News Roundup

Mar
27
2015

WOODBURY - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone delivered his fourth and final State of the County address Thursday night.

Bellone focused on the challenges of stopping the so-called "brain drain" of young professional Long Islanders moving elsewhere because of the high cost of living and lack of opportunities on the Island.

The executive unveiled a project called "Connect Long Island," which would build a network of downtowns...read more ››

Mar
27
2015

IR 1041, a Local Law to protect the honor of decorated veterans, was unanimously approved by the Legislature. The law, which was sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D. and co-sponsored by Legislator Steve Stern, will prohibit persons from deceitfully presenting themselves as a decorated veteran while soliciting funds.

Legislator Spencer was approached by members of the American Legion Post 694 with a request...read more ››

Mar
24
2015

One year after Islip marked the 25th anniversary of the infamous garbage barge that made it a national laughingstock—and all the environmental progress it’s made since—politically connected haulers allegedly dumped toxins in town parks.

But calling the Town of Islip home is not all the two environmental crises share in common. Both also gained notoriety beyond Long Island’s shores, sparked inquiries of how the region disposes of its...read more ››

Mar
19
2015

The Smithtown Democratic Committee is gearing up for a competitive election season and setting its sights on the town board.

"It is important that we reflect on the past, but it is necessary that we plan for the future of Smithtown — 2015 will be the year that we reshape our town's policy-making body," said committee chairman, Ed Maher, citing the town's recent 350th anniversary festivities. "Our screening committee will convene this...read more ››

Mar
19
2015

For most Americans, going to work
every day may seem like a chore. But
Kings Park’s Stephen Goepfert and
Sarah Berlenbach don’t really mind
the daily grind. After all, they work
in a pretty nice office building: 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington
D.C.

Mr. Goepfert, 28, is the Assistant to
the Chief of Staff in the Office of the
Vice President. The title is a mouthful
and the...read more ››

Mar
1
2015

Girding for a tough battle for control of the Suffolk County Legislature this fall, Democratic lawmakers raised $110,000 at a fundraising breakfast in Hauppauge last week.

Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) said the event will add to the $80,000 that the Committee to Elect a Democratic Legislature already had in its coffers.

During the event, officials introduced Tim Sini, the aide of County Executive Steve Bellone...read more ››

Feb
16
2015

A Suffolk lawmaker has proposed a local law to expand rules to cover not only those who lobby on county legislative bills, but anyone who seeks decisions by county departments that involve spending public money.

Sponsor Legis. William Lindsay III (D-Bohemia) said the measure aims to make sure those who are hired to influence county legislation, executive orders, rate-making or fiscal decisions register with the county legislature and...read more ››

Feb
9
2015

New-minted Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has named a panel to conduct a national search for an executive director of a new Office of Ethics and Compliance.

The committee includes Republican Janet Duprey, a member of the chamber’s Ethics and Guidance Committee, and include others with law enforcement or ethics experience: former federal prosecutor Todd D. Kaminsky (whose analysis of the complaint against Sheldon Silver helped convince a...read more ››

Feb
7
2015

Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D., gathered with medical and governmental officials yesterday at Huntington Hospital to urge residents to become informed about the risks of ...
Medical and Governmental Leaders Join Forces to Convey an Important Message about Measles Outbreak
Huntington, NY - February 7, 2015 - Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D., gathered with medical and governmental officials yesterday at Huntington Hospital...read more ››

Feb
4
2015
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, right, and Comptroller Joseph Kennedy donated blood Jan 28 at a blood donation center in Bohemia.

The New York Blood Center has issued an emergency blood appeal after the region lost approximately 3,000 pints of blood because of the blizzard last week.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has called on “every capable donor to come out and donate blood” to alleviate “the largest single shortage of blood donations since Superstorm Sandy because of donation center closings and blood drive cancellations.”

Bellone and Suffolk...read more ››