Babylon Democrats News

Celebrating the Life of Otis G. Pike

May
9
2014

As Suffolk Democrats, we owe a great deal to the legacy of Congressman Otis G. Pike. He was a trailblazer for us for many years.

To this day, I think that we all can identify with him when he once said: “I’ve always said I’m surrounded on three sides by water and on the fourth by Republicans.”

His legacy of public service will not be lost on us. He was a decorated Marine pilot in WWII, a Riverhead Town Councilman and Justice and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years, where he fought tirelessly for the environment and our quality of life here in Suffolk County.

Congressman Pike passed away earlier this year in Florida at the...| read more ››

Bellone Honors Veterans and Others for Their Service to Veterans

Mar
10
2014

At a recent veterans appreciation ceremony, Suffolk County honored veterans for their accomplishments and others who have supported former military personnel after their return home.

“Every single soldier deserves our undying respect,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “We honor individuals, many of whom have served our country in uniform, and some non-veterans as well, but all have dedicated themselves to serving our returning veterans. These are people who have stepped up and gone above and beyond to serve our veterans; they’re doing God’s work in their service.”

Among those honored were John Sehejong Ha of Plainview, a veteran of the Korean War and second vice president of the Korean War Veterans Central Long Island Chapter. He was honored for...| read more ››

Bellone Calls for Action on Suffolk’s Septic Crisis

Mar
6
2014

There were a lot of up island issues on County Executive Steve Bellone’s agenda in his state of the county address last night, but the bulk of his talk had real implications for East Enders: The nitrogen pollution in the county’s ground and surface waters.

After a summer that saw a record number of harmful algae blooms in Long Island bays, Mr. Bellone denounced the culprit: nitrogen, which is leaching primarily from failing septic systems surrounding the bays, wreaking havoc in the ecosystem of our coastlines.

“For the health of our region today and the sake of future generations, we must address this water quality crisis,” he said. “Nitrogen is public water enemy number one.”

Mr. Bellone said about 360,000...| read more ››

SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE BELLONE DELIVERS STATE OF THE COUNTY TO PACKED ROOM IN HAUPPAUGE

Mar
6
2014

Address Highlights Water Quality & Economic Development as Priorities for the County; Bellone: We need to ‘Reclaim our Water’ together

(Hauppauge, NY) Last night, County Executive Steve Bellone delivered his third State of the County address to a packed room at the William H. Rodgers Legislative Building in Hauppauge.
During his address, Bellone prioritized the imperative need to focus on threats to Suffolk County’s water quality from failing septic tanks and cesspools.

“There is no greater challenge to our future than the water quality crisis that we must now begin to confront as a County. Nitrogen poisoning of our surface and ground waters is the greatest crisis this County has faced in a generation,” said County Executive Bellone. “Clean...| read more ››

Suffolk Exec. Bellone tackles clean water, brain drain in State of the County address

Mar
6
2014

HAUPPAUGE - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone delivered the State of the County address to the Suffolk County Legislature Wednesday evening.

The county executive says Suffolk gained about 18,000 jobs in the past year, but more must be done to help thwart brain drain in the county’s communities.

He also spoke about the importance of cleaning up Long Island's water supply.

"This is a year of action for our water,” said Bellone. “By the end of this year, we will have firmly identified the scope of the problem, begun work to sewer critical areas, have a clear roadmap as to what type of technology we need for every impacted home."

Bellone says there are 360,000 un-sewered homes in Suffolk. The...| read more ››

Bellone State of the County speech targets water quality

Mar
5
2014

Suffolk is preparing a home-by-home analysis of areas to be connected to sewers as part of the county's push to address nitrogen pollution in local waterways, County Executive Steve Bellone said in his State of the County address Wednesday night.

Bellone devoted the largest portion of his 58-minute speech at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge to the issue of water quality.

He also said the county has made progress in reducing its structural budget deficit, noting that the county payroll has declined by 1,000 workers since he took office in 2012.

Bellone has made nitrogen pollution from septic tanks and cesspools his top priority this year. Suffolk will have "firmly identified the scope of the problem"...| read more ››

Bellone Speaks on Downtown Revitalization Efforts to Members of the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce.

Feb
26
2014

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone spoke to members of the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce as well as students of the Bayport-Blue Point Business Class Wednesday morning as part of Bayport-Blue Point High School’s School-To-Business program. Over 100 students, teachers and members of the Chamber attended the meeting where the County Executive spoke about Suffolk County’s water quality initiative, improving transportation infrastructure, and downtown revitalization projects throughout Suffolk County. In addition, County Executive Bellone discussed efforts to reverse the trend of young adults leaving Long Island.

“In order to make our County a model for sustainable economic growth, we need to focus on ways to attract young people to stay on the Island,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “We need...| read more ››

BELLONE AND LEGISLATOR MARTINEZ ANNOUNCE OPENING OF SUFFOLK COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER IN COLLABORATION WITH MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK

Feb
20
2014

(Brentwood, NY) County Executive Bellone was joined by Legislator Monica Martinez, Javier Valdes, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road NY, the Departments of Social Services, Labor and the Human Rights Commission to announce on-site county services to be offered at Make the Road New York in Brentwood, NY.

“Ensuring that all residents have access to County services is of the utmost importance to my administration,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “Today, we have the opportunity to do just that in the Brentwood and Central Islip communities. We have created a county resource center in Brentwood that will be staffed one a week with representatives from the Departments of Labor, Social Services and the Human Rights Commission. These services are made...| read more ››

Steve Bellone pushes plan for speed cameras near schools

Feb
12
2014

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tuesday asked state legislators for the power to install cameras to catch speeders in school zones, an initiative that would expand the current system that nabs drivers who run red lights.
Bellone proposed putting cameras near 20 school sites during a meeting with Long Island's state lawmakers in Albany. He said the initiative would bring in $2 million a year in revenues.
"Speed cameras are used in cities across the nation and have proved effective in reducing traffic accidents and saving lives," Bellone said in his pitch to state lawmakers. He said his initiative resembles a pilot project in New York City that has just started.

Bellone wants authority to put the new...| read more ››

Steve Bellone Announces Release of the 2013 Suffolk County Food Policy Council Annual Report

Feb
11
2014

Hauppauge, NY - February 11, 2014 - Today, the Suffolk County Food Policy Council (SCFPC) released its annual report to the Suffolk County Legislature and to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. This report summarizes the actions and steps taken by the Council over the course of 2013. It also identifies future steps and actions to be investigated in 2014.

The SCFPC is made up of members of the Department of Health Services, the Department of Economic Development & Planning, the Department of Social Services, food equity advocates, community-based groups, food growers, retailers, and distributors, and Legislator Kara Hahn, the Chair of the Suffolk County Legislature’s Environment, Planning, and Agriculture Committee.

The mission of the Food Policy Council is to:
...| read more ››