Suffolk Notebook: Conservative Candidate for County Exec Steps Up

At the county level, only a couple of committees met this week. The next general meeting of the Suffolk Legislature is scheduled for April 26. 

Commissioner of Jurors Announces Run for County Exec

Suffolk County Commissioner of Jurors Michael O'Donohe became the latest to announce a bid for County Executive, stating that he will seek out the Conservative Party line. 

O'Donohoe, a Crab Meadow resident, this week that he would seek the nomination. 

O'Donohoe is a former County Legislator, and has served in his current capacity since 1993. The Commissioner of Jurors is an appointed position. 

Schneiderman: Bus Survey "Really Slanted." Still, Numbers Support Fare Hike

After the legislature in late March, Suffolk County Department of Public Works issued a survey to gauge riders' support for a resultant hike in fare on two routes which is proposed to pay for the Sunday service. 

South Fork Legislator Jay Schneiderman, I-Montauk, has stated at past press conferences that the fare hike, and Sunday service, are both part of a pilot program to determine if the program would be self sustaining, which - according to his math - he says it will be. 

"I would have said something like, 'Would you support a 50 cent fare increase if the additional funds are being used to provide Sunday bus service to the greatest extent possible,' or something like that," Schneiderman said. "I thought it was really slanted against the program. My initial thoughts were that it's going to be used to support a veto message."

The survey - attached as a .pdf file - asked riders if they were, "in favor of establishing the periodic Sunday Bus service and paying the permanent fare increase."

Despite what he considered unfair wording, Schneiderman said initial data show that over 80 percent of riders still support the fare hike to fund Sunday service.

Lindsey Vows to Override Bond Vetoes for SCCC Upgrades

After County Executive Steve Levy vetoed three bond resolutions totaling $4.65 million - which would go to construction projects at Suffolk County Community College - Presiding Officer William Lindsay,D-Holbrook, said he will move to override the "senseless" vetoes.

The bonds would be used for the following projects: 

• $3 million for cooling systems throughout the campuses
• $655,000 to renovate the Peconic Building at SCCC's eastern campus
• $500,000 to plan a Health and Sports Facility at SCCC

According to Lindsay, earlier versions of the resolutions were originally proposed by Levy but were later withdrawn, saying the funds were needed to fund a bus liability case. 

The vetoed resolutions, and bond resolutions, passed the legislature by 16-1 votes at the March 22 meeting.

Suffolk Police to Hold Property Auction on Wednesday

Suffolk Police announced this week that the property section of the department will hold an auction this Wednesday at the property section building, next to police headquarters at 30 Yaphank Ave. in Yaphank.

No motor vehicles nor motorcycles will be up for auction. However the following items were listed: power tools, household appliances, jewelery, handbags, bicycles, and unused clothing. 

The auction begins at 8:30 a.m. All items must be paid in cash and are sold in their current condition. For more information, call 631-852-6471.