Legislator Leslie Kennedy hosted an Open Forum for the Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, and Lake Grove communities on Monday, September 29th.
The event kicked off at 6 p.m., during which residents were encouraged to express their concerns directly to elected officials in attendance.
Fellow local leaders who joined the discussion included Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley, Lake Grove Mayor Robert Scottaline, and Assemblyman Doug Smith.
Infrastructure issues and maintenance gaps were among the major hot-button topics discussed. The growing population density in Ronkonkoma was also raised as a concern.
The proposed construction of controversial lithium-ion battery storage facilities in both Hauppauge and Holbrook was brought to the table—those towns falling within the districts represented by Kennedy and Smith, respectively.
While emphasizing that the people they serve are the number-one priority, Kennedy reminded attendees, “We don’t have eyes everywhere.”
“When constituents report their issues with as much detail as possible,” she added, “it makes these issues much easier to work on.”
The meeting took place at the Lake Ronkonkoma Firehouse, located at the corner of Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road. Kennedy expressed her gratitude to the department for making the building available.
The legislator recently hosted a similar open forum in Centereach using the same format and goals.
These open forums provide an opportunity for meaningful, face-to-face communication between residents and local officials—allowing for more effective governance and stronger community engagement. Kennedy and her colleagues hope they empower residents to take part in shaping solutions to the challenges facing their neighborhoods.
“They give me work!” Kennedy humorously exclaimed. “What’s better than that?”
In a day and age often referred to as the “dark times” by nihilistic statesiders, it’s vital to remember that under truly oppressive regimes, the voice of the common man is not just ignored—it does not exist at all.