Smithtown residents call for firing of Kevin Smith, Long Island Loud Majority leader, from town role

An online petition with more than 1,000 signatures urges Smithtown officials to remove the founder of a controversial right-wing group from a part-time role.

Concerned Citizens of Smithtown, a civic group, has collected 1,048 signatures from residents who want the town board to reverse the January hiring of Kevin Smith as a public relations assistant. The all-Republican town board voted 3-0 at their Jan. 22 meeting to hire Smith, a founder of the Long Island Loud Majority, at $43 per hour. Council members Tom Lohmann and Lisa Inzerillo abstained.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a Montgomery, Alabama, nonprofit that tracks suspected hate groups, has previously categorized the Long Island Loud Majority as one of many "extreme antigovernment groups" operating in the U.S. Antigovernment groups, according to the SPLC, “see the federal government as an enemy of the people and promote baseless conspiracy theories.”

The town had hired Smith in 2023 as a part-time audiovisual production specialist for $19.91 per hour, Newsday has reported. The move sparked opposition from residents. Smith declined the role, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said.

Smith has criticized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and mask mandates in the past, Newsday has reported. Smith has said the Long Island Loud Majority is not antigovernment.

The online petition states that "while the goal of Public Relations is to build trust, enhance the public image of Smithtown, and foster community engagement for residents, Mr. Smith has long demonstrated no regard for basic decorum and respect on his public platforms."

In a statement to Newsday on Friday, Smith said: “I will not be intimidated or coerced by political pressure or public smears, and I am fully prepared to hold those responsible accountable through the legal process."

In January, ahead of Smith's hiring, some residents pointed to Smith's social media commentary as offensive.

A Newsday review of Smith's X account at the time showed a post that called Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), who has a condition that causes baldness and is Black, "Congresswoman Milk Dud."

Irwin Izen, of Commack, said during Thursday's meeting it was wrong for the town to hire Smith given the town's finances. This year's budget increased the tax levy by 10.7%. Town officials have raised fees and said they were looking for spending cuts. Izen called for a hiring freeze.

Mary Ann Smail, of Commack, said she was "amazed at the number of people that wholeheartedly support his removal." She noted that members "are disgusted by [Smith's hiring], but are afraid to sign and put their name out there. What is that saying about our town?”

Nicole Garguilo, a town spokeswoman, said in a statement that "the Town did not receive a formal petition for the record regarding this matter. No verified submissions, signatures, or identifying information were provided."

She continued, "as a matter of policy, the Town does not comment on personnel matters. We can state, however, that the Town of Smithtown is an equal opportunity employer and remains committed to upholding all applicable laws and standards in its employment practices."

Patty Stoddard, a member of the Smithtown Democratic Committee, said Smith has shown “a documented pattern of social media activity in which he has used or amplified language that many reasonable people would find derogatory towards women, members of the LGBT community, racial minorities and people with disabilities.”