That's what Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim told me today when I connected the dots between campaign contributions, public celebrations, and zoning approvals.

They called it "politicking."

I call it asking questions. I call it leadership.

And they kicked me out for it.

Why I spoke

I support revitalization/development when it's done right. My concern is when there is a pattern of reckless, cumulative overdevelopment that moves faster than residents can weigh in and faster than our infrastructure can bear.

When I showed how campaign contributions connect to zoning approvals, Wehrheim dismissed it: "The pattern is in your mind."

Let me be very clear about what I mean by 'pattern.'

What a Pattern Looks Like

Approvals that increase density while traffic studies and infrastructure analyses lag behind.

Developers who contribute to campaigns, get praised at town events, then receive favorable zoning decisions.

Residents whose concerns are repeatedly dismissed.

That's not in my mind. That's in the public record.

If there's no pattern, publish the studies and disclosures. Let residents decide.

The Timeline They Didn't Want to Hear

Spring 2025: Campaign support flows to Supervisor Wehrheim from Peter Cosentino and the development industry.

September 12, 2025: Cosentino Companies sponsors a free town concert. Supervisor Wehrheim stands on stage, publicly thanks them, and invites Peter Cosentino up as an honored guest.

October 2, 2025: The Town Board holds a public hearing on Cosentino's request to expand their Commack property by over 27,000 square feet.

Campaign contribution. Public celebration. Zoning approval.

Call it what you want. I call it a pattern.

And It's Not Just Cosentino

• Tony Tanzi sits on the Zoning Board that approved his own $22 million development

• 288-unit Kings Park project approved despite community opposition which sets precedent for 500 total units

• 23% of Wehrheim's contributions ($22,500) from developers

• $30,000 super PAC from Builders Institute supporting Wehrheim

• 75% of Kings Park industrial properties violate code and the town did nothing until residents threatened legal action

The Money Behind the Pattern

23% of Supervisor Wehrheim's campaign contributions, totaling $22,500 out of $96,438, came from developers, construction companies, and related businesses. (Source: Transparency USA)

The Long Island Builders Institute spent $30,000 on ads supporting Supervisor Wehrheim in the primary, explicitly stating they support him because his opponent opposed overdevelopment in Kings Park. (Source: Newsday, June 13, 2025)

Campaign finance records show monthly $500 payments to BMW Financial Services (January-May 2025), totaling $2,500, categorized as "Car Rental Payment Etc." (Source: Transparency USA)

So when they say "there's no pattern," what they really mean is "don't look at the pattern."

Before I was removed, I was trying to ask this board for five straightforward fixes:

1. Disclosure before decisions. Put any financial ties between applicants and town officials into the public record before votes.

2. Recusal where warranted. If a resident legitimately questions an official's impartiality, that official should step aside and document the issue in writing.

3. Capacity first. Pause new development until independent, current studies on traffic, sewers, stormwater, parking, and schools are published and reviewed.

4. Real community benefits. Require enforceable commitments for infrastructure upgrades, traffic mitigation, usable open space, and a meaningful share of affordable homes before approving large projects.

5. Early public review. Create hamlet advisory panels, post materials early, and require applicants to demonstrate how public feedback influenced their plans.

Instead of addressing these requests, they accused me of "politicking" and removed me from the meeting.

My Opponent's Response: Deflection

My opponent has now posted about this incident. Notice what he's NOT addressing:

❌ The $22,500 in developer contributions
❌ The $30,000 super PAC spending
❌ The Cosentino timeline
❌ Tony Tanzi's conflict of interest
❌ Community opposition being ignored

Instead, he's claiming I "shouted" that my husband is a Suffolk County police officer to avoid being removed.

I mumbled it under my breath because I could believe I was being silenced for exercising my First Amendment right to speak at a public hearing about matters of public concern.

He wants to talk about a comment made in frustration instead of the $22,500 in developer money, the conflicts of interest, and the pattern of approvals despite community opposition.

That's deflection, not leadership.

What Happens Next

I'll continue to ask the questions residents deserve to have answered. And I'll continue to fight for transparency and accountability.

I'm running for Suffolk County Legislature because I believe government should work for the people, not for the developers who fund campaigns.

Tonight showed exactly why that matters.

Watch the video. Review the sources. Decide for yourself.