News

Luis Montes named new Islip Democratic chief

Oct
31
2016

Assistant Suffolk Deputy County Executive Luis Montes, the top Albany lobbyist in the administration of County Executive Steve Bellone, is now also Islip Democratic chairman.

The $144,000-a-year county aide succeeds Gerry Pallotta in the unpaid town leader spot.

Party sources say that Montes is expected to be more conciliatory than the more hard-edged Pallotta.

“Luis knows how to reach out to everyone,” said Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman.

Schaffer said he has no concern that Montes’ new post will affect his relationship with Bellone, which party officials say is often strained. “Steve’s focus is on county government, not town politics,” Schaffer said.

Pallotta moved to become a county Democratic vice chairman along with Robin Long, former chair of the county...| read more ››

Jim Gaughran to represent New York’s 5th Senate District

Newsday picks Jim Gaughran to represent parts of Huntington and Oyster Bay.
Oct
26
2016

Carl Marcellino has been a solid member of the New York State Senate for more than 20 years. In that time, he’s done some very good work, especially as a champion of the environment, most recently in securing $200 million in state funds that municipalities can tap for sewer upgrades and related water infrastructure improvements.

But nowadays, Marcellino, 73, is resting mostly on past accomplishments and the traditional policy positions of his party. While never a senator to offer a visionary agenda, he seems to have lost enthusiasm for the job. He doesn’t have a problem with banning outside income for lawmakers, but doesn’t have any suggestions for further ethics reform, either. The Syosset Republican also points to the “process”...| read more ››

Elect Thomas Suozzi in 3rd Congressional District

Oct
25
2016

The battle for the 3rd Congressional District features two men who have enjoyed significant successes in politics and governance, and received consistent past endorsements from this board. Each can make a strong case that he would represent the region well in Washington. Of the two, Thomas Suozzi’s track record of focusing intently on complex problems and coming up with comprehensive solutions makes him the better choice.

Suozzi, a 54-year-old Democrat from Glen Cove, served as a successful mayor of that city before winning the Nassau County executive job in 2001. In Mineola, he was able to tame a government and budget spinning out of control after years of neglect and bloat. Suozzi also was ahead of his time and on...| read more ››

Colin Powell endorses Hillary Clinton for president

Oct
25
2016

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told an audience of more than 1,000 Long Island business and political leaders Tuesday that he will vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president, citing her experience, temperament and — in a jab at GOP nominee Donald Trump — her “stamina.”

Powell, speaking at the Long Island Association fall luncheon in Woodbury, was harshly critical of Trump, arguing that the New York businessman was “not qualified” to serve as commander and chief and had sold Americans a “bill of goods” that he cannot deliver.

“He insults us every day,” said Powell, who served as secretary of state under Republican President George W. Bush.

“He has insulted America in one way almost every day,” Powell...| read more ››

Cuomo endorses Adam Haber, James Gaughran in state Senate runs

Oct
25
2016

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo headlined a rally Monday in Albertson to endorse a pair of Nassau Democratic state Senate candidates involved in hotly contested races that could determine whether Republicans maintain control of the chamber.

Cuomo backed Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) as he seeks a full term in the 9th Senate District and businessman Adam Haber, running for the open 7th Senate District seat vacated by Sen. Jack Martins, who is running for Congress in Nassau’s 3rd District.

Later, at the Suffolk Democrats’ fall fundraiser, Cuomo also endorsed congressional contenders Anna Throne Holst and DuWayne Gregory, as well as state Senate hopeful James Gaughran.

At the Nassau rally, Cuomo said as state attorney general he worked with Kaminsky, then...| read more ››

Governor creates fellowship for aide killed in LIE crash

Oct
24
2016

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has created a state fellowship to honor a former Long Island aide killed this summer in a horrific car crash on the Long Island Expressway, he announced Monday.

The two-year Scott Martella Fellowship will be awarded to recent graduates committed to public service with a passion for helping others, Cuomo said in a news release. Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, was among six people who died in the Aug. 21 crash in Manorville.

“Scott believed in government’s potential to improve lives and worked day in and day out in pursuit of this principle,” Cuomo said in the statement. “With this fellowship, we will help ensure his legacy and public service will continue and endure for years...| read more ››

Hillary Clinton should be our next president

Oct
21
2016

These are perilous times at home and abroad.

Our economy is in stasis, pinching the dreams of millennials and leaving many older workers behind. Gaping fault lines in race relations are again laid bare. Evolving gender roles widen the cultural divide.

The Middle East is wracked by endless conflict, Russia growls and a more assertive China imperils our allies in the East. The threat of terrorism rises. The dangers of climate change loom.

And Congress, riven into warring camps, is unable to function.

Against that backdrop of uncertainty in this presidential election year, America has made it clear: It wants change. But that means real change — not change based on slogans, not change that can never happen. It wants...| read more ››

SD-5: Gaughran Releases Ethics Plan

Oct
20
2016

Jim Gaughran, the Democratic opponent of Republican Sen. Carl Marcellino on Thursday is set to release an ethics reform package aimed at campaign finance reform and recalling elected officials whose actions impact taxpayers.

“Long Island voters are tired of the corruption and scandals that have rocked state government and yet Senator Marcellino has ignored his constituents and has actually benefitted from the corrupt state quo in Albany,” Gaughran said.

“Our communities deserve new leadership and a State Senator who will work to clean up corruption, not be part of the problem. Carl Marcellino has proven that he will not fix our broken political system or take any real steps to reform state government, and Long Island families deserve better from...| read more ››

Steven Englebright to represent New York’s 4th Assembly District

Oct
16
2016

Democrat Steven Englebright, always a conscientious and effective representative for his district, has emerged as the leading environmental voice in the Assembly. It’s a much-needed one.

As chairman of the environmental conservation committee, Englebright, 70, of Setauket, convened joint hearings with the Senate upstate and on Long Island on water-quality issues, got a bill passed to study ocean acidification, and formed a working group on climate change that held hearings on its impact on New York.

His Republican opponent, attorney Steven Weissbard, 52, of Stony Brook, has great energy but is a climate-change denier.

Englebright supports Suffolk County’s idea for a public referendum to institute a water-usage fee to reduce nitrogen in Long Island’s waters. We expect him to use...| read more ››

Fred Thiele to represent New York’s 1st Assembly District

Oct
16
2016

Fred Thiele Jr., Independent candidate for New York's 1st Assembly District. (Credit: Gordon M. Grant)
Fred W. Thiele Jr. is an activist lawmaker who has proven without doubt his value to the East End during his 21 years in this office. The 63-year-old lawyer from Sag Harbor is an Independence Party member who caucuses with the Democrats.

Thiele is a strong voice for accountability in Albany. He would limit outside income if lawmakers received a pay raise, but he wants legislators to vote on this. He believes they should work year-round to avoid cramming through ill-prepared bills in the final days of June. Thiele favors referendums on whether Suffolk County should impose a usage fee to protect water quality,...| read more ››