Business Council Launches Political Action Committee

Pictured, from left, HTBC PAC committee member Bob Bontempi; Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy; and Suffolk Legislator Steve Stern speak at the June 15 kickoff event.

More than 125 business leaders, elected officials and local candidates gathered earlier this month at The Head of the Bay Club in Huntington Bay for the kickoff fundraising reception in support of the newly-minted Huntington Township Business Council Political Action Committee.

“The turnout exceeded our expectations”, said host committee member Michael Karp, of Centerport. “The goal of the PAC was to gauge community interest in support of an independent business organization’s that would be the voice supporting candidates in the community. If the success of the launch is any indication, there is plenty of interest out there.”

The event honored Gold Coast Bank CEO John Tsunis; Suffolk Legislator Steven Stern (D-Dix Hills); and Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy. Each spoke about the importance of holding elected officials and candidates accountable to the public.  

In addition to candidates and elected officials, members of the business community attended the kickoff.

“We are going to use this event as a springboard to continue raising money through direct mail, email marketing and additional events in the early fall to support candidates that support HTBC goals,” said committee member Cliff Austen, of East Northport.

HTBC PAC Foundational goals include: demanding all levels of government reduce and eliminate usurious/redundant fees; supporting local and state officials who encourage businesses; and supporting expedited construction of a Huntington Village Parking Structure.

HTBC PAC intends to be fully engaged in the election process.

“At some point, late September, after the primaries, we are going to pull together a balanced, non-partisan screening committee. We will canvass and survey all our committee and our expansive email distribution list for prioritized issues affecting the town and county. We will build out questions for the candidates – same for both town and county so there is equity in the process – and hold screenings to determine those candidates who are deserving of our financial and political support,” said committee member Bob Bontempi.

He added, “If they have been in office we will ask them to bring their record; if they are running for the first time we will ask them to bring their resume,” he added. “The screenings will offer an opportunity to have a serious discussion about the future of our town and county.”

“The HTBC PAC is not complicated. We hope to build on the great job the chambers of commerce and other business organizations are already doing, but here we will bring the financial clout to really make our collective voice heard.”