News

Schumer: Infrastructure Bill Could Give Suffolk Millions to Improve Water Quality
July 10, 2021
Newsday

Suffolk County could be eligible to receive millions of roughly $55 billion in federal funding for water quality through the bipartisan infrastructure bill amid an increase in brown tide in Long Island waters, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Saturday at a news conference in Patchogue.

Speaking alongside environmental advocates and local officials overlooking the Great South Bay on Laurel Street, Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said that starting Monday, during negotiations over the bill, he will push the Senate to include funding for federal water infrastructure line items. That would help Suffolk and New York State tap water infrastructure funds to tackle brown tide in local waters.read more

Peter Van Scoyoc Wins Democratic Primary for East Hampton Supervisor
June 23, 2021
Newsday

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc won the Democratic primary for the town's top elected office, while Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and Cate Rogers won the Democratic nominations for two town council seats, unofficial elections results show.

But a count of hundreds of absentee and affidavit ballots in other primary races Tuesday in Nassau and Suffolk counties likely will delay final unofficial results in those contests, election officials said.

Counts of those ballots won’t begin until at least June 29, according to the Nassau and Suffolk County boards of election.read more

Suffolk Lawmakers Approve Bill to Combat Anti-Asian American Discrimination
June 22, 2021
Newsday

The Suffolk County Legislature Tuesday night approved a bill designed to combat discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders after an increase nationwide in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill was approved by 14 yes votes and the remaining four lawmakers abstaining. It will amend the county's human rights laws to ban discrimination related to the "incorrect and unfounded belief that certain ethnic groups have contributed to the spread of COVID-19," according to the legislation.

The legislation covers discrimination including intimidation, threats, harassment, assault or emotional injury.read more

Suffolk Passes Bill to Remove Racist Covenants from Property Deeds
May 11, 2021
Newsday

The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a bill Tuesday to help homeowners remove racist restrictive covenants from their deeds that barred people of color and religious minorities from living in certain Long Island homes and neighborhoods.

The legislation will create a method to start the process and waive fees to remove discriminatory covenants that, though legally unenforceable, once helped segregate the Island by prohibiting non-white and non-Christian people from buying or renting properties in certain areas.

Those "offensive" covenants remain on countless Long Island deeds because they were common practice, according to language in the bill, which will "get rid of these vestiges of separation," said Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) last week.read more

Democrat Jonathan Kornreich Wins by Wide Margin in Special Election for Brookhaven Council
March 24, 2021
Newsday

Democrat Jonathan Kornreich has won a Brookhaven Town Board seat in a special election to fill the vacant post.

Kornreich, 51, of Stony Brook, trounced Republican Theresa Laucella in Tuesday’s election, garnering more than 85% of votes cast, according to unofficial tallies posted on the Suffolk County Board of Elections website. Kornreich, a Three Village school district trustee, claimed victory late Tuesday in a statement emailed to reporters.

Kornreich will complete the unexpired four-year term of Democrat Valerie Cartright, who resigned in December after being elected in November to serve as a State Supreme Court justice. The term ends on Dec. 31, 2023.

With Kornreich’s victory, Republicans will hold a 6-1 majority on the town board.read more

Southold Democrats Nominate Candidates for Southold Town Office
March 3, 2021
Southold Town Council Zoom Convention

The Southold Town Democrats are proud to introduce their candidates to run for election in Southold Town in 2021, nominated at a virtual convention held on March 2nd, 2021.

These six candidates will bring needed transparency, accountability, productivity, energy, experience, and diversity into Town Hall, strengthening the leadership and expertise of our town for all the residents of Southold.

The Screening Committee interviewed...read more