The Times of Middle Country - August 22, 2019

The

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TIMES of MIDDLE COUNTRY C E N T E R E AC H • S E L D E N • L A K E G R O V E N O R T H

Vol. 15, No. 19

August 22, 2019

$1.00 HEIDI SUTTON

Congressional sit-down

Residents stop by Setauket Fire Department to discuss issues with Congressman Lee Zeldin

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Artist of the Month: Peter Hahn Also: ‘Blinded by the Light’ reviewed, Greek Festival returns to Port Jefferson, Photo of the Week

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PAGE A2 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

Town

Brookhaven to host free smoking cessation program

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To help residents quit smoking, the Town of Brookhaven will host the Suffolk County Department of Health’s six-week smoking cessation program beginning Tuesday, Sept.

24. Meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first floor South Conference Room at Brookhaven Town Hall, located at One Independence Hill in Farmingville. The meetings schedule is: Class 1 9/24 Program Overview Class 2 10/1 Tobacco Additives Class 3 10/8 Pam Laffin Video

Class 4 10/15 The Physical, Psychological and Habit Class 5 10/22 Creating Support Systems Class 6 10/29 Relapse Prevention Class 7 11/19 Reunion Class Attendees will learn the skills needed to be tobacco free, including techniques in stress management, behavioral modification and relaxation. Medication to help smokers kick the habit will be provided for a nominal fee.

To register or for more information, call Debora at 631-853-2928.

* We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not * We Also Accept Boats, Motorcycles & RVs

Metro New York Call:(917)336-1254 Suffolk County Call:(631)317-2014

* Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, call (213) 948-2000 or visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.

The TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY (USPS 004-808) is published Thursdays by TBR News Media, 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $49 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

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August 22, 2019 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A3

Community News

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Pictured above, from left, Kristin Shankles, youth services librarian; Maryellen Ferretti, vice president, retail market manager – Suffolk east, TD Bank; and Sophia Serlis-McPhillips, director, Middle Country Public Library

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PAGE A4 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

Town

MCPL countdown to blastoff On Aug. 10, the Middle Country Public Library hosted a Model Rocket Launch in the parking lot of its Centereach building as part of the NASA@My Library initiative. People of all ages helped countdown as the rockets launched into the air and tried out hands-on STEM activity stations run by the library’s Green Teens and Teen Advisory Council.

Prior to launch day, families, children and teens participated in Build a Rocket sessions at the library and assembled and decorated their rockets. Participants were invited to bring their completed rockets to the “mission control” tent on launch day and press the launch button, sending them up to the sky.

It was a blast of a morning at the Middle Country Public Library.

The MCPL is one of 75 libraries nationwide selected to participate in the NASA@My Library project, led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Partners include the American Library Association Public Programs Office, Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science and Education Development Center. NASA@My Library is made possible through the support of the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration Science Mission Directorate as part of its STEM Activation Program.

— Photos from MCPL

Grand Opening September 9th An exclusive active adult rental community

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August 22, 2019 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A5

Nation

What is being done about guns in the U.S.

A breakdown of current legislation on the gun debate

enforcement with increased resources to keep our communities safe. I also supported the STOP School Violence Act that helps school personnel and law enforcement identify and prevent violence in schools.”

BY DONNA DEEDY DONNA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Mass shootings and gun violence have rocked the nation, leaving people to ask the question: What can be done to stop the violence?

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) called on Democratic presidential candidates to support strong gun safety laws. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Peter King (RNY2), in a show of bipartisanship, called for a vote on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 at a press conference Aug. 6.

Improved background checks, banning high-powered automatic and semi-automatic weapons and ammunition, and better mental health screenings have been among the top ideas suggested, some of the legislation relating to which is still pending. Some is stalled at various levels of Congress.

Here’s a recap of what measures have been recently implemented or proposed.

Bump stocks

In March 2019 President Donald Trump (R) signed into law a ban on bump stocks, devices which turn weapons into automatic guns that fire rapidly through the recoil of the gun itself.

Red flag laws

New York State passed a “red flag” law in February 2019, which takes effect on Aug. 24. A new report, entitled “Mass Violence in America: Causes, Impacts and Solutions,” which was released Aug. 6 by the National Council for Behavioral Health, suggests that red flag laws may be among the best tools so far suggested for reducing gun violence. Red flag laws enable people, concerned about the well-being of individuals who display violent tendencies or show signs that they may be at risk to engage in gun violence, to contact law enforcement to institute gun control measures through a court process. Under New York’s statute, three categories of people can submit a red flag on someone: law enforcement, school officials and family.

Background checks

H.R.8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 H.R.1112 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 Both bills have passed the House and are stalled in the Senate, with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refusing to bring H.R.8 in particular to the floor for vote.

H.R.8 establishes background checks for guns transferred between private parties (unlicensed individuals.) Specifically, it prohibits transfer of firearms unless a gun dealer

Concealed carry reciprocity

H.R.38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019

Above, U.S. Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-NY1) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY3). File photos

or importer first takes possession of the weapon and does a background check. The prohibition does not apply to gifts that transfer weapons between spouses.

H.R.1112 revises the background checks to applicable firearm transfers from federal licensed firearms licensee (or a gun dealer) to unlicensed person.

U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) is co-sponsor of both bills. Suozzi represents Queens and the North Shore of Long Island to parts of Kings Park and runs an office in Huntington. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY1) voted “no” on both bills.

Zeldin defends his “no” vote record on these bills. When asked why, here is his response: “In the case of Parkland, for example, Nikolas Cruz passed a background check, but clearly should not have had any access to firearms. The current system is flawed. Unfortunately, instead of addressing these shortcomings, H.R.8 and H.R.1112 zeroed in on law-abiding citizens.

We need to improve our nation’s background check system by ensuring state reporting and the compilation of all relevant information. We cannot determine if certain people are unfit to own a firearm if we don’t have the necessary available information.”

H.R.4477 Fix NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) Act of 2017 Passed as part of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.

H.R.4477 amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require each federal agency and department to supply disqualifying records of a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Zeldin supported the Fix NICS bill, and had this to say: “We need to ensure lunatics manifesting violent criminal intentions to murder with firearms have access to none. That’s why I supported the Fix NICS bill, which could have saved 26 lives at

the First Baptist Church [of Sutherland Springs] in Texas, and why I called for a congressional hearing and action in the wake of the tragedy in Parkland. I support the Mass Violence Prevention [Reform] Act, which would improve information sharing to prevent and deter violence caused by criminal use of firearms, reduce the flow of firearms onto the black market and provide law

The bill allows individuals to carry concealed weapons to other states that allow concealed weapons. The bill was introduced in January and referred to committee with no recent action.

Suozzi voted “no” on similar legislation proposed in 2017. Zeldin is a co-sponsor of the 2019 legislation.

A representative for Zeldin had this to say on the bill: “The congressman supports the rights of law-abiding Americans to own firearms to protect themselves, their family and other loved ones. He believes lunatics manifesting violent criminal intentions to murder with firearms have access to none.”

PEOPLE of the YEAR

2019

Nominate outstanding members of the community for

The Times of Middle Country

Each year, with our readers’ help, we honor the people who have contributed in the communities we serve. ❖ The honorees are profiled in a special edition at the end of the year. ❖ Nominate your choice(s) by emailing rita@tbrnewsmedia.com ❖ Please include your name and contact information, the name and contact information of the individual you’re nominating and why he or she deserves to be a Person of the Year. ❖ DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

2019

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PAGE A6 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

Selden

Police are searching for two men who allegedly stole items from the Selden Target in July and a Rite Aid in August Suffolk County Police said a man allegedly stole a Seagate portable hard drive from Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza, on July 15, at around 8 p.m. Another man allegedly stole 81 toothbrushes from Rite Aid, located at 229 Independence Plaza, Aug. 8, at around 12:48 p.m.

— compiled by Kyle Barr

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Funding recreation

On Aug. 13, New York State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) presented Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) a check for $1 million at the Selden Park Complex on Boyle Road. The money will fund Phase 3 at the park, which includes the construction of two baseball fields and a playground.

“I am thrilled to assist the Town of Brookhaven with its ongoing construction of Selden Park Complex,” Flanagan said.

“Councilman LaValle has spearheaded the development of critical park resources for the Selden community including ballfields, playgrounds and walkable nature trails for all ages to enjoy. This state grant of $1 million

will help the town pursue its goal of providing all Brookhaven residents with state-of-the-art recreational facilities and it is a pleasure to join them in this effort.”

LaValle said he was thankful for Flanagan securing the funds and the efforts of others.

“I thank Senator Flanagan, who has always been helpful in my council district, for coming through time after time to support the community,” LaValle said. “This park has been a real joint effort by the town, state and the Suffolk County Legislature, with Legislator Tom Muratore leading the charge and when the work is complete, it will be one of the premier recreation facilities in all of Brookhaven town. I thank everyone who had a hand in moving it along.”

LEGALS

To Place A Legal Notice

Email: legals@tbrnewsmedia.com

LEGAL NOTICE

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CENTEREACH FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the regular meeting scheduled to be held on August 27th at 7:00 P.M of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Centereach Fire District has been changed to start at 6:30 P.M.

tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com

DATED: August 12, 2019 Jennifer Gardner District Secretary 867 8/22 1x tmc

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SCPD

Police Police search for two Selden shoplifters

Community News

Above, man who allegedly stole from Selden Target; below, man who allegedly stole from Selden Rite Aid.

Security guard arrested after fight at Mount Sinai condominium complex Police arrested a residential community security guard for allegedly assaulting a visitor Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Suffolk County Police said John Ruggiero, while working as a security guard at The Ranches at Mount Sinai condominium complex, located along Route 25A, allegedly denied entry to a 68-year-old man who was attempting to visit a friend Aug. 14 at around 2:55 p.m. The two men exchanged words followed by a physical altercation, during which the 68-year-old man sustained serious injuries. Police did not release the name of the

other man involved in the fight.

Police could not say who provoked the incident or threw the first punch.

The visitor was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was listed in serious condition. Ruggiero, 50, of Port Jefferson Station, was treated and released from St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson for injuries sustained during the fight. He was charged with second-degree assault and was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 15 at 1st District Court in Central Islip.

— compiled by Kyle Barr

Police arrest man for alleged MP Chase bank robbery Police said they have arrested a man in connection with the robbery of the Miller Place Chase bank earlier this month.

Suffolk County Police arrested Raymond Peruggi, 29, in Mastic Beach Monday, Aug. 20 at around 8:55 p.m. Peruggi was described as undomiciled.

Peruggi was held overnight at the 7th Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned in 1st District Court in Central Islip. He has been charged with third-degree robbery.

On Aug. 12, a man allegedly entered the

Man who allegedly robbed MP bank. Photo from SCPD

Chase Bank, located at 385 Route 25A, at around 2:40 p.m. and displayed a note demanding cash to an employee. The teller complied with the suspect’s demands and gave him cash from the drawer. He then fled the bank on foot, west toward Miller Place road, police said.

— compiled by Kyle Barr

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 800-220-TIPS (8477) or texting “SCPD” and your message to “CRIMES” (274637). All calls and text messages will be kept confidential.

August 22, 2019 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A7

Town

BonJourney belts out classic hits at Heritage Park

BY KYLE BARR KYLE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Long hair, ripped pants, T-shirts drenched in sweat. Like an event straight out of the ’80s, crowds gathered at Heritage Park in Mount Sinai Friday, Aug. 16, for the Free Family Fun Day and concert, featuring Bon Jovi and Journey tribute

band BonJourney. The event was sponsored by the Heritage Trust and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai).

Celebrating its 20th year, the park played host to yoga sessions, bounce castles, martial arts demonstrations, crafts and magic shows all throughout the afternoon and early evening. Later, with a field crowded with people, BonJourney belted out renditions of classic Bon Jovi hits like “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and Journey songs like “Don’t Stop Believin.’”

All photos by Kyle Barr

PAGE A8 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

State

Scams targeting senior citizens on the rise

Officials train residents on how to avoid being taken

BY DAVID LUCES DLUCES@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Phone scams are on the rise, and officials say these and other scams are targeting the senior population.

Local government representatives emphasize that the elderly need to be better informed about what to look out for and how to avoid them.

On Aug. 20, at the Huntington Senior Center, state Sen. Jim Gaughran (D-Northport),Town of Huntington Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman and state attorney general representative T.J. Hatter held a Smart Seniors event. Together they cautioned seniors against handing over large sums of money through phone, email, letter and internet scams.

“These scammers will use fear if they think that will work, they will use kindness and they will use intimidation,” Hatter said. “The important thing is to please do not send these people your money. It is very hard to get it back once it is gone.”

One of the most common scams targeting the senior population includes the sweepstakes scam, which requests the “winner” to send a check or wire money to cover taxes for their prize. Another one is where the scammer will act as a relative, such as a grandchild, and claim to be in danger. Sometimes, the scammer

acts as a lawyer or police officer. In each case, they ask for money immediately.

“There are two approaches to dealing with these types of scams,” Hatter said. “Ask for the person’s name and a call-back number.” He also recommends answering the phone only if you recognize the number as a friend or a loved one.

“Let everyone else leave you a message,” he said.

Hatter said the scammers are often out-ofthe country and can’t be traced.

“These scammers are using something called routing technology,” he said. “The idea is to make the number they are calling from

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have a ‘631’ or ‘516’ area code to make it look more local and make it more likely someone will answer.”

According to Suffolk County officials, in 2018, there were 68 phone scam incidents reported, targeting the elderly and non-English speakers. Of the 68 victims, 40 were elderly, as reported in a January 2019 TBR News Media article. Between 2017 and 2018, the largest amount of money taken in once incident was $800,000, according to Suffolk County police.

In 2019, nearly half of all calls to mobile phones will be scammers looking to fraudulently gain access to financial information, according to a report from telecommunications firm First Orion.

One of the latest scams to target seniors urges them to purchase gift cards to help a relative in trouble.

“We are finding that [scammers] are asking for those prepaid gift cards and then they will ask you to scratch off the back and read them the numbers,” he said. “That’s the most common one we are finding right now.”

Home improvement scams are also common and often offer “free inspections.”

The inspections will almost always find a problem that requires an expensive solution.

“Someone will knock on your door and say they are a repair person and ask if something is wrong with your home,” Hatter said. “They will say they can fix it and even offer you a discounted rate. Do not pay this person.”

Hatter said ultimately you hold the power so if you are not sure that you recognize the caller, you are not forced to answer the phone.

The Office of the Attorney General urges people to use strong passwords and avoid using birth dates, Social Security numbers and mother’s maiden names in them.

If you shop online, be sure the sites you use

are secure. A secure site will start with https:// and most use a padlock icon, which will tell you the name of the owner. Also, use only credit card rather than debit or check cards.

“Debit cards, even those with a credit card name and logo, do not carry the same protections,” the Smart Seniors program states.

If credit card information is stolen, you are only liable for $50 in fraudulent charges. If your debit card information is stolen and the thief wipes out your bank account, the money is gone.

It’s also important to remember that email scammers often masquerade as a familiar and trustworthy company, such as your bank, online store or credit card company.

Sometimes they pretend to be a government agency. These scammers are “phishing” for personal data and often claim that there’s a problem with your account. Do not click on a link no matter who they claim to be. You may be directed to a bogus, look-alike website that spoofs a real company.

“The key to the phishing scams is that they ask you to provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or password, so they can “confirm your identity,” the program warns.

“If you get a call, text or email from a company claiming there’s a problem do not respond,” the Attorney General’s Office states.

Instead delete the message or hang up, and contact the company yourself. It’s important to protect your personal information. Papers should be shredded before you throw them away.

New Yorkers donate more than $10 billion to charitable organizations each year, with older New Yorkers being the most generous, the Attorney General’s Office states. It is suggested that you confirm that a charity is registered with the Attorney General’s Office, as required by law and find out if the funds will be used for programs, administrative costs and fundraising. Avoid charities that will not answer questions about its programs and finances.

Residents can greatly reduce the number of unsolicited calls, mailings and internet offerings they receive. The National Do Not Call Registry can be reached at 800-382-1222.

You can place your landline and your mobile number on the Do Not Call List. Registration never expires. Political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors are still permitted.

Patricia Wagner, a Huntington resident who attended the session, said she was grateful.

“This was really informative and I’m going to share this information with my friends [who are not here],” she said. “We are getting older ... we need an event like this every year.”

August 22, 2019 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A9

Town

Lee Zeldin visits Setauket to sit down with constituents

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Residents of New York’s 1st Congressional District took time out of their busy schedules Aug. 20 to sit down with their congressman to discuss what’s on their minds.

U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY1) held mobile office hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Setauket Fire Department on Main Street Tuesday. Constituents were invited to sit down, either one-on-one or in groups, with Zeldin or one of his staff members.

While many declined to discuss their specific questions, other residents waiting to speak to Zeldin said they were prepared to bring up issues such as background checks when buying guns, how to curb easy accessibility to assaultstyle rifles, Medicare, providing for veterans, immigration, health care for preexisting conditions and mandated vaccinations. One attendee wanted to know whether or not Zeldin is in favor of slashing the payroll tax and, if so, what other methods would he suggest to fund Medicare and Social Security.

Among the 71 who attended, several parents had their children in tow to provide them an

example of civic engagement.

Sarah, 13, daughter of former Setauket congressional candidate Dave Calone, said this was the first chance she had to speak to an elected official about an issue.

“I wanted to talk with him about gun control,” she said while waiting to get an opportunity to speak with Zeldin. “I wanted to ask him about what measures the government is taking to ensure students are safe in school and other places as well.”

Kathleen Thornton, of Stony Brook, was with her son Jack.

“I thought it was good for him to get a sense of how government works,” the mother said.

The Stony Brook resident wanted to talk to Zeldin about the Excelsior Scholarship Program in New York and the income cutoff. She said the Excelsior funds also were not released until the initial payments to State University of New York schools were due, adding she only discovered issues with the scholarship program while helping her niece with her financial aid forms.

While waiting to meet with the congressman, she said she hoped that he would know the right people to connect with to address her issues with the program.

Congressman Lee Zeldin, left, meets with constituents at the Setauket Fire Department on Main Street. Photo from Lee Zeldin’s office

Barbara Kantz, of East Setauket, who waited around two hours to meet with Zeldin, said she came to him with advocacy issues related to the environment and was satisfied with the strategies Zeldin offered, including those she can use as a citizen. She said to him that she knows he is an environmentalist, and she wanted to know how, as a congressman, he translates that to action programs “when we’re living in a time when science is somewhat dismissed, and we have an EPA that actually doesn’t believe in some of the

notions of what an EPA should do.”

Three Village resident George Henik, before his meeting with Zeldin, said he would like to get a time frame from him about specific indictments.

“Why is [former FBI Director James] Comey still walking around and writing books and not in prison?” he asked.

Henik said he believes many have used the Congress as their weapon of choice and that some politicians, such as U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler, both Democrats, are out of control.

His wife Susan Henik said she also had questions for the congressman including concerns about voter fraud, especially on the federal level.

The couple were optimistic about meeting with the congressman and felt they were addressing issues that people from both parties are concerned about, such as justice and voter fraud.

“These two questions that we have, or topics of discussions that we brought up, no one would want their election being tampered with, no one wants a coup of the president,” Susan Henik said.

According to a press release from Zeldin’s office, those interested in participating in a future meeting, including after work or during the weekend, can call 631-289-1097.

University Stony Brook to receive over $70 million in energy efficient upgrades

BY DAVID LUCES DLUCES@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM In an effort to fight climate change, Stony Brook University will receive $79 million in energy efficiency improvements and upgrades throughout the campus.

New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was on hand at the school Aug. 19 to announce the planned upgrades in front of the university’s Center of Molecular Medicine.

The improvements build upon the State University of New York’s Clean Energy Roadmap, a partnership between SUNY and state energy agencies that aims to accelerate progress toward the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.

The energy efficient upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28,000 tons a year, which is the equivalent of taking over 5,000 cars off the road. It will also save the university nearly $6 million in energy and maintenance costs annually.

“As the largest single site employer on Long Island, Stony Brook University must remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint,” Interim President Michael Bernstein said.

The improvements, which will be financed

and implemented by the New York Power Authority, will include a number of energysaving upgrades such as lighting, ventilation and building management upgrades at university buildings, including residence halls, science buildings and the hospital.

The planned upgrades continue the university’s effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

NYPA and SUNY have already partnered to complete more than $50 million in energy efficiency improvements at Stony Brook. If all goes according to plan, expectations are for the removal of nearly 16,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.

Some of those projects included interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades, replacement of older HVAC equipment, pipe insulation and lab HVAC modernization.

PSEG Long Island provided more than $500,000 in rebates to Stony Brook University for projects underway.

“We have a moral responsibility to protect this Earth while it is in our hands,” said Hochul.

“Forty percent of buildings owned by the state of New York are on SUNY campuses ... If we are going to make an impact this is where we start.”

SUNY and NYPA, together, have completed energy-saving projects at more than 600 SUNY

Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) and Interim SBU President Michael Bernstein meet with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to discuss energy effeciency improvements. Photo by David Luces

facilities, reducing energy consumption by more than 6.2 megawatts, removing more than 48,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, and saving $12.1 million annually, according to SUNY. The public college institution

and power authority are currently partnering to implement energy-saving measures at more than 30 additional SUNY buildings. Once completed, they expect it will reduce SUNY’s energy consumption by an additional 1.6 megawatts.

PAGE A10 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

Sports

Suffolk County resident to compete in Olympic trials next year

BY KYLE BARR KYLE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Kyra Sommerstad,17, lives for the water and the thrill of shaving seconds off her best swim times. Though she has been swimming competitively since she was 10, for nearly five years, her major goal was to make it to the Olympic trials.

This year, during a meet at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, she was wide eyed when she reviewed her time for the 100-yard backstroke. Her time, 1:02.66, just under the qualifying time by 0.03 seconds.

“I hoped I would make the qualifying time any time this summer, but I really wasn’t expecting it at this event,” Sommerstad said.

“When I looked up and saw my time, I didn’t really realize at first, so I had to do a double take to make sure the time was right, and I just got really emotional.”

Sommerstad’s dad, Ray, said at the time he and the rest of the audience weren’t especially looking at the times, instead focused on the intense back and forth between his daughter and another swimmer during the second backstroke leg, where each was neck and neck. Once she finally got out of the pool, only then did eyes turn up to her final times.

“She goes to practice eight times a week, six days, some days she goes twice,” her father said. “She’s a hard worker — she shows up every day with a smile. Her positive enthusiasm is contagious.”

The Port Jefferson swimmer started in the pool when she was just under 10 years old, as part of what her dad described as every parent’s quest to find an activity for their kid that would stick.

This one stuck. She took to the water like a fish, her parents said, and would improve in skill year after year after year. When she was 13, she set a goal for herself that she would make it to the Olympic trials, and she dedicated herself to that bar ever since.

Kyra Sommerstad will be attending the Olympic trials in June 2020. Photos from Sommerstad family and Port Jeff school district

While she represents the Port Jefferson high school in school swimming, for years, the Port Jeff swimmer has been practicing with the Three Village Swim Club. Her coach for the past three years, Mark Anderson, said she is as close to the perfect student as one can get. In his years of coaching, Sommerstad is the first he’s taught to qualify for the Olympic trials.

“She’s really a coach’s dream athlete — she makes corrections really well and she does what she’s told to do, and that’s really rare in a lot of people,” he said. “She’s finally starting to achieve every goal she’s set in front of her.”

When she made it her intention to make it to the Olympic qualifiers, she, her coach and her parents would look at the times expected to qualify increase from 1:03.99 in 2012 to 1:03.39 in 2016. For 2020, the time jumped by close to a full second.

And in swimming, when shaving off decimals of a second in a swim time is considered solid work for months of effort, the task looked daunting.

“I’m happy if a swimmer takes off half a second in months trying to get better,” the coach said. “She made it by 0.03. It’s a sport of hundreds of seconds, and it puts a lot of things in their lives in perspective.”

As well as being a Scholastic All-America recipient, Sommerstad currently is maintaining a 95 percent average in school and is already

committed to The Ohio State University where she plans to compete in swimming. While she hasn’t settled on a specific major yet, she said she was looking into working with children, either in teaching or in occupational therapy.

Those who have seen her train know she puts the same amount of effort into training for swim meets as she does the other important aspects of her life. “[Her academics] do not suffer at all for all the time she spends in the pool,” her father said. “It actually gives her discipline to make sure she manages her time effectively.”

Though she is heading to the Olympic trials, Sommerstad, her family and coach are trying to keep their expectations realistic, as she will be competing against the best swimmers from all across the nation. Despite this, Sommerstad, who is traveling from state

to state competing in swim meets, expects her training to ramp up hard as they head to the Olympic trials June 22, 2020.

“I’m definitely going to be working a lot harder this year — doing some extra stuff out of the pool to maybe gain some muscle so I can swim faster,” she said. “I’m hoping to swim a best time at Olympic trials, so I can be seated higher among all the people who have made it.”

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Opinion

Editorial

Civics need your help

As local journalists, we spend many hours attending meetings.

Many, many meetings. Our goal is to know what’s happening in our communities at every level of government, from county to town to village.

A good way for people to become better engaged in community affairs is through civic groups. These groups, which are often overlooked, serve as the bridge between local government and residents.

They are the closest to the ground, with their ears toward local developments, both public and private. They are meant to represent the community. They ask businesses looking to develop the tough questions, mainly how the new Starbucks or Popeyes or hotel, just to name a few, will impact people in their daily lives.

Sadly, though, these civic groups often struggle with lack of participation. Groups like the Shoreham Civic Association publicly asked in a local Facebook group for people to show up, saying without participation their capacity for change goes out the window.

“Without Shoreham citizen participation we can do nothing,” the group wrote on Facebook.

If one were to get very Disney with their analogies, civics and civic participation are like … well, fairies. If one says out loud, “I don’t believe in fairies,” then the fairy dies.

Still, it’s clear why civics lack participation. Despite reports of a strengthening economy, people continue to work long hours and, in several cases, multiple jobs. Civic meetings often take place on weekdays and, understandably, the last thing one wants to do after getting home at 5, 6 or even 7 p.m. is rush out again to sit in another hour-long-plus meeting to discuss, for example, road issues.

When we attend these meetings, we see the demographics.

Most people who attend are older and likely have the time to sit and discuss the issues.

That’s not to say the younger generations don’t attend solely because of time constraints. In all likelihood, many community members don’t even know who their local civic leaders are, and when or where they meet.

If you are asking yourself: How can I have a hand in designing my community? Or, how can I keep taxes down? Well, it starts with the civics, so reach out to your local civic group.

It may also be time for civics to reach out more to their community residents, as well.

As reporters, we have noticed times when local elected officials, like in the Village of Port Jefferson, have actually become active in local Facebook pages. Some of these pages are full of comments, and often facts get misrepresented. If civics would take videos of their meetings, then upload them directly to these Facebook groups. It may be a means of bridging the knowledge gap. Civic leaders need to reach out by every means possible, including social media.

The issues aren’t going away. The only way to have your voice be heard is to get involved.

Letters … We welcome your letters. They should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style and good taste. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include a phone number and address for confirmation. Email letters to rita@ tbrnewsmedia.com or mail them to The Times of Middle Country, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

Letters to the Editor

Trump, Zeldin are using bigoted language In the past two years since the death of Heather Heyer at the hands of neoNazis in Charlottesville, Virginia, who chanted “Jews will not replace us,” while carrying tiki torches in the streets, I have learned that words matter and that the words of our leaders have direct influence in the way we in this nation treat one another. As the recently deceased Toni Morrison said in her 1993 lecture when accepting the Nobel Prize in Literature, “Oppressive language does more than represent violence. It is violence.”

The bigoted rhetoric of President Donald Trump [R] has been referenced by several of the domestic white supremacist terrorists in their manifestos, the most recent example being the shooter who killed 22 people in El Paso, Texas, Aug. 3. The killer echoed Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric as a motivation for targeting Hispanics as his victims, and choosing El Paso as the location he chose. Words matter. And our president is doing severe damage with his words.

It is unfortunate that our own U.S. representative, Congressman Lee Zeldin [R-NY1], parrots Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric in his own social media posts.

Rather than looking to seek solutions that would address immigration, he continually

rails against “illegals,” despite the fact that our district has a large immigrant population.

Zeldin should know better, given the history of our district. It was only a decade or so ago that Marcelo Lucero was brutally murdered on the streets of Patchogue, not far from the congressman’s district office. Words matter, and Zeldin is endangering the immigrant community he represents with his rhetoric.

Zeldin has also continually attacked his Muslim colleagues in Congress, including U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib [DMI] and Ilhan Omar [D-MN], saying that they have “darkness in their hearts,” both on social media and national television.

Rather than address the political and philosophical differences between him and his colleagues, Zeldin uses bigoted and inflammatory rhetoric, not only endangering his colleagues but endangering the Muslim community that he represents.

Words matter, and Zeldin is using language in a violent manner. Given that we live in a diverse, multinational district, Zeldin should choose his words carefully. It is far too easy for where we live to become the next Charlottesville, the next El Paso.

It is not only words that cause the type of violence, it is our nation’s far too lax gun laws. In this area, Zeldin is on the wrong

I think it is time to respond to your publisher who, over the years, I have admired because I always felt that her vision was to relay a newsworthy journal that was factual and unbiased. In her personal invitation in her Aug. 8 column for the Sept. 24 2nd annual Cooks, Books and Corks she has delivered a twofold message. While I think her invitation is for a wonderful event, and I praise her for her attempt to make her newspaper more successful, I must take her to task for her explanation and her excuses for why print journalism is on the decline.

I quote her: “Once upon a time the publisher brought together talented reporters and editors with an articulate sales staff, and together editorial and advertising were presented to the reader in an attractive format that informed and enriched the community.” That statement is so far from the truth and the reality of journalism today that is so biased and left leaning so as to coin the new phase called “fake news.” In our extremely polarized nation today, by not reporting the news, but by distorting it, print journalism has lost at least 50 percent of its readership.

The letter is responding to the Between you and me column published Aug. 8. Image from TBR News Media

side as well. He receives more money from the NRA than any member of the New York congressional delegation. His legislative record includes voting against the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, despite the fact that expanding background checks have broad support. Zeldin also was a cosponsor of Concealed Carry Reciprocity in 2017, which would have allowed people with concealed carry permits from states with lax gun laws to carry anywhere, including where we live, which would have gutted New York’s gun safety laws. Not only do words matter, votes matter, and in both instances, Zeldin is endangering the people he is supposed to represent.

It is true that we are a diverse nation, and at this time, a very divided one. Our leaders should be modeling how to build bridges and find common ground in their rhetoric. Both Trump and Zeldin have utterly failed to do so, and our nation and congressional district are worse off for it. It is time to find leaders who will rise to the moment and be moral in their words and their deeds. I look forward to voting both of these men out of office in 2020 and making America and New York’s 1st Congressional District moral again.

Shoshana Hershkowitz South Setauket

Newspapers have become too biased

Just as one example, personally, I am against the possession of assault weapons in the hands of people not involved in war. Yet I do not believe we should disband our Second Amendment, which allows for our right to keep and bear arms. The press today uses its power to overwhelmingly paint our president as a racist who is responsible for the gun violence in America today.

Have you read in one newspaper how the Ohio shooter was an ardent supporter of Elizabeth Warren? Have you read in

one newspaper that the Florida school shooter was a supporter of Bernie Sanders? On and on it goes. The press today is incredibly biased and the American people are on to their antics and no longer wish to get distorted news.

I wish the publisher huge success in her Sept. 24 event and I hope she takes my comments to heart and begins to re-establish the honest and forthright journalism associated with her past history.

Robert J. Parmegiani Setauket

The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

August 22, 2019 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A23

Opinion

Reflections on the eve of the first college drop-off

A

m I going to cry? That’s the question I get so often when I talk to other parents who, like me, are about to send their first child off to college.

I’m sure I’ll be more reflective than teary-eyed. I’ll probably think about expected and unanticipated milestones. Like a montage or a video, pictures and memories of my daughter at various ages will pass through my head.

D. None I keep thinking of the above about her fourth birthday.

The

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF night before her party, she could barely sleep. She came into our room several

times to ask if it was time to get up yet. I told her to look out the window, past the streetlights of Manhattan, into the sky, where it was pitch dark. When it was lighter, she could get up and start preparing for the party.

As soon as we got to Jodi’s Gym, which was a wonderful padded room filled with ageappropriate apparatuses, my daughter raced around the room. The party planner asked us to wait in the entrance so we could greet her guests. While we were waiting, I chased her around the table, listening to the wonderful, happy screeches that came each time I either caught up to her or got close to her.

“You know,” the party planner said, “you might want to save some energy for the party.”

My daughter smiled at me, shook her head and ran away, expecting me to follow her. I continued to play the pre-party game, even as the party planner shrugged. After everyone arrived, my daughter led the way on every piece of equipment, delighted that she had the chance to run, jump and scream

without waking Maryann and Frank, who lived beneath us in our apartment. Even though she can’t picture Maryann and Frank today, she knows that those were the names we used whenever she got too loud early in the morning or late at night.

I also think about how enchanted my daughter was by her first grade teacher. Mrs. Finkel delighted her students and their parents with her soft voice, her ability to focus on each student individually and the class as a whole at the same time, and her control of the classroom. While Mrs. Finkel died incredibly young after a short battle with cancer, I know her legacy lives on with the students who are preparing for college and with her husband and daughter.

I am also recalling the many moments when a book captivated my daughter’s attention, causing her to read late into the night; when she caught blue claw crabs at a dock; or when she played board games with her brother and cousins at my mother’s house

during Thanksgiving.

Perhaps the most recurring memory, however, goes back to when she was learning to ride a bicycle. I pushed the bike for several seconds, let go, and watched her wobble unsteadily until she either fell or put her feet to the sides. Eventually, my back hurt so much that I couldn’t bend and run anymore.

“Let’s stop for now,” I gasped. “You don’t need to do it now. When you’re ready, you’ll do it.”

She paused and asked me to push her one more time. When I did, she slowly circled the parking lot and stopped, a triumphant smile plastered across her face. On the walk back home, I asked her how she was able to conquer the bike.

She told me she thought about how she wanted to be ready, so she did it.

While I probably won’t cry when I turn around and leave her at college, I will hope that she feels as ready as she did when she conquered her bike.

The art of creating a personal profile for a dating app If you want to see what your kids really think of you and have some fun in the process, ask them to come up with a profile for you if you are single to use on an internet dating app. My children and a couple of grandchildren were here for a visit this past weekend, and that was one bit of interaction we enjoyed. I have never filled out such a profile before, and I turned to them — the generation that started using apps to find partners — for help. Here are some words they Between threw out. you and me Beautiful: Well listen, if your sons

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF don’t think you are good looking, what was the point of all that maternal sacrifice? This one is just a given.

Energetic: Of course. You have to have

some measurable degree of energy in order to put yourself out there. It’s certainly easier to lay back and watch endless television or read a novel every night. And I am leaving off the comments they threw out about double chins and still having my original teeth.

Good conversation: Yes, OK, but it takes two to tango. Willing to offer opinions on just about everything. And listening is at least as important.

Loves to travel: That probably narrows the field to about 90 percent of the female population.

Enjoys theater: Ditto.

Sense of humor: If you have to brag, not much hope. I would hate to be asked to say something funny. Probably more of a way of looking at life.

Likes sailing: Although I no longer ski or play tennis, because of knees that are given to protest. That’s probably in a league with long walks on the beach. Not much personalization there. Come now, let’s find something unique.

Opera subscription: Only unique for the younger generation of Dunaiefs because they can’t imagine thousands of people gathering

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to hear some fat women screech. Little do they know that the women are no longer fat, and the human voice can be one of the most exquisite instruments delivering some of the most beautiful melodies ever written. Plus operas often have profound themes dealing with universal questions. What we have here is theater, concert and choir all in one offering.

They are young yet, they may come upon the bargain that is opera one fine day.

Well read: That’s correct if measured by the amount of newspaper articles I feel it necessary to ingest every day. Books mostly have to wait for vacations.

Loves learning: Now we are getting somewhere. They say that journalists know things a mile wide but only an inch deep. That is true. From one day to the next, we have to leap from subject to subject, spending only enough time on each one to be able to write about its newsworthiness correctly before moving on to the next. And that suits me fine. Where I become more interested, I can always go back and dig deeper. Meanwhile there are endless facts to absorb as I move along.

Still working: Yes, that’s how one continues

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Kyle Barr EDITOR Rita J. Egan

LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason

to learn.

Independent: You bet. That is definitely a truth about yours truly, and those children of mine are probably glad that I am. Being independent, not having to live up to anyone else’s expectations, including one’s own from long ago, is hard won and to be cherished. Not having to lean on anyone for support, unless by choice, is the ultimate liberation.

Loves raspberries and blueberries: Now we are getting to the heart of the matter. Yummy!

Adores flowers and nature in all its magnificence: Yes, yes, yes.

Good friends: You have to be one to have one. I certainly try.

Love my family: And I am close to them. A most important part of my life.

Optimistic and positive to a fault: I have always told my children that all things are possible. They just have to work hard to succeed.

They are the CEOs of their lives.

Romance: Ah, yes. What is life without an adoring someone? Worth searching for, I think.

INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR Rob Alfano CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal BUSINESS MANAGER Sandi Gross

CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Courtney Biondo

PAGE A24 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • August 22, 2019

County Suffolk unveils ambitious plan aimed at combating nitrogen pollution

BY DAVID LUCES DLUCES@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Suffolk County is planning to transition away from the reliance on cesspools and septic systems.

It has developed the Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan, which will invest $4 billion to combat nitrogen pollution over more than 50 years. The plan sets a blueprint for the county to replace hundreds of thousands of old and inadequate septic systems.

The goal is to eliminate 253,000 cesspools and septic systems by replacing them with new nitrogen reducing systems or by connecting them to existing sewers.

“Scientists have warned that continued reliance on primitive wastewater disposal systems is a mounting threat to both our environment and our economy,” said Dr. James Tomarken, Suffolk health commissioner.

“Now, for the first time, there is a long-term plan to diminish nitrogen pollution and put Suffolk County on a path to cleaner, healthier water resources.”

According to Suffolk health officials, approximately 74 percent of the county remains unsewered, so individual residences and businesses rely on antiquated onsite wastewater disposal systems. Studies show that about 70 percent of the nitrogen input to local bays comes from approximately 360,000 cesspools and septic systems.

The plan highlights more than 190 individual watershed areas in Suffolk County and establishes

Above, Suffolk County demonstrates new denitrifying septic systems installed in a county resident’s home; below, a map detailing the phases of the proposed project. Images from Suffolk County

goals and recommendations for reducing nitrogen inputs into each area. If those goals are met, health officials said it will begin to reverse the decline in water quality within 10 years and bring it back to a more pristine condition.

To get that process started, officials said the county will use more than $500 million in already allocated grant sources toward the replacement of 10,000 cesspools and septic systems and expand connections to sewer systems over the next four years as part of the first phase of the plan.

“This plan represents the first meaningful strategy to address legacy septic nitrogen pollution since countywide sewering objectives were abandoned some four decades ago,” Walter Dawydiak, director of Environmental Quality for Suffolk County, said. “In those four decades, we learned a great deal about how toxic excess nitrogen is to the ecosystem.

However, we consistently failed to solve the single largest environmental health problems of our generation. Finally, we have a response plan that will restore our ecosystems and

Implementation Phase II III

Phase II

protect our drinking water.”

In the second phase of the plan, which would begin 2024, the county will eliminate more than 177,000 cesspools and septic systems near shorelines and high priority areas. It also recommends a requirement that cesspools and septic systems be replaced with new technology when properties change hands, or when those cesspools and septic systems fail.

Officials estimate that the requirement could increase the number of cesspools eliminated from 1,000 to more than 5,000 per year.

The third phase of the plan tackles all other priority areas during a 15-year period. The fourth and final phase addresses the remaining areas of the county beginning in 2068.

Currently, county grants of up to $20,000 are available for residents who qualify and wish to replace their cesspool. There is also an additional state grant of up to $10,000, which can mean a total of up to $30,000. As of July 1, Suffolk County residents who voluntarily decide to replace their cesspools will need to replace them with a system consisting of a septic tank and leaching pool at a minimum, according to previous reporting by TBR News Media. Contractors will need to register the system with the Department of Health Services.

The plan will undergo a detailed review by the county’s Council on Environmental Quality and will include an environmental impact statement which is expected this month, according to officials. From there, a 30-day comment period will begin, with two public hearings being scheduled.

IV

SW Priority area 1 GW Priority Area 1 0-2 Year Contributing Area

Phase III

SW Priority area 2-4 GW Priority Area 2 2-25 Year Contributing

Phase IV

Remaining Surface Water and Groundwater Protection