Meet The Candidate: Dave Chan For Islip Town Council District 2

OAKDALE, NY — Islip voters will soon head to the polls to elect town and county representatives. Election Day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Patch invited each candidate running for Islip Town Council, District 2, to answer questions about their campaigns. Dave Chan, a Democrat and retired NYPD detective from Oakdale, is running for the seat.

Name

Dave Chan

Age on Election Day

65
Campaign Website

daveforislip.com

City/Town

Oakdale

Office Sought

Islip Town Council, District 2
Party Affiliation

Democrat

Education

High School Diploma, some college time at Cortland State University before joining the NYPD.

Occupation

Retired NYPD Detective, former Police Investigator at Long Island MacArthur Airport

Family:

Married to my wife, Kate Chan. Together we have one daughter, Leah.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office?
No. However, I’ve spent my life in public service through law enforcement, civic leadership, and community engagement.

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running because the Town of Islip has stopped listening to its residents. I want to restore accountability, transparency, and fairness to Town Hall — and make sure government once again serves the people who live here, not the politically connected few.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is affordability and accountability in local government, and this is what I intend to do about it:

Families are struggling with the rising cost of living while the Town continues to waste taxpayer dollars and rubber-stamp overdevelopment. I’ll bring fiscal responsibility and transparency to Town Hall, ensure development benefits residents rather than insiders, and make Islip more affordable for working families.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on Long Island?

We need a real commitment to protecting our drinking water and coastal environment. That starts with expanding sewer infrastructure, preventing overdevelopment near sensitive areas, improving stormwater systems, and enforcing environmental protections to keep our bays and aquifers clean.

How can we improve infrastructure and highways?

We must prioritize safety, drainage, and maintenance — not political contracts. I’ll advocate for a comprehensive infrastructure plan that targets high-need areas first, ensures transparency in public works spending, and coordinates with county and state agencies to bring funding home to Islip.

How would you help local business owners struggling with high rents, inflation, and labor shortages?
I’ll work to simplify permitting and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, making it easier to start and expand small businesses in Islip. The Town should champion small business districts, connect employers to local hiring programs, and promote community events that drive customers to Main Street.

How have federal issues impacted local government?

Rising inflation and energy costs have made it harder for residents and small businesses to make ends meet. Local government can’t control national trends, but it can operate efficiently, cut waste, and protect taxpayers from unnecessary burdens.

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

I served 22 years with the NYPD as a Detective, including on the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, and was a 9/11 first responder. After that, I spent eight years as a Police Investigator at Long Island MacArthur Airport, where I also served as union vice president. I was a founding member of the Idle Hour Neighborhood Watch Group, protecting the Vanderbilt Mansion and Dowling College property when the Town failed to act. I’ve also served as President of the Oakdale Civic Association and as a board member of the Idle Hour Beach Club, working to improve quality of life and recreation for local families.

I’m a member of the Suffolk County Police Advisory Board, where I promote cooperation between police and residents, and I’ve helped raise over $1 million for local causes and residents through community 5K races benefiting veterans, first responders, and historical preservation. I also serve on the Shared Decision-Making Committee at Idle Hour Elementary School, partnering with educators and parents to support safe learning environments.

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

I’ve dedicated my life to public service — not politics. My opponent represents the same insider status quo that has left too many residents behind. I’m running to represent the people of Islip with honesty, independence, and a commitment to practical problem-solving.

Anything else you’d like voters to know:
My decision to run comes out of the life I've built, rooted in service and community. I believe local government has the power to make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives — from safer streets to sustainable development to supporting small businesses. This is our opportunity to create the kind of community we can all be proud of.