Following his convincing victory in the recent election, Dan Panico, who secured 62% of the vote, is set to take on the role of Brookhaven Town Supervisor.
With a background spanning six terms on the town board and a role as deputy supervisor since 2012, Panico brings a wealth of experience to his new position, providing him with a deep understanding of the priorities and needs of Brookhaven residents.
Panico shared his thoughts on what contributed to his election success. He attributes his victory to a commitment to hard work, honesty, accessibility, and transparency. Panico stated, "I believe my election results are attributed to hard work paying off, and being honest, accessible, and transparent with the residents paid off. Good government is good politics regardless of political party, and I think that resonated with the voters."
Panico also highlighted the strong partnership he plans to continue with Jim Mazzerella, who was also re-elected. He described Mazzerella as "a hardworking, bona fide, good person who cares about the people he represents." This partnership aims to address the diverse needs of Brookhaven residents across the geographically large town.
Panico's immediate priorities include addressing the issue of illegal rooming homes and unregulated rentals within Brookhaven Town. He acknowledges that the town does not possess police powers but has law department investigators and building investigators. The plan is to continue the crackdown on these issues while working closely with the new county executive to ensure the safety of residents living in Department of Social Services (DSS) housing.
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Brookhaven Town Supervisor-elect Dan Panico holds meeting with Ava Torres, President and Matthew Towle,
Vice President of the Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce to discuss the upcoming Beechwood project and some of the town’s plans for 2024. File Photo
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Environmental preservation and the enhancement of public spaces are also key focus areas for Panico. He expressed his commitment to preserving open spaces and growing the park system within Brookhaven Town. Recent accomplishments include opening the first phase of the 100-acre Patriots Preserve near William Floyd Parkway, a project he intends to continue and expand.
Panico stated, "We're committed to preserving open spaces and growing our park system. We recently opened the first phase of the 100-acre Patriots Preserve near William Floyd Parkway. We'll continue to augment that and improve our park system, particularly in densely populated areas like the tri-Hamlet community."
Community safety remains a top concern for residents, and Panico has outlined plans to tackle this issue. He emphasized the importance of working closely with the Suffolk County Police to ensure the safety of Brookhaven residents. Surveillance cameras with license plate reading technology have been deployed throughout the community.
Panico emphasized, "Community safety is paramount. We've already deployed nearly two dozen surveillance cameras throughout our community, equipped with license plate reading technology. We'll continue working closely with the Suffolk County Police to ensure the safety of our residents."
When asked about his plans for the transition and the selection of a deputy supervisor, Panico mentioned that he intends to put together a small transition team in the coming weeks. He emphasized the importance of deliberation in choosing individuals who can best serve the diverse needs of Brookhaven residents. While he has some names in mind for the deputy supervisor position, Panico stated that he has yet to speak to potential candidates and will carefully search to make the best choice.
Panico stated, "In the next week or so, I intend on putting together a small transition team. I have thoughts but not specific names for positions. I'm going about this in a deliberative fashion to find people who would best serve the needs of all residents of Brookhaven, considering the town's geographic diversity."
As Dan Panico assumes office, the community is eager to witness how his vision and priorities will influence the future of Brookhaven Town. He has stressed his dedication to truthfulness, attentive listening, and being an accessible and honest elected official. The community is keenly observing how his tenure will unfold.