Recently, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (right) presented a compost tumbler to Diane Enright (center) from Port Jefferson Station, one of six winners of the “Brookhaven Recycles Day” Compost Tumbler Giveaway. Pictured at left is Town of Brookhaven Recycling Educator, Zachary Sicardi.
The online contest was held on Facebook with a winner selected from each Town Council District. For more information about recycling in the Town of Brookhaven, visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov .
Through Supervisor Ed Romaine’s Green Energy and Sustainability Initiative, the Town has been “greening-up” its operations and facilities while saving taxpayer money by utilizing new, and more energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. All these efforts lower operation costs and reduce Town carbon emissions. By encouraging waste diversion through recycling and composting, the Town can further realize spending and emissions reductions.
Teachers and staff in the Three Village Central School District welcome students back as they return to their buildings for the first day of school on Sept. 5. Two students arrive at Minnesauke Elementary School for the first day of class. Photo courtesy TVCSD
A scene from a previous festival. Photo courtesy of PJCC
Suffolk County first responders honor the fallen during a memorial service at the Suffolk County 9/11 Memorial outside the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Monday morning, Sept. 11. Photos from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page
Suffolk County launches the JumpSMART program, a downtown revitalization initiative. From left, Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D), former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) and Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R).
Photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page
Officials call for intervention as they mark the beginning of Opioid Awareness Month. From left, Town of Brookhaven Councilman Dan Panico (R), Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D), Councilman Neil Manzella (R) and Councilman Michael Loguercio (R). Photo by Raymond Janis
The Smithtown West Girls Soccer Team and their coaches are with Legislators Rob
Trotta, Leslie Kennedy and County Clerk Vincent Puleo (rear, right).
Pictured with Legislators Leslie Kennedy (front, center) and Rob Trotta (rear, center) are
the Smithtown West Boys Soccer Team, their coaches and athletic director Jason
Lambert, (front, left).
Suffolk County Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Rob Trotta recognized the Smithtown West Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer Teams at the December 20, 2023 meeting of the Legislature for winning the Long Island Class AA championship for their respective teams.
This was the first time in the school’s history that both the boys and girls soccer teams won the championship.
Legislators Kennedy and Trotta in commending the students noted that they demonstrated their athletic ability and outstanding team work while their coaches and athletic director have shown the importance of perseverance and commitment.
Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico has announced that the Town’s Youth Bureau will hold its annual INTERFACE Coat Drive from January 8 to February 9 to help residents in need stay warm this winter. Donations of new or gently used clean coats, scarves, hats and gloves in infant to adult sizes can be dropped off at the following locations:
Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville
Brookhaven Highway Department, 1140 Old Town Road, Coram
Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center, 39 Montauk Highway, Blue Point
New Village Recreation Center, 20 Wireless Road, Centereach
Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mount Sinai
Moriches Bay Recreation Center, 313 Frowein Road, Center Moriches
Brookhaven Town Parks and Recreation Department, 286 Hawkins Road, Centereach
Brookhaven Town Vehicle Control Building, 550 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue
Village of Lake Grove Hall & Rec Center, 980 Hawkins Avenue, Lake Grove
“Many of our residents are going through hard times and may not have proper clothing to keep warm during the winter months,” said Supervisor Panico. “I thank our Youth Bureau for organizing the Coat Drive and I encourage residents to make a donation to help their neighbors in need.
Hours of operation for the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau INTERFACE Program’s Annual Coat Drive are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. For further information, please contact Josie Lunde at the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau or call at 631-451-8011.
About INTERFACE:
INTERFACE is a partnership between individuals, generous corporate neighbors and the Town of Brookhaven united in a shared effort to give assistance to Brookhaven’s less fortunate residents all year round.
Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R), at podium, alongside New York State Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R, left) and Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D) during a press event Tuesday, Aug. 22, to protest the closure of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles office in Port Jefferson Station. Photo by Raymond Janis
Winning pitcher Alex Peña celebrates St. James-Smithtown Little League’s 14U championship with coach Rich Conner. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Maestro Dorothy Savitch leads the 60-piece Sound Symphony Orchestra at Caroline Episcopal Church in Setauket in celebration of its 300-year anniversary. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Public officials celebrate the announcement of $5 million to create ‘shovel-ready’ sewer plans for Port Jefferson Station Friday, Aug 11. From left, local business leader Charlie Lefkowitz, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn (D), Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D) and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D). Photo by Raymond Janis
The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Group at Stony Brook Medicine’s new regional tick-borne disease center, located in the Hampton Bays Atrium. From left, Drs. Andrew Handel, Dalia Eid, Christy Beneri and Sharon Nachman Photo from Stony Brook Medicine
The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Group at Stony Brook Medicine’s new regional tick-borne disease center, located in the Hampton Bays Atrium. From left, Drs. Andrew Handel, Dalia Eid, Christy Beneri and Sharon Nachman. Photo from Stony Brook Medicine
The 30th annual St. Anthony’s Family Feast and Festival in East Northport drew thousands from Wednesday, June 28, to Saturday, July 1. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Suffolk County Legislature blocks referendum on wastewater fund. Former New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D) speaks outside the William H. Rogers Legislature Building on July 25. Photo by Raymond Janis
Jeff Shnee, president of Three Village Historical Society, tells visitors what the soon-to-be barn education and history center will be like at TVHS FRIENDraiser event. Photo by Mallie Jane Kim
Stony Brook Medicine launches specialty care facility at Smith Haven Mall. Photo by Aidan Johnson
St. Charles Hospital breaks ground for emergency wing expansion. From left, Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D), Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), Catholic Health CEO Patrick O’Shaughnessy, St. Charles Hospital President James O’Connor, Port Jefferson Village Mayor Lauren Sheprow and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay. Photo by Aidan Johnson
Suffolk County celebrates landmark housing legislation for veterans and people with disabilities. County Executive Steve Bellone (D) and Legislator Nick Caracappa (C) shake hands during the signing ceremony.
Photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page
Smithtown High School East girls varsity softball team wins the Suffolk County championship against North Babylon. Photo from Smithtown Central School District
Long Island hip-hop artists celebrate the genre’s 50th anniversary at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook on June 11.
Photo by Rita J. Egan
Marilyn Simons, left, and Jim Simons, third from left, toast the announcement of a $500 million contribution to Stony Brook University’s endowment with SBU President Maurie McInnis and Simons Foundation President David Spergel. File photo from John Griffin/Stony Brook University
Mayor-elect Lauren Sheprow with her family celebrates on election night, June 20. Photo by Aidan Johnson
Stony Brook University hosts the 34th annual Roth Pond Regatta with a fairy tale theme. Photo by Daniel Febrizio
Wildcats hosted East Islip in the 15th annual LAX OUT CANCER event Saturday May 13th.
Shoreham-Wading River hosts East Islip during the 15th annual Lax Out Cancer fundraising event May 13. Photo by Bill Landon
Paws of War and the Fabulous 50s and 60s Nostalgia Car Club car show raises $25K for vets and first responders at Nesconset on May 21. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn (D), at podium, hosts a press conference May 9 to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
Photo from Kara Hahn’s office
Stephen Nachmanovitch, musician and educator, uses ribbon-cutting scissors as a prop to explain The Jazz Loft’s new affiliate, The Institute for New Music. Photo by Daniel Febrizio
Not only is Marc Perez an executive for Bank of America Long Island, but he has been recognized for being an active local leader and community servant striving to help others.
After initially joining the Bank of America team in 2000, Perez was named president of Bank of America Long Island – based out of Melville – in September 2021. As president, he leads initiatives to positivitly impact Long Island communities while aligning volunteer efforts for the more than 1,200 employees across the island.
Marc Perez volunteers at Long Island Cares. Photo courtesy Long Island Cares
In addition, he is responsible for delivering access to the capabilities of Bank of America’s eight lines of business to help enhance the well-being of the people, businesses and institutions that call Long Island home. Perez also serves as a market executive for Bank of America Private Bank, delivering responsible growth and client satisfaction.
“Over his 20-year career at Bank of America, Marc has established deep relationships with teammates, clients and the Long Island community,” Brian Moynihan, chief executive officer of Bank of America, previously said in a statement.
As a 20-year resident of Northport, Perez has also dedicated himself to his community – a passion he shares with his family, and that he often combines with his role at Bank of America.
“I have always admired the passion of people who volunteer and who dedicate their career to serve,” Perez said. “Volunteering of your time, effort or expertise is critically important – helping people in need helps empower our communities.”
Perez has served as a board member of Long Island Cares for seven years, but his involvement with this nonprofit dates back more than a decade.
“Along with my wife and two daughters, we have participated in several Long Island Cares volunteer initiatives, including food drives and collections to assist families in need,” he said. “Additionally, in my role as [Bank of America] Long Island president, I have the great opportunity to partner with local nonprofits to advance initiatives like the Power Up! program with the United Way of Long Island and Bold Future Leaders with Girls Inc.”
Perez said that this year, the Bank of America team on Long Island volunteered approximately 9,000 hours and Bank of America was able to provide funding, as well.
“Together, it’s the impact of both that makes me most proud,” he said.
Under Perez’s leadership and connections, his team has consistently supported initiatives in partnership with Long Island Cares, Island Harvest, Girls Inc., Habitat for Humanity and more.
This past year, Perez said he has two special memories of his volunteerism.
“It was an honor to be able to meet and speak to graduates of Island Harvest’s Workforce Skills Development Institute, a program that Bank of America helped to launch,” he said. “Engaging with the graduates, their families and the people involved in the program was inspirational and uplifting knowing that these graduates will go on to prosper in a new career.”
His second favorite memory? When he and his wife, Maryann, helped prepare Thanksgiving meals for Long Islanders in need.
“Not only do these moments keep me coming back to volunteer often but participating in these events helps fulfill a duty we all have to make our communities better for us all,” he said.
But just because 2023 is nearing the end, that doesn’t mean his community service stops, too. This coming spring, under his leadership, Bank of America will be hosting a Clean Up Day in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity in the Riverside community.
“There is no doubt in my mind that volunteering is motivating,” he said. “If you can get involved in volunteer work, I recommend that you find an organization whose mission you support and join their efforts.”
While running a company, managing a team and being a dad to two kids, Perez said that any spare minute of volunteering is 100 percent worth it.
“I realize that time is precious, since people have responsibilities at home and at work. However, every time I volunteer and give back, I am grateful to have contributed to building up our community,” he said. “There’s nothing like the feeling you get after positively impacting the lives of others. To quote Maya Angelou, ‘I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.’”
For his considerable volunteer work, Marc Perez is honored as a TBR News Media 2023 Person of the Year.
Left to right: New York City Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Simons Foundation president David Spergel, SBU President Maurie McInnis, NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D), Harbor School student Leanna Martin Peterson and Trust for Governors Island President Clare Newman discuss a new $710 million center for climate solutions. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University
Protesters speak out against SBU’s parking proposal. Andrew Solar-Greco addresses the crowd at the rally. Photo by Leah Chiappino
Hauppauge’s Lady Eagles flag football team remain unbeaten, defeats Northport’s Lady Tigers 21-0 on April 17. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Port Jeff chamber hosts annual Easter parade on April 9.
Photo by Greg Catalano.
Brookhaven officials, including Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D, at podium), gather at Stony Brook train station to express their concerns with the governor’s housing proposal. Photo by Rita J. Egan