County Bill to Control Helo Altitudes Defeated

A bill to prohibit helicopters from cruising at less than 2,500 feet above Suffolk County, NY – a suburb of New York City - was narrowly defeated by local legislators this week. Suffolk County legislator Edward Romaine, who introduced the bill, says the noise from low-flying helicopters making their way between New York and the Hamptons, an ultra-wealthy community on Long Island, greatly disturbs residents. The bill, which was defeated by one vote, would have imposed a $1,000 fine per violation. Romaine vowed to reintroduce the bill.