Locals Support Plan to Scrap LIPA

Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath tore through the Northeast region back in October. Months later, the storm may still be tearing something apart.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Commission recommended Monday to shutter LIPA and replace it [CBS New York] with a private company after its performance, or lack thereof, after Sandy.

Area residents responded to the recommendation on the local Patch Facebook pages and many were in support of scrapping the power company, including many Smithtown residents, with five "likes" for the question we posted. One reader, however, questioned the motives of our elected officials.

Here are a few of the comments readers posted Monday:

Smithtown Patch:

Thomas McConnell 

"Just another case of a professional politician pandering to the great unwashed masses. I suggest we scrap all the politicians that we have no confidence in."

From nearby Patch towns:

Carol Bondy

"Something has to change for LIPA."

Colette Adamo Grosso

"This might be on of the best reccomendations Cuomo has made yet. Free enterprise...let new companies come in and compete. The time for poorly managed monopolies is over."

Richie Urnaitis

"Time for him to Lay off more workers you can always count on a Cuomo for that."

Lauren Gitelson

"There is a total lack of year round maintenance on LIPA's part. They always seem to be putting band aids on things and not updating and fixing the problems."

Rich Murdocco

"Sandy highlighted weaknesses in Long Island’s housing, infrastructure and utilities. LIPA’s storm preparedness was grossly inadequate, as was their response in the days afterward. What the region needs is a change from the mistakes made with both LILCO and LIPA. We need a regional strategy for energy on Long Island, and must be open to new approaches."

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