Phil Nolan for Islip supervisor
Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan speaks in Brentwood (June 18, 2011) Credit: John Dunn
This is the first editorial board endorsement for 2011.
When he was first elected supervisor in 2006, Phil Nolan faced the challenge of setting the Town of Islip on a steadier course after the campaign-funds scandal that sent his predecessor, Peter McGowan, to prison.
Since then, Nolan, 61, a Democrat from the hamlet of Islip, has maintained a firm hand on the wheel of government. He deserves re-election.
Nolan's accomplishments are many: He trimmed the town workforce from 1,029 year-round positions in 2007 to about 730; saved $6.5 million in three years (and won a national award) by tightening oversight of workers' compensation; won federal funds to renovate the vital Maple Avenue ferry dock and expand parking; cut overtime costs for snow removal by preparing streets with a brine coating before storms; reduced the number of town vehicles allowed for personal use of employees; and eliminated health plans for officials working on town boards.
In five budgets, Nolan raised town taxes by 2.9 percent in 2008, 1.87 percent in 2009, and has kept them flat ever since.
His opponent, Republican Tom Croci, 39, of Bohemia, is on a leave of absence from his job as district director for Sen. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) and has an impressive background as a businessman, lawyer, naval reserve lieutenant commander with two tours of Afghanistan and service in the White House situation room under President George W. Bush. But he lacks the experience in local government required to be supervisor.
In an interview, Croci correctly identified the town's biggest challenges, including developing Long Island MacArthur Airport, working with neighboring town officials to improve the Ronkonkoma railroad hub, and monitoring the proposed Heartland Town Square at the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. On the latter project, in particular, Croci impatiently blamed Nolan and "politics" for delays, but could not provide specifics. Nolan, meanwhile, explained that the multi-use proposal, including 9,300 apartments on 451 acres, is overly ambitious, and he is pushing the developer to pledge to pay expenses, including widening of roads to handle greater traffic. That determined pressure and his fiscal leadership are the kind of stewardship needed to protect the interests of residents.
Newsday endorses Nolan for supervisor.
