The Times of Smithtown - June 8, 2023

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Variety of topics addressed at Smithtown Town Board meeting

Catalytic converter thefts, illegal car meets discussed

BY DANIEL FEBRIZIO DANIEL@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

On Tuesday, June 7, the Smithtown Town Board met at Town Hall.

Crime statistics

The meeting began with a presentation from David Regina, commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police Department, 4th Precinct.

One of the points that he stressed was guarding against vehicular theft and catalytic converter theft. Regina said that many of these incidents are due to people leaving their key fobs in their unlocked vehicles.

“People who are looking to steal your cars know when the mirrors are out, that means the car is unlocked and there’s a likelihood that the key fob is in[side],” Regina said, adding that this primarily happens overnight.

Regarding catalytic converter theft, he said that ideally you should keep your vehicle in your garage, but he acknowledges this isn’t an option for most people. He referred to this as a “daily struggle, not only in the 4th Precinct, but countywide.” He said that many of these thefts can occur in a two-minute window, and that Hondas tend to be the primary target of the criminals due to the ease of access to the catalytic converters in that make.

Another concern Regina referred to was “illegal car gatherings, side shows, drag

racing.”“We are talking of, many times, upwards of more than 500 vehicles pulling in en masse and they take over the parking lots, take over the intersections, and they do burnouts, drag racing. They call it drifting,” Regina said. “It’s dangerous behavior.”

“If anyone pulls up to one of these takeovers, my advice is do not drive into the intersection,” he added. “Turn around safely and leave the area as quickly as possible, because what we’ve seen is if you get trapped in these intersections, there is really no reservation about them jumping on your car, causing damage.”

Public hearings

There were three public hearings presented by Janice Hansen from the town attorney’s office. The first hearing related to off-road vehicles.

“The main changes are in the addition of language clarifying that individuals operating off-road vehicles with the town must stop or pull over when directed to do so by a police or peace officer, and that police and peace officers have the authority to impound an off-road vehicle in the event of a violation,” Hansen said.

This would also come with an increase in the fines for redemption of an impounded vehicle.

The second public hearing related to regulating commercial landscapers in the town.

Landscapers would be required to file an application and provide proof of comprehensive liability and property insurance as well as workers’ compensation and disability insurance. The application fees would be $50. “Registered landscapers will receive a decal from the town that must

be displayed on their trucks and additional decals, if necessary, can be purchased for $5 each,” Hansen said.

Additionally, the first application fee would be waived if a landscaper could provide proof of the purchase of five or more pieces of electric or battery-powered equipment within the past year.

These registrations would be valid each year from April 1 to March 31 and would require a $30 renewal fee. Fines would apply to anyone in violation of these requirements.

The third public hearing related to a proposed name change of the Smithtown Anti-Bias Task Force to Town of Smithtown Unity Council.

“The codified purpose of the group would be expanded to also give the Unity Council the authority to plan and implement programs to promote intergroup harmony and foster respect and tolerance within the town as well as to make recommendations to the town board to ensure that the rights of all Smithtown residents are protected and respected,” Hansen added.

Additionally, members of the Unity Council would serve one-year terms and chairpersons would serve two-year terms.

Several residents in attendance opposed these changes, including Richard Palker, who said he has been a Town Board appointee on the Anti-Bias Task Force since it was created in 1994.

“I have no problem with the Unity Council and changing the name seems kind of meaningless,” Palker said. “However, I believe that it obfuscates the main mission of eliminating bias, hate, and intolerance.

The present name defines the objective: eliminate bias. I therefore recommend that the existing task force be left as is.”

He went on to suggest that perhaps the Unity Council could be created as a separate group so that the Anti-Bias Task Force could operate as it has been.

Other speakers expressed similar concerns, including William Holst, John Donegan and a member of the Anti-Bias Task Force that did not list her name.

New York State voter rolls

Three speakers, Patrick Wynne, Roy Reynolds and Tammie Topel, associated with a group called the New York Citizens Audit spoke expressing concern about inconsistencies found in the voter rolls in New York State.

Wynne said that four algorithms have been found in the New York State voter rolls that “perform no security function and were not designed to optimize the database performance.”

They asked the Town Board to sign a resolution for a New York State audit, but Town Attorney Matt Jakuboski said that they had no jurisdiction in this subject.

Reynolds said that one of their questions is who has access to the New York State and Suffolk County voter databases and who can make changes to them. Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) recommended sending the questions to the Clerk’s Office so that they can relay them to county legislators as well as state and federal representatives.

The next Town Board meeting will be held on July 11 at 2 p.m. at Smithtown Town Hall.

Kings Park senior named 2023 Youth Award Recipient

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta has selected Ashley Bandiero, a senior at Kings Park High School, as this year’s Youth Award Recipient for the 13th Legislative District. She was nominated by her guidance counselor, Michelle Manzelli.

Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society, co-president of the Art Honor Society, and vice president and treasurer of the Italian Honor Society. Throughout high school, she has been a member of the Leadership Club. Ashley is also a volunteer at the Summer Reading Program at the Kings Park Library. This June Ashley earned the rank of Eagle Scout. She will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia and will major in Fashion and Graphic Design with a minor in Sustainability.

Pictured at the Youth Award Ceremony in Hauppauge are Frank and Deanne Bandiero, Ashley Bandiero and Leg. Rob Trotta.

Nissequogue Mayor seeks re-election

BY LEAH CHIAPPINO LCHIAPPINO@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Nissequogue Village Mayor Richard B. Smith, a direct descendant of Richard “Bull” Smith, Smithtown’s namesake is seeking an uncontested re-election to the same position he has held since 2001. Elections are for two-year terms.

“I love this village,” he said. “I love the people here. I like to make things better. It’s all about improving the quality of life for us. It’s a beautiful village. We want to preserve the natural beauty while continuing to improve the services to the village residents. I like that. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to be mayor.”

Smith counts the repaving of Nissequogue River Road as one of his chief accomplishments in recent years. The Village Preserve at the end of East Long Beach was renovated with assistance from the Town of Smithtown. He said the project was challenging and the village received state aid. Village taxes increased 2% last year, and not at all the previous year.

“We’ve kept the tax increases to a minimum,” he said. “We’ve always been able to have a small surplus at the end of the year, adding to the reserve account for the village.”

Looking ahead, Smith said the village is planning on exterior renovations to the village firehouse, which is around 50 years old. The

village also plans to purchase a new pumper truck for the fire department within the next two years. Finally, Smith wants to restore what was once known as Willow Pond at the intersection of River and Moriches roads. “There always used to be a little neighborhood pond, not very deep, and I’d like to have that

Re-established for two purposes,” he said. “It will assist in collecting stormwater runoff from Long Beach Road and Moriches Road. But also if we ever get back to cold winters, it’s an ideal place where kids can come to ice skate. It won’t be very deep, there won’t be any danger.”

The election is on June 20 from noon to 9 p.m . Trustees Kurt J. Meyer and Maureen C. Potter are also seeking re-election and are not being challenged. They did not respond to an interview request by the time of publication.

The election will take place at Nissequogue Village Hall, located at 631 Moriches Road, St. James, NY 11780

Mayor Richard Smith

Photo from Leg. Trotta’s office

Thousands come out to celebrate Smithtown Festival Day

BY DANIEL FEBRIZIO DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA

On Sunday, June 4, the community gathered for the 33rd annual Smithtown Festival Day presented by the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce. Thousands walked up and down Main Street to interact with a wide variety of vendors and exhibitors.

Families with children could stop at a side street with an inflatable axe-throwing target game and a variety of different bounce houses. Food vendors like Mister Softee, Philly Pretzel Factory, and G&L Gyro were in attendance for hungry visitors. Dozens gathered around a Marine recruitment stand that had a pull-up bar where people could earn prizes for successfully reaching certain pull-up thresholds.

Other vendors in attendance included Hope for Cleo Animal Rescue, Pet Supplies Plus, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Smithtown Picture Frame, Podcat Farms, Mathnasium, Freebird Henna, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Acupuncture Wellness Services, KP Dance Center, Brotherhood for the Fallen, and American Legion.

Photos by Daniel Febrizio

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police: Arrest made in three robberies

Suffolk County Police arrested a homeless man on June 2 for allegedly committing three robberies that occurred at a gas station and two hotels in February. Following an investigation by Major Case Unit detectives, it was determined Jose Nieves, 28, was allegedly responsible for the following robberies during which he made threats and stole cash: Shell Gas Station in Islip on Feb. 15; Towne Place Suites By Marriott in East Farmingdale on Feb.13; and Clarion Hotel in Ronkonkoma on Feb. 9. Nieves was charged with alleged three counts of Robbery 2nd Degree.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Do you recognize this man?

Islandia’s Famous Footwear targeted

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole assorted merchandise from Famous Footwear, located at 1770 Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia, on May 19.

Merchandise swiped from BJ’s Club

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and the locate the man who allegedly stole approximately $765 worth of Crest Whitestrips from BJ’s Wholesale Club located at 2 Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack, on May 4.

Do you recognize this man?

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

Do you recognize this man?

Wanted for Grand Larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly used a stolen credit card to make multiple purchases with a combined value of approximately $2800 at CVS and Walgreens in Commack on March 31 at approximately 5:30 p.m. The credit card had been stolen from a purse at Barnes and Noble in East Northport earlier that day.

Do you recognize this couple?

Wanted for 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 people who allegedly stole an electric scooter from Walmart, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road in Commack, on May 28 at approximately 1:20 p.m. The two fled in a gray Honda Accord.

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.

Photo from SCPD

Photo from SCPD

Photo from SCPD

Photo from SCPD

As summer nears, new SCWA chair asks residents to conserve water

BY RAYMOND JANIS & AIDAN JOHNSON EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

As the county enters the hottest and driest months of the year, the Suffolk County Water Authority is urging residents to take preemptive measures to help mitigate potential water shortages.

Last month, commercial real estate developer, Three Village Chamber of Commerce president and former Town of Brookhaven Councilman Charlie Lefkowitz, a Setauket resident, took the helm of the SCWA Board. He takes the reins of the public benefit corporation at a critical juncture in its history.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracked record lows in rainfall throughout the region in 2022, with the county experiencing its sixth driest July on record.

In an exclusive interview, the newly installed SCWA chair maintained that while clean water is essential, the county is facing growing water quality and quantity issues. And with summer weather approaching, he said the water authority’s existing infrastructure would also be feeling the heat.

“Being on the board for the last year, I got some really good insight on how

important protecting our groundwater and the constitutional right of everyone in Suffolk County to have clean drinking water,” he said.

Lefkowitz described the county’s water situation as being “very unique,” as it’s one of the largest water districts with a solesource aquifer, whereby ratepayers receive 100% of their water from the ground.

“We have 1.2 million customers,” he said. “Eighty-five percent of the residents of Suffolk are customers of Suffolk County Water,” adding that the rest primarily rely upon private wells or smaller water districts.

But in some areas, notably along the East End, prolonged droughts coupled with heavy water consumption can put an undue strain on SCWA’s infrastructure.

“The East End and the North Fork get very stressed this time of year,” he said. “When you have pristine lawns, gardening, pools, waterfalls and multiple geothermal” air-conditioning units, the excess strain on SCWA’s pumps can become severe, creating water shortages in some areas of the county.

To counteract these trends, Lefkowitz stressed the need for residents systemwide to limit their water use.

SCWA’s existing billing schematic is two-tiered, placing an upcharge upon

customers who exceed 75,000 gallons in a single billing cycle.

Given the severity of water quantity challenges as of late, Lefkowitz said the SCWA board is now exploring creating a third tier.

“This is for excessive use of water,” he said.

“When you look at someone who has a single-family home of 20-40,000 square feet, but they’re using millions of gallons of water, we have to really look at” disincentivizing overconsumption of water.

Lefkowitz said he is often asked why he promotes water conservation, as the initiative could likely diminish revenues. Given the environmental and financial realities, he maintained the

environmental pluses still outweigh the economic minuses.

“We’re in that season now,” he said. “At the end of the day, water conservation is really important.”

Last month, Charlie Lefkowitz, above, took over as chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority Board. Photo courtesy SCWA

Simons Foundation gives record $500M gift to Stony Brook University

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Stony Brook University’s former Math Department chair is making history.

$1.2 billion to a university that Gov. Hochul declared a flagship of the state university system in 2022.

“I’m so happy to be here today, to be able to give back to Stony Brook, which has given so much to me,” Marilyn Simons said at the press conference.

UNIVERSITY

Jim Simons, with his wife Marilyn and through the Simons Foundation, is giving the largest ever unrestricted gift of $500 million to the university’s endowment.

The donation, which the Simons Foundation will provide in installments over the next seven years, will more than double the endowment for the SUNY flagship school.

As a part of a program Governor Kathy Hochul (D) created last year, New York State will provide a one-to-two endowment match while the school, with support from the Simons Foundation, reaches out to other donors for additional support.

SBU expects the gift to total about $1 billion.

“Today is indeed a historic day for Stony Brook University,” President Maurie McInnis said during a press conference at the Simons Foundation headquarters in Manhattan on June 1. “I cannot overestimate the tremendous impact” the gift will have.

The university anticipates using the gift, named the Simons Infinity Investment, for student scholarships for a diverse student body, endowed professorships, research initiatives, development of new academic fields and clinical care.

McInnis, who is the sixth president of SBU, suggested this kind of support helped create and shape some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including Harvard and Yale.

Looking at how they started, “you’ll find that they were bolstered by generous supporters who were ambitious and wise enough to see the potential of the institutions and invest in the future,” McInnis said at the press conference. “Because of those supporters, look where they are now. That is the trajectory we are on,” thanks to the support from Jim and Marilyn Simons and the foundation president, David Spergel.

McInnis believes the funds will help make the university a place where every student meets their potential, thanks to the support and the “deep sense of belonging in every corner of campus.”

The funds would also help ensure that researchers have access to the “best labs and equipment” so they can “chase the next discovery” and where learners will come to the university because they “know they have the resources they need to make a difference.”

History of giving

The Simons family has a long history of giving back to the university, which was so important in their lives.

Starting with a much more humble gift of $750 in 1983, the Simons family, with this gift and other recent commitments, have pledged

When she started as a student at Stony Brook, Marilyn said her father was a subcontractor who, along with her brother and cousin, did some of the brickwork at university buildings.

In addition to earning her bachelor’s at Stony Brook, Marilyn Simons also earned her Ph.D.

“I’m grateful to Stony Brook for all it’s given me,” she said. “I hope many others will invest along with us.”

Jim Simons became chairman of the Math Department when he was 30. He hired 10 faculty in his first year and the same number in his second.

When Hochul stood up to speak, Simons interrupted her.

“I’ve known” all six presidents of Stony Brook, the former Math Department chair said. McInnis “is the best.”

Hochul appreciated the direction and vision of SBU’s leadership, recognizing the sizeable financial commitment the state would now have to meet.

When she came up with the endowment idea, “I didn’t realize it was going to be so expensive for me,” Hochul laughed. If that inspired the Simons Foundation to come forward, “it was worth it.”

A public institution like Stony Brook “has no limits right now,” Hochul added. “I guarantee across the world, they’ve all heard of Stony Brook right now.”

A winning streak

The $500 million gift from the Simons Foundation continues a winning streak, making 2023 a memorable and landmark year for the university.

A few weeks ago, Stony Brook, with a $100 million commitment from the Simons Foundation, won the state’s contest to turn Governors Island into a center for climate science called the New York Climate Exchange. [See story, “SBU will develop $700M climate center on Governors Island,” April 26, TBR News Media website.]

The center, which will cost $700 million to construct and is expected to open in 2028, will house research laboratories, host community discussions and train 6,000 people per year to work in green energy jobs.

SBU has “shown that it has the knowledge, the authority and the boldness to bring together the most eminent institutions to address the world’s leading challenges,” McInnis said.

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Debates over immigration continue to intensify in Suffolk County.

During a special meeting Thursday, June 1, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a procedural motion, 11-6, to hire special counsel to advise the legislative body on the legal options at its disposal concerning the relocation of asylum seekers to the county.

Advocates for and against accepting new migrants appealed to the Legislature, followed by deliberations among legislators. Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) emphasized the need for proper vetting procedures, arguing that the federal government still has not created that process.

“The problem is the federal government doesn’t have a cohesive process to get people in, and this really shouldn’t be our problem,” he said. “We have to tread lightly, and I think this is a very light way of doing it — looking at our options and making sure we can afford to do this.”

Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) expressed concerns over asylum seekers diverting public resources from the county’s veteran and homeless populations. The procedural motion “is just another way for us to make sure that we’re all protected,

and that those who do come here come with adequate resources,” he said.

Several legislators, including Kara Hahn (D-Setauket), expressed their distaste for the procedural resolution.

“It’s unfortunate that some have chosen to exploit fear and weaponize vulnerable people legally seeking asylum through legal means for political theater,” she said. “While I agree that the nation’s current immigration process is broken — and it has been for a long time — and that we do need comprehensive immigration reform, I am certain that it will not be fixed through this hollow proposal.”

Two days later, Anthony Figliola, a Republican running to fill Hahn’s term-limited seat, held a rally near Stony Brook University to oppose housing asylum seekers at the state university campus. The candidate criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for not yet signaling whether this proposal would be instituted.

“I think we have to have an open dialogue and transparency in the process, and I think what’s happening right now is that we don’t have that from the governor’s office,” he said. “This is a humanitarian crisis, and local communities are being charged with handling something that the federal government should be doing.”

Simons Foundation President David Spergel; Jim and Marilyn Simon; Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis; and Governor Kathy Hochul. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Aidan Johnson contributed reporting to this story.

Suffolk County legislators quarrel over immigration COUNTY

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Winifred E. Schoene of Hauppauge passed away on May 24. She was 94 years old. She was the beloved wife of the late Ralph; loving mother of Robert W. Schoene, Linda Strong-Koster (the late Robert) and Katherine Corr (Robert);

dear sister of the late Harold Eager, Ernest Eager, and Alice Andriach; and cherished grandmother of Matthew, John, Stephen, Luke and Jennifer.

Winifred is also survived by her sisterin-law, Frances Eager.

Winifred E. Schoene

Smithtown High School East Softball Wins County Championship

The Smithtown High School East girls varsity softball team won the Suffolk County Championship on Wednesday, May 30, at North Babylon.

The Bulls defeated #1 seed North Babylon

3-0 behind a Gabby Amicizia shutout.

According to head coach Glenn Roper, this is High School East’s first softball county championship since 1988.

The win lifted Smithtown East to 9-3 in their division with two games remaining before post season play begins.

— Photos from The Smithtown Central School District

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The successful candidate should possess: Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

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Assistant Secondary Principal

The successful candidate should possess:

Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

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Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

Administrative Opening Monticello Central School

High School Principal

The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principal who can lead MCSD’s highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students, and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated, and demonstrates an ability to impact student learning.

Starting Salary: $150,000

NYS SDA/SAS/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

Assistant Elementary Principal

Administrative Opening Monticello Central School

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Letters to the Editor Editorial

Immigrants may be coming

In an all too familiar saga, Suffolk County officials have been decrying the notion of welcoming migrants seeking asylum. Since New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced that he would be sending migrants to neighboring counties last month, the Suffolk County Legislature has been doing all it can, including hiring special counsel, to make sure it’s not this county that has to welcome them.

We respect those who feel concerned about the traditional anti-immigration talking points, such as fears of drugs and crime. It’s important to remember that the data says the opposite. A study done by the U.S. Department of Justice in December 2020 found that “relative to undocumented immigrants, U.S.-born citizens are over two times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, two and a half times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and over four times more likely to be arrested for property crimes.”

In essence, the vast majority of migrants, who are usually coming from desperate circumstances, are doing nothing more than trying to stabilize their lives and protect their families. Asylum is a legal process, and those seeking asylum have the right to have their cases heard.

We have all seen the footage on the news media of the often-brutal journeys migrants make from their home countries to land in the United States. If we put ourselves in their shoes, it wouldn’t be the first choice for most of us to, in some cases, walk hundreds of miles from our homes. These people are desperate.

It’s been proven time and time again immigrants benefit this country, state and county. Here at TBR News Media, our ongoing “American Dream” series highlights just a few local business owners, community leaders and neighbors who are immigrants themselves, making stellar and invaluable contributions to our towns and villages each and every day.

This debate also comes at a time when we have a labor shortage. Elderly residents are struggling to find quality home care, and parents quality child care. Since the pandemic, a number of teachers and health care workers have left their professions. Restaurants need helpers, farmers need agricultural workers and so on.

Local politicians have expressed their concerns about the ability to house migrants and provide for them. While we acknowledge these are real, practical concerns, we have found that most asylum seekers are not looking for handouts. Once we give them the tools to work, they will become assets, not burdens to the local economy.

Suffolk County could receive hundreds of people, able and willing to work. This would give us an incredible opportunity to harness new talents and ideas.

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

Carlton “Hub” Edwards: an uplifting story

Congratulations to Rita J. Egan and The Village Times Herald for a wonderfully uplifting story on Carlton “Hub” Edwards [“Veteran Stories” series in Arts & Lifestyles section, also TBR News Media website, May 25].

A Korean War veteran, he’s been a knowledgeable, affable, active and patriotic fixture in our community for many, many decades.

One of Ms. Egan’s many interesting highlights features Hub unquestioningly trading his baseball glove and local team jersey for the uniform of our United States Army. What people may not know is he made that switch after being drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers, who happened to be one of the top three or four Major League teams in 1951.

The pitcher of three no-hitters simply said, “Uncle Sam took first precedence,” feeling even today that the military can provide much-needed discipline for young people.

Whether it’s been Hub’s work at the American Legion Irving Hart Post 1766, his Bethel AME Church or our Three Village Historical Society, the post’s community liaison Joe Bova summed up things perfectly: “He really felt strongly about what his commitment to people should be and that just transferred over to the community he belongs to.”

Talking to Hub or his lovely wife, Nellie, whether it be at the Memorial Day ceremony or during a Frank Melville Memorial Park concert, is both a treat and an enriching experience. Here’s hoping those who haven’t read the article will now take the opportunity to do so.

Jim Soviero

East Setauket

Yes, words do matter

I found the title to Shoshana Hershkowitz’s recent letter on the immigration debacle taking place quite ironic [“Words matter in immigration dialogue,” May 25]. Let’s examine “words matter” for a moment, shall we?

I wonder if anyone remembers when people were caught entering our country illegally, they were referred to as illegal aliens. That term was legally accurate, yet deemed offensive to progressives. The acceptable words to describe a person in our country illegally then became undocumented immigrant.

Now, the words (that matter) have become “asylum seeker.” Asylum

is defined as protection granted to a political refugee. It was not intended to bypass the legal immigration process for people that want to enjoy all of the benefits of living in the United States. I think honest people can agree that not everyone coming over our border illegally is a political refugee.

I fully support legal immigration. No one is above the law in the U.S. Once again, the compassion and goodness of the people of this country is being taken advantage of by progressives that created this unprecedented and unsustainable surge.

I read that Vice President Kamala Harris [D] was supposed to be figuring out the “root cause” of the surge at our border. I have not seen her give an explanation yet. Could it be progressive policies? For example, in New York, politicians declared a sanctuary state and gave out over $2 billion of taxpayer money to noncitizens through the Excluded Workers Fund. Is that an incentive to come here illegally?

Ms. Hershkowitz quoted Kevin McCaffrey [R-Lindenhurst], presiding officer of the county Legislature, stating, “We don’t know who’s coming over.” Is that not a true and fair statement? Ms. Hershkowitz says asking that question implies that asylum seekers are a danger to us. How extremely disingenuous of her. Our leaders cannot ask simple, reasonable questions about who enters our country now? Can Ms. Hershkowitz personally vouch for all of these people? In New York City, the mayor was housing some of these people in public school facilities. Our governor is considering using our taxpayer-funded universities to house these people in our neighborhoods, and our elected officials cannot ask any questions without being labeled xenophobic or accused of demonization?

Seems like Ms. Hershkowitz’s rhetoric is a bit extreme to me. Does constantly labeling people who you don’t agree with politically as evil or dangerous, just for asking questions, bring us together or divide us?

Words matter … indeed.

Charles Tramontana East Setauket

A sad episode for Smithtown

How ironic it is that those who ran Martine Francois-DePass out of town with their bigoted and hateful social media campaign are themselves Exhibit A for exactly that which they so

passionately deny: Namely, that racist discrimination against Black people, far from being a thing of the past, is still very much with us. [See June 1 story, The Times of Smithtown.]

It’s yet another reminder that America in general and Smithtown in particular continue to be far from the ideal of a color-blind society to which we all aspire.

What a missed opportunity. An opportunity to expose Smithtown children to a positive authority figure from a minority background. An opportunity to move the needle on the perception of Smithtown as a community hostile to non-whites. An opportunity to stand up and defeat fear and bigotry. The decision of Ms. Francois-DePass to withdraw from consideration as principal of Smithtown Elementary in the face of a campaign of vilification and hate against her is our loss, not hers.

Does anybody seriously believe that if Ms. Francois-DePass was white, her every word on social media would have been subjected to the same kind of aggressive and invidious scrutiny? Not that there was anything troubling about her social media posts. She supports Black Lives Matter and racial justice. What a surprise. Is that the litmus test? If it is, it amounts to a frankly racist refusal to countenance the hiring of just about any Black person.

One Smithtown parent stood up at a school board meeting and proclaimed that Ms. Francois-DePass was unqualified. What nonsense. She has degrees from Boston University, SUNY Stony Brook and an advanced degree from Fordham. She also has an advanced certificate in educational leadership and administration from Long Island University, experience as a New York City school teacher for 18 years and as an assistant principal here in Suffolk in the Longwood school district for four years.

Another parent posted that he was going to tell his child not to recognize this “piece of trash” and to “disregard any guidance/direction given by this person.” What a great example for his child.

Is this how some parents want to be “involved” in their children’s education? Racism is still very much with us largely because it’s passed down from generation to generation. What a sad, sad episode this is for our Smithtown community.

David Friedman St. James

The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

Opinion

National Geographic execs share an optimistic outlook

What’s possible?

We can spend time criticizing each other, becoming nattering nabobs of negativity, as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said. We can also rue our lot in life or feel an overwhelming sense of dread about problems we can’t solve or conflicts we haven’t resolved.

Or …

Or we can get out and create a remarkable life.

That’s what happened with famed paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey.

when I was young, convinced that I would pull up a dinosaur bone or reveal some incredible secret someone had hidden among the prickers and weeds. Yeah, no such luck.

And yet, the life of the late Richard Leakey offers exciting hope and opportunities for inspiration.

He didn’t graduate from high school, but he was successful and world-renowned.

Leakey’s life is “awe-inspiring,” demonstrating the “ability of one person to literally transform the world and leave it a better place,” Lee Berger, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, said in an interview.

He would see [someone] and say ‘you’re going to do this’ and they did.”

Next generation

As for how to get the next generation to believe in themselves and to participate in the scientific process, National Geographic’s Berger and Tiefenthaler shared their vision.

Ensuring transparency in the process helps people trust the science.

of Colorado College for nine years before becoming the first woman to lead National Geographic in its 135-year history. “We have got to meet them where they are: they are probably not reading the paper magazine with small, dense print.”

National Geographic is on social media and TikTok.

“We are focusing on issues they care about,” Tiefenthaler said. “We know this generation is very concerned about climate change and biodiversity loss.”

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

Okay, so maybe he had a few advantages, like the fact that his parents Mary and Louis Leakey were already successful in the field and, unlike those of us who grew up on Mud Road near Gelinas Junior High School, he spent his formative years near and around fossils.

I recall digging in the back corner of my yard

National Geographic CEO Jill Tiefenthaler described the impact Leakey had on his home country of Kenya as “amazing” and the impact on the field as “remarkable,” particularly because he did it in a non-traditional way.

In an interview, Tiefenthaler credited the “army” of people who supported him with helping him achieve his goals.

“How do you move and get people to move with you?” Tiefenthaler said. “He was this person who saw talent. It wasn’t just about him.

brother I never quite had

Had he lived, my brother would have been 95 this week. As it happened, he barely made it to 64 before dying of heart problems. I barely knew him, there being such an age gap and with no siblings between us, and he still disquiets me, like an unfinished story. Perhaps that’s because, by the time I could have gotten to know him, he was gone, gone from the house by the time I was six and from my life when I could have started to pay attention.

paper with her phone number on it and asked him to call, so I knew he wasn’t just goodlooking to me.

“People are with us when we find those fossils, they watch us, we make sure there’s open access when they come out,” said Berger, who considered Leakey a friend and mentor. “Your child can print these things out and they can check.”

For National Geographic, which funded Leakey for decades, the goal is to “try to give people information and let them draw their own conclusions,” Tiefenthaler added.

The next generation of scientists has access to a large educational program through National Geographic, she added.

“I spent my career in higher education,” said Tiefenthaler, who was the president

Tiefenthaler “loves how much they care about the work we do at National Geograhpic. They’re a little mad at [this generation] because of the predicament that we’ve left the world in for them. We made the mess and there are fewer resources to fix things.”

Still, she believes there are leaders and actors among the younger generation who will follow in Leakey’s footsteps and have an important and positive impact on the world.

“We have a generation that’s going to make major progress on this planet,” she said.

major role in developing Checker cabs.

For those who are too young to remember them, Checker cabs were big, yellow automobiles with jump seats in the back floor that could unfold and transport a party of five plus one passenger in the front anywhere in the City.

his enthusiasm when I was able to hit the can and knock it off the fence. In my excitement, I turned back to look at him, continuing to point the rifle straight ahead, only now it pointed at him. I guess the incident remains with me for his look of distress and panicked directive to turn back around.

Between

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

I have a number of memories about him, of course. In his 20s, he was quite good-looking, with thick, wavy blond hair and big dark brown eyes, a straight nose and strong chin. I was with him one day when a young woman my family knew gave him a piece of

My brother also personified great adventure. He rode a motorcycle, flew a twin-engine airplane in the days when plane flight was somehow romantic but becoming commonplace, and he owned a car, a 1948 Plymouth, which was unusual for someone who lived in the midst of New York City. He would drive the family back and forth to my grandfather’s farm in the Catskills and also to get some air along the outer borough highways on hot, sticky summer days. I always sat in the front seat because otherwise, I would throw up from the motion of the car.

He loved cars and could fix whatever was malfunctioning under the hood. In fact, he loved anything mechanical and might frequently be found tinkering with motors. He also would talk endlessly about the physics of propulsion, telling my friends and me more than we wanted to know.

I don’t remember his job title, but he had a

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA

The real genius of the cab was its modular construction. Until then, if a taxi was in a fender-bender, not an uncommon occurrence in urban heavy traffic, it was off the road being repaired for at least two days. After all, no one wanted to hail a crumpled taxi, and so there was substantial lost revenue. But my brother’s work on the idea of manufacturing fenders that could pop off the body of the cab and be replaced with another in half an hour was considered a major breakthrough for the industry. I believe he collected a small royalty for many years.

There is a photograph of my brother pushing me on a swing. I look to be about three years old. I have no memory of that, but I do well remember his teaching me to shoot a .22 rifle in a country field near my grandfather’s farm and

My brother attended my graduation from college, and I was puzzled by his show of pride. I never knew that I was anything growing up but a great distraction as I required our parents’ attention and contaminated the chemicals in his photography dark room. But I do remember that a couple of my classmates asked me how old he was.

We lived in Yorkville, a German section of NYC, and he loved wiener schnitzel with spaetzle and red cabbage. Many years later, I traveled into the City one day to meet him for dinner, and it was at just such a meal that we had one of our first meaningful conversations in a restaurant on East 86th Street and Third Avenue just before he died.

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