Port Jefferson has been my home since I arrived as a young, divorced mom looking for a safe harbor to raise my daughter. Like many parents, I was drawn to the excellent schools, but it was the warm community spirit and natural beauty that truly made this village feel like home. It's where I rebuilt my life, remarried, and was blessed with two more daughters who've grown up embraced by this wonderful community. 

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My journey into community service wasn't planned. When a safety concern emerged at my daughters' school, I found myself sitting around kitchen tables with neighbors, brainstorming solutions together. What started as protecting our children blossomed into something more meaningful – I discovered the joy of working alongside my neighbors to make our community better. This led to my ongoing involvement with the school safety committee, where I served as liaison during my time in office.

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Even after narrowly missing a trustee position by just two votes, I couldn't walk away. This village had given my family so much, and I felt called to give back.

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Over the years, I've had the privilege of serving as your Trustee for four years and as Deputy Mayor for two. Throughout this time, my focus has always been on opening doors – making sure you have direct access to your government through initiatives like The Port eReport newsletter, livestreamed Village Board meetings, and our YouTube archive of public discussions. But my favorite part of service isn't sitting in board meetings – it's the hands-on work alongside you. Whether I'm scrubbing away graffiti, planting flowers in our community spaces, or creating pocket parks that protect our environment, I believe in showing up and doing the work.

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I'm a listener first and a problem-solver second. When residents shared concerns about mobility, we created the PASSPort shared ride service. When relationships between code enforcement and residents needed improvement, we established the Community Relations Team to build bridges. When families worried about bicycle safety, we implemented thoughtful code changes to protect our cyclists.

Education has always been close to my heart, and I'm proud to serve on the Royal Education Foundation while maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with our school district. I believe our schools are the heart of our community, which is why I've advocated for better utilizing shared resources between the village and schools to benefit all residents.

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Public service isn't just what I do—it's who I am. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to work for this community I love, and I look forward to continuing our journey together.

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Every morning, I wake up thinking about how blessed I am to call Port Jefferson home. This isn't just where I live – it's where I rebuilt my life, remarried, and raised three beautiful daughters. It's where we've made lifelong friendships, celebrated milestones, and where I've found purpose in service.

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I'm running for Mayor because I believe Port Jefferson deserves leadership that puts people first. Not policies, not politics – people.

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Over my years as Trustee and Deputy Mayor, I've had the honor of listening to your stories – from the business owner struggling to attract foot traffic, to the senior who needs safer sidewalks, to the young family hoping for more community events. These conversations haven't just informed my work; they've transformed it.

My vision for Port Jefferson is simple: a village where everyone feels heard, valued, and included. Where transparency isn't just a buzzword but a daily practice. Where public safety measures protect our families without dividing our community.

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I promise to:

• Continue making myself available through regular "Coffee with Kathianne" sessions where we can talk face-to-face about your concerns

• Strengthen our village's environmental initiatives to preserve our beautiful waterfront for generations to come

• Support our local businesses through collaborative partnerships and innovative programs

• Enhance public spaces to create more opportunities for neighbors to connect

• Strengthen the partnership between our village and school district to ensure community resources are used efficiently and benefit everyone

• Continue my work with the Royal Education Foundation and school safety initiatives to support our students and educators
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This campaign isn't about me – it's about us and the future we want to build together. I don't have all the answers, but I'm committed to finding them with you.
 

Port Jefferson gave me and my daughters a home when we needed one most. As a mother who has watched her children thrive in our schools, I'm deeply committed to ensuring our educational resources and village amenities work together to benefit every resident. Serving this community has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I would be honored to continue that service as your Mayor.

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I'm asking for your support not because I want this position, but because I believe deeply in what we can accomplish together. 

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