3. Alfonse D’Amato

The fact that D’Amato hasn’t held public office in nearly 15 years doesn’t seem to have negatively impacted his influence on local and national affairs. Few public officials have enjoyed a second-half to their careers as much as the former senator from New York. D’Amato’s legacy and current influence are so enduring it’s hard to imagine he was once a long shot from Island Park. Although his opinion is frequently sought by national talk shows and his consulting firm, Park Strategies, does business with firms across the country, D’Amato is a Long Island boy at heart. There’s a better than even chance that when there is a project or issue of significance on LI, all roads lead back to Senator Al.