Eve A Meltzer-Krief
Suffolk County Legislator, 18th District
Party: Democratic, Working Families
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
When in office, what will you do to reduce harm and ensure there is social and economic equity for Black Long Islanders? If you are an incumbent, what policies/initiatives/laws have you supported that do this?
The impact of racism on communities of color is wide reaching and systemic, particularly here on Long Island. It is vital that we strive to achieve social and economic equity so all individuals, families and children can be healthy and thrive.
As a pediatrician I am particularly concerned with the well-being of our children . Children can experience the effects of racism not only from other individuals but also in the places they live and learn. Their families can experience limited access to economic opportunities and resources. Children are more susceptible to the effects of climate change and toxins in the water and air. Ultimately we know that all these forms of racism harm children’s physical health and their mental well-being. The stress brought on by the effects of racism leads to short term and long-term health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Additionally it leads to increased pre-term birth, low birth weight and increased maternal mortality. We must work to improve the factors that lead to these poor outcomes.
As a legislator and a pediatrician, I would advocate for safe playgrounds, green spaces and healthy food markets to reduce disparities in obesity, asthma and food insecurity in neighborhoods affected by poverty.
I would help collaborate with first responders to share expertise on child and teen development and mental health and I would encourage more community policing which leads to better outcomes for all.
With respect to safety and the criminal justice system, I would advocate for policies which include treatment for addiction and mental health issues and would call to end racial disparities in the justice system and racially targeted policing policies with increased transparency and accountability. I would call for increased recruitment from communities of color.
We must look to address the economic inequities in our society. I would advocate for affordable housing and for programs that address food insecurity. I would work to end to racial inequities related to employment, lending practices and business ownership and would support financial education programs.
Ultimately we must understand that race is a social determinant of short and long term health that impacts all the other determinants including access to safe and affordable housing, healthcare, education, job and food security. We must continue to do all we can to remove race as a significant factor in determining health and economic success here in Suffolk County.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your campaign?
I have been a pediatrician in Huntington for almost 25 years where I am running for the County legislature. I have been very politically active and outspoken in recent years, using my voice as a pediatrician to speak out on behalf of children and families.
I am a passionate advocate, have organized rallies, met with legislators and written dozens of op Eds. I spoke out against threats to the affordable care act. I strongly advocated for the gun safety legislation that passed in NYS and have worked with Moms Demand Action to create a video about the importance of safe gun storage. I am a Moms Demand Candidate of Distinction and have the Everytown for Gun Safety endorsement.
I have been an outspoken voice against hate. My mother’s parents and two sisters were killed in the Holocaust and I deeply understand the dangers of politicized hate. I founded Long Island Inclusive Communities Against Hate which aims to bring together community members, clergy, educators and elected officials to stand against hate in unity regardless of political party. For this work I was recognized as a Woman of Distinction in the 18th Legislative District. I was appointed by the Town Supervisor to the Town of Huntington Anti Bias Task Force where I helped revitalize the organization and led the Hate has no Business in Huntington project and worked to organize interfaith youth education and volunteer projects.
I am the Legislative Advocacy Chair and on the executive council of the Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics through which I have advocated for children at the local, state and federal level on a variety of issues including work to ban the sale of flavored vaping products to children in NYS, advocating for access to childcare and healthcare and for universal meals for all inside schools. I earned the American Academy of Pediatrics Outstanding Achievement Award and NYS Senate Commendation award and was invited to sit on the NYS DOH Tobacco Advisory Board.
I was elected as a Trustee on the Harborfields Board of Education during the Covid pandemic where I helped navigate the community through the challenges the pandemic presented. On the board I have also advocated for increased mental health supports for students and Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness education.
My campaign has grassroots support as well as the endorsements of the Long Island Federation of Labor, The Sierra Club, The NY League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, the Suffolk Chapter of the National Organization of Women, 1199, LiUNA and several others. As a County Legislator I will be a strong voice for the health and well-being of children, families and the entire community.