B-BP BOE Candidates on Issues, Reasons for Running

A sparse crowd and just one contested race kept a meet-the-candidates event in Bayport-Blue Point Thursday night to just under two hours, half the time of last year’s event.

The board of election race features one battle pitting BOE President James March against Blue Point resident Michael Miller. Trustee Leonard Camarda is running unopposed and newcomer Anthony Sanseviro is vying for the seat of trustee Molly Licalzi who decided not to seek election this year.

The PTA Council-run candidate’s night started promptly at 7:30 and was moderated by resident Steven Taitz.

The school district has posted a video of the event at this link.

Candidates were asked a slew of questions, ranging from budget issues and tax levy cap decision making to goals and issues newly elected members would tackle next year.

Miller, a teacher who’s making his second bid for the BOE, said he’s running against March, a longtime incumbent, because he believes residents want new ideas.

“There are two types of voters. One who wants change and one who wants the status quo,” he said.

March, a lifelong resident who ran a business for two decades in Sayville, said he’s seeking another term as he wants to keep fighting for state mandate relief and that the first priority is the interests of the students.

“My mother always stressed that you need to leave something better than you found it,” he said.

Sanseviro, a Sayville native who has lived in Bayport for two decades, said he’s not a negative type or naysayer and will reach out to the community for input and feedback on district decisions.

“I look forward to sitting behind the scenes and plan to ask a lot of questions,” he said.

Camarda, a 42-year resident of Blue Point and longtime trustee, said he will push for more interaction between the board and the community.

“We need more community involvement at board meetings and we need to tap untapped resources, such as those retired and empty nesters, to get involved with the district through committees and programs.”

Patch will be posting individual profiles of each candidate in the next several days. The budget vote and board of education election will be held Tuesday, May 21 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school gym.