Legis. Thorne seeks third term

Republican incumbent Dominick Thorne will be running for his third term in Suffolk County Legislature in the Seventh District. His democratic Jaween Sween is a paper candidate, according to Suffolk County Dems.

Patchogue resident Thorne was first elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in the Seventh District in 2019. Prior to his seat on the legislature, Thorne worked at the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Thorne has spent 27 years in the local fire and EMS services and said he has always put people first. His dedication to community service started in grade school, volunteering for the Salvation Army Thrift Store. At age 12, he joined the Levittown Fire Department and at 16 he joined an organization of volunteers that patrol the parkways to help stranded motorists.

He moved to the area in the late ‘80s with his first wife, Jeanette. They were married for 24 years until her untimely death. He currently lives in Patchogue with his wife, Barbara, and daughters, Faith and Nicole.

He also joined the North Patchogue Fire Department as an EMT critical care tech in 1990, where he served as captain of Emergency Medical Services for 10 years. He has helped train new team members and created a program to ensure every patient receives the highest level of pre-hospital care.

As legislator, Thorne said he is proud of his accomplishments:

BLUE POINT

In his first term, he has helped see through the long-advocated-for stop sign at Corey Beach in Blue Point, in which he wrote the resolution to get it done; the reduction of nitrogen dumping in the bay from The Arbors in Blue Point with a $1 million connection to the Patchogue Village sewers; and the completion of Billy’s Park in Blue Point.

“There is never a day there isn’t kids in that park,” he said, calling it a “great win” for the community.

More recently, he has overseen the repaving of Middle Road from Atlantic to Blue Point Avenue with new storm drains and new and repaired sidewalks.

“There has been zero pooling or flooding; it’s a great success,” he said, noting the recent storm.

PATCHOGUE

In his first term, he added sewer connections for 100 South Patchogue homes through a $10 million grant; supported additional police presence on Main Street; and obtained a $10,000 omnibus grant for the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.

This year, he added 10 acres for open space in the village.

“We are constantly looking to do that and add more acres,” he said, noting that over his tenure he has obtained 100 acres in the last four years throughout his district.

Additionally, he facilitated the repaving of Route 112 down to Phyllis Drive and he is currently working with the Department of Public Works to reduce MTA bus traffic in the area.

EAST PATCHOGUE

Thorne played a large role in the preservation of the Avery property.

“The Avery property is my favorite property in the whole world,” he said, noting how important it was to not only preserve it, but also maintain it.

In his first term, he said he was also proud to aid residents in reducing flooding around Canaan Lake by having a board removed to slightly lower the lake.

He has also helped support affordable and workplace housing like The Grove.

“We are going to continue to build up this area and make it beautiful,” he added.

MEDFORD

Over his time in office, he has helped the Medford VFW Hall replace their leaking roof, at no charge to the taxpayers or veterans, with the help of local tradesmen.

This year, he has helped start a $1 million sewer feasibility study that is currently in progress in hopes of seeing more homes off cesspools.

NORTH BELLPORT

He is still working on the $3.5 million for a feasibility sewer study to get the Greater Bellport Montauk corridor moving.

“It’s a joint effort with the town. We want to bring in supermarkets, and anything other than junkyards and auto repairs shops,” he said.

In South Bellport, he has also completed new sidewalks and on Main Street. Next spring, he wants to get new drainage for the storm drains that currently dump into the bay.

“It’s actually allowed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, but it’s not a good idea as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

Also, he said, he is working to reduce the blind spot at the crosswalk at the Four Corners.

COUNTYWIDE

During his time in office, he said he is proud to be part of the legislature that added 200 more police officers in one term as well as passing a bill to allow police vehicles to carry EpiPens.

“Everything is about safety with me,” he said.

He promised to work “diligently” to bring out more safety measures, including the complete staffing of the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Rescue department.

“I hope to be humbly re-elected because at the end of the day, I serve everybody equally and with the same urgency. The county needs more people who are going to work for everybody,” he said.