Democrat Calone set to leave Suffolk planning post
David Calone, chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, speaks during a Long Island Regional Planning Council meeting last month. Credit: Barry Sloan
Democratic Congressional candidate David Calone is planning to step down from his post as chairman of the Suffolk Planning Commission this month so that Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone can put the name of a replacement board member before the county legislature when it meets next week, according to county sources.
Calone, a venture capitalist who has served as the planning board’s chairman for seven years, is vying with current Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst for the Democratic nominaton against freshman Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) next November.
Some insiders say Bellone was miffed at the commission’s 8-5 vote last week to reject a supermarket project in Tuckahoe on County Road 39, despite a staff recommendation.
Several developer-friendly commission members walked out after the vote. Bellone aides dismissed the idea that there is a split between Calone and Bellone.
“The news of my demise is greatly exaggerated,” said Calone.
Zeldin was elected last year, when he unseated six-term Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), and Democratic operatives are working to recoup the seat.
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