Brookhaven, Staten Island pols debate 'SNL' stars' ferry

Pete Davidson is already known as the King of Staten Island, but could he become the King of Brookhaven Town as well?

That's the question Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella debated in a Zoom news conference on Sunday, as they made their pitches for "Saturday Night Live" stars Davidson and Colin Jost and their retired Staten Island Ferry boat.

Davidson has said they plan to dock the boat somewhere in New York City and operate it as a restaurant/bar and entertainment venue.

But that hasn't stopped Romaine from trying to change those plans: Last week, he wrote a letter to the pair and their business partner, Paul Italia, encouraging them to consider docking the boat in Port Jefferson, Patchogue or even Fire Island.

Fossella on Sunday reminded Romaine that the 60-square-mile island on the west side of the Verrazano Bridge is where the comics were raised and is the distinctive orange vessel’s namesake.

“Peter made the movie ‘King of Staten Island’ and, with all due respect, not the king of Brookhaven,” Fossella said on Sunday. “Long Island has a team called the Ducks. Maybe we can help you get a duck sanctuary in Long Island.”

But Long Island boasts a population about six times that of Staten Island, oceanfront beaches and easy access to the Hamptons, Romaine said.

“Long Island … has 2.8 million people who don't have to take a ferry or bridge,” Romaine said during the news conference. “We have roadways that will get people to wherever they choose to dock in Brookhaven, Long Island.”

Italia said he had no comment and that the group had not been in talks with Brookhaven Town officials. Attempts to reach Davidson and Jost through their representatives were unsuccessful.

Davidson and Jost — both native Staten Islanders — reportedly submitted the winning $280,000 bid in January to buy the ferryboat John F. Kennedy, which was decommissioned last summer. The vessel reportedly no longer was seaworthy.

Fossella also offered to sing karaoke as part of negotiations to lure the venture to Staten Island.

Despite their rivalry, the two communities have much in common, Romaine said. The list of similarities includes countless potholes, an affinity for diners and locals who say they live “on” rather than “in” the island.

“All I'm saying is take a look at Brookhaven, Long Island, we have a lot to offer,” Romaine said. “Staten Island has a lot to offer too. So, [it is] a little bit of friendly competition, and we'll let the owners decide.”

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.