While town officials grapple with millions in potential cuts to the all-volunteer Huntington Community First Aid Squad, Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland has been hitting up taxpayers to cover her commutes to ribbon-cuttings and photo-ops. After reviewing Berland’s mileage it appears she overbilled the taxpayers to the tune of 40%.
In more than 100 examples, Councilwoman Susan Berland filed mileage claims to drive around the corner from Huntington Town Hall to Heckscher Park for events.

Obtained through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the documents show Berland collected $10,205.45 in mileage claims from January 2010 to March 2015 – a larger sum than tax experts say she’s entitled to under town regulations. Huntington Town’s Policy and Procedure manual states that reimbursements “shall be calculated based on the shortest possible route only,” and “when using a personal auto for a day trip which originates from the home, the mileage reported for the reimbursement should be from home or Town Hall – whichever is less.”

For trips from the Elks Lodge in Huntington, Berland claimed nine miles of travel, but should have been reimbursed for just a half-mile – the distance between the lodge and Town Hall. She claimed seven miles in travel from home to the Greenlawn Post Office, but should have billed 3.5 miles between that site and Town Hall; and, a nine-mile trip from home in Dix Hills to the Huntington Fire Department should have been claimed as a half mile between the department and Town Hall. For trips from the Hecksher Park in Huntington, Berland claimed eleven miles of travel, but should have been reimbursed for just one- third of a mile – the distance between the Hecksher and Town Hall.  Also she claimed nine miles in travel from home to The Paramount, but should have billed one mile between that site and Town Hall.

There are so many dates but here are samples of some of the problem days.  The full backup of all the data reviewed can be viewed below.

(1/24/11, 1/29/11, 2/16/11, 2/27/11, 3/15/11, 3/30/11, 4/4/11, 4/10/11, 4/28/11, 5/1/11, 5/15/11, 6/12/11, 7/2/11, 7/5/11, 7/6/11, 7/7/11, 7/13/11, 1/30/12, 5/12/12, 6/11/12, 7/6/12, 7/7/12, 7/17/12, 12/02/12, 1/16/13, 4/17/13, 5/17/13, 7/2/13, 8/6/13, 8/10/13, 10/5/13, 10/19/13, 6/29/14, 7/4/14, 7/8/14, 7/23/14, 8/7/14, 9/11/14, 10/12/14, 1/25/15, 2/23/15)

Golfing for Mileage

There are also discrepancies in the paperwork Berland filed to make mileage claims. Berland, in most cases signed off on her own mileage expenses, and in others filed hand-written or Excel spreadsheet claims for reimbursement instead of official town forms. Additionally she varied the distances she claimed for trips between Town Hall and her home – mileage she should not be claiming in any case, according to tax experts citing IRS regulations.

Any mileage reimbursements claimed in excess of town and IRS regulations must be reported as taxable income, experts say. Berland and her colleagues on the town board earn $80,000 per year, plus benefits, for what is codified in town code as a part-time position.

Berland is the only council member who has claimed mileage reimbursements from 2009 to 2015, records show. Councilman Gene Cook claimed no reimbursements, while Councilwoman Tracey Edwards and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson were only reimbursed for travel expenses related to the annual Association of Towns meeting.

In her campaign flyers, Susan Berland Stated “Elected officials, officers and employees who work for the public good and not for personal gain or profit”  However, her behavior on reimbursements is concerning. It is contrary to her campaign mantra and could have repercussions, especially with voters on Election Day.

******** REPORT DOCUMENTATION BELOW *********

Below please find all supporting documents as well as a statement from Councilwoman Berland.

In her response to our inquiry, Berland claims in writing that her reimbursements were, “documented, audited, and approved for reimbursement.”  She also claims that, “The reimbursement is for the shorter of the distance from my home or from town hall.”  The documents in our possession which were received from the Town’s Comptroller suggest otherwise.

Download (PDF, 31KB)

Below are the detailed worksheets followed by Berland’s written response:

Download (PDF, 87KB)

Download (PDF, 91KB)

Download (PDF, 74KB)

Download (PDF, 87KB)

Download (PDF, 26KB)

Below is Berland’s response to our request for comment on her expenses:

Download (PDF, 32KB)

Click to download the actual FOIA documents

Democrat Andrew Merola’s Opinion on Election:

With the election for Huntington Town Board looming, and the reality that I will not be on the ballot well behind us, I’ve had to think long and hard about who I’d be voting for this year. We need change, that is clear. We need to remove these career politicians who use our town as a personal piggy bank. But what’s the point of voting out one person, just to vote in somebody who’s drinking the same juice.

One thing I know as true, is that Susan Berland needs to go. If there was ever a politician who personifies everything that is wrong with our system, Susan is it.

Andrew Merola

Whether it be her claiming that “there’s nothing she can do”  about the slumlords, and crime that pervades our neighborhoods, or her greed in charging the taxpayers nearly $3,000 a year to drive to fund raisers or funerals, for her own personal gain of a photo op, she needs to go. Let’s look past the fact that she has manipulated our elections process to prevent any competition from having the opportunity to challenge her, what reigns true above all else, is Susan Berland needs to GO!

So what other options do we have. Her running mate, Keith Barrett, has proven himself to also be in the pocket of Petrone and the others that pull the strings on the Democratic side. Then we have Gene Cook, seeking a second term, with his new running mate of Jennifer Thompson. Of the 4 options we have, if we’re going off strictly merit and capability, I would support Gene Cook and Jennifer Thompson for Huntington Town Board. However, that’s not the reality we’re dealing with today. We’re dealing with a relatively uninformed electorate. The number of people paying attention compared to the number that show up to vote are vastly different. A fair estimation would be that you can expect a solid 16,000 votes being cast down party line, with the voter knowing nothing more than to pull the lever for the person who shares their team colors. There is nothing we can do in the next 2 weeks to change that reality. The remaining approximate 3,000-4,000 votes that will be cast, will be what decides this election. Approximately 75% of those remaining votes will be cast based on name recognition. Which would result in Susan Berland and Eugene Cook both maintaining their seats on Huntington Town Board this year. So we’ll have no change. What’s the point?

The point is, that in order to have change, we must be that change. We cannot do the same thing over and over and expect different results. I’ve seen the same 3 person majority on the Huntington Town Board for the last 15+ years, and I’ve seen the same results for our town too. I’ve seen Dix Hills get Gubernatorial calls when a tiny rest stop shows up on the LIE, while the people of Huntington and Elwood have been ridiculed by Sue Berland for trying to defend their homes against 30,000 Square foot structures being built in their backyards. We need change. So we must be willing to do something different.

I am a Democrat. I have always voted Democrat. November 3rd, 2015 will be the first time I cast a vote for a Republican. Clearly Gene Cook has our interests at heart and he deserves a second term, and we deserve a Councilman like Gene Cook. But who should replace Sue? Today, I announce that I will be voting for Keith Barrett for the 2nd open council seat this year. I’ve said many negative things about Keith Barrett, and I stand by them all as true. However, we need to be realistic to

the fact that Huntington is a Democratic Majority town. It is highly unlikely that BOTH Democrats will fall short of the needed votes to win one of the two available seats. We need to be honest to the fact that 16,000 votes will be cast blindly for Sue and Keith based on nothing more than team colors. For there to be a change, we must be that change. We must piggyback on that Democratic voting base, and by casting a vote for Eugene Cook (R) & Keith Barrett (D), we will see the change that we so desperately need. If we go into this election with the Red team vs. Blue team mentality, like we have for the last decade, we will be stuck with the same results we’ve been experiencing these last 15 years.

If you are one of that small minority of people, who cared enough to read this far into this article, then the fate of the town rests with you. You must join me in my determination to remove career politicians, as that is the first step to taking back our town. By splitting your vote, between Gene Cook and Keith Barrett, that is the best and only way we have to remove Susan Berland from Huntington Town Board. If you care about Huntington, and want to see change, you must lead the way, and tell your friends and family, to split their votes and vote for People over Party. Our political system is disastrous, this election is not about changing the world overnight. However, you drive change one day at a time, one vote at a time, one politician at a time. Let us take this November 3rd to tell Susan Berland, and the other career politicians on our Board, that their time is up.

Andrew Merola

Andrew Merola

Below is a sound clip from the John Gomez Show Tuesday August 11, 2015 with Andrew Merola.

Arena Players Children’s Theater is presenting one of its classic productions for the Halloween season, The Incredible Tale of Sleepy Hollow, in the Carriage House Theater at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, New York.

Ichabod Crane and the fearsome Headless Horseman come to life in this audience-participation version of Washington Irving’s classic tale.

Show dates: November 1, 7 and 8. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00. No performance on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.

Tickets: adults $10; children $8; children under three are free. For reservations or information, call Arena Players, 516-293-0674. The theater is fully accessible to people with mobility problems. Visit www.ArenaPlayers.org

Parents can schedule a child’s birthday in conjunction with a particular performance date. Call 631-854-5568 for more details.

Arena Players Repertory Theater is a non-profit company funded in part by Suffolk County under the auspices of the Office of Cultural Affairs; New York State Council for the Arts; and individual contributions.

Photo by Frederic de Feis

To Read the letter to the editor while listening to the show CLICK HERE.

Andrew Merola

At last night’s Meet the Candidates Night hosted by the Half Hollow Hills PTA, a Question was asked by a citizen that described himself as being on the spectrum.

Erich Pries stated, “8 percent of our population has Autism. I have not heard anything about it. I am on the spectrum myself and I run a respectful charity. What career opportunities would you open up for people with developmental disabilities in the town of Huntington rather than refer them to Burger King.”

The reference made about Burger King was directed at Councilwoman Susan Berland.

Earlier this week, Erich Pries posted his story on social media.  This is what he wrote:

“When I was out of work and Susan was aware that I had Autism.  I asked Susan if there was a possible job for me in the Town of Huntington.  Susan said there is a job for people like you at Burger King.”

In the video clip, you can observe Erich Pries  moving away from Sandy Berland who according to eye witnesses was sitting very close to him.  Sandy is Susan’s husband and Campaign manager. As he moved across the room, Sandy Berland followed him.  You can hear Susan say “Sandy.”  It is unclear if she was encouraging him to follow Pries who was clearly getting agitated or she was discouraging him.

Susan attempts to defend her record and discusses how she “cares very much about the handicapped population”.  She also makes claims that Erich Pries was escorted out of town hall for “throwing a fit.”  Pries denies this claim.

Erich Pries contacted  The Huntingtonian and asked for a full interview so he can tell his version of what happened.  We will share his story with you in an upcoming article.

After witnessing the events Councilman Eugene Cook issued the following statement:

EUGENE COOK:

SHAME ON SUSAN BERLAND

(A statement from Eugene Cook)

Shame on Susan Berland.

Last evening at the Half Hollow Hills Meet the Candidates night, we witnessed deplorable acts by the incumbent Councilwoman, Susan Berland, and her campaign manager and husband, Sanford Berland. Not only did the Councilwoman oppress a constituent’s freedom of speech, but her campaign manager proceeded to execute shameful intimidation techniques to deter the individual from speaking in the forum. I am appalled by and wholeheartedly condemn this repressive behavior.

America was built on the pretense that we may forever speak freely and petition the government for any and all grievances. Councilwoman Berland, you did just the opposite.

I will never ignore a constituents concerns, as a Councilman or fellow citizen. The Incumbent seems to neglect the fact that we have been duly elected by the people, for the people. I take pride in our freedom of speech, our democracy and our right to criticize the government as we see fit. I will never persecute or suppress my constituents as punishment for exercising their civil liberties.

Download (PDF, 299KB)

What is your schedule on Tuesday November 3rd, Election Day?

Will you vote early, late, or in the middle of the day?

What other appointments do you have that day that you have to work around?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Jo-Ann Raia Town Clerk

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of the residents from the Town of Huntington who took the time out of their busy schedules to vote for me on Election Day.  It has been an

honor and a privilege for me to serve as Huntington’s Town Clerk since 1982 as I have always believed that public service is noble work.

My goal always has been and will continue to be to provide the best possible service to all residents through dedication and tireless commitment. I look forward to addressing the concerns and interests of this community and to continue to implement cost effective programs that will benefit the residents of this wonderful Town.

Again, I thank the voters for expressing their confidence in me and for affording me the opportunity to continue to work diligently on their behalf for the next four years.

Jo-Ann Raia

November 4, 2015

Dear Editor,

One of the most important freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this great country is the right to vote.  I want to express my heartfelt thank you to the voters of Huntington for re-electing me as your

Councilman Cook

Town Councilman.  I am honored and humbled that you have placed your trust in me.    With your trust, I will work tirelessly on your behalf to help address the challenges our town faces, and to secure lasting and meaningful improvements to our quality of life.

Not only am I thankful for your support, but also for all the candidates who offer to serve their communities and seek solutions for public problems.  It is not easy to put oneself out there in such a public forum, so I give credit to those with the initiative to do so.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Best Regards,

Eugene Cook

Huntington Town Council

Offers 17.75% Discount for Active-Duty and Retired Veterans for Planning and Medicaid Fees during the Month of November

Tully & Winkelman, P.C. of Melville New York, has announced that the firm will host its first November Military Month for active-duty and retired military personnel and their spouses. As a way to thank them for their service, the firm is providing them 17.75% off all planning and Medicaid fees during the month of November. The 17.75% discount was selected to commemorate the Continental Army, our nation’s first fighting force.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are more than 1.5 million Americans currently serving in the armed forces and more than 2 million retired veterans. November Military Month has a special connection to Brian Andrew Tully, Founding Partner, Tully & Winkelman, P.C., whose father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

“We wish to show our gratitude for those heroes who have protected us in the past and who are doing so now,” Mr. Tully said. “Our country is at a pivotal point and this is a small way of saying ‘Thank you for your service.’ We hope to make November Military Month a tradition.”

Mr. Tully is certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and concentrates his law practice on life care planning, elder law, estate planning, Medicaid benefits and asset protection. He is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to represent and assist veterans and their spouses in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for benefits, including the Aide and Attendance Pension.

For more information, call (631) 424-2800

The Town of Huntington will mark the anniversaries of the various branches of the United States Armed Forces when it holds its annual Veterans Day Wreath Ceremony on Sunday, November 8.

The ceremony, which will begin at 9 a.m. in Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington, will also include a performance by the Long Island Children’s Choir and the traditional ceremony during which Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and members of the Town Council join representatives from the Town’s Veterans Advisory Board in placing memorial wreaths at each of the monuments in the plaza.

The ceremony will give special recognition to the 240^th anniversaries of the founding of the United States Army, Navy and Marines; the 225^th anniversary of the founding of the United States Coast Guard; and the 68^th anniversary of the founding of the United States Air Force.

The public is invited to attend.

The Town of Huntington Community Development Agency announces that it is accepting applications for a limited number of income-restricted units, priced at $327,000, at the Club at Melville, a newly-constructed 55-and-over gated luxury condominium community on Deshon Drive.

Approximately 10 units remain to be sold in this income classification, with the CDA having exhausted the list of persons who participated in the July 2014 lottery. To be eligible, the maximum income for a family of one or two is $104,650; for a family of three, $117,700; and for a family of four, $130,800. Applicants must also meet asset qualification.

For more details about the community, including photographs, persons can visit the development’s website, http://theclubatmelville.net. Additional details about eligibility guidelines and estimated monthly carrying charges can be viewed or downloaded at www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13751/16461/18802/18824/DESHON__GUIDELINES_327000_doc_(3)_(3).pdf. An application can be downloaded at www.huntingtonny.gov/filestorage/13751/16461/18802/18824/The_Club_at_Melville_application_327000_.pdf. Interested persons can also call the CDA at (631) 351-2884 for more information and an application package. The CDA is processing the qualification forms.

The apartments in the 260-unit development were offered for sale in three categories, in accordance with the requirements of Town Code, with the price based on the income category: 80 percent of median income, 120 percent of the median income and 130 percent of median income. These units are in the 120 percent income category. The 80 percent units were fully subscribed; units in the 130 percent category, carrying the highest price (currently $400,601.50) were made available to the general public after that list was exhausted.

The Huntington Town Board, at its November 5 meeting, approved a $188,663,991 Town budget for 2016, a spending plan that remains within the state’s tax cap while maintaining services at a time when revenues are stagnant and fixed costs are increasing.

The 4 councilpeople in this picture voted yes on 2016 budget

The budget, which was presented by Supervisor Frank P. Petrone in September, contains no new initiatives, but it does follow through on implementing ones that began in 2015, including construction of Sweet Hollow and Burrs Lane Parks and design and initial construction for the James D. Conte Community Center at the former Huntington Armory. While overall spending is projected to decrease slightly, the proposal calls for a $1.9 million increase in the Highway budget, reflecting increased costs due to last winter’s severe weather. That increase was offset by little to no increases in the other major Town funds, and decreased spending in some of the special districts.

Among the highlights in the budget are:

— a slight reduction (0.2 percent) in overall spending.

— a 1.3 percent increase in the overall property tax levy. The levy is increasing despite a slight overall decrease in spending because of a decrease in use of Town reserves to fund operations. Looking only at the three major funds (General, Highway and Refuse), the increase for the average Town homeowner is projected at $29.16.

— a $15 million capital budget that focuses on improvements to the Town’s infrastructure such as rehabilitation of various plants and pump stations in the Dix Hills Water District and  headworks improvements in the Huntington Sewer District. Funding is also included for road rehabilitation, drainage infrastructure and paving.

— salary freezes for all elected officials and appointed and management personnel. At the November 5 meeting, the Town Board approved a Management Plan outlining various benefits for appointed and management personnel and setting parameters for items such as leave time and medical contributions.

“This was a difficult budget to put together, given the limitations of the tax cap and increases in costs such as health insurance,” Supervisor Petrone said, “But I am pleased that we were able to maintain services and programs our residents want and have come to expect.”

            In other action, the Town Board:

— extended for another five years the agreement with Starflower Experiences Inc. for educational uses of Manor Farm Park. Starflower a annually provides at least six free environmental education programs to Huntington residents , as well as various maintenance and security services at the facility.

— authorized the Supervisor to execute an agreement with an artist to design, fabricate and install a public art project for Sweet Hollow Park. A selection panel from the Town’s Public Art Advisory Committee reviewed 13 submissions in response to a request for qualifications, and selected a recommended artist, Suzanne Lee of Portland, OR, and an alternate artist, Beatrice Colon of New York City. The budget for the project is a total of $85,000 from the Town’s Environmental Open Space and Parks Improvement (EOSPA) fund, of which $20,000 is in the 2015 Capital Budget.

— approved the purchase of the 3.5-acre Tannenbaum Property in Fort Salonga, at a price not the exceed $897,000. The acquisition was recommended by the Town’s EOSPA committee for use as passive parkland with trails. Trails currently on the property are used by hikers and runners.

— authorized spending up to $265,000 from the neighborhood enhancement fund for upland improvements as part of the Halesite Marina reconstruction, including porous pavers to manage storm water in a more sustainable manner than conventional drainage, for continuation of the brock harbor walkway and for decorative street lighting.

— accepted the donation of landscaping from Main Street Nursery and Florist for landscape planting and maintenance for the two roundabouts on New York Avenue in Halesite.

— approved waiving parking meter fees in Huntington Village during the upcoming holiday Season, from November 27 to January 1.

— scheduled a December 8 public hearing on a proposal to acquire, with the North Shore

Land Alliance, a conservation easement on three-acre parcel adjoining the Wawapek Preserve in Cold Spring Harbor.

— scheduled a December 8 public hearing on a proposed amendment to Town Code that would add the classification “bistro” for certain food service restaurants such as pizzerias that are smaller that restaurants and different from food shops, as well as defining a “tavern/bar.” The addition of the classification would allow for specific regulations for those types of businesses.

— scheduled a December 8 on a proposed zone change requested by Gurwin Senior Housing to erect a 237-unit, lifecare-type community offering different levels of health services to senior residents. The property is near the intersection of Commack and Hauppauge Roads in Commack.

Deputy Commissioner Mention-Lewis shares Suffolk’s progressive anti-crime initiatives as part of Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration

Washington, D.C.- Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis took part in a group discussion at the White House with President Obama and Law Enforcement Leaders (LEL) to reduce crime and incarceration on October 21 and October 22.  LEL is an organization of more than 130 police chiefs, prosecutors, sheriffs and attorney generals from all 50 states dedicated to urging the country to reduce incarceration while reducing crime. Deputy Commissioner Lewis has been asked to be a founding member of the Law Enforcement Leaders organization.  Other Founding members include William J. Bratton of New York, Charlie Beck of Los Angeles, Garry F. McCarthy of Chicago, Eric Schneiderman, Attorney General of New York, as well as Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan District Attorney.

Deputy Commissioner Mention-Lewis

“Incarceration levels in this country have reached a crisis point,” said Mention-Lewis. “The United States has five percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its prisoners. It is important to utilize our jails and prisons for violent offenders; however, utilizing scarce resources to incarcerate non-violent offenders, when studies show that imprisonment has little crime control benefit for non-violent offenders, is simply not wise. There are better alternatives and we need to use them. We are committed to building a smarter, stronger and fairer criminal justice system.”

LEL urges utilizing alternatives to arrest and incarceration, especially targeting mental health and drug treatment options so that non-violent offenders can get back on their feet and become law-abiding citizens.

According to LEL, the over reliance on imprisonment for low level crimes  takes time and vital resources away from preventing serious and violent crime and drains tax payer dollars to the tune of $80 billion a year. LEL believes that this money would be better spent on implementing what they know reduces crime, such as smart policing, re-entry programs, vocational training and employment.

In Suffolk County, for example, under the leadership of County Executive Steve Bellone, Police Commissioner Edward Webber and the Suffolk County Police Department, Mention-Lewis heads a progressive anti-crime initiative in several communities which serve as homes to gang violence and high crime. The community-based intervention program transforms the attitudes and lives of both the criminals and the communities. The Chicago Crime Lab called it “a promising and important program.” It is rooted in the belief that criminals can be re-programmed and given a new “moral voice” that results in less recidivism, more hope and better community members.

“It is truly an honor to have been asked to be a part of this national group and to have met with the President as we all work to decrease crime and incarceration in our communities,” said Mention-Lewis. “We in law enforcement all know that suppression alone will not work and has not solved the problem of crime and violence. We know that we need to think differently to get different results. I believe that Suffolk County’s Community-Based Intervention program can serve as a useful model nation-wide.”

Mention-Lewis was appointed Deputy Commissioner in July 2012. She has served as a Nassau County Assistant District Attorney for 19 years and has received numerous awards and accolades for her work first as a prosecutor and most recently for her innovative programs to reduce crime by breaking the cycle of recidivism. Mention-Lewis is the first woman and first African American to hold the Deputy Commissioner position in the history of the Suffolk County Police Department.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate launched their second annual winter coat drive at their Huntington office on November 17.

From right, Assemblyman Lupinacci and Huntington Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone join Rev. Rosemary Gaines, pastor of Helping Hand Rescue Mission, and Douglas Elliman Real Estate staffers at the kickoff of their second annual winter coat drive.

The drive benefits Huntington Station-based Helping Hand Rescue Mission, a church that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary providing outreach services to aid the area’s poor.

“I am so pleased to see that local businesses are beginning their efforts to help the needy in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season,” Lupinacci said. “A coat drive, like today’s held by Douglas Elliman, not only help those who may be unable to afford a good coat for New York’s frigid winters, but also unites our community in the spirit of giving.”

Last year, the drive netted 550 coats. This year, Douglas Elliman has expanded the month-long drive to all of its 25 Long Island branches and is hoping to exceed 1,000 coats. They are welcoming donations of new or gently-used coats and outerwear.

As the holidays approach wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra $25,000 in your wallet!

Little Shelter Animal Rescue in Huntington NY, is holding its seventeenth semi-annual Mercedes raffle.
Tickets are $100 each and only 600 will be available. Little Shelter’s Mercedes raffle has become so popular and has been selling out quicker and quicker with each drawing, so ACT NOW and don’t miss your opportunity to win.
Join us at the shelter Sunday, November 29th for a chance to win other special prizes too!

Winner of the $25,000 or Mercedes need not be present.

Please help the dogs & cats of Little Shelter by buying a ticket to win a Mercedes Benz or $25,000!

Purchase tickets by calling (631) 368-8770 Ext. 26 or print out and mail in the above form.

We can do it with your help!
When Drawing Will Be Held
Sunday, November 29th, 3:00 PM
Where Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center
33 Warner Road, Huntington, NY 11743

There’s Only 14 Days Left For Our 17th Semi-Annual Mercedes Benz Raffle!

316 Tickets Are Left Out Of The 600 Tickets Available!
Don’t Miss Your Chance

Enter Today Printout Form below to enter!

Download (PDF, 4.71MB)

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today released the following statement upon learning of Police Commissioner Edward Webber’s forthcoming retirement.  County Executive Bellone has asked Commissioner Webber to remain in his position through January 25, 2016 in order to allow for an effective transition.

“Commissioner Edward Webber has served Suffolk County residents with honor and distinction for more than 43 years.  Suffolk County is a better place and our residents are safer today because of Edward Webber’s distinguished service.  However, after more than four decades of service, I respect that Ed wants to devote himself fully to his wife Kathy, his three children and his six grandchildren.

Under Commissioner Webber’s tenure, crime is down by more than 20 percent, including a double-digit decrease in violent crime.  That is because Commissioner Webber spearheaded implementing a number of initiatives to make our force more effective.   Commissioner Webber oversaw a successful merger between the Suffolk County Police Department and the Park Police which has resulted in operational efficiencies which are saving taxpayers millions of dollars and improving service.

The Suffolk County Police Department has improved its relationships with minority communities by successfully implementing community-based policing initiatives which helps the force serve our communities better.

I am appreciative that Commissioner Webber has agreed to stay in his position for the next two months to provide a steady hand and allow for an effective transition.” Stated Bellone.

Suffolk County Police Announce Added Holiday Patrols

Department will increase presence at retail centers and downtowns;

Zero-tolerance approach taken for drunk drivers

The Suffolk County Police Department will increase police patrols in shopping centers and on roadways during the holiday season to ensure a safe and enjoyable season for residents of Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Police will be conducting high visibility patrols and enforcement—from November 25 through January 3—making every effort to keep residents safe on our roadways and in areas with increased crowds. Plainclothes officers will conduct anti-larceny patrols at business districts while Canine Section, Emergency Services Section and Highway Patrol officers will be utilized to patrol in and near shopping centers.

As always, Suffolk County Police will take a zero-tolerance approach for anyone driving under the influence and placing the public in danger. In addition to enhanced patrols, traffic safety checkpoints will be conducted to focus on drivers who are violating laws pertaining to driving while intoxicated and the use of seatbelt and cellphones while driving.

The department’s annual Handicapped Enforcement Initiative will also begin and officers will increase enforcement of handicapped parking regulations.

“I wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.  “The Suffolk County Police Department is doing all it can to ensure a safe holiday season for Suffolk County residents.”

“We want residents to enjoy this festive season and we are asking them to make responsible decisions to ensure a safe holiday for themselves and others,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Edward Webber said. “Our officers will be saturating the roadways looking for those violating the law.”

Shopping Safety Tips

• Always be aware of your surroundings when walking through shops and in parking lots.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Avoid shopping at night if possible. If you must go at night, bring a friend/family member or notify them of your whereabouts.
• Dress comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Avoid carrying a large amount of cash.
• Avoid carrying a wallet or purse if possible.
• Do not leave packages in plain view in a vehicle.

Shopping online

• Make sure computers are updated with security software.
• Keep information private and passwords secure.
• Use only secure and familiar websites for purchases.

Home Security

• Lock every door and window and secure pet doors.
• Activate security system.
• Remove any hidden keys.
• Put valuables in a safety deposit box.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house and collect mail.
• Consider putting electronics (lights, televisions) on a timer.
• Install motion sensor lights.
• Avoid posting travel plans on social media.