Romaine, Toulon Address
Drones Flying Around Gabreski
By Hank Russell
After hearing reports of drones flying over Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. (D) (pictured left) held a press conference with elected officials to address this issue. They described how these drones pose a danger to the facility and the ramifications for flying these machines into restricted airspace.
“We’ve all heard about the rise of drone activity across the tristate area,” Toulon said, “but what concerns us even more is the increase in unauthorized drone flights within the restricted air spaces, particularly near airports like Gabreski.”
Continued on page 4
$1.5 Million to Smithtown’s Gateway Park
By Matt Meduri
The Town of Smithtown’s transformative Paul T. Given Park project has been awarded $1.5 million in funding through the most recent round of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. This announcement, made last month, allocates $16.7 million across nearly 30 projects on Long Island, with Paul T. Given Park as one of the standout recipients.
The funding will go toward revitalizing the park, located west of downtown and near Smithtown’s iconic bull statue.
Planned upgrades include:
• ADA-accessible pathways and ramps to ensure inclusivity for all visitors.
• Rain gardens and green drainage systems to prevent road runoff from flowing into the Nissequogue River.
• Revegetation efforts to restore the riverbank and surrounding areas with native plant species, while eradicating invasive plants like Japanese knotweed.
• A raised viewing deck with benches to provide serene vistas of the park and river.
• New drop-off circle to improve accessibility and visitor experience.
Continued on page 12
Paul T. Given Park
(Credit - Town of Smithtown)
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from front cover
Smithtown Matters
Thursday, January 16, 2025
$1.5 Million to Smithtown’s Gateway Park
The enhancements reflect the Town of Smithtown’s dedication to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Working closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the town aims to transform Paul T. Given Park into a natural sanctuary that benefits the community and the local ecosystem.
“This funding marks a major milestone in our journey to reshape Paul T. Given Park into a community haven for residents and visitors alike,” Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “Thanks to the State of New York’s support, we are closer than ever to realizing our vision of a park that embodies Smithtown’s commitment to environmental preservation, accessibility, and sustainable development.”
The $1.5 million funding includes $1.2 million from the Department of State and $300,000 from New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. The work is expected to commence next summer and fall.
Welcome Center Construction Underway
The Town has already begun construction on the new Welcome Center at Paul T. Given Park, a project that repurposes the former Oasis Gentlemen’s
Club. This initiative, funded through a separate grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, will create a multifunctional facility.
• Restrooms, and concession area for park visitors.
• An office for a local canoe/kayak rental business to enhance recreational offerings.
• Educational exhibits and tourism displays to celebrate Smithtown’s rich cultural, historic, and natural attractions.
• A multipurpose meeting room on the second floor, designed for community groups, workshops, and town business.
Looking Ahead
Upon completion, the new Welcome Center and enhanced Paul T. Given Park will stand as a testament to Smithtown’s progress and its dedication to community enrichment and environmental conservation. These improvements aim to create a space where residents and visitors can connect with nature, learn about local heritage, and enjoy the beauty of the Nissequogue River.
The Smithtown Messenger is a community newspaper serving Smithtown, Kings Park, St. James, Nesconset, Hauppauge, Commack, and Stony Brook
Romaine, Toulon Address
Drones Flying Around Gabreski
Toulon said his agency has documented “multiple incidents” of drones flying “dangerously close” to Gabreski. He said incidents such as these violate the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulations. Those who violate these regulations could face local, state and federal civil and criminal penalties. That includes a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Those who fly a drone without proper registration can face civil penalties of up to $27,500, Toulon said. If a drone crashes onto a military facility, there will be civil and criminal penalties as well.
Toulon listed the following incidents:
• December 13 — one drone was sighted near Gabreski Airport
• December 17 — four drones were seen “in or around” the airport
• December 24 six drones were spotted in the airspace
• December 25 — 17 drones were reported in the area,13 “hovering around the airspace” and three “outside the airspace”
To address these issues, Toulon announced that a drone detection system will be implemented at the airport. “Flying drones near an airport pose a risk to air traffic and public safety,” Toulon said. “They can not only disrupt the usual airport functions, but also the military operations that take place.”
Drones can also “be used maliciously,” Toulon added, “which can raise serious security and potential threats.” He also noted that these drones can unexpectedly fall out of the sky and land in the water, on top of people’s homes or on airport terminals. The reasons could be either the end of battery life or a loss of signal.
Holding up a small drone, Romaine said the ones that have been flying over the airport are “larger than this. Sometimes, it’s 20 times larger than this. Larger than a car.”
Romaine called these drone sightings “an ever-increasing problem.” In response, the county executive is asking the FAA to have the Federal Bureau of Investigation look into these drones that violate Gabreski’s air space. He said he wants both agencies to “step up to the plate and do their job.” This means “finding out who’s behind it and to prosecute, if necessary.”
He spoke out against shooting down these drones, saying doing so would pose a greater safety risk.
Legislator Ann Welker (D-Southampton) said a drone “is not a toy and should not be treated as such.”
County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) praised Romaine and Toulon for their “forward-thinking” approach when it comes to tackling the issue of illegal drone activity. He also emphasized the financial importance of protecting the airport.
“Not only is this a critical safety issue, but there are multiple millions of dollars of investment here,” Kennedy said. “Not only do we want to protect our military installation, our civilian and commercial aircraft, but we want to be proactive and protective on the considerable municipal investment that we have.”
Toulon told those in attendance that, if they know or see someone who is illegally flying a drone into restricted airspace, they should report that person to local law enforcement. He also emphasized that anyone who has received a drone as a holiday gift should register it immediately and learn the rules on where drones can and cannot be flown.
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Governor Proposes First-Ever Crime Analysis Joint Special Operations Command HQ
By Hank Russell
As part of her 2025 State of the State agenda, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) recently proposed the creation of the nation’s firstever Crime Analysis Joint Special Operations Command (CA-JSOC) Headquarters to help fight crime and coordinate intelligence sharing among hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement entities. Hochul said she will propose expanded support for intelligence and agency coordination and will secure additional funding for crime prevention technology and equipment to provide resources so local police departments and sheriffs’ offices can continue driving down crime in New York State, building off last year’s record funding for law enforcement technology.
“Public safety has been one of my top priorities since day one, and I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure that all New Yorkers and their families feel safe,” Hochul said. “By prioritizing coordination, intelligence sharing and investing in the latest technology, we are ensuring law enforcement agencies across the state have the resources and tools they need to prevent crimes and safeguard the future of our state.”
The Crime Analysis Centers (CACs) are vital to crime prevention and public safety in New York, with staff responding to requests for services from local police and prosecutors and providing hot-spot analysis, real-time investigative support and other assistance to law enforcement statewide. Under Hochul’s leadership, CAC funding has tripled, and the network has grown to eleven centers, which are supported by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. The governor has also established New York State’s Joint Security Operations Center (JSOC) to serve as a 24/7 cybersecurity hub to coordinate responses to cyber threats
Staff at the Centers analyze and compile data and information in response to requests for service, providing real-time investigative support to officers as they are responding to
reported crimes; analyses of emerging crime trends, crime patterns, and calls for service that inform officer and resource deployment; and detailed briefings that provide investigators with leads on specific cases they are handling. Their work has allowed law enforcement agencies to solve homicides, car thefts, retail crime rings, and remove illegal guns from communities across the State.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently recognized the Crime Analysis Center Network with an Excellence in the Field of Criminal Justice Award, one of six presented by the federal agency. About 210 crime analysts, investigators and other law enforcement personnel – funded by DCJS or assigned by partner local, state, and federal agencies – staff the Centers located in Albany, Broome, Erie, Franklin, Monroe, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, and Suffolk counties, and Manhattan. More than 350 law enforcement agencies in 59 counties allow the centers to access records management systems, which include arrests, reported crimes, accident reports, traffic tickets and other calls for service; domestic incident reports; parole and probation records; and public surveillance camera systems, among other data and information sources.
Rossana Rosado, the commissioner of the state’s Department of the Criminal Justice Systems Department, said, “These proposals will further expand information and data sharing among local, state and federal agencies and leverage technology to allow agencies to continue to drive down crime and improve public safety.”
“This new joint operations center expands on the close partnerships we have built with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, which is critically important as we fight the constantly evolving threats to public safety,” State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said.
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Governor Hochul visits the Buffalo Police Department C-District on January 11 (Credit - Darren McGee, Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board
First introductory meeting post hiatus Open to the public and public participation is encouraged!
January 29th, 2025, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Rose Y. Caracappa Auditorium
William H. Rogers Building
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
January 16, 2025
The Correct Number of People Burned Alive in NYC is 0
Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) State of the State address for 2025 did set some big goals for the state, but fell short of addressing problems of massive significance to the people of New York.
For starters, the biggest issue facing the executive and the legislature of this state - regardless of party affiliation - is stemming out-migration. According to World Population Review, In 2024, New York led the nation for the fourth consecutive year in population loss, amounting to a 0.91% decline, with Illinois and Louisiana not far behind. Usual suspects included those that have already been hemorrhaging population, such as California, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
But New York’s outmigration problems must be considered in their own part of the Venn Diagram. A state that has so miraculously fallen out of its once internationally-venerable standing is now the top place people within the U.S. are fleeing.
A hint to Hochul and some Democrats in the legislature: it’s not a perception problem.
This type of gaslighting is exactly why Donald Trump (R-FL) entered the election with a higher favorability rating - albeit underwater - than that of Kathy Hochul within New York State. It’s also why the GOP performed a clean sweep this election and why so many states shifted obdurately to the Republican Party nationally, a possible harbinger of long-term trends coming to roost.
Hochul’s problem? The Electoral College.
Yes, while presiding over the certification of New York’s electoral votes for Kamala Harris (D-CA), she took a point of personal privilege to denounce the unique institution by which we elect our leaders.
“Unfairly, less populated states have outsized influence and in fact, the votes of their residents count more than a state like New York,” she from the dais in the Senate chamber, later using an example of the ratio of electoral votes to population to show why the “smaller” states have more say than a much bigger one like New York - which, again, just so happens to be shrinking into one of the “smaller” states by the minute, no thanks to her and her cohort.
“No offense to Wyoming,” she quipped, still using the reference as a proof of concept that presidential elections should be decided by the popular vote.
Democrats now worry of an “Electoral College bias,” in which enough states are moving or have already moved to the GOP so that swing state wins become less consequential to their electoral prospects. Democrats exploit this as a flaw of the College.
In fact, it’s a feature. Why wouldn’t and why shouldn’t states with attractive landscapes for taking home more pay, feeling safe in the big city, and having legislative bodies that represent constituents be punished for being so attractive? A so-called “bias” within the College doesn’t represent an imbalanced political system; it rewards states where it is objectively better to live.
Democrats had a virtual lock on the Senate from 1955 until 1995, with just six years in the 1980s where the GOP had a slim majority. From our research, we can’t find spirited attempts at challenging the fabric of our government simply because one party was dominant. Democrats in their respective states made good on their promises in the post-New Deal era and formed a broad coalition that is only now just falling apart under current Democratic leadership.
We say this to illuminate the point that Hochul already does not seem intent on reversing New York’s harrowing outmigration trends. Moreover, she seems more fixed on making excuses and blaming voters for their choices than understanding why they’re upset with her and Albany. The sense of entitlement precedes many in powerful political circles, but Democrats seem much more resistant to letting go of classical power consolidation methods and the “wait your turn” model of winning elections rather than just trying to win elections by campaigning on issues and fixing them.
Hochul’s political instincts have also reached new lows in the wake of the horrific crime perpetrated by an illegal migrant from Guatemala. On December 22, the savage murder took place on an F Train car idling at the Coney IslandStillwell Avenue station. The victim has been identified as Debrina Kawam, 57, of Toms River, New Jersey, who was asleep on the train around 7:30 that morning. Current reports detail a troubled life with spotty details, and it seems likely Kawam was possibly mentally-disturbed and likely a vagrant who frequented parts of the city.
Her killer, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, torched Kawam’s clothing with a lighter and eagerly watched the blaze from a platform bench, as Kawam was seen in footage standing and bracing the train doors as she was burned beyond recognition, according to police.
Zapeta-Calil evaded police, who weren’t aware that he was their suspect, only for him to be identified by NYC youth. He was apprehended on another train, with a lighter in his pocket, likely ready to burn someone alive again.
Enter Governor Hochul, who, in her sage tone-deafness, just hours after the unconscionable act in such a heavily-utilized public space, put out a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, bragging about subway safety and how her
March initiative to deploy the National Guard to patrol the transit system has led to a decrease in crime.
Enter more gaslighting, a big theme in this past election. Headlines used to just openly gaslight the public about how great their lives are, how much crime is down, and how the economy is actually very strong. Now, their headlines openly admit that they’re trying to gaslight the public. There’s no admittance of wrongdoing, just simply more gaslighting.
“Inflation is Actually Cooling. Why Don’t More Americans Feel It?” is a quick example of just the types of headlines we saw. Allow us to translate.
“What We’re Saying Isn’t True, but How Come the Public Doesn’t Believe Us?”
If there’s one thing Hochul and company have clearly learned from this election, it is that wins and losses don’t come down to actual policy; they come down to perception.They think that their messaging was the problem, not the crux of their promises and the results of their actions. Next time, they’ll surely get it right by giving the same terrible script to different, but still lousy, actors.
Her staunch defenders then rushed to her aid, saying that violent crime is merely “part in parcel” of living in a big city.
The correct number of people burnt alive in a big city in 0.
Sure, a bigger population center means a rise in probability that crimes occur. But this was, on top of being unimaginably heartless, completely preventable, and with leadership clearly lacking in a spinal column, it’s unlikely that criminals and law-abiding, tax-paying citizens alike will take her seriously any time soon.
If you need the National Guard patrolling your subways, they’re not safe. It’s a clear indication that they’re more dangerous than they’ve been in decades.
And yet, New York leaders have the nerve to tell Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels to “stand down” and let the officials handle it.
How has that worked out for New York? For Debrina Kawam? For the hundreds of thousands who have fled a state once equivalent to the Promised Land in the U.S.?
While Hochul did finally admit during her State of the State address that transit crime is out of control, she pledged to have a police officer on “every single train overnight - 9:00p.m. to 5:00a.m. - over the next six months and the State will support these efforts financially.”
What she failed to do was offer how the state can afford that initiative, as well as identifying causes of crime. She makes no indication of a reversal of sanctuary state and city policies, nor did she address any substantive policy initiatives. Just symbolic semantics that merely aim to slap band-aids on the crack in the dam.
Hochul is just one of those lousy actors, and her gloating Tweet just hours after a horrific, unnecessary attack is proof that her political instincts are declining just as fast as the state’s population, and voters’ perceptions aren’t wrong about how poor shape New York is in.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Congestion Pricing Has Begun
By Senator Alexis Weik
Congestion Pricing has begun! After much political push-pull, this unbearable tax is upon us all. As far north as 60th Street, Central Park, is included in this over-reaching, overpriced tax that hits drivers and train-riders alike going into Manhattan, but luckily, not as you are leaving Manhattan. Now, during weekday PEAK hours, 5:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. there is a $9.00 increase with a $2.25 increase in OFF-PEAK commuting, weekend PEAK hours are 9:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. This doesn’t just apply to someone driving south in Manhattan, if you are traveling into Manhattan on the Queensboro (60th Street, Central Park), Williamsburg (Lower East Side), Manhattan (Canal Street), and Brooklyn Bridges, as well as the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh Carrey, and Queens-Midtown Tunnel you are paying this new tax.
To add insult to injury, the MTA also just increased all the tolls, not related to Congestion Pricing, on all the New York City bridges. So, if you are using the Lincoln or Holland tunnels, the George Washington, Bayonne & Goethals bridges and the Outerbridge Crossing, you will have to pay an increase there as well. Originally sold to New Yorkers as a plan to “save the environment”, congestion pricing was nothing more than just another money grab to bail out the inept and ever failing MTA.
The MTA has always been mismanaged but it’s current Chair, Janno Lieber, has proven particularly tone deaf. He made a comment just days after a woman was burned to death on the subway, that crime on the subways was just “in people’s heads” and that crime is not an issue on the NYC subways. His total disregard for safety and for his customers’ sense of safety is appalling and only confirms his inability to head up this mass public transportation.
The MTA did no customer service survey to see how they could accommodate commuters by expanding train service, because the truth is, he doesn’t care. With all these transportation toll increases, he’s taking your money no matter what method of travel you pick.
Recognizing how bad this policy is, we saw Governor Hochul even pause Congestion Pricing in June due to the concern it would hurt members of her political party, especially those on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley running for Congress on Election Day.
The Governor only made matters worse by reinstating it after Election Day with the claim of “saving us money” by temporarily lowering the new tax from its original proposed fee of $15, now reduced to $9.
For all these reasons, I am co-sponsoring legislation with my fellow senators from Long Island to permanently end Congestion Pricing, force the MTA to be independently audited, and create a financial control board to take control of the MTA’s finances. We have paid enough into this failed authority; it’s time for the riders to take control of this runaway train.
Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville) has represented the Eighth District in the New York State Senate since 2023, after being redistricted from the Third District, which she represented from 2021 to 2022. Within the Town of Islip, the Eighth District includes Bayport, Bohemia, Fair Harbor, Great River, Islip Terrace, Lonelyville, North Great River, Oak Beach, Oakdale, Saltaire, Sayville, and West Sayville, as well as parts of Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Captree-Oak Beach-Gilgo, East Islip, Holbrook, Holtsville, Islip hamlet, Ronkonkoma, West Bay Shore, and West Islip. The District also contains parts of Babylon and Oyster Bay towns.
Senator Weik is the Ranking Member of the Committees on Civil Service and Pensions; and Women’s Issues; and serves on the Committees on Education; Local Government; Social Service; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs.
The Eighth District office is located at 1 Corporate Drive, Suite GL-005, in Bohemia and can be reached at 631-665-2311.
In Response to Ernie Fazio’s Op-Ed 1/09/2025
By Councilman Mike McElwee
I wish Ernie Fazio had done some more research before writing his op-ed, maybe reaching out to any of the four councilmen who voted “no” and asking why. I will give you one councilman’s perspective, to begin with the fact that the Town Council was not included at any point in this plan for a North Terminal.
As mentioned, one step that could be taken to see if there is any need to connect our train to the plan would be some type of shuttle. It could be a train, monorail, electric bus, or even petty cab. It’s a very short one-mile trip. When I first came into office last year, I toured the airport and was driven around the property. It’s a very short ride, under five minutes. This shuttle can be done on airport property without affecting any local traffic.
To the comment that it would be expensive is insane as this option would be far less expensive than building a new terminal for $1 billion. I find myself traveling often to watch my son play ball, visit his college, and visit friends. Many of the airports have shuttles, buses, and monorails to get you around their properties. In New Orleans, you take a twenty-five-minute bus ride to rent a car. In Orlando, you take a monorail to get to your gate.
I’d like to bring up two other points. Our current South Terminal has recently gone under $30 million of renovation, including new baggage areas, investments in our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system, and another $10 million to build a rental car center. This terminal still has the original West side that is currently mothballed and not being used. The other point is that revitalizing this area and adding a shuttle-to-train and Federal Inspection Station (FIS) – customs and border
inspection – can bring in international flights that our existing carriers are already servicing in other airports. This current terminal has plenty of room for growth and expansion that will benefit the local economy, creating construction jobs and longterm permanent jobs on site.
A few points about this North Terminal, from what I understand, is that the proposed space is the former Town landfill that will require years of remediation before a building can be built. From what I’m told, this new terminal will not have a rental car center or enough parking, so we will most likely need a shuttle to our current terminal to accommodate parking for local users of the airport. This reason alone makes it seem like starting with a shuttle to see if there is this non-existent demand for people to access our airport from the train is the proper first step. If our current property was operating beyond its capacity, I could entertain a new terminal. We are just not there yet, and common sense says to work to improve what we have instead of starting over. I am a very frequent user of this airport, and its success is important to me, but this new terminal plan does not make sense at this time.
Councilman Mike McElwee (R-West Islip) has represented the Third Council District in the Town of Islip since 2024. The Third District contains West Islip, Baywood, Brightwaters, Ocean Beach, Saltaire, Robbins Rest, Atlantique, Lonelyville, Kismet, and parts of Bay Shore and Islip hamlet.
Councilman McElwee’s office is located on the First Floor of the West Wing of Town Hall at 655 Main Street in Islip. The office can be reached at 631-224-5559.
The Benefits of Joining Your Local Chamber of Commerce
By Lenore Paprocky
With a new year ahead, it’s a good time to consider joining your local chamber of commerce. Chambers offer numerous opportunities for business owners to grow and connect within their communities. Whether you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or part of a larger organization, chamber membership provides valuable resources and benefits that can significantly impact your success.
Chambers host events like business lunches and networking mixers, where you can meet potential clients, referral partners, and mentors. These connections often lead to meaningful collaborations and new business opportunities.
In addition to networking, chambers offer educational resources to keep your business competitive. They bring in speakers on topics like marketing strategies, financial planning, and industry trends. You’ll also stay updated on local developments through sessions with local officials.
Chamber membership enhances your business’s visibility. Many chambers feature member businesses in their directories, offer social media exposure, and provide opportunities to sponsor events or participate in community initiatives. This increases your exposure and builds trust among potential customers.
Being part of a chamber ties your business to the local community. Chambers collaborate with nonprofits and host community events, allowing members to give back and foster goodwill. This engagement builds a positive reputation for your business. Membership also boosts your credibility. Consumers often see chamber members as trustworthy and committed to their community.
Chambers advocate for their members, addressing issues that impact the local business environment. By connecting with elected officials, chambers serve as a voice for their members and work to create conditions that support growth and sustainability.
In summary, joining a local chamber of commerce is an investment in your business’s future. It opens doors to valuable connections, resources, and opportunities while rooting your business in the community. If you’re ready to grow your network and make a lasting impact, consider joining your local chamber today. Check out the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce at www.middlecountrychamber.com.
Lenore Paprocky is the President of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce.
8 County News
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Garbarino Secures $18.6M in DOT Grants for Long Island
By Cait Crudden
Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) announced the award of two significant grants, totaling $18,640,000, from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for vital infrastructure projects in New York’s 2nd Congressional District. The funding, which Garbarino actively supported through advocacy and letters of endorsement, is set to improve safety, traffic flow, and community connectivity across Long Island.
A $2,240,000 grant was allocated to this initiative under the DOT’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The project focuses on eliminating two grade crossings along Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) infrastructure in Islip. The funding will support essential planning, preliminary engineering, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities to grade-separate Ocean Avenue and Pond Road.
The goal is to enhance safety by reducing transportation-related fatalities and injuries while improving traffic flow at the busy crossings. “We fully support the elimination of grade crossings within our system and the elimination of this busy grade crossing will improve safety in the surrounding community and LIRR operations,” said Long Island Rail Road President Robert Free. “The LIRR is proud to have recently eliminated 8 grade crossings. We are excited to start design work with our partners at NYSDOT and greatly appreciate this grant.”
The second grant, totaling $16,400,000, was
awarded through the DOT’s RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) Grant Program. This funding will finance the construction of a 12-mile segment of the Long Island Greenway (LIG) from Brentwood to Bethpage.
The proposed trail is part of a larger 175-mile greenway that will extend from Manhattan to Montauk. Once completed, the trail will be primarily off-road and use utility rights-of-way, providing a safe and accessible path for walking, biking, and outdoor recreation.
“The Brentwood to Bethpage Connector is a gamechanger for Long Island. With Suffolk County leading the way and the steadfast support of Congressman Garbarino for the Long Island Greenway, we’re
creating protected off-road spaces for people to walk, bike, and move safely across the communities of Long Island,” said Tamar Renaud, Associate Vice President, New York State Director at Trust for Public Land. “This trail will not only help people connect to each other and vital economic and public resources, but also to the outdoors, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.”
Garbarino emphasized the importance of securing federal funding to address local infrastructure needs.
“Bringing federal dollars home to my district is one of the most rewarding aspects of representing Long Island in Congress,” said Garbarino. “These grants will advance critical local infrastructure priorities designed to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of our communities. I’m pleased that the Department of Transportation recognized the merit of these projects, and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”
These projects represent a significant step forward in enhancing Long Island’s transportation infrastructure, promoting safety, and creating opportunities for recreation and sustainable development. By eliminating hazardous grade crossings and advancing the Long Island Greenway, the grants will address immediate needs while supporting long-term economic and environmental goals.
Suffolk Officials Honor 20 Junior Firefighters in Restored Junior Cadet Program
By Matt Meduri
Twenty local students have just completed the Suffolk County Fire Academy’s Junior Firefighter Program, and were appropriately honored by County officials this week.
The graduation ceremony also marks the return of the Fire Academy’s Junior Cadet Program.
The students, now graduates, who range in age from 16 to 18, serve as junior members of their local volunteer fire departments. Their completion of the New York State Basic Exterior Fire Operations program will likely give them head starts on becoming active firefighters once they reach the age of 21.
Other requirements to become a firefighter often include physical ability tests, medical examinations, background checks, and possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
The fifteen-week course commenced in August, over the course of which they were educated on building construction, fire dynamics, and fire suppression.
“Suffolk County is proud to revitalize the Junior Firefighter Program as we focus on creating new recruitment and retention initiatives within the local fire service,” said County Executive Romaine (R-Center Moriches).“By engaging our young people and junior firefighters, we will ensure that our first responder agencies will have the necessary resources to serve our communities for years to come.”
While the graduates are part of the Cadet Basic
Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO), they still clock into grade school, and meticulously juggled school responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and their personal lives while completing their fifteen-week training course.
“The hard work and dedication that these cadets have put into this program are nothing short of exemplary, and it always puts a smile on my face to see how many young men and women devote their time to public service,” said Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset).
Currently, Suffolk is home to 110 volunteer fire departments, as well as thirty ambulance corps, and over 11,000 service members who dedicate their time and even their lives to keeping Suffolk safe.
“After meeting with the Suffolk County Fire Academy and Suffolk County Fire Educators Association to assess their needs, an additional $125,000 in funding was added to the operational budget for overall fire education,” said Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), a former EMT who currently serves as Chair of the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) and Preparedness Committee. “We have provided lithium-ion battery training for firefighters, as well as public education and
fire prevention, and we also worked together to initiate the total restoration of the Suffolk County Fire Academy’s Junior Cadet Program. For several years it remained canceled and unfunded, and as the chair of FRES here in Suffolk County, I am proud to have led the charge to restore funding to this amazing program. This is how we support our youth and give them the opportunity to make a difference. Volunteers under the age of 18 can get an early start and pursue their passion for safeguarding our community.”
Romaine, Kennedy, and Thorne were joined by fellow Suffolk Legislators Ann Welker (D-Southampton), Samuel Gonzalez (D-Brentwood), Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park), Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Deputy Presiding Officer (R-Brightwaters), Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), as well as Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), who has served extensively with the Medford Fire Department.
“These 16- and 17-year-olds have shown their grit as students and volunteers, and they have accomplished so much by earning their Exterior Firefighter I Certification,” said Legislator Thorne. “This next generation is well equipped with the best training and preparation in the country, and their commitment to safeguarding our communities is proof of how blessed Suffolk County truly is. It was a great honor for me to be present at your graduation and we’re all extremely proud of you!”
CreditMatt Meduri
Photo Credit - Office of Legislator Thorne
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
More than six million people remain under critical fire threats as Los Angeles braces for higher winds and two major fires that are barely contained.
The critical threats are not just relegated to Los Angeles County, however, as millions residing in Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Oxnard are possibly within the wildfires’ crosshairs.
While an exact cause of the fires is unknown, the blazes have been attributed to extended drought, low humidity, and the Santa Ana winds. Also called the “devil winds,” the Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry winds that originate inland from the Great Basin and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. While the winds are experienced on an annual basis, they usually appear in the autumn.
The winds usually occur about ten to twenty-fives times annually, with one wind capable of blowing for up to a week. The average duration for one wind event is three days; however, the powerful winds - which are currently blowing at speeds as fast as one hundred miles per hour - can fan fires into devastating machines of destruction.
The fires, perpetuated by the hurricane-force gales, have claimed at least twenty-five lives, forced over 200,000 to evacuate, and has destroyed or significantly damaged at nearly 12,500 structures as of press time. Communities such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena have been completely leveled, while historic landmarks such as the Will Rogers Estate, parts of Sunset Boulevard, and the Topanga Valley Motel have essentially been erased. The current pace and position of the fires now threaten other landmarks, such as the Santa Monica Pier, the Griffith Observatory, and even the famed Hollywood Sign, in addition to the rest of downtown Los Angeles.
On January 2, the National Interagency Fire Center warned that conditions in Southern California were believed to be “above normal significant fire potential,” with the National Weather Service issuing a Fire Weather Watch that same day. On January 3, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) forecasted a critical risk of fires to start on January 8.
Blame is now being cast between different agencies within the state. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) had their budget reduced by $17.5 million for the 20242025 fiscal year, with LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley saying in December that the budget cuts had “adversely affected the Department’s ability to maintain core operations,” and that the $7 million cut in overtime “severely limited the Department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies.” After the budget’s passage, another $111 million was allocated for pay raises and equipment.
However, Chief Crowley has now come out against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) and Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), saying that her partners in government “failed” her and her department’s ability to respond to these fires.
The Santa Ynez Reservoir had been completely emptied just prior to the wildfires to repair a tear in its cover, which prevents debris and natural waste from landing in the water. The 117 million-gallon reservoir was not full during the fires, with its reopening scheduled for February. Former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) General Manager Martin Adams has said that the repairs were being conducted “for a while, adding that some levels of water are usually maintained to prevent stagnation and contamination that could impact its drinkability.
Despite warnings from multiple agencies that the region was a critical fire risk, Mayor Bass flew to Ghana, West Africa, to witness the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Mahama.
Bass has a storied political career, starting with her election to the California Assembly in 2004, where served as Majority Leader from 2006 until 2008. She became Speaker of the Assembly in 2008 and served until she was elected to Congress in 2011. She represented CA-33 - and later CA37 due to redistricting - from 2011 until her mayoral victory in 2022. Although mayoral races are nonpartisan, Bass was
elected by a single-digit margin in the deep-blue City of Angels in a runoff against Republican-turned-Independentturned-Democrat Rick Caruso. Caruso was previously president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and was a member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. Bass’ congressional bona fides allowed her to chair the Congressional Black Caucus, which resulted in even more international trips. Upon her election as Mayor of L.A., Bass had pledged she would not travel abroad.
While Bass was in Ghana as the fires broke out, L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson (D) served as acting mayor.
Bass has also come under heavy fire for committing a major gaffe during her first press conference upon returning from Africa, after the fires had already caused severe destruction.
“Right now, if you need help, emergency information, resources, and shelter, all of this can be found at URL,” said Bass. The actual URL of the website containing said resources was not stated at that press conference, either by her or a colleague behind her.
Governor Newsom has also come under fire for contradictions made in a live NBC interview while surveying a destroyed, charred neighborhood. When questioned on President-elect Donald Trump’s (R-FL) “politicization” of the fires, Newsom accused Trump of being dishonest about the state’s infrastructure.
“I don’t know what he’s referring to…the reservoirs are completely full, the state reservoirs here in Southern California,” Newsom told NBC. When the NBC reporter hit back with the claim that the Santa Ynez Reservoir is empty, Newsom says that it “was not a state system reservoir,” and that independent investigations would be conducted as to why the state lacked water during some of the worst wildfires in the state’s history.
So far, of the twenty-three fires, eighteen have been controlled. However, the Palisades Fire, currently affecting areas northwest of Santa Monica, is the largest in size at almost 24,000 acres at just 18% contained. The fire enters its second week of its continued scourge, likely to add to the 5,300 structures it has claimed.
The Eaton Fire, while smaller at 14,000 acres, has claimed almost 7,100 structures as of press time. The fire is only 35% contained and is affecting Altadena and Pasadena.
The Hurst Fire remains active at just 800 acres and 97% containment. The fire is not yet confirmed to have destroyed homes in Sylmar, a suburb in the San Fernando Valley.
The Auto Fire, affecting Ventura County, clocks in at sixtyone acres in size and is 47% contained.
Finally, the Creek and Scout fires, two of the more recent wildfires to join the fray, are burning at about three acres each. The Creek Fire is 90% contained and is affecting Big Tujunga Creek, while the Scout Fire is 25% contained west of Riverside.
State
“Worries about crime and struggles to make ends meet are too common,” said Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in her State of the State address Tuesday afternoon. “Our state has
to be livable and people have to be able to afford to live in it.”
Hochul unveiled an ambitious tax plan, which includes a tax-cut across five of New York’s nine tax brackets. The cuts, if approved by the legislature, would affect an estimated 8.3 million taxpayers, including rate slashes for joint filers earning up to $323,000 annually. Hochul’s briefing material on the plan would “deliver over $1 billion in tax relief.”
Hochul has also floated tax cuts for parents, free school lunches, rebates of up to $500 based on income, a monthly $100 “benefit during pregnancy” for expectant mothers, and an additional $1200 for mothers on public assistance when their children are born.
The plans come off the heels of Hochul’s “inflation refund” program, wherein $3 billion in excess sales tax revenue could be directly delivered to New Yorkers, along with her plan to expand the child tax credit, which would more than double what some families already receive from the State. The tax credit currently disperses $330 per child for eligible families. Under her proposition, such families could receive up to $1000 per child under the age of 4. Families with children ages 4 to 16 could receive credits of up to $500 per child.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz (D) has said that despite her ambitious announcements, voters want to “know more than you’re just investing in affordability issues, but that you understand their issues in their communities.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said that Democrats must improve their messaging.
“In this last election, it was all just abortion and ‘Trump stinks,’” said Heastie. “Democrats just have to do a better job of messaging all of the great things we have done.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, warns of lofty promises without a payment plan.
“While proposals like an expanded child tax credit and middle-class tax cuts can improve New Yorkers’ lives, the state cannot afford them in the long run unless it restrains spending elsewhere,” said Rein in a statement.
The moves come as the Siena College’s December poll found that only 33% of New Yorkers would re-elect Hochul, while 39% said they view her favorably.
Accordingly, the gubernatorial race in 2026 is already drawing high-profile potential challengers, with rumors swirling of Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s (D) increased visibility in the PR world as a sign he might be considering primarying his current boss.
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D, NY-15) took a hard swipe at Hochul based on her post on an X post that was widely panned by both sides of the aisle.
“Governor Hochul might have been too busy taking self-congratulatory subway selfies to notice,” said Torres, referring to Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey resident who was burned alive on an F Train subway by an illegal migrant from Guatemala. Hochul made a post on X showing herself taking photos with National Guardsmen patrolling the subways, insisting that crime is decreasing due to the Guard’s presence.
“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she is not governor in 2026,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY17), who is still mulling a run for the Republican nomination himself.
Local
The State and Local Tax (SALT) Caucus released a joint statement after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump (R-FL) on the subject.
“Our constituents are burdened by the SALT cap, and President Trump committed to addressing this issue for our districts. We had a productive meeting tonight and will keep fighting to resolve this critical issue so our constituents can keep more of their hard-earned money,” said SALT Caucus Co-Chairs Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Young Kim (R, CA-40).
Congressmen Tom Suozzi (D, NY-03) and Josh Gottheimer (D, NJ-05) make up the Democratic wing of the bipartisan caucus.
Satellite image shows the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Wednesday (Credit - FMT)
In Memoriam: Ken Maher Jr.
By Ashley Pavlakis
Lifelong St. James resident Kenneth Maher Jr. away on January 3, 2025, at the age of 43. Maher a beloved member of his community and was always gracious to lend a helping hand to those who met him. He is survived by his mother Betty, his daughter Fallyn, his sister Kerry, his nieces and nephews, and his girlfriend Vicky.
Maher Jr. was a family man, so much so that he wanted to be part of the family business from a young age. The Maher family owns the St. James Funeral Home, a place where Maher Jr. worked and would eventually become a New York State Licensed Funeral Director.
Maher Jr. got his Mortuary Science Degree from Nassau Community College in 2002. Following in his father’s footsteps, he became a secondgeneration funeral director.
The Funeral Business is unique to say the least; those who have worked the job are known to be compassionate, caring, understanding, and empathetic people. Maher Jr. was all of those things. When you met him at St. James Funeral Home, it meant your friend or family member would receive the utmost care and respect they deserved as they entered the next stage.
Outside the funeral service business, Maher Jr. continued on his journey of serving the community he loved so much. He coached little league baseball for Smithtown youth and taught golf for the Smithtown Adult Education Program.
Maher Jr. was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth-Degree member. A Fourth Degree Member, otherwise known as
Knight, is a highly honorable
The title is bestowed upon someone who embodies what it means to be Knight and chooses to embrace the fourth principle of patriotism.
In addition to the Knights of Columbus, Maher Jr. was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The organization is one of the oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organizations. Its purpose is to promote friendship, unity, and Christian Charity. They also foster and cultivate the longstanding history and traditions of the Irish race.
Maher Jr. is also a past president of the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Farmingville Historical Society, and a member of Farmingville Civic Association. The warm-spirited individual was a busy man, always playing an active role in his community and the organizations he felt most strongly about.
There are a few landmark destinations that come to mind when you think about St. James. Perhaps the most outwardly obvious one is the St. James witch. The iconic 35-foot-tall attraction known adoringly as ‘Winnie’ by the town citizens, was due for an upgrade. Maher Jr. at the forefront of the fundraising efforts, working hard to raise the money so ‘Winnie’ could receive a well-deserved makeover.
So now, when you’re driving through St. James and see the beloved statue, say “thank you,” or maybe even a prayer in memoriam of Maher Jr. The small, but simple gesture goes a long way in honoring Kenneth Maher Jr.’s life and legacy.
Legislator Trotta Joins Family and Friends in Honoring Kings Park Korean War Veteran Juan Rodriguez
Juan Rodriguez, a U.S. Army Veteran who served his country with distinction during the Korean War while assigned to the “Borinqueneers” the 65th Infantry Regiment, was recognized for his distinguished service at a celebration at the VFW Post 5796 in Kings Park on January 11.
During the Korean War, often referred to as the “Forgotten War,” the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, and 596 Bronze Stars. In addition, on June 10, 2014, the Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Then in 2021 Congress designated April 13 as “National Borinqueneers Day.” The 65th Regiment was the first segregated Hispanic military unit from Puerto Rico and the first unit of the Korean War to receive such distinction.
After the war, Mr. Rodriguez enrolled in the School of Commercial Arts and upon graduating he worked in advertising and then started his own Hot Press business in Manhattan. With the advent of computers, he closed his business and worked out his home for a couple of years and then secured a position as a custodian for the Kings Park School District.
During the program, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) related a
story about his father who joined the marines during the Korean War as he did not want to go to college. In boot camp, his superiors gave him a test and he did so well that they sent him to college, and he was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War.
“I am extremely proud to be here today and thank
you for your service to our country,” added Trotta.
Pictured at the celebration are from left to right Nick Cipolla, representing U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), State Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Korean War Veteran Juan Rodriguez, and Legislator Trotta.
By Hank Russell
Schumer: ‘Get Rid of the Whole Damn Thing’ Calls for Elimination of SALT Cap
Yet another Democrat politician has called for the repeal of the SALT (state and local taxes) cap and is asking for the Republicans to do something about it.
During the Long Island Association’s (LIA) State of the Region Breakfast in Woodbury on January 10, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said that New Yorkers need tax relief now and should not wait until next year, when it expires.
The cap is currently at $10,000 a year, consisting of property taxes plus state income or sales taxes.
“SALT hurts Long Islanders more than any other state resident,” Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, said. “It makes us pay taxes twice.”
Schumer isn’t just the only politician calling for the cap to be eliminated. Long Island Life & Politics previously reported that Governor Kathy Hochul (D) — who also appeared at the LIA event called on Long Island Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) to repeal the $10,000 cap.
The New York Democrat accused “the right-wingers” of “screwing New Yorkers, both Democrats and Republicans,” quoting U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R, TX-19) as saying, “we should expand SALT.”
“I just don’t want to lift the cap,” Schumer said. “I want to get rid of the whole damn thing.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to LaLota for a comment.
“Senator Schumer had four years to address SALT and failed to act,” he responded. “To the contrary, House Republicans from New York are stepping up to fix it. New Yorkers need SALT relief because New York State Democrats have pushed our taxes to the highest in the nation through reckless spending. As we work to fix SALT, NYS Democrats should focus on the real problem: putting an end to their out-of-control spending.”
Following a recent meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, SALT Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Garbarino and Congresswoman Young Kim (R, CA-40) released a joint statement: “Our constituents are burdened by the SALT cap, and President Trump committed to addressing this issue for our districts. We had a productive meeting tonight and will keep fighting to resolve this critical issue so our constituents can keep more of their hard-earned money.”
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Greater Middle Country Chamber Welcomes Brendel’s Bagels to the Community
The Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the grand opening of Brendel’s Bagels in our community! On January 8th, we celebrated this exciting milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by local officials, chamber members, and community supporters.
Brendel’s Bagels is proudly owned by Craig and Stacy Beresid and their partners Mike and Nichole Dowell, local Middle Country residents. Store manager, Zach Beresid, is a graduate of Newfield High School. We take immense pride in
seeing our homegrown talent thrive by opening and managing businesses that enrich our community.
We look forward to many great things ahead for Brendel’s Bagels and encourage everyone to stop by, support this new local gem, and enjoy their delicious offerings. Here’s to new beginnings and continued success for our community!
Brendel’s Bagels is located at 1311 Middle Country Road, Centereach.
Senator Schumer talks about eliminating the SALT Cap during the LIA’s State of the Region breakfast on January 10 (Credit - Hank Russell)
Smithtown High School Students Network Out East
Virtual Enterprise students from Smithtown High School East and West participated in the East End Networking Event on December 18 at the Atlantis Ballroom in Riverhead. Students delivered company sales pitches, networked with other firms, displayed marketing materials, and conducted sales, all while improving communication skills, and supporting the VE economy.
Smithtown Educators Battle the Harlem Wizards
They laced up their sneakers, hit the court and took on one of New York’s best— all for a good cause. On January 6, staff from Nesaquake Middle School and St. James and Dogwood elementary schools teamed up for a basketball game against the Harlem Wizards.
Held at Smithtown High School East and organized by each school’s PTA presidents, principals, assistant principals and teachers played hoops with the Wizards in front of more than 600 people. All proceeds go to support the school’s Cultural Arts PTA programs and all the extra activities the PTA provides throughout the year.
Hauppauge Students Showcase Civic Projects Aimed at Creating Positive Change
Hauppauge High School’s senior participation in government classes recently presented civic capstone projects, developing proposals for changes they would like to see in the school community as part of their work toward earning the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.
The New York State Seal of Civic Readiness is a recognition given to high school students who demonstrate strong knowledge of civic engagement and actively participate in community issues.
For their capstone presentation, students were tasked with selecting an issue that they were passionate about, aiming to bring positive change and improvement to their school community. The process involved research, collaborative efforts within their groups, writing a paper and creating impactful presentations.
Presentation topics included the possibility of off-campus lunch; building discipline, strength and confidence in school; school beautification and alternative options for physical education.
Smithtown High School East Lands Three Regeneron Semifinalists
Smithtown High School East students Daanish Bassi, Jolene Cao and Richard Chai were all named top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Smithtown Central School District announced.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition and recognizes the best
and brightest young scientists for demonstrating exceptional scientific leadership potential, according to the district.
“We are incredibly proud of Jolene, Richard and Daanish for this remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Stephanie O’Brien, Smithtown School District Director of Science. “Their innovative research projects
demonstrate a deep passion for science and a commitment to exploring the unknown.”
Ms. Maria Zeitlin, the ThINK Discovery Science research program coordinator, lauded the students’ accomplishments as well. “We are over the moon to have multiple winners, and each one is so deserving! Their research in the fields of biochemistry, material science, and chemistry is precise, intellectual, and relevant in a world that is hard-pressed for creative solutions to global issues.”
Bassi’s research, “Assessing Novel RIPK2MKK7 Interaction Inhibitors in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines,” in the lab of Dr. Wei Yang, investigated the sequence of activities in a molecular pathway to find a target for stopping the spread of cancer cells.
Cao’s research project is titled, “Synthesis of Stable and Magnetically Responsive Magnetite/Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots for Programmable Light Polarization.” It was conducted in the lab of Dr. Yadong Yin, where she investigated perovskite quantum dots, tiny crystals at the quantum level used in the fields of energy, healthcare, and computers, that suffer from instability
Chai’s research, “Optimizing the NitroOxidation Process to Convert Lignocellulosic Waste into Fertilizers and Nanocellulosic Materials,” was researched in the lab of Dr. Benjamin Hsaio. She improved upon a chemical process, converting discarded plant matter into a usable, biodegradable material for both filtration and fertilization by improving its safety and accessibility.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Presidential Transitions
By Matt Meduri
The presidential transition is the process that occurs when an incumbent president is leaving office - either through term limits, electoral defeat, or refusal to seek another term - and the presidentelect and his/her team utilizes the near-two-month gap between Election Day and Inauguration Day to acclimate to the role.
As of press time, the transition period is in its final week of operation. President-elect Donald Trump (R-FL) is scheduled to be inaugurated as the forty-seventh president on Monday, January 20 at noon. President Joe Biden’s (D-DE) term expires at the same time.
Legal Basis
The Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1933, changed the beginning and ending dates of a presidential term from March 4 to January 20. The original intent of the March 4 date was to allow ample time for election votes to be tabulated, for dignitaries and appointees to travel between Washington, D.C., and their home states, as well as for the Electoral College to meet in their respective state capitals to certify the results, and for Congress to convene in a jointsession to officially preside over the results.
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
The publication comes from the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Government Reform. A new edition is printed every four years immediately following each presidential election and is updated to reflect changes, new positions, but primarily, those that require the incoming administration will be required to fill.
However, technological advances that sped up votecounting made such a long lame-duck window moot, and the lame-duck period was viewed as too long for an exiting president and Congress to remain in power. The period also meant a power drawback, as four months was and is seen as too little time to act on serious issues. At the time of the adoption of the Twentieth Amendment, the secession of states was cited as such an issue.
As such, the Constitution now stipulates that the new Congress meets every January 3, with Electoral College certifications held every January 6.
The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 provides the current means of an orderly and peaceful transition of power. Under federal law and customs of the candidates, the major-party presidential candidates receive classified national security briefings once their nomination is formalized by their party. While the transition period can technically begin at any time, the period doesn’t usually “kick off” until the General Services Administration (GSA) declares an “apparent winner” of the election. Once this occurs, funds appropriated by Congress are then released to conduct the transition.
The Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide potential transition teams with office spaces, facilities, funding for transition staff, and access to government services. The Presidential Transition Act of 2019 requires the incumbent president to establish “transition councils” by the June of an election year in anticipation of a possible transition of power.
While transition teams are typically relegated to the typical November election change, transitions can arise on an ad hoc basis in events of a president’s death, resignation, or inability to conduct the duties of the office.
The Plum Book
United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions is a book that lists all positions in the federal government that are subject to political appointment. It lists around 8,000 federal civil service leadership and support positions in the executive (presidency) and legislative (congressional) branches of the federal government. Such positions may be subject to noncompetitive nationwide appointment.
Once the president fills the positions with appointees, the book is updated to include Officers of the United States - those with leadership roles that are granted small aspects of federal power to execute the duties of their offices - as well as their subordinates, advisors, aides, and executives. Some positions are classified through executive privilege.
The book received its more common name, the Plum Book, from the concept of “plum” jobs, those that are considered top positions or assignments. The term “plum” is also used to describe congressional committee assignments, in that “plum assignments” are typically those on committees of high importance, national and/or international consequence, as well as the general “feather in the cap” for those who receive the assignments. In short, the book receives its name for containing a list of “plum” jobs on Capitol Hill. Moreover, the book’s cover is regularly plum-colored.
The Plum Book was born in 1952 during the administration of President Dwight Eisenhower (R-KS) to identify all presidentially appointed federal positions. After decades of Democratic control, congressional Republicans requested the list once Eisenhower took office. Ever since then, the book is updated and published quadrennially. Older editions of the Plum Book are held by federal depository libraries, while the Government Publishing Office began work in 2012 to make the Plum Book an app. The 2024 edition of the Plum Book is available to read for free at www.govinfo.gov.
The book contains eight categories and abbreviations for appointed positions within the federal government:
Career Appointments (CA) are permanent and officeholders remain in place until retirement age. CAs require three years of substantial, continuous service.
Non-career Appointments (NA) are temporary and limited in duration.
Presidential Appointments without Senate Confirmation (PA) are those the president can appoint to a position without that appointee sitting before the Senate committee of their prospective department and without that appointee requiring a majority of votes from the full Senate. The White House Chief of Staff is the only Cabinet-level position that does not require Senate confirmation.
Presidential Appointment with Senate Confirmation (PAS) require the appointee to attend a hearing before the Senate committee(s) directly concerned with the appointee’s prospective department. For example, as former Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) is up for consideration as Commissioner of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), he is scheduled for a hearing - which serves as a de facto interview with Senators from across the country - with the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) on Thursday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m. Other Senate committees have been interviewing other appointees before the full 100-member Senate votes on whether or not to confirm the appointees.
Schedule C Excepted Appointment (SC) is a type of federal appointment for confidential or policy roles that are immediately subordinate to other appointees. These are typically seen as the lowest level of appointments. Lee Atwater, an advisor to presidents Ronald Reagan (R-CA) and George H. W. Bush (R-TX), and Bush’s campaign manager in 1988, is said to have believed in rewarding young campaign staffers with Schedule C positions.
Limited Term Appointments (TA) are made for a limited period, usually for positions estimated to last for two years or left, and can be terminated upon the completion of a project within that two-year duration. TAs also do not confer civil service employment rights beyond the specified time.
Appointments Excepted by Statute (XS) are civil service positions that are not in the competitive services - positions open to all applicants where applicants are screened on merit - or the Senior Executive Service (SES). They are authorized and excepted (not included) from the competitive service by statute, the President, or the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Excepted services can include security and intelligence, interns, foreign services, doctors, lawyers, and judges.
Senior Executive Service (SES) positions are equivalent in the federal civil service system to general officer or flag officer ranks in the U.S. Armed Forces. The SES was created in 1979 to be a body of executives who serve in key positions just beneath the top presidential appointees. SES positions are noncompetitive, senior leadership positions filled by career employees or political appointments.
The Plum Book currently lists 5,826 civil service jobs within the eighteen Executive Branch departments, 2,087 positions within the dozens independent agencies and government corporations, and 22 positions within the Legislative BranchArchitect of the Capitol, Government Accountability Office, Government Publishing Office, and the Library of Congress.
The Transition Process
Possible successors can begin forming an anticipatory transition team well ahead of an election. After Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee in 2016, he began assembling a transition team in May. Key goals of this action include organizing the top positions of the staff, allocating responsibilities, and establishing working relationships with Congress, the outgoing administration, the GSA, the Office of Government Ethics, the FBI, and OPM to begin sharing information and issuing security clearances for team members. The GSA makes its official ascertainment of an election winner, after which transition funds - usually to the tune of around $10 million - as well as access, equipment, and clearances can be issued.
Typically, sitting Cabinet members and other high-level appointees tender their resignations in concordance with the inauguration of a new president. While deputy secretaries are also typically expected to resign in the same fashion, they’re commonly asked to remain in an acting capacity until new secretaries are confirmed by the Senate.
Trump has named Linda McMahon (R-CT) and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick (R-NY) as his transition co-chairs, both of whom are up for secretary positions in Education and Commerce, respectively. Honorary co-chairs include Vice President-elect J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI), and the president-elect’s sons Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump.
By Matthew Stahl
‘Greatest Generation’ GI Dave Palmer Celebrates 99th Birthday
A large contingent of extended family relations from around the country, along with Veteran associates of American Legion Rusy Bohm Post 411 in Vet-affiliated cycle riders, and Paws of War organization members, this date stood and cheered as a very special man arrived at a flag-waving, grand entrance celebration of his 99th birthday. Many fond reunions transpired as video tributes ran, awards were presented, and music by “Marty G and the G Men” lent elements of fun and atmosphere. Rich, personal stories were generously shared around the room, the latter of which the guest of honor abundantly accumulated through life both in and out of U.S. military service.
David Clarence Palmer, born November 27, 1925, in Norwalk, Connecticut, is the son of James Nathaniel Palmer, Sr., a multioccupational father whose ancestry traces all the way back to the original Charlestown, Massachusetts, settlement and a ship that bore the name “Four Flowers” while accompanying the famed “Mayflower” on fourteenth trek across the Atlantic. His Finnish mother, Tyrnni Ester (Laitenen) Palmer, emigrated to America as a teenager, learned English, became a United States citizen and went on to teach, tutor, and publish. Dave, second in line of a then eleventh generation Palmer family that grew to include two brothers and a sister, was raised in the village of North Stonington, Connecticut, where the troupe moved on guidance from a relative who surveyed the developing area.
later when, by happenstance, he attended an Andrews Air Force Base show and fell into chat with a vendor whose own grandfather had survived his Gunskirchen Lager confinement thanks to the timely arrival of Dave’s Army unit. The long-ranging, positive effect of service in an otherwise terrible war was spotlighted at that moment, as both parties to the conversation realized they would not be speaking had circumstances been different.
Dave separated from service on November 27, 1946. During his tour before discharge, he rose from the rank of private to Technician 5th grade and earned the title of Expert Rifle and Carbine Gunner. For commendable contributions to the war effort, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, Army Occupation Medal, Germany Victory Medal and World War II Victory Medal (Approved by Congress in 1948). After two years, four months and ten days full service, one year and three months spent deployed overseas and in combat zones, Dave received $300 in mustering out pay and $655 in advance travel compensation.
The Palmer children shared several Connecticut homes in their growth years, one of which is now an official historical society site and another a still-standing family dairy farm that supplied the Hood Ice Cream Company. To assist his kin, Dave began working in the farm’s fields and driving tractors at the age of eight, when he could barely reach the control pedals. That acquired skill came to serve him well in later life. He graduated from Wheeler (High) School in 1943 and near immediately received a “welcome letter” of induction for U.S. Army service from Uncle Sam.
Dave went on to active-duty January 24, 1944. After reporting to Fort Devens, Massachusetts and completing basic training at Camp Landing, Florida, he attended signal school in Fort Benning, Georgia and was then assigned to the 71st Cavalry Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop of America’s Third Army, under the legendary command of General George S. Patton. Palmer’s unit arrived at Le Havre, France, on February 6, 1945. Mr. Palmer functioned as a reconnaissance car crew member who performed dual roles as radio operator and driver, first in Willy’s military jeeps and later in gun carrying M-8 Greyhound armored cars. Designated drivers were awarded the privilege of naming their vehicles, and Dave tagged his assigned M-8 with the name “Reenie” after a long-secret, high school sophomore crush.
Once fully assembled, Dave’s division moved rapidly east to begin the ouster of German forces from France and saw its first combat action on March 11, 1945. By month’s end, it had stormed through outer belts of the Siegfried Line, captured the French town of Pirmasens and crossed the Rhine River into Germany after diversionary maneuvers at Oppenheim. The 71st then continued its relentless advance, taking Coburg without resistance, cutting the MunichBerlin autobahn, and capturing Bayreuth after fierce opposition on April 16. Wheeling south, the division overpowered Schönfeld and Rosenberg, crossed the Naab and Danube Rivers and smashed through Regensburg and Straubing by April’s close. As resistance crumbled, the 71st Division crossed the Isar River and entered Austria May 2, 1945. They occupied defensive positions along the Enns River and contacted Russian forces east of Linz, Austria on May 8, just one day before hostilities ceased. As a fighting team, they had driven further east than any other U.S. Army unit deployed to the European Theater of Operations.
Sobering moments served to temper the celebration of victory. In the latter stages of their assaults, the 71st participated in liberating several Nazi concentration camps, most notably the Gunskirchen Lager sub-camp in Austria. The gruesome suffering, inhumanity, horror, and tragedy of what these G.I.s encountered on arrival was later detailed in an official government pamphlet entitled, “The Seventy-First came to Gunskirchen Lager.”
Recon units like the one to which Mr. Palmer was attached led the way in all these military exploits. Dave repeatedly found himself in the thick of things at or near the front lines throughout the previously described accountings of the 71st Division’s actions. His affectionately named armored chariot carried him 998 miles across France and Germany all the way to the banks of the Steir River separating Europe from Russia – at speeds of up to sixty miles per hour on the German Autobahn.
While understandably reluctant to discuss many experiences along the way, Mr. Palmer has recounted details of a frantic retreat under heavy fire from advancing columns of German Panzer tanks and alerting other units in the direction of that advance to oncoming threats. He has also spoken of a chance scheduling change that saw the armored car crew that replaced his assigned patrol captured, and of single-handedly taking the surrender of a German soldier carrying a Panzerfaust anti-tank weapon --- this while taking a “rest stop” in dense forest. Noteworthy is the fact that Dave TWICE sustained minor wounds in battle that qualified him for Purple Hearts but refused them on worry his mother back home might overreact when news reached her.
Personally witnessing the deplorable conditions under which Jewish internment camp prisoners were kept left forever marks on Dave’s soul, but a moving moment occurred years
Post-war, this conquering hero returned home to North Stonington, Connecticut. He served work stints with the local road department and post office while studying forestry for a year at the University of Connecticut under the new G.I. Bill. Dave then relocated to Long Island, worked at his uncle’s Bay Shore boatyard for some time before marriage and came to join the Nassau County carpenters’ union, entering as a laborer and climbing his way up to job supervisor prior to retirement in 1990.
Dave met and married first wife Mildred Anna Setkowsky November 27, 1948. The couple took up residence in Bay Shore before purchasing land on Amuxen Court in Islip, right down the block from what would become his future American Legion Post. He personally built his new family home on that site with help from friends and family. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer raised two daughters and a son (Patti Ann, Peggy Ester and David Clarence, Jr.) together before her passing in March 1982. In the late eighties, Dave remarried Pasqua Ester Piscopo Bernardis, who sadly has also passed.
Mr. Palmer joined American Legion Rusy Bohm Post 411 in June 1991. Over thirty-three years of exemplary participation, he has served in various official and committee positions and has received numerous Legion citations. Dave was deservingly appointed Grand Marshal for the Post’s Town of Islip’s Memorial Day parade in 2023. Surprisingly vim and keen of mind at ninety-nine years of age, he remains an active, contributing and very well-respected member of the Post – rarely missing patriotic ceremonies. He also maintains a long-term association with the Trinity Lutheran Church in Islip. Carpentry skills learned in life were repeatedly demonstrated in lasting volunteer reconstruction projects he helped perform at both locations. In testament to his vigor, Dave was occasionally spotted making repairs to the Post rooftop well into his eighties. His work products will continue to stand beyond his years.
Dave currently resides with his stepson, Patrick Bernardis, in East Islip. The current Dave Palmer clan today counts a total of eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren (with another on the way), and seven great-great grandchildren. Several more senior family members have or are serving in the Navy, Marine, and Air Force branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, complementing the family patriarch’s Army service and carrying on a family legacy of involvement in America’s birth, growth and protection that his daughter amazingly reports dates to King Philips First Indian War in 1676.
In closing, we note that Mr. Palmer is the SOLE remaining World War II Veteran attached to American Legion Rusy Bohm Post 411 to see combat in that conflict. It is for all of us to treasure, safeguard and preserve in spoken word and publication, the memories and deeds of America’s greatest generation. This piece serves as one younger Veteran’s contribution to that effort, and as small tribute to people like David Palmer, who exemplify the best of what ALL Americans can and should be.
Local History
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Endearing Song: Madame Cornelie Meysenheim
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Blessings on this earth happen often, but miraculous talent and infinite recognition come once in a lifetime. History has a habit coming to us when we least expect it, as with the presence Cornelie Meysenheim, born in The Hague, Netherlands, March 29, 1849, it could never be imagined that she would find her way to Lake Ronkonkoma nearly 50 years later, and make it her home.
Madame Cornelie Meysenheim was a world-class Dutch Opera singer, well known in European and American halls. She later was a Professor of Music at the Metropolitan School of Opera, New York City and gave private instructions as well. She kept two studios, one was local to the lake, in Nesconset near the Post Office and the other at the Metropolitan Opera House, Office Building, New York City. Students were fortunate to have the opportunity to study with her.
Dutch King William III heard Cornelie perform as a child and immediately provided her with a scholarship (10/31/1872) for studying music, per Dienst Van Het Koninklijk Huis (his country).
On November 5, 1879, she was married to German Heinrich Schubel, a cellist, and on September 3, 1883, in Karlsruhe, Germany celebrated the birth of her son Ludwig Franz Heinrich M. Schubel, who in 1883 was Baptized in Karlsruhe, Germany.
One of her magnificent studies was with the German Composer Richard Strauss. His father had urged the young Strauss to write opera, to please the people and the times, but he was not totally interested in opera. Strauss would not write the operas unless Cornelie agreed to sing them. They were all composed in 1879, around the time of Strauss’s fifteenth birthday, and performed two years later by Cornelie Meysenheim, who performed both at the Munich Court Opera.
Madame performed worldwide in such productions as Faust (pictured right); LaFille duRegiment; Barbiere di Sivilgia; the title role in Mignon; Hansel & Gretel; Annima in La Traviata; to name a few. However, it was the acknowledgement of the critics to have her performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen labeled “perfection never to be surpassed.” Perfect in every way, the costume, her adaptation into the character, and of course her voice led to rave reviews and unsurpassed quality.
Madame was endorsed by Enrico Caruso, one of the all-time legendary tenors and one of the first international recording stars and Luisa Tetrazzini the Italian coloratura soprano. Cornelie sang in the Royal Courts of Europe and was a woman of rare refinement and sensibility. When she performed as Marguerite in Faust, in the Munich Cort Opera house of her girlhood, she became a star overnight.
In New York City, she met musical performers and acquaintances, and 1901 this brought her to Lake Ronkonkoma. It was the suggestion of Miss Maude Adams, Broadway actress, that she come out to Lake Ronkonkoma and see if it was for her, which led to her move. She continued her friendships with Lillian Devere and the Devere family, a well-known acting family; Captain George McCormick, who served in the Civil War, and others. She purchased a home directly on the lake, and entertained friends frequently. It was situated on a small hill, and the view was perfect. The home brought her much happiness.
Local improvement was important to her, and she starred in many fundraisers here in town. The program I am highlighting shows a benefit on July 5, 1920, which was to raise funds for the Lake Ronkonkoma Free Library, dear to her friend Lillian Devere. The names of the performers listed on the program are easily recognized by our locals even today. She was also involved in fundraisers for the Hook & Ladder #1 and other up and coming establishments needed to enhance the community, including St. Josephs R.C. Church and Firemen’s Hall.
It is almost beyond comprehension to imagine a world-class opera singer and a
world-renowned Broadway actress performing in Firemen’s Hall at Hook & Ladder #1, currently Colonial Florist. She had a place with the Lake Ronkonkoma Equal Rights Suffrage Club, also led by Lillian Devere. The highly successful group began fighting for the vote in 1912 and participated in many events and fundraisers to obtain “Votes for Women”. I personally met with the family of Madame Cornelie on Thursday August 25, 2022, after a lengthy trans-Atlantic and multi-state correspondence period. The day was carefully planned to allow familiarity, records exchange, and open discussions. The all-day program continued, with me presenting the family, including her grandson Dave Schubel, with memorable facts, pictures, and paperwork. In turn, the family had much primary source documentation which allowed the Heritage to fill many open questions. The community became enriched that day with priceless newspaper clippings, letters, and programs from the performances presented here in Lake Ronkonkoma and across New York. The photograph of Madame (pictured left) wearing the hat shows a beautiful coral necklace, which is now in the possession of family member Karen Jones. When she removed it from its box, the realization that it was indeed the necklace in the photograph was wonderful. Present were Dave and Mary Lou Schubel; Ellyn Okvist; Janet & Randy Rhoads; Frans & Margot Cornelis; Sandra Willis; and Karen and Jerry Jones.
Madame adored Lake Ronkonkoma and remained here, home and studio (pictured below), until her death on December 31, 1923. She was laid to rest in the Lake Ronkonkoma Cemetery as Cornelie Meysenheim Schubel.
“And may she rise upon the wings Of beauteous song to that fair land, Of which the olden psalmist sings, Where glorious singer, happy, stand Atuned with God, atuned to love, May she find happiness above.” - Included in her obituary 1/2/1924
(Above) The programs from the Firemen's Hall show.
Taxpayer Action Network Launched to Advocate for Fiscal Conservatism and Transparency in Government
By Hank Russell
A new political action committee, the Taxpayer Action Network (TANPAC), has officially launched to champion fiscally conservative policies, federalism, transparency, and limited government principles throughout New York State. Founded in the Summer of 2024, TANPAC is dedicated to promoting responsible government spending, prioritizing taxpayer interests, and ensuring accountability at the local, county, and state levels.
With a primary focus on the Hudson Valley, TANPAC is also set to expand its efforts statewide, working to research and support elected officials and candidates who demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing government spending and controlling taxation. As part of its mission, TANPAC invites all candidates and elected officials to take the Taxpayer First Pledge on its website, TaxpayerActionNetwork.com.
The pledge states:
and prioritizes efficiency and accountability over wasteful spending,” said Kevin Byrne (R-Mahopac), Putnam County Executive and one of TANPAC’s founders. “The Taxpayer Action Network is here to advocate for good fiscal policy and support candidates who are committed to transparency and accountability in government. Together, we can change the trajectory of New York governance for the better.”
TANPAC makes clear and objective evaluations of candidates while engaging with local communities to drive impactful change on a wide variety of issues facing New York State. Through its advocacy efforts and pledge initiative, the organization aims to uphold federalism and limited government principles while ensuring taxpayer resources are spent responsibly.
“I will support the implementation of policies to improve taxpayer engagement, transparency, and better control government spending and taxation.
I acknowledge that the federal and state governments account for 70% of local government spending in mandates, and only 30% of local government spending is at the discretion of local government. In both cases, I will advocate for the proper prioritization of that spending, focusing on the core functions of government.”
“New York taxpayers deserve a government that respects their hard-earned money
Recently, TANPAC held its first networking event and fundraiser in Mahopac, New York, with special guest speaker NYC Minority Council Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island). Borelli, who is being considered by many to be a candidate for the upcoming NYC Mayoral Race, spoke to the packed crowd about the importance of local and state elections as well as sensible spending policies.
The Taxpayer Action Network PAC invites citizens, candidates, and elected officials to join its mission by visiting TaxpayerActionNetwork.com for more information, updates, and ways to get involved.
Guest speaker NYC Minority Council Leader Joe Borelli (center) and TANPAC’s founder, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne (right) (Credit - TANPAC)
Record Number of Suffolk Judges Take Oath of Office During Robing Ceremony
On Monday, January 13, 2025, eighteen judges in Suffolk County were sworn into office after their elections this Fall in a robing ceremony at the Van Nostrand Theatre of the Suffolk County Community College.
Hosted by the Suffolk County Bar Association, the morning’s ceremony featured a special celebration for each judge who is joining the bench in the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, or District Court, or who was re-elected to one of the same. The college’s packed theater house was filled with supporters of the eighteen jurists, including relatives and friends, attorneys, local dignitaries, and even leaders of New York’s statewide court system. More than fifty of Suffolk’s judges—all donning their traditional black robes—were on hand to welcome their new colleagues and they were privileged to be joined in their ranks by Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, New York’s Chief Administrative Judge, and Hon. Norman St. George, New York’s First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge.
The morning’s ceremony became a marathon of praise and applause as each of the eighteen judges—a record number in Suffolk’s history—were individually honored
by sponsors and family members. District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew A.
himself one of the celebrated eighteen after he was re-elected in November to another term as a Justice of the Supreme Court, presided over the ceremony.
“Today is a great celebration of all that these individuals have accomplished in their distinguished careers and all that they will contribute while serving on the bench for the people of Suffolk County,” Justice Crecca said during opening remarks. Throughout the morning, Justice Crecca and Patrick McCormick, Esq., President of the Suffolk County Bar Association, together introduced each of the other seventeen judges and presented them with their new black robes or ceremonial gavels for those who were re-elected.
Chief Administrative Judge Zayas administered the oath of office for District Administrative Judge Crecca and newly elected County Court Judge, Hon. Peter R. McGreevy.
Beforehand, however, the Chief Administrative Judge addressed his colleagues
“To our brand-new judges, welcome to the best job in the world. We judges are blessed with an amazing vocation, where we actually are tasked with deciding what justice is and how we are going to dispense with it in every single case,” he said to the freshly robed
“It is one of the highest callings in all professions,” Judge Zayas declared.
Distinguished guests in addition to Chief Administrative Judge Zayas and First Deputy Administrative Judge St. George were Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), District Executive Warren G. Clark, Esq., Chief of Court Security David Santiago, and many other prominent members of the local legal community, who were all on hand in support of their judicial contemporaries. Each elected judge brought with them their rich and diverse stories, such as the heartfelt moment when highly renowned Melvyn Tanenbaum, Justice of the Supreme Court (Ret.), boasted immense vigor and at 89 years of age while sponsoring his son, newly elected District Court Judge Hon. Tanenbaum. Equally touching was the patriotic scene outside where a detachment the Central Islip Fire Department displayed an enormous American flag between the of two engines to honor their fellow firefighter, Hon. Philip Goglas, who was reelected to the County Court.
All elected judges were introduced by an individual sponsor, often family relative or colleague, and each then offered brief remarks to the audience prior to taking formal oath of office. The eighteen celebrated judges who were sworn into office on Monday were:
Supreme Court
Andrew A. Crecca, of Hauppauge, was re-elected a Justice of the Supreme Court. Alfred C. Graf, of Holbrook, Hon. Paul E. Hennings, of St. James, Hon. Paul M. Hensley, Northport, Hon. James F. Matthews, Jr., of Northport, Hon. Deanna D. Panico, of Center Moriches, were all elected Justices of the Supreme Court.
County Court
Hon. Philip Goglas, of Central Islip, was re-elected a County Court Judge and Hon. Peter R. McGreevy, of Mattituck, was elected a County Court Judge.
Family Court
Hon. Stuart P. Besen, of East Northport, Christopher C. Brocato, of Sound Beach, was elected a Family Court Judge; Hon. Carl J. Copertino, of Deer Park, Hon. Patricia M. Blake, of East Moriches, Hon. Paul L. Damato, of St. James, Hon. Kenneth J. Lauri, of Port Jefferson, Hon. Evan S. Tanenbaum, of Port Jefferson, and Hon. John B. Zollo, of Smithtown, were all elected Judges of the Family Court.
Hon. James A. McDonaugh, of Lindenhurst, and Hon. Eric A. Sachs, of Melville, were reelected Judges to the Family Court.
This year’s robing ceremony commenced with a presentation of colors by the New York Courts Ceremonial Guard, and newly elected District Court Judge Hon. John B. Zollo sang a robust rendition of the National Anthem.
“I have been honored to work with such a great group of judges who support me and inspire every single day,” District Administrative Judge Crecca to his fellow jurists. “Under the tremendous vision of our leadership team at the Office of Court Administration has enabled us to fulfill our core mission of serving the public and administrating justice fairly and efficiently. I am confident that the judges sworn-in today will be valuable additions to the Suffolk County bench and I look forward to working with you all.”
Crecca,
Moloney Family
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
AMAC
Thursday, January 16, 2025
LA’s Devastating Lesson for Blue Cities Everywhere
By Betsy McCaughey | AMAC Outside Contributor
New Yorkers, Chicagoans, Denverites, and other blue-city residents should feel scared as they watch Los Angeles neighborhoods obliterated by fire. These other cities could be next, victims of the same dysfunctional one-party government that puts woke priorities ahead of disaster prevention and readiness.
It doesn’t have to be a fire. Imagine floodwaters rising inside Gotham’s Queens-Midtown Tunnel. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued a warning on Jan. 2 that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Bridges and Tunnels division has failed to carry out the inspections and maintenance of the flood doors installed after Hurricane Sandy to allow the tunnels to be sealed off.
Auditors found broken gasket seals, which would allow water to seep into the QueensMidtown and the Brooklyn-Battery tunnels.
“It’s not (a) matter of if but of when,” said DiNapoli about another massive storm like Sandy, which caused the deaths of 44 city residents and damaged or destroyed 69,000 homes. DiNapoli warned in a 2022 report that “the city needs to be ready,” but so far there is “inadequate coordination.”
That’s the job of New York City Emergency Management, but its poor performance, says DiNapoli, is “very concerning.”
For example, NYCEM creates and maintains four evacuation plans, but they were last updated in 2013, and there has been no formal assessment of their adequacy.
For many disasters, including terrorism, the first line of defense is the New York Police Department. But the department’s headcount is the lowest it’s been in more than three decades. Mayor Eric Adams pledged in November to bring on 1,600 cops in 2025, but it’s proving impossible to recruit them. Blame what retired NYPD Sgt. Joseph Giacalone calls the “stupid laws” passed by the ultra-left City Council and left-wing state legislature that tie the hands of cops and coddle criminals.
There’s no telling what kind of disaster could strike New York City an earthquake causing injuries from falling bricks, a storm trapping people in floodwaters, or an epidemic causing widespread sickness. In these cases, the New York Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — the department’s ambulance service — will be essential.
Yet FDNY EMS has fewer ambulances in service than in 2021, making anyone needing help with a heart attack or injury wait an estimated 1 minute, and 9 seconds longer than the average wait time two years ago.
Oren Barzilay, union president at FDNY EMS, complains that Adams is more concerned with diversity, equity, and inclusion than adequate staffing at FDNY EMS.
The FDNY launched a public relations campaign in June 2024 called “We are FDNY.” Was the message competence? No. Diversity.
Woke politics are taking precedence over preparedness in both New York City and Los Angeles. Janisse Quinones, the new CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was hired for a staggering $750,000 salary because, according to Mayor Karen Bass, she had the “skill set” to move the department to “100% clean energy by 2035.” Too bad Quinones didn’t pay attention to the more practical, immediate goal of keeping the hydrants operating.
There are plenty of warning signs that New York’s Democratic leaders couldn’t care less about disaster prevention. They’ve earned poor marks in the small tests they’ve faced.
On June 8, 2023, upstate forest fires caused air quality in the city to plunge to a historic low,
sending people with respiratory issues to emergency rooms. An acrid smoke darkened the sky and made breathing difficult. Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had been warned it was about to occur but did nothing to prepare the public.
NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol said the city didn’t have an “off-the-shelf plan” for a smoke emergency.
Adams and Hochul flunked again on a Friday morning in September 2023, when the city was deluged with rainfall so severe that half the subway system had to be closed. Yet the previous night, Adams was attending a birthday fundraiser for himself rather than delivering public warnings.
Sounds like Bass, who snuck out of the country to attend a political event in Ghana despite being
Overview - AMAC -
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AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
informed her city was at severe risk of fires.
Los Angeles voters literally have been burned by Democratic one-party rule. They must demand immediate political changes.
But so should New Yorkers. The evidence is damning that the Democratic establishment has left this city vulnerable. When New Yorkers go to the polls next November to choose a mayor and city council, they should vote as if their lives and homes depend on it.
And beyond New York, take a look at Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s efforts to shift resources out of the police department to other, more woke priorities. Voters in blue cities have to watch the conflagration in Los Angeles and realize that they get what they vote for.
BRINGING BROADWAY TO MAIN STREET Jan 16–Mar 2, 2025 FEATURING THE MUSIC OF ELVIS PRESLEY
Mar 13–Apr 27, 2025 ON STAGE UP NEXT May 15–Jun 29, 2025
Jul 10–Aug 24, 2025
& Pieces
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology:
16th Century Old English; aer, meaning “early,” and hwil, meaning “while.” Earliest known use is a 1569 translation by Edmund Spenser.
Synonyms: past, one-time, prior
Antonyms: present, future
Source: Oxford Languages
ERSTWHILE
adjective/adverb
Pronounced: urs·twile
Definition: (adjective) former; (adverb) formerly
Example (Sense 1):
“The campaign’s tumultuous end came with the winner’s erstwhile opponents congratulating him.”
Example (Sense 2):
“The lone mountain man, erstwhile the city’s famous socialite, found more peace and tranquility in nature.”
WORD WHEEL
P I U N T E M
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
SUDOKU
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
January 16, 1938: First jazz concert held at Carnegie Hall, performed by Benny Goodman and his band.
January 19, 1966: Indira Gandhi elected India’s fourth Prime Minister.
January 17, 1920:
First day of prohibition of alcohol comes into effect in the U.S. as a result of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.
January 20, 1959: Joel Rifkin, American serial killer believed to have killed up to 17 victims between 1989 and 1993 in NYC and Long Island, born in New York (raised in East Meadow).
January 22, 1980: Christopher Masterson, American actor (Malcolm In The Middle - “Francis”), born on Long Island, New York, raised in Albertson/East Williston.
January 18, 1943: Soviets announce they have broken the long siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany by opening a narrow land corridor, though the siege would not be fully lifted until a year later.
January 21, 2008: Fears of a possible U.S. recession cause a Black Monday for global stock markets, European stocks suffer their worst result since 9/11, and Asian stocks drop as much as 15%.
By PJ Balzer
The Food is Gone. The Flowers Have Faded.
Death is probably the most difficult part of life, especially when it’s tragic, sudden, and unexpected. There also isn’t a clear roadmap to navigate through the aftereffects and grieving process. I’ve watched children, teenagers, and adults grieve and can assure you that everyone grieves differently, sometimes very much so.
One of the most difficult aspects of death is the days, week, and months after. Immediately after someone passes away, there are usually crowds of people around. There are many decisions to be made and arrangements to be prepared. People are usually sending flowers and dropping off food to the loved one’s home. The phone is ringing, neighbors are knocking, and there are people present. Yet, within a few weeks, all of this activity usually comes to a screeching halt. The food is gone, the flowers have faded, and we are left alone to sort through the chambers of the heart and begin our own personal grieving process.
I’m writing from experiencing this in my own life. If you’ve been following this column for some time now, you’d know that I lost a sibling suddenly at the young age of twenty-two. I can still remember vividly how busy our lives and house were the evening of his passing and the days to follow. There were people everywhere. Family traveled in from afar, constant knocks on the door with all types of gifts of compassion. I’m still grateful for each one of those, and for people keeping our minds and hearts busy.
After spending two weeks at my parents’ home on Long Island, I had to return to my apartment at that time in Astoria. Even though my life had been completely flipped upside down, it also was forced to go on. Work was calling, the bills were also knocking on the door, and I just couldn’t hide away forever, even though I really wanted to. All of the “friends” at that time also slowly disappeared as they tend to when life gets really rough. They returned to life as usual, some of them I haven’t heard from since. I personally can’t remember a lonelier season of life than that specific one.
When I finally arrived back to Astoria, unpacked my bags, and made a cup of coffee, I remember having a “so, now what?” moment. My apartment at the time was right on Astoria Boulevard, a really busy road with constant traffic from both cars and mass transit. Everyone outside was just living life, moving to and from with the busyness of their day and responsibilities. Yet, I felt like I was living in the Twilight Zone. My mind was consumed with everything I just experienced and saw in the past few weeks while having these deeper questions about life, our fragile existence here, and if there was any type of life after this one. Even though I was far from a church going person at the time, I started searching for some answers and began with finding a church to sit in alone. It was peaceful there.
People all around us are on their own grieving journeys. Make it a point to reach out to them, especially when the food and flowers are gone. They need a friend; someone they can talk to about life and about their loved one with. They need a friend that’s still standing there when everyone else has returned to life as usual. They need to know that they are being prayed for, thought about, and on another human’s heart as they attempt to navigate a new life without their loved one. Even if their loved one has long passed and you never did reach out.
Do so today. Share a memory or something you fondly remember about the person they are still missing. It’s good for their healing heart.
There’s undoubtedly a place for the food and the flowers; those are definitely appropriate and appreciated. There’s also a place for a true friend that is still there when the food is gone, and flowers have faded away.
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”
Ecclesiastes 7:2
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Images by Freepik
By Matt Meduri
PR Legend Todd Shapiro Honored for 30 Years of Service
While elected officials, non-profit organizations, civic associations, and the like all have the same objective in getting out their messages, it wouldn’t be possible without those in the public relations (PR) business.
And Todd Shapiro is perhaps one of the most venerable in the business.
Not only did a host of colleagues descend on Islip MacArthur Airport (ISP) for the thirtieth anniversary of Todd Shapiro Associates Public Relations, but also for Shapiro’s sixtieth birthday celebration.
The dual-milestone night was attended by past and present elected officials and community members, notably attracting those from both sides of the political aisle. The humor, light-heartedness, and overall tone of the night not only displayed that professional service knows no political boundaries, but that decades of service in the industry has provided Shapiro with innumerable colleagues, who can comfortably call him a friend.
“This guy knows how to get you in the papers,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who has had a working relationship with Shapiro for over thirty years, dating back to their shared time at Brookhaven Town.
“When I became [Brookhaven Town] Supervisor many years ago, Todd said, ‘I can get you press, but you’ll have to box some kangaroos,’” said Romaine, setting the humorous mood for the evening. “He has been a master of this for over thirty years.”
Shapiro got his start working as an aide to the Brookhaven Town Council, and later the Supervisor. A significant moment in his career was when he became County Executive Bob Gaffney’s (R) press secretary. At the age of thirty, Shapiro set out on his own, and thirty years later, Shapiro’s past and present contacts prove his industry-wide bona fides.
“Todd has been a tremendous source of advice for me. He knows how to get your message out like no one I’ve ever seen,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R). Not only has he been a great source of advice, and I rely upon his experience, but also we’ve become friends.”
Shapiro’s anniversary attracted notable current elected officials, such as Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip), New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza), State Senators Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) and Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Suffolk County Legislators Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), as well as Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley (R-Blue Point), Islip Town Councilman Mike McElwee (R-West Islip), Sheriff Errol Toulon (D), County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow), and Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset).
Furthermore, Shapiro’s event allowed for rare public sightings of former Congressman George Hochbrueckner (D), who represented NY-01 from 1987 to 1995, as well as former County Executive Patrick Halpin (D-Oak Beach), who served as Suffolk’s Fifth County Executive from 1988 to 1991.
“I think we would all agree, if you want a friend who will be loyal to you, who will always have your back, who will always take the extra step to do you a favor, even when you don’t ask for that favor, it is Todd Shapiro. He is the most generous human being, and he really is an excellent public relations professional,” said Comptroller DiNapoli, with similar comments echoed by Supervisor Carpenter.
“He never forgot that the people you meet on the way up need to be the people you meet on the way down, and he’s always been good to each and every one of us. I see a lot of his friends out here tonight that can say that this is a person that’s helped many people in this room along the way,” said Presiding Officer McCaffrey. “He may not have been that elected official, but he’s been a force behind a lot of us, and helped us get our message out there, and teaches us about doing the right thing.”
Legislator Bergin remarked on meeting Todd when she was eighteen years old, studying to be a broadcast journalist, and shared an anecdote of how a story lead of a “gigantic display of dinosaur bones” would be coming to Suffolk County, only to find a singular bone on a table.
“It was a little bit of a miscommunication, but we had a good laugh about,” said Bergin, adding that while Shapiro has been with his colleagues through the good times, he’s also stuck with them through the bad.
“Todd was one of the first people who called me when I was having a personal situation and I needed PR help. He dealt with all the press for me, he was just phenomenal,” said Bergin. “And at times like that, when you think Todd is only there for the good news and to be by your side for the ribbon cuttings he’s also there when you need a friend who can manage the press for you.”
Shapiro shared that when he started his firm - “on a whim” - he couldn’t afford an office, but friends at Gershow Recycling in Medford gave him space
for free.
“You take what you can, and people have faith in you, in life, and through your journey in life; you’re building something,” said Shapiro.
Shapiro recounted stories of big pitches and massive Suffolk-based stories, including the nation’s first twenty-four-hour golf course in Islip, TWA Flight 800, and wildfires, as well as the position he was essentially assigned in public relations at the Town of Brookhaven, initially hoping to work at the museum at Bald Hill upon exiting law school.
“You learn in life; you learn and trade,” said Shapiro.
Shapiro is also noted for having provided PR for first responders organizations, such as the Suffolk County PBA and the NYC fire department unions.
“These people in public service, they don’t do this to walk on the red carpet and eat foie gras,” said Shapiro. “They do this to help people. They do this because they make a difference in people’s lives.”
“I got my start in this town. These aren’t people who I just met or I’m getting involved with. These are people I have spent thirty years in the business with, working everyday, spending my life with people in this room. It’s a journey we all work on together as a team.”
True to Shapiro’s respectability, this was just one of several gatherings in his honor, with one at Mar-A-Lago, another in Albany, and another in Nassau County.
“Thank you for letting me celebrate thirty years in business with you, thank you for letting me spend my sixtieth birthday with you, it means so much to me. You all are my family,” closed Shapiro.
With a wide range of dignitaries and community leaders, from multiple levels of government, both political parties, and spanning decades of public service, Todd Shapiro remains not just a close friend and esteemed business partner, but essentially a cultural touchstone for those who have worked and lived in Suffolk County.
Undefeated No More: The Bulls Sunk Their Horns Into the St. Anthony’s Friars
By Ashley Pavlakis
With the World Junior International Ice Hockey tournament having just concluded recently, the need to keep watching hockey is ever so present. Luckily, high school hockey on Long Island is well underway.
The Bulls enjoyed a thrilling 2-1 overtime win on Monday night, with Shane Reidy notching the game-winner over the firstplace St. Anthony Friars. The two teams have one loss each, both against each other.
“Our goaltender last night [Aidan Halliday] played out of his mind. He was probably the best player of the game,” said assistant coach Jason Pring.
The Smithtown/Hauppauge varsity Bulls Ice Hockey team remains a force to be reckoned with this season. The Bulls are members of the Suffolk County High School Hockey League (SCHSHL. Their home arena is The Rinx in Hauppauge. As of recently, the Bulls won SCHSHL titles in 2019-20 and 2023-24, while also going on to win the New York State American Hockey Association title (NYSAHA) in 2019.
the team, they all show up to practice, and they show up to almost every single game. They don’t miss, they take it more seriously than any of the teams I’ve had before at this level,” Pring said of the 14 seniors.
The Bulls are led by bench boss Mark Dubeau, a first-year head coach for the varsity squad. Dubeau is joined by assistant coaches Jason Pring and Peter Dallessandro. The Bulls are sitting in 2nd place in the SCHSL with a 15-1 record.
Defense wins championships in most cases, but having offense to back it up is also helpful. The Bulls, led by 14 seniors, are fortunate to have depth in their lineup. They can roll four lines and produce as every player has gotten on the scoresheet this season.
“Extremely important,” said Pring of the team’s production. “Because the more depth you have the better chance you have to win as long as you play offensively, defensively, and goaltending. You can’t really win at this stage unless you have all three [positions] set.”
Career-wise, seniors Brendan and Aidan Landrigan, Shane Reidy, Jackson Cantalupo, Max Campo, Ray Sherwood, Michael Arnoni, JP Dallessandro, Andre McGraime, RJ Pfister, David Wetzel, Michael Wagner, Draven Cacciani, and Gavin Bareham combine for an astounding 1,332 points. To have one player on the team surpass the 100-point threshold is one thing, but six? Phenomenal.
In the crease, the Bulls have Aidan Halliday and Jack Pring stopping pucks from entering the net. The two netminders are having themselves a solid year, both with GAA’s under 2.00. In the hockey world, that’s a great statistic to have on your side as a goaltender. Fewer pucks in your net usually mean your team is winning.
“They’re so devoted to this team. Usually, on Long Island your travel team is your first priority, and your school team is second. You go elsewhere like Minnesota or Massachusetts, and they split schedules. They respect the school team just as much if not more. These guys have such a devotion to
The mindset of the team remains the same as they continue through the regular season and into the playoffs.
“The mindset is one game at a time, don’t overlook the first round or second round. The goal is to get to states,” said Pring.
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