Building complex's name to honor late Suffolk Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay
A Suffolk County municipal complex already filled with buildings dedicated to late officials will itself be renamed -- this time for the former legislative Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay.
The county legislature's public works committee on Tuesday passed a bill to name the North County Complex in Hauppauge after Lindsay, who died two months ago at the age of 67.
Final approval is expected at lawmakers' Dec. 3 meeting, allowing some of Lindsay's ex-colleagues to participate in the dedication before their terms expire at the end of the year.
In addition to standard signage, some legislators want to erect an on-site memorial to the Holbrook Democrat, who died on Sept. 11 of mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer.
"I had great respect, admiration and love for Mr. Lindsay, so I want to make sure we do the right thing," said Legis. Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk).
Lindsay had been Presiding Officer since 2006, and had represented the 8th Legislative District in Islip since 2001. Previously, he was a leader of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 25.The North County complex, off Veterans Memorial Highway, houses legislative headquarters, the Fourth Police Precinct and main offices of the district attorney, medical examiner and other departments.
Memorials to past officials within the complex include Sidney B. Weinberg Drive, an access road named after Suffolk's founding medical examiner;the Michael B. Falcone Labor Department building, after the department's former commissioner; the William H. Rogers Legislature Building, for a onetime legislative clerk; and the Rose Caracappa Legislative Auditorium, after a former lawmaker.
This year was to be the last of Lindsay's term, regardless. Beginning in January, his legislative district will be represented by his son, William J. Lindsay III, a Bohemia Democrat, who was elected on Nov. 5.
"It will be kind of a bittersweet experience," Lindsay said of sitting at legislative meetings at a complex named for his father. "I'll be very happy following in his footsteps, but I'll also be wishing that he could have been there to see it."
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