Sachem Voters Express Desire for Change and Disillusionment with Politics

A hefty voter turnout showed up at polling places in the Sachem community on Election Day.

Battling a new voter system and crowds, residents were eager to make their vote count. One polling place was the Greenbelt Recreation Center in Holtsville, where many Sachemites were out voicing their freedom to vote Tuesday.

"I'm so happy to see all these people," said Sylvia Young, a senior citizen and resident of Holtsville.

Young, like many, hopes to see a lot of changes take place as a result of this election, and determined which candidates to vote for by who seemed most genuine. 

"But, they promise everything, and do nothing," she quipped. "I've been voting [a long time]. I've really seen a lot, an awful lot, and this is the worst I've ever seen."

Valerie Marsico of Holbrook relayed that she was not necessarily voting along party lines. 

"I'd like to see change at the state level, and some change at the county level," she said, "but I'm sticking with my local officials."

Joan Walter, an Independent voter from Holbrook felt she should come out and vote even though she isn't particularly hopeful about any of the candidates. 

"I'm very disappointed," she said, "politicians, they don't work together, nothing gets passed.  It's all politics.  It's not for the people."

Holbrook resident Bob Grippo is a registered Democrat, but didn't vote along party lines this year.

"I voted for the people who impressed me in the way they talk," he said. "While some get voted in by their name, I think candidates who talk tough may try harder. If my wife were alive, she'd be very upset by the way I voted — she liked Andrew Cuomo."

Al Graf, a Republican candidate for New York State Assembly, was at the polls in Holtsville too.

"I feel very optimistic," he said. "We cannot tax and spend our way out. People are fleeing the state; businesses are fleeing.  The only ones staying are politicians in office.  We can only hope they start fleeing."

This key dissatisfaction is ostensibly at the heart of why it seems that the local area, as well as all of New York and the nation can expect big changes as a result of this election — or at least a fresh new crop of elected officials to turn to for guidance.

Check Sachem Patch for updates on all local elections Tuesday and Wednesday.