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Serena Carpino

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Pixabay photo

By Serena Carpino

Smithtown Central School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13, to discuss an updated safety plan and other policies for the upcoming school year.

As per New York’s Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, every public school district across the state must annually submit plans for districtwide school safety and building-level emergency response. Schools are also required to make these plans available for public commentary. The Smithtown school district posted its plan to their website on June 29, with an email address open for questions and comments until July 31.

At the meeting, the board voted on a resolution to approve the districtwide and building-level plans. Both were approved in a 7-0 vote. According to Kevin Simmons, assistant superintendent for instruction & administration, “The only structural changes that occurred from this year versus last year’s plan were some clarifications that were identified regarding language from New York State. With that said, the fundamentals of the plan remain consistent from year to year.”

In addition to the safety plan, the board approved changes to the meal plan policy, including revisions in parental notifications and timelines. A few memorandums of agreement were passed, one of which was between the school district and the Smithtown Security Guards Association in a 7-0 vote.

Additionally, Mark Secaur, superintendent of schools, issued his report. He expressed excitement for the upcoming school year and highlighted the Smithtown Promise, a set of principles for educators to model to students. According to Secaur, incidents of racism and antisemitism during the 2023-24 school year were “sobering reminders of the responsibility [district officials] have to make sure all students are accepted and feel they belong.”

Secaur then explained the details of the promise. “The Smithtown Promise outlines four principles and 16 habits for adults and young people to establish and nurture. We need to model and reinforce the following principles with each of our students: Your dignity is a given; You belong here; You are a difference maker; You were made to excel.”

The promise goes into more detail, with each principle having four habits. Secaur also clarified that it “is not a program or curriculum that needs implementing but will serve as a reference point and tool for motivating our students while setting expectations and desired norms within our school community.” He assured residents that more information about the promise will be provided soon.

Public input

To conclude the meeting, the board opened the floor to public input. One local resident voiced his disappointment with the school board in previous years but expressed hope for a better outcome with new board members. 

He explained, “Just two years ago this month, I stood at this very spot and noted that, from my perspective, the board’s activity for the previous year was totally dysfunctional.” However, he hoped “from this point on, with new board members in place and the tasks that lay ahead for our district’s administrators, we will get our district back right on track for the benefit of our students and our community.”

The community member shared a quote from Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Sunday in the Park with George.” The member concluded by saying, “So let’s all work together so that this year we will create a true work of art for our students.”

The next regular BOE meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

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Volunteers of the Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation
Joseph 'JoJo' Larosa
Golfers at the 2nd annual Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation golf outing.
Gina Mastrantoni and Emily LaRosa
The Joseph 'JoJo' LaRosa Foundation

By Serena Carpino

[email protected]

The Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa Foundation held its second annual golf outing at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Setauket Monday, July 29. The event honored Joseph “JoJo” LaRosa, who passed away in August 2021 after a three and a half year battle with desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor/sarcoma. 

JoJo was an avid athlete who played football and lacrosse at Ward Melville High School. “He was an athlete from the very first minute,” said Gina Mastrantoni, JoJo’s mother and executive director of the foundation. “His very first word was ‘ball,’ so he’s played almost every single sport.” 

JoJo was not only a dedicated athlete, but he was often described as kind, friendly and selfless. “He was always looking out for everyone – his friends and family. He was a very loyal friend and brother. Not only for his friends and family, but also for the kid in the next bed at the hospital,” said Emily LaRosa, his older sister and vice president of the organization. 

“He struggled so much physically [and] emotionally, and he still had space to think about his family, his friends and other kids that were in the same situation as him. And so I think that shows his selflessness and his ability to have empathy and compassion for other people,” she added.

Mastrantoni said, “He was often worried about me being his caretaker, always checking on me. He was selfless that way.”

Because of his illness, JoJo had to undergo several surgeries, which resulted in him having a large incision down the front of his body. The scar left him unable to be tackled again, leading him to commit himself to golf “as a way to release his anxiety and perfect his swing,” his mother explained. “He was a perfectionist. He was a really driven athlete.”

The foundation chose St. George’s as the location for the outing specifically for several reasons. “We were members at one time. We gave up our membership because we didn’t have time to come with his illness,” Mastrantoni said. Still, JoJo would play with his stepfather’s best friend, Chris Van Tuyl, who was a member. In addition, one of JoJo’s best friends worked in the pro shop and St. George’s was JoJo’s favorite course. “He loved this sport,” Mastrantoni added. “It was meant to be.”

LaRosa further commented on JoJo’s passion for golf: “He played as often as he could, even when he was sick. It was a way for him to escape and one of his favorite hobbies.”

She explained how the foundation plans to use the funds collected from the outing. She highlighted that the event’s purpose is not only to celebrate JoJo’s memory and keep his legacy alive, but also “provide support to other children and families that are in similar situations to my brother when he was sick. Specifically young patients who have cancer, diseases or illnesses. We’re raising funds to be able to do all those things to give back to those afflicted.”

The outing is not the only way the organization is committed to helping families in need. During the winter holidays, they hold a toy drive, collecting and donating toys to hospitals in the area as well as out of state. 

This past year, “We went [from] five hospitals to nine hospitals [to which] we gave toys in his name,” JoJo’s mother said.

Furthermore, the foundation is holding a blood drive on Aug. 8 at St. James R.C. Church, 429 Route 25A in Setauket from 1:45 to 7:45 p.m. 

“He needed so much blood during his illness,” Mastrantoni explained. “I can’t even count the number of transfusions that he needed. At his last surgery he needed 80 units of blood, which I think is like 35 people’s [donations]. And there’s a blood shortage right now so we’re doing this in his honor for other people.”

More information can be found at jojostrong.org.

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Sunrise celebrates groundbreaking project. Photo courtesy Sunrise Wind.

By Serena Carpino

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced Wednesday, July 17, the start of construction on Sunrise Wind, an offshore wind farm about 30 miles off the coast of Montauk. The project is spearheaded by Ørsted, a global leader in renewable energy. To celebrate the groundbreaking of the project, officials from Ørsted met with several government leaders at the Boys & Girls Club in Bellport.

Earlier this year, Sunrise Wind received its Record of Decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for clearance to begin construction. At the time, the project was run by Ørsted and Eversource, another clean energy leader.

Sunrise Wind is now fully overseen by Ørsted, which agreed to buy Eversource’s 50% share at a value of $152 million, a significant decrease from the projected purchase price in January, set at $230 million due to a reduction in the anticipated capex for the project. The two closed a deal earlier this month, with Ørsted expecting the wind farm to be operating in 2026.

David Hardy, Ørsted executive vice president and CEO of Region Americas, in a statement said, “Sunrise Wind has been significantly de-risked and achieved important milestones since we agreed with Eversource to buy their share. The transaction is a value-accretive opportunity for Ørsted as we continue to develop the project.”

In addition, Hardy highlighted the companies’ achievements and expressed gratitude for Eversource. “As a centerpiece of New York’s clean energy economy, Sunrise Wind builds on our momentum from South Fork Wind [another wind farm developed by Ørsted and Eversource], further expanding the local offshore wind supply chain and workforce. We thank Eversource for their years of partnership and ongoing support.”

The Sunrise Wind plan is to create 800 direct union jobs and $700 million in economic revenue. Officials expect that, upon completion, the 924 megawatts of clean energy generated by the farm will power around 600,000 homes. 

Groundbreaking ceremony

Leaders in attendance at Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony included Elizabeth Klein, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Doreen Harris, president and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R).

Ørsted was congratulated for this advancement in the development of Sunrise Wind. The importance of this project was stressed in helping New York State officials achieve their current energy goals: utilizing 70% clean energy by 2030 and 100% by 2040. 

“Today’s shovels in the ground … marks yet another step forward in advancing offshore wind in New York state, and realizing the potential of this powerhouse industry in accelerating the state’s energy transition and growing our economy,” Harris said.

In addition, Klein commented that the wind farm is a key step in allowing the Biden-Harris administration as well as New York to meet their renewable energy goals, reiterating that “BOEM is proud to join the State of New York and Ørsted in celebrating this milestone as we work together for a cleaner energy future, while providing good-paying jobs and ensuring economic opportunities are accessible to all communities.”

Sunrise Wind has also received significant bipartisan support, with many politicians commenting on the benefits of the wind farm. 

“The day has finally come when this important project starts to take the final step toward becoming a reality,” Romaine said. “These projects will help transform the region and keep Suffolk County more affordable. I thank Governor Hochul for her efforts and commitment to clean energy in New York state.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) also highlighted the significant impact that offshore wind farms will have on improving New York’s economy and reducing harmful emissions.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of construction on Sunrise Wind — New York’s largest job-creating and clean-energy producing offshore wind project that will change the energy landscape in New York for the better,” he said.

“Built with union labor, Sunrise Wind will provide clean energy for hundreds of thousands of New York homes and boost the regional economy. New York’s energy needs are vast, and so is the urgent need to reduce the greenhouse gasses driving climate change,” he added.

Schumer emphasized that he would continue to work with other government officials to further future renewable energy projects.

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A scene from the 2024 Corn Festival Powwow. Photo by Serena Carpino
A scene from the 2024 Corn Festival Powwow. Photo by Serena Carpino
A scene from the 2024 Corn Festival Powwow. Photo by Serena Carpino
A scene from the 2024 Corn Festival Powwow. Photo by Serena Carpino
A scene from the 2024 Corn Festival Powwow. Photo by Serena Carpino

By Serena Carpino

The Setalcott Nation held its annual Corn Festival Powwow on the grounds of the Setauket Elementary School on July 13 and 14.

After a rainy start Saturday morning, the two-day event included storytelling as well as performances from indigenous dancers and drummers. In addition, eventgoers heard speeches from Setalcott Nation chairwoman Helen Sells and tribal members Chiitra Wells and Monique Fitzgerald. 

According to Sells, a graduate of Setauket Elementary School, the powwow is a celebration of Setalcott history.

“We started this 18 years ago and decided that we would try to keep this going because of the history,” she said. “Because history, if you don’t keep it going, gets lost.”

The tribe has successfully kept the tradition alive, with most of the vendors at the event having participated for the last 18 years. 

This celebration has brought some Setalcott members back to their roots, while it has allowed others to connect to their roots in a way they have never done before.

Robin Murdock, a retired Army veteran of 22 years, came back to his former community for the first time in 30 years to attend the event. Although this was his first time present, Murdock explained that the tradition “signifies how we come back together and show community. It’s important for how we pass on the culture, and let people know that we are still here. It’s a time for the kids to see what their ancestors have done and to hopefully carry that on.”

Sells explained that the original deed to transfer ownership by the Setalcott tribe of their land — that became the future Town of Brookhaven — to the British was signed on April 14, 1655. 

The land on which American Legion Irving Hart Post 1766 stands, located on Christian Avenue in Setauket, was given to the American Legion by Sells’ grandmother, who wanted to honor her brother, a veteran of both world wars.

“That’s why it’s called Irving Hart American Legion,” Sells, whose full name is Helen “Hart of the Morning Star” Sells, explained. 

Setalcott Nation’s close community and familial ties also reflect the tribe’s core beliefs.

“We value life and family,” Murdock said. “We cherish our history. We are people of courage, and we try to stand for the right things. Those are our [peoples’] values.”

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The Three Village Dads Foundation organize efforts to restore the Merritt-Hawkins House in Setauket. Photo courtesy David Tracy

By Serena Carpino

Three Village Dads Foundation recently finished refurbishing the outside area of the Merritt-Hawkins House in East Setauket. The renovations of the 9-acre property cost about $40,000.

The house, located on Pond Path, was leased to the Three Village Dads in 2021, after Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) approached the organization about a partnership. In July 2022, Three Village Dads began fixing up the house and after two years of work, the outdoor renovations were complete. 

After Kornreich was first elected, he began to identify properties owned by the town that needed to be fixed up and looked for stewards to repair these areas. Kornreich said that he chose the Three Village Dads organization for this project because he “figured these guys are going to put on their New Balance sneakers, go out there, and cut vines and be dads in the backyard of this place and clean it up.” Kornreich continued, “It was a good match because there’s a lot of volunteers who like to do this kind of hands-on project.” 

The first step of the restoration was to clean up the trails that led to the vernal pond at the back of the property. Volunteers cleared brushes, put down wood chips and built a parking lot increasing the accessibility for members of the community. In addition, they placed signs around the property that identify different plants and other unique factors of the house. 

Although much of the work was done by volunteers, Three Village Dads also enlisted the help of outside companies. David Tracy, president of the organization explained that they “used [about 30] volunteers from the group for the first year. However, there was a lot of heavy lifting and work to be done, so we hired a few companies to help with the remaining work.” 

The foundation hired Clovis Outdoor Services, a Stony Brook tree company to remove old or rotted trees. In addition, JM Troffa Hardscape, a masonry and building supply company from East Setauket, provided Three Village Dads with the materials for the parking lot. Furthermore, Sheep Pasture Landscaping of Port Jefferson Station helped finish remodeling the trails. Tracy added that they “had a Boy Scout complete his Eagle Scout project on the property by installing our educational signs and building benches.”

The house is near to Nassakeag Elementary School, and Tracy and Kornreich hope that students and teachers will be able to take advantage of the trails through nature walks. There are over 15 educational signs meant for student use. 

“The house is connected to Nassakeag and we’re going to put a gate in between the two, so students from other parts of the district can take a bus and go on guided nature walks and educational walks. So, it’s good for students and it’s good for people that want to just get out into nature,” Kornreich said.

Tracy confirmed there will be public access to the property. 

Having completed the outdoor renovations, Three Village Dads hope to finish work on the inside of the house within the next two to three years. Tracy said that their goal is “to transform it into something similar to the historical society building, with a small museum.”

Kornreich will spearhead a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the house May 1 to commemorate the finished work around the outside. “The reality is that these guys do so many things to support the community and they never really do it for the publicity or the recognition, so I think it’s a really good opportunity to highlight the good work they did and thank them for all their hard work,” the councilmember said.

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Emma S. Clark Memorial Library

By Serena Carpino

Recently, Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket has made many changes. From their new café to their outdoor patio, the library has undergone several renovations in the past few years. Combined with the creation of new programs, these additions reflect efforts to incorporate modern technology into Emma Clark. 

The library originally decided to add the outdoor patio space after the pandemic. The patio, which is fully wheelchair accessible, has added 800 square feet for patrons to sit and enjoy reading books in nice weather. The architect in charge was John Cunniffe, a Stony Brook resident who has done many projects for the Three Village Historical Society, Frank Melville Memorial Park, The Long Island Museums, and various other local organizations.

In addition to the outdoor patio, the library also installed a new café, which is run by Level Up Kitchen. The kitchen is owned and operated by Chelsea Gomez, a local chef. In her cooking, Gomez prioritizes sustainability, using high quality ingredients, and working with Long Island farmers. 

According to Lisa DeVerna, a spokesperson from Emma Clark, the café has been successful so far. “We’ve been very pleased with how the café is going so far. We’ve seen people of all ages, from senior citizens to teens, utilizing the café, an extended service of the library.”

Other changes include adding a Main Reading Room, where the café is located. This section is now separated by glass doors to allow more social activities in the front, while the back is reserved for reading and quiet activities. 

The library is also planning on adding an environmentally friendly HVAC unit in the near future. It will be energy efficient and not use fossil fuels.

Aside from construction, Emma Clark has also continued to add new programs and projects for visitors. This March, the library is offering Seed Library and Seed Swap Box to celebrate the first day of spring. This addition goes along with the gardening classes, which have been very popular both in-person and online. 

The library is also working to expand programming opportunities for teens. “Since the establishment of Teen Services as a new and separate department just last year, programming has more than doubled,” DeVerna said. “We hope to continue to grow this department.” 

To do this, the library plans on providing more programming opportunities both in and outside of the library. For example, they have been offering more technology classes, including a course on advanced Excel, the first non-beginner course at Emma Clark. Also, they have placed a greater emphasis on the Cricut machine. While it may seem that most of the improvements have been for teens and adults, the children’s library is continuing to see changes as well. “In our Children’s Library, we have added new imaginative play toys, and looking ahead, we’re hoping to continue rearranging the flow and usage of that area to make it a more welcoming space,” DeVerna explained.

The recent years have seen many technological updates for Emma Clark. While some may worry that such additions can distort the original intent of a library, DeVerna clarified the benefits of these changes. “As the world has evolved, libraries have evolved with it.” She explained that the library offers printed, eBooks, and audiobooks in order to cater to all of their patrons’ needs. In addition, they supply both movies and music and have databases for people to “learn anything from history to finance to genealogy to how to fix your car.”

“We recognize that technology now plays a large part in obtaining information, so we help people learn how to use their computers and mobile devices through computer classes, tech clinics [where adults learn from teen volunteers], and even one-on-one appointments with a tech-savvy librarian,” DeVerna said. “We have classes and events for all ages. The library connects people and is a community and information center, both in our building and beyond its walls.”

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Signs displayed along the roadside on 25A in Setauket. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Serena Carpino

Recent debates about road signage removal along Route 25A have sparked controversies between small business owners and local politicians. Specifically, town officials have reached out to store owners in Old School House Square in East Setauket, requesting that road signs be removed. Some owners have taken down their signs, but others disagree, saying that it is unnecessary. 

Signs displayed along the roadside on 25A in Setauket. Photo by Samantha Rutt

“My sign has been there for 13 years, there’s never been a problem,” one local business owner explained. “When I had the sign first installed, I was very cognizant of the history, nature and culture of our community. The sign is a wooden sign that absolutely conforms to the aesthetics of the Three Village community, it is a small, classy-looking sign that should offend no one.”

According to the owner, many businesses have struggled since the pandemic, and street signs are a crucial part of attracting customers.

“Business is difficult these days for small retailers like me,” he said. “Artificially inflated inventory costs, competition from Amazon, increased utility costs are just a few of the hardships that small business people must endure.” 

He added, “A street sign is an essential part of any business. It attracts new business, it reminds customers that you are there and it acts as a beacon, letting the world know who you are and what you do. It is essential to the success of my small business.”

Town councilmember addresses the issue

Signs displayed along the roadside on 25A in Setauket. Photo by Samantha Rutt

At the latest Three Village Civic Association meeting Feb. 5, Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) addressed the issue. “I hate driving through Main Street, like around Mario’s, that area [Old School House Square],” he said. “You know, there is no greater negative impact on — as far as the creation of visual blight and the way a neighborhood looks — than signage.”

He explained that when he tried to confront the issue, he discovered many exceptions to the town code, causing it to be virtually unenforceable. To combat the problem, Kornreich said the town is hiring an outside counsel to create a new sign code. 

Kornreich also admitted that some business owners would be upset with this decision. “I’ve already started getting letters from some of them,” he said. “I’m going to pay a price for that, but you’ve got to get the signs under control.”

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Sunrise Wind. Photo courtesy Sunrise Wind

By Serena Carpino

Several Suffolk County elected officials have gathered in support for Sunrise Wind, an offshore wind project dedicated to using clean energy to power thousands of Long Island homes. 

Sunrise Wind is operated under a 50/50 partnership between Ørsted, a Danish international climate action leader, and Eversource, a national leader in clean energy. The project has been ongoing since 2019 and organizers aim to have it completed by 2026, with the farm generating about 924 megawatts and supplying energy to nearly 600,000 homes across the Island. 

Sunrise Wind is located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk. Developers plan to run cables through Smith Point Beach that will connect to Long Island’s electricity grid in Holbrook. Officials intend to use the wind farm to provide Island residents with 70% renewable energy by 2030, and 100% by 2040. Eventually, they hope to make Sunrise Wind a national energy hub. 

The project has received bipartisan support across the county, with members of both parties agreeing to look toward a more renewable future. Officials supporting Sunrise Wind include County Executive Ed Romaine (R), state Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R), and other business and labor leaders. 

“Here, this is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Romaine explained. “Our focus is local and since we all live here, we want to solve the problems together to get this done. When I look at the future, I realize we’re going to need more energy than ever: Why not renewable?”

Other officials have commented how the project is already helping parts of Long Island with its $700 million investment in jobs, assets, and partnerships across Suffolk County. 

“In the Mastic-Shirley community, Patriots Preserve, we got our first million dollars from this agreement,” Panico said. “We used that money in the creation of a beautiful pristine park in the tri-hamlet community, one of the most densely populated communities that is underserved.”

Furthermore, Sunrise Wind has brought many job opportunities to Long Island residents. According to Meaghan Wims, a spokesperson for Sunrise Wind, the project will “deliver major economic benefits and local jobs to New York … while accelerating the state’s growing offshore wind workforce and supply chain.”

Many officials agree that Sunrise Wind will bring many benefits to Long Island. However, they have also addressed potential concerns about the effect on marine life and fisheries. 

“Climate change is an existential threat to the biodiversity of the natural world, and one of the best ways to protect that biodiversity is the development of clean energy,” Wims explained. That being said, Sunrise Wind takes “great care to ensure that offshore wind and wildlife coexist and thrive. We’ve taken a number of steps to ensure this coexistence, often by being directly responsive to requests from the fishing community.”

For example, officials at Sunrise Wind decided the boundaries of the wind farm after considering feedback from parties that could be affected. In addition, “we’ve set the industry standard by agreeing to uniform 1 x 1 nautical mile spacing across and gridded layout of our lease areas,” Wims said. “This is the widest spacing of any offshore wind farm in the world.” Because of this type of spacing, marine transit and fishery activity can continue to occur. 

In addition to Sunrise Wind, Ørsted and Eversource also have South Fork Wind and Revolution Wind in the works. South Fork Wind is estimated to provide 132 MW of energy to New York and is projected to become the first utility-scale offshore wind farm in United States waters. 

Revolution Wind will supply Rhode Island and Connecticut with 704 MW of power and offshore construction is set to begin in several months.

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Skyler Johnson (left) and Rebecca Kassay (far right) at the Three Village Democratic Club meet the candidates event. Photo courtesy Serena Carpino

By Serena Carpino

Three Village Democratic Club held a meet-the-candidates night at the Setauket Neighborhood House Jan. 11. The two candidates, Skyler Johnson (D-Port Jefferson Station) and Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson), hope to represent New York State Assembly District 4, a seat currently occupied by Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson). At the campaign event, Johnson and Kassay discussed pressing issues facing Long Island. 

Johnson, 23, has served in multiple leadership roles. He is on the board of the directors of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the chair of the Suffolk County Young Democrats. He is also on the board of Temple Beth Emeth of Mount Sinai, the synagogue in which he was raised and is currently working for the Sound Justice Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to educating incarcerated individuals. 

Johnson has spent much of his political career in Albany and helped pass the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act. He has been endorsed by former Port Jefferson Mayor Margot Garant as well as several members of the New York State Assembly and Suffolk County Legislature.

Johnson’s opponent, Rebecca Kassay, possesses both political and entrepreneurship experience. The 34-year-old is currently deputy mayor in the Village of Port Jefferson and a village trustee. Kassay is also a member of the Port Jefferson Rotary Club and owns with her husband The Fox and Owl Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in Port Jefferson. 

In 2013, Kassay was involved in creating a teen environmental program at Avalon Nature Preserve, as she hoped to “​​get them off their phones, get their hands dirty and build their confidence about [being] the future environmental stewards of this area.” During the COVID-19 pandemic Kassay contacted local community members who had been handmaking masks helping them to create a legitimate organization. With Kassay’s intervention, the group was able to donate over 40,000 homemade masks. 

The candidates discussed many issues, but two topics dominated the night: affordable housing and the climate crisis. 

When asked about the biggest issue currently facing New York state, both Johnson and Kassay agreed that it is the high cost of living. “We have a crisis on housing on our hands – of affordable housing,” Johnson said. He further explained that, for him, affordable housing is defined as that which is accessible to families who make between 60% and 120% of the area median income. Here, that would equate to an apartment rent of $1,700 per month. “I checked [how many apartments would be available] — about three. And I’m sure one of them is an illegal basement apartment,” he joked. 

The candidates also talked about recent environmental problems on Long Island. They addressed the latest extreme weather events including the severe rainstorms and flooding. 

Kassay reassured the audience that she wanted, “in no uncertain terms, for voters to know that the Democratic Party is the party that’s going to lead the way to make an economically and environmentally sustainable Long Island.”

The candidates were then asked about New York’s immigration crisis. 

Both Johnson and Kassay pointed out that immigrants are an important part of this country and pay a significant amount of taxes. They agreed that they would both like to see comprehensive immigration reform and a change in the attitude of how America views immigrants. 

Johnson further said, “Those who say that immigrants are not welcome are almost never on the right side of history,” and explained that much of the negative commentary about immigrants is “a fake narrative to throw immigrants under the bus.”

Finally, the candidates called out Flood’s voting record and criticized his stance on certain legislation. 

Flood’s consistent support for anti-vaccination movements is most embarrassing to Kassay. She disagrees with Flood’s position, especially given the presence of Stony Brook University in the district. She explained, “As an assemblywoman here I would be looking to the university for help instead of embarrassing them and embarrassing the entire district by going forth with anti-vax legislation and having that be a mark on the community.”

Johnson agreed and said that Flood has “taken some really egregious stances in his short tenure in Albany.” In particular, he pointed out Flood’s opposition to abortion care, LGBTQ+ rights and other bills “simply because Democrats proposed [them].”

He encouraged the audience to go on votesmart.org and further look into Flood’s voting records. 

 In their closing remarks, the candidates left the stage with powerful statements. 

“We really can’t afford to lose this race. Our community has been suffering under the leadership or lack thereof of Ed Flood.” Kassay said. “This campaign is about reconnecting people to the government that was built to serve and protect them — it’s about Long Island’s overwhelming cost of living and the climate crisis. It’s about defending women’s choice regarding their own bodies and then going up to that legislative body and doing a little more to make it more representative of our population.”

In his closing remarks, Johnson said, “I announced that I was running on Nov. 18. On Nov. 19, Jesse Garcia, the chair of the Suffolk GOP, had a quote in the paper attacking me.” He further explained that other Republicans attacked him on Twitter, and GOP members across the state liked those tweets. “So,” he said, “if you are not sure who will beat Ed Flood, just remember: The Republicans are worried about what would happen should I become the nominee.”

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Festival attendees enjoy craft vendor booths during the Silent Night Foundation’s second annual Labor Day Festival at the Superior Ice Rink in Kings Park on Saturday, Sept. 2. Photo by Serena Carpino

By Serena Carpino

The Silent Night Foundation held its second annual Labor Day Festival at the Superior Ice Rink in Kings Park on Saturday, Sept. 2, with 100% of the profits from the event supporting the charity.

Formed in 2014, the Silent Night Foundation sponsors sick children during the holidays. Joe Ondrush, the nonprofit’s founder, said he started the charity after successfully raising $70,000 to cover hospital bills for his cousin’s daughter, who was born with a rare heart condition. 

According to Ondrush, “The event was such a huge success, a lot of people were like, ‘You should do this,’” so he started the foundation “because I wanted to help my cousin and his daughter and from there,” adding, “It just kind of snowballed into now being this.”

The foundation was largely unknown during its early years, and Ondrush did not know many families to whom to donate money. He partnered with the Stony Brook Pediatric Oncology Unit, which put him in contact with families with sick children. 

Although the foundation continues to work with the unit today, we’ve “been around long enough where people know who we are; so come November and December, my phone rings off the hook asking me to help with families and their kids,” Ondrush explained. 

The Silent Night Foundation holds several events yearly, including hockey tournaments such as the Silent Night Winter Classic. Once a year, it hosts Jingle Balls, a fully catered event with live music held in Smithtown. These events typically raise $50,000-$100,000 annually, all of which goes to families with sick children.

The Labor Day Festival usually brings in about $5,000-$10,000, but it holds sentimental value for other reasons. The owner of the rink, Rich McGuigan, and Ondrush have been close friends for many years. 

Michelle McGuigan, Rich’s wife, said the rink specifically chose to partner with Silent Night due to their friendship and the charity’s cause. 

“I’ve been such good friends with the [Ondrush family] … and I love their goal to raise as much money as they can to help as many families as they can on Christmas,” Michelle McGuigan said. “What better gift on Christmas – it’s about giving.”

Ondrush loves hockey and views the Labor Day Festival as a way to combine this interest with his charity. “I’m a hockey guy with a hockey background, so this was a great opportunity to combine my foundation and hockey,” he said.

Saturday’s event was bustling with people enjoying listening to the DJ, jumping in the bounce house and eating from the food trucks. But organizers aim to bring even more people together in the coming years. 

“Most of [the people in attendance] are from our rink and hockey people, and, of course, it’s exciting that they come and wonderful,” Michelle McGuigan said. “But, I’d love to try to rally more residents of Smithtown and rally more residents of Kings Park.”

The foundation is always happy to receive any help. “You can go to www.silentnightfoundation.org — mail a check or you can use your credit card right on our website,” Ondrush added. 

However, those who cannot donate money can provide a service or volunteer at an event. 

Even “spreading the word and coming to events like this and sharing our social media posts just helps the foundation,” Ondrush explained. “Share our Facebook and Instagram posts and help spread the word.”

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