One of the main responsibilities of government is to fight inequality. I have long been engaged in this effort through, among other things, work with the United Way of Long Island and Minority Millennials. We must aim to fight inequality in three key areas: economic, public safety, and environmental.

First, we need to ensure equity of economic opportunity, especially in communities that have traditionally been underserved. I will create a small business success center, which will support our local and main street business owners and offer the resources they need to thrive and succeed. I will continue and expand grant programs that support minority-owned businesses. We will also invest in every school, so that all kids have the opportunity to dream big and achieve their goals. In addition, we need to make Suffolk more affordable, so we will make housing more affordable and hold the line on taxes, my ideas for which you can read at www.suffolkforward.com. And most importantly, I will make sure to hire diverse leadership and staff in County government, at all levels, so that we lead by example.

With respect to public safety, we must ensure that everybody is and feels safe. Suffolk County underwent a rigorous study on police reform, which culminated in the 2021 Police Reform and Reinvention Plan. I look forward to following through on implementing recommendations from that plan. I will work with the Suffolk County Police Department leadership to build accountable and transparent policies that foster trusting relationships with the communities they serve and address the particular experiences of Black and brown communities. We will make the proper investments to hire and train a diverse force of police, mental health, and addiction professionals, and we will give them the tools and technology they need to do their jobs effectively and fairly. We will tackle gun violence by securing grants to reduce the number of guns and by enforcing red flag laws to keep guns away from dangerous people. And we will improve access to quality education, expand mental health and addiction services, create good jobs, and invest in our communities–especially in our young people. You can read my full plan for safety at www.caloneforsuffolk.com/safety-plan

Finally, we need to ensure environmental justice. Water quality in Suffolk County is at an all -time low. In my first week in office, I will put on the ballot a referendum to unify our sewer districts and increase the capacity of our sewer systems, while increasing the usage of Nitrogen-reducing septic systems so that there is clean-water protection across the county. In addition, among the most damaging environmental injustices in our state is the Brookhaven Landfill, where the nearby communities of North Bellport are subjected to toxic fumes and water. As Newsday reports, my opponent has sided with donors to sweep under the rug whistleblower complaints that they were dumping toxic, damaging ash into the landfill. Unlike him, I will side with communities – partnering with community organizations and making sure we implement a regional waste plan that lets us close the Brookhaven landfill with urgency.