On Monday, the Suffolk County Legislature swore in new members. Legislator Greg Doroski (D-Mattituck) defeated one-term Legislator Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead) on the North Fork, while RJ Renna (R-Lindenhurst) filled the seat of former Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst).
But Smithtown saw its own addition in the Thirteenth District, with Legislator Sal Formica (R-Commack). He is parlaying his extensive background in public safety, hospitality, and community service to a county-wide perspective, while also succeeding former Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga).
When discussing his future priorities, Formica told The Messenger, “Public safety is number one, affordable housing is important, our infrastructure, our water, these are things we need to protect.”
Before reaching his current position, Formica developed his passion for public safety in 1990, when he joined the NYPD in the 17th Precinct, which covers the United Nations Headquarters. From there, he was selected for the Emergency Service Unit, Truck 8, in 1997, which required extensive training and had him working side by side with the FBI.
Formica has served as chief of the Commack Fire Department and is still a member of the department. He was also a local restaurateur. A Commack resident for nearly 40 years, he especially seeks to “put Commack on the map.”
Formica was elected to the open seat over Kings Park Board of Education Trustee Shala Pascucci (D-Kings Park) with approximately 59% of the vote. While the position may be new for Formica, he is far from a new face in the district, having spent decades serving and engaging with the local community.
New Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirilo (R-Holtsville) and Deputy Presiding Officer Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) have both assumed their new roles this week, and Formica noted that he looks forward to working alongside them.
“They are two different types of people, but they share the same mission: making sure Suffolk County is safe and prosperous,” Formica said.
The Legislature’s reorganizational meeting was standing room-only not only for Piccirillo and Mazzarella, but also with a Smithtown crowd looking forward to Formica’s new chapter of public service.
The Thirteenth District includes Fort Salonga, Head of the Harbor, Kings Park, Nissequogue, San Remo, St. James, and parts of Commack and Smithtown hamlet within Smithtown Township, and parts of Commack within Huntington Township.
The Thirteenth District office is located at 59 Landing Avenue, Suite 1, in Smithtown and can be reached at 631-854-3900.
