Kathy Walsh won't hire chief of staff during Brookhaven supervisor stint

Brookhaven Town Republican councilwoman and deputy supervisor Kathy Walsh doesn’t plan to hire a chief of staff to replace Brian Beedenbender, who is using several weeks of vacation and leave time to conduct his campaign to replace outgoing town supervisor, Mark Lesko. The election is Nov. 6.

Instead of replacing Beedenbender, everyone will have to step up and pull his or her own weight, Walsh said recently. Walsh is serving as acting supervisor.

Friday is Lesko’s last day as he steps down to become the first executive director of Accelerate Long Island. In his new job, the two-term supervisor will spearhead an effort to transform the region into a launchpad for technology.

Lesko is expected to submit a preliminary budget during the town board work session Thursday afternoon.

The Brookhaven Democratic Executive Committee last month recommended Beedenbender as the party's candidate to replace Lesko.

Beedenbender will face veteran Republican Suffolk County Legis. Ed Romaine, the choice of top Brookhaven Republican leadership as the party’s candidate.