Al Krupski said protecting the interests of Suffolk's East End doesn't need to create clashes with county legislators hailing from more-populous western districts, closer to Jamaica, Queens, than Jamesport.

The Democratic Southold town board member -- a fourth-generation farmer -- is seeking to represent the legislature's 1st District, which is Suffolk's largest, stretching from Fishers Island to Center Moriches. A special election will be held Tuesday, two months after former Republican Legis. Edward Romaine was elected Brookhaven Town supervisor.

"I know the issues are different in Huntington than in Orient, but you build relationships and work with people," Krupski said. "I'm also interested in what the issues are in Huntington, so I'm not just going to be yelling for my...| read more ››

Sean Walter has spent the better part of the past six weeks hammering home to residents on the North Fork that his is the type of voice they need in the Suffolk County Legislature, where he’s argued his opponent would be little more than an extra vote for the Democratic super majority.

That opponent, Southold Town Councilman Al Krupski, has run a quiet campaign, knocking on doors and letting his record of bipartisan cooperation and fiscal conservatism speak for itself.

It’s been exactly the race one might expect, reflecting the general nature of each candidate and the communities they represent: the vocal vs. the tranquil, Riverhead vs. Southold.

Style and personality should play a major role in determining who you...| read more ››

ISLIP TOWN—Tuesday’s Islip Town Board Meeting was filled with residents imploring the board to reconsider proposed cuts to the 2013 budget. For two hours, dozens of residents asked the board to explore ways to bring back funding for the South Shore Nature Center, the Islip Town Hatchery and the Islip Harbor Police. However, following the comments, the board finalized the trimmed down budget by unanimously voting to eliminate 35 town positions (26 full-time and nine part-time). The reduced spending plan incorporates fewer personnel and diminished town services.

“This is not what we want to do, and this has been the most difficult year of our lives,” said Supervisor Croci. “This is the bitter reality of America these days. I’d like...| read more ››

ISLIP TOWN—Up until five or six years ago, West Islip resident Gerry Pallotta was registered as an Independent voter until he began seeing what he perceived as positive changes being made in the town by Islip’s Democratic supervisor at the time, Phil Nolan. That progress provided some of the impetus for him to change parties. And now he’s guiding Islip’s Democrats to what he said is a rebuilding process that would not only lead to victory, but good government as well.

“There are no north, south [east and west] areas of the town,” he said. “Everyone should have a voice. It’s who we are. I want to see involvement from all corners, a rainbow of involvement where the [candidates] are...| read more ››

For two hours, dozens of residents made impassioned pleas to the Islip Town Board to reverse planned 2013 budget cuts and restore town funding for the Islip Town hatchery, the Islip Harbor police and the South Shore Nature Center.

"There are so many lessons for us to learn from there," said Maxine Lu, an Oakdale resident and ardent nature center supporter. "I beg of you, please . . . please save the nature center."

But after public comments ended Tuesday, the board voted, 5-0, to abolish 35 positions in the town -- 26 full-time and nine part-time jobs -- in a move that seemed to seal the fate of the pared-down 2013 budget. The spending plan includes a 28...| read more ››

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone will lobby state lawmakers for relief from community college tuition payments...| read more ››

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Tim Bishop said Tuesday that it makes little sense to simply restore Long Island's shoreline to its condition before superstorm Sandy -- instead of fortifying it for future storms.

Take Tiana Beach, badly eroded by the storm. There's a federal-state effort to add sand, the Southampton Democrat said, but not to fix it to withstand another storm like Sandy.

"To restore it to pre-storm condition continues to leave it very vulnerable to a breach," Bishop said. "Aren't we then, in effect, just throwing good money after bad?"

But that's what two federal laws now require, Bishop said, adding he will try to change them by attaching a measure to the White House funding request for Sandy...| read more ››

Southold Democratic town board member Al Krupski took an up-close and personal look at how the Suffolk County Legislature operated Friday by attending a meeting of its environment committee.

Krupski is the leading Democratic contender to run for the seat now held by GOP Legis. Edward Romaine, who was elected Brookhaven supervisor earlier this month and will take office once the vote is certified. Krupski has already met with Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, and Schaffer said Krupski -- from a well-established North Fork farming family -- is ready to make the run.

Meanwhile Riverhead’s Republican Supervisor Sean Walter has also expressed interest in Romaine’s seat. Walter, a Wading River lawyer, has been supervisor for three years. Walter’s father Michael...| read more ››

Scott Russell vs. Al Krupski?

County Legislator Ed Densieski?

Faulk for Legislature?

These are some of the names being bounced around by party leaders to replace County Legislator Ed Romaine, who won a special election Tuesday for Brookhaven Town Supervisor.

Mr. Krupski was the only potential candidate named Tuesday night by Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer. He said Wednesday that he’s interested, but he can’t commit to running in a special election just yet.

“I can’t say yes but I’m not saying no,” said Mr. Krupski, the only Democrat to hold a Town Board post in Mr. Romaine’s district. “I’m going to talk about it with Rich and then talk about it with my family. I certainly know the district...| read more ››