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HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2011 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC.
Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com
VOLUME FOURTEEN, ISSUE 46
N E W S P A P E R
LONG ISLANDER NEWSPAPERS TELECOMMUNICATIONS/MEDIA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 24 PAGES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
Budget Calls For Layoffs, Salary Freezes School officials stay within 2-percent tax cap but not without cutting teachers sdeluca@longislandernews.com
Over 100 residents listened last week as the Half Hollow Hills Board of Education revealed that cuts in the 2012-2013 proposed budget will include layoffs of 35 teachers, a salary freeze for administrators and reductions in spending. Superintendent Kelly Fallon said at a Jan. 24 community budget forum that the $221.9-million budget is a 2.75-percent increase from its current budget. It’s also the lowest budget-to-budget increase the district has presented to the community in 15 years. “It allows us to bring to you a tax levy increase of 2.37 percent, complying with the new law property tax levy cap, which requires a simple majority to pass and allows us to keep all pieces of academic program, athletic program and arts program of Half Hollow Hills,” Fallon said. The superintendent noted she recommended to the board of education not to present a budget that went above the legislation’s tax levy cap, even though the district does have the capability of exceeding the cap. To comply with New York State’s mandated 2-percent tax cap, the proposed budget cuts 35 teaching positions as well as presently assigned part-time
teachers. Anne Marie Marrone Caliendo, assistant superintendent of finance and facilities, said the cuts are due to many elementary enrollment reductions. The proposed budget also calls for reducing 26 district-wide positions such as custodian, clerical and transportation employees, and paraprofessionals. Fallon said teachers with the least amount of service in a certification area will be the first to be laid off, which is mandated by New York State’s “Last In, First Out” law. The LIFO law bases layoffs of teachers solely on seniority. The board of education also unanimously voted on Jan. 23 to freeze salary increases of district administrators for two full years. Administrators would have received a 3-percent increase each year. The district expects to draw on $624,570 in state aid and about $10 million in reserved funds to balance the budget. Many Half Hollow Hills taxpayers said they were appreciative of the presentation brought to them by the school district, but others felt that reducing teachers was unjust. “For someone that has been running a business on Long Island for 28 years, I understand as revenues go down you have to make cuts, but you have to make cuts across the board,” said resident Georgia Bouklas. “You’re going to cut 44
Photo/Half Hollow Hills school district budget slideshow
By Stephanie DeLuca
Half Hollow Hills has put forth its lowest budget-to-budget increase in 15 years, but it is not without serious cuts to accommodate the 2-percent property tax levy cap. teachers? I’d like to see the same percentage of administrators being fired.” One resident, who requested that her name be withheld, said she felt the administration and board of education
tried hard to take every single aspect of budget-cutting into consideration before presenting their proposal to the public. (Continued on page A14)
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Analysts Blast Assembly Lines For Huntington Says changes would disenfranchise residents, violate redistricting laws By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
Huntington-area analysts derided newly proposed district lines for the New York State Assembly, calling it an act of blatant gerrymandering that would not survive a court challenge. Currently, the Town of Huntington is represented by two assemblymen – Republicans Andrew Raia and Jim Conte. Under the new proposed lines, Huntington would be covered by three districts – Conte in the 10th, Raia in the 9th and Assemblyman Joe Saladino in the 12th. Raia’s district would run from the Long Island Sound to the Atlantic Ocean in a skinny sliver instead of covering a large
area of the North Shore, as the lines currently dictate. While Saladino’s district isn’t quite coast-to-coast, his would be drawn in a similar fashion. Using federal Census data compiled every 10 years, a New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reappointment, comprised of a bipartisan group of state senators and assembly members, draws the lines for each of New York State’s 150 assembly districts and 62 senate wards. According to federal law, each district must be as compact, contiguous and equal in population as possible. Hamlets and groups of interest should be kept as intact as possible. Assemblyman John McEneny (D-Al-
bany), co-chair of the task force, said the districts are fair and adhere to good government principles. “The proposed assembly districts – with one exception, which was drawn to avoid crossing a county line – have a population deviation of less than four percent. This is a plan which moves us more toward a key reform,” he added. However, if you ask former Democratic Huntington councilman and legislator Jim Gaughran, the design is something that would have made gerrymandering namesake Elbridge Gerry–whose serpentine, incumbent-shielding legislative district in Massachusetts sparked outrage in the early 1800s – blush. Gaughran argued that the proposed lines for Hunt-
ington would disenfranchise school districts – particularly Northport-East Northport and Half Hollow Hills, which would be split amongst assemblymen in the new map. “What they have done to Huntington it is actually worse than what Elbridge Gerry did. At least they kept communities together when they did it,” Gaughran said. “This one puts communities that have no common interest together. Why is Northport connected to the Massapequas? It just makes absolutely no sense… what they are doing is just so abhorrent – it violates every good government rule. There is no legislative purpose for the Huntington lines.” (Continued on page A17)
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A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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HUNTINGTON STATION
Students Star At Area Restaurant
Applebee’s posts pictures of Half Hollow athletes, musicians on “Wall of Fame” By Noah Sosnick info@longislandernews.com
Nationwide restaurant chain Applebee’s has long boasted they’re part of each local neighborhood. In their Huntington Station location, they’ve found a way to fit in with the town. Restaurant management features a “Wall of Fame” for the Half Hollow Hills School District. The walls display photos of students from each high school in a variety of situations, ranging from student athletes competing to musicians marching in the band. The walls, which were previously covered with jerseys and athletic equipment from local schools, have been revamped to be more personalized to the local school district. “It’s really cool to hear people come up to you and say, ‘Hey, you’re on the wall!’” said Marcus Piazzola, a junior at Hills High School East. Students are generally in agreement that the walls are a cool way to get people to frequent the restaurant. “My track team went to eat there together and we were thrilled to see ourselves on the wall. It was really a cool experience.” said Andrew Gruber, a junior at Hills West. The decision to create the “Wall of Fame” has also attracted students who are excited to have the opportunity to look for pictures of themselves on the walls. This has helped business, said an
The walls at the Huntington Station Applebee’s are adorned with photos of local high school students, including those from Half Hollow Hills East and West Applebee’s manager. Families have decided to come to the restaurant with more than just the food in mind; they want the opportunity to look for themselves and their friends. “We are saying, ‘Call a friend, take along the family and visit the Huntington Applebee’s,’” the manager said. “You just
might see yourself on the Wall of Fame.” The walls especially appeal to athletes as the primary focus of the photographs is on athletics. However, there are photos that pertain to all aspects of the schools. Students, families and friends can search for themselves and teammates. The photos are also a source of pride
for district photographer Felice Kristall, who has taken photos for the district for 11 years. Hers are the images that appear on the Applebee’s walls. “Many students have become familiar faces for me as they have gone through elementary school and secondary schools,” said Kristall.
HillSPORTS
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A23
BOYS FENCING
Hills To Host County Tournament Head coach Kevin Gordon believes boys have good chance of making it to end Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca
By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com
As the fencing season is coming to a close, Half Hollow Hills is getting ready to host the county tournament at the school this month. The Section XI Championship is slated for 9 a.m. on Feb. 11 at Hills East. “It’s our first time hosting it so we’re really excited to be doing that,” head coach Kevin Gordon said. “It’s a really cool event because it’s not like any other championship in other sports.” Finding the county champion in fencing is different from other high school sports. The team fences one round with every other team in the league over the course of the day. The weakest, middle and strongest fencers are then matched up. To decide the winner, the judges tally up the number of wins over the course of the day and that team is crowned county champion. “We had a great day in the county tournament last year and we’ve taken that and we’re more successful this year,” Gordon said. Hills’ boys team, comprised of fencers from both High School East and High School West, is doing well this year and has a good shot at making the county tournament, Gordon said. The district was ranked third in the league as of Jan. 26.
The boy’s fencing team is gearing up and getting ready for the county championships. “[The boys] performed well in all their meets,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen a consistent level of execution. They haven’t been sporadic where they really lose focus one day or part of the meet and then come back and then the next round they’re losing. It’s
really been a consistent level of excellence coming out of them and that’s awesome.” Gordon, who’s been coaching at the school for the last four years, said the team is going to lose many fencers next year to graduation.
“I have a group of kids that has been with me for the last four years, I have a lot of seniors this year and it’s always sad to have that group because you’re going to have a rebuilding year the following year coming up,” he said. Two fencers the coach relies on to get the team through to the county tournament are his senior captains, Matt Ross and Andrew Chon, who he said have always been great leaders for a number of years now. “[Ross has] been one of the kids to really help this program,” Gordon said. “It’s his third year being captain and he really is that rock that we hold on to.” Gordon said he schedules Ross in the lineup so that he is last in bout. If the game is tied 13-13, the coach has confidence in him to win the last bout. To keep balance, Chon is the one who gets everything started. He is usually the first fencer in every meet. “He goes out, starts us off with a win, gets us excited,” Gordon said. “Matt is more like a lead-by-example kind of person, where Andrew is more of the vocal leadership. [He’s] the guy who can get everyone fired up, that can get all the team members behind him and get all the guys excited about the meet and really get them going. So between the two of them they kind of cover all the bases.”
HILLS WEST SPORTS
Johnny Colt Sent To Greener Pastures
The Hills West Colts have traded in their old mascot, left, for a newer, fiercer and more cartoony figure. What’s big and gold and red all over? Half Hollow Hills High School West’s new mascot, of course. The Colts said goodbye to the familiar brown, well-worn, tattered but spirited, looked-like-a-donkey Johnny Colt, and welcomed their new mascot and leader. Complete with a new uniform, the new mascot wears his heart on his sleeve – a
gift to the school from the Class of 2011. West’s new mascot made his debut at the Jan. 3 home basketball game, and who was behind the mask was a welcome surprise for all – last year’s resident mascot senior, Nathaniel Kristall. Kristall was a fan of the new costume, and said the fan inside the head makes things much more comfortable.
Hills West’s new mascot made his debut at a basketball game in January.
A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 THURSDAY Free Heart Health Screenings The Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Lindner Residences will host St. Francis Hospital’s Community Outreach Van on Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Receive a free heart health assessment by hospital professionals, including blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings. 50 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-715-2563.
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O M M U N I T Y
Calendar
Business After Hours Network with local business professionals and the Melville Chamber of Commerce Feb. 9, 5:30-8 p.m. at Mac’s Steakhouse, 12 Gerard St., Huntington. 631-549-5300. RSVP to info@melvillechamber.org or call us at 631777-6260. www.macssteakhouse.com.
AT THE LIBRARIES Cold Spring Harbor Library 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. cshlibrary.org. • The Quantum Mediation Society USA presents a seminar on meditation Sunday, Feb. 5, 1:45-4:30 p.m. • Longtime Los Angeles Times writer Annie Blachley gives inspirational prompts to help you write free-form about your loved ones for Valentine's Day. Limited to eight participants; sign-up online or at the Information Services Desk. Workshops will be Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. and Monday, Feb 13, 11 a.m.
Commack Public Library Women Inspiring Women
18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4990888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us. • The American Association of Retired Persons Tax Aide Program provides free, quality assistance with personal income taxes to taxpayers 50 years or older of low and moderate incomes Friday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a copy of last year's tax return, your W2 form, 1099 forms and information concerning income and expenses. Appointments are necessary; sign up at the Circulation Desk or call 631-499-0888.
Group meets four Thursdays – Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 – 7-9 p.m. at the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. $10 members/$15 nonmembers, per session. Take time to explore yourself, your values, your relationships, your dreams and your hopes. 631-549-0485
3 On 3 Hoops Tourney The Town of Huntington Parks and Recreation Department is offering a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for children in grades 5-6 and 7-8 on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 respectively from 9 a.m-1 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School. Teams consist of four players. Trophies and T-shirts will be given out. Children must coach themselves. No AAU players or teams permitted. $78 per team. Registration starts Jan. 26 online at tohparks.com and in person at the Parks and Recreation Department in Town Hall MondayFriday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or at the Dix Hills Ice Rink Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 631-351-3071.
FRIDAY Red Is For Passion Love the color red and enjoy living it up? The Red Hat women are looking for new members who enjoy going places and making new friends. Their motto: Fun, Frolic and Friendship. 631-271-6470 or flarpp@yahoo.com.
SATURDAY
Deer Park Public Library 44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. www.deerparklibrary.com. • School-aged children can practice their skills by reading aloud to Hunter, a specially trained therapy dog, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.
An Evening With Giada Valenti
the Halesite Firehouse, 1 North New York Ave., Halesite. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids (3-12).
Woody Mann, widely recognized as being among the elite acoustic guitarists, makes a rare Long Island appearance on Feb. 4 when the guitarist/singer-songwriter performs for the Folk Music Society of Huntington at the Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Drive (off Route 25A), Centerport. An 8:30 p.m. concert will be preceded by an open mic at 7:30 p.m. In addition, Mann will present a pre-concert workshop, “Blues, Roots and Beyond: Fingerstyle Technique and Repertoire,” from 4-6 p.m. The concert and workshop are being held in conjunction with the Long Island Fingerstyle Guitar Club and Five Towns College. Concert tickets are $20/$15 for FMSH and LIFGC members, and FTC staff and students. Workshop admission is $45/$35. Combination tickets also are available for $55/$45. 917-836-9224.
Owl Discovery Join the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society on Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m. and learn the interesting behavior and life cycle of the several species of owl which frequent the area. Create pine cone owls to take home and dissect a pellet to see just what it is that an owl eats. Call Stella at 516-695-0763 for more information, directions and to register.
Live Music Live local bands take over Finley's of Greene Street, 43 Greene St., Huntington, every Saturday night at 11 p.m. Join in the fun and food!
Valentine’s Celebration Register now for a Valentine’s Celebration with dinner and entertainment on Feb. 11, 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Union United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Road, East Northport. $20/$5 children under 12. 631-261-1303.
SUNDAY Football And Pancakes The Halesite Volunteer Fire Department will host its seventh annual Super Bowl Sunday Pancake Breakfast on Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-noon at
p.m. and Huntington Library on Monday, March 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 631-853-8200.
Free Help For Vets Memorial Set
Guitar Performance/Workshop
Elwood Public Library
Italian songstress Giada Valenti returns to the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. With her CD release of “And I Love You So,” Giada brings her sophisticated music and European style to music fans worldwide. She will also pay tribute to Etta James, whose signature song “At Last” was written by Italian-American songwriter Harry Warren (birth name Salvatore Antonio Guaragna). Tickets are $45, $35, $30 and $25. The arts center is located at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org..
A memorial honoring the life of Peggy Teufel will be held April 15, 2 p.m. at the Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. Teufel was instrumental in founding the library and its Friends organization, and many other charitable organizations, including the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Townwide Fund of Huntington, Western Suffolk Girl Scout Council and Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association. She died Dec. 13, 2011 at the age of 91.
MONDAY Knit Away The Long Island Crochet Guild meets at the Halesite Firestation, 1 No. New York Ave., Huntington the first Monday of the month from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Beginners welcomed. Contact katie1111m@yahoo.com or 631-427-5373 with questions. Next meeting is Feb. 6.
Aging And Saging Deal with changes in your life with a splash of empathy and humor at the Aging and Saging support group. Meets Mondays except holidays from 10 a.m.-noon at the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. 631-549-0485. $10 members, $15 non-members, per session.
TUESDAY
Long Island Cares dedicates every Tuesday afternoon from 12-4 p.m. to “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” specifically assisting veterans, military personnel and their families at the Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.
WEDNESDAY Is It A Heart Attack? Learn more about heart attacks and strokes and what to do if one strikes as Hand in Hand for Seniors, the Huntington Hospital Cardiology Department and the American Heart Association team up to provide a free lunch program for seniors Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Community Room of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 53 Prospect Rd., Centerport. Reserve seats by calling Hand in Hand at 631-629-4449.
Half Hollow Hills Community Library Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-4214530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631421-4535. hhhlibrary.org. • The Greenlawn American Legion and the Melville branch are sponsoring a flag dropoff program so old flags can be retired and destroyed according to recommendations from the National Flag Foundation. When the library is open, look for the U.S. mailbox with the custom paint job in the lobby until March 5. • Trained AARP counselors will provide free assistance in completing your income tax forms on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m., Feb. 7April 10 in Dix Hills. Bring your W-2 and 1099 forms, last year’s tax statements, and other supporting documents. No appointment is necessary.
Harborfields Public Library 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org • An AARP driving course will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $17 AARP members/$19 non-members. • Join college admissions consultant Michael Binder and learn what the colleges are really looking for on Monday, Feb. 6, 7-8:30 p.m.
From China To India
Huntington Public Library
Northport Arts Coalition, in cooperation with the Northport/East Northport Libraries presents “From China to India in Music and Dance” Feb. 9, 7 p.m., a program of classical Chinese instrumentals featuring noted Taiwanese Guqin and Guzheng performing artist Judy Shi-Hua, and an ensemble performance of classical Indian dance, drumming and song. Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport. Free. Call 631-2616930.
Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org • Ross Barbera’s “Sunlit World of the Northeast Landscape” is on display through Feb. 26. • The whole family will enjoy themselves for toe-tapping, hand-clapping, head-bobbing and hip swaying music by band Steel Impressions on Sunday, Feb. 5, 3-5 p.m. You’ll also learn about steel pans – how the instruments are made, tuned and played.
Visits From Senior Advocates Senior advocates will assist seniors with food stamps, Medicare savings programs, Medicaid applications and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications, as well as answer questions and make additional recommendations and referrals on several days throughout the winter: Huntington Nutrition Center on Wednesdays, Feb. 29 and March 28, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn) on Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and March 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; South Huntington Library on Thursdays, Jan. 26 and March 22, 10-11:30 a.m.; Paumanack Village III & IV (Greenlawn) on Thursday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville) on Tuesdays, Feb. 14 and March 13, 9 a.m.-12
3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org. • Having trouble with email? Want to learn how to use the Internet? Need personalized help? Call and make an appointment with an expert. Appointments available Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Tuesdays at 3 p.m.
Tips For Business Owners Serious about growing your business? LeTip members are respected professionals who understand how to give and get tips to increase everyone's bottom line. Join them every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at their weekly morning networking meeting. For more information, contact Dave Muller, 631-831-1921. RSVP a must.
Power Breakfast Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.
Northport-East Northport Public Library Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-261-6930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org. • The museum’s next Book-A-Trip on Feb. 16 is to the Museum of the Moving Image. Departs 9:30 a.m. from the William J. Brosnan building parking lot. Return is 6:30 p.m. $87 per person. Lunch at Ben’s Best Kosher Deli will be followed by a visit to the Queens Museum of Art. • In both branch galleries throughout February is the “Reflections Showcase” of drawings,
(Continued on page A21)
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A21
(Continued from page A20) paintings, photography and literary works by elementary schools in the Northport-East Northport School District
Is It A Heart Attack? Learn more about heart attacks and strokes and what to do if one strikes as Hand in Hand for Seniors, the Huntington Hospital Cardiology Department and the American Heart Association team up to provide a free lunch program for seniors Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Community Room of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 53 Prospect Rd., Centerport. Reserve seats by calling Hand in Hand at 631-629-4449.
South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. www.shpl.info. • The Friends of the South Huntington Library have partnered with the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport to offer discount tickets to performances. Library patrons can save $5 per ticket, and in turn, the theater will donate $10 to the Friends of the Library. Use the promo code SHPL. • Plaza Theatrical presents children's classic “Pinocchio,” co-sponsored with the South Huntington Education Foundation, Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
THEATER and FILM Bare Bones Theater at the Posey School, 57 Main St., Northport. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/213059. 1800-838-3006 • “The Monkey King,” an original thriller/comedy written and directed by Long Island native Don Intonato, takes the stage Feb. 16-18, 8 p.m. and Feb. 19, 4 p.m. $20.
Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611. • Join Maria Cooper Janis for a tribute to her father, Gary Cooper, with a screening of “Design for Living,” discussion, reception and book signing of her new book “Gary Cooper: Enduring Style” on Thursday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. $15 members/$20 public. • “Carmen” makes a triumphant return to the theater of its birthplace, the opulent, newly renovated Opéra Comique in Paris in a production by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Adrian Noble. It shows Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. as part of the “Cinema Meets Culture” film series of opera, dance and concert presentations. Children under 12 $7.50/General $13/Members $9.
Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org. • The Music of Yes as performed by the band “Tribute” fills the room on Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. “Tribute” will perform Yes’ legendary album “Close to the Edge” uninterrupted to honor its 40th anniversary. Tickets are $35, $30 and $25. • Italian songstress Giada Valenti returns to the center Saturday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. With her CD release of “And I Love You So,” Giada brings her sophisticated music and European style to music fans worldwide. Tickets are $45, $35, $30 and $25.
John W. Engeman Theater At Northport 350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900. • “The Sunshine Boys” opens Feb. 2. $50.
Tilles Center For The Performing Arts On the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100. • Tony award-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” comes to Tilles Center for two performances Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $77, $62, and $47.
AUDITIONS Auditions For ‘The Nerd’ Auditions for roles in Larry Shue's “The Nerd” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Roles include: Celia – female, mid-40s to early 50s, must have good comedic timing; and Thor – a boy between the ages of 6 and 12. Rehearsals will either be on Sunday afternoons, Monday or Tuesday nights. Performed by The Minstrel Players of Northport. Performances will be on Saturdays, April 21, 28, and May 5 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, April 22 and May 6 at 3 p.m. at Houghton Hall theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 130 Main Street in Northport Village. Bring a resume and a headshot. 631732-2926 or www.minstrelplayers.org.
MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Gallery
hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net. • There are only a few days left to see “Go APE,” the advanced placement student exhibition, on display through Feb. 5. View 125 works chosen by art educators from 34 Long Island high schools, including Best in Show winner Alexandra Puleo of Half Hollow Hills West.
b.j. spoke gallery 299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 631-549-5106. www.bjspokegallery.com. • Artists Choice is on display through Feb. 26, with a reception Saturday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m.
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org • Features New York State's largest collection of freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians housed in two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds.
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. Museum hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $3 students 5 -18, family $12; military and children under 5 are free. 631-367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. • A new exhibit, “Right Whales: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” is on display until Labor Day 2012. Thought to be on the brink of extinction, right whales are among the rarest animals on earth. • Discover unusual ways sea creatures find their valentines in the ocean, from seahorses to stickleback fish, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2:30 p.m. Ages 5-12.
fotofoto Gallery 14 W. Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. 631-549-0448. www.fotofotogallery.com. • The gallery opens Feb. 3 with a group exhibition to benefit North Shore Holiday House.
a.m.-5 p.m.; Art in the Art-trium: 25 Melville Park Road, Melville. Gallery Hours: Monday Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org. • Entries for the 10th Annual Juried Portrait Show, which will run from March 23-May 7, are due Feb. 27. Long Island artist Kevin McEvoy will serve as juror. For a prospectus, visit www.huntingtonarts.org or contact Florence Dallari 631-271-8423 ext 12. • “Nature’s Bounty” at the Art-trium Gallery runs through April 30 with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 4, 1-3 p.m., featuring a musical performance by Serenade Duo.
Huntington Historical Society Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington. Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631427-7045, ext. 401. www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org. • Learn about the Town of Huntington’s role in the Civil War in an exhibit at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building. • The society is sponsoring a trip to the Italian lakes and Greek islands, featuring a sevennight eastern Mediterranean cruise Oct. 3-14, 2012. • Visit the historic Conklin Barn on Saturday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m., where Valentine’s Day will be in full swing. Find out why Valentine’s Day is celebrated, make cards for a special valentine, have your face painted, decorate cupcakes and enjoy hot chocolate and sweets. Children ages 6-12. $12 members/$15 nonmembers.
LaMantia Gallery 127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-754-8414. www.lamantiagallery.com. • The gallery welcomes back Edward Gordon and introduces Daniel Del Orfano.
9 East Contemporary Art 9 East Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. or by appointment. 631662-9459. • The Inaugural Exhibition continues with the addition of selected new works by Sandra Carrion and Puneeta Mittal in a comprehensive show of 30 two-dimensional and threedimensional works of art is created by the 10 founding guild members, on display through Feb. 28.
Heckscher Museum Of Art 2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., first Fridays from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $68/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250. • “Coming of Age in America: The Photography of Joseph Szabo” is the first museum retrospective of this Long Island photographer whose work presents a dual portrait of adolescence on Long Island and summers on iconic Jones Beach. On display through March 25. • “A Way with Words: Text in Art” presents art that includes words, lettering, or numbers as subject, design element, or to convey information. On display through April 15.
Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center Welwyn Preserve. 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.: noon-4 p.m. 516-571-8040 ext. 100. www.holocaust-nassau.org. • “Using the Lessons of the Holocaust to Teach Tolerance,” the center’s new permanent exhibit, is now open. Suggested donation: $10 adults/$5 students/$5 seniors.
Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-757-9859. www.northporthistorical.org. • The first in a series of dining events at various local eateries, “A Taste of Northport” on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. will begin with classic German food and beers at Pumpernickel’s, Northport's oldest established restaurant.
Ripe Art Gallery 67 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-807-5296. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com. • The collage work of Ethel Brown Camhi, a longtime professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology who died in October, is on display until Feb. 4. She was known locally on Long Island for her clever collages, lampooning the longstanding practice of artistic borrowing, uniting elements from various art masterworks of differing time periods and cultures, from ancient Egypt to modern times. • Coming in February is the annual Valentine’s Group Show. This year's theme is “Ripe Love.”
Huntington Arts Council Main Street Petite Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 9
Suffolk Y JCC 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-462-
9800, ext. 140. Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, $18 per family. Special group programs available. www.suffolkyjcc.org. • The Alan & Helene Rosenberg Jewish Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits and programs for children 3-13 years old and their families, classes and camps. Now on exhibit: The Alef Bet of Being a Mensch. “Zye a mensch” is a Yiddish saying that means "be a decent, responsible, caring person,” infusing both the best blessing and the best that an educator can wish for his students.
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 12-5 p.m.; closed Mondays except for holiday weeks. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, students, and $3 children under 12. Museum tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. • Woo your valentine with old-world charm at a Valentine's Day dinner in the Vanderbilt Mansion on Saturday, Feb. 11, with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. The evening will begin with hors d'oeuvres and wine in the Memorial Wing of the mansion, amid Mr. Vanderbilt's exotic collections of ethnographic artifacts from Africa, Asia and South America. After a brief tour through his private living quarters, enjoy a leisurely dinner in the Northport Dining Room Porch.
Walt Whitman Birthplace 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors/students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org. • Join the Long Island Poetry Collective for the fourth annual bout of Super Poem Sunday on Feb. 5, 1-5 p.m., featuring raffles and a prize to the best original slam performance. Heroes and drinks will also be provided. The afternoon will start with three minutes for contestants during the slam to perform works from others or their own.
MUSIC & DANCE The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. • Band Guster and comedian Jeff Garlin team up for an April 17 show. • Guitar legend Jeff Beck performs for two nights only on Friday, March 16 Saturday, March 17. • Five bands and nearly a thousand supporters are expected to pay tribute and bring hope to those affected by spinal cord injuries on Friday, Feb. 3 at Lucky Laces’ “I Jam For Those Who Can’t Festival” at 7 p.m. for funding research into spinal cord injuries.
Ridotto, Concerts with a Touch of Theatre At Old First Church, Route 25A in Huntington. 631-385-0373. www.Ridotto.org. • Ridotto presents “A Distant Longing: Beethoven and Schubert,” early romantic music performed in its original style by the Artek Early Music Ensemble on Sunday, Feb. 5, 4 p.m. $20, $18 (seniors), $15 (members), and $10 (students).
VOLUNTEERING Walt Whitman Birthplace If you are interested in literature or history, the Walt Whitman Birthplace has fascinating and rewarding part-time volunteer positions available. Free training provided. 631-427-5420 ext.114.
Friends At Home Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the Friends@Home program, a project of The Ariella's Friendship Circle at the Chai Center in Dix Hills, visit a child with special needs in an environment they are most comfortable: their own homes. Together, bake cookies, play games, create arts and crafts, read books and more. Contact Nati or Sara at 631-351-8672 or fcchaicenter@gmail.com
Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m. 10 days prior to publication date. Send to Community Calendar at 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A19
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
Half Hollow Hills Theater Carries On ‘Tradition’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof Junior’ shines as fifth-graders take stage at Hills East years, winning numerous Tony awards. Mostel reprised his role as Tevye in the 1971 film, which also won several Oscars. Revivals and world-wide tours followed. The title of the story was influenced by Marc Chagall’s painting, “The Fiddler,” whom he often incorporated in his works depicting Eastern European Jewish life. In his opening soliloquy, Tevye explains the fiddler. Behind the scenes of Hills’ production were: Producers Mike Weiss, Mary Scott, Jani Majewski and Lynne Demestichas; Director Lucille Kenney; Music Director Nathan Swift; Production Stage Manager Meryl Schonfeld; Choreographer Katrina Moise; Coordinator Lois Krawitz; and Lighting Designer Bryan Chess. To mark the 10th anniversary for “Hills on Stage,” district photographer Felice Kristall created a special photo video spanning all 10 productions. It was shown prior to the second act.
Photos by Felice Kristall
Families and theater lovers were taken back to tsarist Russia over the weekend with the Half Hollow Hills School District’s “Fiddler on the Roof Junior.” This year’s production, staged at High School East, marked the celebratory 10th year for “Hills on Stage,” the districtwide fifth grade theatre program which brings together students from the district’s seven elementary schools. “Fiddler on the Roof ” is based on the story of a Jewish man, Tevye, his five daughters, and his desire to maintain Jewish lifestyle and traditions. Set in the early 1900s of tsarist Russia, many influences affect the close-knit community. It was adapted from the book written by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The show first opened on Broadway in 1964 at the Imperial Theatre starring Zero Mostel, and held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for about 10
Singing the famous song “Matchmaker” are Tevye’s five daughters (Thandiwe Scott, Talia Nierman, Jolie Brandstein, Amanda Nasti and Chloe Abosch)
Tevye (Johnny DiGiorgio) and his wife Golda (Michaela Soury) sing “Sunrise, Sunset” as the wedding of their oldest daughter is about to take place. The Sabbath scene.
The precision bottle dancers wowed the audience.
“Fiddler on the Roof” protagonist Tevye (Johnny DiGiorgio) makes his entrance.
Three fiddlers were cast, one for each performance: Alyssa Durante, Nadeen Yassin and Samantha Perry.
Superintendent of Schools Kelly Fallon visits the fifth-graders backstage to congratulate them on their performance.
A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A17
Proposed redistricting comes under fire
Jim Conte’s 10th district woud become landlocked under new redistricting lines.
Andrew Raia’s district, the current lines of which are depicted on the left, thins out and stretches from north to south under new redistricting lines, right. (Continued from page A1)
Long Island University Post political science professor Stan Klein, a respected elections analyst and Huntington Republican committeeman, blasted the proposal as “old-time hack politics.” Klein believes the move was engineered by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to squeeze out Raia and Saladino – young, outspoken Republicans – by moving them into more Democratic districts. Conte’s district currently begins in Cold Spring Harbor, hugs the county line down to East Farmingdale and encompasses East Northport, Huntington, Deer Park and Melville on the east and south. Under the new lines, the 10th district would become landlocked, surrounded by Raia on the east and Saladino on the west. The Huntington Station native would then represent a much smaller part of the Station, picking up large portions of Dix Hills and Deer Park and a small portion of the Town of Islip.
He called the new assembly lines “purely partisan.” “It just breaks up communities dramatically, and it looks like for no apparent reason,” the assemblyman said. “I’m 12 houses into where my district is, and Andrew [Raia] is the same thing. But having said that, having two north-south assembly districts that serpentine their way up to the north and south shore just doesn’t serve any community at all.” Governor Andrew Cuomo has called the proposal unacceptable in published reports and vowed to veto it if it reaches his desk. Both Klein and Gaughran welcomed Cuomo’s threat. Unless leaders can muster a two-thirds majority in both houses, lawmakers will likely make changes to some districts and negotiate with the governor to find common ground. “I’m very pleased to see the governor will veto this plan, and he should. It’s an abomination,” Gaughran
Assemblyman Joe Saladino picks up parts of the Huntington Township under the proposed districting lines. said. “They’re bending over backwards to protect incumbents in both parties at the expense of the public.” Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson argued the new distribution would dilute Huntington’s voice in Albany, resulting in a loss of advocates for North Shore issues like the health of the Long Island Sound. “You would divide Huntington into three assembly districts. That’s absurd,” he said. “You’re crossing county lines on [Saladino’s district]. It’s crazy. Raia’s becomes a southshore district. The candidate in all likelihood for Raia’s new district – the population base on that one is really Islip.” The State Senate maps, however, have fared better in the court of public opinion, raising few objections. The plan calls for Long Island’s nine districts to creep eastward to reflect population growth on the East End, and would add a 63rd senate district upstate near Albany. The latter would require a constitutional amendment. Raia, who is perhaps the most affected of Huntington’s state lawmakers, is taking the proposal in stride, stressing this is just the first step in the redistricting process. A public hearing on the new district lines is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge. However, Raia argued that his and Saladino’s proposed districts are “not even close” to meeting the compact and contiguous requirement, and should be redrawn to comply with the law. Currently in the 9th District, Raia would move to the 12th. His district, which currently covers from Huntington Bay east to the Huntington-Smithtown border in Fort Salonga and tapers as it heads south toward North Babylon and West Islip, would essentially flip to a South Shore district that includes Gilgo Beach and a portion of Fire Island, Babylon and Bay Shore as its core. The district then suddenly narrows near West Babylon, working north through Brentwood, before taking a left and continuing narrowly north through Commack and Fort Salonga. Saladino’s 9th Assembly District would span from Lloyd Harbor to Northport on the north side before narrowing sharply and cutting through Huntington Station, South Huntington, Melville and Wyandanch. Raia said he is drafting a plan that will maintain north shore and south shore districts for Huntington and Babylon, respectively. Since the new lines went public, Raia said he has received an outpouring of support from his current constituents and the business community. While humbled by the support, he said he shouldn’t be the focus of the discussion. “It’s not about me. It’s about preserving Huntington’s representation in Albany and ensuring the residents of Huntington have contiguous districts,” he said.
A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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HUNTINGTON OPEN HOUSES Want to get your open houses listed? Get your listings for free on this page every week in the Long Islander Newspapers. Call Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt at 631-427-7000 or send an e-mail to psloggatt@longislandernews.com.
DIX HILLS
4 Woodfern Ct Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $829,000 Taxes $19,243 Open House 2/4 1 - 3 pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc. 631-757-4000
MELVILLE
131 Breeley Blvd Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $879,000 Taxes $17,735 Open House 2/4 1 - 3 pm RE/MAX Beyond 631-862-1100
MELVILLE
112 Pembroke Ave Bedrooms 4 Baths 3 Price $879,000 Taxes $16,647 Open house 2/5 1 - 3 pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 631-499-9191
Town Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date E. Northport 210 Bellerose Ave 3 2 $299,000 $6,381 2/4 E. Northport 38 Acorn Dr 4 3 $329,900 $7,830 2/4 S. Huntington 6 Kingston Pl 3 1 $349,000 $6,347 2/4 Northport 6 Louisa Ct 3 1 $349,900 $8,491 2/4 E. Northport 31 Meadow Haven Ln 4 2 $359,000 $9,439 2/4 Huntington 18 Nimitz St 3 2 $369,000 $10,241 2/4 Commack 36 W Wheatfield Ln 3 2 $375,000 $11,237 2/4 S. Huntington 5 Magerus St 3 3 $429,000 $6,861 2/4 Huntington Sta 75 E Rogues Path 5 4 $439,900 $12,919 2/4 Northport 38 Norwood Ave 5 3 $449,000 $5,407 2/4 Dix Hills 133 Christine Dr 2 2 $469,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 146 Christine Dr 2 2 $469,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 148 Christine Dr 2 2 $469,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 158 Christine Dr 2 2 $469,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 138 Christine Dr 2 2 $479,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 140 Christine Dr 2 2 $479,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 145 Christine Dr 2 2 $479,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 173 Larry Ln 2 2 $479,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 137 Christine Dr 2 2 $489,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 139 Christine Dr 2 2 $489,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 144 Christine Dr 2 2 $489,990 N/A 2/4 Northport 6 Norwood Ave 4 2 $499,000 $7,003 2/4 Dix Hills 136 Christine Dr 2 2 $499,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 142 Christine Dr 2 2 $499,990 N/A 2/4 Commack 23 Crabapple Ln 3 2 $500,000 $8,888 2/4 Dix Hills 151 Christine Dr 2 2 $509,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 135 Christine Dr 2 2 $520,990 N/A 2/4 Dix Hills 141 Christine Dr 2 2 $520,990 N/A 2/4 Northport 9 Dick Ct 4 2 $529,000 $5,277 2/4 S. Huntington 5 Longwood Dr 3 2 $539,000 $17,346 2/4 Fort Salonga 22 Glenview Ave 4 2 $549,000 $12,282 2/4 Fort Salonga 9 Talmadge Rd 3 3 $549,000 $10,000 2/4 Huntington 3 Rochester Ct 3 2 $549,000 $11,978 2/4 Huntington 257 Nassau Rd 4 4 $599,000 $17,736 2/4 Melville 60 Wilmington Dr 5 4 $725,000 $16,434 2/4 Dix Hills 19 Caroline Dr 5 4 $759,000 $13,762 2/4 Dix Hills 4 Woodfern Ct 5 4 $829,000 $19,243 2/4 Melville 131 Breeley Blvd 5 4 $879,000 $17,735 2/4 Dix Hills 8 Talisman Dr 5 4 $899,000 $16,548 2/4 Huntington Sta 126 Columbia St 2 1 $199,500 $5,066 2/5 Northport 50 Milland Dr 5 2 $429,000 $10,527 2/5 Melville 998 Madeira Blvd 2 2 $489,000 $4,174 2/5 Melville 22 Catherwood Cres 4 3 $549,000 $9,691 2/5 Melville 98 Old Country Rd 3 2 $619,999 $11,200 2/5 Dix Hills 18 Penn Dr 3 2 $675,000 $14,560 2/5 Dix Hills 60 Randolph Dr 5 3 $739,900 $17,745 2/5 Dix Hills 44 Rustic Gate Ln 5 4 $789,000 $18,924 2/5 Northport 23 Carlisle Dr 4 4 $849,000 $19,613 2/5 Melville 112 Pembroke Ave 4 3 $879,000 $16,647 2/5 Cold Spring Hrbr483 Woodbury Rd 3 4 $899,000 $12,789 2/5 Lloyd Harbor 331 West Neck Rd 4 4 $949,000 $13,371 2/5 Dix Hills 50 Landview Dr 6 6 $1,799,000 N/A 2/5 Huntington Bay 24 Woodland Dr 8 5 $2,200,000 $30,504 2/5 Huntington 23 Homeland Dr 2 3 $429,000 $9,056 2/9 Dix Hills 20 Seward Dr 5 4 $789,500 $15,800 2/9
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A15
A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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Jeff Beck Set To Rock The Paramount
Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, no. 5 on Rolling Stone’s list of top 100 guitarists of all time, will play The Paramount March 16 and 17.
Guitar legend Jeff Beck will perform at The Paramount in Huntington for two nights next month. Tickets for shows Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 went on sale Feb. 1 through Ticketmaster.com, charge-byphone at 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets and The Paramount box office, open daily from noon to 6 p.m. No. 5 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Best Guitarists of All Time” list, Beck has played alongside some of the greatest artists of rock, blues and jazz during his 40-plus years in the music industry. But it’s his artistry in his live performances that have made his concerts
the stuff of legend. “This concert, featuring one of rock ’n’ roll’s legendary artists, will be a once-in-a lifetime event,” said Brian Doyle, executive director of The Paramount. “Huntington will be a part of history in the making!” Beck famously replaced Eric Clapton as the Yardbirds’ lead guitarist in 1965 and later went on to form The Jeff Beck Group, which featured Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. The constantly evolving Beck’s next move – a power trio with bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice, – once again shattered preconceptions of what a rock
guitarist was supposed to sound like. Music has always shared space with Beck’s love of hot rods. After the success of “Blow By Blow” and “Wired,” Beck began devoting more time to his fleet of cars, but 1985’s “Flash” kept him in the spotlight as he earned the Best Rock Instrumental Grammy for the song “Escape.” A second Grammy came with “Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas,” and a third for “Dirty Mind” from the “You Had It Coming” album in 2001. Touring has always been a big part of Beck’s career, his live shows and virtuoso solos becoming something of legend. His playing style continues to break new ground and reflect the eclectic musical mix that is his trademark. In 2009, Beck was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, and from there on the year was non-stop guesting with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden, another world tour, a nomination for a fifth Grammy for the track “A Day In The Life,” and entering the studio with producers Steve Lipson and Trevor Horn to work on his first studio album in nearly seven years. After touring the world promoting his album “Emotion & Commotion,” Beck was nominated in five categories for the 2011 Grammy Awards. He brought home three: Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Hammerhead” and Best Pop Instrumental performance for “Nessun Dorma,” both from “Emotion & Commotion,” and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Imagine,” his collaboration with Herbie Hancock. His “Rock ’N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul” album has been nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Visit www.jeffbeck.com for more information.
Budget (Continued from page A1)
“They had to make very difficult decisions about people’s jobs, the district’s ‘rainy day’ funds and the myriad of programs the entire district offers to all the schools. I can't imagine in this economy it is easy to let teachers go or to take any kind of pay freeze. These aren’t easy decisions to make,” the resident said. “The administration and board of education seem to being doing the best they can under the circumstances that are being handed to them. I think the real problem is with the state and federal governments, not the district.” The superintendent noted that despite budget modifications – including no combined middle school musical, no printed district calendar and reductions in athletics and clubs – students’ experience at school will not be compromised. There will be another meeting regarding the budget proposal, but district officials have not announced a date. A slideshow of the Jan. 24 presentation can be viewed on the Half Hollow Hills school website at www.halfhollowhills.k12.ny.us.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A13
Side Dish DINE HUNTINGTON.COM By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com
American, 2 pounds potato salad and a tray of tossed green salad, also $100).
DRINK IT BLACK: Super Bowl is practically a national holiday among the beer and potato chip crowd, but not so big among the coffee house set. To spur a little interest in the national pastime (football, that is, not beer), our favorite formerly-of-Huntington, boutique coffee roaster, Georgio’s Coffee Roasters (1965 New Highway, Farmingdale 516238-2999 georgioscoffee.com) would like to place a small wager with any interested Super Bowl bettors. Here’s the deal. If the Giants win on Sunday, Georgio says, coffee is free on Monday! (Milk and sugar extra.) So bring your own condiments, or man up and take it black.
SWEETS FOR THE SWEET: After Super Bowl Sunday comes Valentine’s Day, which pretty much keeps gender balance in the universe. One sign that Cupid’s favorite holiday is approaching is the appearance of heart-shaped cookies in the display cases at one of our favorite bakeries, A Rise Above Bake Shop (349 Main St., Huntington 631333-9811). The girls go a little overboard – ok, hog wild! – with the heartshaped cookie cutter this time of year. The linzer tartes, chocolate tortes and butter cookies all fall victim. Our favorite… buttery shortbread cookies, heart-shaped and garishly decorated with red pink and lavender sprinkles ($13.95 lb.)
WHEN PIGS FLY: No doubt about it, having the home team in the Super Bowl is good for business – if you’re in the business of selling heroes, ribs and potato salad, that is. Among the universe of game day take-out specials, we were tickled by this package deal from Rookies Sports Club (70 Gerard St., Huntington 631-923-0424 rookiesny.com): 100 wings, 50 pigs in a blanket, $100. Hmmm. Two wings per pig… that’s just enough wings for the little critters to fly! Owner Michelle Baldi has a variety of take-out specials lined up for game day. (100 wings, 25 mini cheeseburgers, $100; or a four-foot hero, Italian or
SENSUAL FOOD: There’s a fine line between tasteful and erotic. Italian-born Chef Tiberio Simone explores that line, and perhaps deliberately blurs it in his provocative new coffee table book, La Figa: Visions of Food and Form. Shot by Matt Freedman, it features full-color, artistically rendered portraits of the naked human body decorated with fresh ingredients. Incorporate food in your love life, he says, and you’ll discover the sublime. Stay-at-home Valentine’s Day diners can start planning their meal by visiting www.LaFigaProject.com.
Starting February 6th: Monday - Friday 10 - 8pm Saturday and Sunday 10-6pm
A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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Sweet Spots For Valentine’s Day Foodie SECTION
By DineHuntington.com foodie@longislandernews.com
Valentine’s Day has its traditions. It can be a dozen red roses, a box of chocolates, a romantic dinner for two, or if you’re feeling flush, all of these things. For that dinner for two part, some of the Foodies’ favorites have special things planned for that special night. The romance part is up to you. HONU Kitchen and Cocktails Valentine’s Day starts early at HONU Kitchen & Cocktails (363 New York Ave., Huntington 631-421-6900 honukitchen.com) with a la carte specials on the menu from Friday, February 10 to the big day, Tuesday, February 14 (closed Monday). The menu’s designed with love in mind at this Huntington hot spot, starting with Blue Point oysters on the half shell with champagne shallot mignonette ($15). Special entrees include a herb roasted chateaubriand for two with mushroom bordelaise, baby Yukon gold potatoes and choice of sides ($36 per person); and a decadent lobster ravioli with artichoke hearts and sun dried tomato-basil crème ($28). Dessert’s a no-brainer; go for the chocolate covered strawberries with fresh whipped cream ($8) and try to behave yourself.
Prime The ultimate date spot, at Prime (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 restaurantprime.com) ambiance, great dining, a world class wine list and that waterfront view combine to make this up-
scale restaurant a treat for all the senses. Of course, oysters are on the menu, served Rockefeller style ($16), or choose the house specialty spider roll ($17) or foie gras terrine with shallot confit, herb salad and brioche ($19). Since Valentine’s Day is about sharing, Surf and Turf for Two specials allow you to pair any one of the “surf ” selections with one of the “turf ” selections. Surf includes: 2-lb. lobster; Alaskan king crab; or colossal shrimp. From the turf side: filet mignon ($50 per person) Tellers’ ribeye ($60 per person) or Porterhouse ($70 per person). Save room for dessert. Choices are: flourless chocolate torte with raspberry port ice cream ($12); and Macadamia nut and dried cranberry tart with cranberry ice cream ($12).
Jonathan’s Ristorante When it comes to that romantic dinner for two, every day is Valentine’s Day at Jonathan’s Ristorante (15 Wall St., Huntington 631-549-0055 jonathansristorante.com). Surprise… oysters are on the menu. Blue Points with cucumber/apple mignonette and green apple sorbet ($16) are a fresh approach. For more conventional tastes, burrata is a fresh mozzarella treat with oven roasted tomatoes and basil pesto ($14); or seared sea scallops with eggplant & zucchini camponata and a 15year balsamic ($16). For pasta lovers, ravioli di zucca with pumpkin ravioli, cacio e pepe al tartufo nero ($13 app/$23 main). Entrees for the night are: eggplantwrapped striped bass with tomato confit, pickled shallot, saffron aioli ($32); roast
The
duck breast with black currant sauce, farro salad, asparagus ($29); and filet mignon with black truffle sauce ($38). Porto Vivo Upscale, contemporary and always alive with upbeat attitude, Porto Vivo (7 Gerard St., Huntington 631-385-8486 porto-vivo.com) has a menu of innovative tastes prepared for Valentine’s Day. Local oysters with a basil, yuzu and melon granita ($10) are a refreshing starter, or pick together at a Thai-influenced crispy Porto Vivo calamari ($12). Richer tastes might choose black truffle ravioli ($11) with foie gras creama; or crispy duck confit. Entrée choices include a coriander dusted seared rare tuna ($32); parpardelle with lobster Bolognese sauce ($24); and veal Milanese ($28). For dessert, the chocolate tasting for two ($16) – a selection of five different chocolate treats - is a no-brainer. Besito If guacamole for two prepared tableside is on your Valentine’s Day bucket list, there’s only one place to go: Besito (402 New York Ave., Huntington 631549-0100 besitomex.com). On February
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14, some special a la carte items joining the regular menu include: enchilada de mariscos, tortillas stuffed with with shrimp, crab and red snapper ($28); carne Oaxaquena, grilled steak over over a Chipotle quemado salsa and topped with Chihuahua cheese, sweet plantains, and pico de gallo. For dessert the amor en chocolate negro is heart-shaped vanilla ice cream with a raspberry sorbet center covered in dark chocolate. More to try… Newly opened J. Michaels Tuscan Steakhouse (688 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport 631-6551-9411 jmichaelstuscansteakhouse.com) combines old world warmth and a steakhouse power menu infused with a fresh Tuscan farmhouse approach, so far to rave reviews. Also new on the radar, Long Island celebrity chef Tom Schaudel’s Jewel (400 Broadhollow Rd., Melville 631755-5777 jewelrestaurantli.com) is the newest venue from a seasoned veteran. Relative newcomer Vitae Restaurant and Wine Bar (54 New St., Huntington 631-385-1919 vitaeli.com) offers a Valentine’s prix fixe and love songs performed live by Bobby V.
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MUSIC
Backstreet Boy’s Tour To Hit The Paramount
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter will make a stop in Huntington as part of a two-week solo tour to promote his second album, “I’m Taking Off.” By Luann Dallojacono ldallojacono@longislandernews.com
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is all grown up, and likely so are the fans who will flock to The Paramount theater next week for his concert. A solo show on Feb. 7 brings Carter to Huntington’s newest concert venue. He is expected to draw a dedicated fan base, many of whom were once screaming female adolescents pining for the blonde, blue-eyed pop star when the Backstreet Boys hit their peak in 1999 with their second album, “Millennium.” The fans are older – many of them now have jobs and families, and can legally drink – but as they aged, so did their teen idol. They’ll be getting an older, more mature Carter, one who has dealt with fame, fortune, its highs and its lows, but never lost his love for music and performing. Days after turning 32 on Jan. 28, he started a two-week tour to promote his second solo project, “I’m Taking Off,” featuring pulsating dance beats and pop-rock influences. His next single off the album, “Burning Up,” hit the radio last week. With a 1,500-person capacity, The Paramount is quite a departure from the arenas Carter plays when touring with the Backstreet Boys, or more recently, with NKOTBSB, the Backstreet Boys’ joint venture with fellow boy band New Kids on the Block, who reached the height of their fame as a boy band in the late ’80s and early ’90s. With only Carter and a four-piece rock band on stage, the smaller setting at The Paramount will give fans used to fighting for a glimpse of him a much more intimate experience. “Fans at the other shows sometimes sit in the nosebleeds. In this, they can get close to me in an intimate, club-setting atmosphere,” Carter said. “It’s two different worlds, but at the same time, it’s really good for the fans.” Carter said he will play guitar and perform songs from his two albums as well as a few remixed Backstreet Boys songs. “My entire record, I wrote on,” he said. “Writing for me is important because when you’ve been doing it for so long it’s almost very difficult for someone else to direct your future and where you’re going to go.” It’s been a busy time for Carter. He
spent last summer on a North American tour with NKOTBSB and appeared as a guest on “Dr. Phil” in December, opening up about his history of substance abuse, two arrests and a health scare. Carter said after his drunk-driving arrest in 2005, he knew things needed to change. The musician recalled sitting in a jail cell, being laughed at by the police officers, and finally said to himself, “This is not me.” Another incentive to make a change came when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which can be life threatening. Carter told Dr. Phil that he adopted a lifestyle of fitness and health, gave up alcohol and completely changed his life around. A year later, he said, doctors couldn’t find the cardiomyopathy. While some might squirm at the thought of discussing such personal issues on national television, Carter said it wasn’t hard to open up. In fact, he said, it has been therapeutic. “It is a part of my life; it’s been out there, been public. You get to that point where you’re a little older and think about life and what you can give back,” he said. “It’s sort of a humanitarian sort of mentality.” Carter is considering working with Dr. Phil on a book about positive thinking and his experiences. “They were interested, and I was interested in sharing,” Carter said. So what’s next for the Backstreet Boy? After his solo tour ends, it’s back to the studio to record another Backstreet Boys album, the group’s seventh. Then Carter and his pop music comrades will hop a plane in April for another NKOTBSB tour throughout Europe and Asia. But before all that happens, Carter is excited to play at The Paramount, which transformed Huntington’s downtown when it opened in September. “It’s an honor to be able to play there,” Carter said. “I’m always up for playing new places. I’ve played so many places in my life, small and big. That’s the exciting part of being an entertainer – it’s all the different places you can play.” Carter promised a stellar show, and said there will even be costumes. “Everyone can come and let loose and just have fun,” he said. “I’ve come from the world and school of putting on great shows.”
THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A11
A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Game Sends Snack Maker Soaring Angry Birds firing locally-based Healthy Food Brands’ revenue sky-high Spotlight On
Huntington Businesses By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
The advent of one of the most popular games for mobile devices also marked the beginning of a new chapter in one local business’ saga. Healthy Food Brands was founded in a Commack industrial park in 2007. But it wasn’t until the “Angry Birds” game took off that they did as well. Healthy Food Vice President Russ Asaro said the company began making only sugar-free products. That included buying the rights to Sweet ‘N Low and Sunkist Fruit and Sour Gummies. The business did well as “a smallmedium size company flying under the radar,” said Asaro. Diabetic, weight-conscious and dental-conscious customers were their main targets. According to their website, the business philosophy is to fight childhood obesity and lower early onset of type 2 diabetes. But change forced itself on Healthy Food Brands after the first several years. “The problem that happened with the sugar-free market is it got very over-saturated by many of the other brands,”
Asaro said. Being forced out of their niche, the Commack company was forced to reinvent itself. The sugar-free business took a back seat in the list of priorities in early 2011 to new products like “better for you” chocolate bars. Compared to normal chocolate, Asaro said their offerings have no artificial sweeteners and no sugar. They also started producing fruit snacks, led by Angry Birds. “Before Angry Birds became the huge brand, we had the foresight that people were playing more and more games on mobile devices,” Asaro said. The company now offers four different varieties of Angry Bird fruit snacks. Each box or bag contains red, blue, yellow or green gummies and features one of the game’s iconic bird or pig characters. It transformed Healthy Food Brands from moderately well-known in the industry to the owner of a must-have product throughout the country. Angry Bird gummies can be found in Wal-Mart, CVS, 7-Eleven, Bed Bath & Beyond, Toys ‘R Us, Blockbuster and nearly any supermarket or convenience store. The new snacks also pushed the Commack company well over the $10 million sales mark. “We hooked a big fish,” he said. “We really didn’t expect it to be the brand it is today.” These days, most of the company’s administrative tasks have been moved to owner Abe Brock’s Brooklyn offices, along with those of his other businesses.
Commack-based Healthy Food Brands has capitalized on the Angry Birds phenomenon with a new candy. However, all manufacturing, shipping and marketing still happens on Long Island in a 55,000 square-foot facility. “We’re going to be producing and shipping over a million pounds of fruit snacks per month,” Asaro said. But the vice president also confirmed they are looking to expand their home. Fitting 130 employees and the necessary equipment inside is “really tight.” “We have the ability on our property to
increase our building size by another 25,000 square feet,” he said, noting they could also acquire more space in the industrial park.
Healthy Food Brands 74 Mall Drive, Commack 212-444-9909 www.hfbusa.com
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A9
Life&Style
ART/CHARITY
Not-For-Profit Benefits From ‘Art Of Giving’ Upcoming fotofoto gallery exhibit to benefit North Shore Holiday House in Huntington By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com
Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. However, for North Shore Holiday House, it’s worth much more than that. fotofoto gallery at 14 West Carver St. in Huntington is hosting its fourth annual benefit exhibition entitled “the ART of giving” during February. All proceeds will be donated to Huntington’s North Shore Holiday House, a not-for-profit that provides underprivileged girls with the opportunity to attend sleep-away camp. “We like to be involved with charities that are Long Island based and Huntington based,” said Seth Kalmowitz, president of fotofoto gallery. The 21 members of fotofoto gallery will donate their images for the benefit. Each piece ranges in price from $25 to $200, with most in the $100 range, Kalmowitz said. A reception for the benefit will be held on Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the exhibition will continue through Feb. 28. “We’re feeling real good about it,” Kalmowitz said. “We’re a very charitable group of people here.” Continuing its pattern of charity, fotofoto gallery previously donated to the Women’s Fund of Long Island and the Heart Gallery of America. Janice Rochstein, director of administration at North Shore Holiday House, said the not-for-profit linked
North Shore Holiday House provides about 200 underprivileged girls with the opportunity to attend sleep-away camp on its grounds each year. up with fotofoto gallery during a benefit for the Long Island Fund for Women and Children. “I met Susan Kravitz, she’s one of the photographers [from fotofoto gallery], and she said we would be a good fit,” Rochstein said. North Shore Holiday House has been sending girls to sleep-away camp since 1914. The not-for-profit spends 10 months out of the year fundraising
through benefits and fund drives as well as their in-house thrift shop to send at least 200 girls to camp free of charge. All the proceeds from the thrift shop go to the North Shore Holiday House. Rochstein said the girls come from various school districts and homeless shelters on Long Island. While at camp, the girls, ages 7 to 11, participate in arts and crafts and swimming. They’re also
taught about issues they may face such as self-esteem, nutrition, anti-bullying, and fitness and health. “It’s really nice [and] very rewarding,” Rochstein said. “We have been able to do this and because of the generosity of the community we were able to do that. And here we are again with fotofoto gallery donating to us.” For more information visit www.fotofotogallery.com or www.nshh.org.
VALENTINE’S DAY
Singing Quartet Delivering Love ‘Notes’ By Katherine Vibbert info@longislandernews.com
Year after year, each Valentine’s Day brings with it the predictable goodies – a boatload of chocolate, roses galore, and sometimes even a stuffed teddy bear holding a sign that reads “I Love You!” The Nassau Mid Island chapter of the national Barbershop Harmony Society can’t promise you those usual treats, but for $50, members of the quartets are sure to impress your honey with two rehearsed serenades straight from the heart – unannounced, of course. On your date of choice Feb. 12-14, four members of the chapter, which is the largest of its kind on Long Island, will arrive at your desired location and perform two tunes for your loved one, typically between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The dapper men, dressed in tuxedoes and bright red bow ties, deliv-
er a silk rose and personal message from the sender along with the singing valentine gram. This is the society’s second largest fundraiser, and a pertinent way it receives its needed revenue. The men travel around Nassau and Western Suffolk County to deliver the melodic tunes – whether they are sung in a home, school or workplace. Popular melodies include “Heart of my Heart,” “The Story of a Rose,” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” The chapter’s current president, Jon Ayers, can even recall harmonizing in a judge’s chamber. Ayers, a Huntington resident, has been involved in the society for nearly 40 years, although this is his first year as president. He recommends sending a singing gram because he feels it’s an enjoyable and unique way to showcase your love for someone. “Sometimes people laugh and sometimes they even cry. What it really says is that somebody thinks a lot of you,”
Tuxedoed foursomes from the Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society will serenade lovers across Long Island this Valentine’s Day. said Ayers. Joel Fairman, Singing Valentine’s chairman, said “for anyone whose marriage needs saving, this is a complete antidote and works every time.”
Reservations for the singing valentines are now being accepted. To arrange for a serenade, the Barbershop Harmony Society can be contacted at 516-5219534.
A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
Opinion
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The Editor,
ollow Hills Newspaper 149 M , Huntington, ain Street, New York 11 74 3 or einfo@long mail us at islanderne ws.com
‘Not the types set up by the printer return their impression, the meaning, the main concern.’
Town Buys In
A press conference next week will urge paign initiated by the Huntington Township support for proposed legislation that will Chamber of Commerce over the past few help local government buy into the buy local years, and shares the same objectives. By movement. giving preference to local vendors, buyers – The event, scheduled for next Monday in consumer, business or government – help Huntington village, will promote a simple keep the economy churning locally. It’s piece of legislation being advanced by Coun- based on the principle that a dollar spent cilman Mark Cuthbertson with support within the community is likely to be refrom both sides of the political aisle, to give spent locally. So a dollar spent locally can local-based companies a slight edge in the turn over several times within the commubidding process. Under a code change cur- nity, generating a bit of profit and tax revenue every time. rently going before the town board This newspaper has trumfor a vote, local-based companies or EDITORIAL peted the benefits of buying lothose with a physical presence in the Town of Huntington will be awarded a five- cal – even when it costs a teeny bit more – percent differential when bidding to provide for some time, and we will continue to do so. To some it seems a provincial approach to goods or services to the town. The proposal could go before the board for take in an increasingly global economy. To a vote as early as Feb. 6. It deserves to be ap- us, it means putting our money to work where it will do the most good. proved. Keep buying local. The concept echoes the “Buy Local” cam-
Letters to the editor are welcomed by Long Islander Newspapers. We reserve the right to edit in the interest of space and clarity. All letters must be handsigned and they must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. Personal attacks and letters considered in poor taste will not be printed. We cannot publish every letter we receive due to space limitations.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Address The Abandoned Buildings
ture is worth a thousand words.” JOSEPH RAMUNNO
DEAR EDITOR: I read your article about the closing of Waldbaum’s and disagree with some of the comments by Joan Cergol, director of the Economic Development Corporation. The economy is partly to blame for some of the store closings in Huntington Station but many of the abandoned buildings along Jericho Turnpike and down Route 110 have been vacant and in disrepair for over 10 years. There is a stark contrast to the condition of the buildings and the businesses once you leave this area. Take a ride through Massapequa, Plainview, or other townships and the vacancy rate is much much less. Taking the attitude of “Not to Fret” is not helpful to the businesses in Huntington Station. There is more to Huntington then just the downtown area. I have previously sent pictures to your paper of just a small sample of the conditions in Huntington Station and other townships. Like they say, “one pic-
Melville
Address The Alzheimer’s Crisis DEAR EDITOR: The presidential race gets a tremendous amount of publicity. However, there is a race that affects many of us closer to home and that is the race to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. It’s been over a year since the president signed into law the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), which requires the federal government to create a strategic plan to address the Alzheimer’s crisis. The key to this law is in how it is implemented. A plan is now being developed which will address Alzheimer’s-related care, services and the all-important research that we so sorely need in order to find a way to stop this disease, which has a devastating impact on the patient, as well as on their loved ones who tirelessly provide for their care.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS N E W S P A P E R
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Today, an estimated 5.4 million Americans suffer with Alzheimer’s, including over 300,000 in New York State, where almost a million caregivers provide unpaid care. By 2050, if left unchecked, as many as 16 million Americans will have this disease. Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease. It steals your memory and slowly makes you incapable of doing anything, including walking, thinking and even swallowing. I am painfully aware of this, having watched — over a period of 20 years — my mother slowly waste away from Alzheimer’s and my father give up his life to care for her. That is why I now serve as an Alzheimer’s Ambassador for the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and why I am urging everyone to ensure that a comprehensive and effective national strategic plan is formulated by visiting napa.alz.org and becoming advocates. By doing so, you can share your stories and opinions and urge your legislators to require a comprehensive NAPA Plan. We are at a critical juncture where the creation of a strategic
plan to address the escalating crises is within our grasp. We need support in urging our nation’s leaders to fulfill their commitment for the millions today living with this disease and the millions more tomorrow who may face it. KATHLEEN SCOPPDISTLER
Ambassador Alzheimer’s Association Long Island
Thumbs Up For Animal Abuser Registry DEAR EDITOR: As someone who deals with dozens of cruelty-to-animals cases every week, I applaud those working to establish an online animal abuser registry in New York. Exposing and remembering people who hurt animals will better guarantee our communities' safety. Mental-health and law-enforcement experts know that the bullies and cowards who abuse animals will often cross species lines. The American Psychiatric Association identi-
Michael Schenkler Publisher Luann Dallojacono Editor Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Stephanie DeLuca Reporters
James Calandrino Ian Blanco Production/ Art Department
fies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of animal abuse in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. The link between cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence is undeniable. The public deserves to know if there is a known animal abuser in its midst. To learn more, visit www.PETA.org. MARTIN MERSEREAU, DIRECTOR
Emergency Response Team Cruelty Investigations Department PETA
Correction Regarding the article “Hills East Fences Its Way To The Top,” the fencing team is comprised of Hills East and Hills West students, their team name is not the “Thunderbirds” and Julie Park is a junior at Hills West, not a freshman.
Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A7
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON Half Hollow Hills photo/ Danny Schrafel
County Executive Steve Bellone, with other local officials outside St. Hugh’s Church last week, announces the police department’s centralized gang unit has been disbanded.
Gang Officers Return Home In a new push against gang violence, County Executive Steve Bellone announced last week that the county’s centralized gang unit has been disbanded and those officers will be returned to individual precincts. He made the announcement outside St. Hugh of Lincoln Church in Huntington Station as community activists, school board members, and town, county and police officials looked on. In 2009, each precinct’s gang units were combined into a 39-officer Patrol Special Operations Team (PSOT), designed to flood “hot spots” of gang violence in the county. “The gang officers are back in the precincts where they belong so they can fight these gangs to the streets, in the communities where the problems are occurring,” Bellone said. When those officers will be on the beat is still being coordinated and will be assigned based on need. Decentralization is in line with recommendations in a report issued by the U.S. Justice Department in September. Interim Police Commissioner Edward Webber said having gang officers back in precincts will allow them to more effectively gather and share real-time, onthe-ground intelligence, provide more opportunities to prevent gang recruitment, and enhance community policing. Community activist Rebecca Sanin called the new policy a “paradigm shift.” “I believe we will see additional community policing, a tremendous impact on the sense of safety in the community, and we will see measurable results,” she said. “This redeployment will also help police build a stronger relationship with residents and send a clear message to gangs that the county is very serious when it comes to eliminating them once and for all,” Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-N. Babylon) added. Huntington Station has been on Bellone’s mind since he took office this month. He spent his first hours as county executive visiting the shuttered Jack Abrams School with Chief of Department Jim Burke. During his visit, he told officers on the beat that he’ll have their back. “I had a simple message for the officers that night,” Bellone said. “We will no longer surrender ground to gangs in Suffolk County. We are going to take the
fight to the gangs. You will have the resources you need and the tools that you need and we will implement effective strategies and partner with our colleagues at the town.” Another tool may be coming their way. Legislator William Spencer (D-Centerport) announced he is drafting legislation that would allow the county to synchronize the ShotSpotter acoustic gunshot detection system with dozens of surveillance cameras already in place in Huntington Station. That will help officers apprehend even more suspects by providing additional visual aides, he said. “I want to send a very clear message: If you fire a gun in Huntington Station, then you had better smile because you will be on camera, and we will catch you,” Spencer said. Spencer has a conference call with ShotSpotter scheduled for Thursday to hammer out the details on cost and procedure. Town Supervisor Frank Petrone lauded the new policies, which he said would help turn up the heat on gangs. Without neutralizing crime, revitalization of Huntington Station is not possible, he said. “Gangs are a little smarter than many of us. They know that they can stay here if someone isn’t pushing them out,” he said. “Our county executive now is saying, ‘It’s time. We’re going to push them out.’” Legislator Kate Browning, who chairs the county legislature’s public safety committee, said reassigning PSOT officers will bring benefits to communities throughout the county struggling with crime by ensuring that officers are there when they are most needed. Bellone got a parting bit of tough love from community activist Dee Thompson, executive director of the Huntington Station Enrichment Center. After calling for unity in fighting for Huntington Station’s future, she praised Bellone for his attention, but told him he’d better not let up. “County Executive, you’re on the right road. Stay on that road and do the right thing,” she said, to knowing chuckles in the crowd. As Thompson admonished Bellone, he smiled broadly. “I am confident that if I veer off the road, you will let me know about it,” he said.
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A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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MELVILLE
Bank Cuts The Ribbon
Long Island-based Community National Bank (CNB) last week held grand opening ceremonies to officially open its newest branch – CNB’s ninth – at the Rubie Corporate Plaza building at 400 Broadhollow Road in Melville. Cutting the ribbon at the bank branch, from left, are: CNB Senior VP Conrad Gunther, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen O’Brien; Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland, CNB Senior VP Donna Frasco, CNB Chairman, President and CEO Start Lubow, CNB VP and Melville branch manager Craig Levy, Melville Chamber of Commerce President Mike Deluise, CNB Senior VP and CFO Jay McConie, CNB VP and Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce executive board member Vita Scaturro.
L.I. At A Tipping Point A
Long Island Briefing By Nancy Rauch Douzinas info@longislandernews.com
I often get curious looks when I tell people that Long Island could be the next Silicon Valley or San Diego. Believe it or not, we’re not so far off. Like Silicon Valley and San Diego, Long Island is ripe with innovation. We have world-class research centers like Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Feinstein Institute at North Shore LIJ. We also have successful research universities in Stony Brook University, Hofstra University and Farmingdale to name a few. These institutions are having an impact. As the newly released Long Island Index report shows, our science and engineering sectors are growing: • Long Island has already created nearly 46,000 technology jobs • From 2000-2010, federal funding for research and development increased 50percent • Over the past three years, Long Island churned out over 2,000 patents – a record for our region • Last year, Long Island was second only to Silicon Valley in the number of small business grants. Our region’s leaders have taken notice and started to take action to foster further growth in these sectors. Chief among these efforts was the creation of Accelerate Long Island. Operating under the auspices of the Long Island Association, Accelerate was modeled after San Diego’s highly successful organization Connect and represents a serious effort to overcome turf issues and get Long Island working together to commercialize and benefit from the inventions created
here. The island’s success in competing for New York State innovation dollars – which brought in $101 million – is a testament to the positive things that can happen here. All of this is good news and shows that we are on the right track, but there are still pieces missing from the puzzle. Pieces that are preventing Long Island from realizing its potential as a truly innovative region. What’s holding us back are some of the same seemingly intractable Long Island issues that we’ve been grappled with for years: (1) not enough housing choices that people want and can afford, like apartments in our downtown areas; (2) a cumbersome, slow-moving and costly government; and (3) perhaps the hardest thing of all to overcome, our fear of and reluctance to change. That last part is the toughest one of all because it means that we never really test what our potential might be. As a result, things just get worse. Of course, San Diego and Silicon Valley had their own heavy lifting to do in order to take off as innovation hubs. What we Long Islanders need to do is become more active and start talking about these issues in our homes, with friends, at dinner parties, at public meetings and at the deli. We need to support those courageous leaders who stand up to tackle the tough housing and bureaucratic issues that have been holding us back. Who knows…with this level of engagement and innovation, the overall quality of life on Long Island might just tip in our favor. Nancy Rauch Douzinas is president of the Rauch Foundation and publisher of the Long Island Index.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A5
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
‘Kung Hei Fat Choi’ Photo by Felice Kristall
The lunar new year, most important of all traditional Chinese holidays, was celebrated on Jan. 23 – the year of the dragon. Many customs and symbols are associated with this holiday, also known as the Spring Festival. Red – considered a lucky color – was the color of the day for Jacinta Perini’s kindergarten class at Otsego Elementary School. The class paraded throughout the school and visited classrooms to show many symbolic items, including lanterns, dolls, red money envelopes, books, and of course, a dragon. Their parting words? “Kung Hei Fat Choi!” TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Buying Local At Town Hall Board considering five percent edge on bids By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
A proposal before the Huntington Town Board would make buying local an official part of doing business by allowing local vendors a 5-percent price cushion as their bids are considered. A new local law sponsored by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson would add a “local preference” subsection to the portion of town code governing how the Purchasing Division evaluates bids. The town held a public hearing on the legislation Jan. 10. “During continued economic turbulence, it is critically important for the Town of Huntington to assist our local businesses through innovative legislation and not only creative but common-sense thinking,” Cuthbertson wrote in a letter to Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce members on Jan. 16. Under the local preference clause, a person who has maintained a place of business, staffing and an operational office in the Town of Huntington for at least one year before filing a proposal will be given 5-percent leeway in their bidding price. The town would be able to consider a Huntington business the lowest bidder so long as their price is no more than 5 percent higher than the lowest price quoted by an out-of-town business. “It’s just one of the factors that will be considered,” Councilwoman Susan Berland said. “With two companies being equal… the company in the Town should have that edge.” Councilman Mark Mayoka said the law would complement the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce’s award-winning Buy Local campaign. “It allows small businesses an opportunity to compete, and it helps local businesses in this time of economic crisis in
the town,” he said. “This is something that will be a benefit for small businesses and give them a little bit of a leg up on businesses outside the town.” Cuthbertson has scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the corner of New York Avenue and Elm Street in Huntington village, where he said he would announce full details of the pro-
“What’s really very important to realize is that every dollar you spend in your community multiplies in your community. Every time they spend the money locally, they’re not only helping the one local business but all the other businesses around it.” — MIKE DELUISE, President,Melville ChamberOfCommerce posal and seek feedback. The measure has support from local business leaders. Melville Chamber of Commerce President Mike Deluise praised Cuthbertson’s proposal, arguing any additional government spending that stays local would boost the economy. “What’s really very important to realize is that every dollar you spend in your community multiplies in your community,” he said. “Every time they spend the money locally, they’re not only helping the one local business but all the other businesses around it.” The town board could vote on Cuthbertson’s measure as early as their Monday, Feb. 6 meeting.
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A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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Miss Manners Was On Vacation ceiving such a greeting? Was it one of our downTemper, temper… I have to share with you town eateries or does she have a lucky man in her something I saw while stopped at a light the other life? day. I couldn’t quite figure out why, but a woman behind me in traffic got out of her car, marched up Tropics… Mother Nature certainly has been to a Ford Explorer ahead of me and to the left and very kind to us this winter thus far. In fact, I’d say started wagging her finger (angrily, I think) at the the weather has almost downright balmy, especialoccupants, lecturing them about something. I didn’t ly compared to last year’s snowy, hear what it was – the window was closed, I was windy and freezing weather. So cold and I didn’t feel it when I caught a license plate was polite to snoop. As IN THE KNOW reading FINS2RYT in HuntingWITH AUNT ROSIE she stomps back to her ton village on Friday, I had to car, she wagged her finger smile. It already feels like Marbriefly at the car behind them before getting garitaville and every passing day means one day back into her car! Not that it’s ever been a good closer to cheeseburgers in paradise, or at least idea to get into verbal fisticuffs on the road, but with family and friends. Now if I could only nowadays, it seems even riskier. I have to give the snatch up some Jimmy Buffett tickets the next woman credit for her chutzpah though – she didn’t time he’s out this way before his other fans devour seem to be much younger than me! them.
Just because you drive an armored truck… doesn’t mean you get to hog the parking lot at Dunkin’ Donuts, buddy. The other day, I pulled up to my local Dunkin’ for my morning jolt. Usually, there are about five spots up for grabs in front of the store, with caffeine-deprived souls just like me alternating in and out to get their java. Oh, no – not this morning; instead of five cars, there was just one spot open – and a big, honking armored truck splayed across four parking spots lengthwise. When I went inside, I saw the offending party – I could tell because I saw his company’s logo on his jacket. Now, I had a brief moment where I wanted to tell him off for being such a pig in the parking lot, but alas, better judgment prevailed at that early hour and I got my coffee, left before he did, and muttered a few choice words under my breath.
Fly away… Did anyone see the young woman with pink and purple balloons walking down Wall Street? Between the breeze blowing and the amount of balloons – more than a dozen – I was a little concerned she may lift off! I’m also a bit perplexed where those balloons were headed for. I’m smart enough to know Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away – hint, hint guys – but who was re-
You’ve been warned… I don’t know about you, but I get at least 10 of those email chains a day. Some are entertaining, some quite informative and others are just plain ridiculous, but I try to pass on the ones that are actually useful. Last week I got one warning me about a jury duty scam, and since I don’t want this to happen to any of you, I’ll put out a little PSA here in my column. Have your guard up if someone calls claiming to be a jury duty coordinator. The email chain reads: “If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo; your identity was just stolen.” The FBI has warnings on its website of similar scams, so be careful with your personal information my friends! (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)
POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler
Stolen Right From The Driveway A Huntington Station resident called Suffolk County police on Jan. 2 to report a theft. The complainant said someone stole a black 2006 Acura parked in the driveway.
Then Why Bother Breaking In? A Dix Hills resident called Suffolk County police on Jan. 27 in response to a burglary. Police determined an unknown man forced open a rear bedroom window to gain entry. There was no indication of what, if anything, he took.
Alleged Thief Tries To Fool Store A Brooklyn woman was arrested by Suffolk County police in Huntington Station on Jan. 26 on theft charge. A department store employee called police to report she allegedly had a forged ID card that she used to purchase three handbags and a wallet. The 26-year-old was charged with grand larceny.
Quite A Haul Suffolk police were dispatched to a Melville hotel on Jan. 26. A guest at the hotel for a conference discovered his 2010 Nissan had been entered. Upon further inspection, an iPad, iPhone, iTouch, jewelry and credit cards were missing.
PD: Woman Nabbed Shoplifting A Greenlawn woman was charged with petit larceny on Jan. 25. Suffolk police were summoned to a Melville department store about a shoplifter. The 18-year-old allegedly took assorted clothing.
Cooking Up Trouble A South Huntington resident called Suffolk County police to report a break-in on Jan. 25. The complainant said an unknown person entered through a kitchen window before taking a flat screen TV, two iPads and two Kindles.
No Feed On Thief A Huntington resident called Suffolk County police on Jan. 24 to report criminal mischief. An unknown person had previously cut the cable wire to the house.
Send a photo of your pre-school age child or your favorite pet along with a brief anecdotal background and we’ll consider it for “Baby Faces” or “Pet Faces.” For babies, include baby’s full name, date of birth, hometown and names of parents and grandparents. For pets, please include the pet’s name, age, hometown and breed, if applicable. Send to info@longislandernews.com or mail it to: Baby of the Week or Pet of the Week, c/o Long-Islander, 149 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.
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What Prompted The Attack? A Huntington Station man was taken into custody on Jan. 23 after an alleged attack. Suffolk police responded to a Huntington Station gas station, where a female victim said he punched her, breaking a tooth and causing her cheek to swell. The 40-year-old was charged with misdemeanor assault.
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“You’re not getting a job through a resume. It’s all about who they know.” These Ladies Have ‘Moxxie’ , PAGE A3
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Village police were dispatched to a Fort Salonga Road parking lot on Jan. 20 about property damage. The complainant said a shopping cart had hit and caused minor damage to her car. Police found a cart pushed off to the side. She told police she was concerned because she had recently ended a relationship and received a text from one of his friends asking about her vehicle. Police said the damage did not appear intentional or malicious.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • A3
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
These Ladies Have ‘Moxxie’ Women’s professional mentoring group enjoys growing support on 110 Corridor By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
An organization dedicated to providing women with enriching mentoring opportunities is gaining support throughout the Town of Huntington, especially in the Route 110 business corridor in Melville. Beth Meixner, who operates the Moxxie Network out of her Brightwaters home, founded the group three and a half years ago, giving up a position as Target Media Group’s sales and marketing director. “I just felt there were a lot of organizations that started 25-35 years ago whose mission was to promote women in business. I found they were all networking and they weren’t going the extra mile to help women in business. So I thought, let’s do something else… let’s do something to help women and do something through mentoring.” The Moxxie Network, Meixner said, was founded to give women in business that extra edge by providing mentoring and character building opportunities for business-minded women of all ages. The extra “X” in the name represents a woman’s extra X chromosome, which is
illustrated in their logo by placing a woman’s leg over the letter Y. The Moxxie Network supports Junior Moxxie for college-aged women; Ms. Moxxie, which provides group mentoring for women in their 20s; and Moxxie Girl, a partnership with the Girls Scouts. A Moxxie Girl patch for the scouts is in the works, Meixner said, and the Moxxies have already hosted a series of college workshops for high school-aged Girl Scouts. In addition to providing monthly breakfast events and field trips to places like Oheka Castle, the ABC-TV news studios and Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice’s office, Junior Moxxie pairs collegiate women with senior-level businesswomen for a year of mentoring. “[We want our members to be able to] look someone in the eye, shake their hand confidently and tell them, ‘I just graduated from C.W. Post with a degree in criminal justice, and I’m looking for this,’” Meixner said. “We want to develop a little moxie within them, develop some self confidence.’” The young students also join their mentors at business events. Networking is key, Meixner said – especially in
this economy. “We bring them to business and mentoring events to get the college woman out of a campus mindset and into a business mindset,” she said. “You’re not getting a job through a resume. It’s all about who they know.” Meixner draws many of her volunteer mentors, like Susanne Kirpatrick, a senior vice president for Sovereign Bank in Melville, from the Huntington area. Kirpatrick has been in banking since 1985 and a member of the Moxxie Network for about a year. However, for the first time, she’ll be a mentor. “I remember how hard it is starting out in the business world and what a difference it makes to have a mentor who can show you the ropes,” Kirpatrick added. “If you’re not actually living it and working it in the business world, you don’t know what it takes to survive there.” For the seasoned businesswoman and mother of three boys ages 16, 20 and 22, the opportunity to pay forward some of her experience is one she couldn’t pass up. “I’m excited about the mentoring – it’s a wonderful way to give back, a wonderful way to give back to young girls,” Kir-
Members of the Junior Moxxie program visit Oheka Castle in Huntington, where they met with Sales Director Nancy Melius. patrick said. So far, the Moxxie Network has around 100 members overall, and 20 mentors for the Junior Moxxie program. Meixner said she expects the group to become a nonprofit organization sometime this year. “It’s all about one generation of women mentoring the next,” she said.
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Stern Pitches Sewer Infrastructure Bank Model would encourage private investment to raise funds for expansion By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
Expanding the county’s sewer infrastructure, a long-time priority of Suffolk leadership, may end up relying on a public-private partnership. Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) filed legislation Jan. 3 that would direct the county’s planning and public works departments to study the feasibility of such a model in Suffolk County. They would have to file a report within six months. The legislation went before the Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee on Monday afternoon. Stern said expanding the county’s sew-
er system has long been a priority, especially on the west end of Suffolk. Expanding sewer coverage would allow for priorities like workforce housing, economic development and protection of the county’s sole-source aquifer to be met, he added. “Inevitably, it comes back to sewer infrastructure, which is insufficient to meet those needs now. It’s certainly insufficient for our future,” Stern said. With several projects for western Suffolk in the pipeline, Stern said the county is grappling with how to pay for it all. An infrastructure bank would marry seed money from the county with substantial investments from private investors with
DIX HILLS
DWI Bust In Accident Photo by Steve Silverman
A Wheatley Heights man was charged with drunk driving after crashing his vehicle into another last week. Thomas Spina, 59, was arrested by Suffolk police on Jan. 26 following an accident on Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. Police said Spina was making a Uturn near Royal Lane at 8:25 a.m., when his Honda SUV collided with a Chevrolet sedan. Dix Hills firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Using extrication tools, they removed a door from the SUV and freed Spina. Subsequently, both he and a woman in the sedan were rushed to Huntington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Spina, police said, was given an appearance ticket for misdemeanor DWI.
After his Honda SUV and a Chevrolet sedan collided last Thursday, Thomas Spina was charged with DWI. Phone messages for comment to Dix Hills Fire Department were not returned. -KOEHLER
an interest in the project. So, if the county was pursuing a $60-million project, the county might put down $20 million and seek private investments for the remaining $40-million. New sewer projects and upgrades of existing facilities, like the Northport Sewage Treatment plant, would be eligible to participate. “We talk about public-private partnerships all the time in various degrees – this effort would be truly an example of public-private partnership,” Stern said. Such a bank would appeal to capital markets, pension funds and stakeholders in the sewer district, and investors seeking safe, conservative investments with a reasonable rate of return. Interest on the private investments would be paid with revenues from the new sewer district, allowing the county to avoid increased debt and spending related to bonding. Financial incentives for the investors would also be given for hitting certain benchmarks, like getting the project done early or under budget. “You can utilize this kind of model and use a private business approach rather than a big government approach,” Stern said. “It ensures the project proceeds and it’s a much more effective way when you’re looking at these big, important projects we want to do.” Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-N. Babylon) said such a model, if workable in Suffolk, would help create jobs and allow the county to avoid floating new bonds and hitting up taxpayers for the interest payment. “I’m willing to take a look,” he said. “It’s a way for private entities having an interest in getting a project done to provide funding for that project to ensure it gets done. You’re not using taxpayer money to get it done – the payback is what’s key.” While creating an infrastructure bank would assist long-term efforts and help
fund sewer projects when little public money is available, Legislator William Spencer (D-Centerport) said some situations, like the Northport Wastewater Treatment Plant, cannot wait six months or more. The village is working against the clock to reduce the plant’s nitrogen output by 2014 to avoid a hefty FDA fine. It has raised about $1.5 million for the $9-million project and can take out low-interest bonds from the state to pay the rest. However, the large bond would result in a sizable tax hike for village residents. Spencer filed legislation Monday that would draw $7.6 million from an overflow account in the county’s quarter-cent open space preservation fund to quickly address the looming environmental and financial threat. “This is a shovel-ready project. You talk about spending the money and getting the value for your dollar – this $7.5 million will bring this project to completion,” Spencer said. “You’ll have an immediate impact on the water, boaters, shellfish, opening the beaches, the businesses in Northport, the residents of Northport and Centerport Harbor.” Northport Village Trustee Henry Tobin said he’s excited to see Spencer following through on the funding proposal so early in his term. “It’s really very necessary for the economic stability and well-being of the taxpayers and the residents of Northport,” he said. “It’s important for the health of the water and everyone who uses the water.” As for Stern’s proposal, Tobin said it’s a “great idea” to study how to launch an infrastructure bank in Suffolk. “The process may take too long for Northport’s needs, but all of us have a stake in making sure all of Suffolk County’s water is kept clean,” he said.
A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 2, 2012
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