The Village Times Herald - March 16, 2023

Old Field candidates run unopposed in village election

Work continues on East Setauket Pond Park

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Residents passing by East Setauket Pond Park have noticed the area has been fenced off recently.

At the March Three Village Civic Association meeting, Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) updated members on the work being done on the pond. Two water quality units are being installed to capture road runoff, such as sediment and floatables, from Route 25A and interconnected town roads before the debris goes into Setauket Harbor.

In an email, Veronica King, Brookhaven’s

stormwater manager, said the project is expected to take approximately two months.

The current and past work at the park has been a result of a $1 million clean water grant for the Town of Brookhaven that former state Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) secured in 2016.

George Hoffman, one of the founders of Setauket Harbor Task Force, said in a phone interview that he was pleased that the units would be finally installed.

“It’s critical to improving water quality in Setauket Harbor,” he said. “The harbor is struggling. We haven’t been able to clam there

for 22 years. It’s unsafe to take clams from that harbor, and that’s based on bacteria in the area and a lot of the bacteria comes in through the stormwater.”

He added the filtering of road runoff would also lessen how often the pond has to be dredged.

At the civic meeting, Kornreich also told the attendees that the town recently purchased the property where East Setauket Automotive stands today with the hopes of building a larger park in the future. In a phone interview, Kornreich said the auto and truck repair shop will remain until 2025, and he said the town plans to be sensitive to the needs of businesses surrounding the park.

STONY BROOK • OLD FIELD • STRONG’S NECK • SETAUKET • EAST SETAUKET • SOUTH SETAUKET • POQUOTT • STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

Workers install a water quality unit at East Setauket Pond Park. Photo by Rita J. Egan

New addition

Three Village Historical Society historian Bev Tyler and his wife, Barbara, welcomed their first great-grandchild into the world. Eliza Jean Redding was born on Feb. 20 to proud parents Will and Maggie Redding.

Science stars

On March 11, more than 400 students from 17 Long Island schools gathered at R.C. Murphy Junior High School in Three Village for the regional Science Olympiad. Students took part in several sciencerelated events – from flying planes to coding to building roller coasters.

One of the teams from P.J. Gelinas Junior High School in Three Village came out on top, earning a bid to the state competition. The middle school division state competition takes place next month in Syracuse.

Science Olympiad is known as the premier team STEM competition in the United States. It seeks to engage and challenge students in STEM through various levels of team- based, collaborative and competitive tournaments.

Photo from Three Village Central School District

Staff cuts on the horizon for Three Village school district

BY MALLIE KIM DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Three Village Central School District plans to cut 30 full-time positions, primarily instructional staff, according to Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon.

The meeting was a step in the process of developing next year’s school budget in advance of the May 16 community vote, which will take place in Ward Melville High School’s gymnasium.

EDUCATION

The cuts are a result of declining enrollment — district data shows the student population dropped by more than 1,500 over the last decade — and the need to stay within the 2.65% tax levy increase cap the district has calculated based on state regulations for the 2023-24 budget.

“It’s unavoidable,” Scanlon said at a March 8 Board of Education meeting, noting some 75% of the school budget is payroll. “We simply don’t have enough money to sustain where we’re at right now, financially.”

Scanlon said that cuts would not lead to larger class sizes or affect programs already in place, but rather bring staffing more in line with student population levels. Excess positions will be both in elementary and secondary, he said, adding that instructional staff will be most affected because they make up the majority of employees, and the administrative team already made cuts last year.

Cost increases due to inflation have added budget challenges for the school district, according to Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Carlson. The part of the tax levy pegged to inflation can only increase by 2% but inflation in the United States at the end of last year was 6.5%.

“It’s killing us, everything is costing so much more,” Carlson said. “We’re really going to learn the difference between ‘we need something’ and ‘we want something.’”

But, Carlson said, at this point that won’t mean taking away aspects of Three Village that make it a desirable district. These include special education services, a topic that often comes up in budget conversations since the district educates students with special needs in-house as much as possible. According to Carlson, this makes the district’s per-pupil cost appears to be higher than neighboring districts, because costs associated with sending students to BOCES programs are not figured into a district’s per-pupil expenditure numbers, while costs for in-district services are.

Carlson said at the meeting he is often asked why Three Village provides more special education services than legally mandated.

“Well, of course we do,” he said. “We give more than is mandated to all of our students,” adding that pre-K, sports, clubs and universal busing are also not mandated.

“I don’t think we’d be proud of ourselves as a district if all we did was the bare minimum.”

The board is advocating with local politicians for the inflation-based cap to reflect real world inflation, Scanlon said, out of concern the rates might continue to soar.

“We are lucky for next year where it’s not going to affect programs,” he said. “But if it continues at this [rate], it will.”

The district is also seeking additional revenue streams, according to Scanlon, like renting out portable buildings to BOCES and taking on more tuition-based students from other districts. Carlson added that the district would raise rates for after-school care, enrichment programs and facility rentals for private programs.

“We certainly have not kept pace with inflation over the years,” Carlson said, adding the district has seen these programs as a kind of community service. “But those items, too, are costing more and more and more.”

The budget conversation comes just over a month after the district was labeled “susceptible to fiscal stress” by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (D). Carlson said this designation did not come as a surprise and reflects too little money in district reserves. Three Village spent nearly $7 million in reserve funds to keep schools open full time during the 2020-21 school year, with a virtual option.

Carlson expressed pride that Three Village was one of the few districts nationwide to maintain full-time, in-person learning during the pandemic, and said refilling the coffers is a priority. He added the district is in the middle of a plan to replenish this rainy day fund over several years.

“We would love to be in a position where hopefully nothing like that ever happens again, but if it does, we could do that again if we wanted to,” the deputy superintendent said.

The board opened its meeting with a moment of silence to remember R.C. Murphy Junior High student Qamat Shah, who was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike on Thursday evening, March 2. He was 14.

See page 8 for an article on the results of the Three Village Central School District’s restructuring survey.

Catholic Health and Long Island Cares partner to fight food insecurity

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

A local health care system and nonprofit have joined forces to help patients in the area.

Catholic Health and Hauppauge-based Long Island Cares food bank have been working together to help patients battling food insecurities.

“We have to engage health care partners in the fight against hunger,” said Jessica Rosati, Long Island Cares vice president for programs.

A pilot program was launched last summer in Catholic Health emergency rooms, including St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown and St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, to identify residents who need grocery supplements. The initiative includes health care practitioners screening emergency room patients for what are called “hunger vital signs.” If a screener deems a person is food needy, the patient can take a bag that has enough food for one or two people for three days.

Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, Catholic Health vice president and chief public and community health officer, said there has been data showing that 10-15% of Long Islanders experience food insecurities.

“We don’t want people leaving our hospitals and going to a home with no food,”

Make a

Eisenstein said.

The doctor said questions asked during screening include if there is enough food in the patient’s home or if they have enough money to buy more. Eisenstein said the bags are meant to be a bridge until a person can receive additional help. Health care professionals will also ask patients if they need help connecting with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, or social services.

Rosati said food insecurity is a social determinant of health.

“It makes a lot of sense for health care providers to start screening individuals for food insecurity, simply because it has such a strong correlation with other diseases and disorders,” she said. “If we can treat people when they immediately come in, then we have a better chance of linking them with the appropriate services so they have all of their needs met — not only their physical health, but everything else.”

Eisenstein added that the hope is to prevent unnecessary readmissions. He gave the example that if a patient with congestive heart failure may not be able to afford nutritious food, they may be back in the emergency room with health problems.

He said unnecessary admissions might mean financial consequences for a health care system, but ensuring people don’t return to

the emergency room unnecessarily is part of a hospital’s mission “to be humane and serve the most vulnerable.”

According to Rosati, more than 1,000 meals in to-go bags were distributed at all six Catholic Health hospitals to date. She added all the food included in the bags are nonperishable, shelf stable, and staff ensure food is nutritionally sound before being purchased.

She added Catholic Health officials approached Long Island Cares about initiating the program and the health care system has taken ownership of the program and found donors to expand it. She commended Catholic Health

for its efforts, adding that such an initiative is “imperative for people’s overall health and the success of their health,” and hopes other providers will take note.

Bags are now also being distributed throughout the Catholic Health’s ambulatory care, walk-in clinics, home care operations and cancer institute locations throughout Long Island, including Smithtown, Port Jefferson, Commack and East Setauket.

Uniondale-based Harris Beach law firm recently donated $5,000 to the program, according to Long Island Cares, which will cover 2,000 meals.

Catholic Health patients identified as having food insecurities will be able to take home a bag with enough food for three days. Photo from Long Island Cares

Trustee seats uncontested in Village of Old Field

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Rebecca Van Der Bogart and Morgan Morrison are seeking second terms on the Village of Old Field’s Board of Trustees. The two are unchallenged in the March 21 election.

Rebecca Van Der Bogart

Van Der Bogart ran for village trustee for the first time in 2021. A global account manager for the furniture company MillerKnoll, the trustee and her wife have lived in the village since 1997. Before her time on the board, she volunteered with the Crane Neck Association and was on the zoning board of appeals. She is also one of the founding members of Friends of Flax Pond.

As trustee, Van Der Bogart is in charge of municipal buildings and parks, and oversees the maintenance of trees on the sides of village roads, including sending out BID requests to local arborists. She has also been active in restoring the Old Field Point Lighthouse.

Morgan Morrison

Born and raised in Old Field, Morrison has worked in IT and technology for nearly 15 years, which has provided him with

the opportunities to travel extensively. He is currently a technical and horticultural consultant, and recently joined the Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County board.

Morrison, acting streets commissioner in the village, ran for the first time in 2022 for a one-year term for the seat that Adrienne Owen was appointed to after Bruce Feller stepped down as mayor and Stephen Shybunko replaced him, leaving a trustee seat vacant.

Old Field Point Lighthouse

Van Der Bogart said continuing on the lighthouse project is one of her top priorities.

The candidates said the village is responsible for the facility’s upkeep, which includes Old Field’s Village Hall, even though the U.S. Coast Guard owns the lighthouse. If not maintained, the Coast Guard can take back the facility.

Morrison said he and the trustees look forward to restoring the lighthouse to its “former glory.”

“We’re really excited to break ground in restoring the lighthouse,” he said.

While it will not be altered, Van Der Bogart said renovations are extensive and will include repairing leaking lanterns, replacing light panes and the roof, regrading and more.

“It’s not a big building, but it’s a complicated thing because you have a working lighthouse,” she said. “It’s used as a navigational point.”

Van Der Bogart said the board has been working well together, “attacking the restoration and renovation of the lighthouse to tighten up the building envelope so water doesn’t penetrate and it’s going to last another 200 years.”

Morrison agreed that the lighthouse is a priority for the trustees.

“All of the trustees are one big unified team, everybody is on the same page about making progress with this project,” Morrison said.

Van Der Bogart added the trustees have been fiscally responsible in approaching the work on the lighthouse, and taxes in the village won’t be raised. The local nonprofit Lighthouse Foundation is raising funds for its restoration.

Cellphone coverage

Morrison said while knocking on doors in the village, he and Van Der Bogart have also heard from many residents who are concerned about the spotty cellphone coverage in the village.

Morrison said it’s noted that most people don’t want an unattractive cellphone pole in their neighborhood.

“We’re working on finding a solution that works,” he said.

Morrison said one of the options they are looking into are miniature cell sites that cover a few square miles.

Election day

Old Field residents can vote for two trustees on Tuesday, March 21, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Keeper’s Cottage, 207 Old Field Road.

CORRECTION; In the TBR News Media March 9 article, “Town of Brookhaven joins energy revolution,” the town’s community choice aggregation administrator, Good Energy LLC, was misidentified as a London-based firm. In fact, Good Energy is headquartered in Manhattan. We apologize for the error.

The VILLAGE TIMES HERALD (USPS 004-808) is published Thursdays by TBR News Media, 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $49 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

Rebecca Van Der Bogart, left, and Morgan Morrison are running for reelection in the Village of Old Field. Among the trustees’ concerns is the Old Field Point Lighthouse renovation. Photos above from candidates; photo below by Huberto Pimentel

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Farmingville boy reported missing

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a Farmingville boy who was reported missing since March 13. Mertcan Cakmak left his home, located on Waverly Ave., on a bicycle sometime overnight and is possibly attempting to go to the Bronx. He was reported missing by a family member at approximately 5:45 a.m. Mertcan, 12, is white, 5 feet 5 inches tall, approximately 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing ripped jeans and a dark-color hooded sweatshirt. He has braces and a scar above his eye.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on Mertcan’s location to call the Sixth Squad at 631- 854-8652 or 911. Centereach teen reported missing

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a Centereach teen who was reported missing on March 12. Ashley Leonardi, 17, was last seen leaving her residence on Belwyn Lane, on March 11 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Leonardi is Caucasian, 5 feet one inches tall, 125 pounds with blue eyes, blonde and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, tan sweatpants and white sneakers.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on her location to call 911 or the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

Four arrested for selling e-cigarettes to persons under 21 in

Centereach

Suffolk County Police arrested four people on March 11 for allegedly selling e-cigarettes to persons under 21 during compliance checks at businesses in the Sixth Precinct. In response to community complaints, Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an investigation into the sale of e-cigarettes to minors during which four Centereach businesses were checked for compliance.

The following employees were charged with alleged Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree: Connor King, 21, of Centereach, employed at Hemp Clouds, located at 1515 Middle Country Road; Andrew Petruzzi, 20, of Coram, employed at Metropolis Smoke Shop, located at 1685 Middle Country Road; Zubair Mahamud, 26, of Ronkonkoma, employed at Medusa Smoke Shop, located 2484 Middle Country Road; and Lakhwinder Singh, 34, of Centereach, an employee of Barcode Smoke Shop and Hookah, located at 115 Mark Tree Road.

Smith Haven Mall security guard arrested

Suffolk County Police arrested a Smith Haven Mall security guard on March 9 for allegedly committing a sex act while on duty last year. Jose Irizarry was working as a security officer in the Lake Grove mall on Aug. 29, 2022, when he approached a 24-year-old woman who he suspected of shoplifting. Irizarry, under the guise of escorting the woman out of the mall brought her into an employees only corridor and then into a storage room, where he allegedly forced the victim to perform a sex act on him in exchange for her being allowed to leave the mall. Irizarry, 33, of Holbrook, was charged with Criminal Sex Act 1st Degree.

Medford teen killed in PJS car crash

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed one teenager and injured five others in Port Jefferson Station on March 11. Christopher Ospina was driving a 2019 Honda Accord eastbound on Nesconset Highway when he attempted to make a left turn onto Woodhull Avenue and was struck in the intersection by a westbound 2022 Ford Bronco at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Isaac Ruiz, 16, of Medford, a backseat passenger in the Honda, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Ford, Taner Ustaoglu, 19, of Miller Place, along with Ospina, 18, of Islandia, plus three other passengers in the Honda, Jordan Hatal, 16, Joseph Marzano, 15, and Alexa Angelis, 17, were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

— 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.

Mertcan Cakmak

Ashley Leonardi

Local leaders warn of THC products packaged for children

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Public officials and drug prevention advocates are sounding the alarm over cannabis products packaged for children.

During a recent Port Jefferson Station/ Terryville Civic Association meeting, civic vice president Sal Pitti circulated a flier revealing various cannabis products resembling commonplace children’s foods and household snacks.

Pitti, who is also active with the Town of Brookhaven’s Drug Prevention Coalition, suggested these products are branded for children and attributes the problem to false advertising.

“We all grew up with Trix and Cocoa Pebbles when we were kids,” he said. “It’s a branding that people know, they recognize and might more easily purchase.”

Pitti detailed several potential dangers associated with tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana commonly known as THC, getting into the hands of young people. He said processed edible cannabis often has exponentially higher THC concentrations, which can get kids hooked on the substance more efficiently and create a gateway to harder drugs.

Recent statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse substantiate this claim. Samples analyzed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency since 1995 indicate that today’s cannabis products are nearly four times as potent as those collected in that year.

“They’ve sophisticated this technique to great extents,” Pitti said. “Now they’re making gummies, candies, granola bars, honeys and spreads out of this stuff. But the problem is, in processing all of this, that THC level has gone up dramatically.”

Pitti said packaging highly potent THC products to children signals potentially severe societal harm. “This is going to open up a door to our youth that’s going to hurt them,” he said. “This is just a bomb that’s waiting to go off.”

A crisis for children

Pitti is not alone in these concerns. Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) has introduced legislation targeting the practice. Her bill cites the risks associated with underage THC consumption, such as impaired memory and coordination, and the potential for hallucinations and paranoia among minors.

In an interview, Hahn suggested marketing cannabis in a manner that makes it desirable to children represents a public safety hazard.

“If it’s intentionally designed to look like candy, the purpose is to confuse the consumer,” she said, adding, “If an adult purchases marijuana gummies that are packaged similarly to candy-type gummies

and a young child gets their hands on it and eats it unknowingly, that’s a very dangerous situation for the child.”

Hahn’s bill would require packaging of THC products to be plain, containing clear warning labels and prohibiting the words “candy” or “candies.” She noted that the measure’s goal is to make THC products less enticing to kids.

“The packaging of the products is incredibly important,” the county legislator said, stating the bill would prevent merchants from “mimicking candy wrappers, having logos that are like cartoons or characters or having flavors that are attractive to children.”

Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai), chair of the county’s Addiction Prevention and Support Advisory Panel, has signed on as a co-sponsor to Hahn’s bill. She referred to child-friendly THC packaging as a harmful way for cannabis sellers to market their products.

“These cannabis folks see this as a

marketing strategy,” she said. “It’s creating a problem, we know for a fact, and we’re trying to address that.”

State oversight

Marijuana was legalized in New York state in 2021 under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management is the regulatory arm overseeing the licensure, production, sale and taxation of cannabis throughout the state. In an email statement, the office confirmed the uptick in packaging branded for children.

“We have seen illicit sellers marketing products clearly imitating candies and snacks that target children,” said Lyla Hunt, OCM’s deputy director of public health and campaigns. “New York State would never allow those products to be sold in licensed cannabis dispensaries. Our enforcement teams are working every day to shut those sellers down.”

Further compounding the issue, Hunt added that illicit dealers often do not

follow the same protocols as their licensed counterparts. “We also have heard reports unlicensed storefronts are not checking ID when selling illicit cannabis products, heightening the importance of shuttering these operators before they can do more harm,” she said.

According to her, OCM has worked to curtail the issue through stringent guidelines, putting forth regulations regarding packaging, labeling and marketing to mitigate this technique.

“We at New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management are committed to building a safe, regulated cannabis industry for consumers ages 21 and over that also protects those under 21,” the deputy director said.

OCM’s regulations concerning packaging echo several of the items raised in Hahn’s bill, restricting words such as “candy” and “candies” while mandating that packages be resealable, child-resistant and tamper evident. The guidelines also limit the use of cartoons, bubble-type fonts and bright colors on the packaging.

Despite OCM’s approach, Anker said the work of local and state government remains unfinished. “More must be done,” the county legislator said. She added, “This product is legally new to the market, and you need to be aware and do your part as a parent and as a teacher … to protect the kids.”

Photo courtesy the Town of Brookhaven’s Drug Prevention Coalition

‘This is going to open up a door to our youth that’s going to hurt them. This is just a bomb that’s waiting to go off.”

—Sal Pitti

Three Village stakeholders prefer moving up sixth, ninth grades

BY MALLIE KIM DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

repurposing an elementary school.

EDUCATION

The results are in. Across stakeholder categories, the clear favorite in Three Village Central School District’s restructuring survey was Option B, moving up both sixth and ninth grades to mean the two middle schools would house sixth through eighth grades, and the high school would house grades nine through 12.

Option A represented maintaining the current configuration with kindergarten through sixth grade in elementary school, seventh through ninth in junior high, and grades 10-12 in high school; Option C would have moved up only ninth grade; and Option D was the Princeton Plan, which would have split elementary schools and placed upper and lower grades in separate buildings. All four options, including Option B, left open the future possibility of closing or

Among district parents, staff, secondary students and the community at large, the data followed very similar trends, with the status quo coming in a distant second place when all four options were ranked against each other. “We’re so often told that different groups are in conflict with one another — schools and parents and teachers and politics,” said Deirdre Rubenstrunk, the district’s executive director of technology, at a special meeting to present survey results to the Board of Education on Monday, March 13. “But here we got to see in this data a real alignment of where people want to go, and as a school district administrator, that was really reassuring.”

The strategic planning committee recommended the board adopts Option B, but BOE president Susan Rosenzweig said they would take their time making a decision.

“We are not in a rush to make this vote; there’s a lot to consider,” she said, pointing out that there were many helpful comments

Stony Brook Medicine doctor dies in snowmobile crash

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Vermont State Police identified Dr. Mark Funt, a Setauket resident and Stony Brook Medicine doctor, as the man who died in a snowmobile crash in Cavendish, Vermont, Friday, March 10.

Funt, 74, was operating a snowmobile along Main Street in Cavendish when it crashed. The doctor suffered fatal injuries. The incident is currently under investigation.

According to the obituary submitted by his family, “He was doing what he loved most — spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.”

Before Funt joined Stony Brook University, he attended The Emory University School of Medicine and was assistant professor at the Yale University School of Medicine, according to the Stony Brook Medicine website. Dr. Todd Griffin, vice dean for Clinical Affairs and vice president for Clinical Services at Stony Brook Medicine, said Dr. Martin Stone, founding chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, recruited Funt in 1978 to be the chief of Gynecology and to start the Residency Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In 1982, Funt founded Stony Brook Gynecology and Obstetrics. According to the Stony Brook Medicine website, he would lecture across the country and won numerous awards, including Attending of the Year. He also was recognized for his outstanding patient care.

Griffin described Funt as “a dedicated physician and beloved member of the Stony Brook Medicine family.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing him both

personally and professionally for the past 30 years,” Griffin said.

The doctor added that the residency program Funt help founded will be graduating its 162nd resident this year.

“He had a tremendous impact on women’s health for Long Island,” Griffin said. “We are truly saddened by this tragedy, and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and patients.”

Funt was named The Village Times Man of the Year in Sports in 1996 for his work in generating more than $100,000 in private contributions for a football stadium at Ward Melville High School. He also was in charge of assembling of the 15-member committee to work on the fundraising campaign.

Mary Barter, former Three Village school district superintendent, said in the 1996 Man of the Year article, “Dr. Funt’s efforts have given a wonderful benefit to the school district and the children of our community.”

and concerns written in the survey responses, especially from some forward-thinking teachers who had suggestions from the front lines. “We’re going to do what’s absolutely the very best for the kids but while remaining within our fiduciary responsibilities.”

Restructuring plans are separate from the budget planning currently in process for the 2023-24 school year, but restructuring is under consideration because of declining enrollment trends and other budget concerns.

Even if the board votes to adopt Option B in the coming weeks, that would mark only the beginning of the work, according to Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon. Whatever the board decides, he said, “the work then begins for the employees of the district — the administration, the staff.”

If Option B moves forward, Scanlon said, district staff would need to go through all the nitty gritty details to figure out logistics, such as moving instructional staff, adjusting curriculum

Obituary

Mark Ian Funt

Mark Ian Funt died tragically in a snowmobiling accident on Friday, March 10, in Vermont. He was doing what he loved most — spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Mark was born Aug. 21, 1948, in New York City. The oldest of four children born to Harold and Lila Funt, he took on a leadership role at a young age.

He ran on the track team at Syosset High School, graduating in 1966. His exemplary grades earned him a seat at Emory University. Mark stayed in Atlanta to attend Emory University School of Medicine, graduating in 1973. He completed his medical internship at New York University. Mark returned to Atlanta where he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology, serving as chief resident 1976-77.

He accepted a position as assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Two years later, Mark moved to Setauket and was elemental in founding the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stony Brook University in 1979. He served as associate professor and chairman of the OB-GYN residency program at SUNY Stony Brook. He is credited with delivering the first baby at the newly opened

and planning to have enough guidance counselors in the right school buildings. That work, Scanlon said, would need to be finished by next December to make implementing changes for the 2024-25 school year possible. “We want to do this properly,” he said. “We don’t want to rush at this.”

Scanlon mentioned that making secondary school start times later, the part of the strategic planning committee process that wasn’t included in the survey, was still high on the administration’s priority list, but they have not yet figured out logistics and finances.

The district plans to schedule four informational meetings in coming weeks, two at night and two during the day, to explain the survey results to interested parents and community members. In the meantime, the results — including comments — are posted on the district’s website and can be found by clicking on the “District” drop-down menu and selecting “Committees.”

hospital. In 1982, Mark established his private practice in Setauket, while continuing to train residents at Stony Brook University Hospital. Mark was a vibrant individual, typically with a smile on his face and an optimistic outlook on life. Many people looked up to him as a mentor and father figure, often seeking his guidance and advice. When the local high school was in need of a new athletic stadium, Mark spearheaded the project. He was recognized as the 1996 Man of the Year in Sports by The Village Times.

His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends. Mark was a U.S. Coast Guard licensed boat captain and spent many wonderful days fishing with his three sons. He enjoyed spending time on the golf course with his wife Mary and friends. Mark’s greatest joy was entertaining his grandchildren, who all lovingly referred to him as “Poppy.” The outpouring of love from the community has been overwhelming and is a testament to the incredible man that he was. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mark is survived by his wife, Mary; mother Lila; brother David (Jody); sisters Syma (Bob) and Nancy (Dan); sons Seth (Elizabeth), Jared (Sarah) and Jordan (Holly); and eight grandchildren. Mark’s father Harold preceded him in death.

— Obituary prepared by the Funt family

Dr. Mark Funt. Photo from Stony Brook Medicine

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BOARD.

HOWARDM.BERGSON

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1350303/161xvth

As the New York State Legislature begins state budget negotiations with Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), it is important that all New Yorkers are aware of her inclusion of a disastrous policy to remove fuel choice from New York families. This mandate will dramatically impact our businesses, workers and homeowners while doing little to protect our environment.

PERSPECTIVE

This policy will ban the installation of any fossil-fuel equipment in new one-family residential buildings of any height or multifamily residential buildings of three stories by the end of 2025 and for new multi-family residential buildings more than three stories or new commercial buildings by the end of 2028. It will also implement a ban on new hot water heaters, boilers, clothes dryers and ovens that utilize traditional fuels by 2035. Effectively, that means that New Yorkers will be forced to switch from reliable and dependable fuel sources like natural gas and propane in an unnecessarily hurried manner.

these fuels and eliminating the ability of our residents to decide what fuel they are using in their homes, we are on a dangerous path that has the very real potential of harming every facet of our residents’ lives.

Our energy grid and infrastructure, as it stands, is unable to handle the rapidly approaching demand this mandate will place on it. Our workers who work with natural gas and other fossil fuels will see job losses due to this dictate. And our residents will feel the impact of this rushed and ill-conceived ban in their lives and their budgets. We are following the failed policies of California, which has seen blackouts, brownouts and a ban on electric car charging.

BY MARIO MATTERA

Working alongside Republican Conference Leader Robert Ortt, I have been working to raise awareness of this issue and will continue to do so to protect all our residents. As the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, I participated in two very important hearings in Albany that examined this issue and have spoken to experts in the fields that will be involved and impacted. This included energy experts to organized labor leaders to fellow elected officials and the overwhelming outcome has been that they see a potential disaster on the horizon.

This dictated change, by supporters estimates, will cost our taxpayers and ratepayers over $270 billion dollars and the true cost is sure to be 10 times that and more. Additionally, by banning

Additionally, while this seems like a good environmental approach to some, the reality is that our state gets approximately 50% of its electricity from outside of our state. By getting the power that this plan needs from sources in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, where there is no ban on fossil fuels, we are going to see little benefit and a lot of pain.

While we all support a logical usage of renewable energy, our state needs a realistic plan not a ban. We should examine all sources, including clean green hydrogen, and I am working with my colleagues to examine this as a future source. We must work together to take steps that protect our workers, our taxpayers and our homeowners without mandating unrealistic ideals to them.

The time is now to work together – in a realistic and open way – to find the answers our residents deserve and I am committed to doing just that.

Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James) represents the state’s 2nd District and is the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

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Continuing the fight for women’s equality

For more than 35 years, March has been set aside to honor American women who have made their mark on history.

Over this time, Women’s History Month has evolved into a period to reflect on women’s roles in the country and the steps made to further equality, an effort that is still unfinished. While there’s no denying that women have come a long way over the decades, more work must be done.

Unfortunately, in this 21st century, countless women don’t earn the same as their male counterparts, who do the same exact job as they do. Sometimes, women even find themselves in work situations where they make less than men who don’t have as much experience or education as they do.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1979 women who were full-time, salary workers had earnings that were 62% of men. In 2020, the gap closed somewhat but not completely, with women on average making 82% of what men make in similar jobs. Females of color make even less.

Women are underpaid in many fields, including the media. A 2021 study researching the newsrooms of 14 Gannettowned newspapers found women earned up to $27,000 less annually than men, according to the labor union NewsGuild. That equates to 63% of the median salary of males in the same roles.

The days of women working only to earn some spending money are long gone. Today, society doesn’t limit women to feeling as if they can only choose to be a secretary, teacher or nurse. Girls can grow up to be whatever they aim to be and, just like men, females have college loans that must be paid for and carry the burden of household expenses. In an era where two incomes are often needed to own a home, and there are single mothers and women looking to build a future of their own, paying women only 82% of what men make is inexcusable.

Females deserve the same respect as males in every aspect, yet they are still fighting on every level. Another distressing example of what females experience comes from a survey conducted by the Seattle University Department of Communication and Media which reported 79% of 115 women journalists surveyed feared online abuse. Such harassment could put a female reporter in a position where she may fear covering certain kinds of stories. Preying on women journalists to prevent them from properly doing their job is unconscionable.

Women have the right to choose whatever career path they desire. When they land their dream job, they deserve to be paid the same as their male counterparts and to be treated with respect.

Women’s History Month reminds us that the fight for equality is universal. Men require strong women, and vice versa. Today’s females stand on the shoulders of the women and men who have fought for their equality.

Let us continue their work. Let us envision a world that will be better for the girls who follow in our footsteps.

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

Please see revised letters policy below.

Friendly, generous people

I would like to share how my wife and I have twice been the recipients of little acts of kindness.

The first occurred when we were dining in a Port Jefferson restaurant with another couple. The man, John, was telling us that he had fought in Europe in World War II. A few minutes later, our waitress informed us that the people in the next booth had paid for John’s meal. A thank-you for his service. We, of course, went to their booth and thanked them.

More recently my wife and I had finished lunch at Outback Steakhouse in East Setauket, and the check arrived. The total appeared to be wrong, and I asked our waitress about it. She explained that the couple at the next table had some money left on their gift card and requested that it be applied to our bill. Unfortunately, they had left before we learned this, and we could not thank them. Whoever you are, if you read this: A profound thank-you for your generosity. I will pay it forward.

Steven Perry Rocky Point

On the road again

March 12 was the 101st anniversary of East Northport resident Jack Kerouac’s birth.

It made me reread one of his best writings, “On the Road.” His works remind me of the more adventurous spirit of youth.

Sadly, as we get older, with more responsibilities and less free time, there are fewer journeys to take, but the ideals of Kerouac continue to live in all of us.

Larry Penner

Great

Neck

Fund the state’s new campaign finance program

In a representative democracy, money should not be the determining factor in whether a person can run for public office. When working-class people run and serve in public office, our government works better for working families. Yet too often, the process is dictated by wealthy donors and special interest groups, making it difficult for the average person to run for office and win. The New York State Public Campaign Finance Program would help to change that.

This new state program would eliminate barriers and level the playing field for good, qualified people to run for public office. Under the new system,

individual contributions of between $5 and $250 would be eligible for public matching funds, enabling candidates — incumbents and challengers — to spend their time fundraising among more of the people they seek to represent, as opposed to wealthy megadonors. This makes it easier for ordinary people without access to wealth to run for office, with the support of our communities.

Instead of officeholders who are beholden to corporate donations, special interests and megadonors, they would be listening to constituents who built their campaign, one small donation at a time. Furthermore, these small donors would be engaged in the process to a greater degree, as they have a personal connection with the candidate who represents them and the community. This is what a government of, by and for the people is all about.

Unfortunately, no one will be able to make use of public campaign finance if there is no funding allocated to the program. Our legislators must take bold action and fully fund the Public Campaign Finance Program this year, so that candidates can begin using it in the 2024 election cycle, as the law intended. This funding must be a part of our fiscal year 2024 budget that is currently being negotiated in Albany. We in Suffolk County know all too well that special interests dominate the process. Special interests who hold power with our Republican and Conservative county legislators that killed Suffolk County’s public campaign finance program before it began. We cannot let this happen again at the state level. I urge you to let your state legislators know that you support New York’s Public Campaign Finance Program, and that you want your government to represent you, not the special interest groups. That is the leadership and democracy we deserve.

Shoshana Hershkowitz South Setauket

Correction: Good Energy is New York-based

First, thank you for the in-depth March 9 article about Community Choice Aggregation in Long Island. It is a wellwritten article that shares much important information about CCA programs.

Long Island residents and businesses can benefit from such programs for years, so the more information, the better. Such CCA programs will enable Long Islanders to secure stable, low energy rates and also feature renewable energy options. That is, indeed, important news for Long Islanders.

As a media contact for Good Energy, I would like to add a small — but important — correction and a clarification to that article, “Community Choice Aggregation: Town of Brookhaven joins energy revolution” [see TBR News Media website].

Good Energy is mentioned as being a London-based company. It’s an understandable error because there is a United Kingdom-based company with the same name as ours. However, Good Energy LLC is based in Manhattan, with employees on Long Island and has been helping New York and other states create CCA programs for more than 20 years.

For our company, it’s important that residents of the Town of Brookhaven and the rest of Long Island know we are a New York-based business working for New Yorkers. We look forward to serving Brookhaven as the energy consultant for their CCA program. Part of that service is providing Brookhaven with new, exciting renewable energy options.

I would also request that your publication clarifies the scope of Good Energy’s CCA program: The Town of Brookhaven’s Community Choice Aggregation Program is for gas, electricity and renewable energy.

In fact, Good Energy is currently working with Brookhaven officials to develop such renewable energy projects. More news about that will be coming soon.

Doug Donaldson Media Representative Good Energy LLC New York

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: rita@tbrnewsmedia.com or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

Distractions to avoid unpleasant or unwelcome subjects

Generally, we don’t need distractions. We’re distracted enough, what with our electronic devices allowing us to check the weather in Albany during a storm, the latest trends on social media, the minuteto-minute value of our investments, and the world of sports news and scores.

enough for a meeting to end, a temper tantrum to subside, or an anxiety to abate.

I often start with almost factual information. By getting a sensational and exciting story almost correct, I trigger people to check their own phones to see if they can prove me wrong about some detail that isn’t as important as recognizing some bigger problem, like not getting an assignment done.

the spectacular sportsmanship that women’s softball team displayed when they carried the player from the other team around the infield so she could touch all the bases after she fell. I’m so inspired.”

dramatic metaphors, if given the opportunity to share them, can also suggest that I’m capable of deep thoughts, even if I haven’t had any related to the incomplete assignment.

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

And yet, there are those times when we desperately need a distraction. Our boss, for example, might ask about a project for which we’ve done almost no work and that we promised to work on last week, but that we didn’t get to because we were, well, distracted by other things.

Everyone likely has their own bag of go-to distractions that they turn to in moments when they need to deflect or distract someone just long

This phone check also tends to pull people’s minds into their electronic devices, where they might see text messages that need attention, a picture of their dog that reminds them of an upcoming trip to the vet, or some other big news that will divert their attention away from my almost factual statement and whatever other subject I’m trying to avoid.

Then, there’s always passion. I’m a generally level-headed person who stays calm, even when discussing subjects that are near and dear to me. Dialing up the passion, like changing the decibel level in a soft song with a message, can be distracting and effective. “I can’t believe

That, of course, also encourages people to dive back into their phones. Most of the time, that is effective unless the phone reminds them of whatever I’m trying to avoid, in which case, I turn to other methods.

Reverently appreciating silence is also an effective method. It’s the slow-down-so-wecan-think moment. Staring off into the distance, putting up a finger as if I’m coming up with some great idea, and then thanking that person for giving me that time can often alter the trajectory of a meeting.

Once the silence ends, I slowly offer an awed appreciation for the value of time and space, an admiration for nature, or anything else that suggests a depth that counterbalances my ineffective presentation.

Poignant anecdotes or even effective and

Then, of course, there’s the Socratic method. Someone asks me something about an assignment, and I lean into it, asking a wide range of questions about the assignment, its direction, our target audience, and opportunities to build on it.

The answers to those questions sometimes reveal more about the expectations.

I never pretend to have a stomachache. I know people do that, but I get stomachaches often enough that I wouldn’t even pretend to have one, lest my system decided to oblige me and turn my charade into an afternoon of discomfort.

In a pinch, I metaphorically beat up on myself, suggesting how I could have done better on this and that I am disappointed in the pace at which I’m completing this project. It’s hard to beat up on someone who has already accepted responsibility and is eager to make amends.

Please note that this is a rerun of last week’s column because four of our six newspapers did not receive the ad referred to in the text. This time we hope all will be able to enjoy the video.

There is something new, and I hope you will find exciting, in this issue of the newspaper.

Country, you will see a QR code within the border of the ad. Run your mobile phone camera at the back of your phone over the code, and it will open up to a 30-second video. The new addition, in effect, turns the flat, two-dimensional print ad into a talking motion picture, however briefly. This gives significantly extra punch to the ad. It’s also fun for the reader.

page of our TBRnewsmedia website under the banner “Video spotlight on business.” Our website has approximately 150,000 viewers per month. Further, the advertisers can add the video to their own web page if they would like. Advertisers should check with their sales reps for more information and to get started.

the benefits of the web to print, we hope to engage our readers further and serve our local communities. We also hope, by being innovative, to help our bottom line.

If you will look at the advertisement for Elegant Eating on page 2 for those of you who get The Times of Smithtown and The Times of Huntington or the back cover for The Village Times Herald, The Port Time Record, The Village Beacon Record and The Times of Middle

We can, of course, offer the same process for news stories. An article about someone newsworthy can carry a QR code that then permits a live viewing of that person speaking to the viewer.

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

For now, we will concentrate on providing this service to advertisers, refining the process as we go along. And we have priced this offering reasonably to allow many business people to afford coming aboard.

In addition to viewing the short on a mobile phone, the video will also run on the home

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA

We welcome letters, photographs,

In adding this new feature, we hope to have a meaningful interaction between print and the web. Print, of course, is being challenged as digital news and advertising have lessened to some extent the dominance of print. With this new service, it is our intention to bring the best of both worlds to the advertising side and also the news side of our media output.

The value of print, with its responsibility for vetting and fact checking both stories and ads, cannot be overstated in this present climate of enormous misinformation on the web. In bringing print to the web, and

ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Beth Heller Mason

We know communities need local news outlets to inform and protect them, as well as to hold a mirror up to record their daily lives and achievements. Towns where newspapers have failed in the last decade are now referred to as news deserts and have suffered for their loss. Ill-considered developments, poorly sited landfills and unfortunate actions by unworthy local government officials have been only some of the consequences, with no strong voice to give outcry on behalf of the people. Many energetic journalists have been thrown out of work. We believe the key to survival in this age is to embrace change and join with its best aspects.

Hence our latest enhancement for you.

BUSINESS MANAGER

Sandi Gross

DIRECTOR

Kathleen Gobos

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Elizabeth Bongiorno

Robin Lemkin

Larry Stahl

Katherine Yamaguchi

Minnie Yancey

PRODUCTION

Janet Fortuna

Sharon Nicholson

CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER

Sheila Murray

CIRCULATION & LEGALS

MANAGER

Courtney Biondo

INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Rob Alfano SPECIAL PROJECTS

Kathryn Mandracchia

D. None of the above

Here’s how to have fun with our ads

ELEGANT EATING

Passover 2023 easter 2023

“Whoops wrong Holiday! Finally lightening up a little. It has been a long year!”

“Don’t worry Myra I got this covered!”

Passover Family Dinner for 8

Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls

Chicken Breast Filled with Savory Kugel or

Braised Short Ribs (Boneless)

Triple Berry Sauce

Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans with Garlic and Oil

Box of Matzo

Macaroons

$275 (Chicken Breast) • $340 (Short Ribs)

Food is not Kosher.

Please Place Orders by March 29 Wednesday, Pick up:

April 5th, Wednesday ~ 12 pm to 4 pm

April 6th, Thursday ~ 10 am to 4 pm

Easter Family Dinner for 8

Caesar Salad

Honey Baked Ham

Topped with Caramelized Pineapple with Honey Mustard or

Braised Short Ribs (Boneless)

Green Beans with Garlic and Oil

Herb Roasted Potatoes

Assorted Dinner Rolls

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting or Harvest Berry Bindi Tart

$300 (Ham) • $345 (Short Ribs)

Please Place Orders by March 31 Friday, Pick up:

April 7th, Friday ~ 12 pm to 4 pm

April 8th, Saturday ~ 10 am to 4 pm

Askeleganteating@aol.com

Please check our Facebook page or website for menus and ordering options.

Not Responsible for Typographical Errors