Candidate Profile: Tracy M. Kosciuk For Brookhaven Town Council

TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, NY — Voters in Suffolk County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for Brookhaven Town Council's 1st District.

Voters will elect Republican challenger Tracy M. Kosciuk or Democrat incumbent Valerie M. Cartright. The 1st District encompasses Stony Brook, Old Field, Poquott, Setauket, East Setauket, Belle Terre, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station and Terryville.

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.

Tracy M. Kosciuk

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 50
• Town of Residence: Brookhaven Town
• Position Sought: Brookhaven Town Council District 1
• Party Affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married with three children.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.
• Education: Associates degree in applied sciences.
• Occupation: Registered nurse; a nurse for 33 years.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None.
• Campaign Website: https://tracy2019.com

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

"Community responsiveness: A frequent problem that has persisted for this council district is that there is no voice for the community. I intend on correcting that through my determination, transparency and accessibility. I found that through my many years of being a problem solver that the only way to achieve resolution is by listening and responding to individuals in a timely fashion. As president of my nurses union at St. Charles Hospital, I am available 24/7 to the many nurses I represent. I pledge the same attentiveness to the people of this council district."

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

"For starters, I will be the councilperson for my district. That may sound strange initially, but who is the councilperson for District 1? Valerie Cartright or her aide? I have attended many functions, meetings, you name it, where is Ms. Cartright is not present, but her aide is. What's more, is that she seems to handle all the questions posed to her. I have seen Ms. Cartright at a few meetings recently, but still the questions are deferred to her aide Jennifer, and Ms. Cartright does not weigh in.

"Secondly, I will be much more to the people residing in the District than just being readily available for photo opportunities. People that work hard and contribute to the community need to be recognized and acknowledged, it will be my job to convey that to the public at any media event, 'Give credit where credit is due.'

"Lastly, unlike Ms. Cartright, I am a life long resident of Brookhaven Town as is my family. I have very deep ties to this community. I've worked alongside many good, hard-working people over the years who still live here that deserve more than an area that seems to be in steady decline. I know how hard it is to raise children- here, I know about the school systems- here, I know my community- here. It is with this insight and understanding that I will better serve this District. This is what makes me stand apart from her."

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

"Lack of responsiveness. As I have been out campaigning these past months, it has become very apparent how widespread in the council district her lack of representation has been. Countless tax paying residents have told me how they call her office and email her office, yet they never get a response. The result is the problem goes unresolved and continues to fester.

"Ms. Cartright has spent too much time sitting around talking in circles and forming committee after committee to look at obvious problems but failing to ever implement a plan and carry it out. For example, her so-called 'Quality of life reform' that she has just only attempted to implement despite her holding this position for six years?? Anyone living here can attest to the fact that these issues, which she is pretending are new, have actually been around as long as she has held her elected position.

"Illegal housing/community blight. Ms. Cartright did not handle this situation well in the six years she has been in this position. I can safely attest to this, since I am her next door neighbor. In our neighborhood, we were contending for many years with two zombie/squatter homes which were magnets for crime and drug activity. She was made fully aware of the existence of these homes even despite that she would pass them everyday! She took no interest in solving this serious problem. I was left with no alternative but to contact Supervisor Ed Romaine to help resolve these issues."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"Push for property tax reform - Streamline the tax grievance process for homeowners and provide assistance to our seniors for any tax relief they may be due.

"Work with local law enforcement- work collaboratively with police and actually be the one who attends the monthly meetings to be kept up to date on the issues affecting my council district, and interact with the taxpaying residents who attend to hear, directly from them, their perspective on the issues.

"Revitalization of our communities- I believe our local area should reap the benefits of a strong economy. We should not have to continuously see and read about stores and businesses struggling to stay open or worse- having to close! I want to fulfill the plans to restore and revitalize OUR area. I will work to eliminate the red tape, endless impact studies and poor excuses that have stalled the ability for our area to progress and prosper."

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

"I have been on the executive committee of my Labor Bargaining Unit for 11 years and have been its president for six years. I have been a strong advocate representing the needs and rights of over 300-plus nurses, I have fought in the "trenches" by making regular trips to Albany, lobbying for safe staffing and numerous other pieces of legislation related to both nurses and patients to be passed in New York State. I have spoken to, and developed a strong rapport with numerous state legislators to advocate for my NYSNA Union. (New York State Nurses Association). I have developed a reputation for being a true watchdog for my nurses and have received several advocacy awards from my Union that represents over 40,000 nurses. I believe I can use this wealth of experience in my roll as a Brookhaven Town council person and have the same success as a leader and an advocate for the community that I care for."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"In the words from my late Nana, Margaret R. Downer, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive!"

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

"I am not a politician! I am regular resident, a mother, wife and nurse who got tired of the lip service by the politician representing our council district and decided to run so that I can represent our communities and give our hard working residents the voice they deserve, and move our council district in the right direction of progress!"