News

Bellone eyes added sewers to fight pollution

Jan
23
2014

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Thursday announced a campaign to clean up nitrogen-polluted waters that could include building sewer systems and advanced wastewater-treatment plants.

Bellone said nitrogen flowing into aquifers and local waterways from septic systems and cesspools, as well as fertilizer runoff, hurts water quality and damages coastal areas that serve as storm buffers.

"We have been polluting this precious resource in a way that has had devastating impacts on our surface waters, shows negative declines in the quality of our drinking water and puts us at enhanced risks for future storms," he said. "For the health of our region today and for the sake of future generations, we must reverse these trends."

Bellone made the announcement in Hauppauge...| read more ››

LI Democrats see hope for State Senate gains

Jan
19
2014

There was a time when Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer had no use for State Senate Democrats.

That attitude dates to 2010 when one top Senate Democratic aide insisted that Schaffer not speak to then-freshman Sen. Brian Foley, whom the party leader helped elect, giving Senate Democrats their first majority in decades.

Schaffer said he had told Foley not to back the controversial MTA payroll tax, despite arguments by city-centered Senate Democrats that he could do so without political damage. Foley, of Blue Point, and Nassau State Sen. Craig Johnson, both of whom supported the tax, later lost re-election and Democrats lost their majority.

"They had no clue about the issues important to the suburbs," Schaffer said of Senate Democrats....| read more ››

Democrat expected to be sworn in today for Brookhaven Town Board

Jan
16
2014

Brookhaven officials say they are planning to swear in the winner of an unresolved town council race as soon as Friday, shortly after Suffolk County officials certify the election.

Democrat Connie Kepert is expected to win by two or more votes when 13 ballots are counted at 1 p.m. Friday at county Board of Elections headquarters in Yaphank, officials say.

Completion of the vote count had been delayed more than two months by court challenges filed by Kepert and her Republican opponent, Michael A. Loguercio Jr.

Kepert, who had represented the town's 4th Council District until her term expired on Dec. 31, said Thursday she has asked 6th District Court Judge Chris Ann Kelley to swear her in. The ceremony...| read more ››

DEPUTY PRESIDING OFFICER JAY SCHNEIDERMAN SELECTED TO CHAIR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE

Jan
14
2014

Long Island, NY-One of the first responsibilities of Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) of the Suffolk County Legislature is to make committee assignments for his colleagues. Deputy Presiding Officer Jay Schneiderman (I-Southampton) has been selected to chair the Parks and Recreation Committee while also serving on Government Operations, Personnel, Housing, and Consumer Protection; and Economic Development committees.

“I was pleased to name Deputy Presiding Officer Schneiderman to chair the Parks and Recreation committee,” said Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “He brings10 years of experience as a Legislator to the table, and he has a thorough knowledge of the county’s parks. During his years as chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, Legislator Schneiderman sponsored important legislation to strengthen our bus...| read more ››

Sarah Anker Sworn in to Third Term as Suffolk County Legislator

Jan
9
2014

Hauppauge, NY - January 9th, 2014 - Legislator Sarah Anker was sworn into office at the Thursday, January 2nd Organizational Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the many projects I’ve facilitated over the past two years including Rails to Trails, helping our young adults find jobs and affordable housing, supporting our seniors, protecting our environment, implementing fiscal responsible measures to get our County out of debt and promoting financial stability through economic growth,” said Anker. “It is an honor and privilege to continue to serve the residents of the 6th Legislative District.”

Pictured: Sarah Anker pictured with Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale signs the official record as Suffolk County Legislator for the Sixth District....| read more ››

DuWayne Gregory now Suffolk legislature leader, first African-American in that post

Jan
2
2014

DuWayne Gregory officially became leader of the Suffolk Legislature Thursday as colleagues cited his ability to protect the body's independence and to work with County Executive Steve Bellone.

By a 14-0 vote, with four Republican abstentions, Gregory (D-Amityville) was elected presiding officer, becoming the first African-American to hold the post. His wife and mother were in the crowd at the legislative chambers in Hauppauge, which gave him a standing ovation punctuated by someone blowing a toy noisemaker.

"I will work with all of you to address the many serious issues we grapple with every day," Gregory, 44, told lawmakers in a speech. "We sometimes disagree on issues, but we always do so respectfully, and more often than not, we are...| read more ››

Suffolk County Welcomes Housing Community for Long Island Veterans

Dec
31
2013

On Thursday, December 19th, Legislator Sarah Anker attended a ribbon cutting ceremony held by Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) for the nation’s first affordable housing subdivision exclusively for Long Island veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Six US veterans received new homes in time for the holidays.

Long Island Home Builders Care, a charitable arm of LIBI, broke ground in May for the six lot development, aptly named “Veterans Way”. Homeownerswere required to meet certain qualifications, as determined by a committee of local, county and state commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I commend Long Island Builders Institute for supporting our local veterans,” said Legislator Anker. “This housing community is the first of its kind, where...| read more ››

'Doc' Spencer: Keeping a community healthy

Dec
26
2013

A politician, physician and pastor, Suffolk County Legislator William "Doc" Spencer is no stranger to wearing many hats. Those close to him say that it's through serving in these diverse roles that Spencer looks out for the total health of his community.

In his short time on the Legislature — he took office Jan. 1, 2012, and was overwhelmingly reelected in November — Spencer (D-Centerport) has been able to accomplish much: fighting for youth by sponsoring legislation that banned the marketing of energy drinks to minors; channeling county and state funds to help Northport Village upgrade its wastewater treatment plant; and helping close on the $6 million DeForest Williams property acquisition, an important environmental purchase in Cold Spring Harbor.

These...| read more ››

Democrat Lindsay to Follow in His Father’s Legislative Footsteps

Nov
6
2013

William J. Lindsay III, son of the late William J. Lindsay who held a legislature seat for 12 years, is following in his father’s footsteps in being elected to the 8th district county post in his first-ever run for office.

Lindsay received 6,182 votes, 51.54 percent of votes with one district remaining, while Republican newcomer Anthony Musumeci garnered 5,803 votes, 48.38 percent of the tally, in Tuesday’s election.

Lindsay's father, William J. Lindsay, who was the longest serving presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, died at 67 years old after a long battle with a rare lung cancer on Sept. 11 of this year. The Democrat from Holbrook was first elected to the legislature in a special election in...| read more ››

Democrats retain control of Suffolk Legislature

Nov
6
2013

Democrats will maintain their majority in the Suffolk County Legislature after winning at least 12 of 18 seats -- including some originally considered toss-ups -- late Tuesday night.

The election results ensure that County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, will continue to enjoy limited resistance to his agenda the next two years, as he approaches the end of his first term in office. He also will keep his veto-proof majority.

Democrats and their minor party allies now enjoy a 12-5 advantage, with one vacancy. One race to determine whether that majority rises to 13-5, or settles at 12-6, remained too close to call late Tuesday night.

"We're cautiously optimistic," Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer said. "It's going to be close,...| read more ››