CLOSE

Yearly Archives: 2019

by -
0 2523
File photo

The town of Huntington operates with a four-member council and a town supervisor. Currently, the supervisor is a Republican and two of the four council members are Democrats. Six names are on the ballot for Huntington’s town council, and voters can choose two candidates to serve a four-year term. The outcome of this election will determine majority party rule. 

Two incumbents are running for reelection: Joan Cergol (D) and Eugene Cook (R). Cergol is cross-endorsed by the Green, Working Families and Independence parties. Cook is cross-endorsed by the Conservative, Libertarian and Independence parties. Challengers include Kathleen Cleary (D) and Andre Sorrentino (R), who is cross-endorsed by the Conservative and Working Families parties. Eleanor Putignano is running on the Green Party. Patrick Deegan is running as a Libertarian. 

Putignano and Deegan, though they are listed on the ballot, were unable to be reached and did not attend the candidate debate hosted by TBR News Media. Deegan later agreed to a telephone interview. 

In general, Huntington’s hot topics center on overdevelopment, water quality, parking and the high cost of living.  

Joan Cergol

Joan Cergol, after being elected in 2018 to serve a vacated one-year term seat, is running again this year for a full four-year term. A lifelong Huntington resident who has worked as a communications specialist, she is one of two Democrats on a four-member board. Cergol said that she considers herself an independent voice that works for all people in the Town of Huntington. 

“If you want someone with a steady hand and head, a warm heart, a strong work ethic, all driven by an overarching desire, in all decisions made and votes cast, to simply do the right thing for Huntington, I’m your choice for town board,” Cergol states in her public profile online.

Cergol’s top concerns include budgetary policies related to appointed positions in town government and the lack of affordable housing.  

“There’s no $1,500-a-month apartments anymore,” she said. 

She said the town can save money for cash-strapped taxpayers if it exercised greater restraint and followed a different process for town employees. People in appointed positions should be qualified and paid fair wages rather than excessive salaries, she said. She favors zero-based budgeting, a system that audits every job position to justify its value and necessity. She also thinks the town can do a better job tapping into available grants to offset expenses, rather than hitting taxpayers up for different projects. 

To address the housing concern, over the last year, Cergol successfully sponsored legislation that allows people, mainly the elderly, to rent out their own home, while living in their own smaller, accessory apartment on premises. The policy, she said, solves multiple housing-related issues, and she said it’s one of her proudest accomplishments during her first year as a legislator. Live-streaming and close-captioned viewing of town meetings were also her initiatives. 

Overall, Cergol considers herself a problem solver of issues big and small and knowledgeable on the mechanisms of government. She said she prefers watching other people cross the finish line, rather than being in the spotlight herself. 

The town, she said, is 95 percent built out. When considering redevelopment and revitalization projects, she said its important to evaluate the economic, social and environmental factors.

Eugene Cook

Eugene Cook has been elected to the town council for two consecutive terms and is running for a third and final term. He sponsored the new term-limit legislation and wants to be the first to leave after three consecutive terms. 

Cook was raised on Long Island and lives in Greenlawn. He’s a welder by trade and owns a building contractor business. 

The LIPA tax certiorari issue, he said, is the town’s greatest challenge and he is committed to pursuing all avenues to fight National Grid, who owns the Northport power plant. LIPA, he said, is out of control. 

Other pressing issues for Cook include overdevelopment. He’d like to see the Village of Huntington designate more areas as historic to preserve its charm. The best way to enhance the community, he said, is through the arts. He is committed to supporting cultural projects that keep Huntington vibrant. Quality of life issues, he said, is and should be a main consideration when evaluating development projects. These approaches, he said, place Huntington on the map as a destination. He opposed the proposed Villadom Mall project in Elwood. The site, he said, is now under consideration for open space preservation. 

To address ongoing need for additional parking, Cook sponsored legislation to purchase the old Chase Bank property at Gerard Avenue and Main Street, which will be leveled and converted to a 71-stall parking lot. The site is an asset, he said, that can always be sold if Uber and other shared drive services replace the demand for parking. Cook opposes the construction of what he called an unsightly, $30 million, multilevel parking garage, because the town may never need it and will likely mismanage the project. 

Cook said he is proud of everything he does as a town council member. Helping veterans, he said, is particularly rewarding. He recently connected the Hispanic community with the police to enroll 250 kids in a new PAL soccer program. The experience, he said, was heartwarming. He also likes helping all mom and pop shops address building issues or whatever their concern may be. 

“It’s my pleasure to serve the community,” he said. 

Kathleen Cleary

Kathleen Cleary is an East Northport resident with experience as a contract manager for Fortune 100 companies. Like Cergol, she said the town is bloated with patronage positions. Her experience overseeing projects to meet time and budget constraints, she said, will help bring transparency and ethical reform to Huntington. Her business administration degree, she said, will also help her streamline town operations through departmental and personnel efficiency assessments.

The lack of adequate parking in downtown Huntington is an ongoing problem. To address issues, Cleary’s ideas include implementing employee parking shuttles. She has no spot in mind, only a concept. Overdevelopment is also a top concern.  

Cleary opposes settling the LIPA suit.

“You can’t just sit back and let them walk all over us,” she said. 

She is impressed with community activism about the issue over the last few years. Because the Northport power plant is not an isolated case in one town, she said state government needs to offer remedies. 

Overall, Cleary said her people skills, experience with government contracting and navigating bureaucracy makes her a good candidate for better efficiency and cost-cutting in town government.

Cleary also has a background in horticulture and is a Cornell certified master gardener. These skills, she said, provides insights into how to address water quality issues. She’s been involved with Long Island Native Plant Initiative, the Huntington League of Women Voters and Keep Islip Clean Project Bloom. 

Andre Sorrentino

Andre Sorrentino is also a lifelong Huntington resident and owner of PAS Professional Automotive Services. He promises to bring the small businessman perspective to town council. He loves Huntington and said he believes in getting things done. He’s proud to be a family man. 

“I want to be the guy people go to,” Sorrentino said. 

Sorrentino has insights into the town’s highway department, where he has been director of general services since February 2018. In that post, he’s helped to beautify parks. As an automotive inspector, he said that he sees firsthand that the poor state of the town’s highway equipment needs to be addressed.   

Sorrentino said he feels a strong obligation to give back. He’s serving his fifth year as Huntington fire commissioner. He has gained a reputation in the community for his work handing out turkeys to families in need around Thanksgiving. Last year’s drive donated 2,660 turkeys. 

As a tradesman, Sorrentino said that he would like to see the town promote apprenticeship programs, an idea that both Cergol and Cleary also see as important. 

Patrick Deegan

Patrick Deegan is running a grassroots campaign with no money, no fundraising and just relying on support from neighbor to neighbor.  He’s running on issues of water quality and soil contamination that can potentially cause a health crisis.

He said he’s worn four hats in life: semiprofessional distance runner, business man, a talent agent and for the last 17 years an unpaid advocate.  

Deegan suffers from a connective tissue disorder that prevents him from physical labor but allows him research issues. Deegan said that he has been operating as a lobbyist, but since he’s not paid, he’s really an advocate.  

He said he has researched topics and has worked behind the scenes to address issues such as opposing the Villadom development project and raising awareness statewide on fentanyl. 

“This is what I’m doing with my free time now, “ said Deegan.  “I want to help people.”  

The job as town representative requires mental challenges.  

If elected, Deegan will strive for more community-based leadership. He praises the work of civic organization and people who band together like the Fort Salonga Property Owners Association, which opposes the golf course development.

“If a tree falls down, we don’t need to wait three days for the town to come,” he said. “We can get it taken care of.”

by -
0 1053
Margot Rosenthal (D) is challenging incumbent Leslie Kennedy (R) for County District 12. (photo right to left)

The Times of Smithtown circulation area includes two Suffolk County legislative districts: 12 and 13. The 12th District encompasses Nesconset and Lake Grove and extends west through portions of St. James into Commack. The 13th District extends from Fort Salonga east to St. James. 

Currently, two Republicans represent the areas, Leslie Kennedy and Robert Trotta, respectively. Overall, the Democrats with an 11-7 ratio, have a majority rule in the county, as it has for the last 13 years. Republicans held the majority for 33 years prior to that. 

Many analysts say that this year’s election could potentially see a shift in power or perhaps tie the representation. So a lot is at stake.

District 12: Parts of Smithtown, Nesconset, Hauppauge, Village of the Branch, Lake Grove, parts of St. James, Commack, Lake Ronkonkoma and Centereach

Smithtown resident Margot Rosenthal, a nurse-practitioner, midwife and a Smithtown Democratic Committee person is challenging incumbent candidate Leslie Kennedy.  Rosenthal did not attend the debate hosted by TBR News Media. According to her online profile, she seeks to address health care, housing, education, environmental causes and improve access to mental health care.  She is committed to combating the opioid crisis and teen vaping. She has worked for 39 years with underprivileged patients. 

Kennedy, a Nesconset resident, has worked for 13 years as a legislative aide to both Donald Blydenburgh and her husband John Kennedy. She was elected to her seat in 2015, when her husband became the county’s comptroller. 

In a one-on-one interview, Kennedy said that she loves government and policymaking but hates politics.  Her background in the medical field, she said, provides the county with useful insights that contribute to the county’s response to the opioid epidemic.  She is opposed to the county’s current cesspool/septic system replacement initiative to reduce nitrogen. The systems, she said, are ineffective.  Peter Scully, Suffolk County deputy executive, who is addressing the county’s water quality issues, said that nothing can be further from the truth. 

Kennedy opposes the red-light camera bill, stating that it mainly targets and enforces questionable violations of right turns on red.  The affordable housing issue, she said, is one of her top concerns. 

Some of her proudest accomplishments include the preservation of the Nissequoque River’s headwaters.

by -
0 1512
Tracy Kosciuk hopes to take incumbent Valerie Cartright's seat for Council District 1 in Brookhaven.

Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) is running for her fourth term as Brookhaven Town councilwoman in District 1. Her challenger is one of her neighbors, Tracy Kosciuk.

Cartright sat down with the TBR News Media editorial staff Oct. 25 to talk about her accomplishments and initiatives, while Kosciuk, a registered nurse at St. Charles Hospital, answered questions via email due to being on a trip to Albany. The nurse is a local union president who travels to the state capital to lobby for improved working conditions.

“There are several projects that have been in the planning stages for years — stagnated by red tape.
— Tracy Kosciuk

 

Kosciuk said if elected to the Town Council she plans to continue working as a nurse and promises she would give town issues the same 24/7 attention she gives to her nurses, as she recognizes the council position is a full-time job.

“I am a multitasker, ask any of my nurses, friends or family — I work with commitment to the task and get the job done,” Kosciuk said.

She said the primary reason she is running this year is the frustration people feel when one doesn’t fulfill the obligations of their job. The nurse and union leader said she is also a wife and a mother, who cares for a sick parent. A firm believer in time management, she said she will make the necessary adjustments to her life “to guarantee to my constituents a much better degree of responsiveness and dedication to my office than what they are currently receiving.”

Cartright said being a councilwoman is a full-time job, and because of that while she maintains her license to practice law, she only handles two or three cases annually. She said she spends the majority of her time in Town Hall meeting with various departments, dealing with constituents’ issues and meeting with residents at her mobile offices or in people’s homes. She said there are also community events to attend and meetings with civic groups and chambers of commerce.

“I’m very much a hands-on person,” she said. “I’m visual. I need to see what it is that the constituents are talking about.”

Cartright said she and her staff handle an average of 3,000 to 3,500 calls on a yearly basis and receive more requests via email. The issues can vary from a pothole in front of someone’s house to drainage problems to a resident asking for help with National Grid to get their lights turned back on. She encourages people to call her in addition to the department or entity responsible as she said she considers herself an advocate for her constituents.

Both candidates are focused on local issues, including revitalization in the district.

Kosciuk said she believes one of the largest issues facing the town is “the prevalence of illegal housing and also buildings that are referred to as ‘zombie homes.’” While she believes Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and other town councilpersons have been addressing the issue, she said in Council District 1, based on her walking through the communities and talking to residents, that it hasn’t been sufficiently addressed.

“As I have said many times, these illegal housing conditions are a magnet for crime, drugs and an undesirable element that our communities and neighborhoods can do without,” the nurse said.

Cartright, who bought a zombie home when she moved to Port Jeff Station from Queens 14 years ago, said she encourages residents to alert her office about homes they believe may be abandoned or if there are drug issues.

For the past few years, Cartright has been working on revitalization projects for the Route 25A corridor in the Three Village area and to create a walkable downtown hub in Port Jefferson Station between the train tracks and Route 347.

“I look forward to tackling the remaining quality of life issues,” she said.

“We did that because a community member felt comfortable enough and was willing to say, ‘Valerie, can you help?’”

— Valerie Cartright

Regarding the PJS plan, she has met with the two major landowners to discuss recommended density and site plans. She is also working with Suffolk County to create a sewer district in the area. With the Three Village 25A corridor plan, she said the work is more about historical architectural continuity, something that residents showed a concern for during visioning meetings she spearheaded.

Kosciuk, on her website, stated she would continue with current revitalization projects and help small business owners succeed, calling them the cornerstone of the community.

“There are several projects that have been in the planning stages for years — stagnated by red tape,” she said.

“It is to our benefit that these projects are completed in order to revive our community and provide a much-needed ‘face-lift’ for our district,” Kosciuk said.

The incumbent said the process can be long at times due to the need for land-use plans before work truly begins.

When it comes to quality of life issues, Cartright is currently working to allow town vehicles to provide transportation for those who are looking to enter temporary housing or clinics. The initiative was inspired by a couple who the councilwoman said she waited three hours with after they agreed to go into temporary housing. The cab was a third party hired by the county, but there was miscommunication that left her and the couple stranded. She is currently working with a task force to deal with homeless issues that includes the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association and Port Jeff village officials. She said the group has spent six months gathering information.

“There are a lot of misconceptions, in my opinion, as to where the root of all of this is coming from,” she said.

Both candidates hope to tackle the drug crisis in the area.

Kosciuk, who has been a nurse for more than 30 years, called it a problem of epic proportions

“It is essential to work with area hospitals and treatment centers to establish a more comprehensive discharge plan for patients suffering from this disease,” she said, adding the importance of providing resources to educate residents on the dangers of illicit drugs.

Cartright helped to form a community-based drug prevention coalition that holds education events, which will also include vaping cessation workshops for teenagers. The councilwoman said she hopes the workshops will be an alternative to students being suspended from school. The coalition was formed after Sal Pitti, president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, approached her saying he identified money from the federal government.

“We did that because a community member felt comfortable enough and was willing to say, ‘Valerie, can you help?’ and I believe government is supposed to help people and not hinder initiatives,” she said.

by -
0 1756

Francis Maxwell

Francis B. Maxwell, of Ridge, passed away peacefully Oct. 13. He was 92.

He was a proud U.S. Army World War II veteran and was also the ex-chief of Baldwin Fire Department.

He was the beloved husband of the late Rose T. Maxwell.

Francis was the cherished father of Kenneth (Rosemary) Maxwell, John (Maria) Maxwell, Robert (Anita) Maxwell, the late Joann Maxwell and the late Francis Maxwell; the loving grandfather of Stephanie, Nicholas, Christopher, Timothy, Kathryn, James, Erin, Bailey, Joann, Paul; and great-grandfather of Gavin, Mario, Jacob, Nicholina, along with a new great-grandchild who just arrived.

He is additionally survived by many other family members and friends.

Religious services were celebrated at the Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place, and interment followed with military honors at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place. An online guest book is available at www.branchfh.com.

Doris T. Mullen

Doris T. Mullen of Kissimmee, Florida, formerly of Northport, died on Sept. 30 at 87 years of age. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert, loving mother of Maryann Mullen (Michael Gormley) and Wendy Hentze (Andrew), cherished Nani of Emma Bockrath and Robert Pratt (Annabelle) and dear sister of Carolyn Sandage (Ron). Visitation was held at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport Oct. 5. Funeral was held Oct. 6 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Northport. Doris was an active and supportive member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Northport. Donations to St. Paul’s in Doris’ memory would be appreciated.

Regina E. Drogos

Regina E. Drogos of Holbrook, formerly of East Northport, died on Oct. 7. She was the beloved wife of the late Stanley; loving mother of Maria (Don) Longo, Paul Drogos and Steve Drogos; cherished grandmother of Donald S. Longo and Daniel J. Longo; and dear sister of Tom (Marcella) Piekarski. She is also survived by her nephews David Piekarski, Andrew Piekarski and Edward Piekarski and their families. Services were private.

John P. Riconda

John P. Riconda of Northport died on Oct. 12. He was the CEO of Contemporary Computer Services Inc. (CCSI) of Bohemia. He was the beloved husband of Emma; loving father of Franki; brother of Richie, Danny, Adrianne, Samantha and Anita Louise. He is also survived by his moms Rosebud and Judy and his pal Gazoo. Memorial visitation was held at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Oct. 18 at St. Philip Neri Church, Northport.

Angela Surace

Angela Surace of Northport and Myrtle Beach died on Sept. 30 at 93 years of age. She was the beloved wife of the late Anthony; loving mother of Salvatore and his wife Ann and Paul and his wife Analyn; cherished grandmother of Michael and his wife Kelsea, Amy Pecchia and her husband Stephen and Joseph; and dear great-grandmother of Gabriella and Mikaela Pecchia. Visitation was held Oct. 7 at Nolan Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at the funeral home Oct. 8 with entombment following the ceremony at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Evelyn A. Palumbo

Evelyn A. Palumbo of East Northport died on Oct. 6 at 91 years young. She was the beloved wife of the late Mark; loving mother of Mark Palumbo (Janice) and Debbie Marcinek; fond grandmother of Evan and Mikayla Palumbo, Danielle Reha (Joseph), Kerri, James and Kristen Marcinek; adored great-grandmother of Joseph, Callie, Julianna, Austin and Aubree; and dear sister-in-law of Paul Palumbo. Reposing was held at Nolan Funeral Home on Oct. 8. Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 9 at St. Joseph’s Church, Kings Park. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.

by -
0 1853

Richard Franek

Richard R. Franek, of Ridge, died Sunday, Oct. 6. He was 78.

Franek was born Jan. 12, 1941, in Jamaica, Queens. He is the son of the late Rudolph and the late Olga (Siomkalo) Franek. He was a proud Navy veteran and served from 1960 to 1964. He was employed by General Electric in Melville as a parts supplier. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen (Klodt) Franek, and two loving sons, William (Stephanie) Franek of Yaphank and Robert Franek of Ridge. He had one dear sister, Carolyn Volonino of Florida, and was the grandfather of one cherished granddaughter, Allison Franek.  

Celebration of the Mass of Christian burial was held Friday, Oct. 11, at St. Mark’s R.C. Church in Shoreham. A burial with military honors followed at Calverton National Cemetery. 

All arrangements were entrusted to the Rocky Point Funeral Home. An online guest book can be found at www.rockypointfuneralhome.com.   

Patricia McKee

Patricia J. McKee, of Huntington, died Thursday, Sept. 12. She was 100.

She was born March 17, 1919, in Brooklyn and was the daughter of the late James and the late Helen (Corry) Killorin. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert McKee. 

She is survived by eight loving children, Deborah Kletter of Riverdale, Tricia Grant of Port Jefferson Station, Kathleen Miracola of Wading River, Virginia Meriam of Garden City, Faith Eccles of Port Jefferson Station, Robert McKee of Lindenhurst, Gregory McKee of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Thomas McKee of Huntington. 

She was the dear sister of Vera Gagliardi of Long Beach. She also had 14 cherished grandchildren and 17 cherished great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Sept. 16 at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, in Rocky Point. Burial followed at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.

All arrangements were entrusted to the Rocky Point Funeral Home. An online guest book can be found at www.rockypointfuneralhome.com.  

Eleanor Weresnick

Eleanor G. Weresnick, of Shoreham, died Sept. 2. She was 83.

She was born Oct. 25, 1935, in Brooklyn and was the daughter of the late John and the late Edith (Grotheer) Buschmann. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Weresnick, in 2003.  

She was employed by Shoreham-Wading River Central School District as a registered nurse.  

She is survived by two loving sons, William (Debbie) Weresnick of Rocky Point and Greg (Laurel) Weresnick of Ridge. She also had four cherished grandchildren: Erin, Shelley, Kelly and Colleen.  

Religious services were held Sept. 7 at the Rocky Point Funeral Home in Rocky Point. Burial followed at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai.

All arrangements were entrusted to the Rocky Point Funeral Home. An online guest book can be found at www.rockypointfuneralhome.com.   

The family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://stjude.org/donate. 

Jo Ann Brooks

Jo Ann K. Brooks, of Rocky Point and formerly of Miller Place, died Sept. 27. She was 81.

She was born Dec. 20, 1937, in Bay Shore, the daughter of the late Thomas F. and the late Elizabeth (Murdock) Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel H. Brooks, in 2005. 

She had been the owner of Keepsake Dolls & Gifts in Miller Place. 

She is survived by two daughters, Debbie Coto of Rocky Point and Robin Martinez of Miller Place; her two sons, Brian Brooks of Cutchogue and Daniel Brooks of Rocky Point; one sister, Dolly Sabiston of Florida, and one brother, Frank Thomas of Florida. She also had seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

Prayers were offered Sept. 30 at the Rocky Point Funeral Home in Rocky Point. Burial followed at Calverton National Cemetery Oct. 1, with family and friends gathering back at the funeral home for a closing prayer. 

All arrangements were entrusted to the Rocky Point Funeral Home. An online guest book can be found at www.rockypointfuneralhome.com.  

Grace M. Pellegrino

Grace M. Pellegrino, of Stony Brook, formerly of Floral Park, died Sept. 2. She was 91. 

She was the daughter of William and Grace Mathers. Beloved wife of the late Robert. She is survived by her four children, Debra (Anthony) Castineiras, Robert (Lorraine) Pellegrino Jr., Thomas (Jennifer) Pellegrino and Donna Cubicciotti; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services were held at the St. James Funeral Home in St. James Sept. 4 and burial followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

Elizabeth “Bette” Cohen Goldberg

Elizabeth “Bette” Cohen Goldberg, 86, died of complications from cancer Oct. 9 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. 

A woman of remarkable grace, charm and wit, boundless energy and exceptional taste, Bette impressed everyone she met with her extraordinary warmth and kindness.  

Born and raised in Chicago, Bette was a 1954 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan. She met Homer Goldberg, her late husband of 61 years, on a blind date. They were married in 1956, then spent a year immersed in the art and culture of Italy. In 1961, they moved to Setauket where they lived for 50 years. 

A lifelong lover of the arts with an impeccable sense of style, Bette served from 1976 to 1992 as director of Gallery North and later as president of its board of trustees. First opened in Setauket in 1965, the gallery displays and supports the work of local and nationally recognized artists working in all media. As director, Bette nurtured new and established artists, curated exhibitions, ran its popular annual Outdoor Art Show and led fundraising efforts. She was treasured by artists and patrons alike, and in 1986 she was named The Village Times Woman of the Year in the Arts.

After Bette and Homer moved to Minneapolis in 2010, she became an active member of the Loring Green East condominiums community, organizing a book club, an annual art show, exercise classes and serving on the design and social committees. A regular concert, theater and moviegoer, she remained dedicated to the arts, recently serving as a volunteer for the Minneapolis Institute of Art. 

Bette was also a gourmet cook, an impossibly fast walker and a master of the art of the consumer complaint letter. She never tired of food and wine with family and friends, travel and literature. “Cutes,” as her grandchildren called her, was beloved by all those who had the good fortune to know her.

Bette is survived by her daughter Emily and partner Chris; her son John and wife Julie; her four grandsons Alex, Matt, Zach and Ben; her sister-in-law Lois, and her nieces and nephews Phil, Barbara, Terry and Beverly. 

A memorial celebration is being planned for Sunday, Nov. 10. Contributions in Bette’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood, the Minneapolis Institute of Art or The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Alvera G. Scudieri 

Alvera Scudieri (née Lafantano) of East Northport died on Oct. 8 at the age of 89. She was the former deputy treasurer of the Village of Northport. She was the beloved wife of the late Pasquale, loving mother of Michael and Patrick (Donna), cherished grandmother of Nicholas (Kate) and Christopher and adored great-grandmother of Kieran and Brandon. Reposing was held at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport Oct. 10 and 11. Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 12 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, E. Northport. Interment followed at St. Patrick Cemetery, Huntington. Donations to St. Jude Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) in her memory are appreciated. 

Jacqueline Moisan 

Jacqueline Moisan of Northport died on Sept. 27 at 92 years of age. She was the beloved mother of Leon (Patricia), Michael (Janice), the late Zachary and the late David Moisan; cherished grandmother of David (Catherine Lamb), Robert, Matthew, Jonathan Moisan, Jared Moisan, Christina Moisan and Jennifer Gallace (Michael); and loving great-grandmother of Isabella, Gabriella and Tony Gallace. Visitation was held Oct. 3 at Nolan Funeral Home. Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 4 at St. Patrick’s Church, Huntington. Burial followed in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. 

Mary U. Dawkins 

Mary U. Dawkins of Northport died on Sept. 28 at 82 years of age. She was the adored wife to Bertram; devoted mother to Bonnie (Kristin Harper) Dawkins, Peter (Catherine) Dawkins and Nancy (Robert) Pisani; cherished grandmother to Claire and Colleen Dawkins and Jordan and Spencer Pisani; and loving sister to James Bonney. Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 2 at St. Philip Neri Church, Northport. Interment followed at parish cemetery. Donations in Mary’s memory to Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice 505 Main St. Northport, NY 11768, would be appreciated. www.visitingnurseservice.org/. 

John J. Proscia

John J. Proscia of Northport died on Sept. 30. John retired as a mechanical engineer with Grumman Aerospace after 40 years. He was the beloved husband of JoAnn; cherished father of David (Dayna Hanson) Proscia and Douglas (Maria) Proscia; dear brother of Lucille (Louis) Gallina and nephew of Alfred Pennacchia; and devoted uncle of Joanne (Gary) Silko, Frank (Nancy) Gallina, Paul (Maria) Gallina, Laura (Edward) Biosca, James (Carol) Chmielewski, Brian Chmielewski, Andrew (Vanessa) Chmielewski, Christine (Frank) Scarfuto and Lauren (Rick) Picozzi. He was also survived by many loving cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation was held Oct. 4 at Nolan Funeral Home. Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 5 at St. Philip Neri Church. Private cremation followed. Donations in his memory to V.N.S. Hospice of Suffolk (www.visitingnurseservice.org), 505 Main St., Northport, NY 11768 are appreciated. 

by -
0 321
Smithtown Town Hall

The Town of Smithtown is run by a four-member Town Council and a town supervisor. Two seats are open for this year’s election with five people running for office. Smithtown’s council is currently all Republicans. Two incumbents are running for reelection: Thomas Lohmann and Lisa Inzerillo. Their challengers include two Democrats, Richard Guttman and Richard Macellaro, and Libertarian candidate Patricia Shirley. 

Patricia Shirley (L)

Patricia Shirley

Kings Park resident Patricia Shirley is running a grassroots campaign to institute change. She said she would like to see the town’s system of government shift to include more transparency and citizen engagement. She’s noticed that at meetings council members tend to talk too technically without engaging residents. She said she has been going door-to-door and business-to-business mainly in Hauppauge, Smithtown and Kings Park to find out what’s on the minds of Smithtown residents. A native Long Islander, she’s noticed a declining state of the Kings Park business district over the last eight years. She wants to see the community thrive, so it offers a promising future for children.

Shirley takes pride in her entrepreneurial background. Her expertise lies in budgeting and grant writing. She expects to be able to help Smithtown improve its planning, auditing and budgeting. She’s been in the health care field for 25 years and has worked at Developmental Disabilities Institute, also known as DDI, in Smithtown over the last 11 years. The group home has grown tremendously during her tenure there, she said. She has also founded the Shirley Academy, a school that trains people on medical billing practices. 

If elected, Shirley’s priorities include promoting entrepreneurship. She promises more round table discussions with community members.

New tools are needed, she said, for a new generation. Residents, she said, need to regain control. 

“I am a woman and an African American,” she said. “I’m black and I bring diversity to the town.”

She wants to make sure that people get out and vote to bring the count up. This is her first time running for public office.

Richard Guttman (D)

 Richard Guttman

Richard Guttman is another Kings Park resident running for a seat on the Town Council in part because of the decline in the Kings Park business district.

He blames overdevelopment as the underlying cause of many of Smithtown’s issues, whether it’s water quality, traffic jams, cut throughs or the lack of sidewalks and proper street crossings. Overall, he said, it creates safety concerns. 

“Trying to go into a store in Kings Park, you put your life on the line,” he said, referring to the parallel parking situation on Main Street. 

Guttman wants quality of life to be a main consideration to improve Smithtown communities. Projects, he said, are pushed through.

“When you put up a building, there’s more to consider than tax revenue,” he said.

Guttman is local attorney with 20-years’ experience. He operates his general law practice from his home. He handles immigration, tax and some criminal cases. Lately, many of his cases pertain to foreclosure, he said. He helps people file for bankruptcy to avoid losing their homes.

People, he said, are overtaxed. “Maybe, with a different president, that will change,” he said. As a council member, Guttman promises to advocate to keep costs down. 

With regard to economic development, Guttman recognizes the need for better infrastructure, such as sewers. He’d also like to see the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, where he regularly runs, move forward with plans to preserve the grounds as parkland. 

“I know it’s in the works, but I’d like to get it moving,” he said. 

Guttman is currently taking care of his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. If elected, he hopes to help institute programs to help other people in similar situations. 

“I am honest, earnest and promise to do a good job for all the hamlets, to listen to constituents and to come up with solutions that benefit the people.” 

Richard Macellaro

Richard Macellaro

Kings Park resident Richard Macellaro is running for Town Council, but has not been actively campaigning. However, he said in a telephone interview that he wants to win. Macellaro, one of two Democrats in the field for Town Council seats, is also calling for more openness and transparency in Smithtown government. He said that the public needs to more informed about the rights of taxpayers. Agencies and departments need to meet with council members on a more regular basis, he said.

Macellaro is semi-retired and currently works part time for the county’s Traffic and Parking Violations Agency. For 30 years he worked as a director of a home health care business in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

For nearly 60 years, Macellaro said, the town has lacked a master plan to guide the town’s development. If elected, he will make sure one is implemented and reviewed every five years to make sure the town stays focused. Macellaro has previously run for Suffolk County Legislature and New York State Assembly. 

Tom Lohmann

Thomas Lohmann

Tom Lohmann is running for reelection. He was originally voted into office in 2017 and wants to continue what he said he started — reinvigorating the town. His priorities include seeing through the implementation of a master plan for the town’s development. 

“The last time we had a master plan was in the ’60s and we’re doing it, it’s underway,” he said. 

The job requires full-time service and should not be part time, Lohmann said. The retired New York City police officer will take the $75,000 a year for the Town Council position and, combined with his police pension, he said he’s committed to do the work.

“It’s not about the money,” Lohmann said. 

Since he’s been elected to office, Lohmann said he’s spearheaded projects to reinvigorate parkland and beaches, including Gaynor Park and Flynn Memorial Park. The town has three sewer projects underway in Kings Park, Smithtown and St. James. The Kings Park sewers are moving ahead, he said, he’s currently looking for a location for the wastewater treatment plant for Smithtown and expects the St. James sewer to become a combined venture with Gyrodyne, in St. James, in the very near future. 

For 62 years, Lohmann has lived in the Town of Smithtown, currently in the hamlet of Smithtown. He said he is a third generation Smithtown resident. As farmland has turned to shopping malls and highways, Lohmann said he’s seen the change. 

The key to overdevelopment, Lohmann said, is smart development. A master plan, he said, takes care of that. He notes that the town lacks affordable housing. The younger generation, he said, doesn’t want a house. They want to be near a train line to the city and travel by Uber place to place and walk the town. It’s different, he said, from when he grew up. 

The 2 percent tax cap, which state lawmakers have made permanent, Lohmann said, is restrictive. Going forward, he’d like to have more interaction with the school districts. As far as combining services with other branches of government to trim the tax burden on residents, Lohmann said the town is already doing it. 

“We’re doing more with less,” he said. 

Prior to taking office, Lohmann worked as an investigator with insurance crime bureau of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He also worked part time as a Head of the Harbor police officer. 

Lisa Inzerillo

Lisa Inzerillo 

Kings Park resident Lisa Inzerilla has been serving as Town Council member since 2015. She said she focuses on common sense initiatives to deliver efficient services, save tax dollars and protect suburban quality of life. She’s committed to making Smithtown user-friendly and has helped the IT department launch a new website this year. Inzerillo initiated the town’s Animal Shelter reform. She serves on the Labor Management and the Risk Management committees. Inzerillo is proudest of amending town code to prohibit hookah lounges and vape stores near schools, playgrounds and day care centers. 

by -
0 267
Photo by Gene Indenbaum

REVISIT THE MAGIC

Marc Strauss and Caitlin Nofi star in Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s hauntingly beautiful musical masterpiece ‘Phantom’ at Star Playhouse at Suffolk Y JCC, located at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack,  on Nov. 9 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 10, 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 seniors, students and members. To order, call 462-9800, ext. 136.  

by -
0 274
King Rotor

MEET KING ROJOR!

King Rotor

This week’s shelter pet is  King Rojor, a mixed-breed dog rescued from the meat trade in Thailand and now safe at Kent Animal Shelter.

King, who weighs approximately 35 pounds,  has a very sweet disposition, and even though he is missing one of his back legs he is still a happy-go-lucky fella! He gets around just fine, and loves to go for walks with the shelter’s volunteers. 

This sweet boy comes neutered, microchipped and up to date on his vaccines. 

Kent Animal Shelter is located at 2259 River Road in Calverton. The adoption center is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on King Rojor and other adoptable pets at Kent, call 631-727-5731 or visit www.kentanimalshelter.com.

Update: King Rojor has been adopted!

by -
0 446
Dan Losquadro and Anthony Portesy are seeking the town highway superintendent’s office. Photos by Rita J. Egan

Two familiar faces are vying for the Town of Brookhaven highway superintendent seat. Incumbent Dan Losquadro (R), who has been superintendent since 2013, is seeking a fourth term come Election Day. Democratic challenger Anthony Portesy, a private attorney, is once again running for the top highway department position. He ran against Losquadro in 2017. 

The town highway superintendent’s role is responsible for overseeing more than 3,300 lane miles of town roads, making it one of the largest highway departments in New York State. The candidates joined in a debate at the TBR News Media office

“Compared to other positions I’ve held, this has given me the ability to see tangible results of my efforts.”

— Dan Losquadro

Losquadro has spent 16 years in elected office, previously serving as Suffolk County legislator and New York State assemblyman.

“Compared to other positions I’ve held, this has given me the ability to see tangible results of my efforts,” he said. “Instead of debating, now I can allocate funding and I get to see those projects to their completion, that is very gratifying to me.”

Portesy said he shares some of the ideas Losquadro has. His ideas have come from talking to thousands of voters since he lost in 2017. 

The challenger detailed what he called a “worst to first” initiative he’d like to implement if elected. The priority list would be publicly posted on the town’s website, so residents can see when their road is going to get reconstructed. 

“I think if we create a road map of when the work is going to get done with expected time line completion dates it would clear things up,” he said. “The voter frustrations are based off the in-house metrics. No one knows how they decide which roads are done and which ones are not done.”

Losquadro said there are many factors that go into selecting roads for work, and that it sometimes hinges on weather conditions. 

“This winter was different because we had so many freeze-thaw cycles,” he said. “Every day it seemed like during the day it was 45 degrees and then at night it went down to 18 degrees.”

The incumbent said during the winter they used a combination of cold patch and hot mix to battle potholes. 

“We used more cold patch but it never quite fully hardens, so that meant after the winter it breaks up and we had to go back all throughout the spring and summer to fix the potholes that were already fixed,” he said. “It is a battle that you have to keep fighting.”

For next year, Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) has allocated $15 million to the highway department. Both candidates agreed that the funds are needed to fix roads that are past their life expectancy. 

Losquadro said that every penny should be going to roads and mentioned his own high priority list. When pressed on why he doesn’t give more details on when residents can expect work done on their roads, Losquadro said there are multiple factors that decide when a road can be done, and much is out of his hands. 

“I think if we create a road map of when the work is going to get done with expected time line completion dates it would clear things up,”

—Anthony Portesy

He stressed that he is working with a finite budget and assured residents that they have a plan in place. 

“We are getting there — I will never say work will be definitely done by next year, it could be done in two or three years,” he said. “Winters change things.” 

Portesy said that’s the crux of resident’s frustration and he wants to make the process more transparent to them. 

“They know there’s only so much money in the pot, they just want to know when their road is going to be fixed,” he said.

Another area the candidates differ is on how the department uses contractors for most of its work. 

The highway superintendent said he would love to have more workers, but the department tries to be mindful of its spending. 

“The town used to have its own pavement crew, but it is just not feasible to hire multiple employees and buy our own materials,” he said. 

The challenger said he believes within the confines of the budget the department could have room to hire between 12 to 20 additional employees over the course of three to five years. 

“I think we can lessen the reliance on contractors — I think creating an apprenticeship program could be a good idea,” he said.

by -
0 1392
File photo

A person on site during demolition of a derelict property in Rocky Point called police about an explosive discovery Oct. 31 when workers excavating the property uncovered a bag of grenades, some of them still live.

On Halloween, Police said a person on site of the demolition called 911 at 10:07 a.m. to report a bag of grenades found at a zombie house on King Road. The house was already abandoned and had been knocked down. A bag with five grenades were found by workers during excavation. Three were still live, police said.

The house is just one of many derelict properties the Town of Brookhaven is contracting to demolish. Brookhaven Spokesperson Jack Krieger said the site is being handled by Bayport-based Panzner Construction. He said the town was unaware who placed the call to police.

Police said Emergency Service Section officers removed the grenades, with the three live ones to be detonated offsite.

Prev1...363738...217Next Page 37 of 217
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©