News

Gary Jacobs at Ronkonkoma Day

Sep
2
2013

The Gary Jacobs for Suffolk Legislature Campaign was out in force at the 2013 Ronkonkoma Street Fair. Gary and his campaign volunteers spoke with many voters regarding the issues and concerns that are important to the folks who live in the 12th Suffolk County Legislative District.

To learn more about Gary Jacobs or to volunteer to help Gary Jacobs into office click the Candidate Tab on the Smithtown Dems website or visit Jacobs for Suffolk Legislature.

Photos from Ronkonkoma Day 2013 click Smithtown Dems Facebook.| read more ››

Mcmanmom Secures Nomination

Aug
30
2013

There won't be a Democratic primary in the Second Assembly District.

Rocky Point attorney Jennifer Maertz today announced she is withdrawing her candidacy in opposition to the party designee John McManmon.

In a press release issued Friday, the Maertz campaign said it "recognized that the number of signatures that could be gathered by the July 11th deadline put the campaign at great risk of an expected challenge" by McManmon.

“It is not worth the time and expense of litigation, particularly where there are conflict of interest issues that have not been addressed by the State Board of Elections," according to an unnamed campaign spokesperson quoted in the press release.

The press release said "a Maertz supporter" asked the state board...| read more ››

Republicans Reverse Course On Swimming Pool Closure Thanks To Oversight By Islip Dems

Aug
28
2013

Islip, NY –As the summer season wraps up, the All-Republican Islip Town Board shows no interest in packing up their flip-flops. After a nearly 8 month battle in which the Islip Republicans repeatedly back-tracked and contradicted themselves, the Brentwood community finally can claim victory in the fight for their public pools.

Democratic Town Board Candidate George Hafele said, “This saga emphasizes just how important it is that we don’t have single-party control of our government. The Republicans filed their budget a week before Superstorm Sandy, which removed funding for operations at these pools, and then had the audacity to tell the taxpayers that the storm had damaged the pools. This was just the beginning of their twisted obfuscation while they...| read more ››

Steven Snair, Democratic candidate for Smithtown supervisor, outlines plan

Aug
28
2013

Democratic supervisor candidate Steven E. Snair has released his plan for Smithtown, calling for the revitalization of downtown and creation of tax incentives to attract more businesses.

"Residents here in Smithtown realize that our town government isn't doing enough to address the serious challenges we face," Snair said in a statement. "If we create more economic development and broaden our tax base, and streamline government by making it more efficient, we'll reduce our overall bottom line and pass the savings on to the taxpayer."

Snair, 31, a Nesconset foreclosure attorney, also said he would address the "growing vacancy rate in the [Hauppauge] industrial park" and complete an updated master plan within nine months of taking office.

would "work as efficiently...| read more ››

Islip Town Candidates Hafele and Fidelia Blame GOP Town Board Members For Recent Downgrade

Aug
27
2013

Islip, NY –Ratings Service Standard & Poor’s has officially revised its outlook on Islip Town debt downward from stable to negative, dealing a serious blow to the credibility of the all-Republican Town Council, which has failed to make substantial progress towards balancing the budget over the last two years of their administration. The report, issued on August 22nd, states that the Board’s work has “not been sufficient in closing the budget’s structural imbalance,” and suggests that if the Town Council doesn’t take the issue more seriously, the town will lose its ‘AAA’ bond rating.

“For months, the board was so busy fighting with each other over an obvious power-grab that they failed to notice our bond rating was slipping,” said...| read more ››

Riverhead At Crossroads Canidates Debate

Aug
27
2013

Democratic town supervisor candidates

The preliminary bout, was between Democrats Ann Cotten-DeGrasse and Angela DeVito who, at times seem to be involved in a grudge match over things that happened when both were on the Riverhead School Board. It wasn’t Tyson and Holyfield and no ears were bitten, and both had their rooters in the audience.

Both agreed that maintaining services without raising taxes was an essential philosophy given the increasingly heavy debt load Riverhead has. Cotten-Degrasse preferred forming a committee to maximize what could be obtained from the EPCAL property, and wanted that committee composed of businessmen, environmentalists and real estate experts. DeVito, noting that was a good idea, suggested temporary workers in town to grow the work force...| read more ››

Town Council Candidate Richard Macellaro to be honored by Fr. John Papallo Lodge

Aug
26
2013

The Fr. John Papallo Lodge No 2684 is holding a Testimonial Brunch honoring our Smithtown Town Council candidate and the lodge’s Immediate Past President Richard Macellaro. The Brunch will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Crestwood Manor, 1036 Fort Salonga Road, Northport, New York, at 11:00 A.M. The Donation is $50 per person. For further information, please visit the lodge’s website: www.frjohnpapallolodge2684.com.

Richard Macellaro: http://smithtowndems.com/candidate/richard-s-macellaro| read more ››

Gillibrand, DiNapoli and Bellone Endorse Steve Snair!

Aug
26
2013

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli endorse Steve Snair for Smithtown Town Supervisor.

US Senator Gillibrand endorses Steve Snair: http://smithtowndems.com/content/united-states-senator-kirsten-gillibran...

Suffolk County Executive Bellone endorses Steve Snair: http://smithtowndems.com/content/steve-bellone-backs-steve-snair-smithto...

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli endorses Steve Snair: http://smithtowndems.com/content/nys-comptroller-dinapoli-endorses-steve...| read more ››

County Posed to Vote on Grant Request for Riverside Trail

Aug
24
2013

Plans for the revitalization of the Riverside and Flanders area continue to take shape.
The Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel recently recommended a $15,000 grant toward the construction of a walking trail through county parkland from Flanders Road, or State Route 24, to the Peconic River.

The 5.5-foot wide, 1000-foot long, walking trail would be created using permeable natural stone material.

The trail will end at the shore of the Peconic River across from the Riverhead Aquarium.

The ADA compliant trail will allow residents and visitors to access the Riverside waterfront for recreational uses.

In addition, a small sitting area with two benches will be installed to encourage passive enjoyment of the scenic surroundings along the...| read more ››

Riverside in line for $15K county grant for walking trail

Aug
23
2013

A plan to create a walking trail through Suffolk County parkland to the banks of the Peconic River is now in line to get $15,000 downtown revitalization grant, town and county officials announced Friday.

The trail comes as part of a larger vision to create a true Riverside business district along Route 24 and the traffic circle.

The 5 1/2-foot wide, 1,000-foot long trail will be created using permeable natural stone material and run from Route 24 sidewalk to the riverfront, across the river from the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center, said county Legislator Jay Schneiderman, who announced the award, which was recommended by members the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel.

The county Legislature must still approve...| read more ››