Guadrón Attacks Opponent on Race
By Matt Meduri
The campaign for the First Council District in the Town of Islip is heating up as one-term Councilman Jorge Guadrón (D-Central Islip) has accused his opponent Manny Troche (R-Brentwood) of supporting “hateful rhetoric and acts that terrorize communities of color.”
Continued on page 15
Government Shutdown : A Conversation with Congressman LaLota
By Matt Meduri
For the first time since 2018, the federal government has shut down. On October 1, Congress failed to pass appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. Primary causes of the consternation on Capitol Hill stem from healthcare subsidies, foreign aid recissions, and federal spending. The shutdown is the eleventh in U.S. history and the third under President Donald Trump (R-FL), with the first two during his first term. sat down with Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) to discuss the scene on the Hill.
Continued on page 8
Councilman Guadrón (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Manny Troche
Port Jefferson Summer Farmers Market at Harborfront Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, May 18-November 28
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall Every Sunday June 7 - November 22
7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Goatman’s Haunted House
Riverhead County Fair
October 12, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pal-O-Mine Fall Festival
October 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 2025 Port Jefferson Harvest Festival
October 18, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Bats and Brews
PUBLISHER
Raheem Soto
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Matt Meduri
Sergio A. Fabbri CONTRIBUTORS
PJ Balzer
Ashley Pavlakis
Madison Warren
OFFICE MANAGER & ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE Kim Revere
PROOFREADER
Giavanna Rudilosso
SOCIAL MEDIA
Madison Warren
WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER
CENTRAL ISLIP:
Country Line DancingOctober 9, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
ISLIP:
Spooky Crafts - October 21, 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM
Muddy & Not-So-Muddy BuddiesOctober 25, 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Finger Paint Fun - October 28, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
BAY SHORE
AMVETS Post • Boulton Center
Bay Shore Public Library • Leggio’s Deli
EAST ISLIP
American Legion Post • Bayway Arts Center East Islip Gourmet Deli
Harry’s Bagel • Italia Fine Food
Mister Softee Ice Cream Pat’s Market
ISLIP
American Legion Post • Bagel Boss Bagels & More • Oconee Diner
OAKDALE
The New Idle Hour Deli 50% Cards Store (Wendy’s Shopping Center)
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria – (719 Hawkins Ave) Airport Diner • America First Warehouse
AMVETS Post 48 • B&B Bagels
B.L.D.’s Restaurant Hero Express • Pond Deli
American Legion Post Ronkonkoma Train Station
SAYVILLE
Sayville LIRR Train Station
Sayville American Legion Post
WEST ISLIP
B.F.L./S.P.K. Deli • Best Farms Market
Higbie Bagels • West Islip Bagels West Islip Community Center West Islip Public Library West Islip LIRR Train Station Tower’s Flower
WEST SAYVILLE
LI Maritime Museum
EAST ISLIP:
Adult Pilates - Every Monday and Wednesday , 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Learn to Knit: Keyhole Scarf - October 14, 5:00 PM
WEST ISLIP:
Spooky Night Lights Grades K-3 - Oct. 13, 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Tweens Yoga - October 16, 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM
CONNETQUOT:
Diamond Painting - October 18, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sew A Black Cat For Teens - October 17, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
BAY SHORE:
Pajama Storytime Ages 3-7 - October 22, 6:30 PM
Gentle Yoga with Kate - Every Monday, 6:00 PM
SAYVILLE:
Chess Buddies - October 11, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Pre-School Storytime - October 24, 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
BAYPORT:
Lil Tots Sports Studio - October 17, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Knit Night - October 20, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
BRENTWOOD:
Salsa Dance Lesson - October 17, 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Crime
Tierney Nabs Two Criminal Organizations in Theft of Donated Clothing
By Matt Meduri
It’s one thing to commit burglary against homeowners, white-collar fraud against a company, or run a criminal organization proliferating contraband.
But it’s another to steal from a charity.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) on Wednesday afternoon announced the end of an investigation that produced sixteen arrests relating to the theft of donated clothing worth nearly $200,000.
Alfredo Perez, 67, of Copiague, allegedly spearheaded one criminal operation, with Manuel Cabrera, 62, of Lindenhurst, allegedly heading the other. Investigators seized fourteen vehicles which were allegedly used to move the clothing. Investigators also recovered an estimated 25,000 pounds of stolen clothing.
Investigators allege that seventy incidents occurred across eight Suffolk donation sites, the first being one twenty-six burglaries starting November 25, 2024, at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope in Lindenhurst. The church continued to be ransacked until August 18, 2025.
Thirty-two burglaries are alleged at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Deer Park from November 30, 2024, until August 30 of this year. One burglary is alleged at St. Philip and St. James Church in St. James, occurring on June 30, 2025, six burglaries at St. Margaret’s of Scotland in Selden between June and September of this year, and two burglaries at St. Lawrence the Martyr church in Sayville on September 11 and 26.
One burglary is alleged to each of the following locations, St. John Nepomucene in Bohemia - September 27 - Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church in Bellport - September 11 - and St. Jude Church in Mastic BeachSeptember 11.
Investigators showed video evidence of the alleged defendants climbing into donation bins, removing the bagged clothing, and loading it into cars and vans before driving off.
Perez’s vans allegedly traveled to a used clothing export business in Nassau County. Investigators say that more than 285,000 pounds of stolen clothing were sold to that exporter and that Perez received payments exceeding $100,000. Cabrera is also alleged to have owned multiple Ford Econoline vans which transported another 280,000plus pounds of stolen clothing for payments in excess of $90,000.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have shipped and sold over half-a-million pounds of donated clothing in exchange for close to $200,000.
Perez is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, ten counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Class D felonies, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. District Court Judge John Zollo (R-Smithtown) held Perez on a $10,000 cash bond - $30,000 bond or $100,000 partially secured - and is due back in court on October 9.
Cabrera was charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, three counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Class D felonies, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a Class E felony. Judge Zollo placed Cabrera on supervised release with GPS monitoring due to his charges being considered non-
bail-eligible under New York State law. Prosecutors cannot request bail and Judge Zollo cannot set bail in that case.
Fourteen co-conspirators, including two juveniles , - both 17, one of Wyandanch, the other of Brentwood - have also been charged. Tierney said that there is no evidence the juveniles were coerced into participating.
The targeted donation bins were operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island, a Catholic organization founded in 1845 that is one of the oldest charities still operating in the U.S.
“This is one of the charity’s largest sources of revenue for the poor, and this is hundreds of thousands of pounds of clothing representing hundreds of thousands of dollars that were unable to go those who needed it most,” said Tierney, (pictured photo left) joined by representatives of Sheriff Errol Toulon (D), Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, St. Vincent de Paul Long Island Executive Director Tom Abbate, and a team of investigators and analysts. U.S. Secret Service also aided the investigation.
Tierney added that some thefts are alleged to have happened at night, but some during the day, even while church services were being held. A storage unit was also allegedly purchased as a holding site between drop-offs to the exporter. One of the vans was involved in a hit-and-run, while another was stopped in Huntington Station for a suspended registration. The latter van produced a loaded handgun and cocaine.
“You thought you’ve seen everything. Could you believe people would steal from a clothing bin?” said Executive Romaine (pictured left). “We are determined to keep Suffolk safe. With crimes like this, we will find them, prosecute them, and jail them. There should be consequences when you steal from the most needy.”
Commissioner Catalina (pictured third photo left) found the acts “truly unconscionable.”
“It’s up there with stealing from the elderly and children,” said Catalina. “It’s beyond comprehension.” He acknowledged patrol officers who made the stops and identified the individuals that helped the investigation take the suspects into custody.
Suffolk County Undersheriff John Becker (pictured fourth photo left) called the acts “not just theft”, but “exploitation.”
“They didn’t just steal bags of clothing. They stole the generosity of Suffolk County residents,” said Becker. “Turning kindness and charity into personal profit is absolutely shameful.” Becker said that the Suffolk Undersheriffs were an “integral” part of the investigation.
Tierney said that no gang affiliations have been established, and that the two rings appear to have acted independently from each other.
Though the juveniles are not assumed to have been coerced or manipulated, Tierney said it spawns a larger conversation on Raise the Age, a set of State laws that increased criminal liability for non-violent crimes from 16 to 18 years of age.
“It incentivizes a criminal organization using children or juveniles to commit crimes because the penalties faced are much less,” said Tierney, adding that while he thinks the Raise the Age law was “well-intentioned”, it warrants further scrutiny.
A seventeenth defendant is also in custody of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Prosecutors have submitted a writ to have the defendant tried in Suffolk County.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Photo credit - Matt Meduri
Romaine Signs EO to Form County Alliance Against Domestic Violence
By Matt Meduri
On Tuesday afternoon, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) signed an executive order (EO) to better shape the County’s resources and offices to combat domestic violence.
The EO was signed at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
Romaine said that there are a “great number of nonprofits” that seek to curb domestic violence and assist victims.
“We want to make sure that we continue to support them and make the public more aware of the programs available,” said Romaine. “There’s nothing more devastating than to see that type of violence in your household.”
The alliance will be a ten-member commission, including two chairs selected by the County Executive. Romaine said that the County designates domestic violence as a “grave threat”, but that further interoperability is needed.
“We need this alliance to look at the data, figure out what’s going wrong, and how we can help people and prevent domestic violence,” said Romaine. “It’s hard to believe that people are married, who at one point must have said the three magic words that we all want to hear in life - ‘I love you’ - but at some point, it turned violent.”
Romaine also called the 27,000 domestic violence incidents in Suffolk in 2024 “startling”, and that the hope is a decreased number in 2026.
Dr. Sylvia Diaz was appointed by Executive Romaine in 2024 to serve as Deputy County Executive for Health, Human Services, and Education. She called for resources and expertise to not be contained in “silos”, but bring them all together.
“We are going to work on this around the clock,” said Diaz.
Diaz introduced Bevin Llanes, whose daughter, Meghan Kiefer, was murdered by her then-boyfriend in 2021.
“She endured trauma that no young person should ever have. What makes her story even more heartbreaking is not only the abuse that she suffered every day of her adult life, but the lack of coordinated support from the various systems meant to help,” said Llanes, adding that she and her husband did “everything” they could, including counseling, hospital visits, medical care, and other services. Law enforcement was frequently contacted, but that “none of the systems ever worked together.”
“We were left without guidance, without navigation, and without true help,” said Llanes. “I often wonder if a coordinated community response had existed back then, would Megan still be here today? I truly believe she might.”
Suffolk County Police Department Chief William Doherty (pictured above left) said it’s important that “awareness turns into action.”
“While law enforcement, service agencies, and community organizations all do vital work on their own, we can achieve far more when we work together. I believe this collaboration will leave a lasting impact,” said Doherty, adding the initiative on the police end includes “providing enhanced training” to officers and “enforcing a pro-arrest policy in cases of domestic violence.”
“Additionally, it will enhance the effectiveness of victims’ advocates, our legal partners, and community -based organizations ensuring survivors are not left alone during these vulnerable times,” said Doherty. “The alliance will also increase efficiency, improve extreme risk protection orders or
red flag laws, strengthen officer safety, and prevent survivors from being re -victimized.” He added that all officers receive “robust” training on handling domestic violence calls.
Allen Bode, Chief Assistant District Attorney, said that the D.A.’s office is “committed to reducing and prosecuting domestic violence vigorously.”
Bode also hailed the County for applying for and securing a $2 million New York Statewide Targeted Reductions in Violence Initiative (STRIVE) Grant.
“At the District Attorney’s office, that means we have four victims’ advocates who are dedicated to domestic violence, including Spanishspeaking [victims],” said Bode. “We’ve added a second detective investigator to interview and locate witnesses. There’s now an interagency coordinator. That’s all on top of the thirty assistant D.A.’s, support staff, and investigators that the D.A.’s office already has working in domestic violence.” Bode also mentioned that the D.A.’s office is in the process of adding ten more victims’ advocates and will be applying for federal grants as well.
Anne Oh, Chief Counsel for the Department of Social Services and CoChair of the Alliance, was joined by Co-Chair Stacey Caggiano, the County Director of Women’s Services.
“If you had asked me ten years ago for prevention of domestic violence, I would say it was up to the police to catch them and for the prosecutors to convict them,” said Oh (pictured above left). “But having been in this area, I’ve learned that even though the conviction happens and the perpetrator is incarcerated, it’s not enough. The victims, the victims’ parents and children, neighbors, teachers, colleagues, and employers who are affected by domestic violence everyday, either directly or peripherally, that’s where the prevention is.”
Oh added that domestic violence “doesn’t happen overnight”, and often follows victims throughout their lives.
“It happens with a child who’s sex abused who has no value for his/ her body. It starts with a wife who says, ‘he’s just jealous. He just doesn’t like it when I talk to other men.’ It starts with people whose finances are controlled. It starts with the elder who says, ‘my nurse loves me. She would never take money from me.’”
Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) (pictured below left) has made domestic violence and human trafficking a key part of her legislative priorities. She serves as Chair of the Seniors and Human Services Committee.
“Three in every ten women and one in every ten men are victims of some form of domestic abuse,” said Bergin. She shared the story of a victim whose abuse started as financial control, which led to bills lapsing in payment and luxury cars in storage. It spiraled into emotional and eventually physical abuse. It only took intervention from the victim’s mother to leave her abusive husband.
“That was the permission that she finally got and the strength to leave. So, when you see friends, or maybe some of you are in this position right now, you don’t realize it’s not going to get better. It’s only going to get worse,” said Bergin.
Photo credit - Matt Meduri
The Zero-Sum Game of Government Shutdowns
It seems like it was just yesterday that the federal government was shut down. Fast-forward seven years and here we are again.
Our conversations with those on the Hill, namely Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), show that this shutdown, unlike some of its predecessors, is purely political. The GOP insisted on a clean funding bill devoid of riders, while Democratsnamely those in the Senate - have dug in their heels on healthcare subsidies.
This showdown, we believe, has cast a light on something once discussed more last decade: the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - or Obamacare. The subsidies are argued to be needed to keep premiums low and care affordable. However, this is posing the bigger question of just how much the ACA can stand on its own merit. Without billions in subsidies, it turns out to be a broken attempt at fixing a broken healthcare system.
Moreover, the subsidies - nearly $200 billion - would be earmarked for illegal immigrants. It’s preposterous to think that Democrats, the minority party in both chambers, is willing to shut down the government - after decades of keeping the government running being part of their party’s creed - over benefits to non-citizens. We understand the gray areas and subjectivities that come into play when talking about immigration, but even if this wasn’t a brazen misuse of taxpayer dollars, it’s hard to see how they win the court of PR in that regard.
Now comes the blame game, in which party will the American public lay this shutdown at the feet of?
If Americans lay the blame at the feet of the Democrats, Republicans might be emboldened to keep a steady hand and wait out the Party of Jackson. President Donald Trump (R-FL) is already exploring permanent layoffs by assessing which agencies can run on minimalized staff - a form of “checkmate” that the President has achieved by the shutdown offering itself as a pilot program for some wider DOGE cuts. The Democrats can continue not to come to the table as the minority party while the GOP has offered continuing resolutions (CRs) that the Democrats have refused to sign until their demands are met.
The most surefire way to end it would be for the GOP to convince seven other Democratic Senators to break the filibuster, but Democrats could also double down if the American public lays the blame at the feet of the
FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK:
Republicans. It would force the GOP’s - and Trump’s - hand to capitulate. We don’t see a realistic scenario in which the GOP bends the knee on benefits for non-citizens, but it becomes a point of deciding whether dying on that hill is worse the political fallout that endangers their razor-thin House majority next year. Moreover, some holdout Senators hail from swing states set to have competitive Senate races on the map. The GOP could risk their ability to grow their Senate majority next year if this shutdown is viewed to be the GOP’s fault.
We do agree with Congressman LaLota’s assessment of Democratic leadership - or lack thereof. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) continues to find himself in a world he no longer recognizes, where blue dogs are diamonds in the rough and firebrand progressives are increasingly calling more shots. The progressives have already primaried institutions of Democratic leadership since 2018. Schumer continues to find himself in unusual territory by raking in the lowest approval ratings in his Senate career, according to the Siena College. It’s no stretch of the imagination that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14) could parlay an unsuccessful presidential run in 2028 to a primary against Schumer for Senate that year. Schumer, first elected in 1998, could conceivably call it quits ahead of 2028. With that in mind, Schumer might already see the writing on the wall - he won’t be in the Senate come 2029. At this point, he’s got nothing to lose and might be making a last-ditch effort to be the party’s de facto leader in opposing President Trump at every corner. The Independents and cautiously optimistic Democrats might not agree, but at least Schumer is playing to the party’s consistent base.
Of course, it could be a zero-sum game for both parties. If the shutdown continues for an extended period and the everyday life for Americans is affected, neither party will accrue favor. They only risk their own incumbency via primaries and the 2026 midterms, depending on where the shutdowns were felt the most. Not only is Schumer endangered, but Republicans might find themselves with primary opponents more ideologically aligned with fiscal stalwarts like Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R, KY-04).
It’s a hefty risk that’s been seen before in politics, with crucial dividends possibly to be paid in next year’s critical midterms. Either Democrats come to the table or Republicans make concessions. Neither seem imminently likely given the environment.
Suffolk Takes on Domestic Violence
On Monday, Suffolk County took an important step with the creation of the Alliance Against Domestic Violence. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) signed the executive order forming this coalition, bringing together law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations. The goal is simple but urgent: to give victims of domestic violence a clear path to safety and justice, without forcing them to navigate a maze of disconnected programs.
This alliance is not about adding another committee to the county directory. It is about closing the gaps that have too often left victims waiting for help while paperwork piled up. A phone call to the police should not lead to weeks of uncertainty, and a plea for shelter should not get lost between one agency and the next. By putting the Suffolk County Police Department directly at the table with service providers, the county is attempting to replace fragmentation with real coordination.
Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) Deputy Commissioner Thomas Galati and Chief William Doherty stood alongside the County Executive to pledge their department’s support. That commitment matters. No single
agency can solve the problem of domestic violence alone. Police must act swiftly, but victims also need counselors, safe housing, legal advocates, and community groups that understand the human cost behind the statistics.
The test of this alliance will not be the press conference. It will be whether families in crisis see results. Are calls for help answered faster? Are shelters accessible when needed most? Do offenders face real consequences, or do cases stall once the cameras are gone? Taxpayers and families alike deserve answers measured in outcomes, not intentions.
If this new partnership delivers on its promise, Suffolk County will not only strengthen its safety net—it will send a clear message that protecting families is not a talking point, but a priority backed by action. If it fails, it will become one more example of good ideas lost in bureaucracy. The difference will be measured, as it always is, by whether real people are safer tomorrow than they were yesterday.
Raheem Soto
Publisher, Messenger Papers
Op-Ed
NYC Mayoral Race is a Concern for Every New Yorker
By Senator Alexis Weik
This summer I’ve heard upstaters and Long Islanders ask: “Why should I care who the mayor of New York City is? I don’t even live there.”
The answer is simple: one-third of our state budget goes to New York City every year. New York State’s total budget this year is $254 billion. Out of that, an enormous share is going straight into New York City. More than half of all statewide Medicaid spending, about 52%, goes to NYC, which amounts to roughly $19.5 billion. The city also takes in about 36% of all school aid, nearly $14.9 billion. On top of that, New York City receives about 52% of local aid revenue, another $13.9 billion. Combined, that means more than $32 billion in school and local aid alone is being poured into NYC. When you add other programs like homeless services, childcare, and transit, the total grows even larger. In other words, close to one-third of the state’s operating budget is flowing into one city that continues to struggle and fail. New York City has already had two failing mayors over the last eleven years, and taxpayers across the state have been forced to pay for the consequences.
The results speak for themselves. Despite the billions of dollars, New York City has become more dangerous and more expensive to get to, making it less of a destination, more expensive to live in, and new regulations and taxes have driven business to other states. Homelessness is at crisis levels. The city has committed billions to asylum-seeker shelters. Families and industry are leaving in large numbers. None of this has made life better for the rest of New York; it is no longer the economic engine that helped our state. Now, all taxpayers are paying the bill.
New York City is moving toward leadership that embraces extreme views. Weakening the police even more while pouring endless resources into programs that are already strained guarantees more insecurity and higher costs. The free bus program is a proposal with a $650 million annual price tag and no clarity on who will be responsible for paying for it, and it is just the start. The same mindset that calls for government-run transit
also extends to government-owned grocery stores, a vision that embraces a socialist mindset.
This matters everywhere; Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and NASDAQ are located in New York City. If the city continues to grow even more unsafe or unmanageable, these institutions and the jobs and tax revenue they generate will move elsewhere. Financial industry giants are already expanding outside the state. This election could accelerate this trend moving the industries toward Texas and the Midwest. New York will lose its status as the nation’s financial capital; that would devastate State revenues. The same is true for tourism. More than 66 million people visited New York City in 2023, generating $74 billion in economic activity. If tourists stop coming because the city is unsafe, that revenue will disappear, taking jobs and tax dollars with it.
So, why is the New York City Mayoral election so important to the entire state of New York? Putting someone with even more extreme views in office will truly make things worse. We need stronger laws for more safety, less regulation and taxes for our businesses, no more sanctuary city status, more financial oversight for public transportation, ensuring that projects that receive state dollars are completed and run more efficiently, and no more congestion pricing. We need a mayor who will stand up to bad New York State proposed laws and fight back.
So yes, you should care who runs New York City. Because when the city fails, it will weigh heavily on our state, pulling our state further down the drain.
Preserving Suffolk’s Term Limits and the Will of Voters
By Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey
I recently led the Suffolk County Legislature in the historic passing of the Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025. I sponsored the Act proactively to protect local governance and taxpayer interests from Albany’s recently imposed election disruption -- the “Even-Year Elections” law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023.
My Term Limit Preservation Act passed without opposition, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) has since signed the measure into law. It is now up to you – the residents of Suffolk County – to vote on the Act as a referendum during the November general election.
Due to Governor Hochul’s (D) “Even-Year Elections” law, all eighteen legislators elected or re-elected on this coming November’s ballot would face shortened terms, mid-term resignations, and potential special elections. At present, the County Charter outlines an election process in which all eighteen seats on the Suffolk County Legislature are at stake every odd year. Under the “Even-Year Elections” law signed by Governor Hochul, County Legislators elected in 2025 would be forced to run again in 2026 and again in 2028 –and in doing so be denied the second year of the term for which they were elected to serve in 2025. Moreover, that’s three costly elections in four years!
The potential disruption by the “Even-Year Elections” law is undeniable, particularly here in Suffolk County. The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025 amends the County Charter to ensure that the County’s voter-approved 12year term limit remains intact and ensures that:
• Term limits remain enforceable and protected.
• Terms shift from two to four years, eliminating three elections in four years.
• Legislators may complete a full term, even if their 12th year of service occurs during that term.
Let me be clear, I am an advocate for term limits. When I was elected the Legislature’s Presiding Officer in 2022 by the new Republican Majority, one of our first actions was to close a loophole in the law and cap total service at 12 years. The resulting referendum was overwhelmingly approved by 85.9% of voters -- 449,605 votes.
Term limits are also favored by the national electorate, as evidenced generally by public opinion surveys, and by the Suffolk electorate
specifically as evidenced by voter approval in multiple referendums. Further, I firmly believe that term limits have proved successful, especially in Suffolk County.
Our Legislature boasts members who bring real-world experience from all walks of life to their public service, including lawyers, teachers, doctors, small business owners, first responders, farmers, civic leaders, and labor leaders.
Ultimately, term limits give voters more, not less, choices at the ballot box. Elections are not always dominated by incumbents.
Term Limits mitigate the advantages of incumbency and allow for new, emerging leaders to run for office.
The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025, set for a ballot referendum this November, is a direct continuation of the Republican commitment to citizen-led government and strong term limits. The Act also ensures that Suffolk’s voter-approved term limits system remains in place and aligned with the new Democrat-imposed election schedule—without undermining its arguable intent to gain greater voter involvement based on increased turnout in even years.
I firmly believe that moving local elections from their historic oddyear November schedule to even years will overwhelm voters and bury important local issues under the static and noise of national elections.
Although 2025 represents my last year on the Legislature due to our 12year term limit system, I proudly introduced the Act and will wholeheartedly support efforts to prevent Albany-style dysfunction from taking root in Suffolk County.
With the approval of Suffolk voters in November, term limits will be preserved, and we will avoid forced mid-term resignations, costly special elections, and interrupted service and instability in local government leadership.
News from The Hill Government Shutdown: A Conversation with Congressman LaLota
A Lapse in Orthodoxy
LaLota says that the shutdown was a product of “Democrats violating their own religion of keeping the government open”, as well as “fear” within Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to quell the shift within his party towards a more extreme platform.
“Democrats have historically been relied upon to keep the government open,” LaLota told The Messenger. “Thirteen times under the Biden Administration, the parties worked together to keep the funding going. Democrats have deviated from that path because, broadly, they haven’t been winning on any of their policies under the Trump Administration. They lost on the Big, Beautiful Bill, taxes, spending, and various policies. It’s clear to me that they’re using this round of funding to pick a fight with President Trump.”
Three Democratic Senators joined the Republicans to end debate and pass a stopgap - Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (DNV), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Angus King (I-ME), although reports have stated that their intentions were to avoid a shutdown, which would give Trump “more leverage.”
“In any other time in our nation’s history, Democrats have said that funding the government is essential,” said LaLota. “However, this time around, some Democrats are contorting their language and approach to satisfy their politics. In a shutdown, the president has much broader authority on what he spends the remaining dollars on and whether he fires or furloughs federal employees.”
A Battle Over Subsidies
A big contributor to the tensions on the Hill is that of healthcare subsidies, particularly for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - or Obamacare. Pandemic-related subsidies were already slated to expire.
“It’s not like Republicans cut funding; they were naturally expiring. The Democrats are picking a fight over extending the subsidies that they themselves had slated to end in 2025,” said LaLota. “On September 19, House Republicans passed the stopgap as a funding mechanism while we’re having fights over broader tax-and-spend policies. But Democrats, thus far, have rejected that stopgap status quo funding, with no partisan riders, no gimmicks, no poison pills - merely a status quo funding of our gov that 99% of House Republicans voted for and 99% of Democrats voted against.”
However, LaLota says that Democrats have made pushing healthcare for illegal immigrants a priority in their fight this year.
shutdown goes, the more harmful it becomes. The more Americans will assign the blame to Democrats. Our Republicans are looking for a funding bill that keeps the status quo, something the parties have agreed on for decades,” said LaLota. “I voted for eight status quo funding bills under President Joe Biden (D-DE), despite my strong objections to his border policies. I voted for them because I understood the pain that would be caused to the general public for a legislative win. For years, every reasonable Republican and Democrat agreed to not shut down the government in order to achieve a policy win. It used to be a bipartisan understanding, but Democrats are rejecting their core philosophy.”
In the U.S. House, only one Democrat, Congressman Jared Golden (D, ME-02), sided with Republicans to keep the government funded. Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03) missed the vote by “seconds”, according to LaLota, but stated her intent to vote for the resolution.
LaLota adds that Schumer and his base fear a Senate primary from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14), colloquially referred to as AOC, as well as a takeover of their party that was once considered the party of the American working-class. AOC has been seen as a rising star in her party since her notable upset in the primary of Congressman Joe Crowley (D) in 2018. At the time, Crowley had been a high-ranking Democrat, defeated for his party’s nomination by AOC, then a political novice.
Schumer is up for re-election in 2028.
“On Page 57 of their $1.5 trillion wish list, Democrats included almost $200 billion to go to healthcare subsidies for illegal immigrants,” said LaLota. “Nobody has to take my word for it; it’s prominently displayed in that initiative.”
LaLota adds that the country’s healthcare system “needs reform”, but that the promises of Obamacare have not panned out.
In terms of services, 31,000 federal employees on Long Island will be affected.
“The longer this shutdown goes on, the worse it will get, especially for those who rely on federal services,” said LaLota, adding that some 3,000 scientists and engineers at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) and air traffic controllers for Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) will be affected.
“The air traffic controllers, each and collectively, told me that it wouldn’t only become painful for their paychecks, but ordinary Americans who rely on air travel,” said LaLota. “With respect to BNL, the nation’s progress that we’re trying to keep on our economic and military adversary, China, is stalled.”
Schumer’s ‘Fear’
Regarding the political ramifications of this, LaLota believes that Democrats the longer the shutdown continues, the more blame Americans will lie at the feet of the Democrats.
“It’s all about Assemblyman Zoharan Mamdani (D-Astoria) and AOC. The old generation of Democrats, like the Schumers, are scared as hell of the AOCs and Mamdanis,” said LaLota of the current intraparty sparring over the Democrats’ political future. “They’re doing their best to get their socialist tendencies. If you look at NYC, Mamdani wasn’t ‘supposed’ to win that primary, but did, and is likely to win the mayorship. For forty-year politicians like Schumer, that’s scary, and Chuck is trying to become more like Mamdani.”
How Other Long Island Reps. Voted
Fellow Long Island Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) (pictured top) voted in favor of the continuing resolution, in a statement calling it a “clean, short-term funding extension to keep the federal government open and operational.”
“During this shutdown, my team will continue to assist constituents, and our phone lines will remain open. Certain services and response times from federal agencies may slow or cease. We will continue to seek guidance from federal agencies about what services remain available as the situation develops,” said Garbarino in the statement.
Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) (pictured middle) voted against the resolution.
“‘My way or the highway’ is no way to run a government in a democracy,” said Suozzi in a statement. “Negotiating is how you keep a government open, not stonewalling the other side.”
“I think the politics are terrible for Democrats, because the longer this
Suozzi called on Republicans and Democrats to “sit down” and “hammer out a deal” to “reopen the government as soon as possible” and “extend expiring healthcare premium tax credits to stop doubledigit increases in health insurance premiums come November.”
Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) (pictured bottom) branded the deadlock as a “GOP Shutdown” in a statement.
“First, Republicans threw our health care system into crisis with their Big Bad Bill that will make health care more expensive for millions of Americans,” said Gillen in a statement. “Next, they refused to even negotiate at all to craft a bipartisan spending bill and chose to let tax credits that allow thousands of Long Island families to afford health care expire. The health care cuts being currently pushed by the Majority will mean higher costs for Long Island families already struggling with groceries, rent and child care. This shutdown could have been prevented and Americans would have benefitted if House Republicans governed responsibly.”
The Messenger reached out to Senator Schumer’s office for comment, but received no response.
This Week Today
Thursday, October 9, 2025
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
Chicago is taking a stand against President Donald Trump (R-FL) and his administration’s immigration policies and the admin’s recent deployment of the National Guard to Illinois.
Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) signed an executive order on Monday that prohibits federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from using cityowned property for their operations. Johnson has established “ICE-free zones” as part of his Protect Chicago Initiative.
“The order establishes ICE-free zones. That means that city property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for these raids,” Johnson said at a Monday press conference, according to FOX. Johnson went further by asserting that the “right wing in this country wants a rematch of the Civil War.”
Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) filed a lawsuit on Monday which aims to block the Trump Administration from deploying National Guard troops to the Prairie State, calling the moves from Washington an “invasion.” Pritzker has long been floated as a 2028 presidential contender, or at least a significant financier of the Democrats’ candidate.
The Trump Administration has sent 400 Texas National Guard troops to both Illinois and Oregon, courtesy of Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX).
Illinois shifted dramatically to the right in the last election, owing to a substantial Democratic enthusiasm gap between 2020 and 2024. A state won by Joe Biden (D-DE) by seventeen points went to Kamala Harris (D-CA) by a little under eleven points. No Republican has won Illinois at the presidential level since 1988.
Meanwhile, Kansas Republicans are circulating a petition to call a special session of the state legislature to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms - another development in the national redistricting “arms race” that has proliferated since July.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) began circulating petitions for a special session at a Wichita event last weekend. Republicans currently have supermajorities in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature, meaning they could not only call a special session unilaterally, but override a likely veto of a gerrymandered map by Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS).
Republicans control three of the four congressional seats afforded to the Sunflower State. The only one not in their control is KS-03, a Kansas City-based district that was flipped by Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D, KS-03) in the 2018 blue wave and held by a significant ten-point margin in 2020. Even after the GOP drew her district to be more favorable to Republicans, Davids held the line by a comfortable margin.
As of now, Republicans can expect four or five seats from their Texas redraw and another from their recently-passed Missouri redraw.
Additionally, the Utah State Legislature is already meeting in special session to consider maps for a court-ordered redistricting process. The Redistricting Committee selected “Map C”, one of the several proposed. Utah is forced to redraw its map by court order, after a lawsuit found that the legislature violated a voter-approved referendum to concede to an independent redistricting commission. The map approved in 2021 made UT-04 a much redder district by spreading Salt Lake City, a blue stronghold, across all four of the state’s districts.
In the “Map C” proposal, Salt Lake City would remain whole within UT-03, while its Salt Lake County would be split only once between UT-03 and UT-02. (see map above)
On the international stage, Hamas delegates are headed to Egypt to discuss releasing the remaining Israeli hostages pursuant to a Gaza ceasefire plan pitched by President Trump. On Friday, Trump told Israel to cease bombing Gaza, but more than 100 people have been killed since those strikes. Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are reportedly mediators who are at the table.
On the Hill, Congressman David Schweikert (R, AZ-01) is retiring from the House to run for governor of Arizona.
The Arizona gubernatorial race is likely to be one of the marquee races of the 2026 midterms. Once a Republican western stronghold, Arizona has developed into one of the most hotly contested swing states in the nation. In 2020, Democrats captured both U.S. Senate seats for the first time since 1953, while Joe Biden (D-DE) became the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry the Copper State since Bill Clinton (D-AR) did so in 1996 - and the second since Harry Truman (D-MO) in 1948.
At the state level, Republicans only narrowly control both chambers of the state legislature.
In 2022, Arizona Secretary State of State Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) won a razor-thin contest over firebrand conservative personality Kari Lake (R-AZ), marking the first time Democrats won a gubernatorial contest in Arizona since
2006. Hobbs now enters the 2026 cycle as one of the most vulnerable governors in a state won by Trump. Of the seven core swing states last year, all of which were swept by Trump, Arizona showed the strongest support for Trump - a 5.53% margin.
Schweikert has represented suburban Phoenix in the House since 2011. But Phoenix’s rapid leftward shift in recent years is what’s pulled Arizona into swing state territory. In 2022, Schweikert barely survived re-election, winning by a fraction of a percentage point. In 2024, however, he won just under four points - close but more comfortable than his previous margin.
Schweikert faces fellow Congressman Andy Biggs (R, AZ-05) and Karrin Taylor Robson (R-AZ), a former member of the Arizona Board of Regents and candidate for governor in 2022. He leaves behind a competitive suburban district that could very well have a hand in deciding which party controls the lower chamber in 2027. If the 2024 levels of Republican support in suburban Phoenix remain constant by next year, then it is plausible there’s enough of a floor of support in this red-tilting district.
Also on the Hill, Congressman Tom Tiffany (R, WI-07) is also retiring to run for governor of Wisconsin. Two-term Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) passed on a third term, leaving an open seat on the table in a state where Trump won by almost one percentage point last year. Like Arizona, Wisconsin has become one of the most hotly contested swing states over the last few cycles. It is the only state that was decided by a margin of less than one point in each of the last three presidential elections.
Tiffany starts as the frontrunner in a yet-to-be-developed Republican primary and is probably one of the strongest candidates who could have entered the race thus far. He leaves behind a solidred WI-07, a district that encompasses the northwestern-central part of the state and includes the city of Appleton. This part of Wisconsin used to be much more in the Democratic fold on the local level, but since 2010, it’s raced to the right. In 2024, Tiffany was re-elected by almost thirty points.
State
The Siena College released its final September poll, showing President Trump with a favorability rating of 34%-61% (-27) and job approval rating of 37%-62% (-25). The former figure is his lowest such rating since September 2023.
Moreover, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has clinched more than 50% in a 2026 gubernatorial poll, the first time she’s ever crossed that important threshold, according to Siena’s ongoing research. She leads likely candidate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) 52%-27% (+25).
This is a stark difference from last month’s +14 margin for Hochul over the Plattsburgh Republican.
Hochul’s favorability rating also received
a slight bump from August, now resting at 45%-42% (+3), up from 42%-44% (-2) in the late summer. Her approval rating sits at 54%-40% (+14), compared to just 53%42% (+9) in August. 61% of Democrats view Hochul favorably and 72% approve of her job performance. However, 48% of Independents view her unfavorably and are evenly divided - 47%-46% (+1) - on her job performance.
Hochul still faces a harrowing statistic; only 37% of voters say they would re-elect her. 51% prefer “someone else.”
In terms of the gubernatorial landscape for next year, the College tracked Hochul at +41 in New York City, +23 in the downstate suburbs, and +9 Upstate. The College also finds that Hochul leads with white voters46%-35% (+11) black voters - 73%-6% (+67) - and Latino voters - 65%-19% (+46).
The Siena College found that 23% of voters say that crime in New York State has gotten better, while 38% say it’s stayed the same, and 35% say it’s gotten worse.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has a 42%-45% (-3) favorability rating, up substantially from his 38%-50% (-12) rating in August. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-08) has a 34%-31% (+3) favorability rating, down from a 38%-27% (+11) spread in August. Overall, the College finds that 42% of New Yorkers think the state is on the “right track”, compared to 41% who disagree. This figure is up slightly from the 41%-45% (-4) figure poll last month. This is the first time the College has found a net-positive on this question since October 2021, just two months after Hochul took office. The Siena College poll was conducted September 8-10 among 802 registered New York State voters. It has a margin of error of +/- 4.2%.
Local
The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) has a new deputy commissioner. On October 3, Tom Galati was promoted to Deputy Commissioner. Galati recently retired from the NYPD with thirty-nine years of experience. There, he served as Chief of Intelligence and Counterterrorism. He was also recently appointed as the First National Security Advisor for the Major Cities Chief Association.
(Let to right) County Clerk Puleo, SCPD Commissioner Catalina, Deputy Commissioner Galati, County Executive Romaine (Credit - Suffolk County Police Department)
BERGIN’S BRIEF
SEPTEMBER 2025
Legislator Trish Bergin visited ECLI-VIBES to celebrate their recent “Grid for Good” grant. As part of National Grid’s Annual Week of Service, 15 National Grid employees were on site to set up and install new items that will transform the space into a welcoming and supportive environment for the children and families they serve. With this grant, ECLI-VIBES is looking forward to enhancing their Youth and Child Community Care Room. Congratulations!
On September 25, Legislator Bergin attended the Greater Ronkonkoma Civic Association’s meeting. She answered questions and provided updates to residents on their concerns.
Legislator Bergin was excited to attend the Kismet Historical Society’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Sam Wood was presented with a proclamation from Legislator Bergin to thank him for all his contributions and dedication to his community. A year-round resident since 1986, Sam has been a consistent supporter of various local charitable efforts and has been a member of the Kismet Fire Department for 45 years. In addition to founding the Kismet Historical Society, he also built a successful construction, real estate and carting business. Thank you for all you do!
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.
Save the Great South Bay hosted their annual Oyster Ball at Gatsby on the Ocean on September 13. Legislator Bergin was pleased to be in attendance with her colleagues as Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) was honored with the Environmental Stewardship Award. Congratulations!
Islip Turns Purple is a month-long initiative held every September to unite the Town of Islip in raising awareness of mental health, substance abuse disorder and celebrating those that are in recovery. Legislator Bergin attended the kickoff events at Town Hall that included guest speakers, resource tables, giveaways and Narcan training.
On September 3, Legislator Bergin hosted the General Meeting of the Legislature. Thank you to Pastor Zachary Dean from Calvary Lutheran Church in Hauppauge for delivering the invocation and to Marc, CEO and President of Creative Ministries, for bringing Paige, Sadie, Eliana and Samara to sing the national anthem.
TRISH BERGIN, SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATOR, 10TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Theater & The Arts
Leapin’ Lizards!
By Cindi Sansone-Braff
Thanks to Jeffrey Sanzel and Sari Feldman, a dynamic directing duo, “Annie,” the world’s most beloved familyfriendly musical, kicked off Theatre Three’s 55th Mainstage season on a high note. This classic two-act musical, featuring music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, has become a staple of professional and amateur theaters worldwide.
The endearing character known as Little Orphan Annie has captured the hearts of children of all ages for 140 years. James Whitcomb Riley, the beloved American poet, published a poem in 1885, originally entitled “The Elf-Child.” This cautionary tale warned children of the dire consequences of disobeying their parents and was based on the reallife story of an orphan who lived with the Riley family. That well-known poem inspired Harold Gray’s 1924 comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,” which in turn became the inspiration for the 1977 Broadway musical, “Annie,” a seven-time Tony Award winner.
Theatre Three’s latest production, and Erin Risolo’s award-worthy performance in the lead role, Annie, is definitely one of them. Risolo, waif-like and wonderful, opened the show with a pitchperfect rendition of “Maybe,” a wistful ballad in which Annie expresses a melancholic longing for her parents. With heartfelt conviction, Risolo masterfully delivers the musical’s signature song, “Tomorrow,” conveying its life-affirming message of hope, faith, and the promise of a brighter future. Emmie Rockwell, a delightful Wheaton Terrier mix, made her stage debut as Annie’s dog and sidekick, Sandy. Patti Rockwell, Emmie’s mommy and trainer, also had brief onstage moments!
onstage moment!
The multitalented children in the cast are another reason this show is a must-see, including Nora Andersen as July, Adriana Como as Duffy, Ava Day Lugo as Kate, Kathleen Arabelle Han as Tessie, Sadie Mathers as Molly (I loved her backflips across the stage), and Olive Oakes as Pepper. One of the show’s
“Annie” tells the tale of a resilient, street-smart, eleven-year-old orphan living in a bleak Hudson Street Orphanage in New York City during the Great Depression. After being chosen to spend Christmas with the wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks, her life changes dramatically for the better, although there are a few bumps along the way.
This show is chock-full of timeless themes that offer healing and hope, such as the idea that goodness is rewarded, evil is punished, love is the true currency of life, tomorrow will be better, and the importance of paying it forward.
There are so many reasons to see
highlights was “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” a high-energy ensemble piece with mesmerizing dance moves and strong vocals.
Every time Julianne Greaves stepped on stage as Miss Hannigan, the snarky, sadistic, sloshed headmistress of the orphanage, she stole the show with her sultry dance moves and sinister antics.
Although she is one of the musical’s villains, she provides much of the show’s comic relief. Greaves’ powerhouse vocals, emotive facial expressions, gestures, and body language made “Little Girls” a dark comedic show tune, an unforgettable
Chris Dufrenoy aced the role of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, the selfassured, self-made, sometimes stern billionaire, who turns out to have a heart of gold, especially when it comes to Annie. Dufrenoy’s expert delivery of his solo “Something Was Missing” was a high point in the production. The onstage chemistry between Warbucks and his loyal secretary, Grace Farrell, convincingly portrayed by Samantha Fierro, added some romantic sizzle to the show.
Tim Moriates was sensational as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivering a “New Deal” just in time for Christmas, and he commanded the stage as Lt. Ward, the police officer who returns Annie to the orphanage.
Will Logan, a natural-born physical comedian, delivered a standout performance as Rooster, Miss Hannigan’s swarthy, slimy, scheming brother, and Heidi Jaye convincingly portrayed Rooster’s money-hungry, ditzy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis.
According to Sanzel, Sari Feldman, the co-director and choreographer, “Is a veteran of the national tour and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience…” This show features many excellent dance numbers, but the jazzy “Easy Street,” performed by Miss Hannigan (Greaves), Rooster (Logan), and Lily (Jaye), was a showstopper.
The stellar ensemble includes Sophie Carpenter, Jaden Chimelis, Sophia Del Carmen, Emilia Guzzetta, Jacob Lesko, Wesley Oakes, Ben Russman, Haley Saunders, Paul Schiller, Andrew Timmins, and Ryan Van Nostrand.
The production’s creative team also deserves recognition for its outstanding behind-the-scenes work. Period costumes by Ronald Green III perfectly captured the 1930s era, while Randall Parsons’ inventive set designs transported audiences to Depression-era New York. The live orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Hoffman, brought exuberant energy to the musical numbers.
Toward the end of Act II, when the entire company belted out a heartfelt version of “Tomorrow,” I tried to contain my tears as I looked over at my husband, wiping tears from his eyes. There is a certain theatrical magic about this show that penetrates through the layers of human hardness and strikes right to the heart. It is no wonder Saturday evening’s performance received a long, thunderous standing ovation.
If you’re feeling a little down and out, head to Theatre Three and receive a pure infusion of positive energy from this upbeat show. Trust me, it’s good for what ails you! This spectacular show runs through October 19, 2025. To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 631928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com
Candidate Spotlight
October 9, 2025
Legislator Samuel Gonzalez
By Matt Meduri
Candidate: Legislator Samuel Gonzalez
Residence: Brentwood
Office: Suffolk County Legislature, District Nine (LD-09)
First Elected: March 2019 special, re-elected November 2019, 2021, 2023
Prior Campaigns: NYS Assembly District 6 (Democratic Primary) 2012, Islip Town Council 2017
Party Endorsements: Democratic, Working Families
Notable Endorsements: Suffolk Police Coalition, IBEW 1049, IBEW 25, CWA 1199, Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners, NY League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV), NYS Nursing Assn. (NYSNA), LiUNA, 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, Assn. of Municipal Employees (AME), SCCC Faculty Assn.
Legislator Sam Gonzalez is seeking a fourth term in Hauppauge. After winning by wide margins typical for Democrats in this Brentwood-based district, Gonzalez won by a surprisingly close margin two years ago.
Legislator Gonzalez sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview.
Q: What is your professional background and how has it equipped you for the Legislature?
A: In 1983, I started as a shop organizer for an independent local union that worked for the garbage industry in Brooklyn. We organized this massive garbage company that had transfer stations, trucks, the whole nine yards. We later converted it to waste management and we were bought out. For sixteen years, I was the shop steward there. Then I went to Local 116 of the Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union/United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (RWDSU/UFCW). I became the union’s business agent, and later got drafted for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1430. I worked there as an organizer, business agent, vice president, and later president for seven years. When I got elected in 2019, I froze my book and I have been here every day, seven days a week.
All that prepared me for the Legislature. I’ve been working with people all my life. I wish government worked as quickly as the labor unions do. I’m used to hearing, “we have to get this done now!” I started at the Legislature in 2019 and only now am I seeing certain things materialize.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments over the last two years for LD-09?
A: Crime in this district is at a historic low since the numbers began being recorded. We’ve been working very diligently with our District Attorney and police force who have eradicated MS-13 in this area. 2016 and 2017 were the worst years here as far as gang violence. Homicides are slightly higher, but in our talks with SCPD Commissioner Kevin Catalina, we found that those homicides were people who knew each other. It wasn’t a rogue gunman or crazy gangster, but one death is still one too many.
We also were able to work with the Town and Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) to revitalize Ross Park, which had been infected by drugs, dealers, addicts, and prostitutes. Go there now and it’s beautiful.
I also moved the bus stops to a hub right along the LIRR entrance and I made sure there are cameras and police presence there. That area is cleaned up. I’m also working with Councilman Jorge Guadrón (D-Central Islip) to cut down trees and clean up the shopping center on Hayward Street and Washington Avenue.
I’m working on bringing in the first sewer line in Brentwood’s history. It would go from Broadway, down Second, down Brentwood Road, and up to Suffolk Avenue. On Suffolk, it would split; east would go to Knoll Farms and west to Fifth Avenue. From Fifth, it goes back north up to Crooked Hill-Wicks Road. It will then go down American Boulevard, pass to the other side of the Southern State Parkway, and connect to the Southwest Sewer District. That’s going to open up more business and more housing opportunities. I have restaurants that have been with the same capacity for thirty-eight years, and I have seniors who need affordable housing. The groundbreaking is estimated for 2028.
The Heartland Project at Pilgrim State is also being discussed with County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). We have aspirations of creating 3,500 units with mixed-use zoning. It could even be something of a little downtown, a little world of its own.
We’re also working on the traffic jams at Suffolk Avenue, Washington Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Brentwood Road, Carleton Avenue, NY-111, and Islip Avenue. It’s massive. Mr. Romaine is on my side with building overpasses and/or underpasses for the train tracks at these junctions. We have about forty-five freight maneuvers per day, let alone the LIRR passenger trains. I’m meeting with the Governor’s office to see if there are dollars we can bring for that.
We also have a plan for a new commercial road off Pine Aire Drive over the Sagtikos Parkway to bring tractor-trailers from the commercial area to alleviate the trucks on Fifth Avenue and bring them into Deer Park. We’ve got the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on board.
I’m working with the Brentwood Fire Department to get them a new brush truck. Their current one is about 30-40 years old; it belongs in a museum. That brush truck helped respond to the brush fires in Westhampton earlier this year, but our areas with a lot of greenery - Sisters of St. Joseph, Pilgrim State - need it too.
I’m also working with Bay Shore F.D. to get them a ladder truck with a 102-foot cannon that can reach the new buildings that are being built there - some of them are six, seven
stories tall.
For the East Brentwood F.D., we’re looking to complete the paving of their helipad. It hasn’t been done in about 30 years. They don’t have a helicopter, but the helipad can be used in emergencies.
I’ve also worked with the Central Islip and Brentwood school districts to help break the mold about the kids in our district. With the gang mentality, they seek to adopt the poor, hungry kids who come to identify with the gangs. The schools currently have more children going to Ivy League schools than ever before over these last few years. I also advocate for Suffolk Community College’s labor apprenticeship programs - plumbing, construction, heavy machinery, car mechanics. There are also those who want to go to college but choose to work because they’re not here legally.
I’m also the only Latino Legislator in all of Long Island and this district has the largest concentration of Latinos almost anywhere on the Island. They see me as their voice. I also host a radio program through JVC Broadcasting called Long Island Live where I tell listeners everything that’s happening in the Legislature and in this district.
I’m hosting the ninth free clinic for this community to give information and guidelines and answer questions about things that are occurring now for those who are undocumented. I have people speaking who are immigration lawyers and civil rights and labor attorneys. Because of ICE, this district has patronage in supermarkets, delis, variety stores, mechanics - about 20-30% of their total business. People are afraid to come out.
We held the eleventh annual Brentwood Tropical Salsa Fest in August and people were canceling due to the fear for the community. I didn’t cancel it because people have to laugh and enjoy themselves. We had 94 vendors on Suffolk Avenue and around 3,000 people came out. I observed to make sure we didn’t get any surprise visits, but we didn’t have any incidents.
Q: What have you done for the County at-large over the last two years?
A: I’ve been trying to put in resolutions to help residents with unnecessary late fees and surcharges that the County issues. I’m putting in a resolution to freeze those types of surcharges for the next three-to-four years until there’s a change in how the federal government is acting as far as immigration goes and until I see a change in everyday life where people have to mortgage their house to buy a bag of groceries.
We’re working with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to offer a program to anyone who wants to take on vacant properties on the County tax rolls, where closing costs and everything would be paid for with a grant. If someone wanted to buy a vacant lot next to their house and expand their yard, their property taxes might increase slightly, but not during that first year and extra costs would be paid for with a grant.
I’m looking at another resolution that would give union workers 90 days of protection if their shop is bought out and they’re fired. We’re just working out to make sure we’re not infringing on any federal guidelines.
Q: You voted not to sue the State over the even-year elections law. Explain your stance.
A: For me, I just want to be left alone to do my job. When decisions are made above my pay grade, I’m not going to fight it. There’s so many other things that are important. In 2020, I sponsored a bill to lengthen term limits from two years to four years; it seems like my whole career is campaigning every two years. My colleagues put it in this year. Let’s be honest, you’re not going to make a move as a group if it’s not political - usually not. But it’s done. I want to work; that’s all I care about - and not having to constantly campaign. It costs our constituents dollars every time they go to the ballot.
Most people in my district don’t really care about it or even know about the even-year elections law. They’re working individuals with two, three jobs. And Washington is hurting my community, not just physically but mentally. The federal cuts have hurt the Island Harvest program that gives out food staples to the community twice a month. Now, they can only do it once a month.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: “Defiende lo tuyo. (Defend what’s yours).” We’re at a point where all our liberties and everything our forefathers fought for are being taken away from us. In Spanish, we say, “Yo soy tan feo como tan franco (I am as ugly as I am truthful).” I don’t tell little white lies; I don’t sugarcoat. Somebody has to tell you the truth.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community and what do you do in your spare time?
A: I don’t play my position; I act my position. People come up to me when I’m at a barbershop, or a cafe, or having a pupusa, and someone comes up to me with a question, concern, or suggestion. That’s how I know what the community needs.
Before I got into government, I was growing in the music industry. I’ve been a vocalist for over 40 years now. I’ve recorded 24 albums, traveled all over the world. I’ve sung with the best artists in the Latino community, from Tito Puente to Celia Cruz, a prep for March Anthony Ruben Blades, and even a soundtrack for Paul Simon’s “Cape Man” on Broadway. I’ve done Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and the Hollywood Bowl. I even performed for David Dinkins’ (D) inauguration when he became NYC Mayor.
The Messenger thanks Legislator Gonzalez for his time for this interview.
By Matt Meduri
Candidate: Guy Leggio
Residence: Bay Shore
Occupation: Bricklayer
Candidate Spotlight
Guy Leggio
Office Sought: Suffolk County Legislature, District Nine (LD-09)
Prior Campaigns: Islip Town Council, District 3 (2023 write-in)
Current Elected Office: Bay Shore Union Free School District, elected 2007, president 2011-2012, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
Party Endorsements: Republican, Conservative
Notable Endorsements: Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R)
Guy Leggio is making his first party-line run for office this year, hoping to flip the Ninth Legislative District red.
Guy Leggio sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the County Legislature?
A: I’ve been a bricklayer and mason for forty years. I actually built a 65-by-85-foot wrestling room off the back of Bay Shore High School with my hands. Now, they have a state-of-the-art building worth a million dollars that I built with donations and a bunch of my friends. Like structures, I build relationships from the ground up and make them work. I’ve also been a varsity wrestling coach for 27 years. I graduated from Bay Shore High School and later went to the U.S. Navy. I was in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force and went to Beirut to respond when the embassy was blown up. I was Navy Sailor of the Year; I’ve always had leadership positions.
My father was a union bricklayer along with his grandfather; I’m the third-generation bricklayer in my family. I later became a foreman in the bricklayer’s union. I joined the Bay Shore Fire Department in 1985 and became a line officer. I worked up the ranks to captain. Instead of becoming chief, I decided to run for school board. At that time, the school was doing a Universal Pre-K (UPK) lottery, but it was a very unfair lottery. People were lining up outside the school at 2:00 in the morning, and I thought, “what are we doing?” I helped develop a fair UPK lottery at Bay Shore.
On the school board, I analyze our $200 million budget every year. I find money for programming for the kids and I find out where we can move and save money.
Coaching wrestling teaches you how to bring people together. You don’t worry about winning first; you worry about building a family first. I’ve got almost 300 match wins in wrestling, without a college education. I was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; my father is also there. I’m also in the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame. I helped found the East Islip Kid Wrestling program; they never had a program before. I was also named National Wrestling Coach of the Year for New York State in 2014, and I had one of my athletes become a Division I All-American runner-up.
I’m also treasurer of the Islip Town School Boards Association and I’ve served on the Islip Town Youth Board.
I’m a guy who likes to get things done. I won’t take no for an answer.
Q: What is your best or proudest professional accomplishment?
A: The wrestling room at Bay Shore is definitely up there, but I was also able to obtain the Bay Shore Armory site for just one dollar while on the school board. I give credit to then-Senator Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon) who helped get the ball rolling on that. The whole board worked together and there have been plans to turn it into a UPK facility. For that, I received the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service, as the most visional school member in the state.
Apart from that, I once met a boy with no legs who changed my life, the way I coach, the way I think. Again, it’s not about winning; it’s about how you build trust with one another.
Q: What are your plans for the Ninth District if you are elected?
A: Brentwood needs help, but there’s ways we can fix it. The homelessness is bad, and you have shootings and gang activity in some parts. The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) is doing a great job right now, not only driving through, but promoting their presence, especially after one shooting
on Washington Avenue.
The homelessness problem is a housing problem. They need real affordable housing, not $3,500 a month for one room. We have buildings that are unoccupied; some of them are owned by the County. I would love to look at our infrastructure because infrastructure is my business.
The only way you’re going to find out things is to take a seat next to the homeless person and ask, “why are you here, what do you need?”
As far as traffic, especially around Fifth Avenue, there’s ways we can get the traffic to go. There’s no such word as “can’t.” We also have to be collaborative with those outside our district as well.
I also intend to be at every meeting. In eighteen years as a school board trustee, I haven’t missed one meeting or an executive session.
Q: If elected, what are your plans for the County at large?
A: Sunrise Highway needs to be taken care of. It’s a State road, but it’s a mess. We need to get the ball rolling on that. The Oakdale Merge also has to be taken care of. Although it’s outside of my district, it’s not far outside my district. It affects residents across the entire south shore of Islip. I’d also like to look at overpasses and underpasses with the railroad.
Our infrastructure in general needs to be looked after. How many buildings do we own and how many do we actually use? Can we get rid of buildings to make money to pay for other things? For our seniors to stay here, I’d like to look at ways to possibly freeze some of their taxes.
I think Bay Shore has been overdone a little bit with housing, but the problem is that the IDA is giving out all these tax breaks. A big problem is developers get the grants and then sell the project to someone who keeps the IDA tax breaks. I think if you get the IDA tax breaks, you have to own it for a set period of time - say, ten years - then you can sell it. You shouldn’t give a tax break to somebody that didn’t do all the work. I think that’s one way that you can cure so you can keep people entrusted in your communities.
Q: This district is notable for having almost all of their candidates over the years be of Hispanic or Latino descent. Do you think you could be an effective representative?
A: I’m in the union with many Latinos. There are no barriers; we all interact and work together. I’ve been brought up in Bay Shore my whole life and we always knew how to mix. There is a language barrier, but I also have an interpreter with me at all times. I’ll break those barriers if I need to.
People in this district also need help as far as citizenship and immigration go. I want to help everybody who needs help with their paperwork, but I can’t help a person who’s been here for thirty years and has been avoiding the process entirely. But if you’ve been working here and paying taxes, there’s a process for that. If you need help, I will absolutely help, but don’t avoid the system.
I also understand the fear, but I want to help alleviate those fears. I’ve seen videos where ICE officers are rough and aggressive. To me, that’s not the way we should take care of things.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic?
A: For the people, not the politics. I run for the right reasons. I’m going to do this full-time. I’m going to give up my bricklaying if I win.
Q: How do you like to connect with your community and what do you do in your spare time?
A: To get people to connect, I have engagement gatherings where we can find out what kinds of problems people are having. We have family engagement nights in public areas, like our parks, we publicize it so people can come out.
One of my favorite parts of Suffolk is Fire Island. I’m also the drum major for our fire department band, so I go to all the functions and parades. I’m the president of the Suffolk County Wrestling Association, so I run that and coach varsity matches.
The Messenger thanks Guy Leggio for his time for this interview.
Civics 101
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Government Shutdowns
By Matt Meduri
Since the federal government shutdown is in effect as of October 1, we find it appropriate to discuss the technicalities and history of government shutdowns for our column this week.
What is a Government Shutdown?
The federal government’s fiscal year ends on September 30 every year. The original fiscal year started in July, going back from the 1840s until 1974, with the passage of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. The move gave lawmakers more time to deliberate on budget decisions after the summer recess, as well as giving legislation more time to be finalized without a massive rush.
A shutdown occurs when funding legislation that is required to finance the next year’s government is not enacted before the fiscal year ends. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate are required to deliberate appropriations, pursuant to the separation of powers outlined by the Constitution. Since Congress controls the pursestrings of the nation, much of the responsibility is on them. The president then signs the agreed upon bill into law.
The House requires just a simple majority of votes218 votes with a full quorum - to pass a budget. Should a president veto a spending bill, a two-thirds majority - 290 votes with full quorum - is required to override the veto.
In the Senate, a supermajority - 60 votes - is required to pass most spending bills and continuing resolutions (CRs) - extended funding that keeps the government running for a set period of time. This vote is a procedural one to end debate and invoke cloture. In other words, the filibuster allows Senators the right to unlimited debate, often used as a tactic to delay or block votes on a measure. Overcoming that right to debate requires a supermajority of the Senate to invoke cloture - the procedure of ending a debate and taking a vote. This is where much of the consternation in this year’s shutdown can be found.
Before the 1980s, many federal departments and agencies continued their operations during a shutdown while minimizing nonessential services. However, the Antideficiency Act Amendments of 1982 was passed to prevent the incurring of expenditures in excess of appropriations approved by Congress. In other words, agencies were no longer allowed to spend what wasn’t earmarked by Congress. While this wasn’t intended to prohibit services during a shutdown, it is the primary reason that shutdowns are so sweeping.
What is Affected During a Shutdown?
A full federal shutdown causes a large number of civilian federal employees to be furloughed - a temporary lay-off. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported that as of March 2025, there are about 2.3 million civilian federal employees. During the 2013 shutdown, one of the longest on record, some 800,000 employees were furloughed, 1.3 million saw delayed payments, GDP growth slowed 0.1-0.2% - at that time, the GDP was a larger sum than that of the cost to keep the government running - and a decrease in the confidence of the overall job market.
The Department of Defense often loses half of its civilian workforce during a shutdown. Programs affected by large appropriation measures - such as Social Security - could also be affected by delays, not an outright cessation. According to USA Today, the federal departments most affected by the current shutdown are the Environmental Protection Agency (89% of workers furloughed), Education (87%), Commerce (81%), Labor (76%), Energy (63%), and State (62%).
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.
CreditMatt Meduri
agencies except the legislative branch. 241,000 employees were furloughed with a cost of $80-$90 million. Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.
1984: President Reagan oversaw a four-hour shutdown that affected only some agencies, furloughed $500,000 employees, and cost $65 million. Republicans controlled the Senate, while Democrats controlled the House.
1986: President Reagan again saw a four-hour shutdown that affected all agencies, saw 500,000 employees furlived, and cost $62.2 million. Republicans controlled the Senate, while Democrats controlled the House.
National Parks often bear the brunt of federal shutdowns. However, the parks are currently operating under a contingency plan. They remain open but with reduced staff and services. Trails, roads, and lookouts are accessible, but some buildings, shops, and facilities that require staff might be closed.
Additionally, Small Business Administration (SBA) loan approvals, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage issuances, nutrition programs, museums, and federal student grant and loan applications are just some of the sweeping effects of a federal shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reported to furlough 25% of their staff. Roughly 33,000 employees will stay on the job since their work is deemed “necessary to protect life and property.”
What’s Still Running?
According to USA Today, the federal departments least affected are Agriculture (49% of workers furloughed), Defense (45%), Health and Human Services (41%), Transportation (23%), Social Security Administration (12%), Justice (11%), Homeland Security (5%), and Veterans Affairs (3%).
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments will still be disbursed, although patients might experience delays in getting assistance.
Essential personnel, such as air traffic controls, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, and Border Patrol officers will continue to work, but without pay. The FBI and DEA will also remain on the clock.
More than one million employees are keeping the Department of Defense running, although without pay. The Pentagon cannot start any new programs or award contracts. Overseas commissaries will remain open but on a limited basis. Elective medical procedures and surgeries within the military are postponed.
The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will continue to operate, but since the shutdown has persisted for more than five days, the department is in unchartered waters. Democrats in 2022 enacted special funding to avoid furloughing most of the IRS’ 75,000 employees for the first business days after a shutdown.
How Many Shutdowns Has the U.S. Had?
The federal government has had eleven shutdowns since 1980.
1980: President Jimmy Carter (D-GA) presided over a shutdown that lasted one day, affected just the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), furloughed 1,600 employees, and cost $700,000 to the government. Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.
1981: President Ronald Reagan (R-CA) presided over another one-day shutdown that ceased operations for all
1990: President George H. W. Bush (R-TX) presided over a three-day shutdown that affected all agencies, but only furloughed 2,800 employees and cost $2.57 million. Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress.
November 1995: President Bill Clinton (D-AR) oversaw a five-day shutdown that affected some agencies, furloughed 800,000 employees, and cost $400 million. Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress.
1995-1996: President Clinton saw a 21-day shutdownthen the longest in history and currently the secondlongest - that affected some agencies, furloughed 284,000 employees and cost $400 million. Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress.
2013: President Barack Obama (D-IL) presided over a 16-day shutdown that affected all agencies, furloughed 800,000 employees and cost $2.1 billion. Democrats controlled the Senate, while Republicans controlled the House.
January 2018: President Donald Trump (R-NY) oversaw a three-day shutdown that affected all agencies, furloughed 692,900 employees and cost an unknown amount. Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress.
2018-2019: The longest shutdown in history lasted 35 days, affected only some agencies, furloughed 380,000 and cost $5 billion - the most expensive in history. President Trump worked alongside a Republican House and Senate at the time.
2025: The current and ongoing shutdown is, as of press time at 17 days. All agencies are affected and some 803,300 employees are furloughed - the most ever for a federal shutdown. The cost is currently TBD. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress.
Presidents Reagan and Trump are tied with the most shutdowns per term at three each. However, the shutdowns during the Reagan years lasted for brief periods.
How to Reopen the Government
Congress needs to pass an appropriations bill that funds the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The president must then sign the bill and does not have unilateral power to end the shutdown.
Currently, Democratic Senators are being courted to achieve the 60 votes needed to end the filibuster and invoke cloture. Three Democratic Senators sided with all 53 Republicans - Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Angus King (I-ME) - to invoke cloture, but seven votes short of the needed supermajority. Not only are these political mavericks being courted yet again, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is looking to Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), and John Ossoff (D-GA) to possibly cross the aisle. All, except for Durbin, represent political swing states, with Ossoff being up for re-election next year. Peters is vacating his competitive Michigan seat, as is Shaheen in New Hampshire.
Continued from front cover
Guadrón Attacks Opponent on Race
Troche ran against Guadrón for the open seat in 2021. Guadrón won 64.16% to Troche’s 35.84%. The rematch is taking place in a district that contains North Bay Shore, most of Brentwood, and parts of Central Islip
On September 23, Councilman Guadrón posted a statement to his Town Facebook page denouncing comments made by someone under the screen name “Win De”, stating he found the comments “very offensive and disrespectful.”
“I am a BROWN person, and, as a minority, I understand too well the issue of colorism and the constant need to educate people like ‘Win De’ and my opponent [Troche] who support hateful rhetoric and acts that terrorize communities of color,” said Guadrón in his statement. “I welcome freedom of speech and believe in construction criticism that brings solutions. However, I will NOT allow my page to be used to promote misinformation, hate, and division.”
Councilman Guadrón also made a statement accusing the Brentwood Fire Department of taking down his campaign signs, although no irrefutable proof was brought forward and charges were not applied.
The Messenger spoke with a representative for the Guadrón campaign on the background of the comments and accusations against Mr. Troche.
“The comment made by ‘Win De’ accused the Councilman of being racist. Not only was this person themselves racist, they stated that El Salvadorians are racist and stated that why anyone from the colored community is supporting Guadrón when he [Guadrón] is racist,” said the spokesperson. “Naturally, if you were in the Councilman’s place, you would be offended if you were called a racist and if every Caucasian person was called a racist.”
The spokesperson said that the Councilman respects his “multi-diverse staff and district”, and that he felt that it was “right to call out the stereotypical comments that were made by Win De” and the “vulgarity” of other comments. In screenshots obtained by The Messenger, the “Win De” commenter accused participants in a campaign promotion of being “puppets” for the Councilman.
Facebook commenter under the name “Barh Rehman” replied to “Win De”, calling Mr. Troche a “wanna-be racist Hispanic” who “doesn’t care about his fellow Hispanics.” Vulgar comments were then made by “Win De” in response.
“We’re wondering why people are commenting on a campaign page for the Councilman, because we haven’t seen anything of this sort on his opponent’s page,” said the Guadrón spokesperson. “We haven’t had anyone targeting the opponent’s page with outlandish emojis and disrespectful information that is not true. The only thing we did is we called for his opponent to come out and explain where he stands in regards to the community he wants to serve, who is being targeted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that several families have been separated.”
The spokesperson said Mr. Troche has not responded to those items. The spokesperson also claimed that Mr. Troche and Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) made comments at a recent meet-the-candidates meeting that they are both “happy” about the deportations and that they hope “all Hispanics need to be removed.”
Deb Cavanagh, President of the Central Islip Coalition of Good Neighbors and Vice President of the Central Islip Board of Education, issued a statement in response to those claims.
“I do not know where he [Guadrón] is getting this information and the attack on Legislator Bergin was false, since Legislator Bergin was not in attendance that night,” Cavanagh said in her statement. “Manny Troche is a volunteer fireman and puts life on the line for his community every time he answers a call. Obviously, you [Guadrón] are running scared, that you are lowering yourself to name-calling and running a smear campaign. I thought you had integrity; I guess I was wrong.”
The Guadrón campaign spokesperson said that the Councilman’s position is one of a “conservative Democrat” on the issue of immigration, including background checks and regulation. The spokesperson also said that Mr. Troche has “made comments” to mutual acquaintances on how he feels on ICE in the community.
“We’re giving him [Troche] a chance to truly represent this community, not just the Puerto Rican community, but the law-abiding members of our community who have their working permits, paying taxes, and not receiving any services from the government,” said the spokesperson. “These are the majority of people in the community he’s looking to serve.”
Mr. Troche responded.
“He wants to talk about being ‘brown.’ He forgets that I’m a little bit darker than him,” Troche told The Messenger. “The way society is right now, anyone will take it to the next level. He’s put an X above my head, because there are sick people who might want to take his comments to heart and do something. There is no excuse for any candidate, including myself, to get ourselves to
the point of winning a race by utilizing the ‘racist’ angle. We live in a diverse community that doesn’t tolerate racists. If I am elected, anyone will come into my office and be my friend. For Guadrón to announce I’m a racist, he’d better have the facts. Right now, that’s defamation of character.”
Troche posits that Guadrón “wanted” a legal and public “reaction.”
“Being a fireman, we do not choose on the color, the race, the party, or whatever there is. I love what I do to save lives and am willing to give my life, including even for his,” said Troche. “I never knew to make a point you call yourself brown to make a public statement. You would normally address yourself with your name. Him wanting to make a racist call against myself and people around me has passed a line and now it’s come to the point that I will speak out.”
Troche says that the comments made by “Win De” originated with the commenter stating his/her challenges to Councilman Guadrón’s assumption of credit for the revitalization of Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood. The commenter made the point that the park was a product of Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) and Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood).
“If you choose to post whatever you’re doing, you need to be able to take the consequences of people who don’t like you or what you’re saying,” said Troche. “Then, he attaches me to this ‘Win De’ and that we are racist and that we don’t like our community. I guess his skin is not thick enough.”
Troche also says that comments were made in support of his candidacy and people started “bashing” the Councilman in the comments.
“Not one of those comments was visible. Guadrón was taking them off one by one,” said Troche.”
“My wife comes from Honduras; I’m from Puerto Rico. My family is highly upset and fearful that there are people out there that might hurt me because of what we have going on in society now, but I will never stop doing what I love to do, which is work for the community that is diverse.”
Around Town
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Ronkonkoma Station Ice & Coal Company
By Ellyn Okvist B.Sc.
There were basic necessities needed in a home or business in the Village of Lake Ronkonkoma, and starting in the 1900s, two of them were ice and coal.
Coal was a vital energy source for the village’s homes and businesses, with the Long Island Rail Road serving as the primary method of delivery before the widespread use of natural gas and oil.
Artificial ice had largely replaced natural or harvested ice in New York City, and its transport by the Long Island Rail Road bought the product here for distribution for local use. Harvested ice were blocks of ice cut from a frozen pond or lake during the winter. The blocks were stored in large, insulated icehouses until they were loaded onto rail cars for delivery to ice distributors. The ice was delivered by the local iceman, who were a popular fixture in many neighborhoods. Households would often put a card in their window indicating they needed a new block of ice. The household ice delivery business would eventually become obsolete due to the widespread adoption of electric refrigerators.
“Artificial ice” or “clean ice”, as it was known, for household use was a block of ice manufactured in industrial ice plants using a refrigeration process, which was then delivered to homes for use in iceboxes. By 1940, however, mechanical home refrigerators were increasingly common, allowing people to make their own ice at home, making the ice delivery service less prevalent by the end of the decade.
To make artificial ice, large factories used complex machinery to freeze water in large, lidded cans submerged in a tank of ammonia-cooled brine. Water was poured into rectangular cans, and the tanks remained submerged in the brine for up to three days to freeze completely. After freezing, a crane would hoist the blocks of ice out of the cans, and the blocks would be cut and packed for delivery to homes. Residents placed blocks of this artificial ice in iceboxes, which were essentially wooden chests lined with zinc to keep them insulated and preserve food. Deliverymen would bring these blocks to homes, and homeowners and often used a card in their front window to indicate how much ice they needed for the day.
In the early years, before 1905, the majority of the entire yield of coal shipped from Pennsylvania was all destined for markets in New York. This was due in large measure to the fact that many influential members of the newly-created coal industry had significant interests in New York industries that required a good supply of coal.
One of the most important commodities handled by the LIRR was anthracite coal; bituminous coal was also transported. Up to the mid1950s, just about every town had at least one coal dealer with track-side facilities. The coal would be delivered and
stockpiled in the coal bins, with sides but no top, for easy access for local delivery.
The Ronkonkoma Station Ice & Coal Company was the local distributor of both ice and coal here in historic Lake Ronkonkoma. They were located on Hawkins Avenue just before the railroad tracks, and owned and operated by Sylvester Germano (1883-1975) born in Palombaio, Italy. Once he moved to the U.S., he married Antoinette Mitolo Germano (1886-1950) born in Bari, Italy. Their son, Nicholas Germano (1927–1996), was employed by his family, and he worked when not in school or during his deployment in World War II, U.S. Army, TEC 4. There were two daughters of Sylvester and Antoinette, Angelina “Lillie” Germano Anderson and Grayce Germano Dwyer. The well-respected family lived and operated the business for many years.
Their sales ticket, shown in the photograph (left), displays the other products sold - fuel oil, kerosene, and the installation of oil burners. Coal had been phased out in most of the United States, and the oil industry had moved in. They adapted to the times.
Thank you to our friends the Germano Family who continue to add happiness to our lives and in keeping our history real. Nicholas Germano and Gail Germano hold Military Tribute Banners for their military service to the USA and can be seen on Hawkins Avenue.
The old wooden water at the railroad station.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
SCHUMER SHUTDOWN: Trump, Republicans Expose Democrat Schemes to Give Taxpayer Benefits to Illegal Aliens
By Shane Harris | AMAC Newsline Editor-In-Chief
Desperate to shirk blame for the ongoing government shutdown, Democrats are now attempting to muddy the waters around their efforts to restore taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens. But the facts are not on their side, and even liberals’ erstwhile allies in the corporate media have been unable to throw them a political lifeline.
As their price for providing the Senate votes to reopen the government, Democrats are demanding that Republicans reverse Medicaid reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) that President Donald Trump signed into law this July. That legislation closed glaring loopholes in the program which allowed illegal aliens to enjoy taxpayer-funded healthcare and other benefits that should be reserved for American citizens.
Specifically, the Democrat continuing resolution that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are demanding the GOP pass repeals Sec. 71109 of the OBBB, titled “Alien Medicaid Eligibility.” That provision restricts Medicaid eligibility to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and a few other small groups.
Previously, Medicaid benefits were available to a shockingly broad set of “qualified aliens,” including parolees and asylum seekers. The Biden administration engaged in the most egregious abuse of the asylum system in American history, granting that status to millions of people who did not meet the requirements. As a result, this “qualified aliens” language meant that vast swaths of the 10-20 million people who crossed the border illegally during the Biden years could have applied for and received Medicaid –putting immense stress on the program and preventing American citizens from accessing the care they are entitled to.
Sections 71110, 71201, 71303, and 71302 of the OBBB make similar changes to ensure that taxpayer funds for emergency room visits, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act plans do not go to illegal aliens. Democrats are now demanding that Republicans repeal these provisions as well.
As the political pressure ramps up, Democrats are simply insisting that Republicans are lying. “Not a single federal dollar goes to providing health insurance for undocumented immigrants. NOT. ONE. PENNY,” Schumer posted on X on Monday, just before the shutdown commenced. “Republicans would rather lie and shut down the government than protect your health care.”
But as Center for Renewing America Senior Advisor Wade Miller succinctly explained in a post responding to Schumer, it is Democrats who are being dishonest about taxpayer benefits for illegal aliens.
“Here is how it works,” Miller wrote. “Federal dollars go to a Democrat state for healthcare, and since money is fungible, they then move state dollars over to fund illegals, which is made possible by federal dollars filling the gap where state dollars should be going.”
In a separate post, JD Vance continued to school Democrats on fungibility. “Consider, for instance, two state Medicaid programs – Ohio and New York. New York gives Medicaid to illegals and Ohio doesn’t. When the government gives billions of dollars to New York for Medicaid, that frees up state money in New York that can then be spent on illegals.”
“It’s like if you give a mobster $100 but he PROMISES you he won’t spend the money to buy a gun and commit a crime,” Vance continues. “Well, he takes the $100 you gave him and buys food, and then takes the money he would have spent on food and uses that money to buy the gun instead. This is what ‘money is fungible’ means.”
Democrats’ dishonesty on their burning desire to funnel taxpayer dollars to illegals is so outrageous that even the liberal media can’t cover for it.
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Jeffries again stated that the notion that Democrats want to provide Medicaid to illegal aliens is a “lie.” But Tapper quickly shot back that “what you support does bring back funding for emergency Medicaid to hospitals, some of which does pay for undocumented immigrants and people who don’t have health insurance.”
“Why even include that in a bill, knowing that they’re going to seize right upon that and use that to message?” Tapper asked. “I understand that when you retake the House, you can get whatever you want passed, but at this point?” Jeffries had no coherent answer.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was the next Democrat up to try to explain why her party is keeping the government shut to demand taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. During an appearance on CBS with Tony Dokoupil, she went ballistic when presented with the exact language of Democrats’ bill, refusing to even allow Dokoupil to complete his question and calling it a “flat out lie.”
“Politically, putting that in there, exposes you to this talking point,” Dokoupil noted, echoing Tapper. “Why put it in there? Why is it worth it?” Like Jeffries, Warren deflected.
Democrats clearly recognize that what they are proposing is deeply unpopular with the American public, and even with most Democrat voters. But they are caught in a bind because handing out taxpayer dollars to illegal aliens remains a policy that elected Democrats and the progressive base are deeply committed to. Their position, as they have stated so many times, is that healthcare is a “human right.”
A resurfaced clip from 2020 now making the rounds on social media provides all the evidence Americans need for where Democrats
Overview - AMACThe Association of Mature American Citizens
The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
truly stand. During the first primary debate on NBC, every single participant on stage raised their hand to confirm that they support providing taxpayer-funded healthcare for “undocumented immigrants.”
For Democrats, every policy fight – including the current shutdown – has become about how much money they can smuggle to their favored groups, chief among them illegal aliens. That is why they have refused to vote for the exact same funding levels they voted for in March and voted for 13 times when Biden was in office.
Now Democrats want Republicans and President Trump to be their coconspirators in selling out and betraying the American people. That’s what this shutdown ultimately comes down to, and why Democrats are entirely to blame for whatever negative consequences result from it.
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology: mid 16th century: archaic past participle of stay.
STAID
adjective
Pronounced: /stayd/
Definition: sedate, respectable, and unadventurous.
Example: “Her staid demeanor on the debate stage won her immense public support.”
Synonyms: quiet, serious, steady
Antonyms: daring, frivolous, informal
Source: Oxford Languages
9, 2025
LEVEL: Hard
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
This Week in History
October 9, 1986: “The Phantom of the Opera” premieres in London, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman; runs for 13,629 performances.
October 14, 1933: Nazi Germany announces its withdrawal from the League of Nations.
October 12, 1999: The Day of Six Billion is proclaimed as the 6 billionth living human in the world is born.
October 10, 1899: African-American inventor Isaac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame.
October 15, 1860: Abraham Lincoln (R-IL) receives a letter from eleven-year-old Grace Bedell asking him to grow “whiskers” ahead of the 1860 presidential election. Lincoln obliges.
Source: Onthisday.com.
October 11, 1945 First man-made object to escape the atmosphere (WAC Corporal) is fired from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, reaching 235,000 feet.
October 13, 1884: International Meridian Conference in Washington DC establishes Greenwich in London, England as the universal time meridian of longitude.
By PJ Balzer
The Hope I Found at the Bottom
This past week, someone I’m familiar with was found guilty of taking another person’s life.
In a few moments of anger, many split-second decisions were made. The end result was extremely sad, unfortunate, and changed life as we knew it for various people. After a long and contentious trial, the jury spoke, the gavel sounded, and many peoples’ lives are forever altered by those few moments of altercation that I’m sure everyone would want to re-do if that was possible.
When I went to visit this person in Riverhead Correctional Facility shortly after the incident took place, his mind was totally set on having a positive outlook and speaking positive outcomes into existence. He said he would be found innocent and be home sooner than later. He was able to hire a good lawyer and figured that this was the ticket to freedom. We finished the conversation by him telling me what he had planned to do once he arrived home and continued on with life as usual.
I believe I’m safe to say that the bottom of life dropped for him this week. On top of the jury handing the judge a guilty verdict, this man is well up in age.The truth is that he may never see the outside world again. He very well may take his final breath in a maximum security prison in Upstate New Yorkdefinitely not the utopian end to life that anyone has written up for themselves, but actions have consequences and a decision made in haste can change things forever.
I’m no stranger to the bottom of life suddenly falling out and having to navigate a life that I never wanted for myself. As many of you have probably read prior, I lost my younger brother to a heroin overdose in 2009. He was only twenty-two at the time, a young man just attempting to figure out his way in life. Within one phone call on a random weekday late afternoon, life changed forever. Yet, that very bottom is where I heard the message that changed my own life and altered my eternity.
I wasn’t willing to hear that same message while I was at, what I thought was, the top. Like the sentiment of many, “I’m young, good looking, have multiple streams of cash flowing in, and have plans for my future. What would I need God for? Maybe for a little feel-good inspiration on a Sunday morning, but not for a complete heart and life overhaul.”
Jesus tells His followers to go out and share the message of the Gospel - go to all people, but especially those who are at the bottom of life and society. Go to where people are completely crushed, depressed, trapped, desperate, and despairing of life; Tell them that He offers forgiveness, a clean slate, and a brand-new life. He offers hope, peace, and a reason to continue living life, even if you very well may finish living your life behind bars and barbed wire, He’ll still meet you there.
The Apostle Paul wrote many of his letters to other believers from behind prison walls. Those same letters make up much of our New Testament we have today. Specifically, the letter he penned to the Philippian church is known as a letter of hope and joy, a great encouragement to, not only the church in that city at that time, but also to us at this very moment. Paul was writing from a dark, dingy prison underground that would make our modern-day facilities look like
Disneyland. It’s from that cell that he writes to remind us that there’s a joy found in following Jesus, regardless of where that following may or may not lead us.
Paul had obviously found it and found something that this world alone doesn’t offer. Looking with earthly-focused eyes, the bottom had certainly fallen out for Paul and he would soon be put to death in Rome, but he was looking forward to a great reward waiting for him at the eternal gates for doing and finishing God’s will for his life on earth.
I spent this morning praying for this man that I began telling you about and praying for you as well - especially you, who has recently had life crumble down to merely rubble, a rubble that you hardly recognize and could never see any hope of rebuilding from. I’ve been praying that the message you haven’t been willing to hear while on “top” would reach into the depths of your heart while at what seems to be the bottom.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old passes away and all things become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
On September 30, Hauppauge High School’s turf field was a sea of pink as students, staff and community members gathered to show their support at the 18th annual Kicks for Cancer event. This year, the event raised more than $44,000, bringing the cumulative total raised over the years to hit the one-million-dollar mark.
Kicks for Cancer was created to support and honor Courtney Tomkin, a Hauppauge student who was diagnosed with brain cancer at 17 years old. Following her diagnosis, Alexis Gonzalez, the girls’ varsity soccer team’s goalkeeper at the time, approached coach Jesseca Kulesa with the idea of helping Courtney and her family. That idea became the spark that started what is now a cherished community tradition.
Beneath the glow of the Robert Druckenmiller Field lights, the crowd erupted with cheers as the
boys’ and girls’ soccer teams took the field, sporting pink uniforms in honor of the cause. The boys team faced off against Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, earning a dominant 9-0 victory. The girls team competed against Comsewogue High School, playing a hard-fought game that ended in a narrow 0-1 loss. Between games, the energy remained high thanks to performances by the Hauppauge kickline, color guard and pep band.
The night was more than just soccer; it was a community celebration. Food trucks and vendor tents offered everything from homemade gifts and sweet treats to Kicks for Cancer merchandise.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including bounce houses and raffles. All proceeds from the event will go towards cancer research and efforts to find a cure in memory of Courtney.
Hauppauge Teams Rally at 18th Annual Kicks for Cancer
Sean Christie Named Jets HS Coach of the Week
Sean Christie of Central Islip High School in Central Islip, NY has been named this week’s New York Jets High School Coach of the Week. Coach Christie will receive a $1,000 donation to benefit the school’s football program. Along with the monetary award, Central Islip will receive an automatic bid to compete in the 2026 New York Jets 11-ON Tournament.
Christie will be invited to attend the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins game on Sunday, December 7, where he will be honored onfield at MetLife Stadium.
In its thirtieth year, the Jets High School Coach of the Week award is given to a coach in the tri-state area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school, and their student-athletes.
The Central Islip Musketeers are off to a 1-0 start for the first time since 2018, after defeating the Bay Shore Marauders 26-7. The win marked the first of Christie’s head
coaching career with Central Islip. Christie, a Long Island native, is a 2014 graduate of Patchogue-Medford High School. He went on to play college football at the University of Maryland, where he started at left guard and appeared in 49 games for the Terrapins. Following his athletic career, Christie pursued a Master’s in adolescent education and is now in his third year as a special education social studies teacher at Central Islip High School. Coach Christie and the Musketeers will be back in action on Friday night, when they take on Riverhead High School.
By PJ Balzer
No Shortage of Power on This Parkway
This past Saturday afternoon was the annual Parkway Power Bowl. It’s two high schools that are only 8.7 miles apart. Within those miles is William Floyd Parkway, a main strip of roadway that these two communities have in common. In some of the residential neighborhoods along this parkway, students on one side of the block attend William Floyd, while their friends on the opposite side of the street attend Longwood.
This is a rivalry that is now many decades old. The two communities both also have a passion for the sport of football. It’s not uncommon to drive through Ridge, Middle Island, or Coram and see a “Lions Country” banner. In the same way it’s also not uncommon to see kids walking down Mastic Road, Neighborhood Road, or Montauk Highway with shirts that scream “Floyd Strong.”
The Colonials and the Lions have strong fan bases and districts that rally around their student athletes. Both undoubtedly breed fearless kids that aren’t afraid to take a hit and give one out too. The Power Parkway Bowl is an in-league matchup that comes with bragging rights and much community pride. It even has its own trophy that the winner proudly displays in their trophy case until next year’s game. It’s been sitting in Floyd’s for nine consecutive years now; this year makes it ten.
On Saturday afternoon, the Suffolk County Police Department was on site to assist in the coin toss. The officers in attendance also handed the trophy to the winner at the game’s end. The Seventh Precinct takes part in this specific afternoon because they also serve and patrol most of the neighborhoods in both school districts.
Defense was the name of the game in the first half. Both teams held up their line and made sure their pads got the work that they were designed for, and then some. Floyd had a solid offense drive down the turf in the second quarter but picked up two consecutive penalties that cut the momentum short.
Midway through the second quarter, the contentious and back-
and-forth game was still a scoreless deadlock, until late in the second quarter when the Lions drove the ball upfield and secured a field goal with just a minute left in the first half.
Halftime seemed to ignite a fire inside the motor of one of the Island’s most revered running backs. Ja’Quan Thomas finished the game with 215 yards and 2 touchdowns for Floyd, and began the second half with an impressive series of pivots up field for a long carry into the end zone. This put Floyd up 7-3.
Longwood put the Colonials’ defense up to the test time and time again. Floyd came up with three major stops just feet from the goal line to end the third quarter, keeping the Lions away from celebrating in the paint.
But a Lion doesn’t just lay down in defeat with ease. Longwood opened the fourth quarter up with a short pass from quarterback Ryan Greene into the end zone making it 10-7. Aisays Wallace of Floyd answered back with a swift and shifty run upfield to complement Ja’Quan Thomas’ bulldozer-style run up the middle to make it 14-10 with 8:11 left in fourth.
Aidan Williams had a sack on Longwood’s quarterback coupled with a swatted-away pass attempt on third down to get Floyd the ball back with four minutes left in the game. After a tough drive upfield, Aisays Wallace runs in a dime-cutting touchdown from yards out to make it 21-10. Wallace contributed 102 yards on nine carries and one touchdown, with a sack on Longwood’s quarterback as well.
Longwood scored again on a long pass from Greene to wide receiver Kaden Reid with only 40 seconds left in the game, yet the Lions still fell short of taking home the Parkway Bowl trophy. The final score at the last whistle was 21-18 with the Colonials beating the Lions for the tenth consecutive year.
William Floyd increased its unbeaten season to 4-0, while Longwood fell to 2-2. Don’t be surprised if these cross-town rivals end up going back at it again in early November playoff action!
