It is with deep regret that I write to you today in the wake of the passing of Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay. I know that I am not alone in saying that we have lost a great friend.

Bill was an exemplary public official who lived his life with integrity and an extraordinary dedication to public service. His impact on the Suffolk County Legislature and on this Committee is truly historic and I know that he will be sorely missed. Bill will always be remembered as the Lion of the Legislature.

Earlier this year, the Long Island Federation of Labor put together a touching tribute to Bill and if you haven’t see it you can view it here...| read more ››

A plan to create a walking trail through Suffolk County parkland to the banks of the Peconic River is now in line to get $15,000 downtown revitalization grant, town and county officials announced Friday.

The trail comes as part of a larger vision to create a true Riverside business district along Route 24 and the traffic circle.

The 5 1/2-foot wide, 1,000-foot long trail will be created using permeable natural stone material and run from Route 24 sidewalk to the riverfront, across the river from the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center, said county Legislator Jay Schneiderman, who announced the award, which was recommended by members the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel.

The county Legislature must still approve...| read more ››

The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State, has announced its endorsement of William Lindsay III for Suffolk County Legislator in District 8.

Lindsay hopes to be a part of Suffolk County’s sustainability future in order to improve the quality of life for its residents. Once in office, he hopes to pass legislation requiring all new homes and commercial buildings to be built using alternative energy to power them upon completion.

“William Lindsay III represents a bold new voice for District 8,” said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn. “His optimism and vision for Suffolk County’s future make him the ideal candidate for District 8 as...| read more ››

Democratic town supervisor candidates

The preliminary bout, was between Democrats Ann Cotten-DeGrasse and Angela DeVito who, at times seem to be involved in a grudge match over things that happened when both were on the Riverhead School Board. It wasn’t Tyson and Holyfield and no ears were bitten, and both had their rooters in the audience.

Both agreed that maintaining services without raising taxes was an essential philosophy given the increasingly heavy debt load Riverhead has. Cotten-Degrasse preferred forming a committee to maximize what could be obtained from the EPCAL property, and wanted that committee composed of businessmen, environmentalists and real estate experts. DeVito, noting that was a good idea, suggested temporary workers in town to grow the work force...| read more ››

July 31, 2013 - Washington, DC - Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, MD testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today and called for stricter controls on “energy drink” marketing practices. Earlier this year, Spencer sponsored legislation that was the first in the nation to restrict the marketing and sale of energy drinks.

A trained pediatric otolaryngologist and Vice President of the Suffolk County Medical Society, Dr. Spencer was the original drafter of the American Medical Association (AMA) resolution calling for control of the way energy drinks are being marketed to youth. The resolution had been discussed and passed by the Medical Society of the State of New York before being submitted to the AMA....| read more ››

Despite fierce resistance by the beverage industry, Suffolk lawmakers Tuesday night approved three bills, sponsored by Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport) that will prohibit the sale of energy drinks to kids under 18 at county parks and beaches.

The legislation, that Spencer is calling the “nation's first comprehensive energy/stimulant education and protection plan,” would also limit direct marketing efforts of these products to minors.

The ban on the sale of energy drinks at county parks and beaches passed 11-4, with several abstentions; the ban on marketing the drinks to minors through coupons and free-samples passed 16-0; and a measure that encourages local students to submit videos about the alleged health dangers of the drinks was approved 14-1.

“Far too many people...| read more ››

Black and Hispanic leaders vowed to unite for diverse political representation in Suffolk County as they launched a political effort within the Democratic Party Monday.

The newly formed Black and Hispanic Democratic Committee appointed co-chairs to represent the two minority groups and to hold seats in the Democratic committee that decides where to throw the weight of the party in local races.

It's time for black and Latino Democrats to realize that they have common issues at stake, said Assemb. Philip Ramos (D-Brentwood), who spearheaded the group's establishment.

"There is absolutely no difference in the African-American agenda and the Latino agenda," Ramos told more than 30 people meeting in Brentwood. "We ride down, in many cases, the same neglected streets....| read more ››

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Friday signed two bills to limit the availability of energy drinks to minors, making the county among the first in the nation to regulate the popular caffeinated products.

The measures, approved by the county legislature last month, ban the sale or distribution of energy drinks to people younger than 18 at county parks and beaches and prohibit the mailing of free samples and coupons to minors.

Beverage industry lobbyists had pressured Bellone to veto the measures, arguing that they unfairly targeted safe products that have less caffeine than similar-sized coffees. But health advocates, including the measures' sponsor, Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport), said research shows that drinking more than recommended amounts of the drinks can lead...| read more ››

Legislation requiring new standards for those who install and maintain residential pools and spas and mandating stiffer penalties for those who break those regulations was signed into law Wednesday by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Bellone was joined with Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport) at a Halesite home to announce the county’s pool safety and consumer protection program, which include two resolutions passed by the county legislature in April.

“This represents a great model for how we should be operating in government: A partnership between industry and government to come up with commonsense regulations that help protect the safety and the health and welfare of constituents,” Bellone said.

The law will create a registry for pool maintenance businesses and expand the...| read more ››

Northport Harbor should see less red tide after the village sewage treatment plant completes its upgrade (Daniel Barcelona)

Northport village has received a $1.5 million grant to fund federally mandated upgrades to its 83-year-old sewage treatment plant that has been blamed for causing red tide in Northport and Centerport harbors.

Local lawmakers and environmentalists touted the New York State funding that will go toward an estimated $10-million renovation project that the Environmental Protection Agency has required be completed by 2014, although it is unclear if Suffolk County will fund the rest.

“Our water quality has been a significant issue in Northport, and upgrading our sewer treatment facility is a big piece of the puzzle,” Suffolk County Legis. Dr. William Spencer...| read more ››