Photo by: Office of Legislator Richberg Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg recently joined Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and a number of other state and county officials for a historic announcement advancing water quality in our region. County Executive Bellone announced that $100 million in funding has been made available to eliminate outdated cesspools and septic systems identified by scientists as the primary source of excess nitrogen in our bays. This excess nitrogen leads to harmful algae blooms and beach closures, and affects our drinking water. The funding comes from a combination of federal, state and county sources and will enable two long-awaited sewer projects along the south shore river corridor, the Carlls River and Forge River Watershed Projects, to move forward.
TIM GANNON PHOTO
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and local police officials announce a grant to improve police communications in 2017.
The Suffolk County Legislature approved $1.75 million in funding last Tuesday to upgrade police communication equipment on the East End, including a communication tower planned for Jamesport, an area police say has bad reception.
The project, initiated by Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini, is called the East End Law Enforcement Communication Project.
“Improving the communications systems utilized by the collaborative efforts between the District Attorney’s office, the Suffolk County Police Department and the various local police departments here on the East End will improve safety for the officers and community as a whole,” said Legislator Bridget Fleming, a co-sponsor of the bill authorizing the funds.
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Vaccines will open up at county run sites without needing an appointment. (Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
Walk-ins to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be accepted beginning 3 p.m. Thursday at the county run site at Suffolk County Community College in Selden, beginning the expansion of availability to coincide with walk-ins at state-run sites, County Executive Steve Bellone said.
Mr. Bellone, speaking in Hauppauge to announce Phase 2 of county’s “Take Your Shot” campaign, said the current goal is to remove any potential barriers for people to receive the vaccine.
“We know our residents are busy and they need flexibility,” he said.
Alexander F. Yuan / AP
Suffolk County has established a public campaign finance board to oversee the distribution of public money to political campaigns.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has chosen Mercy Smith to lead the board. She will be tasked with the implementation of the program. Smith will also announce the guidelines on how candidates can secure funds and will oversee the promotion of the initiative.
Outside of New York City, Suffolk County is the largest local government in the state to establish a campaign finance program.
Bellone said publicly funded elections increase voter turnout and encourage “ordinary citizens” to run for office.