Facebook icon
Twitter icon
translate

News

-A A +A

Steve is a champion for Long Island veterans

Oct
19
2014

Steve’s efforts have secured more than $6.6 million in payments for overdue benefits owed to Long Island veterans.

Steve successfully advocated for improving veterans health care, securing the largest investment in veterans health care in 75 years.
Steve wrote and passed an amendment to the Small Business Lending Fund Act that will increase assistance and outreach to veteran-owned businesses.
Steve’s efforts led to the largest federal investment in history to help homeless veterans.
Steve’s resolution honoring Cold War Veterans passed in the House of Representatives.
Steve’s resolution honoring the Fighting 69th passed in the House of Representatives.
Steve is working to protect Long Island pocketbooks.

Steve wrote and passed an amendment to the financial reform...| read more ››

Editorial: Newsday endorses James Gaughran for Suffolk comptroller

Oct
12
2014

The race for Suffolk County comptroller matches two candidates with years of government experience and similar thoughts about the role of the office, but dramatically different styles.
Democrat James Gaughran, 57, of Eatons Neck, chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority, and Republican John M. Kennedy Jr., 58, of Nesconset, the minority leader in the county legislature, are running to succeed incumbent Joseph Sawicki, who is term-limited and unable to seek re-election.
Gaughran and Kennedy agree Suffolk is in a fiscal crisis. Each correctly says the comptroller as the county's financial watchdog must be a strong and independent check on the county executive and legislature. And both say they are ready to exercise the bully pulpit potential of...| read more ››

Gaughran Announces Plan to Refuse Perks, Eliminate Unnecessary Spending

Oct
9
2014

Suffolk County Comptroller candidate Jim Gaughran announced his plan to cut government spending by auditing departments in an effort to rein in perks such as taxpayer-funded cars and cell phones -- just as he did as Chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority where he cut the number of take home vehicles among top staff by nearly two-thirds.

“When I got to the Water Authority the economy had just collapsed, so while Suffolk families cut back, I knew we had to as well,” said Gaughran. “So I led by example, refusing a taxpayer-funded car, cell phone and credit card and eliminating many of those same perks for water authority employees.”

Jim Gaughran became Chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority...| read more ››

Bruce Kennedy, Now a Democrat, Takes on Marcellino for State Senate

Bruce Kennedy 5th SD
Jul
25
2014

Like anything else in life, politics is complicated.

Sea Cliff Mayor Bruce Kennedy, a life-long Republican, was selected as his party’s choice to challenge long-time Assemb. Charles Levine (D-Glen Cove) in November and even attended the Republican’s state convention.

“I wanted to move up—it seemed like the next logical step,” he said of running against Levine.

On Thursday, Kennedy stood side-by-side with his one-time rival and about 50 other Democrats as he announced his New York State Senate bid—now as a registered Democrat. His challenger: State Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset). A lot has changed since Republicans tapped him as their choice to unseat Levine.

“This past month has been crazy,” Kennedy said, standing outside “Liberty Plaza,” which is attached to...| read more ››

Celebrating the Life of Otis G. Pike

May
9
2014

As Suffolk Democrats, we owe a great deal to the legacy of Congressman Otis G. Pike. He was a trailblazer for us for many years.

To this day, I think that we all can identify with him when he once said: “I’ve always said I’m surrounded on three sides by water and on the fourth by Republicans.”

His legacy of public service will not be lost on us. He was a decorated Marine pilot in WWII, a Riverhead Town Councilman and Justice and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years, where he fought tirelessly for the environment and our quality of life here in Suffolk County.

Congressman Pike passed away earlier this year in Florida at the...| read more ››

Jim Gaughran Launches Campaign for Suffolk County Comptroller

James Gaughran
May
4
2014

Jim Gaughran, a former Suffolk County Legislator, today launched his campaign as the Democratic candidate for Suffolk County Comptroller.
Gaughran, (pronounced GORE-run) 57, of Northport, said, "My candidacy offers Suffolk County voters an opportunity to elect a fearless, qualified comptroller who can help cut waste and improve fiscal performance in the County."
He added, "My 30 years as an attorney and public official, eminently qualify me to operate as an independent comptroller, who knows where to look and how to save the taxpayers hard-earned money. I can be a true watch dog."
"As Chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority, I helped to streamline the agency, streamlined the staff by seven percent in four years without layoffs...| read more ››

Berland wants to tackle Huntington Town's vacant buildings

Huntington Town Councilwoman Susan Berland. File photo by Rohma Abbas
May
4
2014

In a stated effort to increase public safety, Huntington Town Councilwoman Susan Berland is sponsoring legislation that would mandate owners of vacant buildings to register their properties with the town.
Berland is sponsoring legislation that will be up for a public hearing at a town board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The legislation would require owners of buildings, dwellings and structures that are vacant for more than 120 days to register those properties with the town's Department of Public Safety.

Berland said the purpose of the legislation is twofold: to create a registry to share with fire departments, enabling emergency responders to use the information before running into a burning building; and to get in touch with a property owner...| read more ››

Moody's Reaffirms Huntington’s Bond Rating

Town receives AAA bond rating
Apr
23
2014

The Town of Huntington has received a AAA bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service.

Moody's upheld the Town of Huntington’s AAA rating on its $125 million in general obligation debt, following a review based on new methodology the ratings service established in January, according to the town.

“I am gratified that Moody’s continues to recognize, even under its more stringent criteria, that Huntington’s fiscal policies remain sound and that taxpayers and investors can continue to be confident in the Town’s financial health,” Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said, in a press release.

In reaffirming the rating, Moody’s cited the Town’s “solid financial position with currently healthy reserves,” “wealthy tax base” and “low debt burden with a manageable capital program.”

Moody’s...| read more ››

IDA Praised for Bringing New Businesses to Huntington

Grant Hendricks, vice chair of the Suffolk IDA, Tyler Roye of Egifter, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Peter Goldsmith, president of LISTnet, and Tony Giardano, Suffolk IDA board member. Seated in front: Anthony Manetta and Steve Rossetti
Apr
23
2014

When it comes to attracting new businesses, Huntington is doing something right.

That's according to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who praised the success of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency for bringing new businesses to the area at a recent gathering at The Paramount theater in Huntington.

“The IDA is helping build our downtowns into thriving start-up communities,” Bellone said.

“Huntington is a perfect example of the cooperation between the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County and the IDA," he added.

Bellone cited Launch Pad, Work Market and eGifter, a web and mobile social gifting app, as projects backed by the IDA.

"These new companies provide jobs, stimulate the local economy and help keep younger residents working...| read more ››

Pages