'Herbalism', pyrography on wood, by Lauren Prochera
'Standing Alone', pen ink,zentangle, by Maureen Ginipro
'Flowering Echinacea & Other Herbs', watercolor, by Ellen Ferrigno
'Flowers in Front of the Fountain', oil, by Hayley Brennan
'Number 51', photography, by James Kelson
'White Roses', oil, by Patricia Lind
'Roadside Bouquet', colored pencil and pastel, by Patricia Luppino
'Bouquet 2', gouache on wood panel, by Jessica Rybak
Whether gifted, grown in a garden, or admired in nature, flowers delight us with their natural beauty. In a floral tribute, the Smithtown Township Arts Council will present The Language of Flowers, a juried exhibitat Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from June 28 to July 25.
The prospectus called for artists to “unleash their creativity and share their artistic interpretations of flowers … art that captures the spirit of blossoms or conveys personal emotions or narratives, or simply captures the captivating beauty of flowers.” The response was overwhelming.
“Using oil, acrylic, alcohol ink, colored pencil, dye-sublimation photographic print, fused glass, gouache, graphite, ink, mixed media, oil, pastel, pen & ink, photography, pyrography and watercolor, 84 artistshave found astonishing ways to portray the delicacy of flowers whether represented in realism, impressionism or abstraction,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.
“No matter the style, we are sure gallery visitors will enjoy this bouquet of original works,” she added.
Exhibiting artists include Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Ron Becker, Mireille Belajonas, Kusuma Bheemineni, Matt Bodkin, Hayley Brennan, Joyce Bressler, Kevin Casey, Carol Ceraso, Tobi Cohen, Bernice Corbin, Jane Corrarino, Denise Cousins, JoAnn Dumas, Paul Edelson, Ellen Ferrigno, Elizabeth Fusco, Arlene Gernon, Maureen Ginipro, Theresa Graff, Alexandra Guma, Linda Hartman, Scott Hartman, Karen Jakubowski, Sally Anne Keller, James Kelson, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Angelica Kempa, Samantha Kenny, Megan Kenny, Lynn Kinsella, Julianna Kirk, Elizabeth Kisseleff, Lynn Larrison, Peter Leeds, Syndee Levy, Patricia Lind-Gonzalez, Patricia Luppino, Jackie Mallon, Diane Maniscalco, Adriena Masi, Liz Jorg Masi, Kathleen McArdle, Bonnie McLoughlin Stiegler, Frederic Mendelsohn, Avrel Menkes, Felecia Montfort, Gail Neuman, Loretta Oberheim, Josephine Parlagreco, Sharon Pearsall, Eva Pere, Sean Pollock, Lauren Prochera, Bernice Rausch, Catherine Rezin, Sandra Riddle, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Robert Roehrig, Jessica Rybak, Lori Scarlatos, Lisa Scrima-Castelli, Hillary Serota Needle, Stephen Shannon, Mike Stanko, Maddy Stare, Judy Stone, Betty Ann Tedeschi, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Susan Toplitz, Robert Tuska, Diane Van Velsor, Joseph Weinreb, Patty Yantz, Steven Zaluski, Theodora Zavala and Tianzhou Zhao.
The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, June 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and enjoy the beautiful art.
The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays toFridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information or directions, call 631-862-6575, or visit www.millspondgallery.org.
Suffolk County Police arrested a man on June 26 for allegedly selling a tobacco product to an underage person during a compliance check at a Huntington business.
In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers conducted
an investigation into the sale of tobacco and vape products to underage people at 12 businesses. One
business was found not to be in compliance with the law.
Muhammad Janjua, an employee of Huntington Mart, located at 276 East Jericho Turnpike, was charged
with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. Janjua, 45, of Selden, was released
on a Field Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later
date.
Suffolk County Police have shut down a massage parlor that was operating with the former tenant’s smoke
shop signage in Centereach.
In response to community complaints, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking
Investigations Unit conducted an operation at 2505 Middle County Road on June 24. While the new
business was still utilizing the former business name “Puff and Pass,” detectives found evidence of a
commercial sex operation. The business, Facial Waxing Salon, opened in January 2025.
The Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement assisted, and the location was closed
after being deemed unsafe for occupancy.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this location is urged to contact the
Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512.
Election primary at the Town of Smithtown. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
By Sabrina Artusa
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) secures the Republican seat for town supervisor, winning the Republican primary alongside Lynne Nowick (R) and Thomas J. McCarthy (R) for the town board seats.
Wehrheim, who has held the position since 2018, was challenged by current Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R) for the GOP candidacy for town supervisor. Wehrheim won 3,728 votes while Trotta had 3,059.
Former director of the Smithtown Parks, Buildings & Grounds Department, Wehrheim campaigned on restoring Smithtown parks, revitalizing the downtown areas and maintaining the town’s fiscal health. According to Nowick, 70% of Smithtown parks have already been improved.
An exuberant crowd of residents and Republican officials gathered at Napper Tandy’s Tuesday night as Wehrheim spoke, the live vote results projected on the screen behind him.
Wehrheim said he endured a “very rough campaign,” with the last weeks having been “very negative from my opponent.” He commended his team for their dedication to his campaign.
Salvatore Formica won the primary for Suffolk County legislator representing the 13th district and will run for that seat in November. He beat Frank Black by around 15%.
Having worked as chief for the Commack Fire Department and as a detective for NYPD, Formica is “excited to get back to work to keep Suffolk County safe” by supporting the police and fire departments. He went on discussing the increased demand on fire districts and the plethora of stressors, including mental health, that weigh on law enforcement.
Nowick currently holds a seat on the Smithtown council and was previously a Suffolk County legislator and a tax receiver. She said, “I want to make sure we are very rigorous in getting the downtowns revitalized” and “maintain what we are doing now with parks, beaches, golf courses, concerts and athletics.”
McCarthy said he campaigned “on the facts, the work, the job and doing the best for Smithtown.”
Nowick and McCarthy each won by around 29% of votes, beating challengers Robert Semprini and Joann Tiereny-Varello.
The winners will be included in the Nov. 4 general election.
Smyth will be the GOP candidate for Huntington supervisor; Dr. Dave Bennardo and Greg Grizopoulos will run for council in November. Photo courtesy of Town of Huntington
By Peter Sloniewsky
Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth
On June 24, a combined slate of incumbent Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund Smyth, Councilmember David Bennardo and Councilmember-hopeful Greg Grizopoulos soundly defeated an opposition slate in the Huntington Republican primary. With all 185 districts reporting, Smyth earned more than 60% of the vote. Bennardo and Grizopoulos, in a field of four candidates with two winners, led with 31 and 39%, respectively.
Smyth was first elected town supervisor in 2021 and previously served a term on the Town Board beginning in 2017. A lifelong resident of Huntington, Smyth is also a veteran and an attorney with four children. He defined his term as supervisor by improvements in fiscal stability, revitalization projects in parks, and improvements to the building permitting process.
Huntington Councilmember Dave Bennardo
In Smyth’s reelection letter in March, he stuck by and reaffirmed the importance of his legislative record in office, noting his “record of strong fiscal management of your [sic] tax dollars, continued improvements to public safety, parks, beaches, roads, and garbage.” He also noted that he and his slate “ignore social media sensationalism and run a drama-free government through unspectacular hard work.”
Bennardo, a Huntington resident of more than 25 years, has served as both a high school principal and as the superintendent of South Huntington schools. Bennardo is also a noted advocate of fiscal responsibility and has worked on water quality, shoreline quality, park enhancement and road paving since joining the town council in 2021.
Grizopoulos, a former assistant district attorney, is a partner at the law firm Grizopoulos & Portz, P.C. and resides in Melville. Grizopoulos places significant importance on “preserving Huntington’s suburban character” alongside fiscal responsibility.
Greg Grizopoulos. Photo courtesy of www.gpnylaw.com
The competitiveness of this primary arose from the legal and political backlash to last year’s approval of an “overlay district” in Melville, which could entail the construction of high-density rental apartments. Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci, Smyth’s opponent, was the only town councilmember to vote against the plan. Lupinacci ran on a ticket alongside former Councilman Eugene Cook and former Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman John Posillico.
In addition to the controversy surrounding this apartment project, Lupinacci accused Smyth of political retribution after an administrative reorganization plan resulted in the firing of all of her individual staff members in favor of a more selective “Town Call Center.” In February, Lupinacci said that she would “not back down or be intimidated by their actions,” and an automated email response from her office still notes that “the Supervisor and his Board terminated my staff members.”
Smyth, Bennardo and Grizopoulos will run in the general election on Nov. 4.
The location of the proposed dog park in Nesconset. Photo courtesy of Change.org
By Caroline O’Callaghan
During the May 29 Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board Meeting, board representatives introduced a proposal for a dog park of about 5-10 acres to be built in Walter S. Commerdingers Jr. County Park forest located off of Browns Road in Nesconset.
Residents chose to express their profound concerns over the threat of deforestation to not only the last untouched forest in Nesconset but all of Long Island’s forests. One of those residents was Mary-Anne Smith, who subsequently started a petition on change.org to spotlight the issue.
In her petition titled Save the Last Forest of Nesconset, Smith asks “the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board and Suffolk County Parks Department to please reconsider the location [of the dog park] and prioritize preserving natural spaces and forest, and utilize other alternative open space options in the area.”
Smith went on to list the potential impacts of building the dog park, including its harm to both wildlife and humans.
Some wildlife in the proposed area are at a higher risk of being harmed than others. They include eastern box turtles, northern long-eared bats and common nighthawks. Other less affected animals listed were resident and migratory songbirds, a pair of great horned owls, deer, turkeys and foxes.
For the human residents of the Browns Road and Edgewood Avenue area, Smith brought to light the risks of developing the space, such as increases in road flooding, pollution run-off, property taxes, air-conditioning and electricity costs of nearby homes and urban heat island effect. Smith also said that the proposed dog park would create a decline in property values.
One of the chief complaints listed on the petition was the legality of the dog park proposal. This is due to the forest being a county park, which requires the approval of the county or park authority for any further development to be done. In order for the proposal to be legal, a
core group of residents or public supporters must first form a demonstration, choose the site of the potential park, create a budget and finally present their own proposal for the dog park to the designated authorities.
Based on Smith’s petition, it is unclear if this process was followed accordingly, which suggests that the proposal may not have been supported by the public in the first place. Smith expressed that she was “not against the idea of [more] dog parks” but rather opposed the unnecessary expulsion of the ecosystem in which the forest plays host to given the limited forests left on Long Island. She also mentioned how the Gibbs Pond Dog Park is less than a mile away from the site. This was to suggest that building a second park in close proximity to Gibbs would be redundant.
Ultimately, the petition amassed over 700 signatures, resulting in the decision of policymakers to no longer develop the Nesconset forest into a dog park. Smith thanked the signers, stating, “because of your support, our voices were heard!”
For more information visit the website Save the Last Forest of Nesconset: www.change.org
Yang with the black dress she recreated from the 1940s vintage original. Photo courtesy of Avery Yang
By Daniel Dunaief
For her in-depth research about the Prime Thimble Factory in Huntington, Smithtown High School East senior Avery Yang has won the Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan Scholarship in American Studies from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.
In its 10th year, the scholarship provides $10,000 per year for four years to a student who plans to study history in college and who demonstrates a commitment and interest in the subject by focusing on an element of local history on Long Island that reflects New York state and American history.
Yang wearing a period dress she designed and created based on Theodore Gericault’s “Portrait of Lauren Bro” painted in 1818. That project, which involved using silk and cotton, took two months to create. Photo courtesy of Avery Yang
An accomplished student at Smithtown High School East, Yang focused on the factory that produced the small metal pieces that protected the fingers of those who were sewing from 1836 until the 1880’s.
“She did a great job on her research,” said Judge Cohalan, for whom the scholarship is named and who is one of the four trustees of the foundation. “Her English was perfect, there were no mistakes. I’m a nitpicker.”
Yang, who plans to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the fall, is especially passionate about the history of fashion and its connection to the cultural history of an era.
In her paper, which included 30 references and 47 endnotes, including a photo from her own collection of thimbles, Yang described not only the history of the factory but also the symbolism associated with the thimble.
To continue to receive the scholarship, whose previous winners have attended schools including William & Mary, Dartmouth, the University of Michigan and Marist, Yang must earn a 3.25 grade point average during each semester and contribute to a local historical society through a host of possible eligible activities, including website design and maintenance general research.
Over the course of its operation, the factory, which was owned and operated by Ezra Prime, “reflected changes and conflicts within American society. It echoed the broader shift across industries from artisans to factories, and shaped social debates surrounding women’s rights through its product’s symbolic meaning,” wrote in her winning essay.
Gibson girls
Shaun Minton, who taught Yang last year in an Advanced Placement US History class, was delighted that she won this scholarship.
He described Yang as the “top of the top” among students.
During class last year, Minton was discussing the flapper style of the 1920’s. He usually compares the flappers to the Gibson Girl.
While some students may have heard of, read about or seen films with flappers, few have any working knowledge of the Gibson Girl, whose archetypal fashion preceded the flappers.
That, however, wasn’t the case for Yang, who was able to “explain the fashion of the Gibson Girls better than I could.”
In an email, Yang described the Gibson Girl, who was described in illustrations by Charles Gibson, as fashionable women who were modern and active and yet conformed to a patriarchal view of femininity.
Minton, who provided a college recommendation for his former student, recalled how she wrote a targeted and accurate response to a document based question.
“She was able to get right to the point and analyze the material in such a concise manner that I photocopied her paper and showed it to the rest of the class,” he said.
Fashion and history
Yang became fascinated with understanding history through fashion in middle school, when she started watching videos on the Internet of people who made historical clothing.
“The tactile aspect drew me into it,” she said.
To live the connection to history, Yang sews her own clothing that reflects the styles and fashions of the time. She recreated a vintage original dress that took about three weeks to make from the 1930’s and early 1940’s with rayon crepe that she bought from an online fabric store.
For another ensemble from around 1818, she worked for about two months to recreate a gown from Théodore Géricault’s “Portrait of Laure Bro.” She researched primary sources such as historical sewing guides and garments in digital museum collections.
She enjoys the connection to the people, history and culture when she designs and sews these outfits.
It is a “magical experience to feel like you are participating in the same sorts of practices and rituals as someone from the past,” she said. “When I finally get to put it on, it’s a completely surreal experience.”
Yang has her own Youtube channel and her videos, which include descriptions of old antique machines and the dresses she’s made with them as well as a description of sock plushies.
Yang’s parents Alan and Cherry Yang are happy and proud of the work her daughter, who has also been a Gardiner scholar, did for this scholarship, which is an ongoing part of her passion for history.
Yang surrounds herself with history, as her room has various antiques including a collection of working children’s sewing machines, old irons, advertising pieces and spools of thread, said her mother.
Yang loves antique shops, where “each object there has a story. We bring items home” and her daughter delves into its history, her mother said.
Minton appreciates how Yang, who is successful in math and science classes as well, has chosen to study history in college.
“Kids of her caliber nowadays tend to do STEM,” he said.
Yang’s parents would like their daughter and her older siblings to find their own way. After college, Yang, who also plays alto saxophone in several groups including the pit orchestra and jazz band, would like to go into museum conservation where she can work with historical pieces and help preserve them, giving her the opportunity to paint a picture of cultural and social trends that are often missing from the written record. She would also consider becoming a history teacher.
Yang, who is hoping to participate in the graduate level program in public history at UMass Amherst, sees fashion as a reflection of cultural and social aspects of life.
“I find it really interesting to see changes in fashion and the ways in which things are sewn,” she said.
A scene from 'Elio.' Image courtesy of Disney/Pixar
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
In the cinematic landscape, Pixar Studios created many of the most memorable animated features. These include Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, and Inside Out, along with their extensive line of sequels. Founded in 1979, Pixar became a cultural juggernaut of fiscal and critical success, in many ways redefining expectations in family entertainment.
In Elio, orphaned Elio Solis lives with his Aunt Olga, an Air Force major. Olga gave up her aspirations to be an astronaut to raise the lonely boy. One day, Elio sneaks into a closed exhibit of the Voyager 1 NASA space probe. The possibility of life on other planets fascinates the boy. Each night, he sprawls on the beach, staring up into the stars, hoping to be abducted by aliens.
A scene from ‘Elio.’ Image courtesy of Disney/Pixar
Meanwhile, conspiracy theorist Gunther Melmac claims there is evidence of extra-terrestrials responding to the Voyager 1, transmitting a message to Earth. Elio uses Melmac’s invention to send a message into space. Eventually, Elio is transported into a spaceship where aliens of the Communiverse mistake him for the Earth’s leader and ambassador. Elio becomes embroiled in their negotiations with a warlord, Lord Grigon, who threatens a takeover of the Communiverse. Through various machinations, including the introduction of cloning, among other science fiction devices, Elio befriends Grigon’s son, the gentle Glordon, who does not want to become part of his father’s violent coalition.
The story follows a predictable path. The film introduces elements of bullying on Earth and in the far reaches of the galaxy. After an altercation, Elio receives an eye wound, forcing him to wear a patch. Elio has moments of introspection, questioning whether the difficulty is in the world or within himself. “I thought Earth was the problem, but what if it’s me?”
The film swings at big concepts and grand scope: The statement “Are we alone?” plays on two levels. But, for all this reflection, the film feels shallow, never fully realizing its ambitions. Children’s films have effectively tackled challenging issues. Up, Coco, and both Inside Out films, not to mention the majority of the Toy Story universe, manage to address large topics with integrity and resonance. It’s not that Elio doesn’t try. It’s just that it never quite reaches the targeted feelings.
Like many animated features, this might be a case of too many cooks. Three directors (Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina) worked from a script by three screenwriters (Julia Cho, Mark Hammer, and Mike Jones). Elio possesses an excess of ideas, but nothing is quite finished. Too many on-the-nose statements—“A father always knows” and “I may not always understand you, but I love you”—are presented but not necessarily earned.
The voice talent does fine with the material. Yonas Kibreab and Zoe Saldaña, as Elio and Olga, respectively, are real and nuanced. Remy Edgerly is sweet as Glordon, with Brad Garrett’s gravelly intonations suitable for the villainous Grigon. Jameela Jamil, Shirley Henderson, Matthias Schweighöfer, Brandon Moon, and Naomi Watanabe bring warmth and humor to the assortment of alien ambassadors. Brendan Hunt captures Melmac’s manic energy.
Elio is populated with a range of creatures that seem Happy-Meal-precious, but they are truly fun and wholly benign. The film’s strength lies in the extraordinary production design (Harley Jessup) in tandem with the visual effects (supervised by Claudia Chung-Sani), which have created the joyous Communiverse, a striking and vibrant rainbow pulsing with life. Sadly, these surrounding elements contain more drive than the story itself, resulting in a case of style over substance.
The film’s climax shamelessly borrows shades of E.T. Needless to say, everything works out for everyone. Elio probably seemed good, if not great, on paper. And, in truth, the outlines, structure, and themes of a more satisfying film are there. But, in the end, Elio is an interstellar movie that remains earthbound.
Rated PG, the film is now playing in local theaters.
On the final day of the New York State Assembly’s 2025 session, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s bill A8560A, the “Furthering Rail Transit in Suffolk County Act,” passed. The justification section of the bill reads as follows:
The expansion and modernization of public rail infrastructure in Suffolk County is essential to addressing the region’s long-term transportation needs. This legislation facilitates such development by directing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to grant a permanent access and construction easement to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The easement will allow the MTA to and utilize a portion of DOT-owned land currently designated as the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway for the potential development of a railyard, thereby enhancing the capacity, efficiency, and connectivity of public transit in the region. The easement is also necessary to further New York State’s green transit goals, better allowing for the electrification of the LIRR’s Port Jefferson branch.To ensure that this easement does not interfere with existing transportation priorities, the bill expressly preserves the DOT’s retained rights to carry out any future realignment of New York State Route 25A, including through the construction of a bridge over the Greenway. It further mandates cooperation between the DOT and the MTA to enable both projects to proceed concurrently without operational conflict. By establishing clear terms for coexistence and requiring timely execution of the easement agreement, the legislation provides a structured legal framework that advances public transit objectives while maintaining the integrity of state infrastructure planning.
Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay shared, “I became aware of the importance of this project when I was serving as a Port Jefferson Village Trustee. I was compelled to serve from a higher office in part to help overcome bureaucratic stalemates like this one. The economic, environmental, and community benefits of this project can not be understated and I am very proud to have introduced, sponsored, and passed this legislation that delivers a key solution to moving forward with the modernization and electrification of the Port Jefferson LIRR line.”
In 2023, the Suffolk County Landbank Corporation and the MTA entered into a contract to transfer a portion of the site to the MTA for $10—a strategic move to support LIRR modernization. In early June 2025, Assemblywoman Kassay gathered with elected officials at all levels of government, government agencies, and community organizations to call upon New York State to resolve the ongoing bureaucratic impasse. A disagreement between these two state agencies threatened to derail a critical component of the community-backed redevelopment plan.
Following this press conference, the DOT reached out to Assemblywoman Kassay to discuss the “Furthering Rail Transit in Suffolk County Act”. In a race against the clock, with the Assembly and Senate session concluding mid-June, Assemblywoman Kassay worked swiftly to move the bill along with the DOT, MTA, Assembly Speaker Heastie, Governor Hochul’s staff, Senator Anthony Palumbo, Senator Monica Martinez, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and county staff.
This bipartisan coalition is driven by the regional and state-wide significance of the redevelopment of the Lawrence Aviation site. The Port Jefferson Branch of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which serves approximately 30% of Suffolk County’s population—including faculty and students at SUNY Stony Brook, the county’s largest employer—has long needed modernization. According to the American Public Transportation Association, every $1 invested in public transportation yields a $5 economic return.
In Albany, various legislation and policies have been adopted in an effort to reduce carbon emissions throughout New York. Since taking office in January, Assemblywoman Kassay has highlighted the importance of this local opportunity to ensure future electrification of the Port Jefferson Branch, shifting its trains off of diesel fuel. transformative investments in regional transit infrastructure, improvements to service on one of Suffolk County’s most heavily used diesel rail lines, and relief from traffic congestion by offering better commuter rail options for residents.
Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay shared, “As a freshman member in the New York State legislature, I applaud the groups and individuals who have worked tirelessly for over a decade to clean up the former Lawrence Aviation Industries (LAI) site in Port Jefferson Station and engage the community in a vision and plan for its future. I join Suffolk County government officials and the county’s Department of Economic Development and Planning in their work to prioritize public input over profit in the reimagining of the former superfund site.”
“For many years two state agencies ─ the Department of Transportation and the Long Island Rail Road ─ have not been able to agree to accept Suffolk County’s generous offer of land that would eliminate the dangerous at-grade rail crossing on New York State Route 25A in Upper Port and eliminate unhealthy locomotive fumes by relocating the terminus of the railroad and ultimately enabling its electrification. Although this inaction has paralyzed regional transportation planning and suppressed the economic vitality of every community served by the North Line, Assemblywoman Kassay’s legislation appears to have turned the corner on this morass. Her problem-solving skill is a breakthrough that has profound positive potential to improve the quality of life and health of everyone who lives here.” Suffolk County Legislator Steven C. Englebright (D-Setauket)
New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said, “The passage of this legislation is critically important for Suffolk County residents and would remove an obstacle in our efforts to make Lawrence Aviation a transportation hub for our region. The redevelopment of this site is the key to electrifying lines to eastern Suffolk and will ensure a more reliable and cleaner transportation system, helping to reduce traffic congestion, especially in the busy summer months. I am proud of our work in getting this bill through the legislature and the continued efforts of the local community to move this project forward.”
“This legislation is a significant public victory,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “This is the best $10 the government has ever spent. The easement will allow us to modernize the LIRR, reduce truck traffic, and reduce harmful air pollution. We are extremely appreciative of Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay and Senator Anthony Palumbo for their hard work and dedication in getting it through the legislature. Now, we need the Governor to sign the bill so we can meet our transportation challenges for the future.”
Carmine Inserra, President of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce shared, “The Furthering Rail Transit in Suffolk County Act (A8560A) passing is a huge win for the north shore of Long Island! It paves the way for cleaner, more frequent transportation for all communities along the MTA’s Port Jefferson Branch. It will also offer better public access to the Three Village Historic area and New York State’s flagship university, SUNY Stony Brook (which is also the largest employer on Long Island). Thank you to all the local governmental officials and both business & civic leaders for your support! We appreciate everyone working together on something that benefits us all!”
Assemblywoman Kassay will continue working with fellow stakeholders and her colleagues in Albany to finalize the easement agreement, and clear the path for the modernization and electrification of the Port Jefferson LIRR line—ensuring that the full potential of the former Lawrence Aviation site can be realized in the service of public benefit and regional progress.
Pictured from left, Past Commodore and Treasurer Eileen Kelly, Past Commodore Bill Dick Jr., Rear Commodore Bill Dick III, Commodore Peter Parks, Vice Commodore Janet Rossi, Father Patrick Riegger, MSYC Chaplin Charles Glover, and Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
On Sunday, June 22nd, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner joined members of the Mount Sinai Yacht Club and the local maritime community for the 20th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, a yearly tradition honoring Long Island’s boating community.
The event was held at the Mount Sinai Yacht Club, and included club members, clergy, and residents to celebrate the start of the boating season. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event, which has become a tradition of the Mount Sinai community’s summer calendar.
“It is always a pleasure to take part in this community tradition,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “The Blessing of the Fleet is not only a celebration of our coastal way of life, but a reminder of the importance of safety, community, and stewardship of our waterways.”
Councilwoman Bonner commended the Mount Sinai Yacht Club for two decades of dedication to the event and expressed her appreciation to all who make the Blessing of the Fleet a special occasion year after year.