NYS Police Investigating Hate Crime At Nissequogue River State Park

The New York State Police Troop L BCI, with the assistance of the State Police Hate Crimes Unit, are investigating the discovery of a swastika along the bike path at the Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park, Suffolk County. Governor Cuomo directed the State Police to investigate the vandalism, which was discovered on Sunday, February 10.

Senator John Flanagan issued the following statement:

“Over the weekend, hate-filled anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered in the Nissequogue River State Park.  The message is deeply troubling to those who live in the Kings Park community and all who continue the fight against hatred.  I want to make it clear that all elected officials and community leaders are united in saying that hateful symbols must never be tolerated and those responsible must and will be held accountable for their actions.

While some may try to divide us, this nation was built to protect and respect our differences and we will stand stronger together in the face of those who look to divide us.  We must use this as another opportunity to become stronger.

Everyone has the right to live free of fear and oppression and those who feel otherwise have no place in our community.  That stands truer today than it ever has and those who test our resolve on this will find that they are the ones who are not welcome.”

State Police is asking anyone who may have any information about the vandalism to contact investigators at 631-756-3300.

Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy Announces Candidacy For County Executive

Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy announced his candidacy for Suffolk County ExecutiveSuffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy announcing his intention to challenge Steve Bellone in November. earlier today. Kennedy is the second Republican, (Legislator Rob Trotta announced his decision to challenge Bellone last week) to announce plans to challenge Steve Bellone for the office.

Calling his wife, Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, to stand along side of him he stated his reason for running, “We want this place, Suffolk County, to be a place for our children and for our eight grand children. It’s about saying enough is enough we will stop the hemorrhaging, we will stop the bleeding, we will cut up the credit cards we will start to pay our debts and restore pride to Suffolk County that’s what this is about.”

He warned his supporters, “It won’t be easy and it won’t happen over night. But, by rolling up our sleeves and going in to each county department, just as we did with our merger here we will emerge better, leaner and faster in delivering service to those in county government with what they expect and need.”

Pointing to a poster which he called the Steve Bellone report card, Kennedy said,  “The only thing missing from this is on the bottom is a big fat red F. That’s what seven downgrades lead you to, an executive who deserves an F. We’ll turn it around, we’ll raise it step by step with the hard work and we’ll get it back to black ladies and gentleman.”

Honor A Hero By Giving Blood At Glen Ciano Blood Drive In Commack

*Glen Ciano Blood Drive was a tremendous success with 20 more pints of blood donated than 2018***

Today is one of those days that you get to do something good. That’s the message from Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart and Commack Fire Department Chief Patrick Fazio. Today, Saturday, February 9 between the hours of 10am and 2pm hundreds of people will donate life saving blood and honor the legacy of deceased police officer Glen Ciano.L-R SCPD Chief Of Department Stuart Cameron, Susan Ciano, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart, Deputy Police Commissioner James Skopek

Suffolk County Police Department and the Commack Fire Department are hosting their 9th annual Glen Ciano Blood Drive to honor the memory of Glen Ciano a fallen Suffolk County police officer and a long history of working with the Commack Fire Department. Glen Ciano died on February 22, 2009, a victim of a drunk driver in Commack. Nine years ago the fire department named its blood drive the Glen Ciano Blood drive to honor the memory of the man who did so much to protect others.

Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said, “Glen lived his life protecting others as both police officer and a volunteer fire fighter. He exemplified the meaning of being a true hero.”

By all accounts Glen Ciano was someone who did everything possible to help someone who needed help. According to his wife Susan, “You could call him at any time and he was there. Things were dropped and he went.” One might think that this is a sad event for the Ciano family but as hard as it might be Susan said she looks forward to it. ” This is the fire house that Glen went out of, he had a locker here so it holds a special place in my heart. I Come every year since they named it for him 9 years ago.  Once people find out what it’s for it makes it more meaningful for them to give blood that day. It means a lot to me that  different people come out who want to honor him.”  

Since 2011, 1084 donations have been accepted and saved the lives of more than 3000 people. In 2018, 224 donations were made and everyone is hoping to match and surpass that number. Yadira Navarro, NY Blood Center manager, wants people to know that there is only a three - four day supply of blood and for O- and B- there is only a 1-2 day supply. To donate blood you must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 lbs. and have identification. Navarro advises people to eat well and hydrate before donating.

Commissioner Pat Fazzio wants this to be a great blood drive, “it is vitally important to get a great turnout.  There is no better way to honor Glen then coming out and supporting this blood drive. “

The Glen Ciano Blood Drive will be held at the Commack Fire Department between (10am and 2pm) located at 6309 Jericho Turnpike Commack, NY between 8 am-2pm (631) 499-6690 (non-emergency) Walk Ins are welcome.

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP - Gershon - Zeldin Battle In 2020?

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

Perry Gershon is “strongly leaning to another go” at running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the lst C.D. against incumbent Lee Zeldin. 

Although a newcomer to Suffolk politics, Mr. Gershon, of East Hampton, won last year over a record number of other would-be candidates in a Democratic primary in Suffolk, including two former Suffolk County legislators, to get the Democratic nomination. Then he did better against Mr. Zeldin, of Shirley, than the last two Democrats who ran against Mr. Zeldin, then incumbent Tim Bishop, in 2014, and former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst in 2016.

Mr. Zeldin, an attorney, was a two-term state senator before his election to the House.

Mr. Gershon lost to Mr. Zeldin by 4 percent of the district vote but carried East Hampton, Southampton, Southold and Shelter Island. He lost in Smithtown. And in the most populous segment of the district, Brookhaven Town, “we tied on the Democratic-versus-Republican lines,” said Mr. Gershon with Mr. Zeldin only beating him in Brookhaven by also being on the Conservative Party ticket.

If Mr. Gershon decides to run again—and I predict he will—he said last week that “I will need to convince the district at large that I represent a better future for them. I was at my stride at the end of the campaign, talking about bringing people together without demonizing the other side, the opposite of Zeldin’s vision.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has just named the lst C.D. as one of 25 “target districts” in the United States—a designation meaning this arm of the national Democratic Party considers the incumbent vulnerable. “The district was not viewed as competitive by the DCCC last year,” noted Mr. Gershon. 

There is precedent in the lst C.D. for a Democratic candidate losing and then, after intensive activity, winning over the Republican incumbent. Otis G. Pike, a town justice from Riverhead, initially lost his race for the seat in 1958 to GOPer Stuyvesant Wainwright of Wainsott. Mr. Pike then embarked on a two-year marathon of going to virtually every meeting of civic and community groups in the lst C.D., mixing with residents at every opportunity, not stopping campaigning. And in 1960 Mr. Pike won over four-term incumbent Wainwright and held the lst C.D. seat for 18 years, longer than anyone in history since the district was formed with its first representative Declaration of Independence-signer William Floyd of Mastic.

Mr. Gershon is also preparing for a whirlwind of activities. Indeed, he was heading off after we talked last week to appear before a business organization in Patchogue.

A major indication of Mr. Gershon seeking to run again came in an email he sent to supporters towards the end of last year. “As the year draws to a close, I’m thankful that all our hard work in 2018 made a huge difference. While we came up short in our campaign against Lee Zeldin, our loss was narrow—only about 4 percent. That shows that, if we keep working, 2020 could be our year to finally send Lee packing.”

In making a second run, Mr. Gershon would again emphasize strategies he stressed last year including, he said, widening “voter participation.” 

The impetus for Mr. Gershon, a successful businessman, to jump into politics was President Donald Trump and his actions and also Mr. Zeldin’s close political and personal ties to Mr. Trump. That might be a double-edged sword in Suffolk. Mr. Trump won Suffolk in running for the presidency in 2016. Has Mr. Trump retained a substantial edge here? Has Mr. Zeldin’s support of Mr. Trump taken a toll or is he still supported for his backing of Mr. Trump?

 “Zeldin is out-of-touch with the district,” claimed Mr. Gershon last week.

As a recent example, Mr. Gershon points to the partial government shutdown and Mr. Zeldin being “100% with Trump behind the shutdown.” 

Mr. Trump is seeking to run for re-election as president in 2020 and that would coincide with elections to the House—he would be on top of the Republican ticket. Mr. Gershon sees Mr. Trump, if he is a candidate for re-election in 2020, as being “wounded,” increasingly damaged politically by “disclosures” involving his presidency and initial campaign.

Mr. Gershon said “I believe the 2020 election is going to be about visions for the future.” If making the race, “I am going to run for a better Long Island, for better economic opportunity, for better environmental protection and dealing with what might be the biggest threat to the future—climate change.” He said he supports the recently proposed “Green New Deal”—a plan for environmental and economic actions—in challenging climate change. 

Mr. Zeldin would have the advantage of incumbency and a hefty campaign war chest. But Mr. Gershon raised plenty of money last time around: more than $3 million. A Gershon-Zeldin rematch will make for lively politics.

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books. 

Rob Trotta Announces Candidacy For Suffolk County Executive

Smithtown resident Rob Trotta (R) announced his candidacy for Suffolk County Executive at a press conference this morning. Trotta, a Smithtown resident who currently serves as a Suffolk County Legislator in the 13th LD is pledging to “end corruption and the culture of pay-to-play that currently exists in Suffolk County.”

Standing in front of a poster depicting donations paid to Steve Bellone he pointed to the $4,412,405.00 total and called on Bellone to give it back within 72 hours.