Democratic Town Supervisor Candidates Primed For Primary Election
/By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
A pair of Democrats with differing backgrounds, experiences, and ideas will square off in a Democratic primary election Sept. 12 to determine the party’s candidate for Huntington town supervisor.
Huntington Councilwoman Tracey Edwards and Darryl St. George, a Northport High School teacher, are both seeking election to the position held by Frank Petrone since 1993. Petrone announced earlier this year he will not seek re-election.
Both candidates said their backgrounds and experiences, both past and present, have prepared them for the supervisor position.
Edwards, a retired Verizon executive and councilwoman since 2014, has the backing of the Huntington Democratic Committee in the primary because of her experience in the business world and on the town board, said Committee Chair Mary Collins.
Edwards, 55, of Dix Hills, said she is running for supervisor after three and a half years as a councilwoman because she will be better positioned to make changes.
Prior to her town board tenure, Edwards served as town planning board chair and an Elwood school board member. She’s also currently the Long Island regional director of the NAACP.
“Based on my civic, business, and community service background, I believe I am better positioned to make the needed changes,” she said.
Edwards said economic development is one of her top priorities, and she wants to continue the fiscal responsibility instituted throughout her time on the town board.
“The issues I am working on include partnering with corporations and unions to create jobs, completing Huntington Station revitalization projects and providing affordable housing for millennials, seniors and first-time home buyers.” Edwards said.
She also wants to create an “Architectural Review Board” for Huntington that would be tasked with ensuring that residents are comfortable with future development projects.
Meanwhile, St. George, a 35-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and president of the Greenlawn Civic Association, said his “very diverse background” has prepared him for the duties of supervisor.
“I have a proven track record of working with a lot of different people and organizations,” said St. George, adding he’s gotten support from local veterans groups, former students and other community members.
Limiting the environmental impact of development needs to be a focus for the next supervisor, St. George said.
That said, he’s “very much in favor of growth,” but worried about “the link between the environment and over-development throughout the town.”
Campaign finance reform is an important aspect of St. George’s platform. “Developers who have current or pending contracts with the town should be restricted from making political contributions to elected officials in town government,” he said.
Both Edwards and St. George said public safety, which includes addressing the ongoing opioid addiction crisis, is a major focal point.
Both candidates also voiced support for enacting term limits legislation and clean water initiatives, and making town hall more accessible to residents.
The Democratic primary will be open to all registered Democrats in the Town of Huntington. Visit the Suffolk County Board of Elections website at Suffolkvotes.com to find local polling places. Polls will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sept. 12.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican and current state Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington Station) in the November general election.
Another candidate, Michael Raspantini, filed petitions under his “End Corruption in Huntington Party.”
There are also primary elections slated for Women’s Equality, Reform and Green parties, however there is only one official candidate listed for each: Edwards, Lupinacci and Jeremy Grossman, of Melville, respectively.