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HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
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Amity Harbor Civic holds meeting
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VOL. 75 NO. 23
MAY 29- JUNE 4, 2025
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Renna faces Cullinane in Republican primary in Suffolk’s 14th LD By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Ari McKenzie and Donna Noesi are all smiles after winning reelection to the Babylon school board.
School district budgets in Babylon all win approval from local voters By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES cbabirad@liherald.com, cjames@liherald.com
In local school elections last week, voters overwhelmingly approved their school budgets, as well as propositions related to school security and safety, capital project improvements and capital reserve funds. While decisive, the decisions were made by only a percentage of the residents because there was a very low voter turnout. BABYLON The Babylon school budget was approved 630 votes to 232. Two incumbent trustees, Ari McKenzie and Donna Noesi, won reelection with 575 and 518 votes respectively. They defeated Debra Payton-Jones, who garnered 329 votes.
“I’m honored to serve the community again and serve for another three years of positive progress,” said McKenzie after the votes were tallied. “I’m just happy to be able to serve the community for the next three y ears on the board,” said Noesi. Children and students were very much on the minds of voters. “It’s for the schools and the kids and we have to do the right thing by voting (for the budget),: said Joe Lorenzoni after he exited the polls on Tuesday, May 20. Cathy Rende, who has four children in the district, said, “I came out to support the district, the budget and the services the school provides,” while Leigh Hubert said supporting the school “is always going to be imporCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Republican loyalty is at the heart of a growing primary battle in Suffolk County’s 14th Legislative District, according to Babylon Town Republican leader Joe Barone. Barone and the party are backing Richard “RJ” Renna, a Lindenhurst Village trustee and the GOP’s chosen candidate, as he faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican Shawn Cullinane. “This is about party loyalty and working hard to get the person who was chosen to run for the seat elected,” Barone said. He noted that Renna was selected after an extensive screening process conducted by the town Republican committee, which included interviews with multiple candidates, including Cullinane. He quickly countered the claim. “No one has been a more loyal Republican than me,” said Cullinane, who maintains Renna was the party’s hand- chosen candidate even before a screening process was conducted. “Over the years I have run as a candidate, did political fundraising, and volunteered my time on behalf of the party, so I dispute that characterization.” He also called it disingenuous, noting that Renna at one time mounted a campaign against two incumbent Lindenhurst Village Board members— Joan Masterson and Mayor Mike Lavorata. Renna acknowledged bringing a challenge against Master-
son and Lavorata, saying he believed at the time that the party was not working to bring in younger people. When he failed to get the GOP nomination, he did not wage a primary, however. “Instead, I ran as an independent candidate,” he said. “And when I did not win, I got involved in the Republican party, volunteered my time and eventually got a seat at the table.” Cullinane announced he would challenge Renna in a June 24 primary after the party endorsed Renna last month. Early voting runs from June 14 to 22. The seat is currently held by Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, who is stepping down at the end of 2025 due to term limits. Renna, who is also Lindenhurst’s deputy mayor, has served in village government since his appointment in 2017. He later won election to full terms in 2018 and 2020. Renna is credited with helping revitalize Lindenhurst Village, including negotiating to bring Sand City Brewing Company to the area, according to Barone. “RJ is young and has governmental experience,” Barone said. “He’s helped in the revival of the village and brings energy and commitment.” Cullinane, an attorney and longtime Lindenhurst resident, currently serves as the prosecutor for the Village of Brightwaters Justice Court and general counsel to the Wyandanch PubCONTINUED ON PAGE 2