Candidate Profile: Patricia Shirley For Smithtown Town Council

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — Voters in Suffolk County will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for Smithtown Town Council, where they will choose from Patricia Shirley, Thomas Lohmann, Lisa Inzerillo, Richard Guttman and Richard Macellaro.

Patch reached out to all 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.

Patricia Shirley

• Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019): 43
• Town of Residence: Town of Smithtown
• Position Sought: Smithtown Town Council
• Party Affiliation: Libertarian
• Family: Wife and mother of 5: Seth (18 months), Savant (4), Hope (6), Charity (15), and Faith (17).
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No.
• Education: Associates Degree: Religious Arts
• Occupation: Entrepreneur with over two decades in revenue cycle and nonprofit management. Experience in dealing with multi-million dollar projects, negotiating contracts, doing long-term planning and both setting and meeting measurement metric. Served as an adult education instructor, published author of continuing education curriculum and independent project management consultant.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None.
• Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/patriciashirley2019/

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

"To make the Town of Smithtown sustainable for future generations. Not only must we update our plan, but the process through which we produce that update must be one that involves resident input in a meaningful way, right from the start. Our master plan is meant to be the shared vision of all of our residents, so it is critical for the residents involved to be representative of our Town's population as a whole. In addition, to continuing to move forward the initiatives for clean water and a green community while ensuring entrepreneurial growth."

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

"I believe the Town master plan needs to be updated, and the other candidates do not."

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

"I believe failure is something we all must acknowledge we are a part of. This is our Town, so if the current board has failed, we have failed as a community. We need everyone involved to make this work! I believe we fail our community by not providing affordability, sustainability, and a healthy quality of life for our residents. It's more than creating a plan, it's implementing innovative solutions that take the Town of Smithtown into a stable future. More than half of the next generation is leaving the island, and business closures and vacated properties exist throughout the Town of Smithtown.

"Finally, the water quality and climate control has taken a backseat to true forward movement for several years. The engagement among residents in the Town of Smithtown needs to increase. We need more community involvement. We need to take an approach that fosters community engagement and global partnering. New tools are needed for a new generation. I make a commitment to round-table discussion, community partnering, and initiatives that will promote a healthy quality of life to help address these vital issues."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

• Education: maximize school safety and security. Expand collaboration between high school students and local businesses. Creating alternative career opportunities for high school students who do not have the option or desire to go to college.
• Entrepreneurship: expand business footprint throughout the Town. Focus on revitalization and planning efforts to spur growth. I plan to revitalize our businesses by saving them money on operating costs and encouraging investment back into the community. I will hold consistent town hall meetings at our libraries with local business owners and local council to plan, review and implement strategies emphasizing long-term dedication between businesses and the community.
• Healthcare: expand preventative screening services.
• Environment: Reducing our carbon footprint and moving our city in a green direction is important to our residents and our environment. Promoting the betterment of water quality within our Town.

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

"I successfully managed the operation of non-profit organizations for more than 20 years. My background in strategic planning, cost analysis and management will help to serve the people of Smithtown. I have dedicated my career to helping others and am eager to utilize my skills to help the residents of Smithtown."

The best advice ever shared with me was...

"Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done. Focus on the reasons why you must make it happen."

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

"My heart is towards progress and true change. Not just business as usual. My interest is not self-directed but community-inspired. I am a person who cares about the welfare of our homes, families, parents, children and businesses."