Ianacci, 62, of Ronkonkoma, is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines. He is an architectural woodworker. Ianacci grew up in Long Island City, Queens, and has lived in Lake Ronkonkoma for 31 years. He is single.

Ianacci said he is concerned about environmental issues and the expected closure of the town landfill in the next decade. He said road repair “is a disaster,” and the town is plagued by “zombie” houses. “The feedback I get is people are not happy with Brookhaven,” he said. He attributed that to lack of trust in town officials, and he called for more government transparency. Ianacci said the town also must improve drainage systems. “There are places that flood with 3 or 4 inches of rain,” he said, adding, “We have to really do a complete re-evaluation of our storm drain systems throughout Brookhaven.” He said vacant and foreclosed houses, known as “zombie” homes, could be salvaged instead of torn down. That would help the town develop affordable housing to keep residents from leaving, Ianacci said. “We have so many skilled people who work in Brookhaven. But they can’t live in Brookhaven,” he said. The landfill closing will lead to reduced revenue from tipping fees and create a hole in the town budget, he said. “Our taxes are going to go up,” he said. Ianacci said the town building division is “mismanaged,” and he would improve the way the town issues building permits, saying, “Most people have to hire expediters to do the littlest things on their homes.” He said on many issues he had no specific recommendations for improvements, but would study each problem and seek solutions. “The solutions can come from within, with the same people you have,” he said.

La Valle, 40, of Centereach, is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines. He is seeking his third two-year term. La Valle graduated from Centereach High School and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Salisbury University. He is the brother of Suffolk GOP chairman John Jay La Valle and cousin of state Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson). He is single.

La Valle said he is happy that town budgets have been “under control” since he joined the town council, and the town has a strong AAA bond rating. Town officials also have paid off debt, he said. La Valle said he wants to continue current fiscal policies and “provide services at a price [taxpayers] can afford.” He said he has worked hard to upgrade the quality of life in Brookhaven by addressing problems such as potholes, streetlights and abandoned, vacant “zombie” houses, and improving parks. He said he wants to revitalize downtowns and continue implementing the Farmingville land-use plan. He said the town has received grant money to install new streetlights in Lake Ronkonkoma. He said government transparency is a priority in Brookhaven, adding that years ago residents had few ways to learn how their council representatives voted. Agendas and meeting minutes are posted on the town website, including copies of resolutions showing how each town council member voted, La Valle said. “I think now people have absolute access” to town government, he said.