Edward Brown is a Shelter Island councilman. (Oct. 6, 2009)

Edward Brown is a Shelter Island councilman. (Oct. 6, 2009) Credit: Gordon M. Grant

Shelter Island Town Councilman Ed Brown was named to the town board’s deer and tick committee at its annual reorganization meeting on Friday.

“It’s a very important committee out here,” said Supervisor Jim Dougherty.

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Shelter Island Town Councilman Ed Brown was named to the town board’s deer and tick committee at its annual reorganization meeting on Friday.

“It’s a very important committee out here,” said Supervisor Jim Dougherty.

The high rate of Lyme disease among Shelter Island residents -- the annual rate is at least twice as high as any other town on Long Island -- makes controlling deer that can carry ticks and spread them as the ticks feed and later drop off a major issue on Shelter Island. Spending money on tick control measures has also become a significant part of the town budget.

A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Newsday Staff

'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.