The Village Times Herald - March 2, 2023

The VILLAGE TIMES HERALD

Also: Member Artist Showcase heads to Mills Pond Gallery, Photo of the Week

Ward Melville High School advances to state Science Olympiad tournament

The Ward Melville High School Science Olympiad team has advanced to the state tournament after its outstanding achievement at the Eastern Long Island Regional Tournament. Ward Melville High School ranked first, earning them a ticket to compete against schools from across New York.

The Science Olympiad tournaments challenge students to compete in STEM events covering an array of disciplines. This year, a historic number of Ward Melville students participated in the tournament, making its number of team members an all-time high.

“We want to commend our captains and team

members for embodying the values of Ward Melville Science Olympiad by being fun-loving and positive while enhancing the tournament experience for other schools,” said advisers Jenny Serigano and Mark Suesser in a press release. The state tournament takes place at Le Moyne College from March 17-18.

Photo from Three Village Central School District

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Flax Pond winter lecture series returns

Join the Friends of Flax Pond as they kick off their 20th annual Winter Lecture Series at the Childs Mansion, 19 Shore Road, Setauket (Old Field) on Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m.

The first lecture will focus on the Friends of Flax Pond’s Summer Research Programs through the past 19 years as well as programs planned for the coming season.

Light refreshments will be served. Please bring a reusable coffee mug to reduce waste. The lecture is free, but donations are accepted.

Parking is at the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory adjacent to the mansion. If you need other arrangements for parking and/or have a handicap parking pass, please e-mail flaxpondfriends@ gmail.com or text 631-767-6287.

Friends and neighbors start GoFundMe for Setauket fire victims

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

A few hours after a Setauket family lost their home to fire, friends and neighbors rallied to assist them.

The GoFundMe page titled Brooks Family House Fire started by Kaylie Gazura in one day raised nearly $30,000 to assist the family in replacing their losses. As of March 1, almost 200 people donated to the cause, with four of the donors contributing $1,000 each.

According to Dave Sterne, the Setauket Fire District’s manager, when firefighters

arrived at the scene on Franko Lane at approximately 1 a.m. Feb. 28, it was already a fully involved fire. He said the first chief responding could see the flames above the tree line as he was driving to the scene.

When first responders arrived, the occupants were already outside. Five residents of the house were transported to the hospital, Sterne said, to be treated for smoke inhalation and some burns.

Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are currently investigating the fire. However, it doesn’t appear to be suspicious at this time.

NOTICE OF CORRECTION

Readers’ Choice Correction

The Readers’ Choice publication that appeared in our 2/23/23 issue listing the winners contained an error in the cesspool service category. Rocky Point Cesspool was listed with the wrong phone number and website. The correct information is:

Cesspool Service

Rocky Point Cesspool • Rocky Point, NY 11778 631-744-3915 • rockypointcesspool.com

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Friends of Flax Pond will hold the Winter Lecture Series at the Childs Mansion starting March 5. Photo by John Turner

Part I: Suffolk County exec race prompts turnover across local government

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Municipalities throughout Suffolk County will undergo significant leadership changes in 2023.

ELECTION 2023

Three-term incumbent Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) cannot run for reelection due to 12-year term limits for county offices. Bellone’s absence at the top of the ticket has triggered a game of musical chairs across local governments, with an Election Day picture coming into focus.

County executive

Two major party candidates have emerged to fill Bellone’s seat. Venture capitalist and former federal and state prosecutor Dave Calone entered the race last summer and has since gained the backing of the county’s Democratic Committee. Between increasing economic development initiatives and expanding transportation options, Calone regarded Suffolk as a place of growing opportunities.

“I felt like we needed someone with a privatesector background to help capitalize on those opportunities for our region,” he said, adding that his prosecutorial experience could help alleviate the issue of crime throughout the area.

Calone said he would connect law enforcement personnel with new technologies if elected. “I come from the technology sector and feel we can do more when it comes to law enforcement, giving police the tools and training they need to fight crime and help prevent crime,” he said.

He emphasized county support in promoting small business sectors and encouraging those wishing to start a new business.

Calone may have a tall task ahead as recent election results suggest county residents are moving toward the right, with Republicans gaining a majority in the county Legislature in 2021 while flipping the district attorney’s seat.

To counteract these trends, Calone pledged to focus on local issues, which he suggested are matters of personal qualification rather than party affiliation.

“I think Suffolk County is less about left versus right, but who is going to have the vision to move Suffolk County forward,” the Democratic nominee said.

Opposing Calone is Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R). He received his party’s nod during a nominating convention held Thursday, Feb. 23, in Ronkonkoma. Before becoming supervisor, Romaine was county clerk for 16 years starting in 1989 and did two separate tours in the county Legislature, one before and

the other after his tenure as clerk.

“I’m running to work for the future of our county and its residents,” he told TBR News Media. “This is an opportunity to move Suffolk forward. And, quite honestly, nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.”

The town supervisor added that he intends to campaign on the issues and policies he has overseen at the town level. He offered that fiscal responsibility and public trust in government remain top priorities.

“I’m looking to hold the line on taxes,” he said. “I’ve done it five different times with our budget, and I would like to do that with the

county, reduce the county debt and improve the county bond rating to AAA.”

Romaine also addressed his environmental concerns, such as water quality and quantity. He proposed modernizing information technology systems, filling critical posts within the police department and resisting Albany’s development agenda for Long Island.

“I’m not a fan of the governor’s plan to urbanize our suburban communities,” he said.

Despite recent electoral history, a Republican has not occupied the county executive’s chair since Bob Gaffney left office in 2003. Asked

Dave Calone, left, and Ed Romaine are the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively, for Suffolk County executive. Left from Calone’s campaign; right from the Brookhaven town website

Representing the residents of this community on Brookhaven Town Council has been one of the greatest honors of my life. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is being out and about in the community, establishing deep and meaningful relationships with stakeholders, and making life a little better for the people I represent.

This is not new work for me. Previous to holding this office, I was president of the Three Village Civic Association for seven years and served on the Three Village Board of Education for 14 years. This service, and the relationships I built along the way as well as my long background in the world of business, have helped educate me and prepared me with the specific skill set and experience needed to represent our community on the Town Council.

As a councilmember, my formal responsibilities relate to land use and development; parks and recreational areas; working with local businesses to help them grow and succeed; and being a steward for our incredible natural and historical treasures. For almost two decades, long before I was elected to office, serving the community has been my passion, and I

councilmember

would like to announce that I am running for reelection for another four-year term on the Town Council to continue the work I started.

During my first term in office, I have demonstrated my ability to leverage my civic and business experience to negotiate effectively with developers on behalf of the community, and with the people’s interests in mind. Although I have been very excited to attend many red-ribbon cuttings with our partners in the chambers of commerce, the real work is cutting red tape and helping businesses grow and thrive.

But I never forget that even with all the time and attention I give to managing development, building parks and supporting small business, communities are made of people, and that is the real foundation and motivation for my service. I have been especially mindful of

reaching out to those who feel frustrated or ignored. Local government is complex and multilayered, and sometimes people just need to be seen, heard and given a little helping hand to address their concerns.

Our Council District — CD1 — is home to around 80,000 people. It is an amazing area with complicated challenges, but we also have great promise and the ability to meet those challenges together. I will continue to fight against Albany’s heavy-handed, top-down mandates in favor of local control and our own suburban agenda.

By Jonathan Kornreich

This is an exciting time in CD1 and I can’t wait for you to continue seeing the results of our efforts.

In the very near future, we will begin to execute thoughtfully designed redevelopment plans for blighted areas in Port Jefferson Station, including a brand new major community

park which is almost completed. We will see the groundwork being laid for revitalization of Setauket’s downtown business district centered around a new park at East Setauket Pond, as well as a cleanup and restoration of the waterfront and a new parking lot which has just been completed. There are so many exciting projects, from the restoration of the Gamecock Cottage in Stony Brook, major redesigns and improvements at the Port Jefferson Marina and the inspiring revitalization taking place in Port Jefferson Station and Terryville.

The connections and relationships you elected me to cultivate as your representative are flourishing and bearing fruit. As anyone who receives my monthly newsletter can attest, this is not a part-time job. This position will continue to be my main focus, and I will continue to work and make myself available both during working hours and evenings throughout the district as needed.

I am not part of the entrenched political structure of the Town of Brookhaven and am beholden to no political party or special interest. This is your town, I am your councilmember, and I would be very grateful for your support to reelect me to continue my service to the community as we work hard together to save our suburbs.

Elections

Continued from A3

why 2023 should be any different, Romaine suggested the coming election offers county voters a new direction.

“I think this is an opportunity to chart a new course,” he said.

Town supervisor

In declaring for county executive, Romaine vacates his post as town supervisor. Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Dan Panico (R-Manorville) and Village of Port Jefferson Mayor Margot Garant (D) have stepped forward to fill the seat, securing their parties’ respective nominations last week.

Panico, whose 6th Council District consists of the town’s southeastern hamlets, was first elected to the Town Board in 2010 following the untimely death of Councilman Keith Romaine (R), the supervisor’s son. Panico had previously served on the Brookhaven Planning Board and as a senior deputy Suffolk County clerk.

“I believe in the power of town government to have a dramatically positive effect on the lives of the people that we represent and the communities that make up Brookhaven,” Panico said in an interview.

The deputy supervisor emphasized fiscal stability and open space preservation as two signature campaign positions.

“My record on open space preservation and the environment, I believe, is unmatched in this race,” he said, adding, “I am also fiscally conservative,

and I have been able to work effectively with the town boards that I’ve served on … to accomplish meaningful goals in this town.”

Republicans currently hold eight of the 10 elected positions within the town government, with one council seat vacant. Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (Stony Brook) is the lone Democrat.

To replicate its success at the ballot box, Panico said his party “must continue to listen to the people whom we represent.”

On the opposite side of the aisle, Garant seeks to become the first Democratic town supervisor since Mark Lesko resigned midterm in 2012. In early February, she announced her retirement from the Port Jeff village government after serving 14 years as mayor.

“There was no intent or forethought that I was retiring to put my hat in the ring,” she said. However, plans for her run came together shortly after the announcement when town Democratic leaders asked for a meeting.

“It was believed at that time that Romaine would be going up to the county executive level, which kind of left an interesting opening,” Garant said.

The outgoing village mayor said she plans to apply the lessons learned at the village level to town government.

“The [Brookhaven] landfill fees represent 42% of the overall revenue in the town,” she said.

Given her background negotiating with the Long Island Power Authority in a tax grievance dispute settled in 2018, she considers herself uniquely qualified to tackle the loss of public revenue.

Three Village Civic Association announces March speakers

The Three Village Civic Association announced in a press release that Adrienne Esposito, Long Island environmental advocate, and Peter Scully, deputy county executive, will speak at the March 6 civic association meeting.

Esposito is executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment and has been a tireless advocate for clean water, green energy and confronting the challenges of our changing climate.

Scully is also a former regional director of the New York State Environmental Conservation Department. He has been dubbed the county’s “Sewer Czar” and is a prime mover in Suffolk County’s efforts to remove nitrogen from cesspools and septic systems that drain into our local waters.

The Three Village Civic Association meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 6 at the Setauket Firehouse located at 394 Nicolls Road, East Setauket.

She added, “A self-sustaining waste management plan that speaks to utilizing the current infrastructure without expanding the carbon footprint, that’s something I’m very interested in grappling with.”

Along with the landfill closure, Garant said she would continue to focus on development, arguing that the town must “balance the quality of life and get some development done.”

While acknowledging that her party has “a lot of work to do” to be competitive this November, she remained optimistic.

“We have a very awesome slate” running for Town Board, she said. “I’m enthusiastic about what the slate brings, and I think the message we’re bringing is going to resonate.”

Port Jeff mayor

With Garant taking herself out of the running, Deputy Mayor and trustee Kathianne Snaden is the first declared candidate in the race for Port Jefferson Village mayor.

“When I first ran in 2019, my reason for running was to be the voice of those who never thought they had a voice,” she said. Since then, Snaden has gradually assumed greater responsibilities with more committee assignments, saying, “I

Obituary

Christine Spero, age 110, of Setauket, passed peacefully on Feb. 24.

She was the beloved wife of the late James Sr. and loving mother of Barbara Spero Trimarco (Vincent) and James Spero Jr. (Susan). She was also the adored grandma of Vincent Jr. and Michael (Rachel) and cherished great-grandma of Olivia, Ella, Gianna and Gemma.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:45 a.m. Friday, March 3, at St. James R.C. Church in Setauket. Entombment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Branch Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation www.jeffersonsferry.org/foundation or Good Shepherd Hospice www.chsli.org/ good-shepherd-hospice/ways-give.

think I’m in an even better position now to do that for the community.”

As the village’s public safety commissioner over the last four years, she considered the issue a paramount policy concern. “That has always been my number one concern in the village — to keep the community and the residents safe,” Snaden said. More recently, she was assigned trustee liaison to the building and planning departments. “Over the last year or so, I’ve been doing a lot of work up there to help streamline and make the process easier for anybody looking for an application,” she said. “That’s something that I want to continue to work on.”

Snaden also mentioned that close coordination with the school district, greater parking opportunities and improved resident mobility would be areas of focus if she were elected mayor this June.

Snaden is currently alone in the mayoral contest. Whether others step forward to run, she said she remains “focused on the work that I’m doing now and [that’s] what I will continue to do in the future.”

This is the first of a two-part story. Part II will cover upcoming legislative elections at the county, town and village levels.

Margot Garant, left, and Dan Panico, center, are the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively, for Brookhaven town supervisor. Right, Deputy Mayor and trustee Kathianne Snaden, mayoral candidate in Port Jefferson. Left from the Port Jeff Village website; center from Panico’s Facebook page; right courtesy Snaden

Deputy County Executive Peter Scully and Long Island environmental advocate Adrienne Esposito will be the featured speakers at the March 6 Three Village Civic Association meting. Photo of Scully from Suffolk County: photo of Esposito from TVCA

Christine Spero

Christine Spero

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Five people hurt in Setauket house fire

Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating a residential fire that occurred in Setauket on Feb. 28. Sixth Precinct officers responded to 19 Franko Lane after a 911 report of a fire at 1 a.m. The Setauket Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the blaze. Five residents of the house were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation but it does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Groceries stolen from S. Setauket Stop & Shop

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole groceries from Stop and Shop, located at 260 Pond Path in South Setauket, on Feb. 14 at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Man arrested for stealing from gym lockers

Suffolk County Police arrested a West Babylon man for allegedly stealing property from fitness center lockers during the past five weeks. Suffolk County Police received reports of credit cards and wallets stolen from lockers, both secured and unsecured, at LA Fitness locations throughout the county since January. Following an investigation, Carl Francois was arrested during a traffic stop on Carleton Avenue in Central Islip on Feb. 22 at approximately 1:15 p.m. Francois, 56, was charged with 27 counts of alleged Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree and two counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

Wanted for petit larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two people who allegedly stole two scooters and additional items from Target, located at 107 Independence Plaza in Selden, on Feb. 20 at 5:40 p.m. The merchandise was valued at approximately $350.

PJS man arrested for drug/weapons charges

Suffolk County Police arrested a man during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Port Jefferson Station on Feb. 22. Following an investigation by Suffolk County Police Narcotics and Criminal Intelligence detectives, Suffolk County District Attorney Office detectives, and assisted by Suffolk County Police Emergency Service Section and Sixth Precinct officers, a search warrant was executed at a residence at the Liberty Station Apartments, 1599 Route 112, at approximately 6:05 a.m.

Detectives found Nicholas Cox to be allegedly in possession of a loaded .25 caliber Lorcin semi-automatic handgun with an extra magazine along with approximately 50 grams of cocaine and fentanyl, along with drug packaging materials. Cox, 32, was charged with alleged Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd Degree.

— 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 this man? Photo from SCPD

Do you recognize this couple?

Photo from SCPD

Patriots fall in semifinal

BY BILL LANDON DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Ward Melville, the No. 3 seed, found themselves in an uphill battle against Walt Whitman, the No. 2 seed, in the Suffolk Class AA semifinal game Feb 22.

Whitman’s relentless defense keyed on Patriot point guard Julia Greek, who ranks 14th in the county in scoring, according to Newsday, averaging 17.1 points per game limiting the senior to just eight points. The Patriots trailed by 21 points at the half, a deficit they were unable to erase

falling to Whitman, 63-38, at Longwood High School.

Ward Melville senior Kyra Gianelli topped the scoring chart for the Patriots with 12 points and Grace Balocca netted seven. The Patriots concluded their 2223 campaign with an impressive 15-2 record in their division 16-5 overall.

Pictured clockwise from above, Ward Melville junior Kaitlyn Lawrence drives the baseline; Patriots senior Julia Greek in traffic; and Ward Melville senior Catie Edson drives the baseline.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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WE’REHIRING! TECHNICALMANAGER

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REAL ESTATE

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As Bellone Rides Off, Others Step Forward

Cartoon by Kyle Horne: kylehorneart.com @kylehorneart

Editorial

For local elections, put principle over party

It is shaping up to be a big election season for the residents of Suffolk County. It may be early in 2023, but we’re already thinking about Election Day. County Executive Steve Bellone (D) is termed out, triggering massive turnover across levels of local government.

As local Democratic and Republican committees put forward their slate of candidates for county executive, town supervisor and various legislative positions, it is time for We the People to do our homework.

County, town and village officials have a different set of responsibilities than those serving on the state or federal levels. Their duties locally include making decisions about land use, law enforcement, roadwork, waste management, recreational facilities and matters that affect our everyday lives.

Preserving open space, treating our garbage and paving roads are not issues of Democrat versus Republican. These matters impact every resident, which is why it’s important to put aside party affiliation when we enter the voting booth this year. Experience matters.

Before you vote, take a look at the candidates’ respective backgrounds. Does a candidate have relevant experience in the public or private sectors that will aid his or her decision making? Here at TBR News Media, we will take a deep dive into these candidates over the coming months, introducing our readers to their professional backgrounds and policy positions.

We know all the candidates will have much to say in the months ahead, and many will back their goals for our future with concrete plans.

As journalists, it is our job to provide our readers with the information necessary to make informed decisions on Election Day. We take this responsibility seriously and look forward to following these elections closely.

In the meantime, we remind our readers that you play a part in this as well. By writing letters to the editor about the various local races, you have the opportunity to interpret and contextualize our election coverage. Letters are your chance to influence the shape of our democracy, so don’t squander it.

Before voting, remember to research your ballot thoroughly, check your party affiliation at the door and keep an open mind. We will be here to help along the way.

Letters to the Editor

Who do we trust?

I think we have reached a pinnacle in our country to put on our calendars, National Fairy Tale Story Day. A quote from conservative commentator Jack Posobiec, “Elon Musk didn’t just buy a company … he purchased a crime scene.”

The radical left has acquired extraordinarily power and has used this power to transform American society within our education system, journalism, technology, sports and entertainment. Despite the best efforts of the most powerful people in the most powerful organizations to “bury” the truth in the fathoms of “the deep state,” FTX, Twitter, Biden and Obama, censorship, collusion and corruption are all being exposed.

There used to be an American game show, “Who Do You Trust?” Who do we trust? Our three-letter agencies are all involved with lies and deceit. The FBI were so busy at school board meetings going after concerned parents while unauthorized Chinese “police stations” were being set up in America. Who let that happen? Why is China owning over 191,000 acres in rural America? Another thought, what is the role China playing in the visit to Moscow? I don’t think it’s playing Chinese checkers with Putin, rather strategic chess moves within their minds.

Our leaders keep throwing the mirage at us. They lead us astray and confuse the direction of our paths (Isaiah 3:12). I give credit to The New York Times, Sunday front page article, “Alone, Underage and Exploited for Labor.” Again, it’s exposing the truth of this self-made crisis. This is not a political issue, this is a human-being issue.

We need the best of the best, not just in the athletic arena but across the board for America: teachers, politicians, doctors, lawyers, etc. Merit should drive the way.

Our school system needs to be rebooted. There is a need to restore school standards along with restoring “election integrity.” If you ask the youth in China of their aspirations they will answer astronaut, scientist or engineer. Ask the youth of America, their answer is social media. Why is TikTok still around?

To conclude with a positive quote from John Adams, our second president, “Let frugality and industry be our virtues. Fire (our children) with ambition to be useful.” Let’s see Congress’ “spending diet.” May it be lean and responsible for the taxpayer money.

God help America.

No cancellation requested

In one of his recent letters [“Sign of our times”, Feb. 9], George Altemose accused me of wanting to “cancel” him and letter writer Mark Sertoff, supposedly because I disagree with their opinions about Rep. George Santos’ [R-NY3] election and electric vehicle efficiency [“Not only Santos economical with the truth”, “No electric car for me”, Jan. 19].

For the record, I don’t want to “cancel” anyone, and actually agree with them that politicians lie and EV technology is immature. I questioned the value of their letters because their arguments were disingenuous and therefore merely performative. If Altemose doesn’t care how Santos got elected, he should say so, rather than pretend that Santos’ lies are equivalent to the exaggeration and hype that politicians of both parties have always engaged in.

If Sertoff doesn’t think we can — or should — mitigate fossil fuel emissions, he should say so, rather than pretend to be concerned about the maturity of EV technology.

It would be wonderful to see thoughtful, good-faith letters from the right, but instead we regularly see disingenuous, sarcastic rants about “wokism,” “cancel culture,” “socialism” and “CRT” with no facts or logic to be found. Until we see more intellectually honest letters, we should continue to point out bogus rhetorical tactics. In any case, the First Amendment rights of Altemose and Sertoff will remain uninfringed since TBR Media, as a private company, can print — or not print — whatever it chooses.

Refreshingly, Altemose’s latest letter [“How to tackle carbon dioxide emissions”, Feb. 23] frankly acknowledges the reality of humancaused climate change and makes a concrete, fact-based policy proposal: Use more nuclear power production to supplement renewable energy sources. Although we could do without the sarcasm, he correctly points out the hypocrisy of some on the left for rejecting nuclear out of hand. I agree we should strive to make policy decisions based on science and evidence.

But the nuclear power programs of France and South Korea have been more successful than ours because they are both run by nation-level, state-owned utilities. This has allowed them to standardize reactor technology, build multiple plants simultaneously, consolidate technical and operations expertise, avoid the need for an adversarial regulatory framework and ensure accountability via high-profile political oversight. While not perfect, this approach has made French and South Korean nuclear plants safer and more economical than those produced under the one-off, state-bystate, externally regulated, private for-profit contractor model used in the U.S.

Would Americans support a federally owned nuclear utility (“socialism”!) if it meant a safer, cheaper and emissions-free energy supply? That’s a good question worth some vigorous, fact-based debate.

John Hover East Setauket FDA’s record has undermined its credibility

In the recent Associated Press article, “FDA’s own reputation could be restraining its misinfo fight,” the Food and Drug Administration questions why the American public does not fully trust the information provided by the agency.

As chairwoman of Suffolk County’s Addiction Prevention and Support Advisory Panel, I can address that question by asking what most Americans have been wondering for the past 20 years: When was the FDA aware of the opioid epidemic, and what did it do to stop it? Additionally, why are there chemicals in American food, cosmetics and other products that are banned in other countries? And, why are there so many drug commercials on television aimed at the public when it should be up to our doctors to provide pharmaceutical guidance?

The role of the FDA is to protect “the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human drugs.” Perhaps it’s not what the FDA does that people don’t trust; it’s what it doesn’t do that Americans question.

Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) Suffolk County Legislator

Lisa Pius Old Field

rita@tbrnewsmedia.com

A random email triggers memories of Secret Santas and bubble bath

Ihave had one of those weeks where the phrase “It’s a small world after all” applies.

Let’s start with events from over three decades ago, shall we?

I had spent considerable time with Michelle when I was in college, as we both loved biology and studied coenzymes together.

I had met Michelle’s father several times, mostly when a group of us visited her house. Her father, who was a doctor, was a wonderful host.

exactly the same last name,” he said.

I held my breath.

“His first name was Ivan.”

A small electric shock worked its way through my body.

“That was my father,” I replied.

“Was?” he asked.

My father had died months earlier after an exhausting and painful battle with cancer.

I hadn’t developed “reporter” mode, which is what my children call it when questions leap at rapid fire pace from my brain to my mouth. Instead, I tried to imagine this man and my father as roommates in medical school.

with ideas to get their clients into the TBR newspapers.

I can’t always see a direct link between the coverage of stories in a community newspaper on Long Island and ideas that sometimes seem localized to other parts of the planet. When the connection seems tenuous, I don’t always read the emails all that carefully.

Recently, I received one such pitch and, despite not having a strong interest in the subject, read through the entire thing. The public relations executive was suggesting we cover a lecturer, author and authority figure in a particular field.

shares with audiences at conferences.

She not only attended college at the same time and place, but was in the same dorm for three years. In our sophomore year, I was her Secret Santa, which means that I bought small gifts for her and asked friends and roommates to leave them surreptitiously outside her dorm room. It’s a fun gift exchange and improves mental health during exams and amid shorter daylight hours.

One night, I sat at a dinner with my friends, before the “Secret Santa reveal,” suppressing a satisfied smirk as her roommate described what a wonderful Secret Santa her friend had.

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

I had also met Michelle’s father’s partners in his medical practice. We spoke to each other on a first-name basis.

One of his partners and I were in a spacious kitchen as the sun was setting over a nearby hill. The partner asked me my last name.

When I spelled it out, he studied me closely.

“I had a roommate in medical school with

I asked a few questions, for which he had short and not particularly informative answers. Later that night, I called my mom to tell her about the interaction. She said she knew the man and that he and my father were roommates and friends for a short time.

That brings me to story number two. I frequently receive pitch emails from people in the field of public relations. These executives from all over the country and the world — including Japan and Australia — email me

The first and middle names sounded familiar. When I got to the end of the pitch, where the email shared the person’s background, I realized that this woman and I attended the same college.

In fact, when I saw her picture, I immediately recognized her. She looked remarkably similar to how she looked decades ago —so, kudos to her for an ability to defy the effects of aging and gravity. That, I thought as I looked at her wrinkle-free face, could also be a topic she

Get a Medicare card and you may have reached FOGO

Adear friend of mine just celebrated her 65th birthday this week, and she regards it as a significant number. “How did I get here so fast?” she asks.

She also recognizes that she is getting older. That might even be a little scary.

Yes, she is now covered by Medicare. This is both an asset and a shock.

When she looks at her new Medicare card, she wonders how this could be. Is she really now eligible for Medicare?

is aging, that she has entered the first phase of the three-part delineation of older age. There is the young-older, from 65-75; then the middleolder, from 75-85; and the third segment, 85-95. Whoever decides and names these demographic groupings seems to have been unable to imagine any group beyond that point. Maybe it should be called “The Beyond Expectations Group.”

Although there are more older people in America than ever before, aging is fearful for 87% of the population, according to a survey of those turning 65 conducted by Pfizer. It’s called FOGO — fear of getting old.

Why are people afraid of getting old?

Her roommate quoted from the poem I had left her (in my roommate’s considerably more aesthetically pleasing handwriting) with a bottle of bubble bath. Wouldn’t it be funny if the secret to her youthful appearance were bubble baths, which she started using many years ago after getting an inexpensive Secret Santa gift? Probably not.

Either way, it’s a small world where unexpected connections can and do crop up, even in random emails.

fear of losing independence.

Interestingly, only 10% in the survey said they were afraid of dying.

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

Her grandmother was on Medicare, surely not her. But there is her name; the reality is undeniable.

“Well,” she silently acknowledges, “it’s good to have that coverage.” But the sight still stings a bit.

Part of her response is the awareness that she

With her new realization comes a vow to concentrate on her health and to make the ensuing years hardy ones. She has vowed to pay more attention to her diet, to make better choices concerning what she eats. More fruits and veggies are in store. But no amount of blueberries and kale can eliminate aging. She has now followed through with her long-held intention to work with a trainer. And she is getting a new mattress to help her sleep better.

My friend is doing something helpful for herself. She is turning concerns of aging and the rapid passing of time into better health actions so as to control how she wants to age. Life for her will no longer be just on automatic pilot.

There are a number of reasons. Aging can diminish employment prospects. It is a given that older employees earn more than younger newcomers, and while it is illegal to discriminate by age, we all know that such bias exists. It is no wonder, then, that plastic surgeons do facelifts to combat wrinkles and laugh lines, adjust sagging necks and erase any other evidence of aging. And it is not only women who undergo such procedures. Many men feel the need to blunt evidence of having lived into and past middle age.

People fear losses: of physical ability, of their good looks, of sufficient finances, of memory, of loved ones and consequently of being lonely, and even of their health shortly to be burdened with chronic diseases. Underlying all this is the

Other cultures respect and may even venerate older members of society. Aging can bring people an enhanced sense of gratitude, a calmer demeanor, an awareness of what is truly important, greater ability to resolve conflicts and even an inclination toward forgiveness. Elders are assumed to have accumulated some wisdom just from more years of living and are respected for that.

Of one thing, my friend is sure. When we consider milestones, it seems like the time between them is little more than the blink of an eye. She clearly remembers the details of her Sweet 16 party, the fun of turning 21, her graduation from law school and now suddenly, to be in the Final Frontier is one swift stroke of time after the other. Blink and you are 65. And along comes the recognition that the future is no longer assured.

My friend does not want to go quietly into older age.

D. None of the above