Brookhaven Messenger Archive Sep. 19, 2024

Thursday, September 19, 2024 ~ Volume 69 ~ Issue Number 42 ~ $1.00

County Legislature Issues Final Report on Cyber Attack

By Matt Meduri

The September 2022 cyber attack left the County, then governed by County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon), reeling with months of downed operations and services and a matter and timeline of response that earned criticism from other governmental officials, namely the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature.

The special committee released their final, sixtyfour page report on the cyber intrusion on Thursday.

Special Committee Chair Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) began the brief meeting by thanking the special committee, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) for his “leadership,” “creating” the special committee, and selecting Piccirillo as the chair.

He also thanked Special Counsel Richard Donoghue, former acting deputy U.S. Attorney General, as well as the County employees of multiple departments who endured interviews and the stymied response time by the County.

Continued on page 16

Members of the Special Committee on the Cyber Attack Pose with the Final Report (Credit - Matt Meduri)

LaLota Delivers $1.5M Check for Port Jefferson Harbor Projects

By Matt Meduri In April, Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) announced the procurement of $1.5 million for significant projects for the Port Jefferson Harbor. The funding for the Town of Brookhaven was administered by the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law in March. Funding for the project will allow for dredging and structural improvements for the Town of Brookhaven Marina. The Port Jefferson Harbor is currently maintained at a depth of twenty-six feet to provide passage from the harbor entrance to the Village of Port Jefferson.

Estimates report that 14,000 cubic yards of sediment must be dredged from the Town Marina and adjacent lands, while 40,000 to 50,000 cubic yards of additional dredging remains necessary within the larger harbor.

The check comes off the heels of a 2022 study that found portions of breakwater within the Port Jefferson Harbor are in inferior condition and have essentially failed.

Credit - Matt Meduri

FULL STORIES ON:

D.A. Seeks Public Help on Identifying ‘Asian Doe’ Page 4

St. Liberata Parade Held in Patchogue Page 15

Local Pastor Marks 40 Yrs. at Our Savior Church Page 22

Continued on page 10

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Flood Honors Lunch Monitor for Successfully Performing the Heimlich Maneuver to Save a Life Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station) and Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) recently presented an official Assembly Proclamation to Jessica Carioshia and a citation to Aidan Sterne and Susan Archer for successfully performing the Heimlich maneuver to save a life. Fourth grader Aidan Sterne noticed one of his friends was choking during lunch in the cafeteria and quickly notified the lunch monitor, Jessica Carioshia, who quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver to help the student. The student was cleared by the school nurse to return to normal activities due to Jessica’s quick response to the student in distress. Each year, Ms. Archer teaches the Heimlich maneuver to students at the beginning of the school year then again in June.

“The story of Jessica and Aidan was truly inspiring with their life-saving efforts to the student in need of assistance,” said Flood. “They are both true heroes in action!

Jessica stepped up at a critical moment and saved a life by helping someone who was choking. Your quick thinking and bravery are an inspiration to us all!”

“I was pleased to join Assemblyman Ed Flood to recognize the heroic actions of Jessica Carioshia and student Aidan Sterne for coming to the assistance of a choking student and for their efforts in saving a life,” Palumbo. “Their actions are a testament to the importance of training and observation in helping others. I commend teacher Susan Archer for her work in providing this life-saving training.”

Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station) has represented the Fourth District in the New York State Assembly since 2023. The Fourth District includes Belle Terre, East Setauket, Gordon Heights, Old Field, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Setauket, Stony Brook, Strongs Neck, and Terryville, and parts of Centereach, Coram, Middle Island, Port Jefferson Station, and Selden.

Assemblyman Flood sits on the committees on Banks; Children and Families; Codes; Environmental Conservation; Higher Education; and Judiciary.

The Fourth District office is located at 149 Main Street in East Setauket and can be reached at 631-751-3094.

Panico and Foley Ask for Community Assistance to Apprehend Vandals of Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) and Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point) are asking residents to help identify three males, in their late teens or early 20s, who are responsible for vandalism at Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park, located on the southeast shore of Lake Ronkonkoma. The vandalism, which included graffiti on the building and spray painting a security camera, occurred on the night of September 2 sometime after 8:00p.m. The suspects drove a dark colored sedan, unknown make and model. Anyone with information should call the Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Precinct Crime Control Section Officer Eustache at (631) 854-8400.

Lt. Murphy, a Navy Seal from Patchogue, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for protecting the lives of his fellow Seals during an intense firefight in the hills of Afghanistan in 2005. On January 17, 2019, Dan Murphy, father of Lt. Michael P. Murphy and members of the Brookhaven Town Board led the rededication ceremony at the site of the memorial. The etched stone monument was donated by Lido Stone of Calverton after the original was destroyed by vandalism in July of 2018. The Town also partnered with Penn Globe to install two surveillance cameras and security lights to record any activity in the park.

Panico, Bonner, and Dunne Kesnig Admire New Donated Recycled Benches at Town Hall On September 16, Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches), Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig (R-Manorville), and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) were on the back lawn of Town Hall in Farmingville where two of six, newly donated benches were installed.

The benches were a gift from Canvus, a company dedicated to addressing the growing waste challenges in the wind energy industry. The donation, authorized by a resolution sponsored

by Supervisor Panico, supports the Town’s commitment to promoting waste reduction and recycling efforts. The benches were recently installed at Brookhaven Town Hall with no fiscal impact to the Town. This initiative further highlights Brookhaven’s dedication to environmental sustainability.

The company repurposes old turbine blades by slicing them apart and using each section

to build a bench or picnic table. For others, they place a seat inside the curved walls of the blade itself to create a shaded bench (see photo). For some products, they turn a cross-section of the blade on its side and fill it with recycled rubber to create a bench. A total of six benches were donated to the Town for placement in various Town facilities. For more information about Canvus, go to https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/ ohio-retired-windturbine-blades-benches

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D.A. Tierney Seeks Public’s Help to Identify ‘Asian Doe’ in Gilgo Beach Murders

By Cait Crudden Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) held a press conference on Monday to provide updates on the ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, with a specific focus on a victim known as “Asian Doe.” This unidentified individual, discovered April 4, 2011, is one of the many pieces in solving the puzzle of the gruesome serial killings that have haunted the Long Island community.

The victim, who was biologically male but found dressed in women’s clothing, has remained unidentified since being discovered near Gilgo Beach. Despite significant efforts from law enforcement and forensic experts, little has been known about this victim until now. At the press conference, D.A. Tierney revealed a new sketch of “Asian Doe,” (at right) created by forensic anthropologists and artists, and called on the public to help identify the victim and restore their name.

The sketch, the result of a collaborative effort between forensic experts and law enforcement, provides the most detailed visual representation of the victim ever released. Tierney emphasized that the creation of the sketch marks a significant development in the investigation, as law enforcement officials work to both identify “Asian Doe” and uncover more details about their life and potential connection to the other victims in the case.

“Today we are asking for the public’s help in identifying a victim known as ‘Asian Doe,’” remarked Tierney. He continued to description of the victim and the circumstances surrounding his death stating he was between the ages on 17-23, of southern Chinese descent, approximately 5’6”, dressed in women’s clothing including a ‘Chrysanthemum’ blue-ribbed short sleeved shirt with a crew neck, ‘Rafaella’ brand shirt, ‘Bill Blass’ pants, and a bra.

Sadly, the victim was killed violently by blunt force trauma, during or prior to 2006, and found in the vicinity of two of the other Gilgo Beach murder victims. “Asian Doe” was not wrapped in burlap. It is believed the victim possibly worked as a sex worker.

Identifying this individual, Tierney said, has been a challenge.

Tierney explained that forensic anthropologists were able to create the sketch by examining the victim’s skeletal remains, using advanced techniques to determine facial features, bone structure, and potential ethnic background which was determined to be of Southern Chinese Han descent. While the victim’s remains indicated he was biologically male, the clothing and presentation suggest he may have been living as a woman.

Tierney expressed hope that the release of this sketch would generate new leads and assist in identifying “Asian Doe,” urging anyone with information to come forward.

“This is a call to action,” stated Tierney. “We want to enlist the public’s help to identify ‘Asian Doe.’” An officer was available at the press conference to translate this call to action into Mandarin, in hopes to reach further into the Asian American communities throughout New York City and Long Island.

The Gilgo Beach murders, one of Long Island’s most notorious serial killing cases, date back to 2010 when human remains were first discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Since then, the bodies of 11 individuals, including “Asian Doe,” have been discovered in the area, all believed to be the victims of the same killer or killers. Many of the victims were sex workers, and investigators have struggled for years to piece together the clues surrounding their deaths.

To date, Rex Heuermann is the prime suspect being prosecuted by Tierney. He has so far alleged to have murdered the original “Gilgo Four,” Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman. In June, Heuermann was indicted for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, the former victim’s remains linking Heuermann’s presence in Manorville, which was later corroborated by records of a sport shooting club nearby the site of Taylor’s remains. The June indictments also link Heuermann to one of the earliest murders in the Gilgo Beach case, which may or may not link him to the fates of other victims.

Heuermann’s house was raided before the indictment in the latter two cases, which produced a myriad of evidence, including, but not limited to, hard drives, tapes, a collection of gruesome pornographic materials, and a manifesto that he allegedly used to plan and hide his crimes. The manifesto was partly inspired by John Douglas’ 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, to which specific page numbers were referenced by Heuermann.

Despite numerous advancements in forensic technology and persistent efforts by law enforcement, several of the victims remain unidentified, including “Asian Doe.” This latest development represents another crucial step in the quest for answers in a case that has captivated the nation for over a decade.

During the press conference, Tierney reiterated the importance of public involvement in the case.

“Please share this information far and wide,” said Tierney. “Let’s get this victim identified. Let’s get this victim their name back”.

The press conference closed with a reminder that the Gilgo Beach investigation remains active and that the Suffolk County DA’s office, along with law enforcement partners, will continue to seek justice for the victims and their families. District Attorney Tierney thanked all the Task Force Members and Law Enforcement involved in these cases.

Anyone with information about “Asian Doe” or any aspect of the Gilgo Beach murders is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline, which is accepting anonymous tips with a $2500 award. They also have a “Help ID Me” Facebook page available for tips as well.

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House Passes LaLota’s DETECT Act

In an effort to combat the ever-growing scourge of street drugs, namely synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01), along with Congressman Lou Correa (D, CA-46) sponsored a bipartisan bill in June that would require the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase their technology, methods, and analysis to better detect the illegal substances and aid law enforcement agencies in their responses.

H.R. 8663, the Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of (DETECT) Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, passed the lower chamber on Monday.

It is the freshman congressman’s sixth bill to be passed by the U.S. House since his tenure began last January and ranks third of seventy-four freshman lawmakers in terms of bills passed to date.

The bill is especially pertinent to Suffolk County, where law enforcement officials continue to grapple with the staggering rates of overdose deaths and substance abuse, as well as the seemingly-ubiquitous nature of fentanyl, a highly addictive, synthetic opioid that has unparalleled lethal powers.

The bill also addresses xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” a cattle sedative that has been used to cut drugs to lower costs and increase euphoric attributes. Xylazine is known for causing a user’s skin to rot, earning it the nickname “the zombie drug.”

Xylazine’s effects are also not reversible with Naloxone (Narcan), as fentanyl’s effects are.

LaLota’s bill would create a new statutory responsibility for the Science and Technology Directorate of the DHS to conduct research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries used by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, the bill establishes three primary areas of focus: portable detection equipment that requires minimal handling of drug samples; equipment that can separate complex mixtures with low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents; and technologies that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machinelearning to predict whether a substance is a controlled substance or a new, synthetic substance now yet logged in a reference library.

Detecting cutting agents is a crucial part of the bill, as only two milligrams of fentanyl is determined to prove fatal for most people. A seemingly-innocuous pill purchased from a street dealer, such as Xanax or Adderall, have frequently been found to be cut with the dangerous opioid, causing a skyrocket in overdose deaths.

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The bill would also require the Science and Technology Directorate of the DHS to follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best practices set forth in the federal government’s Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework, and would direct the same branch of the DHS to look into the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging threats in establishing their priorities.

The report outlines that the North Atlantic Region, in which New York is included, sees cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, xylazine, and heroin as the top-five drugs detected, respectively.

Fentanyl scores a top-five spot on the lists of the other three regions, while xylazine is absent from the top five spots in the Mountain Pacific and Southern regions.

The report also identifies New York as a hotspot for the Sinaloa Cartel, a large, international organized crime syndicate based in Mexico that is a notorious purveyor of drug trafficking and money laundering.

“The House has just passed the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, a vital step toward addressing the deadly opioid crisis sweeping our nation. This bipartisan legislation will empower law enforcement with cutting-edge technology to detect and stop the flow of lethal substances like fentanyl and xylazine before they reach our streets,” said LaLota.

“With over 107,000 overdose deaths last year alone, this bill is a critical measure in saving lives and protecting communities across America. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues in the House for recognizing the urgency of this crisis and swiftly passing this critical legislation and I urge the Senate to do the same.”

The legislation has been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD, the National Border Patrol Council, the National Treasury Employees Union, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Shatterproof, the National HIDTA Directors Association, and the National Association of Counties.

GET THE FACTS ON TOWNLINE RAIL The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved the Townline Rail application for a 5,000-foot rail line onto the CarlsonCorp property in Kings Park.

During a thorough Environmental Assessment, the STB addressed questions and concerns raised by residents. Unfortunately, misinformation continues to circulate in the community. You can read the STB’s full environmental findings by scanning the QR Code below.

Townline Rail must now apply to the New York State DEC and the Town of Smithtown for authorization to construct the transloading facility.

With this next step, we believe it is important to address some of the following misconceptions about this project:

HazMat Because the Town of Smithtown and the State DEC have jurisdiction over the transloading facility and will not permit hazardous materials to be transloaded at the facility, materials such as chlorine, petroleum products, or other hazardous chemicals will not be transloaded on or off of rail cars coming in and out of Townline Rail.

The best option for the future

Hours of Operation Loading and unloading of material will take place under our permitted hours of operation Monday through Saturday with one train per day in and out; this will not be a 24/7 facility.

Truck Traffic Transportation of sand, gravel, and other materials to the industries along Old Northport Road by rail reduces truck traffic into the area from other locations. Shipping ash and construction debris off Long Island by rail significantly reduces truck traffic on our major highways.

Environment The STB’s analysis states that with mitigation measures that we have agreed to, there will be minimal to no adverse environmental impacts (EA at pg. iii) and “no impacts on groundwater.” (EA at pg. 50)

Zoning The Town of Smithtown updated Master Plan acknowledges the history of Old Northport Road as an industrial corridor which contributes to the local economy and states this area is not for residential development.

140 Old Northport Road Kings Park, New York 11754 631 368 4000 | CarlsonCorp.com

Proposed Townline Rail Terminal

Townline Rail is an environmentally preferred alternative to trucking materials off Long Island. It will reduce emissions and traffic congestion and is recognized as a more cost-effective option to trucking. The Townline Rail Terminal will save taxpayers money, create jobs, and benefit the environment. To learn more, visit CarlsonCorp.com.

Credit - Matt Meduri

By Matt Meduri

Thursday, September 19, 2024

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Editorial Thursday, September 19, 2024

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The Temperature is Clearly Not Turned Down

After the near-death experience President Donald Trump (R-FL) had at his July rally in Pennsylvania, the world was shocked. Elected officials, talking heads, and voters on both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the unprecedented act of political violence that has not been since the attempt on Ronald Reagan’s (R-CA) life in 1981. All were quick to call for the “temperature to be turned down,” regarding rhetoric surrounding the highly contentious 2024 election.

It seemed that the social unrest had hit a fever pitch. The attempt on Trump’s life communicated to all Americans, regardless of party registration, that this is simply not the path our country should take, nor is it a reflection of our core values and the desires of the general population. Moreover, it sets a horrible precedent that communicates to our enemies that we are unstable and ungovernable. Should the United States descend into a state of violence, something we hope and pray is avoided, it would only blacklist the country on the world stage. Who would want to do business with a country on the brink of civil war where political violence is the unfortunate new normal?

That’s why we were just as shocked as anyone else to see yet another attempt on Trump’s life over the weekend. A quiet, peaceful Sunday afternoon turned into another high-anxiety episode in the increasingly-contentious saga of modern American politics.

Thankfully, Secret Service identified a rifle barrel protruding from the bushes while Trump was playing the fifth hole at his resort in Palm Beach. After firing a round of shots at the bush, the perpetrator dropped his weapon and fled the scene, leaving behind the AK-style rifle, two backpacks, a spotting scope, and a GoPro camera.

He was apprehended in neighboring Martin County and a deep-dive shows his criminal record dating back nearly twenty years.

Regardless of the suspect’s record, online political discourse, and apparent frequent donations to ActBlue, the fact is that Trump was spared yet a second time. The split-second, almost unconscious reaction to turn his head towards the megatron in Pennsylvania saved his life. Yet again, a split-second reaction from Secret Service seems to have saved it again.

God unquestionably has His hand over Donald Trump, and true to Trump’s oftrepeated phrase “never give up,” he clearly shows no signs of relenting on the campaign

trail. But it serves as a stark reminder just how close we are to being so far gone, down the path of nearly no return, at least not for years should the U.S. decide that chaos and unprecedented violence is the answer.

We’ll echo the same point we made after the first assassination attempt: what do you expect when you compare someone to Adolf Hitler for almost ten years? We place the blame on the mainstream media for feeding into the political divisions in our country and even creating, in some cases, the propaganda that fuels the concerns of individuals who see such discourse as a call to action, rather than political disagreements.

We’ll also point out the irony of the whole situation: the same people who have called him a dictator and an existential threat to a democracy – even though we’re more a constitutional republic (more on that on Page 14) – are now wishing him well and saying there’s no place for such violence in this country.

Thankfully, blood wasn’t spilled on either occasion - save for the blood that dripped from Trump’s ear in Pennsylvania - but blood is effectively on the hands of the mainstream media and certain politicians who have called Trump a “dictator” and have urged the public to take matters into their own hands.

We also commend the president for his resilience. We know that if anyone else had survived not one, but two assassination attempts in just two months, that person likely would make themselves as scarce and hard-to-find as possible.

Trump, on the other hand, never seems to give up and never seems interested in surrendering. That should tell the electorate something very important about who he is and where his priorities lie. Some say that, if elected, he’ll start World War III, impoverish the country, and take everyone’s rights away. He was already president and none of those things happened. He’s clearly not running to implement those changes, and if he was hell-bent on serving himself, he’d certainly do himself a service and quit the race the first time a bullet grazed his ear.

It’s a sad time in American politics, but it’s never a sad time to be an American. Our resilience, compassion, and strive for greatness has known no bounds since we began as the Thirteen Colonies, and we’re optimistic that we won’t lose those qualities any time soon.

Suffolk Needs to Hear from Incompetent Leadership Responsible for Hack Last Thursday, the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature investigating the crippling September 2022 cyber attack that took down County services for months released their final report on the incident.

We commend the leadership of Chairman Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) (pictured), Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and the rest of the bipartisan panel investigating the matter. We also commend the countless County employees who were rigorously interrogated by the committee, as well as the employees who had to deal with the nightmare scenario in which Suffolk was left in the wake of the attack. We can’t imagine working in such a scenario and their resilience in keeping the County running with severely limited resources and a compromised Information Technology (IT) department should be recognized.

But the report is as detailed as it is lengthy: sixty-four pages of how the County’s IT heads spectacularly missed all the red flags and whose seemingly apathetic conduct led to the worst cyber-attack in our County’s history.

If this was a surprise attack conducted with state-of-theart software that fooled every staff member and circumvented every failsafe, then we could just say that that’s an unfortunate circumstance and what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.

Unfortunately, for the sake of the County employees whose personal information was compromised, and for the sake of the taxpayers who had to foot a $25 million bill in recovery and remediation efforts, that’s not the case.

Warning signs developed as early as 2019, when the County became aware of the Log4j free-to-download software used to collect and manage data about system activity. The software ended up being used to comb the County’s systems for activity and was perhaps the hackers’ prime tool in holding the data for ransom. The fact that then-IT Commissioner Scott Mastellon and company were not preparing the County’s network for Log4j vulnerabilities is an “IT 101” failure.

The other rookie mistake made by the IT department was creating a “passthrough” for external Internet traffic destined for the County Clerk’s office, then led

by Clerk Judy Pascale (R-Moriches). The report outlines “bitter disagreement” between who commissioned the pass-through, either IT or the Clerk’s office, but what remains certain is that only the IT Department could have configured it. In layman’s terms, a pass-through is basically a great way to ensure web traffic is not properly vetted and going through the perfect channels. It’s one thing if you’re managing systems for a small

office with traffic going from one department to another, but to implement the same change between the IT center and the Clerk’s office of the largest suburban county in the nation is not just egregiously irresponsible, it’s unconscionable altogether.

Only to add another squeeze of lemon juice over the paper cut was that the firewall device circumvented by the IT Department-created pass-through had been out-of-date since 2019. Keeping such equipment in place for so long after it had reached end-of-life is another rookie mistake for any IT department, but to sanction a pass-through to allow external web traffic around that device simply reeks of incompetence.

Only in the days leading up to the September breach did IT and communications executives notice things didn’t quite look right, with a suspicious set of files downloaded for which no member of the IT staff could account.

However, the damage was already done and the hackers were in. It was only a matter of seconds until they started encrypting and stealing data, initially asking for a $2.5 million ransom, later reducing it to $600,000.

Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) told The Messenger ahead of Thursday’s committee hearing that the County “should have just paid the ransom.” He posits that if the County had done so, it’s likely that the systems could have been up and running sooner and it would have avoided nearly $25 million in recovery efforts.

We don’t have the expertise to agree or disagree with Trotta, but it’s worth mentioning as he is a member of the select committee that investigated the hack.

Then-County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) also vicariously benefitted from his own emergency declaration, which allowed him to award no-bid contracts during that period. It’s a rather fortunate byproduct of the hack, but one that clearly didn’t invoke a reason for lifting the declaration until over a year after the hack. Granted, County systems were down for months, but it’s an interesting facet nonetheless.

Overall, the fact that the County’s systems were essentially wide open for as long as they were, with massive vulnerabilities throughout, is inexcusable and former officials need to answer now that the final report is out. We’re thankful for the County Legislature’s investigative committee and the current administration’s prioritization of obtaining cyber insurance for the County.

It’s an ugly saga that now seems more behind us than in front of us, but constant vigilance will be required going forward. It’s at least the bare minimum for any respectable IT department.

Op-Ed Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

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Four Years Later: Cuomo’s Continued Covid Lies Leave Families Without Answers

By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay In the months following the Cuomo Administration’s March 2020 order forcing nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, we have learned the administration leaned heavily on misinformation, cover-ups and outright lies to avoid taking responsibility for one of the worst public health decisions in recent memory. More than 15,000 long-term care residents died during the pandemic, and their families continue to wait for answers.

Earlier this week, the former governor had a chance to give thousands of families some closure by owning up to his mistakes and providing real answers when he testified before Congress about the state’s handling of the pandemic. Unfortunately, he did nothing of the sort.

Instead, we got more of the same finger-pointing and misdirection. As he has done time and again, the former governor deflected responsibility and refused to acknowledge the facts. His administration’s actions led to people dying in adult care facilities, then it intentionally undercounted those deaths by several thousand—in reality, he underreported the death toll by 50% and was called out by Attorney General Letitia James for doing so.

Making matters worse, Governor Kathy Hochul (D), Cuomo’s former lieutenant, seems uninterested in righting the wrongs of her predecessor. The independent report she ordered from Virginia-based consulting firm the Olson Group to investigate the matter was woefully inadequate.

We have been talking about the state’s COVID-19 response for too long. It has been more than four years of vagaries and finger pointing, and it has been nearly impossible

to move on for many of those directly impacted. Massive mistakes were made at the state level, which should never be repeated, but they must first be honestly acknowledged. Neither the Cuomo nor Hochul administrations, seem interested in doing so, and that has become apparent every time the matter is publicly raised.

The Assembly Minority Conference, good government groups and officials from both political parties have repeatedly demanded the truth from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. We have introduced legislation, written letters, repeatedly requested hearings, called for subpoenas and demanded answers on behalf of those impacted, because an open and honest dialogue about what happened still hasn’t taken place. We will continue to seek answers for the sake of our state and the thousands of families who lost their loved ones, and it is my sincere hope we can finally close the book on this dark chapter of failed leadership.

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.

Everyone in Washington Says They Are Pro-Family, but SSI is Anti-Family

By Mark X. Cronin Qualifying for SSI requires that you meet three criteria: Have a qualifying disability; have an income under the income levels; have no more than $2,000 in assets We’re focusing here on the asset limit of $2,000.

The current asset limit to qualify for SSI is an archaic $2,000 per person. This threshold was set in 1989 and has remained unchanged since. Think about that for a moment—1989! Just imagine if your salary or benefits hadn’t increased in over 30 years. Inflation has risen, cost of living has skyrocketed, but SSI’s limits have remained frozen in time.

For couples, the issue gets even worse. If two individuals who each qualify for SSI decide to marry, the asset limit for the couple is only $3,000 combined. Yes, you read that correctly— Congress somehow made 2 + 2 = 3. Instead of encouraging and supporting families, SSI punishes marriage by lowering the asset limit, forcing couples to live in financial insecurity. This is not just unfair—it’s anti-family. I would suggest that it is anti-love.

You can claim to support families, but policies like the SSI asset level say otherwise. The current SSI asset limit forces people to make the decision not to marry. That is an immoral policy. It is time for a change.

Advocating for the Rights of People with Differing Abilities At John’s Crazy Socks, we are committed to spreading happiness and showing what people with differing abilities can do. After all, John is an entrepreneur with Down Syndrome and every day he shows that Down syndrome never holds him back.

As part of our mission, we advocate for the rights of people with differing abilities. We speak up for people who are often not heard or ignored. We have travelled to Washington and met locally with members of Congress to advocate for a change in the SSI asset levels. We return to Capitol Hill later this month as part of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment to push for a change in the SSI asset levels.

A Solution: The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act There is hope. There is a bi-partisan bill before Congress that would make the necessary changes. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408 / S. 2767) proposes a much-needed reform. Here’s what this bill would do: • Raise the asset limit to $10,000 per person: The first increase in over 35 years, helping individuals save for emergencies, education, and other needs without losing their SSI benefits.

• Raise the asset limit for married couples to $20,000: Finally, 1 + 1 will equal 2, treating couples fairly and supporting families instead of penalizing them.

• Tie future increases to the rate of inflation: Ensuring that the asset limit adjusts with rising costs, preventing this issue from becoming outdated again.

This bill is essential for ensuring that individuals with differing abilities and their families are not forced into poverty simply because they want to save money or get married.

SSI should help people, not make their lives harder. Everyone deserves a chance to live and thrive, whether they’re single or married.

Why This Matters for Families The SSI program is supposed to support people with disabilities, but under the current asset limits, it traps them in a cycle of poverty. If an individual saves more than $2,000, they lose access to their SSI benefits. That means no emergency fund, no saving for education, no building a future.

And for married couples, the problem is worse—the combined asset limit is lower than for two individuals. It’s not just financially oppressive; it sends a clear message that family life isn’t valued.

Imagine a married couple who each qualify for SSI. Together, they are only allowed to have

$3,000 in assets. That’s barely enough for a reliable car, let alone the safety net that most families need for unexpected expenses like medical emergencies, home repairs, or education costs. This forces many couples to choose between marriage and financial survival, which is not a decision any family should have to make.

The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would change that, giving individuals and couples more breathing room and the ability to build a secure future.

This isn’t just about money; it’s about dignity. Everyone deserves the chance to live a full life without worrying about losing their benefits.

We Are Taking Action At John’s Crazy Socks, we don’t just talk about change—we work for it. That’s why we’re part of the CEO Commission on Disability Employment, a national initiative aimed at advocating for policies that promote equality and employment for people with differing abilities. We’re also actively involved in meeting with members of Congress, urging them to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. John and I have had the privilege of speaking with lawmakers and advocating for this critical issue. They have shared stories from our customers, our colleagues, and our community about how these outdated policies are negatively affecting their lives. We know change is possible, but it will take collective action.

As John says, “We’re not just here to sell socks; we’re here to make the world better for people with differing abilities.” That’s why we urge you to take action. Call your representatives and senators. Let them know you support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act and that it’s time for a change.

How You Can Help Now, more than ever, we need your help to bring this issue to the forefront. Here’s how you can get involved: • Contact Your Elected Officials: Reach out to your Congressional Representative and your Senators. Ask them to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408 / S. 2767). Let them know that raising the asset limits is crucial for supporting individuals with differing abilities and their families.

• Share Your Story: If you or someone you know has been impacted by SSI’s outdated asset limits, share your story. Personal stories make a powerful impact and can help convince lawmakers to act.

• Spread the Word: Share this article with your friends and family. The more people who know about this issue, the more pressure we can put on Congress to act.

Let’s push Congress to make a positive change. If our Senators and Representatives want to claim to support families, let’s have them show it. Pass the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. Promote marriage. Promote love.

About John’s Crazy Socks John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™.

With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $750,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, we are Spreading Happiness™.

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County News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

By Cait Crudden

that restriction, ensuring that all veterans, regardless of when or where they served, can receive the support they need to pursue higher education or vocational training.

Legislator Chad Lennon, a Marine Reservist, highlighted this point.

“Secluding state education assistance to only Veterans in combat misses an entire demographic of Veterans who signed up for service during wartime,” said Lennon.

“Some Veterans were injured during the work up to a deployment and were unable to deploy. This may lead to survivors’ guilt. We also have service members who transported and prepared the bodies of service member who were killed in action. Our State must recognize all veterans who served to support and defend our nation”.

Nick Caracappa (pictured above), who chairs Suffolk County’s Veterans Committee, spoke passionately about the necessity of this expansion, especially for Suffolk County, which boasts the largest Veteran population in New York State.

Assemblyman Ed Flood emphasized that education is one of the most valuable gifts societies can provide veterans to help them reintegrate into civilian life and build successful careers.

“New York is home to nearly 800,000 military Veterans, all of whom are deserving of an opportunity to achieve a high-quality higher education in our state,” said Flood (pictured left).

The press conference comes at a critical time, with the bill awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. Legislators and officials expressed their hope that the governor would not delay in making this transformative bill a reality. They also extended an invitation for her to come to Suffolk County to sign the bill in front of the community that stands to benefit the most.

“Do yourself and this state a tremendous favor by remembering our Veterans and their service. We have an all-volunteer army, it’s not a draft army, it’s a volunteer. We want to encourage people to serve their country,” said Romaine. “What better way than saying, ‘when you get out, we haven’t forgotten about you, we’re remembering you and we are offering you tuition assistance.’”

As Suffolk County continues to advocate for its Veterans, this expansion of tuition assistance represents a critical step in honoring and supporting those who have served. With a unified call for action, local leaders hope to see the legislation signed into law in the coming weeks, providing a brighter future for Veterans across New York State.

Credit - Matt Meduri

A press conference was held this past week at the Armed Forces Plaza in front of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, where Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and a coalition of local leaders gathered to advocate for expanded educational benefits for veterans. The officials called on Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to sign into law a newly passed bill that would extend tuition assistance to all New York veterans, not just those who served during wartime or combat missions.

Joined by key figures such as Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Veterans Committee, Legislators Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), and Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Deputy Director of Veterans Services for Suffolk County Jim Brennan, and New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), County Executive Romaine and more emphasized the importance of this legislation for the state’s Veteran community.

The press conference focused on a crucial piece of legislation that has already garnered bipartisan support in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill, if signed into law, would provide all Veterans residing in New York with tuition assistance for up to four years at State University of New York (SUNY) tuition rates to any school of their choosing. Veterans would also have the option to use the funding for vocational or trade schools, offering them a pathway to further education and career development in gratitude for their service.

“This press conference is to ask our Governor, please sign this bill. Not only please sign this bill, but I’m offering an invitation which I delivered to her assistant Mr. Calarco a few minutes ago that said Governor, Suffolk County has more Veterans than any other County in the State of New York and it has the second most Veterans in the United States. Come to Suffolk, sign this bill,” remarked Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.

The current law limits educational benefits to veterans who served during wartime and combat missions. The proposed expansion would remove

Credit - Matt Meduri

Suffolk County Officials Urge Hochul to Expand Veteran Tuition Assistance

Credit - Cait Crudden

(631) 269-6421

This Week Today Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

9

Thursday, September 19, 2024

National, State and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri National

Credit - Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

times red-leaning, of New Hampshire’s two districts, but Pappas starts out as the slight favorite. The district includes Manchester, Portsmouth, and Laconia.

In NH-02, entrenched six-term incumbent Ann Kuster (D) is retiring, leaving an open contest in what’s been a relatively uncompetitive district since the late 2000s.

Former Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Maggie Goodlander (D) will face off against Lily Williams (R), the latter of whom dispatched twelve other Republicans for the nomination.

NH-02 covers the western two-thirds of the state, taking in the capital Concord, the Dartmouth home of Hanover, collegeeducated enclaves on the Connecticut River, and the sparsely-populated northern part of the state. More Democratic on paper, the race could become competitive with an open seat. Before Biden quit the presidential race, the last Granite State poll taken showed Trump ahead in both congressional districts.

The spectacle ends in Delaware, however, as Democrats are highly likely to retain its trifecta of open seats this year.

New Castle County (Wilmington) County Executive Matt Meyer (D) secured the Democratic nomination to succeed termlimited Governor John Carney (D). He faces Delaware House Minority Leader Mike Ramone (R). Meyer defeated Lieutenant Governor and Carney endorsee Bethany Hall-Long (D) in the primary.

Republicans have not won a gubernatorial race in Delaware since 1988.

Four-term Senator Tom Carper (D) is retiring and the favorite to replace him is Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) over businessman Eric Hansen (R).

Neither saw contested primaries.

Republicans have not won a Senate race in Delaware since 1994.

In the race for the open House seat, State Senator Sarah McBride (D) won the primary and will be heavily favored over John Whalen III (R) in November. McBride is the first openly transgender state senator in the country and is currently the highestranking transgender elected official in U.S. history. Should McBride win in November, which is likely due to Delaware’s blue profile, McBride would be the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Finally, in Rhode Island, three-term Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) easily dispatched his primary opponent and remains a heavy favorite for re-election over State Representative Patricia Morgan (R).

Rhode Island has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2000.

Credit - Matt Meduri

Sunday night saw what appears to be another assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump (R-FL) (pictured below right).

The attempt comes just two months after Trump was shot was delivering a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Palm Beach County authorities say that suspect Ryan Wesley Routh was about five hundred yards away from Trump, hiding in bushes, while the former president was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that the bushes around the course can conceal someone to the point that “they’re pretty much out of sight.” Bradshaw adds that if Trump were the sitting president, the entire golf course would have been lined with personnel, but since he’s not in office, Secret Service employs security where they deem necessary and possible.

Secret Service agents noticed an AK-style rifle barrel protruding from the bushes.

Secret Service fired, causing Routh to drop the gun and flee the scene in an SUV. He left behind two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera.

I-95 near Palm Beach was shut down following the incident, and Routh was stopped in neighboring Martin County.

Records show that Routh, 58, lived in North Carolina for the majority of his life until relocating to Hawaii in 2018. Routh’s social media posts show frequent discussion of the Ukraine war and even had a website to raise money and recruit volunteers to go to Kiev to fight the invasion from the ground.

His posts also show support for thenCongresswoman and then-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard. Since 2019, Routh is observed to have made nineteen donations totalling $140 from his Hawaii address to ActBlue, a political action committee that works to elect Democratic candidates. Routh is registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina, but voted in person in the state’s Democratic primary in March.

Records also show that in 2002, he was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction while living in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” Trump wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” “DHS and the Secret Service are closely working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to learn all of the facts surrounding this incident,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “The safety and security of Presidential candidates and other protectees is the highest priority for the Secret Service.”

Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) wrote on X, “I have been briefed on reports of

gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”

President Joe Biden (D-DE) is also “relieved” that Trump was not harmed.

In election news, the three final statewide primaries before the general election were held last Tuesday. Voters in Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island hit the polls to select nominees for congressional, gubernatorial, and senatorial offices.

The biggest story is in New Hampshire, where former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R) emerged with 63% of the vote in a gubernatorial primary that featured five other candidates.

Incumbent four-term Governor Chris Sununu (R) is retiring.

New Hampshire is one of two states, the other being Vermont, that limits its governors to two-year terms, with no term limits.

Sununu flipped the seat in 2016 and was re-elected by increasingly large margins each year to become one of the most popular governors in the country.

Ayotte began her political career as New Hampshire Attorney General in 2004, leaving in 2009. She rode the 2010 red wave to win the open Senate seat by a whopping twenty-three points. In 2016, however, Ayotte would narrowly lose reelection to then-Governor Maggie Hassan (D). Hassan defeated Ayotte by 1,017 votes, or 0.14%, out of over 700,000 ballots cast.

It was the closest Senate race of that cycle and also the closest Senate race in New Hampshire since 1974.

Ayotte’s loss resulted in the first time a Democrat had won this Senate seat since 1974, and the second time since 1932. Hassan’s flip of this seat, as well as Democrats’ flip in NH-01, resulted in the first time Democrats had full control of the Granite State’s congressional delegation since 1854.

Ayotte now seeks a political comeback to keep New Hampshire in the red column on the gubernatorial map, working alongside a state legislature with a razorthin Republican majority.

Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig (D) won the Democratic primary and will face Ayotte in November.

New Hampshire is one of two hotly competitive gubernatorial races this year, the other being North Carolina.

An intrinsically libertarian state, one with classically independent overtones, New Hampshire’s governor’s race is not likely to be dependent on the concurrent presidential race in the state.

In NH-01, Russell Prescott (R) earned the right to face three-term Congressman Chris Pappas (D). Pappas won the open seat in 2018 and survived a tough fight from Karoline Leavitt (R) in 2022. NH-01 is seen as the more competitive, and at

State Governor Kathy Hochul (D) (pictured above left) said that she has met with Disney CEO Bob Iger in hopes of bringing more film projects and jobs to the Empire State.

“I was just sitting down with Bob Iger yesterday talking about how I want more

production in New York State. London shouldn’t exist. Forget about Georgia. I’m a little aggressive, as you can tell,” said Hochul. She added that New York, under her leadership, has increased its production tax credits, but that she is looking to “make that even better.”

Disney has had a major office in New York City for many years, long calling the Upper West Side its home. The company is relocating its office downtown.

“The talent wants to be in New York… all the talent wants to be here, either they started here, they have friends here, or they have family here, but they will go where the show goes. So, we have to continue making it worth their while to do this,” said Hochul.

The Governor added that she has visited Hollywood to sit down with major producers to pitch incentives afforded to them by the Empire State. She concedes that despite New York’s auspicious role as a film locale, it comes down to fiscal matters for most producers.

“When we think about what sets us apart, it is really our creative talent, and when people see productions being made on their streets, it just feels like it’s a cool place to live,” said Hochul. “And I’m always trying to up the cool factor.”

In other news surrounding the Governor, Hochul recently underwent a procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma from her nose.

The cancer was reportedly removed with a local anesthesia and the Governor was back on the job within a few hours.

Basal cell carcinoma is considered the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for about eight of ten skin cancers according to the American Cancer Society. It usually develops on the most sun-exposed areas of the body.

Moles or pigmented spots that are growing, showing signs of asymmetry, irregular edges, or uneven colors may be signs of basal cell carcinoma.

Local Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) recently announced that 9/11 responders to the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, who were active-duty Department of Defense (DOD), soldiers, sailors, as well as civilians, and other federal employees will now be able to join the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).

The provision that includes these first responders was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, and $444 million to address the program’s shortfall was also included in its budget.

“September 11, 2001, was a horrific day for New York, for our country, and for the world. It is our duty to ensure that all survivors and responders still suffering today from 9/11-related illnesses are given access to the health care they need,” said Garbarino. “Whether caused by exposure in lower Manhattan, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, or at the Pentagon, all 9/11-related illnesses are the result of a foreign terror attack on America. I am proud to have helped secure language in the NDAA to enable excluded responders to participate in the WTCHP and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure 9/11 responders, survivors, and families are taken care of.”

10

News Thursday, September 19, 2024

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Continued from front cover

LaLota Delivers $1.5M Check for Port Jefferson Harbor Projects The check is also timely after the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto caused worse-than-expected damage across the North Shore, especially the drainage of nearby Mill Pond in Stony Brook.

LaLota (pictured right) joined Town and State officials on Monday morning to formally present the check.

LaLota called the funding a “significant federal investment” to improve infrastructure of the Village’s harbor and marina.

“We are here to ensure that the federal government pays the right amount of attention to us Long Islanders. It’s unfair and unfortunate that both Albany and Washington have both neglected Long Island,” said LaLota. “For every dollar a New Yorker sends to Washington, we get eighty-five cents back. It’s worse on the State level. Long Island has been an ATM or piggy bank of sorts for Albany and the Five Boroughs. We’re here to make that a little more right today.”

LaLota said that the federal investment can make Long Islander “safer and more affordable,” adding that elected officials are hoping to retain the population with improved opportunity, affordability, and infrastructure.

LaLota joked that Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) acknowledges LaLota’s “love” for the Town of Brookhaven, but challenged him to “show me the money.”

“They say love doesn’t come free,” quipped Supervisor Panico. “This is such an important harbor. This federal money will go forward and be spent efficiently by the Town to promote interstate commerce, but also a great deal of economic activity at this marina. This marina is our widely utilized marina in all of Brookhaven; it is our biggest marina.”

Panico said that interstate commerce is a large component of the funds, as the ferries regularly carry passengers to and from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Panico added that despite the marina’s location in the village, the Town of Brookhaven “appreciates the money so much,” because if federal funds had not been procured, the Town, by virtue of its taxpayers, would have had to foot the bill.

“This money will be spent on the wave wall to prevent our marina from silting up. The balance of the money will be spent on bulkheading, which is expensive and needed. And the remainder of the money, if there is money leftover, will be used for vital dredging for this harbor,” said Panico.

Wave walls are designed to catch, deflect, and redirect sea water as it hits the wall. The distinct curves of wave walls replicate the appearance of an ocean wave. Such structures are used to reduce the amount of erosion at the base of the wall.

Bulkheads are watershed retaining walls built to prevent shorelines from wave energy and erosion, typically found on or near waterfront properties.

Dredging is the process of removing sediment and materials from the bottom of bodies of water to allow waterways to remain safe, unobstructed, and navigable.

“We’re proud to have a partner in Congressman LaLota, who knows that Brookhaven is a beautiful place geographically, from the bay to the sound, that boasts beautiful harbors and waterways, and he knows that taking care of that for our economy and our environment requires an infusion of federal money,” said Panico.

“Congressman LaLota came through today for the Town of Brookhaven, and I am confident he will come through for the residents of Brookhaven

in the future.”

Deputy Town Supervisor and Councilman Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), who represents the South Shore-based Fifth District, said that he represents more coastline than the other members of the council.

“The number-one complaint I get on the South Shore is dredging for safety reasons. Dredging is the key for the health of bays, creeks, and rivers,” said Foley. “We also had the opportunity to build a wave wall five or six years ago on the Great South Bay. It has made such a difference with storms and storm surges. Nick, I can’t thank you enough for your partnership and for looking out for Brookhaven.”

Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham) (pictured bottom left) was also present to accept the federal funds.

“Most people don’t realize that just behind us is the only deep-water commercial dock in the Town of Brookhaven and one of the only on Long Island that we’re able to bring barges into,” said Losquadro. “Most of our asphalt plants get their stone aggregate from that dock. The health and safety of this harbor and for it to remain navigable is key to public works here in Brookhaven, Suffolk County and on Long Island. I have to thank the Congressman for coming through with this funding, while seemingly a small project in the grand scheme of things, it’s very important to public works and departments like mine across Long Island.”

Finally, New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station) heralded the federal funds and the importance of the issues they seek to remedy.

“For every taxpayer dollar we send to Albany, we get about seventy-three cents on return; that’s just unacceptable,” said Flood. “That’s something myself and my colleagues are bringing to the fight in Albany, to ensure that Long Islanders get their fair share.”

Flood mentioned that, along with the $1.5 million from Congress, the State passed the Clean Water Infrastructure Act last year, which frees up about $500 million worth of grants available through the state.

“As we reconvene in January, I and my colleagues that represent the area will continue to fight for those dollars to be available for Long Islanders to ensure that we have ocean waters and to ensure that we have the right infrastructure in place,” said Flood (pictured right). “As we saw several weeks ago, what Mother Nature can do, we need projects like this. We need to be able to ensure the safety and the longevity of our beautiful harbors to ensure that we don’t have it washed away by coastal flooding and these one-ina-hundred year storms that seem to happen every three to four years now.”

Congressman LaLota spoke to the effects on local ecology and hydrology that the project will likely incur.

“Anytime you want to touch the bay bottom, you have to go through the right authorities. The Town, who’s going to run this project, I am very confident, will ensure that we’re going through the right environmental agencies,” LaLota told The Messenger. “When we do this good work and dredge the right way, we can get the shipping in and out of the harbor and that we do so in accordance with those rules to protect our environment.

It’s a very balanced approach that we’ve taken on other projects like this and we’ll take that same balanced approach with this one as well.”

The Port Jefferson Marina is located at 130 West Broadway in Port Jefferson Village.

News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Shirley Man Pleads Guilty in 2022 Shooting Outside Zeldin’s Home

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By Matt Meduri When asked by Judge Anthony Senft if Green was pleading guilty because he is, in fact, guilty, Green affirmed this.

Green’s attorneys assert that the defendant “comes from a good family” and that “he never wanted to be a part of this at all.”

Green was apprehended three weeks after the shooting after the stolen Honda SUV he had used in the October 2022 shooting was identified by law enforcement. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to have shell casings still lodged in the windshield and hood. Police also found a loaded Taurus nine-millimeter pistol with a high-capacity magazine, the weapon later determined to have been used in the shooting.

Green was also found to have made frequent posts on social media about his gang affiliation, along with weapons and stolen vehicles.

District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) said that Green’s shooting outside the Zeldin home in Shirley was one in a series of shootings that all carried charges in the 148-count indictment. A murder outside of a Farmingville nightclub, violent carjackings in Wantagh and Wading River, and even the kidnapping of six puppies compose a string of crimes dating back to October 2021, all of which Green is allegedly implicated.

“I am thankful for Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, and the many law enforcement officials who swiftly acted to keep my daughters safe, transport the victims, and take the necessary legal action to hold Mr. Green accountable,” said Zeldin in a statement.”

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The 2022 gubernatorial campaign between Governor Kathy Hochul (D) and then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) was full of debate on contentious issues, but perhaps no issue was as pertinent as crime across the state, namely in New York City.

However, after a man jumped on stage and held a blade to Zeldin’s arm during a Rochester speech, the crime wave quite literally visited Zeldin’s doorstep.

On October 9, 2022, shots were fired at the front of the Zeldin home while his twin teenage daughters were home studying.

The drive-by shooting appeared to be gang-related at the time, and while the shots were not intended for the Zeldin home, the intended recipients of the bullets were hiding in the shrubbery in front of the porch.

Zeldin and his wife were campaigning in the Bronx. His daughters secured themselves in the house and called 911.

Twenty-year-old Noah Green pleaded guilty earlier this week for attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and conspiracy for shooting at three men. Two of the men were hit by Green’s shots, but both survived.

“The events that took place on October 9, 2022, were traumatic for my family and couldn’t have hit any closer to home,” Zeldin said in a statement.

Green was arrested on October 31, 2022, just days before the gubernatorial election in which Zeldin would come up short to Hochul by just six points. He was previously one of eighteen defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into a string of violent crimes and carjackings perpetrated by the No Fake Love gang. Green said that the people he shot at were members of a rival gang.

Green will return to court for sentencing on October 15. He had faced a potential of twenty-five years had the prosecution not come to an agreement to sentence him for twelve years with five years of supervised release.

Down Ballot

12

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

U.S. Senate Forecast

By Matt Meduri The 2024 race for the U.S. Senate comes down to presidential down-ballot energy, which is expected to make Senate races mirror the presidential results in their respective states closely, along with Democrats playing significant defense with little to no realistic opportunities for pickups of their own.

As we’ve forecasted before, we expect the GOP to make a net gain of two seats in the Senate, for a fiftyone seat majority. Such a caucus would give the GOP outright control of the upper chamber, presidential results notwithstanding. However, if the GOP only makes a net gain of one seat for a fifty-seat majority, they would be able to take back control of the Senate if Donald Trump (R-FL) wins the presidency.

As a brief recap, Democrats are expected to lose their seat in West Virginia. After long-time favorite son Joe Manchin did not seek re-election, he changed his party registration to Independent. Even if Manchin ran, pundits are in universal agreement that he would not have been able to overcome the expected forty-point win for Trump in the Mountain State. Such crossover support is almost unheard of in historical terms, and would be perhaps the greatest political upset of this decade if he were to generate that coalition.

Likewise, in Montana, three-term Senator Jon Tester (D) is in the fight of his life. He flipped the seat in the good Democratic year of 2006 and rode favorable environments and flawed opponents in 2012 and 2018 to re-election. This time, he’s not likely to be as lucky. With a solid opponent in Tim Sheehy (R), who currently leads Tester by more than five points in the aggregates, as well as a likely near-twenty-point-win for Trump in the Treasure State, we think Tester is slated to lose re-election.

These two seats, especially West Virginia, virtually erase Democrats’ margin for error and relegates them to flipping other seats. Only two provide such an option: Texas and Florida. Relatively unpopular incumbents in both, as well as a credible candidate in the Lone Star State, leave them at the edge of the competitive table, but down-ballot results are likely to coalesce around incumbents Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL).

We have previously forecasted the seats we rate as “Toss Up” and “Likely” for either party. Polls show Senate Democrats greatly outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) in their states, including Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan. We won’t move them out of the “Toss Up” column yet, but it’s important to note that Republicans are not performing as well as expected in the polls.

Democrats remain likely to retain Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey simply by virtue of partisan leans of those states, as well as battle-tested incumbents with significant name recognition, namely Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA). Moreover, one-term incumbent Josh Hawley (R-MO) would likely be a prime target for Democrats in a better environment, and if the ShowMe State hasn’t drifted so far to the right in the last decade.

This week, we’ll discuss the last of the states worth watching, those we classify as “Leaning” towards one side or the other. These are states that are competitive, but one party has a set of advantages that might carry them over the finish line.

Currently, we rate three states as “Leans Democratic,” while no states are of an equal rating for the Party of Lincoln.

Maryland - Angela Aslobrooks (D) Vs. Larry Hogan (R) This race is perhaps the most surprising of the current map and one that made Democrats’ alreadymonumental task of retaining the Senate even more difficult. In deep-blue Maryland, polls show a tight race between former Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D).

Let’s start with some references for this race.

Maryland has not elected a Republican Senator since 1980 and have not held both seats concurrently since 1977. To boot, the last close race here was in 2006, when outgoing Senator Ben Cardin (D) won his first term over Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) by just over ten points. The close race is uncharacteristic for the Old Line State, as Democrats usually cruise to victory here by more than twenty points in any given statewide race. Steele also leveraged his more liberal Republican profile, only to still come up ten points short.

Maryland has also not backed a Republican presidential nominee since 1988. George H. W. Bush’s (R-TX) win in Maryland that year was seen as upset, as he beat Michael Dukakis (D-MA) by just under three points.

Maryland’s geography, at first glance, seems like a state friendly to Republicans. The GOP usually carries a majority of the state’s counties, including the solidlyRepublican panhandle and the eastern portion of the state along the Delaware border, most of which is deep-red. But the clout of Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs cannot be denied. The voting coalition of minorities, college-degree holders, and classically Democratic union households makes Maryland a perennial exhibition match between the two parties.

Enter Larry Hogan: a little-known politician who was Secretary of Appointments of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. He ran in the 2014 gubernatorial race against then-Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown (D), who would later serve in the House. Brown thought he would win the 2014 by “a little bit of a molehill.” Hogan would end up winning by almost four points in one of the bluest states in the country, in what was dubbed the greatest upset of the 2014 cycle. He became the

first Republican governor of Maryland since 1954.

Granted, gubernatorial races are different from other statewide campaigns, in that candidate quality, local issues, and pocketbook economics are likely to deliver a much different result than one would expect.

Currently, Republicans hold the governorships in solid-blue Vermont and blue-leaning Virginia, while Democrats hold the same offices in deep-red Kansas and Kentucky. After 2014, the national map was even more interesting, with Democrats governing Montana, Missouri, and Louisiana, and Republicans in office in Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Hogan was immensely popular among Maryland voters during his first term, which allowed him to win re-election by twelve points, despite 2018 being a blue wave year.

Now, he’s leveraging that record to flip Maryland’s Senate seat blue and deliver what would be a massive blow to the Democratic caucus. Before the primaries, Hogan led the polls in the state by massive margins, unheard of for a Republican in the last couple decades.

However, the Democratic brought its own points of controversy.

Alsobrooks was seen as an underdog to Congressman David Trone (D, MD-06), who represented a moderately-blue seat extending from the D.C. suburbs to the panhandle. Trone is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and leveraged his fortune to win the Senate primary.

However, Alsobrooks prevailed in an upset, and the polling almost immediately swung in her favor, albeit by relatively thin margins for such a Democratic stronghold. The polling continues to remain thin, with her leading Hogan by just five points in the RealClearPolitics average. A Hill/DC News poll just released Tuesday finds Hogan leading the race by seven points, 49%-42%. The poll found that 15% of voters planned to split their tickets between Hogan for Senate and Harris for president. Harris remains an overwhelming favorite to carry Maryland’s ten electoral votes in November.

But Hogan has a significant problem: history.

Popular governors of the opposite party of their state’s usual political lean have a notoriously difficult time getting elected to the Senate, where results are usually much more in line with the state’s typical Continued on next page

Down Ballot Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

13

Thursday, September 19, 2024

A Brutal Map for Democrats Continued from previous page partisan profile. One notable example is that of Linda Lingle (R). Lingle won the 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election by a thin margin, over now-Senator Mazie Hirono (D). Corruption allegations within the Hawaii Democratic Party put Lingle over the edge with a 4.5-point margin. Immensely popular, Lingle won re-election by a landslide in 2006, the last time Republicans have won any statewide contest in the Aloha State, and the only time in history a Republican governor of Hawaii was re-elected. Additionally, the 2006 gubernatorial result sits alongside the 1972 presidential result as the only two times in history when Republicans captured more than 60% of the vote in Hawaii.

Lingle then ran for the open Senate seat in 2012 against Hirono, whom she had drafted for governor ten years prior. Despite polling showing a tight race, it wasn’t even close: Hirono blew Lingle out of the water with 62% of the vote.

A more recent example comes from Montana, where popular Governor Steve Bullock (D) had won two terms and went on to face one-term Senator Steve Daines (R) in 2020. Polling showed a tight race at the senatorial and presidential levels, but Bullock, despite being a popular two-term governor of a red state, lost to Daines by ten points.

Lingle and Bullock, among several others, are just two cautionary tales of the governor-to-Senate campaign that many politicians have had over the years.

We doubt Hogan’s case will be any different.

We’re banking on a ten-point win for Alsobrooks in November, and we’d be shocked to say the least if Hogan staged a successful upset. He’d be bucking partisan trends and historical probabilities in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans three-toone.

Despite Hogan vocalizing his staunch opposition to Donald Trump, it likely won’t be enough to carry him over the finish line. But we don’t think Hogan believes he has a realistic shot. If anything, he’s the sacrificial lamb designed to divert money and resources from other competitive states to help Republicans flip easier targets.

It’s certainly a race worth watching, and one that almost nobody expected at the start of this cycle, but unless a significant chunk of voters have second thoughts at the ballot box, we’re not banking on history being made here.

New Mexico - Martin Heinrich (D) Vs. Nella Domenici (R) New Mexico has not elected a Republican Senator since 2002, when the legendary Pete Domenici (R) won his final term with 65% of the vote. At the time, New Mexico was considered a swing state, and even went for George W. Bush (R-TX) in 2004. Since then, however, New Mexico has become more obdurate Democratic territory, even if it’s not the bluest state in the Union.

Trump contested New Mexico at the very end of the 2016 campaign, and Hillary Clinton’s (D-NY) margin was under ten points. Biden caused a slight rebound, winning by eleven points when the state was not firmly in play.

This year, however, Trump seemed slightly ahead in the Land of Enchantment just before the Biden-Harris

switch. Harris now has decent, yet not insurmountable leads in the state, and if public polling is overestimating her position, the state could be in play. Polling estimations caused a near-upset in 2020, when Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D, NM-03) defeated meteorologist Mark Ronchetti (R) by just six points in a race that was polled as much less competitive.

This becomes a crucial factor in the Senate race, where limited polling shows a close race between two-term Senator Martin Heinrich (D). He won his first term by six points in 2012 and benefitted from a three-way race in 2018 between little-known businessman Mick Rich (R) and former Republican Governor Gary Johnson (I).

It’s safe to say Heinrich hasn’t developed a nationallywatched profile, costing him some valuable charisma points. But this doesn’t mean he’s an underdog either.

In a race that should be more of a lock for Democrats, they shouldn’t be sparing expenses, but Republicans have a decent opponent in Nella Domenici, the daughter of the late-Senator Pete Domenici.

As of now, Heinrich is the favorite and will likely remain so until Election Day. The possibility of a Domenici upset isn’t out of the question, but since Republicans are lagging behind in Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan, while also trying to flip Ohio and Montana, it’s not likely New Mexico will see the lion’s share of their resources this year. Still, Heinrich is probably on track to mimic now-Senator Luján’s margin in 2020, enough to cause concern for Democrats down the road.

If Trump ends up performing better than anticipated in the concurrent presidential race, then Heinrich probably only has about five points of crossover support. It depends entirely on where Latino voters go. If the polls continue to track significant support for Trump, then Harris might already be underwater, or at least dangerously close to such a position, in the Land of Enchantment. We expect Heinrich to be insulated by incumbency and outperform the top of the ticket by no more than five points in that regard.

Wisconsin - Tammy Baldwin (D) Vs. Eric Hovde (R) Wisconsin remains perhaps the nation’s most evenly-divided state. They have a Democratic governor who was narrowly re-elected in 2022, a state legislature dominated by Republicans, mostly due to geography, and a House delegation with a 6-2 Republican majority. The two swing seats are competitive but Republicans have advantages in both of them. In 2022, Democrats also flipped the State Supreme Court, a move that was seen as a check on the Republican-controlled legislature.

Ron Johnson (R), a long-time enemy of the left, shocked observers with his 2016 re-election over former legendary Senator Russ Feingold (D). Johnson held his own in 2022 and the top of the Wisconsin ticket, despite a spirited challenge from Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D).

Crucial to the 2024 race is the fact that Wisconsin is just one of five states to have a split U.S. Senate delegation, one Senator from either party. The others are Montana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maine. Given that pertinent detail, we’re not entirely sure Wisconsin will buck their current preference for as evenly-divided an environment as possible.

Baldwin succeeded popular Herb Kohl (D) in 2012, winning by six points when Wisconsin was more Democratic at the top of the ticket. She cruised to

an eleven-point re-election win in 2018, thanks to a favorable environment and a weak opponent that Republicans didn’t seem eager to help out towards the end of the campaign.

Now, Baldwin likely has her toughest challenge yet over businessman Eric Hovde. We initially placed this at “Likely Democratic,” but polling does track consistently within mid-single digits. We doubt that even if Trump wins Wisconsin that Baldwin will be in great danger of missing out on a third term. Wisconsin’s preference for an evenly-divided environment makes us think she’s a decent bet for re-election, but the race certainly warrants watching.

We think Hovde will be the unfortunate byproduct of more favorable flips and current Republican lagging in more premier swing states, a similar fate learned

by Baldwin’s 2018 opponent, Leah Vukmir (R). We didn’t think Wisconsin was on the path to a Republican Senate majority at the beginning of the cycle, and that doesn’t seem likely to change. Baldwin will probably win by about five points, enough to bolster Democrats’ seats where most feasible and to continue Wisconsin’s trend of keeping things balanced.

Honorable Mention Minnesota - Amy Klobuchar (D) Vs. Royce White (R) This Senate race is currently rated “Safe” by The Messenger. However, it’s worth noting that polling has tightened into the single digits between immensely popular three-term Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) and former professional basketball player and political novice Royce White (R).

Already a white whale for Republicans, the GOP will likely be all-in on flipping the state on the presidential level, a move that is not likely to coalesce around White ousting Klobuchar. The Twin Cities are already seen as a massive obstacle for any Republican statewide campaign, and suburbanites are highly likely to send Klobuchar back to Washington for another six years.

Senator Klobuchar ran for president in 2020, making it farther than most expected in the early swing state primaries, but suspended her campaign just before Super Tuesday, when her home state was scheduled to vote. Klobuchar has been an outspoken proponent of leftist values, something that resonates with the state’s highly diverse and educated population.

White has the distinction of being a black Republican and political novice, but one who might not have the expertise or charisma comparisons to those of Klobuchar. Klobuchar won her first term in 2006 by a landslide and secured two re-elections by greater than 60% of the vote each time. Granted, these were in good Democratic years when Minnesota was not used to being a top presidential target of the GOP, but even so, she probably would have outperformed the national environments both times due to her name recognition and the state’s intrinsic lean.

We don’t anticipate moving this state out of the “Safe” column for now. We’ll keep an eye on the polling and if the numbers continue to rest around mid-to-high single-digits, we’ll downgrade it to “Likely Democratic.” Still, even such a rating doesn’t make us bullish on Royce’s chances. Klobuchar looks on point to overperform the top of the ticket yet again and secure a fourth term.

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Civics 101 Thursday, September 19, 2024

The Necessary Standard for American Education Republic or Democracy?

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

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.

By Matt Meduri This question has confounded Americans for decades. The short answer is that the United States is a constitutional republic, but it’s a bit more complicated than that.

History of Our Foundation The Founding Fathers knew that after nearly two centuries of development in the New World, and after defeating the world’s largest imperial army in the Revolution, the United States’ government was one that had to withstand the tests and tribulations of empires of the past. Recognizing that need, they embarked on what’s been called perhaps the greatest experiment, borrowing governmental ideas from other countries to create the hybrid form of government we have today.

Perhaps the most well-known republic at that time, and possibly still today, was that of the Roman Empire. Founded in 509 B.C. after the overthrow of their last king, Rome was run as a representative democracy, otherwise known as a republic. Offices in the Roman government and religious sectors could only be held by the city’s wealthiest families, called the patricians, while the rest of the citizens were called plebeians, commoners who could not hold office. Over two hundred years, the plebeians would fight for and eventually gain power within the government.

The Senate was the heart of the Roman government. The Senate was more of an advisory role to other governmental bodies, and did not formally possess legislative power. The Senate was the only governing body in Rome until 494 B.C., when the plebeians established the Council of the Plebs, consisting of three legislative bodies. One body administered matters of war, passed laws, elected magistrates, such as consuls and censors, conducted foreign policy, and considered appeals of capital convictions.

Another body issued its own decrees for the plebeian class and the decrees were binding for the entire city. The third body consisted of tribal assemblies. This body elected officials of smaller roles, approved legislation concerning local matters, and had some judicial powers that did not include penalization.

On the other hand, the U.S. also has democratic elements to its government, an aspect it borrowed from the world’s oldest democracy, that of the Greeks.

The Greeks’ form of self-government was also an attractive concept to the Founding Fathers. Their first initiative in preserving self-governance in the fledgling nation was that of maintaining the states and their lines, rather than dissolving the colonial boundaries and creating an overarching government. This birthed the concept of federalism, allowing the states to have their own forms of power, which later be enumerated by the Tenth Amendment: the powers not expressly provided to the federal government by the Constitution would be given to the states.

U.S. states resemble the structures of ancient Greek city-states. These consisted of an urban center with land around it for development, a setup that almost every major American city has today. The Greek city-states acted almost independently, with their own sets of rules for each of their citizens. A crucial part of Greek independence was that of Aristotle’s acknowledgement of “natural law,” the belief of a higher existence in nature that afforded humans essential rights that could not be superseded by any written laws.

This paved the way for the U.S.’ rule of law, in which laws are publicly accessible, equally enforced, that they acknowledge the belief of natural law and the inalienable fundamental rights, and that the government is run by the ethics of such beliefs.

The U.S. Constitution was also greatly inspired by Aristotle’s records, The Constitution of the Athenians, with the laws of Athens and other Greek city-states. The constitution in Greece was seen as the standard by which all are governed, followed by more home-rule control from the municipalities. Like the Greek constitution, the U.S. Constitution acts as the supreme law of the land, creates the government’s structure, and lays out checks and balances.

The United States’ Hybrid System The Founding Father combined these aspects of the Roman and Greek civilizations to create a representative democracy that we have today.

The influence of the Roman Republic, namely its Senate, is directly shown in how we elect our representatives, from the federal level even down to the local level here in Suffolk County and our three towns of coverage. Citizens elect representatives to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, which together form the legislative branch of government in what’s called a bicameral (two-house or two-chamber) legislature. Congressional districts of the House are drawn to represent the population proportionately, while each state is represented equally in the Senate with two Senators each.

This same model has also been adopted by the states. Each state, except Nebraska, has a bicameral legislature that functions in very similar fashions to the federal Congress, with committees, quorum requirements, districts, rules, and a host of other forms of structure. Nebraska is the outlier, as it has a unicameral legislature that is officially nonpartisan, but it does have many of the same rules and structures as its counterparts.

The influence of Greek democracy is seen in direct political participation. Citizens can popularly elect their representatives to protect their interests district-wide, while also creating laws and maintaining oversight of the state or country at large. The U.S. has

more democratic tendencies in the forms of ballot measures, referenda, or other similar initiatives, in which a certain majority of votes is required for passage. A simple majority - often regarded as 50% plus one vote - is often used as a benchmark for referenda to pass.

These two aspects of government combined constitute the U.S. government.

The Two Forms of Government on Paper In short, a democracy is essentially seen as a form of government in which the majority has the power, either through representatives or interests in government, or directly through the polls. Contentions abound with such a form of government, as a referendum could pass with 51% of the popular support, resulting in a close decision that also applies to the other 49%, or it can result in a large majority of the population making decisions that do not consider the small minority of the electorate. A pure democracy has almost no stopgap to protect or even consider the interests of the minority.

A republic consists of laws made by representatives popularly, or democratically, elected by the public. The republic is governed by the constitution set in place.

This dynamic between majority-voting and representative government is perhaps best on display by virtue of the Electoral College, the method by which we elect presidents that is largely unparalleled. A state’s electoral vote count is determined by combining its congressional seats - determined decennially pursuant to the results of the U.S. Census - with its number of Senators - two, because all states are represented equally in the upper chamber. New York has twenty-six congressional districts and two Senators, giving it twenty-eight electoral votes.

With 538 electoral votes available, a candidate must receive at least 270 votes to win.

The combinations of results for either party in each state on the electoral map are nearly infinite, and the permutations increase exponentially when other parties are considered.

The purpose of the college is to ensure the majority is not relegated to uncompetitive enclaves that dictate the state’s vote result and catapult a president to the White House based on uniform interests in those areas. A criticism of the college is that it does not require the president to win the popular vote. This is where the U.S. is more of a republic than a democracy, in that the Electoral College is designed to protect the interests of the few while also giving everyone a vote.

The 2016 election played host to such a result and its controversy still looms over the 2024 battlefield. Donald Trump (R-NY) won the electoral vote with 306 votes in the raw count, with 232 for Hillary Clinton (D-NY). However, Clinton won the popular vote by about 2%, or a margin of three million votes out of over 120 million cast.

However, Trump carried thirty states to Clinton’s twenty, as well as the District of Columbia, and flipped the Rust Belt battlegrounds of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, three Midwestern giants that had not backed a Republican nominee since the 1980s. Trump also flipped perennial swing states Iowa, Ohio, and Florida on his way to 270, as well as one electoral vote from Maine’s Second Congressional District.

Maine and Nebraska embody the democratic-republican aspects of government even more so than other states. By allocating electoral votes based on popular vote within each of their congressional districts, it opens the opportunity for candidates to generate even more local messaging to voters and for the state to split its votes between candidates.

Although the margins were relatively thin in 2016, the college, as well as the country’s distinct qualities of a republic, were on display due to the disparities in the results. In Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the entire country, Clinton received just over three million votes to Trump’s one million. Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago, gave Clinton 1.7 million votes to Trump’s 550,000. Had these totals been subtracted from the candidates’ overall popular vote totals, Trump would have narrowly won the popular vote by about 200,000 votes.

The Electoral College essentially acts as one of the most crucial checks on the majority, which is the intention of a republic.

What’s the Final Answer?

You could substantiate the answer to the question with either “republic” or “democracy,” although the U.S. does have more facets of the former than the latter. It’s important to note the intentions of the Founding Fathers to give everyone an opportunity to participate, but also institute a system of failsafes that prevent one class, group, or sect of people from running away with the power, at least in terms of the general public.

When politicians or talking heads discuss “protecting democracy,” they’re not entirely wrong, but they’re also not entirely correct. That said, when the retort to such claims are “the U.S. is a constitutional republic,” this is also correct, but it also does not tell the whole story.

It’s important to understand these differences not only to receive the most utilization of these valuable tools of government, but to also protect them, their integrity, and the power of the ultimate American ruling class: we the people.

Around Town Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

15

St. Liberata Parade and Italian Feast Bring Patchogue to Life

Credit - Cait Crudden

This past Saturday, Patchogue Village was alive with vibrant celebrations during the St. Liberata Parade and Italian Feast, an annual event that drew locals and visitors alike for a day filled with tradition, live entertainment, and delicious food.

With a bustling street fair following the parade, the event showcased Patchogue’s rich Italian heritage and community spirit.

The festivities began with the St. Liberata Parade, a longstanding tradition honoring the patron saint of Pizzone, Italy. Led by local dignitaries and organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the parade marched through Main Street, celebrating Italian American culture and the contributions of the Italian community to Patchogue and beyond.

Families lined the streets, cheering on participants and waving American and Italian flags, while local marching bands provided an upbeat soundtrack. The parade featured colorful floats, classic Italian cars, and groups representing local businesses and organizations. The sense of pride in both Italian culture and Patchogue itself was palpable as the parade made its way through the heart of the village.

During the parade, the Knights of Columbus Council Number 725, who were honored as the Italian Americans of the Year. The organization, known for its charitable works and strong ties to the Catholic Church, was recognized for its contributions to both the local community and Patchogue as a whole.

Mayor Paul Pontieri presented the Knights of Columbus with a proclamation on behalf of the Village and Governor’s office, while Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), State Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue), and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) each presented

proclamations from their respective offices, underscoring the importance of the event to the entire region. The event was capped with a heartfelt prayer led

by Deacon Marty, bringing the official ceremony to a close before the festivities continued into the afternoon.

“What a beautiful day!

I had the opportunity to recognize the Patchogue Knights of Columbus Council Number 725 who were honored for the work they perform in the community,” Senator Murray told The Messenger. “I was proud to attend the feast and share in honoring the Italian American Heritage and culture.

Thank you to the Greater Patchogue Foundation for a job well done”.

Once the parade concluded, the Italian Feast kicked off, transforming Main Street into a vibrant marketplace filled with food trucks, vendors, and live music. Local band “Killin Time” kept the energy high, performing a mix of crowd-pleasing hits that had festivalgoers singing along and dancing in the streets.

Food was a major highlight of the day, with the tantalizing aroma of sausage and peppers wafting through the air as the fan-favorite dish was served up by multiple vendors. Other Italian specialties, such as rice balls and cannoli’s, were available, along with a variety of other culinary delights from local food trucks.

In addition to food, the street fair featured a variety of vendors selling everything from candles and jewelry to clothing and dog apparel. Even dog adoption agencies were present, encouraging attendees to take home a new furry friend. The mix of goods and services offered something for everyone, making the event a true family affair.

As the sun set and the festivities wound down, the sense of community was stronger than ever. Families, friends, and neighbors gathered throughout the day to enjoy the cultural celebration, while also supporting local businesses and organizations. Patchogue’s pride as a village was on full display, making the St. Liberata Parade and Italian Feast a day to remember for all who attended.

Selden Lidl and Sixth Precinct Host ‘Coffee with a Cop’

By Matt Meduri

In an effort to boost interconnectivity between local businesses, residents, and the Sixth Precinct of the Suffolk County Police Department, Lidl supermarket in Selden held a “Coffee with a Cop” day on Monday afternoon.

Residents who walked into the store to shop for groceries were greeted by a table with a spread of pastries and coffee, as well as members of the Sixth Precinct. The purpose of the afternoon is to allow residents to have a question-and-answer session with local police officers, or just to simply chat and get to know the law enforcement professionals in their neighborhood.

“It’s a great way for the police department to get out and make contact with people who probably normally wouldn’t have contact with the police department, just to show that we’re out there for them too, we’re out there for everybody,” Sixth Precinct Inspector and Commanding Officer Joe Condolff told The Messenger. “We appreciate what Lidl is doing too by taking part in this and it’s nice for us to have that kind of relationship with the store owners and with the business owners too. It’s a big part of any community and brings the businesses, the police department, and all of the community together, which is a nice thing.”

Condolf, who has been with the department for two years, said that the two-hour meet-and-greet is a “general, non-confrontational, educational event.”

“We have a lot of our newer cops who are here today. We have our COPE officers, who are community-oriented police officers,” said Condolff.

“They get a good idea of who the public is and they get a little bit of a different interaction than just having to deal with people on a 911 call.”

Community members were also able to meet some local elected officials representing the area. On hand were Assemblymen Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) and Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), as well as Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden).

Lidl Grocery Store is located at 211 Middle Country Road in Selden.

Credit - Cait Crudden

By Cait Crudden

16

News Thursday, September 19, 2024

Continued from front cover

County Legislature Issues Final Report on Cyber Attack

“I want to thank all of our county employees, some who were put in very stressful situations during the cyber attack,” said Piccirillo, adding that “from the beginning” the investigation was not a “political witch hunt,” rather an effort to investigate the deficiencies in the County’s Information Technology (IT) department and recommend solutions to prevent another attack of such a magnitude.

“We’ve done a thorough job, we’ve followed the facts,” said Piccirillo.

“The report demonstrates that this was not a single point of failure scenario. Rather, it was a combination of fragmented and, in some cases, outdated systems, inadequate staffing, planning and training, and insufficient attention to the warning signs of the attack that was underway,” said Special Counsel Donoghue. “Those things led not just to the initial breach, but to the extended recovery period suffered by the County.”

The full report is now available online at https://www.scnylegislature.us/DocumentCenter/ View/118502/09122024-Report-On-The-2021-2022-CyberAttack-On-Suffolk-County-PDF (scan QR code) The committee is composed of Chairman Piccirillo, Presiding Officer McCaffrey, Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Legislators Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park).

The Executive Summary On September 8, 2022, a cyber criminal using a ransomware strain known as BlackCat, also known as “ALPHV” or “Noberus,” launched an attack on Suffolk County’s IT system. Reports indicate that the hackers gained access to the County’s system months before the ransomware attack was launched. The hackers accessed, encrypted, and stole a “significant” amount of Suffolk County’s data, including “network maps, budgets, credentials, passwords, and other government information,” the report reads.

Personal information of County residents, employees, and retirees, such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license information, was also compromised. Such data is now available on the Dark Web, a branch of the Internet only accessible with a specific type of browser and auxiliary software that is notorious for criminal usage due to the anonymity this corner of the web provides.

The criminal group initially demanded a $2.5 million ransom payment to restore the County’s access to its data, later reducing that ransom to $600,000, which County officials refused to pay.

Then-IT Commissioner Scott Mastellon testified in front of the special committee in October 2023 that the County spent more than $16 million on response and remediation efforts.

Since then, the report says that estimates now appear to be $25 million in total costs.

The bipartisan special committee was formed on October 21, 2022, to investigate the attack. Since then, the committee has interviewed numerous employees and officials, hired forensic and cyber security professionals to “provide independent expert review and advice,” gathered documentary evidence, and held seven public hearings.

Key to the executive summary is the committee’s concession that no municipality can “completely shield” their IT sector from intrusion and exploitation, but that the 2022 hack was of such a large scale, significance, and duration, that the attack was “largely attributable to inadequate planning, preparation, coordination, and training by and of Suffolk County personnel,” tantamount to a “failure of leadership.

The Key Findings The report outlines ten key findings of the report.

1. Insufficient coordination between the different IT teams ultimately impacted the County’s cybersecurity readiness.

2. The absence of a cyber-attack response and recovery plan “significantly hindered” the County’s response to the attack, increasing response time and costs.

3. A “pass-through” within the County’s perimeter firewalls for data traffic put the entire County at risk. The destination of data from the pass-through was the Suffolk County Clerk’s office, then run by Clerk Judy Pascale (R-Moriches).

4. Prior to the 2022 attack, the County’s overall cybersecurity was not sufficient to withstand such an attack.

5. Firewalls that had reached end-of-life status were continually used.

6. The lack of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) hindered the County’s preparation and response to the attack.

7. The County’s insufficient staffing and training also contributed to the magnitude of the attack.

8. County personnel failed to “sufficiently heed” warning signs of an impending cyber-attack leading up to the September breach.

9. IT Commissioner Mastellon failed to report on the cybersecurity risks to the Legislature, as required by Suffolk County law.

10. IT personnel were aware of Bitcoin mining activities in the Clerk’s office prior to August 2021. The report stipulates that it is unclear whether the mining activities contributed to the attack.

The “Pass-Through” The report finds that IT personnel created a “passthrough” for Internet traffic destined for the County Clerk’s office could traverse the firewall without inspection. There remains “bitter disagreement” between the Clerk’s office and IT office about who was responsible for the pass-through.

The special committee could not determine whether the Clerk’s office requested the pass-through, only that the IT department had the specific ability to create it. The firewall being circumvented was a Dell SonicWall that had reached end-of-life in 2019.

The report reads: “Knowing that the Clerk’s Office was protected only by an end-of-life departmental firewall, no IT professional should have sought, or agreed to, the creation of a ‘pass-through’ in the County’s perimeter firewall for traffic destined for the Clerk’s office firewall.” The report notes a February 2022 CyberDefenses Report that corroborates this finding.

A June 2023 testimony of then-head of the Clerk’s office’s IT team Peter Schlussler revealed that the aforementioned out-of-date SonicWall was the only device protecting the Clerk’s office from the World Wide Web. The Breach As early as 2019, the County was aware of a specific type of software used to collect and manage information about system activity. The so-called Log4j software is a popular and widely-used software due to its simplicity and no-cost download and usage. This software was eventually used in the 2022 breach.

IT personnel in Suffolk County, as early as December 2021, undertook “extensive” efforts to patch Log4j vulnerabilities across County domains. While the report finds that such efforts were “largely successful,” vulnerabilities to the software were not fully eradicated, despite the Clerk’s office being involved in those patching efforts.

Existing vulnerabilities were made known to the County IT personnel no later than February 2022, but since the perpetrators had already gained access to the Clerk’s domain as of December 19, 2022, previous remediation efforts likely would have had no effect in preventing the cyber-attack.

On June 21, 2022, an FBI Special Agent spoke directly to the County’s IT Security Coordinator Brian Bartholomew about evidence suggesting that malware might have been operating within Suffolk County’s domains, based on suspicious traffic within the New York State Court system.

The FBI agent relayed that such activity could have been linked to the Suffolk County Clerk’s domain. Mr. Schlussler reported “nothing on our side” regarding the County’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

In August 2022, emails from the IT security team highlighted potential breaches and detection of suspicious activities. One email reveals perpetrators’ attempts at stealing “account names and passwords” and an attempt to “extract credential material from the Security Account Manager databases.”

Schlusser emailed the IT security teams regarding the alert: “Please offer some background. I have no insight to what this is about.”

On September 1, a file was found on the server in the

Clerk’s office that none of the personnel had downloaded.

A September 7 email from Mr. Schlussler to Coordinator Bartholomew reads: “Brian, we need to deal with this asap [sic]. 3rd cortex today, with the last two being malicious.”

Cortex refers to the aforementioned security alerts.

Hours after the September 7 emails were exchanged, the perpetrators began encrypting data on Suffolk County servers across the County environment and posting ransom demands.

“Had the red flag warnings in late August and early September 2022 been recognized and acted upon, the September 8, 2022, ransomware attack may have been averted,” the report reads.

Recovery and Remediation Then-Executive Bellon declared a County State of Emergency in the wake of the hacks that was extended from September 2022 to December 2023. The emergency declaration allowed the Executive to issue no-bid contracts without endorsement from the Legislature, among other powers.

Remediation entailed extensive replacement and upgrading of IT hardware and software across the entire County environment. The County’s main website was unavailable for five months after the attack. Vendors providing essential services, such as childcare, could not receive vouchers and payments. Emergency 911 operations were affected and County residents were unable to pay outstanding traffic tickets. County employees whose personal information was compromised received credit monitoring services at the County’s expense.

The report also outlines that County employees were “obligated to work long and unreasonable hours” in the wake of the attack, and that intra-County communication was relegated to personal phones, emails, and Cloud-based channels. IT and County leadership also deferred to outside vendors rather than County IT professionals who were “more familiar” with the County’s IT systems.

The report also finds that County data was “unnecessarily destroyed by outside vendors and that the remediation efforts were otherwise not well coordinated.”

Recommendations The committee outlines seven steps it deems “necessary” to ensure future expectations will be met.

First, different IT teams across the County, as well as elected officials who supervise them, must work “closely and collaboratively” to prevent another attack. Cybersecurity issues must be elevated to appropriate levels and addressed sufficiently. Additionally, “political issues should never be permitted to interfere with the County’s cybersecurity defenses.”

Second, a County CISO should be appointed for a set term, to be determined by the Legislature. Furthermore, all Internet traffic destined for County domains must pass through approved firewalls and no department should use modems or other devices to circumvent County firewalls.

Third, the County CISO should “assemble a crossdepartment Cyber Incident Response and Recovery Team comprised of specific IT professionals identified by name from every IT team in the County.”

Fourth, the County CISO must “issue a comprehensive cyber intrusion response and recovery plan for the entire County,” specific to all departments and environments.

The CSIO and IT Commissioner should coordinate with the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) Commissioner to ensure the cyber response plan is “integrated” with the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

Fifth, the CISO and IT Department must provide an IT Risk Assessment Report to the County Executive, County Legislature, and other County leaders as the law requires.

Sixth, the County must increase the size of the IT Security team and “significantly” improve the skillsets of the team, stressing retention of County professionals, rather than deferring to outside vendors.

Seventh, and finally, the County should seek CyberBreach Insurance. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) made this a core tenet of his 2023 campaign platform and told The Messenger that the County should be able to obtain insurance by the end of the year.

Messenger Perspective Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

17

Planting Lifelong Seeds

By PJ Balzer Children are undoubtedly like sponges. They observe and listen carefully to everything we say and do, both good and bad. Their hearts are tender and fertile soil, making everything they experience a seed that’s planted there.

Some studies even suggest that a baby still in the womb can hear what’s happening on the outside. I personally believe that to be true.

I’ve had the great privilege of living into my middle-ages.

Many people I’ve known well haven’t had that privilege, so I never take it for granted. It’s also given me the opportunity to look back in hindsight at my childhood, adolescent, and teenage years in retrospect. Like you, I’ve had both good and bad experiences and seeds sown into my heart. Some sowers knew what they were sowing while others were just living their life in a way that they thought was best at that time their own life. Nevertheless, lifelong seeds were planted into a child’s heart that took years to sprout.

My mom was a nurse by profession. When I was still a toddler my parents made the decision that she would leave the hospital setting and stay home with their growing family. My dad worked for the Town of Huntington back then. Shortly after they started a business selling women’s clothing on consignment. From my understanding, the 1980’s was a booming time for this type of business and they did very well.

One Christmas morning in that business boom, my dad took me out with him to get bagels and rolls. Egg sandwiches on Christmas morning were part of our Christmas tradition. On the way to the bagel store, he pulled to the back entrance of what was then Pathmark in Shirley. The back entrance was the one we rarely used because the bottle return center was there.

But this Christmas morning, he purposely pulled back there, exited the car, and gave cash to each person returning the bottles they had gathered, along with a friendly handshake and Christmas greeting, all while an elementary school child with a fertile heart was waiting in the car and watching what dad was doing.

A seed of mercy towards another struggling human was planted that Christmas morning.

My mom left the nursing profession to be at home with her children but apparently it never left her. Some pick a profession for the paycheck; others pick it because it’s their heart. One day, we were walking into King Kullen in Shirley and an elderly gentleman collapsed on the sidewalk right in front of us. Without hesitation, my mother rushed to the stranger’s aid, checking his vitals, and then gave mouthto-mouth resuscitation. She could have hurried by using her children being with her as a valid excuse. Instead, she stopped and planted a seed in each of our hearts.

My mom bathed, fed, and cared for my dad’s grandfather for several years, who fell ill shortly after retiring. My parents were generous towards the garbage men, not only on Christmas, but often. They gave a struggling young couple from our neighborhood our old car when we purchased a new one. My grandmother lived with us while she was in hospice care for the last few months of her life.

She had her own room where she could have all of her friends over to visit. She was made to feel loved, cared for, and as comfortable as possible in her final days on Earth, all while I observed this real-life sermon.

My grandmother was the one who planted the seed of knowing Jesus into my heart. I wasn’t really interested at the time, but she planted it anyway. I watched her invite struggling teenagers into her home; she was generous, kind and warm. It wasn’t a burden for her to spend one-on-one time with me; she loved to. Even though she lived her later years with a broken heart, she lived her life in a selfless manner in the best way that God gave her the strength to.

She passed away in our home when I was in my early teenage years. Yet, here I am thirty years later with all of those wonderful seeds still sprouting in my heart.

“Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6

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LESSONS WITH DEA NNA

Theatre & the Arts

18

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Theater’s Three’s

‘Matilda the Musical’ Soars!

Photos courtesy of Steve Ayle, Showbizshots

Despite the August 18 rainstorm and the subsequent flood damage to Theatre Three, the resilient team of creatives, staff, and the local community rallied to uphold the showbiz credo: the show must go on!

And what an electrifying show it is! The power of the performance was palpable, as evidenced by the thunderous standing ovation at the end of Saturday night’s opening performance of the family-friendly British import “Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical.”

Originally staged in 2010 by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Strafford-uponAvon, “Matilda” premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 2013. Based on British author Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, this Olivier and Tony award-winning show has music and lyrics

by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly.

The enthralling storyline of this musical revolves around Matilda Wormwood, an imaginative, intelligent, and psychically gifted five-year-old whose love of reading helps her escape the horrors and neglect of her upbringing. This musical is not just delightful entertainment but also a thoughtprovoking piece with powerful themes such as “do not blindly follow authority figures,” “use your unique abilities and gifts to help others,” and “a prophet is not recognized in their own land.” These themes add depth and relevance to the story, making it a truly engaging experience.

Sadie Mathers, a rising star, was perfectly cast as Matilda. With her innate intelligence and charisma, Mathers was the living embodiment of this extraordinarily likable character. She demonstrated strong dance skills throughout the show and delivered powerful renditions of her solos, “Naughty” and “Quiet.” The audience’s enthusiastic cheers when Mathers stepped on stage to take a curtain call were a testament to her popularity and the success of her performance.

Miss Trunchbull, the tyrannical headmistress at Matilda’s school, is always played by a male, and Liam Marsigliano did a bang-up job of portraying this sadistic and darkly comic character. A show-stopping number was “The Smell of Rebellion,” in which Trunchbull gave a Phys Ed class that seemed more like a Fascist boot camp on steroids, with the children doing a series of calisthenics at supersonic speed.

Veronica Fox gave an award-worthy performance as Miss Honey, Matilda’s compassionate and kind-hearted teacher, who, despite her trepidation, musters the courage to stand up for the children against Miss Trunchbull. Fox displayed her strong vocals during the beautiful ballad “My House.”

Steven Uihlein aced the role of Mr. Wormwood, Matilda’s uncaring, callous father. Uihlein is a first-class comedian, and his spot-on timing had the audience in stitches as they listened to his slimy, harebrained schemes to sell used cars. Act II opened on a high note with Uihlein and Jax Segal as his dim-witted son, Michael, performing a riotously funny musical number, “All I Know.” Segal’s deadpan facial expressions garnered some of the biggest

troupes I have ever seen. Benjamin Corso demonstrated his comedic acting skills as Bruce, a timid boy subject to cruel punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Surrounded by his classmates, Corso’s performance during “Bruce” was one of the show’s highlights. Olive Oakes gave an outstanding performance as Lavender, Matilda’s best friend. Oakes had a funny solo bit in the show that delighted the audience as she kept hinting at something she would do to get even with Miss Trunchbull. Still, she didn’t want to spoil the surprise, then burst with excitement as she blurted out, “I’m going to put the newt in the Trunchbull’s jug!” Erin Risolo as Alice, Adriana Mia Como as Hortensia, Olivia McGourty as Erica, Zach Kanakaris as Nigel, and Matthew Eby as Tommy all showed their star power right from the get-go with the engrossing opening number “Miracle.” With each successive group number, they seemed to up their game, culminating with the rousing showstopper “Revolting Children.”

This mesmerizing show features a gigantic cast of adults and children, and the mega-talented director Jeffrey Sanzel deserves a big round of applause for his expert staging. During big production numbers like “The Smell of Rebellion” and “Loud,” Sari Feldman’s high-energy choreography had the audience breaking out in spontaneous applause. Jason Allyn’s costume design, particularly the children’s prim and proper school uniforms and the fabulous glitter outfits worn by Mrs. Wormwood, added to the overall spectacular visual appeal of this show, as did Xiangfu Xiao’s dazzling lighting effects and Brian Staton’s eye-catching projection designs.

laughs of the evening. Rachel Geiser delivered an unforgettable performance as Mrs. Wormwood, a self-absorbed wife who cares little for her children and is only concerned with winning ballroom dance contests. Will Logan captivated the audience as Rudolpho, Mrs. Wormwood’s dance partner.

Michelle LaBozzetta, as Mrs. Phelps, a librarian who befriends Matilda; Bryan Bowie, as Sergei, the Mafia boss; Eric J. Hughes, as The Escapologist; and Josie McSwane, as The Acrobat, delivered memorable performances. The stellar adult ensemble also includes Melanie Acampora, Julia Albino, Will Brennan, Kaitlyn Jehle, Paul Manzo, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Marlo Pepe, and Katy Snair.

The Youth Ensemble was among the most polished and professional

Featuring live music, fabulous costumes, outstanding directing, acting, singing, and choreography, Theatre Three’s “Matilda” is a must-see show! Running through October 20, 2024, to purchase tickets or for additional information, please visit www.Theatrethree. com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100.

Although family-friendly, a child must be at least five years old to attend this show.

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.

AMAC Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Overview - AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Another Tie to Communist China: Tim Walz’s Appointment of Chang Wang

19

The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.

AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us

By Philip Lenczycki | AMAC Outside Contributor Democratic vice presidential nominee, appointed a member of a political faction that has pledged loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party to a state board that advises the government on Asian American affairs, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found.

Walz first appointed Chang Wang, a Minnesotabased attorney, to the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans in May 2020. Wang now serves as the “interim chair” of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, which advises the governor, Legislature, and other state agencies by promoting the “economic, social, legal and political equality of Asian Pacific Minnesotans,” according to its website.

Wang’s term is up in January 2025.

The council spent more than half a million dollars of taxpayer funding in 2023, according to its annual report.

But for over a decade, Wang has also been affiliated with the China Association for Promoting Democracy, the DCNF found through a review of Chinese government announcements, archived University of Minnesota records, and Chineselanguage publications written by Wang himself.

CAPD is one of the handful of alternative Chinese political parties allowed to operate in the communist nation. Like China’s other minor parties, CAPD is “loyal” to the Chinese Communist Party and continues “to function within the structure of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),” which is the country’s top political advisory body, according to the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.

CAPD is allowed to operate in China based upon its organization’s stated promise to “rally closely around” the CCP’s Central Committee and play a role as advisors and assistants to the CCP, according to Xinhua, China’s official news agency.

Since joining the Minnesota state council, records show that Wang has been recognized by the Chinese government on multiple occasions, including granting him a title and even accepting a policy research proposal he submitted.

“My elderly parents are my only ties to China,” Wang told the DCNF by email, when asked about his relationship with CAPD. Wang’s profile on the University of Minnesota’s website does not currently mention his CAPD affiliation, though an archived version does.

Wang previously told the outlet China Insight his parents were “senior scientists” at “Academia Sinica,” which is the historic name for the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The academy reports directly to China’s State Council, with “much of its work contributing to products for military use,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is a “privileged institution” that’s “tightly monitored” by the CCP, said Steve Yates, China Policy Initiative chair at the America First Policy Institute and former Chinese-language analyst for the National Security Agency.

“For someone to have two parents in that entity, it basically is the equivalent of being not just a made man, but a made family,” Yates told the DCNF. Wang has also previously said he works as a senior associate professor of law at the Beijingbased China University of Political Science and Law, whose website still lists him as faculty.

Neither Walz’s office nor the Harris-Walz campaign responded to multiple requests for comment.

Walz’s close relationship with China and its political mechanisms have come under intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, like Kentucky Rep. James Comer, who recently sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting information pertaining to “any Chinese entity or individual with whom Mr. Walz may have engaged or partnered.”

Walz has traveled to China approximately 30 times and even worked for Macau Polytechnic University while serving in Congress, Comer’s letter says. Media reports have also dug up past

comments from Walz where he appears to lavish praise on Chinese communism—for instance, Walz reportedly told high school students in 1991 that communism “means that everyone is the same and everyone shares.”

More recently, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported that Walz has attended numerous events organized by members of a Minnesota nonprofit affiliated with a CCP influence and intelligence agency. Among other examples, members of the nonprofit and related organizations held a fundraiser for Walz’s gubernatorial reelection in 2022, the DCNF found. “You would think that there would be some screening,” Yates said of Walz’s appointment of Wang.

“Of what possible value-add is someone with ties to that

Continued on page 21

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the musical

Bits & Pieces

20

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

WORD OF THE

Week

Origin:

Old English word cwicseolfor, which is a combination of cwic meaning “alive” or “moving” and seolfor meaning “silver”. The Latin root for the word is argentum vivum, which literally translates to “living silver.”

Quicksilver is used to describe mercury because of its fast molecular motion and mobility. In medeival alchemy, quicksilver was associated with the fastest planet, which was named after the Roman god Mercury, who was also known for his speed and mobility.

QUICKSILVER noun

SUDOKU

Pronounced: kwik·sil·vr Definition: used in similes and metaphors to describe something that moves or changes very quickly, or that is difficult to hold or contain.

Example: “The news cycle changes like quicksilver each week.”

Synonyms: volatile, flighty, unpredictable Antonyms: constant, stable, steadfast Source: Oxford Languages

See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)

This Week in History September 23, 1884:

American Herman Hollerith patents his mechanical tabulating machine, the beginning of data processing

WORD WHEEL

September 24, 1957:

G

V E

B T

See how many words you can create.

Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once.

4 letter word minimum.

Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa crosses the Panama Isthmus becoming first European to see the Pacific Ocean

September 19, 1893:

A L

September 25, 1513:

“Jailhouse Rock” single released by Elvis Presley (Billboard Song of the Year 1957)

New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all women the right to vote

September 21, 1922:

September 22, 1994: “Friends” TV sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman debuts on NBC

US President Warren G. Harding (R-OH) signs a joint resolution of approval to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine

September 20, 1990: Both East and West Germany ratify reunification

News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

21

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Continued from page 21

Another Tie to Communist China: Tim Walz’s Appointment of Chang Wang entity in China to the citizens of the United States or to Minnesota, and why would a governor with a generation of experience coming and going to the People’s Republic of China want someone from that world having privileged access to advise leaders in Minnesota on any issue?” Yates told the DCNF. ‘Not Really About Democracy’ While the word “democracy” appears in its name, the China Association for Promoting Democracy describes itself as “a political party that accepts the leadership of the CCP and cooperates with the CCP as a participant in socialism with Chinese characteristics.” CAPD also says its members are mainly intellectuals working in academia, science, media, and related fields.

“When you are engaging entities from communist countries that have the word ‘democracy’ in them, you have a near 100% chance that they’re not really about democracy,” Yates told the DCNF. “You’re talking about organizations that are meant to interact with people and groups in the Free World on behalf of the ultimate authority in the PRC: the CCP.” John Dotson, deputy director of the Global Taiwan Institute, told the DCNF that CAPD is “one of what the CCP calls the ‘eight democratic parties’ that operate alongside the ruling CCP, in the effort to provide a veneer of pluralism to the [Chinese] system.”

“Anyone who is a member of one of the ‘eight democratic parties’ should be understood as a CCP member, subject to Party directives, etcetera,” said Dotson, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer.

The DCNF determined Wang’s CAPD membership through a review of multiple archived English and Chineselanguage profiles.

For instance, an archived version of Wang’s 2022 bio on the University of Minnesota’s China Center website identified him as “one of the twenty-five members serving on the Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of China Association For Promoting Democracy, the third largest political party in mainland China.”

At some point between January and July 2023, Wang’s membership in the Chinese political party was removed from his China Center bio.

The China Center did not respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.

CAPD’s Chinese-language website still names Wang as a member of its Central Civil and Judiciary Committee,

and also identifies Wang as a professor of the Institute of Comparative Law at China University of Political Science and Law. Wang is currently listed as faculty on the website of China University of Political Science and Law and his position at the school is noted in several online bios, including his Barnes & Noble author bio, as well as in a 2019 interview on his law firm’s website.

Wang also taught at São Paulo Law School in Brazil, where his online bio says, “Since 2007, he has been a member of Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD), the fourth largest political party in China.” Wang’s affiliation with the Brazilian law school is noted in social media posts from China University of Political Science and Law. Indeed, Wang’s current bio on the University of Minnesota’s website states he “holds adjunct and visiting professorships at law schools and business schools in the U.S., China, Austria, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil.”

The bio, however, does not specify any particular schools with which he is associated.

‘National Advanced Information Worker’ The Chinese government has recognized Wang’s contributions on at least two occasions, the DCNF found.

CAPD awarded Wang the title “National Advanced Information Worker For Reflecting Societal Sentiments And The People’s Opinion” in November 2021—more than a year after Walz first appointed Wang to the state Asian American affairs council in May 2020.

The list of award recipients appears to have been drafted in December 2020, but officially announced in 2021, according to a review of CAPD’s website.

CAPD created the award in order to commend “outstanding achievements and contributions” related to a 2021 CCP Central Committee memo directing China’s eight “democratic parties” to expand their implementation of “Xi Jinping Thought On Socialism With Chinese Characteristics For A New Era.” The U.S. Department of Defense describes “Xi Jinping Thought” as the Chinese dictator’s “namesake ideology.”

In July 2021, the Chinese government’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced the selection of Wang’s legal research proposal on international cybercrime as a research project to underwrite. The announcement lists Wang by his CAPD membership and his faculty position at China University of Political Science and Law.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate offers selected research projects an approximately $7,000 Chinese government subsidy, the department’s website states.

The Procuratorate is responsible for legal supervision and prosecution in China, according to the Chinese government.

“What this entity in China does has some functions that touch upon the prosecution of people inside the Chinese system, and oversight of what would be rule-of-law type issues generally,” Yates told the DCNF. Wang did not respond to the DCNF’s questions about the Procuratorate accepting his research proposal or the apparent award that went along with it.

‘Adjuncts of the CCP’ In addition to cooperating with the CCP, the China Association for Promoting Democracy also has several other Chinese government affiliations, such as serving as a “member of the patriotic United Front,” according to its website.

The United Front is a “unique blend of engagement, influence activities, and intelligence operations” that the CCP uses to “shape its political environment, including to influence other countries’ policy toward [China] and to gain access to advanced foreign technology,” according to the House Select Committee on the CCP. CAPD members also serve as delegates to another Chinese government United Front agency called the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, according to the CPPCC’s website. The CPPCC’s English-language charter states its delegates must “uphold the leadership” of the CCP “and the socialist cause,” “take advantage of the CPPCC as a United Front organization,” and “keep state secrets.”

“In reality, these eight nominal political parties are simply adjuncts of the CCP, and serve as window dressing in fora such as the CPPCC,” Dotson said.

China expert and author Gordon Chang told the DCNF that Walz’s travels through China and his history associating with CCP-tied individuals raises the question of why the governor appointed a member of a CCP-approved political party to serve in Minnesota’s executive branch.

“Walz appointing a Chinese Communist stooge doesn’t automatically make him a Chinese Communist supporter,” Chang said, “but who other than a Chinese Communist supporter would do that?”

Philip Lenczycki is a reporter for The Daily Caller.

TikTok’s Influence Continues To Grow Despite Concerns About Chinese Spying

By Andrew Shirley | AMAC Exclusive Despite a wealth of evidence suggesting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using TikTok to spy on and even socially program American citizens, the popular social media app is continuing to gain users at breakneck speed. One big reason why could be the enormous sums of money the app’s parent company is spending on lobbying and advertising.

According to a Wall Street Journal report published on January 30, TikTok “spent $1.5 billion building an operation intended to convince U.S. lawmakers that the popular video-sharing app is safe.” Moreover, according to Open Secrets, TikTok parent company ByteDance “spent more in the first three quarters of 2023 than any prior year” on lobbying efforts. In total, they spent over $7.4 million in 2023. From Q3 2022 to Q3 2023, the platform increased its lobbying spending by 326 percent.

At the same time, TikTok has launched a massive national advertising campaign to build its popularity with the American people. Although exact numbers have not been made public, the website TvRev reported that the company has “focused heavily on cable news networks and broadcast in that timeframe as well. Fox News is the No. 1 network by share of TikTok TV ad impressions since June 1, with 18.9%, while CNN is No. 2 at 15.2%. CBS, Fox, ABC, and MSNBC are all among the top 10 as well.”

In one ironic incident that made headlines, during the Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Fox News, a question posed to candidates about whether or not to ban TikTok was followed immediately by a TikTok commercial.

Those advertising and lobbying dollars appear to be quite effective, too. According to a Pew poll released on January 31, TikTok is growing faster than any other social media platform in

the United States. 33 percent of American adults polled said they used TikTok in 2023, an increase of 12 percent since 2021.

That increase is being driven in large part by exponential growth among young adults. 62 percent of those surveyed between the ages of 18 and 29 said they have used TikTok, compared to 39 percent of 30 to 39-year-olds, 24 percent of 50 to 64-year-olds, and 10 percent of adults 65 and older.

Moreover, these numbers don’t even take into account the number of Americans on the platform who are under 18. An estimated 25 percent of TikTok’s roughly 100 million monthly U.S. users are between the ages of 10 and 19.

TikTok’s meteoric growth has raised serious concerns about both data privacy and the possibility that the CCP could be using the app to negatively influence American users.

As a Chinese company, ByteDance is required to report any and all data it collects to the Chinese Communist Party under the provisions of a 2017 Chinese law. That means that the CCP could be using TikTok to collect troves of data on millions of American citizens, including personal information such as their address and phone number.

These concerns led to a TikTok ban on all federal devices last year, and a number of states – led by both Republicans and Democrats – have followed suit.

But it’s not just privacy concerns that have led to push-back on the platform. Numerous studies have also found that TikTok pushes harmful content to kids, including videos that promote eating disorders and even suicide.

Dozens of American kids have also been hospitalized or even killed by dangerous trends on TikTok like the “blackout challenge”

and “NyQuil chicken challenge.” Virtually every American user, no matter their age, is inundated with hyper-sexualized videos, many of which feature underage girls.

During a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, Senator Ted Cruz blasted TikTok for promoting “selfharm videos and anti-Israel propaganda” to American children.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew denied the accusations while touting the effective safety measures the platform employs.

However, according to tech experts, the Chinese version of TikTok, called Douyin, offers a version of the app that is far safer than the one pushed to Americans. Douyin’s platform limits use by children to 40 minutes per day and reportedly promotes educational content, rather than the destructive and harmful content peddled to American kids.

Given the ongoing power competition with China, many experts strongly believe the CCP is deliberately using TikTok as a psychological weapon against the American people.

There is now no denying that TikTok is becoming one of the most powerful cultural forces in our society – a development driven in large part by Chinese lobbying and advertising dollars.

The question now is if lawmakers will have the courage to do something about it.

Andrew Shirley is a veteran speechwriter and AMAC Newsline columnist. His commentary can be found on X at @AA_Shirley.

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Around Town Thursday, September 19, 2024

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Town of Brookhaven Hosts Veterans Resource Fair at Town Hall

By Cait Crudden

On Monday, the Town of Brookhaven hosted a Veterans Resource Fair at Town Hall, providing a wide range of services and support for local Veterans. The event was aimed at offering Veterans and their families’ essential resources and support systems, reinforcing the message that they are not alone and have a strong community ready to assist them in every aspect of their lives.

The fair brought together a diverse group of vendors and organizations, each specializing in different areas of Veteran support. Among the attendees were representatives from the New York State Veterans Home, Paws for War, the Association for Mental Health and Wellness, the Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency, Cooking for Long Island Veterans and Blue Star Mothers, among others. These organizations were present to provide guidance on housing, education, mental health, food security, and much more.

One of the standout aspects of the Veterans Resource Fair was the emphasis on holistic support for veterans. Beyond the more traditional services such as housing and education assistance, there were also organizations offering mental health services and therapeutic activities aimed at improving emotional and psychological well-being.

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness, for example, provided information about mental health resources and counseling for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental health challenges. Art therapy classes, led by a Vietnam War Veteran, were a unique addition to the fair, offering Veterans an opportunity to express themselves creatively while managing their trauma. These classes aim to help veterans focus on what is in front of them, create something beautiful and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Organizations such as Paws for War offered information on service animals that assist Veterans in their daily lives, particularly those dealing with mobility issues or emotional distress. The New York State Veterans Home provided resources on

long-term care options for veterans as they age, while Cooking for Long Island Veterans showcased services aimed at providing nutritious meals for veterans who may struggle with food insecurity.

The Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency was also on hand to offer guidance on navigating the complex network of veterans’ benefits, including access to health care, housing assistance, and educational opportunities for those looking to further their education or transition into civilian careers.

The Town of Brookhaven’s Veterans Resource Fair was a powerful demonstration of community support for veterans. Attendees were able to connect with organizations and fellow veterans, building a sense of camaraderie and unity.

The event reinforced the message that veterans are not alone in their struggles and that there are resources available to help them overcome challenges in every aspect of their lives, from housing and mental health to food security and personal fulfillment.

This fair showcased the wide array of services available to veterans in the area and highlighted the strong support network that exists within the Town of Brookhaven for those who have served the country.

Credit - Matt Meduri

Pastor Honored for Forty Years of Service at Our Savior Church

By Matt Meduri

reads the commemorative plaque.

“I just plan to keep being here until God or you [the congregation] tell me it’s too much,” said Rev. Stelzer. “Thank you for the privilege, opportunity, and joy of leading this congregation.”

Not only has Stelzer served as head pastor of the church for four decades, but he also served as a founding member and the first headmaster of OSNAS until his retirement from the position in 2019. He also coached the school’s varsity basketball team, which was regularly one of the top in the nation and has sent numerous players to prestigious college teams and the NBA. The commemoration came as a surprised to the venerable reverend, as will The Messenger’s coverage of the event. A barbecue was held after the 11:00a.m. service, where old friends reconvened for a reunion on the church’s front lawn.

Our Savior Lutheran Church and School is located at 140 Mark Tree in Centereach and can be reached at 631-588-2757.

Credit - Margaret Stelzer

A local church surprised its long-time pastor at its last Sunday service and recognized his forty years of service.

Rev. Ronald Stelzer was born in Kansas and raised in Indiana. He graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Concordia Lutheran School in Fort Wayne, Davidson College in North Carolina, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He came to Our Savior forty years ago, and despite having received numerous offers to lead other congregations around the country, he said that he never felt the urge to leave his Centereach church.

“After forty years of testing, we’re ready to accept you as our pastor,” his son Wil joked to the congregation when surprising Rev. Stelzer with his plaque. Wil currently serves as principal of OSNAS, a school his father helped establish in the early 1990s as a refuge for home-schooled children whose parents sought to spare them from the public school system.

“With heartfelt gratitude, we celebrate your faithful service,” said Wil. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” - Romans 10:15,

Legislator Chad Lennon Opens New Office Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) and his staff have officially taken residence at a new office

space. The new office is located at 745 Route 25A, Suite D in Rocky Point, and can be reached at 631-854-1600.

Sports Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

By Matt Meduri

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Long Island Ducks ‘Go Purple’

Credit -

Credit - Matt Meduri

Six years ago, the Town of Islip became a trailblazer with an initiative to bring awareness to the issues of overdose and substance abuse, along with the stigma that surrounds them. The towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, and Huntington have followed, along with other hamlets and even municipalities around the country.

For the first year, the Long Island Ducks took part in the campaign as well, formally “going purple” for their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks, along with the venerable QuackerJack, donned purple jerseys for the occasion, while tables and tents of local community activist groups offered resources to ballpark fans before and during the 1:35p.m. game.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) and Ducks founder, owner, and CEO Frank Boulton were on the field to kick off what many hope will be an annual tradition of Long Island’s favorite baseball team.

Along with the “go purple” initiative, the Ducks announced Ramon Santos as their 2024 Most Valuable PLayer (MVP). The right-handed pitcher was declared the season MVP before the finale match with the High Point Rockers.

Santos received the most selections for MVP during the fan voting session and is heralded as one of the Atlantic League’s most dominant relief pitchers this season. He is tied for third in the league with fourteen saves.

He also leads all Ducks pitchers with forty-five appearances and a 0.58 ERA. In 46.2 innings of play, the Dominican Republic native allowed only seven runs (three earned) and cultivated seventy-six strikeouts; he posted a 6-1 record. Santos received a luxury wristwatch, courtesy of Delmonte-Smelson Jewelers of Uniondale.

The Ducks also announced Aaron Antonini as this season’s P.C. Richard and Son Whistle Player of the Year. The freshman Duck scored the most runs in games in which he was the designated Whistle Player. The Venezuela native led all Ducks players in hits (103), doubles (23), and games played (104). He concluded the season with a .289 batting average, 15 home runs, 62 RBIs, 57 runs, 40 walks, and an 0.873 OPS. Antonini received a $500 gift card, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son. The Ducks unfortunately lost their final game of the season to the Rockers in a 9-2 defeat. The Rockers earned two runs in the first inning and the Ducks managed to tie the game up with one run in the second inning and another in the third. High Point took the lead again with another run in the fourth inning.

After a quiet fifth inning, the game got away from the Flock in the sixth inning, where the Rockers took six runs to compose a final score of 9-2.

The Messenger thanks the Long Island Ducks for their hospitality, information, and access this year, and we look forward to another great season for their twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025.

The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 713 games all-time.

For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks.

Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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Matt M

Supervisor Carpenter and Ducks owner Frank Boulton (Credit - Long Island Ducks)

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Smithtown Messenger - Brookhaven Messenger - Islip Messenger - Thursday, September 19, 2024