James Hoyle, the Democratic candidate for Town of Oyster Bay supervisor, is running on a platform centered on government representation, affordability and environmental protection, arguing that residents deserve greater attention to concerns ranging from water quality to rising utility bills.
Hoyle, 28, lives in Glen Head and works in supply chain analytics in Glen Cove. He studied at Villanova University before transferring to Boston University, where he studied political science, homeland security, international relations and economics.
Hoyle said his decision to run was driven by frustration with persistent community problems and what he views as declining public trust in local government.
“If there's something that really bothers you,” Hoyle emphasized, “you should do everything in your power to change it.”
He said residents in some North Shore communities feel overlooked by town officials, pointing to mail delivery problems in Glenwood Landing, rising water bills and infrastructure concerns. Hoyle said the town supervisor should advocate for residents even when an issue falls under another level of government.
“I really do take a genuine offense to the concept of ‘I'm not responsible for that because I can't directly solve it,’” he said.
Affordability is another major focus of his campaign. Hoyle criticized increases in beach and parking pass prices, along with water bills that he said have reached $800 per month for some residents. He also argued that housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for young people to remain on Long Island.
Hoyle said the town should expand efforts to create housing opportunities for younger residents and advocate for lower utility costs. He expressed concern that rising expenses could drive families away and weaken the communities where they grew up.
Environmental protection, particularly water quality, is his third major priority. Hoyle criticized what he described as insufficiently aggressive responses to potential contamination from former industrial sites like Northrup Grummon and leaking oil tankers, saying the town should prioritize protecting its waterways and drinking water.
He also raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of Long Island’s aquifers and argued that officials should take potential pollution and overuse seriously before the problems become more expensive to address.
“I cannot stress how high of a level of importance I give to having clean and affordable drinking water,” Hoyle said.
On the proposed Propel NY Energy transmission project, Hoyle said residents deserve more assurances about construction impacts and environmental risks. He questioned whether communities that already face infrastructure and affordability challenges should be expected to accept additional disruptions without greater evidence that the project will be safe.
Hoyle also opposed the use of private companies’ artificial intelligence surveillance systems to monitor residents’ movements, citing concerns about privacy and the collection of data without individualized suspicion.
On immigration enforcement, he said local policing should not create fear among residents who may need assistance.
“You need to make sure that people are not afraid of the authority that's supposed to keep our community together,” Hoyle said.
Hoyle acknowledged the difficulties of challenging an incumbent in a town where Republicans have consistently dominated local elections. Still, he said local problems should transcend party affiliation and that elected officials should cooperate to address them.
“If it means that people can afford their utility bill,” Hoyle said, “I'll talk to whoever.”
