News

Poisoned Lobsters

Aug
23
2013

If you’re going to eat a lobster on Long Island, it’s highly unlikely these days that it came from the waters of the Long Island Sound — long a huge source of lobsters. That’s because the lobster fishery in the Sound has been decimated.

In Connecticut, the die-off has been blamed on the spraying of toxic mosquito pesticides. Clinching the case was the finding last year of the pesticides methoprene and resmethrin in lobster tissue. Thus the state passed a measure, signed into law in June, banning the use of methoprene and resmethrin in coastal areas of Connecticut. An exception can be made if there are documented instances of mosquito-borne disease, notably West Nile Virus.

Now Suffolk County Legislator Jay...| read more ››

Seek Volleyball Block

Aug
21
2013

With hints at gambling, admission charges, drinking and running commercial enterprises in residential homes, residents from the Harbor Boulevard area in Springs appeared before the East Hampton Town Board last Thursday night, seeking relief from what they believe is a neighborhood blight – volleyball games.

The games draw more than 50 people per outing and, according to Silvia Rea, whose property is adjacent to one site, run three days a week "every single weekend year round." With the number of cars on the small roadway, as many as 30, Rea said, "I can't get out of my street." She can't sit on her back deck or enjoy her pool and has spent thousands planting trees to block the intrusion, which...| read more ››

Bill Introduced to Restrict the Pesticide Methoprene in Estuaries in New York County

Aug
21
2013

Suffolk County, New York, Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) introduced a bill on July 30, 2013 to establish strict guidelines for the use of methoprene within estuaries in Suffolk County. Methoprene, an insect growth regulator, is commonly used in mosquito control programs, but is highly toxic to estuarine invertebrates, including crabs and lobsters, which are the backbone of the fishing industry along the East coast. This bill follows similar legislation already passed in Connecticut and Rhode Island to help protect lobster populations.

The lobster population in the Long Island Sound has decreased dramatically over the last decade, corresponding with the introduction of pesticides such as methoprene in mosquito control programs. Methoprene is an insect growth regulator that prevents development to the...| read more ››

Schneiderman Announces Sex Offender Trailers Are Removed

Aug
20
2013

Housing for homeless sex offenders has been removed from two towns in Suffolk County.

Westhampton, NY – August 19, 2013 – The Westhampton and Riverside trailers formerly used by the Suffolk County Department of Social Services to house homeless sex offenders have been disconnected and removed from their sites, according to an email from Acting Suffolk County Department of Social Services Commissioner John O’Neill to Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst.

County Executive Steve Bellone ended the emergency housing program in May of this year at the request of Legislator Schneiderman and Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, who for years protested the presence of the trailers on the East End as an unfair burden. Former DSS Commissioner, Janet DeMarzo, first...| read more ››

Pols: Long Island Sex Offender Trailers Now Gone

Aug
19
2013

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Lawmakers say trailers once used to house sex offenders on eastern Long Island have been hauled away after years of controversy led officials to find new lodging for the men.

Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst announced the development Monday. The trailers had been in the Riverside and Westhampton areas.

The trailers were initially installed in 2007. At the time, some sex offenders got out of prison and couldn't find homes because they were barred from living near schools and some other places.

But the trailers spurred opposition from local officials. Ultimately, county legislators passed voted last winter to increase monitoring of sex offenders and get rid of the trailers.

Forty men...| read more ››

New York League of Conservation Voters Endorses William Lindsay for County Legislator

Aug
14
2013

The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State, has announced its endorsement of William Lindsay III for Suffolk County Legislator in District 8.

Lindsay hopes to be a part of Suffolk County’s sustainability future in order to improve the quality of life for its residents. Once in office, he hopes to pass legislation requiring all new homes and commercial buildings to be built using alternative energy to power them upon completion.

“William Lindsay III represents a bold new voice for District 8,” said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn. “His optimism and vision for Suffolk County’s future make him the ideal candidate for District 8 as...| read more ››

Southampton Seeks to Improve Services for Veterans

Aug
13
2013

Suffolk County has approved having a county veterans affairs specialist work out of Southampton Town offices, a move officials believe will provide better access to benefits and services for East End veterans, their spouses, dependents and survivors.

Both the Suffolk County Legislature and Southampton Town board unanimously passed the joint service agreement to station one of Suffolk’s veterans services officers in Southampton.

Veterans services to be provided by officers per the agreement include help in determining qualifications for federal benefits, assistance in preparing and submitting applications, help in tracking the status of applications, and answering questions about benefits.

Veterans groups have said that some services are underused by those on the East End because of the travel time to offices...| read more ››

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand endorses Steve Snair’s candidacy for Smithtown Town Supervisor

Aug
13
2013

Gillibrand Backs Snair for Supervisor

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand endorses Steve Snair’s candidacy for Smithtown town supervisor

SMITHTOWN, NY – Steve Snair, the Democratic, Independence, and Working Families candidate for Smithtown town supervisor, was endorsed today by United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

In a statement, Sen. Gillibrand praised Snair for his vision and commitment to Smithtown’s residents. “Steve Snair will bring a new vision and fresh approach to Smithtown as supervisor. He is the right choice for our hard-working families and taxpayers.”

“It means a lot to me to receive the support of Senator Gillibrand,” said Snair. “She is a champion of New York’s middle class and a role model for all public servants. I look forward to emulating...| read more ››

Black, Hispanic leaders launch Suffolk political effort

Aug
13
2013

Black and Hispanic leaders vowed to unite for diverse political representation in Suffolk County as they launched a political effort within the Democratic Party Monday.

The newly formed Black and Hispanic Democratic Committee appointed co-chairs to represent the two minority groups and to hold seats in the Democratic committee that decides where to throw the weight of the party in local races.

It's time for black and Latino Democrats to realize that they have common issues at stake, said Assemb. Philip Ramos (D-Brentwood), who spearheaded the group's establishment.

"There is absolutely no difference in the African-American agenda and the Latino agenda," Ramos told more than 30 people meeting in Brentwood. "We ride down, in many cases, the same neglected streets....| read more ››

Bill Would Ban Mosquito-Control Pesticide Use

Aug
12
2013

Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) has introduced a new bill aimed at restricting the use of the pesticide Methoprene within county estuaries.

Locally, Methoprene is used to control mosquitoes breeding in estuaries, along with several types of ants, flies, lice, moths, beetles and fleas, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension toxicology network.

The bill, introduced July 30, proposes strict application guidelines that only allow use of the pesticide when two or more bacterial larvicide treatments have proven unsuccessful in limiting the mosquito population, or when one or more diseases, such as West Nile Virus, have been identified in local mosquito populations, according to the proposed bill.

The pesticide is known as an insect growth regulator because it interferes with...| read more ››