Bellone: Farmers Crucial to Suffolk

Babylon Supervisor and Democratic candidate for county executive Steve Bellone on Thursday said he plans to make farmland preservation a top priority of his if elected in November.

Bellone, who traveled to the North Fork to address representatives of the agricultural community, perhaps the most central industry in Southold's and Riverhead's economy, called the work of farmers crucial to Suffolk's economy.

"Whoever is holding [the county executive] seat needs to understand absolutely how special this place is," said Bellone. "And that it has to be a priority that in this county we are working with all of you to make sure that the land is preserved and that you are able to operate your businesses effectively and in a way that you can make money."

Though a handful of farmers interviewed were not admitted Bellone supporters – one of the men who came to Wells Farm in Aquebogue for the appearance mistakenly thought Bellone was from Brookhaven – the group took the Babylon supervisor's appearance as a measure of good faith as election season now starts to get into full swing.

"This might be a photo op, but he seems to care about coming out here," said Ron Goehler, president of the Long Island Wine Council.

A spokesman for Angie Carpenter said she was planning to meet with members of the farming community, and Long Island Farm Bureau President Joe Gergela said he had reached out to county representatives about setting up a meeting, though no date has been set.

Among issues addressed by farmers were: extreme oversight - "level after level," said Lyle Wells, pointing to the County Health Department as one culprit – adequate representation on the Farmland Preservation Committee, securing and properly reimbursing funds for Jazz on the Vine, and maintaining farmland preservation.

Current County Executive Steve Levy has spent more than $450 million preserving farmland, according to his office – an investment Richard Wines, chair of Riverhead's farmland preservation committee, said he wants to see continue.

Responding to hold-ups farmers say they have experienced in the county health department, Bellone said in Babylon he has created performance measures to increase accountability. The references document how long specific tasks should take, and if performances are inadequate, "we can act," he said.