The leader of the Islip Town Democratic Committee says his group plans to examine "from top to bottom" the town's recently approved 2013 operating budget, which includes a 28-percent property tax increase and employee layoffs.

Gerry Pallotta, president of the committee, called the tax increase, which passed unanimously last week, "unprecedented," and said town taxpayers deserve a full accounting of what the Republican and Conservative party-dominated board cut from the budget.

"It shakes the trust of the taxpayers," Pallotta said.

At least 22 full-time employees are scheduled to lose their jobs, and at least another couple of dozen part-time guards at the town's marinas will be out of work, town officials have said, adding that they still are finalizing the...| read more ››

Former Brookhaven Town Board member Edward Hennessey has won an improbable political comeback in the 3rd Assembly District, turning a 36-vote election night deficit into a 226-vote victory over GOP incumbent Dean Murray, who was seeking his second full term.

Hennessey, a Republican-turned-Democrat who spent virtually no money and does not live in the newly redrawn district, managed the triple-digit win after election officials finished counting nearly 4,000 absentee and provisional ballots late Friday morning.

Murray, of East Patchogue, conceded earlier Friday in a call to elections officials. Hennessey had opened a 148-vote lead when the recount stopped at 8 p.m. Thursday, with 56 of the 72 election districts counted.

Murray thanked his supporters on Facebook about 8:50 a.m., calling...| read more ››

A week after his name was first mentioned as perhaps the Democrat’s best hope to capture the Suffolk County Legislature seat Ed Romaine is leaving, Al Krupski ended all speculation Tuesday night.

He’s going for it.

Mr. Krupski, a Peconic farmer who has served in elected office in Southold for 28 years, announced his decision during a meeting of the town’s Democratic Committee.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” said Mr. Krupski, one of only two Democrats in town government. Should he gain the seat, he said, “I’ll still be serving Southold, only in a different capacity.”

The Legislature’s First District includes Southold, Riverhead and part of southeast Brookhaven. Mr. Romaine, a Center Moriches Republican, will leave the Legislature once he’s sworn...| read more ››

GOP Assemb. Dean Murray has conceded the race for the 3rd District seat to an opponent who ran a grassroots campaign and spent almost no money.

A Suffolk County elections official confirmed Friday that Murray conceded to Democratic challenger Edward Hennessey.

Murray thanked his supporters on Facebook, calling it an "an honor and a privilege" to serve the residents of the 3rd Assembly District over the past three years. He added that "it wasn't in the cards for me to continue doing so."

In the second day of recanvassing, Hennessey pulled ahead of Murray. As of 8 p.m. Thursday, Hennessey had a 148-vote lead with 56 of the 72 election districts counted, officials said. County election officials were expected to...| read more ››

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Saturday he is bypassing LIPA's top managers and working directly with local substation coordinators to restore power to Suffolk County residents by Sunday night.

"We are taking matters into our own hands here," said Bellone at a 2 p.m. news conference in the parking lot at the LIPA / National Grid office in Brentwood.

He blasted the home inspection process LIPA implemented five days after the height of superstorm Sandy.

Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer also spoke about his efforts in negotiating with LIPA attorneys over restoring power to the homes south of Montauk Highway that were without serious structural damage.

Bellone also asked residents not to take their frustrations out on individual...| read more ››

Nassau Democrats have continued to increase their voter registration edge, enrolling nearly 12,000 more voters than Republicans since the start of the year.

Since Jan. 1, Democrats have enrolled 94,655 new voters, while Republican have enlisted 82,732, according to Nassau elections officials. There were also 61,555 new voters not aligned with either party.

The new registration figures added to the Nassau Democrats' overall 33,031 edge in countywide voter enrollment, which now stands at 358,198 Democrats to 325,167 Republicans.

In Suffolk, meanwhile, Democrats have since April cut by more than half the Republican enrollment lead. October voter registration figures show that Republicans outnumber Democrats 301,206 to 296,047, a difference of 5,159.

In April, Republicans had a 10,039 voter edge -- and...| read more ››

Town leaders throughout Suffolk County are weathering conditions and holding 2013 budget hearings. Despite damage done by two recent storms, they said they expect to approve the spending plans by the Nov. 20 state deadline.

At Brookhaven's public hearing Thursday, hundreds of people in the packed Town Hall auditorium spoke largely against layoffs in the proposed $247 million budget.

Several board members have introduced resolutions to restore staffing and programs to various departments. Craig Lucas, a building inspector and union steward, pointed out the building department is still slated to lose six full-time jobs. "We don't get much respect. We're like a stepchild," he said. "The backbone of this town is the workers. If you mess around with the backbone,...| read more ››

After a firestorm of criticism, Islip officials say they are considering privatizations, layoffs, downsizings and closures as a means to reduce the proposed 65 percent town property tax increase for the 2013 budget.

Councilman Anthony Senft, a Conservative on the Republican-majority town board, said the goal is to minimize town government's footprint by reducing spending before increasing revenue, though he said there is no specific plan for cuts yet.

"There is no way I will vote for a 65 percent tax increase," Senft said of the budget announced in September and due to be finalized next month. He said the town is looking at privatizing entities such as its hatchery, marina and golf courses and closing or restructuring parks,...| read more ››

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone have both declared states of emergency in advance of the approach of what could be an unprecedented storm system converging on our area.

It has been my experience in working for Suffolk County that we have an outstanding level of emergency preparedness and response -- both from professional law enforcement and emergency managers, and our dedicated volunteer first responders. I urge you and your families to consider the following:

-Visit either the county (www.suffolkcountyny.gov) or state (http://www.dhses.ny.gov/) emergency preparedness web pages. Here you can access up-to-the minute information on evacuation routes, shelter locations and storm surge maps.
-You will also find information on the steps you will need...| read more ››

The chairman of the Islip Republican Committee on Thursday declined his appointment as a paid legal adviser to the town's planning board, an arrangement critics had decried as political patronage.

Frank A. Tantone, a lawyer the Republican-dominated town board appointed to the $55,000 annual contractual position in May, said that because of Islip's "challenging [financial] times" he would likely volunteer to do the job.

"While I appreciate being selected for such a significant public service, I have notified the town attorney that in light of Islip's looming financial crisis, it sets a better example to donate my services without compensation to help the town through these challenging times," Tantone said in a statement.

In an interview, Tantone, a former...| read more ››