Republican Dennis Garetano faces Primary challenge from Richard Kruse in 17th LD

by Carolyn James

Republican nominee Dennis Garetano

Richard Kruse of Deer Park knew it would not be easy to go up against the Babylon and Huntington Town Republican committees when he decided to run for the Suffolk County Legislature. But armed with support from many within the rank and file who, he said, "want to see new blood" in the party he pushed forward. He is waging a primary challenge against Dennis Garetano, a Republican-turned-Independence candidate who was nominated by Huntington and Babylon GOP committees in June. The primary is Tuesday, September 13.

"Once I decided I was going to run, I knew I had my work cut out for me but I think they (the Republican leadership) underestimated me," said Kruse who collected 1,200 signatures, more than twice the number he needed, walking door to door in the 17th legislative district.

Kruse did it the old fashioned way: gathering friends, family and a small group of supporters around his dining room table in Deer Park and heading out every evening and on weekends until the petitions were signed. "I didn’t have an army of committee people out there working for me," he said. "This was a grass-roots effort starting at ground zero."

The seat is currently held by Republican Paul Tonna who is not seeking reelection because of term limits.

Challenger Richard Kruse

"I know him and believe he is the best candidate for our party," said Tonna who is stepping aside from his party’s nominee to support Kruse. "He is a business leader and has a good sense of the community and he has a proven track record of caring for issues such as children and homelessness, which are important to me."

Despite the challenge and the lack of support from the lawmaker whose seat he hopes to get, Garetano is not concerned.

"I welcome the challenge," he said in discussing the primary. "Everyone has a right to run and if they think they can do a better job than they should go out, get signatures and let the members of their party decide who should represent them. That’s not a sinister plot, it’s the way the system works."

Garetano was raised in Huntington and is a self described entrepreneur. He owns a printing company and is a former bar owner. He has been involved in the Little League and was president of Townwide United Way Fund. He also served on the South Huntington School Board for 7 years. He ran unsuccessfully for the Town Board in Huntington two years ago.

But Kruse said he is tired of seeing the Republicans put up the same candidates, and refusing to accept change, even in the face of failure.

"The Huntington Committee, who generally names the candidate for this district, got one Republican elected in 12 years," said Kruse. "And they keep putting up non Republicans. Something has to change if we are going to save the party in Suffolk."

Kruse said he contacted the Huntington Committee to advise them that he would like to be considered for the nomination and was told that they would "sit down and discuss it" with him.

"It never happened," said Kruse. "A deal was made in the back room and their minds were made up."

"This is the Town of Huntington and he’s from the Town of Babylon," countered Tony Mastroianni, the Huntington Town Republican Chairman. "If he (Kruse) wanted to run, he should have gone to his Town party first. That is political protocol."

As for ‘back-room’ deals, Mastroianni said Kruse is simply wrong. "There are 365 committeemen in the Town of Huntington who nominated Dennis Garetano," he said. "I am just the Town leader."

Anthony Pancella, who is acting chairman of the Babylon Committee until September when an election will be held to replace Chairman Harry Withers who was elected County Chairman, said he supports Garetano, unreservedly."He has our unqualified support," said Pancella. "He is a very impressive person and should be our next legislator from that district."

Pancella said that Garetano is getting involved in the Babylon portion of the district and is working closely with the candidates running for Babylon Town Board. "He’s doing a great job," he said.

The district covers Huntington, as well as North Babylon and Deer Park, with approximately 60 percent of the voters in Huntington. It is split evenly among registered Republicans and Democrats.

Currently, the Republicans hold a fragile majority in the legislature. Tonna’s seat, as well as that of Leg. Allan Binder (R-Huntington), are the only two within the Town of Babylon that are held by Republicans. The 14th is currently held by Leg. David Bishop (D-Lindenhurst), who is also not running due to term limits. Running for his seat are Town Councilman Wayne Horsley, a Democrat, and Republican Robert Pflaum, a retired Suffolk County Police Officer. The 15th L.D., is held by Elie Mystal (D-Amityville) who is seeking reelection and is challenged by Republican Patricia Williams while Republican Frank Gargano and Democrat Steven Stern square off for Binder’s seat.

"This is one of the best chances we’ve had of taking over the majority," said one high ranking Babylon Democrat.

It’s because each seat is so critical to the Republican party that the GOP has to put up the best candidates, said Kruse.

"I have experience and success in the private sector and want to bring that to the legislature," said Kruse who is a founder of the not-for-profit Lisnet, a software and technology network that has helped the technology companies on Long Island gain national recognition.

When Garetano campaigns, he rings doorbells and hands out a pencil imprinted with the philosophy initially attributed to teachers but adapted for his view of public service. It says, "in 100 years it won’t make a difference what kind of car you drove or how much you had in your bank account. The only thing that will mean something is how you influenced a child’s life, and built a future in your community."

That community commitment is what prompted Garetano to run.

"It’s that kind of long-term thinking that is important and that I will bring to the office," said Garetano, who also faces a primary on the Independence Party line against Moses A. Singh.

He described himself as a fiscal conservative who believes that not only should public officials spend wisely but that they should also work together with other levels of government to deliver services better, and at reduced costs.

"How many times have you heard that a constituent calls up a representative of government with a problem and they’re passed along to another level of government," he said. "It’s frustrating for them. Public officials should work better together. Taxpayers don’t mind paying taxes as long as they are getting services."

Kruse said he would focus on strengthening Suffolk’s economy and serving homeowners and taxpayers with the goal of keeping seniors and young families on Long Island.

The primary will be held Tuesday, September 13. Whichever candidate is successful in getting the Republican line will face Louis D’Amaro, a lawyer from Huntington who serves as director of the Town of Huntington Economic Development Corporation and is a former Chairman of the Babylon Town Zoning Board of Appeals. He currently serves as an advisor to the Suffolk County Labor Board and is a member of the Suffolk County Judicial Facilities Agency. A graduate of Deer Park High School, SUNY Stony Brook and St. John’s Law School, he lives in North Babylon with his wife Christine and their two children, Louis and Alexander.

D'Amaro faces a primary challenge for the Conservative line from Alfred E. O'Donnell.