Meet The Candidates: Michael Reynolds In The 5th Assembly District

PATCHOGUE, NY — Democrat Michael Reynolds is seeking election to the 5th Assembly District on Nov. 5.

With Election Day just around the corner, Patch has been reaching out to the candidates to find out why they are running this November.

Here is what the he had to say:

Name: Michael Reynolds

Campaign: website-www.michaelreynoldsforassembly.com

City or town of residence: Lake Ronkonkoma

Office sought: NYS Assembly District 5

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: MA-Adelphi University, MS-NYU Polytechnic University, MBA - Amberton University

Occupation: Vice President of Operations

Family: Married 24 years, four children, two grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Age: 57

Previous public office, appointive or elective: none

Why are you seeking this office?
I want to be the change I want to see. I care about my community and I grew tired of the lack of action by the Republican who’s currently in office. I have over 30 years of experience in leadership and leading teams, having worked at Fortune 100 corporations. I also started my own consulting business. I have the experience of making hard decisions that require strong leadership. As a member of the majority party, I will be able to help the residents of the community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I will work for the entire community, not just members of the community organizations who support me. I will bring much-needed resources to the community to help taxpayers. We do not receive the same support from the state that we send by way of our tax revenue. I will work with elected leaders to ensure we work on behalf of the people and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? Affordability in Suffolk County. I want my kids and family, as well as all families who want to live in Suffolk County, the ability to get a quality education from qualified teachers and have access to clean water and parks.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Being a leader requires the ability to listen and act. During Superstorm Sandy recovery, I was part of a team that worked to restore services for communities impacted by the storm. During my career in corporate America, I often put the needs of my team before my personal goals. Many times it was at a detriment to me but it was the right decision. The creation and preservation of jobs, which helped employees and their families, is also evidence.

What problems facing your district would you look to solve if you are elected/reelected? Affordability. Quality Education. Affordable healthcare, including a woman’s right to choose and have autonomy over her own body. Support for the equal rights amendment that’s on the ballot. The cleanup of Lake Ronkonkoma so families can go back to enjoying the lake with their families.

Cancer is a prominent health issue for Long Islanders and is a leading cause of death for children. What measures would you take to help lower cancer rates and bolster research in the field? I would work with local elected officials and community-based organizations to understand why and what actions need to be taken to combat and eliminate the causes. I would also work with the Assembly to have funding available to help with research, testing, and support services.

What would you do to help small businesses struggling with inflation and the cost of goods needed to manufacture their products? I support VP Kamala Harris’ proposal to provide $50,000 tax credits to small businesses. I would also look to improve supply chain interruptions as much as can be controlled.

Water quality is critical to the region. What plans do you have to help improve water quality and keep it safe for generations? I would look at the cost and feasibility of having sewers constructed to eliminate contamination. I would also work with local municipalities to stress the impact of using fertilizer and other chemicals that hurt bees and the runoff from lawns contaminates local water supplies.

How can the immigration crisis be addressed at the federal and local levels? Can federal and local officials work together? Yes, they can work together. They must to ensure local resources aren’t overrun or abused.

What can be done about inflation, which some say can be attributed to price gouging? Inflation is 100 percent price gouging by corporations and suppliers. I would support any law limiting price increases to proven cost increases to provide the same product or services, not arbitrary increases designed to increase corporate profits for the personal gain of CEOs and shareholders. I say this as a shareholder.

The median cost of renting on Long Island falls between $2,000 and $3,100. How can more affordable housing options be created? Affordable housing is a concern for many residents, especially those who want to start a family. The availability of inventory is what causes rents to go up or down. I would work with the governor to continue to increase the number of units constructed. I would also look to stop investment firms from purchasing units to set market prices.

What is your stance on SALT (State and Local Tax Relief)?
My opponent and Republicans took that away from homeowners while giving the top 1 percent of this country massive tax breaks. I support John Avlon and all Democrats who are working to have it restored.

What needs to be done to keep Long Island streets safe from crime? To keep Long Island streets safe from crime we need to get rid of drugs and provide support to those who have addiction. We must work with local law enforcement and provide tech solutions where applicable. We also have to create more opportunities for people to focus on living life than turning to drugs as an outlet.

The DWI/DWAI rate is escalating island-wide. What measures can you fight for, to address the escalating addiction crisis? Unfortunately, our DWI/DWAI laws are based on people being responsible and not driving while impaired. We need proactive solutions. I support establishments not serving alcohol after a certain time.

When I was in college in Connecticut, the local establishments would stop serving alcohol two hours before closing. This is done at pro football and pro baseball games, but not at local establishments. I also support the need for staff at local establishments to be champions in the effort to stop DWI/DWAI by limiting the consumption of alcohol by guests.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? Be kind and be yourself.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? As their Assembly rep, I will work hard at improving their quality-of-life by being a common sense leader who is not afraid to go against the grain to make the right decision. They’ve had Doug since 2018. It’s time for a mature leader to work for all members of the community. From the People! For the People!