Affordable Housing Leader Plans to Run for Islip Town Council

Islip, New York -- Support for Jim Morgo was not lacking when he announced his candidacy for Islip Town Council on Thursday, April 16 in front of his friends and colleagues who gathered at Town Hall to back the 38-year Islip Town resident's candidature.

Most recently, Morgo, who lives in Bayport, served as Suffolk County's Chief Deputy County Executive under Steve Levy. Prior to being "second in command" in the county, the Massachusetts native was the Suffolk's first ever Commissioner for Economic Development and Workforce Housing.

Morgo headed the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP), which helps develop and make homes available to local people who cannot afford them on their own, for 17 years. Under Morgo, the LIHP grew from a small effort into the Long Island region's preeminent housing organization.

A former English teacher in the Bayport- Blue Point School District, Morgo also was elected to the county legislature in 1983, in addition to many other accomplishments and posts.

Those present last Thursday had only kind words for Morgo and spoke not only to what he has accomplished in his career, but also commented on his character. Levy called Morgo his "mentor," and noted he paved the way in Islip Town by showing people democrats could get elected in Suffolk County. "He's a superstar in every task he has taken on," Levy said, "The people of the town should feel confident that in Morgo they have a guy who can do it all."

Some endeavors Morgo has successfully completed while at the county include negotiating the relocation of camera company Canon's headquarters in Suffolk, which created more than 2,000 jobs in ten years; he also restored Gabreski Airport's (Westhampton) fiscal health and completed Copper Beech Village, the successful downtown Patchogue homes for young professionals.

New Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, referred to Morgo as a friend and an advisor, "I see why everyone feels the way they do about Morgo because he's just somebody you can lean on," he said.

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan noted having the "incredibly accomplished" Morgo announce his candidacy for town council was one of "greatest days of my (his) life in politics." Nolan emphasized that he was delighted to be a part of the announcement, "This is wonderful news for the Town of Islip," he said.

When it was his turn to speak, Morgo noted seeing the crowd of people there to support him was humbling, and added his candidacy is an exciting event for him, "the idea of getting elected by my fellow citizens is the highest honor I can ask for," he said.

Morgo already has a clear idea of several plans he would like to set into motion in the town if elected. He noted raning in real estate and school district taxes is a priority, and he seeks to contribute finding a means to do such if he joins the council.

He noted the reform started in the Nolan administration, such as control of overtime and GPS installation in town vehicles is a wonderful thing. As a person who knows business and housing, Morgo intends to see to it that more high-level, high-paying jobs are created for young people in the area.

Above all Morgo promised, if elected, he would be transparent, as he noted he always has been, in his actions, and is thrilled at the possibility of being elected by the residents of Islip to "move the ball forward," he said.