(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the old Patchogue Armory, located on Barton Avenue, will find a new owner and new life through the stewardship of the North Patchogue Fire Department.

The Assembly passed the 2014-15 state budget that authorizes the Commissioner of the Office of General Services to transfer a piece of land that was formerly used as the Patchogue Armory to the Nort h Patchogue Fire Department (A.8555-D). It also includes funding to help with the costs of remediation (A.8553-E).

“The Patchogue-Medford Armory is a proud addition to a quiet neighborhood,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “I can think of no better group to take possession of the property than the North Patchogue Fire Department which has...| read more ››

(Indian Lake, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey participated in the Governor’s 2013 Adirondack Challenge whitewater races as part of the seven-man/woman Assembly Team. The Challenge is designed to highlight the beautiful Adirondack region of the state and promote tourism, along with a healthy dose of friendly competition.

Twenty-four teams took the challenge and competed in the rafting race down the Indian River, including Team Suffolk County.

“It was a wonderful and exciting experience. This part of New York is beautiful, a perfect place to visit and enjoy the great outdoors. I was proud to join the Governor and be part of the effort to promote the Great State of New York as a tourist destination and a great place to live,”...| read more ››

Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that the Assembly passed the 2014-15 state budget that includes AIM (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) funding for the Village of Mastic Beach (A.8553-E).

AIM funding seeks to provide real relief to ease the financial burden towns and villages have been facing while continuing to provide essential services to residents.

“Like last year, the village will again receive $75,000 in AIM funding to help provide services to its residents without further burdening local property taxpayers, for a total of $150,000 over two years,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “This funding, which every other village in the state permanently receives, should have come to Mastic Beach over three years ago when it was incorporated. It simply isn’t fair...| read more ››

Suffolk County one of only four municipalities chosen in the United States to receive $500,000 in-kind consultation services.
Bellone Announces: Suffolk County Chosen as IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge Winner for Water Quality Initiative
March 25, 2014 - Hauppauge, NY - IBM (NYSE: IBM) today named Suffolk County, NY as an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipient for County Executive Bellone’s water quality initiative.

Smarter Cities Challenge is a competitive grant program that sends teams of some of IBM's most talented experts to select cities and regions worldwide to provide pro bono consulting expertise on the most critical issues faced by communities today. This year, the company will be helping Suffolk County and at least 16 cities and regions...| read more ››

Mastic Beach, NY - March 26 - More than 120 youngsters turned out Saturday for World Water Day events, including a beach cleanup, at Smith Point County Park.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone hosted the event, along with Legislator Kara Hahn and the Girl Scouts. Youngsters spent about two hours picking up litter from the beach and learning how to test water for bacteria and nutrients.

Bellone, who has made water quality his No. 1 priority for the county, praised the children and noted the need to safeguard water resources. “These waters are essential to our wellbeing here in Suffolk County,” he said. “We need to protect our resources now and for the future, for drinking water, recreation, clamming and...| read more ››

Could the East End become the next San Francisco, with packed trolleys carrying passengers between Riverhead and Orient?

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone seems to think so.

While meeting with North Fork community leaders at the Southold Senior Services Center last Wednesday, Mr. Bellone discussed the need to update transportation systems throughout Suffolk County.

A “rapid trolley system,” he said — one that could run between train stations — would best connect East End communities.

“If we’re going to have sustainable economic growth, we can’t do it by just adding more cars to the roadway,” Mr. Bellone said in an interview Tuesday. “So we need to build upon the transportation infrastructure we already have in a way that will allow...| read more ››

County Executive Steve Bellone is in the process of forming a working group that will be tasked with pushing a vision for a skilled agricultural work force that’s trained and educated right here in Suffolk County.

The idea arose during a meeting Mr. Bellone had with farmers last week at Ivy Acres nurseries in Calverton under the notion that high school and college students shouldn’t have to travel far to study for jobs that are available in an industry already well-established in the county.

“We’re the largest agricultural county within the state in terms of sales and yet we have no real formal training opportunities [in agriculture] in this county,” Mr. Bellone said. “Our young people are forced to go...| read more ››

Bohemia, NY - March 20, 2014 - Earlier this month, Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay III joined Brownie Troop 3870 of Bohemia and their troop leaders Wendy Tedeschi, Christine Miller, and Melissa Dellisola at the W.H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge to participate in a mock legislative debate. The young women of Troop 3870 took part in a heated debate about issues ranging from mandatory school uniforms to age restrictions on video games and received firsthand experience participating in the democratic process.| read more ››

Bayport, NY - March 24, 2014 - Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay III recently nominated Bayport resident, Chestene Coverdale, as the Senior Citizen of the Year for the 8th legislative district. The Suffolk County Senior Citizen of the Year Award is given to a person who has enhanced the lives of older residents in Suffolk County through advocacy, leadership, volunteerism, and acting as a role model to all generations.

“Chestene is extremely deserving of this prestigious honor,” said Lindsay III. “She is constantly looking for ways to help her neighbors and improve the lives of all Suffolk County residents.”

In addition to being an educator, philanthropist, wife, mother, and grandmother, Chestene currently serves as the Executive Director of the Greater...| read more ››

The Suffolk County Legislature Tuesday night unanimously approved a request to state lawmakers to allow existing county parks police officers to be transferred to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone plans to use a staff of 40 to 45 seasonal park rangers and security guards to maintain order in county parks during the peak summer season. He held a press conference yesterday to call on state legislators to amend Civil Service law to allow the transfer.

Bellone says replacing the parks police with part-time rangers and security guards, who will be paid $13 to $17 per hour without benefits, will save the county $13.4 million in police costs and provide better coverage and increased security in...| read more ››