Valerie M. Cartright
Valerie M. Cartright was elected in November of 2013 and is currently serving her
first term
as Councilwoman of Council District One in the Town of Brookhaven. In the brief time
since
being sworn in on January 7, 2014, Councilwoman Cartright has dealt with numerous
quality of life issues, worked on various projects with community groups and
institutions
such as SUNY at Stony Brook, implemented code changes to solve problems in the
community, cooperated with Citizens Advisory Committees to shape Land Use Plans and
Community Visionings, worked with the Parks Department to improve and maintain our
beaches and parks, sponsored legislation for historic designations and open space
purchases, and served as Councilperson Liaison to Environmental Protection,
Utilities, the
Town Clerk’s Office, the Black History Commission, and the Grants Committee.
Councilwoman Cartright has attended countless community and civic events, hosted
informational meetings, and partnered with local groups and organizations to
implement
projects and address issues in Council District One.
Of great importance to Councilwoman Cartright is easy and open access to government
and
the involvement of residents in the governmental process. It is her practice to
include Civic
Association members in meetings with developers presenting projects in Council
District
One. Councilwoman Cartright also established the Community Connection Campaign, in
which she both sends regular e-mail updates (including programs and functions,
important
information, and upcoming Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board agenda items
relevant to Council District One), and hosts Mobile Office Events throughout the
Council
District.
Councilwoman Cartright is committed to providing governmental transparency to the
residents of Council District One, and the Town of Brookhaven as a whole, by
providing
citizens with the ability to actively participate at various community informational
meetings,
following the Rules of Procedure and Open Meetings Law, and opposing efforts to hold
Public
Hearings at Town Board Meetings earlier than the currently established 6:30 PM time.
Since taking office, Councilwoman Cartright became a member of the Association of
Towns,
received the Human Service Leadership Award for a Significant Contribution on behalf
of
SJC Alumni Association and the Departments of Health Administration, Nursing and
Human
Services, been an Honoree at the Of Colors Black History Exhibition, "EMBRACE" &
Diversity
Celebration, and sworn in as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts
of Suffolk
County. Councilwoman Cartright has served as the keynote speaker at array of events.
For the past eleven years, Ms. Cartright served as a tireless and
community-conscious
advocate and attorney. Throughout her legal career, she has gained invaluable legal
experience in the areas of construction law, insurance defense, general civil and
criminal
law, civil rights, family, education, and labor and employment law. Her affiliation
with the
Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington allowed her to make large-scale impacts on
the
community while serving to preserve the civil rights and liberties of those
individuals whose
rights have been violated. One of the most fulfilling areas in which she has worked
is the
area of Voter Protection, wherein, through her office, she commenced litigation to
uphold
the Voting Rights Act and worked diligently to prevent unconstitutional and
discriminatory
denial of voters on Long Island. Ms. Cartright's efforts to protect the rights of
voters are not
limited to the courtroom. Prior to entering office, on Election Day she visited
various communities on Long Island and served as a legal tool to people in the
community, working
hand-in-hand with individuals who believe that their right to vote has been
violated.
Councilwoman Cartright received her Juris Doctorate from Touro College Jacob D.
Fuschberg
Law Center in Suffolk County, after receiving her undergraduate degree in
International
Studies from West Virginia University. During her legal career, she has earned
numerous
awards for academic excellence, and contributions and service to the law school and
legal
community. She remains steadfast in her commitment to mentoring and coaching law
students and was both recognized as an Alumni Honoree by the Black Law Students
Association of Touro Law Center and named the "2008 Public Service Attorney of the
Year".
Ms. Cartright also received the Alumni of the Month award (May 2012) by Touro Law
Center
for her service to the community.
Councilwoman Cartright is a Past President of the Amistad Long Island Black Bar
Association, the former Chairperson of the Civil Rights Committee of the Nassau
County Bar
Association, and the former Chairperson of the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) of the
New
York State Bar Association. While serving as Chair of the YLS, she published an
article in the
New York Law Journal, entitled The Integrity of the American Justice System. She
continues
to play an integral role in molding the young minds of leaders of today and tomorrow
through various mentoring commitments and through her service to and through various
community organizations. Councilwoman Cartright is a member of Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority
Inc.-Rho Omega Zeta Chapter, Project Hope-The New Direction, National Coalition of
100
Black Women-Suffolk County Chapter, National Bar Association, and New York State Bar
Association. On occasion, she serves as a panelist or guest lecturer for Bar
Association
events, speaking on legal issues. The Councilwoman is frequently invited to speak on
various issues at community organization events. Councilwoman Cartright is also the
former
Trustee of the Brookhaven Rosa Parks Democratic Association and has been recognized
and
honored by the Brookhaven Democratic Committee's Women's Caucus for her service to
the
community.
In addition to serving as Councilwoman, Ms. Cartright presently serves as an Adjunct
Instructor at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue in the Human Services Management and
Leadership Master's Program.
Councilwoman Cartright is a resident of Port Jefferson Station, a community she
proudly
calls her home.