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Tierney Nabs Elaborate ‘Porch

Pirate’ Ring

By Matt Meduri

In the age of modern technology, conveniences can be right at a doorstop and just the click of a button away.

But on the other hand, it opens the door for fraud, abuse, and a series of events with unpredictable dangers.

On Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced the indictment of fourteen conspirators for allegedly operating a criminal organization that stole FedEx packages containing cell phones and electronic devices throughout Suffolk County. From Huntington to Montauk, this “porch pirate” ring is alleged to have operated in broad daylight and without alerting hardly any residents.

Continued on page 4

Man Arrested for Riley Fibbers Fire

By Madison Warren

As East Islip and Islip communities continue to mourn the devastating fire that claimed a Main Street restaurant, Harp & Hound, just two weeks ago, another beloved staple on Carleton Avenue, Riley Fibbers, has now become the latest victim of an unfortunate blaze.

Riley Fibbers, a longtime hot spot gathering place for the East Islip community, a household name among residents, and a place known for good food and great drinks, found itself in the same unfortunate situation as Harp & Hound, destroyed by an awful fire.

On Thursday night, at approximately 7:30p.m., flames broke out in the back of the restaurant after a patron was allegedly asked to leave and later returned, intentionally starting the fire through the rear door.

Continued on page 10

Riley Fibbers in East Islip after the fire (Credit - Matt Meduri)

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Tierney Nabs Elaborate ‘Porch Pirate’ Ring

Andricson Jerez, 29, of the Bronx, is alleged to have been the ringleader of the operation.

“For two years, this porch pirate ring plagued our community and built a criminal enterprise on the backs of Suffolk families and businesses,” said D.A. Tierney in a statement. “These indictments demonstrate that we will track down and hold accountable those who commit crimes against Suffolk County residents, regardless of how extensive their operations.

As per the investigation, between October 2023 and February 2025, Jerez is alleged to have run the operation from two Bronx locations and to have employed a network of “runners”, who were given inside FedEx tracking information, including recipient names, addresses, device types, and tracking number from shipments from Verizon and AT&T postmarked for Suffolk.

The runners allegedly would then steal the packages from residences and business and deliver the devices to Jerez at a “fencing location” at 2227 University Avenue in the Bronx. Jerez is alleged to have confirmed the inventory of stolen devices through encrypted messages containing the devices’ identification numbers. The stolen devices were then allegedly shipped in garbage bags to a “trash house” at 2112 Quimby Avenue in the Bronx, where Jerez then sold them in bulk to wholesalers for their redistribution domestically and internationally.

Within the Town of Smithtown, locations of the pirates’ ring include Hauppauge, Kings Park, and Nesconset; within the Town of Brookhaven, Bellport, Brookhaven hamlet, East Setauket, Holbrook, Holtsville, Mastic, Miller Place, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Selden, and Shirley; within the Town of Islip, Bay Shore, Bayport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Holbrook, Holtsville, Ronkonkoma, Sayville, and West Islip.

Shockingly, the devices were not genuine purchases made by the average consumer, who then had their deliveries lifted from their porches. These were made internally through a hack of the FedEx system, with unsuspecting addresses used as the fronts. Several Ring camera videos show the delivery being made by FedEx, only for one of the pirates to arrive almost immediately after and swipe the parcel.

However, several occasions resulted in close calls with the general public, whose knowledge of the scheme was otherwise not intended.

On September 13, 2024, Luger Guerrero, 26, of Manhattan, and others allegedly pushed

a FedEx driver to the ground at a Hauppauge business and stole the package containing fifteen Samsung tablets.

On September 18, 2024, Felipe Batista, 22, of the Bronx, allegedly forcibly stole a package from a Suffolk resident shortly after delivery.

On October 8, 2024, Leonel Tejeda Reynoso, 32, of the Bronx, allegedly used a fake identification at a Melville FedEx center to claim a package containing an iPad Pro tablet valued at over $1,000.

The cash recovered from the Bronx lockup sits at about $120,000 - an effective minimum estimate for the total revenue the stolen goods brought in. The phones are then alleged to have been used for illicit purposes. D.A. Tierney cannot state the international destinations of these devices at this time.

“These phones were being sent to these addresses under fictitious names. The residents would have no idea about the deliveries,” D.A. Tierney told The Messenger at his Hauppauge office on Tuesday evening. “Essentially, their homes were just being used by the coconspirators as convenient drop-off points for them to come and get the phones.”

Of the brazenness of the crimes, Tierney said that the Bronx-based crew allegedly ran in Suffolk likely to hide in plain sight.

“In Suffolk County, people go to work; they’re not home. There’s no doorman; everything is spread out,” said Tierney. “There’s less eyes here.”

Tierney added that the investigation was performed in cooperation with federal and NYPD partners. The phone companies became aware and cooperated with law enforcement as well.

Of the fourteen conspirators, one, Alvaro Alvarez Fermin, was placed into custody of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He then self-deported and remains at large.

Jerez has been charged with Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony; ten counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felonies; twenty-eight counties of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, Class E felonies; and ten counts of Petit Larceny, Class A misdemeanors. He faces a mandatory indeterminate sentence of at least one to three years in prison with a maximum of eight and one-third years to twenty-five years. He posted his $75,000 bond and is due back in court on December 15.

LaLota Highlights SALT Deduction Changes

By Raheem Soto

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) pointed to new federal tax changes recently as evidence of efforts to rebalance how much Long Island contributes to Washington versus what the region receives in return, citing long-standing complaints from local taxpayers about the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap.

In a public statement shared on social media, LaLota addressed what he described as a historical imbalance between Long Island and the federal government.

“For years, Long Islanders have sent far more to Washington than we receive in return. Fixing that imbalance has been one of my core missions,” LaLota wrote.

The SALT deduction has been a central issue for homeowners in high-tax states such as New York, where property taxes and state income taxes frequently exceed federal deductibility limits. The previous cap, enacted in 2017, limited deductions to $10,000, affecting large segments of middle- and upper-middle-income homeowners across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

LaLota stated that recent changes increased the allowable deduction significantly, characterizing the adjustment as a tangible outcome rather than a symbolic policy shift.

“Despite skeptics, we achieved what many talked about but never accomplished: a genuine win for local families with a $40,000 SALT deduction,” he said.

National and regional coverage, including reporting highlighted by Newsday, has indicated that the revised tax framework could result in lower tax burdens for many Long Island households. One analysis cited in regional reporting estimated average taxpayer savings of approximately $2,860 annually, depending on income, filing status, and property tax levels.

The issue of SALT deductibility has long attracted bipartisan attention, with lawmakers from high-tax states arguing that the cap disproportionately affected suburban homeowners, while fiscal conservatives have defended the cap as a way to limit federal subsidization of state-level spending policies.

LaLota’s comments place him among lawmakers arguing that tax relief should be directed toward regions that consistently send more revenues to the federal government than they receive back in federal spending.

“I’ll always stand for freedom and the founding values that built this country and continue to guide us forward,” LaLota added in his post.

The SALT debate is expected to remain active as Congress continues negotiations over broader tax reform, spending packages, and potential extensions of provisions that affect middle-class taxpayers, property owners, and small business filers.

For Long Island residents, the outcome of these discussions will continue to influence household budgets, real estate affordability, and long-term decisions about residency and investment in the region.

Garbarino Backs Resolution Condemning Socialism

By Raheem Soto

U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) joined members of Congress in voting to pass House Concurrent Resolution 58, a measure formally denouncing the historical record of socialist systems and reaffirming America’s commitment to free-market principles.

The resolution, titled “Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism,” was approved amid growing national debate over the role of government in the economy, expanding federal programs, and rising cost-of-living pressures facing families across Long Island and New York State.

The vote was introduced by Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R, FL-27) and was passed in a 285-98 vote, with 2 voting present and 47 not voting. 199 Republicans voted in favor – none against – while 86 Democrats voted in favor – 98 against.

In a public statement shared on social media following the vote, Garbarino explained his reasoning and emphasized what he views as the historical dangers of central economic control.

“Today, I voted with my colleagues to pass H. Con. Res. 58, Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism. History is clear, socialist regimes lead to oppression and economic collapse,” Garbarino wrote.

Supporters of the resolution pointed to global historical examples where heavily centralized economies resulted in

prolonged economic stagnation, shortages of basic goods, suppression of political opposition, and long-term damage to private enterprise. While the resolution does not create new federal law, it establishes a formal stance by Congress warning against policies that concentrate power over markets and industry in the hands of government.

Garbarino tied his concerns to policy proposals emerging from progressive political circles, arguing that large-scale government expansion could place additional financial burdens on working families and small businesses.

“Socialist ideas of politicians like Zohran Mamdani would raise costs and hurt the working families who make New York strong,” Garbarino stated in the same post.

The New York election landscape has seen increased policy proposals related to rent regulation, energy mandates, healthcare expansions, and tax restructuring.

Critics of these proposals argue that while wellintentioned, they risk reducing market competition, driving up operational costs for employers, and passing increased expenses down to consumers.

Garbarino also framed the vote as part of a broader defense of constitutional principles and limited government, emphasizing that his position is grounded in America’s founding framework.

“I’ll always stand for freedom and the founding values that built this country and continue to guide us forward,” he added.

Political analysts say the resolution reflects deeper ideological divisions in Washington, as lawmakers debate how best to address high inflation, housing costs, and workforce challenges without undermining economic independence or private-sector growth.

While opponents of the resolution argue that social programs can protect vulnerable Americans and provide economic stability, supporters maintain that history shows long-term risks when government dominates industry and redistributes economic power without market-based accountability.

For Long Island residents, the debate touches close to home as small business owners, tradespeople, and middle-class families navigate rising property taxes, housing prices, and energy costs. Garbarino’s vote positions him firmly among lawmakers advocating for market-driven solutions as Congress continues to wrestle with competing visions for America’s economic future.

Medford DWI Crash Leads to Vehicular Homicide Indictment

By Raheem Soto

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) announced this week that a 25-year-old El Salvadoran national has been indicted in connection with a fatal DWI crash in Medford that killed a young passenger and seriously injured two others.

According to prosecutors, Jefry Valdez-Cruz was allegedly driving while intoxicated in the early morning hours of October 6, 2025, when he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into trees along Bellport Avenue. Authorities allege that Valdez-Cruz was traveling at a high rate of speed when he crossed into the northbound lane, causing a violent collision.

One of the passengers, Edgar Guevara Ramos, 22, of Bellport, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional passengers, Gustavo Martinez Cacares, 26, of Selden, and Jasson Valdez Cruz, 24, of Medford, were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital. Prosecutors said Cacares suffered serious physical injuries as a result of the crash.

“This tragic incident was entirely preventable,” Tierney said in a statement. “The defendant’s alleged decision to drive while intoxicated cost a young man his life and left another seriously injured.”

Valdez-Cruz was formally arraigned on November 24 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz. The indictment includes multiple felony charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, vehicular assault, and driving while intoxicated.

The court ordered that Valdez-Cruz be remanded. He is scheduled to return to court on December 15, 2025, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against Valdez-Cruz, meaning deportation proceedings could follow completion of any sentence.

Hochul Right to Pump Brakes on CLCPA, but Beware of Bait and Switch

The biggest State news this week is that of Governor Kathy Hochul’s willingness to relent on the provisions of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the first provision of which would have gone into effect on January 1, 2026. New buildings under seven stories would be barred from utilizing fossil fuels. The same deadline applied to all new buildings regardless of height by 2029.

We laud this commonsense initiative. We’ve said repeatedly that the goals of net-zero are worthy, but that Albany has consistently put the generator before the horse.

Additionally, Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, has called for carbon capture and other creative ways to mitigate pollution while also bolstering the grid. Albany should be keen to heed his words.

Even Democrats realize the ramifications posed by this bill. Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson), someone who has studied the environment, was one of nearly twenty Democrats who wrote Hochul urging her to consider postponement of these deadlines. Kassay stresses the importance of eventually meeting these goals but contends that grid reliability - or lack thereof - and projections of skyrocketing energy costs make pumping the brakes the right move. Good on her for recognizing a bad idea when she sees one.

138 Years of the Smithtown Messenger

One hundred thirty-eight years ago, long before smartphones, social media, or even television, a group of local newspapermen in Smithtown decided this community deserved something simple but powerful: a reliable messenger.

Not an algorithm. Not a distant corporate newsroom.

A local paper.

This week, we celebrate 138 years of The Smithtown Messenger—Smithtown’s oldest newspaper and one of the longest continuously published local papers in Suffolk County. That’s not just a milestone for us; it’s a milestone for everyone who has ever picked up this paper at a diner, a deli, a library, or their front door and said, “Let me see what’s going on around town.”

For nearly a century and a half, this paper has been there as Smithtown grew from farm country and tight-knit hamlets into the vibrant suburban community it is today. The Messenger has printed the good news—weddings, graduations, championships, ribbon cuttings—and the hard news—budget fights, crime, storms, and struggles. Through world wars, blackouts, recessions, and pandemics, The Messenger kept showing up.

That’s the legacy I inherited when I took the helm as Publisher earlier this year. And I take that responsibility seriously.

In 2025, it’s easy to forget that local news isn’t guaranteed. Across the country, community papers have folded, consolidated, or been swallowed up by chains that know the price of everything and the value of nothing. When that happens, something vital disappears: the place where your kids’ teams, your school board, your veterans, your small businesses, and your neighborhood debates are all on the record.

The Messenger is still here because of you—our readers, our advertisers, and our community partners who believe that Smithtown deserves its own voice.

Over 138 years, The Messenger has evolved. Today, we not only publish The Smithtown Messenger but also The Brookhaven Messenger and The Islip Messenger, bringing that same community-driven focus to neighboring towns across Suffolk County. We’ve expanded our digital presence, broadened our sports, opinion, and feature coverage, and strengthened our role as an outlet where local voices can be heard—whether you’re a longtime resident, a new family, a business owner, a coach, or a student with something to say.

But some things have not changed—and will not change on my watch:

• We are a local newspaper. Our reporting centers on Suffolk County—its schools, its roads, its

We will say, however, to remain wary of the possible political shuffling with this rollback. We don’t fault Senator Mattera and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) - Hochul’s possible opponent in next year’s high-stakes gubernatorial race - for assuming this could be the same bait-and-switch that the Governor pulled with congestion pricing. Last summer, Hochul paused the plan on congestion pricing for Midtown Manhattan, only to enact it right after the 2024 election. We can’t prove the negative, but it’s reasonable to keep an eye on the political posturing here - especially as Hochul appears to be in for a real race next year.

And that suspicion, we find, is only all the more validated by the fact that Hochul is apparently doing a 180 on the NESE natural gas pipelineanother initiative for which Senator Mattera has advocated since the Cuomo Administration.

We hope this is a genuine plan and not a game. We’re all for creative solutions and progressing towards renewable energy, but it needs to be done pragmatically. We already suffer the highest energy costs in the country. There’s no need to squeeze lemon juice over the paper cut.

But we’re not entirely sure this isn’t a political ploy either.

From what we can ascertain, we applaud the rollback but remain cautiously optimistic.

businesses, and its people, but tailored to each town’s needs.

• We believe in coverage over clickbait. A story matters because it affects your life, your taxes, your school, your safety, or your sense of community—not because it goes viral.

• We believe in fairness and accountability. That means asking hard questions when taxpayer money or public trust is on the line, regardless of party or position.

• We believe in celebrating what’s good about Smithtown without ignoring what needs to be fixed.

An anniversary like this isn’t just about looking backward. It’s about recommitting to the future.

In the coming year, we are working to:

• Expand our local sports coverage, giving student-athletes the recognition they deserve

• Strengthen small business and Main Street coverage, highlighting the entrepreneurs who power this town’s economy

• Grow community submissions letters, guest columns, and photos

• Continue improving digital access while preserving the experience of a true hometown paper in print every week

Most importantly, I want to extend a personal thank you.

To our loyal subscribers who have stayed with us through thick and thin; to our advertisers who trust us with their hardearned dollars; to our columnists, reporters, photographers, and proofreaders who work long hours to get the details right; and to every reader who picks up the paper and then passes it to a neighbor—you are the reason this 138-year story is still being written.

If you value having a local paper that is independent, unapologetically local, and committed to this community, I invite you to lean in even more this year: subscribe, advertise, send us your story ideas, your announcements, your feedback—even your criticism. A healthy newspaper is a conversation with its community, not a monologue.

One day, someone will look back and say: The Smithtown Messenger didn’t just survive 138 years. It adapted, it grew, and it stayed rooted in the people it served.

From my desk to your kitchen table: thank you for being part of this chapter. Here’s to the first 138 years—and to many more editions still to come.

Sincerely, Raheem Soto, Publisher

Raise The Age Isn’t Working

By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

The abject failure of New York’s criminal justice reform has been evident for years. For example, “Raise the Age,” which calls for many cases involving 16- and 17-year-old Adolescent Offenders (AOs) to be heard in family court rather than criminal court, has done nothing to make New Yorkers safer, much like other failed “progressive” policies such as the near elimination of bail and solitary confinement in state prisons.

One look at New York City clearly demonstrates how dangerous and ineffective this policy is. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the number of young shooters has nearly doubled since the law was changed and the number of children victimized by shootings is up 83%. However, this problem is far from a downstate-specific issue. In Albany, one incident involved 10 young people being shot, one fatally, and buildings were set on fire on the Fourth of July. Statistics indicate an overall increase in violent crime committed by 16and 17-year-old offenders across the state, while convictions plummeted.

Prior to Raise the Age, in 2017, nearly 60%, or 4,000, AOs charged with serious crimes were convicted in adult criminal court, and more than 1,000 received a prison or jail sentence. In 2024, however, less than 10%, or 418 AOs charged with a felony received a felony conviction, with less than 5% placed in an Office of Children and Family Services facility for more than a year.

“The data is telling us, over the past five years, a very clear, stark story. We need to listen to that data,” said Tisch. The Assembly Minority Conference has been listening. We have been tracking this data for years, and we have continued to call for criminal accountability, fair and appropriate judicial discretion, and meaningful reforms to criminal justice legislation that respects the rights of all New Yorkers, especially the victims of violent crime.

As such, it’s no surprise district attorneys, law enforcement agents, victims’ advocates and lawmakers from every corner of New York have been persistent in their calls for change. With major changes coming in 2026 — New York City’s socialist experiment will undoubtedly create new challenges for residents and state lawmakers — it’s critical we continue to push this fight forward.

I have introduced legislation (A.4705) to prevent AOs who commit serious felonies from escaping criminal liability by being shielded by family court, where records are sealed. The reason for this legislation is simple: These young men and women know what they are doing is wrong. The gang leaders who recruit them to do their bidding while shielded by this law know what they are doing is wrong. We must hold them accountable.

The Assembly Minority Conference will always advocate for the victims of crime. I look forward to working with my partners and colleagues in the Assembly and Senate in the upcoming session to hold perpetrators accountable and restore common sense to our criminal justice system. Raise the Age simply did not work, and it’s long past time to move on from this failed policy.

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

Here’s What Trump Should Be Telling the Public on the Economy

By Steve Levy | Long Island Life & Politics

The new buzzword in politics is “affordability.” It’s what many pundits believe led Democrats to a strong showing this past Election Day.

It’s also put President Trump and the Republicans on notice that affordability will likely remain as the pivotal issue in the midterms.

It’s all extraordinarily frustrating to Trump, who continues to tout his policies that resulted in an immediate sharp reduction in gas prices, a moderation of inflation and a meteoric rise in the stock market.

Unfortunately, the president appears tone-deaf when he parrots the same argument hyped by Biden and Harris in the fall of 2024 that they shouldn’t believe their lying eyes, but rather the cherry-picked statistics that the then-president pumped on a daily basis.

Trump has a lot more success to point to than did Biden, but he’s missing something when he thinks everyone has benefited from a high stock market and a robust 3.8% GDP.

While it’s encouraging to the average middle class person that their 401(k) is at its highest level ever, that money isn’t available right now to pay their still too high grocery bills, climbing rents, or the mortgage on a new home.

So, Mr. President, allow me to humbly suggest you use the following message:

In this last election, I heard you loud and clear that closing the border and bringing prices down were your prime concerns.

I said on day one that I would be able to lower your gas prices and I succeeded by ending Biden‘s war on traditional energy sources and promoting more drilling.

What will not happen on day one is seeing the filtering-down effect on all prices.

That will take some time. Not four years, but several months to two years.

If we look back in history, we can see that Ronald Reagan did not turn around a moribund economy in one day. But his tax cuts and deregulation, in time, resulted in an enormous surge in productivity and wage growth.

That’s why it’s so important to stay on course.

There’s evidence my policies work. Look back to the first three years of my administration before Covid.

Our tax cuts brought billions of dollars back into the United States that were parked overseas. They spurred investment and placed an additional $2,000 in the pockets of the average family.

It led to significantly higher GDP than Obama‘s last term and raised wages to their highest level in decades, with the working class gaining even more on a proportional basis than the wealthy.

As we head into winter, the lower fuel costs can save an average household in the thousands.

Wages are starting to rise, in part, because I am deporting illegal aliens who have been suppressing wages over the years.

Why would we elect more Democrats who would reverse this?

And soon, we will have a new Federal Reserve chair who will likely cut interest rates significantly.

High interest rates are the root of the pain so many of you are feeling. Homeownership has been out of reach for many. I don’t mean this to sound partisan, but it is indeed Joe Biden‘s doing.

Rates spiked dramatically during his tenure because he recklessly spent trillions of dollars unnecessarily, thereby spiking inflation to its highest level in 40 years.

We now have an inflation rate between 2% and 3%, which is a great improvement over Biden‘s 9%. We realize that’s not actually lowering his high baseline, but it is curbing inflation that will lead to the Fed cutting the rates, which will unleash enormous prosperity in our nation.

Right now, no one is going to sell the home they bought seven years ago with an interest rate of 3% and have it converted to a 6-1/2% mortgage. That has a limited supply. Meanwhile, Joe Biden let in 15 million illegal aliens who are competing for this housing stock.

There were many folks who were hoping that these high prices would be eradicated within the first month or two of my administration. I realize I built up that expectation by noting that we would change things on day one. And on some things we did, including the border and energy policy, but I ask your indulgence for more time on some of the other price levels that we are confident will be reduced over the next year.

As for tariffs, we will continue to level the playing field so our Fords can be sold in Germany, and we are no longer dependent on China for our pharmaceuticals or rare earth materials. However, I will hereinafter refrain from imposing tariffs on every nation all at once. We will seek reciprocity one nation at a time to lessen the impact on our consumers.

The roaring back of our economy in my first term due to tax cuts and deregulation will be repeated in the years to come, so long as we don’t elect the same culprits that put us near the brink in the last four years.

Thank you.

Steve Levy is President of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He served as Suffolk County Executive, as a NYS Assemblyman, and host of the “On the Right Side Podcast.” He is the author of “Solutions to America’s Problems” and “Bias in the Media.” www.SteveLevy.info, Twitter @SteveLevyNY, steve@commonsensestrategies.com

This op-ed originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.

This Week Today

Thursday, November 27, 2025

National, State, and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

The Epstein Files Transparency Act has been passed nearly unanimously in both chambers of Congress and signed by President Donald Trump (R-FL).

On Tuesday, November 18, the U.S. House voted in a 427-1 vote to require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publish in a “searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”

The bill was passed with 211 Democratic votes and 216 Republican votes, with 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans not voting. The sole vote against the release of the files was Congressman Clay Higgins (R, LA-03), who argued that the release of the identities within the files would cause undue harm to innocent witnesses and family members implicated therein.

The Senate voted by Unanimous Consent without amendment to send the bill to Trump’s desk for his signature. He signed the bill into law on November 19. The DOJ has until December 19 to adhere to the directions in the bill.

The flurry of releases preceding the vote has implicated several members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-08), who has been accused of soliciting money from Epstein five years after Epstein’s convictions of child sex crimes. The consulting firm Dynamic SRG was seen in 2013 reaching out to Epstein on behalf of the Jeffries campaign. Jeffries’ campaign committee, according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) data obtained by The Messenger, paid Dynamic SRG $37,351.31 for their services between May 1, 2013, and January 7, 2015.

Congresswoman Sheila CherfilusMcCormick (D, FL-20) has been indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to aid her congressional campaign in 2021.

She is accused of stealing the FEMA overpayments that her family healthcare company had received through a federal COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract. Some of that money was then allegedly funneled to her campaign through contributions.

In separate Hill news, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” García (D, IL-04) is accused of coordinating his own retirement ahead of Illinois’ filing deadline so that his chief of staff could declare her candidacy and not face a primary.

On November 12, García’s office issued a statement that he is not seeking reelection due to his wife’s “worsening” health conditions, as well as care of his grandchildren in the wake of his daughter’s death.

The initial releases also show Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) (pictured above) texting with Epstein, whom she referred to as another “constituent” - given that she represents the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, records show that she was texting with Epstein during a 2019 House Oversight Committee Hearing at which Trump’s thenattorney Michael Cohen testified about Trump’s alleged hush money payments to mistresses.

The text transcripts show that Epstein was apparently watching the hearing on live television. Plaskett asked Epstein for clarity on Rhona Graff, Trump’s former executive assistant. Plaskett texted with Epstein, “Quick I’m up next”, referring to her allotted time for questions.

Plaskett narrowly survived a censure vote relating to the texts, with three Republicans - Don Bacon (R, NE-02), Lance Gooden (R, TX-05), and David Joyce (R, OH14) - joining 211 Democrats to not censure the Virgin Islands Delegate. No Democrats vote in favor of censuring her.

The drama on Capitol Hill, however, does not stop with the Epstein Files.

hears appeals from the Fifth Circuit, now calls into question the Court’s move in 2019, in which the Court extricated itself from partisan gerrymandering cases. They opined then that those issues were more on political bases rather than legal.

The filing deadline for the U.S. House in Texas is December 8, and primaries are set for March.

Moreover, firebrand conservative Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R, GA-14) has announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026, after questioning Trump’s “America First” priorities and his oscillations on the release of the Epstein Files. Trump had revoked his endorsement of her and called for a primary against her in the seat she’s held since 2021.

Outside the Hill, a breaking story is developing, as it is alleged that Minnesota tax dollars were funneled through fraudulent programs to help Somali terror group Al-Shabaab.

“He followed every rule and every filing requirement laid out by the State of Illinois,” read the statement.

García, who was first elected to the Chicagobased seat in 2018, was reprimanded by the House in a vote of 213 Republicans and 22 Democrats. The vote was promulgated by Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA03), who said, “Representative Chuy García has had a long career of public service, and he is retiring for honorable reasons, but election subversion is wrong no matter who’s doing it.”

House Democratic leadership was reportedly blindsided by the vote, as Perez forced the vote without notifying Minority Leader Jeffries.

“(García) is a good man who has always prioritized the people he represents, even while experiencing unthinkable family tragedy. We unequivocally oppose this misguided resolution and urge our colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to reject it,” said Jeffries and the leadership team in a statement.

Jeffries later stated that he “strongly supports” García, adding that the “American people are focused on the high cost of living.”

The mid-decade redistricting “arms race” saw its first bubble burst last Wednesday, as the GOP-drawn gerrymander in Texas was struck down in a 2-1 vote.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who authored the majority decision, tossed the Long Star State’s map on the grounds of a racial gerrymander. Brown is receiving criticism from the Texas GOP and Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) for requiring Texas to use the map drawn in 2021, with detractors saying that the 2026 elections are already in motion under the current lines.

However, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily restored the gerrymander. Alito has asked for responses to his decision in hopes of moving the case along quickly. The decision from Alito, who

The nonprofit Feeding Our Future is accused of having received $250 million in state funding using “fake meal counts, doctored attendance records, and fabricated invoices,” according to a report from City Journal. The report continued by saying that the money was being used to fund “lavish lifestyles, luxury vehicles, and real estate” in the U.S., Turkey, and Kenya. A woman charged adjacent to the scandal is also alleged to have run a $14 million scam that involved fake autism diagnoses for Somali children.

Many in the Twin Cities’ Somali community established their own autism treatment centers, resulting in a one-insixteen autism diagnosis for Minnesota Somalis - more than triple the state average.

Some of those funds were transferred overseas to Al-Shabaab, a Sunni Islamist militant group focused on overthrowing the Somali government and establishing a Sharia Law state in the Horn of Africa. Since 2012, the group has formalized their allegiance with al-Qaeda.

In response, Trump has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota.

State

The Siena College has released its latest poll, which was conducted from November 10-12.

Siena found that Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) favorability and job approval ratings have each slipped five points from September. Hochul’s favorability is -2 (43%-45%), down from her +3 (45%-42%) in September, while her job approval sits at +9 (52%-43%), down from her +14 rating two months ago (54%-40%).

In terms of the 2026 gubernatorial contest, Hochul, according to Siena’s latest findings, leads Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) by twenty points (52%-32%), down slightly from Hochul’s September lead of twenty-five points (52%-27%).

Stefanik’s favorability rating stands at -8 (28%-36%), up slightly from -13 (21%34%).

In terms of the Democratic Primary,

Hochul continues to lead Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado (D) by crushing margins. She leads Delgado by +40 (56%-16%) in the primary, which is set for June.

Siena College found that 42% of voters are prepared to re-elect Hochul, while 48% prefer “someone else.” That metric has improved from the 37%-51% gap that Hochul faced in September. Of the 48% of voters who are prepared to elect “someone else”, 30% opt for another Democrat, while 53% say it’s time for a Republican to govern New York.

As the Big Apple prepares for Mayorelect Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) to take his oath of office, Siena finds that among New York City constituents, he is viewed favorably - 55%-31% - compared to his 31%-49% rating in the downstate suburbs and 30%-44% upstate.

Trump’s favorability rating in New York State, according to Siena, stands at -26 (35%-61%), mostly unchanged from September. His job approval sits at a similar -24 (37%-61%), also relatively unchanged from their last survey.

In the twenty-one years of the Siena College’s existence, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-Park Slope) has the worst favorability rating clocked by the pollster. Their November survey puts Schumer at a -23 rating (32%-55%). While viewed unfavorably by 74% of Republicans and 61% of Independents, he is barely treading water among Democrats, who narrowly favor him by a 45%-43% margin. For context, the last time Schumer had a net-favorable rating among Republicans was December 2016 - a 55%-37% margin.

The College also notes that Congresswoman Alexandria OcasioCortez (D, NY-14), who is speculated to run for Schumer’s Senate seat in 2028, is viewed favorably 42%-37%, but at a 62%-20% margin among Democrats and a 55%-27% margin among NYC voters.

Finally, the College found that 39% of voters think New York State is on the “right track”, while 45% say it is on the “wrong track” - down from a 42%-41% margin in September.

The poll consisted of 802 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/4.0%.

Local

The Suffolk County Addiction Prevention and Support Advisory Panel will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 5:30p.m. It will be located at the Maxine S. Postal Auditorium at the Evans K. Griffing Building, 300 Center Drive in Riverhead.

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak during the public portion of the meeting.

The panel functions as an advisory role to the County Legislature on how to address addiction. They also convene representatives from law enforcement, education, civic associations, and healthcare to share concerns and spread solutions, as well as review statistics from the Suffolk County Police Department and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

10 Islip Matters

Continued from front cover

Man Arrested for Riley Fibers Fire

All patrons and staff evacuated quickly, and no injuries were reported. The East Islip Fire Department arrived within minutes, with surrounding departments providing mutual aid and standing by at the scene to assist as needed.

Paul Lucia, 60, was identified as the patron responsible for the fire following an investigation by Arson Squad detectives. Officers found Lucia on November 21 after officers located him in a vehicle with stolen license plates.

Lucia was transported to the Third Precinct, where he was arrested and charged with Arson in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. He was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned the

following morning, November 22, at First District Court in Central Islip.

What comes next for Riley Fibbers remains uncertain. The restaurant has long served as a community hub — not only in East Islip, but also in Selden, where its sister location thrives. Known for fostering a family-like atmosphere among its customers, Riley Fibbers now faces a difficult moment and could use the community’s support more than ever.

A community member in the “Islip This and That” Facebook group said, “Prayers go out to the owners and staff at this great neighborhood place. They are all friends of this community. It is so unfortunate that this happened to them. I am grateful that nobody was hurt. This is a very scary world.”

The outpouring of love and support across

hundreds of Facebook comments has been remarkable, with community members coming together to share memories and celebrate the good times they experienced at a place so many once loved.

East Islip has long been known as a strong and impactful community on Long Island — one that consistently shows up for its neighbors in times of need. The response to the fire at Riley Fibbers is no exception. As residents continue to share memories, offer support, and rally behind the staff and owners, it’s clear this beloved local staple holds a special place in many hearts. While the future of the restaurant remains uncertain, the unity and compassion shown by the community serve as a powerful reminder of what makes East Islip such a resilient and connected hometown.

To the Residents of LD-10, Thank You!

Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the residents of the Tenth Legislative District (LD-10) for their support and confidence in her reelection.

“This campaign was truly a community effort. Every conversation, smile and word of encouragement reminded me why I love serving this district,” she said.

She emphasized that she will continue to keep Suffolk County residents at the center of her work.

“Thank you for believing in me and in the work we’re doing together,” she added. “I’m honored to keep serving you and to keep fighting for the needs of our community.”

Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) has represented the Tenth District in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2022. The Tenth District includes East Islip, Great River, Islandia, Islip Terrace, North Great River, Ronkonkoma, and parts of Central Islip and Hauppauge.

Legislator Bergin serves as the Chair of the Seniors and Human Services Committee, Vice Chair of Economic Development, Planning, and Housing, Vice Chair of the Government Operations, Personnel, and Information Technology Committee, and serves on the Committees on Education and Diversity; and Labor and Consumer Affairs.

The Tenth District office is located at 44 East Main Street in East Islip and can be reached at 631-854-0940.

Happy Thankgiving

Thoughts of Thankfulness Thoughts of Thankfulness

This exact time last year, almost to the day, my mom called me on Saturday morning while I was delivering newspapers. Her phone call was to tell me that, after several years in remission, the doctors had found cancer in another part of her body. She was now waiting on the results of other tests they had run to come back. In order to decide the next step in the process and fight, our holiday season last year had a dark cloud of some uncertainty looming in the backdrop. After a difficult year of chemo, radiation, watching her hair and vitality be completely lost, I’m truly thankful to God first and foremost that He has brought her through another difficult bout with cancer. Her most recent tests and checkups came back with good news. She’s currently feeling pretty good, sporting her short hair extremely well and back to babysitting my nieces and nephews several times each week - something she loves and lives to do.

- PJ Balzer, Sports and Deliveries

Gratitude is not measured by what we possess, but by what we have been trusted to steward. I am grateful first for family — the quiet foundation that allows every public effort to stand. In a world that often confuses speed with progress, family remains the steady force that reminds us who we are and why our work matters.

I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Publisher of The Messenger. To inform Suffolk County is not merely a job; it is a responsibility. A free and honest press is not built on noise, but on discipline, truth, and respect for the reader’s intelligence. Communities do not thrive on slogans. They thrive on facts, context, and accountability.

To have the privilege of telling the stories of our neighbors, our businesses, our schools, and our local government is something I do not take lightly. Opportunity is only meaningful when used in service of others — and for that, I remain truly grateful.

- Raheem Soto, Publisher

They say that you learn something new every day.

In my job, I learn a hundred new things every day.

I’ve done the nine-to-five jobs, I’ve sat at a desk, and I’ve broken my back. But none of it stacks up to this job, which is different almost every day. From traveling from one end of the county to the other throughout the week, conducting interviews with some of Suffolk’s most interesting people - from our elected officials to our World War II Veterans - crafting compelling editorial analysis, to delivering a product that someone will hang up in their home or office, it’s different every day. To have a spot on the press stage at presidential rallies, to having more connections than I know what to do with, I would never have thought I’d have this responsibility. I’m thankful not only for that opportunity but the patronage of our readers, the suggestions the community brings for content, and the cooperation from our officials, civic leaders, and PR specialists who not only make our job easier, but make each week’s print better than the last.

- Matt Meduri, Editor-in-Chief

The holiday season brings a heavier workload for me each year. While it can be long and stressful, I’m grateful to have a full-time job with good pay and health benefits. Putting in the extra hard work during this time of year just means a better paycheck for future me to be able to do the things I want to do.

I’m grateful for my fiancé, Tom. After six years together, we got engaged in May. We’re in the midst of planning our March 2027 wedding. Personally, I’m having a blast since I live for that type of stuff.

I’m grateful for my family and friends who are my biggest support system in everything I do. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person that I am or be where I am today.

I’m also grateful for my education. Three degrees later...I have a master’s in journalism, and I get to write about my passion each week. Sports are a major part of my life, especially women’s sports. I love getting to tell the stories of varsity sports teams at eastern Suffolk County schools.

- Ashley Pavlakis, Sports

This season, there are a few things that stick out to me when it comes to what I am thankful for. Like everyone else, I am, of course, grateful for my family and close friends. But I am also thankful for the opportunities I have had this past year. Opportunities to make new friends, receive more work here at The Messenger, travel to new places, spend time with family when life gets busy, and every opportunity, no matter what it was, big or small, are what I would say I am most thankful for. We take life for granted and forget the small things, but I have tried to remember how vital these moments are.

- Madison Warren, Field Reporter and Social Media Manager

There are so many blessings in my life, and I am so grateful for all the highs and even all the lows that have brought me to where I am. I thank God every day for my life, the people who surround me, and the opportunities I get to experience.

- Gia Rudilosso, Proofreader

If we take a moment out of our busy life, just a moment and come to the realization of how grateful we should be for everything we have around us. From the simplicity of being healthy, the ability to be capable of rising in the morning and moving forward and do as we wish, the time we have, the moments we can share with our loved ones in the life we lead. Our problems are always truly smaller than we imagine them. We were given a divine ability to beat any adversity that comes our way. We must be strong in this. Strong and grateful and pay it forward. Be strong for others in need and all will fall into place.

- Sergio Fabbri, Art Manager

John Pearl Elementary Holds Thanksgiving Food Drive for Local Families

John Pearl Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District collected a generous amount of nonperishable food items throughout November to support local families in need this Thanksgiving. Students helped decorate and assemble the donation boxes, making the effort a true schoolwide community project. University and institutions in Italy, Ms. Costa’s career spans both countries. She is active in professional organizations, including the American Association of Teachers of Italian and the Long Island Language Teachers. Known for her warmth, innovation and global perspective, Ms. Costa exemplifies excellence in world language education and continues to foster a deep appreciation for culture and communication among her students.

Three Central Islip Seniors Commit to Play College Sports

Karyme Parada, Lianna Mills, and Jasmine Canales-Luna were honored in the Central Islip High School gym on Nov. 19 for signing to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.

Parada and Canales-Luna will both continue their soccer careers, with Parada signing with Queens College

and Canales-Luna with SUNY Old Westbury. Mills will play softball at nearby Adelphi University.

All coaches, along with Dr. Sharon A. Dungee, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. John Piropato, Director of Athletics; and the students’ families were in attendance to congratulate the three athletes.

Sayville Public Schools Celebrates as Student-Athletes Commit to Play College Sports

Sayville Public Schools recognized 13 senior student-athletes during a National Signing Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 12. Each honoree was celebrated for their dedication to their sport and commitment to continue playing at the college level.

College and Athletic Commitments

· Meghan Brady – Women’s Swimming and Diving, Northeastern University

· Sophia Buffardi – Women’s Lacrosse, University of North Carolina

· Carly Cangelosi – Women’s Lacrosse, Rutgers University

· Sean Casey – Men’s Lacrosse, Manhattan College

· Delilah Cummings – Softball, The College of Charleston

· Olivia DeSimone – Women’s Lacrosse, Florida State University

· Morgan Farrell – Women’s Lacrosse, Johns Hopkins University

· Kyla Kastner – Women’s Soccer, Millersville University

· Julia Lilienthal – Women’s Lacrosse, Vanderbilt University

· Paige Manning – Women’s Lacrosse, Quinnipiac University

· Shane Meehan – Baseball, Stony Brook University

· Jenna Messina – Women’s Lacrosse, Coastal Carolina University

· Julianna Montalto – Women’s Lacrosse, Arizona State University

The celebration was attended by the star athletes and their families, along with Superintendent Dr. Marc Ferris, Director of Physical Education, Health, and Interscholastic Athletics Dr. Ryan Cox, Board Trustee Kathy VanDorn, and Board Trustee Christopher Robertson.

“Our National Signing Day Ceremony allows us to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our outstanding student-athletes,” said Dr. Ryan Cox, Director of Physical Education, Health, and Interscholastic Athletics at Sayville Public Schools.

“Their accomplishments reflect the strength of our athletic programs and the support of our Sayville community.”

For more information on the Sayville Union Free School District, visit the district’s website at sayvilleschools.org. Happenings in the district can also be found on the district’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saydistrictpr. #CaringAndLearning

“I am so proud of this team,” coach John Burke said. “The heart they have shown all season long has been something special to witness. They earned this championship through incredible daily effort and perseverance both on and off the field.”

East Islip Board of Education Recognizes Dedicated Students and Athletic Trainer

At the East Islip School District’s November 13 Board of Education meeting, East Islip High School seniors Joesuf Ahmad and Liam Eichler were recognized for being named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, and athletic trainer Taylor Kenney was honored for her dedication in going above and beyond for East Islip’s student athletes.

Additionally, Timber Point Elementary School Principal Danielle Naccarato and teachers Jamie Lyn Celeste and Amanda Lastella gave a presentation on the evolution of the school’s library media center and art instruction.

Bretton Woods Elementary Celebrates World Kindness Day

In honor of World Kindness Day, celebrated on November 13, students at Bretton Woods Elementary School in the Hauppauge School District participated in a series of activities designed to spread positivity throughout their school and local community.

Students in Ms. Robins’ class decorated coffee sleeves with uplifting messages. The sleeves will be shared with customers at the local Starbucks, offering a warm dose of kindness with every cup served.

Fourth-grade students also contributed by designing vibrant “KIND” word posters. Each letter featured drawings and written examples of ways they can show kindness in their daily lives, highlighting the many simple but meaningful ways to make a difference.

To further commemorate the day, students and staff across the building wore purple. On World Kindness Day and every day, Bretton Woods continues to promote kindness as a core value, encouraging students to take small actions that create a lasting impact.

Academy Street Third-Graders Set Sail with Mayflower-Inspired STEM Challenge

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Academy Street Elementary’s third grade STEAM Club designed, built and tested their very own Mayflowerinspired ships during their November meeting.

The club focuses on cultivating curiosity and problem-solving through science, technology, engineering, art and math. This session challenged students to think like real engineers with questions like, “What makes a boat float?” “What helps it travel faster?” and “Which materials will work best?”

Students planned their boat designs, selecting from an array of materials, including egg cartons, cardboard packaging, rubber bands, toothpicks, coffee filters, aluminum cans, tape and popsicle sticks. Each student named their vessel, sketched out their design and made predictions about how quickly their ship would cross a water-filled bin using only “wind” (or their own breath) for propulsion.

During testing, students discovered how material choices affected performance. Most notably, they realized that lighter boats tended to move more quickly across the water. The room buzzed with excitement as students compared results, refined ideas and celebrated their floating successes.

The Necessary Standard for American Education

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

By Matt Meduri

This week, we’re discussing a landmark piece of legislation that has been the basis for landmark Supreme Court cases, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. We find it pertinent to our column as the Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling that could significantly impact redistricting, as the nationwide “arms race” continues.

History and Origin

At a glance, the VRA is a federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) on August 6, 1965, Congress has since passed five amendments to expand its protections.

The Constitution gives states their own powers to administer their own elections, including voter qualifications. After the end of the Civil War, three amendments - known as the Reconstruction Amendments - were added to the Constitution: the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. The amendments in question for the VRA’s purposes are the Fourteenth, which grants citizenship to anyone “born or naturalized in the United States” and guarantees all citizens due process and equal protection rights, and the Fifteenth, which prohibits the denial of suffrage based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The Enforcement Acts to bolster these protections were passed in the 1870s. These acts criminalized the obstruction of voting rights and imposed federal supervision over the electoral process. After the end of Reconstruction, however, enforcement became difficult in the Jim Crow South, leading to their eventual repeal. During that period, Southern Democrats began to impose strict electoral regulations on voting, including poll taxes, literacy tests, property-ownership requirements, and moral character tests, among other initiatives.

For the judiciary to remedy violations, the meticulous work of reviewing thousands upon thousands of documents, test results, and ballots in an age without modern technology was already an undertaking, combined with fierce resistance from Southern local officials. Litigation was as frequent as it was severe, meaning the Justice Department was effectively playing a game of whack-a-mole in applying legal remedies.

The primary response was the Civil Rights Act of 1964, although further unrest and protest promulgated the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT) and Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen (R-IL) together crafted the bill. Despite a Democrat-controlled Senate in the supermajority, President Johnson feared extensive filibuster from Southern Democrats who had held up the approval of the Civil Rights Act. Mansfield proposed motions to get the bill out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a deadline with a full vote so as to not have the bill die in committee at the hands of Senator James Eastland (D-MS), a vehement segregationist.

Ultimately, the VRA was passed 77-19, with two Republicans and seventeen Democrats voting against it. In the House, it passed 333-85, with twenty-three Republicans and sixty-two Democrats opposed.

Section 2

Section 2 of the VRA is what’s being considered by the Supreme Court, particularly as it pertains to congressional districts drawn to its provisions. Section 2 prohibits any jurisdiction - state or local - from imposing a “voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, of procedure…in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right…to vote on account of race…”

Section 2 stipulates that if the provision is intentionally violated, then it is also a violation of the Fifteenth Amendment.

Perhaps the most significant provision of Section 2 is its redistricting sections. The VRA prohibits redistricting that discriminates based on race, color, or membership of a language minority group. The VRA has been used to overturn maps that dilute a minority population’s power

Published

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.

of electing a representative who they believe to be an accurate one of their community. This section has also been used to mandate the drawing of majority-minority districts - those where the majority of the population is constituted by a minority group.

Section 3

Section 3 gives federal courts the power to assign federal examiners to jurisdictions where voter disenfranchisement is alleged to have occurred. Moreover, it also contains the “bail-in” provision, which allows courts to bail a jurisdiction into preclearance after finding it has violated the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments. Through this, Section 3 allows courts to tailor preclearance requirements to specific changes and for specified periods.

Section 4

Section 4 established the “coverage formula” to identify jurisdictions with histories of voting discrimination. A jurisdiction would be covered if it used a “test” or “device” to prevent voting and if said jurisdiction had lower voter registration and turnout compared to the 1964 presidential election.

Section 5

Section 5, pursuant to the formula in Section 4, required covered jurisdictions to get preclearance from the DOJ or a federal court before making any changes to its voting laws and/or procedures.

However, in 2013 the Supreme Court declared the coverage formula of Section 4(b) unconstitutional, as it was based on decades-old data and no longer a valid yardstick with which to gauge present-day voter disenfranchisement. This means that jurisdictions no longer have to seek federal preclearance before changing their laws.

Notable Amendments

Many amendments to the VRA were merely extensions of special provisions that were tied to the coverage formula in Section 4(b). Those provisions were extended in 1970, 1975, 1982, and 2006.

In 1970, Congress set standard residency requirements for presidential elections and extended the ban on literacy tests for access to the ballot box.

In 1975, Congress expanded the language of “tests” or “devices” to include any jurisdiction that disseminated election information in English only if said jurisdiction had a single-language minority group that made up more than 5% of its voting-age citizens. In 1982, Congress expanded procedures to allow jurisdictions out of the coverage formula if they sustained the voting rights of protected classes.

In 2006, Congress reauthorized the preclearance provisions until 2031. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush (R-TX).

The VRA Today

The VRA is making media rounds as the Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge to the redistricting

provision of Section 2. The law is currently being challenged in the case Louisiana v. Callais. Plaintiffs argue that Section 2’s requirements are relied upon too heavily in creating majority-minority districts to the point that race has been a deliberate factor in drawing maps. While Section 2 stipulates that race cannot be a factor in drawing districts so as to not dilute a protected class’s voting power, it doesn’t state that a district should be made for the purpose of creating lopsided maps based solely on race. The pathological political cartography, if you will, is what’s being litigated.

Louisiana v. Callais was mounted following the 2020 Census, with plaintiffs arguing that Section 2 itself violates the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

The results of the 2020 Census in Louisiana found that one-third of the state’s population is black, but only one black-majority congressional district had been drawn, with five Republican districts alongside it. That district is LA-02, which is 50.4% black and 33.6% white. It takes in New Orleans proper and the exurbs of Baton Rouge.

Litigation over Louisiana’s map passed in 2021 argued that a second black-majority district must be drawn to better represent the state’s demography. Plaintiffs argued that the 5R-1D map violated Section 2 of the VRA, resulting in a new map approved before the 2024 elections in which LA-06 went from a district carefully carved around the city of Baton Rouge - a solidly-red district - to one that stretches from Baton Rouge all the way to the northwestern corner of the state to take in Shreveport. The current LA-06 is 54.4% black and 36.0% white. LA-06 is solidly Democratic.

What followed was a decision in Allen v. Milligan, in which Alabama’s map - a 6R-1D map - also violated Section 2 of the VRA. Before the 2024 elections, a new map was placed to redraw the Montgomery-based AL-02 from a solidly-red district to a blue-leaning district that contains Montgomery, Mobile, and the Wiregrass Region.

After the new maps were passed, a group calling themselves “non-African-American voters” sued Louisiana, claiming that the districts were racially gerrymandered and violated the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. The federal district judges from the Western District of Louisiana ruled in a 2-1 decision that the map was racially gerrymandered and blocked its usage before the 2024 elections. The Supreme Court ordered the map remain in place.

The first oral hearing was in March, while the second hearing was held on October 15. Court observers say that the Supreme Court could be leaning to limit the use of Section 2 of the VRA for redistricting, in a manner similar to the decision that ended affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Observers also believe that while the Court might not deem Section 2 unconstitutional, its scope could be limited.

What Would the Maps Look Like?

If the Supreme Court limited Section 2’s power in redistricting, Republicans could net up to a dozen seats in the Deep South. Particularly, Democratic seats in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia could be endangered. If those seats were to be undone due to such a Court ruling, the GOP would have a much larger upper hand in retaining control of the House next year, mid-decade redistricting by both parties thus far notwithstanding.

The map shows what those dozen seats could do for a GOP majority. The dark red/blue seats are holds for the respective party based on incumbency. Some of these could flip next year, but for the sake of the argument, we’ll say that the party holds these seats. The medium red/ blue seats are flips for the respective party based on middecade redistricting, while the light-blue seats are those we think the Democratic Party is likely to pick up next year without a mid-decade redraw.

Under this circumstance, the GOP makes a net gain of ten seats for a total of 228 seats, with three Toss Ups that could go either way - a much rosier picture than their current razor-thin majority of 220 seats.

Hauppauge F.D. Holds Meeting on BESS Facility

By Matt Meduri

Of particular concern to the Hauppauge community lately is the proposed Battery Energy System Storage (BESS) facility. The project was proposed for a site on Rabro Drive, just off the Expressway and near Bretton Woods Elementary School.

The project has generated a significant amount of controversy, as residents believe the facility’s location to pose a rolling health hazard and a massive risk in the event of a catastrophe, while firefighters across Suffolk continue to push back on these facilities until and unless firefighting capabilities and technologies improve in fighting lithium fires. Currently, the only option on the table for most fire companies is to simply let the fires burn, which release toxic chemicals and can burn for days or even weeks depending on the size of the fire.

Moreover, the Hauppauge Fire Department caught the attention of Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), who heads the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), who spoke at the firehouse in August to stress that local control, not state mandates, is the best way to navigate the issue.

The demand for BESS facilities is promulgated by Albany, who stresses reliable, banked energy in the case of blackouts amidst an already-struggling electrical grid.

The Town of Islip extended a twelve-month moratorium on all BESS facility proposals at a September board meeting.

Even so, the Hauppauge Fire Department is sparing no expenses in ensuring the community is abreast of the risks of these facilities, and held a public meeting to discuss the topic last Thursday.

“We’ve collaborated with other towns facing similar challenges, such as Holtsville, and Glen Head. We’ve met with Islip Town officials advocating for our residents’ safety and put a strong emphasis on a moratorium extension,” said Hauppauge F.D. Commissioner Scott Munro (pictured right) of the fire company’s latest initiatives on the issue. He also acknowledged Islip Town Councilwoman-elect DawnMarie Kuhn (R-Bohemia) as an official in attendance.

“Our latest goal is to change the current zoning regulations to prevent this type of facility from being near homes and schools,” said Munro, adding that the department is looking to speak with Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) to further “strategize” and “amend the regulations.”

This is far from over. We’re going to continue consulting with our experts, officials, and community,” said Munro, adding that community input is why the issue has been pushed as much as it has.

Superintendent of Hauppauge Schools Don Murphy has been a vehement opponent to the BESS facility. Both Murphy and School Board Trustee Brian Michels urged the Town Board to extend the moratorium at the August meeting. He reiterated his opposition at Thursday’s meeting.

Murphy said that the Hauppauge School District cannot support the facilities, “given the proposal’s close proximity to Bretton Woods Elementary and the risks associated with large-scale battery facilities, particularly fire hazard and emergency response challenges.”

“The resolution by the Hauppauge School Board reflects our core responsibility to protect the safety and welfare of our students, staff, neighbors, and entire community - all Hauppauge families,” said Murphy, adding that the insight from the Hauppauge F.D. was “essential.”

Murphy said that the effort against the BESS facility is part of something larger, the school district’s five-year strategic plan. The “Eagles Values” headline that planEngagement, Accountability, Growth, Leadership, Excellence, and Service.

“These values are not just for our students; they define who we are as a community,” said Murphy, connecting various steps in their campaign against the facilities to the mission statement. “This is what it looks like when Hauppauge stands together.”

Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Ranking Member on the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, has long stood steadfastly against the facilities. He called the facility an “experiment” that shouldn’t put “families and firefighters” in danger.

“We need to let local officials make local decisions. Local control must be respected,” said Mattera, thanking Supervisor Carpenter, Smithtown Supervisor

Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), and Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth (R-Huntington Bay) for their support in extending the moratoriums in their respective towns.

“These battery storage units are dangerous that will only last for a few hours,” said Mattera of the electrical output an average facility can substantiate. “Our region is very dense. If you want to conduct an energy experiment, do it in a place like Plum Island. There is an elementary school a half-mile away [from the proposed site]. If it catches fire, we have to wait until it burns out.”

Mattera (pictured left) recalled fires in East Hampton and a California site that burned for six weeks, endangering crops and people in a ten-mile radius.

“These are environmental disasters just waiting to happen,” said Mattera. “This is all a rush to comply with the CLCPA. The rush effort of the over-reliance on wind, solar, and battery storage is not sufficient. We need to invest in our infrastructure because our grid is totally antiquated and cannot handle what they’re [Albany] looking to do with our grid. You get the infrastructure first and then you transition.”

Mattera mentioned Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) recent pivot away from mandating the January 1, 2026, effects of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). He also mentioned an audit conducted by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza) which corroborated the insufficiency of the grid for these plans.

Mattera added that his Democratic colleagues are “realizing” that the proximity to residents is too close for comfort and that the ratepayers will be footing the bills for the “experiment.”

“Goals are good, but unfunded mandates are bad,” said Mattera.

Richard Ellenbogen (pictured right) was the effective keynote speaker at the meeting.

Ellenbogen has stumped in Suffolk recently to explain New York’s energy demands and problems posed by Albany’s legislation. He was an early adopter of renewable and lower-emission combustion technology at his home and business in Westchester County. He is a Cornell-trained electrical engineer.

“They [Albany] basically broke the utility system and now they’re trying to put a bunch of BandAids on it - except the Band-Aids are ones with bacteria and are going to cause sepsis,” said Ellenbogen. “And what I find really troubling is that engineers are pushing this for profit. History is being ignored in the name of expediency and profit.”

Ellenbogen also dismissed claims that the facilities are fireproof, saying, “There is no high-energy system that will not burn. If they tell you that it cannot catch fire, they are lying to you.”

Ellenbogen added that if a lithium fire reaches 180 to 200 degrees, it goes into “thermal runaway.”

“It becomes a self-perpetuating reaction that cannot be put out; firefighters don’t have the technology. If you pour water on lithium, it generates hydrogen. Hydrogen and fires don’t go well together,” said Ellenbogen. “A small fire can be cooled to a smaller battery, but a large grid battery doesn’t have that option.”

Ellenbogen said the Moss Landing, California, fire in January saw the evacuation of 1,250 people in a two-and-a-half-mile radius. The facility burned for four days and was entirely destroyed.

“They are just now hauling batteries away,” said Ellenbogen, adding that the toxic cloud that rises in the wake of the fire is “loaded with heavy metals” that land “all over the place.”

“In May, people in Moss Landing were being asked to take off their shoes when they went into their house and they were told not to eat any vegetables out of their garden,” said Ellenbogen.

He also said that the fact that facilities can support a mass blackout, similar to those seen after Hurricane Sandy, is also an “outright lie.”

“These facilities do not have the inertia [to start a utility system] in the event of a power failure,” said Ellenbogen, referencing an April outage that gutted Portugal and Spain. “They were running at about 80% solar. They had a little glitch in the system. It made all the inverters strip out and the whole country black out for a day. They couldn’t even restart their own utility system. They had to rely on nuclear reactors in France to provide grid inertia so they could bring their lights back on.”

The ongoing saga continues in earnest, as fire departments, school districts, and municipalities continue to treat the issue as a top priority.

But for now, Islip and Smithtown residents are covered by moratoriums passed unanimously by their respective town boards.

16 Local History

When Does a Moment Become History?

By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.

The word “historical” covers many facets: geography, theme, purpose - among many more. We learn of the Moon Landing, the Battle of the Bulge, Koko the gorilla that could communicate as a six-yearold child, textbook teachings, classroom lessonsthings become history when historicized by historians.

The largest element of this is access to the documentary records of the past. Some documentary records are held orally, and these become accessible when people start to memorialize their own past. The largest source for the documentary record of the past is archives. We can study the archives, but my thought is, why wait when we can commonly make the decision ourselves?

Lake Ronkonkoma has a rich history of many things, but Thursday evening I was in a place where I knew I was living the start of still another historic moment. I found myself in the Ronkonkoma Fire House, a room I have visited for almost fifty years.

The difference?

The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce, who themselves are pushing fifty years, offered an experience that found over 150 people gathered to support our local food merchants as they presented their best.

As you entered the event, the Chamber Members greeted you with sparkle. One felt a sincere feeling that your attendance was required to make the evening a success. There was a photo booth opportunity, which I did not immediately see, as I was presented with amazement of the atmosphere.

The next sense that overwhelmed me was the sights and smells of a live food tasting venue. Entering the room, I felt full of fun, with friends and community members enjoying each other’s company. DJ CHEF was spinning just the right songs, and he did not overwhelm the volume. The atmosphere was perfect, but I had not yet fully entered to experience the food vendors.

Food tastings are one of the most effective and socially entertaining ways for your food preparation skills to be discovered, and the vendors had perfectly prepared the event “just for me.” It felt so very personal, each booth was set against the walls, leaving a huge area to sit at a table and enjoy your choices. The presentation of each of the booths was meticulous for people who have mastered their culinary arts and were ready to share their talents with the public. The food was the showcase, and the representatives of each vendor were colorful, unique, and mouthwatering. They greeted each of us while presenting their dishes to you, another personal touch. Many of the vendors were familiar to us, and it was a joy to hug and speak to them one on one. The vendors that were newer to our village area were eager to meet us and have their specialties shared.

The Chamber offered awards to Event classifications. Winners were:

• Best Dish: Oven Lovin Hero’s & Pizza

• Best Sample Presentation: The BBQ King Long Island

• Best Table Setup: Asian One Best Grocery

A Full List of Participants

• DJ CHEF –Chicken & Shrimp Paella

• Flanagan’s Pub –Jameson Chicken & Shepherd’s Pies

• Island Empanada – Handcrafted Empanadas

• Tap Room (Ronkonkoma) – Smash burgers

• Philly Pretzel Factory – Pretzels, Mini Dogs & Assorted Dips

• Premiere Pastry Shop – Cakes, Cookies & Pastries

• Sweet Cream Bake Shop – Cheesecake, Cinnamon Buns & Cookies

• The BBQ King Long Island – Chili & Pulled Pork Tacos

• Toast Coffee + Kitchen (Ronkonkoma) –French Toast Bites

• Ben & Jerry’s – Classic Ice Cream

• Frogzz Bar ‘N’ Grill – Chicken Chili & Loaded Potato Soup (Also ran Cash Bar)

• La Fonda Latino Grill –Arroz con Pollo, Sweet Plantains & Beans

• Asian One Best Grocery – Multiple Filipino Dishes

• Mama Mia’s Pizzeria – Penne Ala Vodka

• Oven Lovin Hero’s & Pizza – Wings & Mini Meatballs

• The Pink Fin – Poke Bowls & Bubble Tea

• Rockefellers Kitchen & Cocktails – Gatsby-Inspired Apps

• Dilly Dilly Donuts – Fresh Made Donuts

• Chubs Meats – Thanksgiving Foods, Steak Dishes & Pasta Dishes

There was also a 50/50, with two winners as the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce “gave up” their half and promptly drew a second winner. The three winners also were awarded large cash prizes. This is a tradition the Chamber continues, giving back to our community.

This week, when another form of turkey is not pleasing your palate, I would like to suggest you visit one of the participants on this list. I am personally recommending each one.

An overview of my thoughts: This was a fun event from beginning to end. We danced, had conga lines, sang, and had a great time. Perfect venue, perfect crowd, exceptional Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce. Being nostalgic and having lived here for a lifetime, I stood and looked around, studied the faces of the participants, my old friends here with me, the new friends that had delicious meals for us, everyone. And I could see my past, this night, and the future of Lake Ronkonkoma working out so well. We have the year 2026 approaching, and the groups of our village are ready to explore and celebrate with all of you by working together and making it special and rememberable. Please watch for our announcements, and plan to attend or possibly give a hand with the festivities. I was a major participant in the 1976 Bicentennial and am lucky enough to see the 2026 United States Semiquincentennial.

God Bless America.

By Matt Meduri

‘Wasting Time’: Garbarino Reacts to Government Shutdown

With the longest government shutdown in history a week in the rearview mirror, the effects are still being felt and the memories of the circumstances are being carefully logged.

For Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who has represented NY-02 since 2021, he says the government shutdown “accomplished nothing” and was a “waste of time.”

“Long Islanders shouldn’t have to pay the price for political games. I’m relieved that Democrats finally ended their shutdown so we can get back to work,” Garbarino told The Messenger. “My focus remains the same as it has been from the start - keeping the government open, protecting essential services that families rely on, and delivering results for NY-02. The shutdown accomplished nothing except wasting time that could have been spent solving real problems, and I’m glad to be back at work for the people I represent.”

NY-02 has more than 10,000 federal employees, with the effects of the shutdown felt district-wide. Statewide, New York’s economic output is estimated to have fallen by about $1.2 billion per week, according to Congressman Garbarino’s office. Nationally, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the shutdown resulted in $11 billion in permanent lost GDP.

For context, the 2018-2019 shutdown cost an estimated $5 billion. That shutdown lasted thirty-five days, and until the 2025 shutdown was the longest in history. At the time, President Donald Trump (R-FL) was in the White House, while Democrats controlled the U.S. House with a 235-seat majority. Republicans controlled the Senate with fifty-three seats - the same as their caucus now.

“House Republicans were prepared to vote at any point to end the shutdown. Senate Democrats chose to continue the standoff, voting fourteen times against reopening the government,” said a spokesperson for Garbarino, adding that the Congressman’s priority has “remained ensuring continuity of government operations and avoiding unnecessary harm to workers, families, and local economies.”

A controversial last-minute addition to the stopgap was a rider promulgated by several GOP Senators which would have allowed members of Congress to sue the federal government over their devices being accessed without judicial oversight. The Senators’ proposal, which was fast-tracked by House leaders under suspension of the rules, allowed them to sue for $500,000. The law would have been retroactive to 2022, when special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results led to the seizure of phones of at least eight Senators.

Although the stopgap was eventually approved, that initiative was repealed by the House.

“It should have never been included in a stopgap funding bill,” said the spokesperson, adding Garbarino’s support for the repealing of that measure.

Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, it remains an open question as to whether House Democrats will employ the same strategy, as some believe that the shutdown aided their betterthan-expected showings in the 2025 off-year elections. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) has previously told The Messenger that while he hopes “cooler heads will prevail”, that “all bets are off.”

The seven Senate votes needed from Democrats were scarce before the elections, but materialized within a week of those results.

While Garbarino can’t speak to the political strategy behind the Senate’s timing, his spokesperson reinstated the Congressman’s hopes that “this type of brinkmanship does not repeat itself heading into the 2026 midterms.”

“Should similar circumstances arise in the future, Republicans will continue focusing on working to keep the government open, avoiding disruptions to essential services, and protecting taxpayers, not using shutdowns as a negotiation tactic as Democrats did this past month,” said the spokesperson.

Section XI Fall Sports Roundup

By Ashley Pavlakis

Championship season is upon us, and teams around eastern Suffolk County were hungry to fill their trophy cases. The Messenger is happy to report that a majority of the teams brought home the hardware for their schools in their respective sports.

The following fall sports are members of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete under Section XI. For both boys and girls, soccer, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, golf, field hockey, and football.

Let’s kick it off with the ladies’ side of sports. On the soccer field, the (16-3-1) Sayville Golden Flashes brought home both the Suffolk County (Class A) and Long Island championships. The (18-1-2) West Islip Lions won the Class AA Suffolk County and Long Island Championships as well. Commack advanced to states and took home the Class AAA title.

Wielding a stick on the turf for field hockey, the Sachem East Arrows brought home the titles in dominant fashion. Going 19-1-0, en route to a League title, a Class A Suffolk County title, and a Long Island title. They did make it to states, but fell short against Mamaroneck. Eastport South-Manor brought home the Class B Suffolk County title with an 18-2-0 record. Finally, in Class C, Bayport-Blue Point claimed the victory.

Tennis saw Bayport-Blue Point capture its fifth straight Suffolk County title. The Phantoms advanced to states and claimed the DIV II New York State Championship with a 4-1 victory over Edgemont.

Bump, set, or spike, four eastern Suffolk County schools took home hardware this season. Connetquot won the Class AAA championship after defeating Bayshore in five sets to spoil their perfect season. Smithtown East claimed the AA Suffolk County title over Hauppauge in three sets. Bayport-Blue Point won the Class B Suffolk County

title with a win over Mattituck. Last but not least, Port Jefferson was victorious, winning league, county, and regional titles.

On the mat, gymnastics was won by none other than the Smithtown Bulls, who claimed their fourth Suffolk County title in five years with a score of 181.75, a new team record.

Girls cross country saw Bayport-Blue Point win a Suffolk County Championship. Bay Shore won league and division titles.

Finally, going undefeated in the pool once again, the Smithtown-Hauppauge girls’ swim & dive team. The team captured its fifth-straight Suffolk County championship and their sixth-straight League title. Five members made state qualifiers as well.

Moving on to the boys’ side, boys’ soccer saw Commack claim the Class AA title, and Port Jefferson won the Class C title. The Commack Cougars won the County, Long Island, and State championships this season.

In volleyball, Eastport South-Manor won the DIV II Suffolk County title.

On the golf course, the Sayville Golden Flashes won the Suffolk County team championship.

Cross Country saw Bayport-Blue Point win a Suffolk County title, Port Jefferson won a state title, and Ward Melville won a Suffolk County title.

Football wrapped up the past weekend with four Suffolk County championship matchups. Ward Melville defeated William Floyd to claim the DIV I title. East Islip took down Half Hollow Hills East for the DIV II title. Sayville claimed the victory over Smithtown West for the DIV III title. Bayport-Blue Point emerged victorious over Babylon for the DIV IV tile.

Congratulations to all the eastern Suffolk County teams who took home a trophy this season! Here’s to running it back next year.

18 International Recipe

Uruguayan Chivito

The chivito is Uruguay’s most iconic sandwich. Its importance in the country is on par with hamburgers in the United States, fish and chips in the U.K., and the Cuban sandwich in Cuba. This sandwich is not for the faint of heart or appetite, either.

INGREDIENTS

•8 slices bacon

•2 beef fillet steaks, or 4 thin slices grilled steak

•Coarse salt, to taste

•Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

•1 to 2 tablespoons butter

•4 large eggs

•4 large sandwich buns, such as large ciabatta rolls

•4 tablespoons ketchup

•4 tablespoons mayonnaise

•1 head lettuce

•4 slices deli cut ham

•4 slices tomato

•4 slices mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1.In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. Set aside on paper towels to cool.

2.If you’re using steaks, drain the excess bacon fat out of the skillet. Slice each fillet in half crosswise to make 2 thin steaks from each.

3.Sprinkle with coarse salt and black pepper. Use a mallet to pound the steaks even thinner.

6.Preheat your broiler.

7.Spread the inside of the buns with ketchup and mayonnaise. Place the lettuce pieces on the bottom halves of the buns.

8.Top with each sandwich with 2 slices of bacon, a slice of beef, a slice of ham, a slice of tomato, and a slice of mozzarella.

4. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot and place steaks on the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until they reach the desired doneness. Place on paper towels to cool.

5. Wipe the skillet clean. Melt the butter over medium heat and fry the eggs sunny-side up until they are done to your preference.

Uruguayan Chajá

Chajá is a Uruguayan cake that consists of 3 layers of sponge cake stuffed with syrup, dulce de leche and a delicious whipped cream. The name of this cake was inspired by an Aboriginal term designating a typical bird of the region. This bird, the chajá, could be chosen as the emblem of the “Southern Cone”, which defines the southernmost zone of the South American continent.

9.Place the uncovered sandwiches under the broiler briefly to melt the cheese. Keep a close eye on the sandwiches so the cheese doesn’t burn.

10.Remove the sandwiches from the oven and place a fried egg over the cheese, then top with the other half of the bun.

Serve immediately.

INGREDIENTS

For the peaches:

•2 tablespoons butter

•3 tablespoons brown sugar

•1 pack of 10 oz. frozen sliced peaches

•1 teaspoon vanilla

•1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

To assemble the dessert:

•1/2 box (16 oz) Angel Food Cake Mix, prepared and baked in (9x5-inch) loaf pan

•1/2 cup dulce de leche

•2 cups chopped meringue

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Melt the butter in a pan and add the sugar and cinnamon. Stir well. Add the frozen peaches and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool and add the vanilla. Stir.

2.Place one layer of cake in a rectangular 9x5 mold (loaf cake), moisten with the peach liquid, add a layer of caramel, then a layer of peaches, and sprinkle on 1/3 of the chopped meringues, then another layer of can and more peach liquid.

3.Serve with chopped merengue and sprinkle with cinnamon powder.

Note: To get the same presentation as the photo, cut out pieces using a round cookie cutter. Then decorate with merengue and cinnamon.

Traditionally, this cake is made with peaches, but it is not uncommon to find versions garnished with strawberries.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

AMAC

Thursday, November 27, 2025

The War on Thanksgiving

By David P. Deavel | AMAC Outside Contributor

In recent years, the concept of “Friendsgiving” has become popular in mainstream culture, particularly among young people. But by stripping the faith-based element out of the name, this apparently innocent rechristening of Thanksgiving may actually be a subtle subversion of the traditional Thanksgiving holiday that is an important piece of our nation’s identity.

Traditions surrounding holidays are flexible, but renaming them is no minor detail. It’s not like changing the name of a lame, left-wing cable news network from one set of initials to another (looking at you, MS NOW). A name change is usually intended to change the meaning of the event.

Most conservatives realize that when it comes to name changes in other contexts. They complain when schools call Christmas break “holiday break” and when companies demand their employees say “season’s greetings,” as if there is some cultural significance to the winter season over other seasons. They fight against the tendency to only say “Fourth of July” but never “Independence Day.” And they reject turning Columbus Day into “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

The reason they complain about these is that calling Christmas the winter holiday or refusing to let employees wish a “Merry Christmas” is an attack on both Christian and American culture. The refusal to acknowledge Independence Day is almost always a rejection of the good of our nation, almost always because of a fixation on the darker moments of American history.

Those who reject Columbus Day never do so because they don’t want to celebrate Italian heritage, which is how the holiday began. Instead, they transparently work to downplay and even demonize the brave European explorers who ventured out into the unknown and connected the world like never before. Changing the name of the holiday is a way of delegitimizing our nation.

One might think that Americans might be used to this anti-traditional schtick by now, but even many normally wary Americans have succumbed to the description of events this week as “Friendsgiving,” which even uberliberal NPR calls a “made-up holiday.”

But what exactly is a “Friendsgiving” celebration?

In its article on the topic, “Where Does Friendsgiving Come From?” Merriam-Webster says that the term’s print debut is 2007, “where it shows up in Usenet posts and on Twitter to refer without explanation to an informal meal with friends.”

The article argues that the notion of Friendsgiving has been around for centuries, but hones in on the 1973 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, along with many other television shows in the years after, depicting a group of friends celebrating Thanksgiving.

It’s a clever argument, but it ultimately fails to justify changing the name. It is true that many people have celebrated Thanksgiving, as they do other major holidays, with friends. It is also true, as Ashley Fetters wrote in a 2018 Atlantic article on the trendy made-up holiday, that Americans have often focused on coming home at Thanksgiving (especially as Americans became more mobile), but celebrations with friends and community have always been a part of it. Thanksgiving, after all, was never simply a biological family affair.

The tradition of Thanksgiving came from the English habit of calling for national days of thanksgiving for gifts given by God. In early America, this habit continued both among members of the Church of England and the Puritans, some of whom we know as “the Pilgrims.”

The event that Americans eventually settled on as the semi-official “first Thanksgiving” was a festival being celebrated by the residents of Plymouth Colony in 1621. When the Wampanoags, with whom Plymouth Colony had a treaty for mutual defense, showed up, perhaps after hearing gunshots fired ceremonially, they too were welcomed to the festival. Given that the Wampanoag, like the English, had a tradition of celebrations of giving thanks, they were meeting on common philosophical ground.

There is no doubt that the events depicted were more complex than what many of us were taught—the history of our relations with the various tribes was often bloody and sad. But what matters is the philosophical ground beneath them. As a nation, we have continued to celebrate a day of national Thanksgiving for the blessings given by God. The focus is on gratitude to God as a nation, not a demonstration of whom we feel closest to this year. Changing the name to “Friendsgiving” changes the original focus of Thanksgiving. The Merriam-Webster article’s subheading is, “Escape your family and celebrate

with your friends.” A 2021 New York Times article highlights the popularity of Friendsgiving celebrations with people who identify as LGBTQ. The focus of the people interviewed is on finding a “chosen family” and celebrating “belonging.” The author describes it as “a time not only to celebrate newfound bonds, but also to reject old culinary traditions that feel out of sync.”

Even worse is a 2024 article by an anthropologist at Hunter College who celebrates Friendsgiving as the use of the “template of the Thanksgiving ritual — a communal meal of thanking” as an opportunity for “reimagining it to reflect today’s values of inclusivity, fluidity, and cultural hybridity.” Friendsgiving is for him an act of “resistance” and an opportunity to think about “decolonization.”

While it’s true that many people who hold Friendsgiving parties are not as radical as some of these examples, the problem is the erasure of the real point of Thanksgiving as a

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holiday and a season—even for those who don’t mean to do it.

There is no doubt that belonging, friendship, and new recipes are goods, but by shearing off the “Thanks” from the “giving,” Friendsgiving celebrations neglect the very purpose of giving thanks. While some will argue that the “thanks” is simply built into or assumed in this new thing, there is precious little evidence that this is the case. Discussions of Friendsgiving celebrations almost never mention giving thanks itself—unless as part of a template to be filled in with something else.

Celebrate as many Thanksgivings as you want with whatever food you want and whatever people you want. But remember that the point is thankfulness to God for this nation and the many gifts given in it, including the family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers with whom you are celebrating.

& Pieces

WORD OF THE Week

Etymology: mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- ‘stretched out to view’, from the verb ostendere, from ob- ‘in view of’ + tendere ‘to stretch’.

OSTENSIBLE

adjective

Pronounced: /aa·sten·suh·bl/

Definition: stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so Example: “Due to the meeting’s tone, there might have been more reasons for its calling than the ostensible purposes.””

Synonyms: apparent, seeming, professed

Antonyms: genuine, real, unambiguous

Source: Oxford Languages

November 30, 1954: Ann Hodges is bruised by a meteor at Sylacauga, Alabama, in the first modern instance of a meteorite striking a human.

create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.

November 29, 1951: First underground atomic explosion at Frenchman Flat in Nevada.

December 3, 1989: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H. W. Bush (R-TX), declare the Cold War over.

December 2, 1823:

U.S. President James Monroe declares the “Monroe Doctrine” opposing European colonialism in the Americas, arguing any European political intervention in the New World would be a hostile act against the United States.

December 1, 1952: The New York Daily News reports the first successful sex reassignment surgery.

November 27, 2013:

“Frozen”, the highestgrossing animated film of all time, starring Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, is released.

Source: Onthisday.com.

By PJ Balzer

By first and second glance at this gentleman in the local laundromat, you would never have guessed where he was sitting just a year ago.

Today, he walks in completely and carelessly stumbling over his own untied sneakers. Behind him, he’s dragging in ripped black garbage bags full of clothing. The clothing smells like it hasn’t been washed in a year, and the gentleman smells like he’s been up drinking all night - the familiar fragrance of alcohol and loneliness.

Seeing With New Eyes

The other patrons of the laundromat don’t look happy to see him walk in. I’m not sure if he’s been disruptive in the past or if it’s the aroma that follows him. Whatever it may be, he doesn’t seem completely welcome in this place.

Not even a year ago, in a fancy office in midtown Manhattan sits a cleanly shaven and sharply dressed young man. If you didn’t know that this was a prestigious accounting office, you’d think it was a casting call for Ford modeling agency. Much the opposite of the laundromat, the fragrance in the air is a mixture of Italian leather, millennial success, freshly dry-cleaned suits, and green paper.

After one of the busiest days at this midtown office, he arrives home to an empty house. His home is never empty at this time; it’s usually bustling with books and homework, snacks all over while dinner is simultaneously being cooked. As he ponders the strange emptiness and silence, there’s a starting knock at the door. There are two sheriffs standing there with their posture saying that something is wrong.

After that knock at the door, things were never the same. How could they possibly be? The once-successful young man that had life seemingly by the horns now, for the past year, lives life with a completely shattered heart. Life changed in an instant for him in a way that none of us ever want to experience. His ripped garbage bags full of clothing was him ultimately gaining the strength to wash his family’s clothing before donating it. You wouldn’t know that unless you actually took time to get to know him

My friends, we only see people’s appearances and outer actions. Yet, we know nothing about their lives or the sorrows that their hearts carry daily. We may see a gentleman in the laundromat or other common public spaces unkept and unwelcome. Yet, the circumstances that they’ve been through would bring many of us to our knees and possibly even the same lowly state.

As we enter the holiday season, with food, lights, and tremendous joy on one side, don’t forget that there are people who are experiencing an empty seat at their table for the first time. This is a great time of the year to show mercy, give out grace and hold back superficial judgement.

From the outside, we only see ripped black garbage bags full of clothing. But we never know exactly who’s clothing that is or the story behind it.

Lord,

We pray for everyone reading this who is feeling sorrowful as this holiday season approaches. We know that some are excitedly anticipating the holidays, while a neighbor is struggling to find the strength to get out of bed each morning - those with empty seats at the table and unexplainable brokenness in their hearts. We pray that You would comfort them in ways only You can, through friends, strangers, family members and, most importantly, with your presence of comfort, peace, and healing. Help each of us to have eyes to see people and their outward appearances the way you see. With eyes and hearts of mercy and grace, getting to know one another rather than giving out easy condemnation. Help each of us to be a blessing to someone else this holiday season, especially those that are hurting.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

Congratulations Natalie Affenita: Top 40 Under 40

Natalie was recently Honored in a special edition of the Long Island Real Producers Magazine as being one of the Top 40 Under 40 Licensed Real Estate Agents

Natalie Affenita has never been one to follow a straight path. In fact, she’s taken more detours than most-including captaining a collegiate dance team, traveling the world, working as a travel agent in Florence, and selling stone in a mason’s yard before realizing that real estate was where she was meant to be.

Her journey into the industry was anything but conventional. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was working with her father in construction when a customer walked in, looking for materials. Natalie didn’t just sell him a piece of stone-she sold him on her talent. So much so that he took her to lunch the next day, not to discuss masonry but to convince her to get into real estate. After a few conversations and some paperwork, she was officially in the business, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Real estate has tested her in ways she never expected, especially when health complications forced her to undergo surgery to insert a cardiac monitor, which Natalie still has today. But slowing down? Not an option. Even during recovery, Natalie found a way to keep her deals moving, show properties, and stay present for her clients-thanks to an incredible support system of family, colleagues, and sheer determination. “Real estate doesn’t pause, and neither do I,” she says with a laugh.

Now, with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, She’s laser-focused on breaking into the luxury market, expanding her network, and making a difference through her extensive charity work. And if her track record proves anything, it’s that no matter what life throws at her, Natalie will always find a way to turn it into an opportunity.

Suffolk County Division One Championship Football

By PJ Balzer

The Division one rematch from last year definitely didn’t disappoint and ended up being the closest game of the four championship games. William Floyd came in unbeaten against a Ward Melville team that had much to prove. Floyd pulled a brand new trick out of their hat as they switched star running back Ja’Quan Thomas to the quarter back position for the first time ever! The game remained closed through the first half with a north shore versus south shore back and forth scoring dual. Hudson Philbrick, Ward Melville quarterback, stepped up in a huge way and proved to be ready for the big moments and big games. Ward Melville ended up on top at the final whistle 31-28 and were crowned Division one champs. The Patriots will go in to play the Massapequa Chiefs this upcoming weekend at Hofstra University.

Half Hallow Hills East came into the Division 2 championship game as lower seed yet the favorite. Hills East beat their opponent, East Islip, convincingly mid way through the season. But we all know never to completely count out the Redmen. East Islip’s Jake Simmons stepped up in a tremendous way carrying the ball for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite everyone predicting Hills East to bring the trophy back to Dix Hills. The Suffolk County division 2 trophy will be spending the year in East Islip as they topped Hills East 24-17! They will advance to take on Garden City this upcoming weekend at Hofstra University.

The Sayville Golden Flashes pretty much run Division 3. To hear of Sayville losing a football game is few and far between. Yet the Smithtown West Bulls were up for the challenge this past Thursday at Stonybrook University in the Suffolk County Division 3 championship game. While some players buckle and freeze when the pressure is turned on. Patrick Coan seems to do exactly the opposite. He found receiver Luke Neugebauer for 148 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns, which ended up being too much for the Bulls. The Golden Flashes win 34-7 and will face this upcoming weekend at Hofstra University.

Bayport Blue Point also came into the Division 4 championship game with odds stacked against them. The 1 seed Babylon has been on fire and looked like they wouldn’t be stopped anytime soon. Babylon was ahead for most of the game until Ryan Space of Bayport forced a fumble the ball with a nine of minutes left in the 4th quarter with proved to be the game shifting play.

The Phantoms scored quickly and again to seal away another Suffolk County Championship in Division 4. Bayport Blue point, despite being the underdog, simply gets it done 23-14! They go on to face at Hofstra University this upcoming weekend for the Long Island Championship.

Photo Credit: Anthony Lewis

By Raheem Soto

LongDucksIsland Roll Out 2026 Mini Plans

The Long Island Ducks have officially launched their 2026 Mini Plans, giving fans a flexible and affordable way to experience Ducks baseball throughout the upcoming season.

The newly announced mini plans are designed for families, casual fans, and returning supporters who want guaranteed access to multiple games without committing to a full-season package. According to the team, the plans feature discounted pricing, no additional ticket or order fees, and exclusive Duck Club benefits.

Among the key highlights of the 2026 Ducks Mini Plans:

• Discounted ticket pricing

• No added ticket or order fees

• Free Ducks game ticket voucher

• Access to the Duck Club bar and restaurant

• At least one fireworks spectacular included

• A balanced mix of weekend and weekday games

The Ducks are positioning the mini plans as an easy, family-friendly way to lock in game-day experiences while saving money and gaining access to premium amenities at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.

“Mini plans give fans the flexibility they’ve been asking for — great seats, exciting promotions, and special perks without the long-term commitment,” the organization shared through its promotional campaign.

With the Ducks continuing to build momentum across Long Island, the 2026 season is shaping up to be another strong year of affordable, family-focused baseball and entertainment.

Mini plans are on sale now, and fans can purchase directly through: https://liducks.com/tickets/mini/ or by calling (631) 940-3825