Opinion

So, what's changed since the members of the Suffolk County Legislature last faced election two years ago?
Plenty, and nothing.
On the progress side, the Foley nursing home is finally on track to be sold, county health clinics have been privatized, a big sewer expansion is on the drawing board, water quality problems are being attacked, and construction is underway on the Wyandanch revitalization and ready to begin at the Ronkonkoma Hub.
Then there's the budget. 
It's not that legislators are not concerned about the county's finances, although some Democrats are a little too satisfied with their party's work to date. It's the lack of good ideas from both sides -- other than the evergreen "grow the economy" prescription -- to balance spending and revenue.
Developing serious proposals requires less posturing and more collaboration in a body in which Democrats hold a 12-6 majority. Control is not going to change on Nov. 3. But with three legislators running for their sixth and final terms, and one new face guaranteed as another lawmaker departs because of term limits, perhaps a combination of wise experience and fresh urgency can produce results.
Big issues loom -- making realistic sales tax estimates and finding alternatives to revenue that is not coming back, reducing the cost of policing, dealing with the heroin epidemic, building affordable rental housing. The legislature can play a critical role in addressing them, if it can summon the creativity and focus needed for the task.

Editorials

VPSLEG

A lot at stake in Suffolk legislature

Editorial: A lot at stake in Suffolk legislature

Suffolk leg cropped

Albert J. Krupski Jr. is a fourth-generation North Fork farmer whose roots and deep knowledge of the area have made him a solid representative for his district and the East End in general.
The 55-year-old Democrat from Cutchogue worries the North Fork could lose its character as pressures to develop rise. He is working with county officials to develop high-tech but affordable septic systems to improve water quality, and wants the recent upgrade of Riverhead's sewage treatment plant to be a model countywide.
Krupski opposes proposed cuts in bus service; he wants to expand the system, especially for the disabled, funded via a general fund property tax increase or a fare hike. He also has sounded alarms about the county budget, and the use of borrowing for operating costs; he should continue loudly in that effort. 
Republican opponent Remy Bell, 60, of Riverhead, who works at the Suffolk Board of Elections, is not actively campaigning.
Newsday endorses Krupski.

VPSL1

Newsday endorses Albert J. Krupski Jr. in Suffolk's 1st District

Newsday endorses Krupski in Suffolk's 1st District

slVOTE

The 2nd District seat is an open one, as its current holder, Jay Schneiderman, has reached his term limit.
Enter Bridget Fleming and Amos Goodman.
Goodman, a Republican, is a finance professional specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He is focusing his attention on the need to improve Suffolk's fiscal health, saying the county has to be more "fiscally prudent." He suggests bringing back industries that thrived in the past, such as manufacturing and aerospace and defense.
Fleming, a Democrat from Noyack, has been a Southampton Town Board member for five years. Before that, she served as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan for a decade. Her time on the town board was marked by a fiscal turnaround, as Southampton went from deficit to surplus. 
Fleming, 55, looks to protect the environment, prevent overdevelopment and encourage the construction of "attainable" housing for middle-income families. She's been particularly attentive to water quality issues, such as the need for upgraded septic systems that remove nitrogen and other pollutants.
Goodman, 32, is passionate about the issues he cares about and knowledgable, especially on financial matters. But he lacks innovative and forward-thinking ideas, instead looking to industries that are unlikely to return to a region where the cost of doing business is still high.
Fleming's calm demeanor reflects her willingness to work with others. She understands the unique requirements of her East End district, while also recognizing the need to innovate and encourage development where it makes sense. Her interest in environmental issues is welcome and can aid not just her district, but the county as a whole.
Newsday endorses Fleming.

VPSL2

Newsday endorses Bridget Fleming in Suffolk's 2nd District

Newsday endorses Fleming in 2nd District

Bridget Fleming / lii cropped

Democrat Kate Browning, 56, of Shirley, is running for her sixth and final two-year term. Her opponent, William Toranzo, 52, is a retired New York City police detective making his first run for office. The Shirley Republican runs a computer services business from home, coaches youth sports and is concerned about crime and the cost of living.
As chairwoman of the legislature's Public Safety Committee, Browning grasps the growing heroin problem. Her bill to register "burner phones," which are used by drug dealers, was defeated, but she vows to bring it back. She has launched a pilot program to regulate sober homes, where she says too many people are dying.
Toranzo would like to see the county grow its way out of budget problems, in part by lowering the sales tax. It's a misguided approach, as is his proposal to arrest people who help revive overdosing friends. Browning's focus on expanding sewers is a more practical way to stimulate growth.
Newsday endorses Browning.

VPSL3

Newsday endorses Kate Browning in Suffolk's 3rd District

Thomas Muratore, 70, is a Republican from Ronkonkoma whose principal accomplishment during this two-year term was securing 28 acres in Selden for ballfields, a walking path, a playground and parking. He navigated the red tape to have the parcels transferred to Town of Brookhaven ownership. The four-term legislator, a retired Suffolk County police officer, also convened a committee of private citizens to question PSEG Long Island about its proposed rate increase.
Muratore's opponent is Democrat Jonathan Rockfeld, 30, of Islip Terrace, an assistant clerk at the Suffolk County Board of Elections. He did not accept an invitation to speak to Newsday's editorial board about his candidacy and isn't actively campaigning.
In his next term, Muratore should involve himself more in countywide issues. He knows law enforcement and could reasonably offer insight about Suffolk County crime.
Newsday endorses Muratore.

VPSL4

Newsday endorses Thomas Muratore in Suffolk's 4th District

slVOTE09

When Kara Hahn first ran for this seat in 2011, Newsday said she was "sensible, articulate and knows the issues." After two terms, that's still true. Hahn has focused on environmental and social issues, including water quality, land preservation, domestic violence protections, and drug treatment programs. She's passionate, committed and engaged -- and she's gotten things done. 
Hahn, 44, of Setauket, supports County Executive Steve Bellone's budget and economic development plans, but admits the county is "overly reliant" on sales tax revenues.
Hahn's opponent, Donna Cumella of Port Jefferson Station, was the whistleblower on former information technology commissioner Donald Rodgers. Despite a background in finance and computer systems, Cumella, 54, lacks new ideas, and an understanding of key issues.
Hahn has a good grasp on the county's needs, understands teamwork and has the potential for a leadership role one day. If everyone had her passion, the county would benefit. 
Newsday endorses Hahn.

VPSL5

Newsday endorses Kara Hahn in Suffolk's 5th District

Newsday endorses Hahn in Suffolk's 5th District

Democrat Sarah Anker has served the 6th District since 2011. She points to her work in creating a nonprofit to address cancer cluster issues, and her attention to education and job growth, as key successes.
Anker, 51, of Mount Sinai, comes across as caring and well-meaning. But she isn't a leader and her knowledge is limited. She's not ready to make the tough choices, nor willing to delve deeply. Instead of speaking her own mind, she too often spouts her party's line, without any nuance or deviation. 
And Anker's ideas, while plentiful, often fall short. She suggests that to raise money, the county should go after "the 1 percent" -- meaning corporate and commercial entities -- to "sponsor" county websites, parks, highways, GPS systems and more. And she recommends creating affordable rentals near college campuses for young adults, but her plan lacks details and clarity as to how that would keep workers in Suffolk after they graduate.
Anker's opponent, Republican Steve Tricarico, is the deputy superintendent of highways in the Town of Brookhaven, where he manages the highway department's budget. He previously worked for former County Executive Steve Levy and for the Long Island Power Authority. 
Tricarico, 31, of Wading River, claims he has improved the highway department's management and morale. To hold down Suffolk's expenses, he suggests asking every county department for a proposal to cut expenses. Tricarico also advocates developing a strategic plan for the county's fiscal future, budgeting for a zero percent sales tax increase to avoid making incorrect predictions and managing old projects to cut county debt.
Tricarico is part of the Brookhaven political machine, and that gives us pause. But he's smart and serious, and he can be a forceful, strong voice that might help to keep Suffolk in line fiscally and otherwise.
Newsday endorses Tricarico.

VPSL6

Newsday endorses Steve Tricarico in Suffolk's 6th District

Newsday endorses Tricarico in Suffolk's 6th District

The 7th District is lucky to have two qualified, intelligent candidates vying to occupy its legislative seat. 
Robert Calarco, a Democrat from Patchogue, has held the job for two terms, and has done well by his district, fighting for sewer dollars for Patchogue and working to end overcrowding in Gordon Heights, among other issues.
Frank Tassone, a Patchogue Republican, has had a long path in politics on the village, town and county levels, and now works in Brookhaven's waste management department.
Tassone, 44, and Calarco, 36, understand key issues like development and housing. But Tassone is stronger in supporting a deepwater port at Shoreham and an expanded use of rail to take trucks off highways. He has a solid fiscal focus and a willingness to solve problems.
It's a critical time. Calarco's take on county issues makes him sound like another singer in the choir. Tassone can be an important new voice, especially if he's willing to prod and challenge Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone and his colleagues. 
Newsday endorses Tassone.

VPSL7

Newsday endorses Frank Tassone in Suffolk's 7th District

Newsday endorses Tassone in Suffolk's 7th District

7th legislative district: Frank Tassone, Republican

Opinion Yearkbook Tassone DO NOT EDIT

William J. Lindsay III came into office two years ago as his father's son. Now he's emerging as his own man.
Like his father, William Lindsay, the former presiding officer, Lindsay III has worked across party lines. The Bohemia Democrat, 43, co-sponsored with Republican Kevin McCaffrey a bill to speed up to Jan. 1 the cost-cutting merger of the treasurer and comptroller offices.
His opponent, Republican Mary Calamia, 52, of Holbrook, chides Lindsay for Suffolk's budget woes and says convincingly that as a clinical social worker she could trim 5 percent from the Department of Social Services by cutting waste, fraud and abuse. But she is too wary of large developments that could provide housing for young people. That's a priority for Lindsay, who also advocates sewer expansion and is talking to venture capitalists and private equity firms about luring businesses to Long Island and investing in companies that create high-paying jobs.
We like Lindsay's focus on the future and his potential for growth.
 Newsday endorses Lindsay.

VPSL8

Newsday endorses William J. Lindsay III in Suffolk's 8th District

Newsday endorses Lindsay in Suffolk's 8th District

8th legislative district: William J. Lindsay III, Democrat

Opinion Yearbook Lindsay DO NOT EDIT

The internecine feud that plagues the 9th District has two Democrats facing off. Incumbent Monica Martinez, 38, of Brentwood, is running on the Working Families, Independence and Women's Equality party lines after ballot petitions she and her campaign collected were challenged by opponents as being fraudulent -- which led her to withdraw from her party's primary. Giovanni Mata, 36, of Brentwood, has the Democratic line.
Martinez has been a strong advocate for her district. She sounded an early alarm on the illegal dumping at Roberto Clemente park, opened a resource center in Brentwood and obtained funding for youth programs. Mata says that's not enough for their high-needs district, and he pledges also to address problems with homelessness and addiction. Those are issues for Martinez, too, who touts her homeless outreach and relationship with local police.
Mata says he will deliver. Martinez already has, and is capable of more. With the caveat that we are very concerned about her petition problems, Newsday endorses Martinez.

VPSL9

Newsday endorses Monica Martinez in Suffolk's 9th District

Newsday endorses Martinez in 9th District

Thomas Cilmi has emerged as a reliable scold. It's a valuable role when you're complaining about finances in a county with a troubled budget.
Cilmi, 51, a Bay Shore Republican, criticizes Suffolk for too much borrowing. He says the county should do multiyear budgeting and the legislature should be more transparent in its budget deliberations. He also seeks better auditing of sales tax collections to catch underreporting businesses. He would find savings by switching to a defined contribution system for public pensions, and is working with state legislators to eliminate the county's responsibility to pay tuition for residents in bachelor's and master's degree programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Democrat Joseph Hagelmann, 72, of Ronkonkoma, a Board of Elections worker and retired carpenter, wants to create jobs by expanding sewers and improving public infrastructure. Both are solid proposals advocated by many. A strong and vocal watchdog on county finances would provide a greater service.
Newsday endorses Cilmi.

VPSL10

Newsday endorses Thomas Cilmi in Suffolk's 10th District

Newsday endorses Cilmi in Suffolk's 10th District

Thomas F. Barraga, 72, of West Islip, is running unopposed on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform lines. He has served in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2006.

VPSL11

Suffolk 11th District: candidate is unopposed

No endorsement in Suffolk's 11th District

Few people make a stronger case for the role of the citizen legislator than Leslie A. Kennedy. A former nurse, she learned about constituent service as an aide to former presiding officer Donald Blydenburgh and to her husband, John Kennedy, whose seat she won in a special election in March after he became county comptroller.
Serving residents is her calling card. Kennedy, 59, of Nesconset, knows intimately their concerns, whether it's crime, drugs, jobs, environment, or quality of life. She also rails about county spending and says Suffolk should hire more auditors for the comptroller's office to ferret out tax scofflaws and increase revenue.
Her desire that Suffolk stay as rural as possible is heartfelt but misguided, and informs her skepticism about simultaneously building megaprojects like Wyandanch Rising and the Ronkonkoma Hub.
Her opponent, Democrat Adam S. Halpern, 56, a county attorney from Hauppauge, says he is not actively campaigning. 
Newsday endorses Kennedy.

VPSL12

Newsday endorses Leslie A. Kennedy in Suffolk's 12th District

12th legislative district: Leslie Kennedy, Republican

Opinion Yearbook Kennedy DO NOT EDIT

Robert Trotta sees problems everywhere: the county's budget process, its police contract, its sales tax estimates, its borrowing, its contracting process, its generous tax breaks. The former Suffolk County cop is not wrong on many of the issues, and is vexed by the slow pace of change. But he needs to channel his frustration and work with people to solve problems. Legislating is not policing.
Trotta, 54, a Republican from Fort Salonga, has some interesting ideas for the economy, like a public-private partnership to put a lodge-indoor water park on the grounds of the former Kings Park psychiatric center, now part of Nissequogue River State Park. He is a vigilant watchdog on police matters and is appropriately critical of the county's absence on federal task forces dealing with drug and gun issues.
His opponent, Democrat Richard Macellaro, 63, a former home health care administrator, has made several runs for office. His dedication and willingness to serve are admirable but he is not as knowledgeable or passionate as Trotta.
Newsday endorses Trotta.

VPSL13

Newsday endorses Robert Trotta in Suffolk's 13th District

Newsday endorses Trotta in Suffolk's 13th District

Once again, this is Suffolk's most-contested legislative race. It's the district of Democratic County Executive Steve Bellone and party leader and Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer. But the seat is held by a Republican, Kevin McCaffrey, 61, of Lindenhurst, who ended years of Democratic control in 2013.
McCaffrey faces a formidable opponent. Timothy Sini, 35, of Babylon Village, a former federal prosecutor, is assistant deputy county executive for public safety. He's made an impression in 16 months on the job. He developed programs to allow pre-trial release of poor people charged but unable to make bail, and his work on alternatives to incarceration was critical in getting the state to drop its mandate that Suffolk build a $112 million jail addition. He deplores the poor relationship between county police and the U.S. attorney's office and has ideas to make policing more efficient and cheaper, including allowing crime victims to file reports online.
McCaffrey has a deep understanding of his district. He's worked hard on behalf of Sandy victims, and advocates for more money for education and prevention to fight the heroin epidemic. He worries about the future for young people and senior citizens, and says Suffolk must help make life more affordable by getting its financial house in order. He wants to reduce the number of political appointees, and advocates sharing information with school officials on illegal multifamily houses so they can be taxed based on their local impact.
Alas, Sini's campaign is repeating the intense focus of two years ago on blaming McCaffrey, who also is president of Teamsters Local 707, for what it calls mismanagement of his union's pension. The criticism ignores the impact of the recession, the fact that McCaffrey is one of four voting trustees, and that other multi-employer pensions have suffered similar hits. It's a cheap shot and simply out of line.
McCaffrey is a capable legislator. Sini is well suited to the job he's got. 
Newsday endorses McCaffrey.

VPSL14

Newsday endorses Kevin McCaffrey in Suffolk's 14th District

Newsday endorses McCaffrey in Suffolk's 14th District

DuWayne Gregory, 46, of Amityville, is running unopposed on the Democratic, Working Families and Independence party lines. He is in his seventh year as the 15th District legislator and was re-elected to his second one-year term as presiding officer in January.

VPSL15

Suffolk 15th District:  candidate is unopposed

Dix Hills lawyer Steve Stern said years ago he didn't want to be a career politician. And if he wins this time, term limits will make this his final election to the Suffolk County Legislature. Stern, 46, wisely says the environment, open space preservation and sewer infrastructure remain his key issues. In particular, he deserves credit in this term for his Housing our Homeless Heroes Act, which will transform homes seized for unpaid taxes for use by veterans. 
His opponent, corporate insurance lawyer Thomas McNally, 51, a Republican from Dix Hills, is right to identify high taxes and government inefficiency as top concerns. However, one of his remedies -- a 2.5 percent across-the-board spending cut (but just 1 percent for police, a major driver of rising county costs) -- is not a terribly artful plan for good government. 
We urge Stern to use his experience to step up from the back bench as an independent voice on issues he cares about -- budget prudence, drugs and crime, affordable housing and transit-oriented development. 
Newsday endorses Stern.

VPSL16

Newsday endorses Steve Stern in Suffolk's 16th District

Newsday endorses Stern in Suffolk's 16th District

Janet L. Heller-Smitelli knows her district and its residents' issues. The 54-year-old Republican from South Huntington has an admirable passion for public service and a future in elective office. Alas, that future is not now.
Her opponent, Louis D'Amaro, 54, of Deer Park, is running for his sixth and final term. A Democrat, he has a solid record of accomplishment and a list of laudable policy goals he still wants to achieve -- developing downtowns as economic engines; creating affordable housing; attacking the heroin epidemic from the angles of policing, education, prevention and treatment; and protecting the environment by expanding sewers. 
D'Amaro also knows the county still does not have its finances in order. And he recognizes that, in an era of increasing Internet commerce, sales tax collections are not going to rebound. We challenge him in his last go-round to use his intelligence, experience, and position as chairman of the budget and finance committee to figure out how to make Suffolk less reliant on that funding stream.
Newsday endorses D'Amaro.

VPSL17

Newsday endorses Louis D'Amaro in Suffolk's 17th District

Newsday endorses D'Amaro in Suffolk's 17th District

If lawn signs bearing the name of Republican Grant Lally seem familiar, it might be because he made three unsuccessful bids for Congress since 1994. Now he seeks the Suffolk legislature seat held by Democrat William Spencer. 
Crime and the county's $1.7 billion debt top the concerns of Lally, 53, a lawyer from Lloyd Harbor. He wants to cut the use of red-light cameras, open satellite police stations in Huntington Station and consolidate some county agencies. His public spirit is laudable, but Lally does not make a strong enough case to unseat Spencer, 48, a pediatric surgeon from Centerport. 
In two terms, Spencer has become a capable lawmaker and his colleagues' go-to expert on health issues. Via his sponsorship, Suffolk has passed laws that ban energy-drink sales to minors at county parks, and tobacco sales to anyone younger than 21. We encourage him to work harder on reducing county budget deficits, and to double down on his efforts to have the Suffolk County police rejoin federal law enforcement task forces. 
Newsday endorses Spencer.

VPSL18

Newsday endorses William Spencer in Suffolk's 18th District

Newsday endorses Spencer in Suffolk's 18th District

Newsday's 2015 endorsements in the Suffolk County legislature

Newsday

Read all of Newsday's Suffolk legislative picks

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