To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the show, as well as the ninetyfifth anniversary of the opening of Jones Beach, the famed Blue Angels took to the skies to headline this year’s event.
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Suffolk County’s reliance on natural waterways cannot be overstated. A significant amount of Long Island’s revenue stems from aquaculture, agriculture, tourism, and local recreation that all depend on sharpened water quality priorities.
Additionally, the path forward for Suffolk in terms of long-term economic sustainability, infrastructure developments, and quality of life also depend on heightened water quality initiatives.
The both parties in the Suffolk County Legislature and County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) have made water quality initiatives major parts of their platforms, individually and collaboratively. The summer season going into the 2023 campaigns generated some controversy as the Legislature tabled a ballot measure that would have allowed residents to approve or reject a referendum in November to add an eighth-cent sales tax increase on the existing quarter-percent sales tax that funds sewer projects around the county.
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Continued from front cover
Thursday, May 30, 2024
The Legislature voted to table it as some Legislators on the horseshoe were not comfortable with the projected ratios for sewers and Innovative Alternative Wastewater (I/A) Systems.
The Legislature worked with State and local stakeholders to rework the legislation to allow funding to stem equally to both wastewater systems.
While protecting Suffolk’s sole-source aquifer and mitigating chemicals that pollute the groundwater and nitrogen that threatens coastal waterways are components of this legislation, enhanced water quality infrastructure, namely in the form of sewers, allows for significant downtown revitalizations. Businesses are able to operate at much higher capacities and standards, while also meeting local and environmental building codes depending on their proximities to groundwater. Sewers have long been heralded as the key to economic sustainability, as downtown revitalizations allow for classical trickle-down economics that convince small business owners and life-long residents to stay in Suffolk County.
Credit: Matt Meduri
in listening to what communities want.”
Hochul was joined by County Executive Romaine, Senator Martinez, Assemblyman Thiele, Suffolk County Legislator and Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Legislator and Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon), and County Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead), Ann Welker (D-Southampton), Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park).
Attendees also included Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters; Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment; and Matt Aracich, President of the Nassau Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council.
The legislation requires a signature from the Governor to put a referendum on the ballot that would amend the tax laws.
After much crafting and deliberation, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) herself signed the legislation at Captree State Park on Thursday.
The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood). Suffolk co-sponsors included Senators Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Mario Mattera (R-St. James), and Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue).
The Assembly version of the bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor). Suffolk co-sponsors included Assemblymembers Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow), Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Jarett Gandolfo (R-Sayville), Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), and Keith Brown (R-Northport).
The bill passed 57-1 with four absences in the Senate and 147-0 with three absences in the Assembly.
At the bill signing in Captree, Hochul called Martinez and Thiele “life-long environmentalists from the very beginning,” and thanked them and all involved parties and County Executive Romaine for “championing” the bill to passage.
“This took almost a decade to accomplish,” said Hochul. “But the work begins today. This is just the beginning,” she said, referencing the task of the Suffolk County Legislature to put the referendum on the November ballot by August 5, and the responsibility of the public to vote on it.
“I believe this will have strong support [from the public], but people need to know the urgency of this [water quality],” said Hochul.
Hochul also referenced State funding disparities between Suffolk County and other parts of New York, something local leaders have described as Long Island being “shortchanged” in terms of what the region pays to Albany in taxes.
“Parts of this county that are denied what other parts of our state have readily available. Long Island has needed clean water and infrastructure upgrades for decades,” said Hochul. “We are seeing the deterioration of our environment. If we don’t manage our water here on Long Island and keep it clean and accessible, future generations will ask ‘why were they so negligent?’ 75% of Suffolk homeowners who go without sewers are going to be delighted by this.”
Hochul says that Suffolk has “leadership that cares and that it’s a “basic responsibility of government to safeguard water.”
“This is a bipartisan issue and we’re always happy when we can find those,” Hochul said. “I spent fourteen years in local government. I believe in local government, I believe
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“With Governor Hochul’s signing of the water quality bill, it will now permit Suffolk County the opportunity to generate the funding necessary to proceed with many planned and future sewer and I/A septic projects county-wide,” said Legislator Nick Caracappa, the Chair of the Public Works Committee. “Those funds will make us eligible for both ‘matching State and federal funding’ that is out there for water quality projects.”
Caracappa says that matching dollars are typically 80% to 20% ratios with the County being obligated to raise the 20%.
“Sewers in our coastal communities will be an immediate fix to nitrogen issues currently affecting our waterways such as algae blooms, brown tides, fish and eel grass die-offs which is devastating our beaches and causing closures, which also affects our tourism industry. They’re critical sources of revenue for the County,” says Caracappa.
Caracappa also says that sewers will contribute to significant economic growth in Suffolk’s downtowns.
“Sewer projects in our downtowns will not only spur economic development, it will attract more businesses, generate jobs, create housing opportunities, and much more,” says Caracappa. “The best part is, we would be protecting our aquifer, which is also our sole-source of drinking water on Long Island.”
Caracappa also addressed concerns of over-development that some believe will come hand-in-hand with the legislation.
“I understand some of the concerns when it comes to sewers and development. No one wants over-development, but what we need is drastic improvements in our environmental awareness and the ability to make improvements necessary to protect and preserve what we have,” says Caracappa. “Being proactive is where we need to be to ensure the future of our Island and our County remain the beautiful places that they are to work, live, and play, surrounded by pristine waterways and clean drinking water.”
Legislator Catherine Stark, who serves as Vice Chair of the Public Works, Transportation, and Energy Committee, told The Messenger that she is optimistic on this referendum’s future.
“This is the start of a multi-pronged process, which we in the Legislature will take up, and I have full faith in the residents of Suffolk County to make their own wellinformed decisions when voting on this referendum,” said Stark.
The Legislature now has until August 5 to put the referendum on the November 5 ballot. If approved by voters, the added 0.125% sales tax - or 12.5 cents per $100would fund sewer expansion projects and installations of I/A systems from Babylon to Montauk.
The Islip Messenger serves Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, Oakdale, Holtsville, West Sayville, Sayville, Holbrook, Patchogue, Bohemia, Islandia and Islip 69 Years of Service to Our Community
In a crucial step towards bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has cleared the Armed Services Committee, paving the way for a House Floor vote. The bipartisan support garnered by the bill underscores its significance in shaping America’s military posture and strategic priorities for the fiscal year ahead.
bipartisan work our committee has done to produce one of the strongest and best NDAAs in recent memory.”
Moreover, the bill prioritizes investments in Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach for an Air National Guard Combat Rescue Helicopter Simulator, as well as securing raises for service men and women.
The Congressman stated, “I was proud this bill, protections for the Basic calculation back pay raise securing and fully programs. incredibly done to forward law in the House Floor optimistic about strengthen ahead. commitment the bill safeguarding the leadership role in
Last month, I presented my first State of the County Address to my colleagues in the Suffolk County Legislature. While my administration has inherited many challenges, my vision remains focused on my promises to build a safer and more affordable Suffolk County.
We have already taken significant steps since January 1 to strengthen our municipal finances, with more success to come. This began in February when S&P Global Ratings increased our bond rating to ‘AA-’ from ‘A+’, allowing us to save taxpayer dollars. We are also about to close a deal to purchase the former John J. Foley Center, which was sold by the previous administration, for public safety purposes – netting a savings of at least $10 million.
Over my term, we will streamline and enhance government operations making the county more efficient and better serve our constituents. We plan to:
• ‘Right-size’ county government to ensure adequate staffing levels for quick and efficient service.
• Review all county fees to ensure they are fair and equitable.
• Invest in the county’s assets and infrastructure.
• Purchase and preserve open space.
• Ensure we receive every available state and federal dollar possible, especially as it relates to public transportation.
• Deliver a budget beneath the 2% Property Tax Cap.
Most notably, the safety of every resident and our communities is of paramount importance. We have moved quickly to help our law enforcement agencies do their jobs by taking the following action:
• Announced Robert Waring as Commissioner, and Belinda Alvarez-Groneman and Kevin Catalina as Deputy Commissioners.
• Graduated 136 police officers, 13 new probation officers 58 new deputy sheriffs, and corrections officers – 100 additional new officers will enter the academy this summer.
• Invest in new vehicles and equipment.
• Provide additional mental health resources for law enforcement.
Many of our residents were impacted by the crippling cyber hack of September 2022. The attack was one of the worst on a municipality in the nation, and the prior administration did not protect this county. We have begun to implement changes that will further restore operations and enhance critical measures:
• Named a new commissioner for IT/cybersecurity.
• Requested County Comptroller John Kennedy perform a full audit of all of the spending related to the attack.
• Implemented new policies and procedures.
In the wake of the Thomas Valva special grand jury report, it was evident that we needed to take immediate and swift action to reform the Suffolk County Department of Social Services. To date, we have taken the following action:
• Named new leadership in Deputy County Executive Sylvia Diaz and Commissioner Dr. John Imhof.
• Restructured outreach services to better serve those in need.
• Decreased 311 call wait times for social service-related calls.
• Decreased SNAP application times.
We have much work ahead to fulfill the promises I have made. Working closely with the members of the legislature and my colleagues in state, federal, and local governments, we will rebuild Suffolk County.
Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) has served as Suffolk County Executive since 2024. He has previously served as a Suffolk County Legislature, representing the First District from 1986 to 1989 and again from 2005 to 2012, Suffolk County Clerk from 1989 to 2005, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor from 2012 to 2023.
Rarely are New Yorkers treated to general election campaign buzz and in-person visits from the candidates themselves. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., stumped in Holbrook last month in his quest for Empire State ballot access, which he has recently obtained.
Now, Donald Trump, the man himself, descended on New York City to bolster speculation that New York is, in fact, in play for November.
The last time New York hosted a presidential rally was for George W. Bush (R-TX) in 2004. The last time the state was seen as remotely competitive on the presidential map was in 1988, when Michael Dukakis (D-MA) narrowly took the state over George H.W. Bush (R-TX) by just four points. The last time New York backed a GOP presidential nominee was in 1984 for Ronald Reagan (R-CA), when he won the state by eight points over Walter Mondale (D-MN).
Trump’s rally in New York is as historic as it is unprecedented. The fact that any major campaign would take the time and money to hold a rally here should signal that New York and its twenty-eight electoral votes are truly up for grabs. You could call it a bluff to scare the other campaign, but these elections are too high-stakes and too expensive for that kind of reverse psychology. Not to mention, should Biden attempt to call Trump’s bluff, it could result in a historic humiliation. Look no further than Trump’s multiple visits to Wisconsin in 2016, all while trusted state polls gave Hillary Clinton decent leads right up until Election Day, to the point where Clinton herself did not once visit the state in the general election campaign.
The result: Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate since Reagan to win Wisconsin, which promptly resulted in calls for recounts, decertification, and allegations of election fraud.
But Trump campaigning in New York is one thing. He could have visited a rural, Republican region Upstate. He could have made a play for one of the blue-leaning cities like Rochester or Syracuse. He could have come right here to Suffolk County, something we assume will happen as the campaign unfolds.
But Trump went straight for the jugular on this one: The Bronx, the most staunchly Democratic borough of New York City apart from Manhattan. For context, the last time The Bronx backed a
It’s rare that a third-party candidate has the momentum that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., does. It’s also rare to see the two major parties visibly shaken by the presence of a third-party contender on the ticket.
The last “strong” display of a third-party presidential campaign was Ralph Nader’s 2000 run on the Green ticket, in which he was described as a “spoiler” for Al Gore (D-TN) against George Bush (R-TX). This mainly came down to the nightmare scenario in Florida that stymied the election results for nearly a month, but we caution our readers to also remember the razor-thin margins in New Mexico, Iowa, Oregon, and Wisconsin, followed by close margins in Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Vermont. Several of these states have long eclipsed the perennial electoral scorecard - although we’re optimistic some might return to the competitive board this year. Our point in saying this is that Nader’s paltry 2.74% of the popular vote could have been a spoiler for Gore, but it theoretically could have precluded Bush from a much larger Electoral College win.
Before Nader, the only strong third-party candidacy we can remember is Ross Perot’s (I-TX) bids in 1992 and 1996, the former of which he is credited for spoiling for George H.W. Bush (R-TX). Perot took nearly 19% of the nationwide vote but failed to carry a single state.
In recent years, we’ve seen some third-party models who leave much to be desired. Gary Johsnon’s (L-NM) Libertarian candidacy in 2016 still makes people laugh with his “what is Aleppo?” gaffe and his near-instantaneous indignance at answering any questions of substance, usually dismissing them with his claims that he helped legalize marijuana in New Mexico during his time as a Republican governor.
This year, the Libertarians really did it this time with Chase Oliver, a former Democrat who you would still think is a firebrand progressive Democrat by the looks of him. It’s funny how the party of intrinsic American political philosophy is dominated by leaders who make their platform about marijuana and hookers.
The Greens usually don’t have much to say for themselves either. 2016 presented pathological climate rioter Jill Stein, who’s running another campaign for the White House this year.
Then there’s Cornel West, an age-old political “philosopher” who’s made his money talking about race and socialism.
In short, RFK is, according to the general public, a breath of fresh air in the realm of third-party candidacies. People are clearly turning out in droves to get him on the ballot, as his campaigns returns petitions with signatures more than tripling the required amount in some states.
New York was no exception. In a state that required him to obtain 45,000 signatures, he turned in almost 136,000.
He’s now on the ballot in sixteen states worth 229 electoral votes. At this point, it begs the question: how much of a chance does he really have?
The first part of the equation you could argue helps him is that a recent Gallup study found that 43% of Americans are registered as Independent, a new high in modern history. While Republicans maintain a slight edge in registration over Democrats, they’re effectively tied at 27% apiece.
The problem is how this translates into Electoral College math. Sure, Kennedy has secured ballot access in the biggest prizes: California, Texas, and New York. We’re sure Florida isn’t far behind. Florida would give him an additional thirty Electoral College votes, with just eleven more to make it to
CreditFrank CollicaRepublican nominee was in 1924 for Calvin Coolidge (RMA), also the last time a Republican has won all sixty-two New York counties and all five NYC Boroughs.
We don’t think Trump will win The Bronx outright, but campaigning there signals a true siphoning of reliable Democratic voters from residents who are more than just tired of New York’s antics and New Yorkers-last attempt at governance, they’re tired of being tired.
A reliable roadmap for the presidential landscape in New York is Lee Zeldin’s (R-Shirley) near-upset in the 2022 gubernatorial election. It’s been said that no Republican has a shot at New York on the statewide level unless they eclipse the legendary 30% of the vote in New York City. Zeldin hit that threshold, but social issues in upscale suburbs around the rest of the state cost him the governor’s mansion.
New Yorkers are now faced with a different ultimatum: two more years of Kathy Hochul (D) and Joe Biden simultaneously, or just two more years of Hochul. While Albany Democrats ensure that New York is no place for residents to remain and money to go far, it’s possible that many will feel that handing Trump the keys to the White House for another four years will at least find them some relief in other areas.
Trump spoke to roughly 25,000-30,000 supporters in Crotona Park last week, many of whom were not the white, backwards rednecks who dissenters assert make up the core of Trump’s base. Trump has a real shot to carry the momentum he’s been seeing with black and Latino voters, typically core staples of the Democratic Party who have been observed in recent polling data up and leaving the Party of Jackson.
Without minority voters, Democrats will never win another election again. That’s why racebased politics and racial dissent is so important right now. Democratic leaders can’t risk losing a core voting bloc that breathes existence into their plight, so turning things into a constant “us versus them” scenario will keep everyone angry enough to keep people voting the way they have been for generations.
Instead, Trump marched right into a majority-minority community and laid out his plan to people willing to listen. When Biden won’t listen, when Hochul won’t listen - and instead says black children in The Bronx don’t know what the word “computer” is - Trump will listen.
the magic number of 270. At this point, ballot access doesn’t seem to be a concern for RFK. He’ll likely get on in all fifty states. His problem is in convincing enough voters in a hyper-partisan era to have second thoughts at the ballot box, preferably for him.
RFK would likely want to start in the western half of the country, where Independents are a dime a dozen and the states have histories literally founded on third-party success and fusion tickets towards the end of the 1900s. Alaska has the highest concentration, with Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota as viable alternatives.
If RFK were to somehow win all of those states in November, he would only receive sixty-one electoral votes.
The eastern half of the country is much more polarized, but there’s still some options for him. Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have some good blocs of Independent voters. For the sake of the argument, we’ll give him Connecticut and Rhode Island as well, as New England tends to vote rather monolithically.
Together, with the aforementioned western states, he’s only at 108 electoral votes. At that point, we think enough crossover support would have occurred to send the election to the House, as neither Biden nor Trump would likely have hit 270.
Since we have the benefit of this just being hypothetical, we’re not inclined to believe this is a likely scenario. However, it’s one that’s worth exploring as we navigate these relatively uncharted waters together.
At the end of the day, RFK still faces a near-insurmountable task: convincing the highly-polarized electorate to ditch party loyalties and try something new in a truly novel hybrid candidate. In an era where split-ticket voting is at an all-time low, we don’t think this is quite set to happen. As recent polling indicates Trump could either break even among Independents, or even win them outright, both he and RFK are shaping up to take away a portion of the electorate that has been crucial to Democrats for years.
New York has made strides in combating the ongoing opioid crisis, but much work remains as we still have far too many deaths in the state. For many of us, this epidemic is personal. It could be an acquaintance, friend, or family member—the opioid crisis doesn’t discriminate. Sadly, more than two million Americans abuse opioids, and more than 90 Americans die by opioid overdose every day. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York has seen a decrease in overdose deaths for the first time in years, but we lag behind neighboring states in how quickly we are mitigating them.
The good news is that, overall, New York and the rest of the nation have been able to decrease the number of opioid deaths for the first time since 2018. However, while places like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have been able to decrease their death rates by at least 7.5% in 2023, New York state has only reduced its rate by 3.5%. New York City lags even further with a decline of less than 1%.
The Assembly Minority Conference has been working hard to combat the opioid crisis. Our members have been actively engaged in their communities seeking solutions. Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) recently organized a “Finding Hope” roundtable discussion with peer recovery specialists, treatment specialists, prevention specialists and individuals in recovery aimed at identifying legislative solutions. Below are some examples of measures offered by the Assembly Minority Conference:
• Opioid overdose study (A.7746) – directs the commissioner of the Department of Health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report and medically combat new or previously unseen opioid compounds found in overdose patients;
• Long-term rehabilitation alternative (A.4146) – creates a long-term rehabilitation alternative for certain opioid offenders in lieu of prison;
• Allow judges more discretion to hold drug dealers (A.5992) – gives judges more discretion when issuing securing orders for a defendant after taking into account their flight risk, the seriousness of the crime and whether they are a danger to the community. Authorizes the revocation of recognizance or bail for
felony drug offenders who refuse to participate in court-ordered drug treatment or for failing to appear before court;
• Create the “Death by Dealer” statute (A.7985) – establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in death, a class A-1 felony; and • Classify xylazine as Schedule I controlled substance (A.8130) – classifies xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance and creates penalties for the criminal sale and possession of xylazine or preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing the drug.
In coordination with one another, these bills would provide a powerful avenue to combat the opioid epidemic and bring New York in line with other states making better progress. Democrat strategies like safe injection sites have not moved the bar enough, and they come with inherent risks that could exacerbate the problem. We can, and must, do better.
Any progress is worth noting, but to truly protect our communities we must implement effective policies that address the root causes of substance use and abuse and approach this devastating issue in a compassionate and effective manner. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to continue to curb this deadly epidemic and give our communities the tools they need to address the mental health and substance abuse crisis plaguing New York.
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.
I recently attended a press conference in Albany led by Assembly Republican Conference members and members of the community to discuss rural equity in New York State and renew calls to improve it. I was proud to cosponsor several proposals related to improving rural equity statewide, including:
• A.2654, sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C-Norwich), which will give a state income tax credit of up to $2,500 to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps who have been in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility
• A.4686, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks), which will allow localities to work together and design regionally based plans to ensure Internet access to rural citizens
• A.9183, also sponsored by Smullen, which will authorize school districts to opt out of the zero-emission school bus requirements I am very proud to support these rural equity initiatives. These proposals will help support our first responders, revitalize businesses and tourism in localities statewide and look out for the security of our school districts and students. I am very excited to see these initiatives move forward and help make our state a better place to live for rural and urban residents alike.
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, 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 Long Island State Veterans Home is a shortterm, 350-bed rehabilitation facility located in Stony Brook. Committed to caring for American heroes, the home’s mission statement reads: “Serving those who served through skilled nursing care, adult day health care, and short-term rehabilitation.”
The home held their annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Stony Brook facility last Friday.
The Invocation was read by Rabbi Joseph Topek, Jewish Chaplain for the home. Colors were posted and retired by the Marine Corps League East End Detachment #642, commanded by Richard Westhoff. “Memorial Day is our time to remember our fellow citizens who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country, our democracy, and our freedom,” said Rabbi Topek. “Our citizens have responded to the call to defend our nation since its inception. Americans of all walks of life, of all ethnic, cultural, and religious traditions, from every corner of our land, come together and form our Armed Forces. Together, they represent the cherished values of our nation, so well-defined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the four freedoms, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Those who have been lost in the fight for these ideals have, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, made a costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom.
Robert Murphy, a Marine Corps and Korean War Veteran and resident of the home, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees were then treated to a rendition of the National Anthem by Jim Papa.
“President John F. Kennedy once said that a nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,” said Long Island State Veterans Home Executive Director Fred Sganga. “Every minute of every hour of every day, Americans enjoy the blessings of a peaceloving nation. For more than two centuries, untold numbers of Americans have answered the call to duty. Freedom is our cause, but freedom does not come free, and many have paid the ultimate price. The America we know would not be the same if it were not for the men and women we honor this weekend on Memorial Day weekend. Today’s ceremony allows us to pay homage to all the courageous women and men who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we so dearly cherish. Memorial Day is a special holiday, a single day during which we honor the spirit of all those who died in service to our nation, but whom we continue to remember and honor in our hearts.”
William Wertheim, Interim Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine, said that this year’s ceremony commemorates the eightieth anniversary of D-Day.
“On June 6, 1944, 2,501 brave American soldiers gave their lives to secure our freedom. This pivotal moment in history, which is only one of many that our armed services fought, is a testament to the courage and dedication of those who fought for our country,” said Wertheim. “To me, this is personal. My grandfather was a Marine serving World War I, and my father was in the US Navy, and their experiences have profoundly influenced me.”
Robert Smith, Chairman of the Long Island State Veterans Home Veterans Advisory Board, highlighted the oft-forgotten differences between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. “There’s a difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Veterans Day, we go around, we shake hands, we touch each other, we say happy Veterans Day. We don’t go up to a Veteran today and say happy Memorial Day. It’s a somber day, it’s a day of remembrance,” said Smith. “We’ve all lost someone near and dear to our heart. It’s Memorial Day and we remember them today. They all put a military uniform on, served, and have fallen from our ranks. But Veterans don’t forget every day. Every day you get up, you think of that friend, or that mate, or that soldier, who
was with you and didn’t come back.”
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01), a Navy Veteran, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
“It’s a privilege for me to address this incredible group, not only as your Congressman, but as the grandson of a Coast Guard, and then the stepson of a Navy man, your brother, a Marine, and a Navy man myself. I truly understand the sacrifices that those who have worn the uniform and their families have made,” said LaLota.
LaLota said that the day before, he and sixteen other members of Congress who had previously worn the uniform washed the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial wall in Washington. The bipartisan display is a yearly tradition, one that LaLota said will allow the memorial to be clean for “tens of thousands” of visitors over the holiday weekend.
“We think it’s important to do, to honor the 58,000 plus who never made it home, 33,000 of whom were ages 18. To put that in perspective, the sacrifice made not only by so many, but those who are so young,” said LaLota. “The Gold Star families, especially their strength and resilience, remind us of the deep personal cost of the war and the enduring impact of our nation’s leaders’ decisions when we have decided to send young men and women into battle. We will never take that for granted, and we shouldn’t.”
LaLota says that his service across twenty countries, notably in the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, reaffirmed his belief that the United States is the “greatest nation the world has ever known.”
“That’s a bold assertion, there’s 195 countries in the world, and we commonly believe, rightfully so, that we are the greatest nation the world has ever known. And it’s not just because we have the biggest military and the biggest economy. It’s because we have used those strengths of ours, and we’ve used them for good and against evil.”
LaLota also said that the United States has “provided more freedom and opportunity to more people throughout the world in their own countries than any other nation in history.” He listed three reasons as to why he believes the U.S. is the most “exceptional nation.” First, he said that the governmental structure of a constitutional republic mixed with capitalism gives power to “we the people.” His second reason is the United States’ geographic position.
“We have oceans that separate us from our adversaries and God has blessed us with natural resources that have made us a strong nation as well,” he said.
However, he said the third reason pales in comparison to the former two: the men and women who answer the call to serve their country.
LaLota’s remarks were followed by musical interlude of “America the Beautiful,” a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” read by home resident and Korean War Veteran Lou Maters, and the wreath-laying ceremony and threevolley salute.
The wreath was laid outside at the memorial statue by Theresa Vereline, an Army Veteran and resident of the home. After the salute, “Taps” was played by Gregory Effimetz of the East End Detachment #642.
The ceremony concluded with the retiring of the colors and a group recitation of “God Bless America.”
Present were County Legislators Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee, respectively, Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) and Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point). In attendance also were Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and New York Senators Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), and Mario Mattera (R-St. James).
May 2024, conducted with input from nearly 500,000 voters, tracked Biden’s aggregate national approval rating at -22. Individually, the President fared above water in just Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
His approval ratings were found further underwater than his national average in Pennsylvania (-25), Nevada (-32), Arizona (-27), and Georgia (-24), all of which he narrowly won in 2020.
He stands in marginally better position at -20 in North Carolina and just -10 in Wisconsin, the latter of which he narrowly flipped.
The Civiqs study also found that Biden continues to struggle with younger voters, a crucial voting bloc of the Democratic Party. In voters aged 18-34, the poll tracked his approval rating at -34.
The low ratings are also demonstrated in the latest rounds of polling, which show troubling signs for the Biden campaign ahead of the election. Although not enough to preclude him from reelection, the numbers have gained the attention from pundits and pollsters alike who assert that a second Trump term is not off the table.
A recent round of New York Times polls from Nevada have shown Trump with double-digit leads in head-to-head matchups against Biden and against Biden with third-party candidates factored into
up just two points earlier this month, in a state that has not backed a Republican nominee since 1972. Biden’s lead has also shrunk dramatically in New Hampshire, where the University of New Hampshire puts him at four points ahead of Trump in a two-way race and three points with other candidates included. The same pollster, albeit sponsored by CNN, found Biden twelve points ahead of Trump in the Granite State in September.
However, the results of the latest round of polls is not limited to the swing states. An Elway Research poll of 413 registered voters in Washington state put Biden ahead at just eight points of Trump. One of the bluest, more liberal states, Washington has not backed a Republican nominee since 1984. Biden won Washington by nineteen points in 2020.
Finally, Siena College has released regular polls of the presidential race in New York over the course of the last year. All find Biden to be hovering around ten points, a decline from his twenty-three-point win in 2020.
Their latest poll of nearly 1,200 voters puts him at just nine points ahead of Trump. The poll was conducted about a week before Trump’s rally in the South Bronx.
Democrats hold a twenty-six-point voter enrollment advantage over Republicans in New York.
expenses for the rehabilitation, modernization, and construction of facilities and infrastructure at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).”
The legislation was tailored with Congressmen Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) and Anthony D’Esposito (R, NY-04), among others.
The bill would support the implementation of the Full Speed Ahead Infrastructure Plan. Funding would be authorized from 2024 to 2034 in the amounts of $54 million in the first year, followed by $107,333,333 each subsequent year.
“The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is one of our nation’s five federal service academies and responsible for educating and training mariners who are committed to serving the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces,” said Garbarino. “Maritime security is critical to our national security, and yet the Academy has been allowed to fall into disrepair - threatening recruitment efforts as well as the quality of education the Academy can provide. With this legislation, we aim to upgrade and modernize the USMMA’s facilities so that we may continue to produce best-in-class mariners and ensure the strength of our national sea power.”
The USMMA is located in Kings Point in the Town of North Hempstead.
The Messenger was also on hand to take to the skies with another prestigious group of air stuntmen: The U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights.
Started in 1959, the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team (STRAC) was formed with nineteen Airborne Soldiers from several military units to compete in skydiving, then a sport dominated by Soviet communists. As the USSR had a large interest in airborne operations from a military perspective, the Soviet Union pioneered the sport in the 1930s.
In 1961, the U.S. Army formally designated and activated STRAC as U.S. Army Parachute Team and nicknamed them “the Golden Knights.” The name stems from their ability to win gold medals in high-profile competitions and their ability to “conquer the skies.”
The team supports the Army Recruiting Command and their Marketing and Engagement Brigade with their series of parachuting stunt shows around the country. The members of the team also participate in technical and research development of parachuting and airborne activities to help improve the military’s combat readiness.
Annually, the team performs more than 20,000 jumps in front of roughly twelve million people. They have performed more than 14,000 shows in all fifty states and forty-eight countries.
The team is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the Airborne and U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
The Messenger received the rare opportunity to speak with some of the members of the team and look on as they dove out of their signature aircraft to entertain thousands of beachgoers on Saturday afternoon.
Brandon Hexum, a native of Peoria, Illinois, told The Messenger how the program works.
“We’re all enlisted in the Army. I enlisted as an infantryman and served with the 82nd Airborne,” said Hexum. “We all go through an eight-week selection process. If you make the team, this is your full-time job.”
Hexum says that there’s multiple subsections within the team, labeled as A Team, B Team, and C Team. Hexum dives with the B Team.
Hexum says that his long love of skydiving prompted him not just to try out for the Golden Knights, but to join the
“Growing up in Illinois, I jumped at Skydive quite a bit. The Golden Knights were there a tandem camp, and at that point I had no intentions of joining the Army. I talked to the Knights and they ultimately talked me into joining the Army,” said Hexum.
Hexum described some of the maneuvers on display at Jones Beach. A baton pass is when two divers free fall together, complete several spins together, and then break apart. He also described a sophisticated maneuver, called canopy relative work, in which one diver joins another midair and slides down the lines diver’s parachute. They briefly hook together, separate, then fly their separate parachutes to the ground.
The Golden Knights jumped from 9,000 feet over Jones Beach (pictured below), and The Messenger got to watch and learn not only as they jumped out of the plane, but as they also ensured conditions were suitable for skydiving. With quick relay communications to the pilots, the team was able to determine the wind speeds midair. One diver told The Messenger that if winds are too strong or in an unfavorable direction, the conditions are not suitable for their highly-technical displays.
All went off without a hitch, however, as all teams successfully completed their maneuvers and all spectators had a memorable time at the Twentieth Anniversary Jones Beach Air Show.
The Messenger thanks the Golden Knights for an incredible opportunity to take to the skies with them.
The Golden Knights’ plane.
Credit: Matt Meduri
East Islip’s Special Olympics team – featuring 11 dedicated athletes from East Islip High School, East Islip Middle School, Cleary School for the Deaf and alumni – successfully competed in the Special Olympics New York Spring Games North, hosted by Plainedge High School.
The festivities began a day earlier with the annual kickoff breakfast at the high school, attended by the athletes, coaches, family members, SEPTO and East Islip administration. High school volunteers proved invaluable in setting up and helping throughout the breakfast.
Family and fans in the stands cheered on East Islip’s
James Wilson Young Middle School eighth grader Eric S. was selected to receive a scholarship from the Long Island String Festival Association.
Eric’s hard work and dedication won him a private study grant through the organization. Only students who were accepted into the prestigious LISFA orchestra were eligible for this grant. Additionally, Eric had to submit an essay and a letter of recommendation from his orchestra teacher, Carl Leichthammer.
“Being an exceptional musician is a reward intrinsically, but it’s really exciting to see a student’s hard work pay off in this way,” said Mr. Leichthammer. “I’m really proud of Eric for his consistent dedication to his study of the violin.”
athletes at the Games as they competed in a variety of track events including the 25-meter assisted walk, 50-meter motorized wheelchair slalom, 50-meter run, 100-meter walk, 200-meter run, and 400-meter run, and field events such as tennis and softball throw, Turbojav throw and shot put. East Islip brought home 10 gold medals, eight silver medals, two bronze medals and two fourth-place ribbons.
“We lucked out with a beautiful day for the event,” said Diane Wahrenburg, who coaches East Islip with Julie Susskind. “Our team showed outstanding sportsmanship and perseverance and put forth an amazing effort throughout the training season and during the competition. Their smiles in the pictures are worth a thousand words. We, and all of our additional coaches, volunteers, family members and administrators, are extremely proud of all of these athletes. Can’t wait until next year!”
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Student-athletes from Sachem North and Sachem East high schools signed national letters of intent to play their respective sports at the NCAA level during a ceremony on May 20. This final round of signings included fifty-five students from fourteen sports, who will now play at colleges and universities throughout the country. Including the fall signing period, a total of 97 Sachem athletes will continue their playing careers at the collegiate level.
During the ceremony, Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health, and Health Services Gary Beutel told the athletes that their hard work and values got them to the next stage in their lives. “Surround yourself with people who have the same values,” Mr. Beutel said. “Do the work. That’s the secret to success.”
On May 10, student-musicians from Udall Road Middle School in the West Islip Union Free School District’s seventh and eighth grade band, seventh and eighth grade orchestra and vocal ensemble competed against other schools from the tri-state area at the Music in the Parks festival in Pennsylvania.
The band, orchestra, and vocal ensemble performed for two adjudicators and were evaluated on the categories of Tone Quality, Intonation, Rhythm, Technique and Musicality. The students returned with three trophies for their performance ensembles. Vocal ensemble received first place with an excellent rating in the middle school mixed choir classification. The band was awarded second place with an excellent rating in the middle school concert band classification, and the orchestra also placed second with an excellent rating in the middle school string orchestra classification.
On April 20, three Hauppauge Middle School science research students presented their research to a panel of judges at the 2024 PWGC Science Fair.
Mihir Sathish Kumar came in first place for his project, “BioPlast Clean: An Eco Clean Solution for Microplastic Filtration,” winning a $1,000 cash prize.
In second place, taking home a $500
prize, student Ishaan Maheshkumar won for his project, “Can We Conserve Energy with the Seebeck Effect?”
Vaibhavi Hedge came in third place for her project, “What Materials Work Best for Creating Biodegradable Plastic,” winning $250.
The Hauppauge School District congratulates these students on their outstanding accomplishments.
The highest court in the United States, the Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the law and setting precedent to which the country’s legal system adheres in most cases. “Landmark” Supreme Court cases are those that have significantly shaped history and have easily-felt impacts on U.S. citizens.
Composition of the Highest Court
Since the Judiciary Act was passed in 1869, the Court’s number of Justices (judges) has been fixed at nine. The number of Justices lies in the hands of Congress. In the early days of the republic, the number fluctuated from as low as five to as high as ten. The number has been fixed at nine, with one serving as Chief Justice, to prevent ties and deadlocks.
Incumbent presidents are tasked with appointing Justices to the Court. Nominees sit before the Senate and are essentially interviewed before the Senate confirms the nominee by a vote. Only a simple majority of the Senate vote is required to confirm a Justice to the bench. Traditionally, a cloture vote - a vote to end debate and proceed with a vote on a bill/nominationrequired a two-thirds majority in the Senate to proceed. The “nuclear” option to pass cloture votes with a simple majority was introduced in 2013 by Senate Democrats. It was later used by Republicans to prevent the nomination of Merrick Garland after the death of Antonin Scalia in 2016, citing then-President Obama’s (D-IL) “lame duck” status.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY) attempted to add more Justices during his tenure to appoint his hand-picked nominees to tilt the Court in favor of his intended agenda, a practice known as “court packing.” Democrats were vocal about the practice after the overturning of Roe V. Wade, but no serious progress on the highly controversial practice was made.
A President can withdraw his nominee for the Supreme Court at any time and the Senate has no obligation to call for a nominee to testify or to advance the nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Justices serve lifelong terms that end with death, retirement, or impeachment. Only one Justice has ever been impeached: Samuel Chase in 1805. Articles of Impeachment passed the U.S. House but he was acquitted by the Senate.
A quorum of six Justices is required for a case to be heard. The Supreme Court typically receives about 8,000 requests for hearings each year, but ultimately only hears about eighty of them. Other hearings are passed back down the appellate courts for their deliberations.
The current Court stands at six Justices who have been appointed by Republican or conservative residents, and three appointed by Democratic or liberal presidents. Clarence Thomas, the most tenured with thirty-two years on the bench, John Roberts (Chief Justice), Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are the Justices appointed by Republican presidents. Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson are the Justices appointed by Democratic presidents.
Marbury Vs. Madison (1803)
When Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams in the 1800 presidential election, Adams and Congress quickly passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which created new courts and added new judges. Adams did this with the sole intention of frustrating the incoming Jefferson administration. Forty-two new justices of the peace were created but were not valid until the appointees’ commissions were delivered by the Secretary of State, then James Madison.
Jefferson believed the commissions were void and instructed Madison to not deliver them. William Marbury had been appointed Justice of the Peace in the District of Columbia. He petitioned the Supreme Court to force Madison to deliver him his commission to serve.
The Court found that while Madison’s refusal to deliver Marbury’s commission was illegal, the Court did not force him to deliver it. The Court actually found that Marbury’s ability to bring his claim to the Supreme Court was itself unconstitutional, since it would have extended the Court beyond its jurisdiction established in the Constitution. Such powers were deemed to conflict with the Constitution, as Congress did not have power to modify it through regular legislation, since the Supremacy Clause puts the Constitution before general laws.
Due to a simple act of political retribution, the single-most important Supreme Court case was decided: the power to declare laws unconstitutional. It also established the associated practice of judicial review and reinforced the importance of the Separation of Powers.
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
McCulloch Vs. Maryland (1819)
In 1816, Congress chartered the Second Bank of the United States. In 1818, Maryland passed legislation to levy taxes on the banks. James McCulloch, the cashier of the Baltimore branch of the Second Bank, refused to pay the tax. The Maryland Appeals Court ruled that the Second Bank was unconstitutional as the Constitution did specify federal powers in chartering banks.
The Court ruled unanimously that the federal government did have the power to charter a bank and that states could not tax extensions of the federal government enacted through constitutional authority. Since the powers were not specifically outlined in the Constitution, Chief Justice John Marshall redefined “necessary” powers to be interpreted as “appropriate and legitimate,” delineating subsequent actions of the federal government.
In short, this case established implied powers of the Constitution to the federal government and reinforced supremacy of the Constitution over laws.
Dred Scott Vs. Sandford (1857)
Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri, then a slave state. For ten years in the mid-1800s, he lived with his owners in Illinois, a free state, and areas of the Louisiana Purchase. Pursuant to the Missouri Compromise, slavery was banned in Purchase territory. After he returned to Missouri, Scott filed for his freedom, arguing that since he had been a resident of a free state, he was freed.
The Court ruled that since Scott was black whose ancestors were “imported” into the country, Scott was not an American citizen and his case had no standing in federal court. The Court also ruled that since slaves were considered property under the Fifth Amendment, any law that would deprive a person of their property was unconstitutional.
Dissenting Justices claimed that constitutional rights could apply to Scott, as black men had obtained suffrage in five states. This case remains one of the most controversial decisions of the Court.
Plessy Vs. Ferguson (1896)
This case revolves around the “separate but equal” setup of society during Reconstruction. Louisiana’s Separate Car Act required separate railway cars for whites and blacks. Homer Plessy challenged this by sitting in a “whites only” railcar. Plessy, who was mostly white but considered black under Louisiana law, was asked to leave the car, refused, and was arrested.
The Court found the law to be constitutional and that “separate” treatment of different races did not imply inferiority.
This case is also considered one of the most controversial decisions of the Court.
Brown Vs. Board of Education (1954)
This case stemmed from a “separate but equal” lawsuit against the Board of Education for public schools in Topeka,
Kansas. The Court ruled that separate but equal educational facilities based on race were inherently unequal and violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court found that separate facilities imparted an intrinsic sense of inferiority. This decision is also unique in that the majority opinion used language devoid of legalese, making it digestible by the general public. This case reversed the decision found in Plessy Vs. Ferguson.
Mapp Vs. Ohio (1961)
Dollree Mapp was involved in illegal gambling operations of mobster Shondor Birns. After Cleveland police received an anonymous tip of possible betting slips and a suspect for a bombing of a rival racketeer, police forced their way into her home without a search warrant. In addition to gambling paraphernalia, they found pornographic material. When Mapp refused to testify against Birns, she was prosecuted for possession of lewd material.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects Americans from illegal searches and seizures. Mapp could not be prosecuted for lewd materials on the grounds that all evidence obtained by illegal search and seizure were inadmissible in court.
Engel Vs. Vitale (1962)
In the New York school system, each day began with a voluntary, nondenominational prayer acknowledging God. The practice was challenged in court by multiple organizations claiming that the prayer was a violation of the First Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that the state cannot hold prayers in public school, even if participation is voluntary and not tied to any religion in particular.
Gideon Vs. Wainwright (1963)
Clarence Gideon was charged in Florida with felony breaking and entering. He requested a lawyer since he could not afford one, but Florida law only appointed lawyers to indigent defendants for capital cases. He represented himself in trial and was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. The Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a right to assistance of counsel applied in this case. It guarantees the right of all criminally charged with legal counsel.
Miranda Vs. Arizona (1966)
Ernesto Miranda was arrested on rape and kidnapping charges. He confessed to the crimes and the confession was admitted as evidence in trial. However, the police had not informed Miranda of his right to have an attorney present during interrogation. The Court ruled that the Fifth Amendment requires law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights to remain silent and obtain legal counsel during interrogations while in police custody.
This case led to such rights read to suspects being known as Miranda
Congratulations to the proprietors of the newly opened Tex’s Chicken and Burgers at 23 West Main Street in East Islip!
Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming Tex’s to the Town of Islip business community.
On Sunday, May 26, 2024, Memorial Day Weekend, a homeowner on Brook Street in West Sayville was heading north on Railroad Avenue in Sayville just south of the LIRR. An American flag, part of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce display along the sidewalks around the business district, was lying in the street and being run over by passing traffic. He stopped his car, picked up the flag, and with no place to put the flag, bought it back to Brook Street and rigged it up on a nearby telephone pole.
Long may it wave!
Yankee Doodle Dandy’s Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting
A new restaurant recently opened its doors at 454 Main Street in Islip!
Yankee Doodle Dandy’s, offering an array of chicken tenders, sandwiches, sides, and desserts, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) and Islip Chamber of Commerce President, Liz Mayott.
“Welcome to the Town of Islip small business community,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “On behalf of the members of the Islip Town Board, we wish you much success here in the heart of town.”
Michael Epifania, DO, and his practice have joined Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group, Stony Brook Medicine’s expanding network of community practices.
“We are excited to welcome Michael Epifania, DO, to our growing network of community practices,” said Dara Brener, MD, Clinical Quality Director of Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group. “We continue to grow our primary care practices, as we feel it is important to have a good foundation of care in each community and this starts with your primary care physician.”
Dr. Epifania is a family medicine physician who provides primary care to patients in Holbrook and the surrounding communities.
“I look forward to bringing my expertise, intellect, and passion to
Stony Brook Medicine, fostering strong connections with patients and families, and furthering my commitment to holistic care and community well-being,” said Dr. Epifania.
Dr. Epifania received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania, and completed his residency at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Queens, New York.
Patients who wish to make an appointment with Michael Epifania, DO, should call (631) 216-9253.
June and July are prime times for Long Island’s pea harvest. There are three main types of peas you might come across: snap peas, snow peas, and shelling peas (also known as English peas or garden peas). The primary difference? Shelling peas need to be shelled since their pods are fibrous and inedible. If you’re used to the canned variety, fresh shelled peas will be a delightful surprise—nothing like the gray-green mush with a tinny taste that you might recall.
Growing Conditions: Peas are quite particular about their environment. They thrive in days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s and nights in the 40s and 50s. This spring’s combination of rainfall and warmer temperatures has been a challenge, as these conditions are conducive to powdery mildew, a fungus that can kill pea plants. Farmer David Lama of Good Stuff Gardens in Jamesport, who also sells at the Three Village Farmer’s Market, noted that his pea harvest might be limited this year. We’ll have to see what June brings.
But don’t worry! If fresh peas are hard to come by, frozen peas are an excellent substitute. They are picked and flash-frozen at their peak, retaining their sweet flavor and nutritional value. Unlike fresh peas, which need cooking to remove their starchiness and soften their skins, frozen peas are ready to go after a brief defrost or a quick heat-up.
Pea Facts:
• Eating Etiquette: The proper way to eat peas is by pressing down on them with the back of your fork. It might feel a bit like making pea hummus, but it’s more sophisticated than chasing them around your plate.
• Nutritional Boost: A 100-calorie serving (3/4 cup) of peas packs more protein than a whole egg.
• Cooking Tip: The less water you use when cooking peas, the more vitamin C they retain.
When it comes to cooking peas, I reached out to a professional for a topnotch summertime recipe.
Chef Chelsea Gomez of Level Up Kitchen in St. James shared her fresh, delicious, and simple pea salad recipe, perfect for outdoor gatherings. This dish can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd.
English Pea Salad -
(by Chef Chelsea Gomez of Level Up Makes (4) ½ cup servings
Ingredients:
• 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
• 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbs. minced red onion
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 tsp. fresh mint chiffonade
• Flaked salt (like Maldon) to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
1. If using fresh peas: Blanch them until tender and sweet. Immediately submerge them in ice water to cool. Drain. If using frozen peas: Defrost them overnight in the fridge or leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
2. Combine the peas with the extra virgin olive oil, minced red onion, and lemon zest. This step can be done the day before—just cover and chill in the fridge overnight.
3. When ready to serve, chiffonade the fresh mint and add to the peas.
4. Season with flaked salt.
5. Serve with lemon wedges on the side to prevent the acid in the lemon from cooking the peas further and turning them yellow.
Long Island Locavore was created by Nancy Vallarella. Managing farmer’s markets, creating recipes, and giving food demonstrations all contribute to bringing awareness to all things farmed, fished, foraged, and produced on Long Island! For more recipes, or to ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or contact her via email – lilocavore495@gmail.com
Chef Chelsea Gomez of Level Up Kitchen
The ongoing fentanyl epidemic has elicited responses from nearly all levels of government, many of which have been unique and urgent in addressing the issue.
A press conference held last week urged Albany lawmakers to pass four laws that backers deem as “common sense” proposals to help mitigate the effects of the problem.
Chelsey’s Law would charge drug dealers if and when they sell a lethal dose of any controlled substance that ultimately ends up killing a user due to an overdose.
Another bill would designate xylazine, known as Tranq, as a controlled substance.
The cattle sedative is frequently being used to cut other controlled substances, which has led to increased overdose rates since Tranq’s effects cannot be reversed by naloxone, or Narcan.
The third bill would allow prosecutors and judges to request and set bail on a defendant arrested for selling fentanyl. Currently, under New York’s bail reform laws, bail cannot be requested for dealers selling fentanyl, even if that sale resulted in one or more overdoses. The bill would allow for bail to be set on defendants charged with certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, and/or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.
The final bill would grant Victim Assistance Funds to the families of overdose victims. Funds would primarily be used for funeral and burial costs.
To further educate the public on these legislative endeavors, as well as to inform the layperson on the dangers of fentanyl, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) and his office held the inaugural “Fentanyl Summit” at the Brentwood campus of Suffolk Community College on Wednesday afternoon. The summit was joined by state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) (pictured left)
First up were Gene and Sue Murray, the parents of the late Chelsey Muray, for whom Chelsey’s Law is named. They discussed breaking the stigma surrounding substance abuse, in that many are afraid or ashamed of requesting help, which often leads to permanent physical and psychological effects, homelessness, and even death.
The Suffolk County D.A. ‘s Narcotics Bureau held a presentation discussing their involvement in curbing the drug epidemic in Suffolk, followed by a seminar given by Sheriff Toulon, in which he discussed that no place is safe given the endemic nature of synthetic opioids.
Frank Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), discussed the current drug trafficking routes from the southern border and just how reckless drug dens have become. He referenced a Bronx daycare in which dealers were hiding twelve kilograms of fentanyl under the floors on which play tiles were situated for the toddlers. The exposure killed one-year-old Nicholas Dominici and sent three other children to the hospital.
One of the highlights of the summit included a law enforcement panel, consisting of Sheriff Toulon, Special Agent Tarentino,
Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, SCPD Deputy Commissioner Kevin Catalina, and Captain Kenneth Gene with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations of the New York State Police.
The panel answered questions submitted by audience members. SCDA Associate Counsel Brooke Salvatore moderated the panel (pictured right)
The panel first answered the question: “If my child overdoses and I contact the police, will my child get in trouble or will they be arrested?”
“The answer is absolutely no,” said Deputy Commissioner Catalina. “We’re not looking to arrest anybody in a situation like that. We’re looking to get them help and get them what they need, whether that’s medical attention or long-term help. We’re looking to go after the villains. So please don’t ever be afraid to call the police.”
The next question asked the panel how hard drugs are disposed and where they are disposed.
Catalina said that any drugs obtained on a call will be held until it can be determined if they are needed in an investigation.
“We’re going to hold them in a secure facility until a date when we can dispose of them in a safe manner,” said Catalina. “This is an operation that we conduct in conjunction with a variety of agencies. Those drugs are not re-entering society. The DA has to agree when they are eventually destroyed because we have to make sure they’re not useful in case.”
Sheriff Toulon reminded the audience that the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office conducts a “shed the meds” program for prescription medication.
“We will take those drugs and we will properly dispose of them if there are prescription drugs in your home,” said Toulon.
“The Troop L Police Barracks in Farmingdale has a bin that you can use to dispose of any drugs as well,” said Salvatore.
Captain Gene added that the drop-offs are anonymous and that the department works carefully to ensure none of the disposed drugs result in a contaminated water system.
In response to a question of outreach to children, the panel referenced the national “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. Schools across the country have been using information from the DEA to teach the dangers of fentanyl-laced pills that can prove fatal. The campaign targets teenagers who might be convinced to try just one pill of a drug that they might think is Xanax or Adderall, but is actually laced with fatal substances. It can be found online at dea.gov/ onepill.
Allen Bode discussed the progress on the four aforementioned bills as they continue to lobby Albany for the changes. He said he and Tierney were recently in Albany for a meeting brokered by Assemblyman Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) to urge State lawmakers to pass Chelsey’s Law before the legislative session ends in the first week of June.
“Albany is very unified [on the bills]. We are bipartisan and united on Long Island,” said Bode. “The session ends next week. We’re hopeful. We had a meeting with the Chair of the Codes Committee, he said he was supportive.”
However, Bode cautioned that “there is no realm in which we’re getting all four of these bills passed this session.” Nevertheless, he said that the D.A.’s office is “prepared for a long fight” and to “keep going and push forward” on all of the bills. The session in Albany might end next week, but the crisis will continue year after year. We’re prepared to fight with you and we appreciate your help out there.”
One question was geared towards Gene, Toulon, and Catalina: “What steps are being taken by your agencies to keep your guys out on the street safe?”
Captain Gene said that a trooper who responded to a car accident on the Northern State Parkway was exposed to fentanyl powder when trying to render first aid to the driver. The driver, likely impaired by the drug, collided with the center divider, causing the powder to dissipate into the air.
“Each officer or trooper carries Narcan. Just a couple milligrams can be administered to an individual suffering a fentanyl overdose, hopefully within immediate response,” said Gene. “We also educate our troopers on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) that they have to carry and how to utilize it for any type of response. A car accident is the last place you would expect to be exposed to fentanyl, but you never know. Education is a big component.”
Sheriff Toulon said that outside mail the department receives is handled with gloves and is scanned by special technology. Toulon also said that they have scanners that can also detect drugs that might be concealed or ingested by a suspect.
“We have trained our emergency service staff in the use of Narcan. Some of them were able to prevent fatalities in our jails when they arrived on the scene,” said Toulon.
Sheriff Toulon also said that in addition to corresponding with jails across the continental United States, his office is able to exchange information with jails in Australia, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico.
“We’re learning more and more about what people are doing to try and smuggle contraband inside our facilities. So, outside of the six departments within the continental United States, we have those international departments that we’re working with to see what we can do better to keep our staff safe,” said Toulon.
The backs of the programs issued at the summit have a simple image of an eightounce cup. The cup’s rim is printed with the word “FENTANYL.” The words on the cup say “8 oz. = 113,410 deaths.”
U.S. Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) (pictured right) recently introduced the “Safer Prisons Act of 2024.”
This legislation serves as the House of Representatives’ companion to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) (pictured far right) legislation of the same name. If adopted, this legislation would double the maximum term of imprisonment for those convicted of assaulting a federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer.
Blackburn introduced her bill in February after learning of an inmate in a federal prison in Pennsylvania took a correction officer’s service baton and assaulted him with it, causing lacerations and a hematoma, according to a local news report. When two other officers came in to help, the inmate bit one on the arm and the other on the finger.
“Federal prisons have become increasingly unsafe for the brave men and women who serve as federal corrections officers,” Blackburn said in a statement. “Incidents of inmates assaulting BOP officers have been on the rise and often result in PTSD for the affected officers as they continue to do
their jobs. To deter these acts of violence, this bill doubles the criminal penalties for assaulting a BOP correctional officer.”
The Safer Prisons Act is close to D’Esposito, a former detective with the New York City police department and co-chair of the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus. “As a retired NYPD detective, I was proud to work hand in hand with brave federal BOP corrections officers. These men and women play a critical role in our justice system, and deserve the full support of Congress. I’m proud to join Sen. Blackburn in introducing this legislation to combat the rising tide of attacks on correctional officers.”
D’Esposito recently received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Citing his former career in law enforcement, Trump posted on social media, “A retired NYPD police detective, Anthony is working hard to Uphold the Rule of Law, Create Jobs and Lower Inflation, Secure the Border, and Support our Incredible Military and Police Officers. Anthony D’Esposito has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), Babylon Village Mayor Mary Adams, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department held a free Narcan training seminar at Babylon Village Hall.
Attendees learned the signs of an opiate overdose, overdose risk factors, recognizing and responding to an overdose, and the administration of Naloxone (Narcan). Each received a free Narcan kit at the end of the presentation.
“Narcan training programs are an essential part of our effort to combat the increase in fentanyl and opioid overdoses and deaths that are plaguing communities throughout Long Island and New York State,” said Durso. “I want to thank all the residents for attending this life-saving training. And a special thank you to Mayor Adams and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for providing this vital service.”
If you, or someone you know, are struggling with addiction or substance use disorder, please call the New York State 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).
by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
To bet on the upcoming presidential election, don’t just rely on polls. Look at the billions of taxpayer dollars President Joe Biden is pouring into “community organizations” in “disadvantaged communities” to tip the election scales.
The community organizer who became president, Barack Obama, was a master at machine politics, using federal tax dollars to turn community organizations left-wing not-for-profits into a fifth estate. Their staffs, paid using taxpayer money but not tied to government rules, could hit the streets at election time and build turnout. Biden has scaled up Obama’s playbook, using billions of dollars instead of mere millions.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made headlines last week with the discovery that in Dec. 2023 the Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $50 million “environmental justice” grant to the Climate Justice Alliance. Capito is distressed to learn that the Climate Justice Alliance vows “the path to climate justice travels through a free Palestine.”
In fact, Climate Justice Alliance serves up a full agenda of radical activities, including fighting “political oppression” and “placing race, gender, and class at the center” of its climate solutions.
But $50 million for the Climate Justice Alliance is a drop in the bucket.
Had members of Congress read the Inflation Reduction Act before passing it a novel idea they would know the law provides $2.8 billion to the EPA for environmental and climate justice block grants,” (Section 60201). That’s a license to hand out walking-around money to many political activists, not just the Climate Justice Alliance.
Another recipient: the New York Immigration Coalition, which describes itself as a “coalition of immigrant and refugee organizations” pushing for more government services and political clout.
Same is true of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, another recipient. The words “climate” and “environment” don’t appear anywhere on these groups’ websites or literature.
Lawmakers may have assumed the money was for climate improvement, but the IRA’s fine print allows the moolah to be used for “facilitating engagement of marginalized communities in Local, State and Federal public processes, such as advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings.”
Translation: elections.
How easy is it to get the dough? Piece of cake. The EPA says it wants to “alleviate much of the burden that the federal grants process places on small, resource-constrained community-based organizations supporting underserved communities and marginalized populations.” In short, no jumping through hoops.
The money can only go to a disadvantaged community or a southern border town. There are 27,521 disadvantaged communities on the census map, according to Biden’s “Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool,” which targets non-English speakers, people with diabetes, and other factors that mostly correspond to heavily minority populations. These communities customarily vote Democratic.
Adding eligibility for border towns is an interesting twist. As waves of migrants overwhelm resources in these towns, Democrats are growing divided over Biden’s open border policies. Money may shore up support.
During his first week as president, Biden
announced the Justice40 initiative by executive order, requiring that 40% of many types of federal spending not just EPA grants must go to these “disadvantaged communities.”
The Department of Energy is spreading money to these “disadvantaged communities,” using what it calls “community benefit plans” and promising that application requirements will be “intentionally flexible.”
The playbook started with the Affordable Care Act. The ACA, or “Obamacare,” authorized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hand out “community transformation grants.” Community Health Councils, a typical recipient, pledged that its mission was to advance “social justice.” It distributed 65% of the money to partner community groups that promoted “voter engagement,” conducted “one-
Overview - AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
on-one education in the streets” or led tenants’ rights, anti-fracking and anti-drilling efforts. And you thought the ACA was about covering the uninsured.
A decade after Obama, Biden is tasking every agency and department of the federal government to promote voter engagement.
Biden’s community grants pale in size compared to the student debt cancellation vote-buying that now totals $620 billion. But the community grant money lands directly in the hands of political activists who know what to do with it.
Tell your congressional rep to read the bills before voting on them and strip out these provisions for community giveaways that make a mockery of democracy.
Origin: early 16th century: via Latin from Greek aitherios (from aithēr ‘ether’) + -al.
Source: Oxford Languages
Synonyms: celestial, otherworldly, sublime
Antonyms: tangible, earthly
Adjective
Pronounced: uh·thee·ree·uhl
Definition: extremely delicate and light; seeming to belong to another, more spiritual, world.
Example: “The music was so moving and thoughtprovoking, that it almost seemed ethereal.”
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
L R I Y B V
May 30, 1868: “Decoration Day”, later called Memorial Day is first observed in Northern US states
June 1, 1980: 1st transmission of CNN, the Cable News Network
June 5, 1968: Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan assassinates Robert F. Kennedy, shooting him 3 times and wounding 5 others at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Kennedy dies the next day.
May 31, 2014: Psy’s “Gangnam Style” becomes the first video to reach 2 billion views on YouTube
June 4, 1940: British complete the “Miracle of Dunkirk” by evacuating 338,226 allied troops from France via a flotilla of over 800 vessels
June 3, 1989: Beginning of the Tiananmen Square Massacre as Chinese troops open fire on pro-democracy supporters in Beijing
June 2, 1935: Future Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Babe Ruth announces his retirement as a player at 40 years of age
On Saturday, May 25, myself and hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life - young and old - gathered together at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale to help place flags on the graves of America’s Fallen Heroes. We began at 7:00a.m. and continued until every Veteran’s gravesite had a flag.
This year, I noticed that a lot of families with young children came out on their own to help and I believe that many of Long Island’s families now have a new family tradition to continue each year. My 29-yearold nephew, Brett Geiger, joined me once again this year and he made many new friends. There were church groups, Cub and Boy Scout Troops, Brownie and Girl Scout Troops,
school teams of all kinds, Veteran’s Posts, and many motorcycle groups, such as Rolling Thunder, American Legion Riders, H.O.G. Motorcycle Group, and the Blue Knights.
By 10:30a.m., every gravesite had a flag, and I noticed the youngsters asking a lot of questions, which I did my best to answer. I directed the adults to check out the areas where those awarded the nation’s highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, are buried. Each of these graves has a plaque on display explaining the reason they were awarded this honor, and many walked away from this day with a small history lesson.
On a personal note, I have been a small part of this amazing event, for more than fifty years, beginning when I was in the Cub Scouts with my pop as my Scout Master. I am honored to be a part of this event every year and I intend to continue being part of it for as long as I am able.
Never forget the fallen!
Each month, Long Island Cares distributes over one million pounds of food to Long Islanders in need. The food items are collected, stored, and packaged for distribution at Long Island Cares’ central warehouse in Hauppauge, NY, which now boasts an exciting new addition a “King Kullen Place” street sign displayed high above a main aisle. The recognition is part of a unique legacy naming program developed by the Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank to further its mission to provide food where and when it’s needed to communities across Long Island.
“King Kullen has been a generous, committed corporate supporter of Long Island Cares for well over 30 years,” stated Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Paule T. Pachter. “Along with its Wild by Nature stores, King Kullen each year raises tens of thousands of dollars for Long Island Cares through its ‘Check Out Hunger’ campaigns and food drives in addition to donating over 300,000 pounds of food. We are honored and delighted to name an aisle King Kullen Place in appreciation of this steadfast partner that has done so much to help Long Island’s food insecure populations.”
According to Tracey Cullen, King Kullen Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Initiatives and the great-granddaughter of King Kullen founder Michael Cullen, the new sign follows a recent donation by King Kullen to Long Island Cares’ “Giving Guitar” naming opportunity, which includes displaying a King Kullen plaque on a Giving Guitar created by Long Island Cares in honor of songwriter Harry Chapin’s mission to end hunger on Long Island.
“Our donation will provide 6,100 meals for Long Islanders in need,” observed Cullen, who serves on the Long Island Cares board of directors. “Fighting hunger on Long Island is a top priority at King Kullen and Wild by Nature. We are committed to making a meaningful difference and thank everyone at Long Island Cares for creating the pathway that makes help possible.”
Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, King Kullen is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America’s first supermarket. Also headquartered in Hauppauge, Long Island Cares was founded in 1980 by singer-songwriter and activist, Harry Chapin.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
The West Islip Boys Swimming and Diving Team led by Coaches MacLoudon and Jablonski finished an undefeated season with an impressive performance and victory at the 2022 Section XI League 2 Champions and Small School Suffolk County Champions! Legislator Steven J. Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) recognized the team and coaches at a Legislative Meeting in Hauppauge.
This is the Lions first league championship since 2007. The swimmers
recorded an amazing 21 personal bests through 32 heats.
Pictured Front Row (left to right) Graham Corbett, Jackson StantonGladd, Patrick Kinslow, Noah Blumberg, Ryder Blumberg, Michael Johnson. Back Row (left to right) Coach Ed Jablonski, William DeWitt, Zachary Ronayne, Aidan Stueber, Brady Tyler, Matthew Corbett, Markos Prokopiou, Legislator Steven Flotterpn, Daniel von Thaden, Daniel Clarke, Colin Stueber, Braden Felix, Ty Corbett, Everett Lu, Atahan Bayram.
East Islip High School’s girls’ varsity golf team had an outstanding season, finishing with an impressive record of 8-4. The athletes demonstrated remarkable skill and determination throughout the season, showcasing the true spirit of competition and teamwork.
Three members of the team – Sara Pepp and senior team captains Sophie Jensen and Grace Zanni – represented East Islip in the County Championship Tournament, held on May 20 at Middle Island Country Club. Pepp’s exceptional performance earned her a
spot in the second day of the tournament, where she competed for a top 20 finish in the county.
“Sarah’s dedication and talent were evident as she played against some of the best golfers in the county,” coach Bill Lackner said. “Grace and Sophie also displayed excellent leadership and skill, guiding the team through a challenging and rewarding season. Their commitment to the sport and to their teammates was instrumental in achieving such a successful record. All of our girls played their hearts out and concluded the season on a high note. We are incredibly proud of all the team members who competed and showcased their talent and sportsmanship. Their hard work, perseverance and camaraderie were key factors in making this season one to remember. Great job, girls! You have made East Islip proud. We look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future. Keep up the fantastic work and continue to strive for excellence both on and off the course.”
On Wednesday, May 22, Kings Park High School was the first crowned Section XI County Champion. It only took three games for the Kingsmen (pictured right) to win their first County Championship since 2010.
“It was a surreal moment,” said Anthony Altobelli, a Kingsmen senior. “We put in a lot of work and we knew we could do it. We felt like we deserved it.”
Kings Park entered the Class A playoffs as the first seed, giving them a bye in the first round. The top two seeds were given to the best teams in League VI and League VII.
The Kingsmen finished with an 18-2 overall record (16-2 league record) that gave them the edge over the second-seed Bayport-Blue Point.
Their first matchup was against Miller Place who held the fifth seed. This was a familiar opponent as the two teams have faced each other three times during the regular season, all resulting in Kings Park wins. This trend continued as the Kingsmen won 2-0 to earn their first playoff victory.
Game two saw them take on the aforementioned Bayport-Blue Point in what would be their toughest opponent. The Kingsmen defeated the second seed 1-0, putting them one win away from being champions.
The playoffs were in double elimination style, which allowed Bayport-Blue Point to make their way back to the championship game. This also meant the Phantoms would have to beat Kings Park twice.
The Kingsmen left no doubt as they defeated Bayport-Blue Point in dominating fashion, 7-1, earning their seventh county title in school history. Senior starting pitcher Hunter Colagrande went six-and-one-third innings to propel the team to victory, bringing his record to 9-0 on the season.
“I was a little nervous at the start, but it was good to see the crowd; they fueled me,” Colagrande said. “It was a good feeling.”
It was a stellar performance from the Kingsmen who have displayed their dominance all season. Coach Andrew Abreu was a major part of that as he helped lead Kings Park to the county championship in his fifth year with the team,
“This is a special place,” Coach Abreu said. “This group is super close. There is no ego. To get the final one and see them pile on the field was the best feeling in the world.”
The Kings Park Kingsmen now look toward their next matchup. The Regional Finals take place on June 1 against the winner of the Section VIII Championship, Clarke High School.
“We’re only focused on the next game and not looking ahead past anything,” said Brandon Hauk, a Kingsmen senior. “But we’re going into it really confident.”
With hopes of winning a Long Island Championship, Kings Park High School will strive to play baseball the same way they have been all season. The Kingsmen have the talent, the brotherhood, the fan support, and the confidence to get it done.
Hauppauge baseball has put together an incredible season, and the success just keeps on coming. This past Sunday, May 26, the Eagles (pictured below) took home the Class AA County Championship title, an accomplishment nearly 25 years in the making.
The team’s last County Championship victory came in 2000, making this a monumental point in the school’s history. Hard-work and dedication brought the Eagles back to the big game, and earned them this victory.
Hauppauge finished the season with a 17-3 overall record and a 15-3 league record, good enough for first place in League V and the one seed in the Class AA playoffs.
The Eagles earned the bye for the round one and were set to play East Islip (fifth seed) for their first playoff game. It resulted in a 4-2 Hauppauge victory that included a two-run homerun by junior Michael Oliveto and a go-ahead double from senior Kevin Walker.
Matt Neglia led the way on the mound with six innings pitched, allowing only two runs and recording three strikeouts. John Margolies struck out the side in the seventh inning to earn the save. These two senior pitchers were crucial to the Eagles season and the County Championship run.
Round two saw another close game as Hauppauge took on Comsewogue. This one went into extra innings as Comsewogue put up a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning.
The Eagles managed to win in dramatic fashion
off a walkoff homerun from Oliveto that scored two. They demonstrated their determination and perseverance in this matchup to make them one win away from the County Championship title.
Comsewogue was the only team in their way as they made their way back to the championship. With the double elimination style in effect, Hauppauge had to lose twice.
Game one saw Comsewogue take a commanding 9-3 victory, seeming to have all the momentum. However, the Eagles weren’t about to give up the championship that easily.
They dominated the final game, earning a 14-4 win to seal the County Championship.
Senior Vincent Crafa threw 3.1 innings and only allowed one run on two hits. Coach
Josh Gutes then chose to use Margolies earlier than usual to secure a 2-1 lead.
The Eagles ended up scoring six runs in both the fifth and sixth inning to sit down any hope of a comeback. It was an amazing moment for Hauppauge baseball who has been working towards this all season.
“It’s everything,” Coach Gutes said. “It’s all we talked about all season long. This was the year, it felt different. It felt like we had all the ingredients to win a county championship. When we needed it most our guys came through. It’s an incredible feeling.”
The Eagles will take on Division next in the Regional Finals round. They don’t plan on slowing down as a Long Island Championship is in their grasp. Coach Gutes commented on their preparation for the incoming game.
“We’re getting live at-bats during our scrimmage and getting quality repetitions,” Coach Gutes said. “Focusing on being out there enjoying each other’s company and embracing the opportunity.”
Hauppauge will take the field on June 1 as they continue their historic run.
Class AAA Bracket- Commack
The Suffolk County Championship continues to run through one team. The Commack Cougars earned their fourth straight County Chip displaying their dominance over Long Island baseball.
After losing some key players last season, some people questioned if Commack would stay competitive. They finished the regular season with a 13-7 overall record and a 12-6 league record. This was enough to earn them the fourth seed in the playoffs, which gave them a difficult route to the championship.
Commack took the game and won in walkoff fashion. Junior Chris Messina hit a single in the last inning to win the game 5-4 and send the Cougars into the next round of the winner’s bracket.
Their next opponent was Walt Whitman who was fresh off an upset victory against the one seeded Connetquot. It was yet another close game with the Cougars coming out victorious. Senior Ryan Krzemienski led the way with nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Commack then took on the three seed, Sachem North, in round three. It took a 3-1 win that sent them to the championship.
Sachem North won their next game to put themselves back against Commack for the County title. They followed this with a 4-1 win against the Cougars that forced a winner-takes-all matchup on May 26.
One player Commack didn’t lose last season is Evan Kay. The returning senior broke a Long Island record last year throwing 60 scoreless innings. He hoped to bring over this success into the 2024 season and earn his third County Championship.
Kay did exactly that. He threw a complete game, allowing only one run to lead the Cougars to the 2-1 victory and the County Chip.
“I felt great on the mound,” Kay said. I’ve gotten to the point of trusting my pitches and ability to perform in big games and get out of tough spots. There was no better feeling than that last out.”
The Cougars will look to earn another Long Island Championship as they head on to the Regional Finals against Farmingdale. Kay and his teammates have high expectations. “We know there’s still work to do because we want to achieve more than we have so far and get back to Binghamton,” Kay said. “The next challenge on that mission is this Saturday versus Farmingdale.”
