Babylon's Bellone to seek county exec seat

Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone Wednesday will announce his candidacy for Suffolk County executive, calling himself a "fiscal conservative" who will protect the taxpayer.

Despite Republican incumbent Steve Levy's exit from the race, Bellone, a Democrat, said he takes nothing for granted. "We're still going to run like an underdog. You cannot run in this county any other way."

Bellone will formally launch his candidacy today at a North Babylon firehouse across from where he went to high school. His announcement comes after months of fundraising, which backers say already has brought in $1.5 million. Tonight he holds a $300-a-head fundraiser at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook.

"Our top priority should be protecting the taxpayer," he said in an interview, adding that he would be a manager who would work with all sides in county government. "When you spend your time fighting with everyone, what you end up with is a situation that is a complete mess," he said.

Bellone, 41, said as supervisor for the past decade he has slashed the town payroll from 600 to a little more than 300 employees, cut the town's debt by 15 percent and this year cut garbage taxes by 5 percent.

But Republicans maintain that Bellone has repeatedly raised property taxes. Bellone, of West Babylon, could not say how much his own property taxes have risen since taking office.

"Democrats could not have picked a worse candidate," said County GOP chairman John Jay LaValle, noting that under Bellone, town property taxes have risen significantly. "The county is still in a tough fiscal crisis and the last thing we need is a tax-and-spend liberal at the helm."

Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, called the tax-increase charge "part of the disinformation LaValle has been spreading" since losing Levy last month as a candidate. "Desperate people say desperate things," Schaffer said.

Republicans held their final executive screening last night, as potential contenders appeared before the Islip GOP. The 10 town GOP leaders begin meeting Friday to pick a nominee. Suffolk Treasurer Angie Carpenter is the only announced candidate, while state Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) and Conservative Michael O'Donohoe, commissioner of jurors, have expressed interest.

On several key issues, Bellone declined to take positions. He would not say whether the county nursing home should remain open or be closed or sold, claiming Levy has created a "quagmire" with the proposed $36-million sale falling through and a district attorney's investigation pending. "We'll have to see how it all shakes out," he said.

He also took no stand on whether more county police are needed, or whether they should replace deputy sheriffs on the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. While Levy has maintained the county saves millions because the deputies are paid less than police, Bellone noted criticism that "it may be costing taxpayers more," and said the issue is unsettled.: Communications specialist, U.S. Army; aide to Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer, 1995-97; Babylon Town Council member, 1997-2001. Elected Babylon Town Supervisor, 2001.