Port Times Record

A scene from last year's ceremony in East Setauket. Photo by Greg Catalano

November 11 marks the annual observance of Veterans Day, a day on which we honor the millions of brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. The following communities on the North Shore will pay their respects:

Calverton

Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Road, Calverton will hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. for a Veterans Day Ceremony. 631-727-5410

East Setauket

VFW Post 3054 will host a veterans recognition service at the Memorial Park at the corner of Shore Road and Route 25A in East Setauket on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Residents are invited to join local veterans for a short ceremony that will feature the laying of wreaths from local community groups. 631-406-1938

Farmingdale

Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Ave., in Farmingdale will hold a veterans’ honor ceremony on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. 516-749-7085

Greenlawn

Hosted by American Legion Post 1244, a Veterans Day ceremony will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Pulaski Road, Greenlawn on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. with neighboring American Legion posts plus many community groups and Scouts. 631-487-4776

Huntington

The public is invited to join Town of Huntington officials, the Veterans Advisory Board and local officials for a Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. on Veterans Plaza in front of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington. 631-351-3012

Kings Park

VFW Post 5796 presents a Veterans Day Parade will be held in Kings Park on Nov. 11. Step off is at RJO Intermediate School, 99 Old Dock Road, Kings Park at 10 a.m. and ends at Veterans Plaza in front of the Kings Park Library and 1 Church St. The parade will be followed by opening prayers, guest speakers, Moment of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony followed by closing prayers. 631-269-6421

Port Jefferson

American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 invites the community to attend a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on East Broadway in Port Jefferson (across from Village Hall) on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. 631-626-2911

Rocky Point

Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249, 109 King Road, Rocky Point for a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. 631-744-9106

Smithtown

Smithtown American Legion Post 833, and Smithtown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10870 will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring our nations veterans at Veterans Plaza, Main St., Smithtown on Nov. 11 at 10:45 p.m. 631-724-1804.

Sound Beach

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Veterans Day service at the Sound Beach Veterans Memorial Park on New York Avenue on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Miller Place School District students will provide patriotic music. All are welcome. 631-744-6952 

St. James

Sgt. John W. Cooke VFW Post 395 will host a Veterans Day Parade in St. James on Nov. 11. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. and heads down Lake Avenue to St. James Elementary School. 516-987-6201

Setauket

Caroline Episcopal Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket will host “A Day of Honor,” a service of appreciation and remembrance for those who have served (and currently serve) our country and communities, in the armed forces and as first responders, on Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. Join them for a unique service with music, special guests, and prayers for peace. 631-941-4245

  Compiled by Heidi Sutton

File photo by Raymond Janis

Turning the tide: Celebrating the guardians of our water

I would like to note a recent report from Save the Sound and highlight the work of some local heroes: George Hoffman and the volunteers of the Setauket Harbor Task Force. Their unwavering commitment to the health of our local waters has helped bend the curve and set our surface waters on a path toward improved health and water quality, as reflected in the latest report from Save the Sound. 

The water quality grade for Setauket Harbor, rising from a “C” in 2022 to a “B+” this year, speaks volumes about the positive impact of their work. The reduction in nitrogen levels by 50% over the last 30 years, thanks to improved stormwater systems and stricter regulations, shows what can be achieved with persistent advocacy for good policy and community engagement. Their leadership in educating boaters about using pump-out services to prevent waste from being dumped into the harbor has also been an essential factor in maintaining water cleanliness. The Setauket Harbor Task Force truly serves as guardians of the harbor, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

As your councilmember, I am proud to work alongside groups like the Setauket Harbor Task Force, Coastal Steward Long Island and others, supporting initiatives that benefit our environment. One of the projects my office has been engaged with is expanding shellfish agriculture, especially the creation of oyster beds, which help improve water quality through natural filtration. Additionally, we are working to increase awareness and compliance of the use of pump-out boats, a crucial service that ensures boaters are able to dispose of waste responsibly. Cumulatively, and in partnership with groups like the Setauket Harbor Task Force and Coastal Steward, these efforts help contribute to cleaner, healthier harbors for all of us to benefit from.

The health of Port Jefferson and Setauket harbors is essential to the vibrancy of our community, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with local organizations and residents in this important work.

Jonathan Kornreich, 

Brookhaven Town Councilmember

Stony Brook

Unintended consequences: Say a prayer for our community’s small business owners

A number of letters have appeared in your paper in recent weeks about the Town of Brookhaven’s relatively new Commercial Redevelopment District classification for “abandoned, vacant and underutilized shopping centers.”

Essentially, the CRD designation allows for the demolition of existing shopping areas, and a subsequent high density build-out of multilevel apartments with ground level businesses. Some might call this a financial gift or windfall to some developers who claim their center is “underutilized.”

The unintended consequence of the town’s CRD code is that it incentivizes certain commercial property owners to neglect or mismanage their holdings in order to apply for the generous terms afforded by the new zoning. And the best way to create high vacancy rates? Simply jack up the cost of new leases and lease renewals to drive out small shop owners. It couldn’t happen here. Or could it?

   Herb Mones

  Stony Brook

Another Election Day gone, now for the cleanup

Election Day has come and gone. It reminds me of “The Outer Limits,” a 1960s television show. With the end of round-the-clock commercials by politicians, political parties, political action groups and pay-for-play special interest groups, we now return control of your television back to you until the next election cycle. No more telephone robocalls, text messages, candidates campaign mailings clogging mailboxes and weighing down our hard working postal employees. Finally, some peace and quiet! 

Candidates who claimed they cared about the environment can now do their part. Winners and losers should have their paid campaign staff and volunteers pick up all the thousands of campaign signs that litter our roads and highways to help clean up this waste. They could also use leftover campaign funds to hire homeless or unemployed people to collect this litter. Let some people sentenced by judges to perform community service be assigned this task. If candidates refuse to clean up after themselves, your local village, town or Suffolk County Public Works Division of Highway & Ground Maintenance should do the job and send candidates the bill.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Pixabay photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

The drive between my office and home has been treacherous for my tires over the past couple of years, with the potholes and broken stretches of blacktop causing them to whine in protest. I was taking all sorts of detours through adjoining neighborhoods to avoid them. 

So, imagine my relief when a transportation ground crew appeared a couple of weeks ago and proceeded to repair and repave the roads. The route is now smooth enough for roller skating.

This could have been a metaphor for the coming election.

After mounting anxiety among the populace and near hysteria about what voting would be like and what would lie ahead by the media, it is such a relief that nothing violent  happened. It was only an exercise in demonstrating the will of the governed.

Yes, half the population is keenly disappointed that its candidate did not win and make history, and the other half is ecstatic that its candidate did win and did make history. But an amazing calm has descended. 

Polls almost all across our nation were crowded but enabled orderly voting. There were a few bomb threats phoned in, largely attributed to Russian interference, which delayed our voting process in a minor way, but there were no scenes of perilous conflict. 

We Americans did what we are supposed to do during elections. We voted—in greater number than usual—then went about our usual business and awaited the results.

The only uptick in normal activity was in the stock market, which soared wildly at the prospect of calm and stability. There was no factual basis for any claims of chaos. And no one so far seems to be challenging the results.

We can let out our collective breath.

This election should not pass from sight without our plaudits for the poll workers. When I entered my polling place about 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, I was greeted cordially, directed to the proper table to register, then to another for the ballot and given a short explanation on how to fill it out.

When I emerged, ballot in hand, from the booth, I was further directed to one of the voting machines, then I left with a receipt and a sticker some kind soul had supplied that read, “I voted.” As I left, I was thanked a couple of times for voting by poll workers. 

It occurred to me that we, the voters, should be thanking them. Despite the severe concerns expressed in the lead-up to the election about the safety issue for those workers, they showed up, graciously did their jobs, safely put in a long day, then returned to their homes. 

They supported the ultimate key for democracy to happen: the vote.

So thank you to the many men and women, all across America, and those in our individual polling places, for your help. And thanks to those who came to protect them.

Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Many people had an enormous stake in the election.

Beyond the policies, the ideas, the rallies and all the other hoopla around the hotly contested Election of 2024, people contributed significant amounts of money to back their favorite candidate or candidates.

OpenSecrets predicted that the 2024 federal election cycle would be the costliest on record, at $15.9 billion.

That’s a lot of advertisements funded by people who felt compelled to offer their financial support to candidates they thought would be the best for them, their counties, their states and the country.

So, what did we get for all that money?

Well, for starters, we had advertisements that decried the unqualified or awful nature of the other candidate. Sure, I suppose there’s some value in that.

But as a die-hard Yankees fan — a fitting phrase this year after the Bronx Bombers committed the kind of errors my son described as U8 mistakes — I’m not sure I’d want my team to spend so much time and effort trash talking, beating up or insulting their opponents.

Yes, I get it. Sports and politics aren’t the same, and yet, we the fans, supporters and general public invest in people in these arenas, hoping for the best from them.

Talking about how bad the competition is doesn’t make you better. It can scare people into voting for you, I suppose, but that doesn’t seem like a particularly honorable way to win. It also doesn’t set the tone for our children, who watch these advertisements or hear the words from would-be political leaders and wonder why they should exercise restraint on the playground after they’ve heard political leaders call each other names or insult each other. 

I suppose all those horrible words and a readiness to “fight” is far preferable to the historic human way of changing government regimes. In previous generations and in non-democratic societies, people shed blood to create a new government or bring in new leaders.

In theory, every four years, We the People can go to the ballot box and alter the direction of the country with our vote.

That brings me back to the money. Beyond the contribution to our candidate, what do we get back for the money we spend?

To borrow from Wall Street, what’s the return on our investment? Can we ask to speak with some of these leaders? Can we send ideas to improve the way government works?

No matter who wins any election, that person has a duty and responsibility to represent everyone, including those people who didn’t vote for them and their adversaries in the election cycle. The once and future president, whether he likes it or not, represents his constituents and his adversaries.

Getting elected doesn’t just give them power: it places enormous responsibility on their shoulders.

They came to us, electronic palms outstretched, asking for money and we gave it to them, despite concerns about our economic future, our desire to save for ourselves and our children and our need to invest in ourselves.

How else could we have spent that money? Could we have taken classes that enabled us to find other jobs? Could we have sent that money to charity to provide for the basic needs of people who are struggling to survive?

Now that donations helped fill many of those seats, those politicians, on day one, should make sure they listen to people, should affect positive changes and policies, and should work to ensure that they reward the public with effective leadership.

Let’s hope that money backed the right candidates, which can and should benefit the entire country.

Is it too much to ask that, one day, we all see a reasonable return on these investments?

Nick LaLota celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo and Aidan Johnson

At Stereo Garden in Patchogue, the GOP was a sea of red on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5. Guests mingled with drinks in hand, as music blared over the club’s speaker system.

The event was hosted by Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee and Brookhaven Town Republican Committee, whose high energy propelled the evening and invigorated the large crowd. He spoke of the resilience of the Republican Party through the tumultuous past four years, and expressed confidence in Suffolk’s support for members of the GOP.

LaLota victorious over Avlon in battle for Congress, Avlon concedes

As results poured in from around 10 p.m. to the early hours of the morning, the race considered highly important in the flipping of the House majority in Washington, was decided. Incumbent Nick LaLota, representative of the 1st Congressional District, won 55.7% of the vote to Democratic opponent John Avlon’s 44.3%.

“Thank you so much to every single one of you. I’m only here because of everything you’ve done. You made the phone calls. You knocked on doors, you planted lawn signs,” LaLota said to the room.

“You’ve placed your trust in me and I’m going to take another term of office in a few weeks so I can continue to fight for you,” he continued. He added that he has run on his record, which is one committed to bipartisanship, and has seen more bills passed by him than “95% of Congress,” bringing “$150 million home” to Suffolk in the process.

“It’s a hard night in Suffolk County for us Democrats, it’s a hard night for many Democrats, but the fight continues,” Avlon said in a speech at the IBEW Local 1049 Union Hall in Holtsville, where many of the Suffolk County Democrats congregated for a watch party. 

“It’s really important for us to keep the energy up, and understand that this is not a time for us to shirk back, but it is a time for folks to stand up continuously, because the good fight never ends and democracy depends on loving your country no matter who is president,” he added.

Anthony Palumbo celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

Palumbo comes out on top in state Senate race

Incumbent Republican state senator of the 1st District, Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), beat Democratic opponent Sarah Anker, with 53.4% of the vote, to Anker’s 46.6%.

“This is a team win. I want to thank my wife, to thank my friends in law enforcement who supported us. We did this most importantly because of you folks. This is many, many months in the making,” Palumbo said. He continued by saying that he and his supporters worked hard on his campaign because “it is about what’s best for our constituency.”

Anker has not yet released a statement.

Mattera wins out over Herskowitz in NY 2nd Senate District

Incumbent Mario Mattera beat Craig Herskowitz, winning his third term in the 2nd Senate District, 58.7% to 41.3%.

Mattera was not on hand to make a speech, as he was in Smithtown speaking at another event. Chairman Garcia expressed his congratulatory feelings for Mattera, leading the crowd in a round of applause for him.

Kassay and Flood in tight contest for 4th District Assembly seat; Giglio defeats Chiaramonte in 2nd District 

As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, no result has been confirmed for the state Assembly race between Republican incumbent Ed Flood and his Democratic opponent Rebecca Kassay, both from Port Jefferson. Kassay currently is leading Flood by 211 votes (29,246-29,035). The final result has not yet been announced as of press time.

Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) easily beat out Tricia Chiaramonte with 64.9% of the vote, to Chiaramonte’s 35.1%. Chiaramonte did not actively campaign against incumbent Giglio.

Fitzpatrick victorious over Basileo in NY 8th Assembly District

Incumbent of 22 years, Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown), beat Democratic candidate Steven Basileo by a sweeping 66.4% to 33.6%, in the 8th Assembly District.

Fitzpatrick was just one of many Republicans who has been reelected to his seat, as newer Democratic politicians did not attract the same amount of support across the North Shore. Voters seemingly preferred the current occupants.

10th and 12th Assembly Districts

In the 10th Assembly District, Democratic incumbent Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) beat Republican Aamir Sultan, 55% to 45%. In the 12th District, incumbent Keith Brown (R-Northport) defeated Democrat Thomas Cox, 57.5% to 42.5%. 

4th District Court Judge, Town of Smithtown

Republicans Paul Damato and John Zollo beat Democratic candidate Maria Scheuring, receiving a combined 79.2% of the vote — 39.6% each — winning the two vacant seats, while Scheuring received 20.7% of the vote. Scheuring was not active during this election season.

All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”

6th District Court Judge, Town of Brookhaven

Evan Tannenbaum, Patricia Blake and Kenneth Lauri won the three available seats for District Court Judge of the 6th District. They received 23.4%, 23.2%, and 22.0% of the vote, respectively, beating out Democrats Margot Garant and Dorothy Cavalier.

“I want to thank the Town of Brookhaven and my fellow Republicans,” Lauri said. Tannenbaum echoed similar sentiments.

All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”

Election results will be updated as they come in. Last results recorded on Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
Congress

NY1

Nick LaLota (R): 55.7 percent with 215, 678 votes – Winner

John Avlon (D): 44.28 percent with 171,556 votes

NY2

Andrew Garbarino (R) : 59.6 percent – Winner

Rob Lubin (D): 40.4 percent

NY3

Thomas Suozzi (D): 48.7 percent – Winner

Mike LiPetri (R): 46.3 percent

New York State Senate

SD1

Anthony Palumbo (R): 53.65 percent – Winner

Sarah Anker (D): 46.32 percent

SD2

Mario Mattera (R): 97, 244 votes – Winner

Craig Herskowitz (D): 68,353 votes

New York State Assembly

AD2

Jodi Giglio (R): 64.9 percent with 45,280 votes – Winner

Tricia Chiaramonte (D): 35.1 percent with 24,474 votes

AD4

Ed Flood (R): 49.8  percent with 29,035 votes

Rebecca Kassay (D): 50. 2 percent with 29,246 votes

AD5

Doug Smith (R): 64.9% with 40,503 votes – Winner

Michael Reynolds (D): 35.1% with 21,893 votes

AD8

Mike Fitzpatrick (R): 66.4 percent with 48,797 votes – Winner

Steve Basileo (D): 33.6 percent with 24,716 votes

 

NYS Proposition 1: – Passed

Yes: 57.01 percent with 4,092,742 votes

No: 34.52 percent with 2,478,621 votes

 

NYS Proposition 2: – Passed

Yes: 71.91 percent with 478,717 votes

No: 28.42 percent with 190,159 votes

 

Voters line up in front of Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville on Nov. 3. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By Heidi Sutton

Many Long Islanders did not wait for Election Day to cast their vote this year but instead took advantage of the numerous early polling stations from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.

At the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai on Friday, Nov. 1, long lines wrapped around the building and the parking lot quickly filled to capacity, causing many to park along a stretch of Route 25A and walk  along the road.

At Brookhaven Town Hall, the busiest polling spot in the Town of Brookhaven, 19,000 votes were cast on Saturday, Nov. 2 and voters stood in line for over an hour and a half on Sunday, Nov. 3, the last day for early voting.

Those who haven’t voted yet will have one more chance on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Kevin J. McCaffrey

Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey has released an open letter to residents about the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act and the chance for voters to approve a plan to upgrade the county’s wastewater infrastructure. This year, Proposition 2 allows Suffolk residents to endorse the plan. The full letter is below:

Dear Suffolk County Resident,

On June 25, 2024, I led the Suffolk County Legislature in a historic vote to extend and revise the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program and establish a Water Quality Restoration Fund. Collectively named the “Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act,” these actions create a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk County’s aging wastewater infrastructure and give the county the authority to establish a new stable and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects. Proposition 2 also extends the current 1/4 sales tax which funds water quality initiatives and open space acquisitions.

Currently, Suffolk County is home to more than 1.5 million people and relies on just 380,000 cesspools and wastewater systems. With over 209,000 designated environmentally sensitive areas, much of our land is ill-equipped for wastewater treatment. This lack of proper infrastructure has significantly contributed to nitrogen pollution in our bays, harbors and groundwater, fueling harmful algae blooms and creating barriers to sustainable economic growth.

On Election Day, Nov. 5., Suffolk County residents have the opportunity to address these environmental challenges by approving Ballot Proposition 2. A vote for Proposition 2 means new sewers and innovative septic systems across the county ensuring clean water for generations to come.

Throughout this process, I have often quoted an adage declaring “these waterways, bays and streams are not ours—they are borrowed from our children and grandchildren.” We must protect both our water bodies and our drinking water by making this investment.

Drafting and adopting the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act was a significant effort, years in the making, that persisted through multiple administrations and levels of government. When New York State approved funding allocations for wastewater infrastructure in 2023, the Suffolk County Legislature’s Republican Majority sought modifications to enhance the environmental impact and ensure fair distribution across the county. I am proud of my colleagues who remained committed to reaching a balanced funding formula to protect Suffolk’s water quality for decades to come.

Several colleagues and stakeholders deserve recognition for making this possible. My colleagues in the Legislature, County Executive Romaine, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Monica Martinez who sponsored the legislation, were instrumental, as were Governor Kathy Hochul who signed the bill, and our partners in the private sector including The Nature Conservancy, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, the Long Island Contractors Association, the Long Island Federation of Labor and others.

A “yes” vote on Proposition 2 means less pollution, improved water quality, continued open space acquisitions and increased local job opportunities. A “yes” vote is good science, good economics and good sense.

Kevin J. McCaffrey

Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature

Lauren Sheprow, mayor-elect of the Village of Port Jefferson. File photo by Raymond Janis

At an emergency meeting of the Port Jefferson Village Board of Trustees on Oct. 30 the board voted unanimously to suspend the carrying of firearms by any and all Village employees, in furtherance of their duties and responsibilities as employees of the Village of Port Jefferson, including, but not limited to Code Enforcement Bureau personnel.

 “This is something we as a board have been discussing since my first meeting as mayor, as one of many departmental deep dives,” said village Mayor Lauren Sheprow. “We have been working with a consultant on this particular issue among others and the board agreed that this was in the best interests for the health, safety and welfare of Village employees, residents and the public.”

The mayor explained at the meeting that the incident that perpetuated this emergency meeting was that a firearm was left in a public restroom in Village Hall, fortunately without incident. This resulted, she said, in this immediate action.

TBR is following this story closely. More information about this development will be covered in our Nov. 7 editions.

View the meeting on the village’s YouTube channel. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is a work session on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.

Rebecca Kassay

By TBR Staff

TBR News Media is endorsing Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) for NYS District 4 assemblymember.

She is a dedicated member of the Port Jefferson community and has been engaged in local affairs for years, serving as the village’s deputy mayor,

Her personable approach has connected her with the people of her community, and she genuinely cares about the concerns of each individual resident. Kassay’s belief in “proactive public servants” will serve her well as a woman of the people, so to speak. A local business owner who said that she and her husband opened a bed and breakfast “to make ends meet,” she appears to genuinely show passion for the Island’s affordability crisis. Kassay strongly emphasizes her commitment to being present in the communities in which she would work and has indicated she will refuse to be a figurehead in Albany.

While Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson) may be the incumbent, his recent disbarment as an attorney is disconcerting. In addition, he is known to have been absent from civic association meetings and the events of local groups, quite often sending representatives in his place.

Kassay’s strong connections with local officials, as well as her desire to incorporate more members of our police departments, give her the balanced and nuanced approach we think is necessary to quell citizens’ concerns on the crime and safety fronts. 

She also has great concern for the environment, being an environmental scientist. Kassay’s role as Port Jefferson’s Conservation Advisory Council, further displays her strength as a worker, and her dedication to our environmental well-being. Ultimately, she believes that her expertise can help tackle two of Port Jeff’s biggest issues: flooding, and the revitalization of our towns.

All in all, we feel Rebecca Kassay is the person for Assembly District 4. She said that while “this job is partly about being in Albany and passing legislation and looking at the budget, it takes being here at home and personally being out here to continue building relationships. The people deserve a representative who is going to be in this position [full time].” We couldn’t agree more.

We thank Ed Flood for his service, but ultimately feel Rebecca Kassay will serve our Island more effectively.