Kathleen Walsh Prepares for Fourth Term as Brookhaven Councilwoman

Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh is running unopposed in the upcoming elections for what will be her fourth term serving the Town of Brookhaven Council District 3.

First elected to her current role as Councilwoman in 2005, Walsh was re-elected to the position in both 2007 and 2009 with a majority of voters’ approval.

During her previous terms as Councilwoman, Walsh was heavily involved in the successful implementation of the Military Benefit Act. Through this legislation, Town of Brookhaven employees deployed by the military gained 10 more personal days as well as the right to continue to keep their Package 7, a benefit separate from insurance covering dental among other things. In addition, the Town of Brookhaven now supplements the pay of employees in the military to meet gaps in salary that they may encounter upon deployment.

The Republican Councilwoman was also at the forefront of the construction of the new parks administration building located on Old Town Road.

“Our staff was working in conditions that were really deplorable,” Walsh commented. “We were able to get funding and erect the building on time and under budget, and it was actually the first LEED certified building in the Town of Brookhaven.”

Outside of benefiting Town of Brookhaven employees, Walsh and her fellow advocates have high hopes that the renovations will help reduce vandalism through a constant presence, and Walsh notes that parks in the area have already begun outstanding improvement.

Looking forward, one of Walsh’s top legislative priorities continues to be encouraging redevelopment of the Route 25 corridor in her district. To combat high accident rates, Walsh is working towards reducing curb cuts among other safety-conscious changes. Through this positive redevelopment, she hopes that more job opportunities will become available, both in construction and within the various shopping centers and office spaces that should become more prominent along Route 25.

“The dynamics of my service has really been about the people and not necessarily politics,” said Walsh. “I think that shows in the fact that I’ve been able to work with most administrations. My nature is not confrontational—I’m about problem solving. I’m very proud that I’ve been able to put politics aside, and I’m grateful to serve for however long my tenure may be.”

Walsh grew up in Selden and graduated from Newfield High School. After moving to New Mexico for a brief period, she returned to Long Island and settled in Centereach with her family, where she currently resides. Walsh was active as a PTA advocate while her children were in the Middle Country school system, working her way to Co-President of the North Coleman Road PTA, Assistant Director for the Suffolk Regional PTA and finally President of the Middle Country PTA Council.

Walsh further pursued her interest in educational matters by becoming involved with the Middle Country School District Board of Education, serving as a trustee on the board for 5 years and eventually becoming its Vice President. It was through these roles that Walsh began to consider getting involved in local government.

“It was the advocacy that I was doing with the civic groups that really got me interested,” reflected Walsh. “Through working with education, I became aware of how government really affects the lives of the local people, and when I was asked to consider running for town council, I took advantage of the opportunity.”

Council District 3 includes Lake Grove, Selden, Centereach and parts of Lake Ronkonkoma, Farmingville and Coram.