TIMES HERALD The Village
Stony Brook • old Field • Strong’S neck • Setauket • eaSt Setauket • South Setauket • Poquot t
Volume 40, No. 12
Kullen’s Closin’
May 21, 2015
$1.00
east Setauket supermarket prepares to close its doors By Phil corSo
A day of reflection on Memorial Day Also, Memorial Day parades on the North Shore; local actor lands lead in ‘Oliver!’ at Theatre Three
PAGe B1
Ramp revamp on 25A
County considers traffic proposal with pedestrian safety in mind
PAGe A5
A North Shore grocery chain is shuttering one of its locations next month just as summer breaks into full bloom. Joseph Brown, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer for King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc., said the East Setauket location on Route 25A will close its doors for good on June 11, answering to rumors that have been swirling through the Three Village area over the last several weeks. The chain’s workforce, however, will be taken care of, Brown said. “We do not anticipate a layoff of employees, as they will be offered relocation to other stores, including our nearby supermarkets in St. James and Selden,” Brown said. The East Setauket King Kullen opened back in 2005 in the same shopping vicinity as two other grocery chains — Wild by
the king kullen supermarket on route 25a will close its doors next month.
Nature and Super Stop & Shop. The former grocery chain also operates under the King Kullen brand, which Brown said was not going anywhere. “It has been a privilege to serve the Three Village community and we remain committed to the area through our East Setauket Wild by Nature,” he said. Andrew Polan, president of the Three Village Chamber
of Commerce, said his group was sad to see the supermarket chain go after several years of service to the community. He said it was likely that oversaturation in the area could have made it difficult for King Kullen to prosper as it stood alongside two other major chains. “Anytime something closes down, it’s a cause of concern for us. King Kullen is a longtime Long Island company
Photo by Phil Corso
and we’re sorry to see this happening,” he said. “I’m sure the increase in competition in the area has made it difficult for businesses to survive.” King Kullen operates several other locations in communities near the North Shore area including Mt. Sinai, Lake Ronkonkoma, Middle Island, Commack, Northport, Huntington and Huntington Station among others.
Three Village nature preserve gets state funding boost By Phil corSo
The North Shore region is cashing in on its green pastures thanks to $6,000 in grant funding, the Three Village Community Trust said this week. Three Village was one of three Long Island trusts to be awarded the money through the state’s Conservation Partnership Program, administered under the Land Trust Alliance, and will utilize the money to bulk up its conservation management of the roughly 10-acre Stephen D. Matthews Nature Preserve, Trust President Cynthia Barnes said. “The grant will help tighten up the way we look after
the preserve and will provide for more targeted control of the invasive species that threaten its native flora and fauna,” she said. “This grant represents an investment of $8,000 in the Stephen D. Matthews Nature Preserve.” Barnes said the money would help enhance monitoring and management protocols at the preserve while also estabPhoto from Three Village Community Trust lishing a volunteer training and State funds should help bolster the Stephen d. Matthews nature Preserve. stewardship program. The end result, she said, should make of the consulting firm known local civic association meeting for a more volunteer-friendly as Conservation and Natural last month, primarily to hear atmosphere to attract residents Areas Planning, said interest in about the preserve,” she said. in the nearby communities of the area has been at an all-time “They had plenty of questions high among Poquott natives. for me. We’re looking to recruit Poquott and beyond. “Poquott’s citizens turned volunteer stewards who want to Louise Harrison, a conserFUNDING continued on page A12 vation biologist and principal out in large numbers for the
PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
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MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A3
Three Village school budget approved, members re-elected By AndreA Moore PAldy
Voters approved the Three Village school district budget Tuesday. The $189.5 million budget received 2,401 votes in favor and 723 against. Residents also re-elected trustees William Connors and Deanna Bavlnka. Board president Connors received 2,200 votes and Bavlnka, 2,052. A third candidate, Jeffrey Mischler, who had hoped to unseat either Bavlnka or Connors, got 1,095 votes. Connors, a board member since 2012, plans to continue the work the board had started and to “maintain the academic programs and quality that the district has been known for within the fiscal reality.” Connors was previously on the board from 1994 to 2006. Mischler, who congratulated the trustees, said early in the evening that it had been a “clean campaign” and that he was pleased that he’d been able to “stick to being green.” He had run his campaign primarily on social media. Before the results were in, Bavlnka, a trustee since 2011, said she was very optimistic about the budget, which was her priority, because it directly affected the students in the district. At the 2.79 percent cap on the tax levy increase, next year’s budget restores programs and staff cut in recent years. They include the return of fourth- through
sixth-grade elementary health classes, high school American Sign Language, full-time elementary school social workers and increased guidance and counseling at the three secondary schools. District officials have also said that declining elementary enrollment and retirements will make it possible to balance elementary class sizes and add a STEM teacher to each elementary school to help with science and math enrichment and remediation. At the secondary level, the administration will add 1.2 full-time equivalent English as a second language (ESL) positions to fill a state mandate. Positions will be added to reduce math and English class sizes and to restore electives in technology, social studies, science and math. Three Village plans to restructure its administration for the 2015-16 school year without additional costs. New positions include a coordinating chair for junior high foreign language and districtwide ESL, a coordinating music chair as well as assistant directors for pupil personnel services, health and physical education and instructional technology. The 2015-16 budget includes money to restore security, clerical, maintenance and operations staff. While a $1.65 million increase in state aid played a role in meeting the district’s budget, a $3.6 million decrease in retirement system costs and 5 percent drop in health insurance also helped. Assistant Superin-
Photo by Andrea Moore Paldy
deanna Bavlnka and William Connors celebrate after the elections Tuesday night.
tendent for Business Services Jeff Carlson said that Three Village also has benefited from increased revenues from tuition paid by nonresidents attending its special education and Three Village Academy programs. That has netted an additional $1.2 million for the current school year. The favorable financial situation means that the district will be using less money from its fund balance and reserve accounts to balance the upcoming school year’s budget. It’s the reason the tax levy increase will be higher than the 0.81 percent budget-tobudget increase, Carlson said. The district will continue to undertake capital improvements covered by
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the bond residents approved in February 2014. An anticipated $3.39 million from the state’s Smart Schools Bond will go toward facilities for the prekindergarten program, as well as classroom, school safety and security technology, Carlson said. With a state-approved government efficiency plan that shows at least a 1 percent saving to the tax levy and with the budget within the cap, residents will be eligible for a tax freeze credit, he added. Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said the 77 percent approval of the budget sends an important message about support from the community and confidence in the school board and district.
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PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
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THREE VILLAGE ScHooL EVEnTS Thursday, May 21
tauket Elementary School • Beginners concert, 7 p.m., Minnesauke Elementary School
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• Showcase concert featuring jazz band, wind ensemble, vocal vikings and chamber orchestra, 7 p.m., P.J. Gelinas Jr. High School
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EMMA S. CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPLICATIONS INVITED
File photo
Three Village is preparing to celebrate Memorial Day with its annual parade this month.
Memorial Day parade to hit Setauket streets
The Board of Trustees of Emma S. Clark Memorial Library seeks to fill a current vacancy. All residents of the Three Village Central School District eighteen years of age and older are eligible for consideration. It is a goal of the Board to be as representative as possible of all residents of the Three Village area.
The Veterans of Foreign wars at East Setauket’s Post 3054 will be sponsoring its annual Memorial Day parade on May 25 in the heart of town. The units will step off at 11 a.m. following the route along Main Street and Route 25A. opening ceremonies honoring the nation’s fallen war heroes will be held at the old Village Green opposite the Emma S. clark Library and also at the Memorial Park alone 25A at the conclusion of the parade. numerous north Shore officials and
Anyone interested should apply in writing to the Board of Trustees Emma S. Clark Memorial Library 120 Main Street, Setauket, NY 11733 by May 31, 2015
©113948
dignitaries are expected to join over 2,000 marchers for the event. Organizations wishing to participate in the parade should contact parade chairman, Brian Denzler, at the VFW Post 3054 at (631) 751-5541 or at (831) 277-8336. The post is always seeking new members. Veterans are encouraged to contact Denzler at either of the mentioned phone numbers for more information. — PHil CorSo
The Village TIMES HERALD (USPS 365–950) is published Thursdays by TIMES bEAcon REcoRD nEwSPAPERS, 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.
MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A5
County considering Nicolls Road revamp By Phil Corso
Suffolk County is turning a corner. A problematic intersection where Nicolls Road meets Route 25A is in the county’s crosshairs as officials seek ways to make it more pedestrian friendly and safer for drivers. Three Village residents heard a presentation on the proposal last Monday evening, when elected officials and administrators outlined plans to install a new sidewalk on the northern side of the intersection. “The county has been responsive to our concerns about pedestrian safety here,” said Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn (D-East Setauket). “Right now, the 25A-Nicolls Road intersection is sort of scary for pedestrians trying to make their way across. The aim here is to improve safety and I wanted to make sure the public was included.” Gilbert Anderson, commissioner of the county’s Department of Public Works, pointed to a blueprint of the proposal, which would remove an access ramp for drivers making a right onto Nicolls Road from 25A, and instead make the access point to the major roadway in the same spot as motorists making a left onto it from 25A. The intent, he said, was to ease the flow onto Nicolls without impacting eastbound traffic along 25A.
“Our intent is to improve safety at this intersection,” he said. “The county will be putting in sidewalks to connect the existing sidewalks put in by the state.” As it stands, there are two ways to access Nicolls Road from 25A. Drivers going east on the route make a right onto the road via the access ramp in question under the county proposal, while drivers going west on the route make a left off 25A at a traffic light where the two roadways meet. William Hillman, chief engineer with the county Department of Public Works, called the intersection the “genesis of pedestrian safety issues and vehicular issues” for the Three Village area and said this proposal could solve a lot of those problems. He said eliminating the current access ramp for cars going east on 25A making a right onto Nicolls Road was the safest way to handle the situation, and the county would be exploring the possibility with the state’s permission, because stateowned 25A is the crux of the county’s traffic issues at this site. Some residents asked about the possibility of bike lanes being included in the proposal, and Anderson said civic members and elected officials should reach out to the state, which maintains Route 25A, with hopes of breaking through. “If the civic reached out to the state,
Photo by Phil Corso
suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Gilbert Anderson outlines the proposal that would change the way drivers enter Nicolls road off route 25A.
now would be an opportune time,” he said. “Route 25A is a state jurisdiction when it comes to bike lanes. They’ll take your requests a lot more seriously than ours.” Hahn said she is also requesting planning money on the county level for a bike path down Nicolls Road
Louis J. Marcoccia
and near Route 25A and hopes it gets considered for the betterment of Stony Brook University students who frequent the area either by bike or on foot. “I’m hoping that money stays in and gets implemented one day,” she said. “Many students utilize the sidewalk and this will improve safety, no doubt.”
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PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
POLICE BLOTTER Incidents and arrests from May 12–May 18
Police officer lance Prager with his son Joshua.
Photo from Lance Prager
Setauket charity event goes to Semper Fi Fund By BarBara Donlon
Suffolk County Police Officer Lance Prager, who also serves in the Army National Guard, will be hosting a charity event Saturday, where 93 percent of the proceeds go towards helping veterans. Prager, 49, a father of three, is a retired chief warrant officer for the United States Marine Corps and has served three tours in Iraq. The current Suffolk County SWAT officer has a love for his country and the people who serve it, and is holding the event to help those in need. The event will take place May 23 at the Checkmate Inn in East Setauket from noon to 5 p.m. There is a $20 donation at the door that includes two free beers, a free barbecue and a live band. There will also be 50/50 raffles and other prizes. The money raised will go to the Semper Fi Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up to provide immediate financial support to post-Sept. 11 injured and critically ill members of the United States armed forces and their families.
The group provides relief for financial needs that arise during hospitalization and recovery as well as assistance for those with perpetual needs. “I’m so proud and honored to be associated with them,” Prager said. The fund provides support for service members and their families, specialized and adaptive equipment, adaptive housing, transportation, education assistance, posttraumatic stress support and more. Since the fund began in 2003, it has raised millions of dollars to help thousands of wounded service members. Veterans hold a special place in Prager’s heart. He took numerous leaves of absences from the police department to serve his country during the Iraq war. In addition to the event he hosts annually, the service member also runs marathons to help raise money for the cause. This year he will run his sixth Marine Corps Marathon along with his 16-year-old son Joshua, who is running his first. To learn more or to donate to the fund, visit www.Semperfifund.org.
Town to talk land
Brookhaven Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) is hosting a meeting to discuss the recently adopted Land Acquisition and Management Policy, also known as the Open Space policy, on Thursday, May 28 at 4 p.m. in the Work Session Room, 3rd floor of Town Hall, at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville. A representative from the Plan-
ning and Environment Department will facilitate this meeting and be available to answer any questions. Ideas and comments for future revisions or additions to the current policy will be reviewed. Please RSVP to jlmartin@ brookhaven.org. — Phil Corso
File photo
Buzzed driving
A 44-year-old man from East Patchogue was arrested in Stony Brook and charged with driving while intoxicated and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Police said on May 17, the man was driving a 1990 Mercedes Benz in Stony Brook with a suspended license while intoxicated, and he was involved a motor vehicle crash at about 3:39 a.m.
Shopping spree
Police arrested a 20-year-old woman from Central Islip on May 15 and charged her with petit larceny. Police said she stole women’s accessories from a store at the Smithhaven Mall that day. She was arrested at 2:45 p.m.
Bottoms up
A 55-year-old woman from Centereach was arrested May 15 in East Setauket and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 of 1 percent, and driving while intoxicated. Police said the woman was driving a 1994 Honda westbound on Route 347, east of Arrowhead Lane in Setauket at about 4:50 p.m. when she rear-ended a van.
Get out of the way
Police arrested a 29-year-old Holtsville man on May 18 and charged him with second-degree reckless endangerment in a case of road rage. Police said he was driving a 1999 Jeep and followed a woman driving a 2014 Hyundai after she got off the Long Island Expressway and headed north on Nicolls Road. She changed lanes and he started tailgating her and honking his horn at her. When she changed her lane, police said the victim told them the man drove up next to her and threw a beer can at her window. Police also said the man pulled in front of her car, stopped abruptly and forced the woman to brake suddenly and drive onto the shoulder of the road. He was arrested at 6:55 p.m. at Nicolls Road and Portion Road in Farmingville.
Window smashed
An unknown person broke the driver-side front window of a 1995 Toyota parked on Stuyvesant Drive in East Setauket on May 17, sometime between 1:15 and 7 a.m.
A bat tip
Someone stole the tip jar next to the register at Se-port Delicatessen on Route 25A in Setauket at 1:25 p.m. on May 12.
— ComPileD By rohma aBBas & erika karP
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MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A7
Town seeks to curb horseshoe crab harvesting By Erika karp
With its horseshoe crab population dwindling, Town of Brookhaven officials are calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ban harvesting within 500 feet of town property. At the Mount Sinai Harbor Marine Stewardship Center at Cedar Beach on Tuesday, Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) announced the Brookhaven Town Board is poised to approve a message in support of the ban at Thursday night’s board meeting. Horseshoe crabs are harvested for bait and medicinal purposes, as their blue blood, which is worth an estimated $15,000 a quart, is used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries to detect bacterial contamination in drugs and medical supplies, due to its special properties. While there is already a harvesting ban in place for Mount Sinai Harbor, Romaine is seeking to expand the restriction across the North and South shores so the crabs have a safe place to mate. The crabs take about nine years to reach sexual maturity. “We think it is time not to stop or prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs … but instead to say, ‘Not within town properties,’” Romaine stated.
Brookhaven’s Chief Environmental Analyst Anthony Graves and cleanwater advocacy group Defend H20’s founder and president, Kevin McAllister, joined Romaine at the Tuesday morning press conference. Graves said the ban would help preserve the 450-million-year-old species’ population. Preserving the species affects more than just the crabs: If the population continues to shrink, other species — like the red knot bird, which eats the crab eggs — will suffer. “They are in some ways an ecological keystone species,” Graves said. “That means that they serve a function beyond their individual existence.” East Coast waterways are the epicenter for the crabs and, according to McAllister, states like New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia have already enacted harvesting limits. The crabs’ nesting season starts in mid-May and lasts until the end of June. Officials said the crabs are oftentimes harvested at night and illegally. Romaine said he has asked all of the town’s waterfront villages to support the measure. If the DEC moves forward with the ban, Romaine said the town could help the department with enforcement by establishing an intermunicipal agreement. A DEC representative did not immediately return a request for comment.
Photo by Erika Karp
kevin Mcallister, founder and president of Defend H20, speaks in favor of the ban.
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PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
Suffolk County GOP seeks to attract Latino voters Party establishes new Hispanic alliance native.” Republicans are seeking to County Republicans are vy- tap into a growing Latino elecing for the votes of Suffolk La- torate in Suffolk County, the tinos. statement said. According to A county GOP press release Nick LaLota, the Republican last week announced that for commissioner of the Suffolk the first time in its history, it County Board of Elections, Lawould be creating a Hispanic tinos comprise about 7.8 peralliance tasked with register- cent of Suffolk County’s 907,000 ing Latino voters and recruiting total registered voters this year. potential candidates to run for That’s up from 5.82 percent in office. 2006, he said. “For far too long, the politiWhen drawing up the figcal left has taken ures, BOE offithe Hispanic com- ‘We believe that they cials analyzed munity for granted have the same core the last names and recent polls of voters to deindicate a growing values — family, termine which frustration with business. They’re individuals the Democrat parhave “Hispanvery conservative.’ ty’s lack of family i c - o r i e nt e d ” — jose nunez names, LaLovalues and understanding of small ta said. And business,” GOP chairman John while it’s not an “exact science,” Jay LaValle said in the state- it gives officials an idea of the ment. “It is clearly time for Suf- growth of the population. folk County’s Hispanic families Two Hispanic Republicans — to seek an alternative and the Brookhaven’s Jose Nunez and Republican Party is that alter- Victoria Serpa of Islip — will By Rohma aBBas
File photo by Rohma Abbas
Latinos congregate at Xavier Palacios’ law office in huntington station last year to watch President Barack obama announcing executive orders on immigration.
co-chair the Suffolk County Republican Hispanic Alliance, LaValle said. When reached this week, Nunez said he felt there was a great opportunity for the Republicans to attract Hispanic voters, who traditionally lean Democratic. “We believe that they have the same core values— family, business,” he said. “They’re very conservative. There’s a lot of re-
ligion. I think there’s a pool of people right here that haven’t been reached.” But as far as Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer is concerned, the Republicans were late to the party. He noted the Democrats have backed several Hispanic individuals who were elected “It’s about time,” Schaffer said. “We don’t need press re-
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leases. We’ve been doing it for years. We welcome them to finally recognizing that the Hispanic population is an important part of our county.” Nunez said the GOP’s new alliance would also serve an educational purpose — engaging Latino voters in a political dialogue and perhaps dispelling fears of the political process GOP continued on page A9
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MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A9
GOP Continued from page A8
that some may acquaint with their native countries. It’s “smart” for Republicans to be reaching out to Hispanic voters, according to Xavier Palacios, a Huntington resident, school board member and co-founder of the Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter — a group established to revitalize Huntington Station through business development, mentorship, vocational training and other programs. The number-one issue on the minds of Hispanics, Palacios said, is immigration reform, and it’s something Republicans need to address head-on if they’re going to attract Latino voters. “I think it can no longer be the hot potato,” he said. “A solution to real
File photo by Erika Karp
immigration reform needs to be had, needs to be discussed as a real issue.” Not everyone thinks that Latinos care most about the immigration issue. Nunez said there are many Latinos out there who feel people should arrive and settle in the country through legal channels. He also said immigration was a federal issue, not a local one. Other issues on the local level are of importance to Latinos too, Palacios said — namely economic opportunity. He said Republicans and Democrats would be smart “in focusing on pocketbook issues,” as many first-and-second-generation Latino residents are staggered in professions or can’t afford college. Immigrants come here to fulfill the American Dream for their children, something that appears to be becoming more challenging. “Folks nowadays, in my view, are losing that dream,” he said.
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Suffolk County GOP Chairman John Jay LaValle.
PAGE A10 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
Local boating safety advocates push for reforms A call for legislative action on eve of boating safety week By Rohma aBBas
Huntington boating safety advocates are calling for new wind in the sails of languishing state and federal measures aimed at making recreational boating safer. Jackie Martin, commodore of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht & Boating Clubs, said she wants to see some action on two proposed laws, one state and one federal, that would attack the issue of boating safety from multiple fronts, including increasing boating safety education state and nationwide; and mandating that boat manufacturers create and affix plates publicizing the maximum passenger capacities for vessels shorter than 45 feet and greater than 20 feet. “Nothing’s been done on this,” Martin said in a phone interview last Friday. “I can also say I’m disappointed.” The commodore voiced her frustrations just a few days before the launch of the third annual Huntington Safe Boating Week, an event filled with programs highlighting the significance of taking safety precautions and behaving sensibly on the water. The week
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a press conference last year during with U.s. Rep. steve Israel (D-huntington) announces the BoaTs bill. Jackie martin, commodore of the Greater huntington Council of yacht & Boating Clubs, is on his right.
is a partnership between GHCYBC, town, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Neptune Sail and Power Squadron, which provides boating education classes and seminars. It’s been a year since either of the bills made any waves. The bills have been referred to committees, accord-
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Local safe boating advocates don’t want proposed state and federal laws improving safety on the water to lose steam.
ing to their latest status updates in the State Assembly and the Library of Congress online databases. The laws were prompted in part by the deaths of three children in Oyster Bay almost three years ago: Victoria Gaines, 7, Harlie Treanor, 11, and David Aureliano, 12, died when the boat they were on capsized on its way back to shore after a July 4 fireworks show. The 34-foot cabin cruiser was carrying 27 people at the time. If approved, the New York State legislation would require all boaters in the state’s tidewaters to obtain boating certification issued by either the commissioner, the U.S. Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, phasing in the requirements for various age groups by 2020. It would prohibit individuals under the age of 14 to operate a boating vessel, and would eliminate the use of online classes to obtain boating certification, “due to the ineffective educational requirements of said classes,” according to the legislation. Stephanie Quarles, vice commodore of GHCYBC, said a swift requirement for older boaters to conform to the proposed boating certification standards is key, because many accidents involve older boaters. “Once you’re a boater, there’s so much to it and it can be dangerous if you’re not careful,” she said. “And it can be an awful lot of fun if you’re in a safe environment.” Asked why there’s been no movement on the state bill, Assemblyman Andy Raia (R-East Northport), a cosponsor, called the situation “frustrating,” and said that Albany can be “a slow process.” Raia added that there’s been some talk within the state’s parks department about the difficulty of enforcing the proposed law, as it would create two separate boating certification requirements — one for tidewater
and another for freshwater. He also said the bill doesn’t have a New York State Senate sponsor. “Things don’t necessarily move until there is a Senate sponsor,” he said. However, the bill has not been forgotten, Raia reassured. “It’s not dead,” he said. “It’s something that we are talking about – particularly now that the boating season is upon us. The basic problem is nothing in Albany is moving as fast as things should be, even though it makes perfectly clear sense.” Over on the federal level, U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) unveiled legislation last year called the Boating Occupancy and Teaching Safety Act. As of May 20, 2014, the law was in a subcommittee. Under the bill, states would be required to spend a share of federal funding it already receives under the recreational boating safety program. Israel’s bill would also require boat manufacturers — as of January 2016 — install a “capacity plate” on boats between 20 and 45 feet in length that list the maximum number of passengers and maximum gross weight it can carry. Federal law already requires this information for boats shorter than 20 feet long, so the bill would expand the regulation. Caitlin Girouard, communications director for Israel, said the House of Representatives speaker never brought the legislation to the floor for a vote in the last Congress, “but the congressman will be reintroducing the legislation and once again pushing for its passage.” According to the Library of Congress’s database, the bill has no cosponsors. Huntington Safe Boating Week started on Saturday and runs to Friday, May 22. For more information on events go to www.huntingtonsafeboatingweek.com.
MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A11
PEOPLE Writers earn regional praise
Ward Melville High School 10th-grader Isabelle Scott and R.C. Murphy Junior High School seventh-grader Jordan Klein captured top honors during the Long Island Language Arts Council 2015 Kenneth F. Gambone Writing Contest. Isabelle earned first place and Jordan second place in their respective grade level categories. For the contest, the students were required to enter two pieces of writing. The first was a timed piece following the theme “The thing I know for sure…” and the second was a self-selected piece from their portfolio that reflected their best work. As a first place winner, Isabelle will have her piece “Dirty Business,” read at the organization’s luncheon in May. Both students received monetary awards and a set of books for their winning pieces.
Photo from Debra scarfogliero
Garrison Doanghy.
setauket scout project scores big Seventeen-year-old Garrison Doanghy lives in Stony Brook and has been in Scouting for 11 years. He is a member of troop 427 in Setauket and he volunteers his time for several activities: marathons, beach clean-ups and Special Olympics. For his Eagle Scout project, Doanghy wanted to address erosion concerns at the entrance to Stony Brook Child Care Center. He installed a drainage system and planted ground cover plants as well as a flower garden. The project was completed on Saturday May 2.
Obituaries Lillian Calabro
Lillian Veronica Calabro, age 88, of Stony Brook, died on April 26, 2015. She was a retired Allstate Insurance Company clerk. Lillian was the beloved wife of Dominick Calabro, 87; loving mother of Anthony (Cynthia)Calabro, and John (Francesca)Calabro; cherished grandmother of Anna Calabro; and dear youngest sister of Phillip
and Joseph Szymkiewicz, Edith Mellow, Genevieve Holtgrave and Edward and Stanley Szymkiewicz. “Lady”, her cherished dog, was her very best friend for 17 years. Lillian land Dominick met at a dance in 1947 at the Knights of Columbus in Brooklyn. She and Dominick loved to dance and they would go to dances together several times a week. She was frequently elected Senior Prom Queen at events at local high schools. On April 27, 2015, Deacon Wayne Padula officiated the intimate and personal graveside committal service at St. James R.C. Church Cemetery in Setauket. Arrangements were entrusted to O.B. Davis Funeral Home in Port Jefferson Station. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.obdavisportjefferson.com.
Top, Isabelle Scott. Above, Jordan Klein.
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Photos from the three Village Central school District
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The major portion of the preserve, bounced by two sides on Washington Street and Chestnut Avenue, consists of many native plant species. Yet, an especially narrow portion that runs just along Washington Avenue and meets Route 25A has been thickly invaded by exotic species of vines and damaged by tree-fall from storms, Barnes said. “This nature preserve is an important buffer between the Port Jefferson Power Plant and the residential village of Poquott,” said Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), chair of the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee. “With this new grant in hand, the Three Village Community Trust will be able to work with village residents to restore and improve the ecological resiliency of this lovely woodland.” The funding stemmed from a total $1.8 million that Gov. Andrew Cuomo allocated in 2015 Conservation Partnership Program grants for 55 nonprofit land trusts throughout the state. Three Village was announced as one of the recipients at a ceremony kicking off Earth Day at the end of April, along with two others on Long Island — the Peconic Land Trust in Southampton and the North Shore Land Alliance in Westbury.
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Legals Notice of formation of Paumanok Tours, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on April 24, 2015. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC: 195 Old Town Road, East Setauket, New York 11733. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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help monitor and manage the preserve and also to study it. We’ll be offering new and expanded programs to connect directly with the community that the Trust serves.” Barnes said the wooded strip that is the Stephen D. Matthews Nature Preserve traverses land that is bordering communities in Port Jefferson and Poquott and includes several coastal forest types. It acts as a buffer between Poquott and Port Jefferson’s power generation station and is particularly vulnerable to invasive species because of its narrow configuration with long boundaries. State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) heralded the grant funding as a necessary step in the North Shore’s environmental health. “It is crucial that our state continue to fund and assist local organizations like the Three Village Community Trust to safeguard our environment. This funding, along with community involvement, will help protect this valuable property, ensure its preservation for years to come and that will benefit our entire regions,” Flanagan said.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF POQUOTT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW OF 2015 AMENDING SECTION 132-3 DEFINITIONS OF THE POQUOTT VILLAGE CODE
Village Code regarding Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The title of the proposed local laws is Local Law No. of 2015 a local law amending Section 132-3 of the Poquott Village Code. Dated: May 14, 2015 Joseph Newfield Poquott Village Clerk Incorporated Village of Poquott Suffolk County, New York 972_052115_2x_vth NOTICE TO BIDDERS
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Poquott will conduct a public hearing on June 4, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Poquott Village Hall, located at 43 Birchwood Avenue, Poquott, New York, on a proposed local law of 2015 amending Section 1323 definitions of Stormwater management of the Poquott Village Code.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Setauket Fire District, Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, State of New York, sealed bids for the purchase and installation of a two sided LED sign for the Setauket Fire District will be received at the office of the Board of Fire Commissioners, 26 Hulse Road, East Setauket, New York 11733 until 12:00 p.m. (prevailing time) on the 1st day of June 2015, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.
The purpose and intent of the proposed local law is to amend and clarify language in Section 132-3 of the Poquott
Bids will be submitted in sealed envelopes at the above address and shall bear on the face thereof the name and ad-
dress of the bidder. All bids must be submitted on forms furnished by the Setauket Fire District, in accordance with the specifications. Detailed specifications regarding bidding and equipment will be available at the Fire District Office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on regular business days commencing May 15, 2015. The contract for the above item will be awarded by the Board of Fire Commissioners to the lowest responsible bidder. In cases where two or more responsible bidders submit identical bids as to price, the Board of Fire Commissioners may award the contract to either of such bidders. The Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to reject all bids and re-advertise for new bids in its discretion. No bids may be withdrawn by any bidder for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of bid opening. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SETAUKET FIRE DISTRICT Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York 983 5/21 1x vth
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PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
OPINION
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We would benefit by keeping our cool on the road.
editoriAL
Take a chill pill With warmer weather comes an urge to leave the house, and we expect, as usual, there will be a lot more cars on the road, so now is a good time to remind our readers not to lose their cool behind the wheel. Whether a driver made a mistake — as we all do from time to time — or not, it can be terrifying for that person when another motorist becomes enraged and takes it out on them. We’ve all experienced tailgating or obnoxious hornhonking, and some of us have been victims of more dire cases of road rage, like prolonged following and actual physical violence or threats. in the less confrontational incidents, frustrated and angry drivers often lash out because it’s easy to hide in the anonymous bubble of a car, when they would not have been so bold to display such anger in person. in the more extreme cases, the mad drivers may have had a screw or two loose to begin with and might have acted out no matter the location or circumstance. We understand that daily stresses factor into this problem, and Long island’s immense traffic congestion doesn’t help the frustration we might already be feeling while in the car. But consider this: The AAA Foundation for traffic Safety reports that aggressive driving is a factor in more than half of all traffic fatalities, according to 2009 data. in those cases, “motorists are concerned with the others’ aggressive driving while many are guilty themselves.” terrible accidents involving mangled cars happen all the time, but they don’t have to happen over things as petty as payback for being cut off or revenge on a slow-moving vehicle. We urge our readers to slow down when they’re seeing red behind the wheel and take some time to think about what the other person’s situation might be before lashing out. Give each other the benefit of the doubt because we are all humans who make mistakes. Let small road infractions go with a deep exhale. rising tempers don’t give us license to rage on the road. And the consequences can be deadly.
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Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley)
Zeldin speech facts to the editor: When someone writing a letter about “a speech before the house” (“We must avoid war,” May 7) can’t even link it to the proper date, it’s unsurprising that author’s subsequent comments are tainted with hyperbole and mischaracterizations. to set the record straight, it was April 13, 2015, when Congressman Lee Zeldin delivered remarks highlighting his concerns over President Barack obama’s negotiations with iran. Those misgivings included obama staying mum while Ayatollah Khamenei called for “death to America”; presenting a “fact sheet” that, within 24 hours, was debunked as “just spin” by the iranian foreign minister; and calling something an “agreement” while both sides were disputing its terms. in addition, Zeldin was troubled by what was completely
left out of the negotiations. he questioned why there were no discussions about iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism; its blowing up a mock U.S. warship; its vow to destroy israel; its overthrowing foreign governments; its refusal to release American hostages; and its development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The congressman also asked the president to explore other options before accepting a “bad deal,” likely leading to a nuclear arms race in the volatile Middle east, with an adversary/enemy who’s never really bargained in good faith. Zeldin mentioned strengthening, not weakening, sanctions and being firm while keeping a military option on the table. if the latter alternative troubles some, it should be noted that obama has never officially taken that option off the table. What many find more troubling is, in spite of his occasional bold, “red line” rhetoric, our
commander-in-chief has demonstrated little leadership or genuine resolve in the face of global bad guys such as Assad, Putin and an iSiS “JV” team. Zeldin rightfully pointed out, that iranians do not respect weakness. So while some may fear even a threat of conflict with the “formidable foe” iran, we’d ask if they’d consider that terrorist-sponsoring nation any less formidable once it has nuclear weapons and iCBMs with which to deliver them. Zeldin sits on the house Committee on Foreign Affairs, is an iraq war vet and currently a major in the Army reserve. Given those credentials, it’s notable but not surprising many of his doubts regarding the current path of U.S.-iran negotiations are shared by both his constituents at home and a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the house and Senate. Jim Soviero east Setauket
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MAY 21, 2015 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A15
‘Getting it’ in today’s crazy, mixed-up world
D. None of the above by DaNiel DuNaief
vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
W
here do we get the “Oh, right, I get it,” moments? We’re so close to ourselves and our lives that those moments are often hard to see. It’s like in the movies, where someone has a close friend: Lo and behold, that friend turns into something much more, once personal introspection is abandoned and it
is realized how important such a friendship is deep down. Beyond the romantic comedies, however, we can turn to dramas, action films or other forms of entertainment for a broader awareness of ourselves and our lives. Let’s say we’re driving on the Long Island Expressway and somebody cuts us off. What do we do? Well, if we’ve got kids in the car, we might grind our teeth, hold on tight to the steering wheel and fight the urge to say things that would look something like “$#$#@%$!!!” in a cartoon. But what did that person make us do? Did we have to hit the brake a bit when we’re on the way to a soccer game? Did she interrupt our train of thought when we were about to cure cancer, come up with a solution for tension in the Middle East, or figure out a way to reduce fossil fuel emissions from the thousands of planes that
soar overhead? Is it possible that she was racing home from work to take care of a kid with a stuffy nose, to hear someone’s first violin concert or congratulate her son for earning his first A in social studies? Yes, most of the time we’re, thankfully, stuck in the world of the small stuff. If we’re fortunate enough, we’re not worried every moment about taking care of basic needs. I know people have told us many times not to sweat the small stuff and they’ve even urged us to understand that it’s all small stuff. The problem is that we’ve become accustomed to a world in which everything is available to us right now and in which we don’t want to wait for anything or anyone. How’s all that extra time working out for us? Are we all enjoying the chance to spend more quality time with each other? We seem to have freed up our time so that we can
disconnect with the people around us, staying plugged in to a virtual world devoid of awkward silences, driven by words that pour out of our fingers instead of our mouths. We don’t have to comb our hair or check our teeth to send someone a funny text with a little premade goofy face. This isn’t a diatribe against electronics. I enjoy the instant gratification of knowing something that comes from ubiquitous Internet access. In movies like “American Beauty,” we see Kevin Spacey “get it” a bit too late. He doesn’t see the wonder of his life, his wife and his daughter until he can’t appreciate or show it. In real life, even people with jobs they dreamt about often get so caught up in what they’re doing that they seem to miss “it.” Of course, when these small, unflattering moments occur for our fame-generated celebrities, eager members of the paparazzi
Are we all enjoying the chance to spend more quality time with each other? capture them “losing it.” It’d be difficult to smell the flowers, become energized and inspired by a child’s question, or pause to appreciate a shifting wind all the time. We wouldn’t get much done and, I suspect, might miss a bill, deadline, meeting or two. But, wouldn’t it be nice if those “Oh, right, I get it,” moments came more often, giving us the ability to appreciate the unseen air we breathe and the world of infinite possibilities that awaits around the corner? Daniel Dunaief’s recent book, “The Other Parent,” may be purchased online from www.tbrnewsmedia.com/ebooks.
Hear ye: new ferry from NYC to Port Jeff
between you and me by leah S. DuNaief
I
vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
f you could wave a wand and make all the summer weekend traffic on Long Island’s highways disappear, it would be a miracle, right? Well, we should prepare ourselves for a miracle, because one is about to touch down at Port Jefferson. Specifically, it will arrive, starting tomorrow, May 22, and will last through Sunday and every summer weekend thereafter. This miracle to which I refer is a high-speed ferry that will
carry walk-on passengers back and forth from New York City to Port Jefferson three times every Friday, once on Saturday and again three times on Sundays. In so doing, it will, of course, provide an alternate route not only to Port Jefferson but also, thanks to its alliance with the Port Jeff ferry and the Hampton Jitney, to points east and north. Do you hear the announcement, “North Shore, North Fork, Hamptons and the wineries”? What a stimulus this can be for business even as it is a long overdue benefit for passengers. A partnership between Seastreak, the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry and Hampton Jitney is making this new mode of transportation possible. These companies will link the tristate area, even tying into the New Jersey coast. The seasonal weekend service is called Sea Jitney, and it will use the Port Jefferson dock as its hub. Hampton Jitney service will carry passengers to their
preferred destinations elsewhere in Suffolk, and the Port Jeff ferry can take them to Connecticut and Amtrak. “Seastreak has been an innovator in introducing new ferry services from New York City to destinations such as Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket,” said Jim Barker, president of Seastreak, in a press release. I know something about that service because I used it myself as a way to spend a weekend with friends who lived on Martha’s Vineyard. But in order to do that, I had to travel out east at an early hour to catch the boat. Still, I was willing to do that to avoid the legendary traffic jams that come with driving there, and as I bet people will do to visit Long Island. According to Baker, the vessels are equipped with high-backed seating, a full bar and Wi-Fi service. Geoffrey Lynch, president of Hampton Jitney, commented for the press release that this innovative idea from these “three established and
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respected area transportation companies ... will give people a relaxing way to enjoy the East End and Port Jefferson.” The ferry will leave Manhattan’s East 35th Street dock and Highlands, N.J., traveling round trip. Margot Garant, Port Jefferson’s mayor, said in the release, “We are extremely pleased to partner with the Sea Jitney to help bring people to Port Jefferson by our harbor. This powerful partnership has an extremely low impact on our infrastructure while introducing visitors to our beautiful, historic village.” Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry general manager, Fred Hall, pronounced the Sea Jitney “a game changer for people who travel between Connecticut and the Hamptons. At two-andone-half hours from Bridgeport to Southampton, it’s shorter than going through NYC and much less stressful.” Here are some of the nittygritty details. One-way fares LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton SPORTS EDITOR Desirée Keegan ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ellen Recker ONLINE EDITOR Elana Glowatz
What a stimulus this can be for business. will be from $33 to $50, depending on the length of the ride; reservations and advance payment are required. The trip takes about two hours from the city to Port Jefferson and an hour, traffic permitting, from Port Jefferson to the Hamptons. For a complete schedule, go to www.seajitney.com. Aside from my patriotic enthusiasm for the new alliance, I have a totally selfish reason to be so pleased with this new turn of events. My children and grandchildren live to the west. Their summer visits may change for them from endurance on the highways to a pre-weekend pleasure as they stand at the rail and watch the bluffs of Long Island’s North Shore slip by. I’d better start stocking the refrigerator now.
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PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MAY 21, 2015
Photos by Clayton Collier
left, eddie Munoz celebrates a goal. above, Dan Bucaro maintains possession with Half Hollow Hills east players racing to stop him.
Patriots near perfect in Hills East takedown Boys’ Lacrosse
Ward Melville . . . . . . 17 HHH East . . . . . . . . . . . 1 By Clayton Collier
With 13 goals in the first half, the No. 4-seeded Ward Melville boys’ lacrosse team made quick work of No. 5 Half Hollow Hills East in a 17-1 routing Tuesday in the Suffolk County Class A quarterfinals. Ward Melville head coach Jay Negus stressed to his team the need for a full 48 minutes of quality play to best their opponent. “I’m very, very happy with the team’s effort today,” he said. “All year long I’ve
been on them to play four quarters of Ward Melville lacrosse together, and today was it. … We put it all together today and at the perfect time. This is a very dangerous team when we can do that.” Hills East head coach Gordie Hodgson said the Patriots were in control of the game the whole way through. “I thought Ward Melville dominated in every aspect of the game,” he said. “They dominated on the faceoff and counter possession, and we weren’t able to generate offense because of it.” In retrospect, all the Patriots needed was a 10-minute stretch to put the game out of reach for the Thunderbirds. Ward Melville senior attack Dan Bucaro notched the first goal of the afternoon with just over five minutes remain-
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ing in the first quarter, muscling past a told us to just keep going.” Senior attack Billy McGinley had a trio pair of Hills East defenders to sneak one past Thunderbirds goaltender Jordan of goals, while classmates and midfielders Eichholz on the left side of the net. The Jake McCulloch, James Kickel and John goal was Bucaro’s first of four on the day. Burgdoerfer each scored twice as well. The lone Thunderbirds goal came on “I came out fast and ready to go — the team really got me going,” he said. a deflection from Ward Melville junior goaltender D.J. Keller“Everyone came together ‘We put it all together man. today.” “He had a goal,” BucaThe Georgetown Uni- today and at the ro said, with a laugh. “He versity-bound senior said perfect time. This is a played great, really. He’s his work isn’t done with Ward Melville, and his very dangerous team just got to keep it up.” Kellerman made eight goal opened the flood- when we can do that.’ saves on the day. gates for the Patriots, as — Jay Negus The Patriots will head they tacked on an additional eight goals over the next 10 min- to Northport Friday for the semifinals, taking on the No. 1-seeded Tigers at 4:15 utes of play. Sophomore midfielder Eddie Munoz, p.m. at Veterans Park. Ward Melville who was responsible for two of those will enter the game with a chip on their eight goals, said Negus told the team at collective shoulder. The last time the two halftime that the kind of offensive out- teams matched up, Northport scored put the Patriots had has always been pos- four goals in the final quarter to edge out the Patriots, 7-6. Bucaro said his team is sible for the team. “He said this was one of our first hungry to get the win the second time games this year that we played a full around. “I’m expecting a really tough game,” half,” Munoz said of Negus’ message to the team, while up 13-1. “We started off he said. “They’re a very good team. We’ve slow this season, so he said it was the first got to get payback; we’ve got to get angry time that we started a first half well, and and be ready to play.”
he No. 5 Ward Melville girls’ lacrosse team traveled to No. 3 Northport Tuesday and fell in the second round of the playoffs.
Northport . . . . . . . . . 10 Ward Melville . . . . . . . 6