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From left, Jack Anderson, former deputy director for Operations, Rep. Nick LaLota and John Hill, deputy director for Science & Technology tour BNL facilities. Photo courtesy office of Rep. Nick LaLota
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Congressman LaLota, EIC Science Director and SBU professor Abhay Deshpande (middle), and Lab Director JoAnne Hewett (right) at the sPHENIX Detector. (Kevin Coughlin/Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Congressman LaLota and SRX Lead Beamline Scientist Andrew Kiss at the SRX Beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source II. (Kevin Coughlin/Brookhaven National Laboratory)
From left, Jack Anderson, former deputy director for Operations, Rep. Nick LaLota and John Hill, deputy director for Science & Technology tour BNL facilities. Photo courtesy office of Rep. Nick LaLota

By Daniel Dunaief

With support from state political leaders and the federal government, Brookhaven National Laboratory is continuing to move forward with its ambitious plans to build the Electron-Ion Collider.

Designed to study strong forces inside the atom, the EIC is set to receive $97.9 million from the federal government as a part of a budget that passed last month.

In addition, the Department of Energy Under Secretary for Science and Innovation approved Critical Decision 3A, which gives the project the formal approval to purchase long-lead procurements such as equipment, services, and materials.

“Passing this milestone and getting these procurements underway will help us achieve our ultimate goal of efficiently delivering a unique high-energy, high-luminosity polarized beam electron-ion collider that will be one of the most challenging and exciting accelerator complexes every built,” EIC Project Director Jim Yeck said in a statement.

Buying materials and equipment for the accelerator, detector, and infrastructure before construction will help the team that includes a partnership with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Virginia adjust for any supply chain issues and work out technical details and challenges.

The government approval will allow for the purchase of about $90 million in superconducting wires and materials for making magnets, cryogenic equipment for superconducting accelerator devices, substations, new power supply and other specialized parts.

The funding for these purchases will come, in part, from the Inflation Reduction Act money awarded to the EIC in 2022 to stimulate economic development and through annual appropriations funding from the DOE Office of Science.

Applications 

Scientists expect the work at the accelerator, which will include a first of its kind 2.4 mile circumference particle collider, to have applications in a wide range of fields, from nuclear physics, to medicine, to energy and national defense.

The work could also help with the study of simulated space radiation that could protect future astronauts. The completion of the EIC could dovetail with upcoming National Aeronautics and Space Administration efforts to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s.

The collider and the work that leads up to its construction, which is expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $2.8 billion and be completed in the next decade, will provide educational and workforce development opportunities to train experts in a range of fields.

Political support

In addition to government approval to purchase services and equipment from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, BNL also received funds earmarked for the EIC from the recent federal budget.

With bi-partisan support of politicians including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) and U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY1), the recent budget includes $97.9 million for the collider, $95 million of which will support construction and $2.9 million for other projected costs.

“We appreciate the continued support of Congressman LaLota, Senator Schumer and the entire New York delegation for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science and Brookhaven National Laboratory,” Lab Director JoAnne Hewett explained in an email. “These funds will support staff working on the EIC project design and developing a baseline schedule and funding profile, allowing us to better plan the future transition of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and its workforce to this new, world-class facility.”

In building the EIC, BNL staff will use infrastructure from RHIC. The majority of EIC accelerator components are designed to fit within the existing RHIC tunnel, and will reuse key infrastructure.

“It’s important that members of Congress use their positions to advocate for important projects and spending in their districts,” LaLota said in an interview. Though he’s a freshman Congressman who was elected in 2022, taking over the seat previously held by Lee Zeldin (R-NY1), LaLota appreciates the support Republican leadership provided during appropriations.

LaLota said procuring the funding “wasn’t easy” given the competitive nature of government spending.

LaLota, who plans to visit BNL every four or five months to receive updates, urges sustained federal government investment in the collider and infrastructure.

BNL provides a “vital role in high quality employment” for Long Islanders, he added.

Long Island will benefit from the EIC in the short term through construction jobs, infrastructure employment and the various applications of research on site to areas including military and commercial applications, the congressman added.

Through taxpayer funding, BNL helps ensure a “stronger military and economy,” LaLota said.

During his visits to the DOE lab, LaLota spoke with Hewett, whom he describes as a “steady hand” who serves as a “real conduit between the lab and Congress” advocating for the lab’s needs.

Solar cells

BNL conducts research in a range of fields, including Energy & Photon Sciences, Environment, Biology, Nuclear Science & Nonproliferation, Computational Sciences, Nuclear & Particle Science and Advanced Technology Research.

LaLota describes himself as an “all-of-the-above energy Republican,” who supports alternative resources, such as the ones BNL scientists are developing and enhancing.

Homeownership problem

Apart from BNL, LaLota addressed broader questions, including the challenge of homeownership for New York residents.

New York has the “dubious distinction of having the highest effective tax rate” when combining property, sales and income taxes, which has led to the highest out of state migration, LaLota said.

Without a better tax policy, New York will continue to hemorrhage people to places like the Carolinas and Florida, he predicted.

“Most of that starts in Albany,” LaLota said. “I would encourage my friends in Albany to figure that out and make life more affordable” by increasing state and local tax deductions.

As for the ability of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) to continue in a role some Republicans are prepared to challenge, LaLota suggested the speaker should play “every game like it’s his last.”

LaLota added that Johnson should “smartly move forward funding the government, as he has,” and “smartly move forward on funding of military aid overseas.”

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Port Jefferson fire chiefs accepting recognition of Mayor Lauren Sheprow at the March 27 village trustees board meeting. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

Village officials honored the service of the Port Jefferson Fire Department at the board of trustees meeting at Village Hall on March 27. 

Chief Soeren Lygum, first Assistant Chief Anthony Barton and third Assistant Chief Christian Neubert were present to accept special recognition on behalf of the fire department. 

“I thought it was an important time to recognize the fire department after the recent fire in the Port Jefferson village on Feb. 22 in which you preserved the health and safety of many people in the community by curtailing that blaze,” Mayor Lauren Sheprow said. 

“We’ve had a great working relationship with Mayor Sheprow,” Lygum said. “We’re constantly communicating with her when anything is happening in the village.” 

The mayor recounted numerous fire and rescue operations for the public, in which the fire department participated. 

Villagers were reminded they could become volunteer firefighters. “You can stop by, and we have applications readily available,” Lygum said. 

Dangerous roadways

Several residents spoke about long-standing problems with traffic accidents, dangerous intersections and a lack of walkable corridors into the village.

Janice Fleischman described the “multiple scary moments with cars” walking her dog on Old Post Road East near Laurel Drive. “It’s gotten worse because of debris and encroaching foliage,” she said. 

Fleischman cited data issued by Suffolk County between 2017 and 2021 demonstrating that the county had the highest number of people who died while walking, bicycling, riding a motorcycle or driving than any other county in New York State during the same period. 

“The suburbs were engineered for cars, not for people to walk,” she said. “Now we know that’s not good for our health.” She advocated for a network of sidewalks and to remediate dangerous intersections before “a terrible accident happens.” 

Lisa Jaeger reiterated Fleischman’s concerns about dangerous walking conditions on Old Post Road near Laurel Drive. 

“I can’t tell you how often I’ve almost hit people coming around that corner from Laurel Drive going down the hill toward Old Post Road. It’s very dangerous,” she said

Barbara Sabatino described perilous traffic conditions and numerous accidents near her home on East Broadway. She advocated for traffic-calming measures and enforcement. 

Trustee Rebecca Kassay responded to concerns by informing the public of a recent walkability study completed by the village. The next steps will include strategic discussions with the planning board and trustees, and seeking grant funding to address dangerous areas in the village’s most trafficked areas.

Municipal parking administrator position

Kevin Wood, an employee of the Village of Port Jefferson for the past seven years as the municipal parking administrator, gave an impassioned speech arguing against eliminating his position as part of the tentative 2024-25 fiscal budget.

“I won’t go into the complexity of our system but, suffice it to say, it is extremely complicated and busy. The village needs and deserves a dedicated parking administrator,” Wood said. 

He added, “Port Jefferson Village processes 250,000 transactions per eight-month season. No other village on Long Island even comes close to that. Parking brings in good revenue.” 

Wood highlighted some of his accomplishments in the past several years, including the revenue-generating digitally managed parking; the completion of the “first downtown parking lot in 50 years” — the Barnum parking lot, that is free for village employees; EV charges, merchant billing, pay-by-plate parking and lot security cameras. 

 “Parking is hugely complicated. It takes somebody to negotiate and bring what we’re up against to the board,” Wood said. 

Sabatino questioned the elimination of the parking administrator position. “The parking is so complex nowadays I can’t see eliminating the position without something else taking its place,” she said. 

Village attorney, David Moran, responded: “The board, when it decides to act, will act in this room publicly, and if it decides to go whatever way, we’ll fully lay out the plan in this room.”

The board of trustees will hold a work session Wednesday, April 10, at 5 p.m.

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Photos by Greg Catalano

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Veterans gather at the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University on March 29. Photos by Rich Acritelli

By Rich Acritelli

On March 29, 51 years after the last American troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam and the acknowledged prisoners of war were released by Hanoi, the war officially ended. 

The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University held a symbolic Remembrance Day for Vietnam War residents, family members and local veteran organizations. After a special invocation by Rabbi Joseph Topek and the presentation of the colors by Rocky Point VFW Post 6249, the packed audience remained on their feet for The Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Patriotism was personified by longtime Executive Director Fred Sganga who has cared for many veterans since 9/11 as he presented a hearty “Welcome Home.”

In 1975, two years after American troops pulled out, South Vietnam was finally defeated by the communist regime in North Vietnam. Today there are an estimated 610,000 living Vietnam War veterans who arrived home originally to open hostility toward their military efforts. This generation of veterans faced over 58,000 killed and there are over 1,500 missing in action from this war. 

On May 28, 2012, during a Memorial Day ceremony, President Barack Obama (D) mandated the National Vietnam War Veterans Day and in 2017 President Donald Trump (R) signed it into a federally recognized moment to fully honor Vietnam veterans. 

Many local Vietnam veterans were in attendance to help honor their comrades. 

Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) from the 4th Legislative District spoke about the military experiences of his family in numerous conflicts. As a chairman of the Suffolk County Veterans Committee, he identified the devotion of these local veterans who served in Vietnam and their generous efforts to support veterans’ causes. 

Since 9/11, groups like VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point and the Suffolk County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans have aided War on Terror veterans at home and overseas. They have organized Wounded Warrior golf outings, PTSD 5K runs, provided their posts for family military reunions, speaking at schools and have created patriotic memorials. 

As Suffolk contains the largest number of veterans in New York state and the second largest in the United States, their goal is to provide significant support toward our many local armed forces members.

A Marine Corps major who is a decorated Purple Heart recipient and a current reservist is 6th District county Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point). He echoed the feelings of Caracappa and fully recognized the sacrifices in South Vietnam. Lennon identified the shameful treatment of these veterans and said, “This generation of veterans, not only fought battles in Vietnam but also at home. They were spat on and discarded as less than other Americans. However, they took those experiences and made changes that allowed future generations to be properly welcomed home.”

A resident of Port Jefferson Station, and now Bayport, military advocate Richard Kitson spoke about the two wars that Vietnam veterans faced overseas and at home. After this Marine Corps mortarman returned home to Levittown, his younger brother John at 19 years old enlisted into the Marines and was killed in action in South Vietnam. 

Understanding the early national, local and family heartache that is still felt by many of these veterans, Kitson spoke about the Vietnam veterans who served 240 days in the field, one out of 10 were casualties, and 97% received honorable discharges. He told an astonished crowd that many of these veterans who were from low-income families earned high school and college diplomas. 

Kitson described these southeastern Asia veterans as trailblazers who have fought for the expanded rights of veterans. From his earliest adult years, Kitson has always helped other veterans, spearheaded the Vietnam War memorial at Bald Hill, is a senior figure at Northport VA Medical Center and continues to help those men and women who have become afflicted with Agent Orange. 

Speaking on behalf of VFW Post 6249, “Lieutenant” Dan Guida was an armor commander during the heavy fighting in Vietnam. A daily volunteer at this veteran’s home, Guida addressed his “comrades” about the hardships that Americans absorbed against the enemy and at home. Like most of the veterans in this program, Guida observed that only family members and friends understood the early challenges of Vietnam veterans. Armed with a big smile, Guida constantly supports this facility with an unyielding friendship to care for residents with PTSD. Directly after Guida spoke, all the residents had their names called out, where they received applause and praise for their time in Vietnam.

On March 22, Guida helped Cmdr. Joe Cognitore of VFW Post 6249 create the first-ever veterans affairs workshop. 

Agencies from all over Long Island spoke to veterans about key services and programs that are provided to them and their families. A Vietnam veteran and a platoon sergeant who fought in Cambodia in 1970, Cognitore has been one of the most vocal local, state and veterans advocates over the last several decades. Since the First Gulf War, Cognitore has been a vital pillar of support and a source of information to help aid veterans of all ages. 

At the end of this ceremony, VFW Post 6249 retired the colors at this endearing program to “Welcome Home” our Vietnam veterans some 51 years after the last Americans pulled out of South Vietnam.

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Port Jefferson Station/Terryville civic association with Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Samantha Rutt

At the March 26 Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association meeting, civic members elected a new civic board and engaged directly with elected officials from the Town of Brookhaven, namely Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). 

As a result of the election, Ira Costell and Carolyn Sagliocca will remain in their roles as president and vice president, respectively. Sheila Granito will serve as the temporary recording secretary, Lou Antoniello as treasurer and Jerry Maxim as corresponding secretary.

Following the election, the floor was opened up between the civic association and elected officials. Costell led the discussion dealing with issues the civic has addressed in recent meetings.

Community beautification projects and Sheep Pasture Road bridge

One of the key topics discussed was community beautification projects, with residents expressing interest in initiatives aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Port Jefferson Station and Terryville. From antique lighting additions to increased landscaping efforts and an addition of a community park, there was a seemingly shared enthusiasm for projects that would foster a sense of pride and belonging within the community.

Another key mention was that of the dilapidated Sheep Pasture Road bridge. Panico assured the civic that the highway superintendent would be tasked with the bridge construction. 

“The highway superintendent is going to be working on that project almost exclusively in the design, and is supposed to be moving forward in design to take away some of the angles and make it easier for vehicles like buses and oil trucks to traverse the bridge in a manner without starting at the nearly 90 degree angles,” he said.

“That’s the information we have on that bridge … it is over 100 years old. Everyone knows it needs to be replaced, the weight limit was taken down from 5 tons to 3 tons. Hopefully soon you’ll invite the highway superintendent to come here so he can show you the design,” Panico assured.

Following mention of the decaying bridge, Costell brought up the proposed train car park as well as the Kunz property — two locations of community interest. About the Kunz property, formerly a greenhouse business, the supervisor assured the community that the town has an appraisal out for the property.

“Our town attorney has that property out for appraisal. We hope to get back an appraisal that is fair and we hope to acquire that property for the community,” Panico said.

In addition, to efforts to beautify the community, Sagliocca has contacted the town Highway Department regarding the posting of illegal signage and banners along the roadways with a goal to eliminate some of the roadside distraction the signs create.

“We’ve made a priority of getting out there because we’ve been aggressively cracking down on illegal housing and things of that nature to have those same individuals out serving tickets, and serving summonses,” Panico said on the issue.

“We just hired another individual who’s going to be helping along the same lines to clean up the signs along the roadway. All those signs of litter, whether they be feathered flags or Coroplast signs, we just unilaterally, we sweep them up, we take them and the ones that can be recycled, get recycled, the other ones just go in the trash,” Panico added. 

Zoning and development

Proposed developments were also a focal point of discussion, with residents eager to learn more about upcoming projects and their potential impact on the local landscape. 

Concerns were raised regarding issues such as traffic congestion, environmental sustainability and preserving the character of the neighborhood. Kornreich offered insights into the development process and assured residents that their input would be taken into consideration during decision-making.

“Nothing formal has happened yet. There was a public hearing that I and most of you were at, and I think that I’m representing the community correctly by saying we’re not opposed to the project, we think that the area is in need of some redevelopment, but the scale of it is more than what we want,” Kornreich said about the proposed Staller development.

Ultimately, those in attendance were looking for open communication between the developers and the community to best incorporate an accepted plan for the space going forward.

“I think one of the concerns we had in the public hearing was that a decision not be made before some site plan — that might be acceptable to the community — was an issue that we could talk about,” Costell said.

Panico explained further that the site plan still needs to be approved by the Planning Board, now the regular Town Board, which will allow for more direct representation from elected representatives and will create a space for the community to meet before the Town Board as well. 

“This entire community will be back, either here or before the Town Board for ultimately the site plan. They [the developers] still have to go through the entire site buying process before the Town Board, which is different than an appointed Planning Board. So you have more direct representation from your elected representatives,” Panico explained. 

The next civic meeting will be held on April 16.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

A new Easter tradition

Thank you, Arts & Lifestyles Editor Heidi Sutton, for sharing the wonderful recipe for Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole (TBR News Media, “Let’s Eat,” Feb. 22). Every year for decades we have had ham, turkey or lamb for Easter. This year we decided to try something new. The Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole was the centerpiece of our first Easter brunch and it was fabulous. The recipe was easy to follow and the flavor was amazing. We have a new tradition!

 Joan Dickinson

Lake Grove

Clarifying on climate, renewables and electric vehicles

In a letter appearing in the March 28 editions of TBR News Media, Mark Sertoff makes a number of highly dubious assertions.

To begin with he claims “there is no climate crisis” and that “thousands of scientists around the world concur.” Sounds impressive, but really it isn’t. There are well over 8 million scientists worldwide. In addition, scientists are not equal climate experts. What a geologist, astronomer or nuclear physicist thinks about global warming has little more weight than what you or I think. What does matter is what actively publishing climate scientists think. The answer is that close to 100 percent agree that human-caused global warming is occurring.

He claims Germany is backing off renewables because of “massive problems in reliability and cost.” This is simply untrue. On Jan. 3, Reuters reported that Germany’s power grid reached 55% renewable power last year, a rise of 6.6%. It’s aiming for 80% by 2030.

He’s worried about birds killed by wind turbines, as well as whales. I share his concern, but the fact is that by far the biggest human-related cause of bird mortality is collisions with buildings (Flaco the Owl being a recent sad example). As far as whales, entanglements in fishing gear and strikes by large ships are the leading human-related causes of whale deaths. And there’s no observational evidence linking whale deaths to offshore wind turbines, either in construction or operation. 

Getting to the subject of electric buses he plays on fear. The fear of getting stuck in cold weather. The fear of explosions. Kings Park school district is currently purchasing propane-fueled buses. Propane can explode if not handled properly. As for diesel, studies have linked breathing diesel fumes to harmful effects on student respiratory and brain health, also decreased performance at school. And the range of electric school buses is more than adequate for our suburban Long Island districts, even in the dead of winter.

As far as the depreciation of electric vs. standard vehicles, the claim that “you can’t give away a used EV” is misleading, to say the least. The reason for higher depreciation is currently EVs cost more than standard vehicles to begin with. That’s likely to change in the near future. He omits to mention that electric school buses are significantly cheaper to operate.

It’s perfectly valid to disagree on the pace of transforming school bus fleets to electric. What’s not valid is climate change denialism and spreading misinformation about renewables.

David Friedman

St. James

The U.S. government needs to better protect its citizens

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently finalized the Comprehensive Asbestos Reporting Rule, and we must ask the question: Why has it taken so long? We know there are hundreds of toxic chemicals that lead to disease in this country, yet why is the U.S. one of the last to protect its own citizens? 

Asbestos has been a known carcinogen for decades, causing over 40,000 deaths in the U.S. every year, and now our government is finally banning it. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the federal government passed legislation to update the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. However, why did it take 40 years to update a bill on toxic substances? 

Twenty-two years ago, after my grandmother died from breast cancer, I founded the Community Health and Environment Coalition to address the high rate of cancer in the area. I wanted to know why it was happening and how to prevent it. Community members, elected officials and health professionals challenged the NYS Department of Health to do more. The Health Department did this by launching an investigation that left us with more questions than answers. During the investigation, most residents expressed concerns about our environment, particularly our water. Today we have identified toxic chemicals in our water including PFAS “forever chemicals” and 1,4-dioxane. 

Decades of illegal dumping, military and industrial use of toxic chemicals dumped in the ground and now-banned pesticides have contributed to our long toxic chemical legacy. We are finally seeing some progress after years of grassroots environmental advocacy and government policy proactively holding those responsible, but more must be done. 

As the chemical industry continues to exert power over the government, we must understand that cheap utilitarian toxic chemicals may seem helpful at first, but the long-term health effects may negate any cost savings and may put our lives at risk.

It’s been over 20 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed thousands of people. Since then, many first responders have suffered delayed symptoms and continue to lose their lives due to exposure to toxic chemicals. Now that we better understand the long-term health effects of toxic exposure, we must hold those responsible and insist that they do more to protect lives.

Sarah Anker 

Sarah Anker (D) is a former Suffolk County legislator and is running for New York State Senate in District 1.

Northville is potentially a local treasure

Monday evening, March 25, I attended a gathering. 

It was not intended to be a gathering. It was intended to be a hearing, and the hearing was about Northville Industries proposal to put either warehouses (plan A) or apartments (plan B) on its Belle Mead Road property. 

Only local residents were notified of this “hearing” but apparently these residents felt strongly enough to enlist friends and relatives from Northern Brookhaven to attend. The “hearing” was so well attended that it had to be postponed and relocated.

Let me state that both options are terrible choices. Plan A comes with immense truck traffic, while plan B comes with dense-pack zoning and IDA funding. 

What is IDA funding you might ask? That’s when the town gives away taxpayer money to subsidize private development. This means incredibly low taxes for the developer for up to 15 years and then a gradual increase thereafter. All the services that you and I receive for our taxes will be rendered, but at your and my expense. 

But here’s the thing. The Northville property is potentially a local treasure — this is not hyperbole. The future of transportation, including railroad, and electrical generation is with hydrogen.

We cannot go green enough without it. Foreign countries are building hydrogen trains and are putting them on the rails. Hydrogen is a solution to our truly poor-quality railroad transportation. The European market is investing $5 billion in a Swedish steel plant. The electricity for the plant will come from hydrogen.

But where do you store the hydrogen?

Well, the pipeline rights-of-way are already in place for Northville. This can be done safely and it can be an enormous boon to our Brookhaven Town, Suffolk County and even New York State economies (Alstom, a subsidiary of GE, manufactures hydrogen trains in Plattsburgh). The alternative is that we purchase trains in America from foreign countries.

The vacant and underused parts of the Northville property must be protected for future use to meet New York’s climate standards.

Please come to the new hearing and tell your representatives that both plan A and plan B are unacceptable. 

Bruce Miller

Port Jefferson

Embracing 3V schools reconfiguration

The Three Village Central School District has finally made the decision to move into the 21st century and reconfigure our schools to a middle school model. This is a move that is decades overdue and was overwhelmingly supported by students, staff and the community at large.

An Opinion piece published in the March 14 edition [“Preserving what works in 3V school district”] is a direct contradiction to all that this long-awaited, and very necessary, reconfiguration represents. Anthony Dattero, a district guidance counselor and author of this piece, has stated his dissent regarding this move citing the “history” and “uniqueness” of the district. To that I must say that there is a stark difference between one of a kind and one left behind. 

As a dual certified teacher, licensed social worker and former guidance counselor, I simply cannot fathom why the benefits of this monumental change are not obvious to everyone who is committed to the growth and success of all of our students. And as a Ward Melville alumni and parent of a Three Village student I am thrilled for the students that will bask in the new opportunities that the reconfiguration will offer.  

Sixth graders will now have access to the study of a foreign language as well as an array of academics that peers in every other district in New York — except for one —- have. Ninth graders will finally, finally be housed in a high school as high schoolers. No longer will they be subjected to bus rides for upper-level courses and JV athletics. 

Gone will be the limited elective choices in art, music, technology, etc., as well as sacrificing these opportunities due to scheduling conflicts. This reconfiguration is akin to hitting the refresh button on a page long left with the cursor blinking.  

In Dattero’s Opinion piece and his many public comments at Board of Education meetings, he has claimed that the district did not do its due diligence and that the 100-or-so people that he has spoken to are now questioning the changes that are indeed coming. He doesn’t understand why the district is in such a hurry to reconfigure something that “isn’t broken.”

I counter his position with my own experiences speaking to those in Three Village and several other districts. Fellow 3V members are excited for their children’s new opportunities and cannot believe it has taken so long. Those outside of our community are stunned that our antiquated system still exists as no other ninth graders on Long Island are considered “junior high school” students. If we are hurrying this through, then it’s the quickest two-decade race I have ever observed at a sloth-like pace.

I am not always a fan of the decisions in this district, just ask Superintendent Kevin Scanlon, but my family has been a part of Three Village my whole life. My mother spent nearly three decades teaching at Ward Melville, my sister and I are graduates, and my daughter will be too. I have seen this place ebb and flow through good and bad, and we have been calling for this change for way too long. The community has spoken, and the time has finally arrived. Middle school here we come!

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

Setbacks and uncertainty for Port Jeff LIRR electrification

There is even more bad news for those who support the $3.5 billion MTA Port Jefferson Branch Long Island Rail Road electrification project. 

It is clear that the MTA for decades has never been serious about supporting this project. The project was not included in the March 11 announcement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg [D] concerning President Joe Biden’s [D] FY25 budget request under the Annual Report on Funding Recommendations Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Investment Grants New Starts Core Capacity Program and Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program for the Federal Transit Administration. This would have been the federal funding source to finance these projects.  

To date, neither MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, NYC Transit President Richard Davey, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, have never been on board for electrification of the Port Jefferson Branch line. You will know within nine months if the MTA is serious about advancing this project. Funding would have to be included in the next MTA $51 billion or more 2025-2029 Five Year Capital Plan. It has to be adopted by Jan. 1, 2025.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

 

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Change is not just a distant possibility, it’s a force shaping the way we live, work and connect with one another today. 

From artificial intelligence and machine learning to environmental and clean energy initiatives, the landscape of technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, presenting us with both challenges and opportunities. 

In recent news we have seen the incorporation of AI in the classroom, workforce and in industry. We have seen integration of technology on a local level as in the case of the CBORD Patient app for meal ordering at Stony Brook University Hospital. We even see technology connecting one another in civics and other community gatherings with the use of platforms such as Zoom. We have the opportunity to chat in the many community-run online forums accessed via Facebook and other platforms.

We have seen proposals for clean energy initiatives such as the Sunrise Wind project or the governor’s proposal for electric school buses. We have also seen investments and grants given to institutions such as Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University to help further innovation and creation. 

While some may view these changes with apprehension or skepticism, we must recognize that the march of progress is unavoidable. Rather than resisting the tide of innovation, let us embrace it as a means to propel our community forward into a brighter, more prosperous future.

One of the most promising aspects of integrating emerging technologies into our community is the potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across various sectors. Whether it’s optimizing transportation systems through the use of predictive analytics or improving access to health care services through telemedicine and patient assistive applications, technology has the power to revolutionize the way we deliver essential services and meet the needs of our residents.

Moreover, the integration of emerging technologies can foster economic growth and innovation, attracting new businesses, entrepreneurs and investment opportunities to our community. 

However, as we embark on this journey of technological integration, it’s essential that we do so with careful consideration for the ethical, social and environmental implications of our actions. 

As we embrace emerging technologies, let us not lose sight of the importance of human connection and community cohesion. While technology has the power to connect us in unprecedented ways, it can never replace the warmth of a face-to-face conversation or the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a close-knit community. 

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Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright with his dog, Buster.

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright’s office seeks donations for Long Island Cares’ Baxter’s Pet Pantry

Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) is participating in the 13th Annual Legislative Pet Food Drive Challenge to collect pet food for clients of Long Island Cares, Inc.—The Harry Chapin Food Bank

In 2009, Long Island Cares established Baxter’s Pet Pantry to assist families who might be having difficulty feeding their pets and to avoid placing those family pets in a shelter due to these challenges.

The drive is for all pet food, including for reptiles, fish, ferrets, hamsters, and others. The pet pantry always needs five-to ten-pound bags of dog and cat food, but larger bags are also accepted, as well as canned dog and cat food, cat litter, treats, and new toys.

“Since my dog Buster entered my life, he never fails to bring a smile to my face,” Englebright said. “I hope my constituents will join me and my colleagues in collecting pet food and essentials for those who need help providing for and keeping their pets.”

All pet food must be unopened and in its original packaging. No opened bags, ripped bags or loose pet food will be accepted.

Donations may be brought to Legislator Englebright’s district office at 306 Main Street, Port Jefferson. Drop off deadline is Friday, May 24. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information, please call the office at 631-854-1650. 

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METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

We have learned to be impatient. Combining our instant gratification experiences with the information, access and communication at our fingertips, we have less tolerance to wait for anything.

When we find out we’ll have to stand in line for a meal for more than half an hour, we dive into our phones, searching for other nearby restaurants where we can eat within 10 minutes or less.

When we wait on the phone for customer service, we shake our heads, bite our lips, roll our eyes and sigh repeatedly while waiting for someone who encourages us to try the app or to use the automated system next time.

We want life to be at least as good if not better today than yesterday and we want that now. It’s a tough time to have to demonstrate patience and to show that we understand that life involves processes.

When we recover from an injury, we want to look at the damaged part of our bodies and, like Superman, somehow fix it by glaring at it or willing the cells involved in the process to work faster and to allow us to run on a stress fracture in our foot or to self-heal a torn rotator cuff so we can go back out and play tennis or softball again.

It’s tough to celebrate or appreciate small victories because we know where the finish line of our recovery is, where the endpoint of our request is and whatever we want immediately.

Perhaps we need to recalibrate our expectations to understand and appreciate what small wins look like. While we know what we’d like with the end result, we can see small improvements as a way to enjoy the moment and to understand and appreciate how we’re on the right track.

In recovering from my stress fracture, I have been impossibly impatient, staring at the treadmill the way I used to long for an ice cream sundae with hot caramel and chocolate sprinkles.

The treadmill, where I overdid my exercise routine and created the stress fracture, had been a source of relief.

Several times over the last few weeks, I was tempted to see if I could restart my running, only to decide, reluctantly, that I would be jeopardizing my longer term recovery.

Instead, I limited my walking and have appreciated how much better my foot feels when I maneuver around the house. The recovery isn’t complete, but the improvement, which seemed imperceptible at first, is now noticeable.

Recently, on a short walk with my dog, I spoke with a friend whose mother was celebrating a milestone birthday. Paul was frustrated with the lower quality of life that his mother is enduring, as she struggles with her memory and doesn’t enjoy many of the same things, like food and family, that used to bring her pleasure.

Paul wondered at the regular frustration he felt at the incremental losses he, his mother and their family felt each day.

While both my brothers are doctors, as was my father, I have no medical training, which makes it impossible for me to offer an informed opinion on the cognitive and physical processes that occur at the end of people’s lives.

That didn’t stop me from suggesting ways to find small wins each day, which may depend on the mental state of his mother.

At some point, those wins, whether they involve a memory of something meaningful to his mother, a card game that reaches completion, or a song she enjoys hearing can become the focus of a visit, rather than the parts she and they lose, can become the new yardstick for a win.

Impatience for something better immediately is a luxury, as are so many other aspects of life, we take for granted.

When the light turns green, we want to make the light so we can reach our destination. At the same time, a red light can give us a few extra seconds to look at the spring flowers blooming around someone’s house, to hear children shouting with delight as they pile into a car on the way to their youth soccer game, or to extend a conversation that might otherwise end when we step out of the car.

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The cover of the first issue of The Village Times in 1976 by Pat Windrow

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

On Monday. April 8th, there will be two miracles: the eclipse of the sun in North America and the 48th birthday of The Village Times, the flagship paper of TBR News Media. While not in the same category, one being macro and the other micro, they are both remarkable in their own way. 

If someone had told me I would be sitting here, writing this column on my computer 48 years after we had sent that first issue to bed, I would have been both stunned and yet not surprised. When we started, I never thought we would fail. Such is the necessary optimism of the entrepreneur. By the same token, where have all those years gone? They can be recaptured in 2,496 issues since so far; we never missed a week.

As for the total solar eclipse, this is the second time in seven years that the moon’s pathway will come between us and the sun, totally blocking out the light on the Earth beneath for as much as four minutes, depending on location. It will take 70 to 80 minutes for the eclipse to become total and the same amount of the time for the moon then to recede from the face of the sun. The route of darkness will begin on the west coast of Mexico and move northeast diagonally to exit off the east coast of Canada.

One way for us to think about all those intervening years since 1976 is by remembering how old our children were and what they were doing then. My sons recall our having a table at the July 4th Bicentennial celebration sponsored by the Three Village Historical Society at which we gave out copies of the three-month old newspaper. It was a great setting at which to introduce ourselves, and we produced a special section for the event. My sons were 10, 8 and almost 7 at the time, and I’m sure I had them moving through the crowd offering newspapers.

My husband, who was an accomplished photographer, had taken the pictures of costumed patriots for the supplement, so the occasion was, for us, a family affair in addition to an historic one.

You might ask how the moon, which is 400 times smaller than the sun, could obscure that solar surface. The answer is that the moon is about 400 times closer to us, and so when the moon is in the right spot, they seem the same size. And when the Earth gets between the moon and the sun, which happens a couple of times a year, we have a lunar eclipse, an occurrence less spectacular than a solar eclipse.

You might also ask how a newspaper started by a handful of housewives and 10 minor investors could possibly compete with established weeklies that had deep-pocketed owners and long histories of publishing. That, truly, was something of a miracle. 

Our editorial staff was made up of smart mothers who felt captive in their kitchens and were looking for some sort of additional role in the community. They were willing to accept $5 for an assignment that they would then load their children into the station wagon and go cover, writing up the article after their children were asleep in the evening or their husbands came home to help with the family duties. 

And that was after we were able to pay them the fee. Now they were “professionals.” For the first couple of years, we couldn’t pay them anything. Without too much hubris, I want to salute their intelligence and dedication to starting something we felt was of value and would serve our community and ultimately our democracy. 

A prominent message of the Bicentennial was the need for accurate information in order for people to govern wisely themselves. That is why the first amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press and the national treasury partially subsidizes newspapers with discounted postage rates to this day.

We at TBR News Media continue to consider it a privilege to serve you by casting light on current issues. 

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