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Times of Huntington-Northport

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Pixabay photo

By Ava Himmelsbach

Long Island prides itself on its beautiful weather — but, more specifically — on its gorgeous summers.

That is why this past weekend, Port Jeff locals and visitors were asked: “What do you like to do during the summertime on Long Island?

Photos by Ava Himmelsbach

Carolyn and Julie

Many Long Island residents thrive in the summer weather and enjoy spending time outdoors when the sun is out. Julie highlighted her relaxing visits to the local beaches: “We just got a parking permit for the beach, so we go on the beach, drive on the beach, that’s fun.” She, also, noted her enjoyment of going fishing and eating out.

“She’s from Florida,” Julie added with regard to Carolyn, who replied, “I used to live here!”

Amanda, Michelle, Kaitlyn and their children

“My favorite thing to do in the summer is go to the Shirley Beach splash pad with the toddlers,” Michelle said.

She loves that spot due to its free admission combined with the opportunity of play time outside for her children.

“Going to the ocean, [especially] Smith Point,” Kaitlyn added. She mentioned that she enjoys the beaches, closer to home, as well. “My favorite thing is to go to the parks around us,” Amanda stated.

Gallya (right,) and her friends, Sima and Sandra

Gallya, a Long Island resident, was joined by her visiting friends Sima and Sandra, who had just arrived on the Island that day. 

“Walking through Port Jefferson, it’s such a great little village,” Gallya noted. “I like to go on the fishing boat, I like to go eat ice cream at the shack, I like to bring my closest friends that come from different parts of the world — presumably in reference to her friends Sima and Sandra — to share the beauty of this part of America.” Port Jefferson is undoubtedly a favorite for locals and visitors alike in the summertime. “I like to go to the restaurants in town, the meditation center and all the little boutique shops. I love to walk on the waterfront where they do sailing and rowing,” Gallya added. 

As for the rest of Long Island, she enjoys visiting the wineries and farms out east, as well as hiking at Avalon Park.

Anne and Zoey

“The beach!” Zoey said when asked about summer activities. “Yes, the beach. We love to go to West Meadow Beach with the grandchildren while they’re here. Anything fun for kids to do, like Rocketship Park,” Anne added, in regard to the location of the interview.

Zoey and Anne agreed that Kilwins, in Port Jefferson, is a fun spot to grab ice cream. “There’s a wonderful park up near Ward Melville [High School], I think it’s Washington Avenue Park,” Anne continued. “We love going there.” 

“Also, the library, Emma Clark Library [in Setauket,]” Zoey concluded.

“We spent a lot of time there yesterday. It’s amazing how much energy you can spend in a library with two kids.”

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Poor choice of word

The word “divisive” in the headline of your article regarding the “In Trump We Trust” banner in Port Jefferson (TBR News Media, Aug. 1) is misleading. It infers that the banner indicates former — and, hopefully, future — President Donald Trump (R) is “divisive.” I’m sure that the papers wouldn’t have used the word “divisive” in the headline had the banner stated the name of the actual divider-in-chief currently occupying the White House.

Art Billadello

East Setauket

Gratitude not complaints

Jen Schaedel’s long, angry letter (“Unjustified dismantlement of West Meadow Beach cottages,” (TBR News Media, Aug. 1) is a classic case of the aphorism, “When you’re used to privilege, equality feels unjust.”

Whether the nearly-free early-1900s waterfront property leases were favors for the politically connected, or just gross municipal malpractice, giving away perpetually renewable rights to valuable public property for private use was always a violation of basic American principles.

Good-faith debates could be had over the proper fate of the buildings. But, the idea that leaseholders deserved to renew the leases forever was always morally indefensible, regardless of how wholesome the community was. So it is shocking to see anyone still defend it, let alone portray themselves as victims.

Rather than complain about public officials reclaiming public property for public use, all the people lucky enough to have been associated with the cottage community over the years should, instead, be quietly grateful for the decades of cheap, exclusive use of land they didn’t own.

John Hover

East Setauket

Brother, can you spare the MTA $15 billion

Port Jefferson Branch LIRR riders should be concerned that MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said he will take Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) at her word — when she promised to restore the $15 billion she cut from the transit agency’s $51 billion 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan due to her pause of congestion pricing — is wishful thinking on his part.

Hochul continues to not provide the financial source for her $15 billion. She has kicked the can down the road until the next state budget is adopted — nine months from now.

In 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and the state Legislature, instead of providing hard cash, gave the MTA congestion pricing. This was supposed to raise $15 billion toward the MTA 2020-2024 capital plan. Albany’s financial watchdog, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D), said nothing. With real cash, virtually all of these state-of-good-repair projects would have already been under way.

Hochul claims she can find additional state and federal funding to make up for the missing $15 billion in congestion pricing. The MTA will receive $1.8 billion in annual formula grants supplemented by competitive discretionary grant program allocations from the Federal Transit Administration in federal fiscal year 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024).

Other than these resources, there are no other FTA pots of gold to cover the missing $15 billion previously accounted for from congestion pricing.

Clearly Hochul and her staff, who advise her and ghost write her speeches, have little understanding of how Washington funding for the MTA works. When it comes to MTA financing, Hochul reminds me of the old cartoon character Wimpy. He was fond of saying, “I’ll gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger today” — or in this case $15 billion worth of MTA capital transportation projects tomorrow.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL 

We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

I’m tired, crabby, angry, annoyed, frustrated, disappointed, appalled and short tempered. 

Sleep, as a feature in TBR News Media this week suggests, will cure some of that.

But I’m just so fed up with the nonstop negativity in the country. Half the country not only wants to win, but seems thrilled with the prospect that the other half will lose. The worse the losers feel, the happier they are.

We’ve become a society of stomping toddlers, eager to crush the careful creations and ideas of those we oppose under our feet. Cut it out! This isn’t helping.

Okay, let’s take a step back from politicians and discuss us, you know, John and Joan Q. Public.

We are generally sleep deprived, according to statistics and people who pinch themselves not out of sheer joy but out of the necessity of staying awake each day.

More than one out of two people in the cars next to us may not only be texting and/or talking on the phone, but is also likely struggling to stay awake. That’s not good for them or for us.

Think about it: when you go to a store for stuff, call a company to send someone to fix your air conditioners in overbearing heat, or need someone to provide a skill set that you don’t possess, you don’t ask a long list of questions to make sure they were on the winning political team or that they believe everything you believe or even that they got enough sleep the previous night.

But, wait, what if the help we need is part of the other political team or, even going outside the realm of politics, is a devoted fan of the Red Sox, believes in red herrings, or is a fan of the color red?

You might privately enjoy the victory of your team or your would-be political leader, but are you really eager for them — you know, the “others” who are a part of our lives — to be miserable?

Their misery could become your misery.

It might tickle you to watch them cry and to ponder the existential threat that the person you support won and the person they supported lost, but you still need them even if you have no use for their political leaders.

If they lose sleep and are worse at their jobs, you might have to wait longer in line, deal with an incorrect bill you have to keep fighting, or suffer through the consequences of getting a meal that contains an allergen you told the waitress you couldn’t eat.

Even if you feel a momentary satisfaction that people who are supporting the wrong candidates  lost, you shouldn’t be too eager to push their head in the mud or to throw tomatoes at them. You might need those people and your tomatoes.

What happened to agreeing to disagree, to the art of compromise or even just to listening?

If whichever side loses feels like they still have a seat at the table, an ability to affect policies, an opportunity to help our children learn — is anyone on this campaign talking about education, ever? — and confidence that someone will listen to their ideas, the political and cultural temperature wouldn’t be so high and we the people would sleep and work better.

Yes, the extremes on each side can be absurd and frustrating, but even those people with the most ridiculous signs can be agreeable and helpful outside the context of political ideology.

So, just to recap, we might want to consider this great experiment in democracy as a team effort. We don’t always say and do the right things and we don’t always back the right horses, but, together, we can be greater than any one election or one would-be leader.

Unless we’re ready to live on a farm and eat our own food, educate our children, provide our own energy and entertainment and perform necessary surgeries on ourselves, we need each other. Once we remember that, we might have a better chance of sleeping well at night, which will make us better at our many roles, from parenting, to working, to contributing to our communities.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

If you like spy stories, read on. The riveting part about this one is that it is real. The account jumped off the front page of The New York Times to me on Tuesday and speaks to the state of the world today. The recent large East-West prisoner exchange unearthed this tale that could be a streaming series but is reality.

Slovenia, once part of Yugoslavia, is a small country in central Europe. It is bordered by Austria and Hungary on the north, Croatia on the east, the Italian port city of Trieste on the southwest and  it has coastline along the Gulf of Venice. Although controlled by the Soviet Union for most of post WWII, it is now a member of NATO and the European Union. 

It was there that Russian Anna Dultseva and her husband, Artem Dultsev, set up an online art gallery and passed themselves off as Argentines. He started a bogus high tech business. Using the name Maria Rosa Mayer Munos, she organized frequent trips to Britain and even arranged for art exhibitions in Edinburgh.

Tipped off by intelligence in Britain, the couple was arrested in December 2022 in their comfortable home near the capital, Ljubljana, as they were communicating with Moscow, using special equipment that bypassed phone and internet lines.

Their lives must have been constantly tense for the wife and husband. They had two children, a daughter, now12, a son, now 9, and a small dog. They kept to themselves, spoke to no one, and seldom had visitors, according to neighbors in the suburb. The children attended the nearby British International School, and the family spoke Spanish and English at home. 

Although people sometimes gossiped about them, wondering what they were doing there, they were mostly ignored because they did not cause trouble. Their financial filings might have sparked interest, since they showed little income, yet they lived in a three-story house with a small garden and a wooden fence and sent their children to a school that charged $10,000 per pupil. The art they sold was the kind bought in China for little money.

The authorities are still trying to figure out what the couple was up to since their arrival in 2017, although probably not fully activated until war with Ukraine five years later. Large sums of cash were found in the house, causing speculation that they were paying off a network of sleeper agents and other Russian operations throughout Europe. 

Apparently Russian intelligence has an elaborate network of deep-cover sleeper spies trained to impersonate citizens of other countries by Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the SVR. This is, apparently, a real life version of a television series called “The Americans,” that was in turn inspired by the arrest in 2010 of a ring of sleeper spies in the United States.

According to NYT reporter, Andrew Higgins, Russia has a long history of fielding such undercover spies “who burrow deep into target countries over many years.” This is something that President Putin has supported since his days in the K.G.B. These “illegal” spies have no diplomatic cover, no obvious connection to Russia, and suffer the consequences on their own if caught.

Whatever the pair did is considered to have been extremely important because, when they were released, were rejoined by their children, and landed in Moscow, they were greeted by a smiling Putin, who addressed the children with the Spanish words, “Buenas noches.” 

They were also greeted by Sergey Naryshkin, the head of the SVR intelligence agency. If unaware of their parents’ real jobs, as the Kremlin asserted, those must have been two very confused children.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

The Defendants Allegedly Used Others’ Identities to Open Accounts and Make Purchases

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrests of ANANDA GABRIEL, AAMEER WAIGHT, ABILIO SANCHEZ, ANTHONY COLON, RASHAD PROVOST and JONATHAN LYNCE, who are accused of grand larceny, identity theft, and other related charges, for their roles in an identity theft scheme at Lowe’s stores. The scheme allegedly involved multiple Lowe’s credit card accounts being opened in the names of multiple victims, which were used to make fraudulent purchases of gift cards totaling over $25,000 from various Lowe’s store locations throughout Suffolk County.

“These arrests allege a pattern of identity theft that represents a significant breach of personal security for victims across the United States,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Charges of identity theft often intersect with retail theft, as stolen identities are often used to make fraudulent purchases, potentially leading to substantial losses for merchants as well as headaches for consumers.”

According to the investigation, between October 2023 and February 2024, the defendants allegedly opened Lowe’s credit card accounts online using the names and identities of multiple individuals who reside all over the United States, without their knowledge or consent.

The defendants then allegedly used those accounts to purchase more than $25,000 worth of gift cards from various Lowe’s store locations throughout New York. At least five Suffolk County Lowe’s store locations were targeted, including Commack, Bay Shore, Farmingdale, Medford and Stony Brook.

Additionally, in November 2023, GABRIEL allegedly rented an apartment in Patchogue using the identity of another Suffolk County resident without their consent or awareness. To date, GABRIEL has allegedly not paid any rent for that apartment.

On August 6, 2024, all six defendants were arrested by members of the Suffolk County Police Department.

GABRIEL, 23, of Patchogue, was charged with:

  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Five counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Two counts of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, Class A misdemeanors;
  •   One count of Attempted Petit Larceny, a Class B misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Attempted Identity Theft in the Third Degree, a Class B misdemeanor.WAIGHT, 22, of Central Islip, was charged with:
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a Class D felony.SANCHEZ, 20, of Huntington Station, was charged with:
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a Class D felony.COLON, 25, of Bay Shore, was charged with:
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Attempted Petit Larceny, a Class B misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Attempted Identity Theft in the Third Degree, a Class B misdemeanor.PROVOST, 23, of Mastic Beach, was charged with:
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, a Class E felony; and
  •   One count of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.LYNCE, 22, of Central Islip, was charged with:
  •   One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
  •   Two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, Class D felonies.On August 6, 2024, the defendants were arraigned on the charges before District Court Judge Steven Weissbard.

    Judge Weissbard ordered GABRIEL released from jail without bail because her charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. She was placed on supervised release with GPS conditions. GABRIEL is due back in court on August 9, 2024, and she is being represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq.

    Judge Weissbard ordered WAIGHT released from jail without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. WAIGHT is due back in court on August 27, 2024, and he is being represented by Del Atwell, Esq.

    Judge Weissbard ordered SANCHEZ released from jail without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. SANCHEZ is due back in court on August 14, 2024, and he is being represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.

Judge Weissbard ordered COLON released from jail without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. He was placed on supervised release during the pendency of the case. COLON is due back in court on August 27, 2024, and he is being represented by Oscar Crisafio, Esq.

Judge Weissbard ordered PROVOST released from jail without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. PROVOST is due back in court on August 19, 2024, and he is being represented by Harmon Lutzer, Esq.

Judge Weissbard ordered LYNCE released from jail without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. LYNCE is due back in court on August 19, 2024, and he is being represented by Toni Mari Angeli, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Lightstone of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Dan Pagano of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit, with investigative assistance from the District Attorney’s Gun Crime Reduction Unit and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Precinct Anti-Crime Unit and Warrants Squad.

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Susan Klein’s Park Lane Jewelry was a popular booth at last year's fair.
One of the many classes at the 2023 Over 50 Fair
Yoga class at the 2023 Over 50 Fair
MTN Matchmaking will once again run the Singles Lounge.
Attendees have many choices of classes to attend every hour (photo from 2023)
Joanne Amante, one of the performers in the acoustic music showcase at the Over 50 Fair in 2023

The Over 50 Fair, in its 15th year, returns to the Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville on Sunday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Each year, Baby Boomers, seniors, and those a bit younger meet with over 80 exhibitors and attend 25 classes geared toward them. The Over 50 Fair annually entertains and educates hundreds of Long Islanders.

Businesses and non-profits promote local products and services, including health and wellness, education, travel, and financial services, plus some less expected, such as several book authors and psychics.

Over 50 Fair is the brainchild of East Hills resident Barbara Kaplan, who also coordinates the very successful All Kids Fair each April. She said the Over 50 Fair is “Overflowing with Opportunities for Age 50+.” She emphasized that “this is NOT your typical ‘senior fair.’ It is an opportunity for people to learn, interact, and have fun. Our guests can meet with many experts in their fields all in one place,” she added.  

Some of this year’s “draws” will be a singles lounge, compliments of MTN Matchmaking, and a live acoustic music showcase, presented by Carrie Creative Concepts.

This year’s classes include “Downsizing your Home” with Realtor® Anna Beigelman; “How to Improve Your Dating and Sex Life After 50” with Maureen Tara Nelson, “Adventures of a Ghost Hunter,” with Joe Giaquinto; and a “Soft Landing in Retirement” financial talk with Fortis Lux. Additional classes will include a comedy show, foot care for people with diabetes, and a fitness and self-defense class.

Free health screenings will include hearing screenings from Anywhere Audiology.  There will be free energy wellness scans and reiki healings available.

This event has built a loyal following due to its consistent presentation of various classes, products, and services they find appealing. 

Feedback from the attendees and exhibitors after the 2023 event was very positive. Exhibitor Joe Satriano of the Susan Satriano Foundation shared that the Over 50 Fair “runs smoothly because of her [Barbara Kaplan’s] organizational skills, her kind demeanor, and her willingness to assure that those who attend have a great experience.”

The Over 50 Fair was just voted 2024’s Best of Nassau County in the Best Annual Event/Festival – Live or Virtual category for the 10th consecutive year in Blank Slate Media’s contest.  

The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), a local non-profit that helps Long Island’s needy, will be in attendance collecting non-perishable food and funds. Those who donate will receive raffle tickets to win terrific donated prizes.

Tickets are $5 in advance at www.Over50Fair.com, which includes all classes, exhibits, singles lounge, music performances, health screenings, and more. Those who purchase tickets online will receive a raffle ticket at the event for a special door prize raffle. Tickets are also available at the door for $7, and it is free for Veterans to attend with ID.

This year’s event sponsors include Acupuncture Wellness Services, Men on the Move, Blank Slate Media, The Garden City News, Herald Community Newspapers, and 516Ads.com/631Ads.com.

For more information about this and future events, visit www.Over50Fair.com. For more information, call 516-621-1446.

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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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Stock photo

Each town, and many hamlets, have town codes that their politicians strive to enforce. However, these codes are not hard and fast and are subject to amendments, which are happening all the time and often in response to community input. 

For local legislatures, the community wields enormous power — our voices, if they are loud enough, have the capability to incite change. While these codes can at times be enigmatic, it’s imperative that we take the time to understand them so that we, as members of the town, know the rules we live by, whether they appear to be justified or not. 

In Huntington, a group of residents noticed a discrepancy with how the planning board approached a development application and what their code dictates. The residents, who form the Nathan Hale Nature Preserve, hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit. They pointed out that a procedure wasn’t followed and the board’s attorney agreed — it wasn’t. 

Last year, the Smithtown planning board amended the town code to exclude “convalescent” and “resting” homes from being considered a special exception to zoning restrictions, thereby preventing a proposal submitted by a company from progressing.

Recently, the Town of Brookhaven revitalized enforcement of their town code regarding signs, resulting in the removal of thousands of signs of all shapes and sizes. One reason behind this is that the signs are visually unappealing and don’t fit the town’s aesthetic goals. 

Sometimes the rules aren’t so cut and dried. Port Jefferson Village, like most local governments, has sign ordinances that outlaw certain obstructive and unattractive signs that don’t oblige the fixed parameters of the code. 

A subjective reason, no matter how well-intentioned, is inevitably open to debate. This was the case where the village lost a legal battle to remove a prohibited and politically charged sign. 

Signs are tricky. Their purpose is to communicate, so free speech is always a consideration. Walking this fine line of preserving the integrity of the town while protecting the First Amendment has proved difficult to Port Jefferson Village, which lost a legal battle with a business owner over whether his sign was allowed. 

While it is important to protect our First Amendment right, it is also important to oblige our neutral town codes and to ensure our community is a place all residents feel at home. 

In becoming a resident, we consent to an unspoken agreement with our fellow residents and with our local officials. If something is amiss in our town, know we have the power to inflict change. We can become better advocates for our communities by becoming conversant with our town codes and learning about the political and legal options available to make the changes we desire come to fruition. 

An effective, stable democracy is founded on a scrupulous system of checks and balances. Errors or oversights in our town codes are not cause for alarm, but rather an opportunity to build a better community. 

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Town of Huntington Councilwoman Theresa Mari seeks vendors to participate in the Pink in the Park Breast Cancer Prevention and Education Fair, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29, at Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether you sell essential breast cancer care items, jewelry, clothing, or other products, your participation is welcomed. Additionally, the Councilwoman is looking for vendors who can contribute to creating a fun and engaging environment for families, with activities for children to enjoy. For a vendor application or more information, call 631-351-3173.

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