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Disposable plastic utensils can take hundreds of years to decompose.
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

Earlier this year New York City passed an ordinance aimed at banning utensils in take-out orders from restaurants unless specifically requested by the customer. This common sense waste reduction measure, called “Skipping the Stuff,” will keep millions of plastic utensils out of the waste stream where they’re either burned or buried. Similar legislation is likely both in Suffolk County and New York State.   

There’s no reason, however, to wait until additional laws are passed to reduce your use and disposal of unneeded plastic utensils by simply remembering when you next order take-out food to tell the restaurant to “skip the stuff.”  After all, the extra plastic spoons, knives, and forks, probably individually wrapped in plastic film, aren’t needed in most situations, are not recycable and take hundred of years to break down. A benefit to the law, in addition to it being better for the environment, is it saves local businesses money; not a bad thing! 

The “Skip the Stuff” effort and city law is an excellent illustration of waste reduction, the highest priority in waste management — reducing the amount of garbage produced in the first place. Its value is captured in the phrase: “There’s no environmental impact from garbage that’s not created.” So, since those plastic utensils are unneeded by you and yet another burden on the environment, let’s make an effort to “Skip the Stuff”!

A resident of Setauket, author John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

 

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Trustees work session on Jan. 10. Snapshot from the trustee's website

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, The Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees held its first work session of 2024. 

The Education & Arts Conservancy 

At the request of Mayor Lauren Sheprow, Lisa Perry, president of the Port Jefferson Harbor Education & Arts Conservancy, kicked off the three-hour work session to discuss the conservancy’s relationship with the village.  

Perry explained to board members that the conservancy is a non-profit working on behalf of the Port Jefferson Village Center and the Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park. The conservancy was established almost two decades ago to help fundraise for village center activities and projects.                                                                                      

“We’ve probably donated over $300,000 either in kind or money over the years,” she said. 

Perry reviewed the many fundraising projects the group has undertaken recently, including grants to purchase the Zamboni for the skating rink, funds for the beautification of the harbor front, and the restoration of Rocketship Park. The group is discussing a possible fundraiser to obtain a bandshell for the harbor front. Perry tells the board that the group is in the process of revamping its mission statement and is hoping to attract new members. 

A discussion ensued about the current written agreement between the conservancy and the village and to establish regular meetings with village representatives.

“The village can’t solicit donations from the conservancy,” village treasurer Stephen Gaffga said. 

Instead, the village and the conservancy can keep an open dialogue and collaborate on projects. 

Village attorney David Moran wrapped up the discussion by informing the board that he had reviewed the agreement stating,“It is fine as is.” 

“I don’t want to over-lawyer a very good agreement and add confusion,” he said.

Revamping tech security

Village clerk Sylvia Pirillo put forth a resolution to accept the proposal by Island Tech Services to enhance the security of the village servers and emails. Emails will be mitigated to ‘.gov’ addresses, and Microsoft SharePoint will be installed for interoffice communications and document reviews.

“This has been a long time coming. We’re looking forward to this very needed change,” she said. 

Pirillo also informed the board that the village received about 60 proposals from vendors to revitalize the village’s website and calls for a resolution to accept a proposal from CivicPlus web designer. 

“We are confident in the choice of CivicPlus and are very excited to move forward,” she said. 

Bluff storm erosion

Sheprow updated the board on storm damage placing emphasis on  the Port Jefferson Country Club bluff. Sheprow reports that two sections of the east side of the bluff were damaged by recent storms, and additional damage occurred on the west side of the bluff from the storm overnight.   

Pirillo put forth a resolution to accept the proposal from GIT Consulting to move forward with aerial drone surveillance of the bluff to help surveyors follow topological changes in the bluff over time. 

“We need to proceed with these sooner rather than later, especially given recent [storm] events,” Pirillo said. 

Code enforcement

A draft letter to be sent to all Port Jefferson business owners from the building and planning department’s new director, Andrew Freleng, was also discussed. The letter encourages owners to comply voluntarily with the village’s building and zoning laws. 

“This is a first letter, is putting everyone on notice,” says Moran.

The draft letter suggests business owners check in with the building and planning department with questions and concerns. The letter can be found in the appendix of the meeting agenda for this work session.  

Ethics guidelines

Attorney Steven Leventhal, ethics counsel to the village, continues the ongoing discussion about new ethics guidelines and the process for forming an ethics review board.

Leventhal describes a four-part process to developing a robust ethics program for the village:

  • Adopt the ethics code.
  • Produce educational materials.
  • Have the board of ethics implement the code.
  • Have a presence on the website for submitting inquiries, accessing the code, and accessing the educational materials.

The Mayor will nominate the members, and the board will appoint them. Community members are welcome to put forward their names or someone else for consideration.

Leventhal further comments that there is an “epidemic of ignorance in ethics out there. It takes a real commitment of understanding [by ethics committee members].”  

Comments from the public about the new ethics guidelines are open until the next board of trustees meeting, scheduled for Jan. 31. Comments can be sent to the village clerk at [email protected]

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Helen Harrison. Photo by Durell Godfrey

This acclaimed art historian transformed the former home of artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner into a thriving national landmark and developed the affiliated Study Center for modern American art at Stony Brook Southampton.

Helen Harrison, director of the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center at Stony Brook University, is retiring after 34 years of service to the university. Credited with having the Pollock-Krasner House designated as a National Historic Landmark, securing an endowment for the property, establishing the Study Center and more, Harrison leaves behind a new university-endowed fellowship for studies in abstract expressionism.

“This fellowship will help bring more scholars in to use our resources and the resources that are available in this area,” she says, referring to the bustling artists’ community of eastern Long Island. “This is very important, because the first generation of scholars is dying out, and we need to keep this as an active field of study.”

So far, the House and Study Center have contributed five specialists, four conferences and a publication to the field. Harrison’s fellowship, an annual three-month program, will consistently attract new scholars eager to make a contribution of their own. Harrison hopes the Study Center will continue to expand its archive and offerings accordingly.

Prior to her tenure at Stony Brook, Harrison served as a curator at Guild Hall Museum, guest curator at The Queens Museum, and Executive Director of the Public Art Preservation Committee. She has also worked as an exhibition organizer and an art columnist, commentator, critic and feature writer for several news outlets including the New York Times.

Her multifaceted career has earned Harrison dozens of accolades, including multiple awards from the Press Club of Long Island and a 2021 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Her love for art and writing inspired her to write a series of murder mystery novels, one of which won a 2019 Benjamin Franklin Gold Award presented by the Independent Book Publishers Association. Harrison looks forward to publishing more in her retirement and remains a resource for the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center should her expertise be needed, she says.

“Helen Harrison’s undertakings for Stony Brook University and the Department of Art have gone far beyond her duties as Director of the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center,” says former Interim Chair and Professor, Affiliated Faculty for Art, Margaret Schedel. “She has served the department in every facet of its entity, and at the highest level. As she ends her service to the University I would like to honor her years of dedication to our mission.”

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By Daniel Dunaief

For the first time since May 2023, Brookhaven National Laboratory required masks on site at its facility starting on Jan. 8, as the rate of hospital admissions for the virus that caused the pandemic climbed.

Following the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, BNL, which is a Department of Energy-sponsored site, reinstituted the mask policy once Covid admissions climbed above 20 per 100,000 people in the county, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

The CDC level rose to 24.8 on the evening of Jan. 5 and the lab re-implemented its mask requirement on the following Monday. Area doctors said they’ve seen an increase in illnesses tied to Covid, particularly after people traveled during the December holidays.

“We’ve seen a lot more Covid,” said Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Nachman said people who are talking to friends and neighbors are hearing regularly about those who are sick with Covid.

Stony Brook University Hospital is not requiring masking at all times. The hospital is recommending that people consider wearing masks. Medical staff entering patient rooms are wearing them.

People walking into the hospital will see “more people wearing masks” in general, she added. In addition to Covid, hospitals in the area are also seeing a “huge amount of flu,” Dr. Nachman said.

 

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Pictured with Legislator Rob Trotta (right) are Rick and Carolyn Caruso of St. James who donated many coats, hats, scarves and blankets.

For several years, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta has been working with Smithtown based SMM Advertising and the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) to conduct a winter coat drive to benefit the residents of Suffolk County who are in need of warm winter clothing.

Sue Harrison donated numerous hand knitted hats for the winter outerwear drive.

“The response was phenomenal. We received numerous donations from so many residents, as well as the Kings Park High School, Fort Salonga Elementary School, St. Catherine’s of Siena, and the Utility Workers Union of America,” said Legislator Trotta. “A special thank you to Paul who wants to remain anonymous who gave us 25 brand new coats. In addition, for the second year in a row, Sue Harrison knitted hats for the children and adults,” added Trotta.

Maryflorence Brennan, Executive Director of RSVP said, “The Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer program is overwhelmed by the response of our RSVP volunteers and our community members to take this opportunity to care for our community. The number of blankets and coats that they provided was incredible and so often the donation came with a willingness to continue to help. We are grateful to be working with Legislator Trotta and SMM Advertising.”

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Pictured from left, Right Coast Taqueria owners Richard Zoob and David Preisler, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and General Manager John Negrinelli. Photo courtesy of Councilmember Kornreich's office
Right Coast Taqueria ribbon cutting on Jan. 5. Photo courtesy of Councilmember Kornreich's office
Right Coast Taqueria ribbon cutting on Jan. 5. Photo courtesy of Councilmember Kornreich's office

Right Coast Taqueria celebrated the grand opening of  its newest location at 4088 Nesconset Highway in East Setauket with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 5. 

Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and members of the Three Village Historical Society joined owners David Preisler and Richard Zoob along with General Manager John Negrinelli in the celebration.

The business now has four locations throughout Long Island, including Deer Park, Ronkonkoma and Mineola. The restaurant, which was first established in 2018 at its Deer Park location, serves Mexican food including tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas and much more.

“Right Coast Taqueria had great food and a fun beach vibe, just what we needed on a cold day as we welcomed them to the community. Wishing them the best of luck, now and in the future,” said Councilmember Kornreich.

For more information, call 631-940-8300. To order online, visit www.rightcoasttaqueria.com.

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Ryan Attard

Family & Children’s Association (FCA) a health and human services nonprofit organization based in Garden City, recently named Ryan Attard of Huntington Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. FCA President and CEO, Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D. made the announcement on behalf of the organization.

“I am pleased to welcome Ryan to FCA,” Reynolds said. “Her work on some of Long Island’s most vexing challenges and wide-ranging knowledge of our region’s landscape and stakeholders make her an ideal fit for the role as we add new programs.”

In her new position, Attard will oversee FCA’s program operations, IT, compliance, and quality assurance.

“I am thrilled to bring my knowledge and experience to the Family and Children’s Association. As the new COO I am committed to harnessing the power of compassion, collaboration, and innovation to uplift those in need. Together we will create a brighter future for our community,” said Attard.

Prior to joining FCA Attard served as a Deputy County Executive for Suffolk under County Executive Steve Bellone. During her tenure, she collaboratively led in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic by coordinating with over 75 school districts and assisting them in navigating changing rules and guidance. She assisted the most vulnerable populations in getting access to test kits, emergency food delivery, diaper distribution, and vaccinations by collaborating with multiple government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.

After New York State and Suffolk County won several landmark court victories against opioid manufacturers, Attard created and launched an application process that would allow the county to transparently and fairly allocate over $50 million in settlement funding to non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services around the opioid epidemic, including prevention, treatment, and recovery.

In her previous role at the MTA, she successfully built relationships with government community leaders and gained support for important transportation initiatives such as downtown revitalization, expansion projects, east-side access, and the third track. She also served as a member of their ADA task force.

Attard has also held leadership roles at Long Island University as the University Director of Alumni Relations, where she was charged with running their Annual Fund and programming for over 400,000 alumni, and at the Town of Brookhaven as the Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Human Services charged with housing programs, youth, senior, women and veteran services.

Her dedication to service is further exemplified by her nearly decade-long involvement on the Executive Board of Directors of Girls Inc. of Long Island. Attard is a member of the Energeia Partnership Class of 2019.

About FCA

FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For nearly 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.

FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.

For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.

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Princess with her new mom Sonya. Photo from Little Shelter

Arriving at Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center’s doorstep in Huntington on March 3, 2021, ten-year-old Terrier mix Princess was malnourished, emaciated, and in need of a miracle. 

Utilizing due diligence and some rather impressive detective work, the medical team diagnosed her with a combination of inflammatory bowel disease and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This complex situation allowed her to eat normally, though it rendered her unable to digest and absorb sufficient nutrients to maintain a normal healthy weight. Once prescribed the correct medications and diet, this warrior Princess began to flourish, her positive spirit winning everyone’s hearts.

Over time, as so often happens, other medical issues arose. Princess began requiring Insulin to keep her endocrine system in check and also lost most of her functional vision. Rather than looking at these as challenges, she saw them as opportunities to spend more time with the staff and volunteers already smitten with her, garnering even more support.

With her every need met, including being the best-dressed occupant of Kennel One, she still dreamed of a home to call her own. Enter Sonya, a previous staffer and now exceptional volunteer, who began taking Princess out for a few hours at a time to enjoy new experiences. Gradually, those brief adventures turned into overnight stays at Sonya’s home where she relished being part of a family.

Unable to resist this royal’s powers of persuasion, Sonya made the decision to become her permanent foster. After years of being in multiple rescues, Princess found a soft place to land at Little Shelter, day one of her miracle. Spending each day in between filled with curiosity, zeal, and the intention of living life to the fullest, a mere 1,039 days later our perfect Princess has found her happily ever after with Sonya. 

Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is that everything is a miracle.” Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center chooses to believe the latter.

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Doris Koster
Doris Koster. Photo courtesy Koster Family

Prepared by the Koster Family

Doris Koster, 95, of St. Augustine, Florida, formerly of the Three Village area, died on Nov. 21 in her home. She was born on July 11, 1928, in Bay Shore to Jesse and Margaret Tillett. 

In 1946, Doris graduated from Sayville High School and soon after married Alfons Koster in 1947. Aside from raising their seven children, Doris was quite creative. She often wrote short stories about her life and subjects that interested her. Her watercolors and beautiful handmade quilts were cherished gifts for friends and family. 

Doris researched her ancestry years before genealogy became popular and was able to trace her father’s family in North Carolina back to the 1600s. In the 1970s, she volunteered at a women’s crisis center in Port Jefferson. In her eventual home in St. Augustine, Doris was an active volunteer at her local library. Doris and her husband loved to travel. In their early years they traveled throughout Europe and after retirement they toured the United States in their RV. 

Doris is survived by her daughters Peggy and Terry; son Peter; granddaughter Jessica; and grandson Kyle. Doris was preceded in death by her son Cary in 1978; husband Alfons in 1999; son Robert in 1999; son David in 2018; and daughter Babette Koster in 2021.

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From left, Shoreham-Wading River High School’s student government adviser Maryanne Agius, students Everett McClintock, Harrison Zeller, David Formisano, Shawn Engman, Sophia Minnion, Aliana Kurz and Ashley Militz and adviser Brittany Davis. Photo courtesy of the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District

Members of Shoreham-Wading River High School’s student government shared their ongoing efforts at a recent board of education meeting. The students work year-round with advisers Maryanne Agius and Brittany Davis to represent, advocate and empower their peers through creative ideas, leadership and resources to unify and enhance the high school community.

Students Shawn Engman, David Formisano, Aliana Kurz, Everett McClintock, Ashley Militz, Sophia Minnion and Harrison Zeller shared highlights and video clips from the to-date elections, Homecoming theme and floats, dances, fall pep rally, spirit days and fundraisers.

Board of education president, Thomas Sheridan, commended the advisers and student leaders for the school spirit and camaraderie they help to create throughout the high school and community. 

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