NYC cops affirm benevolence for Sini

Daily Point

NYC’s PBA backs Sini, tweaks Tierney

Clamor from the hard-fought race for Suffolk County district attorney has reached the distant precincts of New York City.

On Friday night, the city’s Police Benevolent Association declared on its Twitter account that the union has endorsed incumbent District Attorney Tim Sini, not challenger Ray Tierney. The union added this zinger: "We strongly condemn the misleading ads apparently posted by Tierney’s campaign, which feature a video of PBA president Pat Lynch used out of context and without our knowledge or permission."

When The Point asked what the tweet was referencing, PBA spokesman John Nuthall provided a Facebook posting from Tierney’s camp that had been linked to an image of Lynch. The photo came from the president’s appearance last year at the Republican National Convention, Nuthall said. Lynch drew wide attention with his endorsement of Donald Trump for reelection as U.S. president.

The posting linked to Lynch’s image coyly avoids explicit mention of either him or the city PBA. It states: "Ray is endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties. This is not a political endorsement video but THE PEOPLE MUST KNOW how the liberal democrats in Suffolk County have failed to support law enforcement…."

Sini’s campaign, however, boasts several law-enforcement endorsements in a "coalition" consisting of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, Suffolk County Superior Officers Association, Suffolk County Detectives Association, Suffolk County Probation Officers Association, and the groups representing detective investigators, deputy sheriffs and correction officers.

Reacting to the PBA’s tweet, Tierney’s campaign said in a statement: "The Social Media post in question was published as a strictly informational piece by a prominent and respected labor and law enforcement leader [Lynch] speaking against liberal democrats defunding the police movement. The informational piece clearly stated that it was NOT an endorsement."

Why all the spin and counter-spin over what could be considered an "out of town" endorsement? A not-insignificant number of the city PBA’s 24,000 current officers, and a number of retirees, reside on Long Island and vote in local elections. The city PBA has supported Suffolk candidates for public office before, most notably incumbent state lawmakers who have sponsored legislation important to the union.

Because police unions nationally are so involved with Republican politics — as teachers’ unions are with the Democrats — the tilt of NYPD officers could matter in places with competitive elections.

— Dan Janison @Danjanison

Talking Point

#Isles fans never forget

It’s been more than a decade since then-Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray rejected plans for a renovated Nassau Coliseum and surrounding development at the Nassau Hub.

But New York Islanders fans don’t forget — even though years have passed, Murray is now Hempstead Town clerk, and the Islanders are about to open a new home at Belmont Park.

An astute Point reader spotted an unusual pairing of signs on a bridge over the Southern State Parkway over the weekend. A traditional Hempstead GOP campaign sign, in orange and blue, said, simply, "Re-elect KATE MURRAY Town Clerk."

The other sign, positioned directly beside it, also in orange and blue, read only, "HATES THE ISLANDERS."

A quick glance from far away would produce the desired result, a very different campaign slogan: "KATE MURRAY HATES THE ISLANDERS."

While it’s unclear who hung the second banner, or where it came from, Murray’s opponent, Olena Nicks, has regularly retweeted New York Islanders videos, schedules, and promotions.

"Wishing we were still at the Coliseum but I know we will still have an amazing season," Nicks tweeted last week, reposting a video about the Islanders' new arena at Belmont Park.

Islanders fans previously campaigned against Murray when she ran for district attorney — an effort that even got the notice of Murray’s opponent, Madeline Singas, when she declared victory.

Now, the fans are at it again.

— Randi F. Marshall @RandiMarshall

Pencil Point

Inflation and deflation

For more cartoons, visit www.newsday.com/nationalcartoons

Quick Points

Figures

• Congressional candidates are raising record sums of money in the run-up to next year’s midterms, keeping intact a decadeslong trend: Even with the rise of technology, the cost of campaigning never goes down.
• Russia’s daily coronavirus death count topped 1,000 last weekend — and that’s just the deaths being officially reported.
• New York State lawmakers have introduced more bills than any other state legislature in 2021, but finished just 10th among the top 14 states in the number of bills actually becoming law. Effective legislating, in other words, is about more than writing bills.
• The number of labor strikes and workers on strike far exceeds last year’s totals. And why not? When there aren’t enough workers for the jobs that exist, you have leverage.
• A survey by the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics found that most respondents say life was better before social media. Obvious. But surprise: The respondents were from Gen Z.
• With reports swirling that West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin opposes a major climate program in the party’s $3.5 trillion spending plan, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said a delay in action will cost lives and livelihoods. Perhaps, but hopefully Buttigieg doesn’t think that’s going to change Manchin’s mind.
• Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson says relitigating the 2020 election will be a disaster for the GOP in next year’s midterms. Upon whose deaf ears will that warning fall?
• Queen Elizabeth has been advised by doctors to give up her evening martini so she remains as healthy as possible for her busy autumn schedule. Hey, docs, she’s 95 years old — she’s already as healthy as possible.

— Michael Dobie @mwdobie

Puzzle Point

In the news — the answers

Here are the answers to Friday’s news quiz, based on events that took place last week. The first letter of each answer, taken in order, spells the name of a Long Island municipality whose animal control officers are taking roping lessons to help them corral large animals.

SALT: The FDA issued new guidelines on intake of this common food additive.

OBAMA: Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe announced this former president will rally with him this week.

UNITED: Airline that bet on a rebound on post-pandemic air travel by announcing its biggest expansion of trans-Atlantic flights.

TRUMP: Last name of a couple whose likenesses received star billing at the opening of a new wax museum in Dubai.

HOCHUL: Last name of the politician currently leading the field in polling for the Democratic nomination for New York governor in 2022.

AMAZON: Freeport’s village and school district are battling over the village’s desire to sell athletic fields to this corporate giant.

MERCK: Pharmaceutical company seeking approval for a COVID-19 pill that doctors said could be a game-breaker in treating the virus.

PUMPKIN: The search for this seasonal cultivar is tying up traffic on the East End.

TICKETS: The Long Island Rail Road issued warnings to eight conductors for not properly punching these.

OYSTER BAY: Location of a new bookstore planned by former Rep. Steve Israel.

NORWAY: Country in which a man with a bow and arrows launched an attack that killed five people.

— Michael Dobie @mwdobie

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