Bonner and Russell Square Off for Brookhaven's 2nd District Seat

The Brookhaven Town Board's longest-serving member, Councilwoman Jane Bonner, is facing a challenge this year for her 2nd District seat by an electoral newcomer, Carol Russell, a nurse who went on to earn a law degree. The two will square off in November to represent the area covering the northeast part of the town.

Bonner, who's running on the Republican and Conservative tickets, has served the district since 2007. She's been long active in the Rocky Point area, having been the president of the Rocky Point Civic Association and a member of the school board, as well as a PTA volunteer and CYO coach. Her first job in government was with Legislator Dan Losquadro, now Brookhaven's highway superintendent, where she honed her skills in constituent services.

The councilwoman's first interaction with government came when she focused police attention on a rash of summer home burglaries. "I read an article about a community leader who compared Rocky Point to some other areas that I knew did not have a favorable reputation, and I was not happy about that," Bonner explained. "So, I went to a civic meeting, and once you show up, you become involved."

Bonner's known for following up constituent phone calls with a visit "to check on the situation myself," she said, adding, "My husband's retired law enforcement; it frustrates him tremendously that I do that, but I'm just a regular person trying to help the residents."

Jane Bonner File Photo

After graduating from SUNY Binghamton with a Bachelor's in nursing, Russell worked as a critical care nurse in Atlanta, according to her bio posted on the Brookhaven Democratic Committee website, which endorsed her. She did not respond to a number of requests for additional information about her background, nor did she meet with the editorial board of the South Shore Press to discuss her platform. While in Atlanta, Russell pursued a J.D. degree from Georgia State University. She returned to New York and began defending physicians, nurses, and hospitals in malpractice actions. She's resided in Coram since 1993, living with her husband and four children on a farm in Coram.

As Town Board Liaison to the Finance Department, Bonner said her priority is to "cut wasteful spending and save taxpayer dollars by supporting fiscally conservative budgets that hold the line on taxes, provide superior services, plan for the future of our town, and protect our taxpayers." She worked with Supervisor Edward Romaine to maintain the town's Triple-A credit rating and bring economic development to the town, such as the $1.86 billion in projects along the Long Island Expressway corridor in Yaphank.

Carol Russell File Photo

Bonner boasts of securing a $1.4 million federal grant for shoreline stabilization and restoration projects along the Long Island Sound, as well as $3 million in state funding to restore the Mt. Sinai Harbor Jetty and $1.8 million for sidewalk and roadway improvements to North Country Road in Shoreham. She also nailed down $500,000 to install sidewalks in Miller Place.

Having also served as past president of the Rocky Point Revitalization and Beautification Committee, Bonner secured more than a half million dollars in grant money for the downtown business area and was involved in developing the Route 25A Corridor Study to achieve smart growth along the most traversed road in the district, she noted. Bonner said she strives against "overdevelopment while embracing small businesses and preventing the threat of additional big box stores." Working with Superintendent Losquadro, she saw the completion of a major flood water mitigation project on Hallock Landing Road.

Winning federal funds through former Congressman Lee Zeldin, Bonner brought several infrastructure projects to fruition to protect the water quality of the Long Island Sound, Mount Sinai Harbor, Wading River Duck Pond, and other local waters. She was instrumental in establishing a town ordinance that banned the clear-cutting of trees for solar farms and was behind the preservation of hundreds of acres of farmland and open space. She kept the Cedar Beach Nature Center from being demolished and created an environmental learning center for children. Bonner frequently participates with groups doing beach clean-ups and promotes efforts to educate residents on safe environmental practices.

Bonner demonstrates her commitment to local concerns by taking part in the Polar Plunge every year for the last 10 years to raise money for the Special Olympics. She's also a backer of Cellphones for Soldiers and National Night Out. In an inspiring act of giving, she donated one of her kidneys to a friend in need.

Another of Bonner's concerns is the opioid crisis, and she said she strives to get Narcan into as many hands as possible. The mother of two sponsored a Town Code amendment to restrict vape shops and indoor smoking establishments from exposing dangerous substances to children and has led an underage drinking prevention campaign with the support of local pizzerias. She backs the WAR on Addiction and Hoops for Hope organizations, two fundraisers that benefit Hope House Ministries.

Russell has been a mentor at Dress For Success Brookhaven and a volunteer Mock Trial Coach at Longwood High School, according to her posted information. “Ms. Russell intends to use her seasoned advocacy skills to improve the quality of life for Brookhaven residents,” it says. “She believes that affordable housing is a necessity to help our seniors and young people stay on Long Island. Ms. Russell also intends to ensure that our landfill in Bellport is closed in an environmentally safe manner and the revenue it generates presently, adequately replaced to protect our tax base.”

The 2nd District covers about 80,000 people in Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, Shoreham, East Shoreham, Sound Beach, Wading River, and parts of Coram, Middle Island, Port Jefferson Station, Ridge, and Terryville. The job pays $76,742 per year.