On May 28, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and all six members of the Town Council gathered with Bellport Mayor Ray Fell and local business owners to advocate for the immediate reopening of all Long Island businesses under uniform rules. The officials called on State and County leaders to allow small retail stores to operate fully, following the same guidelines that have applied to large retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized the importance of reopening responsibly by enforcing social distancing, mask mandates, and frequent cleaning of high-touch areas.
Supervisor Romaine stated, “I am very concerned about the prospects for the future of our small businesses. We need to be safe and we need to be smart, but we don’t need rules that work against mom and pop businesses when there’s no reason to do that. I ask the Governor and County Executive to take action now and help our small businesses and downtowns fully re-open again.”
Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico highlighted concerns over fairness in state policies: “We came together not as Republicans and Democrats, but as local officials concerned for the survival of our small businesses and the glaring lack of equity in the Governor’s rules - allowing big box retailers to be open for weeks, but shuttering small businesses that sell the same merchandise. Allowing convenience stores with remarkable foot traffic to be open, but not allowing these small businesses that on their best day have a small fraction of that business. Long Island unemployment now stands at 16%. The people of our area have shown they are responsible and are wearing masks and doing what is being asked of them. The evidence is in the continued low daily numbers, as the daily positive rate now sits at only 2.4%.”
Councilwoman Valerie Cartright added, “As elected officials in the largest Town in Suffolk County, our front-line perspectives bring valuable insight as to what is happening on the ground. Our community and our businesses are suffering as a result of COVID-19. We are asking the State to take a different approach when reopening businesses and use a more objective standard, such as the square footage recommendation made by the Town a few weeks ago. This will place our small businesses on more equal footing with the other larger and big box businesses. We have an obligation to our constituency to make sure that we do not create laws and policies that have ‘disproportionate impacts’ and that these laws and policies are applied and enforced in a consistent, equal, and fair manner.”
Councilwoman Jane Bonner commented on balancing public health with economic needs: “As elected officials, we have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of our residents. We flattened the curve and now is the time to address the health of our local economy. Main Street businesses need to be open responsibly and get their employees back to work. We are here to support you and your business any way we can.”
Councilman Kevin LaValle said he wants fair opportunities for all types of stores: “Right now, big box stores can go on with their business while our mom and pop stores don’t even have the opportunity to make a living. This must stop and we need to give them a fighting chance to work and provide for their families. They need our support, and I will do whatever I can to help end this shut down and move our local economy forward.”
Councilman Michael Loguercio underscored community reliance on locally owned shops: “All businesses are essential, especially those that are owned and operated by our friends, neighbors and family members. We need to help them survive because they help us survive. It may be a hard road ahead, but they can count on my support and that of my colleagues on the Town Board.” He also affirmed collective backing from town leadership.
Councilman Neil Foley addressed challenges facing restaurant workers: "Thousands of restaurant workers are unemployed and struggling to pay their bills, pay their mortgage or even feed their families. They are the backbone of our local economy and we need to allow them back to work." He called for measures enabling residents across Brookhaven—and New York State—to resume normal activities.
The Town Council supports resident well-being through services like recreation sites while focusing on development initiatives led by its supervisor.Brookhaven delivers municipal programs centered around community improvements including accessible facilities throughout Suffolk County.Dan Panico, who has served as supervisor previously too,emphasized responsible growth strategies.