News

Bellone delivers Suffolk State of the County

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 with transportation links to job centers, research centers, parks and open space. Connect Long Island would also encourage innovation companies to set up shop in those downtowns and construct affordable housing.

Bellone also touted his administration's efforts to restore the county's fiscal foundation. He reminded residents that when he took office three years...| read more ››

Protecting the Honor of Our Decorated Veterans PRESS RELEASES

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 to enact a local Stolen Valor Act. “When I heard from local veterans that such fraudulent acts were taking place in Suffolk County, I was compelled to work with them. This type of deception is especially egregious as it preys on the charitable spirit of our residents and drains resources from those who...| read more ››

How the Islip Garbage Barge Saga Compares to the Town’s Toxic Dumping Scandal

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 waste and will linger for years to come. Of course, there are as many differences as there are parallels between the cases—most notably, only last year’s incident resulted in arrests.

“The town is a study in contrast,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Farmingdale-based nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment, which...| read more ››

Smithtown Democrats focus on 2015 races

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 spring and we are excited to hear what the potential candidates have in mind for the future of Smithtown."

Maher also said he will consider screening potential candidates from other parties if needed, and that the Democrats will put the strongest candidates on the ballot in November.

Maher...| read more ››

Biden’s bidders

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 job responsibilities keep the
Kings Park High School graduate
plenty busy. He said the hours are long
and fast-paced and the work he does
to assist Biden chief of staff Ron Klain
is challenging. But Mr. Goepfert is...| read more ››

Suffolk Democrats, introduce Tim Sini, raise funds for legislature campaigns

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 who is being groomed to run against Legis. Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) the GOP caucus leader, to a crowd that included many union officials.

Later, one legislative aide told several union officials that McCaffrey was a major target in this years campaign. What the aide did not know is that the officials were Teamsters, who...| read more ››

Suffolk bill would broaden lobbying rules

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 report their activities to the legislature's clerk.

"Right now when you look at the list there are very few people registered, and when you are sitting with someone, you'd like to know if they are in an advisory role or a lobbyist advocating for themselves or some organization."

Lindsay's push for an...| read more ››

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CARL HEASTIE APPOINTS ASSEMBLYMAN PHIL RAMOS TO A STATEWIDE ETHICS PANEL

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 key bloc of the chamber’s more recently elected members to turn against his leadership), Bill Magnarelli (a former chair of the Ethics Committee), Shelley Mayer (who worked in the state AG’s office before she became counsel to the snakebit 2009-10 Senate Democratic Majority), Philip Ramos (a former Suffolk County detective) and Michele Titus...| read more ››

Medical and Governmental Leaders Join Forces to Convey an Important Message about Measles Outbreak

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 to urge residents to become informed about the risks of measles and what preventative measures they can take to protect the most vulnerable.

With the number of confirmed cases of the measles in January of 2015 surpassing the total number of diagnosed cases of measles during an entire typical year, public officials made it a point...| read more ››

With blood shortage at emergency levels, Southold FD hosts blood drive today

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

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 County Comptroller John Kennedy donated blood Jan. 28 at the N.Y. Blood Center donation center in Bohemia.

“Our blood supply relies exclusively on the generosity of volunteer blood donors,” according to New York Blood Center. “There is no substitute for human blood.”

Southold Fire Department is hosting a blood drive today from 2:15...| read more ››