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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.

If you feel like it’s a struggle to get the entire family together for a meal, it might be time to put fun back on the menu. A little creativity and a few favorite ingredients are all it takes to bring back family mealtime and spend precious moments at the table.

These Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas are a perfect way to start a weekend morning, offering a delicious invitation to loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Equal parts sweet, savory and nutritious, you can enjoy seeing smiles on their faces while feeling good about what you’re serving them.

Providing just the right touch of sweetness are North Carolina Sweetpotatoes, one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department. They’re easy to add to a variety of recipes – even breakfast pizza – to enhance flavor and nutrition. Try them on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or air-fried for quick and easy options that are a breeze in the kitchen.

Spelled as one word to avoid confusion with the white potato (a distinctly different species), sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. In fact, they’re even considered a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association. As a natural sweetener, they give recipes that sweet flavor you crave without the added sugar.

Whether they become your favorite oft-used ingredient or you stock up on the abundant veggie, sweetpotatoes also boast a long shelf-life – up to 4 weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – meaning you can buy in bulk without worrying about waste.

Find more ways to cook with sweetpotatoes by visiting ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

4 medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes about 2 pounds, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil plus 1 teaspoon, divided

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

kosher salt to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

all-purpose flour for rolling out dough

1 pound whole-wheat pizza dough at room temperature divided into four equal portions (4 ounces each)

1 cup freshly shredded Gouda cheese

4 large eggs

1/4 cup diced chives

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place 1 pound sweetpotatoes directly on rack and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. Peel and puree flesh until smooth; reserve 1 cup.

Increase oven heat to 450 F. Peel remaining sweetpotatoes and dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss 2 cups diced sweetpotatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper, to taste; place in even layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened but not crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven.

Lightly flour clean, flat work surface. Roll each ball of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness (about 7 inches diameter).

With remaining oil, lightly coat rimless baking sheet. Transfer rolled out dough to baking sheet.

Spread pureed sweetpotato over surface of each dough round, about 1/4 cup each, leaving about 1/2-inch border. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded Gouda. Add 1/2 cup roasted sweetpotato cubes, leaving open space in center of pizzas.

Carefully crack one egg into center of each pizza; bake 15 minutes until crusts are golden brown on bottom, cheese is melted and egg whites are fully set. Carefully remove pizzas from oven.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top each pizza with 1 tablespoon diced chives.

— Family Features

By Benjamin William Stephens

Children and adults at the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson came together on March 17 to shave their heads as part of an annual St. Baldrick’s event to raise money to donate to cancer research. 

Kyle Martin, 17, a student at the high school had been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7. While he was lucky enough that his cancer went into remission within a year of his diagnosis, the experience was very impactful for him. His mother, Melissa Martin, said that they didn’t really know how significant St. Baldrick’s was until one of his friends shaved their head in his honor while he had been sick with cancer. Eventually, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation reached out to Kyle Martin during his battle with cancer marking the start of their relationship. 

Inspired by his clash with cancer, Kyle approached John Ruggero, the principal, in 2022 with the idea of creating an annual St. Baldrick’s event at the school where students and teachers could volunteer to have their heads shaved to raise money and awareness for cancer research. 

Since then, the school has held a St. Baldrick’s event every year. “Our first year was like $2,000, at this point today we’re at 21 grand so it’s pretty amazing. Every year we try and make it bigger and bigger” Melissa Martin said. Kyle said “it’s sad to see how many people have a relationship with cancer . . . I think it’s great that younger kids are being able to understand what cancer is because when I had cancer I had almost no clue what it was.”

Robert Farenga, a Spanish and computer science teacher who had his head shaved at the event said what he thinks it means for children with cancer. “I want them to know that we support them and that they’re not alone.” 

Kathleen Starke, a second-grade elementary school teacher at Andrew Muller Primary School in Miller Place who had been Kyle’s teacher while he had cancer, was also present at the event. Starke spoke of how when Kyle had been too sick to go to school she would go to his house every day after school to teach him one on one. “He’d meet me at the front door with a smile.” she said. “It makes me so proud of him like it just shows the kind of character he has, just such strength to go through everything he’s gone through and to come out this smiling happy brave little boy,” she said.

Benjamin William Stephens is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

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Thomas Anthony Stanco

Thomas Anthony Stanco, 80, a Centerport resident for 50-plus years, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 28, surrounded by family. Affectionately known as Tom or Tommy, he was born Dec. 3, 1944, in Glen Cove and grew up in Oyster Bay and Locust Valley.

He married Linda M. Stanco in 1971, and had a successful career at Dun & Bradstreet, Grumman Aerospace Corporation and Suffolk County Board of Elections. 

Stanco always put loved ones first. He delighted in family gatherings, especially Sunday pasta nights, backyard barbeques, holiday celebrations and milestone events. Stanco was fun-loving and had a way of making people smile; he was always ready to tell stories, make a joke or grab a nearby object and pretend it was a hat.

An avid cook and fearless experimenter in the kitchen, he perfected recipes from eggrolls, vanilla custard and rum balls to fettuccini alfredo, baklava and buttermilk biscuits (which were the star of every holiday feast).

His other passions included gardening, cuddling his cat Latte, relaxing in Florida and Sag Harbor, playing solitaire, researching family genealogy, indulging in ice cream, discussing airplanes and vintage cars, scoring great deals at garage sales and being with family and friends.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Linda, daughter Jessica Rubano, son Matthew Stanco and grandsons Joseph Rubano and Michael Rubano.

Donations in his name can be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue at lasthopeanimalrescue.org/donate-to-last-hope.

By Michael Scro

The Mount  Sinai Mustangs met the Wantagh Warriors in the Long Island girls A basketball final game at Farmingdale State College on March 15. 

The Mustangs entered the final after beating Islip on March 9. Wantagh presented fierce competition to Mount Sinai with their then 21-2 record.

Building on their 12-9 lead, Wantagh defeated the Mustangs 54-30, securing the championship title. Mount Sinai had their best performance in the third quarter, gaining 11 points, but it wasn’t enough of a comeback to reach the Warriors, who finished the quarter 12 points ahead. The Mount Sinai girls varsity basketball team ends their season with a 19-4 record.  

— Photos by Michael Scro/Media Origin 

The new street sign is unveiled at the entrance of Harborfront Park in Mayor Robert Strong's honor on March 15. Photo by Luciana Hayes

By Luciana Hayes

Saturday, March 15, family and friends of former Port Jefferson Mayor Robert T. Strong gathered near the entrance to Harborfront Park to witness the dedication of the new road being named in his honor on the five-year anniversary of his passing. 

After passing in 2020, Strong was unable to have a proper memorial due to the rapid-spreading pandemic at hand.

Mayor Lauren Sheprow speaks of former Mayor Robert Strong on March 15. Photo by Luciana Hayes

Strong, born June 16, 1936, in New York City, was often described as being generous, kind and dedicated. He passed away March 15, 2020, after complications from lung cancer at age 83, but before his passing he lived a very fulfilling life. He attended SUNY Oswego where he met his wife of almost 50 years, Evelyn Strong. After graduating from Oswego, Strong became a middle school social studies teacher in 1958 in the South Country Central School District until becoming assistant principal in 1966. The Strongs, along with their two children, Robyn and Robert Jr., moved to Port Jefferson in 1968. In 1995 Strong was elected mayor with 835 votes after previously serving four years as a village trustee. He served as mayor for four years until 1999 and made lasting impacts that continue to benefit the Village of Port Jefferson.

Prior to Strong’s term as mayor, in the 1960s and 1970s, an oil company (now known simply as Mobil) existed on what is now known as Harborfront Park. The board of trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson attempted to purchase the land for $3 million, but the motion failed with a vote of 657 to 358. But Strong was determined to use the land for the good of the community. In 1997, the residents of Port Jefferson voted 738 to 131 to approve the village purchase of the Mobil property for $1.7 million. Following the purchase, Strong established a community-based volunteer group that further developed the land for the community and made it what it is today.

Mayor Lauren Sheprow led the dedication by explaining Strong’s impact on the community and his impact on his friends and family. Having known the Strong family growing up, Sheprow described her memories of Robert Strong. She said, “writing this history, this story of his work here in the village is really cathartic for me and I feel so fortunate to be able to do so.”

Father Frank Pizzarelli, the director of Hope House Ministries, led the blessing of the newly dedicated road. Having also known Strong, he contributed with a short and sweet speech about his friend, stating, “one of the things that impressed me about Bob was his dedication to service.” 

Strong’s children, Robyn and Robert Jr.,  also spoke briefly about their father. Robert Strong Jr. said, “you know people say ‘I had the best dad and my dad was the best,’ I know this is a cliche but I had the best dad.”

The event concluded with the unveiling of the new road sign that now reads “Mayor Robert T. Strong Way” next to the entrance into the park that Strong fought so hard to develop. While his term as mayor was short, his impacts on the community will last many lifetimes.

For more information visit the Village of Port Jefferson website (www.portjeff.com).

File photo by Raymond Janis

Reconfiguration is the right decision for 3V schools

This letter is meant to address all the Monday morning quarterbacks that are suddenly coming out of the woodwork to voice their complaints regarding the district reconfiguration. The timing of this mini defection is ironic since the reconfiguration is going to happen and the time for speaking up was before the official BOE vote. Hindsight critics can now take a seat. This change has been in the making for decades and remaining “unique” is not an option. 

How about joining the 21st century and accepting that our kids DESERVE this change?  The kids being affected by it are excited and more than capable of adapting.  The parents, being swayed by the ineffectual attempts of a former district employee, are the ones whining about the revision that is in fact going to happen.  This is not sudden, it has been researched and planned for, and the district has done its due diligence regarding transparency with the community.  I am certainly not always in agreement with Superintendent Kevin Scanlon or this Board of Education, in fact I have plenty of bones to pick with them, but on this I know they got it right. 

The sudden desire to combine a start time change with the reconfiguration is a whole other matter, but this has now joined the ranks of the top three things Three Village parents can gripe about.  I stand by my argument that this half-hour change is utterly useless and a complete waste of more than a million dollars.  If parents have enough time to write letters to the board about a reconfiguration that is already set to happen then they have more than enough time to monitor their children’s sleep habits.  And it matters not how old they are, take the phones and other devices away and they will fall asleep from sheer boredom. 

Let’s focus on the amazing opportunities that will come from this move and stop following the “lead” of a disgruntled former employee whose quarrel holds no water.  The cost (from transportation alone) and lack of difference that will result from the start time change should be the debate every taxpayer has with themselves come budget time.   As an alumnus, parent and lifelong community member I can’t wait to see how the mighty 3V thrives in a middle school model.  Dissenters, let it go already.

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

 

BESS still under discussion 

George Altemose’s March 13 letter in TBR News Media [“BESS systems still in dispute”] about the proposed battery energy storage systems facility asks a valid question about how much power is needed to “power a home.”  Unfortunately, in his analysis of what would be needed he ends with an unjustified conclusion.  The average power used over the course of a day by most homes is about 1,000 watts, a value used by BESS proponents (my use is less). For an unstated reason Altemose says the average power use must be more like 5,000 watts, a factor of 5 larger.  This changes the picture dramatically.  It is true that use during the day and at night can differ significantly, but the 5,000 watts for an average use is high for all but the largest or power inefficient houses.

Peter Bond 

Stony Brook

LaLota and Suozzi hold town halls

I attended Nick LaLota’s (R-NY1) tele-town hall on March 5 [LaLota and Suozzi hold town halls, TBR News Media, March 13].

The one-hour event started a bit late. LaLota spoke for the first 10 minutes, answering accusations that questions were only accepted from supporters, and that they were not representative of his constituent’s concerns. He said that was not true. 

He then took about six questions from people who asked legitimate constituent concerns.  But he did not actually answer them. His replies consisted of rambling talking points — not substance. And because callers were cut off after asking their question, there was no “give and take.” 

I waited in the queue to ask: “Rep. LaLota, do you approve of the President’s alliance with Vladimir Putin? Yes or no?”  But I did not get the chance to ask. I’m sure there were a great many people who did not get to pose questions. 

The final 10 minutes were devoted to the congressman thanking us for participating in the town hall and his gratitude for being given the opportunity to represent us in the House of Representatives.

He did use polling opportunities to assess our views on a few topics. Press 1 to agree or 2 to disagree. I believe those polls were worthless. The only viewpoint LaLota will support is that of President Trump.

Donna Newman

Stony Brook

LaLota town hall disappoints

I appreciate that your March 13 edition reported on Congressman Nick LaLota’s (R-NY1) recent “Town Hall.”  I was on the call for that telephone event.  Unfortunately, it could hardly be characterized as “a town hall.”  The call lasted for sixty minutes.  There was time for only a very few questions to be asked of the congressman.  He spent about one quarter of the time, at the start and conclusion of the call, simply telling us what a good job he felt he was doing.  His answers were extremely lengthy and repetitive.  They rarely addressed the key elements of the questions.  They never allowed for a follow-up question.

The “polling” that LaLota conducted was your standard, misleading “push poll.”  Slightly paraphrasing: “Press 1, if you think we should try to reduce government waste.  Press 2, if you think it is okay for the government to waste taxpayer dollars.”

The question I had hoped to have asked was, “Will you please speak out against the indiscriminate, excessive cuts in government services that are hurting millions of Americans including thousands of your constituents; and will you speak out against the fact that so many of these cuts were done in a manner that was illegal and, in some cases, clearly unconstitutional?”

Robert Marcus

Setauket, New York

Community alert!

Greetings Port Jefferson Station/Terryville residents, as well as our friends and neighbors from nearby areas.

As many know, in September of 2024, the Town of Brookhaven approved the zoning change sought by Staller Associates for a 260- to 280-unit multifamily apartment complex redevelopment plan for Jefferson Plaza. This is where the existing local Post Office is located presently. This was a controversial proposal that will increase density to levels never seen locally before. As approved, this project will transform the face of our community. Our local civic association worked long and hard to try to voice our concerns regarding this intensive use to address the many impacts, both positive and potentially negative.

One concern was as this development moves forward it enhances a sense of place for our hamlet and creates a positive environment reflecting the character of community. One method for accomplishing this goal is thoughtful design and the use of good architecture. Will it be warm and welcoming or cold and imposing? In this instance, the choice can be ours.

In coordination with our Councilman, Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and Brookhaven town, our civic association is sponsoring a community forum regarding this redevelopment plan at our monthly meeting. I urge all my neighbors and concerned citizens to join us on Tuesday March 25, at 7 p.m. at the Comsewogue Library. Representatives of Staller Associates will present various architectural designs to solicit input and comments from residents. This Visual Preference Survey process will enable us to shape and guide the face and feel of our neighborhood as this mega-project proceeds and impacts our area. Please join us and participate in our shared future.

Ira Costell, President

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic  Associatio

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

 

Jonathan Kornreich. Photo by Michael Rosengard/North Island Photography and Films

By Jonathan Kornreich, Brookhaven Town Councilmember

There is no question that the cost of housing in many areas of Brookhaven has surged in recent years. While some homeowners have benefited from dramatic increases in home equity, the pressure of high property taxes remains a heavy burden. For renters, the situation is even more daunting, with studio and one-bedroom apartments often starting at $2,500 per month or more. Clearly, both older residents on fixed incomes and younger people trying to establish themselves face significant challenges due to the high cost and scarcity of truly affordable housing options.

Developers often propose a simple solution: build more housing. However, this approach comes with complications. The rental prices for each new project seem to be higher than the last, making affordability elusive. Additionally, increasing population density puts strain on our infrastructure. Traffic congestion worsens as side streets become race tracks for drivers avoiding clogged main roads. Our underground aquifer is being drained at increasing rates, and every increase in population carries environmental costs—sewage, waste, and air pollution all take their toll. At what point do we conclude that this fragile sandbar we call home has reached its carrying capacity?

Developers, however, continue to insist that more housing is the answer. The logic goes: build more housing near workplaces and public transit to reduce commuting; build in areas with sewer access to limit cesspool contamination; build more to drive down rental prices. But one reason multifamily housing is so appealing to developers is its profitability—high demand guarantees high occupancy rates and allows landlords to charge premium prices. This has led to aggressive development proposals, even when projects may not align with sound planning principles or the public interest.

Recent cases highlight these challenges. Not long ago, our community faced a proposal from Northville to build a multifamily development wrapped around their gas tanks on Belle Meade Road. The community was given an ultimatum: support rezoning for multifamily housing, or face the construction of a shipping warehouse. The request was denied, and to date, no warehouse application has moved forward.

A similar situation is unfolding on Baylis Avenue in Port Jefferson Station, where residents have been presented with the same false choice—accept a zoning change for multifamily housing or contend with a shipping warehouse that could clog roadways with truck traffic.

The fact is that multifamily development can serve as a valuable tool for revitalization when applied strategically. The Route 112 corridor in Port Jefferson Station presents opportunities for transit-oriented development and the creation of a vibrant downtown. The Jefferson Station project by Staller Associates is one such example, demonstrating how mixed-use redevelopment can enhance an area. By incentivizing good development in targeted locations, we can revitalize blighted spaces while avoiding undue strain on infrastructure. Still, this tool must be used sparingly to keep from making our existing challenges worse.

Despite what developers claim, we cannot simply build our way out of the affordable housing crisis. Addressing affordability through unbridled construction would require such an influx of new units that it would fundamentally alter the character of our communities and cause irreparable environmental harm. But viable solutions exist.

Public funds can be provided by the state or federal government to offer low-interest loans to developers in exchange for the construction of affordable units. By reducing borrowing costs and providing tax incentives, we can encourage developers to prioritize affordability without sacrificing profitability.

Beyond assisting developers, we must also support our residents struggling to maintain their homes. The Town of Brookhaven already allows accessory apartments, but the process should be streamlined to encourage more homeowners to participate. Providing homeowners with access to low-cost loans, similar to those offered to developers, would enable them to create legal rental units while maintaining low-density development.

Too many residents, pressured by economic realities, have resorted to building illegal and potentially unsafe rental units in garages and basements, placing both homeowners and tenants at risk. Making it easier to construct legal accessory apartments would not only enhance safety but also provide homeowners with economic security and a way to offset their tax burdens. 

The path forward requires a thoughtful approach. While housing development is necessary, it must be done prudently—addressing affordability without overburdening our infrastructure or harming our environment. By using policy tools wisely, investing in targeted development and empowering homeowners, we can create sustainable housing solutions that work for everyone in our community.

METRO photo

“Coronavirus–How to protect yourself,” “Three Village community takes on pandemic,” “Local businesses/organizations react to Coronavirus concerns,” “Stony Brook students weigh in on changes to their college life due to Coronavirus.”

Five years ago, these were the headlines that filled TBR Newspapers as the pandemic took hold of the country, leading then-Governor Andrew Cuomo to issue an executive order to close non-essential businesses. 

March 2020 was a month of intense anxiety. We monitored the news constantly, bought masks and hand sanitizer, stored up on household necessities, and didn’t get close to other people. We missed birthdays and downloaded Zoom. The CDC website was perpetually open on our devices. We did everything we could to ensure that we were safe from an invisible assailant. 

Half a decade later, most of us can still remember where we were when we learned that our schools, businesses and workplaces would be closing. Changes in our personality and lifestyles can be traced back to that announcement and the months that followed, when we learned to live amidst a pandemic. 

The virus has cost us; it led to 7.1 million deaths worldwide. Over 2,700 people have died in the U.S. from Covid  from Jan. 26 to Feb. 23.  Over 777 million people worldwide have contracted the disease in total, according to the CDC. 

Covid  has not only affected our health–many of us have contracted it or know someone who has–but our relationship with the world around us. The pandemic necessitated an isolationism from which many of us haven’t fully recovered from. In public areas, every cough or sneeze has the potential to lead to something larger and more dangerous. We now get Covid shots in addition to the annual flu shot. Many of us still have a reserve of masks, just in case. 

The pandemic was paralyzing–it halted in-person local commerce and in-person education. Many businesses weren’t able to survive the disruption and students lost quality education in the transition to remote learning. When workplaces switched to remote work, many didn’t switch back. Five years later, we sill feel the effects of these lost months.

Reading back those articles written during the pandemic, we are reminded of the abnormality of that period of time. It was a period of fear and trepidation, but in some of those articles from five years ago, our community displayed perseverance and strength in the face of uncertainty–businesses determined to adapt, community members standing by one another. We remember what we lost and how we got through it, with support, five years later. 

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. On  St. 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.

Image by kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay

By Judie Gorenstein

The League of Women Voters (LWV) was  founded in 1920, the year that the 19th  amendment 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 the  Safeguard American Elections (SAVE) Act does not pass. Rather than safeguarding our elections, the SAVE Act silences voters by making it harder if not impossible for  millions 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 and  either enter your DMV driver’s license number or last 4 digits of your social security number.  

Under the SAVE Act this information would  no longer be  sufficient, 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 is  a 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.