Legislature names fourth poet laureate

The Suffolk County Legislature has named Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan of Southampton as the fourth poet laureate for Suffolk County. Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan follows former poet laureates George Wallace, Daniel Moran and David B. Axelrod in the two-year, unpaid appointment.

The appointment came on a 17-1 vote at the legislature’s regular session on Tuesday, May 13.

Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan has been a prominent figure in the regional poetry community since at least 2001, when she founded the North Sea Poetry Scene (TNSPS). TNSPS is a not-for-profit organization on eastern Long Island with outreach extending to New York City, providing innovative literary programs and open forums to instill well being, encourage creativity and increase awareness of literature and the arts.

“As founder of the North Sea Poetry Scene, Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan has utilized her initiative, organizational skills and dedication to bring honor, recognition and creative opportunities to Suffolk County poets,” said Mr. Wallace, the county’s first poet laureate.

“She’s done this through countless organizational efforts—readings, chapbook and anthology publishing, classroom events at local high schools and colleges, annual tributes to accomplished writers, archival initiatives, visiting artist (poets) to the schools and the jail facilities through BOCES programs, TNSPS’s Arts Forum TV show and more. I’m delighted with her appointment, and look forward to her tenure as the county’s fourth Poet Laureate.”

Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan pledged to work to make regional poets feel they have a voice and an opportunity to be involved. “We are not going to get there without each other,” she said. “I plan to continue the programs and the projects I’ve already begun, as well as open the lines of communication to seek out what the community thinks would be a necessary project. I also plan to encourage other organizations by appearing at their events to show my support and the importance of their work.”

Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan is a graduate of Long Island University, and is currently an MFA in creative writing candidate at Stony Brook Southampton. Her books include “The Bitter,” “The Sweet,” “One Woman’s Voice,” “Let Met Tell You Something” and “For Michael.”