Government Briefs

Donald Trumping Here

Though tickets start at $2800 and quickly escalate to $250,000, a huge turnout is expected to hear President Donald Trump deliver a one-hour speech at a fundraiser in Bridgehampton hosted by Joe Farrell.

Farrell, who builds luxury mansions in the Hamptons, is a longtime Trump supporter. U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Donald Trump Jr., who recently bought a house nearby, are expected to attend.

Later this summer, U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, a Democratic presidential hopeful, will hit the Hamptons with cash on his mind. On Sunday, August 18, rocker Jon Bon Jovi will open up his Lily Pond estate to the fellow Garden Stater. Donations are more modest — capping out at $15,000.

Helping Pets In Danger

Assemblyman Fred Thiele and State Senator Kenneth LaValle on August 2 announced that their legislation authorizing firefighters and other emergency medical responders to remove animals in unattended motor vehicles under conditions that endanger their health or well-being has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. This measure will help reduce wait times when 911 calls are made alerting authorities that a pet is in danger, especially when the availability of law enforcement or animal control is limited. The bill goes into effect immediately.

Thiele said, “In the summer months, we are reminded of the danger that the confinement of pets in motor vehicles can pose when temperatures inside vehicles can soar to life-threatening extremes within minutes. This important measure will result in the saving of beloved pets’ lives in these dangerous situations.”

New Health Center Approved

The Kraus Family Health Center at Southampton, part of the Hudson River Health Care system, was one of eight Suffolk County centers supported under a consolidated contract that was approved.

All eight centers will receive subsidies that will allow them to continue delivering full life-cycle primary, preventative, behavioral, and oral healthcare. “The Kraus Family Health Center in Southampton is vitally important to the welfare of residents in our district,” stated Legislator Bridget Fleming. “I am pleased the county can continue to support this program, which provides essential health care services to the community.”

Raacke Appointed To CCA Task Force

Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island, has been appointed to the Community Choice Aggregation Task Force. The CCA Task Force was established earlier this year to examine the feasibility of utilizing Community Choice Aggregation as an energy procurement strategy in Suffolk County, in order to explore cost savings and an increased reliance on renewable energy sources throughout Suffolk County.

The CCA Task Force will meet four times and provide a report after a comprehensive study on the issues related to establishing CCAs within municipalities of Suffolk County. The Task Force will focus on the feasibility of establishing CCA in Suffolk County, evaluating the CCA establishment process, and recommending action for the county.