In these difficult economic times, everyone – businesses and individuals alike – is looking to reduce their costs. That’s fine, as long one person or businesses’ cost cutting does not unfairly shift the burden onto someone else.

I mention this because that’s exactly what the Long Island Power Authority is trying to do by challenging the assessment on the Northport Power Plant. In an effort to reduce ratepayers’ bills by a few dollars a month, LIPA has initiated a process that seeks more than $270 million in back taxes and a 90 percent reduction in their current and future taxes.

If successful, this could hike Town residents’ property tax bills by 15 percent and those of Northport-East Northport...| read more ››

The race for Huntington Town Board has gotten narrower, now that Tracey Edwards, a Verizon executive from Dix Hills, has been chosen to run alongside Councilman Mark Cuthbertson on the Democratic ticket.

The two will face Councilman Mark Mayoka and Commack attorney Josh Price, the Republicans' picks, at the polls in November.

Four candidates, including Edwards, had been vying for the Huntington Democratic Committee nomination just two weeks ago and were gearing up for a primary. The other three contenders were Keith Barrett, president of the Huntington Station Business Improvement District; Ed Perez, a business development consultant; and attorney Ed Nitkewicz.

"The other candidates thought about the possibility of a primary and all that … would entail and decided it...| read more ››

The three contenders seeking the Democratic nomination for Huntington highway superintendent will compete in a primary in September, after the party could not decide on a nominee at its convention Thursday night.

Two separate votes failed to produce a majority for any of the candidates -- longtime incumbent William Naughton and challengers Kevin Orelli, a business owner, and town parks chief Don McKay.

In the first round of balloting, Orelli received 13,813 votes in a weighted system, McKay had 10,858 and Naughton 4,585.5. The second time around, Orelli received 13,330 to McKay's 9,434. Naughton got 5,020. At that point, the party declared a deadlock -- something Democratic chairwoman Mary Collins said she could not recall happening in her 30...| read more ››

Part I of a two-part story on the many contenders for Huntington Town Board. Here's a look at the first batch of candidates, what issues are dear to them and why they think they deserve your vote. Next week, we'll cover the remainder of the would-be contenders.

In addition to the two incumbents, 18 new hopefuls have screened with either the Democratic or Republican parities for a seat on the Huntington Town Board.

This November, Democrat Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, and Republican Councilman Mark Mayoka are up for re-election and both have announced their intention to run.

In addition to Mayoka, eight candidates have screened for the GOP nod, said Toni Tepe, chairwoman of the Huntington Republican Committee. They are Anthony...| read more ››