Port Times Record

Legislator Steve Englebright, right, honored Donie Stapleton as Suffolk County Legislative District 5’s Irish American of Distinction on March 26. Photo from Suffolk County Legislature

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) named Daniel “Donie” Stapleton, a Port Jefferson resident and owner of Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub, as Irish American of Distinction for the County’s Fifth Legislative District.

All 18 Suffolk County legislators recognized an Irish American from their district at an event held at the H. Lee Dennison Building on Tuesday, March 26. County Executive Ed Romaine (R) also attended to name Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) as his Irish American of Distinction.

Honorees were chosen based on their contributions to improving their communities and their work in encouraging fellow Irish Americans to do the same.

Stapleton had five hundred dollars and a dream when he left the village of Horse and Jockey in County Tipperary, Ireland, for New York at 22. Determined to make something of himself, he worked three jobs. That determination led to him owning his first pub, Lily Flanagan’s, at age 26, and eventually to owning Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub, which currently has three locations in Suffolk County and one in Colorado, and other restaurants, including The Smithtown House in Smithtown and The Salt Creek Steakhouse also in Colorado.

Stapleton regularly holds fundraisers for people in crisis and funds scholarships and community initiatives. Napper Tandy’s was the first pub on Long Island to hold the annual St. Baldrick’s events. To date, 54 events with more than 10,000 participants have raised over $6.5 million to help fight childhood cancer. When Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina in 2024, Stapleton stepped up, soliciting donations to send a 26-foot truck filled with food and supplies to the Appalachian Relief Coalition. He also raises money for other causes, such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The business owner is also known for guiding and helping employees, inspiring them to open their own pubs/restaurants around Long Island.

“Donie Stapleton is living proof that with hard work and dedication the American Dream still exists in our country,” Englebright said. “He has improved his life as well as the lives of countless people who he will never meet.”

In the past, Stapleton also organized the Long Island Irish Feis at Flowerfield, which featured Irish music, crafts and food to celebrate Irish American culture. The event proceeds were donated to Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

 

Suffolk County residents can call 311 to report an antisemitic incident. File photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page

The Three Village Central School District was the subject of much conjecture and anxious speculation last week after Superintendent Kevin Scanlon released a letter addressing incidents of antisemitism and hate speech at their schools. 

Addressing the problem means admitting there is one: something many would be hesitant to do; Scanlon and other administrators took a bold step, opening themselves up to criticism, in making a move towards change. 

In the letter, Scanlon states that current initiatives aren’t enough to abate hate speech and that more needs to be done to educate both students and employees. “It is evident that the numerous resources, programs and educational opportunities that the district currently provides are not enough,” the letter reads. 

The letter is upsetting as students are still being excluded, bullied or harassed in a place they should feel completely at ease and comfortable and where their identity doesn’t cause conflict or discomfort. 

It is comforting to know the district is tackling these problems aggressively and in spite of potentially opening itself up to “bad publicity.” The Anti-Defamation League records a 200% increase of antisemetic acts from 2023 to 2024—over 10,000 in one year.

Bullying is ubiquitous–a weed within every school– but education and thoughtful programing and training, initiatives Scanlon is suggesting, may be able to help. The rising antisemitism, however, is not normal. A 200% increase is completely unacceptable. In schools, it is possible that these children don’t know what they are saying is hurtful–maybe they are trying to be irreverent and rebellious. Hopefully, the Three Village School District is on track to eradicate hate from its schools–to educate and change the narrative around other religions and to promote curiosity and acceptance rather than blind rejection and alienation. After all, hatred often comes from ignorance and a lack of empathy. It’s hard to hate or bully someone you know, understand and respect. 

Rabbi Aaron Benson from the North Shore Jewish Center in Port Jefferson Station said he tries not to dwell on these acts of antisemitism. “I want the experience of the members of the congregation to be about the positive and joyful and meaningful aspects of Judaism,” Benson said, “and not about the people who say negative and cruel things.”

By Sabrina Artusa

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association met on March 25 with Staller Associates Realty and its architect to discuss possible architectural designs for the Staller’s 280-unit, three-story apartment complex, which would replace the abandoned shopping center on Route 112, between Cherub Lane and Terryville Road. 

John Lewis from NELSON Worldwide, described as a “masters of suburban mixed-used development master plans” by Staller Associates Vice President Valentin Staller, presented three possible designs for the civic’s consideration. The three buildings were all angular, with long wrap-around balconies, large windows, discrete first-floor parking garages and glass elements. 

The first design was mostly brick with a “warehouse or mercantile kind of feel,” said Lewis, who was inspired by feedback about the Staller’s property in Farmingdale, The Lofts on Main; the second integrates more color and other textures and materials with sleek white columns, while the third is more geometric, contemporary and mostly white. 

“A more residential tone is more of a tone of exclusivity than inclusivity. A commercial feel allows people to feel welcome and draws them in,” Lewis said, saying later that the property will be a community center as people walk from store to store. 

Some residents repeated the complaint that it is reminiscent of Brooklyn and Queens; others thought it was trendy and would be popular among the younger generation; many wanted a more subdued, classic New England feel — something that would mesh more with Port Jefferson. 

While aesthetic discussion revolved mostly around feel, but some residents wanted specific elements such as a unique trim, no shutters or more cast stone.

“They are a little sterile. I like the idea of making it more farmhouse or colonial,” said a Port Jefferson resident. 

“We are the gateway to Port Jefferson…is there a way to make this more to that kind of perception?” asked another. 

Staller had previously lowered the building height at the request of the civic. The property will have a 25-foot setback, be 35-45 feet tall and will not include balconies in the back where the building faces a residential area as well as a larger buffer. 

PJS/Terryville Civic President Ira Costell appreciated the effort to involve the community, but was dissapointed with the renderings. He said a computerized model that displayed the depth and other aspects of the project would have given a “real sense of the feel of the place” and allowed for more effective communication in the future. The meeting which was attended by around 70 people and lasted 2 hours.”It is a starting point rather than ending,” Costell said.

Staller Associates President Cary Staller said construction will start in two to three years. He still intends to devote 20% of the units to people with disabilities, although he doesn’t have a price point per unit approximation. Staller Associates is still looking for vendors, and the civic responded with many suggestions, ranging from a health food grocery store to a bakery, a suggestion that was enthusiastically received. 

Bike lanes and sidewalks are part of the plan, and Cary Staller said he is trying to connect the bike lane to the existing lane. “We are going to have bike lanes from Terryville throughout the site and then to [the Greenway] and we think that will make the Greenway a lot more desirable,” Cary Staller said. 

Lewis said there will be some construction traffic but roads will remain open. 

Catholic Health’s St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson announced last week a significant milestone of performing 3,500 robotic surgeries since the program started at the hospital in 2019. 

Most recently, St. Charles was awarded prestigious accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) as a Center of Excellence in Robotic and Hernia Surgery. The two accreditations recognize St. Charles Hospital’s commitment to the delivery of high quality, safe patient care. Achieving the status of an accredited Center of Excellence means that St. Charles Hospital has met both nationally and internationally recognized standards. 

“This outstanding milestone of completing 3,500 robotic surgeries, as well as having received prestigious recognition from the SRC, is a true testament to St. Charles’ highly-skilled surgeons trained in minimally-invasive robotic surgery, allowing for much smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss and less need for pain medication,” said St. Charles Hospital President James O’Connor. 

“Using the da Vinci® and Xi™ systems, we offer robotic-assisted surgeries in various surgical specialties, including bariatric, colorectal, general, gynecological, thoracic and urologic surgery. Residents of Port Jefferson and surrounding areas can have confidence in receiving top-notch care, enabling them to regain their quality of life,” he said.

Larry Hemmerich, 52, a Smithtown, resident and senior investigator with New York State Police, was suffering from a debilitating hernia, as well as diastasis, commonly known as abdominal separation. He was referred to Hesham Atwa, MD, a renowned robotic surgeon at St. Charles Hospital, who performed Mr. Hemmerich’s surgery this past December. 

Mr. Hemmerich expressed his gratitude saying, “I couldn’t be happier with the care I received from Dr. Atwa and his team. The entire St. Charles Hospital staff were amazing. Thanks to the successful robotic surgery, my recovery process was faster, without any complications. I have regained my mobility and have been able to resume my daily routine.”

For more information about St. Charles’ robotic surgery and hernia repair program, call 631-474-6797.

You are are cordially invited to Dorothy's wedding! Photo courtesy of Keith Dougherty

By Tara Mae

Theatre Three gives the public an opportunity to say “Thank you for being a friend,” with The Golden Girls Gone Wild: A Murder Mystery at Dorothy’s Wedding & Brunch on Sunday, April 13, at 11 a.m.

A benefit for Theatre Three, this interactive experience on its Second Stage is based on characters from The Golden Girls (1985-1992), a television comedy series about four previously married women: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Dorothy’s mother, Sophia, who share a Miami home, hardships, and happiness as they navigate life and love together.

In this installation, Dorothy is about to get remarried, but seeing the bride before the ceremony proves to be fatally bad luck for the groom.

Rather than spectators of this unfolding performance, attendees are cast as wedding guests. While patrons partake of a menu provided by Theatre Three that includes mimosas, Bloody Marys, cinnamon French toast casserole, sausage-egg-and-cheese casserole, yogurt, fruit parfaits, cakes and cookies, festivities take a fun, funereal turn when the groom meets a suspicious end.

Now tasked with finding the murderer, participants get clue packets to help Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia solve the crime. Ballots are also supplied so people can write down who they think the murderer is and why. Hilarity and hijinks ensue as they work together on the whodunit.

“I’m excited to have our audience members—many of whom are longtime subscribers and friends of the theater—actively involved in the theatrical experience. It’s also a great opportunity to break the fourth wall in a way that’s usually not possible,” Theatre Three’s Artistic Associate/Director of Development Douglas Quattrock said. 

Instead of actors and audience, cast and congregants are collaborators in amateur sleuthing.

The show is the brainchild of writer/director/producer Keith Dougherty. Proprietor of Murder Mystery Manhattan, he specializes in writing unauthorized parodies that spoof popular TV shows and film, as well as spoofs of cult classic films and TV shows. This is his first time working with Theatre Three. 

“Personally, I like writing all the Golden Girls scripts because not only are the main characters iconic, but the show was so ahead of its time with many of the topics they tackled that are still relevant today,” Doughtery said. 

The Golden Girls Gone Wild features Dougherty as Dorothy Soreback; Laurel Riley Brown as Rose Nylon; Teri Monahan as Blanche Devilho; Amanda Baumler as Sophia Barilla; and Timothy Scott Harris in a dual role as Phil and Pat McCrotch.

“One of our longtime patrons had seen them perform before, and when she attended our previous murder mystery event, she recommended them to me,” Quattrock said. 

This partnership is part of Theatre Three’s ongoing creative effort to raise money for the arts and simultaneously regale its supporters. Unlike many previous fundraisers, which have been project oriented, this production is designed to support the theater as a whole.

“While we typically allocate fundraisers to specific causes, this one will support all of Theatre Three’s ongoing programs. We wanted to ‘spread the wealth,’ so to speak,” Quattrock said. “There are many worthwhile causes, and we felt that supporting all of them would be particularly helpful at this time.” 

Showcasing The Golden Girls Gone Wild for such an endeavor is a worthy undertaking to Dougherty, melding entertainment with outreach. “Murder Mystery Manhattan always likes to give back to the community and is happy to perform for a good cause,” he said. “We love what we do and appreciate the audiences and venues whose support allows us to continue to do what we love.”

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Tickets are $125 each and includes brunch. The show runs approximately three hours. All proceeds benefit Theatre Three, located at 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

Emma Clark Library. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By William Stieglitz

Suffolk library directors have voiced concerns following the White House’s executive order this month that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) be reduced to minimal statutory functions, a move which the American Library Association (ALA) said is intended to “eliminate” the agency. Ted Gutmann, director of Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket, and Jenny Bloom, director of Port Jefferson Free Library, said that while both libraries are funded primarily through local taxes, the services they receive from the federally funded New York State Library are at risk. 

“New York State Library is sort of an invisible partner for all of the libraries in the state,” Bloom explained. “It does some cooperative buying of things that it provides to us out of its budget.” This includes funding for summer reading programs and construction aid as well as access to the online NOVELny database. The database provides access to thousands of digital collections and reference materials and is, according to Bloom, “not something that we as an individual library could afford.”

Kevin Verbesey, director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, said that while it’s too early to know how significant the impact will be for Suffolk public libraries, “the potential ramifications could be disastrous,” with fallout for local taxpayers as well. 

“If the federal government doesn’t support the states and the states can’t support local libraries,” he said, “it’s just going to mean local libraries, from an administrative perspective, are going to have to do more, which is just going to mean the cost is going to be shifted to the local taxpayer.” He emphasized that the reduction is only 0.003% of the federal budget, a number backed by the ALA, but is a large amount to local libraries.

Verbesey also expressed concern for the E-rate funding of schools and libraries, the future of which is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, and which provides about $5,500 annually to Port Jefferson Free Library and $10,000 annually to Emma Clark. 

“If that funding goes away… that is $35 million with an ‘m’ kick,” he said. “Which means you have two choices: We’re not going to have the Internet in schools and libraries… or Nassau and Suffolk taxpayers are going to have to dip into their pocket for an extra $35,000,000 a year to make sure that their kids have access to the Internet when they go to school.”

Multiple directors also worried the IMLS cuts reflected a lack of appreciation for libraries, both as a bedrock community space and as a constantly evolving service provider. “We see the numbers every day of people coming through the door,” Bloom said. “They tell us what they need. We help them with their job applications. We help them find social services they need. We help them get passports. You know, we’re here for them as a safe space, and we help them meet other young parents with kids the same age. It’s huge and it’s a need and we see it.”

Verbesey also spoke on the broad services offered. “The traditional things that we think of are still there,” he said. “There still are collections of books. There’s still collections of videos, music, there’s still classes on a wide array of things, there’s all kinds of exciting programs. But there are also technologies. There’s maker spaces, there’s video podcasting rooms, there’s audio podcasting rooms, there’s career centers, there’s business development centers. You know, the library is providing this amazingly broad array of services and resources to our communities. And, you know, the most important message is to go and visit them and use them and see all the exciting things taking place at your library.”

Regarding the future of Suffolk libraries, Gutmann said, “it would be important for anybody who’s a supporter of the libraries to let their elected officials know that they support the libraries, and they’d like to see these numbers go through.” Support for local budget proposals was also encouraged, with Port Jefferson Free Library’s next vote scheduled for April 8.

By Jeffrey Szabo

The March 7 article in Newsday, originally titled, “Public water providers challenge strict PFAS standards, concerning environmentalists,” might mislead readers regarding the Suffolk County Water Authority’s relationship to the legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new PFAS standards. I want to clarify SCWA’s position and correct the record.

First and foremost, SCWA did not bring this lawsuit and is not a party to it. The legal action was initiated by the American Water Works Association and later joined by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, organizations of which SCWA is one of many members. The lawsuit was filed to ensure that the EPA follows the rule of law and the intent of the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

It is also important to clarify that SCWA does not set drinking water standards. These standards are established by the EPA and the New York State Department of Health. Our responsibility is to adhere to these regulations, which we not only meet but consistently surpass. Furthermore, our goal is to treat all contaminants, including PFAS, to nondetectable levels.

Regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit, SCWA’s approach to water treatment will not change. Under my tenure as chief executive officer, we have invested tens of millions of dollars in state-of-the-art treatment technology to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality drinking water. By this summer SCWA will be fully compliant with the 4 parts per trillion  standard established by EPA, well ahead of the required compliance date in 2029. We led the nation in testing for PFAS and have proactively developed new treatment technologies, such as advanced oxidation process treatment for 1,4-dioxane. Our dedicated team of water professionals takes their duty to protect public health with the utmost seriousness, and these achievements are proof of that. 

The fact is SCWA did not pollute the aquifer with PFAS. But our wells draw from that aquifer, and SCWA is now faced with enormous treatment costs to remove the contaminants. Our customers should not bear that financial burden — the polluters should. That is why SCWA is suing the manufacturers of PFAS to hold them accountable for the costs of installing and operating this treatment. Ratepayers should not have to pay for the actions of chemical companies that profited while polluting our water supply.

SCWA’s stance is clear: whether the standard is 10 PPT as set by New York State, 4 PPT as established by the EPA, or any other threshold, our goal remains the same — zero. We are committed to removing contaminants to nondetectable levels and will continue to invest in the technology and infrastructure necessary to achieve this goal.

Our customers can rest assured that SCWA will always prioritize their health and safety, regardless of external legal proceedings. We are proud of our track record and the trust we’ve built within the community. Our rigorous testing protocols and proactive treatment methods have consistently demonstrated our dedication to delivering the highest quality water possible.

Steven Zaitz won first place in the NYPA Best Sports Feature Photo category for the above photo.

By Heidi Sutton

The New York Press Association announced the winners of its 2024 Better Newspaper Contest during NYPA’s annual Spring Conference at The Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs on March 20 and 21.

Over 130 newspapers in New York State took part in the annual event celebrating newspaper excellence and community journalism with 2,082 entries competing for 280 awards in 71 categories covering the editorial, advertising and circulation efforts of the state’s dailies and weeklies. Members of the Missouri Press Association were tasked with judging this year’s contest.

TBR News Media, which has 6 newspapers along the North Shore of Suffolk County, was honored with a fitting 6 awards for excellence this year including two first place awards.

Reporter Lynn Hallarman captured first place in the Best Spot News Coverage category for her November 2024 article titled “FEMA denies aid to Stony Brook, state and local officials fight back” on the after effects of the North Shore storm that caused widespread flooding, leading to road closures and extensive property damage to homes and businesses and breached the dams at Stump Pond in Smithtown and Mill Pond in Stony Brook back in August The judge wrote,”Wow! What a phenomenal piece with huge impact to the community. Great writing, in-depth reporting and photography.”

Former news editor Toni-Elena Gallo snagged second place in the same category for her article titled “Storm ravages the North Shore” in August 2024 which addressed each town on the North Shore severely impacted by the flooding. “Great reporting and photos showing storm damage, officials and impact to local wildlife. I really liked the way you broke down and explained each area of impact. It was a well-written report that kept my interested throughout,” commented the judge.

Sports reporter and photographer Steven Zaitz won first place for Best Sports Feature Photo for the photograph on the right titled “Oh-Kay!” which accompanied Zaitz’s article “Evan Kay’s stellar pitching propels Commack to second consecutive Long Island championship” in June 2024.

“The lead photo is full of peak emotion,” wrote the judge. “The player leaping makes the image come alive, creating a focal point that helps organize the image. The flying ball glove is a bonus. The other two photos in the package are also full of emotion with clean backgrounds.”

Art/Production Director Beth Heller Mason won second place for Best Small Space Ad for the design of a 1/4 page ad for the Port Jefferson Lions Club Car Show in September 2024. “Ad full of stuff but you made it feel less crowded and very clean. Way to work it! Great job,” wrote the judge.

The production department also won second place in the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages category for “Shop Local!” box page ads in TBR’s Time for Giving holiday supplement with the judge commenting, “Nice, clean, easy-to read layout.” 

Rounding out the awards, Classifieds Director Sheila Murray won third place for Best Classified Advertising with the judge commenting how he liked the clean layout and how it was well organized.

“As with every year, I am proud of the accolades and recognition of our staff members,” said TBR News Media publisher Leah Dunaief. 

“We are honored to be among the winners recognized by our peers in the New York Press Association but that is not our main purpose, which is to serve our readers and advertisers in the best way possible. Congratulations to the talented and hard working staff of Times Beacon Record News Media!” she said. 

For a full list of winners, visit nynewspapers.com/nypa/better-newspaper-contest/

File photo by Raymond Janis

An opportunity to build trust

It was heartening to read Daniel Dunaief’s interview with the new Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina [“New Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina discusses highway, school safety,” March 9] discussing school and road safety, adoption of body cameras and the importance of recruiting new officers from underrepresented communities.

Of some concern, though, is the comment that Catalina and the Suffolk County Sheriff traveled to El Salvador to learn police recruitment ideas. Since 2019 El Salvador has become a single-party dictatorship that has suspended the rule of law, civil rights and human rights in order to suppress gang violence. And the current U.S. federal administration is paying El Salvador to imprison Venezuelan deportees without due process. Probably not the best place to learn about good policing.

Notably absent from the article was any query about whether the SCPD intends to continue spending taxpayer money to fight the 2022 Newsday/New York Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against them. In 2020, New York State repealed the 50-A law that allowed departments to keep police complaint and disciplinary records secret. Since 2020, Newsday and the NYCLU have filed 10 Freedom of Information Law requests to SCPD that have still not been satisfied, even after a lower court and an appellate panel ruled against them. This February, New York’s highest court issued a ruling on the same kind of case (against the Rochester PD) requiring full disclosure of all records, regardless of outcome or when the complaint was made. Why continue spending money on a legal fight they will certainly lose?

If Commissioner Catalina would genuinely like to turn the page, and build community trust through transparency, now would be a good time to simply comply with the law.

John Hover

East Setauket

When is enough enough?

I want to thank Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) for his article in The Port Times Record [March 13, “Your Turn: Overdevelopment will not solve the affordable housing crisis”].  

The article supports my ongoing concern that Port Jefferson village should stop approving permits to build new apartment buildings. 

I recently tried to obtain the number of apartments and the number of residential homes currently in Port Jefferson village and was told that the village does not have this information. I must ask how the planning board and the Building and Planning Department can make educated rulings if they don’t even know how many exist and what the Village Master Plan considers the maximum that should be allowed. If there are no limits, the trend will just continue until Port Jefferson has lost all the charm of a small, historic village.

From my research, the Village of Port Jefferson already has over 1,100 apartments located in apartment buildings. This doesn’t include the three apartment buildings now being discussed in the Building and Planning Department and all the apartments that exist above the stores in our downtown and uptown. 

We are a small village and 1,100+ apartments is more than the village can hold and still maintain its history and charm. I imagine that compared to other villages and hamlets in the area, Port Jefferson village outshines them in trying to meet the needs of people who find home ownership unobtainable.

I believe that the residents of Port Jefferson village need to decide if they want to maintain what’s left of the village’s history and charm or continue the trend of building massive apartment buildings and maybe one day being the new “Queens or Brooklyn” of Long Island. 

We will only be able to stop this trend by ensuring that we elect village officials who will determine the number of apartments existing and the number that is acceptable. I believe something is lacking when no official in the village can easily obtain this information nor provide a number that a master plan states is acceptable. 

Rob Grimm

Port Jefferson 

BESS implications

In a recent letter to the TBR News Media, Peter Bond took issue with a previous letter from me regarding the capability of a battery energy storage system lithium-ion battery unit to power homes. In my calculation, I used 5,000 W as an estimate of the power used by a typical home, which was characterized by Bond as unjustifiably high.

To derive this number, I consulted my PSEG electrical energy bill from Aug, 20, 2024, which stated that my home energy from July 12 to Aug. 12 of 2024 was 1,978 kWh for the 720-hour period, or an average of 2,747 W during each day. However, as we know, the energy used during the hot summer is not even nearly constant during each day, and the hottest 4-hour period of the day can easily utilize twice as much energy as the average value for that day. In this case, therefore, the average power used in my home during this hot 4-hour period was calculated to be 5,494 W.

The PSEG report also provides the consumed energy during this period for an “average home,” which is 1,355 kWh. Using this number in a similar calculation provides an average 4-hour hot weather power utilization of 3,764 W. In my letter, I tried to use a realistic measure of the required power consumption, and I selected 5,000 W as a convenient number for an illustrative example. If we use these PSEG energy values instead, we find that the 8.75 MW BESS, during a 4-hour period with active air conditioning, can be expected to power 1,593 homes similar to my home (1,978 kWh), or 2,325 “average homes” (1,355 kWh). In any case, both of these options result in the number of homes being far fewer than the 8,500 homes claimed by New Leaf Energy in their presentation.

As was stated at the recent Sterling Woods meeting, the eventual goal is to retire the present “fossil fuel” system and replace it with solar arrays and lithium-ion batteries. The big problem with this approach, which is never mentioned at these meetings, is the likelihood that extended periods of reduced sunshine levels, e.g., 2 or 3 or 4 or more consecutive overcast days, are likely to cause power blackouts, comparable to the New York City blackout in 1977. The only remedy for this problem will be the addition of one set of very large installations of solar arrays and BESS units for each anticipated day of overcast weather. If additional overcast days do occur, a blackout will be the inevitable result.

George Altemose

Setauket

LaLota and Garbarino must oppose cuts to Medicaid and SNAP 

On March 7 hundreds gathered at the New York State Office Building in Hauppauge to advocate for a 7.8% targeted increase in Medicaid rates for disability services to address rising costs, ensure fair pay for staff and stabilize the care system for individuals with disabilities.

 As a father of an adult child with disabilities who relies on Medicaid-supported services, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to advocate for the protection and support of staff, whose roles are crucial in caring for individuals with disabilities. These significant issues have profound personal and far-reaching effects on families like mine.

 For over 25 years, my son Bobby has received exceptional care from the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI). The dedication and compassion of their staff have greatly enriched his life, helping him accomplish daily tasks. Their work is more than just a job; it is a calling driven by empathy and a commitment to improving lives. These critical services deserve fair compensation and job security.

 In addition, the proposed $800 billion cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are deeply troubling. These programs serve as lifelines, supporting individuals like my son and often the staff caring for him and his peers, many of whom seek supplemental food support because of their low-wage status. Cutting funds for these programs is more than an economic decision; it is a moral one that will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.

 I urge our local congressional representatives, including Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, to oppose these cuts. I encourage them to advocate for sustainable funding that prioritizes the well-being of those who depend on these critical support services. An investment now will secure the present and safeguard the future for people like my son.

Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq.

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)

Tipping servers

Leah Dunaief recently wrote an editorial about tipping and American’s obsession with this practice. In New York servers do not make $16.50, more like $11. Since she seems to be comparing the United States with European countries, where people leave a few coins for excellent service. Let’s look at Europe. Servers get paid a regular livable salary. Servers are part of the national health care system. Europeans believe health care is a right not a privilege. No one in Europe goes through health care bankruptcy, as more than 300,000 Americans did in 2024. Servers are part of the national pension system, to which they contribute, for a livable pension. American servers have none of these benefits, therefore we should know that tipping is vital to their economic well-being. I for one am proud of those Americans who tip generously.

Stuart Bernstein

Setauket

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

 

A debate. Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Do you want to know the honest truth?

No, do me a favor. Lie to me. In fact, come up with something so outrageous that I might crack a broad smile and even allow a chuckle to bubble out of my mouth. 

Whenever anyone asks if you’d like them to share the honest truth, it’s often not particularly positive or flattering and is a way of giving them the opportunity to say that you asked for it, whatever the “it” happens to be.

Here’s the honest truth: you didn’t do all that well in the debate. You said your name correctly and your political party, but after that, you kind of lost the thread of what you were saying, particularly when you forgot where you were and starting picking your nose. Not a good look.

Or, perhaps, the honest truth? I don’t like Chinese food and you always ask if we can go to a Chinese restaurant. I know you like the Peking duck and the moo shu pork, which makes you think of the small funny character from Disney’s “Mulan” voiced by Eddie Murphy, but I’m not a fan and I’d prefer to go somewhere else.

People often use phrases that are a big set up or, despite being unnecessary, have become a part of the way we speak.

Take the phrase “going forward,” as in, we are going to institute a policy in which everyone has to come to the office four days a week going forward. Can we go backwards? Does the going forward part suggest now, as opposed to something that might start in two weeks, two months or two years?

Or, how about “at the end of the day?” People will ask if some change brings any value at the end of the day. How about at the end of a meal or at the end of a sentence?

Then there’s the word “literally,” as in I literally laughed my head off. No, actually, you didn’t, because you’re speaking to me and your head still seems to be attached.

I “literally” dropped my fork on the floor. Can you figuratively drop a fork on the floor? I suppose in the “Matrix” world of Keanu Reeves, where there is no fork, you might figuratively drop it on the floor as a part of some epistemological challenge, but most of us live in a world where the utensil we hold in our hands is made of matter and makes a sound when we drop it, even if we’re in a forest and no one is there to hear it.

Then there are all the extra words that delay the punchline. People regularly say, “do you want to know my all time favorite food?”

No, actually, I’d rather know the food you preferred when you were a toddler. Do you remember that one? Was it peas, carrots, or sweet potato? We gave our daughter so much sweet potato when she was young — she seemed to like it and made happy noises when she ate it — that it turned her face orange. And that was the color without any make up.

I might want to know your all time favorite movie, as opposed to your favorite movie for this year or from the 1980’s. I will reluctantly admit that the phrase in such a discussion has merit.

While we’re delving into the language of today, I would like to share a few cliches that, if you’ll pardon the cliche, sound like nails on a chalkboard to me. 

By the way, we should probably retire that because, if you want to know the honest truth, not many people are using chalkboards anymore.

Cliches, yes, cliches, like beating a dead horse, are non specific and overused.

The phrase, “it is what it is,” which is fun to say when people are complaining about the food, the service, the poor play of your favorite baseball team, or the weather, is a logical shrug.

We might as well write, or say, A is A, eh? It’s a tautology. Of course, it is what it is. Maybe we should change it to, “it isn’t what it isn’t,” or, perhaps, “it can’t be what it couldn’t be.”

So, if you want to know the honest truth at the end of the day, I prefer to avoid words going forward that act like fog in front of my all time favorite painting, which, after all, is what it is.