We Mark Our Ballot: County Legislature

In an age punctuated by extreme political party divisions and acrimony, it was refreshing to hear from two Suffolk County legislators representing the East End — one a Democrat and one a Republican — about how well they worked together to represent the interests of their varied constituents and pass legislation to benefit all residents, regardless of political affiliation.

It was downright astonishing to hear them heap praise upon each other, both personally and politically, during separate interviews with The Express News Group Editorial Board. This at a time when each is facing an active challenger.

It became crystal clear that serving the needs of their constituents, and Suffolk County residents as a whole, took precedence over any party concerns. Further, it was apparent that they both enjoy the work, and working together.

Suffolk County Legislators Ann Welker, a Democrat representing the 2nd District, which includes most of the South Fork, and Catherine Stark, representing the 1st District, which includes the North Fork and a sliver of western Southampton Town, each have a string of accomplishments to mark their respective first terms in Hauppauge, and each deserves to be returned for a second term.

Their centerpiece achievement, which they co-sponsored, was the recently approved Working Waterfront legislation, which gives the county a mechanism to buy conservation easements for commercial waterfront businesses, including fisheries, shellfish farms, and marinas, among other concerns. It will give business owners a financial boost while guaranteeing that the properties are protected from development in perpetuity.

The legislation was quite a coup for two first-term legislators, and clearly demonstrated that when they work together, Welker and Stark can accomplish great things for the East End. They both promise to continue their efforts.

Their opponents, Southold Town Board member Greg Doroski, the Democrat challenging Stark, and journalist and activist Raheem Soto, the Republican challenging Welker, are serious candidates who both expressed a desire to serve the people of the East End. Southold residents should rest assured that Doroski is fighting for them on the town level. And voters should keep an eye on Soto as he develops his political career.

Neither, however, could compare to the enthusiasm demonstrated by Welker and Stark, who, against all odds in the current political landscape, have proven that, as a team, they will put the interests of East End residents above all else. In this day and age, it’s incredibly refreshing.