The Times of Middle Country - April 6, 2023

Seussical

in Northport

MIDDLE COUNTRY

Checking the pulse

Middle Country special election to gauge public attitudes ahead of November

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Town Board and triggering a special election Tuesday, April 25, to complete his unexpired term ending in December.

The 3rd Council District spans Centereach, Selden and Lake Grove, with parts of Lake Ronkonkoma, Farmingville, Port Jefferson Station and Holtsville. Republicans currently occupy eight of the town’s 10 elected offices and hold a 5-1 majority on the Town Board.

Bass, of Centereach, worked in private practice before entering the Suffolk County Attorney’s Office, where she currently deals with procurements, contracts and legislative drafting while coordinating with law enforcement agencies.

TOWN

The eyes of Brookhaven are upon Middle Country, where a special election later this month will help gauge the pulse of the people.

Former Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) took over as town clerk in February, vacating his seat on the

Less than three weeks until Election Day, citizens townwide will be watching CD3, with implications for general elections this November.

Attorney Alyson Bass and civil servant Neil Manzella have received the town Democratic and Republican committee nods, respectively.

She is also involved in various community activities, serving as vice president of the Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce and president-elect of the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association.

“My whole entire career was built on helping people, resolving problems and STORY CONTINUED ON A3

Alyson Bass, left, and Neil Manzella are the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively, for the Town of Brookhaven’s 3rd Council District.

Left from Bass’ LinkedIn page; right courtesy Manzella

opens

Also: Fl!p Circus heads to Lake Grove, Easter Egg Hunts on the North Shore

Election

Continued from COVER

communicating,” she said in an interview. “To some extent, I’ve always felt that I was in public service to some degree because of the nature of my work,” adding that pursuing elective office “feels like a natural progression for me.”

Manzella, of Selden, has held various civil service posts throughout his professional career, working in the information technology department at the William Floyd and Longwood school districts before transferring to the Suffolk County Board of Elections. He currently works in the Town of Brookhaven Assessor’s Office, where he has been for five years.

“Ever since I got involved in government, I’ve loved being able to serve the community,” he told TBR News Media. “I was offered this opportunity to run for an office that can really focus my attention on my home community, and I jumped at the opportunity.”

Policies

Bass indicated that the 3rd District is simultaneously grappling with several qualityof-life concerns as the Town Board works to overcome the financial and logistical pitfalls associated with closing the Brookhaven landfill. This facility constitutes roughly half of the town’s public revenue.

“I think pushing to have a plan in place so that we aren’t so affected by the closure of the town dump is huge,” she said.

Given the 3rd District’s dense commercial and residential areas, Manzella highlighted the need for continual and close coordination with the town Highway Department in repaving local roadways.

“Kevin [LaValle] did a fantastic job on helping our roads, and I want to see that

continued,” the Republican said.

This month’s special election comes amid calls from Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to increase statewide housing stock by 3% over three years, a plan recently ridiculed by town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R). [See this week’s story, “Brookhaven officials speak out against governor’s proposed housing plan.”]

Despite gubernatorial pressures, both candidates for CD3 preferred local municipal oversight over development projects in Middle Country. Bass, a former Queens resident, was apprehensive about applying a New York City standard to Brookhaven.

“I came back here for a reason, and I am interested in preserving the suburban lifestyle,” she said, noting that expanding affordable housing options for district residents remains “hugely important.”

Manzella centered his development aims around CD3’s commercial sector, which includes the bustling corridors of Middle Country and Portion roads. The candidate suggested the numerous undeveloped lots as a potentially lucrative tax base for the town.

“If somebody’s going to be coming in and building a shop, we don’t want to drag our feet with it,” he said. “We want to help them get through any red tape that they might hit governmentally and get them on the tax roll.”

Encouraging district residents to remain on Long Island by hosting frequent community events and activities are necessary, Manzella added. For Bass, reducing the town’s carbon footprint, promoting renewables and expanding teen programs are all on the agenda.

Prior to the special election April 25, early voting will occur at 700 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank, beginning Saturday, April 15, and running through Sunday, April 23. For more information, visit the website www. suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE/2023Special-Early-Voting-FAQ.

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LEGALNOTICE

TOTHETAXPAYERSOFTHE

SELDENFIREDISTRICT:

NOTICEISHEREBYGIVEN ,

SELDENFIREDISTRICT, FireCommissionersofthe adoptedbytheBoardof thataresolutionwasduly

Law. oftheGeneralMunicipal providedforbySection6(g) permissivereferendumas March,2023,subjecttoa York,onthe28thdayof ofSuffolk,StateofNew TownofBrookhaven,County

resolutionisasfollows: Anextractofthe

TheSELDENFIREDISTRICTmaintainsaCapital

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GroundsMaintenance,RepairsandCapitalImprovementsknownas

equipment,anditproposed oflawnmaintenance forth;namely,thepurchase purposehereinafterset fundstoaccomplishthe accountthereissufficient MunicipalLawinwhich Section6(g)oftheGeneral CapitalReserve#1under

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daysunlessinthemeanwhileamandatoryreferendumasprovidedforin

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beheld.

DATED:March28,2023

BOARDOFFIRECOMMISSIONERSSELDENFIREDISTRICT

TOWNOFBROOKHAVEN

ATTEST:

MARIONWARREN

Secretary

1384504/61xtmc

LEGALNOTICE

TOTHETAXPAYERSOFTHE

SELDENFIREDISTRICT:

NOTICEISHEREBYGIVEN ,

SELDENFIREDISTRICT, FireCommissionersofthe adoptedbytheBoardof thataresolutionwasduly

Law. oftheGeneralMunicipal providedforbySection6(g) permissivereferendumas March,2023,subjecttoa York,onthe28thdayof ofSuffolk,StateofNew TownofBrookhaven,County

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DATED:March28,2023

BOARDOFFIRECOMMISSIONERSSELDENFIREDISTRICT

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ATTEST:

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Secretary

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NEWYORK

Allproposalsmustbe

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OFFIRECOMMISSIONERS BYORDEROFTHEBOARD

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Selden,NewYork11784. toourofficeP.O.Box870, Selden,NewYork,ormailed

Dated:March28,2023

1384704/61xtmc

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The Village Times Herald, Setauket

Daniel Dunaief

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The Port Times Record, Port Je erson

Raymond Janis

is reporter delves deep into a complicated story about a town landmark and development pressures and how a community can approach preserving a delicate area in the face of continued deterioration. Nicely written, well-sourced and clearly a story that is of deep interest to this community. is kind of coverage is the hallmark of strong local reporting.

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The Times of Smithtown, Smithtown

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The Village Times Herald, Setauket

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The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Miller Place woman still missing

Suffolk County Police

Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a Miller Place woman who was reported missing last week. Milinda Carman, 41, was last seen leaving her home on Old Cow Path on March 29 at approximately 11 a.m. She was reported missing by a friend on March 30. She drives a 2021 bright red Jeep Wrangler, New York State license plate HYK 6024. Carman is Caucasian, 5 feet 6 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds. She has blonde hair and green eyes. Detectives are asking anyone with information on her location to call 911 or the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8646.

Smithtown man killed in motor vehicle crash on LIE

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on April 5 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle following a fatal crash in Brentwood. Brandon Gillespie was at the wheel of a 2012 Jeep Liberty stopped in the right lane of eastbound Long Island Expressway, east of Sagtikos Parkway, when the vehicle was rear-ended by a 2016 Ford box truck at approximately 12:45 a.m. Gillespie, 36, of Smithtown was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The driver of the Ford, Taron Smith, was not injured. Smith, 31, of Patchogue was arrested and charged with alleged Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree. He was also issued multiple summonses for Federal Motor Carrier Safety violations. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip a later date. Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call the Third Squad at 631854-8352.

Arrests made for selling alcohol and e-cigarettes to minors in Coram, MI

Suffolk County Police arrested six employees after they allegedly sold alcohol and liquid e-nicotine to minors at businesses in the Sixth Precinct on April 2.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Wanted for Lake Grove petit larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two men who allegedly stole clothes from Macy’s, located at 2 Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, on March 17 at approximately 5:45 p.m. The items were valued at more than $230.

The following people were charged with alleged Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the First Degree: Harmohinder Sidhu, 58, of Coram, an employee of GASCON on Middle Country Road in Coram; Ender Atay, 39, of Sound Beach, an employee of BP Gas Station on Middle Country Road in Coram; Rajender Kumar, 35, of Hicksville, an employee of Mobil Gas Station on Middle Country Road in Coram; Felix Castro, 46, of East Elmhurst, an employee of Express Deli Market on Middle Country Road in Coram; Raffat Hussain, 40, of Selden, an employee of Smiley Convenience Smoke Shop on Middle Country Road in Middle Island; and Mohammed Harun, 55, of Mastic, an employee of Shell Gas Station on Middle Country Road in Middle Island.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

Do you recognize these two men? Photos from SCPD

Milinda Carman

Brookhaven officials speak out against governor’s proposed housing plan

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Town of Brookhaven elected officials made it clear at a March 30 press conference how they feel about a plan proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).

The governor has included a housing program titled The New York Housing Compact in the 2024 state budget. Opponents say the proposal should be a stand-alone item and not incorporated in the budget which was due Saturday, April 1. However, on April 3, state lawmakers voted to extend the deadline to April 10.

Town Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Manorville) and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) joined town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) at the March 30 press conference to express their concerns regarding the housing proposal. Members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization and Stony Brook Concerned Homeowners were also on hand to show their opposition to the governor’s plan.

In her State of the State message earlier this year, Hochul proposed the housing strategy calling for 800,000 new homes to be built in the state over the course of a decade to address the lack of housing. Among the plan’s requirements would be municipalities with Metropolitan Transportation Authority railroad stations to rezone to make way for higher-

density residential development. All downstate cities, towns and villages served by the MTA would have a new home creation target over three years of 3%, compared to upstate counties that would need to build 1% more new homes over the same period.

Romaine criticized the plan setting goals that would eliminate current local procedures

“You are exempt from environmental concerns,” he said. “You don’t have to have sewers. There are no height restrictions. There is no community feedback and local zoning is ignored.”

Romaine said if the plan goes through it would cause quality of life issues, including more traffic and congestion on the roads.

“We need incentives because we need sewers,” the supervisor added. “We need infrastructure, and we are willing to work with the state. But if you seek to override zoning and impose against the will of the community housing that is not compatible, you are undermining the very fabric of the quality of life in Brookhaven Town.”

Panico echoed the supervisor’s sentiments and added there are areas in the town where

multi-housing developments make sense due to town codes being amended.

“I can give you four quick examples, right in Port Jeff Station, in Mastic Beach, in East Patchogue, in North Bellport,” Panico said. “Places that lend themselves to this type of development that are not overly constricted by traffic already.”

Kornreich also said the plan is misguided and that local control is important because elected officials possess the granular information to make decisions that are the best for the community.

“The point that my colleagues have made is that different areas have different challenges and require different solutions,” he said. “But we’re not here to engage in scare tactics, and this isn’t NIMBYism, we’re just trying to say a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to work community by community in the same way.”

Kornreich added plans are already in the works to “revitalize and redevelop a true downtown area around the train station in Port Jefferson Station, just one stop down the line from here, and create a walkable neighborhood with diverse housing stock that people can

actually afford.”

The councilmember said near the Stony Brook station, where the press conference took place, “is not a downtown that can bear any real intensity.”

He added there are no privately held plots around the Three Village train station large enough for major development.

Jane Taylor, executive director of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, said housing plans need to take into consideration local zoning, location and consider community support.

“Being told by the state that we have to do it creates landmines for those of us who live here,” Taylor said. “We’ve got concerns about sewers, our water supply. Those are all things that are very important and need to be addressed.”

Gloria Rocchio, WMHO president, thanked Romaine for “shining a spotlight” on the issue.

“While Long Islanders, traveling back and forth to work trying to make a living, not really knowing what’s happening, this negative zoning proposal is looming,” she said. “It will change our beautiful Island forever. The reason that Long Island is the way it is now is because of local elected officials working together with residents.”

Brookhaven officials, including Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, at podium above, and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, left, gather at Stony Brook train station to express their concerns with the governor’s housing proposal. Photos by Rita J. Egan

Each municipality has its own unique housing needs

It’s widely accepted that providing affordable housing options for students, seniors and everyone in between is a crucial need in our community, even as we acknowledge that this demand takes different forms in different places. In the Three Village area, for example, there is a unique demand for affordable housing from students at Stony Brook University. This is driven by a lack of on-campus options, certain university policies and student choice. Unfortunately, this demand has contributed to a thriving illegal market in substandard rentals which disrupts the fabric of our neighborhoods and sometimes leads to students being exploited by unscrupulous landlords. I believe SBU could help address this problem by constructing more student housing on campus. It’s worth noting that New York State currently doesn’t need our permission to build on their own land, as they’re already exempt from local zoning regulations. They have not chosen to do so.

PERSPECTIVE

York State have attempted to address the supply side by creating tax subsidies and other incentives for developers and investors to create affordable housing. Suffolk County has created solutions directed toward residents, such as rent subsidies for renters, down-payment assistance for homebuyers and other programs. At the town level, local governments have the ability, through land use and zoning, to offer incentives for the development of affordable units. In fact, the Town of Brookhaven has recently created a new tool known as the Commercial Redevelopment District to help achieve this goal.

require an extraordinary effort, I believe the results will be truly transformative. The town grants development bonuses to builders who provide affordable housing units or housing for individuals with special needs as part of their plans. The code also requires the inclusion of smaller units which will also be more affordable.

single-source aquifer under our feet.

In other areas of the Town of Brookhaven, there may not be as many college students looking for rentals, but a strong demand for affordable housing still exists. We clearly need to do more to address this issue using the tools available at each level of government. The federal government and New

The intent of the CRD is to help create a pathway to revitalize abandoned, vacant or underutilized commercial developments and transform them into walkable, vibrant and affordable places for people to live in, work and enjoy life. I am proud to say that in our council district, we are leading the way with a major revitalization initiative planned in Port Jefferson Station. Since taking office, I have been working hard to get these incredibly large and complex projects moving. Although it will

By Jonathan Kornreich

Replacing outdated commercial spaces with residential units makes good sense from a planning standpoint and can have a positive impact on traffic, affordability and the environment. For example, think about the difference in traffic generated by a single-family home and a convenience store of about the same size — residential units generate far less traffic. As for affordability, the principles of supply and demand suggest that as new housing stock is added to the market, it can help ease upward price pressure and make existing housing stock more affordable. And when supported by sewer infrastructure, this type of development helps the environment by protecting the precious and vulnerable

I want to emphasize that in opposing Albany’s housing proposal, we’re not trying to use fear tactics or take a “not in my backyard” approach. We’re ready, willing and able to build affordable housing right here in our community, and we’ve already demonstrated the willingness to develop new tools to get the job done. I want our governmental partners in Albany to recognize that each municipality has its own specific needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t make sense here.

Local government is the level closest to the people, and I believe town council members are uniquely qualified to know and be accountable to the needs of our districts on a granular level. It is vital that we’re allowed to do the thing we were elected to do: To make thoughtful, informed decisions about land use and development, ensure our communities remain affordable and safe, to protect the environment and to save our suburbs from overdevelopment and sprawl.

Jonathan Kornreich (D) is Town of Brookhaven councilmember for District 1, which consists of Stony Brook, Old Field, Poquott, Setauket, East Setauket, Belle Terre, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station and Terryville.

Smithtown East 27 Centereach 8

Smithtown East Bulls defeat Centereach Cougars

BY BILL LANDON DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

The Cougars of Centereach softball took on the Bulls of Smithtown East in their season opener at home on a cold and windy afternoon under brilliant sunshine Thursday, March 30. Smithtown East took the lead in the top of the

second inning, but the Cougars mounted a rally in the bottom of the third, looking to stay within striking distance. It would be the Bulls’ bats that did the talking the rest of the way, putting together a scoring frenzy that Centereach was unable to counter, winning the game, 27-8, in the League IV contest.

Smithtown East senior pitcher Gabby

Amicizia was credited with the win.

Centereach will look for their first win of this early season with a road game against crosstown rival Newfield April 5. Game time is 11 a.m. Results were not available at press time. The Bulls were back in action with a nonleague road game against William Floyd, which was originally scheduled April 1, but due to rain,

was rescheduled for April 4. Smithtown East won, 8-2. The Bulls also took on Bellport for league play at home April 3, where they once again walked away with a win, 8-1. Smithtown East traveled to Ward Melville High School April 5. Results were not available at press time.

Clockwise from top, Centereach sophomore Jaidyn Ness hits a line drive; Centereach sophomore Giselle Hernandez crosses home plate; and safely on at third. Photos by Bill Landon

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Democracy prevails

Democracies don’t exist for their statutes or procedures or rules. They are given life by, and exist to serve, the people.

Representative government can only function if citizens direct their elected officials toward representative policy ends. This process worked to perfection Monday night, April 3, when the Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to rescind a resolution to extend terms of service for village officials — reversing a unanimous decision rendered just two weeks earlier.

We regard this outcome as a victory for the people and the board, a reflection of the dynamic interplay between public officials and their constituents. We congratulate Port Jeff citizens and representatives alike for this democratic response.

Monday meant more than a simple reversal of posture. Residents turned out in force, filling the boardroom and demonstrating their interest and engagement in the local decision-making process.

Leaders of the newly reformed Port Jefferson Civic Association made formal contact with their village officials, introducing themselves and expressing their community aims. We view this as a decisive first step toward active collaboration between the local governing body and its civic.

But the board itself deserves immense credit for its leadership and accountability over a delicate policy matter. We are all fallible creatures, prone to occasional lapses in judgment and error.

It takes a greater sense of self-knowledge and courage to publicly admit fault and correct a mistake. We thank the board for upholding the foundational principle that the power of government is derived from the consent of the governed

The work in this village is still unfinished. It isn’t enough to show up once amid the height of the storm. Another tempest is always brewing, and today’s calmer seas will be tomorrow’s surging tides.

Democracy requires persistent effort and engagement from residents. It demands citizens be present at all village board meetings, for they are the drivers of this system.

Still, the board’s action Monday validated the democratic principle. It illustrates that the light of liberty and conscience can and will prevail in this village. For this moment, may we all rejoice at the simple splendor of local democracy done right.

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL

We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: editor1@tbrnewsmedia.com or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

Letters to the Editor

Support community newspapers, Albany

Passage of the proposed New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act by the state Legislature is important to assure survival of local journalism. Most communities are down to one local daily or weekly newspaper. Newspapers have to deal with increasing costs for newsprint, delivery and distribution along with reduced advertising revenues and competition from the internet and other news information sources.

Daily newspapers concentrate on international, Washington, Albany, business and sports stories. They have few reporters covering local neighborhood news. Weekly newspapers fill the void for coverage of local community news.

I’m grateful that your newspaper group has afforded me the opportunity to express my views via letters to the editor along with others who may have different opinions on the issues of the day.

Albany needs to join us in supporting weekly community newspapers. Readers patronize advertisers, who provide the revenues to help keep the newspapers in business.

Let us hope there continues to be room for TBR News Media chain publications such as The Times of Huntington, Northport & East Northport, The Times of Middle Country, The Village Times Herald, The Port Times Record, The Times of Smithtown and The Village Beacon Record.

Larry Penner Great Neck

The Constitution must be defended

We are facing a moment when an individual has been accused of committing crimes and is being given all the constitutional protections afforded him by the United States of America and the State of New York.

If we are to believe the media, that individual, and those surrounding him, are threatening our society with violence if our constitutional laws are followed.

Also, if we are to believe the media, many of those making threats are elected

members of our government, themselves sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

While most of the current debate is coming from one side of the political spectrum, I have lived long enough to see the other side ignore constitutional law enough times to fill me with an equal level of disgust.

I, and millions more Americans, have risked or given our lives to defend the Constitution. One of my ancestors, Benjamin Franklin, risked everything to give us the Constitution. What right does a group of greedy politicians, without regard to political party, have to spit on those sacrifices?

Before you take a side, get out your history books and read about Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler, each, had millions of supporters. What did that get us?

Francis G. Gibbons Sr. Terryville

Community mourns swan together

On Monday, March 27, the mother swan, who had made the Frank Melville Memorial Park her home, died from injuries she had sustained. How? Why? No one will ever know for sure.

Mother Nature can be cruel. A week earlier people had noticed her odd

behavior. She swam to the left, sometimes in small, frenzied circles next to her nest, but not on it. Her mate had taken her place. The community came together. Dozens of people tried to help. They watched and wondered, stopped their cars, and offered assistance. We consulted wildlife rescue groups, as well as Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown.

On that Monday morning, I was one of the people who stood and watched her listing like a sinking ship, her head sometimes underwater. She looked weak, lethargic, exhausted — near death. Someone speculated that she had gotten tangled in the pond vegetation. We secured a kayak and attempted a rescue. What we saw was worse than we had imagined. Her leg was tightly wrapped in a heavy mass of weeds. In freeing her, we saw that the leg was only bone, the skin sheared off, bleeding out. She was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center where she died. On the park’s Facebook page, the outpouring of grief was overwhelming. But we were reminded that swans are not pets. The park did not own her; it only loved her.

On Saturday, April 1, the father swan was back on the nest, sitting on their eggs. Whether they will hatch, no one knows. But we’ll be watching.

Kerri Glynn Setauket

Pixabay photo

Pixabay photo

Opinion

This happy idiot has had enough of rancor and division

I

aisle, and I don’t believe a loss for the other side is as good, if not better, than a victory for me.

I’m not going to revel in the schadenfreude that has come to define so much of American life, in which taunting, making faces, humiliating or name-calling makes people happy.

of them.

More often than not, they talk about something relatable, like their day, the struggle to help their children, the search for a plumber who won’t charge too much or their excitement that their daughter just got into an extraordinarily competitive college.

D. None of the above

Whew, it feels good to get that off my chest. I know, I know. I’m supposed to find people who disagree with me, who come from a different political party, who celebrate different holidays or different religions annoying or frustrating. I’m supposed to look past those people at the ones who live and think like I do.

How do I know that? My political leaders

We

This is a shout-out to all would-be entrepreneurs. Saturday marks the 47th birthday of The Village Times and hence the beginning of Times Beacon Record News Media. So, if you are thinking of starting your own business or organization, stop thinking.

Just do it.

We know whereof we speak. I mention our start to prove what can be done with energy, commitment, good helpers and a dream.

Between

And a little bit of luck. While we started in 1976, during a depression in the economy, women were beginning to enter the workplace. We had some of the brightest members of the community looking for work just when we needed help the most.

To start something new, unless it is philanthropic in nature, you will need money. Obtaining start-up funds will measure how good a salesperson you are. You will have to

’m a happy idiot, or HI for short. I admit it. I’m even thinking of forming a club. No, it’s not a political party, and no, we’re not excluding anyone, which means that self-hating people will struggle to accept that we accept them without exception.and the pundits on TV spend a great deal of time telling me that other people are ruining my life, this country, history, religion, baseball and apple pie. Most apple pie has dairy in it anyway, and I’m allergic to dairy, not that I’m offended by dairy or anyone who eats it. I like watching people eat food with dairy, like ice cream, because I know it makes them happy, and as a charter member of the happy idiot club, I’m pleased to share vicariously in other people’s happiness.

I can’t ascribe to the endless need to bicker and find fault. It’s not who I am, and it’s not fun. Sure, people can be annoying and can say things that I find problematic or objectionable.

And, yes, I would take issue with anyone who trampled on principles I believe in or who, through word or deed, violated my sense of right or wrong or who broke the law.

As a matter of daily living, though, I don’t celebrate moments when the other side loses because I often have friends on both sides of any

On a daily basis and apart from when I watch political leaders or pundits on TV, I find most people unobjectionable. When I start chatting with someone — whether that’s on the sidewalk, in the supermarket, at the gym, or at an early season baseball game — my first thought isn’t about how they might have voted for the wrong person or that they might believe in the wrong things. I don’t judge the tattoos on their arms, their piercings, or the different clothing they wear.

I listen to what they say and to how they say it and have found that they are as welcoming of me, with my untucked shirt and the endless array of sports paraphernalia I wear, as I am

With our phones, we have endless ways to connect with people from all over the state, the country and the world. Our political leaders, however, would have us believe that we should make an effort to disconnect or to disrespect those whom we consider different or other.

Well, as a happy idiot, I won’t scream at you and tell you whom to hate, fear or blame. Like me, you can enjoy the comfort of friends and neighbors hoping for a better tomorrow without the screaming, shouting, insulting or hating. Being happy doesn’t keep you from succeeding or working hard: it keeps you from wasting energy being annoyed, angry, irritated or fearful. So, come, join the happy party.

communicate your idea and your passion to those from whom you are asking for funds.

We sold shares in a closed corporation to gather our initial underwriting.

Whom should you approach?

The answer to that depends on finding people who might share your passion for what you are starting or who love you enough to support your getting it off the ground. Unless you have tangible assets to offer as collateral, don’t bother going to most banks.

Since we were proposing starting a community newspaper, we went to members of the community and asked for their participation. At the time, the type of corporation we used limited us to 10 stockholders. I believe that is no longer the case.

How much to ask?

We had no idea how much it would cost to get started, so we picked a number that we thought would not seriously affect any investor if it were lost. We also tried to estimate how much the market of investors would be willing to spend.

The result: We were woefully undercapitalized and have always run from behind. That’s exciting but not smart business

strategy. Ask others in your field who might be sympathetic to your efforts to estimate one year’s expenses, at the very least, and set that as your minimum goal.

When we ran out of money at a key moment, we were able to include one extra stockholder who brought us fresh cash. This was not necessarily appreciated by the other shareholders because it diluted their equity a bit. But we persevered.

It is vital that you know yourself. Being the founder is not for everyone. Most people would rather work for a company and receive a predictable paycheck rather than take chances every week with not meeting the payroll or being able to pay the bills. The boss has to deal with problems routinely that may seem far removed from the original goal of the company. Personnel matters are an example.

Don’t try to learn everything there is to know about your prospective business before you start, first because you can’t really know what lies ahead and also because you will learn more as you go forward. I believe we fell into every unimaginable briar patch that we could, including a move on us to become unionized,

despite the fact that no community newspaper in the state had a union, and a lengthy audit for proper classification of our staff.

That can happen to you. We learned from every thorny experience.

Also, we were protected by our ignorance and just plowed ahead. Not considering failure kept it from entering our thinking.

Surround yourself with good workers. You may not be able to afford experienced people in your field, but more importantly, find bright helpers who totally share your dream. They, and you, will learn as you go. And attribute the successes to them because none of us can go it alone. It is the staff of our newspapers and media company that earned us 11 prizes in this past week’s annual Better Newspaper Contest for New York State publishers. Yay for each one and for the whole team together.

We have been lucky in being accepted and patronized by our customers: readers and advertisers. I believe that if you offer your best work and respond to their needs, all while maintaining a brand known for integrity, your customers will make you a success.

BUSINESS MANAGER

Sandi Gross

CIRCULATION & LEGALS

MANAGER

Courtney Biondo

INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Rob Alfano

AwardWinning Newspapers

Sheila Murray

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA We welcome letters, photographs, comments and story ideas. Send your items to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733 or email editor1@tbrnewsmedia.com. Times Beacon Record Newspapers are published every Thursday. Subscription $59/year • 631-751-7744 www.tbrnewsmedia.com • Contents copyright 2023 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Rita J. Egan EDITOR Raymond Janis LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton COPY EDITOR John Broven ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathleen Gobos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Elizabeth Bongiorno Robin Lemkin Larry Stahl Katherine Yamaguchi Minnie Yancey ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Sharon Nicholson CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR & SUBSCRIPTIONS

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Year After Year

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BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

did it. So can you.