Bellone makes pitch in Huntington

The presumptive Democratic nominee for Suffolk County executive stopped in Huntington Station to listen and to explain that "the status quo is unacceptable."

Steve Bellone, Babylon Town supervisor, was the guest speaker at housing-advocacy group Porter-Trejo's state-of-the-community program Wednesday night at Iglesia Luz de Salvacion on New York Avenue. It was a stop on his countywide "listening tour."

Bellone told the crowd about his 10-year initiative to revitalize Wyandanch, and his attitude toward naysayers.

"You start from this premise," Bellone told the crowd of about 100. "The status quo is unacceptable and therefore we are going to move forward and do whatever we need to do to accomplish our objectives."

Legislative Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor), who introduced Bellone; town board members Susan Berland and Glenda Jackson; and several community leaders attended the meeting.

Bellone said he looks forward to helping the Huntington Station community in its revitalization efforts if elected county executive.

"I will see what the problem is here and will seek to understand it, really understand it," Bellone said. "I can tell you without knowing all the issues here, we will solve these problems. I'm not going to say they will be solved immediately, but they will be solved."

Bazeel Walters, co-founder of Porter-Trejo, which aims to bring affordable housing to Huntington Station as well as revitalize the area, said he thought the evening was a success.

"Now we have to continue the mission," Walters said. "There is still much work to be done."