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Thursday, June 4, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 27 ~ $1.00
By Matt Meduri Decades of work to clean up Lake Ronkonkoma and restore it to its former glory hit a crucial turning point this week, as the County and community gained a formal “Lake Keeper” whose sole responsibility it will be to focus on the ecology and hydrology of Long Island’s largest freshwater lake. The Lake geographically borders the towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip, which all lay claim to certain shores of the Lake, as does the County, creating a multi-layered system that has complicated aspects of its remediation over the years. Moreover, the Lake represents the upper glacial layer of the County’s aquifer, meaning it’s a gateway to the sole-source drinking water supply for the region. Kevin Lazzaro, (inset picture) the aforementioned Lake Keeper, interacted with concerned citizens and members of the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board (LRAB) at the Suffolk County Legislature building in Hauppauge last Thursday. Continued on page 5
Lake Ronkonkoma from Larry’s Landing on the Brookhaven side. (Inset) Kevin Lazzaro, the new Lake Keeper, in Hauppauge.
LaLota Delivers Miller PlaceSound Beach Drainage Funds By Matt Meduri The hilly North Shore of Brookhaven typically sees floods and drainage issues in periods of heavy rain, but it’s nothing compared to what officials and long-time residents have seen in recent years. Those unprecedented issues came to a head almost two years ago, when Hurricane Ernesto dumped nearly a foot of water on the Miller PlaceSound Beach area overnight, causing dramatic landslides that buried cars and presented new challenges to the already topographically-dicey area. In March, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) opined to the House Appropriations Committee that funds were badly needed for upgraded stormwater infrastructure. Continued on page 15
A storm drain at the end of Woodhull Landing Road in Miller Place. (Inset) Congressman LaLota. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
FULL STORIES ON:
SBU Breaks Ground on Pediatric E.R. Page 4
Murray’s Message: Bad Albany Bills Page 10
Democrats Debate For NY -01 Page 13
Credit - Matt Meduri
Meet the ‘Lake Keeper’