Miller aims to connect with her constituents

As her first term in the state assembly winds down, Melissa Miller (R-Atlantic Beach) prepares for her first bid for re-election in the 20th district on Nov. 6. Miller defeated Anthony Eramo, a Long Beach Democrat, by almost 3,000 votes in 2016 in the race to replace Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) after Kaminsky ran for and won a state senate seat.

To secure a second term, Miller will have to defeat John Vobis Jr. or Juan Vides, the two Democrats vying for a spot on the ballot in the Sept. 13 primary. The 20th district includes the Five Towns, Long Beach, Lido Beach, Island Park and the majority of Oceanside.

Rebecca Rychik, a Woodmere resident who is interning for Miller’s office, hosted meeting at her family’s home on Aug. 16. The aim was to discuss some of the issues facing the Five Towns as well as the Orthodox Jewish community. Rychik, a student at the University of Maryland, said that she’s interested in politics and wanted to get involved at home as well as in Maryland. She suggested the event because, “I felt that there’s a need for [Miller] to be able to connect with our community,” she said.

More than a dozen of Miller’s constituents attended the meeting. She said that events like these give her a better opportunity to hear the needs of the people. “I don’t always have an opportunity to talk to people at a lot of events,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of running in and out and then there’s not lime to listen to questions.”

After about a half hour of casual conversations, Miller spoke on her background and how she ended up running for office. Miller’s son Oliver suffered a stroke while she was pregnant with him, and as a result he suffers from a range of physical issues and cognitive disabilities. Miller said she got a reputation as someone who could get things done as an advocate for the disabled community.

She then listened to questions and concerns, which included the state of West Broadway, the future of the Woodmere Club, property taxes and New York’s college savings program -- NY’s 529.

Robert L. Douglas, a Woodmere resident and a member of the West Broadway Committee brought up the issue of damaged utility poles being lashed to sturdier poles and left there, which to the residents creates a hazardous situation and a community eyesore. “It’s always healthy to speak with the people who represent us,” Douglas said. “They make decisions that affect our lives, so it’s important to connect with them.”