Politics & Government

Lynne Nowick Cross-Endorses Vecchio, McCarthy as GOP Slate for Town Board

Three Republicans say they've found common thread, oppose Uplands project proposed in Kings Park.

The lines have been drawn for the upcoming Sept. 10 Republican primary race for Town of Smithtown's town board seats. 

Suffolk Legislator Lynne Nowick, R-St.James, cross endorsed Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and councilman Thomas McCarthy in their bids for re-election this upcoming November at The Watermill in Smithtown on Tuesday afternoon. 
"When I looked at the positions taken on the different issues by the current town board members, and I could see where my feelings and sentiments were supported - by Supervisor Vecchio and Councilman McCarthy," she said. 

Nowick, forced out of the county legislature after 12 years due to term limits, submitted petitions to run for Smithtown Town Board in July.  She hopes to stand alongside Vecchio and McCarthy as the second Republican town board candidate. 

The three will face off in the Republican primary against councilman Robert Creighton, who is running for supervisor, and councilman Kevin Malloy who seeks re-election. 

"I’m tired of hearing other candidates say that, 'Smithtown needs to be fixed'," Nowick said. "Is it perfect place? No. But we can all work together - and I mean work together - to make this even a better place." 

McCarthy cross endorsed and welcomed Nowick as a candidate in what he called "a fight for the good government of the Town of Smithtown." 

"We won't always see eye-to-eye on every issue, but each of us have independent natures that allow us to evaluate the issues," McCarthy said. "We see our ourselves as representatives of the people of the Town of Smithtown with integrity... for all the people, not some of the people." 

Vecchio also hailed Nowick as a like-minded Republican candidate for Smithtown Town Board. 

"I think the town of Smithtown is a great town, and I’m excited now that the three of us have come together," Vecchio said. "We all stand for the same kinds of things." 

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The supervisor said the three candidates are united in their opposition for the proposed Uplands at St. Johnland in the Kings Park. 

"The Uplands at St. Johnland is not appropriate for Smithtown," Vecchio said. "One doesn’t need an environmental impact statement to know the idea is bad, one doesn’t need to know there is another space it can go. One just needs to take one look to know the current 50 acres site for the Uplands is wrong, improper and it doesn’t belong there." 

Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His stance received a round of applause from Kings Park and Fort Salonga residents attending the announcement. 

"He's 100 percent right. The Town of Smithtown made a wise decision in its master plan. Of those 50 acres, only of which 21 acres can be build upon for 21 residential houses, that makes sense," said Paul Graf, president of The Fort Salonga Association. "What does not make sense is the society of St. Johnland is trying to shoe horn in more then 200 units on 21 acres, especially as they have the opportunity to move across the street." 

Linda Henninger, representing the Kings Park Civic Association, said she and president Sean Lehman met with Nowick over propose plans for the Uplands and are glad to see she's come to hold an opinion similar to Vecchio and McCarthy. 

"I realize there is one issue that is so important to the town we love so much, it’s the protection of open space and protection of our natural water system. Smithtown values its quality of life and the integrity of its land," Nowick said. 

Along with Vecchio, they both promise to fight for protection of open space within the town and business developments in appropriate areas. 


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