Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey Urges Support For Prop 2

Statement regarding the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act and Ballot Proposition 2

 A Letter to Suffolk Residents from the Presiding Officer

Dear Suffolk County Resident,

On June 25, 2024, I led the Suffolk County Legislature in a historic vote to extend and revise the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program and establish a Water Quality Restoration Fund. Collectively named the “Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act,” these actions create a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk County’s aging wastewater infrastructure and gives the County the authority to establish a new, stable, and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects. Proposition 2 also extends the current ¼ sales tax which funds water quality initiatives and open space acquisitions.

At present, Suffolk County is home to more than 1.5 million people - and relies on merely 380,000 cesspools and wastewater systems. With more than 209,000 designated environmentally sensitive areas, much of our land stands ill-equipped to handle wastewater treatment. This lack of proper infrastructure has been a significant cause of nitrogen pollution in our bays, harbors, and ground water, contributing to harmful algae blooms, as well as significant barriers to sustainable economic growth.

You, the residents of Suffolk County, will have the opportunity to curtail these environmentally degrading conditions and protect our water quality by approving Ballot Proposition 2 this coming Election Day – November 5, 2024. A vote for Proposition 2 means new sewers and new innovative modern septic systems throughout Suffolk County. Moreover, it means clean water for generations to come.

Throughout this process I have often quoted an adage declaring “these waterways, bays and streams are not ours - they are borrowed from our children and grandchildren.” We must to do everything we can to make sure that we protect our bodies of water and the water that we drink. The only way to do that is to make an investment into our water.

Drafting and adopting the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act was no small task. This legislation was years in the making, and I am proud of our resilience in carrying it through multiple administrations, as well as county and state government. When New York State approved certain spending allocations for wastewater infrastructure needs in 2023, the Suffolk County Legislature’s Republican Majority called for alterations to those allocations – calling out conditions that minimized the potential for the positive environmental impact of the plan and would also lead to unfair dispersal of funds across the county. I am proud of my colleagues who stuck it out and believed we could reach a compromise on the right funding formula to protect Suffolk’s water quality for decades to come. 

A number of colleagues and stakeholders deserve recognition for making this possible. The steadfast support of my colleagues in the Legislature and County Executive Romaine are paramount; as are New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Monica Martinez, who both sponsored the legislation in their respective chambers. Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul, who signed the bill into law on the state level, and our partners in the private sector including The Nature Conservancy, the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, the Long Island Contractors Association, the Long Island Federation of Labor, and others.

A yes vote on Proposition 2 means less pollution, improved water quality, continued open space acquisitions and an increase in solid, local jobs. A yes vote is good science, good economics, and good sense.

Kevin J. McCaffrey

Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature

Senator Materra One Party Government In Smithtown Is Not Working

One Party Government in Smithtown

NYS Senator Materra recently said, “One-party rule in Albany is bad for Long Island.” Although he would not have said that if it were his party, it started me thinking about Smithtown.  I have lived in the Town of Smithtown since 1980.  My career and family occupied my mind in the early years, so I did not think much about local politics.  But when my wife became involved in local politics, I began to pay more attention to regional issues.  

My wake-up call came when an asbestos cloud appeared across the street from Town Hall when the property owner leveled the old buildings on a Sunday without consideration for asbestos abatement to avoid taxes. Did our one-party Town government react to the public health violation with criminal charges or sanctions?  No, they allowed them to build a housing complex with nine new vacant store fronts.  There is no concern for the people who live here but profits for the landowners, developers, builders, and contractors. They raised the vacant storefront count on Main Street from 18 to 27.

Recently our Town Council gave themselves raises which will further increase our Town taxes which have sky-rocketed since 1980. Our part time council members salaries are being raised to $91,780, perhaps the highest salaries for part-time council members in Suffolk County. I can’t think of an additional service that has been added since I came here in 1980, and the roads are worse than ever.  They are considering making residents pay for the parking stickers!  

I also learned that the party for smaller government populates the employment roles with family members—obvious for those with familiar surnames, but surely there are more who would be harder to identify.

It’s a question that has always puzzled me-why do we, the citizens of this community, continue to elect the same people chosen by the party in power? It’s time for a change, for a more accountable and responsive local governance.

Thomas Biancaniello, MD

Smithtown, New York

click here for town budget

Suffolk County Legislators Have Become An Embarrassment - LTE

Photo from Mr. Sunderman’s time in officeOn Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, the appointment of Rudolph A. Sunderman as Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services was approved unanimously by the legislative committee: Fire, Rescue & Emergency Medical Services & Preparedness. What is astonishing of this vote were the accolades forwarded by legislative members towards Mr. Sundermann such as from Mr. Thorne, Donnelly, and Trotta, while ignoring his criminal past. Unknown of Sundermann’s past, Legislator Rebecca Sanin voted positively while Leslie Kennedy voted quietly.

While holding office as a County Legislature, Mr. Sundermann was charged and found guilty of perjury, offering a false instrument for filing, violation of the prohibition on dual office-holding under Suffolk County code, violation of the prohibition against conflicts of interest under general municipal law, and intentional failure to file accurate finances.

I am in full opposition of this unethical vote, not just for the crimes that were committed, but also by the public statement by our then district attorney Sini that “the defendant is a convicted criminal, who is disqualified from holding the position of trust for the sake of Public Safety”. What further infuriates me is the comments made by Suffolk County GOP leader Jessie Garcia that “Rudy is a hero first responder…”

 As a resident of Suffolk County and the Smithtown neighborhood Watch Captain, I am disgusted with the lack of consideration for the citizens of our great County. Also, I could not find any required advertisement for this position, as there are many highly qualified candidates in this field.

Suffolk County Legislators have become an embarrassment, especially since we had a D.A , Prosecutor and a Police Commissioner all arrested, and now voting against “ We The People”. 

Respectfully,

John E. Donegan 

Commack, NY 11725

Opinion: Riders Alliance Statement On Gov. Hochul's Poll

Riders Alliance Statement on Governor Hochul’s Dismal Siena Poll

Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director Danny Pearlstein said:

“Governor Kathy Hochul took a gamble when she sabotaged our public transit system for political gain and she lost dearly. New Yorkers see right through the governor’s failure of leadership. To rebuild trust, she needs to deliver the accessible stations, reliable trains, faster buses, and cleaner air she promised us.”

LTE: Smithtown Masonic Lodge Celebrates 75th Anniversary And Role In The Community

Smithtown, NY - On April 20th, 2024, the Smithtown Masonic Lodge marked a significant milestone as it celebrated the 75th anniversary and re-dedication of its building located at 34 River road in Smithtown. Since its inception in 1948, the lodge has been an integral part of the Smithtown community, serving as a beacon of fellowship, charity, and service.

The anniversary celebration was attended by numerous members of the Smithtown community, including business leaders and residents who have long benefited from the lodge’s events and philanthropic endeavors. Among the distinguished guests were representatives from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Grand Chapter of the State of New York, and delegates from other lodges across the state.

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A highlight of the event was also a solemn re-dedication ceremony of a concordant body of Royal Arch Masonry, Asharokan Chapter No. 288 that celebrated its 125th year. 

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These Masonic organizations continue to be committed to the principles of brotherhood and community service. As part of the ceremony, a time capsule was also sealed, containing artifacts and memorabilia from the lodge’s history, to be opened during its 100th and 150th anniversary in 2048, providing future generations with a glimpse into the rich heritage of Freemasonry in Smithtown.

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Freemasonry, a fraternal organization, is dedicated to fostering brotherhood and aiding those in need, has a long and storied history dating back centuries. Its members, known as Freemasons, are united by shared values and a commitment to helping others, both within their organization and in the broader community. With a presence in various forms around the world, Freemasonry continues to uphold its tradition of service and fellowship, exemplified by institutions like these.

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As the Smithtown Masonic Lodge and Asharokan Chapter commemorate these milestone anniversaries they remain dedicated to the service of the Smithtown community. Its members look forward to continuing their mission of promoting goodwill, charity, and brotherhood for many years to come.

William Mountzouros