County Legislature Issues Final Report on Cyber Attack
By Matt Meduri
The September 2022 cyber attack left the County, then governed by County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon), reeling with months of downed operations and services and a matter and timeline of response that earned criticism from other governmental officials, namely the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature.
The special committee released their final, sixtyfour page report on the cyber intrusion on Thursday.
Special Committee Chair Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) began the brief meeting by thanking the special committee, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) for his “leadership,” “creating” the special committee, and selecting Piccirillo as the chair. He also thanked Special Counsel Richard Donoghue, former acting deputy U.S. Attorney General, as well as the County employees of multiple departments who endured interviews and the stymied response time by the County.
Continued on page 16
Kings Park DRI Meeting Reviews Proposals for $10M Grant
By Matt Meduri
In January, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) visited Kings Park personally to deliver a check of almost $10 million specifically geared towards Kings Park’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The Town of Smithtown had applied for the grant for several consecutive years until the business district was identified as a candidate in the eyes of the State for funds to revitalize the area.
The first community meeting was held in June to educate the public on the process of submitting proposals, what the grant money could and could not cover, and set the terms of the process going forward.
Workshop meetings have been held throughout the summer, where a select panel of residents and business owners sit down with the State’s DRI task force to field and deliberate proposals from the public.
The second meeting, held last Thursday evening at the RJO Intermediate School on Old Dock Road, unveiled proposals for the funds, split into four separate goals outlined by the task force.
D.A. Seeks Public Help on Identifying ‘Asian Doe’
Residents view proposals at the DRI meeting on Thursday (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Members of the Special Committee on the Cyber Attack Pose with the Final Report (Credit - Matt Meduri)
A Walk Towards Grace Monthly Bereavement Series
Smithtown Matters
Disaster Relief Update from Legislator Kennedy
The Office of Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) received this email from Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, and thought it was pertinent to relay this information to the press.
Below is an email written by the Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner:
Good morning,
Please see the below message from Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services – Office of Emergency Management:
We were just informed the application for the New York Homes and Community Renewal emergency repair program for homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk counties has officially opened as of 9:00a.m. this [Monday] morning. The Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), has been named as the designated Local Program Administrator for the New York State Resilient and Ready Home Repair Grant Program.
As of this [Monday] morning, LIHP is inviting homeowners with direct damages sustained as a result of severe storms and flooding in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on August 18 and 19 to apply to the New York State Resilient and Ready Home Repair Grant Program. Per the program guidelines it is available on a first come, first served basis and the deadline to apply is October 7, 2024.
Funds allocated under this Program will be limited to emergency housing repairs necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable. Non urgent repairs or repairs to ancillary structures will not be funded under this program. Funds may only be used to address damage that occurred as a direct result of the storms and flooding as described above. Awards to homeowners for eligible activities, defined, here, on their Primary Residence, under this Program will be based only on the confirmed storm damage and the scope of work approved by the LPA. Homeowners may not qualify for a full grant award and in no event will the total grant award to any single applicant exceed $50,000. Homeowners Associations are not eligible entities. Homeowners must be income eligible, defined as an annual household income equal to or less than 150% of County Area Median Income based on household size. See below outlined in the chart:
Application: https://lihp.tfaforms.net/5103433
Program Guidelines: https://www.lihp.org/Content/resilient-and-ready-li-stormguidelines.pdf
Required Document Checklist: https://www.lihp.org/Content/Resilient_and_ Ready_Program_Checklist_Required_Documents.pdf
Any questions regarding this program should be directed to: NYSFloodProgram@ LIHP.org or by phone (631) 435-4710.
Volunteers NeededMeals on Wheels Drivers
The Town of Smithtown Senior Citizens Department is in need of Volunteer Drivers for its Meals on Wheels Program. Drivers deliver hot meals to the homebound elderly in Smithtown Township Mondays through Fridays. Mileage reimbursement is available.
We are currently experiencing a steep reduction in the availability of our dear volunteer drivers. Our Home Delivered Meal Program relies heavily on our volunteer drivers and their ability to deliver a hot meal to each of our clients.
The Nutrition Program currently serves 119 homebound seniors throughout the community. Without our volunteers’ help and generosity of time, these seniors may not receive a meal and will endure continued social isolation. Volunteers may give an hour or two of their time to help us deliver these meals. Options for daily, weekly and substitute drivers are available to any who choose to help.
If you have any questions, concerns or require more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Citizens Department at 631-360-7616. Thank you for your assistance.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 9 am –
State
Thursday, September 19, 2024
D.A. Tierney Seeks Public’s Help to Identify ‘Asian Doe’ in Gilgo Beach Murders
By Cait Crudden
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) held a press conference on Monday to provide updates on the ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, with a specific focus on a victim known as “Asian Doe.”
This unidentified individual, discovered April 4, 2011, is one of the many pieces in solving the puzzle of the gruesome serial killings that have haunted the Long Island community.
The victim, who was biologically male but found dressed in women’s clothing, has remained unidentified since being discovered near Gilgo Beach. Despite significant efforts from law enforcement and forensic experts, little has been known about this victim until now. At the press conference, D.A. Tierney revealed a new sketch of “Asian Doe,” (at right) created by forensic anthropologists and artists, and called on the public to help identify the victim and restore their name.
The sketch, the result of a collaborative effort between forensic experts and law enforcement, provides the most detailed visual representation of the victim ever released. Tierney emphasized that the creation of the sketch marks a significant development in the investigation, as law enforcement officials work to both identify “Asian Doe” and uncover more details about their life and potential connection to the other victims in the case.
“Today we are asking for the public’s help in identifying a victim known as ‘Asian Doe,’” remarked Tierney. He continued to description of the victim and the circumstances surrounding his death stating he was between the ages on 17-23, of southern Chinese descent, approximately 5’6”, dressed in women’s clothing including a ‘Chrysanthemum’ blue-ribbed short sleeved shirt with a crew neck, ‘Rafaella’ brand shirt, ‘Bill Blass’ pants, and a bra.
Sadly, the victim was killed violently by blunt force trauma, during or prior to 2006, and found in the vicinity of two of the other Gilgo Beach murder victims. “Asian Doe” was not wrapped in burlap. It is believed the victim possibly worked as a sex worker. Identifying this individual, Tierney said, has been a challenge.
Tierney explained that forensic anthropologists were able to create the sketch by examining the victim’s skeletal remains, using advanced techniques to determine facial features, bone structure, and potential ethnic background which was determined to be of Southern Chinese Han descent. While the victim’s remains indicated he was biologically male, the clothing and presentation suggest he may have been living as a woman.
Tierney expressed hope that the release of this sketch would generate new leads and assist in identifying “Asian Doe,” urging anyone with information to come forward.
“This is a call to action,” stated Tierney. “We want to enlist the public’s help to identify ‘Asian Doe.’”
An officer was available at the press conference to translate this call to action into Mandarin, in hopes to reach further into the Asian American communities throughout New York City and Long Island.
The Gilgo Beach murders, one of Long Island’s most notorious serial killing cases, date back to 2010 when human remains were first discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Since then, the bodies of 11 individuals, including “Asian Doe,” have been discovered in the area, all believed to be the victims of the same killer or killers. Many of the victims were sex workers, and investigators have struggled for years to piece together the clues surrounding their deaths.
To date, Rex Heuermann is the prime suspect being prosecuted by Tierney. He has so far alleged to have murdered the original “Gilgo Four,” Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman. In June, Heuermann was indicted for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, the former victim’s remains linking Heuermann’s presence in Manorville, which was later corroborated by records of a sport shooting club nearby the site of Taylor’s remains. The June indictments also link Heuermann to one of the earliest murders in the Gilgo Beach case, which may or may not link him to the fates of other victims.
Heuermann’s house was raided before the indictment in the latter two cases, which produced a myriad of evidence, including, but not limited to, hard drives, tapes, a collection of gruesome pornographic materials, and a manifesto that he allegedly used to plan and hide his crimes. The manifesto was partly inspired by John Douglas’ 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, to which specific page numbers were referenced by Heuermann.
Despite numerous advancements in forensic technology and persistent efforts by law enforcement, several of the victims remain unidentified, including “Asian Doe.” This latest development represents another crucial step in the quest for answers in a case that has captivated the nation for over a decade.
During the press conference, Tierney reiterated the importance of public involvement in the case.
“Please share this information far and wide,” said Tierney. “Let’s get this victim identified. Let’s get this victim their name back”.
The press conference closed with a reminder that the Gilgo Beach investigation remains active and that the Suffolk County DA’s office, along with law enforcement partners, will continue to seek justice for the victims and their families. District Attorney Tierney thanked all the Task Force Members and Law Enforcement involved in these cases.
Anyone with information about “Asian Doe” or any aspect of the Gilgo Beach murders is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline, which is accepting anonymous tips with a $2500 award. They also have a “Help ID Me” Facebook page available for tips as well.
Suffolk County Honors Local Heroes at Senior Awards Ceremony
By Cait Crudden
This past Thursday, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and members of the Suffolk County Legislature hosted a special Senior Awards Ceremony, honoring seniors from across the county’s districts for their outstanding contributions to their communities. The event, held at the H. Lee Dennison building, celebrated the countless hours of volunteer work, civic engagement, and local organizing that these seniors have dedicated toward improving their neighborhoods.
The ceremony highlighted the incredible impact of Suffolk County’s senior citizens, many of whom have devoted years to helping others and fostering a sense of community. Their efforts have ranged from organizing town events and working with local nonprofits to spearheading civic engagement initiatives and offering support to fellow community members in need.
County Executive Romaine praised the seniors for their unwavering commitment, noting the powerful influence they have had on their communities. He acknowledged that their contributions to the communities they live in are “priceless” and full of wisdom and knowledge.
“Our senior citizens serve as the heart of our communities. This week, I recognized nearly 20 residents who were nominated as Senior of the Year by the Suffolk County office of the Aging,” remarked Romaine. “These residents inspire our neighbors and contribute as community leaders, volunteers and advocates”.
The day also served as a reminder of the significant role seniors play in maintaining the
vibrancy of local life. Each senior honored has been active in promoting programs that benefit their neighbors, from volunteering at food banks and leading charity events to organizing clean-up efforts and supporting Veterans.
The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Senior of the Year award, which was given to Miriam Gillies of Center Moriches. Gillies was recognized for her tireless efforts in making her community a better place for everyone. Her deeprooted commitment to civic engagement and volunteerism has had a lasting impact on Center Moriches, where she has played a pivotal role in organizing community events, including local festivals, senior programming, and environmental clean-ups.
Gillies, who has been involved in community organizing for over three decades, expressed her gratitude for the recognition. She was truly honored and loves to be part of a community that works together to support one another. She talked of her struggles beating cancer and having vision issues, but that has not deterred her from lending a helping hand. County Executive stated, “Congratulations to Miriam Gillies from Center Moriches who is the
recipient of the 2024 Senior of the Year Award”.
In addition to Gillies, dozens of other seniors from various legislative districts were recognized for their unique contributions to their towns and villages. Each honoree was presented with a proclamation from the County Executive and their respective district legislator as a formal expression of appreciation for the work they do every day to make Suffolk County a better place to live.
The collective community service hours of the honorees were described as “staggering,” underscoring the profound impact that these seniors have had. Their passion for helping others and investing in the betterment of their communities has not only improved the quality of life in Suffolk County but has also set an example for future generations.
The Senior Awards Ceremony was a heartwarming tribute to a generation that continues to give back in meaningful ways. As Suffolk County moves forward, the leadership and dedication demonstrated by these seniors will remain a guiding force, ensuring that their legacy of service endures for years to come.
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved the Townline Rail application for a 5,000-foot rail line onto the CarlsonCorp property in Kings Park.
During a thorough Environmental Assessment, the STB addressed questions and concerns raised by residents. Unfortunately, misinformation continues to circulate in the community. You can read the STB’s full environmental findings by scanning the QR Code below.
HazMat Because the Town of Smithtown and the State DEC have jurisdiction over the transloading facility and will not permit hazardous materials to be transloaded at the facility, materials such as chlorine, petroleum products, or other hazardous chemicals will not be transloaded on or off of rail cars coming in and out of Townline Rail.
Hours of Operation Loading and unloading of material will take place under our permitted hours of operation Monday through Saturday with one train per day in and out; this will not be a 24/7 facility.
Truck Traffic Transportation of sand, gravel, and other materials to the industries along Old Northport Road by rail reduces truck traffic into the area from other locations. Shipping ash and construction debris off Long Island by rail significantly reduces truck traffic on our major highways.
Environment The STB’s analysis states that with mitigation measures that we have agreed to, there will be minimal to no adverse environmental impacts (EA at pg. iii) and “no impacts on groundwater.” (EA at pg. 50)
Zoning The Town of Smithtown updated Master Plan acknowledges the history of Old Northport Road as an industrial corridor which contributes to the local economy and states this area is not for residential development. The best option for the future
Townline Rail is an environmentally preferred alternative to trucking materials off Long Island. It will reduce emissions and traffic congestion and is recognized as a more cost-effective option to trucking. The Townline Rail Terminal will save taxpayers money, create jobs, and benefit the environment. To learn more, visit CarlsonCorp.com.
Townline Rail must now apply to the New York State DEC and the Town of Smithtown for authorization to construct the transloading facility. With this next step, we believe it is important to address some of the following misconceptions about this project:
Proposed Townline Rail Terminal
The Temperature is Clearly Not Turned Down
After the near-death experience President Donald Trump (R-FL) had at his July rally in Pennsylvania, the world was shocked. Elected officials, talking heads, and voters on both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the unprecedented act of political violence that has not been since the attempt on Ronald Reagan’s (R-CA) life in 1981. All were quick to call for the “temperature to be turned down,” regarding rhetoric surrounding the highly contentious 2024 election.
It seemed that the social unrest had hit a fever pitch. The attempt on Trump’s life communicated to all Americans, regardless of party registration, that this is simply not the path our country should take, nor is it a reflection of our core values and the desires of the general population. Moreover, it sets a horrible precedent that communicates to our enemies that we are unstable and ungovernable. Should the United States descend into a state of violence, something we hope and pray is avoided, it would only blacklist the country on the world stage. Who would want to do business with a country on the brink of civil war where political violence is the unfortunate new normal?
That’s why we were just as shocked as anyone else to see yet another attempt on Trump’s life over the weekend. A quiet, peaceful Sunday afternoon turned into another high-anxiety episode in the increasingly-contentious saga of modern American politics. Thankfully, Secret Service identified a rifle barrel protruding from the bushes while Trump was playing the fifth hole at his resort in Palm Beach. After firing a round of shots at the bush, the perpetrator dropped his weapon and fled the scene, leaving behind the AK-style rifle, two backpacks, a spotting scope, and a GoPro camera.
He was apprehended in neighboring Martin County and a deep-dive shows his criminal record dating back nearly twenty years.
Regardless of the suspect’s record, online political discourse, and apparent frequent donations to ActBlue, the fact is that Trump was spared yet a second time. The split-second, almost unconscious reaction to turn his head towards the megatron in Pennsylvania saved his life. Yet again, a split-second reaction from Secret Service seems to have saved it again.
God unquestionably has His hand over Donald Trump, and true to Trump’s oftrepeated phrase “never give up,” he clearly shows no signs of relenting on the campaign
trail. But it serves as a stark reminder just how close we are to being so far gone, down the path of nearly no return, at least not for years should the U.S. decide that chaos and unprecedented violence is the answer.
We’ll echo the same point we made after the first assassination attempt: what do you expect when you compare someone to Adolf Hitler for almost ten years? We place the blame on the mainstream media for feeding into the political divisions in our country and even creating, in some cases, the propaganda that fuels the concerns of individuals who see such discourse as a call to action, rather than political disagreements.
We’ll also point out the irony of the whole situation: the same people who have called him a dictator and an existential threat to a democracy – even though we’re more a constitutional republic (more on that on Page 14) – are now wishing him well and saying there’s no place for such violence in this country.
Thankfully, blood wasn’t spilled on either occasion - save for the blood that dripped from Trump’s ear in Pennsylvania - but blood is effectively on the hands of the mainstream media and certain politicians who have called Trump a “dictator” and have urged the public to take matters into their own hands.
We also commend the president for his resilience. We know that if anyone else had survived not one, but two assassination attempts in just two months, that person likely would make themselves as scarce and hard-to-find as possible.
Trump, on the other hand, never seems to give up and never seems interested in surrendering. That should tell the electorate something very important about who he is and where his priorities lie. Some say that, if elected, he’ll start World War III, impoverish the country, and take everyone’s rights away. He was already president and none of those things happened. He’s clearly not running to implement those changes, and if he was hell-bent on serving himself, he’d certainly do himself a service and quit the race the first time a bullet grazed his ear.
It’s a sad time in American politics, but it’s never a sad time to be an American. Our resilience, compassion, and strive for greatness has known no bounds since we began as the Thirteen Colonies, and we’re optimistic that we won’t lose those qualities any time soon.
Suffolk Needs to Hear from Incompetent Leadership Responsible for Hack
Last Thursday, the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature investigating the crippling September 2022 cyber attack that took down County services for months released their final report on the incident.
We commend the leadership of Chairman Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) (pictured), Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and the rest of the bipartisan panel investigating the matter. We also commend the countless County employees who were rigorously interrogated by the committee, as well as the employees who had to deal with the nightmare scenario in which Suffolk was left in the wake of the attack. We can’t imagine working in such a scenario and their resilience in keeping the County running with severely limited resources and a compromised Information Technology (IT) department should be recognized.
But the report is as detailed as it is lengthy: sixty-four pages of how the County’s IT heads spectacularly missed all the red flags and whose seemingly apathetic conduct led to the worst cyber-attack in our County’s history.
If this was a surprise attack conducted with state-of-theart software that fooled every staff member and circumvented every failsafe, then we could just say that that’s an unfortunate circumstance and what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
Unfortunately, for the sake of the County employees whose personal information was compromised, and for the sake of the taxpayers who had to foot a $25 million bill in recovery and remediation efforts, that’s not the case.
Warning signs developed as early as 2019, when the County became aware of the Log4j free-to-download software used to collect and manage data about system activity. The software ended up being used to comb the County’s systems for activity and was perhaps the hackers’ prime tool in holding the data for ransom. The fact that then-IT Commissioner Scott Mastellon and company were not preparing the County’s network for Log4j vulnerabilities is an “IT 101” failure.
The other rookie mistake made by the IT department was creating a “passthrough” for external Internet traffic destined for the County Clerk’s office, then led by Clerk Judy Pascale (R-Moriches). The report outlines “bitter disagreement” between who commissioned the pass-through, either IT or the Clerk’s office, but what remains certain is that only the IT Department could have configured it. In layman’s terms, a pass-through is basically a great way to ensure web traffic is not properly vetted and going through the perfect channels. It’s one thing if you’re managing systems for a small
office with traffic going from one department to another, but to implement the same change between the IT center and the Clerk’s office of the largest suburban county in the nation is not just egregiously irresponsible, it’s unconscionable altogether.
Only to add another squeeze of lemon juice over the paper cut was that the firewall device circumvented by the IT Department-created pass-through had been out-of-date since 2019. Keeping such equipment in place for so long after it had reached end-of-life is another rookie mistake for any IT department, but to sanction a pass-through to allow external web traffic around that device simply reeks of incompetence.
Only in the days leading up to the September breach did IT and communications executives notice things didn’t quite look right, with a suspicious set of files downloaded for which no member of the IT staff could account.
However, the damage was already done and the hackers were in. It was only a matter of seconds until they started encrypting and stealing data, initially asking for a $2.5 million ransom, later reducing it to $600,000.
Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) told The Messenger ahead of Thursday’s committee hearing that the County “should have just paid the ransom.” He posits that if the County had done so, it’s likely that the systems could have been up and running sooner and it would have avoided nearly $25 million in recovery efforts.
We don’t have the expertise to agree or disagree with Trotta, but it’s worth mentioning as he is a member of the select committee that investigated the hack.
Then-County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) also vicariously benefitted from his own emergency declaration, which allowed him to award no-bid contracts during that period. It’s a rather fortunate byproduct of the hack, but one that clearly didn’t invoke a reason for lifting the declaration until over a year after the hack. Granted, County systems were down for months, but it’s an interesting facet nonetheless.
Overall, the fact that the County’s systems were essentially wide open for as long as they were, with massive vulnerabilities throughout, is inexcusable and former officials need to answer now that the final report is out. We’re thankful for the County Legislature’s investigative committee and the current administration’s prioritization of obtaining cyber insurance for the County.
It’s an ugly saga that now seems more behind us than in front of us, but constant vigilance will be required going forward. It’s at least the bare minimum for any respectable IT department.
Four Years Later: Cuomo’s Continued Covid Lies Leave Families Without Answers
By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
In the months following the Cuomo Administration’s March 2020 order forcing nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, we have learned the administration leaned heavily on misinformation, cover-ups and outright lies to avoid taking responsibility for one of the worst public health decisions in recent memory. More than 15,000 long-term care residents died during the pandemic, and their families continue to wait for answers.
Earlier this week, the former governor had a chance to give thousands of families some closure by owning up to his mistakes and providing real answers when he testified before Congress about the state’s handling of the pandemic. Unfortunately, he did nothing of the sort.
Instead, we got more of the same finger-pointing and misdirection. As he has done time and again, the former governor deflected responsibility and refused to acknowledge the facts. His administration’s actions led to people dying in adult care facilities, then it intentionally undercounted those deaths by several thousand—in reality, he underreported the death toll by 50% and was called out by Attorney General Letitia James for doing so.
Making matters worse, Governor Kathy Hochul (D), Cuomo’s former lieutenant, seems uninterested in righting the wrongs of her predecessor. The independent report she ordered from Virginia-based consulting firm the Olson Group to investigate the matter was woefully inadequate.
We have been talking about the state’s COVID-19 response for too long. It has been more than four years of vagaries and finger pointing, and it has been nearly impossible
to move on for many of those directly impacted. Massive mistakes were made at the state level, which should never be repeated, but they must first be honestly acknowledged. Neither the Cuomo nor Hochul administrations, seem interested in doing so, and that has become apparent every time the matter is publicly raised.
The Assembly Minority Conference, good government groups and officials from both political parties have repeatedly demanded the truth from former Governor Andrew Cuomo. We have introduced legislation, written letters, repeatedly requested hearings, called for subpoenas and demanded answers on behalf of those impacted, because an open and honest dialogue about what happened still hasn’t taken place. We will continue to seek answers for the sake of our state and the thousands of families who lost their loved ones, and it is my sincere hope we can finally close the book on this dark chapter of failed leadership.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@nyassembly.gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or Twitter at @WillABarclay.
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader and has represented the 120th Assembly District since 2003. The 120th District contains most of Oswego County and parts of Jefferson and Onondaga counties.
Everyone in Washington Says They Are Pro-Family, but SSI is Anti-Family
By Mark X. Cronin
Qualifying for SSI requires that you meet three criteria: Have a qualifying disability; have an income under the income levels; have no more than $2,000 in assets
We’re focusing here on the asset limit of $2,000.
The current asset limit to qualify for SSI is an archaic $2,000 per person. This threshold was set in 1989 and has remained unchanged since. Think about that for a moment—1989! Just imagine if your salary or benefits hadn’t increased in over 30 years. Inflation has risen, cost of living has skyrocketed, but SSI’s limits have remained frozen in time.
For couples, the issue gets even worse. If two individuals who each qualify for SSI decide to marry, the asset limit for the couple is only $3,000 combined. Yes, you read that correctly— Congress somehow made 2 + 2 = 3. Instead of encouraging and supporting families, SSI punishes marriage by lowering the asset limit, forcing couples to live in financial insecurity. This is not just unfair—it’s anti-family. I would suggest that it is anti-love.
You can claim to support families, but policies like the SSI asset level say otherwise. The current SSI asset limit forces people to make the decision not to marry. That is an immoral policy. It is time for a change.
Advocating for the Rights of People with Differing Abilities
At John’s Crazy Socks, we are committed to spreading happiness and showing what people with differing abilities can do. After all, John is an entrepreneur with Down Syndrome and every day he shows that Down syndrome never holds him back.
As part of our mission, we advocate for the rights of people with differing abilities. We speak up for people who are often not heard or ignored. We have travelled to Washington and met locally with members of Congress to advocate for a change in the SSI asset levels. We return to Capitol Hill later this month as part of the CEO Commission for Disability Employment to push for a change in the SSI asset levels.
A Solution: The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
There is hope. There is a bi-partisan bill before Congress that would make the necessary changes. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408 / S. 2767) proposes a much-needed reform. Here’s what this bill would do:
• Raise the asset limit to $10,000 per person: The first increase in over 35 years, helping individuals save for emergencies, education, and other needs without losing their SSI benefits.
• Raise the asset limit for married couples to $20,000: Finally, 1 + 1 will equal 2, treating couples fairly and supporting families instead of penalizing them.
• Tie future increases to the rate of inflation: Ensuring that the asset limit adjusts with rising costs, preventing this issue from becoming outdated again.
This bill is essential for ensuring that individuals with differing abilities and their families are not forced into poverty simply because they want to save money or get married. SSI should help people, not make their lives harder. Everyone deserves a chance to live and thrive, whether they’re single or married.
Why This Matters for Families
The SSI program is supposed to support people with disabilities, but under the current asset limits, it traps them in a cycle of poverty. If an individual saves more than $2,000, they lose access to their SSI benefits. That means no emergency fund, no saving for education, no building a future. And for married couples, the problem is worse—the combined asset limit is lower than for two individuals. It’s not just financially oppressive; it sends a clear message that family life isn’t valued. Imagine a married couple who each qualify for SSI. Together, they are only allowed to have
$3,000 in assets. That’s barely enough for a reliable car, let alone the safety net that most families need for unexpected expenses like medical emergencies, home repairs, or education costs. This forces many couples to choose between marriage and financial survival, which is not a decision any family should have to make.
The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would change that, giving individuals and couples more breathing room and the ability to build a secure future.
This isn’t just about money; it’s about dignity. Everyone deserves the chance to live a full life without worrying about losing their benefits.
We Are Taking Action
At John’s Crazy Socks, we don’t just talk about change—we work for it. That’s why we’re part of the CEO Commission on Disability Employment, a national initiative aimed at advocating for policies that promote equality and employment for people with differing abilities. We’re also actively involved in meeting with members of Congress, urging them to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act.
John and I have had the privilege of speaking with lawmakers and advocating for this critical issue. They have shared stories from our customers, our colleagues, and our community about how these outdated policies are negatively affecting their lives. We know change is possible, but it will take collective action.
As John says, “We’re not just here to sell socks; we’re here to make the world better for people with differing abilities.” That’s why we urge you to take action. Call your representatives and senators. Let them know you support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act and that it’s time for a change.
How You Can Help
Now, more than ever, we need your help to bring this issue to the forefront. Here’s how you can get involved:
• Contact Your Elected Officials: Reach out to your Congressional Representative and your Senators. Ask them to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408 / S. 2767). Let them know that raising the asset limits is crucial for supporting individuals with differing abilities and their families.
• Share Your Story: If you or someone you know has been impacted by SSI’s outdated asset limits, share your story. Personal stories make a powerful impact and can help convince lawmakers to act.
• Spread the Word: Share this article with your friends and family. The more people who know about this issue, the more pressure we can put on Congress to act.
Let’s push Congress to make a positive change. If our Senators and Representatives want to claim to support families, let’s have them show it. Pass the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. Promote marriage. Promote love.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $750,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, we are Spreading Happiness™.
Suffolk County Officials Urge Hochul to Expand Veteran Tuition Assistance
By Cait Crudden
A press conference was held this past week at the Armed Forces Plaza in front of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, where Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and a coalition of local leaders gathered to advocate for expanded educational benefits for veterans. The officials called on Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to sign into law a newly passed bill that would extend tuition assistance to all New York veterans, not just those who served during wartime or combat missions.
Joined by key figures such as Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Veterans Committee, Legislators Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), and Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Deputy Director of Veterans Services for Suffolk County Jim Brennan, and New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), County Executive Romaine and more emphasized the importance of this legislation for the state’s Veteran community.
The press conference focused on a crucial piece of legislation that has already garnered bipartisan support in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill, if signed into law, would provide all Veterans residing in New York with tuition assistance for up to four years at State University of New York (SUNY) tuition rates to any school of their choosing. Veterans would also have the option to use the funding for vocational or trade schools, offering them a pathway to further education and career development in gratitude for their service.
“This press conference is to ask our Governor, please sign this bill. Not only please sign this bill, but I’m offering an invitation which I delivered to her assistant Mr. Calarco a few minutes ago that said Governor, Suffolk County has more Veterans than any other County in the State of New York and it has the second most Veterans in the United States. Come to Suffolk, sign this bill,” remarked Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
The current law limits educational benefits to veterans who served during wartime and combat missions. The proposed expansion would remove
that restriction, ensuring that all veterans, regardless of when or where they served, can receive the support they need to pursue higher education or vocational training.
Legislator Chad Lennon, a Marine Reservist, highlighted this point.
“Secluding state education assistance to only Veterans in combat misses an entire demographic of Veterans who signed up for service during wartime,” said Lennon.
“Some Veterans were injured during the work up to a deployment and were unable to deploy. This may lead to survivors’ guilt. We also have service members who transported and prepared the bodies of service member who were killed in action. Our State must recognize all veterans who served to support and defend our nation”.
Nick Caracappa (pictured above), who chairs Suffolk County’s Veterans Committee, spoke passionately about the necessity of this expansion, especially for Suffolk County, which boasts the largest Veteran population in New York State. Assemblyman Ed Flood emphasized that education is one of the most valuable gifts societies can provide veterans to help them reintegrate into civilian life and build successful careers.
“New York is home to nearly 800,000 military Veterans, all of whom are deserving of an opportunity to achieve a high-quality higher education in our state,” said Flood (pictured left)
The press conference comes at a critical time, with the bill awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature. Legislators and officials expressed their hope that the governor would not delay in making this transformative bill a reality. They also extended an invitation for her to come to Suffolk County to sign the bill in front of the community that stands to benefit the most.
“Do yourself and this state a tremendous favor by remembering our Veterans and their service. We have an all-volunteer army, it’s not a draft army, it’s a volunteer. We want to encourage people to serve their country,” said Romaine. “What better way than saying, ‘when you get out, we haven’t forgotten about you, we’re remembering you and we are offering you tuition assistance.’”
As Suffolk County continues to advocate for its Veterans, this expansion of tuition assistance represents a critical step in honoring and supporting those who have served. With a unified call for action, local leaders hope to see the legislation signed into law in the coming weeks, providing a brighter future for Veterans across New York State.
National, State and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
Sunday night saw what appears to be another assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump (R-FL) (pictured below right)
The attempt comes just two months after Trump was shot was delivering a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Palm Beach County authorities say that suspect Ryan Wesley Routh was about five hundred yards away from Trump, hiding in bushes, while the former president was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that the bushes around the course can conceal someone to the point that “they’re pretty much out of sight.” Bradshaw adds that if Trump were the sitting president, the entire golf course would have been lined with personnel, but since he’s not in office, Secret Service employs security where they deem necessary and possible.
gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
President Joe Biden (D-DE) is also “relieved” that Trump was not harmed.
In election news, the three final statewide primaries before the general election were held last Tuesday. Voters in Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island hit the polls to select nominees for congressional, gubernatorial, and senatorial offices.
Secret Service agents noticed an AK-style rifle barrel protruding from the bushes. Secret Service fired, causing Routh to drop the gun and flee the scene in an SUV. He left behind two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera.
I-95 near Palm Beach was shut down following the incident, and Routh was stopped in neighboring Martin County.
Records show that Routh, 58, lived in North Carolina for the majority of his life until relocating to Hawaii in 2018. Routh’s social media posts show frequent discussion of the Ukraine war and even had a website to raise money and recruit volunteers to go to Kiev to fight the invasion from the ground.
His posts also show support for thenCongresswoman and then-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard. Since 2019, Routh is observed to have made nineteen donations totalling $140 from his Hawaii address to ActBlue, a political action committee that works to elect Democratic candidates. Routh is registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina, but voted in person in the state’s Democratic primary in March.
Records also show that in 2002, he was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction while living in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” Trump wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
“DHS and the Secret Service are closely working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to learn all of the facts surrounding this incident,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “The safety and security of Presidential candidates and other protectees is the highest priority for the Secret Service.”
Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) wrote on X, “I have been briefed on reports of
The biggest story is in New Hampshire, where former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R) emerged with 63% of the vote in a gubernatorial primary that featured five other candidates. Incumbent four-term Governor Chris Sununu (R) is retiring.
New Hampshire is one of two states, the other being Vermont, that limits its governors to two-year terms, with no term limits. Sununu flipped the seat in 2016 and was re-elected by increasingly large margins each year to become one of the most popular governors in the country.
Ayotte began her political career as New Hampshire Attorney General in 2004, leaving in 2009. She rode the 2010 red wave to win the open Senate seat by a whopping twenty-three points. In 2016, however, Ayotte would narrowly lose reelection to then-Governor Maggie Hassan (D). Hassan defeated Ayotte by 1,017 votes, or 0.14%, out of over 700,000 ballots cast. It was the closest Senate race of that cycle and also the closest Senate race in New Hampshire since 1974.
Ayotte’s loss resulted in the first time a Democrat had won this Senate seat since 1974, and the second time since 1932. Hassan’s flip of this seat, as well as Democrats’ flip in NH-01, resulted in the first time Democrats had full control of the Granite State’s congressional delegation since 1854.
Ayotte now seeks a political comeback to keep New Hampshire in the red column on the gubernatorial map, working alongside a state legislature with a razorthin Republican majority. Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig (D) won the Democratic primary and will face Ayotte in November.
New Hampshire is one of two hotly competitive gubernatorial races this year, the other being North Carolina. An intrinsically libertarian state, one with classically independent overtones, New Hampshire’s governor’s race is not likely to be dependent on the concurrent presidential race in the state.
times red-leaning, of New Hampshire’s two districts, but Pappas starts out as the slight favorite. The district includes Manchester, Portsmouth, and Laconia.
In NH-02, entrenched six-term incumbent Ann Kuster (D) is retiring, leaving an open contest in what’s been a relatively uncompetitive district since the late 2000s. Former Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Maggie Goodlander (D) will face off against Lily Williams (R), the latter of whom dispatched twelve other Republicans for the nomination.
NH-02 covers the western two-thirds of the state, taking in the capital Concord, the Dartmouth home of Hanover, collegeeducated enclaves on the Connecticut River, and the sparsely-populated northern part of the state. More Democratic on paper, the race could become competitive with an open seat. Before Biden quit the presidential race, the last Granite State poll taken showed Trump ahead in both congressional districts. The spectacle ends in Delaware, however, as Democrats are highly likely to retain its trifecta of open seats this year.
New Castle County (Wilmington) County Executive Matt Meyer (D) secured the Democratic nomination to succeed termlimited Governor John Carney (D). He faces Delaware House Minority Leader Mike Ramone (R). Meyer defeated Lieutenant Governor and Carney endorsee Bethany Hall-Long (D) in the primary.
Republicans have not won a gubernatorial race in Delaware since 1988.
Four-term Senator Tom Carper (D) is retiring and the favorite to replace him is Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) over businessman Eric Hansen (R). Neither saw contested primaries.
Republicans have not won a Senate race in Delaware since 1994.
In the race for the open House seat, State Senator Sarah McBride (D) won the primary and will be heavily favored over John Whalen III (R) in November. McBride is the first openly transgender state senator in the country and is currently the highestranking transgender elected official in U.S. history. Should McBride win in November, which is likely due to Delaware’s blue profile, McBride would be the first openly transgender member of Congress.
In NH-01, Russell Prescott (R) earned the right to face three-term Congressman Chris Pappas (D). Pappas won the open seat in 2018 and survived a tough fight from Karoline Leavitt (R) in 2022. NH-01 is seen as the more competitive, and at
production in New York State. London shouldn’t exist. Forget about Georgia. I’m a little aggressive, as you can tell,” said Hochul. She added that New York, under her leadership, has increased its production tax credits, but that she is looking to “make that even better.”
Disney has had a major office in New York City for many years, long calling the Upper West Side its home. The company is relocating its office downtown.
“The talent wants to be in New York… all the talent wants to be here, either they started here, they have friends here, or they have family here, but they will go where the show goes. So, we have to continue making it worth their while to do this,” said Hochul.
The Governor added that she has visited Hollywood to sit down with major producers to pitch incentives afforded to them by the Empire State. She concedes that despite New York’s auspicious role as a film locale, it comes down to fiscal matters for most producers.
“When we think about what sets us apart, it is really our creative talent, and when people see productions being made on their streets, it just feels like it’s a cool place to live,” said Hochul. “And I’m always trying to up the cool factor.”
In other news surrounding the Governor, Hochul recently underwent a procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma from her nose.
The cancer was reportedly removed with a local anesthesia and the Governor was back on the job within a few hours.
Basal cell carcinoma is considered the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for about eight of ten skin cancers according to the American Cancer Society. It usually develops on the most sun-exposed areas of the body.
Moles or pigmented spots that are growing, showing signs of asymmetry, irregular edges, or uneven colors may be signs of basal cell carcinoma.
Local
Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) recently announced that 9/11 responders to the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, who were active-duty Department of Defense (DOD), soldiers, sailors, as well as civilians, and other federal employees will now be able to join the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).
Finally, in Rhode Island, three-term Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) easily dispatched his primary opponent and remains a heavy favorite for re-election over State
Representative Patricia Morgan (R).
Rhode Island has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2000.
State
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) (pictured above left) said that she has met with Disney CEO Bob Iger in hopes of bringing more film projects and jobs to the Empire State.
“I was just sitting down with Bob Iger yesterday talking about how I want more
The provision that includes these first responders was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, and $444 million to address the program’s shortfall was also included in its budget.
“September 11, 2001, was a horrific day for New York, for our country, and for the world. It is our duty to ensure that all survivors and responders still suffering today from 9/11-related illnesses are given access to the health care they need,” said Garbarino. “Whether caused by exposure in lower Manhattan, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, or at the Pentagon, all 9/11-related illnesses are the result of a foreign terror attack on America. I am proud to have helped secure language in the NDAA to enable excluded responders to participate in the WTCHP and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure 9/11 responders, survivors, and families are taken care of.”
Photo by Shealah
Continued from front cover
Kings Park DRI Meeting Reviews Proposals for $10M Grant
Goal One - Connectivity and Safety
The first goal is connectivity and safety, mostly including streetscape improvement and pedestrian safety. The first proposal, sponsored by the Town, would implement such additions along Main Street from Park Avenue to Patiky Street, Meadow Road West to First Avenue, and Church Street to Old Dock Road. It would improve walkability and safety for both pedestrians and drivers. Main Street to Dawson Avenue to Patiky Street would be partly funded by Suffolk County, while Dawson to Park would be funded by DRI.
Improvements may include bulb-outs, reduced curb cuts, widened sidewalks, accessible pedestrian ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks. The proposal would also include sitting spaces, lighting, street trees, trash receptacles, wayfinding signage, and a reconfigured parking lot near 75-85 Main Street to provide central parking within the downtown.
Estimate: $7 million, $4.5 million of which would be funded by DRI.
The Town also proposed a pathway from the LIRR station to Main Street and Russ Savatt Park.
Estimate: $500,000, 100% of which could be funded by DRI.
The Town, in conjunction with the Smithtown Library, also proposed a new village and library green with trail head upgrade. It would convert the western portion of an underutilized Municipal Parking Lot and parts of the library’s open space into a new village green. It would feature a gazebo, a multi-functional outdoor learning and discovery area, a new playground, community garden, bandstand stage, and seating. Pedestrian and bicycle connections would also be implemented with connections to the Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail Head along the proposed village green.
Estimate: $3 million, 100% of which could be funded by DRI.
Goal Two - Business and Economy
Kings Park Realty Holding, LLC, proposed a main street renovation. It would renovate an existing three-story building (9,000 square feet), including interior upgrades for the ground-floor Umai Asian Bistro, its basement, nine existing apartments on the upper floors, and an expanded outdoor patio of 1,550 square feet. Interior renovations would include HVAC and electrical upgrades, while exterior improvements would consist of facade and window upgrade, siding, landscaping, insulation, and roofing.
This proposal’s estimate is $1.4 million, $1 million of which could be funded by DRI.
50-56 Main Street, LLC, proposed upgrades to the facade of the shopping plaza at the address, along with its 0.2-acre parking lot. Improvements would include a uniformed brick facade and a new central entrance with a tower design consistent with downtown aesthetics. The back and sides of the building would also be waterproofed and sealed.
Estimate: $412,000, 75% of which could be funded by DRI.
ASVP Restaurant Group, LLC, proposed a renovation for Ciro’s at 74 Main Street. Capital improvements include new windows, a garage door facade, updated brickwork, door and facade renovations, new lighting, and an outdoor patio, the last of which would include about 600 square feet of outdoor dining space.
Estimate: $140,000, 75% of which could be funded by DRI.
M. Macdougall and Connicks Corner, Inc., proposed renovations for Celtic Crossings, located at 83 Pulaski Road. It would include septic system upgrades, parking areas, facades, and a new patio area. Siding and lighting are also proposed to improve aesthetics. 120 seats would be added to the outdoor patio area, along with beverage services to increase street-level activity. It would allow the
establishment to become a food purveyor in addition to current services.
Estimate: $410,000, 75% could be funded by DRI.
J. Mejia and Pueblo Restaurant, Inc., proposed exterior upgrades for 95 Pulaski Road. Included are rear garden upgrades, parking paving, fencing, roofing, a sewer connection, and garage door window installation. 3,000 square feet of interior renovations would allow for new seating and bathroom upgrades. Seating capacity would be increased from 16 seats to 60-80 seats.
Estimate: $170,000, 75% could be funded by DRI.
Goal Three- Aesthetics and Public Realm
The Town sponsored rebranding and marketing for Downtown Kings Park. It would attract new businesses to serve the community and provide for economic development. It would redesign signage to enforce a “cohesive downtown identity” for the hamlet, along with web and media presence. The Town and the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce will also develop strategies to implement new programming such as art shows, tasting tours, cultural and historical events, and farmer’s markets.
Estimate: $400,000, 100% could be funded by DRI.
The Town also sponsored a project to create a grant fund to help small businesses and property owners invest in their commercial and/or residential spaces in the DRI area. Improvements may include signage and awning improvements, as well as windows, entrances, patios, doors, exteriors, and sidings. Interior renovations may be considered as part of the grant.
The proposed grant has received $635,000 in requests to date. The Small Project Fund as a maximum request of $540,000 to $600,000.
Estimate: $780,000, 77% of which could be funded by DRI.
Goal Four - Housing and Community
The Town sponsored a request for proposals for a 0.6-acres municipal parking lot south of the railroad tracks that could be combined with adjacent properties. The Town says it will “assist in attracting developers to the site to expand the retail and residential options in Downtown Kings Park.” Funding will be used for public parking, community/cultural facility space, and/or a landscape pathway from the LIRR station to Meadow Road. Eventual developers would be required to provide pedestrian access between those two points as part of any redevelopment project. A potential development would also require participation of neighboring sites to the east or west of the current property. The lot may include residential units and retail.
Estimate: $1 million or more, 100% of which could be funded by DRI.
30 Main Street KP, LLC, and 44 Main, LLC, sponsored an upgrade of an existing ~8,500 square foot space at 26-34 Main Street into a renovated and enhanced mixed-used development. The proposal would include renovations of around 4,000 square feet of commercial space and two of five existing apartment units. A new building addition of 7,450 square feet of a two-story structure with approximately three residential units and three retail units. The project would coincide with facade renovations at 8 Main Street and 44 Main Street. At 44 Main, two new buildings would be constructed, with one (~2,700 square feet) including two residential units and two retail spaces. The other building (~1,500 square feet) would include one residential unit and one retail space.
Estimate: $4.2 million, 36% of which could be funded by DRI.
UTR, LLC, proposed renovations for 12 Renwick Avenue, consisting of updated ground-floor retail space and a new second floor with six apartment units above. The proposal also includes 1 Village Plaza for a ~4,670 square foot building to be renovated to “better reflect” the existing historic character of the area with new sidings, windows, and landscaping. An elevator would
also be added to satisfy ADA requirements.
Estimate for 12 Renwick: $1.976 million
Estimate for 1 Village: $667,000
Total: $2,643,000, 38% of which could be funded by DRI.
Bravado Enterprises II proposed construction of a 9,000-square-foot mixed-used building on a vacant lot where a previous building was destroyed by a fire. It would include mixed-use development, with two units above the ground-level storefront. It would also include a holistic wellness center.
Estimate: $2.7 million, 75% of which could be funded by DRI.
Cartwright Realty Holdings proposed a renovation of a ~2,400-squre-foot commercial building in a two-story, ~4,800-square-foot structure with commercial space on the ground floor and residential space above. It would include a therapy clinic and accounting firm. Facades and interiors would also be renovated.
Estimate: $1.3 million, 75% of which could be funded by DRI.
Dietrich Reality, LLC, proposed a second story of the Sprouts Garden Center at 174 Main Street. ~2,500 square feet would go to retail, and ~2,500 would go to residential accessory apartments. Construction would include energy-saving and compliant materials with new windows, siding, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, as well as additional parking, ADA accessibility improvements, and an open patio area.
Estimate: $884,000, 75% of which could be funded by DRI.
The Kings Park VFW proposed renovation of the existing structure on Church Street to include new roofing, sidings, foundation support, windows, sewer connections, signage, and an awning. Interior improvements would include electrical, HVAC, flooring, painting, and expanded carbon monoxide protections. Kitchens and restrooms would be upgraded to expand the VFW’s ability to host events. A backup generator would also be installed to allow the Post to become a community disaster relief site. The VFW anticipates increasing monthly public usage by sixty hours, or a 55% increase.
Estimate: $765,000, 80% of which could be funded by DRI.
American Legion Post 944 proposed renovations for their buildings to include new roofing, siding, doors, stairs, paint, solar panels, and landscaping, along with renovations to the event hall, bathroom upgrades, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. The American Legion would also contribute two electric vehicle charging stations.
Estimate: $411,000 100% of which could be funded by DRI.
Finally, 125 Meadow Road, LLC, and RHS Realty Group proposed a redevelopment for the old Petro Site. They are proposing mixed-use developments with condors and retail, with construction to begin in 2027-2030, pursuant to the current lease term. Design and planning would begin in the interim period. Environmental cleanup is not expected due to previous cleanup efforts and surface reassessments. If developed, the site would include 46,700 square feet of new space, with thirty-two residential units of workforce housing, 14,000 square feet of retail/office space, and 120 parking spaces.
Estimate: $35 million, 7% of which could be funded by DRI.
Ineligible Submissions
Five submissions have been deemed ineligible for the DRI funding and may be recommended by the Local Planning Committee for other funding pipelines.
Open calls for projects include: Kings Park Memorial upgrades, 146 Church Street Renovations, Kings Park Green House Project, Main Street power line burials, and parking, fire statins, and other street improvements.
Shirley Man Pleads Guilty in 2022 Shooting Outside Zeldin’s Home
By Matt Meduri
The 2022 gubernatorial campaign between Governor Kathy Hochul (D) and then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) was full of debate on contentious issues, but perhaps no issue was as pertinent as crime across the state, namely in New York City.
However, after a man jumped on stage and held a blade to Zeldin’s arm during a Rochester speech, the crime wave quite literally visited Zeldin’s doorstep.
On October 9, 2022, shots were fired at the front of the Zeldin home while his twin teenage daughters were home studying.
The drive-by shooting appeared to be gang-related at the time, and while the shots were not intended for the Zeldin home, the intended recipients of the bullets were hiding in the shrubbery in front of the porch.
Zeldin and his wife were campaigning in the Bronx. His daughters secured themselves in the house and called 911.
Twenty-year-old Noah Green pleaded guilty earlier this week for attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and conspiracy for shooting at three men. Two of the men were hit by Green’s shots, but both survived.
“The events that took place on October 9, 2022, were traumatic for my family and couldn’t have hit any closer to home,” Zeldin said in a statement.
Green was arrested on October 31, 2022, just days before the gubernatorial election in which Zeldin would come up short to Hochul by just six points. He was previously one of eighteen defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into a string of violent crimes and carjackings perpetrated by the No Fake Love gang. Green said that the people he shot at were members of a rival gang.
Green will return to court for sentencing on October 15. He had faced a potential of twenty-five years had the prosecution not come to an agreement to sentence him for twelve years with five years of supervised release.
When asked by Judge Anthony Senft if Green was pleading guilty because he is, in fact, guilty, Green affirmed this.
Green’s attorneys assert that the defendant “comes from a good family” and that “he never wanted to be a part of this at all.”
Green was apprehended three weeks after the shooting after the stolen Honda SUV he had used in the October 2022 shooting was identified by law enforcement. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to have shell casings still lodged in the windshield and hood. Police also found a loaded Taurus nine-millimeter pistol with a high-capacity magazine, the weapon later determined to have been used in the shooting.
Green was also found to have made frequent posts on social media about his gang affiliation, along with weapons and stolen vehicles.
District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) said that Green’s shooting outside the Zeldin home in Shirley was one in a series of shootings that all carried charges in the 148-count indictment. A murder outside of a Farmingville nightclub, violent carjackings in Wantagh and Wading River, and even the kidnapping of six puppies compose a string of crimes dating back to October 2021, all of which Green is allegedly implicated.
“I am thankful for Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, and the many law enforcement officials who swiftly acted to keep my daughters safe, transport the victims, and take the necessary legal action to hold Mr. Green accountable,” said Zeldin in a statement.”
By Matt Meduri
U.S. Senate Forecast
The 2024 race for the U.S. Senate comes down to presidential down-ballot energy, which is expected to make Senate races mirror the presidential results in their respective states closely, along with Democrats playing significant defense with little to no realistic opportunities for pickups of their own.
As we’ve forecasted before, we expect the GOP to make a net gain of two seats in the Senate, for a fiftyone seat majority. Such a caucus would give the GOP outright control of the upper chamber, presidential results notwithstanding. However, if the GOP only makes a net gain of one seat for a fifty-seat majority, they would be able to take back control of the Senate if Donald Trump (R-FL) wins the presidency.
As a brief recap, Democrats are expected to lose their seat in West Virginia. After long-time favorite son Joe Manchin did not seek re-election, he changed his party registration to Independent. Even if Manchin ran, pundits are in universal agreement that he would not have been able to overcome the expected forty-point win for Trump in the Mountain State. Such crossover support is almost unheard of in historical terms, and would be perhaps the greatest political upset of this decade if he were to generate that coalition.
Likewise, in Montana, three-term Senator Jon Tester (D) is in the fight of his life. He flipped the seat in the good Democratic year of 2006 and rode favorable environments and flawed opponents in 2012 and 2018 to re-election. This time, he’s not likely to be as lucky. With a solid opponent in Tim Sheehy (R), who currently leads Tester by more than five points in the aggregates, as well as a likely near-twenty-point-win for Trump in the Treasure State, we think Tester is slated to lose re-election.
These two seats, especially West Virginia, virtually erase Democrats’ margin for error and relegates them to flipping other seats. Only two provide such an option: Texas and Florida. Relatively unpopular incumbents in both, as well as a credible candidate in the Lone Star State, leave them at the edge of the competitive table, but down-ballot results are likely to coalesce around incumbents Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL).
We have previously forecasted the seats we rate as “Toss Up” and “Likely” for either party. Polls show Senate Democrats greatly outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) in their states, including Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan. We won’t move them out of the “Toss Up” column yet, but it’s important to note that Republicans are not performing as well as expected in the polls.
Democrats remain likely to retain Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey simply by virtue of partisan leans of those states, as well as battle-tested incumbents with significant name recognition, namely Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA). Moreover, one-term incumbent Josh Hawley (R-MO) would likely be a prime target for Democrats in a better environment, and if the ShowMe State hasn’t drifted so far to the right in the last decade.
This week, we’ll discuss the last of the states worth watching, those we classify as “Leaning” towards one side or the other. These are states that are competitive, but one party has a set of advantages that might carry them over the finish line.
Currently, we rate three states as “Leans Democratic,” while no states are of an equal rating for the Party of Lincoln.
This race is perhaps the most surprising of the current map and one that made Democrats’ alreadymonumental task of retaining the Senate even more difficult. In deep-blue Maryland, polls show a tight race between former Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D).
Let’s start with some references for this race. Maryland has not elected a Republican Senator since 1980 and have not held both seats concurrently since 1977. To boot, the last close race here was in 2006, when outgoing Senator Ben Cardin (D) won his first term over Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele (R) by just over ten points. The close race is uncharacteristic for the Old Line State, as Democrats usually cruise to victory here by more than twenty points in any given statewide race. Steele also leveraged his more liberal Republican profile, only to still come up ten points short.
Maryland has also not backed a Republican presidential nominee since 1988. George H. W. Bush’s (R-TX) win in Maryland that year was seen as upset, as he beat Michael Dukakis (D-MA) by just under three points.
Maryland’s geography, at first glance, seems like a state friendly to Republicans. The GOP usually carries a majority of the state’s counties, including the solidlyRepublican panhandle and the eastern portion of the state along the Delaware border, most of which is deep-red. But the clout of Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs cannot be denied. The voting coalition of minorities, college-degree holders, and classically Democratic union households makes Maryland a perennial exhibition match between the two parties.
Enter Larry Hogan: a little-known politician who was Secretary of Appointments of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. He ran in the 2014 gubernatorial race against then-Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown (D), who would later serve in the House. Brown thought he would win the 2014 by “a little bit of a molehill.” Hogan would end up winning by almost four points in one of the bluest states in the country, in what was dubbed the greatest upset of the 2014 cycle. He became the
first Republican governor of Maryland since 1954. Granted, gubernatorial races are different from other statewide campaigns, in that candidate quality, local issues, and pocketbook economics are likely to deliver a much different result than one would expect. Currently, Republicans hold the governorships in solid-blue Vermont and blue-leaning Virginia, while Democrats hold the same offices in deep-red Kansas and Kentucky. After 2014, the national map was even more interesting, with Democrats governing Montana, Missouri, and Louisiana, and Republicans in office in Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Hogan was immensely popular among Maryland voters during his first term, which allowed him to win re-election by twelve points, despite 2018 being a blue wave year.
Now, he’s leveraging that record to flip Maryland’s Senate seat blue and deliver what would be a massive blow to the Democratic caucus. Before the primaries, Hogan led the polls in the state by massive margins, unheard of for a Republican in the last couple decades. However, the Democratic brought its own points of controversy.
Alsobrooks was seen as an underdog to Congressman David Trone (D, MD-06), who represented a moderately-blue seat extending from the D.C. suburbs to the panhandle. Trone is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and leveraged his fortune to win the Senate primary.
However, Alsobrooks prevailed in an upset, and the polling almost immediately swung in her favor, albeit by relatively thin margins for such a Democratic stronghold. The polling continues to remain thin, with her leading Hogan by just five points in the RealClearPolitics average. A Hill/DC News poll just released Tuesday finds Hogan leading the race by seven points, 49%-42%. The poll found that 15% of voters planned to split their tickets between Hogan for Senate and Harris for president. Harris remains an overwhelming favorite to carry Maryland’s ten electoral votes in November.
But Hogan has a significant problem: history. Popular governors of the opposite party of their state’s usual political lean have a notoriously difficult time getting elected to the Senate, where results are usually much more in line with the state’s typical
Maryland - Angela Aslobrooks (D) Vs. Larry Hogan (R)
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from previous page
Down Ballot
A Brutal Map for Democrats
partisan profile. One notable example is that of Linda Lingle (R). Lingle won the 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election by a thin margin, over now-Senator Mazie Hirono (D). Corruption allegations within the Hawaii Democratic Party put Lingle over the edge with a 4.5-point margin. Immensely popular, Lingle won re-election by a landslide in 2006, the last time Republicans have won any statewide contest in the Aloha State, and the only time in history a Republican governor of Hawaii was re-elected. Additionally, the 2006 gubernatorial result sits alongside the 1972 presidential result as the only two times in history when Republicans captured more than 60% of the vote in Hawaii.
Lingle then ran for the open Senate seat in 2012 against Hirono, whom she had drafted for governor ten years prior. Despite polling showing a tight race, it wasn’t even close: Hirono blew Lingle out of the water with 62% of the vote.
A more recent example comes from Montana, where popular Governor Steve Bullock (D) had won two terms and went on to face one-term Senator Steve Daines (R) in 2020. Polling showed a tight race at the senatorial and presidential levels, but Bullock, despite being a popular two-term governor of a red state, lost to Daines by ten points.
Lingle and Bullock, among several others, are just two cautionary tales of the governor-to-Senate campaign that many politicians have had over the years.
We doubt Hogan’s case will be any different. We’re banking on a ten-point win for Alsobrooks in November, and we’d be shocked to say the least if Hogan staged a successful upset. He’d be bucking partisan trends and historical probabilities in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans three-toone.
Despite Hogan vocalizing his staunch opposition to Donald Trump, it likely won’t be enough to carry him over the finish line. But we don’t think Hogan believes he has a realistic shot. If anything, he’s the sacrificial lamb designed to divert money and resources from other competitive states to help Republicans flip easier targets.
It’s certainly a race worth watching, and one that almost nobody expected at the start of this cycle, but unless a significant chunk of voters have second thoughts at the ballot box, we’re not banking on history being made here.
New Mexico has not elected a Republican Senator since 2002, when the legendary Pete Domenici (R) won his final term with 65% of the vote. At the time, New Mexico was considered a swing state, and even went for George W. Bush (R-TX) in 2004. Since then, however, New Mexico has become more obdurate Democratic territory, even if it’s not the bluest state in the Union.
Trump contested New Mexico at the very end of the 2016 campaign, and Hillary Clinton’s (D-NY) margin was under ten points. Biden caused a slight rebound, winning by eleven points when the state was not firmly in play.
This year, however, Trump seemed slightly ahead in the Land of Enchantment just before the Biden-Harris
switch. Harris now has decent, yet not insurmountable leads in the state, and if public polling is overestimating her position, the state could be in play. Polling estimations caused a near-upset in 2020, when Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D, NM-03) defeated meteorologist Mark Ronchetti (R) by just six points in a race that was polled as much less competitive.
This becomes a crucial factor in the Senate race, where limited polling shows a close race between two-term Senator Martin Heinrich (D). He won his first term by six points in 2012 and benefitted from a three-way race in 2018 between little-known businessman Mick Rich (R) and former Republican Governor Gary Johnson (I).
It’s safe to say Heinrich hasn’t developed a nationallywatched profile, costing him some valuable charisma points. But this doesn’t mean he’s an underdog either. In a race that should be more of a lock for Democrats, they shouldn’t be sparing expenses, but Republicans have a decent opponent in Nella Domenici, the daughter of the late-Senator Pete Domenici.
As of now, Heinrich is the favorite and will likely remain so until Election Day. The possibility of a Domenici upset isn’t out of the question, but since Republicans are lagging behind in Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan, while also trying to flip Ohio and Montana, it’s not likely New Mexico will see the lion’s share of their resources this year. Still, Heinrich is probably on track to mimic now-Senator Luján’s margin in 2020, enough to cause concern for Democrats down the road.
If Trump ends up performing better than anticipated in the concurrent presidential race, then Heinrich probably only has about five points of crossover support. It depends entirely on where Latino voters go. If the polls continue to track significant support for Trump, then Harris might already be underwater, or at least dangerously close to such a position, in the Land of Enchantment. We expect Heinrich to be insulated by incumbency and outperform the top of the ticket by no more than five points in that regard.
Wisconsin - Tammy Baldwin (D) Vs. Eric Hovde (R)
Wisconsin remains perhaps the nation’s most evenly-divided state. They have a Democratic governor who was narrowly re-elected in 2022, a state legislature dominated by Republicans, mostly due to geography, and a House delegation with a 6-2 Republican majority. The two swing seats are competitive but Republicans have advantages in both of them. In 2022, Democrats also flipped the State Supreme Court, a move that was seen as a check on the Republican-controlled legislature.
Ron Johnson (R), a long-time enemy of the left, shocked observers with his 2016 re-election over former legendary Senator Russ Feingold (D). Johnson held his own in 2022 and the top of the Wisconsin ticket, despite a spirited challenge from Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D).
Crucial to the 2024 race is the fact that Wisconsin is just one of five states to have a split U.S. Senate delegation, one Senator from either party. The others are Montana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maine. Given that pertinent detail, we’re not entirely sure Wisconsin will buck their current preference for as evenly-divided an environment as possible.
Baldwin succeeded popular Herb Kohl (D) in 2012, winning by six points when Wisconsin was more Democratic at the top of the ticket. She cruised to
an eleven-point re-election win in 2018, thanks to a favorable environment and a weak opponent that Republicans didn’t seem eager to help out towards the end of the campaign.
Now, Baldwin likely has her toughest challenge yet over businessman Eric Hovde. We initially placed this at “Likely Democratic,” but polling does track consistently within mid-single digits. We doubt that even if Trump wins Wisconsin that Baldwin will be in great danger of missing out on a third term. Wisconsin’s preference for an evenly-divided environment makes us think she’s a decent bet for re-election, but the race certainly warrants watching.
We think Hovde will be the unfortunate byproduct of more favorable flips and current Republican lagging in more premier swing states, a similar fate learned by Baldwin’s 2018 opponent, Leah Vukmir (R). We didn’t think Wisconsin was on the path to a Republican Senate majority at the beginning of the cycle, and that doesn’t seem likely to change. Baldwin will probably win by about five points, enough to bolster Democrats’ seats where most feasible and to continue Wisconsin’s trend of keeping things balanced.
Honorable Mention
Minnesota - Amy Klobuchar (D) Vs. Royce White (R)
This Senate race is currently rated “Safe” by The Messenger. However, it’s worth noting that polling has tightened into the single digits between immensely popular three-term Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) and former professional basketball player and political novice Royce White (R).
Already a white whale for Republicans, the GOP will likely be all-in on flipping the state on the presidential level, a move that is not likely to coalesce around White ousting Klobuchar. The Twin Cities are already seen as a massive obstacle for any Republican statewide campaign, and suburbanites are highly likely to send Klobuchar back to Washington for another six years. Senator Klobuchar ran for president in 2020, making it farther than most expected in the early swing state primaries, but suspended her campaign just before Super Tuesday, when her home state was scheduled to vote. Klobuchar has been an outspoken proponent of leftist values, something that resonates with the state’s highly diverse and educated population.
White has the distinction of being a black Republican and political novice, but one who might not have the expertise or charisma comparisons to those of Klobuchar. Klobuchar won her first term in 2006 by a landslide and secured two re-elections by greater than 60% of the vote each time. Granted, these were in good Democratic years when Minnesota was not used to being a top presidential target of the GOP, but even so, she probably would have outperformed the national environments both times due to her name recognition and the state’s intrinsic lean.
We don’t anticipate moving this state out of the “Safe” column for now. We’ll keep an eye on the polling and if the numbers continue to rest around mid-to-high single-digits, we’ll downgrade it to “Likely Democratic.” Still, even such a rating doesn’t make us bullish on Royce’s chances. Klobuchar looks on point to overperform the top of the ticket yet again and secure a fourth term.
New Mexico - Martin Heinrich (D) Vs. Nella Domenici (R)
Thursday, September 19, 2024
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Republic or Democracy?
By Matt Meduri
This question has confounded Americans for decades. The short answer is that the United States is a constitutional republic, but it’s a bit more complicated than that.
History of Our Foundation
The Founding Fathers knew that after nearly two centuries of development in the New World, and after defeating the world’s largest imperial army in the Revolution, the United States’ government was one that had to withstand the tests and tribulations of empires of the past. Recognizing that need, they embarked on what’s been called perhaps the greatest experiment, borrowing governmental ideas from other countries to create the hybrid form of government we have today.
Perhaps the most well-known republic at that time, and possibly still today, was that of the Roman Empire. Founded in 509 B.C. after the overthrow of their last king, Rome was run as a representative democracy, otherwise known as a republic. Offices in the Roman government and religious sectors could only be held by the city’s wealthiest families, called the patricians, while the rest of the citizens were called plebeians, commoners who could not hold office. Over two hundred years, the plebeians would fight for and eventually gain power within the government.
The Senate was the heart of the Roman government. The Senate was more of an advisory role to other governmental bodies, and did not formally possess legislative power. The Senate was the only governing body in Rome until 494 B.C., when the plebeians established the Council of the Plebs, consisting of three legislative bodies. One body administered matters of war, passed laws, elected magistrates, such as consuls and censors, conducted foreign policy, and considered appeals of capital convictions. Another body issued its own decrees for the plebeian class and the decrees were binding for the entire city. The third body consisted of tribal assemblies. This body elected officials of smaller roles, approved legislation concerning local matters, and had some judicial powers that did not include penalization.
On the other hand, the U.S. also has democratic elements to its government, an aspect it borrowed from the world’s oldest democracy, that of the Greeks.
The Greeks’ form of self-government was also an attractive concept to the Founding Fathers. Their first initiative in preserving self-governance in the fledgling nation was that of maintaining the states and their lines, rather than dissolving the colonial boundaries and creating an overarching government. This birthed the concept of federalism, allowing the states to have their own forms of power, which later be enumerated by the Tenth Amendment: the powers not expressly provided to the federal government by the Constitution would be given to the states.
U.S. states resemble the structures of ancient Greek city-states. These consisted of an urban center with land around it for development, a setup that almost every major American city has today. The Greek city-states acted almost independently, with their own sets of rules for each of their citizens. A crucial part of Greek independence was that of Aristotle’s acknowledgement of “natural law,” the belief of a higher existence in nature that afforded humans essential rights that could not be superseded by any written laws. This paved the way for the U.S.’ rule of law, in which laws are publicly accessible, equally enforced, that they acknowledge the belief of natural law and the inalienable fundamental rights, and that the government is run by the ethics of such beliefs.
The U.S. Constitution was also greatly inspired by Aristotle’s records, The Constitution of the Athenians, with the laws of Athens and other Greek city-states. The constitution in Greece was seen as the standard by which all are governed, followed by more home-rule control from the municipalities. Like the Greek constitution, the U.S. Constitution acts as the supreme law of the land, creates the government’s structure, and lays out checks and balances.
The United States’ Hybrid System
The Founding Father combined these aspects of the Roman and Greek civilizations to create a representative democracy that we have today.
The influence of the Roman Republic, namely its Senate, is directly shown in how we elect our representatives, from the federal level even down to the local level here in Suffolk County and our three towns of coverage. Citizens elect representatives to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, which together form the legislative branch of government in what’s called a bicameral (two-house or two-chamber) legislature. Congressional districts of the House are drawn to represent the population proportionately, while each state is represented equally in the Senate with two Senators each.
This same model has also been adopted by the states. Each state, except Nebraska, has a bicameral legislature that functions in very similar fashions to the federal Congress, with committees, quorum requirements, districts, rules, and a host of other forms of structure. Nebraska is the outlier, as it has a unicameral legislature that is officially nonpartisan, but it does have many of the same rules and structures as its counterparts.
The influence of Greek democracy is seen in direct political participation. Citizens can popularly elect their representatives to protect their interests district-wide, while also creating laws and maintaining oversight of the state or country at large. The U.S. has
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. Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
more democratic tendencies in the forms of ballot measures, referenda, or other similar initiatives, in which a certain majority of votes is required for passage. A simple majority - often regarded as 50% plus one vote - is often used as a benchmark for referenda to pass.
These two aspects of government combined constitute the U.S. government.
The Two Forms of Government on Paper
In short, a democracy is essentially seen as a form of government in which the majority has the power, either through representatives or interests in government, or directly through the polls. Contentions abound with such a form of government, as a referendum could pass with 51% of the popular support, resulting in a close decision that also applies to the other 49%, or it can result in a large majority of the population making decisions that do not consider the small minority of the electorate. A pure democracy has almost no stopgap to protect or even consider the interests of the minority.
A republic consists of laws made by representatives popularly, or democratically, elected by the public. The republic is governed by the constitution set in place.
This dynamic between majority-voting and representative government is perhaps best on display by virtue of the Electoral College, the method by which we elect presidents that is largely unparalleled. A state’s electoral vote count is determined by combining its congressional seats - determined decennially pursuant to the results of the U.S. Census - with its number of Senators - two, because all states are represented equally in the upper chamber. New York has twenty-six congressional districts and two Senators, giving it twenty-eight electoral votes.
With 538 electoral votes available, a candidate must receive at least 270 votes to win. The combinations of results for either party in each state on the electoral map are nearly infinite, and the permutations increase exponentially when other parties are considered.
The purpose of the college is to ensure the majority is not relegated to uncompetitive enclaves that dictate the state’s vote result and catapult a president to the White House based on uniform interests in those areas. A criticism of the college is that it does not require the president to win the popular vote. This is where the U.S. is more of a republic than a democracy, in that the Electoral College is designed to protect the interests of the few while also giving everyone a vote.
The 2016 election played host to such a result and its controversy still looms over the 2024 battlefield. Donald Trump (R-NY) won the electoral vote with 306 votes in the raw count, with 232 for Hillary Clinton (D-NY). However, Clinton won the popular vote by about 2%, or a margin of three million votes out of over 120 million cast.
However, Trump carried thirty states to Clinton’s twenty, as well as the District of Columbia, and flipped the Rust Belt battlegrounds of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, three Midwestern giants that had not backed a Republican nominee since the 1980s. Trump also flipped perennial swing states Iowa, Ohio, and Florida on his way to 270, as well as one electoral vote from Maine’s Second Congressional District.
Maine and Nebraska embody the democratic-republican aspects of government even more so than other states. By allocating electoral votes based on popular vote within each of their congressional districts, it opens the opportunity for candidates to generate even more local messaging to voters and for the state to split its votes between candidates.
Although the margins were relatively thin in 2016, the college, as well as the country’s distinct qualities of a republic, were on display due to the disparities in the results. In Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the entire country, Clinton received just over three million votes to Trump’s one million. Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago, gave Clinton 1.7 million votes to Trump’s 550,000. Had these totals been subtracted from the candidates’ overall popular vote totals, Trump would have narrowly won the popular vote by about 200,000 votes.
The Electoral College essentially acts as one of the most crucial checks on the majority, which is the intention of a republic.
What’s the Final Answer?
You could substantiate the answer to the question with either “republic” or “democracy,” although the U.S. does have more facets of the former than the latter. It’s important to note the intentions of the Founding Fathers to give everyone an opportunity to participate, but also institute a system of failsafes that prevent one class, group, or sect of people from running away with the power, at least in terms of the general public. When politicians or talking heads discuss “protecting democracy,” they’re not entirely wrong, but they’re also not entirely correct. That said, when the retort to such claims are “the U.S. is a constitutional republic,” this is also correct, but it also does not tell the whole story.
It’s important to understand these differences not only to receive the most utilization of these valuable tools of government, but to also protect them, their integrity, and the power of the ultimate American ruling class: we the people.
Smithtown Matters
History and Fun at the Heritage Country Fair
By Peter Chidichimo
On Sunday, September 15, the Smithtown Historical Society held its annual Heritage Country Fair on its grounds adjacent to East Main Street in Smithtown. The Heritage Fair is the Society’s largest event of the year, and a longtime community favorite.
The Heritage Country Fair is a yearly celebration of American traditions on twenty acres of preserved land within the Village of the Branch Historic District. The Society’s other two main events are the Spring Farm Festival and the Heritage Christmas Fair. Recently, a “Winter Lanterns Show” has been added as well, which corresponds to the Christmas holiday season.
Sunday was a picture-perfect day for this celebration of American folk traditions, history, and the beginning of Autumn. There were several demonstrations, including musket loading and firing and the Spirit of LI Mounted Drill Team.
The usual historical reenactors, antique cars, food and craft vendors were spread across the landscape. There was a western sheriff present to maintain the peace. The event is particularly appealing for children, including arts & crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides, and face painting.
According to their web site, the Smithtown Historical Society, which was founded in 1955, is committed to the preservation and restoration of Long Island’s history, for the education and enjoyment of the public. There is a strong educational component to its mission, including school programs and a summer camp.
The Smithtown Historical Society has developed outstanding educational programs for elementary school children. Available to all Long Island schools (and Summer Camps), these programs are designed to support local history instruction according to NYS standards. Students learn about the Colonial and Civil War periods through interactive activities during the schoolyear as well as summer time field trips. Many elementary teachers bring their classes back year after year. During the 2023-24 school year, the Society hosted over 2,100 school children.
True to its mission, this year’s event featured military history. Dressed in historic military uniforms, various presenters discussed conflicts ranging from the Civil War to World War ll. On display among the presenters was a wide variety of antique military equipment and weapons, including rifles, pistols, canteens, knives, goggles, gas masks, uniforms and scrap books.
According to SHS Executive Director Priya Kapoor, the event had many sponsors, including National Grid, Winter Bros Waste Systems, Douglas Elliman Smithtown, and others. However, the Society relies largely on private donations and occasional State and local grants to operate its large campus and maintain its many dated buildings, including the Obadiah Smith
House, which is located in Kings Park.
“We are responsible for keeping the historical houses up to code,” said Kapoor.
Lisa Jacobson, who was attending the fair with her husband and two children, said she saw an outdoor theater show on the grounds in July, and decided to come back and enjoy the fair.
“We’re having a great time listening to the music and the kids love the petting zoo,” said Jacobson.
Vender Andrea Anico, of Anico’s Candles, was manning a booth selling her homemade soy candles and soaps. She had learned of the fair while participating in the Nesconset St. Fair a couple weeks ago and was anxious to sign up for the Heritage Fair.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Anico. Other venders included raw honey, arts and crafts, homemade jewelry, artwork, and many others.
One popular attraction at the fair was the Spirit of Long Island Mounted Drill Team, which performed at 2:00 before a gathered crowd. The riders, dressed in ceremonial red, white, and blue, performed a series of coordinated maneuvers on horseback, which the crowd enthusiastically applauded.
The Heritage Fair is a great family value, with tickets priced at $7.00 for adults. Children under three are free. Members are admitted for $5.00.
The Smithtown Historical society has a website, http://smithtownhistorical.org, where visitors can learn about the organization, peruse upcoming events, view a staff directory, and learn about volunteering or donating. Membership is open to all.
A Ghosts & Goblins Day of Family Fun to be Held on October 19
The Town of Smithtown Recreation Department will host the annual Ghosts and Goblins Day event on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m., rain or shine. The event will take place at Browns Road Park, in Nesconset. Ghosts and Goblins Day will feature a variety of fun entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, including pony rides, music, games, prizes, and a balloon artist. Costumes are encouraged. Admission for the festivities is free of charge.
“This is a spectacular event for the whole family. I look forward to bringing my grandkids to Ghosts & Goblins Day every year,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “Our Recreation Department goes above and beyond to put together a fun fall day of family-oriented Halloween themed activities. I’d highly recommend anyone with younger kids, ages 5-8, mark your calendars to partake in this memorable annual event.”
Families attending the festivities are welcome to dress up in Halloween costumes. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Smithtown Food Pantry. All donors will receive a raffle ticket for the prize raffle (must be present to win).
For more information on Ghosts and Goblins Day, contact the Recreation Department at (631)360-7644.
Browns Road Park is located at 76 Browns Road in Nesconset.
Thursday, September 19, 2024 Continued from front cover
County Legislature Issues Final Report on Cyber Attack
“I want to thank all of our county employees, some who were put in very stressful situations during the cyber attack,” said Piccirillo, adding that “from the beginning” the investigation was not a “political witch hunt,” rather an effort to investigate the deficiencies in the County’s Information Technology (IT) department and recommend solutions to prevent another attack of such a magnitude.
“We’ve done a thorough job, we’ve followed the facts,” said Piccirillo.
“The report demonstrates that this was not a single point of failure scenario. Rather, it was a combination of fragmented and, in some cases, outdated systems, inadequate staffing, planning and training, and insufficient attention to the warning signs of the attack that was underway,” said Special Counsel Donoghue. “Those things led not just to the initial breach, but to the extended recovery period suffered by the County.”
The full report is now available online at https://www.scnylegislature.us/DocumentCenter/ View/118502/09122024-Report-On-The-2021-2022-CyberAttack-On-Suffolk-County-PDF (scan QR code)
The committee is composed of Chairman Piccirillo, Presiding Officer McCaffrey, Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Legislators Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park).
The Executive Summary
On September 8, 2022, a cyber criminal using a ransomware strain known as BlackCat, also known as “ALPHV” or “Noberus,” launched an attack on Suffolk County’s IT system. Reports indicate that the hackers gained access to the County’s system months before the ransomware attack was launched. The hackers accessed, encrypted, and stole a “significant” amount of Suffolk County’s data, including “network maps, budgets, credentials, passwords, and other government information,” the report reads. Personal information of County residents, employees, and retirees, such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license information, was also compromised. Such data is now available on the Dark Web, a branch of the Internet only accessible with a specific type of browser and auxiliary software that is notorious for criminal usage due to the anonymity this corner of the web provides.
The criminal group initially demanded a $2.5 million ransom payment to restore the County’s access to its data, later reducing that ransom to $600,000, which County officials refused to pay.
Then-IT Commissioner Scott Mastellon testified in front of the special committee in October 2023 that the County spent more than $16 million on response and remediation efforts. Since then, the report says that estimates now appear to be $25 million in total costs.
The bipartisan special committee was formed on October 21, 2022, to investigate the attack. Since then, the committee has interviewed numerous employees and officials, hired forensic and cyber security professionals to “provide independent expert review and advice,” gathered documentary evidence, and held seven public hearings.
Key to the executive summary is the committee’s concession that no municipality can “completely shield” their IT sector from intrusion and exploitation, but that the 2022 hack was of such a large scale, significance, and duration, that the attack was “largely attributable to inadequate planning, preparation, coordination, and training by and of Suffolk County personnel,” tantamount to a “failure of leadership.
The Key Findings
The report outlines ten key findings of the report.
1. Insufficient coordination between the different IT teams ultimately impacted the County’s cybersecurity readiness.
2. The absence of a cyber-attack response and recovery plan “significantly hindered” the County’s response to the attack, increasing response time and costs.
3. A “pass-through” within the County’s perimeter firewalls for data traffic put the entire County at risk. The destination of data from the pass-through was the Suffolk County Clerk’s office, then run by Clerk Judy Pascale (R-Moriches).
4. Prior to the 2022 attack, the County’s overall cybersecurity was not sufficient to withstand such an attack.
5. Firewalls that had reached end-of-life status were continually used.
6. The lack of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) hindered the County’s preparation and response to the attack.
7. The County’s insufficient staffing and training also contributed to the magnitude of the attack.
8. County personnel failed to “sufficiently heed” warning signs of an impending cyber-attack leading up to the September breach.
9. IT Commissioner Mastellon failed to report on the cybersecurity risks to the Legislature, as required by Suffolk County law.
10. IT personnel were aware of Bitcoin mining activities in the Clerk’s office prior to August 2021. The report stipulates that it is unclear whether the mining activities contributed to the attack.
The “Pass-Through”
The report finds that IT personnel created a “passthrough” for Internet traffic destined for the County Clerk’s office could traverse the firewall without inspection. There remains “bitter disagreement” between the Clerk’s office and IT office about who was responsible for the pass-through. The special committee could not determine whether the Clerk’s office requested the pass-through, only that the IT department had the specific ability to create it. The firewall being circumvented was a Dell SonicWall that had reached end-of-life in 2019.
The report reads: “Knowing that the Clerk’s Office was protected only by an end-of-life departmental firewall, no IT professional should have sought, or agreed to, the creation of a ‘pass-through’ in the County’s perimeter firewall for traffic destined for the Clerk’s office firewall.” The report notes a February 2022 CyberDefenses Report that corroborates this finding.
A June 2023 testimony of then-head of the Clerk’s office’s IT team Peter Schlussler revealed that the aforementioned out-of-date SonicWall was the only device protecting the Clerk’s office from the World Wide Web.
The Breach
As early as 2019, the County was aware of a specific type of software used to collect and manage information about system activity. The so-called Log4j software is a popular and widely-used software due to its simplicity and no-cost download and usage. This software was eventually used in the 2022 breach.
IT personnel in Suffolk County, as early as December 2021, undertook “extensive” efforts to patch Log4j vulnerabilities across County domains. While the report finds that such efforts were “largely successful,” vulnerabilities to the software were not fully eradicated, despite the Clerk’s office being involved in those patching efforts.
Existing vulnerabilities were made known to the County IT personnel no later than February 2022, but since the perpetrators had already gained access to the Clerk’s domain as of December 19, 2022, previous remediation efforts likely would have had no effect in preventing the cyber-attack.
On June 21, 2022, an FBI Special Agent spoke directly to the County’s IT Security Coordinator Brian Bartholomew about evidence suggesting that malware might have been operating within Suffolk County’s domains, based on suspicious traffic within the New York State Court system. The FBI agent relayed that such activity could have been linked to the Suffolk County Clerk’s domain. Mr. Schlussler reported “nothing on our side” regarding the County’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
In August 2022, emails from the IT security team highlighted potential breaches and detection of suspicious activities. One email reveals perpetrators’ attempts at stealing “account names and passwords” and an attempt to “extract credential material from the Security Account Manager databases.”
Schlusser emailed the IT security teams regarding the alert: “Please offer some background. I have no insight to what this is about.”
On September 1, a file was found on the server in the
Clerk’s office that none of the personnel had downloaded. A September 7 email from Mr. Schlussler to Coordinator Bartholomew reads: “Brian, we need to deal with this asap [sic]. 3rd cortex today, with the last two being malicious.”
Cortex refers to the aforementioned security alerts.
Hours after the September 7 emails were exchanged, the perpetrators began encrypting data on Suffolk County servers across the County environment and posting ransom demands.
“Had the red flag warnings in late August and early September 2022 been recognized and acted upon, the September 8, 2022, ransomware attack may have been averted,” the report reads.
Recovery and Remediation
Then-Executive Bellon declared a County State of Emergency in the wake of the hacks that was extended from September 2022 to December 2023. The emergency declaration allowed the Executive to issue no-bid contracts without endorsement from the Legislature, among other powers.
Remediation entailed extensive replacement and upgrading of IT hardware and software across the entire County environment. The County’s main website was unavailable for five months after the attack. Vendors providing essential services, such as childcare, could not receive vouchers and payments. Emergency 911 operations were affected and County residents were unable to pay outstanding traffic tickets. County employees whose personal information was compromised received credit monitoring services at the County’s expense.
The report also outlines that County employees were “obligated to work long and unreasonable hours” in the wake of the attack, and that intra-County communication was relegated to personal phones, emails, and Cloud-based channels. IT and County leadership also deferred to outside vendors rather than County IT professionals who were “more familiar” with the County’s IT systems.
The report also finds that County data was “unnecessarily destroyed by outside vendors and that the remediation efforts were otherwise not well coordinated.”
Recommendations
The committee outlines seven steps it deems “necessary” to ensure future expectations will be met.
First, different IT teams across the County, as well as elected officials who supervise them, must work “closely and collaboratively” to prevent another attack. Cybersecurity issues must be elevated to appropriate levels and addressed sufficiently. Additionally, “political issues should never be permitted to interfere with the County’s cybersecurity defenses.”
Second, a County CISO should be appointed for a set term, to be determined by the Legislature. Furthermore, all Internet traffic destined for County domains must pass through approved firewalls and no department should use modems or other devices to circumvent County firewalls.
Third, the County CISO should “assemble a crossdepartment Cyber Incident Response and Recovery Team comprised of specific IT professionals identified by name from every IT team in the County.”
Fourth, the County CISO must “issue a comprehensive cyber intrusion response and recovery plan for the entire County,” specific to all departments and environments. The CSIO and IT Commissioner should coordinate with the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) Commissioner to ensure the cyber response plan is “integrated” with the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Fifth, the CISO and IT Department must provide an IT Risk Assessment Report to the County Executive, County Legislature, and other County leaders as the law requires.
Sixth, the County must increase the size of the IT Security team and “significantly” improve the skillsets of the team, stressing retention of County professionals, rather than deferring to outside vendors.
Seventh, and finally, the County should seek CyberBreach Insurance. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) made this a core tenet of his 2023 campaign platform and told The Messenger that the County should be able to obtain insurance by the end of the year.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Planting Lifelong Seeds
By PJ Balzer
Children are undoubtedly like sponges. They observe and listen carefully to everything we say and do, both good and bad. Their hearts are tender and fertile soil, making everything they experience a seed that’s planted there. Some studies even suggest that a baby still in the womb can hear what’s happening on the outside. I personally believe that to be true.
I’ve had the great privilege of living into my middle-ages. Many people I’ve known well haven’t had that privilege, so I never take it for granted. It’s also given me the opportunity to look back in hindsight at my childhood, adolescent, and teenage years in retrospect. Like you, I’ve had both good and bad experiences and seeds sown into my heart. Some sowers knew what they were sowing while others were just living their life in a way that they thought was best at that time their own life. Nevertheless, lifelong seeds were planted into a child’s heart that took years to sprout.
My mom was a nurse by profession. When I was still a toddler my parents made the decision that she would leave the hospital setting and stay home with their growing family. My dad worked for the Town of Huntington back then. Shortly after they started a business selling women’s
A seed of mercy towards another struggling human was planted that Christmas morning.
My mom left the nursing profession to be at home with her children but apparently it never left her. Some pick a profession for the paycheck; others pick it because it’s their heart. One day, we were walking into King Kullen in Shirley and an elderly gentleman collapsed on the sidewalk right in front of us. Without hesitation, my mother rushed to the stranger’s aid, checking his vitals, and then gave mouthto-mouth resuscitation. She could have hurried by using her children being with her as a valid excuse. Instead, she stopped and planted a seed in each of our hearts.
My mom bathed, fed, and cared for my dad’s grandfather for several years, who fell ill shortly after retiring. My parents were generous towards the garbage men, not only on Christmas, but often. They gave a struggling young couple from our neighborhood our old car when we purchased a new one. My grandmother lived with us while she was in hospice care for the last few months of her life. She had her own room where she could have all of her friends over to visit. She was made to feel loved, cared for, and as comfortable as possible in her final days on Earth, all while I observed this real-life sermon.
My grandmother was the one who planted the seed of knowing Jesus into my heart. I wasn’t really interested at the time, but she planted it anyway. I watched her invite struggling teenagers into her home; she was generous, kind and warm. It wasn’t a burden for her to spend one-on-one time with me; she loved to. Even though she lived her later years with a broken heart, she lived her life in a selfless manner in the best way that God gave her the strength to.
She passed away in our home when I was in my early teenage years. Yet, here I am thirty years later with all of those wonderful seeds still sprouting in my heart. “Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6
Theatre & the Arts
Theater’s Three’s ‘Matilda the Musical’ Soars!
Despite the August 18 rainstorm and the subsequent flood damage to Theatre Three, the resilient team of creatives, staff, and the local community rallied to uphold the showbiz credo: the show must go on! And what an electrifying show it is! The power of the performance was palpable, as evidenced by the thunderous standing ovation at the end of Saturday night’s opening performance of the family-friendly British import “Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical.”
Originally staged in 2010 by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Strafford-uponAvon, “Matilda” premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 2013. Based on British author Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, this Olivier and Tony award-winning show has music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. The enthralling storyline of this musical revolves around Matilda Wormwood, an imaginative, intelligent, and psychically gifted five-year-old whose love of reading helps her escape the horrors and neglect of her upbringing. This musical is not just delightful entertainment but also a thoughtprovoking piece with powerful themes such as “do not blindly follow authority figures,” “use your unique abilities and gifts to help others,” and “a prophet is not recognized in their own land.” These themes add depth and relevance to the story, making it a truly engaging experience.
Sadie Mathers, a rising star, was perfectly cast as Matilda. With her innate intelligence and charisma, Mathers was the living embodiment of this extraordinarily likable character. She demonstrated strong dance skills throughout the show and delivered powerful renditions of her solos, “Naughty” and “Quiet.” The audience’s enthusiastic cheers when Mathers stepped on stage to take a curtain call were a testament to her popularity and the success of her performance.
Miss Trunchbull, the tyrannical headmistress at Matilda’s school, is always played by a male, and Liam Marsigliano did a bang-up job of portraying this sadistic and darkly comic character. A show-stopping number was “The Smell of Rebellion,” in which Trunchbull gave a Phys Ed class that seemed more like a Fascist boot camp on steroids, with the children doing a series of calisthenics at supersonic speed.
Veronica Fox gave an award-worthy performance as Miss Honey, Matilda’s compassionate and kind-hearted teacher, who, despite her trepidation, musters the courage to stand up for the children against Miss Trunchbull. Fox displayed her strong vocals during the beautiful ballad “My House.”
Steven Uihlein aced the role of Mr. Wormwood, Matilda’s uncaring, callous father. Uihlein is a first-class comedian, and his spot-on timing had the audience in stitches as they listened to his slimy, harebrained schemes to sell used cars. Act II opened on a high note with Uihlein and Jax Segal as his dim-witted son, Michael, performing a riotously funny musical number, “All I Know.” Segal’s deadpan facial expressions garnered some of the biggest
troupes I have ever seen. Benjamin Corso demonstrated his comedic acting skills as Bruce, a timid boy subject to cruel punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Surrounded by his classmates, Corso’s performance during “Bruce” was one of the show’s highlights. Olive Oakes gave an outstanding performance as Lavender, Matilda’s best friend. Oakes had a funny solo bit in the show that delighted the audience as she kept hinting at something she would do to get even with Miss Trunchbull. Still, she didn’t want to spoil the surprise, then burst with excitement as she blurted out, “I’m going to put the newt in the Trunchbull’s jug!” Erin Risolo as Alice, Adriana Mia Como as Hortensia, Olivia McGourty as Erica, Zach Kanakaris as Nigel, and Matthew Eby as Tommy all showed their star power right from the get-go with the engrossing opening number “Miracle.” With each successive group number, they seemed to up their game, culminating with the rousing showstopper “Revolting Children.”
This mesmerizing show features a gigantic cast of adults and children, and the mega-talented director Jeffrey Sanzel deserves a big round of applause for his expert staging. During big production numbers like “The Smell of Rebellion” and “Loud,” Sari Feldman’s high-energy choreography had the audience breaking out in spontaneous applause. Jason Allyn’s costume design, particularly the children’s prim and proper school uniforms and the fabulous glitter outfits worn by Mrs. Wormwood, added to the overall spectacular visual appeal of this show, as did Xiangfu Xiao’s dazzling lighting effects and Brian Staton’s eye-catching projection designs.
laughs of the evening. Rachel Geiser delivered an unforgettable performance as Mrs. Wormwood, a self-absorbed wife who cares little for her children and is only concerned with winning ballroom dance contests. Will Logan captivated the audience as Rudolpho, Mrs. Wormwood’s dance partner.
Michelle LaBozzetta, as Mrs. Phelps, a librarian who befriends Matilda; Bryan Bowie, as Sergei, the Mafia boss; Eric J. Hughes, as The Escapologist; and Josie McSwane, as The Acrobat, delivered memorable performances. The stellar adult ensemble also includes Melanie Acampora, Julia Albino, Will Brennan, Kaitlyn Jehle, Paul Manzo, Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Marlo Pepe, and Katy Snair.
The Youth Ensemble was among the most polished and professional
Featuring live music, fabulous costumes, outstanding directing, acting, singing, and choreography, Theatre Three’s “Matilda” is a must-see show! Running through October 20, 2024, to purchase tickets or for additional information, please visit www.Theatrethree. com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100. Although family-friendly, a child must be at least five years old to attend this show.
Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.
Photos courtesy of Steve Ayle, Showbizshots
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Another Tie to Communist China: Tim Walz’s Appointment of Chang Wang
By Philip Lenczycki | AMAC Outside Contributor
Democratic vice presidential nominee, appointed a member of a political faction that has pledged loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party to a state board that advises the government on Asian American affairs, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found.
Walz first appointed Chang Wang, a Minnesotabased attorney, to the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans in May 2020. Wang now serves as the “interim chair” of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, which advises the governor, Legislature, and other state agencies by promoting the “economic, social, legal and political equality of Asian Pacific Minnesotans,” according to its website. Wang’s term is up in January 2025.
The council spent more than half a million dollars of taxpayer funding in 2023, according to its annual report.
But for over a decade, Wang has also been affiliated with the China Association for Promoting Democracy, the DCNF found through a review of Chinese government announcements, archived University of Minnesota records, and Chineselanguage publications written by Wang himself.
CAPD is one of the handful of alternative Chinese political parties allowed to operate in the communist nation. Like China’s other minor parties, CAPD is “loyal” to the Chinese Communist Party and continues “to function within the structure of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),” which is the country’s top political advisory body, according to the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress.
CAPD is allowed to operate in China based upon its organization’s stated promise to “rally closely around” the CCP’s Central Committee and play a role as advisors and assistants to the CCP, according to Xinhua, China’s official news agency.
Since joining the Minnesota state council, records show that Wang has been recognized by the Chinese government on multiple occasions, including granting him a title and even accepting a policy research proposal he submitted.
“My elderly parents are my only ties to China,” Wang told the DCNF by email, when asked about his relationship with CAPD. Wang’s profile on the University of Minnesota’s website does not currently mention his CAPD affiliation, though an archived version does.
Wang previously told the outlet China Insight his parents were “senior scientists” at “Academia Sinica,” which is the historic name for the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The academy reports directly to China’s State Council, with “much of its work contributing to products for military use,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences is a “privileged institution” that’s “tightly monitored” by the CCP, said Steve Yates, China Policy Initiative chair at the America First Policy Institute and former Chinese-language analyst for the National Security Agency.
“For someone to have two parents in that entity, it basically is the equivalent of being not just a made man, but a made family,” Yates told the DCNF.
Wang has also previously said he works as a senior associate professor of law at the Beijingbased China University of Political Science and Law, whose website still lists him as faculty.
Neither Walz’s office nor the Harris-Walz campaign responded to multiple requests for comment.
Walz’s close relationship with China and its political mechanisms have come under intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, like Kentucky Rep. James Comer, who recently sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting information pertaining to “any Chinese entity or individual with whom Mr. Walz may have engaged or partnered.”
Walz has traveled to China approximately 30 times and even worked for Macau Polytechnic University while serving in Congress, Comer’s letter says. Media reports have also dug up past
comments from Walz where he appears to lavish praise on Chinese communism—for instance, Walz reportedly told high school students in 1991 that communism “means that everyone is the same and everyone shares.”
More recently, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported that Walz has attended numerous events organized by members of a Minnesota nonprofit affiliated with a CCP influence and intelligence agency. Among other examples, members of the nonprofit and related organizations held a fundraiser for Walz’s gubernatorial reelection in 2022, the DCNF found. “You would think that there would be some screening,” Yates said of Walz’s appointment of Wang.
“Of what possible value-add is someone with ties to that
Continued on page 21
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20 Bits & Pieces
WORD OF THE Week
Origin:
Old English word cwicseolfor, which is a combination of cwic meaning “alive” or “moving” and seolfor meaning “silver”. The Latin root for the word is argentum vivum, which literally translates to “living silver.”
Quicksilver is used to describe mercury because of its fast molecular motion and mobility. In medeival alchemy, quicksilver was associated with the fastest planet, which was named after the Roman god Mercury, who was also known for his speed and mobility.
QUICKSILVER
noun
Pronounced: kwik·sil·vr
Definition: used in similes and metaphors to describe something that moves or changes very quickly, or that is difficult to hold or contain.
Example: “The news cycle changes like quicksilver each week.”
Synonyms: volatile, flighty, unpredictable
Antonyms: constant, stable, steadfast
Source: Oxford Languages
SUDOKU
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
September 24, 1957: “Jailhouse Rock” single released by Elvis Presley (Billboard Song of the Year 1957)
September 23, 1884: American Herman Hollerith patents his mechanical tabulating machine, the beginning of data processing V G T L B E A
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
September 22, 1994: “Friends” TV sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman debuts on NBC
September 19, 1893:
New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all women the right to vote
September 25, 1513: Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa crosses the Panama Isthmus becoming first European to see the Pacific Ocean
September 21, 1922: US President Warren G. Harding (R-OH) signs a joint resolution of approval to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine
September 20, 1990: Both East and West Germany ratify reunification
Continued from page 21
Another Tie to Communist China: Tim Walz’s Appointment of Chang Wang
entity in China to the citizens of the United States or to Minnesota, and why would a governor with a generation of experience coming and going to the People’s Republic of China want someone from that world having privileged access to advise leaders in Minnesota on any issue?” Yates told the DCNF.
‘Not Really About Democracy’
While the word “democracy” appears in its name, the China Association for Promoting Democracy describes itself as “a political party that accepts the leadership of the CCP and cooperates with the CCP as a participant in socialism with Chinese characteristics.” CAPD also says its members are mainly intellectuals working in academia, science, media, and related fields.
“When you are engaging entities from communist countries that have the word ‘democracy’ in them, you have a near 100% chance that they’re not really about democracy,” Yates told the DCNF. “You’re talking about organizations that are meant to interact with people and groups in the Free World on behalf of the ultimate authority in the PRC: the CCP.”
John Dotson, deputy director of the Global Taiwan Institute, told the DCNF that CAPD is “one of what the CCP calls the ‘eight democratic parties’ that operate alongside the ruling CCP, in the effort to provide a veneer of pluralism to the [Chinese] system.”
“Anyone who is a member of one of the ‘eight democratic parties’ should be understood as a CCP member, subject to Party directives, etcetera,” said Dotson, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer.
The DCNF determined Wang’s CAPD membership through a review of multiple archived English and Chineselanguage profiles.
For instance, an archived version of Wang’s 2022 bio on the University of Minnesota’s China Center website identified him as “one of the twenty-five members serving on the Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of China Association For Promoting Democracy, the third largest political party in mainland China.”
At some point between January and July 2023, Wang’s membership in the Chinese political party was removed from his China Center bio.
The China Center did not respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.
CAPD’s Chinese-language website still names Wang as a member of its Central Civil and Judiciary Committee,
and also identifies Wang as a professor of the Institute of Comparative Law at China University of Political Science and Law.
Wang is currently listed as faculty on the website of China University of Political Science and Law and his position at the school is noted in several online bios, including his Barnes & Noble author bio, as well as in a 2019 interview on his law firm’s website.
Wang also taught at São Paulo Law School in Brazil, where his online bio says, “Since 2007, he has been a member of Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD), the fourth largest political party in China.” Wang’s affiliation with the Brazilian law school is noted in social media posts from China University of Political Science and Law.
Indeed, Wang’s current bio on the University of Minnesota’s website states he “holds adjunct and visiting professorships at law schools and business schools in the U.S., China, Austria, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil.” The bio, however, does not specify any particular schools with which he is associated.
‘National Advanced Information Worker’
The Chinese government has recognized Wang’s contributions on at least two occasions, the DCNF found.
CAPD awarded Wang the title “National Advanced Information Worker For Reflecting Societal Sentiments And The People’s Opinion” in November 2021—more than a year after Walz first appointed Wang to the state Asian American affairs council in May 2020.
The list of award recipients appears to have been drafted in December 2020, but officially announced in 2021, according to a review of CAPD’s website.
CAPD created the award in order to commend “outstanding achievements and contributions” related to a 2021 CCP Central Committee memo directing China’s eight “democratic parties” to expand their implementation of “Xi Jinping Thought On Socialism With Chinese Characteristics For A New Era.”
The U.S. Department of Defense describes “Xi Jinping Thought” as the Chinese dictator’s “namesake ideology.”
In July 2021, the Chinese government’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced the selection of Wang’s legal research proposal on international cybercrime as a research project to underwrite. The announcement lists Wang by his CAPD membership and his faculty position at China University of Political Science and Law.
TikTok’s Influence Continues To Grow Despite Concerns About Chinese Spying
By Andrew Shirley | AMAC Exclusive
Despite a wealth of evidence suggesting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using TikTok to spy on and even socially program American citizens, the popular social media app is continuing to gain users at breakneck speed. One big reason why could be the enormous sums of money the app’s parent company is spending on lobbying and advertising.
According to a Wall Street Journal report published on January 30, TikTok “spent $1.5 billion building an operation intended to convince U.S. lawmakers that the popular video-sharing app is safe.” Moreover, according to Open Secrets, TikTok parent company ByteDance “spent more in the first three quarters of 2023 than any prior year” on lobbying efforts. In total, they spent over $7.4 million in 2023. From Q3 2022 to Q3 2023, the platform increased its lobbying spending by 326 percent.
At the same time, TikTok has launched a massive national advertising campaign to build its popularity with the American people. Although exact numbers have not been made public, the website TvRev reported that the company has “focused heavily on cable news networks and broadcast in that timeframe as well. Fox News is the No. 1 network by share of TikTok TV ad impressions since June 1, with 18.9%, while CNN is No. 2 at 15.2%. CBS, Fox, ABC, and MSNBC are all among the top 10 as well.”
In one ironic incident that made headlines, during the Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Fox News, a question posed to candidates about whether or not to ban TikTok was followed immediately by a TikTok commercial.
Those advertising and lobbying dollars appear to be quite effective, too. According to a Pew poll released on January 31, TikTok is growing faster than any other social media platform in
the United States. 33 percent of American adults polled said they used TikTok in 2023, an increase of 12 percent since 2021.
That increase is being driven in large part by exponential growth among young adults. 62 percent of those surveyed between the ages of 18 and 29 said they have used TikTok, compared to 39 percent of 30 to 39-year-olds, 24 percent of 50 to 64-year-olds, and 10 percent of adults 65 and older.
Moreover, these numbers don’t even take into account the number of Americans on the platform who are under 18. An estimated 25 percent of TikTok’s roughly 100 million monthly U.S. users are between the ages of 10 and 19.
TikTok’s meteoric growth has raised serious concerns about both data privacy and the possibility that the CCP could be using the app to negatively influence American users.
As a Chinese company, ByteDance is required to report any and all data it collects to the Chinese Communist Party under the provisions of a 2017 Chinese law. That means that the CCP could be using TikTok to collect troves of data on millions of American citizens, including personal information such as their address and phone number.
These concerns led to a TikTok ban on all federal devices last year, and a number of states – led by both Republicans and Democrats – have followed suit.
But it’s not just privacy concerns that have led to push-back on the platform. Numerous studies have also found that TikTok pushes harmful content to kids, including videos that promote eating disorders and even suicide.
Dozens of American kids have also been hospitalized or even killed by dangerous trends on TikTok like the “blackout challenge”
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate offers selected research projects an approximately $7,000 Chinese government subsidy, the department’s website states.
The Procuratorate is responsible for legal supervision and prosecution in China, according to the Chinese government.
“What this entity in China does has some functions that touch upon the prosecution of people inside the Chinese system, and oversight of what would be rule-of-law type issues generally,” Yates told the DCNF.
Wang did not respond to the DCNF’s questions about the Procuratorate accepting his research proposal or the apparent award that went along with it.
‘Adjuncts of the CCP’
In addition to cooperating with the CCP, the China Association for Promoting Democracy also has several other Chinese government affiliations, such as serving as a “member of the patriotic United Front,” according to its website.
The United Front is a “unique blend of engagement, influence activities, and intelligence operations” that the CCP uses to “shape its political environment, including to influence other countries’ policy toward [China] and to gain access to advanced foreign technology,” according to the House Select Committee on the CCP.
CAPD members also serve as delegates to another Chinese government United Front agency called the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, according to the CPPCC’s website. The CPPCC’s English-language charter states its delegates must “uphold the leadership” of the CCP “and the socialist cause,” “take advantage of the CPPCC as a United Front organization,” and “keep state secrets.”
“In reality, these eight nominal political parties are simply adjuncts of the CCP, and serve as window dressing in fora such as the CPPCC,” Dotson said.
China expert and author Gordon Chang told the DCNF that Walz’s travels through China and his history associating with CCP-tied individuals raises the question of why the governor appointed a member of a CCP-approved political party to serve in Minnesota’s executive branch.
“Walz appointing a Chinese Communist stooge doesn’t automatically make him a Chinese Communist supporter,” Chang said, “but who other than a Chinese Communist supporter would do that?”
Philip Lenczycki is a reporter for The Daily Caller.
and “NyQuil chicken challenge.” Virtually every American user, no matter their age, is inundated with hyper-sexualized videos, many of which feature underage girls.
During a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, Senator Ted Cruz blasted TikTok for promoting “selfharm videos and anti-Israel propaganda” to American children. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew denied the accusations while touting the effective safety measures the platform employs.
However, according to tech experts, the Chinese version of TikTok, called Douyin, offers a version of the app that is far safer than the one pushed to Americans. Douyin’s platform limits use by children to 40 minutes per day and reportedly promotes educational content, rather than the destructive and harmful content peddled to American kids.
Given the ongoing power competition with China, many experts strongly believe the CCP is deliberately using TikTok as a psychological weapon against the American people.
There is now no denying that TikTok is becoming one of the most powerful cultural forces in our society – a development driven in large part by Chinese lobbying and advertising dollars. The question now is if lawmakers will have the courage to do something about it.
Andrew Shirley is a veteran speechwriter and AMAC Newsline columnist. His commentary can be found on X at @AA_Shirley.
St. James Elementary Students Make Their Mark with Dots
Did you know that Sunday, September 15, is International Dot Day?
International Dot Day is a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration.
At St. James Elementary School, each student contributed to an art mural
celebrating International Dot Day.
Organized by art teacher, Jennifer Kapps-Fleming, students designed their dot in any way they wished. Inspired by the book The Dot, by Peter H Reynolds, the children realized having a “can-do” mindset can take you almost anywhere.
Remembering the Heroes of 9/11
The Smithtown Central School District marked the twenty-third anniversary of 9/11 within each of its schools on September 11.
At Smithtown High School East, Bill Coderre, social studies and leadership teacher and Commander of the American Legion Post 833, hosted the ceremony which took place outside by the “Survivor Tree” which was planted years ago in memory of those lost during that tragic day. Superintendent Mark Secaur reflected on the “level of unity” the country shared twenty-three years ago, “a level of unity we should never forget.”
Principal Robert Rose told the crowd that the day serves as “a reminder that we stand tall and united in our efforts to overcome the tragedies of the past and ensure they will not occur in the future.”
A commemorative wreath was placed by leadership students, and the somber ceremony was culminated by “The Star-Spangled Banner,” played on the saxophone by High School East senior, Carter Lamb (right)
At Smithtown High School West, a ceremony was conducted at the school’s Memorial Garden by leadership students. The ceremony began with a presentation of the nation’s colors by the Smithtown Fire Department Color Guard. The Color Guard was introduced by West Assistant Principal, Scott Johnson, a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. High School West student Rose Link then sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
Superintendent Secaur and Principal William Holl addressed students and faculty, and a commemorative wreath was placed in the Memorial Garden.
Two Hauppauge M.S. Students Selected as Top 300 Junior Innovators
Hauppauge Middle School eighth graders Vaibhavi Hegde and Mihir Sathish Kumar have been selected as two of the top 300 competitors in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students. This will also be Mihir Sathish Kumar’s second year in a row being selected for this honor.
The Junior Innovators Challenge seeks to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve the world’s most intractable challenges. Now in the top 300, Mihir and Vaibhavi were selected from 1,862 entrants. To earn their positions, Mihir submitted a project titled,
“BioPlast Clean: An Eco Clean Solution for Microplastic Filtration” and Vaibhavi submitted, “What Materials Work Best for Creating Biodegradable Plastic?”
On September 18, thirty finalists will be selected by a nationwide panel of scientists, engineers and educators to compete for more than $100,000 in awards and prizes.
The Hauppauge School District congratulates Vaibhavi and Mihir on this incredible accomplishment and thanks Director of Science and Research Dr. Robert Wankmuller and science research teacher Janice Caffrey for their guidance and support.
Holl told the crowd, “let us reaffirm our commitment to never forget to always strive for peace and to uphold the values of freedom and unity.”
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
By Matt Meduri
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Long Island Ducks ‘Go Purple’
Six years ago, the Town of Islip became a trailblazer with an initiative to bring awareness to the issues of overdose and substance abuse, along with the stigma that surrounds them. The towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, and Huntington have followed, along with other hamlets and even municipalities around the country.
For the first year, the Long Island Ducks took part in the campaign as well, formally “going purple” for their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks, along with the venerable QuackerJack, donned purple jerseys for the occasion, while tables and tents of local community activist groups offered resources to ballpark fans before and during the 1:35p.m. game.
Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) and Ducks founder, owner, and CEO Frank Boulton were on the field to kick off what many hope will be an annual tradition of Long Island’s favorite baseball team.
Along with the “go purple” initiative, the Ducks announced Ramon Santos as their 2024 Most Valuable PLayer (MVP). The right-handed pitcher was declared the season MVP before the finale match with the High Point Rockers.
Santos received the most selections for MVP during the fan voting session and is heralded as one of the Atlantic League’s most dominant relief pitchers this season. He is tied for third in the league with fourteen saves. He also leads all Ducks pitchers with forty-five appearances and a 0.58 ERA. In 46.2 innings of play, the Dominican Republic native allowed only seven runs (three earned) and cultivated seventy-six strikeouts; he posted a 6-1 record. Santos received a luxury wristwatch, courtesy of Delmonte-Smelson Jewelers of Uniondale.
The Ducks also announced Aaron Antonini as this season’s P.C. Richard and Son Whistle Player of the Year. The freshman Duck scored the most runs in games in which he was the designated Whistle Player. The Venezuela native led all Ducks players in hits (103), doubles (23), and games played (104). He concluded the season with a .289 batting average, 15 home runs, 62 RBIs, 57 runs, 40 walks, and an 0.873 OPS. Antonini received a $500 gift card, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son.
The Ducks unfortunately lost their final game of the season to the Rockers in a 9-2 defeat. The Rockers earned two runs in the first inning and the Ducks managed to tie the game up with one run in the second inning and another in the third. High Point took the lead again with another run in the fourth inning.
After a quiet fifth inning, the game got away from the Flock in the sixth inning, where the Rockers took six runs to compose a final score of 9-2.
The Messenger thanks the Long Island Ducks for their hospitality, information, and access this year, and we look forward to another great season for their twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025.
The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 713 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
CreditMatt Meduri
Supervisor Carpenter and Ducks owner Frank Boulton (Credit - Long Island Ducks)
Credit - Matt Meduri
