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Orchestral instruments. Pixabay photo

By Aramis Khosronejad

Carnegie Hall is a name recognized throughout the world as one of the most prestigious musical venues. Its tall, gold-gilded and historic walls have witnessed some of the world’s greatest musicians such as Tchaikovsky, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and The Beatles.

Now, three Long Island teenage musicians — Kaitlyn Choi, Joshua Lee and Yuuki Donnelly — join these legends’ esteemed ranks.

The concerts in question are part of the annual World Orchestra Week, known as WOW!, which is organized by the International Federation of Musician. Founded in 1948, the event aims to bring in talented young musicians from around the world to play on the sparkling stage in New York City. WOW! has certainly left quite the dazzling impression on its audience. New York Classical Review declared last Friday, Aug. 2, that “just one day in, and it’s not too soon to say it: WOW! really is a wow.”

Oboist Choi, 18, was a senior at Jericho High School as well as the valedictorian of her class, and will be part of the Harvard freshman Class of 2028. She was part of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America which is considered one of the most competitive and respected youth organizations for music, deemed by The New York Times to have “some of the best young orchestral players in America.” 

NYO-USA consists of musical prodigies from ages 16-19 and was founded by Carnegie Hall’s artistic and executive director, Clive Gillinson. Following her performance at Carnegie Hall, Choi will accompany NYO-US for a tour of South America and continue playing the oboe alongside her orchestra.

The other two teenagers that will represent Long Island on Carnegie’s distinguished stage this week are 15-year-olds, Joshua Lee and Yuuki Donnelly, who will play the double bass and violin, respectively. Joshua is a sophomore attending Locust Valley’s Portledge School, while Yuuki is a junior hailing from Rocky Point High School. They are both part of the National Youth Orchestra 2, which differs from NYO-USA, in its target age of 14-17 and musical repertoire.

Joshua and Yuuki are due to perform on Carnegie’s stage this Thursday night, Aug. 8. Choi played Monday night, Aug. 5.

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Andrew Thomas argues his case to remain on the zoning board of appeals. Photo courtesy PJ Village website

By Lynn Hallarman

Andrew Thomas, architectural designer and village resident, made his case to remain as a member of the Village of Port Jefferson Zoning Board of Appeals at the Board of Trustees meeting July 31.

Having served on the ZBA since 2014 and the Architectural Review Committee since 2020, Thomas highlighted his experience in a detailed statement. Thomas is the husband of former village trustee Rebecca Kassay, now Democratic candidate for the state Assembly District 4. 

Despite his efforts, trustees voted 3-1 in a resolution to “fill the vacant position under which Thomas was serving in a holdover capacity.” He was replaced with real estate agent and ZBA alternate member, Alexia Poulos. Trustee Kyle Hill cast the dissenting vote, while trustee Stan Loucks was absent. 

Addressing prior concerns about possible conflict of interest from his dual roles on the ZBA and ARC, Thomas offered several solutions to the board including withdrawing from the ARC or recusing himself from certain matters. He stated that legal counsel from the New York Conference of Mayors indicated no conflict exists. 

Zoning procedures

Zoning is the process by which a municipality is divided into separate districts or zones. The goal is to avoid incompatible land uses, like a car wash being built in a residential area. If an applicant, such as the builder of a car wash, is dissatisfied with the zoning regulations, a petition can be lodged with the ZBA for a variance. The ZBA then decides whether to grant or deny this request. 

Holdover status

According to the July 1 organizational minutes of the Board of Trustees, Thomas, along with another ZBA member and three members of the Planning Board are currently in “holdover” status, with terms that have expired as far back as 2022. 

Additionally, a total of 17 volunteer members across several different committees and advisory councils have also been identified in the minutes as serving in holdover status due to expired terms. 

Holdover status occurs when a volunteer member continues to serve after their official term has expired, ensuring that the board, committee or council remains functional. Volunteers in holdover status can be reappointed or replaced by a governing body such as the Board of Trustees according to New York State Public Officers Law. 

When a ZBA member is in holdover status, the Board of Trustees can replace that member without a formal public hearing. This is an exception to New York State law, which mandates a public hearing when a member is being removed “for cause,” such as meeting absences or ethics violations. 

Thomas underscored the importance of the ZBA’s independence from political influence and called for the reappointment of all holdover members to restore proper procedure. He concluded by requesting continued service, stressing the importance of “experience, continuity and public trust” in the board’s functions. 

“I understand how directly and even emotionally land use decisions can affect individual citizens. It is one of our most direct and meaningful interactions with government and it requires great care and respect,” Thomas said in his statement. 

Mayor Lauren Sheprow in an email to TBR stated that “we have recently discovered a comprehensive and consistent lack of timely and accurate recordkeeping of our land use board members by prior administrations over the years, resulting in term start and end dates that are not verifiable.” 

She added, “We are diligently working to bring all boards, committees and councils into compliance with NYS Village Law if they are not.”

The Board of Trustees will hold a work session Aug. 14. The next trustees board meeting open for public comment will be held Aug. 28.

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Pixabay photo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

Back in April, Suffolk County legislators Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and Ann Welker (D-Southampton) introduced the “Skip the Stuff” bill, which is designed to reduce the amount of condiment packages and single-use utensils distributed.

This bill would prohibit restaurants and food delivery services from providing plastic utensils, straws, condiments or napkins with takeout and delivery food orders, unless the customer explicitly requests them.

This initiative’s goal is to prevent waste, both environmentally and monetarily, as it aims to reduce the pollutant side effects of plastic microparticles and reduce high restaurant overhead costs, respectively.

The bill did not progress out of the Health Committee, as some officials felt that the legislation was a bit of an overstep, and needed fine tuning. Englebright does plan on reintroducing the bill “in some form,” going forward.

So TBR News Media took to the streets, and asked locals what they thought about the matter.

Juan Mendez, Mount Sinai

Juan, an employee of Dunkin’ Donuts, did not believe the bill will make a significant difference, as his

Juan Mendez. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

restaurant already follows the proposals, more or less.

“We already do that, unless the customer asks us [for condiments or spoons] to be included,” he said.

He explained that there is “an outside area, for any customers that need napkins or straws,” they are just not put in bags by the staff.

“A lot of users don’t even use [these things automatically included] in the bag. If you don’t need it, it’s wasteful.”

Brittany, Port Jefferson

Brittany, who works in Port Jefferson village, had a nuanced stance on the issue.

“I understand for environmental reasons why this would want to be done, completely. But, when you go out, you need something, especially if you’re getting something like ice cream,” she said.

She added that “maybe, if we could use spoons that were better for the environment,” that could provide a potential middle ground.

Angelina of Miller Place and

co-worker Debbie

Both women felt the bill would have a positive impact on the environment.

“I agree with [minimizing plastic utensils]. At the same time, it can be annoying, when it’s not available but I think it is so good for the environment,” Angelina said.

Her co-worker, Debbie, echoed similar sentiments.

“It is a good thing for the environment. On the other hand, like everything, there is a pro and a con to it. For customers who need these things, it can be an inconvenience. But, we have to look a generation ahead. What kind of lifestyle will our grandkids be having [if we pollute our environment] with plastic? It is time to start thinking about the future, and not just now. If it is for our betterment it is worth the sacrifice, and every change must start somewhere.”

Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

Debbie declined for her picture to be taken and other personal information to be included.

Sam, Port Jefferson

Sam a hostess, felt that customers expect extras as part of their takeout orders. And, that they may not be

pleased if that changed.

“We always give ketchup and utensils. Nobody really asks for it, but, I feel like if we don’t give them, they are going to [be upset]. People come to expect it, as part of the service. You don’t know where everybody is going — they could be going outside to eat and not going home,” she said.

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Pregnant woman standing beside crib. METRO Creative Connection photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Cases of syphilis, a sexually-transmitted infection, have climbed dramatically on Long Island over the last decade and have continued to increase, creating a health care risk for those infected including pregnant women and their unborn children.

The number of infectious syphilis cases on Long Island quadrupled between 2011 and 2021, reflecting a national trend, Dr. Cynthia Friedman, Director of Public Health Suffolk County Department of Health Services, explained in an email, citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

“Unfortunately, case numbers continued to increase through 2022,” while 2023 numbers were not yet finalized, Friedman added.

Photo of Cynthia Friedman.

The incubation period for syphilis is between two and three weeks, with primary symptoms including painless open sores or ulcers and enlarged lymph nodes near the sore.

Left untreated, syphilis can progress through four stages, from primary, to secondary, latent and tertiary, with the last of those occurring in about 30 of cases and threatening the heart and brain and potentially causing death.

“The CDC and New York State Department of Health have issued advisories urging providers to screen their patients for syphilis when appropriate,” Friedman wrote. “Prevention of congenital syphilis is a priority.”

Indeed, pregnant women can pass along syphilis to their unborn children.

Children born with syphilis look healthy, but develop problems as they age.

“It’s a life-long debilitating disease” for infants, said Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. “It affects the brain, bones, growth, teeth and every part of the body.”

Nationally, the number of children born with syphilis has also increased, with CDC data indicating that 3,700 were born with the disease in 2022, 10 times the level from 2012.

Area hospitals have been actively screening pregnant women for syphilis and, in cases where tests come back positive, have been prescribing Bicillin L-A, a form of penicillin that treats the disease and protects unborn children.

“We at Stony Brook have been very aggressive about knowing each mother’s status,” said Nachman.

At Huntington Hospital, pregnant women are also screened at least three times, on initial intake, in the middle of a pregnancy and on admission to the hospital, explained Dr. Mitchell Kramer, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Suffolk County runs a Congenital Syphilis Prevention Program, which follows women who test positive for the infection during their pregnancy to ensure they are adequately treated and that their infants receive appropriate monitoring and follow up, Friedman wrote in an email.

Still, infections occur among newborns in the county.

“There are generally a few babies born with congenital syphilis in Suffolk County each year,” explained Friedman. “This usually occurs when mothers have had no or limited prenatal care.”

Supply of medicine

Hospitals have been extremely careful with their supply of Bicillin L-A, which is the most effective and safest treatment for pregnant women who aren’t allergic to penicillin.

“Across our institution, nobody could touch those [treatments] unless they were treating a pregnant woman,” said Nachman.

Pfizer, which manufactures the drug, indicated in June that they have enough Bicillin to treat diagnosed cases of the disease.

Kramer said the earlier supply limitations of Bicillin L-A hadn’t been an issue in his practice, although he “wouldn’t be surprised if smaller health care facilities had a shortage.”

Causes of the increase

Health care professionals suggested several possible causes of the rise in syphilis.

An improvement in the prevention and treatment of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has likely led to a reduction in the use of condoms, which help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

An increase in the use of apps to find potential partners may also have increased the spread of these infections, said Nachman.

Additionally, some people may feel there is a “stigma associated with STIs” and may be reluctant to go to a doctor and ask for a test, said Kramer.

Numerous states have lost funding for STI prevention, which also likely reduced the awareness of the need for people to protect themselves, Kramer added.

Populations where there’s disparities in health services and that don’t have access to screening and treatment are “health care deserts” as patients “are not getting proper care and screening,” Kramer said.

Syphilis isn’t just a problem for any one age group.

The infection has been making the rounds at senior centers and assisted living facilities, with cases rising among people over 65 years old. Seniors who aren’t concerned about pregnancy can be at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Area hospitals have been urging residents to understand the prevalence and health consequences of STIs and have urged people to protect themselves from the disease.

“There is a concerted effort to get the message out,” Kramer said.

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Local business groups are looking to increase the cross-Sound connection

A Bridgeport & Port Jefferson ferry. File photo

By Mallie Jane Kim

Riding the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry as a walk-on may become more attractive in coming years, since business leaders on both sides of Long Island Sound have reignited interest in coordinating efforts to attract interstate day-trippers.

“We want to get people to visit us, explore the village and understand our history — and patronize our museums and our shops,” said Barbara Ransome, director of operations at the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

In fall of 2019, there was movement toward creating a sort of reciprocal passport system with discounted rates for a walk-on ferry ticket as well as coupons for area businesses in Port Jefferson and the Bridgeport region, according to Ransome, but those efforts ended with the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.

Leaders from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council reached out to Port Jefferson’s chamber this summer and revived hopes for working together, according to Ransome. The two groups had a successful meeting and tour of the Down Port area in June.

“They wanted to learn more about Port Jeff and create a synergy between the two regions,” Ransome said, adding that members of the Port Jefferson chamber showed the visitors highlights of the area, including retail stores, restaurants and ice cream parlors. “The visit went really, really well.”

Now, Ransome is leading a walking tour for a group of about 30 people from the greater Bridgeport region’s Women’s Leadership Network on Thursday, Aug. 1, that will highlight women-owned businesses in Port Jefferson. The group is also slated to tour the Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum and eat at local restaurants.

“We’re fortunate,” Ransome said of Port Jefferson, which, in addition to eateries and retail, boasts Harborfront Park, playhouse Theatre Three and a seasonal ice rink. “When you get off the ferry, you’re right there in the commercial district. It’s very walkable.”

On the Connecticut side, there is a lot of interest in visits across the Sound, according to Natalie Pryce, leadership and development director for Bridgeport’s business council.

“It’s so close, and I don’t think people get that experience,” Pryce said.

She framed Thursday’s trip as an economic development tour for her group of women business leaders — a more interesting opportunity to network than meeting to chat over drinks.

“My preference is not to meet at a bar and just talk every time we get together,” she said. “This way we can learn about other women in business, meet other ladies and support each other.”

For Ransome, the walking tour reawakened hopes of working together toward the passport system idea, or something similar. She said in 2019, the ferry company was amenable to collaborating to figure out discounted tickets — a foot passenger round trip currently costs $39 for adults, with seniors at $28 — and even potentially a shuttle service to places like Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bass Pro Shops or the Klein Memorial Auditorium. But any such arrangements are still ideas, at this point.

“I will be finding out where we go from here,” Ransome said.

Pryce expressed excitement about working with Ransome as well, adding that other groups under the Bridgeport Regional Business Council umbrella expressed good-natured jealousy for her day trip.

“There’s just interest across the board,” she said. “This is just the beginning — this is a conversation we’re going to continue after Thursday.”

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File photo.

By Samantha Rutt

Comsewogue School District, along with at least six other Long Island districts, will see a new mascot ahead of the 2025-26 school year. Included is Half Hollow Hills East High School, previously the Thunderbirds, now known as the Red Hawks.

Following a New York State policy set back in April of 2023, New York became the 21st state to restrict Native-themed imagery in public schools, banning Native American-themed names, mascots and logos for all school districts in the state. Five L.I. districts have active lawsuits against the state in respect of the mascot ban.

Comsewogue, hitherto the Warriors, will don the “Spartan” as their official school mascot starting July 1, 2025. The decision for the Spartan came from a series of conversations within the district.

“The district formed a student committee,” said Matteo DeVincenzo, school district athletic director. “They came up with some names that each particular building liked, we then took all of those lists and put it together for parents, the community, staff members and everyone related to the community had an opportunity to vote on what they liked best — it was a very democratic way of deciding.”

Back in January the district began gathering “insight into what terms best represent Comsewogue” as per the school district’s website. In February, the district used the insights to gather additional information through a survey.

Then in April, the Comsewogue Leadership Team, composed of students from grades 3-12, narrowed the search down to five possible mascot/logo ideas: the Chargers, Cobras, Commanders, Spartans and Wolves. A vote was held in June to determine the winner.

“We narrowed it down to a top five list and from there, each day we’d would remove one. That was ultimately how the Spartans were selected,” DeVincenzo said.

Historical background

Before Europeans had ever stepped foot on Long Island, from present day St. James to Wading River and as far south as Gordon Heights, the Setalcott Nation once inhabited the lands. Within that territory lies Port Jefferson Station/Terryville, an area known to the Setalcotts as Comsewogue, meaning “place where paths come together.”

The Terryville-Comsewogue School District was formed in 1874, and the senior high school opened nearly a century later in 1971. The school district has prominently showcased its precolonial heritage along with its name, boasting the Warrior mascot.

“The Spartans are a part of Comsewogue history. Before we were the Warriors, we were the Spartans, before the high school came into existence. At JFK [middle school] we were the Spartans. I believe it was prior to 1972 that we were the Comsewogue Spartans,” DeVincenzo claimed.

As for this school year, Comsewogue School District will still be represented by the Warrior and looks to continue developing a logo and other fine-tuning before the Spartan is unveiled.

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Photo courtesy Town of Brookhaven

By Peter Sloniewsky

In recent years, Long Island has consistently dropped in population and seen an increase in age of senior residents as younger people move to other states.

According to a Feb. 29 Newsday report, between 2017 and 2022 the population of Long Island decreased by more than 110,000 residents. This is largely due to the high cost of living here. In a 2019 report from the Economic Policy Institute, a family of two adults and two children in the Nassau/Suffolk metro area would need to earn a combined $139,545 per year to live “comfortably.”

The cost-of-living index for Long Island is 147, or 47% higher than the national average, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research.

The area is known for its high property taxes, more than 60% of which go to one of the 124 school districts, each of which contains its own administration. While school property taxes are capped at either a 2% increase or at the inflation rate (whichever is lower), the combination of high property values and consistent school budget increases have continued to drive up taxes. Moreover, there is a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes (known as SALT).

Beyond school taxes, a property tax bill also includes police costs, local governments and salaries for public employees. While a debate regarding the relationship between payment for government and educational services certainly exists, the result is clear — a relatively inaccessible financial environment for young homebuyers or renters.

While the 2023 national poverty level for a family of four is approximately $30,000 per year, indicating a 6% poverty rate on Long Island, local legislators have said that this is a vast underestimate. The real figure should be about $55,500 per year, according to a Newsday report, meaning about 20% of Long Islanders are “structurally poor.”

As Long Island’s population declines, except in some East End towns, the number of senior residents in the 65-plus age group has grown. That being said, if young people are to live here, options do exist.

First, trends are not identical across the area. Properties in the middle of the island are typically more affordable than those on shorelines, and towns in that area are generally more diverse.

The relationship between housing and renting is also important to consider. According to 2021 census data, the majority of renters on Long Island spend more than 30% of their income on rent in a sellers market. However, the median home price has consistently risen and is now greater than $600,000 as demand far outpaces supply.

The foremost solution is to save strategically. In a conversation with TBR News Media, Jolie Powell, of Jolie Powell Realty in Port Jefferson, said that her foremost advice to young buyers would be to “keep saving your money, [and to] hunker down on other items you’re purchasing, because the home is the most important asset. Save, save, save.” She recommended that young buyers in financially stressful situations search for properties in “up and coming” neighborhoods, and generally in the center areas of Long Island.

Powell also stated that grants and assistance were available, and that a strategic young buyer would seek them out. The Federal Housing Administration offers loans with as little as 3.5% down payments for homebuyers, with low closing costs and easy credit qualifying.

Beyond that, Nassau County offers grants to eligible first-time homebuyers, and Suffolk County has offered programs in the past for down payment assistance. Individual towns and other bodies of municipal government can also offer assistance, and organizations like the Long Island Housing Partnership have been touted by local governments as highly beneficial. These organizations can use the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation’s funds, which can be combined with additional county funds to assist buyers with purchases and improvements.

Ultimately, while Long Island’s high cost of living and elevated property taxes continue to drive younger residents away, strategic saving and available assistance programs offer some hope for those determined to make their home here, even as the population trends toward an older demographic.

In a late development, the Town of Brookhaven and Long Island Housing Partnership will launch on Aug. 1 a down payment assistance program, giving first-time homebuyers the opportunity to receive assistance up to $50,000 in down payment/closing costs toward the purchase of an eligible single-family home.

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Satellite image of the phytoplankton bloom. Photo courtesy NOAA

By Aidan Johnson

From a young age, children are taught that the ocean isn’t actually blue but is simply reflecting the color of the sky. However, the ocean recently took on a turquoise color not caused by the sky but by organisms called phytoplankton in the water.

Phytoplankton are tiny, commonly single-celled photosynthetic organisms in bodies of water that are carried by tides and currents and are too weak to swim against them.

Along the South Shore, all the way from Montauk to Brooklyn and spanning about 100 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, there is an algal bloom full of a specific type of phytoplankton called coccolithophores, explained Christopher Gobler, a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University.

According to Gobler, this particular type of phytoplankton has a shell that’s made of calcium carbonate, which is the same substance that clam shells are made of, albeit to a much larger degree.

“What can happen is that after [the coccolithophores have] grown for a while, the shell begins to dissolve and then they might start dying off,” he said in an interview. “And so the coloration seems to be from the dissolution of that shell. It looks green, but it’s really just the interaction of the calcium carbonate with the seawater and the sunlight that collectively leads to that color.”

Gobler also clarified that the coccolithophores do not pose a direct health risk to sea life, but instead “fuel the food chain.”

“And so for the present time at least … we can call it a neutral deposit,” he said.

The bloom already seems to be dissipating, according to Gobler, which means that the sky will once again take credit for the water’s blue appearance.

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Political banner on the balcony of the Frigate ice cream and confection store. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

A lawsuit upheld in 2022 a local business owner’s right to display a political banner, and now raises questions about municipal control over sign safety and aesthetics. The same sign, “In Trump We Trust,” is back up again.

In 2013, then Port Jefferson Village Mayor Margot Garant knew she had a problem — a proliferation of cheaply made signs cluttering the village’s visual look. Some signs were made of flimsy plastic, pressboard or haphazardly tacked up to storefronts. Some were waving in the breeze, at risk of flying off a facade or airlifting skyward off a property lawn. Others were just unsightly. 

Garant and the trustees decided to revise the village code to help business owners have more choices as a first step to cleaning up junky and unsafe signs. 

‘We had many work sessions to improve the code and make businesses feel like they had options,” Garant said. “Uptown was a sign disaster, but we made progress cleaning up storefronts in line with the village’s character overall.” 

Garant found the sign issue perennial and hard to keep up with. New businesses were easier to manage, but for some older establishments compliance with sign rules felt like government overreach. A few businesses ignored the permitting process altogether or accepted a fine as the price of doing business, according to Garant.

Then, in 2020, George Wallis, from Nissequogue, and the decades-long owner of the property housing the Frigate ice cream/confectionary store and The Steam Room restaurant in the village, used the location to express his support for former President Donald Trump (R). 

Wallis hung an oversized banner containing a political statement off the second-story balcony of the Frigate, a prominent spot at the bustling intersection of East Broadway and Main Street. The building is directly across from the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry terminal, making the display hard to miss. 

From the perspective of village officials, the banner violated several village sign requirements and Wallis did not apply for a permit. 

For one thing, the banner has Goliath-size proportions relative to the dimensions of the two-story Lilliputian-style building. Banners affixed to buildings are not allowed per the code and the pliable plastic material used does not comport with the aesthetic standards of the code. Village officials also worried that the oversized banner, strung across the building’s second-floor balcony, was a driving distraction, as it faces west directly into a three-way intersection — with pedestrians, oftentimes, dashing across the road. Officials wanted it taken down. 

Wallis had wrestled previously with the village government over an unpermitted political sign and had it taken down, but this time he refused to budge.

So the village escalated the situation to a legal remedy in the courts in hopes that he would back down, according to Garant. Wallis, instead, hired a lawyer and fought the charges leveraged against his business entities.

But in several interviews for this story with Garant and current Mayor Lauren Sheprow, opinions from municipal legal experts and a review of publicly available documents suggest that the legal battle, which Wallis won using a free-speech argument, has hamstrung the village’s ability to enforce its sign code and established a legal precedent allowing any person or business to erect a prohibited sign if the content is political. 

The legal complaint

A series of legal briefs filed in 2020 and 2021 by then deputy village attorney Richard Harris, for the Village of Port Jefferson, accused several business entities owned by Wallis of violating local sign ordinances. According to documents reviewed by TBR News Media, these entities allegedly failed to apply for permits and displayed signs of prohibited type, size and material. 

The briefs detail the hanging of two signs in different time frames containing political speech: “In Trump We Trust” and “Impeach Cuomo,” referring to the then New York governor. The charges did not pertain to the banners’ political content, which is protected under the First Amendment’s right to free speech.

Still, Wallis’ attorneys claimed the alleged accusations violated his right to free speech and requested dismissal of the case.

Harris argued, in a nutshell, that Wallis needed to follow the village sign code like everyone else. 

In July 2022, the Honorable Tara Higgins, judge of the village Justice Court, ruled in favor of Wallis, stating that the village’s arguments defending sign ordinances regarding aesthetics, safety and permitting were “unconvincing.”

Village withdraws legal appeal 

Harris submitted a legal appeal, reviewed by TBR News Media, to the Appellate Term of the New York Supreme Court arguing that the judge’s arguments were poorly reasoned and ignored legal precedent regarding a municipality’s ability to govern signs.

According to the New York State Division of Local Government Services, local governments may impose reasonable “time, place and manner” restrictions on speech to set forth the circumstances under which signs may be displayed. Obscene content is not allowed.

“All I can say is that based on the United States Supreme Court precedent, the village can enforce its code against the sign like that,” Mark Cuthbertson, lawyer and municipal legal expert, told TBR in a phone interview. 

He added, “If that’s the village’s policy going forward, based on this legal decision, someone can put up a huge Kamala Harris banner wherever [and however] they want.” He noted that other municipalities may face similar challenges to their sign code rules based on this new legal precedent, which seems to allow political signs to bypass municipal sign ordinances. 

The Sheprow administration subsequently withdrew the village appeal, stating that it “wanted a fresh start” and planned to take “steps against any sign code violations” regardless of the sign’s content.

Reactions from the public

TBR spoke with several patrons on the weekend of July 20-21 near the Frigate to gauge their opinions on the newly-placed banner with the same political message that was displayed in 2020. 

Most expressed approval using descriptors such as “delighted,” “ecstatic” and “in favor.” One woman thanked me for reminding her to take a picture of the banner for her Facebook page. She loved the sign. 

The general sentiment among those surveyed was that the banner represented an expression of free speech and that the village needed to “chill out,” as one supporter put it. Others noted that the village seemed to be enforcing its sign code selectively, singling out the Frigate for sanctions while similar style banners are hung undisturbed throughout downtown Port Jeff. In 2020 press reports, Wallis surrogates had voiced this belief of selective enforcement, suggesting that the village’s actions were driven solely by the banner’s political message. 

Wallis has consistently declined to speak with the press. TBR did not receive a response, either, from the Frigate’s store manager for comment.

During a casual stroll around the village, this reporter identified about seven prohibited banners across various businesses, though these banners contained nonpolitical messages. 

Most of the complaints about the current Frigate banner are directed to the village Town Hall or The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, according to Sheprow. These complaints primarily concern the political content, accusing the village of allowing it to remain. However, the village never had or wanted control over the political content, even before Wallis’ victory in court. 

“The village is nonpartisan,” Sheprow said. “The village would never enter into an endorsement situation or sanction the political speech of any candidate.”

As of writing, village officials have moved to cite all businesses, many for the first time, which are displaying code-prohibited banner-type signs. 

“Personal notifications went out today, including to Mr. Wallis’ business entities,” Sheprow said. 

Many prohibited banners have already been removed to date. As at press time, the Frigate banner was still hanging from the building.

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Town of Brookhaven’s town hall. File photo

By Ava Himmelsbach

The July 18 Town of Brookhaven Board meeting consisted of discussions regarding local concerns, happenings and authorizations.

The board reclassified certain local events as programs for public good. With the town as a co-sponsor, these events would qualify for coverage under the public good insurance.

Discussed as a potential program for public good was the Bethel Hobbs Community Farm Run the Farm event in Centereach.

“This would be Saturday, Aug. 10,” Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden) noted. “This is a fantastic event to help bring money and awareness back to the only farm in the 3rd District, I would say, and probably one of the only farms in the middle of the island like that. It is a fantastic farm, [and it] does a lot of [good] for the community, so come on and give a little back. Go on a nice 4-mile run — it’s very popular — [as] most runs are a 5K. This is actually a legitimate 4-mile run, [on] very hilly roads. It draws a huge crowd who partake in it, and we have a great time every year.”

The board voted unanimously to approve this classification for the farm. Manzella, along with the Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, has high hopes for this fun, summer event. He added that he will be playing a managing role in this gathering: “I will run the event, I will not run in the event. How’s that!”

The National Night Out event, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, was also considered an event for public good.

This night will consist of multiple free events across Brookhaven. Hosted by the town and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, this event will bring local law enforcement out to host activities and run various displays.

“They’re all convenient to every council district, and we hope that everybody chooses to participate in one,” Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) said. “It’s always a really fun family night, it really is.” The vote regarding the town’s sponsorship and insurance coverage for these events was unanimous.

The board also voted to accept $3,100 in funds donated to the town from the Three Village Dads Foundation for the Gerard Reggio Plaque. “I want to thank the Three Village Dads,” Supervisor Dan Panico (R) said. “That foundation is doing a lot of great work in the Town of Brookhaven, and also helping out Stony Brook Children’s Hospital quite a bit. It’s great work. If you’re watching and you are from Three Village Dads, we thank you.”

Other actions that were approved included the town’s sponsorship and classification of the Shakespeare in the Park and Suffolk County Youth Bureau Division’s Bilingual Drug and Alcohol Education, Prevention and Awareness Presentation events as programs for public good, along with the acceptance of a donation from Canvus of six benches made from recycled materials of wind turbines. These benches will be installed at various town facilities.

Despite decisions on approvals and authorizations involving property planning and contracts specific to local businesses, the popular topics for local families and individuals were largely relating to the town’s public good insurance coverage and classification of local events and happenings. As made clear by these talking points, Brookhaven residents have much to look forward to in the month of August.

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