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Monthly Archives: March 2015

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The upcoming budget vote is at the library on Thompson Street. File photo

The average Port Jefferson resident will pay $10.80 more in library taxes next year, if members approve a proposed $4.33 million budget for 2015-16.

Most of the Port Jefferson Free Library’s expense lines would increase or decrease modestly under the spending plan, according to a budget breakdown from the library. One of the larger changes would be in materials and programs — the library would spend $42,500 less on books next year, for a total of $178,000. Spending on programs, meanwhile, would increase almost $15,000.

In personnel expenditures, salary and retirement costs would both decrease next year, while insurance costs would increase.

Library Director Robert Goykin explained that the decrease in the book budget “is largely the result of many of the expensive print items moving to less expensive electronic versions or publications going out of business,” such as encyclopedias.

While Goykin called it “sad” that those publications are no longer being printed, he said that many of them work well in a digital format because “people don’t read them cover to cover as much as consult them for facts.”

Library Director Robert Goykin says a decrease in spending on books can be partially attributed to reference publications going digital. File photo
Library Director Robert Goykin says a decrease in spending on books can be partially attributed to reference publications going digital. File photo

The director said, “In this case the economics work in our favor despite the fact of losing some ‘old friends’ on the shelf.”

The proposed increase in funding for library programs reflects a higher demand, Goykin said, and more programming in science and technology, which can be more expensive than other areas.

In addition to those budget lines, the library would transfer $107,000 into its capital fund for facility improvements.

The library board of trustees has been working on a strategic plan for how the establishment will serve residents in the future, which includes improving the facilities and deciding what to do with a recently purchased residential property that is located next door on Thompson Street.

“With the plan almost concluded,” Goykin said, “the board wanted to set aside some funding to make improvements in the facility.”

All together, the budget would increase less than 0.6 percent next year, and would carry a roughly $3 million tax levy.

If the proposal is approved, for every $100 of assessed value, residents would have to pay an extra quarter to the library next year. The average house in the community is assessed at $4,500.

“The board and the staff have been very mindful of the difficult economic circumstances of the last number of years,” Goykin said. “This is our fifth straight year of minimal budget increases.”

Voting is at the library on Tuesday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Councilwoman Lynne Nowick is the town board liaison to the Smithtown Animal Shelter. File photo

Their calls for change helped spark the formation of an expert-led animal shelter advisory board, but Smithtown residents still said they felt excluded from the process.

Several residents have flanked each town board meeting over the last several months with aggressive calls for change at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. In response, Town Councilwoman Lynne Nowick (R) announced a new advisory board back in February, soon after taking on the shelter liaison role from Councilman Bob Creighton (R), which included the shelter’s 30-year Director George Beatty, animal welfare experts Lucille DeFina and Diane Madden, and animal welfare attorney Elizabeth Stein. But residents still confronted Nowick at last Thursday’s town board meeting demanding answers as to why there was no Smithtown-based spokesperson involved.

Angela Cano, a Smithtown resident, was only one of several residents to call on Nowick to give Smithtown natives a seat at the advisory table to help shape the shelter’s future. She thanked Nowick for assembling the board, but spoke as a member of a Smithtown mothers’ Facebook group in saying she and her neighbors felt shut out of the process.

“They feel very strongly that while we are thankful for the women on the advisory board, we feel at least one resident should be more involved in what is going on in the shelter,” she said. “There are thousands of people backing that up.”

Nowick defended the advisory board and said they were already making great strides toward addressing accusations and concerns over animal neglect and institutional failure under Beatty’s watch.

“There is a Smithtown resident on the board,” Nowick said, causing a brief moment of confusion throughout the room. “I am a lifetime resident of Smithtown. I believe I have an advisory board that is working.”

Nowick said the board was looking to meet every two weeks until tangible changes are enacted, and each step of the decision-making process would be done publicly.

Liz Downey, a volunteer Humane Society district leader in the state’s 1st Congressional District, defended the advisory group as proof that Smithtown and its elected leaders were serious about shelter reform. She asked the residents of the community to embrace the board and stand behind Nowick rather than challenge her.

“The Smithtown Animal Shelter has already taken the unprecedented step of appointing an advisory council comprised of known animal advocates,” she said. “This is a step that other shelters do not take, proving that the Smithtown Animal Shelter is serious about making changes. Now is the time for advocates who brought the issue to light to roll up their sleeves and work with the council as it reviews, recommends and institutes a plan that better serves the animal[s] moving forward.”

Town Councilman Tom McCarthy (R) also stood behind his colleague and said the town was doing whatever it needed to do to make sure the shelter stepped up its game to the satisfaction of its own animal advocates.
“Everyone on this board is committed to make it a state-of-the-art, best animal shelter on Long Island,” he said.

Currently, Nowick said the town’s Parks Department was working with the town board and Supervisor Patrick Vecchio (R) to help shelter volunteers keep the space clean. She also said any residents who felt they were being disenfranchised from the process could give her office a call at any time to brainstorm potential ideas, or check in on the progress of her advisory board.

“When the board was formed, I didn’t say, ‘Where do you live?’” Nowick said. “I said, ‘What is your background?’ I have faith in the board. They’re doing the job.”

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State Assemblyman Steve Englebright is putting pressure on the knocking down of Pine Barrens forrest in favor of a solar farm. File photo

A new bill protecting children from toxic chemicals is making its way through the state Assembly as elected officials work to keep chemicals out of children’s products.

The bill — commonly known as the Child Safe Products Act — would empower New York State to identify and phase out dangerous chemicals in products marketed to kids, lawmakers said. State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) helped craft the legislation and has been pushing it forward with hopes of keeping young people safe from what they cannot see.

If the legislation is passed, the state would compile a list of high-concern chemicals made up of those known to cause health problems such as cancer, learning and developmental disorders, asthma and more, officials said.

Then, a list of priority chemicals used in children’s products will be drafted for disclosure, lawmakers said.

“This bill addresses issues of poisonous products for children,” Englebright said. “It’s very important to protect the children. And that’s what I intend to do.”

The makers of children’s products would also be required to report their use of priority chemicals in their merchandise after a year, and phase out their use of such chemicals three years later.

Suffolk County Legislator William “Doc” Spencer (D-Centerport) said legislation like this is important because there is always a need to prevent innocent children from being exposed to such harmful chemicals like arsenic, mercury, cadmium, formaldehyde and more.

“Kids are more vulnerable and more likely to put things in their mouth,” Spencer said. “Almost any toy could potentially have toxic chemicals.”

Spencer also said toxic chemicals are found in many children’s products such as clothes, dolls, toys and more. He said they can be in found things such as paint on a button or a bracelet a child wears.

According to Englebright, there are some 84,000 chemicals on the market today. The federal law that was supposed to protect against them — the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 —  “is a very weak law and has never been updated,” the lawmaker said.

The assemblyman also said he feels a bill like this is important for everyone in the state as it sets the standards manufacturers would be held to.

“We all benefit when children are protected from poorly regulated toxic chemicals that have the potential to harm development, cause illness and impair learning,” Englebright said. “I think it’s very important to get this bill to the governor’s desk.”

Spencer also said while he does support the bill, there should be guidelines and parameters set as there is the ability to detect parts per million, billion and even trillion. He said it is unnecessary to be overly restrictive as something at a certain parts per billion or trillion, may not be harmful.

Late last year, a press conference was held in Hauppauge to show parents the toxins present in certain items geared toward kids. While many of the toys at the conference had toxic chemicals in them, such a Hot Wheels cars or dresses bought in Long Island stores, there are toys on the market that are manufactured without them.

“A lot of times the effects of these toxic substances aren’t seen right away. But the impact lasts for a lifetime,” Spencer said at the December conference.

When asked why certain toys have chemicals and others don’t, Spencer said some manufacturers may be unaware of the chemicals present and others could possibly use the chemicals to maximize profit.

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James E. Dailey, 77, of Hauppauge, died on March 2. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

James was the beloved husband of Clare; loving father of Donna (John) DeMaio and Richard Dailey; and adored grandfather of Michael, Danielle, Richard Jr. and Andrew.

Arrangements were entrusted to Branch Funeral Home of Smithtown. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas More R.C. Church in Hauppauge. Interment followed in Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.branchfh.com.

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Robert D. Grancio, 70, of Ridge, formerly of Brooklyn, passed peacefully on Feb. 19. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Vietnam War.

Robert was the beloved husband of Rita; loving father of Gina (Greg) Soden; cherished grandfather of Emma and Will; and dear brother of Peter (Donna).

Arrangements were entrusted to Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mark’s R.C. Church in Shoreham. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.branchfh.com.

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Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Louis Dionisi, 93, of Mountain Home, Ark., died on Feb. 28. His life was filled with love — for God, music, teaching, his country, his church and his growing family, whom he inspired through strength, integrity and Christian conviction.

Joe was born on Dec. 23, 1921, in Great Neck, to Andrew and Maria Dionisi. He joined the U.S. Air Force during World War II and served in communications, guiding military airplanes across the Atlantic Ocean. After leaving active duty, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for many years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

After the war, Joe married Dorothy “Jane” Williamson and graduated from New York University with both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and began a long career in music education. Joe and Jane lived in Stony Brook, where they raised four children and were devoted members of Stony Brook Community Church. He taught in the Port Jefferson school district for 30 years as director of music, band director and coordinator of musical festivals.

In 1978, Joe and Jane retired to Hendersonville, N.C., where he was active at Etowah United Methodist Church as lay speaker, editor of the local and district newsletters, president of the men’s group and director of a brass ensemble and chorale. They moved to Midway, Ark., 12 years ago and joined First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, where he continued his love of learning through Bible studies.

Joe was preceded in death by Jane, his wife of 60 years, and his brother, Charles. He is survived by two sons, Joseph (Debbie) and Michael (Devon); two daughters, Donna Smith and Patti (Bob) Budolfson; 10 grandchildren, Leah, Meg, Kerri, Brendan, Matthew, Manny, Christian, Brad, Brett and Brent; and five great-grandchildren, Cooper, Sophia, Isabelle, Mason and Cameron.

Arrangements were entrusted to Roller Funeral Home. A memorial service was held at the First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home. Interment was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the music program or the building fund at First United Methodist Church, 605 West 6th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

An online guest book is available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

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Gloria H. Lauber, 67, of Smithtown, died on March 18.

She was a member of the Smithtown Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

She was the wife of the late Charles Jr.; beloved mother of Charles III, Sherry Lauber-Pannulla and Jeffrey; and the loving grandmother of two.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Entombment followed in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.

Her family requests donations in her name to Calvary Lutheran Church, 860 Townline Rd., Hauppauge, NY 11788 or the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund Inc., P.O. Box 765, Smithtown, NY 11787. An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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Karl R. Svanberg, 71, of Wainscott, formerly of Smithtown, died on Feb. 10. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Karl was the beloved father of Karl Jr. and Eric; loving brother of Lars; and dear grandfather of three.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Interment with full military honors followed in Calverton National Cemetery.

An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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Beatrice A. Foray, 97, longtime resident of Smithtown, died on March 8.

She was the wife of the late Paul; beloved mother of Joan Svanberg and Eileen Foray; grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of four.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home in Smithtown, where a funeral service was held. Interment followed in Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai.

An online guest book is available at www.hawkinsanddavisfh.com.

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By David Dunaief

As the population ages, we see more and more osteoarthritis (OA); but as the population gets heavier, we see more; and as people become more active, we see more; and as the population becomes more sedentary (weakened muscles), we see more. The point is that age, although a strong factor, may not be the only one, and while there are conflicting contributors, there are many, nonetheless.

Over 27 million people in the U.S. suffer from OA (1). Osteoarthritis is insidious, developing over a long period of time, and is chronic by nature. It is a top cause of disability (2). What can we do about it?

It turns out that OA is not just caused by friction or mechanical breakdown based on age but rather on a multitude of factors including friction but also local inflammation, genes and metabolic processes at the cellular level (3). Being a more complicated process means that we may be able to prevent and treat it better than we thought through exercise, diet, medication, injections and possibly even with supplements.

Let’s look at some of the research.

Don’t wait to lose weight!
In an older study, results showed that even a small 10-pound weight loss could result in an impressive 50 percent reduction of symptomatic knee OA over a 10-year period (4).

How can exercise be beneficial?
One of the exercises that most of us either can tolerate or actually enjoy is walking. We have heard that walking can be dangerous for exacerbating OA symptoms; the pounding can be harsh on our joints, especially our knees. Well, maybe not. Walking may have benefits. And once we figure out what exercise might be useful, in this case walking, how much should we do? In the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST), results showed that walking may indeed be useful to prevent functional decline (5). But certainly not in overweight or obese patients and not older patients, right?

Actually, the patients in this study were a mean age of 67 and were obese, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31 kg/m2, and either had or were at risk of knee arthritis. In fact, the most interesting part of this study was that the researchers quantified the amount of walking needed to see a positive effect. The least amount to see a benefit was between 3250 and 3750 steps per day, measured by an ankle pedometer. The best results were seen in those walking >6000 steps per day, a relatively modest amount. This was random, unstructured exercise. In addition, for every 1000 extra steps per day, there was a 16 to 18 percent reduced risk of functional decline two years later.

Where does vitamin D fit in?
For the last decade or so, we thought vitamin D was the potential elixir for chronic diseases. If it were low, that meant higher risk for disease, and we needed to replete the levels. Well, a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), the gold standard of studies, has shown that low vitamin D levels may indeed contribute to knee osteoarthritis (6). However, repleting levels of vitamin D did not seem to stem disease progression. In fact, it had no effect on the disease, to the bewilderment of the researchers. There was no change in joint space, knee pain, mobility or cartilage loss slowing. Hmm. The patients were supplemented with vitamin D 2000 IU for two years. There were 146 patients involved in the study. Blood levels of vitamin D were raised by 16.1 ng/ml in the treatment group to >36 ng/ml, which was significantly greater than the 2.1 ng/ml increase in the placebo group. Since the reasons for the results are unclear, work to maintain normal levels of vitamin D to possibly prevent OA, rather than wait to treat it later.

Acetaminophen may not live up to its popularity
Acetaminophen is a popular initial go-to drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis, but what does the research say about its effectiveness? The answer might surprise you. Although acetaminophen doesn’t have anti-inflammatory properties, it does have analgesic properties. However, in a recent meta-analysis (involving 137 studies), acetaminophen did not reduce the pain for OA patients (7). In this study, all other oral treatments were significantly better than acetaminophen including diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen as well as intra-articular (in the joint) injectables, such as hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, except for an oral cox-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, which was only marginally better.

What about NSAIDs?
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by definition help to reduce inflammation. However, they have side effects that may include gastrointestinal bleed and have a black box warning for heart attacks. Risk tends to escalate with a rise in dose. But now there is a new twist; the FDA has approved a new formulation of an NSAID, diclofenac (Zorvolex) (8). This formulation uses submicron particles, which are roughly 20 times smaller than the older version; since they provide a greater surface area that helps the drug to dissolve faster, they require less dosage.

The approved dosage for OA treatment is 35 mg, three times a day. In a 602-patient, one-year duration, open-label randomized controlled trial, the new formulation of diclofenac demonstrated improvement in pain, functionality and quality of life (9). The adverse effects, or side effects, were similar to the placebo. The only caveat is that there was a high dropout rate in the treatment group; only 40 percent completed the trial when they were dosed three times daily.

Don’t forget about glucosamine and chondroitin
Study results for this supplement combination or its individual components for the treatment of OA have been mixed. In a double-blind RCTß, the combination supplement improved joint space, narrowing and reducing the pain of knee OA over two years. However, the pain was reduced no more than was seen in the placebo group (10). In a Cochrane meta-analysis review study (involving 43 RCTs) results showed that chondroitin with or without glucosamine reduced the symptom of pain modestly compared to placebo in short-term studies (11). However, the researchers stipulate that most of the studies were of low quality.

So, think twice before reaching for the Tylenol. If you are having symptomatic OA pain, NSAIDs such as diclofenac may be a better choice, especially with SoluMatrix fine-particle technology that uses a lower dose and thus hopefully means fewer side effects. Even though results are mixed, there is no significant downside to giving glucosamine-chondroitin supplements a chance. However, if it does not work after 12 weeks, it is unlikely to have a significant effect. And above all else, if you need to lose weight and do, it would reduce your risk of OA significantly.

REFERENCES
(1) Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58:26-35. (2) Popul Health Metr. 2006;4:11. (3) Lancet. 1997;350(9076):503. (4) Ann Intern Med.1992;116:535-539. (5) Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014;66(9):1328-36. (6) JAMA. 2013;309:155-162. (7) Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:46-54. (8) FDA.gov. (9) ACR 2014 Annual Meeting: Abstract 249. (10) Ann Rheum Dis. Online Jan 6, 2014. (11) Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 28;1:CD005614.

Dr. Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, go to the website www.medicalcompassmd.com and/or consult your personal physician.

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