Cheers! SCWA Meets Water Quality Standards Before Federal Deadline
By Matt Meduri
“I’ll drink to that!” was the operating line at Tuesday’s announcement that the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) is operating within full compliance of federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards - a full six years before the federal deadline.
Continued on page 4
The Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation Scholarship
By Aiden Lorenzo
In September of 2021, the hamlet of Blue Point was rocked by the sudden and tragic passing of fourteen-year-old Christopher Coluccio. This, as well as the tragic deaths of other young teens in Blue Point, as well as in Lake Ronkonkoma and Patchogue, led Christopher’s father, Chris, Sr., to start a nonproft organization in memory of his son.
The Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation was started as a way to not only celebrate the spirit of Christopher, but to also educate the community on mental health, support those who struggle with mental health, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and help parents open dialogues with their children regarding mental health, depression, and suicide.
One way that the foundation has done this is through awarding scholarships to graduating seniors in Sufolk County.
Continued on page 12
(Credit - Aiden Lorenzo)
Credit: Matt Meduri
(Left to right) P.O. McCaffrey, Exec. Romaine, Adrienne Esposito, Min. Ldr. Richberg, and Chairman Lefkowitz raise a toast.
SUMMER EVENTS
Port Jefferson Summer Farmers Market at Harborfront Park
Mother's Day Brunch at Long Island Aquarium
May 11, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
May 18-November 28, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Family Fun Weekend at The East Wind Shoppes
June 21-22, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bird and Breakfast at Connetquot State Park
May 11, 8:00 AM to 11 :00 PM
Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall - June 7-November 22, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Fleece and Fiber Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm
2025 Islip Chamber of Commerce Street Fair
June 22, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
May 17, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Grooves on the Green in Ronkonkoma
Nesconset Spring Fling May 18, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Alive After Five in Patchogue
June 26, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Jones Beach Air Show
May 24-25, 10:00 to 4:00 PM
Every other Wednesday until September 24, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Hoshyla Farms Lavender Festival
PUBLISHER
Diane Caudullo
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Matt Meduri
STAFF REPORTERS
Cait Crudden
Raheem Soto
ART PRODUCTION
MANAGER
Sergio A. Fabbri
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Colin Herr
CONTRIBUTORS
PJ Balzer
MANAGER
Tim Walz
DELIVERY PERSONNEL
PJ Balzer
Joe Cuminale
Colin Newman
Ashley Pavlakis
Madison Warren
OFFICE MANAGER &
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
Kim Revere
PROOFREADER
Giavanna Rudilosso
SOCIAL MEDIA
Madison Warren
Bergin’s Brief
BERGIN’S BRIEF MAY 2025
On May 6, 2025, Legislators Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) honored Katie Porcelli for her recent athletic achievements. Katie is currently a sophomore at Connetquot High School who just recently became the first wrestler to go completely undefeated in Suffolk County. A trailblazer from the start, Katie began competing in seventh grade with the inaugural Bay Shore Girls Wrestling Team. By ninth grade, she broke new ground once again by joining the St. Anthony’s wrestling team as their very first female competitor. In addition to her remarkable skill on the mat, Katie’s determination, passion and sportsmanship led her to earn the title of County Champion and fourth place in the New York State Championship. Congratulations, Katie!
May is Jewish-American Heritage Month in Suffolk County. Legislator Bergin’s Jewish-American person of distinction for District 10 was Tobi Herman, who received her recognition on May 7. Tobi has dedicated over 25 years to public service. Her charitable work in Israel reflects her commitment to humanitarian efforts and community-building projects. Currently, she is a Community Service Aide in the Office for People with Disabilities. Every day, she focuses on empowering individuals with physical disabilities, delivering exceptional customer service, addressing complex inquiries and supporting the SCAT paratransit system. Tobi passionately champions initiatives that foster equity and inclusion across Suffolk County. Thank you for all you do, Tobi!
Legislator Bergin was honored to present Jackson Hall as the Small Business Honoree at the May General Meeting of the Legislature. Executive Chef and Managing Partner, Michael Landesberg, hosts numerous Breast Cancer fundraisers and lends support for other restaurants. Most recently, he launched a “Going Local” initiative in the Town of Islip. With 80 businesses joining, he was able to save two local Islip restaurants from going out of business. Thank you for all you do for the community!
Legislator Bergin and Sheriff Errol Toulon (D) hosted a press conference at the Yaphank Correctional Facility to highlight the top ten deadbeat dads
in Suffolk County. Child Support plays a vital role in a child’s life. When a non-paying parent falls behind in their support payments, it is to the detriment of the child and their chances to prosper and thrive in life. Suffolk County is devoted to protecting vulnerable community members and reinforcing that no one is above the law, regardless of their status.
Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) has represented the Tenth District in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2022. The Tenth District includes East Islip, Great River, Islandia, Islip Terrace, North Great River, Ronkonkoma, and parts of Central Islip and Hauppauge.
Legislator Bergin serves as the Chair of the Seniors and Human Services Committee; Vice Chair of the Economic Development, Planning, and Housing Committee; Vice Chair of the Government Operations, Personnel, and Information Technology Committee; and serves on the Committees on Education and Diversity; and Labor and Consumer Affairs.
The Tenth District office is located at 44 East Main Street in East Islip and can be reached at 631-854-0940.
TRISH BERGIN, SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATOR, 10TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Continued from front cover
Cheers! SCWA Meets Water Quality Standards Before Federal Deadline
All treated water that the SCWA supplies to its approximately 1.2 million customers falls at the enforceable contamination standard of four parts per trillion (PPT) for both PFAS and PFOS - synthetic “forever chemicals” that require significant purification to eliminate. Such chemicals have been used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foam, among others. Since these chemicals cannot break down naturally, they’re known to contaminate water for drinking and home use. Long Island has been all too familiar with these health crises, ranging from Forge River in Mastic to the former Grumman sites at Bethpage and Calverton.
The EPA’s enforceable standard of 4 PPT for drinking water was set in April 2024.
However, such chemicals can be treated via the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment systems, 17 of which the SCWA installed in the past year alone. Testing has shown that GAC remediation removes PFAS compounds to non-detecable levels.
“We took aggressive actions based on the science,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz (pictured right). “We knew that PFAS needed to get out of the water. As of April 2025, every single well [in Suffolk County] is free of PFAS and every single tap is free of PFAS.”
Lefkowitz said much of the success has come from “going after” polluters to hold them “accountable” and those actions still continue today.
“They will pay for the damage they’ve done to our aquifer,” said Lefkowitz, adding that the SCWA “doesn’t wait for the regulators”, instead being proactive in remediating water quality. Much of the efforts have been funded to the tune of $16 million in State grants.
“We [Suffolk County] have world-class beaches, a booming business community, some of the best restaurants in New York, and neighborhoods where you can raise your family. A place that deserves high quality water, and Suffolk County Water Authority is delivering it,” said Lefkowitz
SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo (pictured left), joined by SCWA Board Members John Rose and John Porchia, called the announcement a “major victory” for Suffolk’s fight against PFAS.
“We began testing for PFAS back in 2013, long before most utilities were even aware of the issue,” said Szabo. “In 2017, I stood with other leaders from New York in personally demanding that the EPA move forward with setting a standard for PFAS. We began installing GAC well before New York State and the EPA enacted drinking water standards. Since 2020, we’ve rolled out more than 25 GAC treatment systems (pictured below), specifically to treat and remove PFAS.”
Szabo says that the SCWA isn’t stopping there. The public benefit corporation is “piloting advanced technologies like resin base treatment, reactivated carbon, and other measures to stay ahead of the science and reduce long-term costs for customers.”
Szabo also thanked the SCWA’s team of engineers who have designed the PFAS treatment systems, the production control staff who keep the systems running, and the laboratory team that persists with “complex” testing requirements.
“Science will continue to improve and regulations at the state and federal level will continue to be set. But the residents of Suffolk County should feel
confident that the Suffolk County Water Authority will remain one step ahead of the regulators to make sure drinking water is safe,” said Szabo.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) (pictured left) was heralded by the SCWA as a life-long advocate for the environment during his decades of public service.
“Clean water doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” said Romaine. “The County and the SCWA are part of a national effort to hold the chemical companies that knew what they were doing responsible for this. We are going to make sure that our drinking water and our aquifer remains as pure as possible so that all citizens here in Suffolk can drink with confidence and hold up a glass and feel confident.
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) (pictured left) was on hand with Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) and Legislators Catherine Stark (R-Riverhead) and Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters).
“Once again, Suffolk County is leading the way,” said McCaffrey. “We understand the value and the importance of providing clean drinking water because as the County Executive often says, ‘we stand on top of the water that we drink.’”
McCaffrey heralded the Legislature’s initiative under leadership of his predecessor, thenPresiding Officer Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue), of holding opioid companies accountable for the damage they have done to Suffolk residents. McCaffrey pledged that the Legislature will act accordingly in holding chemical companies accountable.
“The challenges that we face with a singlesource aquifer are going to persist,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches) (pictured left). “Those who created firefighting foam did so out of necessity, but the record is clear. Those companies, 3M being one of them, knew full well what those [foams] would do to the environment. Those dangers have played out not only in Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town, but throughout this country. And collectively, all of us are paying the costs in our water bill that we hope to recoup from these companies who did wrong by all of us.”
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for the Citizens Campaign for the Environment (pictured right), called PFAS the “greatest environmental and public health challenge of our generation.”
“Sadly, with more research that is done, the more science reveals that the health impacts are more widespread than we originally thought,” said Esposito, adding that PFAS are linked to a wide variety of cancers - such as thyroid, kidney, breast, and testicular - as well as liver disease, immune system program, reproductive health, and development disorders in children, among others.
“Many times, environmentalists go it alone, but here in Suffolk County, we go together with elected officials, with Republicans and Democrats, with the SCWA, and with the public,” said Esposito. “When we take PFAS out of our drinking water supply - the aquifer - we’re also then making our lakes, streams, tributaries, bays, and harbors cleaner and safer for marine life that lives there.”
Executive Romaine referenced a recent study showing that beer made with PFAS-contamined water will possess those same toxins.
“If the beer is made with Suffolk County water, there are no PFAS in it,” said Chairman Lefkowitz. “So, let’s drink up.”
Talk, Taste, Tour—Naturally: Long Island’s Best-Kept Wine Secret Revealed
The story of Farrm Vineyards begins not with a dream of making wine, but with a shocking discovery that changed everything. In 1991, Rex and Connie Farr received devastating news from the County: their well water tested positive for 59 parts per million of aldicarb, a toxic pesticide used to control Colorado potato beetles.
The contamination was a legacy of Long Island’s agricultural past—the region had been “the potato capital of the country for 50, 55 years,” and decades of chemical farming had left its mark deep in the groundwater.
That wake-up call transformed the Farrs from conventional farmers into pioneers. Today, forty years after they first went chemical-free in 1985, they remain the only certified organic vineyard on Long Island. Their exclusive wines have earned awards from the Best Tasting Institute and are only available at the farm.
This Saturday: A Rare Learning Experience You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
From 9:00a.m. to noon this Saturday, Rex will team up with renowned biodynamic expert Steve Storch for an immersive three-hour experience that promises to change how you think about both farming and wine. For just $30, visitors will discover “Farming by the Stars”—the fascinating world of biodynamic agriculture that creates wines with a distinctly clean character.
“You’re tasting 20,000 years in the making,” Rex explains. “That glacier came in 20,000 years ago, deposited some incredible minerals into our soils all up and down the East Coast.”
Talk, Taste, Tour—Naturally
Rex’s philosophy is simple but profound: “We Talk, We Taste, We Tour—Naturally.” This isn’t just a tagline—it’s how every visitor experiences Farrm Vineyards. The talking comes from Rex himself, a master storyteller who went “from Park Avenue to John Deere” and has four decades of fascinating agricultural wisdom to share. The tasting features wines that have earned awards from the Best Tasting Institute and you literally cannot buy anywhere else. And the touring reveals secrets of biodynamic farming that most people have never imagined.
Wines You Can’t Find Anywhere Else
Credit: Matt Meduri
visitors taste in their chemical-free wines. Like the finest European wines, Farrm’s bottles offer a purity that comes from soil untouched by synthetic chemicals for 40 years. When asked to describe their wine in one word, Rex doesn’t hesitate: “Clean.” Whether it’s their rosé or Cabernet Franc, “it’s clean because you haven’t messed around with [the soil], and that affects the taste.”
Your Perfect Wine Country Escape—Right Here on
Long Island
Located at 156 Young’s Avenue, just before Long Island splits into its famous forks, Farrm Vineyards offers something completely different from commercial wine experiences. This pastoral hideaway— quiet, beautiful, and utterly authentic—sits perfectly positioned whether you’re heading to the North or South Fork.
The Farrs offer free tastings, tours, and talks to visitors in a distinctly European style—intimate, focused on the wine and the story rather than commercial fanfare. “You’re going to first take a deep breath and figure out there’s nothing synthetic about what’s going on,” Rex promises. “You’re going to walk on that soil, walk on that ground, and you’re going to feel a give and take because it’s not going to be cement.”
From Vietnam Vet to Wine Pioneer
Rex’s journey from Manhattan native to Long Island’s organic wine pioneer reads like a novel. After serving in Vietnam and spending two decades in New York’s fabric industry, he transformed his life and created something extraordinary—Long Island’s first certified organic farm and its only certified organic vineyard.
When asked about transitioning from vegetables to grapes, Rex offers his colorful version: “All good stories started in the bar... I’m sitting there. They said it couldn’t be done. Well there was a bottle of Jack in the bar. I woke up the next morning and the Jack was gone and the grapes were in.”
An Experience Unlike Any Other
Rex is quick to make an important distinction: “We’re farmers, not winemakers.” On their 40acre property, they dedicate 8 acres to growing four premium Bordeaux varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Working with acclaimed winemaker Greg Cove, these organically grown grapes become wines that have earned recognition from the Best Tasting Institute—and they’re exclusively available at the vineyard. Their collection includes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, their signature Reserve blend, and a fabulous rosé that visitors rave about. Each bottle represents something you simply cannot experience elsewhere on Long Island.
The Secret: Absolutely Clean Wine
As Long Island’s only certified organic vineyard, the Farrs have taken a radically different approach for four decades. “70% of our wine in this country tests positive for Roundup,” Rex reveals, explaining the difference
Saturday’s biodynamic tour represents a rare chance to discover the fascinating world of “farming by the moon”—ancient techniques that create modern excellence. You’ll learn why Rex buries cow manure in cow horns, how lunar cycles affect grape growing, and why their wines taste so remarkably different from anything else you can buy.
This isn’t commercial wine country with party buses and crowds. This is intimate, educational, and absolutely authentic—perfect for wine lovers seeking something genuine and Long Islanders who want to discover an amazing secret in their own backyard.
When visitors connect their tasting with the vineyard experience, Rex calls it “that excavation point that goes boom shaka”— the moment when everything clicks and you understand why these wines are truly special.
The exclusive biodynamic farming experience takes place Saturday, 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Farrm Vineyards, 156 Young’s Avenue in Baiting Hollow. Fee: $30 includes tour, lecture, and tasting. Regular free tastings available daily. Visit farrmwine.com (with two R’s) for more information.
A Fluid Ounce of Prevention…
Sometimes, government can get it right.
Even more so, the public-private partnerships that, in our opinion, provide a good balance to public works display their effectiveness with ease.
The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has accomplished two things that many voters desire of their government and in some cases rarely see fulfilled.
For the first, the SCWA was able to not only abide by a deadline, but beat it - by a long shot. Their recent announcement of getting Suffolk’s water quality within federal EPA guidelines introduced in 2013 speaks volumes when the fed’s deadline was 2031. That’s a full six years ahead of schedule. Rarely do we see government work that quickly, even if it was a decade from the original start. This could have easily been way behind schedule and over budget, if history of government and government-affiliated organizations is any bellwether.
It’s also important to note that the SCWA is not a branch of Suffolk County government. It’s a public benefit corporation, but the inclusion into Suffolk government and interoperability with elected officials at the varying levels of government is tantamount to water quality and the deliverance of basic services to their nearly 1.2 million customers.
Secondly, the SCWA was able to achieve this deadline through another tool not often used by government: proactivity.
It’s one thing to beat a deadline for the sake of doing so, but it’s another to see around the curve, especially when it involves public health and protection of our crucial sole-source aquifer.
Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz was joined by numerous elected officials to break the big news, while all toasted with a clean glass of Suffolk County tap water.
We’re also elated to see that efforts to hold the parties who knowingly polluted our environment accountable is continuing. For too long, Suffolk has been treated like a dumping ground for toxic chemicals, while chasing down those responsible is nothing short of a wild goose chase.
In that vein, we call on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) to deliver a win for his stomping grounds: direct the vested agencies to clean up the former Grumman site in Calverton, which is polluting the Peconic River - and thereby the Peconic Bay - at staggeringly high rates of toxicity that greatly exceed the federal guidelines.
We not only give kudos to the SCWA for meeting the deadline, but we also do so for their ability to think and work proactively. And they continue to do so in terms of maintaining and modernizing their systems, while also continuing near-constant work in the labs to ensure that our water is free from toxins.
Cheers, indeed.
MAID: A Dystopian Nightmare
If New York State wasn’t already in the running for an Olympic gold in the “Detached from Reality” category, this latest bill would certainly guarantee it.
Albany Democrats recently rammed through a “Medical Assistance in Dying” bill, one that would allow patients with a grim prognosis of just six months to live - usually with a terminal illness - to seek medically-applied suicide.
Such laws are on the books in about a dozen other states, and nations like Canada and Switzerland were early pioneers in the practice.
We understand the argument that someone with an extraordinarily low life expectancy, especially one that would likely be wrought with torment and pain, could have a more humane end in simply taking a lethal injection - or other lethal cocktail.
We also understand that the similar laws in New Jersey only saw 101 people utilize this option in 2023 alone, the vast majority of whom were old, white women.
What we don’t understand is how this doesn’t eventually lead to a slippery slope where some forms of end-of-life care are inevitably replaced with two doctors telling you to kill yourself. How long will it take for amendments to be made to this bill that expands the definitions qualifying someone for this procedure?
In our opinion, it sends a terrible, nihilistic message to our state, particularly our youth. We live in a troubled, misguided world as is. Why complicate that with such a dystopian option, and an irreversible one at that?
Several Democrats of the Assembly and Senate voted against the bill, including Suffolk’s own Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood). However, none of Suffolk’s Democratic delegation in the Assembly voted against it, and all - save for Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) - co-sponsored it.
Shame.
Moreover, the bill received blistering opposition from three Democratic Assembly members, all of whom are black women. They claimed that the bill would disproportionately
affect minority communities who, in their words, already face significant health disparities. We won’t judge on to what extent those disparities persist - as we don’t cover those areas - but we will take the Assemblywomen’s words at face value. Not only does this bill reek of a slippery slope, but the argument could be made for population control in certain neighborhoods.
And yet, Democrats rammed it through Albany anyway.
Not a single Republican supported it, and Governor Kathy Hochul (D) is yet to sign it. Her veto would return it to the Legislature, where, based on the holdouts already, it seems unlikely the veto could survive a legislative override. Hochul could very easily have the last word here, and since she already seems to be in a tough spot for re-election next year, a veto could pay electoral dividends among notable religious and Jewish groups who are racing to the GOP as we speak.
Or, she could continue to have the worst political instincts we’ve ever seen and sign it into law. Her choice.
The bottom line is, why bother investing in medical research to possibly create lifesaving medicines, or at least an alternative that would make a terminally ill patient’s last months not so grueling? We think that the MAID bill discourages that type of development, encourages State-sponsored suicide, and will possibly lead to an even slipperier slope in the future.
Don’t believe us? In Canada, there are debates about whether or not people with mental illnesses should be allowed to partake. The Canadian government seems to have no qualms about it.
Imagine your government deems you so ill, so incorrigible, and so irredeemable that they might as well hand you the syringe yourself?
We’re a hard no on this bill and we encourage Governor Hochul to have the last word. Veto it.
A Grand Old Flag…
A nation’s flag is not yours.
Such a flag is not your group.
Such a flag is not your beliefs.
Such a flag is not your values.
Such a flag is not your political identity.
Such a flag is not your sect.
Such a flag is not your gender.
Such a flag is not your ideology.
Such a flag is not yours to deface, alter, amend, edit, or embellish to make you more comfortable.
Such a flag is not yours to dole out to those who beg according to your wishes, nor is it one to withhold from those you deem unworthy.
Such a flag might in essence be a piece of fabric.
Such a flag might be slightly tattered or sun-bleached.
Such a flag might be in need of retirement.
Such a flag might even seem like an archaic symbol with which some can’t exactly identify.
But such a flag is our logo to the world.
Such a flag encompasses us all, no matter how much you might love or hate the country it represents.
To sectionalize the flag to fit our own interests and ideologies is one that fails to represent us collectively - not through a fault of its own, but ours.
Such a move is selfish, pedantic, and dilutes the representation it has afforded for centuries.
You won’t always love your leaders.
You won’t always love your neighbors.
Sometimes, you won’t always love what your country does.
But some things are static for a reason, to never change despite how the times may.
The sooner we forget that we’re all in this together, the sooner we lose the republic we were supposed to keep.
The Failure of Raise the Age: A Gift to New York’s Gangs
By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
Raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York has created a nightmare scenario that opened statutory loopholes which prohibit law enforcement and prosecutors from doing their job. As a result of this reckless policy failure, youth violence in New York has skyrocketed while gangs recruit those under 18 to do their bidding knowing they’ll be siphoned off to more lenient Family Court instead of facing substantial consequences for their actions.
The statistics surrounding this failure are startling. Before New York changed its age of criminal responsibility to 18 years old, courts could treat 16- and 17-year-olds who committed serious felonies as adults. In 2017, nearly 60% of offenders charged with serious crimes were convicted in adult criminal court, and more than 1,000 received a prison or jail sentence. In 2024, however, less than 10% (435 of 4,475 offenders) received a felony conviction, with only 211 confined to an Office of Children and Family Services facility for more than a year.
These numbers are staggering, and to be clear, we aren’t talking about minor offenses. The crimes involved in these cases include:
• 159 arrests for homicide (completed /attempted);
• 613 arrests for firearms/dangerous weapons;
• 818 arrests for assault;
• 1,292 arrests for robbery;
• 65 arrests for sex offenses;
• 368 arrests for burglary;
• 730 arrests for larceny;
• 131 arrests for controlled substances offenses; and
• 13 arrests for Making a Terroristic Threat (source: Department of Criminal Justice Services).
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has rightfully called out these policies for what they are: reckless. Simply put, New York Democrats have created a system that gives dangerous criminals a pass. Charges of homicide, assault and sexual offenses have gone unprosecuted as a result of these so-called criminal justice “reforms.” The perpetrators of these crimes are old enough to know murder and rape are wrong. Refusing to allow prosecution of them isn’t reform, it’s insanity.
The Assembly Minority Conference has offered several proposals to address this problem.
• A.4705 (Barclay) – Prevents 16-and 17-year-old Adolescent Offenders (AOs) who commit serious felonies from escaping criminal liability by being removed to Family Court. Requires 16- and 17- year-old AOs charged with non-violent felonies to be removed to Family Court unless the court decides,
after reviewing Family Court records, and upon a motion by the district attorney, that circumstances exist that should prevent the transfer to Family Court. Requires 16-and 17-year-old AOs who commit any violent felony (e.g., gang assault, criminal possession of a weapon) to remain in the Youth Part of Superior Court, unless all parties (judge, defense attorney, prosecutor) agree the action should be removed to Family Court in the interest of justice. Requires victims to be made aware of the final disposition of a case in Family Court;
• A.3167 (Reilly) – Includes the possession of a loaded firearm as one of the circumstances that permits the AO defendant to be tried in the Youth Part of the Criminal Court and not escape criminal responsibility by being removed to Family Court or juvenile probation intake; and
• A.4124 (Reilly) – Prevents AOs from having their criminal case removed to Family Court from the Youth Part of Criminal Court if they are charged with the newly created crime of Aggravated Grand Larceny or Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree as defined in subdivision eight of section 155.30 of the Penal Law. Removes the requirement that a prosecutor must prove that extraordinary circumstances exist (one out of a thousand cases) that warrant the case to remain in the criminal Youth Part of Superior Court. Without corrective action at the state level, the coming summer months will be especially challenging for law enforcement and residents in New York. These policies have done nothing but make our streets less safe and empower criminal enterprises. Simply put, Raise the Age is a broken law that legislative Democrats refuse to fix. I strongly urge the governor and her legislative allies to change this policy immediately.
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 Cayuga and Jefferson counties.
Treat People with Disabilities with the Fairness They Deserve
To the Editor,
Organizations in New York can pay a person with a disability as little as $.05 per hour, and it is legal. This must end.
It’s time for New York to eliminate the subminimum wage and treat people with disabilities with the fairness they deserve. The State Senate has passed Bill S.28 to do just that, and now it is time for the
Assembly to act before their session ends.
As the father of John Cronin, a young man with Down Syndrome, I’ve seen firsthand what people with differing abilities can accomplish when given the chance. John cofounded a business with me, John’s Crazy Socks, and we have learned that hiring people with differing abilities is not charity, it’s good business. More than half of our
employees have a disability. They work hard, deliver incredible results, and earn the same wage as their colleagues.
The subminimum wage law, a relic of 1938, allows people with disabilities to be paid as little as 5 cents an hour. That’s not just outdated; it’s wrong. It tells people that their labor, and their lives, are worth less.
New York should lead the nation
by ending this discriminatory practice. No exceptions. No more second-class workers. I urge the State Assembly to pass S.28 and help build a more inclusive and just future for all.
Sincerely,
Mark X. Cronin Co-Founder and President, John’s Crazy Socks Farmingdale, NY
Thursday, June 12, 2025
DiNapoli Releases Analysis of Enacted State Budget
The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 is projected to total $254 billion, a 5.2% increase in spending at a time when new federal actions on funding and policy may change the relationship between the federal government and states. Actions that have already occurred at the federal level, paired with potential Congressional action, may mean that in the upcoming months New York will see challenges to the recently Enacted State Budget, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza).
“The stakes are high for New York if the cuts being discussed in Washington occur,” DiNapoli said. “The state needs to do what it can to stabilize finances, build reserve funds, focus on efficient service delivery and develop a strategy for how to contend with federal changes. The final budget had some measures built into help navigate this uncertainty, but the state needs to do what it can to prepare in a transparent manner before our options are even more limited.”
Major Spending and Policy Actions
While detailed spending projections are not yet available from the Division of the Budget (DOB), preliminary projections indicate spending will increase. All Funds spending in SFY 2025-26 is projected to total $254 billion, an increase of $12.5 billion from $241.5 billion in SFY 2024-25. State Operating Fund spending is expected to grow 9.3%, continuing a recent trend of significant growth. Between SFY 2019-20 and SFY 2024-2025, State Operating Funds spending grew 4.6% annually on average – more than double the preceding 5-year period.
The big two items in state spending – School Aid and Medicaid – are the primary drivers of these increases. The Enacted Budget provides $37.4 billion in School Aid on a School Year (SY) basis, an increase of $209 million (0.6%) over the Executive Budget and $1.7 billion (4.9%) over SY 2025.
The Enacted Budget appropriates $109.6 billion for Medicaid in the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget for SFY 2025-26, which is an increase of $7.7 billion (7.6%) from the prior year and $1.7 billion (1.6%) over the Executive Budget proposal.
Authorization was also included to transfer up to $8 billion from the General Fund to repay the state’s outstanding advance with the federal Unemployment Trust Fund. If New York eliminates the entire advance, the effective federal unemployment insurance tax rate for New York employers will decrease from 1.5% for 2024 to an effective federal tax rate of 0.6% for 2025. This should provide relief to small businesses across the state and will allow the state to increase benefits for workers which have remained stagnant since 2019.
Lower Revenue Projected
Based on available information, All Funds revenues for SFY 2025-26 are projected to total $248.9 billion, nearly the same as in SFY 2024-25. All Funds tax collections for the current fiscal year are projected to decrease by $474 million (less than 1%) to $117 billion.
Economic uncertainty may affect revenue collections. A projected acceleration in inflation, triggered in part by the impact of tariffs on prices, may affect state sales tax collections. In addition, a continued decline in tourism above what is currently being seen would also negatively impact New York’s revenues, not only through lower sales taxes received from hotel stays, restaurant meals, and souvenir purchases but also from income taxes paid from workers in the leisure and hospitality industry. Since the beginning of the year, there are 11,200 fewer jobs in the industry.
Initial Changes to Federal Revenues
Federal funding is a significant part of the state budget: In SFY 2024-25, federal receipts totaled $96.7 billion or 38.8% of the state’s budget. A range of state services and programs rely on federal funding, although the greatest share – an estimated 87% in SFY 2025-26 – supports health and human services programs. DiNapoli launched an online resource that provides greater detail on federal funding in the budget and for the public safety net in New York state.
On April 29, prior to the adoption of the budget, the Executive reported that $1.3 billion in federal cuts had already been made to state programs—not including separate actions affecting New York’s local governments, universities, and nonprofits. Reductions included $325 million in resiliency funding, $79 million in SUNY research grants, and $24 million for assistance to food banks and farmers. Other actions include elimination of federal staff for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; termination of more than 1,200 federal workers who live in New York; and attempted termination of federal approval of congestion pricing in New York City’s business district which continues to be litigated.
Navigating the Uncertainty
The state has not taken any significant cost containment measures or implemented a strategy for addressing federal cuts, so how these risks will be reflected in DOB’s Enacted Budget Financial Plan for the next four years remains to be seen. Executive and Legislative leaders have acknowledged the actions in Washington may require them to convene a special session. The Enacted Budget does contain language that authorizes the Director of DOB to withhold appropriated funding if any quarterly financial plan update shows an imbalance of $2 billion or more. The state also has nearly $8.8 billion in its statutory rainy day reserve funds, an important safeguard against economic disruptions and tax revenue shortfalls.
According to the Executive, the impact of the House mega-bill on New York would be far-reaching. An analysis from DOH indicates that the proposed federal changes could result in estimated lost federal funding of $10.1 billion and new state-funded Medicaid costs of $3.3 billion. The Executive estimates the proposal would increase the number of people without health insurance in the state. New York has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation (4.8% in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau); if these projections are accurate, the number of uninsured would grow by more than 150%, rising from approximately 938,000 to 2.4 million. Other changes would increase state costs and reduce eligibility for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and eliminate funding for the clean energy transition and climate and resiliency programs.
DiNapoli stressed the importance of focusing budget management on the current year and on the potential for drastic changes in the outyears. He recommended continuing to build reserves, both statutory rainy day funds and informal reserves; focusing on efficiency in service delivery, particularly by implementing prior audit recommendations; and developing a strategy for articulating criteria for how the State will respond to federal cuts.
Brown Backs Life-Saving Fentanyl Education Bill
Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers today to support the introduction of Assembly Bill A.8540, the Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act—a comprehensive proposal to combat the fentanyl crisis through education, prevention and mental health support in New York’s schools. Sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R-Gloversville), the bill would require the creation of a statewide Fentanyl Education, Awareness and Recognition Program for students in grades six through 12 across all public, private and charter schools.
For Assemblyman Brown, this crisis is deeply personal.
“Four weeks shy of his 20 birthday, my nephew Jesse Romanasky died from a fentanyl overdose,” Brown said. “Jesse wasn’t some nameless case; he was a real kid. He worked at UPS, refereed youth soccer games on the weekends and took college classes at night. But like too many kids, his path to substance use started young—vaping at 14, marijuana at 15, pill parties by 16, and then hard drugs at 18. Two years later, he was gone.”
Brown shared that his sister believes Jesse suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder, something they came to understand too late. That’s why he is calling for the bill to go beyond drug warnings and incorporate real mental health education and emotional skill-building into school curriculums.
“This legislation has to be about more than saying ‘don’t do drugs.’ We need to equip students with the tools to manage emotional pain, anxiety and stress, the things that so often drive kids toward dangerous substances in the first place,” said Brown. “Schools must teach emotional coping skills, stress management and where to go for help when life feels overwhelming.”
The Fentanyl Fathers and Mothers Act mandates:
• Age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and synthetic opioids,
• Naloxone (Narcan) training and distribution in schools,
• The inclusion of bereaved parents to share personal stories and humanize the crisis,
• A requirement for the Departments of Education and Health to jointly develop and implement the curriculum,
• State funding for educator training, curriculum development and naloxone access.
Brown is advocating for schools to go further by incorporating:
• Mental health education that helps students recognize emotional distress in themselves and others,
• Coping strategies for managing stress, peer pressure and trauma,
• Empathy-based learning to help students understand the broader consequences of their actions and how substance abuse can devastate families and communities.
“Jesse was loved deeply. And when we lost him, it didn’t just take one life, it shattered so many others,” Brown said. “Our children deserve to understand the risks and realities. But they also deserve support, compassion and tools to navigate a very complicated world.”
“I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill. For Jesse. For every student who still has a chance. Let’s act now, and let’s save lives.”
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
A new poll has gauged a significant paradigm shift The House GOP Caucus received a shakeup this week, hearkening to quorum issues faced in 2024 and early 2025.
Congressman Mark Green (R, TN-07) has announced that he will resign from the U.S. House after the “Big Beautiful Bill” achieves its final fate.
“I am grateful to Speaker [Mike] Johnson (R, LA-04) and House Leadership for placing their trust in me to chair the Committee on Homeland Security, lead the effort to impeach former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security legislation in history to ever pass the House,” the four-term Congressman said in a statement. “However, my time in Congress has come to an end.”
Green’s retirement will be effective after passage of the Big Beautiful Bill. He will take a job in the private sector thereafter.
With just 220 seats in the House, Green’s early departure from Congress will give Republicans a one-seat majority. 218 seats are required for a majority, endangering legislative progress with an already-tenuous majority.
The quorum issue is reminiscent of the one faced by the House GOP Conference towards the end of the 2023-2024 session. A flurry of retirements and early resignations not only imperilled the House GOP’s ability to pass legislation, but also cast doubts on their ability to retain the lower chamber in the 2024 elections.
Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) will have ten days after Green’s formal resignation to set a special election date, which will be held between 100 and 107 days after that. TN07 is located in Western Tennessee, with small parts of the district taking in exurban Nashville. The seat is safely Republican, having given Republicans north of 65% of the vote from 2012 to 2020. Green’s latter two elections - 2022 and 2024 - saw him take just under 60% of the vote, likely due to redistricting and Independent candidates taking in about 2% of the vote each time.
Newsom responded to the former Auburn University football coach (Tuberville) by telling him, “stick to football, bro.”
Finally, the first dominos of the 2025 election cycle fall into place with nominees chosen in Tuesday’s primary for New Jersey Governor.
Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) is termlimited in a state that shifted dramatically to the right in 2024. The Garden State has not backed a Republican presidential nominee since 1988. It went for Joe Biden (D-DE) by sixteen points in 2020, only to go for Kamala Harris (D-CA) by just six points. Countyby-county registration data show the GOP adding to their rolls while Democrats are bleeding registrants, particularly in North Jersey.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) (pictured above) easily defeated five other high-profile candidates to earn the Democratic nod for governor. She has represented a classically Republican suburban-Newark district that has raced to the left in recent years. She won fifteen of New Jersey’s twenty-one counties, with the outliers owing to regional support of the other candidates.
The district backed President Donald Trump (R-FL) by twenty-two points in November.
Regarding the riots in Los Angeles, President Trump has more or less endorsed the arrest of Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) (pictured above)
Tensions have hit a fever pitch as demonstrations against raids by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have fomented political angst between the two coasts.
At a White House press conference, a reporter asked President Trump if “Border Czar” Tom Homan should arrest Governor Newsom, after Newsom reportedly “dared” Homan to do so.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” said Trump. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.” Trump added that Newsom is a “nice guy”, but “grossly incompetent.”
Newsom responded on social media, “This is a day I hoped I would never see in America,” he wrote. “I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”
The episode currently culminates in threats of federal charges for both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) should the two interfere with federal immigration enforcement.
Newsom also said in an MSNBC interview, “He’s [Homan] a tough guy, why doesn’t he do that [arrest]? He knows where to find me?”
Newsom has also announced plans to sue the Trump Administration over the recent deployment of the National Guard. The administration also mobilized 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles on Monday morning.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who recently announced his candidacy for Alabama governor in 2026, wrote on X, “L.A. looks like a third-world country - anarchists are in charge, law enforcement is being attacked, and the rule of law is nonexistent. Lock him [Newsom] up.”
On the Republican side, former State Assemblyman and 2021 gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciatteralli (R) will once again lead the GOP ticket this November. He easily won the five-way primary with 68% of the vote as of press time. He swept every county.
Ciattarelli outperformed expectations in 2021, losing to Murphy by just three points in a relatively quiet race. The race is now expected to be a barometer on President Trump’s first year back in office, while a tug-of-war in a possibly emerging battleground.
New Jersey last elected a Republican governor in Chris Christie (R-NJ) in 2013.
State
Tensions run high across the nation in response to the situation unfolding in Los Angeles, as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) has called Governor Kathy Hochul (D) a “hypocrite” on Monday regarding Hochul’s stance on the National Guard deployment to California.
Stefanik, a 2026 gubernatorial hopeful who has all but announced that she’s running at this point, compared Trump’s actions to Hochul’s actions in using the New York National Guard earlier this year to secure State-run prisons after a crippling correction officers strike.
“She [Hochul] is a total hypocrite as she has the NY National Guard in prisons due to a crisis that SHE created,” said Stefanik on X on Monday. “And now Hochul is once again siding with violent rioters and anti-ICE criminals instead of supporting our brave men and women in law enforcement.”
Hochul joined other Democratic governors in calling Trump’s use of the National Guard an “alarming abuse of power.”
“It’s important we respect the executive authority of our country’s governors to manage their National Guards — and we stand with Governor Newsom who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation,” the governors, including Hochul, wrote.
Meanwhile, religious groups are urging Hochul to veto the “Medical Aid in Dying” legislation that has passed both chambers of the State Legislature.
The bill would permit terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of less than six months to receive life-ending medication after an approval from two physicians.
Religious groups like the New York State Catholic Conference and Agudath of Israel - a leading Orthodox Jewish organization - have lambasted the bill and have lobbied for Hochul to give it the ax.
“We fully expect the Governor will also hear the concerns of the disabilities community, which has expressed grave concern that they will be coerced toward assisted suicide due to loss of
independence or bodily function,” wrote NYS Catholic Conference Director Dennis Proust in a statement.”
The Orthodox Union’s Rabbi Moshe Hauer warned of the “slippery slope” of legalizing medically assisted suicide.
Disability advocates have also railed against the bill. The Center of Disability Rights, while not issuing a formal statement on the bill, has spent time and effort lobbying against it.
Notable Democratic holdouts in Albany have rested their case on the law disproportionately affecting minority communities.
“While I do support the freedom to choose and freedom to decide in the pursuit of happiness, my concern and opposition of this bill comes from the great risk of targeting vulnerable communities of color, given the historical health disparities that they continue to face,” said Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D-Flatbush). Assemblywomen Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont), Latrice Walker (D-Brownsville), and Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) delivered similar sentiments before voting against it.
In the Assembly, the bill passed 81-67 with two absences. No Republicans backed it and were joined by twenty-two Democrats in opposition. Members of the Suffolk delegation who voted for it are Tommy John Schiavoni (D-North Haven), Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson), Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood), Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), and Kwani O’Pharrow (D-West Babylon). All mentioned, sans Kassay, co-sponsored the legislation.
The Assembly version of the bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale).
The bill passed the Senate 35-27 with excused absence from Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue). The bill was sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Greenwich Village). Democratic Senators April Baskin (D-Buffalo), Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury), Cordell Cleare (D-Harlem), Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie), and Sam Sutton (D-Gravesend) joined all Republicans in voting against it.
If the bill earns Hochul’s signature, New York would join fourteen states and the District of Columbia to have these laws on the books. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
The nearest neighbor is New Jersey, which in 2023, saw 101 people use medically-assisted suicide. Of them, 81% were of 65, 57% were female, and 95% were white.
Local
The Suffolk County Department of Parks and Department of Health Services are issuing water safety advisories for the summer season.
The County recommends never swimming alone, swimming in designated areas - those supervised by lifeguards - learning to swim - even adults - supervising children at all times, wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, avoiding alcohol around water, heeding warnings - such as tides, rip currents, and water conditions - learning CPR and basic First-Aid, and installing selflatching fences or barriers around a home pool.
In 2024, there were twenty-four drownings across all of Suffolk’s bodies of water.
“Summer in Suffolk County means enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in the country,” said County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) in a statement. “But we must never let our guard down around water. One moment of inattention can lead to lifelong consequences. Whether you’re boating, swimming, or simply relaxing near water, safety must always come first. With more people expected to visit our beaches and parks this summer, we want to ensure fun doesn’t turn into tragedy. My administration is committed to public safety, and that includes reminding families to take simple but critical precautions around water.”
The County’s Parks and Health Services departments will continue to work with lifeguards, first responders, and local municipalities to monitor conditions, enforce safety measures, and provide education to the public.
For more information, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov.
Lake Ronkonkoma
First Tuesday of the month
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Location:
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
307 Hawkins Ave
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Ronkonkoma AM
Last Friday of the month
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location:
Day Haven Adult Day Services
2210 Smithtown Ave Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Ronkonkoma PM
Second Monday of the month
Time: -7:30 p.m.
Location:
Day Haven Adult Day Services
2210 Smithtown Ave Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
00.272.3900
Garbarino and LaLota Welcome U.S. Labor Secretary to Long Island for Workforce Development Tour
By Cait Crudden
Long Island took center stage in the national conversation on workforce development last week as Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) proudly welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) to Suffolk County for a comprehensive tour showcasing the region’s innovative training programs and robust labor partnerships.
The visit began at the Local 290 Training Center in Hauppauge, where Secretary Chavez-DeRemer was joined by Reps. Garbarino and LaLota, received an up-close look at apprenticeship programs run by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC). The delegation toured hands-on training labs focused on welding, framing, and acoustical ceiling installation, and later sat in on classroom instruction sessions in the center’s lecture hall, engaging directly with apprentices and instructors.
“Long Island has long been a leader in workforce innovation, and today’s visit showcased the strong partnerships between labor, education, and government that are building pathways to good-paying jobs for local workers,” said Garbarino. “From apprentices learning the trades at Local 290 to advanced technical training programs at Suffolk County Community College, these initiatives are not only equipping our workforce with the skills they need — they’re also strengthening Long Island’s economic future. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for making the trip and recognizing the importance of continued investment in our skilled workforce.”
Following the stop in Hauppauge, the group traveled to Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood campus to visit the National Offshore Wind Training Center (NOWTC), a state-of-the-art facility designed to prepare workers for jobs in the growing offshore wind energy sector. The tour included demonstrations of safety training in sea survival, working at heights, and fire response which is critical skills for workers supporting the future of renewable energy along the Atlantic Coast.
“Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s visit to Suffolk County and her engagement with Long Island’s blue-collar labor leaders highlight the new Republican Party’s commitment to supporting both business growth and hardworking Americans through fair wages, safe working conditions, and expanded opportunities,” said LaLota. “To keep our region competitive, we must continue investing in workforce development and modern infrastructure. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting for commonsense solutions that strengthen job training, connect workers to good-paying careers, and grow Long Island’s economy from the ground up.”
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer applauded the local efforts and pledged continued support from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“Long Island’s skilled workforce is thriving under President Trump’s leadership, with thousands of new jobs created since he took office. I saw that firsthand today – from topnotch training programs to the small businesses driving local growth. When we invest in skills and opportunity, we empower our men and women to build better lives. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressmen Garbarino and LaLota to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and deliver for American workers,” said Chavez-DeRemer.
At the Local 290 Training Center, Anthony Villa, Business Manager of Local 290, welcomed the attention from Washington and praised the collaboration.
“The Carpenters were honored to host the Secretary and our local members of Congress, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of our members and all blue-collar workers across Long Island and throughout New York State. The construction industry is critical to New York’s economy, and our world-class training center ensures that the next generation of carpenters have the skills they need to be successful,” Villa.
The workforce development tour was also attended by leaders from local labor unions, education institutions, county workforce development offices, and economic development organizations. The day’s events underscored a shared commitment to ensuring that Long Island remains at the forefront of emerging industries like offshore wind and maintains a well-trained, highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of the future.
As Long Island continues to evolve with national trends in construction, energy, and advanced manufacturing, today’s visit made one thing clear: the region is not only ready for the future, but also helping lead the way.
“Long Island has long been a leader in workforce innovation, and today’s visit showcased the strong partnerships between labor, education, and government that are building pathways to good-paying jobs for local workers.”
Congressmen Andrew Garbarino
Continued from front cover
The Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation Scholarship
Tuesday night at St. Lawrence’s Bethany Center in Sayville, twenty-nine students from all over Sufolk County were awarded the Christopher A. Coluccio Mental Health Scholarship and four students were awarded with the Under the Radar Scholarship.
Many of the students who were awarded come from many diferent schools and towns, including Bayport-Blue Point, Sayville, Connetquot, Brentwood, Babylon, and even the likes of Sachem, Ward Melville, Comsewogue, Center Moriches, and Hampton Bays. Additionally, the “Force for Good” scholarship was awarded to Bayport-Blue Point resident Lily Carrabis, and the Anthony Marino scholarship was awarded to Michael Walsh, a Sayville-born senior at St. Anthony’s High School. The event saw not only the awarding of scholarships by the Coluccio family, but it also saw live music from Airlea Deutscher. It also featured words from Christopher’s siblings, Isabella and Nico, and Chris Coluccio, Sr.’s longtime friend and Town of Islip Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), who is a noted supporter of the foundation due to his long friendship with the Coluccio family.
When asked about the impact that the foundation has had on the community, as well as on Sufolk County in general, Coluccio said, “I am amazed at what we have accomplished in the last four years! With the help of our community and some wonderful people, we’ve been able to change so many ways about how schools and our community tackle mental health and the services used to support those who struggle with it. It has been an amazing journey and in a way, while the loss of Christopher is one of the worst things to happen to me in my life, it has also been something that has really helped us change our community and hopefully the world for the better.”
Those close with the Coluccio family and have seen the rise of both the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation and increased awareness of mental health in schools and on Long Island in general can say that the Coluccio Family have done a brilliant job in spreading awareness.
Hero Security Officer Honored by Islip Town Board
Islip is home to many heroes and first responders, all of whom add safety and security to the community. School Security Officer Jason Schafer displayed this first-hand when Tyler White, a student at Cordello Avenue Elementary School started choking on a bottle cap during an exam.
When the cap became lodged in Tyler’s throat, his teacher ran into the hall to look for help and in this frightening situation, Officer Schafer responded promptly and professionally. Officer Schafer entered the classroom and first attempted to dislodge the cap by hitting Tyler on the back. When that didn’t work, he quickly and calmly performed the Heimlich maneuver. Thanks to his swift action, the cap was dislodged, and Tyler was able to breathe again. Officer Schafer stepped in during a nerve-racking situation, stayed composed, and saved a child’s life.
The Islip Town Board recognized Officer Schafer at its June Town Board meeting. Tyler was also present for the recognition ceremony and took the opportunity to sincerely express his thanks to Officer Schafer.
The Town of Islip proudly honors Officer Jason Schafer for his extraordinary service and commitment to the safety of our students.
L.A. Erupts in Anti ICE Riots; Trump Deploys National Guard, Dozens Arrested
By Cait Crudden
Tensions have reached a flashpoint in Los Angeles as anti ICE protests spiraled into violent riots, echoing unrest seen amidst the 2020 racial justice protests and even recalling the destructive 1992 riots sparked by the Rodney King verdict. In response, President Donald Trump (R-FL) has deployed the National Guard and ordered Marines on standby to restore order with dozens of rioters that have been arrested.
What began as a reaction to aggressive federal ICE raids against undocumented workers quickly unraveled into widespread disorder. Over the weekend, forty-one protesters were arrested: twenty-one by LAPD, nineteen by California Highway Patrol, and one by the L.A. Sheriff’s Office, facing charges including assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, arson, looting, and failure to disperse.
One suspect was arrested for allegedly using a Molotov cocktail against the authorities. Protesters smashed windows, set self-driving vehicles ablaze, blocked the 101 Freeway, and forced authorities to issue an unlawful assembly order.
President Trump invoked federal authority under Title 10 to order 2,000 National Guard troops and placed 700 Marines on standby. This marks the first presidential deployment of a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent since the 1965 civil rights actions, drawing historical comparison to the federal response to the 1992 riots.
On Truth Social, Trump defended the move, “We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
Activist voices, including California’s Governor and Democratic officials, placed blame on Trump, accusing him of stoking violence. But federal and local conservatives have highlighted a law-and-order imperative, drawing parallels to the disorder seen in the 1992 and 2020 riots, situations that required decisive federal action to protect lives and restore peace.
The 1992 Rodney King Riots triggered by public outrage over police brutality resulted in 63 fatalities, thousands injured, and $1 billion in property damage. Ultimately quelled by
National Guard troops sent in by President George W. Bush (R-TX) with similar urgency and scope to the current deployment.
During the 2020 BLM Riots, protests spawned from the death of George Floyd quickly spiraling into violence and looting. Governor Gavin Newsom (DCA) requested the National Guard troops to assist, highlighting the need for law enforcement backup during widespread civil unrest.
The current unrest is notably smaller in scale, yet the comparable tactics, road blockages, property destruction, and attacks on police echo past events and underscore the ongoing challenge of balancing civil liberties with community safety.
Governor Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (D) have condemned Trump’s troop deployment as federal overreach and have even threatened to sue. They have called the deployment unlawful and imply the President’s actions have made matters worse.
President Trump and supporting conservatives maintain that decisive action was necessary to quell the violence and protect federal operations. They warn that without prompt federal intervention, Los Angeles could descend into chaos.
The events in Los Angeles serve as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding law and order as the foundation of a free and civilized society. While the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American democracy, that right ends where violence, destruction, and disregard for public safety begin.
When mobs hurl Molotov cocktails at police officers, torch vehicles, and blockade highways, they are not expressing civil dissent, they are engaging in lawlessness that puts innocent lives at risk. President Trump’s swift action to deploy the National Guard underscores a necessary commitment to restoring order and protecting communities. Without a firm response to anarchy, we risk emboldening those who would tear down our institutions instead of working within them. It is the duty of elected officials, law enforcement, and responsible citizens to stand together, not just against lawlessness, but in defense of safety, justice, and the rule of law.
Hauppauge High School Celebrates Senior IB Diploma Cohort
On June 3, Hauppauge High School held a stòling ceremony to honor the senior IB Diploma cohort for completing their two-year IB journey.
In order to successfully graduate the IB Diploma Program, students had to complete a suite of six classes over two years, complete the Theory of Knowledge course, research and write a 4,000-word research paper called the Extended Essay and complete a Community, Activity and Service or “CAS” project.
“The skills and values you’ve developed through IB— open mindedness, reflection, integrity and a commitment to lifelong learning— will serve you well no matter what path you choose,” said IB Coordinator Anne Stebbins in addressing the cohort. “Whatever lies ahead, always remember that you are already equipped with the tools you need to make a difference.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2025’s IB program graduates Srihan Adabala, Leonora Augusta, Gennady Borisov, Lina Cambardella, Brandon Cardamone, Sara Conquet, Jalissa Dove, Branden Emile, Sreeja Geevanagari, Reagan
Brentwood Students Shatter Record, 340 Earn State Seal of Biliteracy
Connetquot
Smiles and hugs filled the room on June 4 at Brentwood High School’s annual biliteracy awards ceremony, at which the district celebrated a record-breaking 340 students who earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy this year – the highest number ever in the district’s history.
The seal, which is affixed to students’ diplomas and noted officially on their academic transcripts, recognizes graduating students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one other language. This prestigious honor highlights students’ commitment to bilingualism, biliteracy and cross-cultural communication – skills that are increasingly valued in college admissions and the global workforce.
Since the district first applied for the Seal of Biliteracy program in 2016, the number of recipients has steadily grown. That inaugural year saw 40 students awarded the seal, a number that climbed to 245 last year before reaching this year’s milestone of 340. All recipients are invited to wear their Seal of Biliteracy medals at graduation, a proud symbol of their linguistic achievement and dedication.
The district remains committed to supporting multilingual education and expanding opportunities for students to gain biliteracy recognition in the years ahead.
High School Honors Top Seniors at Academic Awards Night
On June 2, Connetquot High School recognized the accomplishments of its highest-achieving seniors during the annual Academic Awards Night.
The evening served as a tribute to students who demonstrated exceptional academic performance and personal excellence, with many receiving prestigious scholarships. Each award was presented by individuals connected to the scholarship, whether from sponsoring organizations, families or community members, making the celebration even more personal and meaningful.
In addition to scholarships, students were also recognized with departmentspecific awards, highlighting outstanding achievement in a particular area of study.
Henselder, Mackenna Hogan, Ariana Morales, Mathew Payyanattu, Nicole Rykiel, Ayaan Shah, Brady Wahl, and Nasseh Younszada.
Sayville Science Students Present Research at Brookhaven National Laboratory
A trio of Sayville High School RISE science research students presented their collaborative research in May at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Science Scholars Symposium. Students Amelia Doxsee, Alexandra Sullivan, and Kieran Larkin had this opportunity as part of the Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK) collaboration.
The students went through rigorous training in order to gain access to the Brookhaven Lab National Synchrotron Light Source II Beamlines along with the lab’s infrared spectroscopy and microscopy equipment. Using the highly advanced lab, the Sayville team was able to research the prevalence of potentially deadly and cancer-causing mycotoxins in raw coffee beans from various regions around the world. They discovered that these mycotoxins do not dissipate during the high or low temperature coffee roasting and brewing processes and remain present in high percentages of consumed coffee beverages. Their work was on display at the Sayville Science Symposium on May 31 at Sayville Middle School.
“We pride ourselves at Sayville High School in offering students every opportunity to thrive in their desired field,” said Sayville High School principal Stephanie Bricker. “It was incredible to see these students have the chance to use some of the most advanced technology and resources available on Long Island. I hope this is an experience they carry with them throughout the rest of their academic careers.”
For more information on the Sayville Union Free School District, visit the district’s website at sayvilleschools.org. Happenings in the district can also be found on the district’s Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/saydistrictpr. #CaringAndLearning
James Wilson Young Middle School Presents ‘Frozen Jr.’ Sachem Announces New Administrative Appointments
The Sachem Central School District Board of Education is pleased to announce several internal administrative appointments, reflecting the district’s commitment to cultivating leadership from within and ensuring continued excellence in educational programs and services. These probationary appointments will take effect on July 1, with one appointment having already begun.
Elizabeth Caruana has assumed the role of executive director for special education as of May 10. Caruana, a longtime member of the Sachem community, previously served as assistant director for special education. Her deep expertise in special education leadership and behavior analysis uniquely positions her to oversee programs at both the elementary and secondary levels.
Ashley Shepard has been appointed administrator for elementary special education, effective July 1. Shepard brings valuable district experience and a collaborative leadership style that will support and enhance services for elementary students with special needs.
Coleen Flanagan, currently serving as an assistant principal, will take on a leave replacement role as administrator for secondary special education, also effective July 1. Flanagan’s administrative experience will be key in supporting secondary-level special education programs during this transitional period.
Jennifer Kropff has been named assistant director of special education. Kropff transitions from a teaching position, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience in behavioral and special education. Her qualifications include a school district leader certificate and dual teaching certifications, along with a strong background in crisis intervention, IEP development and staff training.
Dr. Thomas Desmond, current principal of Wenonah Elementary School, will move into a new district-level role as executive director for personnel. With experience spanning the elementary, middle and high school levels, and a doctorate in educational administration, Dr. Desmond is well-prepared to lead human resource initiatives with a studentcentered focus.
These strategic appointments highlight Sachem’s dedication to leadership continuity and educational excellence throughout the district.
On May 30–31, students at James Wilson Young Middle School in the Bayport-Blue Point School District took the stage for a magical production of “Frozen Jr.,” a musical adaptation of the beloved Disney film. The show featured talented student actors, singers and crew members who brought the story of sisterhood, courage and self-discovery to life.
Set in the kingdom of Arendelle, “Frozen Jr.” follows the journey of sisters Anna and Elsa. With hit songs like “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, the performance wowed audiences and showcased the immense talent of each student-performer.
“We were so excited to see this incredibly strong, talented group of 48 kids come out for ‘Frozen Jr.’ this year,” said Directors Kathleen Conklin and Teresa Lovito. “It has been a joy to watch them research this beautiful story, learn about Norwegian culture, create their characters and perform for each other.”
“We could not wait for this community to experience them telling this beautiful story of female empowerment, family loyalty and friendship,” they added. “As their teachers, our favorite part has been watching them support each other and just have fun.”
The Necessary Standard for American Education
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment
By Matt Meduri
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, in addition to being the penultimate amendment made to the Constitution to date, lowered the minimum voting age to eighteen years old.
History and Origin
The minimum age for suffrage had never been codified by federal law. The framers of the Constitution did not instill this metric, likely due to their emphasis on federalism and allowing the state to make their own decisions. As such, the states had their own authorities to set voting ages, with twenty-one years of age being adopted as the unofficial national standard.
Calls to lower the voting age to eighteen began in the 1940s, with Senator Harley Kilgore (D-WV) advocating for it in 1941 during the 77th Congress. Kilgore wasn’t in a room by himself, as fellow Senators, Representatives in the U.S. House, and even First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt all agreed.
Although such a resolution never made it through the halls of Congress, it did spark interest and debate on the topic. Georgia became the first state to lower the voting age to eighteen in 1943, followed by Kentucky doing the same in 1955.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-KS) became the first president to publicly support the change, doing so in his 1954 State of the Union address.
However, the Vietnam War would become the primary point of debate on this issue, as many found it counterintuitive that the young men drafted into the war had no way of voting for the same politicians who would vote to send them there. Moreover, the young soldiers had no recourse at the ballot box upon their return.
The saying, “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote”, quickly became a commonplace sound bite, especially off the heels of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (D-NY) decision to lower the military draft age to eighteen during World War II. The slogan even has roots to that era, when Senator Kilgore and company had already begun advocating for the change.
President Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) also encouraged lowering the vote age, as evidenced by the 1963 report by the President’s Commission on Registration and Voting Participation. Johnson proposed the change on May 29, 1968, in the final months of his presidency.
Public support for the measure was also whipped by the involvement of young people in the social and political movements of the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Civil Rights Movement. The argument was that if young people were willing to participate in demonstrations for fundamental change, then they should be able to have a say in the system as well.
Opponents, however, argued that idealism among the youth and lack of “vested interests” should preclude those younger than twenty-one years from voting. Even so, these arguments would eventually be seen as supportive of the measure, as many viewed the political system at the time as in crisis. The logic was that a perpetually younger voting bloc in each election would bring balance to the government and public policy, especially in
times of political consternation.
In 1970, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) would propose an amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to lower the national voting age to eighteen. President Richard Nixon (R-CA), despite his “misgivings about the constitutionality” of that provision, signed it into law and vowed to direct Attorney General John Mitchell (R-NY) “cooperate fully” in a “swift court test” to determine the constitutionality of the provision.
Nixon’s main point of contention wasn’t the lowering of the voting age itself, rather the method in which it could be legally applied.
Oregon V. Mitchell
Senator Kennedy argued that the Fourteenth Amendment allowed Congress to pass the legislation. In the Supreme Court case Katzenbach V. Morgan (1966), the Court ruled that if Congress acted to enforce the Fourteenth Amendment on a discrimination basis - that is, age discriminationthe Court would allow the law to stand if the justices could “perceive a basis” for the congressional action.
Nixon’s interpretation of Katzenbach feared that arguing on a basis of age discrimination would overextend the legal concept of discrimination. He feared that such a problem would lead to the Court’s overturning of the Voting Rights Act.
The case Oregon V. Mitchell (1970) would deliberate just that. The Supreme Court was deeply divided on this interpretation, striking down the provision that would establish eighteen years as the voting age in state and local elections, but upholding the provision lowering the age to eighteen years in federal elections. The decision required states to maintain two separate voting roles for the different categories.
Text
Section 1: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
Section 2: “The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
Ratification
After Oregon V. Mitchell, Senator Birch Bayh (DIN) surveyed election officials in forty-seven states, finding that the added registration and maintenance would cost about $20 million. He also found a case for immediate action to avoid “chaos and confusion” ahead of the 1972 presidential election, as the states would likely not have enough time to amend their own constitutions before then.
In March 1971, the Senate voted 94-0 in favor of a minimum voting age of eighteen years. Later that month, the House voted 401-19 in favor.
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment passed faster than any other amendment in U.S. history. On March 23, 1971, five states ratified: Minnesota, Delaware, Tennessee, Washington, and Connecticut - all within two hours of each other. A
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.
dispute remains as to which state was first to ratify. The Minnesota Legislature technically ratified first at 3:14p.m. EST (4:14p.m. CST). The U.S. Senate Parliamentarian ruled that while Minnesota acted prematurely, as the ratification hadn’t been sent to the states yet, the legality of its ratification was not overturned or officially challenged. Technically, Delaware was first to ratify under that interpretation.
Just three months after it was sent to the states, Ohio became the thirty-eighth state to ratify on June 30, 1971, making the Twenty-Sixth Amendment an addition to the U.S. Constitution. New York was thirty-first to ratify, doing so on June 2, 1971.
Four more states ratified after the threshold had been met. South Dakota did not ratify until March 4, 2014.
No action was ever taken by Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, or Utah.
Effects
Although the amendment passed faster than any other, it still faced significant opposition leading up to the ratification. After Nixon’s signing of the 1970 extension to the Voting Rights Act, seventeen states refused to pass measures to lower their minimum voting ages. Congressman Emanuel Celler (D-NY), who had served in Congress from 1923 to 1973, was one of the most vocal opponents of the idea during his tenure. As Chair of the powerful House Judiciary Committee for much of his time in Washington, Celler questioned the “good judgement” of the youth’s low experience with citizenship. He also argued that whatever good qualities youth might have had as soldiers didn’t necessarily translate to good qualities in terms of citizenship.
Professor William G. Carleton argued that the period of adolescence had grown significantly at the time, appropriately dovetailed with the amendment’s passage. He argued that the youth at the time had far less responsibilities than their counterparts of generations past. He also argued the correlation/causation of technological savvy with higher responsibility and intelligence.
To this day, many continue to argue that the voting age should have never been lowered. In fact, some assert that it should be as high as twenty-five. Proponents argue that a heightened age correlates to heightened responsibilities, civic understanding, and more “vested interests” as workers, earners, and owners.
Still, many support the decision, especially as it relates to the minimum age for selective service. The youth vote is a particularly valuable voting bloc in federal elections, often having backed the Democratic presidential nominee for decades. In 2020, Joe Biden (D-DE won voters aged 18-29 by a whopping twenty-nine points. In 2024, they backed Kamala Harris (D-CA) by just four points.
Research suggests that the younger demographics are trending, or already are, much more Republican than they once were, albeit ethnic and educational faultlines still show a clear partisan division within the age demographic.
Around Town
Numerous Central Islip School District Staff Honored at SCOPE Awards
The Central Islip High School Class of 2025 experienced an emotional and memorable day on June 2.
More than 350 seniors participated in the annual Senior Walkthrough, during which students were bused across the district to visit the hallways of their former schools and reconnect with past teachers and staff.
The day began with a fully catered breakfast, followed by the departure of eight buses filled with students. The first stop was Ralph G. Reed Middle School, marking the start of a nostalgic journey through Central Islip.
The top 60 students in the Class of 2025 were honored with custom sashes to wear during the walkthrough. Special sashes were also presented to the class officers, Valedictorian Jacqueline
Lopez, and Salutatorian Lesly Cruz.
Subsequent stops included visits to the following elementary schools: Cordello, O’Neill, Morrow, Mulligan, and Mulvey.
To conclude the afternoon, all buses converged at Alfano Elementary School, which served as the Early Childhood Center (ECC) when many of the seniors were just beginning their educational journeys. Following the final school visit, students gathered on the football field for photos and enjoyed treats from Mister Softee ice cream trucks.
This heartwarming event was made possible through the efforts of senior class advisors and CIHS teachers Mrs. Claris Villatoro and Mr. Darren Ehrhardt, whose dedication ensured a meaningful celebration for the Class of 2025.
Bay Shore Introduces New Principals
The Bay Shore Board of Education approved and recognized five individuals who will become principals in the district for the 2025-2026 school year.
Ms. Claudia Rivera will serve as Principal of the Bay Shore Pre-Kindergarten Center. Ms. Rivera joined the Bay Shore School District as a Behavioral Consultant in 2009 and has spent the past eleven years as the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services.
Ms. Erin Lentini will become the Principal at Mary G. Clarkson School. Ms. Lentini spent sixteen years as a teacher at both South Country School and Fifth Avenue School. For the past year, Ms. Lentini has served as Assistant Principal at both Mary G. Clarkson School and Brook Avenue School.
Ms. Maddalena Padilla will lead Gardiner Manor School as Principal. Ms. Padilla has worked in the district since 2001, serving in the roles of Social Studies Teacher, Assistant Principal of Gardiner Manor School, Assistant Director of ENL, World Language and Dual Language and, for the past six years, the Director of Social Studies K-12.
Ms. Jennifer Maher will take on the role of Principal at South Country School. Ms. Maher taught at Fifth Avenue School for nineteen years. For the past three years, Ms. Maher has served as Assistant Principal at Fifth Avenue School, Brook Avenue School and South Country School.
Mr. Duncan MacDougal will become the Principal at Bay Shore Middle School. A proud 2001 graduate of Bay Shore High School, Mr. MacDougal began his career in the district as a High School English teacher in 2007. Over the past four years, Mr. MacDougal has served as an Assistant Principal at Mary G. Clarkson School, Fifth Avenue School, South Country School, and, most recently, Bay Shore Middle School.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Warrior Ranch Foundation: A Place to Heal After the Uniform
By Madison Warren
Freedom is never free. Freedom comes with the cost of sacrifice. Our military faces challenges, hardships, and makes those sacrifices every day to protect and honor the country they love.
Missing home-cooked dinners with their family. Missing the sound of loved ones laughing during the holidays. Missing the comfort of their own bed. Missing the wag of a dog’s tail at the door when coming home. Missing the freedom to choose how to spend an ordinary day.
These are the moments most of us take for granted — but not them. For those serving in the military, these everyday comforts become distant memories, reminders of a life they put on hold for something greater than themselves.
Even after their service ends, their challenges don’t. For many Veterans, the transition back to civilian life can feel more overwhelming than the time they spent in uniform. The routines, bonds, and purpose they once had are replaced with a world that feels unfamiliar. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated twenty-two Veterans die by suicide every day. That heartbreaking number is a call to action.
So, how do we help Veterans confront these emotional wounds before they become unbearable? That is where The Warrior Ranch Foundation wants to help.
The Warrior Ranch Foundation, a nonprofit based in Calverton, was founded by Eileen Shanahan. What began as a dream became a reality when the ranch officially opened its doors in 2019. Her “lottery,” dream as she referred to it.
“The ranch itself was a dream of mine, and how it developed was because I love my country, and I love my horses. It is really that simple,” Shanahan told The Messenger
The ranch offers Veterans, as well as our brave first responders, a peaceful and therapeutic experience through meaningful time spent with horses. Participants learn everything from basic horse care to groundwork and riding, all at their own pace. Whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced with horses, there’s a place for everyone at Warrior Ranch.
Workshops are held several times a month, led by experienced trainers, including Gina Marie Lamb. These dedicated professionals guide participants through every step, sharing a common goal of building confidence, fostering trust, and providing a truly therapeutic healing experience. In addition to experienced horse professionals, mental health expert Antoinette DeGruccio is always present to provide added support.
This ranch has become a team effort, with volunteers dedicating their time to helping the ranch, and a community of many organizations building the ranch from the ground up. PSEG, American Regent, Craftsman Fence, and Riverhead Building Supply just to name a few.
The heart of Warrior Ranch began with Eileen’s first rescued horse, Warrior — a once-abused animal who arrived guarded and afraid. Through love, care, and patience, Eileen slowly helped him let his walls down. In 2016, inspired by Warrior’s transformation and at the same time, moved by the struggles Veterans face with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), she began researching how she could help these Veterans push through these struggles. With Warrior and her other horses, Cody and Midnight, she set out to create a space for healing, starting right in her own backyard.
When she began documenting the work she was doing, Eileen, along with her good friend for over fifteen years, Danielle Atlebrando, created a five-minute video to showcase to Suffolk County Elected Officials and the County Executive, and secured their farm in Calverton.
Warrior Ranch isn’t just a safe place for Veterans, but it’s a haven for horses, too. Every horse on the farm is rescued, just like Warrior, and is given a second chance through retraining and care. Just as the horses help Veterans heal, the Veterans also help the horses rediscover trust and purpose. It’s this powerful, mutual transformation that truly sets Warrior Ranch apart.
Eileen’s advocacy doesn’t stop at the ranch gates. Alongside her longtime friend and media specialist, Danielle Atlebrando, they began listening closely to the stories shared by Veterans. Over time, they noticed a powerful pattern — different voices, but the same message: these stories need to be heard. And together, they’ve made it their mission to make sure they are.
Five years ago, Eileen and Danielle began recording these
become that family again, offering connection, community, and healing during some of life’s darkest moments.
Eileen and Danielle’s passion for supporting those who’ve risked everything for others is nothing short of admirable. The outpouring of support they’ve received from their community, for both the ranch and the film, has made it all possible. Knowing they’re backed by such a community that believes in their mission fuels their drive even more. With “Warrior: A Battle Against Trauma,” they hope to reach even further, growing that community and expanding the impact of Warrior Ranch, one story — and one healing journey — at a time.
Danielle stated, “I think that the Warrior Ranch Foundation should be something that is in every state. I think there should be that opportunity. We have had people who have left here, some live in Colorado, some live in Texas, some live in Florida.
heartfelt conversations with Veterans — stories of pain and hope. The result was a powerful film they created titled “Warrior: A Battle Against Trauma, Learning to Love and Trust Again,” capturing the journey of healing through trust, love, and the unbreakable bond between humans and horses.
“It has been a labor of love,” said Eileen, “Because we love this place, love our Veterans, and love our country.”
The film was created to share a message and raise awareness. It highlights the powerful impact of equine-assisted therapy for Veterans while honoring the deeply personal stories of trauma they carry long after their service ends. Many Veterans leave the military feeling lost, uncertain of who they are or where to go next, missing the sense of purpose and family they once had. The film shows how Warrior Ranch can
And they come back here.”
The film premiered on May 22 at The Suffolk in Riverhead and has since been submitted to multiple film festivals, with the hope of reaching a wider audience and eventually becoming available for public viewing. Follow them on Instagram @ warriorranchfoundation for updates on the film.
Warrior Ranch isn’t a one-time program — it’s a lifelong community. Participants are always welcome to return, attend multiple workshops, and stay connected. The ranch is open to all Veterans and first responders who need it, offering a place of belonging and healing. They have now helped over 400 people with their work and are looking forward to that number growing. Once you’re part of Warrior Ranch, you’re part of the family for life.
To learn more about The Warrior Ranch or to apply for a workshop, please visit their website at www. warriorranchfoundation.org or call 631-740-9049.
If you are or you know a Veteran or first responder struggling with PTS or other mental health challenges, please know you are not alone. There is a community out there ready to support you, listen to you, and walk with you on the path to healing.
To all who have served, thank you for protecting our country and our freedom. Your sacrifices are seen, honored, and will never be forgotten.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
AMAC
Thursday, June 12, 2025
No, We Are Never Alone
By Robert B. Charles | AMAC Contributor
Alone? No. We are never alone, and we do not need another federal or state program, another Harvard study, or a government solution for the so-called “epidemic of loneliness.” We need something more basic: Each other, greater faith, restored values, closeness to family and friends, higher purpose.
“Let’s start at the beginning, a very good place to start,” to quote Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, courage in the darkness. Some things we know. We have a loving God. To mind comes Matthew 28:20, a simple, profound promise, often forgotten: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
So, Harvard just reported that those ages 30 to 44 are loneliest, 29 percent saying they are “lonely,” 24 percent of those 18 to 29, 20 percent of those 45 to 64, and 10 percent over 65. What do these numbers mean?
Without denying that we live in a fraying society, less social interaction, more absorption in electronic games than outdoors or working, less thinking for oneself, and self-discipline, here is a truth: Another “government program” will not fix it.
Some of the so-called “loneliness studies” overstate the facts, push new government programs, but this is a deception, a hoodwink, a wrong remedy for a real problem.
Addressing modern loneliness – even accepting the data – is better suited to one-on-one engagement, churches, neighbors, employers, schools that teach individual responsibility, selfreliance, mental toughness, not the reverse.
Indulge me, and catch the Bible again, Jesus in Mark 12:29-31. Some may discount or mock them, but they stand the test of time, are instructive, uplifting, and often misunderstood.
“The first Commandment is: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ”Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
As a remedy for loneliness, Christ assures, comforts, and then timelessly proves, we are never alone but loved, and we can learn from that love how to love. We are lifted by slowing down, but not stopping, opening our hearts to neighbors.
There is more. This part is key. We are told that nothing is more important than love of God and loving our neighbors as ourselves, but – wait –what does that require? To love your neighbor as yourself, you must first love yourself.
The solution for loneliness is not in the government, never has been. Loneliness is from something missing that no government can provide, a gap finally filled by service to others, creative thinking for that end, personal engagement, and having faith.
Government cannot provide those things – except by getting out of the way. Instead of undermining moral teaching, churches, faithbased non-profits, pregnancy centers, police, military, and teachers with values, we need to lift them.
In Maine, as in other parts of the country, a left-leaning government sees itself as the answer to everything. Actually, it is not. It is often the problem, self-absorbed leaders who miss the forest for the trees.
As Maine’s budget has ballooned from 6.8 billion to submitted 11.7 billion, 450 million deficit in a handful of years, things have gone from bad to worse. Maine’s Democrat governor and legislature have mismanaged, misdirected, assumed powers they do not have, demeaned individual liberties, churches, faith-based nonprofits, law enforcement, and welcomed 8000 illegal aliens, drug traffickers, and record taxes.
To what end? Misery, a state in disrepair. Guess what else? In COVID, shutting schools,
bankrupting businesses, forcing people to abandon their faith for vaccines or lose their job, forcing closure of churches, businesses –spiked loneliness.
Schools, perhaps the biggest meltdown authored by Democrats – have 2.5 times the money pushed at them than 30 years ago – for more administration – while Maine fell from top in the nation to 50 of 50, a disgrace they own.
Loneliness? It is about being forgotten, misused, abused, taken for granted, left uneducated, subject to fear from illegals, traffickers, crime, and taxes so high that seniors face loss of their homes, and young people cannot afford to buy one.
Loneliness? Do you think the WWII generation did not feel that pain? Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War generations? But did they spike loneliness? They had faith, family, worked hard by choice, and knew service – a higher calling – was the answer.
Overview - AMACThe 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
Service defined them, not another government program to boost their self-esteem, learn sensitivity, find their transsexualism, do drugs easily, or other Maine answers.
Bottom line: What we need is truth, in government and in life. Loneliness, like a hundred other ailments, is serious – not for lack of another program, but because we are missing what we once had – love of others, love of self, love of God, and with those three things, inner peace.
Government cannot provide that, only we can – for ourselves and others, rising to help, serve, touch, and pull others from darkness. That is the solution, not the government.
So sleep, recalling Isaiah 49:10, the Bible’s enduring promise. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you …” Alone? No, we are never alone.
WHERE BROADWAY MEETS MAIN STREET
May 15–Jun 29, 2025 Jul 10–Aug 24, 2025
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology: early 17th century: from Latin consternatio(n- ), from the verb consternare ‘lay prostrate, terrify’ (see consternate).
Source: Oxford Languages
CONSTERNATION
noun
Pronounced: /kaan·stir·nay·shn/
Definition: feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected
Example: “The plants, while pretty, were invasive, much to the consternation of the HOA.”
Synonyms: dismay, distress, angst
Antonyms: satisfaction, assurance, composure
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
June 16, 1858: Abraham Lincoln says “a house divided against itself cannot stand”, accepting Illinois Republican Party’s nomination for the Senate.
June 15, 1991: Climactic eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines, the second-largest volcanic eruption on Earth of the 20th century.
June 14, 1923: Recording of first country music hit (Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane).
June 13, 1942: Germany lands four saboteurs on Long Island.
June 17, 1970: Graphics Layout Artist Sergio Fabbri is born. Raised on Long Island, he joins Messenger Papers in 2008.
By PJ Balzer
Letting My Own Prisoners Go Free
I’m not really big on making New Year’s resolutions - not anymore at least. Maybe I’ve seen too many so easily broken, starting with most of my own. It’s become an annual joke amongst the faithful gym-goers that the New Year’s resolution folks will be here in January and gone by mid-February.
There’s always some truth in every joke.
I do spend the first week of the New Year praying with specific intention though. That intention being, “Lord, direct my steps in this New Year and show me which direction to take. Show me which activity to take on and which I’m currently involved in to draw back from,” - all while waiting on some outward direction, an open door, or even closed doors as well. God surely does answer prayer in strange and unexpected ways.
A few days into 2025, I heard God’s voice as clear as ever before, “I want you to let your personal prisoners go free, starting with those who you have a grudge against yet have done you no wrong. You don’t have to do it alone, I’ll help you.”
Along with this ever-so-tender voice came names of people He was reminding me of; people I’ve grown to dislike over the past years; people who I don’t necessarily agree with or see life through the same lens as; people that the many media streams have somehow convinced me are bad people and ruining my own life. Some of the people or people groups I’ve never met and the others I have met but truthfully have done me no harm. But nevertheless, I’ve been holding them as captives in my heart and mind for no justifiable reason at all.
Our society is more divided than ever before, that’s probably one thing we do all agree on. This is the devil’s work indeed. We dislike people we don’t even know and conveniently slap labels onto their backs. Many of the labels we use come from others. They come from the loud voices on television and on our favorite stations or podcasts. But the reality is that for the most part we’ve never met those people we dislike. We know nothing about them, their families, their life stories, or why they have or haven’t made certain decisions. We just simply dislike them and hold them captive as our personal prisoners.
If there’s one topic that you won’t have to read far to find in the Bible, it’s forgiveness. The entire book actually screams this message, starting with the nucleus of the entire book, John 3:16. From the Old to the New Testament, God speaks about His eagerness to show forgiveness to people that have went astray. He wants to forgive people that have hurt His heart by hurting others. He’s eager to forgive even His own enemies, those who are at enmity with Him. If God is this eager and willing to offer forgiveness. How much more should we let the innocent and the guilty go free from our own hearts’ solitary confinement cell?
Peter, a disciple who Jesus loved, was probably tired of offering forgiveness. By the text, it seems that he was being offended over and over by the same person. In his mind, this person was guilty of an offense or many offenses, and Peter was basically saying to Jesus, “I’ve forgiven this person, yet this is the last time.” From my understanding these, were probably real offenses and Peter was humanly justified in having enough - not divinely justified though.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Jesus was encouraging Peter to let his personal prisoner go free once again and continue to do so. Jesus knows that holding unforgiveness rots us on the inside and makes our hearts heavy, bitter, and develops an unattractive character. Forgiveness, on the other hand, brings a softness, a tenderness, a merciful countenance, and a light that can be seen in our eyes.
It’s been a journey these past six months as the Lord can help me from the inside out to let my personal prisoners go free - in my case, starting with those who have done me no harm and moving to those who have as well.
What a blessed journey of gaining real freedom on the inside.
I’m praying for you, my friend, that these words would not only speak to your heart and life, but that you would be willing to ask God to help your heart be free as well.
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
- Lewis B. Smedes
Long Island Locavore
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries
By Nancy Vallarella
Strawberry season is in full swing on Long Island, and there’s no better way to celebrate the local harvest than with a decadent twist on a viral favorite—Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Featuring fresh-picked berries wrapped in creamy pistachio and crunchy kataifi (shredded phyllo dough), then dipped in rich chocolate, this treat is as stunning as it is delicious. Whether you’re gifting, entertaining, or indulging, this Long Island take on a global trend is pure summer magic.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy, creamy, crunchy, and chocolatey—each bite is a little party. But don’t let the simple look fool you: patience and precision are key. Below are the essentials to make your own Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries, with tips and two variations to suit your style.
Homemade Pistachio Cream
You can buy pistachio cream online, at some Costco locations, and at specialty markets, but many contain white chocolate and emulsifiers like lecithin. If you prefer to make your own, here’s a simple version inspired by Instagram’s @connies_sweetest_things.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups raw, unsalted pistachios, shelled and skin removed*
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ¼–½ cup neutral oil (like avocado or coconut)
• Pinch of salt
• Splash of water (as needed)
Directions:
1. Blend pistachios in a food processor until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
2. Add sugar, salt, and ¼ cup oil. Blend again.
3. Adjust with more oil or water until smooth and pourable.
4. Store in a jar. Use immediately or refrigerate.
*To remove the skin from the pistachio nut place shelled nuts into boiling water from 1 minute. Remove the nuts and submerge into an ice water bath for 1 minute. Remove nuts from ice water onto a kitchen towel. Place another towel on
top of the nuts and roll the nuts between the towels with the palm of your hand. This method removes most of the skin on the pistachio nut and creates a brighter, smoother pistachio cream.
Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients:
• 1 cup kataifi dough, chopped into ⅛–¼” pieces
• 6–8 large strawberries, washed and dried
• ½ cup pistachio cream
• 1 cup quality chocolate (milk, dark, or white—no candy melts!)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
Directions:
1. Toast Kataifi:
Preheat oven to. Place a tray inside for 5 minutes. Spread kataifi on hot tray and bake for 7 minutes. Stir. Continue to stir and bake every 3 minutes until golden.
2. Coat Strawberries:
Mix toasted kataifi with pistachio cream while warm. Mold about 1 tbsp of mixture around each strawberry. Place on parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze for 30 minutes.
3. Dip in Chocolate:
Melt chocolate and coconut oil over a double boiler. Dip frozen strawberries and return to parchment-lined tray. Chill in fridge for 1 hour or until it is set.
Optional Garnish:
Drizzle with extra chocolate and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
Traditional strawberry -shaped version
Directions:
1. Hollow out strawberries.
2. Fill with pistachio cream mixed with kataifi using a small spoon or piping bag.
3. Dip in melted chocolate, garnish, and chill as above.
Want to Watch First?
For video demos, check out on Instagram:
• @connies_sweetest_things – Full recipe + instructions
• @biancafrombrooklyn – Fun and informative tutorials
These Dubai-inspired treats are eye-catching and decadent—perfect for dessert boards, gifting, or treating yourself. Serve sliced or whole and prepare to wow your
Created by Nancy Vallarella, who brings farm-fresh recipes and local food knowledge to Long Island through farmers’ markets, demos, and more. For more recipes or to ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or email lilocavore495@ gmail.com. Happy cooking!
Where to pick strawberries?
Two young family-owned farms in Suffolk County:
Sujecki Farms and Nursery Thera Farms
758 Edwards Avenue 1705 Brentwood Rd Calverton, NY 11933 Brentwood, NY 11717
631-512-7030
631-478-5229
Nancy Vallarella
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
The AI Doppelgänger in Your Living Room?
By Mollie Barnett
Artificial intelligence may soon be your next dinner guest—and you might not notice the difference.
This week, new offerings from Veo, ElevenLabs, and HeyGen unveiled AI avatars with stunningly lifelike gestures, voice inflection, and body language. These advancements are so convincing, that even detection systems struggle to differentiate them from actual humans.
The implications are both thrilling and sobering.
These tools promise real breakthroughs—from multilingual content creation to around-the-clock customer service. But they also open doors to deepfakes, impersonation scams, and new forms of digital fraud.
Human-Level Tools, SmallBusiness Reach
Until recently, video production, voiceovers, and multilingual media were luxuries reserved for large companies. Now, AI tools put those capabilities into the hands of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Just as literacy unlocked opportunity, democratizing AI opens new doors for local businesses,” said Prakriti Jain, Vice President at Way & Means Technology.
On Long Island, real estate agents in the Hamptons are using AI-generated virtual tours that respond to client questions in real time. In Hauppauge, manufacturing firms are streamlining supply chains through AI-enhanced communications.
Even at home, AI is changing how families connect. Translation-enabled video calls are helping grandparents speak with bilingual grandchildren. AI tutors are adapting to students’ learning styles, providing customized support on demand.
Trust in a Synthetic Age
The more realistic AI becomes, the more important verification grows.
Earlier this year, a finance executive in Hong Kong was tricked into transferring $25 million after attending a video call where every participant—except him—was AI-generated.
It’s not just a cautionary tale. According to recent studies, over a quarter of companies experienced AIrelated security incidents in 2024. As the tech matures, so must our defenses.
“The more advanced AI becomes, the smarter our safeguards need to be,” said Lorenza Binkele, CEO of Secure AI. “We’re building authentication systems that can’t be faked with a deepfake.”
Smarter Security, Smarter Habits
Companies are turning to next generation “intelligent verification” systems. These tools use behavioral and biometric signals—like voice cadence, facial micro-expressions, and interaction patterns—to continuously verify identity.
The goal? Minimize friction for legitimate users while catching imposters in the act.
Startups like iProov are leading this charge, developing AI-powered liveness detection and movement analysis to thwart synthetic fraud.
Still, technology is only part of the solution. Education matters, too.
On Long Island, training programs are teaching employees how to spot AI-generated messages and verify suspicious requests. These sessions aim to empower, not intimidate—teaching people to work with AI to spot against AI.
Region in Motion: Adapting for the AI Era
Long Island may not be leading the AI charge—yet—but it’s moving. The region’s mix of suburban communities and commercial hubs creates fertile ground for smart, scalable adoption.
Local industry groups are beginning to explore AI’s security implications, and collaborations are forming to share best practices. Educational institutions like Hofstra and Stony Brook are integrating AI into cybersecurity and communications programs, laying groundwork for a more digitally fluent workforce.
The real momentum, however, is coming from early adopters— businesses and professionals who are testing, implementing, and educating others in real time. These efforts are shaping how the region approaches AI: not with hype, but with hands-on learning and a growing sense of urgency.
Keeping AI Human at Home
The AI shift isn’t just about business. It’s reshaping how families live and connect.
From voice assistants that help with homework to smart systems that manage chores and calendars, AI is being woven into daily life. But awareness remains key.
Experts recommend basic household habits—like verifying strange messages with a phone call or using a shared family passcode—to prevent misuse.
For kids and teens, age-appropriate education builds the digital literacy they’ll need to navigate a world full of synthetic content. These lessons focus on verification and critical thinking, not fear.
Looking Ahead: Opportunity with Eyes Open
AI will only get more realistic. Video calls, voice assistants, and virtual collaborations are set to become more natural, multilingual, and emotionally intelligent.
At the same time, detection systems are improving. New tools can flag AI-generated content with greater accuracy than human observers. Verification is becoming seamless, even invisible.
The challenge is not to avoid AI but to understand it deeply enough to use it responsibly. Businesses and families that embrace AI with clear boundaries and informed habits will be best positioned for success.
In the end, the voice on the line might be artificial but the relationship it supports can be very real. The future belongs to those who can tell the difference and build systems to make sure that difference matters.
‘Tis the
Local History
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Star Spangled Banner,
Oh, long may it wave, O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated, “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Flag Day was first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side of the American Civil War. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ) issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day. On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress. On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale. New York Consolidated Laws designate the second Sunday in June as Flag Day, a state holiday.
Working as a grade schoolteacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin, in 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand held the first recognized formal observance of Flag Day at the Stony Hill School. The school has been restored, and a bust of Cigrand also honors him at the National Flag Day Americanism Center in Waubeka.
Brave!’
about our flag and our American Legion as they complete the Celebration with dignity.
Our village AMVETS Post #48 has started a wonderful Field of Flags this year, and I see it as a complete success and our newest addition. Our own Gabrielle Brewer has led the project with a personal expression, one aspect making custom name tags for each veteran, and the Ladies Auxiliary have given the project a special meaning. The flags will surround their monuments from Memorial Day to Flag Day. You can never have enough red, white and blue in Lake Ronkonkoma!
Our Flag has held high esteem in many of our Veterans hearts. My younger daughter has a July birthday, and she would miss a classroom celebration, and a summer birthday party did not work for the schoolmates. Her grandfather, George Okvist (WWII), took the reins of her birthday celebration, which he “placed” on Flag Day. He prepared the party, red, white and blue, little flags and flag pencils. It was a double-header; she was able to have her birthday party and he would celebrate his favorite holiday - Flag Day.
There are a handful of local schools which still celebrate Flag Day, and we do see many individual homes with our flag proudly displayed. Celebrating Flag Day can always accommodate you and your family’s needscelebrations, barbeque, beach day, so many ways, but always remember our flag and its significance.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Federal law leaves it to the discretion of president to officially proclaim the observance. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 1, Section 110 is the official statute on Flag Day. It is the discretion of each individual state to declare a state holiday.
On June 14, 2025, the United States Army will Celebrate their 250th Anniversary (birthday). Military parades and events over the weekend of June 14-15 have been planned and will no doubt be spectacular at each one.
The U.S. Army is marking this 250th anniversary with a day packed full of historic events in Washington, D.C. The celebration includes an Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall, a Grand Military Parade along Constitution Avenue, and a spectacular fireworks display. The weekend kicks off on Friday with Army Day at the Washington Nationals game, and Saturday’s schedule features everything from a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to live music, military demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. Tickets are free but required for the parade and evening festivities.
The Army Birthday Festival will take place between 7th and 12th Streets NW and includes interactive exhibits, performances, and special appearances by soldiers and celebrities. The Grand Military Parade begins at 6:00p.m. and features over 6,000 troops, military vehicles, flyovers, and more. Metro and rideshare are strongly recommended due to limited parking. This non-political event celebrates the Army’s legacy under the theme “This We’ll Defend.” For tickets, maps, and updates, visit www.army. mil/1775 and follow #Army250.
Our American Legion, The William Merrit Hallock American Legion Post #155 has announced their Annual Flag Day Ceremony, which will be held at 115 Church Street, Lake Ronkonkoma at 4:00p.m. This Ceremony has been presented for many years in our village, and if possible, please stop down and learn
Lake Ronkonkoma holds a grand place in the history of the U.S. Army. The Grange Family has two Generals commending our village.
Legendary Ranger, Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. (pictured left), a decorated veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the revered namesake of the Army’s Best Ranger Competition is our highest-ranking Military personnel. A soldier’s soldier and an icon in the Ranger community, Grange was born in 1925, in Lake Ronkonkoma. His legacy and valiant leadership will withstand history. He was married to Lois Okvist Grange and had three children. Grange is among the few paratroopers in United States Army history to make three combat jumps—one during World War II (Southern France) and two in Korea (the Battle of Yongju and Operation Tomahawk).
Our second General, Grange’s son, retired Maj. Gen. David L. Grange (pictured left), served for thirty years and among positions he held in Delta Force, the U.S. Special Operations Command and the 101st Airborne Division. His career parallel’s his father, yet still unique.
The Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association Military Tribute Banners have captured an overwhelming number of the US Army Veterans and commend each and every one for their brave and selfless duty to our country. Their ranks and service place them as the heroes of the village.
The U.S. Army Center of Military History will commemorate the 250th Commemoration of the Revolutionary War through outreach events and other media to educate and inspire all members of American society by honoring the selfless acts of courage and heroism performed by soldiers in service to our nation. To learn more about this commemoration, visit the U.S. Army Center of Military History’s website: history.army.mil.
To learn more about the National Museum of the United States Army, go online to thenmusa.org
Both sites hold a magnitude of information and history that you will enjoy. Honor the Flag of our country, on Flag Day and everyday.
Understanding the Core of Estate Planning: Estates vs. Trusts
By Kimberly Mosscrop, Esq.
When it comes to planning for the future, especially for the people and causes we care about most, two legal tools often come into play: estates and trusts. While they are closely related, they serve different purposes and function in distinct ways. Understanding how each works is essential for creating an effective estate plan.
An estate is essentially everything a person owns at the time of their death—bank accounts, real estate, investments, personal belongings, and even outstanding debts. After someone passes away, their estate is typically settled through a legal process known as probate. This court-supervised procedure involves validating the individual’s Will, appointing a fiduciary to manage the estate, settling any debts or taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. If there is no Will in place, state laws determine who receives the assets.
Probate can be time-consuming and expensive, and because it’s a matter of public record, it offers little privacy. In some cases, these drawbacks may be minor. But for others—particularly those with complex family situations or valuable assets—the process can be burdensome.
A trust, on the other hand, is a legal arrangement in which one person or institution, known as the Trustee, holds and manages assets for the benefit of another, known as the beneficiary. Trusts can be created during a person’s lifetime or set up to take effect upon death. Unlike estates, trusts only control assets that have been specifically transferred into them. This means that simply creating a trust document is not enough; the assets must be properly titled in the name of the trust.
One of the primary advantages of a trust is that it generally avoids probate, allowing assets to be distributed more quickly and privately. Trusts can also offer more control and flexibility over how and when assets are distributed. This can be especially helpful in situations involving minor children, blended families, or beneficiaries with disabilities or financial challenges.
It’s important to note that estates and trusts are not mutually exclusive. Most comprehensive estate plans include both. For example, even if someone creates a trust to avoid probate, they may still have an estate to administer for any assets that were not properly transferred to the trust.
Choosing between a trust-based plan and a more traditional estate-focused approach depends on specific goals, assets, and family dynamics. Some individuals may find that a simple Will and the probate process are sufficient, while others may benefit from the additional privacy, control, and flexibility that a trust can offer.
In short, estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding the difference between estates and trusts—and how they can work together—is a key step in protecting your legacy and ensuring that your wishes are carried out effectively. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney can help you decide what tools make the most sense for your personal situation.
Kimberly Mosscrop, Esq. primarily practices in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning and Medicaid planning at Futterman Lanza, LLP. Kimberly Mosscrop assists families in preparing for any eventuality using asset protection, will preparation, revocable and irrevocable trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies and Living Wills. Futterman Lanza, LLP is an elder law and estate planning law firm with staffed offices in Smithtown, Bay Shore, Melville and Garden City, New York. Kim primarily works in the Smithtown office. The firm’s holistic approach anticipates and provides solutions in the ever-changing landscape. You can learn more about Kimberly Mosscrop and the firm by visiting www.trustedattorneys.com.
By Ashley Pavlakis
Sayville Girls Flag Football: Lightning Struck
Twice as They Claim Back-to-Back Titles
The Sayville Golden Flashes varsity girls flag football team hit the turf firing on all cylinders in their third season as a varsity-sanctioned sport. The Golden Flashes were not to be messed with as they maintained their status at the top of the league.
The Golden Flashes are a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in League II. The team finished the 2025 regular season with a 16-0-0 record, going undefeated en route to back-toback League, Suffolk County, and Long Island Championship titles
“It feels great that they were to accomplish that, but we were hoping for the state championship. This is a senior-driven year, and it was one of those years where the expectations were a little higher,” said Sands
The squad is led by third-year head coach Reade Sands. The longtime Sayville varsity football coach is joined by assistant coach Adam DeWitt. If it’s not broken don’t fix it, right? The staff helped lead the squad to another undefeated season, the only team other than Patchogue to win every game this season.
“We didn’t play great in the first half. It was like two plays; we really could have won the game. It wasn’t like they were out of reach; it was a 14-7 game. Realistically, we played great on defense other than two plays and we weren’t able to move the bowling offense, which gave us a problem. We just made a lot of mistakes, it happens. The girls could drop a couple of balls and a couple of balls got knocked down, but we really could have won, we were right there,” said Sands.
The Golden Flashes put on a dominant showing this season, outscoring their opponents 565-142. They shut out their opponent five teams this season as well. It’s safe to say the team is pretty good at what they do.
“I think the chemistry that has been built over the last couple of years has increased. Olivia’s a great quarterback and in every situation, in every football, whether it be flag football or regular football, is pass protection and being able to get rid of the ball,” said Sands. “But during the regular season, Trinity Ricevuto, Ava Vadyak, Olivia Moynihan, and then you add the freshman, Alexa Yacono and Aneila Marino are some of the best players in the county as well. We were able to move the balls at will.”
Football is football. Sands knows the game well, having coached boys’ football
Second Grader Wins Suffolk County ‘Be Pool Smart’ Poster Contest for LD-11
Legislator Steven J. Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), along with (L-R) Art teacher Megan Brady, Mom Kellie Petito, Principal Rhonda Pratt, and Assistant Superintendent Dawn Morrison recognized a second grader at Paul J. Bellew Elementary School in West Islip, Angelina Petito, the Suffolk County “Be Pool Smart” Poster Winner for the Eleventh Legislative District.
Angelina’s poster shows her understanding of the potential dangers faced by all swimmers here in Suffolk County. Her poster reinforces Suffolk County’s public education campaign to promote the importance of pool safety.
for twenty-one years. Implementing his knowledge and tactics to the girls’ side is something he does often.
“I used football coverages at times; you have to modify a few things, but it’s just technique and football is football. The blocking, obviously, is a little different. Moving your feet is the same way, you have to be able to get in front of somebody and do certain things,” said Sands. “So, it’s just athletic ability and we definitely use defensive coverages. Offensively with the route, we use the same exact routes, the same calls that I’ve used for football. If it was a football player that came out to practice for flag football, they’d know exactly what we were doing.”
Flag football is growing on Long Island. You can see it from the young children all the way up to the varsity level.
“I think we were able to do some PR and make it popular in the high school right from the get- go. When I first started, the year before we started it, I took a petition out to see how many girls were interested, and there were sixty girls who signed the petition. Out of those sixty, only twenty of them actually played. Then another thirty that didn’t sign the petition played. That just shows you that people are interested in it, and they were excited about it originally,” Sands told The Messenger
Suffolk Welcomes Summer with New Weekly Farmers’ Market
By Madison Warren
Last Thursday, on June 5, the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge kicked off summer with the launch of a brand-new farmer’s market. Each week, local vendors gather to showcase their homemade and homegrown products to a community eager to support small businesses and enjoy high-quality, locally sourced goods.
The market takes place every Thursday from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. in the building’s north parking lot. Visitors can browse a diverse selection of vendors, including Ahsak Skincare—an organic, holistic beauty
brand founded by Kasha Mann (pictured right). Ahsak offers handmade soaps, lip care, and skincare essentials crafted from natural ingredients. In addition to providing clean beauty solutions, the business gives back by donating a portion of its proceeds to support U.S. military veterans.
Another must-visit vendor is Sunflower Café, a beloved French-European bistro based in Bayport. This family-run eatery offers a tempting assortment of freshbaked pastries and gourmet treats to the market each week, giving visitors a delicious taste of their menu.
Other vendors regularly featured at the market include Anne’s Garden, Vincent Farms, Cornell University Nutrition, Elijah Farms, and Turturici and Sons, among others. Together, they create a vibrant and welcoming space that celebrates sustainability, small businesses, and community connection.
“Hosting a farmers’ market at the Dennison Building is a tremendous way to promote our local farms and artisans while providing our residents and county employees easy access to healthy foods and fresh produce this summer,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) in a statement. “The agricultural industry is pivotal to our local economy, and we will continue to explore ways to support our farmers and producers.”
According to the County, Suffolk County is home to more than 575 farms with nearly 35,000 acres of land used for agricultural purposes. Suffolk is also ranked number one in New York State in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, sod and aquiculture production.
This farmers’ market boosts local businesses and fosters a great community spirit. We hope to see you at the next one!
Butterfly Sand & Seashell Workshop Brings Coastal Creativity to Maritime Museum
By Raheem Soto
Looking for a unique and creative way to kick off the summer? The Butterfly Sand & Seashell Craft Workshop offers a rare chance to engage with Long Island’s natural beauty through art, guided by the renowned mixed media artist Anna Chan.
The event will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at 6:30p.m. at the Long Island Maritime Museum, located at 88 West Avenue in West Sayville. Participants will use sand, shells, and other natural materials to create butterfly-inspired artwork in a relaxed, step-by-step workshop format.
No experience is necessary, and all materials are included in the $35 registration fee, making it a great value for money. Attendees are welcome to bring their own light refreshments. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required by calling (631) 854-4974.
This program is part of a seasonal lineup presented by the Suffolk County Parks Department in partnership with the Maritime Museum. These events are designed to be both educational and accessible, with a focus on connecting residents to the local landscape through hands-on, affordable programming.
Anna Chan, a Long Island-based artist, began her current body of work in 2020, transitioning from jewelry design to large-scale nature-based art. Her mosaics—created using shells, sand, and sea glass— often depict marine life, birds, and butterflies. Many of her works are ephemeral installations crafted directly on the beach, while others have been
exhibited and sold in galleries.
Chan’s style emphasizes texture and natural composition, often turning simple materials into highly detailed representations of life found along the coast. Her work has been featured in regional and national media, gaining attention for its blend of environmental consciousness and visual artistry.
The upcoming workshop reflects Chan’s artistic focus and the county’s emphasis on regional engagement. Using materials collected from local shorelines, participants will actively create their pieces while learning about both technique and the natural elements involved, fostering a sense of active participation and learning.
Hosting the event at the Maritime Museum also provides visitors with an opportunity to explore one of Suffolk’s key historical institutions. The museum regularly offers programming that ties into Long Island’s rich maritime history, vibrant culture, and unique environmental heritage.
The Butterfly Sand & Seashell Craft event is one of several seasonal programs designed to draw residents into community spaces through accessible, creative experiences. Whether attending solo or with family, the workshop is designed to offer a relaxing and enriching evening centered on Long Island’s coastal charm.
For more information about this and future programs, residents can contact Suffolk County Parks or visit the Long Island Maritime Museum website.
