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The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ A 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 worth approximately $30,000 was stolen from the front of a residence on Ruland Road in Centereach on March 23.

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on March 22. A man allegedly stole basketball gaming cards worth approximately $300.

Commack

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on March 23. A man allegedly stole an LG Soundbar worth $129.

■ Home Depot on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported that a man allegedly stole 8 items of 250” electrical wire and other items worth $1320 on March 25.

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on March 25 called the police to report a shoplifter. A man allegedly stole an iRobot vacuum worth $219 and a Samsung stick vacuum worth $199.

■ Famous Footwear on Jericho Turnpike in Commack reported a shoplifter on March 21. A woman allegedly stole 4 pairs of Nike sneakers and assorted merchandise valued at over $400.

Farmingville

■ The Burlington Store on North Ocean Avenue in Farmingville reported a shoplifter on March 24. A woman allegedly stole 26 pieces of assorted clothing, a handbag and toys. The merchandise was valued at approximately $340.

Hauppauge

■ A resident on Devonshire Road in Hauppauge called the police after an Amazon package that was reported delivered was not found by the homeowner. A porch pirate was suspected.

Huntington Station

■ A man allegedly stole three Ember Mugs from a Target on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station on March 25. The total value of the merchandise was $429.

■ Target on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on March 22. A man allegedly put 7 massage guns worth $1134 in a duffel bag and walked out of the store without paying.

■ Ulta Beauty on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station called the police on March 24 to report that two men entered the store, allegedly placed 92 perfume bottles in bags, and fled. The merchandise was valued at over $9000.

■ Gucci on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on March 21. A woman allegedly took a Padlock Gucci bag off of the shelf, put it under her jacked and walked out of the store without paying. The handbag was valued at $1950.

Kings Park

■ A resident on Springmeadow Road in Kings Park reported that two men stole his unlocked vehicle, a 2013 BMW 328i worth $15,000, on March 25. The keys had been left inside the vehicle.

Lake Grove

■ Ulta Beauty on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove reported a grand larceny on March 25. Two men allegedly stole assorted fragrances worth $1500.

■ The Perfume Spot, a kiosk at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, reported the theft of 5 Creed fragrances on March 21. The perfumes were valued at $2175.

Miller Place

■ An unknown person broke into and stole items from at least five vehicles in the Miller Place and Mt. Sinai areas between March 26 and March 27. Most of the incidents took place between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Mount Sinai

■ A woman visiting Heritage Park on Mount Sinai Coram Road in Mount Sinai called the police on March 25 after returning to her car and noticing that her purse was missing. Her vehicle had been unlocked.

Port Jefferson Station

■ Asphalt Supply on LI on Comsewogue Road in Port Jefferson Station was the victim of a grand larceny on March 23. Video captured a man stealing a S650 Bobcat loader worth $60,000 from the yard.

Rocky Point

■ The police were called to Kohls on Route 25A in Rocky Point after a man and a woman allegedly stole assorted clothing worth $1044 on March 21.

■ A resident on Laurel Road in Rocky Point reported that someone stole an iPhone and a wallet containing credit cards from his unlocked car in the driveway on March 18.

Selden

■ Target on Middle Country in Selden called the police on March 22 to report that a man allegedly stole a stand mixer worth $380 and a coffeemaker worth $190.

■ Target on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on March 24. A man allegedly stole a KitchenAid worth $380, a Keurig worth $130 and a microwave valued at $80.

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on March 21. A man allegedly stole a Milwaukee chainsaw worth $269.

South Setauket

■ Home Depot on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a petit larceny on March 25. A man allegedly stole three assorted tools valued at $950.

Stony Brook

■ Lowes on Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook called the police on March 26 to report the theft of merchandise. A man allegedly stole a Bosch Laser Level worth $650, 3 Lithium Ion power tool batteries worth $510 and a Metabo power tool combo kit worth $300.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

 

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Stock photo

Suffolk County Partners with Local Businesses and Organizations to Host Series of Career Exploration Events

 Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs will host a series of upcoming career exploration events. All job-seekers and residents looking for a change in career or new employment opportunities are encouraged to attend.

“As we continue to navigate our new normal, many of our residents here in Suffolk County are still dealing with financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “With a wide variety of companies scheduled to attend these hiring events, we want to ensure our residents that we are doing everything we can to help assist them with finding a steady paycheck.”

Rosalie Drago, SCDOLLCA Commissioner said: “There are 17,055 job openings in Suffolk County currently posted online. Employers regularly interview for these positions at Suffolk County job fairs and many hire on the spot. There are opportunities for people with high school diplomas, certificates, and degrees. Regardless of your experience or background there is a good paying job waiting for you in Suffolk County. To get started today call 3-1-1 where a Suffolk County Job Counselor is available to help you identify and explore these jobs, update your resume, or even do some interview prep.”

 Through the SCDOL’s One-Stop Employment Center, which functions as a full-service human resources facility that brings together both employers and job seekers, residents are provided with a streamlined approach to job search. The center supplies job seekers with all the tools necessary for a self-directed or staff-assisted job search, and provides employers with facilities and workforce support.

Long Island Food, Beverage, and Hospitality Job Fair

Learn about the many job opportunities available within the Suffolk County Hospitality industry.

Hotel Indigo Long Island – East End

Thursday, April 7th

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/288644241697

 

Bay Shore – Brightwaters Library Job Fair

Learn about the many job opportunities from USPS, U.S. Army, Introtek, LI State Veterans Home, Suffolk Police, LI Yacht Club, and more.

Tuesday, April 12th

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bay-shore-brightwaters-library-job-fair-tickets-293372443877?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

 

Mary Haven Center of Hope Hiring Event

Meet with a recruiter from Mary Haven Center of Hope at Suffolk County Riverhead Center, 300 Center Drive, Riverhead and learn about their current job openings.

Thursday, April 14th

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-haven-center-of-hope-hiring-event-tickets-304168264467?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

 

To learn more about free job and career events as well as how the One-Stop Employment Center can help you find your next career, please visit: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Labor.

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Suffolk County Bellone's Facebook
Photo courtesy of Legislator Esteban's office
Suffolk County Bellone's Facebook

Suffolk County Legislator Manuel Esteban (R-Commack) announced March 21 that Commack resident Maria Teresa Romero has been named the Suffolk County’s 2022 “Woman of Distinction” for her work in founding Latina Sisters Support, Inc., which provides outreach, education and support about breast cancer to non-English speaking women.

“Today we are making history,” said Esteban. “As Suffolk County’s first Hispanic Republican Legislator, having the honor of naming the very first Hispanic Woman of Distinction will forever be a highlight of my brand-new career in government.”

Ms. Romero is the first Hispanic woman to receive this distinguished honor since the first award was presented in 2003.  She was chosen to represent the 16th Legislative District by Legislator Esteban, who is also the first Hispanic Republican representing this district.

Ms. Maria Teresa Romero is a Breast Cancer survivor of eleven (11) years.  She  turned her own experiences into a pillar of strength for all Latina and Hispanic women and founded Latina Sisters Support, Inc. to address and resolve the disparities in access to quality healthcare and breast cancer awareness amongst the Latino community. Unlike most nonprofit organizations who receive grants, Ms. Romero has personally funded this the organization with both personal funds and private donations.

“Ms. Romero saw a true need and continues to work day and night to provide services to Hispanic women who are fighting breast cancer,” said Legislator Esteban. “Her dedication is boundless, and she has helped hundreds of women and their families facing the sometimes-deadly diseases.

The very journey that women feel helpless, scared, hopeless, extremely ill during periods of chemo treatment, and the disparity of not having insurance at all to treat this life and death illness.

“It is an honor to recognize Maria Teresa Romero as the 2022 “Woman of Distinction” for Suffolk County.  Professionally and personally, she is a leader among women and is deserving of this recognition due to her overwhelming compassion for others and life’s purpose.  She is devoted to helping cancer patients not only survive, but provide them and their families hope for a better tomorrow,” said Legislator Esteban.

A humble, Ms. Romero said, “I am most proud and excited to be the recipient of the Woman of Distinction of Suffolk County, I assure you that this award will serve as a motivator for all my future endeavors. I will continue to strive on bringing kindness and awareness to the world and spread a message of love and unity allowing my moral compass to lead the way. My life changed drastically by being diagnosed with cancer and within seconds my purpose on earth also changed. I want to establish resources and services for women that are going through cancer. The Women are indeed the drivers of my motivation.”

On behalf of the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission, Chair Tina Norton said, “I would like to congratulate Maria Teresa Romero, Winner of the 2022 Woman of Distinction Award. She rose to the top of our review of this year’s nominees. Her steadfast commitment to women facing cancer diagnosis and her tireless support along their journey speaks volumes to her role as a distinguished community leader. She represents the best of who we are and is a model for how we lift one another up throughout life‘s highs and lows!”

Office of Women’s Services, Grace Ioannidis, Director stated, “As we celebrate the Platinum Anniversary of this award, Maria Teresa Romero represents exactly what this is all about. She dedicates everyday of her life fighting for the dignity and survival of women with cancer.”

Legislator Esteban along with his colleagues will honor and present Ms. Romero with a proclamation before the full the Legislature at their scheduled General Meeting on Tuesday, March 29 around 10 am.

 

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Photo courtesy of Suffolk OTB

Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, along with county elected officials, Suffolk OTB President/CEO, Tony Pancella, and executives from Northwell Health, held an emergency aid press conference with Long Island Ukrainian leaders on March 22 at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia.  

Suffolk OTB, which operates the casino, made a $10,000 donation to the Northwell Health Ukraine Relief Fund to send vital medical supplies to hospitals in the embattled nation.  The check was accepted by Donna Moravick, Executive Director for South Shore University Hospital, on behalf of Northwell Health President and CEO, Michael Dowling.

Additional money will be raised throughout the month of April from Jake’s 58’s Donate Your Change for the Ukraine campaign. The program gives casino bettors the option to effortlessly donate excess change while cashing out winnings and funds at kiosks located throughout the casino. “At times like these, people always come together to help those most in need, and the patrons at OTB will undoubtedly do their part,” said McCaffrey.

Pancella hopes to double, or even triple, the initial $10,000 donation. “Our patrons are very generous, and we want to do all we can to help the Ukrainian people during this tragic invasion of their homeland,” he said.

Long Island volunteer firefighters were also on hand to announce a donation of flame-retardant gear to help Ukrainian first responders put out fires left in the wake of bombs and shelling.  The equipment was donated by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund. “The Fire Service is a brotherhood that takes care of its own,” said Brian Farrell, the organization’s president.

The World Health Organization has verified at least 43 attacks on healthcare facilities in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion. More than 300 healthcare facilities are within the conflict zone and 600 others are within six miles of territory currently under siege. The funds raised at Jake’s 58 will pay for medical supplies that will be transported to Poland and eventually delivered to the front lines.  

“We have a moral obligation to help ease the suffering of the Ukrainian people. This generous donation will help address the immediate needs of individuals, families, and communities by providing medical assistance on the front lines. I want to thank Jake’s 58 for their contribution to the Northwell Health Ukraine Relief Fund,” said Dowling.

“Thank you to Northwell Health and Jake’s 58 for their efforts to help the people of Ukraine by funding and facilitating the delivery of critical medical supplies,” said Legislator Al Krupski, whose office has been active in collecting provisions for the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Riverhead. “I also want to thank the members of our firefighter community for donating gear to help firefighters and first responders in Ukraine.  Despite the dreadfulness of this war, it is heartening to see communities and institutions from across Long Island come together to help a country and a people in desperate need.”

“I commend Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell, and Tony Pancella, OTB President and CEO, for creating this team effort to provide essential medical supplies to Ukraine. I believe the patrons at Jake’s 58 will be generous and compassionate in supporting this endeavor,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

“The situation currently unfolding in Ukraine is horrifying to say the least,” said Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg. “We need to do anything and everything we can to support the innocent people being affected and displaced every day. Thank you to Northwell Health and Jake’s 58 for your leadership and efforts in raising funds for much-needed medical supplies that I have no doubt will have an impact and help support countless individuals and families in Ukraine.”

Legislator Nick Caracappa said, “It is inspirational to see how our community, in both the public and private sectors, are working together to assist the people of Ukraine. This besieged nation needs our support, and I was pleased to attend the press conference. I applaud Jake’s 58, Northwell Health, and all who coordinated this fundraising effort.”

Legislator Dominick Thorne stated, “It is my honor and privilege to stand with the people of the Ukraine. Their bravery in the face of reprehensible attacks is inspirational.”

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The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ A resident on Jacqueline Lane in Centereach reported that her 2018 Dodge Durango was stolen from her driveway on March 18. The vehicle, valued at $29,000, also contained the person’s pocketbook, wallet and credit cards.

■ Carters on Middle Country Road in Centereach called the police on March 17 to report that two women allegedly stole assorted children’s clothing worth approximately $200.

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on March 16. A man allegedly put three car batteries in his shopping cart and left out the fire exit door. The merchandise was valued at $270.

Commack

■ Costco on Garet Place in Commack reported shoplifters on March 16. Two men allegedly stole three Dell desktop towers worth over $5,000.

■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack called the police on March 14 to report that a man allegedly stole a 43” TCL flat screen television valued at approximately $300.

■ A woman shopping at Whole Foods on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack on March 14 called the police to report that her wallet containing credit cards and an insurance card had been stolen from her pocketbook in a shopping cart.

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Jericho Turnpike in Commack called the police on March 18 to report that a man allegedly stole two golf clubs worth $1060.

■ Target on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported a shoplifter on March 12. A man allegedly placed 33 pairs of men’s jeans valued at $935 in a shopping cart and walked out of the store without paying.

■ A shoplifter was reported at Rite-Aid on Larkfield Road in Commack on March 14. A man allegedly stole curling irons, hair straighteners and blow dryers worth approximately $1170.

Fort Salonga

■ A KTM dirt bike, a Thumpstar dirt bike and a R/C racing car were reported stolen from a residence on Mountain View Drive in Fort Salonga on March 16. The items were valued at $1100.

Huntington Station

■ Macy’s on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on March 17. A man allegedly stole 7 Polo Ralph Lauren shirts and 7 pants worth approximately $1400.

East Setauket

■ A customer shopping at Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket on March 16 reported that her iPhone 13 and reading glasses had been stolen from her shopping cart. The items were valued at approximately $990.

Hauppauge

■ Five cars were stolen in one hour in Hauppauge on March 17. The cars were stolen from outside homes on Bezel Lane, Sandra Drive, Steven Place, and Maureen Drive between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., police said. All five vehicles were unlocked with key fobs inside.

Lake Grove

■ Bed, Bath and Beyond on Nesconset Highway in Lake Grove reported two shoplifters on March 18.  A man and a woman allegedly worked in tandem to steal two KitchenAid mixers worth $860.

■ Ulta Beauty on Nesconset Highway in Lake Grove called the police on March 18 to report that two men and two women allegedly stole assorted perfume and cologne worth approximately $1,000.

Melville

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Walt Whitman Road in Melville reported a shoplifter on March 17. A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing valued at approximately $1290.

Miller Place

■ Walgreens on Route 25A in Miller Place reported shoplifters on March 17. Three men entered the store and allegedly stole assorted health and beauty products valued at $950.

Mount Sinai

■ Heritage Chemists on Route 25A in Mount Sinai reported a burglary on March 15. Two men broke the front door glass with a crow bar and stole cash from the business.

St. James

■ 22 gallons of gas was siphoned from a 2022 Ram Truck parked in front of a residence on Cedar Street in St. James on March 14. The gas was valued at $95.

■ Seven vehicles were stolen from residences on Bayberry Drive, Washington Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Fifth Street in Saint James on March 18. All seven vehicles were unlocked with key fobs inside. Each of the vehicles has been recovered.

Selden

■Aldi on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a petit larceny on March 13. A woman allegedly stole a case of shrimp, 5 salmon, 5 steaks and 4 Tide laundry detergents valued at $440.

■Target on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on March 18. A man allegedly stole a KitchenAid mixer and a Keurig coffee maker valued at $580.

■A resident on Old Selden Stage Road in Selden called the police on March 12 to report that his vehicle, a 2019 Honda Sante Fe worth $20,000, had been stolen from his driveway.

Setauket

■ A car key remote was removed from a vehicle parked in front of a residence on Cobbler Lane in Setauket on March 14. The item is worth $250 to replace.

South Setauket

■ An unknown person broke the driver’s side window of a car parked in the Best Buy parking lot on Pond Path in South Setauket at 3 p.m. on March 12 and stole a MacBook 13.3 worth $900.

Smithtown 

■ A laptop, iPad and wallet containing cash and credit cards were stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked in front of a residence on Celestial Court in Smithtown on March 12.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

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Port Jefferson School District SCMEA Division I students. Photo from PJSD
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Port Jefferson School District SCMEA Division I students. Photo by PJSD
Port Jefferson School District SCMEA Division I students. Below, Port Jefferson Division II and III students. Photo by PJSD

In-person student musical performances are back, and Port Jefferson School District students represented at the recent Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association All-County Festival held at Ward Melville High School.

In the fifth and sixth grade Division I, students Josie Amtmann, Jenny Cheung, Isabella Fratticci Cseri, Nina Gnatenko, Kai Gronenthal, Ruairi Hogan, Patrick Hutchinson, Nila Manian, Austin Nam, Adyson Nocito, Clara Pearce, Violet Pryor, Sara Puopolo, Aiden Fraticci Rodriguez, Sebastian Salzman, Dylan Sproul, Kaho Sugimoto, Leilani Von Oiste and Elizabeth Yin were selected. Seventh and eighth graders Rowan Casey, Crystal Reustle, Sadie Salzman and Daria Zakharova were selected for Division II, and Division III’s ninth and 10th graders welcomed Earl L. Vandermeulen High School student Andi Kelly.

“Congratulations to all of our outstanding student musicians who were fortunate to perform in the FIRST in-person county music festival in nearly three years!” said Dr. Michael Caravello, district director of music and fine arts.

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Daylight Saving Time may be going away for good

On Tuesday March 15, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent. That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. The House of Representatives still has to meet and agree to pass the bill before it can go to President Joe Biden to sign. Also, it wouldn’t go into effect until 2023.

Be that as it may, we here at TBR News Media thought it would be interesting to see how people felt about the news, so we headed out to the streets of Port Jefferson on a sunny Friday afternoon to see what local passersby thought of the prospect of never having to move their clocks forward and back each year.

Here’s what they had to say:

Samantha Falese, West Islip 

“I love the sunshine. I’m a morning person, so when I get up, it might be a little bit darker, but I like the idea of coming home knowing it’s light out because I work about an hour away.”

 

 

 

Rachel Guglielmo, Port Jefferson 

“I’m looking forward to it staying like this. I like getting out of work and being in the sunlight instead of leaving work and it being all dark out and making me feel like my day is all over. I’m more motivated when it’s light out.”

 

 

 

Connie Poulos, Selden 

“I’m happy about it. If it’s like, so that it doesn’t get dark at 4 o’clock, that would be nice. I’m looking forward to more sunlight.”

 

 

 

 

Gwen Coady with grandson Jack, Saint James 

“My husband does construction. If he works later in the summer, it stinks. If it’s daylight, he keeps on working. The other way, he keeps more of a schedule. But I do like the daylight savings because I love to be outside.”

 

 

 


Allison Marin, Port Jefferson 

“I think I like the changing back and forth because it kind of gives you something to look forward to that day — when you know you’re getting the hour back. I don’t love losing it necessarily, but when you get the hour back, you kind of feel like you won. You know? Like you want to do something big with your hour. You have to make it worth something. I think it’s kind of fun.”

 

 

Stephen Malusa, Selden 

“I like it. Finally get rid of that nonsense. Changing back and forth is just an annoyance.”

 

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Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale says she wants to run for reelection in 2022. Photo from the Suffolk County Clerk Facebook page.

This week, TBR News Media sat down with Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale (R). In our interview, Pascale was candid about Women’s History Month, the controversy surrounding her upcoming bid for reelection and her legacy in the county clerk’s office. 

What is your professional background and how did you get to the county clerk’s office?

My husband has a business, and I was the chamber president for the Mastics and Shirley Chamber [of Commerce] many years ago. I was the first woman that was ever running for president of that chamber. It was kind of a contentious race of predominantly men and, to cut a long story short, I won by one vote. 

Later on, I went to work on a congressional race as a volunteer for Ed Romaine’s [R] campaign. After that, I worked on a district attorney’s race. When Ed Romaine ran for county clerk, he asked me to join him and that’s when I first went to the county clerk’s office, which I believe was 1989.

I went in as senior deputy, in charge of court actions. Ultimately, I became the chief deputy county clerk and served for him for about 16 years. He decided to leave to go back to the [county] Legislature — he was term limited — and when he left, I became the acting county clerk because in New York, you have to have a county clerk, a sheriff and a DA. It’s a state constitutional office.

I screened for the position, amongst many others. On March 10 of 2006, then-Governor George Pataki [R] appointed me after months of investigation. Luckily, as I like to say, I led a very dull life and got appointed and became the acting county clerk. Subsequently, I ran for the open seat. I got elected and was elected again in 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

March is Women’s History Month, and you are just the second woman in the history of Suffolk County to hold the office of county clerk. What does that distinction mean to you?

I think that it’s important that women are judged by their capability, and I think there are certain industries and certain professions that women have broken the glass ceiling, broken the marble ceiling. I think that’s important, and I think that’s a mantle that I’m very proud to carry.

As far as other women are concerned, I think it’s very important for people to know that no matter what you are, you have the capability. I’m very proud to be the second woman. There are a lot of county clerks that are females, there are a lot that are males, but I’m only the second woman to hold it in Suffolk County. 

How has the landscape changed since when you first started out? Do you notice any more women holding leadership roles in government now?

I think it has become more acceptable, more accepted that women have a great contribution to make. I don’t think it should matter whether you’re a man or a woman. If you have the capability and you have the drive and you have the ethical standards, then I think certainly the door is open for women.

Transitioning into this year’s race for Suffolk County clerk, we spoke with Republican nominee, Smithtown Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, last week and he was under the impression that you were going to retire after this term. We’d like to give you an opportunity to clear that up. Do you intend to retire after this term, or do you plan to run for reelection?

Any elected official that tells you that they’re never running again — first of all, if they say that, it may be in the heat of a moment. 

They are saying that I made a commitment that I would not run again. I believe that commitment was that I wanted another term. They’ll say that I absolutely said that I would not run again, and that is not something that I said. I said at the time that I wanted another term.

Listen, do I expect to stay here forever? No. I’ve given 30-plus years of my life to the county clerk’s office. I’m very, very proud of everything that we’ve done there. We moved this office light-years ahead and that’s because I have a great staff.

The issue that I have is the way it was handled. I asked at the end of the year if I could do a kickoff fundraiser. I was told I could. I planned one in the beginning of February and the Friday before my fundraiser, I was told that I had no support. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve done. We’re an award-winning office throughout the state. The fact that the party that I supported — I mean, I broke bread with these people — then all of a sudden I was being thrown out like last week’s trash. 

Primaries are very difficult and running a primary is a herculean task. They have an army. Anybody that has wanted to help me has, I’m going to say, been intimidated. Basically, I’m on my own and I don’t know if I’ll be successful. If I can get enough signatures to get on the ballot for a primary, I will. 

They want me out and, to me, that’s pretty devastating. I’ve served with integrity and dignity, and they should have told me six months ago. At least let me leave with some dignity. And I will tell you this: Women have come up to me and have thanked me for doing this. I’m the only countywide elected official that’s female. It’s not easy, it’s exhausting, and no one can help me. The fact that I’ve served this party and served this committee for all these years, and now I’ve become a pariah. That’s upsetting. 

As a follow-up, you have won reelection multiple times. You do have name recognition and an electoral track record. If you do get the signatures, are you interested in running in a primary race against Vincent Puleo?

I hate it. Nobody wants to go into a primary. The purpose of getting enough signatures is that if you get enough signatures, you do a primary. Primaries get ugly and, like I said, he’s got an army and I don’t. It would be very ugly and it’s not something that I look forward to, but sometimes you do things that you have to do. 

With all of that being said, if you were to win reelection in November, what kind of vision do you foresee for your office over the next four years?

When COVID hit, it was like the perfect storm. COVID hit and everybody moved to Suffolk County, so that meant that all of those land and real estate documents had to be processed and they were initiated. We not only had a shutdown order, but also this influx of this crazy real estate market in Suffolk County. We were able to do a remote system, so there was no interruption in the real estate economy, none. No financial disturbance was caused and, as a matter of fact, it was actually enhanced.

We would like to add more things to the system: more documents, more document types. I would just like to continue along that trend, add a few more documents to the electronic recording system. 

I’d like to amend the mental hygiene law for those people that have been determined to be mentally incompetent. My concern is that these people may have considerable assets, and we want to change the law to say that only the appointed person from the court can view that file. We don’t want “Cousin Mary” to be able to say, “Oh yeah, she’s got $300,000 in the bank.” These are vulnerable people that need to be protected.

Also, one of our primary concerns is cybersecurity, which is a concern everywhere. We’re working on that now and have a couple of capital projects that we’re working on to ensure our records are maintained and secure. There are a few more things that I would like to finish up, and if that happens it would be beneficial to Suffolk County residents.

Could you summarize your legacy in the county clerk’s office over the last three decades? What do you hope to be remembered for?

I would like my legacy to be that I have brought this office into this century and beyond, that I have made this office more user-friendly while simultaneously protecting the privacy of those people whose privacy needs to be protected. My legacy should be that we have won the ‘Best of New York’ award, and we’ve gotten an award for bringing government closer to the people. 

Government is a maze for most people. People have a difficult time navigating the government. My goal was to make it more accessible, more user-friendly, and we’ve won awards for this. I’m very proud that we put together a great IT team. I’d like my legacy to be that I improved the county clerk’s office, picked up where the last county clerk left off and brought it into the next phase. 

I think you have a responsibility as an elected official to leave the office somewhat better than the way you found it. Despite some of the wonderful county clerks that we’ve had, I am pretty confident that I will leave the office better than I found it, all while serving the 1.5 million Suffolk County residents.

Click here to view our interview with Puleo, “One-on-one with Vincent Puleo, GOP and Conservative candidate for Suffolk County clerk.”

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Gia Ochoa. Photo from Comsewogue School District
Paige Stonehill. Photo from Comsewogue School District
Anderson Latt. Photo from Comsewogue School District

Last month, Terryville Road Elementary School celebrated National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Guided by the school social worker, Tiffany Liebling, students practiced kindness by participating in Kindness Bingo. Boys and girls could check off a box on their board by paying a student from a different class a compliment or making someone smile.

“It’s an absolute joy to see how thoughtful Terryville students are! I feel blessed to work with such exemplary children,” said principal Annemarie Sciove. 

A student-created poster contest depicting thoughtful quotes and artwork decorated the building for the last few weeks and winners were just announced. Congratulations go to 5th grader Anderson Latt, 4th grader Paige Stonehill and 3rd grader Gia Ochoa. And a special acknowledgement to Mrs. Stoeber’s class who won the Kindness Bingo and will enjoy a pizza party next week. 

“It’s good to take care of the world,” said 3rd grade winner, Gia. 

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Luxury retail stores, such as the one shown above, have been targeted by ORC rings. Photo from Pixabay.

Organized retail crime, a nationwide retail theft phenomenon, has reached Suffolk County.

Last week, four individuals from Newark, New Jersey, were arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department for their alleged involvement in an ORC ring that stole $94,000 worth of luxury handbags from a Balenciaga store in East Hampton on March 3. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) held a press conference shortly after the arrests were made, announcing that those responsible for the theft will be prosecuted.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), above, addressed the recent spike of organized retail crime in the area. Photo from Tierney’s office.

“The individuals in East Hampton, they stole $94,000 worth of bags and they were going to sell that on the secondary market, and they were going to make tens of thousands of dollars in profit,” Tierney said. “The purpose of last week’s press conference was to let people know we are paying attention and we are going to address it because, ultimately, the people who bear the costs of that theft are the consumers, the citizens of Suffolk County who have to pay increased prices for everything.”

ORC refers to the coordinated shoplifting carried out by professional theft rings. According to Tierney, there are stark differences between ORC and ordinary shoplifting.

“We’re trying to separate retail theft from these organized retail theft rings,” he said. “While we’re taking all retail thefts seriously, we want to put special emphasis on the organized retail theft rings, where individuals come in and they’re en masse stealing large amounts of merchandise with the specific purpose of reselling it on the secondary market for profit.”

Gus Downing is publisher and editor of The D&D Daily, an online publication that follows retail trends and raises public awareness for these issues. According to him, ORC has proliferated in recent years due to the rise of the online resale marketplace.

“Organized retail crime has been around a long time, but the internet and third-party selling online is really what took this into the stratosphere,” he said in a phone interview. “When you look at the internet and third-party sellers, and then you tack on the opioid epidemic and the cartels flooding the United States with fentanyl, and then you tack on the surge in crime generically, you’ve got a heck of a problem that is spiraling out of control.”

Downing said that a considerable proportion of mainstream opioid users require a revenue stream to finance their habit. According to him, ORC and drugs are inextricably linked together.

“It’s really all about drugs,” he said. “That’s what drives a person into a store to steal. They have to get the money, and what’s the easiest place to get it when you have millions of people online that would love a deal?”

Tierney has not yet noticed a connection between ORC and drugs in the area. According to him, large returns appear to be motivating the spike in ORC-related incidents throughout the county.

“There’s the sector of the population that are addicted to drugs — they might have mental health issues, and in a sort of ad hoc, unorganized manner they steal things for subsistence and whatever meager money they make goes to drugs or they’re stealing for food,” he said, adding, “Those people from the organized rings, I don’t see drugs and drug addiction being a factor in that. I see it being a profit margin.”

“Those organized gangs, they prey on the most vulnerable people in our society.”

— Barbara Staib, director of development and communications at The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention

Shoplifting education

The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, based in Huntington Station, is an organization that works to curb retail-related thefts through education. According to Barbara Staib, director of development and communications at NASP, shoplifters can be separated into two categories: professional and nonprofessional.

“While not all shoplifters are involved in ORC, anybody who is involved in ORC is a shoplifter,” she said in a phone interview. “People don’t just jump right into being involved in organized gangs. They started as a shoplifter.”

According to its website, NASP offers online courses for adults and juveniles who need to complete a theft class as required by a court or probation officer. Staib suggested that programs such as these help to reduce recidivism of retail theft crimes, which in turn can deter recruitment into ORC rings.

Staib said NASP works with nonprofessional shoplifters. According to her, these individuals are often the most vulnerable to the predatory recruitment tactics of ORC ringleaders.

“Those organized gangs, they prey on the most vulnerable people in our society,” she said. “They prey on people that are homeless, people who are drug addicted, people who are perhaps in a bad place in their lives and need money.” She added, “From a societal point of view, ORC is very damaging.”

Tierney acknowledged the need to treat retail theft incidents in a case-by-case manner. He said the county offers various programs, such as Stoplift, for first-time offenders. However, he added that those who follow a pattern of criminal behavior will be held responsible for their actions.

“The people who stole the $94,000 worth of bags were not first-time offenders,” he said. “Those repeat offenders who are enriching themselves are completely different from first-time shoplifters,” adding, “Of course, we’re going to treat the first-time shoplifter a lot different than we are with those organized theft rings.”

Staib finds a silver lining through programs such as NASP that educate shoplifters. While she considers ORC a dangerous crime trend that requires strict penalties, she views shoplifting education as a way to counter the spread of ORC.

“We need to approach [shoplifting] in two different ways,” Staib said. “We need to approach ORC as a felony crime that meets harsh punishment.” Discussing ways to address nonprofessional shoplifting, she added, “Our message is that education is valuable at any point for someone who shoplifts.”

To learn more about the shoplifting education programs offered by NASP, visit the website www.shopliftingprevention.org.

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