Legislator Jim Mazzarella took a victory lap for his November reelection during a special event last week at La Buena Vita in Moriches. Attended by officials, family, and friends, the gathering highlighted the community’s enthusiasm for the popular Tri-Hamlet lawmaker.
“He’s the type of person you want in elected office,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico. “He wakes up every morning wanting to get things done.”
Mazzarella has been at the forefront of significant efforts affecting the 3rd Legislative District, including the Forge River Watershed Sewer Project and pushing for Sunrise Wind, a massive project that will net the area clean energy and millions in hosting fees. He supported County Executive Ed Romaine’s promotion of 24 new police detectives and voted to present the plan to raise the sales tax an eighth of a cent for wastewater treatment to the voters in November.
“He’s a great legislator for his district,” said Kevin McCaffrey, the legislature’s presiding officer. “It’s been a pleasure working with him.”
“He’s the kind of guy you like the first time you meet him.” Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia noted that Mazzarella was part of the wave that switched control of the Suffolk Legislature to the Republicans. He won his current term with nearly 70% of the vote.
The Moriches residents thanked his family, wife Mary and kids Sarah and Joseph, for putting up with the nights and weekends he misses with them in serving as an elected official. He also gave a shout-out to his brother-in-law, Bill Hennessey.
Also among the Mazzarella fans at the La Buena Vida event were Legislator Nick Caracappa and Brookhaven Town Council Members Neil Foley and Karen Dunne-Kesnig, in addition to members of law enforcement, trade unions, and education.