Politics & Government

Election 2011: Suffolk 17th Legislative District Primary

Independent Dennis Garetano challenges incumbent Democrat Lou D'Amaro for the Independence Party ticket on Tuesday.

Independent Dennis Garetano is running against Democrat Louis D'Amaro, incumbent Suffolk County 17th District Legislator, for the Independence Party candidacy at the primary on Tuesday. Here is Patch's guide to the candidates:

CANDIDATE: Lou D'Amaro, D-Huntington Station [Incumbent]

Background: D'Amaro, 50, of North Babylon, was first elected as 17th District Legislator in 2005 and is running for a fourth term in November. He has a political science degree from Stony Brook University and a law degree from St. John's University and was previously a private attorney specializing in litigation and real estate and business law.

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D'Amaro currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Suffolk County Legislature Environment, Planning, and Agriculture Committee, and as a member of both the Budget and Finance/Information Technology and Veterans and Seniors Committees.

Party Affiliations: Independence, Democratic, and Working Families

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Issues: Tax relief, government reform, neighborhood safety, environmental preservation, and the local economy.

Website: Lou D'Amaro

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CANDIDATE: Dennis Garetano, I-Huntington Station.

Background: Garetano, 59, previously ran an unsuccessful bid for the 17th District seat in 2005. Garetano is currently president of a trade show production company called Family Pet Expo and holds a bachelor's degree in history from Hofstra University. In the past, Garetano served as a trustee of the South Huntington School District and coached wrestling at Walt Whitman High School.

Party Affiliations: Republican, Conservative, Independence

Issues: Crime, housing, law enforcement, and job creation.

Website: Dennis Garetano

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m Tuesday. To find your polling place, visit the Suffolk County Board of Elections website.

Residents of the 17th Legislative District live in Huntington, Huntington Station, South Huntington, Melville, Dix Hills and West Hills within the Town of Huntington. The District also includes the communities of Deer Park and North Babylon (west of Deer Park Avenue), as well as a small portion of West Babylon in the Town of Babylon. School Districts include Deer Park, Elwood, Half Hollow Hills, Harborfields, Huntington, North Babylon, South Huntington, and West Babylon.


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