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Smithtown News

Smithtown Democrats Call for Ethics Investigation

Smithtown Town Hall. Credit Sara Walsh
Feb
26
2012

Smithtown Democrats are calling for the town's ethics board to open an investigation based on findings of a Suffolk grand jury released earlier this month.

Newsday reports Smithtown Democratic Committee chairman Ed Maher, in a letter read before town board on Thursday, asked the town's ethics board to determine which officials may used a promised $40,000 tax break to pressure developers to illegally demolish the abestos-laced Nassau Suffolk Lumber and Supply Company.| read more ››

Suffolk's new Steve calls Dems' effort 'a thing of beauty'

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
Nov
8
2011

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 ››

Schaffer loans $200,000 to Suffolk Dems

Jan
23
2012

Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer has loaned the party $200,000 to pay withholding taxes for hundreds of paid canvassers who got out the vote for Steve Bellone's election as county executive in November.

Schaffer tapped personal savings for two no-interest loans -- $150,000 on Dec. 23 and another $50,000 on Jan. 9, the day before the $158,321 payment of the state and federal taxes. The loans were disclosed in the Suffolk Democratic Committee's Jan. 15 campaign finance report.

"I had $211,000 in savings," said Schaffer. "Now I have $11,000 left."

Schaffer said he only became aware of the potential tax liability when the party hired an expert to handle processing and payments for the 650 canvassers, who made calls and knocked on doors to get Democratic supporters to the polls.| read more ››

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