Village Times Herald 031209

THE VILLAGE

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

Volume 34, Number 1

March 12, 2009

75¢

Dancing Irish all year round The Mulvihill-Lynch School of Irish Dance boasts over 200 students in three Suff olk County locations, and has won prize after prize over the years, nationally and internationally. We’re sure their feet will be flying on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day. More on page A12.

Photo courtesy of Mulvihill-Lynch

Anti-LIPA group forms to monitor company ‘abuses’ Page A3

Brookhaven eyes $6.4M shortfall in mortgage tax receipts for 2009 Page A4

R.C. Murphy JHS wins 1st and 2nd in annual BNL Science Bowl Page A19

Smart meters on the way

BY JOE DARROW joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com

The $408 billion federal appropriations bill generating uproar from conservatives in Congress includes $713,000 aimed at saving energy and cutting utility costs on Long Island.

The funds would be used in a LIPA pilot study testing Smart meters in Hauppauge and Bethpage, Long Island Power Authority officials said Monday.

From an early test run of 60 homes and 12 businesses, LIPA officials said the program will expand to encompass the entire Hauppauge Industrial Park, over a thousand businesses, by the end of 2010.

The program will test two different Smart meter technologies, which provide consumers with updated energy use information over the Internet in “near real time,” i.e. every 15 minutes instead of once a month, according to LIPA executives. The more detailed data, eventually

Courtesy of treehugger.com

A typical smart electric meter.

including figures on high peak and low electricity consumption, should enable businesses and residents to better tailor energy consumption to need, said Vice President for Retail Services Bruce Germano. Customers who received Smart

meters in other test runs have cut their energy costs by as much as 10 percent, he said.

“We live in a high-tech 21st century but we have a low-tech 20th century grid,” said LIPA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Law. “As a public authority we have a public obligation to be moving in the right direction.” Installing Smart meters is part of a larger LIPA campaign to reduce energy consumption “to help us avoid building that next power plant,” Law said.

It’s time that technological advances that have generated cutting-edge consumer products like the Apple iPhone — which can do everything from tracking mail deliveries to monitoring daily personal weight gain — be put to work lowering U.S. dependence on foreign oil, said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), a House Appropriations Committee Continued on page A16

WMHS senior 8th in Intel competition

Local volunteers help those in need

‘Close to Home’ exhibit opens

D.C. award Tuesday followed handshake with president

Area soup kitchens busier than ever in poor economy

St. Patrick once again on the march Sunday

Story next week

Page A5

Page B1

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As these two photos taken within the last week prove, Spring will soon officially arrive on Long Island. The yellow crocus, above, debuted last week, proudly displaying their color while reaching for the warming late winter sun.

The snowdrops, right, actually first appeared almost two weeks ago, then had to suffer the indignation of 12 inches of snow that hid the blossoms for a few days. However the exceptionally warm weekend just past brought them back into view.

The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations over the next week are often the forerunner of Spring’s glory, the season of rebirth and renewed hope.

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PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

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New York Islander Bruno Gervais visited pediatric units at Stony Brook University Medical Center in February. Jacqueline Guevara, 10, of West Babylon, was one of about 20 patients Gervais met. The defenseman talked hockey and sports with them, autographed pictures, and wished each patient a speedy recovery.

Jacqueline discovered she had more in common with the NHL hockey defenseman than just loving hockey. Both are the oldest in their family, and both enjoy naps. Jacqueline said she takes naps while in the hospital — she was discharged the following day — and sometimes at home. Gervais said he enjoys a brief nap after hockey practice each morning.

Gervais spent over two hours visiting one-on-one with patients, who ranged from toddlers to 21-year-olds.

The patients were being treated in the Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Acute, and Pediatric Intensive Care units at SBUMC. The visit was coordinated by the New York Islanders and the Child Life Program at SBUMC. Professionals through the Child Life Program provide therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities to meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of hospitalized children. For more information about the Child Life Program call 444-3840 or visit www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/pediatrics.

Photo courtesy of SBUMC

Familiar names in 3V on executive committee, claims LIPA ‘abuses’ lion over the past year — with crude prices plummeting as the global Residents in a number of Long recession began — necessitating a Island communities have banded to- 3.2 percent rate increase, LIPA Vice gether in a watchdog group opposing President for Communications Ed what they view as wasteful spending Dumas said. And the power authorby the Long Island Power Authority. ity is augmenting its oil purchases Long Island Energy Surveillance with $14.4 million toward renewable is a “volunteer watchdog group of energy this year.

But last year’s loss in the abnormal civic activists providing the sunlight Long Island ratepayers need to pro- market conditions aside, the oil-price tect themselves from LIPA abuses,” hedging program is beneficial in the according to a release emailed by long run, Dumas said, thus far savLIES Executive Committee Mem- ing LIPA ratepayers about $600 milber Fred Gorman of Nesconset. Its lion. And as for its plans to purchase members “have said we will no lon- solar, wind and geothermal energy, Dumas said LIPA has ger rely on our governobligation to invest ment to protect us from ‘The management an in alternative energy. the evils of this comGov. David Paterson pany, which is taxing of LIPA deserves has called for 45 percent us to death,” said Gor- investigation.’ of New York’s electricman, also chairman of — JACKIE RUDMAN ity to be produced by the Nesconset-Sachem renewable sources or efCivic Association.

LIES charges that LIPA has agreed ficiency upgrades by 2015.

LIES watchdogs also take issue to purchase energy in excess of what Long Islanders need and at over- with LIPA salaries. The authority blown prices, and continues to raise pays its around 90 employees a comconsumers’ rates without any public bined $16.1 million in salary and oversight. The group is calling for benefits, an average of over $180,000 foundational reform of the public en- per person, according to LIES. Dumas countered that the LIPA ergy authority, beginning with election of the LIPA board of directors, salaries are “in line” with salaries at currently appointed by the governor, other power authorities, and constistate Senate majority leader and As- tute a “miniscule” 0.4 percent of LIPA’s $4 billion annual budget. “If you sembly speaker.

True, by hedging its oil purchases were to fire every LIPA employee, it through futures contracts, the au- would save you 25 cents a month on thority has found itself out $100 mil- your bill,” Dumas said.

BY JOE DARROW

joedarrow@tbrnewspapers.com

File photo

Former Three Village schools Trustee Jackie Rudman of Setauket.

Other members of the LIES executive committee are Gary Bessemer, Pat Byrne, Dick Graham, Roselle Hanson, Graham Kerby, Paul and Robert Kosowski, Denise and Erik Knudsen, Ray Mincone, Eleanor Morris, Laurie Pandelakis, Jacqueline Rudman and Andrea Vecchio.

Rudman, a former Three Village School Board Trustee, said her interest in LIES is mostly environmental.

“My house has been covered with acid rain for years,” Rudman said.

She hopes LIES can encourage cleaning up pollutants from the Port Jefferson KeySpan power plant. In addition, Rudman said, “LIPA’s bills have tripled in the last five, six years.” She said, “The management of LIPA deserves investigation.”

MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A3

LIES, anti-LIPA coalition, forms

Historical awards dinner Two local organizations and five Three Village Historical Society members will be honored at the 32nd Annual Awards Dinner, held on the evening of March 18 at the Stony Brook Yacht Club.

Honored in the Community Awards category is The Old Field Club for their ongoing maintenance of a historic structure and the ornamental plantings that enhance the building. Also honored in the same category is the Old Field Farm, which has been revitalized under the direction of Sally Lynch, for its working horse show ring, grandstand and grounds and for events they offer to the community.

Members of TVHS being recognized are: Richard Russell for the Ward Melville Community Award, Margo Arceri for the Kate Wheeler Strong Memorial Award, Dr. Frank Turano for the Maggie Gillie Memorial Award, Lorraine Mandel for the Gayle Becher Memorial Award, and Brendan Yantz for the Young Historian Award.

Tickets for the Awards Dinner, featuring entertainment by comedian Peter Bales, are $50 per person. For information call TVHS at 751-3730, email to info@tvhs.org or visit www.tvhs.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 17 at the R.C. Murphy Junior High School on Oxhead Road in Stony Brook.

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(D-East Setauket) cautioned the board that some of the vacancies might be poBrookhaven Town’s finance commis- sitions that should be filled to benefit sioner reported last Thursday that mort- Brookhaven’s residents, and any considgage tax revenues for the first two months eration of not filling them be “analyzed of this year are already $1.3 million less carefully” before making hasty decithan comparable figures for 2008, and sions. Fiore-Rosenfeld agreed with his projected a possible shortfall of $6.4 mil- colleagues that many of the 32 positions could remain vacant without adverse imlion for all of 2009.

Commissioner Charlene Kagel told pact on town residents.

Kagel reported that revenue from the the council members at a work session March 5, “I hate to be the bearer of bad town’s landfill in Yaphank, which repnews, but,” and then distributed a chart resents nearly half of all town operating funds, are “not that awoutlining the bad news. ful.” She also said an Kagel summed up her presentation by telling Brookhaven mortgage tax ongoing review of capital spending plans for the board it may need to revenues are $1.3 million 2009 may reveal potenlook into cuts in spendtial savings in debt sering “soon” to avoid an below last year’s amount vice — interest on town operating budget defi- for the first two months. borrowing — by delaycit for the year. ing projects into the fuThe figures released

by Kagel indicate real estate transactions ture and by careful analysis of previous in the town have reached a level below borrowing by the town. An incomplete even the reduced number and size coun- and ongoing study of town bonding going cil members anticipated when adopting a back to the 1990s, Kagel said, indicates spending plan only four months ago, in some money may have been borrowed but never spent, or instances where more November 2008.

Councilman Tim Mazzei (R-Blue was bonded than projects actually cost, Point) responded by asking the finance resulting in the town paying interest on commissioner about the number of va- money it is holding but not using. Kagel cancies in town positions. Kagel said said utilizing these funds instead of borthere are currently 32. Mazzei suggested rowing more might produce significant keeping those positions unfilled could debt service savings for the town.

Kagel hinted that as much as $7 milreduce expenditures.

Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D- lion in borrowed funds may be available, Middle Island) reminded the council- but said her analysis is not yet complete.

The finance commissioner was delivman that one of those vacancies, planning commissioner, was as a result of the ering a monthly report on town finances Town Board majority Mazzei leads fir- to a Town Board work session as requesting the previous commissioner last year ed by Acting Supervisor Lori Baldassare and not yet having replaced the “critical to keep the council informed of trends and potential financial problems for position.”

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Livshin and cellist Marina Hoover followed by a dessert reception in a lovely Stony Brook home.

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Inside this week News Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A19 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18

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

Leisure Arts & Lifestyles Art Exhibits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B2 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B23 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B19-B21 Cooking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12 Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B13-B14 Father Frank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B24 Gardening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11

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PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

Town Board warned of sinking revenue stream

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.

Setauket volunteer likes to ‘put a smile on people’s faces’ each night, Curtis said, marking an estimated 10 percent growth The Welcome INN soup over the past year. Curtis, a 28kitchen has been operating in year Port Jefferson resident, Port Jefferson since 1989, and said she believes this increase the number of guests continues is largely due to the recent economic downturn, which has had to grow.

An affiliate of the Interfaith a “very large effect on the workNutrition Network in Hemp- ing poor.”

According to information stead, Welcome INN provides nutritious meals free of charge to provided by the INN, approxithose in need, according to Bar- mately 13,000 meals were served in 2007, a 17 perbara Curtis, presicent increase over dent of Welcome INN’S executive Giving back to the 2006. Curtis, who has been involved steering committee.

In Port Jefferson, community is ‘part with the soup kitchen program round-trip compli- of the reason why for 13 years, said mentary van ser- you’re alive.’ the food is donated vice, made possible — JACK STRONG by various vendors, with support from OF SETAUKET while a group of Village Hall, dededicated volunparts the train stateers, who serve the tion Monday, Tuesmeals and clean up afterward, day and Friday at 5:15 pm.

Dinner is served at 5:45 pm help make the INN a “well-oiled four times a week: Monday at machine.”

Setauket resident Jill Scott Christ Church Episcopal; Tuesday at Christ Methodist Church; said she began volunteering Wednesday at St. Paul’s Luther- about eight years ago because she an Church; and Friday at First likes to “put a smile on people’s Presbyterian Church, all in Port faces.” Guests of the soup kitchJefferson. Lunch is also served en “need to be catered to, talked at 1 pm Sunday at St. Paul’s Lu- to and understood,” she said. “I don’t care what your walk of life theran Church.

Currently, an average of 55 is, I think being judgmental is guests visit the soup kitchen wrong.”

BY JENNIFER CHOI

jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Scott, who volunteers her time twice a week, encouraged others to become involved because it’s “very worthwhile.”

“It’ll make them feel like a new person,” she said, adding that there’s “so much satisfaction” in giving back to the community.

“It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling,” she said. “It makes me feel whole.”

Jack Strong of Setauket, a Welcome INN volunteer for nearly a decade, said “Time flies when you’re having fun.” He and his wife, Pat, help prepare meals every Wednesday, according to Strong, who said being involved with the soup kitchen “gives an understanding of people in need.” Giving back to the community is “part of the reason why you’re alive,” he said. “Our purpose in life is not to just enjoy ourselves but to help others.”

When asked whether he will continue to volunteer his time, Strong replied, “I have no plans not to.”

A guest from Sound Beach visiting the soup kitchen at St. Paul’s last week said the program has been “extremely helpful” and has “taken a load off ” during difficult economic times.

The guest, who has been unemployed for two years, said the

Photo by Jennifer Choi

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

volunteers have been “super” and “so helpful.” “One day when I get back on my feet, I’ll probably become a volunteer,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Also an affiliate of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, the Invited INN operates a soup kitchen in Rocky Point’s Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Dinner is served at 5 pm every Thursday in Witzmann Hall behind the church, according to information provided on the church website. Trinity has hosted the program for over 14 years, and about 70 guests are served each week.

“Invited INN has become such an important part of my life,” volunteer Carol Moor states on the website. “It is a wonderful experience working with so many caring and dedicated volunteers. I have so much joy in my heart when I see the smiles on the children’s faces and the gratitude of the guests.”

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

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MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A5

Helping more of those in need, a meal at a time

PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

Town imposes hiring freeze, hears of ‘dead battery club’ beaches and parks. including a full time employee in Parks and Although all six council The commissioners several part-timers, but added that since members voted in favor, differTown Board’s Republican majority, With Brookhaven’s financial situation ‘are crazed about the ences along partisan lines noneled by Mazzei, changed the procedure for being buffeted by the worldwide economic theless were aired. Councilman this.’ processing personnel changes when it took downturn, the Town Board Tuesday night Tim Mazzei (R-Blue Point), cur- — ACTING SUPERVISOR control in January 2008, the supervisor’s took another step to ward off a potential fisrently the GOP candidate in the cal emergency later this year by imposing a LORI BALDASSARE office is no longer aware of a hiring until it — COUNCILMAN March 31 special election for has already happened. She said department two-month hiring freeze.

TIM MAZZEI town supervisor, said yesterday, commissioners, almost all appointed by The last-minute resolution, sponsored by “I have not been notified by the acting super- the majority, now manage personnel within their own Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket), passed unanimously at the end of the board’s visor’s office” of any hires recently. Mazzei said he was departments. Under former Supervisor Brian Foley all regular meeting. Fiore-Rosenfeld cited department unaware through any other source as well of new town personnel matters were reviewed by his office, usually by commissioners “still hiring and promoting” despite the employees or promotions recently. But, noting he raised his chief of staff, Baldassare.

The acting supervisor added that the commissioners warning issued only five days earlier that revenue short- the issue of vacant positions at last week’s work session, falls were already reaching alarming levels (see page A4). Mazzei asked rhetorically, “Why didn’t [Acting Supervi- often hire at a salary high within the range permitted The resolution specifically exempted “seasonals” from sor Lori Baldassare] say something to us all then” if she for the position. As an example she cited a resolution approved Tuesday regarding a defensive driving instructor. the freeze, he said, those temporary workers the town was aware of any personnel changes?

Baldassare confirmed there had been hirings recently, Baldassare said the appointment was necessary since the hires each year typically for summer work at Brookhaven town’s previous instructor recently died, but the replacement was hired at $20 per hour even though the position was only paying $17 an hour previously.

“The commissioners can hire within the range,” Baldassare admitted, but criticized the commissioners for doing so at the high end in a time of economic crisis.

Having just emerged from a meeting with department heads, the acting supervisor said the commissioners “are crazed about this” hiring freeze. “They said everyone we’re hiring we need,” in Baldassare’s opinion, failing to recognize the depth of the town’s financial straits.

BY LEE LUTZ

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

leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com

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In another contentious and ongoing issue in Brookhaven, the town’s white collar union president, Meg Shutka, complained to the Town Board of escalating problems with fleet vehicles due to the recently installed GPS monitoring devices.

Shutka said she recently joined the “dead battery club,” town employees driving fleet vehicles who are suffering from an inability to start their cars. “Day after day after day,” she said, employees are unable to start their cars since the tracking units were installed. Shutka related that in her instance she waited over an hour to have her battery jumped and was then told to drive around “for an hour or so” to recharge the battery. Shutka said she was forced to miss an important meeting and waste gasoline.

File photo “Something has to be Meg Shutka done,” she said. All three Brookhaven employee unions strongly opposed the installation of GPS tracking units in town vehicles.

Copies of email memos obtained by TBR Newspapers might lend credence to Shutka’s claim. One, dated Feb. 11 to all town employees from Brookhaven’s Public Safety division, instructed drivers on how to “expedite the process of jump-starting the town vehicles with dead batteries.” An earlier email from Public Safety dated Jan. 7 outlined the town’s policy when dead batteries are encountered.

Acting Supervisor Lori Baldassare admitted there is a problem and said, “We are working with the vendor” to fix it. However she was quick to add that the GPS devices may not be the cause or may be only one cause for dead batteries in fleet cars. Another possible cause? Baldassare said since the imposition of a new vehicle fleet policy in the town, an initiative claimed by both former Supervisor Foley and majority council members Jane Bonner (CRocky Point) and Keith Romaine (R-Center Moriches), “About 80 cars in the fleet are being driven less than 50 miles a month.” Baldassare said the radically reduced mileage is due to those vehicles no longer being used by employees to commute to work, and little else.

Deputy Acting Supervisor Thalia Bouklas said 710 town vehicles have been fitted with the GPS devices.

Baldassare also addressed a point made by Shutka Tuesday night when the union president said the installation may have voided warranties on the cars. She said a federal law protects the vehicle owner in such cases and the concern is “not an issue.”

BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

Photos by Jennifer Choi

As many interested residents of Jefferson’s Ferry listened intently, U.S. Postal Inspector Al Weissmann spoke about mail frauds, scams and schemes while Centereach Postmaster Edward O’Shaughnessy looked on.

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U.S. Postal Inspector Al Weissmann visited Jefferson’s Ferry in South Setauket last week to share the common defenses against fraud and identity theft as part of National Consumer Protection Week, which ran from March 1 to 7.

Residents of Jefferson’s Ferry, a retirement community for active adults, gathered March 4 to learn how to protect themselves from what Weissmann calls “a very serious problem that hasn’t gone away.� “The thieves have become a little more sophisticated,� the inspector said, noting their ability to use the Internet to perform fraudulent activities. It is very important to “do your homework� before investing any money, Weissmann added, which includes making sure even your financial advisor doesn’t have a “shady background.�

Following a short fi lm featuring fictional families who have suffered from identity theft, Weissmann noted that the goal of the postal inspection service is to raise awareness about possible scams. If something suspicious arrives in the mail, “shred it and forget it,� he said. “The shredder — that’s where I fi le all my scams.�

For example, an offer to become a “mystery shopper� is a new scheme on the rise, according to the inspector. It all begins when a victim receives a heft y check in the mail and is directed to deposit the check into their checking account, the inspector explained.

The mystery shopper is then asked to purchase various items with the money in order to evaluate the store’s customer service.

Problem is, the Beware of ‘You’ll get a check is no good, free bonus if you buy our Weissmann said.

But before the check product,’ ‘You’ve won a can bounce, the victim has used his own valuable free prize’ and ‘You’ve won big money in money, or money he will be responsible a foreign lottery.’ for, to purchase the items. Furthermore, the unbeknownst mystery shopper is then asked to wire transfer a large sum of the money, the inspector continued, and “Bam, you’ve been scammed — whatever you wired is gone.�

As for letters indicating lottery winnings, “If you didn’t enter it, you can’t win it,� Weissmann said. “Please use common sense. Don’t make important financial decisions on your own.� Centereach Postmaster Edward O’Shaughnessy, who joined Weissmann at the March 4 event, also advised residents to beware of such schemes and reach out to professionals with any questions or concerns.

According to information provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, their investigators arrest about 12,000 criminal suspects each year, nearly half for mail theft or possession of stolen mail, and an average of 100 incidents involving suspicious items in the mail are investigated. The service also responds to more than 75,000 consumer fraud complaints each year, including reports of identity theft which claims 750,000 victims annually.

To help prevent fraud by phone or mail, consumers should be wary of salespeople who use “well-rehearsed sales pitches designed to sound believable,� according to a handout from the postal inspection service.

Among the sales pitches are: “You’ll get a wonderful free bonus if you buy our product�; “You’ve won a valuable free prize�; “You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery�; and “This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.�

Rose Rezk, a four-year Jefferson’s Ferry resident, said the presentation was “very interesting.� “You don’t know who’s reliable and who’s not,� she said, adding even though she has not received any suspicious items in the mail, she will be extra careful in the future. “I thought it was excellent,� said Marita McNeill, who moved to the retirement community two weeks after its opening nearly eight years ago. Having heard “so many horror stories� about identity theft, McNeill said she is glad to be “up to date� on the issue and credited Weissmann for making a “very clear� presentation.

MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A7

If it sounds too good to be true ‌ inspector warns

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Viloria-Fisher sponsored measure, says fees not raised in seven years

BY ARLENE GROSS arlenegross@tbrnewspapers.com

In a 12-6 vote, the Legislature overrode County Executive Steve Levy’s veto last Tuesday and increased park fees to bring an additional $1 million to the county.

Most of the money will aid the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, which took a big hit last fall when its endowment dropped precipitously, along with the rest of the declining stock market.

The bill’s sponsor, Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-East Setauket), said she had been exploring park fee hikes for more than a year, “just because our costs have gone up and they’re not reflected in the fees.”

The cost of fuel for the parks department, for instance, has increased by about 500 percent and people with larger recreational vehicles with more appliances have not been asked to help defray the costs.

“During these very difficult economic times, the taxpayers of Suffolk County should not be subsidizing ‘So he was recreational activities on as disappointed that high a level as we had been in the parks. We have not raised the Legislature user fees in our parks for seven went in that years. There’s just a sense of fairness in asking people who direction.’ are engaged in recreational ac— LEVY SPOKESMAN tivities to at least keep up with inflationary prices.”

Dan Aug, a spokesman for Levy, said Levy was proud to have not raised park fees for five years.

“So he was disappointed that the Legislature went in that direction,” Aug said. “At the same time, however, he’s pleased that the museum will be open and operating for a period of time, that will allow all parties to endeavor to find a long-term solution leading to continued operation of the facility.”

Though he is for the county propping up the Vanderbilt, Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-North Babylon) voted to sustain Levy’s veto, he said, “because this is not the ‘And in these time to be raising park fees times, where were — when the economy is in free fall and the fees would be we going to find paid by those who could least the money?’ afford to pay it.”

D’Amaro also questioned — LEGISLATOR the wisdom of relying on a VIVIAN VILORIA-FISHER short-term solution: the park fee windfall is only for one year. “They’re going to need funding well beyond that one-year period,” he opined.

Also, whether higher park fees actually yield more county revenue remains to be seen. It might be that fewer people use the parks as a result, he said.

Another of his concerns is that the Vanderbilt won’t see any of the funding until late summer, after people have been using the parks for a few months. “Based on the testimony I’ve heard at the Legislature from the Vanderbilt representatives, their cash flow crunch is occurring now. To wait three, four or five months is not going to help them.”

Still, Carol Ghiorsi Hart, executive director of the museum, sounded upbeat about the Legislature’s vote. “We are very, very happy here at the Vanderbilt that we will be able to keep all our doors open to the public through the end of the year.”

In the meantime, the museum is fundraising with the help of the recently established Friends of the Vanderbilt group. Behind the scenes, museum trustees are working to secure corporate and foundation support and apply for grants.

“We’re trying to develop some special event programs to bring in more visitors,” she said. “We do expect our attendance to go up as people stay closer to home. We’re going to be offering more of what we do so well.”

Hart has high hopes for a new summer program for children called Wizard University.

“Our site with the planetarium as well as the historic mansion with the collections is the perfect site to really excite the mind in imaginative ways and teach real science and history but in a fun way.”

What’s more, the museum has added vending ma-

chines and is exploring food service options, like partnering with local restaurants or catering facilities.

However, there is one revenue stream that is down this season — catered weddings. Fewer couples booked their weddings there this season. “Because weddings are planned usually a year ahead, it’s going to be hard to make that up.”

Viloria-Fisher sees her bill as a win-win solution.

“The point here is that whether or not we passed this bill, we would have had to put some money into the Vanderbilt,” she said. “What this bill does is prevent us from having a hole in our budget. We have a commitment to keep the Vanderbilt alive. We would have had to find the money somewhere else. And in these times, where were we going to find the money?”

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File photo

The Vanderbilt’s gardens are just one of its attractions. A museum and planetarium fascinate visitors as well.

MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A11

Parks fee hikes approved over CE Levy’s veto

munity organizations, and government, who work together to achieve regional I never thought I would say that goals. We desperately need this kind of Long Islanders don’t have enough of an alliance here.

That will require leadership, which attitude.

But I do think that we may be lack- Long Island has, and also collaboraing something that is holding our region tion, which we can learn. But perhaps it starts with that attitude I was speaking back. Let me explain.

The latest Long Island Index has about. We need an outlook that sees a problem and says, “This is just come out, and our reunacceptable. We have to gion continues to trend What every fix it.” downward. Our economy The Index’s new study is plagued by a dearth of Long Islander of education on Long Isventure capital, job growth should know land, for example, reveals mainly in low-paying seca system that spends enortors, increases in food stamp • mous amounts of money recipients and free lunch A series and still fails to provide participants. It’s not just the presented by the thousands of our kids with recession: in relation to the Long Island Index the learning they need to rest of the country, Long Issucceed. We need an atland incomes have been lostitude that says, “That has ing ground for years.

At the same time, we’re not build- to change.”

We know all too well that our lack of ing the kind of housing we need, nor preserving open space at the levels that housing options is driving young peowill maintain our quality of life. Overall, ple away, splitting families, and shackin the six years that the Index has pro- ling our economy. It’s time we agreed, vided metrics, we have seen little or no “Enough talk. Let’s get this solved.”

Long Island’s 100-plus downtowns improvement.

Most disturbing of all is that we’re do- and village centers offer enormous potential to provide new housing options, ing so little to reverse these trends.

Other regions take action to correct ease the brain drain, maximize existtheir problems. When Silicon Valley ing infrastructure, relieve pressure on identified a shortage of affordable hous- roads and open space, and spur busiing, they instituted new incentive pro- ness development.

Patchogue has shown what can be grams and permitting procedures. The result: in seven years the average density done. Long Island should be making four or five Patchogues happen every of new development more than tripled.

When San Diego saw its economy year. Working together we can do that. devastated by post-cold-war defense cuts, We can transform our region: why not, if they developed a plan to connect univer- other regions have?

“A new era” is a state of mind. A consity researchers with entrepreneurs to incubate new businesses in emerging, high- viction. It’s partly “Yes, we can”; but it’s tech industries. The result: San Diego is also, “Yes, we must.”

Nancy Rauch Douzinas is president of now the world’s 36th largest economy: between Portugal and Venezuela! The re- the Rauch Foundation and convener of gion ranks fifth in the world in attracting the Long Island Index. The Index provides data about the Long Island region, in orventure capital.

The vehicles of successful change like der to promote informed public debate this are regional alliances: coalitions of and sound policy making. For more inforleaders from business, academia, com- mation visit www.longislandindex.org.

BY NANCY RAUCH DOUZINAS vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

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Mulvihill-Lynch dancers are regionally, nationally and internationally recognized champions on the competitive circuit. Students have won solo medals at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, the North American Irish Dance Championships, the All-Scotland Championships, the Great Britain Championships, the British National Championships, the All-Ireland and World Irish Dance Championships. Mulvihill-Lynch dancers have also won numerous regional and national gold, silver and bronze medals in team figure dancing.

As well as competing all over the world, the Mulvihill-Lynch dancers also display their talents at events throughout Long Island and

contribute many hours to our local communities, performing for a number of senior and youth organizations.

The school stresses the importance of giving back to the community and donates their performances at various special fundraisers throughout the year. Classes are currently offered for children, teens and adults.

On Friday, March 20, the school is hosting a fundraiser for their own dancers at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. “An Irish Journey” is a showcase of dance, tradition, and Irish spirit. Proceeds of the show will benefit the 31 local Suffolk County dancers who will be traveling to the World Irish Dance Championships in April to compete amongst thousands of other dancers in both solo and team competitions. The dancers are raising money for travel expenses, entry fees, and new dance costumes.

The show starts at 8 pm and tickets are $30 per person. Please contact the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center at 288-1500 or the MulvihillLynch School at 738-1242 for further information.

Active in 80 nations, Church World Service organizes local disaster relief

BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com

The international humanitarian organization, Church World Service, has a new home in Port Jefferson.

The organization works to alleviate hunger and poverty around the world through local initiatives. For the first time in its 60-year history, CWS has set up shop on Long Island, said Kathleen Lahey, CWS assistant director in the tri-state region.

The goal, Lahey said, is to “empower people with self-sustaining practices” rather than simply providing food and materials.

Lahey, a Port Jefferson resident for several years, said CWS was founded shortly after World War II when midwestern farmers with abundant crops transported food to Europe and Asia to help “keep people alive.” The organization eventually began hosting “crop walks” to raise funds for its services and recently became one of five disaster relief agencies authorized by Congress, she said, a status that permits the organization to respond immediately whenever disaster strikes.

In addition to providing dayto-day necessities, CWS, which is active in over 80 countries,

is organized to help people in need create their own local disaster relief agencies, Lahey said.

The organization also serves as a bridge connecting those who want to help with those who need help.

“Wherever there’s a disaster, there’s CWS,” Lahey said. “It’s about grabbing people who want to make a difference and doing something.”

According to Lahey, who first learned of CWS during relief efforts for victims of the massive 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the organization is run by volunteers who assemble survival kits for disaster refugees, for example, school kits that include pencils, scissors and rulers; hygiene kits with towels, combs,

Kathleen Lahey of Port Jefferson

soap and toothbrushes; baby kits with diapers, undershirts, washcloths, blankets and sweaters; and emergency cleanup buckets that include buckets, sponges, soap, cleaning towels, gloves and masks.

Between January and March of last year, CWS distributed 10,010 kits in Indonesia, 8,645 kits in Mongolia and 2,250 kits in Ethiopia, according to information provided by the assistant director. The organization also delivered 2,361 kits to Arkansas, 540 kits to New Mexico and 405 kits each to Illinois and Florida.

Volunteers continue to travel to New Orleans to aid persons still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, said Lahey, who visited Louisiana about a year ago. “I cried all week,” Lahey said, noting that the conditions in some areas are still “heartbreaking.” CWS also offers a refugee program that aids victims of humanitarian crises, she added, such as the one that currently exists in Gaza.

To fund their work, CWS volunteers host “crop walks” throughout the year, following the motto “We walk because they walk,” Lahey said. Last year, over 200 Brookhaven Town residents participated in a three-

Photos courtesy of Kathleen Lahey

Volunteers from all over Long Island gathered last year in the Port Jefferson home of Kathleen Lahey to assemble school, hygiene and baby kits for people in need.

mile Brookhaven crop walk that raised $10,000, while a total of $119,000 was raised throughout Long Island, the largest amount to date.

And despite the organization’s Christian identity, CWS aids all people, Lahey said. “Whoever needs help, we’re there.” A quarter of all funds raised stays local, she said. In a world with more than 14 million refugees, CWS focuses on those who are “marginalized,” such as women and children, Lahey said.

Lahey was named assistant

director last July after volunteering for six years. She said her husband, Danny, and children Kaci, 22, Matthew, 14, and Evan, 12, have all been involved with the humanitarian organization.

“Every time you turn the news on, everywhere is so horrible,” Lahey said. The work Church World Service does “makes you feel better,” Lacey explained and praised all the volunteers for their “amazing effort” and commitment.

For more information visit www.churchworldservice.org.

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MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A13

Global relief agency has new base in Port Jeff

PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

Legals NOTICE TO BIDDERS SETAUKET FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN SUFFOLK COUNTY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Setauket Fire District will receive sealed bids from parties interested in purchasing the following vehicle(s): 1994 Dodge, Model 2500 Pickup (white) Mileage 105,900 And/or 1995 Dodge, Model 2500 4X4 Rack Truck (white) Mileage 90,555 Vehicles being sold “AS IS”.

Minimum bid is $3000 per vehicle.

Interested parties may inspect the vehicle at Fire District Headquarters at 190 Main Street, Setauket, during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays only. Please telephone the Fire District office at (631) 941-4900 ext. 1024 to make an appointment.

Bids shall be submitted in a sealed opaque envelope clearly marked with the description of the vehicle for which you are submitting a bid.

Sealed bids will be received until Wednesday April 1, at 12 noon prevailing time at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bids are to be submitted to the Setauket Fire District, 190 Main Street, Setauket, New York 11733.

The Setauket Fire District reserves the right to consider the bids for sixty (60) days after the date of receiving bids, waive any informalities or to reject any or all bids submitted and to award the contract to that bidder whose bid, in the opinion of the Setauket Fire District will be the most advantageous to the Fire District. © 2009 Fitness Together

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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

BY ORDER OF BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS SETAUKET FIRE DISTRICT 122 3/12 1x vth

NOTICE TO BIDDERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Setauket Fire District, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, sealed bids for interior renovations at the Setauket Fire District, District Facility located at 26 Hulse Road, East Setauket, New York will be received at the office of the Board of Fire Commissioners located at 190 Main Street, Setauket, NY 11733 until 12:00 p.m. (prevailing time) on the 27th day of march 2009, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bids will be submitted in sealed envelopes at the above address and shall bear on the face thereof the name and address of the bidder as well as the specific contract(s) number(s) bid on, as set forth below. All bids must be submitted on forms furnished by the Setauket Fire District, in accordance with the specifications and instructions to Bidders.

Bids solicited as part of the Notice shall be for the following: General Construction, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Work.

Detailed plans, specifications and all bid documents regarding the project will be available in electronic format during normal business hours, commencing at noon on March 13, 2009 at the office of the District’s Architect/Engineer:

A deposit of Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars via check made payable to the Setauket Fire District, shall be required for each disc of electronic bid documents obtained. Bidders shall receive a full refund for each disc returned in good condition within thirty (30) calendar days after the bid award or rejection date.

A Bid Bond or certified check (payable to the Setauket Fire District) in the amount of at least five (5%) percent of the base bid must accompany each bid. A full performance bond, together with payment bonds, shall be required of the successful bidder.

The contract for the above item will be awarded by the Board of Fire Commissioners to the lowest responsible bidder. In cases where two or more responsible bidders submit identical bids as to price, the Board of Fire Commissioners may award the contract to either of such bidders. The Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to reject all bids and re-advertise for new bids in its discretion and/or to waive any informality in any bid which it deems immaterial in nature.

No bidder may withdraw its bid within sixty (60) days of the bid opening.

Dated: March 6, 2009

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SETAUKET FIRE DISTRICT Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York By: CYNTHIA HUBBARD, Secretary 123 3/12 1x vth

NOTICE OF RESOLUTION ADOPTED SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Setauket Fire District, at a regular meeting thereof, held on March 5, 2009, duly adopted the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the provisions of the General Municipal Law and the Town Law of the State of New York, that a sum not to exceed $800,000.00 be expended from the Building Reserve Fund of the Fire District for the purpose of constructing and acquiring certain capital improvements at the new administrative office building of the Setauket Fire District located at 26 Hulse Road, Setauket, New York, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution is adopted subject to a permissive referendum as provided in the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Fire District shall, within ten working days of the adoption of this resolution, publish a notice within the official newspaper of the Fire District setting forth the date of the adoption of the resolution and an abstract of the resolution concisely stating the purpose and effect thereof and that the resolution was adopted subject to a permissive referendum.

Dated: March 6, 2009

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SETAUKET DISTRICT Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York By: CYNTHIA HUBBARD Fire District Secretary 124 3/12 1x vth

Holzmacher McLendon & Murrell, P.C. 575 Broad Hollow Road Melville, NY 11747 Phone: 631-756-8000 Fax: 631-694-4122

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 INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF OLD FIELD PUBLIC NOTICE TO BIDDERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT sealed proposals will be received by the Incorporated Village of Old Field, New York, on or before April 6, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Village Hall, 207 Old Field Road, Setauket. The bids will be publicly opened and read, and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for: (1) Stone Revetment Constructed of 290 LF; (2) Erosion and Sediment Control Measures; (3) Seeding and Site Restoration.

A detailed list of the required work can be examined at the Office of the Village Clerk at Village Hall, on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 P.M..

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Incorporated Village of Old Field, New York.

118 3/12 1x vth

MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A15

PEOPLE SBU professor receives young investigator award Adrianus (Ando) W. M. van der Velden, Ph.D., of Setauket, assistant professor in the departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology; Pathology; and Center for Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, is a 2008 recipient of the Astellas Young Investigator Award. Sponsored by the Astellas USA Foundation, the award is given to only two individuals each year and provides funding to scientists who have demonstrated outstanding research in any current area of interest within the field of infectious diseases.

Dr. van der Velden is investigating the mammalian T cell response to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), intracellular bacteria that are a leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality in humans. Jointly given by the Infectious Diseases Society of America Education & Research Foundation and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the award provides Dr. van der Velden with a one-year $50,000 grant to continue his research.

The goal of his experiments funded by the Astellas Young Investigator Award is to further characterize the mechanism by which S. Typhimurium inhibit T cells. Dr. van der Velden expects that through new experiments he will be able to identify and characterize a T cell inhibitor produced or induced during bacterial infection. The research could lead to the development of new therapeutics or vaccines for the treatment and prevention of human diseases caused

by S. Typhimurium, and possibly other microbial pathogens.

Stieglitz joins Phi Eta Sigma Josh Stieglitz, a freshman at the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University, has been invited to join Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman scholastic honor society.

The requirements for membership in this organization are very high, an average of 3.5 or better. Only about 3 percent of the students in the freshman class attain this honor each year. Stieglitz is the son of Sally and Paul Stieglitz of Stony Brook, and a 2008 graduate of Ward Melville High School.

Barbakoff on dean’s list at Northwestern University Jessica M. Barbakoff of East Setauket has been named to the dean’s list for the fall quarter at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She is the daughter of Beth and Jay Barbakoff, and is a 2008 high honor graduate of Ward Melville High School. Students on the dean’s list have attained a grade point average of at least 3.70.

Fafard on dean’s list at Canisius College Nicole Fafard of East Setauket, Class of 2009 at Canisius College in Buffalo, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester.

She is a senior majoring in special education grades 1 to 6 and childhood grades 1 to 6.

Approximately 15 percent of undergraduates qualified for the dean’s list.

Gelinas Jr. High School team brings cheer The P.J. Gelinas Jr. High School cheerleaders recently visited Sunrise Assisted Living in East Setauket. The girls performed dances and cheers for the residents and as gave them handmade Valentine cards. Everyone had a great time! Pictured: Gracie Barressi, Ruby Barressi, Charlotte Christie, Devin Dever, Justine DiPasquale, Chandler Godt, Brooke Goldstein, Deanna Goldstone, Samantha Hoffman, Dayna Lewis, Ashley Meoni, Alexa Sauro, Riley Smith and Coach Sharon Gatz-Philbrick.

Making fitness a family affair Through their participation in the school’s Fitness and Nutrition bag pilot, second-grade students at Minnesauke Elementary School are learning that the life skills emphasized in their character education lessons go hand in hand with physical activity and healthy eating. The initiative, which was created by health teacher Kristina Fiore-Rosenfeld to increase families’ awareness of their children’s fitness and nutrition needs, enables students to “adopt” a FAN bag for the weekend. Each of the 14 bags includes one main fitness activity, as well as several smaller fitness activities, relating to the life skill being emphasized. This initiative was funded with the help of the school’s Site-Based Team. Second-grade students from Karen Kessler’s class are pictured with Fiore-Rosenfeld as they receive their FAN bags.

Courtesy Jennifer Finn, Syntax Communication

Obituaries ary attendant. When he left there he found employment at the Manhattan Veterans Hospital as a supervisor of the mortuary for 10 years. In 1965 George began working in the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office under Dr. Sidney Weinberger. In 1962 he was offered a position at SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine as a research associate in the Department of Anatomical Sciences. The of the medical school, George Boykin Jr. dean Dr. Marvin Kushner, encourGeorge Ashley Boykin Jr. aged George to extend his was born on April 2, 1930 services to the Department of in Baltimore, Md. He was Pathology. He was responsible the oldest child of George A. for the coordination of the Boykin Sr. and Lillian Delgross anatomy and autopsy saver Boykin. George has two service at the hospital. brothers, Lowell and Cubin, Because of his extensive and one sister, Lillian. expertise, many hospitals in George spent his formathe area sought his assistance. tive years in Baltimore. After The National Hormone and high school George furthered Pituitary gland program cited his education at the New George for his contribution York Academy of Embalmin the treatment of children ing and Restoration. After with growth disorders. The graduating from the academy state Assembly, Congress and George entered the U.S. Army many in the community have and served as a medic in the commended George for his Korean War. service. In 1987 George was Upon leaving the Army nominated for the National George continued his career Volunteer Award by President in the New York Medical Ronald Reagan.

Examiner’s Office as a mortuGeorge was involved in

the SAINTs program on the SUNY campus; liaison and community coordinator for the Black Faculty & Staff Association with Dr. Frances Brisbane; on the board of the Parish Resource Center; second vice president of the Brookhaven NAACP; commander of the Irving Hart American Legion Post 1776; on the advisory board of the Elsie Owens North Brookhaven Health Center at Coram; and honorary member of the Suffolk Pathological Society.

George A. Boykin Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Hilde; his daughter Tracy and her husband Stephen; two granddaughters, Georgiana and Danielle; brother Cubin and his wife Carene; sisterin-law Edith; and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held at Bethel AME Church on Feb. 24, with the Rev. Gregory Leonard officiating.

Mr. Boykin was afforded full military honors at Calverton National Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

Barbara Muller Barbara J. Muller, 66, of East Setauket died on March 3. She was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of Chester J. and Helen Pesta. She worked for many years as a billing clerk for St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson. Her great passion was listening to Elvis.

Mrs.Muller is survived by her husband, Kenneth R. Muller; daughters, Debbie Anne Ferrari and Joyce D’Alo; son, Kenneth J. Muller; her father, Chester J. Pesta; seven grandchildren; and sisters, Maryanne Muller and Dorothy Bieshelt. She was preceded in death by her mother.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Infant Jesus R.C. Chapel at St. Charles Hospital Chapel. Committal was private.

Contributions made to the Pediatric Care Unit, attn. Jeri Sigwart, Stony Brook University Medical Center, PICU Hospital Level # 11, Room 101, Stony Brook, NY 11794 would be appreciated.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

Gov. David Paterson announced Feb. 27 that the largest solar energy project in New York State history is moving forward on Long Island, increasing the state’s total solar energy production threefold. The 50 megawatt project would provide enough power to sustain more than 6,500 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20,000 tons per year.

“This project is not only the largest of its kind in state history,” said Paterson at a press conference at Brookhaven National Laboratory, “it is also one of the first of its kind in our nation, proving once again that New York is at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.” Paterson estimates that clean energy projects across the state will create 50,000 new jobs.

Long Island Power Authority officials said the results of a competitive procurement process resulted in the selection of BP Solar to provide 36.9 MW of solar energy, hosted at BNL. Additionally, enXco will supply 13.1 MW of solar energy from facilities constructed and operated on municipal, school and private properties across Long Island.

LIPA will start negotiations with both developers for 50 MW of solar photovoltaic energy through a power purchase agreement for terms of 20 years with deliveries to begin between June of this

year and May of 2011. The solar energy will be produced by the selected developers of the solar photovoltaic systems and will be purchased by LIPA. “I commend Governor Paterson for challenging LIPA to find ways to harness the power of the sun,” said Kevin Law, president and CEO of LIPA. “This project will diversify Long Islands energy portfolio, strengthen the local economy, transform the solar photovoltaic marketplace and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.”

To support the LIPA solar initiative, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will provide LIPA with $15 million and will continue to work with LIPA to identify other funds that may be eligible for use

by LIPA to support the project.

“This investment is a critical component of Governor Paterson’s 45 by 15 initiative,” said Francis Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA, “meeting 45 percent of the state’s electricity requirements through a combination of energy efficiency and renewable sources by the year 2015.”

“LIPA’s plan to purchase 50 MW of solar electricity is substantial,” said Julia Hamm, executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association. Hamm said as of the end of 2007, only three electric utilities in the U.S. had 30 or more megawatts of solar electricity on their grids.

Continued from page A1 member and securer of the $713,000 federal earmark. “With a push of a button I can control every part of my life,” Israel said. “We want to ensure that ratepayers and businesses have the same control over their energy costs.”

LIPA has included $3 million for Smart meters in its 2009 capital budget and an additional $5 million to expand the program in 2010 and 2011, according to authority officials. But at a cost of $250 to $300 per meter, a larger revenue source will be necessary to encompass all approximately three million LIPA ratepayers in the smart grid, Law added. He said LIPA also plans to seek a portion of the $4.5 billion fund for energy-efficient grids in the recently passed federal stimulus bill.

It’s unrealistic to expect a local power authority to have the funding “to cover all the financial risk” of a large-scale investment in Smart grid technologies, Israel said.

Particularly beneficial in a global recession, the $713,000 federal investment will not only cut fossil fuel use and save consumers money, but also create jobs — manufacturing and servicing the Smart meters — in the green-energy industry Israel is working to establish on Long Island, he said.

The House of Representatives has passed the appropriations bill, and President Barack Obama indicated his willingness to sign it, but the Senate had yet to vote on it as of Monday. Israel said he anticipated that the chamber would pass the spending bill by the end of the week. “If the Senate would do a little more working and a little less talking, we could deliver the check to LIPA immediately,” the congressman said.

Israel’s $713,000 would mark the first time the power authority has received

P0 Box 1538, Stony Brook, NY 11790-0610 (631) 246-TVBB (8822) • www. 3vbb. org

Different Name...

SPRING REGISTRATION

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The Three Village Baseball & Softball League is the largest provider of baseball and softball in the Three Village area. It covers boys and girls from 5 (PK) to 17 years old and plays exclusively within the Three Village area.

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get all the latest news, info, opinion, blogs and more for your local Three Village community ©76764

Spring registration is now almost over. You should have received a registration form in your child’s backpack in January. If you did not receive the registration form, you can go onto our website at www.3vbb.org to download the form and mail it in to the PO Box ASAP. Regular registration ends on March 15 therefore any registrations received after that date will have an increase in fees.

The annual skills evaluations for junior divisions (3rd grade) and older, baseball and softball, are being held at Gelinas JHS on March 14th (2–5pm) and March 15 (9am to noon). You must be evaluated on one of those dates. Special requests will not be honored unless your child participates in the skills evaluations.

The evaluations take approximately 45 minutes to complete. You may register at that time if you have not already done so.

We still need Intramural and Travel Sponsors We have extended the deadline to get your company name on a banner until March 31, 2009! Please visit our website to find out more information!

The last managers/coaches meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm on Monday, March 30 at Murphy JHS in the cafeteria. We are also having our second umpires meeting in the cafeteria at 7:30pm.

This year’s sportsmanship presentation is scheduled for 7:30pm on April 1 at Murphy JHS. If your child is in the first grade or older and you have not seen the program, one parent per household must attend this presentation in order for your child to be eligible to participate in the league. This is an important part of the league. It enables each parent the opportunity to come down to each game without having to be stressed out from overzealous parents or coaches. This is what separates our league for any other on Long Island!

Lastly, as we continue to grow in size, we are in need of more help on the board.

Please consider volunteering and really making a difference!

Providing quality organized baseball and softball to children in the Three Village area since 1969

federal funding, Law said. Nor has the state traditionally subsidized LIPA, although the authority recently secured $50 million through NYSERDA for solar panel installation, said Vice President of Communications Ed Dumas.

The Smart meter funding was announced in the Hauppauge Industrial Park at Globecomm, one of the first participants in the pilot. The telecommunications infrastructure provider’s CEO, David Hershberg, described the firm’s Smart meter as a “win-win” for his shareholders, who will benefit from lower electric bills, and the local environment, which faces fewer emissions from fossil fuels burned to generate the voltage.

“We spend a lot of money on power,” Hershberg said. “Hopefully with this [meter] we’ll spend a little less.”

Through the pilot, LIPA officials said they plan to measure two different Smart communication technologies’ ability to collect meter information and share it and pricing signals with customers in “near real time,” as well as its ability to detect system conditions — including load and usage — and remotely control equipment situated along the grid.

“Through a secured website, Smart meters will allow LIPA customers to see how much electricity they are using and at what rate … encouraging them to change the pattern of how they use electricity with an eye toward lowering their demand, becoming more energy efficient and lowering their bills,” according to a LIPA release.

Smart meters will not only increase energy-use awareness for the consumer, but also for LIPA — boosting its troubleshooting capabilities, Law said. For example, the authority would be able to tell a location had lost power without the customer calling to report it.

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PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

Largest NY solar energy project ever coming to BNL

Smart meters

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MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A17

SPORTS Swimmers excel at state meet BOYS’ SWIMMING

BY FRANK DOWD katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Five of the strongest boys’ swimmers in Section XI invaded the Nassau Aquatics Center last weekend to take part in the annual state championship meet.

Ward Melville senior captain Austin Brennan proudly represented his school, while the others competed independently. He recorded his personal bests in both the 100-yard backstroke (55.43) and 100-yard butterfly (53.68). Brennan will attend Geneseo next year.

Other athletes competing were Port Jefferson senior Jeff Capobianco, Mount Sinai seniors Kevin Smit and Thomas Luchsinger, and Rocky Point freshman Matt Dutton.

After not performing well at the 2008 state meet, Capobianco was determined to have a better outcome this year. In his appearance last season, he finished the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 54.0.

“It was a tough meet for him,” said Barry Roffer, who coaches these five boys at the Three Village Swim Club. “He really stepped up this year.”

Capobianco did just that, finishing eighth in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 51.83, a new personal best. He passed his old time of 52.79. “He swam very, very well,” said Roffer.

Capobianco will swim for Lehigh University next year. “He will be a good

Photo by Peter Smit

Five local boys, including (l-r) Ward Melville’s Austin Brennan, Port Jefferson’s Jeff Capobianco, Mount Sinai’s Kevin Smit, Rocky Point’s Matt Dutton, and Mount Sinai’s Thomas Luchsinger, competed in the New York State swimming championships on March 6-7 at Nassau Aquatic Center.

addition to their program,” Roffer said.

With a time of 1:59.65 in the 200-yard individual medley, Smit broke two minutes for the first time. He also competed in the 500-yard freestyle event where he finished in 4:44.05, dropping six seconds off of his time. Smit worked his way back from a knee surgery last summer. “He did a really nice job,” said Roffer.

Section XI Good Sportsman of the Year award winner Tom Luchsinger made the Mount Sinai community proud of his performance at states. He was a Co-Most Valuable Swimmer of the meet, as he set state records in both the 100-yard butterfly (48.38) and 200-yard freestyle (1:37.13).

Roffer was impressed with Luchsing-

er’s performance. “He had to swim with an open-back suit and still won,” he said.

“He showed a lot of guts and courage.”

Dutton made his first appearance at states. He completed the 100-yard butterfly in 54.40. Roffer believes that Dutton has a bright future in the pool. “He is a very good swimmer,” he said. “He’ll be back the next couple of years.”

Runners take on New York State competition 1,000-meter race in 2:56.96. Turek finished second in NYSPHSAA and third in the federation. “It was a good Some of the top athletes from winter track competed day for her,” Dwyer said.

He continued, “The meet went well. The most imlast weekend at the New York State championships, which were held at Cornell University in Ithaca. Many set records, portant thing is that Janie and Janet are looking forward to the nationals this weekend coming up.” earned awards and came away with personal best scores.

Also competing was Smithtown East senior Ashley Competing for Ward Melville were senior Ashley O’Shea, freshman Caroline O’Hea and sophomore Mary Beck. Beck is only the second athlete in the past 23 years Kate Anselmini. O’Shea competed in the 1,500-meter to represent her school in the high jump competition. “She is a great athlete,” said Smithtown East race/walk, finishing in second place assistant coach Helen Flynn.

(7:05.37) to Valley Stream junior Emilija Beck cleared 5-2, but when it went up Vaskyte (7:05.03). Port Jefferson’s Lisa to 5-4, she clipped the bar with her foot.

Kutzing holds the state record of 6:28.20, GIRLS’ TRACK If she had been successful at that height, which was set back in 1998. it would have been a personal best for O’Hea competed in the 3,000-meher. “She did very well,” Flynn said. “It ter run, clocking in at 10:22.11. Shelby Greaney of Suffern won the event at 9:53.99. Anselmini was amazing.” Beck, who is also a gymnast, will compete in the track and field heptathlon event for Sacred Heart came in ninth place in the 1,000-meter run in 3:03.77.

Mount Sinai senior Christi Nassauer entered the state University next year.

Shoreham-Wading River senior Ashley Clasen competition as the Suffolk County pole vault champion.

Last weekend, she placed 17th in both the New York State placed fift h in the shot put. After she qualified with her Federation and public high schools with a jump of 9-0. After best score (41-0) at the qualifying meet, Clasen threw clearing the first two jumps with ease, Nassauer missed one 39-06.75 at states. Last summer, she won the national at 9-9. “This is the highest level meet she has competed in,” discus title. Clasen is ranked fourth nationally in the 20-pound weight throw and will be competing in that said Mount Sinai head coach Bill Dwyer. “She did well.”

Mount Sinai junior Janet Mellor placed sixth in the state event at two upcoming national competitions. She has for the 300-meter dash with a time of 40.85, which was received a scholarship to East Carolina University.

“I think she’s going to the right place because the also good for a ninth place finish in the federation. “This coach at East Carolina is an excellent throwing coach,” was her best time for this indoor season,” said Dwyer.

Mount Sinai sophomore Janie Turek came away said Shoreham head coach Paul Koretzki. “It’s a great with both silver and bronze medals, as she ran the combination. She’s an outstanding worker.”

BY FRANK DOWD

katsports@tbrnewspapers.com

Future is bright

Courtesy of USATF

Hunter Owens, an eighth-grader at Gelinas Junior High School, qualified for the cross country National Junior Olympics.

PAGE A18 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 12, 2009

OPINION Income tax assistance for lower income residents

EDITORIAL Be careful with our parks We have radically mixed feelings regarding County Executive Steve Levy’s plan unveiled last week to seek corporate sponsorships and advertising at county facilities — in the name, of course, of addressing his particular level of government’s fiscal woes. Granted, thinking outside the box is needed and welcomed in times of crisis, and we have no doubt this proposal qualifies under that label. If Levy can tap into a significant pot of gold to keep taxpayers from reaching deeper into their pockets at precisely the time when they can least afford it, terrific — up to a point.

Levy’s proposal is to solicit “targeted marketing” at county parks, golf courses, campgrounds and hiking trails. His request seeks offers of “advertising, displays, signs or corporate sponsorships throughout the county’s expansive parks and recreation system.” Responses are to be directed to the Suffolk County Naming Rights Committee — we didn’t know either that the county had such an animal.

Our ambivalence toward Levy’s idea comes in the breadth of his request. Golf courses already consist of acres of advertising, beginning at the pro shop but included in every foursome walking the fairways — golfers decked out in their Titlist Golf Ball caps and Jack Nicklaus shirts and carrying their Wilson golf bag with the large logo proclaiming that golfer’s choice and who willingly provides free advertising for the company. A modest sized billboard on the trail to the first tee; a logo attached to each ball washer; some golf attire clothing company name displayed across the front of each golf cart — why not?

The advertising is already there, encourage more of it to ease the burden on the citizenry, possibly providing the funding needed to keep the courses operating.

But — billboards in campgrounds and along hiking trails? We don’t think so. The whole idea, is it not, of those facilities is to get away from the norm, from civilization so to speak, for a few hours or days. The last thing any nature-loving hiker would tolerate along her favorite trail through some of the few pristine acres still left on Long Island is an advertisement for hiking boots staring her in the face at the beginning of her walk.

Campers and hikers are trying to get away from it all, not just most. We urge the county executive to tread very carefully into this new venture. Let’s not ruin the valuable county facilities he’s trying to save. Let’s not sell out completely to the corporate mentality that says everything — the Mets new home, the Ducks ballfield, Jones Beach theater and the rest — must have an international corporate giant’s name plastered on the side of it. (We shall miss Shea Stadium, named for — would you believe — a person?!)

Be careful, Mr. Levy, how you treat our parks, our woods, our open spaces.

I think that I shall never see, A billboard lovely as a tree.

Perhaps, unless the billboards fall, I’ll never see a tree at all.

With the April 15 deadline for tax season right In 2007, 154 Suffolk residents filed returns through around the corner, now is the time to be thinking about this program, with 98 qualifying for the EITC totalwhere to go to file your taxes so that you can get the ing more than $181,000. In many cases volunteers also largest possible refund from the feddiscover a number of other benefits, such eral and state governments. For many, as a federal Child Tax Credit or educathis means finding a good accountant tion credits, that applicants were eligible or buying the latest income tax comfor but did not know about. puter software, but what do those lower In total, federal refunds of more than and moderate income individuals do? $261,000 and state refunds of more than Fortunately, Suffolk County offers them $83,000 were filed for enrollees in the expert income tax advice absolutely free. program, an average return of $2,237.

In 2004, I authorized our DepartThe good news for all is that this ment of Labor to become a certified Volrefund money goes back to Suffolk resiunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) dents, and therefore back into the local site for lower and moderate income economy. residents in order to assist them with I highly recommend all eligible Suffiling and to counsel them on the EITC folk residents taking advantage of this (Earned Income Tax Credit) and other program as soon as possible to ensure

BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE tax credits. they receive the greatest refund possible.

STEVE LEVY Our estimates show that over 20,000 VITA volunteers will be able to assist Suffolk residents who are eligible for residents now through April 15 at the the Earned Income Tax Credit scheme do not apply Labor Department’s One-Stop Employment Center, 725 for them. Oftentimes people can’t navigate through all Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge. Although the tax forms and schedules to claim this money that walk-ins are handled, appointments are preferred and is rightfully theirs. Or, they are not aware of other tax bilingual service is available. Residents can call 853credits and benefits they are eligible for.

6544 for further information.

Your turn

Plenty of substance TO THE EDITOR: As someone who reads the Times Beacon Record newspapers regularly, it seemed to me after reading last week’s editorial (“Substance please,” March 5), that you do not read your own newspaper nearly as carefully.

You charge that both candidates for Brookhaven supervisor have not shared substance with the voters.

Yet, your own coverage of Democrat Mark Lesko demonstrates that in just two months as a candidate, he has been running a very substantive campaign on the issues.

You reported on Mark’s Brookhaven Initiative for Growth (BIG) plan to create jobs, stimulate the local economy and improve land-use planning in the town (“Brookhaven’s BIG Plan,” Feb. 19). You also reported on Mark’s proposal to crack down on code enforcement and improve quality of life by creating a Brookhaven community court (“Supervisor hopeful calls for community court,” Jan. 29). Your editorial notes that you are interested in learning more about the candidates’ positions on protecting open space. Had you attended Mark’s endorsement event with the Sierra Club on Feb. 23, which was held in Port Jefferson, approximately five minutes from your office, I think you would have been very impressed by the environmental agenda he discussed.

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

Marsha Laufer Setauket Marsha Laufer is chairwoman of the Brookhaven Town Democratic Committee.

Is God your co-pilot?

TO THE EDITOR: This is in response to the letter of last week (“Teach the children well,” March 5) in which the writer seemed to draw a connection between people who don’t think it was God that saved Flight 1549, and people who would back their car into her new one and not even leave a note.

Being a person in the former group but definitely not in the latter, I know she is wrong.

But it made me curious, so I asked Google where the evidence lies: “Do religious people behave better?”

It turned up several references to research by Gregory Paul in 2005 which studied religiosity and social behavior in 18 democracies.

The following reference (from Journal of Religion & Society) quotes Paul, who concluded that, on a societal level, “In general, higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates [venereal disease], teen pregnancy, and abortion,” while “None of the strongly secularized, pro-evolution democracies is experiencing high levels of measurable dysfunction.”

Paul also noted that, similarly, in the United States, the South and Midwest are higher in the above occurrences than are the overall less-religious Eastern states.

Google also spouted research about good behavior on a personal level. It found that people behave better when they think they’re being watched, even if by a pair of eyes printed on a poster. That might explain some of what motivates religious people to behave well. But it also reflects positively on atheists who, when they do their good deeds, do them without the benefit of feeling the eyes of God upon them.

I hope the writer — and everybody who agrees with her — will observe more carefully and maybe rid themselves of the old, destructive notion that the world would be a better place if only those godless folks would get religion.

Sylvia Kirk Port Jefferson

Another classic station DEAR MR. MCKINNEY: I couldn’t agree more with your comments about WQXR and the fading away of classical music on radio (“Classic music struggles to survive,” March 5).

However I wish you had mentioned our other classical music source in Suffolk County, namely WSHU 91.1 FM Public Radio. Our main transmitter and translators cover the whole of Suffolk County, all the way out to Montauk Point. We have classical music programming every weekday from 9 am to 4 pm, and again from 8 pm to 5 am. On Sundays we have Baroque music from 8 am until 1 pm and my own classical program (temporarily hosted by Lauren Rico while I am away) Sunday Matinee, from 1 until 6. This is also broadcast on WSUF 89.9 FM. This is a pretty impressive line up of classical music, I think. You can see details at http://www.wshu.org People sometimes think of us a Connecticut station, but half our listeners and supporters are on Long Island (where I am based) and we have a studio at Suffolk County Community College in Selden. If you get a chance in future, please mention WSHU to your readers. We are non-profit, and need all the listeners we can get!

David Bouchier WSHU essayist and music host

Ogden Nash 1933 The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

When an older man fathers a child, regardless of the age of the mother, there seems to be a small but increased risk that the child may score less well in intelligence tests. And although the risk is still quite small, such a child may also have an increased chance of birth defects and neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorders. These results of a broad scientific study involving 33,500 children born in the United States between 1959 and 1965 are causing a sea change in medical perspective.

Until now, the age of the mother has been considered of paramount importance, especially since the biological clock of women is limited while the ability of men to father children continues as they age. With these results, it would appear that men too have a “clock” that begins ticking in their mid-30s. Evidence suggests that the chance of a successful pregnancy falls slightly after the father turns 35 and more so, although the risk is still quite small, after 40 years of age.

This information is of particular

relevance today, when more men are delaying fatherhood until their 40s. For example, in 1993, in England and Wales, about 25 percent of births within marriage were to fathers ages 35-54, but by 2003, the number had risen to 40 percent. And according to the National Center for Health Statistics in the U.S., in 2004 about 24 in every 1,000 men aged 40-44 fathered a child — an increase of 18 percent from the previous decade.

Further, the children of older mothers in the study tend to fare better in intelligence tests than the children of younger mothers.

John McGrath of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, led the primary study.

“We report, to our knowledge for the first time, that the offspring of older fathers show subtle impairments on a range of neurocognitive tasks during infancy and childhood. The patterns of these findings were relatively consistent across ages and across neurocognitive domains,” according to McGrath. However, there was no further study to show if these

children catch up with their peers later in life.

So what’s going on here?

For starters, women are born with all the cells that will evolve into future eggs. These eggs undergo 22 divisions in the womb. Men, however, produce new sperm cells throughout their lives. By age 20, sperm cells have divided 150 times and by age 50 some 840 times. With division there can be “copy error mutations,” or environmentally induced mutations, which in turn could lead to developmental problems. That could explain why the man’s age at fatherhood is relevant to the outcome of the pregnancy.

Further, children of older mothers, while less at risk from cell mutation, may perform better also because they receive the benefits of a more nurturing home environment. They are on the right side of the heredity/environment question on both counts.

A study recently published in the Archives of General Psychiatry concludes that the offspring of older fathers have a higher risk

of autism than that of younger fathers. If the father is over 40, the risk, though still small, is six times higher than if the father is under 30.

Researchers at Columbia University found that men aged 50 and over are three times as likely to father a child with schizophrenia compared to men 25 and under. And men aged 45-49 are twice as likely to have a child with this illness. The researchers estimated that “as many as one in four cases of schizophrenia may be caused by the age of the father.” This conclusion is based on a study of 88,000 people.

And in Sweden, in a study at the Karolinska Institute, the conclusion was that the older a child’s father, the more likely he or she was to have bipolar disorder.

Children of men 55 years and up were 1.37 times more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder than those of men 20-24. Please note that these are still small risks overall.

The risk of preterm birth increases with paternal age, according to a March

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com

2005 issue of Epidemiology. Because of increased risk of genetic abnormalities in the offspring of older fathers, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has limited semen donors to 40 years or younger, and in the U.K., 39 is the top age.

Men aged 50 and older are four times more likely to have a child with Down syndrome.

Some famous older fathers include the likes of Michael Douglas, Mick Jagger and Rupert Murdoch.

Perhaps society should look more kindly on older women who partner with younger men.

It’s an idea that tickles me.

R.C. Murphy Junior High School wins 1st and 2nd prizes in Science Bowl Teams from R.C. Murphy Junior High School won first and second places at the Regional Middle School Science Bowl held March 7 at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory. One hundred students from 15 Long Island middle schools participated in the question-and-answer academic tournament designed to test students’ knowledge of life science, physical science, mathematics, earth science, and general science.

Commack Middle School won third place in the Science Bowl academic contest, and Long Island Lutheran Middle School won fourth place.

Longwood Junior High School won first place in the hydrogen fuel-cell model car competition, in which students design, build and race model cars using energy from a hydrogen fuel-cell. The team’s car raced down the 10-meter track in 4.37 seconds. The team from Bellport Middle School took second place, with 4.87 seconds to send their car down the track, and Eastport-South Manor Middle School took third place, with their car speeding down the track in 5.0 seconds.

The Regional Science Bowl at Brookhaven Lab is part of the National Science Bowl coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. In 2008, more than 3,000 students participated in 36 regional events throughout the nation. By participating in this Jeopardystyle academic contest and model hydrogen fuel-cell car competition, students are encouraged to excel in science

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With their coaches Robert Haas (right) and Patrick McManus (left) are the R.C. Murphy Junior High School first-place winners of the Middle School Science Bowl at Brookhaven Lab: (from left) John Connor, Akilesh Tangella, Kirpal Kochar, Upasna Malhotra, and Harrison Li.

and math and to pursue careers in those fields.

Each student in the winning teams received a medal, and each winning team received a trophy for its school.

R.C. Murphy Junior High School will represent the Long Island region in the National Science Bowl, which will be held in Washington, D.C., from April 30 to May 5. The U.S. Department of Energy will fund the team’s trip.

One of 10 national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and en-

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vironmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by the Research Foundation of SUNY, for and on behalf of SUNY Stony Brook, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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MARCH 12, 2009 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A19

Male ‘biological clock’ ticking too

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