Tierney, Coast Guard Announce ‘Aqua Alert’ Ahead of Summer
By Matt Meduri
The quintessential Long Island summer cannot be devoid of maritime activities, such as fishing, sailing, or just enjoying the beach. But, as always, safety first.
On Wednesday morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) joined the Coast Guard and East End law enforcement chiefs to announce new maritime safety measures and to announce Suffolk’s participation in the Aqua Alert pilot program.
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Ackerman, Donohue, Solomon Win Smithtown
BoE Race
All School District Results
By Matt Meduri
This year’s campaign for the Smithtown Central School District (CSD) Board of Education (BoE) elections came down to two open seats plus a special election to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee John Savoretti.
Bernadette Ackerman, Theresa Donohue, and Brandon Solomon were all elected, defeating challengers Mike Simonelli, former Trustee and Board Vice President Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi, and newcomer Al Carfora. Ackerman and Donohue will fill the two open seats left by Michael Saidens and Michael Catalanotto. Both will have the opportunity to run again in 2028. Solomon will finish the remaining year left for the seat formerly occupied by Savoretti. Solomon will have the opportunity to run for a full term in 2026.
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(Left to right) Ackerman, Donohue, Solomon (Credit -
Memorial Day Weekend at White Post Farms
Mother's Day Brunch at Long Island Aquarium
May 11, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Bird and Breakfast at Connetquot State Park
May 11, 8:00 AM to 11 :00 PM
Fleece and Fiber Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm
May 17, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
May 18, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
May 24-25, 10:00 to 4:00 PM
Smithtown Village Craft Fair
May 24-25, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
TODAYS TOP STORY
Splish Splash Opening Day
May 24
Riverhead Mosaic Street Painting Festival
June 1, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Ronkonkoma Memorial Day Weekend Street Fair
May 25, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Ocean Beach Memorial Day Parade
Butterfly and Bird Festival at Sweetbriar Nature Center
Eagle Scout Creates Waterfall and Seating Area at Smithtown Historical Society
The Smithtown Historical Society is an unequivocal gem of the North Shore’s rich history. Located in the heart of town, the society’s campus is the home of the Frank Brush Barn (c.1900), the Franklin O. Arthur Farm (c.1740), the Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead (c.1750), the Obadiah Smith House (c.1700), the Old Smithtown Library (c.1890), the Roseneath Cottage (c.1918), the Epenetus Smith Tavern (c.1740), and the venerable Caleb Smith House (c.1819).
However, the historic grounds and age-old buildings wouldn’t be complete without a peaceful attraction with an inviting seating area.
Eagle Scout Dante DeBenedittis, of Troop 7, St. James, selected the Historical Society as the location for his Eagle Scout Project.
Now, a beautiful pond, waterfall, and seating area warmly beckons the weary historian, field trip chaperones, and local Smithtonians alike.
But there’s another historical aspect to this project, as DeBenedittis isn’t the first Eagle in his family to contribute to the Historical Society.
“I chose the Historical Society as a beneficiary as my dad did his Eagle project there in 1987,” DeBenedittis told The Messenger. “He built the handicap ramp on the Brush Barn. My Uncle Michael and Uncle Brian also did their projects at the same location. We thought it would be a nice legacy as I am the next generation of Eagles in my family to continue to support the Historical Society.”
DeBenedittis says that the project took about two months from conception to execution, with man hours totalling about 175 and a budget of around $1600.
“My goal was to build a lasting feature that the community could enjoy as a spot to relax or meditate,” says DeBenedittis, who is currently a junior at Smithtown High School East.
In his spare time, DeBenedittis enjoys working part-time on small engine repair and boat service; he also works part-time as a caterer at Smithtown Landing Country Club.
“I am currently taking flying lessons and my future goal is to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy and work in the maritime industry or become a pilot,” says DeBenedittis.
The Smithtown Historical Society is located at 239 East Main Street in Village of the Branch and can be reached at 631-265-6768.
Continued from front cover
Tierney, Coast Guard Announce ‘Aqua Alert’ Ahead of Summer
Similar to how Amber Alerts work for missing children and Silver Alerts work for missing seniors, Aqua Alert will function in the same capacity, but with an emphasis on maritime safety. Aqua Alerts will be broadcasted through mobile devices participating in Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) systems to provide realtime notifications to the public and law enforcement for missing sailors and their vessels with their last known locations.
The Coast Guard implores residents to take Aqua Alerts seriously, as they are only issued for “credible incidents.” The Coast Guard also recommends that boaters remain vigilant while on the water, avoid rescue attempts unless properly trained and equipped to do so, and enable location services on mobile devices to receive more accurate and timely alerts. Refrain from calling the Coast Guard unless providing “actionable information related to an active Aqua Alert.”
The announcement, appropriately dovetailed with the 2025 National Safe Boating Week ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend, was held at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Shinnecock in Hampton Bays.
Skala also recommends that boaters have all the required safety gear, including life jackets for all persons aboard, fire extinguishers, and alternative means of communication. Boaters are also encouraged to mind speed limits and navigate crowded waterways. All law enforcement personnel strictly advise against operating a boat while intoxicated. The summer months typically entail parties or fun outings that involve alcohol.
“Alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating accidents,” said Skala.
The concept for Aqua Alert was conceived by Judy Schink after her husband, David, disappeared while kayaking off the coast of Destine, Florida, in February 2021. Okaloosa County, Florida, launched the first Aqua Alert system in September 2022.
The U.S. Coast Guard launched its Aqua Alert pilot program in Sector Long Island Sound in April.
“The ‘lone ranger’ days are over. Our partnerships with all the East End law enforcement agencies, the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office ensures that we must work together to achieve end results which bring better results to the people in Eastern Suffolk County,” said Ed Michels (pictured right), Chairman of the East End Marine Law Enforcement Task Force (EEMLETF). The task force was started in 2007 to coordinate marine law enforcement across Suffolk’s five eastern towns. Working concurrently with the D.A.’s office and the County Sheriff’s office, the EEMLETF also works alongside sixteen other East End agencies.
“When you live on an island, it makes sense to make your alert system amphibious,” said D.A. Tierney, adding that while the emphasis of coordination with the Aqua Alert program will be on the East End towns and the near-two dozen agencies involved, the same service will be accessible on the West End of Suffolk. The West End’s maritime safety is under the umbrella of the Suffolk County Marine Bureau, as well as the various bay constables that dot the South Shore from Babylon to Brookhaven and Fire Island.
“All law enforcement organizations are constantly monitoring channels if something catastrophic happens,” said Tierney of the Aqua Alert program, even as it pertains to the West End.
“Land can be subtracted from a designated area within the program,” said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Chris Skala (pictured right). “Within the area, boaters would get a notification that something is going wrong in the waters nearby.”
The Aqua Alert program will help the EEMLETF gather “critical witness information for potential maritime crime investigations, quickly identify and apprehend individuals operating vessels while intoxicated, coordinate multi-agency responses to illegal activities on the water, and enhance prosecution efforts through improved evidence collection.”
Skala shared safety tips for boaters this summer.
“Wear a life jacket while boating and out on the water; life jackets save lives. This goes for jet skiing, kayaking, rafting, boating, and even paddle boarding,” said Skala. “75% of boating fatalities are drownings and 85% of those victims were not wearing their life jackets.”
Tierney and company are also ensuring that boaters comply with Brianna’s Law, a bill passed by the New York State Legislature in 2019, taking full effect at the start of this year, that requires all boaters to take an eight-hour safety course and obtain the associated safety certificate. The law is named after elevenyear-old Brianna Lieneck, who was killed in a boating accident in the Great South Bay off the coast of Bay Shore. The offending boater was not intoxicated but did not have a boating license.
The East End is also a no-discharge zone for boats’ untreated sewage.
Law enforcement is expected to ramp up checkpoints and patrolling efforts this summer in the waterways surrounding Long Island.
“Let’s enjoy the wonderful natural resources of Suffolk County, but first and foremost, let’s stay safe,” said Tierney.
“Our waterways can be even more dangerous than our roads, with unpredictable conditions, sudden weather changes, and inexperienced operators. Don’t make those risks worse by mixing in alcohol or not following the rules of the waterways,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. (D) “This holiday weekend and all summer, our Marine Patrol will be working closely with law enforcement partners to help ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely.”
At the pier behind the Coast Guard Station Shinnecock are a fleet of ready-to-go vessels and a Suffolk County Sheriff Mobile DWI Processing bus. The Coast Guard’s smaller crafts are for missions in shallower waters, while the much larger boats are capable of correcting themselves if they capsize or become disoriented otherwise. The Sheriff’s Mobile DWI Processing van has the capabilities to meet the Coast Guard or other law enforcement personnel on shore to conduct testing and even detain suspects should they face arrest.
Joining Tierney were leaders of the organizations associated with the EEMLETF: East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo, East Hampton Village Police Chief Jeffrey Erickson, Quogue Village Police Chief Chris Isola, Riverhead Town Police Chief Ed Frost, Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Robert Drake, Shelter Island Police Chief Jim Read, Southampton Town Police Chief Jim Kiernan, Southampton Village Police Chief Sue Hurteau, Southold Town Police Chief Steve Grattan, and Westhampton Beach Village Police Chief Steve McManus.
The EEMLETF also includes the Suffolk D.A.’s office, the NYS Police, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Police, and Plum Island Security.
For Maritime emergencies or to report suspicious activity, mariners should use VHF Channel 16 or call the Sector Long Island Sound Command Center at (866) 299-8031.
By Cait Crudden
Senate Democrats Vote Against Bill to Protect Girls’ Sports, Republicans Cry Foul
A contentious debate erupted in Albany after the New York State Senate Education Committee, led by its Democratic majority, voted against advancing legislation aimed at protecting girls’ and women’s sports from what supporters say is unfair competition by biological male athletes. The bill, S.460, sponsored by Senator Steve Rhoads (R–Bellmore), was sidelined after being referred to an unrelated committee, effectively halting its progress.
The bill would have prevented the State Education Commissioner from penalizing school districts that choose to restrict participation on girls’ and women’s sports teams to biological females. Though not outright banning transgender athletes, the bill sought to empower local districts to make their own determinations based on fairness and physical safety.
Republican lawmakers immediately condemned the move as political theater and an assault on fairness and parental rights. Republicans, many of whom are parents themselves, offered impassioned defenses of the bill.
Senator Alexis Weik (R–Sayville) affirmed in her statement that the legislation was about basic biology and common sense, arguing that allowing biological males to compete in female categories discriminates against girls. Senator Steve Rhoads, the bill’s primary sponsor, blasted Senate Democrats for “putting ideology over science and safety,” emphasizing the impact on local decision-making.
“As we nurture and encourage strong, courageous young girls to work hard to achieve their goals, New York State is once again looking to undermine parental rights. There is a clear and undeniable difference in the abilities of biological male athletes in comparison to biological female athletes. It’s why even the Olympics separates male sports from female sports. As Democrats argue we cannot discriminate, we are in fact discriminating against girls by allowing biological male to participate in female sports,” stated Senator Weik, a member of the Education and Women’s Issues Committee.
“By ceding power to the State Education Department and refusing to allow local school districts to decide what’s best for their own student athletes, the Senate majority is
CreditMatt Meduri
silencing the voices of parents and putting political ideology ahead of science, safety and basic fairness in competition,” said Senator Rhoads. “Forcing girls to compete on an uneven playing field with biological males heightens the risk of injury and denies young women opportunities to earn college scholarships, championships and individual recognition. Female athletes deserve equal opportunity—not the politically-driven social experiments supported by the Senate Majority today. I will not be deterred in my fight to protect their rights, opportunities and safety.”
After the vote, Senate Republicans decried the decision to refer the bill to an unrelated committee, calling it a deliberate move to bury the legislation. Freshman Senator Steven Chan (R-Bensonhurst), a father of two daughters, pointed to international examples, including the Olympic Games, where separate male and female categories exist to protect competition integrity.
“We believe in equal rights for everybody and support every child, but this is about fairness and protecting opportunities for girls. We all saw what happened in the Olympics when a biological male boxer, competing as a woman, beat a female opponent in a way that clearly showed the physical imbalance. That is not equality. My constituents believe this is setting up our girls to lose out on wins, on scholarships, and on the confidence that comes from real competition. I am standing up for my daughters and for every girl across this state who deserves a fair shot,” commented Senator Chan.
Despite the setback, Republicans vowed to continue fighting for protections for female athletes. They announced plans to introduce new legislation in the coming weeks aimed at reinforcing the principles of Title IX and protecting school sports for women and girls.
The debate over transgender athletes in school sports has gained traction nationwide, with similar bills being proposed or passed in over 20 states. New York’s single party rule political climate, however, has remained largely resistant to such legislation.
The clash between individual identity and collective fairness remains one of the most divisive issues in public education. As both sides prepare for future legislative battles, one thing is clear: the politics of student athletics are just heating up in Albany.
History has a profound way of presenting itself.
Sacrifice is All Around Us
Sometimes, it’s obvious we’re living through it. The pandemic, the surreal 2024 election cycle, the rapid growth of technology at alarming and unprecedented rates. It’s almost too much to take in at times.
Other times, we have no idea we’re living through history. Trends, fads, music and clothing styles. Soon enough, we’re going to be looking back on the 2020s for some aspects of the culture we’ll probably miss in a few decades.
Since history has a way of hiding in plain sight, it’s simultaneously easy and difficult to forget, depending on your mindset.
Picture this: rolling green hills, an expansive, limitless sky, trees scattered across the valley, a meandering creek is dotted with colorful wildflowers.
This scene could apply to any place, but we have a specific place in mind: Adams County, Pennsylvania.
The site we’re describing is that of Gettysburg, one of the pivotal battles of the Civil
War - although Vicksburg was easily more decisive, but that’s neither here nor there. We paint this picture to say that a seemingly innocuous field was not only one of significant historical magnitude, but also that of unconscionable sacrifice.
Now look at your neighborhood. That small, weathered-looking house emblazoned with the letters “VFW” across the top of the door; the banners that line Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma; the village greens we all take for granted where so many have gathered for jubilant and reflective memories alike.
To the casual observer, who could possibly tell of the deep importance of each building, each stretch of grass, each little detail? It’s almost too much to take in at times.
To know that you might be walking on hallowed ground, shaking hands with someone who’s seen and experienced things we wouldn’t wish on worst enemies, or to lazily peruse a commemorative plaque; it’s hard to forget the profundity of sacrifice when you might not realize that you’re looking at it directly in the eye.
History is all around us; sacrifice invariably is as well.
Show Biden Respect, Not the
The United States was shocked and saddened to hear of former President Joe Biden’s (D-DE) harrowing cancer diagnosis. The forty-sixth president has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already spread to his bones. His prognosis is grim and is likely on significantly borrowed time.
We wish the former president well and we hope he can make up for the time that was stolen from him by a party that did not respect him in the slightest.
We’re growing tired of the absolutism on both sides of the aisle that is currently plaguing this country - and in many ways, the world. When President Donald Trump (R-FL) was shot in Pennsylvania, a litany of Internet postsmostly from the intellectual cesspool that is Reddit - wished that he had been brutally assassinated on live television in front of tens of thousands of his fervent supporters.
Unfortunately, some of that rhetoric continues.
While we haven’t seen ill wishes against Biden to the levels we’ve seen them against Trump, or other figures, for that matter, we’ve still observed some conservatives on social media adamant that Biden is getting what he deserves.
Have we as a country really come to this? The endless death-wishing upon one another? The anger and vitriol is practically insatiable until the next election cycle, only for it to be another four years of kicking the rock all the way home until your guy wins.
This needs to be examined not through a political lens, but a purely human one. People often forget that politicians are people too, with memories, families, and vulnerabilities.
President Biden deserves nothing more than to live out the rest of his days, whatever number that might be, and just simply enjoy his time at Rehoboth Beach. He should make up for the lost time having served as president when, based on his mental acuity even when he just started running for president in mid-2019, he really shouldn’t have been.
To say that Biden was a bad president is an understatement. Based on his multiple mishandlings of core issues and the dearth of public support even before the disastrous and campaign-ending June debate, we can’t even think that time and death will be good to his legacy, as it often is to many presidents. Most historians and analysts wait about twenty-to-twenty-five years before being able to accurately assess a president’s true effectiveness and just how “good” or “bad” they were.
It saddens us to say that Biden probably won’t get a much higher grade than a D, maybe a C-minus. We say it saddens us because we should always rally around our leader, regardless of whether or not we voted for him or her. Wanting the president to fail is like wanting the pilot to crash the plane we’re all on.
But even despite that, Biden doesn’t deserve to be mocked for this illness that will likely get much, much worse in the coming months - we hope for his own sake that he avoids that type of suffering, as it’s cruel to even wish that upon our worst enemy, let alone someone to whom we’re ideologically opposed.
We actually have a recent example of a former president passing on and experiencing a “rally around the flag” effect nationwide: the December passing of Jimmy Carter (D-GA).
Carter, like Biden, will likely always remain in the lower tier levels of presidents, especially since his single term from 1977 to 1981 is far in the rearview and history can’t really be much better to him.
Despite Carter’s subpar presidency, no one ever questioned his values as
DNC
a man. In fact, many argue he had one of the best post-presidencies of any former commander-in-chief. Jimmy Carter was an inarguably good man, just not a good man for the job of president. We all know someone who is an honorable person whose only problem is that they’re just sitting at the wrong desk.
Sure, Biden’s character could be questioned more intensely than Carter’s, but the point remains: Carter was treated with respect and dignity from all sides of the aisle towards his final days and certainly during his mourning. We just experienced this only a few months ago. Have we forgotten what it means to be a heartful society, or is it just that recency bias is doing Biden no favors?
So, don’t give Biden any grief. We’ve argued that his mental acuity was a glaring problem from the beginning. That’s not his fault; it’s his party’s fault.
The Democrats wanted so badly to win in 2020 that they passed over a field of somewhat capable candidates who might have had a harder time beating Trump, but would have at least been in charge of the country had he or she been elected.
But the DNC wanted to take the easy route and went with classic “workingclass, Scranton Joe”, and laughed all the way to the polls, all while a man who had no business taking on the most stressful job in the world embarrassed himself on the world stage time and time again through no fault of his ownonly that of his aides, party bosses, and First Lady Jill Biden.
A new tell-all book, Original Sin, by CNN propagandist Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson attempts to say “we knew it all along”, even though the players, primarily Tapper, eagerly covered it up the entire four years.
We credit both journalists with airing the contents, but we’re not interested in Tapper’s apologies. He knew exactly what he was doing insisting on cable TV that Biden was cognitively fine. Either Tapper got a hefty dose of his own conscience, or the cookies ran out and he had no reason to keep quiet.
The deliberate cover-up of Biden’s health reveals to us three things: 1) Biden was demonstrably not running the country. Who was? 2) The DNC was so ruthless that they robbed this man of his ability to write his own legacy, embarrassed Biden and the U.S. on the world stage, and engaged in a completely scripted presidency, all just to beat Donald Trump. 3) Why didn’t Democrats call for the Twenty-Fifth Amendment like they did against Trump when Trump had to clasp a glass of water with two hands while delivering a speech?
On the “scripted presidency” point, Original Sin documents that the Biden Administration scripted a town hall to use for campaign commercials. The kicker is that Biden was so unintelligible during the Q&A that the footage was deemed unusable.
The hypocrisy is sickening and if there’s any silver lining to this detestable, sordid episode in our country’s history, is that we can never let this happen again, regardless of our political affiliations. Having someone we didn’t vote for in charge of the country is invariably better than someone - or some group - whom nobody voted for running the country.
It’s funny. All most Democrats have talked about for the last eight years is just how bad Donald Trump is: he’s mean-spirited, he’s racist, he’s blundering, he’s a fool, he’s low-IQ, he’s corrupt, he’s a man-child, etc.
Yet, the Democrats lost to him twice and had to force Biden through probably the most exasperating time of his life just to barely beat him in 2020.
If Trump is all of those things, to the Democratic machine: What does that make you?
By Brianne Wakefield
The Congestion Pricing Punishment
Our family can tell you what a nightmare congestion pricing is!
My husband has been working in the city for ten years and commutes to the city daily. He travels from Long Island into Manhattan, sometimes the Bronx and at times Brooklyn. It easily takes him three hours to get home during rush hour and during non-rush hour times, about two hours.
If he wants to get to work at a reasonable time, he needs to leave by 5:00a.m. every morning. When Governor Kathy Hochul (D) implemented Congestion Pricing this January, our pockets got majorly affected and - no surprise here - the travel time never decreased.
So, not only does my husband not have the “extra time”, but now we also have less money. The bridges affected by Congestion Pricing are the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges. The driving purpose for this implementation is to fund mass transit. The NYS budget recently passed is already pouring money into mass transit (from our taxes) but now they want our money straight out of our pockets as well. Our family now has to pay $9.00 extra to commute, not including the $6.94 for a tunnel toll.
Governor Kathy Hochul is boasting of her inflation check refunds at every speaking engagement which will be a one-time $400 check, yet she just cost us an extra $180 a month. As a family of six, that’s the cost of one of my child’s sports activities for the month, or more than our monthly phone bill,
or the cost of my alarm system and water bill combined. Despite all of her speeches where she talks about caring for the middle class and how bad the economy is, she, without hesitation, implemented these highcost tolls.
The salt in the wound was when she stated congestion pricing was working.
She chose to share this when all the public schools were out on spring break and the traffic was naturally lower. It’s when schools are out that you actually see a decrease in traffic and my husband can get home quicker.
The hope here is that people just give up on driving and decide to take the trains and subways. Well, we all know that’s a whole different nightmare for commuters. Not only are our subways and trains filthy but they aren’t very safe either. Not everyone even has the option of taking the trains. My husband, for example, needs to travel to different sites and the use of his car is imperative. This may be the case for many Long Islanders and, to be honest, I think people just prefer to be in the comfort of their own vehicles. Again, like most Democratic leaders, they back you into a corner and make things very uncomfortable to the point of then having to do what they wanted all along…a typical government bully.
May these new expensive tolls serve as a reminder to us that we need change and to speak up against the bullies leading New York.
It’s Time to Finally Fix New York’s Broken Budget Process
By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
The recently passed 2025-2026 budget was the latest in 15 years. One would think the extra time would have yielded better results, but the final product is riddled with flaws as the $254 billion spending plan fails to meaningfully remedy the state’s high taxes and toxic regulatory environment and does little to address public safety and cost-of-living concerns plaguing our state. The simple truth Democrats refuse to acknowledge is our budgets continue to fail New Yorkers, in part, because the process by which they are created is badly broken.
Crafting a state budget is among the most important functions of the Legislature. This year, budget negotiations were particularly dysfunctional as the state’s spending plan was passed more than a month late, and we needed eleven separate extenders just to ensure state operations could continue uninterrupted. In the aftermath, legislators on both sides of the aisle have expressed frustration over this years prolonged budget battle. The Assembly Minority Conference has continued to call for a more transparent and effective budget process and have introduced several bills to help address concerns with the flawed system.
Some of our legislative proposals include:
• A.2085, Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square): Prohibiting the Legislature from recessing after the start of the state fiscal year until it has passed a budget;
• A.7530, Will Barclay (R-Pulaski): Capping state spending to the average rate of inflation of the three previous calendar years and increasing the maximum capacity of the rainy-day fund;
• A.3940, Ra: Requiring the governor to provide the Legislature with Enacted Budget Financial Plan estimates no later than one day prior to voting on the aid to localities, state operations, or capital projects budget bills;
• A.2255, Ra: Requiring each section of the budget bills to clearly reference an appropriation to ensure budget negotiations are focused on fiscal issues rather than broader policies;
• A.6337, Barclay; Creating a lump-sum allocation advisory committee to require greater transparency related to lump-sum appropriations, and;
• A.2562, Ra: Requiring all state agencies and all state and local authorities to submit annual reports to the Legislature, including information related to debt.
Reading the summary of these bills, one might wonder how these concepts aren’t already a part of our budget process—asking the state to identify exactly what a line item will fund, keeping spending in line with inflation and ensuring the Legislature does its job on time should be no-brainers. Yet, year after year, our budget is cobbled together in a back room with no real sense of urgency, restraint, or respect for public input.
With the disappointing and delayed budget now behind us, I urge my colleagues and the governor to do better during next year’s process. We have a responsibility to protect taxpayer money and ensure everything we collect and spend is done in consideration of the public good. Unfortunately, this year’s budget fails to adequately do either of those things.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclayw@nyassembly.gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or Twitter at @WillABarclay.
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader and has represented the 120th Assembly District since 2003. The 120th District contains most of Oswego County and parts of Cayuga and Jefferson counties.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) (pictured above) announced that the agency will reevaluate and take action against the increasingly common startstop vehicle system, a fuel-saving feature that automatically shuts off a car’s engine at red lights or stop signs. Zeldin, the former representative for NY-01, criticized the technology in a social media post, pledging to revise EPA policies that incentivize its use.
“Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light, so companies get a climate participation trophy,” on X. “EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it.”
The start-stop system has been widely adopted by automakers in recent years as part of efforts to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. According to the Battery Council International (BCI), the feature was installed in 65% of new vehicles in 2023, up from 45% in 2021 and just 1% in 2012.
While the system can be disabled in most vehicles with the press of a button, many drivers find it inconvenient or jarring, particularly in heavy traffic or during frequent stops. Critics also raise concerns about premature battery wear, additional engine strain, and inconsistent fuel savings.
Still, automakers and environmental advocates argue that start-stop systems contribute meaningfully to climate goals. The EPA has previously estimated that the feature can improve fuel economy by 4% to 5%, while the BCI claims it helped eliminate nearly 10 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 alone.
Despite these numbers, Zeldin and the current EPA leadership remain unconvinced of the system’s overall effectiveness. An EPA spokesperson told media outlets that stop-start systems have not consistently demonstrated reductions in real-world emissions testing, casting doubt on their long-term climate value.
Trump Signs Sweeping Executive Order on Drug Prices: What’s in It, and Will It Work?
By Cait Crudden
President Donald Trump (R-FL) (pictured below) has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices in the U.S., a bold move he called “one of the most consequential” actions of his presidency. The order, however, has been met with widespread skepticism from health policy experts, market analysts, and the pharmaceutical industry, all of whom question whether it will achieve the dramatic results Trump has promised.
insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Drug importation is part of the plan as well.
Importantly, the EPA does not require automakers to install start-stop systems. However, manufacturers that include the feature are rewarded with extra fuel economy credits, an incentive that has encouraged its widespread adoption. Zeldin indicated that this incentive structure is now under review.
“I disabled this immediately using tuner software for my car. It’s super annoying. I especially hated how it defaulted to ‘on’ every time I restarted the car,” one user posted in response to Zeldin’s announcement on X.
Automakers responded cautiously to the announcement. No one at the largest auto industry trade group, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, have commented on the policy change.
Environmental groups pushed back against Zeldin’s remarks, warning that weakening incentives for fuel-saving technology could set back progress on reducing transportation-related emissions, one of the largest single sources of greenhouse gases in the United States.
Zeldin, who took the helm of the EPA in January, has made clear he intends to challenge regulations he views as burdensome or lacking in scientific justification. His stance on start-stop technology is part of a broader effort to review climate-related mandates and incentives implemented over the past decade. For now, Zeldin confirmed that the EPA is actively reviewing the use of fuel economy credits tied to start-stop systems and could propose adjustments in the coming months.
As the debate over the feature continues, one thing is clear: the stary/ stop switch at a red light has become an annoying burden to many drivers and is the latest flashpoint in the national discussion over climate policy, consumer choice, and regulatory oversight.
During a White House press briefing, Trump claimed that Americans would see drug prices fall “almost immediately, by 30% to 80%,” citing the vast disparities in drug pricing between the U.S. and other nations. Trump declared that the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries, which is what is currently happening.
The U.S. is infamous for having the highest prescription drug prices in the developed world. Unlike countries such as France, Canada, or Australia where governments negotiate drug prices and set caps, the U.S. system is fragmented, with pricing influenced by a complex mix of private insurers, pharmaceutical benefit managers, and federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
A 2021 report by the Government Accountability Office found that U.S. drug prices were on average two to four times higher than those in peer nations. The issue has drawn bipartisan concern for years, with both Trump and President Joe Biden (D-DE) attempting to curb the costs of critical drugs like insulin.
The White House aims to revive efforts to import cheaper drugs from countries like Canada, a controversial measure long stalled by safety, regulatory, and trade concerns. Lastly, the administration wants transparency and fairness. The order calls for investigations into pricing practices abroad that may be deemed “unreasonable or discriminatory” toward American consumers, though the terms remain vague.
“The drug lobby is the strongest lobby,” Trump told reporters. “But starting today, the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries, which is what we were doing.”
Health experts are deeply uncertain. Alan Sager, a professor of health policy at Boston University, says the rhetoric may not match reality. He points out that the money used to research a drug was spent before profits were made and suggests we may need other ways to fund research, such as large cash prizes for cures for specific diseases.
The executive order lays out several ambitious goals, though it leaves much of the implementation to future negotiations between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the pharmaceutical industry. Among the key provisions is the Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing. This provision would require U.S. prices to match the lowest price a drug sells for in other developed nations. Trump said companies could comply voluntarily or face federal pressure. Increased consumer access is also being addressed. The administration wants pharmaceutical companies to sell more drugs directly to consumers, bypassing intermediaries like
Trump’s team, including Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (I-CA) (pictured left), says the order marks the beginning of negotiations as part of trying to “Make America Healthy Again”. The lack of detail has drawn criticism; with many experts suggesting the administration may be overpromising results that are difficult to deliver through executive power alone.
Markets appeared unconvinced. Shares of major pharmaceutical firms such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and GSK dipped following Trump’s preview of the announcement but quickly rebounded, indicating that investors do not anticipate significant near-term impact.
The pharmaceutical industry has responded with fierce opposition. Stephen J. Ubl, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said “Importing foreign prices from socialist countries would be a bad deal for American patients.”
Credit - Matt Meduri
Credit - Matt Meduri
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
In a sad and surprising turn of events, former President Joe Biden (D-DE) was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Spokespeople for Biden, 82, revealed the diagnosis in a statement on Sunday. Doctors are surprised that the cancer, which has spread to the former president’s bones, was not detected earlier. On the other hand, other medical opinions state that the cancer might have been difficult to detect as men over 70 are not routinely screened. Cancer can also metastasize asymptomatically.
“I think it is very sad actually. I am surprised that the public wasn’t notified a long time ago,” said President Donald Trump (R-FL) at a White House event. “It could take years to get to this level of danger. So, look, it’s a very, very sad situation. I feel very badly about it, and I think people should try and find out what happened.”
Biden’s aides said he had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer before Friday.
“Cancer touches us all,” Biden wrote on social media on Monday morning. “Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The diagnosis now fuels theories of his Biden’s strength and competence during his term, as well as the wide expectation that he would attempt to seek a second term despite complications. Journalists Jake Tapper, of CNN, and Alex Thompson, of Axios, recently penned a book Original Sin, which outlines Biden’s inner circle’s attempts to conceal his true mental and physical state from the American public.
“Biden’s physical deterioration - most apparent in his halting walk - had become so severe that there were internal discussions about putting the president in a wheelchair, but they couldn’t do so until after the election,” reads a passage from the book.
“It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).
In other national news, a Pennsylvania progressive survived a spirited primary.
Philadelphia Attorney General Lawrence Krasner (D) won a primary Tuesday night by a comfortable margin - 63.9%-36.1% - over his challenger Patrick Dugan (D).
Krasner, a self-described “progressive prosecutor”, was impeached by the Republicanheld Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022 on multiple counts, such as dereliction of duty, misbehavior in office, and alleged attempts to obstruct the legislative probe that ultimately lead to his impeachment. All but one Republican supported the impeachment while all but four Democrats - three from Philadelphiaopposed it.
Krasner was accused of “dereliction of duty” for his handling of Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis. When he did not comply with an August 2022 subpoena, he filed a petition with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to halt the impeachment probe. The Pennsylvania House later found him in contempt for defying the subpoena; he later partially complied.
Judge Ellen Ceisler of the Commonwealth Court issued a court order finding that Krasner’s official actions did not meet the state constitution’s requirements for impeachment. As such, a scheduled impeachment trial in the Republican-held Pennsylvania Senate was indefinitely postponed. In September 2024, the commonwealth’s Supreme Court ruled that the articles of impeachment had expired.
However, the most damning revelation as of press time comes from Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist who worked as COVID-19 advisor to Biden, who told MSNBC, “He did not develop [cancer] in the last 100, 200 days. He had it while he was president. He probably had it at the start of his presidency in 2021. Yes, I don’t think there’s any disagreement about that.”
Dr. Chris George, of the Northwestern Health Network, told Reuters, “I would assume the former president gets a very thorough physical every year. It’s sort of hard for me to believe that he’s had a (blood test) within the past year that was normal.”
Dr. Robert Figlin, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, told the BBC that the presentation of Biden’s cancer diagnosis is not terribly unusual, and he advised critics against “assuming that somehow, something was missed along the way.”
Biden’s medical team has said that the cancer is hormone-sensitive and that his team is reviewing treatment options. As of May 18, the cancer has a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, with higher numbers often indicating greater risks and a higher mortality rate. The Gleason system is used to evaluate the prognosis of a prostate cancer case.
Krasner easily won the primary on his way to a third term. He faces no Republican opposition, but the Philadelphia Republican Party is encouraging voters to write in Krasner’s now-dispatched primary opponent, Patrick Dugan.
Krasner’s survival of the primary is a deviation from the latest trend of progressive prosecutors losing reelection, losing primaries, or being recalled, as was the case for many such officials in 2024.
State
Democrats notched another special election win on Tuesday night that will likely supply wind in their pre-2026 sails.
Sam Sutton (D-Brooklyn) won a Tuesday’s special election to fill the seat of New York’s Twenty-Second Senatorial District (SD-22).
The district had been vacated by Senator Simcha Felder (D-Borough Park), who won a special election to the New York City Council.
Despite being a Democrat, Felder was a unique presence in Albany, having caucused with the Republican and Conservative parties from 2013 to 2019, and later caucusing with Democrats from 2019 to 2025. Even in the 2024 elections, Felder was crossendorsed by the Republican and Conservative lines.
When Democrats took control of the State Senate in 2018 - the first time for the party since World War II - Felder was a holdout in joining the Democratic caucus, later doing so after having supported a number of Democratic-sponsored bills. For a brief period, Felder was a crucial swing vote in the
upper chamber.
At first glance, the results in the district seem like a remarkable swing. The district backed President Trump in 2024 with 77% of the vote. Sutton won the election 67.6%-32.4% over Nachmann Caller (R-Borough Park).
However, the district is known for electing conservative Democrats - like Felder - at the local level. Parts of SD-22 overlap with the Forty-First Assembly District, represented by conservative Democrat Kalmen Yeger (D-Borough Park).
Moreover, the district has a considerable Jewish population. The district includes the communities of Borough Park, Midwood, Madison, Homecrest, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Sheepshead Bay, and Marine Park.
Sutton will serve the remainder of Felder’s term. He will be up for re-election in 2026. His win preserves the State Senate quorum at a 41-22 Democratic majority, leaving the Party of Jackson one seat shy of a vetoproof supermajority.
Local
On Tuesday, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), alongside the acknowledgement of May as Older Americans Month, announced the 2025 Suffolk County Senior of the Year.
Thomas J. Lano, of the Fourteenth District, received the honor of Senior of the Year. He was nominated by the district’s legislator, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst).
“Suffolk’s senior citizens remain a vital, diverse, energetic, and productive part of our community,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey. “It was a pleasure to recognize this year’s honorees – ranging in age from 64 to 100 – and to celebrate my nominee, Thomas Lano of West Babylon, as the 2025 Senior of the Year, for his decades of compassionate service and leadership for his fellow seniors and veterans, and beyond.”
Nominees by Legislative District
Legislative District 1: John Rasweiler, IV, PHD; Marianne Baird; Donald Fisher
Legislative District 2: Sylvia Catena Smith; Iris Mitchell
Legislative District 3: Eleanor Weeks
Legislative District 4: Linda Miller; Sylvia Murdolo
Legislative District 5: Herta Wolff; Elizabeth Randall
Legislative District 6: Jeff Davis; Leonard Muzzillo; Ira Kleiner
Legislative District 7: Frank Oliva
Legislative District 8: Frank Perry; Patricia Dalton; Carmella Russo
Legislative District 9: Barry Dlouhy
Legislative District 10: Helen Francis (deceased); Mrs. Edith Tackenberg
Legislative District 11: Lynda Moran
Legislative District 12: Fred Gorman; Stephen Sutich; Norman Scheff; William Maynard; Nick Arettines
Legislative District 13: May Chasteen; Madeline Johanson; Joann Magri; Peter Ruh; William Caulfield; Stanley Braunstein
Legislative District 14: Thomas Lano
Legislative District 15: Bob Resch
Legislative District 16: Andrea Golinsky
Legislative District 17: Joan Wormell
Legislative District 18: Lorraine Grenier
Suffolk County Legislature Recognizes EMS Personnel
By Matt Meduri
Pursuant to Suffolk’s EMS Appreciation Week initiative, each of the eighteen Suffolk County Legislators recognized a fire or EMS personnel member from their districts on Tuesday evening in Hauppauge.
Suffolk began recognizing the third week of May as EMS Appreciation Week last year, aligning with the annual national observance which saw its fiftieth anniversary this week. The 2024 legislation was sponsored by Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), a volunteer EMT himself.
men’s ice hockey league game, a player collapsed on the ice and suffered cardiac arrest. Roth (pictured left), without hesitation, retrieved an AED, called 911, and began administering life-saving care. The player regained consciousness and made a full recovery at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH).
“As a fellow volunteer myself, I know that EMS is often forgotten,” said Thorne, Chair of the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) Committee. “We often hear of ambulance transports in the papers, but many don’t know the work that you [EMS personnel] do every day in the back of that ambulance to get that patient to the hospital safely.”
Suffolk FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman shared statistics before the formal ceremony began.
“This year’s theme [for EMS Week] is ‘We Care for Everyone,’” said Sunderman.
“Brian embodies everything the Suffolk County EMS Recognition Award stands for. His professionalism, leadership, and bravery continue to make a lasting impact for our community, and we thank Brian for his dedication and service,” said Kennedy.
“Suffolk County FRES is here to support 109 fire agencies and 28 independent EMS agencies that operate in Suffolk County. We have 1,171 advanced life support providers and 5,731 basic life support providers. That makes us 6,902 total EMS providers. In 2024 alone, Suffolk County FRES handled 300,000 emergency calls with over 80% EMS-related incidents. That equals 205,000 EMS runs.”
Sunderman (pictured right), a volunteer himself with the Mastic Fire Department, added that the Suffolk Regional EMS Council (REMSCO) reported that, as of May 2025, 112 providers were recognized for their CPR Save Awards.
“I want to thank each and every dedicated EMS provider for their service, the time they commit to their training, for the skills that are needed to become an EMS provider, and their personal sacrifices they give in order to serve their communities. For this, I say thank you to you and your families,” said Sunderman.
Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) selected Christine Springer (pictured left) as his district’s nominee. Springer joined the Central Islip-Hauppauge Ambulance Corp. in 1999 and became a NYS Certified EMT shortly thereafter. In 2004, Springer began her career as an Emergency Services Dispatcher with Suffolk FRES. Springer was recognized for her crucial role in assisting two highrisk child births and contributed to many CPR saves. Springer responded to a call in Huntington Station where the caller’s cousin began experiencing contractions. After dispatching EMS personnel, Springer stayed on the line to provide instructions, during which the baby was delivered. Springer also instructed the new mother on how to clear the newborn’s mouth and nose and prepare the child for EMS.
“The lifesaving instructions Christine has provided have been beneficial to those in need. Her dedication and expertise in emergency services have been vital to the health and well-being of all Suffolk County residents,” said Thorne on behalf of Trotta.
Brookhaven Honorees
Smithtown Honorees
Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) recognized Brian Roth of the Nesconset Fire Department. Roth transferred to Nesconset last year from the Lakeland Fire Department. In the first four months of 2025, he responded to 190 calls.
Roth’s recognitionworthy moment came on January 29 at the Rinx in Hauppauge. While refereeing a
Thorne recognized Kenneth Newman (pictured below left), who began his service with the Williston Park F.D. in 1983. With a quiet fire department, Newman joined the EMS squad and became an EMT in 1985. In 1990, he moved to Patchogue and joined the F.D. there, later joining the Patchogue Ambulance Company as well. He completed his paramedic training in 1992, making him the first paramedic at Patchogue Ambulance. He has
served in multiple agencies, including Mastic Beach, Manorville, Westhampton, Coram, and Montauk. He became a Certified Lab Instructor in 2012 and retired from the FDNY in 2014. He currently serves with the North Patchogue F.D. and the Sayville Community Ambulance, marking forty years as an EMT and thirty-three as a paramedic.
Newman notably earned the Lieutenant Kirby McElhearn Medal for his rescue of an unconscious victim in a burning car.
“Thank you for your service; I’ve always enjoyed riding jobs with you,” Thorne said of his colleague.
Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) recognized Emma Tennaro (pictured top center left) of the Middle Island F.D., who has been with the agency since 2018. Since joining the department, Tennaro has become a certified Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Driver, a CPR instructor, and advisor for the Explorers program, the same program that Tennaro herself completed to find her way to the Middle Island F.D. In 2024, she responded to over 300 alarms.
while also running training classes. Additionally, she was the force behind the “Kudos Program”, which provides small treats and personalized “kudos” messages for special members at their monthly meetings.
Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) honored Jim Crispino (pictured top left), a full-time Setauket F.D. paramedic. Crispino was also one of the FDNY’s first rescue paramedics. He remains a pillar in the Setauket F.D. and Port Jefferson Volunteer Ambulance District.
Islip Honorees
Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) selected Chief Lenny Schanll of the Manorville Community Ambulance, although with a different point of recognition from the other honorees.
Earlier this year, Boy Scout Troop 151 of Islip had suffered a devastating loss when their fully-stocked camping trailer was stolenan estimated $10,000 loss. Responding to a different kind of emergency, Chief Schnall whipped up unanimous support of his company to donate a previously unused youth squad trailer, allowing the troop’s activities to continue. The move is emblematic of Manorville Ambulance’s creed: teamwork, empathy, and a relentless dedication to service.
Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) selected Heather ScallyBartnik (pictured right) as his district’s nominee. Scally-Bartnik is the first EMS Chief of the Selden F.D., one of the busiest FRES agencies in Suffolk. She was recognized for her work in introducing the newest technology and upgrading response vehicles,
Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) honored Rup Christensen (pictured left), who began his service with the Bayport F.D. in 1969. After being drafted into the military in 1971 and serving in Bangkok, Thailand, Christensen returned to Bayport and served as Chief from 1982 to 1984. He joined the Community Ambulance Company in 2006. He is also leading Bayport’s ongoing project of restoring their historic 1942 Mack fire truck. Legislator Samuel Gonzalez (D-Brentwood) recognized Bryant Figueroa (pictured below left), East Brentwood Fire Chief. Figueroa was particularly honored for his membership of an EMT platoon that went to Vieques, Puerto Rico, after the devastating hurricanes in 2018. In October 2022, when another hurricane hit the island, Figueroa gathered donations of socks, toiletries, and other non-perishables to be sent to Puerto Rico. Figueroa was also instrumental in restarting the Youth Squad Program at the East Brentwood department, which has seen the matriculation of such youths into the department and/or EMS or fire school.
Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) recognized Erica Elramly (pictured middle left) of the Lakeland F.D., where Elramly has been since 2017. Affectionately known as the “mom” of the department, Elramly is known for bringing hot, home-cooked meals to the department every Tuesday. She also works as a full-time EMT at SBUH. Through it all, Elramly persists unwavered despite a breast cancer diagnosis.
Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) selected Candice Raudies as his district’s nominee. Raudies joined the Brentwood Legion Ambulance in 2008 as a probationary member, later becoming an EMT. She’s since worn many hats, including her current roles as Recording Secretary, head of the Public Relations Committee, and head of the Recruitment Committee.
Ackerman, Donohue, Solomon Win Smithtown CSD BoE Race - All School District Results
“We want to continue making sure every student has every opportunity to succeed. Our commitment is to create an inclusive educational environment where all students can access the resources, support, and guidance they need to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances,” the winning slate told The Messenger, adding their visions for the future. “Taxpayer dollars are well looked after. We maintain strict financial oversight and transparency, ensuring that every dollar invested in our schools directly benefits student education and necessary infrastructure, with regular audits and accountability measures in place. The board continues to work together to find solutions instead of wasting taxpayer money on personal vendettas. Our collaborative approach focuses on consensus-building and productive dialogue to address real challenges facing our schools, rather than allowing personal disagreements to derail progress or divert precious resources from our students’ needs.”
Voters also approved a $294,996,977 budget to the tune of 4,222 to 1,921. The budget is up 1.74% from last year’s. The tax levy is just over $225 million, up 2.84%.
The Smithtown CSD includes the Village of Nissequogue, most of Smithtown hamlet, parts of St. James, Nesconset, Hauppauge, and Kings Park.
All School District Results
Note: For clarity and brevity, please acknowledge the legend for interpreting the results.
H.S. / M.S. = High School / Middle School (respectively)
BoE = Board of Education
CSD / UFSD = Central School District / Union Free School District (respectively)
Vote totals are shown in parentheses after a candidate’s name.
An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent BoE trustee.
Commack School District
Budget (PASSED): Voters approved 1,330-546 a $233,025,125 budget, up 2.62%. The budget maintains class sizes, extracurriculars, and the 1:1 Chromebook Initiative.
BoE Winners: Nicole Goldstein defeated Pricilla Warner 1,298-369 for an open seat. Gus Hueber* won unopposed with 1,511 votes.
Communities Served: Commack, parts of Dix Hills, Smithtown hamlet, and East Northport.
Hauppauge UFSD
Budget (PASSED): $138,390,328, up 3.88% from last year. It remains within the 3.25% tax levy. Voters approved 597-259.
Proposition Two (PASSED): Approval allows the district to request an additional 10% in State building aid for a $29 million Energy Performance Contract. Anticipated savings are over $1.14 million annually. This has no impact on the taxpayers and helps the district qualify for up to 55% in total State Aid. The rest will be funded through energy rebates and savings. The $1.14 million will go to upgrades to heating and cooling systems, lighting and power, solar panels, energy management systems, kitchen equipment, and building improvements.
Voters approved Proposition Two 667-174.
BoE Winners (All Unopposed): David M. Barshay*, Michael Buscarino*, and Rob Scarito*.
Communities Served: Most of Hauppauge, parts of Smithtown hamlet and Village of Islandia.
Kings Park CSD
Budget (PASSED): $109,840,196, a 2.86% that remains within the 2.99% tax levy. Voters approved 736-403. The budget maintains services and resources, as well as includes support for arts, STEAM-related programs, capital projects, and employee professional development and training.
BoE Winners (Unopposed): Pat Hanley* (841) and Shala Pascucci* (745)
Communities Served: Fort Salonga, San Remo, most of Kings Park, parts of Smithtown hamlet.
Budget (PASSED): $380,985,606, up 1.77%, within the 2.20% tax cap. The budget maintains all current programs and services. Voters approved 3,712-1,596. Proposition Two (FAILED): Voters rejected this proposition 3,0682,198. The proposition would have modified school transportation eligibility requirements for students in grades K-8 from more than a half-mile to more than one mile; and for grades 9-12 from more than one mile and less than 25 miles to more than 1.5 miles and less than 15 miles.
BoE Winners: Meredith Volpe* (2,256), Dennis Buckstein (2,279), and J. Schreck (2,674).
Communities Served: Holbrook, Holtsville, Farmingville, parts of Lake Grove, Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma, Nesconset, Bohemia, and Bayport.
Three Village CSD
Budget (PASSED): $238,151,502, up 0.84% from last year. It remains within the 2.78% tax levy. Voters approved 1,852-1,110. The budget saw a $6.1 million increase in contractual salaries, a $5.3 million increase in health insurance, a $900,000 increase in other benefits. The budget results in a net reduction of 17.4 teachers full-time equivalent (FTE), ten administrative positions, fourteen non-instructional staff, as well as summer math, Ward Melville H.S. co-curricular, overtime, and use of grants.
BoE Winners: Amitava Das - 1,957 votes (unopposed); Dr. Stanley Bak*2,116 votes (unopposed).
Communities Served: Parts of St. James and Head of the Harbor.
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Monday, June 2, 2025 7:00am – 7:45pm Medical Office Building 48 Route 25A , Smithtown Lower-Level Conference room
To make an appointment please scan the QR code above or call Mary Ellen McCrossen @ (631)469-0989
Sachem CSD
Supreme Court Restores Law Over Politics in TPS Ruling
By Raheem Soto
The Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing the federal government to roll back protections for Venezuelan nationals isn’t about cruelty or callousness—it’s about restoring the principle that law, not sentiment, must govern immigration policy.
For years, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) concept has been misunderstood and misapplied. It was never intended as a backdoor pathway to permanent residency. It was created as a short-term safeguard for individuals from countries facing extraordinary hardship—war, natural disasters, or temporary instability. Yet under recent administrations, particularly the last one, TPS has quietly morphed into a long-term political tool—extended not because conditions improved but because no one wanted to face the backlash of ending it.
When the Trump administration acted to rescind TPS for Venezuelans, it did what the law required: reassessing conditions and making a decision based on statutory authority. But a lower court judge halted that process, not by questioning the facts or the legality, but by alleging that the move was driven by bias and stereotypes. That’s not jurisprudence—that’s speculation. It’s telling that the judge’s decision focused less on the legal process and more on assumed motivations. The implication was that any move to tighten immigration must be rooted in bad faith. That sort of thinking flips the burden of proof and undermines the integrity of our legal system. When courts no longer confine themselves to interpreting the law and instead begin psychoanalyzing policymakers, we move from legal review to political theater.
Only one justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented from the Supreme Court’s decision to let the policy move forward. She offered no written opinion, which leaves one to wonder whether her disagreement was based on constitutional reasoning or ideological instinct. Either way, her silent dissent
contrasts with the Court’s reaffirmation that executive agencies must be able to act within the limits of the law—especially when the statute grants them that discretion.
Critics say this decision threatens hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans with deportation. But this assumes that enforcement of immigration law is inherently unjust. It also ignores the reality on the ground: Venezuela remains unstable, but TPS must be based on whether individuals can safely return—not whether we prefer to keep them here for political or emotional reasons.
It’s also worth noting the inconsistency of those opposing the move. Many of the same voices who cheer executive authority when it expands benefits are now arguing that the courts must intervene to block a rollback. They don’t want consistent rules; they want rules that only go one way.
According to challengers, the Biden Administration had attempted to cement TPS status indefinitely—without going through the proper process. Now, with the policy reversed, they’re arguing the courts have no role in overseeing the Secretary’s actions. In effect, they want immunity when expanding policy and impunity when challenged.
That kind of selective accountability is dangerous.
The rule of law doesn’t bend for emotion; it doesn’t cater to trends. It exists so that the powers of government—whether generous or restrictive—are exercised according to process, not preference. If we abandon that principle in favor of feel-good exceptions, we don’t end up with a more just system. We end up with no system at all.
The Supreme Court didn’t rule against Venezuelans. It ruled in favor of legal limits.
And that is a victory for everyone who believes this nation must be governed by laws, not the moods of the moment.
Credit - Matt Meduri
Smithtown H.S. Student-Athletes
Celebrate College Sports Commitments
Smithtown High School East and West students recently celebrated their commitment to playing sports in college. Some are staying at home and continuing their athletic careers at universities such as Hofstra and LIU, while others are traveling a bit further and heading to Syracuse University and the University of Delaware.
“Today is a day to celebrate all of our student athletes, their parents and their accomplishments,” SCSD Director of Athletics, Jason Lambert, said to the students and family members. “We are very excited that you’re going to be able to represent Smithtown at the next level. Remember, you always have a home here.”
Calling it a “senior college commitment ceremony,” family members smiled, took pictures and applauded, as seniors proudly wore their college colors in two separate ceremonies held at Smithtown High School East and West.
Dharahaas Digs DNA
Smithtown High School East junior, Dharahaas Nalla, has placed third out of more than 1,200 participants worldwide in the American Society of Human Genetics DNA Essay Contest. This year, students weighed the risks and benefits of using artificial intelligence in genetic testing.
Dharahaas had to respond to the following essay prompt: “Artificial intelligence (AI)—advanced computer systems that can quickly analyze large amounts of data—is being used in many areas of healthcare, from diagnosing diseases to recommending treatments. Now, experts are also using AI to help interpret genetic testing results, which examine your DNA to understand your risk for certain diseases or guide treatments. If you had to undergo genetic testing, would you want AI to be used to help make sense of your results?”
The contest included 45 states and 59 countries. For his efforts, Dharahaas has earned $400.
Smithtown High School West Students Visit Veterans
Students in Smithtown High School West’s Chamber Orchestra and Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter #1338 performed for the residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University on May 3.
“We could not be more grateful for the opportunity to bring the joy of music to the men and women who selflessly and courageously served our country in the armed forces,” High School West Orchestra Director, Joseph Cotignola stated.
“We would like to thank all of the distinguished residents for attending our performance and for the many sacrifices they have made for our country. Music is a powerful force that can significantly impact our emotions, well-being and even brain function. It can evoke strong feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and even promote social connection. I am so proud of our students for donating their time and talents and for performing so beautifully today.”
School Highlights
Hauppauge Middle School Tech Ed Students Craft Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts
On May 9, students in Mr. Abruzzi’s technology education class at Hauppauge Middle School put their creativity and craftsmanship to work, designing and building personalized letter block gifts in celebration of Mother’s Day.
The project allowed students to practice essential woodworking skills, including cutting and shaping using coping and scroll saws, sanding and smoothing, as well as wood burning and staining techniques.
Sachem Students Honored for Artistic Excellence at Board Meeting
The Sachem Central School District proudly recognized a group of exceptional high school students for their outstanding achievements in the visual arts at the May 7 Board of Education meeting.
Jacob Ihne, a student at Sachem High School East, earned a coveted spot in Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum exhibition. He was selected as one of only 44 students from over 500 submissions across the region, highlighting his talent and creativity.
Also representing High School East, Isabella Rodriguez was honored for serving as the inaugural Teen Artist in Residence at the Sachem Public Library. Her residency culminated in the creation of a beautiful, permanent mural in the library’s garden, inspired by the natural environment of Long Island.
Several students were also recognized for their accomplishments at the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts Juried Invitational High School Student Art Exhibition:
• Liliana Cirello (High School East, Mrs. DelVallez): Second place, mixed media
• Kim Lee (High School North, Mr. Oswald): First place, photography
• Jahzara Reyes (High School North, Mrs. Provini): Second place, painting
The evening featured a special spotlight on Leah Ratto, a senior at High School East, who not only claimed first place in the painting category but also swept all four of BAFFA’s prestigious specialty awards: 2025 Olivia & Harlan Fischer 2nd Best in Show; 2025 Jacqueline C. Palmer Award; 2025 Bell Street Artists Scholarship; 2025 Women Sharing Art Scholarship.
These recognitions reflect the extraordinary artistic talent flourishing within Sachem schools and the district’s unwavering support for arts education. The Sachem community celebrates these students for their creativity, dedication and excellence.
Smithtown High School West Senior Heading to Science Congress
Smithtown High School West senior Joey Davide has been nominated to present his ecology research at the State Science Congress in Syracuse. Davide finished in the top three in the Ecology category of the Long Island Science Congress out of 93 projects.
Davide investigated the effects of common plastic substitutes, BPS and BPF, on marine organisms. He examined how these plastics affect the viability of algae (Nannochloropsis oculata) and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) at different concentrations. His project is titled “The Ecological Effects of Bisphenol F and Bisphenol S.”
The NYS Science Congress is a culminating event for students who have been given high honor recognition by a NYS regional science fair. It is scheduled to be held in June in Syracuse.
By Matt Meduri
The Necessary Standard for American Education
The Twenty-Third Amendment
The topic of the District of Columbia as a political entity has long been the center of controversy and many compromises over the years. The District has also felt short-changed over the many decades, going so far as to emblazon their license plates with the phrase, “End Taxation Without Representation.”
The Twenty-Third Amendment recognized D.C.’s political status, at least partially, by allowing it to participate in presidential elections.
History and Origin
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens. Published by Messenger
The U.S. Constitution imposes rules for the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to states - not other entities. Thus, members of the Electoral College, each states’ quantities of which are the sum of its congressional district and senators, were reserved for states only.
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution allows Congress to exercise exclusive legislative rights over the seat of the federal government, which is described as “such District (not exceeding ten miles square). Young D.C. was also too sparsely populated to warrant a seat in the House, even if that seat was hypothetical.
The primary reason that Congress held exclusive legislative authority over D.C. and that D.C. did not vote in presidential elections was - and in some cases, is - because of its status as the seat of the federal government. The concept of a district that is explicitly not a state and a district devoid of congressional participation was so no one state would have authority over the nation’s capital.
Congress had created a territorial district for the capital in 1871, by means of the District of Columbia Organic Act in 1871. Charters for the cities of Washington and Georgetown were repealed when the new territorial government was established, which consisted of an appointed governor, an eleven-member council, an elected twenty-two-member assembly, and a board of public works. Although President Ulysses S. Grant (R-OH) charged Governor Alexander Robey Shepherd (R-DC) with modernizing the city, Shepherd bankrupted D.C., leading to Congress’ repealment of the act in 1874. D.C. would remain under exclusive control of Congress until 1973.
Congressional attempts to allow D.C. to vote in presidential elections started in 1888, with Senator Henry Blair’s (R-NH) illfated bill. Newspaper editors began publicizing support for the idea, with a more autonomous D.C. becoming kitchen table issue into the 1940s.
While the idea was supported primarily by liberal Democrats, D.C. was somewhat balanced, with Democrats holding a narrow edge over Republicans in the district. It made giving D.C. as much autonomy as possible a much easier task for the time, as it would become nearly impossible to do so afterward simply by how polarized the issue of outright statehood for D.C has become.
Thus, the amendment was not seen as a partisan measure. It was endorsed by term-limited President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-KS) and both major party candidates ahead of the 1960 election, Richard Nixon (R-CA) and John F. Kennedy (D-MA).
D.C. residents also made the contradiction of taxation without representation known by their license plates. The amendment sought to give them more federal representation if they were expected to pay federal taxes pursuant to the Sixteenth Amendment.
Text
“The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: “A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to
the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.”
The least populous state is Wyoming, which receives three electoral votes. Wyoming is tied with five other states that have the minimum allowable electoral votes: Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont. No state or D.C. can have less than three, as each state is required to have two Senators and at least one House member. D.C.’s electoral votes were capped at three to preserve the balance between the states and the federal district in the Electoral College.
The text also makes D.C.’s electoral votes subject to the terms of the Twelfth Amendment, which is invoked when no candidate receives a majority in the Electoral College.
Ratification
The resolution that would become the Twenty-Third Amendment was proposed by Estes Kefauver (D-TN) in 1959, with two amendments. Senator Kenneth Keating (R-NY) proposed the amendment to award D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections but non-voting delegates to Congress. Senator Spessard Holland (D-FL) proposed the amendment to eliminate the poll tax or property qualifications as prerequisites for voting in federal elections.
The Senate passed the resolution 70-18. The House adopted the bill without amendment.
Hawaii was the first state to ratify on June 23, 1960, followed by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and California. Ohio became the tipping-point state on March 29, 1961, the day before which New Hampshire ratified. Alabama would not ratify until 2002. The amendment was rejected by Arkansas on January 24, 1961. Nine states took no action, all of them aligned with the Old South: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Effects
The District of Columbia participated in its first election in 1964, the same election in which the Electoral College would be brought to full power with the number still used today: 538. The 1964 election was also the first in which the required majority to win the presidency was 270 electoral votes.
Although D.C. was more politically split at the time, it began racing to the left. D.C. is currently the longest voting streak of any electoral vote-awarding constituency for any party in the country: it has backed the Democratic nominee in every election since its first in 1964, all by commanding margins. The best Republican performance in D.C. was that of Richard
Nixon, who, despite his 49-state landslide in 1972, received only 21.56% of the vote in the District of Columbia to George McGovern (D-SD).
In 1973, Congress passed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allowed the Council of the District of Columbia certain legislative prerogatives, albeit subject to congressional override. D.C. would use this home rule, most notably in 2010, when it voted to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states and D.C. that whoever wins the national popular vote receives agreeing states’ electoral votes, regardless of winners of each state. D.C. is joined by seventeen states, including New York, on this initiative.
The Home Rule Act established a mayoral office and a thirteen-member elected council. In 1970, President Nixon signed the District of Columbia Delegate Act, allowing D.C. voters to elect a non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives. Like the non-voting delegates from the five American territories - such as Puerto Rico and Guamthe delegate can sponsor legislation and sit on committees, but cannot cast floor votes - those that decide the passage or failure of a bill.
The District of Columbia’s non-voting delegate is Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). Having served since 1991, Norton is the third and longest-served D.C. delegate in its history. Walter Fauntroy (D-DC) held the seat from its creation in 1971 until his unsuccessful run for D.C. Mayor in 1990. D.C. has technically had a Republican delegate, although it was back in the Organic Act days of the 1870s. Norton P. Chipman (R) served as D.C.’s sole delegate from the creation of his constituency in 1871 until its abolition in 1874.
D.C. is also one of two constituencies - the other being Puerto Rico - to elect shadow representatives to Congress. Shadow representatives have been sparingly used for territorial governments before. The first were the shadow representatives of the Southwest Territory - now Tennesseewhen they were elected in 1796. The territories of Michigan, California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Alaska all had shadow representatives before they achieved statehood.
The purpose of a shadow representative is solely to advocate for their territory’s statehood. They differ from the non-voting delegates in that they have no legislative power and are not seated by their respective chamber of Congress. D.C. is no exception today; Its two shadow Senators are Paul Strauss (D) and Ankit Jain (D). No Republican has ever been elected a D.C. Shadow Senator, but Jesse Jackson (D) was elected as one of its first in 1990. He retired after one term.
D.C.’s shadow House representative is Oye Owolewa (D), who has served since 2021. No Republican has ever been elected to this post.
D.C. statehood has been on the table since 1978, when Congress submitted a proposed constitutional amendment, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment, which would have granted D.C. full congressional representation as if it were a state. It was never ratified by its deadline date of August 22, 1985.
The movement for D.C. statehood continues in earnest, with the most recent statehood push having been in 2021. The Democratic trifecta on Capitol Hill resulted in a 216-208 affirmative vote on a bill that would have admitted D.C. as the fifty-first state. The vote was purely party-line - Democrats in favor and Republicans against - with four Republicans and two Democrats not voting.
Statehood for the District of Columbia is absolutely seen on more political grounds today than it was in the 1950s and 1960s. The most liberal voting constituency in the nation effectively would guarantee two Democratic U.S. Senators and a Democratic House member to Congress.
Smithtown Residents Turn Out in Record Numbers for Hazardous Waste Collection
By Raheem Soto
The Town of Smithtown recently held its annual Earth Day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event—one of the most successful in town history. Over the course of a single day, 651 households participated, resulting in the collection of more than 37.2 tons of hazardous waste.
The program, administered by the Department of Environment and Waterways (DEW) in coordination with the Municipal Services Facility (MSF), was the first of three collection events planned for the year. It focused on properly disposing of materials that cannot be placed in standard curbside collection, including chemicals, batteries, and flammable substances.
The volume of waste collected was notable, but more important were the implications. Items removed from circulation included mercury, gasoline, oil-based paints, paint thinners, pesticides, corrosives, and other toxic substances that, if mishandled, can pose long-term risks to water quality, air safety, and soil health.
Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) credited the strong turnout to both civic awareness and operational efficiency.
“It was truly uplifting to witness our community unite in record numbers for the first of three Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events this year,” said Wehrheim in a statement. “Thanks to the dedication of our environmentally conscious residents— and the exceptional teamwork of the MSF staff, Public Safety Fire Marshals, DEW crew, Reworld, and our trusted contractor Radiac—we are actively protecting Smithtown’s drinking water, parks, air, and treasured waterways.”
This year’s event also included targeted waste diversion focused on lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, and mercury-containing devices. Though common in households, these items present a particular risk when placed in regular garbage streams due to their flammability and toxicity.
To encourage participation, Reworld (formerly Covanta) provided over 150 $5
Home Depot gift cards to residents recycling hazardous items. one hundred twelve propane tanks were collected during the event, a new high for the town.
Solid Waste Coordinator Michael Engelmann emphasized the importance of public involvement, even under poor weather conditions.
“The rain didn’t stop hundreds of residents from responsibly disposing of potentially hazardous chemicals and products,” he said. “Participating in the Town’s Hazardous Household Waste collection events profoundly impacts protecting our drinking water, air, and natural resources.”
Alongside the collection drive, residents were offered reusable coffee K-cups as part of a broader effort to promote environmentally conscious habits. While such items may seem minor, they reflect a consistent message: small choices, scaled across a community, lead to measurable results.
The event’s success was the result of coordination among departments and external partners. The Town acknowledged several key personnel, including Environmental Director David Barnes, MSF Director Matt Laux, DEW Senior Analyst Rich Kitt, MSF Foreman Tommy Passariello, and Environmental Technician Brooke Ferreira. Staff from Reworld and Radiac Environmental Services played a central role in the execution.
Future HHW collection events are scheduled for July 12 and October 4, 2025, and are limited to Smithtown residents. Proof of residency will be required upon entry.
Residents may also drop off electronic waste—TVs, monitors, computers, and household batteries—year-round at the Town Recycling Center at 85 Old Northport Road. The center also offers free mulch.
As with most things, success was not spontaneous. It was the result of preparation, follow-through, and community participation. The waste is gone, but the example remains.
Kennedy Honors Michael Kaufman for Jewish American Heritage Month
By Cait Crudden
In a heartfelt ceremony held at the H. Lee Dennison Building earlier this month, Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) honored Michael Kaufman as the Twelfth Legislative District’s nominee for Jewish American Heritage Month. The event, co-hosted by the Suffolk County Legislature, County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), and the Suffolk County Jewish Advisory Board, highlighted the contributions of Jewish Americans across Long Island and celebrated local leaders who embody the spirit of service, dedication, and cultural heritage.
Each Suffolk County legislator was invited to nominate an individual of Jewish heritage who has made a significant impact in their district. For Kennedy, Michael Kaufman stood out as a clear choice, a respected community leader with decades of service and an impressive record of professional achievement.
“Michael Kaufman is not only a man of knowledge and vision, he’s a true pillar of our community,” said Legislator Kennedy. “His contributions have touched nearly every aspect of life in Suffolk County, from environmental stewardship to historic preservation. It is an honor to recognize him for Jewish American Heritage Month.”
Born in June 1957 in Nassau County, Kaufman has spent most of his life on Long Island. In 1980, he settled in the scenic Village of Nissequogue, a place he has helped shape through both civic engagement and professional expertise. Kaufman is a proud graduate of Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and History while also studying civil engineering. He later received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law. This unique blend of disciplines; law, history, and engineering has positioned Kaufman as a multifaceted leader whose insight bridges infrastructure, policy, and preservation.
Kaufman currently serves as the Vice Chair of three influential Suffolk County entities: the Suffolk County Planning Commission, the Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality, and the Suffolk County Historic Trust. These roles have placed him at the forefront of critical planning and conservation efforts across the county.
Among his most notable accomplishments is the development of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for both Nissequogue and Head of the Harbor, initiatives aimed at balancing environmental protection with thoughtful development. He has also overseen 10 major dredging projects throughout Suffolk County. These projects are vital for maintaining navigable waterways and supporting local ecosystems.
In addition, Kaufman has been instrumental in crafting Environmental Impact Statements, guiding public and private projects to ensure they meet regulatory and sustainability standards. He has even contributed to the writing of sewer codes, demonstrating his attention to the essential infrastructure that supports community growth and health.
“Michael’s breadth of knowledge is extraordinary,” said Kennedy. “Whether it’s legal frameworks, historical preservation, or environmental engineering, he brings a rare combination of experience and passion to every challenge.”
Kaufman’s relationship with the Twelfth Legislative District office extends beyond his official capacities. Kennedy affectionately referred to him as a “frequent flyer” at her office, praising his continued engagement and his willingness to share his time and expertise with others.
“Michael is someone we know we can call on,” Kennedy added. “His insight has been invaluable to our district, and we’re proud to call him not just a colleague, but a friend.”
The Jewish American Heritage Month celebration in Suffolk County offered an opportunity to reflect not only on the contributions of Jewish Americans historically but also on the ways today’s leaders are shaping the future.
Michael Kaufman’s nomination is a testament to the power of public service, the importance of community involvement, and the enduring legacy of Jewish heritage in Suffolk County.
As Legislator Kennedy concluded, “It is leaders like Michael who remind us of the strength that comes from dedication, knowledge, and compassion. We thank him for all he’s done and continues to do for our community.”
CreditTown of Smithtown
CreditLegislator
Kennedy’s Office
By Raheem Soto
Swift Justice: D.A. Tierney Responds to Riverhead Stabbings
Two violent, unprovoked stabbings in Riverhead earlier this month have left residents shaken—and renewed attention on how local justice is served when random violence disrupts everyday life.
The accused, 23-year-old Rene Alexander Elias Chaj, a Guatemalan national, now faces four felony charges: two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted, he faces up to fourteen years in prison.
What unfolded on May 2 was not part of any dispute or known altercation. The attacks appear to have been entirely random, according to investigators. The first victim was seated at the Time to Eat Deli on West Main Street when he was stabbed in the left side without warning. He was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. Roughly thirty minutes later, the second victim—seated on a Suffolk County Transit bus and looking down at his phone—was stabbed in the side, puncturing his lung.
Chaj was apprehended quickly by Southampton Town Police after fleeing the bus on foot. Officers reported that he was found in possession of a Ziplock bag containing a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
He was arraigned on May 16 before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins ordered him held on $300,000 cash bail, or up to $3 million in secured bond. Chaj is scheduled to return to court on June 4, 2025. The investigation was led by Detective Erika Moncada (Southampton PD) and Detective Richard Anderson (Riverhead PD), and ADA Ashley Stapleton of the Major Crime Bureau is prosecuting the case.
District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) released a statement following the indictment, stating, “Random acts of violence are chilling. The safety of our residents is my highest priority, and I will vigorously prosecute this case to ensure justice for the victims and protection for our community.”
conference, no theatrics—just the steady function of a local justice system that, when allowed to do its job, does it effectively.
The message was straightforward, and the actions that followed were equally so. No press
There is something worth noting in that. While public discourse often focuses on what laws should exist or what reforms might be passed, what is frequently overlooked is the quiet strength of enforcement itself—the institutional muscle of a county-level system that holds people accountable, no matter the circumstance.
Suffolk County saw over 1,400 aggravated assaults in 2023 alone. In Riverhead, the odds of becoming a victim of violent or property crime are roughly 1 in 47, according to NeighborhoodScout. That means what happened earlier this month, as disturbing as it was, is not unimaginable—and it is why prosecutorial clarity matters.
Whether it is a street crime, gang case, or highlevel corruption probe, what defines an effective District Attorney’s office is what it promises and delivers without fanfare. For many in Suffolk County, this case served as a reminder that stability is maintained not by slogans but by seriousness. When that seriousness is matched with urgency, the system works—quietly, efficiently, and, as it did here, in defense of ordinary people just trying to live their lives in peace.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
100 Days of MAHA
By Kamden Mulder | AMAC Contributor
While President Donald Trump marked his 100th day in office in late April, the 100th day for Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will come this week on May 24. Following a highprofile confirmation battle that concluded with a 5248 vote in the Senate on February 13, here’s what Kennedy has been up to over his first 100 days in his crusade to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Major Structural Overhaul of HHS
Upon assuming office, Secretary Kennedy wasted no time launching the most dramatic restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services in decades. In lockstep with President Trump’s effort to reduce government bloat through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Kennedy spearheaded a bold initiative to downsize his department’s workforce by nearly 25 percent — eliminating over 20,000 positions. The move, which brought the total HHS headcount down from 82,000 to 62,000, stunned the Washington establishment but signaled Kennedy’s commitment to results over bureaucracy.
Appearing on NewsNation with Stephen A. Smith, Kennedy responded directly to critics who claimed the department could not function with such a reduced staff. “During the Biden administration, my agency grew by 38 percent and Americans got sicker,” he said. “It’s not throwing money at it or hiring people that is solving the problem. Ninety-five percent of our health care budget is going to chronic disease… Seventy-four percent of our kids cannot qualify for military service. So this is an existential threat to our national security… It’s an existential threat to our economy, and we have to narrowly focus on that. That’s what the new HHS is doing.”
This focused realignment also saw the formation of a new entity: the Administration for a Healthy America, or AHA. By consolidating several fragmented public health agencies, AHA is designed to increase accountability and prioritize Kennedy’s central mission—reversing the chronic disease epidemic plaguing American families.
Vaccine Policy Revisions
One of Kennedy’s most watched – and most misunderstood – policy shifts came in the form of revised federal vaccine policy.
Throughout his presidential campaign and confirmation process, Kennedy’s critics smeared him as an “anti-vaxxer,” falsely claiming that he is opposed to all vaccines. However, as Kennedy repeatedly made clear, he only wants to ensure that all vaccines are held to the highest testing and safety standards, that claims about potential harms from vaccines are given a fair hearing, and that Americans have the most accurate, up-to-date information possible when making health decisions for themselves and their children.
To this end, Kennedy has directed the FDA to revise its standards to require that all new vaccines undergo placebo-controlled clinical trials, a gold standard in evidence-based medicine that had often been waived in favor of expedited approvals. After decades of the pharmaceutical industry holding immense influence over public health officials, Kennedy is finally breaking that grip and ensuring that vaccine policy is driven by science, not corporate dollars.
In a sharp reversal from the Biden administration, the HHS under Kennedy also announced last week that it will no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for children and pregnant women, and the FDA is reportedly planning to “re-assess” the risks and benefits of COVID-19 booster shots.
There could well be more changes to federal vaccine policy in the months and years ahead as more data becomes available. In his first address to department staff after taking office, Kennedy said a commission would investigate the childhood vaccination schedule, questioning whether it was among “possible factors” tied to poor health in the U.S. He also reportedly has plans for a long-term study on potential links between vaccines and autism.
In both of these instances, Kennedy has been careful to note that he wants to avoid arriving at any predetermined conclusions. His goal, as he has repeatedly stated, is to let the science and research guide the way.
Battling
Dishonest Democrat & Media Narratives
Kennedy’s appointment sparked an immediate backlash from legacy media outlets and establishment figures within the public health world.
But true to form, Kennedy hasn’t flinched. He has pointed to the corporate media’s complicity in covering up failures of Big Pharma and accused many journalists of parroting talking points that protect profit margins rather than public health.
That began during his confirmation hearing, when he specifically called out Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and other members of Congress for accepting millions of dollars in donations from pharmaceutical companies. Kennedy has also exposed how HHS became a “collaborator for child trafficking” during the Biden administration, dismantled media scaremongering about measles, and torched Democrats for spreading lies about Medicaid fraud.
Rather than play defense, Kennedy has gone on offense, taking advantage of new communication platforms to bypass legacy media gatekeepers and speak directly to the American people. In doing so, he’s shifting the terms of the public health debate and making space for previously silenced voices.
Research and Public Health Initiatives
One of the earliest and most visionary moves of Kennedy’s tenure was the creation of the Make America Healthy Again Commission,
Overview - AMAC -
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formed under Executive Order 14212. Its mission: to investigate the root causes of the chronic disease explosion in American children. The commission’s scope is ambitious, examining the impact of childhood vaccines, SSRIs, pesticides, food additives, environmental toxins, and ultra-processed diets.
“We will convene representatives of all viewpoints to study the causes of a drastic rise in chronic disease. Some of the possible factors we will investigate were formerly taboo, or insufficiently scrutinized,” Kennedy explained. “Nothing is going to be off limits.”
The need for such a commission is indisputable. According to UCLA Health, one in three young Americans suffers from a chronic health condition that significantly affects their quality of life. Kennedy has promised concrete answers by August.
Autism is also under the microscope. Citing the staggering increase in diagnoses – from one in 150 children two decades ago to one in 31 today – Kennedy has classified autism as a public health emergency. His department has pledged to uncover the root causes
Continued on page 21
WHERE BROADWAY MEETS MAIN STREET
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology: Latin “duplicitas”, meaning “doubleness.”
Source:
DUPLICITOUS
adjective
Pronounced: /doo·pli·suh·tuhs/
Definition: deceitful; (of a charge or plea) containing more than one allegation.
Example: “The elected officials find the new even-year election law as a duplicitous action by Albany.”
Synonyms: deceptive, underhanded, dishonest
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
(please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
May 24, 1844: Samuel Morse taps out “What hath God wrought” in the world’s first telegraph message.
May 23, 1785: Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals.
May 21, 1968: Sandra Bacher, American halfheavyweight judoka (Olympics, 1992, 1996), born on Long Island.
May 26, 1896: Dow Jones Industrial Average begins with an average of 12 industrial stocks, the
May 25, 1961: JFK announces US goal of putting a man on the Moon before the end of decade.
May 22, 1843: First wagon train departs Independence, Missouri for Oregon with 700-1,000 migrants.
Time Keeps on Ticking
By PJ Balzer
I usually stop to grab a late morning coffee on the go. I have a few different coffee stores I frequent, but of course the one with the drive through is the fastest and most convenient.
But I’ve been feeling really nostalgic this past week; plus, this specific day I’m referring to was a nice spring day with a perfect breeze. So, I decided to sit on the sidewalk outside the coffee store to drink my coffee and just take the moment in without hurrying off to the next responsibility.
Life can often be pretty mundane, especially as we age. We wake up and just do the same routine that we did the day before. There’s nothing wrong with that. Yet, in this specific season of my own life, a lot of change is happening both seen and unseen. People are aging, changing, moving back home, and moving far away. Children I once knew are graduating, some are now having their own children. If I keep blinking without actually looking, I may just miss it all.
This school year seemed to literally fly by. It seems like yesterday that social media was bombarded with first-day pictures. In another week or two, it will be bombarded with prom and graduation pictures. On Instagram specifically, many seniors are posting their final time in a high school uniform with some sentimental last words. As I’m reading and replying to a few of them, I’m also thinking, “Didn’t I just wish you a happy first day of middle school yesterday?”
Watching some of these kids play in youth leagues feels to me like yesterday. A specific few were moved up to the varsity level in eighth grade, so we followed them all over the Island. We watched them grow, compete, and then become who they competed against a few years ago. They were middle school kids running after seasoned varsity players. In the blink of an eye, they are turning in their high school uniform to begin a brand-new chapter in their life. College, the work world, independence, and adulthood. I always pray that they’re able to make good decisions once the rigid high school structure is gone. I also wish at times that things could stay the same forever or at least for a little longer.
But they won’t; they are changing and will continue doing so.
My wife is beginning a brand-new job in a different school district this week. By the time you’re reading this, she’ll have a new office in a different place with completely different coworkers than she did last week. While this change is undoubtedly wonderful and an open door that we’ve been hoping for, her last job has been really formative and monumental. She had no intention initially of working in a school district or with children.
But as the door flung wide open, she just walked through feeling unqualified. So much has changed since then. The job has also provided some great memories with families and children we’ve come to care for. To be honest, it’s been a richer blessing to our hearts than our pockets. The green paper comes and goes really easily; the blessings that our hearts receive tend to remain.
My parents are both approaching seventy years old. While they could possibly still have another twenty years left on this earth, the majority of their time is behind them and behind us. As are the stronger years where it seemed that Mom and Dad were totally invincible. It seemed that they never got sick, couldn’t be slowed down, and could do it all while living forever. Then you reach the point in your life when you can hear Earth’s clock ticking a little louder than before. When you’re a child or teenager, you don’t understand the fragility of life. As an adult, you’re confronted with it often.
My little brother and sister are now married adults with growing families. When did that happen? Between my youngest brother and I, there’s a ten-year difference. When I was eighteen and graduating high school, he was only eight. Now he’s a successful career man with a beautiful and growing family, and he’s also loving the dad life. My sister is now spending the weekends at soccer games, birthday parties, and play dates, living and loving the “super mom” life.
100 Days of MAHA
and halt the trend, no matter where the evidence leads.
Elsewhere, Kennedy has taken bold steps to rein in risky federal research. He suspended certain NIH-run infectious disease programs, including gain-of-function studies, citing safety concerns and lack of public accountability.
Streamlining Nutrition and Welfare Policies
Kennedy has taken decisive action to confront the food crisis fueling much of America’s chronic illness. One of his first moves was banning petroleum-based food dyes – such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 – that have been linked to cancer and behavioral problems. These dyes, still allowed by the FDA despite known risks, are now on their way out under HHS enforcement.
Kennedy is also working in tandem with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to revise the 2025 – 2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For the first time, the guidelines will emphasize MAHA values: whole foods, reduced sugar, and nutrient-rich meals. “The 10th Edition milestone provides an opportunity for HHS to support healthy eating and Make America Healthy Again,” the HHS website now declares.
Beyond that, Kennedy has launched Operation Stork Speed to ensure safer, more nutritious baby formula for American infants. He is also reforming the FDA’s “Generally Recognized As Safe” designation, which has long allowed questionable additives into the
food supply with little oversight. And in a move applauded by food reform advocates, he has backed state-level restrictions on junk food purchases through SNAP.
Taking Health Sovereignty to the States
Kennedy’s MAHA vision has sparked a nationwide movement. “We’ve had a wave. I think we have MAHA legislation now in 36 states,” he said recently. These state-level initiatives are building on the federal effort, supporting reforms in school lunches, vaccine mandates, food labeling, and mental health programs.
With Kennedy at the helm, HHS is no longer a sluggish bureaucracy. It’s a nimble force for reform, willing to challenge entrenched interests in medicine, agriculture, and industry. By supporting both federal and state-level MAHA policies, Kennedy is creating a durable foundation for long-term public health improvement.
In just 100 days, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has redefined HHS’s role in building a healthier America. He has transformed a bloated agency into a focused instrument of national renewal. He has brought long-suppressed debates into the light. He has dared to ask the hard questions – and begun to find answers.
During his confirmation process, Kennedy promised to “remove the financial and political shackles from science and public health.” 100 days later, that promise is already taking shape. The mission to Make America Healthy Again is not just a slogan – it is a strategy, a philosophy, and a revolution.
a lot less time than they’ll be big. We also realize that it’s easy to form a strong, loving bond with them when they’re small. It’s not as easy to do that when they’re not.
As you most likely already know my own community had two sudden and tragic losses this past school year. In what was literally a single moment of time both Coach Darrell Sumpter and Adrian Gillmore were gone from us, both leaving families and children behind. Many people in my community have really impactful and lifelong moments and memories with them that we’re able to share and cling to, which has left me thinking this past week, “Maybe we should all focus on making more of them with each other.”
We live extremely fast in America, especially today in the age of constant connection through social media. There’s always a to-do list looming, messages to answer, and events to attend. It’s common to be at one event yet answering messages about the next one. Living at that speed leaves us so little time for reflection, some nostalgia, and just taking in the moment and story that is playing out before our eyes right now.
Someone once shared with me a quote I’ve carried around for years now and refer back to often.
“I’ve seen many people lose everything in life through fire, flood, sickness, tragedy, and extremely unfortunate circumstances. I’ve also seen many of them gain it back. But I’ve never seen a person gain any time back. Once time is gone it’s gone forever.”
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Samoset Music Room Named for Chris Macchio and Bob Gerstenberg
By Matt Meduri
A legend often doesn’t rise alone. Behind every legend is almost invariably a master without whom one’s true potential might be unrealized.
This sums up the relationship between Chris Macchio, a Sachem North alumnus and “America’s Tenor”, and his high school chorus teacher, Bob Gerstenberg.
The music room at Samoset Middle School in Lake Ronkonkoma, of the Sachem Central School District, has been renamed the Robert Gerstenberg and Christopher Macchio Music Room.
“Recognizing the lifelong love of music and the bond between a dedicated educator and a talented student-musician,” reads the plaque under the gentlemen’s names. “Gerstenberg spent over thirty years teaching music at Sachem, and Macchio, who graduated in 1996, became America’s Presidential Tenor and an international classical crossover vocalist.”
Macchio returned to his stomping grounds last Friday, while Gerstenberg beamed in through Zoom from his home in South Carolina, both to take part in the dedication ceremony.
“It was in this actual music room that Bob said to Chris, ‘go, do great things,’” said Chris Vaccaro, Sachem alum and president of the Sachem Education Foundation. “When there’s a really special connection, when a teacher touches the life of a student in an impactful way that can change the course of history –that’s what Bob did with Chris. We honor the people who came before us to inspire the next generation. We’re really proud of our alumni who make a difference through their God-given abilities.”
Gerstenberg recounted the humorous story of how he was initially hired in Sachem.
“I got my job when my wife interviewed in Sachem, and I didn’t have an appointment or anything. They asked her what her husband does. I was in shorts, I hadn’t shaved, and they hired me,” said Gerstenberg. “That was the start.”
Gerstenberg would go on to teach for three decades as Sachem’s schools, directing the choirs at different grade levels. He was and is especially known for his virtuosic piano skills. Students coming into class would often hear the Juilliard graduate playing the etudes of Frédéric Chopin flawlessly.
“We were aware of what he was capable of. In addition to this talent, he had the heart of an educator in imbuing a passion and love of music into the students. I had a tremendous understanding and respect for who he was musically and pedagogically,” said Macchio of his mentor.
Macchio worked hard to keep his hidden talent a secret, going so far as to not sing in the shower if his family was home. The mutual realization of Macchio’s gift arrived when Gerstenberg insisted Macchio sing for him to gauge his voice for a position in the choir.
“One day, Mr. Gerstenberg had asked us to perform a few bars individually in front of everyone else so he could gauge where he should place us on the risers. I flatly rejected,” said Macchio. “The whole point of being in a chorus of a hundred kids is that so nobody knows what’s coming out of my mouth. I was hiding behind the other students. He and I went back and forth for a few minutes. I told him, ‘You could fail me or throw me out of the room’. I was scared to death. I was so scared to make myself vulnerable.”
What transpired shortly thereafter would change Macchio’s life, in the classic legendmaster fashion.
“At the end of class, everyone filed out and I was always the last one out gathering my things. He asked me, since we were alone, to sing,” said Macchio.
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” was Gerstenberg’s reaction. He started pulling out sheet music, asking if Macchio could sing the selections. Macchio recounts bars from The Phantom of the Opera as one of Gerstenberg’s repertoire choices.
“He sat me down and said, “Christopher, what exactly do you think you’ll be doing with your life?’” said Macchio. “I said that I’d practice law.”
“He said, ‘that is the wrong answer. I’ve taught here for twenty-some odd years; thousands of students have passed through these doors, and I haven’t heard a voice like this. You have a gift from God and obligation to share that gift,’” said Macchio, recounting
his teacher’s words to him.
“I was really ambivalent about it. On one hand, it was a nice thing to hear, but on the other, I was sick to my stomach. I was thinking that my secret was going to get out. I wouldn’t even sing in the shower unless I was home alone. I had a sense right then that something had really shifted. It was my opportunity to shift my mental focus from strictly academic,” said Macchio.
Macchio would learn to embrace the talent, delivering a rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic as his first performance. He says that he was surprised not only to see his father after the concert, but that his father had tears in eyes, in joyous disbelief of his son’s talent.
“’Where did this voice come from? I had no idea that you had any musical talent whatsoever,’” recounted Macchio of his father’s words to him.
“Bob did me a tremendous service in encouraging and discerning that talent, so I’m extremely grateful for what it did for me personally. I think it’s very beautiful what it represents, insofar as this intergenerational thing. For a teacher to spark and ignite that passion for music and connect with audiences; that’s why I think there is meaning in naming this room after Bob and myself to communicate that fact, that connection between educator and student and I hope that that occurrence and the meaning underneath it is conveyed to the students that walk through these doors in the years to come and that similar experiences are had and similar talents are unearthed in a similar manner,” said Macchio. “Whoever occupies this room will share Bob’s drive to sustain that kind of passion for music and appreciation for culture. I also hope that the people who administrate the budgets and vote on those budgets also will bear this occurrence and others like it in mind when they’re weighing their priorities and where they would like to allocate resources. At the end of the day, it’s such an integral part of beautifully articulating the universal realities of the human condition. It’s rooms like these that sustain those efforts.”
Macchio has since developed a career as a international singer, with his life-long friend and fellow Sachem alum Louis “Uncle Louie” Gregory, who serves as Macchio’s manager. Macchio gained fame for performing at the 2024 Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) return rally to Butler, Pennsylvania, after his assassination attempt, and at Trump’s inauguration in January. His performance at the inauguration made him the first male singer since 2005 to sing the anthem at the ceremony.
In addition to performing as a soloist, the Holbrook native has run with the New York Tenors. Macchio has sold out concerts at some of the most prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. Last year, he made his Hollywood film debut as “Giovanni the singer” in the biopic Cabrini, followed by a singing appearance in the mafia comedy Don Q
Gerstenberg is retired and still gives piano recitals in South Carolina.
Macchio closed the dedication ceremony with the final bars of perhaps the most well-known aria in the operatic repertoire, “Nessun Dorma” – wildly popularized by the late Luciano Pavarotti – of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot.
Sometimes, the most profound discoveries can occur in the most innocuous of places. The music room at Samoset Middle School might be just another room for some schoolchildren, but to others, it could very well be a gateway to greatness for another legend in the making.
CreditMatt Meduri
Macchio speaks with Gerstenberg over Zoom
Macchio and Louis “Uncle Louie” Gregory (right)
Macchio performs Nessun Dorma in the Samoset Music Room
Local History
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Memorial Day – The Day Created by Congress for Our KIA
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is one of the federal holidays in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel ‘Who Died While Serving’ in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
It is a day for visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the military personnel who died in the line of duty. Volunteers will place American flags on the graves of those military personnel in national cemeteries. Others such as family and friends will also come to lay flowers and grieve on the graves of those who died while in the US military in resting places near their homes.
The first national observance of Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868. Then known as Decoration Day and observed on May 30, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the American Civil War. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it.
However, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams with originating the “idea of strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers—Union and Confederate” with flowers. As secretary, Mrs. Williams was tasked with writing a letter to the ladies of the South to inaugurate an annual holiday to decorate the soldiers’ graves. It is for this letter that she is best remembered. She was also Trustee and Chairman of the Orphan Asylum and Trustee of the Georgia Memorial Association along with Mary Jane Green. She remained active in these organizations until the end of her life.
Mrs. Williams died on April 15, 1874, less than two weeks before the ninth observance of Memorial Day in Columbus, Ohio. Her funeral was held on April 16 and was attended by the Columbus Guards. Ten days later, at the end of the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremonies, the battalion of the Columbus and City Light Guards stacked arms. Then, each soldier proceeded to Mrs. Williams’ grave, and one-byone laid a rose on her grave as they passed - n incredible honor for the woman who made this happen.
Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873. By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The world wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who fought and died in service, now including every War since the Civil War. In 1968, Congress changed its observance to the last Monday in May, and in 1971 standardized its name as “Memorial Day.”
Two other days celebrate those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military- Armed Forces Day, which is earlier in May, an unofficial U.S. holiday for honoring those currently serving in the armed forces, and Veterans Day on November 11, which honors all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is the proper day to thank all Armed Forces who have served.
The Origins of Memorial Day in quick read: Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
The ceremonies centered around the mourning, notably the draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of General Robert E. Lee, which was honored as part of the Ceremony. General Robert E. Lee has been coined one of the two outstanding Generals in the US Army of all time, by Generals then and now. Various Washington officials, including General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant (R-OH), presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from
the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns. The origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South, where most of the war dead were buried.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) declared Waterloo, New York, the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local Veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community- wide or one-time events.
By the end of the Nineteenth century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.
In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays. Some States still have Confederate Observances.
George Cristino, a local student and author, has completed his research and development of Historic Lake Ronkonkoma Killed in Action and has written a book that will set the record straight as to the importance and respect they had for their families and community. All of them lost their lives while saving others while fighting for our country, in foreign battles with no last hug of comfort from their familiesbrave men, who do not deserve just a sparsely attended parade the day after a carnival. George Crispino discovered twenty-three Killed in Action, and each has their story and a letter from their current timeline next of kin that will allow us to become better acquainted with them and their lives in our community before their valiant death. True dedication to those who left our village to ultimately face death as they fought for our freedom.
On Wednesday May 20, 2025, family and friends gathered to honor their loved one who had been Killed in Action and gave their prayers to the remaining men. Seven period-correct wreaths representing the seven wars were placed on the Raynor Park Memorial in their honor. The Historic Lake Ronkonkoma KIAs are: Robert Ackerly, John Arthur Bosch, Edward Carmick, William T. Cleary, Alexander N. DiGuardia, William Glen Ferguson Jr., Walter W. French, Davis Lloyd Girardet, Charles Richard Greene, William Merrit Hallock, Frank Calvin Huff, Clifford L. Koeppel, Anthony N. LaPardo, Paul Ivan Maher, Albert Martin, Gerald Mattera, David J. Melhop, Stephen F. Palazzola, Damon Ligouri Ritchie, John C. Sandstone, Eugene G. Sauer, Wayne E. Skolits, and Edward S. Wissig. They include Revolutionary War to the current era.
The ceremony on Wednesday was also a meeting of the minds, and a day of recognition is being planned for early August 2025. The true meaning of the Memorial Day KIAs and the importance of the 580-plus Veterans we have in town cannot be commercialized and overlooked any longer. The honored names of our Killed in Action will be correctly displayed in their place of honor and properly announced by George Cristino. THEY deserve the thanks. THEY deserve our attention on Memorial Day
Parade Color Guard, 1949
Declaration Day Ceremony at a local burial ground
Current memorial, wreaths placed on 5-20-2025 for our KIA
By Mollie Barnett
AI Takes Center Stage at Long Island’s Largest B2B Trade Show
In a business landscape increasingly shaped by technological evolution, artificial intelligence has emerged as the defining force of 2025’s trade show circuit. On Thursday, May 29, the HIA Trade Show will continue this trend, welcoming over 5,000 business professionals and showcasing more than 375 exhibitors at the Suffolk Credit Union Arena in Brentwood.
The event, presented in partnership with Sands New York, represents Long Island’s largest B2B gathering and places AI squarely at its center— mirroring industry shows from the National Retail Federation’s January conference to the HIMSS Global Health Conference in March.
Google Workspace Executive Headlines Event
Harris Beber, Global Head of Marketing for Google Workspace, will deliver the event’s keynote address during the Executive Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. His presentation, “Demystifying AI: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters for Your Business,” promises to cut through industry jargon while delivering actionable insights for Long Island businesses.
Beber, previously CMO of Vimeo and recognized by Forbes as one of the nation’s top marketing executives, brings substantial credibility to the AI conversation. His expertise in translating complex technology into business value makes him particularly well-positioned to address the concerns of Long Island’s diverse business community.
Attendees can expect Beber to provide a practical AI primer that distinguishes between machine learning capabilities and science fiction myths, while demonstrating how tools like Gemini enhance rather than replace existing business applications.
“AI is a co-pilot, not an autopilot,” Beber has noted at previous engagements, emphasizing his philosophy of augmenting human capability rather than replacing it.
His approach aligns with what Long Island businesses need most: concrete applications rather than theoretical concepts. Expect demonstrations of Duet and Gemini AI tools drafting emails, summarizing meetings, analyzing data, and creating branded presentations—all particularly valuable for organizations with limited resources.
For Long Island’s regulated industries, Beber will likely address critical concerns around data privacy, intellectual property ownership, and security compliance frameworks including SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Local Expertise Takes the Stage
The trade show will feature prominent Long Island technology leaders sharing their AI expertise throughout the day.
Anthony Buonaspina, CEO of LI Tech Advisors, will deliver a tech talk between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.
“80% of everything is about to change,” Buonaspina asserts, “and 20% of it is about to be multiplied by 1000.”
His perspective underscores the urgency for Long Island businesses to develop comprehensive AI strategies that balance innovation with practical implementation.
AI Exhibitors Showcase Practical Solutions
The HIA-LI Trade Show floor will feature numerous companies offering AI-enhanced products and services tailored to Long Island’s business community.
Notable exhibitors include NICE, a global provider of customer experience software. Their Enlighten AI™ platform analyzes customer interactions to improve service quality and operational efficiency—particularly valuable for Long Island’s service sector.
For organizations concerned with cybersecurity, multiple vendors are presenting AI-driven protection systems. SecureTech Group and CCP Solutions both showcase advanced threat detection platforms that leverage machine learning to identify emerging risks and automate response protocols.
The financial technology sector is represented by KadePay, whose AI fraud detection systems offer small businesses enterprise-grade transaction security through machine learning algorithms that identify suspicious patterns in real-time.
The SMART Company, a comprehensive AI solutions provider that moves beyond traditional consulting to deliver end-to-end transformation services. The firm combines strategic guidance with hands-on execution, offering integration engineering, policy development, and operational adaptation—effectively preparing organizations for the AI shift with a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the strategic vision and technical implementation challenges that businesses face when navigating artificial intelligence adoption.
Why It Matters for Long Island
The AI focus at this year’s HIA-LI Trade Show reflects broader economic realities for Long Island businesses. As regional companies compete with larger corporations, artificial intelligence offers a potential equalizer— allowing smaller organizations to enhance productivity and customer experience without proportional increases in staffing.
For manufacturing firms and service providers across Nassau and Suffolk counties, AI adoption represents an opportunity to maintain competitive advantage through intelligent automation. Similarly, technology integration addresses growing workforce challenges by allowing skilled employees to focus on relationship-driven tasks while automation handles routine processes.
The event’s emphasis on practical applications rather than theoretical concepts mirrors the pragmatic needs of the region’s business community, where immediate return on technology investment remains a priority.
As the May 29 event approaches, registration remains open for both the general exhibition and the Executive Breakfast featuring Harris Beber. Given limited seating for the breakfast session, early registration is encouraged for those seeking strategic insight into AI’s business applications.
There is still time to register for the HIA Trade Show or to register, visit www.hia-li.org.
MOLLIE BARNETT, a Microsoft-certified Generative AI expert and Forbes Communications Council member, brings twenty years of marketing leadership to AI transformation. She specializes in helping SMBs implement practical AI solutions for business, training, and integration, and provides strategic guidance on AI ethics, security and compliance.
26 Theater & the Arts
Thursday, May 22, 2025
‘Some
Enchanted Evening’ at The Engeman!
By Cindi Sansone-Braff
The Engeman Theater’s sizzling production of “South Pacific” is the perfect way to jump-start Long Island’s 2025 summer season. Replete with an intoxicating score, a romantic, obstaclefilled plot, and an overarching theme of the importance of cultural tolerance, this lavish musical leaves you with something to talk about long after the curtain falls.
Premiering at the Majestic Theatre in 1949, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” won a whopping ten Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Libretto, as well as the distinction of being the only musical to win acting awards in all four categories. In 1950, it picked up the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the 2008 revival at Lincoln Center garnered another seven Tonys, making it the most Tony Award-winning show in Broadway history. Additionally, the original cast recording remained a number one hit on the Billboard popular chart through the end of the 1950s, and the 1958 soundtrack of the film adaptation was a bestselling album.
Based on the colorful “Tales of the South Pacific,” James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories about his real-life experiences as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, this landmark musical boldly and candidly introduced anti-racist themes to a segregated and deeply divided America. The music is by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and the book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan.
In a chaotic 1940s world, where everyone is running to or away from something, this dramedy pits the horrors of World War II and the insidious roots of bigotry against the dramatic backdrop of an idyllic island paradise. The plot revolves around two intertwined love stories: one involving a young American nurse, Ensign Nellie Forbush, and the French plantation owner, Emile de Becque; and the second involving the interracial relationship between U.S. Marine Lieutenant Joseph Cable and Liat, a young Tonkinese woman. Addressing the problem of racism, prejudice, and cultural bias in the midtwentieth century was a radical and controversial stance to take. “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” is a show tune that postulates the truism that racism is not an inborn trait, but rather an idea taught to us as children. This song inspired so much ire in Southern states that audiences and critics demanded its removal from the musical, and lawmakers in Georgia went as far as to introduce a bill to restrict entertainment that showcased an “underlying philosophy inspired by Moscow.”
The original Broadway show featured Mary Martin as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Ezio Pinza as Emile De Becque, William Tabbert as Lt. Joseph Cable, and Betta St. John as Liat. The 1958 film starred Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, John Kerr, and France Nuyen. Under Hunter Foster’s astute direction, Engeman’s superstar cast rivals the talents of both the original Broadway ensemble and the esteemed movie cast.
Taylor Aronson delivered a nuanced performance as the naive, optimistic, and adventuresome Ensign Nellie Forbush, a U.S. Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas. Aronson’s body language and
facial expressions effectively conveyed the emotional rollercoaster Nellie experiences throughout the show, from wide-eyed wonder at the enchantment of living on a remote, exotic island to the exultation of falling in love, and the transformative power of self-reflection when she confronts her own biases. Aronson, a skilled dancer with an exquisite voice, mesmerized the audience with her stellar performances of “A Cockeyed Optimist”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair”, and “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy.”
Broadway veteran Mike McGowan gave a riveting performance as the debonair Emile De
Becque, a French expatriate and plantation owner who has lived on the island for many years. McGowan, with his commanding stage presence and rich, velvety vocals, held the audience spellbound during his moving rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening.” The onstage chemistry between Aronson and McGowan was palpable, and their duets, “Twin Soliloquies”, “Some Enchanted Evening” (Reprise), and “This Is How It Feels” were pitch-perfect and bursting with emotion.
Broadway star Carol Angeli was outstanding as Bloody Mary, the charismatic, bold, entrepreneurial Tonkinese woman who makes a living selling souvenirs to American sailors. Angeli is a showstopping singer who delivered a haunting rendition of the mystical siren song, “Bali Ha’i.” Malia Munley brought a sense of dignity and style to her performance as Liat, Bloody Mary’s young, impressionable daughter. At the same time, Bloody Mary croons “Happy Talk”, a song meant to lure Lt. Cable to stay on the idyllic island of Bali Ha’i, Liat dances for him. Munley executed this elegant dance routine with the grace, lightness, and ease of an angel.
Alec Nevin gave an awardworthy performance as the Princeton graduate Lt. Joseph Cable, who falls hopelessly in love with Liat. Nevin and Munley’s heartfelt portrayal of the star-crossed lovers was one of the
many high points of this production. Nevin delivered an impassioned rendition of “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.”
Philip Bryan as Luther Billis, a Seabee and mischievous wheeler-dealer, stole the show with his spot-on delivery of lines and his memorable comedic voice. One of the most hilarious scenes in the show takes place during the play-within-a-play big production number “Honey Bun.” Aronson is absolutely captivating, dressed in a sailor uniform, cartwheeling, kicking, and strutting her stuff, while Bryan, decked out in a grass skirt, coconut bra, and a grass skirt wig, had the audience in stitches as he gyrated, undulated, and shimmied across the stage.
Two other standout performers were Mike Keller as Captain George Brackett and Maxime de Toledo as Commander Harbison. The multitalented ensemble includes Ellie Baker, Madeline Benoit, Michael Bingham, JR Bruno, Peyton Cassity, Joah Ditto, Travis Flynt, Tyler Gallaher, Danny Maguire, Carmella Manapat, Vivica Powell, Kristin Tagg, and Matthew WautierRodriguez. Two talented pairs of young actors share the role of De Becque’s children: Landon Koh and Leo London portray Jerome, and Elizabeth Jiang Zhang and Ylvie Cuison play Ngana.
The dynamic creative team includes choreographer Krystyna Resavy, Alec Bart (Musical Director), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Dustin Cross (Costume Design), John Burkland (Lighting Design), Laura Shubert (Sound Design), Megan Cohen (Props Design), and Jeff Knaggs (Wig and Makeup Design).
Exotic, enchanting, and thoroughly entertaining, “South Pacific” runs now through June 29, 2025. Tickets may be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, going online at engemantheater.com, or visiting the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.
Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.
Badminton is more than just a backyard game; the sport is competitively sanctioned at the varsity level.
The Cougars of Commack took home the Suffolk County Championship title on Monday night after an undefeated regular season.
The Cougars are members of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in League I. The girls are led by head coach Jesus Valdes, who is in his sixteenth year of coaching in the district. Valdes is joined by assistant coach Jessica Dellisanti. The Cougars finished the regular season with a 14-0-0 record, making them one of fifteen teams to have not lost a game this season.
“Ultimately, we’ve been a pretty competitive, strong program over the last number of years. There was a period of time back in 2017 through 2019, where the girls were three-time county champs, so that was awesome. This was our third straight county finals, we had lost the previous two years, unfortunately, to Ward Melville,” Valdes told The Messenger.
The 21-player squad is a nice mix of upper and lower classmen, offering a little bit of seniority and leadership as well as being young and adaptable. The team will graduate four seniors this season in Julia Kim, Alexandra Martin, Mehek Sawhney, and June Yoon.
“Playing a different team in Miller Place this time obviously gave us a different opportunity and we definitely rose to the challenge…I’m sure both coaches and teams felt it was anyone’s game going into it. But we made the adjustments we needed to, we actually took out two more, so it finished with a 7-2 victory in the County Championship,” said Valdes.
Losing in the title game typically leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the losing team. The loss then becomes a source of motivation to make sure it doesn’t happen again the following season.
“There are different players, but certainly for the girls that have been on the team for the last three or four seasons now. I think there was an added level of motivation; they had been in the finals but unfortunately fell short. In heartbreaking fashion, honestly, the last two years prior to this year, we lost to Ward Melville both times 5-4. That’s as close as you can get to victory without actually satisfying it,” said Valdes.
“Three of our four senior girls have been on the team for three years, so they’ve been point players; they work their way up. They were strong enough players to make a difference in match play. A lot of times, as a freshman or even as an underclassman, you come in and make the team, but you’re not really a starter or a point player. They’ve helped build the program and push each other. The only way you get better is you practice and play against high-quality players. We’ve had that work to our advantage over the last number of years,” said Valdes.
Badminton has been around since the mid-19th century, evolving over time into what we know it as today. The sport made its way to high school gymnasiums and is now part of the athletic offerings for varsity-level sports.
“At the end of the day, when you get into the gym and you’re playing competitive badminton, it really is the next level. When people, staff members, parents, and other kids come and they see what a competitive varsity-level badminton match looks like, they’re surprised,” said Valdes.
Mt. Sinai Boys Lacrosse: On the Playoff Hunt
By Ashley Pavlakis
The regular season has concluded for most spring sports this season and the playoffs are officially underway. Lacrosse is no different, and the playoff bracket is locked in. The first round began on Wednesday, with the second round beginning on Thursday for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs are members of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and compete in DIV II. The boys are led by head coach Harold Drumm, along with assistant coach Luke Daquino. Drumm took over at the helm in 2014. Since then, he has coached the team to a winning record under his guidance. The duo has experience playing lacrosse at the professional level, which is a nice tool to have when coaching.
The squad finished the regular season in fifth place in the DIV II standings with a 12-40 record. Their place in the standings earned them a spot in the playoffs versus Bayport-Blue Point. Bayport finished in fourth place during the regular season, so the Mustangs will travel to their home field for the playoff matchup.
Interestingly, the Mustangs and Phantoms did not meet during the regular season. Usually, with teams being in the same division or league, they’ll typically play each other at least once. The two schools will meet for the first time this 2025 season with a lot on the line. The playoff matchup is set to take place on May 28th on the Phantoms’ turf.
Four seniors will graduate from the program this season, and the Mustangs honored them on senior day on May 14. Captain John Pramataris, Captain Jackson Burger, midfielder Ryan Filippi, and defender John Westcott were
honored for their contributions on the field and in their high school athletic careers. Burger and Filippi will be attending Florida Southern together in the fall, where they’ll play Division II lacrosse. Westcott, a dual sport athlete for Mt. Sinai in lacrosse and wrestling, will be furthering his education at East Carolina University. Lastly, Pramataris, another dual sport athlete who competed in lacrosse and football, will become a member of the Roll Tide at the University of Alabama.
The Mustangs tickled the twine often this season, outscoring their opponents 208 to 138. The four losses they took came against three division opponents in Islip, Shoreham Wading River, and East Islip, with the fourth loss coming against nondivision member Connetquot. All four opponents were competitive and closely ranked in the top of the standings.
Home field advantage is great; the Mustangs unfortunately don’t have that advantage on their side this season. The Mustangs will look to their fans to travel well and support them on the road as they look to make a run at the Suffolk County Championship. The Mustangs won the New York State Class C Championship in 2008. Since then, they’ve yet to capture a new title, whether it be Division, Suffolk, or Long Island. The ultimate goal is to raise a trophy after the final whistle. But first, they must defeat the Phantoms and make a run through the bracket.
The boys are buzzing to get going, and game day can’t come soon enough.
