MLK DAY OF SERVICE JANUARY MARTIN LUTHER 20 2025 KING
DAY
Thursday, January 16, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 9 ~ $1.00
Romaine, Toulon Address
Drones Flying Around Gabreski
By Hank Russell After hearing reports of drones flying over Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. (D) (pictured left) held a press conference with elected officials to address this issue. They described how these drones pose a danger to the facility and the ramifications for flying these machines into restricted airspace. “We’ve all heard about the rise of drone activity across the tristate area,” Toulon said, “but what concerns us even more is the increase in unauthorized drone flights within the restricted air spaces, particularly near airports like Gabreski.” Continued on page 4
$1.5 Million to Smithtown’s Gateway Park
By Matt Meduri
The Town of Smithtown’s transformative Paul T. Given Park project has been awarded $1.5 million in funding through the most recent round of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. This announcement, made last month, allocates $16.7 million across nearly 30 projects on Long Island, with Paul T. Given Park as one of the standout recipients. The funding will go toward revitalizing the park, located west of downtown and near Smithtown’s iconic bull statue. Planned upgrades include: • ADA-accessible pathways and ramps to ensure inclusivity for all visitors. • Rain gardens and green drainage systems to prevent road runoff from flowing into the Nissequogue River. • Revegetation efforts to restore the riverbank and surrounding areas with native plant species, while eradicating invasive plants like Japanese knotweed. • A raised viewing deck with benches to provide serene vistas of the park and river. • New drop-off circle to improve accessibility and visitor experience.
Paul T. Given Park (Credit - Town of Smithtown)
Continued on page 12
FULL FULLSTORIES STORIESON: ON:
In Memoriam: Ken Maher, Jr. Page 10
County Justice Robing Ceremony Page 18
Todd Shapiro, PR Celebrates 30 Years Page 22