Category: Latest News

John Kennedy spoke about his campaign for Suffolk County Executive on News 12’s “Power & Politics.” He spoke about the fiscal crisis under Steve Bellone, including 7 bond downgrades, nearly $900 million in new debt, even though taxes have risen 22.4%.  Kennedy also discussed his opposition to Steve Bellone’s red-light camera program and the elimination of cash bail, as well as his pledge to root out corruption in county government and fix the county’s finances.

Click here to watch the segment.

Judge Orders Bellone to Hand over Documents Related to Ronkonkoma Development Project 

RONKONKOMA, NEW YORK — John M. Kennedy, Jr., Suffolk County Comptroller and Candidate for Suffolk County Executive, applauded a recent decision from the New York State Supreme Court, Suffolk County, which dismissed a motion from County Executive Steve Bellone to quash a subpoena from Mr. Kennedy in an effort to hide the details behind a development project in Ronkonkoma. 

On August 17, 2017, a Request For Qualification (RFQ) was put out for a proposed $1.1 billion development project in Ronkonkoma that would include a convention center and sports complex near the Long Island Rail Road station. The project was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle America, Inc. and Ronkonkoma Vision Properties, LLC. Mr. Bellone said the project would be a success, despite the fact it was modeled after a defunct sports arena in Seattle. “It’s amazing what people will call a ‘success’ just to justify spending money that isn’t theirs,” Mr. Kennedy said.

Mr. Kennedy requested documents related to the RFQ, but was only given half of the materials. He then issued a subpoena seeking to obtain the rest of the documents. Rather than comply the Comptroller’s request, Mr. Bellone’s office took legal action to prevent Mr. Kennedy from performing his duties to protect Suffolk taxpayers by falsely claiming the Comptroller overstepped his authority. Mr. Kennedy filed a counterclaim, stating the documents are necessary to perform a proper audit.

On October 15, 2019, the court dismissed Mr. Bellone’s claim and ordered his office to comply with Mr. Kennedy’s request. “The Judge’s ruling in our favor tells me all I need to know: it was never about a genuine belief that records didn’t need to be shared and always about covering up an egregious waste of taxpayer money,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Moreover, it is a victory for the residents of Ronkonkoma, who will be severely impacted by this project. It is clear that the county executive sought to hide the details of the project from us. It’s part of a pattern under the Bellone administration: spend taxpayer dollars and then cover up that spending by any means necessary to keep the reality from the citizens of Suffolk County.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

 

Latest Labor Union to Support Republican Candidate 

The Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York & Long Island has announced they have chosen to back John M. Kennedy as the next Suffolk County Executive. After submitting his responses for the candidate questionnaire, which were carefully reviewed, Mr. Kennedy picked up the union’s support. The leadership cited his stance in support of union workers and the importance of keeping high-paying jobs in Suffolk in announcing their endorsement.

The council is comprised of approximately 15,000 members, including construction workers, asbestos and hazardous materials handlers, Catholic high school teachers, recycling and waste handlers. The following unions are part of the council: General Building Laborers Local 66; Construction & General Building Laborers Local 79; Greater NY Lecet (Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust); Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Waste Laborers Local 78; Waste Material, Recycling & General Industrial Laborers Local 108; Lay Faculty Association Local 1261; and Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA).

The announcement comes after Mr. Kennedy received endorsements from the Utility Workers Union of America Local 393, Nassau Suffolk Building Trades Council, United Association of Plumbers Local 200, and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local One.

“After a review of your positions related to working men and women on Long Island, and your history of standing up for Long Island’s working families, we are proud to make this endorsement on behalf of the 5,000-plus members of LiUNA living here on the island,” said Josh Slaughter, Long Island Political Coordinator, Mason Tenders District Council Political Action Committee. “We appreciate your efforts to support local union labor while working to prevent out-of-state workers from degrading our wages and jeopardizing workplace safety.”

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this endorsement,” Mr. Kennedy said. “We need to put our middle class back to work. That means keeping jobs in Suffolk and filling those positions with Suffolk residents. There is no reason to bring in a contractor from out of state when we have people right here who are willing to work and need high-paying wages to support themselves and their families.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

John Kennedy received an endorsement for Suffolk County Executive from the Smithtown Messenger. The paper said Mr. Kennedy “knows Suffolk inside and out, from bottom to top … John M. Kennedy Jr. has demonstrated his leadership. He has a proven record of fighting to protect taxpayers and our Long Island way of life.”

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John Kennedy faced off in the debate for Suffolk County Executive at News 12’s “Island Vote 2019.” He told viewers that Suffolk was in a fiscal crisis and explained what he would do to #SaveSuffolk.

Click here to watch the debate.

Monday night’s debate in Kings Park highlighted the dire fiscal situation of Suffolk County under Steve Bellone and the urgent need for change at the top. There was no doubt as to who won the debate as John Kennedy was interrupted multiple times with applause from the audience. This was reported in Newsday.

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