Tom Barraga son-in-law to primary Steve Flotteron

Islip Town board member Steve Flotteron, whom the Islip GOP named as its candidate for term-limited Suffolk County Legis. Tom Barraga’s seat, is facing a primary from Barraga’s son-in law.

Michael McElwee, 42, a Bay Shore bar and restaurant owner, is circulating petitions to qualify for a Sept. 12 GOP primary. “As a businessman I feel I have the pulse of the community,” said McElwee.

McElwee charged that Flotteron and the town board made a “complete disaster” of the recent installation of downtown parking meters. While the county legislature has no role in the issue, McElwee said Flotteron’s votes concerning meters, “make me nervous about him wanting to be a county representative.”

McElwee also suggested that GOP officials chose Flotteron, an ally of Republican Supervisor Angie Carpenter, to get him off the town board.

Flotteron countered that McElwee was involved in town discussions on parking issues for five years, and that he appears to be walking away from policies that were developed jointly.

“He has no accomplishments or no experience. Being the son-in-law of a county legislator does not make him qualified to be a lawmaker himself,” Flotteron said.

Rick Brand