Diet and exercise are the first line of defense for those living with diabetes. Stock photo
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and the Department of Health Services invite residents who are at risk of developing type-2 diabetes to participate in the Suffolk County Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is based off of the National Diabetes Prevention Program that supports moderate behavioral changes and incorporates healthy eating and physical activity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 98 million American adults — more than 1 in 3 — are at risk for diabetes.
“We want our residents to be healthy and live fulfilling lives,” said Romaine. “We encourage all adult residents to take a one-minute risk survey to learn if they are at risk for prediabetes. Through educational programming and preventative measures, we are here to help you reduce your risk.”
“Diabetes puts the body at risk for many serious health conditions,” said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner. “The good news is that moderate changes in lifestyle can help restore blood sugar to normal levels and result in significant health benefits.”
The Suffolk County Diabetes Prevention Program has received “full plus” recognition from the CDC, meeting the agency’s highest standards. To date, 440 Suffolk County residents have successfully completed the program.
Residents are encouraged to take the one-minute risk test at www.doihaveprediabetes.org and are invited to attend informational sessions at:
— Smithtown Public Library, 148 Smithtown Blvd, Nesconset on Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
— Brookhaven Free Library, 273 Beaver Dam Road, Brookhaven on Wednesday, March 12 from noon to 1 p.m.
— Center Moriches Public Library, 235 Main Street, Center Moriches on March 19 from noon to 1 p.m.
— Patchogue/Medford Library, 54-60 East Main Street, Patchogue on March 28 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Kingston Strouse makes a move on Smithtown East's John Zummo. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dylan Tuthill in blue battles Andrew Arnone of Smithtown East. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dylan Tuthill has a hold of Copiague's Alex Arvalo
Andreas Rivera grabs a hold of Newfield's Khriztophe Gonzalez. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Tiger wrestler Cinar Erken against Finley Connolly of Smithtown East. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Andrew Kennedy with a flying start on Copiague's Desmond Conley. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Andrew Kennedy grapples with Copiague's Desmond Conley. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Lucas Rivera is over the top of Luciano Antonelli. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Ryan Muller flips Evam Nunez of Newfield. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Lucas Rivera and Luciano Antonelli. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Lucas Rivera v Luciano Antonelli. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Ryan Muller of Northport and Matthew McDermott. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dylan Tuthill won his 124 pound weight class. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dylan Tuthill fends off Andrew Arnone. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Andrew Kennedy has a grip. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Peyton Hamada took second place at 160 lbs. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Coach Chris Posillico helps Kingston Strouse to his corner. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kingston Strouse in the final 152 lb match against North Babylon's Jack Miller. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kingston Strouse (yellow) in the 152 pound, League III final against Jack Miller of North Babylon. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kingston Strouse wrestles Smithtown East's John Zummo. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Northport High School wrestler Kingston Strouse was playing his saxophone in 9th period band class when the senior was asked to report to Athletic Director Mark Dantuono’s office.
When he arrived, he found his coach of four years, Thad Alberti, sitting in that office stone-faced and glum.
Alberti informed Strouse, who is ranked first in his weight class in Suffolk County, that due to an administrative error, he, along with five of his teammates, were ruled ineligible for post-season competition. There would be no League Championships, which was just days away, for Strouse and his mates.
That was the first domino — without Leagues, there was no path to Suffolk County or State championship tournaments.
As per New York State Public High School Athletic Association policy, a wrestler who exceeds the maximum number of tournaments, which is six, is ineligible for the remainder of the season and the coach of the wrestler is suspended from the team’s next two scheduled competitions. The reason for the rule is that wrestlers accumulate points over the course of the season and a wrestler who participates in extra matches will have potentially gained more points than his competitors.
“When I was first told the news, I remember being shocked, but I don’t think I had a single ounce of hate or a single ounce of regret for anything that had happened,” Strouse said. “I just remember feeling bad for my coach because he was sitting there and he just looked devastated. I was more concerned about how other people were feeling about the situation and I thought that if we really were together, we could get it overturned. I knew we were going to put up a fight about this.”
His teammates were more concerned about Strouse.
“Kingston is our leader and being that he’s a senior, I really felt terrible for him,” said teammate Peyton Hamada, who was one of the six also suspended. “I was more upset for him than I was for myself.”
As of Wednesday night, the season was over for Strouse,juniors Hamada and Lucas Rivera, sophomores Sebastian Stabile and Tyler Naughton and freshman Ryan Muller.
But it was Strouse– because of his top ranking in Suffolk County at 152 pounds, his stature on the team and his storied four-year career as a Northport wrestler –who became the face of this soon-to-be exploding media frenzy. The other kids will wrestle for Northport next year. Strouse will not.
The story was first reported by Newsday’s Gregg Sarra, who is the editor of the paper’s high school sports section. As of Feb. 6, he reported that the ‘Northport Six’ were disqualified, and as per Section XI Chief Tom Combs, the rule was clear-cut and the matter was now closed.
But the matter was not closed.
As social media became ablaze with the news, opinions for and against these Northport athletes being allowed to compete were split. Some werecompassionate, not wishing the boys to be punished for a mistake that they themselves did not make.
But others were unsympathetic, posting that Northport has to play by the rules like everybody else. One post on X read “typical Northport athletics, always breaking the rules and never paying for it. Mistake my (foot)”.
As the Long Island wrestling world debated, the guys on the team, the booster club and the Northport and wrestling communities banded together with a plan of action. They set up a GoFundMe page that raised nearly $9,000 to retain a legal team to fight this in the courts. Attorneys Anthony Camisa and James Pascarella, both former Long Islanders wrestlers, were brought in.
The group, including the six wrestlers and some of their parents, travelled to the courthouses in Riverhead on Friday and were able to appear before Suffolk County Justice of the Supreme Court Peter R. McGreevy on an emergency basis. The League III championships were going to start — with or without these guys — in less than 24 hours.
“I told the kids and the parents that all I can do is get you guys before a judge and once that occurs, nobody knows what will happen,” said Camisa, who was a wrestler at Longwood and University of Albany before he passed the bar exam.“In this case, the kids did nothing wrong and not being able to wrestle would have caused them irreparable harm. I think that was the part of our argument that got us our stay.”
Strouse, who had been fighting a nasty cold all week, was ecstatic at the favorable result.
“When we got down there, it really seemed like we weren’t going to win the case and be able to wrestle,” said Strouse. “Everything was kind of stacked against us, so I can’t even put into words how grateful I am to the lawyers that were able to get this done. But I’m also grateful to the Northport community and the wrestling community as well. It’s a lot smaller than other sports and wrestlers back each other up. A lot of my friends from other schools on Long Island were reaching out to me, being supportive, and sending out our GoFundMe link. There are a lot of people to thank for this.”
It was now time to focus on wrestling
Strouse, still not at 100% strength due to his cold, now had to get ready for the match. He prowled around the Smithtown East gym with a hoody over his head, waiting for his turn.
When it came time, he beat both Andrew Schwartz of Newfield and John Zummo of Smithtown East handily but it would be close to three hours before his final match against North Babylon’s Jack Miller. He waited. He listened to his music. He took a nap in the bleachers until the match with Miller arrived.
Ahead in points for most of the contest, a sudden scramble at the beginning of the third period against Miller caused an awkward twist of Strouse’s left knee. As he lay face down on the mat, writhing in pain, it looked for sure that Strouse’s roller coaster week wouldn’t quite make it to its final turn.His day seemed done.
With his coach, Chris Posillico, who filled in for the suspended Alberti, and Strouse’s worried mom Lori looking on matside, Strouse rose to his feet.
After a few flexes of his leg and a swig of water, the match continued.
“Yeah, it was bad,” Strouse said. “But it wasn’t structural, so it was just a matter of dealing with the amount of pain that we sometimes have to deal with in this sport.”
Strouse powered through, won the match 14-5, and this long, grueling, but ultimately satisfying week was finally done. However, his journey is not. Despite his lingering illness and the issue with his knee, Strouse will compete for a county championship this weekend at Stony Brook University.
“Everything I did on the mat today just didn’t feel right,” said Strouse. “Every shot I took wasn’t fast. My decision making wasn’t on. I just felt so foggy and weak.Plus, I couldn’t breathe out of my nose. It seemed like everything was just stacked against me, but I got the job done, so I guess that’s all that matters.”
Yes, Strouse did his job on the mat, but without his eclectic crew of 11th-hour partners from all across Long Island, there would never have been a job for him to do.
After 12 years as the Brookhaven Town Supervisor, in 2023 I decided to run for Suffolk County Executive to make our county safer and more affordable and to restore professionalism to every county department.
Good governance is about doing what’s right for taxpayers and employees, and that’s exactly what we’ve focused on since I have taken office.
Fiscally, we are on the right road, and our efforts have been recognized. The county’s 2024 budgeting has earned Suffolk two bond ratings and three credit rating upgrades as of early December.
As promised, we’ve brought new leadership to the Suffolk County Police Department, hired 200 new officers, and added 50 new detectives to tackle crime across the county. New leadership has put the department on track for continued success, and my administration will provide what our law enforcement agencies need to protect our communities.
The Department of Social Services was in crisis when I took office. Poor management, low staffing, and tragic incidents resulted in Suffolk County being among the worst-performing DSS operations in New York State. For example, Suffolk was last among counties processing SNAP applications, which provide people in need with food. Due to new leadership and a complete overhaul of DSS operations, Suffolk is now the best in New York State.
New call center policies have reduced SNAP wait times by more than 95%, boosted employee morale, and decreased caseloads. While there is still work to be done, especially in filling the over 1,000 open positions, we’re making real progress.
To address these vacancies, we launched the “Suffolk is Hiring” campaign, meeting job seekers where they are—on social media, at college campuses, and at job fairs. This proactive approach shifts from reactive to addressing problems before they become crises.
When I took office, many county buildings were in terrible shape—leaky roofs, broken systems, and general neglect. These buildings belong to the taxpayers and house our dedicated workforce. We’ve made it a priority to bring these spaces up to standard, both for the employees and the public who rely on these services.
Here are just a few of the results our taxpayers are already seeing:
246 acres of land preserved—a significant increase from previous years, thanks to reforms in the Department of Economic Planning that streamlined the process.
Sewer projects funded in Smithtown, Wyandanch, Wheatley Heights, Deer Park, the Forge River, and Southwest Sewer Districts. These projects are critical for protecting our environment and revitalizing downtown areas.
$56 million invested in public safety equipment, ensuring our police and first responders are better equipped to keep our communities safe.
Major improvements to county parks planned for 2025, offering enhanced recreational spaces for families.
Micro transit zones to improve connectivity on the East End, making it easier for residents to access essential services and work opportunities.
None of this would be possible without the incredible team I have by my side. Together, we are committed to making Suffolk County safer, more affordable, and a place where every resident can thrive.
I look forward to continuing this important work next year and wish all of you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
After an extended vote-counting process, Rebecca Kassay has defeated incumbent Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson). Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks. As of now, Kassay is leading Flood by 813 votes.
Kassay released a statement on her Facebook page Tuesday, Nov. 26, declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4. She wrote, “After a spirited campaign, I am declaring victory in the race for New York State Assembly District 4, having secured an insurmountable lead over my opponent, Ed Flood. Official results and certification are expected from the Board of Elections in the coming weeks.”
Kassay added, “I am heartened by our community’s trust in me to bring public service back to politics. It will be a great honor to represent District 4 in the New York State Assembly and to deliver resources to our communities. As discussed during civic debates and at residents’ doors throughout my campaign, I will serve with a community-up approach — one that prioritizes transparency, communication and meaningful action on pressing issues.”
Assemblywoman-elect Kassay has already begun laying the groundwork to ensure she and her team “hit the ground running and serve the district effectively on day one.”
“Throughout the coming weeks, I will be meeting with civic groups, school district representatives, nonprofits, first responders, local government officials and other community stakeholders to collaborate on the important work of shaping the projects and policies that will guide the district forward,” the statement continued.
Kassay invites residents or groups to connect with the incoming District 4 Assembly team by emailing [email protected].
Back row: (L to R) Dr. Donna Ciampa, Suffolk’s Interim Executive Dean, Michael J. Grant Campus; Dr. Hector Sepulveda, Suffolk’s Campus Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Michael J. Grant Campus; Dr. Irene Rios, Suffolk’s Executive Dean, Ammerman Campus; John McLoughlin, Executive Director, Enrollment Partnerships, St. George’s University; Athalie Alexander-Arrington, Associate Director of Admissions, St. George’s University; Iris Rodriguez (student) Vet Track; Michael Hector (student) Pharma Track; Jade Tordas (student) Medical Track; and representing St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of Binghamton’s partnering institutions, Amy Wolfinger and Melissa Mirabella. Front row: (L to R): Laura Bruno, Vice President & Dean of Enrollment, St. George’s University; Dr. Edward Bonahue, President, Suffolk County Community College; and Maja Szostak, Director of Admissions, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences - Binghamton University. Photo courtesy of SCCC
Suffolk County Community College has announced transformative partnerships with Binghamton University in upstate Binghamton, New York and St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada, West Indies to streamline the process for qualified graduates from Suffolk who are interested in transferring into medical, veterinary, and pharmacy doctoral degree programs at these universities. The new collaborations aim to provide local students with pathways to professional healthcare degrees.
A signing event, recently held at Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus, featured remarks from key leaders in academia and healthcare. Students, faculty, and local elected officials also attended the announcement.
“These partnerships represent a significant step forward in providing our students with exceptional opportunities in healthcare. By offering pathways to advanced degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy, we are helping to build a pipeline of highly trained professionals who will serve not only Suffolk County but the broader healthcare needs of our region. We are proud to work alongside St. George’s University and Binghamton University to make these dreams a reality for our students,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College.
Partnership With Binghamton University
In partnership with Binghamton University, up to five seats per academic year based on highest GPA are reserved for well-qualified Suffolk County Community College students who meet specific criteria. These students will be guaranteed a smooth transition into Binghamton University’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. To qualify for these reserved seats, students must complete their Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Biology at Suffolk County Community College, as well as additional courses required by Binghamton University. After the five reserved seats are filled in this competitive program, other eligible Suffolk County Community College students may still apply, but admission is not guaranteed.
Maja Szostak, Director of Admissions, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University noted, “This partnership will help foster educational opportunities for students seeking a career in pharmacy by providing them with a clear pathway and the support necessary to succeed in this highly competitive field.”
Partnership with St. George’s University
“As we navigate through the complexities of healthcare in the 21st century, the demand for compassionate, skilled, and dedicated physicians has never been greater,” said Laura Bruno, Vice President & Dean of Enrollment, SGU. “But here in NY, despite having 15 medicals schools—the highest number in the country—our acceptance rate is less than 9%. The truth is there are simply not enough seats in U.S. medical schools. As a result, many highly qualified and passionate students find themselves feeling discouraged before they even apply and many others will face rejection despite their best efforts. I am here to say that there are alternative pathways to becoming a doctor and this exciting collaboration between our institutions offers one of the best, clear and unobstructed pathways to a seat in medical or veterinary school.”
“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors and veterinarians from Suffolk County Community College to pursue degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “SGU is tremendously proud to partner with SCCC and to offer multiple pathways to healthcare careers with flexible options to meet students’ different academic objectives.”
Suffolk County Community College offers two pathways for students aiming to pursue a career in medicine or veterinary medicine through the partnership with St. George’s University (SGU). The 2+2+4 Pathway allows students to complete an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Biology at Suffolk, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in a pre-medical or pre-veterinary program at an SGU partner university, and then transition into SGU’s four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
The 2+5 Pathway allows students to enter SGU’s five-year MD program, which includes a pre-clinical year, two years of basic sciences, and two years of clinical rotations at SGU’s affiliated hospitals. To be eligible, students must complete all required coursework, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better, and achieve competitive scores on relevant entrance exams like the MCAT or GRE
About Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With over 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.
About Binghamton University
Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS) is a research-focused professional school offering the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree as well as the Master of Science and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The pharmacy school educates students who understand the value of evidence-based, patient-centered pharmaceutical care and innovative research, and scientists who will extend the knowledge base of pharmaceutical sciences in the areas of drug target discovery, drug testing and drug delivery. Our graduates will serve their communities in socially responsible ways to improve health and well-being.
About St. George University
St. George’s University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University’s over 31,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George’s University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council which has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). For more information, visit www.sgu.edu.
County Legislator Steven J. Flotteron (R-LD-11.) Courtesy www.facebook.com/steveflotteron
Suffolk County Legislator and Deputy Presiding Officer Steven J. Flotteron (R-LD-11) commended his colleagues for their collaborative work in revising and approving the County Executive’s 2025 operating budget last week. Flotteron, who chaired the Operating Budget Working Group, said the changes reflect bipartisan priorities and sound fiscal planning.
The amended $4 billion budget does not alter the overall fiscal balance but adjusts spending and revenue by $8.3 million. This includes a $1 million reduction in 2024 and a $9.3 million increase in 2025 offset by higher projected revenue for both years.
“County Executive Romaine’s budget was fair and responsible,” Flotteron said. “It addressed our needs without relying on the financial gimmicks used in the past.”
Flotteron noted that previous budgets leaned on unreliable revenue sources referred to as “one-shots” and overly optimistic projections. He credited the County Executive for improving Suffolk’s financial standing which has already earned two bond rating upgrades this year. “This reflects the same approach he used in Brookhaven where he raised the town’s bond rating to triple-A,” Flotteron said.
The Legislature unanimously approved the budget changes which fixed overstated revenue, corrected understated expenses and addressed technical errors. The budget also added funding for legal aid, health facility maintenance, recreation programs, contracted agencies and legislative equipment. It included funding tied to Tax Anticipation Notes and capital projects funded by the Vanderbilt endowment.
The Legislature’s Budget Review Office adjusted revenue projections increasing the 2024 sales tax estimate and raising expected interest and earnings in 2025 to cover the net cost of these changes. The budget also distributed Hotel/Motel tax revenue to various agencies.
Flotteron highlighted the challenges of crafting a budget under tight constraints. “Staying under New York State’s 2% property tax cap is even more impressive given rising pension costs, higher health insurance and prescription drug expenses and the loss of $8 million from red light camera revenue,” he said.
He said the budget prioritizes public safety including hiring new police officers, improving cybersecurity after the 2022 ransomware attack and investing in employee recruitment and retention.
“This budget reflects our commitment to public safety, maintaining a strong workforce and supporting vital community services,” Flotteron said. “With two bond rating upgrades already this year, Suffolk County is heading in the right direction.”
Left: Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-PortJefferson).
Right: Rebecca Kassay. Courtesy Ed Flood and Rebecca Kassay for NYS Assembly's Facebook page
By Toni-Elena Gallo
In the wake of last Tuesday’s election, the race for NYS Assembly District 4 remains to be called.
With mail-in ballots still being counted, there is no exact timeline for when results will be in.
Rebecca Kassay released a statement last Thursday, saying, “We knew that the race for the NYS
Assembly seat in District 4 would be one of the most competitive races in New York State, and as of Wednesday, November 6, I hold a 211 vote lead. In a race this close, results will not be determined until the affidavit ballots and final mail in ballots are counted. This might take until late November, so in the meantime, our team is reflecting on our gratitude for the incredible individuals and community groups who we’ve connected with and built stronger relationships with during the journey of this campaign.”
“There is so much work to be done here in our district, our town, our county and our state, and I hope to have the opportunity to serve you as your Assemblymember,” Kassay continued.
TBR requested comment from Assemblyman Flood and his response was as follows: “As we await the final numbers, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported me throughout this campaign. I remain deeply committed to representing, advocating for and listening to our community. This dedication is not new; it has always been the foundation of my work and will continue to guide me moving forward.”
“Serving our community is an honor, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed,” he continued.
Nick LaLota celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
By Toni-Elena Gallo and Aidan Johnson
At Stereo Garden in Patchogue, the GOP was a sea of red on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5. Guests mingled with drinks in hand, as music blared over the club’s speaker system.
The event was hosted by Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee and Brookhaven Town Republican Committee, whose high energy propelled the evening and invigorated the large crowd. He spoke of the resilience of the Republican Party through the tumultuous past four years, and expressed confidence in Suffolk’s support for members of the GOP.
LaLota victorious over Avlon in battle for Congress, Avlon concedes
As results poured in from around 10 p.m. to the early hours of the morning, the race considered highly important in the flipping of the House majority in Washington, was decided. Incumbent Nick LaLota, representative of the 1st Congressional District, won 55.7% of the vote to Democratic opponent John Avlon’s 44.3%.
“Thank you so much to every single one of you. I’m only here because of everything you’ve done. You made the phone calls. You knocked on doors, you planted lawn signs,” LaLota said to the room.
“You’ve placed your trust in me and I’m going to take another term of office in a few weeks so I can continue to fight for you,” he continued. He added that he has run on his record, which is one committed to bipartisanship, and has seen more bills passed by him than “95% of Congress,” bringing “$150 million home” to Suffolk in the process.
“It’s a hard night in Suffolk County for us Democrats, it’s a hard night for many Democrats, but the fight continues,” Avlon said in a speech at the IBEW Local 1049 Union Hall in Holtsville, where many of the Suffolk County Democrats congregated for a watch party.
“It’s really important for us to keep the energy up, and understand that this is not a time for us to shirk back, but it is a time for folks to stand up continuously, because the good fight never ends and democracy depends on loving your country no matter who is president,” he added.
Anthony Palumbo celebrates his victory on Nov. 5. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
Palumbo comes out on top in state Senate race
Incumbent Republican state senator of the 1st District, Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), beat Democratic opponent Sarah Anker, with 53.4% of the vote, to Anker’s 46.6%.
“This is a team win. I want to thank my wife, to thank my friends in law enforcement who supported us. We did this most importantly because of you folks. This is many, many months in the making,” Palumbo said. He continued by saying that he and his supporters worked hard on his campaign because “it is about what’s best for our constituency.”
Anker has not yet released a statement.
Mattera wins out over Herskowitz in NY 2nd Senate District
Incumbent Mario Mattera beat Craig Herskowitz, winning his third term in the 2nd Senate District, 58.7% to 41.3%.
Mattera was not on hand to make a speech, as he was in Smithtown speaking at another event. Chairman Garcia expressed his congratulatory feelings for Mattera, leading the crowd in a round of applause for him.
Kassay and Flood in tight contest for 4th District Assembly seat; Giglio defeats Chiaramonte in 2nd District
As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, no result has been confirmed for the state Assembly race between Republican incumbent Ed Flood and his Democratic opponent Rebecca Kassay, both from Port Jefferson. Kassay currently is leading Flood by 211 votes (29,246-29,035). The final result has not yet been announced as of press time.
Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) easily beat out Tricia Chiaramonte with 64.9% of the vote, to Chiaramonte’s 35.1%. Chiaramonte did not actively campaign against incumbent Giglio.
Fitzpatrick victorious over Basileo in NY 8th Assembly District
Incumbent of 22 years, Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown), beat Democratic candidate Steven Basileo by a sweeping 66.4% to 33.6%, in the 8th Assembly District.
Fitzpatrick was just one of many Republicans who has been reelected to his seat, as newer Democratic politicians did not attract the same amount of support across the North Shore. Voters seemingly preferred the current occupants.
10th and 12th Assembly Districts
In the 10th Assembly District, Democratic incumbent Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) beat Republican Aamir Sultan, 55% to 45%. In the 12th District, incumbent Keith Brown (R-Northport) defeated Democrat Thomas Cox, 57.5% to 42.5%.
4th District Court Judge, Town of Smithtown
Republicans Paul Damato and John Zollo beat Democratic candidate Maria Scheuring, receiving a combined 79.2% of the vote — 39.6% each — winning the two vacant seats, while Scheuring received 20.7% of the vote. Scheuring was not active during this election season.
All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”
6th District Court Judge, Town of Brookhaven
Evan Tannenbaum, Patricia Blake and Kenneth Lauri won the three available seats for District Court Judge of the 6th District. They received 23.4%, 23.2%, and 22.0% of the vote, respectively, beating out Democrats Margot Garant and Dorothy Cavalier.
“I want to thank the Town of Brookhaven and my fellow Republicans,” Lauri said. Tannenbaum echoed similar sentiments.
All these results are noted by the Suffolk County Board of Elections as “unofficial.”
Heating Assistance is Available for Eligible Residents
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced on Oct. 30 that Suffolk County’s HEAP program begins November 1st. HEAP provides eligible households with their home heating expenses and emergencies throughout the winter months.
HEAP—the Home Energy Assistance Program—is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement the annual energy costs of eligible households. HEAP is administered in Suffolk County through the Department of Social Services (DSS). In addition, its alternate certifier, the Office for the Aging (OFA) assists in HEAP Early Outreach cases which are households that include seniors, the disabled, children under age 6 and last year’s regular HEAP recipients.
“When our most vulnerable residents can’t cover their fuel delivery or burner repair costs, and still put food on the table, they need to know we have funds available to help keep their heat on,” Suffolk County Executive, Edward P. Romaine, said. “HEAP is a safety net for homeowners and renters– because no one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family.”
Eligibility for regular HEAP benefits and the amount of assistance provided is based on factors that include household income, household size, the primary heating source, and in some cases the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or permanently disabled. Emergency HEAP benefits eligibility is based on factors including income, available resources, and the type of heat or heat-related emergency. Heating equipment cleaning, tuning, repairing and replacement help is also available.
Important eligibility information, including maximum income limits per household, is available at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. Applications are accepted by mail, fax, online through www.mybenefits.ny.gov or in person at Suffolk County DSS locations in Deer Park, Smithtown, Coram and Riverhead. All non-emergency applications are processed at the same rate, so applying online is encouraged.
Anticipating a high volume of inquiries, the above DSS centers will have additional trained staff on hand to answer questions and assist applicants.
“If you or someone you know is struggling to pay for heating costs this winter please don’t wait to reach out to us—help is available now,” urged Suffolk County Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, John E. Imhof. “We’re committed to supporting our community after business hours, too, so call us at (631) 854-9100 evenings, weekends and holidays for heat emergencies.”
Important application dates:
Regular HEAP with or without an emergency need opens Nov. 1, 2024;
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement & Clean and Tune benefits is open now;
HEAP Early Outreach criteria household benefits is open now.
Last year, HEAP assisted 52,000 Suffolk households with their home heating expenses and emergencies.
To learn more about the program visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ or call the DSS HEAP Unit at (631) 853-8820 or OFA HEAP Line at (631) 853-8326.
Head of the Harbor village trustee and neighborhood preservation coalition spokesperson, Judy Ogden, speaks in favor of a lawsuit aimed at delaying the Gyrodyne subdivision approval on the Flowerfield site. Photo by Chris Mellides
A recent court decision found that the environmental review of the proposed Gyrodyne development plan met the minimum legal requirements, but the legal battle is far from over, according to members of the Saint James – Head of the Harbor Neighborhood Preservation Coalition. The coalition, along with the Village of Head of the Harbor and local property owners, filed a lawsuit challenging the review. Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is finalizing appraisals to acquire portions of the property for preservation as open space.
“The fight to preserve this important parcel as open space is not over,” said Judy Ogden, a Village of Head of the Harbor trustee and spokesperson for the coalition. “We plan to appeal the recent court decision. More importantly, the DEC is continuing efforts to acquire Flowerfield Fairgrounds for preservation.”
The Gyrodyne site is located near several farms and includes land in the Mills Pond National Historic District. The proposed development includes a 125-room hotel, 175,000 square feet of office space, 250 assisted living units, a sewage treatment plant and parking for over 2,500 vehicles. These elements require special approvals from the Smithtown Town Board, as they are not allowed under current zoning regulations.
Smithtown’s recently updated Comprehensive Plan recommends that assisted living facilities be located in designated areas, not near residential neighborhoods. It also states that mixed-use projects like the Gyrodyne plan should be developed in business districts, not along highways.
“Based on sound planning principles alone, the town has the authority to reject the Gyrodyne development,” Ogden said. “This project would overwhelm St. James and Head of the Harbor with traffic and damage water quality in Stony Brook Harbor.”
The coalition and local officials have long opposed the development. In 2021, the group expressed support for converting the entire site into a park. If that wasn’t possible, they supported a compromise to preserve the 48-acre Flowerfield Fairgrounds as open space while allowing limited development on land already occupied by buildings.
Severe flooding
After the Smithtown Planning Board approved the subdivision on March 30, 2022, the coalition and 23 local property owners filed a lawsuit, arguing the environmental review was inadequate.
“The review process was not thorough,” said Joseph Bollhofer, a member of the coalition. “It didn’t seriously consider public input and failed to account for severe weather events.”
On Aug. 19, a 10-inch rainfall caused severe flooding around the Gyrodyne site, forcing the closure of Route 25A for three days.
“Even with most of the property undeveloped, the flooding was enough to burst the dam at Stony Brook Mill Pond,” Bollhofer said. “If Gyrodyne’s development had been in place, experts say it could have destroyed the historic Stony Brook Grist Mill.”
Bollhofer added that the coalition plans to challenge the court decision, citing the review’s failure to account for the increasing frequency of severe storms.
“The community’s support for our legal efforts is a testament to the widespread opposition to this development,” Ogden said. “We will continue to work with the DEC and local officials to preserve Flowerfield Fairgrounds for future generations.”
Local elected officials, including Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) and county Legislators Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), have all opposed the Gyrodyne subdivision and expressed strong support for preserving the site.
