Judge Orders Bellone to Hand over Documents Related to Ronkonkoma Development Project
RONKONKOMA, NEW YORK — John M. Kennedy, Jr., Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate for Suffolk County Executive, applauded a recent decision from the New York State Supreme Court, Suffolk County, which dismissed a motion from County Executive Steve Bellone to quash a subpoena from Mr. Kennedy in an effort to hide the details behind a development project in Ronkonkoma.
On August 17, 2017, a Request For Qualification (RFQ) was put out for a proposed $1.1 billion development project in Ronkonkoma that would include a convention center and sports complex near the Long Island Rail Road station. The project was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle America, Inc. and Ronkonkoma Vision Properties, LLC. Mr. Bellone said the project would be a success, despite the fact it was modeled after a defunct sports arena in Seattle. “It’s amazing what people will call a ‘success’ just to justify spending money that isn’t theirs,” Mr. Kennedy said.
Mr. Kennedy requested documents related to the RFQ, but was only given half of the materials. He then issued a subpoena seeking to obtain the rest of the documents. Rather than comply the Comptroller’s request, Mr. Bellone’s office took legal action to prevent Mr. Kennedy from performing his duties to protect Suffolk taxpayers by falsely claiming the Comptroller overstepped his authority. Mr. Kennedy filed a counterclaim, stating the documents are necessary to perform a proper audit.
On October 15, 2019, the court dismissed Mr. Bellone’s claim and ordered his office to comply with Mr. Kennedy’s request. “The Judge’s ruling in our favor tells me all I need to know: it was never about a genuine belief that records didn’t need to be shared and always about covering up an egregious waste of taxpayer money,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Moreover, it is a victory for the residents of Ronkonkoma, who will be severely impacted by this project. It is clear that the county executive sought to hide the details of the project from us. It’s part of a pattern under the Bellone administration: spend taxpayer dollars and then cover up that spending by any means necessary to keep the reality from the citizens of Suffolk County.”
For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.
Says Suffolk’s Fiscal Crisis is Causing Residents to Flee
Who: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive
Judy Giglio and Tim Hubbard, Council Members, Town of Riverhead
Yvette Aguiar, Candidate, Riverhead Town Supervisor
What: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, will continue his “Fiscal Reality Tour” into the Town of Riverhead. He will be joined by Jodi Giglio and Tim Hubbard, Council Members, Town of Riverhead, local elected officials and residents at a press conference.
In an attempt to get elected to another four-year term, County Executive Steve Bellone is trying to paint a picture that everything is fine in Suffolk County, but nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that the county is on the brink of fiscal disaster.
Mr. Kennedy will explain how taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee hikes, seven bond rating downgrades, and payroll and spending increases, resulting in population loss and a fiscal crisis.
During the press conference, Mr. Kennedy will explain how the fiscal crisis in Suffolk is chasing out residents by the thousands. Since 2012, more than 16,000 people have left Suffolk to live in more affordable regions in the country.
When: Sunday, October 13
1 p.m.
Where: The former Ben Franklin Craft & Variety
54 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY
Directions: From the LIE: Take Exit 71 for Route 24 toward Hampton Bays/Calverton. Make a right onto Rte. 24 S/Edwards Ave. S. Continue to follow Rte. 24 S. At the traffic circle, take the fourth exit onto Peconic Avenue. Turn right onto East Main Street. Destination will be on the left.
From Sunrise Highway: Sunrise Hwy. to Exit 61 for CR 51 N toward Riverhead/Eastport. Follow CR 51 N in Riverhead. Turn left onto Eastport Manor Rd., then a right onto the second cross street onto CR 51 N/Moriches-Riverhead Rd. After seven miles, turn right onto Nugent Drive. At the traffic circle, take the fourth exit onto Peconic Avenue. Turn right onto East Main Street. Destination will be on the left.
Latest Labor Union to Support Republican Candidate
The Utility Workers Union of America Local 393 has announced they have chosen to back John M. Kennedy as the next Suffolk County Executive. After undergoing a thorough screening process, Mr. Kennedy picked up the union’s support. The leadership cited his stance in support of union workers and the importance of keeping jobs in Suffolk in announcing their endorsement.
This announcement comes after Mr. Kennedy received endorsements from the Nassau Suffolk Building Trades Council, United Association of Plumbers Local 200, and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local One. The union’s objective is to protect, maintain, and advance the interests of its members, as granted by the UWUA.
The Utility Workers Union of America, Local 393, represents over 350 production, maintenance, distribution, laboratory and clerical employees of the Suffolk County Water Authority.
“The committee has made this selection based on its belief that, if you are to be elected, you would be the best choice to serve and protect the families of Suffolk County as well as standing up for organized labor and protecting the rights of all hard-working middle-class families that unions represent,” said Nicholas J. Caracappa, President, Utility Workers Union of America Local 393.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this endorsement,” Mr. Kennedy said. “When our residents work, our economy works and vice versa. We do that by getting our financial house in order, restoring fiscal integrity and putting people back to work in good-paying jobs. I have supported — and will continue to support — the hardworking middle class who are the heart and soul of Suffolk’s workforce.”
For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.
Who: Richard Schaffer, Supervisor, Town of Babylon, and Guest Speaker, Long Island Metro Business Action (LIMBA) 2019 Breakfast Series
Ernie Fazio, Chairman, Long Island Metro Business Action
Bill Miller, Treasurer, Long Island Metro Business Action
What: As part of its 2019 Breakfast Series, Long Island Metro Business Action (LIMBA) will have Richard Schaffer, Supervisor, Town of Babylon, as the guest speaker. He will discuss what he has accomplished as Town Supervisor and his current initiatives. This year, Mr. Schaffer has worked to save Babylon residents money by having the town’s Public Works Department make certain repairs on the roadways instead of having contractors perform the work, and implementing a program to recycle ash at its West Babylon incinerator for use to build soil walls around the facility’s cells, thereby extending the life of the landfill by 10 years. In addition, Babylon recently became the first town in Suffolk County to have its own civil service department.
When: Friday, October 11
8:00 a.m.
Where: Courtyard by Marriott
5000 Express Drive South (7th Floor)
Ronkonkoma, New York
Directions: From the East: LIE to Exit 60 toward Ronkonkoma Ave/Sayville/Lake Ronkonkoma. Make a left at the next light onto Hawkins Ave., go over the LIE, then make a left at the South Service Road. Within 450 feet, Courtyard by Marriott will be on the right-hand side. Go inside the hotel and take the elevator to the seventh floor. Meeting room is on the left.
From the West: LIE to Exit 60 toward Ronkonkoma Ave/Sayville/Lake Ronkonkoma. Go past Hawkins Ave. and stay on South Service Road. Within 450 feet, Courtyard by Marriott will be on the right-hand side. Go inside the hotel and take the elevator to the seventh floor. Meeting room is on the left.
Photo Ops: Mr. Schaffer discussing the most recent happenings in Babylon Town and taking questions from LIMBA members.
Comptroller’s Report Reveals County is on the Brink of Financial Disaster
A recent report from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office revealed that, for the second year in a row, Suffolk County has been declared the most fiscally stressed county in the state, ahead of Nassau and Westchester Counties. John Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, said these findings reveal what was known all along: that Suffolk County is in a fiscal crisis.
The state Comptroller’s report showed that Suffolk County received a fiscal stress score of 76.7 (a score of 65 or above means “significant” fiscal stress). According to data from the report, not only did the total fund balance in the general fund show a negative balance over the past three years, that figure more than tripled from -$27,627,301 in 2016 to -$91,917,594 in 2018. The report also showed that, from 2016 to 2018, expenditures from its combined funds outpaced revenues.
In addition, Suffolk received a fiscal stress score of 30.0 for its environmental indicators. This means that Suffolk is “susceptible” to environmental stress. Some of the more alarming statistics based on this score include, from 2017 to 2018, Suffolk’s population declined by a total of 1.28%, home values decreased by 12.52% and more than 17.5% of the population rely on state and federal aid just to live here.
For seven years, Steve Bellone’s policies have spelled disaster for Suffolk residents. He has incurred a debt of almost $900 million, added $200 million in new taxes and fees, raised the property tax levy by 22.4% and increased the budget by almost 15%. Meanwhile, Suffolk has declared seven fiscal emergencies, faced seven bond downgrades and saw more than 16,000 residents move out of the county.
“When a Democrat in the New York State Comptroller’s office says that Suffolk County under a Democrat county executive is under severe fiscal stress, that is saying something,” Mr. Kennedy says. “Enough is enough. We must end the tax-and-spend policies of Steve Bellone that have created this fiscal crisis and hurt Suffolk County taxpayers. I’m running for County Executive to clean up this mess and put Suffolk County back on the path to economic prosperity. The county’s finances are on the brink of disaster and I worry what effect an economic slowdown will cause.”
For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.
Contrasts Town’s Aaa Bond Rating with County’s Junk Bond Status
John Kennedy (third from right) speaks to local supporters about Suffolk’s fiscal crisis during his “Fiscal Reality Tour” in Bay Shore on September 28. He is joined by (left to right) Alexis Weik, Islip Town Receiver of Taxes; Anthony Piccirillo, Candidate, Suffolk County’s 8th Legislative District, Tom Cilmi, Suffolk County Legislator; Maria Vidal, Suffolk County’s 9th Legislative District; and Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator.
Ronkonkoma, NY — On September 28, John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, was joined by local elected officials and residents at a press conference at the Islip Town Republican Committee headquarters in Bay Shore, in the next stop of his “Fiscal Reality Tour” as part of his campaign to #SaveSuffolk.
Mr. Kennedy explained that, contrary to claims made by the County Executive, taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee increases under Steve Bellone, while, at the same time, the County has experienced seven bond downgrades and a fiscal crisis whereby it barely meets its obligation week by week.
Mr. Bellone’s out-of-control spending has resulted in bloated payrolls and budgets. Despite the fact that the County’s workforce has been reduced by nearly 1,000 workers, payroll has increased by over $100 million. At the same time, the budget has risen from $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion — an increase of almost 15%.
Poor fiscal management has driven enormous tax and fee increases. The property tax levy has increased from $532,765,964 in 2012 to $652,108,097 in 2019. That is an increase of $119,342,129, meaning that homeowners have seen a property tax increase of 22.4% over that time.
In addition, Suffolk taxpayers have been hit with across-the-board fee increases. These include the tax map verification fee, mortgage recording fee, residential/commercial burglar alarm fee, red-light camera fee, shopping bag fee, pet grooming fee and Department of Motor Vehicles registration fee. In addition, Mr. Bellone has hiked county park use fees every year since 2015 for camping, fishing, hunting, parking, group events and recreational permits. This disproportionately affects working-class Suffolk residents, including first-time homebuyers and those who rely on parks for recreational opportunities. In total, the Bellone administration has raised taxes and fees to the tune of $200 million.
During the press conference, Mr. Kennedy contrasted Islip’s fiscal situation with Suffolk County’s. As Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter has been able to minimize Islip’s debt, resulting in a bond rating of Aaa for four consecutive years. But under Steve Bellone’s leadership, Suffolk’s debt has reached almost $900 billion, causing the county to drift into a fiscal crisis and having its bond rating downgraded to Baa2, a rating which is considered “junk.”
“I wish to commend Supervisor Carpenter and the Town Board members for constantly bringing its residents a budget that is fiscally responsible,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Because they have kept debt low, Islip’s credit rating has been stellar for the past four years, which is far more than I can say for Mr. Bellone, whose seven years of out-of-control spending has led Suffolk into a fiscal crisis.”
Also exacerbating Suffolk’s fiscal crisis is the population reduction under Steve Bellone. The county’s overall population has shrunk by 16,396 in the past seven years, leaving fewer taxpayers to bear a higher tax burden. Favorable Industrial Development Agency (IDA) benefits have further reduced the county’s tax base.
“When I took office, I inherited a budget deficit with a process that was lacking transparency,” Supervisor Carpenter said. “I have gotten Islip’s finances back in order as a result of direct oversight with monthly budget and revenue projections, increased efficiencies with major departmental consolidation, posting full budget documents on the Town’s website — all leading to a bond rating upgrade to Aaa, the highest a municipality can achieve, reaffirmed four times, saving taxpayer dollars.”
“We need John Kennedy because he understands the importance of a high bond rating,” said Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator. “It’s very important to have a high bond rating because it costs you less money to borrow. Bellone has more than doubled our debt. Right now, we are in a sinking ship as he incurs more debt and he’s lowering our bond rating, which is costing us more money to borrow to cover our debt. It’s paying your credit card to use your credit card to pay your mortgage. That’s not how to run your household and it’s not the way to run the county.”
“The fiscal reality in Suffolk County is dismal, thanks to the mismanagement of County Executive Steve Bellone and his administration,” said Tom Cilmi, Suffolk County Legislator. “He has squandered millions of dollars in wasteful spending, and we need somebody to put the county back on the right track. That somebody is John Kennedy.”
For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.
Contrasts Town’s Aaa Bond Rating with County’s Junk Bond Status
Who: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive
Angie Carpenter, Supervisor, Town of Islip
Andrew Garbarino, Chairman, Islip Republican Committee
Local residents
What: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, will continue his “Fiscal Reality Tour” into the Town of Islip. He will be joined by Angie Carpenter, Supervisor, Town of Islip, local elected officials and residents at a press conference.
In an attempt to get elected to another four-year term, County Executive Steve Bellone is trying to paint a picture that everything is fine in Suffolk County, but nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that the county is on the brink of fiscal disaster.
Mr. Kennedy will explain how taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee hikes, seven bond rating downgrades, and payroll and spending increases, resulting in population loss and a fiscal crisis.
During the press conference, Mr. Kennedy will contrast Islip’s fiscal situation with Suffolk County’s. As Town Supervisor, Ms. Carpenter has been able to minimize Islip’s debt, resulting in a bond rating of Aaa over the past four years. But under Steve Bellone’s leadership, Suffolk’s debt has reached almost $900 billion, causing the county to drift into a fiscal crisis and having its bond rating downgraded to Baa2, a rating which is considered “junk.”
When: Saturday, September 28
10:00 a.m.
Where: Islip Republican Committee Headquarters
39 Third Street
Bay Shore, NY
Directions: From the East: Sunrise Highway (Rte. 27) to Exit 43. Take Bay Shore Rd. and Howells Rd to S. 3rd St. in Baywood. Keep right to continue to Howells Rd. Continue onto Bay Shore Rd. for 0.7 mile, then turn right onto Howells Rd. Make a slight right and Howells Rd. becomes Secatogue Ave. Continue onto Corbin Ave. for 0.3 mile, then turn right onto S. 3rd St. Headquarters are on the right-hand side.
From the West: Sunrise Hwy. to Exit 40 toward Huntington/Babylon/Rte. 231. Stay on South Service Road for 1.3 miles, then turn left on Udall Rd. after. 2.7 miles, make a left onto Howells Rd. Make a slight right and Howells Rd. becomes Secatogue Ave. Continue onto Corbin Ave. for 0.3 mile, then turn right onto S. 3rd St. Headquarters are on the right-hand side.
Money Raised from Sales during National Deli Month
On September 25, Ronnie Dragoon (center), Founder-Owner, Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers, presented a check to Jean Kelly (left), Executive Director/CEO, and Rob Kammerer (right), Board Member, The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), in the amount of $2,400 at the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen in Hempstead.
The money was raised from a promotion during National Deli Month. From August 1-31, Ben’s offered its customers a prix fixe menu special, with a portion of the sales proceeds going to benefit the Mary Brennan INN.
The INN is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides a broad variety of essential services to assist those facing hunger, homelessness and extreme poverty. Ben’s has a special connection to The INN as Ben’s Founder-Owner, Ronnie Dragoon, has been a member of its Board of Directors for almost 20 years.
“We are proud to be longtime supporters of The INN,” Mr. Dragoon said. “We want to recognize the organization’s work that they do in helping the less fortunate who seek to become self-sufficient.”
“We wish to thank Ben’s for its generous donation,” Ms. Kelly said. “We also want to give thanks to the Ben’s customers who patronized the restaurant during National Deli Month. By ordering from the prix fixe menu, they helped raise money for our organization which will be used to help those in need on Long Island.”
For more information about The INN, visit www.the-inn.org. For more information on Ben’s, visit www.bensdeli.net.
Blames Incumbent for Failing to Take Action on Illegal Housing and Its Impact on the School District’s Ability to Provide Quality Education Amidst Overcrowding
Riverhead Town Supervisor candidate Yvette Aguiar today announced that she opposes a proposal by the Riverhead School District to borrow $100 million for a construction project to build new schools in order to handle the exponential growth of students attending school. She cites the failure of current Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith to address illegal, overcrowded housing and the lack of Code Enforcement officers, both of which have resulted in a crisis in the Riverhead School District, severely impacting the school district’s ability to provide students with a quality education.
Ms. Aguiar said the town does not have an adequate number of Code Enforcement Officers, at 3.5, compared to the smaller, neighboring town of Southampton, which has at least six code enforcement officers. As Supervisor, Ms. Jens-Smith added only one enforcement officer in the past two years. Enforcement of Town Code not only punishes landlords and homeowners who support residential overcrowding, it protects the most vulnerable people from substandard, unsafe and unhealthy housing. Ms. Aguiar said she plans to “hire additional officers to combat the crisis.”
Ms. Aguiar added that lack of code enforcement has not only resulted in unsafe and unsanitary housing in the town, but it has negatively impacted the quality of life on the residents, school taxes and the quality of education. She pointed out that Ms. Jens-Smith has never pressed Southampton Town to enforce its town code in Flanders, which impacts Riverhead schools. “This has not been a priority for the current administration,” Ms. Aguiar said. “Since taking office almost two years ago, Ms. Jens-Smith hasn’t initiated a single Supreme Court action against a homeowner or landlord for supporting illegal overcrowding.”
As part of her campaign, Ms. Aguiar laid out a 10-point plan on how to combat overcrowded homes. Among these initiatives include creating a task force to help identify and prosecute quality-of-life violations; providing enhanced technology and intelligence gathering to document overcrowded homes; commencing legal action against landlords and homeowners who willfully enable excessive renters; and setting a fine of $5,000 for the first offense, and an increased fine for subsequent offenses thereafter. “An effective measure utilized in the Quogue School District, which has a stable enrollment, is the use of residency affidavits, signed by the parents of each student,” she said. “Both Southampton and Quogue School Districts work cohesively with each other, an effort that is lacking in Riverhead.”
She has also spoken out against the Riverhead School District’s plans to bond $100 million for a construction project. She recently attended school board meetings expressing her displeasure with the bond proposal. “We cannot afford to have the school district borrow $100 million without ensuring the root of the problem is not addressed,” she said. “This request will negatively impact taxpayers for years to come. Where is the supervisor at these meetings? This is a very complex problem which requires a collaborative effort to address the deep-rooted problem.”
Two of the most important quality-of-life issues in Riverhead, Ms. Agiuar said, are high taxes and overcrowding. Unfortunately, a lack of proactive code enforcement has led to the crisis Riverhead is experiencing. The problem can be resolved through proper code enforcement. The goal of this plan is to protect the health, welfare and security of people living in these homes. “Code enforcement ordinances were created to protect our most vulnerable people who reside in substandard, unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions,” she said. “I propose a plan to target landlords and homeowners who are not in compliance with our code enforcement ordinances.”
Rebecca Sanin (center), Chief Executive Officer and President, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, was the guest speaker at the LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action) meeting on August 23 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ronkonkoma. Also pictured (left to right): Bill Miller, Treasurer; Ernie Fazio, Chairman; and Ken Nevor, Member, LIMBA; and Lisa La Macchia, Senior Market Manager/Vice President, People’s United Bank, the event’s sponsor.
On August 23, Rebecca Sanin, Chief Executive Officer and President, Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, spoke at the LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action) meeting on the topic “The Importance of the Census.” The meeting was held at Courtyard by Marriott in Ronkonkoma.
According to Ms. Sanin, Suffolk and Nassau are the fourth and fifth hardest-to-count counties in the state, respectively. As a result, there is an underreporting of the number of residents who live on Long Island, which affects the amount of federal aid the region receives and how well-represented New York State is in the federal government. Ms. Sanin indicated that, in New York, underreporting by 0.6% or greater can potentially result in a loss of two Congressional seats.
Ms. Sanin said Census data is critical when receiving federal funding for infrastructure, health and human services and education. Long Island’s schools are very important to their respective communities, she said, which is why there needs to be an effort to accurately count children 0-5, a demographic that is historically undercounted. Census data is used for funding Long Island’s schools and parents have a vested interest in promoting an accurate count.
Ms. Sanin said parents do not include children up to five years of age on the Census, either because they do not think of their children as residents of the household and/or are afraid of giving out their children’s information. Children are also overrepresented as a group living in poverty—a factor that impacts a successful count.
Ms. Sanin spoke about the pervasive distrust of government and climate of fear that immigrant families are facing. She said that everyone should be counted, regardless of immigration status. She emphasized that the Census form does not ask you for your Social Security number, your mother’s maiden name or PIN. She explained that Title XIII protects all information shared on the Census and cannot be used for anything else, or shared with any other governmental agency.
The forms will be sent out by April 1st, 2020 and Ms. Sanin asked that they be filled out and returned immediately. “The sooner people who intend to fill out the Census complete it, the better,” said Ms. Sanin, who indicated that it would allow communities to focus their outreach and energy on those who may be reluctant to improve the count.
Ms. Sanin has been CEO and President of Health & Welfare Council of Long Island since 2017. Her organization works with hundreds of nonprofits across Long Island to deal with hunger and homelessness, immigration issues and disaster preparedness. In addition, the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island specializes in coalition building, advocacy and policy work.
For more information, or for a list of upcoming events, call (631) 757-1698 or visit www.limba.net.
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