Suffolk lost chance to reform financing
The Suffolk Legislature voted to override County Executive Steve Bellone’s veto of a bill to end public campaign financing. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Suffolk lost chance to reform financing
Lane Filler’s column about the demise of Suffolk County’s public campaign financing shines a light on the flimsiness of the excuses of those who voted to kill the program [“Disingenuous demise of Suffolk reform,” Opinion, July 28]. The cynical tactic of pitting public safety against campaign finance was proof of the grip the county Police Benevolent Association has on legislators.
The cries of corruption and abuse in the system rang especially hollow. The public campaign financing system would have held candidates who opted in to a higher ethical standard, a welcome change in a county where too many elected officials have been taken away in handcuffs.
Additionally, the cross-endorsements of legislators Al Krupski and Thomas Donnelly played a strong role in their decisions to cross party lines on this vote. Both Democrats are cross-endorsed by the Conservative Party, whose world view conflicts with Democratic Party principles. This was the Conservative Party cashing in on its investment, and we collectively lost an opportunity for equity in our system.
It’s time to elect leaders who aren’t bought and paid for by special interests like the PBA and aren’t cross-endorsed by conflicting ideologies. Krupski and Donnelly betrayed the Democratic Party.
— Shoshana Hershkowitz, South Setauket
DA in Zeldin attack anything but ‘woke’
The reader who claimed that Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin’s attacker was released without bail by soft-on-crime “woke” officials is misinformed [“Attack on Zeldin has different views,” Letters, July 29].
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley has a reputation as an “aggressive” prosecutor. She is also a Republican who’s listed as co-chair of Zeldin’s campaign committee. Why she charged David Jakubonis with the minimal crime so he initially would be automatically released without bail is a troubling question.
— Arnold Wishnia, Setauket
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