Virtual Event: Building Town Infrastructure – Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
September 10, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am EDT
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcld-Gtqz0iHtdkldxt3g9kV5U3gzhT08mL
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In his first 18 months in office as the town of Smithtown Supervisor, Ed Wehrheim has made downtown revitalization a shovel-ready reality. He has developed a feasible timeline to ensure the implementation of modern wastewater management, which is both essential to the survival of our environment and local business districts. Supervisor Wehrheim has taken a hands on role in securing new business with a focus on cleaning up vacant and blighted properties. His objective is to fast track renovating parks, beaches and infrastructure, support attractive jobs for a talented young workforce, provide affordable millennial and empty-nester living and a long term path to a sustainable Smithtown.
The Town of Smithtown now has an abundance of public information and transparency of government with the touch of a smartphone. The new mobile app provides real time information to residents, including everything from recycling details to traffic alerts. The formation of a Grant Committee has helped to secure millions in Town funding and also provides grant partnerships to local non-profit groups. Most importantly, Supervisor Wehrheim has devoted office hours on a daily basis to speaking with civic groups, chambers, businesses and his fellow neighbors… His first question is always, how can we help? His open door policy has made this continuous dialogue with the people of Smithtown, a government that truly belongs to its residents.
Experience
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim was born and raised in the Smithtown Hamlet of Kings Park. The decorated Vietnam Veteran, honorably served two tours in Vietnam, in the US Navy, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After serving his Country, Wehrheim devoted his entire career to the Town of Smithtown, working his way up the ladder starting off as a laborer, through the ranks to Director of Parks, Buildings & Grounds, where he remained until being appointed to Town Council.
Supervisor Wehrheim has 40 years of government experience. He began employment with the Smithtown Department of Parks, Buildings and Grounds in 1972. He was appointed as director of the department in 1989 and remained department director until his retirement in 2003. During his tenure, Ed Wehrheim was proud to have Smithtown’s recreational facilities labeled as some of the finest facilities in the State of New York.
With an intimate knowledge of every department, municipal law/code and town zoning etc, Supervisor Wehrheim has eclipsed all others by comparison. He is revered for restoring several historical properties, which include Caleb Smith House, Franklin Arthur Property and the Mills Pond House.
Wehrheim also supervised the reconstruction of the Town Marina Facility, utilizing the marina fees to pay for the improvements. He Secured the Smith Haven Mall redevelopment project, which generates an estimated $1.1 million additional tax per year. He ended a 14 year deadlock on the N.Y.S. Armory Development, creating Neighborhood Park and village green for the Town of Smithtown and transferred the armory building site to the Library District to construct a new branch.
Accomplishments
Smith Haven Mall Redevelopment: Initiated negotiations with Simon Properties for development of Smith Haven Mall site generating additional tax revenues projected at $1.1 million per year.
Smithtown Town Hall Elevator Addition: Supervised construction of ADA compliant elevator at Smithtown Town Hall.
Restoration of Smithtown Historical Sites
Caleb Smith House, Smithtown
Franklin Arthur Property, Smithtown
Mills Pond House, St. James
N.Y.S. Armory Development
Ended 14 year deadlock on property development.
Development of Neighborhood Park and village green by Town of Smithtown.
Transfer of armory building site to Library District for construction of new library.
Roger Balducci Marina Facility – Long Beach
Supported and supervised the reconstruction of the Town Marina Facility.
Improvements paid for by marina fees.
Economic Development
Bob’s Furniture and Pet Smart – Smithtown
Home Depot, Walmart and Kohl’s – Commack
Super ShopRite – Commack
Whisper Vineyards- Smithtown
Downtown Business Revitalization
Commuter / Railroad Parking Facility renovations Kings Park, Smithtown, St. James
Construction of Savatt Square Plaza Main Street, Kings Park
Increased safety measures Main Street, Smithtown
Family
Ed Wehrheim is a lifelong Smithtown resident born and raised in Kings Park. Ed and his wife, Diana, have two daughters, Kellie and Michelle. Supervisor Wehrheim is a graduate of Kings Park High School and a graduate of United State Navy Airframes / Structural Mechanic Service School-Millington, Tennessee. A veteran in the United States Navy, Supervisor Wehrheim was honorably discharged after two tours of duty in Vietnam 1968 to 1971.
Supervisor Wehrheim is dedicated to the Smithtown Community as a Trustee of the Kings Park Education Foundation and a member of numerous local organizations including the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary, The Smithtown Historical Society and the Smithtown BPO Elks Lodge.