Babylon Democrats News

Democrats win NY state Senate seat vacated by ex-GOP leader

May
3
2016

Democrat Todd Kaminsky was declared the official winner Monday of a close New York state Senate race for the convicted former GOP majority leader’s Long Island seat, handing the Democrats a majority of seats in the chamber.

Kaminsky beat Republican Chris McGrath by 886 votes, according to the numbers certified by Nassau County election officials.

Kaminsky was ahead by 780 votes on election day two weeks ago, but McGrath refused to concede until all absentee votes were counted.

“I am honored that my neighbors have elected me to deliver for Long Island and clean up Albany as their state senator,” Kaminsky said in a statement. “For far too long, South Shore taxpayers have been the victim of politicians who put...| read more ››

Todd Kaminsky declared winner in Senate race to replace Skelos

May
2
2016

Assemb. Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach was declared the winner of last month's special election in the 9th Senate District to replace former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos on May 2, 2016. (Credit: James Escher)
For the first time in six years, Long Island has a Democratic state senator, as Assemb. Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach on Monday was declared the winner of last month’s special election in the 9th Senate District to replace former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

The Nassau County Board of Elections officially certified the results of the race Monday, with Kaminsky defeating Republican Christopher McGrath by 886 votes, according to Democratic Commissioner David Gugerty.

“Todd Kaminsky is officially the winner of the special election...| read more ››

Universal Pre-K by the numbers on LI

Mar
28
2016

Universal pre-kindergarten is the most direct way to address the growing inequality in New York [“Access to Pre-K: Elusive on LI,” News, March 20]. Pre-K has proved to close opportunity and achievement gaps. Children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to succeed in grade school, high school and throughout their adult lives.

Even though the evidence is clear, the majority of Long Island families are living without quality pre-K education, and the few schools that do provide it have to compete each year for grants and funding. Today, 61 percent of New York State’s four-year olds are still waiting to receive a full day pre-K education. In high-needs districts on Long Island, that number soars to 79 percent....| read more ››

Timothy Sini sworn in: ‘We must restore’ trust in Suffolk P.D.

Mar
3
2016

Timothy Sini was sworn in Thursday as Suffolk County police commissioner and pledged to restore the public’s trust in the department after a former chief was convicted of violating a suspect’s civil rights and orchestrating a cover-up.

Sini, a former federal prosecutor who until recently served as deputy county executive, replaces former Police Commissioner Edward Webber at the helm of the police department.

Sini, 35, was County Executive Steve Bellone’s hand-picked choice to replace Webber, who announced his retirement late last year, when the department was undergoing a tumultuous period following the departure of several top commanders.

After he was sworn in Thursday at the Suffolk County Police Academy in Brentwood, Sini alluded to the damage done to the department...| read more ››

SUFFOLK CALLS ON CUOMO TO REJECT THE DREDGE MATERIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (DMMP)

Feb
23
2016

At a press conference on February 23rd at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Smithtown, New York, several Suffolk County Legislators were joined by environmental advocates and residents to urge Governor Andrew Cuomo to reject the Dredge Material Management Plan (DMMP), proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers. When the public asked for more responsible alternatives for the disposal of dredge materials, the United States Army Corps of Engineers failed to deliver. The new plan, released in January, outlined the continuation of dredge dumping in the Long Island Sound for 30 additional years without addressing possible beneficial reuses.

“The Army Corps of Engineers has taken over 10 years and spent over $7 million to identify alternatives to dredge spoil...| read more ››

Democratic Congressional hopefuls meet in first public debate

Feb
4
2016

The two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in the June 28 primary for the First Congressional District seat squared off in what was their first public debate Wednesday night.

Former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst of Bridgehampton and attorney and former Suffolk County Planning Commission Chairman Dave Calone of Setauket are seeking the nomination to oppose Republican incumbent Lee Zeldin in the November general election.

In an event sponsored by the East Hampton Town Democratic Committee and hosted at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett, the candidates gave their backgrounds and then answered questions submitted by the committee on specific topics. There were no questions from the public.

The most recent Federal Election Committee campaign finance disclosures, show that...| read more ››

Annual Spring Gala Announced at Bergen Point

Jan
21
2016

Join us for our 2016 Spring Fundraiser to celebrate the recent victories of Town Councilmembers Jackie Gordon and Tom Donnelly, hosted by Rich Schaffer and Town Committee Chairman Peter Casserly, at the Bergen Point Golf Club from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 17th.

Tickets are $350 and sponsorships are available.

Platinum Sponsorship - $5,000
Gold Sponsorship - $2,500
Silver Sponsorship - $1,500
Bronze Sponsorship - $500

Please make checks payable the Babylon Democratic Committee. To RSVP, please fill out response card (attached below) or call (631) 991-3081 by February 8th.| read more ››

Tim Sini announces race against Kevin McCaffrey for Suffolk legislature

Tim Sini with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
May
22
2015

After knocking on 3,000 doors over the past five months, Tim Sini, County Executive Steve Bellone's top criminal justice aide Monday announced his candidacy to run against GOP Legis. Kevin McCaffrey.

Sini, 34, a $110,000 a year assistant deputy county executive, made the announcement in a news release three days before the Democratic county convention. Sini since last year has campaigned door to door, as an unpaid special assistant to Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer, who is also Suffolk Democratic chairman.

Democrats have made a priority of ousting McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), a Teamster union leader and former Lindenhurst deputy mayor, who scored a major upset two years ago in the 14th District, where Bellone resides.

In his announcement, Sini touted his credentials...| read more ››

RSVP for the 2015 Spring Caucus

May
13
2015

Committee members and volunteers, we will be holding a Spring Caucus this year - an informal gathering to review the upcoming campaign season, go over changes, and hear from you: our committee. We are holding this caucus over the course of 2 evenings: Monday, May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th. We are asking everyone to attend one meeting. Join us as we discuss our plan for 2015 and the campaign ahead.

Please click here to RSVP.| read more ››

Bellone touts plan for drawing young professionals to Suffolk, LI

May
10
2015

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on Sunday touted his Connect Long Island plan to attract young professionals to the region with more mass transit options and vibrant downtowns, saying in a radio interview he wants to lead "one of the best, hottest places in the country for young people to be."

"We have to reverse the brain drain," Bellone said. "We've got to get young people wanting to be here in Suffolk County, on Long Island, put stakes down here if we're going to have an innovation economy."

Bellone, a Democrat who is running for re-election in November but does not yet have an opponent, appeared on "The Cats Roundtable" on WNYM/970 AM. He said Suffolk County has eliminated the...| read more ››