Smithtown Messenger Feb. 26, 2026

An inundated street in Nesconset, which received the most accumulation of anywhere in Smithtown (Credit - Matt Meduri) Story On Page 10

WINTER EVENTS

LI-Kick: Trivia Roulette at Great South Bay Brewery

February 26, 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Long Island Pet Show 2026 at Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena, Brentwood February 28- March 1, Times vary

Camp W Open House Camp W Melville, February 28, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Long Island Pet Show 2026 at Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena, Brentwood, February 28

Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at the Paramount Huntington March 5, 8:00 PM

Stand Up Comedy Show at Po’Boy Brewery, Port Jefferson Sta.

March 7, 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM

March Market at Bayport United Methodist Church Bayport

March 7, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

NY Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church, 117 Carleton Ave, Islip Terrace

March 9, 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Comedy Night Fundraiser Presented by The Long Island Limousine Association at The Hamlet Wind Watch Golf & Country Club Hauppauge

March 12, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Rhythm of the Dance at Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook

March 14, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Station Paddy’s Day at Station Yards Ronkonkoma

March 14, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

2026 Annual Spiritual Awareness & Charity Event at Stonebridge Country Club Smithtown

March 14, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Polish American Independent Club Port Jefferson Sta.

March 15, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

(631) 269-6421

WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER

COMMACK

Bagel Chalet

Bagel Toasterie (Mayfair Shopping Center)

Candlelight Diner

HAUPPAUGE

Hauppauge Palace • Shop Rite (Smithtown Bypass)

KINGS PARK

3 Sons Deli • Bagel City Company Kings Park Card Shop

Kings Park Manor • Linda’s Pizza

LIRR Kings Park Train Station Park Bakery • Raleigh Poultry Farm

LAKE GROVE

Lake Grove Village Hall

RONKONKOMA

718 Slice Pizzeria (719 Hawkins Ave)

SMITHTOWN

American Legion

Hot Bagels • LIRR Smithtown Train Station

Maureen’s Kitchen • Millennium Diner

Smithtown Bagels

Smithtown Seniors Center

Smithtown Town Hall Stop & Shop • Sweetwaters

ST. JAMES

50% Cards Store (Lake Avenue)

7 Eleven (356 Lake Avenue) Lake Ave Deli

LIRR St. James Train Station

Black History Month: Remembering Progress — and Responsibility

Black History Month should be a time for honest reflection — not slogans or political theater, but a clear and balanced look at where we have been and how far we have come. The story of Black Americans is not only one of hardship; it is also a story of resilience, determination, and extraordinary progress made over generations.

A century ago, Black Americans lived under legal segregation and were largely excluded from economic and political life. Opportunities were limited and barriers were real. Yet despite those obstacles, individuals and communities built institutions that helped move people forward. Families emphasized education, churches reinforced moral discipline, and local businesses created economic opportunity. Those foundations helped produce generations that steadily advanced.

Today, Black Americans serve in government, run businesses, work in every major profession, and contribute to communities across the country. These gains did not happen by accident and they did not come from symbolism alone. They came from effort, responsibility, and a belief that progress was possible even when circumstances were difficult.

Too often, modern discussions of Black history focus almost entirely on injustice while overlooking the real and measurable progress that has been made. History is most useful when it is honest and complete. Earlier generations faced challenges far greater than those that exist today, yet many still moved forward through discipline and determination. Their example should be a source of confidence for the next generation.

Black History Month should remind us that lasting progress depends on strong families, strong communities, and real opportunity. Freedom is not only a legal condition — it is something strengthened through responsibility and effort.

Here in Suffolk County and across Long Island, these lessons remain relevant. Communities thrive when people invest in their neighborhoods, support education, and create opportunities for the next generation.

The real lesson of Black history is simple: progress is possible — but it is never guaranteed. It must be built, protected, and passed on.

— Raheem Soto Publisher, The Messenger Papers

11787

Suffolk Sheriff Announces Results of Ghost Plate Taskforce

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. (D) announced the six-month results of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the multi-agency Ghost Plate Task Force.

Since joining the task force in August 2025, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has issued 1,044 summonses, made 57 arrests, and impounded 20 vehicles. The Ghost Plate Task Force includes more than a dozen partner agencies, including the NYPD, MTA Police, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, and others.

“Illegal ‘ghost’ plates and other deceptive practices pose a serious threat to public safety and will not be tolerated in Suffolk County,” said Sheriff Toulon. “These tools are often used to conceal a driver’s identity, evade detection, and facilitate dangerous criminal activity. The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to crack down on fraudulent plates, illegal plate covers, illegal window tints, and related violations—sending a clear message that criminals cannot hide from us.”

The Ghost Plate Task Force focuses on identifying and enforcing violations involving fraudulent license plates, plate covers, illegal window tints, and fake or altered “temporary tags,” which are often designed to appear as if they were issued out of state. Vehicles involved in these violations are frequently unregistered, uninsured, or stolen.

Among the 57 arrests made during the enforcement period were charges including:

• Criminal Contempt (Misdemeanor)

• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (Third Degree –Misdemeanor / Second Degree – Misdemeanor / First Degree – Felony)

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (Second Degree – Felony; Third Degree –Misdemeanor)

• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property (Third Degree – Felony; Second Degree –Misdemeanor)

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Third Degree – Felony)

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

• Aggravated DWI (0.18% BAC or higher)

• Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI–Drugs)

Enforcement:

• Summonses Issued: 1,044

• Arrests: 57

• Vehicles Impounded: 20

• Warrants Cleared: 4

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will continue to participate in the multi-agency Ghost Plate Task Force to enhance roadway safety and hold violators accountable. For more information, please contact the Public Information Officer at SheriffPIO@ SuffolkCountyny.gov

The Moloney Family

By Matt Meduri

In response to increasing house fires and fire calls, Suffolk County is urgently requesting more volunteer firefighters.

According to the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES), there is a 16% increase in working house fires this winter. Additionally, there has been a 37% increase in fire dispatch calls, a 68% spike in cold exposures, and a 147% increase in service calls related to water flow issues.

Suffolk currently has more than 13,000 volunteer first responders throughout the County’s 109 fire departments and 28 EMS agencies. The increase in calls is coupled with a decline in volunteer service in the state. FRES reports that there are currently 80,000 volunteers across New York compared to 120,000 in the 2000s.

Suffolk FRES and elected officials addressed the matter at the Commack Fire Department on Thursday, ahead of the historic blizzard that dumped close to three feet of snow across Long Island.

Suffolk County Legislator Sal Formica (R-Commack), a thirty-threeyear member of the Commack F.D. called volunteer first responders the “backbone of Suffolk County.”

“There’s an expectation when people dial 911,” said Formica. “Without the volunteers we have, these calls would not get answered. These folks are getting up in the middle of the night, leaving dinners, and they’re doing it for one purpose - they want to make a difference.”

Formica said that while the Commack F.D. is “fortunate” enough to have a fully-slated membership, other departments are not in the same place, which is impacting response times.

“One minute to the person who is looking for help seems like ten minutes. We strive to keep response times down,” said Formica. He added that automatic mutual aid between companies has helped pad responses for a lower-staffed department. Formica cited Hauppauge, Dix Hills, Kings Park, and Smithtown F.D.’s as examples of a working automatic mutual aid setup. However, he cautioned that that only works for a short period of time.

On top of incentives routinely being offered to spur recruitment and retention, Formica said that “satisfaction of looking at yourself in the mirror after you’ve rescued someone or saved a life” is chief among the growing list of benefits.

“I was a police officer for twenty years. Some members have started out as volunteer firemen. Now, they’re paid firemen in addition to being volunteers in New York City,” said Formica. “This could be a stepping-stone for your career.”

Suffolk Matters

Suffolk Needs Firefighters

Formica added that the public can assist by lessening the chances of needing to call 911, such as changing batteries in smoke detectors, cleaning out dry vents, and servicing burners.

Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), a fifty-three-year member of the Nesconset F.D., said that the County is lobbying the New York State Legislature to give local fire companies the option to offer pay-percall or pay-per-shift opportunities.

“We need another tool in our toolbox,” said Puleo. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting to calls much quicker. When I was younger, ambulance calls were forty-five minutes. Today, ambulance calls can be an hour-and-a-half, two hours.”

Commack Fire Commissioner Pat Fazio said that his department is “truly blessed” to have a strong staff of 150 members. When he joined at 18 years old, there were no perks being offered. Rather, Fazio joined because “it was in his blood” as a scion of a family of firefighters.

“It’ll keep you out of trouble, you can be mentored. Sign up, see if it’s for you. See if the commitment is there,” said Fazio.

Suffolk County FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said that of the 28,000 calls performed just this year alone, 52 were preventable, working structure fires that were started due to the extreme cold. Sunderman dissuaded residents from heating frozen pipes with torches, using chimneys that had not been routinely inspected, and not disposing of fireplace ashes properly.

“If you have a frozen pipe in your house, use a hair dryer, a heating

pad, or a licensed plumber. If you’re using a fireplace, dispose of the ashes appropriately to lower the risk of fires. Never use ovens, grills, or generators indoors,” said Sunderman.

Some local laws have been crafted in recent years to further incentivize recruitment and retention. One example is that of Suffolk County Legislator Steve Flotteron’s (R-Brightwaters) initiative for volunteer fire and EMS personnel to obtain as much as $50,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers - half for downpayments, half for home improvements. Last year, Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) had a bill passed to require new developments to set aside affordable units for volunteer personnel, with geographic emphasis to keep volunteers near their home companies.

Sunderman added that not all volunteer opportunities will necessarily take time from paid work or family obligations. He recommended that the public walk into their local fire company to see what is necessary there. Some positions only require the performance of a once-a-week task.

Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), who represents the Middle Country area, says that many of his fire companies are stocked with third- and fourth-generation volunteers. While companies in Centereach, Selden, Farmingville, and Coram are wellstaffed, Caracappa says “we can always use more.”

“Commack is very fortunate to be at the point where they’re putting [new volunteers] on hold. We [Middle Country] are not there,” Caracappa told

The Messenger. Legislators Flotteron and Formica said that another element to exacerbated calls is the use of an ambulance as a taxi service.

“Sometimes, it’s abuse of the system,” Flotteron told The Messenger

“There’s been some safety nets, checks and balances put in place, but unfortunately you have folks that reach a certain age or have a disability and they can’t drive themselves to the hospital,” Formica told The Messenger “Commack has a program where you get billed if you called for an ambulance and it wasn’t an emergency.”

Formica added that although Commack is a well-staffed company at 150 members, “we’re only as good as the amount of people who can come out and fight the fires.” He said that the more aged members of a company, while steadfast volunteers, can’t do the physical work that younger members can.

“Sometimes, you have folks who join very young and are excited to be volunteer firemen or EMS. They want secure housing but can’t get it and they don’t want to live in mom’s basement for ten years,” Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station) told The Messenger

“Our numbers aren’t in decline as much as they are for New York State,” Sunderman told The Messenger. “We have college tuition credits, potential for homes you can buy, tax credits.

“It’s careers, two parents working, tie commitments,” Joe Trzepizur, Deputy FRES Commissioner, told The Messenger. “There’s a lot to offer and people should stop down and see it.”

Donations of Time - A Thing of the Past?

This week, Suffolk County officials convened to bring attention to an urgent matter: fire and ambulance companies are in dire need of volunteers.

While Suffolk has seen a net decline in volunteers across its 100-plus fire and ambulance districts across the ten towns, New York State’s decline is even greater, likely fueled by the nationleading out-migration that has caused more fiscal and service strains than State leadership would care to admit.

The County and municipalities have also made good on promises to incentivize recruitment and retention, such as first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance programs and affordable housing requirements for Fire and EMS personnel in new developments.

It’s the least Suffolk can do whilst navigating the inhospitable climate posed by Albany.

Suffolk is also looking to lobby the State to allow local fire companies to give pay-per-call benefits, another method of sweetening the pot to entice newcomers to save lives and better their community - as well as themselves. We’ll see if Albany takes heed.

But the overarching problem, we find, is that donations of time seem to be a thing of the past. We’ve drawn this conclusion as it pertains to donating blood. What was once seen as a societal obligation to which a watch could be set is now at the mercy of considerable ad campaigns.

People seem more siloed with their time more than ever. Not only is the two-working-parent household more or less ubiquitous, sitting in

traffic is now Long Island’s not so favorite pastime. Who has time or energy to get to the fire company when both parents work full-time, the kids need to get to soccer practice, and there’s not enough time in the day to switch lanes to merge off the Expressway?

Our message: transcend the grind and give back. Wander into your local fire company and see what they need. You can give back by even doing in-house clerical work. But getting the training to jump into action not only keeps you physically fit, but the reward of saving lives and bettering the community is almost as priceless as any financial incentive could be.

And, as always, give a pint of blood when you can. We might be less connected and more divided than ever, but human needs will always persist.

NY-25 Will Be Albany’s Most Pressing Suffolk Issue

Albany gets its fair share of grief when it comes to infrastructure. Look no further than the eternally apocalyptic state of Sunrise Highway, or withholding of Environmental Bond Act funds that could easily aid Suffolk in implementing wastewater infrastructure.

But Middle Country Road (NY-25) will surely be the most urgent issue Suffolk and Town officials will be pitching to the State Legislature this spring.

Not only does NY-25 run from Midtown Manhattan to Orient Point, it’s the lifeline of Smithtown and the main artery of the Middle Country Corridor from Lake Grove to Coram. The potholes and road wear are more apparent than ever, and even if you can’t see it from behind the

steering wheel, your car - and therefore, your wallet - will feel it even more.

The thaw of this historic blizzard is already setting in, and while the plow drivers have done great work in clearing the streets, it’s inevitable that even more damage is done before the winter is officially over.

From Selden to Commack, and from Centereach to St. James, NY-25 makes it seem as if Long Island was hit with an air strike instead of three feet of snow. Given that it’s a State road, there’s only so much the County and Town officials can do except bemoan their Albany counterparts for much-needed attention.

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) is regularly accused of playing politics with money

against Long Island, mainly because they voted overwhelmingly against her in 2022 and have become Republican bastions that have defied suburban trends nationally. However, there might be a silver lining here: if Hochul wants to play politics to earn votes, we might see some great attention given to NY-25 this spring and summer.

And if constituents think it’s a quid pro quo for votes, the beauty is, they can take the money and back another candidate.

Politics will be politics, but sometimes it can be advantageous when a hand is forced.

Let’s just hope the politics turns out for the better before November, because if Suffolk defies the Party of Jackson yet again in 2026, we might be on the more negative end of political games.

Bondi Bombs at Epstein Hearing

Attorney General Pam Bondi (R-FL) delivered what can only be described as a travesty of justice at worst or a disappointing display at best when she went before the House Judiciary Committee last week to answer questions regarding the Department of Justice’s botched rollout of the Epstein Files. Make no mistake: these files are gigantic, not only their explicit contents, but also their implications. No one is safe, no party is pure, and no administration’s hands are completely clean going back to the Clinton years. Epstein was far more powerful than anyone previously imagined. The some three million files released so far show he was heavily connected to the Israeli government, was able to broker meetings with top world leaders, and had a massive fortune with an explanation that still seems to elude understanding.

Trump talked a big game on transparency and declassifications, not only regarding Epstein, but JFK, MLK, and RFK, Sr. files - the latter three of which

amounted to nothing more than “nothing burgers.”

But Trump’s whiplash-inducing changes on whether or not the files exist, if people are right to believe they exist, and whether Congress has the right priorities in mind is only making it seem more and more apparent that this is a cover-up. It doesn’t necessarily mean Trump committed any wrongdoing, but it certainly appears that the mutually-assured destruction is what’s hamstringing things, at the very least.

But Bondi’s testimony before the committee could be considered laughable, if it wasn’t regarding one of the most prolific serial pedophiles and sex traffickers in recorded history. Her first response was to cast blame on former Attorney General Merrick Garland (D-DC), who sat in her seat for four years under Joe Biden (D-DE). The constant “whataboutisms” and world-class pivots are to be expected from someone like Kamala Harris (D-CA).

The DOJ’s botched release also redacted names of men who should be hanged in the public square, if these allegations are true, but released the names of the victims - a violation of Justice 101. To add another squeeze of lemon juice over the paper cut, the DOJ previously said that the three million files released made up about half of the total, with the latter half not slated for release any time soon.

Now, we’re learning that there may be as many as millions more files that the DOJ is sitting on.

Insiders have said that the full release would collapse the entire system as we know it, to which millions on the populist left and right can easily quote Caddyshack, “well…we’re waiting…”

We’d say Bondi should resign her seat, but we’re not sure Trump would put anyone in who’s up to the task at actual transparency; rather, running cover for the world’s elite to further gaslight perhaps the most gaslit population in recent memory.

What To Do About Tariffs

By Steve Levy | Long Island Life & Politics

The Supreme Court striking down President Trump‘s across-the-board tariffs was no surprise to us. We wrote months ago that his actions were not supported by law.

The Constitution is clear: Tariffs fall under the purview of Congress

Trump saw then-President Obama getting away with illegal actions such as DACA and then-President Biden playing games with student loans, so he figured, “What the heck, I might as well play this game as well.”

Despite his going about tariffs in an improper fashion, the question remains as to whether tariffs are a good idea in the first place.

There is a tendency for many who are virulently anti-Trump to take the position that tariffs are a bad thing simply because they’re promoted by the orange man they so despise.

Hypocrisy on the Right and the Left

But what’s ironic is that the same leftists who have been bashing tariffs since Trump proposed them were, in years past, the strongest proponents for instilling these tariffs to help bolster middle- and working-class employees in manufacturing and their union constituencies here at home.

Inconsistencies were evident as well with the many Republicans who had for years bashed the idea of tariffs but sat silently as their Republican president promoted them.

The Tariff Issue Is Nuanced

The question of tariffs is far more nuanced than either of these two extremes.

In a perfect and fair world, we would adopt the Adam Smith Wealth of Nations approach that free trade is the best way to go. Prohibiting the interference on trade and allowing the cheapest goods to flow into the market would benefit all.

Perhaps. But we don’t live in that make-believe world.

We live in a world where some nations impose protective tariffs, while others are laxer. And, of course, it’s been the United States that has been the laxest when it comes to allowing foreign goods to enter its shores.

The U.S. Was at a Disadvantage

Bill Clinton ushered in the age of globalization and gave China most-favorednation status.

Amazingly, China, the second-largest economy in the world, is still classified by the World Trade Organization as a “developing” country that is entitled to be protectionist.

This is lunacy and President Trump was the one president willing to rightfully point it out.

Our Manufacturing Industry Was Gutted

This lopsided disparity between high and low tariffs from one country to another gutted the American industrial manufacturing industry.

Trump was absolutely justified in calling out the fact that BMWs and Hondas could flow freely into America to be sold to our consumers, but Fords and Chevys were denied access to Germany and Japan.

Why did this happen? Because we allowed it to.

So, there is good reason for a president to change this trajectory. The problem is that Trump went about it the wrong way.

Bessent vs. Navarro

There were two camps within the Trump administration when it came to tariffs. One was promoted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and the other was advocated by Peter Navarro.

Navarro has done America a tremendous service by being the point man in Trump‘s first administration who sounded the alarm that China is not our friend

and we must start decoupling from them. He was especially angered by the gutting of working and middle-class jobs in the Rust Belt as jobs were shipped overseas due to a lack of U.S. tariff reciprocity.

His goal to bring back America’s manufacturing base is a noble one, but his way of accomplishing it is not realistic.

Navarro wanted across-the-board tariffs, making imports more expensive, thereby encouraging American manufacturers to rebuild. The higher cost we would pay at the checkout counter would be more than offset by the boom to the economy with the thriving industrial base and the increase in jobs and wages that would come about from a new manufacturing renaissance in America.

Sounds good, but it’s highly unrealistic given that labor laws, environmental regulations and red tape are still so high in America that low-cost production here is unlikely.

National Security Concerns

But there are instances, especially where national security is concerned, where it shouldn’t matter. Trump was right in sounding the alarm that we cannot remain dependent on our adversaries for needed military hardware, computer chips, or life-saving pharmaceuticals. The production of steel is another area where we cannot be dependent on foreign nations.

So, a targeted set of tariffs would be a good thing, especially on those nations such as India, which has blocked U.S. motorcycles from being sold there.

And that’s where Bessent’s idea for targeted tariffs comes into play. Had Bessent prevailed on Trump’s ultimate policy, we would be in a much better place.

Specifically targeted tariffs could’ve been implemented on a gradual, onenation-at-a-time basis. It wouldn’t have spooked businesses as did Trump‘s initial plan, and it would also have been far less likely to be thrown out on constitutional grounds.

The Supreme Court notes that, where national emergencies are concerned, the president does have more leeway. But how can the president claim that there’s a national emergency when he’s implementing across-the-board tariffs on every country? It undercuts his own argument.

A specific tariff against China, our political and economic adversary, would be much more likely to withstand constitutional muster

So, the Supreme Court has introduced a needed course correction.

Executive Leeway Needed for Leverage

We think it’s important for the president to have some leeway with tariffs. They proved to be tremendous leverage for him and indeed have even been used to help stop wars overseas, but they have to be done logically and within the parameters of the law.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. When it comes to tariff infringements, the answer is to mend them, don’t end them.

Let’s not go back to the pre-Trump era where we were taken advantage of by many countries around the world simply because we wanted the lowest prices possible on our imports at the expense of our ability to export.

Tariffs can be useful if they’re targeted and done on a gradual basis. Let’s hope that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle come to realize that.

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

DiNapoli: State’s Tuition Assistance Program Not Keeping Up with Inflation, Tuition Costs

A new report from State Comptroller

Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza) finds that New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the state’s primary need-based grant program for college students, has not kept pace with inflation or rising tuition costs since the 2008-09 academic year (AY) and that undergraduate TAP recipients dropped by 77,000 (21%), with steep declines among two-year programs (45%), private-sector schools (40%), and lowest income households (38%).

“TAP has helped generations of New Yorkers attend college, but it’s falling behind the realities of today’s costs,” DiNapoli said. “Updating award criteria so that TAP continues to be a useful support for families is needed to help New York retain talent and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.”

The decline in recipients since 2008 is partially related to the fall in high school graduates and the drop in postsecondary enrollments, but utilization of TAP was already dropping at a greater pace than for resident enrollment in many sectors, before

rebounding in AY 2024-25.

Between AYs 2008-09 and 2024-25, the average award increased only 21% to $2,643, while inflation rose 44% during this time. Over the same period, State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) tuition grew more than three times faster.

Only students from households earning $7,000 or less qualified for the maximum annual TAP award of $5,665 in AY 2025-26, an income ceiling that has not changed for 30 years. Students receiving maximum awards in AY 202425 decreased 38% since AY 2008-09.

Limited Support for Many Recipients

TAP is a more meaningful source of support for students at public institutions, where tuition tends to be more affordable. For these students, average awards cover 36% to 42% of tuition depending on system and level of degree. The average TAP award for students attending private sector institutions covers just 6.5% of the average four-year non-profit school tuition. TAP may not be used for non-

tuition costs, which can represent significant expenses.

Expanding TAP Access

Recent state actions to expand eligibility for TAP have coincided with the highest number of TAP recipients in AY 2024-25 since AY 2019-20. New York has provided new assistance for certain students to pursue postsecondary education and retraining for career shifts and has increased income limits for students to qualify for an award. In 2024-25 alone, there was a 20% increase in the number of total TAP recipients from the prior year. The gains across different groups demonstrate the impact of broadening access for parttime study and non-degree or certificate programs along with expanding household income ceilings for eligibility. These actions support institutes of higher education that have been expanding their enrollments with historically under-represented students, including those who are older and independent. DiNapoli said updating criteria that determine sizes of TAP awards and consideration of TAP’s use

for non-tuition purposes are options policymakers can consider for providing support that New York students need to pursue post-secondary education here, enabling them to realize economic benefits for themselves, their families and the state.

This Week Today

Thursday, February 26, 2026

National, State, and Local Temperature Checks

By Matt Meduri

National

On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump (R-FL) delivered his first State of the Union Address since reassuming residence in the White House.

Trump’s address also broke a record for longest State of the Union speech in history, clocking in at one hour and forty-eight minutes. It beat his 2025 Address to the Nation, which lasted one hour and forty minutes.

The speech came at a time in which divisions have reached an arguable fever pitch, owing to the tumultuous state of the world, the U.S. ostensibly on the brink of military action in Iran, and as two deaths at the hands of federal immigration officers in Minnesota have captured national sentiment on the issue of immigration enforcement.

The polling aggregates on RealClearPolitics show Trump with a -14 approval rating at large. He currently boasts a -14.8 rating on the economy, -15.3 on foreign policy, -9.2 on immigration, -25.3 on inflation, -4.5 on crime, -18.2 on Russia/ Ukraine, and -4.7 on Israel/Hamas.

“...after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before and a turnaround for the ages,” Trump said in his opening statements. “And we will never go back to where we were just a very short time ago.”

The President mentioned that the “border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast, the roaring economy is roaring like never before, and our enemies are scared. Our military and police are stacked and America is respected again, perhaps like never before.”

Trump proudly stated at the U.S. Capitol that the the costs of fuel, prescription drugs prices, and mortgage rates are down as the stock market surges. “Millions and millions of Americans are all gaining. Everybody’s up, way up.”

A notable highlight was made when Trump asked members of Congress to stand if they agree with the principle that the American government should be working in the interests of American citizens, “not illegal aliens.” What ensued was a long and boisterous applause from the right side of the aisle, with hardly any Democrats standing in agreement.

“You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up,” Trump said to the left side of the aisle. “That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country.”

Trump also mentioned the bipartisan SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. He cited polls showing support for the issue at 89%.

The guest box also brought significant attention, with Erika Kirk, Chair and CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of Charlie Kirk, was one of the prominent guests. Sage Blair, a Virginia woman who has become a figure in the debate over parental rights and children’s gender identities was also present as one of Trump’s guests.

Also present were the members of the United States Olympic men’s hockey team who had defeated Canada to notch their first gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was presented to the team’s goalie, Connor Hellebuyck. The Olympic women’s hockey team, who also earned a gold medal, rejected Trump’s invite due to timing and alreadyscheduled commitments.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott

Ruskan was awarded with the Legion of Merit for his actions in the aftermath of the July 2025 Texas floods.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is building up its largest force of warships and aircraft in the Middle East in nearly two decades. Two aircraft carrier strike groups are also present, while Trump threatens potential military action if talks over Iran’s nuclear program disintegrate.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is situated in the Greek Isles, with four destroyers nearby. In the Mediterranean Sea just off the coasts of Israel and Cyprus sit two more destroyers. In the Arabian Sea off the coasts of Iran and Oman sits the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, with several destroyers and combat ships flanking the coast into the Persian Gulf.

The Associated Press reports that 5,700 additional service members have been deployed to the region, with the USS Gerald R. Ford delivering another 5,000-plus members.

In redistricting news, Democratic efforts have effectively stalled in Maryland, as Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) has made it a priority to gerrymander the state’s congressional map and oust the Old Line State’s sole Republican delegate.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) has been a maverick on the issue and now cites filing deadlines and judicial scrutiny as obstacles to getting a new map online before the 2026 elections.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is calling for a special session in April to possibly redraw the Sunshine State’s map into an even more brutal gerrymander than the current map that’s been in use since 2022.

The arms race now heads to Colorado, where an organization, Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, is pushing a petition that would ask voters to temporarily override the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) and impose their own map. While the effort still requires signatures to get the question on the ballot, the proposal would shift the current 4D-4R balance in Colorado’s U.S. House delegation to a 7D-1R lockout.

Republicans unexpectedly flipped CO-08 in 2024, a suburban district just north of Denver with a 40% Hispanic population. The proposal shows the district shedding some of its swingier territory in exchange for the bluer parts of Denver. CO-03, a sprawling district taking in the western half of the state, would become

blue-leaning, carefully carving out uberliberal ski towns and Hispanic working-class communities like Pueblo. CO-05, currently a compact, Republican district centered around Colorado Springs, would become much bluer by taking in parts of southern Denver.

Only CO-04, which covers the staunchly Republican eastern half of the state, would remain Colorado’s only Republican House seat. It is currently represented by firebrand conservative Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R).

State

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) is facing severe backlash for the Big Apple’s rollout of community snow shoveling forces after a blizzard dumped nearly thirty inches of snow across the city. Central Park saw 19.7”, with Grasmere seeing 29”.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) advertised for “emergency snow shovelers” to do “temporary work helping to remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and other public areas,” according to their website.

Requested in that application were two small photo IDs, an original and a copy of those forms of IDs, and a Social Security card. Prospective shovelers were also asked to attest that they are at least 18 years of age, able to perform physical labor, and that they are eligible to work in the United States. Shovelers were also asked to not report to a DSNY garage or location if they have COVID-19.

Social media has mocked Mamdani, calling the several forms of identification required “Jim Snow 2.0,” a play on “Jim Crow 2.0” that the bipartisan SAVE Act has received. Critics have also pointed out the hypocrisy, as New

York Democrats have remained steadfast in upholding sanctuary state and city policies and have labeled identification for voting as regressive.

Local

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has opened their History Exhibit at Riverhead Town Hall, located at 4W 2nd Street in Riverhead hamlet.

The exhibit showcases a “curated collection of Sheriff’s Office artifacts, historic photographs, uniform items, and a timeline that highlights the evolution of the agency and its role in serving the county,” according to a release. The Sheriff’s Office is the oldest law enforcement agency in Suffolk County, dating back to 1683.

“As one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the Nation, we are proud to celebrate our long and rich history,” said Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr (D) (pictured below) in a statement. “We thank the Town of Riverhead for hosting our first showcase and look forward to more exhibits and events with communities across the county.”

Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin (D-Riverhead) said in a statement, “It’s an honor and a privilege for the Town of Riverhead to house the first historical showcase of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. I invite the greater Riverhead community to come and explore the legacy of the Sheriff’s Office as told through the artifacts and stories being exhibited.”

The exhibit is part of the Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the Suffolk 250 commemoration. The exhibit is open until June 9 on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. at Riverhead Town Hall.

Proposed Colorado map by Coloradans for a Level Playing Field (Credit - Coloradans for a Level Playing Field)

Continued from front cover

The Blizzard of ’26: Smithtown Slammed

By Matt Meduri

Despite years of inaccurate forecasts, winter weather over-hypes, and consistently warmer and less severe seasons, this past weekend turned out to be right on the money.

Indeed, the Town of Smithtown and Long Island as a whole were blanketed with snow totalling close to three feet in some areas.

The Town of Smithtown had prepared for coastal flooding, power outages, and heavy winds and wet snow. The Emergency Management Command Center was implemented at 11:00a.m. Sunday to operate in conjunction with Suffolk County to coordinate response efforts.

Full snow removal operations began the day of the storm and have since continued with rotating crews to maintain continuous coverage. Municipal facilities were prepared to ensure “uninterrupted response operations,” according to a statement from the Town.

As far as snow accumulation amounts, Nesconset took the cake within Smithtown, stacking up 28.8 inches. Not only was it the largest reported total by NBC New York, but Nesconset appears to have received more snow than most parts of the Tri-State area affected by Winter Storm Hernando.

Fort Salonga came in second with about 27”. Hauppauge received 23”, Commack received 19”, Smithtown hamlet received 17.1.”

A Town spokesperson told The Messenger that the rolling average for the township is about 2629”, not accounting for snow drifts.

Moreover, the Town of Islip has received 31” inches overall, unofficially shattering singleday snowfall records going back to 1963. The preliminary reports also show Islip having notched fourth place in terms of accumulation from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. Only Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (37.9”), New Bedford, Massachusetts (37.0”), and Lyndhurst, New Jersey (30.7”) received more snow.

For Smithtown, Nesconset, Fort Salonga, and Hauppauge appear to have received more accumulation than the top-reported regions of

entire states that were affected by Hernando, certainly making this a blizzard to remember.

A Town spokesperson told The Messenger that the Highway Department will continue plowing the downtowns and various neighborhoods through the end of the week.

“This was a historic storm. The last storm we had of this magnitude was in 1996. It was huge; however, this time, we worked as one cohesive unit,” a Town spokesperson told The Messenger on Wednesday afternoon. “Public Safety was in lockstep with the Highway Department, who were in lockstep with the Parks Department, and so on. We were in direct communication with each other from the get-go.”

The Town had put out advisories ahead of the storm warning of zero-visibility conditions and to remove cars, trash cans, and basketball hoops from the streets.

“We yanked the plow drivers back when there was zero visibility. In addition to keeping them safe, it limited the risk of more accidents and debris getting caught up by the plows,” said the spokesperson. “We coordinated hourly updates. Everyone was looped in and in the know in realtime as information came out. It was a very wellcoordinated effort.”

The Town spokesperson also hailed Highway Superintendent Robert Murphy’s (R-St. James) fleet, as well as contributing agencies and private contractors.

“It was all asphalt the next morning,” said the spokesperson. The Town is also thankful for Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine’s (R-Center Moriches) declaration of a travel ban for the hours of the storm. “When you have everybody in government working together to keep people safe, communication and preparation, everyone being on the same page, and putting it out to the public makes all the difference,” said the Town spokesperson.

However, the aftermath of the storm potentially brings more problems than the storm itself. Securing grant funding for road repairs as the

spring nears will be the next big fight. The Town spokesperson said that Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) called Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) during the storm to offer his help in securing funds for any damages or expenses that can be federally subsidized. Wehrheim will be meeting with other town supervisors to draft a letter to the State for assistance and attention in paving roads, particularly the disastrous state of Middle Country Road (NY-25) from Smithtown all the way to Coram.

“Having federal and county support is wonderful. Getting the State on board is the other task. This winter has certainly eaten into our budget, but it’s not over,” said the spokesperson. “We’re going to have the spring thaw, which will bring potholes and infrastructure problems. We’re actively concerned about that and not taking chances. We’ll be looking for every bit of financial assistance we can get.”

The Town Highway Department under Superintendent Murphy has also prioritized the Clean Stream Program to ensure that drainage and sumps work properly to handle high water flow. A thaw will likely ensue this weekend, and the near-three feet of snow received will have to go somewhere when it turns to water. The Clean Stream Program is already concerned with removing invasive plant species, such as phragmites, as well as debris and tree branches that cause sediment buildup, high water tables, and flooding.

“People see the snowplows and they think that’s all the Highway Department does. There’s so much more. There’s the storm, but then there’s the aftermath,” said the Spokesperson. Digitizing our crews and force has really allowed us to work smarter not harder and efficiently, and in a blizzard like this it made all the difference.”

No major damage or flooding has been reported as of press time. About a dozen or so power outages were reported, but PSE&G has been able to get those customers back on line. A couple of trees were downed but did not cause major damage or disruptions.

CreditTown of Smithtown

CreditMatt Meduri

Oliver, 9, of Nesconset, enjoys the snow

Smithtown Town Hall covered in a blanket of wintery white

Contractors For Kids Celebrates 20 Years of Supporting Long Island Families

By Madison Warren

Contractors For Kids (CFK), the Long Island–based nonprofit organization, is gearing up to celebrate its 20th year of making a difference in the lives of many Long Island families with its annual gala at the Riverhead Aquarium this March.

Their mission is to ease the financial hardship that often follows when a child becomes seriously ill. Their goal is to ensure that the stress of medical challenges does not further devastate an already hurting family. Whether it’s helping cover a phone bill or mortgage payment, assisting with medical treatments not covered by insurance, or arranging transportation and lodging so families can stay close to their child during treatment, they step in where they can. In the most heartbreaking circumstances, when a child does not survive, they also help families facing the financial burden of funeral expenses, standing by them during unimaginable times.

The organization began in 2005 with two contractors, Kevin Harney and Alan Nahmias, who simply wanted to make a difference in their communities. What started as quiet, anonymous acts, slipping checks into mailboxes overnight for local families, soon grew as they heard more difficult stories and rallied more people to help. The following year, a board was formed, and the first gala was organized.

Since then, the foundation has continued to grow each year, bringing in more volunteers and hosting more events, all while staying true to the same mission: helping as many families as possible.

It starts with the application process, and the team carefully reviews each submission to determine what type of help a family needs. They work to make the best decisions for each case, identifying where support can make the biggest impact

and what the next steps should be. They are fully volunteer-run, and the funds raised through their events, including the gala, golf outing, Night at the Races, and other fundraisers throughout the year, along with donations from local supporters, go directly toward helping the families they serve.

A major supporter of the foundation, CFK Vice President Anthony DeLorenzo, said he first got involved after attending an event. He quickly saw that the foundation was made up of great people doing great things, and realized he wanted that kind of positivity in his life. He said he fell in love with the organization’s mission and is proud to be part of it as it celebrates its twentieth anniversary.

Director of the organization, Deborah O’Rourke, said, “We are all, no matter what we do in our lives, contractors for kids. We may not physically build stuff, but we do build futures. We make sure that these kids are ok and that they have their families right by their side.”

Now backed by a team of about forty dedicated individuals, the organization continues to look toward growth. With this year’s gala, they are expecting hundreds of attendees, plenty of entertainment, and nearly 300 raffle baskets.

Twenty years in, Contractors For Kids continues to build on a legacy of compassion and community support. Their upcoming gala will be held on March 20 at the Long Island Aquarium, bringing the community together once again in support of local families facing unimaginable challenges.

Those looking to learn more, donate, or get involved can visit www.contractorsforkids.org. With their simple but powerful promise, “We will be there,” the organization continues to stand by Long Island families when they need it most.

Dam No!

Dear Editor,

Thank you for continuing to write about the issue pertaining to the Nissequogue River water flow at Blydenburgh County Park. I am disappointed in the biased coverage in the front-page article “Giving a Dam: A Conversation with County Executive Ed Romaine” from the February 12, 2026, edition. It was very good that the environmentalist point of view was mentioned - albeit very briefly and rebutted without a comment from anyone that feels what is best for all is no dam.

Besides Executive Romaine’s extensive conversation, Legislator Kennedy provided a quote in agreement to the Dam building as well as the Forestwood Civic Association and Long Island Bassmasters. Where is the take from the most vocal Long Island wildlife and the environmental conservation organization: Seatuck Environmental Association or any of the other members of Free the Nissequogue River Coalition? (Over a dozen are listed on the website: Coalition Member Organizations – freethenissequogue.org.)

My biggest argument for keeping the river flowing as it is now (and against the dam being rebuilt) is the cost-benefit analysis of millions of taxpayer dollars to achieve the stagnant pond where people can reminisce about where they took photos with loved one years ago…and yes, it sure was striking in the fall with the changing leaves reflecting. The leaves will still change color, trails will still be navigable, and possibly with more bridges.

“The pond was a historical fishing spot of Daniel Webster” - unlikely that the pond was stocked with fish as it was until the dam failure in August 2024. It’s more likely he sought brook trout from the flowing river.

“A healthy free-flowing Nissequogue River – which includes the waterway itself, as well as its associated wetlands and floodplains – would provide natural infrastructure that delivers cost-effective resiliency services by capturing, retaining, and filtering stormwater and modulating floods” Source, Seatuck website.

People can and do still use the Blydenburgh County Park for recreationhiking, horseback riding, off-road running, and freshwater fishing as is done at the nearby Caleb Smith State Park. And no, walking out into a mudflat is not smart anywhere, but nature cannot be totally safe to those that lack common sense. The wetlands are alive in the spring. In the fall seasons, the barren mudflat was originally observed due to the fertile land exposed without sufficient time for seeds to take hold. By the following year, it looked phenomenal with birds of prey swooping down to capture a fish that was swimming in the river.

The Suffolk County Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) members had their mind made up prior to the speakers - only one brave member was even listening when I spoke up at the second public hearing. No negative impact on the environment? Wow, what a joke! Cleaner water and healthier wetlands, creating space for native fish and wildlife to return and thrive is what you get with flowing water – as opposed to stagnant, which allows invasive plants such as

Letter to the Editor

phragmites and knotweed and harmful algal blooms (HABs), and blooms of dangerous cyanobacteria (a.k.a., blue-green algae).

“Review it deserves”nope. Any study that was performed prior to the river returning after several months post-dam failure would be invalid compared to the current wetland status of the park. Additionally, even if the Suffolk Legislators adopt the CEQ recommendation, litigation could follow for many permits are still required prior to the first digging shovel: New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC): Article 24 Freshwater Wetlands, Article 15 Protection of Waters (Stream Disturbance), Dam Safety Approval, Section 401 Water Quality Certificate, Article 15 Excavation & Fill in Navigable Waters.

but while it was good to get on the water, it felt stagnant and unhealthy. There were seemingly a hundred non-native territorial swans.

Energy-generation from the dam? “Cost-benefit analysis” sought AFTER approvals and permitting complete. What! No, you get that lined up before seeking permits and the infrastructure required for power storage and transmission is significant - by far well beyond whatever little power would be harnessed from damming the river. Sure, a large storm could produce more power if setup for that, but where would it go? The BESS facility is being fought very hard in Hauppauge.

“Knock down the Dennison Building and let the creeks go wild?” - Just an insane strawman argument. No further words.

What’s better than a fish ladder? No dam.

Forestwood Civic Association, it’s fine to have a group organized to advocate for the local neighborhood, but the survey of over 200 people was taken a single month after the dam failure, not surprised at the results. Should this be re-surveyed today, I bet there would be a drastic change. And this project is not for the immediate neighbors or the fisherman or boaters, but all of Suffolk County taxpayers for this dam will need to be maintained to keep up the infrastructure from failing - meaning yearly money set aside. I’ve heard that $10 million is more likely the number.

“Hardly any waterfowl?” Not what I and many others have observed. Stocking with bass fish is not natural. It’s fun for the fisherman, but not healthy for the ecosystem.

Environmentalists [opposed to the dam / letting the river run free] have a lot of backing and funding from large national organizations. Yes, there has been a national/worldwide movement to remove dams to improve the environment as the experts understand the harm from stagnant water and health to free flowing streams and rivers, but Seatuck is a local nonprofit and two very well-known names, Sierra Club and Audubon Society, are internationally known. So yes, they likely know what they are talking about.

I will admit to being an avid hiker living near the park that the trails were fun to stretch the legs. I even kayaked the pond (technically called an impoundment) once,

Learning a bit of history does not change the current understanding that dams are not healthy for the environment. The Nissequogue River was dammed in 1798 for industrial use which ceased well over a century ago. Saving artifacts of history are important, hence the Watermill building immediately next to the former dam still stands, albeit in shambles. The dam created the pond and changed the free flowing nature of the Nissequogue River, thus negatively impacting the spawning fish and birds that rely on them.

The Suffolk County Legislature has already budgeted $6 million for this rebuild with $500,000 already being spent on an Environmental Study. New estimates have the cost rising to around $10 million due to scope creep of the project. The dam was 60 feet, now the estimate is to build one that is 200 feet in length. Several further rounds of approval are still required as well as a full Legislator vote on the matter. Dams are being brought down all over the country for the betterment of the environment and Suffolk County is looking to spend millions to build a new one?! Ridiculous.

Sincerely, Martin F. Czuba Smithtown

St. James RC Church

Thursday, March 12th 1:45PM- 7:45PM

Parish Center

429 Rt. 25A, Setauket

Appointments preferred, walk ins are still welcomeScan the QR code, call 1-800-933-2566, visit www.nybc.org

Any medical questions please call 1-800-888-0900

Any further questions contact: Mike Mullen 917-399-4600

Artist’s rendition of possible footbridges over the wetlands and Nissequogue River branches at Blydenburgh County Park

School Highlights

P.S. I Love You Day, Naming Senior Scholarship Recipient

The Hauppauge School District joined schools across Long Island on February 13 in recognizing P.S. I Love You Day, embracing this year’s theme, “Be the Light.” Students and staff across the district wore purple and filled classrooms and hallways with messages of kindness, connection, and support, reinforcing the importance of caring for one another and promoting mental health awareness.

At Hauppauge High School, students heard from P.S. I Love You Day co-founder Brooke DiPalma. During her visit, DiPalma shared the history of the organization, its mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health and how the movement, founded on Long Island, has grown significantly and is now officially recognized by New York State. Her message encouraged students to look out for one another and reminded them that even small acts of compassion can have a lasting impact.

An added highlight of the day came when DiPalma announced that Hauppauge senior Hannah Harten has been named a 2026 P.S. I Love You Day Scholarship recipient. The scholarship honors students who exemplify the organization’s mission through leadership, empathy, and a commitment to spreading kindness within their school community.

The district congratulates Hannah on this well-deserved recognition. Her actions reflect the spirit of P.S. I Love You Day and serve as a meaningful reminder that everyone has the power to be a light for others.

Smithtown High Schools Awarded AP Excellence

Smithtown High School East and West have both earned Gold-level recognition on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to just 1,169 high schools nationwide for outstanding AP programs.

This honor highlights the schools’ commitment to expanding access to rigorous coursework while supporting student success. Only 36% of eligible high schools across the country received AP Honor Roll recognition this year— making this achievement even more meaningful.

“These AP results stand as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, department directors, and district leadership,” said High School East Principal, Paul McNeil. “We continue to utilize achievement data to inform instruction and improve learning for our students. Our teachers’ commitment to excellence empowers our students to reach their full potential and achieve continued success.”

High School West Principal William Holl was equally proud of the accomplishment.

Students at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School recently finished watching the Super Bowl and participating in READBowl. READBowl is a nationwide reading competition sponsored by a former NFL player, Malcolm Mitchell, where students of all ages log and track minutes spent reading over the month.

Students participated in a full day in-school Read-a-Thon to experience the many types of ways one can get lost in a book.

Students enjoyed a live author read-aloud, a surprise virtual read aloud from Mitchell, who is also an author, and station reading including buddy reading, reading to a stuffy, and flashlight reading. Students have been tracking their minutes spent reading in school and independently at home each for the last four weeks, or “quarters,” of the competition. Together, Ms. Wilcox and Ms. Carson’s students read a total of 127,931 minutes.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as an AP School Honor Roll Gold Tier school,” he said. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers in creating a culture where college-level coursework is accessible and successful. It is a testament to our school community’s commitment to preparing students for rigorous academic environments.”

Mt. Pleasant Elementary Students Score in READBowl

Civics 101

The Necessary Standard for American Education

The Department of Commerce

By Matt Meduri

We’re continuing our deep-dive on the federal executive departments. This week, we take a look at the Department of Commerce.

History and Origin

The period between the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the first Constitutional Convention in 1787 were “tumultuous,” as the newly independent states debated how to administer the republic going forward. Moreover, trade had become “particularly troublesome,” according to the Department of Commerce’s website. The Articles of Confederation had afforded each state their own prerogatives to create regulations, tariffs, and even currency to tax neighboring states using their ports and throughways for interstate or foreign commerce. Much of the commerce at the time was conducted along the Atlantic coasts and waterways feeding the interior of the nation.

The Mt. Vernon Conference, called by George Washington, settled disputes between Maryland and Virginia over control of and rights to the Potomac River. That conference later led other diplomatic resolutions between other states to consider trade negotiations.

It wouldn’t be until 1884 that Congress established the Bureau of Labor to respond to rising needs of the Industrial Revolution. The Panic of 1893 caused depression conditions that set the goal of creating a formal Department of Commerce and Industry, which would also include a Department of Labor and other agencies. Alternatively, Congress created a U.S. Industrial Commission in 1898, with the purposes of investigating economic and social problems and the “growing impact of corporate trusts on the national welfare.”

Between 1850 and 1900, national wealth ballooned from under $5 billion to about $88 billion, 20% of which was owned by less than 4,000 people, according to the Department of Commerce’s website. Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY) called them the “malefactors of great wealth.” President William McKinley (R-OH) greatly promoted exports, causing the value of American goods to triple and total foreign commerce to exceed $1. Exports exceeded imports for the first time, yet Congress still did not act on creating a dedicated department for commerce.

That was until Roosevelt became President. In his first State of the Union address in 1901, he called for a combined Department of Commerce and Labor. In 1903, Congress approved the legislation and Roosevelt signed it into law the same day. George B. Cortelyou (R-NY) was sworn in as the Commerce Department’s first secretary. Cortelyou is credited with growing the department to over 10,000 employees and advising Roosevelt on labor and antitrust issues. Cortelyou saw the department as more of a tool than simply recommending regulations. Rather, he used his role to disseminate information and services to businesses, and used the department as a data collection engine.

The Department of Commerce and Labor was split into two separate entities under President William Howard Taft (R-OH) on March 4, 1913, Taft’s last day in office. The split came after years of calls for labor organizations to have a “voice in the Cabinet.”

One of the department’s most famous secretaries was none other than Herbert Hoover (R-IA), who would later serve one term as president from 1929 to 1933. Hoover was appointed in 1921 by then-President Warren G. Harding (R-OH) as a reward for Hoover’s support during the 1920 campaign.

Hoover saw the department as a hub of national growth and economic stability. He called for eliminating waste, increasing production, adopting data-driven practices, infrastructure investment, and natural resource conservation. Hoover also grew the department

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.

immensely in terms of oversight and regulation, even going so far as to “seize” responsibilities from other departments and bureaus. Hoover is also seen as influential in the early development and adoption of radio usage, air travel, and single-family home ownership.

The Department of Commerce Today

The Commerce Secretary is tenth in line in succession to the U.S. President. The Secretary oversees the Economic Development Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and twelve separate offices that include Inspector General, Business Liaison, and Space Commerce.

Seven under secretaries oversee other bureaus. The under secretaries serve the posts of Economic Affairs, Industry and Security, Intellectual Property, International Trade, Oceans and Atmosphere, Standards and Technology, and Minority Business Development.

The Department’s stated goals, as per their website, are “fostering, promoting, and developing foreign and domestic commerce, the mining, manufacturing, shipping, and fishery industries, the labor interests, and the transportation facilities of the United States.” Investigating management of corporations, excluding railroads, engaged in interstate commerce, administering the Lighthouse Service, taking the Census, making coast and geodetic surveys, collecting and publishing statistics on foreign and domestic commerce, investigating markets for American products, inspecting steamboats and enforcing related laws, supervising Alaskan fur-seal and salmon fisheries, monitoring merchant vessels, applying immigration law, and collecting information on labor hours and earnings are also stated prerogatives of the Commerce Department.

The forty-first and current Secretary of Commerce is Howard Lutnick (R-NY) (pictured right). In 1983, Lutnick got his start at Cantor Fitzgerald as a protege of the firm’s founder, B. Gerald Cantor. In 1990, Lutnick became president and chief executive of the firm, and he became chairman of the firm in 1996 following Cantor’s death. Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm, lost over 650 employees in the September 11 Attacks, including Lutnick’s brother, Gary, as the firm was headquartered in the North Tower.

2003 for $15 million.

Bureaus

Economic Analysis: the source of “accurate and objective” data about the nation’s economy, including the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), state and local numbers, foreign trade and investments, and industry data.

Industry and Security: advances U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by “ensuring an effective export control and treaty-compliance system and by promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership.”

Economic Development Administration: establishes a “foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies” throughout the country. Innovation and regional collaboration are the two “key economic drivers” of this administration.

International Trade Administration: the U.S. government resource for “competing in the global marketplace,” fosters prosperity by “enhancing the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade practices and compliance with trade laws and agreements.”

Minority Business Development Agency: promotes growth of minority business enterprises through “mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.”

Lutnick has been a prolific political donor since the 1980s. A lifelong Democrat, he left the party in 2016, after having donated to Hillary Clinton (D-NY) for president and Kamala Harris (D-CA) for U.S. Senate that year. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative and social liberal who feels the Democratic Party has shifted too far left.

Lutnick was confirmed as Commerce Secretary in February 2025 in one of the closer Senate confirmations of Trump’s second term - a 51-45 vote.

Lutnick has been firmly behind Trump’s tariff and trade policies and has been a central negotiator with foreign leaders in that regard. He’s also been criticized for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, with the recentlyreleased files showing extensive contact between Lutnick and Epstein over many years, even after Epstein’s first conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Lutnick at first said he had spent “zero time” with Epstein, but earlier this month, he testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that he, his wife, and children joined Epstein for lunch at Little St. James, Epstein’s private Island.

Lutnick, born on Long Island, has a residence in Bridgehampton, a forty-acre property he purchased in

National Institute of Standards and Technology: one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories, the NIST promotes “U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology to enhance economic security and improve” quality of life.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): keeps the “public informed of the changing environment around them” by delivering “daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring,” as well as “fisheries management, coastal restoration, and marine commerce support.”

National Technical Information Service: makes federal data available to the public as a “data service agency,” that builds “new solutions” with private-sector partners to “grow capacity that extends traditional governmental data and analytic competency.”

National Telecommunications and Information Administration: delivers “affordable, reliable, highspeed Internet service,” enables innovative uses of U.S. wireless airwaves, develops policies that strengthen Internet safety and security, and conducts “cutting-edge” research to inform tech policy decisions.

U.S. Census Bureau: the federal government’s “largest statistical agency” and the “nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.”

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: grants patents and registers trademarks, with the goal of driving “U.S. innovation and global competitiveness,” offers intellectual property (IP) protection for entrepreneurs by “collaborating with other agencies to secure robust IP provisions in free trade and other international agreements.”

The Commerce Department includes several other offices, with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) being the most well-known. The Inspector General seeks to “improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s programs and operations through independent and objective oversight.” The OIG also seeks to “detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse through audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations.”

Around Town

Town Approves New Property Tax Exemptions

By Matt Meduri

The Smithtown Town Council at last Thursday’s board meeting approved tax exemptions for the next fiscal year.

The new legislation expands property tax relief opportunities for seniors living on fixed incomes, fullydisabled Veterans, active-duty military members who served in combat zones, and surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.

About 11% of a typical property tax bill is collected by the Town. All other taxing authorities, such as school districts and the incorporated villages of Nissequogue, Head of the Harbor, and Village of the Branch, would need to either adopt or decline the policy for it to apply to residents within their jurisdictions, as required by New York State Law.

Fully-disabled Veterans would receive a 100% Town property tax exemption. Eligible Veterans must be deemed “individually unemployable” by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Active-duty military members who served in a combat zone are eligible for an exemption up to 25% of assessed value, capped at $20,000 equalized value.

Surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty are eligible for a 50% exemption.

Seniors over the age of 65 can receive up to 65% in reductions, with updated income thresholds aiming to provide additional relief for seniors living on fixed incomes. Applicants would need to show proof of income and a submission to the Town Assessor.

“The Town has been closely monitoring the new State-authorized property tax exemptions and proactively anticipated their potential adoption as part of our long-term operating budget planning,” a Town spokesperson told The Messenger. “While these exemptions are designed to provide meaningful relief to qualifying residents, we have prepared responsibly to ensure that essential services, infrastructure investments, and public safety operations remain strong and uninterrupted.”

The spokesperson added that, at the same time, Smithtown is “entering a new phase of forward-thinking fiscal management.” Rather than continuing to trim what is “already a lean and efficient operation,” the Town is shifting towards a “private-sector mindset,” one focused

on “innovation, modernization, and revenue generation.”

The Town Council is looking to reduce costs associated with leased vehicles, for example, to go beyond simple costcutting measures.

“Over the next several months, residents can expect the rollout of multiple business-based initiatives designed to responsibly generate new revenue streams for the Town,” said the spokesperson. “These efforts will leverage modernization of systems and services, strategic advertising opportunities, technology integration, and emerging tools such as AI to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.”

The Town adds that their motto is simple: “work smarter, not just harder, and responsibly claw back lost revenue without adding to the tax burden or compromising the quality of life our residents expect.”

Residents must apply before the March 16 deadline. Exemptions will appear on the December 2026 tax bills.

St. James Chamber of Commerce Prepares for St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The St. James Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce details for its highly anticipated 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking place on Saturday, March 14. This beloved community tradition celebrates Irish heritage, civic pride, and the volunteers who make St. James thrive.

The celebration officially kicked off at the Chamber’s recent Winter Gala, where two special announcements were made. The Chamber proudly revealed Sister Theresita Donach “Sister T” as the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Sister T has long been a cherished presence in the community and is widely recognized for her compassion, leadership, and lifelong dedication to service. Her selection was met with overwhelming applause and heartfelt support.

In addition, the Chamber introduced a special designation created exclusively for this year to honor an extraordinary community leader. Ruth Garthe was named the inaugural Emerald Queen, a one-time honor established to recognize her exceptional commitment, tireless volunteerism, and lasting impact on the St. James community.

“The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of our most cherished community traditions,” said Kathy Weber, President of the St. James Chamber of Commerce. “Honoring Sister Theresita as our Grand Marshal and recognizing Ruth Garthe with this year’s special Emerald Queen designation allows us to celebrate not only Irish heritage, but also the incredible individuals whose service and dedication strengthen the fabric of our community.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 1:00p.m., beginning at Woodlawn Avenue and proceeding down Lake

Avenue to the Grandstand. The parade will feature marching bands, community organizations, local businesses, spirited performers, and festive floats, creating a family-friendly celebration that brings the entire town together.

The Chamber is grateful for the generous support of its parade sponsors to date, whose contributions help make this cherished community event possible.

Gold Sponsor: Moloney’s Family Funeral Homes

Silver Sponsors: Smithtown Rotary Club; St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; King Kullen

Community Sponsors: Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrheim; The Catholic Daughters Court Anna Theresa #1074; Knights of Columbus Council #12839 of Sts. Philip and James RCC; AJ’s Garage.

Following the parade, the traditional Grand Marshal Reception will be held at Deepwells Mansion. Attendance at the reception is by invitation or sponsorship only, honoring Sister T, Emerald Queen Ruth Garthe, and the sponsors who support this cherished community event.

The St. James Chamber of Commerce invites residents, families, and visitors to line the parade route and take part in one of the community’s most anticipated events of the year. Additional sponsorship opportunities and participant registrations remain available.

For additional parade details, sponsorship information, or participation opportunities, visit www.stjameschamber.org.

16 Long Island Life & Politics

Thursday, February 26, 2026

By Hank Russell | Long Island Life & Politics

The State has recently launched EXPRESS NY (Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services), a new statewide effort to make government work better by tackling outdated and burdensome regulations, policies, and practices that stand in the way of delivering for New Yorkers. EXPRESS NY is the next phase in the governor’s 2026 State of the State commitment to cut excessive red tape to speed up government and make it easier, faster, and more affordable to deliver the critical projects and services that New Yorkers need.

“While Washington Republicans seek to gut government at every opportunity they get, we’re strengthening government in New York through real efficiencies and reforms,” Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) said. “New Yorkers navigate regulations in ways big and small, from small businesses trying to get off the ground to local leaders trying to build needed housing and infrastructure; today, it is clear that it is often too hard and takes too long to navigate red tape and get approvals. I’ve charged my team to slash excessive red tape, and by asking the people who interact with bureaucracy every day for their ideas, we can deliver a more responsive and effective government that supports the dreams and ambitions of New Yorkers and takes this state to the next level.”

In October, Hochul directed State agencies to identify outdated or obsolete regulations and policies. In this initial phase, agencies identified nearly 100 potential regulations and practices in need of reform, modernization or elimination. Opportunities to cut red tape that state agencies have identified include removing unnecessary fees for small businesses, expediting occupational licensing renewals for workers, digitizing paper-based processes, rescinding unenforced and out-of-date regulations, and reducing burdensome and unnecessary reporting requirements.

Now, Hochul said she wants to hear from New Yorkers directly to seek their

State Seeks Ideas on How to Streamline Government Man Found Dead Buried Under Pile of Snow

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man found outside a housing complex in Deer Park.

On February 23, workers shoveling found a body buried in the snow near a walkway at a housing complex, located at 7 Parkcenter Drive, at approximately 3:45p.m. Police responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death will be determined during an autopsy by personnel from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Detectives believe the cause of death to be non-criminal.

His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.

This article originally

ideas on cutting red tape and making government work better. The state has launched a new portal for New Yorkers to identify regulations, policies, and practices that add unnecessary process, undue burden, or are simply out of date. Specific areas of focus include recommendations that will:

• Speed up housing and infrastructure development by addressing obstacles that slow down our ability to build affordable housing and other infrastructure New Yorkers depend on: transportation, childcare centers, water infrastructure, parks, community centers, and more.

• Support small businesses by tackling burdensome requirements and fees that make it difficult for businesses to launch, serve customers, or grow.

• Streamline access to services by simplifying complicated processes or removing unnecessary hurdles that prevent families from accessing benefits and services that New York State supports or oversees (e.g., healthcare, childcare, nutrition, mental health).

New Yorkers should submit ideas in a new portal that the state has launched at https://forms.ny.gov/s3/how-can-we-make-new-york-state-work-better-foryou, or by scanning this QR Code [QR CODE - https://forms.ny.gov/s3/how-canwe-make-new-york-state-work-better-for-you]. The call for ideas will be open until April 3.

Hochul has also appointed a new Associate Director of Regulatory Reform in the Executive Chamber to help oversee this effort. Over the coming weeks, Chamber officials will be meeting with small business owners, community leaders, localities, industry experts, and other key stakeholders to hear from them about burdensome regulations.

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

The Fire Horse Is Here

By Mollie Barnett

We’re watching robot police in Shenzhen and missing what’s happening in our own backyard.

China Galloped. We Clutched.

It is the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Fire Horse - bold energy, rapid transformation, luck, and a touch of chaos. If you watched the Chinese New Year Spring Festival Gala, you witnessed the Horse at full gallop: humanoid robots from Unitree, Noetix, and MagicLab executing backflips, trampoline jumps, freestyle parkour, and 7.5-rotation Airflare spins alongside human performers. Not gimmicks. Real-time adaptation. Balance. Precision. Documented firsts in this area.

On the streets of Shenzhen, EngineAI’s PM01 humanoid patrols alongside police. In Wuhu, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Shanghai, AiMOGA’s nearly six-foot Intelligent Police Unit R001, dressed in a reflective vest and police hat, directs traffic. The AI is synchronized with signals and issues voice warnings as it guides pedestrians.

These are not prototypes behind glass. They are operational.

Morgan Stanley revised its forecast to roughly 28,000 humanoid robot sales in China this year, driven by state subsidies and a supply chain controlling approximately 63% of global humanoid components.

And the American reaction? We call China dystopian while clicking “Agree” at home.

“That’s dystopian.”

“We could never.”

“Our values wouldn’t allow it.”

We are living in the same dystopia. We just dress ours up in terms-of-service agreements and call it convenience.

Offline Doesn’t Mean Gone

On February 1, Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside Tucson, Arizona. The case has transfixed the nation. It should, but the technology story embedded inside it is the one not getting sufficient examination.

Guthrie had a Nest doorbell camera at her front door. It disconnected at 1:47a.m. The suspect didn’t arrive until 2:12a.m., 25 minutes after the camera was already offline. At that time, the camera was physically removed from the door. Nancy had no active subscription, meaning under every consumer-facing rule governing that device, footage auto-deletes within hours. The camera was down before the perpetrator arrived. It was taken. The subscription that would

preserve data didn’t exist.

The footage should have been gone three ways from Sunday.

Law enforcement said exactly that. Unrecoverable. A dead end.

Then it came back.

Pulled — through private-sector partners — from what officials formally described as “residual data located in backend systems.”

Images of an armed suspect, previously declared permanently inaccessible, were recovered and released publicly on February 10.

And here’s the part that doesn’t get said plainly enough: Google’s own privacy policy — the document users agree to and nobody reads — allows for data transmission and storage beyond what the consumer interface makes visible. The camera being down doesn’t mean the data stopped moving. It means the user stopped seeing it move.

No single agency “held” the footage. No badge made a quiet decision to override a setting. The data persisted because the infrastructure that supports these devices is layered — device, cloud, enterprise storage, emergency access pathways. Consumer subscriptions govern what users can retrieve. They do not define the outer boundary of what exists.

Not a consumer toggle. Not an app setting. An enterprise-level architecture most users never see. That is the story.

Not the footage. The fact that the footage was never strictly confined to the narrow perimeter implied by the subscription model — and that visibility and existence are not the same thing.

But the Nest camera is arguably the smallest layer in this geography.

Tucson sits in one of the most militarized states in the country. Arizona is home to Luke Air Force Base, Davis-Monthan — active mission and the Air Force’s primary aircraft maintenance and regeneration facility — and Fort Huachuca, the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence.

Fort Huachuca trains military intelligence and surveillance professionals. Arizona has received significant defense AI and infrastructure investment in recent years. That is not allegation. It is publicly documented capability.

Tucson is also internationally recognized for its dark sky ordinances — strict lighting regulations protecting nearby observatories. The Catalina Foothills fall within that framework.

Dark sky ordinances regulate visible light. They do not regulate capability. Infrared does not depend on streetlamps. Satellite systems do not depend on porch lights. High-altitude ISR assets do not turn off because a neighborhood

protects its view of the stars.

Whether any such asset was engaged in this case is not the argument. The argument is structural.

The consumer doorbell camera was the only layer publicly discussed. It is not the only layer that exists in that geography. Surveillance infrastructure in the United States is layered, continuous, and always on. Access changes. Visibility changes. Capability does not.

The dark sky framing implies limitation. It suggests a ceiling.

There is no such ceiling.

Toggle On for Privacy – Wink, Wink

This is the actual architecture of American surveillance infrastructure, and it bears little resemblance to the story we tell ourselves when we recoil at Chinese robot police.

• Ring’s own disclosures show Amazon handed footage to law enforcement without user consent in emergencies at least 11 times in 2022 alone.

• January 6, 2021, investigations drew heavily from private Ring cameras through subpoenas and voluntary shares framed as national security imperatives.

• LAPD’s Drone as First Responder program has logged over 1,700 flights. AWS holds $50 billion-plus in government cloud contracts and secured a $581 million Air Force Cloud One deal in January 2026.

• The same corporate ecosystem running your doorbell camera is deeply woven into national defense infrastructure.

The privacy controls visible to consumers, settings, subscription tiers, the consent toggles, they are real within a bounded perimeter. Beyond that perimeter, the switch flips based on priority, not preference.

Emergency. National security. Political weight.

And beneath the consumer layer sits infrastructure that no local government entity fully sees, controls, or can reliably account for.

The difference between the United States and China is not capability. It is visibility.

China’s systems walk in daylight. Ours operate in the ambient backgroundcorporate-mediated, opt-in at the front end, overridable at the back end, and increasingly augmented by military-grade assets the public has no meaningful awareness of.

Both are real. One triggers demand for oversight. The other moves product into the market.

MOLLIE BARNETT is the Founder of State and Signal, LLC, advising leadership teams on strategy in the age of AI.

This selective reality is extracting a concrete price in the global AI race, and we are not being sufficiently honest about the cost.

While we invoke privacy and freedom to slow public-facing AI deployment while regulations stall, liability fears mount, and pilots get extended indefinitely, China is running operational deployments in live environments, closing the data loop in real time. Every humanoid on a Shenzhen street generates feedback that improves the next iteration. Every intersection R001 manages is training data that no American system is currently collecting at an equivalent scale in public-facing contexts.

The capability exists here. Tesla Optimus is on factory floors, scaling toward thousands of units. Figure and Agility are running industrial pilots. But visible AI stays out of public view — partly caution, partly politics, partly because a robot in a police uniform force a conversation we are actively avoiding — while a backend system that resurrects footage declared unrecoverable barely registers a news cycle.

That asymmetry is a strategic liability.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei projected, in May 2025 and has reiterated since, that AI could eliminate half of entry-level whitecollar jobs within one to five years, pushing unemployment into double digits in a shift with no soft landing.

Geoffrey Hinton’s assessment places AI capability doubling roughly every seven months, with one-minute tasks to hourlong workflows, moving toward month-long autonomous operations. That trajectory puts 2026 squarely in the window where the job shock stops being theoretical.

The workers who need transition infrastructure right now are not in a 2028 budget line. They are in this year’s workforce.

The Fire Horse Doesn’t Pace. It runs.

China is running in public and collecting every step as data. The United States is running in the background, performing a restraint it does not actually possess. One of us is pulling ahead. It isn’t us.

We have the computers. We have the capability. We have the infrastructure — visible and otherwise. What we are short on is the willingness to look at all of it clearly, name what it is, and make deliberate choices about what we want to build before those choices

get made by inertia, politics, and the quiet logic of systems already in motion.

The Fire Horse is here.

It’s time to stop pretending we can’t see it.

The Fire Horse is not a Pace Setter

18 Theater & the Arts

Thursday, February 26, 2026

The Good News is Theatre Three’s ‘Godspell’ Is a Soulful Treat!

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

As winter melts into spring, let Theatre Three’s triumphant revival of “Godspell,” with its omnipresent theme of the power of community and human connection, grace you and yours with peace, love, and joy. Saturday night’s electrifying opening night performance had the audience on their feet, giving a long, loud standing ovation!

Under Jeffrey Sanzel’s skillful direction, genuine camaraderie and heartfelt fellowship emerged among the young, vibrant, and vivacious cast, allowing them to spread goodwill and good vibes throughout the evening. This stellar ensemble mesmerized the audience with their strong vocals, energetic dance moves choreographed by Josie McSwane, and expert musical timing, as they played a variety of instruments, including drums, maracas, triangles, tambourines, bells, ukuleles, washboards, and kazoos. The live onstage band, conducted by keyboardist Jeffrey Hoffman and featuring John Dericco on guitar, Dave Grudzinski on bass, and Don Larsen on drums and percussion, added another layer of theatricality to the production.

With book and original concept by John-Michael Tebelak and music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, this beloved musical brings the Gospels of Matthew and Luke to life as a modernday series of parables set to an eclectic, upbeat, and celebratory score that blends pop, rock, folk, vaudeville, gospel, and soul.

From Tebelak’s master’s thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University, the original “Godspell” was conceived and premiered in 1970 at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Greenwich Village. After Schwartz cast his musical magic on the show, their joint effort, also entitled “Godspell,” opened OffBroadway in 1971 at the Cherry Lane Theatre. The revamped show made its way to Broadway, opening on June 26, 1976, at the Broadhurst Theatre, and it had a 2011 revival at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

Tebelak’s vision for this show was inspired by theologian Harvey Cox, a Harvard Divinity School professor who penned the groundbreaking 1969 book

“The Feast of Fools,” which included a chapter depicting Christ as Harlequin and envisioning a joyful, festive approach to religion rather than a severe, solemn one. Even the title “Godspell,” from the Old English godspel, meaning “good story,” reveals the musical’s divine mission to share the “good news” of the gospel as a loving and exuberant experience. Therefore, this counterculture-inspired musical does not portray Jesus as an inaccessible icon; rather, he is depicted as a likable, relatable teacher, blending humor, magic, and theatrical tricks to present his teachings in a down-to-earth yet sublime way.

In Theatre Three’s production, Keith Jones was perfectly cast as Jesus. Jones, a charismatic and versatile actor, brought warmth, playfulness, and strength to this challenging role. One of the show’s high points was Jones’s impassioned delivery of “Save the People,” a ballad that sets a traditional hymn to an upbeat pop-rock score. At the conclusion of Act II, as Jesus is taken down from the cross and carried by his devoted followers through the theater, the scene was so profoundly moving that it brought tears to my eyes and chills down my spine.

Will Logan delivered award-worthy performances portraying both John the Baptist and Judas. As John the Baptist, Logan is inspirational and charming, calling the community to awaken, as he sings with spiritual conviction, “Prepare

Ye (The Way of the Lord).” When Logan reappears as Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, he is convincing and captivating in his interpretation of this enigmatic, complex, and troubled man.

Sophia Del Carmen’s moving rendition of “Godspell’s” signature song, “Day by Day,” is one of those unforgettable stage moments that stay with you long after you exit the theater. Angie Barrientos Gómez lit up the stage with her emotionally charged delivery of “O, Bless the Lord, My Soul.” Other notable performances included Noah Ryan’s “All Good Gifts,” Kiernan Urso’s “We Beseech Thee,” and Jared Wofse’s “Light of the World.” One of my favorite group numbers was “Learn Your Lessons Well,” featuring Julianna Osburn, Amanda Egenberger, Angelina Miller, and Noah Ryan.

Act II opens with Sadie Mathers, a rising superstar, commanding the stage with her riveting reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well.” “Turn Back, O Man,” based on poet Clifford Bax’s 1916 heartfelt hymn, was reimagined by Schwartz as a jazzy cabaret tune. Angelina Miller, sexy, sultry, and spectacular, delivered a showstopping performance of this iconic show tune, vamping down the aisle from the back of the theater up to the stage like a vaudeville temptress. Amanda Egenberger and Haley Saunders stole the show with their angelic, pitch-perfect vocals, delivering a heartrending rendition of Jay Hamburger and Peggy Gordon’s poignant folk-pop ballad, “By My Side.” Theatre Three’s unforgettable performance of “Godspell,” a spiritually significant show spreading the good news about the healing power of unconditional love, forgiveness, tolerance, and acceptance, is a mustsee! The show runs through March 22, 2026. For tickets, call the box office at 631-928-9100 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.

Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

The Media’s Latest Anti-ICE Hoax Falls Apart

By Matt Lamb | AMAC Contributor

An Irishman named Seamus Culleton, who is awaiting deportation, has become the latest poster boy for anti-ICE propaganda. But like all the other corporate media sob stories, the sympathetic coverage of Culleton belies a history of law-breaking and an overall sordid past.

The breathless coverage began early this month when several media outlets picked up on the fact that Culleton has been detained by ICE since September 2025. CNN reported that Culleton “fears for his life and is confined in appalling conditions.” Culleton did “everything the right way” his current wife claims, in a quote dutifully reported by NBC News. He has a “valid US work permit,” The Guardian reported. He also “runs a plastering business in the Boston area.”

Culleton for his part has been happy to play to the corporate media, describing the detention center as a “concentration camp” and “absolute hell.” He claims he never committed a single crime – “not even a parking ticket,” the Irish Times reported. (Never mind that he overstayed his visa by approximately 5,000 days, which is worse than a parking ticket.)

Open-borders libertarians were also glad to trumpet Culleton’s cause. Reason editor Nick Gillespie called the situation “appalling” and suggested that the deportee’s alleged rights to due process were being abused. The same magazine also repeated Culleton’s words that the detention center is “torture,” while describing him as a “Boston man.”

“[A]bsolute torture, a psychological torture, physical torture,” he told another news outlet, as quoted by Reason. “I just want to get back to my wife. We’re so desperate to start a family.”

The reporter then added her own opinion at the end of the story: “Rather than arresting and deporting the ‘worst of the worst,’ the Trump administration has arrested and removed immigrants like Culleton who have no criminal record and who have lived and worked in the U.S. peacefully for years.” (In fact, around 70 percent of deported individuals have criminal charges in addition to entering the country illegally.)

The only problem with the supposedly heartbreaking story of Seamus Culleton, the Irish business owner with no criminal past who just wants to live peacefully and start a family? None of it is true.

Culleton entered the country in 2009 under an incredibly generous program between the United States and Ireland. The rule allows for workers to come to the United States for 90 days without obtaining a visa, as long as they return home for at least 90 days.

However, participants in the Visa Waiver Program waive their right to a hearing and can be deported at any time, as an immigration attorney explained to CBS News last year in an article about Irish illegal aliens. They regularly abuse the program due to its lax rules, the attorney admitted, saying “most of them…overstay.”

Culleton is also not being held in the detention center against his own will. Rather, he is choosing to stay there instead of returning to Ireland, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“He failed to depart the U.S.,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X. “He received full due process and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on September 10, 2025.” McLaughlin added that Culleton took “affirmative steps to remain in detention” instead of returning to Ireland.

In other words, Culleton is voluntarily choosing to stay in a place that he described as “absolute torture.”

But why exactly Culleton is so reluctant to return to the Emerald Isle became apparent in recent days – namely, because he’s hardly the innocent victim that the media has made him out to be. As The Guardian was forced to admit, Irish law enforcement issued an arrest warrant for Culleton soon after he fled to America, ostensibly just looking for a better opportunity to work for three months.

Culleton is charged with “the alleged possession of drugs for sale or supply” and “faced charges of allegedly obstructing …a police officer.” In an apparent attempt to escape prosecution, he reportedly threw “25 ecstasy tablets on the ground,” during a search.

His attorney, who described him as the “perfect candidate” to stay in America, said she had no idea about the criminal charges.

Additionally, while Culleton told the media that he wanted to get out of the detention center so he could start a family with his wife, he already has kids back in Ireland – and he’s hardly father of the year.

Culleton’s 18-year-old twin daughters say he “abandoned them when they were 18 months old, leaving their mother, Margaret ‘Maggie’ Morrissey, to raise them alone,” the New York Post reported.

Overview - AMAC -

The Association of Mature American Citizens

The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.

AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us

“I feel that we were born and he just up and left. He did abandon us. That’s what he did,” Heather Morrissey told the

Once again, it seems, the corporate media failed to do its homework before hoisting up yet another deadbeat and criminal as an international hero. Meanwhile, they expect Americans to continue to believe that ICE are the bad guys for enforcing immigration laws and bringing men like Culleton to justice.

The story of Seamus Culleton – just like the stories of every other fake immigration martyr – is yet another reminder to wait for all the facts to come in before rushing to judgement.

WORD OF THE Week

Etymology:

mid 16th century (in the sense ‘hide, conceal oneself’): from Latin abscondere ‘hide’, from ab- ‘away, from’ + condere ‘stow’.

ABSCOND

verb

Pronounced: /uhb·skaand/

Definition: leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft.

Example: “The executive made a plan to abscond when an investigation was announced.”

Synonyms: escape, retreat, go on the lam

Antonyms: remain, abide, linger

Source: Oxford Languages

WORD WHEEL

W S G I A N H

See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.

SUDOKU

See bottom of page for the answers (please don’t cheat!)

This Week in History

March 3, 1887: Anne Sullivan begins teaching six-year-old blind-deaf Helen Keller.

March 2, 1807:

U.S. Congress bans the slave trade within the U.S., effective January 1, 1808.

March 4, 1902: American Automobile Association (AAA) is founded in Chicago.

February 26, 1935: RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in Daventry, England.

February 27, 1996: First appearance of Pokémon in the role-playing video game “Pocket Monsters Red and Green” for Game Boy in Japan.

Source: Onthisday.com.

February 28, 1984: 26th Grammy Awards: Michael Jackson wins 8 Grammys.

March 1, 1872:

Yellowstone becomes the world’s first national park.

Sometimes it Takes a Storm

By PJ Balzer

When I stepped outside to attempt to dig us out this past week, I was totally overwhelmed. As most of you would know, there was over two feet of snow staring me down. Long Island, especially the East End, got totally pummeled by one of the biggest blizzards in our history, and here I amwith one shovel, some snow drifts that were close to four feet tall, and a full-day task in front of me.

My wife and I rent a small apartment on a circular block that I’ve heard people call a rotunda. It’s a really quiet block; everyone is busy living their lives and minding their own business. Sure, there’s the sporadic conversation or friendly wave as we’re hurrying off to our jobs and responsibilities, but we really don’t interact too much. Our landlord just turned eighty years old this October. We try our best to give her a hand with the chores around the house that she’s no longer able to do. Shoveling herself out of over two feet of snow would definitely be one of them. So again, here I am with one shovel and this mammoth task that I’m attempting to tackle alone. My wife does come out to help in intervals because I personally don’t like her outside for too long.

I figured I’d start on one specific part of the driveway that’s close to both the garage and our

landlord’s front door. I could get this section done along with her front steps and walkway, then possibly take a break and do another section a little later. The part of the driveway near the road and mailbox would definitely be last and the most difficult. Like I mentioned prior, there were drifts and piles there that had to be four feet tall.

About twenty minutes into my most likely twoday-long shoveling adventure, I heard a motor across the street kick on. Before this, no one else was outside but me and my shovel. As I continued to work, the sound of the motor grew closer and closer, until I realized it was the neighbor using his snowblower to dig the front of our driveway out for me. Without my asking or even insinuating for some help, he completely cleared the entire front of the driveway and then started working on the rest, easily saving me a full day’s worth of work with a shovel alone.

As he was almost finished and I thanked him for such a kind, neighborly gesture, another neighbor down the block saw us working as he stormed down the block with a plow attached to his pickup truck. He slowed down, told us to step aside so he could push any remaining snow away from both of our driveways and mailboxes. Once

he was finished, he threw out a friendly wave and drove off, asking for nothing at all in return but a friendly wave back.

Even though our block is quiet and these aren’t guys that I speak to often, if at all, this reminded me of some old-time kindness between neighbors - simply seeing a neighbor struggling or in need and doing something about it, something to lessen another human’s burden. If we didn’t have a storm this week, we’d all be just carrying on with our busy schedules and daily routines. Yet, sometimes it takes a storm for other people to show some old-fashioned kindness to one another.

This storm ended up being a blessing on my block.

Bereavement Support Groups

Will be offered at St. John Nepomucene and are open to people of any faith

Loss of Spouse

General Loss

Loss of an Adult Child

Thursday, March 5th – April 30th at 7PM

(Note: there will be no meeting April 2nd as it is Holy Thursday)

The General Support Group & Loss of a Spouse Group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss at least three months prior, which would be December 5, 2025.

The Loss of Adult Child Group has no wait requirement.

Each group meets weekly for 90 minutes followed by refreshments and hospitality. There is no cost but a commitment to attend each meeting throughout the program is required. All groups are offered in a closed and confidential setting with highly trained f acilitators and are limited to 12 people.

Pre-registration is required. Please call 631-589-0540, ext. 250 for more information or to reserve your seat for the group you would like to attend.

Playoffs Catch Fire as Semifinals Approach

By PJ Balzer

This past week, two very familiar foes faced off. It was their third meeting this season, yet this one was set to be the last one. The playoffs are “do or die” the loser goes home. In a Suffolk Class AAA boys’ basketball playoff, North Babylon and Commack went down to the final buzzer and the result wasn’t what most had predicted.

The first quarter ended just as close as it began - tied at 14-14.

North Babylon (17-3) leaned on its fierce offensive attack right out of the gate. Junior guard Sean Lanier led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Lanier slashed to the rim often and hit some key shots to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance. Cameron Serrano added 12 points, while senior captain Jake Walsh put up 8.

Commack (12-8), who came into the game as the underdog, answered every North Babylon run with their own momentum swing. The Cougars took a small 26-24 lead into halftime after a back and forth second quarter. Ryan Curcio provided a major spark with 14 points, keeping Commack’s offense steady.

North Babylon went on another run late in the period to take a 42-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter. This run was sparked by Lanier’s key play

and Serrano’s precision shooting. With both teams not wanting their seasons to end here, the fourth quarter was full of intensity and fire power.

Commack’s Johnny Ehlers was the king of the fourth quarter though. The senior produced 19 points overall, but it was his fourth-quarter performance that really grabbed the game for Commack. Ehlers delivered exactly when the Cougars needed him most, knocking down key shots to reclaim the lead. With Commack’s defense making big plays down the stretch and a few mistakes from North Babylon under pressure. It was a recipe for the Cougars to move on to the semifinal round. With the score tied late, Commack made just enough plays to secure the victory 54-52, ending North Babylon’s impressive season in heartbreaking fashion. This victory also “busted the brackets” of many local high school sports fans as many had the North Babylon bulldogs as a possible largeschool county finalist or winner.

With only four teams left in the Suffolk AAA bracket, Commack will visit Bay Shore this Friday evening at 5:00p.m. in one semifinal game, while the William Floyd Colonials will host Walt Whitman in the other semifinal. The winners of these two games will face each other in the large school county final next weekend at Stony Brook University.

Golden Again: What Team USA’s Hockey Victory Says About American Sports

By Raheem Soto

For a few nights this winter, hockey mattered again in America in a way it hasn’t for generations. When Team USA captured Olympic gold against Canada, the victory was about more than a medal. It was a reminder that even in a crowded sports landscape, the right moment can still capture the country’s attention.

The numbers told the story as clearly as the scoreboard. Television ratings surged as millions of Americans tuned in to watch a sport that usually lives in the shadow of football and basketball. The championship game became appointment viewing, drawing casual fans and lifelong hockey followers alike. In an era of endless streaming choices and shrinking audiences, it is no small thing when a sporting event can still bring people together at the same time.

The United States has not often owned the spotlight in international hockey. For decades, Canada has been the sport’s standard bearer, and American victories have been rare enough to stand out in memory. This gold medal showed something different — a program that has grown deeper, faster, and more confident on the world stage.

The game itself was played with the intensity you would expect from two nations that measure themselves against each other every time they meet on the ice. Team USA struck early and weathered the inevitable push from Canada, leaning on disciplined defense and strong goaltending to stay in control. When the game tightened late, the Americans found the plays they needed while Canada struggled to break through.

When the final horn sounded, the celebration felt familiar and new at the same time. Older fans thought back to Lake Placid, while younger viewers experienced their first true national hockey moment. The victory connected generations in a way only sports can.

The real impact may be felt long after the medal ceremony. Youth hockey programs across the country tend to see a surge in interest after Olympic success, and local rinks may soon see more kids picking up sticks for the first time. On Long Island and across Suffolk County, where youth hockey already has a strong presence, moments like this can inspire the next wave of players.

But the larger lesson is about attention in modern America. Sports compete not only with each other but with every form of entertainment imaginable. The Olympic final showed that when the stakes are real and the competition is authentic, audiences still respond.

For one winter night, the country paused to watch a puck slide across the ice and decide a championship. The ratings proved that the appetite is still there. The gold medal proved that American hockey belongs on the biggest stage.

The question now is whether this moment becomes a lasting spark or just another highlight remembered when the next Olympics arrive. Either way, Team USA reminded the nation that greatness in sports still has the power to bring people together — and sometimes that alone is worth its weight in gold.

Golden Girls: USA Women’s Hockey Strikes Gold in Milan

By Ashley Pavlakis

The United States Women’s National Ice Hockey Team won gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics! The United States battled its longtime rival, Canada, for the gold medal. The 2-1 overtime win sealed the deal and marked the third time the U.S. has won gold at the Olympics in women’s ice hockey. Gold in Nagano ‘98, gold in PyeongChang ‘18, and gold in Milan-Cortina ‘26.

I, personally, am a passionate women’s ice hockey fan. I’ve been watching the women’s game since 2013, and I’ve experienced the trials and tribulations as every other passionate sports fan does. I was heartbroken in 2014 when they lost in Sochi. I was up at the wee hours in 2018 when they won gold in PyeongChang. I suffered another heartbreak in Beijing 2022. This time, I was watching the overtime period in my boss’s office when they won gold in Milan-Cortina 2026.

The Olympic team took three players with ties to New York State to Milan: Hayley Scamurra, Gettsville, NY; Haley Winn, Rochester, NY; and Aerin Frankel, Chappaqua, NY.

The U.S. women’s hockey team has quite possibly put on its best performance to date in an international tournament. Let’s take a look at the numbers; they outscored their opponents 33 to 2, shut out their opponents in five out of seven games, scored five goals in every game except the final game, and went undefeated in the tournament. NY-native Aerin Frankel stood tall in the crease, serving as the brick wall behind the offensive power and structurally sound defense.

I’ve watched the players on Team USA compete for years. I’ve followed some of their careers since high school. I’ve seen them win National Championships in college, I’ve seen them win championships at the professional level, and I’ve seen some [6] win gold at the Olympics twice. I’m emotionally invested in this team, my heart rate spikes when they play Canada, and my mood is based entirely on whether they win or lose. I also thrive on obtaining and storing useless knowledge about the team that only brings me joy.  Canada struck first. My nerves, which were already in a spiral, were now even more on edge. There’s 2:04 left in regulation, and the captain, Hilary Knight, stepped up big and tied the game to force OT. It’s not US versus Canada without sudden death; that’s just a fact. What is normally agonizingly long only took 4:07 to clinch the gold. Megan Keller made quick work of the defender and slipped the puck behind Ann-Renee Desbiens off her backhand.

Free Bird blasted through the speakers inside Milano Santagiulia Ice Arena as the United States hightailed it off the bench and made a beeline for the Michigan native [Keller]. There are not many words to describe what it feels like to watch your favorite team win something shiny. Pure joy, maybe.  Team USA was made up of a mix of collegiate and veteran presence. The group was a cohesive unit in Milan, showcasing why they’re the best in the world. For some veterans, this Olympic cycle may be their last. For Hilary Knight, it was. She emerged on the international scene in 2006, in what was just the start of her illustrious ice hockey career. She’s been chasing gold since 2010. In her fifth and final Olympics she had a hand in securing the gold medal for her team, thus completing the storybook ending. In her final Olympic Games, Knight was selected, along with figure skater Evan Bates, to represent Team USA as the closing ceremony flag bearers.

The United States Women’s Ice Hockey Team came to Milan with one goal in mind: gold. Just because the Olympics are over doesn’t mean women’s hockey is too. They play collegiately in the NCAA and in the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League). Watch women’s sports, support women’s sports.

it blew them out of the water.

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear this was no ordinary performance, but a truly ambitious production brought to life through creativity, dedication, and an incredible spirit of collaboration.

It truly took a village—and a very large ocean—to make this show a success. With a massive ensemble of more than 80 cast members and a hardworking crew of over 30 students and staff, the production was one of the most “outstanding” to date. The vibrant energy on stage was matched by the technical magic behind the scenes, showcasing the talents of students in every aspect of theater, from performance to production.

The teamwork, commitment, and enthusiasm displayed throughout rehearsals and performances were nothing short of inspiring. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and creative team on a legendary run and a production that will be remembered long after the final bow.

CAST:

Ariel

– Charlotte Grossman

Prince Eric

– Chase Cotgreave

Ursula

– Avril Castellanos

Sebastian

– John Edwards

Flounder

– Aviana Innace

Scuttle

– Javian Matus

King Triton

– Liam Daly

Chef Louis

– Gina Sullivan

Grimsby

– Asher Batohie

Flotsam

– Nicole Ward

Jetsam

– Ashley Lanfranco

Pilot

– William Lazauskas

Carlotta

– Micaela Paniccia

Seahorse

– Olivia Pearl

Aquata (Mersister)

– Genesis Puerta

Andrina (Mersister)

– Hailey Hernandez

Arista (Mersister)

– Brianna Talbot

Atina (Mersister)

– Rylie Kirk

Adella (Mersister)

The Little Mermaid Jr. Makes a Big Splash at the Hauppauge MS

– Theodora Skarpalezos Calligeros

Allana (Mersister)

– Valentina Herrera Falen