Dear Neighbor,
It is an honor to serve as your Suffolk County Legislator, and as I enter into my 4th term I will continue to provide leadership in our county government by prioritizing fiscal responsibility, public safety, and protecting our quality of life.
As your Legislator, my job is to lead our community to improve our economy and support initiatives that make living on Long Island more affordable. I have continuously voted against county fees, including the mortgage recording fee, the plastic bag fee, the cremation fee, the security alarm fee, and the increase in county parks fees. I will continue to be a strong voice for reducing government spending, growing our economy, and finding innovative ways to provide services.
Suffolk County continues to fight the fierce battle of drug addiction. As the Chairwoman of Suffolk County’s Heroin and Opioid Advisory Panel, I have joined forces with experts in the field to address prevention, education, increased enforcement, and enhancing treatment and rehabilitation. With drug addiction and mental health being co-occurring diseases, the county must prioritize resources to assist those who are affected by mental health challenges.
As a mother of three and a former school board member, there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. That’s why I created Suffolk County’s School Active Violence Emergency Hotline (SAVE), a panic button system for schools in our county. As the Chairwoman of the School Traffic Safety Commission, I partnered with local schools to identify the most dangerous roadways in school traffic zones in the county, and took proactive measures by adding additional school crossing guards, traffic signals, and police patrol.
I have been reappointed as the Chairwoman of Suffolk County’s Seniors and Consumer Protection Committee and will continue to address the concerns of our senior citizen population by supporting vital county programs that provide resources for senior residents. Partnering with AARP, I will hold our utilities accountable for rate increases by supporting the creation of an Independent Utilities Consumer Advocate. In addition, I am working with the New York State Attorney General to provide scam awareness presentations to our seniors who are being targeted by unscrupulous scammers.
Suffolk County has the largest veteran population in the state, and as the daughter of a disabled Navy veteran, I will stand strong to support our veterans. As Vice Chairwoman of the Veterans Committee, I will continue to partner with the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency to ensure that our military personnel have the support they need and the attention they deserve.
I have voted to support over 2,000 acres of open space and farmland preservation, and I will continue to preserve land and protect our agricultural legacy as a member of Suffolk County’s Environment, Planning, and Agriculture Committee. In addition, I will continue to work closely with police to monitor illegal dumping in our parks and support harsh penalties to those who pollute our water.
I look forward to facilitating the creation of the Middle Island Community Park, to be located on the site of the former Kmart, as well as the Rails to Trails recreational path that will provide a safe place to walk, bike, and run. I am working on many projects to revitalize our community and support local businesses, including the Rocky Point Summer Concert Series, the Coram Concert, and events at Mt. Sinai Heritage Park. In addition, I am supporting local projects such as the dredging of Mt. Sinai Harbor and renovations to our historical homes.
Throughout the upcoming year I have a number of programs planned including the Second Annual Senior Health and Wellness Expo, a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, Narcan Trainings, and Emergency Preparedness Trainings. Contact my office for additional information at 631-854-1600 or email ContactLegislatorAnker@suffolkcountyny.gov. Resolving issues and improving our quality of life is my goal as your Legislator, and I look forward to working with you to make our community a better place.
Sincerely,
Legislator Sarah Anker