Brookhaven Messenger, Sep.28, 2023 Archive

‘History is a Long Arc:’ Romaine Offers to Take NYC Statues

By Matt Meduri

The topics of historical figures, displays, and even the teaching of history itself continue to generate fierce discussion in social and political circles.

The New York City Council’s Cultural Affairs Committee is drafting legislation sponsored by Councilwoman Sandy Nurse (D-Cypress Hills). The bill would require the city’s Public Design Commission to publish a plan to remove works – including statues – that “depict a person who owned enslaved persons or directly benefited economically from slavery, or who participated in systemic crimes against indigenous peoples or other crimes against humanity.”

The bill stipulates that if the Commission does not vote to remove a statue or monument, then the city would be required to install an “explanatory plaque,” explaining the sins of the depicted historical figure. Additionally, the Department of Transportation would have to consult with the Department of Education to install said plaques on sidewalks or other public spaces that are adjacent to schools.

The bill has sixteen co-sponsors.

Community Rallies Around Mini SuperHero Tenzin Tanaka

By Kaitlyn Foley

One local mom fought doctors, school boards, and community ignorance to be the voice for her son in his time of need.

Colleen and Tenzin Tanaka, a mother and son, are making strides against pediatric cancer in their school, community, and on Long Island as a whole.

Nine-year-old Tenzin was diagnosed with Leukemia in June of 2022 after presenting with symptoms that were erratic and seemingly unrelated.

After complaining of lower back pain, nausea, and other major symptoms, Tenzin was tested for COVID, diagnosed with the flu, tested for different allergies, suffered from an ear infection, and even told by a pediatrician that he was “being dramatic and should go back to school” according to Tenzin’s mom.

Advocating for her son came natural to Colleen, despite doctors’ misdiagnoses and cruel words.

Colleen was sick with worry and brought Tenzin to every doctor she could. An allergist, an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT), a pediatrician, the ER, but nobody did the blood work needed to rule out cancer.

“I guess nobody wants to jump to cancer,” says Colleen. Continued on page 10

FULL STORIES ON:

Continued on page 22

Statue of Christopher Columbus at Columbus Circle in New York City (Credit - Central Park Conservancy)

Tenzin (center) with wrestlers from New York Wrestling Connection.

Coalition of Suffolk Police Unions

Equation Excellence for Smithtown High School East Math Honor Society

What do you get when you add a team of math stars with a desire to help others?

An award-winning math society.

The Smithtown High School East Math Honor Society and the advisors, Marianne Schoepflin and Angela Boccio-McComb, were awarded the 2023 Diane Rubin Service Award from Mu Alpha Theta.

The Rubin Award is presented to the Mu Alpha Theta chapter, which has a history of outstanding mathematics service to its community for at least two years. This service must promote interest in mathematics and benefit a group other than its own chapter. The Smithtown High School East Math Honor Society has given back to the school district with events like “Math Fun” night, “Bingo” night, tutoring for middle school students as well as fundraising events.

Along with a forthcoming plaque, Smithtown High School East was awarded a $5,000 grant. The Smithtown Central School District congratulates the East Math Honor Society on this achievement.

Sachem High School Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Two Sachem High School students were named semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to Adrian Dayao from High School East and Jacob Flores Zeranski from High School North!

Dayao and Flores Zeranski are among the approximately 16,000 academically talented high school seniors to score exceptionally high on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT) and be named semifinalists. This pool of students represents less than 1% of high school seniors across the nation and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level, where they will compete for scholarship money totaling nearly $28 million. The Sachem Central School District congratulates both students and wishes them the best as they advance in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Adrian Dayao of Sachem High School East (Credit - Sachem CSD)

Holden Maloney and Aubrey Pallay worked on completing the fidget station in Mr. Gustafson’s class last year (Credit - Three Village Central School District)

(Pictured left) Maverick Malangone and Stella Marotti exploring the fidget station (Credit - Three Village Central School District)

The Smithtown High School East Math Honor Society and the advisers, Marianne Schoepflin and Angela Boccio-McComb

Jacob Flores Zeranski of Sachem High School North (Credit - Sachem CSD)

Ward Melville HS Student Featured in Film Festivals

Ward Melville High School senior Sarina Policastro has had her animation, “Amira’s Letters,” featured in five national or international film festivals: the Urbanite Arts and Film Festival 2023, Pegasus Film Festival 2023, Miami 4 Social Change 2023, Animex Screen 2023 and SF3 2023. Last year, Policastro won the top award in the National PTA Reflections program for film, the Outstanding Interpretation Award, for her animation.

Bayport-Blue Point ‘Starts with Hello,’ Encourages Empathy and Connection Amongst Students

During the week of September 18-22, elementary schools across the BayportBlue Point School District hosted Start with Hello week. The initiative was started by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.

The mission of this program is to teach empathy and empower students to end social isolation. Start with Hello was created to make people feel connected to others, which aligns with one of BayportBlue Point School District’s core values: making sure all students feel like they belong.

Throughout the week, students from Blue Point Elementary, Academy Street Elementary and Sylvan Avenue Elementary took part in various activities to encourage kindness and inclusivity. All students and staff were encouraged to wear green for a day as a symbol of unity and solidarity, showing that all of Bayport-Blue Point’s students and staff are part of one team.

At Blue Point Elementary, kindergartners paraded the hallways, holding signs with “hello” written in different languages. They were greeted by teachers and students in the other grades.

Students sent “upstander grams,” thanking classmates for having their back and sharing their appreciation for others. Students were encouraged to say hello to

Bellport HS Graduate Earns Perfect Score on AP Art Exam

Bellport High School Class of 2023 graduate Madeline Day has a lot to be proud of. She is among just 337 students in the world to earn a perfect score on the Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design exam that she took as a senior last spring. To earn the score, Day was required to submit a comprehensive and thematic portfolio, which took her eight months to curate.

“I challenged myself to work with new perspectives and subjects that I never have before,” she said. “While I may have made things more difficult for myself than necessary, it definitely paid off in the end. If not for the score, the skills that I developed were enough for me.”

Day said she is thankful to be recognized at such a high level and drew inspiration from her friend and classmate Rachel Li, who earned a perfect score on her AP Research paper a year prior.

While enrolled at Bellport High School, Day was involved in numerous activities. She was a member of the stage crew, yearbook, Art Honor Society, National Honor Society and Fathom literary magazine.

Day is currently studying fine arts at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

“I feel very grateful to be at such a notorious art school, and I have to thank the art department at Bellport High School for preparing me to continue studying art post-high school graduation, as well as everything else they’ve helped me accomplish,” she said. “Also, a huge thank you to everyone at Bellport High School for cultivating such a creative and thoughtful learning environment. I’m so glad that my score is able to reflect what’s possible for students to achieve.”

someone new and invite them to play a game or join them at recess, thank an adult that has been there for them and practice empathy after reading “A Little Spot of Empathy” by Diane Alber.

Students also participated in “Hey Day” where everyone in the building wore name tags so people could say, “Hey!”

and fourth and fifth graders volunteered as lunch buddies to sit with new friends at lunchtime. Students also performed a short play on being inclusive. At the week’s end, all students were given the opportunity to sign a handprint promise pledge, pledging to have empathy for those around them.

Blue Point Elementary kindergartners paraded around the school, waving to other students and holding signs with “hello” written in different languages.

Photos courtesy of Bayport-Blue Point School District

Photo courtesy of South Country Central School District

History is Yours to Dislike, Not to ‘Correct’

Previous generations of parents until the most recent one taught their children the same set of ideals, essentially consisting of, “the world is what you make of it,” “the world isn’t perfect,” and “the world will not bend over backwards for you.”

These lessons are not oversimplifying life, nor are they overcomplicating it. These set realistic expectations of the world and that it’s simply not perfect, and that’s fine.

The problem with the latest generation of parents - the so-called “helicopter parents” - is that they taught their kids that the world would be perfect by the time it was handed to them. Those kids grew up and now we’re the most anxious country in the world.

It’s hard to completely blame them, since they were spoonfed an agenda that was simply not grounded in reality, by fault of the parents, media, and institutions who went along with such a completely ridiculous idea. However, there is a time to grow up and, after a certain point, only you yourself perpetuate your own misery.

Despite this, there’s plenty to change about the world for the better. Some principles are incredibly misguided and misinformed, but it doesn’t make everyone evil. Short-sighted, one-note, or naïve, maybe, but not evil.

But there’s one thing you cannot change. This isn’t to say we can’t change this now because we haven’t found the technology or done the research yet, or that we need to convince the population to agree with us; it’s to say that we are literally, by virtue of this topic itself, unable to change it.

You can’t change history.

History is meant to be objective. To say you can change history is to say you can change the past, and that’s something we certainly don’t have the technology for yet.

Objective history means we all agree about the past and can move on from it. We can base our new ideas, morals, and expectations from a basis which we all see as constant.

We can choose to teach certain types of history; willfully choosing to ignore or magnify certain parts of history over others is disingenuous. We can also discover new pieces of history that might drastically change stories and long-held beliefs. To deliberately not entertain findings that might explain parts of history is intentionally insincere.

But the latest episode from the profoundly wise New York City Councilmembers are not caught in either conundrum. According to one, they are concerned with “correcting” history.

The mantra that many on the left are trying to change history eventually got too unpalatable for people to remain objective, so the left changed the words and they’re trying to sneak back into the club after being kicked out.

How exactly is “correcting” history any fundamentally different than “changing” it? Even if a new piece of evidence is found that does, in fact, alter what history tells us, it’s not “changing” history. We cannot take it upon ourselves to deliberately try to change history. We can look for clues, we can present evidence, but actively working to “correct” history unequivocally summons an ulterior motive.

The problem with New York City’s attempts at “correcting” history is that their form of “correction” is removing statues of historical figures, who are considered - within just the last few years - so morally reprehensible, that we’re better off removing statues and monuments altogether. The “corrections” they’re trying to make aren’t based on new findings; the Council just simply does not like the statues.

Some figures have done undeniably evil or immoral things. Even in those circumstances, we disagree with removing statues or monuments because it sets a horrible, illogical precedent that easily leaves the door wide open for abuse. Suffice it to say, many people throughout the course of history who were deemed completely morally bankrupt at the time did not receive accolades, so this is less of a problem than some make it out to be. However, we still firmly believe in the problem the precedent sets.

When you remove or “correct” pieces of history, even in light of someone who, even in their day and age, was a “bad person,” you’re now leaving the rest of our standards for maintaining history up to moral interpretation, something that has always been driven by hyper current ethical codes and mores of the time.

In the current age of moral relativism and subjectivism, especially in a Godless society, human emotion and comfort is the main point of magnetism for our collective moral compass. While most people would be considered generally

“good” people, our views of right and wrong are, in fact, completely at will of current trends, platitudes, and leaders.

In the days of the early republic, slavery was viewed by some as moral and just. We couldn’t imagine that today. (The slave trade still goes on in certain parts of the world, but don’t tell the NYC Council that).

In the days of Prohibition, consuming alcohol was deemed immoral and something from which no good could be derived. In today’s day and age, turn to your left, now turn to your right, none of you are sober.

Even in the 1970s, women could not apply for a credit card without their husbands’ permission. This was viewed as perfectly acceptable at the time.

And the last few years over which we have started to view figures such as George Washington as completely immoral and evil based on a topic considered acceptable at the time have gone by very quickly. What happens in the next few years? Are we wrong? Are we more right? Do we feel better about ourselves?

Tell us why we should view the current era as the epitome of all moral progress? Are we really that perfect? Is this really it? Should we go home because we’ve stopped progressing and learning?

One New York City resident said he’d rather see a statue that “reflects loving everyone or something like that,” instead of one of Christopher Columbus.

Not only could this philosopher bring it upon himself to list a more impassioned example, other than “something like that,” he fails to see that history is not here to make us comfortable. In fact, if history makes you uncomfortable, that’s usually a good thing, since it means actual change has occurred, hopefully for the better.

This man also seems to think that no one has ever loved anyone else in the history of ever, but we’ll let it slide. After all, the most loving people are the ones who constantly shout about how loving they are. It’s almost like saying “I’m the most innocent person in this prison lineup.” It’s understood why we suspect this person is guilty, correct?

But let’s humor him. Let’s replace the statue of Christopher Columbus with someone “who loves everyone,” and then see if they’re still worthy of a statue in five years, let alone five hundred.

Herein lies the hubris some on the left currently suffer: it is believed that through our progressive society, that we have achieved all that we can and that we are at the utmost peak of moralism our society has ever achieved, as if that exact same concept wasn’t considered by hundreds of other factions, populations, and societies before ours.

The other problem with those on the uber-left is that they think looking at history through the lens of today makes them look and feel like saints. Of course it’s easy to do that. We can look back at those who burned witches and say “good thing we don’t do that today, we’re really good people based on that one archaic example.” How about we address the ways we, presently, come up short each and every day, instead of cherry-picking the low-hanging moral fruit and grandstanding on the graves of people from centuries past? It’s a selfish and narcissistic viewpoint that will not allow us to truly progress as a society.

If we only ask ourselves easy questions, we’ll always look like geniuses.

Here’s the message: history is brutal. It’s an ever-collecting series of human success and failure. It’s not yours to change, or even “correct” in many circumstances. It’s there for us to learn from, to mirror those who are inspiring and to learn from those who made mistakes.

Although, since this is also up to personal interpretation, it seems people like those on the NYC Council don’t believe that we are capable of making those discernments ourselves.

Even their cop-out of putting disclaimer plaques is an insult to our intelligence. Perhaps if we teach kids accurate history, they can identify these figures and understand their shortcomings on their own without a piece of marble covered in urine and marijuana residue to do their thinking for them.

Furthermore, if we remove these statues and monuments, solely for the comfort of today’s battle-ready keyboard warriors and urban soldiers, who’s to say the next generation won’t endorse or even commit the atrocities of those whose statues we removed today?

You removed the statues, therefore, no one can learn from history.

And those who do not learn their history will be doomed to repeat it.

Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP

Minnesota State Troopers surrounding statue of Christopher Columbus after it was toppled at the Minnesota State Capitol. The statue was later towed away.

I Too Like to Bury My Head in the Sand…

By Jay Kanulitz

“Ignorance is bliss,” they say.

That work ethic only gets you so far. There comes a time when the difficult and laborious tasks must be addressed. There used to be much more praise of the phrase “Don’t do what’s easy, do what’s right” – at least, in the cases where they’re mutually exclusive.

Ignorance landed our island, our state, and our country in the situation it’s now in regarding an international migrant crisis. Our southern and northern borders have never been porous and not only is it a logistical and financial issue, but it’s also a cultural one as well.

It’s easy for Democrats to say that Republicans simply don’t want immigrants moving to this country, because it’s doesn’t require a solution of any party or any office. We can just label ourselves as “the good guys,” and others as “the bad guys,” and toe the line accordingly. It makes for good news fodder and supermarket tabloid headlines, but not actual policy.

Are migrants from other countries in need of asylum? Absolutely, there are those who risk the lives of themselves and their family members by returning to their country of origin.

Is this the majority of cases? Not at all.

This is not to say that people still can’t emigrate here if they’re not in immediate danger, but it requires us to uphold our laws and remain constant. The second we start bending the knee and applying liberal pressure of our laws is the second we no longer have a functioning republic. The fact is: migrants must apply for asylum in each country they enter on their way to another destination. The fact that many of these immigrants are coming from South and Central American means there’s at least a half-dozen countries they could have applied for asylum in first.

Instead, they make a beeline for the United States. Obviously, we live in a great country with plenty of opportunity, and compared to immigration laws of other countries, ours are fairly lean. Take the Scandinavian states, for example. These are heralded as liberal paradises of universal health care and optimal quality of life – even though they have more free market aspects than the U.S. does in some cases –

but that’s besides the point. The point is these countries only allow a certain number of migrants per year. The migrants must also be of an occupation that yields a high rate of return, such as a doctor or a lawyer.

That’s the beauty of the United States. Someone with no money and no skills can come here and take any job available and climb their way up. Liberals who claim our country is terrible never seem to take into account why so many from around the world would like to live here.

The problem with immigration is that it cannot be carte blanche. Apart from laws being upheld and the financial boat being swamped, we need to be able to preserve our identity and our culture.

And since most people arriving are not women and children and families, they’re mostly military-age men who should be fighting the oppressive regimes they fled, it allows many valid questions to be asked. The small percentage of actual asylum cases are spotlighted by the media to tug on the heartstrings of voters to make them feel uneasy about challenging this new norm.

And since we’re the only country on earth who teaches its children to hate their country, it makes sense why there’s less appreciation and value of the American Dream and the American Way.

Many claim that the U.S. does not have culture. They also like to pull the “melting pot” phrase and hold the words on the Statue of Liberty as Common Law.

The U.S. absolutely does have a culture. We have the most diverse landscapes and national parks in the world. We have unique cities and fifty completely different states, each with hidden gems and vibrant histories of their own.

We enjoy that we can enter a city like New York and experience culture from around the world. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and most people on any political spectrum would agree.

But “the melting pot” euphemism is thrown around a lot these days. When the coin was termed back in the late eighteenth century. What happens when you put ingredients together in a pot? They don’t just melt, they combine. They blend together. A sauce doesn’t retain

Letters to the Editor

its tomato, garlic, and rosemary attributes separately in different neighborhoods. They all blend together to create a sauce. It’s a beautiful thing, and it how relates to culture is that we don’t have to stand on cultural and social fault lines and go our separate ways.

The words on the Statue of Liberty, while inspiring, are not law. It’s ignorant to cite them as such. Just welcoming people with “open arms” doesn’t solve the logistical complications an intense immigration system poses, nor does it speak to the underserved communities across our country we could be helping with the same money and resources for new arrivals en masse, and just simply wanting to be a “good person” doesn’t mean that you’re correct in your ways. It doesn’t mean you’re evil, but it’s a naïve way of thinking.

And to ascribe any of the “-ists” or “-isms” that many on the left like to denigrate the right with is just juvenile and only perpetuates a problem. Some have said that criticisms of Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) handling of the crisis in New York City is simply due to deep-rooted misogyny.

Let’s not forget almost all Republicans, many Independent, and a decent chunk of Democrats, in what was seen as a near-stunning upset of conventional political wisdom realized by an almostred New York, voted for Alison Esposito, as lieutenant governor last year.

But yes, we disagree with Kathy because we’re misogynistic.

The fact is: we have a culture and an identity. We can certainly allow people to emigrate here, but they need to be willing to melt with us too. The less we emphasize that and the more we allow fault lines to be more rigid means we lose our identity as a country. And what has made the United States such a beacon of hope and opportunity since it’s founding? It’s identity.

We need to work to preserve it, not because we don’t want others to enjoy it and cash in, but because if we don’t, the world’s greatest experiment will end.

And without the United States, where then, can the world’s tired, poor, huddled masses yearn to breath free?

NYC Migrant Crisis Hochul Needs to Sign Accident Clean Up Bill

When it comes to the migrant crisis with 110,000 asylum seekers coming to NYC, some of our leading elected officials remind me of Sargent Schultz from the TV sitcom “Hogans Heroes” who said “I see nothing, nothing.”

Never shy around a microphone or camera, Senators Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries never held a press conference to hold President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris (Biden’s appointed Boarder Czar) and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas accountable.

It is pure fantasy on their part to continue claiming that the southern border with Mexico is secure. The situation is growing even worse as thousands more are now also illegally crossing our Canadian northern border.

In contrast, NYC Mayor Eric Adams is a profile in courage. He recently said dealing with this will cost NYC $12 billion over the next three years and could have a longterm devastating impact on the Big Apple. Thank goodness unlike NYC, Suffolk is not designated a “Sanctuary County.”

Larry Penner

I support the clean accidents bill put forth by Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa from the 4th Legislative District. This bill is also supported by 2nd Senate District State Senator Mario Mattera and State Assemblyman Steve Stern representing District 10.

All three elected officials represent high traffic areas. All three have seen the debris left by traffic car crashes. And all three have heard the feedback from their constituents. As I understand it, when Nick Caracappa brought forth this proposed legislation the other two signed on to it in full support. They saw a need and again through feedback in their districts knew this was needed legislation.

I am sure all of us have approached an intersection where a car accident has occurred, leaving smashed glass and metal parts in the roadway. The clean accidents bill will make it a state law that towing companies are responsible for clearing away not only the large, smashed cars onto their tow trucks, but all debris caused by the accident, down to the lash shard of glass. This is to be supervised by law enforcement at the scene. The police and their flashing lights will not only be present as the crashed vehicles are loaded onto the tow trucks, their flashing lights will remain

until the tow drivers clean the roadway, so it is safe for your use after. That’s right: by this new proposed law, all debris emanating from a vehicle accident must be fully cleared.

Drivers in New York State have enough to worry about driving to and from their work, or leisure activities. We all suffer through traffic delays, road construction and the ever-present potholes. Debris left over from a car crash should not be one of them. To me, this is a commonsense bill. Why would anyone oppose it? Our cars are our valuable, expensive possessions. If this bill will save our tires from glass or sharp objects puncturing, or causing damage, how could anyone object?

As I currently understand, this legislation is waiting to be signed by our Governor. Our three elected officials, Legislator Nick Caracappa, Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblyman Steve Stern have done the hard work of bringing this bill forward and it has made it to her desk in Albany. I therefore strongly encourage Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it today.

Jamie Hanja Lake Grove

Steve Levy: ‘I Told You So’

By Matt Meduri

Something of the electorate that many politicians and levels of government prey on is short memory. We can continue having the same conversations year after year only to find the margin hasn’t moved an inch. Kicking down the dominos of “how did we get here?” is not only fun for the sake of political dot connecting, but it also shows that if we were just a bit more conscientious and committed more to memory, we might be more resistant to over-the-eyes wool some politicians relish in utilizing.

Even more profound than remembering each misstep of the way, is being able to sit back and watch a problem unfold before your very eyes after you raised alarm bells years prior.

The Messenger had the opportunity to catch up with former County Executive Steve Levy, who was elected as a Democrat in 2003 and later switched to the Republican Party towards the end of his second term.

What Levy says about the chaos unfolding regarding the ongoing migrant crisis enveloping New York City and State: “I told you so.”

That phrase only offers enjoyment in innocuous moments, such as when someone at the table touches a plate that the server says is very hot.

But the “I told you so” maxim is certainly not a dish served best hot or cold, rather it’s one we’d rather not serve at all when the consequences are so dire.

Levy explains his frustration with the current levels of government and what he said many years ago looking into his not-so-esoteric crystal ball.

“I was warning the higher-ups in the county and state government that if they continue to aid and abet illegal immigration, it was going to create chaos and enormous financial burdens to the county, as well as creating inequities,” said Levy. “Millions of people are waiting in line patiently the correct way, and they’re being called ‘suckers’ by these other millions who cut the line. We’re seeing Americans getting thrown out of hotels in New York City to make room for people who are here illegally. Instead of Governor Hochul (D) and Mayor Adams (D) calling for President Biden (D) to reinstate the remain-in-Mexico policy and close off the border, they’re asking for authorization from the federal government to give them work papers.”

Levy says that this is not a one-pronged issue: “Not only will it suppress wages and keep Americans unemployed, but it creates a huge incentive for more illegal aliens to come to New York.”

Levy also says that this issue should not be this difficult. In fact, according to him, it’s overcomplicated:

“So many people are overcomplicating this, claiming we need bipartisan immigration reform, or a dramatic increase in funding. All you need is for Biden

to reverse his executive order that ended remain-in-Mexico. Whether you love or hate Trump, the border was under control because those claiming asylum had to do it outside the U.S. Biden came in and actually called for a surge at the debate and welcomed people to come over, settle in the U.S., and then put their papers in for asylum.”

A contentious subject of debate is just how many asylum claims are valid. An asylum claim must be made in each country a refugee passes through. Furthermore, asylum claims arebeing filed for economic reasons, rather than personal safety or life-anddeath situations if one should return to his or her home country.

“This whole asylum claim is a bogus ploy by the cartels who are trying to paint illegal immigrants just seeking better economic conditions as individuals legally fleeing persecution,” says Levy. “If they were leaving just to avoid persecution, they would stop in the first country they hit outside their homeland. But they don’t stop there, they’ll pay thousands of dollars and chance getting killed or raped to get to the U.S. for one reason: they want better paying jobs. They’re seeking better economic circumstances, calling themselves asylum-seekers to be cloaked by legality.”

Levy also says this issue is not created by one entity, rather it’s been passively accepted and encouraged by many groups over the years.

“The far-left New York politicians and all the editorialists who gave a wink and a nod to illegal immigrants over the years and created sanctuary cities have to live with this, as well as those who voted for this. Now you have to live with the crazy consequences. When I was speaking out against the unbridled illegal immigration we had fifteen years ago, the mainstream media and illegal immigration lobby tried to tar me as being ‘xenophobic’ and ‘anti-Hispanic” and unfortunately, they had the effect of scaring off the weak politicians who didn’t’ want to speak the truth for fear of being labeled a bigot. You have to stand up for the truth. The truth is if you allow unbridled illegal immigration, it’s going to lead to chaos and tremendous dislocation of people in your society. They claim they’re humane, but what’s humane about closing libraries early, kicking kids off soccer fields, and pushing Veterans out of hotels to make room for people who aren’t here legally?”

Levy doesn’t just think this is mismanaged, it’s intentional:

“You can’t be this incompetent to have allowed this to happen, it’s by design. There are actually gates on some parts of the border wall that can only be opened if there’s flooding, usually once a day. Our government welded them open. They literally opened the floodgates. Mayorakas and Biden are doing this on purpose. This whole surge is a ploy from Democratic operatives to bring in millions and millions of mostly Hispanic lowwage individuals because traditionally, they tend to vote Democratic two-to-one. That’s what this is all about. When you see Hochul and Adams trying to act tough by needing working papers and money, they’re being weak for refusing to call out Biden for allowing this. They can’t ask for remain-in-Mexico because the minute they do that, they’ll look like they’re embracing a Trump policy and they’ll be skewered by progressives.”

Levy also says that, in some circles, frustration with Governor Hochul over this issue is even being chalked up to internal bias, rather than realistic criticism:

“Some have said that people who criticize Governor Hochul are ‘misogynistic.’ The only thing misogynistic is saying you can’t politically disagree with someone because she’s a woman.”

Levy says that the economic ramifications will follow the U.S. for years if action is not taken:

“You’re looking at $12 billion in costs over the next few years, and if you don’t stop the spigot, it’ll be never-ending. When they start bailing you out in New York, they’ll have to do this for all the border states that have been bearing the brunt of this for years. No one cared about the chaos until the immigrants were sent to Martha’s Vineyard. They think a wall is racist unless it’s a wall that’s around their mansions, then walls are perfectly fine. Adams’ first reaction to Abbott for shipping immigrants here was ‘you’re a racist,’ and now Adams is now trying to ship them off to other counties across the state. What a hypocrite!”

The other problem, Levy posits, is that many voters do not agree with the current administrations’ policies, but feel coerced into not openly disagreeing with them.

“Moderates who normally say ‘this is crazy’ are staying silent because they don’t want to deal with the pushback. If voters want this changed, they’ll have to do this at the ballot box,” Levy says. “Angela Merkel in Germany had opened the floodgates for over a million undocumented refugees. She kept doing it until her party started losing at the polls. That’s what has to happen here.”

Levy believes that Suffolk County’s actions against NYC were “appropriate:”

“The GOP said ‘If you think you’re going to offload your self-created immigration problem into Suffolk, we’re going to fight you.’”

Levy also says that an absence of good immigration policy affects all walks of life in the United States, and even here in Suffolk County. Countering the allegations of “racism” or “xenophobia,” Levy describes the diverse county he once administered not that long ago:

“We have good, working-class people and students who deserve to be taken care of and not kicked to the back of the line. Whether it’s a black man from Copiague, or a Hispanic kid from Brentwood, or an Asian-American student from Stony Brook, all of them are disadvantaged when their entire government’s resources are drained unnecessarily.”

In closing, Levy offers simple words to live by:

“Don’t ask others to make up for your crazy policies.”

National, State and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri National

A high-profile United States Senator is facing legal trouble for the second time in several years.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) (pictured right) has been indicted on federal corruption and bribery charges, allegeding that he provided sensitive information to the Egyptian government.

Menendez escaped charges from a 2015 indictment that alleged he accepted gifts from a Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, who would later serve two to three years of a seventeen-year sentence for perpetrating one of the largest Medicare scams in medical history. Gifts received by Menendez were alleged as bribes for his intervention in the Medicare investigation against Melgen. Melgen’s sentence was commuted in 2021 by President Trump.

Menendez evaded the charges in 2017 due to a hung jury unable to reach a verdict; the charges were dropped.

This time, Menendez and his wife, Nadine, who have been indicted in a federal court in New York are facing three charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion. Allegedly, Menendez - leveraging his political position - and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for aiding the Egyptian government by providing sensitive U.S. information.

Menendez asserted his innocence at a press conference at the Hudson County Community College in Union City, where he got his political start serving as mayor from 1986 to 1992.

“The allegations are just that, allegations,” said Menendez. “When all the facts are presented, I’ll be exonerated and still the senior Senator of New Jersey.”

Menendez reinforced his allegiance and service to New Jersey and the United States. He also highlighted his status as a Cuban refugee.

Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says that he withheld military aid and directly pressured officials over Egypt’s human rights abuses. The indictment, however, accuses him of ghost-writing a letter to Egyptian officials, leveraging lifts on arms trade restrictions in exchange for bribes.

Federal prosecutors subsequently recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars from his Bergen County home, which contained envelopes of cash totalling $480,000, gold bars, a luxury car, and other forms of alleged payment.

Committee chairs are usually expected to resign when they face legal troubles, but they are not typically expected to resign from Congress altogether. Menendez has stepped down from his chair position. Additionally, regarding U.S. Senators specifically, it’s rare for a state’s other Senator to remark on the legal troubles of their colleague.

New Jersey’s junior Senator, Cory Booker (D), has called for Menendez’s resignation, signaling that

these corruption charges might not be as avoidable as his separate charges were in 2017.

“The details of the allegations against Senator Menendez are of such a nature that the faith and trust of New Jerseyans as well as those he must work with in order to be effective have been shaken to the core,” Booker said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Stepping down is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgement that holding public office demands tremendous sacrifices at great personal cost.”

Other Senate Democrats have called for Menendez’s resignation, including Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Jon Tester (D-MT). These Democrats are all on the ballot for the 2024 Senate races, including Menendez himself. So far, no Republicans have called for his resignation.

“While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, serving in public office is a privilege that demands a higher standard of conduct,” said Senator Casey.

Bob Menendez, 69, has a lengthy career in New Jersey politics. He served as the Mayor of Union City - located just north of Hoboken - from 1986 to 1992. He simultaneously served in the mayoral position and in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1988 until he was elected to the New Jersey Senate in 1991. He then served in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2006 until he was appointed to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. He was elected in his own right in 2006 by a nine-point margin. He was strongly re-elected in 2012 but won by a relatively-narrow eleven-point margin in 2018, just after his bribery charges were dropped as a result of a hung jury. Had 2018 been a red wave year instead of a blue wave year, Menendez likely would have faced a thin margin.

For reference, Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey since 1972.

Menendez has previously stated plans to run for a fourth term, although his ability to do so might be obscured by his legal battles, which appear more significant than his last election. Prominent New Jersey Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy, have called for his resignation.

Menendez already has a primary opponent: popular Congressman Andy Kim (D) of the Third District. Kim flipped this South Jersey seat in 2018 and narrowly survived re-election in 2020. His district was redrawn to include more Democratic suburban areas and he was strongly re-elected in 2022.

At this point, Menendez dropping out of the race might be his best option to avoid an expensive primary that he most likely would lose to Congressman Kim. The rare open-seat contest in New Jersey could give Republicans an outside chance of contesting it, but it falls in line with the presidential election, where any Democrat is likely to carry New Jersey in that contest. Any Democrat, even Kim, might underperform the Democratic presidential nominee, but it will most likely not result in New Jersey being the most competitive Senate race on the ballot next year.

State

The ongoing migrant crisis taking New York City by storm has reached a new level of the saga:

Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has called in the National Guard to assist with the efforts. With an additional 150 members, a total of 2,200 are currently working to solve the problem. 250 members will work on “case management,” while others will determine the statuses of asylum claims and try to expedite work permits.

Governor Hochul has blamed Republicans for the issue, saying: “Republicans in Washington have failed time and time again to just roll up their sleeves, work with Democrats, work with the president and have real meaningful immigration reform.”

Hochul also contends that some of the migrants “did not come all these thousands of miles just to live in a shelter with hundreds of thousands of others,” while saying that some “may be looking for a bus ticket to another state and not know where to go.”

Earlier this month, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) says that the crisis will cost an estimated $12 billion and “destroy” the city.

Local

Congressman Nick LaLota (R) (pictured below right) of the First District, Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound.

“As the Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I am proud to introduce the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act,” said LaLota. “The Long Island Sound is not just a body of water; it’s a way of life for our community. This legislation underscores the vital importance of preserving this natural treasure, not only for our environment but for the thriving fishing industry that sustains Long Island’s economy. Together, we can ensure the continued health and prosperity of Long Island Sound, a resource that defines our region and sustains our livelihoods.”

This is the House companion to legislation introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028.

According to the press release from LaLota’s office: “In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.”

Drew Angerer / Getty Images

United States Senate

Community Rallies Around Mini Superhero Tenzin Tanaka

“But he did have cancer, and his white blood cell count was 500 more than what it is supposed to be. It was just that bad.”

Tenzin, who is wise “beyond his years”, according to Gary Bodenburg, a community friend of the family, was aware of the severity of his illness before even being diagnosed.

Colleen told The Messenger “In the car on the way to the hospital, Tenzin says to me ‘Mom, what happens if I have cancer?’”

Colleen was appalled at the suggestion and inevitable foreshadowing of her son. “That is ridiculous, you are an eight-year-old boy, you do not have cancer.” For many of us, including Colleen, the idea of childhood cancer is too horrible to imagine, and that diagnosis for your own child is unimaginable.

Unfortunately, for Tenzin and his family, that unimaginable nightmare became a reality.

Colleen is raising her two sons, Paxton and Tenzin, at her home in Port Jefferson Station. They moved to the school district just months prior to Tenzin’s diagnosis in June. Because of this, Tenzin did not have the opportunity to be as involved in his school and make new friends as he would have liked.

“My kid’s not in school, but he has a class. So, his little name was on the door, but nobody knew who he was,” says Tanaka. This isolating situation for the Tanaka family became the motivation for communitywide awareness. “It took me like two months, and I kept drafting up this whole thing. I finally decided to go to a board meeting, and I spoke in front of them.”

Colleen explained to the board how she wanted her son’s name to be known in his community, and how she and her sons needed the support of the school and the community. “I wanted to use the community to try and get together and do things for the hospital because I saw gaps in the resources at the hospital, and I just didn’t understand why, as a community, we weren’t jumping on board with this.” Colleen was

overwhelmed and frustrated by the lack of awareness for pediatric cancer. “What I had said to the school [board] is I was really disappointed that September, which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, has come and gone and you have a brand-new child in the district going through it, and a sibling who is distraught and nobody did anything.”

The minute Colleen took to the School Board, she was overwhelmed by the response from her community. “I think the community was then really put on notice, like they didn’t know, they really truly didn’t know… and you could tell, they were outraged.”

Soon enough, neighbors, classmates, and families of the community knew Tenzin’s name. “Team Tenzin” bracelets were bought and worn with pride and raffles and fundraisers were planned to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

However, the most helpful of all was the influx of supportive words for the Tanaka family.

“So many people were coming out of the woodwork, and it was really, really nice,” says Colleen. “It just feels good to not think ‘this is happening, and nobody understands what it’s like.’”

The school PTA put together a Comedy Night for Tenzin last March, which not only raised important funds, but provided a sense of togetherness. People from all over the island attended the event to show their support.

“We did find out that, at the same time, there were multiple children that were battling this, that the families just didn’t want to be identified, which is totally fine. We could’ve done other things for these families without having to identify them.”

A friend of the family who has been by the Tanaka’s side says it is all about getting the word out there. “I know it’s a buzzword, I know it’s cliché, but it really just comes down to awareness.”

Throughout an isolating time, all the Tanaka family truly needed was support. A community who could put a hand on their shoulders and say, “we are here for you.” Collen now creates this type of community for others through her online blog and support group, leukemiamom. com, which you can view by scanning this QR Code (right) Through leukemiamom.com, Colleen posts a multitude of resources, events, and words of encouragement all on one website. She found resources difficult to come by and uneasy to obtain while in the midst of her son’s diagnosis. Weighed down by grief and worry, Colleen was strong enough to conduct the research to find instate national foundations and resources willing to help.

Now, the Tanaka family is involved with Taylor’s Hope, Corey’s Promise and Hockey for Hope, and returning the favor by hosting fundraisers for these organizations with the help of New York Wrestling Connection and BenchWarmers of Mount Sinai. In addition, meal trains, a t-shirt fundraiser, and the outpouring of every day items from the community helped keep Colleen’s home afloat during the difficult times.

Notably, Corey’s Promise is a foundation started in memory of Corey Phelan, a Long Island MLB prospect who passed away in October 2022 from a rare form of leukemia. Members of The Messenger family knew Corey personally and are elated to see the foundation in his honor helping young cancer patients who call Long Island home. Tenzin is known to be an intelligent, friendly, and curious young kid who loves The Flash, Legos, Minecraft, and karate. Friends of the family attribute Tenzin to being a great kid wise beyond his years, and “truly an anomaly”. Taking his life-threatening illness with stride, Tenzin believes “God gave me cancer so that I learned how to appreciate things.”

Fortunately, Tenzin, now nine years old, is currently in remission and is proudly supported through his treatment by his big brother, Paxton and his wonderful mother, Colleen.

If you have the ability to spread awareness of pediatric cancer, show support to some beautiful organizations, or give aid to the Tanaka family please do so by visiting leukemiamom.com

Additionally, a link to their GoFundMe account can by founding by scanning this QR Code on the left.

Tenzin (center) with wrestlers from New York Wrestling Connection.

Tenzin (center) with wrestlers from New York Wrestling Connection.

Ryder and the pups will be doing the pup pup boogie from 12:30 - 2pm. Charge your phones & have your cameras ready!

Time with the pups is limited due to COVID-19 regulations. We will try our best to ensure every group or family receives a personal visit and a chance for a photo. Unfortunately it is not guaranteed.

Lillian Clayman

Candidate For Brookhaven Town Supervisor

By Matt Meduri

Candidate:

Lillian Clayman

Residence: Port Jefferson

Office Sought: Brookhaven Town Supervisor

Previous Elected Office: Mayor of Hamden, Connecticut (1991-1997)

Party Endorsements: Democratic, Working Families

Notable Endorsements: Long Island Federation of Labor, CWA Local 1109, UAW Region 9, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Eleanor’s Legacy, Planned Parenthood, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D)

With incumbent Supervisor Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) running for County Executive, the seat of Brookhaven Town Supervisor is open for the first time since 2012. Lillian Clayman is looking to become the first Democrat elected to this position since Mark Lesko won in 2011.

Lillian Clayman sat down with The Messenger for a one-on-one interview.

Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for Brookhaven Town Supervisor?

A: I’m born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, from a family of refugees from Europe during World War II. Trenton was a working-class, union town. After working at a supermarket, I taught fifth grade in a parochial school. I then did my undergraduate at Rutgers, and my Master’s at SUNY Binghamton. At Rutger’s, I studied women’s history and American history with political science and got my Doctorate.

I moved to Connecticut with my family and got involved in the PTA and later got elected to Hamden City Council and was Chair of the Finance Committee. I also taught at the University of New Haven. I then served three terms as Mayor of Hamden, where I managed rail lines, the landfill, and road pavements. I took on corruption, which put the safety of my family in jeopardy. I narrowly lost re-election and figured it was time for a break.

I then returned to the private sector and worked for a financial firm for about ten years. My husband had retired from a thirty-year stint with the AFL-CIO and was offered a job as Executive Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, so we moved to Long Island. I got recruited to run the political department for the international retail, wholesale, and department store union, based in New York City. I got to know New York politics really well and lobbied for certain pieces of legislation. I got to know Carl Heastie

(D-Bronx) before he became Speaker of the Assembly. We ran a [NYC] Council campaign together.

In 2010, I was the campaign manager for Brian Foley (D). In 2016, I became Chair of the Brookhaven Democrats. I also teach at SUNY Old Westbury.

I’ve run a government, I’ve run a $200 million budget, I’ve worked in every department imaginable, more than what Brookhaven offers.

Q: What would you say is your best or proudest professional accomplishment?

A: When I brought good government to Hamden as mayor. When I took office, there was about $350,000 in the rainyday fund. I took all the financials of the town, gave them to the bargaining units, and asked for help figuring it out. It was important to govern not with rancor, but with cooperation. Within years, we built up the fund balance to millions of dollars, without laying anyone off.

I also examined every single contract the town had with every vendor. I looked at them as if I were a crook and looked for the holes. If there were too many holes, the contracts would expire and I would put them out to bid. I made sure our expenditures went to local businesses, not out-of-state companies. We also made sure that people from other states weren’t coming up to work on building projects.

We also equalized the wages between library clerks - primarily women - and police clerks - primarily men.

Q: What do you think is the most important political issue facing Brookhaven today?

A: Clean water. If we don’t have clean water and sewers, there’s no economic development. I was Chair of the Sewer Board in Hamden, so I know how sewers work. I grew up on the Delaware River, which was so polluted, it killed the catfish. When I saw fish floating in the Port Jeff Harbor, I knew we had a problem. We haven’t had scallops three years in a row. I was told by my Republican friends that the reason the Legislature voted the sewers bill down was because they feared it would drive Democrats to the polls. That is enough to make you quite depressed about the nature of partisanship during these times. I think we have to do everything possible to get that bill passed. This is not something we can wait for, because we had wildfire smoke this summer. The bell has tolled.

The second issue is the landfill. For ten years, nothing has happened. There are no easy answers to the ecological and economic impacts of closing the landfill, the community must be active

in finding the solutions. There has been an enormous amount of environmental injustice from the landfill as well. Recycling matters must be run countywide, the individual town solutions are not cost-effective.

Q: What steps do you plan to take to help Brookhaven respond to the migrant crisis?

A: The migrant issue doesn’t exist as an issue for people in Brookhaven; it’s a distraction and it causes a lot of fear. The GOP runs very well on fear. I won’t plan for hypotheticals, or if the sky turns green. This is a national issue. Congressional Republicans have refused to find a solution to the immigration problem, and that’s where it has to be resolved. As a Town, we can only react to any policies that are established on the state and national level.

People criticize Governor Hochul on this issue for a simple reason: it’s misogyny. It’s the same reason people didn’t like Hillary Clinton. Whenever you have a woman in elected office, they revert to the 17th Century “burn the witch!” tactics. You can realistically criticize anyone in office, but when it becomes over the top, that’s when it’s clear that there is misogyny.

As far as Brookhaven taking in more refugees, our biggest problem is that there is no place to house them. We can’t even find housing for the working men and women of the town, so it’s really a false issue the Republicans are using to distract from the fact that they have refused to build affordable housing and institute clean water.

I don’t invent issues, and I don’t invent issues to distract voters from the main issues, such as the over-developing and the landfill. I don’t deal with hypotheticals. A comet could come from the sky and destroy the planet. It’s easy to distort the real issues. We have no control over it. I go door to door every single day and I talk to a lot of people. Not one person has raised the issue of migrants. It is an issue that is a national issue, it is a state issue, but someone who holds local political office will raise it as a distraction.

Steve Bellone has already addressed the issue and I agree with his stance on it. For my opponent to make this an issue is irrelevant to the role of Town Supervisor. He can play pretend all he wants. If migrants end up dropped off at the steps of Town Hall like the Texas GOP has done, then it’s an issue. It’s fun to deal in hypotheticals, but it’s not realistic. Let’s not forget what’s written on the bottom of the Statue of Liberty.

Q: What is your top priority if elected Town Supervisor?

TOWN SUPERVISORS

A: What I hear from door-knocking is that people still view Town Hall as “Crookhaven.” The reason is the expediters, unlicensed people who can walk others through the zoning and planning process. That doesn’t exist in Connecticut. Their only qualification is who they know. I would love to crack down on that.

Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?

A: These were words I lived by when I was Mayor. One year, we had thirteen blizzards, so I learned to “plan for the worst, hope for best.” On any sunny day, you’ll always see me with my umbrella.

Q: How do you like to connect with and enjoy your community?

A: I’ve been a resident of Port Jefferson Village for about twenty years. When I meet people for dinner, we walk everywhere. I love not having to use my car in the village. We love to go to Billie’s, which stayed open during Hurricane Sandy.

We have such great nature here that people come from all over to experience it. I love to take advantage of that by kayaking when I can.

The Messenger thanks Lillian Clayman for taking time to sit down with us for this candidate spotlight.

The Messenger’s forecast for Brookhaven Town Supervisor: Safe Republican

“People criticize Governor Hochul on the migrant issue for a simple reason: it’s misogyny. It’s the same reason people didn’t like Hillary Clinton. Whenever you have a woman in elected office, they revert to the 17th Century ‘burn the witch!’ tactics.”

- Lillian Clayman

• Dan Panico is

ensuring our neighborhoods are safe and secure.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

By Matt Meduri

• Dan Panico will increase law department investigators to address quality of life concerns of our residents.

Candidate: Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico

Residence: Center Moriches

Office Sought: Brookhaven Town Supervisor

Current Office: Council Sixth District

First Elected: March 2010 special election

“After careful review, the above referenced coalition members are proud to acknowledge your leadership and support of all law enforcement professionals, along with your dedication to public safety. It is with great confidence that our coalition has unanimously agreed that you are the best candidate to hold this office.”

Party Endorsements: Republican, Conservative Notable Endorsements: All major law enforcement groups, including the Suffolk County PBA, New York League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Local 138 Operating Engineers, Plumbers Local 200, Local 290 Carpenters, Suffolk AME, Supervisor Ed Romaine, Comptroller John Kennedy

- Coalition of Suffolk Police Unions

With the seat of Brookhaven Town Supervisor open for the first time since 2012, Councilman and Deputy Town Supervisor Dan Panico is hoping to make the jump to the town’s highest post.

Early Voting: Oct. 28 - Nov. 5 ★ Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 7th

Deputy Supervisor Panico sat down with The Messenger for a one-on-one interview.

Q: What is your professional background before being elected to the Town Council and does it equip you for another term?

A: I’ve been a Brookhaven Town Councilman since 2010, prior to that I was on the Brookhaven Town Planning Board. My expertise is in land use, zoning and planning which is the preeminent power vested in Town government and is one of the most important aspects of our communities.

I have been the Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven since 2012 and have broad in-depth knowledge of all of the communities that comprise the Town of Brookhaven as well as the Town code. I am a practicing attorney and use my skills to help improve the communities and lives of our residents. I am responsible for bringing home the $20 million from the NYS municipal consolidation grant, making the presentation up in Albany as the only town participation up against 5 counties, where Brookhaven prevailed for our residents.

I could be the council person for any of the six council districts because I am acutely aware of the issues in each that range from quality of life concerns to land use application, land use plans and redevelopment plans.

Q: What would you say is your best or proudest professional accomplishment?

residents are acutely aware and distinguish between those like myself who deliver results and those who simply spout rhetoric.

I am running on my record of achievements that include earning a AAA bond rating by Moody’s and S&P, saving taxpayers millions of dollars, spearheading the toughest crackdown on suburban blight and dilapidated properties, protecting our quality of life by cleaning up more than 3,000 blighted properties and demolishing over 300 zombie homes, I’ve built and improved our first class parks, established and promoted a growing oyster farming industry in Brookhaven, preserved over 1,000 acres of open space and farmland while stopping overdevelopment, and implemented clean energy with solar fields, electric vehicles, charging stations and energyefficient LED streetlights.

Q: What do you think is the most important political issue facing Brookhaven today?

A: In speaking to voters, I have found that crime and public safety are paramount on the minds of our residents. People deserve to feel safe and there is an unquestionable sense out there that New York State is headed in the wrong direction in terms of addressing the growing problem of crime. How many of us have either had people trying to break into our parked cars at night, or know someone who has fallen victim to this crime. This is a tremendous concern amongst our residents.

Affordability is another key issue. In order to meet the needs of our

SUFFOLK LEGISLATURE

A: Brookhaven Town residents are compassionate people who care about others, but are already severely burdened by high school taxes. While the Brookhaven Town portion of the tax bill is only 6-8% of the overall bill, most of the residents I speak to are concerned about the costs of educating and housing people from other countries. Moreover, many consider that we have our own citizens who are homeless, in need and struggling and many who are veterans that served our country in the armed forces, sleeping in the woods. Brookhaven Town, Long Island, NYC and NYS cannot sustain the burden of Washington’s failed immigration policies.

Q: What is your top priority if elected Town Supervisor?

A: My top priority on day one is to set up a meeting with our Congressional and State delegations to see how they can help bring home funding to meet the needs of Brookhaven and our residents. Funds from the recently passed Federal Infrastructure Bill and Environmental Bond Act referendum are needed for a whole host of projects in this Town. Our leaders in Washington and Albany need to know that in me they have a partner, regardless of political party, who will work in a collaborative and cooperative manner. However, they also need to know that I will be a vociferous advocate for the needs of our residents and wholeheartedly demand that this Town, that is geographically bigger than Nassau County, with nearly a half of million residents, deserves its fair share of funding for worthwhile investments.

attorney in private practice, and I have two children, Grant and Brooke, and live in Center Moriches.

My favorite restaurant is La Volpe in Center Moriches. Frank and Sal are wonderful people who run a phenomenal restaurant, immigrated here from Italy with their entire extended family and have worked hard to be successful. They are the epitome of the American dream.

I enjoy playing basketball and chess. I used to enjoy baseball, but now enjoy attending my son Grant’s games. We visit and utilize all of our local parks across this Town.

The Messenger thanks Deputy Supervisor Panico for taking time to sit down with us for this candidate spotlight.

The Messenger’s forecast for Brookhaven Town Supervisor: Safe Republican

“Many consider that we have our own citizens who are homeless, in need and struggling and many who are veterans that served our country in the armed forces, sleeping in the woods. Brookhaven Town, Long Island, NYC and NYS cannot sustain the burden of Washington’s failed immigration policies.”

- Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico

Paid for by the Friends of Dan Panico

America the Beautiful: How History Shapes our Electorate California - The Golden State

By Matt Meduri

As the nation’s largest state, California carries immense political power as an immensely Democratic state. However, there was a time when it was a stronghold for the GOP, and even a time when it was the nation’s largest battleground.

Early History - A Deserted Frontier

California’s coast was explored by the Spanish and the British as early as 1542. The name “California” comes from a Spanish book depicting a mythical island published in 1510, and explorers referred to this area as such. Since the area was so far removed from the eastern New World, the Spanish left the area unsettled for the next 250 years. Different expeditions would result in various British and Spanish claims from land as far south as San Diego and as far north as Oregon, as the Spanish operated vibrant trade routes out of Mexico with China and the Philippines during the late 1500s.

The Spanish then divided California into Baja California and Alta California, with the border essentially where the Mexico-California border is today. Spanish missions to California would be prompted by concerns of English and Russian encroachment.

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Alta California became a territory under the Mexican government. Mexico inherited a sparse, poor territory as Spanish rule prohibited trade with foreigners. Land grants allowed for cattle hide and tallow farming as one of the first industries of the area. In 1839, a land grant was given to John Sutter, who built a large fort near modern-day Sacramento. The fort was crucial to immigration to the state and would later be ground zero for the California Gold Rush.

After Texas had been annexed by the U.S., hostilities with Mexico resulted in the Mexican-American War. The U.S. Navy began placing ships in the Pacific Ocean. Rebels put the then-ubiquitous California Grizzly Bear on their flags, which was intended to intimidate Mexico troops. The conquest for California was swift, as control of a Sonoma fort allowed for the declaration of the short-lived California Republic. After twenty-six days, California accepted U.S. control. The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war and gave the U.S. control of California and several future states.

California became the thirty-first state on September 9, 1850, after ratifying a constitution that outlawed slavery and granted women and wives the right to own and control property.

Civil War & Industrialization - The California Dream

The 1848 California Gold Rush is what effectively turned the state from an unsettled frontier to an economic powerhouse. The gold rush not only allowed for the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento to explode in population, but trade routes between the Pacific U.S. and Central America were established. The Gold Rush was also a new home for many freedmen from the South, as California was admitted as a free state under the Compromise of 1850.

As California backed Lincoln and the new Republican Party, the state’s political clout helped outweigh that of the South. The gold-based economy allowed California to help fund the war effort on the Union side. Although not directly involved in the war, California did have

an armed regiment that protected its forts, squashed minor secessionist talks - some Californian migrants were Southern farmers who tended to favor the Confederacy - and expelled Confederate units from the future states of Arizona and New Mexico.

Unsuccessful prospectors turned to agriculture, as entrepreneurship piggybacked off the Gold Rush. One notable case was that of Levi Strauss, who added metal rivets to pants and later founded the most successful jeans brand in the world. The Transcontinental Railroad connected San Francisco to Omaha, which pulled in much immigrant labor from around the world. Railroads and aqueducts even allowed the dry regions of the state to feel the industrial boom.

The areas around the San Francisco and Monterey Bays were the first hotbeds of Republican politics, which kept the state in the GOP fold during the Civil War. While the state would be red-leaning, the margins would show a competitive state. Weakness of partisan loyalty in California handed Democrats wins in 1880 and 1892, the only two times they would win the state since before the Civil War until World War I. Populist tendencies in the Central Valley, red-leaning urban areas, and a high immigrant population made California perennially competitive.

California would be one of six states to be carried by Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY) in his Bull MooseProgressive run in 1912. California would be the election-deciding state for Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ) in the razor-thin 1916 election. California would then back Republicans through the 1920s.

Twentieth Century - A Standing Promised Land

Since California’s economy was based on agriculture, oil, tourism, and shipping, the technology of the 1920s-1940s started the film and electronics industries that are still chief employers today. California became the movie capital of the country, not only for its predictable weather and diverse terrains for movie backdrops, but filmmakers couldn’t be sued for infringing on motion picture film patents held by Thomas Edison. Thus, Hollywood became the ideal place for a burgeoning film industry.

The Great Depression was not as harsh to California as it was to other states, as the state became the prime destination for poor farmers of the Great Plains fleeing the Dust Bowl, a period of severe drought and poor farming methods. California’s fertile land hospitable climate attracted nearly 300,000 farmers from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

World War II also helped California become the powerhouse it is today. With an economy that stayed mostly afloat during the Depression, California accounted for 10% of defense spending and 14% of total American production during the war. From 1940 to 1945, California’s population ballooned by 30%.

This is the thirty-second of a series column that will look at the history of all 50 States, all 5 territories, and the Capital and the influence history has on our current political environments. The aim of this column is to capture that our country is not just red or blue, but rather many shades in between. Each Lower 48 state’s current political landscape can be traced back to its early settlement and geography and its particular involvement in the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, and the Civil Rights Era.

From 1940 to 1970, California would grow from seven million to twenty million people, eventually overtaking New York as the most populous state. Infrastructure grew after the war to accommodate the population growth that continued into the 21st Century. A combination of defense industries, venture capital, and Stanford University lent themselves to Silicon Valley, a tech hub in the Central Valley that companies like Apple, Google, and eBay call home.

Warren Harding’s (R-OH) 1920 win would be one of two times - the other being 1936 - in which one party swept all of California’s fifty-eight counties. The 20th Century saw Orange County become a quintessential working-class suburban county, bordered by the Republican stronghold of San Diego. Dwight Eisenhower (R-KS) became the last Republican to win San Francisco in 1956.

From 1952 to 1988, California would only back the Democratic nominee in 1964. Much of this is owed to prominent California politicians, like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, ascending to the White House.

Modern Political Leanings - A Democratic Fortress

1992 saw the realignment of many states. California’s once Republican coastal communities took a blue shade they have since not abandoned. San Diego went from a red county to a political battleground, although the interior counties, including much of Silicon Valley, was still intensely Republican. However, the 1990s is seen as the beginning of the end for the “California Dream,” as natural disasters, Great Recession, and expensive labor contracts negotiated by powerful unions saw homeowners become deeply indebted and cities like Stockton and San Bernardino file for bankruptcy.

The shift saw uneducated whites leave the state and collegeeducated whites move in. Leftover union and minority coalitions formed by FDR’s (D-NY) New Deal era then began to establish a new form of Democratic dominance. Hispanic and Asian support for Democrats was solidified when Governor Pete Wilson (R) supported a proposition that would deny public services to illegal immigrants. This is effectively seen as the end of Republican power in California. Still, if California were its own economy, it would be the fifthlargest in the world in terms of GDP.

Many are shocked to read that in 2004, John Kerry (D-MA) only won California by just under ten points. Republicans were regularly able to garner 40% of the vote in the Golden State not that long ago.

Barack Obama’s 2008 election realigned many states, taking California from a nine-point margin to a twenty-four-point margin in just four years. The bloated population of the urban Californian vote contributed to Hillary Clinton’s popular vote win in 2016, and she became the first Democrat since FDR in 1936 to win Orange County.

Orange County was essential to Democrats retaking the U.S. House in 2018. Of the seven California seats they flipped that year, four were Orange County-based.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was the last GOP governor of California, leaving office in 2011.

The GOP has not held a Senate seat since 1992, and they last held both in 1969.

California’s top-two primary system puts all candidates of all parties on one ballot, creating scenarios - many of them recent - in which two Democrats square off in a federal contest. In the last two cycles, Republicans have managed to get candidates on the ballots.

Overall, California’s cities are some of the most unflinchingly Democratic parts of the nation. To even begin to see the state move back to the center would require a tectonic realignment of these urban cores. As the GOP continues to court the Latino vote, it might help them win state positions and U.S. House districts, but competing statewide in California is a long way off.

Supervisor Romaine Named Leader of the Year by the Atlantic Marine Conservation

On September 14, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) was named “Leader of the Year” by the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) during their third annual Night at the Ocean reception. The event was held at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center in Wantagh.

The AMCS “Leader of the Year” award recognizes those in the community who have gone above and beyond to support the organization. They AMCS does aerial surveys and live animal captures to collect and disseminate data to environmental managers, ensuring the long-term survival of critical members of the ocean ecosystems. Their outreach programs at schools, in libraries and community centers educate the public on the marine environment.

Kumo of Stony Brook Officially Closed After Food Poisoning

By Kaitlyn Foley

Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse of Stony Brook is officially closed after twenty-eight guests who dined on Saturday, September 9, suffered from intense food-borne illness almost immediately after their meal.

This food-borne illness was caused by ‘improperly stored rice’ according to a Suffolk County spokesperson. The restaurant was under inspection following the influx of 911 calls and hospitalizations, resulting in fifteen violations, eight of which were for risk factors for foodborne illness.

Rice is dangerous to consume if not properly refrigerated after being cooked. Nancy Mitchell, RN, a geriatric nursing care expert reported to PR Newswire, “Bacterial spores are heat resistant, so they survive even after rice is cooked and reheated.”

These spores can grow into bacteria if rice is left standing at room temperature, then multiply and produce toxins that cause severe illness.

Some guests, twelve of whom were hospitalized due to the illness, are now suing the well-known sushi and steakhouse after the traumatic ordeal.

Jory Lange, the food poisoning lawyer representing one woman who fell ill while attending a birthday party at Kumo, is “one of Manhattan’s leading Product Liability Lawyers, according to The Lange Law Firm.

“The scary thing about this outbreak is, as a consumer, there’s nothing you can do to tell whether the food that you are buying is safe,” said Jory Lange on Cision. ‘You can’t taste, smell, or see food poisoning. Food that is contaminated may look, smell, and taste just like any other food. This is why it’s critical that restaurants who make and sell our food, ensure the food is safe before they sell it.”

After a multitude of hospitalizations and a number of lawsuits, Kumo of Stony Brook found it a hard episode to come back from. Unfortunately,

they are dragging unrelated restaurants with the same name down with them.

Kumo Sushi of Plainview has seen a 30% decrease in business since the event at Stony Brook, despite the fact that the restaurants have completely separate owners. “Growing up in Plainview, Kumo has always been a top-notch sushi place,” says Gary Dvoskin of Plainview in TriState Restaurant Group. “I am pleased to report Kumo is as great as ever, despite the recent troubles. The owner and staff were so nice, great. Highly recommend the spicy edamame.”

There are nine additional restaurants in New York with the same name, Kumo. According to Dvoskin, Kumo restaurants in Plainview, Bay Shore and Franklin Square have no relationship to Kumo in Stony Brook, and he urges other diners to visit.

“If you can get over there, you will have a great meal and help with some unfairness,” says Dvoskin.

Gary Dvoskin’s wife, Lisa, is an attorney with Lamb and Barnosky in Melville. Working with restaurants and trademark law, Lisa told Newsday, “From 2010 to 2021, a Kumo restaurant in Florida secured federal trademark protection for that name, but it is generally difficult to secure and defend such a trademark around names that are not distinctive.” She explained that these restaurants have slightly different names, Kumo Sushi of Plainview and Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse of Stony Brook, therefore do not go against this trademark protection.

Kumo of Stony Brook officially closed last Sunday, September 24, and does not plan on reopening in the future. Kumo announced in a public statement:

“The health, safety and well-being of our customers has always been our top priority. The entire team at Kumo expresses our deepest regret and we apologize to those impacted

by the recent situation at our restaurant. We understand the seriousness of the matter and we continue to cooperate with all parties to fully understand the cause. In light of the recent events, we have made the very difficult decision to permanently close the restaurant.”

Kumo also urges the Long Island community to continue visiting other restaurants of similar names, as “there are no business connections between these operations and ours.”

(Left to right) AMCS Board President, Paul Tonna.; AMCS Founder and Chief Scientist, Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr.; Supervisor Ed Romaine and Board Vice President and Treasurer, Thomas Telesca

Honoring Grandparents

September 10th, 2023 was National Grandparent’s Day

Originally established by presidential decree in 1978, it is intended as a day to honor grandparents for the contributions they make in our lives. A time to reflect on what we’ve learned from them and if they are still living to let them know it.

The Messenger extended the honor for the month of September and honors the grandparents that are dear to our hearts.

3 SONGS HONORING GRANDPARENTS

Tell You Something

(Nana’s Reprise) — Alicia Keys

Grandma’s Song — Gail Davies

Grandma’s Hands — Bill Withers

Listen by scanning the QR-Code with your smart phone

Hold My Hand

5 WAYS TO HONOR GRANDPARENTS

1. Write them a card and mail it.

2. Help them with their daily chores.

3. Make them a special favorite dinner.

4. Surprise gathering with their friends.

5. Simply vocalize: “I love you.”

Grandparents are Our Guardian Angels on Earth

Grandma’s Orange Crème Brûlée

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 325˚F.

- Catalina - Selden

2. Whisk together ¾ cup of sugar and egg yolks. Set aside.

3. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. This will be for the water bath.

4. Combine cream, salt and orange zest in a pot. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla.

5. Take 1 cup of the warm cream and slowly pour it into the sugar and yolk mixture. Pour it in a steady stream and keep the whisk moving! If you add too much too fast, you can scramble the eggs and ruin this delicious cream. Add in the remaining cream in a slow stream, whisking the entire time.

6. Place 5 ramekins in a baking pan that is 1-2 inches high. Pour the hot water in the baking pan until it comes halfway up the side of the ramekins.

7. Fill each ramekin with the cream, leaving a half inch to the top. Bake for 30 minutes.

8. Check the crème brûlée after 30 minutes. The center should barely be set.

9. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for an hour. After an hour, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

10. After 3 hours, remove form the refrigerator and top with the remaining sugar.

11. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar on top. Keep the torch moving so you don’t burn the sugar. If you don’t have adult supervision, use the oven broiler.

12. Top with fresh berries, orange slices and a mint leaf. Crack that sugar and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 5 egg yolks

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 cups heavy whipping cream

• Zest of 1 orange

• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

• ½ tsp. salt

• Mint, raspberries & orange slices, for serving (add your favorite berries)

So with old age is wisdom, and with length of days understanding.

In the early years of my life, my grandparents held my hand. In the later years of their lives, I held theirs. Cherish every precious moment that you spend on this earth with the people you love.

Jenny - Islip Terrace

Healthcare Concentration is Far from What the Doctor Ordered

By Janet Trautwein

Healthcare giants are on a shopping spree. In just the first three months of this year, large hospitals and health systems bought up smaller entities in fifteen different deals valued at $12.4 billion.

It’s the latest evidence of a long-running trend of consolidation among healthcare providers. That may be good for the health systems’ finances. But it’s raising costs and yielding worse care for patients.

Independent doctors are vanishing. Hospitals and corporations acquired more than 36,000 physician practices between 2019 and 2021. Last year, roughly three in four doctors were employed by a hospital or larger corporate entity like a health insurer -- a 19% increase from 2019.

Hospitals are consolidating, too. There were more than 1,880 hospital mergers announced between 1998 and 2021. Ninety percent of the country’s hospital markets were considered highly concentrated in 2017. The ten largest health systems control about 25% of the market.

One consequence of all these mergers is less patient choice. When one health system takes over an entire region, patients essentially have to receive care in its affiliated hospitals and clinics.

Proponents of all this consolidation claim that it allows hospitals to keep their doors open -- and that bigger health systems can leverage economies of scale to offer better access to high-quality care at lower cost.

But a closer look at the data reveals that isn’t the case.

Consolidation cuts costs for hospitals -- by up to 30%, according to some estimates. But those savings generally aren’t passed on to patients and insurers in the form of lower prices for medical care.

One study found that hospital prices go up more than 6% when one merges with or acquires another in the same geographic region. Some experts put the average price increase at nearly 20%.

Findings like these are intuitive. Why would hospitals and health systems share their cost savings with patients and insurers? When they buy up their competition, they don’t have to worry about losing customers.

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS STILL SERVING AMERICA

The William Merritt Hallock American Legion Post No. 155 115 Church Street Lake Ronkonkoma, NY Is looking for New Members

We meet at the Post twice a month1st Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm and the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.

We have a social hour with snack one hour prior to the meeting. Our meetings generally run about one hour. We take part in our local community parades and street fairs. We usually have three social functions with family and friends each year. We participate in a number of patriotic ceremonies. If interested in joining our Post and meeting some fellow veterans, stop by on a meeting day with a copy of your DD214.

You can visit our website at: AmericanLegionWilliamHallockPost155.org

There’s nowhere else for them to go. That gives them leverage to demand higher prices from payers.

And that leads to higher premiums. Between 2014 and 2017, enrollees in the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges who lived in areas with higher levels of hospital concentration had annual premiums 5% higher than those in less concentrated areas.

Those increased costs don’t buy better care. Research in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that “hospital acquisition by another hospital or hospital system was associated with modestly worse patient experiences and no significant changes in readmission or mortality rates.”

There’s some evidence that consolidation actually yields worse care. Medicare patients living in highly concentrated hospital markets are nearly 5% more likely to die within one year of having a heart attack than those living in less concentrated markets.

And despite conglomerates’ claims, mergers don’t typically lead to an expansion of services or save hospitals from closing. In many cases, health systems concentrate services in a regional “hub” hospital -- and transform smaller hospitals into little more than outpatient clinics.

Despite all these downsides, federal antitrust regulators haven’t done much to stop healthcare merger mania. The FTC has attempted to block just 1% of hospital mergers over the past few decades.

It’s long past time for that to change. The FTC’s hospital merger guidelines haven’t been updated since 2010. And according to reports from ProPublica, they only detail how to evaluate and challenge consolidation between hospitals in the same market. There’s nothing on how to deal with hospitals buying up competitors in other markets.

Consolidation among healthcare providers is far from what the doctor ordered. Lawmakers and regulators need to put a stop to it.

Janet Trautwein is CEO of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (nabip.org).

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Biden Has ‘Completely Abandoned’ Border Patrol, Texas Lawmaker Says After Crossings Reach Record High

By Virginia Allen | AMAC Outside Contributor

Customs and Border Protection encountered more illegal aliens on America’s borders and at U.S. ports of entry in August than any other single month on record.

CBP released the latest numbers Friday, reporting 304,162 illegal aliens encountered in the month of August, surpassing the previous record high in December 2022 by nearly 2,000.

“The crisis at our southern border is only becoming more dire by the day—evidenced by the record-breaking number of illegal border crossings,” Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, told The Daily Signal.

“President [Joe] Biden and his administration have completely abandoned our Border Patrol agents and the security of the American people,” Pfluger said. “I’m fighting for the most comprehensive border security package ever passed by Congress to close the border and support to our officers in green.”

In May, House Republicans passed a border security bill known as HR 2, and now some Republicans say they will not support any spending bill that gives money to the Department of Homeland Security without action being taken to secure the border.

A White House spokesperson defended the Biden administration’s handling of the border, telling The Daily Signal in an email Monday that “President Biden has called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform since his first day in office, and House Republicans continue to block it. Now, House Republicans who claim to care about border security are threatening it by proposing a continuing resolution that would eliminate 800 CBP agents and officers, and by marching toward a shutdown that would halt pay to tens of thousands of DHS law enforcement personnel.”

With CBP’s September encounter numbers still unknown, fiscal year 2023 has already surpassed previous years with the most illegal alien encounters in one year on record.

Republicans and Democrats alike continue to speak out against the policies of the Biden administration that many say have led to the surge of encounters on America’s borders, particularly the southern border.

“Never in the history of our country has the president done more to intentionally harm the country than what [Biden] has done at our border, Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., told The Daily Signal. “The Biden border invasion is so bad, even Democrats in blue cities are feeling the effects and speaking out. Joe Biden should be impeached for his actions at the border alone.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat running for president in 2024, told Jesse Watters on Fox News on Friday that he understands that “a lot of the Democrats promoted this policy at the beginning of the Biden administration out of a humanitarian impulse, but it’s been a catastrophic failure.”

The Biden administration’s policies have “caused a humanitarian crisis at the border,” Kennedy said, adding that “our border policies are now being administered by the Mexican drug cartels.”

During a “Daily Signal Podcast” interview in February, former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott said the drug cartels play a role in every illegal crossing into the U.S. at the southern border.

Migrants are “either directly paying the cartels, or the cartels are controlling their movements for another benefit, meaning to systematically overwhelm Border Patrol, create a gap in the border security, and then bring the narcotics across,” Scott said.

The current surge of illegal aliens has overwhelmed the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas—a city of about 30,000 about 140 miles

southwest of San Antonio—where the Democratic mayor has declared a state of emergency.

During an interview with CNN last week, Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas said the president “bears some responsibility for this crisis.” The mayor added that he has not “heard from anybody in the administration.”

“We’re here abandoned,” Salinas said. “We’re on the border. We’re asking for help. This is unacceptable.”

The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels. AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit www.amac.us

more than 4,000 illegal aliens crossed the border into Eagle Pass between Friday and Sunday. And according to his CBP sources, Jenkins said Monday that there “were approximately 11,000 migrant encounters at the [southwest] border in the last 24 hours, marking the ‘single highest day in recent memory.’” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, responded to the news, posting on X, “We are now breaking records in a matter of 24 hours. We don’t have a border if we don’t secure it from illegal entries.”

New York Ranked Most Expensive City in the World

By Kaitlyn Foley

As New Yorkers, there is one thing we are all conscious of: we are among the most expensive cities in the world. It’s not a secret, and it is certainly not something we try to hide. We enjoy our luxurious city and its proximity to hundreds of great beaches and state parks. However, the ranking as the number one most expensive city in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Annual Worldwide Cost of Living Survey may have tagged other New York areas with negative residuals.

Long Island’s proximity to one of the most luxurious and desirable cities, mixed with its quiet and suburban culture is why we love our dear home so much. However, is NYC driving prices up for Long Island too?

In New York City, people pay an average of $6 for coffee, $19 for a cocktail, and $3.50 per mile in a taxi. Now, of course New Yorkers can be frugal and spend less if they know the right places to go, however, the bottom line is the city that never sleeps just simply can’t afford to.

Just a twenty-minute ride on the LIRR takes us to the richest county in New York State. Nassau County, according to Stacker, earns a median household income over 68% above New York State average, and is ranked the tenthrichest county in the United States.

For reference, the United States has 3,143 counties.

This comes with a median household income of $120,036. According to Zillow, the average home value in Nassau County is $710,430.

Our very own Suffolk County is ranked number three on Stacker’s list of richest counties in New York State with a median household income of $105,362 and average home value of $602,567.

Between the difficult job market, Long Island’s high taxes, and New York City’s insanely expensive cocktails, young people who grew up on Long Island or in the city are not willing to stay.

Now, this isn’t a debate about how hard younger generations are willing to

Diaper Drive

work, though that generalization does seem to rear its ugly head when this topic is discussed. The fact that our elders worked hard to create beautiful lives here on the Island is just that, a fact.

Rita Tsoukaris, a Long Island Real Estate Agent based in Centereach estimated “roughly 71% of young adults residing in Long Island want to leave in the next five years,” in a report entitled Why People are Moving Out of Long Island. She attributes this to a lack of prospective jobs and low-income rates. You can read the report by scanning the QR Code here: According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s 2021 Out of Reach report, “The minimum hourly wage necessary to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the Nassau-Suffolk HUD Metro Fair Market Rents Area is $39.13.” This translates to roughly $81,000 a year, just to simply rent an apartment. It is not only young adults who are looking to escape the expensive housing market, according to Tsoukaris. “Retirement-ready baby boomers accounted for more than half (58%) of people moving out last year [2021].” She explains how states like Florida, North Carolina and Texas have become more desirable due to the cheaper market and larger houses for less money.

While there are places in New York where families can live comfortably on an average salary, there is no sugarcoating the fact that the statement, “I live on Long Island” is automatically associated with expensive lifestyles and high taxes.

We enjoy a great quality of life, plenty of events and activities, some of the best food and nightlife in the country and yet, we cannot blame our current residents for looking elsewhere while NYC and Long Island are branded as some of the most expensive places to live in their respective areas.

pexels-michael-tuszynski-2157404

County Executive Bellone Announces Vision Zero Traffic Safety Initiative

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) announced the implementation of a Vision Zero traffic safety action initiative to reduce roadway fatalities and vehicle crashes in Suffolk County.

Vision Zero is a multi-national road traffic safety program originated in Sweden that aims to achieve a roadway system with zero fatalities or serious injuries. Vision Zero is a global movement to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by taking a systemic approach to road safety. The premise of this strategy is that road deaths and injuries are unacceptable and preventable.

The County’s version of the Vision Zero action model will utilize a comprehensive approach through data analysis, equitable mobility and identify specific roadway safety and transportation problems and mitigate the most significant safety risks in Suffolk County.

“Long Island roadways have been the scene of far too many tragic fatalities and serious injuries,” said County Executive Bellone. “These victims are our family members, friends and our neighbors. By incorporating key aspects of Vision Zero in Suffolk County and further investing in traffic safety strengthening our infrastructure, we will make our communities safer and achieve our goal in reducing such crashes and fatalities.”

The Vision Zero model is a change from the traditional cost-benefit or economic based models used to measure acceptable risks from traffic crashes. The key components for the County’s Vision Zero Action plan will focus on four priority areas to accelerate key roadway projects and policies, including: leadership and commitment; equity and engagement; safe roadways and safe speeds; and

data-driven approach, transparency and accountability.

Multiple county agencies, including the Department of Public Works, the Suffolk County Police Department and the Department of Economic Development and Planning have applied for federal infrastructure funding with a focus on comprehensive safety action planning and to implement key projects. In addition, the County will collaborate with all levels of government, including County agencies, state partners, towns, villages, community organizations and residents to protect those who access our roadways while ensuring accountability and accessibility throughout this process.

The County additionally received a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Transportation to address high priority commercial motor vehicle safety. The purpose

is to reduce the total number of crashes involving commercial and non-commercial motor vehicles while also reducing the number of crashes that occur in work zones and allow the County to maintain an aggressive commercial motor vehicle inspection program that targets safety violations and reduce crashes.

The Institute for Traffic Safety Management Research reports that between 2017 and 2021, 546 people have died while walking, bicycling, riding a motorcycle or driving in Suffolk County. Establishing a County Vision Zero plan will build on previous efforts to lower fatalities and serious injuries.

“I’m very happy to see this Vision Zero program moving forward under County Executive Steve Bellone’s leadership,” said Joseph T Brown, PE, Commissioner Department of Public Works said. “At the Suffolk County Department of Public Works, we recently hired Hal Tarry to be our Vision Zero Director. Hal comes with decades of experience at the State level managing the region’s traffic safety and bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Department will be working closely with the police, economic development, and other county departments to progress Vision Zero within our transportation system and beyond. I have met with the Suffolk County Town Highway Superintendents regarding Vision Zero and begun progressing this vision at all levels of government within the County. We look forward to beginning to move the needle on reducing traffic fatalities in Suffolk!”

For more information on the launch of Suffolk County’s Vision Zero program, go to Vision Zero (suffolkcountyny.gov)

Continued from front cover

“History is a Long Arc:” Romaine Offers to Take NYC Statues

Such figures in the rotation include George Washington, the leader of the Revolution and the first President of the United States; Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence; Peter Stuyvesant, the colonial officer who served as the last Dutch directorgeneral of New Netherland, which would later become New York; and Christopher Columbus, and Italian explorer credited with discovery and development of untouched parts of the New World.

In response to New York City’s plan to remove historical figures, monuments, and items, Brookhaven Town Supervisor and County Executive candidate (R-Center Moriches) penned a letter to New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) voicing his interest in having the removed pieces transferred to Brookhaven.

“I didn’t want to comment on whether that [removing the statues] was right or wrong because that’s a decision of the city, but if you are going to do that, we’ll take the statues,” said Romaine.

“We look at their accomplishments, what they did for their time and how they contributed to the long arc of history,” he said. “And we would welcome having those statues.”

Not only would Romaine welcome the statues, but he says the Town of Brookhaven will gladly pay for the transfer of the statues from New York to various parks in Brookhaven.

Romaine joined FOX News network for a conversation on the topic.

“I guess people want to forget or rewrite history,” said Romaine. He then explained the significance of the figures under scrutiny.

“George Washington led our troops for eight years in the Revolution, some of the darkest hours [in our nation’s history]; we would not have a country today if not for his leadership. Thomas Jefferson wrote our Declaration of Independence. Christopher Columbus lived over 500 years ago, but he was brave enough to sail west and discover a new constituent,” said Romaine.

Romaine then posed a question that many opponents of the removal state: “Every human being has flaws, but should we apply today’s standards to people who lived more than 500 years ago?”

Romaine continued: “I am prepared to move these statues to the Town of Brookhaven. We have about twenty-five parks where they can go. Port Jefferson would be a great place to put Thomas Jefferson’s statue. We can take George Washington to Setauket, where he visited Roe Tavern and met with the Cupler Spy Ring who helped him spy on the British during the Revolution. We have a lot of Italian-Americans and members of the Knights of Columbus in Brookhaven and they would welcome the opportunity to maintain a statue to Christopher Columbus.”

Councilwoman Nurse, the sponsor of the bill, insists the bill aims to “correct” history rather than “cancel it.” She says that this bill allows for the “reckoning with the historical injustices that continue to haunt our cities.”

Romaine’s letter to Mayor Adams highlights his interest in relocating the statues to Brookhaven if they are removed by the Commission. He highlighted Long Island’s history dating back to the Revolution and that the Town of Brookhaven will remove and transport the statues at its own cost.

In the letter, Romaine said: “How the actions of these men and women who made our country great are interpreted by today’s standards, we know the importance of empowering our residents by sharing their stories and allowing them to form their own opinions, rather than censoring their stories or trying to remove them from the public eye.”

In the FOX News interview, Romaine said that while Mayor Adams has not yet responded to the letter, he remains “very hopeful” that he will receive one.

“There are people who want to forget history because they don’t like it or because it doesn’t fit in with their narrative in what history should be today,” said Romaine. “These people lived some time ago. We want to remember them for their flaws and their accomplishments. We want to remember what history teaches us. And if we start trying to decide how we should edit history, we make a terrible mistake.”

FOX showed one New Yorker who supported the removal, saying that he would “rather see a statue there that maybe reflects loving everyone or something like that.”

Another New Yorker said: “I think if it’s a work depicting someone actively being enslaved, it seems like an obvious thing to remove.”

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” said Romaine in closing. “We’re Americans after all, but our opinion is that the figures are a part of history, and we want to remember their accomplishments and their service. Obviously, Brookhaven being seventy miles east of New York City has a different point of view. I don’t want to denigrate other points of view; we just don’t agree that the statues should be removed, and we want to act on that.”

When asked if the residents of Brookhaven support the move, Romaine said: “Absolutely!”

In a separate FOX News interview with Brian Kilmeade, Romaine said that the history is “good for Brookhaven.”

“History isn’t something you can cancel out,” says Romaine. “History isn’t something you can cover up, it’s something you celebrate…Are you kidding me? We are going to ignore these people? We are going to cover them up? We are trying to put today’s values on yesterday. They want to take down the statue of Christopher Columbus. He lived 520 years ago, and yet they want to go and superimpose their beliefs of what they think he should have done 520 years ago. They were great men for their times, they helped lay the foundation for our country. God bless them, we celebrate them.”

Romaine repeated that Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, both of whom visited Brookhaven during their lives, will see their statues find new homes in the town.

The bill and its entailed actions will continue to be discussed by the New York City Council and other involved parties within the city government.

UpsplashLerpne Pieters

Financial LiteracyThe Path to Financial Security

By Peter Chidichimo

According to Merriam Webster, to be literate is to be “educated, to have the ability to read and write.” However, to be functionally literate, one must understand how to process information, ask appropriate questions, and make informed decisions.

Two examples of literacy that are fundamental are health literacy and financial literacy. In segment one on health literacy (see Messenger Papers, Health Section), we discussed why health literacy is crucial to understanding how to access healthcare, communicate effectively with providers, make appropriate medical decisions and hopefully obtain favorable outcomes.

Financial literacy is equally important, as it’s necessary for understanding basic fundamentals of money management. Examples include saving, budgeting, taxes, investing and setting specific goals, such as planning for college or retirement. It is also important to understand how to manage finances as a couple, including spending habits and priorities.

According to the Corporate Finance Institute (https://corporatefinanceinstitute. com), financial literacy is the “cognitive understanding of financial components and skills.” These skills include budgeting, investing, borrowing, taxation, and personal financial management. The absence of such understanding is referred to as being financially illiterate. Being financially literate is necessary for obtaining financial stability, reaching stated financial goals and securing a comfortable retirement.

Here are some facts that emphasize the importance of financial literacy:

• It is estimated that 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck

• Student loan debt is about $1.5 trillion for more than 44 million borrowers

• Credit card debt levels are at a record high of $1.04 trillion

• Overall, Americans are approximately $12.58 trillion dollars in debt

According to www. investopedia.com, becoming financially literate can improve one’s quality of life. Below are some of the benefits of being financially literate:

• Ability to make better financial decisions

• Effective management of money and debt, effective budgeting

• Greater odds of reaching one’s financial goals

• Less financial stress and anxiety

• More informed decision making as to borrowing, investing, managing risk, and purchasing financial products

Although there are financial professionals, such as certified financial

planners, available to assist people with their finances, it is always prudent to educate yourself as much as possible. There are many resources that can be accessed, such as adult education classes, online courses, financial books and periodicals, podcasts and others. Here are some basic principles to build a solid financial future:

Create a Budget

Keep track of income and expenses. You can use Excel, a budget app or even a simple notebook. Your budget should include income, and expenses including rent/mortgage, utilities, loan payments and discretionary spending such as eating out, shopping, and travel. This will tell you where the money goes.

Pay Yourself First

Choose a savings goal, such as for a home down payment or college tuition, and set a realistic dollar amount aside each month before you divvy up the rest of your expenses. Also, pay your bills on time and avoid delinquency. This will improve your credit score.

Invest, Invest, Invest

Invest regularly by taking advantage of employer sponsored plans such as a 401(k). Also consider a ROTH IRA, or no-

In Loving Memory

Terry Blake lachner

October 11, 1959

September 7, 2023

U.S. Navy Veteran and Smithtown resident since 1960. Beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.

Celebration of Life - October 1st, 2023

Smithtown

American Legion Post 833 at 2:00p.m. Internment - October 2, NY National CemeteryWellwood Avenue at Noon.

saved in a bank or money market, for emergencies, before opening an investment account.

To demonstrate the power of investing over time: If one had invested $10,000 in an index stock fund 20 years ago, and then added only $200 per month thereafter, the value today would be $136,000.00.

Check Credit Report

Review your credit report yearly for any errors and inform the credit bureau of any inaccuracies. Learn what it takes to maintain a high credit score, such as paying your balance in full every month. Ideally, it would be good to introduce financial principles to students prior to high school graduation. Dr. Kevin R. Simmons, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Administration at Smithtown Central School District, explains what financial courses are taught within the district:

load mutual fund. This may be an area where professional help can be useful, or take a class or workshop in investing. A well-diversified investment portfolio should include stocks, mutual funds, bonds and fixed income securities. A professional advisor can help you determine how much money you will need to retire comfortably.

Also, many reputable investment companies, such as Fidelity, offer free online calculators and other retirement tools. Most experts recommend having three to six months of living expenses

“We cover financial literacy in our business course, Personnel Financial Management, which is a half-year elective course open to students in grades 9-12,” says Simmons. “It is also one of the required courses for those students pursuing a CTE Endorsement (Pathway) in Marketing and Accounting/Finance. We cover the following topics in the class: Budgeting, Banking, Checking Accounts, Credit, Insurance, Investing and Identity Theft. “

Parents and guardians can also take a proactive role in educating children on the basics of money management. Planning for college or a career is a good launching point, including opening a savings account, borrowing for college or obtaining a credit card.

Conclusion

Based on the statistics cited above, much can be done to improve the financial literacy of Americans. Starting early and establishing good habits in money management can safeguard one’s financial future and hopefully lead to a better quality of life.

Messenger

Commack Boys Cross Country Off to Terrific Start

By James Haupt

It looks like it’ll be yet another successful year for Commack as they’ve gotten off to a hot start of the 2023 boys cross country season. They’re 3-0 in dual meets so far, matching up against some tough teams in League III in North Babylon, Copiague, and Connetquot. They also have placed first at the Bob Pratt Invitational. This comes after a season in which they finished second in the Section XI Division 1 Championship, and fourth in the Section XI Class A Championships.

The first race came in a dual meet at Sunken Meadow’s 2.5 mile course on September 12. They faced North Babylon and won in dominating fashion. Commack nearly swept first to eighth, with only second place going to North Babylon. Sam Byrd (sr) placed first in this one with a time of 14:14 leading the charge.

Finishing third overall, second for the team, was Ben Molino (jr) finishing at 14:39. Sean Famighetti (jr) was right behind at 14:58 claiming fourth place in the race. Finishing fifth through eighth were Aidan Piracci (so) (15:01), Harris Cantley (jr) (15:05), Alex Walsh (sr) (15:06), and Thomas Goldberg (sr) (15:21).

This was a great start to the season that saw some new guys make their way to the top seven for Commack.

Commack’s next race saw them take first place at the Bob Pratt Invitational on September 15. This was a 5K course at Sunken Meadow in which Commack was matched up against some of the best teams on Long Island. Commack’s best runner of the day was Alex Walsh who placed ninth overall with a time of 17:18. Byrd was close behind finishing at 17:29, good for fourteenth in the race. Right behind him was Dylan Manning (jr) who finished fifteenth with a time of 17:33.

Two more Commack runners helped

them win the invitational with Ben Molino finishing twenty-ninth, with a time of 18:20, and Aidan Piracci finishing fortieth, with a time of 18:41. These five runners earned them their first invitational victory of the season.

Shortly after on September 19, Commack matched up against Copiague in another dual meet. This was a 5K race on a flat course, Copiague’s home course. Ultimately, Commack came out with another strong victory.

Manning took first place in this one with a 5K time of 16:31. Other top runners from Commack were familiar faces in Byrd (17:09), Cantley (17:15), Piracci (17:39), and Goldberg (17:41).

Commack took this dominant win into their most recent dual meet against Connetquot back at Sunken Meadow’s 2.5 mile course, on September 26. They had complete control yet again as they swept their opponents from first to fifth place. The top 5 consisted of Byrd (13:59), Manning (13:59), Walsh (13:59), Molino (14:11), and Piracci (14:19). This race leaves them at 3-0 and gives them high hopes for the rest of the season.

“The boys have been putting in the work since early July. We know that we are a talented team and we really want to win,’ said Dylan Manning, one of the team’s best runners.

The Commack boys cross-country team is dominating this year and is clearly in full control. They have a deep team with guys who can all place in the top 5 on any day. Their next races come at the St. Anthony invitational where they will face even tougher teams from all over the island. They look to have an impressive season and hopefully win a few championships along the way.

The Nova Knicks

By James Haupt

“Arcidiacono. Gives it to Jenkins. For the championship!” These words marked a historic NCAA championship run from the Villanova Wildcats in 2016. Now, nearly seven years later the core players of this team look to win a different championship, but this time in the NBA.

As of September 15, the New York Knicks signed yet another former Wildcat in Ryan Arcidiacono, now making it four players from the 2016 March Madness winning team. This comes nearly two months after the Knicks signed Donte Divincenzo to a four-year $50 million deal. These two join star point guard Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, giving them the nickname “The Nova Knicks.”

Meet the Knicks

Each of these players provide different, but important value to this Knicks team that will look to be legit contenders this season. Jalen Brunson leads the way for the team as he is arguably their best player, although Julius Randle and RJ Barrett can make their case too. Regardless, he is the team’s true point guard and was one of the main reasons the Knicks performed so well last season.

He averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, reaching career highs in points, assists, and steals. Brunson also led the team in assists per game and sits 1 PPG behind Randle for the team lead in points. He also proved to be efficient from all over the court holding shooting splits of 49.1/41.6/82.9 (FG/3P/FT).

Much like he did in college, Brunson was a driving force for this team in the postseason, making him the top Wildcat on this roster.

Next up is Josh Hart, who joined the team in the middle of last season via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Ironically, his newest teammate, Arcidiacono, was included in this trade for Hart, delaying the

2016 NCAA Championship reunion to this upcoming season.

Hart was a glue guy for the Knicks as he did everything for them. Whether he started or played off the bench he always put his heart on the court. He’s by far one of the hardest working players in the league, something Villanova seems to produce. In his twenty-five games with the Knicks he put up 10.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.5 BPG. He was also an extremely efficient shooter in his 25 games, shooting 58.6% from the field and 51.9% from three-point land. He was a crucial part of this team and will look to continue his hard work in the 2023-24 season.

Donte Divincenzo is entering his sixth NBA season and will be joining his third team in the Knicks. Throughout his career he has been a crucial rotational piece for winning teams. In his career he put up stats of 9.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 1.2 SPG. He won an NBA championship in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks; the only “Nova Knicks” player to get a ring in both the NBA and the NCAA. He now looks to earn another ring with his former college teammates.

Up last is the Knicks newest acquisition in Ryan Arcidiacono, but he is no stranger to this team. This will be his third season with the Knicks despite a quick tenure with the Trailblazers due to the Josh Hart trade. Throughout his whole career he’s been a valuable piece off the bench, something he looks to continue with the Knicks this season. Although he doesn’t have the best stats, he’s proven to be a hard-working leader. He’ll also provide team chemistry joining his 2016 NCAA winning teammates.

These four Wildcats-turned-Knicks will prove to be a top team in the Eastern conference this season. As the NBA season nears a return, look out for the “Nova Knicks” to make a deep playoff run and potentially an NBA title.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

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