Page 3
Small Business Administrator Visits Suffolk
By Matt Meduri
A small business in the Hauppauge Industrial Park hosted Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) on Wednesday morning.
Allen Machine Products, founded in 1986, provides machining, sheet metal, welding, assembly, and other fabrication processes at their Hauppauge facility. They do this all with less than 60 employees, making them a small business in the eyes of the federal government.
Administrator Loeffler stopped in to tour the business and discuss the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) efforts to promote Suffolk commerce. In 2025, the SBA provided more than $460 million in loans to over 1,000 small Long Island businesses, according to Long Island Business News
Continued on page 5
FDNY Captain Remembered with Street Dedication
Islip Town honored 38-year Fire Department of the City of New York Captain Steven Berube with a street dedication in Holtsville. A committed member of the fire service community, Steven served at the highest levels of distinction as a lieutenant, then as a founding member of Ladder 133, followed by captain of Ladder 111, and finally as commanding officer of the same company in 2006, a position he held until his retirement in 2023, becoming Ladder 111’s longest-serving company commander.
“Captain Steven Berube exemplified what it means to serve with honor and compassion. It is our privilege to dedicate this street in his memory and ensure that his name is remembered and his impact continues to be felt,” said Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip).
Steven’s drive and passion to help others continues to inspire. His work with the FDNY, the Southwest Incident Management Team, and the New Zealand Fire Department deeply impacted those he served alongside just as much as the communities he helped. Following his passing from a 9/11-related illness, his friends and family proudly honored his extraordinary legacy by dedicating the corner of Spiral Road and Skylark Drive in his name.
Officials unveil the Captain Steven Berube street sign on the corner of Skylark and Spiral in Holtsville (Credit - Town of Islip)
Administrator Kelly Loeffler (right) meets with leadership of Allen Machine Products in Hauppauge. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
SUMMER EVENTS
Sayville Farmers Market at the Islip Grange Every Saturday until November, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Port Jefferson Summer Farmers Market Every Sunday until November, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Summer Community Dinner at Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington
June 26, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Opa Fest at St. John’s Blue Point Greek Festival
June 26-28, times vary
Arts & Handmade Outdoor Market at Wit & Whim
Huntington
June 27, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Pickleball and Pour at Harbor Pickleball
June 27, 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Lavender Festival at Hoshyla Farms
June 27-28, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Smithtown Historical Society Freedom Walk
June 28, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Port Jefferson Village Day Block Party
July 5, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Summer Craft Fair at Smithtown Village Historical Society
July 11, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Brotherhood for the Fallen 1/2 Mile Fun Run, 5K & 10K at Suffolk County Police Department – 4th Precinct July 11, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Kings Park Rocks at Kings Park Main Street, Kings Park July 13, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
(631) 269-6421
Conveniently
BAY SHORE
AMVETS Post • Boulton Center • Leggio’s Deli
Peter Pan Diner
EAST ISLIP
American Legion Post • Harry’s Bagel
Mister Softee Ice Cream • Pat’s Market
ISLIP
American Legion Post Bagels & More • Oconee Diner
OAKDALE
The New Idle Hour Deli
50% Cards Store (Wendy’s Shopping Center)
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria – (719 Hawkins Ave) Airport Diner • AMVETS Post 48 • B&B Bagels
B.L.D.’s Restaurant • American Legion Post Ronkonkoma Train Station
SAYVILLE
Sayville American Legion Post • Stop & Shop
WEST ISLIP
Best Farms Market
Higbie Bagels • West Islip Bagels West Islip Community Center
WEST SAYVILLE
LI Maritime Museum
CENTRAL ISLIP:
Family Bingo - July 11, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
ISLIP:
4th of July Jewelry - July 2, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
EAST ISLIP:
More than Mother Goose - July 11, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
WEST ISLIP:
Author Talk: Forays in France - June 25, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
CONNETQUOT:
Photo Mugs - July 16, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
SAYVILLE:
Playdough Palooza - June 29, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
BAYPORT:
All-American Crustless Apple Crumb Pie - June 29, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
BRENTWOOD:
Beach Babies Storytime - July 2, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
East Hampton Enacts Sanctuary Laws, LaLota Responds
By Matt Meduri
The Town of East Hampton and the Village of East Hampton have both enacted local laws to prevent municipal police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. They’re the first municipalities in Suffolk to do so.
The Public Safety and Accountability Law passed the East Hampton Town Board unanimously. It also requires local police to track activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the area and report it to local officials.
This coincides with an eleventh-hour package of bills signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) that prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That section is what permits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deputize state and local law partners to enforce federal immigration law.
policies could result in a loss of Community Project Funding (CPF) for FY2028.
“I am committed to stopping the spread of these dangerous sanctuary policies further into Suffolk by encouraging jurisdictions to choose additional federal resources and stronger public safety partnerships rather than following the Mamdani-Hochul agenda,” wrote LaLota in his letter after the adoption of the laws. “Local leaders are free to embrace Mamdani and Hochul’s sanctuary agenda in pursuit of support from the Far Left, but they should also be prepared to forgo federal funding opportunities that should be reserved for communities committed to public safety, the rule of law, and cooperation with federal partners.”
commitment to public safety and the rule of law.”
It’s also a rare strike of unity between East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee BurkeGonzalez (D-Springs) (pictured left) and East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen (D) (pictured below right). The two have been pitted against one another in a heated match, primarily over affordable housing growth in the county’s easternmost town. BurkeGonzalez decisively won the Democratic Primary over Larsen on Tuesday night, capturing over 62% of the town-wide vote.
local cooperation on immigration enforcement is what’s allowed Long Island to avoid the “kind of tragedy we recently saw in Minnesota.” He also posited that “every Far Left immigration policy choice”such as repealing “Remain in Mexico,” loosened asylum requirements, and taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants - have “come at the expense of taxpayers and public safety.”
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) (pictured above) has warned East Hampton that the adoption of such
LaLota added that his priorities are “supporting local governments that demonstrate responsible governance, cooperation with federal agencies, and a
LaLota said the recent developments in East Hampton have “more to do with the fact that their leaders are competing against one another in a Democratic primary and are more focused on proving who can be more ‘Mamdani’ than the other.”
Furthermore, LaLota said that federal-
LaLota’s office says that the two-term Congressman has secured more than $41.2 million in CPF dollars for “local priorities” across Suffolk, including clear water, infrastructure, and public safety projects “regardless of the political affiliation of local officials.” About $43 million in additional requests are currently pending for FY2027 consideration.
LaLota’s letter was sent to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), the supervisors of the eight towns within NY-01, and the mayors of the 23 incorporated villages that are within his district.
The Moloney Family
Continued from front cover
Small Business Administrator Visits Suffolk
Loeffler (pictured right) said that her conversations with Allen Machine leaders consisted of expansions due to hiring and growth, the power of tax cuts for “reinvesting in the growth of business that has been around for decades,” and reshoring manufacturing after decades of anti-business policies sent the lion’s share of American manufacturing overseas.
“Thanks to ‘America First’ and reindustrialization of this country, we’ll be around for many decades more,” said Loeffler. “I like to walk factory floors with these great business leaders and entrepreneurs because I can hear firsthand what policies are working for them, how they’re shaping their business opportunities, but also to meet the workers and hear firsthand from the workers how things like ‘no taxes on overtime’ really matter to these families.”
$10 million in capital.
Loeffler added that 29 million “hardest-working” Americans have benefitted from the “no tax on overtime” policy, and 7.5 million Americans from the “no tax on tips” policy. She said that the tax cuts, which saw “every congressional Democrat” vow to vote against it, have saved Americans $82 billion. She also hailed the policies of doubling the standard deduction and doubling the child tax credit permanently. Compared to the Biden Administration, Loeffler said that about $5 trillion of “incremental regulation” was ushering in, “costing small business owners about 355 man hours of regulatory compliance annually.”
“These are the policies that are working on Main Street today,” said Loeffler. “We’re seeing firsthand how that’s growing local communities and driving hiring and opportunity for so many people.”
Loeffler discussed that the 7(a) and 504 loan programs offered by the SBA, the “core” loan programs since 2013, previously had a $5 million cap. Loeffler said the move to increase the cap to $10 million passed on a bipartisan basis in the House and is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate.
In the meantime, Loeffler said the SBA has passed a rule that would allow manufacturers to combine a 504 loan and a 7(a) loan on a “project basis” to access
The SBA also received some criticism for making green card-holders ineligible for SBA loans. Congress is petitioning to change the regulation so that if a majority of an applying company is owned by nongreen card-holders, they could access SBA financing.
“The rule [as is] is working well right now because the SBA has a limited capacity for small business loans,” said Loeffler. “There are 36 million small businesses in America. Last year, we gave out loans totaling $45 billion, a record number, but it was to 85,000 small businesses. Our focus is serving as many American business owners as we can, and it certainly doesn’t preclude bank lending to legal permanent residents, but we have to prioritize American citizens first in these programs.”
Loeffler added that the SBA has no intrinsic anathema for non-citizens, but that $45 billion in a $1 trillion market makes federal funding “quite limited.” She said that if green card-holders do become American citizens, they will have the same access to those loans.
The SBA also prides itself on mentorship programs, namely in facilitating advice and assistance for small businesses from industry professionals. Part of that is the administration’s Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), of which there are 31across the nation. Loeffler said that helping Veteran-owned businesses is an area of “passion” for her, as her father went into
the military and came out with skills to drive a fuel-hauling truck, which he then parlayed into a small trucking company as part of the family Georgia farm.
“Getting them [Veterans] onto the on ramp, into free enterprise, and to using their skills and gifts as entrepreneurs is one of the best things I think that this agency can do,” said Loeffler, adding that the SBA collaborates with the Department of Defense (War) in that regard. “That might be a whole new world for anyone, whether you’re a veteran or not. Navigating the federal government can be challenging.”
Suffolk County is home to the largest Veterans population in New York, second in the nation behind San Diego. While there is no VBOC in Suffolk, Loeffler told The Messenger that she would be interested to look into it.
“About 10% of our lending overall goes to Veterans. They understand risk-reward; they have the skills to apply to this,” Loeffler told The Messenger “We’re very interested in strengthening our services to Veterans. What we found when we came in from the last administration was that there were 2,000 applications for Veterans to enter federal contracting that had never been acted on.”
Loeffler added that her first memorandum of understanding (MoU) when she joined the administration was with Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins (R-GA) was to “make sure Veterans are not left behind” and to lend finances and counseling to them. She also mentioned one of her bills that she passed when she was in the Senate was to improve the contracting situation between the SBA and the VA.
For reshoring industry, Loeffler says that President Trump’s fair trade agenda is reversing “fifty years of the hollowing out of the manufacturing base” in the U.S.”
“We lost 90,000 factories, 5 million jobs because we said, ‘Maybe China can make it cheaper.’ What did that do? It left us without the know-how, the employees, and the skills base that we so badly need and deserve, not just for national security, but for economic security. She added that this area of interest involves talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R-NY) and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (R-MD).
“These [small businesses],” said Loeffler of Allen Machine, “are truly the engine of the reindustrialization of America, and that would have never happened without President Trump, his fair trade agenda, and ensuring that these businesses have a shot again.”
Eric Lazarus, Managing Director for Allen Machine Products, said that the SBA has been a “tremendous partner.”
“They’ve helped us out through thick and thin and we’re here because of them,” said Lazarus. “I don’t know that we would necessarily be in business without the programs that have assisted us. ‘No tax on overtime’ has really motivated people who might not take advantage of working overtime because the government is taking a big chunk of that money.”
Lazarus lamented how Long Island was once considered the “cradle of aviation,” especially as the Island built parts for the Hubble Space Telescope at the Grumman Aerospace Corporation’s facility in Bethpage.
Lazarus was joined by other Allen Machine leaders and Robert Harrison, a State-certified Senior Business Advisor with the Long Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Stony Brook University.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Two Weeks to 250, Two Seconds from Implosion
In two weeks, the United States of America will have survived a quartermillenium of existence.
To say the least, America needs some time to find herself.
The current hellscape we call a political environment needs no further introduction. The real question is, how did we get here?
Self-reflection is one of the most valuable skills one can learn, and it’s not out of hate, but love - love for one’s country and countrymen and an intellectually honest look at just how we ended up here.
We can certainly analyze every year of American politics, but for the sake of brevity, here’s our take on what went wrong.
Humble Beginnings - A Fledgling Nation
Everyone, even those who hate the U.S., know its origin story: a land of rugged individualism bound by community values and only for those looking for the utmost form of self-determination. A nation so apparently rebellious to the rest of the world that the rest of the world made it their priority to touch this soil.
But it was more than just personal liberties and the ability to make money. Those reasons are partly why they called it the “American Dream,” but there’s another reason, one that coterminously feeds into the idea of the “American Experiment.”
America quickly became a land where the rest of the archaic world’s principles didn’t exist, at least not entirely. The United States became a land where people could set aside their ancient, tribal differences, their bitter conflicts, and their burdens behind, which is uniquely enough to give new neighbors plenty in common. The Armenian and the Turk would be able to own shops across the streets. It didn’t always work out that way, obviously, but we’ll also point to periods of strong unity, especially before the modern political era, and the fact that the ultimate small talk of politics is, “we agree on so much more than on which we disagree.”
But as far as the nation’s prerogative across the globe, we think John Quincy Adams’ words should have been heeded: “America goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.”
Too Good for Too Long
In plain English, Americans got spoiled.
We had the best jobs, the respected global hegemony, and the freedoms to express ourselves however we want. With virtually all of our problems solved, many certainly went abroad in search of others to fix - the Middle East is a good example - while others decided to work inward - the Sexual Revolution, legalized hard drugs, etc.
Now, with politics becoming like fantasy-league sports, at best, the country has been more akin to a circus than a state. Just like any circus, in the U.S. today, the food sucks, everything is absurdly expensive, and everyone’s laughing at us.
We’ve become so high on our own supply that we not only stopped watching the government and caring about everything they do, but we stopped worrying about our neighbors in the true sense, in that “it takes a village.”
When basic staples like home ownership and children, two commodities tantamount to any civilization’s future success, become luxury goods, it makes sense that everyone is now out for themselves. But with working two full-time jobs plus a side gig to just barely make ends meet, it also makes sense why so many are uninformed of what the government does - they simply don’t have the time or bandwidth to keep up - and those who do keep up are so jaded because they keep electing one side expecting their lives to improve.
Moreover, with the floodgates of immigration more or less removed, even in the legal sense such as the H1B program, for instance, we’ve backed ourselves into a corner. We can’t wean ourselves off these destructive programs at the risk of major systemic overcorrections, but to continue down this path is just delaying the inevitable implosion of the republic itself.
Not an ATM
In short, the U.S. has become like that one friend we all know, the one who has all the dough, and everyone gradually starts to only see for his/her checkbook and not much else. It can be a great asset, but at what ultimate cost?
It’s not just money, however. Unfettered immigration has duped the American people into thinking that by simply swearing allegiance to a flag or being born on magic soil means that everyone here is “just as American” as anyone else. We don’t doubt many immigrants truly love this country and want to contribute to our culture, but culture and its preservation are first and foremost in continuing
the great land that serves as a beacon to the rest of the world. You can’t take on more sailors when you can’t bail water faster than it’s rushing in.
But we’ve also set ourselves up to be misread. Yes, America is a place where freedom rings and dreams can be realized, but at what ultimate cost? It’s no secret that many immigrants work in America and send the money overseas. Some don’t participate in community events or municipal meetings, and others choose not to adopt American culture. What’s resulted is a country only revered for its benefits. It’s not just rank-and-file immigrants, but it’s also the foreign lobbies. We’re not seen as purveyors of righteousness or morality, rather how much taxpayer money we can cough up to make ourselves feel like the sole arbiters of every moral compunction.
Additionally, too many Americans also view their country as an ATM. Just as the rest of the world is addicted to the almighty American dollar, but not the culture or the people, the American public continues to pine for the government to solve their every problem. That’s what got us in this mess in the first place. Instead of playing the occasional referee, the federal government decided they know best and the American people have gradually been enticed by a vast array of social programs that are patently unsustainable.
And with one program after another that’s devalued the dollar and pushed Americans into eternal workhorse mode, it’s no secret why they don’t get involved in community events, attend municipal meetings, or not partake in classic American culture. It certainly wasn’t their intention, but unintended consequences are still consequences.
We prop up other countries’ generous social programs mostly through funding their defense bills, only for Americans to point at those countries in envy. If only the federal government hadn’t gotten so involved in the first place, maybe more Americans wouldn’t be entering the workforce with a negative net worth in pursuit of a college degree that is gradually becoming more and more worthless, for instance.
But in pursuit of material goods only and no true allegiance to the homeland its heritage - which our school children and college kids are now actively taught to hate while the rest of the world excels in math and science - the U.S. lost another solid perspective: leaving your baggage behind and uniting under one flag and one creed. Now, because of unrestrained immigration, a host of foreign nations who rely on our tax dollars for military spending, and an increasingly online populace, we’ve become heavily balkanized - not just ethnically, but politically as well.
Where Do We Go From Here?
A good start would be to lay down some objective truths: America is a country with a culture, a people, a language, and a religion to which the majority of Americans subscribe. Like it or hate it, those are the ground rules. We are not the savior of the world, nor are we obligated to take in the entire world simply because we’re a “nation of immigrants.”
We’ve had 250 years to figure out our identity. Most should remain, we think, but others might need some tweaking. We have a robust populace, rich history - for better or for worse - and the same challenges the rest of the world is facing. To uphold every archaic principle at scale is naive, but to renege on them point-blank would be disingenuous. A healthy balance is needed, but moreso, people in the government with the audacity to enforce them.
Our advice: turn off cable news. You’re much better off. Independent media is growing in clout for a reason, which gives cable news no other alternative than to dig their heels, appeal to their narrowing bases, and cash the last checks before that mini-system implodes.
Politicians might be people too, but we think far too many of them at the federal level are addicted to power, money, and bloodshed. Just as the average American’s world revolves around his/her family, job, and religion, so does the average American politician’s world revolve around such corrupting forces. Moreover, legislation and Supreme Court decisions - namely Citizens Unitedhave only encouraged them to abrogate their core duties. Political grandstanding in search of social media clicks and pandering to a hot-button issue audience for cheap “virtue signaling” points is just their way of trying to appeal to the common man without any tangible results or beads of sweat running down their foreheads.
The Founding Fathers sat in a stuffy hall dressed to the nines to debate the rules for their “great experiment.” Today, our representatives can’t even spend a few years in office without growing their investment portfolios and selling out their constituents to the powerful special interests that invariably make the common man’s life worse.
It’s ultimately anyone’s guess as to how it all improves from here. It’s something we’ll dig into for our special 250th edition on July 2. Stay tuned and stay hopeful.
Kudos to LaLota for Opposing East End Sanctuary Cities
By Steve Levy | Long Island Life & Politics
We are sick and tired of so many elected officials lashing out against the horrible idea of sanctuary cities and, yet, doing absolutely nothing about it.
Well, now with Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), we finally have a representative who is being bold enough to say: enough!
The Congressman is telling the Democratic officials on the east end of Long Island, who are ordering their law enforcement agencies to refrain from cooperating with federal law enforcement, that the jig is up.
These terrible East End sanctuary policies, says LaLota, are going to come to an end, or else he is going to stop providing his discretionary earmark funds to these lawless jurisdictions. Good for him.
These Democratic officials are out of their minds in allowing criminal aliens to wander our streets. That’s exactly what they’re doing when they order their workers not to cooperate with federal authorities who want to remove the criminals who threaten our residents.
Early this month, a young girl walking home from school in Huntington was sexually assaulted by an illegal alien. This tragedy, like every crime committed by an illegal alien, is preventable if the people we elect to protect us would simply work together to get these dangerous people off our streets.
But so many of these Democratic officials have joined hands with the radical not-for-profit groups, such as OLA on the East End, that preach open borders.
The radical left wants as many people as possible here illegally to stay indefinitely so they can maximize aid to their jurisdictions and their not-for-profit groups. They want these individuals counted in the U.S. Census to boost the number of Democratic seats, and, of course, they want to legalize these undocumented individuals and have them voting in future elections.
Carriage Rides Must End
Dear Editor,
Carriage rides in Central Park are animal cruelty, pure and simple. After the tragic death of an 18-yearold tourist, I understand the New York City Council is re-examining baring them. This is a promise to animal rights groups that past mayors have made and not kept. PETA pressured Mayor deBlasio. He backed out and let the poor horses down. Next was Mayor Adams who did not want to take up the cause for animals. He will not be remembered for anything beyond being a one termer.
It is my hope that new Mayor Mamdani believes New York work horses should have a good quality of life too. Socialism touts equality of man, does it not? Well, what about beasts, beasts of burden to be exact?
With the strides of technology, we now have driverless vehicles. In the same vein, a future could have robot horses pulling carriages instead of fleshand-blood ones for the tourists.
Socialism: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property. The poor horses should be free from being owned and used for entertainment. Free the carriage horses, Mayor Mamdani!
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie Hanja Lake Grove
Meanwhile, our emergency rooms are filled to the brim. Our teachers are diverted into dealing with the flood of children who must receive special services. Taxpayers are burdened by providing free healthcare, shelter, and food assistance to those here illegally. And the massive influx of newcomers has put additional strain on the competitive housing market, raising rents to record levels.
And of course, we cannot ignore the fact that so many crimes that are committed would never happen if our leaders simply coordinated with each other to take the criminal illegal aliens off our streets.
East End Democratic leaders have refused to cooperate with federal officials to rid our communities of these violent offenders. So why should any congressman reward them with their discretionary earmarks?
Bravo to Nick LaLota for taking a brave stand. We hope that his colleagues do the same.
The fact that sanctuary states and cities could’ve existed this long is a disgrace to our nation.
It’s amazing that a court has not, at this point, ruled these actions are an unconstitutional violation of the Supremacy Clause. A very good case could also be made that these elected officials promoting sanctuary cities are violating federal law by harboring illegal aliens and aiding and abetting their willful violation of our laws.
It’s not going to be easy to right the ship that was driven into an iceberg by the Biden administration via his open border policies. But LaLota’s actions are the first concrete move we’ve seen by a congressman to actually do something about it.
This op-ed originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Letters to the Editor
Increased Funding for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank Congressman Nick LaLota for cosponsoring the ASAP (Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act) and ADDAPT (Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training) Acts. ASAP will create a pathway for Medicare coverage of blood-based Alzheimer’s screening tests and ADDAPT will improve primary care physicians’ ability to correctly diagnose and treat the disease.
Now, the constituents are asking for a sustained federal investment in dementia infrastructure, which will accelerate innovation, leading to new and better treatments and means of prevention. By supporting an additional $187.210 million in FY27 for Alzheimer’s and dementia research activities at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and $41.5 million for implementation of the BOLD infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Congress can ensure that progress continues toward treating Alzheimer’s and ultimately a cure.
There are over 7 million Americans in the United States that are afflicted with Alzheimer’s and dementia. They and their caregivers are asking for increased funding, which can eventually end Alzheimer’s and other debilitating dementia disorders.
Sincerely,
Ira Kleiner Middle Island
Democracy Has Responsibilities
Dear Editor,
Bill Clinton, and others, have said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport”. Citizens have to participate in the process to restore their power and make Congress act on behalf of the people.
When people don’t communicate their preferences to Congress, a void is created and quickly filled by lobbyists, corporations, and special interests. They then control the narrative. Repetitive contact from the people will cause Congress to think that their constituents represent job security.
The lack of citizen participation in the democratic process is what enabled the dysfunction in Washington. We have the power, but we haven’t used it.
Sending a postcard or leaving a phone message is easy, quick, and safe. But once is not enough. If you feel strongly about something, be a nag so that they know you’re serious. Get informed and then stay informed. Watch podcasts on YouTube; listen to NPR. If you prefer phone calls, call 202-224-3121 and you’ll be connected to your representative’s staff. If you go to 5calls.com, you will see a sample dialogue to use for each topic. One vital issue is eliminating super PACs. The money in politics equals corruption. This must happen before anything else.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gueli Laurel
By Matt Meduri
On The Campaign Trail
Gallant Wins NY-01 Primary, Will Face LaLota in November
New York held its primaries on Tuesday, with the majority of the attention set on the U.S. House.
NY-01
This was the only engaged primary that affects most of Suffolk. NY-01 covers the entire towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton, Southold, most of Huntington, and the northern half of Brookhaven.
New York Army National Guard Veteran and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controller Chris Gallant (D-Amity Harbor) (pictured right top photo) soundly defeated Lukas Ventouras (D-Northport), a first-generation American and NYU history major. Gallant advanced with 63% of the vote to Ventouras’ 37%. Gallant’s win captivated most of the county within the district, while Ventouras had few bases of support: Ronkonkoma, Lake Grove, Setauket, Stony Brook, Port Jefferson Station, and a few parcels of western Huntington and southern Smithtown. Gallant trounced Ventouras on the East End.
Gallant has secured several high-profile endorsements, including Pete Buttigieg (D-MI), the former Secretary of Transportation and 2020 presidential candidate, Congressman Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner), Suffolk County Legislator and Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), Suffolk Legislators Greg Doroski (D-Mattituck), Ann Welker (D-North Sea), Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park). 2024 nominee John Avlon (D-Gramercy Park) also endorsed Gallant, as did former Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor).
LaLota (pictured right) is running for a third term and was unopposed on Tuesday night for the Republican nomination. He defeated Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Noyac) for the open seat in 2022 and defeated Avlon in 2024, both by similar margins.
According to the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) latest reports, LaLota sits atop a $3 million war chest. Gallant raked in about $500,000 this cycle, but has about $81,000 cash on hand. Ventouras brought in just over $120,000 and ends the campaign with $21,000 in the bank.
NY-02
This district takes in all of Babylon and Islip towns, as well as the southern half of Brookhaven, and a small portion of Oyster Bay. Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) has represented the district since 2021, succeeding the legendary Pete King (R-Seaford) in a narrow race in 2020. Garbarino has since been elected in landslides, defeating Jackie Gordon (D-Copiague) in 2022 and Rob Lubin (D-Lindenhurst) in 2024.
Democrats scored an interesting recruit for this, former Suffolk County Executive Pat Halpin (D-Oak Beach), who left elected office in 1991 after one term as the fifth County Executive of Suffolk. He previously served as Chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA).
A primary was avoided here between Halpin and Garett Petersen (D-East Islip), Chair of the Islip Democratic Committee, who suspended his campaign in April after his petition signatures were challenged.
Garbarino starts the race with $2.8 million in the bank, according to the FEC. Halpin brought in almost $430,000 this cycle but currently has $82,000 on hand.
NY-03 and NY-04
A slice of northwestern Huntington is represented by NY03, with the rest belonging to northern Nassau and parts of Queens. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) won a February 2023 special election after the expulsion of George Santos (R-Queens), where he narrowly defeated Nassau
County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Manhasset). Suozzi has a closer-than-expected race over former one-term Assemblyman Mike LiPetri (R-Farmingdale) (pictured left second photo) in 2024, despite President Trump carrying the district that night.
Suozzi has been playing a careful balancing act, earning ire from his voters on his more moderate positions on immigration, while also being a Democrat in a red-trending seat. Suozzi defeated Danielle Welch (D) with 80% of the vote, while LiPetri easily defeated Air Force Veteran and lawyer Gregory Hach (R-Hicksville) with 82% of the vote to set up a highstakes rematch.
Suozzi has a massive $5.5 million war chest, compared to LiPetri’s $730,000 cash-on-hand.
For NY-04, which covers the southern half of Nassau, Republicans are keen on flipping one of the nation’s prime swing districts that flipped red in 2022 and flipped back to blue in 2024.
Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) was unopposed for the primary on Tuesday night, while the GOP nod went to Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll (R-Bellerose). The late scramble for a candidate was due to the possibility of former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) opting to run for the seat he narrowly lost in 2024. In January, D’Esposito took a job in the Trump Administration as Inspector General for the Department of Labor.
Both seats are expected to be competitive as the GOP hopes to grow their already-tenuous House majority. In 2022, the GOP captured all four Long Island seats for the first time since the 1990s.
Statewide Races
Both parties were headed towards primaries for governor. On the Republican side, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) had substantial leads over the late-entering Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) (pictured left) after she had spent much of 2025 posturing for a statewide run. She suspended her campaign mere weeks after formally launching it in November, leaving Blakeman the sole heir to the Republican nod for governor.
On the Democratic side, Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) (pictured left), who narrowly avoided an historic upset in 2022, saw her hand-picked Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado (D-Rhinebeck) mount a challenge against her. Delgado suspended his campaign in February after failing to get the Democratic nomination at the convention and without a credible path forward.
Attorney General Letitia James (D-Clinton Hill) was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, as was newcomer Saritha Komatireddy (R). James was first elected in 2018.
The only statewide race that drew a primary was for that of Comptroller, where Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza) (pictured left bottom photo), New York’s longest-serving statewide elected official, saw two candidates attempt to knock him off, owing the state’s financial hardships to a lack of fiscal stewardship on DiNapoli’s part. DiNapoli swept every county in the state. He won Suffolk with 76% of the vote to Drew Warshaw’s (D) 14% and Raj Goyle’s (D) 10%. DiNapoli’s margins slipped in the more progressive enclaves of Brooklyn, Queens, and Ithaca.
This Week Today
Thursday, June 25, 2026
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate adopted the House-approved War Powers Resolution that would either make President Donald Trump (RFL) cease the war in Iran or seek congressional approval to do so.
In a 50-48 vote, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined all Democrats, except for Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), in voting to end the war.
The House measure that passed earlier this month saw Congressmen Thomas Massie (R-KY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tom Barrett (R-MI), and Warren Davidson (R-OH) join all Democrats in reining in the war. This was the fourth attempt at such a vote in the House and the only one that made it to the Senate.
Since it’s a concurrent resolution, the measure does not need President Trump’s signature.
The Tuesday vote marked the tenth time Senate Democrats have forced the War powers vote since February. Other votes have failed due to absences on both sides of the aisle, a product of two narrowly-divided chambers of Congress.
This coincides with the lack of clarity between the U.S. and Iran on measures of the deal outlined last week. Trump has said that Iran has agreed to the “highest level” of nuclear inspections, while Iranian officials claim there were no such talks.
Meanwhile, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz yet again on June 20, following what they cite as ceasefire violations by Israeli strikes into Lebanon. On Tuesday, the Strait was somewhat reopened, but remains mined and subject to tolls.
Tuesday night’s primaries saw Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) easily win renomination for a second term, which parlays into talks he could be a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential field. He will face 2022 nominee Dan Cox (R-MD), who lost to Moore in a landslide.
In Maryland’s only competitive congressional district, a high-profile and expensive primary culminated in a win for Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D, MD-06), the wife of this seat’s former representative, John Delaney (D). She narrowly defeated former Congressman David Trone (D) in a bitter primary to retake this seat. He forewent re-election in 2024 to unsuccessfully
run for Maryland’s Senate seat that year.
In Utah, a court-ordered redraw of the state’s gerrymandered map will most likely see Democrats pick up one seat from the Beehive State. UT-01 has been densely drawn around Salt Lake City and former Congressman Ben McAdams (D-UT) easily won his primary. McAdams ousted then-Congresswoman Mia Love (R) in a late-breaking race that was seen as one of the major upsets of the 2018 blue wave. In 2020, he was narrowly defeated by Burgess Owens (R), who is retiring this cycle.
The redraw made this seat go from a Trump +20 seat to a Harris +23 seat, meaning McAdams is almost certain to return to the House in 2027.
State
In addition to the local primaries, New York City races were more of a proxy war between the old guard of the Democratic Party and the progressive newcomers etched in the image of New York City Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria).
The most high-profile battle of the night was between former New York City Comptroller and 2025 candidate for mayor Brad Lander (D-Park Slope) and Congressman Dan Goldman (D-Tribeca). The race for NY-10, which includes Lower Manhattan and parts of western Brooklyn, became emblematic of U.S. discourse among the Israel-Palestine debate.
Lander defeated Goldman handily in the Tuesday primary, ousting the two-term Goldman who had received almost $400,000 in direct and earmarked contributions from the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee.
Lander, a former thirty-year member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), left the organization after the October 7 attacks in Gaza. He did not seek their endorsement for this campaign, but Lander’s win is seen as a win for Mamdani, with whom Lander had campaigned as an ally in the ranked-choice mayoral primary last summer.
Lander defeated Goldman with 66% of the vote, making Goldman the fourth House member this cycle to lose a primary. This was a Harris +60 seat in 2024; she won with 80% of the vote.
But Goldman wasn’t the only New York Democrat to lose to a Mamdani-backed figure. In NY-13, community organizer and
CUNY sociology doctoral student Darializa Avila Chevalier (D-) narrowly defeated Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-Inwood), who has held the seat since 2017. The Florida-born Chevalier moved to New York in 2012 to study at Columbia College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern studies. The DSA-aligned public defender also has a focus on race-related police brutality and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In 2024, this Upper Manhattan-Southern Bronx district was a Harris +59 seat.
In NY-07, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-Red Hook) is retiring after having served since 1993. Assemblywoman Claire Valdez (D-Ridgewood) won the Democratic primary to succeed her. The Texas-born Democratic Socialist took up residence in the Big Apple in 2015 and was elected to the Assembly in 2024. Before her election, she served as the New Member Coordinator for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) New York City chapter, where she helped DSA-aligned candidates win their races, including Senator Julia Salazar (D-Bushwick).
NY-07 contains Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, East New York, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg. In 2024, it was a Harris +46 district, meaning Valdez is all but certain to be the next representative for this seat.
Local
The Suffolk County Legislature honored women Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in observance of Women Veterans Recognition Day. The day is celebrated every year on June 12 to remember the 1948 signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed women the permanent right to serve in the Armed Forces.
“It is a special privilege to honor Suffolk’s women veterans for their service in the military and in our communities,” said Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) in a statement. “Throughout America’s history, women have served in wars and conflicts. Today, women serve in all military specialties, including combat.
Despite their longstanding and storied service, many women Veterans struggle to be recognized, respected and valued as Veterans in civilian life. After all they have done and continue to do, women veterans certainly deserve our support and respect.”
Piccirillo honored Jane York, a Navy Veteran who served on active duty from 2012 to 2017 as a Master-at-Arms, with continued service in the Selected Reserve. She was stationed at the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion in Bangor, Washington. She played a “critical role in safeguarding nuclear assets, and later in a supervisory position leading over 30 sailors and Marines in high-pressure environments,” according to Piccirillo.
“Following her military service, Jane continued her dedication to others through a career in social work and higher education, currently as Assistant Director of Military & Veteran Student Services at Stony Brook University, she leads initiatives that support the academic success, well-being, and sense of belonging of student veterans. Jane’s career reflects a sustained commitment to service, mentorship, and leadership.”
Honorees in The Messenger’s Coverage Area
District 3: Ashley Y. Espin, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air National Guard, Center Moriches
District 4: Phyllis Boccio, Aviation Machinist Mate, 3rd Class, Navy, of Selden
District 5: Naomi Sawyer, Specialist, 4th Class, Army, of Stony Brook
District 6: Bethany K. Green, Lt. Colonel, Army, of Wading River
District 8: Jane York, Master-at-Arms, Army, of Sayville
District 9: Jody-Kay Townsend, Automated Logistical Specialist, Army, of Brentwood
District 10: Julissa Fonseca, Corporal, Marine Corps, of Central Islip
District 11: Donna Zephrine, LightVehicle Mechanic, Army, of Bay Shore
District 12: Christine Rosenvinge, Cryptology Officer, Navy, of Hauppauge
District 13: Kelli Porti, Specialist, Army, of St. James
The Suffolk County Legislature honored women Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in observance of Women Veterans Recognition Day.
Pal-O-Mine Hosts Successful ‘Mane Event’
By Matt Meduri
To celebrate the “Year of the Horse,” Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, of Islandia, made the appropriate move in hosting their “Mane Event” last Friday, June 19.
The 13-acre campus just off Old Nicolls Road hosted the community to meet the animal friends of the
compound - horses, ponies, sheep, goats, chickens - and participate in events hosted at the site.
Pal-O-Mine, founded in 1995, is one of Long Island’s most esteemed equine-assisted therapeutic centers, with services geared towards those with disabilities and survivors
Legislator
Flotteron Honors Newest Eagle Scout with Troop 95
Legislator Steven J. Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) recently recognized Chase Miller, a senior at West Islip High School, on achieving Eagle Scout with Troop 95 at his Eagle Court of Honor at West Islip Church of Christ. Chase’s Service Project, earning him Eagle Scout status, was leading the creation of a large storage shed for a Veteran who has been aided by United Veterans Beacon House in Bay Shore. He raised $4,000 through donations and fundraising to complete the project.
of trauma, as well as first responders, Veterans, and many others. The nonprofit was launched by Lisa Gatti, who was inspired after reading a novel about a young girl whose life was transformed by the love of horses after a tragic accident. The site now houses 25 working horses, many of whom were out and about to meet the community last Friday.
Beyond its horse-centric themes, PalO-Mine offers more, such as a community garden tended by those with special needs, a boarding house for those looking to stay overnight or longer term, and walking/ riding trails around the facility.
Pal-O-Mine sees more than 400 weekly students attend their programs,
including equine-assisted learning (EAL), equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), vocational training, horticulture program, and specialized services for Veterans and first responders - free of charge.
Pal-O-Mine is located at 829 Old Nicolls Road in Islandia and can be reached at (631) 348-1389. For more information, visit them online at www.pal-o-mine.com.
By Madison Warren
Suffolk Community College’s 2026-2027 Budget Approved
Discussion of Suffolk County Community College’s 2026-2027 operating budget concluded this week after two public hearings, with legislators ultimately approving the spending plan.
The college requested an operating budget of $226.1 million, including grants, representing an increase of approximately $3 million, or 1.4%, over the adopted 2025-2026 budget. The proposal is also $4.6 million, or 2.1%, higher than the college’s projected spending for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The budget includes a nearly $1 million increase in the county contribution, bringing the total county funding increase to approximately 2% over the previous year. Despite increased spending, the budget does not include a tuition increase for students and is projected to remain balanced without using reserve funds.
According to the Suffolk County Budget Review Office report, salaries and employee benefits continue to account for the largest share of expenditures, at approximately 89% of the college’s total spending. Contractual salary increases, employee benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and staffing needs associated with enrollment growth were cited among the primary drivers of the budget increase.
The budget comes as the college continues to experience enrollment growth following years of decline. Enrollment increased by 0.72% during the 20222023 academic year, 2.2% in 2023-2024, and 3.25% in 2024-2025. The college projects enrollment growth of 2% in 2025-2026 and 1.5% in 2026-2027.
The report also noted that 743 students participated in SUNY Reconnect during the Spring 2026 semester. The program provides tuition-free community college opportunities for eligible New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 pursuing degrees in high-demand fields.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) recommended approval of the budget as submitted before it was ultimately approved by the Legislature.
During the public hearing process, speakers offered differing perspectives on the proposed budget and the college’s future priorities.
College representatives defended the spending plan and addressed concerns regarding infrastructure, staffing, enrollment reporting, and budget transparency. Officials said maintaining and improving campus facilities remains a priority through an ongoing capital improvement program approved by the Legislature and funded by Suffolk County and New York State. According to the college, the project includes approximately $72.4 million in appropriated funding, with an additional $10.3 million planned for future improvements, including HVAC and air conditioning upgrades across the campuses.
Officials also disputed claims that the institution prioritizes exempt, nonunion positions over unionized employees, noting that the college is currently recruiting for 47 vacant positions, including 20 Association of Municipal Employees positions, 19 faculty positions, six administrative guild positions, and two exempt positions.
In response to questions regarding enrollment reporting, college officials said dual-enrollment students are counted in accordance with SUNY and accreditation requirements because they are enrolled in college-credit courses while attending high school. Officials also described SUNY Reconnect as a valuable opportunity for students while noting that it does not significantly impact the college’s operating budget because it functions as a “last-dollar” aid program.
Other speakers argued that the college’s improved financial position presents an opportunity to invest more heavily in maintenance staffing and campus infrastructure. Concerns were raised about aging facilities, air-conditioning issues, building maintenance, and staffing levels, with speakers suggesting that additional resources should be directed toward operational and maintenance needs. The importance of programs connecting the college with local high schools was also highlighted as a way to support future enrollment growth.
Following the public hearings and committee review, legislators approved the 2026-2027 operating budget, setting the financial framework for the college’s academic programs, student services, and campus operations for the coming year.
Applications Open for 9/11 Descendants Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
As the nation approaches the 25th Remembrance of September 11, the Barasch & McGarry Charitable Foundation has opened applications for its September 11th Descendants Scholarship Program, which will award five $25,000 scholarships, totaling $125,000, to graduating high school seniors whose families have lost a loved one to a September 11-related illness.
The Foundation, dedicated to honoring first responders, survivors, and their families, created the scholarship program to invest in the futures of young people who have grown up in the shadow of a loss they may not have fully understood, but whose lives have been profoundly shaped by the lasting impact of 9/11.
The one-time scholarships are funded through the partnership of Barasch & McGarry, lawyers for the 9/11 community, and are being awarded in recognition of the 25th Remembrance of the attacks.
The World Trade Center Health Program, created in 2010 under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, has certified more than 140,000 people from all 50 states with 9/11-related health conditions and confirmed the deaths of more than 9,000 people from 9/11-related illnesses, nearly three times the number of people killed on September 11, 2001.
“While this year’s graduating seniors were not yet born when the attacks occurred, many grew up experiencing the loss of a parent or loved one to a 9/11-related illness,” said Michael Barasch, Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry. “Through these five $25,000 scholarships, we hope to honor their resilience, support their educational goals, and invest in the next generation. Twenty-five years later, 9/11 continues to affect families across the country, and these students are living proof of that lasting impact.”
Eligible students must be accepted to an accredited college, university,
community college, vocational school, or trade school at the time the scholarship is awarded. The scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 3 and recognized at the “Giving Back Benefit: Honoring the 25th Remembrance of 9/11” on September 2. In addition to scholarship opportunities, the Barasch & McGarry Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that support, advocate for, and deliver services to the 9/11 community.
Barasch & McGarry, lawyers for the 9/11 community, is a New York-based law firm that has been at the forefront of legal and policy-driven advocacy for 9/11 first responders, survivors, and victims’ families since 2001.
Connetquot Is Red, White, and Blue for America’s 250th Anniversary
Throughout June, schools across the Connetquot Central School District celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with a variety of activities centered on the theme “Out of Many, One.”
Students explored the nation’s history through hands-on projects, presentations and creative activities. Some researched influential American figures and shared their findings with classmates, while others learned about American symbols and created patriotic artwork, essays, and poems. Along the way, students gained a deeper appreciation for the people, events and
ideals that have shaped the United States.
The celebrations took place during the first two weeks of June as each school hosted an America 250-themed spirit week. Students showed their patriotic pride through themed dress-up days and special activities, including assemblies which featured musical performances, presentations, and skits.
From classroom lessons and creative projects to spirited schoolwide events, students across the district came together to learn, reflect, and celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.
West Islip’s Class Of 2026 Return for Special Visit
Members of the West Islip High School Class of 2026 took a special trip down memory lane on June 15 as they returned to their elementary schools for the annual Senior Clapout.
As the soon-to-be graduates walked through the hallways wearing their caps and gowns, elementary students lined the corridors with congratulatory signs, cheers and applause to celebrate the seniors’ accomplishments and upcoming graduation.
The visit provided a meaningful opportunity for the Class of 2026 to reconnect with former teachers and staff members, revisit the places where their educational journeys began, and reflect on the memories they created throughout their years in the district.
The Senior Clapout was a heartwarming celebration that brought generations of students together and highlighted the strong sense of community that makes West Islip special. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
June 25, 2026
East Islip Plants Living Legacy Tree to Commemorate America’s 250th
The East Islip School District
marked the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with a special tree planting ceremony on June 12 at Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School. Hosted by Director of Humanities Korin Scarles and attended by Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-East Islip), the event celebrated the nation’s history while looking ahead to future generations.
The ceremony featured musical performances by students from across the district. High school and middle school band musicians opened the program with “The StarSpangled Banner,” followed by RCK orchestra students performing “America the Beautiful” and chorus students singing “Grow Little Tree.”
As part of the commemoration and Suffolk County’s “Planting it Forward to 2276” initiative, the county donated a swamp white oak tree, which was planted on the school grounds. The tree has been entered into the county’s Living Legacy Tree Registry and will be permanently recorded in a ceremonial volume
maintained by the county clerk’s office.
“The planting of this swamp white oak is more than a symbolic act,” Superintendent Paul Manzo said. “It is a reminder that while we honor the achievements and sacrifices of the past 250 years, we also have a responsibility to invest in the future. Just as this tree grows with each passing year, so will the impact of the lessons we teach, the values we share and the opportunities we provide for our children. One day, future generations will stand beneath the branches of this tree and see the legacy we left behind. My hope is that they will see a community that believed in service, the value of education and working together to create a brighter future world. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, let us remember that the story of America is still being written, and each of us has a role to play in shaping its next chapter. May this tree stand as a lasting symbol of hope, growth and the enduring spirit of our nation.”
Bayport-Blue Point Seniors Reflect on Final Chapter with Nostalgic Read-Aloud
Seniors in Mrs. Pintar’s AP Literature class at Bayport-Blue Point High School took a trip down memory lane during one of their final days together, gathering in the library for a special read-aloud reminiscent of their elementary school years.
Gathered on the carpet, students listened as high school librarian Mrs. Petrosino read “Will the Pigeon Graduate?” by Mo Willems aloud. After the story, students got creative by making handprint pigeon artwork. Using their own painted handprints for the body and cutout pieces for the details, each student designed their own pigeon and completed the prompt, “I am ready…” with a personal message about what lies ahead after high school.
From sitting “criss-cross applesauce” on the carpet to college and career plans, the experience marked a full-circle moment for the seniors as they prepare to turn the page to what’s next.
The Necessary Standard for American Education
The Small Business Administration
By Matt Meduri
Since the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) visited Suffolk this week, we’ll take an in-depth look at this independent agency of the federal government.
History and Origin
The SBA’s origins started in 1932, when President Herbert Hoover (R-IA) created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to act as the lender of last resort during the Great Depression. The RFC served as a federal lending program for all businesses hurt by the economic crisis. It also provided financial support to state and local governments, worked to prevent bank failures, and made loans to large corporations, such as railroads, to keep them afloat in hopes of stimulating the economy where it could.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY) was elected in 1932, he took the program much farther with his New Deal reforms. The RFC was expanded to provide disaster relief funds and provide loans for housing, agriculture, and exports. The RFC gave out about $2 billion in loans, most of which were repaid.
In 1942, Congress created the Smaller War Plants Corporation (SWPC), which encouraged financial institutions to extend credit to small businesses, and allowed for businesses to access defense contracts during World War II. The SWPC would be dissolved after the war’s end. Most of its duties were returned to the RFC, but the Department of Commerce would take on educating small businesses on management and entrepreneurship, as the federal government believed many points of failure were lack of information and expertise.
In 1952, Congress dissolved the RFC as they saw most of its immediate needs were met after the Great Depression and World War II. Much of their oversight was transferred to the Treasury Department over the years until its formal cease of operations in 1957. However, President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-KS) created the SBA in 1953. The stated function in the legislation was to “aid, counsel, assist, and protect, insofar as possible, the interests of small business concerns.” Additionally, its role was to ensure that small businesses earn a “fair proportion” of government contracts and surplus property sales.
On top of disaster relief, a 1957 Federal Reserve study found that small businesses couldn’t obtain credit necessary to keep pace with the technological advances. That gave way to the Investment Company Act of 1958 that established the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. That program works to license, regulate, and fund private venture capital investment firms, along with long-term debt and equity investments for high-risk small businesses, according to the SBA itself.
In 1964, the SBA unveiled the Equal Opportunity Loan (EOL) Program, which eased credit and collateral requirements for applicants living below the poverty level.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon (R-CA) further defined the SBA’s role in the federal government. He signed Executive Order 11518, which made the SBA the official advocate for American small businesses before other federal agencies.
The SBA has seen its fair share of pushback, however. In 1996, the U.S. House, led by Republicans, organized a push to eliminate the SBA in a broader effort to balance the budget and end redundancies in the federal government. They cited a study by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that found some SBA loan programs had a default rate as high as 17% and that the federal government had been spending triple what the SBA had originally estimated to guarantee loans through private financial institutions. For fiscal stalwart
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.
Newt Gingrich (R-GA), then the Speaker of the House, the matter was also ideological, as many have asserted that the SBA is too much federal intervention in the broader credit markets.
Instead of dissolution, Congress and the Clinton Administration tightened the SBA’s lending standards and reduced government subsidies. Throughout the Bush Administration, the SBA would see budget cuts and frozen expenditures, but the SBA got a booster shot of support when Barack Obama (D-IL) took over in 2009. Not only did Obama greatly increase monetary support for small businesses, including $350 million over five years for rural businesses, but he elevated the agency to a Cabinet-level position.
The SBA would be front-and-center during the COVID-19 Pandemic through its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
The SBA Today
According to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, 99.9% of U.S. businesses are considered “small.” There are several variations on what constitutes a “small” business depending on the market, but generally, a “small” business in the U.S. must be organized for profit, be independently owned and operated, not be “dominant” in its field of operation on a national scale, and be physically located and operate primarily in the U.S. or its territories.
For manufacturing and mining, a “small” business is one that employs less than 500 people. For retail and services, a “small” business generally has receipts less than $7.5 million annually. For wholesale trade, a “small” business usually qualifies if it has less than 100 employees.
The Advocacy Office also finds that there are about 36.2 million small businesses in the U.S., which employ 62.3 million people - about 45.9% of the private sector workforce. Economic activity from these businesses makes up about 43.5% of the GDP and they pay 38.7% of the total private-sector payroll.
The SBA received $1.3 billion in appropriations from Congress for FY2026. It was a strongly bipartisan rejection of the Trump Administration’s budget request of a 33% cut from FY2025. $330 million is earmarked for entrepreneurial development programs, $323.1 million for nationwide regional and district office operations, $280.4 million for disaster loan programs, $161 million for business loan programs, and $106.9 million for congressionallydirected spending.
The SBA is one of the smaller federal agencies, employing about 3,800 people as of 2026 - a dramatic reduction from about 7,800 employees in 2024. Much of that was pandemic-related positions and overhead.
The twenty-eighth and current SBA Administrator is Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) (pictured right). Loeffler has a long career of work for financial institutions, private equity firms, and investment firms. In 2018, she became the CEO of Bakkt, a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., a multinational financial services company that deals in global markets.
In January 2020, Loeffler was appointed to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat from Georgia, a move at the
CreditSmall Business Administration
behest of Governor Brian Kemp (R) that went against President Trump’s (R-FL) pick. Loeffler would controversially lose the 2021 runoffs that allowed Democrats to form a trifecta government in Washington.
In March 2020, Loeffler and her husband were alleged to have transferred stocks after a Senate committee meeting disclosed the movement of the COVID-19 virus. She was implicated with three other Senators, but by June, the Department of Justice had closed their inquiry.
In February 2025, Trump nominated Loeffler for the SBA and she was confirmed in a 52-46 vote that saw her get only on Democratic vote, that of Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
As Administrator, Loeffler has prioritized shrinking the SBA’s workforce to pre-pandemic levels. According to the SBA itself, Loeffler has spearheaded reducing spending by nearly $190 million, pausing or terminating over 120 contracts, and terminating or relocating 47% of its real estate leases. She also eliminated the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and paused the Green Lender Initiative.
Notably, she purged products suspected of being linked to foreign countries from the federal catalog to prioritize American-made goods, in tandem with the rollout of the 7(a) Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) Loan Program to support small manufacturers.
Programs
The SBA has ten regional offices around the country and a host of loan programs. For the sake of brevity, we’ll include the seven SBA programs “every small business should know about,” according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
8(a) Business Development Program: For “socially and economically disadvantaged” businesses, this program helps them compete for federal contracts, get assistance in navigating federal channels, and creates joint ventures with mentor companies for training and development.
All Small Mentor-Protégé Program: Lets small businesses team up with “mentor companies” in bids for federal contracts
HUBZone Program: The Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program gives contracting to small businesses that are typically above-average in economic development needs.
SBA-Associated Grants: Small businesses and entrepreneurs can apply for federal and state grants that are generally offered in exchange for “projects to provide public services and simulate the economy.”
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program: Helps facilitate the federal government’s goal of awarding at least 3% of contracting dollars to servicedisabled and Veteran-owned small businesses.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): These programs aim to help small businesses compete with larger companies in the area of research and tech. Hundreds of grants are offered each year for small businesses that can create tools for federal agencies, such as chemical compositions, military-grade devices, radar devices, lasers, and high-tech clothing, among others.
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program: A wide variety of women-owned businesses can participate in this program to help them compete in the federal process where women-owned small businesses (WOSB) are “underrepresented.” The federal government aims to give at least 5% of its federal contracts to WOSBs.
Bay Shore Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking and Rape
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) on Wednesday announced that Danny St. Louis, 45, of Bay Shore, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision, after he pleaded guilty in May to Rape in the Second Degree and other related charges, for commercially sexually exploiting multiple female victims, including a 13-year-old child.
“If you prey on vulnerable women and children in Suffolk County, you will be investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable,” said D.A. Tierney. “This defendant will now spend many years in prison, unable to harm another victim. I thank our law enforcement partners and the prosecutors in our human trafficking unit who work collaboratively to prosecute traffickers in Suffolk County.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in early 2023, St. Louis met a 13-year-old child through a mutual acquaintance and provided her with cocaine. St. Louis began to communicate with the child regularly and then sexually abused her on three separate occasions. During that time, St. Louis introduced the child to crack cocaine, causing her to become addicted to the drug. The abuse continued until October 8, 2023, when the police found the victim in a hotel room with St. Louis after she had run away from a residential drug treatment facility.
the intent to advance or profit from the prostitution of two additional victims and did in fact profit from the prostitution of those women by unlawfully providing them with drugs as a method of maintaining control over them.
On March 3, 2024, St. Louis arranged to have a fourth victim, a 20-yearold woman, meet him at a hotel in
forced her to undress, shower, and then have sex with him to repay her supposed debt. The sexual conduct was filmed, and St. Louis discussed a plan to use the video as an advertisement to sell the victim to sex buyers. On March 5, 2024, the victim had an opportunity to get away from St. Louis and fled the hotel to call her family.
In addition, between March 2023 and March 2024, St. Louis acted with
Hauppauge where he was staying. St. Louis then provided that woman with crack cocaine and stayed with the victim in the hotel room for two days, prompting her family to file a missing person report with authorities. At one point, St. Louis accused the victim of stealing crack cocaine from him and
On March 14, 2024, St. Louis was arrested after he agreed to provide a buyer with sex from one of the trafficked victims, and drugs, in exchange for money.
On May 21, 2026, St. Louis pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei: Three counts of Rape in the Second Degree, Class B violent felonies; two counts of Sex Trafficking, Class B felonies; and one count of Attempted Sex Trafficking, a Class C felony.
On June 23, 2026, St. Louis was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of postrelease supervision, and he must register as a sex offender. He was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Castaldo and Zachary Kelly of the Human Trafficking, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias Team (HEAT) Unit. The investigation was led by Detective Joseph Collins with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, with assistance from other members of that unit as well as members of the First, Third, and Sixth Squads of the Suffolk County Police Department, Detective Investigators
Bayport-Blue Point Appoints Robert. E Haas as Superintendent of Schools
The Bayport-Blue Point Board of Education has appointed Robert E. Haas as the district’s next superintendent of schools.
A proud graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School’s Class of 1997, Mr. Haas has dedicated his career to serving the Bayport-Blue Point School District. He began as a social studies teacher before taking on a series of leadership roles, including assistant principal, middle school principal, high school principal and, most recently, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Mr. Haas earned a Bachelor of
Arts, Master of Arts and Post-Master’s Professional Certificate in School Administration from Stony Brook University. His lifelong connection to Bayport-Blue Point as a student, educator and administrator has given him a deep understanding of the district, its traditions and its community.
“I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to the board of education for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as superintendent of schools for the Bayport-Blue Point School District,” Mr. Haas said. “It is a privilege to continue serving this extraordinary
community, and I look forward to working alongside our board, faculty, staff, students, families and community to build upon the tradition of excellence that defines Bayport-Blue Point.”
Throughout his time in the district, Mr. Haas has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to his students, collaborative leadership and commitment to educational excellence. The board of education expressed confidence in his ability to build on the district’s strong foundation and continue the positive momentum established under retiring Superintendent Dr. Timothy P. Hearney.
from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative, and the FBI Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Task Force. If you suspect human trafficking activity, contact the District Attorney’s HEAT Unit using the complaint form at suffolkcountyda.org/ contact-us/ or by scanning this QR Code.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc. Published by
Family Participation in the Community
Lake Ronkonkoma residents were always willing to help the community with any need or obstacle that needed attention.
A village-wide meeting would be called, and a goal would be decided and fundraising would commence. Most often, the success was quick and generous, and you never heard a complaint as the community would give what each could to the cause. A meaningful example was the purchase in 1936 of the 1934 Ford 250 pumper. The used fire truck was aquired to assist firefighting capabilities in the community, which was quickly growing and had advanced needs that the first three equipment did not include. It also increased fire safety awareness and played a signifigant role in responding to fires and emergencies throughout its service.
The fundraiser began in 1934 and was active until the goal of $1,500 was reached. Leading the campaign was Mrs. Susanna Sjöstrand Okvist Sullivan, a resident and mother of three firemen - Ivar, William, and Eric Okvist. The campaign went very well, with full support from other committee members, including Miss Cecile
Sullivan, Mrs. Sullivan’s daughter and sister of the three Okvist brothers. Raffles were sold, and were included in every activity in the village. When the Fireman’s Fair was held, it helped spike the donations. Susanna Sullivan hosted neighborhood gatherings to strengthen community ties and share resources as the collection went on. Her involvement as a member of the Lake Ronkonkoma Equal Rights Suffrage Club (1912) was beneficial since the other members added to the cause. The purchase of this fire truck brought the total to four motorized apparatus and additional status to the fire district. The new fire truck had a Ford V-8 chassis and a mounted 300-gallon booster tank in addition to 500 feet of hose and additional fire tools. The entire package came in in the neighborhood of $1,600, which was much lower then retail price, due to the generosity of Larry Holzapfel, a local proprietor of a garage in Lakeland and employee of a large airplane manufacturing company in Farmingdale.
When the fire company purchased the chassis, Holzapfel offered to build a special body for it at no cost. The offer of customizing was quickly accepted and
the firemen were thrilled of the lastest piece of equipment. A test run was performed on the north shore of the Lake one afternoon and proved satisfactory. The hose line of the truck was connected to the Lake and the booster pump on the new equipment was successful. The truck was so equipped that in the absence of fire hydrants it could be connected up with cisterns, ponds, brooks, or the Lake in the event of a fire. Twelve gallons of water a minute were pumped during the test, which was a greater distance then expected.
According to the best knowledge of Mr. Thomas Fish, Foreman/Chief of the department 1906-1938, the department also owned along with the new truck two chemical trucks and a pumper.
The photographs shown (left) are part of the history of our village. It was customary for the Okvist Family to have a fire truck present at its major occassions, the first photograph (top) circa 1936, and the second (below) August 1991 for the Elsie Okvist 85th birthday celebration.
In the photograph (top of page) of Mrs. Sullivan standing on the back of the fire truck, you will see a partial look at a sign on the right. This sign was stolen from the collection of Ivar Okvist. If anyone has knowledge of its whereabouts, please notify us.
Note from the Author: What joy as we approach my third year of writing primary source columns with the interest of the history of Lake Ronkonkoma for The Messenger. Your feedback has been wonderful, and I hope you all will continue to enjoy my columns. Any requests? Please contact The Messenger at editor@messengerpapers.com and I will do my best to present a column worthy of your interests. Thank you for the first three years!
-Ellyn Okvist
August 1991 at the Okvist residence on Cherry Street
c.1936, Taken at the Okvist residence on Cherry Street
Your Guide to Farmers’ Markets Across Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip
By Madison Warren
One of my favorite things about the arrival of warm weather on Long Island is that it signals the return of farmers’ market season. Farmers, fishermen, artisans, and small business owners from across the Island come together to share the products of their hard work with the communities they serve.
There is something special about knowing where your food comes from and learning the story behind the people who produce it. Whether it’s a fisherman bringing in the morning’s catch, a farmer harvesting fresh and seasonal produce, or a local entrepreneur crafting homemade goods, every vendor has a unique story to tell.
Over the past several weeks, I spent my weekends visiting farmers’ markets in my area, meeting vendors, sampling products, and learning more about the businesses that make these community gatherings so special. Consider this your ultimate guide to farmers’ markets across Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven this season.
I will break down some of my favorite farmers’ markets and highlight a few standout vendors at each. While I have not yet had the chance to visit every market on this list, summer has only just begun, and I am excited to continue exploring them throughout the season. With so many markets taking place across Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven, there is no shortage of opportunities to support local businesses and discover fresh, locally sourced products.
The Sayville Farmers’ Market has become my go-to market each week. Held every Saturday from 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at the Islip Grange, located at 10 Broadway Avenue in Sayville, through November, the market features more than 40 vendors offering fresh foods, specialty products, and handcrafted goods. Food trucks and coffee vendors make it a destination worth spending a morning at.
One of my favorite vendors is NAO Bars, a small family-run business that bakes energy bars in small batches using organic oats, organic agave, and freshly made almond butter. They are the perfect grab-and-go snack for a busy schedule.
Other favorites include Mecox Bay Dairy, known for its artisan dairy products and grass-fed meats, along with Horman’s Best Pickles, Two Big Jerks Jerky, and Nautilus Coffee, all of which help make the market a community favorite week after week.
On the other side of the Town of Islip, the Islip, Bay Shore, and Brentwood farmers’ markets each offer their own unique selection of vendors and products. The Islip Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 7:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Town Hall, located at 655 Main Street in Islip.
Visitors can find vendors such as Fred Terry and Son Farm, known for offering some of the freshest fruits and vegetables on Long Island. Another standout is Sal and Jerry’s Stuffed Breads, whose sourdough loaves have become a staple in my household. Pet owners will also appreciate Natural Hounds, which specializes in fresh dog food.
Heading into Smithtown, there are several excellent farmers’ markets to explore, including those in Hauppauge, Nesconset, Huntington, Kings Park, and St. James. Each offers a unique mix of local vendors and fresh products for visitors throughout the season.
One standout for me has been the Hauppauge Farmers’ Market. Held every Thursday from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. in the Dennison Building parking lot at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, it offers a convenient midweek opportunity to restock on fresh produce and local goods.
Though only in its second year, the market has quickly become a community favorite. One standout vendor is ELIJA Farm, which offers baked goods and locally grown produce cultivated right here in Suffolk County.
Last but certainly not least, the Town of Brookhaven hosts an impressive lineup of farmers’ markets across the township. From Port Jefferson and Patchogue to Three Village, Farmingville, Rocky Point, and Bellport, there are plenty of opportunities to shop locally and support small businesses throughout the week.
One of my personal favorites is the Port Jefferson Farmers’ Market, held every Sunday at Harborfront Park, located at 101 East Broadway in Port Jefferson. There is something special about spending a summer morning along the waterfront while browsing local vendors. From produce and seafood to handmade soaps and candles, the market offers something for everyone.
One vendor that should be on every visitor’s list is North Fork Oyster Co., which offers fresh, locally harvested oysters showcasing the best of Long Island’s waters. Whether you’re a longtime oyster lover or looking to try them for the first time, they are a must-have while visiting the market.
Ethel Terry, Marketing Manager of Long Island Growers Market, said her journey with farmers’ markets began 34 years ago, with the Islip Farmers’ Market being the very first. What started as a way to help her family’s farm, Fred Terry and Son Farm, generate income after nearly losing it has since grown into a lifelong passion for supporting local agriculture and small businesses.
Over the years, Terry has witnessed firsthand the impact farmers’ markets have had on farmers, entrepreneurs, and the communities they serve. She said one of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been watching generations grow up through the markets. Children who once visited with their parents are now returning as adults, often bringing their own children and continuing the tradition of shopping local and supporting the vendors who have become familiar faces in their communities.
Terry said her goal in operating four Long Island farmers’ markets, Islip, Rockville Center, Roslyn, and Seaford, is not only to help revitalize downtown business districts, but also to educate consumers about the importance of preserving and supporting farming on Long Island. Through the markets, she hopes to connect residents directly with the farmers and producers who grow their food while fostering a greater appreciation for the role local agriculture plays in the region’s economy and identity.
Whether you’re looking for farm-fresh produce, locally caught seafood, artisan products, or simply a way to spend a summer morning outdoors, Long Island’s farmers’ markets offer something for everyone. More than places to shop, they provide an opportunity to connect with the people behind the products and support the farmers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs who help keep our communities thriving. As the season continues, there is no better time to explore a market near you and discover what makes each one uniquely special.
Theatre & the Arts
Thursday, June 25, 2026
‘Get Ready’ to Be Blown Away by The Gateway’s Powerhouse Production of ‘Ain’t Too Proud’
By Cindi Sansone-Braff
The Gateway’s Long Island premiere of the 2019 Broadway musical “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” opened on Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and often called “America’s second Independence Day.”
The Temptations, a legendary Motown group, rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. A line in this jukebox musical, in which Berry Gordy warns Otis Williams, “The music is colorblind, but the world is not,” succinctly summed up America’s tumultuous political climate, rife with racial prejudice. This heartfelt show is a tribute to the band’s musical evolution from doo-wop and R&B to psychedelic soul and funk, and a testament to these brave black performers who used their platform to integrate and unite our segregated nation.
Written by Dominique Morisseau, this beloved musical is based on the 1988 memoir “The Temptations” by the group’s founder, Otis Williams, with Patricia Romanowski. This wellcrafted show earned 12 Tony Award nominations, with Sergio Trujillo winning Best Choreography. The story follows the journey of five young black men, whose talent, perseverance, and sense of brotherhood catapulted them from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Much of the drama centers around the comings and goings of some of the original founding members and their successors.
The narrator and heart of the story, Jahmaul Abiodun Bakare, a charismatic actor with stellar vocals and dance moves, delivered an awardworthy performance as the older, wiser Otis Williams, looking back on his life and career and guiding the audience through decades of hardship, success, death, loss, and heartbreak. Bakare’s moving rendition of “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” was worth the price of admission.
All the leads portraying The Temptations were superstars, hitting the theatrical trifecta with their extraordinary vocal, dance, and acting skills. Particularly impressive was their ability to reproduce the group’s rich harmonies while performing synchronized dance routines featuring expressive arm movements, well-timed spins, and intricate footwork.
Kobe Brown was outstanding as Young Otis Williams. Brown can sing! Brown can dance, but what made him such a standout in this production was his strong acting, which enabled him to convey the myriad emotions
experienced as a young man navigating the cutthroat world of entertainment.
In the role of the talented but troubled David Ruffin, Kalonjee M. Gallimore captured the essence of this multitalented performer, commanding the stage with powerhouse vocals and smooth dance moves, delighting the audience with split-second splits, down one minute and up again with jack-in-thebox speed. Through nuanced facial expressions, Gallimore masterfully portrayed a man whose magical voice and undeniable magnetism propelled him to superstardom, yet whose inflated ego and escalating substance abuse ultimately became his downfall.
Jovan E’Sean brought a charming vulnerability to Eddie Kendricks, a sensitive and sometimes volatile performing artist, whose smooth, sophisticated falsetto helped define
The Temptations’ signature sound. His showstopping performance of the classic hit “Just My Imagination
Away
Me)” was a triumphant onstage moment.
As Paul Williams, the group’s choreographer, Marquez Linder delivers a heartrending performance as a gifted man battling demons and alcoholism. His poignant delivery of “For Once in My Life” was one of the show’s highlights.
Keith Johnson aced the role of Melvin Franklin, a gentle, funny, kind, peacemaking man, blessed with a booming bass voice that anchored The Temptations’ harmonies. Gabrielle Beckford’s spot-on portrayal of Otis’s wife, Josephine, stole the show with her magnificent rendition of the soulful ballad “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.”
Other standout performers were Greg Watkins as Motown founder Berry Gordy; Cedric Jamaal Greene in dual roles as Smokey Robinson and Richard Street; Alanna Lovely as Diana Ross; Montria Walker as Tammi Terrell; Renee Marie Titus as Mary Wilson; Jamaur Houston as Elbridge
“Al” Bryant; Deric Gochenauer as Shelly Berger; and Bryant as Dennis Edwards.
The stellar ensemble includes David Lafler, Albert Jack Peterson, Adrian Phillips, Sienna Reefer, David Tobachnik, and Darian Archie Troy. The Onstage Swings are Jameson Clanton and Maya Imani.
One of the highlights of the evening was the emotionally moving rendition of “I Wish It Would Rain,” which reflected the tremendous loss and heartbreak felt after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the pain the group experienced with the untimely passing of the young and talented singer-songwriter Tammi Terrell.
The Gateway assembled a topnotch creative team. Directed with exacting precision by DeMone Seraphin and Associate Director Elizabeth Addison, and featuring outstanding choreography by Ian Coulter-Buford, the ensemble brought their A-game to this show. A big round of applause goes to Janine Loesch for her dazzling costume design, Dustin Lawson for wig and makeup design, Brian Pacelli for scenic and projection design, Leonardo Mignola for sound design, and Kim Hanson for lighting design. Special mention goes to the onstage powerhouse orchestra, Music Director Jacinth Greywoode, and Associate Musical Director Jake Turski for replicating Motown’s sound, an intoxicating blend of secular and sacred music.
Content Warning: Due to adult subject matter, this show may not be appropriate for all audiences.
Bursting with electrifying performances, high-energy choreography, and many of the greatest songs ever recorded, The Gateway’s “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” is a mustsee show! The musical runs through July 19. To purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at (631) 286-1133 or buy online at https:// TheGateway.org/.
Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” She won the 2026 Press Club of Long Island Media Award in the Narrative Arts Category for outstanding journalism.
Williams
(Running
with
CreditJeff Belante
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Patriots Pack the House for AMAC’s Long Island Bootcamp
By Lillian Ferrell | AMAC Contributor
As America approached its 250th birthday, patriots from across the country gathered in Ronkonkoma, New York, for AMAC’s “Saving the Nation: Bootcamp for Patriots” – A two-day celebration of America’s founding principles, civic engagement, and the enduring responsibility of preserving liberty for future generations.
Held June 19-20 at the America First Warehouse, the event featured a lineup of influential speakers, interactive exhibits, live entertainment, and discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing the country today. From election integrity and border security to constitutional rights and citizen activism, attendees left inspired to play an active role in shaping America’s next chapter.
The event notably featured a White House Freedom Truck –a one-of-a-kind mobile museum that brought America’s founding era to life through interactive exhibits and historical displays. Attendees conversed with an AI-powered George Washington, viewed replicas of founding documents and artifacts, signed a digital Declaration of Independence, and explored the Wall of 50 American Heroes.
Guests also enjoyed an all-American barbecue and live music from the American Ride Band on Friday evening, creating a festive atmosphere to kick off the bootcamp’s main programming. Day one concluded with a live broadcast of Live from Studio 6B, where hosts Damon Roberts, Rick Ammirati, and Rick Del Gato welcomed special guests and gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the show.
The second day began with a keynote address from AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber, who reflected on the sacrifices that secured America’s freedom and urged attendees to embrace their role as stewards of the legacy our Founders fought for 250 years ago.
“250 years after our nation’s founding, we are the beneficiaries of [their] sacrifice,” Weber said. “And just as importantly, we are the stewards of that inheritance.”
She reminded attendees that America’s story is still being written: “If we remain faithful to the principles that made this nation great, then America’s greatest days are not behind us. They are still ahead of us.”
Weber also emphasized AMAC’s role in carrying forward the nation’s founding ideals.
“The question remains: will enough patriots answer the call?” she said. “We take that very seriously at AMAC and meeting that challenge remains a core part of our mission.”
The bootcamp’s first panel, “Immigration & Sovereignty through 250 Years,” discussed the critical importance of border security to national security and ongoing concerns about illegal immigration. Moderated by Breaking Point host David Zere, the discussion featured Chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association Phil Kline, Center for Security Policy founder Frank Gaffney, Live from Studio 6B co-host Vincent Butta, and Real America’s Voice national correspondent Ben Bergquam.
Drawing from his reporting along the border and overseas, Bergquam shared firsthand accounts and video footage documenting the consequences of illegal immigration, while panelists discussed the importance of enforcing immigration law and securing our borders.
Kline argued that the debate over immigration ultimately reflects broader questions about American identity. “[Illegal immigrants] don’t believe America is exceptional. They believe America is the problem,” he said.
Butta encouraged attendees to remain active in the political process, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“The best way forward is for us to be activists,” he said. “The midterms are [some] of the most important elections in our lifetimes.”
The second panel, “The Ballot and the Republic: 250 Years of Self-Governance,” focused on election integrity and the future of American elections. Moderated by AMAC Newsline Editor-inChief Shane Harris, the panel featured Project Civica Co-Founder & Director of Political Affairs Steve Gillian, New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Managing Director of the James Wilson Institute Michael Maibach, and Honest Elections Project Vice President Chad Ennis.
Maibach offered historical insight into the Electoral College and the Founders’ vision for representative government, while other panelists added insights on the need for stronger election safeguards, including voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship for voter registration.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of the SAVE America Act, legislation requiring documentary proof of U.S.
citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
Gillan stressed that meaningful change begins with citizen involvement. As he explained, “the solution is not to tear down the [Republican] Party. It’s to reclaim it. It is up to ordinary citizens to get involved.”
Ennis echoed concerns about election security, particularly regarding mail-in voting. “Every step in the mail-in process is a step where failure can happen,” he said.
Attendees later heard a patriotic address from Micheal Maibach on the history and significance of the Declaration of Independence. Describing the Declaration as “our creed,” Maibach reflected on the principles that have guided our nation since its founding.
Overview - AMAC -
The Association of Mature American Citizens
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
“We are a country about doing things, not having things done to us,” he said.
He concluded with a message of optimism: “I suspect everyone is here today because you are worried about our country. And as long as we are worried about our country, we will be fine because we have providence and our Creator.”
Between sessions, attendees explored a bustling Vendor Village featuring local Long Island businesses and organizations. Throughout the venue, members connected with fellow patriots from across the country, exchanging stories and discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the nation. A strong sense of camaraderie underscored one of the event’s central themes: preserving America’s future requires engaged citizens and strong communities. Continued on following page
20 Bits & Pieces
Continued from previous page
Patriots Pack the House for AMAC’s Long Island Bootcamp
Another highlight of the afternoon was a conversation between Gun Owners of America Director of State and Local Affairs Chris Stone and AMAC President David Weber on the enduring importance of the Second Amendment.
Stone argued that protecting the constitutional right to bear arms remains essential to preserving individual liberty and public safety.
“Gun control never keeps people safe,” Stone said. “It only emboldens criminals.”
The day’s final presentations came from Vince Butta and Phil Kline.
Butta examined what he described as the political and cultural radicalization of the American left, blending humor with broader discussion of culture’s role in shaping society.
Butta explained, “Culture does matter. It tells people they still belong.”
He concluded by encouraging attendees to honor the legacy of the generations who helped build and preserve the American experiment.
Kline rounded out the speakers with a passionate reflection on the origins of American freedom and the responsibilities that accompany it.
“There is a difference between America and other nations,” he shared, pointing to the United States’s commitment to protecting God-given rights and freedoms for all citizens.
He also emphasized the importance of defending constitutional freedoms regardless of political differences.
He continued, “We must be a people who are willing to defend the freedom of speech of those with whom we disagree.”
His remarks closed with a challenge to
attendees: “We have inherited our freedoms. They were purchased at a great cost in blood. What are we going to do about it?”
The event concluded with an AMAC Action Panel featuring Rebecca Weber and AMAC Vice President of Operations & Advocacy Jennifer Bengston, who outlined ways members can become more involved in civic engagement efforts.
During the discussion, Weber announced two upcoming initiatives: the AMAC Election Integrity Effort and the AMAC FAITH First Alliance, a partnership with Christian gaming website TruPlay. The Election Integrity Effort aims to educate citizens about candidates and election issues, while the FAITH First Alliance seeks to address censorship of Christian content by major technology platforms.
As the Bootcamp came to a close, attendees departed with renewed optimism and deeper appreciation for the responsibilities that come with American citizenship. Throughout the two-day event, speakers returned to a common message: preserving liberty requires active participation, informed voters, and citizens willing to defend the principles that have sustained the nation for 250 years.
With America’s semiquincentennial on the horizon, the Bootcamp served as both a celebration of the country’s remarkable history and a call to help shape its future.
*Burgquam also shared shocking videos of his travels around the globe, documenting the reality of illegal immigration and the rampant crime, hostility, and dangers that illegally crossing the border poses to both American citizens and undocumented immigrants.
WORD WHEEL
M A S C I R E
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
SUDOKU
See left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
June 25, 1950: North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War.
June 26, 2016: Panama Canal’s third set of locks opens for commercial traffic, doubling the Canal’s capacity at an estimated cost of $5.25 billion.
June 29, 1994: U.S. reopens Guantanamo Naval Base to process refugees.
June 30, 1937: The world’s first emergency call telephone service is launched in London using the number 999.
June 27, 1923: Capt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. John P. Richter perform the first-ever aerial refueling in a DH-4B biplane.
July 1, 1941: Bulova Watch Company pays $9 for 1st ever television commercial, which airs during a broadcast of Brooklyn Dodgers-Philadelphia Phillies baseball game.
June 28, 1846: The saxophone is patented by Antoine-Joseph “Adolphe” Sax.
Source: Onthisday.com.
By PJ Balzer
My Lonely Little Friend
Among the many tasks in my daily morning routine is to feed my birds and fill up their bird bath with fresh water. Even though they’re wild birds, I call them my own. For several years now, they have made an everyday stop for breakfast at the little ledge outside our apartment. I’m almost positive that the current birds are the descendants of the original few birds we began feeding years ago.
Over the years, we’ve had some beautiful birds stop by. We have the usual routine visitors and then some unexpected guests here and there. Twice I got to see an oriole stop by for a snack and a quick bath. Of course, the chickadees, finches, nuthatches, and cardinals are fixtures here. I’ll confess that the cardinals are by far my favorite. They remind me of a picture-perfect Christmas scene and bring along a nice song to begin the morning. I also love that they usually bring their spouses by to eat as well.
This year has been unique though and God often tries speaking to us through unique circumstances, if our hearts are still and tender enough to listen. A few months back, when the weather started getting nice, a new cardinal showed up. This cardinal was certainly different though, not what I’m used to and definitely not fit for a nostalgic Christmas card or Hallmark movie scene.
Our male cardinal visitor this year has been totally alone. By his age now, there’s usually a female that accompanies him and the offspring they bring back to feed shortly after.
Not in his case though; he seems to have some type of disease that reminds me of leprosy. He has no feathers on his head, and the disease seems to be spreading. The feathers on his shoulders are disappearing as well. His appearance is disheveled to the point where he’s almost unrecognizable as a cardinal. This guy would be the last one chosen for a beautiful Christmas card scene.
Life often flows in seasons and themes. God has been speaking to my heart and reminding me of His heart through this seemingly diseased and lonely bird visiting me daily. One morning last week, after throwing seeds on the ledge for the daily visitors, there was a soft whisper to my heart that was spoken as clear as day. The Lord whispered, “Thank you for treating the lonely, outcasted, vulnerable, and diseased with such kindness. I take great delight in that and in you putting My heart into action.”
Definitely not by coincidence, the following day I attended the moving-up ceremony of a little girl my wife and I have known since she was a newborn. I was invited to attend by her mother who subsequently never showed up for the ceremony. Neither did her father.
When she walked out onto the stage with her classmates, her eyes searched the stands for her parents. I watched her little eyes move up and down, to and fro, back and forth. They moved faster as she searched the last set of stands to see if her parents showed up. She didn’t find her parents in the stands that day but she, by God’s grace and providence, found me sitting there.
The entire concert and ceremony she made sure, with her little searching eyes, that I was watching her sing. I made it a point to applaud big after each song because I knew she was watching to see if someone was proud of her. I definitely was and she was so happy to have someone to sing for.
Often, we ask God for His will, His blessings, and for our prayers to be answered. Yet we can easily miss the answers and signposts He chooses to send our way. Society as a whole primarily focuses on the prosperous, the
influential, and those who seem like they have it all together. We often want to be close to the people that can take us to new heights and add to our own life - the movers, shakers, and networkers.
God focuses on the opposite though. The people, and seemingly the animals too, whom everyone else has seem to discard or have left alone, He pulls out a chair of honor at His table for those who no one else wanted to invite. The vulnerable, diseased, and disheveled have a special place in His heart.
This season of life has been reminding me again of just how compassionate and beautiful His heart is towards those that no one else sees.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Gotham’s Got Her:
Sam Kerr Returns to NWSL
By Ashley Pavlakis
Sam Kerr is an electric football [soccer] player at the club and international levels. The Australian sensation will return to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after a sevenyear stint in the Women’s Super League with Chelsea.
The last time Sam Kerr played in the NWSL was in 2019 with the Chicago Red Stars. Kerr was drafted by the Western New York Flash in 2013 and played for Sky Blue FC in 2015-17. The Flash is now the North Carolina Courage, and Sky Blue has since rebranded to Gotham FC. The league only had nine teams at the time; there are 16 now. The NWSL has experienced tremendous growth since Kerr last graced us with her presence. Kerr’s return to the NWSL was first reported by lead NWSL writer Jeff Kassouf.
The Bats have had their fair share of ups and downs over the years, but have taken full advantage of the rebrand, facility upgrades, and ownership growth. Their home is Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. The team is majority owned by Phil and Tammy Murphy, with minority stakeholders like Sue Bird, Eli Manning, and Kevin Durant having a share of the team.
NY/NJ Gotham FC has become a hotbed for women’s professional soccer. The popularity amongst players wanting to play for the Bats is the best it’s ever been. Gotham FC is a two-time NWSL champion, winning the title in 2023 and 2025. Since 2022, they’ve been coached by Juan Carlos Amoros. Their lineup has a wealth of [international] stars featuring Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Tierna
Davidson, Jaedyn Shaw, Esther Gonzalez, AnnKatrin Berger, and Bruninha, just to name a few. In previous seasons, they had the likes of Ali Kreiger, Carli Lloyd, Lynn Biyendolo, and Kelley O’Hara on the roster.
Sam Kerr’s resume in the NWSL includes 124
Women’s Professional Lacrosse Debuts on LI
By Ashley Pavlakis
Long Island showed up and showed out on and off the field this past weekend for women’s professional lacrosse as the New York Charging took on the Maryland Charm at Hofstra University on Saturday evening.
The Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) was established in 2025 and is in its second season, with four teams. The New York Charging, Maryland Charm, Boston Guard, and California Palms are the four teams competing this season. The Charging are the 2026 Championship Series winners.
None of the four teams has a permanent home base yet, seeing as they’re playing in neutral site locations ranging from New York to California. New York called it a homecoming, and that’s what it very well could be if the market fits. The league operates using the ‘Sixes’ format, which is known to be a fast-paced six-on-six game with a more open style of play.
The New York Charging came out to Long Island to play some lacrosse in a place where girls’ lacrosse is thriving. Of course, there were Long Island natives on both rosters, five to be exact. In the lineup for New York: Kendall Halpern (Syosset) and Katie Goodale (Riverhead). For the opponent, Maryland: Sam Apuzzo (West Babylon), Ally Kennedy (Stony Brook), Jenika Cuocco (Sound Beach). Serving as a broadcaster in the booth was Kylie Ohlmiller (Islip).
The Charging took on the Charm at James H. Stuart Stadium, located on the campus of Hofstra University. The two teams entered the matchup undefeated, meaning one team would come out on the losing side of the game. An exciting matchup for both teams, with Long Island girls putting up some points for their respective teams. The
appearances, 78 goals, and two Golden Boot awards. Kerr has not played in the league in seven years, yet she still holds the record as the all-time goals leader with 78. The only person close to her is Biyendolo, at 70.
The Aussie spent seven seasons in London with Chelsea, where she racked up five league championships, six different domestic cups, two WSL Golden Boots, and 65 goals. Her contract expired in May, and she decided not
The striker is a proven goalscorer with an abundance of speed, skill, and athleticism in her repertoire. Gotham FC is fifth in the NWSL with a 6-3-2 record. The bats aren’t necessarily a high-scoring team, but they do well at limiting their opponents from scoring, which helps their case to win games. Kerr’s ability to put the ball in the net will be a great addition to a strong contending squad. Kerr, now 32, returns to the U.S. with her wife [Kristie Mewis] and one-year-old son. Mewis played for Gotham FC’s 2023 championship team before going across the pond. The two have never played on the same team, but have crossed paths in the NWSL and on the international stage.
The NWSL is almost at the halfway point of the 2026 season. Gotham is certainly looking to defend the title and go back-to-back. Sam Kerr’s return to Gotham FC is shaping up to be a good one as the U.S. gets to watch one of the best players in the world compete in the NWSL again.
Charm saw Apuzzo (3g) and Kennedy (3g) score. Cuocco recorded five saves in the net.
New York and Maryland battled hard the entire game. The Charm held the lead until midway through the second quarter before the Charging took a lead they would never relinquish. NY won the game by the score of 12-10. In general, Long Island born players are all over the league, as all four teams have players on their roster from here. Emily LoPinto (Manhasset), Ellie Masera (Eastport-South Manor), and Taylor Moreno (Huntington) play for the Palms. Cassidy Weeks (Bayport) plays for the Guard.
Emily LoPinto leads the league in scoring through two games with seven goals and four assists.
Ducks’ Pitcher Trevor Bauer Signed by Mexico
By Jacob Infald
On Monday, June 22, the Long Island Ducks announced that star pitcher Trevor Bauer’s contract had been purchased by the Diablos Rojos de Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League.
Bauer is now one of five Ducks’ players to have their contracts purchased by a professional team this season, as Bauer returns to the Diablos Rojos de Mexicos where he played during the 2024 season.
Bauer’s time with the Ducks was nothing short of exceptional, and his final start this past weekend on Father’s Day was no different. Despite not pitching since May 17 due to back spasms, Bauer threw five innings, allowing only one run, while striking out ten batters as the Ducks defeated the Lancaster Stormers by a score of 7-2.
Bauer finished his time in the Atlantic League with a record of 5-1, a 2.36 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and only seven walks allowed over 42 innings pitched in seven starts. He was named the Atlantic League’s April/May Pitcher of the Month and threw the third no-hitter in Ducks’ history on April 26 at Lancaster. Bauer also set the franchise record for single-game strikeouts, racking up 15 strikeouts in a 6-3 victory over the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on May 15.
“I want to thank the Long Island Ducks organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team,” Bauer said in a press release. “I’d also like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, the clubhouse staff, and everyone behind the scenes who made my time here so enjoyable.”
Bauer’s time with the Ducks was also enjoyable for the fans. Bauer made sure that his experience with the Long Island squad went beyond just his performance on the mound. Bauer had multiple autograph meet-and-greets with the fans, including one final on before the June 19 game against Lancaster.
“Trevor exceeded every expectation during his time with the Ducks,” Team President Michael Pfaff said in a press release. “From his dominance on the mound to his commitment to fans, and support of our organization, he made a tremendous impact both on and off the field.” While Bauer’s reputation has come into question in the past after a sexual assault accusation in June 2021 that led to the end of his MLB career - charges were never filed due to a lack of evidence and Bauer was later rewarded over $300,000 after his accuser falsely and publicly accused Bauer of paying her hush money - his character never came into question while on the Ducks. His teammate Matt Lempone, a Smithtown resident who had the opportunity to work closely with Bauer as a bullpen catcher, had nothing but positive things to say about his now-former teammate.
“He was just a good guy,” Lempone told The Messenger. “He always had his ears open, you could ask him questions, and he would sit there and take the time to explain, especially to the pitchers, why he did certain things. He was invaluable to the team, just having someone to learn from and if you had any questions, he would take the time to help you with them.”
The Ducks currently sit third in the tightly contested North Division of the Atlantic League with a 31-23 record, as they look to make a playoff push without Bauer. For Bauer, he looks to lead the Diablos Rojos de Mexico to their third consecutive Mexican League Championship, after helping them win one in 2024.
Long Island Tops NYC in Annual Football Clash
By PJ Balzer
This high-intensity and talentpacked game was an annual tradition for over two decades – a game that held a lot of tradition and rivalry until 2019, when the tradition was placed on halt.
Northport led a 10-play, 57-yard drive topped off by his 6-yard touchdown pass on a backfield screen to Huntington’s Yasir Jones.
Last year, in 2025, was the revival of the annual National Football Foundation (NFF) All-Star Classic (formerly the Boomer Esiason Empire Challenge). Last week, the game took place once again and Long Island showed up to play.
This game specifically showcases the top graduating seniors from Long Island against the same from the five boroughs of nearby New York City. The game is held at Hofstra University and sponsored by the NY Giants, NY Jets, and the National Football Foundation Rising Stars Bowl.
This isn’t only top talent from two neighboring regions on display. This is also two different types of football culture. Long Island is known for its huge lineman, fundamental football, and suburban, community-based programs. Long Island traditionally likes to run the ball up the field. New York City, on the other hand, always brings out some elite speed, tremendous athleticism, and ultra competitive leagues such as PSAL and CHFSL. New York City often relies on its speed, high-jumping wide receivers, and open-field play. As you can imagine, there’s college coaches everywhere at this game looking for their next recruits.
While New York City scored first by way of field goal kicked by Jake Borrowes of Monsignor Farrell High School, quarterback Simmon Blisset of
Smithtown Resident Back on Ducks’ Roster
By Jacob Infald
On June 20, the Long Island Ducks reactivated Smithtown resident Matt Tempone (pictured right) back to their active roster. Tempone had been serving as the Ducks’ bullpen catcher before being called up to the active roster, and the local product will look to continue living out his dream playing the game he loves.
Matt Tempone’s journey to playing independent ball in the Atlantic League began when he was just a little kid. Tempone said the earliest memories he has are of his father taking him and his older brother to the parks in Smithtown to learn how to hit, field, and throw. Tempone became a standout player at Smithtown East High School, where he played for four years on the varsity team, and was ranked as the eighth best catcher in New York State by Perfect Game in the class of 2019.
After graduating from Smithtown, Tempone originally planned on playing Division I baseball at Rhode Island University, but ultimately ended up
transferring to play Division III baseball at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he was a four-year starter before graduating in 2025.
Despite never playing Division I baseball, Tempone said he never fell out of love with baseball, and when he graduated last spring, he knew his playing days were far from over.
“You never feel like it’s going to end when you play,” Tempone told The Messenger. “As I’m getting to my last year of college, you start to realize this could be it, and so I just knew deep down in my heart I still wanted to play. I’m not ready to stop playing, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to stop playing, it’s just something that I love to do.”
When Tempone got the opportunity to be the bullpen catcher for his local team last spring, he said it was an easy decision because he was able to get his foot in the door of the professional baseball scene, while also being able to learn from the many former major leaguers who are on
the Ducks’ roster.
“The goal is every day to show up, and work hard, and just be a sponge, listen to guys talk when they hit, learn about the approaches, what works, what doesn’t, and just continue to use that to help myself,” Tempone said.
Tempone also said that playing Division III baseball has given him a unique advantage now that he is playing Independent Ball. The bulk of the Ducks’ roster consists of players who played at the Division I level, with a few players having Major League experience.
While these players may be used to added amenities such as chartered flights or even NIL money for the recent college graduates, Tempone is used to not having all of those extra things. He said that his Division III experience, along with the fact that he can play close to home and his family and friends has made playing for the Ducks a much more comfortable experience.
“When you’re playing [Division III], you
Jovan Bonilla of East Islip came up with some major stops on defense that led him to receive the MVP trophy of the game. Bonilla led Long Island’s defense for half of the game that allowed only one touchdown.
Long Island led 14-3 at halftime following a dominant 89-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 23-yard scoring strike from Miller Place quarterback Shane Kiernan to William Floyd running back Ja’Quan Thomas. Mount Sinai’s Dontae Spadaro seemed to pick up where we left off last year. Spadaro took the opening kickoff of the 4th quarter by storm and down the sideline 73 yards for a touchdown to extend Long Island’s lead and ultimately win the game by a score 21-13. It was back to a one-possession game with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter after Borrowes nailed a 24-yard field goal. New York City got the ball back with 3:22 left, but East Islip’s PJ Gannon grabbed a crucial interception that sealed up the game for Long Island football.
After the game the coaches on both sides expressed how proud they were of their kids and the game. Renown Wantagh coach Keith Sachs is quoted saying, “These kids are really class acts. They practiced together for only a few weeks and became a team and a unit. This is really good for high school football.”
and all your teammates are there just because you love playing, and you still care about it, you want to get better,” Tempone said. “So, taking that mindset for four years and then coming into independent ball, it’s really the same thing. It’s just a bunch of guys that are still playing because they love the game. They’re searching for that next opportunity, and that’s exactly how I felt at school.”
Tempone has also embraced playing for his local team off the field as well.
He said during the offseason, he gives lessons to younger players in the area, and loves seeing his players come down to the games where Tempone said he will always take the time to talk to them and give them his autograph.
“The Ducks tailor towards a lot of younger local baseball and softball players so it’s cool to see how excited they get to go to the games, [and] meet the players,” Tempone said. “Just making sure they have a good time, giving them
a memorable experience, because ultimately that grows the game.”
The Ducks are now in the midst of a six game away series against the Staten Island Ferry Hawks, before returning home on Tuesday, June 30, for a three-game series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs as Tempone will look to impact the team any way he can.
“When I get opportunity to just take those things I learned and really just go for it,” Tempone said. “See what works, what doesn’t work, and just continue to grow for the rest of the season, so that I can keep playing after this.”
