Many Suffolk legislators skip Levy speech

A year ago, Suffolk legislators passed a resolution telling County Executive Steve Levy that if he wanted to deliver his State of the County message to them, he'd have to do it at a regular legislative meeting.

But when Levy decided to go his own way and hold his speech at the West Sayville Fire Department Tuesday night, most lawmakers decided they had better things to do. Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-East Setauket), for instance, watched from a treadmill at the gym, "because I have a free night to be able to go."

In the end, just five of 17 legislators attended to hear what Levy had to say.

The resolution allows Levy give the legislature a written copy of the speech instead. Legislators said they were concerned that special events cost more money - and that they were being treated as "props."

"We were sending the message that we're not just props," said Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley).

Levy spokesman Dan Aug said Tuesday night's event caused no added costs. And Levy said legislators were the ones "taking divisiveness and pettiness to a new level" by skipping the speech.

Levy said he held the address in the community because "it's important to have as many people hear the speech as possible." The locales, he said, are intended to send a symbolic message.