Candidate Profile: Christine Pellegrino For Islip Town Council D3

LONG ISLAND, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls on Election Day on Nov. 7, or early voting from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, to vote for their chosen candidates.

Former Assemblymember Christine Pellegrino is running against Republican/Conservative candidate Michael McElwee Jr. to represent the 3rd District on the Town of Islip Council.

Patch reached out to all candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

The Democratic candidate and former educator told Patch why she should be elected for this position.

The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Name

Christine Pellegrino

How old will you be as of Election Day?

54

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

https://www.pellegrinoforthepe...

What city or town do you live in?

West Islip

What office are you seeking?

Islip Town Council

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

District 3

Party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Master of Science Degree in Reading from St. John's University. I spent most of my 25-year teaching career as a reading specialist in the Baldwin UFSD, working with students who are at-risk for reading below grade level and advocating for their needs. I stood with colleagues and parents against the harmful standardized testing regime and to allow parents to opt out.

What is your occupation?

Union representative and community advocate

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

I am the proud mother of two West Islip High School graduates, Maria (20) and Sophia (18) who are currently in enrolled college. The youngest, and most spoiled family member, is our poodle-chihuahua mix Santino (7).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I was elected to the NYS Assembly in 2017.

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?

During my time in the Assembly, I delivered millions of dollars for our schools, libraries, the environment, veterans facilities, and individuals seeking treatment from opioid addiction. As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste, I fought for the millions of dollars allocated by the NYS DEC to clean up the DZUS superfund site in West Islip.

If elected to the Town Council, I will oppose the current plan to expand the Bay Shore Parking Meters and red-light cameras throughout the Town of Islip, which my opponent supports. I would fight for more funding for public safety, and streamline the permitting process, which is now steeped in politics and bureaucracy.

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

The endless approval of massive luxury apartment projects proposed by developers that contribute to the campaigns of those in office. I pledge to be an independent voice and vote on projects by not accepting contributions from developers.

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

The Town of Islip could better address water quality by passing a resolution to become a certified Climate Smart Community. This resolution and certification would be an important step for gaining needed resources because it would give access to millions of dollars in grant funding for projects aimed at improving water quality, resiliency, and protecting the health of our residents. Additionally, addressing overdevelopment is critical for water quality.

The Town has approved massive developments without a master plan for having the necessary infrastructure, putting our septic systems and cesspools at risk of being overwhelmed, causing toxins to leach into our water supply.

Finally, we need to take swift and decisive action to clean up the Superfund site at MacArthur airport, linked to dangerous levels of PFAS – a group of chemicals known to cause cancer. The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation recently held the Town of Islip liable for the cleanup at MacArthur, so it is up to us to ensure that all residents have access to clean, safe water to drink, cook, and bathe.

Having experience advocating for maximum funding a superfund cleanup from the DEC puts me in the unique position of being qualified to make sure the Town of Islip clean up the superfund right the first time.

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

The Town of Islip needs to make a long-term plan for preventative road maintenance as well as a more equitable plan for paving.

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

Currently, the Town of Islip has withheld millions of dollars of federal funding intended for small businesses. Neighboring towns provided grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses while the Town of Islip capped grants at $5,000.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of Islip, and they need our support as they weather difficult economic conditions. Our small businesses need permitting reform so they can open faster, with less red-tape. Currently, Town Hall is steeped in politics and bureaucracy, leaving storefronts vacant and small business owners on the hook while they navigate the system. Our local entrepreneurs need advocates in Town Hall who will fight for streamlined permitting, additional grant funding, and all available resources.

As Councilwoman, I would convene a Small Business Task Force, so we can identify specific ways Town Hall can create a nurturing environment for commercial organizations to grow and thrive. Additionally, I oppose Supervisor Angie Carpenter's team’s plan to expand the Bay Shore parking meters to all of the Town of Islip’s hamlets, because they hurt, not help, our community.

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?

The federal immigration system is broken, and our leaders in Washington have failed us. We need comprehensive immigration reform. The discussion over this topic has highlighted a critical issue – our infrastructure is crumbling, teetering on the verge of collapse. I would work diligently to improve our infrastructure, so that it is not at risk of total implosion.

In addition, I would demand Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams keep an open line of communication with the Town of Islip, and treat us as partners – not pawns. Both county executive candidates have made clear that they do not support Suffolk County becoming a sanctuary county, and I commit myself to working with the County Executive and our State partners in Government to ensure that our residents are taken care of first.

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

In 2017, I won a historic special election for the New York State Assembly. In Albany, I proudly delivered millions of dollars of funding to our schools, libraries, seniors and military veterans. I also delivered funding for programs offering treatment to people suffering from opioid addiction, to clean up toxic superfund sites, and protect our environment. My State Assembly staff and I provided excellent services to our constituents. As Councilwoman, my office would work just as hard to provide the same level of responsiveness to the needs of the people of the Third Council District if I am given the opportunity to serve as their elected representative in Town Hall.

A mother and teacher, with experience representing the people of the Third Council District, I would also bring an Independent voice to Town Hall. During my time in the Assembly, I was unafraid to stand up for my constituents against the leaders of my own party, fighting for the people who elected me in the chamber where I served.

Additionally, my advocacy work as a parent and teacher, along with my experience as a successful legislator working across party lines, will help me navigate the maze of government and be able to deliver critical state and federal funding to the district. These efforts will be pivotal in ensuring that residents of Town of Islip’s Council District 3 receive the resources necessary for a better quality of life.

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

Town taxes continue to increase while services decrease. As your representative, I’ll fight against corporate tax breaks that drain our communities of the resources we deserve.

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

Before I announced my candidacy for the NYS Assembly in 2017, I had never considered running for office. A seat was vacated, but many people doubted whether it was even winnable by someone in my party. When I was successful, I had to suddenly shift out of my teaching career and quickly learn how to navigate the complicated maze of state government, leaving the comfort of my classroom and colleagues to serve my community in a different way.

If I'm given the opportunity this Nov. 7, I would be honored to serve my community again as Councilwoman of Islip's Third District. I would work hard to fight for the concerns of the people and bring forward new ideas as an independent voice in Town Hall. There will be some challenges, but I have shown that I am capable of rising to the occasion and am someone the people can trust.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be kind to everyone. No matter what.

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

For further questions, please connect with me at www.pellegrinoforthepeople.org