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Former Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sharon R. Soderstrom, his former chief of staff. Photo courtesy of Sen. McConnell’s website

By D. Bruce Lockerbie

Just before its Christmas recess, the U.S. Senate met for an unusual ceremony, the retirement of an employee who, after 43 years on the job, had become known as one of “the most powerful” women in Washington (The Atlantic, May 20, 2015) and, according to former Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), even the 101st Senator. Her name is Sharon R. Soderstrom, former chief of staff for  McConnell.

Few ordinary citizens understand the inner workings of our national government; in particular, the “sausage-making process” of passing bills into law to fulfill the policy expectations of voters who sent politicians to high offices. 

Sharon R. Soderstrom

The U.S. Senate describes how a senator’s hired staff functions: “Senators depend on the assistance of staff on Senate committees and in their individual offices, both in Washington, D.C., and in their home states. Senate committee staff include clerks, staff directors, staff assistants, legal counsel, researchers, policy analysts, press assistants, and archivists. Most senators’ offices include a chief of staff to manage the office, legislative correspondents to communicate with constituents, and legislative directors and assistants to help develop legislation, as well as schedulers, communications and press staff, and other administrative assistants.”

Sharon Soderstrom filled the role of senior adviser for three Republican majority leaders: Trent Lott (R-MS), William Frist (R-TN) and McConnell.

Soderstrom’s father Karl E. Soderstrom was the head of The Stony Brook School; her brother Mark Soderstrom is a senior captain on the Port Jefferson/Bridgeport Ferry. With their younger sister Cheryl, they all attended North Country Elementary School through sixth grade, then enrolled at The Stony Brook School. 

She was valedictorian of the class of 1978 before going on to the University of Virginia, where she majored in English; her intended graduate studies were interrupted by an opportunity to work in the Washington, D.C., office of then Senator Paul Trible (R-VA). 

“I thought I’d work there for a year or two before I found my real job,” Soderstrom said. “I started answering phones but soon moved into a role that I found stimulating — learning about policy issues and thinking about how to strategically advance causes through the legislative process.”

The Hill, a widely-circulated insider publication, acclaims her as “an expert on Senate rules and procedure” and “well regarded for the counsel she provides to McConnell and members on Senate strategy. . . . Former aides in the office say that she constantly has her finger on the pulse of the [Republican] conference and the full trust of the longest-serving leader in Senate history.” (Sept. 12, 2023)

McConnell’s spoken tribute began, “For several months now, I’ve been calling the Senate’s attention to the extraordinary people who have me, this institution, and our nation so well — and for so long — in the Republican Leader’s office. Today, I’ve reached the end of the list. My one remaining task is to prepare our colleagues for a Senate without Sharon Soderstrom.” 

McConnell ended his tribute by stating, “Come January, the Senate will convene again. The 119th Congress will bring us a new slate of weighty business, new moments of minor crisis, and new opportunities to better serve the nation we all love. But in the most trying moments — and the most triumphant ones — a great many of us will feel like something is missing. We will miss Sharon — the 101st Senator. Sharon, you have served the Senate with honor. You are the greatest at what you do.”

As for her own retrospective, Soderstrom says, “One of the joys of my work through the years has been the opportunities to mentor public-spirited young people. The role placed me at the intersection of operating between the White House, the House leadership and Senate Republican leaders. Among the many things I’m proud of is despite the stresses on our institutions, in moments of crisis I have been part of national leaders who led during 9/11 and 1/6/24 — two different evacuations of the Capitol, two different Republican leaders, and one imperative: Return to the Capitol the same day and demonstrate national resolve for the country and for the world.”

When asked to cite both high and low points in her career, she replied, “I have also been grateful at different moments in time to drive agendas that have been consequential in the moment. After Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, I was with Leader McConnell in Finland, then Sweden, the day they voted to join NATO. We then were part of the legislative team to drive early U.S. ratification of the treaty, and met again with the Prime Minister the day he presented the accession papers to the State Department to make it official.” 

“I did ask on behalf of my Norwegian grandparents what took them so long,” she added.

“I credit my upbringing at The Stony Brook School for modeling lessons that helped me in this role. At the end of his life, my Dad told me of his deep satisfaction in doing purposeful work with talented colleagues, many of whom became lifelong friends. I too was able to work with the best and brightest, and as a team we were each better than our individual parts. Building and managing a team that maintained our reputation for excellence and high morale through the tenure of the longest serving leader in Senate history was a great good gift.”

“But I think my greatest disappointment through the years has been watching politics become more performative among each party’s base, making progress more difficult. Mark Shields once said, ‘There are two types of political parties like there are two kinds of churches: those who seek converts and those who root out heretics.’ I hope that we can return to a moment when we try to persuade through the weight of a winsome argument rather than shutting down dissent and vilifying fellow citizens.”

For the first time in more than four decades, Sharon Soderstrom’s daily routine is no longer at the behest of 100 men and women who live their lives in six-year cycles and count to 51 (or 60), depending on the nature of the case before them. She plans to take a well-earned break from Senate arithmetic.

D. Bruce Lockerbie is a longtime resident of the Three Villages.

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Assemblywoman-elect, Rebecca Kassay. Courtesy www.facebook.com/kassayforassembly.

By Toni-Elena Gallo

After an extended vote-counting process, Rebecca Kassay has defeated incumbent Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson). Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks. As of now, Kassay is leading Flood by 813 votes.

Kassay released a statement on her Facebook page Tuesday, Nov. 26, declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4. She wrote, “After a spirited campaign, I am declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4, having secured an insurmountable lead over my opponent, Ed Flood. Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks.”

Kassay added, “I am heartened by our community’s trust in me to bring public service back to politics. It will be a great honor to represent District 4 in the New York State Assembly and to deliver resources to our communities. As discussed during civic debates and at residents’ doors throughout my campaign, I will serve with a community-up approach — one that prioritizes transparency, communication and meaningful action on pressing issues.”

Assemblywoman-elect Kassay has already begun laying the groundwork to ensure she and her team “hit the ground running and serve the district effectively on day one.”

“Throughout the coming weeks, I will be meeting with civic groups, school district representatives, nonprofits, first responders, local government officials and other community stakeholders to collaborate on the important work of shaping the projects and policies that will guide the district forward,” the statement continued.

Kassay invites residents or groups to connect with the incoming District 4 Assembly team by emailing [email protected].

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Gov. Hochul visits Stony Brook following Aug. 18 storm. File photo

By Lynn Hallarman

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied requests from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Nov. 14 to provide funding assistance for Suffolk County homeowners impacted by the severe flooding this past August. 

Hochul requested disaster assistance from FEMA’s Public and Individual Assistance programs for Suffolk County in September in the wake of a relentless six-hour downpour in the early hours of Aug. 19. 

Floodwaters from almost 11 inches of rain destroyed roads and damaged numerous residences and businesses across the North Shore of Suffolk County. Multiple swift water rescues occurred in the Town of Brookhaven, and flooding caused a breach of the Mill Pond Dam in Stony Brook Village causing six families to be displaced. 

“Over 2,000 residents and business owners experienced flood damage in some capacity, and Stony Brook University had to relocate and/or shelter hundreds of students,” according to the statement released by the governor’s office shortly after the storm. 

President Joe Biden (D), in October, approved a major disaster declaration for New York State for recovery efforts. The federal funding supports emergency work and repair by local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations. 

However, this aid funding does not include flood damage repair for individual households. 

The November FEMA declaration denied Hochul’s request for aid to homeowners. 

“It was determined that the damage was not of severity and magnitude to warrant a Federal Declaration for Individual Assistance,” said a statement from FEMA.

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY1) sent a letter to the governor on Nov. 20 urging her to appeal the decision to deny Individual Assistance to Suffolk County residents.

“Suffolk County families devastated by the August 18 flooding, cannot be left to shoulder the burden alone,” he said in the letter. 

“While the federal denial [for individual homeowners] was disappointing, we plan to appeal and will continue fighting to ensure storm-impacted residents have access to recovery resources,” said Gordon Tepper, Long Island press secretary for Hochul, in an email statement to TBR.

A local flood ordeal

Kellie Coppi, an East Setauket homeowner, describes a harrowing ordeal when her basement was rapidly flooded with six feet of stormwater the night of the storm. As she tried to soak up the water

Floodwater line in Coppi’s Basement after the night of the Aug. 8 storm. Photo courtesy Kellie Coppi

with towels, a sudden surge trapped her, her father and her dog in the basement. If not for her husband breaking down the basement door, they might have drowned.

Coppi’s father, who lives with her and her family, is recovering from recent cancer chemotherapy. In the flood, he lost his life-long belongings stored in the basement. 

“Everything in the entire finished basement had to go, and everything from my deceased mother, who passed away right before the flood,” she said. 

Coppi thought she would receive funding aid after FEMA officials made a visit to her house, but she has yet to hear back from them. 

“I thought that was a really good sign, because it was a whole team with jackets and everything, wow!” she said. She added, “They took pictures and checked the property. It seemed totally legit and that something was going to happen,” she said to TBR News Media. 

As a backup, Coppi applied for a $ 50,000 grant to the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Agency’s Resilient  & Ready Home Repair Program available to affected homeowners. 

“But that’s been even more challenging than FEMA,” she said. “They asked for every document under the sun.” 

Coppi made it to the second round but still has not heard any news from HCR. She does not know anyone in her community who received this funding, only those who were denied.

The application deadline was Nov. 8.

 According to Shachar Roloson, assistant director of communication for HCR, “a large number of applicants are still gathering documents or working with contractors to get repair estimates” in an email to TBR. 

“Over 600 applications were received on Long Island. Of those, 80 applications have been fully or conditionally approved to date,” said Roloson. 

TBR spoke with Brookhaven Town District 1 Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) about his efforts to advocate for local homeowners affected by flooding damage.

After speaking with residents, Kornreich estimates that at least 30 households in the Stony Brook area alone have tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to their homes. 

“There are people in our community who are suffering, and that is what I am focused on,” he said. 

Hochul has 30 days to appeal FEMA’s decision.

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Port Jefferson Village Hall. File photo

By Lynn Hallarman

Village of Port Jefferson officials addressed resident concerns over a new policy suspending village employees from carrying firearms in a statement posted on the village website on Nov. 9. 

Officials also emailed this statement to residents on the village’s contact list. 

The statement, issued by Mayor Lauren Sheprow and the board of trustees, follows an incident Sept. 27 when a firearm was found in a public restroom in the village hall. The firearm belonged to a Code Enforcement employee under their privately obtained concealed carry license. 

In response to this incident, during an emergency meeting called Oct. 25, the board of trustees approved a measure 5-0 suspending firearms carry for all village employees, including Code Enforcement staff with personal concealed carry permits. 

Several Code Enforcement officers resigned recently, presumably related to the firearms ban. The message clarified that the village does not issue firearms to employees, noting that Code Enforcement staff are not considered police. 

“Code Enforcement personnel do not constitute or comprise a police force, nor do they possess police power or authorization to enforce the penal code,” according to the statement.

Village officials aimed to reassure residents that the suspension would not compromise public safety. The statement continues that, “the Suffolk County Police Department has agreed to increase patrols and tours in Port Jefferson to ensure residents feel safe and secure in light of any misrepresentation of intentions otherwise.” 

TBR News Media was unable to confirm with the Suffolk County Police Department this increase in police coverage.  

Code Enforcement

Code enforcement vehicles parked in Port Jefferson Village. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

Code officers’ scope is limited to actions related to the village code. Their duties include issuing tickets for parking violations, managing traffic during events, investigating code-related complaints and alerting Suffolk County police to possible crimes, according to Sheprow. 

Code officers cannot detain or arrest citizens. They cannot issue summonses for moving violations such as speeding and are not authorized to respond to police alerts transmitted over police radios.

However, the 2023 Manual of Code Enforcement Bureau Rules and Procedures for the Village of Port Jefferson outlines a pathway for obtaining authorization to carry a concealed firearm. 

“No employee shall be given such approval [to carry a firearm] unless documentation is provided indicating completion of a proper firearms training course accompanied by a valid NYS Pistol License,” according to the manual. The manual also requires a “village-approved annual firearms training and qualification course.”

According to Sheprow, inconsistencies between language in the procedures manual and the village code remain unresolved and tied to the union contract governing the hiring of code officers. 

Code officer resignations

TBR News Media spoke with Andrew Owen, who recently resigned as chief code enforcement officer in protest of the firearms ban.

According to Owen, before the resignations, the code enforcement team included 38 officers, 20 of whom had concealed carry licenses; all who carry firearms are retired or current police.  The village clerk could not confirm these numbers as accurate to TBR’s New Media by press time.

Owen, a retired New York City police officer, was hired by Code Enforcement about two years ago with 20 years of police experience and 14 years as a sergeant.

“I told the mayor at the meeting that I cannot, in good faith, enforce policies that I don’t agree with,” he said.

Five days after his resignation, Owen was placed on paid administrative leave until his final day of duty on Nov. 18. According to Owen, the mayor gave no reason for the administrative leave.

Owen believes carrying is essential as a safety measure for code officers who work in the community daily. He considers concealed carry a necessary aspect of employing retired or active police officers who bring valuable experience interacting with the public to the job. 

“Everybody that carried [a firearm] had their qualifications. We went to the range once a year. We had the classroom once a year. It wasn’t that we were arbitrarily carrying firearms. We’re all licensed,” he said. 

He believes Code Enforcement officers support the police department by acting as crime deterrents by patrolling village streets and adding to residents’ sense of safety. 

“We would communicate with the 6th Precinct about what to look out for because there are gang elements in this area. Whether people believe it or not, that’s one thing we are on top of,” he said.

Perception vs. reality

According to former village mayor Mike Lee, the Village of Port Jefferson gave up its right to have its own police force when it was incorporated in 1977. The village receives its police protection from the Suffolk County Police Department, District 6. Two cruisers are assigned to patrol the village daily. 

Decisions about the scope of duties for code enforcement occur at the hyperlocal level in Suffolk County. Some municipalities have recently moved to ban firearms, as Patchogue did, according to Sheprow.  Other Suffolk County municipalities outside of the Town of Brookhaven have their own police force. 

The Nov. 9 statement explains the recent firearm carry suspension was prompted primarily by liability concerns. The statement also clarifies misperceptions of the role of Code Enforcement officers, aiming to reinforce their duties as civil servants working to uphold village code.

Public reactions

This reporter spoke to several residents about the recent suspension. Concerns ranged from feeling “less safe” because of the suspension to several villagers expressing surprise that Code Enforcement officers carried concealed weapons and were in favor of the suspension.

Other residents felt the village benefitted overall from having retired police patrolling the streets, regardless of their limited scope of duties as code enforcement. 

“I am 100% OK with having trained former police carry in our village,” said Fred Hoffman, a long-time village resident. 

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Left: Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-PortJefferson). Right: Rebecca Kassay. Courtesy Ed Flood and Rebecca Kassay for NYS Assembly's Facebook page

By Toni-Elena Gallo

In the wake of last Tuesday’s election, the race for NYS Assembly District 4 remains to be called.

With mail-in ballots still being counted, there is no exact timeline for when results will be in.

Rebecca Kassay released a statement last Thursday, saying, “We knew that the race for the NYS
Assembly seat in District 4 would be one of the most competitive races in New York State, and as of Wednesday, November 6, I hold a 211 vote lead. In a race this close, results will not be determined until the affidavit ballots and final mail in ballots are counted. This might take until late November, so in the meantime, our team is reflecting on our gratitude for the incredible individuals and community groups who we’ve connected with and built stronger relationships with during the journey of this campaign.”

“There is so much work to be done here in our district, our town, our county and our state, and I hope to have the opportunity to serve you as your Assemblymember,” Kassay continued.

TBR requested comment from Assemblyman Flood and his response was as follows: “As we await the final numbers, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported me throughout this campaign. I remain deeply committed to representing, advocating for and listening to our community. This dedication is not new; it has always been the foundation of my work and will continue to guide me moving forward.”

“Serving our community is an honor, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed,” he continued.

 

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Nick LaLota celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo and Aidan Johnson

At Stereo Garden in Patchogue, the GOP was a sea of red on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5. Guests mingled with drinks in hand, as music blared over the club’s speaker system.

The event was hosted by Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee and Brookhaven Town Republican Committee, whose high energy propelled the evening and invigorated the large crowd. He spoke of the resilience of the Republican Party through the tumultuous past four years, and expressed confidence in Suffolk’s support for members of the GOP.

LaLota victorious over Avlon in battle for Congress, Avlon concedes

As results poured in from around 10 p.m. to the early hours of the morning, the race considered highly important in the flipping of the House majority in Washington, was decided. Incumbent Nick LaLota, representative of the 1st Congressional District, won 55.7% of the vote to Democratic opponent John Avlon’s 44.3%.

“Thank you so much to every single one of you. I’m only here because of everything you’ve done. You made the phone calls. You knocked on doors, you planted lawn signs,” LaLota said to the room.

“You’ve placed your trust in me and I’m going to take another term of office in a few weeks so I can continue to fight for you,” he continued. He added that he has run on his record, which is one committed to bipartisanship, and has seen more bills passed by him than “95% of Congress,” bringing “$150 million home” to Suffolk in the process.

“It’s a hard night in Suffolk County for us Democrats, it’s a hard night for many Democrats, but the fight continues,” Avlon said in a speech at the IBEW Local 1049 Union Hall in Holtsville, where many of the Suffolk County Democrats congregated for a watch party. 

“It’s really important for us to keep the energy up, and understand that this is not a time for us to shirk back, but it is a time for folks to stand up continuously, because the good fight never ends and democracy depends on loving your country no matter who is president,” he added.

Anthony Palumbo celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

Palumbo comes out on top in state Senate race

Incumbent Republican state senator of the 1st District, Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), beat Democratic opponent Sarah Anker, with 53.4% of the vote, to Anker’s 46.6%.

“This is a team win. I want to thank my wife, to thank my friends in law enforcement who supported us. We did this most importantly because of you folks. This is many, many months in the making,” Palumbo said. He continued by saying that he and his supporters worked hard on his campaign because “it is about what’s best for our constituency.”

Anker has not yet released a statement.

Mattera wins out over Herskowitz in NY 2nd Senate District

Incumbent Mario Mattera beat Craig Herskowitz, winning his third term in the 2nd Senate District, 58.7% to 41.3%.

Mattera was not on hand to make a speech, as he was in Smithtown speaking at another event. Chairman Garcia expressed his congratulatory feelings for Mattera, leading the crowd in a round of applause for him.

Kassay and Flood in tight contest for 4th District Assembly seat; Giglio defeats Chiaramonte in 2nd District 

As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, no result has been confirmed for the state Assembly race between Republican incumbent Ed Flood and his Democratic opponent Rebecca Kassay, both from Port Jefferson. Kassay currently is leading Flood by 211 votes (29,246-29,035). The final result has not yet been announced as of press time.

Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) easily beat out Tricia Chiaramonte with 64.9% of the vote, to Chiaramonte’s 35.1%. Chiaramonte did not actively campaign against incumbent Giglio.

Fitzpatrick victorious over Basileo in NY 8th Assembly District

Incumbent of 22 years, Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown), beat Democratic candidate Steven Basileo by a sweeping 66.4% to 33.6%, in the 8th Assembly District.

Fitzpatrick was just one of many Republicans who has been reelected to his seat, as newer Democratic politicians did not attract the same amount of support across the North Shore. Voters seemingly preferred the current occupants.

10th and 12th Assembly Districts

In the 10th Assembly District, Democratic incumbent Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) beat Republican Aamir Sultan, 55% to 45%. In the 12th District, incumbent Keith Brown (R-Northport) defeated Democrat Thomas Cox, 57.5% to 42.5%. 

4th District Court Judge, Town of Smithtown

Republicans Paul Damato and John Zollo beat Democratic candidate Maria Scheuring, receiving a combined 79.2% of the vote — 39.6% each — winning the two vacant seats, while Scheuring received 20.7% of the vote. Scheuring was not active during this election season.

All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”

6th District Court Judge, Town of Brookhaven

Evan Tannenbaum, Patricia Blake and Kenneth Lauri won the three available seats for District Court Judge of the 6th District. They received 23.4%, 23.2%, and 22.0% of the vote, respectively, beating out Democrats Margot Garant and Dorothy Cavalier.

“I want to thank the Town of Brookhaven and my fellow Republicans,” Lauri said. Tannenbaum echoed similar sentiments.

All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”

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Election results will be updated as they come in. Last results recorded on Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Congress

NY1

Nick LaLota (R): 55.7 percent with 215, 678 votes – Winner

John Avlon (D): 44.28 percent with 171,556 votes

NY2

Andrew Garbarino (R) : 59.6 percent – Winner

Rob Lubin (D): 40.4 percent

NY3

Thomas Suozzi (D): 48.7 percent – Winner

Mike LiPetri (R): 46.3 percent

New York State Senate

SD1

Anthony Palumbo (R): 53.65 percent – Winner

Sarah Anker (D): 46.32 percent

SD2

Mario Mattera (R): 97, 244 votes – Winner

Craig Herskowitz (D): 68,353 votes

New York State Assembly

AD2

Jodi Giglio (R): 64.9 percent with 45,280 votes – Winner

Tricia Chiaramonte (D): 35.1 percent with 24,474 votes

AD4

Ed Flood (R): 49.8  percent with 29,035 votes

Rebecca Kassay (D): 50. 2 percent with 29,246 votes

AD5

Doug Smith (R): 64.9% with 40,503 votes – Winner

Michael Reynolds (D): 35.1% with 21,893 votes

AD8

Mike Fitzpatrick (R): 66.4 percent with 48,797 votes – Winner

Steve Basileo (D): 33.6 percent with 24,716 votes

 

NYS Proposition 1: – Passed

Yes: 57.01 percent with 4,092,742 votes

No: 34.52 percent with 2,478,621 votes

 

NYS Proposition 2: – Passed

Yes: 71.91 percent with 478,717 votes

No: 28.42 percent with 190,159 votes

 

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John Zollo

By TBR staff

TBR News Media is endorsing Paul Damato (R, C) and John Zollo (R, C) for the two judges vacancies on the 4th District Court in the Town of Smithtown.

Both men’s dedication to the Smithtown community makes them an asset to a position that oversees a variety of cases, including but not limited to civil disputes, family matters, small claims and housing issues, all of which will directly affect their neighbors.

Their combined strong suits, which run the gamut from Zollo’s empathetic approach to justice, to Damato’s extensive experience in property evaluation, tax law and even serving as the Village of Port Jefferson assessor — will make for balanced and substantiated rulings.

Paul Damato. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

Damato is a man who has chosen a field of law that requires great patience and know-how, and his knowledge of legal study is impressive. Additionally, Damato views the judiciary as requiring a “balance of technical precision, and fair application of law,” further emphasizing that his decisions will be grounded in his comprehensive study of primary and secondary legal sources. His comfortability with property-related cases sets him apart from his peers, as Damato truly derives pleasure from the practice of legal intricacies.

Zollo’s posts as assistant county attorney, Suffolk County, as well as town attorney for Smithtown, have prepared him for the procedural handling of local government issues, civil litigation and community centric cases. His understanding of legal ordinances has provided Zollo with the type of “inside” knowledge he needs to properly serve his town. He has viewed his various positions as a way to connect with his community, one person at a time, and Zollo’s strong standing within local circles allows him insight into the individualized needs of local residents. He prides himself on approaching each one of his cases with compassion and respect, feeling that his duty is that of a public servant — not an authoritarian. He shared that being a judge “is not just about knowing the law, it’s about understanding people, and what they need from the law.”

In addition to both men’s numerous attributes, it is important to note that Damato has extensive leadership experience. He served as president of an attorney appraiser and architectural engineer association. As an academic, he has taught legal education courses at the law schools of St. John’s University and Fordham University.

With Maria Scheuring’s decision not to come in, we have no choice but to exclude the Democratic nominee from our consideration. However, Scheuring does not lack in experience, and is a seasoned lawyer, with over two decades of experience. She is a trial and appellate attorney with experience in matrimonial, family and guardianship law, who started her career as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx. Additionally, Scheuring founded two law firms in which she has represented a broad range of clients, including corporations, musicians and major insurance companies. She later served as an associate attorney in NYC firms, focusing on plaintiff’s no-fault litigation, workers compensation, social security disability and high-stakes corporate defense work for municipalities and international companies. She ran a 2021 campaign for Town of Smithtown supervisor, losing to Ed Wehrheim (R),

Consequently, we feel that John Zollo and Paul Damato are the best judges choices for the 4th District. They are intelligent, personable and, most importantly, veterans in the legal field. They have what it takes to serve their district with dignity and admiration for not only judicial, but also the Smithtown community.

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Paul Damato. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

While judges are not allowed to campaign, they were able to tell us about their backgrounds.

In their recent meeting at the TBR News Media office, John Zollo (R,C) and Paul Damato (R,C), both candidates for the Town of Smithtown’s 4th District Court Judge positions, showed they bring substantial legal experience and complementary qualifications to the race. While they share core beliefs about the role of a judge, they each bring different strengths from their varied careers. They are each running against the Democratic candidate, Maria Scheuring, who did not come in to tell us about her background.

John Zollo’s background, career and approach

John Zollo

John Zollo has developed a well-rounded career rooted in family and civil law, emphasizing his dedication to public service and community-centered justice. He said he wanted to be a lawyer “from the time I was in the third grade … [partially] because anyone who was anybody in history were mostly lawyers.” After graduating from Fordham University, Zollo attended New York Law School, which laid the groundwork for his legal path. He began his career as an assistant county attorney for Suffolk County, gaining extensive experience in handling a variety of local cases. Later, as the town attorney for Smithtown, Zollo became attuned to the specific issues affecting residents, from family law matters to municipal legal concerns.

Zollo describes his approach to the bench as one centered on accessibility and empathy. He believes that judges should be relatable and deeply invested in the well-being of their communities, stating, “It’s not just about knowing the law, it’s about understanding people and what they need from the law.” Personally, Zollo has strong ties to his Italian American heritage, which he embraces through family traditions such as cooking. His personable and warm demeanor aligns with his philosophy that a judge should be someone the community feels comfortable approaching, especially in cases involving personal and family disputes.

Paul Damato’s specialized expertise and perspective

Paul Damato brings a specialized focus in real estate tax and property valuation law, fields in which he has practiced for over 36 years. After earning his law degree from Hofstra Law School, Damato concentrated on real estate tax reduction law, representing both property owners and government agencies. This dual role — “working on both sides of the V,” as he puts it — has given him a balanced view of property-related cases, an area he believes is central to Long Island’s economy. In addition to his legal practice, Damato serves as the village assessor in Port Jefferson, a position that further informs his perspective on property and tax issues facing the community.

Damato’s life outside his profession is similarly community focused. He and his wife, who live in St. James, are raising a teenage son, and Damato values the family-oriented atmosphere of Long Island. Beyond his legal work, Damato has lectured at Fordham and St. John’s law schools on property law, reflecting his dedication to education and professional development within the legal community. His approach to being a judge is methodical and technically informed, aimed at delivering fair, well-reasoned judgments that take into account the complex economic factors influencing local property law. “Real estate is the heartbeat of Long Island,” he said, underscoring the importance of understanding property issues at a practical level.

Distinct but complementary judicial approaches

While Zollo and Damato share a common dedication to serving Smithtown’s residents, their judicial philosophies reflect their backgrounds. Zollo’s experience in family and civil law, combined with his community-oriented approach, positions him as a judge who prioritizes empathy and accessibility. His approachable nature and commitment to community well-being align well with cases that involve personal and interpersonal issues.

In contrast, Damato’s focus is rooted in the technical and procedural aspects of property and tax law. His extensive experience as both a representative and assessor offers a pragmatic, detail-oriented approach that could be highly valuable in cases involving property disputes, assessments or economic issues impacting the district. Damato’s balanced approach and deep understanding of property law provide a unique skill set that complements Zollo’s focus on people-centered justice.

Together, Zollo and Damato represent two experienced, community-centered options for voters in Smithtown. Their combined backgrounds — Zollo’s personable approach and Damato’s technical expertise — provide a comprehensive choice for the district’s judicial needs.

Summary written with some assistance from ChatGPT’s services, and all information proofed and vetted by TBR’s editing team.

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By TBR Staff

TBR News Media is endorsing incumbent Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) for NYS 8th District assemblyman.

As a member of the state Assembly for over 22 years, and a former member of the Smithtown Town Council for 15, Fitzpatrick is trusted by his community. He is a veteran politician, who possesses a youthful zest for his job, and clearly has no intention of slowing down. He also brings helpful seniority to his position.

Fitzpatrick has been working, and wants to continue working, to bring infrastructure such as sewers to vulnerable areas, and feels that with responsible growth, we can increase housing options on Long Island that are not only more affordable, but will keep people here, and living in the suburban environment they are accustomed to.

Fitzpatrick supports green energy initiatives, but is not as focused on environmental policy as his Democratic rival Steve Basileo. Additionally, promoting a more ecomonically sound and fiscally responsible state is one of his chief concerns. He totally opposes abortion.

He is passionate about pension reform, and investing in our SUNY system — particularly Stony Brook, our state’s flagship university — and stronger vocational training options for those who would prefer going into a trade. Basileo is a highly intelligent man, with a strong foundation in public policy, and possesses exceptional interpersonal skills. His background in labor organizing, as well as interning with Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), shows his dedication to helping those in need of assistance and support.

Having political aspirations so young puts him in a league above many others his age, and his understanding of our state’s governmental structure and function are such that we hope he stays in the political arena.

For these reasons, we are endorsing Mike Fitzpatrick. He has an impressive track record, a history of results and is trusted by his constituents, as well as us.

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