Candidate Profile: Janet Singer 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 13 — including Smithtown, Fort Salonga, Kings Park, San Remo, Nissequogue, Head of the Harbor, and St. James, as well as portions of Commack and East Northport, voters will elect Democrat challenger Janet Singer or Republican incumbent Robert Trotta.

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.

Janet Singer

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 71
• Town of Residence: Smithtown
• Position Sought: Suffolk County Legislator
• Party Affiliation: Democratic Party, and endorsed by the Independence and Working Families Parties.
• Family: Husband Ed Brozinsky, and between us, there are four children and two grandchildren in our blended family.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.
• Education: Juris Doctor from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Occupation: Retired attorney with 30+ years in private practice emphasizing matrimonial law, Wills and Estates, and real estate.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: No prior public office.
• Campaign Website: https://www.singerforsuffolk.com/

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

"Water, water and water. This includes addressing nitrogen pollution and protecting our aquifer from pollutants. The entire county requires more sewers where feasible, and it needs the input and support of the local community. We need onsite wastewater treatment where it is not feasible to have sewers. This is a multi-year project. We also need to clean our drinking water of 1,4-dioxane."

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

"I am a consensus builder, and my opponent is not. I have spent 30 years as a lawyer trying to find solutions between parties who could not agree. I plan to bring those skills to the Legislature."

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

"The office holder has not been an advocate for the district, or the county, as a whole. Too often his vote is the only "no" vote, or abstention, for legislation. This fact is evidence that on many issues, he has not been able to create cooperation, even with members of his own party."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

"I bring concern for several issues: water infrastructure as noted above; providing the technology needed to help our police keep our crime rates down and our communities safe; fight the opioid crisis with more outreach and education, and continue the availability of Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT); support for economic development to encourage new jobs; support innovative transportation solutions so that north and south shore residents have greater job opportunities."

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

"I served for five years as president of my condominium's homeowners association. I was responsible for addressing everything from road maintenance, snow removal contracts, landscaping, street lighting, and even a sewage pump station, all while keeping community maintenance fees under control. I have also served on boards of community organizations. Finally, I managed my own law practice for over 30 years. All of these required skills that I can use in the Legislature."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"In this lifetime, you are not responsible for doing everything, but you are responsible for doing everything within your power for the betterment of the community. My years of volunteer activity stem from this principle."

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

"I bring passion and commitment to a job that requires full time attention. I am not looking for another elected office after this one. For every commitment I have undertaken, whether paid or volunteer, I have always given it my all."