Bonner and Russell Square Off for Brookhaven's 2nd District Seat

The Brookhaven Town Board's longest-serving member, Councilwoman Jane Bonner, is facing a challenge this year for her 2nd District seat by an electoral newcomer, Carol Russell, a nurse who went on to earn a law degree. The two will square off in November to represent the area covering the northeast part of the town.
Bonner, who's running on the Republican and Conservative tickets, has served the district since 2007. She's been long active in the Rocky Point area, having been the president of the Rocky Point Civic Association and a member of the school board, as well as a PTA volunteer and CYO coach. Her first job in government was with Legislator Dan Losquadro, now Brookhaven's highway superintendent, where she honed her skills in constituent services.
The councilwoman's first interaction with government came when she focused police attention on a rash of summer home burglaries. "I read an article about a community leader who compared Rocky Point to some other areas that I knew did not have a favorable reputation, and I was not happy about that," Bonner explained. "So, I went to a civic meeting, and once you show up, you become involved."
Bonner's known for following up constituent phone calls with a visit "to check on the situation myself," she said, adding, "My husband's retired law enforcement; it
conservative budgets that frustrates him tremendously
hold the line on taxes, provide that I do that, but I'm just a
superior services, plan for regular person trying to help
the future of our town, and the residents."
protect our taxpayers." She worked with Supervisor After graduating from
Edward Romaine to maintain SUNY Binghamton with a
the town's Triple-A credit Bachelor's in nursing, Russell
rating and bring economic worked as a critical care nurse
development to the town, in Atlanta, according to her
such as the $1.86 billion bio posted on the Brookhaven
in projects along the Long Democratic Committee
Island Expressway corridor in website, which endorsed
Yaphank.
her. She did not respond to
a number of requests for
Bonner boasts of securing additional information about
a $1.4 million federal grant her background, nor did she
for shoreline stabilization and meet with the editorial board
restoration projects along the of the South Shore Press to
Long Island Sound, as well discuss her platform. While
as $3 million in state funding in Atlanta, Russell pursued
to restore the Mt. Sinai a J.D. degree from Georgia
Harbor Jetty and $1.8 million State University. She returned
for sidewalk and roadway to New York and began
improvements to North defending physicians, nurses,
Country Road in Shoreham. and hospitals in malpractice
She also nailed down $500,000 actions. She's resided in
to install sidewalks in Miller Coram since 1993, living with
Place.
her husband and four children
Having also served as on a farm in Coram.
past president of the Rocky As Town Board Liaison
Point Revitalization and to the Finance Department,
Beautification Committee, Bonner said her priority is
Bonner secured more than a to "cut wasteful spending
half million dollars in grant and save taxpayer dollars
money for the downtown by supporting fiscally
business area and was involved in developing the Route 25A Corridor Study to achieve smart growth along the most traversed road in the district, she noted. Bonner said she strives against "overdevelopment while embracing small businesses and preventing the threat of additional big box stores." Working with Superintendent Losquadro, she saw the completion of a major f lood water mitigation project on Hallock Landing Road.
Winning federal funds through former Congressman Lee Zeldin, Bonner brought several infrastructure projects to fruition to protect the water quality of the Long Island Sound, Mount Sinai Harbor, Wading River Duck Pond, and other local waters. She was instrumental in establishing a town ordinance that banned the clear-cutting of trees for solar farms and was behind the preservation of hundreds of acres of farmland and open space. She kept the Cedar Beach Nature Center from being demolished and created an environmental learning center for children. Bonner frequently participates with groups doing beach clean- ups and promotes efforts to educate residents on safe environmental practices.
Bonner demonstrates her commitment to local concerns by taking part in the Polar Plunge every year for the last 10 years to raise money for the Special Olympics. She's also a backer of Cellphones for Soldiers and National Night Out. In an inspiring act of giving, she donated one of her
kidneys to a friend in need.
Another of Bonner's concerns is the opioid crisis, and she said she strives to get Narcan into as many hands as possible. The mother of two sponsored a Town Code amendment to restrict vape shops and indoor smoking establishments from exposing dangerous substances to children and has led an underage drinking prevention campaign with the support of local pizzerias. She backs the WAR on Addiction and Hoops for Hope organizations, two fundraisers that benefit Hope House Ministries.
Russell has been a mentor at Dress For Success Brookhaven and a volunteer Mock Trial Coach at Longwood High School, according to her posted information. “Ms. Russell intends to use her seasoned advocacy skills to improve the quality of life for Brookhaven residents,” it says. “She believes that affordable housing is a necessity to help our seniors and young people stay on Long Island. Ms. Russell also intends to ensure that our landfill in Bellport is closed in an environmentally safe manner and the revenue it generates presently, adequately replaced to protect our tax base.”
The 2nd District covers about 80,000 people in Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, Shoreham, East Shoreham, Sound Beach, Wading River, and parts of Coram, Middle Island, Port Jefferson Station, Ridge, and Terryville. The job pays $76,742 per year.