Brookhaven Messenger Archive May 23, 2024

Romaine Signs Caracappa’s Workforce Housing Bill

By Matt Meduri

The topic of affordability, namely affordable housing, has been as salient a topic as ever in Suffolk County. A marquee topic of the 2023 elections, many local leaders made it the top priorities, among many, of their campaigns and tenures in elected office.

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Robert Terrell Receives Purple Heart for Service in Vietnam

By Matt Meduri

Honoring our Veterans is perhaps the most important civic duty in recognizing our priorities, understanding our past, and strengthening the backbone of a nation for the future. However, there are times when such recognition is overdue, and in this particular case, long overdue.

Robert Terrell, a Selden Veteran who served in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968, has finally been given the recognition he so unequivocally deserves.

Terrell served in the U.S. Army during Operation Pershing in 1967. He was preparing to move out after heavy fighting when he and seven soldiers were injured by an enemy grenade. He sustained shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder and jaw, injuries he still carries to this day. He was airlifted for medical attention and returned to the field later that day without recording any of his injuries.

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Robert Terrell holding a flag flown from the Capitol Building in his honor with his Purple Heart (Credit - Matt Meduri)

County Executive Romaine (left, seated) and Legislator Caracappa (right, seated) after the signing of IR 1013 (Credit - Matt Meduri)

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Robert Terrell Receives Purple Heart for Service in Vietnam

In February 2023, Terrell consulted with Congressman Nick LaLota’s (R, NY-01) office to recover medals for his father’s service in World War II. As LaLota was successful in helping secure these posthumous awards, Terrell then sought assistance in receiving the Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, an effort he had tried to make with several previous Congressmen, but to no avail. A Purple Heart is one of the highest awards a servicemember can receive. Purple Hearts are issued for Armed Forces members who are wounded or killed while serving under competent authority.

A ceremony was held outside the First Congressional District office in Hauppauge on Monday afternoon, joined by members of several Veterans’ organizations.

“As a Navy veteran and a lifelong Long Islander, it gives me great pride to lead this ceremony here today to present an honor that’s fifty-seven years overdue,” said LaLota. “A true hero of the Vietnam war, a member of the AMVETS Post 18, the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249, and a retired thirty-year union electrician.”

“His story is one of courage, of valor, of perseverance, and his service to remind us all of the immense service and sacrifice that so many who have worn the uniform give to us,” said LaLota. “Your service does not go unnoticed, and while the nation got it wrong decades ago, we want to help to try to get it right.”

LaLota said that Terrell was not shown the respect and appreciation that other generations of Americans received when they returned home, mainly due to the corrosive political overtones that were carried by public perception of the Vietnam War.

“In the name of the President of the United States and by the direction of the Secretary of the Army, I, Nick LaLota, present the Purple Heart to Specialist Robert L. Terrell, recognizing his injuries received on May 31, 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam, signed by the Honorable Christine E. Wormuth, Secretary of the Army,” said LaLota as he and Terrell’s son, Daniel, pinned the medal to Terrel’s jacket (pictured below)

Terrell saved all his men in the blast, but the soldier who lost his legs eventually succumbed to his injuries.

On the front side of the Purple Heart, a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms are visible. On the reverse side, the words “For Military Merit” are inscribed in the brass.

Robert Terrell recounted the day he was injured in Vietnam in full detail, discussing how one of his men lost his legs in the grenade blast.

“I assumed he was dead, but I grabbed him by his hand and threw him with all the other gear when the choppers came in for the medevac,” said Terrell. “They had no beds for me, so I was treated outside the tents on sandbags, pulling shrapnel out of my shoulder.”

“I was trained when I was going to go to Vietnam that the way reconnaissance worked is that you’re expendable. The mission comes first,” said Terrell. “When you’re on a four-man team and someone gets wounded and you call for a medevac to get the person out, whether he’s dead or alive, they know the medevac can’t come in because then the mission would be over. In 2002 I went to a retirement seminar and I came down with survivor’s syndrome and I had to go to a VA to get a psychiatrist to cope with the situation.”

Despite the physical and mental remnants of the war, Terrell has retained a positive attitude throughout his life and relayed that message to today’s youth.

“I’m still here today, I’m still kicking, and every day is a fight to get up and keep moving,” said Terrell. “And to all young

guys, regardless of how bad it gets, you have to remember one thing: we have to keep going. The secret of the game is to keep going. Get up in the morning and thank God that you’re still alive and that you have another day.”

Terrell thanked and recognized all Vietnam Veterans, and lamented that proper services could not be held for them in the wake of the war due to the political toxicity of the issue. Terrell said that after the war, funeral services for Veterans drew protestors.

“We were the hidden army that never was,” said Terrell.

“We don’t want to hide this anymore,” said LaLota. “We want to honor the sacrifice and hope that you, like me, were inspired by Mr. Terrell’s not only actions today, but his actions before, but his words today. This is the part of the selfless sacrifice that so many of our men and women in uniform went through and continue to go through. They put the mission before themselves. He’s always putting the mission, the country before himself, and that is an inspiration to me, my team, and everybody in this community. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Your sacrifice should be honored.”

LaLota also presented Terrell with a folded flag that waved from the Capitol Building for two weeks in his honor ahead of the ceremony. In attendance also were representatives from the VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 11, AMVETS Post 18, the American AirPower Museum, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

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Robert Terrell (center) with Congressman Nick LaLota holding a flag flown from the Capitol Building in his honor with his Purple Heart (Credit - Matt Meduri)

County Executive Romaine Recognizes 911 Operators for Roles in Delivering Two Babies

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) announced that two Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) 911 dispatchers provided guidance and assistance to two families prior to the arrival of on-scene first responders. Both infants are reported to be in good health.

“Our first responders deserve to be praised for the risks they take when responding to emergencies, but it is just as important to recognize the life-saving efforts of our dispatchers who serve as the first line of defense,” said Romaine. “I applaud our two dispatchers for their heroism and for assuring the safe deliveries of two healthy babies and bringing joy to their families.”

On Wednesday, May 15, at approximately 7:59 p.m. FRES dispatcher John Spiciati (pictured far right) took a call from a Great River resident in distress. ESD Spiciati’s professionalism throughout the call provided the caller the opportunity to follow emergency medical dispatch instructions. The baby was born approximately two minutes later at 8:01 p.m. ESD Spiciati confirmed an airway and provided post-dispatch instructions, which enabled the caller to tie off the umbilical cord with no complications. The baby was transported by Exchange Ambulance of the Islips to Good Samaritan Hospital.

On Thursday, May 16, at approximately 10:25 a.m. FRES dispatcher Christine Springer (pictured center) answered a 911 from a caller in Huntington Station who reported her cousin was having contractions. Shortly after, the caller reported the baby’s head was presenting. ESD Springer calmly instructed the caller to assist with the delivery of the child and provided emergency medical dispatch instructions. The baby boy was delivered at approximately 10:28 a.m., when ESD Springer ensured the child was

breathing and directed the caller to clear the child’s mouth and nose and to wrap the baby in a clean towel. Prior to the caller being able to tie off the umbilical cord, Suffolk County Police and Huntington Community Ambulance first responders arrived on scene.

“Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services is very proud of the Emergency Service Dispatchers who serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We congratulate our emergency service dispatchers on a job well done,” said FRES Commissioners Patrick Beckley and Rudy Sunderman.

This is the fourth baby delivery Suffolk County FRES dispatchers have provided instruction in 2024, with ESD Adrian Pezzica (pictured far left) providing instruction to deliver a healthy baby girl in January and ESD Peter Montague assisting with the delivery of a baby girl over the phone in April.

Suffolk Designates Third Week of May as ‘EMS Appreciation Week’

By Matt Meduri

On November 4, 1974, President Gerald Ford (R-MI) designated the first week of November as “EMS Appreciation Week” in an effort to recognize and give back to the emergency medical services (EMS) personnel throughout the country. In 1992, EMS Appreciation Week was moved to the third week of May.

For the fiftieth anniversary of the bill-signing, Suffolk leaders sought to do the same this year. The bill, Resolution 1453-2024, sponsored by Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) intends to “celebrate, acknowledge, and thank” the EMS workers and volunteers for the “lifesaving work they do every day,” according to the bill’s legislative intent.

The bill’s intent also states that the COVID-19 Pandemic has made “all Americans aware of the courage and incredible sacrifice made by EMS providers nationwide.”

The legislation was co-sponsored by Legislators Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point), Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters).

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) signed the bill into law Monday morning at South Country Ambulance in Bellport. Legislators Dominick Thorne, Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Chad Lennon, Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), and Brookhaven Town Councilman Mike Loguercio (R-Ridge) were also present.

“This morning’s bill signing is a recognition of the invaluable lifesaving service and care provided by the men and women in the county’s organizations,” said Romaine. “By declaring the third week in May as “EMS Appreciation Week” in Suffolk, we acknowledge and express our gratitude for the lifesaving dedication of our first responders.”

The Messenger discussed the intentions behind the bill with Legislator Thorne.

“It brings to light the actual work that EMS workers do,” said Thorne. “These are highly trained, New York State-certified ACLS providers who leave their houses year long to continue training and make sure that they have proper certification to leave their homes, holidays, dinners, or backyard parties to help

Thorne, who is Chair of the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Committee and a former EMS professional, says that the County needs to illuminate the sheer amount of work that EMS personnel carry.

“We have to start shining light on what the workload is here.

Last year, our EMS workers from ninety-three EMS agencies across the County responded to 172,000 calls,” said Thorne. “Yet, some people think it’s an ancillary service. EMS Appreciation Week recognizes them, but it’s just the beginning of that process.”

Thorne also says that while the County still intends to increase the number of EMS workers, as he says that they “always need more help,” it’s the County’s prerogative to express gratitude, first and foremost.

“Retention and recruitment are very important, but how do you ask someone to volunteer when you don’t even have the courtesy to say ‘thank you?’” said Thorne. “These volunteers handle everything from scraped knees to cardiac arrest, to delivering newborns in the back of an ambulance, to multi-trauma patients. They’re all New York State-certified technicians and ACLS-certified technicians. That’s an amazing combination. So, we want to make sure we recognize them here in the County in perpetuity.”

Thorne also specifically mentioned the services of South Country Ambulance, stating that as soon as calls are placed, “two ambulances and an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Truck are on the road right away.”

Finally, Thorne says that in light of President Ford’s signing of EMS Appreciation Week a half-century ago, it’s overdue for Suffolk County to take up an initiative of its own.

“Fifty years after President Ford signed the proclamation, we are finally going to say thank you,” said Thorne. “And this is my goal as the Fire Rescue Chair, to make sure we build up our volunteers and do an outstanding job. Nobody is as good as our volunteers out here, and nobody is more professional or highercertified than our folks here in Suffolk County.”

The bill signing was also attended by Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner Gregson Pigott, as well as members of over twenty EMS agencies

A Republic, Because We WILL Keep It

Benjamin Franklin’s words when asked what the Founding Fathers had just created deserve all the repetition they get:

“A republic, if you can keep it.”

The soberingly realistic assessment of just how fragile a representative form of government can be still sits with us today, but unfortunately, in some circles, it sits with us for the wrong reasons.

Another oft-repeated adage is “Those who don’t learn their history will be doomed to repeat.” Despite its frequent misquotes and misattributions, the meaning of the phrase still resounds for all the right reasons.

Put these two ideas together and you can basically draw pretty accurate pictures of two Americas today: one in which people cling to history as if it’s all they have left, and another where people eagerly toss history in the trash in pursuit of new ideals.

Modern liberalism and conservatism can have strong suits in certain areas, but a no-holds barred attempt at tossing out tradition for nonconformity is, in our humble opinion, doing more harm than good.

The reason why Benjamin Franklin stipulated that we might not be able to keep our republic is because he knew that people would eventually become fatigued from politics, elections, and the common range of hot-button issues that in today’s world seem more intent on dividing us rather than solving actual problems. We’re pretty certain that some of these talking points have been engineered solely to divide the electorate into an “us vs. them” mentality, rather than identifying common enemies and necessities, with one necessity being retaining the republic.

The nuclear family, the Electoral College, certain aspects of election integrity, Congressional decorum and procedure, common societal values, personal responsibility, and facing the consequences of personal action are all mostly unpopular ideals within certain strains of the American electorate. It’s not that all people opposed to us ideologically subscribe to these ideals, but if you meet someone who identifies as moderately to largely liberal, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they would vote against these values if given the opportunity.

The schools haven’t done their parts in educating the American public

accurately for decades. With the formation of the Department of Education controlled mostly by whims of ever-powerful teachers’ unions, the subject of civics has been sorely missed.

Furthermore, public perception of a constantly self-gratifying, consequencefree, “feels so good, how can it be bad” lifestyle has resonated with an increasingly godless, irreverent, “take only what you need and save the Earth” group of younger voters. Why campaign on personal responsibility when it’s become such an unpopular idea?

The problem is that people now largely prefer their own benefits and gratification rather than understanding the purposes of our republic and how it was designed. It’s the cheapest form of selling out we’ve seen in recent memory, and the problem only stands to get worse and campaigns are largely formed on countering the counterculture.

Only to add a squeeze of lemon juice over the paper cut is the grave insult trying to fundamentally alter our nation is to those who have served and often made the Ultimate Sacrifice by trying to protect it. They have understood Benjamin Franklin’s words for decades and they fought to keep the republic, because with them, there was no question of keeping the republic. There simply was and has been no “if.”

For that, they deserve our utmost respect. This Memorial Day, be sure to thank a member of the service, even though Armed Forces Day already passed. Be sure to check in with your local VFW, AMVETS, or American Legion post to see if there’s any services or goods they need. If you are a Veteran who requires any form of service or commodity, understand that the County has made it their utmost priority in being accessible to you. There’s no shame in admitting you need help, especially since you displayed no shame whatsoever in keeping the republic.

And above all, remember those for whom we observe Memorial Day. For them, it is imperative that we keep the republic.

We here at The Messenger remain optimistic that our republic can and will be kept. With Veterans like those of the United States, there’s no “if.”

Only “will.”

With Just Weeks to Spare, Albany Must Act on Fentanyl

It’s hard to believe that we live in a day and age where elected officials, community leaders, and those affected by the ongoing drug epidemic, namely at the hands of fentanyl, must literally beg and routinely call on Albany to pass common sense laws and changes. Every decade has its own drug of choice and associated problems, but the consensus seems to be that the government’s indecision to act is unprecedented by previous standards.

The problem is multi-faceted, not just owed to teenagers and young adults experimenting with new drugs and paying an unfortunate price for a little bit of fun. With that, we’d say a scary ad campaign and some gruesome photos and accounts would probably be enough to dissuade teens from using. Anyone else who decides to soldier forward does so at their expense.

But this problem is not as simple as an ad campaign and natural selection. It’s a multi-speared issue brought on by egregiously retroactive criminal justice reform, a porous border with a carte blanche system of handling immigrants, and a “hurt-no-feelings” attitude in an increasingly “open-minded” world. How dare we speak candidly of the personal and societal problems brought on by rampant and habitual drug use? Shame isn’t the game, as there should be no shame in admitting a problem. After all, admitting a problem is the first step in solving it. But wouldn’t a feeling of intrinsic shame or guilt prompt more to make a change in their lives?

We’re not saying that our society should make it a point to shame people for the sake of shaming them, but treating them with kid gloves because we live in a “you do you” society doesn’t exactly benefit us in the long run. It makes us complacent, compulsive demagogues.

Look no further than Oregon, where all drugs were decriminalized a couple of years ago. Not only has Portland fallen into complete disrepair, but the streets are full of homeless people with no other prospects than chasing the next high. The city and state won’t demand people try harder because we’ve decided that since success is subjective, there’s no reason in pushing standards on people. Furthermore, since we’ve convinced everyone the world is ending in ten years due to climate change and removed God entirely from society, there’s no reason in pursuing any form of happiness or structure altogether.

The question is: how long will it take New York to stoop to Portland’s level? The migrant crisis only makes matters worse. The border is unequivocally a

smuggling route for hard drugs that turn every state into a border state. It has been for years. But even if most of the migrants coming here illegally aren’t doing so for drug-related purposes, we see the lion’s share of attention and local resources - where applicable - going to “solve” a problem that leadership created instead of putting funds into public safety for our own citizens.

Albany also took it upon itself to reform our bail laws to make sure that most drug-related offenses aren’t bail eligible. Only when eight ounces of the highly-deadly fentanyl is dealt can prosecutors request bail.

In other words, enough fentanyl to kill 114,000 people must be sold in order to let the law take its course.

Furthermore, Albany has had multiple situations in which cards were on the table and they decided not to ante up. Legislation sponsored by Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) would have made xylazine, also known as Tranq, a controlled substance. The cattle sedative and pain reliever has been known to be cut with other drugs since it’s cheap, accessible, and creates a much more euphoric high. Known as the “zombie drug,” those inebriated on Tranq are identified by their staggering movements and slurred speech. It also rots flesh clean off the bone.

Murray’s bill was constructed with input from farmers and those who require xylazine for its intended uses. Democrats shot it down citing “access concerns.” It’s a lame excuse in our opinion, since the bill’s architects took access into account.

Ingesting medicine for cows and horses is just the latest wave of degeneracy perpetrated by Albany’s unwillingness to act in an increasingly secular humanist society.

There are just weeks left on the legislative calendar for the Assembly and Senate. It’s a shame that we have a run-out-the-clock scenario going on, but it’s unfortunately no surprise given how desperate the public is for normalcy and how intent Albany is on digging their heels in the ground and caving to the vast minority of voters.

In the end, their inaction will only prompt more action. Hopefully, the action is that of actual change and a reassessment of New York’s priorities.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In New York, it might take a strong coalition of villages, hamlets, and cities to reprimand the children in Albany.

Police Week Reminds Us What’s on the Line for Law Enforcement

By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Each May, we celebrate and offer our thanks to the incredibly brave men and women of our law enforcement community. During National Police Week, which was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, we also reflect on the enormous sacrifice made by those who gave their lives for their community.

Too often, the brave professionals who put their lives on the line are taken for granted. They are the first and best line of protection between us and those who mean to harm us. For that, we owe them and their supportive families a debt of gratitude that simply cannot be repaid. The Assembly Minority Conference continues to advocate for the law enforcement community, and our members have fought hard for common-sense measures to protect those who protect us. Some of our proposals include:

• Making life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first or second degree if the victim is a police officer, specified peace officer, first responder or correctional officer (A.7472, Angelino/S.408, Gallivan).

• Designating offenses against law enforcement, emergency medical services personnel, and/or firefighters as hate crimes, thereby increasing the penalty for the offense (A.3417, DeStefano/S.6091, Murray).

• Allowing judges to consider the safety of any person or the community when selecting a securing order on a criminal suspect and requiring the court to make individualized determinations as to whether a suspect poses a risk to any person or the community (A.9708, Reilly).

• Reinstating the death penalty in New York state and making it an available sentence for those convicted for the intentional killing of police officers, specified peace officers and first responders, among others (A.3906, Barclay/S.1271, Ortt).

Additionally, I would like to take a moment during this weeklong celebration to acknowledge the 214th graduating class of the New York State Police Academy. This year, 228 new troopers completed the requirements to join the proud ranks of the long gray line. Your hard work, training, and dedication to protecting New Yorkers does not go unnoticed. I wish you my sincerest congratulations and safety on this journey.

The law enforcement community does incredible work. Whether they are engaging with their communities, patrolling dangerous neighborhoods or training the next generation of first responders, we need them supported, well-funded and feeling appreciated. I will always stand up for the men and women of law enforcement, and I encourage everyone to recognize those who protect and serve us during this important week.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office.

My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@ nyassembly.gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or Twitter at @WillABarclay.

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader and has represented the 120th Assembly District since 2003. The 120th District contains most of Oswego County and parts of Jefferson and Onondaga counties.

A Superbug Almost Took My Life.

Here’s How We Can Fight Them.

By Carrie Bourdow

When I got hit one day with a bout of lethargy and lack of appetite, my first thought was that I’d picked up a bug from my young kids, as mothers do all the time. But I only got worse. I finally went to see my doctor, who recommended a chest X-ray. I was stubbornly convinced my problem wasn’t that serious, so I decided to try powering through.

Big mistake. Days later, I was at the emergency room, where the chest X-ray showed one lung completely overrun with a bacterial infection. By this time, I was in septic shock and my body was shutting down. I was admitted into the intensive care unit and put on a feeding tube.

Doctors administered multiple rounds of first-line antibiotics. None worked. I couldn’t walk and lost twenty pounds. They were about to put me on a ventilator when the only antibiotic they had left finally began to clear my infection. I made it home for Christmas -- and I’ve never been more grateful for the gifts of health and family.

My story ended happily. Others aren’t so lucky. Superbugs contributed to 173,000 U.S. deaths in 2019 -- the third leading cause of death from disease. Globally, antimicrobial resistance contributes to nearly 5 million deaths a year.

The problem is escalating. Common and treatable bacterial infections like UTIs or staph can morph into a hospital stay or death sentence.

The solution is, in some ways, simple -- develop more antibiotics to treat these ever-evolving infections. We have the scientific expertise, but the market for antibiotics doesn’t support doing so.

Doctors must prescribe antibiotics only when necessary and save newer ones for infections that won’t respond to first-line treatments.

Unfortunately, the implication of these medical best practices is that hospitals purchase the newest antibiotics only in small quantities -- too small to recoup investment costs for their development.

Many companies struggle to develop new antibiotics like the one that saved my life. In the last decade, eight antibiotics -- developed by small companies -- received FDA approval. Today, every company behind those antibiotics has filed for bankruptcy or was forced to sell or downsize.

These failures are discouraging. But they signal that the scientific challenge is one we can meet. All that’s missing is the economic fix. A bill under consideration in Congress can provide just that.

The PASTEUR Act would establish a subscription-style model for novel antimicrobials. The government would contract with successful developers, at a set annual payment, in exchange for access to their antimicrobial. Even if the medicine is rarely prescribed, the company would have the financial stability to cover development costs and invest in new research. Most importantly, patients will have access to antibiotics when they need them.

I’m beyond grateful that my doctors had a then-new antibiotic to treat my infection. If Congress passes PASTEUR, new antibiotics could save more lives -perhaps including yours.

Carrie Bourdow is a superbug survivor and the CEO of Trevena.

County

Comptroller Kennedy Recommences Suffolk County Community College Internship Program

Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. (R-Nesconset) is happy to announce that his office has re-engaged with Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) to offer internships within the Department of Audit and Control. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the previous and very successful program was suspended for several years.

Internships at the Suffolk County Comptroller’s Office offer SCCC students practical hands-on experience specifically designed for skill development in the accounting and computer science fields. Four (4) SCCC students recently completed their internships in the Audit Division and Information Technology Unit during the spring semester. Several of the student interns even decided to continue their internship through the summer. Not only did they earn college credit, but the students were also compensated for their efforts.

Comptroller Kennedy commented, “Our internship program with SCCC is a win-win situation for all sides. The interns were immersed in the dayto-day activities of their college major and have been a wonderful addition to my staff. Hopefully, the experience can serve as a catalyst that inspires SCCC students to seek employment in Suffolk County Government upon graduation.”

Farzana Akter Akhi, recent SCCC graduate and internship participant, mentioned how grateful she was for the opportunity by stating, “Not only

did Mr. Kennedy take the time to get to know me, but the learning environment and experiences exceeded my own expectations. The knowledge and perspective gained will serve me well as I continue my studies at SUNY Old Westbury in the fall.”

Comptroller Kennedy is thankful for this partnership with SCCC and appreciates the work of the college coordinators and internal staff in making the resumption of this valuable program possible. As stated on their website: “SUNY Suffolk is a student-centered college community serving Suffolk County and beyond by providing open access to exceptional educational opportunities.”

John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) has served as Suffolk County Comptroller since 2015. He previously represented the Twelfth District in the Suffolk County Legislature from 2004 to 2014, serving as Minority Leader from 2012 to 2014.

The Comptroller’s office is located in the H. Lee Dennison Building at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge and can be reached at 631-853-5040.

Marine Vet Cliff Doering Turns 99!

By Joe Cuminale

On Saturday, May 18, I had the honor of helping a longtime friend celebrate a major milestone birthday. United States Marine Corps Cpl. Cliff Doering turned 99 years young. I have known Cliff for almost 15 years now. He is a World War II Veteran of the Okinawa Battle in the South Pacific.

Cliff enlisted in the Marines when He was 18 years old. When I asked him the reason behind enlisting, Cliff told me “The world was in trouble, and I wanted to help.”

After basic training, he was sent to Hawaii, then on to the South Pacific. He hit the Black Sand Beaches at 18 years of age, hoping to make it to 19.

Cpl. Doering and his family arrived at The Sunrise Detachment of the Marine Corps League in Massapequa in a classic convertible escorted by almost forty motorcycles. Once they arrived at their destination, the motorcycle escort parked and a group of young Marines carrying our country’s colors escorted the family to the guest of honor area set aside for the family. The members of the Marine Corps League gathered to honor their brother.

Cliff is more than a friend to me; he is literally living history and I love to listen to his stories.

A few of Nassau County elected officials were on hand to help Cliff celebrate. When someone asked Cliff the question “When You Reach 100 next year, would you like to re-enlist?” All Cliff had to say was “Heck Yeah!” and was greeted with the sounds of “OOH-RAH!” from his fellow Marines.

I am looking forward to hearing more of Cliff’s stories for some time to come. I would like to thank the Marine Corps League, Rolling Thunder Chapter NY6, American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, Teamsters Horsemen, and many other independent motorcycle riders for escorting the guest of honor U.S.M.C. Cpl. Cliff Doering and his family to his 99th birthday celebration barbeque.

I will see you many times before, but next year’s 100th birthday celebration will be much larger, sir.

This Week Today

National, State and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri National

In perhaps the most pressing geopolitical news, Iran’s President and Foreign Minister were both killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday night.

President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured below), Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, and other officials were all determined to have been killed after an hours-long search throughout the mountainous northwestern region of Iran just twelve miles from the Azerbaijan border.

Leaders from Yemen, Iraq, India, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan, China, Qatar, and Pakistan all offered their condolences to Iran in the wake of the news. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, as well as Hamas and Palestinian jihadist groups, the European Union foreign policy chief, and the Yemeni Houthis all offered condolences and signs of support as well.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby says that the U.S. does not anticipate “any change in Iranian behavior, and therefore, the Iranians should not expect any change in American behavior when it comes to holding them accountable.” Kirby asserts that the deaths of the Iranian leaders will not substantively impact U.S.-Iranian relations, and that the change in Iran’s leadership will not change the nation’s support of Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Yemeni Houthis who have targeted commercial shipping routes in the Middle East since the war in Gaza started in October. The U.S. also expects new Iranian leadership to continue its military support of Russia in the Ukraine War.

The cause of the crash is still undetermined, but it comes just shortly after Iran and Israel exchanged their first direct military confrontation in years. President Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched drones and ballistic missile attacks at Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian Consulate in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and five officers.

Israel, with aid from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Jordan, intercepted the projectiles, and Israel countered with a strike on an Iranian air defense radar system.

The exact location of the crash is still under contradiction, with some accounts placing it near the city of Jolfa, and others placing it near Uzi, both near the Azerbaijan-Armenia border and nearly 400 miles northwest of the capital city of Tehran.

In U.S. political news, two more states held presidential primary elections Tuesday night in Kentucky and Oregon, along with other consequential state elections and the special election for CA-20 in the U.S. House.

In Kentucky, both Donald Trump (R-FL) and Joe Biden (D-DE) won their respective primaries handily, but Biden saw a large chunk of the Democratic base opt for the “Uncommitted” ballot option, a movement that started in Michigan ahead of Super Tuesday rallying Americans, mostly Arab-Americans, against Biden’s support of Israel.

Although Kentucky has a relatively small progressive voting bloc, the ballot option still took 17.9% of the

collective vote, while Biden took 71.2% of the statewide vote. Biden also lost seven of Kentucky’s 120 counties: Floyd, Knott, Breathitt, Wolfe, Robertson, Union, and Ballard. Biden’s support in the Democratic strongholds of Jefferson (Louisville) and Fayette (Lexington) counties remained strong. Biden is set to take all forty-four delegates available.

Trump swept all 120 counties and took 84.9% of the statewide vote, to Nikki Haley’s (R-SC) 6.4%. He is set to take all forty-six delegates available.

In Oregon, Biden swept the primary with nearly 90% of the vote with 56% of precincts reporting at press time. He swept all thirty-six counties and will take all fortytwo delegates available. Long-suspended Marianne Williamson (D-CA) took just 7% of the statewide vote, while the write-in option took about 4%.

Meanwhile, Democrats avoided a disaster primary in OR-05 by electing Oregon Senator Janelle Bynum (D) in the primary over 2022 candidate Jamie McLeodSkinner (D). In perhaps the largest upset of the 2022 cycle, McLeod-Skinner ousted longtime moderate Congressman Kurt Schrader (D) in the primary. Viewed as too far left for a highly competitive district, the party split after her primary win and Schrader refused to endorse her. McLeod-Skinner would then lose to Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez DeRemer (R) in 2022.

OR-05 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in the House landscape. Bynum won Tuesday’s primary with 70% of the vote. The district runs from the southeast Portland suburbs through the eastern half of the Willamette Valley to take in the cities of Bend and Sisters. It has a slight Democratic lean, making it one of several crossover seats in the House - those that voted for one party for President but voted for another for Congress.

A rematch is also brewing in OR-06, just next door to OR-05. Freshman Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D) won a narrow race in Oregon’s newest congressional district that it gained after the state saw large population growth as reported by the 2020 Census. Mike Erickson (R), the 2022 challenger, cleared his primary Tuesday night. OR-06 is slightly more Democratic leaning than OR-05. It contains all of the capital city of Salem and southwestern suburbs of Portland.

Meanwhile, fundraising reports for April are in, and despite the ongoing criminal trial, former President Trump led Biden in monthly fundraising for the first time in the 2024 cycle.

Trump reported $76 million in donations for the month of April, while Biden reported $51 million. However, Biden still has the cash-on-hand advantage, with $192 million in the bank to Trump’s $89 million.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reported $10.7 million for April and started May with $10.1 million in his war chest. His running mate, Nicole Shanahan, ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, donated $8 million to the campaign in April.

State

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) began her taxpayer-funded trip to Rome, the Vatican, and Ireland to attend roundtables to discuss New York’s leadership in climate initiatives.

The three-day climate change summit “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience” saw hundreds

of world leaders, including Pope Francis, and scientists descend on the Vatican City.

“I had two hurricanes my first week on the job, more than Florida had that year. Tornadoes, a 1000-year flooding event, [with] our lakes and streams upstate where people have drowned, flooded in their homes,” said Hochul. “And I’m only on the job two years. So, think about the scale of those cataclysmic events, of what it has done to our communities.”

Hochul announced $300 million for climate change resiliency initiatives, with two-thirds funding water quality improvement projects that address flood resiliency or drinking source water protection.

Hochul also said that the state is a “magnet” for migrants seeking a better life, insisting that they are refugees of climate change.

“Those who are the climate refugees - local circumstances, environmental challenges are driving people from their homes because they can no longer sustain themselves in the agricultural jobs that were once there for them. That’s not their fault. We have to help them,” said Hochul.

Hochul was joined by governor Maura Healey (DMA) and Gavin Newsom (D-CA).

Local

The winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for NY-01 was named as Maia Schnaider of West Hills. Schnaider’s piece Forever Indebted will be displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for one year.

“I am thrilled to announce Maia Schnaider of Half Hollow Hills West as the winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Her piece, ‘Forever Indebted,’ is a great portrayal of her grandparents’ pursuit of the American Dream,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01). “Through her art, Maia captures the resilience and hope that define their journey, serving as a reminder of the endless opportunities our country offers. Congratulations, Maia, on this well-deserved recognition of your talent and a wonderful tribute to your family.”

“When I think of a Patriotic American Icon, I think of the American flag, which symbolizes the unity that people of different backgrounds and stories share and the promise of freedom.

Written between the lines of the flag is a famous quote from ‘The New Colossus’ on the Statue of Liberty, another significant icon of America,” said Schnaider (pictured above with her grandparents)

“My Grandparents are of an older generation; immigrants that came to the United States in the 80s, one, a child of World War Two survivors from Eastern Europe, and the other from the Middle East. Both came to America for all that the flag and Emma Lazarus’s poem symbolize.”

The winner of the Congressional Art Competition in NY-02, represented by Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) was Connetquot’s Sydney Shurgin.

Office of Congressman Nick LaLota

School Board Elections

Sachem Budget Fails

Brookhaven Town School District Election, Budget Results

By Matt Meduri

All seventeen school districts within the Town of Brookhaven held their board of election, budget, and ballot proposition votes on Tuesday night.

Sachem Central School District is one of just two district on Long Island, the other being West Babylon, who saw their budget propositions fail.

Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District

The $85,882,466 budget was approved with 798 votes and 303 votes against.

Mallory Dougherty was elected unopposed with 837 votes to succeed Julia Conlon.

Paul Wright earned 827 votes in an unopposed race to succeed Adrienne Cirone.

The district serves Bayport, Blue Point, and parts of North Patchogue Center Moriches Union Free School District

The $54,132,914 budget carries a 2.47% tax levy increase, within the tax cap. The budget passed with 509 in support and 421 votes against - a relatively slim 54%-46% margin.

Brian Tenety earned 707 votes in an uncontested race for a School Board seat.

Comsewogue School District

The $116,574,788 budget passed 540-204. It carries a 0% tax levy increase.

Margaret Mitchell, Corey Prinz, and Richard Rennard were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms.

The district serves Terryville and parts of Port Jefferson Station, Coram, Centereach, and Selden

East Moriches Union Free School District

The $31,600,752 budget passed 219-41. It carries a tax levy increase of 1.90%. Proposition 2 passed 239-20. It designates Center Moriches HS, Eastport South-Manor HS, and Westhampton Beach HS as receiving high schools for residents of the East Moriches UFSD for up to five years beginning July 1, 2024, ending June 30, 2029, for grades 9-12.

Proposition 3 passed 230-28. The East Moriches USFD Board of Education is now authorized to contract with the Suffolk Cooperative Library System for a period of one year only, commencing on July 1, 2024, for direct-access library services for a sum not to exceed $989,107, in addition to the sum of the budget.

President Greg Menegio was re-elected to a three-year term. Joseph Kosinski was elected to an open seat.

Eastport-South Manor Central School District

The $109,736,931 budget that remains within the tax cap passed 690-284. Proposition 2 passed 836-136.

Michael Davis and Marion Diener were elected to the school board with 584 votes and 450 votes, respectively.

The district serves parts of Eastport and Manorville Longwood Central School District

The $300,500,000 budget passed 1,541-428. It carries a tax levy increase of 1.79%.

The proposition to establish a Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) passed 1,509-455. A CRF is a savings account for the district used to finance capital projects in the future to offset the tax levy impact. It carries no additional cost to the taxpayers.

Bond Proposition One passed 1,455-500. It approves $158,000,000 for security upgrades, roof replacements, interior door replacements, bathroom repairs, enhanced facilities for all students, and addition of Certified Career programs. Projects will qualify for 75% reimbursement through NYSED Building Aid.

Bond Proposition Two passed 1,430-515. It approves air conditioning replacement in all district buildings.

The district serves Gordon Heights, East Yaphank, Middle Island, parts of Coram, Yaphank, Medford, Ridge, Upton, and East Shoreham, and small parts of Rocky Point and Miller Place Incumbent Trustees Victoria Molloy and Daniel Tomaszewski were re-elected and Matthew Gropper won an open seat.

Middle Country Central School District

The $294,838,307 budget passed 1,578-569. It carries a 2.54% tax levy increase, within the cap.

Alene Barresi, John DeBenedetto, and Denise Haggerty were all re-elected to the Board unopposed.

The district serves most of Selden and Centereach, parts of Lake Grove, Coram, and Farmingville.

Miller Place Union Free School District

The $82,952,733 budget passed 575-170. It carries a 2.11% tax levy. Proposition Two passed 637-90.

Bryan Makarius was re-elected unopposed with 584 votes. There were forty-three write-in votes.

The district serves most of Miller Place and parts of Sound Beach.

Mount Sinai Union Free School District

The $68,805,778 budget was approved 802-212. It carries a 3.22% tax levy increase, within the tax cap.

President Paul Staudt was re-elected unopposed. Joseph Randazzo won an open seat unopposed.

The district serves Mount Sinai and parts of northern Coram

Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District

The $241,343,722 budget passed 2,173-938. It carries a 2.67% tax levy increase that does not pierce the tax cap.

The $85,370,000 bond proposition passed 2,133-994. It will be spent on district wide HVAC upgrades, a multi-purpose field with lighting, bleachers, a press box, video scorecards, and a sound system.

President Marc Negrin and Trustees Jennifer Krieger and Bernadette Smith were all re-elected to the Board.

The district serves Patchogue, most of North Patchogue, parts of East Patchogue, Medford, and Holtsville.

Port Jefferson Union Free School District

The $48,018,335 budget passed 640-148. It carries a 1.24% tax levy increase.

Vice President Tracy Zamek was re-elected. Traci Donnelly and Michael Weaver were elected to open seats.

Adopt a budget of $48,018,335 that carries a 1.24% tax levy increase.

The district serves Belle Terre and most of Port Jefferson.

Rocky Point Union Free School District

The $93,985,727 budget passed 846-289. It carries a 2.71% tax levy increase.

The district serves Rocky Point and parts of Sound Beach

Vice President Michael Lisa was re-elected to the Board of Education. Stacey Lasurdo won the open seat.

Proposition Two passed 919-217. $4,300,000 has been approved from the CRF for district wide boiler and burner replacements.

Proposition Three passed 787-352.

Sachem Central School District

The $377,326,912 budget failed with 4,176 votes for the budget and 4,127 votes against the budget. The budget would have accrued a heavy 4.87% tax levy increase that pierces the tax cap. Since it would have pierced the cap, the budget required 60% support in order to pass.

A capital expenditures project for softball field construction passed 4,230 to 3,938.

Michael Isernia, Vincent Renyolds, and Sabrina Pitkewicz were all won Trustee positions unopposed.

Sachem is one of just two school districts on Long Island who saw their budgets fail, the other being West Babylon. Four districts passed budgets that pierced their tax caps: Amagansett, East Hampton, Port Washington, and Springs.

A secondary budget is slated to be put in front of voters on June 18. That budget would remain at the tax cap at 1.92%, but would come with significant drawbacks to services and programs. Within Brookhaven, the district serves parts of Lake Grove, Medford, Farmingville, Lake Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, and Holtsville Shoreham-Wading River Central School District

The $88,182,464 budget passed 526-125. It carries a 2.52% tax levy increase, within the cap. Proposition Two was also approved by voters. It transfers $1,676,920 to the capital fund for building repairs.

Incumbent James Smith was re-elected and Jim Lauckhardt won an open seat on the sevenmember board.

The district serves Shoreham, parts of East Shoreham, Wading River, Ridge, and Calverton South Country Central School District

The $143,057,785 budget passed 880-343. It carries a 2.70% tax levy increase that remains within the cap.

Proposition Two passed 885-329. It expands bus service for high school students from 1.5 miles to 1 mile at no additional cost.

Proposition 3 passed 909-298. It expands $937,000 in capital reserves for renovation of the Bellport High School auditorium.

Trustee Chris Picini was re-elected. Deborah DeLillo defeated incumbent Cameron Trent.

The district serves Bellport, North Bellport, Brookhaven hamlet, South Haven, parts of Shirley, Yaphank, and Medford

Three Village Central School District

The district serves Old Field, Poquott, Stony Brook, Strongs Neck, Setauket, East Setauket, parts of Centereach, Terryville, Port Jefferson Station, and Port Jefferson.

The $236,162,955 budget passed 2,140 to 1,140. President Susan Rosenzweig and Trustee Shaorui Li were re-elected to the Board of Education. Dr. Stanley Bak won a special election to serve the remaining one year of a three-year term. He defeated Amitava Das by just five votes: 1,688 to 1,683.

William Floyd Union Free School District

The $310,860,689 budget passed 826-311.

Proposition 2 passed 805-301. It allows the Board to establish a CRF of $10 million for renovations.

Proposition 3 passed 813-297. IT allows the Board to establish a Repair Reserve Fund of $6 million for repairs to capital improvements.

Trustees Jennifer Ng Heitman and Kevin Meyer were re-elected.

The district serves Mastic, Mastic Beach, Moriches, Old Mastic, and parts of Shirley.

Continued from front cover

MESSENGER EXCLUSIVE Romaine Signs Caracappa’s Workforce Housing Bill

One such elected official, Suffolk County Legislator and Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), spent the last ten months crafting a bill to promote workforce housing in Suffolk County. His bill, I.R. 1013-2024, amends a portion of the Suffolk County Administrative Code in tandem with Chapter 740 of the Suffolk County Code in connection with Sewers to require developers who wish to connect to existing sewer districts to allocate at least 15% of units as workforce affordable housing and clarifies affordability requirements relative to area median income (AMI).

The bill, co-sponsored by Legislators Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point), Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), and Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), passed the Legislature 14-4.

Now, The Messenger can exclusively report that Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) signed the bill into law Tuesday evening.

“What this bill does is that anyone who’s looking to come forward for subsidies from the County and receive funding for a development that has affordable housing in it, this will now change the dynamics of what we [the County] get in return,” Caracappa told The Messenger. “Previously, the AMI was set at 120%. What this does is lower that number from 120% to 80% and the difference there is incredible for our young workforce and for our seniors.”

Caracappa explains that a one or one-and-a-half bedroom apartment at 120% costs anywhere from $3400 to $4200 per month in rent. Since the bill lowers the threshold to 80% AMI, it will put rental units below market value. He says that that same apartment would now cost anywhere from $2400 to $2700 per month.

According to the New York State Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), no more than 30% of one’s income should go towards rent or a mortgage. The current average is over 65%.

The legislation stipulates that 10% of units in a development must, at a minimum, be occupied by persons and/or families whose income does not exceed 80% AMI. Additionally, 5% of units must be occupied by tenants whose income does not exceed 100% AMI.

Caracappa says the initiative is a huge help to young professionals entering the workforce with entry-level salaries.

food and utilities are one thing, but forget about vacations and family time. It’s hard enough just to make ends meet. This will now be a relief for that. Our young workforce will be able to save money for a down payment. This is the plan.”

Caracappa also says that the bill intends to hold developers who seek County subsidies “accountable” in their endeavors.

“120% AMI is not affordable housing,” says Caracappa. “We can’t control rent in every unit, because at the end of the day, it is a business for developers. But developers claim they’ll lose up to $40,000 per unit. This was not an easy project. Legislator Mazzarella and I successfully lobbied the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to lower their AMI to 80%.”

Caracappa also says that the term “affordable housing” often carries a stigma, something he and his colleagues intend to clarify with this legislation and other initiatives like it.

“In order to qualify for workforce housing, potential tenants must present a W-2 to obtain qualification. If you don’t qualify, or if your salary goes above AMI, you’ll be redesignated into market-value homes,” says Caracappa. “But by then, you should have saved your money and done your diligence. We’re not picking favorites with these units; these are designed specifically to keep the flow moving. You have a period of time to excel in your job, increase your pay, and get ready for the next step: ownership.”

“When families stay together here in Suffolk County, they go out. They support mom-and-pop shops, the local businesses, the movie theaters, restaurants; that’s sustainability. We raise and educate our youth and we want them to move on to the next chapter, which is independence.”

“My background is in labor and negotiating contracts. Everyone knows that when you enter a new position, you typically start at ‘entry-level’ pay scales. Over time, there are step increases or progressions in salary approximately every six months or so, or when a probation period has ended. This is the case whether you are leaving college and entering into healthcare or teaching, or where you may go to begin a new career. It’s basically the same scenario for those elect to enter into one of the trades, municipalities, or even law enforcement directly out of high school,” says Caracappa. “What this allows for, in those five or six years when you’re climbing up the ladder, is to live independently, move out of your parents’ house, work, live, and give back to the community, instead of being educated here and then moving somewhere else more affordable. This will keep our young workforce here.”

Majority Leader Nick Caracappa

Caracappa also says that this bill will benefit seniors who still wish to reside in Suffolk. Senior citizens regularly find that maintenance, cost of upkeep, and other responsibilities of owning a property are what interests them in downsizing into a rental unit or condo.

“This keeps our grandparents and seniors here in our communities and keeps families together. When our grandparents say it costs too much to live here, or they’re a widow or widower, they usually sell and move south. We want them to sell and move down the road,” says Caracappa.

The potential increased sale of houses in favor of smaller units also opens up the housing market to other, new buyers.

The legislation also incentivizes sewer hookups. Developers who wish to build apartment/ condo complexes and utilize the public sewers will be required to set aside at least 15% of all eventually available units at no greater than 80% AMI. Sewer connections not only allow for better water treatment and certain environmental mitigations, but also for downtown revitalizations, as businesses, restaurants, and housing projects often depend on sewer hookups for long-term sustainability and/or eventual expansion.

Developers will see reductions in connection fees that directly correspond to the percentage of affordable units at 80% AMI or below. For example, if 15% of a development’s units are considered “affordable” under the eyes of the legislation, then they would receive a 15% cost reduction in sewer hookups. The legislation also specifically states that if 100% of a development’s units are considered affordable, then the developer will see a 100% cost reduction in sewer hookups.

Caracappa also says that keeping Suffolk affordable not only allows for resident retention but increases the quality of life down to the local level.

“When families stay together here in Suffolk County, they go out. They support mom-and-pop shops, the local businesses, the movie theaters, restaurants; that’s sustainability,” says Caracappa. “We raise and educate our youth and we want them to move on to the next chapter, which is independence.”

Regarding the aforementioned statistics from the State HUD, Caracappa says that when more than 65% of one’s income goes to rent, everything else goes out the window.

“When young people and families in these apartments have most of their salaries go to rent,

Caracappa cites studies from nearly twenty years ago that show similar figures in AMI and affordability problems. He laments that if this measure was taken then, Suffolk County would be in a much different place economically today.

“Imagine if this legislation today was passed back then, what kind of shape Suffolk County would be in with truly affordable housing. It would be leveled off by now,” says Caracappa. “We would have affordable units across the board for everyone. But we’ve got to start somewhere. We can’t look backwards. We have to look forward.”

The legislation also stipulates that in order for developers to qualify for County subsidies, at least five units must be allocated for Veterans who meet income requirements. The bill also requires a development to allocate no more than 10% of affordable units for individuals with disabilities and abide by ADA standards.

The Messenger also discussed the bill and other infrastructure initiatives with County Executive Romaine.

“The bill is important as a way of promoting affordable housing by tying it to sewer connections. By doing that, we encourage developers who are looking to build and get greater density, which sewers will allow to build affordable housing,” says Romaine.

Romaine also says that while legislation is an important step in promoting infrastructure changes, “money is everything.”

“We don’t have all the monies in place. If we get the referendum passed, that’s one step. But more importantly, where’s the state money? Where’s the environmental bond money? Where’s the infrastructure money that the president promised us? We haven’t seen that money. We need to see that money here on Long Island,” says Romaine.

Romaine also says that transit-oriented development (TOD) is a large priority of the County, which can tie sewer connections and affordable housing initiatives together to make the best use of mass transit and downtown revitalizations.

“We have someone who just built seventy-five units of affordable housing in North Bellport, and he wants to build more on Montauk Highway,” says Romaine. “There’s a sewage treatment plant north of Sunrise Highway that we could connect to the units. 100%-affordable units with a sewer hookup could be approved tomorrow, but we don’t see the investment being made by the State. The Governor talks about housing, but you can’t talk about housing without talking about infrastructure, sewers, and roads, because you can’t build housing in a vacuum. It’s got to be coordinated and it should be beneficial towards TOD.”

Romaine says that the Pilgrim State property in Brentwood is another example of housing where State funding is needed. Romaine says that they’re currently approved for 3,400 units, but when it’s finished over the years, it could be up to 9,000 units

“We have all the housing we want. What we need is the infrastructure to support the housing. There’s no sewer solution for Pilgrim State,” says Romaine.

Romaine also mentioned road network remediations that are needed to address housing increases in Suffolk County, namely adding a third lane to the Sagtikos and Sunken Meadow Parkways and creating an overpass at Route 347 and Nicolls Highway in Stony Brook. He also says getting the most use of buses is another priority of his administration, a vital aspect of TOD. He says that the prior administration had to cut bus routes because of lack of State funding.

“I repeat myself a hundred times, but maybe the hundredth and first time will work. We seem to be the stepchild of the state of New York,” says Romaine.

The Messenger also discussed I.R. 1013 with one of its primary co-sponsors, Legislator Jim Mazzarella.

“We sorely need funding from the State for the infrastructure. They just cut a ribbon on an affordable housing project in Bay Shore. There were eighty-four affordable units made available, but there were 1,600 applicants for those units,” says Mazzarella. “If that doesn’t say that we are in a housing crisis and that we need to do something to make housing more affordable in Suffolk County and Long Island, I don’t know what does.”

The new law is set to take effect ninety days after its filing with the Secretary of State.

Dawnwood and Selden MS Students Showcase Research at SBU Symposium

Seventh-grade students from Dawnwood and Selden middle schools visited Stony Brook University, where they proudly presented their research projects at the prestigious Offshore Wind Energy Symposium.

The symposium provided a platform for students to explore the world of renewable energy and learn about the potential of offshore wind power. Under the guidance of dedicated teachers and mentors, students from Dawnwood and Selden Middle Schools researched various aspects of offshore wind energy, developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

During the event, students showcased their findings through presentations and interactive demonstrations. From exploring the environmental impact of offshore wind farms to designing efficient turbine models, the students’ projects covered a wide range of topics, reflecting their passion for sustainability and renewable energy.

The symposium also served as a valuable learning experience for the students, who had the opportunity to engage with experts in the field, participate in hands-on activities, and

Book Donation Honors

Upcoming Memorial Day

experience climate simulation models through the virtual reality deck at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology. By immersing themselves in the world of offshore wind energy, the students gained a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable practices and the role they can play in shaping a greener future.

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.

Bayport-Blue Point HS Athletes Commit to Colleges

The Bayport-Blue Point School District congratulates the following Bayport-Blue Point High School student-athletes who have committed to competing at the NCAA Division III level upon graduation.

top row from left, Nick K., St. Joseph’s University, baseball; Miller V., University of Lynchburg, volleyball; Kyle B., SUNY Cortland, wrestling; Maggie Y., Loyola University, track and field; Samantha H., Husson University, basketball.

Seated from left, Kendall W., Hartwick College, field hockey; Renee M., Ithaca College, volleyball; Kristin K., Rutgers University of Newark, softball;

In recognition of Memorial Day later this month, Sachem Central School District Board of Education trustee and Navy veteran, Michael J. Isernia, Esq., presented 29 copies of “The Wall” by Eve Bunting on behalf of the Military Business Resource Group, of UL Solutions. The donation was made to the district at the May 8 board of education meeting. The book tells the story of a father and young son who visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The story is told through the boy’s eyes as he and his father search to find the name of the grandfather he would never know. Along the way, the boy sees others paying respects in different ways to all those lost. The books will be distributed to the district’s 10 elementary and three middle school libraries. They will be used by educators to teach lessons about the importance of honoring the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Pictured,

Matt T., Penn State University Behrend, wrestling; Jerry L., Hartwick College, football; Ryan H., SUNY Maritime, lacrosse. Not pictured are Logan F., St. Joseph’s University, volleyball; Scarlett K., Oberlin College, tennis; and Caitlin S., Bryant University, track and field.

Rocky Point Congratulates Top Two Students

Rocky Point High School is proud to congratulate Isabella Rooney as its Class of 2024 valedictorian and Sophia Haviland as its salutatorian.

Isabella is honored to be named the top student, calling it a privilege to earn the title in such a phenomenal class of peers.

“Our school is full of so many talented, dedicated and hardworking individuals,” Isabella said. “I could not be more excited and grateful.”

Isabella Rooney has taken more than two dozen Advanced Placement, honors and college-level courses while in Rocky Point High School. In her senior year alone, she has taken seven AP classes while dancing and training for more than 20 hours each week.

Isabella is a member of the History Honor Society, Homecoming Float Design team, Math Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Students Council and Yearbook Club.

Isabella’s community involvement includes participation in various back-to-school and toy drives for the Heather N. Kaplan Foundation. She is also involved in the National Art Honor Society’s Mr. Gobbles Charity, the Student Council holiday clothing drive, peer tutoring with the English, Math, and Science honor societies, and teaches classes at Inishfree School of Irish Dance, sharing Irish culture through community performances.

Isabella has received numerous school awards including AP Scholar with Distinction, the Mark Twain Literary and Art Contest Prose Honorable Mention as a sophomore, the Mark Twain Literary and Art Contest Poetry First Place honors as a junior and the Mark Twain Literary and Art Contest First Honors and Art First Honors as a senior. She has also been honored as a third-place recipient in the Mid-Atlantic Region in Irish Dance, placed eighth in the country in Irish Dance, 18th in the Irish Dance World championships and honorable mention in the 2023-2024 Suffolk County High School Art Exhibition.

Isabella plans to attend university to study molecular biology. She also looks forward to traveling more after graduation, studying abroad in the United Kingdom or Ireland to further her education and Irish dancing career.

Sophia Haviland takes pride in her accomplishment as salutatorian. “It makes me feel like all of my hard work the past few years has finally paid off,” she said. When asked about her greatest accomplishment in high school, Sophia noted her role in organizing a clothing swap event as the president of the Human Rights Club, helping to promote sustainability in fashion and discourage the overconsumption of clothing. “This experience taught me the importance of community and working together to create an impact and real change,” she said.

Sophia has taken advantage of many of Rocky Point’s AP, honors and college-level courses, including 12 AP courses and 12 honors courses. She is a member of the high school’s Human Rights Club, where she has served as president for the past two years, and is secretary of the National Science Honor Society. She is a member of the History Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society and the New York State Math Honor Society. She is also a member of the school’s pit orchestra and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York.

During her high school career, Sophia worked as a pool attendant for Aquatech Management of Long Island and helps at community events, including being a volunteer at the annual Prom Impact organized by Suffolk County Association of Women Police and a volunteer at STEAM nights, both of which she has been involved in since grade 10.

Sophia has racked up an impressive number of awards including the 46th Annual Literary and Art Contest Prose Honorable Mention, AP Scholar with Distinction, Excellent Designation for NCTE Achievement Awards for Writing, National Hispanic Recognition Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, Principal’s List, and Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. She has also been selected to both the Long Island String Festival Association Division III Orchestra and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association Division III Orchestra. She looks forward to joining the freshman class at Boston University where she will major in chemistry.

Eastport-South Manor Holds Ribbon-Cuttings for Athletic Fields

It was an afternoon of celebration and pride as student-athletes joined the Eastport-South Manor Central School District Board of Education trustees and central administrators as ribbons were cut at respective ceremonies on April 30 and May 2 to commemorate the official openings of the newly designed turf softball and baseball fields.

The two athletic fields were part of the 2019 voterapproved Capital Project and include new lighting and A-frame bleachers between the two fields.

The Necessary Standard for American Education

Unpacking the Even-Year Election Change

By Matt Meduri

Last year, just around Christmas time, Albany Democrats and Governor Kathy Hochul (D) instituted a change that moves off-year elections to even-year elections. It’s a change that fundamentally alters how our elections will be run and how results will be decided. For this column, we’d like to remind the public of the change and unpack what its likely effects will be.

Off-Year Elections as They Currently Stand

Currently, off-year elections are held on oddnumbered years. They encompass local elections only, larger special elections notwithstanding. Suffolk County just had a host of local elections. County Executive, County Legislature, Town Board/Council, Town Supervisor, Town Clerk, and other positions, such as Assessors, Trustees, Highway and Superintendents were all on the ballot. These elected officials tend to be the most accessible and their decisions often have the greatest effects on constituents’ lives, wallets, and quality of life.

Additionally, these elections are often the greatest bellwethers for political moods on larger scales, as the voters who turn out to vote in these races will often vote in any other race up the ballot. Partisan moods across other years’ ballots can often correspond to the moods in these elections, as they are the most rudimentary form of organized politics.

On the other hand, these elections can produce much more ticket-splitting and crossover support, as local electeds are often viewed less in a lens of partisanship and more in one of constituent service and job approval.

Even-Year Elections as They Currently Stand

Even-year elections play host to more highprofile tickets: presidential, federal, and state elections, along with some local positions coincide on certain even years, while federal, state, and other local positions coincide on the others. All state representatives are up every two years and since they’re paired with presidential and midterm years, they can be more susceptible to anti-White House voting tendencies. This was apparent in New York, as state Democrats rode the national blue wave to make gains in the Assembly and flip the Senate for the first time in decades.

Midterm years have a much larger emphasis on local politics. Members of the New York State Assembly and Senate fit into the fold of constituent service-centric work ethic, but are still in throes of partisan politics, albeit to a smaller degree than congressional elections.

Some local positions that are already on the ballot in even years include Suffolk County Comptroller, Suffolk County Clerk, and town judgeship positions.

In terms of congressional elections, members of the U.S. House are up for re-election every two years. These always coincide with the presidency and midterm races, making them highly susceptible to partisan politics, hot-button issues, and voting records. Each election season usually sees a couple dozen candidates in crossover districts, those that vote for one party for president but elect a representative from another party. Joe Biden (D-DE) won NY-01 and NY-04 under the current boundaries, but both have Republican Congressmen.

This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.

NYS Assembly Seats in Suffolk by Current Partisan Breakdown

NYS Senate Seats in Suffolk by Current Partisan Breakdown

split-ticket voting much less common and hyperpartisanship at an all-time high, there’s often not much wiggle room for other candidates to score wins at other levels if one party dominates a state’s politics.

What the Change Entails

New York decided to merge the off-year and even-year elections for a myriad of reasons. Voter fatigue, public funding of elections each year, and higher turnout are the top three reasons cited for making the change. The change is set to take effect after 2025.

This means that all of the local positions mentioned in the first section, specifically those that were just on the ballot in 2023, will now be susceptible to down ballot tendencies in presidential and midterm years.

From a logistical standpoint, the change also means that ballots will now be packed with dozens of candidates, ranging from Washington down to Hauppauge or your local Town Hall. Local candidates will need to vie for oxygen in the room to make their cases from voters and run specifically on their platforms and records whilst staying afloat amid national or statewide partisan preferences.

Additionally, more money will likely have to flow to election precincts due to larger ballots and processing of votes, requiring more staff.

The change will also undoubtedly make advertising a much larger game for candidates, with those with larger war chests pricing out smaller, local candidates out of pricey New York media markets.

Furthermore, for your local publications, interviewing candidates for campaign spotlights is no small task. The Messenger sat down with nearly all forty candidates from both parties in just our three towns of coverage in

their belief that voters could do with a year off from the polls and the common quip that “every year is an election year.”

How Will it Affect Results?

This one is mostly conjecture, but we’re confident in our answer from our knowledge of the field. Since down ballot voting is stronger than ever, and split-ticket voting is mostly a thing of the past in federal and marquee elections, it is a great concern of many that such tendencies will drown out local candidates’ abilities to differentiate themselves from the national spotlight.

While partisan politics does have relevance on the local level, there are much greater and more consistent displays of bipartisanship on the local level. Additionally, partisan lines are much more obscured in light of local issues. Perhaps the major issue of the 2023 elections was the sewer referendum at the County Legislature. None of the national talking points and hot-button issues were on the ballot in the local races this year, and very rarely are they ever.

The local elections have been-off year for decades simply due to the separation of larger, higher-stakes elections that draw more out to the polls simply due to partisanship, especially nowadays. Keeping these levels of government separate at the ballot box has been the intention to keep local, intimate levels of government in their own bubble. Combining them creates scenarios where a single issue can dominate an entire electoral landscape, as abortion did in the 2022 midterms. Since Suffolk County can’t amend abortion laws one way or the other, it doesn’t make sense to make them uncontrollably on the hook for the decisions of lawmakers and judges well above them across the country.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Groundbreaking for Grove Apartments in East Patchogue

By Matt Meduri

While the topic of affordable housing is one that is frequently discussed nationwide, it’s an especially salient topic in Suffolk County. Making Suffolk more affordable and attractive to retain the working-age population is chief among many priorities of elected officials of both parties and across multiple levels of government. The concept of workforce housing is one that has introduced a new edge for Suffolk moving forward, both in retaining working-class residents, reaping economic benefits of a self-sustaining economy, and utilizing good stewardship of land for development.

Friday morning was host to a groundbreaking ceremony for the Grove Apartments in East Patchogue, a new affording and supportive housing project that will consist of a three-building rental complex at the near-three acre lot that has long been vacant at 400 East Main Street. The lot has been vacant for close to fifteen years after the True Value hardware store was razed.

The complex will feature a variety of rental units: twenty-one one-bedroom units, twenty-eight two-bedroom units, and six

Dave Gallo, President and co-founder, said that while ribbon-cuttings are “easier” since the new project can be physically toured and observed, groundbreakings take more “imagination.” He said that the very parcel of the lot where the groundbreaking was being held would later serve as a community room in Building A, which will contain a fitness room and management offices. He also shared GGV’s vision of walkways, a coffee shop, a flag pole, a clock tower, and outdoor seating for residents.

“There’s going to be the kids with the big backpacks holding onto their parents’ hands, coming home from school, entering in their new affordable housing,” said Gallo. “It’s our passion - some might say it’s our obsession - to work diligently to ensure that we have beautiful apartments, carefully constructed units, and meticulously managed apartments from start to completion. We enter into whole services from development, construction, to property management. We’ve completed over a thousand units here on Long Island just like this. Affordable housing creates jobs, cleans up blighted sites, revitalizes

Georgica Green Ventures President Dave Gallo (CreditMatt Meduri)

Romaine thanked Focus East Patchogue and the local civic associations for their roles in ensuring the development of the property.

Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) listed the many benefits to multiple subsets of the population this project will provide.

“This is going to give our workers, especially our hospital workers, and give them somewhere local to live. It’s going to be great for the kids to have a local playground. It’s going to be great for our main street, and to clear up the aesthetics of East Patchogue,” said Thorne.”

Suffolk County Legislator and Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), who is the Chair of the Public Works Committee, has made workforce housing a top priority of his tenure in the Legislature.

“We want to keep our young workforce here. We want to keep our families together here. It is incumbent upon us as elected officials, upon GGV, and our residents to

three-bedroom units. The workforce housing will be available to renters who earn 50% to 90% of the area’s average median income (AMI). As such, rents at the Grove will range from about $1200 to $3000, depending on the tenant’s income.

Additionally, the complex will serve as supportive housing, with seventeen units set aside for domestic violence victims and vulnerable families. Such tenants will be screened by New Ground, a Levittown-based social services provider who will also provide onsite services.

The project is also part of the East Patchogue Incentive Overlay District, an initiative started in 2020 with the goal of revitalizing the Montauk Highway corridor. Finally, the complex will also host a 1,000-square-foot ground-floor space which will be up for lease for small businesses and/ or nonprofits.

Local elected and community leaders, as well as organized labor forces broke ground on the project Friday morning. The project is expected to create around 150 construction jobs and will take about eighteen months to complete.

The development is being spearheaded by Georgica Green Ventures, LLC, (GGV) a Jericho-based firm that prides itself on localized, affordable, and sustainable development.

neighborhoods, and of course provides safe, decent, affordable housing.”

Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) said that when the initial community meetings about the project were held, he said there was a “lot of apprehension,” but after details were revealed and questions were answered, there was much more “excitement.”

“Everyone was so excited about this development project and being able to invite fifty-five new neighbors into the community,” said Murray. “So, I applaud everyone for doing this the right way. Welcome to the community and we look forward to opening and cutting that ribbon.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who made affordability and infrastructure in Suffolk large aspects of his 2023 campaign, said that this was not the “first development that has been proposed for this property,” and that this is the “right development for this property.”

“We want Suffolk County to be multigenerational. We want places for our young people to live, we want them to stay here, to see affordable housing built, and to see our downtown communities revitalized,” said Romaine. “We think all of these things are part of what’s happening in this project. With fiftyfive units, commercial establishments on the first floor, and residentials on the second, this is going to fit in great.”

commit to making projects like this happen, to bring affordable workforce housing to communities such as East Patchogue and all across Suffolk County,” said Caracappa. “We’re going to be working to get some victims of domestic abuse in here who have overcome some pretty severe challenges in their lives. We’ll also be working on getting some of our Veterans here in this project as well.”

Ruth Anne Visnauskas, NYS Commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal also spoke in support of the project.

“Housing is much more than a brick and mortar. It is much more than a room for one’s head. And projects like The Grove meet an enormous number of goals that we have at the State’s housing agency,” said Visnauskas. “First, it’s going to include seventeen apartments with on-site services for

families in need. Second, it has space for New Ground to provide critical education, financial literacy, and career development services right here on site. And third, the Grove is going to be all-electric and utilize on-site solar panels. This is exactly the type of housing that we are looking to establish across New York, but especially here on Long Island. It increases the supply of housing for people at all income levels, at all stages, at all phases of life. It helps people stay and add to the fabric of what’s already a wonderful community, and it lifts people up from difficult circumstances. In many ways, the need is at its highest in places like Long Island because housing costs here are at historic highs and inventory is at historic lows.”

Shannon Boyle, Executive Director of New Ground, says that the company has helped “vulnerable Long Islanders achieve their goals and change the trajectory of their lives” for thirty-three years.”

“Just last week, one of our single moms who came to us homeless over five years ago graduated with her Bachelor in Science Nursing degree. She is now studying for her State Boards,” said Boyle. “She will be able to obtain a job with a starting salary over $100,000 and she will never be homeless again. Imagine the lives that this project will change, just like hers. This has been a long time in the making and it’s a tremendous, tremendous success.”

Gallo says that in order to be ahead of schedule and under budget, work on the project was not suspended for the groundbreaking, as construction vehicles and workers were busy preparing the land for construction as the press conference concluded.

“I can’t wait to see everybody a year from now,” said Gallo, at which point executives, leaders, and elected officials picked up shovels and hard hats to formally begin the development.

The Grove will be located at 400 East Main Street in East Patchogue, on the corner of Main Street and Grove Avenue.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Suffolk County Holds Armed Forces Day Ceremony County News

By Matt Meduri

While Memorial Day receives the lion’s share of attention, events, parades, and services in honor of our Veterans, the day is reserved in recognition of those who made the Ultimate Sacrifice while serving the United States.

On the other hand, Armed Forces Day is set to recognize those currently serving in uniform and those who have served before. Set for the third Saturday of May, Armed Forces Day was established by President Harry Truman (D-MO) in 1949 to “praise the work of the military services at home and across the seas.”

“It is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of desirable peace,” said Truman.

The day was formed as a unification of birthday celebrations of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Suffolk County held its Armed Forces Day ceremony at Armed Forces Plaza on the north lawn of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge last Saturday.

“As a country, we owe our thanks to those who stand up for our country,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “This is a day that comes together to celebrate all of those who have served. We want to thank the Space Force, the Navy, the Marines, the Army, the Air Force, to whoever has served in the armed forces of our country. This is a day we give thanks for their service because they are our shield and our sword. They are the reason our flag flies high. Thank you and God bless America.”

“While we’re here to celebrate the armed forces and those who serve the armed forces, what I would hope to offer as well is that those of us in public office, in order to take that seriously, must put that duty before anything else,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01). “All down the line, you have folks who want to put their community and country before themselves, and that’s what the folks in the armed services have done for so many years.”

LaLota spoke of dysfunction in Congress, but contrasted it with the National Defense Authorization Act, in what he said has been “the most bipartisan bill for the last sixty-four years.”

“We’ve come together to ensure that our men and women in the armed forces have the policy, the leadership, and the resources they need to ensure that we remain the greatest country the world has ever known. It’s important that we come together and focus on that. I’m proud to be doing that for this community and the country,” said LaLota.

Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Veterans Committee, offered his thanks and praise not only to all armed forces, but also Gold Star families.

“To our Gold Star families, you made the sacrifice that should be asked of nobody. But yet, you don’t complain, you honor, and you show up to honor others,” said Caracappa. “And that is the primary reason we are here, because we have young men and women serving right now, putting themselves in harm’s way, just like your family members did. We appreciate you so much because your presence at every event inspires others. May God continue to bless you and look after you. We salute you and thank you. Thank you very much. God bless you all.”

“Our unique abilities included the very best medical care from our pararescuers. The alert crew sprung into action to respond to a vehicle hit with an improvised explosive device (IED). We were airborne within minutes receiving updates and routes. As the pickup bird, we were first into the landing zone. I could see the twisted metal of what seemed to be a vehicle hit by an IED. Out of the dust picked up by the helicopter blades, I saw Marines carrying their wounded to the helicopter. The image is still etched in my memory today.”

Wineberger also described a chaotic summer tour in Afghanistan, in which he saw a “lone American” directing the operation with “determination and purpose.”

“I never knew what branch of the military he was from, nor will I ever know when we’re serving in silence,” said Wineberger.

Wineberger also recognized the sea as the most dangerous environment.

“Respect is given to the sailors and Coast Guardsmen who operate daily to keep us safe. I’ve worked with the Navy numerous times and they have my utmost respect. Landing on ships requires precision. The team on a ship that makes this happen is seamless. The Coast Guard are the unsung heroes, working tirelessly day in and day out.”

Wineberger then described a 2017 explosion aboard a Slovenian ship that killed two and injured two crew members. In a collaborative effort, the Coast Guard and the 106th Rescue Wing mobilized an HC-130 aircraft with pararescuers from Westhampton Beach. Because of their teamwork, the two survivors were able to return home to their families.

“I recognize the greatness we can achieve by working together. I understand that relationships we build and the trust we develop can overcome any obstacle, despite our differences. I see the same opportunity for every American. Hopefully you can too,” concluded Wineberger.

Wineberger was then presented with a proclamation on behalf of Suffolk County for his “unwavering dedication and leadership as Deputy Commander of the 106th Rescue

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Colonel Andrew Wineberger, an Air Force Veteran who served as the 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach.

“Armed Forces Day was established in response to the Armed Forces unification under one department, the Department of Defense,” said Wineberger. “The word ‘join’ has been used to describe the synergy between the different services, including the Coast Guard. The individual services have cherished their traditions and history, and they should. But as time progressed, they understood the need to work together for peace in an increasingly complex world.”

Wineberger entered the service at the 106th Rescue Wing thirty-six years ago. He said that at that point in his career, his view of the other services was limited, but perspective changed “dramatically” after eleven deployments in multiple high-risk civilian rescue missions.

“As a rescue pilot, I learned to train under the most difficult of circumstances with the Army, the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Special Operations Command, to prepare for combat, defend the homeland, and ensure I can respond to the New York State Governor’s call at a moment’s notice,” said Wineberger. “In the military, we rely on our brothers and sisters no matter what. We’re always there for each other. There’s an unspoken bond that cannot be broken.”

Wineberger described a high-risk mission in Afghanistan providing casualty evacuation in a hotly-contested area, working to not leave anyone behind.

Wing, Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.” The proclamation highlights his guidance of over a thousand military and civilian personnel, whose “collaborative efforts demonstrate remarkable efficiency and effectiveness in executing a wide array of missions.”

“The operations capability of the wing, including the operation of the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, as well as its Guardian Angel Squadron stands as a testament to Colonel Weinberger’s strategic foresight and commitment to excellence,” the proclamation read. Wineberger was also recognized for his professional development as a command pilot, his more than 4,300 flight hours, deployments in Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and humanitarian relief efforts during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Sandy.

Wineberger was also presented with a proclamation on behalf of the Town of Huntington and Supervisor Ed Smyth (R-Lloyd Harbor), and a proclamation on behalf of the State of New York presented by Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James).

“God bless you, Colonel Wineberger, God bless all of our service members, and God bless the United States of America,” said Senator Mattera.

In attendance also were the Vietnam Green Jackets, various local Veterans organization leaders and personnel, Sheriff Errol Toulon (D), Suffolk County Legislators Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Ann Welker (D-Southampton), Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point), Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), and representatives for District Attorney Ray Tierney (R).

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

(Photo above)Colonel Andrew Wineberger (Credit - Matt Meduri)

(Photo left) A Green Jacket hands out roses (Credit - Matt Meduri)

Palumbo & Colleagues Introduce Bills to Close Loopholes that Allowed

By Guest Contributor

Conviction of Harvey Weinstein to be Overturned

New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk), Senator Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore), Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R-Malverne), and members of the Senate Republican Conference introduced legislation aimed at fixing the glaring loopholes that resulted in the shocking decision by the Court of Appeals to overturn the conviction of serial sexual assaulter Harvey Weinstein.

On April 25, the New York State Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of serial sexual assaulter Harvey Weinstein in a 4-3 decision after Chief Justice Wilson set a policy, shortly after his confirmation, that would allow him to replace Judges Shirley Troutman and Caitlin Halligan - who recused themselveswith Betsy Barros and Christine Clark, who sided with Wilson in the decision.

This outcome is the direct result of the Senate Democrats’ rejection of Justice Hector LaSalle in favor of the more liberal-leaning Rowan Wilson, in an effort to politicize the Court after their gerrymandered district maps were struck down. While their political manipulation got the result they wanted in the redistricting case, the collateral damage is a Court that overturned the conviction of serial sexual assaulter and rapist Harvey Weinstein.

“We were all appalled when the New York State Court of Appeals overturned the rape and sexual assault convictions of Harvey Weinstein. While the verdict was a shock, it was no surprise for people who have followed Judge Rowan Wilson’s career closely,” said Senator Palumbo, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary

and Codes Committee. “There were numerous warnings from women’s groups and advocates that decisions like this one would likely follow if Wilson was confirmed as the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Now the legislature must act to close pro-criminal loopholes to protect victims, and the rule of law in New York State. Codifying the Molineux Rule and preventing the cherry picking of judicial replacements are important safeguards against a radical court intent on legislating from the bench.”

During Judge Rowan Wilson’s Senate confirmation hearing, Senator Palumbo specifically asked Judge Wilson about his prior decisions, including the dismissal of a rape conviction in March of 2023 by creating a new legal standard that he invented. Senator Palumbo reiterated his concerns for victims during the Judiciary hearings and urged his colleagues to reject the nomination of Wilson.

“Despite the clear indication that Judge Wilson could be dangerous to women and New Yorkers, the Senate Democrats voted along party lines to confirm him. Now we are dealing with the consequences of their decision and are scrambling to protect New Yorkers from radical decisions emanating from the state’s highest court,” concluded Senator Palumbo.

“Make no mistake. The Harvey Weinstein case is a symptom of a much larger problem. Not satisfied with one party rule in Albany passing laws that make our families and communities less safe, Democrats turned their focus on the State’s highest court, to try to game the system to preserve their own political power,” said Senator Rhoads. “Rejecting a reasonable, qualified, common-sense jurist to put a radical progressive as chief judge was bound to have consequences, and now we’re seeing them. It is time for the Legislature to step in to correct not only this immediate misinterpretation of the law, but to regulate the Court of Appeals recusal process and to make the selection of judicial replacements on certain cases consistent, open, and transparent.”

“After the Senate majority scuddled the nomination of a judge who they did not consider progressive enough, the National Organization for Women - NYC, along with other advocates, warned us of the risks posed to survivors of sexual assault that could come from the majority’s preferred, progressive nominee,” said Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick. “Chief Judge Wilson had penned the decision to overturn a rape conviction, in an opinion that similarly shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the challenging process women often go through to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.”

“Republicans are standing here because the Court of Appeals has been stacked with political henchmen of the Governor and Senate Democrats who have no issue letting monsters back into our communities,” said Senate Republic Leader Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda). “The Court of Appeals is no longer a figure for justice, it has become a poster child of a kangaroo court. We will not sit back and continue to watch criminals be set free by a court that no longer abides by the State Constitution.”

In an effort to fix the egregious missteps by the hyper-politicized Court of Appeals, Senate Republicans introduced two bills that would:

· Prevent the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals from cherry picking replacement judges when a judge recuses themself from the case by requiring replacement judges to be chosen on a rotating basis in order of seniority (S.9601, Senator Rhoads)

· Allow evidence of similar crimes in prior sexual offense cases to be admitted, codifying the “Molineux Rule” that permits relevant evidence that can help prove the defendant’s motive and intent (S.9445, Senator Palumbo)

“Once again, New York Democrats created a problem that we need to fix. They weaponized the courts in order to preserve their own political self-interests, and this is the result – serial sexual assaulters are allowed to walk free. These bills need to be addressed before the conclusion of the legislative session,” concluded Senator Ortt.

Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) has represented the First District in the New York State Senate since 2021. The First District includes the entire townships of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, Southold, and northern Brookhaven from Stony Brook to Wading River.

Suffolk County Legislature Celebrates Outstanding Youth at Annual Awards Ceremony

By Cait Crudden

The Suffolk County Legislature recently held its highly anticipated Youth Awards Ceremony, a prestigious event that celebrates the remarkable achievements and contributions of young people across the county. Against the backdrop of a challenging year, the ceremony served as a beacon of hope and inspiration, showcasing the resilience, talent, and dedication of Suffolk County’s youth.

The program was established by the Legislature in 2017 to encourage “positive youth development and to recognize young people as they become well-rounded and more civically engaged individuals. The program is open to students ages thirteen to eighteen.

“As an elected official, I find it tremendously refreshing and motivating when you take an active interest in bettering themselves and their community,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) in a statement on the program. “In a time where we see so much negativity, it is programs such as this Distinguished Youth Award and other good works that should be newsworthy. The youth who complete this award program are truly some of the brightest among us, able to repeatedly set and surpass personal goals across multiple disciplines.”

“The Distinguished Youth Awards are about celebrating our next generation of leaders, encouraging them to stay on the path of helping others and giving them more opportunities to get involved,” said Minority Leader Jason Richberg

(D-West Babylon). “I truly believe that providing young people with the tools they need to succeed and recognizing their achievements and character will go a long way to helping mold the future of Suffolk County.”

Hosted by the Suffolk County Legislature at the H. Lee Dennison building in Hauppauge, the event drew a diverse array of attendees, including local officials, community leaders, proud parents, and, most importantly, the honorees themselves. From academic excellence to community service to artistic prowess, the Youth Awards Ceremony recognized young individuals who have made a positive impact in various spheres of life.

Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) expressed her admiration and appreciation for the exceptional young people being honored at the ceremony.

“Our youth are the future leaders of Suffolk County, and it is both humbling and inspiring to see the incredible talent and dedication displayed by our honorees,” remarked Kennedy. “Despite facing challenges, they have demonstrated resilience, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.”

The awards ceremony featured a series of accolades across different categories, each highlighting the diverse talents and achievements of Suffolk County’s youth. From academic scholarships to leadership awards to community service commendations, the ceremony showcased the multifaceted accomplishments of the honorees, underscoring their profound impact on the fabric of Suffolk County.

In addition to individual achievements, the Youth Awards Ceremony also highlighted the collective efforts of youth organizations and initiatives that have made significant contributions to the betterment of Suffolk County. From youth-led environmental conservation projects to programs aimed at empowering at-risk youth to make positive decisions, the ceremony spotlighted the transformative impact of collaborative youth-driven initiatives.

As the ceremony concluded, Suffolk County officials reiterated their unwavering support for the county’s youth and pledged to continue investing in programs and resources that empower young people to reach their full potential.

“Our youth are our most valuable asset, and it is incumbent upon us to provide them with the support, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed,” stated Legislator Kennedy.

The Youth Awards Ceremony is a testament to the incredible talent and potential that exists within Suffolk County. It is clear our elected officials within the Suffolk County Legislature remain committed to nurturing and empowering our youth every step of the way regardless of party politics.

Amidst applause and cheers, the Suffolk County Youth Awards Ceremony ended, leaving attendees inspired and hopeful for the future. As the honorees returned to their communities, armed with newfound recognition and motivation, they carried with them the promise of a brighter tomorrow, fueled by their unwavering passion and commitment to making Suffolk County a better place for all.

Kerry J. Maher Lic. Manager & Director Kenneth Maher, Jr. Lic. Director

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Guest Column

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Biden Reveals Fear Of Trump With Debate Rules

By Tammy Bruce | AMAC Exclusive

Why does President Joe Biden need a nanny for debates with presidential race frontrunner President Donald Trump? Biden’s requirements for the debates caused a bit of a stir, as the only thing missing was a demand for Biden to use a body double pinch hitter. As of now, the debates will be held on June 27th on CNN, and September 10th on ABC.

Trump had been calling for debates for months, with nary a peep from Biden’s campaign team about being even remotely interested. Biden mentioned it briefly once in a Howard Stern interview that he would be willing to do it. When Trump was engaging 100,000 people at his extraordinary New Jersey rally, Biden was once again snoozing at the beach. Literally.

The timing of the Biden announcement itself speaks volumes—their May 15th debate proposal came just after the massive Trump rally in Wildwood, NJ on May 12th. Previously, Biden’s handlers decided the multiple polls putting Trump in the lead in a majority of swing states were wrong and would be ignored. Yeah, that’s the ticket! Then 100,000 people showed up for Trump on the Jersey Shore. Coincidence? Yeah, no.

Most of the chattering class took notice of the scope of President “Forgetful Guy’s” debate requirements. His team declared which outlets would be acceptable, and which would not, shutting out Fox News. Only CNN, CBS, ABC and Telemundo met their ‘requirements,’ telling you everything you need to know about what Biden and the Democrats expect from their legacy media wet nurse.

Also, there is to be no audience in the venue itself. This isn’t surprising coming from a man and a party that has clearly chosen to completely erase the average American from their plans for this country. One of the reasons why Joe Biden’s approval rating is the lowest of any president historically explains why he doesn’t want people in the debate audience – because he and the Democrats have complete contempt for Americans in general and don’t want us in their soup. The impact of his policies on the lives of Americans and the safety of this country speak to that malice.

President “My-Uncle-Was-Eaten-By-Cannibals” is also demanding that there be absolutely no interruptions between the candidates and no cross talk. In order to achieve this, microphones are to be cut off after an answer is provided to a question from the moderators.

Bottom line – Joe Biden doesn’t want to debate during a debate. The president of the United States is stating to the world with this rule that he is unable to engage in the fluidity of a conversation or negotiation or even yes, an argument. He is telegraphing weakness and confusion not just to the United States but to the world, being the first honest thing he’s done as president.Ultimately, the man who is supposed to be in charge of the free world is afraid of Donald Trump saying something to him.

Many of us wonder why the Democrats get away with manipulations like this, and why President Trump would agree to this situation. Trump did say that he would debate Biden at any time in any place. And he was serious. Biden needing to construct a crib for himself with thought guards protecting him speaks directly to why this country is a dumpster fire and the world is at war. Trump’s willingness and confidence to go into any environment to have a debate for the American people speaks directly to his nature and why he is leading Biden.

I learned a long time ago to not second-guess Trump. He knows a heck of a lot more about the system and the people running it then he did in 2015. With the persecution of him by the system, the weaponization of the so-called justice system in an effort to annihilate him, has not stopped him. Biden’s rules to protect himself from looking like the useful idiot that he is, is also not going to hurt Trump. Instead, every action of Biden reveals more of the malevolent fraud that he is.

Everything they’ve tried to do to stop Trump has backfired. Why? Because while overestimating

themselves, they underestimate and loathe Trump representing their complete contempt for the American people. All of America’s enemies, from the British to the Japanese to the Nazis and to modern day Marxists, have all found, eventually, that underestimating the American people is a serious, serious mistake.

Meanwhile, Trump has said that he would like Biden to take a drug test prior to the debates. He explained this by noting what we’ve all noticed that during the State of the Union address and other highprofile events where Biden has the comfort of relying on a teleprompter and seems as Trump put it, “high as a kite.”

The collegial atmosphere in Washington and the lapdog legacy media in this country never directly mention this for some reason. Just like during COVID-19, we all knew that we were being lied to about various existential issues, we all knew that there was gaslighting and

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manipulation and the weapon of fear being used against us, but only now years later people are confessing to the lies and chaos informing the government’s disastrous response to COVID-19.

Part of our problem is a lack of a willingness to speak honestly about what is happening to us. Trump speaks honestly and that has been his greatest strength. It’s also why the bureaucratic system hates him so much.

While some wonder if these debates will even take place, it’s important that they do as some need to be reminded about the powerful authenticity of Trump’s commitment to our nation. Moreover, the absurd protection afforded to Biden in this process speaks volumes about his innate and dangerous weakness. Trump’s passion and willingness to do everything possible to inform the American people will, in fact, win the day and this election.

WORD OF THE Week

Origin: 1551, in the writing of Thomas Raynalde, physician and printer. The word “quintessence” means “the fifth element”. Derived from the Latin words quintus, meaning “fifth,” and essentia, meaning “being”. In medieval belief, the quintessence was the substance from which heavenly bodies are formed. The word’s meaning evolved into our modern definition of an ideal, a potentially heavenly example of something.

Source: Oxford Languages

QUINTESSENTIAL

Adjective

Pronounced: kwin·tuh·sen·chl

Definition: representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Example: “It was the quintessential farmer’s market - honey jars, fresh fruits, and spices.”

Synonyms: classic, ultimate, archetypal

Antonyms: abnormal, atypical, unrepresentative

WORD WHEEL

See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.

SUDOKU

This Week in History

May 23, 1958: Mao Zedong starts the “Great Leap Forward” movement in China that kills between 23 and 55 million from diseases and famine.

May 28, 585 B.C.: Solar eclipse, as predicted by Greek philosopher Thales, while Lydians at war with the Medes leads to a truce. One of the cardinal dates from which other dates calculated.

May 26, 1927: Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company produce the last (and 15th million) Model T Ford / Tin Lizzie

May 27, 1940: British and Allied forces begin the evacuation of Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) during WWII

May 24, 1883: Brooklyn Bridge

May 29, 1942: Bing Crosby records Irving Berlin’s song “ White Christmas”, with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers, in just 18 minutes; becomes world’s best-selling single (estimated 100 million copies sold)

May 25, 1977: Original

and

“Star Wars” movie (Episode IV – A New Hope), directed by George Lucas

starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, premieres

opened by President Chester A. Arthur (R-NY) and Governor Grover Cleveland (D-NY)

Local Leaders Make Push for Chelsey’s Law Before End of Legislative Session

By Matt Meduri

With just weeks remaining on the Albany legislative calendars, local leaders, community stakeholders, and elected and prosecutorial officials are staging yet another push for the State Assembly and Senate to make changes to the State’s laws regarding the ongoing drug epidemic and its associated problems.

Four bills have been drafted in a collaborative effort of state legislators, the substance abuse treatment community, and the families of substance abuse and overdose victims, chief among them being “Chelsey’s Law.”

The proposed legislation would charge drug dealers with either manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter if they knowingly sell an amount of substance that would likely cause the death of a user. The bill is named in honor of Chelsey Murray, a thirty-one-year-old woman from Lake Grove who fatally overdosed on fentanyl in 2022. The dealer, Jaquan Casserly, 34, of Holbrook, was sentenced to ten years in prison earlier this month for his sale of the fentanyl. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) has consistently called on Albany to pass “Chelsey’s Law” and has even held press conferences and rallies in the capital in support of the bill.

A press conference was held outside the D.A.’s office in Hauppauge Friday morning to call on Albany to act before the legislative session ends in the first week of June. The event was attended by several family members of Long Island overdose victims, including Gene and Sue Murray, parents of Chelsey (pictured left). Other attendees included Dorothy Johnson, of Blue Point, who lost her son Max at the age of twenty-eight and started the “Maxed Out” campaign in his honor; Larry Lamondola, of Wantagh, who lost his daughter Lisa at the age of twenty-five; and Carol Trottere, of Old Field, who lost her son Alex at the age of thirty.

“We are here from State, County, and local levels, just to propose some common sense fixes to our laws to stop people from dying. It’s that simple,” said Allen Bode, Chief Assistant to D.A. Tierney.

“In 2022, the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office had over four hundred overdoses, and that number is not declining,” said County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “If we’re going to make Suffolk safe and affordable, part of that is making sure that drugs stay out of the system. Most of them come from China and Mexico and are then distributed throughout the United States. It’s time to say that if you’re dealing fentanyl, you’re dealing in death, and if you’re going to deal in death, we are going to make you pay a price for that.”

Romaine says such laws currently do not exist in New York and that the sale of fentanyl carries no bail requirements, owing to the State’s controversial 2019 bail reform laws. Romaine says that bail requirements for fentanyl sales kick in at sales of eight ounces, which is enough to kill 114,000 people.

Babylon Town Supervisor and Suffolk County Democratic Chair Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon) told the present state legislators to “please tell them [the legislature] to do their job” when they go back on Monday. State legislators present were Senators Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) and Assemblymembers Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow) and Joe DeStefano (R-Medford).

The Assembly bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), co-sponsored by legislators from the Suffolk delegation Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor), Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), Jarret Gandolfo (R-Sayville), and Keith Brown (R-Northport). On the Senate side, the bill was sponsored by Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), and cosponsored by Suffolk Senators Mattera and Murray.

“We on Long Island are tired, we’re tired and exhausted from being told that we’re the crazy ones,” said Schaffer. “This comes from us, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Independents from Long Island, who are exhausted and tired of going to wakes and funerals: do your job. Let’s protect our community, Democrats, Republicans, Americans all, New Yorkers all.”

Gene Murray, the father of Chelsey, spoke in favor of the proposed legislation.

“This isn’t about my daughter’s name. It’s about all the thousands of people who have been killed and drug dealers get out, slap on the wrist, and start selling again, and the thousands of people that this might save in the future,” said Murray. “If they don’t stop these people from just being turnarounds, we’re going to have more and more deaths in the thousands.”

Murray posed a question to Albany leaders not in favor of the bills: “Are they out to protect the dealers, or are they out to protect the lives of their constituents who need these laws?”

The press conference is one in a series of rallies held by local leaders in hopes of lobbying Albany to pass multiple, apart from Chelsey’s Law. Other measures include allowing families of overdose victims access to the Crime Victims Fund, which would cover the cost of funeral expenses; designating xylazine (Tranq) as a controlled substance; and rewriting bail laws to allow prosecutors to request bail for dealers who sell any amount of fentanyl deemed to be fatal, not just the eight-ounce threshold.

Xylazine, a pain reliever and sedative used for cattle, has earned the street name “Tranq” for its euphoric properties and enhancements when used with other drugs, namely fentanyl. Because xylazine is not a controlled substance, drug dealers have cut other street drugs with xylazine to expand profits. Not only is xylazine known for rotting users’ flesh, but victims who overdose on the substance cannot be revived with Narcan, as they can in the case of fentanyl overdoses. The ever-growing presence of xylazine in the drug pool contributes to the already-staggering amount of overdose deaths seen from the highly-toxic fentanyl.

Senator Murray, a vocal advocate of making xylazine a controlled substance, said that he consulted with farmers and veterinarians to properly craft a bill that would still allow them access to the needed medicine.

“Assemblyman Stern and I worked very hard to do this right. We spoke to the Farm Bureau and veterinarians associations and teamed up with them to see what we would need to do to ensure they would still have access to this useful drug, while keeping it out of the hands of drug dealers and away from human beings” said Senator Murray. “It’s no different than Oxycodone; it can be used for good, but when you abuse it, it is deadly. It’s a controlled substance.”

Murray also said that Governor Kathy Hochul (D) put the xylazine legislation into her executive budget over the winter, but leaders in the Assembly and Senate removed it. He said their concerns were over “access issues,” despite the bipartisan craftsmanship of the bill centered around ensuring access in appropriate settings.

“Not only have we not made progress, but it looks like we’ve taken a step backwards,” said Murray. “We’ve got three weeks left. We’re going to be fighting, scratching, clawing, doing everything we can to move these bills and get them done so we can save lives, because it is about saving lives.”

Both the Assembly and Senate versions of Chelsey’s Law and accompanied legislation remain respective committees of the chambers.

In closing, Bode said that other states are “ahead” of New York in terms of similar legislative initiatives, and that “we need to catch up. We’re not where we should be.”

The press conference was also attended by Suffolk County Legislators Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), and Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), as well as a representative for Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point). Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), and a representative for Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) were also present, as well as law enforcement personnel and various union representatives.

(Left to right) Allen Bode, Bablyon Town Supervisor Schaffer (D), Executive Romaine (R) (Credit - Matt Meduri)

Around Town

Making A Difference in Brookhaven

By PJ Balzer

To call Keith Caputo a difference maker is a vast understatement. Keith is more like a superhero walking amongst us every day. Keith is often described as a breath of fresh air to be around, a staple in his community, and the happy helper. Keith’s life has been marked by simply helping others in every way he finds possible.

Keith was born October 31, 1980, a month prematurely. He had many complications early on that landed him in the NICU in Stony Brook Hospital. The first few months of his life were spent in and out of the hospital with pneumonia, failure to thrive, and complications from an intestinal condition that is common for babies with Down Syndrome. At one

earning a paycheck, making the staff smile, and having heart-to-heart talks with Walter Stockton, the CEO, about Keith’s extensive charity work.

There have been monumental people along Keith’s journey that have helped and inspired him to be the shining star he is today. One of Keith’s teachers at Sycamore Avenue Elementary, Sue McMahon, is one of them. The two still speak on a regular basis after all these years. Sue is currently assisting Keith in writing a book, about which he is completely elated.

Another is Coach Anthony Parlato of Center Moriches. Keith and Anthony coached youth basketball together and became close friends. Keith describes

point, his condition was so dire that he was given last rights. But God had His own plan and heard the prayers of his mother, Cassy Caputo. She vowed to love her child to the utmost regardless of any conditions and whatever they had to face. She is still doing that today and Keith is undoubtedly thriving in so many ways.

As a newborn, Keith and his family lived in East Moriches. After his two younger siblings were born, the Caputo family moved next door to Center Moriches where they have lived since 1991. At eighteen months old, Keith began school along with physical and occupational therapy at New Interdisciplinary School. After being shifted around from different programs and elementary schools due to internal program changes, Keith settled at Sycamore Avenue Elementary School. He then went to Ronkonkoma Junior High School and North Country Learning Center in Stony Brook, where he graduated at 21. After graduation, Keith entered the work force at IGHL’s Flower Barn, now called Smile Farms, in Moriches where he still works today. Keith is happy

their friendship as a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. Their friendship was secondto-none, as well as a friendship that resulted in them helping other kids and people as needed. Anthony passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, which simultaneously broke Keith’s heart and set him on a new journey. After struggling for months with Anthony’s sudden death, Keith decided to begin visiting a special needs psychologist. During one of their chats, the psychologist suggested that Keith may benefit from carrying on the helping deeds that him and Coach Anthony used to do. A beautiful, impactful, heartfelt charity was born from this conversation.

Keith and Cassy began raising funds to build a community center in Center Moriches. This was one of Anthony Parlato’s dreams and they now had the well-lit torch to carry on. As momentum grew around their work, others started suggesting that they developed a not-for-profit that focused on helping other people, as they were already fully engaged in.

Cassy asked Keith, “So why do you just love helping other people so much?”

Keith’s reply is still resounding around Brookhaven Town and beyond today.:

“Because it just makes me really happy.”

Their non for profit “Helping Makes U Happy” was officially born that day. What has been accomplished since that day has been nothing short of a miracle for many. Helping Makes U Happy is a driving force for good and because of it, that name rings a bell everywhere you go. Keith reminisced on some of his favorite moments along the journey since becoming a not-forprofit in 2015. One was a large donation of stuffed animals he received from the Stony Brook Burn Center. They were given to Tuttle Avenue Elementary school in Eastport to be used for a fundraiser to help a sick little girl who was in the hospital. All the children in the school participated in the fundraiser and were able to be a part of helping her. Keith, having once been that sick newborn in the hospital, was moved and made happy by being able to reach out to her to help. She is doing well now and is a part of Tuttle Cares Club which in turn is also lifting others up in their own times of need.

Another favorite moment of Keith’s was when Helping Makes U Happy donated a car to a gentleman who had fallen on some really hard times. His life had been a tough one, yet he was committed to faithfully walking or biking to work each day. Keith felt that he really needed a simple hand up and wanted to be the one to give it. The car was life-changing for this gentleman who never missed a day of work until he fell ill and passed away.

“It was a joy for me to look back at the pictures of that event and how happy he was. This is really why I do it all,” says Keith.

Keith enjoys meeting with other people who are helping others out within their

sphere of influence as well. Sheriff Toulon is undoubtedly one of them, as is Mrs. Rau from Tuttle Cares. Keith loves playing and coaching basketball in some of his leisure time. He’s a Knicks fan who was also once awarded the Sweetwater Clifton Community Service Award. He received the award in the center of the court at Madison Square Garden, was on the jumbotron screen, and got to meet some of the Knicks’ staff and cheerleaders. Keith spends a few weekends a year at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods where he goes to rest and recharge his battery. He loves to play slot machines, order his favorite food from room service, and brainstorm for his book and upcoming events, his favorite being Helping Makes U Happy’s annual mega auction fundraiser coming up in October. He looks forward to that all year!

Helping Makes U Happy is currently looking for board members to assist with business-related tasks and practical charity operations. They are also working on an updated building that can expand their helping tasks in different ways and to different demographics of people.

Theatre & the Arts

Don’t Miss Theatre Three’s Stellar Production of ‘The Producers’

There is no denying that Mel Brooks is the master craftsman of “Rolling in the Aisles,” zany, unadulterated comedy. Twenty-three years after his Broadway smash hit “The Producers” won a recordbreaking twelve Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this ingenious satire continues to mesmerize audiences with its wacky, wisecracking, wonderful, and often wicked sense of humor.

Based on Brook’s 1968 black comedy, “The Producers,” this beloved musical farce tells the tale of a down-andout, shady Broadway producer, his nerdy accountant, and their harebrained getrich-quick scheme. Brooks’s fingerprints are all over this show since he wrote the music and lyrics, and with Thomas Meehan, Brooks also wrote the book. This riotously funny show is vaudeville, Borscht Belt, slapstick, camp, and pure schtick all rolled into one smorgasbord of something is not kosher-around-here kind of funny!

Under Jeffrey Sanzel’s masterful direction, the entire cast gave standout performances in every scene of the show. Sanzel had the actors play the funny bits with expert comedic timing to generate plenty of belly laughs, but he also inspired the cast to be committed to the comedic circumstances of the musical; therefore, they played their parts with theatrical truth.

Max Bialystock, once a revered Broadway producer, is now the laughingstock of 42nd Street. He sings of his woebegone ways in “King of Old Broadway,” which parallels the song “Another Op’nin’, Another Show” from the musical “Kiss Me Kate.” This scene also played like a parody of “Fiddler on the Roof,” complete with a blind violinist! Scott Hoffer makes a most captivating Max, and he displayed his stellar vocals and expert comedic skills as he belted out the acerbic lyrics from this showstopping number.

Tony Butera gave an award-worthy performance as Leo Bloom, the mildmannered Broadway-struck accountant. And yes, this character does have the

same name as the protagonist in James Joyce’s modernist novel “Ulysses,” because Brooks “stole” it! Throughout the show, Brook’s awe-inspiring lyrics and dialogue reference other famous writers, such as Strindberg, O’Neill, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and Ibsen.

When Leo casually mentions how, with some creative accounting, it could prove more lucrative to produce a Broadway bomb than a hit, that thought gets the greedy wheels of Max’s brain spinning. The two devise a plan to produce a colossal flop and skip town with the backer’s money when it closes after just one performance. Comedic complications

ensue when their show, “Springtime for Hitler,” becomes a smash hit!

Butera got to showcase his strong vocals and dance moves during “I Wanna Be a Producer.” The fabulous lighting effects, glitzy costumes, and the precision-perfect tap dance routine, choreographed by the talented Josie McSwane, all came together to make this a standout number.

Another great onstage moment occurs during the bromance song “’Til Him,” when Max and Leo profess their loyalty and love for each other with the help of the talented Little Old Ladies as backup singers. Butera and Hoffer have the kind of magical onstage chemistry that made other comedy duos like Abbot

funniest numbers in the show was “Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop,” with Leo and Max hopping, clopping, and flashing the bird as they reluctantly joined in the “Nazi Hoedown.”

Ryan Nolin’s depiction of Roger De Bris, the flamboyant gay director of “Springtime for Hitler,” had the audience in stitches when he entered wearing Ronald Green III’s outrageous costume design. De Bris was costumed to look like the Grand Duchess Anastasia, but De Bris whined that he looked like the Chrysler Building. Nolin’s hilariously campy depiction of Hitler was one of the show’s highlights. Another high point in the show was watching Debris and his charming sidekick, Carmen, convincingly played by the talented Jim Sluder, singing, and dancing up a storm.

A big shoutout goes to the stellar ensemble who expertly portrayed a parade of characters: Jason Allyn, Sean Amato, Brian Frank, Will Logan, Liam Marsigliano, Edward Martinez, Ryan Van Nostrand, Melanie Acampora, Louisa Bikowski, Maryne Conner, Rachel Geiser, Rachel Greenblatt, Kaitlyn Jehle, Michelle LaBozzetta, Linda May, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Isabella Scarpa, and Jillian Sharpe.

This parody spoofs just about everyone and everything, and there is undoubtedly something to offend everyone, so get your tickets and be prepared to be triggered in a way that tickles your funny bone!

and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau so popular.

Brittany Lacey delivered a riveting performance as Ulla, the Swedish siren who steals Leo’s heart. Ultimately, Lacey steals the show with her sizzling rendition of “When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It.” Lacey can sing, dance, and act, but more than that, she has that extra, indefinable something that makes someone a star.

Evan Teich’s spot-on portrayal of Franz Liebkind, a German immigrant, crazed Nazi fanatic, and author of “Springtime for Hitler,” brought the house down. Teich is a natural-born comedian, and his hilarious rendition of “In Old Bavaria,” complete with a chorus of pigeons, was a showstopper. However, one of the

The show runs through June 22, 2024. To purchase tickets or for additional information, please visit www. Theatrethree.com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

MEMORIAL DAY - MONDAY, MAY 27TH