Who's Who of Sayville

What is your Sayville connection?

My connection to Sayville is primarily job related. I serve as the leader of a clean water advocacy group, Peconic Baykeeper. In addition to protecting Peconic Bay my organization serves the interests of the South Shore communities in working to protect Great South, Moriches and Shinnecock bays. On a personal level, my son was a member of the Islip Aquatics swim team that is based at the Middle School. Killing time waiting for practice to end allowed me to thoroughly explore the greater Sayville area.  

When does your job involve Sayville?

In the course of my work I occasionally attend meetings with community groups that share a common interest in protecting and restoring the Great South Bay and the tributaries that feed the bay. In addition, I periodically do on-water patrols throughout the area.  

Aside from being a waterkeeper, are you involved in any other projects/services in Sayville?

My activities past and present include appearing as a guest speaker at the High School, organizing Sayville and other South Shore communities to support the vessel sewage no-discharge zone for the entire South Shore (which we were instrumental in establishing in 2009), addressing storm water pollution in the Green's Creek watershed and curtailing the insidious use of toxic pesticides that Suffolk County routinely discharges for mosquito control.

What do you love most about Sayville?

I'd have to say the small coastal-town feel and its strong sense of identity. Sayville has a deep-rooted maritime history linked to the beauty and bounty of the Great South Bay. If we let go of that by becoming apathetic about the state of the bays, it's a sad day for our communities. It's imperative that Sayville prioritize bay health to ensure that its waterfront-based bay identity is preserved well into the future.  

What's your favorite place to dine in Sayville?

I have always been a big fan of the Portly Villager for its small town pub feel, not to mention its ice cold brews.

Where do you see Sayville in 10 year?

Core to my role is activating individuals and communities to look after their local waters and participate in the protection of their future. Sayville can't forget how rich and healthy its bay waters were and resolve to act for their revival. Then and only then will our children know what it is to scoop scallops, snorkel over meadows of eelgrass, and practically walk clam boat-to-clam boat from the mainland to Fire Island.