Port Jefferson trustee incumbents facing off against challengers

Three challengers are seeking to unseat a pair of incumbent Port Jefferson trustees in village elections Tuesday.

Trustees Bruce G. Miller of the Home Party and Rebecca Kassay, both of the Action Party, are opposed by retired Stony Brook University spokeswoman Lauren M. Sheprow of the Concerned Villagers Party; retired package design director Gerard Gang of the Resident to Resident Party; and research and development consultant Ana Hozyainova of the Civil Focus Party.

Voting is 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Port Jefferson Village Center.

In interviews with Newsday, the candidates cited issues such as a disputed Mather Hospital expansion proposal, a plan to stem bluff erosion at village-owned Port Jefferson Country Club and a proposed relocation of the village’s Long Island Rail Road station.

Trustees serve for two years and are paid $12,500 annually. 

Miller, 77, a retired teacher seeking his fifth term, said he intends to continue working on the train station relocation plan and the proposed electrification of the Port Jefferson LIRR line. He said he is “an independent voice” on the village board.

“I’m a voice, not an echo,” Miller said. “I work with the mayor and the other trustees, but at some point, you have to go on your own.”

Kassay, 32, a bed-and-breakfast owner seeking her second term, said she has worked on park and beach upgrades and revitalization efforts. She said she wants to reduce a $10 million bond to stem bluff erosion at the country club to about $5 million.

“I want to keep working as a voice for village residents,” Kassay said. “I have established myself as the trustee who asks a lot of questions and shares that deeper perspective of why the village does what it does.” 

Hozyainova, 42, has questioned a proposal to expand Mather Hospital because it would involve removing trees. The village planning board plans to vote on the issue next month.

Hozyainova said residents’ concerns on that and other issues often are “dismissed or ignored.”

“I feel the decisions and the way the decisions are made are not necessarily the most transparent,” she said. “As a result, I feel there is an improvement that could be made.”

Sheprow, 61, whose father Harold Sheprow is a former Port Jefferson mayor, said she supports the village’s bluff erosion abatement plan.

“I am interested in working collaboratively and collegially” with other board members, Sheprow said. “I think I would be able to work with anyone who’s elected and who’s currently on that board.”

Gang, 67, who has sat on several village committees, said he supports the hospital expansion, noting that Mather plans to replace lost trees. He said he questions whether the village can afford the bluff erosion plan without additional federal funds. 

“I would address the residents and see what their feelings are, then I would make the decision,” he said.

In Shoreham, Stephen Rosario is challenging incumbents Mariann D. Coogan and Sherry Neff for two open trustee seats. Voting is noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.