Meet The Candidates: Jodi Giglio For New York State Assembly

LONG ISLAND, NY — This November, Long Island residents will be hitting the polls to exercise their right to vote. While voters will be electing the president on Election Day, November 3, they will also be choosing their local representatives. In New York, state and federal races will also be on the ballot.

Republican Jodi Giglio, 52, of Riverhead, is running to fill a seat in the New York's 2nd Assembly District vacated by Republican incumbent Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo, who is running for New York State Senate.

The Second Assembly District of New York includes portions of Brookhaven Town of Brookhaven, and all of Riverhead and Southold.

Giglio, a current Riverhead Town Councilwoman, will face off with Democratic opponent and former Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith.

Giglio has three children, William, 17, and twins Jessica and Jake, 16. She was a business major at Stony Brook University, works in land use and construction, and has served on the Riverhead town board since 2009.

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

Check out the full Q&A below:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am an effective public servant who listens to the people.

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

Public safety and welfare. Repeal bail reform and put dangerous criminals and repeat offenders back in jail.

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

I am an effective leader with many accomplishments including fighting for law enforcement so our officers could do their jobs safely and effectively. I completed the 10-mile recreation trail and birder stand in Calverton, which was the foundation for the naming of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Trail. I preserved 2,000 acres of farmland and 200 + acres of open space; researched and advocated for enforcement software which the town purchased and which manages permitting, inspections, and violations, creating greater efficiency and communication between code, building, planning— which allows for swift enforcement and prosecution of violations.

"I put forth legislation that was adopted to prevent water pollution and to improve water quality for upgraded sanitary systems in watersheds where substantial improvements are being made to homes and not the sanitary; assisted veterans with events and programs; supported and advocated for $47,500 federal monies for the Safe Routes to School sidewalk project from Harrison Avenue around the curve at School Street. I created the Manufactured Home Task Force to protect residents within parks; created a recycling fund and tracking program — we had an "F" in recycling when I took office — put out a bid for residential carting that saved every residence $148 per year since 2012; led the charge on behalf of the town to protect our Long Island Sound by writing letters and participating in objecting to disposal of dredge spoils; supported and advocated for geothermal systems for manufactured homes through NYSERDA; and participated in the Peconic Estuary Program Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Safe neighborhoods, preservation of farmland and open space, water quality, tax relief, delivering our fair share of state aid.

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

See above. Also voted for and completed the upgrade to the town sewage treatment plant, which is the most innovative in the country. Voted and led charge on reuse of biosolids from our sewer treatment plant. Put forth a capital plan for improvements to our water district.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen to the people you work for, the taxpayers.

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

I will always advocate fiercely for the residents in my district. As a mom, small business owner since 1997, and an elected official for a decade, I am accessible and aware of the needs of the people I work for, the hard working taxpayers.