According to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24, with the leading causes being reckless driving and distracted driving while, often, under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Since Memorial Day weekend, drunk/drugged driving in Suffolk has claimed approximately three lives a week, and since 2018, the trend of drugged driving deaths has grown exponentially — 35% — statewide.
Suffolk County is a prime contributor to that number.
Maureen McCormick, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes prosecutor, recently said that the innocence of most of these vehicular crime victims is what is truly alarming about these cases.
And, with the state’s push to treat individuals intoxicated with drugs as firmly as those found drunk at the scene of a crash — as of now, a drugged driver in the state can only be charged with a DUI if the officer can name the drug the person has taken, and if said drug is included in a catalog of substances commonly tested for — why has a coalition of advocates been getting turned down in Albany for many years? And, why is America one of a quarter of countries that has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08, while the rest of the world only allows a limit of 0.05?
So, what can we do about the dangers of drunk/drugged driving? Here are some tips to stay safe on the roads.
• When going out, be sure to secure a nondrinking driver, ahead of time, to ensure a plan, and avoid in-the-moment confusion.
• Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with soda, juice or water.
• Do not mix alcohol with other drugs, including over-the-counter and prescription medications.
• Do not get into the car with an impaired driver. Use other means of transportation such as a taxi, public transportation or driver who is sober.
• It is wise to have no substances in your system when operating a vehicle, even if you are within legal limits.
• Keep in mind: Even if you take prescription medication, avoid driving if it makes you drowsy, or lowers your energy levels. A substance does not have to be illicit to cause danger to yourself and others on the roads. Have someone drive you, when possible.
• Buckle up! If hit, a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious injury by 50% in the front seats, and up to 75%, in the rear seats.
• If you suspect an impaired driver is near you while on the road, slow down and consider turning away. When it is safe to do so, pull over and dial 911.
In this way, we will keep ourselves and our roads safe in Suffolk County and elsewhere.
After the removal of former head coach Chuck Priore in Nov. 2023, the Stony Brook football team has found his replacement in hopes that brighter days are ahead.
Finishing the 2023 season with an 0-10 record — the worst in program history — was not the way the Seawolves hoped to bounce back from 2022 that ended with a 2-9 finish. Just under a month after removing Priore, Stony Brook hired former Western Michigan University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Billy Cosh to fill the role.
Cosh, 32, a resident of Smithtown, started his coaching career at Concord University in 2015, soon getting the position as a graduate assistant and quarterbacks coach for Indiana from 2016 to 2017. Cosh made the move to the Virginia Military Institute in 2018, serving as the wide receivers coach in 2018 and 2019, then getting promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Cosh jumped to Richmond in 2022 where he led a top 20 offensive SP+ rating, advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs in his lone season. After serving as offensive coordinator at Western Michigan for the 2023 season, Cosh was named the third head football coach in Stony Brook history. At 31 years old, he became the second-youngest current head coach in NCAA Division I football.
Coaching at Richmond in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) — the same conference as the Seawolves — Cosh said he has “always admired Stony Brook from afar.” In his first head coaching position, Cosh will look to pull the Seawolves out of the cellar.
“I knew this place has a chance,” Cosh said. “I knew they had the capability, so that’s kind of what attracted me to the job.”
Football is in Cosh’s blood. Bouncing around from place to place during his upbringing, he is the son of Chris Cosh who played linebacker for Virginia Tech from 1977 to 1981. Chris coached for 40 years at multiple FCS schools such as UNLV, Maryland, Michigan State, South Carolina and many more. He currently serves as an analyst at Western Michigan.
Billy Cosh (right) set to coach Seawolves football for the 2024 season. Courtesy Stony Brook Athletics
“I thought my dad had the coolest job in the world,” Cosh said. “I was like a sponge; I was around the game all the time. I got to see different players that played in the NFL and watched how they work and watched how coaches coached, it was really unique.”
Cosh was raised with his brother, James, who went on to play football at the United States Naval Academy from 2007 to 2011. James is currently a scout for the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
Being brought up around football, Cosh was destined to be a star on the field. Attending Arundel High School in Gambrills, Md. from 2006 to 2009, Cosh won the job of starting quarterback his junior year. He went on to break seven state records that season including most passing yards (3,909) and touchdowns (56), but it paled in comparison to his senior season.
Cosh’s senior year was special, throwing for 3,913 yards and 56 touchdowns. He set Maryland state records for career completions (594), passing yards (7,433) and touchdowns (112), finishing his high school career with a 22-3 record and leaving college coaches clamoring to have him on their team.
Though Cosh’s achievements on the field spoke for themselves, he credits playing with future NFL wide receivers RJ Harris and Alec Lemon for much of his success at Arundel.
“That kind of made a big difference,” Cosh said. “I wasn’t a great player, but I was very appreciative of the guys around me.”
When the college recruitment process came around, the choice was rather simple for Cosh. At the time, his father was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State University. A chance to play at a Big 12 school and have his father guide the way was too good for Cosh to pass on, deciding to play college football as a Wildcat.
Unfortunately, when things seem too good to be true, they often are. Cosh’s coaches opted to give him a freshman redshirt his first season at Kansas State, meaning he would be sidelined and not see action the entire season.
Looking ahead to his sophomore season, Cosh realized there may not be an opportunity for him to play anytime soon. With three quarterbacks on the roster that were returning the following season, all of them were ahead of him on the depth chart. He was paid a visit by James Madison University’s head coach Mickey Matthews who told Cosh he would have a better opportunity playing for him, so Cosh made the move.
Transferring to James Madison for his sophomore year hoping that he would have the chance to play, Cosh’s wishes were not answered. Again, Cosh was at the bottom of the depth chart and did not see action the entire season, later claiming that the move from Kansas State was one that he regretted.
“I really made a rash decision to leave, Coach [Bill] Snyder told me I would regret it, and he was right in some ways,” Cosh said. “I went [to James Madison] and was kind of told I wasn’t good enough, which was probably true, I wasn’t the greatest player, but I was never really given a shot.”
Cosh realized that he would have to step down a level if he wanted to get any real playing time, opting to transfer again, this time to Butler Community College in the NJCAA. Making the move in hopes to impress scouts and get back to the Division I level, Cosh did just that.
Stony Brook football is set to open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at Marshall University in West Virginia. Courtesy Stony Brook Athletics
Stepping down a level gave Cosh the opportunity to see the field, but the talent pool in the NJCAA was very deep. He played with “12 to 15” future NFL players and against current All-Pro players such as Tyreek Hill, Alvin Kamara and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Cosh’s lone junior college season was described as a “rebirth” for him by Butler head coach Troy Morrell. He turned heads by throwing for 2,856 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012, but he would soon face another obstacle. Cosh tore his ACL in the NJCAA junior college championship game and lost to Iowa Western, 27-7.
Despite the sour ending, Cosh reflects on his time at Butler fondly.
“I loved that time,” Cosh said. “I loved my teammates. I loved the coaching staff … so that was awesome.”
Despite the injury, Cosh had impressed college scouts enough to receive some offers. He committed to the University of Houston before the conclusion of the 2012 season, successfully making his way back to the NCAA Division I level.
However, Cosh soon faced another roadblock. His commitment to Houston came before the injury to his knee, something that he thought would lead the team to pulling his scholarship. To Cosh’s surprise, the Cougars chose to keep him around.
Still rehabbing his ACL tear, Cosh missed the entire 2013 season due to injury. He made his debut in 2014, and though he only saw the field three times at Houston, he was able to end his college career on his terms, not others’.
Though Cosh’s time at Houston was underwhelming on the field, it was where he met his wife, Kelsey.
Being around the game of football his entire life, Cosh has faced plenty of adversity throughout his career. Due to these challenges, it makes sense that Stony Brook Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron believes that Cosh is the man for the job to bring the Seawolves back to relevance.
Kenny Spurrell is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (right.) File photo
By Toni-Elena Gallo
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) held a Zoom press conference with local media publications Friday, July 26.
Romaine’s opening remarks emphasized the importance of local media, and his desire to give the press an opportunity to “write the stories you need to write.”
He then briefly discussed some of his seven-month tenure’s accomplishments, including the approval of the Water Quality Restoration Act that aims to rectify Suffolk’s sewer systems subject to a referendum on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Romaine is looking to put sewer infrastructure “on steroids,” as 70% of the county utilizes pollutant-rich cesspools.” His plan is to put “densely populated areas of Suffolk, whenever possible, on sewers,” and the less densely-populated areas on Innovative/Alternative septic systems that will denature the ground and surface water.
Romaine stated that the county will be purchasing new vehicles for the Suffolk County Police Department as well, and he intends to improve police and county government’s mental health services.
Additionally, the county executive expressed concern that Long Island is being “short changed” by the state and federal governments, in which the Island “does not get its fair share.”
“I want to know what happened to the infrastructure money that I supported that President Biden [D] put forward, or the environmental bond issue that the governor put forward, which I supported. … I just don’t see that money flowing to Long Island,” he said.
He gave a local example where Suffolk is deprived of comparative support: “For bus transportation and funding, we get $40 million. Nassau County, which is one-third the size of Suffolk, gets $103 million.”
Romaine went on to share that recently he submitted “one of the largest capital budgets in Suffolk’s history.”
This comes from his wish to fix many of the county’s dilapidated properties that have lacked maintenance. “It’s time that we maintain our roads, our bridges and our infrastructure,” he said.
Romaine went on to discuss his objective to lessen the Island’s high traffic congestion: “How about redoing the bridge over Nicholls Road? How about adding a third lane to the Sagtikos/Sunken Meadow Parkway?”
Furthermore, Romaine spoke of some of his disappointments with the state’s relationship with Suffolk.
For example, when discussing the Long Island Rail Road, Romaine said, “I come from a county where electrification stops at Babylon, Huntington and Ronkonkoma, and everything east of that being diesel. Really? Why aren’t we subject to getting electric trains? Why do we have to put up with dirty diesel?”
Behold the beauty as seen through another’s eyes with the Port Jefferson Photography Club’s (PJPC) exhibit, Through the Camera Lens, at Emma Clark Library, 120 Main Street in Setauket.
On view through the month of August, the exhibit features approximately 30 photos by club members Ralph Baldasarra, Barry Bernstein, Wendy Beaton, Michael Boren, William Hammer, Terry Murphy, Kathy Pisculli, Darlene Prowse, Anneliese Scheef, Irene Stern, C. Visconti, and Peter Willstein.
Housed on the walls of the library’s new Level Up Kitchen Library Café on the first floor next to the reference desk, all images in Through the Camera Lens have a card that lists the title of the photo, the photographer’s name, and contact information. Many of these photos are for sale; visitors are encouraged to contact the photographer if interested in purchasing a photo.
The images illuminate a spectrum of perspectives and personalities, taking the viewer on a tour of instances and ideas.
“We have such a diverse, well-traveled membership that we ask members to display what they would like to share with the audience. Travel, black & white, landscape, architecture, animals, portraits, etc,” said Prowse.
A variety of outlook and style enables attendees to see the world from individual points of view: common sights may reveal uncommon insights and fleeting moments are made forever spellbinding.
“It gives us an opportunity to share with others the places we have been, the way we see the world and our creativity in unusual and artful creations,” Prowse added. “It is like sharing a family photo album with someone who is really interested in what you are showing them. It is also an affirmation of the work we have put into creating an image.”
Satisfaction comes from sharing their passion not only with each other, but the public. To this endeavor, the PJPC seeks to exhibit its work in community spaces as a means of connection.
Now in its 12th year, the club has an ongoing installation at Port Jefferson’s Pasta Pasta restaurant which changes seasonally. Among other accolades, its booth won first place at a recent St. James Art Walk. And PJPC has also displayed work at Gallery North’s Outdoor Art Show in Setauket, Watermark Galleries in St. James, and Bayport-Blue Point Public Library in Blue Point.
August’s show at Emma Clark Library follows July’s exhibit at the Port Jefferson Village Center. Having both personal and pragmatic benefits — friendships, greater exposure, and refinement of craft — the library exhibit is the members’ latest foray into artistic communication with an audience and one another.
“…it shows that our area has an interest in the arts and appreciates local clubs and organization involvement. Hopefully, this will encourage others to show an interest in the PJPC,” Prowse said.
In addition to its community involvement, PJPC cultivates its artistic presence in part by facilitating its social network. The club hosts monthly lectures and goes on monthly field trips, visiting museums, beaches, New York City, etc. for group bonding, motivation, and inspiration.
“Photography gives me a chance to be creative and I love to show off my work…I love the social aspect of it,” said the Club’s Vice President Barry Bernstein.
Participating in the organization allows its members to focus the poetic precision of photography while benefiting from the camaraderie of a shared passion. It galvanizes participants to hone their craft and nurture their artistry.
“What I think is most rewarding about photography is the ability to capture a moment in time; to be able to freeze a moment of a bald eagle flying, to capture the colorful sunrises or sunsets, and to add my own creativity to what I photograph. It can be done anywhere, at anytime, with a group of people or by myself,” said PJPC President Anne DePietri.
The PJPC is committed to nurturing the creative nature of its members. Its outreach endeavors are part of a diligent effort to foster imaginative understanding and entice an engaged network.
“Belonging to a group is so inspiring. There might be a day that is gloomy and I’m not motivated to go out and find something interesting to shoot. It helps to know that my fellow members are expecting me to present something I looked at in a different way and made an interesting photo,” Prowse said
From those presentations, PJPC expands dialogue to move behind the club: its exhibit at Emma Clark Library is broadening the conversation between artists and audience, inviting individuals not only to observe but to partake in the process.
Photographers of any level are invited to join PJPC, which meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Port Jefferson Free Library and on the fourth Tuesday of the month over Zoom.
“We welcome new members who want to explore photography or enhance their skills,” Prowse said. “Belonging to a group is so inspiring.”
For members of PJPC, getting to show their work with their community is as gratifying and a source of continuous encouragement.
“I think one of the most rewarding parts of being a member of the Port Jefferson Photography Club is the non-judgemental support of everyone and the eagerness to share and learn from each other,” DePietri said.
To learn more about the PJPC, visit portjeffphotoclub.org or email [email protected].
Long Island prides itself on its beautiful weather — but, more specifically — on its gorgeous summers.
That is why this past weekend, Port Jeff locals and visitors were asked: “What do you like to do during the summertime on Long Island?
Photos by Ava Himmelsbach
Carolyn and Julie
Many Long Island residents thrive in the summer weather and enjoy spending time outdoors when the sun is out. Julie highlighted her relaxing visits to the local beaches: “We just got a parking permit for the beach, so we go on the beach, drive on the beach, that’s fun.” She, also, noted her enjoyment of going fishing and eating out.
“She’s from Florida,” Julie added with regard to Carolyn, who replied, “I used to live here!”
Amanda, Michelle, Kaitlyn and their children
“My favorite thing to do in the summer is go to the Shirley Beach splash pad with the toddlers,” Michelle said.
She loves that spot due to its free admission combined with the opportunity of play time outside for her children.
“Going to the ocean, [especially] Smith Point,” Kaitlyn added. She mentioned that she enjoys the beaches, closer to home, as well. “My favorite thing is to go to the parks around us,” Amanda stated.
Gallya (right,) and her friends, Sima and Sandra
Gallya, a Long Island resident, was joined by her visiting friends Sima and Sandra, who had just arrived on the Island that day.
“Walking through Port Jefferson, it’s such a great little village,” Gallya noted. “I like to go on the fishing boat, I like to go eat ice cream at the shack, I like to bring my closest friends that come from different parts of the world — presumably in reference to her friends Sima and Sandra — to share the beauty of this part of America.” Port Jefferson is undoubtedly a favorite for locals and visitors alike in the summertime. “I like to go to the restaurants in town, the meditation center and all the little boutique shops. I love to walk on the waterfront where they do sailing and rowing,” Gallya added.
As for the rest of Long Island, she enjoys visiting the wineries and farms out east, as well as hiking at Avalon Park.
Anne and Zoey
“The beach!” Zoey said when asked about summer activities. “Yes, the beach. We love to go to West Meadow Beach with the grandchildren while they’re here. Anything fun for kids to do, like Rocketship Park,” Anne added, in regard to the location of the interview.
Zoey and Anne agreed that Kilwins, in Port Jefferson, is a fun spot to grab ice cream. “There’s a wonderful park up near Ward Melville [High School], I think it’s Washington Avenue Park,” Anne continued. “We love going there.”
“Also, the library, Emma Clark Library [in Setauket,]” Zoey concluded.
“We spent a lot of time there yesterday. It’s amazing how much energy you can spend in a library with two kids.”
Andrew Thomas argues his case to remain on the zoning board of appeals. Photo courtesy PJ Village website
By Lynn Hallarman
Andrew Thomas, architectural designer and village resident, made his case to remain as a member of the Village of Port Jefferson Zoning Board of Appeals at the Board of Trustees meeting July 31.
Having served on the ZBA since 2014 and the Architectural Review Committee since 2020, Thomas highlighted his experience in a detailed statement. Thomas is the husband of former village trustee Rebecca Kassay, now Democratic candidate for the state Assembly District 4.
Despite his efforts, trustees voted 3-1 in a resolution to “fill the vacant position under which Thomas was serving in a holdover capacity.” He was replaced with real estate agent and ZBA alternate member, Alexia Poulos. Trustee Kyle Hill cast the dissenting vote, while trustee Stan Loucks was absent.
Addressing prior concerns about possible conflict of interest from his dual roles on the ZBA and ARC, Thomas offered several solutions to the board including withdrawing from the ARC or recusing himself from certain matters. He stated that legal counsel from the New York Conference of Mayors indicated no conflict exists.
Zoning procedures
Zoning is the process by which a municipality is divided into separate districts or zones. The goal is to avoid incompatible land uses, like a car wash being built in a residential area. If an applicant, such as the builder of a car wash, is dissatisfied with the zoning regulations, a petition can be lodged with the ZBA for a variance. The ZBA then decides whether to grant or deny this request.
Holdover status
According to the July 1 organizational minutes of the Board of Trustees, Thomas, along with another ZBA member and three members of the Planning Board are currently in “holdover” status, with terms that have expired as far back as 2022.
Additionally, a total of 17 volunteer members across several different committees and advisory councils have also been identified in the minutes as serving in holdover status due to expired terms.
Holdover status occurs when a volunteer member continues to serve after their official term has expired, ensuring that the board, committee or council remains functional. Volunteers in holdover status can be reappointed or replaced by a governing body such as the Board of Trustees according to New York State Public Officers Law.
When a ZBA member is in holdover status, the Board of Trustees can replace that member without a formal public hearing. This is an exception to New York State law, which mandates a public hearing when a member is being removed “for cause,” such as meeting absences or ethics violations.
Thomas underscored the importance of the ZBA’s independence from political influence and called for the reappointment of all holdover members to restore proper procedure. He concluded by requesting continued service, stressing the importance of “experience, continuity and public trust” in the board’s functions.
“I understand how directly and even emotionally land use decisions can affect individual citizens. It is one of our most direct and meaningful interactions with government and it requires great care and respect,” Thomas said in his statement.
Mayor Lauren Sheprow in an email to TBR stated that “we have recently discovered a comprehensive and consistent lack of timely and accurate recordkeeping of our land use board members by prior administrations over the years, resulting in term start and end dates that are not verifiable.”
She added, “We are diligently working to bring all boards, committees and councils into compliance with NYS Village Law if they are not.”
The Board of Trustees will hold a work session Aug. 14. The next trustees board meeting open for public comment will be held Aug. 28.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'Pinocchio' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Theatre Three’s Children’s Theatre closes its summer season with Pinocchio, a musical for the entire family.
Based on Carolo Collodi’s late nineteenth century Italian novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio, the story has been seen on stage and screen, both in animated and live action versions. As with all Theatre Three children’s theatre, the company creates its own musical based on the original material. Pinocchio has a book by Jeffrey Sanzel, with new songs by Jeffrey Hoffman and Douglas J. Quattrock.
Anabelle (Emilia Guzzetta), underling apprentice fairy—third class, is assigned by Ondine, Queen of the Fairies (Ginger Dalton), to help an angry and withdrawn woodcarver, Geppetto (Steven Uihlein).
After failing to change the recluse through song, the nervous fairy teams with the energetic and outgoing Cassandra, the Enchanted Cricket (Michelle LaBozzetta). Together, they enchant a stick of wood. Hearing the wood speak, Geppetto fashions it into a wooden companion, Pinocchio (Kiernan Urso). When they realize that the puppet is alive but lacks a sense of right and wrong, they cast a spell on his nose to grow when he does not tell the truth.
Meanwhile, two wily crooks—Carpacious Cat (Gina Lardi) and Ferdinand Fox (Ryan Van Nostrand)—set up their scam “Festival El Grande” to fleece the villagers. When they discover the magic wooden boy, the pair embark on yet another scheme.
Along with the professional acting company, Pinocchio features two dozen students from Theatre Three’s Summer Dramatic Academy.
The score features the original songs “Lovely Thoughts,” “Bad Harmony,” “You Can Count on Me,” “Taran-Tella Da Truth,” “Put Tomorrow in Your Hands,” “Keep Your Chin Up and Smile,” and the calypso “Festival El Grande.”
The production is directed by Sanzel whileQuattrock and Hoffman, who musically directed, form the two-keyboard combo. Choreography is by Kiernan Urso, costume design is by Jason Allyn and Melissa Troxler is the production stage manager.
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Pinocchio through Aug. 10. Running time is one hour with a 15 minute intermission. Photos with the cast are available in the lobby after the show. Final performances are Friday, August 9, at 11 a.m., and Saturday, August 10, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Children’s theater continues with Theatre Three’s annual productions of A Kooky Spooky Halloween from Oct. 5 to 19, and and Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 23 to Dec. 28.
All seats are $12. Call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com for tickets and information.
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, 1108 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station welcomes Emmy award-winning television host, best-selling cookbook author, and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich on Sunday,Aug. 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bastianich will be meeting fans and signing copies of her newest cookbook, Lidia’s From Our Family to Yours. For more information, call the store at 631-331-1706.
The word “divisive” in the headline of your article regarding the “In Trump We Trust” banner in Port Jefferson (TBR News Media, Aug. 1) is misleading. It infers that the banner indicates former — and, hopefully, future — President Donald Trump (R) is “divisive.” I’m sure that the papers wouldn’t have used the word “divisive” in the headline had the banner stated the name of the actual divider-in-chief currently occupying the White House.
Art Billadello
East Setauket
Gratitude not complaints
Jen Schaedel’s long, angry letter (“Unjustified dismantlement of West Meadow Beach cottages,” (TBR News Media, Aug. 1) is a classic case of the aphorism, “When you’re used to privilege, equality feels unjust.”
Whether the nearly-free early-1900s waterfront property leases were favors for the politically connected, or just gross municipal malpractice, giving away perpetually renewable rights to valuable public property for private use was always a violation of basic American principles.
Good-faith debates could be had over the proper fate of the buildings. But, the idea that leaseholders deserved to renew the leases forever was always morally indefensible, regardless of how wholesome the community was. So it is shocking to see anyone still defend it, let alone portray themselves as victims.
Rather than complain about public officials reclaiming public property for public use, all the people lucky enough to have been associated with the cottage community over the years should, instead, be quietly grateful for the decades of cheap, exclusive use of land they didn’t own.
John Hover
East Setauket
Brother, can you spare the MTA $15 billion
Port Jefferson Branch LIRR riders should be concerned that MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said he will take Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) at her word — when she promised to restore the $15 billion she cut from the transit agency’s $51 billion 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan due to her pause of congestion pricing — is wishful thinking on his part.
Hochul continues to not provide the financial source for her $15 billion. She has kicked the can down the road until the next state budget is adopted — nine months from now.
In 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and the state Legislature, instead of providing hard cash, gave the MTA congestion pricing. This was supposed to raise $15 billion toward the MTA 2020-2024 capital plan. Albany’s financial watchdog, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D), said nothing. With real cash, virtually all of these state-of-good-repair projects would have already been under way.
Hochul claims she can find additional state and federal funding to make up for the missing $15 billion in congestion pricing. The MTA will receive $1.8 billion in annual formula grants supplemented by competitive discretionary grant program allocations from the Federal Transit Administration in federal fiscal year 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024).
Other than these resources, there are no other FTA pots of gold to cover the missing $15 billion previously accounted for from congestion pricing.
Clearly Hochul and her staff, who advise her and ghost write her speeches, have little understanding of how Washington funding for the MTA works. When it comes to MTA financing, Hochul reminds me of the old cartoon character Wimpy. He was fond of saying, “I’ll gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger today” — or in this case $15 billion worth of MTA capital transportation projects tomorrow.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL
We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733
I’m tired, crabby, angry, annoyed, frustrated, disappointed, appalled and short tempered.
Sleep, as a feature in TBR News Media this week suggests, will cure some of that.
But I’m just so fed up with the nonstop negativity in the country. Half the country not only wants to win, but seems thrilled with the prospect that the other half will lose. The worse the losers feel, the happier they are.
We’ve become a society of stomping toddlers, eager to crush the careful creations and ideas of those we oppose under our feet. Cut it out! This isn’t helping.
Okay, let’s take a step back from politicians and discuss us, you know, John and Joan Q. Public.
We are generally sleep deprived, according to statistics and people who pinch themselves not out of sheer joy but out of the necessity of staying awake each day.
More than one out of two people in the cars next to us may not only be texting and/or talking on the phone, but is also likely struggling to stay awake. That’s not good for them or for us.
Think about it: when you go to a store for stuff, call a company to send someone to fix your air conditioners in overbearing heat, or need someone to provide a skill set that you don’t possess, you don’t ask a long list of questions to make sure they were on the winning political team or that they believe everything you believe or even that they got enough sleep the previous night.
But, wait, what if the help we need is part of the other political team or, even going outside the realm of politics, is a devoted fan of the Red Sox, believes in red herrings, or is a fan of the color red?
You might privately enjoy the victory of your team or your would-be political leader, but are you really eager for them — you know, the “others” who are a part of our lives — to be miserable?
Their misery could become your misery.
It might tickle you to watch them cry and to ponder the existential threat that the person you support won and the person they supported lost, but you still need them even if you have no use for their political leaders.
If they lose sleep and are worse at their jobs, you might have to wait longer in line, deal with an incorrect bill you have to keep fighting, or suffer through the consequences of getting a meal that contains an allergen you told the waitress you couldn’t eat.
Even if you feel a momentary satisfaction that people who are supporting the wrong candidateslost, you shouldn’t be too eager to push their head in the mud or to throw tomatoes at them. You might need those people and your tomatoes.
What happened to agreeing to disagree, to the art of compromise or even just to listening?
If whichever side loses feels like they still have a seat at the table, an ability to affect policies, an opportunity to help our children learn — is anyone on this campaign talking about education, ever? — and confidence that someone will listen to their ideas, the political and cultural temperature wouldn’t be so high and we the people would sleep and work better.
Yes, the extremes on each side can be absurd and frustrating, but even those people with the most ridiculous signs can be agreeable and helpful outside the context of political ideology.
So, just to recap, we might want to consider this great experiment in democracy as a team effort. We don’t always say and do the right things and we don’t always back the right horses, but, together, we can be greater than any one election or one would-be leader.
Unless we’re ready to live on a farm and eat our own food, educate our children, provide our own energy and entertainment and perform necessary surgeries on ourselves, we need each other. Once we remember that, we might have a better chance of sleeping well at night, which will make us better at our many roles, from parenting, to working, to contributing to our communities.
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