Focus on Quality of Life Issues Drives Islip Candidate

In making her first run for Islip Town Board, Renee Ortiz is focused on a number of issues, but those impacting quality of life and programs for local youngsters are clearly at the top of her list.

The lifelong Central Islip resident, who currently serves as chief deputy clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature, is making her first run for elected office. Ortiz is running on the Democratic line with incumbent Councilman Gene Parrington. Republicans John Cochrane and Anthony Senft oppose them.

The two Town Board candidates receiving the most votes on Election Day will each take a seat on the Board in January.

Among the larger concerns for Oritz is the growth in violence and gang activity in certain parts of the town, two issues she said are related. One tool in combating this issue has been the Town’s anti-graffiti efforts, which includes two trucks that are used in hamlets throughout Islip to remove gang signs that are often part of graffiti.

While some residents may view this as an issue in only certain parts of the Town, Ortiz feels the impact is much larger.

“If you don’t control it, it will spill over to other parts of the community,” she said. “And we are starting to see it in other parts of Town.”

As a way of keeping kids away from gangs, Ortiz — if elected — would like to create a plan that would allow every hamlet in the Town to have safe parks for families that would provide safe places to gather and play.

However, the challenge facing municipalities currently is improving parks and other recreational offerings while facing tight budgets and an electorate with little patience for higher taxes.

Ortiz said she understands the financial constraints facing Islip and feels the Town needs to look for grants and other types of philanthropic support to help cover the cost of improvements to parks and recreational facilities.

“We have to be more creative,” she said. “We have to find ways to be effective without burdening the taxpayer.”

While Ortiz is making her first run for elected office, she noted that she is no stranger to the inner workings of government. In addition to her time in the county legislature’s clerks office, she had also work as an aide to county Legis. Ricardo Montano and former county Legis. Maxine Postal.

“As an aide at the county level, I had to work cooperatively with different townships,” she said. “I’ve seen how governments at different levels work.”

Beyond her views on issues and her experience in government, Ortiz made headlines earlier this year as she is the first minority candidate for Town Council. Should she be elected, Ortiz feels this could have a significant impact on how residents view Town government.

“I’ve worked on several campaigns in the past, but never run,” she said. “But I do see a different energy, especially at home. But I’m still a grassroots girls and the key is to educate people that when they get involved, they can make a difference.”

This is the first in a series of articles featuring candidates for Islip Town Council.