Candidate Profile: Tom Donnelly For Suffolk Legislature District 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

Thomas Donnelly

How old will you be as of Election Day?

56

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

https://www.suffolkdems.com

What city or town do you live in?

Deer Park

What office are you seeking?

17th District

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

Suffolk County legislature 17th District

Party affiliation.

Democratic, Conservative

Education.

Bachelor of Science

What is your occupation?

Retired FDNY Lieutenant, 30 years of Service

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

Wife: Lisa, 3 Daughters: Amanda, Lexie and Adrianna

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, Daughter Amanda: Math Teacher East Meadow School District, Daughter Lexie : Stony Brook University Hosptial, Daughter Adrianna: Town of Babylon

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

Yes. Deer Park Fire Commissioner 2003-2011, town of Babylon Councilman 2011-2018.

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?

Incumbent

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

There is not one singular facing the district, rather its a continue focus on maintaining our quality of life, including but not limited to: Strong Public Safety including continuing to address local and county-wide public safety issues, continuing to fight the opioid crisis and reducing gang violence. Working with our Community Groups and Law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe. Continue to work on our County Infrastructure: Including our roads, parks and working to sewer additional communities.

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

Several items need to addressed: Consolidate the various sewer district into one more manageable system. Continued federal funding for the upgrades of our sewer infrastructure, complete seperate funding mechanism that will sustain these sewer projects over the next decade.

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

Establish timelines for road upgrades, continue to leverage Federal Grant infrastructure dollars for both local roadways and highways. Have sufficient public work personnel to respond quickly to deteriorating road conditions.

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

Help business owners identify target areas, where sustained customers will stay and keep their business flowing, try to assist local business owners with getting started by assisting them with the various permit processes. Insure public safety around businesses.

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?

It's a federal government issue, not a local government issue. Current Immigration Policy and Operational Control of our Borders are completely inadequate. Our Federal Government must do better immediately. Supporting immigrants is a proud tradition of our nation. But our Federal government is failing us. Local governments should not have to shoulder this responsibility, local governments are not equipped nor do they have the resources to sustain it. It is not fair to local homeowners to have to use local tax dollars for a Federal government failure. Our Nation deserves better from our Federal leaders.

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

As a practical matter, I don't compare myself to another candidate. Rather I let my body of work as a public servant over decades be the benchmark.

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

Continue to work on local grassroots issues that are affecting our Residents.

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

As the 17th District legislator for 6 years, we have kept our communities safe, worked to maintain fiscal budget control, addressed quality of life issues and continued to address public works needs. Mostly I am very proud of assisting our residents and their families and any issue they need assistance with. Local officials are the first line of contact for our residents being available to them at a moment's notice is something I have always prided myself on.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be Decent, Humble, Dedicated, Empathetic. Treat others as you want to be treated.

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

If I can be of assistance our office is 631-854-4433 my email is : tom.donnelly@suffolkcountyny.gov.