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FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern Connecticut, including the following areas, Northern Fairfield, Northern Middlesex, Northern New Haven, Northern New London, Southern Fairfield, Southern Middlesex, Southern New Haven and Southern New London, northeast New Jersey, including the following areas, Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic and Western Union, and southeast New York, including the following areas, Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Northeast Suffolk, Northern Nassau, Northern Queens, Northern Westchester, Northwest Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Richmond (Staten Island), Rockland, Southeast Suffolk, Southern Nassau, Southern Queens, Southern Westchester and Southwest Suffolk. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - - Heavy rainfall has the potential to produce scattered to numerous areas of flash flooding, along with areas of urban and poor draianage flooding. While much of the flooding is expected to be localized, significant flooding is possible due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, especially along fast responding rivers and streams, and in more urbanized locations. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

County Executive Bellone Signs Landmark Ethics Legislation That Strengthens Disclosure Requirements And Transparency In County Government

Local News, Politics

By Published: May 09 2017

LongIsland.com

Amendments to the Suffolk County Charter will Ensure Financial Disclosure Statements be Made Available Upon Request.

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Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming (left), Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (right).

Photo by: Suffolk County

Suffolk County, NY - May 9, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today signed ethics legislation that will amend the Suffolk County Charter to strengthen financial disclosure requirements and promote transparency in County government. The amendment to the County Charter, which was introduced by Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, establishes clear guidelines that make it more accessible to obtain disclosure statements that may unearth conflicts of interest by public officials.
 
Following a public hearing that was held earlier this morning, the legislation (Introductory Resolution 2083-2016), which was adopted by the full Suffolk County Legislature at the General Meeting on April 25, will become law upon being filed with the New York State Secretary of State.
 
"The public must have confidence that those working in county government are serving in their official capacity without any conflict of interest,” said County Executive Bellone.  “This law will usher in more transparency to ensure that public officials are adhering to the highest ethical standards and are held accountable for their actions.”
 
“As a former prosecutor, and as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, I’m pleased to have the full support of the Legislature and the County Executive on these important amendments,” said County Legislator Bridget Fleming. “Financial Disclosure Statements are an important means for the public to know about potential conflicts of interest of those who operate the reins of government.  The revisions ensure that disclosure statements actually work as they’re intended to work, and my not be shielded from the public.”
 
The new law amends the County Ethics Code to ensure financial disclosure statements are not to be considered confidential. It also makes clear that financial disclosure statements must be made available upon request, whether or not a FOIL request has been made, within 10 days of the request. Lastly, it provides that an Assistant County Attorney will respond to denial appeals.
 
In 2016 Newsday filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the Suffolk County Board of Ethics in order to obtain certain financial disclosure statements. After that FOIL request was denied by the Board, Legislator Fleming introduced legislation to prevent such documents from being deemed confidential and made more accessible.