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Sabrina Artusa

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Smithtown school district’s Joseph M. Barton administrative building on New York Avenue. File photo

By Sabrina Artusa

Smithtown Central School District Board of Education reviewed, approved and adopted several policies Jan. 9, including a new policy regarding violence prevention protocol. 

Since labor laws specify school districts as employers, they have to have a workplace violence prevention policy. The board asserted that the policy echoes what is already being done.

One speaker, while partially pleased with the board’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents, criticized the ambiguity of each board member’s stance. “I know myself as a community member I want to see where each board member stands,” she said. She went on to say that the board should halt speakers when their speech ventures into hate rhetoric. “Allowing this to continue at board meetings is harmful,” she said, and mentioned a speaker who voiced anti-LGBT views while speaking at a meeting.

At the Dec. 12 board meeting, several parents spoke in opposition to the dismissal of the coach of the Great Hollow Middle School cheerleading team The speakers were satisfied with the coach’s performance and accused the board of failing to uphold their duty to protect their children’s emotional well-being, stating the board’s approval of her termination caused their children distress.

“We’ve been told many times by our school administrators, ‘[the coach’s] termination was a personal matter, and we cannot comment any further.’ This leads us to believe that this is a wrongful termination,” said Alexia Siderias, who has a child on the team.

At the meeting, community members said that, after communicating with other parents, they learned that a cheerleader allegedly threatened harm to her peers and was disrespectful to the coach. 

Another parent said, “Is every student’s well-being important to the Smithtown Central School District or only the ones who have parents on the Board of Education?”

The board also adopted a policy allowing a student with a disability to continue their educational program until they are 22, or until they earn their high-school diploma.

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Seymour’s Boatyard owner, Dave Weber Jr. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

The Village of Northport, known for its beautiful waterfront, thriving art sector and flourishing downtown, is widely appreciated by visitors and residents alike. Dave Weber Jr., a longtime resident, has consistently shown his love and appreciation for his community through fervent volunteerism, hands-on leadership and consideration for the overlooked.

Weber began his career in service as a junior firefighter in high school, following in his father’s footsteps, who was also a firefighter. After graduating from college and living briefly in Florida, Weber moved back to Northport, joined the fire department and took over Seymour’s Boatyard, which is listed in New York’s Historic Business Preservation Registry. Three years ago, he became a member of the village board of trustees.

One of Weber’s most consistent efforts has been fundraising for Paws of War, a nonprofit that trains shelter dogs as service dogs for veterans and first responders, like firefighters, who have physical or emotional traumas. This past summer, he raised over $15,000. The fundraiser was held alongside a free concert Weber organized in celebration of the Seymour’s Boatyard 100th anniversary.

He also raised money for the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association when the status of their paychecks was uncertain. With community support, he raised money for gift cards to give to the officers at a dinner held at the firehouse.

“Not much is said of the Coast Guard, but they are one of the branches of service that should be taken care of. They are putting their life out on the line out there for others so we as community members should be taking care of them also,” Weber said. 

Veterans affairs has been a significant concern of Weber’s. New York has the fifth largest veteran population at 790,000, according to the New York Health Foundation. Veteran suicide rates are significantly higher than the general population.

He got close to the Coast Guard community after organizing a CrossFit workout fundraiser for Nate Bruckenthal, a young Coast Guardsman who was killed in the Iraq War in 2004.

Weber also started Cow Harbor Warriors, along with several others. Under the Cow Harbor Warriors, Weber arranged for veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to visit Northport, where they enjoyed the water and attended a welcome dinner at the firehouse and a fundraising party. The goal was for the veterans, who came from across the tristate area, to feel appreciated.

Weber’s compassion is inexhaustible but is occasionally limited by external factors, such as participation, as was the case with the Cow Harbor Warriors, which, after several years of events, came to a halt.

“Everything revolves around volunteerism,” he said. “We come up with the ideas and put them to paper, but sometimes following through and executing is tough — it is definitely tough.” 

He continued, “We live in a picture-postcard community. It is a very giving community. All you have to do is look out the windows of my office to know that this is a very special place,” adding, “I feel lucky to be able to live here, and part of that is the ability to give back to the community.”

As Nicole Carey wrote in her nomination letter, “Often, if a person or an organization has an idea they want to bring forward, it is Dave they call.” She added, “He is the glue to all resources and often will help with the life of the project just because helping folks is second nature to him.”

For his continued dedication to his community, in both times of celebration and in times of need, Dave Weber is honored as a 2023 Person of the Year by TBR News Media.

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By Sabrina Artusa 

Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol and Councilman Eugene Cook received a send-off at their final Town Board meeting Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Cergol (D) joined the board in 2017 but has worked in the supervisor’s office for 16 years. Several presenters, from thankful constituents, staff and co-workers — including former Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, fellow councilmembers and former Deputy Supervisor Patricia DelCol — commended Cergol on her public service record.

Tom Hogan, a member of the Huntington Small Business Economic Recovery Task Force, expressed his gratitude for Cergol’s achievements, which include securing millions in grant funding and for Huntington’s downtown, working to increase affordable housing and establishing a shellfish garden.

Ken Patrick Johnson, director of the African American Task Force, said, “Joan’s tenacity, no excuses, getting-it-done work ethic inspired me to get interested in how local government works.”

Town Clerk Andrew Raia (R) added, “Joan, you helped teach me how to be a better elected official when it comes to bipartisanship because you look right past the politics and get right to the issue.”

Cook (R) was elected in 2012, and during his service has maintained his contracting business. Often referred to as a “self-made man,” Cook began his career as a welder before becoming a business owner and councilmember. Petrone complimented Cook’s determination, insight and fresh approach to politics. Veteran affairs was a signature concern of Cook’s.

Richard McGrath, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, wrote in a letter to Cook, “Your commitment to focus on public service instead of politics became good politics. … You always still seem to find the time and often the resources to help anyone who needed help and asked you.”

“You put the pieces together, and the veterans will always be grateful,” Raia said of Cook, who often worked on behalf of veterans and taxpayers. For example, he repaved the Northport VA golf course at no cost to taxpayers.

In addition to celebrating the service of Cergol and Cook, the town staged a public hearing exploring the possibility of designating two properties as historical landmarks.

Barry Lites thanked the board for their role in the receipt of a county grant of $500,000 for the development of the Huntington African American Museum. Lites is president of the museum board. Cergol sponsored the resolution to dedicate town-owned land for the museum’s 99-year lease.

Brooke Lupinacci and Theresa Mari were elected to fill the seats of Cergol and Cook, and will be sworn in at the next Town Board meeting Jan. 3. 

“In the rough and tumble of politics and government you can get a little beat up, but it is worth it for times like this,” Cergol said of her farewell.

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Huntington Town Hall File photo by Lina Weingarten

By  Sabrina Artusa

During the Huntington Town Board meeting on Nov. 2, town Supervisor Ed Smyth (R) and his staff reviewed the projected operational expenses budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

The $229 million budget, an increase of 4.09%, is designed for “revitalization and redevelopment,” as Smyth wrote in the budget. The heads of 10 offices reviewed their expenditures and accomplishments in 2023 with anticipated plans for 2024.

Peter Leodis, acting director of the town’s Audit & Control Department; Andre Sorrentino, superintendent of highways; and John Clark, director of Environmental Waste Management, among others, prepared presentations dissecting their predicted expenditures and their departments’ missions. 

Leodis said the town’s budget carries a 2.25% tax levy increase while not piercing the state tax cap. The average Huntington taxpayer is expected to pay $30 more for the four primary funds: the general, highway, part-town and consolidated refuse funds.

Leodis said many increases are due to “mandatory contractual increases like health services.” Sorrentino added that contractual increases account for almost 99% of his department’s total budget increase.

Don McKay, a Democratic candidate for Town Board, said, “I respectfully believe that some of the proposed revenues are not realistic but inflated.”

“I hope we are not going back to raising parking fees,” he added. 

James Ahrens, interim director of the Engineering Services Department, said his budget correlates with an “aggressive plan to address many projects,” some of which include the repair of the Long Island Rail Road parking garage, reconstruction of the Koster Park basketball courts in Huntington Station and renovation of various plants in the Dix Hills water district.

Huntington was awarded $1.25 million in funding from Suffolk County Jumpstart program for downtown parking and waterfront improvements. 

Last year, the town received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. 

McKay also voiced concern over how the capital budget has previously been utilized, saying that two projects have been overlooked and have “gone nowhere.”

In addition to budget discussion, Angelo Santomauro and Bruce Smith spoke in support of a proposal to apply a partial property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, a perk Santomauro said “will become so important in our efforts to recruit.” The tax cut would be applied only to those who have put in two-to-five years of service. 

The council also authorized the supervisor to approve programs benefiting the developmentally disabled and to collaborate with the New York Rangers for a girls hockey program.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.

 

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Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, at podium, announces new downtown revitalization stimulus funds for Smithtown communities. Photo from Bellone’s Flickr page

By Sabrina Artusa

Suffolk County is giving Kings Park, St. James and Smithtown a sizable chunk of downtown revitalization stimulus.

These funds, made available by the pandemic economic recovery allotments, will help revitalize the downtown districts while investing in developing infrastructure in downtown areas.

Through the JumpSMART Small Business Downtown Investment Program, which awards money to nonprofits, organizations and businesses, and the Jumpstart program, which awards money to towns and municipalities, the county gave $5.5 million to improve the local downtown economies.

“We recognize that our long-term economic prosperity is dependent to an extent on the success of our downtowns,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D). “Our downtowns are the places where we have the vibrancy we need to keep and attract young people in our community.”

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center was awarded $500,000, and Celebrate St. James, a leading organization in preserving arts and culture in St. James, was awarded a $100,000 JumpSMART grant. The town was additionally given a $900,000 JumpStart grant for the acquisition and restoration of the century-old Calderone Theatre, which is currently in disrepair.

Kings Park, Bellone said, has one of the most prosperous downtowns in Suffolk County. The Agape Community Sports Services was awarded a $1.45 million JumpSMART Award. Bellone described the organization as a “major regional tourism asset” expected to attract 350,000 people to Kings Park.

The Town of Smithtown was also awarded $2.5 million for traffic and street improvements in Kings Park.

“Every single penny we receive will be well spent, and it will be to benefit the Smithtown community,” Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) said.

“This is how we are able to raise local talent, invest in local communities and, more importantly, put your tax dollars back in your hands, which is why we are doing it.” Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) added.

Also in attendance were legislators Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), Suffolk County’s commissioner of Economic Development and Planning Sarah Lansdale, and Jonathan Keyes, director of downtown revitalization and transit-oriented development.

“Without the Legislature voting to put these funds in place in this year’s operating budget and in the capital budget over the last couple of years, this wouldn’t be possible,” Bellone said.

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Candidates for local office address the public during a Meet the Candidates forum Wednesday, Oct. 18. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

As Election Day approaches, candidates met Wednesday night, Oct. 18, to address various local issues affecting the Town of Huntington.

During this election cycle, two Town Council seats are up for grabs as Councilwoman Joan Cergol (D) and Councilman Eugene Cook (R) are not seeking re-election.

For the position of town clerk, incumbent Andrew Raia (R) hopes to continue for another term. Running against him is Linda Davis Valdez (D), a first-time runner who has 18 years of experience working within the courts.

Raia, formerly a New York State assemblyman, said experience is important to the position. “If you walk in and don’t know 100 of those laws cold, you will end up breaking six of them by lunch,” he said.

Valdez said, “I am the freshman candidate, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have transferable experience.” She described herself as a PTA president, Cub Scout leader and stockbroker in addition to her job as a court service coordinator.

Jillian Guthman (D), the town’s incumbent receiver of taxes, is also running for re-election against a first-time candidate, Pamela Velastegui (R), a school administrator for 18 years and now works as an operations manager.

If elected, Velastegui vowed to reduce the long lines in the tax receiver’s office, potentially choosing a new venue during tax season, such as the “Town Hall or bank parking lot.”

“There are so many ways to remedy this,” she said, adding that a better online platform could be a solution.

Guthman, Suffolk County’s former assistant district attorney, agreed with the latter statement by saying the town’s use of technology is something she wants to improve. Of her work as receiver of taxes these past five years, she said, “I’ve stepped up the outreach … and professionalism of this office,” adding, “My approach to serving the community is one of complete accessibility.”

Town Board candidates

Theresa Mari (R), Brooke Lupinacci (R), Don McKay (D) and Jen Hebert (D) are running for two open seats on the Town Board.

McKay, a former newspaper reporter and current deputy commissioner of the Suffolk County Parks Department, reminded the audience of “checks and balances” within town government. He noted that if a Democrat isn’t elected to one of the two open posts, the board would consist entirely of Republicans.

All candidates agreed that overdevelopment in Huntington is an issue they plan to address if elected. McKay said he will not be “bankrolled by developers and lawyers who want to turn Huntington into Queens.”

Lupinacci, a former assistant district attorney, and Mari, an attorney who owns her own law firm, bristled against this statement. Lupinacci said, “I do not have a price tag,” and Mari concurred, stating, “The fact that there is an insinuation that I can be bought is insulting.”

Lupinacci said she wants to reinstate a “master plan” for affordable housing instead of “piece-mealing.”

Hebert, who served on the South Huntington school board during a “contentious” time, said she “has a backbone” and would be outspoken on behalf of the townspeople. She noted that unaffordable housing causes Long Islanders to “move out of state and take all those skills with them.” She said she would communicate with developers on a solution that is attractive to them and also helpful in leading to more affordable housing.

Among the other issues discussed were the failing sea wall, harbor silting and dredging, and the closure of the Brookhaven landfill, which McKay said requires a “multitown solution” as he expects trash will have to be transported elsewhere.

Hebert referenced a policy in Massachusetts that encouraged people to compost or reduce their consumption by charging those who produced more than a specified amount. She did not intend to do this but used it as an example of reducing trash through policy.

All candidates agreed that dredging is beneficial.

Hebert disagreed with how the town had handled traffic and parking in the past, claiming a misuse of tax dollars and mistaken priorities. She said that she “wouldn’t have replaced meters or replaced a parking lot.” 

Election Day is Nov. 7.

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Smithtown High School West. Photo from Wikipedia

By Sabrina Artusa

After years of alleged bullying, a Smithtown student is suing the school district, claiming inadequate handling of the abuse. An accused party is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

According to the $6 million lawsuit, the 16-year-old was allegedly subjected to degradation, mockery and even physical assault, which was recorded and shared.

The lawsuit accuses the Smithtown Central School District, Smithtown High School West, Superintendent of Schools Mark Secaur and the district Board of Education of enabling the bullying by failing to punish the bullying students and allowing them to remain in school, consequently creating an unsafe environment.

The bullying allegedly began in 2018, when the unnamed plaintiff, “A.S.,” as the lawsuit refers to her, was in sixth grade. The Accompsett Middle School principal, Paul McNeil, was alerted.

A.S. made the varsity cheerleading squad upon entering high school in 2021, along with one of her alleged bullies, referred to as “A.M.” in the lawsuit.

At a party in the summer of 2022, A.S. was allegedly screamed at by a fellow cheerleader, pulled to the ground by another girl and beaten, all while another teenager filmed the event, the suit claims. The video was allegedly shown to several school officials, including Secaur. 

The lawsuit states that after a period of homeschooling, which was allegedly deemed below par by the school district, A.S. had to return to school, where bullying allegedly persisted. While A.S. quit the cheerleading team, the suit claims the bully was allowed to remain.

“The group of girls continued to target anyone who talked to [A.S],” the lawsuit alleges. They would tell her friends “not to be friends with her, right in front of her.”

The parents of A.S. communicated with school officials and were promised several times that a plan would be put into place and that she would be monitored by security, the suit reads. Additionally, a school counselor allegedly promised to support the girl but never did so, according to the lawsuit.

Smithtown High School West employees allowed a friend to escort her to her classes but, when pressed by parents for a solution, allegedly said there is not enough staff.

“Parents sent several emails, phone calls, texts to school administration, and all went unanswered for weeks,” the lawsuit suggests.

In another incident, A.S. was targeted in the bathroom, where she was found by an employee crying in a stall. She named her bully but was not believed by school officials, who told the parents that the girl A.S. named was not involved.

The bullying students weren’t removed from the school, according to the lawsuit, which argues that the school was negligent in allowing the bullying students to remain in school “despite knowing about these students’ vicious and aggressive propensities.”

Parents bought A.S. an emotional support animal, a horse, which was then put down by veterinarians for reasons undisclosed. This event was allegedly weaponized by the bullies, who started calling her “horse girl.”

The family’s attorney, Kenneth Mollins, told the New York Post that the accuser “threatened to kill herself if they forced her to go back to school.”

The accuser’s family filled out forms under the Dignity for All Students Act — once in 2019 and again against the three assaulters in May 2023 — all deemed “unfounded.” The Dignity for All Students Act is designed to ensure “a safe and supportive student environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying on school property.”

When questioned, the school district stated that it does not comment on matters pertaining to litigation. 

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Contractors will soon restore the decayed Winnie the Witch, seen above, into the longtime community staple beloved by generations of St. James residents. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

Winnie the Witch, the 47-year-old, 30-foot community staple of St. James, may be fully repaired in late fall.

A local couple, Victoria Johnston and Kenneth Maher Jr., are leading the effort to revive this beloved figure. Johnston, a special education teacher, and Maher, funeral director at St. James Funeral Home, began the project in March 2021. 

After many months of fundraising and working with contractors, the repairs were started. The renovations will be done by Brian Capo of Capo Design Build of Nesconset. It is hoped the work will be finished by Halloween.

Maher was raised in St. James and said he remembers driving past Winnie throughout his life. “The older we got, and still the witch remained,” he said. Now, he and Johnston want to “beautify” her “for the future generations to admire.”

Winnie the Witch

Winnie was created in 1976 by David Wicks and subsequently propped in front of his business, Wicks Nursery & Greenhouses in St. James, where she attracted families searching for autumnal festivities.

Since then, Winnie has been a signature part of St. James and Long Island. Johnston said she often gets messages from people across the country expressing how much Winnie means to them.

Winnie is listed on RoadsideAmerica.com, a website for those seeking idiosyncrasies that contribute to the charm and distinctiveness of a locale. For St. James, Winnie has always been special.

When the couple began construction, it was for sentimental reasons. Johnston and Maher grew up with Winnie, and seeing her gradual decay motivated them to take action with the consent of Wicks.

Winnie was built primarily with wood and other materials that Wicks had on hand, according to Johnston. True to her nature, Winnie became hunched over time, her head angled to the ground.

Hurricane Sandy damaged the supportive metal rods holding her upright. In renovating, contractors will replace most of Winnie’s structural support with metal.

“It’s a [nearly] 50-year-old witch that has been sitting outside,” Maher said. “We can’t work on her too fast.”

Maher and Johnston spearheaded this effort with the help of their fellow residents and are still raising money to finalize Winnie’s repairs. They have raised $15,000 to date but need a few thousand more to satisfy the total costs.

Winnie’s head is currently being repaired. Next, contractors will add metal hoops to replace the failing metal rods and old wood supports. Soon, Winnie will be back, watching over 25A and reviving a St. James tradition.

“When we first started it, we just thought that we loved the witch,” Johnston said. “It’s crazy that she had that big of an impact more than just on our little family.”

Johnston added that she was surprised by the community’s enthusiastic response. She remembers one woman who told her she would fly back to Long Island once the project is finished.

As seen by the flurry of comments across social media platforms, people have indeed rallied around this effort, celebrating the return of a figure that carries so much nostalgia. Many write to the couple, thanking them for their effort. 

“Things like that make it all worth it,” Johnston said.

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Kumo

By Sabrina Artusa

On Saturday afternoon, Sept. 9, 28 people were made ill due to the mishandling of cooked rice served at Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse on Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook.

A group of 13-year-olds were at the restaurant celebrating a birthday when some girls started projectile vomiting. Sixteen others, celebrating a baby shower, got sick after leaving the restaurant.

“I’m extremely angry with the business,” the mother of one of the girls told News 12. “We all go out to eat all the time. We never think we’re going to eat somewhere, and the food is going to be contaminated.”

Employees at Kumo deferred comment to their lawyer, John Ruggiero of Garden City, who said that health officials thoroughly checked the kitchen. Ruggiero said the restaurant “immediately implemented” a new rice cooling procedure.

He added, “All steps have been taken to ensure that this never happens again and the restaurant is fully operational with the blessing of the health department.”

According to Suffolk County Department of Health guidelines, “If the food is not cooled in accordance with the sanitary code requirement, pathogens may grow to sufficient numbers to cause foodborne illness.”

Suffolk County spokesperson Marykate Guilfoyle told Newsday that 12 of the 28 people were hospitalized at Stony Brook University Hospital and released without staying overnight. She also said that the health department issued 15 violations. Eight of the violations were for foodborne illnesses, Guilfoyle said, while others were more minor.

“All of the corrective measures were taken and the restaurant is open,” she said.

“We are committed to learning from this incident, enhancing our practices and ensuring that every visit to Kumo is not just a meal but a memorable and safe experience,” owners Tony and Bobby Lam said in a statement to Fox News.

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Attendees and speakers gather in front of Northport Village Hall during a flag raising ceremony Aug. 31. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

To mark International Opioid Awareness Day, Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force held a conference on the day itself, Thursday, Aug. 31, recognizing and remembering those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Village of Northport Mayor Donna Koch, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown (R-Northport), county Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, task force team members, law enforcement and community members were among those gathered in attendance. 

Brown has been personally affected by the epidemic, losing a family member to a heroin overdose. “We need to do more,” the state assemblyman said. “We are not doing enough.”

New York bail law doesn’t require cash bail from those accused of most nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors, so those people can be released while they await trial. Bode indicated that changes to state law are necessary for adequate enforcement and prosecution. 

“Before we can ask for bail, you would have to have enough fentanyl to kill 134,000 people,” he said. “We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to die before we can take them off the street,” adding, “That is unconscionable in the face of an epidemic.”

Beyond proposed policy changes, members of the task force suggested that prevention and education is the key to saving lives. Destigmatizing addiction and discussing resources helps create an “open conversation,” program coordinator Linda Oristano explained. 

The task force wants to ensure that the dialogue surrounding addiction is reformed into one that is productive and that those struggling feel comfortable asking for help. 

“It starts with fostering an environment where our youth can talk openly about their struggles without the fear of judgment,” Oristano said. 

It is “not a moral failing but a complex health issue,” she added.

Scott Norcott has been a member of the task force for over a decade. He joined to “facilitate change in the culture with how they deal with things.” Another member, Dawn Enright, said she joined to ensure that “there is a place to go.”

“If kids have a peer that they can talk to, maybe they don’t go down the path of addiction,” Brown added. 

The task force holds events targeting Northport’s youth, such as parenting workshops. However, the task force also consists of a separate, student-led faction called 1LIFE.

Senior Amaya Nieves is the co-president of 1LIFE. Before getting involved, she hadn’t heard of a support system in the community that “focused on tackling real-life issues.” But after being a part of the club for over a year, she said that 1LIFE inspired her to “pursue helping people and teaching people to help themselves.”

Nieves and Oristano raised a purple flag on the pole outside Northport Village Hall for the first time. Oristano said the flag reminds those struggling “that recovery is not just possible, but attainable.”

Koch honored the fire department and police department for the lifesaving work they have done on the front lines of this issue. 

Suffolk County is currently distributing $20 million of opioid settlement money, and is actively accepting grant applications for projects aimed at prevention, education and recovery. [See story, “Suffolk County opens application portal for second round of opioid settlement,” Aug. 31, TBR News Media.]

“We must acknowledge that the battle against addiction is not one that should be waged in silence,” Oristano said. Resources for help can be found on the task force website: www.ndatf.org/for-community-2.

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