"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.

John Carbone and Caroline Seo - Hauppauge High School Students Helping Japan's Relief Effort

Hauppauge HS Students Caroline Seo and John CarboneJohn Carbone and Caroline Seo are two Hauppauge High School students who were quick to react to the tragic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.  The two students wanted to do something that would get both students and community members involved with the Japan relief effort.  They came up with the idea for a benefit concert, which they organized with the help of Hauppauge High School Assistant Principal, Joy Ferrara.

$4,200 was raised through ticket sales, plant sales and raffle sales.  Tickets were priced at an affordable $4 per ticket, which was reduced to $2 if you brought a new pair of socks to the event.  Three Hauppauge elementary schools collected 1500 pairs of socks before the concert began “ When we heard about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we knew we had to do something to help.  Everyone appreciates a fresh, clean pair of socks.  The people of Japan will know that we are thinking of them from far away.” Said Caroline Seo a senior at Hauppauge High School and co- organizer.

A total of 2,500 pairs of socks were collected.  Each pair sealed in a plastic bag, which included a note from the donor.  Pines Elementary student Lindsey Cowden said, “I wrote a note of concern and translated it into Japanese. I gathered a dozen zip lock bags, and placed a pair of socks and a note in each bag.  I feel better knowing that I’ve done something to help.”

John Carbone, a junior at Hauppauge High School and  co-organizer was pleased that the event helped to bring awareness to the devastation occurring in Japan.

The funds were donated to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund. The memories the students gained from participating in this event will stay with them forever. 

DEC - Long Island Sound Should Be A No Discharge Zone

(New York, N.Y. – April 25, 2011)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tentatively determined that there are adequate facilities for boats in Long Island Sound to pump out their sewage and that a proposal by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) to establish a “No Discharge Zone” for the waters of the New York State Long Island Sound can go forward. A no-discharge zone means that boats are completely banned from discharging sewage into the water. Boaters must instead dispose of their sewage at specially designated pump-out stations.  This action is part of a joint EPA/New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways.  Discharges of sewage from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols, and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health, and impair marine life. EPA is taking public comment on its proposed approval until May 11, 2011.

New York State has proposed to establish a No-Discharge Zone for the Long Island Sound that encompasses approximately 760 square miles, and includes the open waters, harbors, bays and navigable tributaries of the Sound and a portion of the East River, from the Hell Gate Bridge in the west to the northern bounds of Block Island Sound in the east. The waters of Mamaroneck Harbor, Huntington-Northport Bay Complex, Port Jefferson Complex, Hempstead Harbor and Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Complex have been previously designated as No Discharge Zones.  Upon a final affirmative determination from EPA, pumping out boat sewage into any New York waters within Long Island Sound will be banned.

For more information about no discharge zones and to view a copy of EPA’s proposed approval of the Long Island Sound no discharge zone, visithttp://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html.  

Michael Fitzpatrick For Suffolk County Executive

“Yes, I am in it and yes, I would like it.”  That is what Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick had to say when asked if he was screening to become the Republican nominee for Suffolk County Executive.    It is clear that Fitzpatrick feels the most important issue in this campaign is restoring fiscal health in the county.   “I am qualified to become county executive.  I have never been afraid of standing alone when it comes to taking tough positions on fiscal policy and matters that impact the public.  And, I have a record of saying no to wasteful spending. ”

When asked about the screenings he was emphatic, “I have attended all the screenings and I have enjoyed them. I’m looking forward to Smithtown’s screening on Thursday.  It has been interesting to hear Angie Carpenter (Suffolk County Treasurer), John Flanagan (NYS Senator) and Mike O’Donohoe (Suffolk County Commissioner of Jurors) articulate their positions and their rationale for becoming the Republican candidate.  But, my fiscal conservatism speaks for itself.  The public expects the county executive to make tough decisions, I have done that and I am doing it now with my proposal for pension reform. The first step in pension reform is removing those who benefit from its excesses and that means getting the political class out of the pension system. My proposal does this.”

Fitzpatrick points to other positions that set him apart. He was the only member of the Long Island delegation to oppose Tom Di Napoli becoming State Comptroller. He felt he was unqualified to deal with the financial crisis facing the state. And In January, he called attention to Speaker Silver allowing two staffers to retire and return to work creating a double-dipping scenario at taxpayer expense.  He believes double dipping is not atypical and places an unfair burden on the taxpayer.  

For Michael Fitzpatrick politics is a family tradition. His father was Smithtown Supervisor and Michael was a member of the Smithtown Town Council for 15 years from 1988 thru 2003, before becoming Assemblyman. He understands the challenges he faces becoming the Republican county executive candidate but he says he’s ready.  

WELCOME - YOUR NEW LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN

By Pat Biancaniello

Without much fanfare, at 10 am Thursday morning, the Commack Branch of the Smithtown Library opened for business. By 10:15 am the parking lot was almost full.

The library, which first opened in 1967, was closed in January 2010. The unscheduled closing was due to a puff back in the boiler.  During the fifteen months that the library has been closed the interior has been remodeled and updated. A three thousand square foot addition has been added. An entirely new children’s room was developed using fifteen hundred square feet of the new space.

Artist Jeff Fisher was commissioned to paint murals on the walls of the children’s room giving the room a sense of wonder and intrigue.  Everything from the ceiling tiles, carpeting, tables, computers, and the colors, were chosen to allow the children to connect with their surroundings. 

Library director Robert Lusack was determined to provide space for the young adult or teenage population, which he calls “the forgotten age group”.  Seating and a work area were created to allow young people to work together or independently within their own space. 

The outside of the building has changed as well.  There is a new vestibule and covered portico entrance in the back.  There are outdoor benches, and there is a shiny new book deposit and reserved parking for energy efficient vehicles.

Board members Sauer and Vallone were very pleased with the library saying that it exceeded their expectations.  They were quick to point out some important features.  The library meets all ADA requirements, which is very important to patrons with special needs.  There is a working elevator, a self-checkout, and new windows and lighting.  A 55-inch flat screen TV donated by Avon Press has been installed and the building has Wi-Fi.

“The goal was to make the building nearly seamless.  The architect, Roger Smith of Burton Behrendt Smith, did better than that… he made it seamless” said Robert Lusack.