Top Government Stories of 2013

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano won a second term, handily ending Tom Suozzi’s bid to reclaim the job he lost four years ago. Suozzi conceded with only 60 percent of the vote counted and Mangano ahead by a 60 percent to 39 percent margin. The results mirrored recent polls, which showed the county executive up by double digits.

The election may still be two years away, but Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced that he plans to seek a second term in office in 2015. 

Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto scored a convincing victory in Tuesday's election, leading the way for a Republican sweep of the town offices. Venditto earned his ninth term as the town's top leader with 38,464 (Nearly 60 percent) of the votes over Democrat John E. Capobianco, who finished with 17,540 votes (27 percent).

Mayor Bloomberg to Propose a Citywide Ban on Plastic-Foam Food Packaging

Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a citywide ban on plastic-foam food packaging, a non-biodegradable polymer environmentalists have derided for years. But, according to the New York Times, New York council members at a December hearing voted to give Dart Container Corp., a manufacturer of foam food service containers, until Jan. 1, 2015, to verify that these containers could be cost effectively recycled. Otherwise, the ban would begin July 1, 2015. 

Vecchio's Reign as Supervisor Continues in Smithtown

Patrick Vecchio won over voters to be re-elected to his 13th term as Smithtown Supervisor in November, extending his reign as New York's longest-serving town supervisor. 

Bosworth Defeats De Giorgio in North Hempstead Supervisor Race

Nassau County lawmaker Judi Bosworth was elected Town of North Hempstead supervisor in November, defeating North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, with 54.8 percent of the vote. The three-term 12th District legislator was chosen by voters to fill the seat held by former Supervisor Jon Kaiman, who served for 10 years.

Spinello Victory Sealed with 74 Votes

Reggie Spinello, an Independence Party member, sealed his victory for the Glen Cove mayorship against incumbent Democrat Ralph Suozzi by 74 votes, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections. The final tally including absentee ballots counted in November comes in 3,433 to 3,359.

Oyster Bay Voters Approve Town's Land Sale

Voters in the Town of Oyster Bay  overwhelming voted "Yes" Tuesday to allow the town government to sell a 53-acre parcel of its land, specifically, the current Department of Public Works property in Syosset, for $32.5 million.