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For this column I have
profiled Suffolk County Working Families Chairman, Chuck Pohanka.
WHAT IS WORKING FAMILIES?
A political party of unions and community groups that was started in
1999. PAC's were giving money to Dems and Reps with nothing to show for
their support on the issues. It was started in New York City by the CWA,
UAW and ACORN. We are Row E and have 16,000 registrants statewide
including 1,400 in Suffolk.
BACKGROUND
Age 45; married with two children. Resident of North Babylon and has
lived in Babylon Township for more than 30 years. Graduated from
Massapequa High School. Works for the Town of Babylon as a Program
Planner in Parks & Recreation. Working Families Party Chair since
September 2002.
ARE WORKING FAMILIES MEMBERS ALIGNED MOSTLY WITH DEMOCRATS?
In Suffolk our goal is to raise the labor profile first. We are not left
wing of anyone. In the last set of Suffolk legislative races, we
endorsed 6 out of 10 Republican legislative incumbents.
POLITICAL YEAR 2003
The County Executive race may favor the Reps at this early point as a
Democratic primary looms in the horizon. The legislative body should
stay the same. I'd like to see the 15th LD remain the same. There will
be union support and money to whomever we support. We were the margins
of victory in the Tim Bishop for Congress, Bill Lindsey for Legislature
and Ray Doran for Lindenhurst Trustee races. It should be noted that Pat
Eddington (WF) won an Assembly seat as a member of our party.
ON BABYLON SUPERVISOR BELLONE
I have had a lot of conversations with him on labor issues. It's a young
administration. The doors should always be kept open for communication.
Hopefully, we can resolve the union issues. Our Local 237 (Teamsters) is
working hard to resolve these issues.
HOBBIES
Soccer, lacrosse, shooting skeet and occasional travel with the family.
MINOR PARTIES
I enjoy a good working relationship with Independence Chairman MacKay
and Conservative Chairman Curcio. There wouldn't be minor parties if the
majors would do the right thing. The minor parties are out there and
there really is no adversarial relationship. That's why there is a
successful 3rd Party Club in Suffolk.
BABYLON WORKFORCE
At this point, it's about better communication, not money. The Teamsters
and CSEA need respect and want people to be treated fairly. A lot of
people want to perform their job functions properly. The Town needs to
provide materials and back-up support to the workers.
TAXES
Obviously they are high. School taxes will increase with the Pataki
cuts. People are going to make the difference when they vote this year.
And many will be angry at the incumbents. Incumbents aren't safe this
year with the amount of tax increases expected at many levels of
government.
CLOSING COMMENT
Our party is up and coming. You are welcome to become part of our
organization. We produced 90,000 votes for McCall in the recent
gubernatorial election and we are very proud of that. Suffolk is the
showcase County for this party and we are headed in the right direction.
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