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Port Times Record

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Local community paper should cover community events

I’m irritated by the coverage of the No Kings protest by the Port Times Record in the June 19 issue. Why this “community” newspaper continues to give attention to left-leaning causes rankles me. Right there on the front page side-bar were two other stories that merited much greater attention because of their community interest: The PJ mayoral results in a hotly contested election and the nationally ranked rowing teams celebrating the accomplishments of our hard-working teens. Instead, the main focus was on a totally ineffectual protest that accomplished nothing.

Why must the Port Times Record give voice to misguided individuals. For example, the article quotes the protest organizer claiming, “We don’t do dictator parades.” The parade celebrating the founding of the US Army had been planned under the Biden administration for two years.

The irony should not be lost on clear-thinking people that the real dictatorship was the government that required and demanded that we wear masks, stay quarantined, prevented us from worshipping in our churches and synagogues, mandated vaccines, closed businesses, made sure that the elderly died alone, kept us social distant at an arbitrary 6-feet apart and closed schools setting back the education of our children. Who were the real dictators? Where were these antidictatorship protesters then? Yet, the Port Times Record thinks No Kings is front-page news.

Perhaps the Port Times Record should focus on community news and leave its bias to the op-ed page.

Rick Ceo

Port Jefferson Village

Response to Gene Sprouse’s June 12th letter

I am responding ONLY as a longstanding resident of the community, not as a Setuaket Neighborhood House Board member.

I purchased a home on Lake Street in 1976 directly across the Setauket Mill Pond from the Setauket Neighborhood House. Before that, I lived in the B Section of Strathmore for 7 years. A total of 56 years in the community, compared to Mr. Sprouse’s 55 claimed years, is pretty equal local tenure. However, as a person living so close to the SNHfor 49 years, I do have a pretty good sense of the daily activities there.

While living on Lake Street, I used the SNH many times for my children’s birthday parties and for two of my own birthday celebrations. 

The Lake Street ladies, led by Eva Glaser, Liz Tyler and Marylu Mills assembled to do the first major redecorating of the house back in 1980. It was the first Three Village Historical Society Candlelight House Tour featuring some homes around the Setauket Mill Pond to raise money to refresh the interior of the Setauket Neighborhood House. I was part of that effort, yet those three ladies deserve all the credit.

I offer the above simply to show my longstanding involvement with the SNH.

I have been a member of the SNH Board for 10+ years now, but this letter is NOT from the board. It is from a local Lake Street resident who happens to be on the board. It is NOT an official SNH Board response, just my thoughts.

The cameras were installed in the SNH as a safety issue, not to monitor or to spy on any groups using the house. 

While it IS posted everywhere that NO SMOKING is allowed inside or on the porches, people using the house continue to smoke there. As a member of the Three Village Garden Club, I have planted and maintained the flowering annuals in front of the house for many, many years. I check them twice weekly and pick up the cigarette and cigar butts (along with cups, plates, napkins and other trash) thrown from the porches into the bushes and flowers. Other board members do so as well.

The house is open most days with little or limited supervision. Recently, a group left a kettle on the stove to burn dry, a major fire hazard. People frequently use the house as a bathroom stop. Significant damage has occurred over the years, and it has become worse of late. Items are stolen and damage occurs. We have had groups from other LI communities using the house for fundraisers that are of no benefit to the local community. While the house is available until 11 p.m., some groups illegally stay longer.

For example, two summers ago I heard loud noises from both inside the house and in the parking lot at 11:30 p.m., well beyond closing time. A fight broke out in the parking lot, and I called the Suffolk County Police at 11:45 p.m. An officer arrived at 12:30 a.m. after I made a second call asking the 911 operator why it was taking so long to arrive at the scene of this fight. The operator told me that the police officer did not know where the SNH was even though I explained its location in my original call. Incredible! At 8 a.m. the next morning SNH Board President Tim O’Leary and I were at the house picking up all sorts of garbage left behind by this group. Needless to say, we are both volunteers.

So, yes, Mr. Sprouse, the SHN DOES need cameras for security and safety. I disagree that, “There is little need for this internal surveillance to protect the House….” It is NOT just “our neighbors” who use the house. People from communities 45-50 minutes away rent space there as well. I am not certain they will “value and protect this great community resource.”

As for privacy issues, the house was never meant to be used for secret private political meetings. If privacy is an issue, then such groups should find another place to meet.

No board member is spending time spying on meetings or ogling yoga classes, but when damage occurs (and it certainly has!), we do have a video of the damage done and the responsible party. At one recent meeting, one of the group disabled the camera. Do you support such actions? I do not. 

Although groups are told they may NOT tape banners to the walls, just a few weeks ago, a group from outside the Three Village community did so, damaging the paint on a wall that had been painted just months before. We have proof and can assess the responsible group for repairs. Video proof was essential.

Please understand that we have numerous groups who use the house for its intended purpose and deserve credit for their tender care of as Mr. Sprouse asserts, “a wonderful community resource.”

I believe, as a neighbor living near this historic building, that video monitoring is essential to the safety and security of the house. If a group finds that offensive, I am sure they can meet elsewhere or in private homes.

With grateful appreciation to all who use and support the house for its intended purpose from the Constitution and By-Laws –”To promote moral, intellectual, recreational and social welfare of the residents of Setauket, New York and vicinity.”

Julie Robinson Parmegiani

Setauket

The opinions of letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

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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A scene from 'The Court Jester'

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

My uncle was mad and probably a bit disappointed with the rest of the family. He had gallantly, I suppose in his mind, volunteered to drive our family from the funeral home to the cemetery where my father was going to be buried.

There my brothers and I were, laughing in the back as if we were on a normal family retreat. No, scratch that, we were probably laughing even more forcefully. It was our coping mechanism, which my uncle, who spent little time with us growing up and, in particular, during my father’s illness, wouldn’t and didn’t understand.

One of the many things that we observed and shared with each other from the back of that vehicle of loss was the impressive collection of fancy cars that were trailing behind us.

Our father was a big fan of test driving cars but not as much of a fan of buying them. We’re pretty sure there were car salesman who went on break immediately as soon as they saw him turn into their lot, desperate to get away from the bearded guy who seemed so earnest and excited about the cars, but almost never did anything other than ask about them, drive them, and return to his aging Buick LeSabre, promising to “think about it.”

We were amazed at the Jaguars, the Mercedes and the host of other cars that people who wanted to pay their respects drove to his funeral.

“Oooh, there’s a BMW,” one of us said. “Wow, dad would love that car, but maybe not in that color.”

My uncle shook his head slightly and frowned at us in the mirror. I guess he wanted us to behave more properly or respectfully during this somber moment.

But laughter is not only the best medicine, as it turned out for us, but has been a way my family connects with each other and with many of the people in our lives.

I must have watched the movie “The Court Jester” starring Danny Kaye at least a dozen times with my father. Each time, I knew when the dialog that made him laugh so hard was coming. His breath came in high pitched squeals as he bent over double trying to get air into lungs that were too busy laughing spasmodically. 

“The pellet with the poison is in the vessel from the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true,” Kaye would say.

Those lines, and the bumbled repetition with nonsense word variations, always hit their mark, forcing him to find a tissue to wipe the tears from his cheeks.

I remember the laughter, and what triggered it, from friends and family members who have either passed or with whom I have had little contact over the years.

Shared laughter, as sitcom producers understand, creates a positive and encouraging atmosphere, telling us that we can return and enjoy these light-hearted and peaceful moments with unseen strangers or with others in the room.

The hit show M*A*S*H combined macabre humor in the midst of a war zone with antics that helped talented but stir crazy doctors manage through difficult circumstances.

My aunt Maxine used to find it both surprisingly annoying and oddly funny when I rolled my sleeves up into strange positions or turned parts of my collar inside out.

“Don’t be silly!” she’d laugh, which, of course, only encouraged me. “What are you doing, Daniel?”

She’d come over and, with the soft small fingers of someone who had Down syndrome, would unfurl the sleeves of my shirt and would adjust my collar.

My grandmother, meanwhile, giggled at the absurdity of her grandchildren.

My brothers and I would sometimes say or do something unusual and, rather than get upset, she would find our behavior so ridiculous as to be laughable. When she giggled, her entire upper body shook, as those quaking motions had an epicenter around her stomach. Her laughter made her seem so much younger.

My wife and I recently attended a live musical show that poked fun at everyone from politicians to sports figures to crazy neighborhood text messages.

The show not only hit home for many, but it also caused people to chuckle so hard that their laughter became a part of the show.

These days, with uncertainty around the world and hovering heat and humidity squeezing sweat out of us like a dish rag, the laughter of those we know or have known can serve as a soothing salve. Life is messy and frustrating and seemingly beyond our ability to control. Laughter may be just what we need, offering the kind of cooling shade that dials down the temperature.

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Photo by Josh Willink/Pexels

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

Whew! That was blistering heat we just endured for the last few days. When it gets that hot, I have two reactions. I need some ice cream, preferably a cone filled with coffee ice cream dotted with chocolate chips. And I have to switch to wearing shorts.

So it gave me a chuckle to read an inquiry by a reader of the New York Times Style Questions column asking about wearing shorts to work. Now I’m supposing that she works in a large city office, where there is a formal or informal dress code, and like me, she wants to beat the heat by donning shorts. 

Her question amuses me because it reminds me of how far wearing shorts has come, and also how lucky we are.

First the shorts evolution. It must have been a slow news day back in 1960, when The New York Times ran a front page story about Barnard students wearing Bermuda shorts as they meandered through the Columbia campus. Imagine the scandal. It seems President Grayson Kirk of Columbia was offended by the casual dress and asked Barnard President Millicent McIntosh to clamp down on her students. Only skirts were to be worn, came the directive, with some sort of appropriate blouse.

Well, we students protested, with petitions and rallies, until the ban was rescinded to a “request” to wear a coat or slacks over the shorts when on the Columbia campus, which was across Broadway from Barnard. Think how innocent the uproar when measured against today’s protests on the same campuses.

Clearly President McIntosh wasn’t similarly offended because she advised us during an ensuing assembly of the entire college “to turn over your book covers when you are riding the subway (some two-thirds of students were commuters then) so no one knows you are from Barnard.” And any ban would not take place until September, which was one way of kicking the can-or ban-down the road.

Other women’s colleges treated the issue of showing knees differently. Radcliffe, adjacent to Harvard, only permitted shorts for athletic activities. Vassar College allowed shorts both on campus and in town (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). Smith College, in Northampton, Mass., allowed shorts on campus and in class, but no shorter than two inches above the knee. All that was researched by The NYT reporter for the 1960 article.

Today’s reporter, Vanessa Friedman, answered the reader this way. “Shorts are often longer than skirts these days and often more conservative. There is no reason a woman shouldn’t wear them to the office.” She goes on to say that any hesitation might stem from the association of shorts with play and summer weekends rather than work. As such they are not considered professional garb.

There is also the question of what kind of shorts, she advises. Very short shorts are not any more acceptable than very short skirts. To professionalize the look, a blazer, a belted T-shirt and conservative shoes — platform shoes or even pumps — might complete the outfit, or an oversize button-up shirt.

So now I come to the point of our being lucky. First, most of us are not in a large city office but rather a suburban environment, which, culturally, is more relaxed. We live in the land of the sweatsuits.

Furthermore, times have so radically changed that no one, for example, expects a doctor or lawyer, the epitome of professional, I guess, to appear in a suit. Not even a tie. A button-up Oxford shirt is pretty dressed up these days, and we often see professionals thusly outfitted: men in golf shirts and trousers, and women in short sun dresses.

Finally, we, as journalists, are allowed to look casually dressed. Few people would expect to be interviewed by someone in a suit. It might even make them nervous. Yippee!

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METRO photo
While sufficient capacity is expected to be available, reducing consumption can extend the life of equipment operating in prolonged heat
As the area enters its fourth day of extreme heat, PSEG Long Island is urging customers to cut back on nonessential electricity use to help ease the stress on electrical equipment in their neighborhoods.
 
PSEG Long Island expects to have the electrical capacity required to meet customer demand during this heatwave, according to a press release.
 
While temperatures are not expected to reach Tuesday’s near-record levels, a heat advisory is in place through this evening, with the heat index forecast to range between 98 and 102 degrees. The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.
 
“Four consecutive days of extreme heat puts a great deal of physical strain on lines, transformers and other common pieces of equipment that make up our energy grid and have been handling peak levels of demand,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Electric Operations. “While we expect to have sufficient electrical capacity to meet the demand, we urge customers to reduce their energy usage to help protect the grid and limit the number of scattered, heat-related outages that occur today.”
 
PSEG Long Island is also planning to activate the voluntary Smart Savers thermostat program to reduce loading on the system by automatically adjusting the thermostats of residential customers who have chosen to participate. Activating the program will also help save money next year by reducing the amount of required electrical capacity purchased in advance.
On Wednesday, June 25, at 3:30 PM, which is 30 minutes prior to the activation, enrolled customers’ homes will be pre-cooled by 3 degrees for 30 minutes, then their thermostats will be raised by 4 degrees from 4-7 PM. In exchange, these customers receive a discount on their electric bills.
 
More than 40,000 customers have enrolled in the program. To learn more and join the program, customers can visit: enrollmythermostat.com/faqs/pseg-long-island-faq/
PSEG Long Island also plans to activate its Commercial System Relief/Distribution Load Relief programs to reduce loading on the system and create future savings for customers. Some 840 commercial customers enrolled in this voluntary program will be asked to provide their contracted load relief today by either switching to generators or shutting off equipment or air conditioning.
 
Conserve energy and be safe
PSEG Long Island urges customers to take these important energy conservation measures to reduce peak demand on the system.
  • Turn off all nonessential electronics and appliances.
  • Set home thermostats or air conditioner units to 78 degrees.
  • Run major appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and pool pumps, in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 PM to 8 PM.
  • Set refrigerators and freezers at most-efficient temperatures.
  • Do not cool an empty house. Set your thermostat higher when you are away, or use a smart thermostat to control the temperature in your home.
  • Commercial and residential customers may sign up for the Peak Load Rewards program. Visit psegliny.com/saveenergyandmoney/GreenEnergy/PeakLoad for more details.
  • Close blinds and window coverings facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.
  • Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning. (In hot weather, set ceiling fans to spin quickly, counterclockwise to push air downward.)
  • Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping.
  • Replace old appliances with new energy efficient ENERGY STAR® appliances.
  • Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder.
  • Close blinds and draperies on sun-facing windows to keep out the sun’s heat.
  • Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning. (In hot weather, set your ceiling fan to spin quickly, counterclockwise to push air downward toward the floor.)
  • Charge electric vehicles overnight.
For more tips on safety during extreme weather, including information about local heating and cooling centers, please visit psegliny.com/SafetyAndReliability/stormsafety/ExtremeWeather.
Prepared for potential outages:
PSEG Long Island has personnel available around the clock to address potential outages during this heatwave safely and as quickly as possible.
 
Stay connected:
  • Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app or our website at psegliny.com/outages. 
  • To report an outage or downed wire, you can also call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075.
  • Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
  • Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at mypowermap.psegliny.com/.

 

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By Lynn Hallarman

Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 counties, including Suffolk County on June 22. Local temperatures on Tuesday, June 24, are forecast to reach a high of 95 degrees with a heat index—how the heat feels—as high as 105.  Hochul urged New Yorkers to “stay vigilant and safe” as extreme heat blankets the area.

When temperature and humidity soar, the result is not just discomfort— it can be life-threatening, especially for older adults and those with chronic health conditions. 

What is extreme heat? 

Extreme heat causes more deaths than all other weather-related hazards, including hurricanes, major floods and winter storms, according to the National Weather Service. 

The heat index measures how the body perceives extreme heat. Rising humidity combined with temperature makes it feel far hotter than a thermometer alone suggests. Heat Islands—or environments with a high concentration of cement—trap heat and intensify the danger. 

Signs of Heat Stress

Heat cramps are often the first sign of heat-related illness and can be accompanied by weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea and fainting. 

Heatstroke or hyperthermia is a life-threatening complication of heat stress that occurs when your body temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher,  along with symptoms such as confusion, hot, dry skin, hallucinations, headache or nausea.  At this point, the body’s ability to regulate temperature breaks down, resulting in deadly spikes in core temperature. 

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.  Move the person to a cool environment and apply cool cloths. Do not give fluids, according to medical advice from the National Weather Service. 

Who is most at risk?

Older adults are among the most impacted by extreme heat, as their ability to adapt to sudden heat declines. Additionally, symptoms of heatstroke can be subtle and easily missed in frail older adults; in fact, some older adults may not recognize they’re overheating. In this population, symptoms can be vague, sometimes appearing only as confusion or slurred speech. Untreated heatstroke can lead to death, especially in the older adult population, even in times when there isn’t an official heat wave declaration. 

Adults over the age of 65 make up the largest group of emergency room visits related to extreme heat events. People with chronic health conditions are also at greater risk of death during an extreme heat.  Certain medications, like some antidepressants,  can worsen the effects of high temperatures. In extreme heat, deaths may also occur from heart attacks or worsened respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. 

Dangerous misconceptions

Never rely on a fan as your main cooling source when it is very hot and humid for extended periods.  Do not wait until extreme signs of heat appear, especially in older adults. Once the body’s core temperature regulation fails during heatstroke, it can be difficult or impossible to reverse.

How to prepare

Always have a plan in place for dealing with a heatwave. Most importantly, stay indoors as much as possible and drink plenty of water—do not wait until you are thirsty. 

Older adults should identify a nearby cooling center or ensure at least one room in the home has an air conditioning unit. A fan is not enough. Never leave a child or pet in a hot car– even for five minutes. 

To learn more about how extreme heat affects older adults, go to https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/risk-factors/heat-and-older-adults-aged-65.html

Lynn Hallarman is a physician and the former director of palliative care at Stony Brook medicine. 

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Local leaders at the Lawrence Aviation Site on June 2. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

Local stakeholders wait with bated breath as the June 30th deadline for the MTA to close on purchasing 40 acres of the closed Lawrence Aviation site approaches. Each passing day chips away at the possibility of a new railyard that would enable the electrification of the Port Jefferson Rail line. 

The Superfund site has been eradicated of the toxic pollutants that degraded the soil and water and is nearly cleared from the registry. Part of it will be used as a solar farm and part will be preserved as open space. The missing piece is in the hands of the MTA and DOT. 

Despite pressure from local stakeholders and politicians and the near absence of any pushback or even hesitation from the community, the plan stalls. A year ago this month, the DOT and MTA had a deadline for the MTA to purchase the property. Two extensions and 12 months later, little, except for the mounting impatience from the community, has changed.

In order for the MTA to move forward, the DOT, which currently owns a section of the Greenway that would need rerouting before construction can begin, must provide permission.

Business owners, environmentalists, legislators, town, county and state politicians are all rallying for a common cause: the benefit of the Long Island community. 

The delay causes numerous problems: it keeps commuters riding on with an inadequate and dated mode of transportation; it prevents electrification, which would be quieter and reduce pollution and it keeps the frequency of train travel on the current schedule, instead of increasing the number of trips.

The site has been in limbo for a year and is priced at only $10–such is the Suffolk County Landbanks’ desire for a deal. Now, the DOT needs to reach an agreement with the MTA allowing them access to the land that would facilitate the sale and enable the construction of a railyard. Local officials like Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D–Port Jefferson) are advocating with state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul (D). With her help, perhaps the DOT and MTA can reach an agreement before this opportunity chugs away on an outdated line, in a plume of diesel smoke. 

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NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay
Legislation Expands Access to Modern Septic Systems, Protecting Groundwater and Waterways Across New York
In a major environmental and affordability win, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay announced the unanimous passage of her legislation (A8807/S8241-A) in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill updates the reimbursement structure of the New York State Septic System Replacement Fund, making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to upgrade to advanced septic systems that significantly reduce water pollution, according to a press release.
The legislation increases the reimbursement rate to 75% of eligible costs, up to $25,000 per project, enabling more homeowners to install “clean water” septic systems that remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and other harmful contaminants before they reach groundwater, bays, harbors, lakes, and rivers– and the taps of the 8 million residents of Long Island. Assemblywoman Kassay stated, “Most New Yorkers want to do their part to protect our environment, but sometimes budgetary restrictions prevent families from making those efforts. I am proud to deliver legislation that not only further protects our water, but also addresses affordability issues.”
Outdated or failing septic systems are a major source of nutrient pollution across New York, contributing to harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and water quality degradation. While advanced septic technologies are significantly more effective at treating wastewater, their cost often puts them out of reach for many families—unless supported by state funding.
Environmental and public health advocates praised the bill’s passage as a vital step toward reducing pollution and advancing clean water infrastructure.
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said, “This critical legislation will be a catalyst for the public to be financially incentivized to replace their old, antiquated polluting cesspools and septic systems. No longer can we allow inadequately treated sewage, nitrogen pollution, and other contaminants to flow from our septic systems and enter into groundwater and our harbors, bays, rivers, lakes, and beaches. These grants will provide substantive financial assistance to allow people to make the change! The replacement program is already very popular with the public; however, this increase in funds will galvanize residents who were reluctant to make the switch because they needed a bit more financial help to act. We are very excited that this law got passed and thank Senator Harckham and Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for getting it done!”
Kevin McDonald, Senior Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy, added, “Pollution from traditional septic systems harms wildlife and threatens clean drinking water across our state. On Long Island, the problem is especially severe where nitrogen pollution is harming our bays, harbors, and drinking water supply. To restore clean water and protect public health, we need to support property owners in upgrading septic systems with technology that can treat nitrogen pollution. The Nature Conservancy applauds the Senate and Assembly for passing legislation to enhance the state’s Septic System Replacement Fund, which will ensure clean water septic systems are within financial reach of more property owners. Thank you to bill sponsors Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay for championing this important policy change and to Governor Kathy Hochul and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for advancing this important grant program.”
The legislation builds on New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act and supports the long-term protection of drinking water supplies, recreational waterways, and marine habitats in regions such as Long Island, the Finger Lakes, and the Thousand Islands. “The passage of this legislation is another important step toward cleaner waters in, on, and around Long Island. Both our drinking water supply and the surrounding coastal waters will benefit from the legislation as homeowners are provided with significant additional financial incentives to install nitrogen reducing, state-of-the-art sanitary systems at their residences,” stated John Turner, Senior Conservation Policy Advocate, Seatuck Environmental Association. “We have no doubt that when this bill becomes law more Long Islanders will participate in efforts to safeguard their ground- and coastal waters. Kudos to Assemblymember Kassay for her leadership in sponsoring this critically important environmental protection measure,” John Turner concluded.
“In Suffolk County, the state’s largest county outside of New York City, there are over 380,000 outdated cesspools and septic tanks in use,” stated Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni. “Many of them are located in my district on the East End of Long Island. Onsite wastewater treatment systems reduce the amount of effluent and pollutants expelled into the environment, reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus into surface and drinking waters, including Long Island’s sole-source aquifer. A.8807 falls in line with the priorities and needs of Long Island, and the environmental goals for the great State of New York. I commend the Senate and Assembly sponsors of A.8807, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Governor for the increased attention to the need for modernizing residential wastewater management across the state.”
The bill’s next step is for Governor Hochul to sign and chapter it, which could take place in the coming weeks or months. Strongly motivated by the environmental and affordability benefits of this legislation, Assemblywoman Kassay will continue to work with her colleagues in government and environmental advocates to ensure that this bill is signed into law.

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From left to right: Tatiana Garrison, Elizabeth Smith, Delilah Rosenthal-Vincenti, Isabella Bustamante and Mia Judex. Photo courtesy Angeline Judex
WhatsApp Image 2025

By Sabrina Artusa 

In Sarasota, Florida on June 14, the Friends of the Port Jefferson Rowing Club’s skulls skated over the water, surpassing rowers from across the nation to secure a spot among the country’s best. 

The U16 Women’s Coxed Quadruple Skulls team took home first in the B finals, making them ninth nationwide, while the U17 Boys Doubles won first in the D finals. 

For the quad, the 2,000-meter race was a steady battle, steeped in strategy. Tatiana Garrison (15), Elizabeth Smith (13), Delilah Rosenthal-Vincenti (14), Mia Judex (12) and coxswain Isabella Bustamante (14) practiced twice a day in the weeks between winning the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships in Saratoga Springs on May 14 and the US Rowing Youth National Championships a month later. Watching their steady progress in the race and their final sprint that took them over the finish line almost six seconds before the Maritime Rowing Club, Assistant Coach Hannah Smith could not contain her pride.  

Smith knew the athletes overcame many challenges to get to Nationals, including Elizabeth Smith’s bout with the flu, windy conditions and a faulty boat rack that caused damage to the boats only weeks before Nationals. “When I saw them going to the finish line way ahead it brought me to tears because it was so exciting to watch,” she said. “I am not a crier.”

Despite it all, the athletes got up before school for their 5 a.m. practices and showed up at the water after school to practice once more, pushing their muscles – and grip strength – to the maximum. 

Once they arrived at Nationals, they knew they belonged there. Tough interval sessions of 90 seconds at race pace, 10 seconds of rest or five minutes at race pace, repeated, set the team up for success. Smith helped the girls practice “a lot of fast, technical” rowing the month before leaving for Florida.

Judex, Rosenthal-Vincenti and Bustamante are novices – new within the year – but took to the oars well. The assistant coach said the team’s “strength is really in their bond together” and sets them apart from the competition. “They are all really good friends, they support each other and they push each other too.” 

 “We were all excited and nervous at the same time while training on Long Island,” Judex said. “But, when we got there, we felt honored to be competing among the best in the country.” 

“I felt prepared,” Elizabeth Smith said. “I knew we had practiced a lot after we qualified at States and I knew our boat had improved.” 

The team started slower, preparing for the progressive performance they had planned. “We continued to get faster throughout the race while the other boats got slower,” Elizabeth Smith said.

They continued getting faster, ensuring that any challengers, including Pittsford Crew, the team’s rival in the state championship, didn’t get the chance to pass. With 1,000 meters to go, the team was ahead, but mostly even with the Maritime Rowing Club. Then, they entered the sprint. 

In the last two minutes, the Port Jefferson Rowing Club made “a statement,” as the announcer said, as their boat pierced through the water, each stroke expanding the distance between them and Maritime Rowing Club. 

“We knew that so much was at stake to place in the top 10 in the USA,” Judex said. “A combination of adrenaline and sheer determination and desire for that ninth place pushed us over the finish line.” 

The U17 Doubles, manned by Antonio Bustamante (15) and Tommy Hyams (15) secured 25th in the nation. 

“Tommy and I were intense with our prep and showed our hearts and progress in this race,” Bustamante said. “We came from behind to take a massive lead and then dug deep to sprint across the finish line. We finished strong and this shows just how much we’ve grown this season.” 

“They ended with a huge lead,” Smith said. Indeed, the pair came out around 35 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. 

The Friends of Port Jefferson Rowing Club is a nonprofit organization for athletes of nearly all ages. 

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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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Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Lynn Hallarman

The Village of Port Jefferson board of trustees held its June work session addressing several key topics, including recommendations by the Citizens Committee on Erosion regarding Phase 2 of the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project. Trustee Stan Loucks was not present.

Infrastructure projects

The board reviewed major infrastructure investments funded in part by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other grants. Trustees allocated $85,798 for storm drain cleaning, with 35 problematic drains identified so far and $322,000 for Sand Lane culvert repairs following damage sustained during the August 2023 storm.  

“I’m so excited about this,” said Trustee Kyle Hill. 

L.K. McLean Associates, a Brookhaven-based engineering firm, is assisting the village in flood prevention efforts. Work is underway, including drone-based topographical mapping and meetings with local stakeholders, such as the Port Jefferson School District and fire commissioners. 

“They’ve hit the ground running,” said Mayor Lauren Sheprow. “There’s real potential for design solutions that make a difference.”

Public safety 

Hill updated the board on enforcement activities and public safety. He proposed extending noise ordinance protections to include federal holidays and suggested relocating a speed reader to East Main Street to address speeding complaints. 

Financial oversight  & technology

Treasurer Stephen Gaffga reported $1.9 million in golf club membership revenue and discussed preparations for the fiscal year 2025 audit. A finalized capital asset valuation report has resolved a decades-long material weakness flagged by auditors.  

The village is also implementing new software to enhance cybersecurity as it prepares to transition to a .gov domain. 

Single-use plastics

Trustees Bob Juliano and Hill reviewed a draft proposal to ban single-use plastics for renters at the Village Center.  The proposal emphasizes known environmental hazards linked to fossil-fuel-derived single-use plastics. Once discarded, these plastics are often incinerated at high temperatures, a process that requires hundreds of millions of gallons of water from Long Island’s aquifers, according to local experts cited in the proposal. 

The Port Jefferson=based Eco-League has offered to create an appendix listing sources for compliant cutlery and cups. The Main Street business, Simple Good, has volunteered to act as a local preferred vendor for eco-friendly alternatives, according to Hill.

Village residents Myrna Gordon and Holly Fils-Aime championed the initiative. Gordon rushed to Village Hall during the work group session to personally thank the board for moving forward with the initiative. The board will take a final vote at the next trustees public meeting. 

Bluff report

Residents Flemming Videbaek and Bob Laravie of the Citizens Commission on Erosion delivered a presentation on the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project.  Chair David Knauf was unable to attend. Videbaek provided an overview of the commission’s interim report on Phase 2.

Sheprow formed the volunteer commission in the fall of 2024 after residents raised concerns that the multi-million-dollar, multiphase stabilization project lacked sufficient community input. 

The commission’s report evaluates plans for Phase 2, which includes installing a 545-foot-long, 47-foot-deep steel barrier along the bluff’s crest, just seaward of the Port Jefferson Country Club. The wall is intended to stabilize the club building and prevent it from collapsing onto the shoreline. 

“The main focus of the report is to analyze Phase 2, look at alternatives, assess the pros and cons of each option and conduct a risk analysis,” Videbaek said.

He stressed the importance of conducting a full cost-benefit analysis, including consideration of rebuilding the clubhouse to a less vulnerable inland site before moving forward with the Phase 2 wall build. 

“A detailed fiscal analysis of the total project cost and options should be presented to the taxpayers before construction begins,” he said.  “It must be emphasized that at some point the relocation of the building will be necessary.”

Laravie focused his comments on drainage issues at the bluff’s crest and the importance of coordinating plans with Lessing’s Hospitality Group, the newly contracted catering company for the country club, which is planning a “plantings beautification project” in the area affected by drainage problems. 

Hill commented on the importance of smart landscaping in this area, suggesting the use of native plants instead of nonnative ornamentals. 

“Native plants need to be watered less— I’m imagining we would not want to be running sprinklers right there every day” Hill said. 

The mayor did not comment on the commission’s request for comprehensive cost analysis including a possible retreat plan, but reiterated her goal is to develop a master plan for the country club that includes the future of the club building. 

“We need a master plan,” Trustee Xena Urgrinsky said. “I would love to see more reasons for nongolfers to visit. I’d also like to see a design for the green spaces.” 

To view the full report, visit the village website and search for “Citizens Commission on Erosion.” 

The next public meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 25 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.

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