Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
About 100 Suffolk County kids spent an afternoon bowling with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th and 7th Precincts at Coram Country Lanes in Coram. The second annual event, entitled “Bowling with a Cop,” was free for the kids and took place on Saturday, March 8.
Hosted by the 6th and 7th precincts, the event was sponsored by the 7th Precinct Community Unity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy and connection to children and families in need. “Bowling with a Cop” is designed to give kids the opportunity to have fun while getting to know their local police officers in a casual setting.
“We are trying to build relationships between the police department and the children who grow up around us,” said Officer Stacie Pollio, a School Resource Officer with the 7th Precinct who founded the 7th Precinct Community Unity with three other police officers. “We raise money and then put 100% of the funds back into the community to pay for events like Bowling with a Cop, charter boat fishing trips, pumpkin picking, and others, which are all free for children and their families.”
During Bowling with a Cop, several officers, including Pollio, went around from lane to lane to spend time with the kids. In addition to two games of bowling, the kids were treated to pizza and soft drinks.
“We were thrilled to once again work with the men and women in blue on this wonderful community event,” said Joe LaSpina, Vice President of Maple Family Lanes, which owns Coram Country Lanes. “Bowling is a fun activity that brings people of many different ages and backgrounds together, and we enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids and officers as they bonded over bowling and pizza.”
Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian in
Hauppauge on March 15.
Nicholas Rogers was driving a 2016 Ford Mustang eastbound on Veterans Memorial Highway when the
vehicle struck an adult male who was crossing the street near the intersection of Schoolhouse Lane at
approximately 4:50 a.m.
The pedestrian, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced
dead at the scene. Rogers, 24, of Smithtown, was not injured.
The Mustang was impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to
contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.
From left, Bob Willemstyn, restaurateur and owner of the Country House; Madiran's owner and sommelier, Jacqueline Malenda; Tom Manuel, founder of The Jazz Loft; and Elaine and Enzo Micali, owners of Elaine’s restaurant. Photo courtesy of The Jazz Loft
The signs of spring on the North Shore bring more than warm breezes and the return of the ospreys. Jazz music will once again be filling the air as The Jazz Loft’s Swing Into Swing Festival 2025 returns from March 18 to 22, not only boosting everyone’s spirits but also at local businesses. There will be an assortment of opportunities to hear live Jazz music throughout the community at five local restaurants in the Stony Brook/East Setauket area.
From left are Tom Manuel, founder of The Jazz Loft; Bob Willemstyn, restaurateur and owner of the Country House; Madiran’s owner and sommelier, Jacqueline Malenda; and Enzo and Elaine Micali, owners of Elaine’s restaurant. Photo from The Jazz Loft
Local restaurants featuring live jazz include: Bliss, located at 766 Route 25A in East Setauket; Elaine’s, located at 316 Main Street in East Setauket; The Country House, located at 1175 North Country Road in Stony Brook; Madiran, located at 209 Route 25A in East Setauket; and Schnitzels, located at 77 Main Street in Stony Brook.
“We are excited to be part of the Jazz Loft’s Swing into Spring event,” said Elaine Micali,owner of Elaine’s in East Setauket. “It’s a great way to spread a little Jazz throughout the Three Village community!”
“I believe that the annual Swing into Spring is something to which the community looks forward to,” said Madiran owner and Sommelier Jacqueline Malenda. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to expose our friends and neighbors to such tremendously talented local musicians. It’s how I began a monthly gig with The Jazz Loft a few years ago, and I’m so happy that I have!”
“The Jazz Loft is a gem in our community,” said Jane Taylor, Executive Director of The Three Village Chamber of Commerce. “The quality of the performances are outstanding and we are fortunate to have The Jazz Loft in our backyard with its quality musicians, while also sharing with the community the history of Jazz, and how it has influenced our culture. I would encourage all to take advantage of the upcoming Swing into Spring Festival.”
The five-day music festival will also feature concert performances at The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook including a Community Jazz Night with Carl Safina, Rod Borrie and John Ronconi on March 18; Bakithi Kumalo Ensemble on March 20;the Mitch Marcus Quintet on March 21 and Frank Vignola and his Birdland Quintet on March 22.
Funding for the Festival comes in part from the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development & Planning and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright.
“Music has the power to draw people out and bring people together,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “I am always excited each year to bring music with the Swing into Spring festival throughout the Three Village community. I am so proud to partner with our community businesses. It’s a great feeling to see our restaurants bustling with people, and filled with the sound of live Jazz.”
Schedule of Events:
Tuesday March 18:
The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)
Community Jazz Night: Rod Borrie & Free Range, Carl Safina & Moment’s Notice, John Ronconi & Cafe Society
$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE
Bliss (6-8PM):
Steve Salerno, guitar, John Marshall, tenor saxophone
Elaine’s (6-8PM):
Tom Manuel, cornet, Phil Rinaldi, piano
Madiran (6-8PM):
Dean Johnson, bass, Al Marino, guitar
Wednesday March 19:
Madiran (6-8PM):
Phil Rinaldi, piano, Mark Wade, bass
Bliss (6-8PM):
Steve Salerno, guitar, Tom Manuel, cornet
Elaine’s (6-8PM):
Kevin Clark, guitar, Chris Donohue, tenor saxophone
The Country House (6-8PM):
The Jazz Loft Trio
Dean Johnson, bass, Rich Iacona, piano, Darrell Smith, drums
The Jazz Loft (4-5:30PM):
Improvisation & Jam Session Techniques Workshop
Dean Johnson, bass, Rich Iacona, piano Tom Manuel, cornet, Darrell Smith, drums
$10 All
The Jazz Loft: (7-9:30PM)
Jam Session / The Keenan Zach Trio
$10, $5 at 8PM
Thursday March 20:
Country House (6-8PM):
Mala Waldron, piano
The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)
Bakithi Kumalo Ensemble
Bakithi Kumalo, bass, Miho Nobuzane, piano/vocal, Kate Curran, vocal, Dylan Kries, saxophone, Ray Marchica, drums
Friday March 21:
Country House (6-8PM):
Rich Iacona, piano, Tom Manuel, cornet
The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)
Mitch Marcus Quintet
Mitch Marcus, tenor saxophone, Evan Francis, alto saxophone/flute, Jeff Miles, guitar, Peter Brendler, bass, Jerad Lippi, drums
$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE
Saturday March 22:
The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)
Frank Vignola Birdland Quartet
Frank Vignola, guitar, Ted Rosenthal, piano, Alex Raderman, drums, Gary Mazzaroppi, bass
$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE
Schnitzels (5-7PM)
Vinny Raniolo, guitar, Tom Manuel, cornet
All tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://www.thejazzloft.org/tickets
A picture of the property to be annexed, screen shotted from the Town of Brookhaven’s online map application. The upper gray portion indicates the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson. Photo courtesy the Town of Brookhaven website
By Sabrina Artusa
The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees and the Town of Brookhaven Council met for a joint public hearing for the prospective annexation of the Port Jefferson Station property on March 6.
James Tsunis, owner of the 5.6-acre parcel next to Baylis Avenue in Port Jefferson Station, initiated the historic hearing between the entities when he requested that five plots of land be annexed to Port Jefferson village. The last time the two entities met for a joint hearing was in 1978.
Area in question is highlighted during the meeting on March 6. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Tsunis and his company, Northwind Group, intend to develop the area into a 48-unit multifamily townhouse complex, which would be impossible under Brookhaven’s current industrial zoning. If the land is annexed, it will be in the purview of the Port Jefferson village planning board, and Tsunis would apply for a rezoning application with the village instead of the town. In this 3.5-hour meeting, Tsunis, as the petitioner, was to prove to both boards that there is a clear public benefit from annexation.
Previously, Brookhaven council members gave feedback indicating that if Tsunis were to submit a rezoning application, it would be rejected.
Tsunis, a 50-year Port Jefferson resident, said “None of the residents of the Village of Port Jefferson want industrial [development] on the property. So what do we do? We annex it into the village because that is who is affected by the use of this property.”
In conjunction with his Brook Meadows plan, Tsunis would contribute $500,000 to the village, assist in rebuilding the William Tooker House, the oldest structure in the village, build a community garden and build a sidewalk from the property to Sheep Pasture Road.
Baylis Avenue and Sheep Pasture Road
Brookhaven Town Board Meeting on March 6. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Tsunis’ attorney Michael Towey argued that the singular access road to the property from Sheep Pasture Road, which serves as the border between the town and the village, is problematic. “This section is completely geographically isolated from the town. It is only accessible through the village,” Towey said.
Since Sheep Pasture Road is the only entry point, Towey argued that the village residents will be affected by whatever is built on the parcel. “We believe the village and its residents [have] reason to be concerned not in the sense of any imminent threat, but in the sense that they presently lack control over how this territory or how these properties will be utilized in the future,” he said.
Supervisor Dan Panico (R) said that any property adjacent to an incorporated village would be implicated by that argument. Indeed, in order to reach Scenic View Court, a residential area neighboring Baylis Avenue, one must pass through the village from the east, though the road can be accessed without entering the village from the west. The Port Jefferson Marina, owned by the Town of Brookhaven, requires passing through the village.
Services
If the annexation is approved by both boards, the children who reside on the property would attend the Comsewogue School District, despite living in the village. The properties are currently serviced by the Terryville Fire District and will remain so even if the property is annexed. “An annexation of the property would place a division in unity of purpose of the public services providing emergency and educational services,” Town of Brookhaven Planning Director Don Hohn said.
Area in question is highlighted during the meeting on March 6. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Towey argued that the village already assumes responsibility for the road, and including the road in Brookhaven’s district was not efficient, although this could not be proven. Brookhaven paved the road in 2023.
Town of Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro (R) issued a letter of support of the annexation, writing “this will alleviate the duplication of services by more than one municipality on the same roadway.”
Some speakers reiterated the revitalization of Port Jefferson village as a benefit of the Brooks Meadows plan. Of the 24 speakers that addressed the board, 18 were in support of the development.
Jim Steiner hopes Brooks Meadows would breathe new life into the village: “[Revitalization] has been a slow process and to have a townhouse type place within walking distance will help lift up the neighborhood.”
Industrial vs. Multifamily
Hohn noted the increased traffic associated with multifamily zoning, stating that the daily trips would be lower if the area remains zoned industrial. “If the maximum building size allowed on a L1 industrial lot were to be developed, this would generate 214 total daily trips. The maximum building size on a multifamily lot, were it to be developed, would be 372 daily trips.” This assertion was corroborated by the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department, though the letter added that the traffic wouldn’t create “significant traffic impacts.”The maximum building height would be 50 feet in light industrial zoning and 35 feet in multifamily zoning in Brookhaven.
Alexander and Jim Tsunis listening to the public testimonies at the Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Many residents expressed displeasure over the aspect of letting the property remain industrial. Port Jefferson resident Gary Zamek said, “The Village of Port Jefferson does not need more industrial land on Sheep Pasture Road…I know Port Jefferson is trying to revitalize our uptown area. It just seems obvious to me that more residents as opposed to trucks would help create that.”
Businesses such as health clubs, offices, warehouses and veterinary hospitals would all be permitted in an area zoned industrial, as noted in Chapter 85 in Brookhaven’s town zone.
Further, some speakers supported the annexation as it would supply additional housing. Town of Brookhaven Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D, Stony Brook) said, “On the application, it indicated there would be four affordable units…This will not be affordable housing by any means. Four of them will be.”
“As a trustee, I want to see owned real estate,” Port Jefferson village Trustee Xena Ugrinsky said.
The Brook Meadows site proposal was analyzed by the Suffolk County Department of Economic Planning and Development in 2023 before it was removed for consideration by Tsunis.The plan was analyzed and disapproved by the Suffolk County Department of Economic Planning and Development in 2023, citing incongruence with adjacent industrial zoning, additional traffic and that a change of zone is simply unnecessary and prohibitive to prospective light industrial zoning developments. The walkability score from the property was listed as 56 partly due to its distance to the Port Jefferson Train Station and downtown, an estimated 10-minute walk. Tsunis then withdrew his application.
“If it was to be developed industrially, it would likely, in my opinion, be developed into something more demure when it comes to light industrial like a self-storage, which is typically a generator of almost zero,” Panico said.
The prospect of a rail yard being built by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority at the Lawrence Aviation site is another consideration of the Brookhaven town council. Tsunis included a 100-foot buffer from the tracks in his plan, but Panico argued that this location would not be in the public’s best interest.
The town and the village have to vote on the annexation within 90 days of the hearing. If the town and village don’t vote in agreement, then one entity could appeal the other’s decision, according to Town of Brookhaven Attorney James Burke.
The public comment period closes on March 14 at midnight for online submissions and at 4:30 p.m. for physical submissions by mail.
Frances Campani and Michael Schwarting of Campani and Schwarting Architects in Port Jefferson were recently awarded a coveted Advocacy Citation of Merit from Docomomo, an international organization involved with preserving modern architecture around the world, for their work to save and rebuild the 1931 Aluminaire House in Palm Springs, California.
The Aluminaire House was conceived and constructed by Lawrence Kocher and Albert Frey as an exhibition house for the Allied Arts and Industry and Architectural League Exhibition of 1931 at the Grand Central Palace in New York City. The house is constructed of mostly aluminum and glass, and was intended to be mass produced and affordable, using inexpensive, off-the-shelf materials. The three-story house was constructed for the exhibit in just ten days, and during its first week on display attracted more than 100,000 visitors.
The husband and wife architect team have worked on this project since 1987 when they rescued it from demolition in Huntington, deconstructed and reconstructed it with their architecture students at the New York Institute of Technology campus in Central Islip. Campani is presently an Associate Professor and Schwarting a Professor Emeritus of NYIT. The campus closed in 2005 and Campani and Schwarting formed the Aluminaire House Foundation and gifted it to the Palm Springs Museum of Art in 2020. It opened on the grounds of the Museum as part of their collection in March 2024.
The Aluminaire House was selected as one of 16 best American modern preservation projects at the 2024 Docomomo Modernism in America Awards ceremony in West Hollywood. The jurors noted, “This is an almost 100-year-old house that was not meant to last, but it has.” “People have gone to herculean lengths to preserve it, and there is a value in recognizing the individuals who have spent decades in service to preserving this object. The new location in Palm springs makes prefect sense.” “Sometimes the best preservation tool is patience.”
“We are very proud of the results of 35 years of work to save this significant structure,” said Schwarting and Campini in a press release. “There have many people involved to help but it is worth noting the 120 NYIT architecture students that worked and were educated by it.”
Campani and Schwarting have also published a book, The Aluminaire House by Gibbs-Smith publisher. To learn more, visit the current exhibition about the Aluminaire House at the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main Street, Stony Brook. The exhibit runs through April 13.
Going through a divorce is emotionally painful and can disrupt one’s life in many ways — but does it also have to be financially devastating? Not necessarily. You can help yourself greatly by making a series of moves. Here are some to consider:
Before the divorce is final …
Determine how you’ll cover the cost of the divorce. To meet the costs of a divorce, which can be tens of thousands dollars, you may need to tap in to your income stream and savings accounts, or even explore alternative options, such as borrowing from your retirement plan, if it’s allowed by a divorce court judge.
Create a budget. You may want to build a temporary budget. Your divorce attorney can advise you on how long your separation period may last in a contested case.
Start building separate bank and brokerage accounts. Consult with your divorce attorney on ways to establish independent bank and brokerage accounts without harming your spouse.
Understand your retirement benefits. Know the value of your and your spouse’s 401(k) or similar plans, IRAs, pensions, stock options and other employer benefits. Also, you might need to negotiate the splitting of retirement benefits through a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). A tax professional and a financial advisor can help you understand how different QDRO proposals can affect your retirement goals.
After the divorce is final …
Finish building your separate financial accounts. You may want to close any joint accounts or credit cards, change online access to financial accounts, remove your name from bills for which you are no longer responsible and complete any agreed-upon asset transfers, such as dividing retirement assets.
Create a new budget. You can now create a longer-term budget, incorporating any spouse or child support you receive as income. You may also need to adjust your spending to reflect items in the divorce agreement, such as expenses now covered by your former spouse and court-ordered responsibilities for paying college education expenses for dependent children and possibly the attorneys’ fees for a former spouse.
Review your protection plans. You may need to review your life, homeowners and auto insurance policies. And if you were covered under your spouse’s health insurance plan, you may want to apply for COBRA to stay on that plan up to 36 months or switch to your own employer’s plan, if available. If you don’t have access to an employer’s health insurance, you may want to explore a marketplace plan from the Affordable Care Act or contact a health insurance broker.
Review your estate plans. To reflect your new marital status, you may need to work with your legal professional to change some of your estate-planning documents, such as a will, living trust, advanced health care directive or power of attorney. Also, review the beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, IRAs, annuities and investment accounts, as these designations can likely supersede instructions on your will or trust.
See your tax professional. You may need to consult with your tax professional on issues such as changing your tax return filing status, claiming a child as a dependent and dealing with tax implications of assets received in the divorce.
Going through a divorce is not easy — but by taking the appropriate steps before and after the divorce is finalized, you can at least help put yourself in a more secure and stable financial position to begin the next phase of your life.
Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook, Member SIPC.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Parker Hutchinson. Photo courtesy the Hutchinson family
By Joshua Kim
If you want to catch a glimpse of Parker Hutchinson’s fresh, cleanly faded, cut-in-Massapequa hair, you’ll have to act fast. OnSt. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with about 12 others, 11-year-old Parker is going to shave off his hair in the auditorium of Port Jefferson High School.
Parker Hutchinson with his parents
The shaving is part of a fundraising event for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which was brought to Port Jefferson School District by childhood cancer survivor and Port Jefferson High School senior Kyle Martin. Melissa Martin, Kyle’s mother as well as Parker’s kindergarten teacher, described the foundation as “an organization that raises money to help fund children’s cancer research. They try to help children in the area where the money is raised.”
Kyle, who plans to attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall, hopes to leave Port Jeff’s St. Baldrick’s as his legacy — a way to make a difference while teaching others along the way to stay positive and keep fighting.
People can participate at St. Baldrick’s events in two ways —as shavees and as fundraisers. At the time of writing, in addition to planning to shave his head, Parker has also raised over $2,300 for the foundation, meeting his original goal of $250 more than nine times over.
He said he’d gotten donations from over 50 people, including seven people who donated over a hundred dollars, through posting on social media and directly asking the people around him, like coaches, friends and family, to help the cause. Paige Hutchinson, Parker’s mom, said that “everyone sees it’s for a good cause, so people have been so generous and willing to donate.”
For the past two years, Port Jefferson Middle School had shown its students a video about St. Baldrick’s encouraging them to join in. This year, Parker, who had fundraised for his sports teams and school before, was convinced; in particular, he remembered the video telling him that every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer. He registered for the event as soon as he could.
The original $250 goal was met in less than a day. Two weeks in, he hit $1,000, texting his mom, “We’re over!” Then, just a few days later, he hit $2,000. The family is hoping to “punch out another thousand” before March 17. Parker only said he was “happy because everyone’s been so supportive” when he saw how the money was coming in. His mom put it a bit more strongly: “He was psyched!”
But while the support he’s received is exciting, he still says that the event is really about “helping kids who are going through bad stuff to have hope.”
“If there are kids who don’t even have cancer who shave their heads, [it] can show them they’re not alone and that it’s not embarrassing,” he said.
When the day comes, he’ll walk over with his classmates during their lunch period to the Port Jefferson High School auditorium before noon, where he expects there to be around 500 people: middle and high school students, teachers, parents and community members. Then, he and the 12 other participants will go on stage to have the deed done by local barbers. As for what he’ll do after, Parker said that he’ll “maybe go downtown once the day’s over.” Then, of course, he’ll spend the next few months around school with a hairless head.
“We didn’t tell him to do anything. We didn’t ask him to do anything —it was all his idea. So that’s amazing. And then on the flip-side, it’s been nice to see the support he’s gotten from the folks who are willing to donate,” said his mother.
“The support from the local community has been overwhelming,” added her husband, Pete.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) wasfounded in 1920, the year that the 19thamendment was passed, giving women throughout the country the right to vote. A major goal at that time was to educate women to be informed voters.
Over the years, the LWV has remained a grassroots, nonpartisan organization, but its mission evolved to encouraging informed and active participation of citizens in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Now, 105 years later, it is more important than ever that the LWV “Empowers Voters and Defends Our Democracy.”
Long Island is served by eight Leagues: four in Suffolk County (Brookhaven, Huntington, Smithtown, and The Hamptons, Shelter Island and the North Fork) and four in Nassau County (Central Nassau, East Nassau, Port Washington/Manhasset, and Great Neck). Although the communities they reach may be socially and economically diverse and the size of each League varies, they have the same core values and mission.
Working together through regional zoom meetings builds strength. Last month’s meeting began with their regional liaison stating “Our democracy is being tested like never before. We acknowledge problems but focus on solutions. Otherwise we become powerless.”
Strong Leagues with engaged members are needed to accomplish goals. Leadership, membership, and orientation strategies are shared. Membership increases as a result of not only what is happening all around us but also by increased visibility in the community via street and volunteer fairs, networking with diverse groups, and generally meeting people where they are. The Leagues then use orientation meetings to not only educate new members on the values, policies and activities of the League, but to engage these new members, survey their interests and get them involved with hands-on experience.
Leagues will continue to register and educate voters and get out the vote. But this year, all our Leagues are committed to doing whatever they can to make certain theSafeguard American Elections (SAVE) Act does not pass. Rather than safeguarding our elections, the SAVE Act silences voters by making it harder if not impossible formillions of eligible voters to register or reregister to vote. It undermines our election integrity based on lies about who is voting.
There is NO evidence of widespread non-citizen voting in federal or state elections.Newly registered voters may be asked to show identification when they vote the first time.The New York State voter registration form already clearly states that it is a crime to procure a false registration or to furnish false information to the Board of Elections. You must affirm that you are a citizen andeither enter your DMV driver’s license number or last 4 digits of your social security number.
Under the SAVE Act this information wouldno longer besufficient, and online or mail-in registration would not be valid. New voters, or voters with registration changes (e.g. new address) would have to physically go to their County Board of Elections with proof of citizenship, primarily an original birth certificate or passport. Married women who have changed their name would not only need their original birth certificate, but also their marriage certificate. The SAVE Act thus puts an undue burden on voters of color, rural voters, tribal voters, military members and married women.
Would organizations like the LWV even be able to hold voter registration drives in high schools, colleges and the community? We know our democracy works best when everyone participates. The SAVE Act works to do exactly THE OPPOSITE. Millions of active voters would be unable to satisfy the SAVE Act’s requirements. There are about 12 million American citizens who cast a ballot in 2020 but who would be functionally unable to register to vote if the SAVE Act were passed.
The League of Women Voters continues to monitor and oppose the SAVE Act. This bill is being fast-tracked in the House of Representatives. Should it pass both houses of Congress and make it to the president’s desk he is certain to sign it. Leagues all across the country are networking with other organizations to oppose the SAVE Act; educating their community and calling their representatives in Congress. Enfranchising voters isa core principle of the LWV. Defending and protecting our democracy is what we do!
For more information and data, go to Brennan Center for Justice at NYU: The SAVE Act Would Hurt Americans Who Actively Participate in Elections at https://www.brennancenter.org
Judie Gorenstein has been voter service chair of LWV of Suffolk County and past president of LWV of New York State, and is currently on LWV Huntington’s Leadership Team.
Rep. Thomas Suozzi took phone calls from his constituents on March 6. Photo courtesy of Suozzi's Facebook page
By Sabrina Artusa
Representative Nick LaLota (R-NY1) on March 5 and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) held a virtual town hall March 6 address their constituent’s concerns, where federal cuts were chief among them.
U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi
Suozzi’s town hall was attended by over 10,000 people. Suozzi, who was one of 10 Democrats to censure Texas Representative Al Green (D-9th) after Green interrupted President Donald Trump’s(R) Joint Address to Congress, fielded questions on his motivation behind the vote.
“That is not appropriate,” he said, noting. “If it was a Republican doing that to a Democrat it wouldn’t be appropriate and I can’t be a hypocrite.”
Instead of “getting caught up in the protests and the sign-holding and interrupting the president’s speech,” Suozzi emphasized building relationships on “both sides of the aisle” as a method for Democrats to gain a foothold in Congress and “get things done” and “win the argument.”
Residents asked how Suozzi will stand against the federal cuts, including $880 million in proposed cuts to Medicaid. Education, litigation and mobilization were the three primary routes to change, said Suozzi.
Suozzi added that, “58,000 are in the affordable care act that comes from Medicaid; 305,000 people on Long Island are low-income individuals on Medicaid; 133,000 disabled Long Islanders are on Medicaid; and62% of people in my district in nursing homes are on Medicaid … when you want to see someone’s values look at their budget.”
“We need to talk about the importance of Medicaid and how important it is in your life,” Suozzi told a disabled speaker who relies on Medicaid and Social Security and was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to afford to live on Long Island without the aid.
Suozzi admitted that he gets frustrated with the opposite party, but disagrees with dramatic displays of protest such as Green’s, whom he said he has successfully worked with in the past. At the address, Suozzi said he “was angry at the president” but doesn’t want to indulge forces that “want to divide us.”
One speaker called this approach “naïve,” saying Suozzi has “fallen prey to the paradox of tolerance.” Overall, the meeting lasted an hour. Speakers who were unable to ask questions were encouraged to leave a voicemail.
To contact Suozzi go to suozzi.houe.gov. Washington, DC, office at (202- 225-3335.
U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota
LaLota held a town hall on March 5. The tele-town hall comes after a President’s Day rally held at his office by Indivisible, a grassroots national movement. The rally was organized to demand an in-person town hall meeting. Lalota has previously only held tele-town halls.
He fielded accusations that tele-town halls are scripted with questions not being representative of his constituents’ concerns,responding that these claims were untrue.
Integrating polls throughout the call, LaLota garnered feedback on hot topics such as tariffs and Medicaid cuts. In regard to the tariffs, LaLota said he would monitor them and felt confident that the president would use precision and care when using tariffs as leverage.
LaLota said “we need to reduce spending: and he wants “people in government to root out things that don’t make sense.”
To contact LaLota go to house.lalota.gov; district phone number is (631) 289-1097.
Alyssa Lorefice banks two for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Kate Braun drives the lane. Photo by Bill Landon
Loose ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Catherine Piccininni shoots. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Kate Braun nails a three-pointer for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Catherine Piccininni sets the play for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Rosa Pistone passes to an open shooter. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Bella Marciano shoots for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
Kate Braun scores for Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Catherine Piccininni lays up for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Ashley Mennella banks two for the Bulls. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Having managed a come from behind win in the Suffolk County semi-final round against Centereach the previous week, the Bulls needed that same magic for the Class AA final when they faced the Hurricanes of Westhampton at Farmingdale State College on March 9. There would be no magic as the Bulls stayed within striking distance, but a dominant Westhampton defense kept Smithtown West at bay for the 54-40 victory.
Two juniors topped the scoring chart for the Bulls with Alyssa Lorefice notching 11 points and Catherine Piccininni added 10.
Seniors Kate Braun and Rosa Pistone concluded their varsity careers netting 9 points and 2 points respectively.
The Bulls finished their 24-2025 campaign with an impressive 17-3 record and with it a league IV championship.
Prev
