Candidate Profile: Catherine Corella For Suffolk LD 17

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Voters in Suffolk County will head to the polls Nov. 7 to cast their ballots for Legislator.

In District 17 — including Cold Spring Hills, Deer Park, Dix Hills, Huntington, Huntington Station, South Huntington, Melville, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Hills — voters will elect Democrat incumbent Tom Donnelly or Republican challenger Catherine Corella.

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.

Name

Catherine Corella

How old will you be as of Election Day?

54 years old

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

https://www.corella4suffolk.com

What city or town do you live in?

Deer Park

What office are you seeking?

County Legislator

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

17th District of Suffolk County Legislator

Party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Farmingdale State University

What is your occupation?

Automotive Sales 5 years

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

Robert Brady, Domestic Partner 22 years. Five children, 32, 30, 28, 26 and 17 years old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

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?

To help continue to improve the quality of life in Suffolk County for residents to be able to stay living here and for the next generation to be able to thrive with their future families.

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

Affordability and the decline of quality of life.

1. Advocate for affordable housing. By working to increase the availability of affordable housing options in Suffolk County. Support initiatives that promote affordable housing development, such as zoning changes, tax incentives, or partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

2. Support local businesses: Encourage economic development and job creation by supporting small businesses, this can help stimulate the local economy and provide more employment opportunities, which can more likely ultimately help lower the cost of living for residents.

3. Provide resources for financial literacy: Offer resources and programs that promote financial literacy and budgeting skills. This can help residents make informed decisions about their finances and manage their expenses effectively.

4. Reduce taxes and fees: By advocating for responsible fiscal policies that aim to reduce taxes and fees for residents. This can help alleviate the financial strain on families and individuals, making it easier for them to manage their expenses.

5. Finally, engage with constituents: Regularly communicate with my constituents to understand their concerns and challenges related to the high cost of living. I can use the feedback to help my decision making and prioritize initiatives that directly address their needs. My sole purpose as their Legislator, is to advocate for my constituents and work towards policies and initiatives that promote affordability and improve the quality of life for residents.

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

Continued research and understanding the issues. Engage with experts and connect with local environmental groups, scientists, researchers, and government agencies that specialize in water quality. Collaborate to develop effective solutions. Advocate for policies that address water quality concerns, support legislation that promotes stricter regulations on pollution sources, increased funding for water quality improvement projects, and the implementation of best management practices. Upgrade wastewater infrastructure: support the implementation of advanced treatment technologies that remove harmful contaminants from wastewater before it is discharged into our local water bodies.

Finally, addressing water quality issues in Suffolk County requires a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration, education, policy changes, and community involvement. We can make a significant impact on improving water quality and preserving this valuable resource.

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

1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment. Identify areas that require immediate attention, such as roads with high congestion and potholes.

2. Help create a long term plan that outlines the goals, priorities, and strategies for improving infrastructure and highways in Suffolk County. A plan should consider factors such as population growth, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Secure funding by exploring various funding options to support such plans. This can of course include seeking federal and state grants, public-private partnerships, and local taxes or bonds. Continuously engage with fellow legislators and policy makers to advocate for increased funding for infrastructure projects in Suffolk County. Finally, prioritize maintenance and repairs.

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

We can advocate for affordable commercial spaces by working with local government agencies to explore options for providing affordable commercial spaces to local businesses. This can include initiatives such as rent control, tax incentives for landlords who offer affordable rents, or shared workspaces.

Advocate for increased funding for small business loans and grants. This can help small businesses access capital to cover or invest in technology and equipment to mitigate labor shortages.

Collaborate with financial institutions and economic development organizations to streamline the application process and ensure accessibility.

Advocate and support training and apprenticeship opportunities to develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local businesses.

Identify and address any unnecessary or burdensome regulations that may hinder business growth and increase their costs.

Streamline the permitting process to make it easier for businesses to start or expand operations, reducing administrative burdens and costs.

Support networking and mentorship programs that connect experienced business owners with those that are struggling.

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?

As a Legislator, it's very important to emphasize how important it is for me to uphold the rule of law in addressing the immigrant situation. We need to secure our borders, support effective immigration enforcement, and adherences to existing immigration laws. We need to advocate for policies that prioritize national security and public safety. I fully support and value legal immigration. The contributions that legal immigrants make to the economy, culture, and the diversity that New York is known for. The strain on public resources, such as education, healthcare, and social services. We need to advocate for policies that ensure fair and equitable distribution of resources and minimize the burden on local taxpayers.

To prepare or plan for directed migrants, if necessary, we would need to create a comprehensive plan that outlines protocols, procedures, and services required to support migrants in shelters. This would mean addressing their immediate needs, such as food, shelter, medical care, and legal assistance. The successful planning for migrants in shelters in Suffolk County require a compassionate and comprehensive approach. By prioritizing the well-being and dignity of migrants, we can help ensure their smooth integration into the community. If we had to plan for migrants if they were directed to Suffolk County.

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

I represent fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention. I believe in free market and entrepreneurship.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

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

Crime. The need to strengthen sentencing and criminal justice reform. We need to prioritize public safety while also promoting fairness. Donating for appropriate sentencing guidelines that consider the severity of the crime, the risk to the community, and the potential for rehabilitation. Addressing crime requires a comprehensive approach. By focusing on strengthening law enforcement, promoting community engagement, supporting crime prevention programs, and addressing root causes, we can make an impact on lowering crime.

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

I have successfully organized and established many community organizations that are functional to the community. Collaborating, organizing, and communicating are essential in accomplishing your goals in the constant improvements that we need to build our quality of life here in Suffolk County.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mother gave me much advice, however, the best advice was to always stay resilient, passionate and to constantly grow.

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

I am not afraid to speak my mind and offer my opinion. Being an advocate and a voice for my constituents is not a role I would take lightly. I make myself available to listen to all constituents and see to their needs and wants. After all, we all want the same thing in life. To live and thrive in a beautiful community with direct access to areas and things that make life worth living here in Suffolk County.