TN031209 by Dave Leaman

The TIMES of Northport & East Northport

Northport • East Northport • Fort Salonga–West • Asharoken • Eaton’s Neck • Centerport Volume 5, No. 47

75¢

March 12, 2009

Dollar wrenching BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Courtesy Steve Silverman

Mayors march Northport Mayor George Doll, left, and Asharoken Village Mayor Pat Irving marched in Huntington’s 75th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday along with the Northport Fire Department led by Chief Robert ‘Beefy’ Varese, not pictured, and other local departments. May the St. Baldrick’s festivities now begin.

Northport-East Northport Superintendent Marylou McDermott presented a $147.5 million draft budget on Monday that represents a 2.94 percent, or $4.2 million, increase over this year’s $143.3 million tab and calls for a 4.34 percent property tax rate hike. The plan, if adopted by the board and voters this spring, would cost taxpayers an additional $253.46 per year for the average homeowner, McDermott said. Restoration of nearly $1 million in state aid cuts through the federal economic stimSuperintendent ulus package would lower the tax rate hike to 3.6 percent. Assistant Superintendent for McDermott Business Larry Blake said Tuesday that taxannounced that payers could expect to pay $160.49 per $100 assessed value. she will freeze “We are clearly aware of our responsibilities to our children, but we are equally her salary at of our responsibilities to our taxpaythe current rate aware ers,” McDermott said at the March 9 school for 2009-10. board meeting. “I’m someone who believes you can do more with less if you have the human capital, and I can tell you this district has the human capital.” McDermott noted that everyone must “feel the cut and the pain” during these difficult financial times and announced that she will freeze her salary at the current rate for the upcoming year. Board members at the Jan. 26 meeting asked the superintendent to provide a draft 2009-10 budget that poses a spending increase of no more than 3 percent. Board President Arlene Munson acknowledged at Monday’s meeting that this was “not an easy task” and assured residents that school officials are trying to “tighten our belt” while maintaining the district’s programs. As another budget comes to life, McDermott said district officials continue to apply cost-saving measures to increase efficiency, Continued on page A6

County parks fee hike passes 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 (DEast 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 Continued on page A4

Courtesy Vanderbilt Museum

The Whale Shark exhibit, one of the many educational features the museum offers to children from across the Island.

Styles of the times

A shot at All-American

‘Close to Home’ exhibit opens

New exhibit at Northport museum

Ronde, Anderson placed well in states

St. Patrick once again on the march Sunday

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Page A5

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For breaking news, visit www.northshoreoflongisland.com

PAGE A2 • TIMES OF NORTHPORT • MARCH 12, 2009

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sponsor: Richter’s Liquors Winery eryssp Floral Sponsor: Beckman’s Florist Raffle Sponsor: Costco-Commack PPrinting sponsor: Loudon’s Minuteman Press Media Sponsors: The Times of Northport & East Northport , Clipper Magazine

THURSDAY, April 2, 2009 • 6:30-9:30 pm $60/person or $75 at door We are pleased to announce our honorees: DENISE AND CHUCK ADAMS OF ADAMS CYCLERY Community Volunteers of the Year Part of the proceeds of the event will be shared with Food Pantries of St. Anthony Padua and Northport Food Pantry.

Many sponsorship opportunities are available. Please check out our website at: www.eastnorthport.com for all the details.

Photo by Alan Pearlman

All the rage in the old days Northport resident Dolly Hooper strikes a pose in front of the ‘20th century Mirrored in Fashion and Events’ exhibit that opened March 1 at the Northport Historical Society. The display offers a look at fashions as reflections of the events that shaped them and includes period styles, photos and text. Hooper and her husband, Ward, who curated the show, were honored for the countless exhibits that they have mounted since the 1970s.

Pay to play at Steers Park? Village says it’s not league to charge BY ARLENE GROSS arlenegross@tbrnewspapers.com

Responding to rumors that Northport Youth Soccer and Northport Little League will have to pay to play at the Steers Pit ballfield, Mayor George Doll said, “Nobody’s being asked to pay to use the field.” Trustee Damon McMullen, who is working on negotiations with the ball clubs, also said the village is not asking the leagues to pay. “These are normal contract talks that we’re having,” McMullen said. “The leagues have always had contracts.” He characterized the negotiations as merely a matter of updating old agreements. “The contracts were very old and poorly written many years ago,” he said. “There was a lot of confusion on the

wording and we’re trying to get that all brought up to date.” McMullen said he hopes to see the contracts finalized some time soon. “We’ve been working at this for months now. You have to coordinate meetings.” Wishing to further clarify the matter, he said, “Any contract negotiation that’s done by the mayor or the board of trustees is confidential while the negotiations are taking place. Even though some may not think it’s as serious when dealing with the soccer league and the little league, I think you have to give it as much seriousness as if we were dealing with the Police Benevolent Association. I consider the confidence to be equal in value.” A representative of Northport Youth Soccer declined to comment; Northport Little League did not return phone calls.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS The Jewish Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school – administered programs.

BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Liz Dragone, a trustee on the Northport-East Northport school board, on Monday recapped her trip to Albany for a New York State School Board Association conference from March 1 to 3. Among the most important topics of discussion, she said, was the possible shift in prekindergarten costs to the local level. Those costs are now provided by the federal, state and county governments, Dragone said, but Gov. David Paterson has proposed that school districts take over. If approved, the shift would cost Suffolk County $12 million and Nassau County $11.6 million. Another issue discussed at the conference was the proposed MTA tax, Dragone said, which would impose a “huge new payroll tax” on all employers including schools. The impact would be “astronomical on our school districts,” she added, and Northport-East Northport alone would face $255,000 in additional taxes next year. Dragone stressed that this has “nothing to do with the children or their education” and encouraged community members to reach out to their local officials. “School districts at the very least should be exempt from this,” she said. “We really need to fight this if we can.”

Rotarian and singing Northport branch manager of Bank of Smithtown Teri George heats up the stage with The Connection at Northport Rotary’s second annual Winter Soirée, held Feb. 28 at the John W. Engeman Theater. More than 200 residents attended and the event raised over $8,000 for the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk. Photo by Alan Pearlman

MEETINGS CALENDAR N’port-E. N’port school board

Petals and pastels show Those who missed Rodee Hansen’s recent gallery exhibit at the Northport Library have a second chance to view the longtime resident’s watercolors, pastels and meticulous pressed flower creations. Her traveling exhibit, “Paintings, Petals and Pastels” featuring more than 70 works of art, appears through March 30 in Harborfields Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 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.

Monday, March 16, at 7:30 pm Northport High School library Laurel Hill Road, Northport

Northport Village board Wednesday, March 18 at 6 pm Northport Village Hall 224 Main St.

Asharoken Village board Monday, March 30, at 7:30 pm Asharoken Village Hall 1 Asharoken Ave.

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Second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm St. Philip Neri Parish Center Prospect Avenue off Church Street, Northport

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MARCH 12, 2009 • TIMES OF NORTHPORT • PAGE A3

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Continued from page A1 period of time, that will allow all parties to endeavor to find a long-term solution leading to continued operation of the facility.” Though he is for the county propping up the Vanderbilt, Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-North Babylon) voted to sustain Levy’s veto, he said, “because this is not the time to be raising park fees — when the economy is in free fall and the fees would be paid by those who could least afford to pay it.” D’Amaro also questioned the wisdom of relying on a short-term solution: the park fee windfall is only for one year. “They’re going to need funding well beyond that one-year period,” he opined. Also, whether higher park fees actually yield more county revenue remains to be seen. It might be that fewer people use the parks as a result, he said. Another of his concerns is that the Vanderbilt won’t see any of the funding until late summer, after people have been using the parks for a few months. “Based on the testimony I’ve heard at the Legislature from the Vanderbilt representatives, their cash flow crunch is occurring now. To wait three, four or five months is not going to help them.” Still, Carol Ghiorsi Hart, executive director of the museum, sounded upbeat about the Legislature’s vote. “We are very,

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very happy here at the Vanderbilt that we will be able to keep all our doors open to the public through the end of the year.” In the meantime, the museum is fundraising with the help of the recently established Friends of the Vanderbilt group. Behind the scenes, museum trustees are working to secure corporate and foundation support and apply for grants. “We’re trying to develop some special event programs to bring in more visitors,” she said. “We do expect our attendance to go up as people stay closer to home. We’re going to be offering more of what we do so well.” Hart has high hopes for a new summer program for children called Wizard University. “Our site with the planetarium as well as the historic mansion with the collections is the perfect site to really excite the mind in imaginative ways and teach real science and history but in a fun way.” What’s more, the museum has added vending machines and is exploring food service options, like partnering with local restaurants or catering facilities. There is one revenue stream that is down this season — catered weddings, with fewer couples booked there this season, she said. “Because weddings are planned usually a year ahead, it’s going to be hard to make that up.” Viloria-Fisher sees the recent legislation as a win-win solution. “The point here is that whether or not we passed this bill, we would have had to put some money into the Vanderbilt,” she said. “What this bill does is prevent us from having a hole in our budget. We have a commitment to keep the Vanderbilt alive. We would have had to find the money somewhere else. And in these times, where were we going to find the money?”

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PAGE A4 • TIMES OF NORTHPORT • MARCH 12, 2009

Parks fee hike

Northport’s Ronde, Anderson take on NY State competition BOYS’ TRACK BY FRANK DOWD Courtesy Jim Hoops

Anthony Brown feels fires away a pass under heavy pressure from an East Hampton defender.

Blue Devils fall in county finals BOYS’ HOOPS BY JOHN WESTERMANN katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

The Huntington boys’ basketball team fought its way past John Glenn to the Class A final at Longwood High School on hustle, poise and timely outside shooting. The East Hampton Bonackers won this game last year. The building was full and loud on March 4 with student sections chanting good-natured abuse at each other. The game broadcast live on radio. The winner advanced to the small-school Suffolk County final against Greenport and the state regional game on March 13 against Roslyn at Farmingdale State. A perfect setting and a perfect opportunity — except the Blue Devils outside shooting turned ice-cold and they fell 52-32. “East Hampton played a great ball game tonight,” Huntington head coach Mike Schmitz said. “They were under control, doing what they usually do; and we couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean. Plus, we made a bunch of mistakes. Every mistake against East Hampton winds up an easy bucket. I said it before: when we don’t shoot well, we lose.” The Blue Devils got a good start and led 5-1 after a drive and 3-ball from senior forward Ted Calligeros. Senior forward Anthony Brown soared to block a Bonacker layup and Calligeros took a charge on the defensive end. Still, East Hampton fought back to an 8-8 tie at the end of the first period. Calligeros worked the offensive glass for an early second-quarter put back but then drew his second foul and had to go back on defense. The Bonackers got hot from outside and surged to a 24-13 lead at the half. Huntington kept the game within the 10-point range during the third quarter but Calligeros picked up a few more touch fouls. When Calligeros was called for his fifth and sat down, the Blue Devil deep threat was much reduced and the Bonackers were able to concentrate fully on smothering senior guard Matt Duff y. Huntington freshman John Patron grabbed a rebound and scored, and Brown dropped in one final layup to make the 52-32 final score. Center Hayden Ward scored 26 points to lead the East Hampton offense. Point guard Jerome Russell added 16 points and showed almost limitless range. Brown had 11 points slashing to the basket for Huntington. Calligeros finished with 10 points. Patron had six, Duffy three and Stevens Merilan added a bucket. “I’m proud of the kids,” said Schmitz. “We went even further than I thought we might. They gave a great effort this year.” He continued, “I’m definitely not a fan of using three referees in these playoff games. They don’t practice it, and I don’t think they’re very good at it. I thought they let their guys jump over our backs for rebounds and then fouled out Calligeros on very little contact. I watched the AA game the night before, and I think they were a problem there, too.”

katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Section XI boys’ track and field athletes had a strong presence at the annual New York State championship meet at Cornell University on March 7. Many of them had successes, as well as overcoming obstacles to make their coaches and communities proud. 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 1,600meter 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 AllAmerican 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 fi nished 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. Dominating for the Shoreham-Wading River team was senior Bobby Andrews. He had a solid day,

Colin Anderson and D.J. Ronde have a shot at earning All-American this weekend. becoming the first 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. An 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 All-American 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.”

Farber represents Northport in winter track state championships indoor season,” said Dwyer. Mount Sinai sophomore Janie Turek came away Some of the top athletes from winter track with both silver and bronze medals, as she ran the competed last weekend at the New York State 1,000-meter race in 2:56.96. Turek finished second championships, which were held at Cornell Univer- in NYSPHSAA and third in the federation. “It was a sity in Ithaca. Many set records, earned awards and good day for her,” Dwyer said. He continued, “The meet went well. The most personal bests. Junior Lianne Farber represented Northport in the important thing is that Janie and Janet are looking 1,000-meter run. Farber finished the event in 3:09.26 forward to the nationals this weekend coming up.” Also competing was Smithtown East senior Ashfor 21st place. Winning the race was Garden City’s ley Beck. Beck is only the second Emily Menges in 2:54.12. athlete in the past 23 years to repCompeting for Ward Melville resent her school in the high jump were senior Ashley O’Shea and freshGIRLS’ TRACK competition. “She is a great athlete,” man Caroline O’Hea. O’Shea comsaid Smithtown East assistant coach peted in the 1,500-meter race/walk, Helen Flynn. finishing in second place (7:05.37) to Beck cleared 5-2, but when it Valley Stream junior Emilija Vaskyte (7:05.03). Port Jefferson’s Lisa Kutzing holds the went up to 5-4, she clipped the bar with her foot. If she had been successful at that height, it would have state record of 6:28.20, which was set back in 1998. O’Hea competed in the 3,000-meter run, clock- been a personal best for her. “She did very well,” Flying in at 10:22.11. Shelby Greaney of Suffern won nn said. “It was amazing.” Beck, who is also a gymthe event with a time of 9:53.99. The state record nast, will compete in the track and field heptathlon of 9:31.97 was set back in 2002 by Molly Huddle of event for Sacred Heart University next year. Shoreham-Wading River senior Ashley Clasen Elmira Notre Dame. Mount Sinai senior Christi Nassauer entered the placed fifth in the shot put. After she qualified with state competition as the Suffolk County pole vault her best score (41-0) at the qualifying meet, Clasen champion. Last weekend, she placed 17th in both the threw 39-06.75 at states. Last summer, she won the New York State Federation and public high schools with national discus title. Clasen is ranked fourth naa jump of 9-0. After clearing the first two jumps with tionally in the 20-pound weight throw and will be ease, Nassauer missed one at 9-9. “This is the highest competing in that event at two upcoming national level meet she has competed in,” said Mount Sinai head competitions. She has received a scholarship to East Carolina University. coach Bill Dwyer. “She did well.” “I think she’s going to the right place because the Mount Sinai junior Janet Mellor placed sixth in the state for the 300-meter dash with a time of coach at East Carolina is an excellent throwing coach,” 40.85, which was also good for a ninth-place finish said Shoreham head coach Paul Koretzki. “It’s a great in the federation. “This was her best time for this combination. She’s an outstanding worker.” BY FRANK DOWD

katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

MARCH 12, 2009 • TIMES OF NORTHPORT • PAGE A5

SPORTS

PAGE A6 • TIMES OF NORTHPORT • MARCH 12, 2009

EDITORIAL

Be careful with our parks 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 addressing his particular level of government’s fiscal woes. Granted, thinking outside the box is needed and welcome in times of crisis, and we have no doubt this proposal qualifies. 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 — to a point. His 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 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. A modest sized billboard on the trail to the first tee; a logo attached to each ball

Dollar wrenching

Continued from page A1 including negotiating increased health contributions, participating in cooperative bidding, installing energy-efficient windows, reducing the number of conferences and substitutes, purchasing a bus in 200809 to eliminate contractual costs, and educating children in the district rather than at BOCES. Furthermore, over $1 million in proposed districtwide reductions for 2009-10 include $100,000 each in three areas: administrative salaries, the United Teachers of Northport Professional Development Committee, and health insurance premiums. Cuts would also include $83,500 from balanced literacy staff development; $40,000 in operations and maintenance; $106,707 in equipment, and $165,000 in Tax Anticipation Notes, short-term debt securities issued in anticipation of future tax collections. While reallocated funds are slated to increase the bandwidth of the district’s computer system and offer online interactive learning opportunities for students in grades eight through 12, McDermott said, one initiative is recommended, at an additional cost: extending the kindergarten instruction day by 30 minutes. This will cost $11,100 at each elementary school, according to the superintendent, bringing the total to $66,600. “There’s been a cry in this district that we should have a full-day kindergarten program,” McDermott said, but implementing such a program would be detri-

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 natureloving 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 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.

mental to the budget process. Adding 30 minutes to the current kindergarten day would increase instruction by 20 percent, she continued, which would be used to balance literacy, reading and writing skills. Examining the budget by object area, McDermott noted that personnel salaries and benefits account for more than 77 percent of the budget. The rest consists of other contractual services (16.45 percent), debt services (4.05 percent), supplies (1.6 percent) and interfund transfers (0.62 percent). In terms of district revenue, most of the income is provided by taxpayers, who contribute over 88 percent of total revenue, while state aid only covers 7.71 percent. According to a chart provided by the superintendent, the Northport-East Northport school district’s budget-to-budget increase falls below that of some surrounding districts, such as South Huntington’s 5.1 percent, Cold Spring Harbor’s 3.8 percent and Half Hollow Hills’ 3.45 percent. Thirty-two-year Northport resident Joseph Sabia, however, was not impressed. “You keep giving us taxes that we can no longer afford,” Sabia told the board. “It’s getting harder and harder to live here. ... We’re all feeling the pain.” Resident Charles Slevin also noted that he recently played golf with a woman who said she plans to move out of the district after her children graduate. “That’s the mentality that hurts us,” Slevin said. “They vote for things when their kids are here, then they blow town.” When she asked whether he’ll vote in favor of the budget in May, Slevin replied, “I’m a senior citizen. I always vote down the budget.”

OPINION Wind option

Vote ‘Yes’ April 14

TO THE EDITOR: In April 2004, Daniel Karpen made a proposal to the school district to conduct a wind energy study to determine the feasibility of installing a wind turbine on school grounds at the Oldfield Middle School. We should all be working to keep costs as low as possible and that means exploring every opportunity for savings. Among the things that should be considered is the cost of energy. I have been told that the electric bill for the district is approximately $700,000 per year. This is a substantial amount of money and a good place to start for savings. Modern electrical generating equipment using wind may be an answer. In addition to amortizing the equipment over time, we may be able to remove that cost entirely. This is keeping with our desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are created by conventional oil and gas-fired electrical generation that is used on Long Island. Mr. Karpen’s proposal is a serious one, and it should be put on the agenda [for] the March 18 meeting. Ernest Fazio Centerport

TO THE EDITOR: Kudos to our Northport-East Northport Public Library; Stephanie Heineman, director; Eileen Minogue and James Olney, assistant directors; and library trustees Robert Little, chairperson, and Elizabeth McGrail, Ruth McKay, J. Ronald Gaudreault, and Andrea Gladding. Your commitment and passionate engagement in understanding the needs of our community have resulted in a proposed budget for the 2009-10 year which reflects a zero percent tax rate increase this year. The achievement of this fiscal responsibility has required analysis of every expenditure, refined goal settings and long-range planning. You have succeeded despite a time-consuming and often frustrating task. In the midst of a national recession, our library employees and trustees continue to advocate increased services and enrichment. Employees are eager to assist patrons, respond professionally to all requests and are attuned to our community needs. Show support of your library and vote on April 14. Ely Roll East Northport

Legals NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING OF NORTHPORTEAST NORTHPORT UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK, ON BEHALF OF THE NORTHPORT-EAST NORTHPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the NorthportEast Northport Union Free School District, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, New York, will be held at the Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York and the East Northport Public Library, 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport, New York on April 14, 2009, commencing at 9:00 a.m. ending at 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting upon the following items: 1. To adopt the Annual Library District Budget of the Library District for the fiscal year 2009/2010 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of said School District; and 2. To elect one (1) Trustee of the Northport-East Northport Public Library for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2009 and ending on June 30, 2014, as a result of the expiration of the term of office presently held by J. Ronald Gaudreault. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the voting at such meeting on April 14, 2009, shall take place in two election districts at the two polling places designated below between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time: ELECTION DISTRICT NO.1 shall be bounded as follows: On the South by the centerline of Route 25A; On the East by the library district boundary; On the North by the library district boundary; On the West by the library district boundary. POLLING PLACE ELECTION DISTRICT NO 1: Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York. ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 2 shall be bounded as follows: On the South by the library district boundary; On the East by the library district boundary; On the North by the centerline of Route 25A; On the West by the library district boundary.

POLLING PLACE ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 2: East Northport Public Library, 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport, New York. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for the Northport-East Northport Public Library’s purposes, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any taxpayer in the Library District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said meeting, except Sundays and holidays, from the Library, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York and 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport, New York; and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Trustee of the Northport-East Northport Public Library shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Library Vote located at 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York, not later than March 16, 2009, which petitions shall be filed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the Library Vote, must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District or two (2%) per cent of the voters who voted in the previous annual election of the Trustees of the Library, whichever is greater, such number to be determined by the number of persons recorded on the poll list as having voted at such election, and must state the name and residence of the candidate and the signers thereof; and FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN, that pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required and no person shall be entitled to vote at the meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the School District prepared therefor. All persons who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special School District meeting or School District election and who shall have voted at any such annual or special meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four (4) years prior to April 14, 2009, are not required to register again for this special district meeting. In addition, all those who are registered to vote with the Board of Elections of Suffolk County prior to April 3, 2009, shall be entitled to vote at this special district meeting, notwithstanding their failure to have previously registered with the School District.

FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that you are advised that personal registration is available any day that school is in session; at the office of the School District Clerk, 158 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In order to vote at the meeting to be held on April 14, 2009, personal registration must be completed on or before April 9, 2009, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Register will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Vote at 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York, where the Register will be open for inspection by any qualified voters of the School District on each of the five (5) days prior to April 14, 2009 excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time; and on April 14, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Northport Public Library, and FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law, absentee ballots to vote on any questions and propositions that appear on the voting ballot may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the Library Vote, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York during regular business hours. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a qualified voter whose ability to appear personally at the polling place is substantially impaired by reason of permanent illness or physical disability and whose registration record has been marked as permanently disabled by the Board of Elections pursuant to the provisions of the Election Law shall be entitled to receive an absentee ballot pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law without making separate application for such absentee ballot. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the said office of the Clerk of the Library Vote, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport, New York on each of the five (5) days prior to April 14, 2009 except Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Dated:

Northport, New York February 26, 2009

BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE NORTHPORT-EAST NORTHPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY Robert R. Little, Chairperson Board of Trustees 100 2/26 4x tn

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

PEOPLE Ruth Valentine

Joseph Peters, Northport High School Class of 1987, was granted tenure as an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology by Cornell University. He earned a B.S. in biology from SUNY Stony Brook in 1991 and a Ph.D. from University of Maryland at College Park in microbiology in 1996. He worked as a post– doctoral fellow in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He lives in Ithaca with his two daughters. Sadly, Jodi Crystal Peters, his beloved spouse of 15 years, passed away suddenly in July 2007. Dr. Peters teaches a course in DNA replication and repair. He heads a lab, funded by NIH, researching molecular mechanics of transposon mobility. This work impacts the study of evolutionary biology with practical applications to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. See the www. cornell.edu website for more information.

Ruth B. Valentine, of Northport, died recently after a short illness. She was 92 and an active member of the Northport community for many years. As a science and biology teacher in the East Northport Junior High School she made a lasting impression on her students for her enthusiasm, her energy and her no-nonsense style. After hours, she often guided nature walks and gave “Living off the Land” talks. The Huntington Township Theatre Group was also a big part of her life for many seasons — singing, acting and providing costumes. Her vintage clothing collection was often displayed as she proudly marched in Cow Harbor Day parades for years. With her late husband Eben she enjoyed many Power Squadron events on water and land. She had many friends in the village, her neighborhood and in her loyal and caring fellow Eastern Star members. Ruth was born and raised in New York City. She earned her master’s degree in education at Hunter College in Manhattan, with further studies in marine biology at Suffolk Community College. While her husband served in the WW II South Pacific area as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ruth raised their new daughter Ruth Elizabeth. In 1950 they moved to Northport and the family soon included daughter Beth Ann. With two girls, it’s no surprise Ruth was a tireless Girl Scout leader, leading her troops through local camps pointing out the difference between

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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.

Obituaries

Peters granted tenure at Cornell University

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS

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edible plants and poison ivy. Following the death of Eben, Ruth enjoyed her retirement and with a long-time family friend and companion, Scott Taber, remained active until very recently. Always enthusiastic, cheerful and never complaining, she will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughters, Mrs. Ruth V. Rost of Centerport, and Dr. Beth A. Valentine of Sweet Home, Ore., as well as her brother Robert Bingham of Niceville, Fla. Following Ruth’s wishes, her family will have a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Food Pantry at her church, First Presbyterian Church, 330 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768, would be greatly appreciated.

Eileen Hunt Eileen B. Hunt of Centerport died on Feb. 28. She was the beloved wife of Douglas P. Hunt; the loving mother of Phyllis Bourges and her husband, John, Theresa Morris and her husband, Jim, Douglas Hunt and the late David Hunt; the cherished grandmother of Ashley M. Duncan and Samantha Bourges; the devoted sister of Mary Osborne and Josephine Savatt and her husband, Russell. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on March 6 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Centerport. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. Arrangements entrusted to A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home of Huntington Station.

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

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