Democrats will maintain their majority in the Suffolk County Legislature after winning at least 12 of 18 seats -- including some originally considered toss-ups -- late Tuesday night.

The election results ensure that County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, will continue to enjoy limited resistance to his agenda the next two years, as he approaches the end of his first term in office. He also will keep his veto-proof majority.

Democrats and their minor party allies now enjoy a 12-5 advantage, with one vacancy. One race to determine whether that majority rises to 13-5, or settles at 12-6, remained too close to call late Tuesday night.

"We're cautiously optimistic," Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer said. "It's going to be close,...| read more ››

There was a time when Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer had no use for State Senate Democrats.

That attitude dates to 2010 when one top Senate Democratic aide insisted that Schaffer not speak to then-freshman Sen. Brian Foley, whom the party leader helped elect, giving Senate Democrats their first majority in decades.

Schaffer said he had told Foley not to back the controversial MTA payroll tax, despite arguments by city-centered Senate Democrats that he could do so without political damage. Foley, of Blue Point, and Nassau State Sen. Craig Johnson, both of whom supported the tax, later lost re-election and Democrats lost their majority.

"They had no clue about the issues important to the suburbs," Schaffer said of Senate Democrats....| read more ››

DuWayne Gregory officially became leader of the Suffolk Legislature Thursday as colleagues cited his ability to protect the body's independence and to work with County Executive Steve Bellone.

By a 14-0 vote, with four Republican abstentions, Gregory (D-Amityville) was elected presiding officer, becoming the first African-American to hold the post. His wife and mother were in the crowd at the legislative chambers in Hauppauge, which gave him a standing ovation punctuated by someone blowing a toy noisemaker.

"I will work with all of you to address the many serious issues we grapple with every day," Gregory, 44, told lawmakers in a speech. "We sometimes disagree on issues, but we always do so respectfully, and more often than not, we are...| read more ››

Legislator William R. Spencer is proud to announce he has received endorsements for re-election by the following organizations:

-Faculty Association of Suffolk Community College (FA/SCC)
-Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, INC. (LIGRA)
-Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund
-Suffolk County Corrections Officers Association, INC. (S.C.C.O.A.)
-Suffolk County Detective Association
-Suffolk County Detective Investigators P.B.A.
-Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association
-Suffolk County Police Conference
-Suffolk County Superior Officers Association| read more ››

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 Rich Schaffer for Town of Babylon Supervisor.

Schaffer was elected to be town supervisor in a special election in 2012, a post he previously held from 1992 until 2001. In office, he has helped to restore open space and flood-prone properties in Ketcham’s and Santapogue creeks; in the future, he hopes to introduce more bike lanes into the area.

“Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer’s years of protecting our natural resources make him an exceptional steward of our environment,” said NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn. “We are proud to stand with him as he continues...| read more ››

Mark Sypher and his team were in the middle of a construction job when he got a call from Suffolk County telling him to stop what he was doing and head to Bridgehampton.

Under contract with the county, Sypher Construction & Paving works on whatever job the county considers most pressing. On Tuesday, it was installing ramps for turtles along the newly constructed sidewalks on the Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor turnpike.

County Legislator Jay Schneiderman is hopeful that the asphalt inclines, which stretch from the top of the curb about halfway into the bike lanes, will provide a solution for the turtles — and the environmental groups advocating for them — following months of debate surrounding the sidewalks.

Addressing residents’ concern for...| read more ››

The Town of Babylon Democratic Committee recently held their fall fundraiser at Colonial Springs Golf Club in Farmingdale with over 200 supporters in attendance. Entitled “Driving Rich to Victory,” this year's event celebrated the party's ticket of Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Councilman Tony Martinez, Town Clerk Carol Quirk and Suffolk County Legislature candidate Tom Dolan, collectively known as the “Schaffer Team.”

The golf-themed event was a departure from the more formal black-tie fundraisers of past years and featured a more laid back, fun atmosphere. Taking advantage of Colonial Springs' driving range and putting green, guests took part in contests for prizes such golf clubs, apparel and barbeque equipment. Supporters met the candidates and spoke about local issues and the upcoming campaign....| read more ››

The Town of Babylon Democratic Committee has announced their support for Judge John Kelly for Suffolk County Family Court. Judge Kelly has been a Suffolk County Family Court Judge since January 2004.

“For nearly ten years, Judge Kelly has provided an honest and impartial approach to the Suffolk County court system,” said Committee Chairman Robert Stricoff. “Judge Kelly's impressive resume of over 25 years of judicial experience is proof of his dedication to seeing that every case that comes in front of him is treated fairly under the law. I am proud to support John Kelly for Suffolk County Family Court Judge.”

Kelly, a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook and New York Law School, began practicing law in 1986...| read more ››

He had worked for years on construction sites as an electrician and later as a union official, but Sunday's wake for William J. Lindsay was held at his last work site, the squat brick Hauppauge building where for 12 years he presided over the Suffolk County Legislature.

"He had an uncanny, innate ability to cut through the nonsense of politics to what really mattered," County Executive Steve Bellone said of Lindsay, who died last week at 67.

A who's who of Suffolk County politics joined with private residents and inched along in the afternoon sun in a line that stretched at one point from a nearby parking lot to the auditorium doors. Mourners included Majority Leader DuWayne Gregory, former...| read more ››

Silver-haired William Lindsay didn't speak with a silver tongue. His was the voice of the common man, spoken in a thick Long Island accent. He didn't yell, and he didn't dazzle.

Lindsay, the presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, died Wednesday. He should be remembered as a truly honorable man with a real grasp of the lives of everyday people, as a reasonable person in a too often unreasonable line of work: politics. His steady demeanor and core decency helped him to get things done.

Take those pesky red-light cameras.

The first time I had a conversation with Bill was early in his time as a Suffolk County legislator. It was in the summer of 2001, only weeks after...| read more ››