Letters

The Suffolk County Legislature is the elected body responsible for public health and public safety. The legislature sets county policies, reviews the administration of government, appropriates funding, levies taxes, and reviews and adopts the annual budget.

The county legislature has the power to organize, alter, and abolish any unit of county government or transfer any function or duty from one such unit to another; make appropriations, levy taxes, and incur indebtedness to carry out any of the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the county or any officer, board, commission, or authority; and investigate the performance of any of the functions, offices, or departments of Suffolk County government.

Understanding these duties and powers will be integral in successful representation. Being a legislator will require the ability to interpret an understanding of state laws, rules, and regulations, the ability to work with local, state, and federal officials, the knowledge to understand the complexities of county, state, and federal budgets, the administration of the thousands of employees and the civil service process and collective bargaining agreements that govern their employment, the ability to put political ideology aside to listen to the needs of the community. The legislature is no place for on-the-job training.

I bring decades of governmental administration and legislative experience. I spent over a decade as president and legislative chairman of New York State’s fifth-biggest police union. I dealt with every New York State governor and their administration and agency bureaucrats over the past two decades. I have negotiated multi-million dollar collective bargaining agreements, drafted and successfully passed complex legislation, and, when necessary, taken to the media to push back against injustices committed against my PBA members and the public.

I can be a diplomat and, when needed, a fighter, because I believe in you and your families. You are a top priority and deserve everything this great county offers. You deserve modern roads, septic treatment, safe communities, educational opportunities for your children, secure and reliable infrastructure, and a voice that will put you first against federal, state, and New York City politicians. You deserve to be heard by a county legislator who listens and is your advocate. If you have an issue, text cell phone at 631-324-0528 or email info@vilarforsuffolk.com. That’s right, I am openly giving out my cell phone number because you deserve that kind of legislator. I want to hear from you.

Early voting starts Saturday, October 28, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. I request your vote for county legislator.

Manny Vilar

Springs