Bergin announces run for Suffolk County Legislature

Islip Town board member Trish Bergin has announced her candidacy for Suffolk County Legislature.

Bergin, 49, aims to take the seat held by Tom Cilmi (R-East Islip) when both of their terms end after this year. She announced her run in a Facebook post Friday, Feb. 26 and has been endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties. 

“I am very excited to continue to have an opportunity to assist the residents in the Town of Islip in a different capacity,” Bergin said in a phone interview Tuesday. 

If elected, Bergin would represent the 10th Legislative District, which includes Islip, East Islip, Central Islip, Islandia, Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma, Bay Shore, Great River, Oakdale and Bohemia.

One of her top priorities, she said, is restoring the fiscal health of Suffolk County following Suffolk’s continuous drop in bond ratings. 

Additionally, Bergin said she’d focus on improving county-wide septic systems and sewers.

Bergin, of East Islip, is a graduate of Connetquot High School. According to Suffolk County Conservatives, she received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from New York Institute of Technology. She transitioned from a career in journalism to councilwoman in 2010. 

The councilwoman has announced a campaign kickoff event, set for Thursday, March 4 at the Irish Coffee Pub in East Islip from 6 to 8 p.m. Individuals wishing to attend must RSVP due to limited space. One ticket is $75. 

Bergin received some criticism from Islip Town residents last year, who alleged a conflict of interest existed between Bergin and Bay Green Realty LLC developer Larry Gargano, who is requesting to rezone the property at 7 and 9 Bayview Avenue to permit 16 cottage-style senior housing units. Bergin, an agent with Ramsay Realtors, was responsible for selling the property. A town representative confirmed last year that Bergin would recuse herself from voting on the application.