Lindsay re-elected Suffolk presiding officer

Suffolk Legislature Presiding Officer William Lindsay was elected for his sixth year as leader after an effort failed to create a deadlock to block his re-election.

Sources in both parties say County Executive Steve Levy and John Jay LaValle tried to keep Lindsay, a Democrat, from getting a 10-vote majority until the selection, by law, would go to Republican County Clerk Judith Pascale on Jan. 15.

When Lindsay's name was put up for a vote, several Republican lawmakers initially passed, delaying their vote until they could see how others were voting. But the Holbrook Democrat was re-elected 12-1-4, after Legis. Steven Stern (D-Dix Hills) a frequent Levy ally, voted for Lindsay. Levy's other Democratic legislative ally, Legis. Louis D'Amaro of North Babylon, abstained. The other three who abstained were Legis. Thomas Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma) and Legis. Thomas Cilmi (R-Bay Shore) and John M. Kennedy (R-Nesconset). After Lindsay got 10 votes, two Republicans, Legis. Lynne Nowick and Edward Romaine also voted for him. GOP Legis. Thomas Barraga was the sole vote against Lindsay.

D'Amaro said his vote was "not a power play" or "about personalities" but an expression of his unhappiness over the legislature's budget deliberations and his efforts to get budget amendments voted on individually rather than as a package.

Stern said he talked to Levy before the vote, but he declined to detail their conversation. While he has had some disagreements with Lindsay over the budget, Stern said, "If you look overall, the record is impressive, and I chose to go forward."

Levy declined to be interviewed but issued a statement: "I congratulate Mr. Lindsay for his re-election and hope that the new year is an opportunity for finding common ground for the benefit of our constituents." LaValle did not return calls for comment.

Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) majority leader, said, "Today's vote was huge. If it had gone the other way, it would have greatly empowered the county executive and emasculated the legislature." Several Republican lawmakers declined to comment on the record, but one added, "They were pulling out all the stops."

"It was just another day at the ranch," Lindsay deadpanned after the vote. "We're very protective about our own house, and we don't want any other branch [of government] or political leaders telling people who they should vote for." While Lindsay was elected, Republicans so far have not yet held a vote to name a minority leader, though maverick Republican Kennedy appears to have the edge, despite LaValle's opposition. The unpaid job is vacant because Daniel Losquadro was elected to the Assembly. A resolution was also filed to set March 29 as the date for a special election to fill Losquadro's seat.