“Mr. Bellone’s new campaign commercial would be comical if it weren’t so sad. The two-and-a-half-minute production presents a rosy picture of Steve Bellone as a corruption-busting public servant, but makes no mention of the numerous scandals involving his administration, including those involving his former chief of police, the former assistant DA in charge of Suffolk’s Government Corruption Bureau and the head of the IT department.

“Even more shameful is that he makes no mention of the fiscal calamity he has created in Suffolk County. During his nearly eight years in office, Suffolk County taxpayers have faced the brunt of his fiscal mismanagement, with $200 million in tax and fee increases, a 22.4% property tax increase, a bloated budget of over $3 billion, including over $1 billion in payroll, $2 billion in debt, seven bond downgrades, seven fiscal emergencies, and nearly 17,000 fewer county residents.

“If Mr. Bellone were serious about addressing corruption in Suffolk County, he’d start by addressing the serious fiscal crisis we are facing, rather than shoveling taxpayers a line of B.S. If you want to learn the truth about Steve Bellone’s record, visit ShovelingSteve.com.”

Contrasts Town’s Superior Bond Rating to Suffolk’s “Junk Bond” Status

Ronkonkoma, NY — On September 12, John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, was joined by local elected officials and residents at a press conference at Armed Forces Plaza in Patchogue, announcing the continuation 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.

Mr. Kennedy also contrasted the Town of Brookhaven’s financial performance with that of Suffolk County’s. Moody’s Investor Services recently upgraded the town’s credit rating to AAA, its highest rating; meanwhile, Suffolk’s bond rating has been rated Baa2 (a rating considered “junk”). Moody’s credited Brookhaven with its “continued strong financial management,” while Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has engaged in out-of-control spending for the past seven years, resulting in seven bond downgrades. “We are issuing junk bonds, and, each payroll period, we don’t know if we’ll be able to pay our bills,” Mr. Kennedy said. “We’ve had to declare a fiscal emergency seven times. It’s outrageous and it has to end.”

As an example of Brookhaven’s responsible fiscal management, the town has set aside a fund for maintaining the town’s landfill and has a plan in place to minimize lost revenues. Mr. Bellone, on the other hand, has raided the water fund to the tune of millions of dollars.

“I want to congratulate Supervisor Romaine for achieving the highest bond rating possible for any municipality,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Unlike Mr. Bellone — who has spent taxpayer money wildly, and had to raise taxes, implement fees and raid the water fund to plug budget deficits — Mr. Romaine has held the line on taxes and spending, making Brookhaven a more affordable place to live for its residents. If Suffolk County operated like this, it would not have seen seven bond downgrades, seven fiscal emergencies and over 16,000 people fleeing the county.”

Also exacerbating Suffolk’s fiscal crisis is the reduction in population. 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 decided to run for New York State Assembly, it was to try to help the younger generations, like my daughter, from moving out of state,” said Joe DeStefano, New York State Assemblyman. “Due to the current high costs of living on Long Island, especially Suffolk County, my daughter and her family were forced to move out of New York to seek a more affordable life. If nothing changes, at the rate we are going here in Suffolk County, I predict more and more families will be broken up like mine has.”

“Steve Bellone spent most of 2018 traveling around the state, campaigning for New York State Democrats, to give total control of the state to one party, the Democrats, and one part of the state, New York City,” said Andrew Garbarino, New York State Assemblyman. “Now, all of the state suffers. Record numbers of people are leaving Suffolk County and New York State because of the radical policies from Albany and the terrible fiscal condition of Suffolk County.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

Contrasts Town’s Superior Bond Rating to Suffolk’s “Junk Bond” Status

Who: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive
Ed Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven
Dan Panico, Neil Foley and Michael Loguercio, Council Members, Town of Brookhaven
Andrew Garbarino and Joe DeStefano, New York State Assemblymen
Dominick Thorne, Candidate, Suffolk County Legislature’s 7th District
Local residents

What: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, will continue his “Fiscal Reality Tour” into the Town of Brookhaven. He will be joined by Ed Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven, 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.

He will contrast the Town of Brookhaven’s financial performance with that of Suffolk County’s. Moody’s Investor Services recently upgraded the town’s credit rating to AAA, its highest rating; meanwhile, Suffolk’s bond rating has been rated Baa2 (a rating considered as “junk”).

Moody’s credited Brookhaven with its “continued strong financial management,” while Mr. Bellone, engaged in out-of-control spending for the past seven years, resulting in seven bond downgrades.

When: Thursday, September 12
10 a.m.

Where: Armed Forces Plaza (in front of Capital One Bank)
116 East Main Street
Patchogue, New York

Directions: LIE to Exit 63 South (North Ocean Avenue) toward Patchogue. Take North Ocean Avenue south. Cross over East Main Street and stay on South Ocean Avenue. Turn left onto Terry Street, then another left at Taylor Lane. Make a right and then a left. Plaza is in front of the parking lot.

Steve Bellone’s Tax and Fee Hikes, Bond Rating Downgrades and Payroll and Spending Increases Have Created a Fiscal Crisis in Suffolk County

Who: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive
Chad Lupinacci, Supervisor, Town of Huntington
Local elected officials
Local residents

What: John Kennedy, Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, will be joined by Chad Lupinacci, Supervisor, Town of Huntington, and local elected officials and residents at a press conference to kick off his “Fiscal Reality Tour.”

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.

When: Monday, September 9
Noon

Where: Former site of Oceancrest Diner
269 Old Walt Whitman Road
Huntington Station, New York

Directions: LIE to Exit 49 N (Rte. 110 North). Take Pinelawn Road to Broadhollow Road (Rte. 110). Make a right onto Rte. 110. After half a mile, make a U-turn at Livingston Street, then make a slight right onto Old Walt Whitman Road and another right. Diner will be on the left-hand side.

“It’s regrettable that the Democratic majority in the Suffolk Legislature renewed the Red-Light camera program for another five years. It has become clear that the program isn’t working. Suffolk’s residents realize it’s little more than a money grab. Unfortunately, under Steve Bellone, the out-of-control spending, debt and junk bond status is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. As a result of his very poor policy decisions, the people of Suffolk are stuck with the tab.”

BROOKHAVEN, NY — Suffolk County Comptroller and County Executive candidate, John Kennedy, today called for County Executive Steve Bellone to immediately terminate the contract of former Congressman Gary Ackerman in the wake of being named as a “sexual predator” who allegedly violated a teenage Boy Scout in a lawsuit filed last week.

Mr. Ackerman was recently named in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court as having been a “known predator” who tried to touch and fondle a 17-year-old scout while at a summer camp where Ackerman was a camp director. Ackerman served for 15 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was named on several occasions as having committed ethical violations while in office.

In February of 2019, Steve Bellone went out of his way to avoid any and all checks and balances in an effort to hire his hand-picked advisor, Gary Ackerman. Mr. Bellone appears to have asked for and received a waiver from having to put the position out to bid to ensure that Ackerman got the contract. He then agreed to pay Ackerman $24,999 annually, which is exactly one dollar below the threshold that requires the Legislature to approve the contract. It is clear that Mr. Bellone would do anything possible to make sure his guy, Gary Ackerman, got this job.

“As the Comptroller of Suffolk County, I will do all in my power to ensure that not one more penny of Suffolk taxpayer money is paid to Mr. Ackerman until this matter is resolved one way or the other,” said Mr. Kennedy.

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

Who: John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive
Ed Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven
Neil Foley, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven

What: John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, will be joined by Ed Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven, and Neil Foley, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven, to explain how the fiscal crisis at the hands of current County Executive Steve Bellone has resulted in the widespread shuttering of local beaches in Suffolk County.

Mr. Kennedy says that Mr. Bellone raided tens of millions of dollars from the Clean Water Fund to plug budget deficits, while the money should have gone to mitigate the runoff that leads to high bacteria levels. As a result, beaches are being closed down — right in the middle of tourist season — vendors are unable to make money and the county is also losing revenue. Suffolk residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation and yet the Bellone administration cannot even deliver the most basic of government services, like keeping our beaches open so our residents can enjoy them.

When: Thursday, August 1
11:00 a.m.

Where: Corey Beach
1 Corey Avenue
Blue Point, NY

Directions: LIE to Exit 62 (Nicolls Rd./CR 97). Take Nicolls Rd. south to Blue Point until the end. Make a left onto Montauk Hwy. (CR 85). After 0.3 mile, make a right onto Blue Point Ave. After 0.4 mile, turn left onto Madison Ave. Go 0.3 mile and make a right onto Corey Ave. Make another left. Beach will be on the left-hand side.

Photo Ops: Mr. Kennedy speaking about the beach closures along with Mr. Romaine and Mr. Foley. Mr. Kennedy answering questions from members of the media.