TM031209 by Dave Leaman

The TIMES of Middle Country

Serving Centereach • Selden • Northern Lake Grove Volume 4, No. 47

March 12, 2009

75¢

Gifts of comfort

Students at Jericho Elementary School recently held a stuffed animal collection for children in war-torn Middle Eastern countries. They sent the gifts to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, who distributed them to local children. The Jericho students in turn received a thank you letter and photo, left, from the soldiers. It read: ‘The children went crazy over all of the stuffed animals you sent. I know you are all busy studying with your school work, but it speaks volumes of your generosity when you take the time to think of us.’ Courtesy AE Zimmerman Edelson

Five stars for MCPL Centereach library receives industry journal’s top rating

Visions of MC

Story, Page A2

Town revenue tanks Mortgage tax gains down $1.3M in first two ’09 months Story, Page A4

A3 File photo

‘Close to Home’ exhibit opens

Lewis tears up state meet

St. Patrick once again on the march Sunday

Middle Country sprinter Miles Lewis takes New York title in 55-meter dash in personal best effort of 6:40

Page B1

Sports, Page A9 Where the North Shore clicks: www.northshoreoflongisland.com

• Gold • Silver • Platinum • Diamonds • Rare Coins • Antique Jewelry • Watches • Estate Jewelry • Dental • Broken or Unwanted Jewelry

File photo

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach was named a top library nationwide.

Five stars for MCPL Centereach library nabs industry journal’s top rating BY JENNIFER CHOI

We Are Paying TOP DOLLAR

jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach has been deemed a five-star library. According to the Library Journal’s 2009 edition of the Index of Public Library Service, MCPL is number one in the five-star rating group with budgets of $10 to $29 million. The Library Journal’s Index, a new national ranking system, rates U.S. public libraries with total expenditures of $10,000 or more that serve populations of at least 1,000, according to its website (www.libraryjournal.com). Libraries are divided into nine peer comparison groups based on total operating expenditures, and ratings are based on four per-capita service indicators: library visits, circulation, program attendance and public internet computer uses. Furthermore, libraries are evaluated on each service indicator relative to the performance of other libraries in their peer group, and the highest-scoring libraries are recognized using five-star, four-star and three-star designations. “I didn’t know we were being considered,” said MCPL Director Sandy Feinberg. “I was very pleased.” Feinberg, who arrived at the Middle Country library in 1971 and became director in 1991, said the Library Journal Index provides more useful data compared to other ranking systems because it considers program use in addition to circulation to determine ranking. And since programs

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are “a big part of the library’s service,” according to the director, factoring program use into the rating process produces more relevant data. Among the valuable services offered at MCPL include the “very popular and heavily used” Miller Business Resource Center; programs for children and youth, which provide a sense of “true community” and support for schools; and recreational programs for senior citizens who don’t like to travel far, Feinberg said. Landing in the number-one spot for the $10 to $29 million expenditure group also means “we’re doing extremely well for that sized budget,” she added. The MCPL’s budget in 2006, the year from which statistical data was taken to perform the index rating, was among the lowest of its peers in the group, weighing in at about $11 million, according to Feinberg. Joining Middle Country on the list of all-star libraries in New York is the Port Jefferson Free Library, which received five stars and the highest score in the $1 to $4.9 million budget category. The Great Neck and Plainview-Old Bethpage libraries in Nassau also received five-star ratings, while libraries in Northport, Jericho and Port Washington received four stars. In terms of state-by-state data, New York is home to 34 all-star libraries, the most in the nation, while Ohio is close behind with 31. Feinberg, who was inducted into the Suffolk County Women’s Hall of Fame last summer, described all libraries on the allstar list as “quality libraries” and applauded them for their accomplishments.

Inside this week ©83800

PAGE A2 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009

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Classifieds Section C The TIMES (USPS 003-952) 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 $35 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

BY ARLENE GROSS arlenegross@tbrnewspapers.com

In a 12-6 vote, the Legislature overrode County Executive Steve Levy’s veto last Tuesday and increased park fees to bring an additional $1 million into the county’s coffers. Most of the money will aid the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, which took a big hit last fall when its endowment dropped precipitously, along with the rest of the declining stock market. The bill’s sponsor, Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-East Setauket), said she had been exploring park fee hikes for more than a year, “just because our costs have gone up and they’re not reflected in the fees.” The cost of fuel for the parks department, for instance, has increased by about 500 percent and people with larger recreational vehicles with more appliances have not been asked to help defray the costs. “During these very difficult economic times, the taxpayers of Suffolk County should not be subsidizing recreational activities on as high a level as we had been in the parks. We have not raised user fees in our parks for seven years. There’s just a sense of fairness in asking people who are engaged in recreational activities to at least keep up with inflationary prices.” Dan Aug, a spokesman for the county executive, said Levy was proud to have not raised park fees for five years. “So he was disappointed that the Legislature went in that direction,” Aug said. “At the same time, however, he’s pleased that the museum will be open and operating for a period of time, that will allow all parties to endeavor to find a long-term solution leading to continued operation of the facility.”

Wellness expo at Newfield On Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 pm, Newfield High School at 145 Marshall Drive in Selden will hold a Wellness Expo. Various business and community members will be present with samples and demonstrations to promote wellness throughout the Middle Country community. Food and refreshments will be provided.

MC Library to discuss budget A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Middle Country Public Library will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 pm in the Centereach library. A budget information meeting will follow at 7 pm.

Middle Country possibilities Community plan for sustainable growth to be released March 21 BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Residents are invited to attend a community gathering March 21 to help shape the future of the Middle Country region. The event, hosted by the Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach from 11 am to 3 pm, will provide an opportunity for residents to get a first look at the finished Sustainable Community Plan, which has been in the works since October 2006. Highlights of some of the projects already in progress will also be featured, and representatives of contributing organizations will be on hand to share information about their accomplishments and developments. “You have to know what’s going on,” said Jeff Freund, co-chairman of the smart growth coalition. This community gathering is “an opportunity to see changes that are about to take place,” he added, encouraging residents to attend the event and share their input. Roughly 15 organizations have signed up to be exhibitors at the March 21 event, to discuss their services and display materials, according to Freund. In addition to the completed Middle Country Sustainable Community Plan, which will provide guidelines for future development in Selden and Centereach,

File photo

In 2006, state, county and town officials contributed a $143,000 grant toward the Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth’s visioning efforts.

the event will also showcase upcoming projects in the area, including medical offices at the corner of Nicolls and Middle Country roads, and an assisted living facility at the intersection of South Coleman and Middle Country roads. “This event will be very worthwhile to attend because it is the latest on the visioning plan,” said Centereach Civic Association President Diane Caudullo, who has been an active member of the smart growth coalition. This community gathering will be useful for both “everyone who participated in the visioning process as well as those interested in the direction we are going,” she continued, encouraging residents to “bring the whole family” to participate

in various activities, including prize giveaways and crafts. “They can learn about all the different organizations all in one place,” said Sandy Feinberg, coalition member and director of the Middle Country Public Library. The event, which will kick off with an official ribboncutting ceremony, will be a “very personal” gathering of “people who are very committed and want to meet the community,” she noted, adding that the community visioning process has been a “huge undertaking” that has brought together “some of the major leaders in the community.” John Hoctor, who cochairs the smart growth coalition with Freund, described the March 21 event as “a celebration and a pre-

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sentation of the formal plan to the citizens of Middle Country, many of whom participated in the visioning process.” “Our goal is sustainable growth for our community,” Hoctor said. “This is not only the bricks and mortar, the safer roads, the environmentally sound development but also reaches out to the citizens, so that we can grow together in a symbiotic relationship between the business community and the residents.” The co-chairman then encouraged all residents to “come out and meet their neighbors, learn about sustainable growth and find out about the many community groups who are the glue that keeps this community growing and thriving.”

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PAGE A4 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009

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(D-East Setauket) cautioned the board that some of the vacancies might be poBrookhaven Town’s finance commis- sitions that should be filled to benefit sioner reported last Thursday that mort- Brookhaven’s residents, and any considgage tax revenues for the first two months eration of not filling them be “analyzed of this year are already $1.3 million less carefully” before making hasty decithan comparable figures for 2008, and sions. Fiore-Rosenfeld agreed with his projected a possible shortfall of $6.4 mil- colleagues that many of the 32 positions could remain vacant without adverse imlion for all of 2009. Commissioner Charlene Kagel told the pact on town residents. Kagel reported that revenue from the council members at a work session March 5, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, town’s landfill in Yaphank, which repbut,” and then distributed a chart outlin- resents nearly half of all town operating funds, are “not that ing the bad news. Kagel awful.” She also said summed up her presentation by telling the Brookhaven mortgage tax an ongoing review of capital spending plans board it may need to revenues are $1.3 million for 2009 may reveal polook into cuts in spendtential savings in debt ing “soon” to avoid an below last year’s amount service — interest on operating budget defi- for the first two months. town borrowing — by cit for the year. delaying projects into The figures released by Kagel indicate real estate transactions the future and by careful analysis of prein the town have reached a level below vious borrowing by the town. An incomeven the reduced number and size coun- plete and ongoing study of town bonding cil members anticipated when adopting a going back to the 1990s, Kagel said, inspending plan only four months ago, in dicates some money may have been borrowed but never spent, or instances where November 2008. Councilman Tim Mazzei (R-Blue more was bonded than projects actually Point) responded by asking the finance cost, resulting in the town paying intercommissioner about the number of va- est on money it is holding but not using. cancies in town positions. Kagel said Kagel said utilizing these funds instead of there are currently 32. Mazzei suggested borrowing more might produce signifikeeping those positions unfilled could re- cant debt service savings for the town. Kagel hinted that as much as $7 milduce expenditures. Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D- lion in borrowed funds may be available, Middle Island) reminded the council- but said her analysis is not yet complete. The finance commissioner was delivman that one of those vacancies, planning commissioner, was as a result of the ering a monthly report on town finances Town Board majority Mazzei leads fir- to a Town Board work session as requesting the previous commissioner last year ed by Acting Supervisor Lori Baldassare and not yet having replaced the “critical to keep the council informed of trends and potential financial problems for position.” Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld Brookhaven.

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Book signing wraps up MC Reads More than 160 turned out for author David Baldacci’s visit to the Middle Country Public Library for the conclusion of the second annual Middle Country Reads. Baldacci shared many interesting and funny anecdotes with the audience, providing insights into his books, writing habits and personal history. Pictured from left are Baldacci with members of the 2009 Middle Country Reads Committee: Salvatore DiVincenzo, MCPL librarian; Sharon Breen, assistant director; Loretta Piscatella, librarian; Roberta Gerold, Middle Country School District superintendent; Lori Abbatepaolo, librarian; Baldacci; Ronald Grinnell, vice president of the MCSD school board; Sandra Feinberg, library director; and Nancy Houghton, vice president of the MCSD Teacher’s Association. Courtesy Syntax Communication

Legendary Joan Rivers gives fans inside skinny BY ARLENE GROSS arlenegross@tbrnewspapers.com

They each had their own reasons for coming to see the legendary comedian Feb. 27 when about 300 fans packed Book Revue in Huntington to see the famously funny Joan Rivers. “I actually wanted to see what she looked like in person — with all her plastic surgery,” said Steve Marrone, of West Babylon. After getting close, he reported, “You could tell she’s had some stuff done, but she looks all right.” Touted as a “force of nature” and “one of the hardest working celebrities,” Rivers — also an actress, director, talk show host, author and jewelry designer — was promoting two new books: a murder mystery and a guide to plastic surgery. At 75, the ageless comic, decked out in designer duds, dished dirt on show business to a rapt audience feasting on her every word. Among the observations: • Donald Trump, whom she got to know during “Celebrity Apprentice,” is “smart as a whip … a joy and a pleasure.” • Nicole Kidman has a surprisingly great sense of humor. “Go figure. She’s 172 feet fall. She wore a red dress to the Academy Awards two years ago — with a white face — she looked like a bottle of ketchup.” • Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Dustin Hoffman: funny and fun to be around. • “Tommy Lee Jones: horrible. Russell Crowe: ick,” she said. Still, most celebrities are nice, she said:

“They’re not always the brightest, but they’re nice.” Contemporary talk show hosts? All boring, she said. For high quality talk, she harkened back to the era of Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show.’ “Carson: the best in the world. ... There was nobody who could feed you lines like him,” Rivers said. Noting the irony of calling “Slumdog Millionaire” a feel-good picture, she said, “The guy’s raped and tortured but it’s better than the good Nazis. … In ‘The Reader’ she kills 300 Jews. But she learned to read.” Rivers also revealed the keys to her enviable energy: coffee, M&M’S and naps. What might be most crucial to her success? “I get up every morning and love what I do,” she said. She co-wrote “Murder at the Academy Awards,” (first in a series to be followed by murders at the Emmy, Tony, Cannes and Porn Awards) with Jerrilyn Farmer, whom she called an excellent mystery writer: “I added the humor and the ambience. It’s all about what goes on in the gift room ... backstage — all the horror and the infighting. … Everything I wanted to talk about on the red carpet is in this book.” Her collaboration with Valerie Frankel, titled “Men Are Stupid … And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery,” is “really a serious book, but I wrote it funny, as if I’m talking to you — because I’m funny. … If you want to put a chin in, go to the chapter on chins. If you want to raise your breasts, it will tell you every thing you

Photo by Craig Robins

Joan Rivers on Feb. 27 explained the meaning behind her catchphrase, ‘Can we talk?’ as well as the inspiration for her new book title, ‘Men Are Stupid ... And They Like Big Boobs.’

want to know.” In spite of the title, which she claims is something Marilyn Monroe once said to her, Rivers recommends plastic surgery as “something you should do for yourself.” “But society is based on looks,” she said. “And anyone that says that’s not so, is an idiot. If you think big boobs make you look nice, put them in.” Always up front about her own plastic surgery, she began in college with her nose being “thinned, not fixed.” Growing up in a funny family in Brooklyn and at Larchmont, Westchester, Rivers said, “Funny is inherited. I think it’s all DNA.” Though her dad, a doctor, was goodhumored, he did not encourage a life in show business. The young Rivers wanted to be an actress, but others, noting her innate wit, steered her toward comedy: “I did it almost as a stopgap.”

Her trademark “Can we talk?” came from her stand-up days: “I like to take an audience right down to the truth. Very often they get a little upset and that’s when you say, ‘Can we talk?’” Despite all the jokes at other people’s expense, she said she has no regrets, not even about her endless ribbing of Elizabeth Taylor: “I was the first one to say when the woman was up to 200 pounds, that she’s fat. She can’t get out of the f— car.” After all the insults, all is forgiven, she said: “The woman’s got $100 million and still thinks she’s gorgeous. We should all have her ego.” Still, life has not always been fun for the funny lady. Fired from Fox TV and devastated by her husband Edgar’s suicide, Rivers was approached by QVC and reluctantly accepted an offer to sell jewelry on the home shopping channel. “I think life is an adventure,” she said.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Are you at risk for Colorectal Cancer? More than 140,000 are diagnosed with colorectal cancer yearly. The disease affects both men and women equally, and the risk increases with age. Colorectal Cancer is extremely preventable if polyps that lead to cancer are detected and removed, and it is very curable, if the cancer is detected in its early stages.

FREE COMMUNITY LECTURE Mo nda y, Ma rc h 23, 2009 7:00 PM Siena Village Community Center 2000 Bishops Road * Smithtown, NY 11787 Topic: “Colon and Rectal Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment: How it Affects You” Presented by: David E. Rivadeneira, MD,, Board Certiﬁed in Colon & Rectal Surgery

March 12, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A5

Funny, forever young

PAGE A6 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009

Town imposes hiring freeze, hears of ‘dead battery club’ beaches and parks. including a full time employee in Parks and Although all six council The commissioners several part-timers, but added that since members voted in favor, differTown Board’s Republican majority, With Brookhaven’s financial situation ‘are crazed about the ences along partisan lines noneled by Mazzei, changed the procedure for being buffeted by the worldwide economic theless were aired. Councilman this.’ processing personnel changes when it took downturn, the Town Board Tuesday night Tim Mazzei (R-Blue Point), cur- — ACTING SUPERVISOR control in January 2008, the supervisor’s took another step to ward off a potential fisrently the GOP candidate in the cal emergency later this year by imposing a LORI BALDASSARE office is no longer aware of a hiring until it — COUNCILMAN March 31 special election for has already happened. She said department two-month hiring freeze. TIM MAZZEI town supervisor, said yesterday, commissioners, almost all appointed by The last-minute resolution, sponsored by “I have not been notified by the acting super- the majority, now manage personnel within their own Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket), passed unanimously at the end of the board’s visor’s office” of any hires recently. Mazzei said he was departments. Under former Supervisor Brian Foley all regular meeting. Fiore-Rosenfeld cited department unaware through any other source as well of new town personnel matters were reviewed by his office, usually by commissioners “still hiring and promoting” despite the employees or promotions recently. But, noting he raised his chief of staff, Baldassare. The acting supervisor added that the commissioners warning issued only five days earlier that revenue short- the issue of vacant positions at last week’s work session, falls were already reaching alarming levels (see page A4). Mazzei asked rhetorically, “Why didn’t [Acting Supervi- often hire at a salary high within the range permitted The resolution specifically exempted “seasonals” from sor Lori Baldassare] say something to us all then” if she for the position. As an example she cited a resolution approved Tuesday regarding a defensive driving instructor. the freeze, he said, those temporary workers the town was aware of any personnel changes? Baldassare confirmed there had been hirings recently, Baldassare said the appointment was necessary since the hires each year typically for summer work at Brookhaven town’s previous instructor recently died, but the replacement was hired at $20 per hour even though the position was only paying $17 an hour previously. “The commissioners can hire within the range,” Baldassare admitted, but criticized the commissioners for doing so at the high end in a time of economic crisis. Having just emerged from a meeting with department heads, the acting supervisor said the commissioners “are crazed about this” hiring freeze. “They said everyone we’re hiring we need,” in Baldassare’s opinion, failing to recognize the depth of the town’s financial straits.

BY LEE LUTZ

leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com

‘Why didn’t [Baldassare] say something to us all then?’

Dead battery club

44260

In another contentious and ongoing issue in Brookhaven, the town’s white collar union president, Meg Shutka, complained to the Town Board of escalating problems with fleet vehicles due to the recently installed GPS monitoring devices. Shutka said she recently joined the “dead battery club,” town employees driving fleet vehicles who are suffering from an inability to start their cars. “Day after day after day,” she said, employees are unable to start their cars since the tracking units were installed. Shutka related that in her instance she waited over an hour to have her battery jumped and was then told to drive around “for an hour or so” to recharge the battery. Shutka said she was forced to miss an important meeting and waste gasoline. File photo “Something has to be Meg Shutka done,” she said. All three Brookhaven employee unions strongly opposed the installation of GPS tracking units in town vehicles. Copies of email memos obtained by TBR Newspapers might lend credence to Shutka’s claim. One, dated Feb. 11 to all town employees from Brookhaven’s Public Safety division, instructed drivers on how to “expedite the process of jump-starting the town vehicles with dead batteries.” An earlier email from Public Safety dated Jan. 7 outlined the town’s policy when dead batteries are encountered. Acting Supervisor Lori Baldassare admitted there is a problem and said, “We are working with the vendor” to fix it. However she was quick to add that the GPS devices may not be the cause or may be only one cause for dead batteries in fleet cars. Another possible cause? Baldassare said since the imposition of a new vehicle fleet policy in the town, an initiative claimed by both former Supervisor Foley and majority council members Jane Bonner (CRocky Point) and Keith Romaine (R-Center Moriches), “About 80 cars in the fleet are being driven less than 50 miles a month.” Baldassare said the radically reduced mileage is due to those vehicles no longer being used by employees to commute to work, and little else. Deputy Acting Supervisor Thalia Bouklas said 710 town vehicles have been fitted with the GPS devices. Baldassare also addressed a point made by Shutka Tuesday night when the union president said the installation may have voided warranties on the cars. She said a federal law protects the vehicle owner in such cases and the concern is “not an issue.”

See the MCCSD high school Students of the Month on page A11

Amato is SMS Student of the Month

Otero is DMS Student of the Month

Selden Middle School in the Middle Country School District recently named seventh-grader Kim Amato as the Student of the Month. This award honors students for their outstanding achievements in the school community. Kim is an energetic participant in the dance team and seventh-grade orchestra. She is also an outstanding student and her teachers say she always goes above and beyond in the classroom, often completing extra credit assignments and asking thoughtful questions. Kim is a curious leaner and enjoys writing as an outlet for self-expression. Kim thanks her Mom for always being there for her and her family. Pictured is Amato with Board President Karen Lessler, Principal BJ Phillipson, social studies teacher Diane Licari, Superintendent Dr. Gerold, Mr. Amato, Mrs. Amato, Dominic Amato and Frankie Amato.

Dawnwood Middle School in the Middle Country School District recently named eighth-grader Luis Otero as the Student of the Month. This award honors students for their outstanding achievements in the school community. Luis is an excellent student and his teachers say that he genuinely cares about learning. He is enthusiastic, diligent and willing to work hard on any project. Luis’ favorite thing about Dawnwood is that the teachers are always friendly. Outside the classroom, Luis enjoys participating in the school art club and track team. Luis is most inspired by his great-grandmother, Gloria, and his Uncle Bobby, who is currently serving in Iraq. Pictured is Otero with Principal Linda Peyser, Superintendent Dr. Gerold, teacher Ms. McCaffrey, Board President Karen Lessler and family members, Daniel, Stacy, Andy, Steven, Gloria, Sylvia and JR. Courtesy Jessica Pochylski/AE Zimmerman Edelson

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Rider University dean’s list Rider University’s colleges of Business Administration; Continuing Studies; and Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences have announced the names of undergraduate students who have been placed on the dean’s list for the fall 2008 semester. Area dean’s list students are: Diana Celebre, a psychology major from Lake Grove; Steven Chieca, a business administration major from Selden; and Andrew Cotes, a business major from Selden.

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March 12, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A7

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PAGE A8 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009

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March 12, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A9

SPORTS Miles Lewis on top again Track star beats out North Bab’s Charles to win state title in 55-meter dash BOYS’ TRACK BY FRANK DOWD katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Section XI boys’ track and field athletes had a strong presence at the annual New York State championship meet. Many of them had successes, as well as overcoming obstacles to make their coaches and the community proud. Middle Country’s Miles Lewis dominated once more in the 55-meter dash. In the preliminary round, Lewis fi nished with a qualifying time of 6.54. Then in the semifi nals, he came in a fi rst-place tie with North Babylon’s Berfrantz Charles. Both athletes crossed the fi nish line in 6.43. The fi nals turned out to be a very close race. But Lewis came out solid, just edging out Charles to win the event by a hundredth of a second. Lewis fi nished with a time of 6.40, a personal best, compared to Charles’ 6.41. Sachem North’s Anthony Quezada came in third at 6.48. Dominating for the ShorehamWading River team was senior Bobby Andrews. Andrews had a solid day, becoming the fi rst double winner in Suffolk County dating back more than a decade. “That’s kinda tough to do,” said Shoreham-Wading River head coach Bob Szymanski. Andrews was also presented with the Outstanding Track and Field Athlete of Winter Track award this year. At states, Andrews set a new school record for the 3,200-meter run (9:13.67) breaking his old school record of 9:21.10. Andrews

won this race by about three seconds. One hour and 20 minutes later, he took fi rst in the 1,600-meter run by less than a tenth of a second. “It was a photo fi nish,” Szymanski said. If Andrews places in the top six this weekend in Boston, he will be an AllAmerican athlete. “That’s pretty prestigious,” Szymanski said. Shoreham-Wading River senior Kyle Wightman didn’t place, but completed the 3,200-meter run in 9:49. “I felt bad for the kid,” said Szymanski. “He was sick with the flu for five days before the state meet and couldn’t practice.” Northport senior D.J. Ronde was seventh overall in public schools and ninth in the federation, as he recorded his best time of the year in the 600-meter run (1:24.02). Ronde entered the state meet seeded 16th. “He exceeded our expectations,” said Northport head coach Jason Strom. Northport senior Colin Anderson ran in the 1,600-meter race. “It wasn’t a very good race for him,” Strom said. “He was sick for the week and didn’t have the strength to keep up.” Anderson and Ronde have a shot at earning All-American this weekend. Despite battling illness the last couple of weeks, Smithtown West senior Jason Santos completed the 3,200-meter run in 9:50.05 and finished 20th overall. “He was happy to be part of the county team,” said Smithtown West head coach Peter Schieck. Santos is going to compete in the 5,000-meter run at nationals this Friday.

Photo by Robert O’Rourk

Middle Country’s Miles Lewis wins the state championships in the 55-meter dash.

Middle Country’s Fillard wins state championships in uneven bars BY ROBERT LEUNER katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Kings Park senior Brittany Cassar added to her scholastic achievements by winning the New York State individual gymnastic championship in the balance beam and the floor exercise and led Section XI to their fi rst win since 2005 in the recently held New York State gymnastics competition at Shaker High School. The Suffolk County team fi nished with 185.65 total points compared to 185.325 for runner up Section I. “Brittany was very focused,” said her mother and Section XI coach Robin Thomas. “Last year she was out with an injury and hasn’t competed in the state tournament since the ninth grade. It’s an amazing accomplishment and I’m very impressed and very proud. But she has worked very hard for it.”

‘Amanda is an extremely fierce competitor. That’s special in someone so young. I think you’ll see a lot of her in the future.’ — SECTION XI COACH ROBIN THOMAS

GIRLS’ GYMNASTICS Cassar, the all around winner in the county championship, was second in the all around state competition to Jillian Hudson of Section I. Cassar won the balance beam with a score of 9.675 and set a new state record of 9.825 in the floor exercise, breaking the previous one of 9.8 set in 2003 by West Islip’s Corissa Pirkl. “I’m happy, but I’m more happy for the team,” said Cassar. “I’m proud. What we did was great. Personally, this was the culmination of a lot of years of work. My mind-set going in was to do what I know how to do and not be concerned with the scores. Rather, I was more concerned with how I did my routine.” In addition to her two first place showings in the floor exercise and the balance beam, Cassar also placed fifth in the vault and sixth in the uneven parallel bars. “Both the balance beam and the floor exercise are my two best events,” Cassar said. “I was surprised that I won but not so surprised with how I won those events.” Next year Cassar will take her gymnastics skills to Eastern Michigan where she received a full athletic scholarship. There she plans to major in fashion merchandising. “I loved the campus,” said Cassar. “I liked everything about it and I’m very excited about it.”

While Cassar represented the outgoing talent on the Section XI team, Selden Middle School eighth-grader Amanda Fillard represented the future. Fillard won the uneven parallel bars with a solid routine that earned her a 9.725. “Amanda is an extremely fierce competitor,” said Thomas. “That’s special in someone so young. I think you’ll see a lot of her in the future.” “It’s a great accomplishment and I’m very proud of myself,” said Fillard, who competed as an independent in the Comsewogue School District until she moved to Middle Country in December. “I thought that maybe I could win on the bars. I was happy that I won because I’m so little and they were all 11th-graders and seniors and because I was suffering from an injury. Overall, I thought that I did a good job and I hope to win the overall next year. I’m very proud of myself.” Fillard said she is also looking forward to her high school athletic prospects. “I think it will be exciting,” she said. “I think it will be fun and I’ll be with my younger sister Caitlyn too.” Also turning in a solid performance for the Suffolk County team was Commack junior Courtney Mangini who took second to Cassar in the floor exercise with a 9.7. Mangini was fi ft h overall with a 36.45.

PAGE A10 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009

EDITORIAL

OPINION

Be careful with our parks

Check out our vision for MC

We have radically mixed feelings regarding County Executive Steve Levy’s plan unveiled last week to seek corporate sponsorships and advertising at county facilities — in the name, of course, of addressing his particular level of government’s fiscal woes. Granted, thinking outside the box is needed and welcomed in times of crisis, and we have no doubt this proposal qualifies under that label. If Levy can tap into a significant pot of gold to keep taxpayers from reaching deeper into their pockets at precisely the time when they can least afford it, terrific — up to a point. Levy’s proposal is to solicit “targeted marketing” at county parks, golf courses, campgrounds and hiking trails. His request seeks offers of “advertising, displays, signs or corporate sponsorships throughout the county’s expansive parks and recreation system.” Responses are to be directed to the Suffolk County Naming Rights Committee — we didn’t know either that the county had such an animal. Our ambivalence toward Levy’s idea comes in the breadth of his request. Golf courses already consist of acres of advertising, beginning at the pro shop but included in every foursome walking the fairways — golfers decked out in their Titlist Golf Ball caps and Jack Nicklaus shirts and carrying their Wilson golf bag with the large logo proclaiming that golfer’s choice and who willingly provides free advertising for the company. A modest sized billboard on the trail to the first tee; a logo attached to each ball washer; some golf attire clothing company name displayed across the front of each golf cart — why not? The advertising is already there, encourage more of it to ease the burden on the citizenry, possibly providing the funding needed to keep the courses operating. But — billboards in campgrounds and along hiking trails? We don’t think so. The whole idea, is it not, of those facilities is to get away from the norm, from civilization so to speak, for a few hours or days. The last thing any nature-loving hiker would tolerate along her favorite trail through some of the few pristine acres still left on Long Island is an advertisement for hiking boots staring her in the face at the beginning of her walk. Campers and hikers are trying to get away from it all, not just most. We urge the county executive to tread very carefully into this new venture. Let’s not ruin the valuable county facilities he’s trying to save. Let’s not sell out completely to the corporate mentality that says everything — the Mets new home, the Ducks ballfield, Jones Beach theater and the rest — must have an international corporate giant’s name plastered on the side of it. (We shall miss Shea Stadium, named for — would you believe — a person?!) Be careful, Mr. Levy, how you treat our parks, our woods, our open spaces. I think that I shall never see, A billboard lovely as a tree. Perhaps, unless the billboards fall, I’ll never see a tree at all. Ogden Nash 1933

Visioning plan, remember? trucks for the public to explore. Information on ways Many of you came out back in October 2006, and to volunteer with the fire departments will also be told us what you would like to see for the future of available. Centereach and Selden. I realize that Continuing with this theme, many community organizations will be on may seem like a long time ago but realhand to tell you about the many great ly, in the overall scheme of things, like programs right here in town — from replanning a community, it isn’t. youth sports to teen programs to theOver the past two-plus years a small, ater and dance, faith-based organizacommitted group has been faithfully tions, activities at Hobbs Farm and piecing together a plan to make Centeways to volunteer your time for good reach and Selden the best they can be. causes. If it helps keep our community Not an easy task, mind you, as it took strong, we will be promoting it. 40 years to get to where we are now. So Also on display will be a few busiover time we have learned a lot. What ness development plans. These are to do and even more so, what not to do. projects coming to Middle Country in And we have made progress. the immediate future that the commuThis small, committed group known nity has expressed a desire to have. Toas the Middle Country Coalition for gether, we can stimulate the economy Smart Growth has a plan, a plan that with building projects, add revenue to we would like to present to you, the BY DIANE CAUDULLO our tax base and welcome new busicommunity. MIDDLE COUNTRY nesses that will benefit the area and On March 21, the coalition will be COALITION FOR SMART the residents. presenting this plan in a major way, GROWTH It is with great pleasure (and great a community event. True to our miseffort) we host this event. We will have sion, this event will celebrate the very community we wish to enhance. It will be held at speakers addressing the community’s plan and now, the Middle Country Library on Eastwood Boulevard the most important part of the event, you. We ask that you join us for an hour or so. Pop in, check it out and from 11 am until 3 pm. The library, a great asset to this neighborhood, be a part of our future here in Middle Country. There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will have many things going on in addition to this event, making it fun and worthwhile for everyone. and giveaways will be available. The contributor, Diane Caudullo, is writing on behalf of The Centereach and Selden fire departments, true community partners, will be on hand with fire the Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth.

Your turn

Plenty of substance TO THE EDITOR: As someone who reads the Times Beacon Record newspapers regularly, it seemed to me after reading last week’s editorial (“Substance please,” March 5), that you do not read your own newspaper nearly as carefully. You charge that both candidates for Brookhaven supervisor have not shared substance with the voters. Yet, your own coverage of Democrat Mark Lesko demonstrates that in just two months as a candidate, he has been running a very substantive campaign on the issues. You reported on Mark’s Brookhaven Initiative for Growth (BIG) plan to create jobs, stimulate the local economy and improve land-use planning in the town (“Brookhaven’s BIG Plan,” Feb. 19). You also reported on Mark’s proposal to crack down on code enforcement and improve quality of life by creating a Brookhaven community court (“Supervisor hopeful calls for community court,” Jan. 29). Your editorial notes that you are interested in learning more about the candidates’ positions on protecting open space. Had you attended Mark’s endorsement event with the Sierra Club on Feb. 23, which was held in Port Jefferson, approximately five minutes from your office, I think you would have been very impressed by the environmental agenda he discussed.

Voters don’t have to take my word for it; they can go to your website to read those articles or to Mark’s website at www.leskoforsupervisor.com to learn more about his many substantive proposals for Brookhaven. And I hope that everyone will take the time to vote in this very important election on March 31. The direction of Brookhaven’s future depends on it. Marsha Laufer Setauket Marsha Laufer is chairwoman of the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee.

Don’t forget WSHU for classical DEAR MR. MCKINNEY: I couldn’t agree more with your comments about WQXR and the fading away of classical music on radio (“Classic music struggles to survive,” March 5). However I wish you had mentioned our other classical music source in Suffolk County, namely WSHU 91.1 FM Public

Radio. Our main transmitter and translators cover the whole of Suffolk County, all the way out to Montauk Point. We have classical music programming every weekday from 9 am to 4 pm, and again from 8 pm to 5 am. On Sundays we have Baroque music from 8 am until 1 pm and my own classical program (temporarily hosted by Lauren Rico while I am away) Sunday Matinee, from 1 until 6. This is also broadcast on WSUF 89.9 FM. This is a pretty impressive line up of classical music, I think. You can see details at http://www. wshu.org People sometimes think of us a Connecticut station, but half our listeners and supporters are on Long Island (where I am based) and we have a studio at Suffolk County Community College in Selden. If you get a chance in future, please mention WSHU to your readers. We are non-profit, and need all the listeners we can get! David Bouchier WSHU essayist and music host

Letters ... We welcome your letters. They should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style and good taste. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include a phone number for confirmation. Email letters to mctimes@tbrnewspapers.com or mail them to The Times of Middle Country, PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

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

Male ‘biological clock’ ticking too When an older man fathers a child, regardless of the age of the mother, there seems to be a small but increased risk that the child may score less well in intelligence tests. And although the risk is still quite small, such a child may also have an increased chance of birth defects and neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorders. These results of a broad scientific study involving 33,500 children born in the United States between 1959 and 1965 are causing a sea change in medical perspective. Until now, the age of the mother has been considered of paramount importance, especially since the biological clock of women is limited while the ability of men to father children continues as they age. With these results, it would appear that men too have a “clock” that begins ticking in their mid-30s. Evidence suggests that the chance of a successful pregnancy falls slightly after the father turns 35 and more so, although the risk is still quite small, after 40 years of age. This information is of particular

relevance today, when more men are delaying fatherhood until their 40s. For example, in 1993, in England and Wales, about 25 percent of births within marriage were to fathers ages 35-54, but by 2003, the number had risen to 40 percent. And according to the National Center for Health Statistics in the U.S., in 2004 about 24 in every 1,000 men aged 40-44 fathered a child — an increase of 18 percent from the previous decade. Further, the children of older mothers in the study tend to fare better in intelligence tests than the children of younger mothers. John McGrath of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, led the primary study. “We report, to our knowledge for the first time, that the offspring of older fathers show subtle impairments on a range of neurocognitive tasks during infancy and childhood. The patterns of these findings were relatively consistent across ages and across neurocognitive domains,” according to McGrath. However, there was no further study to show if these

children catch up with their peers later in life. So what’s going on here? For starters, women are born with all the cells that will evolve into future eggs. These eggs undergo 22 divisions in the womb. Men, however, produce new sperm cells throughout their lives. By age 20, sperm cells have divided 150 times and by age 50 some 840 times. With division there can be “copy error mutations,” or environmentally induced mutations, which in turn could lead to developmental problems. That could explain why the man’s age at fatherhood is relevant to the outcome of the pregnancy. Further, children of older mothers, while less at risk from cell mutation, may perform better also because they receive the benefits of a more nurturing home environment. They are on the right side of the heredity/environment question on both counts. A study recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry concludes that the offspring of older fathers have a higher risk

of autism than that of younger fathers. If the father is over 40, the risk, though still small, is six times higher than if the father is under 30. Researchers at Columbia University found that men aged 50 and over are three times as likely to father a child with schizophrenia compared to men 25 and under. And men aged 45-49 are twice as likely to have a child with this illness. The researchers estimated that “as many as one in four cases of schizophrenia may be caused by the age of the father.” This conclusion is based on a study of 88,000 people. And in Sweden, in a study at the Karolinska Institute, the conclusion was that the older a child’s father, the more likely he or she was to have bipolar disorder. Children of men 55 years and up were 1.37 times more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder than those of men 20-24. Please note that these are still small risks overall. The risk of preterm birth increases with paternal age, according to a March

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

2005 issue of Epidemiology. Because of increased risk of genetic abnormalities in the offspring of older fathers, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has limited semen donors to 40 years or younger, and in the U.K., 39 is the top age. Men aged 50 and older are four times more likely to have a child with Down syndrome. Some famous older fathers include the likes of Michael Douglas, Mick Jagger and Rupert Murdoch. Perhaps society should look more kindly on older women who partner with younger men. It’s an idea that tickles me.

PEOPLE

Lewis is NHS Student of the Month

Brugger is CHS Student of the Month

Newfield High School in the Middle Country Central School District recently named Miles Lewis as the Student of the Month. Th is award honors students for their outstanding achievements both in and outside the classroom. Miles is a very well-accomplished student, musician and athlete. He has been on the honor roll since ninth grade and has taken several advanced placement and college-level classes. Miles is also a member of the philharmonic orchestra. As the captain of the varsity track team, Miles is an All-American sprinter who currently holds titles in the 55-meter Suffolk County Championship and 200meter dash State Championship. Miles also placed second in the young men’s 60-meter dash at the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden, earning him a ranking of seventh in the nation. Coach Long describes Miles as very respectful, humble and easy to coach. Miles hope to pursue a career in physical education in the future. Pictured with Miles are Board President Karen Lessler, Mrs. Lewis, Superintendent Roberta Gerold, and Principal Theodore Fulton.

Centereach High School in the Middle Country School District recently named senior Lauren Brugger as Student of the Month. Th is award honors students for their outstanding leadership within the school. Lauren is the National Honor Society president and recently organized leaders from multiple schools to collaborate on mutually beneficial projects. She has also played on the varsity field hockey team for the past three years and was named captain this past fall. Lauren is an accomplished student who has taken many advanced placement classes and is currently enrolled in six college-level courses. She plans to attend Houghton College next year to study psychology and may have enough credits to enter with a sophomore standing. Lauren has been a great asset to Centereach and will be missed greatly. Pictured with Lauren are Principal Tom Bell, Superintendent Gerold, Lauren’s parents and board President Lessler.

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS We welcome letters, photographs, comments and story ideas. Send your items to PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733 or email to joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com. Or drop by our news office at 185 Route 25A, Setauket. The opinions of our columnists are not necessarily those of the paper. Times Beacon Record Newspapers are published every Thursday. Address: PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Telephone: 631-751-7744 Web • www.northshoreoflongisland.com Contents copyright 2009.

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lee Lutz EDITOR Joe Darrow LEISURE EDITOR Ellen Barcel SPORTS EDITOR Katherine Consorte ONLINE EDITOR Patricia Proven

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alyssa Cutler EDITORIAL John Broven Jennifer Choi Michael Downer Arlene Gross Robert Leuner Patricia Proven Lisa Steuer John Westermann Dave Willinger

Courtesy Jessica Pochylski/AE Zimmerman Edelson

PHOTOGRAPHY John Griffin Robert O'Rourk ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR David R. Leaman ART AND PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Beth Heller Mason Wendy Mercier

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia ADVERTISING Mary Chirichella Robin Lemkin Barbara Newman Elizabeth Reuter Laura Satchwill Nancy Solomon Ted Taylor Lynn Tunney Minnie Yancey

CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal BUSINESS MANAGER Sheila Murray CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Alyssa Cutler BUSINESS OFFICE Sandi Gross Meg Malangone SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Terri Caruso

March 12, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A11

Between you and me

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PAGE A12 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 12, 2009