Candidate Profile: Valerie Cartright 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 Democrat incumbent Valerie M. Cartright or Republican challenger Tracy M. Kosciuk. 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.

Valerie Cartright

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 43
• Town of Residence: Brookhaven
• Position Sought: Brookhaven Town Council District 1
• Party Affiliation: Democrat
• Family: Rony & Eveline Cartright- I grew up in an immigrant household that reflects the American Dream of so many. My parents worked hard to be homeowners, provide opportunities for their children, and become citizens.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: Not to the best of my knowledge.
• Education: Juris Doctorate, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center; Bachelor of Arts International Studies, West Virginia University.
• Occupation: Civil Rights Attorney 16 years; Councilmember six years
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Councilmember for Council District One from January 2014- Present.
• Campaign Website: http://www.vcartright.com/#!/page_splash

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

"The most important issue facing our district is the need for proper planning. I am in the process of completing two Land Use Plans that are well underway in Port Jefferson Station and Stony Brook. Each Land Use Plan is being developed by a community vision and allows for revitalization and adaptive reuse of key sites and areas in our district. The outcome of completing these projects will help stimulate the economy and encourage new business development, a more unified visual aesthetic and more walkable areas which will help revitalize these signature areas: the Port Jefferson Station Hub area and the 25 A Corridor from Stony Brook to Setauket.

"In Port Jefferson Station, we are working with the major landowners in the Hub and we just completed a Blight Study, started earlier this year, which will aid us in the process and potentially open up opportunities for additional incentives and funding. In Stony Brook and Setauket, we are utilizing a Retail Analysis, also completed this year with the help of Suffolk County, to help inform the process in analyzing the gaps."

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

"I believe in stakeholder collaboration. My round-table meeting model is considered by many to be a best practice in Brookhaven. Land use planning and zoning is one of the most important powers of the Town Board. Planning and quality of life issues are often complex issues that require balancing a variety of different needs and perspective. I do not believe there are quick fixes or easy answers when facing multi- issue problems. I believe it is my obligation to work through these issues no matter how challenging it can be, to build consensus and identify solutions to complex regional issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, quality of life issues such as vacant properties, homelessness in our community, environmental problems and lack of housing options on Long Island. I am committed to identifying and sustaining real solutions to challenging multi-layered problems. I understand that this requires collaboration and commitment on all levels of government as not all of these issues fall squarely under Town Jurisdiction."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

• I believe in an open door, round-table, collaborative approach that brings together community members, non-profit organizations, all levels of municipal government, business and other stakeholders to engage a variety of perspectives and develop creative solutions to difficult problems.
• I am an advocate for open space preservation whenever and wherever possible.
• I support sustainable, green initiatives within Town facilities and throughout Brookhaven Town. This year, as Utilities Liaison, I initiated a Utilities Audit that returned over $2.6 million to the Town of Brookhaven Budget.
• In 2018, I established a Quality of Life Task Force of municipal agencies and community groups who review and work collaboratively on solutions to some of the quality of life issues facing the Port Jeff Station and Port Jeff communities in/around the LIRR station in Port Jefferson.
• I sponsored & passed adoption of Port Jefferson Station Hub Study, initiated this area’s Blight Study, and continues to work with the Citizens Advisory Committee to work towards implementing the Community’s Vision and am working collaboratively with Suffolk County on a Sewer Study for Port Jefferson Station.
• I established the 25A Citizens Advisory Committee; facilitated community round-table meetings; secured funding for 25A Corridor Visioning from Stony Brook to Setauket; saved taxpayer dollars by collaborating with State and County to gather key study components of 25A Corridor Land Use Plan.
• I co-sponsored legislation to create a Town of Brookhaven Advisory Committee on Recycling & regularly host e-Waste/Drug Take Back/Paper Shredding Events.
• I serve on Executive Committee of the Association of Towns to advocate for Brookhaven and other Towns on the state level, and to utilize the knowledge of other local leaders to enhance and inform legislative action in our communities.
• I support our unions and the fight for fair and equal pay. I have been endorsed by numerous labor unions and the Long Island Federation of Laborers.
• I have voted to increase access to renewable energy, preserve open space, protect our natural wetlands and environmentally sensitive waterways, and strongly advocated to secure funding for parks, beach, and marina improvements.
• I collaborated with community leaders, SCPD, and elected officials to establish a Drug Prevention Coalition to combat opioid, marijuana and vaping in our communities by educating and supporting positive alternatives for youth.
• In cooperation with the Association for Mental Health & Wellness, I spearheaded legislation to provide Mental Health First Aid training to Town employees, and I am working on expanding training to other municipalities.

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

"Prior to taking office, I was a successful Civil Rights attorney and litigator. Through litigation, I was able to create long-term policy change. In the past six years as an elected official, I have established a track record of bringing parties together to work collaboratively and develop creative solutions to addressing issues in my district. I have accomplished a lot with the community and will continue creating long-term sustainable change that will outlive my time in office."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"The best advice that I ever received was 'Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.' 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

"I speak from a place of personal experiences (health issues, losses of loved ones, struggles, disappointments, and trials and tribulations) and say that this scripture has helped shape who I am as a person. Life can truly bring forth various challenges, many of which are not expected, not brought on by our own doing and sometimes totally outside of our control. However, in those times, I have learned to try not to give too much power to these situations but rather to transfer that energy to prayer and to being thankful for the good and the positive in my life."

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

"I want voters to know that democracy should not be about your elected representative always agreeing with each and every opinion of their constituents. Democracy should be about your elected representative listening thoughtfully, taking your concerns, ideas and suggestions seriously and believing that government is better when everyone has a seat and a voice at the table. That is the philosophy that I subscribe to. It is important that although my constituents may not agree with all my decisions, that they feel that they were included in the process in a meaningful way. Also, I want voters to know I am like them: I am a wife, a mother, and raising a family on Long Island and I share their experiences."