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Smithtown News

Bellone: Merge Suffolk treasurer, comptroller offices

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
Jun
14
2013

Democratic County Executive Steve Bellone Thursday proposed the merger of Suffolk's treasurer and comptroller's offices, both of which are run by elected Republicans, saying it would save $1 million a year.

Bellone released a report that said creating the single department would cut "duplicative" management jobs.

He said he will ask the county legislature to place a referendum on the November ballot to authorize the merger. If the referendum passes, Bellone would appoint an interim chief financial officer to run the new office throughout 2014, and an elected leader would begin a four-year term on Jan. 1, 2015. Suffolk is the last of New York's 62 counties to still elect a treasurer and comptroller.

"We continue to talk about...| read more ››

Dems optimistic in Smithtown supervisor race

Smithtown Town Supervisor candidate Steve Snair
May
27
2013

With Republican incumbents facing potentially divisive September primaries, Smithtown Democrats launched a bid last week to regain a seat on the town board.

The board hasn't had a Democrat in four years, but party leaders expressed optimism on May 20 at their nominating convention in Hauppauge. About 40 committee members unanimously endorsed supervisor hopeful Steven Snair and council candidates Adam Halpern and Richard Macellaro.

By contrast, GOP Councilman Robert Creighton, 75, is challenging Republican Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, 82. Creighton won the Conservative endorsement last week, raising the possibility of a three-way race in November if Vecchio wins the Republican primary.

Snair, 31, a little-known Nesconset attorney making his first run for public office, said he believes his party has a...| read more ››

Smithtown Dems choose candidates for town board

May
21
2013

Smithtown Democrats have picked a former county judge along with a longtime party activist to run for town board in November.

Adam Halpern, a prosecutor in Suffolk County's Traffic and Parking Violations Agency and a former 4th District County Court judge, and activist Richard Macellaro, a retired home health care administrator, have been named to challenge Republican councilmen Kevin Malloy and Thomas McCarthy.

Halpern, 53, of Hauppauge, and Macellaro, 60, of Kings Park, were endorsed by the town Democratic committee at its nominating convention on Monday at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 25 hall in Hauppauge.

The committee also formally endorsed Steven E. Snair, 31, a Nesconset foreclosure attorney, to run for town supervisor. Republican Supervisor Patrick Vecchio,...| read more ››

The State of Our County

Bellone Logo
Feb
21
2013

On Tuesday night, I was honored to deliver my second State of the County address as Suffolk County Executive. If you missed it, you can view it here.

I talked about the progress we have made over the first year of our Administration as well as the significant challenges still facing Suffolk County. This year, I declared that the State of our County is "rebuilding" in the wake of crises ranging from our budget to Superstorm Sandy.

As you know, I inherited a budget deficit that was estimated at more than $400 million over three years and rather than continuing the infighting that had ground our county to a halt, I rolled up my sleeves and worked with the...| read more ››

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