Steve Bellone

Last updated
Steve Bellone
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.JPG
8th Executive of Suffolk County
In office
January 1, 2012 –December 31, 2023

With over 240,000 votes cast, Bellone was elected with 57% of the vote in 2011 in his bid for Suffolk County Executive. [8] [9] As County Executive, Bellone has focused on restoring structural financial balance, implementing government reforms, improving water quality, and ensuring a high quality of life for Suffolk County residents.

In 2015, with 99,115 votes, Bellone won reelection as Suffolk County Executive, defeating Jim O'Connor by nearly 25,000 votes. [10]

Fiscal policy

Bellone's first term began with an inherited deficit of over US$500 million which coincided with the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009. [11] Using the same economic policies instituted in the Town of Babylon to restore fiscal balance, the Bellone administration reduced Suffolk's deficit by hundreds of millions of dollars. [12] The 2015 budget proposal recommends actions to eliminate the budget deficit completely. [13] The Suffolk County deficit currently[ when? ] stands at $89.9 million, a reduction of $411 million in two years.

Government reform

After Bellone took office, his administration enacted a series of government reforms and offered a variety of proposals to improve government efficiencies while maintaining reduced staffing levels. Beginning in 2010, county staffing was reduced by more than 1,100 employees and achieved annual reoccurring savings of over $100 million as a result. [14] The reduction of "one-shot" revenues has allowed Suffolk County to focus on long-term budget mitigation efforts. In addition, Bellone championed the merger of the Suffolk County Comptroller's Office and Suffolk County Treasurer's Office, a move estimated to save $800,000 a year and streamline the county's financial operations. The merger was approved by over 61% of Suffolk County voters in the November 4, 2014 election. [15] The consolidation of the two offices took place on January 1, 2018. [16]

Water quality

In 2014, Bellone announced that improving the region's water quality would be his administration's top priority, and launched the "Reclaim Our Water " initiative, a comprehensive plan to improve Suffolk County's water quality and eradicate nitrogen pollution. [17] Failing and unmaintained septic systems and cesspools had created an excess amount of nitrogen pollution in the region's water supply, becoming a serious threat to Long Island's water quality, wildlife, and quality of life; and had decimated the shellfish industry. Nitrogen poisoning also destroyed the region's coastal vegetation, which acts as a natural habitat for marine and aviary life as well as a natural buffer against devastating storm surges as seen during Superstorm Sandy. [18] The county identified 360,000 unsewered homes that contributed to nearly 70% of the nitrogen pollution load, and developed an actionable, long-term plan to sewer targeted areas, fortify existing waste water infrastructure, and bring advanced on-site waste water treatment systems to residential properties that were contributing most to the nitrification of waters. [19] [20] Bellone worked extensively with state and federal officials to secure an investment of more than $380 million to help reduce excess nitrogen pollution, invest in wastewater infrastructure and help protect coastal vegetation and marshlands. [21]

Economic development

Bellone initiated a series of economic development plans to build innovation economies throughout Suffolk County to attract highly skilled and knowledge workers, and to keep young professionals on Long Island. Bellone tasked the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning with developing Suffolk County's first comprehensive master plan in decades to address issues involving land use, the overall economy, traffic and transportation, and natural and built resources. [22] He introduced his Connect Long Island vision, a comprehensive transportation and development plan to connect Suffolk County downtowns, universities and research centers via mass transit. [23] The plan strengthened local businesses by expanding natural customer bases and developed the necessary infrastructure to provide residents with north-to-south transportation options.[ citation needed ]

Performance management

In order to maintain core government services while operating with reduced staff, the Bellone administration expanded its Performance Management department, which is responsible for ensuring the county workforce is as productive as possible. The office implemented quality improvements to improve operations in all government departments. [14] [24]

End of administration

Bellone was prevented from running for reelection in 2023 by a Suffolk County law on term limits that he had signed and was overwhelmingly passed in a referendum the previous year. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suffolk County, New York</span> County in New York, United States

Suffolk County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of New York. It comprises the eastern two-thirds of Long Island, bordered to its west by Nassau County, to its east by Gardiners Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, to its north by Long Island Sound, and to its south by Great South Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deer Park, New York</span> Hamlet and census-designated place in New York, United States

Deer Park is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Babylon, in Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 27,745 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melville, New York</span> Hamlet and census-designated place in New York, United States

Melville is an affluent hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Huntington in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York. The population was 19,284 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyandanch, New York</span> Hamlet and census-designated place in New York, United States

Wyandanch is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County, New York. The population was 12,990 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Island Sound</span> Tidal estuary on the U.S. East Coast

Long Island Sound is a marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean. It lies predominantly between the U.S. state of Connecticut to the north and Long Island in New York to the south. From west to east, the sound stretches 110 mi (180 km) from the East River in New York City, along the North Shore of Long Island, to Block Island Sound. A mix of freshwater from tributaries, and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound is 21 mi (34 km) at its widest point and varies in depth from 65 to 230 feet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babylon, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

The Town of Babylon is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Its population was 218,223 as of the 2020 census. Parts of Jones Beach Island, Captree Island and Fire Island are in the southernmost part of the town. It borders Nassau County to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. At its westernmost point, it is about 20 miles (32 km) from New York City at the Queens border, and about 30 miles (48 km) from Manhattan. The village of Babylon is also within the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water pollution</span> Contamination of water bodies

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, that has a negative impact on their uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants mix with these water bodies. Contaminants can come from one of four main sources: sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban runoff including stormwater. Water pollution is either surface water pollution or groundwater pollution. This form of pollution can lead to many problems, such as the degradation of aquatic ecosystems or spreading water-borne diseases when people use polluted water for drinking or irrigation. Another problem is that water pollution reduces the ecosystem services that the water resource would otherwise provide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nassau Inter-County Express</span> Public transportation organization in New York

The Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is the local bus system serving Nassau County, New York. It also serves parts of western Suffolk County, New York as well as eastern portions of the New York City borough of Queens. It was formerly operated under the name of MTA Long Island Bus, the trading name of the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, a division of MTA Regional Bus Operations. In 2011, the owner, Nassau County, decided to outsource the system to a private operator, Veolia Transport, due to a funding dispute with the MTA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anacostia River</span> River in Maryland and the District of Columbia, United States

The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel and ultimately empties into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is about 8.7 miles (14.0 km) long. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement of Necostan or Anacostan Native Americans on the banks of the Anacostia River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Bishop</span> American politician (born 1950)

Timothy Howard Bishop is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 1st congressional district from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronkonkoma Branch</span> Long Island Rail Road branch

The Ronkonkoma Branch is a rail service operated by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in the U.S. state of New York. On LIRR maps and printed schedules, the "Ronkonkoma Branch" includes trains running along the railroad's Main Line from Hicksville to Ronkonkoma, and between Ronkonkoma and the Main Line's eastern terminus at Greenport. The section of the Main Line east of Ronkonkoma is not electrified and is referred to as the Greenport Branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Department of Environmental Protection</span> New York City government agency

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the department of the government of New York City that manages the city's water supply and works to reduce air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyandanch station</span> Long Island Rail Road station in Suffolk County, New York

Wyandanch is a station along the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road. It is located on Straight Path and Long Island Avenue, off Acorn Avenue in Wyandanch, New York. All parking near the station is free, and maintained either by Suffolk County or the Town of Babylon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nutrient pollution</span> Contamination of water by excessive inputs of nutrients

Nutrient pollution, a form of water pollution, refers to contamination by excessive inputs of nutrients. It is a primary cause of eutrophication of surface waters, in which excess nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algal growth. Sources of nutrient pollution include surface runoff from farm fields and pastures, discharges from septic tanks and feedlots, and emissions from combustion. Raw sewage is a large contributor to cultural eutrophication since sewage is high in nutrients. Releasing raw sewage into a large water body is referred to as sewage dumping, and still occurs all over the world. Excess reactive nitrogen compounds in the environment are associated with many large-scale environmental concerns. These include eutrophication of surface waters, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, acid rain, nitrogen saturation in forests, and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Mangano</span> Politician

Edward P. Mangano is an American felon and former politician from the state of New York. A Republican, he was the Nassau County Executive from January 2010 to December 2017, and a former legislator in Nassau County, New York. He was elected in 1995 and served seven terms as a county legislator. In November 2009, he defeated incumbent Thomas R. Suozzi for Nassau County Executive. In November 2013, he was re-elected, again defeating Suozzi, by 59% to 41%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant</span> Wastewater treatment plant in Washington, D.C.

Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C., is the largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in the world. The facility is operated by the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority. The plant opened in 1937 as a primary treatment facility, and advanced treatment capacity was added in the 1970s and 1980s. The effluent that leaves Blue Plains is discharged to the Potomac River and meets some of the most stringent permit limits in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Half Hollow Hills, New York</span> Hamlet in New York, United States

Half Hollow Hills is a large hamlet in the Towns of Babylon and Huntington in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol D. Toulon Jr.</span>

Errol D. Toulon Jr. is the 67th and current sheriff of Suffolk County, New York on Long Island. Toulon is the first African American sheriff and first African American elected official to hold a nonjudicial countywide office in Suffolk County. Sheriff Toulon was re-elected to a second term on November 2, 2021.

The Wyandanch Union Free School District is a public school district headquartered in and serving the community of Wyandanch, in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Washington Water Pollution Control District</span> Public sewer district in Nassau County, New York

The Port Washington Water Pollution Control District is a public sewer district in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. It serves the Greater Port Washington area of Long Island's North Shore.

References

  1. ↑ Bonilla, Denise M. (October 27, 2011). "Bellone driven to run since childhood". Newsday . Suffolk County, N.Y.
  2. ↑ "Bellone elected Town Supervisor; recount underway for Town Council". Babylon Beacon. Babylon, N.Y. November 15, 2001.
  3. ↑ Fischler, Marcelle S. (December 18, 2009). "Improving Energy Efficiency in Long Island Homes". The New York Times . p. RE5. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Environmentalist of the Year Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone" (PDF). L.I. Sierra Club News. Spring 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ James, Will (April 4, 2013). "Wyandanch Rising Tries to Undo Long Fall" . The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ "The Wyandanch Hamlet Plan - Wyandanch Rising". Sustainable Long Island. April 2009.
  7. ↑ Gamboa, Glenn (October 24, 2014). "Long Island Music Hall of Fame 2014 inductees showcase area's sonic diversity" . Newsday .
  8. ↑ Kaplan, Thomas (November 9, 2011). "Bellone, a Democrat, Elected Suffolk Executive". The New York Times . p. A29. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Brand, Rick; Murphy, William (November 9, 2011). "Bellone logs decisive win over Carpenter in Suffolk" . Newsday .
  10. ↑ "Suffolk County 2015 Election Results". 4 November 2015.
  11. ↑ Braun, Martin Z. (March 8, 2012). "Suffolk County Seeks to Avoid Takeover Fate That Befell Neighboring Nassau". Bloomberg News .
  12. ↑ "Editorial: Glimmer of stability in Suffolk budget" . Newsday . September 28, 2014.
  13. ↑ "2015 Recommended Operating Budget Narrative and Appropriations. County of Suffolk, NY" (PDF). Suffolk County Government. 2015.
  14. 1 2 LaRocco, Paul (November 26, 2013). "Bellone fights perception of bloated patronage staff" . Newsday .
  15. ↑ "County Exec Bellone Takes Victory Lap As Voters Approve Ballot Proposals". Smithtown Matters. November 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ Schwartz, David M. (November 4, 2014). "Suffolk voters elect John M. Kennedy county comptroller" . Newsday.
  17. ↑ McLogan, Jennifer (January 23, 2014). "Bellone: Long Island's Water Quality Is No. 1 Priority Of My Administration". Babylon Beacon . Babylon, New York. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  18. ↑ Schwartz, David M. (March 25, 2014). "Suffolk seeks $1B in Sandy aid to cut water pollution" . Newsday .
  19. ↑ "Suffolk County Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan" (PDF). Suffolk County Government. January 2014.
  20. ↑ Dooley, Emily C. (January 23, 2014). "Bellone eyes added sewers to fight pollution" . Newsday .
  21. ↑ Winzelberg, David (October 28, 2014). "NYS plans $383M for new Suffolk sewers". Long Island Business News . Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Bellone Announces Plan to Create Jobs, Build Suffolk's Innovation Economy (Press Release)". Suffolk County Government. June 26, 2012.
  23. ↑ Callegari, John (June 26, 2012). "Bellone plans north-south transit connections". Long Island Business News . Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  24. ↑ Callegari, John (April 10, 2012). "Bellone names performance management team". Long Island Business News . Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  25. ↑ Spellman Hoey, Peggy (November 9, 2022). "Suffolk Voters Approve Term Limits For County Officials: Report". patch.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.