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New York State Senator Mario Mattera

Blood drive heads to Smith Haven Mall Feb. 8

by Heidi Sutton - February 6, 2025

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In response to severe blood shortages in our area, NYS Senator Mario Mattera and NYS Senator Dean Murray will sponsor a blood drive at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the center of the mall. Each donor will receive a voucher redeemable for two complimentary tickets to a select New York Islanders regular season home game at USB Arena.

“Every year, millions of people worldwide require blood transfusions. There is an urgent need for blood donations, and your contribution can help save lives!,” said Senator Murray.

Representatives from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department will also be in attendance giving out Operation Safe Child and senior identification cards from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Questions? Call 516-310-2382.

Kings Park Korean War veteran Juan Rodriguez honored at VFW celebration

by Press Release - January 15, 2025

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0-9 — Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

Juan Rodriguez, a US Army veteran who served his country with distinction during the Korean War while assigned to the “Borinqueneers” the 65th Infantry Regiment, was recognized for his distinguished service at a celebration at the VFW Post 5796 in Kings Park on January 11.

During the Korean War, often referred to as the “Forgotten War,” the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, and 596 Bronze Stars. In addition, on June 10, 2014, the Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Then in 2021 Congress designated April 13 as “National Borinqueneers Day.”The 65th Regiment was the first segregated Hispanic military unit from Puerto Rico and the first unit of the Korean War to receive such distinction.

After the war, Mr. Rodriguez enrolled in the School of Commercial Arts and upon graduating he worked in advertising and then started his own Hot Press business in Manhattan. With the advent of computers, he closed his business and worked out his home for a couple of years and then secured a position as a custodian for the Kings Park School District.

During the program, Legislator Trotta related a story about his father who joined the marines during the Korean War as he did not want to go to college. In boot camp, his superiors gave him a test and he did so well that they sent him to college, and he was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War. “I am extremely proud to be here today and thank you for your service to our country,” added Trotta.

Pictured at the celebration are from left to right Nick Cipolla, representing US Congressman Nick LaLota, NYS Senator Mario Mattera, Korean War Veteran Juan Rodriguez and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Ribbon cutting held for At Home With Gina Ireland Interiors in St. James

by Press Release - December 28, 2024

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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, New York State Senator Mario Mattera, Town of Smithtown Councilwoman Lynne Nowick and members of the St. James Chamber of Commerce welcomed At Home With Gina Ireland Interiors to St. James with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 18.

Gina Ireland is an interior designer with more than 20 years of experience specializing in both residential and commercial projects. She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Locally she worked on Toast in Long Beach, a wedding venue, and the Waters Edge in Centerport, formerly known as The Thatched Cottage.

She has relocated her studio from Port Jefferson to St. James for more space but also to be closer to her home in Nesconset as one of her daughters has leukemia. In addition to the design studio, her shop sells furniture, artwork, clothes and accessories as well as jewelry, perfume and decorative objects for gift giving.

According to Ms. Ireland, “This store is more than a business to me. It’s a symbol of hope. It’s a place where I can share my passion for design and bring inspiration to others.”

“Gina Ireland Interiors is a wonderful addition to the other stores and art endeavors on Lake Avenue in St. James. I welcome her and wish her much success,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Pictured at the Ribbon Cutting for Gina Ireland Interiors are from left Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, Gina Ireland, Highway Superintendent Bob Murphy, Councilwoman Lenne Nowick, Senator Mario Mattera, St. James Chamber board members Debby and Scott Posner and Denise Day.

At Home With Gina Ireland Interiors is located at 438 Lake Avenue in St. James. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed on weekends.

For more information, call 516-413-9999 or visit ginairelandinteriors.com.

TBR News Media 2024 endorsement: Mario Mattera for Senate

by TBR Staff - October 31, 2024

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mattera2 — TBR News Media is endorsing Sen. Mario Mattera for this year's election. File photo by Raymond Janis

By TBR Staff

This election cycle, TBR News Media is endorsing incumbent Mario Mattera (R-St. James) for New York’s 2nd Senate District. Mattera has served in this position for two terms and has been proven true to his word.

His track record displays his commitment to his constituents. From assisting with Smithtown-area sewer projects to helping restore Foundation Aid for schools across the state, Mattera is respected for his ability to get his boots on the ground and fight against the issues that plague our communities.

Mattera’s strong approval for both Proposition 2 on this year’s ballot, as well as his position as ranking member on the state’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee, shows a concern for environmental issues. He is a proponent of carbon capture technology and green hydrogen development, which serve to mitigate emissions in power plants and waste facilities.

His efforts to keep our communities employed is quite impressive. Mattera’s championing of legislation that requires project labor agreements for projects worth over $10 million has been extremely beneficial in increasing employment rates, as the agreement stipulates that these public works only employ local laborers.

Craig Herskowitz (D) is a very intelligent man and seems to genuinely care about the community in which he lives, as well. His thoughtful and curious demeanor is refreshing, and his clear respect for the incumbent was palpable. While his policy ideas are well-intentioned, he simply lacks the seasoned experience of the incumbent. Giving up his post as a judge to commit himself totally to this campaign is admirable, and if his spirit and willingness to learn is any indicator of his future, this is not the last time we will hear of him.

Correction: In our paper editions, it was stated that Sen. Mattera supports Proposition 1. That is incorrect; he supports Proposition 2.

Mario Mattera and Craig Herskowitz: Candidates for New York’s 2nd Senate District

by Peter Sloniewsky - October 31, 2024

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Mattera-Herskowitz combined copy — NYS Senator Mattera (left) and challenger Craig Herskowitz (right) met at the TBR News Media office to discuss topics related to State Senate District 2. Photos by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Peter Sloniewsky

In their recent meeting at the TBR News Media office, New York State Senate incumbent Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and challenger Craig Herskowitz (D) clashed largely over issues of criminal justice reform and immigration while also emphasizing their relative comradery.

Mattera is running for his third term in State Senate District 2, which covers Smithtown, Huntington, Northport, Commack and Melville. He presents himself with a deeply local focus, having been a union leader and plumber prior to his time in public service. He describes his tenure in Albany as being “vocal” on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications, Labor and Transportation committees, as well as emphasizing a focus on environmental issues like carbon capture technologies.

Herskowitz, born in Huntington and raised in Northport, is not a stranger to public service either. After working on Capitol Hill and later attending law school, he worked on narcotics and drug issues for the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division before joining JPMorgan Chase. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Herskowitz worked in crisis management. Prior to running for office, he was a New York City administrative law judge but has since resigned.

The main point of their discussion was largely centered around bail reform legislation passed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D). Mattera drew on his endorsements from law enforcement across Suffolk County and listed a number of alleged local and national cases of bail reform leading to additional crime, attributing a perceived rise in crime rates to such reform.

Alternatively, Herskowitz emphasized his personal experience in criminal justice work to dismiss Mattera’s rhetoric as a “lot of fear tactics.” He suggested that the state alternatively invest in mental health resources, to which he attributed most failures to appear in court. He added that bail reform has been a benefit and would not be repealed in any way that the Republicans would hope for. That being said, Herskowitz did acknowledge a weakness in Democratic messaging on the subject.

Mattera also established concerns with the treatment of illegal immigrants in New York state and in New York City, referring to them as a “sanctuary state” and “sanctuary city.” He cited financial statistics meant to emphasize the heavy expenditure of both levels of government on such migrants and drew on his past experience as a union leader to say that “if we need people in the workforce … there’s a reason we have green cards.”

However, Herskowitz emphasized that most illegal immigrants simply overstay visas and that demonizing migrants coming here for a better life is a “nonstarter.” He added that most migrants are honest people and that immigrant labor has been a huge boost to the economy. He also pointed out that it’s a largely federal issue and that the main stoppage has been on the Republican end.

Both candidates, however, agreed that Long Island and New York as a whole require more federal funding. Mattera especially emphasized the importance of Foundation Aid for education and his own efforts in preserving it.

In a welcome relief from divisive political climates, both candidates concluded the debate with positive words about one another. Herskowitz said that he respected Mattera’s work as a labor leader, while Mattera said that “when I win, I’m going to take him out to lunch.”

Election Day is Nov. 5. Early voting is still available through Sunday, Nov. 3. See www.suffolkcountyny.gov for Suffolk County locations and times.

St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosts 33rd annual fall community health fair

by Jennifer Donatelli - October 4, 2024

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By Jennifer Donatelli

Under a big white tent, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted its 33rd Annual Fall Community Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9am – 12pm.

Located on 25A in Smithtown, the hospital draws hundreds of community members every year, along with local organizations and businesses, to offer free on-site services and to raise awareness on the importance of healthcare.

Visitors to this free event had the opportunity to meet with health care professionals, from over 50 specialties, for a Q&A. Hands-on demonstrations of the hospital’s latest advances in technology were also performed for onlookers.

Additionally, free flu shots were given, as well as on-site cholesterol and glucose testing, BMI screenings and blood pressure readings.

There was even a Teddy Bear Clinic, where children brought their favorite stuffed animals to be treated as real “hospital patients.” Children also enjoyed face painting and pumpkin decorating, along with free puzzles, coloring sheets and crayons, to take home.

Visitors were given the chance to learn about healthy eating and nutrition, while sampling New England clam chowder, gluten-free, pumpkin-chocolate chip loaves, chili and hot apple cider.

Declan Doyle, President of the hospital discussed what an exciting time this is for the hospital, saying, “I can sense the enthusiasm in the staff. They were all pumped up and looking forward to this day, so they could educate the public about [all things health.”

In addition to what happens inside of the hospital, Mary Ellen McCrossen, the hospital’s Community Relations Manager, explained the free services St. Catherine’s offers, within the local community, including health education seminars and library events. The hospital works with local school districts to educate students on healthy eating, strokes, diabetes and general wellness, as well.

McCrossen says, “At St. Catherine’s, we care for each other in body, mind and spirit. All three are equally important. The best way to help people heal is to have all three in sync.”

Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James,) from the 2nd Senate District, was at the event and provided some of his thoughts on the annual fair.

“St. Catherine of Siena is very important to the local community, especially our seniors who may not have access to funds or resources,” he said.

“They can come to this facility and get the flu vaccine and other testing, free of charge. This hospital is so important to the Smithtown community, [and that is why we need] to promote the hospital as much as possible,” he continued.

He went on to thank the hospital’s staff for all the hard work they do “for us each day,” and pledged to make St. Catherine’s prosper.

For more information about St. Catherine of Siena, you can visit their website at www.catholichealthli.org.

Gov. Hochul secures federal aid for Suffolk as storm ravages county

by Toni-Elena Gallo - August 29, 2024

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By Toni-Elena Gallo

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) and Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico (R), declared a State of Emergency, following the Aug. 18-19 devastating storm.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) responded by procuring President Joe Biden’s (D) approval for a federal Emergency Declaration. This allows for federal resources and assistance to be provided for the necessary repairs, prevalent in hard-hit western and middle Suffolk. FEMA will provide emergency protective measures, such as the protection of critical infrastructure facilities. According to the state’s website, “with this Emergency Declaration secured, New York’s disaster recovery experts are continuing to work with local and federal partners, to determine the state’s ability to also request a federal Major Disaster Declaration and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.”

Hochul toured the damage of both Stony Brook University and the site of the Mill Pond dam collapse. At the event, Hochul said, “In the wake of unprecedented rainfall, we continue to support Suffolk County to ensure those impacted can get back to life as usual as quickly as possible. … But seeing the people of Long Island come together to rebuild, shows the true strength of New York.”

Over in Port Jefferson, the toll of the extreme weather event is still being felt.

Rob Gitto, of the Gitto Group in Port Jefferson village, was blindsided by the severity of the storm.

“We were watching the storm closely, as we do with other major storms. I went to bed at 11;30 p.m. We checked our cameras, watched our radars and it looked like everything was going to stop in an hour,” Gitto said.

“But, this was a unique storm, where it apparently came from the North to the South, so it was a different situation. In fact, one of my employees was on standby, and went down to both [our] buildings, at around 12:30 p.m., and everything seemed fine. But, I just happened to wake up at 1:30 a.m., and whenever I can see the floors of one of the lobbies glistening, I know it’s water,” he added.

Gitto went down to the area immediately, and walked into a disaster area.

“Unfortunately, there was nowhere to pump water at that point. This particular area is taking on quite a bit of the village’s stormwater. You can see it in video footage, coming down the hill, and hitting the CVS, Barnum property, first, and then it seeped into The Brookport property.”

He said that Brookport, on Barnum Avenue, was made with the “latest and greatest” drainage requirements, but the almost-11 inches overwhelmed the system. Flood doors were on some of the water entry points, but those were, also, quickly overcome. The properties do have flood insurance.

Gitto said his main priority in the coming months will be to replace the cardio equipment in the two gyms, rip up the carpets, take out the damp sheetrock and repainting.

Rocky Point is not faring much better. Hagerman Landing Road, a dead end street, had five homes severely flooded.

In the coming weeks, more information will become available about updated financial aid disbursements.

For all the latest coverage, go to our website at tbrnewsmedia.com.

Dam breach drains Stump Pond, leaving devastation at Blydenburgh Park

by TBR Staff - August 29, 2024

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By Sabrina Artusa

Walking past the dead, dried grass littered with sharp stumps and intercepted by a slight meandering stream of water, longtime visitors of the beloved Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown can hardly believe the hundreds of acres of mud and dead vegetation, yellowing in the sun, was once an 8-foot deep lake.

The lake, also known as Stump Pond or Weld’s Pond, was fed by the headwaters of Nissequogue river and maintained by a dam, which breached after the Aug. 18-19 storm produced over 9 inches of rain.

The section of land between the dam, which was approximately 50 feet wide, and the lake was completely washed away, leaving a large chasm.

As one of the least developed ponds on Long Island, it was enjoyed by kayakers, anglers, hikers, dog walkers, Boy and Girl Scout troops and horseback riders. Throughout its two centuries of existence, the pond has boasted large amounts of bass.

Fishing and boating are impossible now, and parts of the trail are closed. Two brothers, Tom and Frank, paid a visit to the lake that was the setting for many cherished memories.

“I caught my first fish here,” Tom said. The pair came to assess the damage and to see if there could be any fishing. Frank had been fishing at the pond since 1966. The only evidence of fish now was a small colony trapped in a shallow section of residual water.

“We don’t usually see devastation like this,” Frank said. Indeed, the pond was constructed in 1798 to service the Grist Mill and in the 200 years since, the dam has been breached only once before. But it was not a spillway breach and therefore not as extreme.

An employee of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference said plans are in the works to restore the dam and refill the pond. The type of spillway that will be used in the new dam has yet to be determined.

The employee, who prefers to be anonymous, said that he is optimistic for the future of the pond. He cautioned against venturing too far along the trail. The thick mud is dangerously and decievingly deep. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), who has lamented the destruction of several valued natural and historical sites, has spoken of his plans to get the area restored. The employee said that Romaine’s appreciation for the history of the area makes him hopeful that action will be taken swiftly and effectively.

“What we have seen in the last day is an ecological, environmental and economic disaster for parts of northern Suffolk County,” Romaine said at a press conference held at the pond.

“We have to take a look at our infrastructure, catalog it, not only to repair the damage that was done, but to plan ahead so we don’t have a worse disaster in the next storm,” Romaine said. He added that, in collaboration with others, he intends to analyze dams across the county.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden (D) issued a federal emergency declaration for Suffolk County. This is a crucial step in securing federal aid for relief and restoration and is in response to the over-2,000 reports of damage across the county.

A similar dam-breaching tragedy occurred at Stony Brook Mill Pond.

According to a representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the Department of Homeland Security is working with the county on a plan for relieving homeowners whose properties suffered damage.

At Blydenburgh Park, there was no damage to the Miller’s House, constructed between 1801 and 1803 and overlooking the pond; the Grist Mill, only around 50 yards from the destroyed dam; or Blydenburgh-Weld House.

While this history was preserved at Blydenburgh, it was a small victory among larger devastation. In the Smithtown Library, a special collection dating back centuries was damaged by water when the storm caused flooding to the building’s first floor, bypassing the library’s protective measures. The building is now coping with damage to the floor as well to the archive.

New York State Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James) called the storm “devastating” and expressed his desire for FEMA funds.

Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) said, “I used to fish here as a kid. I used to ride my bike. It is one of the most beautiful spots in New York state. … We are going to rebuild this. We are going to restore this park to the glory we expect.”

Four new Eagle Scouts from Troop 7 in St. James honored

by Press Release - July 16, 2024

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0-15 — Pictured at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor from left: New York State Senator Mario Mattera, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, Eagle Scouts Ryan Bennett, Steven Cirarolo, Brendan Kieran and Joshua Prew and New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta recognized four new Eagle Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 7 at their Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Sts. Philip and James Church in St. James last month. Held on June 9, fellow scouts, troop leaders, family, friends and several dignitaries attended the ceremony to congratulate and support the new Eagle Scouts.

All of the young men acquired the necessary merit badges and demonstrated their leadership skills, as well as completing their Community Service Project to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in scouting.

Ryan Bennet, of St. James and a senior at Chaminade High School, designed and built a pergola over a baptismal font at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Ronkonkoma.

For his project, Steven Ciraolo, of St. James and a junior at Smithtown High School East, made educational signs explaining the life cycle of trees and installed them along a nature trail at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown.

Brendan Kieran, of Smithtown and a sophomore at Chaminade High School, created a new basketball court at Sts. Philip and James School/Parish. He installed two new basketball hoops and outlined the full court.

Also doing a project at Sts. Philip and James, Joshua H. Prew, of Lake Grove and a sophomore at St. John The Baptist High School, cleared the overgrown shrubbery and installed two benches adjacent to the basketball court so the children have a nice outdoor seating area.

“Coming to the Eagle Scout Court of Honor is the best part of my job. The fact that each of you achieved the rank of Eagle Scout while still a teenager is an enormous accomplishment and this recognition will be with you for the rest of your lives and you will always be held to a higher standard because of this achievement,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.

Urgent need for Asharoken seawall replacement to protect village and Eaton’s Neck community

by Samantha Rutt - June 1, 2024

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20240521_0110472_1500 — Assemblyman Keith P. Brown (R,C-Northport) stands alongside Sen. Mario R. Mattera (R,C-Smithtown), Asharoken Mayor Dr. Gregory Letica, other elected and appointed officials and community representatives at the Asharoken Seawall in Asharoken Village on Friday, May 10, 2024.

By Samantha Rutt

The Asharoken Seawall, a critical infrastructure element protecting Asharoken Avenue — the only road connecting approximately one-third of village residents and the entire Eaton’s Neck community to the mainland — faces significant degradation.

Each severe weather event heightens the risk of a catastrophic failure, which could isolate the community and hinder emergency responses.

The call for action to replace the deteriorating seawall has reached a critical juncture as Mayor Gregory Letica, local and federal officials, environmental experts and community members gathered at the Asharoken Village Hall in early May.

Led by state Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport), the meeting aimed to address the urgent need for repairs and the development of a long-term solution to protect Asharoken Village and the Eaton’s Neck community from the devastating impacts of severe weather events.

“With the current condition of the Asharoken Seawall, it is imperative we act to protect the residents who are affected every time there is a significant weather event,” Mattera said in a statement. “That is why I worked quickly with Assemblyman Brown to get all the stakeholders together to have an open and honest discussion.”

Brown emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach: “Senator Mattera and I were very pleased with the response from all levels of government to our letter to discuss the condition of the seawall, and the need for action to determine a short-term action plan to make immediate repairs and avoid a catastrophic failure of the seawall while a longer-term solution can be put in place.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also highlighted the collaborative efforts and funding secured for repairs, saying that he was “proud that $2 million in federal funding I appropriated has been secured by the village in recent years to make repairs to the crumbling seawall and plan future protective measures.”

Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY1) continued the sentiment of support expressing his commitment to the people of the village: “I am fully committed to working alongside the village, local governments and community stakeholders to find a long-overdue and permanent solution that will improve the structural integrity and 24/7 accessibility of Asharoken Avenue.”

“In January, I testified before the Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources Subcommittee to highlight the situation at the Asharoken Seawall. Recently, I requested the committee to consider policy changes in the drafting of the Water Resources and Development Act to support communities like Asharoken,” LaLota said in an email.

Though several elected officials are aware of the ongoing issue and have been actively engaged in finding a solution, the seawall project will take several years to implement.

“While I continue to advocate for federal resources, the Army Corps has informed all stakeholders that the seawall and beach replenishment portion of the project will continue to be subject to federal public access requirements, similar to the Fire Island-Montauk Point project and other projects nationwide. Even if the public access impasse is resolved, it would take several years to implement, as the Army Corps needs to conduct a new study based on current conditions to replace the one canceled in 2017. We cannot afford to wait that long,” LaLota said.

What can be done now?

Federal and state representatives continue to explore various mitigation methods. Ongoing efforts aim to secure additional funding and streamline coordination among all levels of government to expedite both interim and long-term solutions.

“Over the past 17 months, we have explored multiple mitigation methods, including restoring the seawall, replenishing sand, bolstering and elevating the road, and implementing an artificial reef to redirect problematic water currents. Additionally, in November, my office provided local officials with potential grant funding options,” LaLota shared.

As the Asharoken community and Eaton’s Neck residents await these critical improvements, the unified stance of officials and stakeholders showcases a shared commitment to protecting this vulnerable area from future storm impacts and ensuring the safety and connectivity of its residents.

“In the meantime, we see a potential path forward by focusing on areas of consensus, starting with raising and improving the road,” LaLota said of what could be done most immediately to combat the crisis. “To address this issue from all angles, I have submitted requests to secure funding for two police vehicles for the village through the government funding process. Upon approval by the full House, this would free up additional resources for the village to tackle the seawall issue head-on.”

“We will continue to collaborate with the Army Corps, village, local officials and the community to support the residents of Asharoken and Eaton’s Neck every step of the way,” LaLota concluded.

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