Bellone pledges 'more efficient' Suffolk

Democrat Steve Bellone was sworn in Friday as Suffolk's seventh county executive, warning in his inaugural speech that the county faces its "greatest fiscal crisis" ever and promising to deliver "a more efficient government" and a "more inclusive county."

Standing beneath a giant video image of the county seal, Bellone, 42, took the oath as his wife, Tracey, and daughter, Mollie, 2, held the Bible. Afterward, the little girl embraced Bellone's knee before he swept her up his arms as the audience of more than 450 people stood and applauded.

Among the guests who jammed the Sagtikos Arts Building on Suffolk County Community College's Brentwood campus were state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre); state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli; Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.); former Democratic County Executive Patrick Halpin; and Republican County Treasurer Angie Carpenter, whom Bellone beat in the November county executive election. Outgoing GOP County Executive Steve Levy did not attend.

At a news conference later Bellone disclosed that on Tuesday, his first official working day, he will name a panel of outside fiscal experts to determine the size of the county's budget gap and make a preliminary report by the end of January.

He also said he has named Fred Pollert to serve as his top fiscal deputy, a post Pollert held for five years after Levy took office in 2004. Pollert, 62, of Setauket, now a budget consultant for Brookhaven Town, also was director of the legislature's Office of Budget Review for 14 years.

Bellone, who has submitted his resignation as Babylon Town supervisor effective at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night, said he expected the deficit number to be "very sobering."

"There is no doubt that we are facing a challenging environment, but it may prove to be the greatest fiscal crisis our county has ever faced," he said in his address.

Bellone promised to run a government that would be more efficient and "not tolerate waste" of any kind. "You will have a government that is constantly challenging assumptions and constantly asking itself, 'How can we deliver this service quicker, better, most cost effectively?' " he said.

The new county executive said he was "setting the tone" by holding his inauguration 36 hours before he officially takes office Sunday. "The answer simply is we have to save every single dime we can," Bellone said in his speech. "If we can avoid authorizing overtime, we will. Today is not a holiday. Today this building is open. Today county employees are reporting for work."

Bellone also said Suffolk "cannot confront the crisis by adding significant new burdens on taxpayers," and he promised "never to submit a budget that seeks to override" the state's 2 percent property tax cap.

In his news conference Bellone said he does not want a general-fund property tax increase, but he demurred on tax issues until the fiscal review is complete.

In his speech Bellone distanced himself from Levy's hard-line stance against illegal immigration, saying Suffolk needs to be "a more inclusive county.

"For those willing to work hard and are looking for a better life, regardless of where you came from -- we want you in Suffolk County," Bellone said. "I will use my time in office not only to celebrate our diversity but to make sure we seize upon it as one of our greatest assets."

Reaction to the speech was positive. Carpenter called Bellone's performance "professional and very classy" and said his remarks about bringing people together "will resonate with the public."