our roots run deep: building a Smithtown for tomorrow, not just today

From The Collection of the Smithtown Historical Society.

We want to begin by expressing our profound gratitude for the generations that built Smithtown. Our seniors are the bedrock of this community. Their hard work, values, and dedication created the wonderful town we are all so fortunate to call home. Protecting the legacy they’ve entrusted to us is our solemn responsibility.

However, to protect that legacy, we must also look forward. The challenges facing Smithtown require not just management of the present, but a visionary plan for the future. There is a critical difference between these two approaches.

The current administration’s pattern of reckless development—unanimous votes for high-density rentals and developer tax abatements—suggests a short-term mindset. These decisions create long-term consequences for our schools, traffic, taxes, and character that they will not have to grapple with decades from now.

We are running because we will. Our roots here are too deep to do anything else.

For us, Smithtown isn’t just where we live; it’s our family’s home. Michael’s mother has called Smithtown home since 1967, meeting his father soon after— they are a cherished part of our daily lives. Jesse didn’t just move here—he built a home for his family next to his in-laws, who can trace their lineage in Smithtown back to the early 1800s.

That’s seven generations of history, pride, and investment in this community. That is the weight of the legacy we feel, and it is the foundation of our commitment to you.

As two fathers in our early to mid 40s, we are not just candidates; we are your neighbors. We are raising our young children here, right now, on the same streets our families have walked for generations. We are deeply invested in Smithtown not just for today, but for the next 40 years.

We are the ones:

• Sitting in the traffic caused by overcrowded, poorly planned developments.

• Reviewing school budget lines, worried about rising taxes and classroom sizes that directly impact our children’s education.

• Paying the ever-increasing property tax bills that subsidize sweetheart deals for corporate developers.

• Wondering if the Smithtown we love will still be a place where our kids can afford to live, raise a family, and thrive.

Our commitment is generational. This isn’t abstract; it’s personal. The decisions made by the Town Council today will determine the Smithtown our children—and the eighth generation of Jesse’s family—inherit tomorrow.

We believe leadership is about stewardship. It’s about making choices that are right for the long-term health of our community, even if they are difficult in the short term. It’s about saying "no" to powerful developers to protect the everyday homeowner.

This election is about more than policies; it’s about perspective, legacy, and urgency.

It’s about ensuring that the people making the decisions are the ones who will live with the consequences. We need a government that plans for the next generation, not just the next election cycle.

We are committed to a Smithtown that honors its past by securing its future—a future where every generation, from our cherished seniors to our youngest children, can prosper.

Join us in building a smarter, stronger Smithtown for all.

- Michael Catalanotto & Jesse Phillips