News

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signs historic Tobacco 21 bill

Apr
14
2014

HUNTINGTON - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed the Tobacco 21 bill into law Monday making Suffolk the first county in the nation where customers must be at least 21 years old to buy tobacco products.

The bill's sponsor, Legislator Dr. William Spencer, says the law will save lives and contain health care costs.

"I'm very excited because this will go a long way toward helping young people in this community," Spencer told News 12.| read more ››

County Executive Bellone Asks 'do You Know what Your Health Department is up to?'

Apr
9
2014

Suffolk County has joined New York State and hundreds of communities throughout the nation in observing National Public Health Week, April 7 -13. This week -- as New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, MD, MPH states, "promotes the key components of the state's Prevention Agenda 2013-2017." County Executive Steve Bellone calls attention to some of Suffolk County's programs that help to protect and improve community health and quality of life.

"The focus of public health is prevention, so when it works, residents are not aware of it," said Bellone. "The Suffolk County Department of Health , under the direction of Dr. James Tomarken has been offering innovative and model programs to assist Suffolk County residents."

The Suffolk County...| read more ››

Assemblyman Hennessey Invests In New York’s Future

Assemblyman Edward Hennessey
Apr
9
2014

Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the Assembly passed the 2014 -15 state budget that provides tax cuts to families & businesses, invests in education and creates a better economic environment.
Increasing State Aid To Education

This year’s budget increases school aid to our local schools by $22 million. Included with this increase is funding to eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) that has cost schools in Brookhaven $46.8 million in state aid.
“The final state budget takes a big step forward in restoring GEA but it still falls short of bringing us to where we need to be,” Assemblyman Hennessey said.

“That’s why I will continue to push for passage of my legislation to immediately eliminate the...| read more ››

Bellone: Long Island Needs Easier, Safer Travel

Apr
8
2014

Public transportation, roadway safety and connecting Long Island communities are vital on Long Island, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said during a keynote speech Thursday at the second annual Complete Streets summit.

Bellone addressed nearly 130 leaders from transportation groups, non-profit organizations, municipalities and developers at the conference, held at Molloy College.

He said his Connect-LI plan would connect universities and downtowns through public transportation on major north-south corridors and create opportunities for innovation, which would help stop the exodus of Suffolk County residents. The program also emphasizes walkable downtowns, rail and bus service and economic development.

“We need to make it easier and safer for people to travel around Suffolk County, for our young people and to strengthen the...| read more ››

Bellone Joins Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to Announce AG’s Statewide Expansion of Opioid Overdose Prevention Program

Apr
4
2014

Brentwood, NY - April 4, 2014 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today joined New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to announce the AG’s Community Overdose Prevention (COP) program, which extends the availability of the opioid overdose reversal drug, naloxone or Narcan, to all law enforcement officers in New York State.

"As heroin use continues to rise in Suffolk County, we need to engage in a multi-pronged approach to address the epidemic,” County Executive Bellone said. “I thank Attorney General Schneiderman for securing funding to purchase Naloxone for all law enforcement in the State and ensuring that all personnel will be trained in the administration of naloxone...| read more ››

Bellone Announces Opening of 2014 County Golf Season

Apr
3
2014

Great River, NY - April 2, 2014 - County Executive Steve Bellone was by joined Legislator Jay Schneiderman, Legislator Thomas Cilmi, Suffolk officials and a dozen Suffolk County veterans to announce the opening of the 2014 golf season and new fee reductions for veterans and active military personnel. The new legislation, sponsored by Deputy Presiding Officer Schneiderman, (I-Montauk) expands a pilot program that make the veteran fee reductions at county golf courses permanent.

“After one of the harshest winters on record, we gather to say goodbye to winter and hello to the 2014 Suffolk County Golf Season with new discounted rates for veterans and active military personnel,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “I thank Legislator Schneiderman for sponsoring this legislation...| read more ››

Hennessey Secured Future of Old Patchogue Armory

Apr
1
2014

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the old Patchogue Armory, located on Barton Avenue, will find a new owner and new life through the stewardship of the North Patchogue Fire Department.

The Assembly passed the 2014-15 state budget that authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to transfer a piece of land that was formerly used as the Patchogue Armory to the Nort h Patchogue Fire Department (A.8555-D). It also includes funding to help with the costs of remediation (A.8553-E).

“The Patchogue-Medford Armory is a proud addition to a quiet neighborhood,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “I can think of no better group to take possession of the property than the North Patchogue Fire Department which has...| read more ››

Assemblyman Hennessey secures AIM funding for Mastic Beach in 2014-15 Final State Budget

Mar
31
2014

Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the Assembly passed the 2014-15 state budget that includes AIM (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) funding for the Village of Mastic Beach (A.8553-E).

AIM funding seeks to provide real relief to ease the financial burden towns and villages have been facing while continuing to provide essential services to residents.

“Like last year, the village will again receive $75,000 in AIM funding to help provide services to its residents without further burdening local property taxpayers, for a total of $150,000 over two years,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “This funding, which every other village in the state permanently receives, should have come to Mastic Beach over three years ago when it was incorporated. It simply isn’t fair...| read more ››

Assemblyman Hennessey makes NY a leader in providing contracts to Veteran-owned Businesses

Mar
31
2014

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the Assembly passed a piece of legislation that would implement the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act (A.9135). This act sets a 6-percent participation goal in the awarding of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, which doubles the goal of the federal government.
“Helping New York’s service-disabled veterans pursue business ventures will strengthen our local economies while also doing right by the brave men and women who served our great nation,” Assemblyman Hennessey said.

New York is home to more than 900,000 veterans, 72 percent of whom have served during periods of conflict. Specifically, there are over 50,000 veterans living in Suffolk County , the largest population of veterans in New York...| read more ››

Bellone Announces: Suffolk County Chosen as IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge Winner for Water Quality Initiative

Mar
26
2014

Suffolk County one of only four municipalities chosen in the United States to receive $500,000 in-kind consultation services.
Bellone Announces: Suffolk County Chosen as IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge Winner for Water Quality Initiative
March 25, 2014 - Hauppauge, NY - IBM (NYSE: IBM) today named Suffolk County, NY as an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipient for County Executive Bellone’s water quality initiative.

Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program that sends teams of some of IBM's most talented experts to select cities and regions worldwide to provide pro bono consulting expertise on the most critical issues faced by communities today. This year, the company will be helping Suffolk County and at least 16 cities and regions...| read more ››