Suffolk County Executive-elect Steve Bellone has chosen corporate fraud attorney Regina Calcaterra, who as a child lived in homeless shelters and foster homes in the county, as his chief deputy.
Calcaterra, 44, co-director of Bellone's transition team and an unsuccessful candidate for state senate last year, would be the first woman to hold the top post. She accepted the job earlier this week.| read more ››
Small-business growth in many Suffolk communities won't happen without significant, county-supported infrastructure improvements, chambers of commerce leaders told County Executive-elect Steve Bellone Monday night.
More than two dozen chamber representatives attended a roundtable discussion at a VFW hall in Kings Park, part of the Bellone transition team's topical listening tour.| read more ››
At a meeting of Suffolk minority leaders Tuesday night who represent a wide range of interest groups, County Executive-elect Steve Bellone promised them they'd not be forgotten by his administration.
"I believe in not only celebrating our diversity but seizing upon it as the greatest asset we have," Bellone told the crowd inside the Long Island Portuguese American Center in Brentwood.| read more ››
The slow-moving county permitting process poses a significant roadblock to economic growth in Suffolk, delaying construction projects and hampering job creation, business leaders told County Executive-elect Steve Bellone Monday.
About 40 people -- representing local companies and trade groups -- attended a Melville forum hosted by Bellone and the Long Island Association.| read more ››
Names Calcaterra, Martinez Co-Transition Directors; Announces Meetings on Economy and Diversity
Hauppauge - Suffolk County Executive-elect Steve Bellone today invited all Suffolk County residents to serve on his transition team as he announced his process to ensure he can hit the ground running when he takes office on January 1. All Suffolk County residents can share their ideas and get updates through Bellone’s new transition website, www.suffolkcountyworksforyou.com.
“Travelling our county, I understand that most good ideas come from outside government,” Bellone said. “That is why I want each and every Suffolk County resident to serve on my transition team. I welcome your ideas to help me do more with less and make our county an economic powerhouse.”
Bellone named...| read more ››
Incumbent Jackie Gordon and newcomer Tom Donnelly easily beat Republican challengers. Voters in Babylon Town returned incumbent councilwoman Jackie Gordon for a second term and fellow Democrat newcomer Tom Donnelly to the town board.
As of midnight, with 149 of 154 districts reporting, Gordon received 14,310 votes. Donnelly got 14,286 votes. Republican challengers Tom Gargiulo got 11,518 and Matt Groh received 10,420 votes. Current councilwoman Ellen McVeety, who did not seek election, will fill in for Gordon after she deploys in January for an Army Reserve stint.| read more ››
In a victory speech, Steve Bellone is thanking Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer, saying the campaign he crafted was a "thing of beauty.'
"The voters of Suffolk county have given us a huge victory," he said.
He thanks the Democratic committee, volunteers, and "most important I want to thank the voters of Suffolk County tonight for giving us this mandate....We will make government more efficient, we will make it work so we can protect taxpayers in this county."
"We will confront the fiscal challenge that we face by growing this economy...We will make sure when we create that growth and opportunity....it will be accessible."
He touts Bill Lindsay to return as presiding officer....| read more ››
Babylon is offering town residents a tax cut for the second consecutive year, according to the town's tentative 2012 budget.
General fund taxes would increase 9 percent in the proposed $137.2 million budget, but residential garbage taxes would drop 21 percent, with the other parts of the town tax bill -- highway, lighting and part town taxes -- holding steady. This would result in a 4.9 percent, or $3.8 million, overall town tax cut for residents.| read more ››
BABYLON – Winning the second time in as many debates for Suffolk County Executive, Babylon Town Supervisor and Democratic Candidate Steve Bellone today continued showing why he is the strongest candidate to help grow Suffolk County’s economy and protect taxpayers. The debate, moderated by Richard Rose, was hosted by WLNY TV 10/55 and will air Sunday, October 2, at 2:30 p.m.| read more ››
Steve Bellone’s bid for Suffolk County executive got some serious star power behind it Monday night as Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined him at a packed ballroom at theHuntington Hilton in Melville.
The event, which typically serves as the Suffolk County Democratic Committee’s fall dinner, raised $500,000, according to Chairman Rich Schaffer. Not all of that money will go toward Bellone’s campaign, Schaffer explained, but will be used by the Democratic committee in key legislative races this November as well.| read more ››