Levy aide might go work for county sheriff

Lame-duck Suffolk Executive Steve Levy appears to be on the verge of losing his closest office aide -- secretary Dixie Gunter.

Gunter, whose position title is county executive assistant II, with a salary of nearly $73,000, has been in discussions about joining Suffolk Sheriff Vincent DeMarco's office in Riverhead. DeMarco said the talks began about a year ago, because Gunter lives on the East End. "I'd love to hire her. She's got a golden personality and she's great with people," DeMarco said.

Gunter would work as secretary for both undersheriffs, Joseph Caracappa and John Meyerricks. DeMarco said she'd also handle the department's community programs. He said he's gained the county executive office's approval to reclassify an existing vacancy for a jail cook to create a new neighborhood-aide title, paying up to $50,921.

Mark Smith, Levy's spokesman, declined to comment on Gunter's behalf. "It's not surprising that anyone may be looking at future employment options but we will not comment on specific personnel," Smith said. -- Rick Brand