Candidate Profile: William Spencer 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 18 — including Cold Spring Harbor, Greenlawn, Lloyd Harbor, Huntington, Halesite, Huntington Bay, Centerport, Northport, Asharoken and Eaton's Neck, as well as parts of Huntington Station, Elwood and East Northport — voters will elect Democrat incumbent William Spencer or Republican challenger Garrett Chelius.

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.

William R. Spencer, M.D.

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 52
• Town of Residence: Centerport
• Position Sought: Suffolk County Legislator- 18th Legislative District
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Wife: Rachel; 3 children: Robby, Hannah and Ava
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.
• Education: B.A. from Wesleyan University and M.D. from the University Of Connecticut School Of Medicine.
• Occupation: Legislator since 2012 and a practicing physician for over 20 years.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Current legislator for the 18th L.D. - first elected in 2011.
• Campaign Website: https://spencer4suffolk.com

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

"As a practicing physician, specializing in pediatrics, I am astutely aware of health issues impacting our youth. A major pressing issue for me is addressing the vape crisis. Recent reports of several deaths associated with vaping, as well as multiple cases of 'vape lung,' give me great concern, and I am working with our schools and the Health Department to educate parents and students on the dangers of vaping. In addition I am introducing legislation to help address the epidemic."

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

"A critical difference is that I have the experience, leadership and proven results as a Suffolk County legislator."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"A driving force behind the issues that have been central to my tenure as a legislator and my campaign platforms has been the need to improve our water quality- both our surface waters and drinking water. Water is Long Island’s most precious resource. I am proud to have created LICAP, a commission joining Nassau and Suffolk to improve and protect our groundwater. Additionally, the 'Reclaim Our Water' program aims to reverse nitrogen pollution, which has impacted our beaches and bays.

To address the cost of living in Suffolk County, I've worked with my colleagues on several fronts to hold the line on taxes- tough decisions have been made over the years, like reducing the size of government. In addition, we recently voted to require all employees pay into their health care, for the first time, which will save millions in taxpayer dollars."

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

"First, I view any accomplishments I've had as collaborative efforts. They have been the result of working with active and engaged citizens throughout my time as a legislator. This approach, coupled with our meaningful success, is evidence that I can handle the job. I believe I have been entrusted by the electorate for four terms, so far, because they recognize that I am representing the interest of the community, and not a self-serving agenda.

Some of our accomplishments include passing the first-in-the-nation comprehensive energy drink action plan, prohibiting the sale of all traditional and non-traditional tobacco products to individuals under 21 and saving lives as a result, banning the sale of powdered caffeine to minors in Suffolk County- a highly potent substance which is nearly 100 percent caffeine and has been linked to at least two deaths in the United States, leading the way in reducing the consumption of single-use carry out bags in Suffolk County and creating the Long Island Commission on Aquifer Protection (LICAP), a joint initiative between Nassau and Suffolk Counties to protect Long Island’s sole-source aquifer. I am proud that all of these accomplishments were done through partnering with others, and it proves that by working together, we can handle the job."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"The best advice ever shared with me has been from my dad who is a teacher, pastor and council member. He impressed upon me that when we look out for others' needs, before our own, we are all stronger as individuals AND as a community. Our greatest gift is our ability to give of ourselves."

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

"I want voters to know that I'm in this for the greater good of all stakeholders throughout the community. I am open and willing to work in a bipartisan manner to get results and am driven to serve the entire community — not personal interests or specific agendas."