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Pictured at the Youth Award Ceremony in Hauppauge are from left Legislator Rob Trotta, his 2025 Youth Honoree Michael Canonico and Minority Leader Jason Richberg, who sponsored this legislation. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office

In 2020, the Legislature established the Annual Youth Award to recognize an exceptional young person in each Legislative District. Legislator Trotta named Michael Canonico, a student at Kings Park High School, as his district Youth Award recipient. Legislator Trotta met Michael at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor earlier this year.

Throughout most of his youth, Michael has had many challenges as he is deaf and learned to listen through a cochlear implant hearing aid as a boy. For his Eagle Scout Community Service Project, Michael designed and built an outdoor learning space outside of the library at the William T. Rogers middle School in Kings Park.

Legislator Trotta said, “Michale is a bright young man who has accomplished a great deal while still a teenager. He has developed leadership skills, and other qualities of humanity so desirable in young people. I wish him much success with his future endeavors as his goal is to open his own body shop to repair damaged vehicles.

 

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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (center) presented Ex-Captain Vince Spirio with a proclamation to acknowledge him as his legislative district’s Healthcare Hero for his service as the Ex-Captain of Ambulance 6 (center). They were joined by his fellow crew members from left to right: Kim Kgoulian, Ann Schumacher, Jes Brugueras, honoree Vince Spirio, Legislator Trotta and Greg Kgoulian.

The Suffolk County Legislature created an annual recognition program so that each legislator would designate a Healthcare Hero from his or her legislative district to acknowledge their work as a frontline healthcare worker and their service to the community.

Legislator Trotta named Ex-Captain Vince Spirio of Smithtown as his district’s Healthcare Hero for 2025. Ex-Captain Spirio became an Emergency Medical Technician in 1985. However, it was not until 2019 that he joined the Smithtown Fire Department Company. Through dedication and diligence, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2022. He served as Captain of Ambulance Company 6 from April 2023 through April of 2025.

Under Captain Spirio’s leadership, during the period of 2023 through 2024, Captain Spirio, the Smithtown Fire Department and its Ambulance Company 6 responded to a total of 9098 calls, of which 4884 were calls for EMS assistance. “Ex- Captain Vince Spirio has been tireless in his efforts and performance. He has clearly demonstrated that he has dedicated himself to serving the emergency medical care needs of the community,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. “I recall as a young police officer that when I responded to a call that involved a shooting or stabbing or motor vehicle accident, I was so relieved to see the EMS at the scene. You represent all the EMS of Suffolk County. Thank you and keep up the great work,” added Legislator Trotta.

 

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METRO photo

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. Although the clinic is available to all Suffolk County residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.

“Take the time to protect your beloved pets against rabies. They give us so much joy and love and deserve to be kept safe,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. For more information, call 631-451-6950.

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Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a Kings Park man on June 23 for stalking a Suffolk County legislator outside of his home last week.

Legislator Robert Trotta reported to police that between June 16 and June 18 a white 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck parked in the driveway of his Northport home on more than one occasion and revved its engine to intimidate him and his family. The incident was reported to police on June 19.

Following an investigation by Major Case Unit detectives, Joshua Smith was arrested today on Indian Head Road in Kings Park at approximately 5:45 p.m. Smith, 47, of Burr Ave., was charged with Stalking 4th Degree, a misdemeanor. He was released on a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

When questioned, Trotta’s political opponent Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said that the man was a friend of his daughter’s.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Major Case Unit detectives at 631-852-6555.

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Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
Local Officials & Solid Waste Experts to address the environmental and economic challenges & their current impact on Long Island

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Stony Brook University’s Waste Reduction and Management Institute and the Evan R. Liblit Scholarship Fund have announced the 2025 Larry Swanson Long Island Environmental Symposium will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood Campus  from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

County Executive Romaine will be joined by local and solid waste experts and service providers to discuss the various challenges the industry is currently facing, including the need for a regional solid waste management plan.

“There are many obstacles related to solid waste on Long Island that impact our regional economy and environment,” said Romaine. “We must continue to discuss the challenges that are in front of us and lay ahead to preserve our future while ensuring we take a coordinated approach to dispose solid waste and recycle glass and ash responsibly.”

Topics to be addressed at the third annual event include regional solid waste management planning, the critical role of waste to energy facilities in managing solid waste, development of a glass recycling master plan and regional glass recycling and removing food from the waste stream.

Long Island elected officials and solid waste experts will gather to address the future of how Long Island will manage its ever-increasing waste including:

  • Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine speaking regarding Suffolk County’s efforts to facilitate environmentally sound and cost-effective waste management;
  • The work of the WRMI in developing a regional solid waste management plan;
  • The critical role of waste to energy facilities in managing Long Island solid waste and waste to energy ash processing and recycling;
  • Separation of recyclables from mixed solid waste and construction and demolition debris;
  • Regional glass recycling;
  • Removing organics/food scraps from the waste stream

The WRMI was created by the New York State Legislature to confront the increasingly complex waste issues arising on Long Island, where per capita waste generation exceeds that in the rest of the U.S. Long Island is also a place where future landfills have been prohibited to protect the Island’s drinking water, which is solely derived from an underground aquifer. Michael E. White serves as the WRMI’s Interim Director at Stony Brook University.

“This year’s Larry Swanson Environmental Symposium comes at a critical time for determining the future of solid waste management on Long Island,” said Interim Director of the WRMI Michael E. White. “WRMI is proud to be a partner in bringing forth the Symposium and to have the opportunity to present the need for regional solid waste planning on Long Island along with the work of WRMI to develop such a plan connecting with local government, the solid waste industry and stakeholders.”

The Evan R. Liblit Memorial Scholarship Committee provides scholarships at Stony Brook and hosts events and webinars aimed at improving recycling and solid waste management.

The event will take place at the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena (Lecture Hall D105) at Suffolk Community College’s Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road in Brentwood.

Attendance is free, however guests must register by clicking here or by contacting [email protected].

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Sisters Nora, left, and Caroline, right, recently visited Legislator Steven Englebright to share some bicycle safety tips. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office
The warmer weather means more children will be outside riding their bikes. Port Jefferson residents Nora and Caroline Boecherer, 8 and 5, respectively, have proven they are well-versed in bicycle safety.
Photo: Sisters Nora, left, and Caroline, right, recently visited Legislator Steven Englebright to share some bicycle safety tips. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

The sisters tied for first place as Legislative District 5’s Bicycle Safety Poster winners and recently stopped by Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright’s (D-Setauket) office. This is the second year in a row that Nora won in the district. In 2024, she was named Suffolk County Legislature’s overall winner.

Earlier this year, all 18 legislators invited students from local schools to participate in the annual Bicycle Safety contest. Elementary students are asked to send in a poster, while intermediate and high school students are eligible for a video contest. Each legislator picks one poster and one video from entries submitted to their districts to be considered as the overall Legislature winners.
During their recent visit to Englebright’s office, Nora and Caroline, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School students, rode their bicycles in the office building’s parking lot. They also discussed their posters and bicycle safety with Legislator Englebright, who presented the sisters with certificates to acknowledge placing first in the district.
“Nora and Caroline Boecherer are two bright young constituents who are doing their part to help educate others about safe cycling habits, so everyone of all ages can enjoy the roads together,” Englebright said. “It was a pleasure to name them both as District 5’s winners for the Suffolk County Legislature’s annual Bicycle Safety Contest.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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