Brookhaven Notebook: Alessi, Segall Share Party Leadership; Carmans River Plan One Step Closer to Adoption

The of the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee will share the local party's leadership after an acclamation election on Thursday.

Marc Alessi will serve the committee as chairman, while Doug Segall will serve as executive director.

"The Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee recognized that Marc Alessi and Doug Segall’s combined political experience would prove more beneficial to the Committee in a dual leadership role," the committee said in a statement.

Alessi, of Shoreham, and Segall, of Farmingville, are friends with varying political resumés. Alessi is a former state assemblyman who lost his bid for re-election in the First Assembly District race last November and who has helped several prominent Democrats win elections at the town, county and state levels. Segall is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants who has held roles in field operations, finance, campaign management and general consulting for a variety of campaigns since 1989.

The committee said Alessi will focus on coordinating campaigns and Segall will handle day-to-day operations.

"Working with Marc in this collaborative effort only strengthens what we have to offer to the Committee and what we can do for our party," Segall said in a statement.

Town Accepts Draft of Environmental Protection Initiative

Brookhaven’s town board passed a resolution Tuesday to accept a draft of the Carmans River Study Group’s proposed protection plan for the river’s watershed, which the board received on Feb. 10.

Supervisor Mark Lesko listened to the concerns of private residents and several civic association members concerning the final plan, which has not yet been made available to the public. The study group's meeting agendas, minutes and resource maps can be found online here. According to a town summary of the group's findings, as much as 9,100 acres of land near the river could be protected after the study group recommended expansion of the Pine Barrens Core. The river runs through the hamlets of Yaphank, Brookhaven and Shirley in the southern half of Suffolk's largest municipality into the Great South Bay.

Several residents questioned the board’s transparency and argued against a limit on the time allowed for them to speak. Many raised concerns over the impact the plan would have on the river and the surrounding community. Lesko responded that study group meetings have been open to the public, and noted that some of those criticizing the plan have not read it yet.

The study group is a collaborative effort between town government and leading environmentalists to protect the Carmans River watershed from harmful development. The group is chaired by Dr. Lee Koppelman, director of the Center for Regional Policy Studies at Stony Brook University and a former leading member of the Long Island Regional Planning Board.

Lesko asked the group in October to produce a study in three months’ time in order to come up with a feasible plan to protect the river. Several residents complained at Tuesday’s meeting that the process was moving too quickly; Lesko responded that he had promised swift progress with the project and reiterated that no decisions had been made.

Some of the study group’s recommendations would require state legislation to implement if the plan is finalized and accepted, according to a town press release.

Coalition Opens Scholarship Competition to Brookhaven High School Seniors

A coalition of more than a dozen Brookhaven chambers of commerce is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior from Brookhaven planning to continue his or her education in a business or trade school.

To enter the competition, the student should write a 500-word essay on the topic of "why I want to continue my education in business." The deadline is Feb. 23. Entries can be submitted via e-mail or mailed to BCCC, P.O. Box 126, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776.

New Shelter Program to Encourage Adoption of Pit Bulls

The town also announced the creation of the Brookhaven Bully Alliance, which is expected to encourage adoption of pit bulls and pit bull mixes from the town animal shelter, which are coming in "faster than they are being adopted," Lesko said Wednesday.

Animal shelters and other rescue groups can apply to participate in the program, which will award a $250 grant for each dog the groups place in a safe, caring home. The program is supported by the Help the Animals Fund, a nonprofit set up specifically to benefit the animals at the Brookhaven shelter.

Deputy supervisor and councilwoman Kathleen Walsh, who has adopted two pit bull mixes from the shelter, lauded the program's creation.

"I see a totally different temperament than that portrayed by the media. These dogs are friendly, obedient and loyal," Walsh said. "Our hope is to partner with groups to help find homes for these castaway pets."