Government

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. Photo courtesy Leg. Trotta

By Peter Sloniewsky

At the June 24 Republican primary, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R, Fort Salonga) is running to replace incumbent Ed Wehrheim (R, Kings Park) as the Republican candidate for Town of Smithtown supervisor. 

Trotta initially took office in 2014 following a lengthy career with the Suffolk County Police Department and will be term limited in November. Trotta’s platform includes limited development, open-space preservation, term limits and more generally limited town government. 

“They want four-story apartment buildings in downtown Smithtown,” Trotta said, referring to the current administration. “Their own consultants said that the people of Smithtown and Kings Park… do not want high-density apartments. And the first thing they did was shove high-density apartments into less than half an acre.” 

Trotta also referenced New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) plan for transit-oriented development, which involves the rezoning of residential areas around train stations to incentivize housing development. This development has been the subject of much debate and has generally received mixed reviews from suburban representatives on the state level. 

“At our train stations in Smithtown, her mandate was fifteen units per acre,” Trotta told TBR News Media. “They’re trying to shove forty-six in a half an acre… it defies logic. They’re urbanizing and making Smithtown into Queens.” 

When asked directly about Smithtown’s affordable housing, Trotta offered an alternative response. 

“When a house goes up for sale here, it sells in an hour. It’s affordable to someone… there are people that can afford to live here,” Trotta said. “It’s just getting older! Homes will free up… when you build all of these apartments, you’re robbing a generation of building equity by putting young people in those apartments.” 

“I’m not saying all apartments are bad,” Trotta added. “I’m not against all apartments, but the proliferation of it is ridiculous.” 

Trotta is also running on a platform of anticorruption measures and term limits. Previously, his tenure as a police officer and legislator was marked by strict opposition to the power of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. The New York Times even reported in 2021 that Trotta’s foremost motivation in running for the Suffolk County Legislature in 2014 was to investigate the police department. 

“I’m honest, I’m trustworthy, and I’m cheap,” Trotta said. “I will watch after every dollar… I’ll watch every dollar of tax money, and I’ll root out any corruption.”

Lastly, Trotta plans to prioritize public-space management and expansion. As a Suffolk County legislator, such actions have been a major part of his tenure. 

“I’ve been responsible for over 400 acres being preserved in the town of Smithtown,” Trotta said. “People moved here for the suburban lifestyle, not an urban lifestyle.”

Pictured above in the group photo taken at the event, Councilwoman Bonner can be seen fourth from the left, standing next to Commander Joe Cognitore, other VFW members, and the community. Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office
On May 31, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner joined local veterans, families, and community members for the VFW Post 6249 Joseph P. Dwyer 5K Run, a community event honoring the bravery and sacrifice of U.S. veterans.
Hosted by VFW Post 6249, the event drew a strong turnout from across the region, with participants running or walking the 5K route in tribute to the men and women who have served our country. The race has become a tradition in the Rocky Point area, uniting people of all ages to support a vital cause.
The run supports the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, which was named in honor of Private First Class Joseph P. Dwyer, a Suffolk County native and Army combat medic in Iraq. During a mission in Baghdad, PFC Dwyer was famously photographed carrying an injured Iraqi boy to safety, which was soon featured in newspapers nationwide. After returning home, he was honorably discharged but struggled with post-traumatic stress, depression, and substance abuse. Sadly, he passed away in July 2008 at the age of 31.
Since its launch in late 2012, the Dwyer Program has become a model of success in providing peer-to-peer support for veterans experiencing similar challenges. Its continued growth and impact serve as a powerful reminder of PFC Dwyer’s legacy and the importance of supporting those who have served.
“This run is a beautiful example of how our community comes together to honor and remember our veterans,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “It’s a privilege to support the VFW and to stand with those who have given so much for our country.”
After the race, attendees gathered at the post for refreshments, music, and a special ceremony recognizing veterans and event organizers. Proceeds from the event go toward supporting veteran services and outreach programs through VFW Post 6249.
Councilwoman Bonner extended her gratitude to the VFW for their continued leadership and dedication to veteran advocacy.

Pictured above from left to right is Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Anders Dalberg, Nicholas Comito, Aidan Elder, and Jeremy Westerlund. Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office

Councilwoman Jane Bonner proudly joined families, friends, and community members on May 31 to honor four outstanding young men who achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of Anders Dalberg, Nicholas Comito, Aidan Elder, and Jeremy Westerlund, each of whom completed a service project that significantly improved a local community space.

Councilwoman Bonner presented each Eagle Scout with an official proclamation from the Town of Brookhaven, recognizing their leadership, dedication, and lasting contributions to the community.

“The Eagle Scout rank represents the highest level of achievement in Scouting, and these young men have truly earned it through their incredible service and commitment,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “They have made meaningful improvements in our community, and we are so proud to recognize them for their achievements.”

Anders Dalberg contributed his skills and hard work to enhance the facilities at the Warrior Ranch Foundation, an organization dedicated to the healing and well-being of veterans, first responders, and rescued horses. Anders fabricated and installed fly traps to protect the horses, built sturdy frames for hanging tarps to provide shade, and installed swing boom arms to aid in training sessions for the horses—all efforts that will help the foundation continue its important mission.

Nicholas Comito focused his project on improving the Greenway Trail in Port Jefferson – Setauket, a popular local path used by residents for walking, biking, and running. Nicholas installed reflectors along the full 3-mile trail and at all intersections to improve visibility and safety. He also poured two concrete pads in front of benches to provide easier access for individuals using wheelchairs and cleaned up trash along the trail to help preserve its natural beauty.

Aidan Elder chose to serve St. Anthony of Padua Church CYO Fields in Rocky Point, where he designed and built a new information kiosk to help visitors navigate the space. In addition, he installed new handicap parking signs to improve accessibility, refreshed and replanted old planter boxes, and restored two statues on the property—bringing renewed life and charm to the grounds.

Jeremy Westerlund completed his project at Trinity Lutheran Church, where he created a more inclusive and engaging outdoor space for the church’s nursery school. Jeremy designed and built a handicap-accessible picnic area, constructing two ADA-compliant picnic tables along with two standard ones. He also built a colorful and interactive music wall for the playground, enriching the play experience for young children of all abilities.

Councilwoman Bonner emphasized the value of encouraging leadership and community involvement in young people, and praised the scouts for their initiative and service.

Pictured from left, Gail Powell, Lil Nociforo, St Jude Representative Stacy Bakker, Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Kathy Senatore, Ellen Fisher, and Donna Bram. Photo from Leg. Bonner's office

On June 2, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner attended a special presentation at Leisure
Village, where the Leisure Village Senior Club proudly donated $11,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital.

In recognition of the club’s outstanding fundraising efforts and generous contribution, Councilwoman Bonner
presented the group with an official Town Certificate of Appreciation. The donation reflects months of
dedication, teamwork, and compassion from the senior residents who were determined to make a meaningful
impact on the lives of children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the Leisure Village Senior Club come together for such an important
cause,” said Councilwoman Bonner. “Their selflessness, community spirit, and generosity are truly inspiring,
and I was honored to recognize their efforts on behalf of the Town of Brookhaven.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continues to lead the way in treating and defeating childhood cancer and other serious diseases. Contributions like this help ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

Left to right: Kathianne Snaden, Lauren Sheprow, Mathew Franco, Robert Juliano and Julie Vitrano. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

In anticipation of the June 17 vote, five candidates assembled at the Port Jefferson Village Center for a meet-the-candidates night, where they spoke on pressing village concerns and their leadership priorities.  The mayoral seat and two trustee seats are open, as Mayor Lauren Sheprow and trustee Robert Juliano’s two-year terms are at an end and each are up for reelection. 

The event, sponsored by the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Association of Port Jefferson, allowed each candidate to answer previously submitted questions from residents, with topics ranging from the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project to transparency and communication. 

Incomers Matthew Franco and Julie Vitrano are also vying for a trustee seat left vacant with the exit of Stan Louks. Franco has 10 years of experience in construction, is an occupational therapist and has worked with disabled children. “Most importantly, I want to bring honestly and integrity and decency back into village government,” he said

Vitrano is a real estate agent and mother of three sons. With her 20-years experience in the real estate industry, Vitrano said she is knowledgeable about code compliance and mindful of commercial development. ”Yes, I am a real-estate agent but that doesn’t mean I want to overbuild”, she said.

Juliano is finishing his first term, during which he was deputy mayor, commissioner of the Department of Public Works and liaison for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Counsel, Conservation Advisory Council and the Citizens Committee  of Erosion. He was previously a clerk for the Village of Westbury and an administrator for the Village of Port Jefferson.

Former deputy mayor and two-term trustee, Kathianne Snaden is challenging Sheprow for mayor. In 2023, Sheprow defeated Snaden for the role, but Snaden said she is running to continue the service and to “bring back the heart and soul of the community.” 

“At the end of this meeting,” Snaden said. “I think you will see that I am not only prepared to become mayor, but am already doing the work.” 

As her term came to a close, Sheprow reviewed her policies and actions from the past two years and reiterated her position on issues such as the East Beach Bluff, the country club, flooding and transparency. She is the daughter of former Mayor Harold Sheprow and has raised her three children in the area. “Port Jefferson is on a better path because we have done the hard work together,” she said. “I am running for reelection because there is more to do.” 

Development and schools

Candidates emphasize collaboration with the school district, which is facing declining enrollment and the loss of LIPA’s tax contributions. With many of the candidates having children that attended the district, they acknowledged its tremendous 

To promote economic growth, Snaden spoke of several programs, such as an incentive initiative that would encourage residents to shop in the village through monthly events, a punch card, or a village-specific app that serves as a guide for residents and tourists while also promoting businesses.

Sheprow, who created the Economic Opportunity Task Force, said shop-front vacancies aren’t as big an issue as the larger vacancies like the Gap building and McDonalds might suggest, with the real number being around 9%. The task force works with the Business Improvement District to determine what shops would be appropriate. 

In 2013, the village created a comprehensive plan intended to guide village development for the following two decades. However, Sheprow said it may need an upgrade: an idea reiterated by Juliano, who said uptown development was one of the three major concerns in the village. 

“We can make all the plans we want but we have to make sure to put them into place,” he said, promising to work with Planning Commissioner Andrew Freeling to get uptown “to what we want.” A plan could help guide developers and provide a framework for unity in the village, balancing both respect for the village’s history and intentional progress. 

“We have to make sure they bring in businesses that are going to attract people to the community and revitalize some of Port Jefferson,” Franco said

“I can only name five rental offices or spaces that are vacant,” said Vitrano. She added that more festivals and events throughout the year would help “bring the society back to the village”.

Bluff and country club

Of the candidates, Franco was alone in speaking definitively against proceeding with the bluff project. He argued the town was simply buying time against the inevitable environmental deterioration of the area. “The real problem is that we are never going to beat Mother Nature…I don’t think we should spend millions of dollars of hard-earned taxpayer money to buy time,” he said, noting the continuing maintenance the wall would require. 

Juliano, the liaison for the Citizens Committee on Erosion, said they are meeting with engineers every two weeks and waiting for their proposed plan for the final stage of the bluff project.  “We don’t know what the other part of the project will look like,” he said. After those results come in, they will make an educated decision. Sheprow confirmed: they do not know what the following steps will constitute.

Vitrano, on the other hand, said she does not believe Phase I should have been approved without a “clear plan from the engineers.” Since it began, she said, the project has been entrenched with “questionable spending” and called for a public referendum before Phase II is considered. She stated needing to look at reports before making a decision on future bluff projects. 

Snaden argued the public was not involved enough throughout the process and that the current board is not truly exploring all options. The additional fiscal stress from losing LIPA’s contributions to the tax base concerns Snaden, so she said embarking on the expensive bluff project may not be in the village’s best interest. 

Juliano said they don’t even know how much the next phase will cost, and the loss of long-term revenue from the country club should be taken into account when weighing the monetary pros and cons.

Juliano said she is not committed to the bluff project and does not “have a plan ready yet” as she continues reviewing documents and plans with the engineering firm GEI. “We are challenging the engineering firm on every level,” she said, adding that she welcomes her constituents asking “the tough questions.” 

With Lessing’s Hospitality Group entering a new contract to lease the Port Jefferson Country Club, Franco protested the lack of stipulations requiring a restaurant; he listed the contract as one of the village’s three major issues. “There is no pressure to operate a restaurant…and we will be choked by that contract for a very long time,” he said. 

Snaden said the club “must become a self-sustaining community asset.” Lessing’s contract is doing just that, according to Sheprow, who said the previous contract was an “exhaustive liability” and Lessing’s, who operates restaurants at parks like Sunken Meadow State Park, is “committed to doing something really good.”

Transparency

Sheprow said she initially wanted to run after not being included in a vote on a $10 million bond during a time Snaden was on the board. Snaden responded that several public sessions were held before the vote took place. However, Sheprow criticized the lack of conversation and openness of the town hall at that time. “There was a lack of fiscal management [and] a lack of town hall,” Sheprow said.  

Snaden and Franco said Sheprow has not made vital bluff reports accessible to the Citizen’s Commission on Erosion, delaying the completion of their interim report. Franco said the reason for the delay is because the report advised for moving the building back. Jiuliano acknowledged a delay in providing some reports, but said they were going to hear the report the next day and will post it online thereafter. 

Increasing the accessibility of village hall is a point of pride for Sheprow, Snaden and Juliano, who host sit-downs once a month where residents can speak about their concerns or ask questions.

Snaden addressed an accusation that she unethically accepted money from the village taxpayers for photographs she took of the Dickens Festival; however, she said she recused herself from the vote that resulted in a village payment to her and it was included on the auditor’s report. “Everything was done in public,” she said. 

The upcoming election is preceded by fierce campaigning and fiery online and public discourse that was alluded to several times during the event. Before introducing himself, Franco condemned the “slanderous nonsense” and accused Vitrano of causing his family embarrassment. 

Vitrano, in her closing statement, made similar claims, saying members of the village were attempting to coerce her to not run. She said, “I’ve been told what to say, what not to say, who I should associate with and even who not to be friends with.” 

“This is not how our community works,” she said. “This is not how democracy should operate. This is nonsense and it needs to stop, no matter who wins this election.”

Snaden promised to revamp the public safety department if elected. “Currently we don’t have a public safety department,” Snaden said. “Our former code enforcement that prioritizes public safety and the safety of our community now focuses on parking tickets and building code violations. I want to bring an all new public safety department to our village.”  She said she would also promote collaboration with the Suffolk County Police Department. Vetrano agreed a bigger police presence is necessary. 

Juliano told the audience that, by law, the code enforcement cannot pull vehicles over. Sheprow said that enforcing the ordinances is an essential part of ensuring the code and that the village recently hired 11 new officers. “There are plenty of ordinances to enforce in our village code so they have their hands full,” she said.

The election is on June 17 at the Port Jefferson Village Center from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Image from Leg. Trotta's office

Recently released Netflix docuseries, Gone Girls, is a three-part series which chronicles the desperate attempts by Shannan Gilbert’s mother to locate her missing daughter, last seen on Gilgo Beach. Through Mrs. Gilbert’s unrelenting efforts to find Shannan, law officials uncovered the Gilgo Beach serial murders. Under a corrupt Suffolk District Attorney and Police Chief, the Suffolk County Police Department apparently failed to fully investigate her case possibly because she was allegedly listed as a sex worker and not considered a priority.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta was interviewed in episode two of the series based on his expertise and knowledge of the corruption scandal within the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Legislator Trotta stressed that then County Executive Steve Bellone was warned many times not to promote James Burke as Chief of Police as he had been featured on the cover of Newsday for having sex with a known prostitute, while on duty and in his county issued police vehicle, and losing his service revolver to her. According to Trotta, “had the right person been chief of police, these murders probably would have been solved earlier, and the families had some peace of mind sooner.”

“I am pleased that Suffolk County is moving in the right direction, and I sincerely hope that justice will soon prevail in the Gilgo Beach murders and that all members of law enforcement will realize that all deaths matter regardless of one’s occupation,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.

By William Stieglitz

On Monday, June 9, the Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group (BLARG) rallied outside the Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville to call for the closure of the Brookhaven landfill and the development of “zero -waste” solutions. Pollution from the landfill, activists argued, has endangered the health and safety of those in North Bellport, where the landfill is located, and that its closure would provide both environmental and economic benefits.

“This landfill has been with our community for fifty plus years,” said BLARG co-founder Monique Fitzgerald. She introduced herself as a proud descendant of the Setalcott Nation, which originally occupied Brookhaven’s land, and described the landfill in the minority community as “a monument to environmental racism.” The closure of the landfill, she said, had been repeatedly promised since the 1980s, but each time the landfill had been expanded instead. “It is 270 feet tall. It’s one of the tallest structures in Suffolk County.” According to Fitzgerald, Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio (R, Ridge) had previously said the landfill would close in 2024.

Loguercio said, “The landfill is forecasted to close sometime in 2028, consistent with our plan” and argued activists were spreading the false impression it could be closed sooner. He also said that as a Gold Star Family member, he objected to the setting of the rally, a memorial for fallen soldiers outside the town hall, being used for what he considered a “fanciful charade.”

William Kokell, however, who spoke at the rally as a veteran and as a member of the South Country Peace Group, said the landfill had become too large, and swift action needed to be taken to protect children’s lives. “I’ve been all over the Pacific Ocean, all over a lot of Southeast Asia. I have never ever, ever seen anything even close to that.” He said his son went to school with three young men from North Bellport who developed cancer, attributing the disease to air and water pollution in the area. 

John McNamara, who spoke as a coordinator from Christians Against Racism in the Apostolic Spirit (CARITAS), said solutions could be reached through a four-step plan toward zero waste. 

Step 1, he said, is to adopt a Save Money and Reduce Trash, or SMART, program, where instead of a set fee, “you just pay money for the amount of trash that you dispose of.” Step 2 is to implement both the “Bigger, Better Bottle Bill” and the “Manufacturer’s Responsibility Bill” in the state senate and assembly. The first, he explained, would allow more kinds of bottles to be covered for recycling, while the second would incentivize manufacturers to rely more on recyclable materials and limit the use of toxic chemicals. Step 3 would be a townwide composting program for Brookhaven, and Step 4 would be establishing “reuse and repair” centers for people to bring no longer wanted items where others could come to pick them up.

In terms of economic benefits, McNamara argued zero-waste policies would save taxpayer money he says is currently used to ship a portion of Brookhaven’s waste off the island to landfills in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and upstate New York. Fitzgerald also argued that the landfill, by bringing in industries like warehouses and truck terminals, and that this comes at the expense of funding needed to keep teachers employed at South Country district schools. 

Loguercio, responding to the topic, said, “We would love to reach a point of zero waste, so would everyone else in America, but it doesn’t work because the strength of the markets for recycling just don’t exist.” Fitzgerald, however, reading a statement from Zero Waste USA, argued that “communities across the US” using zero-waste policies have “cut their waste stream in half within a few short years: achieving 60%, 70% and 80% reductions.”

“We are looking for a partnership for zero waste,” said Fitzgerald. “We are looking to create, procreate, co-design, and get our hands dirty right along with the council and the town supervisor Dan Panico [R], so this is on all of us to do.”

Pinelawn Memorial Park

Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine joined Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum in Farmingdale on June 9 to honor its recent recognition as a “Certified Audubon Classic Sanctuary” by Audubon International, the noted New York based not-for-profit, recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Pinelawn is the first cemetery in the world to hold this prestigious certification. In fact, there are only two facilities in the entire nation – Pinelawn and the Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton in Florida – with this distinction.

One of several fountains at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum. Facebook photo

In honor of this achievement, County Executive Romaine proclaimed June 9 as Suffolk County Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum Day.

“Pinelawn is truly a place of great beauty. Everyone here today can understand why the Audubon Society has honored them,” said County Executive Romaine.  “You come here, surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers, and you are immediately put to rest with a sense of serenity.  Thank you for Pinelawn for what they do for this country, thank you for what they do for our veterans and their families; and congratulations go to the entire team.”

“Our goal is to minimize our impact on the environment while making our grounds a place of peace and beauty for all those who visit,” said Justin Locke, President and CEO, Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum. “We are extremely proud to be the first memorial park to be recognized globally for environmental excellence, and I thank my team for their ongoing commitment to implementing innovative practices that set a new standard in environmental care. This important certification is a testament to our team’s hard work and the legacy we continue to build for the community.”

Audubon International requires strict environmental standards, including adopting design and operations practices consistent with the principles of sustainability, including a strong commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction and other environmental safekeeping.

“To reach certification as a Certified Classic Sanctuary, Pinelawn needed to demonstrate that it maintains a high degree of environmental standards in a number of areas,” stated Christine Kane, CEO, Audubon International. “These categories included environmental planning, wildlife & habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.”

Specifically, some of Pinelawn’s initiatives that lead to its new status included:

  • Replacing underground fuel tanks with safer, accessible, above-ground alternatives.   
  • Introducing a new, water recycling washdown station for Pinelawn’s fleet of vehicles.  
  • Installing a weather station to optimize its irrigation system and reduce water usage. 
  • Enhancing its wildlife habitat by creating buffer zones and habitat centers. 
  • Continuing its successful on-site community education programming. 

Pinelawn is located at 2030 Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale. For more information about Pinelawn’s ongoing environmental efforts, please visit pinelawn.com.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta congratulates Fort Salonga Eagle Scout Alexander Houslanger, Troop 75. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office

On Sunday, June 8, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Alexander Houslanger at Travis Hall, St. Joseph Church.

Alexander attained the rank of Eagle Scout by completing the required 21 merit badges in addition to another 15 merit badges, as well as his community service project. He did his service project at the Little Shelter, a local animal rescue, where he designed and built a bridge to improve access to the grounds of the shelter. Throughout the project, Alexander demonstrated his leadership skills and ability to motivate volunteers. Becoming an Eagle Scout signifies a life lived in unison with the Scout Oath and Law.

According to Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, “Alexander saw a need and addressed it. Not only is attaining the rank of Eagle Scout revered, but it also demands respect from us all. We wish him luck with his future endeavors as he no doubt strives for the highest achievements in life.”

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta presented Eagle Scout Alexander Houslanger with a
proclamation recognizing his achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout at his Court of
Honor.

Caption: Troop 7’s new Eagle Scout, Nicholas Colao, receives a proclamation for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout from Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. Photo courtesy Leg. Trotta's office

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta recognized Nicholas Colao of Troop 7 for attaining the esteemed rank of Eagle Scout at his Court of Honor at the IBEW Hall on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He was joined by family, friends, fellow scouts and dignitaries.

For his Eagle Scout Community Service Project, Nicholas restored the graves of 62 veterans at the cemetery at St. James Episcopal Church. He also replaced a missing bench outside of Mills Hall at the church that was used by residents waiting for rides or needed a place to sit.

“This is a very proud moment for Nicholas, his family and friends and the other scouts. This accomplishment will be with him for the rest of his life, and I am sure he will serve as an inspiration to the younger scouts,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.