Politics & Government

Gov News: Medical Marijuana Hearing, Stalemate on Community Center

A look at some of the top government stories from around Long Island.

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, including news from Town Halls and about elected officials from across Long Island. Here are some of the top government headlines over the past week. 

Town Hall Shakeup: Staff Changes OK'd by Town Board
With a new administration set to take over Jan. 5, North Hempstead reorganization is in full swing at Town Hall. 

At a town board meeting Dec. 10, a resolution authorizing the retirement, transfer or termination of employees was approved for positions in various town departments.

City Proposes to Ease Eligibility, Age Requirements for Managers

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday tabled City Manager Jack Schnirman’s proposed resolution that would allow full-time management employees to leave or retire from the city after five years of service with full medical benefits, including for their families.

Nominating Committee Selects Nick Episcopia for Village Board

The 15-member Garden City East Nominating Committee has unanimously nominated Nick Episcopia, current deputy mayor from the East, to the village’s Board of Trustees for a new two-year term.

County Executives to Speak in Woodbury

County Executives Steve Bellone and Ed Mangano will speak at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Jan. 10 at 8 a.m.

Each will discuss their region's economic status, the prospectives for job creation and economic development on Long Island as part of the Long Island Association's Annual State of the Counties Report. 

Lavine Attends Medical Marijuana Hearing

Assemb. Charles Lavine, D-Glen Cove, joined other local State Assembly members to hear testimony on a bill proposing the legalization of medical marijuana in New York State at a public hearing Wednesday in Mineola. 

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hearings Set on Beechwood Plan, New Starbucks in Massapequa

In its final scheduled meeting of 2013, the Oyster Bay Town Board set two dates for public hearings in January and February involving a major Plainview development and a new Starbucks on Sunrise Highway.

Peter King Lays Out His Plan For GOP In New Hampshire

Rep. Peter King, weighed in on Republican strategy in 2014 and 2016, while taking jabs at the president in New Hampshire Monday night.

Town Orders West Babylon Home Boarded Back Up

The Town of Babylon has ordered a West Babylon home to be shuttered again after multiple break-ins were recorded at the vacant home.

McCaffrey Honored by Village For 23 Years of Service

Lindenhurst's Deputy Mayor Kevin McCaffrey officially closed out his last village board meeting as a trustee on Tuesday after nearly 24 years on the board.

Town Board Approves Special Exception Permit for Whisper Landing

Developers of the proposed Whisper Landing assisted nursing facility have received the green light from Smithtown Town Board to move forward over the protests of nearby residents.

Trotta Changes Mind on Retirement Day, Foregoes Vacation Pay

A new Suffolk legislator-elect has had a change of heart and mind to keep his initial retirement date from the county's police department.

Fort Salonga resident Rob Trotta announced Monday that he will no longer be pushing back his retirement date from Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, 2014 in order to collect an additional $7,000 after accruing 15 vacation days at the start of the new year. 

Town at Stalemate on Controversial Community Center

Tempers ignited Thursday as some members the Riverhead Town Board lashed out at a discussion over zoning that would pave the way for a proposed $60 million Family Community Life Center they said never should have been scheduled.

And when the dust settled, the project, which has been in the planning stages for over 20 years, stalled again, with no new public hearing scheduled. 

Town's Bridge Lane Project Under Fire 

Sagaponack and Bridgehampton residents want the town to take a look at a fourth, unexplored alternative to repairing the Bridge Lane bridge after a plan to wide the travel lanes and replace the railing drew harsh criticism from those in attendance at a meeting at the Bridgehampton Community Center on Wednesday night. 


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