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Port Times Record

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By Jonathan Sharp

The long history of the U.S. military’s heavy reliance on asbestos — a naturally occurring mineral — has unfortunately left a lasting effect on the health of veterans, especially those in New York. Although the use of this material in the military setting has already been discontinued, former service members still deal with the severe and often delayed impacts of exposure, including mesothelioma — a rare yet aggressive form of cancer. The problem, however, is not just the diagnosis of this lethal disease but the failure to respond to it promptly because of the frequent misdiagnosis. A national mesothelioma registry could address this issue as this targeted data-driven approach would track and screen at-risk veterans to make sure those affected receive accurate diagnoses and immediate care.

Detrimental impact of mesothelioma on veterans

Mesothelioma is a cancer attacking the protective covering of the lungs, abdomen or heart. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos — a natural mineral once extensively utilized in construction, shipbuilding and military equipment because of its heat and chemical resistance. Even though most use of this mineral was banned since July 1989, it remains a persistent threat to veterans working in contaminated environments.

New York is one of the many states severely affected by this issue. A map by the Asbestos Nation shows that between 1999 and 2017, the state logged 15,205 asbestos-related deaths, of which 2,830 were mesothelioma cases. Suffolk County, in particular, reported 1,386 fatalities. And while mesothelioma poses hazards to anyone exposed, veterans remain among the most vulnerable populations.

True to this, the Purple Heart Foundation revealed that 30% of the nearly 3,000 Americans diagnosed with this disease yearly are former service members. Such a danger is mainly attributed to the extensive use of asbestos on military bases like Suffolk County Air Force Base and Francis S. Gabreski Airport. Such a crisis calls for continued attention and support for those directly impacted.

Cost of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment

Among the most critical concerns in addressing mesothelioma in veterans is the high rate of misdiagnosis. Recent statistics posted by Mesothelioma Guide indicate that 80.8% of stage 1 cases were inaccurate, while 69.5% of stage 2 diagnoses were wrong. Similarly, 35.4% of stage 3 patients and 12.8% of those at stage 4 also received erroneous findings. These missteps often lead to delayed treatments, which can significantly reduce the chances of patients’ survival.

One primary reason for these misdiagnoses is the slow development of mesothelioma. Often, its symptoms — such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, fever and unintentional weight loss — do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage, which makes treatment and recovery both challenging. In addition, the delay in recording new mesothelioma cases, which may take up to two years per the Federal Register, contributes to the problem. Such a reality calls for a systemic approach aiming for early detection and better patient outcomes.

Systemic approach to combat misdiagnosis

A national mesothelioma registry could be the key to reversing the trends of misdiagnosis — being a centralized database that allows health care providers to monitor susceptible individuals and invite them for screenings for early diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense already have the structure to materialize this initiative as they already maintain registries for diseases linked to burn pits and Agent Orange. What they need now is to collaborate with vital stakeholders to get additional expertise and insights that could help the federal government integrate a national mesothelioma registry into the existing health care system. Such an endeavor would likewise be beneficial to researchers intending to track disease progression to lower the misdiagnosis rate and develop more effective treatments.

The impact of mesothelioma on veterans is a long-standing concern that has yet to be fully addressed. A national mesothelioma registry could nevertheless tackle this health crisis proactively — seeing to it that those who served our country are correctly diagnosed and benefit from timely care.

Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a firm in Birmingham, AL, assisting victims with environmental toxic exposure cases.

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David Ansel, vice president for the Center for Water Protection, presenting the report’s results at a press conference on May 20. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

On May 20, Save the Sound, an environmental organization that analyzes the water quality of the Long Island Sound, compiled data revealing updated scores of beaches along Long Island’s coastline. The biennial report focuses on beach water quality, bacteria levels and swimming safety. 

The report was launched at a conference at Centerport Beach, with Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth (R) and Cornell Cooperative representatives present as Save the Sound Vice President of the Center for Water Protection David Ansel presented the grades, challenges and solutions for the Long Island Sound water quality. 

Using data collected by the departments of health that conduct the beach monitoring,  the beach report department of health, the beach report revealed an increase in wet weather that led to a decline in water quality. Consistently, samples collected within 48 hours of a quarter-inch or more of rainfall revealed diminished water quality. Indeed, there was an overall increase in samples that failed to meet state standards for bacteria concentration (including beaches in Connecticut). 

The grades, ranging from an F to an A+, are determined based on the presence of enterococcus bacteria. Swimmers can become sick if they swim in waters with unsafe concentrations of this fecal indicator bacteria. A failing sample contains 104 colony forming units per 100 ml. 

New York City and other areas surrounding the part of the Long Island Sound known as “the narrows” continue to receive low grades as the water is less often flushed out as opposed to beaches in eastern Suffolk County. 

Samples taken after precipitation contained higher levels of the bacteria suggest that pollutants are getting washed into the water. Ansel said “green infrastructure” can help. Paved areas do not allow for storm water absorption, instead leading runoff, and all the pollutants like oil and debris it picks up on the way, to run straight to the water. 

“We have seen high incidents of wet weather in the last number of years and we believe it is having a negative effect on the scores for the beaches. In our last beach report 78% of the beaches received As and Bs. In this year’s report 72% of the beaches are receiving As and Bs,” Ansel said, adding that we are coming off the wettest two-year stretch with 44 inches of rain. 

Animal waste is a big contributor to the presence of the bacteria in the water. Cleaning garbage, maintaining sewers and planting native plants can help minimize fecal-bacteria contamination. 

Ansel is active in advocating for solutions that would improve the Sound. The same day of the conference, he traveled to Albany to testify that more data is needed regarding algal blooms in saline water. 

“We are hopeful that there will be a conversion of Rikers Island to a water treatment facility that would have a materially positive impact on the Western Narrows of New York City and New York Sound.”

Smyth said the town began harvesting sugar kelp in 2022 and implemented a program for spawning oysters, which help filter the water. Huntington even supplies other municipalities with oysters shell stock to grow. 

“The sugar kelp is native to Long Island and requires little to no effort to grow in Long Island’s bays and harbors. The benefit is it improves water quality by removing harmful nitrogen which causes algae blooms,” Smyth said. 

Deputy Supervisor John McCarron said they harvest the kelp and grind it to a powder, which is then used as fertilizer. 

Although the town has only been harvesting sugar kelp for three years, McCarron said he has noticed  positive growth with marine wildlife diversity, with various species of fish dwelling by the kelp. The presence of wildlife seemed like a good sign. “This means it is doing something to clean up the area,” he said. 

High scoring beaches include Port Jefferson beach and Cedar Beach West, which had an A- and A+ respectively. 

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Photo courtesy SCPD

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina are warning residents of a new scam that has targeted multiple residents.

During these incidents, the victims were contacted by an individual claiming to be a bank representative who convinced them their bank account was compromised. Each victim was convinced to physically turn over their bank card and pin, which were later used to withdraw money from ATMs.

It is important to keep the following tips in mind in an effort for you to protect yourself and your bank account.

— Don’t answer unknown calls.

— Scammers can spoof a number to make it look like a legitimate company is calling. If they start asking for money or making demands, hang up and call the company directly.

— No one from a company is traveling to your home to pick up a bank card. If someone claims your bank accounts have been compromised, hang up and call the number on the back of the card.

— Do not provide personal information, wire money or send gift cards.

Please share this information with friends and family to help others avoid becoming a victim!

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This Memorial Day the staff at TBR News Media remembers and pays tribute to our brave fallen heroes. The office is closed today but will reopen tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Interesting facts related to Memorial Day:

Memorial Day is celebrated annually on the last Monday of May across the United States. The proximity of Memorial Day to the summer solstice has led many to view the weekend preceding the holiday as the unofficial kickoff to summer. However, Memorial Day is about more than backyard barbecues and weekend getaways. Memorial Day honors service members who died while serving in the United States military.

Though Memorial Day traces its origins to the years following the American Civil War in the mid-nineteenth century, it did not become an official federal holiday until 1971. That’s one of just many interesting facts about Memorial Day that are worth noting as the United States prepares to commemorate the sacrifices of military personnel who died in service of the country.

• Memorial Day began as something of a grass roots movement. According to History.com, by the late 1860s individuals in towns across the war-ravaged United States began holding springtime tributes to soldiers who lost their lives during the American Civil War.

• Among the more notable postwar commemorations was one organized by former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. That commemoration occurred less than a month after the Confederate forces surrendered in 1865. Despite that, History.com notes that in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of Memorial Day.

• Postwar commemorations also were organized by northern veterans of the Civil War. General John A. Logan, who led an organization of Union veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance in May 1868. General Logan referred to the holiday as Declaration Day and chose May 30 because it was not the anniversary of any specific battle and therefore unlikely to be viewed by some as controversial.

• Early commemorations of Decoration Day, which gradually came to be known as Memorial Day, initially honored only those soldiers who died during the American Civil War. However, that changed over time as American servicemen fought in various wars, including both World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and other conflicts.

• The red poppy has become a symbol of Memorial Day. That red poppy can be traced to a poem by Canadian John McCrae, who served as a Lieutenant Colonel in World War I. “In Flanders Field” notes the red poppies that grew in fields where countless soldiers had been buried in modern-day Belgium. The poem was published in 1915, three years before the war ended. Sadly, McCrae himself was a casualty of the war, succumbing to pneumonia in France in 1918 while still in the service.

Memorial Day honors service personnel who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday’s inspiration and lengthy history merits consideration as the nation prepares to commemorate countless soldiers’ sacrifices once more.

 

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Left to right: Athletic Director Adam Sherrard, ninth graders Sam Fabian and Leana Tisham and Coach Andrew Cosci. Photo courtesy Adam Sherrard

By Daniel Dunaief

Starting this fall, students at Port Jefferson’s Earl L. Vandermeulen High School will have a chance to take a gym class that focuses on weight lifting and nutrition, rather than on the traditional sports included in a physical education class.

Andrew Cosci weight training with a student. Photo courtesy Adam Sherrard

Designed to give students an opportunity to learn more about the foods they put in their bodies and about the kinds of weight training that they might otherwise do in an outside gym, the school is providing two such classes in the fall and two in the spring. At the same time, Vandermeulen High School is providing 16 more typical gym classes.

“We had a conversation about doing something different other than the options” in a typical gym class, Athletic Director Adam Sherrard, said in an interview.

Andrew Cosci, track and field coach and physical education teacher who will lead these courses, had “expressed the importance of having a program like this,” Sherrard added.

Students can take this new class instead of the typical gym class, or as an elective in addition to the required course.

Indeed, ninth grader Sam Fabian, who plays lacrosse and football and is a wrestler, plans to take both classes this fall.

Fabian believes the additional course will help him improve his diet and strength, which he hopes will make him a better athlete.

“I eat a lot of food I probably shouldn’t,” said Fabian. “I’m trying to crack down on that and become the best athlete I can be.”

The nutrition and weightlifting course immediately piqued his interest.

A fellow ninth grader at the high school, Leana Tisham also plans to take the new gym class.

Tisham also hopes to commit to eating the right foods, including more organic foods and would like to use the weight training for body sculpting.

Starts with food

Cosci suggested that most student athletes don’t realize the importance of food to their performance and overall health.

“The nutrition aspect is the most important” and often the most overlooked, Cosci added.

He’s planning to discuss food and a work out plan for students that meet their needs.

In lifting weights, it’s important to “have a plan. You can’t just go into a situation and wing it. It doesn’t work that way. You won’t achieve your goal.”

Cosci plans to evaluate the students the same way he would in a more typical physical education class, by assessing their behavior, participation and effort.

The students will need to bring a journal or notebook to class, the way they would for other courses.

“They’re going to get out of it what they put into it,” Cosci said.

Cosci also plans to review fitness apps and will help students find the ones that are the best for them.

“Some are good, others are junk,” Cosci said.

Breaking the gym resolution cycle

Cosci hopes that the participants in these classes learn how to dedicate themselves to a healthy lifestyle that combines an awareness and plan for the foods they eat with weight lifting training and goals.

He hopes the students are able to avoid the typical pattern that adults have when they start out a new year with high hopes at a health club.

“January is peak time at the gym every year,” Cosci said. By February, many residents have stopped going to the gym.

He would like to help students develop a plan and figure out ways to be successful. At some point, Cosci would like to bring in some guest lecturers and experts in their fields.

While they are in high school, students have time between the end of the school day and the start of extracurricular activities, to work out at the school gym.

Sherrard added that the course will give the high school students the chance the tools to set their own goals.

At this point, these new gym classes are specific to the high school, in part because middle school students don’t have the ability to choose electives.

Participants in the new gym class will have the opportunity to present their plans to the class as a whole.

“They’re going to teach each other” which will demonstrate their understanding of the new approach, Cosci said.

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Legislator Steve Englebright, right, presents a check to Port Jefferson Historical Society Board members, from left to right, Joan Townley, Laura Warren and Nick Acampora. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) recently presented checks to representatives from various cultural organizations in his district to help them fund future projects.

“A genuine love for community has always been a driving factor in my work,” Englebright said. “Recently, I showcased my appreciation and support for several of our district’s most beloved cultural and arts organizations through Suffolk County Omnibus Grants.”

Legislator Englebright, center, presents a check to Three Village Community Trust board members, from left to right, Robert Reuter, Greg de Bruin, Peter Legakis and Herb Mones. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

During Legislator Englebright’s tenure as a New York State Assemblyman, he was the Prime Sponsor of legislation that led to what is commonly referred to as the hotel-motel room fee. The intention behind this initiative that is essentially a tax on people who live outside of our county, including many from other countries was to help generate funds that would enable Suffolk County Legislators to support the Long Island tourism industry through grants for programs for the arts, music, and history. The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning administers the awards.

“This year, I experienced numerous full-circle moments as I was pleased to be able to award numerous community cultural organizations with funding that will help support important programs that our part of the county has become known for, such as the Gallery North Wet Paint Festival, the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce’s and Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s summer concert series, and the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council’s annual Dickens Festival,” the legislator said.

Several local galleries, music venues and museums were also granted awards, such as The Reboli Center for Art and History, The Jazz Loft, and the Long Island Museum.

“In total, I was able to provide room fee-derived funds amounting to more than $150,000 to 15 local organizations which, in turn, will help nurture a vibrant scene for lovers of art, music, and history while stimulating our local economy through tourism and leisure travel,” Englebright said.

The Fifth Legislative District’s grant recipients are The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, Gallery North, Theatre Three, The Reboli Center, The Jazz Loft, The Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce, The Frank Melville Memorial Foundation, The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, The Three Village Historical Society, The Long Island Museum, The Port Jefferson Historical Society, The Children’s Maritime Museum (Long Island Explorium), The Three Village Community Trust, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization and The Village of Port Jefferson.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Learning from Europe

All across Europe, countries have recently been plagued by electrical power blackouts due to unstable sources of renewable energy, primarily from solar arrays and windmills.

The most extensive blackout was experienced in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal, as well as portions of Southern France. The determination of the exact cause of the problem is quite complex, partly attributable to the interaction of the various energy supplies, which include wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas and hydroelectric sources. Many experts are concerned about the problem of inertia, which is provided by systems with large rotating mechanical assemblies, or flywheels, such as conventional electromechanical generators, but is not found in typical renewable systems, employing solar, wind or lithium-ion battery sources. High levels of inertia tend to keep the AC voltage frequency, which is nominally 50 Hz in Europe (60 Hz in the United States), at a relatively constant value, thereby providing a high degree of stability to the electrical grid system. With large proportions of renewable energy sources, the system inertia is significantly reduced, leading to pronounced instabilities and eventual system failure.

As a result of this and other blackout problems, notably in Germany, most European countries are beginning to reevaluate their current energy policies, which have had goals of achieving 100% reliance on renewable energy sources. Denmark, for example, outlawed nuclear power in 1985 but is now considering a reversal of this policy.

Here in the United States, [in] the home of beautiful Suffolk County, we are at the tip of the energy iceberg. In 1973, we got off to a great start with the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. Unfortunately, we had a governor whose shortcomings included a pronounced lack of foresight and who made sure that the Shoreham reactor was decommissioned and never put into service. Hopefully, here in 2025, we will be able to learn from the mistakes of others. We should honestly consider the pros and cons of each type of system and choose the one that is the best overall.

George Altemose

Setauket

Do more for Medicaid

In a recent letter to the editor [“Thank you,” May 15, 2025], a reader thanked Rep. Nick LaLota [R, NY1] for signing on to a letter in support of Medicaid. Unfortunately, Mr. LaLota’s voting record on this issue tells a different story. Mr. LaLota voted for a budget proposal that cuts Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars. Mr. LaLota claims that he’s interested in rooting out “waste, fraud, and abuse” and that these cuts will not harm those who rely on Medicaid. However, a recent report from the Fiscal Policy Institute refutes this claim. FPI notes that a cut is a cut, and that these cuts will disproportionately impact older adults and disabled people.  

Mr. LaLota has suggested mandating work requirements for Medicaid, claiming that this will root out “fraud and abuse.” However, the proposed work requirements suggested by Mr. LaLota and the GOP have been proven to be expensive to administer, kick sick people off Medicaid and ultimately do not save a great deal of money. The people kicked off Medicaid will likely not find other coverage and ultimately wind up uninsured, which will result in our communities being less healthy.  

Mr. LaLota is claiming there is “waste” in Medicaid, while in fact Medicaid is one of the most efficient ways to deliver health care. According to Medicaid Matters New York, over 148,000 constituents in the first congressional district are covered by Medicaid and Child Health Plus. Within that population served by these programs, 29% are children under the age of 19, 18% are seniors over the age of 65 and 13,000 are people with disabilities. Mr. LaLota’s vote to cut Medicaid will hit these vulnerable constituents the hardest. 

If these cuts are enacted, the first congressional district will lose over $1.3 billion in Medicaid funds. How can Mr. LaLota justify taking health care away from his most vulnerable constituents to finance tax cuts for billionaires and corporations? We need Mr. LaLota to commit, not just in his words, but in his votes, to prioritize the well-being of his constituents who rely on Medicaid over tax breaks for the wealthy. 

Shoshana Hershkowitz

South Setauket 

In response to “Questioning ‘Elder Parole’ for cop killers” from May 8 

As community members, and as people who believe in redemption, we respectfully disagree with the previous letter writer. The Elder Parole bill is a common-sense response to the senseless rise in older adults behind bars identified as a fiscal crisis by the state comptroller. Even as the prison population declined significantly in recent years, the number of older adults behind bars has increased because of extreme sentences and a parole system that prioritizes vengeance above public safety. Rather than spending a fortune to keep people who have completely transformed in a cell as they grow old, get sick and languish, we believe deeply in giving them a chance to be considered for release when they can still work and help support their families. 

We understand these issues are deeply emotional for people on all sides, and rightly so, but facts are facts: older adults, including those serving time for violent crimes from long ago, have the lowest recidivism rates, with some age groups almost never returning to prison with new convictions. At the same time, the costs of incarceration skyrocket with age.

None of this is to say the bill would release people simply because of their age. Age isn’t even a consideration in the parole laws. But older adults would get the opportunity to make their case and be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we would urge that they be considered fairly based on who they are today, what they have done to change, whether they pose a real risk. 

This bill is backed by many of the state’s civil rights groups along with crime victim advocates and anti-gun violence experts because allowing people to earn their pathways to release promotes community safety — and because many victims themselves are sadly criminalized. Moreover, the enormous cost savings could be better spent on mental health care, education, support for victims and more.

People can and do change and giving them a bigger reason to do so can only help. We encourage our state legislature to pass the bill this year.

Deborah Little, Setauket

Jacqueline Gosdigian, Stony Brook

Ronni Schultz, Port Jefferson Station

An uplifting response to my Memorial Day note

 Just before Memorial Day, I sent an email to an old friend of mine, “Thank you for your service.”  

The day after graduating from high school, Kevin began working as a “runner” on Wall Street.  A short time later he was drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam.  

A terrific all-around athlete he spent about a year over there, with much of his time serving as the “point” on patrols.   After a week’s leave in Hong Kong, Kev came back to learn the grim news that the fellow who’d been working “point” in his place had been killed.

Sadly, like so many other vets who returned during that time, my buddy was treated poorly.  He like thousands of his fellow servicemen and women, weren’t shown the proper appreciation for their sacrifices.  Nonetheless, he finished his service by being part of the solemn, often heartbreaking, “Folded Flag Ceremony.”

Kevin’s response to my note was, a humbling, uplifting, “Thank you.  I served proudly for this great country.”  

 Jim Soviero

East Setauket

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The names of board of education candidates who won a seat are marked with an asterisk.

Comsewogue Union Free School District

Budget vote:

Yes: 769  

 No: 205

Proposition 2 (Reallocation of Capital Funds): (Proposition 2 is a reallocation of previously approved capital funds to update elementary school playgrounds, make drainage and site improvements and replace ceramic wall tile at Norwood Avenue Elementary School. Officials said the projects would not exceed $4 million.)

Yes: 869 

 No: 94

Board of Education results: (Candidates ran for three at-large seats with the one receiving the fewest votes to serve a one-year term stemming from the 2024 resignation of Alexandra Gordon.)

*Robert DeStefano (Three-Year Term): 757 votes

*Diane Enright (Three-Year Term): 628 votes

*Francisca Alabau (One-Year Term): 552 votes

Port Jefferson School District

Budget Vote: 

Yes: 868

 No: 290

Proposition 2 (Capital Reserve Fund): Yes: 857 • No: 299

Board of Education results: At large vote for two open seats

*Randi DeWitt-738 votes        *Ellen Boehm-718 votes ∙ Jennie Berges-437 votes

Middle Country Central School District

Budget Vote:

Yes – 1,511 

No – 568

Board of Education results: Three open seats

*Dawn Sharrock- 1,465 votes

*Robert Feeney- 1,453 votes

 *Robert Hallock- 1,421 votes

Three Village Central School District:

Budget:

Yes – 1852

No – 1110           

Board of Education Election:

Two open seats, elected at-large.

*Amitava Das – 1957 votes

*Dr. Stanley Bak – 2116 votes

 

Miller Place School District

Budget vote:

Yes: 539  •  No: 217

Proposition 2 (Library Budget):

Yes: 649  •  No: 101

Board of Education elected trustees: (Candidates ran for two at-large seats)

*Andrea Spaniolas – 521 votes

*Jennier Keller – 491 votes

Rocky Point School District

Budget Vote

Yes: 482

No: 143

Proposition 2:

Capital Reserve Fund

Yes: 491 

 No: 124

Board of Education elected trustee: 

*Susan Sullivan– 524 votes

Mount Sinai School District

Budget Vote

693 Yes 

207 No

Proposition 2: Library

782 Yes 

115 No

Proposition 3: Capital Project

739 Yes 

157 No

Board of Education elected trustees:

*John Hnat- 565 votes

*Anthony Mangione- 616 votes

Shoreham-Wading River Central School District

Budget vote:

Yes–513

No–145

Proposition 2:

Yes–513

No–142

Proposition 3:

Yes–498

No–158

Board of Education elected trustees: 

*Meghan Tepfenhardt: 527 votes

*Thomas Sheridan: 534 votes

Commack Union Free School District

Budget vote:

Yes: 1330

 No: 546

Board of Education results :

(two seats)

Seat 1:

Pricilla Warner- 369 votes

*Nicole Goldstein- 1298 votes

Seat 2:

*Gues Hueber- 1511 votes

Kings Park Central School District

Budget vote:

Yes: 736 

No: 403

Board of Education results:

(two seats)

*Pat Hanley- 841votes

*Shala Pascucci- 745 votes

Smithtown Central School District

Budget vote:

Yes: 4,222 

No:  1,921

Board of Education results:

For the seat of Michael Saidens:

Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi 2,531 votes

*Theresa Donohue-3,573 votes

For the seat of John Savoretti:

Mike Simonelli- 2,613 votes   

*Brandon Solomon- 3,445 votes

For the seat of Michael Catalanotto:

*Bernadette Ackerman- 3,600 votes

Alfred Carfora – 2,483 votes

Hauppauge School District

Budget Vote:

Yes 597 

No 259

Proposition:  Energy Performance Contract

Yes 667 

 No 174

Board of Education results:

(3 Open Seats, Three Year Terms)

*David M. Barshay, Esq.- 595 votes

*Rob Scarito- 612 votes

*Michael Buscarino- 601 votes

Northport–East Northport Union Free School District

Budget Vote:

Yes – 2,085 

No – 1,149

Board of Education results:

(Three open seats)

*Christine Ruggeri– 2,332 votes

Thomas Loughran- 1,018 votes

Joseph Pushee– 882 votes

*Jim Maloney- 2,084 votes

*Raymond Burney- 1,823 votes

Proposition #2:

Capital Expenditures

Yes – 2,490

 No – 733

Proposition #3:

Energy Performance Contract

Yes – 2,327

 No – 894

Proposition #4:

Northport Historical Society

Yes – 1,799

No – 1,410

Huntington Union Free School District

Budget Vote:

Yes – 789

No – 200

Proposition:

Building improvement fund

Yes – 835 

No – 146

Board of Education results:

(Two open seats)

*Jon Weston- 788 votes

*Jenna Prada- 768 votes

Harborfields Central School District

Budget Vote:

Yes- 817
No – 165

Board of Education results:

(Two open seats)

*Jeanette Wojcik- 775 votes

*Becky Dorsogna- 738 votes

Cold Spring Harbor Central School District:

Budget vote:

Yes – 245 

No – 49

Board of Education results: (two seats open)

*Bruce Sullivan – 210 votes

*Alex Whelehan – 233 votes

(Both ran uncontested)

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A scene from the 2024 Setauket Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan

By Heidi Sutton

‘Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.’ — Unknown

Falling every year on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day honors the heroes  who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in all branches of the U.S. military. May they never be forgotten. The following communities will commemorate this federal holiday on May 25 and May 26. 

Calverton

Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd., Calverton will hold a Memorial Day ceremony on May 26 at 1 p.m. at the re-designed Assembly Area. 631-727-5410

Centerport 

The Centerport Fire Department will host a Memorial Day Parade on May 26 at 10 a.m. from Centershore Road, Harrison Drive, east on Mill Dam Road Centerport, southeast on Prospect Road, south on Little Neck Road.  Ends at Park Circle, Centerport followed by a ceremony at the memorial monuments in the park. 631-261-5916

Centereach

The Centereach Fire Department will hold its 2nd annual Memorial Day Parade on May 25 at 1 p.m. Parade kicks off at the corner of Horseblock Road and Middle Country Road and ends at the Centereach Fire Department on South Washington Avenue. 631-588-8652

Commack

VFW Elwood-Commack Post 9263 hosts a Memorial Day parade on May 26 at 10 a.m. Kick off is at the Home Depot parking lot at the intersection of Larkfield Road and Jericho Turnpike and head east on Jericho Turnpike to junction at Veterans Highway to Cannon Park for a ceremony. 631-780-4853

East Northport

Father Judge Council Knights of Columbus hosts the East Northport Memorial Day Parade with kick off on May 26 at noon at Clay Pitts and Larkfield roads and proceed to John Walsh Memorial Park. 631-262-1891

Farmingdale

— The annual Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade on May 26 kicks off at  1 p.m.. proceeding south on Main Street, ending at Village Hall. Followed by a ceremony on the Village Green.

— Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale will hold a Memorial Day service on May 25 at 2 p.m. 631-454-4949

Farmingville 

The Farmingville Fire Department’s annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on May 26 at 11 a.m.  Parade starts at CVS on Horseblock Road to the memorial at Nicolls Road and Portion Road. 631-732-6611

Greenlawn 

Organized by the Greenlawn Fire Department, a Memorial Day parade will kick off on May 26 at 9 a.m. on East Maple Road, south on Broadway to Greenlawn Memorial Park, at the corner of Pulaski Road and Broadway. 631-261-9103

Kings Park

The annual Kings Park Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by American Legion Post 944, will be held on May 26 at 9 a.m. Kick off is at the corner of Old Dock Road and Church Street to the Veterans Plaza at Route 25A for flag ceremonies. 631-269-4140

Holbrook

Holbrook Chamber of Commerce will host a Memorial Day Parade on May 26 at 11 a.m. Parade begins at 1069 Main St., heads south to Furrow’s Road, west to Grundy and culminates at the Vietnam Memorial. 631-471-2725

Huntington 

— The Town of Huntington will host a Wreath Laying Ceremony on May 25 at Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall at 100 Main Street at 10 a.m. 631-351-3012 

— American Legion Post 360 will hold a Memorial Day Parade on May 26 at noon. Parade will begin on Gerard Street to West Neck Road, Main Street to Stewart Ave. 631-423-7575

Lake Ronkonkoma

Join AMVETS Post 48 in honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country on May 26, for the Lake Ronkonkoma Veterans Memorial Parade. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Church Street and ends at Raynor Park for a very special Veterans Ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. 631-615-1428

Parade of Flags at Heritage Park.

Mount Sinai 

A Parade of American Flags will be on display at Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Rd, Mt Sinai on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 1776. 631-403-4846

Northport

Organized by the Northport American Legion Post 694, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. on May 26 at Laurel Avenue School and proceed down Main Street to the Northport Village Park. 631-261-4424

Port Jefferson

American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 will perform a Memorial Day ceremony at Port Jefferson Memorial Park, West Broadway, Port Jefferson on May 26 at 10 a.m. 631-473-9774

Port Jefferson Station

Join the American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 for a Memorial Day ceremony at Steven J. Crowley Memorial Park on Old Town Road in Port Jefferson Station on May 26 at 9 a.m. 631-473-9774

Rocky Point

The Rocky Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249, 109 King Road, Rocky Point will host a Memorial Day service to honor the fallen on May 26 at 11 a.m. 631-744-9106

St. James 

A Memorial Day Parade organized by Sgt. John W. Cooke VFW Post 395 will be held on May 26 at 10 a.m. The parade steps off at the corner of Lake Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue and proceeds to St. James Elementary School for a ceremony. 631-862-7965

Setauket 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3054 will hold its annual Three Village Memorial Day Parade in Setauket on May 26 at 11 a.m. Parade starts at the corner of Main Street and Route 25A with an opening ceremony at the Village Green across from the library and a closing ceremony at Memorial Park along Route 25A by Se-Port Deli. 631-406-1938

Smithtown 

The Smithtown Fire Department hosts its annual  Memorial Day Parade on May 26 at noon. Kickoff is at the corner of Main Street and Singer Lane, continuing west on Main Street to Town Hall. 631-360-7620

Sound Beach

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Memorial Day service at the Veterans Memorial Park on New York Avenue in Sound Beach on May 26 at noon. 631-744-6952

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Scene from Huntington High School's 2022 graduation. Photo from Huntington school district

By Daniel Dunaief

Graduates preparing to emerge into what passes for the real world these days need to keep in mind something they studied in introductory economics: supply and demand.

You see, any imbalance creates opportunities and the world outside the academic cocoon has plenty of those.

Let’s start with supply. We have plenty of anger, frustration, irritation, and hostility. Yes, I know those are emotions, but, really, aren’t those in full display regularly and aren’t they at the heart of decisions and actions?

Anger and bitterness float around like a dense fog, settling in at the comment section for stories, expressing themselves out the open windows of cars stuck in traffic, and appearing in abundance in long, slow lines at the grocery store, the deli counter, or the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles.

We also have plenty of absolute certainty, particularly among our fearless leaders at every level. This certainty manifests itself in many ways, as people are convinced they are right, no alternatives exist, and they can and will prevail over time.

For many of them, the world has returned to a state of black and white, where good and right are on one side and evil and darkness reside on the other. The reality, as many movies, books, and forms of entertainment suggests, is somewhere in between, with a wide spectrum of grey and, if you look for it, magnificent colors.

These same leaders are neither particularly good winners or particularly good losers, not that some of them would admit to losing anything anyway.

We also have innumerable entertainers, who collect followers like Pied Pipers with their flutes, sharing videos, ideas, and whatever else brings in viewers. They need followers and, with people eager to stay plugged in to the latest compelling popular culture, the people seem to need these attractions.

With such a high supply of followers, you don’t need to be just another one in a long list.

We have no shortage of people willing to offer advice and second guess anyone and everyone else. From their couch, sports commentators always somehow know better.

We also have plenty of electronic, artificial and technological systems that aren’t working as well as we, and the companies that use them, would like. That’s a supply of inefficiencies with a demand for improvements.

I can’t tell you how many times a voice activated system asks me for information, I provide it, the system repeats it and then the whole process starts over again, without getting closer to a real person or a resolution. These systems have bad days far too often.

Okay, now, on the demand side, we need more people who listen carefully and closely and who can learn in and on their jobs.

These days, people who find solutions, take responsibility and represent any business well are in shorter supply. Plenty of people seem indifferent to disgruntled customers, waiting for a better job to come along while they allow themselves to do work they don’t find particularly rewarding or compelling.

We also have a demand for listeners. With all the frustrations and disappointments out there, sometimes people don’t need anything more than someone who can listen to and acknowledge them.

On the demand side, the need for questions is extraordinarily high. When recent graduates don’t know or understand something, they can and should ask.

An answer along the lines of, “well, we do that because that’s the way it’s always been done,” offers an opportunity to improve on a process, an idea, an approach or an interaction.

The demand for people who can disagree effectively, can show respect, and can bring people together is extraordinarily high.

We don’t all need to agree on everything and to nod our heads like artificial intelligence automatons. We need people who can bring us together and keep us focused on shorter and longer term goals.

The need for positivity, solutions and great ideas is high. We live in an incredible country with a fascinating mix of opportunities, people, narratives, and potential.

Be prepared to use some of the ways of thinking you learned in college. When the majority of people are going right, consider what going left might mean and vice versa.

Other people might have their habits, patterns and routines, but you don’t have to adapt them as your own immediately. Be prepared to offer something new.

Your fresh perspective through eyes that haven’t seen a process occur repeatedly can and should be an advantage.

Yes, you might be a rookie in a new job or a new program, but that can mean that the demand for your insights can make you a valuable and welcome addition to any team.

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