Legislator Caracappa with Moira Kochis, Social Worker for Middle Country Central School District
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (Fourth District) recently visited Eugene Auer Elementary School in Lake Grove, a school supply collection site for Middle Country Central School District. Moira Kochis, the District’s donation coordinator, arranged to meet with Caracappa to accept a large array of school supplies collected from his drive this past August.
“On behalf of the MCCSD Social Work Department, thank for your donations of school supplies,” said Ms. Kochis.“We greatly appreciate Legislator Caracappa’s generosity and thoughtfulness. We will put the supplies to good use for our families.”
“It was a pleasure meeting Moira and presenting the school supplies so generously donated to my office by our residents, particularly Niko Gentile, a local Boy Scout who collected items to donate as part of a badge project. This allowed me to share with Ms. Kochis, who in turn will distribute to students in need. I’m grateful to represent such a great community that’s always willing to step up and help,” said Leg. Caracappa.
Josh Perry, CCE’s Hatchery Manager, Chris Pickerell, CCE’s Marine Program Director, Legislator Krupski and Legislator Caracappa.
Legislator Krupski, Vaness Pino Lockel, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County, and Legislator Caracappa.
Legislator Caracappa observes the oyster spawning process at the Shellfish Hatchery at Cedar Beach in Southold.
Legislator Nick Caracappa with Legislator Krupski, picking corn on Krupski’s Farm.
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (4th LD, Selden) recently went on a “field trip” to tour the First Legislative District, courtesy of his colleague, Legislator Al Krupski (Riverhead).The purpose of the visit was to see some of the beautiful farmland, beaches, bays and other natural resources the east end has to offer. The tour included a visit to the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) Education Center in Riverhead, as well as the Shellfish Hatchery at CCE’s Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center at Cedar Beach in Southold.
Caracappa was provided with in-depth information from CCE on how public funding and private donations are put to use to preserve resources. Part of Cornell University, and established in 1917, CCE is comprised of educators, researchers, specialists and support personnel who are dedicated to making Suffolk County a desirable place to live and work. CCE’s professional team helps preserve our county’s vast heritage, protect our eco-systems, support families and provide our youth opportunities for community service and research-based education in science, technology, engineering and math.
“This week I had the pleasure of touring the First Legislative District, and all it has to offer,” stated Legislator Caracappa. “We began our day at Cornell Cooperative Extension, then visited some of the farms, beaches and older structures, followed by a tour of the CCE’s Shellfish Hatchery at Cedar Beach. They do fantastic work in spawning oysters, scallops and other shellfish to assist the repopulation process in the Long Island Sound. I’d like to thank Legislator Krupski, CCE’s Executive Director Vanessa Pino Lockell, Marine Program Director Chris Pickerell, and all of their wonderful staff members for showing me how taxpayer dollars are being put to great use to preserve Long Island’s precious resources!”
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, and will end on November 30. Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa would like to encourage residents to be prepared. “Most of this past year’s focus has been on the Coronavirus pandemic, but we must still remember that the hurricane season is upon us. It is important to be aware and prepared,” stated Legislator Caracappa. “Let’s all be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best.”
The following tips are provided by ready.gov/hurricanes. Please visit the site below for a comprehensive list of suggestions for before, during, and after a hurricane or tropical storm: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes#before
Know your Hurricane Risk
Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Find out how rain, wind, water, even tornadoes could happen far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. Start preparing now.
You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Learn your evacuation routes, practice with household, pets, and identify where you will stay.
Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and partners. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
Recognize Warnings and Alerts
Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)- which requires no-sign up.
Those with Disabilities
If you or anyone in your household is an individual with a disability identify if you may need additional help during an emergency.
Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks, and pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk. After a hurricane, you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks.
Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, making essential purchases and slowly building up supplies in advance will allow for longer time periods between shopping trips. This helps to protect those who are unable to procure essentials beforehand and must shop more frequently. Only take the items you and your family may need so that others who rely on these products can also access them.
State Sen. Mario Mattera speaks at the May 21 press conference. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Last week, May 21, dozens of people from all walks of life gathered in front of the state office in Hauppauge to talk about how New York needs to fix its roadways.
Spearheaded by county Legislator Nick Caracappa (R-Selden), he had a bipartisan group of local and state representatives, as well as advocates for the safety of drivers, riders and walkers.
The idea behind the press conference was to demand that Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) fund more money toward fixing our roadways.
Ironically enough, that morning, a $30.6 million investment for resurface and repair projects was granted for Long Island state roads.
But the meeting was still relevant.
We heard the stories of motorcyclists, bike riders and people who choose to walk alongside state-run roads. They said how terrifying it is to navigate through the craters within the streets that are otherwise called potholes.
They are dangerous, and we applaud the legislator for standing his ground demanding more. We all complain that the roads are terrible around here — some towns are better than others because they have jurisdiction over their lanes. But when it comes to state roads — roads like Route 25 which drives completely through our newspapers’ coverage area, the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway — not only is it scary when you unintentionally hit a pothole, but it can be damaging to our vehicles.
Is New York State going to pay us back for the blown-out tires we’ve gotten driving to work? Are they going to repair our dented rims?
No, they won’t. But the least the state can do is continuously fix up the large holes that sink into the blacktop.
We know that it’s hard to keep up with. We know a lot of work goes into it. But after Friday’s conference, we know that there are many of us who want our major roadways to be safe.
The comunity gathers in front of the Santora/Bonacasa VFW Post 400
Legislator Nick Caracappa with Shaina Affatato and Family.
Legislator Nick Caracappa (second from left) with VFW Post 400 members (left to right) Guillermo Sandoval, Bob Guagliardo. Charles Tribold and Frank Sansone.
Last week Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa coordinated a yard cleanup at the Santora/Bonacasa VFW Post 400 in Farmingville. In addition to Caracappa and Post members, assistance was provided by Affatato Paving, Boy Scouts from Troop #124, Cub Scouts from Pack# 124 and other community members.
The cleanup effort was organized as a result of illegal dumping of concrete and debris that occurred on Post #400’s grounds. “I was astonished to learn that an individual or business would dishonor our veterans by selfishly littering on the post’s grounds,” stated Legislator Caracappa.
“I knew they needed help, and was pleased with the response and outpouring of support I received from Affatato Paving, the Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts from Troop 124 in Holbrook, and many others. As we honor our veterans during the month of May, which is National Military Appreciation Month, I thank all volunteers for a job well done.”
Legislator Nick Caracappa (right) with Suffolk County Chief of Police Stuart Cameron
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa recently attended a press conference at Suffolk Transportation in Ronkonkoma to promote Suffolk County’s School Bus Safety Camera Program.
Legislator Caracappa observes a school bus with the illuminated stop sign.
The purpose of the press conference was to inform Suffolk County residents of Resolution 208-2021, which Legislator Caracappa co-sponsored and was approved by unanimous vote as “a local law to strengthen the county’s school bus photo violation monitoring program.” The law, which will take effect on May 1, 2021 will allow cameras to be placed on school buses to capture photos of vehicles attempting to pass stopped school buses.
“I was pleased to co-sponsor this bill as it will provide additional safety measures for families and their children across Suffolk County. We are attempting to change the habits of thousands of reckless and distracted drivers who continue to pass stopped school buses while their lights are flashing and stop signs extended,” said Leg. Caracappa.
“This was a true multi-community effort to bring this law forward. I would like to thank those organizations who participated in this monumental legislation, including our PTA’s, School Boards, Superintendents, School Bus Drivers and our Police, to name a few. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues in the Suffolk County Legislature to pass this bill unanimously as this was not about politics, it was about protecting the children within our respective communities.”
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