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TBR Staff

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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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By Elof Axel Carlson

I learned from my daughter-in-law, Dawn Allen Carlson, that my son John died as he was recovering at home from pneumonia treated with antibiotics. John (1962-2016) could not be revived by the EMT or after being taken to the hospital in Swampscott, Massachusetts, where he lived.

John was a happy child and had many friends at Ward Melville High School. He went to Yale for his bachelor’s degree and loved volleyball, serving as captain of his team. He switched from engineering to mathematics and got his master’s in applied mathematics at Stony Brook University.

John loved history and read widely. He treasured the Civil War narrative histories that he inherited from my brother Roland. I had seen John last at the memorial service for my daughter Claudia. After I finished my presentation on the stage of the Hotel Roger Smith in Manhattan, my son John scooped me off the high platform and gently brought me down to the floor.

John used his skills as an actuary and as a designer of computer software for corporate health and retirement programs. When he was a child, I marveled at his gift for playing Monopoly, where instead of counting out each spot for landing a marker, he just lifted it from the board and placed it where it should be. He was invariably the banker for the game. John was gentle in his personality. During Claudia’s last month of life, he helped move in a hospital bed and rearrange her furniture so she could see people who came by.

I have learned that the hardest psychological impact of aging is being alive to see family members, students and friends younger than me die. It is so unfair that Claudia will not experience holding a grandchild and John will not experience the weddings for his two adult children. But this is characteristic of life. It does not abide by our wishes or logic.

While I know this from my immersion in the life sciences, the injustice of it is hard to rationalize by science or faith. I can hear John’s resonant baritone voice in my head and savor the rational, sympathetic way he handled crises. I shall miss his telephone calls and the delight of discussing history and current events with him filled with wit and insight.

Elof Axel Carlson is a distinguished teaching professor emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University.

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The Greenway Trail runs between Port Jefferson Station and Setauket. File photo

The 3.5-mile Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail will be spruced up on Sunday, May 21, during the Town of Brookhaven’s annual Great Brookhaven Cleanup.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, in shine or slightly damp weather, and will include a focus on the trail’s eastern end, at the public parking lot near the 7-Eleven on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station. According to Friends of the Greenway, the task on that end will be to cut down underbrush and vines by trees and fencing. On the rest of the trail, volunteers will clean up as well as trim branches and vines in the way of the path.

Participants are asked to bring gloves, rakes and garden cutting tools.

To sign up or for more information, visit www.brookhaven.org or call 631-451-TOWN.

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John Koebel cuts to the crease. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Comsewogue boys’ lacrosse team led by three goals to open the third quarter, but undefeated Bayport-Blue Point came back to win, 9-8, on Friday night with a shot with 11 seconds left on the clock.

Trevor Kennedy scores to the top right corner past a reaching goalkeeper. Photo by Bill Landon
Trevor Kennedy scores to the top right corner past a reaching goalkeeper. Photo by Bill Landon

“Tonight’s atmosphere was awesome and that’s what lacrosse is supposed to be and I thought we played well,” Comsewogue head coach Pete Mitchell said, adding that he was proud of his team for hanging with an opponent of Bayport’s caliber. “I thought we played well enough to win, but the kids played hard and I’m proud of their efforts tonight.”

The Warriors wasted no time getting the game going when midfielder Matthew Spahr, a University at Albany-bound senior, found the back of the cage just eight seconds into the contest, for the early lead.

Bayport-Blue Point answered back three minutes later to tie the game, but Comsewogue senior midfielder Trevor Kennedy’s shot found the cage to help his team edge ahead 2-1 at the 8:46 mark. The Phantoms scored next with four minutes left in the opening quarter, as Comsewogue drew a penalty and went a man down. Tied 2-2, Bayport-Blue Point looked to capitalize with the extra player, but Comsewogue’s defense stood its ground.

With seven seconds left, Kennedy, who will play for Assumption College next spring, struck again to put his team out front 3-2 to open the second stanza. Bayport barked back by firing two quick goals to edge ahead 4-3 and take the lead for the first time, but the Warriors were quick to respond when midfielder John Koebel, an Endicott College-bound senior, split the pipes to make it a new game, 4-4.

Richie Lacalandra snaps a shot between two Bayport-Blue Point defenders for the score. Photo by Bill Landon
Richie Lacalandra snaps a shot between two Bayport-Blue Point defenders for the score. Photo by Bill Landon

“I thought we started out hot, but I knew they were going to come back — they’re a second half team,” Kennedy said. “I knew that they would come out to play in the second half.”

Comsewogue rattled off the next three goals, with sophomore attack Richie Lacalandra, junior midfielder and attack Ryan Dorney and junior attack Will Snelders aiding the team in going up 7-4 to open the third quarter, but the Phantoms found a way to come back.

Comsewogue played keep away until the team turned the ball over, and  Bayport made them pay for it. Despite being a man down themselves now, the team made four quick passes for a score that cut the deficit. With 34 seconds left in the third, Comsewogue’s opponent struck again as the Warriors struggled to stop the onslaught.

With 10 minutes left, Comsewogue received a penalty, and committed another soon after, to go down two men. And the Phantoms cashed in. Bayport, at 12-0 on the season, proved why it’s gone undefeated for a reason, and rattled off two more goals for an 8-7 lead with seven minutes left in regulation.

Kevin Tiedemann dives for a loose ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kevin Tiedemann dives for a loose ball. Photo by Bill Landon

Kennedy’s stick spoke once more when his shot found the net for his hat trick goal to deadlock the game with little time remaining. Overtime seemed likely, but on the ensuing faceoff, the Phantoms made three quick flips and fired at the Comsewogue cage. The shot found its mark and Bayport edged ahead to retake the lead, 9-8, with 11 showing on the scoreboard clock. Comsewogue won the final faceoff and with precious seconds left, failed to find a clear lane to the cage.

“We did some things that are uncharacteristic of what we do,” Mitchell said. “We lacked discipline by not taking a last shot in the final seconds.”

The loss drops the Warriors to 9-3 in Division II with two games remaining before the playoffs.

“They played a good game,” Mitchell said of Bayport. “And I hope to see them again.”

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Alan Ruck, Mia Sara and Matthew Broderick star in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ Image from Fathom Events

It’s time to save Ferris … again! Still as hilariously irresistible as the day it was released in 1986, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” returns to cinemas for two days only this May, just in time for its 30th anniversary.

The iconic ’80s film will return to select theaters across the country on May 15 and 18 in honor of the anniversary.

Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) present John Hughes’ venerated comedy as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series. Audiences can take the day off to join Ferris, Sloane and Cameron in more than 650 theaters nationwide for two screenings each day: at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time.

In our neck of the woods, screenings will be held at Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, AMC Stony Brook 17 and Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fathomevents.com or at the box office.

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Senior midfielder Justin Eck fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

Middle Country countered Half Hollow Hills West’s four unanswered goals with four of their own to close within one in the second quarter of Division I boys’ lacrosse action Thursday afternoon, but the Mad Dogs couldn’t maintain the same level as the Colts and fell 15-9 in their second to last game of the season.

Trailing by two, Middle Country finally got on the scoreboard when junior Ryan Wheeler dished the ball to classmate and midfielder Michael Benasutti, who drove his shot home to cut the lead in half, to 2-1, at the 4:30 mark of the opening quarter.

The Colts countered by rattling off four unanswered goals in the next two minutes for a 6-1 advantage in the opening minute of the second quarter, but the Mad Dogs found a rhythm and scored four of their own, beginning with senior midfielder Kyle Stemke, to pull within one goal. Next to score was senior attack Ty Tracey, who connected for the score on a pass from senior attack David Garcia, the cutter, and Stemke struck again with a blast just outside the crease with six minutes left in the half to help his team close within two, 6-4.

Senior attack David Garcia gets checked. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior attack David Garcia gets checked. Photo by Bill Landon

“They’re a strong team — it just comes down to heart and that plays a major role in the game,” Stemke said.

Garcia’s stick spoke next when his shot stretched the net to shave the deficit to 6-5 at the 2:33 mark.

Garcia said knowing his teammates since childhood has helped the team developed a bond both on and off the field.

“We knew that they were a very good team, we worked hard and we’ve played our whole lives together,” Garcia said, adding that his team was able to come back because “we kept each other up and we stayed positive the whole way.”

The Mad Dogs came no closer though, as the Colts rattled the cage with five more goals in less than two minutes, to surge ahead 11-5 at the halftime break.

Middle Country opened the third quarter able to hold the Colts in check, and junior attack Matthew Gensinger’s drilled one past the goalie to stop the onslaught. Unlike the final minutes of the second quarter, the Middle Country defense was able to hold its opponent, limiting the Colts to just two goals in the third, but the Mad Dogs failed to score again until the final quarter.

With less than five minutes left in the game, junior midfielder Jessie McKeever fed senior midfielder Justin Eck on a cut, and he drilled his shot just inside the pipes to trail 13-7.

Middle Country kept pace the rest of the way, with junior Nicholas Belmonte and sophomore Daniel Hogan countering two Half Hollow Hills goals, but the team’s efforts were not enough to catch the Colts.

Middle Country head coach Christopher Siragusa said he thought his team would have been able to keep up with its opponent if it weren’t for the last two minutes of the second quarter.

Senior midfielder Kyle Stemke sprints to the crease. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior midfielder Kyle Stemke sprints to the crease. Photo by Bill Landon

“I thought that we could handle them,” he said. “It depended on what team we had on the field — we’re a strong character team, we fought with every team we faced this season, even the top dogs. We thought we had a good shot at it.”

Senior goalkeeper Christian Brody said he wasn’t surprised by Half Hollow Hills West, and knew he would have a busy day between the pipes.

“They’re what we expected — they’re heavy shooters and they swing the ball very well,” said Brody, who finished with 11 saves. “But it’s all about how our defense sets up, and we had great stops on defense. They did a good job.”

Stemke said he’s felt honored to play on the same field as his goalkeeper, who has worked hard to keep the team in games this season.

“Our goalie played great,” he said. “He’s having a great year and I can’t thank him enough for getting in that cage every game.”

With the loss, Middle Country drops to 4-9, and will finish out the season hosting Lindenhurst on Thursday at 7 p.m.

 

This version corrects the Half Hollow Hills West mascot.

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New jobs in new industries are constantly coming up. There is no college major that fits to these yet-to-exist jobs, so students can take comfort that their success is not bound by their decision to study art history or physics. Photo from Ryan DeVito

By Ryan DeVito

You are not defined by your college major. High school students often struggle under the pressure of not only choosing a college but also pre-selecting a major that will lead to a certain career. Fortunately, there is no definite pathway to most jobs.

A college major is simply a medium for greater exploration of something. With few exceptions, college curricula are designed to expose students to a wide variety of coursework. The major itself can constitute as little as one quarter of a student’s credits over the course of their college career. Those credit hours are focused on one particular field of interest that may or may not have any bearing on a student’s future career goals.

I majored in political science in college. Instead of viewing my college experience as a means for securing a job after graduation, I approached college as an opportunity to learn widely. Political science was, and still is, interesting to me, so I chose to focus my studies in that field. However, I never had any intention of pursuing any of the assumed paths of a political science major: law school, political campaigning or lobbying.

Political science formed the foundation of my college education, but it in no way defines who I am or where I hope to take my career. My story isn’t uncommon, either. College graduates nationwide are increasingly departing from their college majors to pursue jobs that are sometimes completely unrelated. After all, the modern economy is constantly changing and the opportunity to discover new passions and interests is ever expanding.

High school students may be surprised to learn how little bearing a college major has on a lifetime trajectory. Medical doctors are often examples of how your college major can be unrelated to your endgame. An increasing number of medical students have undergraduate degrees that are outside of the sciences, and many medical schools look for candidates with nonscience backgrounds. Why? Because medical schools want to produce well-rounded doctors who can better connect with their patients.

This is an age when people need to be adaptable. Essentially gone are the days when you could graduate from college and assume that a lifetime job would be waiting for you. Instead, today’s college students need to be versatile and innovative.

Not only is the job landscape constantly changing, but so are your personal interests. In a widely referenced statistic, the average young person today changes careers more than three times in their lifetime. That’s careers, not jobs.

A college major should allow you to feed a passion. Selecting a major based on career prospects is a losing proposition. And what really matters is not your major but your drive. The research of economists Stacy Dale and Alan Krueger suggests that college major is much less important than the student’s inherent ability, motivation and ambition. Studying art history or horticulture are not death sentences for your future. Just the opposite is true if you are motivated to search out the opportunities you want. Also, every experience can be translated into a desirable job skill. From interpersonal communication to organization to management, any major can be effectively pitched to be a desirable package for potential employers.

High school and college students shouldn’t feel as though their future is at stake when they choose a major. Rather, they should think about how they can use their academic interests to reach their goals. There is no set path. With some inventiveness and innovation, today’s students can create opportunity regardless of what they study in college.

Ryan DeVito is a Miller Place native and a graduate of SUNY Geneseo. DeVito is a counselor at High Point University and also started his own college advising company, ScholarScope, to help Long Island students and their families.

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The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program’s future at Mount Sinai may be nonexistent if the school can’t get the necessary funding. File photo by Barbara Donlon

By Kevin Redding

In 2013, the Mount Sinai School District and Port Jefferson School District partnered up for a new college-level program that would give their high school students an opportunity to study a wide range of science-oriented subjects and utilize the available resources at Stony Brook University.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program was set up largely due to the efforts of the districts’ superintendents, Gordon Brosdal of Mount Sinai and Kenneth Bossert of Port Jefferson, and New York State Senator Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) — who helped fund the program through grants since its inception. Now entering its third year, the STEM program — which consists of about 20 bright students in total from both high schools and lasts a few weeks each semester — includes four workshops, covering a wide range of topics that include botany, physics, computer modeling, electrical engineering and penguin research. Students get early on-campus experience at Stony Brook University, working under professors and advisers, and learning to apply their skill sets through research and hard work to make an impact on the world.

“Beyond just the cool things and getting us passionate about science, it’s taught us [amazing] life skills,” says Ben May, a junior at Mount Sinai who’s been in the program for two and a half years. “When I came to high school, I wanted to [pursue] politics. What these courses have taught me is that not only could I help the world by passing legislation, but that I could pass laws based on my knowledge of science, and the environmental issues I’ve learned, to help the general population.”

Even though the program itself is extremely beneficial, its future is not quite secured.

After New York State passed the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014, which allocated $2 billion for school districts in the state to help provide students with the most up-to-date educational technology like Apple computers and tablets in the classroom, mostly in anticipation for online testing, LaValle’s grant for STEM per school district took a drop: $25,000 became $12,500. Since the program is not funded by the district’s budget, the two school districts pay for it themselves from the money LaValle supplies them. Without LaValle’s additional funding, the school districts must put it up to a budget vote, leaving the decision of whether to keep the program going or not to people who may not fully appreciate what the program does.

According to Brosdal, the trimmed funding might get them through the year, but it’s still worrisome. There’s also added uncertainty when it comes to the continued partnership between Mount Sinai and Port Jefferson — their transportation splits are making the program very costly. Bossert is leaving Port Jefferson to become superintendent at Elwood school district, and there’s no guarantee that his replacement will share his views on the importance of the STEM program.

“We rely on [Port Jefferson] and we’ve enjoyed this relationship with them, but the new superintendent might have different priorities,” Brosdal said. “You never know, and we don’t know if LaValle is going to continue the funding. That was a warning sign last year when our funds were cut in half.”

Brodsal said he hopes the funding does not end, because if it was unsuccessful from the start, he believes Stony Brook would have cancelled it instead.

“They wouldn’t let us back on the campus if they didn’t see that the money went to good use, but they do, and it’s a good experience, so I’m hoping it continues,” he said. “I would love to continue the STEM program, but if that’s not possible, I’d like to give money to form a science research club first, before we make a science research class. … to see if we have student interest. That’s my plan at present.”

Brosdale will meet with LaValle at the end of the week for an update on the funding situation, as well as find out who will be the new superintendent at Port Jefferson.

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By L. Reuven Pasternak, M.D.

For many patients who come to the hospital, their medical team — physicians, nurses and other health care professionals — serves as a lifeline. Skilled and compassionate, these dedicated caregivers help to ensure patients receive the care they need both physically and emotionally.

So it is with great pleasure that we celebrate and salute our nurses, physicians and all our health care professionals during National Nurses Week (May 6 to 12) and National Hospital Week (May 8 to 14). While we are grateful all year long for the jobs they do, these special weeks remind us to let these dedicated individuals know how much they are respected and appreciated.

Because Stony Brook Medicine is an academic medical center and the region’s only tertiary care center, unique medical issues confront our caregivers on a regular basis. Each day a new patient or situation challenges us to take the best ideas in medicine and turn them into practical solutions for our patients. With our nurses frequently on the front line of care, it is often up to them to lead those efforts.

But a hospital runs on more than care. From those who work to keep our hospital clean, to those who prepare nourishing food, from the experts who maintain our technology, to the landscapers who maintain our grounds, from first-year nurses to the most seasoned medical specialists, every single person at Stony Brook makes a meaningful contribution.

We are proud of all of the individuals who contribute to Stony Brook — proud of the expertise they offer and the compassionate care they deliver. They are the people behind our mission to always strive for excellence as a world-class institution, recognized for outstanding patient care, research and health care education.

Please join me in extending thanks to all of those who contribute to the exceptional care to our community and beyond.

L. Reuven Pasternak, M.D., is  CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital and Vice President for Health Systems, Stony Brook Medicine

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He can’t Champlain

A 27-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station was arrested on Champlain Street for having cocaine and heroin at about 6 p.m. on April 27, according to police. He was charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Arden Place fight

On Arden Place in Port Jefferson, a 22-year-old man struck two people in the face at about 3 a.m. on May 1, police said. He was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree harassment.

Unlicensed crash

At about noon on April 29, a 48-year-old man from Centereach driving a 1991 GMC Suburban on North Coleman Road in Centereach was involved in a crash with another vehicle, according to police. The man was arrested when it was discovered he was driving without a license. He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Bonnybill drug bust

A 27-year-old woman from Centereach was found to have oxycodone pain medication without a prescription on Bonnybill Drive at about 1 p.m. on April 28, police said. She was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Mall mischief

At about 9 p.m. on April 26, a 19-year-old man from Farmingville stole various electronics and jewelry from Centereach Mall, according to police. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Should have registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond

At Centereach Mall on April 5 at about 11 p.m., a 36-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Islip, stole multiple items, including a vacuum cleaner, a coffeemaker and an air purifier, police said. They were arrested in Selden on April 26 and each was charged with petit larceny.

Moto madness

A 51-year-old man from Centereach was driving a 1997 Kawasaki motorcycle on Middle Country Road in Selden with a revoked license at about 4 p.m. on April 29, according to police. He was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Bathroom photographer stopped

At about 9 a.m. on April 27, a 37-year-old man from Bay Shore entered the bathroom at Smith Haven Mall, took out his cellphone, put it in picture-taking mode and reached the phone underneath an occupied stall, police said. It was not clear whether the suspect was in a men’s bathroom or a women’s bathroom at the time of the incident, but he was arrested and charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance.

Better late than never

An unknown person damaged a glass door and window screen at a home on Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai at about noon on Jan. 1, according to police. Owners of the home filed a police report on May 1.

Beach bandit

At Cordwood Landing County Park in Miller Place on April 30, an unknown person took jewelry and cash from a 2010 Jeep parked near the beach, police said.

TV waltzes out of Walmart

On April 30 at about 7:30 p.m., an unknown person put a television in a shopping cart at the Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket and left the store without paying, according to police.

Can you hear me now?

A cellphone charger and a phone battery were stolen from the Walmart at Centereach Mall at about 10 p.m. on April 28, police said.

Unhealthy theft

An employee at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson dropped their wallet in a hallway in the hospital at about 7 a.m. on April 29, police said. The wallet was taken and never returned.

Wax on, decals off

An unknown person ripped business decals off the front windows of Ultimate Taekwondo of Stony Brook at about 9 p.m. on April 27, according to police.

No mini-golfing at 2 a.m.

On April 28 at about 2 a.m., someone attempted to enter Tiki Action Park in Centereach, causing damage to a rear door, police said. The person was not able to enter the business.

Drills disappeared

A 20-year-old man from Lindenhurst stole fuel drills from the Home Depot at Independence Plaza in Selden at about 6:30 p.m. on April 24, according to police. He was arrested in Selden on April 28 and charged with petit larceny.

After-hours deli disturbance

The rear glass door at El Limeño deli on Main Street in Port Jefferson was cracked, though no entry was made, at about 10 p.m. on April 28, police said.

Almost pool season

An unknown person stole two pool cleaners from Leslie’s Pool Supplies in Centereach Mall at about 9 a.m. on April 25, according to police.

Bank robbed in St. James

An unknown man robbed a TD Bank on Lake Avenue in St. James on May 1. At approximately 2:35 p.m., police said the man approached a teller and displayed a note demanding cash, which the teller gave him. The suspect had the lower half of his face covered with a construction mask, and was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a brown-hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Police said he fled the bank on foot.

The investigation is continuing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Life’s not a beach

A 26-year-old man from Mastic Beach was arrested on April 30 after police said he was in possession of a controlled substance while inside a 2013 Hyundai on Bay Avenue in Ronkonkoma. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Taking the high road

On April 30 a 19-year-old woman from Medford was arrested after police said she had marijuana on her while driving a 2005 Nissan on Express Drive North in Islandia. She was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

I think she just left

Police said a 60-year-old woman from Lake Grove left the scene of a car crash involving her 2013 Hyundai on April 29 at 3:30 p.m. and did not give out her license or drivers insurance. She was charged with operating a vehicle and leaving the scene with property damage.

Now you see me, now you don’t

A 34-year-old man from Bohemia was arrested on April 28 after police said he crashed his 2010 Audi A5 into a 2011 Chevrolet while driving on Belle Avenue in Ronkonkoma, damaging the left side of the Chevrolet and fleeing the scene. He was charged with operating a vehicle and leaving the scene with property damage.

Knife-y situation

On April 27 a 22-year-old man from Ronkonkoma was arrested after police said he held a knife up to a man while at a residence on Edgewood Avenue just after 4 p.m. He was charged with second-degree menacing with a weapon.

No license and drugs

Police said a 26-year-old man from Huntington had marijuana on him while driving a 2002 Lexus on Route 25 and Indian Head Road in Commack on April 27 with a suspended license. He was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Doughnuts make me go nuts

A 29-year-old man from Kings Park was arrested on April 27 after police said he stole credit cards, gift cards and other assorted items from a Dunkin Donuts on Pulaski Road in Kings Park. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny.

So C-Lowe’s

On April 26 a 51-year-old man from Woodhaven was arrested at the 4th Precinct after police said he stole merchandise from Lowe’s on Sept. 4 and Oct. 7. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny valuing property more than $1,000.

You shall not pass

Police said a 25-year-old man from Centereach stood in the middle of Serpentine Lane in Islandia on April 25 stopping vehicles that were attempting to pass. He was arrested and charged with obstructing traffic.

Not keeping watch at 7-Eleven

Police said two male suspects stole assorted merchandise from 7-Eleven on Old Nichols Road in Islandia on April 30.

All for a slice of ‘za

On April 30, a 20-year-old man from Brooklyn was arrested after police said he used fraudulent credit cards to purchase gift cards, food and drinks from California Pizza Kitchen on Route 110 in Huntington. He was charged with petit larceny and second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Faking it

Police said a 28-year-old man from Brooklyn had marijuana on him on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington on April 30. He was arrested and taken to the 2nd Precinct where police said they discovered fraudulent credit cards on him. He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Blurred lines

A 27-year-old woman from Greenlawn was arrested on May 1 after police pulled her over for speeding while driving a 2007 Hyundai on Arbutus Road in Greenlawn and said they discovered she was drunk. She was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Not buying what he’s selling

On April 30, a 33-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested on Route 110 in Huntington Station after police said he had heroin in his possession. He was charged with third-degree possession of narcotic drugs with intent to sell.

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Farm workers’ advocates are preparing to march 200 miles up to Albany in the name of better labor conditions, and we think lawmakers should listen.

A group called the Rural Migrant Ministry organized the annual March for Farm Worker Justice, which sets off on May 15 this year, as part of its lobbying efforts for better working and living conditions, overtime pay and more for farm workers across the region. One member of that group described farm workers as “living in fear” of the “strongholds” farmers have on them, and the group has accused state Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) of failing to address their concerns since becoming majority leader.

But an anonymous website, nyfarmworkerprotectionbill.com provided the farmers’ perspective.

“RMM and others have recruited various celebrities and foodies to support the bill, as well as downstate and New York City legislators, most of whom have never even been to a farm,” the site said. “We believe these individuals have been misled and have not done the proper research to find out the truth about farms, growers, farmworkers and the challenges we face to bring fresh food to as many tables as possible.”

We understand there are different angles to this debate, but we also firmly believe workers of any type, whether they are legally employed or paid off-the-books, should be allotted some basic rights that lawmakers must find ways to put in placew. We are calling on our elected officials to engage stakeholders in this debate and hold a public hearing in which all parties can contribute to the dialogue.

There can be no mutual understanding without communication, and there appears to be a disconnect between farmers and their workers, or even between legislators and the agricultural sector. If everyone sits down together and has a respectful discussion, they may find fertile ground for compromise.

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