Candidate Profile: Andre Sorrentino For Huntington Town Council

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, NY — Voters in Suffolk County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for Huntington Town Council, where they will choose from Andre Sorrentino, Eugene Cook, Joan Cergol, Kathleen A. Cleary and Patrick W. Deegan Jr.

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

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

Andre Sorrentino

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 54
• Town of Residence: Huntington
• Position Sought: Town Council
• Party Affiliation: Republican
• Family: Mother: Louisa, father Andre (owner Andrea’s shoe repair), brother Pat Sorrentino and fiancé Patricia Bifulco. Wife: Kimberly and two daughters, Mia and Andrea.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.
• Education: Huntington High School
• Occupation: Automotive Repair and Trucking (Private Business); Director of General Services for the Town of Huntington, I have been working on cars since I was 13 years old. As far as my being the Director of General Services, I have been in that position for approximately two years.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: I am currently a Fire Commissioner for the Huntington Fire District, which is an elected position. Also, as indicated above, I am currently serving as the Director of General Services for the Town of Huntington, which is an appointed position.
• Campaign Website: https://www.andresorrentino.com/

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

"I believe that the most pressing issue facing the Town of Huntington is the quality of life in our neighborhoods. As far as what I am going to do about it, I intend to develop laws and policies that balance the needs and wants of the residents with the realities of our current infrastructure. There is a time and place to build, but we have to be smart about it and not lose the characteristics that brought our families to this great town in the first place."

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

"The biggest difference between me and some of the other candidates is that I put people before politics. Yes, that is my slogan, but it is also a way of life that I intend to stick to, because it goes to the root of who I am. I love giving back to the community in a real and significant way. For example, the Sorrentino Family Turkey Drive that I have been running for the past 10 years has fed thousands of people in need during the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, I would like to continue giving back by creating better laws and policies that everyone in town can benefit from, regardless of their background or station."

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

"I believe that some officeholders in the Town can do a better job at listening to the people. This may sound overly simplistic and even cliché, but it really is true. If one is to effectively represent the interests of the people, how can he or she do that without interacting with them on a daily basis to learn about their priorities? Showing up for photos is great, but that can’t be the only thing that an elected official does. We need proactive representatives who don’t just wait for the residents to call with a problem – that’s not giving the residents what they pay for! Basically, by being a partner with the community, real solutions will be forthcoming sooner than later."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"- I want to build up relationships between elected officials, members of the community and law enforcement to reduce crime. Through this relationship building, we can also bring people from all walks of life together to achieve common goals and understanding.

- We need real progress being made on our efforts to clean up and protect our environment. Probably the most important environmental issue is the purity of our drinking water and cleanliness of the various local water bodies. We are so lucky to be on an island with beautiful waterfronts and a vital groundwater system, but we don’t act like we appreciate them. Let’s bring in the experts and get serious.

- We need to be more business friendly. There are just too many empty commercial buildings and still too many people looking for decent-paying jobs. As a small business owner myself, I know how difficult it can be to open one here. We can all agree that we want individuals and families to stay in Huntington and make this a home for generations to come. Then let’s start cutting the red tape and begin a new age of opportunity for everyone."

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

"1. Successfully running a small business for decades.

2. Elected and serving as a Huntington Fire District Commissioner.

3. Appointed and serving as the Director of General Services for the Town of Huntington.

4. Repaired and/or updated significant Town facilities and parks that were ignored for years."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"My parents always told me to work hard and give back when possible. These simple values have shaped me into what I am today, and it is partly the origin of my mantra, 'People Over Politics.'"

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

"I’m the real deal and would be honored to have their vote. Being elected into office would not be the end of the process, but just the first step towards a great partnership with the residents."