntington in the Town of Huntington, Deer Park in the Town of Babylon and Brentwood and North Bay Shore in the Town of Islip.

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

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Susan A. Berland

Age (as of Election Day)

60

Position Sought

Suffolk County Legislator, 16th Legislative District

Party Affiliation

Democratic and Working Families Party

Family

Husband Sanford; Children Stephanie, Alex, Schuyler and Grant

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education

JD Hofstra Law School, BA SUNY Albany

Occupation

Attorney, 35 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently Suffolk County Legislator, 16th LD (first elected 2018); Councilwoman for the Town of Huntington, 2001 - 2017

Campaign website

www.SusanABerland.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

"So I can continue to serve the people of the 16th Legislative District and the residents of Suffolk County and help make their lives better."

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

"There are a number of issues we face in Suffolk County coming out of Covid. Closing the structural gap and increasing our reserves with the federal dollars we received while maintaining the level of services our residents need and have come to expect. We need to create more good-paying jobs and make sure the jobs we lost during Covid are brought back. We need to continue to fight for clean water by providing more sewers and more funding for individual home systems to protect our vital aquifers. We also must continue our efforts to reduce crime, address the opioid epidemic and create more affordable housing."

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

"I am running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines and put people – families, seniors, veterans, children, everyone – and their needs first. My opponent is a Conservative-Republican. So I ask that voters research our positions on the issues – my website is SusanABerland.com - and make an informed choice."

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

"We were all hands on deck and working across every level of government to meet this unprecedented crisis to ensure that our residents got the resources, the support and the help they needed. We shifted our public workforce from their normal duties to assist with contact tracing, distribution of PPE, testing and vaccination campaigns. We coordinated with all levels of government to inform and assist residents, advocated for and obtained funding, reached thousands of constituents to ensure their needs were being met, and we partnered with community groups and local restaurants and other providers to deliver food to those in need. Our first responders also went above and beyond to help our residents through these unprecedented times. It was truly a massive effort to meet a unique and unprecedented challenge."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

"Making the lives of people better is my passion and I want to continue to bring my experience, commitment and results to my constituents and to all the people of Suffolk County."

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

"I have 20 years of legislative accomplishments, serving the needs of people, now as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature and before that as a Councilwoman for the Town of Huntington, which can all be found on my website. I have always performed my elected positions full-time with an open door to help my constituents wherever and whenever they need it."

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Your word is your bond."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

"I ask that you please go to my website at www.SusanABerland.com, to see my legislative record, call me anytime at the office at 631-854-5100 or email me at Susan.Berland@suffolkcoountyny.gov."