Town board wraps up first debate

Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com

The first debate of the election season for the Huntington town board saw candidates grilled by members of the local chapter of the AARP.

The candidates, incumbents Susan Berland and Glenda Jackson and challengers Bill Dowler and Deborah Poulos, were grilled for about an hour over issues such as illegal apartments, code enforcement, affordable housing and taxes.

Bob Hauslein, 82, a retired worker with the Pall corporation, said he found the debate unsatisfactory because the candidates waffled when responding to his questions about illegal housing.

“The candidates didn’t really answer questions,” said Hauslein from Halesite. “I wanted to know if the code enforcement, in their opinion, is currently adequate. Yes or no, and if it’s not, do they need more inspectors. It was very simple.”

He said he planned to attend more debates, but admitted he was impressed by at least one of the candidates. Mimi Taylor, 74, a lifelong resident of Huntington and a retired bookkeeper, said her number one issue she would like the town board to deal with is taxes.

“I would like to see a reduction in the school tax which they talk about, but honestly I don’t think it’s going to happen in my lifetime,” Taylor said.

She said she was pleased with the questions and the issues that were raised and was particularly intrigued with some of the responses from the town board candidates.

“I had pretty much made up my mind who I was going to vote for for the board,” Taylor said. “But I might change based upon what they said today. I like what they said."

Also on the dais for the debate were Legis. Steven Stern (D-Dix Hills) running for re-election in the 16th legislative district and his Republican, Conservative and Integrity party challenger William Groh; Bobby Cook running to represent the 17th legislative district on the Republican ticket; Incumbent Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia; Receiver of Taxes Ester Bivona and her Republican and Conservative party opponent Anthony D’Angelis.

The next debate, sponsored by the Elwood Taxpayers Association, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Elwood Middle School at 8 p.m.