VT030509 by Dave Leaman

THE VILLAGE

TIMES HERAL ALD STONY BROOK • OLD FIELD • STRONG’S NECK • SETAUKET • EAST SETAUKET • SOUTH SETAUKET • POQUOTT

Volume 33, Number 52

March 5, 2009

75¢

Maple syrup time At Benner’s Farm in Setauket Saturday it was time to tap the trees, boil the sap and — best of all — sample some pancakes with homemade maple syrup. Below, Bob Benner demonstrates how maple trees are tapped to extract the sweet stuff. Right, Benner tells his young audience, and their parents, how to go about the process of boiling down the sap at just the right temperature. The annual fun how-to event attracted dozens of cold but intrigued Three Villagers. Photos courtesy of Pamela Herbst

3V phys. ed. teacher arrested, accused of rape Page A3

School board wants to limit rise to 2 - 4 percent

Seeking LI schools’ fair share A rally to protest state education aid cuts by Gov. David Paterson was hosted by Long Island’s state Senate delegation on Saturday in Ellsworth Allen Park in Farmingdale. Hundreds of residents voiced their opposition to the governor’s plan just one day after Paterson, at a middle school in Holbrook, announced that no cuts would be forth-

coming in the 2009-10 state allocation to L.I. schools thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — the federal stimulus plan signed into law by President Barack Obama last month (see page A10). The governor’s original plan called for $147 million in cuts to school districts in Suffolk and Nassau counties. Sen. John Flanagan (R-East North-

port), seen on the park stage to the left in the blue windbreaker, spoke at a rally Wednesday at Stony Brook University protesting increases in tuition at state schools that Paterson was directing to the general fund instead of to the SUNY budget. Over 200 students rallied there to demonstrate their displeasure. Photo courtesy of Sen. Carl Marcellino

Page A4

Ban on plastic in baby bottles OK’d by Leg., claimed harmful Page A7

Guv, Bishop say stimulus bill will cover school aid shortfall Page A10

Spring ahead this Sunday

Just back from rainforest study

Joan Rivers speaks her mind, and writes

Women’s quest for equality

The Stony Brook School 7th graders in Costa Rica

Venerable comic shares the skinny on Hollywood stars

And at LIM, ‘A Shared Aesthetic’ debuts

Page A12

Page A5

Page B1

Where the North Shore clicks: www.northshoreoflongisland.com

PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Beam me up, SETI

BUYING

Jill Tarter, director of the Center for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Research, will speak on “The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Fact, Not Fiction,” in Berkner Hall at Brookhaven National Laboratory Wednesday, March 11, at 4 pm. Sponsored by Brookhaven Women in Science, the lecture is free and open to the public. Visitors to BNL age 16 and over must bring photo ID. The character Jodi Foster plays in the 1997 movie “Contact” is based on Tarter. Tarter has received numerous awards for her work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Aerospace, two public service medals from NASA and the 2009 Technology, Entertainment, Design Prize, for the “world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers.” Tarter earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from Cornell University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in astronomy, from the University of California at Berkeley. She became project scientist for the NASA SETI Microwave Observing Project and High Resolution Microwave Survey in 1989 and then director of Project Phoenix for the SETI Institute in 1993. She is the Bernard M. Oliver Chair for SETI at the SETI Institute and director of the Center for SETI Research. For 40 years, the SETI community has looked for radio signals coming from distant civilizations. Recently, SETI has been searching for optical pulses as well. In her talk, Tarter will discuss the new Allen Telescope Array being developed for SETI that will provide the first systematic look at the transient radio universe. Call 344-2345 for information about the lecture or location of BNL on William Floyd Parkway.

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

The Prodigals at BNL The Irish rock band the Prodigals will give a concert at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Friday, March 6, at 8 pm at Berkner Hall. Sponsored by the BNL Music Club, the concert is open to the public. All visitors to the laboratory age 16 and over must bring a photo ID. The Prodigals are considered to be one of the most successful bands to emerge from the East Coast Irish scene. While the band members largely grew up in Ireland, their current roots are in Manhattan. The band’s set list includes a variety of original funky and energetic Celtic songs. They have played in venues throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Germany. In addition to entertaining the audience with guitars and percussion, these musicians enliven their performance with banjo and button accordion. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketweb.com. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. For more information call 344-3846. For more details on the Prodigals go to the website www. prodigals.com.

Corrections

In our story “Teaching moves, wisdom” (Feb. 26), Walter Vendura’s class size was incorrect; there are about 50 students in the class. Also, Steve Forte’s daughter is Alexandra. We regret the errors.

Representing Travelers, Hartford, Merchants, Allegany & GMAC

Contractors

Home Local Professional Service Includes:

BLACK & WHITE COPIES

8 ½ x 11

Only 7 cents each

500+ only 5 cents each Limited Time Only

ARE YOU A

AAA MEMBER? 5-15% OFF selected services

¢* COLOR

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

Business

Preferred Rates for Good Drivers,

Retail Stores Offices Restaurants and more

Save with our specialty companies

Hurry in for this limited-time offer.

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

Auto Drivers with Tickets and Accidents.

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

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 ©84566

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

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

(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

Charged with sexual assault, lawyer says other man committed crime 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 firstdegree 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

Courtesy SCPD

Michael Wachholder

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. James O’Rourke of Hauppauge, 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 ad-

vised 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 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 district in 2003. The superintendent also said he does not know the identity of the second person at the scene of the crime and therefore cannot know if that person is also a Three Village employee. 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 Continued on page A16

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A3

Arrowhead P.E. teacher arrested

Research updates Come join the Friends of Flax Pond as the research scientists who led our volunteers in the investigations of horseshoe crab spawning and diamondback terrapin nesting present their findings. The research, which took place at Flax Pond and West Meadow Beach, will be presented by Dr. Matthew Sclafani and Richard Kurtz. The Friends’ volunteer citizen-scientists will also be recognized at the meeting. This is the third in the monthly Sunday afternoon Winter Lecture Series which focuses on coastal environmental issues. The lecture will begin at 3 pm at the Childs Mansion on March 8. All are welcome. For more information or directions to Childs Mansion, visit www.flaxpondfriends.org.

Blood drive The Mother Teresa Council Knights of Columbus will hold a blood drive at St. James Roman Catholic Church on Route 25A in Setauket on Thursday, March 12, from 3 to 8:15 pm in the Parish Center. For appointments or information contact John Dahl at 592-4163 weekdays, 474-1937 evenings or email jdahl@ramptransportation.com.

The week in meetings • The Three Village Board of Education will hold the next budget review meeting at 8 pm on Tuesday, March 10 at the R.C. Murphy Junior High School on Oxhead Road in Stony Brook. • The Brookhaven Town Board will meet at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 10 at Town Hall in Farmingville. • The Three Village Democratic Club will meet at 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 12 at the Setauket Neighborhood House on Main Street. For information call Barry McCoy at 751-6437.

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

Rotary is a Networking Group for High Level Contacts

BY LISA STEUER vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

School budget season is in full swing. The Three Village Board of Education discussed three areas of the proposed 2009-10 budget at their meeting Tuesday night. These areas, transportation, maintenance and operations, and employee benefits, account for about a third of the total budget for the district. The transportation office, which includes office staff, monitors, equipment/ supplies, contractual services and BOCES, would see a total budget decrease Photo by Lisa Steuer of 2.5 percent while student transpor- Assistant Superintendent for Business tation would increase 8.8 percent. As a Services Jeff Carlson presenting the result, the transportation department proposed transportation budget to the would see an increase of 8.3 percent. Board of Education Tuesday night. Jeffrey Carlson, assistant superintendent for business services, said that the year’s budget. Also in the proposal is an indoor air district plans to look at all bus routes to maximize transportation efficiency and quality project at Mount Elementary, insave money, which could require school cluding asbestos abatement for four classrooms at a proposed cost of $58,780. start and end time changes. Trustee Frank McIntosh said there Maintenance and operations would see some budget decreases. Utilities is about $87,000 budgeted for overtime will see an overall decrease of 6.7 per- snow removal and suggested adding ancent from last year’s budget while the other snow day to the calendar to save budget for cleaning supplies and paper money and minimize effect on classes. Employee benefits would see a small goods will remain the same at $160,000. Maintenance equipment has a proposed decrease from last year at 0.7 percent. The board expressed decrease of $40,786. agreement to try not to inMaintenance con‘I would really like crease the budget by more tractual services, including trash collection, pest to see that we try to than 2 to 4 percent. “In light of these tough management, storm drain keep as close to a times that everybody’s goand septic system maintenance, equipment and zero … as possible.’ ing through,” said McInelevator repairs, and other — TRUSTEE tosh, “I would really like repairs has a proposed deFRANK MCINTOSH to see that we try to keep as close to a zero budcrease of $72,000 from last get-to-budget increase as year’s spending plan. There would be no increase for supplies and possible.” Trustee David Micklos said to create materials such as topsoil, clay, fertilizer, lumber, wire and plumbing which will the budget they are hoping for “will require cutting at least some programs … remain the same at $306,500. However, grounds equipment would this is going to require some real sacriincrease $3,300 for storage bins needed fice on the part of a lot of people of this during construction work at Ward Mel- district … I doubt we can make these ville High School. There is also a pro- goals merely cutting around the edge.” Budget board meetings will be held posed increase of $15,000 for grounds contractual services which, according every Tuesday at R.C. Murphy Junior to Carlson, is due mainly to the addi- High School during March. Next week’s tional cost of maintaining the artificial will include a regular Board of Education meeting along with a presentation turf field. Overall, maintenance and operations of the projected 2009-10 budget in the would decrease 3.8 percent from last area of technology.

Rotary offers dual opportunities for networking with established high level people while offering services to the community. Community services include international student exchange program, Memorial Garden and basket of food for the needy. Pictured above are Attorney Christine Grobe (member 20 years), CPA Harry Abbe (member 18 years), Diane Tanner, manager HSBC (member 9 years). The Stony Brook Rotary meets each Thursday at Mario’s restaurant in East Setauket. For information about joining the Stony Brook Rotary or coming as a guest please contact former president George Rehn CPA (member 25 years) at 751-3886. For those interested in membership please contact George Rehn, 751-3886. ©76330

Pete’s

Barber Shop A Classic American Barber Shop!

ANGELA IS HERE! Great Service! Great Prices! Great Haircuts! All The Time!

To All My Loyal Patrons~ I would like to thank my customers for their loyalty and patronage for the past 30 years in Stony Brook Village. The Barber Shop has been my home, but I have returned to my roots where I started with my father, Jerry Basso, 40 years ago. I have joined Pete’s Barber Shop and I am looking forward to seeing all my clients there. He is located at 200 Main Street, next to the karate and vacuum shops. I thank you all again and look forward to seeing you there Sincrely, Angela

Police & Firema Discoun n ts

Inside this week

We Fix B ad Haircuts!

675–1100 • Open 7 Days

Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A19 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18

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

Senior Cuts $ 10 all the time

Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A15 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A15 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A17, B30-B31

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

Classifieds

Come Visit Janine, Pauly, Gloria, Tony & Angela

260 MAIN STREET EAST SETAUKET

News

Leisure Arts & Lifestyles

Section C Large Selection of Crew & Redken Products At Discount Prices. GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE PROUD SPONSOR OF

PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Budget target: Max. of 2 to 4 percent increase

Stony Brook Rotary

The VILLAGE TIMES HERALD (USPS 365-950) is published Thursdays by TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS, 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $35 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

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

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

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

Photo by Craig Robins

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

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

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

OPENING

03.06.09

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF

IN A BRAND NEW LOCATION. IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation.

AMC® is a trademark of AMC Entertainment Inc.

OPENING AT

AMC LOEWS STONY BROOK 17 | AMCTHEATRES.COM/IMAX 83822

84514

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A5

Funny, forever young

PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

BNL gets federal OK to build $912M synchrotron First phase construction could mean 1,000 jobs, local spending of $150 M Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton has announced the U.S. Department of Energy approved the construction start for the state-of-the-art National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at BNL. The DOE has granted “Critical Decision 3” (CD-3) status to the NSLS-II, approving the start of construction in fiscal year 2009 and scheduling completion in 2015. DOE has approved a total project cost for NSLS-II of $912 million. BNL said in a statement Feb. 10 that a New Jersey company, Torcon Inc., has been awarded the $170 million contract to construct the first phase of the project, “which will create as many as 1,000 jobs over the next several years,” according to the BNL statement. Torcon estimates that 90 percent of the contract amount, about

$150 million, “will be spent directly with Long Island contractors and suppliers,” the statement said. Construction of this phase is predicted to last through 2012. “NSLS-II is the largest capital project under construction at any of the 10 national laboratories throughout the country that are owned by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science,” said DOE’s Brookhaven site office manager Mike Holland. “This represents a major investment by the Department of Energy in Brookhaven National Laboratory and ensures the scientific vitality of Brookhaven, one of the nation’s premier research laboratories, for at least 25 years into the future.” NSLS-II will be a medium-energy storage ring with a unique design that will deliver world-leading brightness and flux and exceptional beam stability. The machine

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

Rendering courtesy of BNL

will be the newest member of a suite of advanced light sources and neutron facilities operated by DOE’s Office of Science that are used by more than 9,000 researchers annually. The NSLS-II will advance exploration of the scientific challenges faced in developing new materials with advanced properties, enabling their study, particularly at the nanoscale, at a level of detail and precision never before possible. “NSLS-II will provide the world’s finest capabilities for X-ray imaging, with unprecedented spatial and energy resolution and the ability to detect single atoms,” said Steven Dierker, associate laboratory director for light sources. “It will provide advanced tools for discoveryclass science in condensed matter and materials physics, chemistry, and biology — science that ultimately will enhance national and energy security and help drive abundant, safe, and clean energy technologies.” The scientific advances resulting from research at the new facility will support technological and economic development in multiple sectors of the economy, from next-generation energy technologies to new drugs for fighting disease, Dierker said. CD-3 is the fourth of five critical decisions that the project will need to achieve in order to progress through the successively more detailed stages of conceptual design, preliminary design, final design, construction, and then operations. A CD-3 approves the start of construction and signifies that a final design review has been performed, that all environmental and safety criteria have been met, all security concerns addressed and the project is ready to begin construction. CD-3 authorizes the project to commit all the resources necessary to execute the project, within the funds provided. CD-2, approving the facility’s performance baseline, was announced in December 2007, and CD-1, siting the facility at DOE’s Brookhaven and approving its cost range, was announced in July 2007. NSLS-II will replace the existing NSLS, which began operations in 1982. NSLS provides essential scientific tools for 2,300 scientists each year from more than 400 academic, industrial and government institutions. The NSLS-II is funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences under the Office of Science. For more information about the NSLS-II project, visit www.bnl.gov/nsls2.

Harbor Country Day open house “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

Harbor Country Day School will be holding an open house especially for preschool, nursery and kindergarten on Wednesday, March 11, from 9 to 11 am. Tours will be offered by school staff. Highlights include the new iMac computer lab, state-of-the artlibrary, classrooms with Smartboard technology, art studio, foreign language classes, portable laptops and more. Please call ahead to confirm attendance. You may also learn about the educational programs offered for Upper School (5th to 8th grade) and Lower School (1st to 4th grade), as well as the Early Enrichment program (age 2 to pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten). See website for further information: www.harborcountrydayschool.org. Harbor Country Day School is a private, independent, nonprofit school located at 17 Three Sisters Road, St. James, New York.

Activists say BPA can leach out during heating, cause ills vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

Last spring, the Food and Drug Administration formed an agency-wide task force to study current research and new information about the compound Bisphenol A, or BPA, found in many household plastics and which research has concluded is an endocrine disrupter. As a result of that review, the federal agency determined that “FDA-regulated products containing BPA currently on the market are safe and that exposure levels to BPA from food contact materials, including for infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects.” “At this time,” the report continued, “the FDA is not recommending that anyone discontinue using products that contain BPA while we continue our risk assessment process. However, concerned consumers should know that several alternatives to polycarbonate baby bottles exist, including glass baby bottles.” That information is still posted on the FDA website almost a year later, and it is “totally flawed,” Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) claims. “Their own panels of scientists have revealed that their study is flawed,” he said during a press conference Feb. 3. Stern’s legislation, introduced that day, to ban the sale in Suffolk of any children’s beverage containers that contain BPA was approved unanimously this Tuesday. Violators would pay a fine of $500, with repeat offenders paying $1,000 for each violation. Various public health and environmental advocates, including Karen Miller, director of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, joined last month with Stern to support his measure. Miller agreed that “strong legislative measures are urgently needed to eliminate the use or sale of baby products containing BPA. Several animal studies have demonstrated that small exposures to doses of BPA have posed serious health risks.” Junior Zach Rotter of Walt Whitman High School in Huntington, who also attended Stern’s February press conference, addressed the public on his internship at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia last summer, when he studied BPA’s effect on rats. He determined that “BPA is extremely carcinogenic.” Rotter said he was inspired by an honors biology teacher and by his grandmother, who had breast cancer. Tawaun Weber, a representative from Vision Long Island, echoed comments about the dangers of BPA. “Potential problems include an increased risk of cancer, obesity, an altered immune system, reproductive health problems, diabetes and more,” Weber said. “A significant amount of research has confirmed these conclusions.” Two members of the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center — Maida P. Galvez and Phillip J. Landrigan, both MDs — urged the Legislature to support a BPA ban in Suffolk. They stated that BPA is found in the linings of canned foods, including ready-to-eat children’s formulas, and in hard plastics made of polycarbonate, which is found in sports water bottles, water dispensers and baby bottles. They said that since these substances are not chemically bound to the plastics to which they are added, they can leach out, especially when BPA-containing products are exposed to high temperatures — heating or sterilizing baby bottles in the microwave, for instance. Young children may be uniquely vulnerable to these exposures as they frequently place toys and other plastic products in their mouths, they added. “Think of the amount of times in one day a baby is given infant formula,” breast cancer activist Miller said. “Is it fair to wait for more research to take action? Is it fair to slowly phase out sales of products that contain this toxin? Absolutely no.” Stern said, “This legislation seeks to protect the most vulnerable members of our population. We cannot be too cautious when it comes to ensuring that our children are safeguarded from unnecessary exposure to toxins such as BPA.” “This legislation will help reduce unnecessary exposure to a substance linked with multiple health risks,” said Stern in a statement following the bills passage Tuesday. He said Suffolk has become the first municipality in the United States to ban BPA, as far as he knows.

“This new law is an important initiative that will re-shape environmental policy and will serve as an example for the entire nation,” Miller said in Stern’s statement. “BPA is linked to abnormalities of the male reproductive system, early puberty and obesity. This measure will help protect future generations.” The bill now goes to County Executive Steve Levy for signature. A spokesman for Levy yesterday said the county executive “will take a careful look at the legislation.” A required public hearing will be held by Levy within several weeks. The spokesman said Levy will “consider input before making his decision.” Lee Lutz contributed to this story.

Photo by Karen Forman

At center, Legislator Steve Stern and Karen Joy Miller, of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, gathered in Hauppauge last month with other advocates for a Suffolk County ban on the compound known as Bisphenol A, found in many household items.

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

BY KAREN FORMAN

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A7

Baby bottle plastic ban approved by Legislature

“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 A8 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • 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

Adm. Perry opens Japan, 3V captain promotes trade BY BEVERLY C. TYLER vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

In September 1858, Captain Benjamin Jones and his wife Mary, who was 24 and suffering from consumption [pulmonary tuberculosis], left New York’s South Street Seaport aboard the bark Mary and Louisa for a voyage to China and Japan that would take three years to complete. On the voyages to the Orient and back they faced a number of storms, were becalmed, encountered pirates and unfriendly natives, suffered through onboard sickness and death, ran out of fresh food more than once, and on the return trip had to run the southern blockade to get home safely. When the Mary and Louisa entered Nagasaki harbor on March 26, 1859, Captain Benjamin Jones became one of the first American ship captains to conduct trade in a Japanese port. The opening of trade with Japan was a direct result of the diplomatic skills of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry. Perry was appointed as commander of the U.S. Navy’s East India Squadron on March 24, 1852. His instructions, as written by Congress, were to force the Japanese to open ports for trade, to permit necessary ship repairs in Japanese ports and to assist shipwrecked sailors. The side-wheel steamer Mississippi, built in 1842, was Captain Perry’s ship during the war with Mexico and it became the flagship of the East India Squadron. The Mississippi was the first American steam powered warship to see regular service in the U.S. Navy and she had a distinguished career. In July 1853, Commodore Perry in the Mississippi, with the side-wheel steamer Susquehanna and the sailing warships Plymouth and Saratoga entered the harbor of Uraga, Japan with guns cleared for action. Uraga was on the western side of the Bay of Yedo (Tokyo Bay) and this appearance was a direct challenge to the Japanese, who did not want foreigners near their capital. Perry

force near Yedo and a strong negotiating stance would be necessary if the Japanese were to show any respect for the Americans. The Japanese were also told that “... the commander of the squadron was of the highest rank, to the service to which he belonged, in the United States, and could confer only with the highest in rank at Uraga.” (“Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan” p 268.) All during the weeks that Commodore Perry worked and planned to have the Japanese receive the letter that he carried from the president of the United States to the emperor of Japan, Perry maintained an attitude of respect for the Japanese and an insistence on the strictest formality with respect to negotiations and to his squadron’s presence in Uraga Bay. This was a completely new attitude on the part of foreign Perry maintained governments trying to deal an attitude of with Japan and it ultimately respect for the proved to be a successful one. Perry not only was able to have Japanese … This the letter delivered directly was a completely to the emperor though high ranking princes but he was new attitude on able to get agreement that a re- the part of foreign ply from the Emperor would be forthcoming by the following governments … spring. Commodore Perry then decided that it was imporCommodore Matthew C. Perry. From a Japanese woodblock tant to explore the bay for the purpose of marking out print in the National Portrait Galley, Washington, DC. Used by channels, despite the protests of the governor of Uraga, permission. and his ships moved north until they were within site of the Tokyo suburb of Shinagawa and then sailed for communicated through his aids that “... he had been China. (To be continued.) sent by his country on a friendly mission to Japan.” The Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society histoGovernor of Uraga insisted that all further communications be received through the southern port of Nagasaki. rian and author of books available from the Three Village However, Commodore Perry recognized that a show of Historical Society. Call 751-3730.

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

ORD “Advertising in TIMES BEACON REC . there out e nam my s keep ERS NEWSPAP paper People always look to their local news 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 given have ns its sister publicatio that we ourselves look rs pape ity creased exposure. These are qual responded to our have who ose Th . week every ng forward to readi the best way for been has is Th ads have become long-term clients. up many new ed open has and rs dolla g rtisin adve us to spend our ications!” publ your mend opportunities for us. We highly recom –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 TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAP our to aling appe by s need has fulfilled those 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 know that we are a family-ow ents made comm of ber num the at zed ama been home. I’ve . The aigns camp g rtisin adve to me personally based on our als have ssion profe g rtisin adve ORD REC ON TIMES BEAC ey my message to done a masterful job of helping me conv ful.” grate am I this For . the community –Fred Bryant Bryant Funeral Home Setauket

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

TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733 • 631.751.7744 • northshoreoflongisland.com ©81706

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A9

HISTORY CLOSE AT HAND

Three Village will get $1.6 million from federal stimulus 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. The governor, who had proposed reducing school aid in light of the recent economic

-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! -The RAMP Ford Family

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

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 If Gov. Schwarzenegger students and faculty, is the ‘governator,’ the governor noted that there are four ways then Rep. Bishop is the to gain $1 million: by ‘stimulator.’ chance, personal effort, — GOV. DAVID PATERSON marrying a millionaire and education. The first three scenarios are 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 a huge victory for every Long Islander. This will benefit our community by helping keep down property taxes and keeping our educators employed. 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.

Private school transportation

PAGE A10 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Gov. Paterson announces school aid restoration

Resident pupils of the Three Village Central School District scheduled to attend or continue to attend private or parochial schools are entitled to bus transportation in accordance with distance limitations provided for public school students, if the distance from their home to the private or parochial school they attend is not greater than 15 miles. To apply for transportation to a private or parochial school for next year, a request for transportation form must be received by the district’s transportation office no later than April 1. A separate form must be filed for each child. If, after applying, you wish to change the school to which you had originally requested transportation, you must cancel your previous request and submit another request for transportation by the April 1 deadline. You may obtain a copy of the request form by calling the transportation office at 730-4450.

BY LEE LUTZ leelutz@tbrnewspapers.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.

Photo courtesy of Brookhaven Town

84610

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A11

In reversal, Bald Hill venue to host shows in 2009

All Phases of Landscaping Design Theme Gardens

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

All phases of masonry work: stone walls patios poolscapes

Rainforest research in Costa Rica

Carl & Sons Inc.

5 Kasper Ct., E. Setauket • 751.1406 www.carlbongiorno.com

Serving the community over 20 years Licensed # 33288-H

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Insured

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

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 com-

munity 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.

Above, Justin Shi of Stony Brook reaches out to a staff member at Campanario National Park at the end of a zipline. Below, 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.

SMALL CAPPUCCINO w/the works

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

3.00

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.

Meet the Candidates for Brookhaven Town Supervisor

www.pjcinemas.com Stop & Shop Shopping Center • Rte 112 (1/2 mile south of Rte 347) ©76339

PAGE A12 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Make Your Landscape Dreams Come True

Gift Certificates Available

928–FILM (3456)

LWV

Mark Lesko and Tim Mazzei Monday, March 9th • 7 pm

Middle Country Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Brookhaven

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

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

Excuses will not get you back into your skinny jeans. Personal training at our private studio will. At Fitness Together, it’s just you, your personal trainer and results. Start today.

A FULL SERVICE JEWELRY STORE

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

Fitness Together 156 East Main Street Port Jefferson, NY 11777 631-473-8200

Shop Locally and Pa$$ It On! 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 ©81984

A neighborly reminder from Times Beacon Record Newspapers

83586

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 !

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

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A13

WANTED

PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Island Low Vision Consultants

21823

Helping people with low vision regain sight they thought was gone forever.

82 North Country Rd., East Setauket

631.941.2012 HOURS BY APPOINTMENT www.arthurmurraysuffolk.com

Peter A. Klein, MD, FAAD Adam J. Korzenko, MD, FAAD Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Board Certiﬁed American Board of Dermatology Treating disorders of the skin, hair and nails for adults and children

F 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.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FIRST LESSON!

LATIN • SMOOTH • DISCO NIGHTCLUB • SWING BALLROOM

F Night/Weekend & Emergency Appointments Available

FOR PARTIES VACATIONS • CRUISES BUSINESS EVENTS & MORE

COUPLES & SINGLES WELCOME!!

Most Insurance Plans Accepted. Reasonable Fees for Non-insured Patients

Call to schedule 631.928.7922

4747-19 Rte 347, Port Jefferson Station

6 MEDICAL DRIVE SUITE D, PORT JEFFERSON STATION

326 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station

331–5423

www.peterkleinmd.com

(631) 547–5678 ©84238

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 1:30-10:00 pm • Sat: By Appt.

Legals PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF POQUOTT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF POQUOTT will entertain bids for LANDSCAPING SERVICES for the Village of Poquott Parks and Roadsides for fiscal years 20092010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 in one year increments. Anyone interested in bidding for this work may obtain a copy of the Village Specifcations at the office of the Village Clerk at 45 Birchwood Avenue, Village of Poquott, East Setauket. N.Y. between the hours of 9AM-5PM Monday through Friday. BIDS WILL BE OPENED AT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING AT 7:00 P.M. ON MARCH 26, 2009. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder.

By order of the Board of Trustees Eileen Harvey Village Clerk 108 2/26 2x vth

subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. CHARLES VINCENT D’ONOFRIO III, Referee. FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 20 West Main St., Bay Shore, NY. File No. 25379-#74334. 96 2/19 4x vth

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: SUFFOLK COUNTY. INDYMAC BANK F.S.B., Pltf. vs. WILLIAM G. WEST, FAIRFIELD AT RIVERHEAD, LLC, Defts. Index #07-25633. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Jan. 12, 2009, I will sell at public auction at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY on Mar. 19, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. prem. k/a 11 Detmer Rd., Setauket, NY a/k/a Section 155.00, Block 05.00, Lot 006.000, District 0200. Approx. amt. of judgment is $305,842.31 plus costs and interest. Sold

PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF OLD FIELD GENERAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the general election of the Incorporated Village of Old Field, Suffolk County, New York, will be held at the Old Field Lighthouse, 207 Old Field Road in said Village, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009; that the hours of opening and closing the polls thereof shall be 12:00 Noon and 9:00 P.M., respectively, and that

during such period of nine consecutive hours, the polls shall be kept open for the purpose of choosing and electing candidates for the offices listed below. The names and addresses of all those who have been duly nominated in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law for the Village office whose petition of nomination has been filed with the Village Clerk and the office and term of such office for which they have been nominated are as follows:

Office and Term Trustee for a term of two years

113 3/5 1x vth

Party Three Trees Party Name and Address of Nominee Jeffrey S. Owen 164 Old Field Road Old Field, NY 11733

Party Lighthouse Party Name and Address of Nominee Stephen W. Shybunko 7 Flax Pond Woods Road Old Field, NY 11733 Dale Salzberg Village Clerk Dated: February 24, 2009

Legal advertisement guidelines Deadline is 12 noon 1 week prior to publication date. E-mail your text to: legals @tbrnewspapers.com For additional information please call 631.751.7744

Welcome Home Corporal Adam Simmons earns highest honors Hebenstreit, USMC First Battalion, at Skidmore College Second Marines, Charlie Company! Kristen Simmons, Class of 2010 at Skidmore “Max” has just arrived from Iraq after completing his third tour of duty of the Middle East. We are all grateful for his almost five years of service to our country. He is presently at camp Lejune for debriefing but will be visiting Stony Brook for a few days. His family is looking forward to seeing him once again on U.S. soil, safe and sound. Max is a graduate of Ward Melville High school and is the son of his proud parents, Gayle Gallinat and the late Robert Hebenstreit.

College, earned highest honors for the fall semester. She is the daughter of Alan and Jeanette Simmons of Setauket. Highest honors are awarded for a quality point ratio of 3.670 or more from a possible 4.0.

Gold named to dean’s list at Franklin & Marshall Rachel Gold of Setauket, daughter of Richard and Fern Gold, made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. She is a graduate of Ward Melville High School.

Maier named to dean’s list at Lynchburg College Rebecca L. Maier of East Setauket earned dean’s list for the fall semester at Lynchburg College in Virginia. Students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in order to qualify.

Doherty named to dean’s list at Holy Cross Three local ladies run for a cure Three 3V friends decided to join together to run the San Diego Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Maureen Sullivan Reyes (pictured left, WM class of ’87), Erin McAvoy (middle, WM class of ’88) and Eileen McAvoy Davenport (right, WM class of ’86). They have joined Team in Training to raise money to help those fight and live with a blood cancer. The ladies are training daily for the 26.2 marathon they will run on May 31. In total they will raise $12,600 for the charity. You can donate via credit card at any of the following pages: Maureen Reyes: http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/rnr09/mreyes; Erin McAvoy: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/rnr09/emcavoy; Eileen Davenport: http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/rnr09/ edavenpues.

Kelly Doherty, a third-year student at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., has been named to the dean’s list for the first semester. She is the daughter of Jim and Carol Doherty of Stony Brook, and majors in political science.

Carrucciu named to dean’s list at Northeastern University Kevin J. Carrucciu of Setauket, majoring in business administration, was recently named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. To achieve this distinction, students must earn a quality point average of 3.25 or greater.

One more time — academic honors to Shah Ward Melville High School senior Preya Shah, who only three weeks ago was named an Intel national semifinalist in its annual science competition, Wednesday was named one of only two recipients in New York of the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. The Siemens national program honors outstanding students in a combination of math and science subjects based on the students scores on advanced placement exams. Shah, 17, achieved “perfect scores on the SAT, ACT, and several SAT Subject Tests,” according to the statement from Siemens announcing her selection. All of the 100 award winners, a male and a female from each of the 50 states, receives a $2,000 college scholarship from Siemens. Congratulations, Preya, again!

Maier named to president’s list at SUNY Geneseo James Maier from South Setauket has been named to the President’s List at The State University of New York at Geneseo for the fall semester 2008. To be on the list, a student must have achieved an A in all coursework (4.0 grade point average) while taking at least 12 credit hours.

Ferraro graduates from Limestone College Summer Jean Ferraro of East Setauket graduated from Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. She was awarded a bachelor of science degree at the 2008 Fall Commencement in December.

Obituaries Laura Frances Cleland Laura Frances Cleland, 42, of Lansdowne, Pa., died on Dec. 19. Laura was born March 10, 1966 in Setauket, the second daughter of the late Hugh Cleland, Ph.D. and Celia Cleland. She grew up on Long Island, inquisitive, charming and serious. She graduated from Swarthmore College, majoring in psychobiology and women’s studies. She worked for many years at the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center for Women, and was immersed in karate, meeting her husband Daniel Batt at the dojo. Later, she found her life’s path working as a massage therapist, and was keenly involved with the Upper Darby Democratic Party and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. The most important part of her life was her beloved family; grieving for her are her husband, Daniel Batt; daughter Emma Cleland-Batt, 7, and son, Hugh Cleland-Batt, 5, all of Lansdowne. Also in mourning are her mother, Celia Cleland, of Setauket; sister, Jane Cleland

of Oakland, Calif.; parents-in-law Gerald and Erica Batt of Vineland, N.J.; sisters-in-law Lisa Batt of Clifton Heights, Pa., Tracey Batt of Clementon, N.J. and Monique Doryland of Oakland, Calif.; and legions of loving friends and relatives. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, March 7, at 1 pm at her U.U. church, 145 W. Rose Tree Rd., Media, PA 19063. Auer Cremation Services, Inc., Harrisburg, will be handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice, or to her U.U. church.

Carol Ann Brennan 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

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A15

PEOPLE

PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

Potholes growing in Brookhaven Rouse reports bad year for roadway hazards, repairs underway No, it’s not your imagination — the potholes are worse this year. “Due to extreme temperature swings,” said Highway Department Superintendent John Rouse, “coupled with many snow events,” the potholes appearing this year are more numerous and larger than last season. Rouse explained that the expansion and contraction of the asphalt roadways due to warm and cold temperatures, especially when moisture is introduced into small cracks in the paving, gives birth to the nasty little — and not so little — axle crunchers. He said his crews are doing their best to keep up. Until recently, when the asphalt plants reopened for 2009, highway crews were utilizing “cold patch” to fi ll the holes. Rouse said such

stopgap fi xes help, but “hot patch,” now again available, makes a better repair. Rouse said potholes are often spotted by his own crews, and town residents call in reports of roads in need of repair. “We have a vigilant constituency,” he said. “They don’t hesitate to call.” Each report is followed up “as quickly as we can,” Rouse said. He added there is no “usual” length of time to get to a pothole after it is called in since there exist so many variables. The highway superintendent urged town residents to call 451-9200, the Highway Department main number, to report potholes or any other problems related to town roadways. — LEE LUTZ

Photo by Lee Lutz

With the significant weekend snowfall, pothole repair has taken a back seat to plowing and sanding. Crews will be back at it next week.

Arrowhead teacher

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

Continued from page A3 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” to accomplish that goal. 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 contibuted to this story

Legals SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE OF ARGENT MORTGAGE SECURITIES, INC. ASSET BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-W4 UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2005, WITHOUT RECOURSE, Plaintiff against MARSHALL GOLDSTEIN; GAIL GOLDSTEIN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on July 10, 2008. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps of the Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville, N.Y. on the 7th day of April, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. premises Beginning at a point on the easterly side of North County Road, distant 1074.13 feet southerly from the corner formed by the easterly side of North County Road with the center line of Main Street, and also being distant 951.98 feet southerly from the point where land now or formerly of Ward Melville intersects the easterly side of North County Road; Thence south 74 degrees 50 minutes east 65 feet; Thence north 70 degrees 09 minutes 4 seconds east 171.56 feet; Thence north 4 degrees 25 minutes east 60 feet to the southerly line of land now or formerly of Worthington Realty Corporation; Thence along land of

Worthington Realty Corporation, south 85 degrees 35 minutes east 335 feet to the westerly line of land of school district#2; Thence along said school land, south 7 degrees 19 minutes 10 seconds west 160 feet; Thence north 75 degrees 56 minutes 30 seconds west 159.08 feet; Thence north 40 degrees 22 minutes 20 seconds west 59.40 feet; Thence north 73 degrees 46 minutes 20 seconds west 86.52 feet; Thence south 70 degrees 09 minutes 40 seconds west 215.04 feet (215.24 deed); Thence north 74 degrees 50 minutes west 76.35 feet to the easterly side of North County Road; Thence along the easterly side of North county Road, north 18 degrees 46 minutes 20 seconds east 30.06 feet to the point or place of Beginning. Said premises known as 75 Main Street, Setauket, N.Y. 11733. Tax account number: SBL # : 110-01-002. Approximate amount of lien $ 621,802.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 02521-07. Jonathan D. Brown, Esq., Referee. Fein Such & Crane, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1800 First Federal Plaza Rochester, N.Y. 14614 117 3/5 4x vth

Ward Melville athletes earn array of accolades BY JOHN WESTERMANN katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Ward Melville Patriot athletes from the winter varsity sports teams were honored last week by their coaches and fellow students at an awards night at the high school. Leading the cavalcade of stars were the boys’ and girls’ fencing teams, both winners of league, county and Long Island championships. Earning First-Team All-County honors were fencers Christian Thorne, Chris Sullivan and Peter Freiss. Mike Shaw, Jay Petrie, Robert Sampson and Joe Leombruno were Second-Team All-County. Greg Pflaumer and C.J. Junior were Honorable-Mention All-County. Thorne and Sullivan were also First-Team Long Island. Freiss was an Honorable-Mention All-Long Island. For the girls, fencers Ginny Siskidis, Demi Antipas, Emmily Smith, Bethany Dill, Ashley Jurgielewicz and Christal Nworjih were named First-Team All-County. Irene Gutleber and Laura Barger were SecondTeam All-County. Alexa Parry was Honorable-Mention. Siskidis, Antipas, Smith and Nworjih were First-Team All-Long Island. Dill and Jurgielewicz were HonorableMentions. The Patriot girls’ basketball team finished at 14-5, ranked eighth on Long Island. Earning All-League honors were Georgia Holland, Kate Carballeira and Kristin Sells. All-Academic awards are pending for Jenny Granger, Allison Pinard, Katie Krowlikowski and Pat Skrzypek. For the boys’ basketball team, Curtis Williams was named All-League and Chris Cash earned All-County Academic honors. The girls’ track team finished second in Suffolk County. All-League honors went to Mary Kate Anselmini, Caroline O’Hea, Brianna Araneo, Sami Reilly, Aly Wisekal, Wendy Zhang, Ashley O’Shea, Karina Alventosa, Colleen Murphy and Brittany Lucatorto. Anselmini, O’Hea and O’Shea were also named All-County. All-County Academic Honors went to Murphy and O’Shea. Most notably, Anselmini broke Suejin Ahn’s school record in the 1,000 meters and was named Suffolk County’s Most Outstanding Athlete. O’Shea broke the school race/walk record, ranked in the top five in the nation and finished second in Suffolk. Earning All-League and All-County honors for the Patriot boys’ winter track team were Quinn Raseman and Keenan Johns-Harris. The boys’ swimming team finished second in Suffolk County and were led by AllState Austin Brennan and co-captain Steve Hourigan. Ward Melville wrestlers finished the season with eight All-League grapplers and one All-County winner, Danny Gray. Nick Scotto, Chris Brown, Will Mazzone, Evan Chernoff, Kyle Folk-Freund, Dan Treacy and Jackson Hoppey were All-League honorees. Four-year starter and All-League selection Allison Papazissimos captained the Ward Melville girls’ bowling team just as five-year starter and All-League honoree Justin Kinney captained the boys.

Players learn ‘The Ripken Way’ at baseball clinic

Courtesy Three Village Baseball

Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. poses behind travel team coaches from the Th ree Village Baseball and Softball League following the Ripken Baseball Coaching Clinic. Members included (kneeling, from left) Frank Cumbo, Bernie Ellison, John Griffi n, (standing, from left) Jeff Peterson, Sal Curcio, Chris Derosa, Mark Wilson, and Richard Wilson. Cal, brother Bill, and former Major League pitcher and current St. John the Baptist baseball coach John Habyan taught their philosophy of playing baseball ‘The Ripken Way’ in this all-day clinic on pitching, hitting, and fielding.

NY Wizards bring Pro basketball to Huntington The New York Wizards professional basketball team is coming to Huntington High School for a game against the Virginia Fast Break on March 7 at 7 pm. The game will feature an array of area professional players most Long Islanders never get to see. Tickets for the Eastern Basketball Alliance game between the two teams are priced at $6 and a fun time is virtually assured for all. The event is being coordinated by Huntington senior Matt

MEN’S HOOPS Duff y, who has been working for several months with the Wizards as part of the credit-bearing student internship program at the high school. Duff y is responsible for promoting the event, logistical arrangements with Huntington High School officials and organizing student volunteers who will assist during the game. According to promotional material from

the team, the New York Wizards (www.newyorkwizards.com) are a professional basketball operation, utilizing local professional players, to assist in the basketball development and entertainment needs of the New York Metropolitan area. Many of the players have had very successful high school and college careers. For more information about the March 7 game contact Matt Duff y at htonpg@yahoo.com.

MARCH 05, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A17

SPORTS

PAGE A18 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

EDITORIAL

OPINION

Substance, please

Teach the children well

Some do care

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 fi xed. 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

TO THE EDITOR: This past October my husband Jim became ill and our difficult journey began. Anyone that has ever had a loved one that is sick can understand just how exhausting it can be. My husband was given a diagnosis and a treatment plan from a top neurologist at a well-known hospital. After two treatments and waiting for a third we were informed by our insurance carrier that they would not be covering any of his treatments. After weeks of phone calls, letter writing and our doctor getting involved, his case went before appeals and was denied. Now three weeks overdue for his treatment, a friend suggested we call our legislator, Vivian Viloria-Fisher. I did so with not a lot of faith that it would do any good. Her office responded immediately. The legislator provided me with a name and number to call at the Attorney General’s office. My case manager listened to our entire story and said he would be in touch. Just days later I was on a conference call with the Attorney General’s office and my insurance company. They gave me the news we were anxiously waiting to hear, all previous and future treatments would now be covered. To say that we are grateful to Legislator ViloriaFisher for her help is an understatement. At a time when people believe that most politicians don’t care, how wonderful to discover, some do. Two weeks later I received a call in my office from the legislator, simply to follow up on Jim. Nell Bassett Stony Brook

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 decision-making to a halt. If the town candidates are serious about governing honestly and effectively, they should make that evident in their campaigns.

On the blog this week:

People in all areas of the workforce commit crimes that are horrible. Cops, doctors, lawyers, financiers, babysitters/daycare workers, technicians, mechanics, garbagemen, salesmen, carpenters, landscapers, pool cleaners. The fact that this person is a teacher is irrelevant. The union has nothing to do with this either. If he’s found guilty he’ll be going to jail. He’ll be someone’s girlfriend then. As for his pay before/if he is convicted, let’s await the outcome of the investigation first, ok? Want to read more? Want to add your opinion? Click into 3V People to see what your neighbors and friends are saying about Three Village, our state and nation. Click on Blogs in the Opinion section of www.northshoreoflongisland.com.

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-arebigger-than-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-thanyour-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

TV conversion only delayed TO THE EDITOR: Two weeks ago, I wrote a letter concerning the transfer to digital television. Just days after I submitted the letter, the House of Representatives took up the issue and passed legislation which provides for a 115day extension. The new deadline is June 12, 2009. The purpose of the delay is to provide more time to get coupons for the digital TV converter boxes to the millions of American households that are still on the waiting list. In my district alone there are 1,937 households who are still in need of these converter boxes and throughout our nation there are now more than two million households. Although Congress delayed the deadline for the transition, it did not require stations to continue broadcasting in analog after Feb. 17 and some may choose to complete their transition before the June extension. The transition will be effortless for those who have newer television sets, because most broadcast TV stations already broadcast in digital as well as analog. However, once June 12 arrives, all analog signals will be shut off and those without an updated set or a converter box will see their televisions go dark. Going digital will increase efficiency and free up the airwaves for other services, including public safety. But, that doesn’t change the fact that those without digital capabilities will be left without access to news, weather and emergency information. In the next few months please make sure your loved ones, especially senior citizens, are aware of the upcoming change and have the necessary equipment. If you or someone you know is still without a converter box, or for more information about the transition, please visit www.dtv2009.gov. Rep. Steve Israel 2nd Congressional District

Letters ...

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

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 leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com. Or drop by our news office at 185 Route 25A, Setauket. The opinions of our columnists are not necessarily those of the paper. Times Beacon Record Newspapers are published every Thursday. Address: PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Telephone: 631-751-7744 Web • www.northshoreoflongisland.com Contents copyright 2009.

— 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 Lee Lutz 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 Dave Willinger

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 Alyssa Cutler 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 TIMES HERALD • PAGE A19

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 A20 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2009

You’ve Got People!