TBR News Media 2024 endorsement: Rebecca Kassay for Assembly
By TBR Staff
TBR News Media is endorsing Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) for NYS District 4 assemblymember.
She is a dedicated member of the Port Jefferson community and has been engaged in local affairs for years, serving as the village’s deputy mayor,
Her personable approach has connected her with the people of her community, and she genuinely cares about the concerns of each individual resident. Kassay’s belief in “proactive public servants” will serve her well as a woman of the people, so to speak. A local business owner who said that she and her husband opened a bed and breakfast “to make ends meet,” she appears to genuinely show passion for the Island’s affordability crisis. Kassay strongly emphasizes her commitment to being present in the communities in which she would work and has indicated she will refuse to be a figurehead in Albany.
While Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson) may be the incumbent, his recent disbarment as an attorney is disconcerting. In addition, he is known to have been absent from civic association meetings and the events of local groups, quite often sending representatives in his place.
Kassay’s strong connections with local officials, as well as her desire to incorporate more members of our police departments, give her the balanced and nuanced approach we think is necessary to quell citizens’ concerns on the crime and safety fronts.
She also has great concern for the environment, being an environmental scientist. Kassay’s role as Port Jefferson’s Conservation Advisory Council, further displays her strength as a worker, and her dedication to our environmental well-being. Ultimately, she believes that her expertise can help tackle two of Port Jeff’s biggest issues: flooding, and the revitalization of our towns.
All in all, we feel Rebecca Kassay is the person for Assembly District 4. She said that while “this job is partly about being in Albany and passing legislation and looking at the budget, it takes being here at home and personally being out here to continue building relationships. The people deserve a representative who is going to be in this position [full time].” We couldn’t agree more.
We thank Ed Flood for his service, but ultimately feel Rebecca Kassay will serve our Island more effectively.
