Bellone Saves Fired St. James Santa

The is getting its Santa back.

Democratic candidate for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has paid $660 out of his own money to cover the salary for David McKell, an 83-year-old whose gig as the St. James Santa was cut, according to a Newsday report.

Suffolk County executive Steve Levy eliminated the position Friday to save costs at the county-run General Store.

From the Newsday report:

But Bellone's bid to play Santa for Santa -- five days before Election Day -- brought an immediate humbug from a spokesman of his Republican foe, Suffolk Treasurer Angie Carpenter. GOP County Executive Steve Levy, whose budget office initially decided to dump McKell after the last nine years, called Bellone's donation "showboat grandstanding."

What do you think? Are you thankful, or do you think this is grandstanding?