As I was driving to work last Monday (Aug 19th) I came across this sign, permanently installed at the corner of South Street and Chapman Blvd in Manorville. It says "Paving Project, Proceed With Caution," with current Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro's name displayed prominently. The problem is, while the sign ostensibly purports to advise people of ongoing road work, and to "proceed with caution," this project was actually completed over a week prior, and this sign wasn't even up during the construction. By comparison, the section of South St west of Wading River was paved last year and no such sign was ever installed.
Now, we've become used to entrenched incumbents in Brookhaven using their office to promote themselves, but this particular display goes beyond even that low bar.
Put aside the fact that this particular stretch of South Street has, for years, been a bone-rattling gauntlet of potholes and temporary patches that suddenly became a "priority" in an election year, announced with far greater fanfare than other projects. Think for a moment about the insidious cynicism that drove a decision to put up a "caution" sign on a newly paved road. A road that was actually far more dangerous for years before Losquadro decided to get around to fixing it.
Make no mistake. This is a taxpayer-funded campaign sign, installed permanently for the sole purpose of boosting Dan Losquadro's chances in what will likey be a hotly contested election this November. It might even possibly be a violation of FEC regulations.
Such blatant abuse of taxpayer money by Dan Losquadro is yet another reason we need to make some changes in Brookhaven. Anthony Portesy, who is challenging Losquadro for Brookhaven Highway Superintendent has stated, on the record, that he will NOT put his name on any signage, only "Town Of Brookhaven Highway Department" and a phone number. This should be the norm. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to change signs every time we elect new leadership, especially when those signs are so obviously being used for sheer partisan advantage.