Candidate Profile: Tom Donnelly For Suffolk Legislature

LONG ISLAND, NY — Voters in Suffolk County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for Legislator.

In District 17 — including Cold Spring Hills, Deer Park, Dix Hills, Huntington, Huntington Station, South Huntington, Melville, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Hills, voters will elect Democrat incumbent Tom Donnelly or Republican challenger Rebecca Lonardo.

Patch reached out to both 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.

Tom Donnelly

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 53
• Town of Residence: Deer Park
• Position Sought: Suffolk County Legislator, 17th District
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Wife: Lisa; 3 Daughters: Amanda, Lexie, Adrianna
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No
• Education: Bachelor of science from Saint Joseph's College in Brooklyn
• Occupation: Retired NYC Fire Department Lieutenant. 30 years of NYC Service.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Councilman Town of Babylon, Fire commissioner; Deer Park Fire District.
• Campaign Website: https://tomdonnellyforlegislature.com/

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

"No one singular issue: Continue to work at maintaining our quality of life, including strong public safety, including continuing to address the opioid crisis facing our nation, reducing gang violence and working hard to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Upgrading our county infrastructure, including our roads, parks and water quality systems. Ensure fiscal responsibility by being responsible to control spending while at the same time maintaining services. Working across the aisle and with other levels of government to accomplish this. Realize that collaboration, cooperation and giving your word are the essential ingredients to public service. There's way to much showmanship in the world. 'When it doesn't matter who gets the credit, more gets done.'"

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

"I will not compare myself nor say anything negative of my opponent, but rather simply highlight my experience and accomplishments over a 30-plus year career in public safety, as well as public service."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"Straight-forwardness, bi-partisanship and collaborative efforts in government."

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

"Most folks know I simply try and do the right thing. As far as accomplishments go, the best accomplishment is when I see a resident who says to me, 'You are doing a good job.'"

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"My dad, a U.S. Navy World War II combat veteran and 30-year veteran of the FDNY told me, 'Simply just try and do whats right, and don't be a BS artist.'"