Spincycle: Conservatives slam Islip firing

Islip Conservatives are up in arms over the firing of town leader Michael Torres' brother from a $33,000-a-year truck-driver's job -- claiming political retaliation by Democratic Supervisor Phil Nolan. But Nolan said the firing "was done at the department level and I wasn't consulted beforehand."

Joseph Torres, 31, was hired in late February but terminated about a week ago by the public works department. Robert Finnegan, town labor director, said Torres "did not successfully complete" a six-month probation period. Edward Walsh, Suffolk Conservative chairman, cited his party's backing the GOP town ticket this year. Nolan insisted Walsh looks to create an issue. -- Rick Brand