Candidate Profile: Joe McDermott For Suffolk Legislature

LONG ISLAND, NY - Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls next month to elect several local representatives.

In addition to local town and village races, residents should look into who will be running to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County. This year, Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 5.

In anticipation of the big day, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Joe McDermott, 52, of Islip is running for election as Suffolk County Legislator for District 11, which includes all of West Islip and Brightwaters, most of Bay Shore and portions of Islip, Islip Terrace and Deer Park.

His opponent is Steven J. Flotteron (R).

The Democratic incumbent previously worked as an ironworker for 23 years before being elected as Mayor of Brightwaters. He is currently in his second term.

McDermott is also father to two girls and a boy currently attending public schools in the Bay Shore District.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with McDermott below:

Patch: The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

McDermott: The most important issues facing our community are protecting our tax dollars and keeping our communities safe.

I want to reduce the county’s deficit and hold the line on taxes by shrinking the county payroll and consolidating government offices. And I’ll work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to make sure they have every resource they need to keep our families safe. I’ll combat gang violence in Suffolk County by putting specialized police officers in the most at-risk neighborhoods and will push to increase the criminal penalties for gang-related crime and expand gang-prevention programs for young people.

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

M: I'm not a politician, I'm an ironworker. I see career politician after career politician put politics before people, raising our taxes and hurting our families. That's why I decided to run for Mayor of Brightwaters, and it's why I'm running to be your Suffolk County Legislator - to protect your hard-earned tax dollars and hope to earn your vote.

P: If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

M: My opponent voted to install parking meters in Bay Shore. As your legislator, I'll fight to stop the parking meters and will be a strong voice to make sure they aren't installed across our district.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

M: Protecting our water is so important to our community that relies on clean water for drinking and enjoys our bays and waterways throughout the year. As your legislator, I'll fight to defend our water supply and the Suffolk County way of life we all enjoy.

P: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

M: While I was Mayor of Brightwaters, we successfully steered the village’s financial recovery by cutting wasteful spending and balancing the budget, while still investing in badly needed infrastructure repairs. I’ll use that experience to safeguard your tax dollars.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was ...

M: "Stop complaining, and do something about it," my Mom and that's when I decided to run for mayor.

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

M: We need to stop dividing our selves between blue and red. If we need to accomplish something, it needs to be done as a group because that is when we get the best results. We can’t pick on each other, as our current legislator is doing. That’s why I believe I am a good leader because I was able to reach across the aisle before as mayor and I will do that as your next county legislator. No more excuses.