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Fiore-Rosenfeld, Wendol debate Brookhaven's Council District 1
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Brookhaven Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket) is running for his fourth two-year term. For the third consecutive time his opponent is Port Jefferson Station resident Ed Wendol. In a face-to-face interview earlier this month the candidates disagreed — politely — on most issues.
Wendol, running on the Republican and Conservative lines, stressed his civic background and experience as a retired teacher. He has been active in the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Civic Association, the Polish American Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Wendol said his primary issue is to provide "active representation" for the 1st Council District.
Democrat Fiore-Rosenfeld, also on the Independence Party line, proudly pointed to his record on environmental protection and quality of life issues in the district and across Brookhaven. He touted the improvements at Percy Raynor Park, the preservation of Smoke Run Farm and improvements to West Meadow Beach as accomplishments during his terms in office.
The incumbent councilman, also an attorney, expressed his support of the preliminary 2010 budget proposed by Supervisor Mark Lesko, noting that it cuts overtime across the board, contains no property tax increase, and will permit the town to "do more with less."
In Wendol's opinion the Lesko budget lacks "creativity" and is simply a "knee-jerk reaction" to the current down economy.
The challenger said the number one issue for virtually everyone he speaks with is high property taxes, although Wendol said the MTA tax imposed by New York state's Legislature this year is an added burden. "For example, the Comsewogue Library," on whose board Wendol has served, "will have $7,000 to $8,000 from its budget" eaten up by the MTA. "What has the town done about it?"
Fiore-Rosenfeld replied the town board "passed a memorializing resolution in opposition" and has, to date, refused to pay the tax to Albany.
The councilman said the "heart of the matter" for the town council is "zoning, future development" of the township. Fiore-Rosenfeld said he is a supporter of Brookhaven's 2030 long-term master plan, being finalized over the next several months, although he has been disappointed in the level of public participation. He also criticized his colleagues on the town board for not having moved on the rezonings called for in the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Hamlet Study.
Wendol criticized the paving of Trustees Road on West Meadow Beach as "not necessarily the best thing to do." However he also said vehicle access was important because it is "too long to walk to the Gamecock Cottage," located at the south end of the roadway.
Fiore-Rosenfeld replied that the roadway is blocked by a gate that can be opened to facilitate occasional use by vehicles when necessary.
Wendol countered that environmental protection should have been the overriding factor in the improvements to the town park. Fiore-Rosenfeld responded that the adopted West Meadow Beach master plan, which included the paving of Trustees Road, is environmentally sensitive.
The Republican challenger criticized the state DOT plan for widening Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station, saying it does not coordinate with the state's plans for Route 347. Wendol called the 112 plan "outdated" and the 347 plan "dangerous," since it calls for narrowing lanes, which he said will not slow traffic. Wendol said an overpass at the intersection of the two state roads is "his solution" to the congestion.
"The residents are opposed to an overpass," Fiore-Rosenfeld replied. He said the main concern now is "development east of us," that will further increase traffic on 347. He added that widening Route 112 north of 347 is a "mistake" that will cause economic hardship for the businesses located along that corridor.
The opponents agreed that relocating the parking lot along the harbor in Port Jefferson Village to improve the aesthetics would be welcomed if an alternative location for parking was approved by village residents.
Wendol pointed to the town's acquisition of a mostly wooded triangle of land on Terryville Road and Route 112, across from the Terryville firehouse, as an example of town mismanagement. He said the town paid far too much to preserve the property — "about $600,000," Wendol said — because the town was at least partially to blame for a judge permitting the parcel to be rezoned, therefore increasing its value.
Fiore-Rosenfeld countered that the actual purchase price was closer to $450,000 and said the town's Board of Zoning Appeals "messed up," not the town council, in part causing the judge to rule as he did.
Regarding the area around the Long Island Rail Road station in Port Jeff, the candidates had slightly different approaches, after agreeing the area needs help.
"The hamlet study dealt with it," said Fiore-Rosenfeld, but in addition he suggested a "joint study" with village representatives is needed. The councilman stressed "the people and businesses that live there have to have their say."
"What does not meet code," Wendol said, must be rectified. "Follow the regulations" now in place, he said. The challenger also said illegal immigration is a "major problem" in the district and throughout Long Island, saying it is negatively impacting the schools and hospitals here.
Summing up, Wendol said his major concern is "spending and taxes. Start now at the local level to change the direction" of government.
Fiore-Rosenfeld described himself as a "strong advocate of preserving the quality of life and the environment for families."
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