Cynthia M. McNamara R

BACKGROUND

• McNamara, 47, of East Quogue, a registered Republican, is running on the Republican and Conservative Party lines. She is seeking reelection.
• She served as the vice president of the East Quogue School District Board of Education for four years.
• McNamara and her husband have owned a landscaping company for more than 25 years.

ISSUES

• McNamara said transparency is important to her, and she strives to make sure “people know what’s going on in the government” and they “have an opportunity to weigh in.”
• She said she is a “big firm believer in property rights” and does not want overly restrictive rules that she views as too invasive. She said she does not believes “the government belongs in your backyard,” though she said she was looking into potentially having people who rent out their homes with two-year rental permits upgrade their septic system to an Innovative/Alternative Septic System by the time their rental permit is renewed. 
• McNamara believes in the town government keeping “local control.” She gave the example of cannabis sales in Southampton, saying the state government stepped in and told the town they’re restrictions are too restrictive. She feels there is a “real disconnect” between Albany and the local governments.