James T. Colligan, Council Member, Town of Shelter Island

DEMOCRATIC

Colligan, 72, of Shelter Island Heights, is seeking his second four-year term. He is a retired educator and Vietnam War and Desert Storm veteran, having served three years on active duty and 23 years in the Army Reserve.

ISSUES:

• Maintain the island's water quality by monitoring salinity levels at nearshore wells and developing a plan to deal with nitrogen problems in the middle of town, Colligan said.
• Continue with the town's deer management plan of culling the herd, killing ticks with chemicals and educating residents about the tick hazards, and finalize a tick management program.
• More affordable housing is needed to attract young families, as well as jobs to support them, to make a balanced community, he said. The town should do more to encourage entrepreneurship and look at ways to create jobs, he said.