Dear Editor,
The results are in and Steve Bellone wins Smithtown! (Newsday November 10th). In the race for Suffolk County Executive, Democrat Steve Bellone received fifty percent of the vote in the Republican stronghold of Smithtown. For this result I want to thank every member of the Smithtown Democratic Committee and all of the volunteers and staffers who worked with the Bellone Coordinated Campaign in Smithtown.
While I had hoped for a better outcome in the local elections as the Smithtown Democratic Leader I’m proud to have had been represented by our candidates Howard Knispel, Teresa Haft and Martin Aponte. It takes a lot of courage to run for public office and for doing so Howard, Teresa and Martin deserve our gratitude and respect. I’m looking forward to their continued contributions to our party as members of the Smithtown Democratic Committee.
The results of the Bellone-Carpenter race demonstrate that the voters in Smithtown are not monolithic and will cross party lines to vote for the person who they feel will do the best job. This knowledge gives me and my group the optimism to press on and should sow at least some doubt in the opposition as to the notion that they have a lock on the local electorate.
In the post election period the Smithtown Democratic Committee will be turning its attention to efforts to strengthen its organization and will be accepting applications for membership from Registered Democrats who live in Smithtown. Interested parties should inquire through our website www.smithtowndemocrats.org.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who voted.
Sincerely,
Ed Maher
Chair
Smithtown Democratic Committee
Kings Park