Vehicular Crimes in Suffolk: A Conversation with D.A. Tierney
By Matt Meduri
The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney is tasked with not only being the county’s top prosecutor, but also investigating crimes of a broad scope.
One of the top issues facing Suffolk residents is vehicular crimes, a seemingly simple set of offenses that have become more bureaucratic and complex in the modern age.
County officials have taken steps to assert their level of home rule in preventing vehicular crimes, but many opine that the State is the party dragging their feet.
The Messenger sat down with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) to see how Suffolk is doing as far as vehicular crimes go, what might be contributing to the problems, and what tools he and other prosecutors would need to better safeguard residents from these types of crimes.
Continued on page 4
Angelica’s Legacy: A Street Renamed, A Life Remembered
By Madison Warren
In February 2008, fourteen-year-old Angelica Nappi tragically lost her life when a driver with seven prior license suspensions ran a red light and broadsided the vehicle she was riding in at the intersection of Woodside Avenue and County Route 101 in Medford. Angelica suffered severe brain injuries and passed away just days later. Though she is no longer with us, her life—and the injustice surrounding her death—sparked a movement for change. Angelica’s legacy continues to make a profound difference in the lives of others.
The driver who struck Angelica’s vehicle was unlicensed, had seven prior license suspensions, and was speeding at the time of the crash. He was initially charged with criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault, and reckless driving. In the end, he was convicted only of criminally negligent homicide—a misdemeanor under the law as it stood—resulting in a sentence of just six months in jail and five years of probation.
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D.A. Tierney in Hauppauge (Credit - Matt Meduri)
SUMMER EVENTS
Mother's Day Brunch at Long Island Aquarium
Port Jefferson Summer Farmers Market at Harborfront Park
May 11, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Commack Volunteer Ambulance 5k Run/Walk
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August 2, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Every Saturday and Sunday, May 18-November 28
May 11, 8:00 AM to 11 :00 PM
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Fleece and Fiber Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm May 17, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Country Line Dancing at Bohemia Library
August 4, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall Every Sunday, June 7-November 22, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Nesconset Spring Fling May 18, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Jones Beach Air Show May 24-25, 10:00 to 4:00 PM
Long Island Ghost Tours at Katie’s of Smithtown
August 10, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
PUBLISHER
Raheem Soto
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Matt Meduri
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Around Town
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Farrm Wines to Host Midsummer Biodynamic Wine Tour
Farrm Wines, Long Island’s only certified organic and biodynamic vineyard, will host its third “Growing Biodynamic Wine: Talk, Tour & Tasting” from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. The $30-per-person event will feature vineyard owner Rex Farr and biodynamic consultant Steve Storch and showcase the vineyard at the height of the growing season. Space is limited; reservations can be made at tinyurl.com/farrmwinetour.
“The response has been incredible,” said Farr, who has practiced biodynamic farming for decades and is now seeking Demeter certification. “August is the perfect time to see these principles in action – the vines are responding to lunar cycles, and harvest preparations are underway.”
Cosmic Agriculture in Action
The tour coincides with a key phase of the biodynamic calendar, when berry development and early veraison (color and flavor change), make lunar influences especially visible. Storch, inventor of the Vortex Brewer technology used daily at Farrm, will demonstrate how cosmic timing shapes vineyard management.
“August is when the magic becomes apparent,” Storch said. “We’ll show visitors vine responses to lunar phases, explain harvest timing decisions, and highlight how celestial influences guide daily
operations.”
Three-Hour Educational Program
9:00–10:00a.m. – Introduction to biodynamics, organic farming, and cosmic timing, plus an early tasting
10:00–11:00 a.m. – Vineyard walk: lunar-phase vine responses, soil and livestock integration, aquifer connections, and maritime climate influences
11:15a.m.–12:00p.m. – Wine tasting and Q&A featuring Farrm’s award-winning Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Reserve, and Rosé
The Sturgeon Full Moon at 7:55a.m. on August 9 will add maximum gravitational effects during the tour, offering a rare opportunity to observe the vineyard’s annual rhythms in real time. Previous attendees praised the experience: “What a fantastic first visit – wonderful people and fun, educational conversations. We’ll be coming back!” said Grace Park and Ellie Lee of Queens.
Event Details
Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 156 Youngs Avenue in Calverton. Cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required and can be made at tinyurl.com/farrmwinetour. Contact: rfarr@optonline.net
About Farrm Wines
Rex and Connie Farr founded Farrm Wines in 2005 on planting, 8.5 acres of red Bordeaux varieties on their then 60-acre farm in Calverton. Their certified organic and biodynamic practices protect Long Island’s fragile maritime ecosystem while producing high-quality wines. For more information, visit farrmwines.com or call 631-369-8237.
The Brookhaven Messenger serves Centereach, Lake Grove, Selden, Coram, Farmingville, Rocky Point, Patchogue, Medford, Miller Place and Mt. Sinai 70 Years of Service to Our Community
Continued from front cover
Vehicular Crimes in Suffolk: A Conversation with D.A. Tierney
The Statistics
“The statistics in general are troubling, but they’re actually lower [overall],” Tierney told The Messenger. “Since 2020, we’ve had a decrease since less people were on the roads during the pandemic. It takes a while for the stats to catch up. We’re basically plateaued, but it’s still bad. It’s not getting worse, but it’s still bad.”
Fatal hit-and-run accidents peaked at 17 in 2023, up from 16 the year prior. In 2024, 9 fatal hit-and-runs were recorded. So far for 2025, 5 such accidents have been recorded. Serious Physical Injuries (SPIs) from hit-and-runs, however, are higher and are on the general uptick. 2022 saw 16 SPIs, followed by 15 in 2023. However, 2024 saw a peak of 20, with 10 recorded so far this year.
Traffic fatalities peaked at 164 in 2022, up from 153 in 2021, and slightly higher than the 158 reported in 2023. The 2024 data stems from internal data, with the actual number likely higher; 116 traffic fatalities were recorded last year. For 2025, 47 have been recorded.
Crashes with criminalities that resulted in SPIs logged 30 for 2023, 48 for last year, and 28 thus far for 2025.
The Causes
While a set cause is difficult to pinpoint, D.A. Tierney says there are multiple factors at play.
“The biggest factor is distracted and impaired driving. The legalization of marijuana, obviously, is going to negatively impact that number,” said Tierney.
Moreover, the current era of synthetic drugs is taking the law enforcement and prosecutorial worlds by storm. What used to be a slate of commonplace, often naturally-sourced drugs, is now an ever-expanding laundry list of substances of which a chemist can alter just one molecule and a new drug is created.
Tierney says that these new drugs are just as deadly as their molecular counterparts, and with the myriad of drugs “constantly” coming in, prosecutors and analysts are overwhelmed.
“A lot of our illicit narcotics are being created in labs in Mexico and then being brought into our country,” said Tierney. “Raw materials are being made in China. They’re getting smuggled in from all over through our mail system.”
Tierney says that domestic labs aren’t a “persistent problem”, although they’re not absent from the equation. Predominantly, however, the substances are being brought into Suffolk, “besieging” the county, in Tierney’s words.
The Remedies
Tierney, like many officials and affected community members, lament the State’s failure to pass the Deadly Driving Bill this past session, which would institute several remedies that have long harangued prosecutors.
“We have to use the laws that are available to us. I think technology has helped because there’s much more video out there,” said Tierney. “Cars are becoming more sophisticated, so the proper software and investigative tools can be used to get the downloads from cars. That helps in cases of criminality as much as does in cases where there is no criminality.”
Tierney says the distinction is important, as traffic fatalities might not be a result of distracted and/or impaired driving.
“While it might be a tragic result, [we can find] that the person operating the vehicle was doing so in a reasonably prudent manner,” said Tierney. “Going the speed limit, not switching lanes erratically, not all over the road. Technology is helping us with our prosecution.”
However, the largest obstacle is the Public Health Law List, particularly Article 3306, a slate that establishes five schedules of controlled substances in New York. The schedules categorize the substances based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. However, the list is notorious for its archaic composition and inflexibility in the age of synthetic opioids.
“That list was created back in the day when our legal drug culture was relatively unsophisticated. Basically, all drugs that were out there were pharmaceuticals that you got from a company or were grown in the ground,” said Tierney. Such substances include cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or oxycodone.
“Now what we have is lab-created drugs that are often coming from outside the country. You have fentanyl, carfentanil, and xylazine,” said Tierney. “You can change one carbon molecule on a drug and it’s no longer that drug. It’s something else.”
The massive problem with the Public Health Law List: if a driver is found to be impaired, but the intoxicating substance is not on that list, the driver cannot face drug or drug-related charges.
“That creates a host of problems, the first being if they create criminal liability in an accident. We can’t charge them with driving while drugged,” said
Tierney. “In the case of an addict, if a person is highly addicted to a substance and they’re pulled over and that substance is not on the list, they can’t even be arrested. We can’t get them help. We can’t take steps to suspend their license. We can’t mandate that they go to treatment or try to get them to seek treatment. It’s a big problem; we need to move past this list.”
A notable example is xylazine, which Tierney says was not even realized to have been in the communities until later. The only reason for the lag is that xylazine was not illegal, so drug tests were not finding it. While testing has improved, xylazine remains legal.
Tierney laments that New York “used to be a leader in public safety”, but that the Empire State no longer holds that distinction.
“All of our sister states are recognizing reality and are coming off this archaic list. We’re still at the old place.”
Tierney posits that the legal definition of what constitutes a “dangerous narcotic drug” could be a remedy. With this fix, the chemical composition of a substance would not have to fit a predetermined list; rather, whether or not the substance is a deadly narcotic.
“Is the driver’s ability impaired for any reason? If so, that person should be able to be prosecuted,” said Tierney.
Tierney also says that it’s practically impossible to know just how many drivers are impaired on unidentifiable substances, since the testing capabilities just aren’t there.
“If we had a more progressive statute, we wouldn’t have to rely on that,” said Tierney.
Community Concerns
With any issue that could cause harm to practically anyone, Tierney says that an “all hands on deck” approach is the best mentality.
“Not only do you have the prosecutorial arm, you also have the psychological services and the substance abuse services. A big part is the community awareness and education, especially with our young people,” said Tierney. “We talk about choices and consequences, distracted driving, driving using your phone; how a momentary lapse in judgement can create lasting ramifications not only for the driver but for their possible victims.”
Tierney thinks that the education system is “falling down” as far as informing kids on just how dangerous and deadly drugs can be.
“There’s this thought that you can smoke marijuana, drive in an improved manner, and that there are no ramifications. If you’re going to operate a deadly machine, you have to do it in a prudent manner,” said Tierney.
As the D.A., Tierney says that it “matters not” to him if marijuana is legal or illegal, but that the State did a “very poor job” regarding their advocacy around the substance.
“The State is managing the illicit marijuana trade about as well as they’re managing everything else,” said Tierney, adding that two milligrams of fentanyl - the weight of a mosquito - is a fatal dose.
The recency of Suffolk’s town opting into the State’s legalized marijuana rollout has, according to the D.A., given residents the wrong impression.
“The communities who opted in were told that it was going to be highly regulated, that there would be zoning, it was going to be enforced. What we basically have is a free-for-all. If you operate an otherwise legal dispensary outside of zoning, it’s just a zoning violation.”
Tierney says that such offenses are handled through the State Office of Cannabis Management, but that he’s seen no prosecutions from them. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) has “taken it upon himself” to work with the towns and enforce those zoning regulations.
Some of those illegally operating dispensaries were found to have been selling controlled substances, after search warrants were executed.
The isolation from the COVID-19 Pandemic also did those with mental health and/or substance abuse issues no favors, Tierney says.
“We’re still trying to dig out from all that,” said Tierney.
Tierney also takes issue with how the schools are discussing these topics with children, adding that he thinks the schools did a “really good job” while his children were in school.
“I don’t see the same [now], whether it’s from schools or communities.”
Conclusion
The D.A.’s office continues to use its resources to fight the scourge of deadly drugs and distracted and erratic driving, but with a few easy tools from the State, the job could be much easier.
The office has partnered with several organizations, such as the Andrew McMorris Foundation, Mothers Against Drug Driving (MADD), and the SCPD’s Street Takeover Task Force. It continues to advocate for responsible driving and for plans if one should become intoxicated, such as through the schools and various PSAs.
Suffolk Moves to Stabilize Elections with Term Limit Preservation Act
By Julia Katz
In a show of unanimous bipartisan support, Suffolk County Legislators came together Friday for the signing of the Term Limit Preservation Act, aimed at restoring stability following New York State’s controversial decision to change local elections from odd-numbered to evennumbered years.
The law, signed by County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) at the William H. Rogers Building in Hauppauge, positions a referendum for the November ballot that would extend the term length for county legislators from two years to four, while preserving the existing twelve-year term limit.
The move is designed to avoid a costly and chaotic series of special elections that the current State-passed even-year elections law would spark. The law, passed by Albany Democrats in both chambers of the State Legislature and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D), aligns odd-numbered year elections – often those including local elections –with even-year elections – those that play host to presidential and midterm cycles.
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) explained the practical necessity of this legislation.
“If we were forced to run in even-numbered years, it would have created a situation where Legislators would have to, in the middle of their term, resign and have to have a special election,” said McCaffrey. “That would have created havoc, uncertainty, and chaos in our election process.”
The purpose of the ballot measure led by the Legislature prevents Legislators from running in three elections in four years.
McCaffrey noted that the twelve-year term limit law, first enacted in 1993 and reinforced in 2023, will be upheld. The new legislation simply aligns Suffolk County’s election cycle with the updated state law without sacrificing stability or cost efficiency.
Executive Romaine called the bill a strong example of local government working on behalf of its residents but reminded attendees that the ultimate decision rests with the voters.
“This legislation provides for a referendum,” Romaine said. “The voters this November have to vote on this... If you think that less politics and more government is a good thing, you want to vote for this.”
In a continued show of bipartisan effort, caucus leaders from the Suffolk County Legislature shared their distinct viewpoints on the bill.
Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) framed the bill as a continuation of past reform efforts his caucus has long supported.
“Legislator Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood) actually introduced this a number of years ago,” Richberg told The Messenger. “We were in favor of it then. I’m happy to see the Majority caucus has joined on board.”
Richberg noted the governance benefits of four-year terms, particularly in allowing Legislators to focus more on community issues and less on continuous campaigning.
“It gives us all the ability to focus on our communities, work together, and again, get politics out of government,” he said. “You have folks who get elected and then they go right back into campaign mode.”
While Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) echoed the goal of reducing constant campaigning and improving service to constituents, he approached this bill with more profound criticism aimed at Albany.
“Let’s call this what it is. This is retribution by Albany and the governor,” Caracappa said. “She [Hochul] did not like the results of the election the last time she ran [2022]. She thinks that by aligning local elections with state and federal elections, she will have more support.”
As Caracappa spoke in favor of the bill, he also framed it as a constructive way to push back against what he perceives as an overreach of political power.
“This whole bill is designed to do just that, keep us working for our residents rather than working on getting elected and re-elected,” he said. “We are going to counter that to provide better government for our constituents and the kind of representation they deserve. We’re going to take politics out of this, take back the power, and put it back in Suffolk County.”
One of the main drivers behind the bill is financial. Officials estimate the referendum could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars by reducing the frequency of elections.
“It costs taxpayers millions of dollars to have these elections,” Caracappa said. “Three elections in five years is really out of line.”
Romaine, McCaffrey, Caracappa, and Richberg were joined by Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), and Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station).
Now that the bill is signed, Suffolk County voters will head to the polls in November to
decide whether the Term Limit Preservation Act becomes law. If approved, Legislators will begin serving four-year terms, though their total time in office will still be capped at twelve years each. For now, both caucuses appear united in urging residents to support the measure.
“This is a bill that tells the people of Suffolk, we trust you,” Romaine said. “This is what we think should happen, but you are the final decider.”
The Gubernatorial Race Just Got Clearer
It’s no secret that New York has been the sleeper and stunner of the last few election cycles. Former Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) almost became governor in 2022, the same year that the Empire State was, of all places, the key to Republicans’ House majority. Last year, the state led the nation in terms of rightward shift, giving then-Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) a win just above ten points - a tectonic shift to the right that most did not see coming.
Now, all eyes are on the 2026 gubernatorial race. Conventional wisdom lends itself to the theory that if a mostly neutral political environment at-large - 2022 - can almost catapult a Republican to governor’s mansion, then another similar environment coupled with a dramatically increased floor for the GOP can probably open another opportunity.
It’s a bold claim to make now, but we think the New York gubernatorial election can very well be the marquee race of the 2026 midterms, especially if it ends up being a bad night for the GOP elsewhere. New York’s status as a blue state could mean headwinds for the GOP next year, but its existence in a political vacuum changes the calculus. At worst, it probably nets out, leaving it up to the nominees to play a crucial game of tug-ofwar.
But much consternation has evaporated in the last week, as two likely challengers for both parties have since bowed out of the race.
Removing much of a headache from Governor Kathy Hochul (D) (pictured right) is the abdication of Congressman Ritchie Torres (D, NY-16), a young, self-described “pro-Israel progressive.” Torres had never formally announced his candidacy to primary Hochul, but his overtures made it a foregone conclusion. However, he honored a pledge to not seek the nomination if Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) won the New York City Mayoral Democratic Primary.
It’s an interesting ultimatum. It seems as long as there’s some progressive change agent involved in New York politics, Torres is satiated. We’ll see if Torres has second thoughts if Mamdani were to lose the mayoral election in November.
someone other than her. Hochul’s standing among Independents, arguably the most crucial voting bloc in the Empire State, isn’t much rosier, polls suggest.
We estimate that Hochul would need to clear the primary over Delgado and any other challengers who might emerge by at least 65% to at least have some margin for error, complications thereafter notwithstanding.
The Republican field, however, has become much clearer, as Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) announced last week he would not seek the nomination after much posturing. Instead, at the endorsement and encouragement of President Donald Trump (R-FL), Lawler announced he will instead seek re-election to his Westchester-based district.
This accomplishes two things. It makes the primary easier for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) (pictured above) to clinch the nomination and it shores up a tough swing district that will be key to Republicans’ hopes at retaining their tenuous House majority.
NY-17 is blue at the top of the ticket, but a bit more idiosyncratic down the ballot. The Jewish communities in parts of Rockland County have raced to the right, increasing the floor for the GOP, but Westchester remains staunchly blue. Lawler won an upset race in 2022 but was one of the more insulated New York incumbents in 2024. Lawler clearly has a pulse on his district, something the GOP cannot afford to lose in one of just three crossover districts nationwide that backed Harris for president but elected a Republican to the House.
For now though, Hochul’s only real threat is her own number-two, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado (D). While short on name recognition, Delgado has experience winning in red turf. He flipped the Hudson Valleybased NY-19 in the 2018 midterms and easily retained his seat in 2020.
The real threshold Hochul needs to cross is not just a primary win, but a convincing one. Should she only barely get by, or even win by about ten points, it could signal some real coalition problems for her going into a general election where about two-thirds of New York voters seem inclined to opt for
Stefanik now has a much clearer path to the nomination, and that’s arguably what the GOP would want. A co/efficient poll released in the spring shows Hochul leading the Plattsburgh Republican by just one percentage point - well within the margin of error, albeit neither have eclipsed 50% in that poll. This shows that much of the electorate have not yet made up their minds, but that’s a scenario in which it’s likely better to be Stefanik than Hochul.
Keep in mind that these types of races tend to be late-breaking. Zeldin didn’t start polling competitively until the home stretch of the campaign in 2022. If the co/efficient poll is onto something, then this race is already engaged.
With two boomerangs removed, the race is gradually shaping up to be a Hochul-Stefanik matchup next year. Stefanik has said she won’t announce her intentions until after the November 2025 elections, but with where she’s been and the suspension of her United Nations ambassadorship nomination, it seems she’s been freed up to take on the herculean task of flipping New York red.
From the Publisher’s Desk: When Oversight Works, the Public Wins
Too often, we’re asked to applaud elected officials for vague gestures and recycled rhetoric about “transparency” and “accountability.”
But once in a while, those words are put into action—quietly, competently, and without a press conference.
That’s exactly what happened in Suffolk County this summer, when the Comptroller’s Office received the highest possible rating in a peer review by the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA).
The review, which covered the period from 2022 through 2024, found Suffolk County’s Audit Division in full compliance with the rigorous Government Auditing Standards set by the U.S. Comptroller General—better known in the profession as the “Yellow Book.” In layman’s terms, that means the watchdogs of our public spending are doing their job—and doing it well.
ALGA cited several standout features of the office under Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr.
(R-Nesconset), a skilled and credentialed staff that maintains required continuing education; clearly organized electronic workpapers that make audit processes transparent and traceable; and, most importantly, audit reports that are readable and actionable—without bureaucratic fluff.
These are not headline-grabbing developments. But they are the bricks and mortar of good government.
In February of this year, the same Audit Division uncovered nearly $6.85 million in overpayments to homeless shelter vendors made under a prior administration. That discovery wasn’t the result of a news exposé or a campaign promise—it was the result of methodical work by civil servants trained to protect the public’s trust.
Kennedy’s response to the peer review was not to boast, but to thank the ALGA team for their constructive insights. That attitude, paired with a proven track record, tells us something we don’t
hear often in politics: sometimes, the system actually works.
We at The Messenger believe that competent, ethical government should be acknowledged— especially when it operates without fanfare. As publisher, I’ve seen how quickly public outrage spreads when government fails. But I’ve also seen how little attention is paid when a department simply does its job—quietly, efficiently, and with integrity.
In Suffolk County, the Audit Division is showing that professional standards still matter and taxpayers should take notice.
Raheem Soto Publisher, Messenger Papers
Connor’s Law is at the Heart of Student Safety
By Senator Alexis Weik
In 2024, seventeen-year-old Connor Kasin, a Massapequa High School student athlete, passed away suddenly while playing a charity hockey game. Connor had an undiagnosed heart condition and had suffered a fatal cardiac event.
Tragically, Connor is not alone; we see more and more young athletes suffering from cardiac emergencies. Working together, we can limit this as much as possible and help save lives.
Connor’s Law (S.3503), a new proposed State bill, would require yearly cardiac fitness checks, including an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, as part of the mandatory sports physical for interscholastic athletes in all public schools. This law aims to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring young athletes are aware of any potential heart issues before participating in sports.
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is the leading cause of death for student athletes, with a 1 in 40,000 chance of occurrence. The U.S. currently has about 8 million high school athletes.
Once in place, the law will require student athletes to undergo an annual ECG/ EKG, which measures the heart’s electrical activity and can help doctors assess how the heart is functioning and identify any potential problems. If there are abnormalities found, a test can be ordered for further investigation.
The goal is simple, to safeguard the health and well-being of our children. As our young athletes strive to reach the highest goals, protective gear is not enough; we must do everything we can to keep them safe and healthy before they step out onto the field.
It is a great honor to carry this bill in the Senate, in loving memory of Connor
Kasin. Let’s make sure this bill reaches the Governor for her signature. First, it will need to pass both the Assembly (Durso A.2697) and the Senate (Weik S.3503).
Please reach out to your representative and the Governor in support of this bill.
Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) has represented the Eighth District in the New York State Senate since 2023, after being redistricted from the Third District, which she represented from 2021 to 2022. Within the Town of Islip, the Eighth District includes Bayport, Bohemia, Fair Harbor, Great River, Islip Terrace, Lonelyville, North Great River, Oak Beach, Oakdale, Saltaire, Sayville, and West Sayville, as well as parts of Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Captree-Oak Beach-Gilgo, East Islip, Holbrook, Holtsville, Islip hamlet, Ronkonkoma, West Bay Shore, and West Islip. The district also includes parts of the Towns of Babylon and Oyster Bay.
Senator Weik is the Ranking Member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions; and Women’s Issues; and serves on the Committees on Education; Local Government; Social Service; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs.
The Eighth District office is located at 1 Corporate Drive, Suite GL-005, in Bohemia and can be reached at 631-665-2311.
The Flawed Shield Law
By Brianne Wakefield
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), the “Mom Governor”, stands her ground yet again for reproductive rights and comes to the defense of a New York Doctor, Margaret Daley Carpenter, who prescribed abortion medications via telehealth to a twenty-year-old woman residing in Texas.
In Texas, abortion is largely prohibited unless, for example, the woman’s health is at serious risk. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has sought legal action against Dr. Carpenter, arguing that her actions violate Texas law, as she is not licensed to practice medicine in the state. New York, however, is claiming that the Shield Law allows this sort of situation to be protected.
What is the New York State Shield Law? The following is a summary from the New York State Attorney General’s official website:
Seeking, providing, and helping others obtain or provide abortion or genderaffirming health care is legal and protected in New York. But increasingly, other states have criminalized these types of health care. In response, New York has enacted several statutes known collectively as the “Shield Law” intended to protect providers and patients offering or seeking such care in New York against efforts to impose criminal and civil liability originating from outside our state. The Shield Law broadly prohibits law enforcement and other state officials from cooperating with investigations into reproductive or gender-affirming health care (“protected health care”) so long as the care was lawfully provided in New York. This memorandum summarizes the Shield Law provisions most relevant to state and local law enforcement. With respect to reproductive health care specifically, these protections apply even if the care was provided via telehealth to a patient located out-of-state, so long as the provider was physically present in New York.
On Friday, July 28, Governor Hochul issued the following statement on her official website:
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has repeatedly tried to file a judgment against a New York doctor and our response has been clear: hell no. Today, Paxton
filed yet another lawsuit to force the Ulster County Clerk to enter that judgment in state court. “These extremists are determined to punish a New York doctor for providing safe, legal abortion care. It’s pathetic. It’s dangerous. And it won’t happen on our watch. “They picked the wrong state and the wrong governor — and I’ll never stop fighting to protect women’s reproductive freedom.”
I personally find her unwavering support for abortion to be deeply unsettling. As New Yorks “Mom” Governor, shouldn’t she care about the unborn as well? Is that not the beginning of all motherhood? She went as far as to even call those seeking legal accountability “extremists.”
So, if you are pro-life, you are considered an “extremist?”
Well, it’s time for a new Governor! It’s clear to me that there are major flaws with the New York Shield Law and specifically concerning telehealth. If states have the right to enforce their own laws, then why is telehealth able to override those boundaries? With the ever-growing use of online doctors such as telehealth, this creates a dangerous new reality. How much do these doctors actually know about their online patients, how thorough are the evaluations, and how easy is it to just receive life-ending medications for the unborn?
These are ugly questions we have to ask and look further into. Kathy Hochul is the one responsible for expanding the Shield law to encompass reproductive healthcare via telehealth. She knew what she was doing and why she was doing it. It wasn’t enough that she had New York State allow some of the most permissive abortion laws, she had to also make sure it was feasible outside state lines. New York deserves leadership that respects state boundaries, values medical oversight, and considers all life in its policy decisions.
We need new leadership, and it can’t come soon enough.
By Cait Crudden
Kennedy Leads Suffolk Into New Era Through Strategic Technology
Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R-Nesconset) is leading a bold transformation of county financial operations through a series of strategic technological upgrades designed to enhance the county’s relationships with both residents and vendors. Focused on modernization, transparency, and efficiency, the Comptroller’s office is delivering improved services to the community while ensuring the integrity and security of the county’s financial systems.
At the heart of this initiative is a mission to make it easier, faster, and safer for taxpayers and vendors to interact with Suffolk County government. One of the most notable accomplishments to date is the relaunch of the Comptroller’s Vendor Self-Service Portal, which now offers vendors a centralized hub for submitting invoices, signing up for electronic fund transfers (EFT), checking payment statuses, and updating vendor information. This relaunch represents a significant step forward in reducing paperwork, increasing visibility, and improving the user experience for thousands of vendors doing business with the county.
Another cornerstone of the modernization effort is the ongoing upgrade and migration of the county’s core financial management system to a secure private cloud. This move enhances data
accessibility while significantly improving system stability and cybersecurity protections. With more frequent cyber threats facing public institutions, Comptroller Kennedy emphasized the importance of creating a digital infrastructure that not only supports current operations but also anticipates future challenges.
A breakthrough initiative known as the Accounts Payable Automation Engine (APAE) has also been implemented. This new technology enables the Comptroller’s office to process electronic payment vouchers more efficiently, resulting in quicker turnaround times for payments and fewer delays for vendors and service providers. These improvements help small businesses and contractors receive compensation in a timely manner, strengthening economic relationships across Suffolk County.
Matt Meduri
of payments, fostering better communication and accountability. This integration has proven particularly valuable for critical community programs, including the Preschool Handicap Program, where improved payment systems are reducing administrative burdens and allowing providers to focus more resources on serving children with special needs.
In another move to support transparency and public access to records, the Comptroller’s office has digitized all tax records dating from prior to 1985, making them readily available. This digital transformation not only preserves historical data but also supports easier access to important information.
For Suffolk County residents, improvements are being felt directly. The Comptroller’s Division of Finance and Taxation has rolled out new call center technology to streamline incoming inquiries and reduce waiting times. Sophisticated AI-powered systems now help route and respond to resident questions with greater accuracy and speed. Plans are also in place to introduce automated payment systems for delinquent taxes, allowing residents to manage their obligations more conveniently.
In reflecting on these advancements, Comptroller Kennedy expressed gratitude to County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and the Suffolk County Legislature for their partnership and support in upgrading financial systems countywide.
The Comptroller’s office has also prioritized integrating financial systems across departments such as Public Works, Social Services, and Health. By creating a shared platform, a so-called “single pane of glass”, the county can now offer vendors real-time visibility into the status
Comptroller Kennedy also highlighted advancements in revenue generation and investment strategy. Utilizing real-time market analysis and sophisticated digital tools, the county has realized more than $100 million in revenue. These strategic moves allow Suffolk to make smarter, more profitable investment decisions and safeguard public funds for future generations.
“Above all else, we must ensure the protection of the County’s finances. With the addition of several top-level IT professionals to my staff, we are delivering on significant improvements. Our strategic vision will make it easier, safer and faster for you to do business with us,” stated Comptroller Kennedy.
Kennedy encouraged residents and vendors to stay tuned for further innovations in the months ahead, as Suffolk County continues to build a smarter, more connected government for all.
Senate Republicans Call for Probe Into CDPAP Transition
By Cait Crudden
Mounting concerns over the state’s handling of a major healthcare program have prompted New York State Senate Republicans to formally demand an immediate investigation into the transition of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) to Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL). Senators Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats), Pam Helming (R-Canandaigua), and Steve Chan (R-Bensonhurst) issued a letter on to the Investigations & Government Operations Committee Chair James Skoufis (D-Cornwall), urging the use of subpoena power to compel testimony from PPL leadership and officials within the Hochul Administration.
At the center of the controversy is a series of troubling developments following the transition to PPL, a private fiscal intermediary now tasked with managing CDPAP, a program that allows New Yorkers with chronic illnesses or disabilities to receive home care services from individuals of their choice. The senators’ letter cites a recent allegation of theft by a PPL employee, who reportedly stole funds intended for upwards of 10,000 CDPAP participants. The incident has fueled outrage and sharpened bipartisan calls for oversight and reform.
“This deeply troubling development underscores what many of us have long feared: that the CDPAP transition, and the broader administration of New York’s Medicaid program, suffer from systemic mismanagement and a lack of accountability. Rather than casting blame on Washington, Albany must focus on cleaning up its own
house, starting with a transparent, bipartisan investigation into this deeply flawed contract and oversight process,” the letter reads.
The call for investigation follows months of complaints from patients, caregivers, and advocates who have described the transition to PPL as chaotic, confusing, and detrimental to care. In addition to the reported theft, the program has suffered from phishing scams, abrupt management departures, and widespread technical issues that have disrupted payroll, enrollment, and service continuity.
Republican lawmakers argue that these issues stem from the administration’s decision to overhaul the CDPAP fiscal structure without adequate public input or oversight. The transition was included in last year’s state budget at the eleventh hour, leaving stakeholders little time to understand or prepare for the sweeping changes.
Senator Tom O’Mara, the ranking Republican on the Investigations and Government Operations Committee, emphasized the need for immediate action to preserve the integrity of the program and protect the vulnerable New Yorkers it serves.
“The CDPAP transition to PPL has been a bureaucratic, confusing, costly nightmare from the outset. It continues to put at risk the lifeline of personal care services for thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers and we cannot ignore any potential mismanagement, lack of oversight and accountability, or accusations of
outright abuse, fraud or theft undermining this transition,” said O’Mara. “The Senate Investigations Committee has a responsibility to undertake an immediate investigation to ensure the integrity of these ongoing services for patients and their families throughout this state.”
Senator Pam Helming, who chairs the Senate Republican Conference, underscored how the flawed rollout has disrupted a lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers.
“CDPAP is a lifeline that allows people with disabilities and chronic conditions to remain in their homes, cared for by people they trust,” said Helming. “As someone who began her career as a case manager for individuals with developmental disabilities, I know how vital these caregivers are. The families and caregivers who rely on CDPAP deserve answers, accountability, and a system that puts their needs first.”
Senator Steve Chan, also a member of the Investigations Committee, said the latest revelations should prompt urgent scrutiny from Albany.
“This transition has been nothing but chaos at the expense of vulnerable New Yorkers from the start. The latest news of the blatant theft of taxpayer money by a PPL employee should draw the ire of every New Yorker,” said Chan. “All the while Governor Hochul and the Department of Health have dodged accountability altogether and expect us to trust their leadership. We don’t. I am proud to join my colleagues in calling for the investigation of the CDPAP debacle
because lives are at risk and my constituents and their families deserve answers.”
The next joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Government Operations and Investigations is scheduled for August 21. NYS Senate Republicans are demanding that testimony be taken from Maria Perrin, the current President of PPL, along with other company officials and members of the Hochul Administration who were involved in the CDPAP transition.
This latest letter builds upon earlier efforts by Republican lawmakers to trigger oversight of the transition. In March 2025, the Republican Conference sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (I-CA) requesting a federal investigation. That letter cited widespread confusion among patients and caregivers, conflicting information, and a lack of transparency in enrollment and administration.
Despite the transition’s original aim of improving efficiency and streamlining care delivery, there has been no clear evidence that the program under PPL has succeeded on those fronts. Instead, critics argue, it has introduced new layers of bureaucracy and instability, with potentially dire consequences for those who depend on it most.
As the August hearing approaches, pressure continues to mount on the Hochul Administration to explain the selection of PPL, ensure accountability, and restore confidence in a vital healthcare program that so many New Yorkers rely on every day.
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
The 2026 electoral map received another few shakeups last week, with the most significant developments being in a key gubernatorial race and a marquee U.S. Senate race.
In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) (pictured below) has announced he will not seek re-election. Evers ousted Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) in the 2018 midterms and narrowly secured a second term in 2022, despite holding break-even approval ratings.
Evers’ speculation of a third term ends with his decision, opening the highly-competitive state to a crucial midterm showdown. The Badger State is the only state to have backed the presidential winner by less than one percentage point in the last three elections. The shift from a reliably blue state - on the top of the ticket - is due to the rightward-shifting western counties that make up the Dairyland of the Upper Midwest. Democrats, meanwhile, have long had solid locks on Milwaukee and Madison, the most liberal parts of Wisconsin that keep the state reliably in play.
Evers, 73, had been seen as a slight favorite for re-election before his announcement.
The current only declared Democratic candidate is Zachary Roper (D), a college student. Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D) is contemplating running. Barnes ran against Ron Johnson (R) in the 2022 Senate race, losing narrowly despite being a top recruit that cycle.
since 2008, meaning Cooper poses the party’s best shot at ending their drought in a highlycompetitive and growing swing state. Cooper flipped the governor’s mansion in 2016 and held onto his seat in 2020. The moderate and well-liked Democrat is likely to be one of the 2026 heavyweights, regardless of any other high-profile candidates who might jump into Senate races in other states.
Meanwhile, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley has announced his run for the seat in his home state after Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, said she would not run for the seat.
Former Governor Walker, the first of just two U.S. governors has reportedly expressed interest in running for his old seat.
If the historic midterm curse for the majority House party - the GOP in this case - is in play, Democrats could theoretically benefit in the quintessential swing state. On the other hand, gubernatorial politics are relegated to a distinct brand of their own. Republicans have an excellent shot at flipping the seat back. Since 2002, the state has elected governors in two-term stints of either party. If that penchant continues, Republicans might have a slight advantage in that regard.
The other marquee race of the 2026 cycle is the Senate race in North Carolina. Two-term Senator Thom Tillis (R) is retiring and after much speculation, former popular Governor Roy Cooper (D) (pictured right) has jumped into the race.
The development marks a serious setback for the GOP in the quest to grow their majority. The GOP remains highly favored to retain their majoritycurrently a 53-47 quorum - due to the fundamentals in play with the seats up next year. North Carolina was already shaping up to be the most competitive Republican-held seat in the upper chamber in 2026 and Democrats’ best shot at picking up a seat to pad their own potential losses. Democrats are defending two toss-up races in Georgia and Michigan, while a couple others could come into play.
While the GOP is still likely to retain their majority, the initial outlook was for them to add seats. There’s certainly no guarantee they’ll be able to flip any Democratic-held seats, especially if the national environment becomes more friendly to the political left. Democrats picking up North Carolina with no other changes gives the GOP a 52-48 majority. Crucial Cabinet votes and the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill hinged on a tiebreaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance (R-OH). Such a scenario would erase that margin for error.
State
In a massive development in the New York gubernatorial race in 2026, the Republican field has become clearer.
Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17), after much speculation and exploration, is not running for governor. He was encouraged and endorsed by President Trump to remain in Congress. His RocklandUpper Westchester-based seat is highly competitive, but one where Lawler was able to win a second term by a decent margin last year. Lawler also represents one of three crossover districts that went for Kamala Harris (D-CA) in 2024 but elected a Republican member of Congress. The move not only potentially shores up the House majority by one seat, but it also paves the way for another member of the House to take on Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
Tillis flipped the seat in 2014 despite being a slight underdog in the polls. He was narrowly re-elected in 2020, again overperforming expectations. That type of overperformance buoyed the GOP’s Senate profiles in both years and is now absent from the 2026 cycle.
North Carolina hasn’t sent a Democrat to the Senate
Delgado (D). The two have been diplomatically sparring the last few months, particularly regarding the calls for NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) (pictured left) to resign. Hochul’s own number-two might not pose the largest threat to her as perhaps other candidates would, but polling continues to show that New York voters would prefer someone else to run the state in 2027.
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D, NY-16) honored an earlier pledge to not seek the gubernatorial nomination if Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) won the NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary.
Local
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) recently announced his co-leadership of a bipartisan bill that would help protect the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Bay.
The Estuaries Saving Through Efficient and Responsible Appropriations for Your Shoreline (ESTUARIES) Act would reauthorize the National Estuary Program (NEP) through FY2031 and supports the continued restoration and protection of vital estuarine ecosystems nationwide.
“I lead the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries—and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said LaLota. “That’s why I’m proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come.”
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY21) has effectively all but announced her candidacy for governor, but says that she will wait until after the November 2025 elections to make an announcement.
This ends a period of consternation between three yet-declared but serious contenders for the Republican nomination: Lawler, Stefanik, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach). Polls placed Lawler and Stefanik as the frontrunners, while Blakeman typically polled third. Some polls also showed Lawler in a much better place to beat Hochul than Stefanik, although a Cygnal poll from the spring gives Hochul just a onepoint lead over Stefanik.
The recent developments have also made the Democratic primary an effective two-way race between Hochul and her own Lieutenant Governor Antonio
The bill, H.R.3962, has been sponsored by LaLota (pictured left), along with House Reps. Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Mike Haridopolos (R, FL-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), Shomari Figures (D, AL-02), and Brian Mast (R, FL-21).
The bill would amend Section 321(i) (1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and extend federal funding authority from 2026 through 2031. The intention is to relay uninterrupted support for watershed planning, conservation, and pollution mitigation.
The NEP, which would be reauthorized by this bill, is a non-regulatory, community-based initiative administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NEP allows local stakeholders to improve water quality, restore habitats, and build climate resilience in estuaries of national significance, which include the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Bay.
“The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies,” said Joyce Novak, PhD, Executive Director of the Peconic Estuary Partnership and Chair of the Association of National Estuary Programs. “Reauthorizing the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results where they matter most. We thank Congressman Lalota for his continued and unwavering support for clean water on Long Island and for recognizing the power of this program to protect both ecosystems and economies.”
Continued from front cover
Brookhaven Matters
Angelica’s Legacy: A Street Renamed, A Life Remembered
The outcome sparked outrage across the community and left Angelica’s family devastated. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing similar injustice, they knew it was time to fight for lasting change.
After years of tireless advocacy from Angelica Nappi’s family, the New York State Legislature passed Angelica’s Law in 2023. The law closes a dangerous loophole by lowering the threshold for felony charges against unlicensed drivers. Under the previous law, a driver needed ten prior license suspensions before facing felony prosecution.
Now, just five suspensions qualify as a Class E felony for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) in the first degree. Offenders convicted under Angelica’s Law can face up to two years in prison and fines ranging from $500 to $5,000—a significant step forward in holding repeat violators accountable.
Angelica’s impact and change do not end there. Just this past week, a portion of Woodside Avenue was officially renamed “Angelica Nappi Avenue.” Surrounded by Angelica’s family, community members, and local elected officials, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Suffolk Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), and Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), the unveiling of the new street sign was both emotional and deeply meaningful—a powerful tribute to a life cut short and the legacy that now helps protect others.
This name change was sponsored by Legislator Thorne and passed unanimously, empowering the Department of Public Works (DPW) to take the necessary actions for the renaming. Thorne stated that this renaming is an honor to her life and reinforces the law that will help to ensure such a
loss will not happen again.
At the unveiling, Assemblyman DeStefano reflected on the emotional weight of the renaming, calling it “a fitting tribute to Angelica, whose life was tragically cut short by a driver who should not have been on the road.”
“Maybe this intersection, in her memory and her honor, assures that her story is never forgotten. It reminds us that behind every traffic fatality, there was a name, there was a face, and a family that deals with the consequences—and their lives were changed forever,” said DeStefano.
Angelica’s mother, Dawn Riendeau, has been saying her daughter’s name for years—determined to make people understand the weight of their actions behind the wheel.
“This day is very emotional,” she shared. “Coming to the site of the crash is very difficult.”
But both she and her husband, Joseph Nappi, expressed a different kind of emotion that day—one rooted in purpose. Their years-long fight has helped turn unimaginable tragedy into a powerful force for change, with the hope that Angelica’s legacy will save lives.
This renaming stands as a permanent tribute to Angelica, ensuring her legacy lives on at the very site of the devastating crash. Her name, now etched into the landscape, serves as a daily reminder to all drivers of the profound responsibility and accountability that comes with getting behind the wheel.
The man who killed Angelica should never have been on the road. Let Angelica be the reminder that one reckless decision can change countless lives forever.
Drive responsibly. Drive with purpose.
Endres Outraises Englebright in Legislature Race
By Matt Meduri
The race for the Fifth Legislative District (LD-05) in the Suffolk County Legislature heats up as first-time challenger Laura Endres, Esq., (R-South Setauket) outraises incumbent Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) for the last two quarters.
As of the most recent reports from the NYS Board of Elections (BoE), Endres has raked in $36,943.80 to Englebright’s $21,628 - a $15,000 advantage with just about three months to go until Election Day.
The race focuses on a part of Suffolk that was once solidly Democratic but is now prime swing territory, having elected Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson) over thenAssemblyman Englebright in an upset in 2022 and having backed President Donald Trump (R-FL) in the overlapping Fourth Assembly District last year.
LD-05 includes Belle Terre, East Setauket, Old Field, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, South Setauket, Stony Brook, Strong’s Neck, Terryville, and parts of Centereach, Coram, and Mount Sinai.
The latest numbers come in after Endres held a packed fundraiser at the Steam Room in Port Jefferson Village last Thursday evening.
“Laura Endres has a background in public service, a small business owner in her own capacity at a law firm, and she’s grounded in the community,” Suffolk County Republican Committee Chairman Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge) told The Messenger. “She knows and is involved with the PTAs, the chambers of commerce, the moms and dads clubs. These are powerful clubs, but what makes them powerful is that they respond to individuals who listen, like Laura Endres.”
Garcia adds that Endres will “lay out an action plan that’s solution-based, then act,” calling her a “professional” and a “tireless worker” not looking to “shoot from the hip just to get a headline.”
Endres is staking much of her candidacy on the housing issue, having run a law firm that represents condo, co-op, and homeowners association boards. She has described her work as “giving legal advice to living cities”, often being a central figure in their planning, utilities, budgets, and elections.
Garcia says that Endres’ expertise in this area will prove valuable on the horseshoe
should she be elected in November.
“The first way you make things affordable is to reduce the tax burdens and regulations that cause businesses to shutter,” said Garcia. “Once you have that, you move forward to quality-of-life issues; she [Endres] already has experience with those issues. It doesn’t mean you need multifamily homes. What you need to do is make the surrounding community more affordable.”
While Garcia notes that all eighteen races in each Legislative District are important, LD-05 is one of two - the other being the Huntington-based LD-16 - that are the frontline seats for the Suffolk GOP this fall.
“We’re going to force the incumbents there to expend resources and to, more importantly, stake out their positions,” said Garcia, adding that he’s interested to know if any Suffolk Democrats are supporting firebrand socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) for New York City Mayor this year. “Incumbents are not going to be able to hide.”
Garcia also says to “not forget” about the incumbent against whom Endres is competing, Legislator Englebright.
“Englebright saddled us with cashless bail, he’s coddled criminals, he’s put handcuffs on the prosecutors, cops, and judges. He has exposed cops to persecution by allowing their personal information to be available. He has made us less safe here,” said Garcia of Englebright’s Assembly record shortly before his historic loss in 2022.
“This is someone that has voted for every tax increase he could ever think of. This is not someone that you want representing you. It’s long past his time.”
Englebright began his career in politics by representing LD-05 in the Legislature from 1983 until his election to the Assembly in 1992. Englebright’s 2022 loss preceded his 2023 return to Hauppauge.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community,” Endres told The Messenger. “It’s humbling to see so many friends, neighbors, and local leaders believe in this campaign and in the future we can build together. For me, it’s not about beating anyone; it’s about showing up for the people of LD-05. I’m ready to get to work and fight for a safer, more affordable Suffolk County.”
Photo credit - Madison Warren
Photo credit - Matt Meduri
‘We Run the Run’: 2025 Suffolk Marathon Kicks Off
By Matt Meduri
Long Island is no stranger to attracting runners from across the country, and even the world, to trek its beautiful landscape throughout the seasons.
But none hold a candle to the Suffolk County Marathon, an annual event that raises money for local Veterans’ groups, non-profits, and programs.
The eleventh annual Catholic Health Suffolk County Marathon is scheduled to take place the weekend of October 18-19 this year. It includes a marathon, a half-marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. The 26.2mile behemoth pilgrimage will begin on Deer Park Avenue in Babylon Village, circumnavigate Argyle Park, and head down Montauk Highway towards the Robert Moses Causeway. Runners will then hit the causeway, pass through Captree Island to Oak Beach, heading west along Ocean Parkway to the County line in Gilgo.
The route returns the way it came but the runners will exit the causeway to head east, ending the challenge in Gardiner County Park in West Bay Shore.
Officials convened in Gardiner Park on Monday to officially kick off the registration period.
“Last year, we raised over $129,000. Our nonprofits and Veterans organizations have always done a great job,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) (pictured left). “This is our way of putting two great things together, runners and charities, to create an activity that everyone in this county can enjoy.”
Romaine was joined by County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset) and Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), along with a host of Veterans organizations to ring in the marathon season.
“Volunteerism is so important,” said Suffolk Veterans’ Services Agency Marcelle Leis, stressing that even non-runners can get involved. “Volunteers can be here for the water stops, bib pickups, and to enjoy our county.”
“Suffolk County backs our Veterans. We don’t just talk the talk; we run the run,” said Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) (pictured right), who also chairs the Veterans Committee. “From mental health to physical health, keeping families together, keeping our Veterans of sound mind and body, these organizations put everything they had into it, because our veterans put everything into what they had when they served this country for us.”
Caracappa announced the donation of $100,000 to the organizations, what he called “worthy causes” and “family.”
“When times get tough, we rally together, we stick together, we make things happen,” said Caracappa.
Catholic Health COO Gary Havican said that his company is “very honored to once again serve as the Medal of Honor title sponsor” of the marathon.
“[The marathon] draws together Long Islanders from many different towns and many different backgrounds. Yet we stand together and we run together to help those in our community who have served our country with honor and bravery very often going in harm’s way. Our veterans need our support,” said Havican. “The fact is that the transition from military life to civilian life can be very difficult, both mentally and financially. We’re here today because we want to make this transition easier.”
Havican (pictured below), a paramedic of thirty-one years, said he is proud to see Catholic Health serving as a race medicine team, which will provide care for the runners and spectators.
Dr. Justin Lundbye, President of Good Samaritan Hospital, said that the hospital will be operating a “robust” field hospital and multiple first aid tents.
“While the runners are in high gear and their families are there to cheer them on, our clinicians will also be on hand throughout the course to ensure safety and wellness as our community participates in this wonderful event,” said Lundbye.
Lundbye (pictured below) added that Good Samaritan is finalizing its “state-of-the-art” patient care pavilion, which is expected to open this year. The facility will “set a new standard for healthcare excellence” on Long Island. It will feature 70,000 square feet of emergency department space, seventy-five individual bays for patient privacy, and sixty brand-new operating rooms.
Corey Roberts, founder of Race Awesome, Inc., and Director of the Suffolk County Marathon, encouraged athletes and non-athletes alike to sign up at suffolkcountymarathon.com.
“If you can’t volunteer and you don’t want to race, there’s always the ‘Donate Now’ button. 100% of any donations that come in go directly to our donations for veteran services here on Long Island,” said Roberts (pictured below).
Mike Kilano, a Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran advocate, crisis manager, and resource coordinator for Paws of War, has seen firsthand how the donations help his organization.
“We’re a nonprofit; donations are how the train moves. The cost is astronomically more expensive day by day,” Kilano told The Messenger. “This will cover our needs across the board, whether it’s bringing [service] dogs in, the training, the vaccinations, or the mobile clinic, all of it will help push our mission forward.”
Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), a Marine Reservist and Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee, will be running the 10k with twenty-two pounds and an American flag - the twenty-two pounds symbolizing the average of twenty-two Veterans who take their own lives every day.
“We’re always trying to get organizations together; that’s something I want to take a hold of even more - to make sure we communicate even more with each other,” Lennon told The Messenger. “But my role is just as anyone else’s in the county: come out, run, support the largest Veteran population in the state. Anyone can participate. You don’t have to go and win a medal.”
Lennon and Caracappa were joined by fellow Legislators Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), and Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters).
Purple Rock Project Joins with SCPD for 2nd Narcan Training at The Pines, Fire Island
For the second time this summer the Purple Rock Project jumped on a boat with the Suffolk County Police Department to distribute Narcan, the life-saving antidote to opioid overdose, at The Pines ferry dock on Fire Island. People were also given the opportunity to remember someone lost to overdose or fentanyl poisoning by writing their name on a purple rock. The visit to Fire Island preceded a weekend-long “The Pines Party 2025.”
At The Pines, the Narcan training was conducted by SCPD Emergency Medical Service Officers Jason Byron and Alex Trzepizur, who work closely with the SCPD’s Behavioral Health Section (BHS), including Police Officers Nicholas Robbins, Gina Lauricella and Bridget Topping. Police Officer Jesse Levy from SCPD’s Community Relations Bureau and Kyle Pilot of the Marine Bureau also assisted the Police Academy’s Emergency Medical Training Unit (EMTU) in delivering this critical education and training.
The team worked in partnership with Elinor Gum, Pines Care Center Manager and Fire Island Property Pines Owners Association for the collaborative wellness event. The SCPD Marine Bureau assisted in transporting the team over to The Pines.
The SCPD distributed 312 doses of Narcan, and in addition, they educated people about the 911 Good Samaritan Law, which protects individuals who call for medical help during a suspected overdose from prosecution for certain illicit activities. The SCPD also educated the public on how accidental opioid exposures can affect individuals of any age, and that
simply having Narcan in the home does not indicate substance abuse, but rather preparedness and care for loved ones.
“The Pines community was welcoming and willing to take a few minutes to learn about opioids, fentanyl and the overdose epidemic,” said Byron.
“Now many people, homes and businesses in The Pines are now stocked with Narcan.”
The Purple Rock Project offers people the opportunity to decorate a rock with the name of loved ones lost to overdose and fentanyl poisoning. The finished rocks are placed around parks and other locations, including Gabriel’s Giving Tree Memorial & Recovery Garden at Suffolk County Environmental Center at the Scully Estate, 550 South Bay Avenue in Islip, as a reminder of how many Long Islanders have died from O.D. and fentanyl poisonings. Purple Rock Project also distributes information about Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (LICADD), Gabriel’s Giving Tree and F.I.S.T and fentanyl testing strips.
“Writing a child’s name on a rock may seem like a small thing, but I think it is a way of saying to the world that their child was once here,” said Carole Trottere, who lost her son Alex in 2018.
Throughout the summer of 2025, the SCPD and Purple Rock Project will be at numerous farmer’s markets and street festival attendees.
Tuesday, August 12: Alive by the Bay in Bay Shore, Main Street, 5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Thursday, August 14: Patchogue Alive at 5, Main Street, 5:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.
Thursday, August 21: Babylon Summer Block party, Main Street, 5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
For more information on how to schedule a Narcan training table at one of your community events, contact Jason Byron at jason.byron@suffolkcounty.gov. For more information about the Purple Rock Project, visit Facebook at Purple Rock Project.
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Senate Standing Committees: Part IV
By Matt Meduri
We’ve been reviewing the standing - permanentcommittees of the U.S. Senate. Of the twenty, we’ve looked at eight. We’ll look at a few more this week.
Finance
The Senate Finance Committee is considered not only one of the most powerful in the Senate, but in Congress at large. Established as a select committee in 1815, its purpose was to alleviate economic issues following the War of 1812. It became a standing committee in 1816, originally charged with overseeing tariffs, taxation, banking, currency issues, and appropriations.
Today, the committee retains those original powers, but its scope has grown to include revenues, insular possessions, the bonded debt of the U.S., customs, collection districts, ports of entry and delivery, deposit of public moneys, general revenue sharing, health programs under the Social Security Act - particularly Medicare and Medicaid - and health programs funded by specific taxes or trusts. It also oversees reciprocal trade agreements, tariff and import quotas, and the transportation of dutiable goods.
The Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure focuses on the financial aspects of energy production, natural resource management, and infrastructure development, particularly the revenue sides of these areas, such as taxation and customs. This body looks at how policies regarding these areas are funded.
The Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness has oversight of tariffs, trade agreements, customs regulations, and policies on enhancing American businesses on a global scale. This committee oversees Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to ensure secure trade practices at ports of entry and notably reviews the impacts of trade agreements.
The Subcommittee on Health Care has oversight of federal healthcare policies, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It also reviews tax policies that affect employer-provided health insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), and flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
The Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy has jurisdiction over policies that expand or reform the Social Security system and reviews issues concerning private pension plans, retirement accounts, and paid family leave. The subcommittee also considers the nomination for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
The Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight examines tax policies and has oversight of the overall tax system. The subcommittee also monitors the IRS and their operations with the goals of ensuring an efficient tax administration and protecting taxpayers’ rights.
The Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth has oversight of measures that affect the broader health and stability of the U.S. economy. Government spending, debt management, monetary policy, financial stability, and employment all fall under this body’s purview. This is perhaps the most “DOGE”esque body in the Senate, as they are charged with reviewing how tax revenues are spent. The subcommittee also reviews how the Federal Reserve can manage the money supply and interest rates to facilitate economic growth and/or stability.
The Finance Committee is divided 14R-13D, with one Independent caucusing with the Democrats. Mike Crapo
(R-ID) serves as Chair and Ron Wyden (D-OR) serves as Ranking Member.
Foreign Relations
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is one of the oldest committees in the Senate, dating back to 1816. It helped forge treaties and foreign policy initiatives over the decades, including the Alaska Purchase, the establishment of the United Nations, and the passage of the Marshall Plan. Eight Senators who served on this committee would go on to become president, including Barack Obama (D-IL) and Joe Biden (D-DE). This body is considered one of the most powerful and prestigious since it has oversight over all diplomatic nominations and it is the only Senate body to deliberate and report treaties.
All subcommittees handle U.S. foreign assistance programs and the promotion of U.S. trade and exports within their defined regions, along with their specific areas and levels of oversight. They also have oversight of terrorism and non-proliferation and crime and illicit narcotics within their respective regions.
The Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy handles U.S. relations with African nations, save for those covered by other subcommittees. The committee works with regional intergovernmental organizations like the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
The Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy handles matters with countries in these regions and the Association of South East Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. This body also has global responsibility for international cybersecurity and space policies.
The Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation maintains U.S. relations in Europe and works with the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environment Policy handles matters of multilateral foreign assistance and all U.S. mandatory and voluntary contributions to international organizations and their associated relationships. They also review international monetary policy, U.S. participation in international financial institutions and trade organizations, U.S. foreign economic policy, international investment, international trade, protection of intellectual property, and technology transfer. It also has oversight of international energy and environmental policies and matters related to the oceans and the Arctic.
The Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism maintains U.S. relations in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, and has global responsibility for counterterrorism matters.
The Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development has oversight of the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Change Corporation, and the Peace Corps. It has oversight of bilateral foreign assistance, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the U.S. Foreign Service. In addition to public diplomacy matters, this body is also tasked with reviewing the budget operations of the State Department and USAID.
The Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere,
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues maintains U.S. relations with countries of the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Organization of American States. This body has a global responsibility for transnational crime, human trafficking, global narcotics flows, civilian security, democracy, human rights, and global women’s issues.
The Foreign Relations Committee is divided 12R-10D. Jim Risch (R-ID) serves as Chair and Jeanne Shaheen (DNH) serves as Ranking Member.
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)
The HELP committee was formed in 1869, then the Committee on Education. It later became the Committee on Education and Labor in 1870 when labor affairs were added to its jurisdiction from the Committee on Naval Affairs. The HELP Committee is credited with the creation of a national minimum wage, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and the Children’s Bureau. The committee took action on the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, among others. This body was also on the front lines of President Lyndon Johnson’s (D-TX) War on Poverty, which culminated in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
The HELP committee has a broad jurisdiction, including, but not limited to public welfare, aging, agricultural colleges, arts and humanities, biomedical research and development, child labor, convict labor, entry of convict-made goods into interstate commerce, domestic actions of the American Red Cross, equal employment opportunity, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., disabilities, labor standards and statistics, mediation and arbitration of labor disputes, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration, private pension plans, public health, railway labor and retirement, regulation of foreign laborers, student loans, and wages and hours of labor.
The Committee on Children and Families has oversight of Head Start, a program that provides early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income families, child care and child support - such as the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013 - the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), National Service, women and children’s healthcare, and other matters concerning youth and families.
The Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety has jurisdiction over workforce education and training, worker health and safety, wage and hour laws, and workplace flexibility.
The Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security handles matters mostly concerned with aging. Their oversight includes the Older Americans Act, the Senior Community Services Employment Program, longterm services and supports, elder abuse, neglect and scams affecting seniors, the health of the aging population, Alzheimer’s disease, and family care-giving. This body also has oversight of Community Health Centers, access to vaccines, oral health, prescription drugs, and mental health.
The HELP Committee is divided 11R-10D, with one Independent caucusing with the Democrats. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) serves as Chair and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) serves as Ranking Member.
By Cait Crudden
Under bright blue skies and perfect summer weather, Bellport Day returned to the Village of Bellport this past week, drawing a large and cheerful crowd to the heart of Main Street for a day filled with shopping, dining, entertainment, and community spirit.
The annual celebration has become a beloved tradition on the South Shore, and this year’s event was nothing short of spectacular. With Main Street closed to vehicle traffic, visitors of all ages strolled freely through the village center, exploring the wide array of local vendors, boutiques, restaurants, and live entertainment on display. Lined with tents and tables, the street was a vibrant marketplace of handcrafted goods, unique gifts, artisanal food, and local services. Businesses both old and new were out in full force, welcoming guests and showing off what makes Bellport such a special place to live, work, and visit.
The town’s restaurants were bustling with activity, offering visitors everything from quick bites and cold drinks to gourmet meals served with Bellport’s signature hospitality. Outdoor seating gave diners the chance to enjoy their food while watching the day unfold around them. Whether it was fresh seafood, locally roasted coffee, or sweet treats from the village’s bakeries, Bellport’s culinary scene played a starring role in the festivities.
At the heart of the event was live entertainment that kept the energy high throughout the day. The atmosphere was electric as families and friends gathered near performance areas to take in a steady stream of music, dance, and community showcases. One of the standout features of the day was the Stage Door Dance Company, whose young performers
Bellport Day Draws Crowds, Celebrates Community on Main Street Center Moriches Welcomes Fearless Dance Studio
By Madison Warren
Center Moriches is dancing with excitement as it welcomes a brandnew studio to town. Fearless Dance Company officially opened its doors this past week, offering a safe, inclusive, and creative space for dancers of all ages. With a variety of styles ranging from ballet and jazz to hiphop and lyrical, the studio is ready to inspire confidence, passion, and self-expression in every student who walks through its doors.
Owner Cassandra Scala, a proud Long Island native, has dedicated her life to the art of dance. With over twenty-one years of experience in the industry, Cassandra has earned numerous prestigious awards and accolades for her exceptional talent and dedication. While she has cherished every moment on stage, her true passion lies in teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers. Through Fearless Dance Company, she hopes to instill confidence, creativity, and discipline in young performers—just as dance once did for her.
Cassandra shared that owning a dance studio was something she once thought would never be possible. But life had other plans. After years of working at a studio run by her very first dance teacher, a turning point came when the owner decided it was time to step back and spend more time with family. She offered Cassandra the chance to take over. After careful thought and reflection, Cassandra knew it was time to take a leap of faith—and Fearless Dance Company was born.
Now, following the grand opening on July 24, Cassandra is excited to welcome both new students and returning dancers from her previous studio. Reflecting on the opening day, she shared just how much the moment meant to her:
“I didn’t expect so many people to show up and be so supportive. All the different walks of my life were there. The turnout was just incredible, and the whole process has been something I didn’t expect—which is weird—but I just did not expect it.”
Cassandra is eager to start this new chapter. Not only is she excited to get creative in the studio and watch her dancers shine on stage, but she’s also passionate about shaping the mindsets of young kids. Through dance, she hopes to build fortitude in their art and themselves— empowering her students both inside and outside the studio.
“I want them to come in and feel good about how they look in the mirror and feel good about themselves when they’re walking out,” Cassandra said. “And that they learn something—not even just stuff about dance, just something they can take with them in life.”
At Fearless, it’s not just about perfecting steps—it’s about creating
delivered show-stopping numbers in a wide variety of genres and styles. From ballet to hip-hop, jazz to tap, dancers of all ages took center stage with confidence, enthusiasm, and talent. Their performances were a highlight for many in attendance, earning enthusiastic applause from spectators who lined the sidewalks to cheer them on.
Adding to the community feel of the event was the presence of several elected officials, who took time out of their schedules to walk among their constituents, greet residents, and answer questions. Among those in attendance were New York State Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (D-Medford), Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio (R-Ridge), and the Mayor and Trustees of the Village of Bellport. Their presence underscored the event’s importance not only as a fun day out, but as a celebration of civic pride and small-town connection.
Children could be seen with their faces painted, dancing to the music, and enjoying sweet treats like chocolate and ice cream. Parents pushed strollers or held the hands of toddlers while chatting with neighbors and friends. Many visitors brought along their dogs, adding to the cheerful, relaxed atmosphere as pets strolled alongside their owners, receiving pets and admiration from many who passed by.
As the sun began to dip and families slowly made their way home, the sentiment among many was clear, Bellport Day was a resounding success. With its combination of entertainment, local pride, and joyful celebration, it served as a reminder of the strong bonds that connect the people of Bellport and the enduring charm of their village.
a supportive space where students grow in confidence, character, and self-worth, carrying those lessons with them long after the music stops.
With classes set to begin on August 4, Fearless Dance Company is ready to welcome dancers of all ages and experience levels. Whether students are training for the stage as part of the competition team or just dancing for fun in recreational classes, there’s a place for everyone. Cassandra is also looking forward to becoming involved in the local community, and hopes Fearless will take part in parades, town events, and other special celebrations throughout the year.
We’re thrilled to welcome Cassandra and her talented team at Fearless Dance Company to Center Moriches, and we can’t wait to see all they accomplish in the studio and beyond!
Fearless Dance Company is located at 408 Main Street in Center Moriches and can be reached at 631-909-1400.
History
Ronkonkoma Lake and the Home Built Sub for Skin-Divers
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Our Lake has seen many things, from a Grumman Hellcat Fighter flying over it; Ice Boats sailing the ice setting speed records; and the Club of locals who drove their cars on the ice for sport.
Underwater? What comes to mind is the submarine that was tested and used at Ronkonkoma Lake. “They built their own sub” was the Article featured on the front cover in the December 1, 1960, MECHANIX ILLUSTRATED, also known as the “how-to-do” magazine. The key phrase for the draw was “Home-Built Sub for Skin-Divers.”
And indeed, this submarine was built at home in Levittown by two friends who had decided to try their dream. Known as Aquanauts, Ugo Andreolli, and Frank Palazzola built the two-man submarine using war surplus parts. In six months, the craft was constructed in Andreoli’s garage to solve the need for a skindiving platform. Using baby food cans, they built a mark up of the ship they were planning and tested it in the bathtub. The final craft weighed in at just shy of 1,000 pounds on land and the cost was $500.
The vessel was fifteen feet long and eight feet wide. The main part of the body was a modified 400-gallon surplus aluminum aircraft wing tank. The side buoyancy and diving pontoons were 250-gallon wing tanks. Oxygen was carried using two surplus Navy oxygen bottles.
The power was supplied by a 1.5-hp, 12volt DC electric motor. Batteries used were two dry cell 12-volt marine-type models. The batteries and motor were housed in a welded steel box under the second cockpit. The propeller, made by Lesnor-Maehr Marine Co., Inc., of Floral Park, was a threeblade, ten-inch diameter, multi-pitch model. It allowed the divers to regulate their speed
with a manual adjustment to the blade, placing the blade in any one of seven pitches. Underwater speed was 3 knots, and on the surface 5 knots or more.
The main controls were held in the forward cockpit, and six hand-operated lever valves controlled air and water forced into the buoyancy tanks. Two additional levers at the left of the cockpit operated the forward and rear driving planes.
Skin diving, or free diving, is the practice of diving underwater without the use of a portable air supply, as is common with scuba diving. Skin diving can be done with minimal equipment, such as a mask and snorkel, or it may be done with no equipment at all. Typically, the activity requires no additional skills, other than a knowledge of how to swim.
Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving whereby divers use breathing equipment that is completely independent of a surface breathing gas supply and therefore has a limited but variable endurance. The word scuba is an acronym for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus” and was coined by Christian J. Lambertsen in a patent submitted in 1952. Scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas, affording them greater independence and movement than surface-supplied divers, and more time underwater than free divers. Although the use of compressed air is common, other gas blends are also used.
The trailer would take the sub down to the water for the test runs. Both Andreolli and Palazzola wore scuba diving gear when diving. They had submerged to 40 feet and remained there for two hours. A submarine would not be complete without a periscope, which had a six-foot model to avoid collisions. The submarine builders used the craft for underwater photography and sightseeing. These two adventure seeking skindiving buddies created a oneof-a-kind wonder, and then bought it to Lake Ronkonkoma!
So, you may ask yourself, how does this sixty-five-year-old submarine fit into history at Ronkonkoma Lake? A simple answerfamily.
The Palazzola Family was a family of ten children- two girls and eight boys of which all eight were United States Veterans. Edward Palazzola is the family lead at this time and has been cordial enough to tell us the story of his brother Frank “Sonny” Palazzola (May 20, 1922 – August 6, 1994), one of the engineers and builders of the submarine. Sonny stayed with his brother every summer and in all good weather in between. The family had a bungalow on one of the dead-end side streets off the Lake, the same lake they had played in together as children. This became the testing ground for the sub. Generations of the family still reside in Lake Ronkonkoma and are leaders in community programs.
We can be extremely proud of our pair of Aquanauts and remember their dream that became a reality in Lake Ronkonkoma. Thank you to my friends in the Palazzola Family who continue to add happiness to our lives and in keeping our history real, and for their endless contributions to Lake Ronkonkoma.
By Mollie Barnett
Stacked Echo: How Fiction Becomes Algorithmic Truth, or Did My AI Lie?
The media world is facing a peculiar problem. It’s not just about fake news or biased reporting—though those challenges persist. It’s about something more fundamental: how information travels through our digital ecosystem and transforms along the way.
In Cision’s 2025 State of the Media Report, over 3,000 journalists were surveyed worldwide.
The findings paint a picture of an industry under pressure. Journalists are overwhelmed, trust is fragile, and adapting to changing audience behaviors has become their biggest challenge, according to the Cision Report.
But buried beneath discussions of better PR pitches and stronger media relationships lies a more unsettling reality: the infrastructure of media itself may be creating a dangerous illusion of truth.
Understanding the Information Spectrum
To grasp what’s happening, we need to understand three distinct types of problematic information that researchers have identified:
• Misinformation is false or misleading information shared without malicious intent—think misinterpreted studies or outdated statistics that someone genuinely believes to be true.
• Disinformation involves deliberately false information created to mislead or manipulate, often deployed by state actors or interest groups with specific agendas.
• Malinformation consists of true information shared out of context or with intent to cause harm—like selectively edited footage or strategic leaks designed to damage reputations.
These categories, established by researcher Claire Wardle in her 2017 “Information Disorder” report for First Draft Coalition, aren’t just academic distinctions. They shape how truth gets constructed in our digital world.
There’s A New Fact-Checking Ecosystem in Town
Today’s fact-checking landscape has become increasingly centralized.
Organizations like Reuters and Associated Press vet syndicated content, while nonprofits such as PolitiFact and Snopes provide verification services. Platformintegrated tools like NewsGuard and Meta’s Oversight Board add another layer of content evaluation. And many of these organizations have a political slant themselves.
Here’s where things get interesting: many of these groups draw from the same core sources. What begins as a single press release can echo across multiple outlets, with each publication citing others in what becomes a recursive validation loop.
Then Artificial Intelligence and search engine algorithms enter the equation.
When Machines Decide What’s True
Search engines and Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude make decisions about information credibility based on specific criteria, according to AI platform documentation and algorithmic information retrieval research:
• Frequency of appearance across domains they consider authoritative
• Internal confidence scoring based on source repetition
• Consensus among top-ranking outlets
Here’s the catch: the sources these systems rely on are often citing each other.
Consider this pathway: A press release becomes a Reuters article, which gets cited by CNN and BBC, which are then summarized by MSN, which is referenced by ChatGPT in response to user queries.
By the end of this chain, a single data point has been wrapped in layers of institutional confidence. It feels authoritative not because it was rigorously investigated, but because it was widely repeated.
The Echo Stack in Action
This recursive validation structure—what we might call the “Stacked Echo”— now influences far more than just AI outputs and search rankings. It shapes public discourse and increasingly appears in legal arguments and policy briefings.
Research on algorithmic amplification, documented in various studies on information retrieval systems, shows that when the same information appears across multiple “authoritative” sources, it gains credibility regardless of its original verification status. Legal systems, facing their own information challenges, sometimes cite reports and headlines shaped by this echo as evidence in courtrooms and regulatory hearings.
This suggests we’re witnessing more than a media crisis—it’s a crisis of knowledge validation. When repetition becomes mistaken for verification, the foundation of evidence-based decision-making starts to wobble.
We’re seeing a moment where the mechanics of information distribution are being confused with the process of truth validation.
Why This Matters Now
As institutions increasingly turn to media outputs as proof points, and AI tools reinforce those outputs as dominant truths, we risk codifying bias, omission, and manipulation while believing we’re codifying facts.
This year’s Cision report notes that 72% of journalists rely on press releases to generate story ideas, while 53% use AI to assist their work.
According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024, these trends toward automated and syndicated content have accelerated across global newsrooms. When both human journalists and AI systems draw from similar source pools, the potential for echo amplification grows.
In this environment, content gets judged by repetition frequency rather than sourcing rigor. Truth becomes less about verification and more about performance— specifically, the performance of appearing across enough channels to seem credible.
The Path Forward
Understanding this dynamic doesn’t mean abandoning digital information systems or returning to some imagined golden age of journalism. Instead, it means developing better literacy about how information moves through our connected world.
For media consumers, this means looking beyond the number of sources reporting something and asking: where did this information originate? For journalists and factcheckers, it suggests the value of tracing information back to primary sources rather than relying on the apparent consensus of other outlets.
For the designers of algorithmic systems, it highlights the importance of weighing original reporting and primary sources more heavily than repetition across secondary sources.
The crowd may be cheering for an echo, but that doesn’t make the echo true. In our interconnected information age, distinguishing between genuine consensus and mere reverberation has become one of our most crucial skills.
is an AI Advisor for Business and Strategic Growth Architect on Long Island.
team offers Secure AI, AI options, AI planning, integration, and education.
MOLLIE BARNETT
Her
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Summer on a Plate Long Island Locavore
By Nancy Vallarella
Each summer, Long Island farm stands explode in a riot of color, texture, and flavor. And at the center of this homegrown celebration? Two iconic crops that define the season: heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn. Grown with care and tradition, they aren’t just side dishes, they’re a delicious tribute to local farming and the art of eating fresh.
Heirloom Tomatoes: History in Every Bite
Move over, supermarket beefsteaks! Heirloom tomatoes are the showstoppers of summer. These openpollinated, non-hybrid beauties come in colors as varied as a painter’s palette: deep purples, marbled pinks, sunny yellows, even striped greens.
Popular Long Island-grown varieties include:
• Brandywine – Big, pink, and packed with rich tomato flavor
• Cherokee Purple – Dusky, sweet, and earthy
• Green Zebra – Tart, tangy, and beautifully striped
• Aunt Ruby’s German Green – Beefy with bright citrus notes
• Mortgage Lifter – A juicy classic bred for both flavor and yield
What sets them apart?
It’s all in the flesh. Unlike watery supermarket tomatoes, heirlooms have less gel and fewer seeds, offering dense, meaty interiors perfect for slicing and savoring. They’re grown for flavor, not shelf-life—and that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable.
Farms to Watch
Local growers like Restoration Farm (Old Bethpage), Sang Lee Farms (Peconic), and Biophilia Organic Farm (Jamesport) grow these gems to perfection, delivering them straight from the field to farm stands at peak ripeness.
Sweet CornThe Taste of Long Island Summer
Few things taste more like summer than a just-picked ear of Long Island sweet corn. From Silver Queen to Butter
Why does Long Island corn taste better?
It’s FRESH. Once picked, corn begins converting sugars into starch. That’s why same-day-harvested ears taste worlds better than their shipped-in supermarket cousins.
Soil + Sea Air – Our sandy loam soil and ocean-kissed breezes create the perfect growing conditions.
Summer Fiesta Salad
Ingredients:
• 1.5 lbs heirloom tomatoes, chunked
• 1 ear raw corn, kernels removed
• Handful fresh cilantro leaves
• Crumbled queso fresco, feta, or ricotta salata
Dressing:
• 1 Tbs minced shallot
• 1 Tbs minced jalapeño
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
To Assemble: Place tomatoes on a rimmed platter. Sprinkle corn and cheese on top. Pour dressing over just before serving and garnish with cilantro.
Heirloom Tomato & Peach Salad
Ingredients:
• 2 heirloom tomatoes
• 3 ripe peaches
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
• Salt & pepper
• 4 oz crumbled goat or feta cheese
• Optional: Pickled red onions
Instructions: Whisk dressing ingredients together and chill. Slice peaches and tomatoes, layer on a platter, drizzle dressing, and sprinkle cheese and onions.
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Great on salads, burgers, and sandwiches!
Ingredients:
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1.5 Tbs honey
1.5 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions: Place onions in a mason jar. Simmer remaining ingredients and pour over onions. Let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
Microwave Corn on the Cob (Easy Hack!)
– 2 ears
No boiling water needed.
Instructions:
1. Wash 2 ears of corn (husk on), cut off silk end.
2. Microwave for 6 minutes.
3. Let cool slightly. Peel husk down to make a handle and tie with a strip of husk. (See photo left)
4. Remove silk—it should slide right off!
Add 2 minutes for each additional ear.
Created by Nancy Vallarella, who brings farm-fresh recipes and local food knowledge to Long Island through farmers’ markets, demos, and more. For more recipes or to ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or email lilocavore495@ gmail.com. Happy cooking!
Local Flavor, Local Roots
Whether you’re picking up peaches in Peconic or tomatoes in Wading River, the taste of Long Island’s summer bounty is unmistakable. Heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn are more than ingredients—they’re our edible heritage.
So, skip the shrink-wrapped stuff. Shop local, savor slow, and taste the sunshine in every bite.
Nancy Vallarella
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
AMAC
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Is Your Country America, or Somalia?
Robert B. Charles | AMAC
Democrats in many blue states – like Maine –maintain narrow control by sweeping into position anyone they can find to run, then ruthlessly enforcing discipline. Sometimes things boomerang, and the unexpected happens. A Maine Democrat legislator last week made clear her loyalty is to…Somalia.
Maine welcomes legal immigrants, today and every day. America has nine visas for entering the U.S. legally. Democrats, however, push to hide illegal aliens in Maine. Republicans strongly oppose that idea. Illegal aliens are…illegal. They also weigh down infrastructure, schools, and safety – regardless of their origin.
Today, Maine is home to 6,000 Somali immigrants, many naturalized. Naturalized Americans are typically a wonder, a strength, and patriotic.
Some, however, keep split loyalties. While most Maine Somalis integrate, work, and assimilate, some do not. While data is sparse, the top language for nonEnglish speaking students in Lewiston is Somali; many “send regular payments” to Somalia, and Maine has roughly 1,500 Muslims, of whom most are Somali.
Even under Obama, questions arose about split loyalties, his Treasury questioning whether money went to Somali terrorists, specifically al-Shabab, an offshoot of al-Qaida, which is the group responsible for the attacks on 9/11.
On that issue, balance was always tough, as legal immigrants from any country – Ireland to Guatemala, Armenia to Somalia – can send money to less fortunate kin in their country of origin. De-naturalizations are rare, 42 last year nationally.
But on loyalty to America, there is honestly no room for compromise. When a legal immigrant becomes a naturalized citizen, they take an oath. The oath is explicit.
As a former U.S. Court of Appeals clerk for the 9th Circuit, serving a Reagan appointee, I regularly (monthly) watched these ceremonies with appreciation for the greatness of America. We are a beacon for the world, where many wish to come, and few can.
The oath includes these words: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.”
The oath continues: “…that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law…”
It goes on: “…that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
So, in an oath to God, a naturalized American swears to “entirely renounce” other loyalties, and swears unswerving “allegiance and fidelity” to America, backed up by a promise to serve America as needed in arms. Making clear the seriousness of this pledge before God, the aspiring citizen swears to have no competing loyalties, “no mental reservation of purpose of evasion.”
Now, we come to Maine. A Somali-born, naturalized, Democrat member of the Maine legislature, oddly out of sync with that solemn oath, last week described her convictions – offhandedly but sincerely – as committed to “our country, Somalia.”
If this were not arresting enough, she has neither recanted nor apologized. Nor has any Democrat legislator weighed in, allowing her to casually diminish, if not “renounce and abjure” her allegiance to America, replacing it with “Somalia.”
The thing is more than surprising; it is sobering. Why? Societies with split loyalties historically tend to erode. Pluralism – from many in one – only works when the nation to which people legally migrate becomes their home, its culture theirs.
Somalia is a beleaguered nation, terror-ridden, and was – lest we forget – the horrifying center of “Blackhawk Down,” Battle of Mogadishu that killed 18 American
soldiers, wounding more than 70. America lost blood for Somalia
Never mind that, or her prior oath. This Somali-born Democrat thinks Somalia is her country, not America. She says so without equivocation or explanation. She is apparently proud of that crossallegiance, which defies her citizenship oath.
Incredibly, this same representative is the original sponsor of legislation to make Maine a “sanctuary state,” a bill that sits on the Democrat governor’s desk to punish Maine police who share data on illegal aliens in Maine, HP 1315.
The outrage is compounded by her having helped create the incorrectly named “Office of New Americans,” spending millions to help illegal aliens get into Maine and get free everything – with money earned by lawful Maine citizens.
More, this representative with split loyalties is tied to a network of “non-profits” that received no-bid contracts, on public data –
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helping Democrats keep control.
If this were not enough, Maine legislators – of which she is one – take another oath under Article IX of Maine’s Constitution, affirming they will support the U.S. and Maine Constitutions, saying they “do swear” to do so. And if all this were not enough, to ice the cake, she was recently recorded at a Somali or Muslim convention saying she wished she had gone to Minnesota. Well, this is America. Planes, trains, and buses leave regularly.
Bottom line: Whether any of this suggests denaturalization, a process triggered by concealing information in naturalization, or helping others to do so, is unclear. More simply, as a Maine citizen and taxpayer, I want this representative to apologize, to renounce Somalia, pledge her sole loyalty to America, or resign.
WHERE BROADWAY MEETS MAIN STREET
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology:
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘highest in jurisdiction’ in the phrases lord paramount and paramount chief ): from AngloNorman French paramont, from Old French par ‘by’ + amont ‘above’.
PARAMOUNT
adjective
Pronounced: /peh·ruh·mownt/
Definition: more important than anything else; supreme.
Example: “Fiscal oversight should be the paramount concern of government.”
Synonyms: utmost, chief, cardinal
Antonyms: petty, inconsequential, minimal
Source: Oxford Languages
SUDOKU
August 5, 1936:
American athlete Jesse Owens wins the 200m in a world record time of 20.7 seconds, his third gold medal of the Berlin Olympics.
July 31, 1912: The U.S. government censors movies and photos of prizefights; it remains in place until 1940.
August 3, 1914:
Germany invades Belgium and declares war on France, beginning World War I.
August 2, 1864:
Saratoga Race course, America’s oldest thoroughbred racetrack, opens its inaugural meet with four days of racing.
August 6, 1890:
Murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair, at Auburn Prison in New York.
By PJ Balzer
What are You Really Seeking Here?
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve seen people walk through the doors of the church with all types of needs. Many walk in after experiencing a personal tragedy or traumatic experience. They sit in the pew searching for answers, healing, and finding peace in their hearts. Others walk in because their marriage is crumbling, their health is unexpectedly declining, or their once stable financial tables have drastically turned. The truth is that I myself also walked into a church for a few of these reasons.
I’ve also seen people walk into the church building because of personal wants. The church may seem like a good place to meet people, to gain votes or followers, possibly to attempt meeting a nice, modest “church girl.” People walk in because they feel that God might be able to add something tangible to their life, to enhance their personality, or give them some sort of edge of charisma or increase in the career realm. Jesus has seen those doors fling open for every reason possible. Yet, He is so lovingly, mercifully, and sovereignly is able sort through every heart and circumstance. He meets us as we are and where we are.
Throughout the Gospel accounts, there were also all types of people who came to Jesus with every conceivable need. There were blind beggars who cried out loud and unashamedly on the roadside for help. There were people who desperately brought their sick relatives to Him for healing. There were zealots who felt that Jesus should immediately overthrow an oppressive Roman government. There was a rich and influential young man that came to Him for personal justification in following religious requirements but wouldn’t follow the ultimate call of discipleship and journey of self-denial. There were rulers, lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes, and fisherman - all who had different needs both inside and out. Jesus responded differently in each case, again, because He knows the depths of the individual human heart and intent.
Flipping back a little to the Old Testament, but speaking of the same Eternal God, the revered King David was so far from a perfect person. David had private issues that became a public spectacle. Still, David was the only individual throughout the Scriptures that God Himself said was, “A man after My own heart.”
David made some heavy and costly mistakes along the way. Instead of repenting immediately and running towards God for mercy and forgiveness, King David ran far away from Him, far to the point of attempting to manipulate the mess he’d made by orchestrating the murder of the woman’s husband in an
attempt at fixing up his love triangle. David ruined other people’s lives, and it cost him personally and greatly.
But God never stopped loving him; David, a man that’s still after “My own heart.”
Throughout King David’s life, there were great victories and gains along with losses, disappointments, and times of waiting on a God who seemed silent and absent. All of these various seasons of life shaped David’s heart into one that was slowly melted and molded into God’s own heart. King David ended up being a person who cared about what God cared about. He desired what God desired, and his heart sought after the things that God sought after. David’s heart found rest in the character, faithfulness, and presence of God.
In his later years, David ended up reigning with righteousness and with God’s definition of justice and fairness in every decision he made. King David gave out compassion when it was warranted and judgement when it was warranted as well. David truly ended his life being a man and a King that could hear the heartbeat of God.
The one thing that the Lord has always and still desires is a person, man or woman, that would end up seeking after Him for Him. While we each may initially be drawn to the church and towards God with needs, wants, or both, God searches individual hearts for a person that wants to know what’s in His heart, not only in His hand.
While God may answer our prayers for the tangible things that we need to live on this earth, I believe that beyond those answers to prayer for the temporary things, there’s a resounding question…
“What are you really seeking here?”
When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people, since there are none. He is searching for men and women like you and me, mere people made up of flesh. But He is also looking for people who share the same qualities He found in David. God is looking for men and women “after His own heart”
(1 Samuel 13:14).
Photo credit - Freepik
22 Library News
WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER
BELLPORT
Cafe Castello • South Country Deli
BROOKHAVEN
Anthony’s Pizza
CENTEREACH
Centereach Deli • Fratelli’s Pork Store
JeJoJos Bagels Inc.
CENTER MORICHES
King Kullen
CORAM La Bistro
EASTPORT
Pete’s Bagels • King Kullen
EAST SETAUKET
Bagel Express
Pumpernickels Delicatessen & Market
Rolling Pin Bakery • Se-port Deli
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria – (719 Hawkins Ave)
Ronkonkoma Train Station
LAKE GROVE
Lake Grove Diner
MILLER PLACE
Better on a Bagel • Bigger Bagel and Deli
Crazy Beans • CVS • Miller Place Bagel & Deli
Papa Juan’s • Playa Bowls • Starbucks Town & Country Market
MT. SINAI
Heritage Diner • Northside Deli
PATCHOGUE
California Diner • King Kullen • Shop Rite
Sugar Dream Bakery • Swan Bakery
PORT JEFFERSON
CVS • Southdown Coffee • Starbucks
PORT JEFFERSON STATION
Bagel Deli Gourmet • IHOP • Seaport Diner
Toast Coffe House • Wunderbar Deli
ROCKY POINT
Fresh & Hot Bagels (Kohl’s Plaza)
SELDEN
Cella Bagels • Joe’s Campus Heroes
SHIRLEY
Bagel Deli • Freshy Bagels
Laundry King • Stop & Shop
STONYBROOK
Long Island Bagel Cafe • Strathmore Bagels
NORTH SHORE:
Stories, Movement, and Music for ages 3-5
August 8, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Little Makers for Kids - August 15, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
LONGWOOD:
Summer Writing Workshop - August 4, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Colorful Candles k-2 - August 21, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Headline News Discussion - August 27, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
PORT JEFFERSON:
Long Island Quilters - August 11, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Beaded Jewelry Workshop for Teens - August 14, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
THREE VILLAGE:
Nursery Rhyme Sing AlongAugust 8, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Peony Paper Flower Class - August 18, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
CENTER MORICHES:
Babies Boogie - August 23, 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM
Adult Poetry Club - August 22, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Teen Lego Challenge - August 26, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
RIVERHEAD:
Sunshine and S’mores K-5 - August 4, all day
Senior Lunch Social - August 13, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Slime Buddies for Kids - August 14, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Gotham FC Players Compete at Euro Cup
By Ashley Pavlakis
The National Women’s Soccer League season is in full swing with teams battling it out in the standings. Gotham FC, NY/NJ’s professional women’s soccer team, is right in the middle of the pack.
This past month, Gotham FC loaned three of its players to the international stage to compete in the UEFA European Women’s Championship. The players who got the nod were Jess Carter of England, AnnKatrin Berger of Germany, and Esther Gonzalez of Spain. Carter and Gonzalez met in the final, with England emerging victorious in penalties.
Gonzalez, a striker, is a dominant player on the field for both club and country. For this tournament, she scored four goals in six matches. This feat earned her the top scorer of the tournament. She played 387 minutes on the field and was successful 90 percent of the time when passing the ball.
Ann-Katrin Berger, a veteran goalkeeper, started all five matches for Germany in the tournament. Berger played 510 minutes in the net for her team, compiling one shutout and 23 saves.
Jess Carter, a center-back, competed in all six of England’s matches in the tournament. She logged 431 minutes on the pitch, contributing to her team’s defensive efforts.
Returning to NWSL play, Gonzalez has established herself as one of the top forces in the league since arriving at Gotham FC in 2023. This season, she’s amassed 10 goals in 13 games, putting her in the lead for the Golden Boot Race.
Gotham FC won the NWSL championship in 2023 with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Reign. The club is led by head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, who won the
Coach of the Year Award in the same season. Currently, Gotham holds a 5-3-5 record, which puts them in 8th place in the standings out of 14 total teams.
The ‘Bats’, as they’re lovingly referred to, play their home games at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. The team officially called it their home after rebranding from Sky Blue FC to NY/NJ Gotham FC in 2021. The team has a wealth of notable sports figures on their investor board; former NY Giants quarterback, Eli Manning, Syosset native and former Seattle Storm basketball player, Sue Bird, and Houston Rockets forward, Kevin Durant.
Gotham is one of the many NWSL teams to have international talent on their roster. The Bats loaded up on United States Women’s National Team Stars, securing Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and Tierra Davidson. In addition, they have Esther Gonzalez from Spain, Ann-Katrin Berger from Germany, Jess Carter from England, Gabby Portilho and Geyse from Brazil, and Josefine Hasbo from Denmark.
The team returns to league action on August 1 when they take on the Chicago Stars on the road. The Stars have not fared well this season, having only won one game so far. Gotham returns home to Red Bull Arena on August 9 for their matchup with the Washington Spirit, who sit in fourth place. The team is celebrating their second annual Keep Her in The Game match, where the first 5,000 fans will receive a special edition ‘Keep Her in The Game’ Gotham FC hat sponsored by Dove.
Shoulder Checking Against Mental Health
By Ashley Pavlakis
The NHL season may be over, but hockey is still being played. On Thursday, July 24, the third annual Shoulder Check Showcase took place in Connecticut. The Shoulder Check Organization put the game on in partnership with the #HT40 Foundation to support the fight against mental health.
Terry Conners Ice Rink in Stamford, Connecticut, is quite possibly the coldest rink I’ve ever had the displeasure of frequenting for hockey games. But on Thursday, there was no shortage of love, warmth, and support on display both on the ice and in the stands. Team
Prentiss and Team Quick battled it out all for a good cause.
Mental health is important and needs to move beyond the taboo stage, becoming a topic people can openly discuss. Those who struggle with mental health, oftentimes, need a better support system to help them through it. Hockey is a team sport; the players rely on each other on and off the ice. Sometimes, it’s nice to be able to just turn to your teammate for help or advice about life outside the game. Extending a line of support is one of the small things we can do for those who might need it.
On the ice for the game were three Long Island natives. Massapequa native Sonny Milano, Jericho native Adam Fox and Franklin Square native Shane Pinto. In addition, two New York natives, Trevor Zegras and Kevin Shattenkirk, hailing from Bedford and New Rochelle, respectively, were also in attendance
New York was well represented with seven current and former New York Rangers on the two rosters. Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Frank Vatrano, Matt Rempe, and Kevin Shattenkirk. Martin St.Louis and Jonathan Quick served as coaches for Team Quick. Behind the bench for Team Prentiss was none other than Madison Packer. Those who follow women’s hockey closely know her for her longtime commitment to women’s ice hockey as Captain of the Metropolitan Riveters, a team in the defunct Premier Hockey Federation. Packer, a huge advocate for mental health, has done plenty of work to support the cause throughout her career. With the cause being close to home due to the loss of a friend, Packer has continued to support the Kyle Pavone Foundation.
Shoulder Check is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2023 to support the #HT40 foundation. Hayden Thorsen was a hockey player for Darien High School and the Junior Rangers. Thorsen took his own life right before his seventeenth birthday. His father, Rob Thorsen, founded the #HT40 foundation in his honor.
The mission statement for the foundation reads: “Reach out. Check In. Make Contact.”
Terry Conners Rink was jam-packed as NHLers took to the ice to raise money for the #HT40 Foundation to help fight against mental health and provide resources for those who need it. The Shoulder Check Showcase is sponsored by a variety of organizations, most notably the NHL, NY Rangers, NY Islanders, and the NY Sirens.
Kindness is a contact sport, as echoed by the organization. A hand on the shoulder could be the difference maker.
Credit - Cole Lembo-Kutner
Credit - Shoulder Check
By Matt Meduri
‘On Patrol’: Suffolk PBA Launches Podcast
The digital age and collapse of mainstream media has given way to independent media and content creation, giving practically any person or organization the ability to share their stories, thoughts, and perspectives with the world with just a few keystrokes and mouse clicks.
The Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association (PBA) has done just that, having recently debuted their podcast “On Patrol with the Suffolk County PBA.”
The podcast is done in an episodic format and frequently sees guests of all walks of life, from law enforcement officers, elected officials, and non-profit organizers who help first responders and their families.
The Messenger sat down with “On Patrol” hosts PBA Treasurer C.J. Hutter and PBA Sergeant-at-Arms Tanner Brandimarte for an in-depth look at the show.
“We had been talking about starting a podcast for a couple of years and it was just one of those things that never really got off the ground,” Hutter told The Messenger. “Tanner and I had a couple of talks and we said, ‘let’s just do it.’”
“On Patrol” started to come together last year, but with turnover at the office, getting the project fully off the ground didn’t come to fruition until earlier this year. The backdrop began being set in the autumn of 2024 and the first episodes were aired this past winter.
“Our first episode aired March 12,” said Hutter, adding that the podcast consists of weekly updates. “We try to cover everything that’s going on, especially current events within the county, and even across the country.”
Hutter and Brandimarte say that pinpointing the exact reach can be difficult, as every platform has different averages. Some bring in hundreds of views; others, thousands.
“On Patrol” can be viewed on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. All links can be found on all social media pages operated by the Suffolk PBA.
In addition to educating the public in policing and current events revolving around policing, as well as public record-keeping of related news, Hutter and Brandimarte say the podcast serves as a platform.
“We want to make sure that we’re getting the messages out there that we want,” said Hutter. “We want to talk about the heroic actions of our cops; some issues they face are on a weekly or even daily basis. A lot of our episodes have naturally morphed into discussions about the mental health of cops today.”
Current events are also on the table, as a recent episode hosted former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) discussing national police issues.
“The mental health topic is a big one,” Brandimarte told The Messenger. “We’ve touched on that in almost every episode. The local elected officials recognize the mental health crises that the cops are going through too.”
“Bail reform pops up all the time,” said Hutter, referring to a package of laws passed by the State Legislature in 2019 that have since been a major source of consternation among law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary. “Bail reform creates more obstacles for the police to be able to keep criminals locked up. Our primary mission is to fight crime and save lives.”
Hutter invoked the “prime example” of the Babylon dismemberment case in March 2024, in which several individuals were charged with allegedly dismembering a human corpse and scattering the remains across several parks, only for them to be discovered by passersby, including schoolchildren.
“That alone was not enough to hold these people [in jail],” said Hutter. “They had to be released because they couldn’t be held on bail because dismembering a human corpse itself [as a charge] was not listed as a bailable offense.”
“The judges also don’t get discretion,” said Brandimarte. “The punishment really has to fit the crime and with bail reform, you see a lot of recidivism and repeat offenders.”
The podcast also invokes talks of 50A, reforms that tie in with discovery that allows defense attorneys to request disciplinary files to call an officer’s integrity into question. The “On Patrol” duo invoked the recent case of Suffolk’s own Brendan Gallagher, who narrowly avoided death after a high-speed pursuit on the Long Island Expressway left him trapped under his cruiser.
“The perp who caused that accident is technically released on his own recognizance under Brendan’s case, but is being held on other charges,” explained Hutter. “The reason for that is because the defense asked for the disciplinary files of a hundred police officers that were somehow connected to that case. But it could be as simple as a cop who put down a couple of road flares on the LIE and then had to leave to answer other 911 calls.”
“Most cops involved are inconsequential to the whole trial,” said Brandimarte. “It’s not like you’re trying to call the integrity of the lead investigator into question. These are officers who have very small roles in the actual meat and potatoes of the case.”
Hutter and Brandimarte say that the laws only encourage complaints against officers, as even unfounded, unsubstantiated, or exonerated claims can remain on an officer’s file, allowing defense attorneys to “play the ‘if there’s smoke, there’s fire’ game.”
“There’s no remedy to charge people for knowingly making a false complaint,” said Hutter.
These types of discussions are the core of the podcast’s aim. Recent episodes include guests like Congressman D’Esposito, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza), SCPD Commissioner Kevin Catalina, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon), as well as Suffolk County Legislators Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park).
One of the only areas that are off the table for discussion are active cases, as Hutter and Brandimarte say that doing so could interfere with discovery related to the case in question.
However, education and information remains key for “On Patrol”, particularly in showing body cam footage were permissible and showing the “gray areas” of policing that are more common than some might think.
“I think the negative perception of police officers became a popular trend,” said Brandimarte. “People are looking for clicks and likes. When you go to the movies, you don’t go see a boring movie. But I think what we do is interesting to a lot of people. It’s also a very opinionated thing where people can make their own assumptions about what they see. Sometimes, it’s very gray in the area of what we do.”
Hutter started his police work in Jamaica, Queens, in the 103rd Precinct. After about a year, he arrived at the Second Precinct in Suffolk County. He remains there working midnights, but spends more time in the office nowadays. Raised in Bayside, he now calls Islip home.
Brandimarte started in the 115th Precinct in Queens, later spending seven-and-a-half years in the 112th, also in Queens. He came to Suffolk in 2015, where he took up a post in the Seventh Precinct. Working primarily midnight patrol, he eventually ended up in the PBA office full-time. Originally from Middle Island, he calls Wading River home.
Suffolk PBA President Lou Civello expressed his support and enthusiasm for the new podcast.
“Launching a podcast has been an exciting step towards reaching a broader audience and amplifying our message,” Civello told The Messenger. “As both police officers and a labor union, it’s essential for the PBA to evolve and keep the public informed about the issues that impact our members and the communities we serve.”
“On Patrol with the Suffolk County PBA” can be viewed on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Youtube. For the Spotify link, scan the QR Code: