Tags Posts tagged with "Legislature Tom Muratore"

Legislature Tom Muratore

Farmingville Hills County Park. Photo by Heidi Sutton

At the General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature on June 24, Legislator Nick Caracappa’s bill, IR 1408-2021 was adopted with a unanimous vote.

The intent of the resolution is to honor a former colleague of the Legislature, Tom Muratore, who passed away suddenly on September 8, 2020. Pursuant to Section 215(1) of New York County Law, Farmingville Hills County Park will hereby be renamed “Thomas Muratore County Park.” As the introductory resolution states,

Legislator Nick Caracappa (right), with his predecessor in office, the late Legislator Tom Muratore.

“it would be fitting to name Farmingville Hills County Park in honor of Thomas Muratore to acknowledge his contributions to Suffolk County as someone who dedicated his entire life to public service and reached across the aisle to better the lives of County residents, especially when it came to working together to protect families, our veterans and our quality of life.”

Legislator Caracappa, who serves the Fourth Legislative District where Muratore served previously, is very pleased with the outcome.

“It was a great day at the Suffolk County Legislature, where my bill to rename Farmingville Hills County Park in honor of my friend and a true public servant, Tom Muratore passed unanimously! Tom’s entire career revolved around serving and helping the people of Suffolk County; first as an officer in the SCPD, then as a County Legislator. Thank you to my colleagues for their support, Chairman Jesse Garcia, Chairman Rich Schaefer, the entire Board of Supervisors, and all residents/organizations within the 4th Legislative District for their support and encouragement in seeing this wonderful bill through the process. Congratulations to Linda Muratore and Tom’s entire family on this well-deserved recognition!”

Nicholas Caracappa is still set to be sworn into the Suffolk Legislature Jan. 4, 2021. Photo from Caracappa campaign Facebook

The man who is set to replace Tom Muratore on the Suffolk County Legislature, Nicholas Caracappa, was arrested Tuesday for alleged domestic violence-related charges. 

Suffolk County Police confirmed Caracappa was arrested at a little after 3 p.m. Dec. 8 for criminal contempt 1st degree and criminal obstruction of breathing related to a domestic incident. He was held overnight and released from First District Court in Central Islip on his own recognizance Wednesday. He is next due to be back in court Jan. 21, 2021. 

Caracappa was elected to the 4th district legislator seat this year with 60.7% of the vote compared to his Democratic opponent Joseph Turdik’s 39.3%. He is set to be sworn into office Jan. 4 next year.

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue) said in a statement that the arrest does not impact Caracappa’s ability to take up his seat.

“The arrest of and the allegations against Legislator-elect Nicholas Caracappa are very serious. I do not know the specifics of the case and cannot comment further,” he said. “He was not to be sworn in until January, but these events do not undo the election. He has a right to his day in court. At this time my prayers are with his family.”

Caracappa’s attorney, Thomas K. Campagna, of Hauppauge-based Campagna Johnson Mady, P.C, said Thursday that the allegations are “100% false” and that his client is looking forward to his day in court “so he can be fully exonerated.”

“The allegations by Mr. Caracappa’s wife are purely retaliatory against an order of protection that Mr. Caracappa obtained by court a week or so before,” the attorney said over the phone. “The order was against his wife protecting his children against the violent act of his wife … He is looking forward to continuing his passions as a dedicated father and dedicated public servant.”

Caracappa’s family has legacy within the legislature. His mother, Rose, held the seat until her death in 1995. The Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai was named after her. Nicholas’ brother, Joseph, held the seat until 2007. Muratore took up the seat in 2010, and passed away while still in office Sept 8. 

Once he is sworn in January, he will join two other legislators who are facing criminal charges. Legislator Rudy Sunderman (R-Shirley) was indicted in 2019 for alleged perjury, ethics violations and other offenses in connection with his work as the former district manager of the Centereach Fire District that continued after he became legislator in 2018. Legislator William Spencer (D-Centerport) was indicted in October over allegedly seeking sex from a sex worker using drugs such as oxycodone as collateral.

 

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Bethel Hobbs Farm's Run the Farm will be going virtual this year. Funds support the farm in its community endeavors. File photo from Councilman Kevin LaValle's office

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm is taking its annual fundraiser virtual Saturday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 13.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) announced he will co-sponsor the sixth annual Run the Farm Four Mile Challenge with Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma) and Friends of Hobbs Farm. Participants are invited to lace up their sneakers and traverse the four-mile course that includes a fast start on roughly two miles of flat terrain leading to a mile of rolling hills and two mildly challenging ascents before concluding at the historic grounds of Bethel Hobbs Community Farm in Centereach. The first 300 participants will receive a 4M Run the Farm buff and be entered in a special raffle. To register, people can visit BrookhavenNY.Gov/RunTheFarm. 

People can run or walk whenever they like. After running, they can go to www.elitefeats.com/Results and click on the Bethel Hobbs event to enter their name and time. They can also optionally upload up to five photos.

Proceeds will go toward repairing the Hobbs Community Farm barn that is critical to the farm’s functions, whose mission is devoted to providing fresh, wholesome produce to local food pantries and other programs in the community. Even if one doesn’t run, they can make a donation for any amount and be entered in the raffle to win a special prize. This year’s event is sponsored by ShopRite of Selden, owned and operated by the Gallagher family and Middle Country Automotive (MCA) of Selden and MCA II of Centereach.

“Hobbs Community Farm plays such an important role in the community and they rely on this annual event to continue their good work,” LaValle said. “I am proud to once again join Legislator Muratore to help make this year’s virtual ‘Run the Farm Four Mile Challenge’ a success and I thank the runners and our sponsors for their support.”

People can call LaValle’s office at 631-451-6647, email at [email protected] and visit BrookhavenNY.Gov/RunTheFarm for more information.

Photo from Councilman LaValle's office

JUST KEEP SWIMMING

Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) joined representatives from the Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma), Assemblyman Douglas Smith (R-Holbrook) and residents in welcoming Goldfish Swim School to Centereach on March 2.

Owners Michael, Rodney and Blake George, Branden Yono and owner/operator Jake Atchoo received a Certificate of Congratulations from the Brookhaven Town Board; a Certificate of Recognition from Muratore and a Certificate of Merit from Smith who wished them well in their new venture.

Goldfish Swim School has 90 locations across the country. The Centereach location, located at 141 Centereach Mall off Middle Country Road, is the first in Suffolk County. Open daily, the facility offers indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years along with weekly family swims and birthday parties.

Pictured from left, LaValle; Michael George; Blake George; Jake Atchoo; Branden Yono; Rodney George; Bob Martinez, chief of staff to Leg. Muratore; and Samantha Heise, general manager.

For more information, call 631-405-4111 or visit www.goldfishswimschool.com/centereach/.

Photo from Legislature Tom Muratore's office

RIBBON CUTTING

Legislator Tom Muratore’s staff joined members of the Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, Town of Brookhaven, other county officials and the crew at Planet Fitness to celebrate the grand opening of its newest location at 321 Middle Country Road in Selden in Selden Plaza next to Pet Depot, on Feb. 19. The event included a tour of the facility and a pizza celebration.

“I welcome Planet Fitness to the community as well as the shopping center where my district office is located,” stated Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma). “I also wish them much success in the years ahead.” 

“We’re thrilled to bring our new Judgement Free fitness experience to Selden, and we encourage everyone to come check out the new club, meet our friendly staff, get a tour and see what the Judgement Free Zone is all about,” said Rich Childs, senior director of Corporate Club Operations at Planet Fitness in a statement.

Pictured in the front row, from left, Planet Fitness staff members Jose Robles and Anthony Napoli; William Maggi, aide to Muratore; Cara Pagan, senior regional operations manager, Planet Fitness; Pastor Scott Kraniak, Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce; Doug Smith (R-Holbrook), New York State assemblyman 5th District; Bob Martinez, chief of staff to Muratore; Jeanette Spillane, Planet Fitness club manager; Thomas Heinlein, aide to Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden); Ryan Gessner, assistant director, Middle Country Public Library; and Thomas Lupo, representing Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R).