Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Patty Katz, who is running unopposed for re-election, is excited to see the remainder of the district’s five-year capital plan come to fruition.

Katz, in an interview with Blank Slate Media, said replacing and upgrading pump stations throughout the district’s coverage area is something she is extremely happy to see, with four pump stations remaining to be modified. Infrastructure like the ones in place throughout the district’s coverage area, she said, usually lasts for around 30 years.

Updates will allow for sewage and other wastewater to be processed back to the treatment plant more easily, she said.

Working with the community during the district’s annual Shed the Meds events, which she founded, is something she has championed throughout her six years as commissioner and means more as a lifelong peninsula resident, she said.

“I grew up in Great Neck, so Shed the Meds was one event where residents of Great Neck came and supported this and showed how environmentally conscious they are,” Katz said. “Not polluting and dumping unwanted or expired medications down the toilet or filling up their garbage with it makes me very happy as an environmentalist to be a part of this.”

Katz, nicknamed “Commissioner Treehugger” by her colleagues at the district, said preserving the environment has always been a great passion of hers. Katz, first elected to her position in 2016, said three years ago she wanted to find ways to initiate more environmentally conscious programs and solutions for the water district.

Adjusting to life since the coronavirus, she said, the pandemic allowed the district to focus not only on the quality of wastewater, but how the district could also monitor it to further prevent the spread of the virus. The district recently received a grant to enhance wastewater testing and track the coronavirus, among other viruses, before a public outbreak is reported.

A Great Neck resident for nearly 40 years, Katz has facilitated environmentally progressive discussions between politicians, combatted issues such as fracking and climate change, and hosted many public forums to educate the community on the environment as part of Reach Out America’s Green Committee. Katz, who founded the committee, said the organization has partnered with officials throughout the town to improve the broader North Hempstead environment.

Under her supervision, the district was granted the 2018 New York State Environmental Excellence Award. Additionally, Katz received the Nassau County Comptroller’s Women Breaking Ground Award in 2017, and the May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor in 2012.

Katz touted the importance of electing a commissioner with experience along with a variety of other environmental, ecological and general infrastructure knowledge.

“I think some people can think this can be a cushy job, but it’s really not,” she said. “We work very hard and we oversee a lot so you really have to know what you’re doing.

She touted the work of her fellow commissioners, Steve Reiter and Jerry Landsberg, along with Superintendent Christopher Murphy. Their mentoring, she said, helped her learn so much about her role and she said having someone new come into the role would require nearly two years of on-the-job training.

“This is a crucial time when we really need people with experience to be working at this job,” Katz said.

She also stressed the importance of people turning out to vote in a special election. Voting in these special elections, she said, is a privilege for residents of the area and individuals should make their voices heard on Dec. 13.

The election will take place on Dec. 13 from 1 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the district headquarters, 236 East Shore Road, Great Neck N.Y. For more information visit: https://gnwpcd.net/?page_id=18.