Here are 6 people who will play key roles in reopening Long Island
Tracey Edwards speaks at an interfaith celebration in January. Credit: Kendall Rodriguez
Meet the "Regional Control Room" appointees Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo tapped to help reopen Long Island from the pandemic.
Before New York's regions reopen, they need to work out logistics, such as creating regional “control rooms” to monitor the effects of the reopening.
On Monday, Cuomo counted Long Island among areas that "are very close" to meeting reopening requirements, though he didn't provide details. Three upstate regions have been approved to start reopening when the "Pause" order expires Friday.
The appointees to Long Island's "Regional Control Room" are:
STEVE BELLONE
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks at a news conference in March. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
Bellone, a Democrat, has been the Suffolk County executive since January 2012. The former Babylon Town supervisor has cut the size of the government by more 10% while also trying to merge services and improve the economy by bringing back downtowns and upgrading north-south transportation links.
LAURA CURRAN
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran gives an update on COVID-19 in March. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Curran, a Democrat, has been the Nassau County executive since January 2018. She has promised to reform property tax assessments and the Nassau University Medical Center, and foster economic development by returning Islanders hockey to the county. She served in the county legislature starting in 2014.
JOHN DURSO
John Durso at a Long Island Regional Economic Development Council meeting in May 2018. Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Durso has served as president of the Long Island Federation of Labor since 2005. His career as a labor advocate dates back to his being hired as a deli clerk at Waldbaum’s supermarket in 1970; as president of Local 338, he represents 16,000 workers.
TRACEY EDWARDS
Tracey Edwards speaks at a March 2019 news conference. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Edwards, the Long Island director of the NAACP, also is a commissioner of the state Public Service Commission. For 17 years, she was the president of the Northeast region for Verizon Communications, leading the restoration of power to local clients after superstorm Sandy in 2012. She is also a former Huntington Town Board member.
ERIC GERTLER
Eric Gertler speaks in New York City in June 2019. Credit: Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo / Kevin P. Coughlin
Gertler, the executive chairman of U.S. News & World Report, has been president and CEO of Empire State Development since last year. In 2018, he joined the board of the state’s economic arm. He also leads Ulysses Ventures, a fund focused on young businesses.
KEVIN LAW
Kevin Law speaks at an October 2019 conference. Credit: Barry Sloan
Law has been the chief executive of the Long Island Association since 2010. The business umbrella group aims to strengthen the local economy and reduce the tax burden. He previously led the Long Island Power Authority.
With AP and staff reports.
