Suffolk Democrats to discuss new leader

Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer said he plans to call a meeting of the Democratic legislative caucus this week to determine how to proceed on choosing a new legislative leader following the death Sept. 11 of Presiding Officer William Lindsay.

Under legislative rules, a new presiding officer must be picked within 60 days. "I don't want to step on any toes and I want to see what their thoughts are," Schaffer said. "I don't want to give my advice in the press."

Deputy Presiding Officer Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) had already delayed taking a new job as $120,000-a-year regional director of state parks until November to help the budget process. Horsley said he's received requests to consider an extension, but no decision has been made.-- Rick Brand