Candidate: Legislator Jim Mazzarella
Residence: Moriches
Office: Suffolk County Legislature, District Three
Elected: May 2021 Special Election, elected to full term November 2021, re-elected in 2023.
Committees: Economic Development, Planning, and Housing (Chair); Labor and Consumer Affairs (Chair); Public Safety (Vice Chair); Education and Diversity (Vice Chair); Government Operations, Personnel, and Information Technology
Party Endorsements: Republican, Conservative
Notable Endorsements: Long Island Law Enforcement Coalition, Association of Municipal Employees (AME), Suffolk County Community College Faculty, building and trades unions
Legislator Jim Mazzarella is running for a third full term this November after his special election in May 2021, in which he defeated long-storied incumbent Kate Browning (D) who was eyeing a comeback to this seat. In 2023, Mazzarella was re-elected with almost 70% of the vote over Thad O’Neil (D-Brookhaven).
Legislator Mazzarella sat down with The Messenger for a one-on-one interview for the purpose of this spotlight.
Q: What is your professional background before being elected to the Legislature and does it equip you for another term?
A: When I first bought a home in Moriches, I immediately got involved with the local civics association and quickly became a leader in the group. I became a member of the Shirley-Mastic Rotary Club as well as the Knights of Columbus. In addition to being a member of the Zoning Board for two years, I was also a board member for the Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Public Library for ten years, the last five of which I served as president.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for the Third District in the last two years?
A: The largest project going on is the Forge River Sewer District; it’s almost completed. There’s pipes in the ground now and approximately 2,000 homes are set to be hooked up; 500 homes already are. Connections continue every day. We’re working on connecting the commercial properties on Montauk Highway that run from the border of Mastic and Moriches to the western part of Shirley. I expect those connections towards the end of the year. Businesses are anxiously waiting. Restaurants have said that pumping cesspools is costly and inconvenient. It’s definitely going to spur economic growth.
The new Smith Point bridge is on schedule to break ground next year. Bids will be sent out at the end of this year. A groundbreaking might be on the horizon for spring or early summer 2026. The construction phase will take about two years. Once there’s vehicular traffic, the demolition of the current drawbridge will take about a year. It will be a much taller suspension bridge, one lane each way, but a pedestrian and cycle path will be built on the east side of the bridge. We’re also looking to put some benches so people can enjoy the overlook of the Great South Bay. Since it won’t be a drawbridge, there will be a constant flow of traffic on the road and in the bay.
The County is also a partner on the infrastructure side of the Neighborhood Road Revitalization Area (NRRA). We’ve already provided some $20 million in grant funding towards the sewer plant that will be built there and get the pipes in the roads.
I also instituted the police foot patrol of that area that runs from around Memorial Day until the winter. That’s been successful in keeping order and preventing people from hanging out on street corners making others feel uncomfortable.
I’ve secured grant funding for the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association’s coastal resiliency project, wherein they replace invasive plants with indigenous plants. We’ve also appropriated funds for the Violet Cove area’s living shoreline. We’re hoping to build a pavilion for educational uses, musical programs, and for people to enjoy the waterfront there.
I also helped negotiate 25% of the funding to help the Town of Brookhaven purchase Lufker Airport in East Moriches for open space preservation.
We’re also in the final stages of putting the disc golf course together at Southaven County Park.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for the County at-large in the last two years?
A: I sponsored a bill to increase fines for illegal ATVs being driven on public roadways and to make it easier for those vehicles to be confiscated. Our office sits right on Montauk Highway in Mastic and over the last year or so, we haven’t heard any of those vehicles. It’s an improvement. I also sponsored a bill to outlaw vaping devices camouflaged as school supplies. School districts already have a hard enough time keeping vaping out of the schools. Three school superintendents came to the press conference because they were so pleased with that legislation.
I’m currently working with the District Attorney’s office to further legislation towards illegal chemicals and substances being sold in smoke shops. One substance is called kratom that’s supposed to help people get off opioids, but kratom itself is very addictive and toxic.
I recently had a bill passed that increases penalties on unlicensed contractors. In addition to them being added to the “wall of shame”, the fines increased from $1,000 to $10,000. Unfortunately, many seniors are being scammed by these unscrupulous contractors who either do an incomplete job or just take the money and run. These contractors now have to add a lot more information when they register for a license.
Q: You voted to sue the State over the even-year elections law. Explain your position.
A: I don’t agree that it will save money, and our terms will be disrupted by the change. We’ll have a whole slew of special elections and resignations to make the new terms line up. The most important part of it, for me, is lumping us in with the state and federal elections. It’s hard enough now to get our message out, but it will never get out if that law is sustained on appeal. The ballot will also be five times as long as it is. What if a person doesn’t have the patience to go all the way through the ballot? Democrats say it will increase voter participation; I think it will backfire. You’ll have a less informed electorate and all people will want to talk about is what’s going on in Washington.
Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: I always live by “treat everyone with dignity,” and treat everyone how you would like to be treated. Everyone is owed that, and if you conduct yourself in that way, you can’t go wrong.
Q: How do you like to connect with and enjoy your community?
A: When I was a kid, I grew up by the airport and would ride my bike to Smith Point. I love the beach and being out on the water, especially while boating. If I’m not working for the community, you can find me out on Moriches Bay somewhere. I love regularly attending civic association and chamber of commerce meetings. The only way to find out the pulse of the people is to talk to the people.
The Messenger thanks Legislator Mazzarella for his time for this interview.
About the Third Legislative District
The Third District includes Center Moriches, East Moriches, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Moriches, the Poospatuck Reservation, Shirley, South Haven, and parts of Brookhaven hamlet, Eastport, Fire Island, and Manorville.
Mazzarella’s opponent this year is Beverly Theodore (D), who is not actively campaigning.
