Melville Republican Challenges D'Amaro

This story was written by Leah Bush.

Melville businessman James (Jim) Martin is throwing his hat in the ring as Republican candidate for Suffolk County 17th District legislator, running against incumbent Democrat Lou D'Amaro.

Martin has lived in Melville for over 20 years with his wife and three children and currently works in procurement for Long Island based company Broadridge. He is a  member of the New York State Hispanic Steering Committee and Hispanic Coalition where he helps coordinate candidate searches and support efforts across Long Island. 

He currently volunteers with the Huntington Republican Committee, and is the Chair of Technology and Communications.  He is an active member of the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Melville and serves as a member of the Pastoral Council and chairman of the parish Stewardship Committee.

He also serves on the advisory board of a regional children’s charity, Friends of Karen, a nonprofit group dedicated to providing support to children with lifethreatening illnesses.

For 15 years, Martin has been involved in civic activism with a Melville civic association fighting for the preservation of open space and "smart" development. He fought against the expansion of the Walt Whitman Mall both in 1999 and, most recently, in 2012.

While he lists local economic growth as among his top causes, he said big box commercial developments such as the Walt Whitman Shops and Target, currently going up on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station, will not provide the type of growth needed in Long Island. 

"They provide more part time jobs, minimum wage," he said, "but there isn't much full time job growth."

Martin said he would like to see a renewal of Long Island's defense sector economy that once flourished in the past. 

"Long Island used to be so central to defense," said Martin, "then you had middle level companies supporting those organizations. That's just not there today and it's an area where I'd like to see the legislator acting more as an advocate; attracting more businesses that are going to pay decent salaries, attracting more people who don't need two or three part-time jobs to equal one part time job." 

On affordable housing, Martin said he'd like to see a more "sensible" approach.

"I don't want to see every parcel of open land built on because then we're not going to have that attractiveness of the suburban bedroom community," he said. "...I'd rather see a strong suburban community, with schools that are sustained by people who can continue to pay the taxes and who can keep investing in their homes. Let's keep the folks who were here settled first, and then make it sensible."

Martin added that he is skeptical of transit-oriented districts, citing a changing work force that is not solely reliant on the LIRR. He also said that he would like to see increased collaboration between the county and townships.

"I'd like to see the legisltor working more closely with the town code and the town boards in both Babylon and Huntington to make sure their housing codes are being enforced," said Martin.

Martin said he'd also like to see the county more involved in LIPA oversight.

"All the bandaids are still there," he said. "If we get another hurricane, what's going to happen? There's no advocacy to address these issues. Also, the cost of electricity here is very expensive. Let's help bring that cost down, that would be a big plus in trying to attract organizations to stay in Long Island and relocate to Long Island."

Martin said he'd also like to see increased accessibility to the county legislator's office for constituents.

"I would make county government more accountable, make my self available through town halls in fire houses, schools, or libraries. I don't see that from the incumbent," he said. "I think he's been missing in action over the last year."