Candidate Profile: Kathleen Cleary 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 Kathleen A. Cleary, Joan Cergol, Eugene Cook, Andre Sorrentino 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.

Kathleen Cleary

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 52
• Town of Residence: East Northport
• Position Sought: Huntington Town Council
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Husband: Brian, 52; Daughter: Kate, 15
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No
• Education: Adelphi University BBA business management in 1989; SUNY Farmingdale associates in horticulture technology 2016.
• Occupation: Contract Manager for 25 years. Horticulturist for three years.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None.
• Campaign Website: http://www.kathleenacleary.com/

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

"Taxes being spend efficiently and in the best manner expected by residents. I plan to work on a review of the Town departments in creating efficiencies and will push to hire experienced and talented department heads to make this happen."

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

"I have the experience managing complex corporate and government contracts; budgets; teams and bringing under-performing projects into compliance. I also have experience working with the Department of Environmental Conservation and managing native and wetland gardens for NYS Parks."

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

"The current majority does not include the residents in decisions affecting the Town, such as changes in zoning and development, and whose focus is defensively defending decisions instead of open dialogue."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"Water quality and safety and open space preservation. Updated storm management. Inclusion of all residents and stakeholders into decisions and plans affecting the Town."

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

"My decades of managing complex corporate and government agreements, creating process efficiencies and remaining within budget, working under tight time constraints while being transparent and reporting to global management and clients. Successfully bringing together all sides to ensure deliverables were presented, accepted on time and company was paid within agreed-to time-frames."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"Trust your instincts."

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

"I was born and raised here on Long Island. I grew up in Massapequa and have been living in East Northport for the past 21 years with my husband Brian, a retired NYC firefighter, where we are raising our 15-year-old daughter Kate. I will bring fresh ideas and clear eyes to the council. I am running to make this government work for us, the residents, not the connected few and will make our Town Board work for the community and make it one we can all be proud of."