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Smithtown Matters
Thursday, January 2, 2025
LaLota Presents $1.4M Check for Smithtown and Kings Park Stormwater Improvements
By Matt Meduri - Originally published 8/8/24
In May, Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) announced that he had secured $1.38 million for flood mitigation to improve stormwater infrastructure in Kings Park and Smithtown. $1 million is set to renovate the stormwater infrastructure on Main Street in Smithtown and the remaining $384,800 is set to improve similar infrastructure for the Kings Park LIRR Business District Stormwater Infrastructure Project.
The funding was secured from the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill that was signed into law in March.
Smithtown renovations have been necessitated by antiquated stormwater infrastructure that is unable to handle the large and frequent amounts of rainfall, causing basement floods in Main Street businesses and sending road runoff into the Nissequogue River tributary nearby.
Kings Park renovation will reduce stormwater contamination in the Long Island Sound Watershed.
Congressman LaLota joined Smithtown elected officials and stakeholders at Tide Park on Tuesday afternoon, just off the Route 25 municipal parking lot utilized by residents and businesses where ground will break to install sixteen drainage pools and five catch basins.
“When I was first elected, I told Supervisor Wehrheim how much I love the Town of Smithtown, and he replied, ‘Show me the money,’” LaLota remarked humorously. “And we’re here today to present $1.384 million to the Town of Smithtown for very much-needed projects here.”
LaLota said that while some issues put before the federal government are “quite big and strategic” as they relate to issues of inflation, immigration, and foreign policy, “preserving the quality of life and the affordability in great towns like Smithtown” are otherwise universally agreeable.
“We have to make proper investments into our community to ensure it remains an affordable, beautiful place to live and work,” said LaLota, adding that “too many of our families” are moving out of state because they feel there are “better opportunities” elsewhere.
“But we want them to stay here, and we have to do things at various levels of government to keep people here to ensure Long Island remains an awesome place for us all to be,” added LaLota. He mentioned similar efforts from State representatives, including $900,000 procured by Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and $200,000 by Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) for quality-of-life improvements.
“This parking lot is the lot that services all of these businesses on Main Street [in Smithtown], so this infrastructure is going to be very beneficial to those businesses,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “Unfortunately, when we get two or three inches of rainfall, their basements flood. That’s going to be rectified. There’s also an environmental value here. These drainage structures under the parking lot are over thirty years old. New drainage structures will drain the water so that it will not run onto Main Street, and ultimately into the Nissequogue River.”
Wehrheim added that “local government cannot afford to do these massive projects,” requiring help from higher levels of government. He said that with leaders from Congress, Suffolk County, and New York State, Smithtown is approaching $120 million worth of capital approved since 2018, calling that latest check “monumental.”
“We’re in the process of sewering all three business districts,” said Wehrheim. “St. James is almost complete, Kings Park is underway, and County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) has dedicated $101 million in the 2025-2027 capital budget to sewer Main Street in Smithtown.”
“When I said ‘show me the money,’ Congressman LaLota came to Smithtown and showed us the money,” Wehrheim quipped.
Senator Mario Mattera, Ranking Member on the Energy Committee, said that LaLota “cares” about Smithtown and the environment.
“We [Smithtown] are finally coming into the Twenty-First Century with help from our great leaders,” said Mattera. “We don’t need the drainage going into the Nissequogue River and we don’t need that freshwater and saltwater intrusion. We need to make sure that we’re replenishing our aquifer. We are all here to keep our environment clean.”
Mattera also mentioned, as a seven-year member on the Suffolk County Water Authority
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(SCWA) Board, that it’s important to him that Suffolk County and Smithtown have “the cleanest, purest water for generations to come.”
“Infrastructure is not pretty, it’s not something to point at and say ‘look how attractive that project is.’ It’s actually quite dirty and messy,” said Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick. “But infrastructure is what makes everything else possible. Once this project is completed, the quality of life will continue to improve here in Smithtown.”
Barbara Franco, Executive Director for the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, spoke on the project as well, calling it a “significant” day for Smithtown.
“This project is providing state-of-the-art parking for our local residents, small businesses, and it’s monumental for us,” said Franco, adding that the renovations to the Route 25 municipal lot “will take Smithtown up another notch by accommodating a crowd of visitors and creating a walkable downtown business district.”
During the round of questions, Supervisor Wehrheim addressed just how substantial the rainfall has become in recent years.
“It’s no longer an inch-and-a-half of rain, which is what these drainage structures were built for. It’s three, sometimes four inches, over just a couple of days. These drainage structures are failing,” said Wehrheim. “Once this water floods out this parking lot, it gets pitched towards Main Street, and it winds up going into the backs and basements of these buildings.”
Wehrheim said that new drainage structures have already been implemented in parts of downtown Smithtown, including behind Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub. The new drainage system is “calculated to handle these three-to-four-inch rainstorms.”
Wehrheim also said that road runoff flowing into the Nissequogue River contains contaminants, such as oil that drips from vehicles during transit.
In terms of how runoff will be treated, Senator Mattera said that wells with Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) systems will treat the water. AOP systems are capable of removing contaminants such as 1-4 dioxane and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), two substances often referred to as “forever chemicals,” as they are virtually indestructible and found almost everywhere.
Mattera and company also mentioned that the project will generate “good-paying” union trade jobs.
LaLota added that of the eight towns within the First Congressional District, the $1.4 million check for Smithtown is “one of the bigger ones.”
Other elected officials present were Smithtown Councilmembers Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown), Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park), Thomas J. McCarthy (R-Nissequogue), Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), and Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset).
Elected officials took a stroll through Chop Shop Bar & Grill, located directly adjacent to Tide Park and the Route 25 municipal lot just north of Main Street. The Messenger spoke with general manager Melbin Rivera on how his business has been affected by the antiquated stormwater infrastructure.
Rivera, who has been the general manager at Chop Shop for three years, says that the stormwater levels have increased dramatically in that short time period.
“Lately, it’s been a complete disaster. It’s not normal; it’s not something you expect,” Rivera told The Messenger. “The big problem [from flooding] is the air quality inside the restaurant.” Rivera says that dirty water caught in the restaurant’s twelve-inch crawlspace under the floor creates musty air that ruins Chop Shop’s atmosphere.
“Lucky for us, we don’t have a basement,” said Rivera, indicating the aforementioned space where rainwater collects in times of flooding.
“It’s great that they’re doing this project,” he said, citing that “temporary solutions” only go so far.
Pumping water out of small crawlspaces can cost thousands of dollars, and remedying a basement flood can pose an astronomical cost to a business, as well as disturbed schedules, storage, and business hours.
Chop Shop Bar & Grill is located at 47 East Main Street in Smithtown and can be reached at 631-360-3383.
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Elected and community leaders with the check for Smithtown’s stormwater infrastructure (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Signs in the Sky
Solar Eclipse 2024: Lake Ronkonkoma Turns Out for Viewing Party
By Matt Meduri - Originally published
4/11/24
The relatively rare treat of a solar eclipse passed through New York State on Tuesday afternoon, giving Suffolk County about 90% of the totality of the event.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Depending on the alignment of the three celestial bodies, certain parts of Earth experience total darkness for the few minutes the moon passes entirely in front of the sun. The regions within the path for total darkness is called the path of totality. The farther an area is from the path experiences less of the darkness, but will still be able to see the moon move in front of the sun to some degree.
The eclipse was the first to pass over the continental U.S. since August 21, 2017, total visibility of which started in Depoe Bay, Oregon, and ended in Charleston, South Carolina. The April 8, 2024, eclipse essentially mirrored the 2017 eclipse’s path and had total visibility - within the U.S. - from San Antonio, Texas, across the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, and northern New England.
It was the first total solar eclipse visible from Canada since 1979, as the eastern provinces were in the path of totality, and the first over Mexico since 1991. No other solar eclipses will be visible from all three countries until the next century.
were the French Polynesian Islands and the island nation of Kiribati, with partial eclipse visibility as far north as Norway.
But in the de facto center of our three communities of coverage: Raynor Park at Lake Ronkonkoma. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) issued several County parks suitable for good views of the eclipse, including Smith Point, Gardiner Park in Bay Shore, Montauk Park in East Hampton, and West Hills County Park in Huntington.
The partial eclipse was visible as early as 2:30p.m., with near-total visibility peaking at around 3:45p.m. While Suffolk County was not in the path of totality, the proximity was close enough to the moon’s path, allowing 90% of totality for the region.
Once the moon passed over the sun - mostly - temperatures dropped and partial darkness set in. Viewers all around Lake Ronkonkoma had their special eclipse-viewing glasses handy, taking in the rare spectacle on their home turf.
“I’ve never seen an eclipse before,” said Jannine Pergola, LMHC, of St. James. “It’s such a cool experience.
Pergola is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and practices at SATTVA Wellness and Counseling, located at 47 Route 25A in East Setauket.
“This was my first eclipse as well,” said Marlene Sicoli, of St. James. “It’s amazing how cold it got during the peak.” Sicoli is a real estate salesperson of Coldwell Banker-American Homes in Smithtown.
“I’ve seen other eclipses, but this one really stood out,” said Roselle Marinelli, of Mastic Beach. “Seeing the ‘bites of the apple’ gradually change as it moved across its phases was really cool.”
“This one was much better than the one in 2017, we didn’t get much of that here,” said Andria Beckles of Stony Brook. “Actually watching
the moon slowly move across the sun was such a great experience.”
The next total solar eclipse over the U.S. will be March 30, 2033, which will only pass over Alaska. The next total eclipse over some of the Lower 48 will be on August 23, 2044. The next coast-to-coast eclipse will be on August 12, 2045.
Kennedy Calls for Ethics Probe into Bellone and Ex-Staffers
By Matt Meduri - Originally published 4/4/24
As the County government continues to transition into the new administration, calls for investigations into former County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) and some of his former staffers have emerged in light of alleged ethics violations and document mishandling.
The calls stem from questions on how money from the County’s $50 million Opioid Settlement fund flowed into organizations that now employ former County employees, including Bellone himself.
Questions were first raised when it was announced a few weeks ago that Bellone took a job as Assistant Vice President of Operations with Northwell Health in Staten Island. Northwell is the largest healthcare company in New York, employing over 80,000 people and treating some two million residents yearly.
Barbara Osborn, Vice President of public relations at Northwell said, “Steve’s knowledge and years of experience in public service will be valuable in supporting Northwell’s regional operational model to achieve greater efficiency in delivering clinical services.”
Northwell’s Project Connect Plus program received $3.5 million in January last year as part of the County grant, the single-largest reward in the round of funding while Bellone was County Executive.
Three former Bellone staffers have also been named in possible ethics violations. Vanessa Baird-Streeter was recently hired as the head of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, a Huntington-based nonprofit that received $75,000 from Suffolk County when Bellone was Executive. The firm was most recently directed by now-Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), who won her first term this past November.
Bellone’s former Chief of Staff, Ryan Attard, was recently named Vice President and COO of the Family and Children’s Association, a Garden City-based firm that received $1.87 million in opioid funding from a committee chaired at the time by Attard.
Finally, and perhaps the most intriguing, is the whereabouts of Scott Mastellon, the former Chief of Information Technology (IT) who presided over the 2022 countywide cyberattack that crippled County offices for months. Despite multiple audits of the IT Department showing mass vulnerabilities, Mastellon testified in front of the special committee of the Suffolk County Legislature investigating the hack that the breach came from the County Clerk’s office.
Mastellon now works for SVAM International, an IT provider based in Great Neck with whom the County contracted for IT-related services under Bellone’s tenure.
The Messenger discussed the matter with Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), who has led the calls for a probe by the Suffolk County Board of Ethics.
“I have had to file financial disclosure forms every year for the last thirty-five years, in which I affirm that I have taken no action to secure post-public employment opportunities,” says Kennedy. Kennedy previously served as Suffolk County Legislator from the Twelfth District, first elected in 2005, before his election as Comptroller in 2014.
“I am seeking an ethics opinion about the legitimacy of the placement of four former high-level County employees, including former Executive Steve Bellone. This is exactly what New York State Public Officers Law prohibits, the concept of the ‘revolving door,’ in which public employees move to a private-sector entity that had previously been the beneficiary of public engagement. It undermines the public’s faith and confidence in the legitimacy and independence of their local government.”
County law prohibits public employees from soliciting, negotiating, or accepting employment from any firm involved in business with the County at the time of said employee’s tenure while participating in those business dealing on behalf of the County.
“The fat fingers are hard at work! This example of public officials going to work for organizations to whom they directed millions of dollars in public funding smacks of
quid pro quo,” said Kennedy. “This is wrong and the public deserves better!”
In other news against the former administration, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tienery (R) has announced that former employees of the Bellone administration have thirty days to return County files and documents or face prosecution.
Tierney says missing documents might relate to the cyber attack in 2022 and could also assist in the ethics probe into tracking the money that flowed directly from the Bellone administration to the aforementioned firms that now employ former public officials.
Tierney and prosecutors are looking for destroyed or duplicated evidence, done either intentionally or inadvertently, as the former administration left no files for the incoming administration of Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches).
Anyone who is unintentionally in possession of County data has an amnesty period of thirty days or face charges.
This is a developing story.
Former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (Credit - Suffolk County)
The Moloney Family
Trump Strikes Fear Into New York Machine
Originally published 9/26/24
Former President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) rally at the Nassau Coliseum last week couldn’t have been more of a godsend to the ardent supporters of his base, just as much as it was a reality shock to the Democratic machine that runs this state.
For context, Trump had campaigned in New York State only once before during this cycle: his May rally in the Bronx. That event was quickly panned by the left and talking heads alike, all unified in their message that New York is not in play and that Trump was simply showboating in what was considered a political bluff at best and a waste of time and campaign resources at worst.
What’s interesting is that the Democratic figureheads and the pathologically honest pundits of the mainstream media didn’t pick up on the fact that Trump was speaking to a crowd of people long forgotten by Albany and New York City Hall, many of whom did not fit the media’ preset narrative of a crowd of old, white, angry Trump supporters.
Trump’s energy in New York rebounded after his June convictions, which The Messenger personally witnessed as Fifth Avenue turned red outside Trump Tower as the former president delivered remarks at a press conference. We learned that not only were most people there not of the coalition the media so desperately hopes is the sole bloc of Trump voters in this country, but that people previously victimized by the criminal justice system and “the man” only identified with Trump more. We also learned that cab drivers, the vast majority of whom are first-generation Americans with a language barrier, planned to vote for Trump by a margin of nearly 90%-10%.
Many were disappointed by Joe Biden’s (D-DE) July withdrawal from the race, a political boomerang for which most were unprepared, as this likely meant Trump’s prospects of putting New York in play were as sprightly as Biden’s ascent up the stairs of Air Force One.
But Trump’s return to the Empire State, and his inaugural rally on Long Island, renewed the rallying cry for the Big Apple’s long forgotten and overlooked population, as at least 60,000 attendees descended on Uniondale’s Nassau Coliseum for a glimpse of the former president. More were likely left outside than those who got in, as the venue’s capacity tops out at around 19,000.
Trump’s energy in New York shows no signs of waning, as a Siena College poll released just before his Wednesday night rally shows Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) not faring much better than Biden did: a mere lead of just twelve points.
Margins in politics are hugely relative and that relativism expands when the race is confined to the presidency, U.S. Senate, a single House district, a state legislative district, or any other political jurisdiction. For reference, Trump losing a swing state, say Michigan, by twelve points would mean a dire landslide for Harris, with a path of upwards of 400 electoral votes likely for the Vice President. On the other hand, a Trump loss of twelve points in New York, or a similar state, would likely mean he wins the election at least somewhat comfortably.
New York has backed Democrats in every election since 1988, going for margins exceeding twenty points in all, except for 1988 and 2004. John Kerry (D-MA) won by a whopping eighteen points in 2004, and George Bush (R-TX) didn’t even carry Suffolk County. Biden won here by twenty-three points in 2020.
If Trump were to push New York ten points to the right, as is evidenced by a mountain of polling data at this point, it would likely mean he’s built a broad enough coalition that translates to decent or even sizable victories in other states, enough to secure a second nonconsecutive term.
This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s one that must be examined and considered going into an election with this propensity. A ten-point shift among New York voters likely means that suburbanites, minorities, and Independents have broken for Trump significantly in much more politically swingy areas. Income brackets are another demographic in play for Trump nationwide, with voters of incomes of more than $100,000 annually having backed Biden by seven points four years prior. Voters making under $30,000 annually supported Biden by eleven points.
Could Trump, a Republican, flip New York? It’s more possible than it’s been at any other point this century, but we’ll still rate the race as “Likely Democratic,” in that Harris has a serious set of bakedin advantages that cannot be overlooked.
Is New York in play? Absolutely, and that’s why the entire machine built around a blue New York is panicking.
The reality is that Trump, or any Republican for that matter, doesn’t have to win New York to send shockwaves and contribute to any swamp-draining activities going on in Washington. If he were to win New York outright, the election, in the president’s own words, would be “over.” All the swing states would go to him, and he’d easily eclipse 400 electoral votes facilitated by wins in other blue or blue-ish states.
But that’s not what everyone is counting on. A ten-point swing to the right in New York would mean a massive liability for Democrats’ popular vote margins, a statistic they desperately work to inflate to downplay the overall purpose of the Electoral College and why their party cannot win among the rank-and-file electorate. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) defeated Trump in New York by twenty-three points and took almost two million more votes than him statewide. If Trump were to balance those scales, it begins to eat away at a reliably urban national popular vote lead.
The other problem a red-trending New York poses for the machine: Albany politics. An overall redder New York means Democrats may or may not have a much more difficult time in retaining the Senate, a legislative body of which they assumed control only in 2018, after a decades-long drought with small interruptions. A statewide environment that is friendly to more conservative policies and messaging pays dividends to the New York Republican Party and to voters across the state who seek more checks and balances that have been absent in six years of a Democratic trifecta in Albany.
The Assembly, by the same logic, would also fall into jeopardy, albeit by a significantly less severe form. Democrats have had a lock on the Assembly since the 1960s, and there’s virtually no hope Republicans can flip the chamber back unless they win New York City up and down. But cracking the supermajority is a different story, and one that is much more feasible, even without a ten-point swing to the right.
Even Democratic performances in local races stand to suffer from a statewide shift to the right. If highly active voters feel compelled enough to buck a party whom they feel no longer represents them, it might hurt down ballot Democrats as well. This is much less of an exact science, as local elected officials can usually wade through partisan hot-button issues and campaign on local issues and governance, but it’s still worth mentioning in the grand political scheme. And if we were in the Democrats’ camp, we’d probably be issuing that exact soft warning to them.
Finally, it means the overall Democratic machine will perennially be put on notice about the state of play in New York. Even if it means New York becomes the white whale to Republicans that Texas is to Democrats, it means more money, more resources, more staffing, and more ground game in a state they have not seriously contested in decades. Maybe is doesn’t mean a red New York outright, but maybe it does mean more wins in the Midwest, less resources going to vulnerable Republican incumbents and more to Democrats who shouldn’t have a problem winning their races, and frantic autopsies on determining how their impenetrable fortress allowed the red tide to get in.
Why else do you think Albany Democrats voted to move local off-year elections to even-calendar years? Down ballot presidential energy in a state like New York could insulate state and local Democrats from more hyper-local Republican tendencies, especially here in Suffolk County. Of that law, we wrote that it was nothing more than partisan damage control. Trump’s demonstrated strengths in New York vindicate that position.
We’re all for a more competitive New York, even if it just means a Republican-controlled Senate and some more attention during presidential years. We think it’s more probable than not that New York will become a fullyfledged battleground by the end of the decade. For 2024, however, it appears New York is in play, if not to put Democrats on serious notice for the next month, rather, the next generation.
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New York Deserves Better Than Andrew Cuomo: It’s Up to Us to Foil His Political Comeback
By Tracey Alvino - Originally published 12/12/24
Disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) is poised for a political comeback. How is this possible?
NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D) is weak and ineffectual and like a shark in chum-filled waters, Andrew Cuomo smells blood. Make no mistake, the office of NYC Mayor would not be the last stop for Andrew Cuomo. He’s eyeballing that office as a springboard back into the Governor’s mansion and beyond. It’s up to us grieving families to make sure the voters of New York never forget how his gross negligence cost lives. It was our loved ones this time; it could be your loved ones next time.
On March 25, 2020, Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that mandated over 9,000 COVID-positive patients into nursing homes. With the stroke of his pen, he sentenced over 15,000 innocent people to death and sentenced thousands of families to a lifetime of anguish and heartbreak. My father, Daniel Alvino (picture top right), was one of Andrew Cuomo’s victims. He caught COVID in a nursing home rehabilitation while recovering from neck surgery. He died in an agonizing fashion after languishing on a ventilator for almost two weeks on April 14, 2020.
My Dad died alone.
Since his death, I have become the director of a group of thousands of grieving families that lost their loved ones to COVID acquired in nursing facilities during the Pandemic. Voices For Seniors has spent nearly five years fighting for justice for the over 15,000 nursing home victims who lost their lives due to Cuomo’s fatally flawed Pandemic mandate. Every family’s story is tragic, and every story deserves to be told. These people were not just grim statistics; they were mothers, fathers, spouses, and friends who died preventable deaths at the hands of a tyrannical Governor.
Andrew Cuomo has blamed these deaths on God, Mother Nature, the media, the nursing home staff, and even the nursing home patients themselves. His latest spin on the truth paints us grieving families as “MAGA” conspiracy theorists. Being forced to testify in Congress about his fatal decisions has only strengthened his resolve to be obstinate and take no accountability for his actions. There is no MAGA conspiracy when it comes to Cuomo’s lethal policies and the mass death of seniors.
influence the testimony of his top aide Jim Malatras. They also found Cuomo lied to Congress by claiming he had nothing to do with the March 25 directive when evidence proves otherwise. The report also found that he engaged in a deliberate coverup of nursing home deaths by falsifying health data which was used to make decisions for our entire State. Let’s also not forget how he wrote a book with taxpayer resources applauding himself for his Pandemic “leadership.” Cuomo has since been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal indictment. It’s shocking that even with the damning evidence stacked against him, Andrew Cuomo believes he can claw his way back into power.
While probes into Andrew Cuomo by the Democrat-led New York State Legislature largely flopped, grieving families were able to get the House Oversight Committee to investigate Cuomo’s many criminally negligent actions during the Pandemic. Both Republicans and Democrats agreed that Cuomo committed “medical malpractice” and slammed his COVID response in nursing homes.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus found Cuomo attempted to
As if 15,000 innocent lives weren’t enough of a reason to keep Andrew Cuomo out of public office, the Congressional findings provide a striking reminder of how his prepandemic “leadership” failed New York long before COVID.
Cuomo’s criminal justice “reforms” such as “cashless bail” and “Raise the Age” have turned New York into a safe haven for criminals and caused the spikes in lawlessness we live with today. His declaration of New York as a “Sanctuary” also contributed to the migrant crisis which cost taxpayers over $4.3 billion. He also prohibited law enforcement from working with ICE and border patrol in an effort to thwart deportations of criminal migrants. Cuomo’s energy policies while in office have led to the unaffordable electric bills we struggle with today. He even cut the number of psychiatric hospital beds which placed unrelenting pressure on our police, homeless services, transit systems, and jails. It’s also been reported that Cuomo has used $28 million dollars of taxpayer money for his legal bills defending himself against numerous sexual harassment claims.
Andrew Cuomo’s time as Governor has proven him unfit to hold office. It’s up to us to end his narcissistic lust for power and control as an elected official. His corruption and incompetence caused death, chaos and destruction. He’s counting on the passage of time to erase our memories, where bullying and tyranny were the tenets of his rule. We can’t be at the mercy of a scandal-plagued cad who prioritizes his selfinterest above the best interests of New Yorkers.
New York deserves better than Andrew Cuomo.
Tracey Alvino is a teacher and the Director of Voices for Seniors.
Take a Stand Against Hochul’s Commuter Tax
By
Congressman Nick LaLota - Originally published 12/5/24
Governor Hochul’s (D) so-called “congestion pricing” is nothing more than a commuter tax that unfairly targets hardworking Long Islanders. At a time when families are already struggling under New York’s crushing tax burden, this policy adds insult to injury. It forces suburban communities to subsidize wasteful mismanagement while the state ignores pressing issues like rising violent crime and the ongoing migrant crisis.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which stands to benefit from this tax, has a long history of inefficiency and waste. Fare evasion alone costs nearly $700 million annually—more than $300 million of that from buses. A report by the Empire Center exposed that over 1,100 MTA employees doubled their salaries in one year, often through six-figure overtime payouts. Instead of addressing these glaring issues, the MTA expects Long Islanders to fill a $15 billion funding gap without making meaningful reforms or providing
real accountability.
Governor Hochul initially shelved this plan before the election, only to revive it afterward—a bait-andswitch that underscores her disconnect from suburban priorities. Her claim of a “40% reduction” on a tax that hasn’t even taken effect is misleading spin. This isn’t about solving problems; it’s about using Long Islanders as a piggy bank to bail out NYC’s failures.
In Washington, I’m working with my colleagues to fight back. Alongside Representatives Lawler (R, NY-17), D’Esposito (R, NY-04), and Malliotakis (R, NY-11), I’ve urged Governor Hochul to abandon this tone-deaf plan. We’re also exploring bipartisan legislative options to protect suburban families from shouldering the burden of the MTA’s financial mismanagement.
This commuter tax is a slap in the face to Long Islanders, deepening the divide between New York City and its surrounding communities. While the tax is
projected to raise $1 billion annually for the MTA, it does so without addressing systemic problems—throwing good money after bad.
Long Islanders deserve better. We shouldn’t be forced to fund programs that don’t reflect our values or priorities. Albany needs to focus on accountability and fairness— not schemes that punish suburban families to cover for bureaucratic failures.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) is a lifelong Long Islander in his first term representing Suffolk County in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was reelected to the House last month.
Former Leg. Sarah Anker Under Investigation for Document Removal and Destruction
By Matt Meduri
The Suffolk County Legislature has begun the process of investigating a former colleague.
Former Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mt. Sinai), who represented the Sixth District from 2012 until January of this year, is alleged to have destroyed and/or removed physical files from the district office and electronic or digital files from County hardware.
The announcement of the investigation comes just about a month until Election Day. Anker is facing Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) in a bid to deny him a third term.
At last week’s general meeting of the Legislature, a vote was passed unanimously to investigate the state in which Anker handed her office to her successor, Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point).
The Messenger sat down with Legislator Lennon to discuss the state of the office as he inherited it.
“When we walked into the office, the same office that Legislator Anker had occupied in Mount Sinai, there were maybe three files in total, but the filing cabinets were pretty much empty,” said Lennon. “There was no information about anything that had been done previously. Some constituents had contacted the office and we started working on the omnibus grants from the hotel/motel tax. We intended to compile the civic groups and organizations that were to receive money and in what amounts, but there were no physical copies of anything. We start looking and there’s nothing digitally. We get share drive access, but there’s no information in it.”
Lennon says that information about any constituent and their history was nowhere to be found in the office.
“There might have been a constituent concern that was closed a year ago, but we have no record of that. We had no points of contact in the district of anyone who worked with the previous Legislator. We were pretty much starting from scratch,” said Lennon.
He adds that his office initially did not bring up the absence of records because it was simply “odd” and that he and his team were busy working to continue the progress of his predecessor.
“The Light Bulb Goes Off”
Lennon says that it first occurred to his office that the conspicuous lack of information might have been intentional about two months in.
“We thought that the records were put someplace; we were trying to give our predecessor and her staff the benefit of the doubt,” Lennon told The Messenger “The only thing I had was a post-it note that said ‘good luck’ on my keyboard, signed by Sarah Anker. At first, I thought it was just a nice gesture, but it later clicked what that might have meant.”
Lennon says that he and his staff began receiving emails forwarded to his office from Dorothy Cavalier and Jennifer Satchell, two staff members of the Anker office. Cavalier served as Anker’s chief of staff, whom Lennon had defeated for the open seat in the 2023 elections. Along with Anker, Cavalier and Satchell had
taken jobs at the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
“I find it very hard to believe that Sarah Anker did not receive one email to her that was supposed to be for the incumbent Legislator,” said Lennon. “It is my understanding that they still have the same email addresses from when they were in office.”
Lennon says that emails of constituent concerns had been forwarded to his staff from Cavalier and Satchell, which he says begs the question of just how much contact they have with former constituents.
“We also had voicemails dating back to September 2023 that were not answered. We started going through the voicemails, calling people back, and telling them that there is a new Legislator,” said Lennon. “Then we start seeing that the mail is being thrown underneath the door. We were curious as to why they didn’t just knock. My staff told the postal workers that they were able to come into the office. They told us that nobody had been in the office for months. The impression we got was that there was about two or three months of nobody working in that office.”
Lennon says that he and his team had heard from other people in the building that there hadn’t been anyone in that office for a while.
Summer
By summer, Legislator Lennon had been in office for six months and was still making inroads in the community.
“Rails to Trails is a big part of my district; so many people are concerned about it and want to take care of it. I wanted to establish an advisory committee to oversee its maintenance and get everyone on the same page,” said Lennon. “We met with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to find that that had already been done. Sarah Anker already had stewards for Rails to Trails, but we had no record of that.”
Lennon also recounts seeing Anker at a Shoreham Civic Association meeting, where he said that his office was looking for stewards for the Rails to Trails. He says that Anker tried telling his chief of staff that the records regarding the Rails to Trails stewardship program were in specific parts of the office.
“We have pictures of empty file cabinets. We went through cabinets, desks, nothing. The closets were a mess, but no records,” said Lennon.
Lennon has prior legislative aide experience to
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) and Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk). He says the cleaned out office is anomalous to previous governmental conditions under which he has worked.
“I heard that this had happened to Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) when he took office in 2019. He then submitted a bill to make cleaning out an office and destroying or otherwise moving files and information an offense. Lennon says he is working to further strengthen that law.
A Broken “Covenant”
“It was my understanding that there was a covenant between the Republicans and Democrats. Forget about what letter is next to my name,” said Lennon. “We believe this was done intentionally to set me up to fail. She thought so much of her constituents that she threw out their information and now has the audacity to run for State Senate. I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. Whoever does something like this is not qualified to represent anyone ever again. What this did is it failed the people we’re supposed to represent and only enhances peoples’ opinions that politicians are in it for themselves.”
Lennon says that the three files found in the office were not open cases. They contacted the constituents and the cases required no additional follow-up.
“We tried reaching out to the people in our district. We would cold call civic groups and community organizations. Most were responsive, but some weren’t. There were some chambers who were teetering on being able to function, so we did a civic roundtable at the Longwood Public Library,” said Lennon.
From the closets, Lennon says bags of naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan, were recovered, as well as office supplies and random fliers for different organizations.
Lennon cannot confirm what information might have been on the files that are currently not recoverable.
“If you throw files with personal information in the dumpster, for instance, then everyone’s personal information is now in a dumpster who knows who gets is,” says Lennon, painting a picture of what kinds of privacy breaches could entail.
Lennon also says that he did not want to leave the Mount Sinai office, but that the decision to move came down to an issue with the landlord, not the state of the office left behind by Legislator Anker. The new Sixth District office is located 745 Route 25A, Suite D, in Rocky Point.
“I believe this was done to set me up for failure. Whether it was personal or political, I can’t speak to that,” said Lennon. “The fact that someone would do this demonstrates their value of the people whom they represented. Our job is to make peoples’ lives better.” Lennon closed with what an individual said to him on the matter.
“Someone said to me, ‘you’re the victim.’ I’m not the victim, the constituents are. I represent the people; they’re the ones who are harmed in this, not me,” said Lennon.
The Legislature is scheduled to issue subpoena powers for this investigation on Friday.
Legislator Lennon speaks to a Veteran (Credit - Matt Meduri)
- Originally published 10/10/24
Romaine Announces Promotions, Top Positions for SCPD
By Matt Meduri - Originally published 2/29/24
Election years nowadays are dominated by discussions of maintaining public safety and fostering transparent, respected police forces. Last year’s local 2023 elections were no exceptions, with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) running on a platform of public safety and major staff overhauls to the Suffolk County Police Department.
The major objective for Romaine was to fill positions within the department that were left vacant by the administration of former County Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon). The vacancies not only accounted for a slimmer police force, but also a budget vacuum, as taxpayer dollars continued to fund a police budget that was not being adequately represented, from retirements in higher leadership to less rank-and-file officers on patrol.
leading the detective division in fighting and solving crimes,” said Waring.
Last Thursday, at the Police Headquarters in Yaphank, Romaine was joined by Police Commissioner Robert Waring, members of the SCPD, and members of the Suffolk County Legislature, all of whom ran alongside Romaine on a ticket of promoting and maintaining public safety.
“It is a great day for Suffolk County because we have a great police department,” said Romaine. “But recently we’ve had a lot of retirements and we’ve had positions that were in the budget that we all pay taxes for that were left vacant. In fact, last year I pointed out that fifty-two positions that were listed in the budget for detectives were left vacant, despite the fact we were paying taxes towards those positions. I don’t believe in budgets like that. I believe if you put a position in the budget and you fund it, and you charge taxpayers for it, you fill it. And we need these positions. So today, we are going to promote sixty-eight people in this department.”
Romaine also said that an ongoing class has 129 officers in it, and in the summer, the class will exceed 200 officers.
Romaine listed the positions slated to be filled: three deputy inspectors, a captain, six lieutenants, two detective sergeants, thirty sergeants, and twenty-four detectives.
“The detectives are critical, because our patrol officers are out there all the time, and if they’re seeing something, they’re responding,” said Romaine. “But sometimes, you’re not there all the time, and sometimes you need detectives to go back and take a look at what happened, trace
Waring also announced the promotion of William Doherty to the role of Deputy Chief of Patrol. Doherty has been a member of the department for twenty-eight years and was an Executive Officer in the Third Precinct.
Colleen Cooney was also promoted to Deputy Inspector and now serves as the department’s second-highest-ranked female officer. Cooney has been with the department for thirty-one years and heads the communications and records bureau.
“Every person who has been promoted should have a strong sense of pride and accomplishment,” said Waring. “Policing is a demanding but rewarding career and they have proven themselves ready for the next challenge. On Tuesday, more than thirty supervisors were promoted. This provides an opportunity for them to lead by example, and I am confident that they will. The addition of twenty-four detectives reinforces our detective squads who investigate the most serious crimes. These new detectives have proven that they have necessary skills to be effective investigators. We are committed to public safety and serving our communities. These promotions ensure we have the resources to do that.”
Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) spoke after Waring.
“It is really a pleasure to be here with all my colleagues who are very instrumental across all party lines to make sure that we make public safety a priority here in Suffolk County,” said McCaffrey. “That started with the last budget that we approved that amended the County Executive’s budget to increase the amount of police officers put on the street. And as the commissioner knows, you can’t make promotions if you don’t have police officers put on the backfill. So, we’ve made sure that’s happened over the last couple of years. We’ve made a commitment along with the county executive to make sure that the 225 police officers that we put in this year’s budget are going to
McCaffrey also said that having no vacancies in the force is a clear priority.
Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Public Safety Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) declared the day one of “promises made,
“For many years I’ve been yelling about proportional budget,” said Flotteron. “A lot of positions are just not filled, but then our overtime explodes because we’re not filling positions. It’s just bad management. This is one of the safest counties in the country. We wanted to be the safest county hese positions. The County Executive has been here just over six weeks and we’ve already gotten this far.”
When asked about the purpose of leaving the positions open and leaving holes in the budget, Romaine said that he did not want to “characterize” his predecessor [Bellone], but that if “you get a job in the budget and you tax people, you should fill that job. If you’re not, then you’re getting
“I have no idea what they did with the additional funds, we are looking at it now,” said
Romaine concluded by speaking of the need to reinforce public safety, a common goal shared by himself and the Suffolk County Legislature.
“It’s something that transcends party lines. It’s something that we all care about, and I cannot say thank you enough for their support in this endeavor, to ensure that we’re seeing police officers on our streets today to keep our people safe,” said Romaine. Romaine and Waring were joined by several officers who received promotions on Thursday, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), as well as Suffolk County Legislators Ann Welker (D-Southampton), Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), and Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport).
CreditMatt Meduri
Commissioner Robert Waring (center) with promoted members of the SCPD and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (left). Inset: Belinda Groneman sworn in by County Clerk Vincent Puleo.
Long Island Baseball Runs Through Suffolk Kings Park, Commack, and Hauppauge Earn Champ Titles
By James Haupt - Originally published 6/6/24
It was an exciting weekend of Long Island baseball that saw three familiar faces crowned champions. Kings Park, Commack, and Hauppauge followed up their County Championship wins with an even more impressive milestone. Each team earned a Long Island Championship victory this past Saturday, June 1, etching their name in their school’s history.
Balk-Off for Kings Park
For Kings Park, baseball runs deep within its roots as it’s the home of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. Despite this, the 2024 Kingsmen have arguably made themselves the most influential team in the school’s history.
This was just their second Long Island Championship win in school history, but their first in the Class A division. They previously won in Class B in 2001.
The Kingsmen took on Clarke (Westbury) in a competitive Long Island Championship matchup. Their dominant pitching was on display again in this one, with senior Hunter Colagrande throwing seven innings, allowing only one run.
Unfortunately, Clarke managed to hold Kings Park to one run as well, resulting in extra innings. This was a familiar scene for the Kingsmen who have been part of many close games and pitcher duels throughout the season. Staying focused in the moment has been a huge part of their success.
After a scoreless eighth inning, a Clarke senior roped a double in the top of the ninth to take the lead. The Kingsmen wouldn’t give up that easily, as junior Vincenzo Buffolino hit a game-tying RBI single in the bottom half of the ninth. They now had a chance to walk it off and take home the championship title.
A new pitcher came in for Clarke to try to shut Kings Park down and continue the game. However, on the first pitch of the at-bat, the field umpire made a controversial balk call that would end the game. It allowed the runner on third to score without a pitch being thrown.
It was a balk-off for the Kingsmen who were stunned at the final call.
“It was a crazy way to end the game,” said Colagrande. “Before the ball even reaches the plate, we’re like ‘wow we just won.’ It was just a delayed reaction and then everybody exploded.”
The exciting finish sends Kings Park to Binghamton to compete for a state championship this weekend. Their next matchup is the semifinals against Pittsford-Sutherland on June 7. If the Kingsmen win that game, they will advance to the state finals.
“We’re going to do what we’ve been doing all season,” Colagrande said. We know we can handle business up there. We have a good chance at this.”
Historic Day in Hauppauge
“We’ve been close a few times before,” said Coach Josh Gutes. “To get over the hump and win this game in the way that we did, and against a team with the history they have, is unbelievable. This is something that decades later, everybody will look back on.”
The game was highlighted by a complete game from senior pitcher Matt Neglia. He allowed one run in the first inning, but shut Division down until the end. The Eagles then managed to record four runs on five hits to take a commanding 4-1 lead.
The Eagles held a 4-2 lead, just three outs away from history. Coach Gutes chose to keep his ace in for the last inning to take the championship home.
Neglia managed to get two outs before facing off with Division’s Matt Bolton with one runner on. In what was a crucial moment in the game, Bolton almost managed to tie it up as he ripped a double to right field that just barely stayed in the ballpark. This brought in a run making it a 4-3 game.
Coach Gutes intentionally walked what marked the winning run for Division to make it a force play at all bases. A wild pitch put this plan in danger as the winning run now stood at second with the only force being at first.
It was Neglia’s game to win, and he came through, forcing a ground ball to third that secured Hauppauge’s first-ever Long Island Championship. The players, coaches, and fans were excited to celebrate history for their school. Coach Gutes described the atmosphere for their victory.
The Kings Park victory marked the first Suffolk County team crowned Long Island Champion on the weekend. The next game lined up for the day was between Hauppauge High School and Division (Levittown) in the Class AA bracket.
Hauppauge was coming off their first County Championship since 2000 with hopes of a new accomplishment. The Eagles were in search of their first-ever Long Island Championship. After a hard-fought battle, they earned this title with a 4-3 victory.
“It felt like the entire community was there,” Coach Gutes said. “We felt it there on the field.”
The Eagles now look on to Binghamton as they try to make even more history and earn a state title. They will face Victor on June 7 for their semi-final matchup.
Repeat Champions
With two Suffolk County teams already victorious, Commack was hungry for what would be their second Long Island Championship victory in a row.
The Cougars entered this season in the newly formed Class AAA division. They went up against the biggest schools on Long Island, giving them some tough competition. This resulted in a challenging route to their fourth county championship in three years.
Commack wanted to repeat as Long Island Champions as well and make their way back to Binghamton. The only obstacle in their way was Farmingdale High School.
The Cougars took care of business, earning a 2-1 victory to earn their third Long Island Championship in four years.
This game was highlighted by yet another stellar pitching performance from senior Evan Kay who threw a complete game with 11 strikeouts, and allowing only one run. His run support came from RBI singles from senior Dean Vincent in the first and eighth-grade catcher Robbie Mascia in the fifth.
Commack’s victory made it three Long Island Champions from Suffolk
are all neighboring hamlets as the talent continues to develop
The gritty performance for the repeat champions puts them in a match up against Fairport in their semi-final round this Friday, June 7. They hope to achieve something new this year with a potential chance at their first state championship in program history.
County. In fact, the three winners
in this area.
Commack Cougars celebrate after winning the County championship (Credit - Jacob Infald)
Compelling Conversations
‘The Sky’s the Limit:’ A Conversation with Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia
By Matt Meduri - Originally published 11/21/2024
The 2024 presidential election has the signals of a realigning election, one that seems to have received its core support from an unlikely locale: New York.
The Empire State hasn’t backed a Republican presidential nominee since 1984, with no Republican exceeding 40% of the vote since George W. Bush (R-TX) in 2004. This year, however, while the state was not technically considered “in play,” - Trump did visit the state three times - it still offered what seems to be the greatest rightward shift of any state in the country.
In 2020, Joe Biden (DDE) won New York with 60% of the vote to Donald Trump’s (R-FL) 37%. This year, Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) only took in 55% of the vote to Trump’s 44% - about a twelve-point swing to the right. Kamala Harris delivered the worst performance for a Democrat in the Empire State since 1988, when Michael Dukakis (D-MA) won New York by just 250,000 votes, and she is the first Democratic nominee since that election to win New York by a margin of less than one million votes. Additionally, 2024 is the first election in which New York voted to the right of Washington state since 1956, Connecticut since 1960, and Delaware since 1980.
up to be the next big battleground for - at leastthe 2030s?
The answer might be found within our own county, and Democrats’ twenty-year dominance in local politics in Suffolk County might have offered a bit of a mirage over our true political ancestry.
Going back to the birth of the GOP in 1856, Suffolk County has only backed Democratic presidential candidates in just nine elections, with the stretch from 1996 to 2012 being its longest Democratic voting streak. Al Gore’s (D-TN) eleven-point win in Suffolk in 2000 is the best performance for a Democrat going back to 1964, and the second-best overall.
Trump flipped Suffolk in 2016, winning it by almost 50,000 votes and seven points. In 2020, Suffolk held the title of the largest suburban county in the nation to back Trump, but Trump only held Suffolk by the narrowest of margins: just 200 votes out of nearly 750,000 ballots cast.
This year, however, Suffolk delivered the best margin for a Republican since 1988: Trump took 55.01% of the vote to Harris’ 44.16%, with just 0.83% going for third parties. Trump’s near-eleven-point win translates to a margin of almost 80,000 raw votes.
To better understand the swing as it pertains to New York’s possible playing power in 2028, as well as what it means Suffolk-side, The Messenger sat down with the brains behind the local Republican Party: Chairman Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge)
“This was a race where a very simple question was asked by Trump: ‘are you better off now than you were four years ago?’” Garcia told The Messenger . “We can compare two records, one of historically low inflation, unemployment, energy independence, our country respected around the world, and a secure border that made our communities safer. Under Harris and Biden, we’ve had record high inflation, wages at their all-time low, an unsecure border that allowed sex traffickers, human traffickers, and cartels to poison our children with fentanyl and take over our communities, and the foreign policy of appeasement, which made America less safe because our enemies became emboldened. The voters are very, very astute. They do their own research, they know what works and what doesn’t work, and this was a complete rejection of Democratic policies that have come down from Albany and Washington, with the ‘woke” policies that have truly divided America.”
At Donald Trump’s September rally at Nassau Coliseum, The Messenger spoke with Garcia, who called Long Island the “tip of the spear” in making New York competitive. Last Tuesday’s election results certainly seem to have vindicated that analysis.
“We are the engine that drives Republican victories locally and statewide. We have seen Donald Trump, in the ultimate rejection of the progressive agenda, come within eleven points of capturing this state,” said Garcia. “He gained almost thirteen points in four years and had historic numbers across the state. I’m proud that as the Chairman from Suffolk, we delivered 400,000 votes for Trump, a record number of votes any presidential nominee has ever received from this county.”
Donald Trump also managed to follow the path chartered by former Congressman and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) by either meeting or exceeding Zeldin’s margins in the four solidly-blue boroughs of New York. Trump has received almost 40% of the vote in Queens, 30% each in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and 20% in Manhattan. In the last three presidential elections, New York City, overall, has moved almost thirty points to the right.
Harris’ performance in New York now begs the question: was the swing self-contained and will New York drift leftward in 2028, or is New York shaping
“That’s why we’ve coined the phrase ‘Suffolk is Trump Country.’ We’ve demonstrated through local governance a collaborative operation to run campaigns on the path to victory in different races,” said Garcia, adding that Suffolk posted the largest number of votes for Trump of any New York county, and it was the most populous county nationwide to go for Trump in three consecutive elections.
The swing wasn’t just confined to Suffolk, however, as neighboring Nassau County broke an even longer voting streak to hand Trump back the White House keys. Ancestrally, Nassau is about as red as Suffolk, backing Democrats only ten times going back to 1900, the year Nassau and Queens split to form their own counties. Its Democratic voting streak from 1992 to 2020 is its longest on record, with Gore’s nineteen-point win in 2000 being the secondbest on record, just behind 1964.
Nassau County broke for Trump by about three points, or a margin of 30,000 votes.
Also on the national level, Garcia also shared his optimism and approval of President-elect Trump’s choice in Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“I’m very proud that Suffolk’s favorite son will be joining the Trump Cabinet. He has an exceptional environmental record as a former State Senator and former Congressman. He knows the importance of balance of preservation of the environment, quality of life, and economic growth, and that view is shared by millions of Americans,” said Garcia.
Garcia, who was unanimously elected as GOP Chairman in 2019 and became the first Hispanic chair of any party in New York, outlined just how much the local party has gained in just the last few years.
In 2021, for the first time in twenty years, Suffolk elected a Republican District Attorney in Ray Tierney (R). That same election, Republicans took a majority in the County Legislature for the first time in sixteen years. Suffolk followed up the 2021 local red wave election by coming out hard for Lee Zeldin during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, where he received almost 60% of the votes and almost 300,000 raw votes. Finally, the local party’s success met them a third consecutive time in 2023, as Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) became the first Republican elected County Executive since 1999, and with him, Republicans formed their first supermajority in the County Legislature since 1996.
Continued on following page
Chairman Garcia speaks at Donald Trump’s rally at Nassau Coliseum in September (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from previous page
Compelling Conversations
‘The Sky’s the Limit:’ A Conversation with Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia
“What we are demonstrating here at the local level, I believe, is being witnessed by statewide and national candidates. Trump talked about making America more affordable, secure, and safe, and we’ve heard those terms in our local elections in 2023,” said Garcia. “You can see that the ability of Republicans to govern locally and connect with voters is being noticed in statewide races.”
Garcia also notes Long Island’s red hue in the Senate race, which saw Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) beat firsttime candidate Mike Sapraicone (R-Floral Park) by seventeen points. While it’s still a large win, it’s noticeably decreased from Gillibrand’s previous three margins. Her first election was a 2010 special to fill the seat of Hillary Clinton (D). Gillibrand won with 63% of the vote and carried only eight of New York’s sixty-two counties, Suffolk not included. Gillibrand would trounce Wendy Long (R) in 2012, taking 72% of the vote and winning all but two counties. Gillibrand took a third landslide for a second full term over Chele Farley (R) in 2018, winning with 67% of the vote, but losing twenty-six counties she had carried before.
Sapraicone might have lost by seventeen points statewide, but he carried Suffolk County by six points - a margin of about 45,000 votes - and he even won Nassau County by just 0.1% - or about 800 votes out of almost 800,000 cast. Along with denying Gillibrand cultural Long Island’s two counties, Sapraicone is also on track to flip eleven other counties that backed her six years ago.
“I’m proud that even against an absentee Senator in Gillibrand, this is the second consecutive Senate cycle that our Democratic Senators, including Chuck Schumer (D), lost Long Island. And now, his junior partner lost Long Island. That says a lot.”
Indeed, New York’s U.S. Senate races have become more interesting, with the universally-known - and Senate Majority Leader - Chuck Schumer (D) winning by just fourteen points in 2022, losing both Suffolk and Nassau decisively to Joe Pinion (R). His only close election in his Senate career was in 1998, when he unseated New York’s most recent Republican Senator, Al D’Amato (R-Lido Beach).
“We have a lot of talented and successful Republican chairs across the state, and they see what we’re doing in Suffolk. We share the same tactics and tools,” shared Garcia. Given the quick and tectonic shift in Suffolk’s politics, and how such a swing certainly contributed to the dramatic statewide swing, party leaders from around the state should be consulting with Garcia on how to keep pushing the Empire State, especially its valuable basket of twentyeight electoral votes, into more purple territory.
is also optimistic about the Republican energy in Suffolk County. All Republican State Senators and Assemblymembers were re-elected this year, while the race in the Fourth Assembly District has not yet been called. Oneterm Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson) narrowly trails former Port Jefferson Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) by less than half of a percentage point. The Fourth District includes the heavily-Democratic Three Village area. In 2022, Flood unseated a thirty-year incumbent in then-Assemblyman, now-County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket). The historic upset was quickly downplayed by some that Flood had only ridden Zeldin’s coattails into office. The extraordinary close result this year proves that the Suffolk GOP can continue to play in areas like Three Village.
Likewise, Republicans came extraordinarily close to flipping an Assembly district that has been a Democratic bastion for years. Retired NYPD police officer Joe Cardinale (R-Amityville) trails Kwani O’Pharrow (D-West Babylon) by just a single vote out of nearly 25,000 cast in the Suffolk portion of the district, which includes most of the traditionally Democratic Town of Babylon.
“For us to force Democrats to defend an open seat that weighs in as eleven points more Democratic than the nation overall, a seat they’ve had in their column since the 1980s, that’s a triumph in itself,” said Garcia. “Joe Cardinale is an outstanding candidate, and this will not be the last we’ve heard of him. He’s demonstrated a path for success, and we’re moving forward with that mandate. While the two races might result in losses for the county GOP, the tightness of the races ensures a solid floor of support has been established.
But Garcia says that, ultimately, it all comes down to the communities that make the changes happen.
“This is the result of the work of my committee members and volunteers, the thousands of them who live and work in the communities, members of local chambers of commerce, the PTAs, the rotary clubs. They are the ones who truly make this happen. With their dedication, the sky’s the limit,” says Garcia.
All eyes now turn to perhaps one of the unlikeliest ground-zeroes for a national campaign. Confidence in a shifting New York was vindicated in Tuesday’s election results, and national Republicans must now keep their newfound coalition together to fully push the state into more competitive waters.
Garcia
Chariman Jesse Garcia addresses attendees at the 2024 election night watch party (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Garcia with Lee Zeldin (left) at the GOP’s annual GOTV Hangar Rally (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump at Butler Rally: Local Leaders React
By Cait Crudden - Originally published 7/18/2024
In a shocking and deeply disturbing turn of events over the weekend, an assassination attempt was made on former President Donald Trump (R-FL) during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack, which resulted in the tragic death of a supporter, firefighter Corey Comperatore, and injuries to several others, has sent shockwaves through the nation and reignited a crucial conversation about the state of political discourse in America.
The rally, intended as a platform for Trump to address his supporters and outline his campaign agenda, was abruptly marred by violence when an assailant opened fire. The immediate response from law enforcement and emergency services was swift, but the chaos and confusion that ensued left one supporter dead and several others injured. The motives behind the attack are still under investigation.
In the wake of this heinous act, there has been an outpouring of condemnation from across the political spectrum. Leaders and citizens alike have expressed their horror and sorrow over the incident, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of the current political climate.
“Hopefully, Saturday’s assassination attempt marks the lowest point in the fifteen years of divisiveness plaguing American politics,” stated Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) (pictured left). “It’s time for the media, candidates and incumbents to reflect deeply and tone down the inflammatory rhetoric. Let’s shift our focus to the substantive issues in our policy disagreement”.
The assassination attempt underscores a disturbing trend in contemporary politics, where increasingly divisive rhetoric has contributed to a climate of hostility and intolerance. Experts and political analysts have long warned that the rising tone of animosity could potentially lead to dangerous outcomes. The incident in Butler is a stark reminder of the realworld consequences of unchecked aggression and incendiary speech.
Elected officials and leaders from both sides of the aisle have condemned the violent attack and called for a reduction in the divisive rhetoric that has characterized much of the current political discourse.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald J. Trump following an incident at his Pennsylvania rally. Donald Trump thrust his fist in the air, bleeding from what appeared to be his ear, as a show of strength on behalf of our nation and our democratic process. Violence or hate will not defeat the spirit and values of the United States of America or Donald Trump,” said Suffolk County GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge) (pictured right) in a statement. “This is a democracy, a free country, and no one should ever be the target of violence. This is not about politics; this is about our republic and our American way of life. We must stand together as a nation and not allow our democracy to be compromised by those who seek to instill fear to affect change. Today, we also witnessed the efficient professionalism of the Secret Service, as well as all law enforcement and first responders. We thank them for their ongoing service in Pennsylvania, the streets of Suffolk, and neighborhoods throughout America. The Suffolk County GOP and the rest of the country condemn this act and stand united to protect our country and President Trump.”
official or candidate for office regardless of political affiliation have no place in this country. As Americans, we stand united on the principles that make our country strong. While there are no reported threats in Suffolk County at this time, my office will continue to monitor the situation.”
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) (pictured below right) said in a statement: “Violence has no place in our political process, whether in our capitals or on the campaign trail. We are thankful that former President Trump was not seriously harmed, and we send our prayers to the loved ones of the rally spectators who were apparent victims of this callous assassination attempt. Kudos for the bravery and quick response of the Secret Service and members of law enforcement.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) (pictured above left) said in a statement: “Violence is never the answer. I was sad to learn of the death and serious injury inflicted by a would-be assassin. Thankfully, President Trump is safe and well. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim who was killed and all those affected by today’s terrible events.”
Former Democratic Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), who was shot in 2011, echoed these sentiments as well putting out a statement saying “Political violence is terrifying. I know. I’m holding former President Trump and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable. Never.”
The Butler shooting highlights a critical issue, the need for civility in political discourse. The emotional and physical toll of political violence is immense, and it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the political arena to foster an environment where robust debate does not devolve into threats or violence.
As the investigation into the attack continues, there is a collective call for action to prevent future incidents. Campaigns, political organizations, media outlets, and individuals are urged to promote messages of unity and respect, reinforcing the principles of democratic engagement without resorting to aggression.
The assassination attempt on President Trump is a grave reminder of the potential consequences of a divisively charged political atmosphere within our country. It is a moment for reflection and action to ensure that such violence does not become a fixture of American political life. The nation must come together to reaffirm its commitment to safety, respect, and the peaceful exchange of ideas, ensuring that the values of democracy and civil discourse prevail.
“There is no place for political violence in our country. I’m so thankful President Trump has been reported safe,” remarked Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) (pictured left). “Thank you to the Secret Service for their quick and decisive response.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said in a statement: “Hatred and acts of violence toward an elected
“This is a democracy, a free country, and no one should ever be the target of violence. This is not about politics; this is about our republic and our American way of life. We must stand together as a nation and not allow our democracy to be compromised by those who seek to instill fear to affect change. Today, we also witnessed the efficient professionalism of the Secret Service, as well as all law enforcement and first responders. We thank them for their ongoing service in Pennsylvania, the streets of Suffolk, and neighborhoods throughout America. The Suffolk County GOP and the rest of the country condemn this act and stand united to protect our country and President Trump.”
Suffolk County GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia
‘Welcome Home:’ Vietnam Vets Memorial Finds Permanent Place in Blydenburgh Park
By Matt Meduri - Originally published
4/18/2024
A Veterans’ memorial has finally found a permanent place in a County park after over twenty years of renovations and efforts from local leaders and elected officials.
The Vietnam Era Hauppauge Honor Roll monument was created to memorialize and honor Hauppauge natives who fought in the Vietnam Era, a term used by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs classifies Veterans who served during the Vietnam War.
The original monument was erected in 1966, fell into disrepair and dislocation, prompting leaders, Veterans’ organizations, and local government to not only beautify and revitalize the monument, but find it a permanent home.
Kevin O’Hare, President of the Suffolk County Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association (SCCPAAA), a Kings Park resident, and a Vietnam Veteran himself, led the charge to restore the monument to its former glory.
The monument was restored in 2016 by Eagle Scout Nick Sanders and names were added to the plaques last year. Most recently, the monument was located in Bill Richards Park, located just adjacent to Blydenburgh County Park on Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 454) in Hauppauge.
However, the journey for the monument and those it honors was much more turbulent.
From its creation in 1966 until 2001, it was located at the corner of Old Willets Path and Route 454. O’Hare helped restore the monument in 2001, but that began the long journey of finding a home for it.
“We come today to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of all those that served this great nation,” said Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency Director Marcelle Leis, Retired Command Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant. “And to our Vietnam Veterans who are here today, welcome home,” she added, invoking the customary greeting for Vietnam Veterans.
“I got a call in 2001 asking for help with this monument,” said O’Hare. “It was in the woods, turned sideways, and about to fall over. The minute we touched the base, it collapsed. We carted it off on a flatbed, and a Navy Veteran, Norm Strong, took it to his shop in his garage.”
O’Hare says that Strong found that the monument had been significantly decayed, crawling with termites and mice. The only alternative was to build a new monument.
“We put ads in the papers looking for anyone who should have their names on the new monument,” said O’Hare. “Norm Strong took it upon himself to design it and he held it in his garage for over a year while I went around trying to find a place to put it.”
O’Hare added that levels of government jurisdiction precluded the monument from being placed on certain lands, specifically as it relates to Town monuments on County land.
O’Hare said that he consulted with the State Department of Transportation, who he said “turned me down twice.” He even considered a place in Commack, which was ultimately not agreed upon due to traffic concerns, and O’Hare’s own reservations about moving the memorial from Hauppauge, which would have defeated its original purpose.
Former Smithtown Supervisor Pat Vecchio offered O’Hare Bill Richards Park. Following the dedication, O’Hare was approached by Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), who recommended an Eagle Scout in her district who was looking for a project. The aforementioned Nick Sanders restored the names on the plaques that had fallen off from years of sun exposure.
Finally, the monument found its home in Blydenburgh County Park, after which it received masonry supplies from an anonymous donor and multiple labor hours from members of the Suffolk County Parks department to install the monument just near the park’s boat ramp.
“It was very labor-intensive to find a place for this memorial,” said O’Hare. He thanked Legislator Kennedy, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), who, during his time on the Smithtown Town Board, helped the project along during its stint at Bill Richards Park, as well as Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches).
“Both county executives gave me full control of the project,” O’Hare told The Messenger, referring to former Executive Steve Bellone (D-West Babylon) and current Executive Romaine. “They gave me full control of the Parks Department [regarding the project]. They were here when I wanted to meet them here.”
O’Hare says his next project will be to work on free admittance to Blydenburgh for Veterans, as Veterans do not pay in various County and Town parks.
County Executive Romaine, a former history teacher at Hauppauge High School, gave the brief history lesson on the Vietnam Era, discussing the war under President Kennedy (D-MA), to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution under President Lyndon Johnson (D-TX).
“This country went astray in the early 1970s when they didn’t recognize and respect those who served, who were called to service for this country. We’re here to say we’re going to make up for that,” said Romaine, referencing the poor treatment of Vietnam Veterans for years after the war. “We’re always going to remember your service. Welcome home and thank you to all those who
served our country so honorably in difficult times.”
Romaine said the monument’s dedication is “long overdue,” and that it will “stand forever to recognize people who served in difficult times, answered the call, and served honorably.”
Legislator Leslie Kennedy, a long-time partner of the project, said that she and County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) have been “protecting” the monument for over twenty years, going back to when Comptroller Kennedy represented the Twelfth District in the County Legislature.
“I learned about what happened in Vietnam when I was six years old from my father, a World War II Purple Heart Marine, at a Memorial Day parade in Commack. He explained to me what went on [in Vietnam] and the questions about was it a legitimate war and the peoples’ horrible reactions,” said Legislator Kennedy. “And ever since that day, when I realized the unfairness of the way people that served our country were treated by other people who take for granted all their liberties, I’ve been a protector.”
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Veterans Committee, also delivered remarks.
“It’s an honor to ensure that our Veterans of all conflicts, generations, and eras get the due recognition they deserve as well as their family members. This is a great tribute that families can come for generations with your grandchildren, great-grandchildren,” said Caracappa. “Suffolk County recognizes its Veterans. We thank you for your great service to this country and to this county, because you keep giving back every chance you get.”
Congressman Nick LaLota, a Navy Veteran, addressed attendees as well.
“It’s incumbent upon all of us, especially those who wore the uniform afterwards, to properly recognize that our Vietnam Veterans sacrificed both overseas but sometimes more so when they got home without the proper welcome, treatment, and respect that their service and their uniform commanded,” said LaLota. “We [the U.S.] have provided more freedom and opportunity not just to individuals within our own borders, but overseas as well. And at the tip of that spear is the fighting American man and woman.”
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, a Vietnam Veteran and a long-time help over the course of the monument’s life, said “we’re proud of the fact that Smithtown has one of the highest Veteran populations in Suffolk County, particularly since Suffolk County is the second-largest home of Veterans in the country.”
“This memorial is deeply personal to me. This location is beautiful and now, more people will be able to admire it,” said Wehrheim. “Kids will learn about our local Vietnam Veterans, their stories and the sacrifices that they made.”
The monument has two boards, one for Vietnam Veterans of Hauppauge, and another for Veterans of other wars and eras who are or were also native to Hauppauge.
Several other public officials were present, including Suffolk County Park Commissioner John Giannott, Assemblymembers Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-St. James), and Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow), Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Smithtown Councilmembers Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown) and Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park), Smithtown Clerk Tom McCarthy (R-Smithtown), Suffolk County Comptroller Kennedy, and Suffolk County Legislators Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park), and Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue). A representative for Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), a Marine reservist, was also present.
To the Hauppauge monument, Vietnam Veterans, and Veterans of all wars and eras: welcome home, indeed.
Mental Health Awareness in Policing
By Louis Civello - Originally published 2/29/2024
Just because you wear a shield and serve and protect doesn’t make you immune to mental health issues, and more than ever, police unions are evaluating our approaches to this emerging crisis and realizing that we as a society need to do better.
The alarms are ringing, as is evident right here in Suffolk County, as we experienced the tragic loss of four law enforcement officers to suicide within the past two months.
According to available data, suicide rates are a staggering 54% higher among law enforcement personnel than the general population, while even more officers suffer from PTSD caused by violence encountered on the job.
The Suffolk County PBA has an established Providing Enforcers Education and Resources (PEER) Team whose mission is to provide law enforcement personnel and their families with the necessary education and resources to maintain a healthy and productive lifestyle. The team is made up of PBA members with the desire to support their peers during times of need. These extraordinary individuals volunteer their own time to provide their colleagues with an open ear or a shoulder to lean on. In many situations, PEER Team members effectively give advice and assist colleagues in getting through difficult times.
Peer teams in other professions have been effective tools to help individuals in distress. They’ve also been effective at helping to destigmatize seeking mental health treatment.
Even the toughest guys and gals have bad days, whether it’s dealing with personal issues at home, the stress of the job, overcoming trauma, or any of the other thousand things we do that can strain our mental health.
There is often a hesitation to talk about mental health struggles with a supervisor because of a fear of career repercussions. The PBA PEER Team alleviates that fear by having members connect with officers of the same rank. Many people, especially police officers, feel more comfortable talking about the issues they are battling with peers who have similar experiences. When members seek help, if appropriate, we can refer them to a psychologist who specializes in working with police officers.
Our mental struggles are not always relatable to non-law enforcement officers, so having a doctor available who has worked with police officers for decades is extremely valuable.
Police officers experience a variety of situations that can be difficult to deal with on their own, irrespective of life’s daily curve balls. Some officers might continually relive and replay a dangerous incident that occurred on the job. We are regularly helping people during their worst times, often dealing with scenarios when people are not behaving with their kindest intentions. Over time, this can be difficult to cope
with.
Some police officers experience one horrific scene and it can change their outlook on life in an instant. Some police officers experience multiple horrific scenes such as responding to the death of a child in a car accident or responding to a murder scene, and stress becomes cumulative sneaking up on you and pushing you over the edge.
For some police officers, it’s the stress that comes with working through holidays, weekends, and birthdays, and missing out on memories with our families. It’s not always easy for our loved ones to accept that we can’t be around to share in these exciting moments.
When our family struggles to understand, it can be more difficult to deal with our struggles. These kinds of struggles often compound themselves, and they can devolve into a depletion of physical health. Difficulty sleeping, bad eating habits, or increased alcohol consumption often accompany mental health issues along with the development of anxiety or depression.
In Suffolk County, we know we can do more for the mental health of our police officers. County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) has always been a strong supporter of law enforcement, and we are working to create a comprehensive plan to address wellness and mental health. Ideas include utilizing our existing PEER Team in a greater capacity but also adding additional resources and incentives to break the stigma surrounding treatment. Officers must trust that seeking help will not harm their careers or their ability to provide for their families. While having a volunteer PEER team has been beneficial, we need police officers whose full-time job will be mental health counseling.
Education must also be a cornerstone of our plan. Suicide prevention and awareness training coupled with other modern techniques and services are a vital tool to improve public safety and protect our officers. Studies have shown that poor mental health often negatively affects work habits. Working together to improve mental health and peer programs will strengthen our police department.
The Suffolk PBA strongly supports legislation to fund and create a training program to enhance resources available for peer-to-peer volunteer teams. We are collaborating with other unions and county elected officials to address this crisis. We need to lobby for statewide assistance to improve funding and resources for mental health.
We cannot afford to do nothing; our officers’ lives depend on what we do next.
Louis Civello is the president of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Assoiation.
Why the Suffolk PBA Backs President Trump
By Louis Civello - Originally published 10/24/2024
Our country’s law enforcement faces an unprecedented crisis. Violent crime is up, our border is open, and police recruitment is at a historic low. This crisis was largely created by the left. They’ve spent the last few years demonizing our officers, attempting to defund us, and strip us of the very tools we need to protect the public. Electing Donald Trump (R-FL) will be a harsh rebuke of the anti-police movement, and it will mark a return to a safer America.
When it comes to police and public safety, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (D-CA) could not be further apart. Vice President Harris supports defunding the police. Asked about her position, she stated “for too long the status quo thinking was you get more safety by putting more cops on the street. Well, that’s wrong.” In contrast, President Donald Trump pushed to fund police departments, signing the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Authorization Act in 2018. This Act funded a nationwide law enforcement program focused on the reduction of violent crime, which meant more cops on the streets to keep communities safe.
As President, Donald Trump restored the 1033 program providing law enforcement with access to lifesaving equipment such as bullet proof vests, long guns, and armored vehicles which are used by police nationwide to respond to mass casualty events like terrorist attacks and school shootings. Vice President Harris instead called for the “demilitarization of police” and cut the program, putting officer’s lives at risk and endangering the public.
Vice President Harris presided over the border crisis. Leaving the border virtually unsecured has allowed for the influx of violent criminals and allowed deadly fentanyl to flow into our communities. In 2022, Suffolk County saw over 400 deaths from these deadly drugs, many of which were young adults and children. President Trump oversaw one of the most secure borders in American history. While running for President, Trump’s life was even threatened by Mexican drug lord “el Chapo” because of his tough positions on the border and illegal drugs.
President Trump supports the death penalty for cop-killers. As a prosecutor, Harris refused to seek the death penalty for the thug that murdered San Francisco Police Officer Isacc Espinoza. This outraged many SFPD Officers. It’s an outrage we share, since New York has released forty-two cop-killers in the last seven years.
The Suffolk PBA is also a member of organized labor. President Trump has proposed to eliminate taxes on overtime. This would put thousands of dollars into the pockets of union workers across the country. Vice President Harris has no such proposal and has signaled she favors tax increases.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, as police officers, we take an oath to uphold the constitution. Chief among the constitutional rights is the first amendment. All other rights depend on Americans having freedom of speech.
The Harris-Biden administration has laid siege to that right. They coerced social media companies to censor Americans in the name of “disinformation” (much of which later turned out to be true information). This was an egregious abuse of power and something that goes against the core of what it means to uphold the constitution.
Some of President Trump’s critics point to January 6 as evidence he does not support the police. They say his rhetoric is responsible for the riot that took place at our Nation’s Capitol. This argument is fundamentally flawed. If we held Vice President Harris to the same standard, she would be responsible for all the carnage caused by the BLM rioters, violent attacks on police and the two assassination attempts on President Trump.
At the end of the day, we must have one standard by which to judge. For the SCPBA that standard is examining what these candidates have done and what they intend to do. For the safety of our Nation’s police officers and all those we protect, President Trump is the right choice and the only Presidential nominee that backs the blue.
Louis Civello serves as President of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association (PBA).
Descent into New York
By Peter Chidichimo
- Originally published 4/11/2024
We had enjoyed a comfortable ride on American flight 4555, cruising at 30,000 feet, enjoying our grab-and-go sandwiches, and the coffee that air passengers crave so much. One of the nice things about visiting Key West every March is the relatively expedient flight. While officially listed at three and a half hours, our experience has been closer to three hours, wheels up to wheels down.
As the flight attendant announced our initial descent into New York’s LaGuardia, I ruminated on that word, “descent.” To descend: to plunge, plummet, stumble, or tumble. I tried to remember if I heard that word when we landed in Key West, maybe or maybe not. I heard it now, any coincidence we were returning to New York?
25,000 Feet
As usual, I followed the news while soaking up the Florida sunshine. The latest from New York is the squatter disaster. According to a story published on Fox News on March 19, a property owner in New York City was arrested after encountering a standoff with a group of squatters, who decided to inhabit her property following her parents’ deaths.
“It’s enraging,” said property owner Adele Andaloro, who inherited the million-dollar home from her parents. “It’s not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.”
Meanwhile, in the Sunshine State, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) just signed HB.621, which protects property owners’ rights and provides remedies against squatting.
“We are putting an end to the squatter scam in Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.”
It’s true. Under this new law, a property owner in Florida can request law enforcement to immediately remove a squatter under certain conditions, which are clear and reasonable, including that the individual unlawfully entered the property and was directed to leave. Putting homeowners first, what is Florida thinking?
20,000 Feet
What else is going on in the Big Apple? Former NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has warned that among the thousands of migrants entering the city are notorious gang members from Venezuela and El Salvador. These are “prison spawned gangs” that bring “mindless violence” to our cities, according to Kelly and the FBI.
Apparently, we are in the midst of Albany’s newest great social experiment, the perfect storm of NYC declaring itself a “sanctuary city” for illegal and potentially dangerous migrants, while NYS Democrats reform our bail laws.
protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Those jurisdictions will be required to honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers for undocumented immigrants who are arrested or convicted of a crime.
It’s called protecting the public.
“Sanctuary cities basically create law-free zones where people can come to our state illegally, commit criminal offenses and then walk right out the door and continue to do it,” DeSantis said. “In Florida, that will not happen.”
10,000 Feet
In a case that has shaken Long Island residents, human remains were recently found across Babylon Township and Bethpage State Park. Suffolk police tracked down suspects living in a shared home in Amityville, where “sharp instruments, multiple body parts, and other related items” were found. Four people were charged with concealing a human corpse, tampering with evidence, first-degree hindering prosecution, and tampering with physical evidence.
Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroder, of the Homicide Bureau, stated police have obtained damning evidence against the four, including human remains, meat cleavers, butcher knives, large amounts of blood, as well as video surveillance.
In 2019, the great social experiment began when Governor Cuomo (D) and the Democratic majority overhauled the bail system, which essentially removed the ability of prosecutors to remand defendants for certain crimes, or for judges to exercise discretion in keeping potentially dangerous offenders off the streets. Weak bail laws, sanctuary status for illegal migrants, possible gang members, what could possibly go wrong?
With NYC’s misguided sanctuary policy, the NYPD is barred from communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whereby illegal offenders could be detained or possibly jailed, which would protect the public.
The Great Experiment Blows Up
To illustrate the danger of the great experiment, in September 2022, 26-year-old Jose Ibarra came to NYC, after entering the U.S. illegally under Biden’s open border policy. While here, he was arrested but not detained. He then went to Athens, Georgia, where he was again arrested more than once, and again released (Athens is also a sanctuary city). Ibarra is now charged with the murder of an innocent college student, Laken Riley. In a brutal melee in January, as many as thirteen offenders were caught-on-camera assaulting two police officers in Times Square. Many of the suspects, including migrants, were released without bail. A week later, authorities revealed that several of the men had fled the Big Apple for California. The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) declined to respond when asked about allowing the defendants to walk free. Many have since been re-captured.
Federal officials say that in many cases, New York officials do not alert them when an undocumented defendant is released from court or jail. Doing so would be prudent, until such time that Federal authorities can decide the proper course of action. Apparently, this is how criminal justice works in Big Apple sanctuary land.
I did some checking and learned that, in 2019, Governor DeSantis signed legislation requiring all law enforcement agencies in Florida to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The legislation prohibits local governments from enacting policies that
The four defendants were released without bail, after being issued GPS monitoring devices, pursuant to New York Democrat’s lenient bail laws. Governor Hochul (D) blamed their release on the D.A.’s office, alleging that the prosecutors failed to build their case. But she is totally wrong. Per D.A. Ray Tierney (R), law enforcement had to act and make the arrests to protect the public. “You would think leaving body parts in a park for children to find would be bail eligible,” quipped a prosecutor at a news conference.
If you’re wondering about bail policy in Florida, it’s really quite straightforward. Bail is determined by several factors, including the seriousness of the crime, the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the weight of the evidence. Importantly, Judges can use discretion when determining bail amounts based on the defendant’s likelihood to return to court and their previous criminal history.
5,000 Feet
Meanwhile, New York residents can take solace that Albany Democrats have been hard at work looking after the quality of life for all its citizens. About a year ago, the New York State Education Department released a directive that public school districts are to stop using Native American-themed mascots and logos by the end of the 2022-2023 school year, or risk certain withholding of state aid.
Meanwhile, Long Island school districts are projecting higher tax increases pending a last-minute handout in state financial aid. Preliminary reports show that property taxes would rise an average 2.67% during 2024-25 school year. It’s no secret Long Islanders already pay sky-high property taxes, with 60% of those taxes allocated to school districts. Fixing the so-called mascot issue will undoubtedly cost money for some districts, while having nothing to do with educating our students, as they struggle to catch up from the Pandemic lockdown.
Still not convinced that Albany has the best interests of New Yorkers at heart? This past November, the Governor signed legislation requiring middle and high schools to provide free menstrual products in all school bathrooms, even men’s rooms. It also requires cosmetologists to receive training on all hair types and patterns, including natural hair types. All fine and good, but are these really the top priorities the state faces?
Since 2016, and maybe earlier, the Empire State has topped the list for residents relocating to the Sunshine State, according to data from the Census Bureau. It was during the COVID-19 Pandemic that many New Yorkers were attracted to Florida’s less harsh COVID restrictions and open economy, not to mention lower taxes and school choice.
And speaking of school choice, Florida’s “Schools of Hope” charter school program has attracted the attention of Success Academy, New York’s largest charter operator. Citing Florida’s openness to school choice, Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz is planning to become a provider in the Sunshine State, reportedly telling the NYS Board of Education that working in New York, though gratifying, has become increasingly difficult. “I want to be in a place that’s high-growth, high-innovation, and welcoming to parental choice,” said Moskowitz.
0 Feet
Daring to Be Different
By Dave Hauser - Originally published 4/4/2024
In the 1980s, a local radio station named WLIR had a slogan of “Dare to be Different”. They played unique music before anyone else and promoted “New Wave,” which was at most dying one’s hair a strange color or wearing thrift store chic. It was still a machinated form of standing out and throughout my life I have noticed that people are always questing to be set apart.
It seems that there are five ways in which people are set apart. There are conscious ways of doing something extreme to fit into a popular group or doing something drastic to be removed from mainstream life. Other ways included creating a sense of shock value or mystique to get a reaction. There are people who feel the need to accumulate unlimited wealth and move to specific areas to be set apart. Lastly, there is one way that always has been different, and it does not require premeditation.
I remember back in high school, my friend named Gary was trying to fit into the “cool crowd.” He was a bookish-looking individual and thought the only way to get attention was to create his own stir. We were in AP Biology together and we were going to be dissecting grasshoppers that month. In an attempt to attract attention, Gary went to the popular table at lunch and proceeded to eat a live grasshopper to gain admittance to that table. It created a buzz for a day or two and he probably got very sick, but many years later his legacy is that he was the guy who ate a grasshopper trying to fit in.
There are other people who choose to repel people by being different. These are the people who will live in remote areas to be away from people. They will go out of their way to look standoffish and unapproachable. These kinds of people send signals of fear to others so they don’t have to deal with people in their attempt to be different. As a teenager, I walked into a bar with my friends called Chances Inn, where the common tagline was where you took your chances upon entry. It was a biker bar and within thirty seconds of entering the bar, a huge man cracked a pool cue over his knees and let us know our acceptance level. These kinds of people are intentionally different to avoid human contact.
In my first semester away from home at college, the first three months leading to Thanksgiving break seemed infinite. As November began, I decided to grow my hair out, build a long beard, and pierce my left ear. The three months seemed like such an eternity; I wanted to come home and look sophisticated to my family and my friends. I remember the look on my parents’ face when they saw me for the first time and then the looks of my friends later that night. It wasn’t an intellectual curiosity, but instead a look of confusion and worry. I tried to come across as a Seventeenth Century painter. Instead, it did not land on its desired effect and the next day the earring, beard, and long hair were gone. A failed attempt at differentiation.
The last of the forced methods of distinguishing oneself is by accumulation. These are the people who have a never-ending quest for money. These people are always signaling their ability to stand out by flashiness, size of home, and seemingly infinite earnings. There is nothing wrong with striving for success in life; however, if it is just to exalt oneself, it will be empty. Most of these people live for the moments that they can show off their assets by having large parties or arriving at an event in an imported car. They can’t wait to hit each high school reunion so they can rub their wealth into others’ faces. The issues with these people are quite simple: they are filling voids with possessions and their emptiness will always dominate them.
I have lived long enough and have tested all of the above methods at different points in my life and the only road map to complete and satisfactory differentiation is being a proud believer. This requires no effort outside of praying, reading the Bible, and sharing one’s faith. There is no greater feeling than being able to pray for people in need and knowing that God is in control of everything.
When you build your relationship with God and pray that people will see the light in you and that your salt is tasty, you will be more different than ever and more accepted than ever. Jesus preached this on the Sermon on the Mountain and the red letters in the Bible are the most powerful words ever written on paper. We try to live our lives like Him every day and in 2024, that is more different than anything I have mentioned.
You are probably saying: “Does he mean we have to have a Messianic Complex?” That could not be further from the truth. In the past few years, we have run prayer stations across Long Island for the sole purpose of listening and praying for people in need. There is nothing more different than standing at a booth asking strangers if they need prayer, while not selling a product amongst hundreds of booths. We have seen God move to heal people, as well as find the right jobs and deal with their anxiety and fears.
Evangelism today is a lot different than in the past. People do not know us, and we can’t speak a message of Heaven and Hell to complete strangers, but we can show people the light by praying and listening to them. Being kind to people and following up with them over time to see them gain victory in their battles.
So, in conclusion, you don’t have to be rich, eat a grasshopper, get strange piercings, or live in the backwoods to be truly different. You just have to love people as Jesus did and you will be more different than ever, but more fulfilled.
Dave Hauser is CEO of 2 analytics companies HLS and Favored Panel and is a deacon at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle at 1 Higbie Drive in Smithtown with Sunday services 9AM and 11:30 with many other programs. He can be reached at david@hausernet.com.
Long Island’s Own Gearing Up for the NHL Draft
By Ashley Pavlakis - Originally published 8/29/2024
The National Hockey League (NHL) draft is a dream for any young man growing up playing hockey. Long Island has the opportunity to showcase one of their own in the 2025 draft. James Hagens (pictured), a native of Hauppauge, is a highly touted prospect who is projected to go first overall in the draft.
“He’s a fun kid to coach because he just loves the game, and that’s a big piece to it. He enjoys being on the ice and enjoys coming to the rink every day,” said Nick Fohr, the head coach for the u17 United States National Development Team Program. “He’s a kid who’s out there trying to get better all the time, he’s engaged in the process. For James, he was a joy for me to coach because I always knew what I was going to get out of him.”
The 5’10” centerman played youth hockey for the Long Island Royals before eventually going the prep school route at Mount St. Charles Academy. Hagens is seen as a prolific scorer with a versatile style of play. In 2023, Hagens committed to Boston College and will suit up for the Eagles as a freshman this upcoming season. Hagens’ older brother Michael is also a member of the Eagles, the two will become the nineteenth pair of brothers to play for the same collegiate team.
The Boston College Eagles is a storied program, with 25 players going in the first round of the NHL draft. 13 players went on to win a Stanley Cup in the NHL after wearing the BC crest, 7 were lucky enough to lift the coveted 34lb trophy twice in their careers.
“It’s a holistic picture, we have our part in it here with the national team development program. It’s such a big thing that the game has grown so much in the United States, especially in those areas down south,” said Fohr. “The volunteers and the youth hockey coaches have done a good job at developing kids, teaching them the game, and to love the game. It’s really expanded our player pool and given us more players that have an opportunity to make it to that top level eventually.”
The United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), based in Michigan, is a program dedicated to focusing on the development of skills and experience. Hagens spent time in both their u17 and u18 programs. The program had led to 396 players getting drafted as well as five going first overall. Hagens has the chance to become the 6th player from the program to go first overall when the draft takes place in June.
“He will be a high pick in the NHL draft and whoever gets him is going to be happy that they have him. They’re going to be excited because they’re going to get a really well-rounded twoway hockey player with high-end offensive abilities. Those are fun guys to coach and they’re big pieces to teams’ successes,” said Fohr.
BRINGING
JUL 10 THROUGH AUG 24 2025 MAR 13 THROUGH APR 27 2025 MAY 15 THROUGH JUN 29 2025 NOV 14– DEC 29
WORD WHEEL SUDOKU
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
Dear Community Members,
JOIN THE TOWNLINE RAIL TERMINAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
In January 2025, Carlson Corp and Townline Rail will launch a monthly Zoom meeting to discuss the development of the Townline Rail Terminal Project. These meetings are designed to educate and inform the community about the progress and details of this important initiative.
We are currently seeking volunteers from the community to serve as community representatives or advocates. These individuals will closely follow the project’s development and help share updates and insights with others who may not have the ability or resources to engage directly.
If you are interested in taking an advisory role in this significant project, we encourage you to reach out. This is an unpaid position and would require a commitment of 4 to 8 hours per month.
To express your interest, please email me directly at Toby@carlsoncorp.com. Kindly include a brief paragraph about yourself, your interest in the project, and how you feel you could bring value to the advisory council.
You may also reach me by mail at the following address: Toby Carlson, 140 Old Northport Rd., Kings Park, NY 11754
We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make this project a success for the entire community.
Best regards,
Toby Carlson Chairman of the Board Carlson Corp
Biden Withdraws from 2024 Election, Endorses Harris, Local Leaders React
By Cait Crudden
Originally
In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden (D-DE) announced over the weekend that he will not seek re-election in 2024. The announcement came as a shock to many within the Democratic Party and has left the political landscape in disarray following President Biden’s disappointing debate performance last month. Adding to the drama, Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA), setting the stage for a possibly contentious and uncertain path to the Democratic nomination.
Biden’s withdrawal this late in the election season has significant implications for the Democratic primary process. With just over 100 days until the November election, the timing of his decision effectively disenfranchises voters who had participated in the primaries. The sudden shift means that delegates at the upcoming Democratic Convention are now likely to pick the nominee, circumventing the traditional primary voting process.
This move has sparked criticism and concern within both political parties and among voters. Many question his abilities; others believe he should resign immediately or the 25th Amendment should be invoked. Some think if he is not capable of running in November, he is not capable of leading the country currently. The abrupt end to Biden’s campaign leaves little time for a robust primary contest for the Democrats, raising questions about the legitimacy and democratic nature of the nominee selection process moving forward. Many feel that the will of the voters is being sidelined in favor of a quick decision by Democratic party insiders.
The Democratic Party now faces the daunting task of uniting behind a new candidate with the election rapidly approaching. The scramble to find a nominee who can coalesce the various factions within the party will be a significant challenge. Harris, despite Biden’s endorsement, is not without her detractors. Many criticize her role in the current administration regarding covering up for the President’s apparent mental decline, her seemingly non-existent actions in addressing the border crisis as the Border Czar and her withdrawing from the Democratic primaries in 2019 prior to the Iowa Caucuses due to lack of support for her own presidential campaign. This can lead to other potential candidates that may still emerge as the convention nears, even though she claims to have secured the appropriate number of delegates needed for the nomination since the announcement.
Political analysts have noted the apparent disarray within the Democratic ranks. The sudden need to pivot to a new candidate has exposed underlying divisions and a lack of preparedness for such a scenario, although they seem to be coming together and
“anointing” Harris for the nomination. The party’s ability to mount a cohesive and effective campaign against the Republican nominee is now in question within such a short amount of time.
The Republican Party, in contrast to the Democratic Party, appears to be firmly united following their extremely enthusiastic national convention. Former President Donald Trump (R-FL), who secured the Republican nomination, has been quick to criticize the Democrats’ handling of the situation. Republicans point out the hypocrisy that after years of the Democrats stating that Former President Donald Trump is “a threat to democracy”, the Democrats’ current actions and approach undermines the true democratic process by bypassing the primary voters and shows the establishment and elites running the party are choosing a candidate of their liking behind the scenes when the polls aren’t in their favor.
“Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the history of our nation. He has done everything possible to destroy our country, from our southern border to energy dominance, national security, international standing, and so much more,” wrote Trump in a statement.
Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge) (pictured left), the Suffolk County Republican Chairman wrote in a statement, “President Biden today finally admitted that he is not up to the talks required of his office. Because of this, for the sake of our nation, he must step down as Commander-in-Chief immediately. Unfortunately, that would elevate the very person who has been most complicit in perpetuating the fraud of Biden’s mental health - Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris by her own words, has been side by side with Biden in the disaster of his presidency. From out-of-control inflation to the failure of our border, the failed record of this administration is hers.”
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) (pictured right) in a statement wrote, “Firstly, we should genuinely wish President Biden well. After fifty years of service, it’s good to see his family finally acknowledging his mental decline. Prioritizing his health is essential, and it’s better late than never. Secondly, from a government perspective, President Biden’s obvious lack of acuity requires him to take the next step and resign. America needs a Commander-in Chief with basic cognitive abilities.”
Celebrate the memories
Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) (pictured left) in a statement wrote, “President Biden has made the right decision. Our country needs a leader who can effectively address the serious problems we face both at home and abroad. “The dysfunction we have witnessed from the Democratic Party over the last several weeks makes it clear we need new leadership in The White House.”
As the Democratic Party scrambles to regain its footing, the path forward remains uncertain. The endorsement of Kamala Harris by President Biden gives her a significant advantage, but it does not necessarily guarantee a smooth transition in making her the democratic candidate. The upcoming Democratic Convention will be a critical moment for the party.
Voters and party members alike are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. The ability of the Democrats to quickly rally behind a single candidate will be tested as the nation quickly leadsup to the November election. The stakes could not be higher for the Democratic Party which appears to be severely fractured after President Biden’s exit.
Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) (pictured right) did not mince words when relaying her thoughts on this ordeal.
“Our country cannot afford to have a President who cannot respond instantly to all situations that come before him. I find it sad that those around him chose power and self-interest over reality and lied about his failing abilities. They are responsible for putting our nation in danger,” said Legislator Kennedy.
When speaking with Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) (pictured left), he remarked, “Lifelong Democrats and America deserved better. It is appalling what a select few Washington insiders were able to perpetuate upon our nation under the guise of governance. There is little time left for President Trump to save us!”
With the Republicans presenting a united front behind Former President Donald Trump, Chairman Garcia firmly stated, “Donald J Trump is committed to making America great again. He has not wavered throughout politically motivated trials, personal attacks and being vilified by the left-wing media. Only one week ago he was struck by would be assassin ‘s bullet, raised his fist and called on supporters to continue their fight - then appeared at the Republican National Convention to amplify that message. That’s what leadership looks like”. In the coming weeks, the focus will be on how the Democrats navigate this twist and whether they can effectively mobilize behind their new nominee. The outcome of this process will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race.
How is Your Open Book Test Going?
By PJ Balzer - Originally published 8/29/2024
I remember well the relief of walking into the classroom and seeing that friendly smirk on the professor’s face. Some of us studied intently all night, others didn’t study at all, but the ground was made completely level once we read those beautiful, comforting words, “Open Book Test,” written neatly on the chalk board.
For one reason or another, the professor chose to make this test an open book test. The answers were all available to each one of us and in a book placed directly in front of us. We just had a fair, yet also limited, amount of time to search them out. If we were willing to do so with some diligence, we could all pass the test.
I’ve had several different views of the Bible over the years. Initially, it was this huge and unconquerable book that collected dust on family members’ shelves. Next, it was sort of convenient to be used as a “lucky charm.” If I placed it under my bed or in the back seat of my car, it may hopefully keep any harm, accidents, or night terrors from happening. After that, it became a very holy, scary and judgmental book which I dare not open because of the way I was choosing to live my life. If I did, lightning may come down and strike me.
After the tragic passing of my middle brother to a heroin overdose back in 2009, I was in a very bad place mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I finally came to that blessed end of myself, my own answers, and manipulation. I needed help for my crushed heart and, thankfully, I finally knew it. I was so crushed; I was willing to try church and even open that scary book full of “thee’s” and “thou’s.” If lightning did happen to come down to punish me for opening it, I really didn’t care at this point in my life.
The Surgery We Each Need
By PJ Balzer - Originally published 10/3/2024
People are seriously struggling in 2024; I think that’s something we may all agree on. Whether it’s financial pressures, health concerns, family or marital deterioration, children who have gone astray or are addicted, society unraveling at the very core, or just questions within our own hearts about life and our existence. Most people are having a rough time both inside and out, and it’s definitely showing more on the outside.
There has to be at least a dozen instances this year where I was in the store early in the morning behind someone on line buying alcohol. I’m not talking about buying alcohol to bring to a barbeque later in the day. I’m talking about a person buying alcohol at 8:00 in the morning to drink on the way to work or on the sidewalk outside the store. There was one gentleman who opened his tall beer in the store as soon as the register closed. It’s almost as if he was saying, “I just can’t feel this pain I’m feeling any longer.” My heart was hurt for him. I’m not sure if it’s something I’m more aware of, or if people are drinking heavier, more frequently, and without boundaries. Waking up in the morning just to numb away the pain and past all over again.
I personally haven’t had a drink or drug in about fourteen years. After my middle brother died from a heroin overdose back in 2009, I walked into a church for the first time in decades and was never the same again. At the time, I was living in New York City and partying heavily, slowly losing all boundaries. The drugs I never said I’d do I was inching towards with other drugs. The weeknights I said I’d never party on I was starting to. I myself was living with a lot of pain, regret, and loneliness inside while using alcohol and drugs to attempt to wash it away or just forget about it for now. God has not only delivered me from myself, but He’s also given me a wonderful
way to honor my brothers short time on earth by living sober while also reaching back to others who are now where I once was.
We all have pain, it’s part of the human experience. There are instances from our childhood, things done to us or by us to others that we wish never happened; there is trauma we’ve experienced, people who have used or abandoned us, expectations we had and were never met; we all have disappointments, the damaging words of people we love have left bleeding wounds that no one else sees but we know are there; molested or violated as helpless children by people we should have been able to trust. Some people have experienced all of the above only to couple it with all the pressures of life in 2024.
We are prone to use alcohol and other substances only to numb all of the memories, the feelings and pain, yet it’s only a fewhour fix. We have to numb it away every few hours and then wake up and do it all over again. We can’t sit with ourselves in silence. We keep busy and love noise around us only to stop us from thinking too much and having to face what’s really inside.
The pages of that blessed book began to wash over my heart like a cool rain on the most humid summer day. Day by day of searching the pages of the New Testament, I began to find answers in the heart, life, words, and actions of Jesus. How I was feeling after the tragedy I had experienced was already written within its pages. Jesus fully knew me, understood where I was, and was gentle with my contrite heart. He offered mercy and grace, more than I ever had imagined. I found redemption and healing, a new heart, and a clean slate, all within the pages of the book I had been avoiding my entire life.
Nearly fifteen years later, all of the answers are still there to be sought out. The way God views people, nations, human relations, money, marriage advice, sex, government, and even food. The way He desires us to treat neighbors, enemies, employees, people of other cultures and contrary religious beliefs. Most importantly, His plan of love and redemption for a sinful and fallen human race. It’s all within the pages of the Bible.
Some have called it God’s love letter to humanity (His creation) and others have called it Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE). I would personally say that we each walked into the classroom of life with an extremely gracious and helpful professor. He’s sitting there with a Fatherly smirk on His face because all of the answers we each need are in the book He wrote and left open. Our only job is to diligently search out the answers during this test of life we are individually taking. The only difference with this test is that we never know when it may end, each student seems to suddenly leave the classroom at a time unbeknownst to us.
I’ve brought all of my pain to Jesus, the one who knows me better than I know myself. He knows my life from even before the womb until this very moment and every detail in between. Every circumstance, both good and bad. Every hurt, word, disappointment, fear, and anxious thought. He knows it all. He desires to help me by healing it using His processes and His words. Only He is able to perform this thorough of a surgery on my heart
the morning or drinking on the way home to walk into the house already numb, I want you to know that I’ve been praying for you. There is a God that sees you right where you are, desires to heal your heart and mind from any torment you’re experiencing. You’re not alone, you are loved.
“Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Matthew 11:28-30
From Long Island to Paris: Pagonis Swims with Purpose
By Ashley Pavlakis - Originally published 9/5/2024
The 2024 Olympic Games took place earlier this summer in Paris, France. For two-and-a-half weeks, people around the globe crowded around their televisions to cheer on their country in thirty-two different sports. Long Island saw three of their own compete at the Olympics in soccer, basketball, and swimming. Now, Anastasia Pagonis, a swimmer from Garden City, is set to compete at the Paralympic games over the next two weeks.
Anastasia Pagonis is a two-time Olympic swimmer, having competed in Tokyo as a 17-yearold. The now 20-year-old American has set a world record (WR) and an American record in her sport. Pagonis took home gold and bronze medals in the 2020 games, returning in 2024 looking for more.
Pagonis is a Paralympian, which means the athletes competing have some form of disability that falls under one of 10 allowable impairment types deemed by the International Paralympic Committee. In the case of Pagonis, she’s categorized under vision impairment. The freestyle swimmer has a disability called Autoimmune retinopathy. The disease caused Pagonis to begin to lose her sight at age 11, before losing it entirely by age 14. Swimming had been a constant activity in her life, having been there since before she lost her vision. Her training may look a bit different, but the end goal is still
the same.
Pagonis’ disability class is S11, which means swimmers in the designated class are considered to be totally blind and therefore must wear blackened goggles. Pagonis recently debuted two new sets of special goggles for the 2024 games, one pair with U.S.A. and the American flag, and another with the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Showcasing the iconic Lady Liberty on her goggles while in the pool is a reminder of where she’s from. Although her family is originally from Greece, Tas [nickname], is a New Yorker.
While some might let their disability hinder them, Pagonis has not wavered. She’s used it as an opportunity to educate people about blindness on social media through TikTok and Instagram. The world champion also has a companion to keep her company and help guide her when needed. Radar, a labrador retriever, serves as Pagonis’ eyes in his job as a guide dog.
“He’s [Radar] changed my life. I didn’t have any freedom or independence before him. Now that I have him, I feel like a totally different person,” said Pagonis, in a 2021 interview with NBC News.
In a video produced by the Olympic Committee in 2021, Pagonis expressed how swimming plays an important role in her life. She described the sport as her happy place, somewhere she feels free. Losing one of your senses entirely is tough,
but Tas has taken on the task of not letting the loss of vision get in the way of her dreams.
Long Island native, Anastasia Pagonis, an inspiration to those around her, looks to change the way we “see” the visually impaired in the pool and throughout life.
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Thank you for your support and readership throughout this year. We look forward to a better and brighter New Year and hope the same for you and your families.
From all of us at TheMessengerPapers , we wish you a Happy New Year !