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Times of Smithtown

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Stock photo

Social media has enabled people to connect and reunite with each other. Unfortunately, it also has provided another outlet for scam artists.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, “More than one in four people who reported losing money to fraud in 2021 said it started on social media with an ad, a post or a message.”

An event organizer in the TBR News Media coverage area recently discovered that someone had set up fraudulent social media accounts pretending to be a representative from their organization. When they took to their Facebook and Instagram accounts to warn the public, they found their name wasn’t the only one being used to scam local residents.

There are countless scammers out there impersonating not only other people but companies and nonprofit organizations. In the incidents occurring in the TBR coverage area, people set up social media accounts promising vendors that they could secure their spots at future events of the organizers through the account by using PayPal.

The incidents are just another reminder that navigating social media is the same as the web: You can’t take anyone at their word.

The best thing to do when anyone approaches you over social media asking for money — just as you would over the web and phone — is to ask if you can get back to them. If they keep insisting that you pay now, odds are they’re not who they say they are.

Anyone who is legitimately representing a business would have no problem with you jotting down their number and getting back to them. Of course, when calling or emailing a company back, if you are handing over money, you’ll want to make sure you look up the contact information before calling. Many times, scammers will go as far as answering the phone by saying the company’s name or setting up email accounts that make it look as if they are associated with the business.

Some may ask that a person pays through PayPal or Venmo and similar payment apps which may make a person feel better since a credit card number is not being given out. The bottom line is that money is still being stolen and most likely will never be recouped. It’s important that payors do their research.

Facebook’s help center also advises that users be wary if someone asks you “to move the conversation off Facebook to a less public or less secure setting, such as a separate email.”

Other things to look out for are unverified pages claiming to represent a large organization or public figure, or a page that contains messages or posts with poor spelling and grammar.

The most important advice to heed is that if you think you have been scammed, file a police report by calling the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-SCAM (7226) and notify the platform on where the fraudulent account is set up.

Social media has provided a whole new world for interaction. With a bit of caution, it can be a pleasant experience instead of a dangerous one. Just some extra care goes a long way.

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Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, pictured with his dog Buddy, is participating in the 11th Annual Legislative Food Drive Challenge to collect pet food for the clients of Long Island Cares. Since 2009, Long Island Cares has provided free pet food and supplies to individuals and families in need, in an effort to enable them to keep their pets at home instead of placing them in shelters.

Legislator Trotta pointed out that, according to Long Island Cares, dog and cat food are the most requested items by their member agencies. “Pets keep many people going, giving them comfort and a reason to survive in difficult times, especially now with many people coping with the effects of COVID-19.  I am asking the kindand generous residents and pet lovers in my district to help out. Last year we collected about 1,000 pounds of pet food,” said Legislator Trotta.

The pet pantry is in need of canned and dry cat/dog food, cat/dog treats, birdseed, and food for fish, rabbits, and ferrets, as well as kitty litter and small new toys. The drive is from now until May 1. Donations may be dropped off, Monday through Friday, from 9am – 4pm, at Legislator Trotta’s office, 59 Landing Avenue, Suite 1, Smithtown. For more information, please call his office at 631- 854-3900.

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Joel Marimuthu, supervisor of rehabilitation services at Huntington Hospital, and physical therapist Ada Kalmar demonstrate some warm-up exercises. Above, an elastic band helps to work on throwing mechanics and sport specific strengthening of the shoulder muscles. Photos by Joseph Colombo

Play ball, carefully.

An intervention a therapist would use for a patient recovering from shoulder surgery. Photo by Joseph Colombo

That’s the advice of area physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons as Major League Baseball returns with a shortened spring training.

Some of the less experienced players, particularly those who might feel they need to prove something each time they step on the field, are especially vulnerable to injuring themselves, suggested Dr. James Penna, orthopedic surgeon and chief of Sports Medicine at Stony Brook Medicine.

“You’ll see the experienced players won’t go through it [but] the injury rate among the [players that have been in the league] for five years and under will be higher,” Penna said.

The challenge for players, even at the professional level, is that their training strengthens their body and increases their speed, but it doesn’t help with the kind of urgency a game situation creates for athletes.

“They’re not doing stuff that’s high stakes,” Penna added. “That’s the real difference.”

Staying busy in leagues where no one is watching and then returning to the bright lights of Yankee Stadium or a nationally televised game can cause stress hormones like cortisol to increase.

“It takes three to six years [as a professional athlete] depending on the sport, where you start to get into a routine where it’s not all energy and angst,” Penna said. The athletes who do the same thing all the time won’t have any change in their bodies or their minds when they return to major league games.

Pitchers are among the most vulnerable baseball athletes, as they may try to stretch themselves out with too many pitches and too many innings quickly, said Joel Marimuthu, supervisor of rehabilitation services at Huntington Hospital.

Looking back at 2020, when spring training was also shortened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of injuries increased, Marimuthu said.

“If the players are watching what happened in 2020, especially with all the increased elbow, shoulder, back, hamstring pulls, they’ll be mindful this season,” Marimuthu said.

Complete preparation for game situations includes a range of training and body conditioning and a gradual increase from working in a gym or on a field somewhere to playing in a game.

“You never want to go from 0 to 60 as an athlete,” said Marimuthu. “You want to come up to speed gradually.”

Training a range of muscles involved in different activities can improve strength and flexibility and reduce the risk of injuries, doctors said.

“We see the most benefit from athletes staying balanced,” Penna said. “If you work on a flexion activity, you have to work on an extension activity. As much as it’s become cliche, you have to cross train.”

Even if athletes don’t participate in different sports, they need to engage in activities such as yoga, pilates and lower body work to prevent injuries, Penna said.

Athletes at any level, who think they might have sustained an injury, run the risk of more significant damage if they play through discomfort that goes beyond the usual wear and tear from sports.

Physical therapists use the acronym PRICE as a guide: protect, rest and ice, Marimuthu said.

College sports injuries

The pandemic has created a similar situation for college athletes, who weren’t able to compete for varying lengths of time amid canceled and shortened seasons.

With fewer games and matches, numerous athletes got injured as they returned to
game action.

“We saw a very, very rapid uptick in injuries,” Penna said.

Athletes had higher injury rates in upper body, lower body and core muscles.

Sports hernias were also prevalent, as student athletes didn’t do enough dynamic exercises to strengthen their core and increase their flexibility.

For female athletes, the injuries to their lower extremities are “through the roof,” Penna said, including to the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. “The ACL [injury] rates among girls is bad.”

Penna urges athletes not to wear cleats on turf. Even though a sneaker might slip, and athletes might not be able to run as fast, they won’t likely have the kind of tearing that comes from a shoe that’s gripping the ground while the rest of the leg moves in another direction.

Coaches and trainers should “go to great lengths to make sure their quads are balanced with their hamstrings and their core is well maintained,” Penna said.

Young athletes in general ignore their core, which means more than just sit ups. Penna suggested they do more dynamic motions, like lunges.

Penna said it’s natural amid stronger competition for athletes of any level to push themselves to levels that might cause injury.

With so many experts available to help with sports injuries, injured athletes of any age and ability, from weekend warriors to high school and college athletes, have numerous places they can go for advice and care after an injury.

Marimuthu and Penna both suggested that the first point of contact should be a primary care physician.

“I’ve always felt comfortable keeping strong primary care doctors around to keep us honest,” Penna said.

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Third Place was awarded to Alexandra Zlotnikov of Northport for her oil painting titled “Grand Russian Supper.”

Despite the threat of inclement weather, The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James hosted an opening reception for the first annual Student Artists Juried Show on March 12. Student artists, their proud parents and teachers were present as the following student artists were recognized for their outstanding work.

First place winner “Through Someone’s Eyes” by Joseline Canales-Lazio of Huntington.

First Place was awarded to Joseline Canales-Lazio of Huntington for her artwork titled “Through Someone’s Eyes,” created with Conte Crayon on black paper.

Julie Yang of Setauket captured Second Place for her acrylic piece “What’s Left of Us.” 

Third Place was awarded to Alexandra Zlotnikov of Northport for her oil painting titled “Grand Russian Supper.”

Honorable mentions included Annissa Gao of Great Neck, for “On a Thread” (mixed media); Agata Arkhipkina of Stony Brook for “Light” (acrylic); and Christopher Lafontaine of Shirley for “Out of My Mind” created with a ballpoint pen.

This show will run through April 9. The exhibition hall is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Atelier at Flowerfield is located at 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, in St. James. For more information, visit www.atelierflowerfield.org or call 631-250-9009.

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Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim

The Suffolk County Village Officials Association (SCVOA) has announced that Smithtown Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim has been tapped to receive this year’s Outstanding Leadership Award. The award for Supervisor Wehrheim’s commitment to the Villages of Suffolk County will be presented during the annual SCOVA Legislative Dinner & Awards Night on Wednesday, April 13th.  Supervisor Wehrheim joins the ranks of many distinguished leaders throughout Suffolk County including his predecessor, Patrick Vecchio, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr., Senator Phil Boyle, Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, and Supervisor Ed Romaine.

Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim

“This is a great honor, one I am deeply humbled by. I have to acknowledge and thank our Town’s administration and incredible workforce for the remarkable support and dedication we produce together on a daily basis. Our incorporated villages are made up of our friends, family and neighbors, with visionary leaders, many of whom have led incredibly inspiring revitalization and environmental efforts. To be recognized by the Suffolk County Village Officials Association in this fashion gives me great pride in the work we’ve done together, and all that we will accomplish in the future,” said Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim.

The Suffolk County Village Officials Association (SCVOA) is a not-for-profit advocacy organization and information resource consisting of 32 incorporated villages representing approximately 10% of the population. SCVOAʼs mission is to inform, support, and advocate on behalf of the 32 incorporated villages of Suffolk County. The Executive Board of SCVOA works tirelessly in its commitment to create a strong, effective, cohesive organization that promotes an exchange of ideas and strategies that enable village government to faithfully serve over 125,000 Suffolk County residents who reside within the incorporated villages.

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Photo from Town of Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown is now accepting applications for seasonal personnel to work throughout the Summer months. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of departments for responsible and reliable individuals in search of a rewarding summer job. Pay rates vary based on the position being filled, and level of qualifications. Seasonal jobs working as a certified lifeguard, park attendant, or Summer camp instructor are available in addition to positions working in Public Safety, Municipal Services Facility, Highways, and the Parks Department. For a list of available positions, visit the Town of Smithtown Website at SmithtownNY.gov/514/Seasonal–Job–Opportunities 

“Working for the Town during the Summer has always been a rite of passage for young people. It’s a great opportunity to begin building a resume, in addition to looking great on a college application. Most importantly, starting off with a summer job at the Town of Smithtown will give young people professional & life skills to prepare for the next chapter of adulthood. Many of our Summer staff return to work for the town years later or remain onboard, in a more permanent position,” stated Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim.

Applicants must be 16 years of age as of 12/31/21, and if appointed and under the age of 18, must provide the age appropriate working papers to be in compliance with NYS Labor Laws. Most of the seasonal positions available are in the Parks, Public Safety and Recreation Department and include laborers, lifeguards, recreation aides, water safety instructors and park attendants.

To apply online for a Town of Smithtown seasonal position, visit SmithtownNY.gov and click on the Seasonal Job Opportunities tab, located in the Personnel Department, listed under the Departments tab on the navigation menu or type in ‘Seasonal Job Opportunities’ in the search bar.  Click on the Seasonal Job Opportunities tab to view a brief description of the positions that are currently available. Click on the position that you are interested in and begin the online application process.

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The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ A resident on Jacqueline Lane in Centereach reported that her 2018 Dodge Durango was stolen from her driveway on March 18. The vehicle, valued at $29,000, also contained the person’s pocketbook, wallet and credit cards.

■ Carters on Middle Country Road in Centereach called the police on March 17 to report that two women allegedly stole assorted children’s clothing worth approximately $200.

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on March 16. A man allegedly put three car batteries in his shopping cart and left out the fire exit door. The merchandise was valued at $270.

Commack

■ Costco on Garet Place in Commack reported shoplifters on March 16. Two men allegedly stole three Dell desktop towers worth over $5,000.

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack called the police on March 14 to report that a man allegedly stole a 43” TCL flat screen television valued at approximately $300.

■ A woman shopping at Whole Foods on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack on March 14 called the police to report that her wallet containing credit cards and an insurance card had been stolen from her pocketbook in a shopping cart.

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack called the police on March 18 to report that a man allegedly stole two golf clubs worth $1060.

■ Target on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported a shoplifter on March 12. A man allegedly placed 33 pairs of men’s jeans valued at $935 in a shopping cart and walked out of the store without paying.

■ A shoplifter was reported at Rite-Aid on Larkfield Road in Commack on March 14. A man allegedly stole curling irons, hair straighteners and blow dryers worth approximately $1170.

Fort Salonga

■ A KTM dirt bike, a Thumpstar dirt bike and a R/C racing car were reported stolen from a residence on Mountain View Drive in Fort Salonga on March 16. The items were valued at $1100.

Huntington Station

■ Macy’s on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on March 17. A man allegedly stole 7 Polo Ralph Lauren shirts and 7 pants worth approximately $1400.

East Setauket

■ A customer shopping at Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket on March 16 reported that her iPhone 13 and reading glasses had been stolen from her shopping cart. The items were valued at approximately $990.

Hauppauge

■ Five cars were stolen in one hour in Hauppauge on March 17. The cars were stolen from outside homes on Bezel Lane, Sandra Drive, Steven Place, and Maureen Drive between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., police said. All five vehicles were unlocked with key fobs inside.

Lake Grove

■ Bed, Bath and Beyond on Nesconset Highway in Lake Grove reported two shoplifters on March 18.  A man and a woman allegedly worked in tandem to steal two KitchenAid mixers worth $860.

■ Ulta Beauty on Nesconset Highway in Lake Grove called the police on March 18 to report that two men and two women allegedly stole assorted perfume and cologne worth approximately $1,000.

Melville

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Walt Whitman Road in Melville reported a shoplifter on March 17. A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing valued at approximately $1290.

Miller Place

■ Walgreens on Route 25A in Miller Place reported shoplifters on March 17. Three men entered the store and allegedly stole assorted health and beauty products valued at $950.

Mount Sinai

■ Heritage Chemists on Route 25A in Mount Sinai reported a burglary on March 15. Two men broke the front door glass with a crow bar and stole cash from the business.

St. James

■ 22 gallons of gas was siphoned from a 2022 Ram Truck parked in front of a residence on Cedar Street in St. James on March 14. The gas was valued at $95.

■ Seven vehicles were stolen from residences on Bayberry Drive, Washington Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Fifth Street in Saint James on March 18. All seven vehicles were unlocked with key fobs inside. Each of the vehicles has been recovered.

Selden

■Aldi on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a petit larceny on March 13. A woman allegedly stole a case of shrimp, 5 salmon, 5 steaks and 4 Tide laundry detergents valued at $440.

■Target on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on March 18. A man allegedly stole a KitchenAid mixer and a Keurig coffee maker valued at $580.

■A resident on Old Selden Stage Road in Selden called the police on March 12 to report that his vehicle, a 2019 Honda Sante Fe worth $20,000, had been stolen from his driveway.

Setauket

■ A car key remote was removed from a vehicle parked in front of a residence on Cobbler Lane in Setauket on March 14. The item is worth $250 to replace.

South Setauket

■ An unknown person broke the driver’s side window of a car parked in the Best Buy parking lot on Pond Path in South Setauket at 3 p.m. on March 12 and stole a MacBook 13.3 worth $900.

Smithtown 

■ A laptop, iPad and wallet containing cash and credit cards were stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked in front of a residence on Celestial Court in Smithtown on March 12.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

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Pixabay photo

In an effort to ease the suffering of all those subject to the devastation and terror being inflicted upon the Ukrainian nation, Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) and his staff will be hosting a humanitarian supply drive on Saturday, March 26th, from 10 a.m. to noon in their district office located at 180 East Main Street in Smithtown.

The effort is intended to assist all in the region including animals who were displaced when their families evacuated.

Senator Mattera’s office is coordinating this effort with the staff and students of Kings Park Central School District (KPCSD) and local nonprofit Nobody Starves on Long Island.

To assist families of Ukraine, KPCSD is collecting items that will be shipped overseas to assist the citizens of Ukraine.  The KPCSD drive will accept a host of items including medical items (including bandages, gauze and medicine), empty boxes, flashlights, batteries, garbage bags and personal items including warm clothing, boots, socks, tooth care, personal cleaning supplies and feminine hygiene products.

KPCSD will deliver all items to The Monastery of Saint Josaphat in Glen Cove for delivery to those in need in the region.

To assist Ukrainian pets in need, Nobody Starves on Long Island will be accepting pet supplies to help animals that in many cases have lost their owners and their homes.  To help the nonprofit, Senator Mattera’s office is accepting pet items such as pet food, leashes, food bowls, treats and collars.

The office will not be accepting cash donations at the event or in their office.

“We are hopeful that everyone in our community will join us in helping all who have been impacted by the attack on the Ukrainian people.  This unwarranted assault on their homes must be countered by the kindness of our community and I thank everyone who will or who has helped in this effort.  Thank you to Nobody Starves on Long Island and everyone at the Kings Park School District for their selfless work.  Together, we can bring hope to those who are suffering,” stated Senator Mattera.

Any resident who is unable to attend the Saturday, March 26, event is invited to drop off items at Senator Mattera’s district office during regular business hours.  The office is located in 180 East Main Street, Suite 210, in Smithtown. For more information, call 631-361-2154.

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Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale says she wants to run for reelection in 2022. Photo from the Suffolk County Clerk Facebook page.

This week, TBR News Media sat down with Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale (R). In our interview, Pascale was candid about Women’s History Month, the controversy surrounding her upcoming bid for reelection and her legacy in the county clerk’s office. 

What is your professional background and how did you get to the county clerk’s office?

My husband has a business, and I was the chamber president for the Mastics and Shirley Chamber [of Commerce] many years ago. I was the first woman that was ever running for president of that chamber. It was kind of a contentious race of predominantly men and, to cut a long story short, I won by one vote. 

Later on, I went to work on a congressional race as a volunteer for Ed Romaine’s [R] campaign. After that, I worked on a district attorney’s race. When Ed Romaine ran for county clerk, he asked me to join him and that’s when I first went to the county clerk’s office, which I believe was 1989.

I went in as senior deputy, in charge of court actions. Ultimately, I became the chief deputy county clerk and served for him for about 16 years. He decided to leave to go back to the [county] Legislature — he was term limited — and when he left, I became the acting county clerk because in New York, you have to have a county clerk, a sheriff and a DA. It’s a state constitutional office.

I screened for the position, amongst many others. On March 10 of 2006, then-Governor George Pataki [R] appointed me after months of investigation. Luckily, as I like to say, I led a very dull life and got appointed and became the acting county clerk. Subsequently, I ran for the open seat. I got elected and was elected again in 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

March is Women’s History Month, and you are just the second woman in the history of Suffolk County to hold the office of county clerk. What does that distinction mean to you?

I think that it’s important that women are judged by their capability, and I think there are certain industries and certain professions that women have broken the glass ceiling, broken the marble ceiling. I think that’s important, and I think that’s a mantle that I’m very proud to carry.

As far as other women are concerned, I think it’s very important for people to know that no matter what you are, you have the capability. I’m very proud to be the second woman. There are a lot of county clerks that are females, there are a lot that are males, but I’m only the second woman to hold it in Suffolk County. 

How has the landscape changed since when you first started out? Do you notice any more women holding leadership roles in government now?

I think it has become more acceptable, more accepted that women have a great contribution to make. I don’t think it should matter whether you’re a man or a woman. If you have the capability and you have the drive and you have the ethical standards, then I think certainly the door is open for women.

Transitioning into this year’s race for Suffolk County clerk, we spoke with Republican nominee, Smithtown Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, last week and he was under the impression that you were going to retire after this term. We’d like to give you an opportunity to clear that up. Do you intend to retire after this term, or do you plan to run for reelection?

Any elected official that tells you that they’re never running again — first of all, if they say that, it may be in the heat of a moment. 

They are saying that I made a commitment that I would not run again. I believe that commitment was that I wanted another term. They’ll say that I absolutely said that I would not run again, and that is not something that I said. I said at the time that I wanted another term.

Listen, do I expect to stay here forever? No. I’ve given 30-plus years of my life to the county clerk’s office. I’m very, very proud of everything that we’ve done there. We moved this office light-years ahead and that’s because I have a great staff.

The issue that I have is the way it was handled. I asked at the end of the year if I could do a kickoff fundraiser. I was told I could. I planned one in the beginning of February and the Friday before my fundraiser, I was told that I had no support. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve done. We’re an award-winning office throughout the state. The fact that the party that I supported — I mean, I broke bread with these people — then all of a sudden I was being thrown out like last week’s trash. 

Primaries are very difficult and running a primary is a herculean task. They have an army. Anybody that has wanted to help me has, I’m going to say, been intimidated. Basically, I’m on my own and I don’t know if I’ll be successful. If I can get enough signatures to get on the ballot for a primary, I will. 

They want me out and, to me, that’s pretty devastating. I’ve served with integrity and dignity, and they should have told me six months ago. At least let me leave with some dignity. And I will tell you this: Women have come up to me and have thanked me for doing this. I’m the only countywide elected official that’s female. It’s not easy, it’s exhausting, and no one can help me. The fact that I’ve served this party and served this committee for all these years, and now I’ve become a pariah. That’s upsetting. 

As a follow-up, you have won reelection multiple times. You do have name recognition and an electoral track record. If you do get the signatures, are you interested in running in a primary race against Vincent Puleo?

I hate it. Nobody wants to go into a primary. The purpose of getting enough signatures is that if you get enough signatures, you do a primary. Primaries get ugly and, like I said, he’s got an army and I don’t. It would be very ugly and it’s not something that I look forward to, but sometimes you do things that you have to do. 

With all of that being said, if you were to win reelection in November, what kind of vision do you foresee for your office over the next four years?

When COVID hit, it was like the perfect storm. COVID hit and everybody moved to Suffolk County, so that meant that all of those land and real estate documents had to be processed and they were initiated. We not only had a shutdown order, but also this influx of this crazy real estate market in Suffolk County. We were able to do a remote system, so there was no interruption in the real estate economy, none. No financial disturbance was caused and, as a matter of fact, it was actually enhanced.

We would like to add more things to the system: more documents, more document types. I would just like to continue along that trend, add a few more documents to the electronic recording system. 

I’d like to amend the mental hygiene law for those people that have been determined to be mentally incompetent. My concern is that these people may have considerable assets, and we want to change the law to say that only the appointed person from the court can view that file. We don’t want “Cousin Mary” to be able to say, “Oh yeah, she’s got $300,000 in the bank.” These are vulnerable people that need to be protected.

Also, one of our primary concerns is cybersecurity, which is a concern everywhere. We’re working on that now and have a couple of capital projects that we’re working on to ensure our records are maintained and secure. There are a few more things that I would like to finish up, and if that happens it would be beneficial to Suffolk County residents.

Could you summarize your legacy in the county clerk’s office over the last three decades? What do you hope to be remembered for?

I would like my legacy to be that I have brought this office into this century and beyond, that I have made this office more user-friendly while simultaneously protecting the privacy of those people whose privacy needs to be protected. My legacy should be that we have won the ‘Best of New York’ award, and we’ve gotten an award for bringing government closer to the people. 

Government is a maze for most people. People have a difficult time navigating the government. My goal was to make it more accessible, more user-friendly, and we’ve won awards for this. I’m very proud that we put together a great IT team. I’d like my legacy to be that I improved the county clerk’s office, picked up where the last county clerk left off and brought it into the next phase. 

I think you have a responsibility as an elected official to leave the office somewhat better than the way you found it. Despite some of the wonderful county clerks that we’ve had, I am pretty confident that I will leave the office better than I found it, all while serving the 1.5 million Suffolk County residents.

Click here to view our interview with Puleo, “One-on-one with Vincent Puleo, GOP and Conservative candidate for Suffolk County clerk.”

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By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

We’ve only visited The Fly, a grassy area behind Audubon Park in New Orleans that sits along the edge of the Mississippi River, four times, and yet we can’t possibly travel to the Crescent City without stopping there.

A wide open space that draws students from nearby Tulane and Loyola universities, residents of all ages, screeching seagulls and supersized cormorants that look like genetically altered cousins of Long Island’s water foul, The Fly has hosted some of our most enjoyable visits to see our freshman son in college.

The first time we walked to The Fly, our son was in that miserable, confusing, bees-buzzing-around-his-overlong-hair state when he wasn’t sure where he wanted to attend college and when everything, particularly enthusiastic parents, was irritating.

We had to wait what seemed like forever in searing heat for a freight train with endless cars to cross in front of us to climb over a small hill and reach The Fly. The endless train took so long to pass at a snail’s pace that my son and I sat down on dry grass, while my wife took a few pictures. We tried to keep the moment light, even though our son felt the weight of college uncertainty on his broad shoulders.

When the gates finally went up and we crossed the tracks, the first thing I noticed was the relief the refreshing gusts of wind that came off the river provided.

As we approached the water, we passed young families sitting on blankets and eating picnic lunches, college students playing “never have I ever” games and birds lifting off and circling the shoreline of the river, using their bodies as kites in the swirling winds.

The open green space between the back of the zoo at Audubon Park and the river energized my son and me, calling to us to play.

As we inched closer to the pathway near the river, we stared into the active water, which looked as busy as a bustling city. The main current in the middle traveled one way, while swirling eddies circled near the shore.

Sitting on a sturdy wooden bench, we soaked in the scene and could see our son’s shoulders lower and his breathing slow. The water show helped allay any anxiety he had about class assignments, making friends, learning about a new place, or living far from home.

An ocean going cargo ship passed within 100 feet of us. These enormous ships, sometimes pulled by muscular tugboats, seemed impossibly close, acting like an outdoor theater with an oversized screen.

During several other visits to The Fly, we have delighted in the unexpected. Once, we brought a football and ran patterns in a heavy but warm rain while my wife watched comfortably from the car. Playing on an empty, soggy field with my son made me feel as if I were jogging through the fountain of youth.

While the Fly has become one of my favorite places to visit, I have increasingly come to see settings as much more than backdrops for life and action: they have become like characters, encouraging, inspiring, challenging and reviving us. Like the salty smell of West Meadow Beach, they can also give us the chance to travel through time in our minds, reminding us of earlier visits and the people who traveled with us through life to these locations.

Our son has visited The Fly several times over the last few months. He has taken short videos of the moving water, the frolicking birds, and that first wooden bench where we shared a respite from the college process. The videos he sends are a short visit with him and our friend The Fly.

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