VB030509 by Dave Leaman

THE VILLAGE

BEACON RECORD MOUNT SINAI • MILLER PLACE • SOUND BEACH • ROCKY POINT • SHOREHAM • WADING RIVER • LEISURE COUNTRY

Volume 25, No. 31

March 5, 2009

75¢

Sodden death Tall Grass PDD killed by Bonner resolution Page A3

Photo by D. Willinger

The 2007 rezoning of the DeLalio sod farm property in Shoreham has expired. The town board voted down an extension, effectively stopping the planned development district.

Oklahoma is OK

■ Mazzei, Lesko square off in Mt. Sinai Contentious crowd shows keen interest in special election Page A4

Rocky Point students Carl Welch and Julia Tavolaro in a scene from the High School’s production of “Oklahoma.” Below: Jessie Duncan and Ruslan Ardashev engage in some front porch sittin’. Performances are March 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm.

Raising some green for the wearin’ of the green Photos from dinner reception and crowning of the parade queen Page A14-A15

Parade Grand Marshal John Rouse with Jerry Coogan, president of the Friends of St. Patrick at Sunday’s fundraiser.

Courtesy of John Soltysik

SWR’s Keith, RP’s Dutton

Women’s quest for equality

HS grapplers win individual honors

And at LIM, ‘A Shared Aesthetic’ debuts

Page A25

Page B1

Where the North Shore clicks: www.northshoreoflongisland.com

PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

MP schools weigh $60M budget

BUYING

BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

HIGHEST CASH PRICES PAID for your unwanted gold, silver and platinum jewelry, gold and silver coins, sterling flatware and tea sets, old paper money, diamonds, Rolex watches, vintage watches, antique jewelry, Franklin Mint items. In our 30 years in business, we have earned a reputation for honest and ethical dealings. (We are one of only approximately 1500 members worldwide of the prestigious American Gem Society). We will purchase your entire holdings, at the very highest cash prices, and

WE PAY IMMEDIATELY. Don’t leave the responsibility of selling your valuables to an executor, who may not be able to handle the task. You are best able to sell your holdings in an orderly and intelligent manner. Why continue to pay expensive safe deposit rental fees? Now may be the best time to liquidate your valuables and put the money to better use. CALL US. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the purchase of your holdings. All transactions are held in the strictest confidence.

A R E P U TAT I O N B U I LT O N T R U S T 137 Main Street (4 Doors East of Post Office)

29 Rocky Point/Yaphank Road Suite 3, (Behind 7-Eleven)

Stony Brook

Rocky Point

751–3751

744–4446 www.rockypointjewelers.com

Miller Place Superintendent of Schools Grace Brindley proposed a $60.08 million preliminary budget at the district’s Feb. 25 Board of Education meeting. “I know this is a very, very difficult economic time right now for everyone,” Brindley said, noting that the proposal is “just a little bit below contingency” but maintains staff and programs. As it stands, the preliminary 200910 budget marks a $2.3 million, or 3.98 percent, increase over the current year’s $57.7 million tab. It does not cut any teachers or programs, and adds only one position as part of the 2009-10 staffing plan: a K-6 teacher whose salary and benefits total $75,580. It also adds boys’ varsity lacrosse to the high school athletic program at a cost of $34,593. In terms of the district’s revenue, the superintendent said there are still several unknowns including state school aid, education funding from the federal stimulus package and the fund balance from the current school year. In the meantime, Brindley included in a budget handout a list of additional programs and staff positions to be considered by the board. Some requests were labeled “high consideration items,” such as an assistant principal at the Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, an assistant to the superintendent for instruction and a new teacher mentor program. On a separate wish list of “program enhancement requests,” items for consideration included art, music and physical education teachers, assistant varsity coaches,

middle school sports teams, clubs, support staff and information technology. Brindley, who will retire at the end of this school year, reminded attendees and board members that any additions to the budget will bring the budget-to-budget increase above 4 percent. “I know there were lots of things that were requested by the administration, by the board themselves, by our community members, and every time you add something, that percent goes up,” she said. “It is not a spending problem, it is a revenue problem, and it’s like that every year.” Board President Ann O’Brien said the board must wait to find out “what our numbers might be and what we’re working with,” and added, “This year, it’s even more of a question mark.” The district will host a series of budget workshops on every Wednesday this month to further discuss the details of the budget.

Superintendent search Also at the Feb. 25 meeting, O’Brien provided an update on the district’s superintendent search. There were 41 applicants for the position, according to the board president, and Ray Fell of Eastern Suffolk BOCES has interviewed 19. “We have a great candidate pool to choose from,” she said, noting that only two other districts on Long Island are looking for superintendents. The board has narrowed down to 10 candidates who will be interviewed during the next two weeks, O’Brien said. Board members will then have a second round of interviews before selecting a final candidate in early April.

Mother of the Bride Gowns!

Peter A. Klein, MD, FAAD Adam J. Korzenko, MD, FAAD Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Board Certiﬁed American Board of Dermatology

Mother’s Gowns Some of the manufacturers we carry:

Treating disorders of the skin, hair and nails for adults and children

Mon Cheri • Jovani • Jasmine Alfred Angelo • LaPerle

TUXEDO RENTALS

Dr. Klein and Dr. Korzenko are members of the clinical and teaching faculty in the Department of Dermatology at SUNY Stony Brook University Hospital, seeing patients and actively contributing to medical education.

$20

OFF

ALL PROM TUXEDOS

We have a great selection of gowns for brides, mothers and bridesmaids. For the groom, we have tuxedo rentals for all occasions.

Stimulus Sale

$100

OFF

Any Mother's Gown Excluding Sale Items with this ad • exp. 3/31/09

Bridal &Tuxedo Center

F Night/Weekend & Emergency Appointments Available Most Insurance Plans Accepted. Reasonable Fees for Non-insured Patients

Call to schedule 631.928.7922

alterations available on premises

LOCATED IN THE SHOREHAM SHOPPING PLAZA

6 MEDICAL DRIVE SUITE D, PORT JEFFERSON STATION

(1/4 mile west of William Floyd Parkway)

99 ROUTE 25A, SHOREHAM 744–8863

www.peterkleinmd.com ©84238

Store Hours: , Tues. 11:00-6:00, Wed. 11:00-7:00, Thurs. 11:00-8:00, Fri. 11:00-5:00, Sat. 10:00-4:00, Closed Sun. & Mon.

Developer failed to close deal, denied more time by 5-1 vote of town board leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com

In a surprising turn of events, the contentious and controversial Tall Grass rezoning in Shoreham may be history. The Brookhaven Town Board voted 5-1 last Thursday, Feb. 26, to deny the developer, Ornstein Leyton Company of Garden City, an extension of time to fulfi ll requirements imposed at the time of the board’s approval of the planned development district, or PDD, on Oct. 16, 2007. Tall Grass is a 352-unit residential/commercial development situated on 328 acres of sod farm and the Tall Grass golf course. Ornstein contracted to purchase the land from the DeLalio family and DeLalio Sod Farms. According to the resolution, sponsored by 2nd District Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point), Ornstein failed to comply with require-

‘This design was a net benefit to the district.’ — MICHAEL WATT LIBI EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

ments attached to the Town Board’s approval in 2007 to provide various legal documents to the town within six months. The developer’s request for an extension of time to comply — over many years typically permitted by the town to almost all developers — was formally denied by Bonner’s measure. “From the town’s perspective, this is done,” said Bonner following the meeting. “It’s no longer a PDD.” “Yes,” Councilman Tim Mazzei (R-Blue Point) said unequivocally this week, Tall Grass is dead. “What killed it was density,” said Councilman Steve FioreRosenfeld (D-East Setauket), “not concept.” Supporters of the plan had touted its smart growth features like open space, recreational areas, a centrally located commercial area within walking distance of the homes, the mix of affordable units built into the plan, and sewers. Not so fast, said others in response to the PDD’s death sentence proclaimed by some. Jennifer Juengst, the attorney representing Citizens for Sound Development, which

FIle photo

Then councilman Kevin McCarrick seen with residents protesting against the Tall Grass PDD in October 2007 outside Town Hall. Hours later the rezoning, which has now expired, was approved by the town board.

fi led suit early last year to reverse the rezoning approval, said the PDD is not “legally” dead, but added, “I think politically it killed it.” “It’s our understanding that they never closed the deal on

the sod farm,” Juengst said this week. She said the developer did close on the golf course, but indicated that last summer the deal went into foreclosure. Nonetheless, Juengst said the Citizens are proceeding with

their lawsuit against the developer and the town. “It’s not dead yet,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D-Middle Island), the only board member to cast a Continued on page A18

Where dining out ... is like coming home!

Happy Hour Thursday & Friday 4 - 7 PM

9 0 N ORT H C OU N T RY ROA D, M I L L E R PL AC E 631–331–4848 • www.brianscotts.com 83822

BY LEE LUTZ

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A3

Bonner: Tall Grass PDD is dead

Best Paint....... Best Advice!

910 Route 25 A, Miller Place - 209-1485 Open s! Sunday

Mon - Fri 7 - 6, Sat 8 - 5, Sun 10 - 3 www.vankemenade.com

Photo by D. Willinger ©76439

Supervisor candidates Tim Mazzei, left, and Mark Lesko, smile near each other after their debate at the North Shore Heritage Center in Mount Sinai.

Mazzei, Lesko debate at Mount Sinai Civic Ex-prosecutors appeal to the jury pool of voters BY DAVE WILLINGER

L aP lage

dave_w@tbrnewspapers.com

More than 60 persons crowded into a partitioned section of the North Shore Heritage Center in Mount Sinai Tuesday evening to question the candidates for town supervisor. Brookhaven Councilman Tim Mazzei (R-Blue Point) and former federal prosecutor Mark Lesko, running on the Democratic ticket, took turns talking to the contentious crowd, comprised of area residents, politically active outsiders and more than a few town employees. Mazzei, in his opening remarks, mentioned his supporter and former law partner Suffolk District Attorney Tom Spota. When Lesko arrived some 10 minutes late, there was no handshake between the two well-dressed candidates. Lesko said his work as a federal prosecutor had familiarized him with the history of Brookhaven and promised to protect residents’ pocketbooks by managing spending “aggressively.” He pledged to create a quality-of-life task force to reverse the “lack of meaningful code enforcement” in Brookhaven. Mazzei defended the town’s code

Welcomes you to ou r Four Course Wine Dinner M arch 19th 7:0 0 pm

enforcement and later during the debate, after Lesko had repeatedly referred to Babylon Town as a model for the kind of enforcement he had in mind, Mazzei suggested, “Maybe you want to move to Babylon.” From the audience, Phil Goldstein of Port Jefferson Station pointed out that both candidates are experienced prosecutors who are “used to an adversarial system,” but that the people are fed up with partisan politics. How would the candidates move beyond that? Lesko said that was the reason he quit his job to run for supervisor and pledged to “replace partisanship with Continued on page A19

Correction In our story about the exhibit on area history, “A Sense of Time and Tools” (“Wheels of time on view in Mount Sinai,” Feb. 26), currently on view at the Mount Sinai Heritage Center, we did not mention the directors of the Heritage Trust, who helped make the exhibit possible by providing the venue.

Inside this week News Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A27 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A26 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A26

Let us complement your table ~

Art Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B18-B19 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B22-B24 Cooking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12 Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B15 Father Frank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B21

A division of La Plage Restaurant

Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A23 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A23 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A25, B30-B31

Leisure Arts & Lifestyles

CREEKSIDE CATERING E

Open Wed. thru Sun. • Lunch Wed.-Sat. 12-3:30 PM • Dinner 4-9 PM Sunday Dinner Only 2 PM-9 PM • Closed Monday & Tuesday

Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B13 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B3-B9 Investing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B18 Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B25-B29 Religious Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . B20-B21 SBU Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B30-B31

Classifieds

131 Creek Road • On The Sound In Wading River 631–744–9200 • www.laplagerestaurant.net

Section C

PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

VanKemenade

The VILLAGE BEACON RECORD (USPS 001-056) 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.

Rocky Point man’s attorney says it was other bar patron who, cops say, is cooperating with investigation BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

A Three Village physical education teacher was arrested Feb. 25 for the alleged sexual assault of a female bartender in Mount Sinai. Michael Wachholder, 30, of Rocky Point was charged with first-degree rape, second-degree aggravated sexual abuse and second-degree assault, according to district attorney spokesman Bob Clifford. Wachholder has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was ordered held on $450,000 bail. Suffolk police from the Sixth Squad had previously reported that on Feb. 3, two white men entered the Secrets Lounge in Mount Sinai around 3:30 pm, ordered drinks and engaged the bartender in conversation. About 20 minutes later, the bartender was approached from behind while setting up a food area, struck on the head and face, and knocked to the floor where she was sexually assaulted, according to police. During the assault, one of the men asked her how they could access the cash register. After the attack, the men fled the scene without any proceeds. No other customers were in the establishment at the time of the attack. Following the Feb. 3 incident,

Suffolk police released sketches of two men they said they were seeking in connection with the rape. Detective Sergeant Michael Fitzharris of the Sixth Squad confirmed Friday that a second man “has been fully identified and is cooperating with the police department.” Fitzharris added, “He has assisted us in our investigation.” A tip received on the Crime Stoppers hotline led to Wachholder’s arrest, the detective sergeant said. JamesO’RourkeofHauppauge, Wachholder’s attorney, said Tuesday that his client “maintains that while he was present in the bar, it was the other individual who attacked and brutally raped this woman.” Upon witnessing the attack, Wachholder “was frightened and ran,” the attorney said, noting his client’s “gross error of judgement.” O’Rourke said he has been advised that the other individual “has an extensive criminal record and has served time,” without revealing the source of his information. Wachholder, who will be arraigned in County Court today, is willing to take a DNA test to clear his name, according to O’Rourke. “Hopefully, the DNA results will be compared with the samples taken from the victim and

Courtesy SCPD

Michael Wachholder and his police artist’s sketch.

my client will be cleared,” the attorney said. “Needless to say, it is a traumatic event for him to be accused of a crime and incarcerated for something he did not do.” Three Village Superintendent Ralph Ferrie confirmed last week that Wachholder is a physical education teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School in Setauket. Ferrie said the teacher has been placed on administrative leave, with pay, but added, “We will address it at the next board meeting.” Ferrie said last week Wachholder began working for the dis-

trict in 2003. Ferrie, who came to the district in 2008 from a similar position in New Jersey, said he had in his possession a “release” from New York State resulting from the required fingerprint and background check on Wachholder. “The district did everything it is supposed to do,” he said, adding that he was expecting information from Albany specifically addressing why any prior convictions did not appear in the background report and what offenses are required to be reported. On Feb. 26, Ferrie posted a letter on the school district’s

website stating, “One of the unfortunate issues that came to light with this arrest is that this individual had legal entanglements between the ages of 17 and 20. Before being hired by Three Village, and in compliance with New York State Law, the district had been provided clearance by the State Education Department to hire the individual. We believe his prior legal entanglements were not conveyed to the district because of their status as ‘violations,’ and not as misdemeanors or felonies, meaning that in the eyes of the law, he had no criminal record.” In a statement Wednesday, Ferrie said the district placed Wachholder on administrative leave since “the district did not know what Mr. Wachholder’s bail status was going to be.” Administrative leave would “ensure that he would not be in the classroom.” Ferrie said that since the teacher remains in jail, the leave status is “unnecessary.” Further, “Since incarceration in not a reason for absence, Mr. Wachholder will not be paid. Should he make bail, he will be reassigned accordingly. … The district’s personnel attorneys are constantly monitoring this situation.” Lee Lutz contributed to the story.

March Madness Authentic Thai Cuisine Soups ~ Satays ~ Curries Pad Thai ~ Crispy Duck Seafood ~ Fish ~ House Specials Vegetarian ~ Gourmet Ice Cream All your favorite Thai dishes and more!

Also Visit us at

h ai

T urant Gourmet Resta wy.

nset H 4747-24 Nesco Station on rs ffe Je rt Po

“Chef Owner Arty Pattapong is a culinary wizard...” zagat:

3 631.474.066

March 14th & 15th only with a $25 PandoraTM purchase

825 Route 25A • Miller Place, NY • 631. 821.1780 • Fax 631.821.0450 www.therestaurantsweb.com Tuesday – Friday Lunch 11:30 am-3:00 pm ~ Dinner 4:00 pm-10:00 pm

At Home

news on demand

(1 mile East of Wm. Floyd Parkway)

northshoreoflongisland.com

6336 Route 25A, Wading River

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ©84164

Decorating & Gift Shoppe

DINE IN ~TAKE-OUT ©83721

Free sterling silver lobster claw bracelet

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A5

Setauket teacher charged in rape at Mount Sinai bar

PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

Young guns set sights on Main St. RPHS student career group to tackle downtown revitalization BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

The Rocky Point Career Advisory Partnership held its first organized meeting of the year last week at the Rocky Point High School library. Founded in 2004, the CAP program is designed to assist students in entering the workforce or higher education, according to co-founder Michael Poveromo, president of Family Time Party Rentals in Mount Sinai. Business owners and community leaders share their knowledge with students through this program, Poveromo said, providing the adolescents in advance with the skills they will need in next stage of their lives. At the meeting was a core group of student CAP members, including seniors Stacy Frink and Brett Schmidt, juniors Emre Kocahasan, Natasha Belanich, Kelly Guthy and Adam Pometta, and freshman Francesca Belanich. Attendees from the business community included Tom Ianniello of North Isle Wellness Center in Miller Place, Wendy Stapon of Suffolk National Bank in Shoreham, Janene Gentile of the North Shore Youth Council and Scott Frederiksen of Verizon. The big topic of discussion at the meeting was a new business competition introduced by Susan Wilson, the program’s former coordinator and “You might current public relations chairperson. Wilson actually get said she came up with something out of the idea after attending the Smithtown School this game you’re District’s 14th annual playing.” Business Olympics in — TOM IANNIELLO December where she was one of many judges who viewed 15-minute presentations from 44 teams of students. Following this year’s theme, “Quick & Healthy — A Fast Food Restaurant,” over 170 students, “dressed like they were going to work in midtown Manhattan,” presented their own business plans for a fast food enterprise, Wilson recalled. Members of the winning team were awarded Visa gift cards donated by local businesses. Wilson, who is also the Rocky Point School District’s technology coordinator, said such a competition would be a “perfect fit for CAP” because it helps students gain networking and presentation skills. In Rocky Point, the event will be titled the CAPathon, according to Wilson, and it will take place some time in late April or early May. “This is going to help [the students] more than they can imagine now,” she said, noting the “competitive edge” that’s necessary in a “global economy.” Continued on page A20

Photos by Jennifer Choi

84350

Above: Students and members of the business community brainstorm themes for CAPathon. Top: CAP members Susan Wilson, (back row) Brett Schmidt, Emre Kocahasan, Adam Pometta and Louise Timms; and (front row) Stacy Frink, Francesca Belanich, Natasha Belanich and Kelly Guthy.

Welcome INN sees double-digit increase in area’s hungry guests BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

The Welcome INN soup kitchen has been operating in Port Jefferson since 1989, and the number of guests continues to grow. An affiliate of the Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead, Welcome INN provides nutritious meals free of charge to those in need, according to Barbara Curtis, president of Welcome INN’S executive steering committee. In Port Jefferson, round-trip complimentary van service, made possible with support from Village Hall, departs the train station Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 5:15 pm, Dinner is served at 5:45 pm four times a week: Monday at Christ Church Episcopal; Tuesday at Christ Methodist Church; Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; and Friday at First Presbyterian Church, all in Port Jefferson. Lunch is also served at 1 pm Sunday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Currently, an average of 55 guests visit the soup kitchen each night, Curtis said, marking an estimated 10 percent growth over the past year. Curtis, a 28-year Port Jefferson resident, said

she believes this increase is largely due to the recent economic downturn, which has had a “very large effect on the working poor.” According to information provided by the INN, approximately 13,000 meals were served in 2007, a 17 percent increase over 2006. Curtis, who has been involved with the soup kitchen program for 13 years, said the food is donated by various vendors, while a group of dedicated volunteers, who serve the meals and clean up afterward, help make the INN a “well-oiled machine.” Setauket resident Jill Scott said she began volunteering about eight years ago because she likes to “put a smile on people’s faces.” Guests of the soup kitchen “need to be catered to, talked to and understood,” she said. “I don’t care what your walk of life is, I think being judgemental is wrong.” Scott, who volunteers her time twice a week, encouraged others to become involved because it’s “very worthwhile.” “It’ll make them feel like a new person,” she said, adding that there’s “so much satisfaction” in giving back to the community. “It gives me a warm

Photo by D. Willinger

The Rocky Point Trinity Lutheran church serves a free hot meal Thursdays from 5 to 6 pm.

and fuzzy feeling,” she said. “It makes me feel whole.” Jack Strong of Setauket, a Welcome INN volunteer for nearly a decade, said “Time f lies when you’re having fun.” He and his wife, Pat, help prepare meals every Wednesday, according to Strong, who said being involved with the soup kitchen “gives an understanding of people in need.” Giving back to the community is “part of the reason why you’re alive,” he said. “Our purpose in life is not to just enjoy ourselves but to help others.” When asked whether he will continue to volunteer his time, Strong replied, “I have no plans not to.” A guest from Sound Beach visiting the soup kitchen at St. Paul’s last week said the program has been “extremely helpful” and has “taken a load

off ” during difficult economic times. The guest, who has been unemployed for two years, said the volunteers have been “super” and “so helpful.” “One day when I get back on my feet, I’ll probably become a volunteer,” she said with tears in her eyes. Also an affiliate of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, the Invited INN operates a soup kitchen in Rocky Point’s Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Dinner is served at 5 pm every Thursday in Witzmann Hall behind the church, according to information provided on the church website. Trinity has hosted the program for over 14 years, and about 70 guests are served each week. “Invited INN has become such an important part of my life,” volunteer Contiued on page A20

SAVE ON INSPIRED LUXURY TODAY! • Now is the time to SAVE 20% ON ALL CUSTOM COLOR and/or CUSTOM RUG ORDERS. Every luxury pattern. Every color. Come in today and Save. Sale ends 3/31/09 Since 1946

Home improvement Lic. #18-817H.I.

(631) 473-2600

• www.cappyscarpets.com • Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6 PM, Thurs. ‘til 9 PM, Sat. 9:30-5

Cappy’s Carpets

440 MAIN STREET PORT JEFFERSON

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A7

Volunteers dish it out at local soup kitchens

PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

Gov. Paterson announces school aid restoration Mt. Sinai: $230K; Miller Place: $624K; Rocky Point: $837K; Shoreham-Wading River: $522K in federal stimulus funding BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Photo by Jennifer Choi

Gov. David Paterson with Sachem middle school students Friday said his announced aid cuts have been restored by the federal stimulus package.

Long Island school districts no longer face over $157 million in state aid cuts thanks to an infusion of federal funds, Gov. David Paterson said Friday during a visit to Sequoya Middle School in Holtsville. Joined by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and state Sen. Brian Foley (DBlue Point), Paterson announced that money from the federal economic stimulus package would help restore state education funding to 2008-09 levels.

A Thought for the Day~ “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.”

“We’re still family owned and operated” Fred E. Bryant

631–473–0082 411 Old Town Road East Setauket, NY www.bryantfh.com

We treat your family like our own. ©83829

The governor, who had proposed reducing school aid in light of the recent economic crisis, said education must be a priority because it is an “important aspect of how our country grows.” According to information provided by Bishop’s office, the proposed cuts in next year’s state budget would have cost Suffolk County over $96 million and Nassau County more than $60 million in education funding. “Every cut we made to school districts, we will restore in this budget process,” Paterson said. Some of the federal funding will be dedicated to community colleges, state universities and higher education loan programs, he added. Addressing an auditorium crowded with students and faculty, the governor noted that there are four ways to gain If Gov. Schwarzenegger $1 million: by chance, is the ‘governator,’ personal effort, marry- then Rep. Bishop is the ing a millionaire and education. The first ‘stimulator.’ three scenarios are — GOV. DAVID PATERSON possible but unlikely, according to Paterson, so education is the only sure way to a “greater quality of lifestyle.” “Knowing priority” is imperative in both government and schools, Paterson continued, thanking Bishop for his efforts to free up an additional $2.48 billion in federal education aid for New York schools over a two-year period. If California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the “governator,” he noted, Rep. Bishop is the “stimulator.” “Behind every economic statistic is a human story,” Bishop said. “This is a solution to a very vexing problem.” The additional federal funding will allow Long Island schools to maintain their quality of education and staff, he said, which means there will be “no dreams shattered.” Bishop, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, also noted in a written release, “This is ‘Behind every a huge victory for every Long Islander. This will benefit our economic statistic community by helping keep is a human story.’ down property taxes and — CONGRESSMAN keeping our educators emTIM BISHOP ployed. These funds give us two years of breathing room, but it’s not a license to spend. This is a time to make smart decisions and plan for the future.” Foley, a former Suffolk County legislator and Brookhaven Town supervisor in his first year as state senator, said officials from the federal and state levels are “working together for a common cause.” This is “history lessons being played out in real life,” Foley explained to the students, adding “It’s a fine time to be in public service.” Paterson then noted that the American people have “pulled together” through many tragedies in the past and said, “The more we pull together, the stronger we’ll come out of this difficult time.” Sachem Superintendent of Schools Charles Murphy, whose district is currently operating under a $279 million budget, said, “Running a school district on limited funding is very challenging indeed.” Thanks to the federal recovery funding, Sachem is slated to receive an estimated $3.2 million in additional education aid over a two-year period, while the neighboring Middle Country and Three Village school districts are scheduled to receive an extra $2.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Further east, the Port Jefferson School District anticipates an additional $253,000, Mount Sinai $230,000, Miller Place $624,000, Rocky Point $837,000 and Shoreham-Wading River $522,000. Heading west, Smithtown is slated to receive just over $2 million in additional aid, while Kings Park anticipates an extra $836,000, and both Northport-East Northport and Huntington are scheduled to receive about $1.4 million each.

BY LEE LUTZ leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com

Courtesy Brookhaven Town

Why Choose A Family-Owned Funeral Home? You can rely on our family~ When it is time to rely on someone outside your family to help you, isn’t it best to have a friend in the community who has a reputation for excellence?

It is our town too~ We live, work, volunteer and socialize in your community, and we have for generations. We genuinely care about serving our friends and neighbors.

A comfortable place at a difficult time~ Our spacious facility allows you to offer your family and friends peace and comfort. Each family deserves and receives our individual attention.

we treat your family like our own 411 Old Town Road East Setauket, NY 11733

473–0082

www.bryantfh.com

Even though the Town Board zeroed out its funding last fall, Brookhaven’s amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville will host shows this year after all. An agreement approved at last Thursday’s Town Board meeting between Brookhaven and Jim Faith, a Port Jefferson promoter who has managed the venue since 2003, calls for Faith to book “three major concert events,” solicit sponsorships and advertisers to generate revenue, and seek users to rent the facility and its parking area to further offset operating costs. Brookhaven’s 2009 budget, adopted in November of 2008, had included no funds to operate the amphitheater this year. According to town sources the outdoor venue has cost Brookhaven taxpayers millions of dollars over the past several years. Supporters of the new arrangement claim the town will not lose money and Faith said he hopes “to break even,” if all goes very well. “The taxpayers have put millions into this,” Faith told the board last week. “It’s time to turn that around.” “In the past we’ve operated as a community resource,” said Councilwoman Kathy Walsh at the board meeting, “not a revenue generator.” Figures from Brookhaven indicate that revenues at the ‘I wish him luck, but amphitheater have averaged his numbers might less than $460,000 over the past two years, yet the resonot add up.’ lution sponsored by Coun— COUNCILMAN cilwoman Jane Bonner STEVE FIORE-ROSENFELD (C-Rocky Point) and approved by the Town Board on Feb. 26 anticipates revenue of $553,300 in 2009. Faith told the council members that for “the last several years” he has “not so much been trying to make a profit but build up credibility.” He said managers and promoters have shied away from the venue due to poor management that preceded him. Since the 1980s, when the town’s ski bowl was transformed into the amphitheater, a series of promoters hired by the town reportedly did not deliver on promises for acts and sold tickets for shows that never happened. One eventually pleaded guilty to petty larceny. Faith told the board last week he had already garnered commitments for several events including a flea market and farmers market to rent the parking lot for a total of 65 days, a country fair, and two previously successful events at Bald Hill: a Led Zeppelin philharmonic show and a hippie fest. Faith said he “expects to sell 3,000 tickets at about $35 each” for those two shows alone. He said this week that promoters are now coming to him, proving that his effort to rehabilitate the venue’s reputation is succeeding. Parks Commissioner Ed Morris, sitting next to Faith, told the board one show being considered is a production of the very popular “High School Musical” series. Faith said some of the recent improvements to the site include the installation of dressing rooms and a box office, and utilizing Ticketmaster for sales. The price for events in 2009 will also include a new $2 per ticket parking fee. Faith also plans eight family movie nights at $5 per car. Bonner characterized the arrangement with Faith as a “public/private partnership,” noting the sponsorship and advertising elements of her resolution. Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket) questioned whether Faith’s estimates of revenue were realistic in light of the nationwide economic downturn. “These are very reasonable prices, very palatable,” replied Faith, noting that prices at venues such as Jones Beach and Westbury Music Fair are often two, three or four times higher. “I wish him luck,” Fiore-Rosenfeld said this week, “but his numbers might not add up.” Faith’s new contract with Brookhaven runs from March through December. Out of the amphitheater’s anticipated 2009 revenue, the town will pay him $8,500 per month — down from $10,000 last year — plus an incentive of 8 percent of gross ticket sales if that figure exceeds the cost of putting on the show. The maximum value of the contract is capped at $150,000. The council’s four majority members voted in favor of Bonner’s resolution; Fiore-Rosenfeld and Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D-Middle Island) abstained.

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A9

In reversal, Bald Hill venue to host shows in 2009

YOU R

Y AC

Foot Pain? Tingling? Numbness? Cold Feet? Neuropathy? Non-Healing Wounds of the Feet?

FR E E DELIVE RY!

THE NEW

"Echo–nomic" Stimulus Program

Save Big $$$

may be your answer! “The MicroVas Vascular Treatment System achieved more than 95% successful outcomes in pain management and healing of non-healing wounds.” – letter from former CEO, HealthSouth Hospital of Tulsa ■ ■

with our Echo Drug Plan $6.00 Co-pay on 30 day supply on over 300 generic prescriptions

MicroVas Vascular Treatment System

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Elevates blood flow and tissue oxygenation Accelerates lymphatic drainage (decreases swelling) Can be used with conventional wound care Non-invasive, high patient comfort Promotes angiogenesis (new tissue growth) Reimbursable by major insurance carriers and Medicare Effective for heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, sprains, etc.

Ask about the details

2 for 1 Sale

Deep Dis co from our unts G Departm ift Savings u ent p to

on Nature's Bounty Vitamins!

Dr. Patricia Nicholas WADING RIVER PROFESSIONAL CENTER 6144 Route 25A, Suite 6, Wading River, NY 11792 www.carepluspodiatry.com Member of APMA & NYSPMA

631–929–3892

50% OFF

PAGE A10 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

ECHO PHARMACY

ng undi T o p • Com tural HR ored • Na es Flav ns icin tio • Med t Prescrip e •P

ETOWN PHA M R HO

on a varie ty of g We're rem ift items. o and makin deling gw new item ay for s daily.

MASTECTOMY BOUTIQUE

Board Certiﬁed Fitter Private Fitting Room

Medical and Surgical Supplies

DIABETIC SHOES* By DR. COMFORT

GREAT PRICES! Rollators 4 Wheel Walkers

Fashionable! Comfortable! Extra Depth!

Local Professional Service Includes:

$159.99

• Best’s “A” Rated Insurers • Free Replacement Cost Evaluation • Immediate Binders for Your Closing • Home/Auto Discount • 2500 feet From the Water Acceptable

Great New Socks for Diabetics

SUGAR FREE SOX

Raised Toilet Seat

UPLIFT CHAIRS

Gently takes you from reclining to standing... easy on legs, hips & aching joints. * $

NOW starting at

699 & up

also with heat & massage options. Rentals Available *Medicare may cover a portion

with Arms

Immediate Licensing Certificate, Trucks, Vans, Great Rates, Work Comp, Bonds

$59.99 Shower Chair

Auto

Business

Preferred Rates for Good Drivers,

with Back

Drivers with Tickets and Accidents.

Retail Stores Offices Restaurants and more

$69.99

60 & 56 ECHO AVE., MILLER PLACE (LOCATED IN THE SHOPPING CENTER NEXT TO THE PARK)

Pharmacy: 642–8175 Fax: 642–8178

Contractors

Home

with Seat and Brakes

*If you have Medicare, it may cover a portion.

Representing Travelers, Hartford, Merchants, Allegany & GMAC

Surgicals: 476–8230 Fax: 476–8241

Pharmacy Hours: Mon. 9-8, Tues. & Wed. 9-7, Thurs. 9-8, Fri. 9-7, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 11-3 Surgical Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Medicaid, Medicare and EPIC Accepted Free Delivery • Senior Citizen Discount 10% (60 and over)

Save with our specialty companies

NEW

Equipment Repair & Service ©84571

www.echopharmacy.com

100 SOUTH JERSEY AVENUE, SUITE 5 • E. SETAUKET, NY 11733 Located at Heritage Square Under the “Arch” • Bldg “A” - Suite #5 email: info@archdeaconagency.com

(631)751–1133 S e r v i n g T h e T h re e Vi l l a g e Are a Fo r O ve r 4 0 Ye a r s

Potholes growing in town Bad year for roadway hazards, repairs are under way

SMALL SOUP, OF THE DAY MINI SANDWICH & SIDE SALAD OR SMALL SOUP, SALAD MINI CHOPPED GEL & BUT TERED BA

$ st 7.00 + tax

WITH COUPON ONLY

Commuter Special Small coffee or tea & a Buttered Bagel

Only $1.00+ tax Mon-Fri 6am-10pm

CATERING AVAILABLE

Only 7 cents each

500+ only 5 cents each

AAA MEMBER? 5-15% OFF

Limited Time Only

selected services

MOUNT SINAI King Kullen Shopping Ctr 5507–10 Nesconset Hwy (631) 331–0560 Fax: (631) 331–0579 M-F: 8:30AM - 7:00PM SAT: 9:00AM - 4:00PM NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 10AM-3PM

SALE!

Limited time, unlimited colors. Save on color printing, and count on our knowledgeable experts for: • Full-color digital printing and copying • Binding, laminating and collating • Flyers, newsletters, brochures, manuals and more • E-mail us your files or bring them in Hurry in for this limited-time offer. *Maximum price available at participating locations. 8 1/2 x 11 paper, single-sided. Copyright ©2008 Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.

EAST SETAUKET Mario’s Restaurant Ctr 218 Main Street (631) 941–4400 Fax: (631) 941–9797 M-F: 8:30AM - 7:00PM SAT: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

news on demand

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

northshoreoflongisland.com T SIN

WE DELIVER!

S LUNCH SPECIAL

N U O

8 ½ x 11

¢* COLOR

ARE YOU A

No, it’s not your imagination — the Rouse said such stopgap fi xes help, but potholes are worse this year. “hot patch,” now again available, makes “Due to extreme temperature swings,” a better repair. said Highway Department SuperintenRouse said potholes are often spotted dent John Rouse, “coupled with many by his own crews, and town residents snow events,” the potholes appearing call in reports of roads in need of repair. this year are more numerous and larger “We have a vigilant constituency,” he than last season. Rouse explained that said. “They don’t hesitate to call.” Each the expansion and conreport is followed up traction of the asphalt “as quickly as we can,” roadways due to warm Rouse said. He added ‘We have a vigilant and cold temperatures, there is no “usual” especially when moislength of time to get constituency. They ture is introduced into to a pothole after it is don’t hesitate to call.’ small cracks in the pavcalled in since there ex— JOHN ROUSE ing, gives birth to the ist so many variables. nasty little — and not The highway superso little — axle crunchintendent urged town ers. He said his crews are doing their residents to call 451-9200, the Highway best to keep up. Department main number, to report Until recently, when the asphalt plants potholes or any other problems related reopened for 2009, highway crews were to town roadways. — LEE LUTZ utilizing “cold patch” to fill the holes.

BLACK & WHITE COPIES

BagelCafe Specializing in:

• Large Chopped Salad Bar

Largest chopped sala d bar in area!

CHOOSE FROM OVER 40 TOPPINGS

• Large Selection of Hot Pressed Paninis

$15 MINIMUM OR DER TO PORT JE PORT JEFFERSO N STATION & MT. FFERSON, SINAI AREAS Call us,

we’ll fax our men u!

WITH COUPON ONLY

3 FREE BAGELS No Purchase Necessary Offer Expires April 1, 2009

Also ~ our own hot soups • freshly made wraps All our salads made fresh daily on premises Sandwiches made with Boar’s Head Cold Cuts

WITH COUPON ONLY

Mount Sinai Bagel Cafe

Any catering order of $50 or more

KING KULLEN SHOPPING CENTER • 5507–14 NESCONSET HWY.

Offer Expires May 1, 2009

631–403–4249 FAX US YOUR LUNCH ORDER 403–4250

$5.00 OFF

HOURS: MON-SAT 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM SUN 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM ©84543

With the significant weekend snowfall, pothole repair has taken a back seat to plowing and sanding. Crews will be back at it soon, filling in this year’s bigger and deeper potholes.

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A11

Photo by Lee Lutz

Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist Gateway Drive and Route 25A Wading River, NY 11792

631–929–9200

Are You Satisfied With Your Physical Therapy?

My Clients Are.

Learning to squeeze juice from sugar cane are, from left, Jacob Singer of Stony Brook, Riley Joinnides of Brookhaven, Samir Hasanji of Mount Sinai, Justin Shi of Stony Brook, Tom Stavola of Setauket and Kevin Palmer of Miller Place.

Here’s Why:

Rainforest research in Costa Rica

• I treat all clients myself, no aides or assistants. • Real hands-on treatment, not just ice packs and bicycles. • My clients see the same Doctor of Physical Therapy every session rather than seeing a different person every time. • I see only one client at a time, instead of trying to juggle 4, 5, or even 6 patients at once. • I take the time to educate my clients, so treatment leads to lasting results, not temporary relief.

Gateway Drive and Route 25A Wading River, NY 11792

631.929–9200

PAGE A12 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

Dr. J. Todd Wagner

The Stony Brook School’s seventhgrade class recently returned from an eight-day scientific field study in Costa Rica at Campanario Biological Reserve, a lowland rainforest on the Pacific coast. Campanario is a working environmental science station committed to education and working with school groups. SBS seventh-graders also visited famous Corcovado National Park. The purpose of the expedition was to give students an opportunity to live and work as field scientists in the rich and varied ecosystem of the coastal rainforest. The curricular strategies for the Rainforest Expedition were carefully designed to provide a unique interdisciplinary educational experience. To work as field scientists, each student applied knowledge and principles from subject

areas including science, math, and English. Students collected data by direct observation and experimentation and engaged in scientific inquiry. Each of six research teams created and posted a daily journal entry while at Campanario so those in the SBS community could follow their experiences. The students also created podcasts to keep their friends and family informed about their activities. The studies they conducted provided valuable information to the ongoing research at Campanario Biological Reserve. The Stony Brook School, established in 1922, is an independent college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades seven through 12. For more information, visit the website at www.stonybrookschool.org.

COASTAL HOMES WANTED We Can Insure Your Home Near The Water When Other Companies Can’t!

Stony Brook School seventh-graders, from left, Andre Fernandez of Hauppauge, Sidney Braat of Westhampton Beach and Alexandra Cunningham of Setauket observe leaf-cutter ants in the rainforest of Costa Rica. Photos courtesy of Stony Brook School

Shop Locally and Pa$$ It On!

• All Suffolk & Nassau Homes Eligible • Owner-Occupied Or Tenant Occupied • Seasonal Or Secondary Homes • Maximum Dollar Amount $4.5 Million! Are you being dropped by your current company because your home is too close to the water? We can help you get insurance!!

Did You Know That A Local Purchase Can Benefit The Local Economy 3 Times More Than The Same Purchase At A Chain Retailer? Dollars Spent At Home Stay At Home

Martin Callahan 2201 Route 112 Coram, NY 11727 Nat’l Computerized Fax: 828-7702 Agencies For a Quote: 1-800-622-8809 or visit www.coveragequote.com 76404

A neighborly reminder from Times Beacon Record Newspapers

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A13

53244

PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

Friends raise for the annual Some 700 people gathered in the Grand Ballroom at East Wind in Wading River Sunday to crown the parade queen and to raise money for the Friends of St. Patrick’s annual North Shore St. Patrick’s Day parade, to be held this year on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 1 pm. Top left: Members of the Inishfree School of Irish Dance with locations in Port Jefferson and Shoreham, among others, performed traditional dance. Shown here in the back row, Kerry Berman, Kerry Jensen, Janie Turek, Sean Sanders, Devin McMahon, Meagan Walsh, Emily McNally, Gabriela Hnizdo, and in front, Cal Felice, Delaney Vu, Conor Reagan, Kyle Felice, Mairead Wood and Sean Reagan. Far right: The Cara Band from East Islip also entertained. Clockwise from right: Spectators enjoy the Peconic War Pipes. Kevin McCarrick, Hugh McCarrick and Marty Haley, Brookhaven building commissioner.

-PROUDIt’s kind of hard to find too many things to get excited about these days. Everything is pretty tough both business-wise and personally for lots of people in our community and around the world. Of course, it would be nice if the media would stop pounding everyone over the head with negative news over and over again. It’s becoming a selffulfilling prophecy. But we felt pretty good the other day when, after announcing some pretty tough financial results for the end of the year, Ford still sees no need to ask for government loans. In fact the CEO of Ford Motor Company said “Right now, I think with everything planned in the fiscal and monetary policy, I am very comfortable that we are going to start to turn things around through the second half of the year.” This doesn’t mean that Ford isn’t using lines of credit. But they have done it the old-fashioned way; they went out to banks and found financing. Ford is doing it! Ford is finding a way to make it through these hard times. This is the type of auto manufacturer that wants people to feel confident when buying one of their products. With all that being said, Ford is putting out GREAT vehicles! Our new Ford vehicles are safe (more top safety-rated vehicles than any other manufacturer), high quality (now in a virtual tie with Toyota and Honda), good looking and fun to drive. In fact, Ford GAINED market share in the last three months of 2008. And there’s a lot more coming soon! Ford has said that, despite the economic challenges out there, they’re not pulling back on the most important thing of all; product. We are proud to be a Ford dealer and we feel fortunate to be part of such a great community! The entire Ford network is pulling together to bring the best products and services to you, our customer. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, I hope you at least stop by and check out all of our award winning Ford line up. Thank you for your time and attention! We hope to see you soon! ©83772

-The RAMP Ford Family

631.473.1550 4869 Nesconset Highway • Port Jefferson Sta. www.rampford.com Family Owned & Operated For Over 64 Years

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A15

some green wearin’ of the green Lou Marcoccia, Suffolk comptroller, goes for the java. Selling tickets by the arm length are Lady ErinLeigh Peacock and Queen Danielle Sclafani. Blackjack dealer Michael Tatilian of Miller Place hands a prize to lucky winner Dave Tokofsky, Brookhaven deputy superintendent of highways. Photos by D. Willinger

84610

PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

BUSINESS PRODUCTS

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

E-STATEMENTS

LENDING

ONLINE BANKING

THENEXTGENERATION BANK

REMOTE DEPOSIT CAPTURE

Member FDIC

DE’VI DIANA LAKSHMAN Assistant Branch Manager

JEANNE DAHL Assistant Vice President and Assistant Branch Manager EDY MEYER Vice President and Branch Manager

It’s time for a new bank... with old friends.

PORT JEFFERSON EAST SETAUKET

MOUNT SINAI YR NTR OU NC

HALLOCK AVE

Y HW

NAI RO E MT SI

CAN AL R OA D

GU PATCHO

347

NSET H

25A

PORT JEFFERSON STATION

N W TO

D OA

LD O

BOYLE RO

347

ET NS O SC E N

NESCO

ER GU HO TC PA

TH D PA PON

MILLER PLACE RD

JAYNE BLVD

TERRYVILLE

SHIRLEY 1044 William Floyd Parkway Shirley, NY 11967 631-395-9500

112

S RO OLL

ISLANDIA 1707 Veterans Highway, Suite 8 Islandia, NY 11749 631-348-4444

TO W N

RY NT OU NC

NIC

THE NEXT GENERATION BANK is now open for business. Yours.

WEST BROADWAY

O LD

25A

Introducing Empire National Bank. Stop by our Port Jefferson Station branch today and reconnect with some familiar faces, or visit us at empirenb.com and experience business banking shaped by emerging ideas and technologies combined with time-honored values and friendly personal service.

25A

PINE ROAD

PORT JEFFERSON STATION 4747 Nesconset Highway, Unit 36 Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 631-928-4444

www.empirenb.com

84362

CDM - Chamber of Commerce

Monday, March 16

SUFFOLK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Serving The Business Communities of Mt. Sinai • Sound Beach • Miller Place • Rocky Point ©83997

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A17

Council Of Dedicated Merchants

NETWORKING MEETING MILLER PLACE

6:30 -8:30

Call for details and RSVP 821-1313

Visit our website www.cdmlongisland.com • 631-821-1313

Shop these fine merchants for the best in quality, service and dependability CDM Chamber Member

FAMILY TIME PARTY RENTALS

Wading RiverShoreham Chamber Member

MEMBER • OF • THE • MONTH

Shore to Shore – We Have it All! • Bar & Bat Mitzvahs • Graduations • Family Get-Togethers • Weddings • Theme Parties • Birthday Parties • Communions • Confirmations WE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE IN-HOME OR OFFICE PARTY EVENT EQUIPMENT.

\ TRUCK RENTALS

FAMILY TIME PARTY RENTALS

Douglas L. Carlen 631-331-7196

5151 Rte. 25A • Mt. Sinai 474–7098 • 474–7099

Providing Quality Personalized Service to Chamber Members and their neighbors for 16 years Homeowners - Life - Auto - Financial Services 451 Route 25A, Miller Place, NY

Mon. - Sat. 8:30 - 5:30, Sun. 9-2 www.familytimeparty.com

One Way & Local

JEFFREY R. KOCH, CIC PRESIDENT

LAND & SEA FISH & LOBSTER 00

Defensive Driving Course Save Up to 10% on Auto Insurance

OFF

•

ANY 2 DINNERS

Excluding All Lobster Dinners, Crab Dinners, Dinner Specials & All You Can Eat Nights. With Coupon Only • Expires 4/2/09

www.licfcu.org

Fish Market (631) 473-0011 • Open 7 Days • Restaurant (631) 473-0026 Long Island Community Federal Credit Union is a fullservice financial institution, committed to providing our members with best-in-class service. Serving our members since 1973, we are now located in Miller Place and Port Jeff, with assets of over $20 million.

www.landandseafish.com

att ’s

Repair Shop - 744–2880 Body Shop - 744–0894 Fax - 744–8074

Auto & Truck Repair Collision Specialists

All Long Islanders in our community are now eligible for membership! Becoming a member of Long Island Community Federal Credit Union is easier than ever. Our membership is open to those who live, work, worship or go to school in our community. Visit, Click or Call to apply for membership today www.licfcu.org 631–474–8530.

N.Y.S. R 152-2991

www.mattsonestop.com

1.00 OFF

INSPECTION STATION

PROPANE

New York Ave. & Commack Rd.

Sound Beach, NY 11789-0484

RALPH’S FISHING STATION & MARINA ESTABLISHED 1961

EASIEST ACCESS FUEL DOCK ON THE NORTH SHORE!

As the best kept secret on Long Island and one of a handful of credit unions on Long Island and in the nation, we offer best-in-class services from traditional savings, high yield savings and totally free checking, to mortgage loans. We provide highly competitive dividend and loan rates, low or no-fee services, and account access day and night 365 days a year.

VALVTECT PREMIUM GAS & DIESEL

Full Service Marina Dryland Marine • Parts • Sales • Accessories Boat Hauling • Bait • Tackle • Ice ©54374

Mt. Sinai Harbor • Town of Brookhaven • Non-Residents Welcome 250 Harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai

473–6655 VHF Ch. 67

Ralph’s Dockside Eatery! Breakfast • Burgers • Salads • Sandwiches

Long Island

Community

What Makes Credit Unions Different From Banks? Members of Long Island Community Credit Union are part of something bigger than the average bank. We’re a not-for-profit company, so our earnings aren’t lining the pockets of outside shareholders. They’re being returned to members in the form of lower interest rates on loans and higher dividends paid on deposit accounts. We offer full financial services that are safe, sound, secure and best-in class. Credit unions also charge fewer fees than other financial institutions, and, when fees are charged, they are typically much lower than bank fees.

Does Your Policy Cover IDENTITY THEFT? Call for more Information

151 ROUTE 25A • P.O. BOX 1605 ROCKY POINT, NEW YORK 11778-1605

821-5300 Website www.myinsagent.com

Seafood Restaurant EAT-IN TAKE-OUT

524 Rt. 25A Mt. Sinai, N.Y. 11766

PRIME RIB

LUNCH SPECIAL STONY BROOK ROCKY POINT CALVERTON MEDFORD PATCHOGUE

DAILY BLACKBOARD

EARLY BIRD

SPECIALS

3 PM - 7 PM

1320 Stony Brook Rd. Coventry Commons 181 Rte. 25A, Rolling Oaks Country Club 4362 Middle Country Rd. 2330 Route 112 32 West Main Street

Specialists in Quality & Service

631-689-5920 631-744-2101 631-727-7218 631-475-3839 631-475-9200

Family Owned & Operated Since 1976

CARPET EXPRESS Carpet • Area Rugs • Laminates Linoleum • Wood Flooring

SEE WHY PEOPLE SAY “I WOULDN’T BUY MY CARPET ANYWHERE ELSE”

200 OFF $100 OFF

On the purchase of any flooring of $1500 or more

On the purchase of any flooring of $900 or more Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Must bring in ad – Exp. 4/11/09

Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Must bring in ad – Exp. 4/11/09

FEDER AL CR EDIT UNION

631-474-8530 • www.licfcu.org 200 BELLE TERRE RD, PORT JEFFERSON, NY 11777

74 ECHO AVENUE, MILLER PLACE, NY 11764 (corner of Echo & Sylvan)

Come in or call for information.

MILLER PLACE

Star Wash & Fast Lube Center

Security At Long Island Community Federal Credit Union, we not only want to provide the best value and service, we want to provide you with confidence and peace of mind. Rest assured, the safety of your money is guaranteed. Accounts are insured up to at least $100,000 and IRA’s are insured for up to at least $250,000.

Better Value! • Better Padding! Better Carpets! • Better Service! • Better Installation!

ROCKY POINT MASTIC 721 Route 25A 1135 Montauk Hwy. (1/2 Mile East of William Floyd Pkwy) 744–1810 399–1890 (Next to Personal Fitness) www.arearugstogo.com

Experience the Difference At Long Island Community Federal Credit Union – the best kept secret- come and EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE. We are in your community, have you joined ours? Visit, click or call – www.licfcu.org, 631-474-8530.

You could receive up to $100.00 just by coming in and opening an account today! We are in your community, now come join ours!

With insurance, it’s who you know.

Formerly North Shore Car Wash

SU NSET SPE CI A L

★★ SAVE $4.00 While OFF Supplies★★ Last

ANY WASH OPTION, EXCEPT EXTERIOR WASH

5 PM - 7 PM MONDAY - FRIDAY NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER

450 Route 25A Miller Place, NY 11764

631-473-8122 ©83819

Home • Life • Auto ®

200 Belle Terre Rd., Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Mon.-Fri. 8-7, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 8-5

www.starwashlube.com

74 Echo Avenue, Miller Place, NY 11764 (Corner of Sylvan & Echo) 631–474–8530 • www.licfcu.org

Kevin J. Cantwell, CFP Agent NEW LOCATION: 595-16 Route 25A, Miller Place, NY 11764 Tel: (631) 744–3350 Fax: (631) 744–3383 kevin_cantwell@farmfamily.com ©72283

PAGE A18 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

ALL ISLAND A

PLUMBING, INC. water main, sewer & drain commercial • industrial • institutional

4Serving L.I. 30 years in all 4SuffLicensed olk County Sewer Distrcts For all Suffolk County 4 Sewer District hook-ups & installations

Dead grass Continued from page A3 dissenting vote on Bonner’s resolution. Kepert and most others said a lawsuit aimed at overturning the town’s latest action is likely. Kepert asked, “Why not let the court process come to fruition?” referring to the ongoing Citizens lawsuit. She added that requests for extensions of time are typically “pro forma” actions by the board. Fiore-Rosenfeld, the only council member still on the board who voted against the rezoning in 2007 — former 2nd District Councilman Kevin McCarrick (R-Shoreham) was the other — said much of the vehement opposition to the plan was due to the developers not listening to the community. It was supposed to be “a charette, not a charade,” he said of the public input process conducted by the developers.

Leaks at Town Hall? A second surprise from last week’s board action: How did Ornstein know enough to even be at the meeting, with his attorney and a representative from the Long Island Builders Institute, to protest? Bonner’s resolution, the last on the agenda, was not discussed during the open portion of the board’s work session two days earlier, and Bonner said she mentioned it to no one because discussions in executive session are privileged and confidential. Kepert and Mazzei also said they did not tip

off Ornstein. Mazzei, an attorney, speculated that the town’s special counsel in the Citizens lawsuit may have contacted Ornstein’s attorney, Anthony Guardino, “as a courtesy.” Efforts to reach Guardino before press time were unsuccessful. Town Attorney Karen Wilutis had not returned calls for comment by Wednesday. Guardino, at the Board meeting Thursday, protested that the town had provided “no notice, no public hearing” regarding its proposed action. Further, he said the Citizens Article 78 lawsuit “precludes the applicant’s ability to complete the process.” LIBI Executive Vice President Michael Watt told the board last Thursday that denying the extension would set a “bad precedent.” Watt said the Tall Grass developers “did everything the textbook said it should” to consult with the town and the community to develop their plans. “Tall Grass could have 283 single family houses,” the LIBI VP told the board, creating an estimated $6 million deficit for the Shoreham Wading River School District. “This design was a net benefit to the district.” The precedent Watt feared the town would create is that future applicants in Brookhaven would not even try to mitigate their developments and simply submit “as of right” plans. Alec Ornstein did not return calls for comment.

in commercial exterior 4Specializing grease traps & sampling mainholes, dewatering, shoring & sheathing

4Complete restoration, permits & inspections specializing 4Also in new septic systems & overflow cesspools water services, 4New trenchless piping

File photo

There were also plenty of supporters of the rezoning back in October 2007.

& horizontal drilling

Licensed • Insured • Bonded

ALL ISLAND PLUMBING, INC.

631–774–7625 CELL 631–563–3845 PHONE 631–244–2935 FAX 916 LINCOLN AVE., HOLBROOK

21823

DOUG MEES

Continued from page A4 the power of good ideas.” For his part, Mazzei emphasized working in his council district with Democrats like Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and others, without which cooperation “I would not have been able to accomplish what I have.” Mazzei also tried to dispel the myth of partisan politics by saying that “98 percent” of town board votes are 7-0. “We always back each other up on projects in other districts. I’m very proud of that,” Mazzei said.

Lesko asked those gathered if they really believed Mazzei and Foley worked together. When a man in the audience tried to interrupt Lesko, the candidate compared that “heckling mentality” with “thick partisanship.” Lesko accused majority leader Mazzei of fi ring parks commissioner Jim LaCarrubba. Mazzei disputed that version of events, saying the resolution to hire new commissioner Ed Morris was only put forth after Foley announced LaCarrubba would be named deputy supervisor. When a questioner asked

how the candidates would deal with a possible budget shortfall, Mazzei said the town board had hired the consulting firm Munistat of Port Jefferson to draw up a three-year plan “so there will be no surprises and we will make adjustments,” calling that the “intelligent thing to do.” But Lesko latched onto that point as “a fundamental difference” between the candidates. “We need a three-month plan,” he said. “Spending in this town is like a bunch of drunken sailors.” Lesko cited the $500,000 spent on the Brookhaven Amphitheater as an expendi-

Photos by D. Willinger

Candidate Mark Lesko; Ed Stasiewicz and Deirdre DuBato of the Mount Sinai Civic listen while Tim Mazzei makes a point.

ture that “doesn’t make fiscal sense.” Mazzei defended the amphitheater management deal, saying, “We will actually be making money not losing money.” But Lesko remained unconvinced. “If it’s so profitable, why isn’t someone paying the town to run it?” Mazzei said the reason to not privatize the amphitheater had to do with past scandals, and added, “We expect at the very least to break even.” Lesko was asked whether he would keep appointed employees if he were elected supervisor. “If you can do the job you can stay,” he said. But those who are “doing it for reasons other than serving the residents of Brookhaven” would not be tolerated. Lesko came under fire from the crowd when he named specific areas where he saw waste in the budget, in particular $35,000 for equipment for an adult softball league. The firsttime candidate sounded like he never swung at a high arcing pitch when he translated that budget line to mean buying mitts for grown men. Mazzei corrected that assumption, “The Town of Brookhaven doesn’t buy adult men mitts,” he said. “We could cut out the softball league,” Mazzei said, but added, “I don’t know that’s waste. We in the past have felt that was worthwhile.”

Neil Abelson of Belle Terre asks a question of the candidates.

Mazzei conceded, “There’ll be places where we will have to cut,” but never mentioned specific areas, except for a reference to last year’s 5 percent across the board reductions. Lesko called for the reinstatement of community enhancement grants — $25,000 in discretionary funds for each councilmember to use to support “worthy” groups in his or her district. Mazzei did not believe the town would be able to afford reinstatement any time soon. Asked whether the town needed an ombudsman, Lesko lamented that the citizen advocates in each district had been removed by Mazzei’s majority, and said, “I’m running to be chief citizens advocate.” Continued on page A20

You’d smile too... If you had your caffeine, chocolate, sugar and fat needs met with this great deal... mmmh

EAT IN & TAKE-OUT

LEMONLEAF GRILL T H A I S T Y L E CO O K I N G See What Our Revie wers Say: ZAGAT “‘The price is right’ for the ‘tasty’, ‘homestyle’ Thai specialites... the ‘cordial’ staff ‘aims to please’ with ‘quick’ assistance. ” LONG ISLAND PRESS 2007 “Best of Long Island” NEW YORK TIMES “Serving some of the best Thai food on Long Island.” – Richard Jay Scholem

SMALL CAPPUCCINO plus 2 Biscotti Coupon Expires 4/1/09: TBR

CATERING ON OR OFF PREMISES

3.00

PORT JEFFERSON STA. 208 Route 112

Not to be combined with any other offer. While supplies last, limit 1 per person, per visit. It is unlawful to alter this coupon. No cash value. Coupon redemption cannot result in cash back.

(In Blockbuster Video Center)

631.928.8880

Stop & Shop Shopping Center • Rte 112 (1/2 mile south of Rte 347)

Gift Certificates Available

928–FILM (3456)

CLOSED MONDAYS

Lunches from $7.25 Dinners from $9.50

HICKSVILLE 536 South Broadway (Rt. 107) (In Met Food Shopping Center)

516.939.2288

www.lemonleafgrill.com www.lemonleafgrill.co

w/the works

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A19

Debate

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

Kevin McCarrick — who was seated in the audience — who first sounded the no-bid insurance alarm. Lesko asked, “Why didn’t Mazzei do it?” “I did — with Councilman McCarrick,” Mazzei shot back. Lesko, the former federal prosecutor, said insurance figures prominently in “political corruption” investigations, and asked why the change from no-bid insurance had not happened “for three years prior,” during which time Mazzei was on the town board. In closing, Mazzei told the voters they need to elect a man with life experience in the Town of Brookhaven, while Lesko referred to himself as the new part “in this equation” and said he was responsible for having already “changed the dialog.”

Young guns

munity,” he said. “You might actually get something out of this game you’re playing.” Louise Timms of the Bank of Smithtown, who co-chairs the CAP program with RPHS government teacher Nick Pappas, said the sole purpose of this program is to “help students achieve something in the world.” “We understand that these students are our future employees,” she said. “The more we give them today, they’ll give us in the future.” RPHS juniors Natasha Belanich and Kelly Guthy, the program’s co-presidents, agreed that their involvement in CAP has been beneficial. It encourages interaction with fellow classmates and business leaders, Belanich said, which allows students to “have a say” in the community. Guthy said the program is useful because “you get a taste of what different careers are like, and you can rule out what you don’t want to do.”

Soup kitchens

faces and the gratitude of the guests.” Moor, who was responsible for introducing the soup kitchen program to Trinity, continues, “I feel very privileged to be able to serve those less fortunate in our community in this way. God gave me a challenge and my life has been blessed by it.”

Continued from page A4 Lesko warned that continued partisanship would not serve the residents of Brookhaven: “We’re going to be the doughnut hole of Suffolk County.” While both candidates are dog owners, Lesko refused to say whether he would have voted in favor of a $500,000 Middle Island dog park that was approved in the 3rd Council District, because he has “not studied it.” Mazzei said he voted for the dog park but that was during better economic times, he said. Lesko credited Foley with the town’s high bond ratings and ending no-bid insurance. Mazzei said the town’s high ratings date back to supervisor John LaValle and said it was then-Councilman

Continued from page A6 The students and business leaders at last week’s meeting explored possible themes for the CAPathon in group discussions. After sharing their ideas, they unanimously approved the theme “Redesigning Main Street Rocky Point.” Students will develop plans that fit the downtown revitalization project currently taking shape in Rocky Point, and suggestions for judges at the competition include elected officials, civic leaders and members of the Rocky Point Historical Society. Further details such as prizes and location will be determined throughout the planning process. Ianniello, who is also the president of the Port Jefferson Station Terryville Chamber of Commerce, said students who participate in the CAPathon could be “instrumental” in lending ideas for the revitalization project. “They can actually change their com-

We Are Paying TOP DOLLAR Gold Still at an ALL TIME HIGH!

Bring in this ad and get 10% more in $100-get an additional $10! For Example: Bring Bring in $400-get an additional $40!

• Watch & Jewelry Repairs • Collateral Loan (Pawn) • Licensed, Bonded & Insured • Consignments Accepted • All Transactions Confidential • Appraisals

NOW HOSTING JEWELRY BUYING PARTIES At your home or ours! Call for more information

40 Years Experience

Center Gold

Continued from page A7 Carol Moor states on the website. “It is a wonderful experience working with so many caring and dedicated volunteers. I have so much joy in my heart when I see the smiles on the children’s

A FULL SERVICE JEWELRY STORE

Your Source for Jewelry, Watches & Fine Gifts JEWELER ON PREMISES • JEWELRY REPAIRS WHILE YOU WAIT

W e H os t Je w el r y s B u yi ng Pa rt ie r u O t A H ou se !

PAGE A20 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

WANTED

Debate

2340 Middle Country Rd, Centereach, NY 11720 Across from CVS Pharmacy

www.centergold.com

631–467–0400 1–800–229–5265

Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. 10-6, Thurs. 10-8, Saturday 10-5, Sundays 11-4

Se Habla Español

All Major Credit Cards Accepted Photo by Jennifer Choi

Welcome INN volunteers Rita Biamonte of Port Jefferson and Jill Scott of Setauket prepare a soup kitchen dinner.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the MOUNT SINAI FIRE DISTRICT, at a Regular Meeting thereof, held on February 24, 2009, duly adopted the following: BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the provisions of the Town Law of the State of New York that the MOUNT SINAI FIRE DISTRICT, by adoption of a resolution, authorizes the following: 09-BG-01 New countertops and re-facing of kitchen cabinets not to exceed $10,000.00; and be it further RESOLVED, that said purchase shall be paid from the Building and Grounds Reserve Fund, presently existing including, legal, contract, publications, title search, etc., not to exceed the total sum of $10,000.00; and be it further RESOLVED, that this resolution is adopted subject to permissive referendum as provided in the General Municipal Law of the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Fire District shall, within ten (10) working days of adoption of this resolution, publish a notice within the Village Beacon setting forth the date of the adoption of the resolution and an abstract of the resolution concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof and that the resolution was adopted subject to a permissive referendum. Date: February 24, 2009

www.arthurmurraysuffolk.com County, New York. Judith Randall District Secretary 116 3/5 1x vbr

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MILLER PLACE FIRE DISTRICT FOR 2009 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that, starting on March 11, 2009, the Regular Monthly Meetings for the calendar year 2009 of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Miller Place Fire District in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, will be held on the second Wednesday of the month, in lieu of the third Wednesday of the month, as previously published, at 7:00 P.M. at the Main Firehouse of the Miller Place Fire District, 12 Miller Place Road, Miller Place, New York. Dated: Miller Place, New York February 23, 2009

the Town of Brookhaven entitled Wetlands, and has, pursuant to said Wetlands law, filed an application to conduct a regulated activity on wetlands within the Town of Brookhaven a public hearing will be held by the Town Board of the Town of Brookhaven on the 24th day of March 2009 at 6:30 P.M. at the Town Board Auditorium at One Independence Hill, 2nd Floor, Farmingville, New York to consider the issuance of a permit for said application to conduct the following proposed regulated activity: To construct a single-family residential structure with associated septic system, attached decks and an access driveway. N/S of Oakview Trail, 400 feet S/O Long Pond Road, Ridge, NY At said public hearing, all parties in interest will be given an opportunity to be heard. Dated: February 20, 2009 At: Farmingville, NY PAMELA J. BETHEIL, TOWN CLERK Town of Brookhaven 110 3/5 1x vbr

By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Miller Place Fire District Janet Staufer, District Secretary 107 2/26 1x vbr

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WETLANDS APPLICATIONS #PP-2716-05 R & V Development, LLC

Notice of Formation of J&R’s Prime Foods,LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/1/09. Office Location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 2330 Route 112, Medford, NY 11763. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FIRST LESSON!

LATIN • SMOOTH • DISCO NIGHTCLUB • SWING BALLROOM COUPLES & SINGLES WELCOME!!

4747-19 Rte 347, Port Jefferson Station

331–5423 326 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station

51 1/29 6x vbr BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MOUNT SINAI FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk

FOR PARTIES VACATIONS • CRUISES BUSINESS EVENTS & MORE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That Whereas R & V Development has complied with the wetlands law section 81-6 of the Code of

(631) 547–5678 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 1:30-10:00 pm • Sat: By Appt.

NOTICE OF RESOLUTION ADOPTED SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A21

Legals

Advertising in TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS Works! “The extensive readership of TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS rs means that each of our advertising dolla n.” retur imum max gets –Colleen Hanson Gallery Nort h, Setauket

ORD “Advertising in TIMES BEACON REC . NEWSPAPERS keeps my name out there r pape news local their to look ys People alwa to find quality services.” –Janette Handley Budget Print Center Stony Brook

ge TIMES HER ALD and “As a new business in the area, The Villa opportunity for ingreat a us its sister publications have given that we ourselves look rs pape ity qual are ese Th creased exposure. responded to our have who ose forward to reading every week. Th the best way for been has is Th ts. clien term longads have become up many new ed open has and us to spend our advertising dollars ications!” publ your mend recom y highl We us. opportunities for –Nanci & Eric Huner Huners Fitness Advantage Setau ket

“Since we are a local business, we have looked to our local newspaper for over s. 10 years to serve our advertising need ERS SPAP NEW ORD REC TIMES BEACON to our has fulfilled those needs by appealing hometown community.” –Andy Polan Stony Brook Vision World Stony Brook

“We have fun with advertising and enjoy creating ads with a humorous content. We can always count on our patrons commenting on the PJ Cinemas ads.” –Phil PJ Cinemas Port Jefferson Station

let the community “The goal of our advertising has been to ted funeral opera and ned ly-ow fami a are we know that ents made comm of ber num the home. I’ve been amazed at aigns. The camp g rtisin adve our on based nally to me perso professionals have TIMES BEACON RECORD advertising ey my message to conv me ng helpi of job erful done a mast ful.” the community. For this I am grate –Fred Bryant Bryant Funeral Home Setauket

Proudly Serving the Communities from Huntington to Shoreham/Wading River River.. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

PAGE A22 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

Letters

Continued from page A26 even have a prayer of avoiding another Great Depression. These jobs don’t come with training wheels. I bet the passengers of Flight 1549 are glad Captain Sullenberger wasn’t on his inaugural flight. Christine Zukowski Shoreham

GOP pol is campaigning on taxpayers’ dime TO THE EDITOR: Today in the mail I received a notice from our town council member, Kathleen Walsh, in regard to a sidewalk being built. In the notice there is a picture of Ms. Walsh with Councilman Tim Mazzei in a promotional picture where construction is taking place for the sidewalk. It also mentions Mr. Mazzei’s name specifically in regard to this

project. While the project is sound, and keeping local citizens informed of activities of the town is commendable, this notice comes at a convenient time when Councilman Mazzei is actively campaigning for town supervisor. I think it is clear that this is an example of using government resources to assist in a political campaign. This is extremely distasteful, especially during a time of economic hardship in our town. Ms. Walsh should be ashamed of herself for engaging in such blatant promotion. I hope the citizens of Brookhaven will take these tactics into account when they are voting for Brookhaven town supervisor on March 31. Steven Galvao Selden

Invite to learn local history TO THE EDITOR: Thank you for introducing the “A Sense of Time and Tools” exhibit on view at the Heritage Center in Mount Sinai to your readers [Feb. 26].

154 years of uninterrupted dividends. Another reason we’re the company you keep. Since 1854, we’ve never missed a single year paying dividends to our policyholders. In fact, we’ve paid out during some of the toughest years: the Panic of 1857 and throughout the Great Depression. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this year we’re paying $1.3 billion in dividends, and 100% of these dividends go to our policyholders. The reason is simple. We are a mutual company, we are not publicly traded. We have only one purpose: to serve the needs of the families who put their trust in us. Rest assured, even paying dividends every year, our surplus still exceeds what’s needed to maintain highest ratings* for financial strength. Just one more reason we’re the company you keep. THE COMPANY YOU KEEP ® www.newyorklife.com ®Standard & Poors (AAA). A.M. Best (Aaa), Moody’s (Aaa), and Fitch (AAA) for financial strength. Source: Individual Third Party Ratings Reports (as Of (10/16/07) ©2008 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Concerned about your family’s financial future? Talk to your New York Life agent today. DONALD E. LIPPENCOTT, MSFS Lippencott Financial Group 612 Rte 112 Port Jefferson Station, New York 11776 (631) 331-2964 www.LippencottFinancialGroup.com Dlippencott@ft.newyorklife.com ©84073

Part of my goal was to create an exhibit that was interesting and pleasing to the eye. Another goal, yet to be realized, is that the Heritage Center displays will be used as a resource for learning about local history and development. I would be happy to work with scout leaders and teachers to accomplish that goal in the future. I can be contacted by calling the Heritage Center at 509-0882. Fred Drewes Mount Sinai

Election fraud in Suffolk TO THE EDITOR: As a Vietnam veteran I look back on our country’s fight for freedom in the last century and am not satisfied with the altruistic goals that will never be reached simply because politics, greed and your-weapons-are-biggerthan-my-weapons mentality has taken precedence over Democracy. Well, in Suffolk County that same mentality has taken away the rights of the voters when through political cronyism, patronage and my-party-is-better-than-your-party attitudes our system of checks and balances, fairness and ethics have gone into the waste stream. How is it possible that through cross-endorsements we wind up with only one candidate on the ballot? How can that be called an election? And how can candidates and elected officials sit idly by and do nothing when they see first hand that these types of elections are ripe with collusion, fraud and quid-pro-quo provisions that would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if the perpetrators were members of organized crime and fell under the RICO statutes. It is time that the general public come forward, say “enough” and call for federal and state investigations into political corruption emanating in our town, village and county elections. Then they should continue up the political food chain seeking investigations of state and federal election violators which would also include those judgeships that have received party nominations and endorsements that may be ruling on the very same cases that they should have recused themselves from because of personal biases and obvious conflicts of interests. Our election process is in jeopardy. And in Suffolk County, election fraud can only be continued if the foxes watching the hen house are allowed to get away with the crime even as it is being committed right before our eyes. Is there nobody out there that cares, or will this type of injustice be allowed to continue unchecked — resulting in the continued erosion of democracy as once we knew it? Mike De Paoli South Setauket

Teach the children well TO THE EDITOR: Here I sit awaiting the arrival of spring, wondering if I have perhaps reached a time of life in which I am totally out of touch. First — unless I missed it — I am amazed by what I view as a glaring omission, regarding Captain Chesley Sullenberger’s remarkably safe Hudson landing. Not once did I hear anyone allude to the possibility that — just maybe — a higher source contributed to the wonderful outcome. Not withstanding the obvious, critical importance of professional expertise, would it not be gracious and prudent to assign some degree of credit elsewhere? Have we truly reached a point where multitudes feel such attribution passe? Is such a possibility really considered absurd, by today’s standards? Perhaps. Perhaps my thinking is square, outdated. If so, that would explain my second quandary. I sit here wondering what kind of person could, this past Friday, back out of a parking space at our post office, turn solidly into my brand new Subaru … solid to the tune of a five hundred dollar repair … and not feel the need to leave a note. It’s not for me, really, that I contemplate such behavior, for I can easily have my car fixed. I must say, however ... I worry for our children and grandchildren. Our parents worked diligently to instill in us those values that have enabled America to be a great society. As adults, let’s honor their efforts by continuing those values. I want my grandchildren to live in a country where morals, ethics and reverence continue to have meaning. Let’s not be so cavalier as to allow such values to become vestiges of an America that once was. Let’s be mindful, through example, of what we are teaching our children. Otherwise, I fear it is our children who will pay the consequences. Shali Vitello East Setauket

Hendrey named to dean’s list at Franklin & Marshall Susannah Hendrey of Shoreham, daughter of George and Elizabeth Hendrey, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. She is a graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School.

Santora named to dean’s list at Curry College Meredith Santora of Sound Beach attained membership of the dean’s list for the fall term at Curry College in Milton, Mass. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a 3.30 GPA.

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A23

PEOPLE

Mather Hospital Lymphedema Center honors outstanding patient Christine Socci To commemorate National Lymphedema Awareness “D” Day, the Lymphedema Treatment Center at Mather Hospital honored Christine Socci of Mount Sinai whose courage and determination is an inspiration to others who struggle with disease. Honoring Socci (center) for her commitment to her lymphedema treatment are Mather Hospital Lymphedema therapists (from left) Jomar Dimanlig, Shannon Kroslowitz, Rich Squillace, Brian Davis (director), Anne Babcock and Sharon Buda.

On the way to becoming business leaders

Kostic named to dean’s list at Stonehill College

Seven Miller Place High School student members of Future Business Leaders of America came home winners at the District 1 Suffolk competitions at Ward Melville High School. At this event, students from across the region competed in various communication, business, accounting and interviewing events and demonstrated skills that will help them excel at business. The district acknowledges the following winners: Chris Andrianas, 1st place, college accounting; Katie DuBois, 1st place, introduction to business communication; Briana Garcia, 3rd place, college accounting; Megan Maggi, 3rd place, job interview; Nicole Mattsson, 3rd place, impromptu speaking; Donato Mignone, 1st place, introduction to business; and Natasha Sanchez, 3rd place, public speaking II. From left, Natasha Sanchez, Nicole Mattsson, Chris Andrianas, Megan Maggi, Katie DuBois and Briana Garcia.

Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., recently named Mount Sinai resident Anne Kostic, a member of the class of 2012, to its dean’s list for the fall semester. To qualify for the dean’s list at Stonehill, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.

Appleby named to dean’s list at Marist College

Courtesy Elizabeth Sobel, Syntax Communication

Devan H. Appleby of Mount Sinai, a member of the Class of 2010 at Marist College in Poughkeepsie majoring in psychology, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

Obituaries Noreen McDonald Noreen McDonald of Sound Beach died on Feb. 23. She was born Dec. 12, 1913. Mrs. McDonald was the beloved wife of the late Timothy; the loving mother of Maureen Hall and her husband Richard, and the late Margaret McDonald; and the cherished grandmother of Brian and Christopher. She is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Stanton, Barbara Cummings and Annie McGrath. A funeral Mass was held Feb. 27 at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, Woodside. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Inc. Arrangements entrusted to O.B. Davis Funeral Homes of Miller Place.

Frances Maloney Frances T. Maloney of Ridge died on Feb. 16. She was born on Sept. 11, 1922 in Inwood. Mrs. Maloney was the beloved wife of the late Edward J. Maloney; the loving mother of Kevin Maloney and his wife, Charlotte, Colleen Wright and her husband, Richard, and Barbara Senese and her husband, Steven; the cherished grandmother of Bryan and Melody, Jonathan, Matthew, Katie, Kevin, Nicole and Robyn; the dear greatgrandmother of Bryanna Lynn; and the dear sister of Betty Martin,

Edie Murray, Mazie Duff y and Nan Miller. Services were held on Feb. 20. Cremation was at Washington Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to O.B. Davis Funeral Homes of Miller Place.

Mr.Stropoli was afforded full military honors at Calverton National Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

Charles Stropoli

Carol Ann Brennan

Charles Stropoli, 87 years old of Lake Worth, Fla., formerly of Port Jefferson Station, died Feb. 24. He was born April 2, 1921, in New York City, the son of the late Salvatore and Maria Stropoli. Mr. Stropoli was a retired dental technician for Suffolk County Health Services in Hauppauge. He was a member of the Comsewogue Board of Education and the Republican Committee. He was also a life member of the American Legion. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, retired in 1981 as a master chief dental technician. Mr. Stropoli is survived by his wife, Arlene Stropoli of Lake Worth, Fla.; his daughters, Cheryl Stropoli, Lisa (Jack Barnosky) Cardone of Centerport, Elena (Len Way) StackWay of Naples, Fla., and Stephanie (James) Carroll of Middle Island; his brother, Steven (Laurie) Stropoli; three grandchildren, Sydney and Austin Stack and Alexandra Carroll. He was preceded in death by his brother, Alfred Stropoli. A service was held Feb. 27 with Rabbi Howard Cohen and Father Frank Pizzarelli officiating.

Carol Ann Brennan of Port Jefferson died Feb. 9 at the age of 66. She was born July 12, 1942, in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late James and Catherine Brennan. She worked in the office of the Port Jefferson Healthcare Center in Port

Jefferson for the last 16 years. Mrs. Brennan is survived by her daughters, Danielle Keller and her husband, Ken, of Port Jefferson Station, and Daryl Schiebl and her husband, John, of Selden; her son, Joseph Lombardo Jr. of Rego Park; her grandchildren, Vincent, Anthony, Nicholas and Julia; her sister, Maureen Lambert; and her brother, James Brennan and his wife, Laurie. A funeral service was held on Feb. 13. Interment followed at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai. Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

FRIENDS OF ALBERT IRVINE Albert passed away January 9, 2009. Following his wishes, no services were to be held at that time. However, Albert's family is now hosting a celebration of his life. Friends and acquaintances of Albert, please come and remember him. If you have a story or anecdote you'd like to share, let the greeter at the door know. It will be noted and we will call on you later to relate it. If you're shy or cannot attend and wish to contribute an item to be read, please send it to: Anita G. Irvine Box 574, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 Date: March 21, 2009 Time: 2PM to 5PM Place: Miller Beach Surf Club 23 Harbor Beach Road, Miller Place Tel: 631-473-9034

“Springs Into Action”

OPEN HOUSE Friday, March 13th 1:00 - 7:00 pm REFRESHM ENTS

631.751.3667

orking Open House/Netw 4-7 pm d Refreshments serve

631.941.9642

Discounted

Yoga Classe s

$99. Ten Cla ss Special

PRIZES

Many More Discounted P rograms

631.751.4611 Manufacturers Reps on Site ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS THAT DAY

54 631.689D.3S2PECIALS

TE • DISCOUN PLAY IS D T C U D RO • SPECIAL P HMENTS • R EFRES

Learn

About Your Local Businesses

631.630.6575 LI Traditional Tae Kwon Do Center Enroll in 3 month special & get 3 months FREE. Sign up with a friend & get 2 for 1. ©76341

PAGE A24 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

e M a d e l e Roa l e B 0 d 9 1 u S a et k t s et a E

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A25

SPORTS Reh to be inducted into Adelphi Hall of Fame ing record for Rocky Point lacrosse with 154 points (99 assists and 55 goals). Reh Adelphi University is inducting a played attack, midfield and man-down new class of Hall of Fame athletes and defense with a pole at Rocky Point. He Mount Sinai Athletic Director Scott won the coveted Ray Enners Award his Reh is among them. Reh and five other senior year. Panther greats will be honored on April Reh almost attended the University 16 at a cocktail party and awards din- of Maryland to play soccer and lacrosse, ner at the Ruth S. Harley Center on but instead accepted a full scholarship the Garden City campus. The Adelphi to stay closer to home. His parents and University Athletic Hall of Fame was grandparents never missed a game founded in 1961 to honor those coach- when he was growing up, whether in es, athletes and friends who have dis- California or at the Air Force Academy tinguished themselves at in Colorado Springs. the university and in their “They went to everylater careers. thing,” said Reh. “Now Reh still holds Reh was a member of my twins are in seventh the single season the Panthers’ Division I lagrade and my daughter crosse program from 1986 is nine, so I’m reliving scoring record to 1989 and met his wife everything. Riding with for Rocky Point Lisa at Adelphi. Coached by them in to those playlacrosse with 154 Paul Doherty, Reh helped off games at Hofstra last the Panthers make NCAA spring was crazy and expoints (99 assists tournament appearances in citing and I’ll never forget and 55 goals). 1987 and 1989 and remains it. I got to see things from the second all-time leader both sides, as a player and in assists at the university. administrator.” He led his team in assists three of At Mount Sinai, Reh’s Mustang athhis four years. A two-time captain, Reh letic program is a model of small-school played in the 1989 North-South All-Star success. The boys’ lacrosse team won a game. Reh remains among the top five New York State Class C championship Panthers for career points and ground- last season as Rocky Point was simultaballs. He follows his brother Jeff into neously winning Class B. the Adelphi Hall of Fame. Gary Gait of “It was amazing that Rocky Point Syracuse broke Jeff ’s national scoring won, too,” Reh said. “Living and record, but Adelphi beat Syracuse, 19-9, working in the area, to have my two during the brothers’ tenure. schools, six miles apart, doing that… At Rocky Point High School, Reh it couldn’t have been any better. I arplayed for head coach Mike Bowler and rived at Mount Sinai just as they were was the first All-American in a team starting lacrosse, and we were always sport. He recalls his teammates Tony close to winning a county championGuido (Yale) and his brother Jeff made ship. When they finally won the state All-American in college. Scott Reh was championship, what made me happialso the MVP of the state champion- est was seeing Tim Henry, and some ship soccer game his senior year, a game of the other parents who started the Rocky Point won. kids program here, get rewarded for Reh still holds the single season scor- all their work.” BY JOHN WESTERMANN

katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Courtesy Scott Reh

Scott Reh (No. 10) and his brother Jeff (No. 5), top, celebrate with each other after defeating Syracuse in the late 1980s. The two played for Adelphi. Reh, who was a high school AllAmerican at Rocky Point, above, played attack for Adelphi head coach Paul Doherty.

SWR’s Keith, RP’s Dutton win state titles, while MP grappler fares well BY FRANK DOWD katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Shoreham-Wading River crowned a champion this past weekend at the state wrestling meet. In his third season as an All-State wrestler, Harvard-bound Steven Keith (119) earned his second state title. He finished the regular season with an impressive 46-0 record. Keith won a 6-4 overtime decision in the finals against section I wrestler Justis Flamio of Mahopac. At the 1:23 mark of the semifinals, he scored a pin against a section II opponent. Keith made easy work of his first two opponents, which included a victory over Brentwood wrestler Alex Gomez, who he beat 5-0 in the section XI finals. Two-time All-state wrestler TJ Neidhart (160) will attend Sacred Heart University next year. He ended his high school career on a high note by making it all the way to the finals. Although he lost that match, 17-10, “Neidhart put up a fight,” said Shoreham Wading River head coach Joe Condon. “It was a wild match. The fans were really involved.” Neidhart made easy work of his first two opponents with a 10-0 decision and pin, respectively, just over a minute into his match against a Section III competitor.

WRESTLING Condon is happy about the way Keith and Neidhart wrestled at states. “I’m very proud of both those guys,” he said. “They represented the district well.” Rocky Point had a very successful tournament. They placed eighth out of about 500 schools in New York State. “We were pretty happy about that,” said Rocky Point head coach Darren Goldstein. “It was a pleasure to be part of the Suffolk County contingent that went up there.” Three Rocky Point wrestlers made the trip up North and came home with All-State honors. “It was pretty significant,” Goldstein said. Stephen Dutton (135) defeated the defending New York State champion to capture the title. “He dominated all of his opponents throughout the tournament,” said Goldstein. “He didn’t surrender any earned points.” Although Rocky Point wrestler Anthony Volpe (145) lost in the semifinals to the eventual state champion, he had a very effective day winning all of his other matches by decision. Volpe defeated a Section I wrestler (15-4) that he lost to earlier in the year. “It was a very significant match,” said

Goldstein. “He had a great tournament. The best tournament that I’ve coached him in.” Despite being upset in the quarterfinals, Rocky Point wrestler Billy Coggins (160) wrestled back for a strong fifth place finish. He defeated that same wrestler later on in the tournament. Goldstein will have four returning All-State wrestlers next year, which will be the first time in Rocky Point history. He was happy with the results. “Every wrestler made the Rocky Point community proud,” he said. Edinboro University-bound Miller Place wrestler Zach Buonaiuto (189) competed in the states for the second consecutive year. “He did real well day one,” said Miller Place head coach Domenic Lo Re. Buonaiuto had two opponents that day. He won his first match with a 9-2 decision and pinned the following opponent in the second period. The next day, Buonaiuto lost in the semifinals to the eventual runner up. “He made a mistake and it cost him the match,” said Lo Re, who has coached Buonaiuto since the seventh grade. “It was an emotional day for both of us. I’ll always be Zach’s friend.”

PAGE A26 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

EDITORIAL

OPINION

Substance, please

Help for minority entrepreneurs

Time is flying out the window for Brookhaven supervisor candidates as the March 31 election approaches. Along with time, we fear substantive debate is increasingly scarce in both the Lesko and Mazzei campaigns. To capture the voter’s attention at a time when Brookhavenites are undoubtedly distracted by issues that eclipse local government — a global recession which may have cost their jobs, repeated bank bailouts plus two wars at their expense, to name a few — town Republicans and Democrats are spending their limited time and resources on name dropping and flashy catch phrases. In one corner, Democrat Mark Lesko’s acolytes are personally calling the electorate. When they actually get an interested resident to pick up the phone, however, they don’t take the opportunity to discuss Lesko’s platform. Instead, one campaigner this past weekend bid voters to be on the lookout for an endorsement by none other than President Barack Obama. The Lesko campaign officially says there is no planned endorsement by Obama, and add it’s highly unlikely that he would come to Brookhaven to campaign or give Lesko a shout out at a national press conference on the economy. In the other corner, Republican Tim Mazzei has dug deep in his war chest to blanket the town with signs, flyers and newspaper ads that say little beyond the cryptic, “Believe in Brookhaven.” Well, most residents on the receiving end have, no doubt, little difficulty believing in a public entity that taxes their pocketbooks twice a year. But reasons why they should believe that Republicans and their majority leader are worthy of continued support are left off the ads and press releases in favor of praising, for example, a campaign volunteer of the month. While such antics exhaust the local party’s campaign funds for seemingly little gain, they also shortchange Brookhaven voters. Residents need to know how each candidate plans to run the town as efficiently as possible. Taxpayers deserve to know how the candidates plan, for example, to balance the desire to preserve open space with the need to keep taxes in check as their constituents navigate the economic decline. Brookhavenites must be told how the supervisor hopefuls will prevent partisan politics from needlessly laying off the town’s experienced technocrats and slowing decisionmaking to a halt. If the town candidates are serious about governing honestly and effectively, they should make that evident in their campaigns.

Speak up! The Village Beacon Record welcomes your letters to the editor. Letters should be no longer than 400 words, should arrive by Monday the week you wish them to run and may be edited for length, libel and good taste. The Beacon does not publish anonymous or unconfirmed letters. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes. Email your letter to beacon@tbrnewspapers.com or mail to The Village Beacon Record, PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

The historic occasion of the nation’s first African- owned business with which to partner. The website American president should serve as a reminder to all also allows businesses to register for email updates people that despite their backgrounds, anyone can on upcoming bids. rise up and achieve their dreams. The website also serves as a And, it is not necessary to go great way for minority owners to the road alone. There are many network with one another, share along the way willing to reach advice and forge business agreeout a helping hand, and Suffolk ments that not only benefit both County is no different. parties, but the consumers as The county’s Office of Minorwell. ity Affairs offers many services Under my administration, to minority- and women-owned our Department of Public Works businesses in Suffolk as part of has waived the bonding requirethe county’s Minority Business ment on smaller capital projects Enterprise Coalition and the — under $250,000 — as a way to Women’s Business Enterprise encourage the increased particiCoalition. Both coalitions funcpation of minority- and womention to assist qualified womenowned businesses in the municiand minority-owned businesses pal bidding process. in effectively competing for bids, To register your business contracts and other procurement or search for other minorBY STEVE LEVY opportunities in county governity businesses, visit the Suffolk SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE County government website at ment and other entities. www.suffolkcountyny.gov and acOur Office of Minority Affairs cess the Office of Minority Affairs’ also hosts a website for minorityweb page. Membership is free and and women-owned businesses in Suffolk County, including a place to register your also features links to fi nancial resources and governbusiness for other entities searching for a minority- ment assistance.

Your turn

If Paterson prevails, our schools lose TO THE EDITOR: Long Island taxpayers pay 20 percent more of their gross household income to pay property taxes than other New Yorkers. Long Islanders’ tax burden significantly exceeds that of New York City taxpayers and is among the highest in New York State. Gov. David Paterson’s proposed 2009-2010 state budget will make cuts to school aid that would ask Long Island taxpayers to fund almost one in every four dollars in cuts to overall school aid statewide. The governor’s budget would cut Long Island school aid at a rate 73 percent higher than New York City, 40 percent higher than the state as a whole. Long Island would receive only 12.3 percent of the available school aid despite having over 17 percent of the state’s students. Locally, the Shoreham-Wading River School District is losing well over $800,000 in state aid in the governor’s budget. To make matters worse, the school district, which is owed $35.8 million in prior years’ state aid, was supposed to get $10 million for the 2009-2010 budget year. Based on this, the school district agreed to freeze the taxes for three years. But, under the governor’s budget, the school district will only get $6 million of the $10 million owed them. In addition, the foundation aid to the school district is frozen at last year’s level. Finally, preschool special education is currently funded by the state and Suffolk County, but in the state budget, 15 percent of the preschool

special education costs will be shifted to local school districts. In Shoreham-Wading River’s case, that will be another $175,000 that local taxpayers will have to pick up. I am fearful if these cuts prevail, local taxpayers will see school programs severely cut or property taxes increase, or both. Edward P. Romaine County Legislator, 1st District

Change TO THE EDITOR: As I reflect on the last national election and read about yet another local election, and the parties start their public relations campaigns, one obvious point seems to have been ignored. Not all change is good. I fear voting for “change” simply for undefined change, may leave us in the hands of a group of well-intentioned, yet unqualified elected officials. The economic crisis that our country, state and local governments are facing, and the citizens’ increasing inability to bear further costs, make learning on the job a luxury we cannot afford. To navigate us through these times the “change” we need is for more small-business people, who have learned to run their businesses lean, to step into public service. Their experience is their credential for success. For if those small businesses were not managed correctly, there was no taxpayer bailout to save

them. The “new elected officials” we should support should have mandatory business experience — Michael Bloomberg skills on a smaller scale. They must declare to union labor and those used to doing business with the government without competitive bidding that there is a new sheriff in town. Government must be run like a business for us to Continued on page A22

winter in new york, in wintertime, everybody wears black and dark colors, like it’s a funeral. it’s just weather — brighten up cheer up it ain’t winter all over the world. tomorrow, i’m going to wear a yellow shirt and white pants. in the winter. — michael domino 2-26-09 Michael Domino is the author of a book of poems, “Cadillac on the Bowery” published in 2008. His new book, “Loud Whispers,” is due out later this year.

Heard of Beaconland blog? Get into the mix on our readers blog at www.northshoreoflongisland.com

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

On a windless Florida Sunday morning, as my wife and I returned from a two-mile trudge along the beach, Bizet’s Symphony in C was playing on WXEL, the public radio station that broadcasts out of Fort Lauderdale. Sunday morning — that reflective pause in the week’s activity we are conditioned to take — often draws the mind back through the years, and so it was again. I glanced at the radio, an expensive Bose with four-CD player, but what my mind’s eye saw was a cheap 1950s FM radio, in a garish case of orange plastic, that rested on a table in the Manhattan apartment I shared with my first wife. That long-ago day when I brought it home, the first piece it played happened to be this same soaring Bizet work. We lived then on East End Avenue, and across the street from our front door was Carl Schurz Park, a lovely retreat above FDR Drive and the East River. One summer evening we had gone to the park to hear a free concert — was it the New York Philharmonic? — and the Symphony in C was the featured piece, the first time I’d heard it. I remember that the orchestra was introduced by an impossibly handsome, handsome as any Kennedy, young Republican congressman named John V. Lindsay, who would go on to astonish everyone by getting elected mayor of the city. So that is what the Bizet did for me on this Florida Sunday, take me on a sudden leap backward over 50 years in time, from the sight of a sleek black Bose to the cheap orange box of a definitely low-fidelity radio at the very beginning of the transistor age. It isn’t easy here in South Florida to find a station

playing classical music. The FM airwaves are crowded with stations playing contemporary pop and rock and Latino music, and Evangelical Christian stations with thundering preachers and music that, while it may be spiritually inspiring, is so uninteresting melodically that it’s hard to listen to. There are some four dozen Evangelical stations throughout Florida. (The Christian radio ministers and commentators don’t seem to like our new president very much. I listened raptly one afternoon as a commentator named Janet Porter insisted “Mr. Obama” cannot legally serve as president, as he has never presented a valid birth certificate. “Where is the birth certificate? Where is the birth certificate?” she demanded again and again. She spoke also of a Democratic Party plot to make the FCC remove broadcast licenses of Christian radio stations, and of opposition to the president’s economic stimulus program because of his wicked insertion, since removed, of $200 million for condom distribution. I listened also to the Rev. Harold Camping, who predicts the world will end between May and October 2011. He’s been wrong before, but don’t scoff. Wall Street could yet prove him right.) Coming across the Symphony in C started me thinking of the shaky future facing classical radio stations. At the time when my orange radio was beaming Bizet on East End Avenue, New York City had at least five stations playing classical music around the clock. Now only WQXR, owned by the New York Times, remains, the others having gone over to more profitable conversions as rock or pop stations or, shudder, talk radio.

Signals Now only WQXR remains, the others having gone over to more profitable conversions as rock or pop stations or, shudder, talk radio. BY JOHN MCKINNEY vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

How long WQXR will remain as a purely classical music outlet is a question. Earnings at The Times, whose daily pages are visibly vacant of advertising, are declining sharply. And its stock price is plummeting. As of last week, you could buy a share of the company for less than the price of the Sunday paper. It is hard to imagine what the greatest city in the world might be like without a single classical music station. (Or the New York Times.) Arch-rival Boston has three classical stations (and the Red Sox). Classical music manages to remain alive in such outposts as Seattle, Sioux Falls, Boise, Atlanta, even in Anchorage and, would you believe, Las Vegas. We shall learn what the future holds for Bizet and the rest.

Togetherness well worth the logistics Vacations are great. Getting back on track after vacation is the pits. I never met anyone who disagreed with either of those statements. As you might be surmising, I have recently returned from a wonderful trip with my children and grandchildren, and I find that I still walk too slowly, talk too slowly, and worst of all, think too slowly. It’s nicely symmetrical that it takes me five vacation days before I finally put down thoughts and responsibilities from the office, and it takes about the same amount of time to pick up the pieces and move forward again — as I try to hang onto that lovely vacation feeling. My family and I attempt this every year, and every year the logistical challenge becomes harder. We have to work out the schedules for my three sons, my three daughters-in-law and now all four of my grandchildren, who range from eighth grade to kindergarten. Thus far the prospect of finding some sunshine and warm beach are sufficient

incentive to tackle the logistics. I’ve been asked by a number of my friends how we manage to get away together — and survive. In theory it sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Surrounded by one’s grown children and grandchildren with no agenda other than to enjoy each other and hang out. Besides the scheduling considerations, there are a couple of important facts to be aware of. For example, while my three sons grew up together, my three daughters-in-law did not. This means that each one is entitled to privacy and to manage her family as she wishes. So in making our reservations, we always make sure that not only are there enough beds for everyone but also that there is enough separate space within which to function. Sharing is great when it is by choice. And having a quiet place to withdraw to at times is a necessity. Another fact is that not everyone wants to do the same activities at the same time

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 dave_w@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 •northshoreoflongisland.com Contents copyright 2009.

— and that applies even to such basics as eating. My middle son and his wife have the younger children, who tend to get up earliest and eat first. My youngest son and his wife do not have children, and when they are on vacation they like to sleep in. But somehow we manage to catch up with one another, even if it means one family’s lunch is another’s breakfast. Or not, and that’s OK too. Again, togetherness is prized when it is by choice, and we have no defined schedules once we arrive. The grandchildren dig in the sand, swim in the ocean and chase each other up and down the beach in high glee. The adults don fins and masks and snorkel over to a nearby reef, where the underwater world is incredibly peaceful and the fish are as outrageously colorful in the sea as birds are in the air. I can see why some people are “birders,” keeping life lists of what species they have seen and which they hope to get a glimpse of. Their marine counterparts buy cards de-

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

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

Between you and me

We have to work out the schedules for my three sons, my three daughtersin-law and now all four of my grandchildren. picting local tropical fish, mark off which ones they have seen each day and are constantly on the lookout for the others. Fish, unlike birds, do not seem to scatter as you approach them but rather swim with you as you lazily kick along. Maybe they have been trained to look for a handout from the snorklers. One purple guy seemed to swim over to greet us each day. We named him “Pete,” as in, “For Pete’s sake, here he is again!” He had tiny teeth and a fetching smile and seemingly performed for us, fluttering his gills almost like wings and modeling his lithe body, showing us fi rst one side, then the other. We hated to leave him when we returned home, but

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

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

we’re sure he won’t lack for an admiring audience. My family gets together at other times in the year. We tend to have “ganged” birthdays, such as three in the third week of July and two and an anniversary during the third week of August. We also try to visit at holidays if the days fall close to a weekend and there’s enough time for everyone to make the trip. I love it whenever we are all together, but my favorite is the improbable reunion in the sun during winter that somehow we manage each year to pull off.

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 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A27

On the airwaves, classical music struggles to survive

Class of ‘71 E.L. Vandermeulen High School Port Jefferson, NY

Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY

Leo Sternlicht

Class of ‘80 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY

Steve Rothstein

Riverhead F/L/M, Owner

Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Mgr.

Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY

Malcolm Germaine

Riverhead F/L/M, Pre-Owned Sales Mgr.

Class of ‘86 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY

Gabriel Tangredi

Marc Donin

Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Associate

Riverhead F/L/M, Finance Manager

With the closing of your local Lincoln/Mercury dealers, you might have concerns about the service and maintenance of your Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Fear no more! We all grew up here and went to school here, and we all still live here. As good neighbors, we promise that we will pick-up your vehicle from your home or business, have it serviced and return it to you, because as good neighbors, that is the least we can do.

The All New

In-stock Now! RIVERHEAD FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY

2009 Lincoln MKS RIVERHEAD FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY

FREE Oil, Filter and Lube and 29 Point Inspection

Winterize Service

Anti-Freeze Replacement & 12 Point Check

for all North Shore and Smithtown Lincoln/Mercury Customers

Check Hoses/Belts/Fluids, Check For Leaks, Inspect Brakes, Drivetrain and more.

With Your First Service at Riverhead Ford/Lincoln/Mercury

$59.99

Up to 5 quarts of oil, With Coupon only, cannot be combined. Not valid on Diesel Engines. Expires 03/31/2009

Includes up to 2 gallons of Anti-freeze, most Cars & SUV’s. With Coupon only, cannot be combined. Expires 03/31/2009

+ Tax

RIVERHEAD FORD • LINCOLN • MERCURY • SALEEN

Route 58 Riverhead

631-727-2200 One mile East from Tanger Outlet

riverheadfordlm.com

83848

PAGE A28 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • MARCH 05, 2009

You’ve Got People!