Maria C Scheuring

Council member, Town of Smithtown

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?

I would review the Town policies on diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, and make sure there are policies in place that prioritize groups that are marginalized. With my background as an Ethics Professor that is a SUNY Certified Instructor in DEISJ, I have studied and teach students about implementing programs that emphasize intersectionality. I don't believe Smithtown has enough and if they do they do not provide information to the public on their availability. My goal would be to change that and increase transparency.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your campaign?

There are many reasons why I believe it's important to have a town council seat for the Democratic and the working family parties. As it stands, all five town council members are from the same party and just rubberstamp everything. There's also a tremendous lack of transparency, and under the table deals that do not benefit the citizens of Smithtown. My goal would be to review those policies, get public input, and make sure that the results of whatever policies are implemented, serve the needs of the Smithtown residence, and not the pockets of the town council members. I believe I have a very solid background to do this as well. I'm a practicing attorney and have been for the past 25 years, I'm on the Board of Directors for the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce and run the alive after five summer festivals. I'm also on the smithtown friends of music board, and I have been an ethics professor for the past five years as I have a masters degree in philosophy as well. I believe my solid background and diverse experiences would be a tremendous asset to this town, and something that is sorely needed to bring the balance back to the government.