The Village Beacon Record - November 2, 2017

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BEACON

RECORD

MOUNT SINAI • MILLER PLACE • SOUND BEACH • ROCKY POINT • SHOREHAM • WADING RIVER

Vol. 33, No. 15

November 2, 2017

$1.00

Local Election Info

Election Day guide Read up on local races before heading to the polls Nov. 7

A9

STAC Member Artist Showcase returns

Also: Photo of the Week, Art exhibits on the North Shore, SBU Sports, review of ‘Cornelius & the Cowlick’

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SPACE RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBER ADDRESS

Crowning achievement Rocky Point field hockey shuts out Miller Place in finals — A21 Photo by Bill Landon

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PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

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A Korean War veteran speaks during a Rocky Point Veterans Day assembly.

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The Rocky Point High School is in the beginning stages of creating a Veterans Wall of Honor for those graduates of the district that served in the military.

Social studies teacher Rich Acritelli and the History Honors Society and History Club will be collecting pictures of service members that will be presented at Rocky Point High School. All those who would like to be a part of the project to recognize

service in the armed forces should bring a 5-inch by 9-inch picture of the graduate in uniform to Rocky Point High School and include a short summary including name, year of graduation, when and where served and the type of job and training. Please put the photo in an envelope and drop it off at Rocky Point High School’s main office and address it to Rich Acritelli and the History Honor Society.

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NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A3

TOWN Miller Place Girl Scouts want to save money, energy

By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com

‘We can definitely learn to use energy more efficiently because that’s one of the only ways we’re going to be able to continue living well on Earth.’

— Lilah Lindemann Photo by Kevin Redding

Miller Place girl Scouts in Troop 227 make a presentation during the Sept. 27 board of education meeting calling for energy-efficient Led lights to be installed in the cafeteria at Miller Place High School. part of their Girl Scout Journey project — a long-term initiative to find a solution to a local environmental problem.

One of the requirements for the project was to focus on conserving energy, so troop leaders and members decided to conduct

an audit of a public building, specifically the high school cafeteria, where the group holds its meetings twice a month.

With the help of Scout mom Kim Soreil, a PSEG Long Island manager of customer operations, the girls studied different

forms of energy, made circuit cards and calculated the energy savings of switching to LED lights by counting all 120 lights in the cafeteria. The girls figured out approximately 17.5 cents per kilowatt

GIRL SCOUTS continued on page A5

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Miller Place High School has the potential to save large sums of money and energy this year thanks to the environmental efforts of a group of middle school Girl Scouts.

Sixth- and seventh-grade members of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 227 urged the board of education during the Sept. 27 meeting to consider replacing the 120 fluorescent lights in the high school cafeteria with more energy-efficient LED lights. This installation could save the district approximately $1,044 in the cafeteria alone over the course of the 180-day school year, the Girl Scouts said.

“Switching to LED lights would allow the district to focus that money on education,” 11-year-old Lilah Lindemann said.

Analynn Bisiani, a sixth-grader, informed board members 180-degree LED lights release significantly less heat energy than tube-shaped, 360-degree fluorescent lights, making them safer.

“They do not contain dangerous chemicals and will project light only down instead of 360 degrees,” Analynn said. “A lot of energy is wasted when light is projected upwards.”

The troop’s presentation was based on an energy audit of the high school cafeteria the girls conducted in May with the help of a PSEG Long Island representative as

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PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

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Continued from page A3 hour could be saved, which, assuming a 14-hour school day with extracurricular activities, equates to $5.88 in savings per day and $1,044 a year.

“They picked up on everything very quickly and just took off with it,” Soreil said of the troop’s excitement about the project. The girls, including Soreil’s daughter Lauren, also learned about phantom energy and the benefits of unplugging electrical appliances even after they’ve been turned off.

“They were peering through windows to try and see if lights were left on in the offices in the back and trying to turn off the lights on the vending machines so the school could conserve energy,” she said.

During the presentation, Girl Scout Sarah DiPersio offered the board another environmentallybased solution in the cafeteria.

“Although it is not an electrical energy savings, we also noticed there is a traditional water fountain in the cafeteria, instead of a bottle refill fountain,” Sarah said.

Troop co-leader Candace Lindemann, who guides the girls alongside Morgan Caufield, said while she was impressed by the research and work her Scouts took part in, she wasn’t too surprised.

“We have a very environmentally concerned and diligent group of girls,” Lindemann said, noting their other environmentbased initiatives include beach cleanups and water health studies. “I think growing up near the beach definitely encourages an interest in the health of the environment for them.”

Her daughter Lilah said she has been passionate about the environment for a long time and hopes to be an engineer one day.

“We can definitely learn to use energy more efficiently because that’s one of the only ways we’re going to be able to continue living well on Earth,” the 11-year-old said. “And helping the environment and the community is what the Girl Scouts are about.”

Girl Scout Lindsey Galligan said she hopes by saving money through this proposal, the school district could afford to provide more art programs.

At the end of the board of education meeting, Miller Place Superintendent Marianne Cartisano presented each Scout with a certificate and thanked them for their presentation.

“That was very comprehensive,” Cartisano said. “We’re very grateful you did this and we’ll certainly be taking your recommendations and findings into consideration.”

The school district is currently in the process of bringing more

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Girl Scout Lindsey Galligan speaks at the Miller Place board of education meeting about the importance of energy efficiency and the ways in which the Girl Scouts project could help the district. energy efficiency to its buildings by installing solar panels on top of its high school and Andrew Muller Primary School.

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PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

Police Blotter

Incidents and arrests Oct. 26–30 Fight night round 1

Restaurant robbery

Fight night round 2

Prescription required

A 20-year-old man from Setauket was involved in a dispute with two men while at Setauket Elementary School Oct. 7 at about 8:30 p.m., according to police. The Setauket man punched each of the other men in the face, sending one to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of injuries, police said. He was arrested Oct. 30 in Port Jefferson Station and charged with two counts of third-degree assault.

At about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 29, a 21-year-old man from Wading River was involved in an altercation with another man while on Arden Place in Port Jefferson, according to police. The Wading River man punched the victim in the face multiple times with a closed fist, picked up the victim, threw him into a concrete wall and then to the ground, police said. He was arrested and charged with thirddegree assault.

Fight night round 3

On Oct. 7 at about 11 p.m., while at Taco Bell on Route 25 in Selden, a 23-year-old man from Centereach recklessly swung a screwdriver, striking a victim in the chest and causing a cut, according to police.

He was arrested Oct. 30 in Selden and charged with assault.

Fight night round 4

At about 6 p.m. Oct. 18, near the intersection of Hemlock Street and Magnolia Drive in Selden, a 43-year-old man from Selden punched another man in the face with a closed fist, according to police.

He was arrested Oct. 26 in Selden and charged with third-degree assault.

Unlicensed driver

On Oct. 28 at about 4:30 p.m., a 43-yearold man from Bayside was driving a 1996 Volvo on North Country Road in Stony Brook without a valid driver’s license, according to police. He was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Lock it up 150305

A credit card was stolen from an unlocked 2014 Honda parked on Seville Lane in Stony Brook at about 2 a.m. Oct. 29, according to police.

At Country House Restaurant on North Country Road in Stony Brook Oct. 28 at about 12:30 a.m., an employee of the restaurant was closing out bar receipts when two unknown men entered the establishment, one carrying a blunt object that might have been a pipe, and demanded cash, according to police. The men fled the scene with cash, and no injuries were reported, police said.

A 20-year-old man from Coram was seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked outside of Independence Plaza on Middle Country Road in Selden while in possession of Xanax without a valid prescription at about 2:30 p.m. Oct. 26, according to police. He was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Scratching the surface

Someone keyed a 2016 Land Rover while it was parked on Wilson Street in Port Jefferson Station Oct. 29 at about 3 p.m., according to police.

Targeted

The window of a 2007 Dodge was broken while it was parked outside of Target on Pond Path in Setauket at about 9 a.m. Oct. 28, according to police.

Sharpest tool in the shed

Someone used a sharp object to scratch the rear bumper and then remove the front bumper of a 2006 Honda parked outside of Stop & Shop on Route 25A in Setauket Oct. 24 at about 2:30 p.m., according to police. A police report regarding the incident was filed Oct. 28.

Home art

The side of an abandoned home on Broadway in Port Jefferson Station was spray painted with graffiti Oct. 27 at about 8 p.m., according to police.

Benched

A bench was stolen from a satellite office of John T. Mather Memorial Hospital on Medical Drive in Port Jefferson Station at about 5 p.m. Oct. 25, according to police.

— Compiled by Alex petroski

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A7

county

DA charged by feds, plans to retire before term ends

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com Suffolk County residents and lawmakers have known since early 2017 there would be a new district attorney for the first time since 2001, but thanks to a federal indictment, the timeline for that to take place has moved up.

Thomas Spota (D), the sitting Suffolk County district attorney, was charged by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York Oct. 25 with four counts relating to his involvement in the obstruction of a federal civil rights investigation. Christopher McPartland, the chief of investigations and chief of the government corruption bureau of the DA’s office, was also indicted.

Spota released a statement Oct. 26 announcing his intentions to step down “at the earliest opportunity after the resolution of normal administrative matters relating to my retirement.” Emily Constant, the chief assistant district attorney, will serve as the interim district attorney until the winner of the 2017 campaign for the seat is sworn in next January.

The four charges were conspiracy to tamper with witnesses and obstruct an official proceeding; witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding; obstruction of justice; and accessory after the fact to the deprivation of civil rights. The initial civil rights violation investigation was examining the

actions of former Suffolk County Police Commissioner James Burke, who was charged in December 2015 after assaulting and thus violating the civil rights of a Smithtown man who had been arrested for breaking into Burke’s police department issued vehicle. He was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct the investigation. Burke was sentenced to 46 months in prison almost exactly one year ago.

“Prosecutors swear oaths to pursue justice and enforce the law,” acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Rohde said in a statement following the indictment. “Instead of upholding their oaths, these defendants allegedly abused the power of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, attempted to cover up the assault of an in-custody defendant, and attempted to thwart a federal grand jury investigation.

Abuses of power by law enforcement authorities cannot and will not be tolerated. There are serious consequences to such actions.”

Since allegations against Burke came to light and he pleaded guilty in February 2016, Spota’s resignation has long been discussed by members of both political parties.

“For refusing to cooperate and work with federal law enforcement to prosecute crime in this county, for refusing and blocking federal law enforcement who were working on the Gilgo Beach serial murder case, for allowing violent criminals to go free to protect political friends, for lying about Jim Burke and conspiring to conceal his past,” county Executive

Steve Bellone (D) said in May 2016 on the steps of Spota’s Hauppauge office, “Tom Spota, you must resign from this office so that we can begin the process of reforming this place governmentally and politically in a way that we can ensure this doesn’t happen again. If you fail to do so, I will call on the governor to exercise his authority under the constitution to remove you from this office.”

Bellone renewed his call Oct. 25, before Spota’s announcement the next day.

“The person holding the awesome power to decide whether people go to jail or not cannot effectively serve under federal indictment for corruption,” Bellone said in a statement.

The indictment detailed some of the specifics of Spota’s and McPartland’s actions that led to the charges.

“Between December 2012 and the present, defendants Spota and McPartland, together with others including Burke and other members of the SCPD, had numerous meetings and telephone conversations discussing the assault of John Doe, John Doe’s allegations against Burke and the federal investigation,” it reads. “During those meetings and telephone conversations, defendants Spota and McPartland, and Burke and other members of the SCPD, agreed to conceal Burke’s role in the assault and to obstruct and attempt to obstruct the federal investigation in order to protect Burke.”

Bellone has been criticized by Republican

File photo

suffolk County District Attorney tom spota, who did not plan to run for re-election, was indicted oct. 25 and will retire prior to the completion of his fourth term in office. legislators and others for his role in Burke’s promotion, and some have also called for his resignation during the last year.

Spota, 76, of Mount Sinai, and McPartland, 51, of Northport, were arraigned Oct. 25.

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Miller Place High School students recently collected more than $9,000 to support cancer research during a spooktacular Halloweenthemed dance. The dance was held in memory of Joshua Faithfull, a Miller Place student who passed away in March 2017 following a rare malignant melanoma of the brain and

spinal cord. During the dance, students were able to decorate pumpkins, participate in a bean bag toss, face painting, a mummy wrap and more. Students also raffled a Nintendo Switch, tickets to a New York Rangers hockey game and a spa gift card to help raise money to support cancer victims. All of the proceeds from the event were donated to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

NorthBrookhaven C H A M B E R

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Bringing Business & Community Together

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Last 2017 Membership Meeting Locaton: The Chamber Train Car, on the corner of 112 and 347 Date/Time Information: November 20, 2017 / 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Fees/Admission: Free for all members

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North Brookhaven Chamber Members After much discussion and consideration, the Board of Directors and Officers have decided to dissolve the North Brookhaven Chamber.

The geographical area of the chamber is just too large and unrealistic to maintain and manage.

Come join us as we celebrate the remaining meeting of 2017, November 20th 6pm - 8pm at the Chamber Train Car (Rt 112 and Rt 347 in Port Jefferson Station).

If you are interested in starting a chamber in your town, please inquire as the North Brookhaven Chamber may be able to assist you with start up.

For questions and concerns we encourage you to attend the October and/or November meetings.

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NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A9

Local Election Info For our official endorsements see page A22

PAGE A10 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

Town

Councilwoman’s challenger focuses on millennials

By Desirée Keegan Desiree@tbrnewspapers.com Coram resident Mike Goodman is running against incumbent Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) because he said he thinks he could bring positive changes to the town — ones that will streamline services, create more jobs, keep young folks on Long Island and make transparency changes with lasting effects.

An English major from St. Joseph’s College, who also studied religion and computer science, the Democrat challenger said he takes major issue with the lack of job creation and affordable housing in the town.

“My brother is a recent graduate, he’s a really smart, great, hard-working guy and it’s hard for him to find a place to live here, and I’ve seen all my friends leave for the same reason,” he said. “I want to put a stop to the brain drain. There are a lot of companies that don’t come here because it takes so long to deal with the bureaucracy of the town. I’m personally affected by a lot of these problems.”

Bonner, who is running for her sixth term at the helm of the 2nd Council District, said during a debate at the TBR News Media office in October she didn’t know if it’s her 27-year-old opponent’s age or inexperience but he lacks knowledge of affordable housing issues.

“To say you want more affordable housing, it’s a lofty and noble goal, it just has to make sense where you put it,” she said.

She also pointed out the flaws in fulfilling some of her opponent’s goals in her district, specifically constructing walkable downtowns and affordable housing complexes.

“Sewers are very expensive and with that, developers are going to want density,” she said. “Density doesn’t work if you don’t have mass transportation to have these walkable downtowns, to have trains and expanded bus system, but also the county cut the bus system in the districts that I represent and the current legislator wrote a letter to not bring sewers to Rocky Point and Sound Beach. We don’t have expanded gas lines in

Photos above by Kevin redding, file photo top left from sara Wainwright; image top right from Basser Kaufman

Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner, above left, and her Democratic challenger Mike goodman, on right, during a debate at TBr news Media. The pair discussed issues like sewers in rocky Point, an issue that results in flooded streets, top left, and millennial housing, for which there are plans to construct in Mount sinai, top right.

Rocky Point either, and the seniors in the leisure communities are struggling with getting heat. As the closest level of government to the people that’s responsible for the least amount of your tax bill, we are great advocates to other levels of government to help the residents out because we’re the ones that end up cleaning up the mess.”

Goodman also suggested more housing attractive in price and environment to millennials, and Bonner pointed to the current project proposed for the site next to King Kullen in Mount Sinai, but also pointed to issues with affordable housing.

Stimulating job creation was a goal raised by both candidates.

Bonner said 500,000 positions could be created if Brookhaven wins the bid to bring an Amazon headquarters to the Calabro Airport in Mastic and the site of former Dowling College.

“Something that takes 45 days to get cleared with any other town takes two years to do here,” Goodman said in response. “I

don’t think Amazon of all companies wants to deal with a town that’s bragging about recently getting computers. If we want to deal with the tech sector, if we want to have good paying jobs in manufacturing or technology, instead of the more and more retail I see happening, we need to attract big businesses here, and that happens by streamlining bureaucracy.”

The Newfield High School graduate pointed to his software development background at Hauppauge-based Globegistics, and side business building websites and fixing computers, as evidence of his abilities to cut administrative “red tape.”

“I would like a publicly-facing forum,” he said, referring to a ticketing system like JIRA, a highly customizable issue-management tracking platform. “Everyone can see all of the issues that have been called into the town, who in the town is working on it, how long it will take to get done and what it’s going to cost. I think town contracts should be made public so people can

see who is getting the work done and how much they’re being paid, so people aren’t just getting family members jobs.”

Bonner emphasized many of hers and the town’s efforts in streamlining services, managing land use and implementation of technology, but also noted her and her colleagues’ desire for transparency.

“I think it is an overused expression, because I don’t know any person I work with on any level of government that doesn’t advocate for transparency; gone are the days of Crookhaven,” she said. “We’ve become more user-friendly, we aren’t as archaic as we used to be.”

Bonner has a long list of accomplishments she said she’s proud of playing a part in during her 12 years on the board. Bringing single-stream recycling to her constituents; refurbishing and redoing most of the parks and marinas; and working on a land use plan for the solar farm at the old golf course grounds in Shoreham that will generate about $1 million in PILOT payments for 20 years were some of the examples she noted.

She said she is also looking forward to improving handicap accessibility at town parks.

“When you’re walking in a particular park you see maybe a park needs a handicap swing and think about where in the budget you can get the money for it,” Bonner said.

“The longer you’re at it there’s good things you get to do, they’re very gratifying.”

Goodman said he’s hoping to just create a better Brookhaven for the future.

“I’m running to make the town I’ve always lived in better, and not just better now, but better 10, 20 years from now,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot of things that can be done better, I want to do the work and I think I’m qualified to do the work.”

The current councilwoman said she hopes to continue to improve and build on the things already accomplished.

“The longer you serve, the more layers you can peel back in the onion and you see problems that need to be solved,” Bonner said. “With length of service you can really get to the root of the problem, solve it significantly and hopefully, permanently.”

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A11

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PAGE A12 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

Town

Newcomer Morris challenges Lent for Brookhaven clerk seat

By Rita J. Egan Rita@tBRnEwspapERs.com During two separate phone interviews, Brookhaven Town Clerk incumbent Donna Lent (I) and Democrat challenger Cindy Morris spoke of efficiency and transparency.

Morris said before last year’s presidential race, which awakened her politically, she didn’t vote in local elections. It’s what motivated her to run for a position in town government.

“We cannot do anything on a national level if we’re not doing it on a local level,” Morris said.

The candidate said she has been a consultant for nearly a decade, working with organizations. She looks at them strategically to help build more sustainable plans to serve their end users in the best way possible while sticking to a budget. It’s something she said needs to be brought to town government by finding creative and smart plans. Morris’ goals are to save taxpayers money while creating a town clerk’s office that is more efficient, and a local government that is transparent.

Lent, who is running for her second term, managed a lawyer’s office before beginning public service in 2001, when she became former state Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington’s chief of staff. When Eddington became Brookhaven Town Clerk, Lent joined her as deputy town clerk.

Lent said some of the responsibilities of the clerk’s office include serving as the Freedom of Information Law appeals officer; recording births, marriages and deaths; attending town

photos from candidates

incumbent Donna Lent and challenger cindy morris are running for Brookhaven town clerk nov. 7. board meetings to record the minutes; and being the custodian of town records, which include the management of both active and inactive records. Lent said she is hands-on in an office where 200 or more people can come with requests in one day.

“It’s helpful to build a repertoire with constituents so that they feel that they’ve been heard, that you’re about to assist them in taking care of problems,” Lent said.

Morris said she believes things can run more efficiently at the office, and if elected, she plans to analyze what the peak times are at the office and see where hours can be extended or if weekend hours can be offered.

“Services needs to be thought of in how it affects the constituents who use it,” Morris said.

Lent said she has brought more efficiency to the office. Among her accomplishments she lists the management of an archives scanning project for the majority of town departments and the implementation of a moving forward process for the digitization of records. She has created an online death certificate ordering process for funeral directors, and in the future, she hopes to implement an online process for residents to obtain and renew dog licenses.

She said most services are available online except for obtaining a marriage or hunting and fishing license.

Lent said scanning records and offering online forms have streamlined many requests.

“Any time you can save time in government, you’re saving money,” Lent said.

Morris said she would like to create more transparency in government by holding town board meetings later in the evening instead of 5 p.m. so those who commute to and from work can attend them. Another one of her suggestions is to use Facebook Live for meetings.

“It takes what’s being done and brings it to a new level, and it brings it to a new level by using technology that has become for many people simple technology,” she said.

Lent pointed out how town hall meetings are already livestreamed on the town’s website, and she said she wouldn’t want the council people to become distracted by comments on Facebook.

“If you can get onto Facebook, you can get on the town’s system to watch it,” Lent said.

Morris doesn’t suggest the legislators look at their phones during meetings; however, she said aides can monitor the messages and alert council people if anything is urgent, or suggested comments be read after the meeting.

“The intention is to hold a light to what it is happening in our town council meetings,” Morris said. “That’s the goal.”

As a newcomer, Morris said she has been studying the proposed budget for 2018 and has been attending civic meetings throughout the town because she realizes needs differ from area to area.

Lent said she knows many women have been encouraged to become more involved in politics, and believes Morris is one of them.

“I say good for her,” Lent said. “I’d love to see more women involved in the process.”

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NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A13

Ed Romaine... getting the job done.

Proposed a zero-percent increase in Town, Part-Town, and Highway General Budgets for 2018.

Cut overtime by more than 11 percent.

Awarded a $50,000 grant for Municipal Consolidation, Efficiency and Shared Services.

Consolidating Town government and reducing costs by eliminating 12 special districts.

Working with Villages for shared services for garbage, recycling, lifeguards, salt/sand saving hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars.

ROMAINE FOR SUPERVISOR

ED ROMAINE

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BROOKHAVEN SUPERVISOR

VOTE ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Paid for by Romaine for Supervisor

PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

Town

Supervisor seeks 4th term against Stony Brook attorney

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com The race to oversee Suffolk County’s largest township pits a pair of candidates with long résumés against each other.

Ed Romaine (R) has been Town of Brookhaven supervisor since a special election in 2012, though his career in public service can be measured in decades. He worked for the town in the 1980s as the commissioner of housing and community development and director of economic development, in addition to two separate terms on the Suffolk County Legislature. His Election Day challenger for

supervisor is Democrat Jack Harrington, a practicing Stony Brook attorney and officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve who spent time after law school interning in President Barack Obama’s White House counsel’s office. He also studied counter-terrorism and intelligence in Washington, D.C. Harrington, a father of a 3-year-old who is expecting his second child with wife Sarah, is a graduate of Miller Place High School. This is his first time running for public office. He shed light on his decision to challenge Romaine during a debate at TBR News Media’s Setauket office last month.

“I think [Brookhaven] has a remarkable amount to offer both in terms of the locality and the environment — the beaches and the beauty — and also the intellectual assets,” he said, adding he hopes to have the opportunity to make it easier for young people to establish roots in Brookhaven by utilizing the town’s assets, like Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University, to create goodpaying, middle-class jobs with upward mobility. He said it is the town’s responsibility to create that environment.

Romaine, who has long preached his goal of creating a better Brookhaven for the future, lauded accomplishments by the town since he took office in creating a sound financial environment for businesses and residents to flourish. The town has a AAA bond rating and is growing its reserves while maintaining a balanced budget and, for the most part, holding the line on taxes.

“We’re not perfect, but we are poised for great economic development,” Romaine said, citing the work of the town’s Industrial Development Agency, which has created or retained 7,000 jobs and $600 million worth of investment over the last three years, according to Romaine.

Harrington commended Romaine for his role in establishing the town’s stable financial footing, but offered a rebuttal.

“Unfortunately, a AAA bond rating does not get a 23-year-old college graduate a job, and that’s really something I think we can be doing better at,” he said.

Harrington said if elected, a way he would aim to promote economic development would be to simplify the town’s zoning and permit processes in the hopes of increasing efficiency for those looking to start a business in the town.

“All of the municipalities have very lengthy, convoluted processes with respect to getting through those functions,” he said.

Harrington was also critical of the town’s code enforcement practices, which often result in fines for homeowners looking to do renovations. He commended Romaine for his efforts to stop the practices of “slum lords,” or others who try to subvert building codes to increase profits, but said he wanted to see changes in enforcement to protect homeowners with good intentions.

Romaine defended his reputation as one of the most willing local politicians to reach across party lines, as is evident through his

Photos by rita egan

Attorney Jack Harrington, left, is challenging incumbent supervisor ed romaine, above.

environmental protection initiatives and his recurring endorsements from Sierra Club Long Island.

“I will, as long as I am supervisor, be color blind to party and instead work with individuals,” he said.

The candidates agreed on ways to improve water quality and address environmental issues in the town, as well as the town’s responsibility in responding to heroin and opioid addiction. Both preached an approach that included prevention and education for young people.

Lawyer and incumbent race for head highway job

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com The Brookhaven Town highway superintendent is responsible for overseeing more than 3,300 lane miles of town roads, making it one of the largest highway departments in New York State.

Dan Losquadro (R), the incumbent superintendent since 2013, will seek a third term on Election Day Nov. 7. To remain in the position he’ll have to defeat Democrat Anthony Portesy, a 31-year-old first-time political candidate and private attorney by trade. The candidates weighed in on the job and issues pertaining to it during a debate at TBR News Media’s Setauket office last month.

“I got involved in this race primarily because I would like to update the way the highway department handles the inventory of how the roads are reconstructed,” Portesy said. The candidate detailed what he called a “worst to first” initiative he’d like to implement to create a true priority list of town road resurfacing projects, and said he would plan on making the list publicly available on the town’s website through an interactive map, so residents could check on when repairs to their road might be coming. He said the town’s “hunt and peck” method of selecting roads for repaving doesn’t work. Losquadro said there are many factors that go into selecting roads for repaving, and that can be disturbed by a particularly harsh winter or

other unforeseen factors.

Losquadro was a Suffolk County legislator for seven years prior to becoming highway superintendent. He said he identifies more with his current position than his stint on the legislature because he has a background in construction and enjoys getting his hands dirty.

“I feel that everything I did before this led me to this position,” he said. “I love the fact that I can actually get things done in this job and not just appropriate funds for something.”

Losquadro said upon taking office initially he knew he needed a long range plan and couldn’t come in and immediately improve the department’s functions. He said like many businesses, he established three-, five- and 10year plans for accomplishing his goals, most of which have to do with modernizing the systems used by the department. He said he is ahead of schedule compared to the schedule he laid out nearly five years ago.

“The single biggest change has been taking the department from analogue to digital,” he said. “We have a department that was literally paper based and caused tremendous problems.”

He also lauded the department’s implementation of a fully electronic work order system as one of his proudest accomplishments so far in office. He also said he is now able to get in touch with all of the town’s snow removal vendors with “the touch of a button,” a process that he said used to take hours in the past.

Photos by kevin redding

Dan losquadro and Anthony Portesy will face off on election Day for the Brookhaven highway superintendent job.

The challenger said he has knocked on thousands of doors in the hopes of lending a voice to community members seeking change from the highway department.

“Whoever wins has 491,000 bosses,” Portesy said. “It’s very important that we’re listening to the concerns of everybody. It’s impossible to get back to everybody every single day, but I think there has to be some better communication, and that’s not me talking, that’s the people I’ve spoken to.”

He also pointed to more public availability for town contracts as a way to increase the department’s transparency and ultimately

improve the relationship between the department and the community. Losquadro said town contracts are already available to the public, though a formal Freedom of Information Act request must be submitted.

Both indicated this is a relatively important time for the department, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has set aside $100 million per year over the next four years in additional funding for local repaving projects in the state, and it will be incumbent upon the highway superintendent to do what they can to ascertain more of those funds than are currently slated for Long Island.

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A15

County Debate to represent the 6th District gets heated Sarah Anker, challenger get critical about county, views

By Desirée Keegan Desiree@tbrnewspapers.com A Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency volunteer and small business owner is challenging incumbent Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) as she vies for a fourth term to represent the 6th District.

Gary Pollakusky, a three-year Rocky Point resident formerly of Long Beach who graduated from Baldwin High School, said he wants to bring more fiscal responsibility to the county while working to keep young people living on Long Island.

“You have to force the government to work within its means,” he said during a recent debate at TBR News Media’s office. “We need to treat the public’s purse like we treat our own. You don’t borrow from Peter to pay Paul.”

While Anker, a resident of Mount Sinai for more than 20 years, who previously lived in Middle Island and Coram, said she is fiscally conservative, Pollakusky pointed to Suffolk’s recent practice of borrowing to make payroll. He criticized Anker for calling for a traffic study following the release of a red-light camera program report and for voting for the $700 million contract between the county and the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. Though he was critical, he ultimately admitted he would have voted in favor of the contract as well, citing public safety as the primary reason.

“Each year our budget is going up $50 million and $48 million is going toward the police contract,” Pollakusky said. “We have to create sustainable contracts, we need people who understand business and have business acumen and financial acumen in government.”

Anker defended her track record on the Legislature. She voted against the controversial fees, which many have referred to as “backdoor taxes.”

The legislator voted to reduce Suffolk County’s pipeline debt by closing out unused funds for unrealized capital projects; against the increase in mortgage recording fee, which would have gone up $300; against the alarm bill fee; against increased fees for Suffolk County parks; and against the proposed plastic bag fee that would charge 5 cents per bag at the grocery store.

“I also feel if you don’t have the money don’t spend it, but unfortunately, you have to provide services, it’s mandated by the government,” Anker said, adding that she took a pay freeze and also voted to freeze other legislators’ salaries. “We

saying he outsources jobs to countries other than the United States for Media Barrell LLC and Travel Barrell LLC. Pollakusky responded that they are support teams not employees, to which Anker responded: “Do they do your work for you?

Do you have [products] that are made in the United States? That’s all I’m asking.”

“For you to perpetrate these lies I not only find disappointing, I find that shameful,” Pollakusky said, asking Anker if she owns a car, television or phone made in the United States. “I am a local businessman. I work within our local economy, I have local clients.”

Travel Barrell only lists some of the events that Pollakusky discussed, many of which are unclickable. The website’s About Us, Our Brands, Testimonials and Contact Us tabs also do not work. Anker questioned her challenger about an event called Boobs & Tubes, also listed on the website, which he referred to as a charity event that donates to breast cancer research. Based on online photos and videos of the event, referred to as Photos by alex Petroski “the most fun you can have with (some suffolk County Legislator sarah anker and republican challenger gary Pollakusky of) your clothes on,” it is marketed as during a recent debate at TBr news Media. an exclusive weekend summer event of camping, tubing, barbecuing, music and combined comptroller with treasurer’s active approach he would take. relaxation. The 2017 New York trip was office, saved $23 million by privatizing “I want to identify programs, like the canceled. Pollakusky’s last name is the the health care centers, sold the Foley Given a Second Chance program devel- only last name not in the About Us and Center, reduced staff by 1,000 people, oped locally four years ago, and keep the the only mention of charity is deep in cut county services costs by 10 percent heroin crisis more consistent in curricu- the About Us: “After Scott lost his friend and I think we still have a lot to do.” lum and assemblies,” Pollakusky said, Marcelo Vandrie to cancer in 2009, She fell in agreement with her chal- also highlighting his panel work with his Boobs & Tubes began donating a portion lenger regarding the SCPD contract, as organization, North Shore Community of its proceeds to a different charitable she said it’s important to have boots on Association. “We need community coali- event each year.” There is no mention the ground amid the opioid crisis and tions to push law enforcement to close of how much or to which charities the rise in gang violence, but said she’s still down drug-dealing homes and more organization contributes anywhere on hoping the county can make cuts at the drug reform on the supply side.” the website. negotiation table next While Pollakusky Anker cited several year when the exist- said his organization, initiatives she’s proud ing deal expires. which is not a regisof contributing to lo“We have a new po- tered nonprofit, was cally, including land aclice class which con- created in 2013, there is quisition with the Little tributes to 15 percent no mention on the webPortion Friary in Mount of their health care,” site or Facebook page Sinai and Cordwood she said. “It takes prior to June, when Landing property in them longer to reach he announced his run Miller Place to preserve the highest pension against Anker. more open space, a payout; we’re revamp“The association besingle-stream recycling ing the whole system gan with a small group program and work with once these senior of- of community advoveterans and seniors. ficers retire. Over- cates who felt there “I will fight for lower time should not be was a void in their local utility costs and contin— Gary Pollakusky ue to educate residents — Sarah Anker included in pensions, civics organizations,” and the best thing I he said in response. about common scams,” can do, and I’ve done “No money flows in said Anker, who used this for 20 years, is to or our of our group. to serve on the Mount advocate strongly — shine a light and let When we raise money it is through and Sinai Civic Association and worked on the county executive and police unions for 501(c)(3) organizations in need, major projects like the construction of know that this needs to be done. I can be and much of our work has no events Heritage Park and ongoing Rails to Trails one of many voices to direct them to do associated with them.” recreational path. “I will continue to the right thing; to have a bully pulpit and The challenger said he is more busi- provide leadership in our county governuse it effectively.” ness friendly than Anker, and his time ment by prioritizing fiscal responsibility, The legislator highlighted her spon- working with the town IDA has helped public safety and protecting our health sored legislation passed to create a per- him. He said by retaining talent and cre- and environment. I will stand strong to manent heroin and opiate advisory pan- ating jobs, keeping residents on Long Is- support our veterans who have defended el, re-established from a temporary 2010 land is more attainable. our nation. I will do everything in my panel, created to ensure a continuous “We need to look at storefronts that power to protect our children. I will use and interdisciplinary approach to help left and see why, see what true devel- my extensive experience in public policy mitigate the issue. Her challenger cited opment we’re doing and how it’s being to create safer communities for families the panel’s few recommendations the led,” he said. “I act. I create jobs.” and to improve the overall quality of life last time around and said he has a more Anker questioned his businesses, for Suffolk County residents.”

‘I will continue to provide leadership in our county government by prioritizing fiscal responsibility, public safety and protecting our health and environment.’

‘We need to look at storefronts that left and see why, see what true development we’re doing and how it’s being led.’

PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

STATE

Civic hosts debate on constitutional proposal

By Donna newman As amended in 1846, the New York State Constitution includes a mandatory requirement that every 20 years state voters be offered the opportunity via a ballot proposal to convene a constitutional convention — called “Con Con” by those familiar with state politics — to review and revise the existing document.

If a majority votes Yes, delegates are elected to serve at a convention held in Albany.

A recent meeting of the Three Village Civic Association was devoted to informing the public about the proposal to be presented to New York State voters on Election Day with the debate titled “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?”

Two guest speakers were invited to present opposing views of Proposal 1, the first of three proposals that will appear on the reverse side of the ballot listing the candidates for office Nov. 7. The civic association’s Vice President George Hoffman moderated the debate at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket.

The ballot question was last posed in 1997, when a majority of those voting said No. The last Con Con was held in 1967 and the voters later rejected all of the proposed changes. If a majority votes Yes this time around, three delegates from each state senatorial district and 15 at-large statewide delegates will be elected in November 2018, according to the State Board of Elections website, www.elections.ny.gov.

Photo by Jonathan Kornreich

anthony Figliola and al Benninghoff participated in a debate about the constitutional convention at a recent Three Village Civic association meeting.

“The delegates will convene at the Capitol in April 2019,” according to the website.

“Amendments adopted by a majority of the delegates will be submitted to the voters for approval or rejection in a statewide referendum to be held at least six weeks after the Convention adjourns. The delegates will determine whether to submit proposed amendments as separate questions. Any amendments that the voters approve will go into effect on the January 1 following their approval.”

Anyone may run to be a delegate.

Anthony Figliola, vice president of Empire Government Strategies of Uniondale, a

JUDGE MARTORANA

governmental consulting firm representing a variety of clients seeking liaisons in Albany, New York City or local municipalities, recommended a No vote.

Figliola’s primary argument is that a constitutional convention is an extremely expensive and risky way to affect change, especially when the document itself provides an alternative.

“The referendum process has been more successful as compared to Con Con,” he said.

“There have been 600 amendments passed by the voters in our history. This year there will be a question on the ballot as to whether

pensions should be taken away from any state legislator convicted of a felony. In 2013 there were six constitutional amendments proposed. Five of them were approved. The good government groups are coming from a good place. They are [working] to enact change and they are trying to move the legislature and get the public at large involved in the process.”

Figliola also spoke about the last Con Con, in 1967, calling it “an utter failure.”

“Of the delegates elected 80 percent were politically connected,” he said. “And 45 percent were either sitting [or retired] elected officials ... collecting — or in the pension system. This allowed them to take two salaries, as there is no prohibition against it in the constitution. In addition to doubling their income, pension credits accrued by doing this raised their pension payouts.”

In the end, all of the proposed amendments to the constitution were submitted for voter approval in one package — which the voters rejected.

Al Benninghoff is a campaign manager for the Committee for a Constitutional Convention and also with New York People’s Convention. A longtime political strategist and reform advocate, he recommended a Yes vote.

Benninghoff’s case can be summed up in two words: It’s time.

The last time a Con Con question was pro-

CON CON continued on page A19

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NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A17

County

Sini, Perini battle for Spota’s vacated position District attorney hopefuls spar over campaign ads, résumés and strategies for gangs, drugs and corruption ‘I have a proven track record of leadership in difficult situations.’

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com In life, timing is everything.

Thanks to the indictment of current Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota (D) Oct. 25 for his alleged involvement in the cover-up of former Suffolk Police Commissioner James Burke’s civil rights violation — a charge the ex-police chief pleaded guilty to in 2016 — the high-profile race to be the next DA in Suffolk just got a brighter spotlight.

The next DA — be it Burke’s replacement in the police department, Democrat Tim Sini, or Huntington resident and criminal lawyer with more than 40 years of experience, Republican Ray Perini — will be tasked with restoring public faith in a position now synonymous with corruption. The two candidates have publicly traded barbs during the campaign, and that didn’t stop during their individual interviews at TBR News Media’s Setauket office in October.

Perini said a key distinction in this race is he is not a politician. His first attempt at political office came four years ago when Perini decided to challenge Spota because he said he was concerned the incumbent would be cross endorsed by both Republicans and Democrats.

“You’ve lost your moral ability to lead an office,” Perini said of Spota, after his announcement that he would be stepping down before the end of the year. “He had to step down for the good of the office.”

The challenger began his career as a lawyer in the 1970s in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, and he spent time working on both narcotics cases and homicides while in Brooklyn.

In 1976, he moved to Suffolk County to head its narcotics bureau, where he tried one or two major cases each year, he said.

“There’s nothing I haven’t done as a criminal prosecutor, and I’m very proud,” he said.

“I believe I have had a very successful career.”

Perini said he believes his background suits him perfectly to be the next Suffolk DA. “It’s what I’ve trained my whole life to do,” Perini said.

He added his experiences have prepared him to tackle two of the county’s biggest problems: drug addiction and gang infiltration. “I was successful because I actually worked on a daily basis with the [U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration] task force and you can’t do that kind of work without working with the FBI and the DEA.” Sini also got his foot in the door as a lawyer to the west. He was the assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York working as a federal prosecutor under Preet Bharara, where he said he specialized in violent crime cases.

“I loved my job — I loved bringing justice to victims or family members of victims,” he said.

The Babylon resident said he always wanted to make his way back to Suffolk. He eventually returned to serve as the deputy county executive under County Executive Steve Bellone

— Tim Sini

Photos above by kevin redding; file photo below

ray Perini and tim sini are campaigning to replace current suffolk County District Attorney thomas spota on election Day 2017.

(D), specializing in public safety initiatives. As the successor to Burke, he said he has experience taking over a department in turmoil.

“I have a proven track record of leadership in difficult situations,” Sini said. “I walked into the police department during a scandal and if I’m elected DA I’ll be walking into the district attorney’s office amidst a scandal. I’m running for district attorney to restore integrity to the leadership of the district attorney’s office, which is sorely needed.”

Both were critical of the other’s assertions that their background has prepared them.

Sini pointed out Perini’s resignation from the narcotics bureau amid allegations of illegal wiretapping. A New York State Commission of Investigation report named Perini more than 100 times, according to Sini. The police commissioner has also been vocal about annual parties his opponent chartered for local district attorneys and judges, which Sini saw as a sign of impropriety.

Perini attributed the issues to two narcotics officers within his 12-person department — Ray Perini who “went bad,” and said he investigated when allegations arose, eventually forcing the pair to resign, making no attempt at a coverup. He defended his decision to host the boat parties as standard operating practice amongst defense attorneys, judges and prosecutors who work together closely.

“People have this image of a yacht and call girls — it wasn’t that,” he said. “We don’t do X-rated parties. I never thought it would be this kind of issue. Would I do it again? Of course not.”

Perini, in turn, swung back at Sini for claims the police commissioner’s campaign ads made about some of his accomplishments while working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, saying they were inflated.

“I believe what he’s been doing has been to raise his profile,” Perini said. He referenced Newsday’s endorsement of Sini, which

referred to him as “a low-level and undistinguished” prosecutor.

The candidates did find some common ground on dealing with gang issues and drug addiction. The pair said they see prevention as the most effective method to deal with addiction, and both suggested plans to reach kids

‘There’s nothing I haven’t done as a criminal prosecutor, and I’m very proud.’

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earlier before the problems spiral out of control. Each also preached interdepartmental cooperation and intelligence sharing as the primary solution to dealing with gang-related violence, especially by MS-13.

Perini suggested the county utilize the existing “kingpin” statute, which sets sentences from 20 years minimum to life for dealers making at least $75,000 during a six-month span.

“Quite frankly, I think that has to be used more aggressively with less plea bargaining to get the word on the street that, ‘If you do this in Suffolk County, you’re going to pay dearly for it,’” he said.

Sini stressed the importance of reaching Suffolk County immigrants, who are recruited by gang members upon instruction from crew higher-ups in home countries, with programs and social service resources — prior to recruitment — as a means to stomp out gang activity.

PAGE A18 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

County

Photo above from the Facebook page of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; photos below by Kevin Redding

Below, Republican Larry Zacarese and Democrat Errol toulon are vying for the Suffolk County sheriff position, which includes overseeing the jail facility in yaphank, above.

Sheriff candidates discuss experiences, solutions

By Rita J. Egan rita@tbrnewspapers.com Both candidates for Suffolk County sheriff will bring more than two decades of public service experience to the position if elected. The race does not feature an incumbent, as current Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco announced in May he wouldn’t seek re-election after 12 years in the position. On Oct. 13, Republican candidate for sheriff Larry Zacarese and Democrat Errol Toulon visited the TBR News Media office to discuss their experiences and how they would handle the position if elected.

Zacarese, assistant chief of police and director of the office of emergency management at Stony Brook University since 2009, who is also an attorney, has been a New York City police officer and is currently a volunteer paramedic.

Toulon began serving as a correctional officer at Rikers Island in 1982 and retired as a captain in 2004. For two years he was assistant deputy county executive for public safety in Suffolk and in 2014 he was named deputy commissioner of operations for the New York City Department of Corrections.

Toulon said he feels from day one he would be able to manage the sheriff’s office effectively and will attempt to save taxpayers’ dollars through technology training and equipment.

“I’ve been able to learn a lot on various levels inside of a correctional agency, and while that’s not the entire makeup of the sheriff’s department, it is a good portion of it,” Toulon said.

Zacarese said he believes his experience would be an asset, especially with a need for capital planning, budgeting and managing grants in today’s tough economic climate, he said.

“My role as an emergency manager at Stony Brook is really broad based,” Zacarese said. ”Not only am I involved in the day-to-day operations, planning, mitigation and response and recovery, but I oversee an office that

handles all the electronic physical security, design, installation and maintenance for the entire campus, which is over 250 buildings.”

Both cited combating gang activities on Long Island as a priority for the next sheriff.

Toulon said his team at Rikers would gather intelligence from inside the jail as far as calls, visits and social media interactions before incarceration and then would work with law enforcement agencies to gather and disseminate the information. According to him, his team’s work brought down 37 members of the Bloods gang. He said using a database to collect intelligence gathered and sharing it with other agencies is vital in rounding up gang members, and he said he thought his experiences could translate seamlessly to the Suffolk position.

Zacarese is also familiar with combating gang problems. A case he worked on while at a precinct in Jackson Heights involved the investigation of narcotics trafficking by members of the Latin Kings. He said the county lost critical ground in the fight against gangs when the FBI removed two

Suffolk County police detectives assigned to the bureau’s joint Long Island Gang Task Force by James Burke, former police department chief, who was found guilty of beating up a suspect and trying to cover it up.

“I have already had conversations and meetings with Homeland Security investigations, with people on the U.S. Marshals’ task force and making sure we have enough people on those task forces,” Zacarese said.

Toulon agreed with Zacarese that in addition to disseminating information, manpower is important.

“Task forces are very important, and keeping our members on these task forces is extremely important,” Toulon said.

The candidates touched on the subject of cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Both said while the sheriff’s office doesn’t get involved with immigration issues, it’s important to cooperate with the federal agency. Zacarese said many illegal immigrants are held in jails due to being violent predicate felons and people who return to the country illegally

after being deported. The two also agreed it’s important for law enforcement agencies to increase communication with immigrant communities to ensure law abiding citizens do not fear deportation from ICE agents, which makes building cases against gang members more difficult.

Both candidates said they want to work on getting more help for those with substance abuse problems while incarcerated, which may decrease the chances of being arrested again.

“There are people who are leaving the correctional facility without so much as a business card for a social worker or any outreach programs [now],” Zacarese said.

Toulon said while substance abusers are seen by a medical staff to be treated, he agreed when prisoners leave the jail, they need assistance with finding housing and jobs.

“What I propose is creating a resource map so in each particular town we would know where those particular resources are for an individual so when we give them a card or give them the information they would be able to connect and have someone in the sheriff’s they can call and be that conduit,” Toulon said.

Both agreed that combating the drug problem, especially opioid overdoses, needs to be a priority in the county. Better tracking of overdoses; where they are happening, how they’re happening and deaths due to overdoses to identify where people need help, were areas each candidate brought up as meaningful first steps.

Zacarese said he believes in enforcing the laws on the books and “strict enforcement for the suppliers, help for the people who are there in the middle and giving them long-term treatment options.”

Toulon pointed out that increasing monitoring of physicians who dispense pain management is also needed and fostering communication with communities “to actually acknowledge the problem that our family and friends are having so that we can get the correct treatment for them.”

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A19

Image from Suffolk County Board of Election

Con Con Continued from page A18 posed to voters in 1997, the New York City Bar Association called for a No vote and suggested: “Let’s give the legislature a chance to reform itself. We gave it 20 years and nothing has happened,” he said.

“Frankly, enough is enough,” Benninghoff said. “The legislature holds all the power. If the legislature doesn’t want to find it within itself to give us the opportunity to vote on an amendment to the constitution, then they can absolutely withhold it. And they have done that a lot.”

He went on to list things he believes should have already been addressed.

“There have been no ethics reforms; independent redistricting in name only, not in actuality; no term limits; and no campaign finance reform,” he said. “There’s still a tremendous loophole with LLCs [limited liability companies]. If a person running for state legislative office wants to take campaign donations from an infinite number of LLCs created by one person, or one company, they can do so. That’s a campaign finance loophole big enough to drive a truck through. What

it does is empower the political status quo.

It takes all the power away from the people — and that is exactly what a New York State Constitutional Convention changes.”

In New York State history there have been nine constitutional conventions. The longest gap between conventions has been since the last one in 1967. It’s been 50 years. The last one did not produce any changes, arguably because all the proposals were lumped together in a single vote.

As moderator of this informational session and the Q&A period that followed it, Hoffman remained clearly impartial. But in supplying additional data after the event he said he formed an opinion.

“I take the question to hold a constitutional convention very seriously and I am leaning to supporting it,” Hoffman said. “I see it as a solemn responsibility to periodically review our state constitution. I think it’s clear to most that many things need to change in Albany and a constitutional convention might be the only way to bring that change. I would seriously consider running for delegate if the constitutional convention is approved.”

For more information on the New York State Constitutional Convention, visit www. rockinst.org/nys_concon2017.

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The voting for the constitutional convention will be on the back of the ballot.

For Election Night Results As They Are Posted Go To tbrnewsmedia.com

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PAGE A20 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

Check TBR Newspapers and www.tbrnewsmedia.com, follow @TBRNewspapers on Twitter, and search #TBRVotes next week for full election results from all North Shore races.

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A21

SportS

Photos by Bill landon

Clockwise from above, Rocky Point’s field hockey team celebrates its Suffolk County Class B championship win; the Eagles shut out Miller Place, which knocked out Rocky Point in the last two county finals, 4-0, for the title; Bella Fusco pushes the ball up the field; and Miller Place’s nicole Beck battles with Rocky Point’s Sara Giammarella for possession.

Fusco helps Eagles finally get past Panthers

By Bill landon Rocky Point head coach Katie Bittner felt different about this county playoff game.

For the first time after her pregame ritual, which involves showing a picture slideshow to her field hockey team, she wasn’t crying.

“I always tell them I get very nervous before games, and I always get very scared before a county game because it could mean goodbye,” the coach said.

“But they looked at me after we did our picture slideshow and they said, ‘Look, she’s not crying.’ And I wasn’t crying, because today I knew wouldn’t be goodbye.”

Rocky Point 4 Miller Place 0

Bella Fusco fulfilled Bittner’s prophecy, finding the back of the cage twice in her Rocky Point field hockey team’s 4-0 blanking of Miller Place for the Suffolk County Class B crown Oct. 28.

“We wanted it a lot more — we’ve been working for so long, we work hard, we practice, we run a lot to stay in shape, and we just deserved it,” Fusco said. “We’re all a big family so to move on [to the Long Island championship], nothing could be sweeter.”

Fusco, a sophomore at top-seeded Rocky Point, scored her first goal nine minutes into the contest off a pass from Sara Giammarella. The senior set the tone 40 seconds later, when she rocked the back of the box with a hard hit off of a feed from down a player with 24 minutes left in regsenior Christiana Bellissimo for a 2-0 lead ulation, but was unable to capitalize.

Senior forward Hannah Luchsinger at the 20:20 mark. But Giammarella was scored the final goal on a solo shot to close quick not to take all of the credit.

“It’s our defense,” she said of what out the scoring for the Eagles, which had previously lost to Miller Place in the last helped her Eagles soar. “Nicki two county finals matchups.

Taveras holds our backs on the “I have 10 seniors who want defensive side; she’s a wall, it [more than anything else],” no one can get past her. And Bittner said. “I have 10 seniors Lizzy Wiener, she’s awesome, who have gone to the county just fantastic.”

— Bella Fusco championship the past three Rocky Point proved faster years and have not won it, so to the ball, passed cleanly all I saw today was heart.” and pressured the No. 2 Panthers, which Rocky Point faced Garden City in the struggled to get the ball past midfield.

With 12:51 left in the first half, Fusco Long Island championship Nov. 1 at Newstruck on a crossing pass from senior Emily field High School, but results were not Molinaro for a 3-0 advantage at the break. available by press time. The Eagles last Deflated, opportunity came knocking faced the Trojans when the team made it for Miller Place when Rocky Point went to the regional game in 2014.

‘We wanted it a lot more.’

PAGE A22 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

EndorsEmEnts

Bonner brings experience

While incumbent Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner’s (C-Rocky Point) opponent Democrat Mike Goodman has some understandable concerns with the future of life in Brookhaven, we feel Bonner is best for the job.

Her years of experience have helped propel her to her present position. Working as a legislative aid to then-Suffolk County Legislator Dan Losquadro (R) and as a councilwoman for the second council district for the last decade has given her a breadth of knowledge, experience and connections.

Bonner said she believes there will be a resurgence of downtown Rocky Point, and we hope she strives to make changes that attract quality businesses to enhance the area, modeling from Main Street in Patchogue or Port Jefferson. We also applaud her care for shoreline structures and her

involvement in the Culross Beach Rocky Point-North Shore Beach Property Owners Association debacle, as well as for monitoring the dispute against a DDI Development house in Miller Place and speaking in favor of it publicly. The councilwoman cares about her constituents, about the environment and about making things better. She has also shown she has the leadership ability to get the job done.

We have no doubt her challenger also cares. We admire Goodman for throwing his hat into the ring, raising concern over key issues like the lack of jobs and affordable housing, and we encourage the town and Bonner to bring more ideas to the table, and even explore his ticketing system suggestion.

While we vote for Bonner, we also encourage the councilwoman to work with her challenger on his ideas and use him as a resource to create a better Brookhaven.

All roads lead to Losquadro The Town of Brookhaven highway superintendent has one of the largest responsibilities of any local elected official. It is the head of the department’s job to oversee literally thousands of miles of road, and incumbent Dan Losquadro (R) has done an excellent job of making that task more manageable during his first two terms.

He set out with the goal of streamlining and updating the highway department’s systems and mechanics to create greater efficiency in the way it deals with its upward of $100 million annual budget, and

he has done a masterful job at achieving that goal so far. We think the town would benefit from two more years of Losquadro to allow him more time to play out his fiveand 10-year plans, which he said he established shortly after taking office.

We commend his challenger, Democrat Anthony Portesy, for taking the leap into political candidacy, and his enthusiasm, drive and education make him an attractive candidate for other offices going forward.

This time around, go with Losquadro.

Sini securing fresh DA spot It’s no secret that Suffolk County’s District Attorney office is in desperate need of a culture change. The allegations-turned charges against Thomas Spota (D), who held the position since 2001, have created public distrust in a position that requires it. The district attorney decides who gets charged with crimes, and a lack of confidence in the integrity of the person leading that position creates a tangled web of problems Suffolk County residents shouldn’t have to worry about.

To that end, Tim Sini (D) has dealt with a startlingly analogous situation as police commissioner, which ironically features many of the same players, and he’s handled it as well as anyone could have asked. Real progress is being made on the

gang front, and we think his experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, coupled with his time as police commissioner are more than enough to put to bed concerns from people like his challenger about his age and relative inexperience.

On Ray Perini (R), we were mostly satisfied with his defenses of two scandals from his past brought to light during this campaign. However, at a time like this, the mere hint of possible wrongdoing in the position of district attorney is enough to continue damaging public perception of a position in need of a fresh start.

With all that being said, we’re endorsing Sini for Suffolk County district attorney.

Romaine an asset to town An undeniable by-product of the heated and often circus-like 2016 presidential election is a booming pool of highly qualified and energized people throwing their names in the ring to run for political office.

This phenomenon is perfectly embodied by the Town of Brookhaven supervisor race.

Incumbent Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) often begins speaking engagements with the line, “It’s a great day for Brookhaven.”

It is our belief that the day he took office in 2012 was a truly great day for Brookhaven.

His experience as a public servant and ability to create partnerships seamlessly with Democrats and Republicans alike make him an asset for our town. He’s willing to fight for what he feels is right for the people of the town. Period.

On the other hand, his challenger Jack Harrington, a Democrat and resident of Stony Brook, is a qualified, young candi-

date with obvious confidence and leadership skills. He too would be an asset to any community lucky enough to have him as a public servant. We hope this first attempt at political candidacy is just the beginning for him, and the Democratic party within the town and Suffolk County would be wise to keep tabs on him and keep him in mind in the future should he fall to Romaine Nov. 7. If candidates like Harrington continue to come forward and run for office, our local politics can only benefit.

Despite Harrington’s qualifications, he’s not quite Romaine. We proudly endorse Romaine to remain Brookhaven’s town supervisor for another term, and if he maintains his track record and values when it comes to protecting the environment and exemplary financial management, this probably won’t be the last time this publication stands behind him.

Safe in Sarah Anker’s hands Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) is focused on local issues.

Although legislative issues may reach further than that of the town, we appreciate the incumbent’s care and concern for her district’s constituents and the challenges they face, not just the ones that the county does.

We think she works diligently and closely with her constituents, making her the best candidate in this race. We commend her track record on issues like parks creation; protecting drinking water by prohibiting the acceptance of wastewater produced by hydraulic fracturing; and her work with Father Frank Pizzarelli and Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson to try to quell opioid addiction.

Some of the points her Democratic opponent Gary Pollakusky made about the

county’s lower bond rating, $2.1 billion debt and $200 million structural deficit are all causes for concern, but Anker is just one member of a larger group, and should not be held accountable for all of its ills or credited with all of its successes.

Pollakusky’s campaign style tends to be rough, even bullying. We are also concerned about the merits of his business ventures and nonprofit organization based on the odd mechanics of the website and social media.

Anker has shown leadership, being able to see the problem, recognizing who can solve the problem, getting in touch with the right people, putting them all together in a room and stepping back and letting the solution evolve. She listens to people and sees if she can help. We’re all for that.

Vote Zacarese new sheriff With two new candidates boasting impressive work backgrounds running for Suffolk County sheriff, Republican Larry Zacarese and Democrat Errol Toulon, it was difficult deciding who to endorse.

After much deliberation Zacarese gets our endorsement.

We believe Zacarese has done his homework when it comes to the job as sheriff and his experience at Stony Brook University as assistant chief of police and director of the Office of Emergency Management will be an asset. His position there is a well-rounded one. He is involved in operations, planning, mitiga-

tion, response and recovery and working with the installation of and maintenance of the electronic security system for more than 250 buildings.

He has also met with those on task forces dealing with the gang problems on Long Island to ensure that they are well staffed and good relationships between federal and local agencies are intact.

We hope that Toulon will continue to pursue a career in politics. With a great deal of experience in law enforcement including at Rikers Island, we can see him serving the county in the future, perhaps in a role such as police commissioner.

NOVEMBER 02, 2017 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A23

opinion A tale of a coveted trophy

W

hat would a victory be without a trophy? We faced that awful question this week.

In the championship game, my daughter’s volleyball team battled their opponent and their nerves to win that coveted trophy, to claim the top honors in their division, and to cap off a successful and rewarding season that involved floor burns, mishits, turned ankles and all manner

By Daniel Dunaief of emotional challenges as they went toe-to-toe with teams in gyms filled with exuberant fans.

Nothing went right in the beginning of the match. They gave away point after point, until the unflappable

D. None of the above

coach, whose only sign of anxiety was a few extra gulps of water, called timeout and told the team to relax and play their game.

They were down 12-2 in a 25-point game. Maybe, my wife and I thought, they’d make the first game respectable, get their bearings and then win the second and third games. The benefit of a best-of-three-game set is that they didn’t have to win the first game.

And then a funny thing happened on the way to a potential lopsided loss.

They pulled themselves together and they made important shots that landed just inside the line. Momentum, which is such an intangible, shifted quickly, forcing the other coach to call a hasty timeout.

Ultimately, they won that first set, 2523. The second set was closer throughout, but they also won that one, 25-20, leading to a euphoric celebration. They took turns holding a trophy, which had a volleyball figurine and a plaque.

The coach handed the trophy to my

daughter, who was the captain. She cradled it like it was an infant, passing it gently to her teammates who posed for their own pictures with the team’s prize. She got to take the trophy home for the weekend. I drove her friend and her to a diner for some celebratory curly fries and raced home to relatives who were eating a wider variety of food.

After the meal, I offered to take Uncle Jordan, who had come out from the city, back to the train. My wife graciously suggested he sit in the front seat. As soon as he sat down, he asked, “Hey, what’s that?”

Yup, he sat on the trophy, wounding our daughter’s “baby.” When I turned on the light in the car, I saw that the figurine was still intact, but the plaque dangled at an angle.

Jordan laughed. Our son was in hysterics. My wife, who was in the back seat, laughed nervously, while I considered going into panic mode, wondering if I should call the factory in Singapore to ask it to ship another

trophy overnight.

We thought about gluing the pieces back together, but that would be like bringing a messy art project to school. Maybe we could take it out of the car and run over it 20 times, and then say we lost it. No, destroying it wasn’t the answer.

“Take it to Home Depot,” Jordan suggested.

What if they couldn’t fix it? What would we tell our daughter?

When she got to our house that night, I did everything I could to keep her from asking about, or looking for, the coveted trophy.

The next morning, we raced to Home Depot, where a couple of goodhumored men at the tool rental section got to work. Fortunately, they repaired it. When we returned, we shared the story with our daughter who laughed, too, even as she compared the pictures of the trophy from the night before to the rescued object in her hand. Somehow, like her team, the trophy endured.

This is the year for critically important local elections

T

he issue of the newspaper that you now hold in your hands or are reading on an electronic device is an annual superstar. Only once in each year do we publish a comprehensive preelection section that speaks to the upcoming races. We invite the opponents together to our offices for each local race and pepper them with questions until we feel we have a good handle on them. This section is the distillation of many hours of interviews with the candidates and follow-up research, putting together the information that we are privileged

By Leah S. Dunaief to learn. Then we share that information with you.

We go even further. After careful consideration, sometimes over a period of many days, we will come to a conclusion as to whom to vote for and tell you what we think and why. These are our endorsements and may be found on

Between you and me

the editorial pages in the back of the paper. We also include a sample ballot so you can walk into your polling place and know the layout on which you will mark your choices.

We are the only community newspapers that span three towns in Suffolk: Brookhaven, Smithtown and Huntington. So as you can imagine, there are a good number of races in which we need to be involved. In two of these towns, there will be a new day for there are open seats at the top of the ticket for the first time in more than a score of years. In Huntington, longtime Supervisor Frank Petrone decided not to run again, and so Edwards is giving up her seat on the town board, as she and state Assemblyman Lupinacci compete to lead the town. Candidates for the two town board seats are incumbent Cuthbertson and challengers Smyth, Leonick and Rogan. Berland, too, is leaving her seat on the board and trying for a Suffolk County legislative seat, running against Gavilla. Kennedy is challenged

by Hyms for her seat in the legislature.

Smithtown Township has the same open top position since Vecchio lost the Republican primary and will not be running for supervisor for the first time in 40 years. Instead the residents will

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have Holst, Wehrheim or Slevin as their new leader. The voters will also choose two board members among Fortunato, Doyle, McCarthy, Nowick, Lohmann and Stoddard.

Brookhaven, in contrast, has no open seats but plenty of competition. Incumbent Romaine is facing a challenge from Harrington for supervisor. In our coverage district, incumbent Councilwoman Cartright is running against challenger Canale, and incumbent Bonner is being opposed by Goodman. For the county Legislature in our Brookhaven area, we have incumbent Anker versus Pollakusky and incumbent Hahn challenged by Flood. Also in play is the Brookhaven Town superintendent of highways position, as incumbent Dan Losquadro is challenged by Portesy.

Two of the most closely watched contests in Suffolk County are for district attorney and sheriff. Both of those positions are open seats. Police Commissioner Sini is running against Perini for DA and Stony Brook University Deputy Police Chief Zacarese is opposed by Toulon in the race for sheriff.

On top of our usual duties at TBR News Media, we interviewed them all. It was exhausting but exhilarating, as we learned more than we already

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Desirée Keegan EDITOR Desirée Keegan

LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton SPORTS EDITOR Desirée Keegan ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia DIR. OF MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Michael Tessler

knew from the incumbents and a great deal about the challengers. We heard about the issues that are on the minds of the North Shore community. The electorate is concerned about the escalating opioid epidemic that is killing hundreds, particularly of our younger people. Residents also continue to be frustrated about high property taxes, public safety — especially as it relates to the insidious growth of gangs, the traffic in Smithtown, the homeless in Brookhaven and the brain drain that is the result of not enough high-paying jobs and affordable housing.

We also tell you our opinion of a constitutional convention. We oppose it, fearing a Pandora’s box containing many evils.

We are always impressed that residents will come forward to run for public office. Campaigns are a lot of work, and being a public servant has its tribulations. This year, more than most others, we are further impressed by the high quality of candidates. We urge you to do one of the two things you are allowed only if you are an American citizen. Please be sure to VOTE. P.S. The other is to serve on a jury.

ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR Rob Alfano CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal

BUSINESS MANAGER Sandi Gross CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Courtney Biondo

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PAGE A24 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • NOVEMBER 02, 2017

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