Luca Restaurant in Stony Brook Village. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
At 2:30 a.m. Thursday, January 23 a fire started at Luca, a popular restaurant in Stony Brook.
Luca remains closed on Jan. 29, six days after the fire. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
The fire was in the back of the restaurant in the kitchen and did not spread to neighboring stores.
“We are trying to assess the damage, but it seems it was contained in the kitchen,” Gloria Rocchio said, president of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO), a non-profit that owns the Stony Brook Village Center where the restaurant is located.
Six different fire departments responded to the fire, Rocchio said.
The building is owned by Eagle Realty Holdings inc., a subsidiary of the WMHO.
Over two years ago, a fire was reported outside Luca, between the restaurant and the neighboring Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions. A fire had started in a laundry bin outside the stores.
The buildings in the Stony Brook Village Center share a cockloft, or a shared attic. Due to this, a fire could potentially spread at a faster rate between buildings.
After an extended vote-counting process, Rebecca Kassay has defeated incumbent Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson). Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks. As of now, Kassay is leading Flood by 813 votes.
Kassay released a statement on her Facebook page Tuesday, Nov. 26, declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4. She wrote, “After a spirited campaign, I am declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4, having secured an insurmountable lead over my opponent, Ed Flood. Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks.”
Kassay added, “I am heartened by our community’s trust in me to bring public service back to politics. It will be a great honor to represent District 4 in the New York State Assembly and to deliver resources to our communities. As discussed during civic debates and at residents’ doors throughout my campaign, I will serve with a community-up approach — one that prioritizes transparency, communication and meaningful action on pressing issues.”
Assemblywoman-elect Kassay has already begun laying the groundwork to ensure she and her team “hit the ground running and serve the district effectively on day one.”
“Throughout the coming weeks, I will be meeting with civic groups, school district representatives, nonprofits, first responders, local government officials and other community stakeholders to collaborate on the important work of shaping the projects and policies that will guide the district forward,” the statement continued.
Kassay invites residents or groups to connect with the incoming District 4 Assembly team by emailing [email protected].
Left: Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-PortJefferson).
Right: Rebecca Kassay. Courtesy Ed Flood and Rebecca Kassay for NYS Assembly's Facebook page
By Toni-Elena Gallo
In the wake of last Tuesday’s election, the race for NYS Assembly District 4 remains to be called.
With mail-in ballots still being counted, there is no exact timeline for when results will be in.
Rebecca Kassay released a statement last Thursday, saying, “We knew that the race for the NYS
Assembly seat in District 4 would be one of the most competitive races in New York State, and as of Wednesday, November 6, I hold a 211 vote lead. In a race this close, results will not be determined until the affidavit ballots and final mail in ballots are counted. This might take until late November, so in the meantime, our team is reflecting on our gratitude for the incredible individuals and community groups who we’ve connected with and built stronger relationships with during the journey of this campaign.”
“There is so much work to be done here in our district, our town, our county and our state, and I hope to have the opportunity to serve you as your Assemblymember,” Kassay continued.
TBR requested comment from Assemblyman Flood and his response was as follows: “As we await the final numbers, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported me throughout this campaign. I remain deeply committed to representing, advocating for and listening to our community. This dedication is not new; it has always been the foundation of my work and will continue to guide me moving forward.”
“Serving our community is an honor, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed,” he continued.
New York Regents Exam scores can no longer lower student course grades in Three Village Central School District, after the school board unexpectedly resurrected a policy that directs teachers to only include the scores if they help a student’s GPA.
“I believe we have reached a point in time where it makes sense to let these grades help our kids and let that be their incentive to do well,” said board President Susan Rosenzweig, in bringing the issue back to the table at an Oct. 9 board meeting. “But if it doesn’t, their academic work through the course of the year should stand toward their final grade.”
Just before Regents exams began last June, a new wave of parent advocacy led the board to reconsider the so-called “Do No Harm” policy, but at that time trustees reaffirmed their November vote to include the scores at 10% — down from about 12% before the pandemic.
After the last Regents season, though, students did report lower grades due to exam scores. Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon called out the physics Regents as one that particularly impacted student course grades.
“Teachers and administrators always want to see the students do their best on whatever we give them, and want to give them the best opportunity,” Scanlon said, adding that some comparable districts do not include the scores in final grades since the state does not require it. “It’s not a perfect system.”
This decision comes as the state’s Education Department is considering a new vision for graduation requirements, which would provide alternate means of demonstrating proficiency, rather than requiring the exams for everyone.
But district administrators made clear the exams themselves are not a waste of effort.
“The Regents Exams are extremely important to us as far as the data we get,” said Brian Biscari, assistant superintendent for educational services. “They are one of the only tools of standardization that we have that we can look at our instructional program and see how our kids are doing.”
Celebrating cellphone policy success
The district’s effort to reduce the use of cellphones at school is showing positive results, according to Scanlon. He indicated the culture within the junior high schools, in particular, is improving.
“Seeing students without their faces buried in phones and literally having conversations at cafeteria tables is a real heart boost for everyone,” he said. “We’ve sort of turned a corner on this.”
High school students have welcomed the policy, as well, according to senior Hazel Cohas, Ward Melville High School’s student representative to the board.
“In the past, there have been policies that have faced a lot of backlash,” she shared, pointing specifically to a vandalism-prevention policy instituted last year requiring students to carry their IDs and swipe them to use restrooms. But on limiting cellphone use, she hasn’t heard complaints: “I haven’t heard anything, and I think it’s going well.”
Bullying complaints have seen a “very large decline” from this time last year, Scanlon reported, and particularly those associated with social media.
Scanlon urged vigilance, though, because it is still early in the school year and since “students are very smart,” some may look for ways around the policy.
Junior high to middle school preview
Three Village junior high schools will get new names in fall 2025, officially transitioning to Paul J. Gelinas Middle School and Robert Cushman Murphy Middle School, both comprising sixth through eighth grades.
More will shift than just the name and grade makeup, according to Biscari, who called the focus on transition supports a “comprehensive philosophical change in our middle school model.”
The most significant change is the addition of a standalone nine-minute advisory period to allow a specific time for the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements, as well as for activities to build social skills, social emotional learning and relationships. The schedule can also shift to allow for an extended advisory period on days where the student body participates in special activities, like on Unity Day.
According to the presentation by junior high principals, Corinne Keane (PJG) and Michael Jantzen (RCM), advisory groups will be heterogeneous, allowing students who would normally be in different level classes to be together.
“They start to forge connections with people — with kids, with staff members — that are hopefully making them feel a little bit more connected to their school and their environment,” explained Keane, who said area middle schools she’s spoken to have implemented the advisory period concept. “It’s a cornerstone of middle school culture.”
Sixth grade will operate under “teaching teams,” where a cohort of students will all be assigned the same set of teachers in core academic subjects. This way, teachers can better collaborate to help students succeed, and parents can meet with all of their child’s core teachers at once.
Students will also be able to spread requirements for technology, art, and family and consumer science over three years instead of two, allowing space for an additional elective each year.
The schools are already collaborating with elementary schools to aid in the transition of two grade levels up to next year’s middle schools, and they are looking ahead to additional ways to bridge the gap between middle school and high school. One part of that plan is to allow for some dances, celebrations and a theme-park field trip to be joint affairs with both eighth graders from the middle schools and ninth graders from the high school.
“We want to make sure that the transitions are as smooth as they can be,” said Jantzen, adding that junior high administrators will continue talking with staff from the other schools to continue to fine-tune transition supports. “We are taking into account all concerns.”
Changing to middle schools, though, means saying goodbye to a seventh-through-ninth-grade junior high model that has been around Three Village for nearly 60 years. The principals want to use this year’s junior high yearbooks to recognize that.
“We’re both looking to use the yearbook as a tool to commemorate,” Keane said. “In 50 years when someone picks up the yearbook, they get the sense that this was the year — this was the last year as a junior high school.”
Irene Rodgers, left, and Janet Romeo, right, inviting guests to learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island. Photo by Gabby Daniels
By Gabby Daniels
Is there anything better than a day on the golf course?
Just ask Joey and Nina Meyer, whose day was not only filled with golf, family, friends and fun, but was one that supported the cause so near and dear to their hearts.
In May of 2022, Nina Meyer was diagnosed with epilepsy, and it quickly took a toll on her life. Having been there through Nina’s two brain surgeries and watching her face an everyday battle with seizures and constant medications, her husband Joey knew he had to do something that could help turn this difficult disorder into something more positive.
Partnering with the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island, Meyer organized the “2024 Open to End Epilepsy” fundraiser in hopes of making a difference. The event took place on Sept. 20, at the Willow Creek Golf and Country Club in Mount Sinai.
A day filled with donations, camaraderie, awareness and hope, the day not only celebrated the spirit of community, but also fostered a deeper understanding of epilepsy, ensuring that no one has to face this challenge alone.
Joey Meyer happily welcoming guests out on the green. Photo by Gabby Daniels
“When my wife was first diagnosed with epilepsy, it felt hopeless because we did not really know what to do,” Meyer said.
“Having this event, our goal was to get others talking about epilepsy so that those going through it could feel supported and seen. It was a great way to raise money and awareness for others going through a similar experience as Nina, and we can let people know about the epilepsy foundation and everything they provide in the process,” Meyer said.
The event proved to be more than impactful, raising over $15,000 from event tickets and sponsorships alone.
“Our goal was to raise at least $20,000 today, and we have made great progress already,” Meyer said. “We have raffle tickets for sale, games and dinner to follow the golf outing, so I think we are on track to hit our goal.”
Being quite the beautiful day on the golf course, event attendees were thrilled to take part in the event. “It has been so nice out today, getting to golf, hang out, and support a good cause,” stated Amber Ciccotto, a friend of the Meyers.
“Nina has told me so much about her experience with epilepsy, and I think it is so important to learn as much as you can about it so you can be there for your loved ones who deal with it.”
The course was also lined with other fundraisers, such as Charity Golf, and their long-drive competition.
Hosted by Michael Watson, who has appeared in 4 World Long Drive championships, golfers were offered the opportunity to participate in a ‘Hole in 2’ competition, with a minimum donation that could win them a 3-day trip to San Francisco’s Pebble Beach Lodge.
Michael Watson promoting the ‘Hole in 2’ competition. Photo by Gabby Daniels
“There have been so many generous people out here today,” Watson said. “We have gotten a lot of donations, and it has been really fun doing this for the Meyers and the foundation.”
With directing members Irene Rodgers and Janet Romeo of the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island in attendance, anyone at the event was able to learn more about the disorder. The foundation, founded in 1953, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research and connection.”
“We were so touched and honored that the Meyers reached out to us because it gives us the chance to share the resources and education opportunities we offer within the organization,” said Rodgers.
“We are there for anyone and everyone that has a diagnosis, but we also support their loved ones, their caregivers, and anyone else interested. We provide support, information and referrals; we provide training in seizure recognition, and we advocate. Whatever they need, we want to be there.”
Gabby Daniels is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Capital projects fund review of East Beach bluff stabilization shows an estimated $800,000 budget overspend. Photo by Lynn Hallarman
By Lynn Hallarman
The final report reviewing the capital projects fund was presented to the public by CPA firm, PKF O’Connor Davies of Hauppauge, at the Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees Sept. 25 meeting, ending a year of uncertainty over the financial condition of the fund.
The most significant conclusion was an estimated $1.27 million in overspending on capital projects done without an identified funding source. The largest overage was the East Beach bluff stabilization project of about $800,000.
Why the review was done
One year ago, concerns were raised by then newly-appointed village treasurer, Stephen Gaffga, about the bookkeeping practices that track the village’s capital projects fund. This prompted village officials to hire PKF O’Connor Davies to give a full historical accounting of the fund’s financial recordkeeping. The review spanned from May 2016 to May 2023.
“I noticed shortly after starting my position as treasurer in September of 2023 that our capital projects fund looked like every expense account had a negative balance, which immediately raised red flags for me,” Gaffga said in an interview with TBR News Media.
Gaffga noted that best practices recommended by the Office of the New York State Comptroller were not being followed, making it difficult to track how money was being spent on individual projects.
Ideally a capital project fund ledger should give a granular view of how money flows though different projects and meticulously accounts for funding and payments related to each project, according to the OSC.
The village additionally enlisted Charlene Kagel, CPA — former commissioner of finance for the Town of Brookhaven and ex-Southampton village administrator — as an expert municipal finance consultant to assist the village as it corrects bookkeeping practices to comply with state guidelines.
Reports findings
According to PKF O’Connor Davies, the purpose of the capital projects fund review was to identify which projects have been funded, which have been overspent and what grant funds for specific projects have not yet been reimbursed to the village.
The report provided a clearer picture of the capital fund financial state, especially addressing the overall negative balance observed a year ago. PKF detailed 26 projects as having a deficit fund balance.
Reviewers also noted that “recordkeeping varied by project” — or in other words, the bookkeeping lacked a consistent approach across the ledgers.
Overall, the review revealed an $8.1 million total deficit as of May 31, 2023. “Most of this deficit, an estimated $5 million, is due to grants expected but not yet received by the village,” Gaffga said.
The estimated $1.27 million shortfall comes from spending on a few large projects, most of which, $800,000, is attributed to the bluff stabilization project.
Gaffga explained that the additional spending on the bluff project occurred incrementally over several years starting in 2017, with board members approving these expenses without first identifying a funding source.
Recommendations
Recommendations to the village boil down to one improvement: Follow bookkeeping guidance outlined by the OSC.
The report also identifies the absence of a long-term capital projects fund plan for the village.
Kagel told TBR that an excellent capital plan should include a list of proposed projects by department heads and for municipalities to assign each project a “priority ranking” year by year.
“The board ranks what projects are most important and then figures out how they are going to pay for it,” she said.
Gaffga added, “There will need to be an identified funding source to correct that $1.27 million deficit in the capital fund.”
Gaffga pointed out, however, that this amount is an unaudited estimation. The village has hired a new accounting firm, R.S. Abrams & Co. of Islandia, to finalize the numbers cited in the report before village officials will move forward with a financial plan to reimburse the capital projects fund, as required by municipal law.
“Bottom line, it’s just bad bookkeeping. The village didn’t follow the recommended practice and accounting procedures that are set forth by the state and this is what happens when you don’t,” Kagel said.
Moving forward
The treasurer for a municipality is the custodian of all capital funds, responsible for tracking the finances of each project and developing financial reports for the board and the public.
“At the same time, the board is ultimately responsible for the oversight of the village financials,” Kagel said. “It’s pretty clear that municipalities aren’t supposed to overspend their budget, according to general municipal law in New York State.”
“Stephen [Gaffga] has implemented an OSC best practice, tracking each project financial detail to be sent to the board monthly, so the board can say, ‘Hey, how come we’re in the red on this project?’” she said.
“I’m glad we are now through the most difficult part of the capital projects fund review process and we now know exactly where the village stands,” Mayor Lauren Sheprow said in an email statement to TBR News Media.
“Now the village can proceed to develop a truly transparent capital project plan with guidance from our new Budget and Finance Committee and our incredible treasurer, Stephen Gaffga,” she added.
The full report can be viewed on the Village of Port Jefferson website at www.portjeff.com, and the next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Oct. 9, as a work session.
The Ward Melville boys varsity cross-country team. Courtesy David Seyfert
By Ryan DeLuca
The Ward Melville varsity boys’ cross country (XC) team has had an exceptionally productive start to the 2024 season — a testament to the hard work the athletes put in over the summer. In just the first three weeks of competition, the team has demonstrated their potential as one of the top contenders in the state.
On September 14, the team’s top eight runners traveled to upstate Queensbury to compete in the prestigious Pre-State meet, a 5k (3.1 miles) race. This early-season event attracts the best teams in New York — all vying for a spot at the NYS Championship in November. In a field of 24 teams and 195 athletes, Ward Melville’s runners claimed first place overall in their race.
Senior Jon Seyfert led the charge, finishing 1st overall with an impressive time of 15:50. Junior Anthony Anatol — in his first-ever 5K race — followed as the second Ward Melville athlete, placing 8th overall in 16:19. Sophomore Andy Senf and Junior Luke Jantzen, both competing in just their second and first 5k races respectively, crossed the finish line nearly in unison with times of 16:44.3 and 16:44.4 — placing 23rd and 24th. Sophomore Matteo Ritieni rounded out the top five for Ward Melville, finishing 35th with a time of 16:52 securing a team score of 87 points. This performance beat out second-place finisher Corning — a two-time state champion in the last four years — by an impressive 38 points.
Also competing for Ward Melville were Junior Tim Brown and Sophomores Matt Fumai and Leo Puckett. Brown finished 53rd with a time of 17:23, Fumai placed 62nd at 17:31 and Puckett — in his first 5k — clocked in at 18:10 for 89th place.
When all varsity race results were merged to compare every team that competed that day, Ward Melville once again came out on top — finishing 1st out of 117 teams and defeating the reigning state champions Saratoga Springs by 11 points.
The Ward Melville boys’ XC team is young but highly motivated — fully embracing the program laid out by Coaches DeLuca and Liebowitz. Their dedication to teamwork and relentless work ethic has created a positive competitive environment that is paying dividends. According to the coaches, this season is shaping up to be one of the best in the history of Ward Melville cross country.
In recognition of their stellar performance, the Ward Melville boys’ cross country team is now ranked #1 among all Class A (large schools) teams and #2 overall in New York State.
In the last 18 months, Stony Brook University has generated positive headlines for a host of wins, from receiving a record donation from the Simons Foundation to climbing academic rankings to winning the bidding for a climate solutions center on Governors Island.
This year, those gains not only helped attract a larger applicant pool, but also led to a record high enrollment for first-year students in the university’s 67 year history. The total number of undergraduates is also at a record high of 18,263, exceeding the previous high of 18,010 in the fall of 2010.
The downstate flagship university received about 55,000 applications for first year students, with an acceptance rate of about 49%.
“Stony Brook has now become a premier destination for so many students” in the state, country and world, said Richard Beatty, Senior Associate Provost for Enrollment Management. The increasing applicants and the largest ever class size of 4,024 students reflects the “fruit of all the work the campus has been doing.”
Stony Brook ranked 58th in the 2025 US News and World Report rankings this week, up from 93 in 2022. Stony Brook was also ranked the top public university in New York.
Just over half of the first-year students, or 50.5%, are women, while 49.5% are men. These statistics don’t include people who chose not to disclose their gender.
The university didn’t change its admissions standards to accept this larger class.
“We had the same academic quality as in previous years,” said Beatty, as each student has had high quality experience inside and outside the classroom.
Additionally, for the class entering its second year this fall, Stony Brook had a 90% retention rate, which is also an all-time high. The university typically loses 11 or 12% of students from the first to the second year.
“We want the student [who matriculate at Stony Brook] to graduate with us and we want them to graduate in a timely manner,” said Beatty.
New hires
Recognizing the increased interest in attending Stony Brook from in and out of state, the university started hiring additional staff to provide students with the same level of education and university services.
The ratio of faculty to students “didn’t change that much” because of the university’s staffing efforts, Beatty said. “We are keeping the educational quality the same even though we have a larger [freshman] class.”
The enrollment of students who identify as Black and LatinX also increased, even as universities such as Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have experienced a decline in such enrollments.
The first-year class at Stony Brook includes 433 people who identify as black, which is an increase of 19% over the total from the previous year and represents about 10.7% of the incoming class.
LatinX, meanwhile, rose 28% to 633 this year from 496 in the previous year.
SBU Interim President Richard McCormick. File photo
“Stony Brook today exemplifies dramatically all the most important developments in modern American higher education – a growing and highly diverse student body, an expanding research enterprise, and research achievements that are contributing mightily to the economy and society,” Interim President Richard L. McCormick said in a statement.
While the number of foreign students increased over last year, the total number has still not recovered to its 2019 level, prior to the pandemic.
Stony Brook leads the SUNY system in the highest number of Educational Opportunity Program applications. The state-funded program provides financial support to New York students who have financial and academic barriers, helping them attend and graduate from a SUNY college.
Storm challenges
At the same time that the university welcomed its largest ever first year class, the campus and the area endured a sudden and violent storm that not only damaged the historic Stony Brook Grist Mill, but also made some dormitories uninhabitable.
“It was an unbelievable concerted effort throughout campus” to find places for students amid the clean up, said Beatty. “The housing team came up with solutions” that included housing some students in hotels.
Two of the residence halls, Ammann and Gray, are still undergoing repairs, although the university has found places for its students.
The university has 52 sophomores who are living at an off-campus hotel, where they are expected to remain through the semester. They should be able to return to campus in the spring.
Expanded food services
The Starbucks in SBU’s Melville Library. Courtesy facebook.com/SBUDining
Amid higher enrollment, Stony Brook expanded the hours for dining facilities this year, compared with last year.
Starbucks opened at the Melville Library with expanded hours. The foods trucks have a consistent schedule Monday through Friday and Stony Brook added a Nathan’s Famous truck to the food truck fleet.
The university launched new franchises and dining concepts this fall, such as Popeyes, Carvel and Iron Waffles.
Academically, Stony Brook has had a wide range of potential interests from its incoming students. Beyond the typical strengths in physics and math, the university also experienced a growth in the numbers of students applying for journalism, political science and economics.
“We ended up not being over enrolled in any of our programs,” Beatty said.
McCormick suggested the increased interest in the school reflects recent higher visibility.
“This historic enrollment of first-year students is a testament to Stony Brook University’s steadfast commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience and its rise in reputation as one of the nation’s most prominent public flagship research universities,” McCormick said in a statement.
The State University of New York schools have seen an increase overall in the number of applicants.
Stony Brook’s admissions process, which remains test optional for standardized tests like the SAT and the ACT, has become considerably more holistic.
The admissions committee looks beyond the grade point average or whatever test scores candidates submit, while weighing the student achievement in the context of the options available at their high schools.
The larger class size amid a greater interest in the school also has positive implications for the local economy and for the community.
More students shop at stores and restaurants and also contribute to extracurricular activities such as theatrical performances and to community service projects.
These students, who come from all over the world, add to the diversity of the area, start new clubs and present the findings of their own research while attending college, Beatty added.
As for future applications and class sizes, school officials anticipate greater numbers of interested students in the coming years.
“We expect applications to continue to rise,” said Beatty.
From left to right: Lt. Michael O’Connell, Michael Barasch, John Feal and Lee London. Photo courtesy Michelle Loeb
By Toni-Elena Gallo
A lawyer and former construction worker have banded together to ensure all Sept. 11 victims receive their fair share.
Michael Barasch and John Feal have worked both together and separately for years on behalf of those who suffered health complications as a result of being at or near Ground Zero during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Michael Barasch standing in front of a firefighter’s uniform, in Washington D.C. Courtesy Michelle Loeb
Barasch’s law firm — Barasch & McGarry, located half a mile from the site of the attacks — was instrumental in getting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 passed. This act was named after former NYPD Detective James Zadroga who died from pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhaling toxins at Ground Zero. This act greatly expanded the number of people in the 9/11 community who could access health benefits.
“Less than 10% of civilians are in [the World Trade Center Health Program] and the reason that we hear most often, when I ask someone with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, why they have not enrolled yet, is that ‘I didn’t know it was for nonresponders,’” Feal said.
“People think it’s just the firefighters and cops who were able to get medical assistance. And, if they did know that they were eligible, they didn’t want to take away ‘from those firefighters and cops, because I was only a teacher at Stuyvesant High School,’ or ‘I was only an office worker at Goldman Sachs.’ They don’t realize that they are entitled to this free health care,” he continued.
The 2015 reauthorization of the act added $4.6 billion to the Victim Compensation Fund, which was originally only in place from its 2001 inception to 2004.
John Feal at Ground Zero, in 2001. Courtesy Michelle Loeb
The fund is available to compensate all eligible 9/11 victims for illness, injury or death and anyone else who was in the exposure zone between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
“They’re entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation because the government assured us the air was safe to breathe down there, and it wasn’t,” Feal explained.
As for Feal’s individual story, he was a demolition supervisor who developed gangrene and sepsis after an 8,000-pound steel beam crushed his foot during cleanup on Sept. 17, 2001. As a result of his and his friends’ experiences, he established the FealGood Foundation. He played a key role in lobbying Congress to permanently extend and fully fund the Victim Compensation Fund. Their efforts culminated in the passage of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Compensation Fund Act, in 2019. This law guarantees funding for all eligible VCF claims, through 2090.
And these men are not done fighting yet.
New legislation sought
A bill entitled the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024, sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators — including Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-NY2) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY4) — is seeking to introduce key changes to the WTC Health Program.
A map which represents areas of Manhattan, where people can see zones in which compensation/health benefits is attainable. Courtesy Michelle Loeb
A few of these improvements include adjusting the amount of funding, according to inflation, by about 5% each; having funding reflect changes in the number of individuals enrolled in the program; giving those afflicted moved-up medical appointments; and reallocating unused funds to support ongoing health services, such as Medicare.
The men are also eager to expand the types of mental health professionals authorized to certify mental health conditions for 9/11 responders and survivors.
“Cancer’s the sexy word in the 9/11 community,” Feal said. “But, PTSD should be on everybody’s autopsy and death certificate. In 2005, the Surgeon General said post-traumatic stress disorder is a physical injury. PTSD does not allow you — your immune system — to fight cancers. It’s physical and mental stress on the body. And, we don’t talk about PTSD enough, because cops and firefighters, and all of these macho tattoo, bearded construction workers, don’t like to discuss it, but it’s not a stigma.”
Feal and Barasch have achieved a number of legislative wins and express that they don’t intend to start losing now.
“Now, while we do have enough money until 2027, we don’t want to wait until 2027. We are going to get this bill passed this year. Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, the other advocates — the congressmen from Long Island — I don’t discriminate whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. I’m 19 for 19 on getting legislation passed, and I’m not about to fail,” Feal explained.
“Tens of thousands of people rely on our help, and the number of people with various types of cancers and illnesses rises by the year,” he added.
Both Feal and Barasch told how the funding they are pursuing will allow more illnesses to be recognized by the health program, as well as help with medical research into the conditions.
According to Barasch, “We lose two clients every day at my firm — all from 9/11 cancers. And, it is so heartbreaking. I’m so frustrated that more people aren’t taking advantage of these two programs, because we take this so personally, and not just because we made all these trips to Washington. Two of my paralegals died of 9/11 illnesses. Four others in my office, including me, are cancer survivors.” (Barasch has been diagnosed with prostate and skin cancer.)
On Sept. 14, Feal will be holding a memorial ceremony at the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset, while Barasch will be speaking at a candlelight vigil in New Jersey located at Liberty State Park, Jersey City.
Eric Strovink and his friend Eric Reichenbach are supporting the Suffolk County Police Athletic League Blue Line Rangers baseball teams.
Both well-known coaches and players, they are determined to teach high-level baseball at an affordable price. As costs for travel teams have risen, the league’s affordable approach stands out. For $1,000, these youngsters will receive the same quality of training as other similar programs that can set families back thousands a year. The league’s founders believe kids shouldn’t be penalized for family financial constraints.
Brett Engmann, a police officer who helps run the Police Athletic League for various sports and community programs, said, “It’s a shame that many capable players don’t get noticed because they can’t afford travel teams.”
“Kids who aren’t at tournaments aren’t being seen and have a lesser chance of playing in college. Regardless of family funds, this team offers an affordable way to play our pastime and gives kids an opportunity to play under tremendous coaching,” he continued.
The students are eager to compete against strong opponents, under the tutelage of coaches who are not only passionate about baseball, but also highly qualified.
Strovink batted .516 at Shoreham-Wading River High School, hit three home runs in a single game, and helped his team win the New York State Championship in 1987. He spent three years at Louisiana State University, where he befriended major leaguers Ben McDonald and Russ Springer. Strovink returned home to care for his ailing mother and played for CW Post, where he hit 17 home runs and drove in 52 runs, helping his team win a conference title.
In 1991, Strovink played a minor league season for the Texas Rangers. Over the next two decades, he coached travel and high school teams and directed clinics and lessons.
His two sons continue the Strovink baseball tradition. Brennan, an All-State standout, played and coached at Limestone University.
Kyle, an All-American catcher, later played at Limestone with his brother. Both sons now coach high school baseball teams. Kyle also coached at Princeton and Long Island University.
Reichenbach was one of the area’s finest pitchers and a runner-up for the Suffolk County Carl Yastrzemski Award. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in 1988, pitched at the University of Tennessee, and later transferred to St. John’s, where he became an All-American. Reichenbach played three years in the minor leagues for the New York Mets before becoming a teacher in 1996.
For years, Reichenbach led successful baseball teams at Mount Sinai High School, winning league titles, and the 2016 County Championship, among other accomplishments.
The pandemic was a setback for Mount Sinai, as the team had six Division I pitchers who missed the chance to chase a state title.
Reichenbach, who also guides travel teams and gives lessons, believes in the PAL baseball team’s mission to give back to local athletes and help them become better ballplayers.
These experienced local and college coaches will share their expertise with the mostly 15- to 16-year-old boys who will make up these teams. The Blue Line Rangers will play games on Long Island, at Diamond Nation in Flemington, New Jersey, and on Staten Island.
All baseball statistics and game accounts will be posted on the bluelinerangers.org website, where they can be seen by college scouts.
Both coaches say they are excited about this new travel team, which will have 15 players for the summer and fall seasons. All players are expected to complete 25 hours of community service. Strovink and Reichenbach aim to develop not just skilled ballplayers, but also responsible young men who contribute to their community.
On Oct. 12, the team will host a baseball showcase. Non-PAL players can participate for $99, while Blue Line Rangers members can attend for free. These young athletes will have the chance to play for scouts, from schools like Stony Brook, LIU and St. Joseph’s University.
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