The Times of Smithtown - March 4, 2021

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TIMES of SMITHTOWN

F O R T S A LO N G A • K I N G S PA R K • S M I T H TO W N • N E S C O N S E T • S T J A M E S • H E A D O F T H E H A R B O R • N I S S E Q U O G U E • H A U P PA U G E • C O M M A C K Vol. 34, No. 2

March 4, 2021

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Residents express concerns Community advocacy group holds public forum to discuss town’s draft comprehensive plan

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Scientific illustrator Luci Betti-Nash reflects on her career at SBU

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PAGE A2 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

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County

Northwind and property owners association clash over Preserve at Indian Hills project

BY CHRIS CUMELLA DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM The Town of Huntington Planning Board will soon be releasing results from their research on the geographical region in their Final Environmental Impact Statement for The Preserve at Indian Hills project.

Northwind Group CEO Jim Tsunis said he is determined to start construction on what he said would be one of the most extraordinary projects on the East Coast.

The Preserve is a planned senior residential community through the construction of new units along the Indian Hills golf course and country club, giving residents views from what Tsunis describes as “one of the most beautiful country clubs on Long Island.”

The goal of Hauppauge-based developers Northwind and Nelson Pope Voorhis, land surveyors of Melville, is to respect the country club’s land while blending in a new community. They hope to see home values in the area soar over time. Tsunis’ development team said it has mitigated the environmental impacts from constructing these units through public input.

“In all of my communities, I reach out to area residents to gain their input to achieve the best results,” Tsunis said.

NPV submitted a response detailing specific comments that were addressed to them through the gathering of town input, such as the requests for marked pedestrian crosswalks and maintaining steady traffic of vehicles, pedestrians and golf carts, all of which have been claimed to be resolved.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement was designed in 2019 to gather public feedback and utilize it to adjust the project to bridge compromises between the developers and residents. The Town Board presented a notice of completion for the FEIS in August 2020. However, some in the community thought the inquiries were anything but complete.

“The Town of Huntington now has to do what they call a findings statement,” said John Hayes, president of the Fort Salonga Property Owners Association. “They write down their recommendations for the developers and the proposed development.”

Hayes and the association have opposed much of the development’s progress since the draft became viewable in 2019. He expressed his surprise once he found out the FEIS was proposed to be completed from what he calls “an understatement” that he and several local community members highly contest.

Of the total 86 units expected to be built around the Indian Hills Country Club’s perimeter, 36 of them reside a few hundred feet from a labeled coastal erosion hazard area.

This 2,500-foot bluff of land is nestled between the Long Island Sound and the country club, chiseled by the rising water levels every spring and summer, washed away and cleared by the passing of every fall and winter.

Hayes detailed how the nitrogen levels in the Sound could increase with the new units’ construction.

“The problem is not only that you have this 2,500-foot fault line, but if you are going to build 86 houses, the nitrogen level is

Indian Hills Country Club. File photo by Sara-Megan Walsh

governed by wastewater,” Hayes said. “That makes it even more unstable.”

Tsunis and his team will require a preliminary subdivision approval from the Town of Huntington in order to start work soon.

The rate of shore recession proves worrisome for environmental professionals concerned that winter storms will continue to remove sediment on the beach and tear away at the base of the bluffs.

“It’s dangerous,” said state Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), chair of the state’s Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation. “There’s a very large body of clay that runs along the base of the bluff. The weight of water in the soil is enough to squeeze toothpaste-like clay onto the beach every winter.”

Englebright and his state Assembly committee colleagues were able to measure the rate of erosion in the Baiting Hollow area of Riverhead, where they found dune forms that ran north and south, more than a mile in length from top to bottom. Today, he says that what is left is no more than a few hundred yards of dunes, the rest of which has been eroded since sea levels increased in the Sound.

While reviews for the Indian Hills project are still currently underway to maintain and improve the development shortly, there is still a distance between the property owners association and Northwind.

“We have never turned down talking with the developers,” Hayes said. “We met with them more than three times, and yet we have never been anywhere near an agreement.”

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PAGE A4 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

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Town

Community forum discusses residents concerns with town’s master plans

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM While many are pleased that the Town of Smithtown has laid out comprehensive draft plans for each of its hamlets, some residents are concerned with several of the proposals.

We Are Smithtown, an advocacy group for town residents, hosted an online community forum about the town’s comprehensive plan March 1 to summarize officials’ suggestions and share residents’ concerns, as well as give participants a chance to share their thoughts. Approximately 85 residents took part in the forum.

The plans

In December, the town released its Draft Comprehensive Plan and initiated the State Environmental Quality Review process.

Virtual public outreach meetings were held separately for Commack, Hauppauge, Nesconset, Kings Park, St. James and Smithtown proper in January and February. In 2019, the town began the process with public meetings where town officials presented maps and offered interactive sessions. An online questionnaire was also made available at the beginning of the process.

Mike Cooley, vice president of the group, said at the March 1 forum that a lot of what residents see around town is due to piecemeal planning since there hasn’t been a comprehensive plan since 1957. He said in 2015 there was a draft plan but it wasn’t adapted.

“I think that’s why a lot of our downtowns and our main streets look the way they do, and maybe not what you picture as Main Street USA or what you’ve seen in some other places,” Cooley said. “I think we got a lot of areas of town that would make you scratch your head, and say why are there houses next to businesses, next to industry.”

He added that 97% of the town is already developed.

Housing wants

Gyrodyne problems

James Bouklas, We Are Smithtown president, said the forum presenters didn’t have time to go over all the developments, but touched on Gyrodyne in St. James.

Groups such as We Are Smithtown and the Three Village Civic Association have protested in the past the proposed plans to the former Flowerfield property which includes subdivision of the 75-acre-property to build a 150-room hotel with a restaurant, two assisted living centers, two medical office parks and a 7-acre sewage treatment plant.

“This is simply too big for St James, and I can’t even imagine something this size and scope that doesn’t transform our community,” Bouklas said.

He added a development such as what Gyrodyne has proposed is inconsistent with the town’s draft plan and pointed out page 56 of the plan.

“It discusses that highly traveled corridors are not compatible with commercial development,” Bouklas said. “There’s an idea that a very high-traffic corridor shouldn’t be promoting commercial development.

You know, 25A is one of those high-traffic corridors.”

There are also environmental concerns

about the property, he said, as the property was once used to manufacture helicopters.

People fear that industrial solvents may be in the ground and other legacy toxins. He said any toxins could destroy nearby Stony Brook Harbor and groups have called for a forensic environmental audit to be done on the property.

“Is there a plume that we don’t know about?” he said. “Are we going to be disturbing it by all this development and are we going to be allowing that into our drinking water? Is this going to be the next Superfund site.”

Judith Ogden, a participant in the meeting and Head of the Harbor trustee, said she is working with the newly formed St. James-Head of the Harbor Neighborhood Preservation Coalition.

She said one of the concerns brought to her attention after sitting in on the town’s virtual public outreach meeting for St. James is that it’s the second most densely hamlet with the least amount of open space.

She agreed that Gyrodyne’s proposed development is not in agreement with the comprehensive plan. Residents are also concerned about talks that Bull Run Farm on

Mills Pond Road in St. James may be slated for an assisted living facility, she said.

Ogden added during the hamlet meetings, the town sometimes says what is convenient but not accurate. She gave the example of town officials saying the county would be buying the development rights to BB and GG Farm on Route 25A down the road from Gyrodyne.

However, at the time of the meeting the farm owners had not yet agreed to Suffolk County’s offer and the deal did not go through.

As of Feb. 25, a letter was sent to the owners from the Suffolk County executive’s office saying the offer from the county had expired, this after a 60 days extension requested by the owners back in December.

Ogden said many in the coalition are concerned that open spaces are disappearing, and they are asking residents to call and email town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) and Town Board members and ask for a moratorium on large-scale plans until the comprehensive plan is finalized.

Bouklas said all questions, concerns and suggestions from the meeting are being compiled and will be sent to the town.

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We Are Smithtown vice president Phyllis Hart said while the town talks about people wanting affordable housing, many are asking for single-family homes not apartments. She said in the town’s plan on page 40 it’s stated that 77% respondents to a town survey said they encourage or strongly encourage singlefamily residential. There were 44% who wanted the town to discourage or strongly discourage duplexes.

“The town is looking to throw up apartments in every vacant piece of land, which will not maintain the residential feel and character of this area,” she said. “The town has not made a clear case of why this is necessary.”

We Are Smithtown has shared concerns about potential multihousing units in Hauppauge and The Preserves in Nesconset

where developers broke ground in October.

Hart made a case to why single-family homes, that add residential character, keep people in the area. Property values have increased in the town for decades, she said, and buying a home is an investment while homeowners contribute to the tax base. She added that Smithtown’s population has been stable for the last 50 years, and there is no mass exodus as many developers and town officials claim when talking about the importance of affordable apartments.

The group and other residents have been vocal that some of the proposed apartments in the area aren’t affordable.

“We had an influential developer speak with us recently and gave us an eye-popping statement,” Hart said. “With large state and local subsidies, a one-bedroom apartment in this area would be as low as $2,000 a month. As low as $2,000 a month? Affordable for who? Most Apartments in this area are over that.”

She said for most affordable housing is about a house’s price and taxes, and there’s a need for more starter homes, townhouses and condos to enable people to start putting roots down in a community. Hart added developers have said they can’t build affordable apartments without tax breaks, which she said leads to the IDA giving them tax breaks in the millions. She added that the developer gets the tax break, while apartment complex dwellers use town and school district services.

PAGE A6 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

County

Suffolk officials mark the opening of COVID-19 memorial

BY JULIANNE MOSHER JULIANNE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Almost a year to the day of the first reported case of COVID-19 in Suffolk County, elected officials joined mourning families to remember the lives lost.

On Monday, March 1, Suffolk County Presiding Officer Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue) with his colleagues and officials unveiled a new county COVID-19 memorial in Hauppauge.

“Over this last year, I don’t think anybody at the beginning would have thought that we would have had so many trials and tribulations, so many challenges and so many losses,” Calarco said.

Since March 2020, there have been more than 500,000 deaths nationwide from the virus, and just over 3,000 in Suffolk County.

“That is a tremendous number of people,” Calarco added. “And it has left many of us mourning.”

The wooden structure, located outside the Legislature’s William H. Rogers Building at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, was built and donated by Smithtown Boy Scout Troop 888, and will be on display throughout the month of March.

Families and loved ones are encouraged to write the names of those who have passed, tying the purple ribbons on the metal cords across the wooden planks. It’s a way, Calarco said, to memorialize them.

“Because especially for those who were lost early on, family members weren’t able to lean on each other,” he said. “They weren’t

Above, elected officials gather at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge to unveil the new COVID-19 memorial. Below, families and loved ones of people who died of the virus write down their names on ribbons and decorate the structure, created by Smithown Boy Scouts. Photos by Julianne Mosher

able to be with their loved ones in the hospital due to restrictions. They weren’t able to have the normal funeral and wake process for their friends and family. When we grieve, we need to have the community around us to support us.”

Deputy County Executive Jon Kaiman spoke on behalf of County Executive Steve Bellone (D) who was not in attendance.

“Three thousand people in this county lost their lives … that’s more than 3,000 families

grieving,” he said. “We in Suffolk County stand He didn’t back down during the most difficult with them. We grieve with them. We know that of times in this pandemic. So, we were honored we’re in the process of getting through it, we’re to have him in our family, and we will always getting through it together.” be honored to have you with us. And we’ll The first group of families able to share never forget what he’s done for us.” names tearfully thanked the Van Zeyl’s ex-wife, county for honoring their Tina, joined their two loved ones. children Hailey and Tyler in The family of Sgt. Keith the emotional ribbon tying.

Allison of Brentwood was Hailey had the honor of the first to tie the ribbon. putting her dad’s name on Allison, who spent 25 years the memorial. in uniform with the Suffolk “It felt like I was County Sheriff’s Office, honoring my dad,” she died in December after said.“I know he’s proud a 17-day battle with the of me.” coronavirus.

Anyone who has lost —Jon Kaiman someone to COVID-19 may “I’m humbled to be here and to accept this ribbon in submit their loved one’s his name,” said his wife Brenda. “I know that name for inclusion in the memorial online at he’s looking down smiling.” scnylegislature.us/covid-19-memorial.

County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. (D) said of The website also provides the option to his former colleague that he was “not only just share a photo and a memory about the person. a friend of mine, but a person who was always After the county receives the submission, smiling, always helpful and always energetic county staff will write the loved one’s name on and passionate about his job.” a ribbon and affix it to the memorial.

County Police Commissioner Geraldine Ribbons will also be made available to those Hart came to support the Van Zeyl family. Lt. who wish to write their loved one’s name and Robert Van Zeyl, of Selden, passed away from tie the ribbon themselves, at both the memorial the virus on Jan. 20 after a two-week battle. in Hauppauge as well as a temporary structure He was the first active county police officer to on the East End in the lobby of the Evans succumb to COVID-19.

K. Griffing Building at 300 Center Drive in “I think we all thought that we would be Riverhead. Any ribbons tied in Riverhead will immune from this tragedy, and it really hit our be incorporated into the memorial. family very hard, our police family,” Hart said.

More information is available at the above “Bob was out there every day. He didn’t stop. website.

‘Three thousand people in this county lost their lives ... that’s more than 3,000 families grieving.’

MARCH 4, 2021 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • PAGE A7

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PAGE A8 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

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Sports

East Bulls fall in final seconds

BY BILL LANDON DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

The Bulls of Smithtown East struggled in the first two quarters trailing by 10 at the half in a home game, against Eastport-South Manor in their season finale Feb. 26.

Smithtown East junior forward Tristan Davis was the spark that ignited the Bulls with a two-handed monster jam to fuel a late game surge. The Bulls closed the gap to a single point in the final seconds but it was too little too late falling 62-61.

Smithtown East concluded their COVIDabbreviated season at 3-3 in League III and 4-4 overall.

Davis topped the scoring charts for the Bulls with six from the floor and three from the line for 15 points. Jack Melore, the lone freshman on the roster, netted 13, while senior George Schwab did his damage from long distance with three triples and a field goal for 11 points. Teammate Ethan Cain added eight.

Pictured clockwise from left, Davis hangs from the rim after a power jam; Melore shoots for two at home; Schwab scores from the paint; and Cain drives on an ESM defender.

—Photos by Bill Landon

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17 ISSUES OF ”WHERE TO RETIRE” magazines, Jan 2010 to Dec 2012, $5.00 631-862-6265.

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TOP CASH PAID FOR ALL TRUCKS, CARS, & VANS. Highest prices paid for fixable vehicles. Call Mark 631-258-7919. See Display for more information.

Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donatingyour car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - EasyTo Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

101872

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199.

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Musical Instruments

©105747

Auto Services

Automobiles/Trucks Vans/Rec Vehicles

dental50plus.com/nypress

Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Product not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN); Rider kinds B438/B439 (GA: B439B).

6255

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The Classifieds Section is published by TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA every Thursday. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher, Sheila Murray, Classifieds Director. We welcome your comments and ads.

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CLASSIFIEDS

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631.331.1154 or 631.751.7663 • www.tbrnewsmedia.com Garage Sales Friday to Sunday, 10/2-10/4, 8AM TO 4PM. SETAUKET, 36 MAIN ST. Multifamily. Lots of antiques, collectibles and jewelry. Masks required.

REAL ESTATE

MOVING SALE SATURDAY, 10/3, 9:00-12:OOPM ONLY. 39 OVERLOOK PATH PORT JEFFERSON, parking only on Lookout Ridge Drive, mostly furniture, masks required, no early arrivals, cash only.

W HO

Automobiles/Trucks Vans/Rec Vehicles

BIG BUCKS FOR YOUR JUNK Top Dollar Paid! $500 every car guaranteed! Up to $1000 for repairs! Call Junk Car Connection.

631-831-4767. See Display Ad for more info.

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TOP CASH PAID FOR ALL TRUCKS, CARS, & VANS. +LJKHVW SULFHV SDLG IRU ¿[DEOH vehicles. Call Mark 631-258-7919. See Display for more information.

Auto Services Drive Out Breast Cancer: DoQDWH D FDU WRGD\ 7KH EHQH¿WV RI donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

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by Master clockmaker Gustav Becker, Silesia German, Vienne regulator (30” X 12” ) $150 631-941-4425.

Musical Instruments BLUES MAN PIANO TUNING &HUWL¿HG SLDQR WHFKQLFLDQ 631-681-9723, bluesmanpianotuning@gmail.com, www.bluesmanpianotuning.com

Novenas ST. JUDE NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of -HVXV EH DGRUHG JORUL¿HG loved and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus thy kingdom come. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless, Pray For Us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, Pray For Us. This prayer is never known to fail if repeated 9 times daily for 9 consecutive days. Publication should be promised. J.B.

Pets/Pet Services TENDER LOVING PET CARE, LLC. Pet Sitting Services.

When you need to leave town, why disrupt your pet’s routine.

Let your pets enjoy the comforts of home while receiving 7/& IURP D 36, &HUWL¿HG SUR fessional Pet Sitter. Experienced, reliable. Ins/Bonded.

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Financial Services

Finds Under 50

GIRLS BIKE never used, 6 speed, 26 inch, asking $45.00 Call 631-744-3722.

PIANO - GUITAR - BASS All ages-levels-styles.

Many local references.

Recommended by all area schools. Tony Mann, 631-473-3443, 631-332-6005

Finds Under 50 3 PAIRS 52” PRISCILLA COTTAGE UXIÀHG FXUWDLQV $20 631-473-8637.

ART DRAFTING TEMPLATES, Qty. 30. A nice mixture of assorted templates all in excellent condition. $45 for all or will sell individually. 631-689-8616.

$

Time To Have

A Garage Sale!!

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE is Tuesday at noon.

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BUSINESS

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Schools/Instruction/ Tutoring

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and scholarship available for certain programs IRU TXDOL¿HG DSSOLFDQWV &DOO &7, for details! (844) 947- 0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

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References available.

Call Joann: 631-338-9558

MOVING?

BIC VENTURI FORMULA 4 vintage stereo speakers, good condition, $40 Call 631-928-8995.

.(0 Jgml] ))* Hgjl B]^^]jkgf KlYlagf .+)&,/+&.+++ 8kYn]Yh]lYfaeYdj]k[m] 8kYn]Yh]lYfaeYdj]k[m]

We Publish Novenas

SERVICES

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631.331.1154 class@tbrnewsmedia.com TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA

©107334

CAREERS

Autos Wanted ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highe$t Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h.

DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277

Boat/Marine 1974 BRISTOL 27’ SAILBOAT, inboard diesal engine, excellent condition, $2000. 631-473-4561

©107988

*Offer valid only while supplies last. Limit one per household. Must be first time purchase. Minimum spend amount applies. Financing subject to third party credit approval. Some financing options cannot be combined with other offers and may require minimum monthly payments. All offers subject to change prior to purchase. See AmericanStandardShowers.com for other restrictions and for licensing, warranty, and company information. CSLB B982796; Suffolk NY: 55431H;NYC:HIC 2022748-DCA. Safety Tubs Co. LLC does not sell in Nassau NY, Westchester NY, Putnam NY, Rockland NY.

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10520

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10510

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MARCH 4, 2021 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • PAGE A13

Place your ad today Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154

E M PL OY M E N T / C A R E E R S

COVID VACCINATORS RN/LPN-Stony Brook Flex days/hrs/shifts. Mon-Sun: 7 a m - 7 p m .

Apply:sbadministrativeservicesllc.appone.com

Apply: sbadministrative servicesllc.appone.com

THE CHELSEA OF BROOKHAVEN seeking F/T or P/T housekeepers to join our team, please email Mkrasnoff@cslal. com or call 631-816-2339.

We need Direct Support Professionals. Join us!

   6820

Apply: sbadministrative servicesllc.appone.com

F/T or P/T HOUSEKEEPERS

Please email  

Everyone in our family of organizations shares the same mission...  

RN/LPN-STONY BROOK Flex days/hours/shifts Mon-Sun; 7am-7pm

The Chelsea at Brookhaven is seeking

to join our team!

A JOB THAT I CAN ADD VALUE AND HAVE CAREER GROWTH

©3290

CITIZENS OPTIONS UNLIMITED. We need Direct Support Professionals. Call/Text Zach at 516-727-0507. See Display for more info.

Clerical exp. preferred.

STONY BROOK Flex days/hours/shifts/ $18/hour Mon-Sun; 7am - 7pm

For immediate consideration, Call/Text Zach at 516.727.0507 or email zcorreale@ahrc.org

Are You Hiring?

Looking for a

LONG HILL CARPENTRY 45 years experience All phases of home improvement. Old & Historic Restorations. Lic.#H22336/Ins. 631-751-1764 longhill7511764@aol.com

Clean-Ups LET STEVE DO IT Clean-ups, yards, basements, whole house, painting, tree work, local moving and anything else. Totally overwhelmed?

Call Steve @ 631-745-2598, leave message.

Decks Cesspool Services MR SEWERMAN CESSPOOL SERVICE All types of cesspool servicing, all work guaranteed, family owned and operated since 1985, 631-924-7502.

Licensed and Insured.

DECKS ONLY BUILDERS & DESIGNERS Of Outdoor Living By Northern Construction of LI. Decks, Patios/Hardscapes, Pergolas, Outdoor Kitchens and Lighting.

Since 1995. Lic/Ins. 3rd Party Financing Available.

105 Broadway, Greenlawn.

631-651-8478. www.DecksOnly.com

ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIALS

NANNY, NURSE, MEDICAL BILLER, CHEF, DRIVER, COMPUTER PROGRAMMER, PRIVATE FITNESS TRAINER...?

Take advantage of our North Shore distribution. Reach over 169,000 readers.

CALL THE CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT 631-331-1154 or 631-751-7663

Place your ad by Tuesday noon and it will appear in that Thursday’s editions.

Place your ad today Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154

SERV ICES Carpentry

citizens-inc.org/careers

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

©10700

$18.50 NYC, $17 L.I. up to $13.50 Upstate NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medi c a i d C D PA P r o g r a m . N o Certificates needed.

347-713-3553

COVID CLINIC VACCINE REGISTRATION STAFF, Clerical exp. preferred. Stony Brook.

Flex days/hours/shifts/$18/hr.

Mon-Sun., 7am-7pm. Apply: sbadministrativeservicesllc. appone.com

Employment

FINALLY,

©5350

PUBLISHER’S EMPLOYMENT NOTICE: All employment advertising in this newspaper is subject to section 296 of the human rights law which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, disability, marital status, sex, age or arrest conviction record or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Title 29, U.S. Code Chap 630, excludes the Federal Gov’t. from the age discrimination provisions. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for employment which is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that employment offerings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Help Wanted

©101632

Help Wanted

Home Improvement The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system.

SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194

Fences

Floor Services/Sales

SMITHPOINT FENCE. DEER PROBLEM? WE CAN HELP! Wood, PVC, Chain Link, Stockade. Free estimates.

Now offering 12 month interest free financing.

Commercial/Residential.

70 Jayne Blvd., PJS. Lic.37690H/Ins. 631-743-9797 www.smithpointfence.com.

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FINE SANDING & REFINISHING Wood Floor Installations Craig Aliperti, Wood Floors LLC. All work done by owner.

28 years experience.

Lic.#47595-H/Insured.

631-875-5856

Furniture/Restoration/ Repairs REFINISHING & RESTORATION Antiques restored, repairing recane, reupholstery, touch-ups kitchen, front doors, 40 yrs exp, SAVE$$$, free estimates.

Vincent Alfano 631-707-1228

Home Improvement ALL PHASES OF HOME IMPROVEMENT From attic to your basement, RCJ Construction www.rcjconstruction.com commercial/residential, lic/ins 631-580-4518.

BLUSTAR CONSTRUCTION The North Shore’s Most Trusted Renovation Experts.

631-751-0751 We love small jobs too!

Suffolk Lic. #48714-H, Ins. See Our Display Ad

LAMPS FIXED, $65.

In Home Service!! Handy Howard. My cell 646-996-7628

PAGE A14 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

Place your ad today Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154

SERV ICES Lawn & Landscaping

Landscape Materials

SETAUKET LANDSCAPE DESIGN Stone Driveways/Walkways, Walls/Stairs/Patios/Masonry, Brickwork/Repairs Land Clearing/Drainage,Grading/ Excavating. Plantings/Mulch, Rain Gardens.

Steve Antos, 631-689-6082 setauketlandscape.com Serving Three Villages

Privacy Hedges -SPRING BLOWOUT-5/6ft Green Giant Regular price $199, Now only $69 each. FREE Installation/FREE delivery, Trees are selling fast!

518-536-1367 www. lowcosttreefarm.com

CARL BONGIORNO LANDSCAPE/MASON CONTRACTOR All phases Masonry Work:Stone Walls, Patios, Poolscapes. All phases of Landscaping Design.

Theme Gardens. Residential & Commercial. Lic/Ins. 631-928-2110

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper SCREENED TOP SOIL Mulch, compost, decorative and driveway stone, concrete pavers, sand/block/portland.

Fertilizer and seed.

JOS. M. TROFFA MATERIALS CORP. 631-928-4665, www.troffa.com

ALL PRO PAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Power Washing, Staining, Wallpaper Removal. Free estimates. Lic/Ins #19604HI 631-696-8150. Nick

CALL YOUR CLASSIFIED CONNECTION

631.331.1154 or 631.751.7663 OR PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: tbrnewsmedia.com

©101553

ADVERTISE TODAY

SWAN COVE LANDSCAPING Lawn Maintenance, Cleanups, Shrub/Tree Pruning, Removals. Landscape Design/ Installation, Ponds/Waterfalls, Stone Walls. Firewood. Free estimates. Lic/Ins.631-6898089

Masonry

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

BOB’S PAINTING SERVICE 25 Years Experience.

Interior/Exterior Painting, Spackling, Staining, Wallpaper Removal, Staining and Deck Restoration Power Washing.

Free Estimates. Lic/Ins. #17981.

631-744-8859 COUNTY-WIDE PAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Painting/Staining. Quality workmanship. Living and Serving Three Village Area for over 30 years. Lic#37153-H. 631-751-8280 LaROTONDA PAINTING & DESIGN Interior/exterior, sheetrock repairs, taping/spackling, wallpaper removal, Faux, decorative finishings. Free estimates. Lic. #53278-H/Ins. Ross LaRotonda 631-689-5998

WORTH PAINTING “PAINTING WITH PRIDE” Interiors/exteriors. Staining & deck restoration, powerwashing, wallpaper removal, sheetrocktape/spackling, carpentry/trimwork. Lead paint certified. References. Free estimates. Lic./Ins. SINCE 1989 Ryan Southworth. See Display Ad. 631-331-5556

Restorations LUX DEVELOPMENT GROUP Historical restorations, extensions & dormers, cedar siding & clapboard installation, basements, kitchens,doors & windows, finished carpentry & moulding, SEE OUR DISPLAY AD FOR MORE INFORMATION Call 631-283-2266.

JUNK CARS BOUGHT

FREE Pickup

Hyundais and Kias

Habla Español Lic. # 7112911/Ins.

(631) 445-1848

©4250

LICENSED • BONDED INSURED

631.500.1015

$$$ TOP CASH PAID $$$

PLEASE CALL US FOR DETAILS AND SPECIAL RATES.

All Trucks, Cars & Vans

SUNBURST TREE EXPERTS Since 1974, our history of customer satisfaction is second to none. Pruning/removals/ planting, plant health care.

Insect/ Disease Management.

ASK ABOUT GYPSY MOTH AND TICK SPRAYS Bonded employees. Lic/Ins. #8864HI 631-744-1577

JUNK CARS BOUGHT

DMV CERTIFIED 7002706

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Domestic/Foreign

©107135

631.331.1154 OR 631.751.7663

RANDALL BROTHERS TREE SERVICE Planting, pruning, removals, stump grinding. Free Estimates.

Fully insured.

LIC# 50701-H. 631-862-9291

©4180

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PAGE A18 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

Editorial

TBR News Media Editor Julianne Mosher

Women in journalism

It’s pretty funny. Journalism was always known as a male-dominated field.

Back in the day, women were mostly secretaries in the field — a select few would end up publishing their own works like the famous Nellie Bly. But even so, thanks to the brave and loud people who fought for women’s rights all those years ago, we’re allowed to do what we do.

In celebration of Women’s History Month this March, we thank them, from the bottom of our hearts.

Now it’s 2021 and a lot has changed since Bly took a trip around the world in 72 days and uncovered the horrors of mental institutions in the late 1880s.

TBR News Media currently staffs primarily women — its three editors are all female. We’ve had men work here before, but it just happened to work out that the majority of employees are now female.

Although the world has given our gender more rights than before, it’s still tough out there for women in journalism — between community to national levels, broadcast, radio, print and the web.

Our colleagues have been harassed on the street, cat called, grabbed. Some of us have been victim blamed or spoken to in a condescending way. Some of us in journalism don’t earn as much as our male counterparts — even on Long Island (yes, equal pay still does not exist).

But yet, women are still out there talking to you, telling your stories, being as empathetic as we can be when interviewing, photographing, taking videos and writing an article.

We have a lot to be thankful for, but there still needs to be change.

We need to be paid properly for what we do. We need to be thanked for the work we do. We need respect — and not to be grabbed or harassed while we do our jobs. This applies not only to us but all the women out there who are doing their best to feed their families, achieve their goals and to make their mark on the world.

WRITE TO US … 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 Smithtown, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

Letters to the Editor

What’s wrong with this picture?

In response to your plea for more letters about local issues (“Stay local,” Feb. 25) and “what needs to be said”: An African American actress, Diamond Essence White, was invited to participate in the Smithtown school district’s first Family Literacy Night, held Jan. 6, based on her connection with the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, where she performed in “Hairspray.”

Her participation caused an uproar among some parents because of pro-Black Lives Matter views on her Twitter feed. At the first school board meeting following the event, one parent’s censure of her invitation was read, charging Ms. White with “extreme political social media issues.” In response, the Smithtown superintendent of schools, Mark Secaur, rather than pointing out that Ms. White’s presentation was 100% nonpolitical or challenging the presumption that supporting BLM is extreme, apologized to the parent, expressed regret that Family Literacy Night was turned into a “polarizing event,” and declared the district should have done a better job “vetting” Ms. White, thereby implying she was indeed an unsuitable choice.

What’s wrong with this picture? I hardly know where to begin. What inspired a number of parents to pick through Ms.

White’s Twitter feed in the first place?

Could it have anything to do with the color of her skin? That’s Ms. White’s contention, and I’m inclined to agree. I’ve had a glance at her Twitter feed and see in it nothing “extreme.” It’s not like she was tweeting kooky conspiracy theories or lies about the last election or calling for armed insurrection because she doesn’t approve of what’s happening in our country.

Maybe these parents didn’t care for Ms. White’s book choice, “Not Quite Snow White.” It’s described by Scholastic as the story of Tameika, where “a young brown girl is eager to play Snow White in a school musical even when her classmates don’t think she’s ‘quite right’ for the part.”

“She can’t be Snow White. She’s much too chubby. And she’s too brown,” they whisper. Is it our children who might be uncomfortable with this story? Or is it some of our parents? Could it be that some parents in our community are unconsciously re-enacting this tale of trashing someone based on their appearance, with Ms. White cast as Tameika, and themselves cast as her mean-spirited and bullying classmates?

I’d like to believe that the parents complaining about Ms. White would never complain about political correctness. Or about the suppression of free speech. Or

about the so-called cancel culture. Because that would be the most blatant hypocrisy.

I’m afraid the most appalling thing about this whole sorry episode is the response of our superintendent of schools at the school board meeting. Instead of questioning the assumptions of the parents trying to drive out of town anybody like Ms. White, he caved, implying the district did something wrong inviting her to participate. Asked days later for comment, he expressed the pious wish that this “situation” might serve as a “teachable moment” for all of us.

Teachable moment indeed! What it teaches in its present form is that God forbid our children should be exposed to a Black person, who naturally is in favor of Black Lives Matter.

I’ve heard a number of Smithtown residents complain bitterly about Smithtown’s reputation as racist. The thing is, if you’re steamed about being called racist, the answer is don’t act like a racist.

If we can’t even invite a Black person to give a completely harmless children’s presentation without a huge ruckus ensuing, how in the world are we going to handle more difficult issues? Or is the huge ruckus the point?

David Friedman St. James

Say ‘Yes’ to For the People Act On Jan. 4, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced H.R. 1 in the House of Representatives. It is a bill known as For the People Act of 2021 to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen ethics rules for public servants and implement other anti-corruption measures for the purpose of fortifying our democracy.

A March vote has now been set, as both the Democrat and Republican parties develop their positions.

It is vitally important that we citizens take a stand now.

Democrats will support H.R. 1, as it embodies almost all their democracy reform aspirations. The legislation aims to substantially ease access to the ballot box, curb the role of money in politics, end partisan gerrymandering and tighten government ethics.

Republicans seem certain to oppose it unanimously. In fact, on Feb. 17, they launched two nationwide efforts to make voting more difficult in 2022.

Wake up before it’s too late

Congratulations to all the President Joe Biden [D] supporters including the unions that voted for him. Due to you electing Biden, thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and gas and oil prices, as well as taxes, are now going to go up. In addition, our First and Second Amendment rights are disappearing, and the border wall is being destroyed which protected the citizens of America. It is ironic though

that a new wall has been built around the Capitol building to protect the “elite” in Washington, D.C. We are on the verge of becoming a socialist-communist country because of your hatred for former President Donald Trump [R]. Over 74 million Americans are not going to let Biden, Nancy Pelosi [D-CA] and Chuck Schumer [D-NY], as well as the rest of their followers, destroy

The package will stand little chance in this 50-50 Senate unless we, as the potential recipients of this bill’s reforms, actively support it.

I urge you to call our senators to confirm your support of H.R. 1: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at 631-753-0978; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) at 631-249-2825.

Rita Edwards South Setauket

our country. Wake up before it’s too late.

It’s time to elect responsible politicians in our country. Unfortunately, when you have so much hate, the ability to think intelligently is compromised and all the positive accomplishments in the past four years are now destroyed.

Richard Esopa Miller Place

MARCH 4, 2021 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • PAGE A19

Opinion

Conversations about vaccinations, college and conferences

I

n my daily conversations with a range of people over the last week, I have heard stories I thought I’d share, as a reflection of the reality of our lives.

The first involved a discussion with Joe about his vaccination.

Joe had been trying to sign up for a COVID vaccination for weeks.

He thought he’d landed a coveted vaccination appointment at Jones Beach. Driving out there for a 6 p.m. appointment, he drove D. None in circles.

The site had the of the above wrong address, he

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF said. In addition, even the correct address, which had a phone onsite that wasn’t working, naturally, was closed

that day because the winds were too high.

“Who would put tents up on Jones Beach?”

Joe asked, his voice barely rising but his frustration evident from the time wasted trying to get a vaccination that would allow him to do a job that required interacting with the public.

“If you want to build a tent, put it somewhere that’s not as windy. It wasn’t even snowing.”

Fortunately, Joe, who spent more time the next day sharing his experience with a vaccination operator, was able to schedule a make-up appointment much closer to home.

The next day, I spoke with Matthew, who is worrying about his son Jim, who is a sophomore in college. Jim, you see, has already received a COVID warning. A second warning or infraction could send his son home, which would, as Matthew put it, “not be good for anybody.”

As it turns out, Jim has a girlfriend, Sarah.

Normally, that wouldn’t be such a cause for concern for his parents or for the university.

Still, with his girlfriend living in a different

penitentiary, I mean, dormitory, Jim is not allowed to visit with Sarah.

The problem is that Sarah, who is an excellent and committed student, not only works hard at school, but also inspires Jim to expend considerable additional academic effort.

If Jim stops seeing Sarah, which he may do to comply with school rules designed to protect the campus from spreading the dangerous virus, he will miss time with his close friend, while he will also likely not study as hard.

My friend Matthew advised Jim to be careful and comply with the rules, although I could tell that he felt his own return on the investment he spends for college will likely be higher if Jim spends more time with his studious friend.

Finally, I spoke with Paul, a friend who regularly attended conferences before COVID shut all those events down. Paul traveled at least four times a year to meetings all over the world, visiting interesting places but, more

importantly, speaking with people in his field.

One day in 2019, Paul was sitting in one such conference and was taking notes. As the conference ended, he and the man sitting next to him, whom he’d never met, struck up a conversation. The man suggested a follow-up effort to the work that might help the industry.

Realizing he had the ability to do exactly what the stranger suggested, Paul asked if the man would mind if he used the idea. The stranger was delighted and a friendship, and an idea, was born.

I asked Paul how much he missed conferences and if he planned to attend them when the world reopened.

He said he would not only jump at the chance, but might even attend conferences he wouldn’t have previously considered, just to benefit from such random and potentially beneficial interactions. His only hesitation is that he hasn’t gotten his vaccination yet. He wondered what I thought about driving out to Jones Beach.

Choices, and possibly regrets, that define a life

“

What are you doing for enrichment these days, now that you can’t see a Broadway play or go to the opera or comfortably travel to new countries?” asked a longtime friend the other day. “Do you feel like you are in a desert?”

I had to think about that for a moment.

True, those events she mentioned that I so enjoy have been on hold throughout this unimaginable pandemic we are enduring, and I certainly miss them.

While I have my work Between with the newspapers you and me and digital media that keeps me happily

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF occupied, the pleasure I take in the cultural side of my life has not disappeared. It’s just changed. I’ll tell you how and see if you agree.

Yes, I love to travel. But, you know, reading books and taking trips have much in common. A faithful subscriber, who writes to me often and sends me clippings that he finds interesting, sent me a column from The Wall Street Journal by Elizabeth Bernstein.

“Books expand our world, providing an escape and offering novelty, surprise and excitement, which boost dopamine,” she comments. “They broaden our perspective and help us empathize with others. And they can improve our social life, giving us something to connect over.” She could just as correctly be describing travel.

Bernstein goes on to quote Mitchell Kaplan, owner of independent book stores Books & Books and co-founder of the Miami Book Fair.

“You disconnect from the chaos around you. You reconnect with yourself when you are reading.”

I certainly agree. At the moment, I am reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. In this New York Times bestseller, he takes up a subject that has at one time or another occurred to all of us: what if I had taken another road in my earlier life? It brings to mind the Robert

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Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken,” as it deals with the many choices the young heroine in the novel could have made differently.

And ultimately, the story reconnects us with ourselves, as travel does for me. What if I had gone south instead of north on my trip? What would I have experienced? Whom would I have met? That is not so different from: what if I had gone to a different college, taken a different major, married a different person, settled in a different place? Books, like travel, stimulate, entertain, and if they are good books with universal themes, speak to you personally.

Of course, you don’t get to eat the different native cuisine when you read that you do when you travel. Books and travel: analogous but not the same. Yes, books are a magic carpet that can transport you to any place in the universe, but I surely do miss the physicality of travel, of throwing a few articles of clothing and my toothbrush into a suitcase and hitting the road.

As to other enrichment in my life, I have become captivated by movies on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Well, some of

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Rita J. Egan EDITOR Rita J. Egan LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton COPY EDITOR John Broven

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathleen Gobos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Elizabeth Bongiorno Robin Lemkin Minnie Yancey SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Kathryn Mandracchia ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason

those films offer cultural enrichment, some just good old entertainment. I fell in love with Outlander, the time-travel series I stayed up until all hours binge-watching, as I have previously mentioned. Since then there have been many that I would recommend, including some that were finalists for the Golden Globes awards that I was able to watch on my Smart TV. Nomadland, which won for best motion picture, is about a slice of life in America that few of us see. The story follows an older widow who outfits her vehicle so that she can live in it and travels around the Southwest, working occasional spot jobs to sustain her along the way. She meets up with others doing the same, and they are mutually supportive even as they are fiercely independent. Her journey is one of self discovery, revealed through her choices, even at an advanced age.

Others I have enjoyed include The Dig, The Trial of the Chicago Seven, East Side Sushi, Penguin Bloom, Red Sea Diving Resort and the delightful series, Firefly Lane. I don’t feel like I am in a cultural desert, but I want it all back.

PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Sharon Nicholson INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR Rob Alfano CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Sheila Murray CLASSIFIEDS Joann Brady

BUSINESS MANAGER Sandi Gross CIRCULATION MANAGER Courtney Biondo SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Sheila Murray

PAGE A20 • TIMES OF SMITHTOWN • MARCH 4, 2021

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