‘What Have You Got to Lose?’ Trump Makes Pitch to NY Voters at Coliseum Rally
By Matt Meduri
With just under forty days until Election Day, the political world has been thrown boomerang after boomerang, ranging from indictments of former President Donald Trump (R-FL), the suspension of President Joe Biden’s (D-DE) campaign, the quick turnover to Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy, and two assassination attempts on President Trump within just two months of each other.
Naturally, the question of many has been that of the national playing field in both candidates’ quests to 270 electoral votes. New York hasn’t backed a Republican nominee since Ronald Reagan (R-CA) in 1984 and hasn’t seen a close race since 1988.
Donald Trump held his second rally in New York state this election cycle, and the first on Long Island, last Wednesday at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale to pitch to voters on why he would deserve another term.
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‘Passport to the Past:’ Annual Country Fair Held at Longwood Estate in Ridge
By Matt Meduri
Every year for the last forty years, residents from the Town of Brookhaven and across Suffolk County descend on the Longwood Estate for the annual country fair.
The historic house and its grounds were transformed into various historical landscapes, including reenactments from the Civil War and Revolutionary War, demonstrations of colonialera life, and, new for this year, medieval gatherings and sword fighting battles.
With a modest admission price of $5, children were permitted for free, visitors received a “passport to the past” to visit the various booths, actors, and demonstrations for an eclectic historical palette of entertainment and education.
Continued on page 3
President Trump addresses the crowd at Nassau Coliseum (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Medeival demonstrators stage a sword fight (Credit - Matt Meduri)
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Continued from front cover
Around Town
Thursday, September 26, 2024
‘Passport to the Past:’ Annual Country Fair Held at Longwood Estate in Ridge
With a modest admission price of $5, children were permitted for free, visitors received a “passport to the past” to visit the various booths, actors, and demonstrations for an eclectic historical palette of entertainment and education.
“Our primary focus is history, so we have the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, historic books, blacksmiths, and this year, we brought in the medieval era because history is built on the time periods before, and it’s a great opportunity to do something a little bit different,” Diane Schwindt, Director of Historic Facilities for the Town of Brookhaven, told The Messenger. “We also consult with our historians to make sure that everything is historically correct.”
Some vendors from the current era were on hand, including the Longwood Public Library, the office of Councilman Michael Loguercio (R-Ridge), private crafters selling merchandise, as well as food trucks and vintage cars. Some vendors even helped staff the event, with the historic schoolhouse staffed by the Longwood Library.
“This is our chance to show off a large, historic park here in the Town of Brookhaven; it’s open to everybody,” Barbara Russell, Brookhaven Town Historian, told The Messenger
Russell walked The Messenger through the family history at the Longwood Estate and how it came into the Town’s possession nearly fifty years ago.
About the Longwood Estate
The property was originally purchased by William “Tangier” Smith in the late 1600s, who married Hannah Smith, of the Richard “Bull” Smith line. The house on the Ridge property is estimated to have been built in 1790. The couple died young and left three orphaned children, the oldest being William Sidney Smith, who inherited the house and its 7,000 acres of land when he was twenty-one years old.
The aforementioned Smith lived in the house from 1824 until his death in 1879, even celebrating his and his wife’s fiftieth wedding anniversary in the house. Their ten children were all raised on the property, which prompted the expansion of the house, while the thousands of acres of land were farmed. William Sidney Smith was also “instrumental” in bringing the railroad to Yaphank and even served as a Supervisor of Brookhaven, says Russell.
Smith and his wife left the property to their ten children, evenly divided into ten parcels, with one of their children receiving the parcel with the house. Despite not being the oldest child, he received the house because he was the first of their children to be born in the house.
The inheritor of the house had two children, one who served in World War I and died suddenly in 1944; he never married or had children. Their other child,
Helen, never married and never had children of her own. She left the property to a cousin in California.
“She did this because her cousin had a son named William Smith,” said Russell, adding that the extended West Coast family knew of the historical connections.
“The name William runs through the Smith family,” said Russell. Russell says that Helen and her brother used the large Ridge home mostly as a “summer home,” as they had permanent residences in Brooklyn.
The cousin from California came to Long Island in the 1950s to live in the house with his wife and five children. To date, they’re the last Smith family to inhabit the property. After the cousin’s death in 1967, his wife decided to return to California and sold the property to developer Wilbur Breslin. In turn, Breslin gave the Town between twenty and thirty acres of the historic property.
Russell notes that Breslin’s decision to give some of the property to the Town was not contingent on the 1967 sale of the property.
Russell also notes the deep ties the Smith family had within Brookhaven, with properties of the original family ranging from Strongs Neck to Mastic, but a vibrant farming industry kept the focus on central Suffolk County. Property from the original thousands of acres now houses Longwood High School, Middle Island Presbyterian Church, and other notable fixtures around the area.
The Longwood Estate is located at the corner of Longwood Road and Smith Road in Ridge.
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September 26,
Teamsters Union Declines to Endorse in 2024 Race
By Matt Meduri
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, colloquially known as the Teamsters Union, represents blue- and whitecollar workers in the public and private sectors, with typical focuses on the freight, airline, convention, and municipal industries. Founded in 1903, and with a current membership of nearly 1.5 million, it is one of the largest labor unions in the world.
The labor union is also known for their long trend of supporting Democratic presidential candidates. The union has backed every Democratic nominee since 2000, last sitting out the presidential race altogether in 1996. Modern conventional wisdom typically states that the Democratic candidate receives the endorsement of the Teamsters.
However, the group sent political shockwaves through the nation by choosing to endorse neither candidate for November’s election. The union showed rank-and-file support for Biden prior to his departure from the race. Straw polls found members backed Biden 44% to Trump’s 36%.
However, Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket has completely changed that statistic, with an electronic polling window that closed September 15 showing Trump with almost 60% of rank-and-file union support, as opposed to 34% for Harris.
In response to the numbers, the union hired respected pollster Celinda Lake, whose survey recorded a more-or-less identical showing of support among the rank-and-file: 58% for Trump, 31% for Harris.
General President of the union Sean O’Brien has received stark vitriol for his personal support for former President Donald Trump (R-FL). In July, O’Brien became the first Teamsters leader to ever speak at a Republican National Convention.
Reports indicate that the union was not invited to speak at last month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Union leadership reportedly requested a speaking slot, or at least some form of heightened presence, but was not invited.
O’Brien even spoke at Trump’s rally in Uniondale last week, asserting his support for the former president, despite the leadership of his union balking on the 2024 race.
Former Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, son of the legendary Teamsters leader
Jimmy Hoffa, said that the labor group not endorsing Harris was a “critical error.”
“This is a critical error and frankly, a failure of leadership by Sean O’Brien,” wrote Hoffa in a statement. “This election is too important for our union to not do its duty. We must take a stand for working Americans. There is only one candidate in this race that has supported working families and unions throughout their career, and that is Vice President Kamala Harris.”
While internal disputes in the union are still out for question, it’s understood that some of the pivotal issues that led the Teamsters to sit out 2024 were the Biden Administration’s forced implementation of a 2022 railroad contract that didn’t include sick leave, as well as Trump’s fraternization with right-to-work laws.
The rushed railroad contract came amid fears of a national freight rail strike. Congress and President Biden used powers granted to them under the 1926 Railway Labor Act (RLA) to impose a contract and avert a strike. The RLA allows the federal government to prevent interruptions to commerce, which gives them oversight of the industry while the unions negotiate and collective bargaining can resume. The forced contract under Biden didn’t include sick leave, something O’Brien says is a massive strike against the incumbent administration. However, an agreement that included sick leave came a few months after the conflict. Right-to-work laws prevent unions from charging nonmembers dues to cover their portions of collective bargaining costs. A pro of this is generally seen as a check on a union’s power, especially as it relates to finances and campaigns. As union leadership might not endorse and donate to the candidate often overwhelmingly preferred by the rank-and-file, right-to-work laws are an attractive option for that concern, among others.
A notable con of right-to-work laws is that free riders received the benefits of being in a closed shop environment without adding to the union’s treasury.
Trump, despite not receiving the endorsement of one of the largest organized labor groups in the world, still calls their decision an “honor,” in that their tacit disapproval of Harris’ platform could pay dividends down ballot.
‘America’s Artist’ Scott LoBaido Performs Live Painting at Coliseum Rally
By Matt Meduri
Former President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) September 19 rally at Nassau Coliseum featured not only the former president himself, but a host of staunch supporters and allies. A series of elected officials, candidates for office, and prominent community members addressed attendees before the president’s remarks began at 7:00p.m. Our full writeup of the speech can be seen on Pages 12 and 13.
One of the openers, however, did not address the crowd vocally. Instead, he walked on stage equipped only with a canvas and paint.
Scott LoBaido is an artist from Staten Island known for his patriotic artwork, primarily consisting of elaborate murals of the American flag. LoBaido drove across the country in 2006, painting a U.S. flag on a rooftop in each of the fifty states. He did a second crosscountry tour in 2015, this time painting a U.S. flag on an American Legion or VFW post in every state. LoBaido was honored at the 2016 National Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars with the VFW Americanism Award in recognition of the posts on which he had painted his murals.
LoBaido’s most elaborate piece, and his largest work, was the 2010 project on the roof of Lamons Gasket Company near Hobby Airport in Houston. He and his assistants began on Flag Day, June 14, and ended on Independence Day, July 4, with LoBaido calling the painting a “birthday gift to America.” The work was 150,000 square feet, utilized 900 gallons of paint, and cost around $50,000.
LoBaido is also known for his pro-Trump artwork. He delivered on this skill at last week’s rally.
In just thirty seconds, LoBaido smeared paint onto the canvas using just his bare hands. Shades of red, white, and sparkling silver came together to appear as if the colors and pattern of the U.S. flag were lit in fireworks across the sky
LoBaido, however, saved a surprise for the audience. As he finished laying the color on the canvas, he pulled back a pre-set stencil that revealed President Trump’s nowsignature photo of him gesturing to his Butler, Pennsylvania, crowd after he was shot in July. The painting depicts Trump, fist in air, in front of a firework-like American flag pattern (pictured above)
The Moloney Family
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien speaks at the Trump rally in Uniondale (Credit - Matt Meduri)
By Cait Crudden
Choices and Consequences: A Sobering Lesson for Teens and Families
State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) hosted a powerful and emotional “Choices and Consequences” event this past week, aimed at educating teens and their families about the life-altering impacts of reckless driving. The event, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk, drugged, and reckless driving, was a stark reminder of the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Held in collaboration with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the event featured a presentation that outlined the devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving. Using real-life examples, the district attorney’s office highlighted the catastrophic outcomes that can result from poor decisions on the road. The hope was that these harrowing stories would leave a lasting impression on attendees and help prevent future tragedies on Suffolk County’s notoriously dangerous roads.
Bureau Chief of Vehicular Crime Carl Borelli made the presentation to the attendees. His goal was to promote healthy, good choices and to get young people to not make bad decisions while driving and must deal with the consequences which affect theirs and other families. He goes around to local high schools, presenting to juniors and seniors in high schools and informing them to stay vigilant, especially in the 100 most deadly days between Memorial and Labor Day.
The most emotional part of the event came when the family of Andrew McMorris, a young boy who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in 2018, took the stage. Alisa, John, and Arianna McMorris, Andrew’s mother, father, and sister, shared their story of unimaginable loss, describing how one person’s
choice to drive under the influence shattered their lives forever.
The McMorris family’s heartbreaking testimony had a profound impact on the audience. Alisa McMorris spoke of the emotional toll of losing her son and the pain her family endures every day. “This stops by changing hearts and minds,” she said. Alisa continued, emphasizing that her family’s mission is to prevent other families from enduring the same heartbreak. This family is coming up on the sixth anniversary of losing Andrew. His mother shared that as Andrew left this world, while they played his favorite song, the ukulele version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” they made a promise that they would do everything possible to make sure this wouldn’t happen to another family. The family established the Andrew McMorris Foundation after his death. She spoke of her advocacy and
good relationship with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and support of the RIDE and HALT Acts.
Suffolk County has earned a sobering distinction: it is home to the deadliest roads in New York State. The county has seen an alarming number of fatalities due to drunk, drugged, and reckless driving. Senator Palumbo, who has been a staunch advocate for road safety, reiterated the importance of events like “Choices and Consequences” in addressing this pressing issue.
Senator Palumbo spoke of his father being a detective and his personal experience with the District Attorney’s Office handling vehicular homicides.
“People’s lives change forever because of one stupid decision,” said Palumbo.
Legislator Chad Lennon, a Marine reservist and advocate for Veterans and public safety, stressed the need for accountability and responsibility among young drivers.
“It takes a split-second decision,” said Lennon. “Bad decisions lead to horrible outcomes that we don’t want to see again”.
The “Choices and Consequences” event was not just a lesson in road safety, it was a call to action. The McMorris family, Senator Palumbo, Legislator Lennon, and the District Attorney’s Office hope that through continued education and advocacy, they can make Suffolk County’s roads safer for all and reduce the number of tragedies caused by reckless driving.
The goal is clear: To save lives and create a generation that fully understands the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and to ensure that no other family must experience the loss the McMorris family has endured.
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.
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.
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.
Townline Rail must now apply to the New York State DEC and
Proposed Townline Rail Terminal
The best option for the future
Trump Strikes Fear Into New York Machine
Former President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) rally at the Nassau Coliseum last week couldn’t have been more of a godsend to the ardent supporters of his base, just as much as it was a reality shock to the Democratic machine that runs this state.
For context, Trump had campaigned in New York State only once before during this cycle: his May rally in the Bronx. That event was quickly panned by the left and talking heads alike, all unified in their message that New York is not in play and that Trump was simply showboating in what was considered a political bluff at best and a waste of time and campaign resources at worst.
What’s interesting is that the Democratic figureheads and the pathologically honest pundits of the mainstream media didn’t pick up on the fact that Trump was speaking to a crowd of people long forgotten by Albany and New York City Hall, many of whom did not fit the media’ preset narrative of a crowd of old, white, angry Trump supporters.
Trump’s energy in New York rebounded after his June convictions, which The Messenger personally witnessed as Fifth Avenue turned red outside Trump Tower as the former president delivered remarks at a press conference. We learned that not only were most people there not of the coalition the media so desperately hopes is the sole bloc of Trump voters in this country, but that people previously victimized by the criminal justice system and “the man” only identified with Trump more. We also learned that cab drivers, the vast majority of whom are first-generation Americans with a language barrier, planned to vote for Trump by a margin of nearly 90%-10%.
Many were disappointed by Joe Biden’s (D-DE) July withdrawal from the race, a political boomerang for which most were unprepared, as this likely meant Trump’s prospects of putting New York in play were as sprightly as Biden’s ascent up the stairs of Air Force One.
But Trump’s return to the Empire State, and his inaugural rally on Long Island, renewed the rallying cry for the Big Apple’s long forgotten and overlooked population, as at least 60,000 attendees descended on Uniondale’s Nassau Coliseum for a glimpse of the former president. More were likely left outside than those who got in, as the venue’s capacity tops out at around 19,000.
Trump’s energy in New York shows no signs of waning, as a Siena College poll released just before his Wednesday night rally shows Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) not faring much better than Biden did: a mere lead of just twelve points.
Margins in politics are hugely relative and that relativism expands when the race is confined to the presidency, U.S. Senate, a single House district, a state legislative district, or any other political jurisdiction. For reference, Trump losing a swing state, say Michigan, by twelve points would mean a dire landslide for Harris, with a path of upwards of 400 electoral votes likely for the Vice President. On the other hand, a Trump loss of twelve points in New York, or a similar state, would likely mean he wins the election at least somewhat comfortably.
New York has backed Democrats in every election since 1988, going for margins exceeding twenty points in all, except for 1988 and 2004. John Kerry (D-MA) won by a whopping eighteen points in 2004, and George Bush (R-TX) didn’t even carry Suffolk County. Biden won here by twenty-three points in 2020.
If Trump were to push New York ten points to the right, as is evidenced by a mountain of polling data at this point, it would likely mean he’s built a broad enough coalition that translates to decent or even sizable victories in other states, enough to secure a second nonconsecutive term.
This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s one that must be examined and considered going into an election with this propensity. A ten-point shift among New York voters likely means that suburbanites, minorities, and Independents have broken for Trump significantly in much more politically swingy areas. Income brackets are another demographic in play for Trump nationwide, with voters of incomes of more than $100,000 annually having backed Biden by seven points four years prior. Voters making under $30,000 annually supported Biden by eleven points.
Could Trump, a Republican, flip New York? It’s more possible than it’s been at any other point this century, but we’ll still rate the race as “Likely Democratic,” in that Harris has a serious set of bakedin advantages that cannot be overlooked.
Is New York in play? Absolutely, and that’s why the entire machine built around a blue New York is panicking.
The reality is that Trump, or any Republican for that matter, doesn’t have to win New York to send shockwaves and contribute to any swamp-draining activities going on in Washington. If he were to win New York outright, the election, in the president’s own words, would be “over.” All the swing states would go to him, and he’d easily eclipse 400 electoral votes facilitated by wins in other blue or blue-ish states.
But that’s not what everyone is counting on. A ten-point swing to the right in New York would mean a massive liability for Democrats’ popular vote margins, a statistic they desperately work to inflate to downplay the overall purpose of the Electoral College and why their party cannot win among the rank-and-file electorate. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) defeated Trump in New York by twenty-three points and took almost two million more votes than him statewide. If Trump were to balance those scales, it begins to eat away at a reliably urban national popular vote lead.
The other problem a red-trending New York poses for the machine: Albany politics. An overall redder New York means Democrats may or may not have a much more difficult time in retaining the Senate, a legislative body of which they assumed control only in 2018, after a decades-long drought with small interruptions. A statewide environment that is friendly to more conservative policies and messaging pays dividends to the New York Republican Party and to voters across the state who seek more checks and balances that have been absent in six years of a Democratic trifecta in Albany.
The Assembly, by the same logic, would also fall into jeopardy, albeit by a significantly less severe form. Democrats have had a lock on the Assembly since the 1960s, and there’s virtually no hope Republicans can flip the chamber back unless they win New York City up and down. But cracking the supermajority is a different story, and one that is much more feasible, even without a ten-point swing to the right.
Even Democratic performances in local races stand to suffer from a statewide shift to the right. If highly active voters feel compelled enough to buck a party whom they feel no longer represents them, it might hurt down ballot Democrats as well. This is much less of an exact science, as local elected officials can usually wade through partisan hot-button issues and campaign on local issues and governance, but it’s still worth mentioning in the grand political scheme. And if we were in the Democrats’ camp, we’d probably be issuing that exact soft warning to them.
Finally, it means the overall Democratic machine will perennially be put on notice about the state of play in New York. Even if it means New York becomes the white whale to Republicans that Texas is to Democrats, it means more money, more resources, more staffing, and more ground game in a state they have not seriously contested in decades. Maybe is doesn’t mean a red New York outright, but maybe it does mean more wins in the Midwest, less resources going to vulnerable Republican incumbents and more to Democrats who shouldn’t have a problem winning their races, and frantic autopsies on determining how their impenetrable fortress allowed the red tide to get in.
Why else do you think Albany Democrats voted to move local off-year elections to even-calendar years? Down ballot presidential energy in a state like New York could insulate state and local Democrats from more hyper-local Republican tendencies, especially here in Suffolk County. Of that law, we wrote that it was nothing more than partisan damage control. Trump’s demonstrated strengths in New York vindicate that position.
We’re all for a more competitive New York, even if it just means a Republican-controlled Senate and some more attention during presidential years. We think it’s more probable than not that New York will become a fullyfledged battleground by the end of the decade. For 2024, however, it appears New York is in play, if not to put Democrats on serious notice for the next month, rather, the next generation.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Prop 1 Is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
Making changes to the New York State Constitution should never be done lightly. It’s an important, foundational document that offers many critical protections, and it is specifically designed to ensure every New York resident has the same opportunity to live a free, happy and prosperous life. Considering the substantial protection it already offers in tandem with the U.S. Constitution, this year’s Ballot Proposal Number One seems like an unnecessary and potentially harmful measure that could actually work against the interests of equity and fairness.
The ballot proposal is set to add new language to the portion of the New York State Constitution that deals with equal protection under the law. Specifically, it covers “unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy…reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” There are a lot of buzzwords packed into the amendment, which is being portrayed as another layer of protection for women in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned in U.S. Supreme Court. This is a fallacy.
In reality, access to abortion in New York is not in jeopardy at all, and if this proposition intended to enshrine those rights, it would have included them specifically. The amendment does not reference abortion by name at all, and the items that are included are already protected. As such, this proposal is going to do more harm than good.
The proposal as written jeopardizes other critical protections existing in state law,
namely those of the parents of minors. Under this amendment, minors will more easily be able to seek gender-altering treatments without having to inform their parents. Parents have a right to know what their children are doing, and the mothers and fathers who cook their kids’ dinner should be able to talk about life-altering decisions as they sit at the dining room table to eat it. Further, noncitizens will have an avenue to vote in state elections, and it will be virtually impossible to prevent biological male athletes from competing against women. These policies do little to protect anyone, and the idea that women’s reproductive health is at the heart of this proposal is disingenuous.
Ballot Proposal Number One is designed to appear progressive and helpful. But at its core, the measure is just a list of hot-button topics already covered under the law masking a thinly veiled attempt to undermine families, parents, and communities. It has no place in New York, and I hope it does not make its way into our state’s most important document. 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.
Nassau Democrats Act Petty in Attacking County’s Preparation for Trump’s Visit
By Steve Levy
Nassau Democrats hit a new low this past week by having a press conference attacking Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) and his administration for expending finances in preparation for former President Trump‘s (R-FL) visit to the Nassau Coliseum.
The attack was hypocritical and petty.
The Dems hate the fact that Blakeman is a fan of Trump and has associated himself a great deal with the former president. That may be grounds for legitimate criticism if they had taken it in that direction. But, instead, they had to muddy the issue by suggesting that the county was out of bounds for having its police department prepare for the visit of a former president. This is the same former president who has now been subjected to two assassination attempts over the past two months. It was also an event that brought close to 60,000 people. Are the Dems suggesting county officials were expected to ignore this potential traffic and logistics nightmare? Would they have done nothing and just sat on their hands if President Biden had come to visit Nassau?
And don’t tell us that it’s different because Trump is just a candidate. He is a former
Panico Owes Bellport an Apology
Dear Editor, I read your story regarding Supervisor Panico Vs. the Village of Bellport, and I make the following observations and conclusions. I do so having served as the first full-time salaried Town Attorney, as a former Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven, and as a former resident (thirty years) and former Village Attorney for the Village of Bellport.
After reading your article and Mr. Panico’s press release (2-21-24), it appears to me that his main objective is to provoke racial dissension where none exists. An example of actual racial harmony is the Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area, whose memberstudents are treated annually to a day at Ho-Hum Beach by and at the expense of Bellport Village. This manufactured controversy is disingenuous AT BEST!
Mr. Panico owes the Village of Bellport an apology.
Hon. Marty Kerins Eastport
president who is attracting a huge crowd, just as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be doing with his big speech in Nassau. Of course, the Nassau administration overtook efforts for crowd control and protection for Modi as well.
The Democrats can kick and scream all they want about Blakeman’s closest association with Trump. They are free to use it to their political advantage to any extent they so desire. But they shouldn’t lie to the people of Nassau by claiming that this is some kind of campaign expense by the Blakeman administration on behalf of Trump. Those expenditures would be made for any high-profile figure — Democrat or Republican.
Steve Levy is President of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He served as Suffolk County Executive, as a NYS Assemblyman, a Suffolk County Legislator, and host of “The Steve Levy Radio Show.” He is the author of “Solutions to America’s Problems” and “Bias in the Media.” www.SteveLevy.info, Twitter @SteveLevyNY, steve@commonsensestrategies.com
This op-ed originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Letters to the Editor
Overdose Training for Senior Citizens
Dear Editor,
In a recent edition you published an article on New Horizons Counseling having a session on Narcan training and giving Narcan kits to take home. The article specifically refers to senior citizens overdosing on their medications. I am a senior citizen of 80+ years old with various conditions affecting my health and mobility. I would like to suggest the Counseling Service come to the Senior Citizen Center to give a presentation.
Paul H. Schmutz Nesconset
Response to the Former Alpine Bakery Customer
Dear Editor,
Maybe the cookies that had Trump on them were for an occasion.
I assume that she’s a Liberal who doesn’t mind paying for illegals, many of whom abuse women and children. Also, we’re paying for their sex change surgery. We want our daughters to be safe when they go into the LADIES ROOM. And our sons to be allowed to be BOYS and not be convinced they can be girls.
What about the trillions sent to other countries to secure THEIR borders, while ours remain wide open?
Our country is in serious trouble right now. The Pope suggests we pick the ‘Lesser of two evils’. Let’s do that.
Taxpayer in Suffolk for fifty years
By Hank Russell
Long Island Life & Politics
Nassau Dems Claim Blakeman Made ‘Backroom Deal’ with Trump Campaign
A day after former president Donald Trump held a rally at Nassau Coliseum, Nassau County Democratic Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove), along with Legislators Seth Koslow (D-Merrick) and Debra Mulé (D-Freeport), announced the filing of a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The complaint alleges that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) funneled over $1 million in taxpayer money to support what they say was a partisan political rally for Trump. This action, they claim, amounts to an illegal, unreported in-kind campaign contribution to the Trump campaign and the Nassau County Republican Committee.
On September 18, Trump held a rally at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Reports said that as many as 60,000 people showed up for the rally, but only approximately 16,000 people could go inside.
(L-R) Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Legislator Koslow, and Legislator Mulé (Credit - Nassau County Legislative Minority)
At a press conference held in the Minority Hearing Room of the Nassau County Legislative Building, the Democratic lawmakers called for an immediate federal investigation into what they described as a “backroom deal” between Blakeman and the Trump campaign. They also demanded that the Trump campaign reimburse Nassau County taxpayers for all expenses related to the event.
“The facts are clear—Bruce Blakeman used over $1 million of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to provide police, fire, and other municipal resources to protect and subsidize a partisan political rally,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “The former President deserves all the police protection that is required to keep him safe, but his campaign should be paying for that, not Nassau County taxpayers. This is an illegal in-kind contribution that benefits Donald Trump and the Nassau GOP at the expense of Nassau County residents.”
The complaint reveals that hundreds of Nassau County Police Department officers, along with helicopters, firefighters, and other municipal services, were deployed to the Trump rally without any reimbursement or reporting to the Federal Election
Commission. According to DeRiggiWhitton, this constitutes a violation of federal campaign finance laws and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Legislator Mulé added, “This is about fairness and transparency. If Bruce Blakeman wants to throw a rally for Donald Trump, he can do it on his own dime—not ours. This misuse of taxpayer money is unacceptable, and the Trump campaign should be held accountable to pay back every cent.”
The Democratic legislators also highlighted a high-dollar fundraiser organized by the Nassau GOP in connection with the rally, where tickets ranged from $5,000 for reserved seating to $250,000 for a “V.I.P. Experience” with Donald Trump. They argue that Nassau County’s deployment of public resources enabled the GOP to profit without bearing any of the financial burden for securing and supporting the event.
“The use of county resources for partisan purposes crosses a line and is corruption,” said Legislator Koslow. “It’s one thing to provide security for a public event, but what happened here was a politically motivated mobilization of our police force to protect a partisan political rally where local Republicans were fundraising. The taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for a GOP fundraiser.”
At a LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action) meeting that was held September 20 at New York Institute of Technology’s de Seversky Mansion in Glen Head, Deputy County Executive Joseph Muscarella addressed the controversy surrounding the Trump rally. “The Trump campaign paid for everything,” he said. “Their security was there; Homeland Security was there.”
According to Muscarella, there were 20,000 people inside for the rally. “They were unbelievable,” he said, adding that the attendees contributed to the county’s revenue by visiting local restaurants. “You couldn’t get a reservation within a mile and a half of [the Coliseum]. We made money on that event.”
Blakeman took to social media to respond. “Democrat leaders are inflammatory and irresponsible in condemning Nassau County for protecting President Trump,” he said. “They are the defund the police squad and defund democracy protection squad. Disgraceful and UnAmerican!”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Trump campaign for comment, but did not hear back as of press time.
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
House Passes Bill Denying Federal Funding to Sanctuary Cities
By Hank Russell
A bill introduced by U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) that would deny federal funding to “sanctuary cities” passed the House and is now on its way to be voted on by the Senate.
The “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act,” which was introduced on September 26 with Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) as two of its eight co-sponsors, passed with bipartisan support, with 12 Democrats joining all 220 Republicans to pass the bill. This legislation would deny federal funding to states or other municipalities that use those funds for foreign-born individuals who are in the United States illegally.
Political jurisdictions would also lose out on federal funding under this bill if they have laws in place that prohibits any government from receiving or sending information regarding someone’s immigration status; exchanging that same information with local, state or federal law enforcement; complying with a Department of Homeland Security (DNS) immigration detainer; and notifying DHS about an illegal immigrant’s release from custody.
“By refusing to help enforce federal immigration law, sanctuary cities have created their own crisis and federal taxpayers must not be forced to foot the bill for their misguided policies,” LaLota said. “My No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act … ensures that federal dollars will not be used to offset costs incurred by prioritizing illegal immigration, and migrants’ free hotels and health care, over the safety and well-being of law-abiding tax-paying citizens.”
LaLota said New Yorkers and all Americans “are fed up with the strain this crisis has put on our resources” and said his legislation “will hold these cities accountable and make it clear that there are consequences for defying the rule of law. I urge the Senate to immediately take up this legislation.”
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
This Week Today National, State and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
A working-class Pennsylvania county has recently delivered seemingly-innocuous news that has actually sent political shockwaves reverberating throughout the nation’s premier swing state.
Luzerne County, located just southwest of Scranton, is home to Wilkes-Barre, a notable coalmining suburban area known for its long history of fraternization with Democratic policies and candidates. The blue-collar, heavily-unionized county has, for the majority of its political history, been a swing county. It backed Republicans in the elections from 1948 to 1956, Democrats for all elections in the 1960s, Richard Nixon (R-CA) in 1972, Jimmy Carter (D-GA) in 1976, Republicans in all three elections of the 1980s, and backed every Democrat from 1992 to 2012.
The largest margin for any democrat was 70% for Lyndon Johnsn (D-TX) in 1964. Republicans’ best margin in Luzerne County was Warren Harding’s (R-OH) 65% win in 1920.
Donald Trump (R-FL) flipped Luzerne in 2016 to take a 58% margin, after the county had backed Barack Obama (D-IL) by about five points just four years prior. Trump’s margin slipped slightly in 2020, but he still commanded 56.6% of the vote.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of State reported that Luzerne County now has more registered Republicans than Democrats.
Their lead is slim, with registered Rs clocking in 87,415 voters to registered Ds coming in at 87,332 - just an 83-voter lead, but one that is unparalleled in modern politics.
The GOP last held the registration advantage in Luzerne County in 1972, when Republicans outnumbered Democrats by about 12,000 voters. However, after Nixon resigned in 1974 following the Watergate scandal, the Luzerne numbers shifted dramatically, giving Democrats a near-40,000-registrant advantage. Their advantage peaked to a 50,000-voter advantage in 2009, but the edges have been slipping for the last fifteen years.
The new number is fueled in part by local grassroots efforts to communicate with voters and put the finger on the pulse of the county’s priorities. Republicans on the ground are hopeful the numbers continue to shift in their favor, as Luzerne County will no doubt be a primary battlefield in the state most likely to determine the next president.
With just a little more than one month until Election Day, pollsters are starting to release results of more surveys now that Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) has had about a month to run as the official Democratic nominee.
A state rarely polled shows a decent lead for Harris: a seventeen-point spread in Delaware. A closer-thanexpected result in 2016 made the case that Delaware could become competitive with the right messaging, a theory supported by preliminary 2020 polling that showed Trump tied with other major candidates besides Joe Biden (D-DE), who has the distinction of being the only president to hail from the First State.
But Delaware was largely removed from the map in 2020, and it seems as though this will be the case this year. Its three electoral votes make for virtually nonexistent campaign presence, and its distinct blue lean will likely insulate Democrats from any real competition threatening their trio of open statewide seats this year.
The Slingshot Strategies poll of 500 registered voters tracks Harris with 54% to Trump’s 37%. It tracks a slight underperformance on Harris’ part, as respondents said
they broke for Biden 59%-40% in the last election. 58% of voters polled were from New Castle County, home to Wilmington, the base of the state’s Democratic electorate. The majority of the respondents were women, 54%, to the men’s 45%.
Harris is also ahead in Rhode Island, but by twelve points. The MassINC Polling Group’s survey of 800 likely voters shows a much smaller margin than the twentypoint margin earned by her predecessor, and even the fourteen-point margin won by Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in 2016. While the poll found that both candidates are maximizing their registered bases, 7% of Rhode Island Democrats plan to vote for Trump, compared to 4% of Republicans voting for Harris.
“Rhode Island seemed a little closer than maybe we were expecting, but it’s a very safe lead for Kamala Harris,” said Richard Parr, Senior Research Director for MassINC.
Harris has also been tracked ahead in New Mexico, as evidenced by SurveyUSA’s poll of 619 likely voters. Harris galvanizes 50% of voters to Trump’s 42% in the former swing state that now boasts a modest blue lean. Biden won the Land of Enchantment by about eleven points four years ago.
The poll shows Harris taking 53% of the Hispanic vote in New Mexico, compared to Trump’s 39%.
Finally, another infrequently polled northeastern state made it into the mix this week: Connecticut, showing a sixteen-point lead for Harris - 53%-37%.
Conducted also by MassINC Polling Group, this survey reached out to 800 likely voters, showing a slight decrease in Biden’s twenty-point margin but an improvement from Hillary Clinton’s fourteen-point margin. Both candidates maximize their bases here, but Harris siphons a bit more Republican support from Trump than she does in Rhode Island. She captured 4% of Republicans in the Connecticut poll, as opposed to just 2% of Democrats breaking for Trump. Harris also clears 40% of Independent support, while Trump is not far behind in the high 30s.
The poll also shows an interesting divergence between voters on what issues they feel are the most important. At least 60% of Connecticut Democrats surveyed reported that gun policies, climate change, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the characters of the candidates are top issues, with 70% agreeing that abortion and the future of democracy are the most important.
Polled Republicans, on the other hand, report that the economy, immigration policies, and the national deficit are the top issues.
State
Siena College has released their much-anticipated poll, which was conducted between September 11 and 16, included 1,003 likely voters, and holds a margin of error of +/- 4.3%.
The poll continues to track what many have been noticing: Democrats are due for a large swing against them in New York. According to the latest study, Harris leads Trump by just twelve points in a state that went for Biden by twenty-three points in 2020 and has not backed a Republican since 1984.
Respondents say they trust Harris more on abortion, democracy, and the economy, with the latter category showing 52%-45% support for the Vice President. Harris also leads Trump by just one point - 48%-47% - among trust in handling immigration issues.
The poll notes that while Independents trust Harris more on abortion issues - 50%-42% - they trust Trump more on issues of democracy, economy, and immigration.
About two-thirds of Democrats, Independents, and
Republicans agree that there should be a second debate between the two candidates.
Siena College also tracks Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) as running much farther ahead against her opponent than Harris is against Trump. Gillibrand faces first-time candidate Mike Sapraicone (R-Floral Park). The College finds her leading Sapraicone by twenty-three points, but that Independents have flipped to support the Republican by nine points after supporting the incumbent by thirteen.
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) is also found to not be improving her favorability and job approval ratings, as both remain at all-time lows.
Her approval rating is now at a record low of 34%54%, while her job approval is also at a record low at 39%-56%. For reference, roughly half of New York’s voters are registered Democrats.
Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said that while net favorability ratings for the presidential candidates, their running mates, and Senator Gillibrand have remained mostly unchanged since August, Hochul’s favorability plummeted by nine points and her job approval fell by a net fourteen points.
Hochul’s favorability sitting at twenty points underwater is actually worse than Donald Trump’s New York favorability ratings at eighteen points underwater.
Voters favor congressional Democrats by a nearlyidentical margin to that of the presidential race - 52%-39% - with Independents favoring Republican congressional candidates two-to-one. They were previously evenly split between the two parties. Republicans have the edge in downstate suburban and upstate districts.
Voters also seem overwhelmingly enthused about Proposition One, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) slated as a ballot measure this fall. Democrats support the measure 89%-6%, while Republicans oppose it 48%30%. While Independents still support Proposition One, the College finds that their support has plummeted from 64% in favor to just 49% in favor.
Overall, New Yorkers remain pessimistic about the direction of the state, with only 32% of respondents believing New York is on the right track. The College notes that this is the most pessimistic New Yorkers have been about the direction of the state in the last decade.
Local
H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, is intentioned to “improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal Lands to return resilience to overgrown, fireprone forested lands,” among other purposes.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) saw passage of his amendment to the bill on Tuesday. His amendment would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to comprehensively study the infestation of pine beetles, as well as their effects on crops and forests and solutions for dealing with the invasive species.
“This tiny pest, no larger than a grain of rice, has wreaked havoc on over 5,000 acres of forest in my district alone, threatening our ecosystem and critical natural resources. The southern pine beetle infestation has put immense pressure on Long Island’s Pine Barrens, which serve as a vital habitat for wildlife and play a crucial role in protecting our water supply,” said LaLota. “My amendment is not just about studying a pest; it’s about taking proactive measures to protect our environment, safeguard the drinking water of millions, and ensure that our forests’ rich biodiversity and natural beauty remain intact for future generations. Without intervention, the consequences for our ecosystem and local economy could be severe so we must take action now.”
On The Campaign Trail
Shoreham Civic Association Hosts ‘Meet the Candidates’ Night
By Cait Crudden
This past week, the Shoreham Civic Association hosted a “Meet the Candidates” night, giving residents a unique opportunity to engage with candidates running for various offices in the upcoming elections. The event was held in an informal setting, allowing voters to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of their platforms and priorities.
Candidates John Avlon (D-Gramercy Park) for New York’s First Congressional District, Sarah Anker (D-Mt. Sinai) for State Senate, Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) for State Senate, and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow) (pictured right) for State Assembly were in attendance, each delivering brief speeches about their backgrounds and the issues that drive their campaigns. Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) was unable to attend and sent his regards from Washington D.C. Following the speeches, attendees had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the candidates to ask more specific questions and share concerns about local and state issues.
The evening began with Avlon, introducing himself to the crowd. Avlon, a political journalist and author, highlighted his background in journalism and his commitment to bringing a balanced approach to Washington. He focused on the importance of finding common ground to address critical issues like economic recovery and border security.
Avlon was the subject of a Messenger-exclusive April piece, in which we obtained tax documents showcasing his primary residency in Manhattan, his procurement of tax benefits typically reserved for primary residents, and his 2017 purchase of a Sag Harbor home he is using to assert his Suffolk ties. Avlon had previously stated that he and his family have lived in the home since 2009, but online rental listings show summer lease terms as recent as 2018. Avlon told Vanity Fair earlier this year that he has moved into the home full-time as of February.
The Messenger’s investigation on Avlon’s residency has been cited in other publications, including The New York Post
Next, Senator Anthony Palumbo (pictured bottom right), who is seeking a third term, focused on his efforts to improve public safety, combat rising crime, and protect
taxpayers. Palumbo spoke of his background from growing up in Patchogue, to going to college, law school, and previous experience as Trial Supervisor for the five eastern towns under then-District Attorney Tom Spota (D-Mt. Sinai) and venturing afterwards to the private sector with his own law firm in Mattituck. He highlighted his work on legislation stating he has passed fifty-six bills over his career. His first bill was for first-time homebuyers. He also touched on his commitment to reducing the cost of living for Long Island residents and preserving the quality of life in the region stating that he is “doing what he can do for his constituency”.
Sarah Anker, who is running for State Senate, shared her experience as a Suffolk County Legislator. She spoke passionately about her dedication to ensuring that Long Island remains a safe and healthy place for families to thrive. Anker represented the Sixth District in the Legislature for the full six terms allowed to Legislators, from 2012 until 2024.
Rounding out the group was Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, who is running for reelection. She touted her record of being a strong advocate in Albany for people with disabilities, supporting law enforcement and labor. Giglio knows the importance of bolstering local economies and has strong ties to the community she represents.
After the candidates delivered their speeches, the evening shifted to a more casual format, allowing attendees to speak with each candidate individually. Constituents raised a wide range of topics near and dear to their hearts. The event provided a valuable platform for residents to ask questions that mattered most to them and engage in meaningful conversations with the candidates.
The “Meet the Candidates” night was praised by both the candidates and attendees for fostering civic engagement and transparency. Voters left with a better understanding of where the candidates stand on key issues and getting to know them as individuals. The candidates appreciated the opportunity to connect directly with their constituents in an informal setting.
As the election season heats up, events like this one serve as a crucial part of the democratic process, ensuring that voters can make informed decisions when they head to the polls.
Fighting to Make Safety a Real Priority
Re-elect
NYS SENATOR DEAN MURRAY
As the publisher and founder of the crime-fighting website, www.LiFugitiveFinder.com, Dean knows how important it is to work with and support law enforcement, which is why
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Senator Dean Murray introduced
Community Spotlight
Woof Wednesday Campaign to Benefit Autism Employment and Homelessness
ELIJA (Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism) is announcing the launch of Woof Wednesday at its recently-opened ELIJA Farm marketplace. Every Wednesday, the marketplace will be stocked with hand-crafted dog biscuits made at the ELIJA Farm, the sales of which will benefit autism services and services for people experiencing homelessness in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Through collaboration with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, this partnership seeks to shine a light on serving our communities, people with autism, and those in need through a shared love of animals and the impact pets have on our lives.
This new initiative, the brainchild of Katie Padgett, 21, and Jason Harris, 25, both life-long residents of Long Island, was enthusiastically adopted by Deb Thivierge, ELIJA’s CEO and Executive Director, with help from ELIJA Farm’s in-house baker, Kelly Saphire.
These deliciously paw-some treats are made with all natural ingredients --- a perfect combination of oats, peanut butter and pumpkin puree --- and cost only $10 per bag of 30, with 50% of the proceeds going to the ELIJA Farm and 50% being donated to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. These treats can be purchased in two ways: either by stopping at the ELIJA Farm marketplace, 43 Foxhurst Road, South Huntington and visiting the self-service marketplace while supplies last, or by preordering at the ELIJA Farm website. Orders for pick up must be placed by Monday for the following Wednesday.
Katie and Jason, two amazing young adults on the autism spectrum, met about a year ago, and have formed a very special bond. Their relationship often involves finding ways to help others, and Woof Wednesday is yet another example of their passion to serve put into action. In Katie’s own words “you won’t only be giving dogs delicious treats, you’ll also be helping to fund educational opportunities for people on the autism spectrum like us, which is very important, and you’ll also be assisting people affected by homelessness. Anything you can do to help someone, every little bit counts.”
With the support of ELIJA Farm’s Woof Wednesday campaign, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless hopes to increase offerings through their special distribution center, their “Boutique” that gives people
who are exiting homelessness, or at risk and in need, a chance to come and pick out clothes and other essential items, nonperishable food for both humans and our furry friends, toiletries, and housewares.
The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless wants to expand this outreach beyond the 6,000 individuals and families currently served annually through its boutique.
“I absolutely love the idea that Katie and Jason came up with to further our commitment to making a meaningful difference in both human and canine lives,” said Debora Thivierge. “We are excited to not only support our clients living with autism, but to help the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to provide support to their clients through their amazing Boutique initiative. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship!”
Greta Guarton, Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, echoed this sentiment, “I want to thank Katie, Jason, Deb, and ELIJA Farm for this amazing opportunity. People with disabilities, including those with autism, are at a greater risk of experiencing homelessness, nation-wide. And often, people who are homeless or at-risk and have a pet will not go into shelters because their animals are not permitted, so instead they will stay in their car or remain unhoused. I’m grateful for this partnership, which draws attention to the many issues that impact our diverse communities.”
For more information or to pre-order today, please visit the ELIJA Farm website at https://www.elijafarm.org/events/view/ Woof-Wednesday-Campaign-2024-07-24/ or you can email info@elijafarm.org
For more information on the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, please visit www.addressthehomeless. org.
The ELIJA Farm Marketplace is located at 43 Foxhurst Road in South Huntington.
On The Campaign Trail
‘What Have You Got to Lose?’ Trump Makes Pitch
Not only did Trump throw another boomerang at the political world by campaigning in solid-blue New York, but he also came to personally assert an objective that hasn’t been fulfilled in generations: flipping New York red.
The tectonic task before him is also accompanied by the necessity of both campaigns to run the table in the swing states and pick off margins in more reliably partisan areas. Polls had shown a competitive race in the Empire State before Biden quit the race. New York polling with Harris as the nominee has been scarce, but recent margins show a low-doubledigit lead for Harris.
The Openers
Before President Trump took the stage just shortly after 7:00p.m., a cavalcade of New York officials and notable individuals addressed the audience.
“We will generate the vote that not only lets Donald J. Trump win New York but win the White House back for each and every one of us,” said Suffolk County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge). The Messenger caught up with the Chairman to discuss what he and others are seeing regarding the state of play in New York.
“I think [this rally] demonstrates the enthusiasm the Trump campaign has here on Long Island,” Garcia (pictured below right) told The Messenger, adding that the Nassau Coliseum holds between 16,000 and 17,000 people, but that upwards of 60,000 people RSVP’d for the rally. The entire venue was packed for the former president, with large crowds estimated to be in the thousands who could not get into the arena watching outside from jumbotron televisions.
“What this demonstrates is that New York is in play. We knew it was in play by eight points before the ‘switcheroo’ by the Democrats and now we know we’re still in play,” said Garcia. “Suffolk County and Long Island are the tip of the spear that generates the votes needed to turn this state from blue to red.”
“New York was a battleground in 2022, and New York is a battleground again in 2024,” former Congressman and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) told attendees. “We are unburdened by what has been and we are not going back!” he added, referencing a common line used by Vice President Harris to assert New York’s support to put Trump back in the Oval Office.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R, NY-11) called President Trump “a successful leader and skilled negotiator who wrote The Art of the Deal,” while “the only thing Kamala Harris co-wrote is the disaster we are living through today.” Malliotakis has the distinction of being the only Republican member of Congress from New York City, as her district contains all of Staten Island.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) mentioned that nine months ago, he became the first member of Congress from a purple district to endorse Trump for reelection.
we’ve built the strongest economy and the strongest military. We’ve been able to give our children just as much opportunity as our parents have been able to give to us,” said LaLota. “We see taxpayer-funded free hotels and free health care for migrants. And who’s paying for it? You’re paying for it. You’re paying us with higher taxes, with rip-offs like congestion pricing, and with cuts to our schools.”
LaLota called the election “deeply personal to all of us,” and added: “You and I don’t want a president who dodges press conferences and accountability, like ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris, we want a commander-inchief who can dodge bullets for the United States,” said LaLota.
LaLota introduced fellow freshman Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park), who represents the blue-leaning NY-04, and candidate for NY-03, former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri (R-Farmingdale). LiPetri is looking to unseat Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who made his congressional comeback in February in a special election prompted by the expulsion of George Santos (R-Queens).
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) asserted that Biden was elected “on a fraud,” given that his family received “$21 million from China.”
“Imagine if Eisenhower, Kennedy, or Reagan got $21 million from Russia!” said Giuliani, adding that the Chinese Communist Party “kills Christians” and “their own people.” He pivoted towards Trump’s indictments, stating that the corrupt system conspired to derail his electoral prospects.
“They indicted him four times in one year. Al Capone or John Gotti weren’t indicted four times in one year!” said Giuliani (pictured below right). “This was an attempt to fix the election.”
Giuliani also leveraged his lengthy legal career, stating that he can “find anybody behind” the attempts on President Trump’s life.
“I did it to the mafia, I can do it to them!” said Giuliani.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said that the main point of the rally was emphasized by the signage plastered around the venue as he entered: “Broken borders, broken economy, broken world.”
to Brentwood during his first term. Romaine added that he prefers Trump’s economic platform, stating that inflation has “robbed all of us.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) said that “Nassau County is not a sanctuary county” and “protects women’s sports.”
“Your taxpayer dollars are being spent on people who came into this country illegally. They’ve been here for fifteen minutes; it’s got to stop,” said Blakeman. “Kamala Harris had only one job: to secure the border. She failed.”
Blakeman said that minorities are “being hurt the most” by the poor fiscal conditions of the Biden-Harris administration. He made a pitch to large suburban areas across the country to see the differences in the two candidates.
“One [Biden] is incapacitated, the other [Harris] is incapable and incompetent,” said Blakeman. “Under Donald J. Trump, we had peace and prosperity.”
Trump Takes the Stage
President Trump took the podium shortly after 7:00p.m., but not before meeting with eight-yearold Liam, an East Meadow resident who was recently diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. A staunch fan of the former president, Liam received a birthday card from Donald Trump, with the video of his emotional reaction being sent to family friend Kevin Smith, leader of the Long Island Loud Majority. Smith posted the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, where it has since received over three million shares, with one by the former president himself. Trump met with Liam and his family backstage with a large birthday gift prior to his remarks.
Trump discussed the second attempt on his life, just the Sunday before his rally. A gunman stalked Trump on his Palm Beach golf course, rifle barrel protruding from the bushes near hole five, when a Secret Service agent took fire and sent the perpetrator running. Trump shared that a passerby noticed the man rushing to his car, which she photographed and sent to law enforcement.
“God has now spared my life, not once, but twice,” President Trump told supporters. “These encounters with death have not broken my will, they have really given me a much bigger and stronger mission.”
Trump said that the assassination attempts are due to the vitriol spread by the mainstream media and prominent political figures.
“The fact is, I’m not a threat to democracy, they [the Democrats] are,” said Trump. “They’re doing things that have never been done before in the history of our country, and worst of all, with their open borders and bad elections, they have made us into a third-world nation, something nobody thought was even possible. Americans deserve a campaign based on the issues.”
New York State of Mind
“We do it [flip New York], and the election nationwide is over,” said Trump, adding that some Washington officials chastised his campaign stop on Long Island, saying that no Republicans can Continued from front cover
“Why? Because I believe America is the greatest nation in the world’s history. Over the last eighty years,
“That’s what this rally is about: people who want to make things better,” said Romaine. He hailed Trump’s handling of gang and drug activity, notably those of MS-13, which was highlighted by 2017 visit
Trump specifically leveraged most of his speech to issues facing New Yorkers, not only hoping to thin down total votes for his opponent, but to also aid in the monumental task of taking New York’s twenty-eight electoral votes. The former president said that if New York goes red, the election is won.
Trump gestures to the crowd. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from previous page
On The Campaign Trail
to New York Voters at Coliseum Rally
win New York.
“Throughout American history, from generation to generation, New York has always set the standard for American life. Our cities were the center of business, arts, culture, ports, waterways, and they were the arteries of American Congress,” said Trump. “And our towns like Uniondale, Levittown, Hicksville, and Huntington, these were great, great towns where you grew up and you stayed. But look at what has happened to New York and the other states all run by radical leftwingers. Our heavy industries have exported overseas, and our middle class has been eviscerated. Housing costs are out of control, inflation has cost a typical family $28,000; we have horrible, disgusting, dangerous filthy encampments of junkies and homeless people living in places that our children used to play in little league baseball. In the past few years in New York City, there has been a 29% increase in robberies, a 36% increase in felony assaults, 42% increase in grand larceny, a 75% increase in carjackings, and 200 police officers leaving the NYPD, New York’s finest.”
Trump also railed against the “squalid” and dangerous conditions of the trains and subways, adding that the state’s infrastructure is “rotting.” He stated that “businesses are fleeing, mobs of illegal migrants are being put up in luxury hotels at your [taxpayers’] expense, while our great Veterans live on the freezing or steaming sidewalks right outside the main entrance.”
“How crazy has our country become?” asked Trump.
“And so, I say to the people of New York, with crime at record levels, with terrorists and criminals pouring in, and with inflation eating your hearts out, vote for Donald Trump, what the hell do you have to lose?”
“The Empire State will once again be the envy of the entire world,” Trump promised, adding that he is “driven” by “results” and “common sense.”
“Despite all of the persecution I’ve endured from the corrupt system in New York, I love the people of this state, and I want to give back to you,” Trump told attendees. “Together, we will rebuild our roads, bridges, highways, and airports. We will renovate the New York subway. The greatest city in the world will finally have the greatest transit system in the world.”
Trump also railed against cashless bail, the controversial set of laws passed by Albany Democrats and then-Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) in 2019, a problem that has affected some states who have chosen to enact the progressive criminal justice reforms but has hit New York the most prominently.
“We will deliver massive public safety funding to New York and other Democrat-run cities that are under siege, but in exchange, they will give our police back their protection and their respect,” said Trump.
Of note, Trump also took the liberty of using the Uniondale rally as the venue to announce his latest New York-centric promise: designating Ground Zero as a national monument.
“The hallowed ground and memories of those who perished will be preserved for all time,” said Trump. Such
recognition of the former site of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers would afford it guaranteed protections and maintenance from the federal government in perpetuity.
SALT Deductions
Trump also discussed another New York-centric campaign issue: SALT Deductions. State and Local Tax Deductions allow taxpayers to deduct certain state and local taxes that have already been paid from their federally taxable income. The purpose of SALT allows for taxpayers to avoid double taxation and give property owners in states with high state and local tax rates some room for relief. New York, especially Long Island, is no stranger to this, boasting some of the highest salaries and property taxes in the nation.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, championed by then-President Trump, reduced the cap to just $5,000 for married persons filing a separate return, and $10,000 for all other filers. The deduction cap is multiplied by the local tax rate of any given taxpayer, with the product being their federal deduction.
With the reduction in the SALT cap being unfriendly to Long Island, it did not receive support from thenCongressmen Lee Zeldin and Peter King (R-Seaford). However, Congressmen LaLota, D’Esposito, and Garbarino have spent their near-two years in Washington assembling a national coalition of U.S. House members whose constituents also recognize the importance of restoring the cap.
Trump pledged at his Nassau County rally that he will be working with Congress to increase the cap for federal deductions.
“I will cut taxes for families, small businesses, and workers, including restoring the SALT deduction, saving thousands of dollars for residents of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states who are facing high costs of living,” said Trump.
Campaign Promises
Trump railed against the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies on the border, inflation, talks of Democrats packing the Supreme Court, and their warm stances to the “defund the police” movement.
“She [Harris] wants mass amnesty and citizenship for all illegals, which means totally bankrupting Social Security and Medicare,” said Trump. He also added that under her watch as the “Border Czar,” Harris “lost 325,000 migrant children,” many of whom, he added, have been “trafficked, raped,” with “many” being “dead.”
“As California Attorney General, she [Harris] redefined [the charges of] child sex trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, and rape of an unconscious person,” said Trump. “She vowed repeatedly to ban fracking, she imposed a natural gas export band, she praised the idea of a tax rate between 70% and 80%, and her only idea for solving inflation is to impose communist-inspired price controls, which have never worked.”
Trump also lambasted Harris’ inability to connect rural America with broadband Internet, stating she was given $42 billion to implement the upgrades, but that three years later, “not a single home has been connected to broadband.”
“In the Midwest, they only built eight charging stations. They spent $9 billion to build eight charging stations,” said Trump, adding that he thinks electric vehicles are “incredible,” and that “some people want them,” but that others “don’t want the additional costs” or for vehicles to be manufactured overseas.
“I think I’ll take a pass on that one if you don’t mind,” Trump told supporters.
Trump closed the rally with reports that confirm actors for Iran hacked email accounts of the Trump campaign, with intentions of giving the information to the Harris campaign. Trump criticized the incumbent administration, the FBI, the Director of National
Intelligence, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for dropping the ball.
“They [Iran] gave them [Biden-Harris] all of the [hacked] materials because Biden is working with Iran and Iran doesn’t exactly like me,” said Trump, adding that the uncovered plot is “real election interference,” not the claims of Russia’s now-debunked cooperation with Trump to interfere in the 2016 election and the call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that resulted in Trump’s first impeachment in 2019.
Trump threatened higher tariffs on foreign imports to boost American production, staging the “largest deportation operation of criminals in American history,” and bringing the national economy back to what it was under his presidency. He also pledged no taxes on tips for service workers, no taxes on Social Security payments, and no taxes on overtime wages.
“You know why you deserve it [no taxes on Social Security]?” Trump asked seniors in attendance. “Because you live like hell with the highest inflation probably in the history of our country and you can’t make ends meet.”
Trump also promised a temporary cap on credit card interests around 10%, terminating the “Green New Scam” - a reference to the Democrats’ Green New Deal environmental proposals - paying down national debts, and creating “real infrastructure,” as opposed to “fake infrastructure” that has contributed to inflation.
Trump also promised to end the war in Ukraine - he gets along “very well” with both Putin and Zelenskyyand the “chaos” in the Middle East, stating that a “vote for Kamala Harris is a vote to obliterate Israel.”
“We will end the era of inflation, mayhem, and misery, under Kamala and Crooked Joe, and unleash safety, prosperity, and peace for Americans of every race, religion, color and creed,” said Trump. “Together we will deliver low taxes, low regulations, low energy costs, low interest rates, low inflation, so that everyone can afford groceries, a car and a home. Very simple.”
Trump closed with his signature parting words:
“On November 5, we will save our economy, rescue our middle class, reclaim our sovereignty, and restore our borders. We will put America first and we will take back our country, because together, we will make America powerful again, make America wealthy again, make America healthy again, make America strong again, make America proud again, make America safe again, make America free again, and we will make America great again!”
Trump departed after interacting with audience members from the stage, as a rendition of the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot set the mood as tens of thousands exited Nassau Coliseum.
Trump supporter from Farmingville in the nosebleeds of the Coliseum (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Lee Zeldin (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Executive Romaine (Credit - Matt Meduri)
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Home Rule in the United States
By Matt Meduri
Home rule, regarding the overarching concept, refers to how much authority a municipality or constituent part of a state has in terms of exercising government power. Home rule, as more of a policy position, is afforded to some states through their constitutions directly to municipalities and/or counties. We’ll explore what exactly home rule means and where the states’ laws differ from one another.
The Structure of Home Rule
Essentially, home rule affords local governments - usually at the county or town level or some other municipality - a certain level of autonomy to conduct business, run their government, and pass laws, but with certain strings attached. Depending on the state constitution, municipalities might have express provisions guaranteeing their autonomy, as long as their actions do not conflict with state and federal constitutions. Other states’ municipalities must obtain specific permission from the state government to make their own moves. Most states have a mix of these systems.
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.
There are four tenets of home rule authority that can be passed down to the municipalities from the states, at the states’ discretion.
Structural - This refers to the power to choose a form of government, a form of charter, and enact charter revisions. As it pertains to Suffolk County, for example, county-wide elected positions include the County Executive, District Attorney, Clerk, Comptroller, and Sheriff, while the Legislature represents all residents across eighteen districts. The County charter can also specify certain limits of services, such as the 1950s change that dissolved police departments of the five western towns and established the Suffolk County Police Department.
Functional - This refers to the power to exercise local autonomous government in varying scopes, depending on state regulations. This involves the exact parameters to which the local government will be able to function without approval from the state.
Fiscal - This refers to how a municipality determines revenue sources, sets tax rates, borrows funds from lenders, and other financial components of running a government.
Personnel - This refers to municipal employment rules, collective bargaining, compensation and wages, and employment conditions and requirements.
Dillon’s Rule
Dillon’s Rule is a term used to describe state governments’ power over local governments and theories within. It goes back to an 1868 case argued by John Forrest Dillon, one of the most influential historical figures who advocated for home rule at the discretion of the states.
“Municipal corporations owe their origin to, and derive their powers and rights wholly from, the legislature.It breathes into them the breath of life, without which they cannot exist. As it creates, so may it destroy. If it may destroy, it may abridge and control,” Dillon said in 1868.
Michigan Supreme Court Judge Thomas Cooley stated in an 1871 concurring opinion that “local government is a matter of absolute right; and the state cannot take it away.”
Dillon would later write that municipalities only have powers expressly granted to them by the state, a contrast to the provisions of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that powers not expressly granted to the federal government are given to the states. This principle would later become known as “Dillon’s Rule.”
Nine states are found to work solely on home rule provisions and not Dillon’s Rule, while twenty-two states utilize classical home rule and Dillon’s Rule provisions simultaneously, with New York being one of them. Such states apply Dillon’s Rule to matters not outlined in the state constitution or statute that grants home rule, meaning that any changes sought by a municipality not specified by the state must be brought before the state. Home rule applies to other matters specifically mentioned in the constitution or existing statutes.
Unique Examples
True to the concept of federalism, the states have their own ways of running themselves. Home rule is no exception and some states have methods of dealing with specific conflicts of local government autonomy.
In California, a city that has not adopted a charter is organized by state law, rather than local law. These are called “code cities” or “general law cities,” which are managed by fivemember councils. As of 2020, nearly a quarter of California’s 478 cities are charter cities,
meaning a significant portion acquiesces to state guidelines on certain aspects of leadership.
In Colorado, home rule was provided for municipalities in 1902. It was extended to the counties in 1970, but with more limitations than for the municipalities. All tax increases in Colorado must be voterapproved.
In Indiana, Dillon’s Rule only applies to townships, not counties or other municipalities.
In Kansas, Dillon’s Rule does not apply to cities or counties, but other smaller municipalities.
Michigan provides for home rule for only two of its eighty-three counties, Wayne and Macomb, home to the Detroit Metropolitan Area.
Texas allows cities to adopt home rule once their population exceeds 5,000 and once the voters adopt a city charter. Charter provisions cannot conflict with the Texas Constitution. If a recognized city falls below 5,000 population, the charter remains intact and can be amended. Otherwise, such cities are governed by general Texas laws only. School districts in Texas are usually governed by general laws, but may adopt their own home rule charters. Currently, no district has taken that option.
West Virginia abolished Dillon’s rule in 1969 and introduced a home rule pilot program in 2007 that became permanent in 2019.
Which States Hold Which Powers
The National League of Cities, a non-governmental advocacy organization that represents almost 20,000 American cities, identifies thirty-one states as “Dillon’s Rule” states, compared to ten that are home rule, eight that apply Dillon’s Rule to certain municipalities, and one state - Florida - that applies home rule to all aspects of municipal government except for taxation.
Nine states (shown in blue on the map) work on home rule provisions and not Dillon’s Rule: Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, and West Virginia.
South Carolina and Utah work with limited home rule provisions and do not include Dillon’s Rule.
As stated previously, twenty-two states (shown in red on the map) utilize a combination of home rule and Dillon’s Rule provisions, with New York being one of them.
Eight states (shown in green on the map) utilize Dillon’s Rule along with limited home rule provisions: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Nine states (shown in purple on the map) have no home rule provisions and rely on Dillon’s Rule for municipality/county autonomy: Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.
The purpose of the state outline is to show that political boundaries, especially in the current political climate, are largely, if entirely, removed from how the states hand down home rule provisions to their municipalities.
New York’s Home Rule
Article IX, Section 2 of the New York State Constitution outlines the powers and duties of the state legislature, home rule powers of local governments, and statutes of local governments.
Section 2, Subsection A stipulates that the State government shall provide for the creation and organization of local governments and the powers, rights, privileges, and immunities of the state constitution are afforded to the municipalities.
Section 2, Subsection B grants the state legislature power to enact, repeal, diminish, impair, and/or suspend laws over a local government, as enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor. The legislature also has the authority to act in relation to a municipality’s property, affairs, and/or government personnel only by general state law with a two-thirds vote in the legislative chamber in which the matter arises. The legislature also has the right to grant and withdraw powers to the municipalities not expressly relating to their property, affairs, and/or government personnel.
Section 2, Subsection C allows for municipalities to adopt and amend local laws not inconsistent with the state constitution or general laws, including structural, fiscal, functional, and personnel categories.
Around Town
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Lenny Bruno Farms Hosts Vibrant San Gennaro Festival in Manorville
By Cait Crudden
This past weekend, Lenny Bruno Farms in Manorville brought the community together in celebration of its San Gennaro Festival, offering a perfect blend of food, fun, and festivities for residents to enjoy. The well-attended event allowed visitors to experience the charm of farm life while indulging in delicious Italian cuisine, live music, and a wide array of activities for both children and adults.
At the heart of the festival was the mouthwatering spread of traditional Italian food. Attendees lined up for classic favorites like sausage and peppers, pasta dishes, and, of course, zeppole, a beloved Italian fried dough treat that was a huge hit. The smell of these delicious meals filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for families and friends to gather.
The musical backdrop added to the festive spirit, with live performances throughout the weekend, setting a lively tone for the event. The music invited attendees to dance, sing along, or simply enjoy the atmosphere as they strolled through the festival grounds, sampling food and exploring various vendor offerings.
In addition to the food, the festival featured a variety of local vendors selling handmade and artisanal products. Visitors were able to browse and purchase items like honey, imported balsamic vinegars, soaps, jewelry, and clothing, offering a little something for everyone. One vendor that stood out was a bakery selling prosciutto bread, a savory Italian favorite that drew in many customers eager for a taste.
The diverse vendor offerings made for a great shopping experience, with festival-goers able to support local businesses and bring home unique, high-quality products. The farm’s fresh produce stand, selling vegetables, jams,
and homemade pies, was another highlight, allowing visitors to take a piece of the farm experience home with them.
The festival was designed with families in mind, offering plenty of activities for children to enjoy. Playgrounds and open spaces allowed kids to run around freely and have fun in a safe, welcoming environment. Parents appreciated the spacious setting, which gave everyone room to relax and enjoy the day.
For the adults, the festival provided some exciting activities as well. Attendees could participate in axe throwing, an increasingly popular activity that had its own dedicated space in the far corner of the farm. Additionally, corn hole and bocce ball games were available for anyone looking for some friendly competition. These activities added an extra layer of entertainment for all ages, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The San Gennaro Festival at Lenny Bruno Farms was more than just an event, it was a celebration of community. Neighbors and friends gathered to enjoy the beautiful farm, share good food, and engage in wholesome fun together. The festival provided a perfect opportunity for residents to connect with one another while supporting local vendors and businesses.
With a very well-attended crowd and activities for all, the festival was a resounding success. As guests left the farm, many picked up fresh vegetables, jams, and homemade pies from the farm stand, taking home not just a product, but a memory of a delightful day spent at Lenny Bruno Farms.
Lenny Bruno Farms is located at 740 Wading River Road in Manorville.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Capturing Summer’s Herbs 16 Long Island Locavore
By Nancy Vallarella
Fall harvest season is here!
As we say goodbye to summer, there’s no need to leave behind the vibrant flavors it brought us. Fresh herbs are like a bouquet for your senses—an experience that lingers in every bite. Whether you’ve lovingly tended your own garden or want to savor store-bought herbs, these simple techniques will let you relive that summer magic all winter long.
Preserving the Flavors of Summer
Preserving herbs is easier than you think. You don’t need fancy gadgets or complicated steps—just a few simple techniques to lock in those aromas and flavors for months to come. By using fats like extra virgin olive oil or butter, layering with salt, freezing, or drying, you can capture that fresh essence effortlessly.
Herb Bark – A Genius Idea!
Gardener Matthew Ambrosio of North Babylon has an amazing tip to share—Herb Bark! He made this technique popular on Facebook, and it’s a must-try for any herb lover. Inspired by his partner Seth’s passion for cooking, Matthew uses herbs like rosemary, basil, and oregano to create these flavor-packed squares. No need for special trays—just a half sheet pan and parchment paper!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• 2 cups fresh herbs
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Blend ¾ cup olive oil with 2 cups of fresh herbs until combined. Add more oil until it forms a spreadable paste.
3. Spread the mixture on the pan to ¼ inch thickness and score into 2x2 inch squares.
4. Freeze until completely solid. Break apart into squares and store in a freezer bag.
Each square renders approximately 3 tablespoons of flavor-packed herbs!
Basil Pesto Bark
– Another Delicious Option INGREDIENTS:
• 3 cups of basil leaves, packed
• 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Blend 1 ½ cups olive oil, basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic until smooth. Fold in parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture on the pan, score into squares, and freeze.
4. Break apart and store in the freezer. Each square delivers approximately 3 tablespoons of rich, savory pesto!
Long Island Locavore was created by Nancy Vallarella. Managing farmer’s markets, creating recipes, and giving food demonstrations all contribute to bringing awareness to all things farmed, fished, foraged, and produced on Long Island! For more recipes, or to ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or contact her via email – lilocavore495@gmail.com
Matthew’s Expert Tips:
1. Harvest herbs before they flower for the best flavor.
2. Use single-source extra virgin olive oil for quality.
3. Make sure the blade of your blending device is submerged in oil before adding solids.
4. Defrost frozen herbs at room temperature to use on pizza, sandwiches, in tapenade, or hummus.
5. Drop frozen squares directly into soups, stocks, or pasta—they melt quickly!
6. These make the perfect homemade host gift!
Savor the Flavors of Summer, All Year Long!
Whether you’re adding a burst of flavor to your winter dishes or gifting some summer magic, will keep the essence of the season alive.
POSITIVE CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE CONCERNING PRESCRIPTIONS INCLUDE:
Cap on annual costs of prescriptions (2000 dollars)
35 dollar cap on insulin
Elimination of the “Donut Hole”
HOWEVER, THERE IS UNCERTAINTY ON OTHER AREAS OF MEDICARE HEALTH PLANS: Will premiums rise?
Will co-payments increase?
Are your prescriptions covered?
Theatre & the Arts
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Don’t Miss Engeman Theater’s
Wacky Whodunit ‘Clue’
Engeman Theater’s latest production, “Clue,” is a madcap show chockful of mayhem, murder, and madness. Inspired by the iconic Hasbro board game and based on Jonathan Lynn’s star-studded 1985 Paramount movie, Sandy Rustin’s well-crafted play adaptation features additional material by Eric Price and Hunter Foster.
Set in the terrifying blacklisting era of McCarthyism, this farcical murder mystery takes place (of course!) on a dark and stormy night. The plot is simple: six blackmailed people receive a threatening invite to a dinner party at the secluded Boddy Manor. When the host turns up dead, they all become suspects. This 90-minute, one-act slapstick-style whodunit calls for a top-notch ensemble with strong physical comedy skills
with a convoluted monologue summarizing the insanity that ensued.
Thursday Farrar delivered an awardworthy performance as Mrs. Peacock, the high-strung, closet-drinking senator’s wife.
Lauren Weinberg was captivating as Miss Scarlet, a high-class Washington, D.C. call girl. Christina Decicco, with her commanding stage presence, was believable as Mrs. White, a widow who may or may not have murdered a few of her husbands.
Ken King wowed the audience with his charismatic depiction of the handsy academic Professor Plum. Danny Rothman’s spot-on portrayal of the pompous, bumbling idiot Colonel Mustard garnered some of the biggest laughs of the evening. A versatile actor, Patrick Harvey delivered
and boundless energy. The phenomenal cast in this rock-solid production did not disappoint!
Kyle Dixon’s innovative and visually stunning set, filled with secret chambers, augmented the dizzying onstage antics. The audience roared with laughter as the frantic suspects raced at the speed of light through the Hall, Kitchen, Ballroom, Billiard Room, Library, Study, Lounge, Conservatory, and Dining Room. The murder weapons we all know from the board game: a revolver, lead pipe, wrench, candlestick, dagger, and rope play a prominent role in the show.
Michael Keyloun aced the role of Wadsworth, the traditionally proper British butler. Toward the end of Act II, in a nod to one of Neil Simon’s comedic writing techniques, Keyloun delighted the audience
an award-worthy performance as Mr. Green, the anxious and timid klutz with tricks up his sleeve.
An audience favorite was Arianne Davidow as Yvette, the sexy French maid. Cody Gerszewski, Jeremy McClelland, and Suzanne Mason doubled up to portray several diverse roles, including a cook, cops, Mr. Boddy, a Singing Telegram Girl, and a motorist. These talented actors delivered standout performances throughout! The swings are Ashley Margaret Morton and Dustin Harris Smith.
Under Marc Tuminelli’s skillful direction, the entire ensemble delivered killer performances. The behind-the-scenes magic, John Burkland’s awe-inspiring lighting design, Dustin Cross’s colorful ‘50s costumes, and Laura Shubert’s artful sound design brought this beloved board game to life.
Filled with hijinks, histrionics, and humor, culminating with one hell of a wacky ending, you don’t want to miss this stellar production! “Clue” runs through October 27, 2024. Purchase tickets by calling 631-261-2900, going online at www.engemantheater.com, or visiting the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street in Northport.
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.
Democrats Cannot Win in a Fraud-Free Election
By Matt Kane | AMAC
Kamala Harris and the Democrats cannot win the 2024 election fairly. While mainstream networks focus on Trump’s alleged negatives, they pale in comparison to those of the Harris-Biden administration. The neocon faction of the Republican Party has claimed this election will be a referendum on Trump. However, the real referendum will be on the Harris-Biden administration and the Democrat party as a whole.
There have been a noteworthy number of “referendum” elections throughout history, where a nominee’s fate was determined by their, or their party’s, poor handling of a significant crisis. In fact, there has been one almost every decade since the 1960s.
The most important issue in the 1968 election was the highly unpopular Vietnam War, which coincided with a period of immense civil unrest following the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. As a result, President Lyndon B. Johnson, suspecting a voter backlash, became the first president to not seek reelection since 1928. Instead, his Vice President Hubert Humphrey was chosen as the Democrat nominee. But he could not overcome the public’s dissatisfaction and was defeated largely due to Johnson’s handling of those issues.
Richard Nixon was the beneficiary of the Johnson referendum. But just a few years later, it was he who prompted another. Despite the country voting in a landslide for him in 1972, Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal only two years later. Voters expressed their disgust by voting out Nixon’s VP and Republican nominee Gerald Ford in the 1976 election, with historians citing Ford’s pardon of Nixon as a key reason for his election loss.
President Carter kept with recent tradition by allowing crises to determine his electoral fate. Carter’s presidency was marred by two historically awful issues: Inflation and the Iranian hostage crisis that began exactly one year before the 1980 election. As a result, voters arrived at the ballot box with empty wallets and immense anger over Americans being trapped abroad, causing the electoral map in 1980 to revert almost identically to what it was just eight years prior during Nixon’s 1972 landslide.
President George H.W. Bush was able to ride the coattails of the popular Reagan years to a comfortable Electoral College victory in 1988. But he would go on to preside over a recession and a major unemployment problem. These issues even prompted the emergence of a third-party candidate businessman named Ross Perot to run for the presidency, which undoubtedly aided in Bush’s defeat to Bill Clinton, in addition to the already dissatisfied sentiment regarding the economy amongst voters.
By 2008, it was another Bush whose reign led to a blowout election. George W. Bush’s high approval rating following the September 11th attacks had vanished by 2008, as he, like his father, presided over a recession. This culminated in a stock market crash on September 29th, 2008, just weeks before the election. His decision-making regarding the Middle East had also grown increasingly unpopular. Unsurprisingly, his party’s nominee, John McCain, was defeated in an Electoral College landslide.
Each of these presidents and nominees bore the stain of one or two very important crises in the lead-up to the election. These elections, resulting in relatively noncompetitive defeats, prove that a single major crisis is often all it takes to lose power—spelling catastrophic news for the Harris-Biden administration, which has presided over five.
The seemingly biggest issue of concern right now is the border crisis. Immediately upon taking office, the Harris-Biden administration halted border wall construction. They then ended Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico,”
which required asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their immigration cases were being processed. They have also severely handicapped Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ability to curtail illegal migration. This has resulted in a massive influx of illegal aliens who have wreaked havoc on American society by flooding its cities and committing serious crimes, including murders. Further, Kamala Harris’s appointment as border czar has created a rare situation in which a Vice President is seen as more responsible for a crisis than the President, making this failure uniquely attributed to her. If immigration is the number one issue, the economy is 1B. Jimmy Carter has always been known as the inflation president, but HarrisBiden has actually managed it worse. Carter took office with inflation at 5.2% and saw it eventually rise to a high of 14.8%, an 184% increase.
Overview - AMAC -
The Association of Mature American Citizens
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
Harris-Biden took office with inflation at just 1.4% and saw it increase to 9.1%, which is a 550% increase. Carter inherited an inflation problem and made it worse, while Harris-Biden created one. Further, the average monthly mortgage payment has nearly doubled from $1,746 to $3,322, while the median household income has fallen during that time, crushing the American dream of homeownership for countless Americans during the HarrisBiden reign.
Harris-Biden has further emptied Americans’ pockets by waging war on the American energy sector. Their obsession with electric energy replacing “climate change-causing” sources of energy has been devastating. The administration restricted oil
WORD OF THE Week
Origin: early 17th century: from Latin nascent‘being born’, from the verb nasci.
Synonyms: budding, fledgling, inchoate
Antonyms: shrinking, mature, grown
Source: Oxford Languages
NASCENT
adjective
Pronounced: nay·snt
Definition: (especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
Example: “The sleepy town became a hub for the nascent technology industry.”
SUDOKU
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
September 26, 1969: Apple Records releases The Beatles 11th studio album “Abbey Road”, their final recordings as a quartet; tops the charts in 11 countries
September 28, 1959: Steve Hytner, American actor known for his role as Kenny Bania on Seinfeld, born on Long Island E M B A H R G
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
October 1, 1918: Combined Arab and British forces under T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) captures Damascus from the Turks during World War I
October 2, 1947: New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra hits the first pinch-hit home run in Baseball World Series history off Ralph Branca in the 7th inning of a 9-8 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 3
September 29, 2008: Dow Jones Industrial Average falls 777.68 points, its largest single-day point loss, following the bankruptcies of Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual
September 27, 1908: Henry Ford’s first Ford Model T automobile leaves the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan
September 30, 1946: Twenty-two Nazi leaders, including Joachim von Ribbentrop and Hermann Goering, are found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to death or prison at the Nuremberg war trials
A Fall Shark Sighting on the South Shore
By PJ Balzer
All summer long, there have been shark sightings on Long Island. From Montauk to the Hamptons and out to Lido Beach in Long Beach, many lifeguards have used their whistles to warn beach goers that there is potential danger in the water.
Sharks can be dangerous and are extremely predatory. They circle their prey and often strike suddenly. They are especially fearless in territory and a water depth that they are familiar with.
Similar to sharks, the Colonials of William Floyd are fearless predators, familiar with every inch of the football field and their opponents.
For decades now, the Suffolk County division one varsity football championship has run through Mastic Beach, a small beachfront community nestled into the far south shore surrounded by water, both bays, and the ocean.
Under the leadership of Paul Longo, inducted into the Suffolk County Hall of Fame in 2022 as the “most winning” football coach in Suffolk County history, the football program at William Floyd is one of the island’s and state’s best. Football doesn’t begin in Junior High School there; it begins at age six or seven with thriving youth football leagues. This program grows players right at home rather than looking to transfer talent in. They grow small sharks that eventually turn into bigger sharks that end up dominating the fields of Suffolk County.
Since taking over this program thirty years ago after coaching hockey at Sachem, Longo has cultivated a football dynasty at Floyd. Football is not only a thread that runs thru the community, but also a tool that has redirected many young men away from trouble. Rather than floundering around idly without purpose or discipline, Coach Longo offers young men the opposite: year-round training, commitment, discipline, brotherhood, and a bond formed with coaches and classmates on the football field.
After winning the Suffolk County Large School Championship late last fall, yet losing to a sound Massapequa team in the Long Island Championship, the Colonials are back in the water hunting out prey with a vengeance and with absolutely everything to prove. Even though they graduated a few seasoned running backs last year, there is always another one ready for his chance with the football.
In the first two games of the season, Ja’Quan Thomas has taken that chance and ran with it, literally. Standing 6’2 and weighing 225 pounds, Thomas has been striking fear into the hearts of defenders since youth football. He’s known as a kid that’s impossible to tackle and will punish you for trying. He’s fast, extremely strong, and sees the entire field very well. He can shift directions at the stop of a dime and open the football field up for unexpectedly long runs. It also usually takes four or five string defensive players to tackle him. In the first two games of
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this season, Ja’Quan has rushed for over 300 yards and five touchdowns.
A.J. Cannet, the Colonials senior quarterback, is another shark for sure. He’s a danger to other teams both when he’s throwing and scrambling under pressure. He has the added triple threat of Geo Alvarez, Kris Watkins, and Joshua Jordan to fly down the field and into the end zones. All three are extremely athletic, light on their feet, and usually know what’s going to happen next on the field. Kris Watkins (#3 in photo above), who’s dad Kai Watkins was one of the best athletes to ever grace the halls of Longwood High School, is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the football. He works hard, lifts hard, and puts a thousand percent into his task on the field. Expect to see this shark both celebrating in the end zone as receiver and laying hits for the highlight films at cornerback.
The trio have added to Floyd’s arsenal with multiple
interceptions and fumble recoveries in the past two games. Along with Neo Dawson, Floyd’s defensive back, we are expecting to see a lot of defensive excitement and interceptions with plenty of added yards and “pick six’s” this fall. Along with other defensive sharks are Aaron Fisher, Derek Amato, David Gonzalez, and Jake Rivera.
These players are hungry for the football and will devour whoever stands in their way of getting it. Floyd’s defensive is young compared to past seasons, but nonetheless fierce and determined.
With a late-game win in week one over a tough Longwood rivalry and a convincing win this past Saturday over Lindenhurst, the Colonials will face Commack this Saturday at 1:30p.m. in Commack, followed up by another away game at Sachem East on October 5 at 6:00p.m.
Come out and see some good fall football!
Democrats Cannot Win in a Fraud-Free Election
and gas leasing which harmed domestic energy production, and signed executive orders aimed at ensuring half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 are electric. This attack has resulted in all 50 states setting record highs in gas prices during their tenure, as the average cost of gas has been over three dollars per gallon nationally for nearly 1,400 days now.
Foreign affairs are another factor causing Americans unease. Even partisans acknowledge the increasingly hostile state of global affairs under Harris-Biden compared to Trump. Cries that Trump would trigger a nuclear war with North Korea were unwarranted as he instead brokered world peace before handing the keys to Harris-Biden, who have added salt to this wound by throwing endless amounts of money at foreign problems while allowing anyone (including those from countries where terror is ensuing), to illegally to cross the border unvetted. This exponentially increases the potential for similar terror as we are seeing abroad to reach the United States.
The final crisis is the weaponization of government. Under Harris-Biden, Americans are seeing unprecedented weaponization. Jack Smith was appointed special counsel in the classified documents and January 6th indictments of President Trump, both widely viewed to be politically motivated as Smith was directly appointed by Biden’s Attorney General, Merrick Garland. Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis met directly with the HarrisBiden administration shortly before prosecuting Trump for election interference. In the New York-based hush-money case, Matthew Colangelo, who previously targeted Trump during his time in the New York AG’s office, recently left the Harris-Biden/Garland DoJ and joined Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s team that is targeting Trump. Beyond targeting the preferred candidate of millions of Americans, which has resulted in numerous assassination attempts on Trump’s life, Biden’s FBI has also targeted traditional Catholics,
labeling them as potential violent extremists, in addition to Biden’s White House encouraging major social media platforms to violate the First Amendment by removing posts they disagreed with.
When push comes to shove, voters vote for what is best for their health, safety, and finances over rhetoric or personality. This means only a high-level voter fraud operation will allow this agenda to continue. As flavor-ofthe-month narratives about what will sway voters flood mainstream networks between now and November 5th, recognize that any time a president or party has been widely viewed as responsible for significant crises, they are voted out of power. There are numerous instances of this occurring without any exceptions. Since Americans overwhelmingly view the Harris-Biden administration as the culprit in all these major crises, they cannot win legitimately.
22 Community Spotlight
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Willow and Bloom Celebrates One-Year Anniversary in Wading River
By Cait Crudden
This past weekend, Willow and Bloom, a boutique nestled in the heart of Wading River, celebrated its one-year anniversary with a warm gathering of local patrons, friends, and community members. Owned and operated by Chrissy Pirnak, the shop has quickly become a beloved destination for those seeking live plants, home décor, and a sense of serenity. What began as Chrissy’s passion during the isolation of COVID-19 has now blossomed into a thriving business that reflects her deep connection to both nature and her community.
Like many, Chrissy found herself searching for joy and meaning during the difficult days of the pandemic. Confined by quarantine and longing for life’s simple pleasures, she found solace in tending to plants, discovering the calm and beauty they brought into her home and life. That passion ultimately grew into Willow and Bloom, her first entrepreneurial venture, which she opened on September 22, 2023. Willow and Bloom has evolved into the little shop we know today over a handful of years. With a background of home decorating and wedding planning, Chrissy really wanted a space where people could walk in and feel transformed into an old-world indoor forest. Being a mom of two beautiful children has and will always be her top priority, but there was a point where she felt she needed to do something for herself that brought her happiness. She recognized she wouldn’t be the present parent her family needs if she was completely depleted and unhappy.
“I have always been very into house plants and gardening, as well as nature and animals,” shared Chrissy. “I started doing pop-ups at some local stores that are owned by very good friends of mine and when I got the call last summer that space opened up at the duck ponds, Jamie, my husband and local firefighter, really pushed me to take that leap of faith.”
The boutique offers a curated selection of live plants, ranging from easy-to-care-for succulents and air plants to elegant houseplants, as well as a variety of unique home décor items. From knick-knacks to handmade goods, each item is thoughtfully chosen, reflecting Chrissy’s aesthetic and vision for creating warm, inviting spaces.
Chrissy, a vocal advocate for autism awareness and a devoted mother of a special needs child, has woven her personal story into the fabric of her business. Through her shop and in her personal life, she continues to support local initiatives and raise awareness within the community.
“Being a special needs mom since Benjamin was a year-and-a-half old when he got his diagnosis has really been a top priority for me and I realized that it is okay to also take that and do things that I love,” said Chrissy.
One of the unique aspects of Willow and Bloom is its collaboration with other local entrepreneurs. Chrissy has built meaningful partnerships with businesses that share her commitment to quality and creativity. She looks forward to collaborating with more small businesses in the future. Among these businesses are handmade items by her father’s small business, R.E.N. Design Company, run by Samantha and Jason Nagorski, who provide custom woodwork, crafts, and centerpieces that add a rustic charm to the store. Another is Luna Grace Boutique, owned by Kacie Meredino, which offers crystals and psychic readings. The synergy of these collaborations has allowed Willow and Bloom to stand out, offering customers not just products but experiences and connections.
In addition to retail, Chrissy has introduced monthly plant subscriptions of accessories in the store for enthusiasts who want to expand their greenery and home décor collection over time. The shop also hosts workshops, bringing the community together for creative sessions where customers can learn about plant care or create their own plant-based crafts.
This one-year milestone held special meaning for Chrissy. Willow and Bloom opened its doors on September 22, the same date her family’s business tragically burned down many years ago. For Chrissy, the anniversary is not just a celebration of her entrepreneurial success but a moment of personal triumph, a testament to resilience and new beginnings.
With the strong support of her family and the community, Chrissy has made her dream a reality. The boutique’s first year has been a testament to her passion, determination, and commitment to creating a space where people can find both beauty and peace.
As Chrissy reflected on the past year, she expressed her gratitude. She remarked, “The duck pond area in Wading River is comprised of wonderful small businesses and everybody really supports one another. I can’t imagine being in another space for the start of Willow and Bloom and the journey this store has taken us on this far”.
She is looking forward to Wading River’s Annual “Witching Hours” this Friday night from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. and again on October 27 where people can shop and there are even some goodies for the kids. It is amazing to see how the vibe has elevated and how much fuller the shop has gotten over the past year. The celebration at Willow and Bloom not only marked a successful year in business but also a meaningful moment of joy and full-circle growth for Chrissy and her supporters.
Willow and Bloom is located at 6 Sound Road in Wading River.
Newfield Cheerleading in Full Formation at Citi Field
By Ashley Pavlakis
The sport of cheerleading began in the late 1800s, originally starting as people shouting chants. The sport we know today is more organized and displays a wealth of athleticism. The predominantly female sport is highly competitive, with competitions nationwide for teams to show off their routines.
The Newfield Wolverines High School Varsity Cheer team was invited to the New York Mets game Saturday afternoon versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets hosted their annual fan appreciation and Cheer & Dance Day amid a tight National League race to the MLB playoffs.
The up-and-coming squad is led by head coach Larissa Damato-Schwartz and volunteer coach Sara Kennedy. First-year coach Damato-Schwartz, a former longtime cheerleader, had plenty of praise for her team and staff.
“This is my first year [coaching] and I actually love it. These kids are so willing to learn, they’re so dedicated, they want to do well, they just need the opportunity and encouragement to be like ‘you can do this’,” Damato-Schwartz told The Messenger.
Not only did the Wolverines get to watch the home team secure a ‘W’, but they also got to have their own on-the-field experience.
“This year we got invited for Cheer & Dance Day, where we performed on the field with a bunch of other teams. It was such a great experience, the way that they got to see the field and they were on the big screen. The Mets dancers put something together, they sent it to us prior and my kids learned it. So, all these teams performed it on the field together, it was very cool”
Cheerleading is almost a full year-round sport and takes a lot of time and
practice to do well. Newfield cheer isn’t quite on the map just yet, but they’re putting in the work to get there.
“This is our second year [at Newfield] doing what’s called a ‘game day competition’. It’s more to get the crowd hyped up and get the sidelines excited. Once winter season comes, we do something called a ‘traditional” where it’s a dance, a cheer, a dance, and then you throw up the stunts. Hopefully in February we’ll get a chance to go to nationals down in Disney,” said DamatoSchwartz.
High school sports are different for everyone based on how much effort they put into it. The experience is all about what you make it. For the Wolverines, the Citi Field experience was a first for some.
“I think it’s really cool that this is the second year in a row we had a foreign exchange student. We have one this year from Germany. The Mets game was her first-ever American sports game, it was very exciting for her. It’s cool to see these foreign exchange students coming from a different country where they don’t have extracurricular activities like that in Europe. They focus mostly on education,” said Damato-Schwartz.
Newfield Cheer went gold for September as they sported gold laces on their shoes in support of the Danielle Conte Foundation. The Long Island-based nonprofit organization helps families with children undergoing cancer treatments. The Wolverines were honored to be the only team to represent the cause this September.
“We [Newfield] are in the process of putting a name out there for ourselves, that’s what I’m really trying for,” said Damato-Schwartz.
WFHS Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student
William Floyd High School senior Nia Alicea was recently named a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program! The honor is bestowed upon just 34,000 students throughout the nation for their academic excellence.
Nia received this honor based on her outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMQST) taken during her junior year of high school. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 PSAT/NMQST.
William Floyd High School principal Phillip Scotto presented Nia with a “Letter of Commendation” from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program.
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “NMSC students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Nia is a member of the William Floyd High School Acabellas performance group and plans on majoring in education in college.
Congratulations, Nia!
