Candidate Profile: Tony Martinez For Babylon Town Council

BABYLON, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls for Election Day on Nov. 2, where they will be voting for their chosen candidates.

Democrat Tony Martinez is running to keep his position as council member for the Town of Babylon. He is being challenged by Republican Kevin V. Sabella Sr. and Councilman Anthony Manetta, who is running on the Democratic, Republican, and Conservative Lines.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Tony Martinez

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

52

<b>Position Sought</b>

Babylon Town Councilperson

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Family</b>

I live in Wheatley Heights with my wife Marisol and two sons, Tomas and Nicholas

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

My wife Marisol works for the Suffolk County Board of Elections in Hispanic Outreach.

<b>Education</b>

Attended and graduated the State University of New York College at Oneonta. Majored in political science and history and completed a public policy internship with the New York State Department of Labor.

<b>Occupation</b>

Current — Babylon Town councilman and deputy supervisor
Past —Community organizer with Catholic Charities and union organizer for the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

Current — Babylon Town councilman and deputy supervisor

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://babylondemocrats.com/c...

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

I am seeking re-election as Babylon Town councilman to continue my work to improve the quality of life of residents, advance important economic development projects, and most importantly, protect our taxpayers while providing vital services.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Starting last year, the town announced the first of its kind rental review board — this board has done important work improving the quality of life of our neighborhoods, holding bad landlords accountable, protecting tenants, and cleaning up blighted properties that bring our property values down.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

Experience working with residents and community groups to find common ground and my track record of conservative fiscal management.

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

The Town of Babylon responded aggressively to the pandemic, implementing clear safety rules for employees and visiting residents. That allowed us to keep the vital services running that residents rely upon. In addition, we worked quickly to disperse much-needed grant funding to local businesses to keep them afloat through the economic downturn.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

As chairman of the parks committee, and head of capital projects, I have overseen continuing improvements to our parks and beaches, including new turf fields, new lighting, new playgrounds and expanded beach services and concessions.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

As deputy supervisor, it has been an honor to serve side-by-side with Supervisor Schaffer and achieve one of our most important goals — receiving a AAA bond rating for our fiscal management. This has helped save hundreds of thousands of dollars for residents and allowed us to invest in our roadways and parks infrastructure. I am also proud of our work rebuilding town facilities following Superstorm Sandy — we vowed to have everything reopened by Memorial Day, as our residents know that our parks and beaches are second to none on Long Island. We truly built back better and are better prepared for future storms while not passing a debt burden on to the next generation. I have also worked closely with our economic development team to attract new businesses to the Town of Babylon and advocate for workforce housing so new industries can attract the workers they need right here in Babylon.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

Let your work speak for you, not your mouth.