Politics & Government

Islip Council Challengers: We Need More Transparency, Less Gimmicks

Democrats George Hafele and Astrid Fidelia are seeking election this year.

As Election Day arrives Tuesday local residents will head to the polls to elect lawmakers and vote on propositions.

In Islip Town there are two town council races. Incumbent Republicans Steve Flotteron and Trish Bergin Weichbrodt are being challenged by Democrats George Hafele and Astrid Fidelia.

Patch asked each candidate to answer five questions relating to why their running and what they hope to accomplish. Patch also provides insight on the challengers' backgrounds.

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Astrid Fidelia

Age - 46 years old

Hometown - Laurelton Queens

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Occupation - Licensed Real Estate Broker at AMF Property Mgmt and Senior VP at Anchor Capital International

Married to Martin Fidelia Jr

Children - Jasmin 25 yrs, Jonathan 24 yrs, Joshua 12 yrs and Justin 4 yrs

Political office - I never ran before, endorsed by Islip Town Democratic Committee and Working Families

No Chamber or Civic membership

Member of - LI Board of Realtors, NYS Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Islandia - Central Islip Rotary Club, Haitian American Political Action Committee of NY, NAACP, SC African American Advisory Board

Appointed - Director of the Town of Islip Foreign Trade Zone Authority

Q&A: Astrid Fidelia

What is the primary issue you’ll tackle if elected/re-elected?

I will address the 28% tax increase by reviewing the town budget. I need to know where we are financially to create a plan of action to bring revenues in. As the former Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Zone Authority and a Licensed Real Estate Broker, I will bring my expertise to help balance the budget, create jobs and hold the line on taxes. I will bring industry through the Foreign Trade Zone Program and put people back to work.

What one reason should voters elect you/re-elect you?

Voters should elect me because I have high moral values. I will bring balance and transparency to the board and give a voice to the people. The current board voted to raise our taxes 28 percent all in just one year and they didn't think about the real impact that has on our families. In an economy that is still struggling, we can't put more homeowners and businesses into foreclosure. They ran on not increasing taxes and they did. They betrayed us and we can't afford another 4 years of lies and misrepresentation. Our town government has ignored huge segments of our community and I will represent all residents of Islip.

Would you support freezing town elected officials’ salaries for two years. If not, why not?

I would not support freezing town elected officials salaries because it would be unreasonable to ask that of anyone. Expenses will be incurred on a regular bases and it would be a financial burden on the elected official.

Selling land, streamlining services can only do so much to close a budget gap. When it comes to budget reduction what else can be done?

We will eliminate the no show employee jobs that were given to the political insiders, seek out grants and create jobs.


How much have developers/construction companies/builders contributed to your campaign effort this year?

I have not received any contributions from developers/construction builders.


George Hafele 


Born in Bay Shore

61 years old

Wife Gaye and I moved to Islip in 1979, raised two children.

Employed at Fire Island Ferries in Bay Shore where I started as a deckhand and in 1998 was appointed Company President and retired on Jan 1, 2008 and in March 2008 was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Parks for the Town of Islip. 

Retired from the town this September in order to devote full effort to the race for Town Council. 

In 2005 I was an unsuccessful candidate for the Suffolk County Legislature. 

During my tenure at FI Ferries I was an active member of the Bay Shore/Brightwaters Chamber of Commerce. 

Member of the Bay Shore/Brightwaters St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee since 2005 and I have been on the Board of Trustees of the Long Island Maritime Museum since 2006. 

Coached e Little League of the Islips for 12 years and I also coached soccer and basketball for many years.

Q&A: George Hafele

What is the primary issue you’ll tackle if elected?

The primary issues facing the town today are all related to the budget and the budget process. This town board has proposed a budget that depends on election year gimmickry (selling parcels of land to their campaign contributors) while not having to reveal their real intentions because the vote on this year’s budget takes place two days after Election Day. Standard and Poor’s, an independent Bond Rating Agency, has put the Town of Islip on notice of a negative outlook unless the town is willing to make tough fiscal decisions and the Board has declined to do so. We are in danger of losing our AAA Bond Rating.

What one reason should voters elect you?

I have 40 years experience in the Private sector as the former President of Fire Island Ferries, Inc and also five years experience as Town of Islip Deputy Commissioner of Parks along with being an adviser to Supervisor Croci on matters related to super storm Sandy. This private/public experience will serve me well in dealing with the difficult financial issues facing the Town in the coming years.

Would you support freezing town elected officials’ salaries for two years. If not, why not?

I would propose a resolution that would cap an elected official’s salary at the level it was when that official came into office. I will not accept any raises during my four-year term.

Selling land, streamlining services can only do so much to close a budget gap. When it comes to budget reduction what else can be done?

Budget reduction can take place when efficiencies are combined with sound financial decisions. Financial decisions are currently being made with the idea that a vote doesn’t take place until after Election Day therefore, the incumbents resort to cheap fixes and gimmicks while putting off decisions until years when no town officials are on the ballot.

How much have developers/construction companies/builders contributed to your campaign effort this year?

I have not accepted any money from developers. My fate was sealed when in August, I announced that I was opposed to developers trying to change zoning to turn Islip Town into a series of mini-cities by allowing cluster housing and huge retail outlets to compete with our downtown commercial districts.


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