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Interview with newly elected Babylon Town Republican Leader, Dr. Harry
Withers
BACKGROUND
Age 62 and a resident of Babylon for 52 years. Ph.D
from Fordham University in Political Science and currently an adjunct
professor at Stony Brook in Political Science.
Former Deputy Director of Planning for Suffolk
County and former Babylon Town Councilman.
FUNCTIONS AS A TOWN LEADER
My job is to fundraise, recruit candidates, obtain
consultants to do polling and work with the media. The days of amateurs
running campaigns are over. Creative people need to be hired to perform
top quality work. The Party organization is responsible for performing
the “grunt” work.
PETE McGOWAN (Islip Supervisor)
He is a long- time friend . He is the
quintessential Republican as he delivers top-notch service to suburbia
and cuts taxes at the same time.
RE FRANK APREA (former Babylon Republican
Leader)
Frank devoted a lot of time away from his family in
order to run the Town party. He was a good business manager and
fundraiser and brought in professionals to run campaigns. If he had
stayed on, I would have supported him.
GOVERNOR PATAKI
Overall this is a good government and it’s tough to
judge a Governor of New York. He may run for President in 2008 and he
does have quite a bit of charisma.
TOWN OF BABYLON PROBLEMS (i.e; The Bellone
Administration)
We need sounder financial footing to keep taxes
down. We need to stop dipping into the Special District funds or Capital
Funds to cover operating expenses. Bellone needs to promote affordable
housing to first-time buyers and develop programs. The roads need to be
kept in better shape and there must be money for snow removal this
winter.
STEVE LEVY (Suffolk County Executive)
Regarding his affordable housing programs, I
appreciate the role of the towns. Too many plans in the past have
forgotten Town input since the towns’ have land use controls through
zoning.
THE ROLE OF THE BABYLON REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
We are 11% of the committee structure of the County
and we look forward to working with Chair Acampora to make her time
successful. We will speak up when we think it is appropriate.
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