Suffolk Dem cross-endorsements, Peninsula library turmoil

Suffolk Democratic cross-endorsements debated

For years, I was aware of the backroom deals between political parties cross-endorsing judicial candidates on Democratic, Republican, Working Families, and Conservative lines [“Dispute points to Dem tensions,” News, Aug. 24]. It bothered me, and I often vented about it with friends.

In November, in addition to those uncontested judgeships, voters were stripped of choice in major high-profile races. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney and Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. both ran unopposed, leaving voters without any major-party alternative for two crucial seats.

Who gives Suffolk County Democratic Party chairman Rich Schaffer and other party leaders the right to decide for us who deserves our vote? This was a step too far.

I was not alone in my fury at this poor leadership, and the hard, necessary work of reorganizing the Suffolk County Democratic Committee quickly began. Healthy change often involves tension at first. This conflict is a small price to pay for real representation.

As a new committee member, I am eager to drive this change and restore voting power to the constituents.

— Cynthia Paterno, Huntington

Forty Democratic Party-nominated judges sit in Suffolk County today because of cross-endorsement deals made by Rich Schaffer. All 40 very well might have lost but for the deals. The reality is that since Barack Obama was reelected president in 2012, Suffolk’s electorate has moved against the Democrats and is only now moving back toward them, so the cross-endorsement deals produced Democratic judges in tough electoral environments.

Those Schaffer opponents within the Democratic Party who decry his deal making should consider what our local judiciary would look like without them.

The system of party leaders striking cross-endorsement deals for candidates vetted by the Suffolk County Bar Association has produced a superior depoliticized judiciary and saved voters from nonsense campaigns amplifying irrelevant culture grievances.

Local judge elections are neither the time nor the place for partisan choice and ideological differences. The current practice of cross-endorsements for judgeships serves the public’s best interests.

— David Bishop, Oak Beach

The writer is a former Suffolk County legislator and member of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.

Rich Schaffer has a history of cross-endorsements and backroom deals that have left the county Democratic Party a shell of what it once was. As has happened in election after election, Schaffer has pulled a candidate out of a race — he attempted to pull two, but luckily, one candidate said no — handing over the seat to Republicans before the first vote is cast. And what has Schaffer to say? “No comment.”

Schaffer owes every Democrat an explanation. If he has done nothing wrong in pulling candidates off the ballot, let us know the rationale. He should step up and defend himself, speak to the public and let us know what is going on.

— Lynn Kaufman, Huntington

A neglected library in need of real reform

As a former trustee of the Peninsula Public Library for 30 years, and a former trustee of the Nassau Library System for 14 years, I am deeply concerned about the direction of our library [“Library must serve patrons’ interests,” Editorial, Aug. 19].

During my tenure, the board took seriously its responsibilities to oversee library operations, support staff and patrons, and comply with New York State laws and regulations.

Today, however, I see troubling deterioration: low staff morale, empty shelves, no new books, building maintenance concerns, irregular board meetings, disregard for patron concerns, questionable board appointments, and efforts to align public library policy with specific religious preference.

Many residents have also been unable to attend meetings because required notices have not been provided.

Most concerning is the statement that the trustees are now “fully engaged in the operation” of the library. A board’s role is governance — setting policy and approving budgets and overseeing the director. The day-to-day operation must be left to professionals.

Peninsula Public Library deserves better. Its future depends on responsible governance, transparency, accountability, and respect for the entire community.

— Joe Fuller, Cedarhurst

As a librarian at East Meadow Public Library for 34 years and head of reader services, I am upset that virtual programs at Peninsula Public Library may be canceled.

If anything positive came from the pandemic, it is that it encouraged libraries to reach out to the population in different ways. Peninsula Public Library has been a leader in providing ongoing virtual programs. As our population ages, getting to those programs can sometimes be difficult.

I hope the board will consider continuing these valuable services.

— Marcia Blackman, East Meadow