Suffolk Legislature Presiding Officer William Lindsay fired Republican lawyer Ian Barry from his staff last week for “economic” reasons. But only 10 days earlier there was enough money to put the former executive director of the county Democratic committee on the public payroll.
Hired as a $53,296-a-year legislative aide I was Sam Schneider, a lawyer, who was the party’s full-time operative last year when Democrats added to their legislative majority. Earlier, Schneider was campaign manager for quadriplegic State Senate contender Brooke Ellison.
To replace Schneider, Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer hired the twin sister of Suffolk’s newest Democratic lawmaker, Brian Beedenbender. Adina Beedenbender, heavily involved in her brother’s upset victory, will make $55,000 in the post.
Republicans assailed the move as one in a string of patronage hirings to help Democrats who recently lost jobs in Brookhaven. “These people are just feeding at the political trough,” said Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches). He added Lindsay was “disingenuous” in calling Barry’s firing an economy move.
Romaine said the hiring of Beedenbender’s sister “puts Brian under the thumb of Schaffer, Lindsay, and [County Executive Steve] Levy.” Schaffer responded, “I’ve never been under the illusion I have control over any of the legislators, since I was one myself.”
Rick Brand
Comments (4)
This move proves again that the Democrats are just as bad, if not worse than the GOP ever was. It is sickening how they have stocked towns they control (along with the legislature and the county executive's office, with their own political hacks. It's only a matter of time before they pay the price at the polls. Babylon and Huntington are full of useless patronage positions and Islip is well on its way. Foley stocked Brookhaven with patronage, too.
Seems like "Jim" does not like the fact that the Dems have taken control of Islip. Nolan has hired a professional to head DPW, (a republican), a professional to head the LI Macarthur airport (a republican) and a professional to head the foreign trade zone ( a republlican assemblymans wife and a independtce) and a professional to head the parks dept (a repubican) Oh, he left the republican commisioners of planning, DEC and the dept of Human Services. Jim...could you be the same Jim who was dumped by republican councilman Flotteron? Which of the depts are headed by a Democart? The town attorney and the town comptroller are the only dems who were hired to fill those positions.
No, I don't live in Islip and have never worked in Islip and don't have a political job nor have anything to do with any party or politician. I am merely commenting on what I see. It's interesting that the most qualified person for the foreign trade zone position is the wife of a potential challenger. Nolan is merely trying to perpetuate his rule by dividing up the GOP. I don't think he is Mother Theresa. In the interest of honesty, no I don't like that the Dems have control of Islip because I think they have done a lousy job elsewhere. I also think the GOP did a lousy job in most places and cost taxpayers millions in unnecessary patronage.
As a person who does hold a political job within Suffolk County, this sickens me. The power was shifted with the past election, and it seems that is not enough. First, Legislator Cooper introduces a bill to extend the term for County Legislators; clearly a move to hold on to their power longer. Next, a republican legislative attorney is fired the day after a heated, bi-partisan battle took place well past midnight about Levy's flawed budget gap proposals. This puts PO Lindsay between a rock and a hard place. One Legislative Council Attorney will not be enough to take on all the potential resolutions that will be introduced in regards to this supposed budget gap. Now, Levy tells all department heads that he has to be informed of all communication their offices has with elected officials so he can review it. Levy is also trying to bypass the much needed committee process with his budget proposals. This is unacceptable, partisan, and borderline patronage. If you tell me that Levy is not trying to flex his ego by stepping on the feet of the legislative branch of this county, you are beyond mistaken. Checks and balances is in place for a reason; to prevent egotistic executive leaders from abusing their power, and for some reason, no one seems to realize this.