Brookhaven Messenger Archive May 1, 2025

Ducks Take the Field in 25th Anniversary Home Opener Game

By Matt Meduri

Long Island’s very own baseball team, the Long Island Ducks, took to the diamond last Saturday for their home opening game of their twenty-five anniversary season.

The week prior, members of the organization and the team spoke of what has led them to see such a milestone.

“We’ve been consistent,” said Atlantic League of Professional Baseball CEO and Ducks founder Frank Boulton last week at Fan Day. “We’ve had great fans throughout the twenty-five years here on Long Island. But I don’t think that just happens. That happens because the entire organization works all year long. We don’t just put the ‘baseball today’ sign out. It happens because we’re here 365 days, working to make sure that we fulfill our mission of affordable family entertainment.”

Indeed, almost 5,400 fans lined the seats, concessions, and the Waddle-In Shop, while the venerable QuackerJack got to entertaining fans and rooting for the flock for the twenty-fifth year in a row.

Continued on page 27

Port Jeff Girls’ Lacrosse Hits Two

Port Jefferson Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Team

QuackerJack gets the crowd riled up (Credit - Matt Meduri)

PUBLISHER

Madison

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

By Ashley Pavlakis

Brookhaven Matters 3

Port Jefferson Girls Lacrosse Celebrates Two Milestones in 2025

The Port Jefferson varsity girls’ lacrosse team is back and working their way back up the standings. The Royals got an early start to celebrating milestones this season as two of their players notched honorable feats.

The Royals are members of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in DIV II. The varsity program was established in 2015. They’re led by 5th-year head coach Macayla Raupp and assistant coach Logan Hoffman. They’re off to a slower start, having a losing record of 3-7-0.

High school athletic milestones always call for celebrations as they are some of the best moments of one’s young adult life. The Royals have two milestones to celebrate this season as Anna Matva notched her 100th career goal and Emma Batter recorded her 600th career save.

Senior goaltender, Emma Batter recorded her 600th career save in their matchup versus Center Moriches, 11 saves brought her to the feat. Batter is a multisport athlete, participating in basketball and volleyball for the Royals when she’s not mining the net. Batter has committed to Mercy College and will compete for the Mavericks at the Division II level.

Senior midfielder/attacker, Anna Matvya scored her 100th career goal in their matchup versus Southampton.

One goal? Nice.

Three goals and four assists? Amazing!

Matvya scored a hat-trick in the team’s 16-1 win. A seven- point game was certainly one for the record books. Matvya is a dual sport athlete, playing point guard for the basketball team in addition to being a team captain.

The Royals are working their way to find balance on the scoresheet. Currently, their record is a bit lopsided in terms of scoring. Of their three wins, they outscored their opponents 38 to 14. On the other hand, they’ve also been subjected to the onslaught of goals, giving up 107 goals in their seven losses.

As stated previously, lacrosse is unique. It’s one of the sports that is typically on the higher-scoring side of things. It’s not uncommon to see double-digit scoring, but one can hope they’re just able to score more goals than the other team.

Lacrosse differs in various ways between the girls and boys games. For starters, the girls stick is made with a shallow pocket, so cradling the ball is much harder. Girls lacrosse is much less physical than the boys and they rely more on strategy and skill to get the job done. One advantage on the girls’ side is that they get 12 players on the field rather than 10, giving them more options to get the ball to the net.

With six games left to go in the regular season, the Port Jefferson Royals are putting in the work to get back on the winning side of the standings. They’ll have to face six league opponents in West Babylon, Hampton Bays, John Glenn, Comsewogue, Hauppauge, and Eastport-South Manor, all of which sit on the bottom half of the DIV II standings. This stretch will be important for the Royals as they look to gain some ground in the standings.

Brookhaven’s First-Time Buyer Event Tells It Straight

By Raheem Soto

There was a time when buying a home was not a mystery, wrapped in red tape and buried under paperwork. But today, the path to homeownership seems more like a maze, especially for first-time buyers in Suffolk County. That is why on May 8, the Town of Brookhaven will host a free seminar at the Heritage Center in Mt. Sinai to help residents cut through the confusion.

Presented by Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) in partnership with the Long Island Housing Partnership and the Long Island Board of REALTORS®, the “Becoming a FirstTime Homebuyer” seminar aims to do what the government should do more often—inform without insulting and assist without micromanaging.

This event promises to deliver what most housing programs cannot: clarity. Experts will speak on key issues such as credit scores, mortgage options, and how to build a team of professionals who will not waste your time—or your money. They will also explore down payment assistance programs, which are often buried under layers of fine print and bureaucratic jargon.

In an era when housing costs are rising faster than wages, the dream of owning a home is slipping out of reach for many working families. Yet, the response from many in government is to create new programs before they fix the old ones. What Brookhaven is doing here is different. Instead of promising to solve every problem, they offer tools and

information. That is a welcome shift.

It is easy to see why events like this matter. According to recent studies, the majority of new homebuyers enter the market with very little financial education. Many do not know how their credit score affects their mortgage rate—or that applying for too many loans can harm that score in the first place. Few know that there are federal, state, and local resources that can help with down payments. Fewer still understand how to vet a real estate agent or mortgage broker.

But here is the real question: Why is basic financial knowledge something people must seek out at special events? Why isn’t this taught in high school, or at least made standard for any loan applicant? The answer is simple—too many policies are built around systems, not people. That is how you end up with millions in housing aid sitting unused while families are priced out of the market.

Brookhaven’s seminar may not fix that system, but it is a step in the right direction. It treats residents as capable adults who need good information—not as statistics in a funding proposal. And that, in itself, is rare.

Residents are encouraged to RSVP through Legislator Lennon’s office to attend. The event will be held from 6:00p.m. to 8:30p.m. on May 8 at 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road.

In the end, knowledge is the best down payment you can make. And in Brookhaven, it is being offered free of charge.

County

Comptroller Kennedy Urges Feds to Select Brookhaven Lab for AI Data Center

By Cait Crudden

Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) has formally written to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advocate for Brookhaven National Laboratory as a premier site for the Department’s proposed new AI data center infrastructure. In a letter addressed to the Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R-CO), Kennedy outlined a compelling case for why Brookhaven should be chosen in response to the DOE’s recently published Request for Information (RFI) on April 7, 2025.

Kennedy’s letter highlights the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across professional, scientific, and consumer sectors and underscores the importance of strategic planning as the DOE seeks to identify appropriate locations for this critical infrastructure.

“As AI continues to revolutionize industries and redefine how we interact with technology, it’s crucial that we invest in the right environments to foster growth, security, and innovation,” Kennedy said. “Brookhaven National Laboratory, with its expansive facilities, proven track record of scientific excellence, and strong academic partnerships, is uniquely positioned to host this infrastructure. Our willingness to implement AI solutions would be a recurring benefit to taxpayers and utilized at every level of government.”

Kennedy emphasized several key strengths that make Brookhaven stand out among the 16 sites under DOE consideration.

‘Size and Space’: Brookhaven’s 5,000-acre campus offers ample space for the anticipated 90-acre footprint required for the AI data center, while ensuring sufficient distance from residential areas to mitigate potential community disruptions.

‘Scientific Collaboration’: Brookhaven maintains a long-standing partnership with Stony Brook University, a nationally recognized research institution. Their joint initiatives, including the Joint Photon Sciences Institute (JPSI) and the LiSIE Program through the Center for Biotechnology, reflect a deep commitment to innovation and scientific advancement.

‘State Investment in AI’: Kennedy noted the recent $1.4 million investment by New York State to establish a new Department of Technology, AI, and Society at Stony Brook University. This is part of a broader $5 million statewide investment to boost AI-focused education and research programs at SUNY institutions.

CreditMatt Meduri

According to Kennedy, this investment strengthens the region’s credentials as a future hub for AI development.

“The synergy between Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University is an exceptional advantage that few other sites can offer.

Suffolk County has the ability to bring in talented professionals from all over,” Kennedy stated. “The region’s commitment to advancing AI technologies is not just theoretical; it’s already happening, and this investment is only the beginning.”

Kennedy’s letter also framed the selection of Brookhaven as a strategic decision aligned with the broader goals of the DOE’s AI initiative, including fostering public-private-academic partnerships, promoting cutting-edge research, and building sustainable energy solutions to support data center operations.

“The innovation ecosystem already thriving here in Suffolk County, combined with our community’s support for scientific endeavors, makes Brookhaven an optimal site for this groundbreaking project,” Kennedy added.

Brookhaven National Laboratory has a rich history of advancing scientific knowledge, including major contributions to physics, energy research, and environmental science. Hosting a national AI data center would represent a natural next step in the laboratory’s continued leadership at the forefront of technological advancement.

Kennedy closed his letter by offering the DOE any additional information needed and extended his full support for bringing the project to Suffolk County. He also made himself available for further discussions, signaling the County’s readiness to assist in the process.

The DOE’s initiative to identify sites for AI infrastructure reflects the growing recognition that dedicated, sustainable, and secure facilities are necessary to power the next wave of AI technologies, which will likely shape the nation’s economy, security, and technological leadership for decades to come.

As the DOE reviews proposals and submissions from across the nation, Suffolk County residents and officials will be watching closely, hopeful that Brookhaven’s strengths will be recognized and that Suffolk will soon become home to a cornerstone of America’s AI future.

Suffolk County Sports Betting Faces New State-Level Scrutiny

By Raheem Soto

Sports betting in Suffolk County remains subject to evolving regulation as New York State lawmakers consider tighter restrictions on the industry. While no county-specific legislation has been introduced, developments at the state level are likely to shape the future of sports wagering within Suffolk County’s borders.

Suffolk County’s sports betting operations, such as those conducted through Jake’s 58 Hotel and Casino and the Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (SROTB), operate under New York State law. The high statewide tax rate of 51% on mobile sports betting revenue has remained a limiting factor for expansion efforts. Discussions among county officials in 2024 focused on the possibility of creating a geofenced sportsbook facility, which would allow Suffolk County to capture a share of revenues generated by local users. No formal agreements or legislation have yet been finalized.

At the state level, Assembly Bill A.7962, introduced by Assemblyman Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn), proposes several changes to regulating sports betting across New York. The bill seeks to address concerns about the accessibility and marketing of sports wagering. Among its key provisions are a $5,000 daily limit on individual wagers, a ban on using credit cards for mobile betting deposits, and new restrictions on advertising practices. Under the bill, promotions such as odds boosts and bonuses would be prohibited, and advertising would be limited to a window between 10:00p.m. and 8:00a.m., with restrictions on ads aired during live sporting events.

These measures would apply statewide, including to Suffolk County operations, if passed. Any local initiatives to expand sports betting would need to comply

with the new state standards.

The Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, which manages gaming activities in the county, would also be subject to the updated rules. SROTB’s activities are currently governed by state gaming laws and regulations issued by the New York State Gaming Commission.

The proposed changes come amid broader concerns about the social and economic impacts of legalized sports betting. According to the FBI, financial losses due to cybercrimes, which include online gambling scams, totaled approximately $16.6 billion nationally in 2024, reflecting a 33% increase over the prior year. Although these figures do not separate losses related to sports betting, the growth of mobile and online wagering platforms has drawn additional scrutiny from regulators.

The absence of county-specific legislation means Suffolk County must continue to monitor state developments closely. Any changes enacted at the state level will require local compliance without additional local ordinances unless the county chooses to pursue its supplementary regulations.

Residents and stakeholders in Suffolk County interested in the future of sports betting are encouraged to follow the progress of Assembly Bill A.7962. If adopted, the legislation would introduce new operational guidelines, affect revenue models, and likely require updates to local business practices in sports betting operations.

Suffolk County’s approach remains tied to state-level decisions, with no independent bill pending before the Suffolk County Legislature.

By Cait Crudden

HHS Secretary Kennedy Announces Nationwide Ban on Artificial Food Dyes

In a landmark move to improve the health and transparency of America’s food supply, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (I-CA) announced that the federal government will ban eight commonly used artificial food dyes. The sweeping measure aims to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic chemicals found in dozens of popular foods and beverages by the end of 2026.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Secretary Kennedy said the decision was driven by growing concerns over the health effects of artificial dyes, particularly in children.

“Americans don’t know what they’re eating,” Kennedy said, emphasizing the need for a cleaner and safer food system.

Under the new directive, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin phasing out two synthetic dyes, Red No. 2 and Orange B, within the next several months. The remaining six dyes, including FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, and Green No. 3, will be banned from food products by the end of 2026.

Artificial dyes are widely used in snacks, candies, cereals, and beverages to make them more visually appealing. Products like M&M’s, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and Skittles have long relied on these additives. But critics argue that their only real function is to increase product marketability, often at the expense of public health.

“For the last 50 years, American children have been increasingly living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Although Makary acknowledged that banning food dyes is “not a silver bullet,” he called the move “one important step” toward improving children’s overall health outcomes.

Scientific studies have increasingly linked synthetic dyes to behavioral problems in children, including hyperactivity and attention issues, and some animal studies have suggested connections to cancer and other diseases. While not all children are affected, the growing body of evidence has fueled calls for stricter regulation.

To help food manufacturers transition away from synthetic additives, the FDA announced plans to authorize four new natural color additives in the coming weeks. These alternatives are intended to make the reformulation process faster and more efficient, allowing companies to meet the new standards without sacrificing product quality or visual appeal.

Nutrition experts have applauded the move, noting that many companies already use natural colorants in other countries. For example, Kellogg’s uses carrot and watermelon juice to color Froot Loops cereal in Canada, while continuing to use synthetic dyes in the United States.

The push to eliminate synthetic food dyes has been gaining momentum at the state level as well. West Virginia banned synthetic dyes and preservatives last month, and similar legislation has been introduced in several other states.

Kennedy’s announcement delivers on a campaign promise he made last year while stumping alongside former President Donald Trump (R-FL), pledging to crack down on ultra-processed foods and artificial additives if confirmed as HHS Secretary. Looking ahead, Kennedy also committed to further reviewing and regulating other potentially harmful food additives, particularly in meals served in schools.

With the nationwide ban now underway, health advocates hope the U.S. will finally catch up to countries like Britain and members of the European Union, where many synthetic dyes have long been restricted or require warning labels.

Grading the First 100 Days of Trump 2.0

The first 100 days of a presidential administration are often seen as the most significant, often in terms of turnover, policy direction, and the evolution of the political parties, not just as they’re guided by the rank-and-file voter, but how party politics permeates governance on Capitol Hill.

The first 100 days are also generally seen as a harbinger of what the next four years will look like under the new president. From doubling down or reneging on campaign promises to confidence on the international stage, the first 100 days can imply a lot.

However, we opine that the first 100 days of any administration of any party should be taken not just with a grain of salt, but the entire saltshaker. Not only do substantive policies often take time to take effect, especially if negotiations, international affairs, and broader economics have anything to say - as they often do - but President Donald Trump (R-FL) is embarking upon perhaps the most ambitious agenda the country has seen in quite a while, love him or hate him.

In fact, we argue that Trump is attempting to govern as a Republican president of the Gilded Age, namely in terms of economic overhaul through tariffs, hemispheric concentrations of power, and a “Trump Doctrine” that fits on the shelf with those of other presidents, such as James Monroe or Harry Truman (D-MO). It’s also no coincidence Trump promised a “Golden Age” for the U.S. in his inaugural speech.

Gilded Age Republican presidents include Rutherford B. Hayes (R-OH), William McKinley (R-OH), and Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY). Not only were the times as unprecedented and rapidly changing as they are now - which is out of Trump’s or any individual’s control - but the hallmarks of their presidencies included tough economic policies, balances between imperialism and isolationism - to varying degrees - and, perhaps most importantly, populist appeal.

Grading recent presidents in general is difficult, as the only force more powerful than the inability to see how their decisions affect the rest of history is recency bias in the minds of voters and historians alike.

So, with that in mind, we’ll take an objective look at his first 100 days (round two) and how things look at the current moment.

Where Trump Has Succeeded

If analysts and poll respondents have one thing in common, it’s that they give Trump high marks on his immigration policy.

U.S. border crossings are at a record low. In March 2025, Customs and Border Patrol reported that they only faced slightly more than 7,000 encounters at the southwest border between points of entry. The statistic marks a significant decrease from the Biden Administration, from which illegal crossings have dropped 95% from 2024 and 96% from 2023.

Despite much panicking that every single illegal immigrant would get deported, the news cycle couldn’t match the hype. While there were some instances of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) performing some more high-brow detainments, what many expected would be a blizzard of PR nightmares really only amounted to a flurry. And despite some errors, which are inevitable and we hope the Trump Administration can scrutinize more, he has absolutely delivered on his promise to secure the border.

We’ll even go as far as to say deporting students on visas who have engaged in or even organized protests at American colleges was an overall good move. The act of protest wasn’t under scrutiny, rather the fact that these groups have been impeding Jewish students from attending their campuses and being outright adversarial.

An American citizen who impedes anyone’s daily life due to a protest should be held criminally liable, anything from preventing students from entering a college building, or blocking a highway. It’s retroactive, bombastic, and, frankly, irritating to anyone who might have thought of supporting the cause.

It’s more when a foreign national is complicit in these acts. The U.S. should absolutely be a place where protests can occur and where foreign students can come here for education and perhaps a life with better opportunities all around.

But engaging in clear discrimination and intimidation tactics counters the point of the protest, and foreign nationals thinking the U.S. is their stage to voice their opinions about a country with whose politics and culture they may or may not be entirely familiar is a bridge too far for us. Of course, come to the U.S. and even protest if you want, but getting in the way of Americans - or even other immigrants - should negate your ability to study and live here while not a citizen. It’s a simple courtesy of understanding that you’re in someone else’s home. It would be odd to go to someone’s house for dinner, dislike what’s being served, and then prevent anyone from getting into the kitchen.

If that was our house, we’d simply show them the door.

Trump’s energy policies are also a step in the right direction. It wasn’t that long ago that the U.S. saw energy independence under Trump for the first time in nearly seventy-five years, and we can’t find a single argument against energy independence with which we would agree. It’s imperative for the immediate and helps us subsidize alternative energy

development and research.

Trump’s war on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices are obviously a touchy subject. It’s somewhat brilliant propaganda, wherein no one can possibly be against something with such a palatable concept at face value. Go against it and be labeled a racist or a bigot.

We’ve seen the executive orders, and the rolling back of these policies is simply not tantamount to a cleaning house of minorities, women, or other protected classes that could be comparable to the federal integration - or lack thereof - policies of Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ), perhaps the most vehement and unapologetic racists to have ever occupied the White House.

Certainly, the vast majority of people are not against the concepts and intentions of DEI at face value, but when it becomes abused to nebulously scapegoat half of the country and allows for more cost run-ups, it’s not about virtue, it’s about narrative. Meritocracy was one of the best policies ushered in by President Hayes when he took office in 1877, and while the “spoils system” still exists in some fashion - no president, even Trump, is insulated from this - it was a massive upheaval at the time.

Hiring, firing, and evaluating employees should be done on merit, and we can find an argument for trying to recruit from more under-privileged areas, but it’s gone too far the other direction. Even Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D, TX-30) has publicly stated, and rather proudly at that, that she lobbied for her job as a public defender simply because she was black.

This is the opposite of what a classical DEI model should look like. And while we don’t liken Crockett to the rank-and-file members of protected classes looking for work, it’s not a good precedent, nor is it one we think would have faded away on its own had these policies remained on the books. Good on Trump for turning the page on these policies as they existed.

While Trump, like in his first term, has pledged no new wars, some military intervention is necessary, as it is for any president of any party. The bombing on the Houthi rebels of Yemen not only crushes a militant group of the Persian Gulf, but frees up necessary trade routes for the U.S. and the region.

However, the Houthi movement is largely considered to be backed by Iran, so we’ll have to wait and see if these actions cause tensions to mount in the Middle East.

While Elon Musk is a controversial character, the core mission of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an admirable one, with several other presidents, including Bill Clinton (D-AR) and Barack Obama (D-IL) pledging similar efforts upon their inaugurations. It’s not a new concept, but Trump is taking it to new heights. While we’ll probably have to truly wait and see just how much DOGE was able to save, we applaud the mission, and even if DOGE doesn’t come up with the savings Trump and Musk have expected, we’ll take what we can get.

We would caution, however, Trump and Musk to do this movement justice. Government efficiency is a great concept and goal. They need to ensure it’s worth the angst it’s caused everyone, lest the righteous mission be forever politically toxic.

Initiatives on reforming health and wellness by auditing our food system is an incredibly laudable effort that will likely take some time to take effect, but Trump, more through his HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (I-CA) is getting a massive ball rolling.

The tariff problem is the biggest on everyone’s minds. This subject belongs in our three categories: success, disappointment, and TBD. In the good vein of tariffs, we applaud his efforts to correct our relationships with countries who view us merely as an ATM. We also understand the downsides of free trade gone awry, as it has decimated many countries’ abilities to be self-sustaining. It’s a slight dismantling of a globalist vision that we support.

Where Trump Disappoints

Two words: Stop. Trolling.

We get it; Trump likes to rile people up, especially the media, just to get reactions and make people melt down. The overall goal seems to be toying with ideas that cause people to brand him as a Nazi or an imperialist, only for those claims to never amount to anything, making his detractors seem like sycophants.

And while one could argue it’s effective in the immediate, it doesn’t do anything to help the country heal, one of the core tenets of his inaugural promises. All it does is make people more ambivalent towards him, his policies, and his supporters, jams the airwaves of accurate information, and creates more divides down to the local level.

Trump won his second term after losing in 2020, and he won it in a much more resounding fashion than most people had expected - we’ll take this obligatory moment to mention our dead-on forecast of the presidential results in our October 31, 2024, edition. He got the final word, he won. Now is the time for him to publicly practice modesty and just simply do what many, many people elected him for. The same goes for Elon Musk, who seems to be enjoying his time as a Washington big shot and “owning the libs” more

Budget Agreement Includes Serious Fiscal Missteps That Will Undermine NY’s Ability to Weather Federal Funding Cuts

By Nathan Gusdorf | Fiscal Policy Institute

Earlier this evening, Governor Hochul (D) announced that an agreement has been reached on major aspects of State budget negotiations. While the final budget increases spending by $2 billion over the Governor’s initial proposal in January, including increased funding for childcare, it also commits to serious fiscal missteps—namely billions of dollars in permanent and unnecessary revenue losses that will undermine the State’s ability to weather anticipated federal funding cuts. As Congressional Republicans deliberate on how to slash trillions of dollars in social spending, the State must focus on maximizing its revenue and protecting investments in essential services and infrastructure.

FPI has previously criticized the two most fiscally significant prongs of the Governor’s agenda: a permanent income tax cut and a one-time “inflation refund” check, in each case for households making up to about $300,000 per year. The income tax cut will cost $1 billion per year with over a third of the total benefit going to households in the top twenty percent of earners, and the inflation refund will now cost about $2 billion (down from a previous proposal to spend $3 billion on the program). These initiatives are spread too thin to affect real cost burdens for working families, and they will compound federal funding cuts by costing the State $3 billion in the next year that could

be used to backfill federal cuts. Further, it appears that the budget will allow a previously-planned corporate tax cut to take effect in 2026, leading to another $1 billion of annual revenue losses.

Perhaps the most important fiscal issue in this budget is financing the MTA capital plan, which the budget will partly cut down, and partly fund by increasing a payroll tax on downstate businesses. As payroll taxes are generally passed on to workers, FPI has previously recommended MTA funding options that would require larger contributions from highly profitable corporations and the top earners and fully fund the capital plan; it is regrettable that this budget will instead choose to burden workers and shrink the plan.

Finally, there is no apparent resolution of the State’s insolvent unemployment insurance trust fund, which has been underfunded for decades, causing unemployed New Yorkers to lose out on $9 billion of benefits since 2019. Fixing the State’s unemployment insurance system may be the single most important way that the State can prepare for an increasingly likely recession. Legislators will soon regret missing the opportunity to raise benefits for workers and modernize the tax structure.

Nathan Gusdorf serves as the Director for the Fiscal Policy Institute.

Statement from Leader Barclay on Assembly Passing The ‘Medical Aid in Dying Act’

By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Assembly Democrats today passed a bill to allow suicide-by-doctor in New York, taking a dangerous step that carries irreparable consequences. By inserting its authority into one of the most important aspects of human life—the decision to end it—they have crossed a line it has no business approaching.

The role of health care is to preserve life and provide the utmost comfort to those facing terminal illnesses and end of life. This legislation is severely flawed, not only in principle, but in lacking appropriate safeguards and requirements necessary to prevent abuse and misapplication. New Yorkers deserve holistic care, not legislation that treats death as a clinical option.

History has shown that once such policies are enacted, they are often expanded

well beyond their original scope and nearly impossible to walk back. Instead of normalizing physician-assisted death, supporters of this bill should direct their efforts to better investments in palliative care and mental health services. I hope that today’s passage in the Assembly is the last time we see this bill, and that neither the Senate nor the governor’s office take steps to make it law. We do not honor a person by hastening their death, but by affirming the value of life, even in its final chapter.”

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.

Bill Maher Proves Conservatives Right About Those Who Stopped Working

By Steve Levy | Long Island Life and Politics

Comedian Bill Maher, the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO and CNN, had an interesting monologue at the end of his show last week.

He criticized Trump’s efforts to beef up manufacturing in America because he claims American workers will not take factory jobs. Maher went further to astutely note that there are an alarming 7 million American men who have just stopped working and are no longer looking for work. They are not the traditionally unemployed. They’ve just decided that they’re going to get by on family handouts and whatever public assistance they can dig up.

Conservatives have long discussed this dangerous trend in our nation where people have just stopped working.

So, Maher concludes that we therefore can’t bring manufacturing back to America unless we continue to allow illegal immigrants to come into the country and make up our workforce.

Maher is unintentionally making a clear distinction between how liberals and conservatives deal with this issue.

Liberals created the problem by building up a welfare state and telling these young people that they can stay home and collect Social Security Disability, Medicaid and welfare benefits without having to go to work. The Obama and Biden administrations eviscerated Bill Clinton’s successful workfare policies. They then lament that we don’t have enough Americans in the workforce.

Conservatives, on the other hand, say it is ridiculous that we’ve allowed dependency to grow to such an extent that 7 million men are now sitting home playing video games and eating potato chips from 9:00 to 5:00.

The conservative approach is not to import more illegal aliens to do these

jobs at low wages. That’s what liberal Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D, TX30) believes should be done. She doesn’t want African Americans doing these jobs anymore because, she said, “We’re done picking cotton.”

She was suggesting that it’s totally fine to import Hispanics to come in and do this dirty work. It’s perfectly fine to her that they are the new exploited class.

Conservatives, however, have a different approach. Stop illegal immigration. Bring back manufacturing jobs and then tell the 7 million people sitting on their asses eating chips that the party is over. We have a job for you and, if you don’t want it, we are going to cut off the gravy train. No more welfare, no more Medicaid, no more handouts if you’re not willing to work for it. Just like Bill Clinton (D-AR) said three decades ago.

So, thanks, Bill Maher, for getting across to your audience how horrible indeed it is that so many able-bodied American men, especially of the new generation, have just stopped working. But thanks also for inadvertently proving that liberals are the cause of this rot and laziness, and conservatives have the right approach in forcing them to get off their duffs if they want to get a check.

Steve Levy is President of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He served as Suffolk County Executive, as a NYS Assemblyman, 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 editorial originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.

Letters to the Editor

Response to Guest Essay –Long Island is Battleground For Cannabis Policy, Newsday

, April 29, 2025

Dear Editor,

I feel compelled to respond to the recent Newsday guest essay advocating for cannabis retail expansion across Long Island. The authors, who stand to profit from such expansion, characterize legitimate community concerns as “misconceptions” while providing little substantive evidence beyond promised tax revenue.

Concerns about increased crime, youth access, and declining property values are not misconceptions—they are facts that communities across the country have experienced following cannabis legalization. The lingering smell and air quality issues associated with cannabis use or pot smoking create blight, in once-pristine neighborhoods. These realities cannot be dismissed in the rush toward misguided commercialization.

The claim that Nassau County residents are “forced to rely on the illicit market” is disingenuous. Cannabis delivery services advertise openly on television, bringing products directly to consumers’ doors. The suggestion that residents lack access shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the current landscape.

While proponents tout tax revenue for infrastructure and education, they conveniently omit that significant portions of this revenue are increasingly directed toward substance abuse treatment programs to address growing needs stemming from expanded cannabis access. This is hardly the economic windfall portrayed in their essay.

I applaud Nassau County for its bold and steadfast decision to continue resisting cannabis expansion into their communities. Their leadership demonstrates that local governance—home rule—remains the cornerstone of Long Island’s identity and success.

The authors suggest it’s “time for Long Island to come together” and embrace cannabis retail for job creation. However, these positions are not the intellectually stimulating, high-paying jobs our communities need— they are jobs designed to help “make people high.” We should instead focus on attracting industries that strengthen our economic foundation through meaningful careers.

The Town of Islip is not interested in becoming a “pillar of economic growth” or “leader in the cannabis industry” on the backs of our children and their future. There are so many fields like life sciences, technology, healthcare, and more to aspire to be leaders in—industries that enhance rather than compromise our communities’ character.

Each town across Long Island possesses a unique identity shaped by the residents who chose these areas for specific reasons. This diversity of community character is what makes Long Island truly special, and it must be steadfastly protected through thoughtful, locally driven decision making that reflects the values of those who call each community home.

I call on all local municipalities to continue protecting the quality of life that makes Long Island an ideal place to live, work, and raise families, and one of which we can all share good old-fashioned hometown pride.

Islip Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter West Islip

No Time to Spare for Our Nation’s Health

Dear Editor,

I would like to respond to your This Week Today National News page 9 about HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. that appeared in last week’s April 24 issue.

I am not satisfied with the pace his new healthy initiatives are rolling out. People die from unhealthy eating habits every day. My own father died from multiple cancers throughout his entire body in January 2021. Unfortunately, after a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits, through no fault of his own, he liked the foods before he found out they were bad for him.

I am therefore disheartened that his plans for making America healthy again are taking so long. Mr. Kennedy knew in August 2024 when he endorsed President Trump that he would be rewarded with any cabinet position his heart desired. Trump rightly assumed Kennedy would choose HHS, which he did. The hearings for Kennedy’s nomination brought a lot of disturbing past comments to light. And the esteemed The Wall Street Journal highlighted Bill Cassidy in particular on their Opinion page for his pushback on Mr. Kennedy’s past autism

and vaccine statements that were controversial and contested by the wider scientific community. Having admitted during those hearings that his own children were vaccinated and did not have autism, I thought this issue was now moot. So apparently did Cassidy when he voted to approve his nomination.

Another issue I would like to raise is the food coloring dyes. I welcome them being removed from products that the American people consume daily like elderly people who use like stool softeners for instance. My father had colon cancer and if one rat in one lab got cancer from a dye, no human’s intestinal lining should be in contact with that dye. I am by no means a scientist; I am just a normal human trying to use common sense to stay healthy and alive. Towards that effort, I bought the New York Times bestseller Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means. I have been following the healthy diet foods guidelines and am happy to report that since January I have myself lost 18 pounds. I have not been able to fit into my favorite pair of jeans since before COVID whenI am sure I am not the only one - I sat home and ate and ate and ate.

In conclusion, I would really appreciate the HHS secretary getting more done in less time. Government efficiency, anyone? Bueller?

Jamie Hanja Lake Grove

Editorial

Continued from page 6

than he does making government more efficient. Time will tell with the DOGE question, we suppose. If Trump really is intent on governing like a Gilded Age president, he should take a page out of Teddy Roosevelt’s book: “walk softly and carry a big stick.”

In the disappointing sections of tariffs, we hope Trump ceases the seemingly back-and-forth nature of the deals. We understand hard-ball negotiations, and maybe that element is in play here, but it’s certainly rocking the boat much more than some would like. Moreover, we think China took its time during COVID-19 and the Biden Administration to recover from Trump’s successful policies against them in his first term.

We think Trump might be in for a bit more than he expected here. The tariffs are overall a TBD, and while some countries have already committed to a collective $5 trillion investment in the U.S., this is perhaps the biggest “big picture” Trump will have on his plate this term. Reshaping the U.S. economy effectively means reshaping the world economy. It could be a total economic disaster that will lead to Republicans losing big-time in 2026, or it could be widely transformational.

TBD

The Russia-Ukraine War is also a point of contention where Trump’s strides are not perfectly clear at the moment. We also think Vladimir Putin is intentionally slow-walking this to make Trump seem ineffective, something he decisively was not during his first term’s foreign policy.

The Ukraine problem is an unsolvable one, and unfortunately, the best solution might be one where no one wins. But we’d fault Trump for presiding over a deal in which Russia keeps its captured territory. George W. Bush (R-TX) and Obama both kicked the cans with Russia during their presidencies, Chechnya, Georgia, and Crimea, specifically. Allowing Russia to

keep its territory tells Putin that the U.S. isn’t really serious about inhibiting a despot, just temporary solutions to quell the conflict immediately.

But then again, how much of these foreign disputes should be a concern of the U.S.? Trump risks political fallout by turning his back on vulnerable nations for the gain of U.S. detente and isolationism.

Israel-Gaza has proven to be one of the world’s most unsolvable problems. While talks initially consisted of removing the people from Gaza to develop it, we haven’t seen or heard much since the winter. If Trump is, however, serious about that, he would rightly earn terrible marks for such a terrible policy. On top of trying to develop on the most historic and ancient sites of the world, it reeks of U.S. interventionism that most Americans, right and left, overwhelmingly detest. Israel-Gaza would be our new Afghanistan, which would run in the face of Trump’s “no new wars” distinction.

Once again, tariffs. We applaud his mission and agree with the principles, but this is truly a wait-andsee scenario. Tariffs can be beneficial when levied appropriately. If other countries can’t foot the bill for the services we provide, then the trading partners might have to get creative with solutions. Again, Trump can ruin the economy - and his presidency - or usher in a “Golden Age” with these ideas.

The

Big Picture

Trump is presiding over an unenviable time for anyone to lead. Diligence, modesty, and a dose of Theodore Roosevelt is what he should look to embody going forward. Any “short-term pain for long-term gain” will need to be actualized by June 2026 not only for his and his party’s political fortune, but also for the fortune of the American people. They might be okay with waiting in the wings for now, but if nothing changes in two years, it will be very difficult to convince them to wait even longer.

National, State, and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

As President Donald Trump (R-FL) completes his first 100 days in office (for a second time) on April 30, a victory might be on the horizon amidst his all-out trade war that has rocked the boat to unprecedented levels and sent investors panicking.

Trump’s plan for reciprocal tariffs is predicated upon the position that other countries use the U.S. as an ATM, rather than an ally and reliable partner. But the lion’s share of Trump’s chagrin is aimed at China, against whom he waged a trade war during his first term to attempt to topple the Far East’s stranglehold on manufacturing and products that keep the world moving.

While the vast majority of his reciprocal tariff proposals were paused for ninety days, he has not let up on China, with the two countries trading barbs via reciprocal tariffs that have ballooned to 125% on goods.

However, on Tuesday, China waived a 125% tariff on ethane imports from the U.S., according to Reuters.

in the wilderness, desperate for political direction.

A CNN poll conducted in March found the Democratic Party’s favorability rating at just 29%, a twenty-point drop since the end of Trump’s first term in 2021. The same poll found that the Republican Party’s favorability rating is somewhat higher at 36%.

China had placed the tariff on U.S.-made ethane, a key component of natural gas that is used as a fuel source, refrigerant, and feedstock for other chemicals, in response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” proclamation last month that released a blizzard of new tariffs. Not only is Trump attempting to reshape the American economy fundamentally, but he’s invested in a set of policies, economic and otherwise, that hearken back to those of the presidents of the Gilded Age.

Satellite Chemical, SP Chemicals, Sinopec, Sanjian Fine Chemical, and Wanhua Chemical Group are some of the prominent Chinese companies that rely on U.S. ethane, while primary U.S. exporters of the chemical are Enterprise Products Partners and Energy Transfer.

I think that over time we will see that the Chinese tariffs are unsustainable for China,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R-SC) (pictured below right) at a White House Press Briefing. “I’ve seen some very large numbers over the past few days that show if these numbers stay on, the Chinese could lose 10 million jobs very quickly, and even if there is a drop in the tariffs that they could lose 5 million jobs.”

Bessent also classifies the U.S. as the “deficit country” in this particular trading relationship, in that China sells “almost five times more goods” to the U.S. than the U.S. sells to them.

“The onus will be on them [China] to take off these tariffs; they’re unsustainable for them,” said Bessent.

China also recently granted exemptions for pharmaceuticals, microchips, and aircraft engines, while also working to identify levy-free goods.

Bessent also spoke optimistically of Vice President J.D. Vance’s (R-OH) trip to India and the possible trade deal reached between Vance and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While about 80% of Republicans and right-leaning Independents view their party favorably, the same cannot be said for Democrats, of whom 63% view their party favorably. This statistic marks another sharp decline from 81% at the start of former President Joe Biden’s (D-DE) term.

Observers from both sides of the aisle seem to agree that the numbers are less to do with a tectonic shift towards Trump and his agenda and more to do with a public fallout from the platform of the Democratic Party.

But Democrats seem intent on replaying a strategy from Trump’s first term: impeachment.

Congressman Shri Thanedar (D, MI-13) (pictured above left) has introduced seven articles of impeachment against Trump just before his one hundredth day in office. The charges include Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Executive Power, Usurpation of Appropriations Power, Abuse of Trade Powers and International Aggression, Violation of First Amendment Rights, Creation of an Unlawful Office, Bribery and Corruption, and Tyrannical Overreach.

The Michigan Democrat, elected in 2022, presents one of the most firebrand impeachment attempts of Trump. In 2019, Trump notably became the first president to be impeached since Bill Clinton (D-AR) in 1998, and in 2021, Trump became the first president to ever be impeached twice. The first case stemmed from his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with allegations that Trump tried coerce the Ukrainian government to investigate then-former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE). His second impeachment revolved around the January 6 Capitol Insurrection.

Meanwhile, pollsters are grappling with the newfound political preferences of the U.S. While Democrats and Trump critics are quick to point to his troubling polling numbers, there is currently a dearth of data that shows the Party of Jackson remains in good standing with the American people.

A Gallup poll conducted from April 1 to 14 surveyed 1,006 adults across the country. The poll, with a margin of error of +/- four points, finds that confidence in the Democrats’ congressional leadership has plummeted to a historic low of 25%.

The latest findings mark a negative trend for the party, who bottomed out a historic low of 34% confidence in 2023.

On the other hand, confidence in Republican congressional leadership is on the upswing, with 39% of respondents replying in the affirmative, up for 36% last year.

The fourteen-point gap leaves the Republicans in a highstakes bet that Trump’s policies, namely his economic ones, will pan out, while it simultaneously leaves the Democrats stranded

disputes as they arise. Susan Lerner, Executive Director for Common Cause/New York, is calling on Cuomo to disclose his clients and say how he would recuse himself should he find himself victorious in November.

Should Cuomo be elected, he would preside over a multibillion dollar budget that includes lucrative contracts and regulatory abilities. The concern is that Cuomo would be able to interact with prior customers or partners who have paid him well for his services. In 2024, Cuomo reportedly raked in more than $500,000 from Innovation Strategies, LLC. Disclosure forms delivered to the New York City Council reveal that the LLC is headquartered at his Manhattan apartment and Cuomo is its only employee.

The consulting firm was formed in April 2022, eight months after Cuomo resigned amid a flurry of sexual harassment allegations and the mounting scrutiny of the COVID-19 nursing home policies.

In addition to the handsome paycheck from his oneman-band, Cuomo has also received $55,000 from his State pension last year, along with $155,000 and $310,000 in interest and dividends. Additionally, his investments bring his total earnings between $1.4 million and $3.5 million.

His book deal regarding his memoir of governing during the pandemic netted him $5.1 million, although how much of that revenue Cuomo retained himself is unknown.

Moreover, the baseline charges for any presidential impeachment have been Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Power. More material articles were not brought against Trump in his first impeachment.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY08) has reportedly not read the articles.

Congressman Al Green (D, TX-09, who was famously removed from Trump’s Address to the Nation and subsequently censured, has said he is planning impeachment articles as well. Green also threatened impeachment against Trump before Trump was inaugurated as president in 2017.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D, MN-05) has privately floated the idea of impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R-TN), National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (R-FL), and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI) over “Signalgate”, a massive error of the administration that included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg in a government group chat regarding a military operation in Yemen.

State

Former Governor and New York City mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo (D) has pledged to recuse himself from his legal consulting business if elected mayor to stem potential conflicts of interests. However, Cuomo will not disclose his clients now, opting rather to handle

The disclosures are handled and released by the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board. Cuomo’s move differs from Mayoral Democratic Primary contender Scott Stringer (D), who served as New York City Comptroller from 2014 to 2021. Stringer released a list of lobbying and consulting clients to Politico before entering the primary.

Local

As summer nears, the season for boating and water recreation kicks into high gear. However, safety is paramount, especially on the water. To usher in the season, Assemblyman Jarett Gandolof (R-Sayville) and Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) will be hosting a boating safety class this Sunday at the Blue Point Fire Department. The event will allow local boaters to obtain required safety certifications in time for the summer season. The United States Coast Guard will be on hand to provide instruction.

“As the summer boating season approaches, it’s important that everyone who heads out on the water is properly trained and prepared. Safety must always come first, not just for ourselves, but for everyone who shares Long Island’s waterways,” said Gandolfo, who represents a string of South Shore communities from East Patchogue to West Bay Shore, including the Islip and Brookhaven portions of Fire Island. “I’m proud to partner with Legislator Thorne to help make sure our residents have the knowledge and certification they need for a safe and enjoyable season,” said Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (pictured below left)

“I encourage boaters to gain the mandatory safety certifications for the benefit of their own boating pleasure and for the safety of others on the beautiful waters surrounding Long Island,” said Thorne, who represents communities situated on the Great South Bay from Blue Point to Bellport, as well as parts of Fire Island. “Boating weather is fast approaching and safety is paramount.”

The seminar is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, with remarks beginning at 8:45a.m. and the boating safety class running from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. It will be held at the Blue Point Fire Department, 205 Blue Point Avenue, Blue Point.

A modest registration fee of $85 is required. More information can be obtained by calling 516-216-4410 or by emailing questions@safeboatingamerica. com

LaLota Backs SAVE Act to Bolster Election Integrity and Prevent Voter Fraud

By Cait Crudden

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) voted this week to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation designed to reinforce voter identification requirements and protect the integrity of federal elections. A co-sponsor of the bill, LaLota hailed its passage as a meaningful step toward securing the electoral process while maintaining access for eligible voters.

The SAVE Act, which passed the House on a largely party-line vote, aims to close existing gaps in federal law by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill also provides state election officials with access to federal databases, enabling them to cross-reference records and ensure noncitizens are not mistakenly added to voter rolls.

LaLota, who previously served as Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, emphasized the importance of balancing election security with voter access. He framed the legislation as a commonsense measure that responds to widespread public support for voter ID requirements and addresses lingering concerns about potential vulnerabilities in the system.

“As a former Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, I deeply respect the dual importance of ballot access and election integrity,” said LaLota. “I remain committed to making it easier to vote and harder to cheat. The SAVE Act, which passed the House today with my support, includes a commonsense voter ID requirement backed by over 80% of Americans—including strong majorities of Republicans, independents, and even Democrats. This measure helps prevent fraud and strengthens public confidence in our elections.”

Supporters of the bill, including LaLota, point to polling that shows broad bipartisan support for voter ID laws. Surveys consistently show that over 80% of Americans favor some form of identification requirement to vote, with strong majorities across the political spectrum—including Republicans, independents, and a significant portion of Democrats.

The SAVE Act does not change voting rights for U.S. citizens, nor does it impose new documentation requirements for individuals already registered to vote. Rather, it focuses on new registrations and seeks to ensure that individuals who sign up to vote in federal elections can provide verifiable proof of citizenship. Acceptable documents

under the law include U.S. passports, birth certificates, naturalization papers, or other legally recognized forms of proof.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions aimed at safeguarding access for overseas military personnel, married individuals who may have changed names, and citizens in remote areas who may have challenges obtaining paperwork. Lawmakers included specific language to prevent the disenfranchisement of these groups while maintaining the core focus on preventing voter fraud.

For LaLota, the SAVE Act represents not just a policy stance but also a continuation of his long-standing commitment to election integrity. During his time with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, he oversaw the administration of local and federal elections and gained firsthand insight into how systems are managed, audited, and challenged.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it faces a more uncertain future given Democratic opposition and a closely divided chamber. Opponents argue the bill may disproportionately impact lower-income or minority voters, despite its safeguards. Supporters counter that citizenship documentation is already required for many

federal services, and that verifying eligibility is a basic and necessary step in protecting the democratic process.

If enacted, the SAVE Act would mark one of the most significant federal changes to voter registration requirements in over a decade. Proponents believe it could help rebuild public trust in election outcomes, especially in the wake of recent national debates over mail-in voting, registration rolls, and electoral oversight. LaLota and his fellow co-sponsors remain firm in their belief that strengthening election integrity should be a nonpartisan priority.

The bill passed the House in a narrow 220-208 vote, with four Republicans and one Democrat not voting. All Republicans voted in favor, with the help of four Democrats: Ed Case (D, HI-01), Henry Cuellar (D, TX28), Jared Golden (D, ME-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03). The latter three are members of the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition, with Perez serving as cochair.

As the national debate over election security continues, the SAVE Act has brought renewed focus to the balance between access and accountability; a conversation likely to continue well into the 2026 election cycle.

George Santos Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison

By Raheem Soto

When voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District elected George Santos (R-Queens) in November 2022, few anticipated that less than three years later, he would be standing before a federal judge and sentenced to over seven years in prison.

On April 25, 2025, Santos received an 87-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false statements to the Federal Election Commission. He was also ordered to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $205,000 obtained through fraud.

The investigation into Santos’ activities began shortly after his election when reports revealed significant discrepancies in his resume. Claims of degrees from Baruch College and New York University and alleged employment at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup proved false. Further inquiries uncovered financial misconduct involving campaign contributions and the misuse of donor funds for personal expenses.

According to federal prosecutors, Santos diverted political donations to purchase luxury goods, cosmetic treatments, and personal services. He also engaged in identity theft, using the names and personal information of family members and donors to further his schemes.

In December 2023, the House of Representatives voted to expel Santos, with a bipartisan majority supporting his removal. It was only the sixth expulsion in Congress’s history, and it took place before a criminal conviction, signaling the extent of misconduct uncovered by investigators.

Judge Joanna Seybert, who presided over the case in the Eastern District of New York, emphasized the seriousness of Santos’ actions during sentencing. Prosecutors noted that even after the indictment, Santos used his public platform to criticize the judicial process and to profit from his notoriety through a podcast and other media appearances.

The political consequences of Santos’ actions were immediate. In a February 2024 special election, Democrat Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) filled his vacant seat, weakening the Republican hold on key suburban districts in New York. It also marked a return for Suozzi, arguably Nassau County’s greatest political titan, as he forewent re-election in 2022 in a failed bid for the gubernatorial Democratic Primary.

At a time when control of the House was closely contested, the loss of Santos’ seat carried broader national implications.

Beyond campaign finance violations, court records revealed that Santos also committed unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, collecting benefits while drawing income elsewhere. The scope of his criminal activity extended well beyond embellishing a personal biography.

Santos’ case has prompted renewed calls for stronger background checks for political candidates and greater enforcement of campaign finance laws. Yet it also serves as a reminder that legal consequences can reach those who attempt to deceive the public regardless of party affiliation.

Under the terms of the sentence, Santos must surrender by July 25, 2025, to begin his prison term. He will be subject to three years of supervised probation after his release.

Political scandals are not new, but George Santos’ case illustrates how basic facts—if ignored long enough—can eventually overtake even the most carefully crafted images. In the end, voters were misled about a candidate’s qualifications and the very nature of his character.

When laws are treated as obstacles rather than limits, the outcome becomes less a question of whether consequences will come, and more a question of when.

Conveniently

Murray’s Message

MURRAY’S MESSAGE

Update from New York State Senator Dean Murray

Each year, more and more innocent lives are being stolen on our roads by reckless hit-and-run drivers; people who not only take a life but flee the scene to avoid responsibility. The devastation they leave behind is unimaginable, and yet under current New York State law, the punishment doesn’t match the crime.

That’s why I’m proud to be sponsoring Nick’s Law (S.3639) in the New York State Senate, a bill that brings long-overdue accountability to those who commit these horrific acts.

Nick’s Law is named in honor of Nick Puzio, a vibrant young man whose life was tragically cut short after being struck by not one, but two separate vehicles, both which fled the scene. His family’s heartbreak, pain, and unanswered questions of how another human being could leave someone dying in the street is something no family should ever have to endure. And sadly, they are not alone.

Across New York State, hit-and-run fatalities are disturbingly on the rise. From busy urban and suburban roads to rural highways, drivers simply being reckless or perhaps under the influence of drugs or alcohol are causing deadly accidents, and then selfishly choosing to flee the scene instead of facing the consequences. These are not mere traffic infractions; they are acts of cowardice and violence that destroy lives and leave families shattered.

Accidents happen every day — many through no fault of the driver. Under current law, if you stay at the scene, cooperate with authorities, and have done nothing wrong, you won’t face criminal charges. So, we have to ask the obvious question – Why are so many people choosing to flee?

The answer is clear: they’re likely doing something illegal, whether it’s driving under the influence, operating without a license, or having outstanding warrants; they’re running to avoid accountability, not out of fear or confusion. That’s exactly why we need Nick’s Law. We need to force people to think twice before making the selfish, cowardly decision to leave a victim behind. This law will save lives!

Currently, the penalty for hit-and-runs that result in death is far too lenient. It actually creates an incentive for impaired drivers to flee the scene rather than remain and be charged with vehicular manslaughter or driving under the influence. This is a glaring flaw in our justice system, and it must be fixed. Nick’s Law will do just that. This legislation would elevate the crime of fleeing the scene of an accident that causes death to a Class B felony, carrying a penalty of up to 25 years in prison and higher fines. That’s the kind of real consequence we need to deter future tragedies and send a clear message: If you’re in an accident, do the humane thing and check to see that everyone is okay.

This isn’t just about being tough on crime; it’s about being fair to victims and their families. It’s about saying that the lives lost in these senseless incidents mattered. It’s about ensuring their stories won’t be forgotten, and that those responsible won’t walk away with a slap on the wrist. These families live with the life sentence of living without their loved ones — Why should the person who is responsible for this heinous act get off with such a light sentence? That’s why Nick’s Law is such a crucial step toward justice, closure, and prevention.

As a legislator who believes in law and order, I am alarmed by the growing trend by some of my colleagues in Albany to coddle criminals and prioritize offenders over victims. We’ve seen procriminal policies passed year after year including bail reform, discovery changes, sentence reductions, and even early releases of inmates. This has emboldened criminals and undermined the safety of our neighborhoods. While some in State Leadership continue to push a soft-on-crime agenda, I will never stop fighting for the rights of victims and their families.

The truth is, law-abiding citizens are paying the price for leniency gone too far. They’re paying in fear, in lost lives, and in the erosion of justice. We need laws that restore accountability and protect innocent people, not laws that excuse the worst behavior in our society. Nick’s Law is part of that effort.

Let me be clear: this bill is not about vengeance; it’s about accountability, deterrence, and respect for human life. When individuals make the decision to leave a dying person on the side of the road to save themselves, this is a moral and legal failure that demands a serious response.

We must also consider the deterrent effect of stronger penalties. If drivers know they face up to 25 years in prison for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident, some may think twice before running. They may stay, call for help, and take responsibility; potentially saving lives and reducing the trauma for victims’ families. This is how we create a culture of responsibility rather than one of evasion and selfishness.

The victims’ families deserve more than condolences; they deserve action! They deserve a justice system that values their loved ones enough to fight for tougher penalties against those who took them away. I’ve spoken to too many parents, siblings, spouses, and friends who live every day with a hole in their hearts. They don’t want revenge; they want change. They want to know that no one else will have to suffer what they have endured.

Passing Nick’s Law is one way we can honor that pain and ensure it leads to meaningful reform. This bill is not just about one tragic case; it represents countless others. It’s about pedestrians struck while crossing the street, people hit while riding bikes on their way home, and elderly individuals targeted by careless drivers who chose to flee instead of staying and helping. These stories are far too common, and they demand more than thoughts and prayers; they demand legislative action!

It’s also about restoring faith in our legal system. When people see hit-and-run drivers walk away with minimal punishment, it erodes trust in our laws and our institutions. When the scales of justice tip in favor of the offender instead of the victim, we all suffer.

We cannot bring back those who have been lost, but we can prevent future tragedies. We can send a clear message that New York will no longer tolerate cowardice, recklessness, and injustice. We must pass Nick’s Law and begin the work of restoring accountability on our roads and dignity to those left behind.

So, I’m asking you; stand with me! If you believe in safer communities, in justice for victims, and holding criminals accountable, visit my Senate website at www.nysenate.gov/ petitions/dean-murray/join-senator-murray-holding-recklessdrivers-accountable and sign the petition to support the passage of Nick’s Law. Add your voice to the growing number of New Yorkers who are demanding change. Together, we can push back against the dangerous direction our state has taken and start protecting the people who play by the rules, not the ones who break them.

Let’s light a path forward; one built on justice, responsibility, common sense and respect for life. We must advocate to keep our communities safe. Let’s pass Nick’s Law and make New York a place where no family has to suffer this kind of loss without accountability.

Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) has represented the Third District in the New York State Senate since 2023 after having represented the Third Assembly District from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2018.

The Third District contains Bellport, Blue Point, Brookhaven hamlet, Center Moriches, East Moriches, East Patchogue, East Yaphank, Farmingville, Gordon Heights, Manorville, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Moriches, North Bellport, North Patchogue, Patchogue, Shirley, South Haven, Upton, and Yaphank, as well as parts of Calverton, Centereach, Coram, Eastport, Holbrook, Holtsville, Lake Ronkonkoma, Middle Island, Ridge, Selden.

Senator Murray serves as Ranking Member on the committees on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business; Libraries; and Social Services. He also serves on the committees on Budget and Revenue; Codes; and Higher Education.

The Third District office is located at 90-B West Main Street in Patchogue and can be reached at 631-360-3356.

By Matt Meduri

St. James Runs to Benefit Suffolk’s First Ronald McDonald House

On Saturday, May 10, St. James and Head of the Harbor will play host to a charitable event from which all proceeds will go to constructing the first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County.

The New York Metro Chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is hosting two runs, a five-mile challenge and a 5-K Fun Run.

There are 186 Ronald McDonald Houses in the U.S.; they’re always adjacent to a leading children’s hospital. has a site at Cohen’s Children Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

A Ronald McDonald House is a facility operated by the non-profit organization RMHC. The houses provide temporary accommodations for families of children undergoing treatment or in pediatric medical emergencies. The houses also provide transportation as needed, meals, family-centered care, and community support - all at no cost to the families.

The charity is looking to set up their next shop at the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The specs consist of a 60,000-square-foot facility with thirty bedrooms.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities is an international organization, but all support is local. Doing these community events and engaging with the community is great for our fundraising efforts, but even better for our awareness campaign,” Joseph Rulli, Director of Development for the New York Metro Chapter of RMHC, told The Messenger. “It’s surprising Suffolk County doesn’t have a Ronald McDonald House.”

Rulli says that the non-profit expects the Stony Brook House to be finished by 2027.

“Our initial capital campaign’s goal was to raise $30 million. We have just under $5 million left to raise,” said Rulli. “Fundraising has been going on for about eight years. We hit a bump in the road with the pandemic, but the last few years have been full steam ahead.”

This is the second annual St. James 5-Mile Challenge and 5-K Fun Run. Rulli adds that the response has been “incredible”, with 500 runners signed up for next weekend’s event. Sponsors, of whom there are dozens, include Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Optimum, Teachers’ Federal Credit Union, Optimum, TFCU, Nicolock Pavers, Walk 97.5, TriTec, the Smithtown Rotary Club, Jake’s 58, the Avalon Nature Preserve, Temple Isaiah, and the Jazz Loft, among others.

For Rulli in particular, the campaign hits close to home. The East Setauket native is working, along with the non-profit, diligently to bring a vital community asset to his own backyard.

“It’s a home away from home when families need it most,” said Rulli of the core mission of RHMC.

Published

Sachem Appoints Stacie Spatafora-DiCio

Assistant

Superintendent for Personnel

At its April 23 meeting, the Sachem Central School District Board of Education appointed Stacie SpataforaDiCio as the district’s new assistant superintendent for personnel, effective July 1. She will succeed Kristin Capel-Eden, who is set to retire at the end of the current school year.

Ms. Spatafora-DiCio currently serves as Sachem’s director of personnel, a role she has held since 2015. In this capacity, she has overseen the hiring of support staff and substitutes, managed civil service audits and advised administrators on hiring practices and civil service procedures. Her responsibilities have also included workers’ compensation, short-term disability, unemployment insurance and the coordination of evaluations for support staff and special education programs. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Spatafora-DiCio has demonstrated a strong commitment to balancing regulatory compliance with the evolving needs of the district. She has worked closely with district legal counsel and participated in negotiations with non-instructional staff while ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates, including the Affordable Care Act and APPR regulations. Her leadership has contributed to the successful implementation

of systems such as the Timepiece program for non-instructional staff.

A certified School District Leader, Ms. Spatafora-DiCio holds a master’s degree in business management from Dowling College and multiple New York State permanent teaching certifications. Her extensive experience and dedication to personnel excellence continue to strengthen Sachem’s commitment to supporting students and staff.

The Sachem Central School District congratulates Ms. Spatafora-DiCio on her new role and looks forward to her continued leadership.

Sachem East’s March Madness Fundraiser Scores Big for Veterans

Sachem High School East brought energy, school spirit, and a strong sense of community to its annual March Madness spring fundraiser on April 11, raising $3,000 for the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook.

The event, organized by Sachem East’s Student Government Club under the direction of Mr. Gallo and Mr. Jannace, featured a full day of basketball games, a three-point shooting contest, intense dodgeball championships and spirited competitions involving students from grades nine through 12.

While the activities offered fun and friendly competition, the event also served a greater purpose—supporting a local organization that provides essential care for veterans. The Long Island State Veterans Home, a major teaching affiliate of Stony Brook Medicine, delivers top-tier healthcare to Long Island veterans and serves as a hub for geriatric research, education and training.

In addition to benefiting the Veterans Home, a portion of the proceeds will go toward PTA scholarships, reinforcing Sachem East’s commitment to student-led service and academic achievement.

Sachem High School East continues to demonstrate the power of combining community involvement with school spirit to create events that inspire and give back.

by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Patchogue-Medford H.S. Students Win Prize Money and Showcase

Miller Place Senior is Repeat NYSPHSAA and NYS Federal Champion

Miller Place High School senior Jillian Scully has proven herself once again as one of the most remarkable athletes in New York State, repeating her title at the NYSPHSAA and NYS Federation Champion in the shot put for the 2024 and 2025 indoor track seasons. Jillian claimed the championship title at the New York State Indoor Track and Field Championships held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island earlier this month.

“Jillian Scully is an outstanding athlete who is competing in her own league by continuing to beat her own records,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “She represents Miller Place with pride, enthusiasm and passion. We are thrilled to celebrate her exceptional accomplishments and look forward to watching her continue to shine at the collegiate level and beyond.”

After winning her first state title in 2024, Jillian continued her impressive reign this year by beating her own record and outpacing her competition by more than four feet with a throw of 46 feet, 11 ½ inches. She also holds the indoor record for both Suffolk County and Long Island, which she earned by placing first at the Section XI NYS Qualifier with a personal best distance

of 48 feet, 4.25 inches.

Jillian’s record-breaking indoor season also included a fifth-place finish at the Nike Nationals and her third consecutive state championship title. Her winter training regimen involved practicing outdoors in the cold weather for roughly four hours a day, six days a week, which helped her perfect her throwing form and elevate her performance to new heights.

Jillian’s accomplishments were not limited to the shot put, as she also dominated the state discus championship. Her remarkable achievements in both shot put and discus earned her All-American honors once again.

As she looks ahead to her collegiate career, Jillian will continue her athletic journey in the track and field program at Louisiana State University (LSU). Her time at Miller Place will be remembered for her unwavering dedication and the legacy of excellence she leaves behind.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www. millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www. millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Patchogue-Medford High School students recently submitted competitive business proposals to the eighth-annual Patchogue Young Professionals and Patchogue-Medford High School Business Plan Competition. Four PatchogueMedford High School pitches placed, sharing $3,750 in prize money provided by the Kiwanis Club of Patchogue.

“The Patchogue-Medford School District is proud to provide learning environments that cultivate students’ ingenuity and encourage entrepreneurship,” said Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Dr. Donna Jones. “These student proposals were outstanding and showcased the hard work, thoughtfulness, and dedicated research that enabled their creation. Every day, we are impressed by the talent of our students, and we are pleased to congratulate the winners, as well as all of those who participated.”

First place was awarded to the business proposals for Bus Buddy and Pure Smile. Bus Buddy—developed by seniors Ella McCann, Hannah Nuzzo, and Gabriella Poirier—is an app that allows students to see in real-time when their school bus will arrive and enables parents and bus drivers to see when

the student is on the bus and has disembarked. Junior Marilyn Cruz and senior Julianna Owens developed Pure Smile, a biodegradable alternative to plastic toothbrushes that includes a built-in holder with biodegradable floss, improving the environment and dental health. The toothbrush includes a replaceable brush head with charcoal-infused bamboo bristles on top of an aluminum handle.

Third place went to Safe Straw, developed by seniors Kevin Hidalgo and Luke Loewe, which tests for the presence of any foreign substances in a drink to combat drink spiking. Plus Avenue, a proposal by senior Ryan Daly for a vintage clothing store for plus-size women, was awarded an honorable mention.

For more information about the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pmschools. org. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PatMedSchools/. #PatMedPride.

By Matt Meduri

The Necessary Standard for American Education

The Nineteenth Amendment

In continuing our series on the constitutional amendments, we come to a much more direct and well-known article, the Nineteenth Amendment. This one, ratified in 1920, prohibits the federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on sex. Effectively, it gave women the formal right to suffrage nationwide.

History and Origin

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

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.

Adopted in 1789, the U.S. Constitution left several aspects of our society rather open-ended, including the rights around suffrage. During the Colonial Era, women did have the right to vote in several of the colonies. After 1776, all states, save for New Jersey, adopted constitutions that denied women the right to vote. New Jersey’s constitution originally granted suffrage to property-owners, which included single and married women, but rescinded those rights in 1807.

Left in the wilderness for several decades, the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention in New York is generally seen as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. The convention resulted in the Declaration of Sentiments, a document signed by 100 out of nearly 300 attendees that outlined women’s demands for equal rights and citizenship. Demands included suffrage, equal education, and property rights.

Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton became perhaps the prominent leaders in the women’s rights movement, calling for constitutional amendments after the end of the Civil War. The women’s rights movement was partially harangued by the Civil War and era of Reconstruction that followed. Movements for constitutional ratification for both freedmen and women coincided at the time, but much national attention was on the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments.

The Fourteenth Amendment in particular came under scrutiny, as suffragettes took issue with how the amendment outlawed racial discrimination at the polls but did not address suffrage on the basis of sex. Several Supreme Court decisions impeded the progress, with a decision in Minor Vs. Happersett (1875) ruling that the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment extended rights only to those who previously had them. Furthermore, as universal suffrage was not instilled in the U.S. Constitution, the states exercised their own rights until ratification. The shut-outs from the Supreme Court over existing amendments is what fueled the fight for a new one.

Fortunately for the suffragettes, the movement coincided with a period of rapid westward expansion and organization. Because of their activism, the constitutions for the Wyoming Territory (1869) and the Utah Territory (1870). Utah would revoke women’s suffrage in 1887 after the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker Act which prohibited polygamy, a common practice among Utah’s Mormon population. Women had their suffrage restored when Utah became a state in 1896.

Wyoming earned its nickname, the Equality State, when it became the first state to grant women full suffrage in 1890. Colorado granted partial voting rights in 1893, with Idaho following with full rights in 1896. Washington state kicked off a string of states’ prerogatives on the matter in 1910, with Oregon, Arizona, Kansas, the Alaska Territory, Montana, and Nevada all granting suffrage by 1914. All states that were successful in granting women suffrage before the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment were Western states.

In 1878, Senator Aaron A. Sargent (R-CA) introduced the

legislation that would later become the Nineteenth Amendment. The bill sat in committee until 1887, when it was rejected by the Senate in a 16-34 vote.

Ratification

In 1900, Carrie Chapman Catt succeeded Susan B. Anthony as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), focusing their efforts on the states to pass legislation, rather than lobby Washington for a constitutional amendment. She called her strategy “The Winning Plan”, which consisted of using their newfound influence in the Western states to collectively press for federal change. The plan would also consist of a divide-and-conquer strategy of lobbying the states, expanding voting access in the South to primaries, and working to elect men who supported women’s suffrage. NAWSA had forty-four state chapters and more than two million members by 1915, just five years before ratification.

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns founded the Congressional Union for Women Suffrage in 1913 to continue their pressuring of the federal government. Perhaps their most well-known action was that of their parade in Washington, D.C., the day before President Woodrow Wilson’s (D-NJ) inauguration. With 5,000 participants, the parade attracted an estimated 500,000 spectators and supporters.

By 1914, the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment” was rejected by the Senate, followed by the 1917 “Anthony Amendment”, which eventually became the Nineteenth Amendment.

The midterm elections of 1918 would prove valuable to the movement. Fifteen states had already granted women suffrage by this time, and President Wilson had finally come around to supporting an amendment. Initially lukewarm on the issue, Wilson had become convinced by the consistent picketing and the contributions of women in World War I.

Passage of the amendment occurred in the U.S. House in January 1918, but only by one vote. Wilson advocated for the bill on the Senate floor:

“Shall we admit them [women] only to a partnership of suffering and sacrifice and toil and not to a partnership of privilege and right?” asked Wilson.

However, on September 30, 2018, the amendment failed in the Senate, two votes short of passage. The activist groups then took to campaigning fiercely against the senators who had voted against it.

Between January 1918 and June 1919, Congress would vote on an amendment five times, with each vote being extremely close and Southern Democrats being the lynchpin for rejection. Wilson was lobbied by the suffrage groups to call a special session of Congress, which occurred May 1, 1919. Two days later, the House passed the amendment 30489. June 4, 1919, saw the Senate pass the amendment 56-25, with 14 abstentions, but not before Southern Democrats

attempted a filibuster. Twenty Democratic senators joined thirty-six Republicans to pass it, with seventeen Democrats and eight Republicans opposing, and nine Democrats and five Republicans abstaining.

Once the amendment was handed to the states, the activist groups were then out in full-force lobbying the states to ratify. Just two months after congressional passage, fourteen states had ratified. Texas and Arkansas were the only two former Confederate states to ratify, while Governor Ruffin Pleasant (D-LA) tried to organize thirteen states in resisting the amendment. Maryland also tried to prevent other states from ratifying.

Meanwhile, the suffrage groups were at legislative war with opponents, who were impeding the process in individual state legislatures.

Illinois became the first state to ratify on June 10, 1919, followed by Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, and Ohio. New York was sixth to ratify on June 16, 1919. The tipping-point state was Tennessee, which proved to be one of the most contentious debates within a state’s purview. Governor Albert H. Robert (D-TN) supported ratification, but many Tennessee legislators were still undecided. Both suffragists and anti-suffragists would directly lobby legislators, even going so far as to set up camp outside legislative chambers and meeting legislators as they disembarked their trains to Nashville.

The Tennessee Senate approved ratification easily, but State House Speaker Seth Walker tried twice to table the bill, failing in a 48-48 deadlock each time. The vote came down to twenty-four-year-old Assemblyman Harry Burn (R), who had supported the amendment but voted to table it because he believed his constituents opposed it. Legend has it that just minutes before the vote, he received a note from his mother, urging him to vote in favor. Burn did so, resulting in Speaker Walker filing a motion to reconsider. With no momentum, anti-suffragists packed up and left Nashville to lobby the Alabama State Legislature against it.

Burn’s final vote and Tennessee’s tipping-point status for the fate of the amendment results in the U.S. becoming the twenty-seventh country in the world to give women the right to vote.

States continued to ratify after its formal adoption, although some had previously rejected it, such as Delaware (ratifying in 1923), Maryland (1941), Virginia (1952), Alabama (1953), South Carolina (1969), Georgia (1970), Louisiana (1970), and Mississippi (1984). Florida never rejected it, but ratified in 1969, as did North Carolina, but in 1971.

Effects

After the ratification, some 26 million American women were allowed to vote in the 1920 presidential election, although turnout was low that year - 36% - due to literacy tests, poll taxes, and forms of voter suppression that occurred thereafter. States with lower voting barriers, such as Missouri and Kentucky, saw higher turnout and closer elections.

Successful suffragettes immediately capitalized on further reform, such as the Sheppard-Towner Maternity and Infancy Protection Act of 1921, the first venture of the federal government into social security legislation that improved medicalization of pregnancy and childbirth, decreased infant mortality rates, and expanded federal welfare.

By 1960, women were turning out in presidential elections in greater numbers than men, with that trend continuing to the present political era.

The decades-long fight would also pave the way for future civil rights legislation, such as the Equal Rights Amendment.

Levels of women’s suffrage before passage of 19th Amendment

Community Library Budget Approved; Kimmerling and Maiorana Returned as Trustees

Voters in the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library District overwhelmingly approved the library’s 2025-2026 operating budget on Tuesday, April 22, by a vote of 400 to 249 — a decisive 62% margin of support. Also, trustee Nancy Kimmerling was elected to a fiveyear term, while Board President Joseph Maiorana was re-elected to a one-year term. Kimmerling received 372 votes and Maiorana received 343. Danielle Escalante, also on the ballot, received 252 votes.

“I want to thank our community for once again supporting the library and for the opportunity to continue serving,” said Maiorana, who has served as a trustee since 1998 and currently leads the board as its president. “This year’s budget is a modest increase that helps us keep great staff, meet rising operational costs, and offer the programming and resources our patrons rely on every day. We’ve worked hard to be responsible stewards of public funds, and this vote affirms that commitment.”

“I’m so grateful to the residents of our district for their trust and support,” added Kimmerling, who was appointed to the board last year and has now won her first full term.

Brookhaven

By Raheem Soto

“Serving on the board has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing our work to provide accessible, inclusive, and high-quality library services for all.”

The approved $12.385 million budget includes an increase over the current year equivalent to an estimated $2.90 per month for the average homeowner. It allows the library to address inflationary cost increases, comply with state minimum wage requirements, and adjust salaries for key roles such as librarians and security staff to improve recruitment and retention. It also supports expanded community programming across the library’s three locations.

The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library continues to be one of the most used public libraries in Suffolk County, offering services ranging from English language and high school equivalency classes to early childhood literacy programs, tech training, and job readiness support.

“The library truly belongs to the people of this community,” added Maiorana. “We’re proud to have earned their support and excited to keep building on this momentum together.”

For more information, visit www.communitylibrary.org or call (631) 399-1511.

Hosts

Cybersecurity Mythbusters to Empower Residents

The Town of Brookhaven will host “Cybersecurity Mythbusters 2.0” on May 8 at Town Hall in Farmingville. Led by cybersecurity expert Chris Coluccio, CEO of Techworks Consulting, Inc., the session aims to address common misconceptions about online safety and provide practical guidance to residents. Topics will include password security, phishing scams, and evaluating cybersecurity tools.

The need for better cybersecurity practices is increasingly evident. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, American individuals and businesses lost approximately $16.6 billion to cyberattacks last year, a 33% increase from 2023. Ransomware incidents rose by 9%, often targeting essential services such as healthcare, education, and local government operations.

Technological advances have also changed the nature of cyber threats. The widespread use of artificial intelligence tools has made phishing attacks more effective and challenging to detect. Data from cybersecurity analysts show that phishing incidents increased by over 4,000% in recent years as AI tools allow attackers to generate more convincing emails and websites.

Despite these growing risks, basic cybersecurity practices are not widely adopted. A 2024 survey by Yubico found that nearly 50% of employed individuals reported being victims of cyberattacks or scams. Yet, only 23% of companies that experienced such breaches implemented cybersecurity training afterward. This suggests a significant gap between the scale of cyber threats and the measures taken to counter them.

Common myths continue to undermine effective cybersecurity. Many believe that antivirus software alone can protect against modern attacks. Others rely on short or reused passwords, even though experts recommend using long, unique passwords combined with multi-factor authentication.

Studies show that strong password management significantly reduces the likelihood of breaches. Similarly, users trained to recognize phishing scams are less likely to fall victim to credential theft or financial fraud.

Events like Brookhaven’s Mythbusters seminar are designed to close the knowledge gap. Participants will learn how to construct strong passwords, recognize fraudulent messages, and select security tools that align with real-world threats rather than outdated assumptions.

However, cybersecurity cannot be outsourced entirely to technology companies, government bodies, or software products. Data breaches often result from individual errors, such as clicking on suspicious links, using weak passwords, or failing to update security settings.

Given the sophistication of current cyber threats, relying on outdated habits increases personal and organizational risk. Studies consistently show that proactive individual behavior—such as updating passwords regularly, activating two-factor authentication, and staying informed about emerging scams—significantly improves security outcomes.

The Brookhaven Department of General Services, Women’s Services Division, which is hosting the event, has emphasized that cybersecurity education is critical for all residents, regardless of background or occupation. As online threats evolve, so must the defensive strategies of individuals and communities.

Cybersecurity threats are unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future. Data trends indicate that attacks are becoming both more frequent and more complex. Therefore, equipping individuals with current information and practical tools remains essential.

The event is free and open to the public. Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP to Sharon Boyd at womensservices@brookhavenny.gov.

Plumbing Contractors Association of LI Announces Opening of ‘The Plumbers Institute: Plumbing, Heating and Cooling’

The Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island (“PCALI”) is proud to announce the opening of a new institute aimed at creating more employment opportunities for area residents, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the service and maintenance plumbing trade.

Expected to open in September 2025, PCALI’s new Plumbing Training Program is a transformative initiative aimed at offering participants a pathway to a rewarding service and maintenance career in the plumbing industry while addressing the growing demand for qualified professionals in the industry. PCALI is keenly aware of the shortage of properly trained plumbers.

PCALI, as part of their commitment to empowering individuals and supporting local businesses across all sectors, recently launched a tip line to report unlicensed plumbers doing work illegally in the communities we work and live in. Unlicensed plumbers do not have to comply with training, worker safety or carry liability insurance, leaving businesses vulnerable should an incident occur.

By combining hands-on training with realworld experience, PCALI’s plumbing institute will play a major role in making sure there are licensed plumbers supporting local businesses, taking care of their plumbing, heating and cooling needs, safely, for generations to come.

Jeff Connelly, President of PCALI says, “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the new Plumbing Institute, a significant step forward to advance the plumbing industry on Long Island. “PCALI’s goal is to promote high standards of professionalism and safety in the plumbing industry while supporting the growth and development of its members.

The institute will provide essential training and resources, ensuring that our members are equipped with the skills, knowledge and license to master their craft and keep everyone safe.”

“This program can be a very powerful tool for the plumbing trade, providing pathways to success for individuals from all walks of life, including those in underserved communities,” said Joseph Enea, Director of the Plumbing Institute. “We are excited to make a lasting impact by supporting the professional development of our students and bolstering the plumbing workforce.”

Bob Ruggiero, Jr., Technical Director of the Plumbing Institute, Licensed Master Plumber and former Owner of ARA Plumbing Corp., added: “As a multi-generational plumbing contractor, I know firsthand the need for qualified plumbers to enter the workforce. I’m happy to lend my industry expertise to train and mentor students within our program.”

Prospective students are encouraged to apply now for the September class. Please call 631-7595592 or email institute@pcali.org to request an application.

About Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island (PCALI) PCALI’S members are all master plumbing companies who are signatories to the Plumbers Local 200 serving Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk Counties. All PCALI members are wellskilled in the plumbing craft and are committed to the highest levels of integrity in their business dealings.

PSEG Long Island Salutes Tony Kamycki, of Ronkonkoma, and His Colleagues on National Lineworker Day

When severe weather strikes, they put on their personal protective equipment, jump in their vehicles and answer the call, day or night. On National Lineworker Appreciation Day, PSEG Long Island salutes the in-house and contracted lineworkers who get the lights back on and strengthen the energy grid for Long Island and the Rockaways – including Tony Kamycki, of Ronkonkoma.

“When extreme weather damages equipment and causes customer outages, it requires the 24/7 dedication and hard work of our skilled lineworkers to replace poles, lines and transformers safely and as quickly as possible, bringing back not just power, but normalcy,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Electric Operations. “Today we honor their contribution to our mission to provide safe, resilient and reliable service to customers across Long Island and the Rockaways.”

Kamycki and his colleagues are extensively trained to handle the potentially hazardous work of installing, repairing and replacing high-voltage electrical equipment. They prioritize the safety of themselves and members of the public and are empowered to stop a job if they see something unsafe.

“This job requires us to have physical and mental strength,” said Kamycki, who has spent 33 years on the job and currently works as an emergency service specialist. “This job requires you to work rotating shifts, respond to emergencies, working nights, weekends and holidays. Many times I missed out spending time with family during holidays and family functions.”

Still, Kamycki finds the work rewarding, and enjoys taking time to help customers understand what he will be doing to solve their problems.

Lineworkers are not just essential during storms. They support the daily needs of approximately 1.2 million electric customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways. They also support vital work that will strengthen the grid against storms and prepare the transmission infrastructure to support the connection of renewables such as solar and the offshore wind generation coming online in the next decade to support New York State’s ambitious carbon emissions reduction goals.

While lineworkers ensure people’s homes have electricity for Wi-Fi, air conditioning and other electrical necessities, the work they do also supports life at a much more fundamental level by ensuring vital infrastructure such as hospitals and water treatment facilities continue functioning. In the aftermath of hurricanes, wind, thunderstorms, and during times of extreme heat and cold, they perform demanding, physical tasks to deliver for the customer.

Those who are interested in a career at PSEG Long Island can explore the current openings at psegliny.com/careers.

PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Republicans Can Easily Find Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Medicaid

By Stewart Whitson | Outside Contributor for AMAC

Republicans in Congress are taking advantage of a generational opportunity to finally cut back on harmful regulations and wasteful spending, not just to the tune of billions, but trillions with a “t.” That’s real money.

That’s precisely what voters demanded: not nibbling around the edges and continuing “the way things are,” but bold, disruptive, and lasting change. And they gave Congress the power to make it happen with majorities in both chambers and by re-electing the most fearless disrupter of them all in Donald Trump.

With this Republican trifecta in place comes the opportunity to pass a reconciliation bill that not only extends — and even builds on and improves — the Trump tax cuts but also addresses the economic fallout from the Biden administration’s reckless regulatory and spending spree.

Here’s the best part: All of this can be achieved without a single Democratic vote.

Republicans are off to a great start, approving a strong budget resolution in the House that paves the way for the president’s “one big, beautiful bill.” With the Senate putting its important touch on the resolution by moving to a policy baseline that would make the tax cuts permanent, Republicans are on a clear glide path to a big, historic win.

Of course, Democrats understand this, and predictably, they’re in full panic mode. With the help of their friends, they’re waging a full-scale campaign to try to undermine the effort. Their last best hope isn’t to persuade the American people that their position is best for the country — the facts could never support that argument — but rather to parrot a false narrative that benefits are being cut for the truly needy.

This is patently false, and the Democrats know it.

The great irony is that the Republicans’ effort to target waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program will benefit the needy — the people the Democrats claim will be hurt. As Democrats push welfare on 20-year-olds who should be starting their careers, Republicans are standing up for the elderly, disabled, and children in poverty.

The other false narrative is that finding $880 billion in targeted budget savings in the Medicaid program over the next 10 years, as the House Budget resolution requires, is an impossible goal to meet without cutting benefits.

That’s another lie.

It turns out that Congress can easily exceed that goal with just a handful of reforms aimed at restoring program integrity, promoting work over welfare, and keeping undocumented aliens from stealing the benefits from Americans. Such reforms might include rolling back Biden’s “Streamlining Medicaid eligibility” rule, eliminating the Medicaid provider tax scheme, requiring able-bodied adults 18-59 without young kids to work, train, or volunteer at least 20 hours a week to receive Medicaid benefits, and imposing a 5 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage penalty on states that expand coverage to undocumented aliens. These reforms would produce up to $1.2 trillion in savings — far more than the $880 billion target.

Here’s the key: The savings reduction goal outlined in the budget resolution is a floor, not a ceiling.

While Congress must find at least $880 billion in targeted reductions within the Energy and Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction for the bill to comply with the reconciliation instructions outlined in the House resolution,

there’s nothing to stop Congress from exceeding that goal. And it can, easily, without taking a penny of benefits away from those the Medicaid program is intended to help.

For instance, an additional $282 billion could be saved by requiring states to conduct more frequent Medicaid eligibility determinations to make sure those receiving the benefit are legally entitled to receive it. An additional $118 billion could be saved by setting premium contributions to 10 percent for subsidized Affordable Care Act exchange enrollees. Eliminating the enhanced FMAP for Medicaid expansion would produce $561 billion in savings, while removing the FMAP floor would save an additional $530 billion. The list goes on.

Altogether, my organization has identified $2.3 trillion or more in savings that can be achieved through smart, highly popular reforms aimed at targeting waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid.

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

Here are a few more facts. Over the past 10 years, Medicaid has doubled in size, and nearly tripled in size over the past 20. And notably, even if Republicans were to eliminate $880 billion in Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse in the reconciliation bill, Medicaid will grow an additional 25 percent over the next 10 years. Clearly, no one is cutting Medicaid.

Republicans are staring at a big opportunity to get the country back on track through deregulation and spending cuts achieved through reconciliation, or what many are now referring to as the “DOGE Act.” With so much at stake, Republicans must not allow opponents’ lies to derail their effort to restore fiscal sanity and usher in the golden era for America.

Stewart Whitson is the senior director of federal affairs for the Foundation for Government Accountability. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

WHERE BROADWAY MEETS MAIN STREET

May 15–

Jun 29, 2025

Jul 10–

Aug 24, 2025

WORD OF THE Week ANCILLARY

Etymology: mid 17th century: from Latin ancillaris, from ancilla ‘maidservant’.

WORD WHEEL

SUDOKU

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

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

May 1, 1886: U.S. general strike for 8-hour working day begins.

May 5, 1893: Panic of 1893 causes a large crash on the NY Stock Exchange.

Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel patents dynamite in England, the first of three patents he would receive for the explosive material.

with the lifts in the tower not ready, intrepid visitors need to climb 1,710 stairs to get to top.

By PJ Balzer

Every time my cell phone sounded off and Adrian Gillmore’s name was behind the message, it was always asking how she could help and give to others. I never once received a message on how she could take.

That alone speaks volumes as to the kind of person that Adrian was and the mark that she left on this earth and in the hearts of countless people.

Leaving Her Mark on The World

On the afternoon of April 22, Adrian Gillmore was routinely on the lacrosse field at Shoreham Wading River High School, where she both coached and taught middle school for two decades. While coaching that afternoon, she suddenly and unexpectedly suffered a medical emergency on the field. After being rushed to Mather Hospital in Port Jeff, she unfortunately passed away after being on life support for several days.

Many people on this earth found a friend in Adrian Gillmore. Her passing leaves several communities across Suffolk County still in shock; communities that she poured her time, talents, resources and care into, specifically the William Floyd School District, where she grew up, and played multiple sports, second only to Shoreham-Wading River School District, where she was a highly decorated girls varsity soccer coach since 2011 and a well-liked teacher.

She is known in the Shoreham-Wading River School District as not only a coach and teacher, but as a mentor, an advisor, advocate, and community leader. She is noted several times for saying that her pursuit of coaching and multiple Long Island and state championships wasn’t about the winning or the extra paycheck, it was about the kids. She used a soccer ball to help instill lifelong lessons and values into each one of her players individually and collectively, lessons that her players will take them with on their journey of life, although hers is now completed.

Besides coaching soccer at the varsity level at Shoreham, Coach Gillmore could easily be found on the sidelines of travel soccer fields all over the Island. Being a college level soccer player herself, she used her high sports IQ to coach her children’s and friends’ teams to many medals and trophies.

Despite spending countless hours on the soccer and lacrosse fields, her prized possession far above any accolade was her family. Every time we had time to speak, she gave me updates on what Tim, her husband, Kayla, Cameron, and Colby were up to. It wasn’t uncommon to see her at one of Kayla’s many awards ceremonies carrying Colby around as a baby, only to have to hurry to the next gym where Cameron had a youth basketball game. Her conversations and heart’s delight were always centered around her family. More recently, she had been traveling often to Maryland to watch Kayla play lacrosse at the highest level in the nation. Adrian’s preferred title wasn’t necessarily Coach, it was Mom.

Only four days before her unexpected passing, I picked up as a donation a very lightly used baby crib from her house to be passed along to a local teenage mother. The crib she gave us to redistribute was basically brand new and could have easily been resold. Yet, she insisted on it going back to a young lady in our community. Adrian would often spend her time collecting Easter baskets, Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving food, and gently used sports equipment. When her travel teams or sports organizations were finished collecting, my phone would read, “We collected a lot of good items for you. I hope it helps the kids.” She believed in not only leading her players to score goals, play tough defense, and win championships; she also led them to give back and express generosity towards other kids who may have not been born into as fortunate circumstances as they were.

The sudden loss of Adrian at only 42 years of age is life-altering for so many people, starting with her immediate and extended family. She will be missed here and undoubtedly leaves behind both a profound impact and a void, simultaneously. The grateful words and sentimental memories of

Adrian expressed on social media have been many. The generosity towards a GoFundMe account set up for her family has been plentiful.

As if she hadn’t given so much of her life and heart to others’ while here. After Adrian breathed her last natural breath on this earth, her giving and generous heart still continues to give on, even as you read this. Adrian’s heart was donated to save someone else’s life on April 27. As her mother began looking at family records, notes and history, she discovered that April 27 is the same exact day her Father in law, Adrian’s Grandfather, received a heart transplant in 1997.

The Messenger sends our sincerest condolences, sympathy, while also offering up prayer for Adrian’s family and everyone that loved her. We mourn her loss alongside you all.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.”

Romans 12:15

22 Long Island Life & Politics

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Blakeman Third in GOP Governor Poll

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life and Politics

A recent poll from GrayHouse found that Stefanik (R-Plattsburgh) (left photo) would easily dominate not only her fellow colleague in Congress, Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) (center photo), but also Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) (right photo). If the Republican primary for governor were held today, 44% would vote for Stefanik, 7% for Lawler and 5% for Blakeman. However, another 44% said they don’t know.

Although Blakeman has a +18 net favorability rating (more favorable than unfavorable), it is less than Lawler’s +28 or Stefanik’s +47, according to GrayHouse. Among independents, Blakeman holds a rating at -1, while Lawler’s rating is at +2 and Stefanik’s is at +10.

The poll also finds that Blakeman only has a statewide recognition of 36%. Meanwhile, Stefanik is at 69% statewide recognition, and Lawler’s was at 58%.

Going head to head against incumbent Democrat governor Kathy Hochul, Blakeman would trail her 44%-36%. GrayHouse said Stefanik has the best chance to defeat Hochul, at 46%-40% in favor of Hochul. Lawler would trail Hochul, 45%-38%.

A March poll from Siena College Research Institute found that, before Stefanik entered the race, Blakeman trailed Lawler, 25%-13%.

Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Nassau GOP for comment, but did not hear back as of press time.

New York Gas Prices Fall Slightly

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life and Politics

Gas prices fell by only a penny last week, according to a survey from the Automobile Association of America’s (AAA) Northeast region. In addition, they stayed below the national average.

According to AAA Northeast’s April 21 survey, a gallon of gas was $3.09 last week, down from $3.10 the previous week. The price last month was also at $3.10 a gallon. That is way down from one year ago, when it was $3.68.

However, last week’s price was the highest in the region, followed by Connecticut ($3.04), New Jersey ($2.96), Massachusetts ($2.95) and Rhode Island ($2.94). But New York’s gas prices were lower than the average prices of the U.S.

The national average last week was $3.15 a gallon, down from $3.18 the week before, based on AAA Northeast data. However, gas prices last month were

three cents lower at $3.12, but they were 52 cents less than it was one year earlier, when the price was $3.67 — just one cent less than New York’s.

Americans consumed just 8.46 million barrels of gasoline a day last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s a slight uptick of 37,000 barrels a day over the prior week, but still trailing 2024’s pace by roughly 200,000 barrels a day.

“As demand has continued to stay soft, refiners have dialed back gasoline production to keep a floor beneath pump prices, which are the lowest for this time of year since 2021,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Across the country, drivers are spending between 50 and 60 cents less per gallon than this time last year.”

NY Receives Positive Returns from Feds for 4th Straight Year

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life and Politics

The state comptroller’s Office recently released a report that shows, during the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2023, New York State received $1.06 from the federal government for every $1 the state sent to Washington, D.C. This is the fourth year in a row that New York received a net return.

According to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza), in FFY 2023, New York generated approximately $320.1 billion in tax collections, 7.5% of all U.S. tax collections in FFY 2023, while the state represented 5.8% of the nation’s population. At $16,355, New York’s per capita contribution to the federal treasury was 27.8% more than the national level, and New York’s per-capita tax contribution ranks highly in most tax categories.

Although the amount New York got was greater than what the state paid, it was below the national average of #1.32. Further, the state was ranked 21st in the nation.

“The distribution of federal resources—and the fiscal relationship between states and the federal government—is complex,” DiNapoli wrote in his monthly message. “The federal budget plays an integral role in state economies and budgets.”

DiNapoli noted that the federal pandemic aid helped the state stay in positive numbers, but with President Donald Trump calling for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut out fraud and waste, the state might not be so fortunate the next FFY in 2024. “With the end of pandemic aid, this may be the last year we find New Yorkers with a positive return from Washington,” DiNapoli said.

Among the key findings in DiNapoli’s report:

• In FFY 2023, federal expenditures for each U.S. resident were on average $4,089 more than they paid in federal taxes; for New York residents, it was $912 per capita.

• New York generated $16,355 per capita, ranking it third in per-capita contributions to the federal treasury, and received $17,266 per capita, ranking it 21st in per-capita federal spending.

• New York is tops in the nation in spending on rental assistance and public housing with $295 per capita, second in Medicaid expenditures ($3,082 per capita), fourth in spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ($533 per capita) and sixth in Supplemental Security Income ($238 per capita).

• The state is in the bottom 10 in spending in the following areas: federal employee wages and salaries ($459 per capita, 42nd), veterans benefits ($445 per capita, 49th), highways ($103 per capita, 49th) and federal employees retirement ($216 per capita, 50th).

Individual income taxes represent the largest portion of taxes paid; New York’s were $8,745 per capita — 35.9% higher than the national average of $6,433, according to the report. The second largest component of federal revenues reflects payments for social insurance taxes and contributions, including sources that finance programs for Social Security and Medicare, among others.

New York’s per capita contribution for such payments ($5,472) was 14.2% above the national level of $4,792, ranking it seventh in the nation, based on data from the report. The state ranked first on per capita corporate income taxes with $1,840, which is 47% higher than the national per-capita level of $1,252.

Executive Orders issued by the President paused disbursement of funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), DiNapoli said. The state expected to receive $13.6 billion in IIJA funds and $2 billion from the IRA, backing projects ranging from roadways and bridges to mass transit to broadband to clean energy and resiliency. While some funding has been unfrozen, it is unclear how much the state and local governments and state residents can rely on these funds.

Other federal actions have also impacted the receipt of funds by states. In New York, these include the potential clawback of approximately $158 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief aid from school districts and the freezing of $367 million in funds for public health, addiction services, and mental health programming. DiNapoli said this loss of federal funding translates into weaker state services in crucial areas such as virus surveillance, laboratory support and testing, transitional housing for individuals in recovery, and mental health supports.

“Actions taken by the Trump Administration and Congress may cut health care, food assistance, infrastructure, and other critical programs to the detriment of all New Yorkers,” DiNapoli said. “Major cuts in federal funding simply cannot be replaced by state taxpayers, will reduce the services the state provides and will exacerbate the long-standing history of New Yorkers sending more of their hard-earned tax dollars to the federal government than they get back.”

The Effects of Social Media on the Younger Generations

By Lia Wharton

People are often so dependent on their phones that they forget to enjoy the gift and beauty of life. Yes, there are benefits to social media, but the drawbacks outweigh them.

Social media, to some, is viewed as a plague that is deeply woven and accepted in our society. Selfimage, love, productivity, and many other things in life are ruined by a few measly apps, such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

In this generation, love is shown through sending “Snaps” (or pictures) back and forth, responding to messages as soon as the other person sends them, and outward displays on personal accounts, more for likes than simply sharing a happy moment.

But these examples are the bare minimum. Before social media, love was shown through handwritten letters, genuine effort being put into a relationship, deep emotional understanding between two partners, the little things like thinking about your significant other and buying them “just because” gifts, and true yearning.

Now, love consists of adding someone on Snapchat, texting them, “Hey, what do you look like?”, talking for a couple days, and all of a sudden you are in love and going to “spend the rest of your life” with that person.

Social media has diluted love into a meaningless word that is said two days into a relationship, talking stage, or situation-ship. And, which makes matters even worse, it’s usually said over text. There is no real meaning behind the word ‘love’ if it is said right as two people meet, over a message that isn’t even personal. A confession of love should be done in person, after the two people have grown to know and understand each other. It doesn’t have to be a huge poster or big show of how much you love the other person, but it should be personal, and make the other person feel seen and loved as much as they see and love you.

may go through your phone to make sure you aren’t texting anyone other than them. Before social media, in order to cheat, you would have to physically flirt or talk to another woman or man; it was much harder to secretly cheat on your significant other twenty or so years ago.

People are given the opportunity to talk to many girls or boys at the same time, having multiple situation-ships or talking stages, whatever word that is chosen to mean “the beginning of a relationship” at the same time. You could be messaging a girl on Snapchat one night but tell your girlfriend that you love her the next morning. This opportunity also makes your significant other insecure, or have trust issues. They

Self-image is another thing ruined due to social media. If a girl scrolls through their TikTok and Instagram feed, models and beautiful girls pop up. This may cause that said girl to feel insecure about her own face or body since social media has brainwashed some into believing only one specific body type or face is beautiful, or that natural beauty is reserved for everyone else, even though it’s mostly smoke-andmirrors through filters and photoshops. Even though this is not true, everyone is beautiful in their own way. These insecurities could even cause illnesses, like

This applies to boys too, as they scroll through their feeds they may become insecure over their appearance if they see someone more

People who use social media have lower productivity levels than people who don’t use social media. People who don’t use social media aren’t glued to their phones, fishing for just a few more likes or text messages, but they’re out in the world, experiencing wonders. When I’m on my phone for hours on end, I start to feel depressed, and ask myself if this is the meaning of life. Just scrolling for hours on end watching pointless and I realize that there’s more to life than just social media. You can bake a cake, go for a walk or even a run, travel the world, watch movies or shows, read a book, hang out with your parents or friends, and do so many more productive things in your life that

All in all, unplugging from your phone once and a while is good for the soul. It helps you feel better about yourself, find deeper love, and complete more things that you’ve

Lia Wharton is a freshman at Centereach High School who served as an intern

Local History

Thursday, May 1, 2025

The General Store at 501 Hawkins Avenue - Part I ‘The Hallocks’

By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.

Before 1899, there were only two General Stores in the Historic Lake Ronkonkoma area. The first was generations ago and the second was operated by Sam Hawkins in what is now Lake Grove in 1892. The history of both will be covered in future columns. Today, we will begin the familiar and endearing saga of the store on the corner, in segments.

This building is located on the southeast corner of Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road, the intersection known as the “heart of town.” The store was the first commercial structure built in the area and located at one of the original major crossroads of the Village. The Hallock Family, Willis Newton Hallock, opened the original General store in 1899.

There was a need for a store, as the few that were nearby were not able to stay in business. He felt a change of location would add to his success. Willis prepared the store for opening day, and it was an instant success. That special corner on Hawkins Avenue lasted for over 120 years. General groceries were sold, such as eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables, along with tobacco, canned goods, and smoked and salted meat.

Nettie, his wife, assisted her husband at the store and added products to the inventory as she deemed needed. Due to this Hallock store, traditions and changes were made in the Village that have been sustained for all these years, such as friendly discussions in the store by the regulars at evening time, and a Post Office that was created just for Lake Ronkonkoma. Other stores opened around it, and this started the “boom” that led to the Village as we know it today.

But they were not always safe in the house. Tuesday night, October 23, 1900, grocery store was broken into and robbed of a large quantity of canned goods, smoked and salted meats, and tobacco. The rear door was forced open, and although the identity of the burglars were not known, certain suspects were being watched.

In 1905, the roof was raised and the second story added. This allowed the family to live upstairs, keeping the first floor visible to customers. Growth was inevitable as the business expanded.

An advertisement was placed by WN Hallock Groceries in the 1904 Ronkonkoma Fire Co. & Improvement Assoc. Program for the July 4, 1904, festivities. Their place in town was stable, and they looked forward to the coming years.

The famous icehouse was at the store until 1922 when it was taken down. It measured about 25 feet across and stored over 50 tons of ice. It stood about 6 feet off the ground with a walk-in entrance and had steps that went down below the ground about 15 feet.

In the winter, ice would be cut from the lake and stored in the pit. Leaves and straw were used as insulation to keep it from melting. When summer came, the ice was used for refrigeration in the store. Located to the east, it has long been demolished.

The new Lake Ronkonkoma Post Office was established and bought additional customers to the store. Willis Newton Hallock was appointed as the first Post Master on Tuesday evening, February 7, 1905.

“A new Post Office, to be known as Lake Ronkonkoma, has been established at the lake, with Willis N. Hallock as postmaster. Mr. Hallock received his appointment on Tuesday night This is the outcome of a citizens’ petition which asked to have the post office at Ronkonkoma station moved to a point one mile to the northwood. It results in both offices being maintained, with Postmaster G.C. de Groot in charge at the station office. The establishment of office No.2 is especially favored by the summer residents about Lake Ronkonkoma who have long protested against being obliged to go a full mile to the station office for their daily mails. The new office is quite near Sandy Garth, the country home of Maude Adams, who, it is said was a leader among the influential petitioners for the new post office.”

The mail was brought by horse and wagon and delivered through a side window. Then it was distributed into pigeon-hole letter boxes by the postmaster.

In 1907, The Hallocks sold the General Store to Emmett Coleman. Willis pursued his career as a Real Estate agent.

Willis Newton Hallock (January 16, 1876 – January 11, 1920) died at age 47; was married to Nettie Frances Newton Hallock in 1902. Willis descends from the original Hallock Family on Long Island. He is buried in Lake Ronkonkoma Cemetery.

Nettie Frances Newton Hallock Gallagher (January 27, 1877 – February 1, 1969) (second husband married 1924), died in Oakdale, aged 92. Nettie was the daughter of Amzi W. Newton and Mary Emma Morris. She is buried in Lake Ronkonkoma Cemetery.

Willis Francis Hallock (September 9, 1910 – October 19, 2007) was their son. He enlisted for service on August 14, 1942, at Fort Jay, Governor’s Island. He spent most of his life in California.

Ruth Hallock Hawkins (May 26, 1905 – July 11, 1989) was their daughter and spent most of her life Upstate.

Thank you to my friend Richard Hallock and family who continue to add happiness to our lives and in keeping our history real. His Military Tribute Banner holds the #1 spot on the corner of his family’s legacy. Thank you to Lenore Baake, for her endless contributions to Lake Ronkonkoma.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Hallock General Store, c. 1899

Willis Newton Hallock and Nettie N. Hallock

The expanded General Store in 1905

AI Security: Why Your Business Is Responsible for the Robots You Deploy

By Mollie Barnett

You might not consider your business a tech company, but if you’ve implemented any AI systems—from inventory management to customer service chatbots—you’ve joined the ranks of organizations that need to think seriously about AI security. And even if you haven’t deployed AI directly, your business likely connects to systems that do.

When Your AI Makes a Mistake, You Pay the Price

The legal landscape around artificial intelligence has been rapidly evolving, but one principle remains consistent: if you deploy it, you’re responsible for it. This means when your inventory management AI orders too much seasonal stock, or your customer service AI provides incorrect information, the financial and legal consequences fall squarely on your business—not the vendor who sold you the system.

This accountability exists regardless of whether you understand how your AI systems make decisions. Courts have consistently held implementing organizations responsible, and “we didn’t know how it works” doesn’t diminish liability. For midsized businesses operating on thinner margins than enterprise companies, a single significant AI misstep could create serious financial strain.

New Threats for New Technologies

The security challenges facing businesses using AI go well beyond traditional cybersecurity concerns like data breaches and malware. AI systems face unique vulnerabilities:

Adversarial Attacks can trick AI systems into making incorrect decisions by subtly manipulating the data they process. Imagine a competitor slightly altering product images so your inventory AI can’t properly identify them—leading to ordering errors that disrupt your operations.

Data Poisoning targets the information your AI learns from. If bad actors can contaminate your AI’s training data, they can potentially influence future decisions in ways that benefit them and harm your business.

Model Extraction involves repeatedly querying your AI to essentially rebuild a copy of it. This could allow competitors to steal proprietary algorithms your business relies on for competitive advantage.

What makes these threats particularly challenging is how rapidly they can evolve compared to traditional security threats. While conventional cybersecurity updates might happen weekly or monthly, attacks against AI systems can adapt and evolve much more quickly.

Your Business Is More Connected Than You Think

For many local businesses, the most significant AI risks come not from systems they’ve directly implemented, but from the increasingly connected business ecosystem they operate within:

• Your supply chain likely uses AI for inventory management and logistics

• Your financial transactions pass through AI-powered fraud detection systems

• Your marketing efforts probably interact with AI-driven advertising platforms

• Your utility providers increasingly use AI for resource allocation and management

This interconnection means that vulnerabilities in one system can potentially cascade through related networks, creating disruptions that impact your operations even if your own systems remain secure.

Practical Steps for Local Businesses

While these challenges might seem overwhelming, local and mid-sized businesses can take several practical steps to manage their AI responsibilities:

1. Know What You’re Using

Create a comprehensive inventory of all AI systems your business employs, including those embedded in services you purchase from vendors.

2. Establish Clear Oversight

Designate specific individuals responsible for monitoring AI operations and establish regular review procedures for AI-driven decisions.

3. Set Reasonable Limits

Implement caps on the financial or operational impact AI systems can have without human review—for example, maximum order quantities or spending thresholds.

4. Plan for Failures

Develop contingency plans for scenarios where AI systems malfunction, including backup procedures and emergency response protocols.

5. Stay Informed

Join industry groups focused on AI governance and security to stay current on emerging threats and best practices.

Looking Ahead

As AI becomes increasingly woven into the fabric of everyday business operations, the security landscape will continue to evolve. The businesses that thrive will be those that take a thoughtful, proactive approach to managing their AI responsibilities.

The bottom line for local business owners is straightforward: understand that you own the consequences of your AI’s decisions, implement practical oversight measures, and develop contingency plans for when things go wrong.

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, this isn’t just good security practice—it’s essential business planning.

Illustration created using OpenAI’s DALL·E by Mollie Barnett 4-3-25

Legislator Caracappa Attends Middle Country Music Festival

This past weekend, Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) attended Middle Country Music Festival hosted by the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce.

Attended by many community members who enjoyed a wide array of local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden run by the Centereach Elks Club, and of course some great music!

This year’s festival welcomed many local businesses and organizations that put on demonstrations and entertained attendees with fitness workouts, Zumba lessons, performances from local residents between bands hitting the main stage. Wolfie from SUNY Stonybrook University also came out to join in the festivities and participated in workout himself.

“An all-around great day and a terrific community event,” said Caracappa. “We had many of our residents stop by our table today picking up information regarding services available to them through the County. It was nice to hear their compliments, support, and appreciation for today’s event and the improvements they have seen within their communities. My compliments to Lenore Paprocky and the entire Chamber of Commerce for putting on another successful event for our community!”

Brookhaven Supervisor and Council Cheer Marathoner Eva

Ultra-marathoner Eva Casale, renowned for her extraordinary endurance and deep respect for our nation’s heroes, is embarking on her ninth annual mission to honor veterans. Over the course of seven consecutive days, Eva and Team E.V.A. will run seven marathons—an awe-inspiring total of more than 184 miles. Their journey spans over 400 Points of Honor, where heartfelt tributes are laid to recognize the sacrifices of our nation’s Veterans and service members.

Eva’s inspiring journey was marked by a special event at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville, where she was greeted by Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches). Praising Eva’s salute to veterans, Supervisor Panico presented her with a proclamation acknowledging her profound dedication and impact. Joining the celebration was Sixth District Council Member Karen Dunne Kesnig (R-Manorville), who shared her admiration for Eva’s commitment and encouraged community support for Team E.V.A.’s noble mission.

“Eva Casale’s tribute reminds us of the debt we owe to those who have bravely served our nation,” Supervisor Panico said during the presentation. “Her efforts unite communities and inspire us to express gratitude for the heroes among us.”

Team E.V.A.’s journey will continue across Long Island, inviting residents to participate, cheer, and reflect on the sacrifices made by Veterans and active service members.

For more information on Eva Casale’s mission and details about Points of Honor, visit www.goteameva.org.

Photo credit - Office of Legislator Nick Caracappa

Long Island Ducks

Duck Season! Ducks Host ‘Fan Day’ for 25th Anniversary Season

By Matt Meduri

The field also boasts significant improvement, such as a turf field, beautification, a new pitching mound, dugouts, and padded outfield walls.

As an added perk of the opening day events, the first 1,500 fans in attendance received Ducks Home Pinstripe Replica Jersey, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son.

The Ducks took the mount at 6:35p.m., but not before Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) threw out the first pitch.

The Ducks’ first game of the season was set against the Lancaster Stormers. The Ducks took an early lead with a solo home run from Taylor Kohlwey (#32), but Lancaster countered racking up two runs of their own with a homerun in the bottom of the second.

The Ducks’ defense proved solid as they denied the Stormers another home run with a pop-fly catch.

However, the fourth inning proved to be where the Stormers got going, as they racked up a homerun, followed by a double. When one Stormer slid into home plate, the point was debated, but ultimately given to Lancaster, much to the chagrin of Long Island. However, the Ducks rounded out the inning with a double play and a pop-fly catch from Chris Roller (#9).

Ducks Pitcher Mitchell Sanger (#31) struck out two Stormers, followed by a pop-fly catch from River Town (#14).

The sixth inning saw the Stormers score another homerun, followed by another strikeout, courtesy of the Ducks’ Sanger. As the Stormers walked the bases, the Ducks shut them down with another strikeout with two outs and the bases loaded, bringing the score to 3-1 Lancaster.

Ducks Pitcher David Griffin (#15) threw two strikeouts in the top of the

seventh, followed by a quick out at first base to give the Ducks the bat.

The eighth inning saw the Ducks give up a run after the Stormers brought one in with a triple. A sac fly to right field gave Lancaster another run, bringing the game to 5-1. With bags loaded, a walk forces Lancaster to score a run. While the Ducks were down, they weren’t out, as they ended the inning with the bags loaded.

In the final inning, Ducks pitcher Jacob Asa (#55) threw one strikeout, but the Stormers were able to bring in two runs with a pop fly with the bases loaded. The Ducks rallied with a base hit to left field from JC Encarnacion (#13), followed by another base hit to left field from Troy Viola (#24). With men on first and third, Lancaster clinched the game 9-1.

However, the Ducks mounted a spirited comeback Saturday night after Opening Day to defeat Lancaster 13-5 at home in Central Islip, notching their first win of the season.

The Long Island Ducks are entering their 25th Anniversary season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for four consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 713 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940DUCK (3825).

Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the Major Leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 26-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its 10 family-friendly ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

(Left to right) Frank Boulton, Ed Romaine About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Watch For Our Upcoming List of Memorial Day Parades

CHURCH STREET

CONTACT: (631) 585-2126

CONTACT: VINCENT ZECCA, COMMANDER PAPAZECCA@AOL.COM

• New members always welcome at each of these groups

• Many services offered to Veterans and their families

• Learn about services, resources, and benefits available

• There is a crisis hotline for Veterans who are struggling called ‘Be the One’ (Scan the QR code for more information)

• These organizations also participate in numerous community events and offer educational opportunities. To learn more, contact the individual group for specific information and meeting dates