John Halverson, R-Patchogue, is challenging incumbent Rob Calarco, D-Patchogue, in the race for the Suffolk County Legislature, 7th district seat which includes Patchogue, Medford and Blue Point in its coverage area.
Halverson said that the budget is the biggest issue voters should consider Tuesday, and is what drove him into running.
“The financial condition of Suffolk County is in terrible, terrible condition,” Halverson said. He said that his sisters-in-law had to move to North Carolina since they could not afford to live in Suffolk County, and does not want to see that happen to his children.
Halverson is an attorney and a partner at McGiff-Halverson LLP in Patchogue. Halverson has previously worked at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office as a senior assistant district attorney. He also helped run his family security business, Patriot Courier Services in East Patchogue from 1991-2002.
Halverson said he would also like to see more transparency in county government.
“As it is they are not going to vote on next year’s budget until after the election,” Halverson said. He would like citizens to have a way of knowing how officials are going to vote on officials before electing them.
Halverson also wants to work on quality of life issues such as fighting drug use in neighborhoods and wants to promote business.
“I have a very unique background in the fact that I was a small business owner, I am a small business owner again and I was also a county employee for a number of years,” Halverson said. “I know the inside workings of some of the county agencies, and I think that’s going to be a great benefit to the citizens.”
Election Day is Tuesday. Check back to Patch for election guides and results.
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