Suffolk Legis. Kara Hahn Steps Down For State Parks Post

SETAUKET, NY — Suffolk lawmaker Kara Hahn stepped down from her post with the Suffolk County Legislature for a new job with the state's Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation office, she announced in an email to the community late Sunday.

Hahn, who has served on the Legislature for 12 years, was term-limited and would not be allowed to run this November, noting her "passion" for open space preservation and parks and was offered a post with the state as deputy regional director of the office.

Her decision was a difficult one, she said.

Hah recalled how she was growing up, her parents’ volunteerism inspired her.

Her mother "fought to save" land in Stony Brook Village and for 50 years was often seen cleaning up litter along our block, and her Dad was a proud U.S. Army veteran and "dedicated" volunteer firefighter, who "never wavered in answering each call to service," she said.

"They both set the bar high," she said. "I wanted to find a way to make a difference myself and serve our community. Still, I never imagined that I would have the great honor of being elected to represent the hometown where I was born and raised."

Hahn said she has been honored and privileged to serve Suffolk, "especially the constituents of the 5th Legislative District."

"I have been fortunate throughout my career, which has included being majority leader and then deputy presiding officer of the County Legislature, to work alongside and interact with countless intelligent, talented, and passionate people who have enriched the life of our shared community," she said. "I will never forget my colleagues and constituents who have worked with and supported me on this journey."

"As I drive around the Three Village, Port Jefferson, and Terryville communities, I will always cherish and be humbled by the reminders of the many legacies our work has left," she said.

Local veteran memorials have been updated to reflect recent wars and conflicts, open space has been preserved, and an outdoor classroom has been envisioned at the Dr. Joseph Rella Greenbelt behind Comsewogue High School.

Access has also been improved at Forsythe Meadow County Park, McAllister County Park, and Old Field Farm with new parking facilities and walking trails that together we made possible.

"Thanks to your encouragement and insight, we have accomplished a great deal of good together, changing county laws to better the lives of all," she said.

Hahnn said that she and the community saved thousands of lives by putting Narcan in the hands of first responders and lay people, as well as get treatment for overdose patients, and also equip athletic coaches to help student-athletes avoid addiction.

She also worked on regional emergency room protocols for overdose cases and education about the stigma of addiction.

Hahn noted initiatives to stop domestic violence, such as allowing judges to require proximity detector GPS monitoring of abusers and to enable police more thoroughly evaluate the potential for repeated violence, and for victims to gauge the risk of being assaulted again.

She also touted policies to protect children from sexual predators; prevent the sale of toxic toys to consumers; and protect cyclists from unsafe drivers, as well as gun safety to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Other initiatives of Hahn's includes preventing Suffolk from becoming a disposal site for fracking waste from other regions; reducing single-use plastics such as polystyrene, plastic straws; and personal-care products containing micro-beads that can contaminate our water and our bodies, and creating "Port Jefferson Station - Terryville Summer Concert Series" and the "Swing into Spring" jazz festival.

"Enjoy the rest of the summer, and if you see me around our incredible district, please say, 'hello'," she said.‌

Former state assemblyman Steve Englebright, a Democrat, and Anthony Figliola, a Republican, have thrown their hats in to the race for Hahn's seat, Newsdayreported.