Suffolk capital budget lists Sammy Chu as deputy exec

Sammy Chu -- already Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone's commissioner of labor, licensing and consumer affairs -- has added a new title as deputy county executive, according to the new capital budget issued this month. But his $162,759 salary is unchanged and the payroll lists him only as commissioner.

Sixteen months ago, Chu added another title, director of operations, in which he oversaw the storm response and other projects. Justin Meyers, Bellone spokesman, said the operations and deputy executive titles are interchangeable, and that Chu was listed as a deputy because he was involved with the capital budget. But Alan Schneider, the county personnel director, said Chu "is definitely not a deputy county executive" nor a director of operations. He said the deputy job pays more, and the only vacancy is for the finance deputy, which would have to be altered for Chu to qualify.-- Rick Brand