Times of Huntington-Northport

METRO photo

The staff at TBR News Media would like to wish all of our readers a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!

We would also like to take this time to remind everyone that our office will be closed for the next two weeks and will reopen on January 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pixabay photo

Another year has almost gone. Maybe it was a good year for some of us or perhaps not. Maybe we’re wondering where all the days went when we could’ve sworn there were months left to lose ten pounds, learn to play the piano or master the art of relaxation. Time — it moves slowly but passes quickly.

2024 was a year of great change and tumult. November brought one of the most talked-about elections in recent history — a race that pitted the first Black Vice President, a woman, against a former president who survived an attempted assassination in July. The year also bore witness to nature’s fury with catastrophic storms like Hurricane Milton, Beryl and Helene wreaking havoc across the country, not to mention right here on the North Shore. And while some of the troubles of  2024 may fade into the past, remember — we endured it together as a community.

No matter how 2024 treated us, the good news is that a new year lies ahead. New Year’s Eve has a way of inspiring hope — a symbolic chance to start fresh to envision the possibilities of a blank slate. After the ball drops in Times Square, there’s a unique energy in the air — a sense of renewal that hopefully propels us into a year filled with potential.

But remember, 2025’s promise is only as meaningful as the actions we take to shape it. 2025 does have one very massive roadblock — December 31, 2025. So before another 365 days roll around, let’s set goals that matter — big, small or both, that we can achieve by the end of next year. Want to get involved in our community? Take that first step. Want to learn something new or pursue a long-held interest? Go for it. This is a cliche but it’s true — there’s nothing to lose and everything — even something — to gain. But above all, let’s be the change we want to see in our lives and in the world. If 2024 was a disappointment, let the fresh pages of a new calendar inspire us to address the challenges we see before us. Let’s not be deterred by the belief that meaningful change is only achievable by “others.” Change starts with all of us — and it can absolutely begin now.

As we bid farewell to 2024, all of us  wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. May 2025 bring joy, opportunity and the necessary inspiration to make it the best year yet. As J.P. Morgan wisely said, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”

By Jennifer Donatelli

The Northport Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 15 at the Northport Historical Society to celebrate the grand opening of its new exhibit, Kids Make History Cove.

With a grant from the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, the historical society created the year-round exhibit which is both fun and educational for young history enthusiasts. Interior designer and business member Elizabeth Olivier volunteered her time to help design the exhibit.

Using the museum’s educational collection and vintage items such as Victorian-era clothing, a rotary phone, a typewriter and a scale, curator Liz Abrams incorporated historical artifacts to teach visitors about Northport’s history.

Executive Director Terry Reid said she came up with the idea for Kids Make History Cove as a way to teach children about Northport’s history while having fun playing with old-fashioned toys.

“This is enriching for parents as well,” Reid said, “because they can enjoy the museum while the kids play in the new exhibit.”

Paula Pangen, visiting from Austin, Texas, brought her granddaughter Cecilia “CiCi” Collaro, 2, from East Northport to play in the Kids Cove.

“She loved playing with the rotary phone and typewriter,” Pangen said.

Visitors got a special treat when Santa stopped by to read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and take photos with children. Older kids also joined in the fun by participating in the Elf Scavenger Hunt which had them roaming the gallery to find hidden elves.

Claire Weissman of Northport brought her son, Miles, to see the new exhibit.

“I told Santa I want a Godzilla for Christmas,” Miles exclaimed as he looked for mini elves throughout the museum.

Reid said the scavenger hunt changes with each season and is another way to engage children while teaching them about history.

“They’re getting comfortable in a museum setting and realizing that museums are fun,” Reid explained. “Kids today are very interactive and we wanted to have low-tech toys that are engaging but also allow them to explore on their own.”

Cary Bianculli, director of marketing at the historical society, said the museum is committed to celebrating Northport’s history with its new Northport Notable feature. Each month, the museum will highlight a local historical figure who helped shape the community paired with a special activity for children.

“This month, we’re thrilled to highlight Henry Scudder, a Revolutionary War spy from Northport who played a crucial role in gathering intelligence during the American Revolution,” Reid said.

In honor of Scudder’s adventurous life, the museum is offering a Crack the Code activity where kids can engage in a hands-on game of deciphering secret codes similar to how Washington’s Culper Spy Ring operated to aid the American cause.

Founded in 1962, the Northport Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Northport and its surrounding communities. The museum, located at 215 Main St., houses permanent and rotating exhibits, educational programs and more than 12,000 documents, photos and artifacts that bring Northport’s history to life for residents and visitors alike.

The next Northport Notable will debut in February, featuring Edna Olmsted, a trailblazer who made history as the first woman to drive a car around the globe.

For more information on the monthly Northport Notables and other events, visit www.northporthistorical.org.

The Huntington Arts Council (HAC) celebrated the 2025 recipients of their Long Island Grants for the Arts Program with an award ceremony on December 16 at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington.

The evening was well attended with over 90 people which included artists, arts organizations, friends, family and local elected officials. 40 Artist Fellowship Grants were awarded and 20 GOS totaling $358,000 in granted funds. (See the list below) Huntington Arts Council’s Long Island Grants for the Arts Program is the first to administer an Artist Fellowship Grant on Long Island.

“HAC continues to provide critical support to Long Island’s creative sector through the Long Island Grants for the Arts Program.” Said Executive Director, Kieran Johnson.

“Monday evening was a testament to the dedication of the leadership and staff’s work to support the arts and culture communities across Long Island. It has been, and continues to be, HAC’s goal to nurture the growth of artists and cultural organizations who provide increased access to culture and creativity. We are looking forward to the remarkable work that will be created through these grants. HAC is grateful to State and Local officials for providing fiscal resources to grow this program. Thank you to Assemblyman Steve Stern, Assemblyman Keith P. Brown and Town Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo for attending our event and their words of support,” he said.

The Artist Fellowship Grant prioritizes funding individual artists to support, expand and grow their artistic practice. The Artist Fellowship is a $5,000 grant for individual artists working in all disciplines.

The General Operating Support Grant seeks to provide an impact on strengthening smaller, community-based arts and culture organizations. General Operating Support Grant is for arts and cultural organizations with a fiscal year budget of $400,000 or less. Funds are awarded at $7,000 or $10,000.

“The arts and culture sector on Long Island spans the length and width of the island. It lives in all of the community bands, orchestras, arts councils, theater groups, museums, and artists of all disciplines. They work hard, wherever they can, to create art, music, theater, film and more to share with their communities. I am proud to be part of an organization that supports and advocates for all the artists and organizations providing arts experiences for everyone on Long Island.” Said Patty Eljaiek, Grants Coordinator

Long Island Grants for the Arts are made possible through funding from the NY State Legislature and the office of the Governor of New York. Our ongoing grant opportunities, Artist Fellowship General Operating Support and Community Impact Micro Grants, have been tailored to meet the expressed needs of individual artists and non-profit arts organizations throughout Nassau and Suffolk.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 Long Island Grants for the Arts Awardees.

2025 Artist Fellows

Nassau County                        

Alicia Evans

Brooke Di Spirito

Donald Vega

Jaishri Abichandani

Jared Long

Michael Shapira

Paul Anagnostopoulos

Suffolk County

Brianna Hernandez

Brianna Sander

Christina Lee Stow

Christine Baum

Christine Donnelly

Constance Maria Wolf

Dana Parsons

Edward Acosta

Emma Pinezich

Gabriella Grama

Galina Carroll

Jessica Payes

John Testa

Karen Michel

Lauren Gotard

Luanda Lozano

Lydia Rivera

Margarita Espada

María Spector

Mark D. Nikirk

Mary Elizabeth Benedetto

Melanie Diane Berardicelli

Melissa Dennihy

Michael Celentano

Michael Krasowitz

Michelle LaPorte

Moriah Ray-Britt

Oksana Danziger

Ron Becker

Salvatore Santiago

Sarah Gross

Segundo Orellana

Sherry Davis

General Operating Support Grantees

Nassau County

Dance Visions NY, In

eVoco Voice Collective

Friends of North Shore Symphony Orchestra

The Art Guild of Port Washington

The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

Westbury Arts, Inc.

Suffolk County

Arts Center at Duck Creek, Inc

Arts Project of Cherry Grove, New York Inc

Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts

Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund (BSSAEF)

Eastline Players Corp

Hamptons Doc Fest

Island Symphony Orchestra

Long Island Orchestra, Inc.

Rites of Spring Music Festival, Inc.

Smithtown Community Band

Stage the Change, Inc

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc.

The Jam Session, Inc.

The Victor D’Amico Institute of Art

For more information on our Long Island Grants for the Arts Program go to www.huntingtonarts.org

By Jennifer Donatelli

For many, “The Nutcracker” has become a cherished holiday tradition, and the renowned Lynch Ballet Company’s Dec. 14 performance at Huntington High School was no exception. This annual production has become a highlight of the local holiday calendar, bringing families and ballet enthusiasts together to celebrate the season with artistry and joy.

Directed by Artistic Director Karen Lynch, the production featured dancers ranging in age from 4 to 18, whose skill and dedication were evident throughout the performance. Combining detailed choreography, impressive set designs and elaborate costumes, the Lynch Ballet Company delivered a memorable experience that perfectly captured the holiday spirit.

The story of The Nutcracker follows Clara, a young girl whose nutcracker toy comes to life, leading her on a fantastical journey through magical lands filled with living toys and sugarplum fairies. While the narrative has charmed audiences for more than a century, the Lynch Ballet Company brought fresh energy to this timeless tale, grounding it in Huntington’s festive celebrations.

Seventh grader Annabelle Donovan, a student at Finley Middle School, stood out in her first major role as Clara. Her performance highlighted both the innocence and wonder of the character, showcasing Clara’s transformation into the heroine of her own story. “No matter what kind of day I had at school, I know I can come to the studio and just focus on dance. Dancing is my therapy. It makes me forget about everything else going on around me and just makes me so happy,” Donovan said.

Donovan, who has been dancing since age 3, trains three hours a day and says she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her parents, Kelly and David, also joined the production as Party Mom and Party Dad, sharing the stage with their daughter. Kelly Donovan expressed her pride, saying, “She’s worked really hard for many years, and it’s the only thing she does that allows her to express her emotions and identity through dance.”

Artistic Director Karen Lynch highlighted the unique challenges of casting such a pivotal role: “You have to look like a little girl but be old enough to carry the show since the first scene is 20 minutes, and Annie does just that.”

The role of the Nutcracker Prince was played by Jaden Scott, whose performance brought both poise and warmth to the stage, complementing Donovan’s Clara. The lively party scene characters, young mice, Russian dancers and Snowflakes contributed to the production’s energy and appeal.

Senior Julianne Tudisco, who danced the lead role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, was another standout performer. A seasoned dancer since the age of 4, Tudisco has grown up with the Lynch Ballet Company, dancing roles ranging from a mouse to the Snow Queen. “Dancing is a great escape, and I love the music and gracefulness of ballet when I come to the studio,” she said. As she prepares for college, Tudisco says ballet will always be a part of her life.

The production’s artistry extended beyond the dancers to its visually rich sets and costumes. Costume Mistress Madeleine Hindus, a former designer for American Ballet Theatre, brought period-inspired detail to the stage with her meticulously crafted costumes. From Clara’s flowing white dress to the bold, colorful attire of the Russian, Arabian and Chinese dancers, every costume added depth to the storytelling and enhanced the festive atmosphere.

The sets, too, were thoughtfully designed, transporting the audience from Clara’s cozy home to the magical Land of Sweets and the snow-covered kingdom. The growing Christmas tree during the opening party scene drew audible gasps, while the life-sized Nutcracker doll created an eye-catching visual.

For Huntington, this production of “The Nutcracker” is more than just a ballet—it’s a community tradition. Each year, the performance draws local families, friends and longtime ballet enthusiasts together to celebrate the holiday season. The Lynch Ballet Company’s focus on showcasing young talent from the area makes it a point of pride for the town.

As the final curtain fell and the dancers took their bows, the audience’s enthusiastic applause reflected the joy and wonder the production brought to the community. The performance served as a reminder of the power of art to unite people and celebrate the magic of the holiday season.

For more information on the Lynch Ballet Company visit www.lynchballet.com.

Stock photo

By Heidi Sutton

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25 and ends on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 2 this year. Here are some menorah lighting ceremonies, parades and celebrations in our communities.

Commack

Multiple synagogues in the area and the Suffolk Y JCC will sponsor a community menorah lighting event at the Commack Corner Shopping Center parking lot, southeast corner of Jericho Turnpike and Commack Road, in Commack on Monday, Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m. There will be entertainment, live music, dreidels, chocolate gelt,  latkes and giveaways. 631-462-9800

Coram

Join Lubavitch of the East End for a menorah lighting at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Road, Coram on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. 

Dix Hills

The Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills invites the community to their Grand Menorah Lighting on Thursday, Dec 26 at 5:30 p.m. with latkes and donuts. on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. 631-351-8672

East Setauket

Participants enjoy donuts and latkes at a previous Village Chabad menorah lighting in East Setauket. Photo by Gail DeClue

Village Chabad, 360 Nicolls Road, East Setauket will host a Chanukah Car Parade and Grand Menorah Lighting with a Chocolate Gelt Drop on Thursday, Dec. 26 starting at 4 p.m. with latkes, donuts, magic show and hot cocoa. $10 per person in advance, $15 day before. RSVP required at at MyVillageChabad.com/RSVP. 631-585-0521

Farmingville

Join the Town of Brookhaven and Lubavitch of the East End for a Chanukah celebration at Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. with a menorah lighting, magic show, latkes, donuts and more. 631-698-4000

Greenlawn

The Greenlawn Civic Association will host a Menorah Lighting Ceremony and Hanukkah celebration at Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn in the Communiy Meeting Room on Monday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. www.greenlawncivic.org

Huntington 

Chabad of Huntington Village will host a Grand Menorah Lighting at the Huntington Village Winter Wonderland along Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. featuring music by Toby Tobias, fire juggling, festive balloons, chocolate gelt and donuts. 631-276-4453

Huntington Station

Chabad of Huntington & Melville invites the commuity to a Chanukah Wonderland at the Walt Whitman Shops,160 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station (near center court) on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. Enjoy dreidel painting, doughnut decorating, face painting, giant Menorah lighting, build your own menorah, balloon designing, Chanukah gelt, arts & crafts, music, family entertainment, and much more. Free. RSVP suggested. www.Melvillechabad.com/chanukah, 631-385-2424.

Mount Sinai

Join Lubavitch of the East End for a menorah lighting at Heritage Park, 633 Mt. Sinai-Coram Road, Mt. Sinai on Monday, Dec. 30 a 5:30 p.m. 

Northport

Join the Village of Northport in lighting the menorah outside Northport Village Park on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. 631-261-7502

Port Jefferson Station

The Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Menorah Lighting at the Chamber Train Car, corner of Route 112 and Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station on Wednesday, Dec. 25 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  Join them for a special ceremony led by Rabbi Aaron Benson of the North Shore Jewish Center.  631-821-1313.

St. James

The community is invited to the St. James Menorah Lighting Ceremony at The Triangle, Route 25A and Lake Ave., St. James on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 at 5 p.m., Dec. 27 at 4 p.m. and Dec. 28 to Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. 631-584-8510

Stony Brook

Temple Isaiah, 1404 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook invites the community to a Community Candlelighting on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 5 p.m.  Join Rabbi Josh, Rebbetzin Meg and the Shabbat Singers for the first night of Chanukah. Please RSVP by calling 631-751-8518.

Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown and Chabad of MidSuffolk will hold its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Town Hall, 99 West Main St., Smithtown onThursday, Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, latkes, donuts and a special gelt drop for children. 631-360-7512

Horseshoe crab. Stock photo
Gov. Hochul says regulation authority should stay with DEC

By Mallie Jane Kim 

New York’s horseshoe crabs remain available to use as bait, after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) vetoed a bill that would have prohibited the practice. Long Island environmental groups that had advocated for increased protections were not happy with the move.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY.) Photo Courtesy of www.governor.ny.gov

“I’m angry and disappointed,” said George Hoffman, cofounder of the Setauket Harbor Task Force, which monitors water quality in area harbors and was one of about 60 organizations that signed on to a September letter urging Hochul to sign the bill.

“It will be hard to build enthusiasm among the environmental community for this governor,” Hoffman said.

Hochul’s Dec. 13 veto argued the species is already regulated by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and said the bill could have “unintended consequences” on managing species like whelk and eel, which are harvested using horseshoe crabs as bait. 

“While this bill is well intentioned,” she wrote in a letter to the state assembly, “the management of marine species is better left to the experts at DEC.”

She also expressed concern the bill could be detrimental to the commercial fishing industry and the biomedical field, which uses horseshoe crab blood in the development of vaccines.

Members of the commercial fishing industry were grateful for the reprieve. 

“We’re thrilled that legislation didn’t take the place of science,” said Bonnie Brady, executive director of Montauk-based Long Island Commercial Fishing Association.  

Brady questions the sufficiency of methodology and equipment used to count New York’s crab population for the ASMFC’s report, which rated the state’s stock of horseshoe crabs as “poor.” She laid out her concerns in a letter to Hochul earlier this month, arguing the species is already highly regulated and not overharvested. 

“Fishermen’s lives and livelihoods depend on this,” Brady said. “Fishermen deserve the best science available — we aren’t doing anything that’s even close to on par with what other states are doing.”

Brady added that fishermen do not want to see the species depleted, and they will work within the regulations they are given.

Before its veto, the bill drew attention from legendary conservationist Jane Goodall, who urged Hochul to sign the bill to protect the ancient species, calling on their “shared sense of responsibility for the natural world.”

For her part, Hochul said she is directing DEC to evaluate whether additional measures could help protect the species, and she pointed to the agency’s current efforts to address concerns about overharvesting, including harvest prohibitions during the May and June spawning season. The agency also limits the annual horseshoe crab harvest in New York waters to 150,000, which is half the quota allowed by the ASMFC.

Environmental groups are not taking her assurance as consolation. 

“Governor Hochul didn’t just drop the ball; she dropped the axe,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Farmingdale-based Citizens Campaign for the Environment, in a statement. “It’s unacceptable to allow the continued antiquated practice of chopping up horseshoe crabs so they can be used as bait by fishermen.”

Esposito said her organization will keep advocating for stronger regulations to ensure long-term protection of the species.

By Steven Zaitz

The Northport Boys Basketball team earned their first league win on Thursday, Dec. 12, on the road against North Babylon — but it certainly wasn’t easy.

Down by as many as 12 points to the Bulldogs, Northport came storming back with a dominant 17-9 4th quarter. But after a free throw by North Babylon guard Kameron Quinn, the Tigers were down by one point with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Northport elected not to take a timeout and guard Shamus Burke rushed the ball up court and gave it to big man Sean Cogan in the corner. Double-teamed, Cogan handed it off to senior guard Patrick Gimpel, who drove diagonally through the lane and threw up a right-handed scooping layup that evaded the outstretched block attempt by North Babylon’s Logan Artherly. It gave Northport a 49-48 win and stopped the Tigers three -game losing streak.

Gimpel scored all 11 of his points in the second half — obviously none bigger than his last-second game winner. Senior forward Owen Boylan led the Tigers with 13 and Cogan had 10. Brody Gozzo had 9 and Burke 8.

Northport began its comeback when they scored 7 straight points midway through the third quarter. Boylan hit a short jumper in the lane and Gimpel spun out of a pick and roll and scored on a nice feed from Cogan, as North Babylon committed three turnovers in a two-minute span in that third quarter which allowed Northport to sneak back in.

The final ten minutes were hotly contested before Gimpel scored the final bucket of the game.

Northport moved to 2-3 overall on the year and 1-1 in the newly configured Suffolk County League 3. They play league contests against Copiague and Huntington this week.

  • Photos by Steven Zaitz

File photo by Raymond Janis

A call for transparency and accountability in village leadership

I’m writing this opinion piece in response to a recently published opinion piece by former (appointed) trustee Drew Biondo [TBR News Media. Nov. 21]. In this instance, it’s important to recognize that this opinion is clearly a biased one in support of the very same mayor that appointed Mr. Biondo to the short-lived position he held in this village. It is commendable that he defends the actions of his mayoral friend.

However, there is a very shocking lack of accountability in this opinion. Is this not the same trustee that stood on a village soapbox passionately speaking of the importance of ethics and transparency? This same mayor unethically misled members of the current trustee board when discussing the very incident that sparked this change. Misled enough so that 3 of the 4 board members publicly said so. Frankly, an emergency meeting was called by the mayor and all trustees were not truthfully informed of the timeline that led to this emergency meeting. That is not to be ignored or glossed over.

While the complicated issue of guns can be debated for months, the unethical lack of transparency and honesty cannot.

Keith Ottendorfer

Resident and Admin of Healthy Conversations in Port Jefferson

Examining Governor Hochul’s proposed inflation refund

Governor Hochul’s $3 billion proposed inflation refund to taxpayers funded out of a surplus of excess tax revenue is nothing more than a preelection bribe to grease the wheels of her upcoming 2026 reelection campaign. Offering those with income under $150,000, $300 comes to $25 monthly over one year. Offering joint filers with income under $300,000 dollars, $500 comes to $41.66 monthly over one year,  

There are better alternatives such as reducing the state sales tax, using the funds as a down payment toward reducing Albany’s $423.4 billion long term debt, which represents $21,700 per citizen, or help fill the $33 billion shortfall in the MTA’s proposed $68 billion, 2025-2029 Capital Plan.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

A call for action on battery storage zoning

This is a call to our hires — to those with jobs we provide through taxes and elections at Brookhaven Town.

I urge the board to get to work. Create an appropriate zone for siting battery storage facilities so we can expand our use of alternative energy.

At best, the lack of action in creating zones for battery storage far from folks and forests, conveys a lack of insight. At worst, and I hope this is not the case, the lack of movement is deliberate, setting residents against applicants.

Whatever your challenges, kindly set them aside as your assignment is due.

Joan Nickeson

Terryville

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
By Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Executive

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.