The classic tradition of getting a Christmas tree, putting it in its stand, adorning it with decorations, and leaving it as a classy focal point of the living room isn’t optional for most people; it’s a must.
But Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) urges that residents must also take great care when decking the halls, as the holidays can quickly turn tragic if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Suffolk FRES took the liberty of demonstrating what a house fire would look like with a watered and cared-for tree, as opposed to one that is neglected. The watered tree is unexpectedly resistant to the flames, while the unwatered tree lights almost instantaneously, with the rest of the room and the house not too far behind.
Continued on page 5
Town Earns Bronze Designation as Nitrogen Smart Community
By Matt Meduri
The Town of Smithtown has earned a new designation – being one of two towns on Long Island to achieve Bronze Status in the New York State Nitrogen Smart Communities Program.
Smithtown joins the Town of North Hempstead as the only two municipalities on the Island to achieve this feat.
The program, established by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC), highlights local governments committed to combating nitrogen pollution and protecting water quality. The distinction means Smithtown has taken steps to safeguard its groundwater, salt marshes, and estuaries.
Continued on page 10
Long Beach in Nissequogue (Credit - Town of Smithtown)
Suffolk firefighters simulate a fire with a watered tree against a dry tree in Yaphank (Credit - Suffolk FRES)
WINTER EVENTS
Port Jefferson Festival of Trees
December 1-January 2
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Blood Drive at Christ Lutheran Church in Islip Terrace
December 1
3:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Christmas Tree Painting Night at Plasterkraze 2
December 3, 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM
Krampusnacht Comedy Show at SquareHead Brewery
December 5, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
St. James Craft Fair
December 6, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
December 6
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Holiday Tree Lighting at The Shoppes at East Wind
December 6
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Holiday Tree Lighting at Station Yards
December 6
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
A Very Merry Grinchmas at Great South Bay Brewery
December 6 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Charles Dickens Festival at Port Jefferson Village Center
December 6-7 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Kiwanis Rocks! Brunch with Santa in East Islip
December 13, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Northport Winter Craft Fair at Northport High School
December 13 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Selden Craft and Gift Fair at Newfield High School
3 Sons Deli • Bagel City Company Kings Park Card Shop
Kings Park Manor • Linda’s Pizza
LIRR Kings Park Train Station
Park Bakery • Raleigh Poultry Farm
LAKE GROVE
Lake Grove Village Hall
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria (719 Hawkins Ave)
SMITHTOWN
American Legion
Hot Bagels • LIRR Smithtown Train Station
Maureen’s Kitchen • Millennium Diner
Smithtown Bagels
Smithtown Seniors Center
Smithtown Town Hall Stop & Shop • Sweetwaters
ST. JAMES
50% Cards Store (Lake Avenue) 7 Eleven (356 Lake Avenue) Lake Ave Deli
LIRR St. James Train Station
Painted Ceramic Workshop- December 10, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Gingerbread Cookie Workshop- December 21, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
COMMACK:
Gift Wrapping by Teen Volunteers- December 6, 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Winter Craft For Families- December 26, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
NESCONSET:
Mystery CraftnoonDecember 8, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
KINGS PARK:
Holiday Tree LightingDecember 5, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Winter Embroidery HoopDecember 10, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
SACHEM:
ScrapbookingDecember 10, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
The FRES Files
December 4, 2025
‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’, Safely!
By Commissioner Rudy Sunderman
As we enter the holiday season, I want to take a moment to extend my appreciation to our residents, first responders, and partner agencies across Suffolk County. This time of year brings celebration, togetherness, and tradition but it also brings increased fire and safety risks in our homes and communities. Our goal at Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) is to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and healthy holiday season. Below are some important safety reminders to help protect you and your loved ones in the weeks ahead.
How Do I Safely Decorate?
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. If you decide to use real candles, ensure they are in a nonflammable sturdy stand and NEVER leave them unattended.
• Inspect holiday lights each year before putting them up; if they are damaged, dispose of them appropriately; most holiday fires are started by electrical means.
• Use only non-flammable decorations
• Keep your decorations away from heat sources.
How Do I Safely Decorate My Christmas Tree?
• Before placing the tree in its stand with water, you’ll want to cut 2 inches of the stem off from the bottom of the tree - to help draw water into the tree.
• Make sure your tree is placed away from heat sources in your home - NOT blocking or obscuring exits/entrance ways.
• NEVER run a power cord over carpeting, the Christmas skirt, or other flammable materials or surfaces to your tree.
• NEVER use lit candles to decorate your tree
• Use ONLY decorative lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Ensure bulbs, strings, and connections are not broken or damaged in any way. If damaged, DISPOSE of those lights immediately.
• NEVER leave a lit tree unattended or lit overnight.
• If using a real tree – constantly give the tree more water as necessary – dry trees are a fire hazard and dangerous.
• Discard your tree when dry or immediately after Christmas; tree fires statistically occur after Christmas.
Around the Home
Besides Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are two days when a cooking fire is most likely to occur.
• NEVER leave cooking food unattended.
• Have an accessible fire extinguisher.
• Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, charged, and up to date.
From all of us here at Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services –we hope you have a happy, healthy, and most of all - a safe holiday!
The Moloney Family
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from front cover
Suffolk Matters
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Deck the Halls…Carefully!
“Each year, there are approximately 160 home fires associated with Christmas trees and another approximately 832 fires associated with other holiday decorations,” said FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman. “These fires resulted in over $23 million in damaged property, the injuries of 38 people, and the deaths of 3 others. Safety is essential!”
FRES recommends cutting a 45-degree angle into the stem of the tree before placing it in its stand with water. The stem helps to keep the tree hydrated. The tree must also not block an entrance or exit and should absolutely be placed away from heat sources.
FRES also stresses to residents to never use damaged or frayed lights, and to certainly refrain from using lit candles on the tree. FRES recommends using UL listed or lab-tested lights. Cheaper isn’t always better, meaning Christmas lights should be the last place residents should skimp. FRES notes that electrical light failures are the leading cause of Christmas treerelated fires.
It’s also recommended to keep the tree in the home for ten to fourteen days maximum, with constant water given - even to the point of over-watering. If the tree is dried or not taking in water, it should be discarded immediately in accordance with the town’s tree disposal schedule.
As always, functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial in every bedroom, outside every bedroom, with at least one on each floor.
“Keep your tree at least three feet away from a heat source so the tree doesn’t dry out. Don’t overload your outlets with Christmas lights either so that the tree is safe through the season,” Sunderman told The Messenger “Make sure your lighting isn’t bundled and thrown in the garage for years at a time, and check each light before you use them.”
Residents are also encouraged to unplug any decorations before leaving the house. The same guidelines apply to synthetic trees just as much as they do organic ones.
Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Chair of the Legislature’s Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services and Preparedness Committee, says that the best emergency is the “one that never has to be called in.”
“That means pre-planning, watering your trees, taking smart precautions to protect your family from what could be a tragic event,” Thorne, an active volunteer with South Country Ambulance to boot, told The Messenger. “We all want the smell of fresh pine in the house, but at the end of the day, make sure that tree is properly cared for.”
Thorne added that the watered tree “never really caught completely on fire”, as demonstrated by FRES at their headquarters in Yaphank on Tuesday morning.
“Our county is ever ready to handle any emergency we come across at all times, but again, the best emergency is one that doesn’t happen,” said Thorne, adding that families should have an escape plan ready in case of any emergency. “We understand the excitement of the holiday and festivities of this time of year, but nothing should supersede safety and safety has to be plan number one so you can celebrate not only on Christmas but the new year to come.”
This Is My New York Christmas List
While the holidays approach, the public will be less tuned into politics and government.
We at The Messenger, on the other hand, couldn’t be more invested in what the new year will bring, particularly legislative action - or inactionin Albany.
We don’t want anything for Christmas except for true progress to be made. Even calling this wish list “progress” is something of an understatement. In many ways, the “reforms” made under the typical modern “progressive” banner have been anything but.
Regressive, unnavigable, and just plain tone deaf is how we would best describe the last few sessions in Albany under the Democratic trifecta. The true “progress” that we seek isn’t exactly progress; it’s more of a course correction back to what worked.
There’s always room for reform, but in an increasingly siloed, cynical, and partisan world, it’s inevitable that the pendulum swings too far.
Here’s what’s on our Christmas list this year. The twist, however, is that we won’t get these from one guy in a red suit, but many people in blue suits.
Criminal Justice Reform and Victim Advocacy
To even discuss criminal justice reform in New York State is almost a moot point. At this juncture, we’ve said almost all that we can on the topic.
But so have local elected officials, law enforcement professionals, and prosecutors from blue and red counties. They haven’t ceased in their messaging, so neither will we.
Pages 12 and 13 in all three issues this week cover a roundtable held by members of the State Senate Republican Conference, in which seasoned perspectives were gained from professionals, but also crime victims and the families of crime victims. While their cases were notably different, a common theme rang out: the State is ostensibly crafting a system where criminals are coddled while victims are antagonized.
At what point does the progressive wing of the Legislature, and those unwilling to stand up to them en masse, simply recognize that their methods aren’t working? Is it pathological altruism and progressive myopia, or is it mutually-assured destruction?
Ultimately, the answer doesn’t matter. The reality is that reforms like cashless bail and Raise the Age have only handcuffed law enforcement, kneecapped the prosecutors, and neutered the judiciary. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney noted at the aforementioned roundtable that the system has been designed - perhaps intentionally, we find - to leave complaints and concerns in a vacuum. The local officials, elected or appointed, can’t be held accountable, either through protest or at the ballot box, because many were not consulted on these State-level changes and none are responsible for being boxed into a corner - even if by a product of friendly fire from the same side of the political aisle.
Moreover, crime victim advocates recognize bad policy when they see it.
Laura Ahearn, Esq., also a featured speaker at the roundtable, runs the Crime Victims Center in Ronkonkoma. Ahearn ran as a Democrat for State Senate, District One, in 2020, coming up short by a couple of points. She didn’t have the most approving words for the string of reforms we’ve seen since 2019. Her center, and others like hers, is filling the gaps where the State should be picking up the slack, only to be hit with more unfunded mandates, goalpost-moving legislation, and a revolving-door criminal justice system. For the record, her and her team’s services are invaluable to not only Suffolk residents, but New Yorkers from across the state. As someone deeply invested in the system, Ms. Ahearn’s experience and words are deeply valued.
Chillingly, the victim advocates say that the initial trickle-down of soft-oncrime dogma permeated from the federal level, with advocates on the ground being briefed to normalize these trends and desensitize the victims. It makes giving these policies the benefit of the doubt an even harder sell when the architects were essentially preparing everyone for failure before they were
widely enacted.
We humbly request that Albany prioritize the victims, increase transparency, and allow localities to gauge their own needs and problems. Yes, a statewide constant should be operable, but not to the point of adamantly stating that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander - no further questions.
Albany should also relent from resting on their laurels in terms of commonsense changes to some of our archaic laws, like the list of identifiable substances consulted for roadside stops on grounds of possible inebriation. The list can hardly keep up with the conga line of synthetic opioids that are produced faster than they can be classified.
Coddling criminals also attempts to prove the negative. The latest domestic violence reforms attempt to balance out an offender’s past by trying to portray them as products of their environment, rather than perpetrators of their own volition. The end result: criminals getting drastically reduced sentences on alleged past trauma or abuse while families aren’t given closure, victims aren’t avenged, and the revolving door continues to twirl.
Tough love is needed, and Suffolk County should be seen as the beacon on the hill in that regard. With a recidivism rate far lower than the national average, and with vocational training and post-release consultation programs, this is where a balance is struck between a tough-on-crime stance as well as much-needed rehabilitation.
Clear Goals on Energy
New York’s looming energy crisis can’t be understated. With aging power infrastructure and a grid that can’t keep up with demand, Governor Hochul (D) and company’s prerogative has been to double down in the name of pathological environmentalism.
We hold no disdain for protecting the environment and pursuing clean solutions, but we can’t put the generator before the horse. Hochul’s recent postponement of CLCPA provisions that were to be enacted in January is a logical move, but one we observe with baited breath. The congestion pricing bait-and-switch ahead of the 2024 elections is closer in the mirror than it appears, and Hochul’s critics are wise to hold that episode close.
Alternative methods of emissions reduction and grid fuel, such as carbon capture, and utilizing fossil fuels in the cleanest ways possible, the NESE and Constitution pipelines, would be a good start.
Less Lecturing, More Legislating
This one is geared more towards Hochul. The hilariously insulting mascot “Frankie Focus” unveiled earlier this year had the goal of getting kids off their cell phones. Instead of speaking to kids with real-world advice, no matter how uncomfortable it might be for them, Hochul decided that talking down to them with a Muppet-like character was the way to break through to them. It’s yet another installment of the Governor being awkwardly out-of-touch while making no discernible impact - all while core institutions are virtually being left to collapse in on themselves like dying stars.
If the modern political age has taught us anything, it’s two core tenets: economic populism reigns supreme on both sides of the aisle, and people are tired of being spoken to like children. They just want results.
If Albany wants a more productive session come January, the majority caucus and the Governor will have to stop overthinking the simple moves and start moving the pendulum to a more palatable middle on key issues. Whether or not the progressive wing of the Legislature allows Hochul to govern as a moderate - try as she might - remains to be seen. If history is any harbinger, we’re not entirely optimistic.
And like any Christmas list, if these gifts can’t be fulfilled, cash is fine, we suppose...
Statement on the Conservative Party’s Legislative Session Ratings
By Senator Dean Murray
The Conservative Party’s Legislative Session Rankings have been released, and I would like to address and explain the reasoning behind my low rating.
First and foremost, I want to thank State Chairman Jerry Kassar, Suffolk County Chairman Mike Torres and the leadership of the New York State Conservative Party for conducting their annual legislative ratings as a means to show the voters where their legislators stand on important issues. Over the years that I have served in the State Legislature, I have consistently received some of the highest ratings in the state.
However, in stark contrast to previous years, this year, I received a 55 rating, which is, by far, the lowest that I have ever received and the lowest rating in the Senate Republican Conference.
There is a reason for this low score. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the last week of the legislative session, when we regretfully rush through and vote on hundreds of bills each day, I suffered a medical emergency, was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery, which forced me to miss the final 3 days of session, thus missing 9 of the 20 votes that were rated by the Conservative Party. Missing these votes was not by choice but was instead an unfortunate result of the medical emergency I faced. I do understand that when rating these votes, the Party cannot simply ignore those that were missed. However, calculating these votes into the final rating certainly does skew the outcome and, in this case, can be unintentionally misleading. Based on a combination of my past voting record and public comments made about the 9 votes that I missed, and in consultation with Chairman Kassar, it has been determined that had I been there to cast my vote on those 9 bills, my final rating would have been elevated to a score of 100.
“I wish to thank Senator Murray for his immediate attention to clarify his continued strong standing on issues of importance to the Conservative Party. Although the Party must maintain the integrity of its ratings by viewing excuses as absences, it is clear that the Senator, due to a medical emergency, could not cast votes during the last days of session – the usual days for the Democratic Majority to cynically put major bills on the floor. It is no surprise that upon review, the Senator indicated he would have voted with the Party
on every item. The Senator remains a strong supporter of the ideals of the Conservative Party and in turn we complement him on a job well done,” stated State Chairman Jerry Kassar.
As I have stated, I think this rating system is a great way to show the voters of my district and voters across the entire state, where I and all of our state elected officials stand on these important issues, which is why I think it’s equally important that these same voters receive a complete and accurate picture. I thank Chairman Kassar, Chairman Torres and the Conservative Party leadership for their understanding and their willingness to work with me to ensure that the voters of New York see an accurate accounting of my voting record and where I stand on these important issues.
Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) has represented the Third District in the New York State Senate since 2023 after having represented the Third Assembly District from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2018.
The Third District contains Bellport, Blue Point, Brookhaven hamlet, Center Moriches, East Moriches, East Patchogue, Farmingville, Gordon Heights, Lake Grove, Manorville, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Moriches, North Bellport, North Patchogue, Patchogue, Shirley, South Haven, Upton, and Yaphank, as well as parts of Calverton, Centereach, Coram, Eastport, Holbrook, Holtsville, Lake Ronkonkoma, Middle Island, Ridge, Selden. The district also contains a small portion of Holbrook within the Town of Islip.
Senator Murray serves as Ranking Member on the committees on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business; Libraries; and Social Services. He also serves on the committees on Budget and Revenue; Codes; and Higher Education.
The Third District office is located at 90-B West Main Street in Patchogue and can be reached at 631-360-3356.
America’s Academic Decline is a Choice
By Steve Levy | Long Island Life & Politics
You’ll be seeing this column referencing the great, late Charles Krauthammer, quite a number of times in the future
One of his most notable lines was that the decline of a vibrant civilization is a choice. By that, he means it’s usually not external forces that bring the empire down, but rather foolish policies promulgated by those who lead the empire.
And such is the case when it comes to the remarkable decline of student performance within our shores.
There was a time decades ago when the American educational system was the envy of the world. It hasn’t been that way in a long time.
Despite the fact that we spend more per child, by far, than any other country, our students’ performance on math and reading scores hover at the bottom of the pack of industrialized nations.
Something happened to cause this, and it wasn’t a sudden change in the DNA of our children.
A report from the University of San Diego shows that there was a dramatic decline in math skills for incoming freshmen in the University of California. Much of it had to do with the closing of our schools during COVID, something Europeans did not resort to.
But we have also ushered in an era in the United States where standardized testing was reduced or eliminated, grades were inflated, and standards were lowered.
We’ve also allowed the inmates to run the asylum within our schools, meaning teachers are given less power and are often in fear of their unruly students because progressive administrators and elected officials have eroded discipline, in large part because students of color are disciplined at a disproportionately higher level. (Note how former New York mayor Bill deBlasio decided to just end disciplining anyone rather than trying to find out the reasons for this disparity.)
Perhaps the best proof of our academic decline being tied to our choices is the story of the Mississippi miracle. It is the path by which test scorers in Mississippi went from among the lowest in the nation to among the highest in a very short time.
The improvement came about as a result of a choice made by the state legislature and education officials to demand more of their students in the third grade or face the prospect of being left back. Those who were failing were prompted to take courses providing extra help, which put them over the top. It was indeed miraculous how such a simple, commonsense approach catapulted this failing state into a model for the rest of the nation.
The purveyors of the huge bureaucracy in government and our educational institutions make the claim that our educational decline is a complex matter that has to do with racism and a lack of funding. Mississippi proves otherwise.
Our decline was the result of bad choices by our leaders. And a revival is also a choice. Will we choose wisely to adopt common sense measures that can make us academic leaders again, or choose instead to continue down the same path that is accelerating our decline as a nation?
Steve Levy is President of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He served as Suffolk County Executive, as a NYS Assemblyman, and host of the “On the Right Side Podcast.” He is the author of “Solutions to America’s Problems” and “Bias in the Media.” www.SteveLevy.info, Twitter @ SteveLevyNY, steve@commonsensestrategies.com
This op-ed originally appeared in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
On Tuesday night, Republicans won a crucial special election in the U.S. House, albeit while expectedly underperforming the 2024 results.
Matt Van Epps (R) is now the Congressman-elect for TN-07, a westerncentral Tennessee district that was vacated by Congressman Mark Green (R) upon his resignation in July to pursue a private sector opportunity.
TN-07 includes parts of Davidson County, home to Nashville, one of two deep-blue dots in otherwise ruby-red Tennessee. That was long considered the potential chokepoint for Republicans in this special election.
According to The New York Times’ unofficial results, Van Epps won by about nine points - 53.9% to State Representative Aftyn Behn’s (D-TN) 45.0%. It’s a far cry from the 2024 numbers, wherein former Congressman Green won by twenty-one points, the same night Donald Trump (R-FL) won the district by twenty-two points. The margin isn’t a huge shock, as special elections often draw narrower results for the typically favored party, especially going into a midterm year that conventional wisdom dictates tough national headwinds for the typically favored party. Republicans have underperformed in all but a handful of state and local special elections across the country, as well as House specials in Florida in April and Virginia and Arizona in September.
But what some expected to be a razorthin race was a more obdurate Republican hold. The near-ten-point margin was beyond what Emerson College was tracking in their late November polls - a Van Epps lead of just two points in both surveys. A Behn win not only would have been a historic overperformance but a stunning upset in a two-candidate special House election.
While Van Epps carried every other county or county portion besides Davidson - and by handy margins - Behn, however, overperformed relative to 2024 in all fourteen counties that are either entirely or partially contained within TN-07. Her largest overperformance in the district was the Davidson County portion, which registered as twenty points more Democratic than the presidential vote. Behn overperformed in every county by at least 7.5% - not a negligible swing. The map shows Behn’s overperformance by county in increments of 5%, shaded by color.
This occurred while Behn was branded as “Tennessee’s AOC”, a reference to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14). Behn also faced scrutiny for her past negative remarks on Nashville and defunding the police.
Van Epps will join the House caucus as its 219th vote, one short of the 220-seat quorum Republicans earned last year and one seat north of the 218-seat bareminimum requirement for a majority. The fallout among the House Republican caucus continues as another member declared his retirement ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Congressman Troy Nehls (R, TX-22) announced on Saturday that he will not
seek a fourth term next year. Nehls was elected to the Greater Houston district in 2020. He previously served as Sheriff of Fort Bend County from 2013 to 2021.
Nehls said that he consulted with President Trump before making his announcement, stating on social media, “President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first.”
In an unusual move, Nehls has tapped his twin brother, Trever, to replace him.
However, anonymous sources within the Republican party say that more retirements and even mid-term resignations are on the horizon, with the explosive resignation of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R, GA-14) setting the fallout in motion.
This brings the total of retiring House members to thirty-nine - sixteen Democrats and twentythree Republicans. Seven Democrats and eighteen Republicans are seeking other offices.
The nation is still reeling from the shooting of two National Guardsmen in the District of Columbia that left one dead and another critically wounded.
On November 26, two members of the West Virginia National Guard who were deployed to Washington, D.C.’s, Farragut West Metro Station were shot.
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Summersville, West Virginia, succumbed to her injuries on November 27. Andrew Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, remains in critical condition.
Law enforcement officials have described the shooting as an ambush-style attack that produced ten to fifteen shots from a .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver.
The suspect is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national from the Khost Province. He entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome.
The program was implemented to help vulnerable Afghans relocate for two years without permanent immigration status.
He was last reported living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. He applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted asylum in April of this year.
Lakanwal’s past also consists of his work for a CIA-backed “Zero Unit” of the Afghan National Directorate of Security in the Kandahar Province. The “Zero Units” were paramilitary groups trained for ambush raids on suspected members of the Taliban. A friend of Lakanwal said that the suspect suffered from mental health issues and trauma by the operations that his unit conducted. CNN has reported that Lakanwal first worked with the CIA in 2011 at the age of 15.
State
A lawsuit filed on behalf of four New York State voters is on deck to challenge the Empire State’s current congressional
Democratic overperformance by county in TN07 special election
maps, arguing that one district in New York City is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
The lawsuit alleges that the Staten Island-based NY-11 dilutes the voting power of black and Latino voters. NY-11 has been represented by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R, NY-11) since 2021, when she ousted oneterm Congressman Max Rose (D) to flip it red. Malliotakis is the only Republican representing New York City in Congress. Containing all of Staten Island and the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, and Bensonhurst, it is one of the Republican-leaning urban districts in the country.
Its demographics are 51.4% white, 20.6% Asian, 18.3% Hispanic, 6.5% black, and the remainder spread among other races.
Plaintiffs in the case allege that the district was drawn without accounting for the rise in Staten Island’s black and Latino populations. They argue that the conservative enclave should be reconfigured to include parts of lower Manhattan.
In a statement, Malliotakis claimed that the case is “frivolous” and that the district’s lines were enacted by the state’s IRC, as well as the Democrat-controlled State Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
If the plaintiffs prevail, New York would have its third mid-decade redraw on the grounds of litigation since 2021. Democrats originally drew a brutal gerrymander in 2021, which was overturned and gave way to the map drawn by special master Johnathan Cervas. That map stood for 2022, effectively allowing Republicans to take control of the U.S. House.
Ahead of 2024, the map was challenged again since the map was not drawn by the state’s IRC. Democrats then took the helm and drew a slightly different map, but one that allowed them to pick up three seats in last year’s election.
Governor Hochul was one of the nation’s first Democratic leaders to pledge a counter to the GOP-drawn Texas gerrymander in August. However, such an action is not likely to be done in time for 2026. That effort requires a map’s passage in two consecutive legislation sessions - 2026 and 2027 - before a public referendum approves it.
Local
Suffolk’s own MacArthur Airport (ISP) is now adding new nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach.
Beginning on May 6, 2026, Breeze Airways will service the route two times weeklyWednesdays and Saturdayson its Airbus A220 aircraft with its signature “Nice, Nicer, and Nicest” seating. Flights are now available for booking with fares as low as $69 at flybreeze.com.
“Breeze Airways continues to grow at Islip’s MacArthur Airport to the delight of both Long Island residents and visitors enjoying our legendary convenience as they explore our beautiful region and connect with family and friends,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) in a statement. “Our local community and loyal ISP travelers have been asking for more service to Myrtle Beach, and we’re grateful Breeze Airways has recognized another opportunity to serve our customers.”
The South Carolina destination makes for Breeze’s ninth nonstop locale directly from ISP. Since 2022, the airline’s average daily departures and seats have increased by over 425% and over 516%, respectively.
“All ISP Breeze Airways flights are to destinations customers can find on Breeze only at Long Island MacArthur Airport, not at JFK or La Guardia,” said Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville) in a statement. “Other ‘Only At ISP’ features that passengers will enjoy include an excellent customer experience with the convenience of close parking, quick gate access, and an efficient TSA security screening operation.”
In addition to Myrtle Beach, Breeze also flies to Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Vero Beach, Florida; Wilmington and RaleighDurham, North Carolina; and Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia.
“MacArthur Airport is a resource for all Long Island, bringing good jobs and opportunities to our region,” said Mitch Pally, Discover Long Island Interim President & CEO, in a statement. “It’s the easy, go-to airport for Long Islanders heading on a vacation or traveling for business. These new Breeze flights to Myrtle Beach will also bring visitors to Long Island to enjoy the Fire Island National Seashore, Long Island’s East End, our excellent dining and winery choices, charming villages, historic lighthouses and much more.”
Hochul Must Call a Special Session to Repeal the AllElectric Building Act
Our state is in the middle of an affordability crisis and one of the causes is skyrocketing energy costs, driven by radical energy mandates championed by Albany Democrats. Starting with the unrealistic energy goals laid out in CLCPA in 2019, Democrats have consistently passed ill-conceived legislation that increases costs, limits consumer choice, and eliminates safe and affordable energy alternatives for New Yorkers. The most recent example of this is the All-Electric Building Act.
The All-Electric Building Act is a law that was set to take effect at the end of the year. This new mandate forces new construction to rely solely on electric power and effectively bans natural gas and propane.
To make it more troubling, Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) administration recently voluntarily agreed to a delay of the enforcement of the All-Electric Act until a lawsuit seeking to strike down the mandate is decided by the appellate courts. Why is she reversing her position on legislation she previously championed? This “delay” or “pause” only adds uncertainty for builders and homeowners across the State.
Along with my Senate Republican Conference colleagues, I know that delaying the implementation is short-sighted at best or political manipulation at worst. Our fear is that she will “reconsider” her “pause” right after Election Day like she did with the congestion pricing scheme.
That is why we are pushing for passage of a bill I sponsor that would make this “pause” permanent. Governor Hochul must call the Legislature back to Albany for a special session before the end of the year to repeal the All-Electric Building Act and restore common sense to New York’s energy policy.
This mandate represents everything wrong with Albany’s one-party rule: it is ideologically driven, economically harmful, and completely detached from reality. Forcing families, small landlords, and small businesses to abandon affordable, reliable energy sources in favor of costly electric-only systems will drive up housing costs and utility bills even further. It will also cost many of our hardworking men and women of labor their careers and that is unacceptable.
New Yorkers already pay residential electricity rates that are 51% higher than the national average and 35% higher than neighboring Pennsylvania. Construction costs are also among the highest in the nation, between $200 to $350 per square foot for a standard home compared to the national average of $162.
Homebuilders across the state estimate the all-electric building mandate will increase the cost of a new home by approximately $20,000. The all-electric mandate will make both construction and utility costs more expensive for New Yorkers who are already struggling.
Developers throughout the state are already halting projects, citing soaring costs and grid reliability concerns. The state’s electrical grid, already strained by the premature closure of reliable clean energy sources like Indian Point, is in no condition to absorb the added demand this mandate creates.
Republicans in Albany are not the only ones sounding the alarm regarding these radical energy mandates. Many Democrats, including Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza) and even Governor Hochul herself, have recognized the state is behind in meeting the expensive, unrealistic energy goals set out in the CLCPA. And in recent weeks, Governor Hochul has indicated a willingness to delay the all-electric mandate, which she signed into law in 2023.
Senate Republicans have long called for an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy that includes a comprehensive plan that preserves natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and other reliable sources. It also must study an array of energy sources including green hydrogen, geothermal–thermal networks, sewage heat recovery expansion, carbon capture, nuclear, and retooling our power plants.
As the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, I have always said, “we need a plan, not a ban.” That is the best way forward to ensure clean, affordable and accessible energy alternatives for every area of the state.
It is time to put New Yorkers before politics and repeal this disastrous law before it takes effect.
Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) has represented the Second District in the New York State Senate since 2021. The Second District contains the entire Townships of Huntington and Smithtown.
Senator Mattera serves as Ranking Member on the Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee and on the Energy and Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the committees Civil Service and Pensions; Labor; and Transportation.
The Second District office is located at 180 East Main Street, Suite 210, in Smithtown and can be reached at 631-361-2154. Continued from front cover
Town Earns Bronze Designation as Nitrogen Smart Community
The overall problem of nitrogen pollution has been one of the foremost topics in terms of water quality for the greater region. While nitrogen itself isn’t overly harmful, excess levels stem from antiquated wastewater infrastructure, fertilizers, and road runoff, which promulgate algae blooms, fish kills, and worsens the quality of Long Island’s crucial sole-source aquifer.
The recognition also comes off the heels of the Town Board’s adoption of the Nitrogen Smart Community Pledge, which saw the town form a dedicated Nitrogen Smart Communities Task Force. The task force consists of environmental staff, department leaders, and local stakeholders who are charged with spotting nitrogen sources and recommending initiatives to lower excess nitrogen levels.
“Our commitment is not symbolic—it’s strategic,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) in a statement. “Being recognized as one of only two municipalities awarded Nitrogen Smart status by the Long Island Regional Planning Council and the New York State DEC is a tremendous honor for the Town of Smithtown. This achievement reflects our community’s unwavering dedication to protecting Long Island’s drinking water, coastal ecosystems, and
the natural resources that define our quality of life.”
Wehrheim thanked a litany of members on the LIRPC and the Town’s Nitrogen Smart Task Force, hailing their “expertise, collaboration, and commitment.”
The Town, however, isn’t keen on stopping where it is. Community outreach remains at the forefront of its environmental remediation efforts. The 2025 Nitrogen Smart Communities Education and Outreach Plan charts the course to increase public awareness and encourage residents to do their part.
That initiative emphasizes public education, communicating the Town Board’s commitment to the issue, using technical, regulatory, and policy tools, and building partnerships with local organizations, school, civic groups, and stakeholders.
To achieve that result, the action plan further includes a dedicated Nitrogen Smart Community Webpage & Social Media Campaign, which will feature educational materials, updates, LIRPC resources, and guidance for homeowners, business owners, landscapers, and boaters. Public workshops will also be part in parcel to the initiative, as well as ensuring that marinas and environmental partners have a seat at the table as well.
County Puts Forward Safety Measures on E-Bikes and Hotel Trafficking Concerns
By Madison Warren
This past week, public hearings closed on several key pieces of legislation before the Suffolk County Legislature: I.R. 1835, which would establish additional regulations on the use of electric scooters and electric-assist bicycles; I.R. 1836, aimed at increasing restrictions and penalties for the unlawful operation of motorized scooters; and I.R. 1838, which seeks to strengthen recordkeeping requirements, raise penalties, and prohibit hourly rates at hotels and motels.
Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point), a co-sponsor on all three measures, highlighted the urgent need for more decisive county-level action—particularly regarding human trafficking, which he has repeatedly described as one of the most severe and rapidly growing public safety threats facing Suffolk County. That concern is the driving force behind I.R. 1838.
According to Lennon, the Northeast has become a “red-hot” region for trafficking, with Suffolk County accounting for a significant share of statewide cases. One of the key issues he raised is the continued availability of hourly room rates at local hotels and motels—a loophole frequently exploited by traffickers. He referenced reports of minors being cycled in and out of rooms for “a few hours at a time over several days,” a pattern he says law enforcement has been observing for years.
“This is not just a Brentwood issue or a Coram issue,” he told The Messenger. “It’s happening everywhere, including high-end hotels. From one-star to five-star properties, trafficking is occurring across the spectrum.”
Lennon expressed a determination to close this gap and protect vulnerable individuals across Long Island. I.R. 1838 aims to eliminate hourly rentals, tighten documentation requirements, and give law enforcement clearer tools to identify suspicious activity—particularly in establishments known to
operate with minimal oversight.
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) also voiced strong support for the measure, describing Lennon’s efforts as essential to strengthening public protection across the county.
“I am proud of the efforts Legislator Lennon has taken to advance resources and protections available to all residents throughout this County, and this resolution is further evidence of his desire to serve and protect,” McCaffrey stated. “From a Marine to a Legislator, he has always put others first. I hope this is the catalyst for continued efforts to embolden Suffolk County’s resources in the fight against human trafficking.”
In addition to trafficking concerns, Lennon has been outspoken about the increasing dangers surrounding e-bikes and motorized scooters—issues directly addressed in I.R. 1835 and I.R. 1836.
Across his district, he has observed riders operating without helmets, weaving through traffic, and using modified e-bikes capable of reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Their near-silent operation, he noted, leaves drivers with little warning and poses a significant risk on busy roads.
“We’re getting constant calls. They’re taking up the road, and you can’t hear them coming. It’s a real issue.”
Although New York State law requires riders to be at least 16 years old, Lennon believes many families are unaware of the regulations. To address this, he distributed informational packets to local school districts outlining all current laws and safety guidelines.
“I don’t think parents know the law because the information isn’t out there,” Lennon explained, noting that proper education must accompany enforcement. His most significant concern, he stressed, is that without action, serious injury or fatality is inevitable.
Presiding Officer McCaffrey echoed the urgency
surrounding the unsafe operation of e-bikes and scooters throughout Suffolk County.
“Not only can I not go anywhere without seeing an e-bike or a scooter, but I also can’t go to any community event without people saying, ‘What can we do about these kids on e-bikes and scooters?’” said McCaffrey. “With several newsworthy incidents of our youth being injured in accidents involving e-bikes and other motorized devices, we had to act to deter this behavior and give our public safety community the tools necessary to make our residents safer.”
Under the proposed legislation, motorized scooters, electric scooters, and electric-assist bicycles would be prohibited on sidewalks, off-road County property, and any roadway with a posted speed limit above 30 mph. The bills also solidify helmet requirements for all riders and passengers and restrict use by anyone under 16 on public roads or property.
The resolutions adopt the enforcement language from Suffolk’s “street takeover” law, which bans reckless behaviors such as zig-zag riding, trick stunts, operating under the influence, and fleeing police. Penalties would increase substantially, from $500 to $5,000 for repeated offenses. In severe cases, officers would have the authority to impound the bike or scooter. Parents or guardians of offenders under 18 would be held responsible for fines.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and multiple law enforcement agencies have already expressed support, with a final vote expected later this month.
These bills reflect a continued effort to keep our communities safe and reduce preventable dangers across Suffolk County. With the support and dedication of leaders such as Legislator Chad Lennon, Officer Kevin McCaffrey, and other local officials, residents can be confident that meaningful steps are being taken to protect Suffolk’s towns and the people who call them home.
Veterans Supply Drive Launches at Suffolk County PBA Headquarters
By Raheem Soto
Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) joined law enforcement leaders and veterans’ advocates this week to launch the annual Veterans Supply Drive at Suffolk County PBA headquarters— an effort aimed at addressing one of the most persistent challenges facing local veterans: access to basic daily essentials. Lennon was joined by PBA President Lou Civello, Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset), and Lonnie Sherman, founder of Paws of War and General Needs, two organizations that collectively serve hundreds of veterans across Long Island each year. According to recent estimates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 33,000 veterans live in Suffolk County, the largest veteran population in New York State. While many are stable, local nonprofits report that hundreds struggle with housing insecurity or lack consistent access to clothing and hygiene items—needs that become especially urgent as temperatures drop.
The Veterans Supply Drive, running through December 19, is focused on collecting new socks, T-shirts, and underwear, the items most frequently requested by shelters and transitional housing programs serving veterans. General Needs alone distributes more than 10,000 pairs of socks annually to veterans on Long Island, underscoring the ongoing demand for everyday essentials. Donation locations are spread throughout the county for convenience. Residents can drop off
items at Legislator Lennon’s office, PBA headquarters, the Suffolk County Clerk’s office, and any Suffolk County Police precinct. Lennon noted that several local businesses have also partnered in the effort, expanding access for residents who want to contribute.
“This is about ensuring no veteran in our community goes without the essentials,” Lennon said. “One small donation can make a meaningful difference for someone who served our country.”
The drive builds on Suffolk County’s broader efforts to support veterans, particularly those experiencing financial hardship. Last year’s campaign collected thousands of items, and organizers are aiming even higher this season. Anyone with questions—or who needs help locating a donation drop-off site—can contact Legislator Lennon’s office at 631-804-5726. With colder temperatures settling in, county leaders hope residents will rally once again behind those who have already given so much.
Crime Victims Have Their Say at Roundtable
By Matt Meduri
Last week, Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) (pictured right), along with members of the Senate Republican Conference, held a roundtable to not only discuss officials’ perspectives on New York’s crime, but also to allow the victims to discuss how the system has impacted them.
Senator Murray was joined by Senators Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore), and Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie).
“We need to hear from the experts, but more importantly, we need to hear from the crime victims and the loved ones and family members of crime victims,” said Murray, adding that such victims are “the most forgotten people in New York State.”
“We don’t do nearly enough for those who have been victimized,” said Murray, a member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.
An additional purpose of the roundtable was to field experience from victims and professionals alike to craft legislation in the upcoming session in Albany, which kicks off in January.
Senator Rolison owes his experience to twelve years as a police officer in Poughkeepsie, followed by fourteen years as a detective. In that time, he saw the “evolution of policing”, as well as the “evolution” of crime victims are dealt with. Rolison currently serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.
Tierney started with the current diversion system, a process in which defendants - often first-time or nonviolent offenders - are diverted away from the court system to an alternative program, such as rehabilitation, counseling, community service, etc. While Tierney said he’s not against diversion “where appropriate”, but the narcotics sector of criminal justice has “judicially mandated diversion.”
Tierney said that while victims and victims’ families have classical recourse through the voting process, which is traditionally strong enough counterbalance to poor policy, the mandates come from the State.
“If someone sells a quantity of fentanyl that they know has killed people in the past, he now gets diversion. All he has to do is go through counseling and he gets out with no jail time - and it’s mandated by the courts,” said Tierney. “You can’t complain to me; I can’t do anything about it. There’s no one to complain to.”
Tierney likened the diversion mandates to cashless bail, a scenario in which State law removes local control of judicial discretion and thereby removes crime victims’ from having an effective voice on the local level.
“Being a crime victim is often the loneliest place you can be,” said Rolison. “You never really get away from that.”
Senator Rhoads connects the “dramatic shift” in New York’s handling of crime to the reforms in 2019, which promulgated cashless bail. In that process, he said there were “no real consultations with law enforcement, few consultations with district attorneys, certainly no consultations with the victims of crime.”
Rhoads is crafting Senate Bill 7296, which would be the spiritual successor to a program he created while serving on the Nassau County Legislature. It would form a statewide Office of Crime Victim Advocate, which would assign counsel to represent the victim of crime to fight for their rights.
Prosecutorial Perspectives
Representing the prosecutorial angle of the problem, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) and Deputy Bureau Chief Daryl Levy, of the Nassau County D.A.’s Major Offense Bureau, were on hand.
Suffolk D.A. Tierney said that one of the biggest “sea changes” he’s seen since becoming an attorney in 1992 was that “victims didn’t have an absolute right to speak at the sentencing of defendants.”
“In many instances, the criminal justice system and some of the recent legislation has become antagonistic to victims,” said Tierney. “A lot of it has to do with accountability. If victims and victims’ families are not satisfied with the way things are, who can they hold accountable?”
“The ability of local jurisdictions to set their public safety agenda is compromised because the so-called experts in the state are saying ‘this is what bail requires in Suffolk County,’” said Tierney.
Tierney (pictured left) also said that parole hearings themselves are handled differently than in previous years, particularly pertaining to the victims.
“You’ll have parole hearings and because of the lack of [victim or victims’ families] notification, the prosecutor’s office isn’t letting people know what’s going on,” said Tierney. “It’s antagonism towards victims and a lack of accountability.”
Tierney also took a swipe at the Domestic Violence Survivors Act, State law passed in 2019 that gives judges the discretion to lower sentences of defendants who survived domestic abuse and/ or violence, as long as that violence was a significant contributing factor to their offense. The law carries a maximum penalty of five years for misdemeanors or felonies if it is determined that abuse contributed to the offense.
“If a person’s mom never hugged him and he’s angry about that, he goes out and shoots his neighbor who never did a darn thing to him,” said Tierney. “If he could establish that abuse, he does five years. And that’s not a decision that I [as D.A] make. It’s an abomination.”
Chief Levy added that his training taught him that “victims are the most important part” of the job.
“They [victims] are the reason we do our job, the reason this system continues,” said Levy. “I think that young attorneys and assistant district attorneys (ADAs) don’t know how to connect with victims. They don’t know how to talk to them like normal human beings. They lose that connection because they’re so overwhelmed with discovery laws, bail issues, and them asking, ‘why isn’t the [state] legislature doing anything for us?’”
He added that victims must feel they’re being taken seriously by law enforcement, lest prosecutors lose the cooperation they might need to mount a case.
“They’re not going to trust you, the system, or the judges; they’ll think you don’t care. People want to be heard, not placated,” said Levy. “New York really is leaning towards the accused. Once somebody is charged, their rights matter, but [it should] not [be] to the detriment of everybody else.”
Law Enforcement Lessons
Representing law enforcement, Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina and Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder shared their perspectives in conjunction with Suffolk PBA Treasurer CJ Hutter (pictured right) and Nassau PBA Second Vice President Frank Arcuri.
“The officers feel frustrated because they’ll arrest someone and two hours later, that guy’s out on the street, and they’ll do the same thing,” said Arcuri.
“There’s obvious frustration from the victims, but for the police officers responding too, how many times do they have to deal with the same thing over and over again?” said Hutter. “At what point are we going to make it where there’s consequences for actions and there’s real deterrence from committing the same behavior over and over again?”
Finally, Tierney mentioned Raise the Age, which allows juveniles convicted of crimes to be processed through family court, where punishments are “nonexistent.”
“The drivers of violence are now children, and we’re losing these cases where we would be holding these people accountable for years on end,” said Tierney. “It’s an incentive for criminal organizations to utilize children. That’s when you know you have a broken system.”
SCPD Commissioner Catalina (pictured left) said that while recruitment problems in Suffolk aren’t to the same degree they are in Nassau or NYC, the incarceration rates between New York’s landmark criminal justice reforms and today are noticeable.
“When I started in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in 2018, there were about 1,800 inmates. Now, there are around 1,100. There’s 700 people who are out on the streets who are not where they probably should be,” said Catalina. “That demographic are oftentimes the repeat offenders.”
Catalina added that many repeat offenders would probably benefit from incarceration and the programs to obtain sobriety and trade skills. He also said that the laws give the impression that the police aren’t doing their jobs.
Crime Victims Have Their Say at Roundtable
Continued from previous page
“We had the ability back then to work with the court system and the judges to keep that person on bail if they were a repeat offender with a horrific record. We can’t do that anymore,” said Catalina. “I can’t count how many families of victims who said, ‘Thank God they’re where they need to be right now [jail].’ The system has been created to no longer protect the victim and to make the cop fail.”
NCPD Commissioner Ryder said, “we learn nothing about the revolving door,” adding that unfunded mandates fall on the backs of localities, who then have to pull funding from officers on the street to keep up with Albany’s quotas.
The commissioners said that more funding should be allocated to services, such as social work and victims advocacy.
Advocates’ Advice
Representing the side of victim support were Laura Ahearn, Esq., Executive Director of the Crime Victims Center, and Wendy Linsalata, Executive Director of L.I. Against Domestic Violence.
Ahearn (pictured right) recounted the harrowing case of a Delaware County murder, in which a father stabbed his pregnant wife in front of their two young daughters, ages 7 and 9. His motive: he wanted a son and his wife was pregnant with another girl.
The two girls ended up on Long Island at the Crime Victims Center for resources, clothing, housing, and school district placement - as the nine-yearold daughter could only read at a kindergarten level. Legal advocacy also followed, with a lawyer working the case pro bono. Ahearn’s concerns for victims’ rights are that the Delaware County Police are not allowing the victim’s father to obtain the 911 call tape.
“underfunded”, adding, “health agencies like ours continue to provide immediate services to those whose lives are in danger. We need to have the staff on the ground to do that.”
Linsalata also said that the parole reform is playing out before her very eyes, as well as that of the victim in question.
“The defendant was sentenced to a rather short period of time on multiple attempted murder charges, multiple criminal contempt charges, and two assault charges. The sentence alone was not long enough; however, he was released early because of the reform,” said Linsalata. She added that while the victim is already battling permanent disability and PTSD, her defendant “getting out early made her feel like her life doesn’t really matter.”
Linsalata (pictured right) also suggested broader reforms to GPS tracking, as parole officers don’t track movements overnight.
Ahearn says that while her center’s services were able to step up to the plate, the same can’t be said for other parts of the state.
“Every region should have the ability to mobilize immediately,” said Ahearn, calling for a regional homicide victim services coordinator to be appointed.
Ahearn slammed the parole reform, as every eighteen months, the victims and families of victims must “launch a campaign” to keep the offender behind bars.
“Our recommendation is to change parole eligibility hearing dates to every four years,” said Ahearn.
Linsalata, who worked with Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) to pass New York’s revenge porn reforms, is calling, along with Ahearn, for expanded protections against the mere threats of non-consensual dissemination of pornography. Ahearn also suggested a better alert system for orders of protection when they’re issued, especially within the family court system, and a more comprehensive rape crisis training program directly from the State Department of Health (DOH). Ahearn also called for plea reform.
“There’s 130 offenses for sex crimes. Endangering the welfare of a child is not a sex crime, but offenders will plead down to Endangering the Welfare of a Child, which is not a registrable sex offense under NYS Law,” said Ahearn.
Linsalata said that her organization is
That classification is what led to her remedy, aptly named “Andrew’s Law.”
McMorris also lamented the lack of substantive action after rallies, press conferences, and campaigns.
“I’ve walked the halls of Albany, I’ve walked nationally. Everyone’s really sympathetic. It ends with a beautiful handshake, but there’s nothing next. I’m really tired of hearing all the explanations. All they sound like are excuses,” said McMorris. “This crime should be treated no differently than if there was a loaded gun.”
“Prosecutors are asking for bail, stronger orders issued at arraignments, and GPS monitoring upon release. They’re being denied every day,” said Linsalata.
“It’s almost impossible to move anything that is related to crime and protecting the community out of the [State] Assembly,” said Ahearn. “It is the greatest betrayal we’ve seen in this state. We saw more positive legislation passing under Governor [George] Pataki (R) than we did in the history of this fine state.”
Ahearn added that federally-funded agencies like hers were told from the federal level to “prepare survivors” to understand that their offenders may get out of jail early, essentially being required to normalize those cases and desensitize victims to them.
Linsalata said that her agency is working to make the welfare of pets a priority; she complemented the Nassau and Suffolk PD’s on taking animal abuse cases seriously, but says that the gap needs to be bridged.
“A pet is a member of the family. When there is domestic violence, animals in the home are in danger. Anybody who is abusing or harming an animal is a threat to society in general,” said Linsalata.
The Victims Share Their Stories
Alisa and John McMorris (pictured below right) have been perhaps the foremost advocates for criminal justice reform in New York. Their twelveyear-old son, Andrew, was hit and killed by a drunk driver while on a Boy Scout hike.
“When we sat in that courtroom, it felt like we were sucker-punched. We did not feel like victims; we felt secondclass,” said Alisa McMorris of the loopholes and technicalities that complicate a judicial proceeding. “It felt like the system was built for everyone except us - the victims.”
McMorris criticized the State Legislature’s classification of an aggravated vehicular homicide as a nonviolent crime, saying, “I assure you that being struck by a 4,000-pound vehicle is violent.”
Theresa Bliss lost her son, David, 25, to a broad-daylight murder in Port Jefferson. David’s shooter was under active probation supervision for his stabbing of a minor as part of a gang initiation just eighteen months prior. The shooter was initially charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a violent felony, but the charges were pled down to Assault in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor. The court issued probation over incarceration. During probation, the shooter built ghost guns, regularly carried a loaded handgun, and made frequent use of marijuana - “all clear violations of supervision conditions”, according to Bliss.
“We experienced failures that have significantly compounded our trauma,” said Bliss, adding that Suffolk Police on scene would not disseminate details to her. Bliss instead barnstormed all area hospitals before descending on the Sixth Precinct. She was told to wait in her car and only realized her son had passed away until a local news outlet reported the story.
“His family knew my child was vaguely shot before we ever got a phone call from anyone. We didn’t even know what hospital he was brought to, or if he was even brought to one,” said Bliss. “This is the failure of ethics, human decency, and respect. I was robbed of the chance to say goodbye to my son.”
Bliss added that the family would later learn that a detective had been sitting with David’s body at the hospital, but no calls were ever made to his family.
“This is about acknowledging that police cannot simultaneously run an active crime scene and provide emotional, informational, and logistical support that traumatized families desperately need in those first critical hours,” said Bliss. “Precincts need trained, on-call victim liaisons, people whose sole role is to communicate with families and hospitals while law enforcement handles the investigation. Families should never be left alone to piece together their own tragedy.”
Bliss called for survivors of non-domestic homicide and their families to have access to the levels of systemic review, transparency, and accountability that the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team does.
“The State loses the opportunity to learn where the systems fail,” said Bliss. “Every homicide, not just domestic violence, deserves the same level of examination, accountability, and prevention.”
The Senators are keen to take these testimonies in stride as they prepare for another legislative session in Albany next month.
The Necessary Standard for American Education
Crossover Seats
By Matt Meduri
As the race for the 2026 midterms is already afoot, we’ll take this time to discuss a political phenomenon that is one of the jumping-off points for competition: crossover seats.
What is a Crossover Seat (or District)?
Crossover seats are those that backed one party for a higher office and a different party for its own office. In the context of the House elections, the crossover seat is one where voters elected a representative of one party but backed a presidential nominee of another party.
These seats are often seen as the jumpingoff point for the campaigns, especially heading into a midterm, as they’re often the best gauge for where a party can pick up seats without foraging too deep behind enemy lines. For 2026, Democrats only need a net gain of three seats, assuming vacancies are won by the party who last held them. The crossover seats could make all the difference in 2026.
What are the Current Crossover Seats
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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.
all of Bucks County, one of the nation’s premier swing counties. Held by Brian Fitzpatrick (R) since 2018, this district narrowly backed Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in 2016, handily backed Biden in 2020, and narrowly went for Harris last year. PA-01 has also backed Democrats in U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races since 2018.
Currently, Democrats represent sixteen districts that were won by Donald Trump (R-FL) in 2024. Before the mid-decade redraws in Missouri and Texas, that number sat at thirteen.
On the other hand, Republicans currently hold eight seats that were won by Kamala Harris (D-CA) last year. Before Proposition 50 passed in California and the court-ordered redraw in Utah, that number sat at just three.
Democrats will be keen to flip NE-02, NY-17, and PA01, with the redrawn CA-48 posing a good pickup opportunity, although one where entrenched Congressman Darrell Issa (R) could thread the needle.
If the 2026 midterms were to be favorable to the GOP, Democrats would have much more turf to defend. However, since conventional wisdom says they’ll have the better year, they have a greater margin for error.
That said, since Democrats only need a net gain of three seats, and since the overall competitive landscape is smaller than it was in 2018, Democrats will want to run the table in these thirteen aforementioned seats. Notable districts include NC-01, a district that is 40% black and went to Trump by five points. The mid-decade redraw in North Carolina makes this an even steeper climb for two-term Congressman Don Davis (D, NC-01).
Mavericks Make All the Difference
This is a crucial component of gauging crossover districts, as some are crossover seats only because of their incumbents.
In NE-02, the Omaha-based Nebraska district that gave Joe Biden (D-DE) and Kamala Harris its sole electoral vote in 2020 and 2024, respectively, Congressman Don Bacon (R) has been able to withstand severe national headwinds. A narrow Trump district in 2016, Bacon survived an almost-assured defeat in the 2018 midterms. He managed to win the district in 2020, the same night Biden won it by a strong seven-point margin. Bacon held on in the 2022 midterms, and despite having his worst polling year yet, managed to clinch another term in 2024.
Now, Bacon is retiring, costing Republicans not only one of the House’s most notable mavericks, but also a seasoned overperformer. NE-02 starts at the forefront of a hypothetical Democratic House majority in 2027. But prospects for Democrats are, on paper, lower in PA-01. This suburban Philadelphia seat contains almost
Fitzpatrick is regularly considered one of the most bipartisan members of the House and one of the most moderate Republicans. While Harris won this district by just 0.3 points last year, Fitzpatrick cruised to a 12.8-point win.
Democrats also have mavericks of their own who have been able to win in tough environments. Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03) flipped this red-leaning district in southwestern Washington State in 2022. She held it in 2024, despite Trump carrying it by three points. Perez has been one of the top mavericks of the Democratic caucus, voicing her support for the original stopgap that, had it been approved by the Senate, would have avoided the recent government shutdown. She also broke from her party in leading a vote to condemn a fellow Illinois Democrat for allegedly timing his retirement with the state’s registration deadlines so that his chief of staff could run unopposed in the primary for his seat.
Congressman Jared Golden (D, ME-02) is easily the most mavericky Democrat in the House. Representing a conservative Maine district that backed Trump in all three of presidential runs, Golden was the sole House Democrat to vote for the September stopgap to avoid a government shutdown. Golden, also heralded for his bipartisanship and iconoclastic record, is not running for re-election next year, turning a seat Democrats have won since 2018 into a possible liability that could cut into their gains next year.
We’ve seen what happens when a notable maverick decides to hang it up. Look no further than John Katko (R), the former Congressman from the Syracuse area who held a Clinton-won district in 2016, was one of just three Republicans in Clinton-won districts to survive the 2018 midterms, and won his district concurrently with Biden in 2020. Katko retired ahead of 2022, allowing Brandon Johnson (R) to win the open seat. However, when Democrats redraw New York’s map ahead of 2024, the Katko shoes were too big to fill for someone who wasn’t as mavericky as he was. Johnson lost to now-Congressman John Mannion (D, NY-22) last year.
Crossover Seats in Recent Elections
As ticket-splitting at-large has declined in the last decade or so, the number of crossover House seats has as well. In 1976, almost 30% of all House seats - 124 out of 435 - voted differently for president and House.
Fast-forward to 2018, where just thirtyfive seats were in the same category. Before mid-decade redistricting kicked in, there were just seventeen crossover seats from 2024.
In 2018, twenty-five seats represented by House Republicans were won by Clinton in 2016. Of those, twenty-two flipped Democratic in 2018. The only survivors were the aforementioned John Katko, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Will Hurd (R-TX).
In 2018, thirteen Trump-won districts were represented by Democrats. Only two were flipped by Republicans, both in Minnesota.
Suffolk County is also no stranger to crossover districts. NY-01, represented by Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) since 2023, was a narrow Trump district in 2020. But the reconfigured NY-01 used in 2022 had actually gone for Biden by a fraction of a point, putting LaLota in the rare part of the Venn Diagram where a crossover district is “created” by virtue of redistricting. LaLota went on to defeat then-Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Noyack) by about ten points for the open seat in 2022.
Currently, Suffolk is home to just one crossover district, NY-03. Represented by Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), NY-03 backed Trump by four points in 2024, despite going for Suozzi by about the same margin. While the district is predominantly northern Nassau County and parts of northern Queens, it does include the Huntington hamlets/villages of Cold Spring harbor, Halesite, Huntington Station, Huntington hamlet, West Hills, Huntington Bay, and Lloyd Harbor.
The Bigger Picture
Crossover districts can tell us a lot about the directions in which the country is headed but from a more local perspective. While House races are certainly nationalized contests, we’ve seen where a member accurately representing his/her constituents can make all the difference in overcoming those national headwinds. We can see the overall trends and some surprises that might promulgate statewide competition in future elections.
A great example of this is NJ-09. This New Jersey district contains parts of the Newark area all the way up through Clifton, Patterson, and Wyckoff, notably. While it was redrawn to be less Democratic-leaning that it had been prior, 2024 saw Trump not only come within six points of winning New Jersey, but win NJ-09 outrightalbeit by a narrow margin. The district includes a Hispanic population of 41.6%, making this district emblematic of Trump’s gains in New Jersey and among Hispanic voting blocs nationwide. Similarly, Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D, NJ-09) won her seat the same night by just under five points - far below initial targeting for the district.
The overall decline in crossover districts also goes hand-in-hand with the decline of ticket-splitting nationally. As voters entrench themselves further with their parties, these numbers won’t pick up, at least not for now. The change in crossover districts over the years also demonstrates how parties once dominated the state and local scenes, while the state opted for another party on the presidential level. This was once a more common occurrence that was essentially baked into each state’s political wisdom.
Now, there’s almost no room for those idiosyncrasies to play out.
Around Town
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Lou Zara Runs for Second Term as Hauppauge F.D. Commissioner
By Matt Meduri
On Tuesday, December 9, voters across Suffolk’s fire districts will hit the polls to elect or re-elect their commissioners. In Hauppuage, Commissioner Lou Zara, first elected in 2020, is running for a second five-year term.
Zara has forty-six years of fire service, having served in all ranks and offices. He served as Chief of the department on 9/11, while also an active New York City police detective at the same time.
Lou Zara sat down with The Messenger to discuss what prerogatives the Hauppauge Fire Department has taken under his tenure.
“A milestone for all of us was reducing the 2026 budget from 2025 while not overriding the tax cap for 2026. That wasn’t just me; it was the work of the entire board,” said Zara, adding he’s a dedicated “advocate for fire safety, prevention, recruitment, and the junior firefighters program. The district also added two fire engine-ladder combo apparatus, increasing the department’s capabilities.
“That program is where our volunteers come from. They learn early about firematics, comradery, and life around the firehouse. It’s almost like being in scouting. Most of the time, a lot of the juniors go to school locally or become fully-fledged members of the department - a huge asset to us and the community.”
Zara says that Hauppauge’s identity as a hamlet is unique from others. Split between the towns of Smithtown and Islip and lacking a classic main street, such as Kings Park or Sayville, the fire department fills a key role in becoming the town square.
“It’s nice to have focal points where a lot of groups can convene. We have a great relationship with the school district, various church groups, and our Interfaith Church. We’re really expanding our community outreach,” said Zara.
The Hauppuage F.D. has spared no expense in combatting the pitched Battery Energy Storage System
(BESS) facilities, with the Rabro Drive proposal being perhaps the most controversial in Suffolk. Hauppauge has essentially been leading the charge against the facility and for town-imposed moratoriums. Their efforts paid off recently, as the Town of Islip imposed a twelve-month moratorium in September.
“We feel that Hauppuage is not an appropriate place for it. I don’t think the volunteers in the department and the community should have to embrace this because of the hazards that they pose,” said Zara, citing thermal runaway, evacuation planning, and out-of-control fires as the main concerns. Moreover, capabilities of extinguishing lithium remain out of reach, with the departments’ only solution being to let the fire burn.
“These facilities are huge. They’re usually near the grid, so that the energy that they capture can be put back in the system when there’s demand,” said Zara. “It requires a lot more education for the volunteers. We want to try to move this out of Hauppauge and place it in a safer area or a better-suited place. In our location, the proposed site is right up next to a residential community, Bretton Woods Elementary is just over one mile away, across the business community, a local church, athletic fields, the headwaters of the NIssequogue River, the County seat, and State office building. I could go on and on.”
Zara also cites regular traffic congestion on the Expressway and NY-111 as a chokepoint for evacuations. Even with run-of-the-mill accidents, Zara says, traffic backs up for miles.
“It’s part of the green initiative by the State for us to get away from fossil fuels. The Hauppuage site is a 79 megawatt plant. Even at capacity, it’s not going to run the entire town,” said Zara. “In a brownout, it will assist. If you lose power, it won’t do anything
Smithtown Menorah Lighting Set for December 16
The Town of Smithtown invites residents of all ages to gather for one of the community’s most cherished holiday traditions: the Annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony. The celebration will take place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 5:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. at Town Hall, located at 99 W. Main Street, in Smithtown.
Hosted by Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) and the Town Board, in partnership with Rabbi Mendel Teldon of Chabad Mid Suffolk, this beloved event offers an evening of unity, reflection, and festive joy. Families can expect lively Chanukah music, traditional treats—including fresh latkes and donuts— and a special gelt drop that delights children year after year.
celebrate the Festival of Lights,” said Wehrheim.
“This annual gathering is truly special, thanks in large part to Rabbi Mendel Teldon, whose uplifting words and heartfelt humor bring a message of unity, hope, and compassion. Each year, residents tell us how deeply the experience resonates with them, and we look forward to sharing that joy once again.”
Open to all Smithtown residents, this free event provides an opportunity to embrace the values that define the holiday season—togetherness, gratitude, and community spirit.
for you. The off-hours are for these systems to charge up through the grid. The Hauppauge site has to rely on energy from the grid. It’s not attached to solar or wind.”
Zara also hails Commissioner Scott Munro for his founding of the department’s public information office, helping expand their community outreach.
At the end of the day, Zara says the foremost concern is simple:
“Working with the board to make sure the men and women of the department and Hauppauge are safe and provided with proper equipment to address the needs and ensure their safety.”
Election Day is Tuesday, December 9. Polls are open from 2:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. at fire headquarters at 855 Wheeler Road.
Guests will be welcomed inside a heated tent, where warm cider and seasonal refreshments create a cozy backdrop for celebrating the Festival of Lights among neighbors, friends, and loved ones.
“We are encouraging ALL members of our community to join us, together with our Jewish families, neighbors, and friends, as we
At the heart of the ceremony is the lighting of the Menorah, a symbol of resilience, unity, and the enduring triumph of light over darkness. Rabbi Teldon will recount the history and miracle of Chanukah, lead a communal prayer, and oversee the lighting of the Menorah on the front lawn of Town Hall. Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy traditional treats and a festive gelt drop, made possible with the help of local first responders, courtesy of the Smithtown Fire Department.
16 Local History
Thursday, December 4, 2025
A Freeze for Ice Skating This Winter?
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Early days of skating was a form of exercise the entire family could enjoy. Women could engage in this sport publicly, when other sports were considered “for men only”. Early skates were carved from animal shin bones and developed as time progressed.
Were you one of us that had the opportunity to ice skate on Ronkonkoma Lake? Groups of us would walk down together, bump into yet another group, and make our way to the frozen sheet of ice.
Most of the time, we would walk past Newton Pond and spend a moment watching the three ice hockey games being played at once. The bright colors of the hats were a stand-out, and the whipping noise of the hockey sticks are recalled.
At this point, you would break the groups and follow your parents’ orders to “only skate” here or there, based on the safety lessons they had learned over the years. There are very specific places to skate, the same as for swimming, and if you were taught the places, you would be alright.
Ice skating was a popular pastime in our village long before the Lake Ronkonkoma Ice Boat and Yacht Club made us famous. In March 1924, the Lake became the ice boating and skating center of the East. Bunny Gubner, also known as The Commodore, gave all he had to make the sport popular and concentrated here, and possibly assist the merchants with commerce. At that time, the ice formed earlier and gave good ice up until St. Patrick’s Day.
An article from November 1930 boasted of Lake Ronkonkoma offering the lover of outdoor sports every facility for the joy of living and continuing through the winter. This is the place where the crisp, dry air adds zest and snap to the carefree life of Lake Ronkonkoma. Ice boating, skating, sleigh riding, tobogganing, and snow shoeing would put the tinge of color in your cheeks and whet your appetite.
A local man would place his wooden shed on the Lake, and keep it warm with a small, contained fire. The shed had wooden benches along the sides, and you could take a break from ice skating in the warmth and have a cup of hot chocolate as well. By 1936, Lake Ronkonkoma was considered a winter resort.
Skating safety was important in the village, and in December 1960, a warning was distributed: “A reader has called attention to the fact that ice skating days will soon be with us. Long Island’s largest lake – Ronkonkoma - will soon beckon to the energetic who like to cut fancy figures on the big pond’s frozen silvery surface. The Lake, however, presents two problems: because of its size it is slow to freeze and because of its depth it presents hazards especially to the unthinking who venture forth before a real solid freeze sets in. Town-owned Duffield’s beach, the reader notes, has a large pavilion and several depressed areas that could be flooded in freezing weather without too much difficulty. Such steps could be taken by volunteers with scant expense to the town. The result would be earlier skating and certainly safer skating. The suggestion, to be sure, merits the consideration of town officials.”
Partially due to the time length of the ice-skating season, the town planned to build an outdoor recreation area in the heart of Lake Ronkonkoma business district. The plans were announced August 10, 1961, by Frank Marino, local attorney and Jim Reese, Brookhaven Town Recreation director. It was to include a roller-skating rink which would be converted to an ice skate rink during the winter months. A basketball court was included, and lights would be installed for evening skating, dancing, and other activities. The location of the project would be behind the police booth on the west side of Hawkins Avenue. The land that would be used was donated with a five-year lease by the heirs of Frank and Henrietta Newton, pioneer residents of the Lake area. Frank Marino was attorney for the Newton Heirs, Frances Terry and Richard W. Newton. The exact location would have been in the Kohl’s area, as Newton owned the farming lot, and the Tavern had not been relocated at this date.
Perfection that adds to any memories should always include Lois Watt and her appropriate poem for the subject (right):
KIRBY KASTLE
Now once upon the Great Pond rim There stood the Kirby Kastle Of hexagonal tower form And wooden upright tassel In winter, folks would cross the Lake On skates when it was frozen To gaily dance in Kirby’s hall With partner duly chosen!
The Kirby House once stood on the Islip side of the Lake and was quite unusual with a wooden tower in an octagonal shape. A large, sloped room was formed so it faced the Lake, and was used as a grand
ballroom. Residents fondly remembered skating across the Lake to go dancing during the winter months. Aunt Charolotte Kirby also held dance lessons.
Carnival On Ice was planned at Lake Ronkonkoma for January 18, 1969, at the Islip Town Beach, Commissioner Roger Moran Town of Islip Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. Children age 8 to 18 entered, with several contests to choose from. You could stop in with your registration application or use the U.S. Mail. An “unsuitable” ice conditions date would be January 25, 1969.
Three varied incidents on the Lake during winter: January 1957- Long Island Frogman Edward Haddock and Floyd Fanshew put themselves through a cut hole in the ice and test themselves for rescue attempts;
Jeffrey Clark drowns while walking on thin ice February 20, 1973. His friend is rescued, and; January 1976 - two boys fall in through thin ice, no official help comes to their rescue, they are both saved by numerous skaters also on the Lake. This incident began the controversial Lake rescue coverage debate.
The approaching 1970’s put ice skating restrictions on the Lake, including closing time and weather conditions. There was also a stigma in newspapers that claimed Lake Ronkonkoma would not freeze enough and urged skaters to go to smaller bodies of water. We experienced a four-day freeze last January, which reacquainted the village with ice boats, ice hockey, and people seeing our ice boats for the first time. One can only hope for next year’s freeze so we can once again hit the ice.
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In July, Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) assumed the gavel of one of Capitol Hill’s most powerful committees, Homeland Security.
Elected to the House in 2020, Garbarino is now chairing the significant legislative body not even halfway into his third term.
Created in 2002 in the wake of the September 11 Attacks, the House Homeland Security has oversight related to security of the homeland, as well as authorization and policy oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS was created just months after the Homeland Security Committee was established.
The committee is comprised of thirty-three members - eighteen Republicans and fifteen Democrats. Garbarino serves as the committee’s chair, while Congressman Bennie Thompson (D, MS02) serves as Ranking Member.
Having served in this prestigious capacity for several months, Chairman Garbarino sat down with The Messenger to discuss his relatively new role at a pivotal time for American security.
“It’s a very important committee, as it should be. Our jurisdiction touches everything that affects homeland security: the border, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, the Coast Guard,” Garbarino told The Messenger on Tuesday afternoon. “We don’t want another 9/11 happening; to make sure that we are protected is key.”
By Matt Meduri CreditMatt Meduri
the homeland routinely prevails.
The differences between the Trump Administration and Biden Administration in terms of homeland security, Garbarino says, were noticeable.
“We’re actually focused on homeland security now [under Trump]. The Southern border is no longer leaking like a sieve. We have a president who ran on securing the border; he’s done that. The Big Beautiful Bill got the Coast Guard money they desperately needed. Working with the administration on cybersecurity and counterterrorism is hugely important.”
Garbarino says that Coast Guard funding has helped the branch add new ships to their fleet, including crucial icebreakers that are the essential key to the Arctic, as well as replacing helicopters that were handme-downs from the Navy. Counterterrorism efforts, notably, consist of drone technology and authorization, especially when securing highly attended events like sports matches.
“We’re working with the White House now to grant authorizations to local police to take down drones if they are flown over an event,” said Garbarino, referencing the recently held Ryder Cup in Bethpage and next year’s U.S. Open to be held in June in Shinnecock Hills. “It would actually be a crime for local law enforcement to take down those drones.”
Overall, Garbarino says that while homeland security policies under Biden weren’t a “complete disaster”, the “engagement” under Trump has been “much more active.”
Of the nine Representatives who have wielded the gavel of this committee, two were from New York: Garbarino and his immediate predecessor in NY02, Peter King (R-Seaford), who served two tenures as chairman from 20052007 and 2011-2013. Garbarino says that it’s “important” to have leadership of this committee back in the hands of a New Yorker. It also puts Suffolk County in the national spotlight.
“Everyone felt 9/11, but other states didn’t feel it as much as we did in New York. We really felt it here and still feel it, especially with people still getting sick and dying,” said Garbarino. “Long Island also has a very diverse population; we’re like our own mini country. It’s important to have the perspective of a New Yorker on this committee and leading it.”
Garbarino adds that while reactions to problems and crises are the norm, it’s imperative for Homeland Security to be constantly proactive. With a New Yorker leading the committee, 9/11 is still close in the rearview mirror. In that vein, the significance of proactiveness couldn’t be overstated.
“We have this proactive thinking. It’s not just focusing on reactions, but focusing on other things to make sure a similar mass casualty event doesn’t happen. That perspective is crucial to leading the committee.”
Additionally, Garbarino says that New York’s iconic international nature and a city almost synonymous with its country on the world stage makes for a logical connection to such a high-profile role for one of the world’s most dominant superpowers.
To the nuts and bolts of the job, Garbarino says it has been a learning curve for him and his immediate staff, but only the best is good enough when it comes to protecting the homeland. Some House insiders have been “pitbulls”, according to Garbarino, in ensuring the best staffers are working the committee
“I have a great team. Because of our huge oversight and responsibilities, we need people who not only know the issues but have the connections and agencies to get information. You’re only as good as your team,” said Garbarino. “Nobody wants something to happen under our watch. Since we have a lot of members from different districts and priorities, getting everyone to paddle in the same direction was more difficult than I thought it would be, but that’s something you have to experience to realize it.”
Nonetheless, Garbarino says the bulk of the committee’s work has been “nonpartisan”, with his first meeting as chairman resulting in unanimously passed markup bills - save for one bill, which had just one “nay” vote. While partisan disagreements are inevitable, the baseline responsibility of securing
In terms of global geopolitics, Garbarino says remaining “vigilant” is key to combatting threats from the usual suspects, Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea, either directly, sponsored, or by unrestrained third parties.
“We’re always in the crosshairs. China is believed to have used AI to stage a major cyberattack. The technology we’re dealing with is used in drones and cell phones. There’s a lot to keep our eyes on.”
As the U.S. and the world experience the growing pains of the “Wild West” of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Garbarino says despite the negative connotations, balance can be achieved.
“People are finding ways to use AI that I didn’t expect, but that’s the thing. You have creative people who push the limits. Unfortunately, you’re seeing AI being used for cyberattacks or deepfakes, but we’re also seeing it used for beneficial purposes, like defense against cyberattacks,” said Garbarino. “The problem is that anything digital moves so quickly; it takes so long to legislate. You want to include the experts.”
In this prerogative, Garbarino says that regulation must be as malleable as it is effective, to not only keep up with the times, but to also prevent government from getting in its own way.
“My role in the oversight of AI is the regulation. If we’re going to issue protections or requirements, we need to make sure that what we write down on paper works in the real world. You don’t want to be too specific that it takes too long to change when it moves quickly. You don’t want the law to be behind technology. Something that works now might not work in two years,” said Garbarino. “Legislation should be broad enough to allow quick responses and should 100,000% include a committee of experts in advice.”
Garbarino’s “wish list” for such regulations: cybersecurity protections worked into the development of AI.
“I’m honored to hold the chairman’s title in only my third term,” said Garbarino, adding that former Congressman Peter King still takes his calls for pointers.
“Peter King did a great job as Chair. He’s been very helpful with advice in not only running for the position but also in serving as Chair now.”
The responsibility of securing the homeland at perhaps the most pivotal time in modern American history, coupled with an increasingly austere world and siloed populations makes this a particularly complex gavel to wield. With not even three full terms under his belt, Garbarino not only puts Suffolk County in the national spotlight, but on the international stage in an unmistakable way.
CUT DOWN ON THE COMMUTE. NOT THE CARE.
As part of our commitment to bringing top-quality care to Suffolk County, we’ve opened another multispecialty practice here in Commack. This new practice brings more specialists under one roof and gives us a total of 51 practices across Suffolk County. We’re bringing the #1 physician practice network in the U.S. closer to home.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Liberals Side with Bloodthirsty Narcoterrorists in Crusade to ‘Get Trump’
By Shane Harris | AMAC Editor in Chief
Trump Derangement Syndrome has led the corporate media, Democrats, and even some wayward Republicans to take some truly despicable public stances over the years. But defending narcoterrorists attempting to flood American communities with deadly poison may be a new low even for the Never-Trump crowd.
This is the position that many liberals now find themselves in following a report from The Washington Post effectively alleging – based on unverified anonymous claims – that President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and even rankand-file military personnel are guilty of war crimes for blowing up drug boats bound for the United States. In their reactionary opposition to everything Trump does, the left has now decided that drug traffickers are sympathetic victims.
The story begins on the first day of Trump’s second term, when the President signed an executive order officially authorizing the designation of “certain international cartels and other organizations” as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This designation unlocked new tools for the Trump administration to do what previous presidents had failed to; namely, use lethal force to eliminate one of the most urgent and deadly threats to the American people.
On September 1, the military exercised this authority for the first time, destroying a boat full of drugs off the coast of Venezuela and killing everyone on board. Subsequent strikes have killed more than 80 people – and stopped untold amounts of deadly substances from entering the United States.
To any American with even a modicum of decency and common sense, this is good news. Drug addiction remains a scourge on our country, particularly in the small towns and rural communities that the political establishment abandoned long ago. The United States owes nothing to evil terrorists who profit from the suffering of Americans.
But as the military has rolled out these attacks on America’s enemies, there has been no end to the pearl-clutching from the left. That reached a new frenzy this week as the Post alleged that during that first attack back in September, the military launched a second strike to eliminate two traffickers who survived the first missile. As the paper breathlessly informs us, “some current and former U.S. officials and law-of-war experts have said that the Pentagon’s lethal campaign… is unlawful and may expose those most directly involved to future prosecution.”
The Post continues: “The alleged traffickers pose no imminent threat of attack against the United States and are not, as the Trump administration has tried to argue, in an ‘armed conflict’ with the U.S., these officials and experts say. Because there is no legitimate war between the two sides, killing any of the men in the boats amounts to murder,’ said Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer who advised Special Operations forces for seven years at the height of the U.S. counterterrorism campaign.” Really? No imminent threat? 81,700 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2024. More than 100,000 died in each of the three years preceding that. Many of those drugs came through exactly the same channels that the Trump administration is now targeting.
Does someone have to be running around with a gun or a bomb to be considered a “threat” to the American people? The narcoterrorists in the Caribbean pose at least as serious a threat – and likely a more tangible threat – to the American people as do the Islamist terrorists that the military spent the last 20 years chasing around the Middle East.
Even if we are to take the Post’s anonymous report as gospel truth (and there is plenty of reason to question that), the article itself presents a perfectly logical explanation for a second strike. Specifically, the survivors could still be considered legitimate targets “because they could theoretically call other traffickers to retrieve them and their cargo.”
But that hasn’t stopped elected Democrats from going nuclear over the whole situation. Liberal leaders in both the House and the Senate – with frustratingly naïve buy-in from some Republicans – are now calling to drag Hegseth in front of panels and demand answers.
Some Democrats are going even further and calling for everyone involved to be prosecuted – yet another transparent attempt to sow fear and uncertainty within the ranks and undermine the military’s chain of command. Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton told the Post, “Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”
This is the sad state of the Democrat Party in 2025. Even as their own constituents suffer and die from drug addiction, Democrats want to put military personnel on trial for murder for rightfully killing the foreign terrorists who are supplying those drugs in the first place. Drug traffickers get to continue poisoning Americans, but the heroes who are eliminating them face war crime charges.
The liberal outrage appears all the more fraudulent given what we witnessed under the last two Democrat presidents.
After his disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that got 13 Americans killed, Joe Biden’s incompetent Pentagon leaders attempted to make up for it by hastily launching a drone strike
that murdered 10 innocent civilians – including a U.S. aid worker and seven children. Where were the calls for congressional investigations and war crimes tribunals then? The same people now calling for Pete Hegseth to go to prison for killing drug traffickers shrugged off the Biden administration’s drone striking a car full of kids, overseeing the most shameful U.S. military defeat in history, and leaving $7 billion in military equipment in the hands of the Taliban.
As for the claim that Trump should go through Congress to target the drug traffickers, where were those same voices when Barack Obama was in office? The “Drone-Striker-in-Chief” unilaterally launched 563 covert strikes without congressional approval – nearly ten times the 57 strikes launched by George W. Bush. Obama’s drone campaign killed an estimated 384 to 807 civilians, all without a peep from the left.
What liberals really can’t stand about Trump’s strikes on drug boats is that they are effective – and absolutely necessary.
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The Post unintentionally makes this case for the President when it relays that “the Pentagon’s lethal campaign marks a significant and controversial departure from U.S. counterdrug missions in the Western Hemisphere over the last several decades.”
“Typically, Coast Guard ships and personnel have interdicted and boarded vessels believed to be trafficking, confiscating the narcotics and detaining the suspects for further prosecution,” we are told.
And how exactly has that worked out for the United States or any of the other countries trying to destroy these narcoterrorists? The drug cartels have only become richer and powerful, and more Americans have become hooked on the poison that they are selling.
In the end, the outrage isn’t about “war crimes” – it’s about a left-wing political class so consumed with hating Donald Trump that they’ll side with blood-soaked cartel killers over their own country. If liberals want to pretend that taking out drug-running militants is some horrendous act, they’re only exposing how morally backward their worldview has become.
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology: mid 19th century: from German Zeitgeist, from Zeit ‘time’ + Geist ‘spirit’.
Synonyms: climate, spirit, trend
ZEITGEIST
noun
Pronounced: /zīte·gīst/ the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Example: “The population became even more disapproving of their officials, as economic populism became the zeitgeist of the political sphere.”
Antonyms: fad, short period
Source: Oxford Languages
December 10, 1901: First Nobel Peace Prizes awarded, first recipients Red Cross founder Jean Henri Dunant (above) and peace activist Frédéric Passy (below).
December 5, 1933:
Prohibition ends in the US at 5:32p.m. EST when the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment.
December 4, 1619:
Thirty-eight colonists from Berkeley Parish, England, disembark in Virginia and give thanks to God, considered by many the first Thanksgiving in the Americas.
December 7, 1941:
Imperial Japanese Navy with 353 planes attacks the US fleet at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii, killing 2,403 people.
December 6, 2006: NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor that suggest the presence of liquid water on Mars.
December 9, 1992: U.S. Marines and allied nations launch an amphibious and airborne operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, to restore order to the war-torn nation. Authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 794 passed on December 3.
Source: Onthisday.com.
By PJ Balzer
The Strangest of Stories – Part 1
I’m a true Christmas lover. I’m talking about the kind of person who’s watching the Fourth of July fireworks display while simultaneously thinking, “Fall isn’t too far away. We’re basically halfway to Christmas.”
I love everything about Christmas and the season that surrounds it. I love that it directly follows Thanksgiving. A holiday of reflection, remembrance, and open hands towards others. I love Christmas music, the lights that are literally everywhere, and the decorations on every main street and town square. The generosity and just the whole ambiance of the Christmas season is something I count down to all year.
I’ve grown to love Christmas that much more when I made the personal decision to believe in and follow Jesus. While the majority of society has attempted to tuck Him away, out of sight and mind, it still is His birth that we are celebrating. The Christmas story contains so much beauty and is so relatable to common people like me. God could have easily chosen to set a different narrative and choose a different back drop for His incarnation and visitation.
But He didn’t; He chose a really strange story.
The first Christmas was pretty messy, to be honest. The story includes the common people, lowly towns, and a few misfits as the main characters. People and places that no one else would have included in their story, God included in His - showing us that the true gift of Christmas is for all people, not just those held in high esteem.
I deeply and genuinely love the town that I come from. Yet growing up, and even still today, I’ve always heard the place I grew up talked down upon. Often referred to as “the armpit of Long Island.” While realistically we do have many well-meaning and hardworking people, we undoubtedly do also have our struggles as well. We have one of the highest poverty rates on the Island, especially amongst our children and youth. Poverty, especially when it becomes dire, has the ability to spin a spiderweb of other issues. People on the outside only see those issues and of course look and talk down upon them.
But we’re a town of resilient people who are able to struggle together and do it well. When push comes to shove, and it often does, we’re known to show up for one another
- just a few of the many reasons I’m proud to be from here.
God chose to be born in Bethlehem and then raised in Nazareth. He could have just as easily chosen to be born in a golden palace full of the world’s treasures and powerful characters. He could have chosen any place, anywhere, and anytime in human history. But His heart felt that these two struggling little towns, also looked down upon at the time of that very first Christmas, fit Him and His mission well.
Nazareth was southwest of the Sea of Galilee, and a very small community, probably less than 500 people the time when Jesus walked its roads. Such a small town and not adjacent to major cities, it was the last place one would expect anything world-changing to happen. Nazareth was sort of just existing without any visitors or fanfare. When someone at that time was called a “Nazarene,” it was similar to calling them a hillbilly. Nazareth certainly wasn’t a desirable place at that time. It was considered of low esteem by its neighbors.
Bethlehem was a little different with some different dynamics. It was an extremely poor and overcrowded little town by the water. The houses were small and built on small plots of land, usually with too many people living inside for the size of the structure. Most people owned animals, which added to the overcrowding, and the smell of animal dung was most likely everywhere. Bethlehem was also being crushed, overtaxed, and manipulated heavily by a harsh Roman government. Rome was known for enacting force, even violence, upon the poor and keeping them under their heels. Overcrowded, desperate, afraid, and ultimately helpless, it was such a different environment than many of our tidy little nativity plays during December portray.
Nazareth and Bethlehem are proof that God isn’t ashamed of or aloof to human lowliness. He actually draws near to it. He’s not a deity that stands at a distance until we seemingly have our ducks in a row. He knocks on the door of every heart, especially when we find ourselves in a mess or simply passed over by the world.
People may talk down on you, your family, your ZIP code, or your upbringing. The Christmas story is a reminder that Jesus does the opposite. He desires to come visit. Part 2 next week
Congratulations Natalie Affenita: Top 40 Under 40
Natalie was recently Honored in a special edition of the Long Island Real Producers Magazine as being one of the Top 40 Under 40 Licensed Real Estate Agents
Natalie Affenita has never been one to follow a straight path. In fact, she’s taken more detours than most-including captaining a collegiate dance team, traveling the world, working as a travel agent in Florence, and selling stone in a mason’s yard before realizing that real estate was where she was meant to be.
Her journey into the industry was anything but conventional. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was working with her father in construction when a customer walked in, looking for materials. Natalie didn’t just sell him a piece of stone-she sold him on her talent. So much so that he took her to lunch the next day, not to discuss masonry but to convince her to get into real estate. After a few conversations and some paperwork, she was officially in the business, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Real estate has tested her in ways she never expected, especially when health complications forced her to undergo surgery to insert a cardiac monitor, which Natalie still has today. But slowing down? Not an option. Even during recovery, Natalie found a way to keep her deals moving, show properties, and stay present for her clients-thanks to an incredible support system of family, colleagues, and sheer determination. “Real estate doesn’t pause, and neither do I,” she says with a laugh.
Now, with Douglas Elliman Real Estate, She’s laser-focused on breaking into the luxury market, expanding her network, and making a difference through her extensive charity work. And if her track record proves anything, it’s that no matter what life throws at her, Natalie will always find a way to turn it into an opportunity.
By Ashley Pavlakis
Suffolk County High School Hockey Mid Season Check In
The winter season is upon us, but varsity ice hockey has been underway since September. With the Thanksgiving break behind us, we’ve reached the halfway point of the Suffolk County High School Hockey League (SCHSHL) season. We’re going to take a look at how our Eastern Suffolk County teams are doing so far.
Leading the way are the Smithtown/Hauppauge Bulls, who sit comfortably in first place with a 10-1 record. The Bulls have four players in the top ten in scoring: Marcus Derrico with 14g-12a-26pts, Luke Anderson with 6g-18a-24pts, Brayden Beltrani with 12g-11a-23pts, and Brandon Reidy with 11g-11a22pts. Offense is hot as they’ve outscored their opponents 89-17. The boys are coming off last season as state champions, their first since 2020.
In second place, East Islip is sitting with a 9-2 record. The Redmen are up in the standings this season, something that wasn’t the case in prior seasons. Captain Evan Lafata is having himself a season, scoring 20 goals and 5 assists for 25 points, thus putting him at third in the league in scoring. In the top 20 in scoring are Logan Barton, Jack Fontaine, and Tierny Recenello.
The Sachem Arrows are holding it down in fourth place with an 8-1-1 record. The Arrows are consistently in the top five in the standings each
season, always making a run at the playoffs. This season, they’re the lucky team who has the SCHSHL leading scorer on their team. Cameron Kalberer sits atop the scoring chart with 14 goals, 14 assists for 28 points. Chase Saunders is also in the top-10 with 12g-9a-21pts.
In the middle of the pack is Kings Park/ Commack, sitting in sixth place with a 6-5 record. The Knights are lower in the standings than usual. After losing Jesse Lemza to graduation, their offense is certainly missing him. Unfortunately, a majority of their losses have come in the form of
a thrashing. Other teams took advantage and put the puck in the net frequently.
The T-Birds of Connetquot currently sit in seventh place with a 4-7 record. Not great, unfortunately. Luckily for them, there’s still plenty of games left in the regular season to turn it around and finish off with a winning record. Joseph Villani and Logan Booth Alam lead the T-Birds in doubledigit scoring.
The Ward Melville Patriots are in eighth place with a 3-7 record. They’re not having a great season so far. Tyler Curley leads the Patriots in scoring with 14 points. Middle Country has had a tough time scraping out wins, as they’re in ninth place with a 2-7-1-1 record. There is not much to say about their season at the moment.West Islip holds a 2-9 record in tenth place. Last but not least, Pat-Med comes in at the bottom of the league with a 0-11-0 record.
If you’re a New York Hockey fan, you’re either happy or mad about how your professional hockey team is doing. If you want to enjoy some ice hockey without having a real stake in the game, head over to The Rinx to catch some fun, competitive high school hockey. The boys look to fight for playoff seeding as the remainder of the regular season kicks off this week.
SAYVILLE SET TO OPEN THE MATS WITH JV INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT
The wrestling room lights were barely cool from preseason drills when Sayville High School booked the first real test of the winter: a Boys JV Individual Tournament, set for Friday, December 5 at 5 p.m., that will pull together some of Suffolk County’s most promising young grapplers.
For JV wrestlers, early December tournaments are less about records and more about discovery. It’s where freshmen find out if their technique holds against older competition, where sophomores try to prove they’re varsity-ready, and where coaches start to see the outlines of what their lineup can become by February.
Sayville, long known for producing disciplined, technically sharp wrestlers, enters the weekend with a room full of hungry underclassmen eager to carve out their spot. The home-mat advantage matters here not because of crowd size, but because these wrestlers know every inch of that gym floor, every echo off the bleachers, and every hum of the scoreboard before it buzzes them into action.
Expect fast scrambles, long rides, and a few early-season surprises. JV tournaments tend to reveal the future varsity stars before anyone knows their names and Friday night may be the first time some of those stories begin.
Event Details:
• Sayville High School, 20 Brook St, Sayville, NY 11782
• Facility Contact: 631-244-6625
• Event Type: JV Boys Wrestling – Individual Tournament
• Start Time: Friday, December 5, 5:00 p.m.
Whether you’re a parent, a fan of the sport, or someone who just loves the raw authenticity of high-school athletics, Sayville is the place to be Friday night where the winter wrestling season officially takes its first breath and the next wave of Suffolk County talent steps onto the mat.
By Raheem Soto
For nearly three decades, Frank Boulton has been one of the most influential builders in professional baseball a steady architect shaping the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) into the nation’s most respected independent circuit. Now, after 27 seasons at the helm, Boulton is preparing to step aside from dayto-day leadership and move into a new role.
Effective January 1, 2026, Boulton will transition from League Chair and CEO to a Member-at-Large on the League’s Executive Committee. The shift comes after what he described as a careful, deliberate process, informing the Board earlier this year to ensure a smooth handoff at season’s end. The Board unanimously selected William “Bill” Shipley — owner of the York Revolution and Chair of the Shipley Group to succeed him.
It is the kind of orderly transition that reflects the stability Boulton built across nearly three decades, taking an idea hatched in 1995 and turning it into a league with national reach, credibility, and innovation stitched into its seams.
A Vision Turned Institution
When the Atlantic League launched in 1998 with six Northeast teams and a 100-game schedule, independent baseball was still something of a frontier. Under Boulton’s leadership, the league expanded to 10 teams stretching from North Carolina to New York, adding clubs in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. It became a home for players seeking a path back to Major League Baseball, and a platform for overlooked talent eager to prove its worth.
More than 1,450 players have earned MLB or international contracts after time in the ALPB a number no other independent league can match. Nearly 50 million fans have attended
ALPB Founder Shifts Into Legacy Role
Atlantic League games, a testament to a product that has blended competitive baseball with communitydriven entertainment.
In 2020, Major League Baseball formalized what had long been evident: the ALPB became MLB’s firstever Professional Partner League, a designation that recognized the league’s reliability, competitiveness, and openness to testing the sport’s future.
A Laboratory for the Game Ahead
If the Atlantic League has become a national conversation piece, it is largely because of its willingness to experiment. Pace-of-play initiatives were refined here. The Automated Ball-Strike System received some of its earliest professional trials. The three-batter minimum for relievers, anti-shift guidelines, automatic intentional walks, and larger bases all passed through ALPB ballparks before reaching Major League diamonds.
The league became baseball’s workshop a place where ideas could be tested with integrity and urgency. That identity grew directly from Boulton’s philosophy that baseball, while timeless, should never be afraid to evolve.
A Long Island Anchor
Even as he guided a multistate league, Boulton’s signature franchise the Long Island Ducks remained the beating heart of his baseball life. Under his stewardship, the Ducks have become a Long Island institution, leading the Atlantic League in attendance 19 times and topping all MLB Partner Leagues for five straight seasons. More than nine million fans have entered Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The team has won four championships and sold out more than 700 games, achievements unmatched in independent baseball.
Boulton also continues to chair the QuackerJack Foundation, which supports more than 800 charitable organizations each year, and the Great South Bay Arts and Entertainment Foundation, which operates the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore.
A Builder Reflects, A Successor Steps In
In announcing his transition, Boulton remarked, “I’ve been privileged to help build the Atlantic League from an idea into one of professional baseball’s most respected and
innovative organizations.” He added that he remains “deeply committed” to the league and looks forward to contributing through the Executive Committee.
Shipley, who will take over as Chair, acknowledged the significance of following the league’s founder. “I am honored to follow Frank Boulton,” he said, citing Boulton’s vision and dedication as the league’s defining characteristics.
A Legacy That Endures
As the Ducks prepare for their 26th season and the Atlantic League enters its 28th, Boulton’s imprint remains unmistakable. The league he imagined has become a model of innovation and player opportunity, and the franchise he built on Long Island continues to set standards for attendance, community engagement, and on-field excellence.
Boulton’s role may change in 2026, but the league and the region he helped define will continue to run on the foundation he laid.
Ducks founder and CEO receives Frank Boulto (Credit - LI Ducks)
‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’ Opens in Stony Brook
anniversary this year. In honor of the milestone and its lasting impact on national television, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook has opened a special tribute and interactive exhibit dedicated to the beloved sitcom.
The exhibit officially launched with an appearance by Ray Romano himself, drawing fans and media alike to celebrate the show’s enduring legacy.
In 1996, Everybody Loves Raymond premiered, and audiences instantly fell in love with its chaotic, funny, and painfully relatable humor. At its heart was the Barone family, a quintessential Long Island household whose honesty, flaws, and unmistakable authenticity captured the hearts of viewers across America. The series ran for nine successful seasons on CBS, becoming a staple in living rooms nationwide until its final episode in 2005, and its legacy has endured for the past three decades.
Now, as the show marks its thirtieth anniversary, Long Island fans have a new way to celebrate with the opening of Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years in the heart of Stony Brook. Following the success of the Billy Joel: My Life exhibit, this new installation launched on November 28 and features a 70-foot-wide recreation of the show’s set, marking the first time it has ever been on public display.
Alongside the immersive set that instantly transports us back in time, the exhibit showcases a wide array of memorabilia from the show, including costumes, props, behind-the-scenes footage, and fun facts. It’s a complete, nostalgia-filled experience that any fan will be sure to appreciate.
The exhibit also highlights Long Island’s deep connection to the show, reminding visitors that the humor, settings, and family dynamics that defined Everybody Loves Raymond were rooted in the spirit of Long Island’s suburban life. By bringing the Barone home here in Stony Brook, LIMEHOF not only has honored a television classic but also celebrates the influence our small island has had on entertainment. It’s a reminder that this story, which was rooted in everyday family life, can resonate far beyond its setting.
This exhibit was designed by Kevin O’Callaghan, a member of the LIMEHOF board of directors, who worked to secure the complete recreation of the living room, dining room, and kitchen for the CBS reunion taping, then helped transport it to its new home in Stony Brook without a scratch.
show’s leading actor. Much of the series was inspired by his real life and stand-up comedy, shaping the humor and authentic family dynamics that made the sitcom so beloved. A native of Briarwood, Queens, Romano has become a significant force in both television and comedy, earning widespread acclaim throughout his career. He appeared at the exhibit’s VIP event last week, taking in the remarkable outcome of the tribute and reflecting on how the show transformed his life.
He highlighted his high career moments, who got him there, and where the show originated, as his brother, Richard Romano, who was the inspiration for the character Robert, actually coined the saying and the famous name of the show, “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
He shared the story of how Richard, at the time an NYPD officer, home and asked his mother what the award sitting in the kitchen was, and his mother explained it was some award Ray had won. Richard told his mother that when he goes to work, people shoot at him, spit at him, and, of course, “EVERYBODY loves Raymond,” and from there it stuck like glue.
He thanked many people not only for making the show successful during its original run, but also for keeping the Barone family alive, especially those who helped bring this exhibit to life.
Ray Romano shared in an emotional statement, “I am getting old, and I am going to forget names, but I am not going to forget this. It’s the best kind of time travel, because it’s a magic moment in my life and my family’s life. To relive this and to be here and get a sense of it is just so special.”
He was surrounded by the support of his team, family, including his twin sons, who famously inspired the twins on the show.
With its meticulously crafted set, rare memorabilia, and personal touches from Ernie Canadeo, chairman of LIMEHOF and the creative team, Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years offers a rare opportunity for fans to step inside one of television’s most iconic households and be one with the Barone family. As the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame continues to spotlight the region’s cultural influence, this exhibit serves as both a tribute and a celebration of a show that forever changed the comedy landscape.
To learn more or buy tickets, visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook. Call (631) 689-5888 or visit www. limusichalloffame.org.
By Madison Warren
Madison Warren
Ray Romano at LIMEHOF, as County Executive Romaine and the First Lady of Suffolk look on (Credit - Rob Tellerman)
