Popular Leg. Carpenter Runs for County Treasurer
Volume 49, Issue 9
By April Jimenez
The sophisticated sounds of saxophone classics waft from inside the beautiful Larson home and realty in Saltaire the evening of July 30. Friends and supporters of Suffolk County Legislator Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip), fill the back deck sharing conversation, well wishes and hors d'oeuvres.
As Carpenter prepares to serve the final months of her last term, she and five other legislators will be term-limited out. This upcoming election marks the first year that term limits for Suffolk County’s lawmakers go into effect. In the last 12 years Carpenter has become well known to Fire Island and its residents.
In a show of support and with a resounding thank you, Larson Realty owners Ken and Rose Ann Larson along with Gail and Alex Holtz hosted a fundraiser for Carpenter’s next political venture as county treasurer.
“She is a fantastic person, she has been fantastic for Fire Island and we want to thank her for her service,” said Ken Larson.
New York State Assemblyman Tom Barraga (R-West Islip) is running for Carpenter’s seat. Fire Island Ferries president George Hafele has also entered the race on the Democratic ticket.
History
Carpenter recalls how she began her political love affair with Fire Island: It was the middle of the winter, February. Carpenter caught wind of a meeting on Fire Island and thought, as a new legislator, she would come check it out. She arranged for a boat to take over to the Island through the Suffolk County Police Department Marine Bureau. After the meeting, an officer, Mike Ryan, asked Carpenter if he could have her ear for just a half hour. In that thirty minutes or so Ryan talked up the issues that are dear to Fire Islanders: erosion, beach renourishment and the all important funding.
She is no stranger to Fire Island; Carpenter spent time on the Island with her children in the past and she agreed wholeheartedly, noting the importance of the beach and the overall unawareness of the issue.
Carpenter points to the ventures she has supported in the past 12 years as evidence of her dedication to the beach and its residents. She has advocated funding for the Marine Bureau, sponsored an additional medical helicopter for the beach and a resolution to create an economical analysis which was published two years ago. At the annual Fire Island Association (FIA) meeting Carpenter was awarded with a plaque for her dedication.
“A lot of politicians don’t pay attention to Fire Island. They figure there are so few votes there so they think why waste your time,” said Carpenter.
A project that is particularly dear to Carpenter is hurricane awareness.
“What happens on the beach has a major impact on the mainland and it could be devastating, people need to realize that,” Carpenter said. She joined the cause to promote hurricane consciousness and protection. She worked closely with FIA president Gerard Stoddard, Jane Eckstein and Ocean Beach Police Chief Ed Paradiso to bring hurricane preparedness into the public eye by arranging educational meetings on the mainland.
However, a subject also directly affecting Fire Islanders in 2000 was the investigation into the South Bay Water Taxi Company’s abuse of its transportation license. Brought up before the legislature for an inquiry into their overcharging, erratic service and selective cross bay service, South Bay was ultimately required to make operating and financial changes to their business, including using receipts. When it came time to vote, Carpenter abstained.
When asked about this, Carpenter said, “Sometimes it makes more sense to abstain. I don’t even remember. It’s a moot point because the Ferries [Fire Island Ferries bought South Bay in 2004] bought the company.”
The Move
As Carpenter’s term comes to an end she hopes that she can continue to serve the county. She is running for the seat of county treasurer. As far as the difference between her current job and her hopeful future position Carpenter is optimistic.
“I know it will be different than the role of legislator. I hope I can still be involved and be an advocate for the beach.”
Carpenter also notes that although her position may change her love and commitment to the beach will not. She says that she will continue to be a supporter of the beach in any way possible, although she is unsure as of yet how that opportunity will present itself.
The current treasurer John Cochrane, who is also being termed out, has all but handpicked Carpenter to fill his seat.
“[Cochrane] has been very supportive, very encouraging and really helpful,” Carpenter said about the transition. Cochrane offers Carpenter’s efficiency with financial aspects as one of her greatest attributes, noting her recent sponsorship of legislation to rollback sales tax on clothing and shoe purchases under $110 per item.
“Angie is well qualified,” Cochrane said.
The seat of treasurer is very different than that of legislator. County Treasurer is responsible for investing and managing all of the county’s revenue, a number that reaches $2.8 billion a year. Other responsibilities include collecting property taxes and dealing with unpaid property taxes.
While it remains to be seen just how having Carpenter in the treasurer seat will benefit the barrier beach, residents are as hopeful as Carpenter herself that she will continue her love affair.
