Islip Messenger Archive Apr. 4, 2024

Kennedy Calls for Ethics Probe into Bellone and Ex-Staffers

By Matt Meduri

As the County government continues to transition into the new administration, calls for investigations into former County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) and some of his former staffers have emerged in light of alleged ethics violations and document mishandling.

The calls stem from questions on how money from the County’s $50 million Opioid Settlement fund flowed into organizations that now employ former County employees, including Bellone himself.

Continued on page 23

Sloth Encounters Shut Down: Animals Removed from Hauppauge Store

By Matt Meduri

The Sloth Encounters saga might finally be coming to an end as the Suffolk Supreme Court has ordered that Sloth Encounters remove sloths and other animals from its unlawfully operated store in Hauppauge.

The Islip Fire Marshall has confirmed that there are no animals currently present at the 551 Veterans Memorial Highway location in Hauppauge, just up the road from the County offices.

The Honorable Judge Santorelli adjourned owner Larry Wallach’s contempt charges until April 18 while Fire Marshals continue to ensure that the store does not continue to operate.

Wallach has been cited over sixty times for his violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Incidents at the location include sloths biting children, mishandling the animals, guests smoking marijuana on premises and intoxicating the animals, as well as attempting to sell or traffic exotic animals. Additionally, the “Sloth Encounters” sign on the storefront has been removed.

This is a developing story.

Former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (Credit - Suffolk County)

Couple Indicted for Manslaughter for Drug Overdose of Child Joseph Adonis

By Matt Meduri

The ongoing opioid crisis seems to have no end in sight, as the cases become more chilling and unconscionable and the drugs become more potent and pervasive.

The epidemic hit a new low in Suffolk County earlier this year when fourteen-month-old Joseph Adonis (pictured top right) was found dead in his parents’ bedroom. An autopsy report indicated that the cause of death was due to a mix of trace amounts of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl in the child’s system.

Holbrook parents Wilkens Adonis and Daryllee Leibrock, both thirty-eight, had already faced a slew of drug and weapons charges in the wake of Joseph’s death.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) announced Monday the superseding indictment that formally charges the couple with second-degree manslaughter charges.

The couple was arraigned on Monday on the new charges, followed by a press conference with D.A. Tierney, Suffolk Police Commissioner Robert Waring, Deputy Commissioner Kevin Catalina, and Chief of Detectives Darrel Simmons at the Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Court Complex in Riverhead.

“The autopsy and toxicology performed by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office intoxication caused by a mixture of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl,” Tierney explained. “And the preliminary DNA analysis in this case indicates that the child’s DNA was found in close proximity to the drug packaging that was found in the defendant’s bedroom.”

Tierney noted that the charges are allegations at this point and that “we will prove them in court.”

Tierney gave the timeline of offenses for both parents and how New York’s controversial bail reform laws set the stage for baby Adonis’ untimely death in January.

On November 3, 2022, the day before Joseph was born, his parents were arrested following a traffic stop.

“At that time, they allegedly possessed many of the same legal drugs that were later found in the bedroom of Baby Joseph,” said Tierney. “Heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone were allegedly found in the vehicle. Xanax was found in Leibrock’s purse and a bag and straws containing heroin and cocaine were allegedly found on the defendant, Wilkens Adonis. Adonis was arraigned on November 4, 2022, and charged with felony drug possession. These were non-bail eligible offenses, meaning my prosecutors could not ask for bail on those cases.”

Leibrock was charged with misdemeanors and was not arrested, instead given a desk appearance ticket by statute and was arraigned a month later, after the birth of Joseph. Her charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and associated vehicle and traffic law offenses were not bail eligible.

“On October 24, 2023 in family court, an order of protection was issued requiring Leibrock to stay away from baby Adonis as well as her eleven-year-old child,” said Tierney. “They also prohibited her from possessing illegal drugs that created an unreasonable risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the child. On December 20, 2023, both defendants allegedly failed to appear in court for their charges and bench warrants were issued.”

Following that, at 8:00a.m. on January 3, 2024, baby Adonis was found unresponsive by Suffolk County Police at their home in Holbrook. He was taken to Stony Brook Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The parents were arrested that day for charges related to fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin allegedly found around the bedroom where baby Adonis was found, as well as the eleven-yearold child.

“None of these charges were bail eligible under New York State law,” said Tierney. “My prosecutors therefore were not able to ask for bail on these felony charges or these weapons charges, even in a case where preliminary testing indicated the overdose of a baby. Had the defendants not had the open cases with warrants on them, they would have been released that day. However, for defendant Adonis, we were only able to ask for bail on those open cases.”

Tierney says that while autopsy and toxicological reports were being run, his prosecutors were only able to get bail on the older, less serious cases.

“If these defendants did not have bench warrants and violations of orders of protection, they would have walked free,” Tierney reiterated. “We could not ask for bail for those drug and firearm charges, notwithstanding the death of a child. What is clear is bail reform is a onesize-fits-all approach that does not account for facts in individual cases.”

Tierney also said that the bail reform laws disallow prosecutors from arguing the dangerousness of a

Narcotics in nightstand drawer within bedroom where Joseph Adonis was found

defendant.

“As it can be argued in forty-nine of the fifty other states, as well as the federal system, bail reform did not allow us to argue danger, in this case, danger to that eleven-yearold child,” said Tierney.

Bail reform also does not allow for summary arrest in cases involving drug addiction or mental health issues.

“As I’ve said time and time again, we call out the failure of bail reform and it’s time for the legislature to get to work and do their job,” said Tierney. “Now that the investigation has been completed, including the autopsy and toxicological analysis, the defendants have been indicted via superseding indictment.”

Autopsy reports reveal the deadly cocktail in Adonis’ system, at this point believed to be from residue of the drugs in the bedroom, not necessarily direct ingestion.

“An amount of fentanyl that weighs the same as a rice grain is enough to kill an individual, especially a child,” said Tierney.

Wilkens Adonis and Daryllee Leibrock have both been charged with manslaughter in the second degree for having recklessly caused the death of a child; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third

degree with intent to sell, which is a Class-B felony for their mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class-C felony (relating to the aforementioned drugs); two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a Class-D felony (for Xanax and methadone); six counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, Class-A misdemeanors; two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree (misdemeanors); and two counts of failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the first degree (misdemeanor).

Wilkens Adonis was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a Class-D felony, and two counts of criminalization of a weapon in the fourth degree. Leibrock was charged with criminalization of a weapon in the fourth degree, a Class-A misdemeanor.

Both were charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one each for Baby Adonis and the eleven-year-old child.

Tierney said that the police are finding fentanyl and other deadly narcotics every day in Suffolk County. He also said that 40% of overdose autopsies reveal the presence of xylazine, otherwise known as “tranq,” a cattle sedative that is being used to not only cut counterfeit drugs to increase profit margins, but also increase the euphoric high of opioids. Tranq is known as a “zombie” drug, for the zombie-like appearance it gives its users, as well as its skin-rotting properties.

Xylazine is not a controlled substance in New York, meaning those in possession cannot be prosecuted. Furthermore, it is not an opioid, the effects of which cannot be countered by Narcan.

“Every day, our police and first responders are administering Narcan to revive Suffolk County residents who are overdosing,” said Tierney. “However, if the trend continues, that is going to become less and less successful. In 2022 alone, we had 399 fentanyl overdoses. We’re continuing to compile the numbers for 2023. Suffice to say that those numbers, unfortunately, will either meet or exceed the 399 fentanyl overdoses. The problem is getting worse.”

“If our lawmakers do not do something, we will be back here again for more babies and more toddlers. Baby Adonis, unfortunately, is just the tip of the iceberg,” Tierney continued. “I’m telling you right now, we are going to see more and more children and other individuals being incidentally affected and overdosing from the poison that is fentanyl. Our citizens are dying, now our children are dying. New York’s failed 2019 bail reform is implicated in the death of this child. Bail reform failed this child both during his life as well as in his death.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said in a statement: “Joseph Adonis was an innocent child who has been added to the ever-growing list of the victims of the fentanyl epidemic that continues to destroy families and communities. It is unthinkable that a toddler could be exposed to such dangerous, illegal drugs in the home, but it is now a reality. I applaud the work of District Attorney Tierney, his office and the Suffolk County Police Department that lead to this indictment and hopefully a lengthy prison sentence for those responsible for this selfish, heinous crime.”

Messenger The Gotham Shocking Twist: Suffolk County D.A. Tierney

Reveals New York State Senator

Mario Mattera as BATMAN !

In a stunning revelation, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) disclosed today that the enigmatic figure behind the Batman mask is none other than New York State Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James). Tierney, speaking at a press conference attended by bewildered journalists and citizens, provided compelling evidence linking the Senator to the vigilante activities that have plagued the region. According to Tierney, a thorough investigation led law enforcement officials to Senator Mattera, whose clandestine double life as the iconic crime-fighter has left the community in awe. The announcement has ignited a firestorm of speculation and disbelief, with many struggling to reconcile the image of the respected Senator with the masked vigilante prowling the streets of Suffolk County.

By Chip Johnson

Suffolk County GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia offered a perspective on the startling revelation, stating, “It’s not entirely surprising that Mario is the Batman. He fights for justice every day in his role as a New York State Senator, and it seems he’s taken that commitment to a new level.”

As the shocking revelation reverberates throughout the community, questions abound regarding Senator Mattera’s motivations and the extent of his activities as Batman. With the Senator’s reputation on the line, supporters point to his unwavering dedication to public service as evidence of his character. As the community grapples with this unexpected turn of events, Senator Mattera remains resolute, poised to confront the challenges ahead with the same courage and determination that have defined his career.

Biden’s Stock Market Mirage

By Andrew Shirley | AMAC Exclusive

With the dismal failure of the White House’s “Bidenomics” pitch now evident, Biden’s economic message to voters for his re-election effort now relies heavily on what at first appear to be strong returns in the stock market. But even this argument is undermined by Biden’s other economic failures.

Despite inflation remaining more than 50 percent higher than the Fed’s target rate of two percent and the fact that just 26 percent of Americans rate the economy as “good” or “excellent” according to the latest New York Times and Siena College poll, the one economic bright spot the Biden administration has been able to point to in recent months has been the stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both ended the first quarter of 2024 on record highs, with the S&P notching its best start to the year since 2019.

The corporate media has been quick to capitalize on this headline as evidence of the supposed success of Biden’s economic policies. “The Biden stock market is swamping Trump’s,” declared Yahoo News. Ed Finn, a former editor at Barron’s, wrote that Biden has “brought happy days for investors” in an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal.

Biden himself has also sought to claim credit for the strong stock market. “Good news for folks as we start the weekend,” Biden posted on X in February in response to an NBC News post about the stock market. “The stock market going strong is a sign of confidence in America’s economy.” (As a number of conservative accounts on X were quick to note, back in 2020, Biden criticized Trump for supposedly saying that “the economy is doing well if the Dow Jones is doing well.”)

Yet Biden’s celebration of strong stock market returns is highly misleading. For one thing, it makes no acknowledgment of the fact that the prices of stocks are up at a time of historic overall inflation. Overall, cumulative inflation since Biden took office is over 18 percent – meaning that 18 percent of the gains seen in the stock market under Biden have been completely erased by inflation.

Once inflation is taken into account, the rate of return for the S&P 500 over Biden’s first three years in office (otherwise known as the “real return”) is just 8 percent – well below the S&P’s historic three-year average of 20 percent.

As a general principle, higher inflation also makes stocks more attractive than bonds, meaning investors place more money in the stock market than they do into other securities. High internet rates have cratered the bond market, meaning much of the stock market growth is merely funds disproportionately removed from bonds.

In other words, the recent strong stock market returns aren’t a sign of “confidence” in the economy, as Biden claims. They’re more likely a sign of investors trying to offset the economic impacts of the persistent inflation brought on by Biden’s record spending.

Moreover, as Heritage Foundation senior fellow Stephen Moore explained in a February opinion piece for Fox News, “Most of the gains in the market have only made up for the miserable returns in Biden’s disastrous first two years in office when stocks lost almost 15 percent of their value.”

“In other words,” Moore continues, “for the most part, the last 14 months have simply made up for the lost ground during the 2022 rout in stocks.”

It’s also worth noting that most of the gains in the stock market have been driven by just seven companies – Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Tesla, and Nvidia. Combined, these firms make up nearly one-third of the S&P’s market cap. The success of these companies on its own is not enough to claim that the entire economy, or even the entire stock market, is doing well.

Conversely, when President Trump was in office, the Dow saw 126 all-time highs while reflation remained under control. As a result, Trump oversaw

both a historically strong stock market and increases in real wages and the purchasing power of American households.

Polling data suggests that, no matter how hard Democrats and the media try to convince people that Biden’s presidency has been good for their wallets, most Americans aren’t buying it. According to a CBS News survey released in March, 65 percent of voters rate the economy as “good” under Trump, compared to just 38 percent who say the same under Biden. Another CNBC survey from March found that a plurality of 39 percent of respondents said they would be better off financially if Trump were re-elected this November, while just 23 percent say they’d be better off if Biden gets another term.

While Biden will almost surely continue to tout robust stock market numbers leading up to Election Day, the reasons why most Americans won’t be convinced by that argument are easy to see.

New York State Budget Delayed, No Surprise There

It’s become an unfortunate aspect of New York government to which we’ve all had to grow accustomed, most of us begrudgingly so. Late budgets have been the norm in New York since the 1980s, with the longest lapse in timeliness in 2004, when the budget was 133 days late. 1997 and 1999 also saw the April deadline turn into August breakthroughs.

The problem with New York is that the state creates budgets differently than all other states. The normal way is for the legislature to craft a plan for the next fiscal year, devoid of policy, and present it to the governor, where he or she can recommend changes. The process differs slightly between states, wherein the governor has varied amounts of power in the form of disagreement, while the legislatures have subjective levels of their own control.

But in New York, the land of red tape galore, we, of course, do things differently - backwards, actually.

The Governor actually creates an executive budget and presents it to the legislature for deliberation. This wouldn’t be as big of a problem if the budget just included fiscal measures. The problem with New York is that we weave policy in with budget, even on matters that don’t require spending any money at all. The Governor gets to propose spending increases, cuts, and other allocations, while also proposing legislation that should almost always be presented on its own merits.

Governor Hochul’s (D) budget this year is the largest in the state’s history - a whopping $233 billion - the largest in the country behind California. This year’s budget includes $129 billion in state funds - tax revenue - $85 billion in federal funds - usually for large infrastructure projects or health insurance for low-income residents, to name a couple examples - plus another $19 billion in mixed state and federal funds.

Once the Governor proposes the executive budget, the process is kicked to the Assembly and Senate, where they basically try to wield as much control as possible, even though the process is incredibly stacked to give the Governor the upper hand. Each chamber then presents their one-house budgets, which are essentially their own proposals of where funds should go and how policy should be resolved, usually to the tune of their own districts - rightfully so.

The delays then come in the form of intense negotiations that can last days, weeks, or even months as both chambers and the Governor try to capture wins for their districts.

Again, this wouldn’t be as monumentally complicated or timeconsuming if the budget was concerned with finances. That alone can be a nightmare to deliberate, but at least it would just be one aspect of governance to debate.

The policy aspect of bills is what constitutes all the fighting and delays. Nickel and diming for opioid treatment centers or environmental concerns of certain districts is what we expect of our legislators, but hanging up the whole process on policy makes it difficult for the legislators to do their jobs. All the while, the Governor has the upper hand pretty much through the entire process.

Once the chambers submit their budgets, the Governor can lineitem veto any provision she wants. The line-item veto isn’t the problem here. To reiterate, it’s the line-item vetoing of provisions in the budget that should not be remotely close to the budget.

Governor Cuomo (D), to his credit, presided over mostly-on-time budgets, but Albany began hitting budgets snags again in 2017 due to the “Raise the Age” controversy. The “Raise the Age” law raised the age of criminal responsibility to eighteen years of age. New York was one of the last states to automatically prosecute sixteen- and seventeen-yearolds as adults. The argument in the law was that it robbed young people the opportunity for rehabilitation and spared them of a criminal justice system that might have led to recidivism and possibly institutionalization.

A valiant effort and a noble cause, except many point the “Raise the Age” law as one of the reason’s New York is currently so crime-ridden.

The massive crime waves plaguing New York City have seen youthful offenders commit serious crimes, but the RTA policy not only treats them with kid gloves, but also removes the discretion of prosecutors and judges to determine community safety in retaining an offender, and also prevents courts from using information of prior arrests in determining the outcome of a new arrest.

Only adding insult to injury was that prior to the RTA’s enactment, there was a system in determining how youths could be charged and there were provisions for more serious crimes.

This whole disastrous policy came in the form of the 2018 fiscal year budget.

In 2019, the horrendously awful bail reform laws came in the form of a state budget.

Last year, Governor Hochul attempted to appease moderates and conservatives by lobbying for changes to bail reform, notably by attempting to reinstate judicial discretion that allows judges to gauge community safety in retaining defendants.

The budget was not passed until early-to-mid May, about six weeks late because of the hangups.

We’re not sure just how serious Hochul was about attempting to govern as a moderate and make common sense changes to a nonsense set of laws, but if we’re giving her the benefit of the doubt that she was being genuine, we’re not surprised it didn’t pan out. We didn’t forget that around Christmas 2022, the legislature proposed raises that made them the most well-compensated state legislature in the entire country.

Hochul signed the bill and asked for nothing in return. Fast forward a few months and we’re supposed to act surprised the legislature doesn’t want to meet her halfway on certain proposals?

It’s hard to believe the progressive faction of the Democratic Party would have given her any ground on that, but for all the upper hand Hochul has in the budget process as Governor, she loses because she can’t control her legislature. You’d figure that arguably the most powerful Governor in the country regarding budget-crafting would try to use that position to her benefit. Despite all of Cuomo’s faults, he at least understood how to throw elbows and get what he wanted. Maybe it’s just a downstate New York thing, but we could sure use that type of governance right now.

The final massive problem that gives us virtually no faith in the budget-making process is that all of the policies are presented in one giant omnibus package, much like the ones that constitute most of Washington’s dysfunction. A legislator can agree with a quarter of the entire plan and disagree with the other 75%, but if that 25% is valuable to him or her, they might have to bite the bullet and approve the budget anyway.

This was the excuse of then-Assemblyman now-Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) at a press conference a couple weeks ago when The Messenger quizzed him on his support for the bail reform laws. He stated that he wanted environmental policies and educational funding, so he approved the budget anyway, enacting bail reform.

Englebright wasn’t the lynchpin vote on the matter, and we certainly can’t fault him for New York’s abysmal budget-making process, but it does show how lawmakers can hide behind an omnibus package and not take any realistic hits for voting for stupid legislation. If Englebright wanted to absolve himself of that rational fury, he could have just voted against the budget, let the progressive wing carry it home, get what he wanted anyway, while also being able to say he voted against bail reform.

The other obvious problem with omnibus budgets is that they can lead to pork barrelling and sneakily-passed legislation. These massive budgets and seemingly-endless fighting don’t exactly give us faith that these laws are read with the intent with which they should be.

Here’s how we would fix the process:

For one, separate policy and budget.

For another, prioritize line-item spending and individualized policy.

Finally, elect Republicans to the State Senate and allow them to retake control of the chamber.

It’s clear that a Democratic trifecta in Albany is not working. The state has gotten less affordable, more dysfunctional, and much less safe. At least when there was divided control in Albany, there was more reason for compromise and meeting in the middle. Now, we have a rabid progressive wing that hijacks the way the state is run, and they don’t take Hochul seriously enough to come to the table.

We’re not surprised the budget is delayed again. Cue the mudslinging from both sides about how neither party wants the state employees to get their paychecks because they want to hold the line on key legislation. We’ve heard this one before; we’re not buying it.

We’ll certainly not be surprised any time soon as long as New York insists on remaining the most backwards and dysfunctional state in terms of creating budgets.

Passage of Debt Service Budget Bill Is a Good Start

By Assemblyman Ed Ra

On March 28, the Assembly took up the first of its ten budget bills, the debt service bill, which is necessary to make legally required payments related to the sale and servicing of debt by the state as well as contractual debt agreements with public authorities and agencies.

I’m glad to see we’re taking up our first budget bill ahead of the deadline, and during daylight hours no less, but Governor Hochul (D) has already started her game of cat and mouse with an emergency extender setting a new deadline for April 4. As we move through this process, transparent negotiations are critical in keeping the best interests of all New Yorkers on the table.

We knew the budget would not be on time this year; this is a trend we have become accustomed to. The flawed budget process has had real and tangible effects on our state, and we only have to talk to struggling business owners and people leaving the state for more affordable and safer communities to realize this.

This debt service bill passed on March 28 provides a $3 billion payment towards the state’s outstanding debt, which is estimated to total $64.4 billion in FY25. While accumulating debt is concerning, it becomes even more alarming if spending remains unchecked. The comptroller has projected that debt service is going to consume an increasing share of state spending over the next five years, leaving fewer cash resources available for other spending needs. Debt service payments are projected to reach

approximately $9 billion by FY29, roughly the same amount the state spends on the environment, parks, economic development and local government assistance combined.

As many good government groups have pointed out, without a state financial plan and without knowing when we will see the remaining budget bills, it’s like driving a car without knowing how much gas you have left or where you’re headed. We need a clear plan to manage our finances responsibly for the residents of New York whose interests we are elected to represent. We need a timely, efficient budget, one that doesn’t leave our school districts, local governments and vital nonprofit organizations in uncertainty, anxiously awaiting to learn whether the state will allocate them the necessary funding to sustain their operations and serve their communities effectively.

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) has represented the 19th Assembly District since 2011. The district is split between the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead, and includes Carle Place, Garden City, Garden City Park, Garden City South, Mineola, Salisbury, West Hempstead, Williston Park, and parts of Floral Park, Franklin Square, Herricks, Manhasset Hills, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor.

Brown: ‘Squatters’ and ‘Tenants’ Cannot Share the Same Legal Definition – It’s a Slap in the Face to Public Safety in Our State

By Assemblyman Keith Brown

Nadia Vitels, a 52-year-old mother, was brutally killed, allegedly by two squatters who had been occupying her late mother’s New York City apartment. Police believe Nadia was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, walking in on the squatters, who then beat her to death and fled the apartment in her car. The sad truth is, even if Nadia had discovered the two squatters, been attacked, and somehow escaped, it still would have been extremely difficult for her to remove them from an apartment under current New York law.

It is truly horrific that current property laws in our state, for whatever reason, protect the rights of squatters over the rights of New York families. This creates a maze of red tape that many homeowners statewide continue to sift through simply to have the right to deny a stranger the ability to move into and live in their home. This is unacceptable and needs to change to protect New Yorkers like Nadia who have encountered the dangerous consequences of protecting squatters’ rights. I fully support my fellow Assembly Republican colleagues aiming to create a difference between ‘squatter’ and ’tenant.’

The Democratic Socialists of America openly state they are working to decommodify housing and land. They are doing this by pushing an agenda to cancel rent, close eviction courts, and acquire private property in order to transform these properties into public housing as landlords are driven out of state. Karl Marx said, “The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property.” While the Democratic Socialists of America aim to make all housing throughout our state and nation public housing, this idea does not work in practice. Abolishing private property and infringing on the rights of property owners and landlords will only contribute to the growing housing crisis wreaking havoc at a state and federal level.

On social media platforms like TikTok, we have also seen undocumented migrants who have entered the state sending out videos and “tips” about how to essentially seize property from New York citizens. Incoming migrants are well

aware of the 30-day rule in place for squatters who move into unoccupied houses and are promoting the act of trespassing via living in these unoccupied homes for 30 days—or simply claiming to have lived there for 30 days—in order to be considered “tenants” under the law. This is an attack on New York homeowners and families and is a direct and imminent threat to public safety.

If you recall the film Pacific Heights from 1990—a film that tells the story of a couple who renovate their dream home but are subjected to an intense legal battle with a “tenant” who moves in and attempts to steal their home from them—you are aware these squatting-related incidents spreading throughout the state and country have persisted for many years. It’s time we put an end to this terrifying problem to give homeowners peace of mind.

If a New York homeowner or family falls victim to a squatter, they should have the right and the legal power to expeditiously force that person—that stranger— from their residence. Squatting should, and needs to be, considered trespassing under the law. Period.

Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport) represents the Twelfth District in the New York State Assembly. The Twelfth District spans across the Towns of Babylon, Huntington, and Islip, containing the hamlets of Baywood, Centerport, Cold Spring Harbor, East Northport, Eaton’s Neck, Elwood, Greenlawn, Halesite, and the villages of Asharoken, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor, and Northport. The district also includes parts of Commack, Dix Hills, Deer Park, Fort Salonga, and North Bay Shore

For more information about Assemblyman Keith Brown, please visit his official Assembly website: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Keith-P-Brown/

Letters to the Editor

Trump Attended Officer Diller’s Wake, What’s Biden’s Excuse?

You can judge the moral character of a person by the company they keep. Former President Donald Trump attended the wake for NYC Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was murdered by a repeat offender out on parole during a traffic stop. President Joe Biden, accompanied by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, attended a $25 million dollar fundraiser to support Biden’s re-election at Radio City Music Hall. Tickets ranged from

$250 to $500,000 dollars with a photo with all three at only $100,000 dollars. At those prices, most working- and middle-class people could not afford to attend. Biden even had time to participate in a podcast several hours prior to the event. All three could not find the time to attend the wake. Enough said.

Larry Penner Long Time Reader and Contributor Great Neck

Make Marijuana Illegal Again

Marijuana should be made illegal again because it is harmful. Smoking marijuana causes cancer and other diseases, and it reduces motivation and increases aggression. In states where marijuana is legal, there is an increase in homelessness and unemployment. Since it was legalized, more illegal pot shops have sprung up across the island and other areas, and it is making it more accessible to children. It is still substance abuse, and it is contributing to the downfall of our society.

Stella Arnold Kings Park

By Louis Civello

Current events have proven that anti-police rhetoric and overzealous reactions resulting in shortsighted policies have put New Yorkers in danger. “Defund the police” became a rallying cry among activists to apply pressure on elected representatives and demand systemic criminal justice “reforms”. Soft-on-crime bail laws, the repeal of 50a, staffing reductions, and pension reforms have all made policing a less desirable profession for new generations of people entering the workforce.

Defend the Police

Leaders of the law enforcement profession warned politicians of the long-term negative effects that improper funding and anti-police rhetoric would have on public safety, and we continue to advise those currently in power to defend the police and provide us with the tools we need to keep our neighborhoods safe.

New Yorkers just witnessed another tragic event that displays the dangers of soft-on-crime criminal justice policies. NYPD Police Officer Johnathan Diller was murdered during a traffic stop, leaving behind a wife and a young son.

A career criminal with at least twenty-one prior arrests was armed with a firearm and shot the police officer. A second occupant of the vehicle, another

career criminal with at least fourteen prior arrests, was also armed with a firearm. The accused cop killer was so prone to violence that he had a cutting instrument hidden inside a bodily orifice at the time of the shooting.

The fact that these two men could have so many arrests and still be roaming our streets is another example of how light penalties are non-deterrents to living a life of crime. We need our elected representatives in Albany to address recidivism by amending bail reform to allow for full judicial discretion on all criminal charges.

Many thousands of people gathered to mourn Officer Diller, including former President of the United States Donald Trump (R-FL). The Suffolk PBA sent our canteen truck to all services. We were honored to serve food to our brother and sister officers who stood in the rain, waiting in long lines to pay respect to this hero.

Officer Diller’s widow gave a passionate eulogy at his funeral saying the same thing that is on all our minds. How many more need to die before we start protecting our police officers?

A few weeks ago, four defendants were released without bail after being charged with concealment of a human corpse after dismembered body parts were found in a Suffolk County park by a child walking to school.

Governor Hochul (D) went on to criticize the work of the Suffolk County Police Department, blaming the release of the suspects on the detectives working the case and the District Attorney for not bringing additional charges. This of course was false. The Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney (R) did an outstanding job, making arrests mere days after the body parts were discovered. The Governor ignored the real issue of bail reform and how the flawed policy is failing New Yorkers.

I released a statement responding to the Governor’s comments disputing her claims and labeling them ignorant. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to meet with her to discuss bail reform and other issues that are important to public safety. We opened a dialogue, and I was able to speak candidly regarding the critical challenges faced by law enforcement. This included officer mental health. Tragically, we have lost four Suffolk law enforcement officers to suicide. I’m thankful for the $13 million the Governor has proposed for mental health in this year’s budget. It’s a good start but not nearly enough to make real change statewide.

Likewise, adding dismembering corpses to the list of bail eligible offenses makes sense but won’t solve our public safety crisis. We need to stop affixing band-aids to this law and simply let judges do their jobs so that dangerous criminals will be kept off our streets.

I’m hopeful that what we discussed will not fall on deaf ears and that the Governor and legislature will work to address these issues soon. We owe it to Officer Diller and his family to finally fix bail reform once and for all.

We can either defend our police or continue to stand at police funerals for deaths that were preventable. The choice should be an easy one.

Louis Civello is the President of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association.

This Week Today

National, State and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

Tuesday played host to the busiest day of the primary calendar since March 19. Both parties held primaries in four states, while Democrats held primaries in North Dakota on March 30.

Joe Biden (D-DE) easily won the North Dakota Primary, with 92.4% of the vote. Only 909 people cast ballots in the election. Biden took all thirteen delegates available, one of the lowest delegate counts of any state in the nominating field.

On Tuesday, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin held contests for both parties. In more competitive, crowded fields, these states would be large indicators of political moods. But since both candidates have become the presumptive nominees by mathematically eliminating their opponents, there wasn’t much fanfare for these states.

Party primaries were scheduled in Delaware but have been canceled due to state laws requiring multiple candidates on each ballot.

In Connecticut, former President Donald Trump (R-FL) won the primary with 77.9% of the vote. Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (R-SC) took 14% of the vote, despite having suspended her campaign on March 6. The “Uncommitted” ballot option took 4.8%.

Trump won 163 municipalities where results have been reported. The remaining six - Chaplain, Deep River, Hampton, New Britain, Washington, and Woodstock - have not reported votes as of press time, but it is assumed Trump will carry these towns. Trump won twenty-two of twenty-eight delegates up for grabs.

Biden won Connecticut with 84.9% of the vote, with the “Uncommitted” option taking 11.4%. This is yet another installment of protest votes among Democrats soured on Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza by selecting “Uncommitted” options. The initiative has collected just twenty-six delegates nationwide.

Biden won fifty-one of sixty available delegates and 162 municipalities. It is assumed he will win the remaining seven when all votes are tabulated.

In New York, Trump won all sixty-two counties and all ninety-one delegates, winning statewide with 81.9% of the vote. Haley took 12.9%, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) took 4.2%. Christie suspended his campaign in February. Trump received almost 14,100 votes in Suffolk County.

Biden won New York with 91.5% of the vote, capturing sweeping all counties and all 268 delegates. Biden took 11,600 votes in Suffolk County.

Republican turnout narrowly outpaced Democratic turnout in Suffolk, with 13,500 turning out for the GOP to the Democrats’ 12,500.

Trump also swept all thirty-nine municipalities in Rhode Island and took fifteen of the nineteen delegates available. He won 84.4% statewide support, to Haley’s 10.7%.

Biden took 82.6% to the “Uncommitted” option’s 14.9%. He won all municipalities and twenty-two delegates of twenty-six up for grabs.

New England is home to historically Republican and classically liberal politics. The primaries, although they don’t offer much in terms of analytics, is still a good litmus test for Republicans trying out their messaging. Many of these states swung towards Trump in 2016, but swung back to Biden in 2020.

Finally, Wisconsin provided perhaps the most important primary result of the evening. Wisconsin’s 2016 primary proved vital, as Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) won the state and GOP turnout outpaced that of the

Democrats. Trump would end up winning the state in an upset, becoming the first Republican since Ronald Reagan (R-CA) to do so. Wisconsin flipped back to Biden narrowly in 2020 and has since delivered a mixed slate of results. Democrats flipped the governorship in 2018 and narrowly retained it in 2022. They also flipped a seat on the State Supreme Court last year, giving control to the liberals on the bench.

However, Senator Ron Johnson (R) retained his Senate seat in 2022 against a well-funded opponent. Wisconsin is one of just five states that has a split U.S. Senate delegation, the lowest number since the direct election of Senators began in 1914.

On Tuesday night, Trump took 79.2% of the vote, winning seventy counties and all forty-one delegates. Marinette and Menominee counties have not reported results but are likely to go to Trump. Haley took 12.8% of the vote.

Biden won Wisconsin with 88.5% of the vote, with the “Uninstructed Delegate” option - similar to the “Uncommitted” option - taking 8.4% of the vote. Biden won seventy counties, with the aforementioned two likely to go to him when they report results, as well as seventy-nine of the eighty-two delegates available as of press time.

As of press time, Trump has accrued 1,723 delegates, to ninety-four for Haley. Biden has amassed 2,676 delegates, with the “Uncommitted” option holding at twenty-six. Long-shot candidate Jason Palmer (D-MD) has just three delegates from American Samoa, where he narrowly defeated Biden, making Biden the first incumbent president to lose a nominating contest since 1980.

The contest now moves to the Alaska Primary and Wyoming Caucus, both for Democrats, on April 13. Republicans will caucus in Wyoming on April 20, followed by a GOP primary in Puerto Rico on April 21.

In other election news, Republicans might get a slight breakthrough in a light-blue district in New England.

Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D, NH-02) recently announced her retirement from Congress and that she will not seek re-election in 2024. Kuster has represented New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District since 2013.

NH-02 is notably more Democratic than NH-01. NH-01 is centered around Manchester, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Laconia, and constitutes about half of the Maine border. Small cities, suburbs, and a mix of college-educated and working-class communities make NH-01 a swing seat, but Republicans have had bad luck here since 2016.

However, NH-02 is the larger seat of the pair and encompasses the entire western half of the state border with Vermont, the capital city of Concord, the college town of Hanover - home to Dartmouth - and the larger cities of Nashua, Keene, and Lebanon. Kuster defeated then-Congressman Charles Bass (R) in 2012, marking the last time the GOP has held this seat.

In a presidential year when New Hampshire at the very leans in Biden’s favor, NH-02 is likely to stay blue, but the open seat absent of a formidable incumbent gives them an outside chance to make a play for both of New Hampshire’s House seats.

State

A lawsuit has been filed against the previouslyenacted legislation that moves New York’s local offyear elections to presidential and midterm even-year elections.

Onondaga County officials are moving to sue the state over the law, claiming it “blatantly violates” the state constitution, tramples “counties’ home rules rights,” would lead to ballot confusion, and would diminish “importance of local issues and elections in a crowded political campaign season.”

The suit points to a 1958 amendment to the state Constitution that enshrines counties’ home rule rights to conduct local business, which often includes elections.

Under the cloud of the holiday season, Hochul signed the legislation into law, saying that it is a “significant step towards expanding access to the ballot box and promoting a more inclusive democracy.”

Off-year elections include races for county executive, town supervisors, town boards, and other local posts that are often removed from the fatigue and fanfare of high-profile elections, such as those for president, Congress, and governor.

“The touted benefits of this bill are a total sham, concocted to hide the Democrat’s goal of expanding one-party control to every level of government,” state Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) said of the legislation upon its passage.

Local

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) (pictured right) recently announced the procurement of $3 million for the Village of Greenport for the Mitchell Park bulkhead replacement project.

The funding comes from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which was recently enacted into law.

The funding will allow for the removal of the current 776-foot-long timber bulkhead in Mitchell Park and for the installation of a new vinyl bulkhead, which will help protect Greenport from flooding. The funding will also include a tie rod system for the new bulkhead. Recent inspections of the Mitchell Park Marina bulkhead showed that the current bulkhead is well past its useful life.

“I am delighted to announce the allocation of $3 million in federal funding for the Village of Greenport. This significant investment will facilitate the replacement of the aging Marina bulkhead at Mitchell Park, a critical measure aimed at safeguarding the Village against potential flooding and the risk of becoming a part of Greenport Harbor,” said LaLota. “Prioritizing the enhancement of Long Island’s infrastructure is paramount for stimulating economic advancement and elevating the well-being of our communities’ residents. I remain steadfast in my commitment to advocating for the needs of Suffolk County, and I will continue to champion initiatives aimed at bolstering our region in every possible capacity.”

“Greenport’s Mitchell Park Marina is an important NY tourist destination, providing easy access to the Village’s many restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums,” said Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi. “The Mitchell Park Marina Bulkhead Replacement federal funding secured by Rep. LaLota through the FY 2024 budget process will enable Greenport to proceed with this project essential to the continuing economic vitality of the Village and region while preserving waterfront access and the character of the community all of our residents and visitors.”

10 Carpenter’s Corner

Supervisor

Carpenter’s Corner

Happy Spring!

Spring has arrived and so has April’s Carpenter’s Corner. Each year on April 22, our community celebrates Earth Day. For over fifty years, Earth Day has served as a time for each of us to reflect on what we can do to help protect the earth. Simple steps such as using refillable water bottles, recycling, planting a garden, composting, picking up litter, and cutting energy use can make a huge difference.

In 1972, and long before green initiatives were common, Islip founded ITEC, the Islip Town Environmental Council, comprised of Town residents dedicated to our environment. Since its creation, the ITEC board has advised on matters affecting preservation and development within the Town of Islip, maintained working relationships with public and private sector agencies on a wide scope of programs that impact the quality of our environment, and sponsored community programs that foster an increased understanding of environmental issues.

In 1980, I offered up the acronym “WRAP” to thenSupervisor Frank Jones for our innovative recycling program, We Recycle America Proudly (WRAP). The Townrun program provides WRAP recycling pails, educational recycling calendars, annual recycling events such as STOP Day and Shredding Day, and a recycling educator who teaches the next generation the benefits of “Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle.”

In Islip, protecting and improving our environment is a top priority. We Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in more ways than just collecting bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard. Through its various divisions, the Department of Environmental Control (DEC) manages multiple facilities that work to continue our commitment toward a greener tomorrow.

The MacArthur Compost Facility shreds and processes yard waste from residents and landscapers. The material is then turned into a rich soil compost to be used in organic farming, landscaping, and gardening. The compost and wood mulch generated at the facility is available for pick-up and is FREE to all Town of Islip residents. The MacArthur Compost Facility is located at 1101 Railroad Avenue in Ronkonkoma.

The Town also manages the Shellfish Cultivation Facility and the Bay Bottom Licensing Program. The Shellfish Facility through the Shell Recycling Program improves water quality in the Great South Bay and helps combat coastal acidification by returning calcium to the water. The Bay Bottom Licensing Program encompasses over 1,500 acres of Town-owned Bay Bottom. The Program is a partnership of government, local business and individuals working together to manage parcels of underwater land in the Great South Bay to grow oysters, hard clams, bay scallops, and kelp. Currently, the Town is in Phase III of the program, which will encompass 1,300 acres of deep-water bay-bottom off of Heckscher State Park in Great River.

FREE tours of the shellfish facility are offered to the public aged eight and older. Schools and non-profit organizations are also invited to tour the facility. For more information please visit: islipny.gov/departments/ environmental-control/shellfish-facility/tours

Additionally, the Town’s closed and capped landfills have been repurposed into solar farms, creating a renewable and clean energy source on otherwise environmentally sensitive land.

Likewise, the MacArthur Wasteto-Energy Facility transforms solid waste into reusable energy. Yearly, the facility on average processes more than 170,000 tons of waste meant for

landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 124,000 metric tons of CO2. On a daily basis, the waste produces twelve megawatts of energy, enough to power 5,000 homes a year. The electricity produced is used to power the facility and is sold to the Long Island Power Authority, LIPA.

Another way our Township commits to the environment is through Keep Islip Clean (KIC). Keep Islip Clean was founded in 1989 as a way to enhance every hamlet within the Town of Islip through litter cleanup, beautification, recycling and education.

Throughout the year, Keep Islip Clean hosts a number of cleanups for our community. Student participants can acquire community service volunteer hours for their involvement in these cleanups.

Below, are some upcoming Keep Islip Clean Cleanups:

• Pardees Creek, Saturday, April 6, 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Meet at Spur Dr. South & Freeman Avenue in Islip

• Broadway Ave. Park, Sayville, Saturday, April 6, 10:30a.m. to 12:30p.m.

• Cleanup of Creeks in Bay Shore, Saturday, April 13, 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m.

• 35th Annual Brook Street Wetlands Cleanup, Saturday, April 20, 9:30a.m. to 11:00a.m.

Meet on Brook Street in Islip at the corner of Milton St.

• Spur Drive South Cleanup – Spur Drive South to 5th Ave., Tuesday, April 23, 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Meet at intersection of Illinois & Spur Drive South in Bay Shore

• Islip Main Street Cleanup, Sunday, April 28, 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Meet in the Chase Bank Parking Lot

• The Great Oakdale Cleanup, Saturday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Meet in the parking lot of the Oakdale Train Station

From our certified clean energy efforts to our excellent recycling program and many other important initiatives, the Town of Islip has led the way and is proud of its environmental commitment.

This Earth Day, April 22 and all month long, I am asking residents to make the commitment to protect our Town and join with us in keeping Islip Green!

Make certain you keep up-todate with the latest events in our Town by following our social media accounts, or by visiting the Town’s website found here: https://linktr. ee/townofislipny.

If you have not yet done so, stay informed on important Town news, alerts and weather-related emergency information by signing up for our E-Alerts here: https:// islipny.gov/notify-me.

Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) has served as Islip Town Supervisor since 2015. She has previously served as a Suffolk County Legislator and Suffolk County Treasurer.

Islip Town Supervisor

Angie Carpenter

Connetquot’s World Language Honor Society Celebrates Dantedì

Connetquot High School’s World Language Honor Society hosted Dantedì, a day of Italian culture, celebrating Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language.

Juniors and seniors in the World Language Honor Society hosted the event while freshmen, sophomores and even middle schoolers came to visit and experience the various cultural and educational stations. In the library, students played an Italian version of “The Price is Right,” received Italian temporary tattoos and face painting, played Italian slang trivia and built replicas of the Leaning Tower of Pisa using LEGOs.

In the auditorium, students entered gladiator school, learning how to fight like a gladiator, and learned traditional moves from “la tarantella,” a famous southern Italian dance.

One classroom transformed into “la cucina Italiana” where students prepared food demonstrations and tastings of traditional Italian cuisines. In another, students made brightly colored masks in preparation for the Italian celebration of Carnevale. Lastly, students made their way to a station of student-performed skits, honoring “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri.

Islip Environmental Science Students Tour Waste Management Facilities

Students enrolled in Islip High School’s new Living Environment Advanced Placement Environmental Science (LEAPES) course recently visited waste management facilities in the Town of Islip. The class had just begun a unit on waste management, so this field trip served as an instructional launching pad, giving the students insight about what happens to their refuse once it is picked up curbside.

The science students first arrived at the Hauppauge Landfill, where they were given an overview of the history of the facility. After a brief bus tour of the rolling hills of decomposing material, they went across the street to

the wastewater treatment facility, where Islip alumna Kennedy Esposito provided a step-by-step account of what happens to the water pumped from under the landfill before it is transported for further treatment. Next, the students visited the waste-to-energy facility, where they were given a tour of the incinerator control room and observed a long line of garbage trucks emptying refuse, which was lifted by an enormous claw.

Students asked interesting questions, expertly answered by facility staff, before heading back to the bus for their final two stops. At the composting recycling facility, students observed various yard wastes that are

composted into topsoil and other landscaping materials. Massive amounts of recyclables were being bulldozed, shifted, and sorted inside and outside the materials recycling facility, and the high schoolers were able to see all the mechanisms used to sort the various materials.

“The trip to the waste management facilities was very informational,” student Sophia Marra said. “We learned many things, like how when trash is buried in landfills it creates toxins that can leech into the soil, so each landfill must be capped and have a liner.”

“The trip gave us a lot of information about the recycling process,” student Christian Orozovich said.

“The coolest thing I learned was that the smoke that comes out of the incinerator is mostly water vapor, meaning less pollution than people think.”

“The best part of the trip was probably seeing the control room of the Covanta plant,” student Nicholas Gulick said.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and extremely educational, and better yet, we got to see what happens to your unwanted trash,” student Colin Sidlo said.

“Although it was a cold day, the students had an enjoyable and interesting trip,” science teacher Frank Vaughn said. “Thanks to Kennedy Esposito and Town of Islip recycling educator Danielle Wynn for their assistance and expertise.”

Hauppauge Middle School Science Olympiad Team Medals at Regional Competition

On March 3, the Hauppauge Middle School Science Olympiad team competed in the Eastern Long Island Regional Competition at R.C. Murphy Junior High School. The team medaled in 10 out of the 18 events and came in 10th place out of 32 teams.

Congratulations to following students who placed in the following categories: Chris Liu and Steven Tola (10th place, Air Trajectory); Atharv Prabhu, Naren Mahesh and Dhanvin Namineni (ninth place, Code Busters); Atharv Prabhu and Mihir Sathish (sixth place, Disease Detective); Sreeanay Mallisetty and Atharv Prabhu (10th place, Dynamic Planet); Aarav Dusad and Chris Dileep (sixth place, Flight); Chris Liu and Steven Tala (fifth place, Fossils); Chris Liu and Chris Dileep (ninth place, Microbe Mission); Alexa Mariani and Rehan Ali (sixth place, Roller Coaster); Vaibhavi Hegde and Emma Musto (ninth place, Tower); and Sreeanay Mallisetty and Atharv Prabhu (second place, Wheeled Vehicle).

Sachem Central School District Raises Thousands to Support St. Baldrick’s Foundation

The Sachem Central School District is helping the fight against pediatric cancer by supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Several school buildings came together for headshaving events to raise funds for childhood cancer research, as well as awareness.

Seneca Middle School held its St. Baldrick’s event on March 18. Fourteen students and one teacher volunteered to shave their heads. The building raised nearly $14,300 in their efforts.

At Waverly Elementary School, six students and five adults including parents, Principal Kevin Tougher and school custodian Mr. Nick, shaved their heads during the building’s annual St. Baldrick’s event on March 22. Since 2015, Waverly students and staff have raised nearly $250,000 for the foundation. This year, the building raised more than $5,000 and honored Waverly’s own fifth grader, Justin Olsen. Olsen was diagnosed with pediatric cancer in 2019 and had his final treatment in May 2021. He is doing incredibly well and was happy to participate in this year’s event.

Sagamore Middle School had nine “shavees” and raised over $10,000. Additionally, the building held a ceremony to honor the shavees and volunteers from all three Sachem Middle Schools. Samoset Middle School is looking forward to its event in April and has already raised over $14,000 with two fundraising weeks still to go.

America the Beautiful: How History Shapes our Electorate

United States - America the Beautiful

By Matt Meduri

For the final article in this column, we will take a look back at some of the most prime facts from each of our states, territories, and Capital. The objective of this column was to show that through unique, rich history, each state develops its own political and ideological strain that makes it difficult to simply classify them as “red” or “blue.” The United States’ history has made it a true city on a hill for two-and-ahalf centuries, a title it so deservedly retains today.

The Original Thirteen ColoniesThe Drivers of Independence

Delaware: December 7, 1787 - Delaware is currently home to 65% of Fortune 500 Companies. Delaware last voted Republican for president in 1988.

Pennsylvania: December 12, 1787 - Pennsylvania was the world’s top textile manufacturer during the Revolution, and its manufacturing profile has played a crucial role in its political leanings. In 2016, Donald Trump (R-FL) became the first Republican to carry Pennsylvania since George H.W. Bush (R-TX) in 1988.

New Jersey: December 18, 1787 - New Jersey is credited as the U.S. leader into the Industrial Revolution. New Jersey last backed a Republican for president in 1988.

Georgia: January 2, 1788 - Georgia was the only colony that banned slavery at its formation, as well as lawyers. In 2020, Joe Biden (D-DE) became the first Democrat to carry Georgia since Bill Clinton (D-AR) in 1992.

Connecticut: January 9, 1788 - From 1790 to 1930, Connecticut had more patents per capita than any other state. Connecticut last voted for a Republican in 1988.

Massachusetts: February 6, 1788 - Massachusetts was the first state to ban slavery and it has the oldest currentlyenacted constitution in the world. Massachusetts last backed a Republican in 1984.

Maryland: April 28, 1788 - The birthplace of the Democratic Party and currently the national leader in median household income. Maryland has not backed a Republican since 1988.

South Carolina: May 23, 1788 - South Carolina hosted the most Civil War battles in the nation and is currently called the “Gold Capital of the World.” Jimmy Carter (D-GA) is the last Democrat to have won South Carolina in 1976.

New Hampshire: June 21, 1788 - The “State of Firsts” - the first free public libraries, statewide traffic lights, and trans-Atlantic communication cable. New Hampshire last voted Republican in 2000.

Virginia: June 25, 1788 - Virginia’s foremost industry since the colonial period was the tobacco industry. Virginia last voted Republican in 2004.

New York: July 26, 1788 - New York supplied the most military armaments during WWII. New York last backed a Republican in 1984.

North Carolina: November 21, 1789 - North Carolina is credited with the first act of independence when the state instructed its delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence from Britain. North Carolina last voted for a Democrat in 2008.

Rhode Island: May 29, 1790 - Lyndon Johnson’s (D-TX) 80.9% margin in 1964 is the last victory of such magnitude. Rhode Island last backed a Republican in 1984.

Washington, District of Columbia: July 9, 1790 - The Capital was formed as its own territory to prevent state control of federal affairs. D.C. has backed a Democrat in every election since it gained electoral votes in 1964.

New England to the MississippiThe Country Takes Shape

Vermont: March 4, 1791 - Vermont has voted Republican more times than any other state: thirty-three times. Vermont last backed a Republican in 1988.

Kentucky: June 1, 1792 - Early reliance on stagecoach travel and horse breeding made Kentucky the home of horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky last backed a Democrat in 1996.

Tennessee: June 1, 1796 - Tennessee earns its nickname “The Volunteer State” from its high number of volunteer troops during the War of 1812 and the Spanish-American War. Tennessee last voted for a Democrat in 1996.

Ohio: March 1, 1803 - Ohio was the nation’s most crucial bellwether, backing every winner of the general election from 1948 to 2016, except for 1960. Ohio last voted Democrat in 2012.

Louisiana: April 30, 1812 - Despite having one of the largest slave populations in the country, Louisiana also had

one of the highest freed black populations leading up to the Civil War. Louisiana last voted for a Democrat in 1996.

Indiana: December 11, 1816 - Indiana is home to the country’s first train robbery and outlaw gang. Indiana last backed a Democrat in 2008.

Mississippi: December 10, 1817 - Ruled by a plantation aristocracy, Mississippi was the richest state in the country before the Civil War. Mississippi last backed a Democrat in 1976.

Illinois: December 3, 1818 - Illinois sits atop the largest recoverable coal reserve in the country at 38 million tons. Illinois last backed a Republican in 1988.

Alabama: December 14, 1819 - The tract of fertile soil through the center of the state was home to the bulk of Alabama’s plantations, which has residually turned into the Democratic base of the state’s electorate. Alabama last backed a Democrat in 1976.

Maine: March 15, 1820 - Maine’s elections in September were often bellwethers for what would come in November, prompting the phrase “As goes Maine, so goes the nation.” Maine last backed a Republican fully in 1988, but Trump won its Second Congressional District in 2016 and 2020.

Missouri: August 10, 1821 - Missouri used to be the quintessential “Missouri Bellwether,” backing the winner of each election from 1904 to 2004, except in 1956. Missouri last backed a Democrat in 1996.

Arkansas: January 26, 1837 - Arkansas has the distinction of having voted Democratic more times than any other state: thirty-three times. Arkansas last backed a Democrat in 1996.

Coast to CoastIndustrialization Rolls with Full Steam Ahead

Michigan: January 26, 1837 - 20% of Michigan’s workforce is represented by the auto industry in Detroit. Trump’s win here in 2016 was the first time Michigan voted Republican since 1988.

Florida: March 3, 1845 - Florida re-elected Senator Marco Rubio (R) in 2022, making him the only Republican in the state’s history to win three terms to the Senate, a recent turnaround in the state’s history. Florida last backed a Democrat in 2012.

Texas: December 29, 1845 - Texas is the nation’s leading producer of crude oil and natural gas. Texas last voted for a Democrat in 1976.

Iowa: December 28, 1846 - Iowa’s Howard County saw the largest swing of any county in the nation from 2012 to 2016, flipping from Obama to Trump. Iowa last backed a Democrat in 2012.

Wisconsin: May 29, 1848 - “America’s Dairyland,” Wisconsin is the leading producer of cheese and secondleading producer of milk. Trump’s 2016 win saw Wisconsin vote red for the first time since 1984.

California: September, 1850 - California’s film industry rose in part to laws protecting filmmakers from infringing on Thomas Edison’s film patents. California last voted Republican in 1988.

Minnesota: May 11, 1858 - Home to Dred Scott, for whom the landmark Supreme Court case Scott V. Sanford was named. Minnesota, as well as Pillsbury. Minnesota last backed a Republican in 1972, the longest Democratic voting streak for any state.

Oregon: February 14, 1859 - The “Oregon System” helped pioneer progressive politics, including allowing citizens to pass ballot initiatives. Oregon last backed a Republican in 1984.

Kansas: January 29, 1861 - Kansas suffered the highest amount of fatalities of any other state in the Civil War. Kansas last backed a Democrat in 1964, tied with eight other states for the longest voting streaks in the country.

West Virginia: June 20, 1863 - FDR’s New Deal policy turned 90% of West Virginia’s mining workforce to the United Mine Workers of America, making it a blue state until 2000. West Virginia last backed a Democrat in 1996.

Nevada: October 31, 1864 - Nevada is the world’s

This is the fifty-eighth and final of a series column that looked at the history of all 50 States, all 5 territories, and the Capital and the influence history has on our current political environments. The aim of this column was to capture that our country is not just red or blue, but rather many shades in between. Each Lower 48 state’s current political landscape can be traced back to its early settlement and geography and its particular involvement in the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, and the Civil Rights Era.

fourth-largest producer of gold. Nevada last backed a Republican in 2004.

Nebraska: March 1, 1867 - North Platte is home to Bailey Yard, the largest train yard in the world, managing as many as 10,000 rail cars every day. Nebraska at-large last backed a Democrat in 1964, while Obama won its Second Congressional District in 2008, and Biden would win it in 2020.

Colorado: August 1, 1876 - Colorado’s early population boom was due to mining and tuberculosis patients seeking dry, sunny climates, earning the nickname, “The World’s Sanitarium.” Colorado last voted Republican in 2004.

Great Plains to the Mountains - The Turn of the Century

North Dakota: November 2, 1889 - Vote-splitting between the two parties and the nascent Populist Party resulted in the only time a state’s electoral votes were split evenly between three candidates. North Dakota last voted for a Democrat in 1964.

South Dakota: November 2, 1889 - South Dakota is home to the longest gubernatorial winning streak for either party in the country: Democrats have not won the governorship since 1974. South Dakota last voted Democrat in 1964.

Montana: November 8, 1889 - Montana is the only Republicanleaning Mountain state that lacks right-to-work laws. Montana last backed a Democrat in 1992.

Washington: November 11, 1889 - Great Depression projects saw the Grand Coulee Dam become the largest hydroelectric dam in the country, a title it still retains today. Washington last voted Republican in 1984.

Idaho: July 3, 1890 - Idaho earns its nickname “The Gem State” for having the largest variety of gemstones, behind Africa. Idaho last voted Democrat in 1964.

Wyoming: July 10, 1890 - Wyoming earns its nickname “The Equality State” for being the first to give women the right to vote in 1869. Wyoming last voted Democrat in 1964.

Utah: January 4, 1896 - Now a Republican stronghold, Utah initially backed Democrats since Republicans opposed the Mormon practice of polygamy. Utah last voted for a Democrat in 1964.

Oklahoma: November 16, 1907 - Oklahoma’s fast settlement allowed it to enter the Union with the highest number of electoral votes of any other state at entry: seven. Oklahoma last voted for a Democrat in 1964.

New Mexico: January 6, 1912 - New Mexico lost more servicemen than any other state during WWII and was the site of the world’s first atomic bomb detonation. New Mexico last backed a Republican in 2004.

Arizona: February 14, 1912 - Arizona has the largest copper deposits in the country and the second-largest in the world. Biden’s 2020 win marked the first time Arizona backed a Democrat since 1996, and the second time since 1948.

Alaska: January 3, 1959 - Alaska has the highest percentage of Independent voters of any state, making up 55% of the registered electorate. Alaska has only voted for a Democrat once: 1964.

Hawaii: August 21, 1959 - Republican sugar industries’ importing of Asian immigrants turned Hawaii from a solid red state to a solid blue one. Hawaii has only voted Republican two times, all in landslide elections: 1972 and 1984.

The Territories - America’s Best Kept Secrets

Guam: April 11, 1899 - Guam hosted a portion of the trans-Pacific telegraph line to the Philippines, which the U.S. also owned at the time. The GOP won Guam’s non-voting House Delegate position in 2022, the first time in thirty years.

Puerto Rico: April 11, 1899 - Control of Puerto Rico stemmed from international distrust in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War.

American Samoa: April 17, 1900 - American Samoa has no Organic Act, which establishes specific forms of government for U.S. Territories.

U.S. Virgin Islands: March 31, 1917 - Countries fought to lose control of the U.S. Virgin Islands as they were unprofitable for the first few centuries of their colonization.

Northern Mariana Islands: November 4, 1986 - The CNMI was the takeoff point for the Enola Gay, the plane that bombed Hiroshima

Conclusion - Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

The United States has the most distinct history and form of government the world has ever seen. It’s up to us to keep it that way. No two states are truly alike in their political identities and generalizing current political leanings on a red-blue scale simply does not tell the whole story. That was the purpose of this column from February 2023 until now.

The Messenger thanks all who read this weekly column routinely. All fifty-eight articles can be found online at messengerpapers.com

Weik Sends Letter to Hochul on Development’s Impact on Emergency Response Times in Bay Shore

New York State Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) recently penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul (D) regarding the rapid development of Bay Shore and the strain it’s put on the local fire departments. Weik has asked Hochul instruct the state Department of Homeland Security to work with the Bay Shore Fire District to obtain necessary funding and equipment to aid in their emergency responses.

The letter reads:

“Bay Shore is one of the communities in my district that has responded to your call for an increase in transit oriented, multi-family housing. The Bay Shore Community has experienced a significant increase of 24 multi-unit housing projects with 1,297 apartments units. Five of these housing complexes are 4 stories or higher, consisting of 285 apartments. This is in addition to the existing 2,196 apartments in the district, including a 6 story, 55 and older residence.

This rapid expansion of multi-family housing has had a significant impact on the Bay Shore Fire Department. These firefighters’ responsibilities and challenges have increased significantly as they must protect a greater number of people in taller buildings that they are currently unable to properly access with existing equipment: they simply can’t reach the upper floors. The greenspaces, hardscapes, and parked vehicles directly adjacent to these buildings have created new challenges for existing firefighting aerial apparatus to reach the target locations in these new multiple story buildings. In addition to the proliferation of large multi-story apartment complexes in the Bay Shore Fire District response area, there has been a major expansion of Northwell Health’s Shore University Hospital. On the main campus, there is a recently completed 5-story parking facility with multiple EV charging stations and a 7-story medical/surgical building under construction.

Outside the hospital campus, there are another 11 Northwell facilities of more than 130,000 square feet (about half the area of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool). The Bay Shore Fire District needs New York State assistance in securing the necessary firefighting apparatus to protect lives and property within their district. The department must replace their current 75-foot tower ladder apparatus. It has limited effectiveness in many of the new multi-family buildings.

To ensure proper fire protection of their district, the Bay Shore Fire Department must obtain a new 100 to 110-foot ladder apparatus to reach the upper floors and roofs of these buildings. Their research into various manufacturers indicates that these trucks range in cost from $1.8 million to $2.4 million. They simply don’t have the funds to afford that large a purchase. That combined with the 2% Tax Cap further restricts the district from raising the necessary funds through taxation. The current build-out time for a new truck is a minimum of 24 to 30 months (about 2 and a half years).

I respectfully request that you instruct the New York State Department of Homeland Security to work with the Bay Shore Fire District to secure the funding necessary to obtain the necessary equipment. They answered the call to develop additional transit-based housing, now we must help them protect it, and the people who occupy these new facilities.”

Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) has represented since 2023 the Eighth District in the New York State Senate, previously representing the Third District from 2020 to 2022.

The Eighth District includes Bar Harbor, Bayport, Biltmore Shores, Bohemia, Captree, East Islip, East Massapequa, Fair Harbor, Gilgo, Great River, Harbor Green, Islip Terrace, Lonelyville, Massapequa Park, North Great River, Oak Beach, Oakdale, Ronkonkoma, Saltaire, Sayville, West Gilgo Beach, West Sayville, and parts of Amityville, Babylon village, Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Copiague, Holbrook, Holtsville, Islandia, Islip hamlet, Lindenhurst, Massapequa, Plainedge, Seaford, South Farmingdale, West Bay Shore, and West Islip.

Senator Weik is the Ranking Member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions and Women’s Issues and serves on the Committees on Education, Local Government, Social Services, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

The Eighth District office is located at 1 Corporate Drive, Suite GL-005, in Bohemia and can be reached at 631-665-2311.

Brown Supports Call to Bring Israeli Hostages Home

“It is terrible to see the families of the 134 hostages being held in Gaza continue to suffer. The hostages have been held for 179 days now, and of the 134 hostages, two of them are New Yorkers—Omer Neutra and Edan Alexander,” said Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport). “Until we see their immediate release and safe return home, I am proud to stand in solidarity alongside my colleagues and fellow New Yorkers to support this humanitarian effort. There is no moral basis and it is a violation of international law. Together, we can send a very clear and strong message to the terrorist group Hamas: we will not rest until the

134 hostages are freed and returned home to their families. Bring them home now!”

Assemblyman Keith Brown represents the Twelfth District in the New York State Assembly. The Twelfth District spans across the Towns of Babylon, Huntington, and Islip, containing the hamlets of Baywood, Centerport, Cold Spring Harbor, Crab Meadow, East Northport, Eaton’s Neck, Edgewood, Elwood, Greenlawn, Halesite, and the villages of Asharoken, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor, and Northport. The district also includes parts of Commack, Dix Hills, Deer Park, Fort Salonga, North Bay Shore, and Pine Aire. The Twelfth District office is located at 6080 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 310, in Commack and can be reached at 631-261-4151.

Alcohol Awareness Month

By Peter Chidichimo

The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to educate the public about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of alcohol addiction and to encourage recovery for those experiencing it. Established by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), it now occurs every April.

Excessive drinking is serious business. Over time, it can lead to numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and memory problems, as well as several kinds of cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.org).

In fact, alcohol has such harmful effects medically, that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently taken the position there is no level of safe alcohol consumption. While most experts don’t take that position, excessive drinking remains a serious health issue.

According to current statistics posted by NCADD

• 140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year

• One of 10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• Over half of Americans increased their alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 lockdowns

During the first year of the pandemic, sales of alcohol spiked and alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. rose to the highest rate in decades. Experts have identified several warning signs for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

• Does my drinking make it harder for me to perform my best at work or school?

• Have friends or family members shown concern about how much I drink?

• Do I feel moody, irritable, or tired the morning after I drink?

• Do I constantly have to deal with headaches, hangovers, or other physical side effects from drinking?

• Do I have trouble stopping after having one or two drinks?

• Do I have to hide my drinking habits from friends or family?

There is some evidence, according to a recent Gallup Poll, that the incidence of drinking in young adults has been trending down over the past two decades. It even appears many members of Generation Z (midto-late 1990s-early 2010s) are abstaining from booze entirely, based on increased awareness of the risks associated with alcohol. However, concern remains high, since the metrics are holding steady among middle-aged adults, while trending up among older Americans.

What about Mocktails?

Mocktails and other nonalcoholic drinks are surging in popularity in the United States, and manufacturers of these products are constantly striving to make the drinks taste as close to the real thing as possible. But do they have a benefit for those with a drinking problem?

Experts say the use of nonalcoholic drinks are fine for people who aren’t using them as

a strategy for sobriety. They may find them useful when they don’t want to drink alcohol because they’re pregnant, taking a certain medication, don’t like alcohol or have just decided they want to drink a little less.

But, for people who have moderate to severe AUD, or are abstaining from alcohol, these drinks are generally discouraged because they might actually create a craving for alcohol, not cut it.

“It is basically a no,” says George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “The cues created by a mocktail can trigger relapse and reengagement in excessive drinking,” says Koob.

For those without a drinking problem, including those that drink socially and moderately, public health experts say any reduction in alcohol is a good thing. The noalcohol alternatives allow someone to order a mocktail margarita with your chips and salsa, without waking up to a headache the next morning. And for some, drinking a nonalcoholic beer or alcohol-free glass of wine helps relieve some of the social pressure when everyone else at the party is holding a glass or cup.

“It’s wonderful for folks who don’t have alcohol use disorder,” said Tim Brennan, Chief of clinical services for the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai Health System. However, for those recovering from AUD, the smells, sounds, and behaviors associated with cracking a can of alcohol-free beer or wine may be too triggering. Brennan cautioned against drinking mocktails or other drinks that are supposed to mimic gin, bourbon, or other alcoholic beverages. He also said it’s important that people know that alcohol-free beer typically contains small amounts of alcohol.

For those with an alcohol problem, or those who suspect they have a problem, treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on one’s needs. It could be individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or even a residential inpatient stay. The goals are the same, to stop alcohol use and improve quality of life. According to the Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org), treatment for alcohol use disorder may include:

• Detox and withdrawal: Treatment may begin with a program of detoxification — withdrawal that’s medically managed. Detox is usually done at an inpatient treatment center or at a hospital.

• Oral medications: Certain physician prescribed drugs may help prevent you from drinking, by producing a physical reaction that may include nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Other meds may help you combat alcohol cravings once you stop drinking.

• Learning new skills and making a treatment plan: This process usually involves behavioral change, counseling, and follow-up care at a treatment center.

• Psychological counseling: To help you better understand your problem with alcohol. Family support can be an important part of the recovery process, since families are usually impacted by someone with a drinking problem. Additionally, alcoholism commonly occurs along with other mental health disorders,

such as depression and anxiety. Speak to your alcohol specialist for the proper path forward, be it psychotherapy, medications, or other treatment.

• Continuing support: Aftercare programs and support groups, such as AA, including a sponsor, help people prevent and manage relapses and cope with necessary lifestyle changes

• Spiritual practice and prayer: Consider some type of regular spiritual practice, meditation or prayer, as persons in recovery seem to find this avenue helpful.

Residential treatment programs

For serious alcohol use disorder, you may require a residential treatment facility. Most residential treatment programs typically include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, nurses, doctors, and other professionals dedicated to recovery.

There is some evidence that alcohol use is trending down with younger adults, those of Generation Z, for example. However, excessive use of alcohol is trending up for older Americans and remains a serious health issue for individuals and their families. Those effects include serious medical complications, as well as financial and legal consequences, such as drinking and driving. The use of Mocktails is not recommended for those with a drinking problem, although they have a place for others looking to curtail the use of alcohol, such as avoiding the lingering effects the day after.

Mr. Bifulco is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.

Mr. Bifulco received his law degree (J.D. 2023) from the Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He received his undergraduate degree (B.S. 2015) from St. Joseph’s

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Bifulco was the Executive Assistant to the Brookhaven Town Attorney. In this role, he managed and conferenced case files, prosecuted town code violations and negotiated dispositions in the Sixth District Court. He also assisted the Town Attorney with legal research, writing and litigation.

He serves as an Executive Board Member for the Centereach Civic Association which provides public outreach to improve the greater Centereach community, which is home to over 30,000 people.

In May 2022, Mr. Bifulco was appointed a Board Member of the St. Joseph’s University Student Alumni Association. He was the former President and was one of the founders of the Association. In this role, he helps to oversee fundraising and community development for the University.

In welcoming Mr. Bifulco, Michael Sahn, the Firm’s Co-Managing Member, expressed that the Firm is excited that Sam will bring his commitment and enthusiasm to the Firm, and join our talented group of Associates.

To contact Samuel Bifulco: 1300 Veterans Highway, Suite 100, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Tel: 631.203.4900

By Dave Hauser

Guest Column Daring to Be Different

In the 1980s, a local radio station named WLIR had a slogan of “Dare to be Different”. They played unique music before anyone else and promoted “New Wave,” which was at most dying one’s hair a strange color or wearing thrift store chic. It was still a machinated form of standing out and throughout my life I have noticed that people are always questing to be set apart.

It seems that there are five ways in which people are set apart. There are conscious ways of doing something extreme to fit into a popular group or doing something drastic to be removed from mainstream life. Other ways included creating a sense of shock value or mystique to get a reaction. There are people who feel the need to accumulate unlimited wealth and move to specific areas to be set apart. Lastly, there is one way that always has been different, and it does not require premeditation.

I remember back in high school, my friend named Gary was trying to fit into the “cool crowd.” He was a bookish-looking individual and thought the only way to get attention was to create his own stir. We were in AP Biology together and we were going to be dissecting grasshoppers that month. In an attempt to attract attention, Gary went to the popular table at lunch and proceeded to eat a live grasshopper to gain admittance to that table. It created a buzz for a day or two and he probably got very sick, but many years later his legacy is that he was the guy who ate a grasshopper trying to fit in.

There are other people who choose to repel people by being different. These are the people who will live in remote areas to be away from people. They will go out of their way to look standoffish and unapproachable. These kinds of people send signals of fear to others so they don’t have to deal with people in their attempt to be different. As a teenager, I walked into a bar with my friends called Chances Inn, where the common tagline was where you took your chances upon entry. It was a biker bar and within thirty seconds of entering the bar, a huge man cracked a pool cue over his knees and let us know our acceptance level. These kinds of people are intentionally different to avoid human contact.

In my first semester away from home at college, the first three months leading to Thanksgiving break seemed infinite. As November began, I decided to grow my hair out, build a long beard, and pierce my left ear. The three months seemed like such an eternity; I wanted to come home and look sophisticated to my family and my friends. I remember the look on my parents’ face when they saw me for the first time and then the looks of my friends later that night. It wasn’t an intellectual curiosity, but instead a look of confusion and worry. I tried to come across as a Seventeenth Century painter. Instead, it did not land on its desired effect and the next day the earring, beard, and long hair were gone. A failed attempt at differentiation.

The last of the forced methods of distinguishing oneself is by accumulation. These are the people who have a never-ending quest for money. These people are always signaling their ability to stand out by flashiness, size of home, and seemingly infinite earnings. There is nothing wrong with striving for success in life; however, if it is just to exalt oneself, it will be empty. Most of these people live for the moments that they can show off their assets by having large parties or arriving at an event in an imported car. They can’t wait to hit each high school reunion so they can rub their wealth into others’ faces. The issues with these people are quite simple: they are filling voids with possessions and their emptiness will always dominate them.

I have lived long enough and have tested all of the above methods at different

points in my life and the only road map to complete and satisfactory differentiation is being a proud believer. This requires no effort outside of praying, reading the Bible, and sharing one’s faith. There is no greater feeling than being able to pray for people in need and knowing that God is in control of everything.

When you build your relationship with God and pray that people will see the light in you and that your salt is tasty, you will be more different than ever and more accepted than ever. Jesus preached this on the Sermon on the Mountain and the red letters in the Bible are the most powerful words ever written on paper. We try to live our lives like Him every day and in 2024, that is more different than anything I have mentioned.

You are probably saying: “Does he mean we have to have a Messianic Complex?” That could not be further from the truth. In the past few years, we have run prayer stations across Long Island for the sole purpose of listening and praying for people in need. There is nothing more different than standing at a booth asking strangers if they need prayer, while not selling a product amongst hundreds of booths. We have seen God move to heal people, as well as find the right jobs and deal with their anxiety and fears.

Evangelism today is a lot different than in the past. People do not know us, and we can’t speak a message of Heaven and Hell to complete strangers, but we can show people the light by praying and listening to them. Being kind to people and following up with them over time to see them gain victory in their battles.

So, in conclusion, you don’t have to be rich, eat a grasshopper, get strange piercings, or live in the backwoods to be truly different. You just have to love people as Jesus did and you will be more different than ever, but more fulfilled.

Dave Hauser is CEO of 2 analytics companies HLS and Favored Panel and is a deacon at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle at 1 Higbie Drive in Smithtown with Sunday services 9AM and 11:30 with many other programs. He can be reached at david@hausernet.com.

Guest Column

Published

Gaza: Truths Behind All The Lies

By Victor Davis Hanson | AMAC

‘Occupied Gaza’

Prior to Oct. 7, there were roughly 2 million Arab citizens of Israel but no Jewish citizens in the Gaza Strip. Gazans in 2006 voted in Hamas to rule them. It summarily executed its Palestinian Authority rivals.

Hamas canceled all future scheduled elections. It established a dictatorship and diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in international aid to build a vast underground labyrinth of military installations.

‘Collateral Damage’

Hamas began the Israel-Hamas war by deliberately targeting civilians. It massacred them on Oct. 7 when it invaded Israel during a time of peace and holidays. It sent more than 7,000 rockets into Israeli cities for the sole purpose of killing noncombatants.

Hamas has no vocabulary for the collateral damage of Israeli civilians, since it believes any Jewish death under any circumstances is cause for celebration.

Hamas places its terrorist centers beneath and inside hospitals, schools, and mosques. Why? Israel is assumed to have more reservations about collaterally hitting Gaza civilians than Hamas does about exposing them as human shields.

‘Disproportionate’

We are told that Israel wrongly uses disproportionate force to retaliate in Gaza. But it does so because no nation can win a war without disproportionate violence that hurts the enemy more than it is hurt by the enemy.

The U.S. incinerated German and Japanese cities with disproportionate force to end a war both Axis powers started. In Iraq, the American military nearly leveled Fallujah and Mosul by disproportional force to root out Islamic gunmen hiding among innocents.

Hamas has objections to disproportionate violence—but only when it is achieved by Israel and not Hamas.

‘Two-State Solution’

Prior to Oct. 7, there was a de facto threestate solution, given that Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza were all separate states ruled by their own governments, two of which were illegitimate without scheduled elections.

It was not Israel but the people of Gaza and the West Bank who institutionalized the “from river to the sea” agenda of destroying its neighbor.

Israel would have been content to live next to an autonomous Arab Gaza and West Bank that did not seek to destroy Israel in multigenerational efforts to form its own “one-state solution.”

‘Cease-Fire’

The so-called international community is demanding Israel agree to a “cease-fire.” But there was already a cease-fire prior to Oct. 7. Hamas broke it by massacring 1,200 Jews and taking over 250 hostages.

Hamas violated that peace because it thought it could gain leverage over Israel by murdering Jews.

Hamas now demands another cease-fire because it thinks it is no longer able to murder more unarmed Jews. Instead, it now fears that Israel will destroy Hamas in the way Hamas sought but failed to destroy Israel.

Did Hamas call for a cease-fire after the first 500 Jews it massacred on Oct. 7?

‘Ramadan’

President Joe Biden believes that the Muslim religious holiday of Ramadan requires Israel to agree to a cease-fire.

But did either Hamas or any other Arab military ever respect Jewish—or even its own—religious holidays?

The Oct. 7 massacre was timed to catch Israelis unaware while they celebrated the Jewish religious holidays of Simchat Torah, Shemini Torah, and Shemini Atzeret on Shabbat.

Moreover, Hamas’ surprise attack was deliberately timed to commemorate the earlier sneak Arab attack on Israel some 50 years earlier.

On Oct. 6, 1973, the Israelis were the target of a surprise attack when celebrating the religious holiday of Yom Kippur. Arab armies also assumed they would

achieve greater surprise when attacking during their own religious holiday of Ramadan.

So, Arab militaries fight opportunistically during Jewish holidays and their own Islamic holidays. Egyptians and Syrians still boast of their 1973 surprise attack on Israel as the Ramadan War.

Only Westerners, not Arabs, believe there should be no war during Ramadan.

‘Civilian Casualties’

Israel risks the lives of its soldiers to prevent civilian deaths. Hamas risks the lives of its civilians to prevent terrorists’ deaths.

Israel considers it a failure, but Hamas considers it globally advantageous, when more civilians die than its soldiers.

‘Foreign Aid’

The Biden administration threatens to cut off or slow-walk aid

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 www.amac.us

to Israel if it continues to retaliate against Hamas, even though Hamas started the war.

So the administration promises to give more aid to Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas massacres than it gave to Gaza before Hamas’ attack.

‘Prisoners’

The international community that favors Hamas nevertheless knows it would be safer to be a prisoner of Israel than of Hamas.

It knows women are not going to be raped in custody by Israelis, but are by Hamas. And the unarmed are more likely to be mutilated and decapitated by Hamas than Israelis.

Is the international community more likely to charge Israel than Hamas for war crimes because the Jewish state seeks to avoid civilian deaths that Hamas finds useful?

WORD OF THE Week eclectic

Origin:

Late 17th century (as a term in philosophy): from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein ‘pick out’, from ek ‘out’ + legein ‘choose’.

Synonyms: broad, extensive, comprehensive

Adjective

Pronounced: uh·klek·tuhk

Definition:

deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Example: “The cocktail party featured a spread of eclectic wines and cheeses.”

Antonyms: narrow, dogmatic, confined

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

This Week in History

April 5, 1847

April 4, 1789

WORD WHEEL SUDOKU

1st US Congress begins regular sessions during George Washington’s presidency at Federal Hall, NYC (ending 1791)

Birkenhead Park, the first civic public park, opens in Birkenhead, England, designed by Joseph Paxton

April 7, 1969:

The Internet’s symbolic birth date: publication of RFC 1

March 30, 1867

US declares war on Germany, enters World War I

April 10, 1972: US, USSR and 70 other nations agree to ban biological weapons

I Challenge You… Recycling Can Be So Much More

By Diane Caudullo

For those of you that do save your cans and bottles, place them in a recycling can and put them out to the curb for the Town to take: it’s usually a small amount that accumulates over time and you think nothing of the refundable five cents that you were charged at purchase. You simply figure you are doing your part to help the environment and that is great. To others, that is money that we absolutely want back, but then it becomes a chore.

The bagging is easy enough, but then to clean them, finding the time to head over to a redemption site, and one by one slip the cans into the machine. It’s

not difficult, but it is time consuming. Then you take your slip and head over to the cashier to redeem and it never seems like enough to have invested the time and energy.

What if I told you there was a way to make it more simple, get your money back, and support a local business? A business who then hires local people, especially our entry-level youth. You would be in, right? It’s like a win - win to the ‘nth degree.

Located at 648 Horseblock Road in Farmingville is Miles Malone and his business of One Earth Deposits. You initially set up your name and information with him and at your convenience just drop off your bags of cans and bottles. Washed or not, it doesn’t matter. Just drop them off. He labels the bag with your last name and you are off. He counts and cleans the cans and bottles and separates for the purpose of which company wants them back to recycle. He keeps a running tally of all that you drop off and at intervals of your choosing, such as $10

or $20, he will send you your money via Venmo, Zelle, or other payment apps. So simple.

I met Miles as he explained his business to the members at a local Chamber of Commerce meeting. Easy, local, and money back. When Miles explained about Venmo-ing the money - he made a comment - “wherever you want me to send it to, maybe even a charity,” so considering for many years I have always left them at the curb and was not overly concerned about the refund, I thought what if I do this and send the money to a local person or organization who is doing great things for others right here in our community.

This started my own challenge to myself. I reached my $20 mark fairly quickly and I thought $20 dollars can help someone, but $50 dollars would be better. So, now I am actively looking for every can I can at work and at friends’ houses to get to this immediate goal. I already know who I will be sending it to: my friend, PJ Balzer. He and his wife, Catherine

Gutierrez, do amazing work in the ShirleyMastic area with providing assistance to many who are struggling, with a special focus on young moms to ensure that their babies get what they need. Diapers and formula can be ridiculously expensive. You may recognize the name PJ Balzer as he writes for The Messenger and is a valuable part of our team here.

So, now I pass the challenge on to you, whether it be you need a little extra cash to cover your own bills or you are in a position to send your refund to someone else, I challenge you. Start dropping your redeemable bottles and cans off at One Earth Deposits. Say hello to Miles. He’s a nice guy and he happens to be hiring right now. It’s a great job for a student or someone looking for a side gig. Want to learn more? Call Miles at 631-846-4243.

Want to learn a little more about PJ and Catherine? Follow them “The King’s Kids Christian Outreach Mastic Beach” on Facebook.

Town of Islip Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day

The Town of Islip was honored to join our community in observing National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29. This day holds immense significance as it marks the anniversary of the day in 1973 when the last American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, putting an end to one of the longest wars in U.S. history. In 2017, President Trump (R-FL) signed into law the recognition of this day as an annual day of observance, ensuring that the sacrifices made by our brave Vietnam veterans are never forgotten.

It is important to note that National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a separate holiday from Veterans Day, which is celebrated on November 11th and marks the end of the First World War.

“As we come together to honor our Vietnam veterans, I’d like to encourage all citizens of the Town of Islip to fly the U.S. flag as a symbol of gratitude for the service and the sacrifices made during this nearly 20-year-long conflict,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). “Let us also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the local community groups, veterans’ organizations, schools, churches, and civic groups who have dedicated their time and efforts to organize events and tributes in honor of our Vietnam veterans. Your commitment to preserving their legacy and ensuring that their sacrifices are always remembered is truly commendable.”

Gem Fitness Opens in Oakdale

National Doctors Day

Celebrated

Doctors at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore were recognized for the tough job they do every day with care, compassion and committed professionalism on the occasion of National Doctors Day, Saturday, March 30.

Islip) joined with representatives of Fellow Health Partners to distribute pint-sized donuts, paying tribute to the hardworking men and women who care for residents across Long Island

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) and Town Councilmen James O’Connor (R-Great River) and John Lorenzo (R-West Sayville) celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Gem Fitness is located at 4580 Sunrise Highway, Unit #3 in Oakdale.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West

Continued from front cover

Kennedy Calls for Ethics Probe into Bellone and Ex-Staffers

Questions were first raised when it was announced a few weeks ago that Bellone took a job as Assistant Vice President of Operations with Northwell Health in Staten Island. Northwell is the largest healthcare company in New York, employing over 80,000 people and treating some two million residents yearly.

Barbara Osborn, Vice President of public relations at Northwell said, “Steve’s knowledge and years of experience in public service will be valuable in supporting Northwell’s regional operational model to achieve greater efficiency in delivering clinical services.”

Northwell’s Project Connect Plus program received $3.5 million in January last year as part of the County grant, the single-largest reward in the round of funding while Bellone was County Executive.

Three former Bellone staffers have also been named in possible ethics violations. Vanessa Baird-Streeter was recently hired as the head of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, a Huntington-based nonprofit that received $75,000 from Suffolk County when Bellone was Executive. The firm was most recently directed by now-Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), who won her first term this past November.

Bellone’s former Chief of Staff, Ryan Attard, was recently named Vice President and COO of the Family and Children’s Association, a Garden City-based firm that received $1.87 million in opioid funding from a committee chaired at the time by Attard.

Finally, and perhaps the most intriguing, is the whereabouts of Scott Mastellon, the former Chief of Information Technology (IT) who presided over the 2022 countywide cyberattack that crippled County offices for months. Despite multiple audits of the IT Department showing mass vulnerabilities, Mastellon testified in front of the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature investigating the hack that the breach came from the County Clerk’s office.

Mastellon now works for SVAM International, an IT provider based in Great Neck with whom the County contracted for IT-related services under Bellone’s tenure.

The Messenger discussed the matter with Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), who has led the calls for a probe by the Suffolk County Board of Ethics.

“I have had to file financial disclosure forms every year for the last thirtyfive years, in which I affirm that I have taken no action to secure post-public employment opportunities,” says Kennedy. Kennedy previously served as Suffolk County Legislator from the Twelfth District, first elected in 2005, before his election as Comptroller in 2014.

“I am seeking an ethics opinion about the legitimacy of the placement of four former high-level County employees, including former Executive Steve Bellone. This is exactly what New York State Public Officers Law prohibits, the concept of the ‘revolving door,’ in which public employees move to a private-sector entity that had previously been the beneficiary of public engagement. It undermines the public’s faith and confidence in the legitimacy and independence of their local government.”

County law prohibits public employees from soliciting, negotiating, or accepting employment from any firm involved in business with the County at the time of said employee’s tenure while participating in those business dealing on behalf of the County.

“The fat fingers are hard at work! This example of public officials going to work for organizations to whom they directed millions of dollars in public funding smacks of quid pro quo,” said Kennedy. “This is wrong and the public deserves better!”

In other news against the former administration, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tienery (R) has announced that former employees of the Bellone administration have thirty days to return County files and documents or face prosecution.

Tierney says missing documents might relate to the cyber attack in 2022 and could also assist in the ethics probe into tracking the money that flowed directly from the Bellone administration to the aforementioned firms that now employ former public officials.

Tierney and prosecutors are looking for destroyed or duplicated evidence, done either intentionally or inadvertently, as the former administration left no files for the incoming administration of Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches).

Anyone who is unintentionally in possession of County data has an amnesty period of thirty days or face charges.

This is a developing story.

Squatters’ Rights: Bad Policy Leads to Bad Public Safety

By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Earlier this week, I joined small property owners and my colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference to call out New York’s flawed and unfair squatting laws. Thanks to a perfect storm of bad lawmaking, an overflow of unvetted migrants and unethical TikTok posts, New York homeowners have been subjected to an unprecedented assault on their private property.

The problem starts with the way our existing laws are written. In New York, squatters are given generous rights after 30 days of occupying a dwelling, and while this rule was presumably put in place to protect renters from unscrupulous landlords, instead it is being abused by those seeking a free ride. Homeowners from around the state have reported instances where their unoccupied homes, often on the market for sale, are being used as free lodging for opportunistic squatters who know how to abuse our laws. Making matters worse, thanks to the proliferation of social media, migrants who have been bussed here from the southern border are sharing tips and tricks to game the system. This has to stop.

My colleague, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R,C-Oyster Bay), introduced the Property Protection Act (A.6894) to protect homeowners from this very scenario. His legislation extends the time period to obtain tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days and adds “squatting” to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree. Simply stated, strangers invading our property should not be protected under the law, and allowing as much is a disservice to the rightful property owners who worked hard to buy their homes. At one point, the American Dream was to purchase a home, own property to raise a family, or use as we please. We already have an outmigration problem, protecting squatters will do nothing to stem it.

The squatting trend has reached a boiling point in recent weeks. Last week, police reported a woman traveling from Spain to prepare a Manhattan apartment owned by her late mother was brutally beaten to death by squatters. Every lawmaker should be outraged and seeking ways to fix the irrational policies that encouraged those two individuals to be there in the first place.

The sad reality is that property rights in New York have been eroding for years. The state’s progressive wing has shown time and again a severe lack of respect for the idea of private property, and I often wonder what our state would look like if the socialists in charge had their way. Ownership of private property is a staple of American democratic and capitalist ideals. They are part of what made our state and our nation the beacons of prosperity they have been for hundreds of years. Sadly, it seems there is a movement to suffocate those ideals under the guise of opaque, misguided humanitarian goals that do far more harm than good.

The Assembly Minority Conference stands with small business and property owners who do not want to see their life’s savings stolen by trespassers. Legitimate, legal renters facing financial hardship deserve assistance when needed, but giving thieves a free pass to invade and occupy a home for sale doesn’t serve the public interest. When enough homeowners and landlords leave the state, those looking for a place to live or rent will have a much harder time thanks to these awful policies.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@nyassembly. gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or Twitter at @ WillABarclay.

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

Toast Coffee + Kitchen Brews Fresh Experience at Station Yards

Toast Coffee + Kitchen, a beloved purveyor of local breakfast and lunch eatery, is set to open a new location at the bustling Station Yards, the dynamic mixed-use development situated at the Ronkonkoma train station. Promising to blend the rich aromas of artisanal coffee with the savory notes of upscale breakfast and lunch offerings, Toast Coffee + Kitchen is expanding its reach to the heart of one of the most anticipated developments in Suffolk County.

Taking up a generous 5,004 square feet of space immediately across the street from the train station, Toast is gearing up to provide commuters, residents, and visitors with a welcoming environment to savor high-quality food and beverages. The lease agreement was facilitated by the expertise of Allen Boulos, Richard Cardona, Matthew Sullivan, and Scott Schneider of Patchogue’s Evernest Commercial Real Estate, who represented Toast in the transaction. TRITEC Real Estate Company, the developer behind Station Yards, was represented by the dedicated team of Steven D’Orazio, Maria Valanzano, and Jake Horowitz of Colliers.

Broker and Founder at Evernest Commercial Real Estate, Allen Boulos, has deep roots with Toast and its founder, Terry Scarlatos.

“As someone who worked at Toast and with Terry and his family for fifteen years, I can’t think of a better brand and a better person who embodies what TRITEC is building in Ronkonkoma and across Long Island,” said Boulos. “Terry has created a brand that is more than just amazing food and coffee. Toast is a feeling of community, culture, art, and originality, and TRITEC is also creating these feelings across Long Island. This partnership is a match made in Heaven.”

Evernest agent Ricky Cardona is very familiar with the Toast ethos, having worked alongside Allen and owner Terry for many years.

“Seeing the Toast brand flourish the way it has—the way it will continue to—is something extremely special for us to experience,” said Cardona.

Vice President of Colliers Jake Horowitz expressed enthusiasm about Toast’s addition

“We are thrilled to welcome a high-end coffee and

restaurant establishment like Toast to Station Yards,” said Horowitz. “Toast has built a loyal following by providing quality food and coffee to its patrons for years, and we can’t wait to see them flourish at Station Yards.”

Toast Coffee + Kitchen is renowned for its commitment to quality, a characteristic that has cultivated a devoted customer base. At Station Yards, Toast aims to continue this tradition by serving up its well-loved menu that includes locally sourced ingredients and a curated selection of coffee and tea.

“This new establishment is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee; it’s poised to become a community hub where ideas are shared over meticulously crafted lattes and farm-fresh meals,” said Kelley Heck, Executive Vice President of TRITEC. “I grew up blocks from Toast’s original location and know firsthand what they bring to a neighborhood.”

“We are absolutely thrilled about the prospect of teaming up with TRITEC and Station Yards!” said Terry Scarlatos, Toast Coffee + Kitchen owner. “Our original location was near their headquarters, and we were able to foster a fantastic relationship over the years. Their steadfast commitment to uplifting Long Island communities and businesses has always impressed us, making our decision to collaborate with them an absolute no-brainer. As a proud Ronkonkoma local who has witnessed the incredible revitalization efforts firsthand, I believe this opportunity is a dream come true. We’re ready to bring our passion and energy to this new venture and create something truly extraordinary together! This location will be unique to the other locations because it will have a dedicated grab and go/ take away area for commuters.”

Toast Coffee + Kitchen’s arrival at Station Yards marks a significant milestone for the development, adding to the locale’s vibrancy and appeal. This partnership reflects Toast’s values and dedication to excellence, which the developers of Station Yards share.

Toast Coffee + Kitchen at Station Yards is expected to open in the summer of 2024 and invites everyone to experience the perfect blend of taste and tradition.

Toast Coffeehouse and Toast Coffee + Kitchen have several locations in both Suffolk and Nassau counties. Locations include 650 Route 112 in Port Jefferson, 46 East Main Street in Patchogue, 9 South Park Avenue in Bay Shore, and 20 West Park Avenue in Long Beach.

About Station Yards

Station Yards is a vibrant mixed-use development by TRITEC. It will be a new destination hub for Long Islanders. Along with 1,450 apartments, 195,000 square feet of retail space, and 360,000 square feet of office space, Station Yards is creating thousands of jobs and housing options at the busiest train station in Suffolk County. TRITEC completed the first phase of 489 apartment homes, Alston Station Yards, in 2020. The current development phase includes:

· 388 apartment homes.

· 70,000 square feet of retail space.

· 16,500 square feet of office.

· A public plaza

For more information, visit stationyardsli.com

About TRITEC

Founded in 1986 by brothers Robert J. and James L. Coughlan, TRITEC Real Estate Company is a real estate project delivery organization dedicated to delivering high quality, trustworthy performance and lasting value. TRITEC Real Estate Company—comprising TRITEC Development Group, LLC, TRITEC Building Company, Inc., TRITEC Asset Management, Inc. has established itself as a leader among commercial real estate companies, with a long history of successfully acquiring, developing, constructing, financing, leasing, and managing real estate projects in the New York and DC metro areas. For further information, visit TRITECre.com.

TRITEC’s New York office is located at 45 Research Way, Suite 100, in East Setauket.