Candidates to meet with voters at Central Islip forum

The Central Islip Coalition of Good Neighbors will host a meet-the-candidate forum Tuesday and has invited all local federal and state candidates for office, organizers said.

The nonprofit community advocacy group, which meets once a month at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Carleton Avenue, has held similar forums the last two years. President Deborah Rotunda described the intimate meet-and-greet, which is not a debate, as “the only local opportunity to let elected officials know what matters to the residents of Central Islip.”

“Let’s let the candidates know that first of all, we’re here, and some of us do actually care and get involved,” said Rotunda, who is also on the board of directors for the Central Islip Civic Council. She said the community is often overlooked because it’s not a major source of campaign fundraising.

“ .?.?. Honestly, that’s a factor,” she said. “But if you come and really get our attention a lot of us will campaign, a lot of us have. So sometimes you need feet on the street as well as you need cash in your pocket.”

So far, attendees include: Vivianne Falcone, Democratic candidate for the Second Congressional District; Assemb. Phil Ramos, incumbent Democratic candidate for the Sixth Assembly District; and Manuel Troche, Republican candidate for the Sixth Assembly District.

The forum will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 62 Carleton Ave.