News

Rain or Shine, Suffolk Park Holiday Still On

Jun
26
2013

The weather on Thursday might not be shaping up to be another sunny scorcher, but locals will have the opportunity to go to Suffolk County-run beaches for a day at a discounted rate, as the county attempts to promote its parks system as a destination locals can take advantage of right in their own back yard.

Officials hope that 'Discover Suffolk County Parks Day' will spur sales of its Green Key, which grants residents discounted access to county parks for three year terms. On Thursday, everyone pays as a Green Key holder. For beaches, that’s $8 parking instead of the regular $15, and for inland parks, $6 instead of the $13 norm.

“In these challenging economic times, many county residents...| read more ››

Northport Sewage Plant Gets $1.5M for Upgrade

Jun
21
2013

Northport Harbor should see less red tide after the village sewage treatment plant completes its upgrade (Daniel Barcelona)

Northport village has received a $1.5 million grant to fund federally mandated upgrades to its 83-year-old sewage treatment plant that has been blamed for causing red tide in Northport and Centerport harbors.

Local lawmakers and environmentalists touted the New York State funding that will go toward an estimated $10-million renovation project that the Environmental Protection Agency has required be completed by 2014, although it is unclear if Suffolk County will fund the rest.

“Our water quality has been a significant issue in Northport, and upgrading our sewer treatment facility is a big piece of the puzzle,” Suffolk County Legis. Dr. William Spencer...| read more ››

Bellone backs Snair for Smithtown supervisor

Photo credit: James Escher. Steve Snair, Democratic candidate for Town of Smithtown supervisor, poses for a portrait during a party meeting held at 370 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge.
Jun
21
2013

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has endorsed fellow Democrat Steve Snair in his campaign for Smithtown Town supervisor.

In a statement released by Snair’s campaign, Bellone said Snair “has the work ethic and vision to tackle the tough challenges that face Smithtown residents.”

Snair, 31, a Nesconset attorney, is seeking the seat held since 1978 by Republican incumbent Patrick Vecchio, 82, who is seeking his 13th term. Vecchio faces a September primary challenge from Republican Councilman Robert Creighton, 75.

In the statement, Snair said he was “honored and truly humbled by County Executive Bellone’s support.”

Bellone defeated Republican county treasurer Angie Carpenter in the 2011 county executive race. Bellone narrowly defeated Carpenter in Smithtown, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by about...| read more ››

Nassau, Suffolk seek to create aquifer council

Jun
21
2013

Legislators in Suffolk and Nassau counties want to create a regional council focused on protecting the drinking water supplies for more than 2.8 million Long Islanders.

A resolution to create the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection was introduced in the Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday, sponsored by Democrats. A similar piece of legislation is expected to be introduced to committee July 1 in Nassau County, sponsored by the Republican majority.

Legislators and advocates want to create a commission because currently no central agency monitors the water supply and recent reports show that the quality of the water in some areas has degraded.

MORE: Special series: The Future of Long Island -- Environment

PHOTOS: If sea levels rise on LI...| read more ››

Northport gets $1.5M grant for sewer plant

Jun
21
2013

Waves from Long Island Sound, roiled by Hurricane Sandy photos in Huntington A demolished boardwalk at Field 5 at Robert Long Island destruction immediately after Sandy The Village of Northport is located in the Northport photos

Freeport was one of the areas on Long Sandy coverage by town

The Village of Northport has received a $1.5 million state grant to help pay for its sewage treatment plant.

Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport) obtained the grant by working with county and state legislators. The village has also applied for an additional $7.5 million grant from the county, which would pay for the remaining cost of the $9 million project.

"The money involved in upgrading this plant is the biggest hurdle," said Northport...| read more ››

AMA: Stop marketing energy drinks to minors

Jun
20
2013

The American Medical Association has endorsed a ban on marketing energy drinks to minors, citing Suffolk County's action on the issue as an influence.

Leaders of the lobbying group, which represents 225,000 physicians nationwide, adopted the resolution Tuesday at its twice-annual policy meeting in Chicago. The resolution notes that Suffolk's board of health last year urged county lawmakers to prohibit the sale of the caffeine and stimulant-loaded beverages to people younger than 19. The association pointed to health dangers such as "elevated heart rates, high blood pressure and possible death."

"Banning companies from marketing these products to adolescents is a common-sense action that we can take to protect the health of American kids," AMA board member Alexander Ding said.

BLOG:...| read more ››

Consolidating to Save Money, Improve Services

Jun
18
2013

With your support, I was elected as County Executive to make Suffolk County a great place to live, raise a family and operate a business. I work each day to overcome impediments to improving Suffolk County by making the tough decisions to move us forward. For years we have spoken in our region about eliminating unnecessary government offices and the need for common sense consolidations that save taxpayer dollars while delivering more efficient services. This November, we will do something about it.

I have introduced a resolution that asks the Suffolk County Legislature to allow the voters to decide in a referendum whether we should merge these offices under the leadership of an elected Chief Financial Officer. This resolution to...| read more ››

Help Stop the LIPA Tax Hike Now

Jun
15
2013

In these difficult economic times, everyone – businesses and individuals alike – is looking to reduce their costs. That’s fine, as long one person or businesses’ cost cutting does not unfairly shift the burden onto someone else.

I mention this because that’s exactly what the Long Island Power Authority is trying to do by challenging the assessment on the Northport Power Plant. In an effort to reduce ratepayers’ bills by a few dollars a month, LIPA has initiated a process that seeks more than $270 million in back taxes and a 90 percent reduction in their current and future taxes.

If successful, this could hike Town residents’ property tax bills by 15 percent and those of Northport-East Northport...| read more ››

Calarco Lands $10,000 for Greater Patchogue Historical Society

Jun
14
2013

   &nbsp  Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco recently presented the Greater Patchogue Historical Society with a check for $10,000, which represents County funding Calarco secured for the organization. According to Steve Lucas, Treasurer for the Historical Society, the group intends to spend the funding on the design, printing and distribution of a large reference map of the Patchogue area showing past and present historic structures with captions about each site, the construction and placement of two or more historic markers at appropriate locations, the purchase a laptop computer and projector to allow for portable historic presentations and for the inventory of the Society’s artifacts.| read more ››

Bellone: Merge Suffolk treasurer, comptroller offices

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
Jun
14
2013

Democratic County Executive Steve Bellone Thursday proposed the merger of Suffolk's treasurer and comptroller's offices, both of which are run by elected Republicans, saying it would save $1 million a year.

Bellone released a report that said creating the single department would cut "duplicative" management jobs.

He said he will ask the county legislature to place a referendum on the November ballot to authorize the merger. If the referendum passes, Bellone would appoint an interim chief financial officer to run the new office throughout 2014, and an elected leader would begin a four-year term on Jan. 1, 2015. Suffolk is the last of New York's 62 counties to still elect a treasurer and comptroller.

"We continue to talk about...| read more ››