Hauppauge, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy today said he has vetoed four pieces of legislation he said would be costly and inefficient to the taxpayers, and challenged legislators to remain focused on addressing the county’s projected budget shortfall for 2010 and 2011.

“Nearly eight months into the year, we have yet to see from the Legislature any proposals that would cut our costs or streamline operations,” said Levy. “The common theme in these resolutions that I have rejected is that they lead to a more costly, less efficient government -- in a day and age where we need less cost, and more efficiency.”  

Leading up to next Tuesday’s legislative meeting, Levy has issued the following vetoes:

I.R. 1164

Sponsored by Legislator Jack Eddington, this charter law would require manpower and deployment changes by the Police Commissioner to be subject to legislative approval.

In his veto message, Levy noted the measure: “…is based upon unfounded assertions, weakens the county’s standing in collective bargaining, and is unwise public policy that benefits the police bargaining unit to the detriment of the taxpayers we were elected to serve.”

Levy said that in 2009, through his negotiations, county taxpayers received $12 million worth of concessions from the PBA in exchange for an agreement on maintaining certain units and commands through 2015; this resolution, he said, would grant those provisions in perpetuity to the PBA for nothing in exchange.

The county executive also noted that the legislation specifically cites the September 2008 redeployment of the Highway Unit from state-owned roads. “…it is time for legislators to give up the Highway Patrol battle on behalf of the PBA and recognize that in two years we have saved taxpayers money, we have been able to provide the same service on state roads and we have gained the service of 55 police officers in our local precincts,” he wrote.

Levy added that the resolution seeks to curb the flexibility and management efficiencies the department has used to control both crime and taxes. He noted that since taking office in 2004:

• Overall crime has decreased by 17.5% (2009 compared to 2003);
• Part I crime has decreased by 11% (murder/manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft) over that same period;
• A greater percentage of police officers are on Sector Patrol (64%, compared to 50% in 2003);
• Centralized, specialty units on gangs, heroin and quality-of-life crimes have been created and deployed as needed to target areas;
• Overtime costs have decreased over the last three years;
• The annual rate of growth in police department spending has been curtailed to approximately 2% (compared to a previous average of more than 6%).

I.R. 1407

This resolution, sponsored by Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay, purports to achieve cost savings through use of light duty officers in various functions. However, Levy said, the measure would hamper efforts to civilianize 50 positions this year in the police department.

“This is the exact antithesis of smart management through civilianization, and a most ineffective method of deploying sworn staff,” Levy said. “

The measure would require the department, before civilianizing a position, to assign a light duty officer to those functions.

Since light duty officers are frequently re-classified, once that officer is reassigned the post may have to be filled by a full duty officer, since a civilian who would have been on the job will no longer be available.

I.R. 1450 and I.R. 1490

These two resolutions, sponsored by Legislator DuWayne Gregory, require the administration to fully execute all not-for-profit agency contracts within 30 days (IR 1450) and to pay not-for-profit agency invoices within 30 days (IR 1490).

 Levy deemed both measures “solutions in search of a problem.” 

 The measures, he said, ignore the fact that his administration has streamlined the process – in working with not-for-profit agencies – to the point where agencies can receive a signed contract within six to eight weeks of the start of the year – far better than the New York State system which is late more than 82 percent of the time in meeting its self-imposed 150-180 day standard.

 “Most outrageous is the clause in the payment resolution that will penalize Suffolk taxpayers with an interest charge on the county if the Comptrollers office and Treasurer’s office could not meet the 30-day payment requirement,” said Levy. The Legislature’s own Budget Review Office estimated the interest surcharge that taxpayers would bear would be more than $640,000 over five years.

Birds Test Positive for West Nile Virus

James L. Tomarken, MD, MSW, MPH, MBA, FRCPC, FACP, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, announced today that four crows and one fish crow collected between July 16^th and July 27^th have tested positive for West Nile virus.  The birds were collected in West Islip (2), Bay Shore, Huntington and Medford.

Residents are encouraged to report sightings of dead birds that may have been infected with the virus to the Department of Health Services Public Health Hotline at 631-787-2200 from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

If a bird is not collected for testing residents should use a shovel or wear gloves and double bag the dead bird and dispose of it in the trash or bury it.  There is no evidence that a bird or its remains can infect humans.

West Vile virus, first detected in Suffolk County in 1999 and again each year thereafter, is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.  The virus can cause serious illness and in some cases death.

Dr. Tomarken asks that residents continue to be vigilant about removing standing water on their property and thereby reducing breeding areas for mosquitoes.  Try to avoid being bitten when outside, especially in the early morning and at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.  Chemical repellents are effective at reducing bites from mosquitoes.  Manufacturers’ instructions should be followed to ensure proper application.

Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call 631-853-3055.

For further information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health Services’ website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

CHRIS COX COMMENTS ON ARIZONA ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW

SMITHTOWN, NY — Today was to mark the effective date of the legislation enacted into law by the Stateof Arizona to defend its citizens against the refusal of the Obama Administration to enforce Federal  law. Critical provisions have just been stymied in Federal court.  In support of Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature, Chris Cox, Republican Congressional candidate in the First Congressional District, issuedthe following statement:
 
"The Arizona legislature passed common-sense legislation to protect their citizens because the Federal government has completely failed to secure our borders.  Along with Governor Jan Brewer, Senator John McCain, and many of Arizona's leaders, I am deeply disappointed that a Federal judge has blocked key provisions of Arizona's law.  The citizens of Arizona have been subjected to criminal aliens, including violent drug gangs, because our borders are porous.  As a Member of Congress, I will support legislation to strengthen border security and enforce Federal immigration laws," said Chris Cox.
 
"Unlike Tim Bishop who wants to reward illegal immigrants with citizenship under what he calls ‘Earned Legalization,’ I support the rule of law and I oppose amnesty," declared Cox.

EPA Rejects Claims of Flawed Climate Science

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today denied 10 petitions challenging its 2009 determination that climate change is real, is occurring due to emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, and threatens human health and the environment. 

The petitions to reconsider EPA’s Endangerment Finding claim that climate science cannot be trusted, and assert a conspiracy that invalidates the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. After months of serious consideration of the petitions and of the state of climate change science, EPA finds no evidence to support these claims. In contrast, EPA’s review shows that climate science is credible, compelling, and growing stronger.

“The endangerment finding is based on years of science from the U.S. and around the world.  These petitions -- based as they are on selectively edited, out-of-context data and a manufactured controversy -- provide no evidence to undermine our determination.  Excess greenhouse gases are a threat to our health and welfare,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Defenders of the status quo will try to slow our efforts to get America running on clean energy.  A better solution would be to join the vast majority of the American people who want to see more green jobs, more clean energy innovation and an end to the oil addiction that pollutes our planet and jeopardizes our national security.”

The basic assertions by the petitioners and EPA responses follow.

Claim: Petitioners say that emails disclosed from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit provide evidence of a conspiracy to manipulate global temperature data. 

Response: EPA reviewed every e-mail and found this was simply a candid discussion of scientists working through issues that arise in compiling and presenting large complex data sets.  Four other independent reviews came to similar conclusions.

Claim: Petitioners say that errors in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report call the entire body of work into question. 

Response: Of the alleged errors, EPA confirmed only two in a 3,000 page report. The first pertains to the rate of Himalayan glacier melt and second to the percentage of the Netherlands below sea level. IPCC issued correction statements for both of these errors. The errors have no bearing on Administrator Jackson’s decision. None of the errors undermines the basic facts that the climate is changing in ways that threaten our health and welfare.

Claim: Petitioners say that because certain studies were not included in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, the IPCC itself is biased and cannot be trusted as a source of reliable information. 

Response: These claims are incorrect. In fact, the studies in question were included in the IPCC report, which provided a comprehensive and balanced discussion of climate science.

Claim: Petitioners say that new scientific studies refute evidence supporting the Endangerment Finding.  

Response:  Petitioners misinterpreted the results of these studies. Contrary to their claims, many of the papers they submit as evidence are consistent with EPA’s Finding. Other studies submitted by the petitioners were based on unsound methodologies. Detailed discussion of these issues may be found in volume one of the response to petition documents, on EPA’s website. 

Climate change is already happening, and human activity is a contributor. The global warming trend over the past 100 years is confirmed by three separate records of surface temperature, all of which are confirmed by satellite data. Beyond this, evidence of climate change is seen in melting ice in the Arctic, melting glaciers around the world, increasing ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, shifting precipitation patterns, and changing ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

“America’s Climate Choices,” a report from the National Academy of Sciences and the most recent assessment of the full body of scientific literature on climate change, along with the recently released “State of the Climate” report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration both fully support the conclusion that climate change is real and poses significant risk to human and natural systems. The consistency among these and previously issued assessments only serves to strengthen EPA’s conclusion.

Information on EPA’s findings and the petitions: http://epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment/petitions.html 

More information on climate change: http://epa.gov/climatechange

Review America’s Climate Choices report: http://americasclimatechoices.org/

Review State of the Climate report:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100728_stateoftheclimate.html

Review information on Indicators of Climate Change: http://epa.gov/climatechange/indicators.html

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Have You Seen Michael Taus and Romeo?

 The Suffolk County Police Fugitive/Missing Persons Section is seeking the publics assistance in locating a West Islip man who has been missing since June.

 Michael Taus, 25, was last seen on the night of June 18 at his home on Everdell Avenue. Tauss dog, Romeo, has also been missing since that time. Tauss vehicle has since been recovered in Elmont in Nassau County.

 Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Taus is asked to call the Missing Persons Section at 631-852-6040 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.