Yearly Archives: 2024

Women’s basketball coach Langford discusses March Madness, SBU, Tulane

by Daniel Dunaief - April 13, 2024

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Ashley_Langford_4-700x394 — Stony Brook University’s head women’s basketball coach, Ashley Langford. Photo courtesy SBU

By Daniel Dunaief

Ashley Langford’s college basketball life is coming full circle.

This time, instead of dishing assists as a guard, she’ll be patrolling the sidelines as head coach.

After three successful years as head coach for Stony Brook University’s women’s basketball team, including the first ever postseason win in the WBIT, Langford is replacing the retiring Lisa Stockton, her former coach at Tulane University. Langford, who was a star guard from 2005 to 2009 at Tulane, will become the seventh head coach of the women’s team and the first African American to lead the team.

“I didn’t even think I’d be coaching,” said Langford in an interview from Tulane just hours after touching down in the Crescent City. Stockton “is the one during my senior year who thought I should start coaching. It’s ironic that I’m now taking over for her.”

In a wide ranging interview, Langford, who is Tulane’s career leader in assists, assists per game and minutes per game and was inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, reflected on the recent record-setting audiences for the women’s games in March Madness, her time at Stony Brook and her new opportunity as coach at Tulane.

March Madness

While Langford didn’t watch much of the tournament, as she prepared the Seawolves for their postseason games and was contemplating a move back to New Orleans, she did catch the Final Four.

At the end of a Final Four game watched by a record 14.2 million people between the University of Connecticut and Iowa, Connecticut was behind by one point with the ball and seconds left on the clock.

An official called a foul on a moving screen on Connecticut’s Aaliyah Edwards, who was blocking Iowa’s Gabbie Marshall. Numerous prominent basketball pundits thought the call was either incorrect or inappropriate.

“That call has been made all season long,” Langford said. “In my opinion, they call that a moving screen. It’s up to the ref making the best decision in that moment.”

Officials “aren’t supposed to make calls depending on the time of the game,” she added. “To me, they called that all season long.”

Langford thought a final between Iowa and South Carolina expected a more competitive game because she thought Iowa had a deeper team than Connecticut, a perennial powerhouse that had been dealing with injuries.

For the first time ever, the TV audience for the women’s final far outdid the men’s final, with a peak of 24 million viewers for the women’s game on Sunday compared to the 14.82 million for the men.

In the final, Langford was “looking for some good basketball” and thought it was exciting that South Carolina became only the 10th women’s team to finish the season without a loss.

Langford was rooting for the Gamecocks and their coach, Dawn Staley, who was also a standout player before joining the coaching ranks.

Staley has “been a great representative of black women,” Langford said.

Her SB legacy

As for her time at Stony Brook, Langford is pleased with how well the team came together and with the school’s winning culture, which she anticipates continuing.

“I told the team when I departed, ‘No one will be able to take that away from us. This team is etched in Stony Brook history,’” she said. “We have a great group of women who were great in the classroom and on the court. They were able to achieve a lot of success.”

Indeed, Stony Brook finished first in the Colonial Athletic Association, winning the conference with a record of 16-2 and an overall record of 28-5 in Langford’s final season as coach. The team went 13-1 on their home floor.

The Seawolves were one win away from entering March Madness, when they lost 68-60 in the conference championship game to Drexel.

“We played one of our worst games of the season on one of the most important days,” Langford recalled. “There’s shots that we normally make that we didn’t make and there’s shots that they made that they don’t normally make.”

Langford doesn’t want to take anything away from Drexel, as she recognized that they were “the better team that day.”

When she started at Stony Brook, she had several goals. She was thrilled that Gigi Gonzalez earned CAA Player of the Year honors for 2023-2024.

In guiding Stony Brook, Langford was voted 2023-2024 CAA Coach of the Year.

“The only thing that didn’t happen was that we didn’t go dancing” at March Madness, she added. She’s proud of everything the team accomplished.

Tulane approach

As for her start at Tulane, Langford plans to play an uptempo game, encouraging her players to score in the first seven seconds and average around 70 points per game, with about 15 to 20 points coming from transition baskets.

Langford believes games are won on the defensive end of the court.

In balancing between academics and athletics, Langford described her top job as helping the students on her team get a degree, which involves time management.

She encourages players to tap into the academic resources at the school and be proactive as student athletes.

As a head coach, she has learned to be patient.

“I realize I can’t get everything right away,” Langford said. “I’m going to need that patience again as I’m starting a new chapter.”

She needs to chip away each day until she’s helped build and shape the program into a conference champion. In the 2023-2024 season, the Tulane women’s team finished last in the conference, at 3-15, with a 12-20 overall record.

During each halftime, she focuses on statistics, encouraging her team to turn the ball over less or to focus on any rebounding disadvantage.

The game has changed since she played, with considerably more parity across teams. During her heyday as a guard, Tennessee and the University of Connecticut were the powerhouses.

Players are also more versatile, with post players who can shoot three pointers.

Settling back in at Tulane, she feels her most important role is getting to know her current players.

After recovering from a broken ankle earlier this year, she plans to get on the court and work with her players.

“I love getting on the court,” she said. “It’s fun for me.”

Suffolk County’s water quality grant program

by TBR Staff - April 13, 2024

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By Emma Gutmann

For World Water Day on March 22, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) announced the start of the 2024 funding cycle for the county’s Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program. Under this annual program, grants are provided to eligible projects designed to protect and restore the county’s groundwater and surface water resources.

The Drinking Water Protection Program was originally approved by the electorate in 1987 and has been modified over time to bring in other issues such as land stewardship. WQPRP funding is drawn from revenues generated by the 0.25% sales tax, as detailed in Article XII of the Suffolk County Charter. This article is designated to the program for environmental protection, property tax mitigation and sewer district tax rate stabilization.

With 11.75% of the total revenues generated each year under the 1/4% Drinking Water Protection Program, WQPRP grants funding to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for projects that fit under one of the following umbrella categories: (1) habitat restoration, reclamation and connectivity (2) non-point-source abatement and control and pollution prevention initiatives (3) no-discharge zone implementation (4) land stewardship initiatives or (5) education and outreach.

Proposers have until June 7 to apply for an award, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, toward planning, engineering and construction costs. Applications from last year will roll over without further action.

According to the Suffolk County Press Office, 10 to 15 projects are approved every year, each serving to “maintain the ecosystem services that our natural aquatic environment provides.” This perennial attention to water quality is essential considering the county is enveloped by the South Shore Estuary Reserve, the Peconic Estuary and the Long Island Sound and replete with rivers, streams, tributaries, lakes and ponds.

One notable 2022 grant recipient was the Town of Brookhaven Cedar Beach Habitat Restoration. With the help of WQPRP funding, invasive plants were removed from coastal dunes and forest areas and replaced with a native plant species. This undertaking set out to harmonize the ecosystem through reduced erosion and improved nutrient/pollutant removal. The blueprint also proposed underground wildlife tunnels to provide diamondback terrapin turtles with a safer passage to their nesting grounds than treacherous Harbor Beach Road in Mount Sinai.

The WQPRP Review Committee evaluates projects with a mix of multiple choice and written responses, and also takes into account whether the project is of present priority and/or involves construction or site improvement components.

Online attendance at the Proposers Conference at 11 a.m. on April 16 will garner candidates points toward the scoring of their application. The standout projects will be recommended to the county Legislature for approval.

Although there is a wide range of eligible applicants, the priority project types for this year include wastewater treatment improvements, green stormwater infrastructure implementation, nature/nature-based infrastructure for coastal resilience, fertilizer use mitigation and habitat restoration, reclamation and connectivity.

Projects must have a thorough work plan and budget, as well as proof of the funds that Suffolk County would be matching. The project also must be ready to commence within a year of assuming the grant and completed within three years of the agreement between the applicant and the county.

“This program is an effective tool in our ongoing work to clean and protect Suffolk County waters,” Romaine said. “It is unique in the way it brings towns, villages and the not-for-profit environmental community together with the county to work on projects that make an impact locally and regionally.”

The Suffolk County Press Office adds that everyone’s small contribution toward protecting and restoring our local fresh and saltwater systems is “crucial for preserving and benefiting the environmental, economic, aesthetic and recreational advantages afforded to our community by our unique aquatic environment.”

Information on policies, eligibility and classifying water bodies and their quality can be found by searching “WQPRP” at www.suffolkcountyny.gov, along with an application.

Unleash your inner treasure hunter at the TVHS Community Wide Yard Sale!

by Press Release - April 13, 2024

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Looking to unleash the treasures gathering dust in your attic? Dive into the excitement of the Three Village Historical Society Annual Community Wide Yard & Antiques Sale! Get ready for a day of epic bargains and community vibes as the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society are transformed into a bustling marketplace.

Join the Society on Saturday, May 18th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 93 N. Country Road in East Setauket, where the Three Village community will come alive with sellers offering everything from vintage gems to household treasures.

Grab a spot to showcase your goods – whether it’s that quirky lamp you’ve been meaning to part with or a collection of antique knick-knacks. Each 10 x 10 space is up for grabs at just $35 for TVHS members or $50 for non-members.

But wait, there’s more! As a vendor, you’re the star of the show, responsible for your own setup, sales, and cleanup. It’s your chance to shine and make some extra cash while clearing out your clutter. Ready to join the fun? Reserve your spot now at https://www.tvhs.org/yardsale and let the treasure hunt begin!

Learn safe boating at the Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor

by Press Release - April 12, 2024

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COURSES AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AGES 10 AND OLDER

The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor recently announced a spring series of NYS Certified Safe Boating Courses for students aged 10 and older. These courses provide essential knowledge about safe boat operation, regulations, and responsibilities of boat ownership. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants will earn a Safe Boating Certificate.

The course meets the New York State education requirement for the Personal Watercraft Operation Permit, Youth and Adult Boating Certificate. New York State certified instructors present the course in the Museum’s workshop. Participants may view the museum’s exhibits during short breaks throughout the 8-hour course.

Participants may bring a bagged lunch for the lunch break. Adults over the age of 18 have the option to walk into Cold Spring Harbor village to purchase lunch or coffee at any of the businesses or restaurants Main Street has to offer. Minors are not permitted to leave the museum during the course unless a parent or guardian is accompanying them.

Upon completion of the NYS Certified Safe Boating Course, students will receive a temporary safe boating card valid for 90 days. For students aged 18 and above, obtaining the permanent card requires sending the completed form and a $10 check to NYS. However, individuals under 18 will automatically receive the permanent card without any fee.

Upcoming course dates are scheduled for Sat, April 13; Sat, May 11; Sat, June 8; and Sat, July 13. Each course will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to continue offering this important course to our community,” said Gina Van Bell, Assistant Director of The Whaling Museum & Education Center. “Boating safety is paramount, and this course will provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe on the water. Dozens of Long Island residents have already their certificates with us through this course at the museum, and we’re excited to offer more opportunities to get certified this spring!”

The program fee is $35, which includes access to exhibits at the museum for the day. Payment will be collected at the museum before the program begins, and both cash and credit card are accepted. Registration is required and can be completed online at cshwhalingmuseum.org/events.

For more information about the NYS Safe Boating Course or to register, please visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/safeboating or contact Gina Van Bell at 631-367-3418 ext 12 or [email protected].

Medical Compass: Micronutrients for the win with weight loss

by David Dunaief - April 12, 2024

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Focus less on balancing protein, carbohydrates and fats

By David Dunaeif, M.D.

The road to weight loss, or even weight maintenance, is complex. There are many things that influence our eating behavior, including food addictions, boredom, lack of sleep and stress.

Knowing a food’s caloric impact doesn’t always matter, either. Studies assessing the impact of nutrition labeling in restaurants gave us a clear view of this issue: knowing an item’s calories either doesn’t alter behavior or can actually encourage higher calorie purchases (1, 2). The good news is that controlling weight isn’t solely about exercising willpower. Instead, we need to change our diet composition.

In my clinical experience, increasing food quality has a tremendous impact. Focusing on foods that are the most micronutrient dense tends to be the most satisfying, rather than focusing on foods’ macronutrient density, such as protein, carbohydrates and fats. In a week to a few months of emphasizing micronutrients, one of the first things patients notice is a significant reduction in cravings.

Are refined carbohydrates bad for you?

Generally, we know that refined carbohydrates don’t help. Looking deeper, a small, randomized control trial (RCT) showed refined carbohydrates actually may cause food addiction (3). Certain sections of the brain involved in cravings and reward are affected by high-glycemic foods, as shown with MRI scans of trial subjects.

Study participants consumed a 500-calorie shake with either a high-glycemic index or a low-glycemic index. They were unaware of which they were drinking. The ones who drank the high-glycemic shake had higher levels of glucose in their blood initially, followed by a significant decline in glucose levels and increased hunger four hours later. The region of the brain that is related to addiction, the nucleus accumbens, showed a spike in activity with the high-glycemic intake.

According to the authors, this effect may occur regardless of the number of calories consumed. Commonly found high-glycemic foods include items like white flour, sugar and white potatoes. The conclusion: Everyone, but especially those trying to lose weight, should avoid refined carbohydrates.

What’s the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats?

We tend to focus on macronutrients — protein, carbohydrates, and fats — when we look at diets. Which has the greatest impact on weight loss? In an RCT, when comparing different macronutrient combinations, there was very little difference among study groups, nor was there much success in helping obese patients reduce their weight (4, 5). Only 15 percent of patients achieved a 10 percent reduction in weight after two years.

The four different macronutrient diet combinations involved overall calorie restriction. In addition, each combination had either high protein, high fat; average protein, high fat; high protein, low fat; or low protein, low fat. Carbohydrates ranged from low to moderate (35 percent) in the first group to high (65 percent) in the last group. This was another well-designed study, involving 811 participants with an average BMI of 33 kg/m², which is classified as obese.

Focusing primarily on macronutrient levels and calorie counts did very little to improve results.

What’s the relationship between micronutrients and weight?

In an epidemiological study looking at National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, results demonstrate that those who are overweight and obese tend to be micronutrient-deficient (6). Micronutrients include carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as vitamin B12, folate and vitamins C, E and D.

Unfortunately, taking supplements doesn’t solve the problem; generally, micronutrients from supplements are not the same as those from foods. With a few exceptions, such as vitamin D and potentially B12, most micronutrient levels can be raised without supplementation, by increasing the variety of foods in your diet. Please ask your doctor.

Long-term benefits of reducing cortisol levels

Cortisol raises blood-levels of glucose and is involved in promoting visceral or intra-abdominal fat. This type of fat can coat internal organs, such as the liver, and result in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Decreasing the level of cortisol metabolite may also result in a lower propensity toward insulin resistance and may decrease the risk of cardiovascular mortality.

The good news is that once people lose weight, it may be easier to continue to keep weight off. In a prospective (forward-looking) study, results show that once obese patients lost weight, the levels of cortisol metabolite excretion decreased significantly (7). This is an encouraging preliminary, yet small, study involving women.

Controlling or losing weight is not solely about calorie-counting. While calorie intake has a role, food’s nutrient density may be more important to your success and may play a significant role in reducing your cravings, ultimately helping you manage your weight.

References:

(1) Am J Pub Health 2013 Sep 1;103(9):1604-1609. (2) Am J Prev Med.2011 Oct;41(4):434–438. (3) Am J Clin Nutr Online 2013;Jun 26. (4) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:859. (5) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:923. (6) Medscape General Medicine. 2006;8(4):59. (7) Clin Endocrinol.2013;78(5):700-705.

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

Editorial: Did you feel that?

by TBR Staff - April 12, 2024

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On Friday, April 5, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit north-central New Jersey and was reported as having been felt across the tri-state area — including across our communities. An earthquake of this magnitude has not hit the East Coast since 2011, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Virginia shook areas across New York.

Experiencing an earthquake can be a disorienting and unnerving event, as it involves the sudden movement of the Earth’s surface caused by the release of energy in the Earth’s crust.

For those who have experienced an earthquake, the sensation is often described as a sudden jolt or shaking, sometimes accompanied by a rumbling sound. Initially, there may be a feeling of confusion or disbelief as the ground begins to move unexpectedly.

As the earthquake progresses, the intensity of the shaking can vary, ranging from mild tremors to violent jolts. Buildings and structures may sway or vibrate, causing objects to rattle and shift. The ground itself may undulate or roll, creating a sensation akin to being on a boat or riding a wave.

During a seismic event, individuals may feel a range of physical sensations, including dizziness, nausea or difficulty maintaining balance. It’s not uncommon for people to experience heightened anxiety or fear, especially if they are unfamiliar with earthquakes or if the shaking persists for an extended period.

In some cases, the intensity of the earthquake may be strong enough to cause damage to buildings and infrastructure, leading to collapsed structures, fallen debris and potential hazards such as ruptured gas lines or downed power lines.

It’s important to note that each earthquake is unique, and the experience can vary widely depending on factors such as proximity to the epicenter, building construction and personal resilience. Regardless of the magnitude or duration of the earthquake, it’s essential to remain calm, take protective action and follow established safety procedures to minimize the risk of injury and ensure personal safety.

Be prepared in the event of an earthquake

If you’re indoors, move away from windows, glass doors and exterior walls to avoid injury from shattered glass or falling objects.

If you’re outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and utility wires. Drop to the ground and cover your head and neck with your arms until the shaking subsides.

Be mindful of potential hazards such as tall furniture, bookcases and heavy objects that could topple over during an earthquake.

Identify safe zones within your home or workplace, such as sturdy doorframes or interior walls, where you can seek shelter.

Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, including water, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio and a whistle.

Establish a communication plan with your household members or neighbors to coordinate actions during an earthquake or other emergencies.

Be aware of potential aftereffects of an earthquake, such as aftershocks, structural damage, gas leaks and electrical hazards. If you suspect damage to your home or utilities, evacuate immediately and contact emergency services for assistance.

Stay informed about earthquake risks and preparedness measures in your area. Monitor local news, weather alerts and emergency notifications for updates on seismic activity and safety recommendations.

Patriots softball loses close game to undefeated Riverhead

by Bill Landon - April 12, 2024

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By Bill Landon

Ward Melville, having won their season opener with Central Islip, dropped to Half Hollow Hills then fell to Patchogue-Medford. The Patriots were anxious to get back to winning ways in a road game against Riverhead Friday afternoon, April 5.

After three scoreless innings it was Sara Kropp who provided the spark for the Patriots with a leadoff home run to center field in the top of the 4th inning to break the ice. The lead would be short lived as the Blue Waves answered back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game and mustered the go-ahead run to begin the 5th.

Ward Melville saw ample opportunity but stranded several runners on base to lose 2-1 in the League I matchup.

The loss drops the Patriots to 1-3 in the early going as Riverhead remains undefeated..

— Photos by Bill Landon

Opening night success for Elaine’s restaurant in East Setauket

Village Times Herald

by TBR Staff - April 12, 2024

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434195782_1071919640547867_1479386142673004551_n — Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar in East Setauket. Photo courtesy Elaine Micali

By Katherine Kelton

Since the closing of Stony Brook village’s Pentimento restaurant, former teacher Elaine Micali felt there was a hole in the community. She had previously been manager at the eatery that closed in 2021. She long wanted to open a restaurant of her own, though the timing never seemed to work out. Micali and her husband Enzo, both Italian Americans, seriously began searching for a location over two years ago.

Elaine Micali always knew she wanted to have her restaurant in Three Village. “My husband and I raised our kids here. We have lived here for 30 years. I love Three Village. There were other restaurants in other towns that became available but I wanted to be here,” she said.

Formerly Tai Show North, the building that houses Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar was the perfect fit for the couple. “When this spot became available we thought this would be a great spot because we’d pull from not only Three Village, but also Port Jefferson, Miller Place, Mount Sinai and the South Shore,” Micali said. Located on Route 25A in East Setauket right across from Se-Port Delicatessen, which she calls “the best deli on Long Island,” the new restaurant is in a convenient location.

Community is of the utmost importance for Micali. “We had all local tradesmen, we have a local interior designer Nancy Munch from Open House Country Flowers & Interiors, we have all local busboys, and hostesses and waiters,” she said.

The community has similarly reciprocated the goodwill. No seat was left vacant on opening night, according to Micali. She shared that every weekend for the next six weeks is fully booked. “We want to be the place where you’ll come with your family,” she remarked.

One foodie Instagrammer Justin Hurwitz (@diningdealfoodie) wrote, “Elaine’s embraces you with warmth and sophistication, inviting you on a culinary journey unlike any other.”

The menu itself is a reflection of the home-cooked meals the Micali family loves. One of Elaine Micali’s personal favorites, the Spaghetti Augie and Ollie, is cleverly named after her grandsons. Her other favorite, which she makes frequently at home, is the Cotoletta Milanese. There is a “happiest hour” Mondays through Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m.

The Italian restaurant has been decorated thoughtfully in what Micali described as “a hip cool vibe with a nostalgic old-world feel.” The European inspiration comes from English and Italian architecture absorbed by the Micalis on their trips overseas. When planning, the couple also wanted to tie in a Manhattan swanky feel that may be more familiar to visitors.

Elaine Micali recalled a memory from a cooking class she took with chef Jean-Georges during the pandemic when she asked him, “What would you tell someone who’s opening up a restaurant?” He replied, “Don’t do it” — though she did it anyway.

She added, “You have to be insane to open a restaurant, there’s a lot of moving parts. It’s everything from learning about what to do with frying oil, where to get the bread from and where to source the fresh greens.”

Before opening the restaurant, Micali was a teacher in Kings Park for 10 years. She also owned a private learning center, Da Vinci Education and Research, for 16 years while working as an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University in the English Department.

She explained why she and her husband work so well together is that “my husband comes from a business background, I come from a hospitality background, and so together we’re able to come together and really figure it out.”

The couple have managed to create a truly special Italian eatery that is already admired by the community.

67 district retirements aid Three Village budget process

by Mallie Jane Kim - April 12, 2024

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WardMelvilleHS — Ward Melville High School. File photo

By Mallie Jane Kim

Three Village Central School District will see at least 67 retirements across instructional and noninstructional staff this year, according to Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Carlson. Those retirements, along with a restructuring of district administration, will allow Three Village to cut about 15 full-time positions through attrition and save an estimated $2.9 million.

Carlson explained at an April 3 school board meeting that staff adjustments will include three additional elementary teachers to help balance class sizes as well as the restoration of an administrative-level director of curriculum and instruction, though he pointed out the number of administrators will stay the same.

“Because of the retirements, that gives us a chance to look at different positions, and maybe there would be a different structure that would fit us better,” Carlson said.

The staff adjustments are part of budget plans to stay within this year’s 2.84% tax levy increase cap for the district, against the background of uncertainty in the state budget negotiations in Albany. New York’s budget dictates how much state funding goes to each district, and though it was supposed to land April 1, the process is still ongoing.

Carlson maintained his optimism that the $9 million in cuts to the district proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget plan in January would not come to fruition, yet indicated the district administration has planned the 2024-25 school year budget with caution.

“We feel we’ve put a solid budget together,” Carlson told the board. “If we do wind up with a reduction in aid, then we will be prepared to make the recommendation for what gets cut.”

The district is proceeding with its budget planning as though state funding will come through. According to Carlson, that makes more sense than planning for hypothetical state aid cuts since what voters will choose whether to adopt on May 21 is a maximum budget amount.

“It doesn’t mean we have to spend that much money — it just means we can’t spend more than that,” he said.

Two board members push for advanced planning, taxpayer relief

Trustee Karen Roughley again pushed administrators for more advanced planning, suggesting a sort of vision board to help steer Three Village toward its goals, and account for probable mandates coming down the pike from New York State, like potential financial literacy requirements for graduation.

“If I had some sort of plan to say, ‘In the next one to two to three years, we want to increase the business department by three teachers because we want to add XYZ courses,’” she said, posing a hypothetical example. “Then we could see as we’re working through the budget with you guys that, ‘OK, maybe this is the year to add one of those in, and then next year maybe we can add the two more in.’”

Her colleague David McKinnon went further, suggesting the district halt any budget growth for 2024-25 over the current $230.9 million budget.

“I’m afraid it’s really now or never for local tax relief,” McKinnon said, pointing to this year’s state aid uncertainty and the likelihood that changes to future state aid would probably mean less money over time flowing from the state to the district, due to lower enrollment.

He added that though enrollment has been declining for more than a decade, residents have not seen any decline in their taxes. “Taxpayers have not had very effective representation in the budget process,” he said, indicating that’s why he ran for the board in the first place. “The result is obviously some pent-up frustration with the budgets.”

Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon pointed out enrollment has leveled in the lower grades, indicating a move toward stabilization in student numbers. He added that the cost of educating students has gone up, and many of those rising costs are due to inflation or otherwise out of the administration’s control, like employee contracts, which are negotiated by the school board in conjunction with the relevant unions.

“Going from the 2.84% in tax levy [increase] now to a zero would definitely have a tremendous impact on our budget,” he said, suggesting class sizes would soar and the district would have to cut programs and close an elementary school by September. “While the taxpayers would have the relief, the students would suffer in my opinion in many ways.”

Board member Jeffrey Kerman took issue with the suggestion of further cuts, and with McKinnon’s assertion he is on the board to negotiate for taxpayers.

“We all represent the taxpayers — we also represent the students,” Kerman told McKinnon. “We try to negotiate with our unions and everything else, but we’re here for the students — to make sure our district remains the district that it is now, a wonderful district.”

The board is scheduled to adopt a budget at an April 17 meeting, and the budget will face voters on May 21.

Suffolk County Police Department warns residents of phone scam

Police & Fire

by Press Release - April 12, 2024

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The Suffolk County Police Department is warning the public about a scam during which callers purport to be from a law enforcement agency and threaten arrest if money is not sent.

Detectives have been made aware of at least two incidents during which a resident has been contacted by phone by a caller identifying themselves as the Suffolk County Police Chief of Police who says the resident either has an outstanding warrant or is in danger of having a warrant issued and payment of a fee was needed to avoid arrest. Both victims sent funds in excess of $1000 via payment apps and money wiring services.

Both victims report the scammers called from what appeared to be legitimate police department phone numbers. Scammers often use spoofing apps and other technology to falsely represent the numbers they are calling from. Police will never demand money in lieu of arrest or other consequence. If you believe you have been the victim of this or any other scam, contact police.

First Precinct: 631-854-8100

Second Precinct: 631-854-8200

Third Precinct: 631-865-8300

Fourth Precinct: 631-854-8400

Fifth Precinct: 631-854-8500

Sixth Precinct: 631-854-8600

Seventh Precinct: 631-852-8700

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