"I have listened, and now it is time to lead" - Steve Bellone

Steve Bellone listening to Kings Park residents Harold Laware and Richard MacellaroWednesday, April 27, 2011 – Completing a world wind six-week listening tour across Suffolk County, including two stops in the town of Smithtown during the month of April, Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone made his candidacy official.  “Listening is the first step on the path of leadership.  I have listened, and now it is time to lead.  And that is why I am proud to announce tonight that it is my intention to become the next Suffolk County Executive.”

Surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, and standing across the street from North Babylon High School from which he graduated, Bellone spoke about his working class background.  He spoke about the people he met while traveling across the county and the hardships people are enduring.  He also spoke of his accomplishments as Supervisor of Babylon.

“I listened to our residents (Babylon) who said they want lower taxes and more efficient and effective government, which we have delivered in the form of a 5% tax cut, a 15% reduction in debt and a government that is now nearly 50% smaller than when I started here.”

Steve Bellone is expected to receive a resounding endorsement from the Suffolk County Democrats at their convention. His pledge, “As a working class kid from a working class town, I believe in the inclusive goal of economic prosperity for all of our families. I will work to build a new, better Suffolk County government that follows a successful model - delivering services for less, rooting out inefficiency, running more efficiently, and always going to the taxpayer last.”

Bellone understands that quality of life issues will play an important role in this election.  He believes he is the candidate who can best lead Suffolk County through the difficult challenges ahead and he’s promising to never stop listening.