The Suffolk County Legislature’s Health Committee met under the new leadership of Chairwoman Legislator Leslie Kennedy for the first time on Thursday, January 27.
The ever-critical committee for public health has been thrust into a position of increased import due to the ongoing pandemic.
A veteran legislator, nurse, and former Vice[1]Chairwoman of the committee, Kennedy is more than qualified for the role. Her background in healthcare and government seems a perfect combination to both understand the content of the measures proposed and how they will be carried out. Her previous time on the committee also means that she has preexisting relationships with the Suffolk County Health Department Commissioner and other county officials — relationships vital to her new role.
The pandemic is not the only public health crisis that the committee handles. The committee has had perennial tasks for many years, including mitigating drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, breast cancer and more. A complete list of what falls under the jurisdiction of the Health Committee is available on the Suffolk County Legislature’s webpage.
The Health Committee had a briefing from Health Department Commissioner Dr. Gregson H. Pigott. He gave a positive outlook for the county but cautioned that with new variants likely to emerge and Omicron, Covid-19 was far from over.
“We had an excellent presentation from Dr. Pigott,” said Kennedy. “I greatly appreciate his time and look forward to further updates.”
Legislator Dominick Thorne used the opportunity to ask Pigott questions regarding severe constituent complaints from Conifer Village. Pigott notified Thorne that inspectors were aware of the situation. More updates are expected to follow.
Kennedy also sits on the Board of Health as a result of her new position. Established by Suffolk County Charter Law, the Board of Health votes on matters of public health and sanitation in Suffolk, consistent with NYS law. The Board has become increasingly busy, also as a result of the pandemic.
Furthermore, Kennedy sits on the Disability Advisory Board, Emergency Department Opioid Response Working Group and Addiction Prevention & Support Advisory Panel. The duties associated with the Health Committee are the most strenuous; however, residents of Legislative District 12 can know that their interests will now be represented across several county bodies by a healthcare professional.
In addition to the Health Committee, Kennedy is the Vice-Chair of the Ways & Means Committee, the Budget & Finance Committee and is assigned to the five additional committees.
With eight committee assignments in total, Kennedy has a busy legislative year ahead of her. One to which she looks forward with confidence and enthusiasm.
