GOP Town Council Members Could Face Primary

Weeks after four Islip Republican council members sought to strip Supervisor Tom Croci of certain powers, the internal GOP power struggle appears far from over.

Newsday reports that four prospective candidates applied for the GOP's endorsement at a Monday night candidate screening for the town board seats held by incumbents Steve Flotteron and Trish Bergin Weichbrodt. Among those who applied are former Suffolk County Legis. Cameron Alden and former congressional candidate Paul Mourino. 

Alden, a staff attorney at the Islip Community Development Corp., said as a former Suffolk County legislator he hopes name recognition will help him win party approval. Alden left the legislature because of term limits.

Mourino, 34, of Sayville, unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Peter King for his seat in 2012. He said his plan is to focus on Islip's economics. 

Also applying are Glen Carballo, an Islip banker, and Alison Karppi, a Bayport resident and Islip Housing Authority employee. 

The candidates said recent party in-fighting among the Islip Town Board where council members attempted to strip Supervisor Tom Croci of his powers to hire and fire personnel, negotiate contracts and other administrative duties helped encourage them to run. 

Under public pressure Islip council members later scrapped the resolutions to strip some of Croci's power. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] about the four GOP hopefuls and the reaction of Islip Town Board members.