Letter to the Editor: The Smithtown News

Jesse Phillips & Michael Catalanotto
Aug 27, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Sep 3, 2025

August 28, 2025

To the Editor,

Smithtown stands at a crossroads. Our town can either continue down the path of overdevelopment and fiscal neglect, or we can come together across party lines to preserve what makes our community special, while embracing smart, sustainable growth.

As candidates running to serve Smithtown, our commitment has always been to residents, not political parties. We’ve listened to teachers, firefighters, seniors, and young families. We’ve heard the same concerns again and again: skyrocketing taxes, overcrowded schools, crumbling roads, and development run amok with little community input.

That’s why we believe it’s time for real change at every level of local government.

We are proud to support Rob Trotta as a write-in candidate for Town Supervisor. While we may not agree on every issue, Rob has consistently fought for fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and responsible development. He isn’t afraid to ask tough questions or stand up to powerful interests - something Smithtown desperately needs right now.

As candidates for Town Council, Jesse Phillips and Michael Catalanotto will work collaboratively with anyone (Republican, Democrat, or Independent) who puts Smithtown’s families first. Jesse, a combat veteran and FDNY firefighter, and Michael, a former school board president and attorney, bring real-world experience and a commitment to ethical leadership. They will:

Stop rubber-stamp development and require community approval and full studies for major projects
Freeze insider raises and publish town budgets online
Hold night and weekend meetings so working families can participate
Work on a new communications plan that keeps all hamlets consistently informed and empowered to have a voice

At the county level, Shala Pascucci is a mom, school board trustee, former teacher, and spouse of an SCPD officer. She will bring independent leadership to the Suffolk County Legislature and she’ll fight to protect our water, preserve open space, stop reckless overdevelopment, and deliver transparent government that serves people, not politicians.

This isn’t about party labels. It’s about priorities.

On Election Day, we urge you to write in Rob Trotta for Town Supervisor and vote for leaders who will put Smithtown first: