Three candidates, two open seats

Two seats are up for grabs on the Village of Brightwaters Board of Trustees, belonging to Trustee Thomas Zepf, who is not running for re-election, and incumbent candidate Trustee Patrick Fawcett. With three candidates vying for the seats, whichever two candidates receive the most votes during the June 18 election will be elected. 

Voting will take place at Brightwaters Village Hall from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m..

Patrick Fawcett, Greater Good Party, Incumbent

Current Trustee Patrick Fawcett has lived in Brightwaters since 1999 and has served as a trustee since 2018. While studying at Pace University, he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration before earning his Master of Business Administration degree from Dowling College.

Fawcett is semi-retired; he currently owns a consulting firm, has previously owned multiple businesses and has worked for several start-up biotechnology companies. He serves on several boards and is chairman of the board of the Great South Bay YMCA. Fawcett is also the co-founder of the LIAM Foundation: a local nonprofit organization that provides children with special needs access to camps with typical kids. 

When asked what issues are central to the Brightwaters community, Fawectt noted, “We live in an amazing place. We have an amazing community. We have to adapt to modernization of infrastructure and technology while maintaining the quaintness and being community-centric.”

Fawcett has spearheaded the Brightwaters Lakes Committee, and if re-elected plans to follow through with his long-range plans of lake restoration. Also among his goals include revitalizing the Orinoco corridor, improving the quality of life concerns for residents abutting Sunrise Highway and Howells Road, increasing security presence and strengthening the Village’s financial welfare. Fawcett noted that a strategic financial plan adopted five to six years ago has benefited the board, which currently has very little debt 

“There’s a reason why most houses in the Village for sale are snapped up. It’s an incredibly desirable place to live. That’s not by chance. That’s because of the leadership in the village,” said Fawcett. “We have been able to be one of the few villages where people know their neighbors, become friends and watch their children grow up.”

Joseph A. McNulty III, Crown Jewel Party

Joseph A. McNulty III is the son of former mayor Joseph McNulty, the longest-serving mayor in Brightwaters history.

McNulty has lived in Brightwaters for sixty years. He received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Long Island University. He is the CEO of both Hendrickson Fuels, a home heating company in Bay Shore, and Ace Refrigeration and South Shore Air Conditioning. 

McNulty is an active 48-year member of the Bay Shore Fire Department and is first vice president of the Suffolk County Fire/EMS Safety Officers Association. He is a former chairman of the Village of Brightwaters Planning Board, a former member of the Village of Brightwaters Board of Appeals, a past president of the Bay Shore Lions Club and past president of the Bay Shore Community Forum.

McNulty shared that he is against the ballot propositions that propose the mayor and trustees be compensated, two year terms be extended to four years and term limits be changed from four consecutive two-year terms to three consecutive four-year terms.

“It has been this way all this long. Congressmen run every two years. I do not see why a trustee in Brightwaters can’t run every two years,” said McNulty. “And they pierced the cap to pay for the compensation for the mayor and trustees. If elected and the proposal passes, I will not accept any monies for serving.”

While Brightwaters has a lower crime rate than surrounding areas, McNulty expressed that the speeding and running through stop signs on Lombardy Boulevard has become out of control. If elected, McNulty considers alleviating this problem a top priority. His top priorities are safety and preserving the beauty of Brightwaters by maintaining the lakes, canal and village parks. 

“My family has been involved in public service and volunteering and I encourage that in my own children and my grandchildren,” said McNulty. “The past administration, Mayor Valdini, works hard for the village, and kudos to him. He cares, and I want to continue that.” 

Thomas Fauvell, Greater Good Party

Thomas Fauvell has resided in Brightwaters since 2015. Fauvell received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2000. After graduating from West Point, he served as an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army until fulfilling his Active Duty obligation in Aug. 2005. Fauvell deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Nov. 2001 through March 2002 and deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Jan. 2004 through May 2005, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Since 2005, Fauvell has worked full-time as a Principal Technical Consultant for a software company headquartered in California.

Fauvell believes that Village security and safety are paramount. If elected, Fauvell plans to ensure the board uses information from the recent traffic study to find solutions to deter excessive speeding and aid in the planning and execution of improved traffic markings and signage.

“I believe in honesty, integrity, and transparency. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I'm a good listener, a quick learner and a problem solver,” noted Fauvell. “I plan to support the Village leadership in any way that I can, especially with their continued smart financial decisions and investments in village infrastructure and leveraging technology to modernize where appropriate.”

When asked what changes he would make to Brightwaters if elected, Fauvell noted that the Village’s leadership has made steady progress on several initiatives. He supports their continued long-range plans for restoration of the Village’s iconic lakes, continued emphasis on maintaining village infrastructure, and revitalization of the Orinoco corridor.

“I believe that Brightwaters is a special place to live and the residents that live here deserve the best from our leadership,” said Fauvell. “I hope I can live up to those high expectations.”