EDITORIAL: Steve Levy returns to tensions with county legislature

In his first full week off the gubernatorial campaign trail, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy resumes his long-running skirmish with the county legislature. Even when he was still a Democrat, he and its Democratic majority were often at odds. Post-party switch, it's not going to get better.

Take today's meeting: The legislature is scheduled to vote on two items that clearly challenge Levy's authority. One would fire Richard Dormer, his police commissioner. The other would override Levy's veto of legislation ending the vouchers that the Department of Social Services has used to provide housing for homeless sex offenders.

The firing of Dormer is a bad idea, spawned by the battle between Levy and legislators over police staffing. If it passes, Levy will certainly veto it. If lawmakers override his veto, this action will be tied up in court. And the chances that any new commissioner would be more independent from Levy? Remote.

Ending the vouchers is a dangerous move, because the only existing alternatives - trailers in Riverhead and Westhampton that legislators detest - are under legal challenge. Without the vouchers, Levy must rely on the trailers until a court forces them closed. Then homeless offenders would roam loose.

Face it: Levy and legislators will never be friendly. But, if we are to have effective government, they somehow have to work together. Levy has to do his part. The lawmakers can do theirs today by turning away from these two actions. hN