News

Environmental group endorses Krupski for county legislator

Al Krupski
Jan
7
2013

The L.I. Environmental Voters Forum has endorsed Al Krupski in the First Legislative District race.

"A healthy environment and economy are key to the quality of life in this legislative district,” LIEVF chairman Richard Amper said in a news release. ”Al Krupski is by far the more environmentally-responsible candidate for this position."

Krupski faces off against Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter in the Jan. 15 special election. The seat was vacated in November when Leg. Ed Romaine became Brookhaven Town supervisor.

In the release announcing the endorsement, the L.I. Environmental Voters Forum also criticized Walter for “his dreadful record on the environment.”

Amper went further: “Mr. Walter has been running a one-man war against the environment, fighting with the New...| read more ››

Town, nonprofit team up for public preserve

Jan
6
2013

On a wooded slope high above Cold Spring Harbor, barely a sound could be heard. Blue strips of sky and the waters below sliced between the bare trees.

Lisa Ott, president of the North Shore Land Alliance, stood on what once was a truck path for the property's farm, feeling more hopeful that the space might stay untouched forever. The nonprofit organization has been awarded a $500,000 state grant to help transform 31 acres of the private property into a public preserve -- which supporters say is critical to protect the harbor's health.

The Town of Huntington, Suffolk County and the Old Westbury-based alliance want to purchase 31 of the 42 acres of the DeForest-Williams estate, with an estimated price...| read more ››

Shelter Island Will VOTE in Special Election Jan. 15th

Special Election Coming Soon Polls will be open at the Shelter Island School for the special County Legislature election on January 15
Jan
3
2013

Special election coming soon

By Julie Lane | 12/28/2012 12:04 PM | Featured Story, Government, News, Politics, Top News, Uncategorized

REPORTER FILE PHOTO | Polls will be open at the Shelter Island School for the special County Legislature election on January 15.

In less than two weeks, Shelter Island voters will join others in District 1 in choosing a new Suffolk County legislator to replace Ed Romaine, who was elected in November as Brookhaven Town Supervisor.

Democratic Southold Town Councilman Albert Krupski Jr. faces off against Riverhead’s Republican Supervisor Sean Walter in the special January 15 election.

Despite efforts by Mr. Walter and Republican State Senator Ken LaValle to postpone the election until February to give voters more...| read more ››

Union leaders decry Islip Town layoffs

Islip Town Harbor Patrol
Dec
19
2012

The union representing most Town of Islip employees is questioning the decision to lay off security personnel and harbor police, saying the moves conflict with the town's recent efforts to beef up security at Town Hall and maintain safe waters.

The town board last month approved the layoffs of 35 town employees -- including three security guards and four members of the harbor police -- as it moves to close a $12 million budget deficit. The board also raised property taxes 28 percent.

But officials from the United Public Service Employees Union, which represents about 370 Islip Town workers, said losing the security guards would leave the town without staffing for a newly installed security post at Town Hall....| read more ››

Calarco Bill Creates County’s First Traffic Bureau

Dec
18
2012

Localizing a Traffic, Parking Violations Agency Weds Convenience with Cost-Effectiveness

Hauppauge, LI—Tuesday, December 18: Legislator Rob Calarco’s bill to create the infrastructure to finally establish a Suffolk County Traffic Violations Bureau (SC TVB) passed today at the General Meeting of the Legislature in a vote of 16-0. The bill was co-sponsored by Legislator Kate Browning.

The SC TVB, which is similar to the Nassau County model, not only will make the process easier for local residents who have received a traffic or parking violation but also reduce the need for police overtime and help generate revenue.

Leg. Calarco, who chairs the Government Operations Committee, pushed hard for the creation of the SC TVB and how it would be implemented. As...| read more ››

Meet Islip Town Dems New Chairman Gerry Pallotta

Chairman Pallotta with SC Exec. Steve Bellone
Dec
13
2012

ISLIP TOWN—Up until five or six years ago, West Islip resident Gerry Pallotta was registered as an Independent voter until he began seeing what he perceived as positive changes being made in the town by Islip’s Democratic supervisor at the time, Phil Nolan. That progress provided some of the impetus for him to change parties. And now he’s guiding Islip’s Democrats to what he said is a rebuilding process that would not only lead to victory, but good government as well.

“There are no north, south [east and west] areas of the town,” he said. “Everyone should have a voice. It’s who we are. I want to see involvement from all corners, a rainbow of involvement where the [candidates] are...| read more ››

Anger, tears as board fire 35, cut Nature Preserve funding

Islp Town Hall-Tom Croci Supervisor
Dec
13
2012

ISLIP TOWN—Tuesday’s Islip Town Board Meeting was filled with residents imploring the board to reconsider proposed cuts to the 2013 budget. For two hours, dozens of residents asked the board to explore ways to bring back funding for the South Shore Nature Center, the Islip Town Hatchery and the Islip Harbor Police. However, following the comments, the board finalized the trimmed down budget by unanimously voting to eliminate 35 town positions (26 full-time and nine part-time). The reduced spending plan incorporates fewer personnel and diminished town services.

“This is not what we want to do, and this has been the most difficult year of our lives,” said Supervisor Croci. “This is the bitter reality of America these days. I’d like...| read more ››

Despite pleas, Islip Town cuts jobs, programs

Supporters of the South Shore Nature Center
Dec
12
2012

For two hours, dozens of residents made impassioned pleas to the Islip Town Board to reverse planned 2013 budget cuts and restore town funding for the Islip Town hatchery, the Islip Harbor police and the South Shore Nature Center.

"There are so many lessons for us to learn from there," said Maxine Lu, an Oakdale resident and ardent nature center supporter. "I beg of you, please . . . please save the nature center."

But after public comments ended Tuesday, the board voted, 5-0, to abolish 35 positions in the town -- 26 full-time and nine part-time jobs -- in a move that seemed to seal the fate of the pared-down 2013 budget. The spending plan includes a 28...| read more ››