Monday, April 16, 2007
Bruce Bent Interview, 9/10/01
By featured writer Marty Schwartz
For this column I have interviewed Republican/Conservative candidate for
Nassau County Executive, financier Bruce Bent.
BACKGROUND
Age 64; married with two children and almost two grandchildren. Chief
Executive Officer of a money fund. Bachelors Degree in Economics from St.
John's. Resident of Plandome (North Hempstead) since 1975.
RESTRUCTURING NASSAU's DEBT
What NIFA has been to the County is it. There is no way to restructure the
debt. It's got to be paid sometime in the future.
THE POLICE
Tighter controls of expenses and overtime are needed. Non police work should
be performed by civilians. People should come in at a competitive rate when
hired.
THE MEDICAL CENTER
I like Dick Turan, the new Executive Director. He has hired a top CPA firm to
review the financial situation. He's going in the right direction.
SALES TAX
We must ultimately reduce it. It's regressive taxation but unfortunately
needed.
KEY ISSUES FOR THE COUNTY EXEC RACE
There are 3 that I will mention.
(1)Career politicians are more concerned
about the next election then serving government. Pandering to special
interest groups must be reduced.
(2)We must find ways to deliver services at
the lowest cost to the taxpayer.
(3)Not to impose national issues on local politics (i.e; choice, death
penalty). We should base this campaign on local issues.
TO GOVERNOR PATAKI
We should balance our books and increase our services. We need your help on
binding arbitration legislation and chargebacks of certiorari cases to the
taxing entity.We are greatful for NIFA, which is a positive influence.
ASSESSMENT
The courts say we have to re-assess. What's been done has been unfair. People
should be taxed on market value. It's just that simple. People will still
continue to appeal their taxes.
STRATEGY IN DEALING WITH A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE
I will have no problem. I'm here to represent the people of Nassau regardless
of the way they vote. If people are here to serve Nassau, working with them
will be easy. I promise that the media will be kept up-to-date and informed.
POSITIVES OF NASSAU COUNTY GOVERNMENT
The Park system is outstanding even though more maintenance is needed. The
beaches are beautiful and snow removal is adequate. The Police do an
outstanding job and the Fire Marshal's Office is helpful in dealing with the
local volunteer fire departments.
Tom Suozzi Interview during 2001 Democratic Primary for County Executive
By featured writer Marty Schwartz
For this column I have interviewed Nassau Democratic County Executive candidate, Tom Suozzi
BACKGROUND Age 38; married with two children. Law Degree from Fordham Law School and undergraduate degree from Boston College. Lifetime resident of Glen Cove and Mayor since 1994.
COUNTY'S FINANCES A total debacle due to the culture of machine politics. Every issue that Nassau County has we had in Glen Cove. A new County Executive needs to be an agent of change and needs the skill to get the job done.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYSELF AND TOM DiNAPOLI I'm a CEO for nearly 8 years; he's a legislator. I'm a CPA and an attorney and a risk taker. I'm willing to make changes through tough decisions especially with the finances in Glen Cove and the garbage carters. I'm much more independent. He's a total Party person.
SALES TAX We are overly dependent on sales tax. With a slight change in the economy, we could be in big trouble.
POLICE CONTRACT We need to civilianize positions where you have high paid police working as computer specialists, bodyguards and clerical. We can reduce the costs. I'm against layoffs and we need to decrease the rate of increase.
THE PATAKI ADMINISTRATION I agree with Governor Pataki on some environmental initiatives. Other than that I have no special fondness for him and do not plan to vote for him next year.
SOCIAL SERVICES We have the opportunity to be a model for other communities. We need to help the poor and victims of social problems. We're losing a whole generation of kids to other areas and there will be serious issues down the road. I believe I will manage our social programs more effectively.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING I have a specific plan to build affordable housing for young people and senior citizens on our commercial strips.
TO BRUCE BENT I'm not running against you. I'm running for a job based on my financial and governmental background. I welcome you to debate the issues.
SUCCESSES AS GLEN COVE MAYOR Restoring the pride and optimism of the people by: (1)balancing the budget (2)revitalizing the downtown area and (3)cleaning up pollution at the waterfront.
RHUBARB, SQUASH & YAKETY YAK
As a salute to 80's rock superstars Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes, the Nassau County Medical Center Board of Directors got together and unanimously voted to rename the hospital "Turan Turan"...Let's make 12th District Legislator and Minority Leader, Peter Schmitt, a 15-17 point fave over his opponent...The rumor that Congressman King and I opened an IRA account is not true...Assemblywoman Kate Murray (19th, Levittown) is expected to win her race for Hempstead Town Clerk. After she wins, a special election should be called around February '02 and my prediction is that 15th District Legislator, Dennis Dunne (East Meadow) runs for that seat ... One interesting race to watch for in Suffolk: Tom Spota v Jim Catterson for D.A. It's a toss-up...Who's likely to run for Governor next year? Carl McCall, Huntz Hall or Chuck deGaulle?...Incumbent Oyster Bay Town Clerk, Martha Offerman, with Independence backing, is a razor thin fave over Hicksville superstar Rose Walker. This seat is up for grabs...Former Massapequa ParkTrustee, Bill Van Wagner, may be the strongest candidate going into the big March '02 Trustee race...If you're interested in finding out more about the lone Hempstead Democratic Councilwoman, check out the website .goosby.com...Well anyway, Sweet Home Alabama!
Peter King Interview, 10/26/06
By featured writer Marty Schwartz
BACKGROUND: Age 62; married with two children and a resident of Seaford. Congressman since January 1993; former County Comptroller (1981-1992) and Hempstead Councilman (1978-1981). Law Degree from Notre Dame and an undergraduate degree from St. Francis (Brooklyn).
NORTH KOREA: They do not have a government. It is actually a one-man organized crime family. North Korea is sourrounded by major nations including Russia, China and Taiwan. All have some interest in North Korea not getting nuclear weapons. This is good for us. This is a real problem; maybe not today, tomorrow or next year. The leader has to be stopped.
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH: He has done a good job on the war against terrorism. I disagreed with him on the Dubai ports and immigration, Overall he has been a good President. For the people who criticize him, ask yourselves how Kerry and Gore would have done.
ISRAEL: A democracy and the strongest ally in the mideast. I have a close relationship with the Washington Embassy and the New York Consulate. With the war against Hezbollah, we win the game but do not cover the spread.
A FEW MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: (1) Chuck Schumer-He is hard working and day-to-day bipartisan. We've disagreed on many issues. (2) Tony Blair-I have the highest regard for him. I met him during the Irish peace process. He is honest and able and a good ally. (3) 2008 Presidential Year-Giuliani is the strongest and McCain is second for the Republicans. I do not see Mitt Romney or Governor George Allen doing anything. Hillary Clinton will make it or not make it. If she gets off the ground, she makes it. It's possible that she gets blown off the launching pad in Iowa. She is good to work with. (4) Dennis Hastert-A quiet, low-key guy. You have to work with him. He gets more than you would expect out of people. He was a compromise candidate and has worked out well.
THE US MILITARY: It's the best in the world and has been asked to do a tough job in Iraq, where I have been a few times. Morale is high and different than what the media says. Whatever happens, our military has done its job.
IMMIGRATION: I am a supporter of legal immigration. Prior to 9/11/01 it's not the issue it is today. I am opposed to illegal immigration and amnesty to illegal immigrants. We must secure the border with a 700 mile wall using military technology. Illegal immigrants that are captured need to be returned to their country and we must penalize employers that hire illegals.
ETHNIC PROFILING: An airport screener should be allowed to factor in someone's background. Discretion should be given if screeners want to question Islamics, Muslims and Arabs. Common sense and logic are needed to cover us when people are boarding airplanes.
IRAQ: This is a tough situation. We will be able to separate this into phases. (1) Saddam Hussein-We defeated him and the terrorist threat. It's now under control. (2) Sectarian Fighting-The Federal govenment has to stop it. The biggest question is whether the Iraqi government is able to stablize itself.
HOMELAND SECURITY: We are much safer than we are before 9/11. The enemy will always change its antics and we must adapt. There is no magic wand to solve this problem. Airlines, subways, port security and nuclear plants are better today but there are vulnerablities. Containers need to be monitored that are sent from overseas.
CLOSING STATEMENT: We live in a dangerous world. As Chairman of the Homeland Secvurity Committee, I have a strong national role in fighting Islamic terrorism. I support wiretapping of terrorists, profiling for terrorists and tougher interrogations of a captured terrorist. I also will continue to denounce radical Muslims living on Long Island. The stakes are too high to back down to political correctness
Tom DiNapoli Interview during the County Exec Primary in 2001
By featured writer Marty Schwartz
For this column I have interviewed Nassau Democratic County Executive candidate, Tom DiNapoli.
BACKGROUND Age 47 and single. Resident of Great Neck. 16th District Assemblyman since 1986 and originally from Rockville Centre. Former Mineola School Board Trustee 1972-82. Masters Degree in Human Resources Managment from the New School.
POLICE CONTRACT This is the key. We must be tough and fair. Whatever is being negoatiated must be realistic as opposed to the past.
SALES TAX One of the more onerous taxes. I'm proud to have passed enabling legislation in Albany to exempt counties from clothing sales tax, something that Suffolk and NYC have taken advantage of, and Nassau unfortunately cannot take advantage of at this time.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING We've had meetings with the LI Housing Partnership and advocacy groups to find creative solutions to Long Island's critical problem. These solutions have come in the form of public and private partnerships that protect the community from over-development, but also focus on affordable housing for families starting off and senior citizens.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYSELF AND TOM SUOZZI Glen Cove is a nice small city. I've had 15 years in Albany working with issues that affect Nassau as a whole. This has given me the experience and insight into the problems Nassau now faces and the best solutions to its problems. Tom Suozzi has never had to address the problems and issues that I have worked on in almost 30 years in government.
TO BRUCE BENT You need to be accountable as to where you have been as the County has spiraled out of control. And by the way, no nukes!
SUCCESSES AS AN ASSEMBLYMAN I established the Veterans Toll Free Hot Line to access resources and support for NY veterans. I've also brought together diverse groups of people for common benficial results (i.e; Neighborhood Notification Pesticide Law, which protects families from toxins, and preserving 50,000 acres of Pine Barrens Land). Getting the NIFA legislation passed and bringing $105 million in State Aid to protect Nassau taxpayers has also been key.
CLOSING COMMENT What I bring to the County Executive office is to build partnerships and bridges and not build walls. That's what we need right now. There are many problems that need to be addressed and solved right now.
RHUBARB, SQUASH & YAKETY YAK
So, who's most likely to watch the Antiques Road Show? Bruce Bent, Norm Lent or Clark Kent?...Based on recent court challenges, dissident Nassau Independence members have lobbied Chairman Kapsis to rename the organization the "Green Party"...14th LD Democratic candidate, Dave Mejias, told me that he plans to spend as much as $50k to unseat incumbent Sal Pontillo...The #1 question I've been asked at the Massapequa Diner recently is how will the legislature go this November. After blowing my prediction in '99, all I can say is that it is too close to call. A lot will depend on the 4 key races for Democratic incumbents: Scannell (5th LD), Toback (7th), Muellers (18th) and Denenberg (19th)...I'm expecting District Court Judge, Mike Alonge, to win another 6-year term...Let's make incumbents Controller Parola and County Clerk Murphy the faves to win again...For the first person from South Farmingdale, who correctly picks the winner of the DiNapoli-Suozzi primary, that person will receive a free Receivership courtesy of the Nassau County Bar Association. Only kidding, well maybe!
Ronald Reagan Republican Club, Huntington
3rd Thursday of the Month
Northport American Legion. 7 Woodside Ave.
President, Karen Rosen, 631-398-1237
Lindenhurst Republican Club
Lindenhurst Community Rainbow Center
2nd Wednesday of the Month, 8pm
Committee Meeting, half hour before
President; Shawn Cullinane
Suffolk County Village Offiicials
Village of Amityville
Incorporated 1894
Town of Babylon, Population 9,441
Board meets 2nd & 4th Monday of the month
Mayor .....................................................................Peter T. Imbert
Trustees ....................................Peter M. Casserly (Deputy Mayor)
Edward C. Johnson
Joseph C. Slack
Richard M. Ubert
Village Administrator/Clerk ................................Diane C. Sheridan
Treasurer ...............................................................Donna Barnett
DPW Foreman .....................................................Bruce S. Hopper
Village Justice .............................................Debra Urbano-DiSalvo
Counsel .........................................................Bruce Kennedy, Esq.
Police Chief ............................................Woodrow W. Cromarty, II
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ............................................................21 Greene Avenue,
Amityville, New York 11701
Phone .....................................................................631-264-6000
631-789-2200 (DPW)
631-691-3303 (Court)
631-691-1909 (Building Dept.)
Fax .........................................................................631-598-0363
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.5
E-Mail Address ............................boardoftrustees@amityville.com
Website ...........................................................www.amityville.com
_____________________________________________
Village of Asharoken
Incorporated 1925
Town of Huntington, Population 625
Board meets 1st Monday of the month
Mayor ...................................................................William H. Kelly
Trustees ........................................Peter E. Fauser (Deputy Mayor)
Patricia Irving, Alexander Janow, Robert Marks
Village Clerk ............................................................Dorothy Aiello
Treasurer .............................................................Victoria Preston
DPW Superintendent ..............................................Melvin Ettinger
Highway Superintendent ..............................................Eric Fauser
Village Justice .........................................................Charles Brown
Counsel ..............................................................Laure Nolan, Esq.
Police Commissioner ............................................William H. Kelly
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address .........................................................1 Asharoken Avenue,
Northport, New York 11768
Phone .....................................................................631-261-7098
Fax .........................................................................631-262-0462
Square Mileage ...........................................................1,000 Acres
4
Village of Babylon
Incorporated 1893
Town of Babylon, Population 12,615
Board meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month
Mayor ................................................................Ralph A. Scordino
Trustees .............................................................Deborah G. Basile
Anthony J. Davida
Kevin S. Muldowney (Deputy Mayor)
Alice M. Vanderveldt
Village Clerk ........................................................Patricia C. Carley
Treasurer .................................................................Joan Crockett
DPW Superintendent ............................................Charles Gardner
Village Justice ...........................................................John T. Rafter
Counsel .............................................................Joel Sikowitz, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address .......................................................153 West Main Street,
Babylon, New York 11702
Phone .......................................................631-669-1212 (Mayor)
631-669-1500 (Village Clerk)
631-669-4878 (Highway Department)
Fax .........................................................................631-669-1236
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.6
E-Mail Address .............................................rsvob@optonline.net
_____________________________________________
Village of Belle Terre
Incorporated 1931
Town of Brookhaven, Population 832
Board meets 3rd Tuesday of the month
Mayor .............................................................................Ted Lucki
Trustees ...........................................Sheila Knapp (Deputy Mayor)
Lauren McKay
Robert Sandak
Patricia Triant
Village Clerk/Treasurer .....................................Lee Paige-Ekstrom
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer ..............................................Joanne Raso
Village Justice ..........................................................Charles Russo
Counsel .....................................................James J. von Oiste, Esq.
Constable Chief ....................................................Robert J. Walker
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ......................................................................1 Cliff Road,
Belle Terre, New York 11777
Phone .....................................................................631-928-0020
Fax .........................................................................631-928-7971
Square Mileage ........................................................................ .93
Website ..............................................www.villageofbelleterre.com
5
Village of Bellport
Incorporated 1908
Town of Brookhaven, Population 2,900
Board meets last Monday of the month
Mayor .....................................................................Frank C. Trotta
Trustees ..........................................Phil Gallo, Robert H. Lyons, III
John N. Orlando (Deputy Mayor), J. Lee Snead
Village Clerk ..............................................................Roger Terrel
Treasurer ......................................................Donna Marie Rinaldi
DPW Superintendent ..........................................Michael Costanzo
Village Justice .........................................................John J. Roe, III
Counsel ............................................................Robert Green, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Director of Code Enforcement ...............................Donald Mullins
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ..........................................P.O. Box 86, 29 Bellport Lane,
Bellport, New York 11713
Phone .....................................................................631-286-0327
Fax .........................................................................631-286-7055
Square Mileage ............................................................................1
E-Mail Address ........................................info@bellportvillage.org
Website .....................................................www.bellportvillage.org
_____________________________________________
Village of Brightwaters
Incorporated 1916
Town of Islip, Population 3,300
Board meets 1st Monday of the month
Mayor ................................................................Joseph A. McNulty
Trustees .......Mary Susan Belford, Charles Fischer (Deputy Mayor)
George Holdsworth, III, Ruth Tiemann
Village Clerk/Treasurer ........................................Christine O'Shea
Deputy Village Clerk/Treasurer ................................Virginia Anitra
DPW Clerks .........................................Carol Posimato, Debi Reilly
Highway Foreman ................................................George Peterson
Village Justice .......................................................Barry V. Pittman
Counsel .........................................................John P. Finnerty, Esq.
Police ...................................................................................SCPD
Code Enforcement Chief ......................................Vincent P. Clancy
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address .........................................P.O. Box 601, 40 Seneca Drive,
Brightwaters, New York 11718-0601
Phone ........................................................631-665-1280 (Office)
631-665-1281 (Court)
631-665-4646 (Hwy. Dept.)
Fax .........................................................................631-665-2830
Square Mileage ............................................................................1
E-Mail Address ......................................vobwclerk@optonline.net
6
Village of Dering Harbor
Incorporated 1916
Town of Shelter Island
Population Summer, 82; Winter, 13
Board meets 3rd Saturday of the month
Mayor ................................................................Timothy H. Hogue
Trustees .....................................................................Linda Adams
Heather Brownlie
Richard Smith
Mary Walker
Village Clerk/Treasurer .........................................Carol B. Russell
Counsel ..................................Prokop & Prokop, Attorneys at Law
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................2nd Tuesday in June
Address ..................................................................P.O. Box 3010,
Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965
Phone .....................................................................631-749-0020
Fax .........................................................................631-749-3520
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.1
_____________________________________________
Village of East Hampton
Incorporated 1920
Town of East Hampton, Population 1,446
Work session: 1st Thursday of the month
Regular meeting: 3rd Friday of the month
Mayor .........................................................Paul F. Rickenbach, Jr.
Trustees .................................Barbara S. Borsack (Deputy Mayor)
David H. Brown
Elbert T. Edwards
Edwin L. Sherrill, Jr.
Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer .....................Larry Cantwell
DPW Superintendent ..................................................Scott Fithian
Counsel ................................................................Linda Riley, Esq.
Police Chief .............................................................Gerard Larsen
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................August 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address .................................................................86 Main Street,
East Hampton, New York 11937
Phone .....................................................................631-324-4150
Fax .........................................................................631-324-4189
Square Mileage ..........................................................................16
E-Mail Address .........................lcantwell@easthamptonvillage.org
Website ..............................................www.easthamptonvillage.org
7
Village of Greenport
Incorporated 1838
Town of Southold, Population 2,139
Work session: 2nd Thursday of the month
Regular meeting: 3rd Thursday of the month
Mayor .....................................................................David E. Kapell
Trustees ....Bradley B. Burns, George W. Hubbard (Deputy Mayor)
William J. Mills, III, Valerie Shelby
Village Administrator ................................................David Abatelli
Village Clerk .........................................................Christie Hallock
Counsel ..................................Prokop & Prokop, Attorneys at Law
Police ...............................................Southold Police Department
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .................................... 3rd Tuesday in March
Address ...............................................................236 Third Street,
Greenport, New York 11944
Phone .....................................................................631-477-0224
631-477-0248
Fax .........................................................................631-477-1877
Square Mileage ............................................................................1
Website .................................................www.greenportvillage.com
_____________________________________________
Village of Head of the Harbor
Incorporated 1928
Town of Smithtown, Population 1,436
Board meets 3rd Wednesday of the month
No meeting in August
Mayor ................................................................Glenn D. Williams
Trustees ..................................................................Larry Swanson
Natale Tartamella (Deputy Mayor)
Marie Wiese
Frank Zingale
Village Clerk .......................................................Margaret O’Keefe
Treasurer ...............................................................David Eldridge
Commissioner of Highways ...................................J. Ted Naughton
DPW Superintendent ...................................................John Precht
Village Justice .......................................................Ellen D. Fishkin
Counsel .........................................................James Gesualdi, Esq.
Police Chief .......................................................Martin Thompson
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................March 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ..................................................500 North Country Road,
St. James, New York 11780
Phone ..............................................631-584-5550(Village Clerk)
631-585-2034 (Court Clerk)
631-584-5602 (Building Inspector)
Fax .........................................................................631-862-1417
Square Mileage .....................................................................18.67
8
Village of Huntington Bay
Incorporated 1924
Town of Huntington, Population 1,500
Board meets 2nd Monday of the month
Mayor .......................................................................Herb Morrow
Trustees ..............................................Dennis Gai (Deputy Mayor)
John McCusker
Jay Meyer
Donald T. Rave, Jr.
Village Administrator/Treasurer ...............................Lynn Pincomb
Deputy Clerk ..............................................................Wendy Ladd
Village Justice .......................................................Stephen Kunken
Counsel .........................................................James Gesualdi, Esq.
Police Chief .........................................................Raymond Hubbs
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ..................................................................P.O. Box 2184,
Huntington, New York 11743
Phone .....................................................................631-427-2843
Fax .........................................................................631-425-3063
Square Mileage ............................................................................1
Website ......................................................www.huntingtonbay.org
E-Mail Address ........................................info@huntingtonbay.org
_____________________________________________
Village of Islandia
Incorporated 1985
Town of Islip, Population 3,057
Board meets 1st Wednesday of the month
Mayor .................................................................Allan M. Dorman
Trustees .............................................................Henry Bradley, III
Neil J. Munro (Deputy Mayor)
Diane F. Olk
Darryl B. Samples
Village Clerk ..........................................................Marie Zielenski
Treasurer ...............................................................Felix Wienclaw
Village Justice ..........................................................Alan Wolinsky
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Counsel ..................................Prokop & Prokop, Attorneys at Law
Fiscal Year Begins .........................................................January 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ....................................................1100 Old Nichols Road,
Islandia, New York 11749
Phone .....................................................................631-348-1133
Fax .........................................................................631-348-7650
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.5
E-Mail Address ..........................................islandia@optonline.net
9
Village of Lake Grove
Incorporated 1968
Town of Brookhaven, Population 10,250
Board meets 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month
Mayor ...............................................................Scott D. Middleton
Trustees ...............................................................Richard J. Cohen
Eleanor J. Lotto
John G. Peterson
Robert J. Scottaline (Deputy Mayor)
Village Administrator .................................................Lee Hoeffner
Village Clerk .......................................................Carmela Constant
Treasurer ...........................................................Felix A. Wienclaw
DPW Superintendent ..........................................Douglas J. Colino
Village Justice ...................................................Lewis A. Silverman
Counsel ..........................................................Gerald L. Lotto, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ..................................P.O. Box 708, 980 Hawkins Avenue,
Lake Grove, New York 11755-0708
Phone .....................................................................631-585-2000
Fax .........................................................................631-585-2039
Square Mileage ............................................................................3
_____________________________________________
Village of Lindenhurst
Incorporated 1923
Town of Babylon, Population 27,819
Board meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month
No meeting in July and August
Mayor .............................................................Thomas A. Brennan
Trustees ....................................................................Jodi Caravella
Michael Lavorata
Kevin McCaffrey (Deputy Mayor)
Carol Tanner
Village Clerk/Treasurer ........................................Shawn Cullinane
Highway Crew Leader .....................................Thomas Schirmuhly
Village Justice ...........................................................H. John Bopp
Counsel .............................................................Gerard Glass, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................March 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ............................................430 South Wellwood Avenue,
Lindenhurst, New York 11757
Phone .....................................................................631-957-7500
Fax .........................................................................631-957-4605
Square Mileage .........................................................................3.5
E-Mail Address ........................................volmayor@optonline.net
Website ...........................................www.villageoflindenhurst.com
10
Village of Lloyd Harbor
Incorporated 1926
Town of Huntington, Population 3,400
Board meets 3rd Monday of the month
No meeting in August
Mayor ...................................................................Leland M. Hairr
Trustees ...................................................................Ralph Alfenito
James R. Clark, Hilary Rolih
Christopher Seniuk
Jean M. Thatcher (Deputy Mayor)
William Walsh
Village Clerk/Treasurer .............................................Eileen Schulz
DPW Superintendent ........................................George M. McCabe
Village Justice ....................................................Stephen P. Scaring
Counsel ..............................................................Humes & Wagner
Police Commissioners .............................................Ralph Alfenito
Christopher Seniuk
Jean M. Thatcher
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ...................................................32 Middle Hollow Road,
Huntington, New York 11743
Phone .....................................................................631-549-8893
Fax .........................................................................631-549-8879
Square Mileage .........................................................................9.2
Website .....................................................www.lloydharbor-ny.org
E-Mail Address ...............................................lhvh@optonline.net
_____________________________________________
Village of Nissequogue
Incorporated 1926
Town of Smithtown, Population 1,543
Board meets 3rd Tuesday of the month
Mayor ..................................................................Richard B. Smith
Trustees ..................................Robert P. Clemente (Deputy Mayor)
Lawrence M. Kenney, John T. Moore, George C. Pfitzer
Village Clerk ...................................................Maryjane B. Kenney
Treasurer .......................................................Patricia A. Mulderig
Deputy Clerk ....................................................Catherine D. Smith
Highway Superintendent .....................................George H. Gifford
Village Justice .............................Joel J. Ziegler & Robert M. Baum
Counsel ...................................................Eugene R. Barnosky, LLP
Deputy Police Commissioner ..............................John I. Valentine
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address .........................................................631 Moriches Road,
St. James, New York 11780
Phone .....................................................................631-862-7400
Fax .........................................................................631-862-7401
Square Mileage .........................................................................3.6
11
Village of North Haven
Incorporated 1932
Town of Southampton, Population 750
Board meets 1st Tuesday of the month
Mayor .........................................................................Laura Nolan
Trustees ............................................................Regina Humanitzki
James F. Morrissey
R. James Smyth, Jr.
Frederick Stelle (Deputy Mayor)
Village Clerk/Treasurer ...................................Edward Deyermond
Counsel ......................................................Anthony B. Tohill, Esq.
Public Works Superintendent ..................................Glenn Ficorilli
Police ....................................................Southampton Town Police
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ................................................................335 Ferry Road,
Sag Harbor, New York 11963
Phone .....................................................................631-725-1378
Fax .........................................................................631-725-1120
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.5
_____________________________________________
Village of Northport
Incorporated 1894
Town of Huntington, Population 7,606
Board meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month
Mayor ................................................................Peter G. Panarites
Trustees ......................................................................George Doll
Arlene Handel
Victor G. Howard (Deputy Mayor)
Edward Perlin
Village Clerk ...............................................................Donna Koch
Treasurer ..................................................................Anne Mackin
Village Justice .........................................................Paul H. Senzer
Counsel ........................................................James Matthews, Esq.
Police Chief .........................................................Eric Bruckenthal
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................March 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ...............................................................224 Main Street,
Northport, New York 11768
Phone .....................................................................631-261-7502
Fax .........................................................................631-261-7521
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.5
Website ..........................www.northportny.com/village/village.html
E-Mail Address .........................................nptclerk@optonline.net
12
Village of Ocean Beach
Incorporated 1921
Town of Islip, Population 138
Board meets monthly
Mayor ..............................................................Natalie Katz Rogers
Trustees ................................Steven L. Einig, Joseph C. Loeffler, Jr.
James S. Mallott (Deputy Mayor)
William A. Wingate
Village Administrator/Treasurer .......................Mary Anne Minerva
Village Superintendent of Public Works ..............Kevin J. Schelling
Village Justice .........................................................Joseph Russell
Counsel .......................Bee Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan, LLP
Police Chief .........................................................Edward Paradiso
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ............................................1st Friday in June
Address ....................................................................P.O. Box 457,
Ocean Beach, New York 11770
Phone .....................................................................631-583-5940
Fax .........................................................................631-583-7597
Square Mileage .....................................................169,600 sq. feet
Website ............................................................www.obvillage.com
_____________________________________________
Village of Old Field
Incorporated 1927
Town of Brookhaven, Population 947
Board meets 2nd Tuesday of the month
Mayor .......................................................................Cary F. Staller
Trustees ......................................................Thomas C. Gulbransen
Ernst R. Habicht (Deputy Mayor)
Charlene S. Seifert
John H. VonLintig
Village Clerk ...................................................Jordana B. Casciano
Deputy Village Clerk .........................................Barbara T. O’Brien
Treasurer .......................................................Barbara A. Dragone
Building Inspector .....................................................Joseph Arico
Village Engineer ....................................................Steven J. Hyman
Village Justice ......................................................Ronald J. La Vita
Counsel ..................Anthony S. Guardino, Esq., (Farrell Fritz, P.C.)
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................March 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ..................................................................P.O. Box 2724,
Old Field, New York 11733
Phone .....................................................................631-941-9412
Fax .........................................................................631-941-9440
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.5
E-Mail Address ................................................oldfieldli@aol.com
Website .............................................................www.oldfieldny.org
13
Village of Patchogue
Incorporated 1893
Town of Brookhaven, Population 11,983
Board meets 2nd & 4th Monday of the month
Mayor ...............................................................Paul V. Pontieri, Jr.
Trustees .................................................................Gerard J. Crean
Joseph P. Dean, William Hilton
John A. Krieger, Stephen J. McGiff,
Joseph E. Perry (Deputy Mayor)
Village Clerk ..........................................................Patricia M. Seal
Treasurer ......................................................Ronald M. Krawczyk
DPW ..............................................................................John Lund
Village Justice ............................................Christopher P. McGuire
Counsel ..............................................................J. Lee Snead, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Code Enforcement Director ....................................Tom DiSimone
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ..........................................P.O. Box 719, 14 Baker Street,
Patchogue, NY 11772
Phone .....................................................................631-475-4300
631-475-1225 (Emergency)
Fax .........................................................................631-475-4314
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.2
E-Mail Address ............................ppontieri@patchoguevillage.org
Website ..................................................www.patchoguevillage.org
_____________________________________________
Village of Poquott
Incorporated 1931
Town of Brookhaven, Population 971
Board meets 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month
Mayor .................................................................Barbara Donovan
Trustees ..........................................Carol Castillo (Deputy Mayor)
Carol Lane, Sandra Nicoletti, Christine Vitkun
Village Clerk ...............................................................Joe Newfield
Treasurer ......................................................................John Lane
Deputy Clerk ........................................................Jean Menninger
Village Justice ............................................W. Alexander Melbartis
Counsel ...............................................Sarisohn Law Partners, LLP
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ......................................................45 Birchwood Avenue,
Poquott, New York 11733
Phone .....................................................................631-476-4043
Fax .........................................................................631-331-0402
Square Mileage ............................................................................3
14
Village of Port Jefferson
Incorporated 1963
Town of Brookhaven, Population 7,837
Public Meeting: 1st Monday of the month
Mayor .........................................................................Michael Lee
Trustees ..................................................................Lawrence Britt
Harry Faulknor
Brian Harty (Deputy Mayor)
Barbara Ransome
Village Administrator/Clerk ..................................Robert J. Juliano
Treasurer ....................................................................Diane Javitz
Highway Superintendent ......................................Steven Gallagher
Village Justices .................................Peter Graham and John Reilly
Counsel ...........................................................Barry Warren, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Constable Chief .........................................................Edward Kietel
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ..........................................................121 West Broadway,
Port Jefferson, New York 11777
Phone .....................................................................631-473-4724
Fax .........................................................................631-473-8799
Square Mileage .......................................................................3.28
E-Mail Address ...............................................clerk@portjeff.com
Website ...............................................................www.portjeff.com
_____________________________________________
Village of Quogue
Incorporated 1928
Town of Southampton, Population Year Round 1,026; Summer, 5,000
Regular meeting: 3rd Friday of the month
Mayor ...................................................................George M. Motz
Trustees ...........................................Randy Cardo (Deputy Mayor)
William Hines, Jeanette Obser
Sidney S. Phillips
Village Clerk/Treasurer ............................................Jean B. Harris
DPW Superintendent .....................................Douglas Edwards, Jr.
Village Justice ..............................................................Kittric Motz
Counsel ..................................................Richard E. DePetris, Esq.
Police Chief .........................................................Robert Coughlan
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ...........................................3rd Friday in June
Address ....................................................................P.O. Box 926,
Quogue, New York 11959
Phone .....................................................................631-653-4498
Fax .........................................................................631-653-4776
Square Mileage ............................................................................5
E-Mail Address ............................................quogue926@aol.com
15
Village of Sag Harbor
Incorporated 1819
Towns of East Hampton & Southampton
Population 2,313
Board meets 2nd Tuesday of the month
Mayor .........................................................Edward T. Deyermond
Trustees .................................Gregory N. Ferraris (Deputy Mayor)
Brian Gilbride, Edward J. Gregory, Tiffany Scarlato
Village Clerk ..................................................Sandra L. Schroeder
Village Treasurer ........................................................Craig Furrer
DPW Superintendent ...................................................James Early
Counsel ..........................................................Lisa Kombrink, Esq.
Police Chief .........................................................Thomas Fabiano
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ...........................................P.O. Box 660, 55 Main Street,
Sag Harbor, New York 11963-0015
Phone .....................................................................631-725-0222
631-725-0107 (Highway Department)
631-725-0247 (Police)
Fax .........................................................................631-725-0316
Square Mileage ............................................................................2
E-Mail Address ........................sschroeder@sagharborvillage.com
Website ................................................www.sagharborvillage.com
_____________________________________________
Village of Saltaire
Incorporated 1917
Town of Islip, Population Year Round, 43;
Summer, 2,500
Board meets monthly
Mayor ..................................................................Scott Rosenblum
Trustees .........................................Pia Notaro Carroll, Robert Cox,
Hugh O’Brien, Bruce Rich
Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer ...................Mario Posillico
DPW Superintendent .........................................Vernon Henriksen
Village Justice ...........................................Nicholas M. DiCostanzo Counsel ..................................Prokop & Prokop, Attorneys at Law
Security Chief ..........................................................Joseph Walter
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ............................Friday before Memorial Day
Address ..................................................................P.O. Box 5551,
Bay Shore, New York 11706
Phone .....................................................................631-583-5566
631-583-5927, 631-583-9070
Fax .........................................................................631-583-5986
Square Mileage .........................................................................0.3
E-Mail Address ................................................office@saltaire.org
Website ................................................................www.saltaire.org
16
Village of Shoreham
Incorporated 1913
Town of Brookhaven, Population 520
Board meets 2nd Tuesday of the month
Mayor ......................................................................Wilbur Klatsky
Trustees .....................................................................Joseph Falco
Timothy Ingoldsby
Roger Pijacki (Deputy Mayor)
Carol Willen
Village Clerk/Treasurer .................................................John Bates
DPW Superintendent .............................................Lawrence Kogel
Village Justice .........................................................Richard Kullen
Counsel .....................................Richard Charles Hamburger, Esq.
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins ..........................................................August 1st
Village Election Day ........................................3rd Tuesday in June
Address ....................................................................P.O. Box 389,
Shoreham, New York 11786
Phone .....................................................................631-821-0680
Fax .........................................................................631-821-4102
Square Mileage .........................................................................4.8
E-Mail Address ............................................shoreham5@aol.com
Website .................................................www.csdnet.net/shoreham
_____________________________________________
Village of Southampton
Incorporated 1894
Town of Southampton, Population 5,000
Board meets 2nd Friday of the month
Mayor ..........................................................................Mark Epley
Trustees .................................................................William F. Bates
James W. McFarlane
Nancy C. McGann (Deputy Mayor)
Paul L. Robinson
Village Administrator ..................................James A. Van Nostrand
Treasurer ................................................................Alison Burrell
Counsel ......................................................Richard DePetris, Esq.
Police Chief .....................................................................Lars King
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ...........................................3rd Friday in June
Address .................................................................23 Main Street,
Southampton, New York 11968
Phone .....................................................................631-283-0247
Fax .........................................................................631-283-4990
Square Mileage ............................................................................6
E-Mail Address ................................info@southamptonvillage.org
Website .............................................www.southamptonvillage.org
17
Village of The Branch
Incorporated 1927
Town of Smithtown, Population 1,895
Board meets 2nd Tuesday of the month
Mayor ...................................................................Irene K. Kissane
Trustees ....................................................................Kevin Condon
Nancy Ewing
Peter Kearns (Deputy Mayor)
Thomas Keon
Village Clerk ..........................................................Robert Morlath
Treasurer .............................................................Theresa Mequia
Village Justice ..........................Fred Schwartz & Jacqueline Skubik
Counsel .................................................................Attonito & Ring
Police ....................................................................................SCPD
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ....................................................................P.O. Box 725,
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone .....................................................................631-265-3315
631-979-8989 (Building Insp.)
Fax .........................................................................631-382-7688
Square Mileage .........................................................................0.9
E-Mail Address ......................................rmorlath1@optonline.net
Website ...............................................www.villageofthebranch.net
_____________________________________________
Village of Westhampton Beach
Incorporated 1928
Town of Southampton, Population 1,902
Board meets 1st Thursday of the month
Mayor ..................................................................Robert T. Strebel
Trustees ..............................................................Ora Belle Barnett
James Kametler, Timothy Laube (Deputy Mayor)
Conrad Teller
Village Clerk/Treasurer .....................................Kathleen McGinnis
DPW Superintendent ...............................................Joe Benedetto
Village Justice ....................................................Robert A. Kelly, Jr.
Counsel ........................................................Richard Haefeli, Esq.
Police Chief ...........................................................Raymond Dean
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day ...........................................3rd Friday in June
Address .............................................................92 Sunset Avenue,
Westhampton Beach, New York 11978
Phone .....................................................................631-288-1654
Fax .........................................................................631-288-4332
Square Mileage .........................................................................2.9
E-Mail Address ..............................clerk@westhamptonbeach.org
Website ..............................................www.westhamptonbeach.org
18
Village of West Hampton Dunes
Incorporated 1993
Town of Southampton, Population 560
Board meets 3rd Tuesday of the month
Mayor ..................................................................Gary A. Vegliante
Trustees .....................................................................George Asem
Charles Brown
Robert Strecker
Gary Trimarchi
Village Clerk ..................................................Laura J. Dalessandro
Treasurer ..................................................................Claire Tevere
Counsel ..................................Prokop & Prokop, Attorneys at Law
Police Chief .................................Donald Zlatniski, Chief of Patrol
Fiscal Year Begins .............................................................June 1st
Village Election Day .....................................3rd Tuesday in March
Address ....................................................................P.O. Box 728,
Westhampton Beach, New York 11978
Phone .....................................................................631-288-6571
Constables ..............................................................631-288-7811
Court Clerk .............................................................516-739-0802
Fax .........................................................................631-288-5240
Square Mileage .........................................................................1.5
E-Mail Address .............................................mayor@whdunes.org
Website ..............................................................www.whdunes.org
_____________________________________________
Notes:
19
About the Suffolk County
Village Officials Association
The Suffolk County Village Officials Association (SCVOA) was established more than 60 years ago as the professional organization for Suffolk County’s incorporated villages. With government issues and municipal management becoming more complex in recent years, SCVOA has grown into the role of chief lobbyist and public policy advocate for the county’s villages.
Suffolk’s incorporated villages represent the foundation of the county’s economy and residential development. Most of the early Suffolk County settlements — some which pre-date the Revolutionary War — were shoreline communities that grew into thriving downtown centers and became the economic backbone of the county for many years. Post World War II suburbanization shifted commerce and residential developments away from many of these bustling communities and towards malls and tract development housing, bringing a host of new survival challenges for many Suffolk County villages.
Today, SCVOA represents the county’s 31 incorporated villages, ranging from Lindenhurst, one of New York State’s largest villages with a population of nearly 28,000, to Dering Harbor, the state’s smallest village, with just 13 year-round residents.
SCVOA hosts meetings with informative guest speakers and noted experts to help provide village officials with timely and useful information on cutting-edge public policy issues. Guest speakers this past year have included: NYCOM Executive Director Edward Farrell, who keynoted our annual legislative reception; Long Island Housing Partnership founder and co-host of PBS-TV’s "Face Off," Robert R. McMillan, who was special guest speaker at our holiday dinner held at NYIT’s Culinary Arts Center; and, Chief Deputy County Treasurer Martin Haley, who spoke at our spring meeting about the inner-workings of county government and municipal finance. In addition, annual legislative receptions help SCVOA develop and foster productive relationships with other levels of government. Our annual legislative dinner in Albany helps SCVOA cultivate and maintain a positive presence among our state delegation; and our annual Ocean Beach summer gala continues to be a great way for village officials to socialize and celebrate the wonderful quality-of-life we enjoy on Long Island.
SCVOA works in partnership with other associations to help coordinate its advocacy efforts. It’s participation in the Tri-County Village Officials Association — which also represents Nassau and Westchester Counties — allows these three populous downstate suburban counties to work as a single, united force when issues of common concern arise. SCVOA’s strong alliance with NYCOM — the New York Conference of Mayors — brings member villages a wealth of information and support about how Albany actions effect local municipal governments.
Link to LI Politics.com
AIM ICONS
1. Right click on the icon you want, click save picture.
2. Click My AIM on your buddy list ( top left corner ). Go to edit options, then edit preferences.
3. Click on Buddy Icons
4. On the left-center of the screen, you'll see a button that says "Browse PC", click it.
5. Now go to the folder where you saved the icon, and open it. ( the icon should now appear in a small window to the left of the browse PC button.
6. Click apply ( bottom right corner of the screen ) and then ok.
Note: In order for an icon to be visible, both parties in an Instant Message must be on each other's buddy lists.
Long Island Press Article, 9/17/03
by Tim Boger
It's a digital rumor mill as potent as a high school grapevine. The main difference: the topic is politics rather than sex
Growing steadily since its creation in 2001, www.lipolitics.com has become both an independent venue for "the people" to voice their opinions and a thorn in the side of some elected officials. And while Long Island's broadest electronic political network and debate forum may not be taken seriously by some government leaders, nobody can deny its ability to break news before reporters do or remind voters why they should be angry with their elected officials.
In one post, from Oct. 11, 2002, an author identified as Kenny b says, "Frank Petrone—Huntington Supervisor—now a Democrat. Welcome to the Dem party, Frankie. Bring those donuts with you, would ya?" The official public announcement that Petrone switched parties would not be made for another week.
The cheeky message is one of more than 40,000 posts on one of the website's 11 message boards about politics on the Island. Although Anthony Manetta, the site's operator, spent "not a dime in advertising," the site has good word-of-mouth, and averages 2,200 visitors a day. That hasn't yet translated into profits for its founder.
Manetta, founder of Lindenhurst political consulting firm Roosevelt Strategies Group, realized the need for such a forum when he was working on campaigns for local politicians and found no place to debate local politics online. While a few local political parties have message boards of their own, none are as inclusive or widely used as lipolitics.com. "If you want your voice to be heard, that's the place to do it," says Manetta, who is 23 years old.
But if lipolitics.com has its fans, it also has its detractors, including many of the political figures who are often skewered in its posts. Manetta never checks the truth of posted messages. A policy notice warns visitors that lipolitics.com accepts no liability for inaccurate, racist, or slanderous messages—or anything else that might offend.
To be sure, the site offers more than just the message boards. There are links to every major and minor local political party, a list of upcoming events, contact information for every level of government, and various other resources, including interviews with politicians by Marty Shwartz, a former journalist and party leader.
But it's the Drudge Report-like boards, where rumor and passion fly high, that draw people in. According to Manetta, the most-talked-about politicians are Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Nassau Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick), New York State Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Brentwood) and, at least up until now, Bill Cunningham, who just lost the Democratic primary for Suffolk County executive. Other hot topics include the Farmingville and Huntington illegal immigrant issue and Newsday's reporting.
Because most users post under pseudonyms, they can become especially uninhibited, although the site's operators do "try to keep the civility." Threatening language is automatically removed, as are messages that are reposted in every forum. If an elected official requests that a "thread," or series of posts on a topic, be removed because the information is inaccurate, the site will do so. But sometimes the damage is done.
Recently, several posts alleged that Ramos was facing trial for assault, a charge Ramos emphatically denies. "I haven't been in a fight since high school," he says. After following up on the posted rumor, the Press found that the case in question was in fact a slip-and-fall—a lawsuit filed by someone who had stumbled in Ramos' home. Ramos, a former Suffolk County police detective, says that while it is "freedom of expression that makes this country great," he suggests that the site is a "forum where people can put out misinformation and use [it] for political spin." Ramos says the last time he checked the site was when he was campaigning.
Nassau County headquarters One West Street recently made headlines for blocking lipolitics.com from the server, thus preventing employees from joining the anonymous political free-for-all. Nassau County Information Technology Commissioner Craig Love says the site was blocked because of foul language, not any political agenda, and that Suozzi himself had not requested the block. Suozzi declined to comment for this story.
Legislator Denenberg says, "I can't help what's said about me on that site. I simply don't go on or let people talk to me about it. There's no reason for it." He adds that while he has heard plenty of people talk about the content of the message boards—some of which was true, some not—people who post on the site "might be more than just political junkies." Some can be individuals with a political ax to grind, Denenberg says. He adds that while he never has and never will visit the site, he has been contacted several times by the press regarding information on lipolitics.com.
Reporters from various news sources have used tips found on the site. Both Newsday and Suffolk Life have quoted posts, or at least attributed information to lipolitics.com.
Manetta says he's been threatened on at least five occasions with lawsuits because of the lively political banter, but that none was ever actually filed. With names like WantaghDem, Joe Nassau, Machine Politician and Suzie Q, it can be hard to find out just who an individual poster is.
A user of the site since its early days, Kimberly Wilder—one of the few who use real names—says that the site "levels the playing field." The Babylon resident and board member of the executive committee of the Green Party of New York State describes the site as "the best grassroots device to promote free speech and dialogue about local government issues." She adds that she knows elected officials are watching the site, because when she bumps into them, they comment on her posts. Wilder says she also uses the site to try to round up support for issues or encourage activism.
Ultimately, anonymous messages should be taken with a grain of salt, and sometimes that means salty dialog. If nothing else, lipolitics.com is spicing up Long Island politics.
Newsday Feature 10/17/03
By Dionne Searcey
STAFF WRITER
October 16, 2003
Now, the Web site's administrator is gearing up for the Nov. 4 election with candidate interviews, voter enrollment statistics and plans to post live election results.
"My main goal is to increase voter awareness and education," said Anthony Manetta, 23, who started the site after graduating from Dowling College in 2001.
Manetta's site currently offers everything from an in-depth interview with Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna on cell towers, to the phone number for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
But Manetta, a Republican, acknowledged that most people visit the site for the juicy, shockingly frank "rumor board." A sampling of recent postings include rants from overtaxed residents and discussions about the sexual preferences of certain Nassau Democrats. A recent rumor speculated that Democratic Suffolk county executive candidate Steve Levy lives with his mom. (For the record, he lives near her, not with her.)
Manetta of Lindenhurst said he tries to weed out the fabrications, but the task has proved too unwieldy. He recently hired Marty Schwartz of Massapequa Park, a Democrat, to monitor the board.
"We cannot get into the game of censoring or trying to determine for ourselves what's true or not true," Manetta said. "We're in the business to provide a forum so people can express their views in an unbiased fashion."
This free forum comes with a downside, he added. Sometimes he sees vicious rumors about people he knows and respects.
"When I see my friends on there getting attacked, I think, 'Why would I want to continue doing this?'" he said. "But if I close it down tomorrow, someone would be right there doing the same thing."
LI Pol in Newsday's Back Room 12/18/03
Last week, some of Nassau County's political gossip-mongers started a message thread on the Web site LiPolitics.com titled, "Where is Jay Jacobs." They derided the leadership of Jacobs, the county's Democratic chairman, and the party's star, County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who has been embroiled in controversy over the spending habits and management failings of his former deputy for economic development.
"Jay Jacobs is the empty suit that occupies the chairmanship of the Nassau County Democratic Party," went one of the postings. "He was placed there by Herr Suozzi, and is Herr Suozzi's proxy."
Then Tuesday morning, a user under the name "quilmrt" castigated the anonymous writers as a "collection of malcontents" spouting "rumor, innuendo and half-truths." He signed off by saying, "I'm not afraid to let you know who this is: I'm Jay Jacobs. Now let's see how brave you all are."
In an interview yesterday, Jacobs acknowledged making the posting through the account of an employee at the summer camps he runs. His staffers advised him to ignore the criticism, but Jacobs said he had to respond.
"I just could not help myself. Sometimes there is such ridiculous stuff on there," Jacobs said.
LI Pol in the News: LIBN Article 12/26/03
Political Grapevine
For Anthony Manetta, the epiphany came while he was working on bank ledgers.
An accounting major at Dowling College, he also worked at WSD Tax & Accounting in Lindenhurst and planned on eventually becoming a certified public accountant.
The career path was simple, direct - and entirely out of character.
"I was sitting there doing a bank reconciliation and thinking, 'Oh, boy. I've got to get out of here. I need something more fast paced.' "
To Manetta, that meant politics.
Two years ago, just as he was graduating college, the long-time political junkie, now 23, started lipolitics.com, designed to capture the rough-and-tumble of regional politics and give him a career outlet far removed from balance sheets and cash-flow statements.
"I had done campaigns since I was 17," he said. "I was hanging signs on poles. I became a committee member of the Suffolk County Republican Party."
lists of officials, contact information, filings, enrollment statistics, message boards, events, interviews and a newly created listing of political jobs. On a recent day, Rep. Peter King was seeking unpaid interns for his Washington and Massapequa Park offices, Sen. Hillary Clinton was advertising for a paid intern, while Sen. Charles Schumer was looking for an administrative assistant for a fundraising office.
While much of the content involves reprinting news stories from Newsday and many Long Island local weeklies as well as original politician profiles, party insiders as well as reporters, often turn to the message boards.
One political operative, who asked to remain nameless, said the boards are a font of rumors and gossip, much of it unsubstantiated.
At times, when the rumor mill is working overtime, politicians will post messages to deflate speculation or defend themselves.
Manetta calls Long Island politics "a world of its own."
He said that visitors from other states who get a taste of the political scene are startled by the funding levels, the mud-slinging and "strange cross-endorsement deals between different political parties."
The message boards are hosted by Marty Schwartz, whose Schwartz Report is a promotional partner of lipolitics.com. Schwartz, a former Democratic Party leader in Massapequa Park, also provides leftward political ballast to balance Manetta's Republican leanings.
In any event, political labels have a way of getting lost in the heat of the moment, Manetta said.
"I've been called everything from a Democratic shill to a Suozzi [as in Democratic Nassau County Executive Tom] plant," he said. "I can't tell you how many titles people have given me."
Despite the epithets, Manetta remains firmly planted in the Republican camp and is seeking to use lipolitics.com, which remains in the red, to promote his paying job as a political consultant.
His big break came when "one day I got a call and got a chance to be campaign manager for a Joe Finley," Manetta said. Finley, a New York City firefighter, ran a shoestring campaign for the second-district congressional seat in 2002 and was trounced by incumbent Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. Manetta said he also served as Web strategy advisor to Ed Romaine, who lost to incoming Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor John J. LaValle.
Manetta promotes his political consulting business through links on the home page of lipolitics.com to electionvictory.com, the Internet unit of his Roosevelt Strategy Group.
Roosevelt Strategy Group offers Web site design and hosting, media-buying services and online fundraising tools for Republican candidates, political organizations, not-for-profits and small businesses.
Manetta said the success of Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean has focused attention on online fundraising. Dean, part of the splintered Democratic field, has surged to the lead in the key metric of raising cash and reportedly has said he plans to match President Bush's goal of raising $200 million during the primary season.
"Howard Dean took advantage of something that a lot of politicians don't realize - the power of the Internet and grassroots organizations," Manetta said. "The same thing with [Republican Senator] John McCain. In 24 hours, he raised over $1 million on the Internet. It's an e-mail program. It's getting into the press. It's promoting your Web site properly. It's viral marketing."
Manetta said Dean backers would convene online and designated leaders would set up in-person meetings.
"They took it from an online meeting and put it into real life," he said.
Though Dean's campaign has played out on a national stage, Manetta said you could "shrink it down to the state Senate level or the county board level."
What are the economics of lipolitics.com, itself?
Manetta said that the site gets more than 3,000 hits a day and it's the top listing on search engine Google for those who seek "Long Island politics."
But the costs of maintaining a site "just keep mounting up" and he said his goal for 2004, a presidential election year, is to stabilize the economics of lipolitics.com.
One option, he said, is to make it a non-for-profit site and seek grants. More likely, he said, will be to turn lipolitics.com into a paid site.
"Subscribers would be politicians, staff members, media and political junkies," he said. "It could really go places."
2003 Newsday Endorsements
Suffolk County Executive | |
Steve Levy | |
Suffolk County Legislative Endorsements | |
1st LD Mike Caracciolo | 2nd LD Jay Schneiderman |
3rd LD Carol Bissonette | 4th LD Joseph Caracappa |
5th LD Vivian Fisher | 6th LD Andrew Tarantino |
7th LD Brian Foley | 8th LD William Lindsay |
9th LD Ricardo Montano | 10th LD Rodney Rodriguez |
11th LD Angie Carpenter | 12th LD Andrew Crecca |
13th LD Lynne Nowick | 14th LD David Bishop |
15th LD Maxine Postal | 16th LD Eric Sachs |
17th LD Paul Tonna | 18th LD Jon Cooper |
Nassau County Legislative Endorsements | |
1st LD Kevan Abrahams | 2nd LD Roger Corbin |
3rd LD John Ciotti | 4th LD Denise Ford |
5th LD Joseph Scannell | 6th LD Francis Becker Jr |
7th LD Jeffrey Toback | 8th LD Vincent Muscarella |
9th LD Richard Nicolello | 10th LD Lisanne Altmann |
11th LD Craig Johnson | 12th LD John Rennhack |
13th LD Norma Gonsalves | 14th LD David Mejias |
15th LD John Clark | 16th LD Judith Jacobs |
17th LD Edward Mangano | 18th LD Diane Yatauro |
19th LD David Denenberg |