Spin Cycle: Levy, treasurer trade barbs

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy for the first time was screened as a Republican for re-election before the Islip GOP committee last week. Levy faced grilling by 100 committee members at the party's Bay Shore headquarters. Then, one committee member asked if County Treasurer Angie Carpenter would be screened. Carpenter, also a town committeewoman, told the party she is considering her options.

Levy later said: "I thought Angie's suggestion that we raise taxes was rather out of touch with the conservative Republican crowd she was addressing." She said: "Did I say I was going to raise taxes? No," having suggested a need for "new streams of revenues" such as new businesses and jobs. Carpenter called it "disingenuous" for Levy to claim he's a true Republican. -- Rick Brand