By Richard Macellaro

Patrick Vecchio marching in Kings Park’s St. Patrick’s Day ParadePatrick Vecchio has been the Supervisor of the Town of Smithtown since 1978. He is the longest sitting Supervisor in the State of New York. Pat Vecchio started his political career as a Democrat changing his party to Republican in 1990.  Vecchio, is being challenged in a Republican primary by Councilman Robert Creighton.  Richard Macellaro interviewed Vecchio for Smithtown Matters on Thursday, March 7. 

In this more than a half-hour question and answer interview I found Mr. Vecchio to be engaging; free flowing, keen and adroitly responsive.

You have had more than 12 elections, what is different about this prospective primary election?

Supervisor Vecchio : I have been in primary elections before.  However, I find this primary unnecessary.  It seems to me that this is a matter of ego on the part of Bob (Councilmember Robert Creighton.)  He believes that he can change things as Town Supervisor.  He has the same ability to do so as a Town Councilmember, with the same vote as the supervior.  Our job is to secure approval from all elected to the Town Board and to do so in an open and honest way, and not push or propose matters because someone has the majority vote.