Brookhaven is often regarded as one of the most – if not the most – complicated Suffolk County township to govern. The largest municipality by area in the entire state, and second-largest in population – almost 500,000 residents – Brookhaven could practically register as its own state. The Town also serves as a key figure in Suffolk’s environmental progress, as it is the only township in the county to border the Long Island Sound, the Great South Bay, and Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the town contains eight villages, dozens of hamlets, and countless unique, diverse communities, all of which contribute to the intricacies of Town knowledge required to govern accurately.
Such leaders were elected this past November by wide margins across three Town-wide posts and six council districts. All but one member were sworn in Monday afternoon. Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point) of the Fifth District will be sworn in on January 11.
Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) has taken the helm at the Town’s top position, succeeding the venerable Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who now serves as Suffolk County Executive. Romaine served as the Supervisor of Brookhaven for eleven years, while Panico served as Deputy Supervisor and Councilman from the Sixth District since a 2010 special election to succeed Romaine’s late son, Keith.
Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham) was first elected in a March 2013 special election after eight years in the County Legislature and two in the New York State Assembly. Losquadro was re-elected in November and was sworn in for another term on Monday.
“I am humbled to have been sworn in as Brookhaven Town Superintendent of Highways for my fifth full term,” Losquadro told The Messenger. “Monday’s swearing in ceremony marked the twelfth time I was sworn into office – a privilege I do not take for granted. I am proud to serve the residents of Brookhaven Town, maintaining nearly 3,700 lane miles of roadways and supervising more than 300 employees. Together, we will continue to meet the challenges that come our way while improving Brookhaven’s infrastructure one roadway at a time.”
Receiver of Taxes Lou Marcoccia (R-East Setauket) was first elected in 2007 and was re-elected by a wide margin this November. He was also sworn in on Monday.
Five of the six Town Council members were also sworn in, with the exception of Councilman Foley.
In the First District, incumbent Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) won a relatively close race over political newcomer Gary Bodenburg (R-Port Jefferson Station) in November. Kornreich won his first full term after winning a special election in 2021. Kornreich serves as the Town’s lone elected Democrat.
The Setauket-Port Jefferson-based First District comprised northwest Brookhaven.
In the Second District, Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) was overwhelmingly re-elected.
“I am honored to have been elected into a new term as Councilwoman for the Second Council District in the Town of Brookhaven,” Bonner told The Messenger. “The support of the residents means so much to me, and I’m looking forward to four more years of hard work. I am thankful to be entrusted with this responsibility and am committed to the following goals that will make Brookhaven a better place to live and work.”
Bonner discussed her priorities, including, but not limited to “increased transparency and communication with constituents through Town Hall meetings, newsletter, and social media updates; continuing advocacy for improvements to local infrastructure, such as roads, drainage, lighting, signage, parks, and community centers; maintaining strong relationship with local Chambers of Commerce, Civic Associations, and local stakeholders; promoting environmentally-friendly policies, including waste reduction, renewable energy options, and responsible stewardship of natural resources; reducing crime by partnering with law enforcement; embracing technology to improve government efficiency, transparency, and security, and advocating for responsible budgeting by seeking opportunities for cost-saving measures without compromising quality of services.”
The Rocky Point-Shoreham-based Second District encompasses central and northeastern Brookhaven.
In the Third District, Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden) won his first full term after winning a May special election last year.
“I’m excited that the campaigning is over and the real work can begin,” Manzella told The Messenger. “I love the fresh ideas of our new Supervisor and look forward to the great changes we can make for the best of the Third District and the whole Town.”
The Third District is located in central Brookhaven, including Lake Grove, Centereach, Selden, and Farmingville.
In the Fourth District, Councilman Michael Loguercio (R-Ridge) won a large re-election victory in this competitive Bellport-based district.
“I’m excited to work with the Board since we have a new Supervisor who’s ready to do whatever he can to take this town to the next level,” said Loguercio. “Ed Romaine did an excellent job; I’m confident Panico will follow in Ed’s footsteps. He understands the values that Romaine had when supervising the Town.”
Loguercio discussed some of his priorities, including, but not limited to, continuing the revitalization efforts in Bellport.
“When I was elected eight years ago, I made a promise to make Bellport one of the communities we focus on rejuvenating,” says Loguercio. “There have been a number of initiatives to get to that point. We’ve brought in market-rate and affordable housing, we’ve attracted new businesses, we’ve renovated new buildings, and we cleaned up junkyards that were causing many issues with junk cars on the sidewalks.”
“We want to continue what we’re doing in that area and improve upon it,” Loguercio adds. He mentioned more development on the horizon, as well as a bank district brought to the village, and other services that were needed in close proximity to the residents’ homes.
“The other thing we’re looking at is having the MTA keep the zone in Bellport the same as the zone in Patchogue,” said Loguercio, regarding rail transit. “In order to save money on monthly tickets, residents would have to go to the Patchogue station. We can make the Bellport station the same zone as the Patchogue station so residents can save on tickets and be five minutes from home.”
The Fourth District stretches from Bellport and Shirley towards Gordon Heights and Ridge.
The Sixth District sees the only freshman member of Town government, Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig (R-Manorville). Dunne Kesnig won a crushing 70% victory to succeed Panico in this eastern Brookhaven-based district.
“I truly look forward to working with the entire Town Board with Dan Panico at the helm,” Dunne Kesnig told The Messenger. “I have been very impressed by Dan’s dedication to our town and anticipate working closely together to tackle whatever issues confront me in my efforts to make this community a safer and more affordable place to live.”
After his inauguration as Supervisor, Panico spoke of unity within Brookhaven, representing every hamlet and village, and continuing on the work of his predecessor Romaine. Panico thanked and acknowledged his family, his colleagues on the Board, as well as the municipal employees who he says “make the government run.”
“We stand ready to meet the needs of the people we represent,” said Panico. “I’m not going to let grass grow under my feet and I am not here simply clocking time. I endeavor to get meaningful things done for this Town. In the next month, I will introduce legislation that will dramatically shorten the time for necessary projects to be completed in the Town. It is necessary now more than ever to grow our economy and we will do so with deliberate speed.”
Panico said that the easiest thing to do in government is “nothing.”
“If you want to stay in office forever, do nothing,” he said. “You won’t build up enemies, you can go around handing out certificates and cutting ribbons for the rest of your life. That is not the type of elected official I will be in running this Town.”
Panico discussed in-depth the Town’s initiatives in housing projects, being a Supervisor for all residents, and revitalizing communities, most notably North Bellport. The Accessory Public Review Board, he said, will “cease to exist” under his tenure. He said the move will save time and money, citing the Town needs to “change the way it conducts business.”
Panico cited three “great mysteries” of Suffolk County: “Where that federal infrastructure money is, when the state is going to bring the environmental bond money – that our residents overwhelmingly – down to Brookhaven, and where former County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) will be working in the future.”
“I just need answers to two,” joked Panico.
Panico discussed the Town’s long-invested efforts in the village of Bellport. He also mentioned that the Town will continue to work to provide ferry access to the Fire Island beaches for the children of the village.
The ceremony was attended by a variety of elected officials, including Congressmen Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), County Executive Romaine, members of the Suffolk County Legislature, representative from the Towns of Islip, Babylon, and Southampton, and representatives for state lawmakers.
