Newsroom

Elect the Democrat! To win nationally in 2016, it all starts locally in 2015!

Oct
14
2015

Dear Fellow Democratic Voter,

As your Candidate for Town Council, I am writing to personally thank you for taking the time and energy to cast your ballot last Election Day! Your vote says a lot about you! It distinguishes you as someone who knows what’s important, and puts you in a select group of Americans who care enough to participate in our great democracy.

On Tuesday, November 3rd we have another important election that will affect your local quality of life even more! You can actually vote for someone who will return your call when you need help with a local issue. Someone who is actually concerned about you- not petty partisan politics.

This year promises to be an exciting time to be...| read more ››

Dr Spencer receives Distinguished Community Service Award

Dr Spencer receives Distinguished Community Service Award
Oct
14
2015

I was truly honored by the members of the Northport American Legion who presented me with a distinguished community service award for work on veterans’ affairs. I have been so fortunate to be a part of a team of local veterans committed to making transformative laws; protecting the honor of decorated veterans and guarding against unscrupulous fundraising practices, a reality. I am humbled to work with these true American heroes. I will continue to fight every day to make sure our veterans have what they need and their honor is protected.| read more ››

Distinguished Community Service Award

Oct
14
2015

I was truly honored by the members of the Northport American Legion who presented me with a distinguished community service award for work on veterans’ affairs. I have been so fortunate to be a part of a team of local veterans committed to making transformative laws; protecting the honor of decorated veterans and guarding against unscrupulous fundraising practices, a reality. I am humbled to work with these true American heroes. I will continue to fight every day to make sure our veterans have what they need and their honor is protected.| read more ››

County Executive Steve Bellone Endorses Larry Vetter For Town Council

Oct
13
2015

“Larry Vetter will be my ‘Partner in Smithtown’ on Budget and Environmental Issues”

SMITHTOWN, NY - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today endorsed Larry Vetter, the Democratic candidate for Town Council in Smithtown.

“I look forward to having Larry Vetter as my partner in Smithtown on budget and environmental issues,” said County Executive Bellone. “As an entrepreneur whose business provides environmental solutions, he will bring his real world experience of financial responsibility and environmental expertise to the Town Board.”

...| read more ››

Suffolk Pols OK Ban on Microbeads

Oct
10
2015

Suffolk County lawmakers this week passed a bill that phases out the sale of personal care products containing microbeads—tiny plastic balls designed to exfoliate the skin but also negatively impact the environment.

County legislators Tuesday unanimously passed the measure, which phases out the sale of products containing microbeads over the next four years, giving manufacturers enough time to develop alternatives.

“Today’s vote puts Suffolk County on the right side of history and nature on this issue,” said Legis. Kara Hahn (D-Setauket), who introduced the bill with Legis. Steve Stern (D-Huntington).

New York State lawmakers have proposed similar legislation and two other counties statewide have passed likeminded laws. Another bill like it is being debated in Congress. And in June, Illinois...| read more ››

Today is a great day for our waterways!

Oct
6
2015
The Suffolk County Legislature passed a local law to prohibit the sale of personal care products containing microbeads. According to the Attorney General’s report, 19 tons of microbeads are released into New York’s wastewater stream annually! This product has impacted our local waterways as recent studies of the Long Island Sound embayments have found microbeads polluting our surface waters. Suffolk County has joined 3 counties in the State and 5 more Counties are to follow. The public has been loud and clear on their support of protecting our beaches, harbors and bays and today the Suffolk County Legislature delivered!

Southold Candidates Secure Independent Line on November Ballot

Sep
18
2015

“Sustainable Southold” calls attention to local issues and represents a platform specific to Southold Town.

September 18, 2015, Southold, NY – A group of local candidates, running for various town positions in the upcoming election, have announced that they have secured an independent line on the November ballot. The line, “Sustainable Southold,” (www.sustainablesouthold.com) gives the community an opportunity to vote for a specific local platform, as an alternative to voting on a party line.

“New York elections have a long history of independent lines,” said Damon Peter Rallis, candidate for Southold Town Supervisor on the Sustainable Southold line. “Here in Southold, back in 1993, candidates on a similar independent line, known as United Southold, swept the election. “ That...| read more ››

Barrett, Berland Win Working Families Party Nods

KEITH M. BARRETT AND SUSAN BERLAND
Sep
18
2015

Working Families Party voters chose Keith M. Barrett and incumbent Councilwoman Susan Berland by wide margins to be their nominees for two town board seats in a primary election last Thursday.

Out of 1,356 eligible voters, Barrett, a Melville resident who works in the town’s general services department, received 205 votes, or 47.1 percent, followed by Berland, who received 113 votes, or 30.6 percent. Of the other candidates on the ballot, Charles Marino came closest, with 91 votes, or 21 percent of the turnout. Richard R. Hall received four votes, followed by Valerie Stringfellow, who got two votes.

Barrett and Berland, who will be seeking her fifth term in office, will be going up against incumbent Gene Cook...| read more ››

“IT Can Wait”

‪#‎ICWLegislatorSpencer‬
Sep
9
2015

Join me in helping to make our roads safer for everyone by taking the pledge to never text and drive. Through September 30th, participating Legislative offices will compete to gather the most “IT Can Wait” pledges from members of the public. Stop by my office to sign the pledge board, or submit your pledge through twitter by tweeting “I pledge not to text and drive” with the hashtag ‪#‎ICWLegislatorSpencer‬! To date, more than 7 million people have taken the pledge; make the commitment to yourself and everyone else on the road!
http://www.itcanwait.com/pledge| read more ››

Susan Berland touts record in bid for a fifth term

Susan Berland
Sep
3
2015

Councilwoman Susan Berland (D) has made the Huntington Town Council her full time job since her inaugural election in 2001. She pledged, when she was first running for election, that she would stop practicing law and dedicate all her time to the board.

“I think the job really deserves that,” she said. “I’m the one who’s in the office, 95 percent of the time, when people come into the office to see a councilmember; I’m the one they get. I do a lot more events than anyone else does because I can and because I want to.”

On Monday, Berland sat down for an interview, at Book Revue in Huntington, to discuss her past achievements on the Huntington Town Board,...| read more ››