Election 2011: Steve Stern, 16th Legislative District

Candidate for Suffolk County 16th Legislative District: Steve Stern

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Website: http://www.stevestern.us/

Background: Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) grew up on Long Island and has lived in Dix Hills for the past 12 years. He has served as a county legislator since 2005 in the 16^th district, which covers Centerport, Deer Park, East Northport, Greenlawn, Melville, North Babylon, Dix Hills and Elwood.

Stern serves as Chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee and is the vice chairman of the Public Works and Transportation, Economic Development, Higher Education and Energy and Ways and Means Committees. He is also a member of the Parks Committee.

The legislator graduated from Tulane University School of Arts and Sciences in New Orleans, Louisiana and received his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, graduating Cum Laude.  He is also a Certified Elder Law Attorney.

He is seeking re-election for his fourth term on Nov. 8.

In an Interview with Patch, Stern laid out his thoughts and plans for residents in the area. Here is what he had to say:

• Patch: You’ve been in the 16^th district seat for the past six years. Why did you decide to seek a fourth term?

Stern: I’m running to continue to build on the record of holding the line on taxes, providing fiscal responsibility, protecting the environment and veterans, seniors and children in our community. I want to continue to provide what I strongly believe is open, responsive leadership for my neighbors.

•  Patch: What do you think are the most important issues to residents this election?

Stern: Taxes, growing our economy and creating an atmosphere for businesses to thrive in Suffolk County. I want to see businesses locate to Suffolk County, to start in Suffolk County so we can build good paying jobs, especially for young people who absolutely want to remain here.

•  Patch: What if any problems do you think exist in the 16^th district that need to be addressed?

Stern: I would say in the district need to continue to focus on the environment. I consistently support legislation to preserve open space, protect ground water, drinking water and to preserve remaining areas of open space in Suffolk County.

Taxes are a big issue. I’m very proud of our record - we kept a promise and delivered. It is the sixth consecutive on-time balanced budgets with no property tax increase.

In order to make Suffolk County affordable, we have to start to make very difficult decisions as to what to provide and what to no longer provide. In schools it is a very challenging situation. There is a tax cap, but nothing has done to reduce state mandates.

One thing I strongly support to cut spending and work within the cap is the sale of county owned nursing homes. We have to look at what can be provided by the private sector. We have 40 nursing homes in Suffolk County that can be run more efficiently in the private sector and save taxpayer dollars.  The county would receive money for the sale and the county would no longer have the ongoing costs of workers on the county payroll. It would be a tremendous savings and residents would still get the care they need. 

•  Patch: In the past you’ve worked on cutting down the traffic on Commack Road. Are there still changes you want to see made there?

Stern: Commack Road has been one of my top priorities. I continue to work to develop a roadway that would move commercial trucks off of Deer Park Avenue and Commack Road onto a dedicated road. It would have a tremendous impact on preserving quality of life.

•  Patch: Do you have any other ideas for projects in the community?

Stern: I’m looking forward to engineering a design plan for expansion of the sewer infrastructure. The impact on the district and countywide is huge.  Any economic development absolutely depends on the sewer infrastructure.

•  Patch: What is the first thing you want to do if re-elected?

Stern: As chairman of the veterans and senior committee, one of things I’m very excited about is programs for veterans. More and more men and woman serving overseas are going to be coming home. They are going to need health care and jobs. I’m going to be developing services, including mental health and job training. I’m working with the Huntington Chamber for veterans to have access and exposure to local businesses to enhance their opportunities back home.

The other top priority is getting Suffolk County to work at pace of business instead of the pace of government. I plan to develop use of technology to make it much easier to cut the red tape and get businesses to start and expand at a much faster rate. The permit process is not the most efficient way. I’d like to see businesses do a one-stop-shop, where the process can begin in one place and be tracked by the applicantso that the business owner knows where he or she is in the process. It would also make the county more accountable to the timing. There are going to be standards and accountability.

• Patch: Where are some of your favorite places in the district?

Stern: I am a Half Hollow Hills Little League coach so one of them would have to be Otsego Park, and also the Edgewood Preserve. It is a critical piece of environmentally sensitive property in area and ground water protection area. I spend a lot of time in downtown Greenlawn and at the Harborfields Library. I enjoy Bagel Boss and my time within the Half Hollow Hills School District, both as a parent of two young children in the schools and as a representative of the community. I think everybody believes the school district is the heart of the community. It’s been a privilege to work with an awful lot of families.