12.02.2012 Columns Suffolk Closeup: Stop the lawyering and leave Spota be The judge’s determination couldn’t have been stronger. “Without reservation and without doubt,” declared Supreme Court Justice Ralph Gazzillo, “it is beyond the power of a county to restrict the...
11.18.2012 Columns Suffolk Closeup: Breaking down the 2012 election In analyzing Election 2012 in Suffolk County, the race in the First Congressional District was the nastiest I’ve ever seen in my 50 years observing and writing about contests...
11.11.2012 Columns Suffolk Closeup: Not too early to learn from Sandy As I write this (last Sunday), electricity is still out for thousands of homes and businesses in Suffolk County — and out, too, for thousands of people in Nassau,...
10.21.2012 Columns Suffolk Closeup: Electing LIPA’s trustees The legal papers crackle with verbal lightning. Those bolts are aimed at the Long Island Power Authority and, especially, the maneuver that jettisoned the democratic system under which LIPA...
10.14.2012 Columns Suffolk Closeup: Helicopter advocate mans noise hotline An “advocate” for helicopter operators is what Bill Faulk, aide to Suffolk County Legislator Edward Romaine, has long considered Robert Grotell. Mr. Grotell’s official title is “special advisor” to...