The TIMES of Smithtown Township
Serving Smithtown • St. James • Nesconset • Commack • Hauppauge • Kings Park • Fort Salonga
Volume 22, No. 2
March 19, 2009
75¢
Irish eyes were smiling Families from across Smithtown and beyond packed Lake Avenue in St. James Saturday for the St. James Chamber of Commerce’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Left, Dylan Borner of Smithtown proudly wore his green, shamrock glasses and all. See page A6 for more coverage. Photos by Tracey Elizabeth
S’town drug info session draws over 1,000 Similar forum in Kings Park set for 6:45 pm tonight at high school BY JOE DARROW joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com
Courtesy Smithtown SD
Smithtown school board Vice President Bob Rossi, right, addressed over 1,000 parents who turned out March 9 to question a panel of experts on teenage substance abuse.
According to substance abuse experts and law enforcement officials, a major obstacle to counteracting teen drug use in upper middle class communities is parents’ denial, conscious or unwitting, that their children are at risk. But if residents’ reception of school-sponsored drug forums this month is any indication, the scales are falling away from Smithtown parents’ eyes. Over 1,000 showed up at Nesaquake Middle School March 9 to question a panel of drug experts as part of the Smithtown School
District’s Parent University series. The Kings Park district, in conjunction with the anti-drug organization, Kings Park in the kNOw, has announced a similar forum, set for 6:45 pm tonight in the auditorium at Kings Park High School. The forum’s turnout “was absolutely unbelievable,” Smithtown school board Vice President Bob Rossi said at a March 10 meeting. The district’s job is to instruct, he said, and “it did a wonderful job” to that end by educating parents how to confront the narcotics risks their children face. The panel Smithtown assembled featured a physician,
law enforcement officials, health educator, drug counselor, school principal and a parent struggling with her child’s drug addiction, according to a district release. Among the experts participating were Inspector James Rhoads, commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police4th Precinct, and Detective Sergeant Edward Compagnone, also of the 4th Precinct, who spoke about the illegal drug problem facing the community, and the police department’s efforts to counter it thus far. Dr. Gabrielle Carlson, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics and director of child and Continued on page A10
Bulls West look to be contenders
Cardiowise Café at Mather
Meet LI business and professional women
Through the looking glass
Boys’ lacrosse team aims to surpass last season’s record
Protect your family and learn to live better, longer
Our annual feature focusing on their success, how they do it
at Huntington Library, Smithtown restaurant week
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Page B9
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Administrators also recommend reduced funding for late bussing, after school clubs, chaperones the board,” according to Superintendent of Schools James Feltman. School and With a recession under way and state department heads have indicated “they funding stagnant at best, Commack can work for one year in that situation,” school officials have recommended elim- he said. Proposed program cuts would be felt inating funding for 17.8 positions in the most at the sixth-grade level, where stu2009-10 budget. The largest personnel cuts are in el- dents will receive physical education on ementary level teachers, where six posi- alternating days instead of everyday — tions would be eliminated, and in arts based on a change in state Education Deeducation, with the loss of 2.4 art and 2.1 partment requirements — and German music teaching posts. The proposal would language instruction will be phased out also cut an instructor each for gym and due to decreased demand. Only 10 fifththe gifted program. Outside the class- graders are taking the European language room, the district has proposed dropping this year. However, courses will continue a custodial supervisor, a clerical worker in seventh and eighth grades for students taking German in sixth grade this year, and half of a full-time nursing post. Culling the positions will require lay- school officials said. Administrators proposed eliminating offs, although the district has yet to determine how many. Eliminating 17.8 posts the 6 pm late bus service in 2009-10. “It cannot be accomplished through attri- will not affect the majority of students,” Newman said. They have tion alone, Business Assisalso recommended a cut tant Superintendent Laura to event chaperon funding; Newman said. Where the a 10 percent reduction in district averages between ‘We’re looking at teacher stipends for mod15 and 20 retirements an- our athletic teams erating after school clubs, nually, “as an indication of although which activities the times” next year Com- as to where we can would go has yet to be demack has only one planned, consolidate.’ termined; and reduced she said. — LAURA NEWMAN high school electives offerSchool officials said the ASST. SUPERINTENDENT ings. job eliminations are necesFurther, high school sitated by changing district sports may fall under the demographics, with a large wave of students passing from elementary knife. “We’re looking at our athletic to secondary level. Enrollment in kinder- teams as to where we can consolidate,” garten through second grade is expected Newman said. While annual contractual agreements to drop next year by 93 students, and by 60 students in grades three through five, will raise salaries $2.7 million, benefit costs while Commack High School anticipates are projected to come in almost $133,000 80 more students. The incoming fresh- lower in 2009-10 as new contracts require man class, projected at 646, is substan- employees to cover a larger share of insurtially larger than the 602 seniors expected ance costs. But trustees do not seem to chalk such concessions up to longtime use to graduate next year, officials said. But while teachers will be pulled from of a hired negotiator — whose role in conthe elementary ranks — a move officials tract talks one trustee described as “the said would not increase class sizes — they hammer” — as they have cut funding for are not being enlisted at the high school. the service next year. As of Thursday, Commack officials ofIndeed, the proposed budget cuts a secfered no projections of changes to district ondary level teaching position. Meanwhile, with an ongoing reces- property taxes, citing lack of official state sion and state funding threatened, ad- aid data. However, Newman said tax inministrators are recommending 50 per- creases would likely outpace the 2.74 percent reductions to equipment spending cent proposed 2009-10 budget increase and a 10 percent cut for supplies “across over this year. BY JOE DARROW
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PAGE A2 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • MARCH 19, 2009
Commack schools may cut over 17 positions
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Smithtown Democrats will hold their general membership meeting, open to the public, on Monday, March 23 at 8 pm at the VFW Hall on Church Street in Kings Park. The guest speaker will be Peter Zarcone Jr., executive member of Local 66 of the General Building Laborers. Zarcone will speak about the need for apprenticeship language in construction contracts and how the absence of such language denies our young people the opportunity to learn a trade, earn a living and stay in Suffolk County. Smithtown remains one of the few towns on Long Island that does not provide sufficient apprenticeship opportunities for young people, according to the Democrats’ release.
Library re-examines KP design KP Civic Assoc.: Prominent building should look ‘inspirational’
town Boulevard. Library Director Rob Lusak said Tuesday that library In response to suggestions from a civic organi- architect Roger Smith, of Burton, Behrendt and Smith zation, the Smithtown Library board is having its LLP, was working to accommodate the civic’s requests. In order to create the “early 20th century look” architects re-examine the exterior designs for the that the Kings Park group is seeking, the branch’s post-renovation Kings Park branch. large exterior windows may be In a Feb. 25 letter, Kings Park decreased in size, Lusak said. Civic Association President The reduction would have the Mike Rosato said that due to the added benefit of aiding tembranch’s prominent location in ‘We strongly believe the perature control and decreasing Kings Park — at the corner of exterior of the building energy costs for cooling the inteRoute 25A and Church Street, should be inspirational, rior, the director added. “A little the hamlet’s busiest intersection, traditional and aesthetically less glass may be more efficient and abutting Veterans Plaza, the Lake Avenue Fitness in St. James is sponsoring in the long run.” site of most community holiday pleasing.’ Your Best Body Challenge, a contest aimed at helping Rosato said the library board’s events — “we strongly believe the hundreds of area residents transform their bodies in — MIKE ROSATO, PRESIDENT response has been cooperative. “I exterior of the building should 12 weeks for free. The contest begins March 21 and is KINGS PARK CIVIC ASSOC. think they’re trying to do what be inspirational, traditional and free to enter, although Lake Avenue Fitness owner Lisa they can to give us the library we’re aesthetically pleasing.” Riccardi asks that each participant make a one-time hoping for,” he said Wednesday. “It is our belief that the cur$10 donation to a local autism charity. The contest is Board officials reported progress on the movement rent design does not meet these expectations,” Roopen to any St. James resident over the age of 18. Visit of the branch site plans through the municipal persato wrote. The civic group instead suggested a dewww.stjamesyourbestbodychallenge.com for details. sign similar to that planned for the new Nesconset mitting process Tuesday. The town engineering and branch, to be located in the old Armory on Smith- environmental departments have finished reviewing and commenting on the three site plans, for Kings Park, Nesconset and Commack, governed by Smithtown zoning code. Lusak said he hopes to receive town site approvals in April. Plans for the Smithtown Smithtown High School East is ers, virtuoso classical musicians, a chobranch, meanwhile, await approval by Village of the holding a charity talent show to ben- reographed tango number, and other Branch planners. efit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital on exciting acts. Accommodating neither civic group nor town arThursday, April 2 from 7 to 9:30 pm. Attendees are invited to bring the chitectural proposals is slowing the expansion project, The school is located at 10 School Street family for the entertainment and help trustees emphasized. Tweaking the designs is part of in St. James. the students raise money for an organithe normal give-and-take in receiving municipal apTickets will be sold at the door, and zation that provides for many children proval for a building project, they added. The library cost $8 for students and $10 for adults. faced with cancer and other illnesses. hopes to have shovels in the ground soon after permits Gift baskets and other prizes will be For tickets in advance, call High are granted, Lusak said. Courtesy M. Feinberg raffled off during the show. School East at 382-2701. Email “Nothing we’re doing is slowing down the proOrganizer say attendees will see the musicalmitch@gmail.com with Talent show co-directors Mitchell cess,” said board President Eric Johansson. Feinberg and Sarah Kerper hottest bands, the best Broadway sing- questions. BY JOE DARROW
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Teens to host benefit show
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MARCH 19, 2009 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • PAGE A3
Democrats to meet March 23
Preliminary projected tax rate hike is 4.27 percent
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Also at Tuesday night’s budget workshop, Director of Technology Debbie Ford Kings Park administrators offered a discussed changes projected in the computrevised 2009-10 budget proposal at Tues- er-assisted instruction budget. Infrastrucday night’s budget workshop after making ture costs for the technology department an additional $868,572 in cuts since the are slated to rise by $122,670 to $344,470, March 3 meeting, bringing the projected according to Ford, who explained that this spending total to $76.1 million. total includes $190,000 in salaries for two The spending reductions call for elimi- full-time technicians, $30,000 for remote nation 16.5 teaching or administrative po- monitoring, $16,000 for web content filters sitions, four custodians and 16 coach and and $11,000 in bandwidth improvements assistant coach positions. The custodians for the district’s computer system. and a secretary are either retiring or resignIn addition, software costs are up from ing by the close of this year, but eliminating $40,000 to $51,000 and supply costs from the other positions would require layoffs, $35,000 to $40,000, while financing and officials said. maintenance fees are reThe Board of Educamaining flat at $92,000 tion has yet to agree to the and $15,000, respectively. administrators’ proposal. ‘Bottom line is, if Officials stressed that The board must adopt a our kids can’t run computer education is budget plan by the end of a computer system necessary in the work enApril to offer to voters on vironment today’s youth by the time they May 19. will encounter, and worth Based on the revised graduate, there are no the expense. plan, Assistant Superin“It’s not just break and tendent for Finance Mike jobs for them.’ fix,” Ford said in justifying Quigley said residents — SUPERINTENDENT department expenses to would see a 3.2 percent tax SUSAN AGRUSO residents who questioned levy increase and, more to the technology costs. the point, a 4.27 percent “Bottom line is, if our tax rate hike under the revised budget, kids can’t run a computer system by the which marks a 2.81 percent increase over time they graduate, there are no jobs for this year’s $74.02 million tab. them,” added Superintendent of Schools The nearly $900,000 worth of new cuts Susan Agruso. include $209,482 for two math positions at Administrators said the high school Kings Park High School; $137,295 for two International Baccalaureate will continue third-grade intervention classes; $90,000 to be offered in the 2009-10 school year at for five permanent substitutes; $79,795 for its annual cost of $10,000. The program, one guidance position; $58,040 for one which consists of a challenging two-year high school English position; $54,584 for curriculum that prepares students for colone custodial position; $41,776 for one lege, also calls for a fee of $600 per teacher secretarial position and $100,000 in retire- for annual training to become certified IB ment payouts. instructors, an annual registration fee of Since the series of budget workshops $129 per student and a subject test fee of began last month, district officials have cut $88 per subject. In addition to Kings Park, a total of 10 positions at the high school, 6.5 high schools in Bay Shore, Commack, elementary positions, four custodial posi- Northport and South Side also offer the IB tions, seven coaches from duplicate middle program. The final budget workshop will take school sports teams and nine assistant coaches, seven at the high school and two place April 1 at 7:30 pm in room 101 of the high school. at the middle school. BY JENNIFER CHOI
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PAGE A4 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • MARCH 19, 2009
KP school officials eye cutting over 35 positions
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Notice of Formation of Fundamental Dog, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with Sect’y of State of N.Y. (SSNY) on 1/08/09. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 109 Blydenburgh Avenue, Smithtown, NY 11787. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 114 3/5 6x ts SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff against BRIDGET LOVETT A/K/A BRIDGETT LOVETT, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on February 19, 2009. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps of the Smithtown Hall, 99 West Main Street, Smithtown, N.Y. on the 13th day of April, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. premises Beginning at a point on the westerly side of Kings Park
Road distant 371.97 feet along the westerly side of Kings park Road from extremely southerly end of an arc that connects the southerly side of Wenmore Road with the westerly side of King Park Road; Running thence the following two courses and distances an the westerly side of Kings Park Road; 1. Southerly along a curve bearing to the right with a radius of 100.00 feet and for a length of 40.72 feet; 2. South 32 degrees 28 minutes 38 seconds west, 43.80 feet; Thence north 57 degrees 31 minutes 22 seconds west, 125.00 feet; Thence north 32 degrees 28 minutes 38 seconds east, 30.00 feet; Thence north 16 degrees 00 minutes 05 seconds east, 50.95 feet; Thence south 59 degrees 51 minutes 22 seconds east, 138.78 feet to the westerly side of Kings Park Road the point or place of beginning. Said premises known as 120 Kings Park Road, Commack, N.Y. 11725. Tax account number: SBL#: 092.00-02.00-073.000, District 0800. Approximate amount of lien $522,467.14 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 07107-08. Michael E. Repole, Esq., Referee Fein Such & Crane, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 747 Chestnut Ridge Road Suite 200 Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. 10977 “If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s attorney.” 119 3/12 4x ts Notice of Formation of Robkar LLC. Arts. of Organization filed with Sect’y of State of NY on 2/26/09. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 4 Thide Court, Smithtown, NY 11787. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. 147 3/19 6x ts
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Local leprechauns St. James residents enjoyed a sunny, mild day Saturday for their Chamber of Commerce’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event brought out bands, fire departments and clubs for miles around, along with hosts of Irish aficionados of all ages and ethnicities. Above, girls from the St. James Dynamic Swirling Team displayed their moves. Left, Mark Snyder, Jennifer McLaughlin and Dakota Schwalb of St. James wore their St. Paddy’s Day best. Below, Man’s best friend took part in the parade: Canine and human members of the Long Island Bulldog Club strutted proudly up Lake Avenue.
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Kings Park High School student lobbyists received a guided tour of the New York State Senate chamber during their trip March 5 to lobby elected officials for an education reform. Photo by M. Rossi
-PROUDIt’s kind of hard to find too many things to get excited about these days. Everything is pretty tough both business-wise and personally for lots of people in our community and around the world. Of course, it would be nice if the media would stop pounding everyone over the head with negative news over and over again. It’s becoming a selffulfilling prophecy. But we felt pretty good the other day when, after announcing some pretty tough financial results for the end of the year, Ford still sees no need to ask for government loans. In fact the CEO of Ford Motor Company said “Right now, I think with everything planned in the fiscal and monetary policy, I am very comfortable that we are going to start to turn things around through the second half of the year.” This doesn’t mean that Ford isn’t using lines of credit. But they have done it the old-fashioned way; they went out to banks and found financing. Ford is doing it! Ford is finding a way to make it through these hard times. This is the type of auto manufacturer that wants people to feel confident when buying one of their products. With all that being said, Ford is putting out GREAT vehicles! Our new Ford vehicles are safe (more top safety-rated vehicles than any other manufacturer), high quality (now in a virtual tie with Toyota and Honda), good looking and fun to drive. In fact, Ford GAINED market share in the last three months of 2008. And there’s a lot more coming soon! Ford has said that, despite the economic challenges out there, they’re not pulling back on the most important thing of all; product. We are proud to be a Ford dealer and we feel fortunate to be part of such a great community! The entire Ford network is pulling together to bring the best products and services to you, our customer. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, I hope you at least stop by and check out all of our award winning Ford line up. Thank you for your time and attention! We hope to see you soon! -The RAMP Ford Family ©83772
Seventeen weary Kings Park High School students boarded a school bus at 5:30 am March 5. With iPods, pillows and snacks in tow, they were accompanied by their Advanced Placement U.S. government teacher, Jack Bishop, and Superintendant Susan Agruso. They were headed to the state’s capital to lobby for education funding. Many of the students drank coffee and reviewed their research with Bishop as discussions arose regarding education funding formulas, the exaggeration of Kings Park’s wealth ratio and elimination of unfunded mandates. Unusually chatty given the hour, these teens were passionate about the future of their school district. “We are here today to discuss a few economic issues including unfunded mandates,” said senior Lauren Kuehn. She and her fellow student lobbyists were disturbed about tentative teacher layoffs, omission of programs such as French and larger class sizes for the 2009-10 class year. “My parents chose Kings Park because the high school had so much to offer me,” Kuehn said. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, New York State is expected to receive $24.6 billion, of which $2.5 billion is slated to restore the proposed reductions in education funding throughout the state. However, that funding will match last year’s education formulas. Rising costs of teacher salaries, special educa- ‘We’re just tion and unemployment insurance will leave every school asking for fair district short in the upcoming distribution, budget cycle. that no school “We are not going to Albany to ask for more, we just want district be left fairness, we just want to build behind.’ up our schools,” said Agruso. —LAURA HUEHN Kings Park has one of the lowKPHS STUDENT est per pupil spending rates on Long Island, according to district officials. They are also one of 59 districts in the state that does not offer full-day kindergarten. Of the 120 public school libraries in the Western Suffolk BOCES region, nine are not automated. Two of those are in Kings Park schools. “We are so behind the times technologically, it’s fiscally challenging,” added Agruso. The Kings Parkers met with Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) and Sen. John Flanagan (REast Northport). “We have to take a look at the structural spending problem in New York State,” Fitzpatrick told them. He touted a bill that would exempt the district from Wick’s Law, and its accompanying cost multipliers for building projects. Flanagan spoke about a few of the potential education solutions on the table. He said he is calling for an end to unfunded mandates. Students replied that they sought to end the paid four-hour cancer screening allotted to all school personnel. It costs the Kings Park district about $100,000 a year to hire replacement teachers and personnel, which equals two teaching positions. “We have a good opportunity to change the way we are doing things,” Flanagan said. “The number one priority of New York State should be education,” he added. Agruso commended the district’s young lobbyists. “They are well aware of the issues and articulated the needs of this district with great concern and passion,” she said. Members of the district’s special education and Fort Salonga PTAs, the high school PFA as well as school board Trustee Carin Perez also made the trip to Albany. The students said they enjoyed the Albany trip but were frustrated with ambiguous funding formulas that leave their school district with less. “We’re just asking for fair distribution, that no school district be left behind,” said Kuehn.
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KPHS students lobby Albany for equitable funding
SCCC announces result of first annual High School Art Competition 2009-10 Elks installation of officers The Smithtown Elks Lodge 2036 held its annual installation of officers at the lodge on Sunday, March 15, followed by dinner and dancing for approximately 100 guests. The new officers for 2009-10 are as follow: Exalted Ruler Vito Poveromo Leading Knight Kenneth M. Donato Loyal Knight Andrew Wolke Lecturing Knight John S. Baratelli Secretary John B. O’Connor Treasurer Danny J. Hickey Esquire Joseph R. Mullady Chaplain Peter Famularo Tiler Marlene Wolke Inner Guard Robert M. Leake Trustee 5 Year John Schierenbeck Other officers of the lodge are John J. Ellman, Trustee 4 Year; Clement J. Walker, PER, Trustee 3 Year; and Michael E. Bricker, PER, Trustee 2 Year. The Smithtown Lodge, located on Edgewood Avenue, Smithtown, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a nationwide organization open to American citizens who love our country and who have a strong desire to preserve its cherished institutions, traditions and values.
Sheth earns honors at Skidmore Sarina Sheth, class of 2011 at Skidmore College, earned honors for the fall semester. She is the daughter of Rajesh Sheth of Commack.
Hanuszek graduates from BU Among the January 2009 Boston University graduates was Brie A. Hanuszek, who received a master of science degree in arts administration.
The Department of Arts and Humanities at the Michael J. Grant Campus of Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood announced the winners of their first annual High School Art Competition. • Best in show: Joan DeJesus (Brentwood Ross High School) — Psalms 23:4 (ink print). Joan received a scholarship to take a studio class at SCCC’s Michael J. Grant Campus in the spring 2009 semester. • 1st place: Sarah Infranco (Commack High School) — Time of Your Life (photo) • 2nd place: Maya Strzelecki (Commack High School) — Zasmucona Piosenka (pencil drawing) • 3rd place: Colleen Ekert (Commack High School) — Brother Bloat (ceramic) • Honorable Mention: Brett DeGregoria (West Babylon High School) — An Overworked Accident (watercolor/pastel) SCCC received more than 40 pieces of artwork from 35 student artists representing six area high schools. Artwork was submitted in a wide variety of media, ranging from drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and mixed media. The winners posing with their work at the Grant Campus’s Gallery West: DeGregoria, Strzelecki, Infranco, Ekert and DeJesus .
Obituaries Gussie Lenzi Gussie Lenzi, 85, of St. James died on March 6. She was the beloved wife of the late Neal Lenzi; loving mother of Ellen (Joe) Licata and Lillian (John) Mattia; cherished grandmother of Jennifer, Jessica, John and Gregory. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Sts. Philip & James RC Church. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the Vigliante family at The Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown.
Mary Pisciotta Mary Pisciotta, 74, of St. James died on March 6. She was the beloved fiancé of the late Frank Kalsky; loving mother to Joseph, Donna and Kathy; adored grandma of six and great-grandma of six.
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A funeral Mass was held on March 10 at Sts. Philip & James R.C. Church. Interment followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Hauppauge. Arrangements were entrusted to the Maher family at the St. James Funeral Home, St. James.
Marjorie Pannell Marjorie Pannell of Smithtown died on March 2, in her
80th year. She was the beloved wife of the late William; devoted mother of Tracey Pannell, Rene Newman, Sandra Gulley and Wayne Pannell; dear sister of Walter Kenneth Kidwell and Donald Kidwell; and cherished grandmother of 10. Funeral services were arranged by Moloney Funeral Home, of Central Islip. Interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Pinelawn.
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1000 Middle Country Road Selden, NY 11784
732–1800
Family owned & operated for 45 years.
Photo by Robert O’Rourk
Bulls West hopes to contend for county title BY FRANK DOWD katsports@tbrnewspapers.com
The Smithtown West boys’ lacrosse team is preparing for a very tough schedule in the upcoming season after dropping down to Division II this year and having to face Comsewogue, Shoreham-Wading River, and state champions Rocky Point (Class B) and Mount Sinai (Class C). The Bulls were solid last season, but they fell short of a Suffolk County title after losing 6-5 to Ward Melville in the semifi nals. Smithtown West head coach Sean Keenan is very optimistic about his team this year. “The kids are working hard and playing well,” he said. “We could contend for a county championship this year. We should be right there at the end.” Freshman James Pannell started last year as an eighth-grader and scored 40 points. “He’s a phenomenal player,” Keenan said. Pannell possesses quickness, which enables him to beat people from midfield or attack. His brother, Rob, is currently leading the nation with 5.33 points per game at the NCAA level.
‘The kids are working hard and playing well. We could contend for a county championship this year. We should be right there at the end.’ — SMITHTOWN WEST BOYS’ LACROSSE HEAD COACH SEAN KEENAN
BOYS’ LAX Siena College-bound Danny Martinsen is a thirdyear starter who led with 56 points last season. “Like James, he’s a quick dodger and finisher,” Keenan said. Sophomore Kyle Keenan scored 45 points last year, fi nishing with 23 assists and 22 goals. Keenan is a very smart player and a great feeder. “He knows where the ball is suppose to go and does a lot of good things,” Keenan said. Junior captain midfielder Bret Madarasz scored 23 points last season. “He’s our best returning midfielder,” said Keenan. “He has a great shot.” Adelphi-bound captain midfielder Lou Riley is the face-off specialist for Smithtown West. He sets the tempo for his squad. “If he’s on with our face-off s, he will have a great game,” the coach said. Junior captain midfielder Craig Matturro is looking forward to the season. “He does a lot of good things with the ball,” said Keenan. “A lot of ivy league schools are looking at him.” Junior Patrick Shannon is a very fast midfielder. “He has a real good shot,” said the coach. “He’s definitely a big part of our team.” Keenan is impressed with long pole defensive midfielder Brendan Madarasz’s hustle and desire. “He is very tenacious on ground balls,” he said. Sophomore defenseman Jordan Stevens started last year as a freshman. He is very good at reading the defense and stealing the ball. “He is our best returning defenseman,” Keenan said. “He has an uncanny way of intercepting passes.”
Defenseman Wayne Marx is entering his fi rst season of varsity lacrosse. He’s very strong, so Smithtown West expects him to be effective. “He’s doing a great job,” Keenan said. “He has done a lot of good things so far this season.” Keenan expects big things from third-year goaltender Dom Gianino. “He’s a great stopper, he said. “He has improved tremendously this year.” The big Smithtown West against Smithtown East battle will be played on April 4 at 5 pm this year. The game will be at Stony Brook University and all of the proceeds will benefit autism research. Tickets are $5.
Come support the Bulls West boys’ Lax team 3/19 West @ Ward Melville (s) .............4:00 pm 3/21 West @ Mt. Sinai (s) .................9:00 am 3/23 Sachem East @ West (s) ................4:00 pm 3/26 West @ multi-team scrim ..............4:00 pm 3/28 West @ Farmingdale (NL) ..........11:00 am 4/1 West @ Garden City (NL) ..............5:00 pm 4/4 West vs. East @ SBU (NL) ..............5:00 pm 4/8 West @ Rocky Point.........................2:00 pm 4/14 West @ Hauppauge ........................ 4:30 pm 4/16 HHH West @ West ........................ 7:00 pm
MARCH 19, 2009 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • PAGE A9
Jake Labate tries to get around defenseman Vinnie Alestra in practice.
S P O R T S
PAGE A10 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • MARCH 19, 2009
EDITORIAL
Time for haste Pain. There is, unfortunately, much of the economic variety to pass around these days. That is particularly true of our schools, where officials try to make the best of less revenue despite rising costs. The federal stimulus bill was supposed to bail them out, right? Two weeks ago we reported that Gov. David Paterson said New York’s share would negate the education aid cuts he had proposed to help counter a record state deficit. Except that Paterson’s assurances have made it no further than the newspapers, it seems. School districts embroiled in the budget formation process, which must be wrapped up next month, have yet to see an amended state aid proposal from the governor. Districts don’t know if Paterson’s promise to “restore” state aid means eliminating the deficit reduction assessment imposed on districts, or zeroing out overall aid decreases in comparison with 2008-09. For large districts the difference amounts to millions in state funding. So until they know the numbers, they cannot reliably calculate the tax impact of the spending the districts are proposing. Now is when schools need those figures most, as many consider layoffs to keep tax increases low so their budgets pass muster with a belt-tightening electorate. Perhaps with the federal stop-gap money, job cuts are no longer necessary, but until they know for sure school officials are obligated to plan for the worst. Which means that until the “all clear” is sounded, some Long Island teachers may be anticipating unemployment. Such consternation will clearly not promote the economic confidence the stimulus and other bailout efforts were intended to inspire in investors and consumers. So as far as the local education industry is concerned, Paterson’s delay in communicating financial realities to school districts negates the psychological benefits of Uncle Sam’s aid. And with economists saying the stimulus plan is unlikely to have a measurable impact on economic activity for months, hope was the only immediate advantage the federal plan offered. The Paterson administration claimed this week it cannot release fi nal figures until ongoing budget negotiations with the Legislature are complete. But the governor has not even answered the most basic questions posed above by school officials, making their task far more arduous than in years past when districts had relatively accurate numbers to work with. Paterson should provide up-to-date data to the districts immediately.
Letters ... We welcome your letters. They should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style and good taste. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include a phone number for confirmation. Email letters to joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com or mail them to The Times of Smithtown, PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.
OPINION Public meeting with state Parks set for March 26 TO THE EDITOR: To make sure that the community’s voice is heard regarding the future of the expanded Nissequogue River State Park, I am pleased to inform readers that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will be hosting a meeting at Kings Park High School to discuss the future of this important parkland. The meeting, which will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 7 pm, fulfills a promise by Parks Commissioner Carol Ash to discuss this issue with the residents of Kings Park and I would like to publicly thank her for keeping her promise to the community. At the meeting, Commissioner Ash and her staff will outline their plan to demolish 14 deteriorating buildings at the Nissequogue River State Park and include an overview of the engineering study that will allow NYSOPRHP to develop detailed cost estimates for cleaning up the site. Anyone who would like more information regarding this meeting, including directions to the school, should visit my website at www.senatorf lanagan. com and click on the link on the home page. For those who are unable to attend the meeting but who wish to provide their input, NYSOPRHP will be accepting written testimony until April 9. I urge anyone who would like to submit a comment on this important project to visit my website and click on the home page link to access contact information.
The hard work and dedication of the Kings Park residents saved this property from overdevelopment and it is important that they all have their say in the future of this property. This meeting presents everyone with a great opportunity to provide their opinion and invite everyone in our community to attend. John Flanagan New York State Senator 2nd District
Community’s tribute honors McGuire’s memory TO THE EDITOR: On behalf of the McGuire and Figari families, I want to thank you for the kind article [“Longtime town Republican leader dies at 83,” March 5] that you published in memory of my husband, Mickey McGuire. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone we love, but reading such kind words about Mickey touched us and gave us comfort in our sorrow. Mickey never liked to be the center of attention, preferring to do his work quietly while others were in the spotlight. While he would have been a bit uncomfortable reading the memories and tributes, a part of him would have been honored that his work here had a deep and lasting impact. The number of people who have reached out to our family over the past few weeks and related thoughts of how Mickey impacted their lives has been a true blessing. Many of these stories we had never heard, and the kindness of each memory has sustained us. The assistance and compassion of the McElhone family
and everyone connected with Clayton Funeral Home cannot ever be adequately described. In such a sad time, these wonderful people supported us and made a difficult time manageable. Throughout our Kings Park community, the large number of people who came to pay their respects and those who stopped to offer condolences showed our family how our town has retained that small town feel. This was especially evident in the honor guard and ceremony provided by the Donald C. Munro American Legion Post 944 in remembrance of their past commander. Everyone’s kind regards have comforted us and we lean upon these memories daily. The poignant eulogy given by Fr. Sean Gann of St. Joseph’s Church and the Mass, celebrated by Monsignor Alex Manly, Fr. Paul Mijas and Deacon John Trodden, was filled with such love, eloquence and sympathy that we are forever grateful. The service led by Fr. Francis Vattakudiyil at Clayton’s was extremely touching and ref lected so many warm and tender memories — we have been blessed to have such leaders in our church and community. Finally, our heartfelt thanks are given to Sheriff Vincent DeMarco and the officers and members of the Suffolk County Sheriff ’s Office. We will always remember the images of the sheriff ’s office providing a tribute for a man who would have been touched and humbled by the expression of sympathy and empathy the officers displayed. Thank you again for all the compassion that was given in honor of Mickey. Carol McGuire Linda and Steve Figari Kings Park
The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.
Drug forum Continued from page A1 adolescent psychiatry at Stony Brook University, discussed risk factors for drug addiction. Melissa Wayne, substance abuse prevention coordinator at the Pederson-Krag Center, provided parents with practical tips to both monitor their children and foster communication with them. Smithtown health teacher and Coach Lou Gambeski and High School West Principal John Dolan spoke of intraschool efforts to fight substance abuse. They encouraged parents to be vigilant, especially in keeping tabs on teens’ cell phones, as particular contacts or messages could offer a tip-off on drug-related activities. The district has established a drug resources blog, which can be reached from its home page, and a system has been put in place allowing parents to communicate substance-abuse concerns to school officials via email, Smithtown Superintendent of Schools Ed Ehmann said the day after the event. “It was a very, very effective forum,” he added. Kings Park organizers are hoping for a similarly enthusiastic showing tonight. “The goal of the night is for the community to come together to understand the reality of illegal drug use in our community,” said Kings Park In The kNOw board member Linda Henninger at Friday’s meeting of the Youth and Community Alliance of Smithtown. The organiza-
tion is a coalition of town departments, schools, civic groups, commerce chambers, health advocacy groups, churches and elected officials throughout Smithtown that works to prevent and counter lifestyle hazards facing area youth. The Kings Park event, “Parenting for Prevention,” is also scheduled to feature representatives from a variety of addiction treatment and prevention organizations as well as law enforcement officials, who will be available to answer parents’ questions, according to In The kNOw President Maureen Rossi. Drug Enforcement Agent Charlie Bernard will outline how heroin, the illegal opiate increasingly popular on Long Island, moves from foreign countries to local teens. A Smithtown father will share the story of losing his son to a heroin overdose. Addiction specialist Pamela Mizzi of the district’s Parent Resource Center is expected to make a presentation on the substances most abused by Suffolk teens, and Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Bill Devore will discuss social host liability laws. “Education is a parent’s greatest defense against drug use and addiction,” said Rossi. And guardians’ oversight is the first and last line of defense in ensuring children’s safety, she said, particularly when heroin addiction often begins with teens raiding their parents’ medicine cabinets for prescription painkillers. “We ask the cops to do their job, we ask the school districts to do theirs and get the drug dealers out of their schools, but at the end of the day, it’s about parental responsibility.”
In our new recession-induced age of propriety, owning a personal jet is under a storm of disfavor. Though they represent the ultimate in conspicuous consumption, at least one good thing can be said about these super-expensive planes — compared to their big brothers the commercial airliners, they are relatively quiet. I know, because the seaside apartment I am renting in Florida lies in the approach path to the small airstrip at Boca Raton favored by jet-setting multi-millionaires. Their personal jets fly in and out all day long, announcing themselves with a thrilling whine of power and rumble of engines. The brethren of these planes, the big eardrum-pounding heavies, must use either West Palm Beach to the north or Fort Lauderdale to the south. The little jets are sleek and beautiful to watch. The sight of them approaching to land or climbing for altitude after departing suggests an intriguing air of mystery. Their silver fuselages carry no markings, no recognizable airline logos or colors. They arrive as early as dawn, and fly out way after dark. So to whom do they belong? One can only guess, but one thing is sure — the ranks of the wealthy have been thinned by Bernie Madoff. One assumes that prior to his depredations, the airways in and out of Boca Raton were even more crowded. Still, this remains a rich country, and though he appeared to have tried very hard Bernie did not manage to steal everybody’s money. The East Coast of South Florida is still a haven of extravagant wealth. The town
where I am staying, Highland Beach, is lined with an odd juxtaposition of high-rise condominiums and coops with modest apartments, and gargantuan ornate mansions in the $20 million price range. (For perspective, though it is right on the ocean, my own apartment is in a 50-year-old co-op whose windows and sliding glass doors don’t work very well. Yesterday one of the two elevators failed, trapping for a while a fellow snowbird from Stony Brook.) Madoff is much in the public awareness here. Fifteen miles to the north, in his winter retreat of Palm Beach, he ruined large numbers of friends and acquaintances. In Delray Beach, a mile from here, there’s an old-fashioned newsstand much like the late, lamented Darling’s in Port Jefferson. I go there often for my Racing Form and Wall Street Journal, and fall into conversations with old-time locals who congregate to complain about snowbirds like me. One morning the proprietor had on display a 168-page reprint of the list of Madoff ’s victims, which was eagerly perused for local names. The Palm Beach Post reported this morning on what wealthy society matrons are doing to show empathy with the less fortunate during the recession. Among other things, they’re digging into the back of their closets and wearing last year’s gowns to charity balls. In December, a group of women pledged they would insist their rich husbands not buy them expensive jewelry for Christmas. (Though this may have made them feel good, it might have cost the jobs of a couple of gold miners in South Africa and diamond
Signals As this grim recession drags on, I think more and more of the lost wisdom of small town America. BY JOHN MCKINNEY vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
cutters on 47th Street. Oh, the law of unintended consequences). As this grim recession drags on, I think more and more of the lost wisdom of small town America. It was Wall Street, not Main Street, that plunged us into the abyss. Had the sharks on Wall Street not been demonically clever at concealing what they were doing, the little fish on Main Street would have refused to take the bait. I think of the brief single term of Mike Lee as mayor of Port Jefferson, when he doubled taxes to diminish the debt hanging over the Village Center. Said Mr. Lee, “I was raised not to buy things until I could afford to pay for them.” Mike, you should have been chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Between you and me
Celebrating strength in community What fun we had this past Sunday evening at the Three Village Inn. It was the Men and Women of the Year reception, at which the winners of 2008 in The Village Times Herald were presented with framed certificates before an audience of 137 (count ’em) community leaders. This was our 33rd such party, and they are always a high for us at the newspaper. We started the Men and Women of the Year issue, our only “all good news” issue, the week between Christmas and New Year’s in 1976, the year we started The Village Times. I copped the idea, sort of, from Time magazine, where I had worked. But Time selects one person who, each year, is the most newsworthy, regardless of the value of their efforts, whether Hitler or Mother Teresa. We, on the other hand, divide our community into categories, from the Arts to Business to Civics, all the way through to Sports and Volunteers. We then select
the residents who are making outstanding contributions to our villages, going that extra mile above and beyond what might be expected from them, and give them the spotlight — to further help them in their work and to express our collective appreciation. We ask your help in the nominating process, which begins in early summer with a form that we run in the paper. With those nominations that come in through the mail, Internet and telephone and the suggestions of our staff, we sit down and decide the winners each year. Once, early on, I thought we might run out of winners. It will never happen. The more people we get to know by covering the news, and the more we understand about how much is contributed to the greater good, the more people we want to honor. Sometimes we honor a past winner again because he or she has done something new or something more. We never tell the winners
TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS We welcome letters, photographs, comments and story ideas. Send your items to PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733 or email to joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com. Or drop by our news office at 185 Route 25A, Setauket. The opinions of our columnists are not necessarily those of the paper. Times Beacon Record Newspapers are published every Thursday. Address: PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Telephone: 631-751-7744 Web • northshoreoflongisland.com Contents copyright 2009.
why exactly we are interviewing them in the late fall for a story, and usually they don’t think to ask because what they are doing is newsworthy enough on its own. So when they discover that they have won, it’s a fun surprise. That first year, members of the Three Village community stepped forward and suggested a reception for the winners. They also offered to underwrite the party in a hands-across-thecommunity gesture. So we are the hosts each year, we speak about what each winner has done, we then give him or her a chance to tell where they are planning to go with their work in the coming year, and when they sit back down we give them a resounding round of applause in a public show of appreciation. Why did we start this and why do we enthusiastically continue it to this day? A sense of community is so important, such an enrichment in our lives. Learning about our common history, knowing
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lee Lutz EDITOR Joe Darrow LEISURE EDITOR Ellen Barcel SPORTS EDITOR Katherine Consorte ONLINE EDITOR Patricia Proven
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alyssa Cutler EDITORIAL John Broven Jennifer Choi Michael Downer Arlene Gross Robert Leuner Kelly Maguire Patricia Proven Lisa Steuer John Westermann Dave Willinger
we are surrounded by kindly and caring neighbors, working together to maintain and preserve our natural resources and educate our children, these all contribute to a sense of security and well being for children and adults alike. At times of stress, like some of the economic uncertainties we are living through today, people tend to turn toward each other for support. Here’s an extreme example of what I’m talking about. If you remember, New York City — long considered a cold and impersonal place — became a lot more filled with kindness and mutual helpfulness after 9/11. Human values come more into focus in times of crisis. We are in what Frank Rich, columnist for The New York Times, calls a time of “social consciousness.” How lovely that we, who live out here, don’t have to first develop such a consciousness. It’s already here, as these awards ably demonstrate. We are so fortunate to live in a place with
PHOTOGRAPHY John Griffin Robert O'Rourk ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR David R. Leaman ART AND PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Beth Heller Mason Wendy Mercier
BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
community leaders and activists, and whatever the issues are locally, we sooner or later see most of them through to a successful resolution. So a sense of community is a wonderful thing. And since we are the community newspaper, we have always felt it part of our job to strengthen that sense wherever we can. Let me tell you, by the time everyone leaves the Men and Women of the Year reception each year, and we have recognized the efforts of all those special people who enhance our lives, there is a glowing pride of place.
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia ADVERTISING Mary Chirichella Robin Lemkin Barbara Newman Elizabeth Reuter Laura Satchwill Nancy Solomon Ted Taylor Lynn Tunney Minnie Yancey
CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal BUSINESS MANAGER Sheila Murray CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Alyssa Cutler BUSINESS OFFICE Sandi Gross Meg Malangone SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Terri Caruso
MARCH 19, 2009 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • PAGE A11
In post-Madoff world, tarnished trappings of wealth
Class of ‘71 E.L. Vandermeulen High School Port Jefferson, NY
Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Leo Sternlicht
Class of ‘80 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Steve Rothstein
Riverhead F/L/M, Owner
Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Mgr.
Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Malcolm Germaine
Riverhead F/L/M, Pre-Owned Sales Mgr.
Gabriel Tangredi
Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Associate
Class of ‘86 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Marc Donin
Riverhead F/L/M, Finance Manager
With the closing of your local Lincoln/Mercury dealers, you might have concerns about the service and maintenance of your Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Fear no more! We all grew up here and went to school here, and we all still live here. As good neighbors, we promise that we will pick-up your vehicle from your home or business, have it serviced and return it to you, because as good neighbors, that is the least we can do.
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PAGE A12 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN township • MARCH 19, 2009
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