Campaign: Orelli, Sorrentino Battle Heats Up; Legislative Fundraisers

The fight for the Huntington highway superintendent’s job is getting nastier.

Republican Andre Sorrentino accused Highway Superintendent Kevin Orelli of spending department funds on pay raises for campaign supporters. But Democrat Orelli fired back.

“Our current Huntington Highway Superintendent complains that he does not have enough money to fix our roads, yet he has received millions in additional funding since he took office. Where did the money go? Just look at the payroll,” Sorrentino posted on Facebook. “Enormous raises for those who donated to his campaign, meanwhile rank and file workers, who power the department, got stiffed. Now, more than ever, we need strong leadership to clean up the department and fix our roads. Elect me, and I’ll turn things around.”

Orelli responded by calling Sorrentino’s claims a lie and challenging the Republican’s understanding of the highway budget.

“My opponent whose campaign is based on lies doesn’t seem to understand how our Highway Department is *really* run,” Orelli said. “1. All money that is for paving is legally dedicated by the Town and State for paving only and cannot be used for salaries. 2. Rank-and-file worker salaries are dictated by union contracts and not by me or my office.”

He has complained in the past that the town budget underfunded the highway department.

Orelli also accused Huntington Republicans of falsely giving Sorrentino credit in a photo of tree removal work that the highway department did in 2019. “Sorrentino takes credit for work actually being done by Kevin Orelli’s team in 2019. Just more lies from my opponent’s campaign,” Orelli’s campaign posted.

Berland Fundraiser

Democrats are raising funds Sept. 27 for the re-election campaign of Susan A. Berland, majority leader in Suffolk Legislature. The Friends of Susan A. Berland are sponsoring the gathering from 6-8 pm at Spuntino, 687 Old Country Road, Dix Hills.

Esteban Dinner Fundraiser

Manny Esteban, Repubican candidate for Suffolk County Legislative District 16, is celebrating Columbus Day with a fundraising dinner Oct. 10, 5pm to 7pm La Villini Restaurant 286 Larkfield Road, East Northport RSVP to 631-529-4111 or [email protected] $150 per person payable online at check payable to Friends of Manuel Esteban mailed to 47 Burr Rd, East Northport NY 11731, or at door. He is running against Legislator Susan A. Berland.

On the Trail

The weekend was filled with fall festivals, parades and other events. Candidates, including Rebecca Sanin, Ed Smyth and Gene Cook, who are running for town supervisor, Mark Cuthbertson, who is running for Suffolk County Legislature in the 18th District, Dave Bennardo and Sal Ferro, who are running for Town Council, were spotted at one or more events, including the Cow Harbor Day, the Greek Festival at St. Paraskevi Church, Coral Park basketball tournament or the Pickle Festival in Greenlawn.

 

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