News

East End Mayors Endorse Bridget Fleming for Suffolk County Legislator

Oct
29
2015

SAG HARBOR – Bridget Fleming’s campaign for Suffolk County Legislator is proud to announce that mayors of six East End villages have endorsed Fleming, supporting the Southampton councilwoman in her campaign for the 2nd Legislative District.

Mayor Paul Rickenbach of East Hampton, Mayor Don Louchheim of Sagaponack, Mayor Sandra Schroeder of Sag Harbor, Mayor Jeff Sander of North Haven, Mayor Peter Sartorius of Quogue and Mayor Maria Moore of Westhampton Beach are backing Fleming for the post.

“I have learned that successful government is often built on strong partnerships and cooperation between many levels, and so these endorsements are especially meaningful to me,” said Fleming, of Noyac. “These are leaders who have dedicated themselves to their communities, and who understand...| read more ››

Suffolk County bans microbeads in soap, facial scrubs

Oct
27
2015

County Executive Steve Bellone signed a ban on microbeads in personal care products into law yesterday, making Suffolk the third county in New York to put a prohibition in place.

The tiny plastic beads found in soaps, facial scrubs and some toothpastes can get through wastewater treatment filters, dumped into bays and the Long Island Sound and join the food chain where they're ingested by fish and mollusks, Bellone said.

"This is another step to make waterways cleaner," Bellone said at a bill signing at the H. Lee Dennison building in Hauppauge. He was joined by lawmakers and environmental advocates who have pushed for the bill.

"Tiny plastic balls have no place in our waterways," said bill sponsor Legis. Kara...| read more ››

Licari Reform Team Demands End of "Pay to Play"

Oct
27
2015

Islip Democrats running for office next month called for an end to the "pay to play culture" they say exists in the town.

Tom Licari, who is vying for the town supervisor spot, and town council candidate Christopher Pulitano stood outside Islip Town Hall Thursday and said, if elected, they would work with the town attorney's office to draft legislation banning anyone who received a $25,000 contract from the town, or those who have business or applications pending before the town, from contributing to town candidates.

"The pay-to-play mentality has unfortunately been Long Island tradition for many years, since I was a kid," said first-time candidate Licari, 62, an attorney who lives in Kismet. "If you equalize this playing field,...| read more ››

Newsday endorses Louis D'Amaro in Suffolk's 17th District

Oct
26
2015

Janet L. Heller-Smitelli knows her district and its residents' issues. The 54-year-old Republican from South Huntington has an admirable passion for public service and a future in elective office. Alas, that future is not now.

Her opponent, Louis D'Amaro, 54, of Deer Park, is running for his sixth and final term. A Democrat, he has a solid record of accomplishment and a list of laudable policy goals he still wants to achieve -- developing downtowns as economic engines; creating affordable housing; attacking the heroin epidemic from the angles of policing, education, prevention and treatment; and protecting the environment by expanding sewers.

D'Amaro also knows the county still does not have its finances in order. And he recognizes that, in an...| read more ››

Newsday endorses Steve Stern in Suffolk's 16th District

Oct
26
2015

Dix Hills lawyer Steve Stern said years ago he didn't want to be a career politician. And if he wins this time, term limits will make this his final election to the Suffolk County Legislature. Stern, 46, wisely says the environment, open space preservation and sewer infrastructure remain his key issues. In particular, he deserves credit in this term for his Housing our Homeless Heroes Act, which will transform homes seized for unpaid taxes for use by veterans.

His opponent, corporate insurance lawyer Thomas McNally, 51, a Republican from Dix Hills, is right to identify high taxes and government inefficiency as top concerns. However, one of his remedies -- a 2.5 percent across-the-board spending cut (but just 1 percent for...| read more ››

Newsday endorses William Spencer in Suffolk's 18th District

Oct
26
2015

If lawn signs bearing the name of Republican Grant Lally seem familiar, it might be because he made three unsuccessful bids for Congress since 1994. Now he seeks the Suffolk legislature seat held by Democrat William Spencer.

Crime and the county's $1.7 billion debt top the concerns of Lally, 53, a lawyer from Lloyd Harbor. He wants to cut the use of red-light cameras, open satellite police stations in Huntington Station and consolidate some county agencies. His public spirit is laudable, but Lally does not make a strong enough case to unseat Spencer, 48, a pediatric surgeon from Centerport.

In two terms, Spencer has become a capable lawmaker and his colleagues' go-to expert on health issues. Via his sponsorship, Suffolk...| read more ››

Assemblyman Fred Thiele Endorses Bridget Fleming for Suffolk County Legislator

Oct
26
2015

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY – Today, New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. endorsed Bridget Fleming in her race for Suffolk County Legislator. Assemblyman Thiele, whose district includes the Towns of Brookhaven, Southampton, Shelter Island and East Hampton, has served in the State Assembly since 1995. He is a former Southampton Town Supervisor and Suffolk County Legislator.

"Bridget Fleming has a proven track record which demonstrates that she has always put her community above politics. That is exactly what the East End needs in the Suffolk County Legislature. Whether it is farming, fishing, tourism, water quality, or open space preservation, Bridget knows what makes the Peconic Region special and is committed to preserving both our economy and our environment. She...| read more ››

Newsday endorses Bridget Fleming in Suffolk's 2nd District

Oct
25
2015

Bridget Fleming, Democratic candidate for Suffolk County Legislature 2nd District. (Credit: James Escher)
The 2nd District seat is an open one, as its current holder, Jay Schneiderman, has reached his term limit.

Enter Bridget Fleming and Amos Goodman.

Goodman, a Republican, is a finance professional specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He is focusing his attention on the need to improve Suffolk's fiscal health, saying the county has to be more "fiscally prudent." He suggests bringing back industries that thrived in the past, such as manufacturing and aerospace and defense.

Fleming, a Democrat from Noyack, has been a Southampton Town Board member for five years. Before that, she served as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan for a decade. Her...| read more ››

Newsday endorses William Spencer in Suffolk's 18th District

Oct
25
2015

If lawn signs bearing the name of Republican Grant Lally seem familiar, it might be because he made three unsuccessful bids for Congress since 1994. Now he seeks the Suffolk legislature seat held by Democrat William Spencer.

Crime and the county's $1.7 billion debt top the concerns of Lally, 53, a lawyer from Lloyd Harbor. He wants to cut the use of red-light cameras, open satellite police stations in Huntington Station and consolidate some county agencies. His public spirit is laudable, but Lally does not make a strong enough case to unseat Spencer, 48, a pediatric surgeon from Centerport.

In two terms, Spencer has become a capable lawmaker and his colleagues' go-to expert on health issues. Via his sponsorship, Suffolk...| read more ››

The Northport Observer Endorses Dr. William Spencer

Northport Observer Endorses Dr. William Spencer
Oct
20
2015

The Northport Observer Endorses Dr. William Spencer
Doc deserves it …
In the 18th Suffolk County Legislative District, incumbent Dr. William “Doc” Spencer (D-Centerport) gets our endorsement hands down. Dr. Spencer has been a productive lawmaker. His work to help Northport Village fund its sewage treatment plant upgrade has been invaluable for village taxpayers, who are nonetheless struggling to pay the high cost of the project.
Dr. Spencer also deserves accolades for his work to get the Centerport Yacht Club beach in Northport Harbor reopened after more than a decade of being closed. It was a small step but it is indicative of Dr. Spencer’s commitment to the environment and our suburban quality of life.
Dr....| read more ››