Affordability is personal for Dave Weber Jr., who is running for the 12th Assembly District seat on the Republican ticket. He is opposing Democrat Craig Herskowitz for the seat formerly held by Republican Keith Brown.
“I have three boys,” Weber, 58, said. “They are all adults in their early 20s, and I worry for them here on Long Island — and I also have a mother who is single and trying to stay in her house, so I can see both sides of the spectrum.”
Weber, who lives in Northport, is a small-business advocate and an owner, with his family, of Seymour’s Boatyard. His experience as a business owner, he said, has given him insight into the challenges facing small businesses.
“Regulations are the biggest problem facing small businesses,” he said, “and some of the regulations come at a cost, and it’s an unattended cost.”
In his business operations, Weber added, he has also seen the effects of environmental changes firsthand. “We have got to understand that rising temperatures and sea levels, and greater storms, are a real thing, and something I have witnessed firsthand from owning my business,” he said. “I’m passionate to help my community and the greater community help the Long Island Sound improve its water quality.”
Weber said that he has been running the oyster program in the Village of Northport for the past six years
In addition to his business experience, he brings a background in public safety. He previously served as a police officer, and has spent 30 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Northport Fire Department, where he has also served as captain. “I know the tools that firefighters need to perform their job efficiently, effectively and safely,” Weber said.
He said he believes the transition to the Assembly would be seamless with help from Brown, a close friend since they were in school together, and Brown’s chief of staff, Susan Broderick, who has joined Weber’s campaign and plans to stay on if he is elected.
“That will be very effective, because I’ll be able to start Day One on the ground running,” Weber said.
He has also served as a Northport village trustee and said that outreach has been an important part of his campaign. He has been knocking on doors, plans to join chambers of commerce and is learning about community organizations throughout the district.
Weber said he also supports veterans’ causes, and is involved with veterans’ service organizations, including Paws of War. He is training his own dog, an Australian labradoodle named Winston, to be a service dog. A self-described dog lover, he said he has even put a dog bone in each one of his campaign bags.
Most of all, he said, he is running because he wants to help the people of the district. “I am not a career politician looking for a job,” Weber said. “I’ve had my share of careers over the years — police officer, longtime firefighter, longtime business owner, and now I’m looking to help the residents of my district. I’m not afraid of work, and now I’m lucky enough to be able to give the time back.”
Weber, a Northport resident, and his longtime partner, Nicole Augustino, have raised six children.
