The week of inaugurations continues to sweep across Suffolk County, installing the victors from the 2023 local elections. The week, and the year, began with the historic swearing-in of Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) as Suffolk’s ninth County Executive, followed a day later by the seating of all eighteen Suffolk County Legislators for the 2024-2025 term.
With several township-level inaugural ceremonies behind us, last Thursday saw four officials in the Town of Islip sworn in, along with the Town’s popular and well-known Supervisor, Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). With over 330,000 residents, Islip is the fourth-largest municipality in New York by population.
Carpenter was elected to a third term this November, cruising to victory with 63% of the vote. First elected as a county legislator, Carpenter then served as County Treasurer until her first election as Islip Supervisor in 2015.Also re-elected in November was Receiver of Taxes Andy Wittman (R-Sayville), who defeated his opponent with 64% of the vote.
Wittman was sworn in by his wife Jennifer Wittman.
Three members of the Town government were elected to their first terms in November.
The first is Linda Vavricka (R-East Islip), who was elected Town Clerk in the wake of Olga Murray (R-Oakdale). Vavricka won with 62% of the vote.
In the Third Council District, local business owner and restaurateur Mike McElwee (R-West Islip) won a three-way race with 55% of the vote. The Third Council District includes the hamlets of Bay Shore, Baywood, West Bay Shore, and West Islip, parts of Brentwood and Islip hamlet, and the village of Brightwaters.
McElwee was sworn in by his wife Mary Ellen McElwee.
Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville) was appointed to the vacant seat of the Fourth District in January. He easily won his first full term with just under 64% of the vote. The Fourth Council District includes the hamlets of Bayport, Holbrook, Ronkonkoma, and Sayville, parts of Central Islip, Holtsville, and West Sayville, and the village of Islandia.
Friends, family, elected officials, and community organizers descended on the auditorium at the Touro Law Center in Central Islip to witness the swearings-in and Carpenter’s inaugural address.
The event’s master of ceremonies was none other than New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza).
“I’ve gotten to know so many elected officials all across our state, but some really do stand out,” said DiNapoli. “And at a time when there’s so much cynicism in government and when you look at things that don’t get done, you look at the record of achievement that Angie has put together – infrastructure, public safety, the working at MacArthur Airport, town services, environmental initiatives. What’s more important these days is not just checking off the boxes, it’s how you go about doing it. Doing it with integrity, doing it with a sense of openness, understanding that people who are elected to office are public servants…Someone like Angie Carpenter has been giving every step of the way; this is a woman who truly is there to serve.”
United States Senator and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-Park Slope) also came to speak in support of Carpenter, just as he did for County Executive Romaine.
“She worked her way up, she had humble beginnings,” said Schumer. “She got here the old-fashioned way. She earned it.”
Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) also spoke on behalf of the Supervisor.
“One thing I’ve learned in my twelve years of public service is that you need to have strong partners,” said Garbarino. “If you’re going to be successful for your constituents, you need to have strong partners. Over my twelve years of service, Islip has been one of the greatest partners I have been able to work with. I am excited to continue that partnership with all of you. We’ll make sure Islip gets its fair share [of federal money] for all of its infrastructure projects.”
County Executive Romaine gave his remarks to Carpenter and the Town Board as well.
“When you govern, you never govern alone,” said Romaine. “The great thing about long public service is that you get to witness good people coming into government and doing the right thing. In the County Legislature, Carpenter was a strong voice for her district and the county. She stepped forward as County Treasurer and did a great job. She should have run for Treasurer another time, but she cast her eyes to her hometown. She has chosen her hometown for her commitment to her life achievement.”
In her inaugural address, Carpenter reminisced on the last eight years she has served as Supervisor and the progress made in Islip thus far.
“We’ve built a better, stronger Islip together,” said Carpenter. “With your support and the hard work of our dedicated commissioners and staff, we’ve built a foundation that will leave a lasting impact on the future of our Town. When I took the helm of Supervisor, I was so excited to right the ship to put us on a path for a stable, sustainable, successful future. We began building our foundation by improving the Town’s bond rating to triple-A, which has been reaffirmed year after year.”
Carpenter also mentioned the improvements of Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood, the complete renovation in Byron Lake Park, the renovation of the roof of Town Hall and the “historic” cupola.
“We’ve achieved all of this together through hard work and careful planning, and even persevering through a pandemic,” added Carpenter.
Carpenter also outlined priorities and initiatives she and the Town Board will seek to fulfill over the next four years.
“We’ve worked so hard for all of our residents and the job is not over yet. We look forward to continuing to improve our infrastructure, including projects to make Town Hall more accessible, finish the Serenity Garden project, continue to expand air service at our very own Long Island MacArthur Airport, and so much more. I can’t wait for what lies ahead.”
The Messenger caught up with Supervisor Carpenter and newly-elected and re-elected members of the Town Board for their thoughts on what lies ahead.
“We have a great, very cohesive board,” said Carpenter. “A leader can be good, but if you don’t have a great team and if you can’t work together, you won’t get anything done. Once you raise your hand and take that oath, you represent everybody, so we try to work together with all levels of government and across political lines. Working together, we’re going to get a lot done; I’m so optimistic.”
Councilman John Lorezno offered his words on the day and his optimism for the term.
“I’m humbled and honored to be sworn in today,” said Lorenzo. “We’ve got a great team behind us and we will be doing some great things for the Town of Islip over the next four years. I appreciate everyone’s support.”
Town Clerk Linda Vavricka also gave her thoughts on the day.
“I am genuinely honored and humbled to step into the role of Islip Town Clerk and become part of the town board,” said Vavricka. “Serving the Islip community is not just a duty but a tremendous opportunity to contribute to its growth and well-being. I look forward to working with our great Supervisor as well as each member of the town board. I will be working tirelessly to address the needs of our residents as well as making our town an even better place to live.”
Councilman Mike McElwee says his years of business expertise will aid him in his role on the Town Board.
“As a twenty-year business owner and resident of the Third Council District, I am honored to be voted by my community into the position,” McElwee told The Messenger. “I look forward to working with th eBoard to continue the quality of life for the residents and business owners of my district.”
Last but not least, Tax Receiver Andy Wittman gave his thoughts to The Messenger as well.
“It truly has been an honor and privilege to serve the taxpayers of the Town of Islip these last two years in the capacity of Receiver of Taxes,” said Wittman. “Unlike two years ago, when I was the only town-wide candidate elected to office, this year, I had the privilege to enjoy that process with Supervisor Angie Carpenter and three newly elected officials, Town Clerk Linda Vavricka, Councilman John Lorenzo, and Councilman Mike McElwee. I thank Touro Law School for hosting [the inauguration] and everyone who assisted in making it a memorable day for me and my family.”
The ceremonies closed with riveting performances of Oh, Rock My Soul and God Bless America by the Central Islip High School Choir.
In attendance also was Islip Councilman Jorge Guadron (D-Central Islip), Islip Councilman Jim O’Connor (R-Great River), as well as a bipartisan slate of elected County and Town elected officials.
