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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

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Susan Romanelli

Prepared by the Romanelli family

Susan Romanelli was born on Oct. 25, 1949, in Mineola. Shortly after her birth, she moved with her parents, Charlotte and Thomas Tabosky, a combat veteran, to their new Levitt home in Hicksville. She attended Fork Lane School where she was classmates with Billy Joel. Susan became a big sister in 1959 when her brother Tom was born. She had an active childhood and was a member of the local pool’s swim team.

In 1965, after climbing the bleachers to attend the sold-out annual Labor Day Firemen’s Tournament held at Mid Island Plaza, she met her future husband, Jim. She invited him to her Sweet 16 where her grandmother predicted their future nuptials. After the Sweet 16, Jim called and asked her out on two dates: the movies and an upcoming school dance featuring Billy Joel’s band. Thankfully, the first date went well, beginning a long romance.

After graduating from Hicksville High School in 1967, Susan attended Mt. Sinai School of Nursing. Jim was at Stony Brook so they met on weekends and loved attending the many concerts and basketball games at Stony Brook. They were fortunate to see many outstanding performances including The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Who and Jefferson Airplane. In 1970, Susan achieved her dream when she received her RN. That summer, she landed her first job at Nassau Hospital.

Susan and Jim married on June 19, 1971, and in 1974, they moved into their home in East Setauket. In 1975, Susan began working at Mather Hospital and was appointed head nurse in the busy ER on the 3 to 11 p.m. shift. She became acquainted with a group of neurologists and, in 1978, started working in their office, which had one of the first CAT scans.

Life changed in 1980 when Paul was born in May. Susan became a full-time mom and worked part-time in a surgeon’s office, home nursing and weekends in the ER. On Jan. 1, 1983, Christopher joined the family. The two boys kept the family busy with soccer games, Little League and skiing in the winter.

In 1993, Susan returned to full-time nursing when she became a school nurse at a local elementary school. She often said the ER prepared her for school nursing. In her position, she cared for several medically fragile students and quickly gained the admiration of the school community. She also became president of the Nurses’ Association.

Her family continued to grow with the addition of her first grandson, Ari, born in 2005 to Christopher’s family. Paul married in 2009 and welcomed twin boys, Clark and Malcolm, in 2013 and Phineas in 2016.

Susan and Jim retired in 2010, skiing in the winter and traveling in the fall and spring. Their fall trips were to national parks and their spring trips included several river cruises in Europe where Susan fell in love with Paris and Barcelona.

Susan’s passions, besides her family, included gardening, skiing, reading, working out and traveling. Her calm, quiet demeanor served her well in all the roles she played in life. Her favorite saying, “It is what it is,” also guided her through life. She loved living at The Village Walk where she was adored by staff and fellow residents. She always had a smile on her face.

Arrangements were entrusted to Bryant Funeral Home in Setauket. Please visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guestbook.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

An open letter to the residents of Port Jefferson Station and Terryville

Many local residents are aware that there is a planned redevelopment at the Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center. However, not all our neighbors necessarily know the specific details which will shape the face of our community along the major thoroughfare of Route 112. This large-scale proposal may allow for up to 280 apartments and 49,000-plus square feet of commercial space on that 10-acre parcel. This intensive use has presented us all with an opportunity to see growth and revitalization of our area, but also the challenge to address potential negative impacts to the existing neighborhood.

Members of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association have worked diligently for the past two years to impress upon the Town of Brookhaven that we welcome this opportunity but that changes could help improve the project. In particular, we expressed a need for a comprehensive traffic study of the area which takes into account surrounding developments. 

Others pointed out concerns about the unprecedented height of four-story buildings, voiced a desire for architectural design which could provide a sense of place, or questioned the need for full environmental review for a project which will nearly triple the density of any other multifamily developments in the town to date.

This entire proposal has its roots in a 2020 revision to the Town Code in the form of a Commercial Redevelopment District crafted and approved during the COVID-19 pandemic. This code, as written, seems vague and without any true metric on which to base a determination of the related density bonuses offered within the district. It is this CRD code which Staller Associates — owner of the Jefferson Shopping Center — is now pursuing for a precedent-setting change of zone on that property. It is my understanding that Brookhaven is prepared to vote on this motion and likely to approve it at its next Town Board meeting on Sept. 26 at Town Hall.

Last November, over 65 residents appeared at a public hearing to provide their input on what they wished to see for our community. Some of those comments have been incorporated by the developer into a few changes by the developer, at the urging and help of our Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). However, much still appears unresolved in the areas of public benefits, clarity on the commitment to a comprehensive traffic study, developing consensus on architectural design and a decision on the ultimate level of density upon buildout. Some believe we should trust this all gets dealt with during the site plan review process. I am hopeful and have advocated that these issues should be addressed before the zoning change is approved in order to achieve the best, transparent outcome possible for all parties.

I solicit my neighbors, regardless of your viewpoint, to go to Town Hall this Thursday evening so that your voice is heard. More “eyes and ears” on this pivotal project will helpfully inform our local decision-makers what the public feels about how best to proceed to take pride in the place we call home. In any event, stay engaged and get involved.

Ira Costell, President

   Port Jefferson Station/ Terryville Civic Association

Port Jefferson electrification stuck in the slow lane

There is no funding allocated in the MTA’s proposed $68 billion 2025-2029 Five Year Capital Plan, just released, for advancement of the proposed $3.1 billion LIRR Port Jefferson Branch electrification project. Critical initial funding was not provided to pay for planning, preliminary design, engineering and the National Environmental Policy Act review to start advancement of this project. The next opportunity for funding will be under the 2030-2034 Five Year Capital Plan. Following the federal NEPA process is necessary to preserve future Federal Transit Administration funding eligibility.

There is only a vague reference in the plan to “improvements” on the Port Jefferson Branch. Contrast this with a specific reference to “looking at the feasibility to extend electrification of the Ronkonkoma Branch east from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank.” 

Riders east of Babylon to Patchogue and Speonk can also only count on a vague reference to “improvements” which doesn’t include electrification. No specific dollar figures, detailed scope of work or implementation schedule are attached to either Port Jefferson or Speonk Branch improvements.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber would have to request permission from the FTA to enter this project into the agency’s Capital Investment Grants (New Starts/Core Capacity) national discretionary competitive grant program. 

Funding for final design and engineering, property easements, land acquisition and utility relocation could be allocated under the 2035-2039 Five Year Capital Plan. This would be followed by $1.6 billion — probably far more due to inflation — in local MTA funding included in the MTA 2040-2044 Five Year Capital Plan. These dollars are necessary to leverage FTA funding. 

Based upon my past experiences on other FTA-MTA-LIRR projects, even if all goes well as I’ve outlined, Port Jefferson Branch electrification may not be completed until 2050. With inflation over time, the final project cost could easily grow to $4 billion and more.

 The LIRR 1960s motto “Line of the Dashing Dan” should be changed to “Line of the Slow Moving Sloth” when it comes to completing LIRR Port Jefferson Branch electrification. The concept of electrification was first proposed back in the 1950s!

Larry Penner

   Great Neck

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL 

We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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Olivia Ross’ bracelets, which read Stony Brook Strong or Save the Mill Pond. 100% of the proceeds are donated to reconstruction efforts. Photo courtesy Olivia Ross
Why we must show appreciation for our fellow man, every day

A month after the disastrous storm that rocked our North Shore communities, we are left wondering what is next.

State and federal politicians have given us big promises, pledging to offer considerable aid for rebuilding efforts, and that is largely for us to wait and see.

However, some of our local community members are taking matters into their own hands, and showing the world that they will not sit back idly and wait for others to take action — they will do now.

One example of a do-gooder that comes to mind is Port Jefferson resident Olivia Ross.

She has started an initiative whose sole aim is to save the Stony Brook Mill Pond, which she has cherished since her childhood years.

Her customized bracelets don the words “Save the Mill Pond” on one side and “Stony Brook Strong” on the other. To date, Ross has sold 100 bracelets, and received almost $1,000 dollars in donations.

It is people like Olivia that define patriotism. In a world of political unrest and uncertainty, people who aim to provide even a modicum of comfort to those in need are truly the models of what a citizen ought to be.

We must band together as one, and use tragedies like last month’s storm, and even last week’s reminder of the horror that was 9/11’s 23rd anniversary, as reminders that sadness brings out the best traits of the human spirit.

But, let us not wait for moments of heartache to help our fellow neighbor. Let’s follow the examples of the selfless, and do good today — and every day.

We can all surely use it!

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Robert Hendry

Prepared by the Hendry Family

After graduating from Northport High School, Robert Keith Hendry continued to live in Northport while working for several decades at Sperry Rand Corp. and Huntington Jeep. Following his mother’s death in 2015, he moved to Florida to be near his brother Jim and wife Irene in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Bob was a lifelong Yankees fan but embraced the Mets in the last 10 years. He loved decorating the exterior of his home for holidays, especially Christmas and Halloween. He was an avid fan of classic television and film, particularly from the 1940s to the early 1970s with a special fondness for Westerns. A car enthusiast, he could identify all makes and models from the past 70 years by sight. When his nieces and nephews were young, he loved taking them to Northport Sweet Shop, local bagel and candy stores and especially Adventureland Amusement Park.

Bob cherished his picturesque hometown of Northport with its quaint downtown, harbor, dock and park. His favorite season was summer when boats and small yachts would fill the harbor. He loved bringing his mother to enjoy it with him.

He is survived by his brother Jim and wife Irene; his sister-in-law Celeste Mansfield and husband Don; his nieces and nephews: Erica Hendry (and husband Max Steinmetz), James E. Hendry (and wife Arianna), Ryan Hendry and Kimberly Woods (and husband Geoff); six grandnieces and nephews as well as many cousins and friends.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport. A religious service will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home followed by burial at St. Philip Neri Cemetery in East Northport.

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A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
Team Keeping the Faith launches out from the pier for their first qualifying heat. They came in second place with 1 minute and 14 seconds.Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza
A scene from the 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. Photo by Jenna Zaza

By Jenna Zaza

From sunrise to sundown last Saturday, Sept. 14, the air echoed with the rhythmic beat of drums, punctuated with bursts of cheers and shouts when they hit their last thump. Three aquatic dragon boats raced across the water, while vibrant red and yellow foam dragons soared among the scattered greenery of Port Jefferson’s Harborfront Park. 

The typically tranquil village is transformed into a lively scene straight from a dragon fantasy novel as The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th annual Dragon Boat Race Festival.

The festival brought together 20 teams made up of 20 paddlers, a steersman and a drummer, to compete in three racing heats that included two qualifying rounds and a championship round. The three-lane course ran 250 meters or approximately 820 feet. 

Aside from the main attraction, there were all-day cultural performances and contests, local food trucks, vendors and family-friendly activities, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all attendees.

“It’s great to take advantage of our harbor to bring people together,” said Barbara Ransome, chamber director of operations. “It’s wonderful to celebrate our community’s culture and our differences. There’s nothing like it.”

Aside from the main attraction, there were all-day performances from the many talented organizations like the Long Island Chinese Dance Group and Taiko Tides Japanese percussion.

From the two qualifying heats, the top 12 with the lowest times made it to the championship round, which included four divisions. The teams that won gold were JPMorgan Chase’s Azure Dragons in Division I, Port Jefferson’s Rowing Club in Division II, Gregory Weyerhaeuser Piasecki Family in Division III and St. Charles Hospital’s Keeping the Faith in Division IV. 

For the GWP Family, this race wasn’t just to get into the competitive spirit but to remember their uncle and cousin Piasecki who recently passed away. 

The event continues to grow in popularity each year, drawing not only Long Island local teams but also participants from the greater New York area, according to Ransome. 

For other teams, the waves and competition wasn’t the only challenging part of the races. “While it was physically exhausting, it was also [hard] controlling the emotions,” said Larry Ryan, one of the rowers for the Port Jefferson Dragons. “We’ve been together on the same team for nine years and we [raced initially] for the comradery, but now we do it in memory and to honor two people that are no longer with us.”

Even though the Dragon Boat Race Festival is significantly important in Chinese culture since it celebrates the life of patriotic Warring States Prime Minister and poet Qu Yuan, it is a festival all cultures can enjoy. Strolling through the park, attendees could hear a melody of the various different languages spoken around them like English, Chinese, Korean, Hindi and even the barks from the four-legged and flurry visitors. 

“The amount of people and the enjoyment [the festival] brings, it’s always a good day,” said Denise Yazak, a science communicator at the Brookhaven National Lab and the team’s drummer. “I always meet new people and the sense of community here is really exciting.” 

One of the highlights of the day was the mesmerizing lion dance performance by Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu, which captivated both children and adults alike. As the brightly colored lions danced their way through the crowd, their playful antics brought bursts of laughter and shrieks of delight from the younger audience members.

The lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance believed to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits. 

“The dance we did today is similar to what we do on Chinese New Year,” said Chris Quintero, an advanced student who has been training for about eight years. “A big part of [training] is being authentic to the culture and trying our absolute best in paying respect and being accurate to the culture.” 

Jenna Zaza is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom.

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Barbara R. Mohar. Courtesy Allison Mohar Fabella

Prepared by Allison Mohar Fabella

Barbara R. Mohar passed away on Aug. 20, in Marlborough, Massachusetts. She was a beloved piano teacher and college music professor, dedicating more than 40 years to teaching hundreds of students at her home in Stony Brook, and teaching music history at Long Island University.

Known for her creative spirit, generosity and tenacity, Mohar was a charismatic force who always found beauty in her surroundings and in the arts. Her love of painting, music, gardening and animals reflected her deep appreciation for all things beautiful. She cherished her piano students as if they were family, leaving a lasting impact through her dedication and generosity.

Mohar was featured in Newsday and The Village Times Herald for her imaginative teaching style, transforming her Stony Brook home into a theater for her annual “piano plays.” These productions brought music to life, casting each student as a character with costumes, dialogue and choreography.

In addition to her private teaching, Mohar was an adjunct music professor for over 30 years at Long Island University where she received the “Excellence in Teaching” award. She also served as program director for the Suffolk County Music Guild, was a music specialist for the Creative Learning Program of the Long Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education and was a board member of The Friends of Sunwood.

A lifelong painter, Mohar filled the walls of her sunroom with paintings of animals, landscapes and flowers, many inspired by her own garden.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Mohar studied at the Dana School of Music until she married and relocated to New York City with her musician husband, who was attending the Juilliard School of Music. She later earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from C.W. Post College in Greenvale, graduating with highest honors.

Mohar is survived by her son Brian (Diane) of New Kingston; daughters Victoria (Imade Sudana) of Acton, Massachusetts and Allison Fabella (Ted) of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and her ex-husband Conrad Mohar, with whom she remained close.

In addition to a private family service in Upstate New York in September, a casual gathering will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Eastern Pavilion Chinese restaurant in Setauket. Friends and students are welcome to share memories and raise a glass in her honor. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mohar’s memory may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a cause dear to her.

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Pixabay photo

By Karen Anderson

Having worked for the Board of Elections on Election Day for almost 20 years, I have done the training and seen the efforts for keeping our elections safe and secure. The general public needs to know what goes into making our voting systems work to give them confidence in the system.

All poll workers must go through training each year. This refreshes memories and introduces any changes and new procedures for each election year. They work as a bipartisan team through every aspect of the election. There is a great deal of paperwork involved in opening and closing the polls.

All election equipment is tested by the Board of Elections before the election to be sure it meets security standards and that the machines are accurately counting ballots. There are security seals on all vulnerable parts of the machines that could be opened. These seals must be checked and recorded to prove that the machines were not compromised. An opening tape is printed to assure that no votes were cast before the polls opened. This tape must read zero votes ensuring that the machines are ready for the public to begin voting. All the paperwork must be signed or initialed by a bipartisan team.

If any voters are not found in the data base at check-in or another question comes up about their ability to vote they may not vote on the machines. They are not turned away. They may still vote. They are directed to the Coordinator to vote by affidavit. The Coordinator gives them a letter from the Board of Elections explaining why they are getting an affidavit ballot. They are given an envelope to fill out. It’s similar to a voter registration form. Once it is completed, the information is checked on the poll pad. A receipt is generated and the voter receives an affidavit ballot to fill out by hand. 

The completed ballot is put in the envelope by the voter. The voter seals the envelope and a bipartisan team initials the envelope. All affidavit ballot envelopes are sealed in a secure pouch which goes to the Board of Elections at the end of the night along with all the other ballots. The Board of Elections checks these ballots to ensure that  the voter is eligible to cast a ballot in the election. The voter receives a letter from the Board stating whether or not the vote was considered valid and counted.

When the polls close, more paperwork needs to be done. Every ballot that was used that day must be accounted for. Sometimes voters make a mistake and ask for a new ballot. Voters get 3 chances to mark their ballot. Any ballot that is spoiled is put in another pouch to be turned in at the end of the day. Each election district must account for every ballot used that day by their district. Then the Coordinator does accounting for the ballots used in all districts at that polling location. Once again the seals on the machines must be checked and recorded. As with everything else, all paperwork is signed or initialed by a bipartisan team. 

The closing poll process takes 30 minutes or more. Everything is packed securely, sealed and returned to the local Board of Elections. Everything is rechecked, reviewed and audited by the local Board of Elections, which then sends the results to the State Board of Elections. The State conducts another review before finally certifying the results. At all levels, a bipartisan panel does the work of certifying the election results. The State stores all paper ballots and other records for 2 years following the election. The ballot storage box is stored in a secure location.

Poll workers do their best to ensure that our elections are safe and secure. They take their responsibilities seriously, believe in our elections and cherish our democracy and the right to vote. They hope all eligible voters come out to make their voices heard. Voting is the right of every American. It is a privilege envied by many people over the world. And it is every citizen’s responsibility.

VOTE!

Karen Anderson is a member of the leadership team of the League of Women Voters of Smithtown a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https//my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county.

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Owners Frank Zheng and his wife Jackie Chen. Photo by Jenna Zaza

By Jenna Zaza

Frank Zheng and his wife Jackie Chen finally fulfilled their long-awaited dream of opening a family-owned Asian market when they strung the Grand Opening banner across the quaint storefront windows nearly two months ago. 

Stony Asian Mart has reopened its doors as Zheng’s Asian Market to a bright, healthy future under new ownership. “We previously owned a Chinese restaurant for 14 years but we got tired of it, too much work,” Zheng said. “We were always thinking of opening a market and then we found this place and it was the perfect chance so — boom — we got it.”

Located across the street from the Long Island Rail Road Stony Brook station at 1087 North Country Road,  the market is an ideal spot for Stony Brook University students and faculty as well as hospital staff, according to Zheng. The small store carries a diverse range of products from medicinal and cosmetics to beverages and frozen foods. 

“There is no Asian market that is easy for students. We got food that is easy to cook, ones that you can microwave for 15 minutes. We are serving Stony Brook,” Chen said. 

Their goal to service the Stony Brook demographic is clear in their pricing. Dry snacks prices such as the popular Korean choco pie typically stay under $10, and Chinese fruit cakes only around $4 and bags of PopCorners are $1. Frozen buns, shumai and dumplings are around $5.75 and a 5-pack of instant noodles, a college staple, averages $7. But quality is not compromised for quality, Chen assures.

“I order from the number one big [importer] for Asian food, the quality is good, and bigger companies have guaranteed return policies if there are any issues,” Chen said. “It’s good for me and good for my customers. I don’t ever worry.”

Zheng’s Asian Market currently offers a 10% discount for Stony Brook University students and faculty. It also offers delivery for orders within a 3-mile radius of the university’s campus exceeding $35 with no extra fee. 

“There is all the stuff here you would find in Flushing and it’s cheaper,” said Sophia Shi, freshman political science major at Stony Brook University. “It’s also a hundred times cleaner than the stores in Flushing. I can see why a lot of people are liking the mart.” 

After purchasing the building, the owners fixed up the mini-mart by repainting it. However, the rebuilding process doesn’t stop there. Zheng’s Asian Market is proving to be a refreshing and much-needed change, according to students. 

“The old one was dark, like the lights weren’t on. I thought it was closed at first,” said John Choi, a junior majoring in biology. “I think [the new owners] made a lot of new improvements. The selection is pretty good too and I like the student discount.” 

It’s not only the power couple who are behind this business but also their children who are helping promote the new improved market by posting on the Stony Brook Reddit and hanging flyers on campus, according to Chen. 

“Stony Brook [University] is like a small city because there are a lot of people working there, and living there, hopefully more people know about us,” Zheng said. “We will check it out and see how it goes.”

In winter months, they plan to stock frozen meats and fish in hopes to appeal to hot-pot fanatics, Zheng said. They are also thinking of possibly extending their figurines and plushie stock depending on customer interest.

“When I come in here, I feel like I am back in my hometown,” said Susan Sun, a freshman psychology major. “The staff are so friendly and they should try to do more promotions. As long as people come to see it for the first time, they’ll keep coming back.”

For the new owners, service is one of their most important business pillars aside from price and quality. Zheng’s Asian Market aims to serve the Stony Brook residents’ food and high-quality service, welcoming them like family. 

“We are not big money seekers, not a million-dollar business,” Zheng said. “We just want to pay the [bills] and have fun with the people. We’ll take care of the community.” 

Jenna Zaza is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Cancer and our environment

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York has the fifth highest cancer rate in the country. Each year over 110,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with cancer and 35,000 die from the disease. One in every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. So, we must ask the question why?

In 2001, I founded the not-for-profit, Community Health and Environment Coalition, to address the high rate of cancer in my community. New York State Department of Health released cancer maps which showed areas with elevated cancer rates and as a concerned mother, environmental advocate and a dedicated community leader, I wanted answers. My coalition partnered with elected leaders, medical professionals and residents to challenge the state to do something about this issue, and it did. The state DOH moved forward with the New York State Cancer Mapping Project, also known as the Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative, and focused its investigation in Coram, Mount Sinai and Port Jefferson Station as a follow-up investigation.

It’s been 18 years since the report was released, and as I look back and see the higher-than-average elevated breast cancer rates highlighted on the cover of the report, I must ask why isn’t more being done to address the exposure to toxic cancer-causing chemicals?

I was never paid as I led the community in our quest to find answers. I worked with elected officials across party lines, and with Long Island’s most renowned breast cancer advocates including Huntington’s Karen Miller, West Islip’s Lorraine Pace and Babylon’s Debbie Basile. Most folks I worked with thought it was our water, and now decades later experts have identified concerning chemicals in our water including PFAS forever chemicals, and 1,4-dioxane used extensively by military contractors. 

After the follow-up cancer investigation report was released, I found that the state DOH used mainly data from its database and did not come to our town to take soil, water and air samples. If a farmer used a pesticide that was not registered, that information was not included. If a company dumped toxic chemicals in the ground, that info was not included. This left more questions than answers.

People are finally understanding that exposure to carcinogen and cancer causing chemicals can have a delayed cancer diagnosis, and it can take decades to see the consequence of toxic exposure, as we’re seeing with 9/11 first responders.

Come on folks, we should expect better than this.

I sat on the Brookhaven National Lab Community Advisory Committee for years as the committee partnered with BNL to clean up contamination. Northrop Grumman and the Navy should do the same for the residents of Bethpage.

I was born on a Navy base. My dad proudly served for decades in the military, but we must hold those who pollute accountable. Mistakes were made decades ago when chemicals were released into our environment. We know better now, and we’ve got work to do so let’s work together to clean up polluted sites and protect residents.

Years ago, I was one of only about five people to attend and advocate to clean up Lawrence Aviation’s groundwater contamination at a public hearing in Port Jefferson.

What followed was a massive effort by the EPA, DEC and Suffolk County Department of Health Services to remediate the contaminant plume.

The government needs to do the same for the groundwater in Bethpage and other contaminated areas on Long Island. I encourage residents to get involved and be part of the solution. Let’s do this together.

So many lives count on it.

Sarah Anker

Mount Sinai

Founder of Community Health and Environment Coalition

Former Suffolk County Legislator

Current NYS Senate Candidate

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