Oyster Bay's John Venditto runs on Dunkin'

When Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto retires from government and politics, he might want to consider becoming a paid spokesman for Dunkin' Donuts.

Venditto's affinity for the chain's products has become part of his persona and is beginning to take on a life of its own.

It started last year when town board meetings began to regularly start well after the 10 a.m. scheduled time and Venditto blamed his habit of stopping at the coffee chain's stores near his North Massapequa home on his way to town hall.

He made a New Year's resolution to skip the Dunkin' Donuts stop on town board days, but in recent months reverted to his old style and the meeting start times began to slide again. After Newsday wrote about the slippage, Venditto promised to do better, joking about joining Dunkin' Donuts Anonymous.

A group of Long Island Dunkin' Donuts franchise holders who run their own charity then invited him to appear Monday at the first Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation Long Island Dinner.

The franchise-holders presented Venditto with a $100 gift certificate. "And they told me to let them know if I'd like them to deliver their product to a future town board meeting to make sure I arrive on time."

Venditto said he would donate the gift to charity and arrange delivery of Dunkin' Donuts products to a town board meeting during the holidays.

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Five mornings a week, Venditto gets decaf tea and a chocolate glazed doughnut.

"I don't have to order anymore," he said. "I just walk in and they have it ready for me."

As for Venditto's resolution: Tuesday's town board meeting started at 10 a.m. sharp.