the
BY STEFAN MYCHAJLIW
For the love of God and all that is holy I could not find a flight or a cheap ticket to Washington DC to cover the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. That meant packing my bags and hopping in the car to our nation’s capital to cover history in the making for the South Shore Press.
The journey was quite uneventful and quiet until news alerts started blowing up my phone: because of bitter cold temperatures the Inauguration would move inside to the Capitol.
Thankfully because of connections on Capitol Hill I had secured a pretty sweet seat to the 2025 Inauguration. These are tough to come by. A majority of the tickets to a Presidential Inauguration are actually “standing room” access along the Capitol behind the actual seats themselves.
They have color coded standing
sections where people are packed in like pens. This is where I witnessed the Inauguration in 2016. Having worked politically for a member of Congress at the time, I knew what to expect so I bundled up, wore warm work boots, and looked more like I was headed to a construction job site rather than a Presidential Inauguration.
Others didn’t do their homework. Since you’re standing on grass and it rained a bit, the standing areas turned into a slippery mud pit. It was quite humorous to see some folks attempting to navigate the tough terrain wearing high heels, fur coats, and tuxedos.
The challenge in 2025 was the cold.
Being originally from Buffalo, New York, I was shocked at the move to an all indoor Inauguration. Keep in mind, we stand outside in far colder weather and more
BY GEORGE SANTOS
In his final hours as president of the United States, Joe Biden distributed presidential pardons with the generosity of candy on Halloween. The outgoing commander in chief deemed it appropriate to preemptively pardon a range of individuals who had not yet been charged with any crimes by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Among the illustrious names on this list were Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, Liz Cheney, and the entire January 6th Select Committee. This unprecedented move has sparked a critical question: What did these individuals do to necessitate such preemptive pardons?
The issuance of these pardons has ignited a wave of speculation and concern. The key issue being raised is whether these pardons imply wrongdoing that has yet to
be revealed. If these individuals had done nothing wrong, why would they need pardons? This action has stirred sentiments suggesting that there might indeed be a hidden "there" to investigate. The public's curiosity and the demand for transparency have reached new heights, prompting a collective call for further inquiry into the matter.
In case you are wondering what is a presidential pardon?
A presidential pardon is an act of clemency granted by the president of the United States. It serves to forgive an individual for federal crimes, effectively erasing the legal consequences of the offense. The Constitution grants the president the authority to issue pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. This power is broad, allowing the
Inauguration 2025 is in the History Books
blustery conditions for ten hours at a time while tailgating and watching the Buffalo Bills battle on the gridiron. For us New Yorkers, standing outside in the cold is what we call “Monday.”
Folks are praising the move inside. I get it. People not used to standing outside for long periods of time can develop health issues or even frostbite, but do the math.
On Inauguration Day, people would have had to brave the elements for about four hours, counting time to get through security at the Capitol, then sit outside to watch the inauguration.
Moving rallies and festivities to the Capitol One Arena meant people were standing in line outside for 12-to-24 hours prior to secure a seat inside the 20,356 seat stadium.
On the Sunday rally temperatures hovered at exactly 33-degrees: one degree above freezing. A cold, hard rain pounded those standing in line. That was far worse than standing outside the Capitol for an outdoor Inauguration, but I digress.
As they say, necessity is the mother of all invention, so hundreds of thousands of people just “figured it out” for a Plan-B on how to watch the Inauguration in and around Washington, DC.
President Biden Exits White House Granting Controversial Pre-emptive Pardons
president to pardon individuals after they have been convicted, during their trials, or even for charges formally brought against them. The pardon restores the individual's civil rights, such as the right to vote, and
eliminates the stigma of a criminal conviction However, it does not imply innocence but rather acts as a legal forgiveness for the crime.
The legal community is raising significant concerns about
President Biden's use of this power in a preemptive manner. Experts argue that these preemptive pardons could be challenged in court, as there is little to no precedent for pardoning individuals before they are charged with any crimes. Traditionally, presidential pardons have been applied after convictions or at least after formal charges. The unconventional nature of this move raises questions about the appropriate scope and use of presidential pardon power. Legal scholars are debating whether this application aligns with constitutional provisions or if it oversteps the boundaries of executive authority. Notably New York U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer in 2021 called a preemptive pardon a “gross abuse of the presidential authority.”
Continued on page 8
Credit: Grok/Twitter
SANTOS UNCENSORED
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington DC
Photo Illustration
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
ByRobertChartuk
Trump Makes Triumphant Return to the White House
Donald J. Trump made his historic return to the White House official as he swore in to become the 47th President in a Capitol Rotunda ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and officials of his new administration, including his Vice President, J.D. Vance. His predecessor, Joe Biden, was in attendance, along with other past presidents, the Supreme Court, foreign dignitaries, and the woman he defeated for his second term, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump joins only Grover Cleveland in serving two nonconsecutive terms as commanderin-chief, returning to the role in his 78th year. Declared politically dead after his loss to Biden four years ago, Trump triumphed over an unprecedented onslaught of attacks by almost every aspect of the established class trying to block his return. He stuck firm to his “Make America Great Again” theme and campaigned indefatigably against the poor performance of his foes. A vast majority of Americans agreed with his admonition that they weren’t better off after four years of Democrat policies.
“The Golden Age of America begins right now,” the billionaire businessman declared to an applauding crowd that included key members of Congress. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again
all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first.”
Trump’s swearing-in was moved indoors to the tightly packed Rotunda due to cold weather. Thousands who hoped to witness the spectacle as an outdoor event flooded the Capitol streets in a carnival atmosphere reminiscent of the dozens of rallies Trump staged to win over America. With First Lady Melania Trump by his side, the President utilized two Bibles during the ceremony: one given to him by his mother and the historic book used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861.
Trump appealed for unity in a country sharply divided by those who like him and those who hate him. He was able to take back his seat, in part, by winning over younger voters and those in the minority who typically vote Democrat. His campaign plank emphasized the deportation of illegal immigrants, cutting “Bidenflation,” and his mantra of “ Drill baby, drill” to capitalize on the nation’s fossil fuel reserves. He promised to restore respect for America aboard and to bring back the manufacturing jobs lost to other nations. He declared an end to the Green New Deal and pledged to reduce crime and stop
the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the country.
Addressing the Lawfare waged against him, Trump stated: “The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free.” Rising above it, he added: “I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never
A Driving Rain, Cold Temperatures, and Warm Hearts Outside Capital One Arena
ByStefanMychajliw
A cold, driving rain pounded thousands of MAGA-loving patriots who waited in line for hours outside Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., waiting for just a chance to hear President Trump speak at a nighttime rally.
Temperatures stubbornly stuck at exactly 33 degrees, just 1 degree above freezing. The combination of cold temperatures and a pounding rain did not dampen the hearts of those wanting to see the soon-to-be 47th president of the United States.
“I am freezing my butt off. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’re willing to do it. He is going to make America Great Again. He is going to get us back on track,” said Kim Cobb to The South Shore Press from her home state of Arizona.
Prior to Friday, there were no plans to host presidential rallies on Sunday or Monday, but both happened once the Inaugural Host Committee and President Trump decided to move the inauguration indoors.
In order to accommodate the
hundreds of thousands of people who were expected to witness history in person and outdoors, there were two events featuring President Trump inside Capitol One Arena, with a capacity of 20,356.
President Trump supporters were willing to brace bitter and dangerous temperatures for the inauguration itself. They still had to dodge drops and freezing temperatures outside Capital One Arena.
“We came dressed for it. We are ready and prepared and excited to see President Trump,” said Jim Kane to The South Shore Press,
who is from Dallas, Texas.
Excitement was at a fever pitch not only to hear from the commander in chief, but to see his America First agenda implemented: secure the border, reduce inflation, cut taxes, and reduce government spending.
“I can't imagine being anywhere else in the world other than being right here in this ‘Trump line.’ Best day of our lives. Everything he said he was gonna do, I believe he is going to do and make this country great again. He is amazing,” said Boston, Massachusetts resident Carla Gomez to The South Shore Press.
Executive Orders, many redoing his past orders that Biden canceled during his first days in office. He declared a national emergency at the southern border, stating: “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy and end the practice of catch and release.”
before.”
He declared January 20 “Liberation Day,” stating that a “radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.” He said the current government “cannot manage even a simple crisis at home while, at the same time, stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions, that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.”
Further contrasting himself from his predecessor in his 30-minute speech, Trump said, “Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, who have been treated so badly, and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago or, more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense.”
Trump also railed against an education system that “teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves—in many cases, to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them.” He promised to “immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government,” saying that his election is a “mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and, indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”
He acknowledged the two assassination attempts against him, stressing, “I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Shortly after concluding his speech, Trump signed a number of
Doubling down on his strict illegal immigration stance, he designated the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and promised to order troops to the southern border to “repel the disastrous invasion of our country,” adding, “By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities.”
He also signed an order to “stop government censorship and bring back free speech to America years after and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression.” To restore competence and effectiveness to the government, Trump is moving on creating a Department of Government Efficiency and an External Revenue Service, and will also “end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.” As of today, he said, “It will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
He also vowed to reinstate service members expelled from the military for objecting to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate with full back pay and to sign an order to stop soldiers from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. “Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies,” Trump said.
He changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and restored the name of President William McKinley to Mount McKinley in Alaska, previously known as Denali. He promised to assert America’s right over the Panama Canal.
“In recent years, our nation has suffered greatly,” President Trump concluded. “But we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage, and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent, and totally unpredictable. America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith, and goodwill. We will be prosperous, we will be proud, we will be strong, and we will win like never before.”
Donald J. Trump swears in as the 47th President as his wife Melania looks on.
Credit: Press Pool
Outside Capitol One Arena, Washington DC
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
ByStefanMychajliw
Witness to History at the Waldorf
Once word spread like wildfire around Washington and the nation that President Trump’s inauguration would be moved indoors, the hundreds of thousands of people who were descending on D.C. quickly moved on to one important question:
“Where are we going to find a warm spot to watch the inauguration?”
Seating capacity for the Capital One Arena in Washington is approximately 20,356. Most definitely not enough room to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the country and world to
attend.
The heart of Washington near Congress, The National Mall, the White House, and Capital One Arena were on strict lockdown. Massive metal barricades penned people out and kept police in, while military grade armored trucks from the National Guard blocked exits.
One popular viewing spot was the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, previously home to the Trump International Hotel.
We are talking about the peaceful transfer of power. We knew how contentious the election was, how the left and the right have different ideas. This was amazing to see, so
touching for our nation, we are the greatest country on earth, in spite of those who don’t think America is exceptional. We are exceptional. Today is the new era of American exceptionalism.
Xiomara Bourgeois from Louisiana is one of the many who had a ticket to witness the inauguration in person, but Mother Nature had other plans.
“I was going to be at the Capitol outside. I was here for his first inauguration. This is the next best thing,” said Bourgeois.
Temperatures hit a balmy 48 degrees for President Trump’s inauguration in 2017. The 2025 inauguration will go down in the history books as the fourth coldest in history at 27 degrees. The “real feel” factoring the wind clocked in at 14 degrees.
“I’m excited. Happy to be here. I met some great people. It’s truly a blessing to be a special part of a historic moment,” said Rachel Mondsir
“I feel great again, because America is great again. It's a big blessing. A double portion, right here around the people, around ‘We the People.’ "I was never involved in politics. The first time I ever got involved was when Trump came into office,” said Maurice Delk from Wisconsin.
The South Shore Press spotted a wide range of “who’s who” in the political and acting arenas at the Waldorf Astoria, including Ambassador Richard “Ric” Grenell, Trump senior advisor Chris LaCivita, cook and television personality Paula Deen, and Hollywood actor Robert Davi.
Davi, known for his roles in movies like “Goonies” and “Die Hard,” spoke to The South Shore Press about the peaceful transfer
of power from the Biden to the Trump administration.
“We knew how contentious the election was, how the left and the right have different ideals. This was amazing to see, and so touching for our nation, because we are the greatest country on earth, in spite of some out there that don't think America is exceptional. We are exceptional. Today is the new era of American exceptionalism," concluded Davi.
On Attempting to Watch the Inauguration in a Hotel Bar
ByDeborahWilliams
People all over the world are watching the inauguration of a new American president. The United States of America is the standard bearer when it comes to inaugurations where former presidents, vice presidents, and elected leaders from all parties attend to witness the peaceful transfer of power in the most powerful nation on earth.
Not since Grover Cleveland has an American president served two nonconsecutive terms. President Trump’s remarkable political comeback is one for the ages and this inauguration is something many thought could never be possible. And, yet here we are.
This South Shore Press writer is on vacation in Florida and wanted to watch the inauguration on a big TV at the hotel.
I asked at the front desk if the inauguration would be on in the bar. They said, "You’ll have to ask the bartender. He controls the TV.”
The host at the bar did not know what the inauguration was and asked a manager. The
manager said, “No,” we won’t be showing it.
On to plan B! My husband and I did not want to watch it in the confines of the hotel room and also didn’t want to disturb other guests, so we set up with the iPad in the outdoor lobby area. My former marine husband, who can create useful things from scratch on a moments notice, crafted a coffee cup as a phonographic trumpet to attach to the iPad. This directed the sound toward us so as not to bother others.
I decided to talk to some others hanging around about what they thought of the inauguration and if they planned to watch. It was still morning and folks were hanging around with their coffee.
A father and son were nearby and agreed to speak with me. Michael Smith and his son, Carter, are vacationing from South Jersey. We briefly talked about the big wins of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills the night before.
Father and son are split politically. Father is pro-Biden, and even more anti-Trump. Son, Carter supported Trump. Neither planned on watching the
inauguration but for different reasons.
Michael, the father, saw the inauguration as a culmination of a “broken and divisive political process.” He feels the MAGA movement, and Trump especially, stain the ceremony. He compared our current political state to British parliament where “they stand up and yell at one another all the time.” Dad is “frankly disgusted” by the whole process and what he sees as the “demeanor of the MAGA movement and Trump.”
Carter, who is just 20 years old and voted in a presidential election for the first time voted for Trump. He said, “I have very different views than my dad. I’m not that interested in the ceremony and we are on vacation.”
“I think the media and politicians work together to keep us divided on purpose,” said Carter. “I hope all of that ends now. The division is not good.”
When asked what he felt about the hotel refusing to put the inauguration on the TV, another patron said, “I’m not surprised. They are probably worried that
some people might get upset even though this is a process for the whole country and not about politics at this point. The election is over.”
A couple from outside Chicago, Scott and Kris, were hanging around at the bar. By this time, the ceremony had begun and it had been turned on at the Hotel Bar TV though it was on silent. Scott mentioned that he had also asked for it to be turned on. It seems I was not alone in wanting to watch.
When asked his thoughts on the ceremony he said, “It’s nice
to be able to watch it. I normally miss these things because I am at work, but we are on vacation and it is a federal holiday so it’s good to see the whole thing.”
“It is an important American event. We always watch all of them,” said Kris. “On a notso-serious note, I wonder what they are talking about in the limousines and at the tea ceremony.”
Scott added, “I just hope that now that the election is over everyone can come together with less hate and we can unite as Americans.”
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C.
Credit: Deborah Williams
iPad rigged up to hear the inauguration over the ocean waves.
NATION Trump Promises Kept on Day One
ByRobertChartuk
Shortly after being sworn in for his second term, President Donald Trump wasted no time in issuing Executive Orders to keep the promises he made to the American public. Ever the showman, the 47th President signed the first batch of orders at a packed ceremony at Capital One Arena, and then moved to the Oval Office to sign the rest. He also cancelled 78 orders made by the Biden administration.
His swift actions included the restoration of the death penalty and requiring the Federal government to recognize the biological reality of two sexes–male and female. He declared a National Emergency to unlock American energy, withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords, eliminated the electric vehicle mandate, and paused all offshore wind farm leases.
He ordered the completion of the border wall, designated cartels and transnational gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, directed the military to prioritize the nation's borders and territorial integrity, and began the deportation process for illegal immigrants. He also created an Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), ordered government employees working from home back to the office, and made it easier to fire unproductive workers. Trump also changed Denali Mountain in Alaska back to Mount McKinley and renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. He declared that U.S. foreign policy must always put the interests of America and its citizens first.
Here's a rundown of what he did during his first hours back on the job.
Unleashing American Energy
• Signed an Executive Order declaring a national energy emergency, unlocking America's full energy potential.
• Signed an Executive Order directing all Federal agencies to suspend, revise, or rescind all Federal policies that restrict American energy production.
• Signed an Executive Order terminating the previous administration's harmful electric vehicle mandate.
• Signed an Executive Order reversing burdensome regulations that impeded Alaska's ability to develop its vast natural resources.
• Signed an Executive Order to unleash American energy production in order to bring costs down for American families.
• For the second time, signed an Executive Order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate agreement.
• Signed a Presidential Memorandum pausing all new
and renewed federal leasing and permitting for both onshore and offshore wind projects.
Securing America's Borders
• Signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to allow the government to gain operational control of the southern border, combat the cartels, and secure the nation.
• Signed an Executive Order revoking the disastrous Biden Executive Orders and policies that collapsed the border and flooded millions of illegal aliens into the country.
• Signed an Executive Order requiring Homeland Security officials to deport aliens with orders of removal and prioritizing the prosecution of immigration criminal offenses.
• Signed an Executive Order to enhance federal vetting and screening of aliens, requiring officials to identify which countries are not cooperating with United States officials in providing basic information on individuals seeking to enter the United States.
• Signed an Executive Order pausing the operation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to suspend the entry of aliens into the United States when such entry is not in the national interest.
• Signed an Executive Order prohibiting recognizing as United States citizens, children who are born while in the United States to foreign national parents who are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment.
• Shut down all entries through the CBP One Mobile Passport Control App.
• Shut down the CBP One App to stop all migrant flights used for relocating illegal aliens.
• Signed an Executive Order to end catch-and-release programs.
• Signed an Executive Order to resume the successful Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) policy, also known as "Remain in Mexico."
• Signed an Executive Order directing the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to finish construction of a physical barrier along the southern border.
• Signed an Executive Order designating international cartels and transnational gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
• Signed an Executive Order directing the military to prioritize the nation's borders and territorial integrity in strategic planning for its operations.
Draining The Swamp, Targeting Government Corruption
• Signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering agencies to take all necessary steps to terminate remote work.
• Signed an Executive Order establishing and implementing a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to oversee a substantial reduction in the size and scope of the government.
• Signed an Executive Order reforming the Federal hiring process to restore merit to government service and reprioritize skills, experience, and patriotism, not commitment to radical ideologies.
• Signed an Executive Order instilling accountability for failing career bureaucrats to better address misconduct or poor performance.
• Signed an Executive Order to create a new category of federal hires for career employees in policy-influencing positions, making it easier to remove rogue bureaucrats without lengthy delays and red tape.
• Signed an Executive Order to bring a swift end to the weaponization of the federal government.
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• Signed an Executive Order to restore freedom of speech and end government-sponsored censorship, rectifying years of government abuse.
• Signed an Executive Order rescinding a record 78 executive actions signed by the BidenHarris administration–including eliminating radical DEI ideology, open border policies, and climate extremism from the federal government.
• Issued a Presidential Memorandum to the heads of all executive departments and agencies ordering an immediate halt to the publication of regulations.
Restoring American Greatness
• Signed a Policy Directive declaring that the United States' foreign policy must always put the interests of America and its citizens first.
• Signed an Executive Order to realign U.S. foreign aid to match American values.
• Signed a Presidential Memorandum reviving his America First trade agenda.
• Signed an Executive Order reinstating the name Mount McKinley and renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
• Signed a Presidential Memorandum to deliver emergency price relief for American families by ordering all Federal agencies to eliminate unnecessary administrative expenses, counterproductive requirements, and harmful climate policies that are driving up costs.
Bringing Back Common Sense
• Signed an Executive Order restoring the death penalty.
• Signed an Executive Order requiring the Federal government to recognize the biological reality of two sexes–male and female.
News Director Stefan Mychajliw
Photographers & Reporters
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President Trump with one of the orders he signed during his first hours as the 47th President.
Credit: Press Pool
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Tales from The Strip: SSP Dives Into D.C.’s Inauguration Day Vendor Scene
Though the switch from outdoor to indoor negated The South Shore Press’ ticketed access, no special clearance was required to traverse through the outdoor extravaganza that was the F Streetside area outside the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. on Monday, Jan. 20th.
Some protests of varied proportions formulated along this most colorful trail, but no booth nor supporter of since-sworn-in President Donald J. Trump felt legitimately threatened.
Security was strong, and disregard for hate and opposition on a day of new beginnings was even stronger. Why would one ever choose to wallow in round-theclock negative vibes when, thanks to one vendor in particular’s gift of deep-cut looping, “Get Down On It” by Kool & the Gang exists?
“I pray to COVID before I pray to Jesus!” one attendee suddenly shouted at the local newspaper reporter using his iPhone XR as his makeshift microphone to get quick bytes from the shy-guy vendors barely willing to offer a quote or two.
This helped him keep relatively incognito on this quite specific assignment—possibly the furthest he’s ever traveled for one— compared to those representing other outlets on the scene who were being lightly accosted simply for doing their jobs.
“Ice cold souvenirs!”
“...I’m really in ‘The Planet of Apes” now.”
“Where’s her f—ing cheering section?”
Church bells musically chimed as vendors proudly peddled their mass assemblage of pro-Trump and anti-Trump items in the $10-$20
range—save for the understandably $150-marketed Gold High-Top “Trump Shoe.” This item, in particular, sported the look of something Stanley Yelnats would be accused of stealing from all-time fictional ballplayer, “Sweet Feet” Clyde Livingston.
Again, hostility grown airborne would just as quickly fly away with the great winds that forced the official Inauguration ceremony indoors for the first time since the commencement of Ronald Reagan’s second term in 1985.
Per this correspondent, Monday’s massive windchill factor was, thankfully, complemented with unencumbered sunshine, a muchwelcomed reprieve from the previous day’s curiously districthalting small flurry of snowfall.
Passing through the pre-security checkpoint en route to Capital One Arena’s in-waiting queue: a man ear-to-ear grinning while adorned within the blanketing of an American flag.
The South Shore Press grabbed a snapshot of this truly Kodak moment. However, the aforementioned sunshine begot lens glare, which firstly inspired the fear that the standout of the day’s pictorial parade had been positively rained down upon.
In review: as it turned out, the happiest of accidents had occurred—a lightning streak of sorts runs through the image, its subject unintentionally positioned as readying to become engulfed within what the more optimistically inclined could interpret as an acutely divine grasp.
This, in many ways, authentically captures the spirit of the most passionate individuals who poured out all over Washington D.C. this past weekend and beyond to promote their pride with sports worship-esque fervor.
The Buffalo Bills’ electric victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night even brought Bills Mafia out of the woodwork on these patriot-lined busy streets of D.C. The buzz surrounding the hyperlocal Washington Commanders solidifying a rare conference final appearance was far from faint as well.
Still, any feat of great athletic significance would, and did, pale in comparison to all that hosting an Inauguration entailed for a district, for our great nation that only does so every four years.
Reaching the end of the tour somewhere between a large print display of Trump shaking hands with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, an extremist Christian presence denouncing Trump as not Christian enough, and a Trumpified reimagining of Charley the Cymbol-banging monkey, a new conclusion was reached.
Wherever one could detect derision pertaining to the man put back in charge as of Monday, you would also find at least one
of his supporters not overly confrontational, but simply laughing off the most heinous of affronts to their cause.
Freedom of speech and expression are alive and well, The South Shore Press perceived as much. The vertical hodgepodge nature of the strip of ridiculousness briefly invoked for us the class warfare rife within Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 post-apocalyptic “train”-set sci-fi thriller, “Snowpiercer.”
But the thing about that wholly underrated film: no one had the option of ever getting off the ride.
On that note, my childhood friend-turned-assistant photographer for the occasion and I knew that we very much did, and therefore, recognized it was high time to make like a tree—and Biff— and got out of there.
En route back to our friends’ apartment to take in the ceremony itself, we were handed a copy of the conspiratorially contemplative “The Great Controversy” and a miniature Trump guide to success pamphlet
marketed as accompanying literature. We knew full well neither would be read before or after this reflection, but choose to pay the respect nevertheless due to these vendors in the form of this mention. What a hustle.
We passed many bars on our 10-minute stroll back to base that, by all accounts via passing glances into their windows, were far too packed for any spectators to hear the broadcast.
Thankfully, with a POTUS like DJT, so long as subtitles are turned on, even a divided room can come together to crush a collective Trump impression and produce hilariously whimsical results in the process—not quite “Rocky Horror” comboyah, but more like a “Wicked” path back toward civilized human relations.
At the end of the day, and by the end of the day I mean yesterday, one never forgets where they were when they saw Air Force One lift off on live TV after the presidential baton had officially been passed.
Nor do they forget seeing that same iconic craft mere moments later directly overhead, perfectly viewable from the window-side balcony nook of the apartment you rallied within for your 5-hour drive back to Long Island—a homemade iced latte in your left hand, and the last MAGA Energy Drink you ever cared to imbibe in your right. Coffee is just too good to cheat on it long-term.
Thank you once more to our Suffolk County-born friends’ turned Washington mainstays for impromptu hosting us during 24 hours of mad-lib shenanigans for a pair of Hauppaugians that started the weekend losing their tickets to the inauguration due to the inclement weather.
…but decided to go anyway. Clear eyes, full hearts, get down on it.
2-For-None? Done Deal, Donald: Reviewing the MAGA Energy Drink
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
SPOILERS: if our freely-issued sample provided on the F Streetset Cuckoo Conga of an inaugural vendor strip in Washington D.C. this past Monday is enough indication, this palpably caffeinated beverage will take you somewhere between 45 and 47 sips to finish.
Initially unleashed for the postElection holiday rush on behalf of their candidate in-waiting, “MAGA’s” aptly-titled, trademarked line of energy drinks was, unsurprisingly, due to be a growing fixture as the new year turned over. It was sold by softspoken, seasoned vendors for cheap purchase outside the Capital One Arena on Jan. 20th to commemorate President Donald J. Trump’s historic inauguration.
Those pushing MAGA Energy— the drink, not the movement— seemed reluctant to provide their
names. A fair-skinned, green-eyed man in his 30s working an outdoor booth for his fifth year strong could not have been sweeter as he stressed his utmost confidence in a drink he had never even tasted.
This is perhaps the testament of a salesman who deserves more than an “I don’t have cash” from passersby who most definitely do. After all, some of the more legitimate vendors like Ol' Green Eyes also accepted card (payment), so what kind of line is that anyway?
Another gentleman inadvertently stole the former’s thunder by offering up the last remainder of his latest batch The South Shore Press’ way: two MAGA Energy Drinks in exchange for nothing but a “thank you, you’re fired.”
Free caffeine on a day when The White House is taken back by The Big Red Machine?
God bless this country.
By early Monday afternoon, “The Donald” had become the second US Commander-in-Chief ever, and first since Grover Cleveland (18851889; 1893-1897), to reclaim the presidency after being voted out of office. Following his mobilization from the Capitol Rotunda to Capital One Arena, Trump matched the energy of the latter’s crowd—more laden with his backers… so we hear—in typical many-parts comic showman fashion.
Much like the dialed-in athlete who does not require a boost, yet indulges in energy drinks when the stakes are that elevated, all those hopped up on MAGA Energy in honor of their chosen champion could easily retain their high spirits far beyond the main event.
Urbandictionary.com defines “drinking the Kool-Aid” as
Lens glare hits different in the Nation’s capitol, evidently.
Credit: South Shore Press completely buying into an idea or system whether good or bad. MAGA men and women “drink
Some drinks “hit different.” The MAGA Energy Drink hits quite similarly to two popular brands.
Credit: South Shore Press
ByRobertChartuk
Local Leaders Highlight Hopes for New Administration
Excited and optimistic was the sentiment expressed by local officials as President Donald Trump retakes the White House and ushers out a Biden administration they believe has been a disaster.
“Trump ran on common sense solutions to clean up the mess Biden left here at home and abroad. I’m confident he will take this country in a better direction,” said Senator Dean Murray. “He’s added Suffolk’s own Lee Zeldin to his cabinet, and that is great news for Long Island.”
As head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the local reps believe Zeldin will address issues that have been nagging the region for years. “Living on an island, it’s all about the environment,” noted County Executive Ed Romaine. “We need money for sewers and drinking water protection and to get rid of the smoke-belching diesel trains of the Long Island Rail Road by electrifying the lines.”
Romaine pointed to saving Plum Island from commercial development as an issue Zeldin can hold sway over, as well as dredging Montauk Harbor, home of the state’s largest fishing fleet. “The catch is going to other states, and that’s hurting us economically, especially if the feds change the quotas because of decreased activity,” Romaine said. He would also like to see the federal government stop Connecticut from dumping dredge spoils in the Long Island Sound.
The County Executive echoed the concern of residents living in high-tax New York over SALT, the deduction that prevented double taxation. “People should not have to pay taxes with money they’ve already been taxed on,” Romaine said, referring to the State and Local Tax issue. “The SALT deduction has to be restored.”
Senator Mario Mattera, the ranking member of the state’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee, said he appreciates the incoming president’s pushback on the Green New Deal. “The plan by the Democrats to ban fossil fuels and force us to go all-electric won't work. I know President Trump sees this and will help prevent this disaster,” the senator said, expressing excitement over the prospects of the new administration. “It’s obvious to everyone that our country has to move in an entirely different direction. The past four years have been painful, and I have faith that the president will make America great again.”
“Good riddance,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano on the departure of Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, who failed miserably in her attempt to succeed him. “Trump now has to close Biden’s open borders and get rid of the gang members, drug dealers, and terrorists he let in. If anyone can do it, it's Donald Trump. He’s coming back with a lot more knowledge and experience than the first time, and has the vast majority of the country behind him. This is a critical moment in the history of America, and I’m
sure he’s up to the challenge.”
DeStefano focused on the fentanyl Biden let flow over the border. “These deadly drugs are killing people in our communities in record numbers and Biden didn’t do anything about it. China and the Mexican cartels are making a fortune from this misery, and he let it happen. Trump promised to put his foot down. God bless him,” DeStefano said.
“It is certainly a great day for our country, a great day for our nation's police, and a great day for bringing back public safety,” said Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk PBA. “The president has a lot of levers he can pull to assist us in our mission to keep the public safe. He can restore the partnership between federal and local law enforcement. He can provide the tools that we need to combat violent gangs such as
Tren de Aragua and MS-13. He can assist us with hiring more police officers,” Civello pointed out.
Civello shared the optimism of Long Island leaders that the 47th president’s pledge to deport the illegal immigrants brought in under Biden will make New York safer. “We need a robust and full force enforcement of our immigration policies where people who entered our country illegally, and are here flouting our laws and committing crimes, are deported,” he said, adding that he would appreciate Trump’s support of a “Police Officer’s Bill of Rights that would restore the confidence in law enforcement officers that if they do their job, they are not going to be unjustly targeted.”
“This is an exciting time for America,” said Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio. “President Trump is
promising a Golden Age, and I believe he can make it happen. Our country has everything it needs to prosper and improve the lives of all its citizens; we just need the right leadership. The President had a very successful first term and learned a lot about the ways of Washington and the media and the deep state. With his knowledge and experience, l have great hope for his second term.”
“The inauguration of a new administration is the dawn of a new era for America,” exclaimed Dan Panico, Brookhaven Town Supervisor. “Our new President has the almost unique perspective of having been the President before but having his terms come non-consecutively. That perspective should give him a greater ability to chart a prosperous course for America while also being mindful of the need to strike a unifying message that our country so sorely needs. As President Lincoln said, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ It is incumbent on all of us to work to mend the division in this country and never lose sight of the fact that we are all Americans.”
“Everybody feels the excitement of having President Trump back in office,” Senator Mattera concluded. “We’re going to have a president that will get things done for our benefit. We’re going to be safer and be more respected in foreign affairs. He’s going to stop the wars and get the economy back on track with lower inflation. It really does feel like a new day dawning in America.”
President Trump: America’s First Crypto Commander in Chief
ByStefanMychajliw
There was no bigger enemy of digital currencies than the Biden administration and SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. Both are considered "Enemy Number One and Enemy Number Two" in the crypto industry.
There's a new digital sheriff in town and President Donald J. Trump is now considered to be America's First "Crypto Commander in Chief."
This was quite evident when I spent time with some of the crypto industry's titans before President Trump's inauguration. I found myself in shock at the galvanized effort President Trump assembled for his second term. Last night, I attended the much-anticipated and first-ever Crypto Inaugural Ball, which will go down as one of the
greatest ever hosted in D.C.
As we move into a future dominated by digital currency, it's worth noting the stark contrast between the outgoing
administration's stance and the incoming one. The new administration has pledged to create a multi-billion-dollar reserve in Bitcoin, a move praised as visionary, promising
benefits for generations to come.
Friday night's event gathered titans and moguls from the crypto world. Among the attendees, I spoke with Gary Cardone, a mega crypto investor and backer. He remarked, "If you are not buying and holding Bitcoin, you aren’t paying attention." His words highlighted the enthusiasm and optimism surrounding the event.
One can only hope that New York State gets behind this movement, stops sanctioning crypto mining, and creates an environment that welcomes new companies. This would allow New Yorkers to join the global future of digital currency. Recently, Tether announced it would open its headquarters in El Salvador instead of New York City, citing the state's hostility toward crypto entrepreneurs. In
a brief exchange with Tether’s CEO, he thanked me for a post I made on X (formerly Twitter) about their announcement. I, in turn, thanked him for his visionary leadership.
For those wondering about the caliber of guests at the event supporting President Trump’s return, notable attendees included Donald Trump Jr., Gary Cardone, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jackie Siegel with her twin daughters, Eric Trump, and Snoop Dogg, to name a few. The event culminated in a blend of mainstream celebrities, tech industry leaders, and political influencers we all "adore and love."
This event was certainly a good barometer for what to expect in the next four years regarding innovation and the crypto industry.
Credit: Twitter
Crypto Ball: The Melon
Credit: Grok
President Donald Trump
ByDeborahWilliams
Celebrating Inauguration in Ft. Lauderdale
Americans everywhere are celebrating the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The South Shore Press reporter, Deborah Williams, is vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale and hit the trail to see who is celebrating in Florida.
The famous Elbo Room bar was packed full with very happy people singing and dancing and watching the festivities following the formal inauguration ceremony.
There were folks from Long Island, Syracuse, Cleveland, and all across America.
Inauguration 2025 is in the...
Continued from page 2
Getting around was impossible by foot or car. The Secret Service and Washington DC police put the entire city in lockdown, literally. Massive, iron gates wrapped around city streets, blocking foot and vehicular traffic anywhere around Washington. For the few places you could get by on foot “inside the perimeter” you had to go through not one but two Secret Service checkpoints.
Most people found a bar close to them and simply watched on TV.
At the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, once owned by President Trump, hundreds of people gathered around the bar television sets to watch the moment on TV, while more than 1,000 people stayed in the basement ballroom as part of the National Day of Prayer.
Academy Award Winner on the Record With The South Shore Press
ByStefanMychajliw
Younger fans of Tinseltown know him as the father of actress Angelina Jolie.
Those who have watched Hollywood movies for decades know him as an Academy Award winner.
Many in MAGA country know him as a die hard supporter of President Donald J. Trump.
Actor and political activist Jon Voight received a Patriot Award during a ceremony at the National Press Club. He spoke to The South Shore Press after winning his award.
South Shore Press: “How hopeful are you, sir, with Donald Trump as president?”
Academy Award Winning
Actor Jon Voight: “The people have spoken. The energy that he’s expressed is starting to register with people, the greatness of this man. He’s a great man. He’s choosing people who have tremendous energy and tremendous intelligence and loyalty and love for this country. That’s what’s happening.”
President Biden Exits White House...
I was blessed beyond belief to have secured invitation only tickets to numerous balls, awards luncheons, breakfast gatherings, and receptions in around Washington to round out my Inauguration 2025 experience.
Trust me, it wasn’t fun and games since I was quarterbacking the South Shore Press’s team coverage of the Inauguration. My small tripod, wireless microphones, and iphone were at my side every second of the weekend to capture moments for our social media (@ SSPNewsroom on Twitter) and our website: SouthShorePress. com.
Now that the Inauguration is behind us, the South Shore Press moves forward in our coverage of the new President, and how it impacts you and your family on the South Shore.
We’re told even high level Trump appointees and members of Congress were given the boot from the Capitol to accommodate foreign dignitaries.
Continued from page 2
Adding fuel to the fire is the reaction from the public, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Many users have expressed outrage, particularly focusing on Dr. Fauci. Critics argue that the pardon for Fauci is a tacit admission of guilt regarding his management and transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci, who became a polarizing figure during the pandemic, faced criticism from some quarters for his evolving guidance and the handling of information related to the virus's origins and public health measures. For these critics, the pardon seems to validate their suspicions of wrongdoing.
The timing and selection of individuals for these pardons
have further compounded public dissatisfaction. General Mark Milley and Liz Cheney, both of whom have been controversial figures in recent years, add to the intrigue. Milley faced criticism for his actions during the final days of the Trump administration, while Cheney became a lightning rod for her outspoken stance against former President Donald Trump and her role in the January 6th investigation. Their inclusion on the pardon list has only deepened the mystery and fueled conspiracy theories about potential political motivations behind these pardons.
As the nation grapples with this development, the broader implications of such preemptive pardons remain uncertain. If challenged, the courts will have to decide whether these pardons
stand the test of legal scrutiny or if they set a dangerous precedent for future administrations. Meanwhile, the public continues to demand accountability and transparency, questioning the true motives behind this sweeping exercise of presidential clemency.
In conclusion, President Biden's final act of issuing preemptive pardons has opened a Pandora’s box of legal, ethical, and political debates. Whether these actions were justified or an overreach of executive power, only time and further investigations will reveal. However, the immediate aftermath has been one of widespread confusion, suspicion, and a heightened call for transparency from both the outgoing and incoming administrations.
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw Jon Voight
ByStefanMychajliw
The South Shore Press Attends the “Patriot Awards” in Washington, D.C.
A big group of America
First Patriots gathered at the National Press Club ballroom in Washington, D.C., for the “Patriot Awards,” with honorees that included Helen Comperatore, Vivek Ramaswamy, Scott Pressler, Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight, Steve Bannon, actor Brock Pierce, and investigative journalist James O’Keefe.
Comperatore was joined by her daughters Allyson and Kaylee, bringing tears to the eyes of many in the room when she reflected on the beautiful spirit of her husband, firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was gunned down and killed during the assassination attempt of President Donald J. Trump.
His widow paused numerous times during her acceptance of her “Patriot Award” to share her love, respect, and admiration for her late husband.
“I’m going to fight for my husband. He deserves justice. He was a hero before this happened. He is definitely a hero now.
“President Trump has been
so good to our family. He called me everyday for two weeks. I’m so grateful for him,” said Helen Comperatore.
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was introduced at the National Press Club as the “next Governor of Ohio.” Ramaswamy’s name was consistently mentioned as someone being seriously considered by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to be JD Vance’s replacement in the United States Senate.
Instead, DeWine chose Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to be appointed to the United States Senate. Prior to Vance being named President Trump’s choice for vice president, Husted was considered the leading contender to run for governor.
With Husted’s appointment to the United States Senate, it creates a clear path for Ramaswamy to be the 2026 Republican candidate for Ohio governor.
"We are going to make America great again. Victory is our only option. The inauguration of President Trump is not the
destination. It is the start of a battle that lasts for generations to come. Our best days as a country are ahead of us," said Ramaswamy.
Next up was former Trump administration official Steve Bannon, who encouraged the crowd to not rest on its laurels and continue to win elections at the local, state, and national levels. Bannon also praised voter registration activist Scott Presler, who is credited for being instrumental in turning the State of Pennsylvania “red” in 2024.
“We pierced the ‘Blue Wall’ in 2024. I'm not sure we pull this off without Scott Presler. He turned Pennsylvania into the new Ohio. Now we have to turn New Jersey into the new Pennsylvania,” said Bannon, who credits President Trump for having the fortitude to run for commander in chief again after being politically persecuted in multiple states in multiple courts.
“Trump broke the oligarchs. They wanted to keep him in his cage in Mar-a-Lago. He came back. He came back on your shoulders.
He came back in one of the great victories in American history,” added Bannon.
There was a Hollywood vibe at the Patriot Awards as well, with Voight and Pierce earning awards. Pierce, who rose to fame with the film "The Mighty Ducks," marveled at President Trump’s victory over President Biden.
“It's the end of an era and the beginning of a golden age. What a year this has been,” said Pierce.
Voight, who earned a Best Actor Academy Award for the 1979 film “Coming Home,” wrapped up the event with his praise for his fellow honorees and the man who will serve as the 47th commander in chief of the United States of America.
“This is a room of great people. This is ‘We the People.’ It's magnificent to see goodness. Goodness in terms of courage, kindness, and honesty.
“I know Donald Trump. He will conquer evil. He will bring us back to what our Founding Fathers etched out: Land of the Free,” concluded Voight.
Bannon Bashes “Establishment Elites” to The South Shore Press
ByStefanMychajliw
Former Trump administration
official and “War Room” host Steve Bannon received a Patriot Award during a ceremony at the National Press Club. The South Shore Press was there for the event, and spoke to Bannon exclusively about the New York mayor’s race in 2025 and what Republicans need to do to win in the Empire State
“Every time he (President Trump) reaches out. They spit in his face. Every time that he reaches out to them they want to ‘moderate him.’ to do it their way. Guess what? We’re not doing it their way, we’re getting rid of the Biden people. Deport 15 million illegal aliens. We're going to take on the lords of easy money who control this country. The big money of Wall Street controls this country, it's got to be broken. The person to break it is President Trump.
"Are you guys ready for a fight? I
can't hear you. Are you ready for a fight? The crowd cheers, “Yeah!”
"Last thing. I want to repeat what Napoleon told his marshalls. The 12 marshals of France, and make it about our country and our republic. He said, 'When you set out to take Vienna, Thank you.'"
South Shore Press: “What’s your message to New Yorkers?”
Bannon: “You see what happened there. As soon as Eric Adams tried to crack down on sanctuary cities, they charged him with crimes. The whole thing is rigged. The whole thing is absolutely rigged. What we have to do, is we have to win at the ballot box. NYC is on the tipping point. President Trump went to the Bronx. Queens, the Bronx, are ripe for us to take over. So the outer boroughs should be Trump country.”
South Shore Press: “Are minority voters the key to picking up GOP
votes in New York?”
Bannon: “Absolutely. New York is
full of working-class people is what is going to win. Just follow President
and we’ll get there”
“Not Even 24 Hours Later, He Was Dead”
ByStefanMychajliw
Firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed saving the life of his family at a Pennsylvania rally where an assassin attempted to kill President Donald J. Trump. He died shielding his family from the attempted killer’s bullets.
His widow Helen received a “Patriot Award” during a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Widow Helen Comperatore: "My husband deserves justice. He deserves the world. He was a hero before this happened. He is definitely a hero now.
"The night before he was killed. We went to the Chris Stapleton concert. I looked over at him. He was crying. I said, What’s the matter?' He goes 'You’re my best friend, and I just love you so much.’ When we went to the concert, he held my hand the whole time. Our song came on. He danced with me. He never, never did that in public. We had the best night ever. God gave me a gift. Like he knew this was going to happen. We had the best night ever. Not even 24 hours later, he was dead."
President Trump has been
great. He has been so good to our family. He’s been amazing. He did call me right away. He did call me every day for two weeks. He has been so good to our family. I am so grateful for him. President Trump called me on and on and continues to take care of my family. I'm so grateful for him."
Daughter Allyson: "When tragedy hits, when you lose someone, it’s the worst thing. Call your family. Let them know that you love them. My Dad told me before he died, 'I just can’t believe both my kids are out of high school, you're about to graduate from school, about to get a nursing job, it's a real job, and real benefits.' Him dying, it just
wasn't supposed to go that fast. I was thinking about that. Our whole life with our Dad wasn't supposed to go that fast. When people say life can change in an instant, it really can."
Daughter Kaylee: "Nothing could portray how much he meant to us and how much of a phenomenal Dad he was. He pretended to have a tough exterior and that he didn't feel emotions. When it came to me and my sister, he cried like a baby. He was protective of us. He loved God first, he loved his family, and he loved his country. I'm honored to be his daughter. I'm going to carry his legacy with us."
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw National Press Club
Trump and MAGA (Make America Great Again)
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw National Press Club
Helen Comperatore
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
ByStefanMychajliw
Suffolk County’s Own Ed Cox One-on-One With the South Shore Press
New York State Republican
Chairman Ed Cox’s Suffolk County roots are strong and deep. The leader of the NYS GOP has a lot on his plate, literally and figuratively, as he had breakfast with South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC.
The two got together to talk state and national politics during the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.
Here is an excerpt from their onthe-record conversation:
South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw: “Your roots run deep in Suffolk County.”
NYS Republican Chairman Ed Cox: “That’s where I was brought up. We’ve had a home there since 1870. We live in the same house. A touch modernized. We got rid of the outhouse.”
SSP: “Got rid of the well.”
Cox: “That’s right.”
SSP: “What are your initial thoughts Chairman, as a cold weather guy, I can handle cold for longer periods of time. What are your thoughts on moving the inauguration inside?”
Cox: “You might be able to. But Washington can’t. They’re not used to the snow and cold. With the weather it was going to be very difficult. Reagan did this, moving everything in the Rotunda.”
SSP: “What are your thoughts on the excitement of the inauguration?”
Cox: “Tremendous excitement. We can have real change in our politics. The Republican Party is on its way to becoming the majority party in the country. The working men and women, who live paycheck to paycheck, they went for Trump. They’re coming our way.”
SSP: “Immigration was a huge issue Chairman, for folks in Suffolk County, New York City, and the whole state. What do you think a
Trump Presidency means for folks in Suffolk County concerning immigration?”
Cox: “Immigration is a serious issue on Long Island. And for New York City. It is the only city in the nation with a right to shelter. That’s very attractive to illegal immigrants. It’s a sanctuary city. It’s a huge amount of money that Mayor Adams was spending. Mayor Adams was turning on President Biden on the issue of illegal immigration, and look what happened to him. He got indicted.”
SSP: “Lawfare to the extreme.”
Cox: “It was lawfare. Too coincidental. He was headed to the White House to talk with President Biden, and all of a sudden they took his cell phone.”
SSP: “Suffolk County now, let’s talk taxes. Whether it’s SALT deduction or cutting taxes in general, there seems to be relief coming with President Trump in Office.”
Cox: “No doubt they’re going to lift the (SALT) cap. The question is: how much? I think they’re going to lift it where 90% of the people are positively impacted by it. Middle class, basically, and workers across New York.”
Biden Sets Land Mines in a Transition That's
ByRobertChartuk
Despite promises to the contrary, outgoing President Joe Biden is doing as much as he can to set up Donald Trump for failure, blatant moves that will hurt the country as well.
Trump took immediate exception to Biden restricting 635 million acres to offshore oil and gas drilling, a move meant to stifle the new president’s strategy to grow the economy. He also declared 849,000 acres as national monuments in California and increased the size of the oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to keep their underground resources from being tapped.
Biden leaves behind an astounding $36.3 trillion hole in the U.S. pocketbook, a national debt that amounts to $323,000 for every taxpayer. In December, for example, they paid $140 billion in interest alone on the debt, which is 66% of the total tax collected. Trump’s ability to put the economy back on track and turn around the inflationary mess left by his predecessor will be a defining task of his second term and could make or break the Republican Party.
While heading out the door, Biden continues to shovel money into Ukraine to fuel the war against Russia. Following Trump’s election in November, the President sent $9 billion more to Ukraine, taxpayer dollars that ballooned his total Ukraine campaign to $175 billion, money Trump believes would be better
spent at home. Voters returning the 45th president to the White House hope he will negotiate a quick end to the conflict and provide an accounting of the money Biden spent.
Throwing a monkey wrench into Trump’s plan to deport illegal aliens ushered into the states under Biden’s open border program, the outgoing president extended the Temporary Protected Status of nearly 1 million immigrants from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Democrats opposed to the new president are fueling a “Trump Resistance Movement” to counter his moves against the aliens.
Trump supporters ridicule the $50 million approved by the California State Legislature to fight the president, arguing they should focus instead on their land management and water resource policies that have contributed to the Los Angeles wildfires, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. The estimated hundreds of billions in damages caused by the still-burning blazes will put yet another drag on the nation’s economy, including insurance rate hikes as companies pay out enormous claims.
Biden’s Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, dropped a whopper on the incoming administration, declaring that the country will reach its debt limit just as Trump takes office and that “extraordinary measures” will be necessary to prevent a default. She emphasized the importance
SSP: “Let’s talk statewide politics now Looking ahead to 2026, is the Governor’s race a big target?”
Cox: “We have to win local races first in 2025. There’s a lot in play in New York.”
Anything but
of raising the debt ceiling to maintain the nation’s financial stability, borrowing that would continue Biden’s streak of adding $1 trillion in red ink every 100 days. Yellen’s practice of funding the government through shortterm bonds will also come back to haunt Trump as his new administration will have to refinance $7 trillion in debt at higher rates. Yellen played politics with the U.S. economy by steering away from longerterm bonds and risking higher interest rates as her boss neared election, a move that will further hamper a Trump recovery.
The 46th president also took steps to “Trump Proof” his political appointees, reclassifying their titles to make it more difficult to fire them. Trump has consistently railed against a “deep state” of government operatives
more interested in keeping the federal largesse flowing than serving the taxpayers. The new chief executive’s promise to rein in the government workforce was made even more difficult by Biden’s deal to allow them to continue working from home.
Trump, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been attacked from all angles by the establishment, estimates that nearly 20% of the federal workforce hasn’t returned to the office since the COVID shutdown.
The billionaire businessman will have his work cut out for him as a recent Napolitan Institute poll showed that 50% of Democrat-leaning federal employees have vowed to resist his administration, with a majority saying they will simply ignore his directives.
Smooth
While a significant amount of Washington workspace is not being used, Trump will have to grapple with the planned construction of a new headquarters for the FBI, a mammoth facility bigger than the Pentagon. His designee to head the world’s largest investigative agency, Kash Patel, argues that the new building should be scrapped and the Capitolbased workforce fanned out to fight crime across the country. The existing headquarters, he says, should be turned into a monument to Biden’s corruption of the FBI to go after Trump and his political allies.
Hustling to give an edge to a major GOP foe, the FCC rushed to approve the acquisition of more than 200 radio stations by George Soros, a man who has funded district attorneys such as New York’s Alvin Bragg, a Trump antagonist who pledged to be soft on crime. The outlets are not expected to be friendly to the administration in an age of gaslighting and misinformation.
The brutal treatment of Trump’s cabinet choices during the Senate confirmation hearings has set the stage for a constant flow of criticism and negative news from a mainstream media hell-bent on keeping him from upsetting their lucrative status quo. Winning a record number of electoral votes and a huge national plurality, Trump can be hopeful that the nation has his back.
Ed Cox and Stefan Mychajliw
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
President Trump, left, gets set to take office as Joe Biden sets land mines to thwart him.
Credit: Grok
ByDeborahWilliams
Biden Looks to Change the Constitution in Final Days Before Trump Is Inaugurated
The President of the United States has a great deal of power and enormous responsibility. Upholding the Constitution is the main part of the job and everything any president does flows from the Constitution – or at least it should.
The United States has a founding and guiding document in our Constitution and fiercely guarding its principles and rights for every American is critical.
However, the Constitution has not always been a priority for the Biden administration. Whether it is defying the Supreme Court in giving student loan bailouts, unconstitutional COVID-19 mandates, violating the First Amendment by pressuring tech companies to operate a massive censorship operation on American citizens, or violations of the 14th Amendment by trying to codify allowing men into girl’s and women’s sports and locker rooms and backing discriminatory racebased admissions in college.
On Biden’s way out the door, just three days before President Trump is inaugurated, Biden made an announcement on Twitter(X) declaring the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) - the 28th Amendment – was the law of the land.
The trouble is it simply isn’t the law of the land. It isn’t a part of the Constitution. There is a clear process to amend the Constitution and the ERA did not meet the threshold.
Biden’s own national archivist had already pushed back on this idea saying in December 2024, “It is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the constitutional amendment process and ensure that changes to the Constitution are carried out in accordance with the law. At this time, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) cannot be certified as part of the Constitution due to established legal, judicial, and procedural decisions.
Three-fourths of the states were required to have ratified the Amendment by 1982, and that did
not happen. Even former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg agreed, saying, “I would like to see a new beginning” for ERA ratification. Ginsberg considered the 1982 deadline binding.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (DNY) was furious that the archivist would not certify the ERA saying she was “inserting herself into a
clear constitutional process despite the fact that her role is purely ministerial.” Gillibrand wrote a long op-ed in the New York Times on the topic.
Joe Burns, election law expert and partner at Holtzman Vogel said, “In many respects, Biden’s statement on the ERA can be seen as a defeat for Sen. Gillibrand and those calling
Shameless Biden Attempt to Rewrite History
ByRobertChartuk
In a shameless attempt to rewrite history, outgoing President Joe Biden issued a 14,000-word tome to extol his supposed accomplishments. On everything from the economy to world peace, illegal immigration to democracy, Biden spun a yarn vastly different from that experienced by his constituents.
Propped up by a pillow and stumbling on his words as he did in the debate with the man who drove him from the Oval Office, Biden tried to soften the blow of the crushing inflation his policies wreaked on the populace. He spoke of justice and democracy as hundreds of Americans who entered the Capitol on January 6 remain as political prisoners, and the lawfare cases he brought against his opponents fall apart one by one. He warned of an oligarchy threatening America, oblivious to the fact that those same tech billionaires propelled him into office and covered his back as the depth of his corruption was revealed on his son’s laptop.
In a rambling monologue he most definitely did not write, the disgraced patriarch crowed of millions of jobs he conjured from an economy he said was broken by his predecessor, overlooking the Americans drummed out of their occupations for refusing to submit to his COVID dictates. His glowing employment numbers never differentiated between new jobs and employees simply returning to work after his lockdown, statistics infamously doctored before the election by his finagling handlers. He spoke of buying American
and hiring Americans when it was the policies engendered during his years in office that gutted U.S. manufacturing and shipped their jobs to China, the Communist country that saw to it that his family's coffers were padded by the millions.
The purported “adult in the room” when it came to foreign affairs took credit for a ceasefire in the Middle East that the world knows was precipitated by the “hell to pay” threat of Donald Trump. He boasted of knowing more world leaders “than any one of you ever met in your whole goddamn life” as governments around the world crumbled.
He scolded the citizenry over its interpretation of freedom, chastising those who blanched at his open borders and the destabilizing assault of millions of illegal aliens. He spoke of Lady Liberty astride a chain of human bondage, blind to the human trafficking and slavery
wrought by the criminal cartels reaping billions off his immigration tragedy.
“After 50 years at the center of all of this, I know that believing in the idea of America means respecting the institutions that govern a free society: the presidency, the Congress, the courts, a free and independent press,” the outgoing commander in chief opined. Yet it was his corruption of the judicial system that brought an FBI raid on the residency of his opponent and the dispatching of his fixer to New York to bring a case prior prosecutors had rejected. Taxpayerfunded attack dogs hounded Trump at every turn, all the while a biased press parroted Biden's talking points, and social media acceded to his demands to censor anyone who disagreed.
Biden hinged his speech on “We the People” as a record majority of them rejected his chosen replacement, a candidate selected
on Biden to order the Archivist to add the ERA as the Constitution’s newest amendment. Despite her efforts, all Gillibrand won was a press release from the outgoing president, and a press release does not ratify an amendment.”
Twitter (X) erupted at Biden’s 28th Amendment announcement. Sarah Isgur said, “Imagine if Donald Trump just declared that he amended the Constitution despite every court and the archivist denying its legitimacy.”
Ezra Klein said, “We are not enforcing the Tik-Tok ban that ‘we signed into law’ but we are unilaterally declaring the ERA ratified is an odd final play for the Biden Administration.”
“The role of the Archivist of the United States is to follow the law as it stands, ensuring the integrity of our nation’s governing institutions. Personal opinion or beliefs are not relevant; as the leaders of the National Archives, we support established legal processes and decisions,” concluded the national archivist.
not through a democratic process but by politicians who, in the end, turned against him. He chose his vice president by checking DEI boxes, a concept now disdained by the corporate elites he had so closely coddled. The people saw the selfevident truths Biden referenced and voted overwhelmingly for change.
He said he launched a new era of American possibilities and boasted of “the greatest modernizations of infrastructure in our entire history, from new roads, bridges, clean water, affordable high-speed Internet for every American,” projections that fall woefully short of reality. The citizenry is mired in crime and decay, writhing under the precepts of a “Green New Scam,” while billions of their dollars are dispensed across the globe. Biden himself fomented the war in Ukraine, placing his chips on the military-industrial complex that has enriched his cronies for generations. Millions are slaughtered on the battlefield to this day while Biden, instead of a respite during the transition of power to Trump, fuels the conflagration with billions of dollars more.
After years of neglecting the daily carnage in the cities run by his fellow Democrats, he outrageously declared that his gun laws brought violent crime to a 50-year low. He never mentioned the young ladies raped and killed by the criminal gang members he ushered into communities across the country in a sick conspiracy to bring in Democrat voters his party could control.
“We invented the semiconductor, smaller than the tip of my little finger,” Biden noted, oblivious to the
saber-rattling of China, preparing full-time under his watch to invade Taiwan, the world’s biggest producer of those precious chips. He slept while his “good friend” Xi Jinping built military bases in Cuba and traversed spy balloons across America, dwelling over the nation’s strategic assets with impunity. He disregarded the Chinese infiltration of U.S. institutions and batted no eye as they hacked the Treasury Department, communications companies, and other critical entities. Despite Joe Biden’s rosy assessment, many believe a war with China has already begun.
It was the businessman Trump who put his foot down on pharmaceutical companies overcharging for drugs, prophetically stating that his predecessor would reap the political reward for lower prices. And Biden did just that, bragging that it was he who empowered Medicare to negotiate better terms.
This figurehead of the elite who grew rich during his years in public service threw his benefactors under the bus by repeating the tired Democrat trope that at some point, the rich should pay their fair share. He even outed his compatriots in Congress, calling for a ban on them trading stocks while they’re in office.
“You know, it will take time to feel the full impact of all we've done together,” Biden wistfully said. “But the seeds are planted, and they'll grow, and they'll bloom for decades to come.” To most voters, however, he’s sown a bed of weeds they can’t wait for President Trump to pluck.
Joe Biden
Credit: Press Pool
President Biden Tearing Up the US Constitution
Credit: Grok AI/X
ByRobertChartuk
The Waldorf Astoria Presidential Ballroom hosted the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast, where the faithful watched the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, but also to offer prayers for both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
Event organizer Mike Guerrero spoke to the South Shore Press during the historic event.
South Shore Press News Director Stefan Mychajliw: “How important is the power of prayer concerning our President and all elected leaders?”
Mike Guerrero, Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast
Organizer: “It is extremely important. We’ve hosted this breakfast since 1992. This is a non-
The Faithful Flocked to the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast
partisan organization. We’ve held this event, whether it honors a Republican or Democrat. We pray for the Office of the Presidency and our nation.”
SSP: “This event is packed at the Waldorf Astoria, formerly owned by President Trump. Did it help that the Inauguration was held indoors, that folks were looking for a place to watch?”
Guerrero: “We were sold out.
When the cancellation notice got out, we had to add tables, we had to add 100 more seats. We had a ton of orders. We sold out within two hours of that announcement. Not
Trump's Presidency Means My Daughter Is Safer
Op-edby
TomBarton
This week Speaker Johnson and the House Republicans passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act ensuring men cannot compete in women’s sports. With that we ushered in a new era to protect our young girls from danger.
Johnson went on to say the obvious, yet it was refreshing to hear. He said, "Men are men, women are women, and men cannot become women. It’s just that simple." The problem is for years it hasn't been that simple. Under Joe Biden and going back even further, the lines have been blurred between what most of us see as common sense, while others see as "rights."
When Donald Trump was elected I posted on my social media platforms that it was a great day for my young daughter, because I knew Trump and his people would protect her. She would be safer from illegal immigrants and violence, but also from having to compete against boys in her sports. This week marks a change not only in the White House, but a change in culture, and a change
back to common sense.
Anyone who watched the Olympics still has vivid images of Imane Khelif, the Algerian who won gold in women’s boxing beating up on women. The biological man took advantage of his God-given athletic male abilities to beat up women and was cheered for it. This isn't just on a national or professional level though. I wrote about high school and college women who were badly injured, in some cases had life-altering injuries, because of boys and men playing women's sports. All that will now end under President Trump.
What a change for parents who had to sit back and watch as Joe Biden promised to veto any legislation barring biological males from female sport if it ever came across his desk. This issue touched concerned parents from both sides of the aisle and it was Biden and his regime who were getting further from the center, and not listening to the majority of Americans.
In fact, in a recent New York Times poll 77% of Americans polled believe that society has gone too far in accommodating trans people.
Sixty-two percent of them were Democrats. Seventy-nine percent said biological men should not be allowed to play women's sports.
only were we sold out, we had close to 400 people on a waiting list. The demand was strong.”
SSP: “It looks as though you have participants from across North America and around the world.”
Guerrero: “I’m blown away. There’s people from the Congo, Ethiopia, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia is here, Asia, Korea, Brazil. We believe there are 50 nations represented here,”
SSP: “We are talking about the power of prayer. Not political at all, not Republican, not Democrat, how important is it to pray for President Trump and all elected officials?”
Guerrero: “Regardless of who our leaders are, Democrat or Republican, we want to pray for God’s hand over their decisions. When it comes to prayer, there’s no such thing as partisanship.”
Sixty-seven percent of Democrats agreed.
The rhetoric that people like Biden and AOC want to spew that this is a GOP issue only has been soundly shot down. As we have said before this is a common sense issue.
Outright Trump opponents have backed him and the party on the issue. Martina Navratilova, who has never been shy in her disdain for Trump and has donated to Democratic campaigns said, “More
Dems need to step up here. I know many who agree but who are scared to speak up. I say, ‘Do the right thing. Grow a spine.'"
No matter what your political affiliation, and no matter what you think of Donald Trump as a person or president, this issue is a no-brainer. I am a proud parent of a young female athlete and I couldn't be happier knowing that she hopefully, will never step on a field, court, or any arena to play
against boys and risk injuries that are unnatural.
Riley Gaines said it best when she said, "We are one step closer as a nation to making sure that not one more male athlete is able to take a trophy, a roster spot, playing time, resources, or an opportunity to compete from a woman."
Under Donald Trump's presidency women are more protected than ever.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington DC
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington DC
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington DC
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Washington DC
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
Credit: Stefan Mychajliw
ByRobertChartuk
Optimism in Abundance as Trump Returns
The South Shore Press asked Long Islanders what they thought about President Donald Trump retaking the White House.
With Donald Trump taking over again, I’m hopeful for our country. This is an exciting time for America, a new direction after four years of Biden. He should have all the support he needs from Congress to keep his promises to make our lives better.”
Edie Chase, Coram
President Trump did an excellent job during his first term, and l believe his second one will be even better. The last time he was in office, we had no wars, minimal inflation, crime was under control, and the borders were strong. He will take us back to that.”
Joe White, Coram
Thank God for President Trump; America needs his leadership. We’re tired of the Biden inflation, the wars, the illegal immigration, the crime—Trump said he will straighten this mess out, and l believe him.”
Kelly Tobin, Yaphank
We are so looking forward to the New Golden Age for America Donald Trump has promised. He’s a billionaire businessman who walked away from his life to serve his country. The vested interests did everything they could to stop him, but it didn’t work. He’s going to deliver for the people.”
Donna White, Coram
It was easy to see how our country was going backward under Joe Biden. President Trump promised a new direction, and I’m confident he will deliver. The eyes of the world are on him, and I’m sure he won’t let us down.”
It’s incredible to look back on the four years of Joe Biden and see how bad he ran the country. And then go back to the four years of President Trump and see such a huge difference. Now that Trump is back in, l hope we can turn back the clock to before Biden.”
Shawn Hough, Shoreham
Hero Pulling Through: Suffolk Cop Hurt in LIE Crash Now in ‘Fair Condition’
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
Many prayers have been answered this week.
The Suffolk County Police Department announced on Tuesday, Jan.14th that a wounded officer battling for his life has made a substantial turn for the better over a week into his hospital stay.
“We are happy to report that Suffolk County Police Officer Brendon Gallagher, who was critically injured in a motor vehicle crash on January 5, has been upgraded to fair condition and remains at Stony Brook University Hospital,” the department released in a statement.
Nearly two years to the date since he was hospitalized for being stabbed in the chest and hand while responding to a call in Medford, Gallagher was in dire straits once more for simply doing his job: protecting the greater public.
A decorated veteran who served in the U.S. Army National Guard for a decade, including a post in Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017, Gallagher naturally elected a highway patrol assignment rather than desk duty upon swiftly
recovering from this previous incident.
Officer Gallagher was in pursuit of a speeding Ford Mustang on the Long Island Expressway the evening of Jan. 5th when said vehicle lost control and sideswiped Gallagher, causing Gallagher’s vehicle to overturn.
According to Dr. Vosswinkel, Stony Brook’s leading trauma surgeon tasked to treat Gallagher
for massive blood loss and aortic hemorrhaging, it took 30 minutes for first responders to even remove the officer from the wreckage. Once they did, a helicopter lifted him away from the Exit 55 Brentwood crash site and to the North Shorelocated hospital.
“Thank you to all the medical professionals who have worked tirelessly in Officer Gallagher’s recovery,” Suffolk police added. “Please continue to keep this officer
and his family in your thoughts.”
The alleged perpetrator Cody Fisher was arrested and hit with a handful of charges shortly thereafter. These included driving while impaired by drugs, seconddegree assault, unlawful fleeing of a police officer, and reckless driving.
Fisher’s colorfully checkered record—namely being on probation for a previous weapons conviction— prompted local leaders to demand
bail reform and ample legislative action to make roads safer amidst a categorical epidemic of roadside terror.
Even Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney took time ahead of all other matters to discuss the then-uncertain state and fate of Officer Gallagher in his Jan. 7th reelection announcement.
“We want to wish him a speedy recovery, and we want to thank him on behalf of my office, on behalf of law enforcement, on behalf of everyone in this room, and on behalf of everyone in Suffolk County,” Tierney spoke from the Suffolk Theater stage in Riverhead.
He added, “I want to thank Officer Gallagher for his service to this county. We are grateful for that service and we look forward to his continuing service with the county.”
A “Fund the First” campaign was created to help support Gallagher and his family during his struggle. Thousands of donations poured in, with over $130,000 collected. Visit fundthefirst.com for more information on how to contribute.
Credit: Fund the First
Gravely injured in a Jan. 5th crash on the LIE, Officer Brendon Gallagher is now in ‘fair condition’ at Stony Brook Hospital, Suffolk County Police announced.
Rosalie Hanson, Middle Island
ByRobertChartuk
Esteemed Judge Named to Chair Judicial Screening Committee
Those looking to run for a judgeship must pass muster with the Suffolk County Bar Association’s Judicial Screening Committee, a prestigious group that has a new chair: former Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts of New York State Gail Prudenti.
The Burner Prudenti Law partner will head a committee that plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and excellence of Suffolk County’s judiciary. Tasked with evaluating the background, experience, and qualifications of candidates seeking judicial office, the committee ensures that only the most qualified individuals are recommended to the voters.
Comprised of 25 distinguished members, the screening committee represents a crosssection of legal expertise and professional dedication. These members are carefully selected by the bar association president and board of directors to uphold the committee’s commitment to impartiality and rigor in the screening process.
Prior to her appointment as chief administrative judge, she served as the presiding justice of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department in New York State, the first woman to hold that position. She was appointed to the post by thenGov. George E. Pataki in 2002 after becoming the first woman from Suffolk County to serve as an associate justice of the Appellate Division, the state’s highest court.
As chief administrative judge, Prudenti supervised the statewide court system, which has a budget of over $2.7 billion, 3,600 state and locally paid judges, and 15,000 nonjudicial employees in over 350 court facilities. Recognized for her extensive experience and steadfast commitment to justice, Gov. Andrew Cuomo retained her as chief judge during his administration.
Also, during her stellar career, Judge Prudenti served as the tenth dean of Hofstra Law from 2017-2023. In this role, she spearheaded the Law School’s 50th anniversary celebration and
Vision 2020 capital campaign, which raised $22 million, far surpassing the initial goal of $17.5 million. During her deanship, the judge successfully improved the quality and credentials of the student body, strengthened the law school’s financial standing, launched cutting-edge legal technology and interdisciplinary programs, and helped create the school’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.
Runners Hit the Road for Local Causes
ByRobertChartuk
“On your mark, get set, give back” was the call as hundreds of runners took off Saturday on a 10-mile course to benefit two local causes: Helping Makes U Happy and Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck.
It was a perfect day in January for running: not too cold, definitely not too hot, and no wind for a route that started at Bellevue Avenue and zigzagged through Center Moriches to end at one of its sponsors, Moriches Field Brewing Company.
“It’s great that all of the runners turned for these
good causes,” said Courtney Barrett of the Sayville Running Company, another sponsor. Also supporting the event were the Folks Insurance Group and the Rettaliata Family of Bayport.
“We’re glad that an event like this brings so many people to the area,” said Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches Treasurer Gerry Sapanaro, who thanked the Brewing Company, an active chamber member, for hosting the run’s after party.
Inspired by Center Moriches residents Cassy and Keith Caputo, Helping Makes U Happy
is involved with numerous community service projects and is a popular presence in the area.
Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck provides year-round programming
In her various leadership roles, Judge Prudenti developed innovative programs and instituted many initiatives to enhance the administration of justice and promote the public’s trust and confidence in the court system. In 2020, she was appointed to a newly established COVID-19 Recovery Task Force to oversee the pro bono network of lawyers who would assist New Yorkers suffering from
the pandemic. The Task Force is a joint effort of the State Bar Association and the state court system.
She is also a Founding Member of Mediation Solutions of NY, a women-owned business with three female founding members. The firm provides in-person and virtual mediation and arbitration services for attorneys and their clients across Long Island and New York City, with offices in Islandia, East Hampton, Southampton, Westhampton Beach, and Manhattan.
Judge Prudenti earned her law degree from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, which also awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Laws and an honorary appointment as Professor in the School of Law. She was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law. She graduated from Marymount College of Fordham University with honors. She resides in Great River with her husband, fellow lawyer and former Suffolk County Attorney, Robert J. Cimino.
options for children and adults with disabilities.
“We’re happy to be out here getting our miles in while
helping some good causes,” said runner Ryan McGarry. “A great day for a run with some community-minded people,” said another, Bill Faulk.
2-For-None? Done Deal, Donald...
Continued from page 6
One could have no clue what they’re doing. They’re in over their head. A fleeting fearlessness plagues them internally. Meanwhile, a brave outer demeanor worn and braver convictions shown can help lead anyone through a successful mission, no matter how daunting.
According to Maga.com, MAGA Energy's ingredients are: carbonated water, citric acid, taurine, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, caffeine, potassium sorbate, sucralose, monkfruit powder, steviol glycosides, acesulfame potassium, niacinamide, pyridoxinehcl (Vitamin B6), calcium pantothenate, cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), and natural and artificial flavors.
For many of those partaking in the 16-oz. system-jolter before, during and after Monday’s inaugural festivities, its grander ingredients consist of the
following: liberty, freedom and country.
The first taste may have been pure Red Bull; and the experience as a whole may more than resemble what one expects out of your rude-of-the-mill "lite" or "low-cal"
Monster. These stalwart drink names having been used in a derogative context to describe our current president in the past notwithstanding, one ought to explore keeping their eye on the donut, and not the hole of this equation for the sake of a greater understanding.
TikTok is not the only thing that's “so back.” Creative boundlessness in the form of a “Make Your Own Merch Again” mantra is also here to stay. Even detractors can agree the Trump Train has pumped out more pan-over-the-head product placement than all others during his tumultuous tenure.
There is no Biden gum. Obama
Flakes? Nada. And Clintuna Fish only ever existed in that ferocious fever dream you had once upon a time.
What isn’t a fever dream: you can still buy this goo-goo drink for a gaga cost, and in bulk. A 4-pack will run you $14.99. A 6-pack? $21.99. And a dozen goes for $39.99.
As for this reviewer: one was enough for the trek away from the temporarily Humvee-heavy state that is not a state, and back home to our native Long Island.
Midway through the final leg of travels homeward, “Death of the Fox” Brewing Company of Clarkson, New Jersey would supply the more-our-speed cold brew that did not erase in the slightest what it was like to consume a presidentially imbued liquid. Rather, it enhanced the chances of this story getting filed just under the wire.
God bless the USA.
Hon. Gail Prudenti
Credit: Burner Prudenti Law
Credit: Robert Chartuk
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
You’ll Get a Golden Ticket: Amtrak Extending Its Services to Ronkonkoma
Suffolk County Executive
Ed Romaine announced to the greater community on Wednesday that Amtrak—the country’s only intercity passenger railroad—is heading to Ronkonkoma.
“Amtrak wanted to be adjacent to an airport,” Romaine said, with Long Island MacArthur Airport more than satisfying that request. “To them, that’s golden.”
Reads the initial statement from Amtrak: “Amtrak is working in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and MTA Long Island Rail Road to study the extension of Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service to Ronkonkoma.”
Since their announcement, the company has indicated the exact arrival of Amtrak accessibility within Ronkonkoma would still be at least a few years out.
“The first step of this multi-step process, the Service Development Plan (SDP), will begin this year,” Amtrak’s statement continues.
“Once the SDP is complete, we will have a better understanding of the feasibility, costs, and timeline for potential implementation.”
Amtrak also revealed the proposed expansion is dependent on the delivery of Amtrak’s new Airo trainsets, which are also due by decade’s end. These will provide improved passenger amenities like modern comfortable seating, spacious restrooms, and contemporary food service experiences.
Usually, when hotels and new businesses are announced to inspire a pavilion of palpable commerce, said plans are met with natural resistance. Residents typically feel they ought to opt for a “better safe than sorry” mindset when mulling the traffic implications when anything new and noteworthy is introduced to their town.
However, Amtrak’s Ronkonkoma immersion means nothing but convenience—at least on paper in the interim. Days after the announcement, the only modicum
of negativity expressed has been from supporters simply wondering: “Why can’t it be here already?”
The prospect of not only enhancing the luxury and comfort factor, but also eliminating Nassau and Suffolk County returnees’ transfer protocol at Penn Station, is positively charging up former townsfolk.
One Washington, D.C.-based couple who grew up in Suffolk County told The South Shore Press that even if Amtrak does not come to Ronkonkoma until 208, it will be worth the wait. Their commutes back home to see family will be made that much better, and significantly less stressful moving forward with a transferless “straight shot.”
Reportedly, Amtrak trains departing Ronkonkoma will stop in Hicksville and Jamaica before docking in the city. At this point, the Manhattan-bound Amtrak line will then connect with the Northeast Corridor—which sports a 457-mile rail line running north to Boston
and south to Washington, D.C.
As for those shepherding these and related reins on the home front, Romaine is hopeful the Amtrak operation—coupled with the long-stalled, multi-billion dollar “Midway Crossing Plan”— will make Ronkonkoma a regional transportation and business hub
within the next five to 10 years. Midway Crossing would see MacArthur Airport Terminal relocated from Veterans Highway, and a flurry of new shopping options for passengers in transit and locals alike.
“This will be a major game changer,” he said.
Suffolk County Fire Academy Graduates New Batch of Heroes to Start 2025
ByMichaelJ.Reistetter
A graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, Jan. 12th to commemorate the latest class of Suffolk County Fire Service Cadets.
These future firefighters, all ages 16-18, are part of the formal program known as the Cadet “Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations” (BEFO).
Every Suffolk County legislator was invited to attend the event, and Legislator Leslie Kennedy was one of those who answered the call.
“The hard work and dedication that these cadets have put into this program are nothing short of exemplary,” said Legislator Kennedy. “It always puts a smile on my face to see how many young men and women devote their time to public service."
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County
Comptroller John Kennedy, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, and Suffolk County Legislators Ann Welker, Dominick Thorne, Samuel Gonzalez, Steven Flotteron, Kevin McCaffrey, Jason Richberg, Tom Donnelly and Stephanie Bontempi were also in attendance.
The program was made possible by the funding allocated to the Suffolk County Fire Academy within the latest county budget to be passed by the Legislature.
One-hundred and ten volunteer firehouses, 30 ambulance corps, and over 1,0000 servicemen and -women are currently in action throughout the Suffolk County Fire Services.
Graduation from the initial program is just one of several milestones community protectors in training must confront. It wraps the first half of their greater training on the path toward becoming Suffolk
County firefighters.
While all these cadets are still at the grade school level, it does not mean they cannot play an instrumental role in more than one successful company mission sooner rather than later.
ByRobertChartuk
A new legislative commission empowered to help make New York more affordable has an appointee from Long Island: Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. One of 10 members, the fourthterm lawmaker was named by the leadership of the Republican Caucus to bring the voice of the suburbs to the Commission on State-Local Relations.
“It’s important to have a local voice on this commission, which is charged with examining, evaluating, and making recommendations concerning the distribution of state aid,” DeStefano said.
According to the legislator, who serves on the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, the group will also examine state mandates on local governments and limits on their ability to raise revenue, incur debt, and manage resources.
“We want the system to be more equitable in terms of returning
What the cadets are taught is how to navigate the tough balancing act that is their education, extracurriculars, and fire safety training. They must be fully committed to the cause while on the clock. However, the volunteer nature of the local firefighter encourages this equal distribution of professional and personal commitments for all who seek out the firefighter lifestyle.
Once cadets graduate from high school, it is only a matter of time before their indoctrination into their house is official.
DeStefano Named to Key Legislative Commission
state revenue back to the areas that provide it,” DeStefano stated, noting the disparity between what local taxpayers send to Albany and the funds they get back. “Municipalities must also be allowed to manage their money with minimal interference from the state.”
According to its enabling legislation, the State-Local Relations Commission is
authorized to undertake any study, inquiry, survey, or analysis it may deem relevant to its activities. The commission can obtain data from any state entity and local municipalities.
“The commission shall make such recommendations as it may deem necessary to provide an equitable system of state aid to local governments, to encourage the most effective use of state and local resources, to preserve the fiscal integrity of both state and local governments and otherwise to strengthen the partnership between the state and its local governments,” according to the law.
DeStefano joins members appointed by the Republican and Democrat leaders of both the Assembly and Senate. The commission was granted the full powers and privileges of a standing legislative committee. “We expect to get right down to work, holding hearings and making recommendations,” DeStefano said.
Credit: Amtrak Connect US
A map of Amtrak’s 457-mile rail line known as “The Northeast Corridor.”
Credit: Legislator Kennedy’s office
Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr., Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Daniel Petraco, Nicholas Pettit, Aiden Smith, Giovanni Chiarelli, Joanne Grove, and Billy Hurski Sr. at the Jan. 12th FIre Service Cadets’ graduation ceremony.
Credit: New York Assembly Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano
ByDeborahWilliams
WFHS Senior Nominated for Prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Victoria Basharina, a senior at William Floyd High School, has been selected as one of just 25 New York State nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in the leaders of tomorrow.
New York State Commissioner of Education, Betty A. Rosa, selected Victoria among a strong pool of statewide candidates to advance to the nationwide competition. There are 25 total nominees – 20 in the general component and five from the Career and Technical Education component categories.
Victoria was selected in the general component category and is one of only four students from Long Island and just two from Suffolk County selected for this honor this year.
Victoria is the second William Floyd student to earn the honor of becoming a U.S. Presidential Scholars nominee in the past three years with Alexandra Clougher being named a CTE component nominee in 2022.
“In my 23 years as a school counselor, I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds
STATE
ByRobertChartuk
of students, all unique and special in their own way, but Victoria Basharina is a standout to me and probably one of the brightest and most interesting young women I have met in my entire career,” said Ashley Siebert, Victoria’s guidance counselor. “She represents the very best of what we hope to foster in our students: intellectual curiosity, resilience, compassion, and the drive to make a positive impact.”
Victoria, 18, of Mastic, has a weighted grade point average exceeding 100. She is on track to graduate No. 11 in a class of 767 students in the Class of 2025. She has completed 13 advanced placement courses including algebra in seventh grade at William Floyd Middle School. She challenged herself with this course at such a young age despite knowing she would not be able to receive high
school credit per NYS regulations.
Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford), who represents the William Floyd School District, said, “I’d like to humbly give my congratulations to Victoria Basharina for being nominated for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar's Program. This program was established as one of the nation’s highest honors a student can receive for their
own academic excellence and achievements. Victoria has not only demonstrated academic excellence but has also gone above-and-beyond to demonstrate worthy leadership qualities within her school and local community.”
Victoria emigrated from Russia in the first grade, and soon after arriving to America, she began attending Moriches Elementary School. Despite the challenges she faced of adapting to a new country, language and culture without all members of her family present, she used it as an opportunity to build strength and empathy toward others, which is evident through her various community service activities. She spends any free time that she has volunteering at food drives, toy drives, fundraising events, community cleanups, waterfront conservation events and ecological studies, and tutoring students who are new to the country and learning English.
The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts.
State Borrowing Noose Tightens Around the Neck of New Yorkers
As if taxpayers don’t have enough government debt weighing them down, the state Legislature voted to tack on another $5 billion, allowing the red ink for the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to hit $36.28 billion.
Among various agencies and authorities that have brought state debt to an eye-popping $224.3 billion, the HFA is tasked with funding multifamily housing projects. The debt hike bill was one of the first passed by the Senate and Assembly in the 2025 session and is expected to be signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who’s made affordable housing a hallmark of her administration.
Created in 1960, the HFA is a public-benefit corporation dedicated to increasing the supply of homes for low-and moderateincome individuals. It achieves this by issuing bonds to provide low-interest loans to developers of regulated housing projects. Long Island officials had previously beat back an attempt by Hochul to usurp local zoning authority to build these units in the suburbs, but the push continues in New York City and other urban areas, particularly to create places to live for the thousands of illegal immigrants drawn here by the state’s sanctuary
policies.
All eyes are on the governor and the Democrat leadership to see if they’ll break the $240 billion mark in their upcoming budget proposal. While Hochul’s State of the State message acknowledged the overwhelming issue of government spending and taxes, it remains to be seen if they’ll do anything about it. It's a tall order since they burn through twice as much money as Florida, which has a greater population and no state income tax. With the wasteful spending Albany dials up year after year, it's no wonder New Yorkers are bailing out in record numbers to the Sunshine State, leaving those left to pick up the tab.
Farming out $224.3 billion to the HFA and other agencies in the form of debt compounds the affordability problem. The state’s 47 different borrowing entities suck dollars from the economy and pass the bill for excessive government spending to future generations. Affordable housing would be more easily achieved, many argue, if the legislature cut taxes, beat back inflation caused by government spending, and reduced state regulations and fees on the housing industry.
The problem of debt also plagues the federal government, which
has rung up a $36.35 trillion national tab, a $323,000 noose around the neck of each and every taxpayer. This astounding liability is considered by many to be the greatest threat to national security, and New York Democrats are doing their best to make it worse.
Incoming President Donald Trump plans to dig the nation out of its economic hole by tapping the vast resources of oil and natural gas energy right under our feet. He calls the Democrat policies to block the use of these fuels the “Green Energy Scam,” stating that wind, solar, and the massive battery depots needed to store these intermittent supplies are environmentally hazardous and won’t even come close to meeting the nation’s power requirements, especially those of the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry.
New York is taking the opposite approach and has laws that ban fossil fuels entirely. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed by the Democrats will have severe economic repercussions as it forces schools to convert buses to all-electric and bans HVAC systems using gas and oil in new construction, among other expensive mandates. As it stands, the state is nowhere near building the charging stations needed for the electric cars and trucks its laws
require, a problem highlighted by the Biden administration’s construction of less than a dozen stations after spending $5 billion.
In an astounding reversal of deep-rooted environmental dogma, Gov. Hochul is calling for nuclear power to supplement New York’s energy supply, an idea that landed like a lead balloon with those behind the historic closures of the state’s Indian Point and Shoreham atomic stations.
President Trump’s “drill baby, drill” stance is particularly salient to New York since it sits on a Saudi Arabia-sized deposit of natural gas that would lift the economic prospects of all its citizens. However, the Democrats won’t allow it to be touched. Science is split on whether climate change is a man-made phenomenon and whether severe economic restrictions imposed on New Yorkers to meet political goals will do anything to change it.
Legislators in Albany raised the debt ceiling for the state Housing Finance Agency to $36.28 billion.
Credit: Chat GPT
William Floyd High School senior and U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee Victoria Basharina is pictured with her guidance counselor, Ashley Seibert.
Credit: William Floyd High School
ByDeborahWilliams
Lee
Zeldin,
Lee Zeldin Sits for EPA Administrator Senate Confirmation Hearing
former NY congressman, former candidate for governor of New York, and graduate of William Floyd High School sat through several hours of Senate confirmation hearings for his nomination to be EPA Administrator under incoming President Donald Trump.
Zeldin was not treated as harshly as attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi. He was pressed on whether he believes climate change is real and on issues around drilling and car emission requirements, but, by and large, the hearing was respectful.
Democrat senators did not attack Zeldin – perhaps because he is a former congressional colleague or perhaps because they know he will be confirmed and their attempts to undermine other well-qualified nominees have fallen flat. Maybe there is a bit of resignation that the incoming president has the right to have the cabinet he wants assuming basic qualifications. If they weren’t successful in torpedoing Pete Hegseth and Pam Bondi, attacking mildmannered Lee Zeldin wasn’t going to gain any ground.
Zeldin presented a balanced
approach to the role. He emphasized that the economy and the environment can coexist and one does not trump the other.
“We must ensure we are protecting the environment while also protecting the economy,” Zeldin said in his opening remarks. “The EPA must be better stewards of tax dollars, honor cooperative federalism, and be transparent and accountable to the Congress and the public.
"The EPA must be better stewards of tax dollars, honor cooperative federalism and be transparent and accountable to Congress and the public," Zeldin said in his opening statement. "We can and we must protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy."
Zeldin said it would be a “top priority” for him to work with lawmakers on addressing the pollution of “forever chemicals,” also known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which can be found in a number of consumer products, such as clothing and cookware.
PFAS are well-known to him as a Long Islander from Suffolk County. Zeldin was part of the House PFAS task force when he
was in Congress.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) did try to trip Zeldin up by bringing forward a 2016 hearing where Zeldin said there were “many different ways that we can be better stewards of our environment. The key is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, to become more environmentally friendly and pursue clean and green ventures.”
Markey asked whether Zeldin still believes in reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. Again, Zeldin took a calm and
balanced position.
“I support ‘all of the above,'” Zeldin said. “In an ideal world, we would be able to pursue the cleanest, greenest energy sources possible.”
Zeldin also strongly stated his firm support in the Supreme Court’s landmark decision last year overturning Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council doctrine, which had been widely banned because it gave bureaucrats authority to create and implement rules that were not explicitly authorized and approved by Congress.
Zeldin said that under his watch the EPA agency would honor the Supreme Court overturning Chevron and “make sure that it is, in fact, Congress’s intent that is being implemented and it is not us as an agency filling in any gaps.”
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) peppered Zeldin with questions about whether he believed climate Change was real. Whitehouse wanted to know if Zeldin believes the United States needs to reduce its emissions to address climate change. Zeldin responded by saying that the United States has already significantly reduced emissions while China continues to build coal-fired power plants.
"Unfortunately, there are other countries where it is not going in the same direction, and I would say that we will have never done enough to ensure that our water and our air is clean, safe, and healthy. Whatever we do every day to achieve this objective, we need to wake up the next day looking for ways to do more," Zeldin said.
It is expected that Zeldin will be confirmed and perhaps get a few Democrat votes.
External Revenue Service Will Be a Moneymaker for America
ByRobertChartuk
Americans despise the Internal Revenue Service, the government agency empowered to take their money at the end of a gun. But how about an External Revenue Service, an agency tasked to collect money for the people?
That’s the idea floated by President Donald Trump as he begins his second term. Instead of draining the working class to fund Washington, the billionaire businessman wants to tap other sources, such as tariffs on the foreign goods that flow into America. Or opening lands for gas and oil, industries that will drive the economy and generate revenue to pay the country’s bills.
With the nation sitting on a $36.3 trillion debt and warnings that safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare could face insolvency, Trump needs the country to be a moneymaker. The citizens deserve it. Going back to World War Il, American lives and ingenuity liberated the free world, and they have funded multiple wars since, including
the current conflict in Ukraine. They have financed Democracy in places they’ve never heard of, and it is their full faith and credit, their ability to keep the dollar stable, that enriches billionaires and millionaires across the globe. When is it their turn to reap the rewards?
Before even setting foot back in the Oval Office, Trump exposed the country’s raw deal at the Panama Canal, a vital waterway built by American know-how and treasure. Getting ships from one ocean to the other at a reduced rate will save money and give consumers a break. Trump’s strategy is a military play as well since China has long recognized the value of the canal and has positioned itself to control it, a situation that will result in higher costs, if not worse, for Americans.
“We will begin charging those that make money off of us with trade, and they will start paying,” Trump stated on his social media site, Truth Social. He compared his new creation to the Internal Revenue Service, which is the nation’s domestic tax collector.
“For far too long, we have relied on taxing our great people using the IRS. Through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the world while taxing ourselves.”
Trump’s talk of tariffs is not only a revenue move but also gives him leverage on other countries to open their doors to American goods. He frequently calls out Europe for restricting the sale of U.S. autos while they flood the zone with their products. He knocks China for forcing American businesses to fork over trade secrets, which they then use to compete against us. Our country has the world's most vibrant consumer base, and other nations should be charged an admission price to tap it, the president believes. This goes for goods as well as global financing, which relies on money from U.S. pension funds and access to our stock markets.
Shortly after his reelection, Trump wondered aloud why the U.S. subsidizes Canada to the tune of $200 billion a year and
said he could easily replace its milk, timber, and vehicles with goods made in America. His revelation set off such a tsunami of angst to the north that Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, resigned from office.
Trump’s plan to get the country back on track financially bore fruit before he even returned to the Oval Office. He announced an artificial intelligence investment in the U.S. by Japanese businessman Masayoshi Son that could go as high as $200 billion and $20
billion by United Arab Emirates businessman Hussain Sajwani for new data centers.
After years of Bidenflation and an administration that seemed to care about the economic well-being of everyone but U.S. citizens, the second coming of Trump is like an answered prayer. People hope that his focus on the bottom line will put dollars back in their pockets and reduce the stress of having to live paycheck to paycheck with limited prospects for retirement.
Credit: Facebook
Lee Zeldin at his Senate confirmation hearing to become EPA Administrator.
ByDeborahWilliams
Hunters, Fishermen, and Gun Owners Left Out of New York's Automatic Voter Registration Law
New York’s Democrat-led legislature passed a slate of new voter-related laws including a new Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) process into law.
The law takes the individual’s decision to register to vote out of the hands of the individual and gives state agencies the mandate to register you to vote. This means that if you interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles, state social service and health agencies, or SUNY you will be registered to vote unless you specifically optout at that time. $16.6 million in taxpayer funds will be spent on the program.
During debate on the Senate floor, it became clear that the law excludes certain groups of potential voters who also interact with state registration agencies on applications and checks. Hunters, fishermen, and gun owners are specifically excluded.
When asked about the Democrats excluding likely Republican voters from the AVR Law, New York State Conservative Party Chairman said, “I mean, obviously the political angle to this New York state government under Governor Hochul is obvious, it's disturbing and it's frankly consistent, she's all politics, all the time.”
Sen. Borrello (R-Silver Bay)
noted the exclusion of these categories of eligible voters in his remarks on the floor.
He asked why these state agencies are excluded. Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Gianaris (D-Queens), sponsor of the law, said that there were database connectivity issues that would prevent that. However, no proposals were made by the Democrats to make necessary adaptations to include these agencies in the near future.
Borello said, “By excluding certain groups and introducing vulnerabilities that weaken election security, this system presents more risks than benefits, which is why I voted ‘no,'" said Senator George Borrello, a member of the Senate Elections Committee.”
Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) says, “If one state agency participates in this practice, all state agencies should participate. However, that would be fair and politics is not about fairness but winning. The Democrats have the votes to do this and they are ruthless when it comes to taking advantage of an opportunity like this. After President Trump’s strong performance in many Democratic districts, they’re worried.”
The exclusion of these voters while including students and those on social welfare raises the question of partisan intent. Outdoorsmen and gun owners may tend to tilt Republican more
added, “"Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) in New York is being promoted as a way to ensure every eligible voter is registered, but the design of the system seems geared toward enrolling individuals more likely to vote for Democrats. By implementing the process only at the DMV and social services agencies, while excluding offices that serve those applying for hunting and fishing licenses or veterans’ benefits, it appears there is a deliberate intent to favor one political party.”
“If my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle fully believe Automatic Voter Registration is good for New York’s electorate, then let’s do it for anyone who interacts with any state agency,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford).
“Excluding Hunters, fishermen, and gun owners isn’t a good look.”
On the issue of how AVR will protect NY’s voter rolls from noncitizen’s from being registered, Borello said, “While advocates claim the process is secure and efficient, real-world examples tell a different story.
States like Oregon, which use the same “back-end” AVR system
proposed in Senate Bill 88, have seen non-citizens mistakenly added to voter rolls - proving that these systems are far from foolproof.”
The Democrats claim this law will improve access to registration, boost enrollment, and raise voter participation. Although there is certainly evidence that AVR boosts enrollment, there is not much data showing it increases actual voting. People who are not inclined to register to vote of their own volition are not, by definition, more likely to vote because the state registered them to vote.
Hochul 'Lays an Egg' at 2025 State of the State Address
ByDeborahWilliams
Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her State of the State address focused on what she calls the “Affordability Agenda.”
There are over 200 proposals in the State of the State book including programs ranging from a Baby Benefit paying women $100/month during pregnancy and $1,200 upon birth, child care funding, and free community college for students ages 25-55 in certain needed fields.
The governor also announced "every subway train will have a uniformed officer onboard between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m." She also defended the Congestion Pricing scheme and New York’s expansion of its Green New Deal initiatives. The spending and policy proposals filled 150 pages.
South Shore Press had a conversation with New York State Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar about his take on the speech. He described the governor’s effort saying, “Governor Hochul laid an
egg at The Egg.” The Egg is a large, brutalist-style performance center in Albany’s Empire State Plaza that looks like an egg.
“In my view, the State of the State was a flop and others agree with me. She'd have to go to an ophthalmologist to get some vision. Frankly, she has no concept of how disappointed New Yorkers are with their state government,” said Kassar. “She wants to talk about affordability, but she talks about affordability without saying anything that would indicate the government understands the reasons why people can't afford living in this state - it's taxes and it's the fees.”
Kassar went on to say that Governor Kathy Hochul is “going to tax, spend, and toll financially teetering New Yorkers into ‘affordability’ whether they like it or not.”
Hochul also did not adequately address the issues of crime, procriminal laws, and the illegal migrant crises. “She didn't
say anything that was all that meaningful about crime. She's got some ideas to slowly continue to turn back the problems that were created by the Democrat criminal justice reforms. Some seem to recognize they made a mistake, but they do not want to straighten it
out,” Kassar said.
Kassar believes that Hochul and the Democrats are just trying to figure out how happy they can keep the Progressives while at the same time making the people who were hurt by these pro-crime proposals feel like something's being done
when in reality nothing of substance is being considered.
Kassar said, “It should be pretty obvious that I would be critical of these policies, but I’ll say this. I have not consistently been critical of what every other Democrat governor has said over the years. There's been many things that I’ve agreed with, but she just gives us these documents where it is very difficult to find good things.”
Kassar emphasized that “people are disappointed” and that the country is changing and “there are no more wine and roses” and that Hochul and her team just don’t seem to understand that. “There was no thematic approach to this speech, something you could walk away from and say, Hey, you know, she understands now.
“I described the address as she 'laid an egg at The Egg.' Well, in all honesty, that does summarize it. This state is famously unaffordable, and Governor Hochul’s tired, biggovernment vision will only make things worse.”
Gov. Hochul “lays an egg” at State of the State address.
Credit: Grok AI/X
than other blocks of people who interact with state agencies.
Borello
Credit: Grok AI/X
Hunters, Fishermen, and Gun Owners Excluded from Automatic Voter Registration law
HISTORY LESSONS
BY RICHARD ACRITELLI
Before the swearing in of new leadership on Inauguration Day in America, there is the tradition of tea and refreshments between the outgoing and incoming president’s. As these powerful leaders were at times competitors against each other, their presence together demonstrates an opportunity to put conflict aside for the sake of this republic. The transition of power has certainly brought together political opponents who were vehemently opposed to the views and actions of each other.
One of these presidential transition examples was witnessed during the inauguration of 1953.
Outgoing President Harry S. Truman faced severe criticism from both political parties, ascended to the presidency as an unknown during the four-term legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was replaced by a five-star general in Dwight D. Eisenhower, who led the war effort against Hitler in Europe. Truman guided the nation at the end of World War II in Europe and Pacific, was the first Cold War President, and handled the difficult transition from a wartime to a peacetime economy. Leaving the presidency, Truman is always the benchmark of leaders that had difficult moments with the belief that time must be allocated to determine if their actions were good for this nation. The Inauguration of 1953 saw the transfer of leadership from two completely different leaders, and while they openly resented each other, both men did not have an easy early life and they shared some similarities.
Truman was born on May 8th, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri and after six years, the Truman family moved 10 miles east of Kansas City to the town of Independence, Missouri. While this future president later desegregated the armed forces, he lived in a segregated town. Growing up with poor eyesight, he considered a possible career as a concert pianist. A talented student, Truman sought a nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point, but his poor vision prevented him from attending this school. As his family farm fell into hard times, Truman left school, worked on the farm, and was later employed in the mailroom of the Kansas City Star, as a bank clerk for a construction company. After staying on the farm for several years, in 1905, Truman wanted to branch outward, and he enlisted into the Missouri National Guard. A shy individual, Truman dated Bess Wallace, whom he later married, after the loss of his father, left the farm and became financially involved in a mining and an oil business that earned little economic success.
Handing the presidency off to former General Dwight D. Eisenhower of the Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the World War II Western European Allied Expeditionary Forces, this historic soldier became a national politician. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas, but most of
the earlier years were spent living in a small Kansas town of Abilene. His dad worked as a mechanic for a local creamery, and his mom was a Mennonite religious pacifist. He was a talented baseball and football player, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and worked as a farmer. The third son of seven boys, Eisenhower, had a poor family, and he graduated high school in 1909. He was determined to attend college but worked for two years to financially support his older brother Edgar’s tuition. Not always a serious student, Eisenhower was well liked for his trademark grin, being a talented athlete, and he pursued a commission for a governmentsponsored military education.
Needing political support for a recommendation, Eisenhower wrote Kansas Senator Joseph L. Bristow. Later, Eisenhower saw a story in the paper that spoke about the selection process to gain admission to the national military academies. Writing Bristow a second time, this senator finally responded with providing Eisenhower the directions on the exam process. Eisenhower later scored an 87 and placed first for Annapolis and second for West Point. Being too old to attend Annapolis, Bristow supported the candidacy of Eisenhower to attend West Point, but he went back to his old high school to prepare for the entrance exam, where he studied for math, chemistry, and physics.
On June 14th, 1911, along with 245 cadets, this group of students were later seen as the “Class of Stars” for their military leadership and promotion success during World War II. Eisenhower was seen as an older and experienced cadet, as many of these future officers were later subordinates under Eisenhower some thirty years later. Armed with his trademark grin, Eisenhower gained national prominence playing football against Rutgers University and Stevens Institute of Technology. He later attended the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson in 1913, received demerits for smoking in his room, was often late class, failed to submit homework assignments, and did not always salute correctly. Widely reported for his football exploits, Eisenhower suffered a terrible knee injury during a game. While he was later cleared for duty, Eisenhower’s knee bothered him for the rest of his life. In 1944, during the “Operation Market Garden” air and land operations, Eisenhower was unable to leave his plane during a meeting British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery. A fierce competitor, Eisenhower was devastated when his football career ended, but he later coached the junior varsity team, and for years, he mentored other military players in this sport during his military career.
In 1915, Eisenhower graduated 64th out of 164 academically and 125th in discipline. Eisenhower quickly embraced his future career in the army and spent his first duty station with the 19th Infantry at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While German submarines aggressively
The 1953 Transfer of Power Between the Two Military and Political Adversaries of President’s Truman and Eisenhower
attacked British and later American shipping and after Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, the government sent troops into Mexico. Eisenhower was ordered to train soldiers near the border before they were dispatched to serve under General John J. Pershing’s expedition to capture or kill Villa. Once America entered World War I, at Camp Meade and later Colt, Eisenhower established one of the largest tank training centers in America to prepare these armor soldiers for combat. Within seven months, Eisenhower was promoted from captain to lieutenant colonel for his devoted leadership.
Some of these soldiers found their way to a younger Colonel George S. Patton who was picked by Pershing to establish the first tank training and command organization in France. Serving outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Eisenhower liked this area, as he always studied this Civil War battle and after his presidency in 1953, Eisenhower purchased a home near his older base. There were four tank divisions that trained at Camp Colt under the direction of Eisenhower and as thousands of men prepared for combat and were sent overseas.
The Spanish flu hit the United States with the horrific losses of 548,000 people, as Eisenhower fought the sickness at Camp Colt that killed 150 soldiers. Expecting to be sent overseas, the war ended, and Eisenhower was despondent over his inability to fight in France. Through the end of this war, Eisenhower lost his field command of lieutenant colonel. During a four-year time period, Eisenhower moved to eight different bases, married his wife Mamie, had a son, and was respected as a capable leader for his devoted ability to train men in Pennsylvania during the Great War.
Already previously serving in the military, having poor eyesight, too old to be drafted at thirty-three years old, and a farmer, Truman reenlisted in the National Guard. Quickly, he was made an officer of Battery D in the 129th Field Artillery that was part of the 35th Division, that was mostly made up of “spirited” Irish and German soldiers from the Midwest. Later, Truman taught himself the
proper mathematics on how to fire the artillery weapons in battle. In 1918, Truman was sent with his battery to France, where they were ordered to support at this moment, the largest battle that America had ever undertaken. In September, now a captain, Truman supported the massive operations to assault German lines through important the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Truman was at times an “honorary” figure, as he completely opposed a colonel who abused his power in how he poorly handled the soldiers of this battery. Engaging the enemy, Truman was almost courtmartialed for directing his battery to fire on enemy guns that were not in their sector. Truman was directed that artillery guns were not allowed to attack outside of these designated areas, out of fear that American soldiers could be killed from friendly fire. On two occasions, Truman directed his men to attack outside of their zone to prevent the enemy from killing American infantry soldiers. His colonel scolded Truman for these actions, but his soldiers realized that their captain tried to save American lives that were going to be targeted and killed by enemy guns.
American Expeditionary Forces Commanding General Pershing, refused to court-martial Truman for his actions to hurt the enemy and protect his soldiers on the front lines. Well-known government and intelligence official Robert M. Gates observed the leadership qualities of Truman, and he stated that this former president, “understood that in a democratic society, common decency builds a respect. It’s a respect that prompts people to give their all for a leader.” Decades later, President Truman always wore a World War I pin on his suit lapel, and during the inaugural ceremonies in 1949, twothirds of his World War I battery marched in Washington, D.C., to support their former comrade.
The interwar years were not kind to both historic leaders. While Truman became a politician, it was after he failed in business and Eisenhower was a capable officer who worked under General Douglas MacArthur, but by 1939, he believed that he would retire as a lieutenant colonel. The war
brought Eisenhower to the highest military leadership positions under the influence of General George C. Marshall. This Army Chief of Staff firmly observed Eisenhower as a sound officer, a problem solver, and had the ability to lead American and foreign forces. Truman steadily worked his way through Congress, was seen as an honest and devoted politician, and was chosen by Roosevelt to become his last vice president in 1944. With World War II won by the Allies, Eisenhower’s popularity soared to the highest levels, and in 1948, Truman offered to allow this general to run as president, he proposed to step aside to become the vice president. But Eisenhower was a Republican who opposed many of Truman’s policies and a strong dislike manifested between these two powerful figures.
This rivalry intensified during the Election of 1952 as Eisenhower accepted the Republican nomination to run for office against his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson. Through the start of the Cold War that saw the loss of China, the expansion of Communism in Eastern and Central Europe, and the Korean War, Eisenhower stated that Truman and the Democrats were weak on Communism. When Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy fiercely attacked Marshall over his perceived military and political weaknesses to prevent the spread of Communism, Truman was furious that Eisenhower never supported his former boss. Truman claimed that Eisenhower was a political novice who lacked the knowledge to run the government, as Eisenhower claimed that Truman was a failure as a president. Never one to mince words, Truman stated that “the General doesn’t know any more about politics than a pig knows about Sunday.” Eisenhower easily defeated Stevenson for the presidency and the reign of the Democrats since 1933 in the White House came to an end. Whereas Truman did not like Eisenhower, he learned of a letter that Marshall wrote threatening the career of his protégé. During the war, Eisenhower had a well-known affair with his Irish driver Kay Summersby and he wanted to divorce his wife and bring this lady back to the states to be married. Marshall stated in writing that Eisenhower was a career army leader and that he would make his life a “living hell” if he carried out these plans. Truman destroyed this letter to protect the presidential presence of Eisenhower and he told a surprised president-elect of his actions. As both men were not friends, they had much in common, as these Midwestern citizens were both World War I veterans, highly respected by their soldiers, and were presidents of the United States during hard moments. For the good of the nation, they drove together in an open car to the inauguration to participate in the transition of power, put their differences aside, and watched the progression of leadership change in America.
Postal Stamp
Credit: Dreamstime
BY NANCY BURNER, ESQ.
Yes, the 72.5 million Americans receiving Social Security will enjoy a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase in 2025. This is in comparison to a 3.2% increase in 2024 and a whopping 8.7% increase in 2023, a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While we see a COLA many years, there have been years where an increase was not given.
If you are a recipient, you should have received in December a notification of your 2025 benefits. The year 2025 will mark a change in the form of the statement, called a Notice of Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The new and improved form is intended to more clearly explain the COLA, relevant deductions, and the amount you will receive. The first item on the Notice will be the monthly amount of benefits before deductions. It will then list whether there are deductions for Medicare Insurance Parts B and C, a Medicare Prescription Drug Part D Plan, tax withholdings for noncitizens, and
Understanding Social Security Retirement Income in 2025
information. In addition to being able to retrieve duplicate statements, the portal allows you to gain information about your benefits at an earlier date then you will receive by mail. Those that do not receive benefits can use the portal to receive estimated benefit amounts on your own work record or for spousal benefits, check the status of an application, order a replacement Social Security card, or receive proof that you do not receive benefits. Recipients can use the online system to change direct deposit, get a 1099 form to show benefits received over the course of the year, print a verification of benefits or change a mailing address.
voluntary federal tax withholding for citizens. The statement will then list the monthly amount that will be given after deductions. This amount is often received as a direct deposit into a checking or savings account, although some individuals still receive the benefit in a paper check sent via mail.
you can log on to SSA.gov to view your statement.
If you did not receive a statement in the mail, you can request that a replacement be mailed from the Social Security Administration or
The Social Security Administration website urges individuals to create an online profile to receive this and other
Britt is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. and the Chair of the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section, focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.
BY TARA D’AMATO
Social Work Assistance
The library will be providing social work assistance by our licensed social worker Alex and social work intern Anne. They can help connect individuals to services and appropriate resources for housing and financial assistance, provide referrals for programs, complete various forms and applications, and more. Appointments are required. Open to all. Make a one-hour appointment with Alex: Wednesdays, February 5, 12,19, 26, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Held at our Mastic Beach Branch.
Make a one-hour appointment with Anne: Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Held
at our Main Building. Fridays, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Held at our Main Building.
Support Programs for February
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets Thursdays, February 6 and 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Held at our Main Building. Register now. The Family and Children’s Association is hosting a support group for caregivers who care for someone with dementia or memory loss. This group is for spouses, children, or any other family members or friends who are caring for someone with memory loss. Open to all.
HIICAP Medicare
Assistance: Wednesday, February 19, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Held at our Mastic Beach Branch. Register now. A HIICAP counselor from RSVP can assist you with Medicare and health insurance questions, reviewing Medicare Part D plans and more. Appointments required. Open to all.
Senior Advocate: Wednesday, February 26, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Held at our Mastic Beach Branch. A representative from the Suffolk County Office of the Aging will meet one-on-one to discuss different benefits and programs available to senior residents. The advocate is available on a walk-in basis. No appointment required. Open to all.
Library Director
Credit: Mykhailo Polenok | Dreamstime.com
Happening at the
Children & Parents
Register for programs three easy ways: in person, online at www.communitylibrary.org or contact the Children’s Reference Desk at 631-399-1511 Ext. 2016 for the Moriches Branch or Ext. 1030 for the Mastic Beach Branch or Ext. 2028 for the Main Building.
PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL–AGE KIDS
Guided Meditation for Kids
ALL IN-PERSON PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED IN-PERSON ONLY. SUPPLIES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP.
Wednesday, January 22
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Crafts-To-Go can be picked up at open library locations. One craft per child, per visit please MAKE
Held at our Moriches Branch. Grades K-5.
Homework Whiz Kids
BABIES / PRESCHOOL
Thursday, January 23
PROGRAM REGISTRANTS MUST ARRIVE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF THE START OF EACH PROGRAM OR THEIR RESERVATION WILL BE FORFEITED.
Registration begins one week prior to each session unless otherwise noted.
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Explore Everything - Shapes!
Held at our Main Building. Please bring one assignment per child for small-group homework help. Grades 1-5.
Monday, December 2, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Held at our Moriches Branch.
Ages birth-23 months with an adult.
Zumbini
Tuesday, December 3, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Held at our Mastic Beach Branch.
Short Story
Ages birth-4 years with an adult.
Writing Workshop for Kids
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Held at our Mastic Beach
December 17, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Messy Meetups
Thursday, January 23
Wednesdays, December 4 & 18
7:00 – 7:45 p.m.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Held at our Main Building. Grades 2-5.
Held at our Moriches Branch.
Ages 18 months-5 years with an adult.
Baby Games
Bookworm Book Club:
Monday, December 9
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Amulet. Book One
Friday, January 31
Held at our Moriches Branch.
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, December 16
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Held at our Main Building.
Ages birth-18 months with an adult.
Held at our Mastic Beach Branch. For January we will be reading Amulet Book One, The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. Pick up the book at the front desk starting January 2. Grades 3-5.
SCHOOL-AGE
Tail-Waggin’ and Readin’ Fun!
Mondays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Held at our Main Building. Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Held at our Mastic Beach Branch.
months-5 years with an adult.
story together and then create a winter Building.
These programs are for the registered children only. Adults and siblings must remain outside of the program space. Registration begins one week prior to each session unless otherwise noted.
Drop-in. No registration required. Grades K-5.
BOOKWORM BOOK CLUB BOOKWORM BOOK CLUB
Grades 1-5.
Grades K-5.
Teens
Unless otherwise noted, all programs are for teens in grades 6 through 12.
Register for programs three easy ways: In person, online at www.communitylibrary.org or contact the Teen Reference Desk at 631-399-1511 Ext. 2015 for the Moriches Branch, Ext. 1029 for the Mastic Beach Branch or Ext. 2025 for the Main Building.
Fun and Games
FUN FOR TEENS
Pin Pals
Earn a pin each time you attend a teen program!
Mystery Video Game Tournament
Saturday, January 25
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
You can also trade pins with teen staff while in the library. Use them to decorate your backpack or anything you want!
Held at our Moriches Branch.
Disney Trivia
Registration is open. Think you’re a video game master?
Thursday, January 2, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Held at our Main Building.
Registration is open.
Put your skills to the test, as you won’t know which game you’re playing until you arrive for the tournament!
In honor of National Trivia Day, we will test y knowledge on all things Disney. The winner will take home a prize!
Kahoot! Trivia - Virtual
The overall winner earns themselves a $20 Nintendo eShop Card!
Monday, January 6 – Friday, January 10
Tuesday, January 21 – Friday, January 24
3:00 p.m.
Anime Trivia
Entertainment
Anime & Superheroes
Mondays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Held at our Moriches Branch.
MYSTERY
Head on over to our Discord or Instagram and test your knowledge of various trivia topics!
Thursday, January 30
You have until Friday at 9 p.m. to participate
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Retro Gaming
Held at our Main Building. Registration is open.
Wednesday, January 8
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Test your knowledge of all things Anime and win awesome prizes!
Held at our Main Building.
Friday, January 17
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Held at our Mastic Beach Branch.
Registration begins 12/26.
Pretend it is the arcade days with some retro NES games on the Nintendo Switch! Eat snacks and try to get the highest score!
Mystery Video Game Tournament
Saturday, January 25, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Held at our Moriches Branch.
Registration begins 1/11.
Eats
Think you’re a video game master? Put your skills to the test, as you won’t know which game you’re playing until you arrive for the tourna The overall winner earns themselves a $20 Nintendo eShop Card!
Anime Trivia
Thursday, January 30, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Held at our Main Building.
Registration begin 1/16.
Test your knowledge of all things Anime and win awesome prizes!
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE
Index No. 606117/2017
Date Filed: 12/3/2024
Selene Finance LP, Plaintiff, -against-
Rawle A. Crichlow, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Frank Crichlow a/k/a Frank O. Crichlow; Glen Walter Crichlow, if he be living or dead, his spouse, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff, Defendants.
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 643 Jayne Boulevard, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. S. Betsy Heckman Torres, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County, entered Nov. 27, 2024 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $285,000.00 and
interest, recorded in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office on June 28, 2007, at Liber M00021559 of Mortgages, page 783 covering premises known as 643 Jayne Boulevard, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 a/k/a District 0200, Section 311.00, Block 03.00, Lot 009.000.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
Plaintiff designates Suffolk County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.
SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR PLAINITFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: November 13, 2023
Steven M. Palmer, Esq. Foreclosure Attorney
LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP F/K/A
SHAPIRO, DICARO & BARAK, LLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 247-9000
Fax: (585) 247-7380
Our File No. 17-061735 #101979
L16140 - 01/01/2025, 01/08/2025, 01/15/2025 & 01/22/2025
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-25, Plaintiff, Against
James P. Walsh, Stephanie M. Walsh, et al, Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 06/16/2021, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738, on 2/5/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 27 Pineway Ave, Mastic Beach, NY 11951, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York.
District 0200 Section 970.00
Block 02.00 Lot 012.000 And 013.000.
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $469,411.27 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 604429/2019
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
Billie Jean Miller, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 12/9/2024 File Number: 35262 MB
L16142 - 01/01/2025, 01/08/2025, 01/15/2025 & 01/22/2025
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT
SUFFOLK COUNTY
HUDSON CITY SAVINGS
BANK, Plaintiff against ABRAHAM L. TURPIN A/K/A ABRAHAM TURPIN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 20, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on February 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Premises known as 105 Carlton Drive East, Shirley, New York 11967. District 0200 Sec 615.00 Block 02.00 Lot 013.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $494,834.06 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 609334/2015. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing.
Pamela J. Greene, Esq., Referee File # 2154-000927
L16144 - 01/08/2025, 01/15/2025, 01/22/2025 & 01/29/2025
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ABFC 2007WMC1 TRUST ASSET
BACKED FUNDING CORPORATION ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-WMC1, -against-
RENEE SCHIEFERSTEIN A/K/A RENEE CARRICK AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR A. SCHIEFERSTEIN, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on September 27, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ABFC 2007WMC1 TRUST ASSET BACKED FUNDING CORPORATION ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-WMC1 is the Plaintiff and RENEE SCHIEFERSTEIN A/K/A RENEE CARRICK AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELEANOR A. SCHIEFERSTEIN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on February 10, 2025 at 11:30AM, premises known as 59 BROADWAY, SHIRLEY, NY 11967; and the following tax map identification: 0200-907.0007.00-002.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617683/2016. Giuseppe T. Rosini, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
L16146 - 01/08/2025, 01/15/2025, 01/22/2025 & 01/29/2025
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSRMF MH MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST II, Plaintiff AGAINST DORA W. CHAN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 2, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on February 18, 2025 at 10:30AM, premises known as 20 West Lake Drive, Patchogue, NY 11772. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Patchogue, in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0204, Section 012.00, Block 04.00, Lot 003.000. Approximate amount of judgment $469,615.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610027/2018. Only Bank or Certified check payable to the Referee will be accepted for the downpayment. No third party check or cash will be accepted. Andrea Denicola, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16003669 83603
L16147 - 01/15/2025, 01/22/2025, 01/29/2025 & 02/05/2025
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
DITECH FINANCIAL LLC, -against-
LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES
STEVEN C. BRUMMERLOH, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on November 25, 2024, wherein DITECH FINANCIAL LLC is the Plaintiff and STEVEN C. BRUMMERLOH, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on February 20, 2025 at 10:30AM, premises known as 42 CRESTWOOD LANE, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738; and the following tax map identification: 0200599.00-08.00-029.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND
SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT LAKE RONKONKOMA, TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606046/2019. Annette Eaderesto, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
PUBLIC NOTICE
L16150 - 01/22/2025, 01/29/2025, 02/05/2025 & 02/12/2025
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF SUFFOLK COUNTY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH RYDER, WHO WAS THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF WALTER RYDER, JOHN RYDER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH RYDER, WHO WAS THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF WALTER RYDER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY
The Center Moriches Board of Fire Commissioners meetings will be held at the following times and dates. All meetings will be held at the Center Moriches Fire Department, 301 Main Street, Center Moriches NY 11934.
Date Start Time Meeting Type
Monday, January 13, 2025 6:00 PM Organizational Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2025 6:30 PM Business Meeting
Monday, January 27, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, February 10, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, February 24, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, March 10, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, March 24, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, April 14, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, April 28, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, May 12, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, June 9, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, June 23, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, July 14, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, July 28, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, August 11, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, August 25, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, September 8, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, September 22, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 7:00 PM Budget Hearing
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, October 27, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, November 10, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, November 24, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, December 8, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Monday, December 29, 2025 6:00 PM Business Meeting
Submitted, Michael D. Schlosberg
Center Moriches Fire District Secretary L16151-01/22/2025
11738 on February 24, 2025 at 1:30PM, premises known as 51 Morning Drive, Centereach, NY 11720. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0200, Section 442.00, Block 06.00, Lot 037.000. Approximate amount of judgment $382,685.97 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600757/2020. Jonathan A. Baum, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-001871 83883
L16152 - 01/22/2025, 01/29/2025, 02/05/2025 & 02/12/2025
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, -against-
THORE R. FOSS, JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA FOSS, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Suffolk on November 21, 2024, wherein MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC is the Plaintiff and THORE R. FOSS, JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA FOSS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BROOKHAVEN TOWN HALL, 1 INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, NY 11738, on February 21, 2025 at 11:00AM, premises known as 53 CHAMPLIN STREET, RONKONKOMA, NY 11779; and the following tax map identification: 0200566.00-03.00-031.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS
AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT RONKONKOMA, IN THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 621999/2021. Giuseppe T. Rosini, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
L16153 - 01/22/2025, 01/29/2025, 02/05/2025 & 02/12/2025
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST William Giangrande; Wendy Giangrande a/k/a Wendy R. Giangrande; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 21, 2022, and Amended December 18, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 on February 26, 2025 at 10:30AM, premises known as 119 Holbrook Road, Holbrook, NY 11741. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of NY, District 0200 Section 727.00 Block 05.00 Lot 010.000. Approximate amount of judgment $734,335.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 064294/2013. The
auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District.
Annette Eaderesto, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: December 30, 2024
L16154 - 01/22/2025, 01/29/2025, 02/05/2025 & 02/12/2025
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BY TOM BARTON
The road to the Super Bowl has just one more turn and that leads us to the AFC and NFC Championship games.
We get the battle of Josh Allen against Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead, while on the NFC side it's an all NFC East battle between hated rivals Washington and Philadelphia in the city that won't have much brotherly love.
Josh Allen has been a thorn in Patrick Mahomes' side ... during the regular season. Allen and the Bills are 4-1 against Kansas City during the regular season, with Buffalo regularly besting the two-time defending Super Bowl champs. But, as all bettors and NFL fans know, that changes during the postseason where Mahomes is a perfect 3-0 against Buffalo.
Buffalo's offense was a scoring machine this year. They went 10-0 at home and put up 30 or more points in all but two of those games, including the game where they beat the Chiefs. This game is at Arrowhead though and that is
where things can change.
Kansas City is known for Mahomes, Kelce, Reid and a dynamic offense but this season it was all about the defense, especially at home. Only two teams even scored more than 20 points on them and they have held six straight teams to 20 points or less overall. It's that defense that bettors must be aware of in a game like this. The total opened at 48 1/2 points and quickly saw money come in on the over.
Mahomes doesn't generally lose at home, he doesn't generally lose playoff games, and well, he generally doesn't lose. The knock on KC has always been they play close games and this year that is especially true with 11 of their 15 wins coming in a one-score affair. The spread shouldn't be an issue in this game though as the number opened up with KC a one-point favorite and quickly had people betting on Mahomes at home to push it to a quick -2 line.
On the other side we have much
Juuuust a Bit Outside
ByTomBarton
This week the baseball world, entertainment world, and just all of us lost an iconic voice and personality when the legendary Bob Uecker passed away.
Bob Uecker, the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for 54 years, a Baseball Hall of Famer and national icon, was 90 years old.
Uecker gained national fame as the funny, self-deprecating baseball announcer. He gained an even larger following when he stole the show in the movie major league, and some even know him for his role in the TV series "Mr. Belvedere," but he will always be "Mr. Baseball." The nickname was given to him for his more than 5 decades of work as the play-by-play voice of his hometown Brewers.
Uecker battled with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, his family released in a statement.
“He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will forever be cherished," the family said. "While his contributions to the game are noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support
more data to go on the Eagles and Washington game. Yes, we have watched Mahomes vs. Allen over the years, but these two teams play each other twice a year. This year they split the series with each winning a game.
Washington just put on a clinic against a team that many believed was the best team in the NFL. Jayden Daniels is doing things that are simply unheard of. Coming into this season only 5 times in more than 30 tries had a rookie QB gone on the road and won a playoff game. In fact, the last time we saw that was Russell Wilson against Washington's Robert Griffin, when both were rookies. Daniels has now done it twice and he will have to make it a three peat if they want to go to the big game.
Daniels and the offense put up 45 on the Lions last week and they had plenty of success on that side of the ball against Philly. When they faced off just a month ago Washington scored 36 points with Daniels throwing 5 touchdown passes and rushing for 81 yards. This vaunted
The Road to the Super Bowl
Philly defense had no answers for the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, Philly has plenty of excuses for that game as they were without Jalen Hurts for most of the game, even with him injured the Eagles put up 33 points with Barkley rushing for 150 yards on the ground. Barkley also ran for 146 in the first meeting when the Eagles put up 26 in a home win.
The total for this weekend's game
also sits at 48 1/2 with the Eagles - 5 1/2 point favorites. Early money is on the over and Eagles.
Depending on what lines you got this weekend it was an over weekend for NFL bettors. All four games cashed the opening line number to the over and it seems the public is backing more scoring and more shoot-outs. Expect these numbers to rise as the week goes on.
during this difficult time as we grieve and celebrate the man we were so lucky to call ours.”
Born in Milwaukee Uecker signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and made his major-league debut for them in 1962. As a catcher, Uecker went on to play 297 games over a six-year career, he also spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves and retired at 33 years old. While Uecker was famous for quoting his .200 batting average, he does have the statistic of being the only .200 hitter to ever hit a home run off of three eventual Hall of Fame pitchers in Sandy Koufax, Ferguson Jenkins and Gaylord Perry. Uecker also owns a World Series ring that he earned in 1964 with the Cardinals.
After a short-lived stint as a scout,
where he was let go in part because he sent scouting reports back with mashed potatoes and gravy stains on them, Uecker began his broadcasting career in 1969 with a two-year run in the booth with the Braves before returning home and starting his legendary run in 1971 with the Brewers.
Uecker went on to be honored by the Brewers by being inducted into the Walk of Fame outside thenMiller Park in 2003. He was also
added to the team's Ring of Honor in 2005 and he now has a statue of himself outside of the stadium.
His 54 years on the microphone made Uecker the fourth-longest tenured broadcaster in majorleague history. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 after earning the Ford C. Frick Award, which is awarded annually to a broadcaster for major contributions to the game. Uecker is also a member of the Radio
Hall of Fame (2001), the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame (2011) and the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2012).
Bob Uecker wasn't just Milwaukee Brewers baseball, he was Mr. Baseball. From the Tonight Show, to the Miller Lite commercials, to his TV and movie appearances Uecker was a part of all of our lives as baseball fans.
Longwood's Bowling Team Excels
ByTomBarton
This week at the Section XI boys bowling singles championship Longwood's Tyler Uss came away with the title.
The Section XI Doubles Champs were Alex and Logan Silbert from Eastport-South Manor.
Longwood Bowling is 6-3 on the season sitting in first place in League 4 play. Eastport-South Manor has an impressive 10-0 record which puts them atop League 2. They are one of just three teams in Suffolk county that have a perfect record.
Uss has had a great season. Against Southold/Greenport he rolled a high game of 268. He rolled a 212 against Comsewogue,
shot a 225, 202, and a 244 vs. Easthampton/Bridgeport, rolled a high-game of 246 against Riverhead and a 267 against Sachem.
The brothers from EastportSouth Manor had a fantastic day
against Bellport last week when Logan Silbert rolled a 680 series and Alex rolled a 621 series.
Logan then bowled a 672 series against Connetquot and a 684 series against Pat-Med most recently.
and Mahomes
Bob Uecker
Credit: @IGN | X
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook Alex and Logan Silbert
SPORTS The Mustangs Run Past Hampton Bays
ByTomBarton
The Mount Sinai Mustangs boys basketball is making it look easy as they hold onto first place in League 6 play.
The Mustangs had their most impressive win of the season this week over Hampton Bays when they won 77-15. Everything was working for the Stangs as their offense scored at least 16 points in each quarter and they exploded for 27 points in the 3rd quarter.
Brian Vales had 16 points and Dominic Pennzello had 15 to lead Mount Sinai to the win, but just
as much credit can go to their outstanding defensive effort.
Hampton Bays didn't cross 4 points in any quarter and no single player had more than 5 points on the day.
The Mustangs have now won six games in a row and their offense has scored 69 or more points in each game. In fact, Mount Sinai has only been held to under 69 points twice all year.
The girls basketball team also cleaned up on Hampton Bays this week with a 58-25 victory. This brings their League record to 7-2 and their Overall record to 11-2.
Gonzalez Sets Stony Brooks Scoring Record
ByTomBarton
Stony Brook University's Zaida Gonzalez has been named Division I Women’s Player of the Week by the Met Basketball Writers Association.
Gonzalez is playing guard for the Seawolves this year, also was named the Coastal Athletic Association player of the week. She was absolutely on fire this week averaging 26 1/2 points per game on 44.2% shooting on 43 shots. To fill out the stat sheet she also added 7 rebounds to lead the Seawolves to a 2-0 weekend at home in CAA play. Those wins also pushed Stony Brook over the .500 mark on the season with an 8-7 record.
On Friday, Stony Brook defeated William & Mary 66-48. Then they came back on Sunday to beat Charleston 87-83 in overtime.
1,000 for Commack's Vasselman
ByTomBarton
The Commack girls basketball team had reason for celebration this week when their senior captain Sofia Vasselman scored her 1,000th career point.
In an easy win over Islip 67-31 Vasselman set the milestone mark.
In the game she finished with 25 points and only played three quarters in the blowout victory.
Commack is in first place in League 2 play with an unbeaten
JC Encarnacion Returns to the Flock
ByTomBarton
Outfielder JC Encarnacion will be returning to play for the Long Island Ducks this season.
The four-year Atlantic League veteran returns for his second season with the Ducks and ninth in professional baseball.
“We look forward to having JC back on Long Island,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “He adds speed and power to our lineup while also playing terrific defense in the outfield.”
Encarnacion played 78 games with the Ducks last season where he had an impressive .800 OPS and stole a team-leading 39 bases. His lofty stolen base total ranked as the 6th best mark in a single Ducks season and he finished 8th in the Atlantic League overall.
Along with his outstanding
speed was his power stroke as well. He hit 17 home runs, had 56 RBIs, 63 runs, 75 hits, 12 doubles, two triples and 29 walks.
The 26-year-old came to Long Island after spending two seasons with York (2021-22) and one with Lexington (2023). In his four Atlantic League seasons, he has an .803 OPS along with 57 homers,
Gonzalez had 16 points with four rebounds in the victory over William & Mary. Then had a career-high and program-record 37 points along with a team-high 10 rebounds for her first career double-double as Stony Brook overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat Charleston. This will go down as one of the best games a player has ever had in the history of the school.
Gonzalez, whose points total
set a single-game record for the school in its Division I era, scored 27 of her 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime when she completely took over the game. She added to the history-making day by going the length of the floor for the game-tying basket with one second left in regulation to send the game into OT. This is the first MBWA weekly honor for Gonzalez.
6-0 league record. Overall they have one of the best records in all of Suffolk sitting with 11 wins to only 3 losses. They have won five games in a row and their defense has held each of those five teams to 38 points or fewer.
Vasselman is averaging over 18 points per game on the season. She already has seven games where she has scored more than 20 points and it's not just her scoring that is part of her game. Vasselman also has a 10 rebound game to her credit this year.
Miller Place Finishes Their New Construction
230 RBIs, 245 runs, 392 hits, 77 doubles, 18 triples and 102 stolen bases over 396 games.
He spent three seasons apiece with the Atlanta Braves (201618) and Baltimore Orioles (201819, '21) organizations, reaching as high as Triple-A Norfolk in 2021 and earning South Atlantic League All-Star honors in 2018.
To honor the recently completed construction of its new gym Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie joined with District administration and Board of Education members for a ribbon cutting.
The District has been working
on the new gymnasium since September 2023. The project was a part of the bond referendum that was approved by voters in October 2021. In addition to constructing the gymnasium, the District has completed several additional construction projects and upgrades as part of the bond referendum.
This week marked the first day that physical education classes were held in the new gymnasium.
Credit: @StonyBrookWBB | X Zaida Gonzalez
ByTomBarton
The Miller Place School District has unveiled their new state-ofthe-art gymnasium at Andrew Muller Primary School.
Credit: Miller Place School District | Facebook Ribbon cutting for Miller Place
Mount Sinai Basketball Pregame
Credit: Mount Sinai Booster Club | Facebook
Sofia Vasselman
Credit: Section XI - Suffolk County Athletics | Facebook
Credit: Michael Polak
JC Encarnacion
SPORTS Half Hollow Hills Keeps Posting W's
ByTomBarton
The Hills West Girls Winter Track team had a banner weekend.
The stellar showing began when Suki Dong won the pole vault with a height of 9 feet, 6 inches at the St. Anthony's Developmental meet.
Then the next day the winning continued for Hills West at the Stanner Games when Dong once again was at her best when she tied the school record in the
High Jump, clearing 5-4 to take 1st place.
This was the 30th annual Stanner Games at the 168th Street Armory in Manhattan, hosted by Molloy. This year the Stanner Games, which is a nationally recognized track and field meet run by Molloy’s incredible track coaches that invites thousands of athletes from New York and surrounding states had 2,866 athletes compete in 3,271 events.
Longwood Cheer Team Up 4 Community
ByTomBarton
The Longwood Cheer Program earned a top spot in the 2024 Long Island Holiday Sports Heroes Challenge this week.
This honor recognizes and celebrates their dedication to excellence and highlights their extraordinary commitment to community service through the Tuck for a Buck Breast Cancer Fundraiser.
This honor for the Longwood Cheer team is about more than
just competing on the mat and showed their participation in community service.
Former New York Islander Steve Webb and his wife Teresa were on hand for the ceremony. The Webb's are the founders of Team Up 4 Community, who shared inspiring words about the power of giving back and how every effort, no matter how small, can create a lasting impact. Teresa also shared that Tuck a Buck was submitted for consideration in the NY State Sports Hero Challenge.
The winning didn't stop there for Hills West as the week continued the 4x200 meter relay team of Tylar Johnson, Alyssa Bullen, Jasmin Joseph, and Jordyn Pierre set their season's best time of 1:49.05 to win their event.
Finally, Jasmin Joseph placed 3rd in the Triple Jump with a jump of 34-2.
This will be a weekend that goes down in the history books for Half Hollow Hills West.
History Makers
ByTomBarton
The Shoreham Wading River Wildcats have announced their 2025 High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees.
These outstanding individuals and teams have left a lasting legacy of excellence, dedication, and sportsmanship in the school’s athletic history.
The honorees are Xavier Arline, who is inducted for his contributions on both the Football and Lacrosse fields. Katherine Lee, will go in because of her achievements as a Cross Country and Track & Field standout. Jason Louser is inducted for his Swimming success, while Tom Rotanz is headed to the Hall for his outstanding coaching for Boys Lacrosse. Joseph Condon, who recently had the school
recognize his 300th career with a Joe Condone day, is heading into the Hall of Fame for his great coaching of Wrestling.
The Hall of Fame also will honor the 2002 Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team. That 2002 team won the New York State
Class C championship.
The induction ceremony will be at the Shoreham-Wading River booster club’s annual Casino Night Fundraiser on Friday March 7, 2025, at Giorgio’s in Baiting Hollow.
Jasmin Joseph
Credit: Half Hollow Hills Central School District | Facebook
Credit: Longwood Central School District | Facebook Longwood Cheer
Credit: Homes.com
SWR High School
WEST HAS
Suki Dong