How two LaValles landed differently on the Skelos issue
Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Mount Sinai) at left resisted a motion by Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) on Wednesday aimed at removing Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) as majority leader. Credit: AP/ Mike Groll
Suffolk Republican chairman John Jay LaValle did not give a heads up to his cousin, State Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) last week when he called for Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) to step aside as majority leader..
The party leader made his position known only days after the veteran lawmaker was the one who disclosed that Skelos had the support of the GOP Senate conference and would remain as majority leader.
Asked his reaction to his cousinas stance, the senator said, aWhatever he did he did. He didnat check with me because he would have known my answer.a
The lawmaker said, aIam an insitutional person who believes that these matters are best left to the people who must decide them.a.
LaValleas comment was apparently a personal, not a party position. Frank Tantone, Islip GOP chairman, said, aHe didnat discuss it with any of us,a referring to the partyas executive committee. aI think in his mind heas helping Flanagan,a said Tantone.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
