Republican Suffolk elections official Betty Manzella, a cousin of former Suffolk GOP chairman John Powell, is weighing a run for county legislature, in what is expected to be a hotly-contested race against Democrat Kate Browning, the freshman incumbent, according to several party sources.
Harry Withers, Suffolk Republican chairman, said he has heard Manzella mentioned as a potential candidate, but has not discussed her interest with town party officials. Asked if Manzella’s being related to Powell, who was convicted of bribe taking and involvement with an illegal truck chop-shop, could have an impact on her candidacy, Withers said: “I don’t know.”
Manzella, 47, a Smithpoint resident, is the GOP zone leader in Browning’s area and works in the board’s campaign-finance unit. She is also a cancer survivor and active in the American Cancer Society. Reached late last week, Manzello demurred on her intentions, saying she’s made no plans to announce a candidacy.
Rick Brand
Jesse Garcia, new Brookhaven GOP chairman, declined to discuss individual candidates until the town GOP selects its slate but said there were as many as a dozen contenders for the town board and legislative seat.
In another key legislative race, the name of Long Island Press publisher John Caracciolo has surfaced, to take on another Democratic freshman, Steven Stern. "A lot of people are talking to me about it and I’m mulling. But I’m not sure I see it materializing,” said Caracciolo, 42, a Dix Hills resident.
It would mean giving up his post as chairman of the county planning commission. Resistance also has come from some Huntington GOP officials who have not forgotten Caracciolo’s past challenge in a town board primary.
Comments (2)
Betty Manzells IS NOT a cousin of John Powell. Get your facts straight Rick Brand.
I have not commented ever on this page. Your rejection of my comments is bogus.
Mr Tufariello, I will post my comments to you here since I don't think you have the guts to address them at your sorry excuse for a website.
First, interesting interview with Mrs. Manzella. I especially like the part when you talked about crime with Mrs Manzella. However if you had any sort of journalistic integrity you would not have cookie coated it for her. Why not ask her the tough questions. Why not ask her how she plans to fight crime when her own son has known associations with drug dealers and is known in the area as such.
Mrs Manzella keeps on talking about this police sub station. How does she plan on building that without raising taxes? I have my own idea of what could be done to save tax payers money. Why not have police officers just do their job. Why not incorporate a sub station into the Mastic Beach fire department instead of building a whole new building. I love how you bring up being the owner of the General Store, or at least you use to be. What is great is that I remember as a minor buying cigerettes there. I remember a bunch of underage kids buying cigerettes there. thats great. Pride yourself on that one. Can I see your stats that says the area from Neighborhood road to Wavecrest leads in felony convictions. Or was that a random thought that you made up. I liked how you blasted Kate Browning for supposedly linking Betty Manzella to italian crime and then on your website you decide to like Kate Browning to the IRA. Wow. You are not a journalist. You are an over hyped blogger that has no factual information in your "blogs". Maybe the reason that Kate Browning and other politicians refuse to have interviews with you is because they see the truth. you are not a journalist worth their time to give an interview to.
So get off your high horse act like a journalist and ask some tough questions. Ask Mrs Manzella about her criminal son. Ask Mrs Manzella how she plans to help the area without raising taxes? Where she wants to cut money from the budget to make room for every thing? Who will pay for the asbestos plant to move like she wants to do? You are nothing but a petty fool. A grumpy old man that is still soar about something. Maybe not being a real journalist.