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Thursday, November 6, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 51 ~ $1.00
Tierney, Toulon Re-Elected By Matt Meduri
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Four years ago, Ray Tierney (R) mounted a campaign then thought to be unwinnable, but ousted then-District Attorney Tim Sini (DMt. Sinai) by a whopping ten point margin. Unopposed for re-election this year, Tierney earned 144,417 votes to earn a second term. “Four years ago, I was told I wouldn’t win,” Tierney told supporters Tuesday night at the GOP watch party in Patchogue. “My opponent had more money, Page 3 more institutional support, and the advantage of incumbency.”
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Tierney,Wehrheim Toulon Re-Elected By Matt Meduri
Four years ago, Ray Tierney (R) mounted a campaign then thought to be unwinnable, but ousted then-District Attorney Tim Sini (DMt. Sinai) by a whopping ten point margin. Unopposed for re-election this year, Tierney earned 144,417 votes to earn a second term. “Four years ago, I was told I wouldn’t win,” Tierney told supporters Tuesday night at the GOP watch party in Patchogue. “My opponent had more money, more institutional support, and the advantage of incumbency.”
to Combat Texas
Gerrymander By Matt Meduri The only prize at the federal level for the 2026 midterm elections is control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans clawed back a thin majority in 2022 and retained their majority in 2024 despite losing one (net) seat. Their majority is further complicated by early resignations and retirements of key moderates in swing districts likely to define the next session of Congress. Republicans currently hold a tenuous 219-seat quorum. Continued on page 4
Smithtown HS West
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Autopsy: Dems Surge USGS to Monitor Public Hearing on in National Elections Town Budget Five Suffolk Rivers Comptroller Kennedy discuss the housing audit last week in Hauppauge (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Credit - Nesconset FD Facebook
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Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and his team have released the findings of their most recent audit: $6.85 million in misappropriated funds between the years 2016 and 2018 at the hands of several homeless shelters across Suffolk. Kennedy explained last Thursday at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge that seventeen operators misappropriated the near-$7 million by diverting the funds for capital improvements not related to services provided to the homeless population and retroactive salary increases. The $6.85 million makes up just a small percentage of the $107.5 million that the contractors had received. Continued on page 4
Pages 12 & 13
Romaine, Stark Call for Superfund for Grumman in Calverton
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Don’t Forget To Look For
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Continued on page 10
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Suffolk & Nassau Jointly Oppose Even-Year Election Law
Largest Assembly of Vietnam Vets in Suffolk History Nesconset firefighters honored for their life-saving actions
Continued on page 15
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Last October, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would align local, odd-numbered year elections with state and federal, even-numbered year elections. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D), the legislation’s stated intention was to increase turnout, save public funds by condensing elections, and ease “voter fatigue.” Shortly thereafter, A New York State Supreme Court judge found the law unconstitutional. After a lengthy appeal process, the State Court of Appeals has ruled that the law is valid. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) held a joint press conference in Farmingdale on Tuesday afternoon to oppose the decision and bring a lawsuit before the Court of Appeals, a symbol of unity between the two neighboring counties along with a cavalcade of elected officials from both sides of Route 110.
The MacArthur Business Alliance (MBA) is a non-profit dedicated to uniting and supporting the businesses, non-profits, professionals, and the broader community surrounding MacArthur Mazzarella Honors Blue Öyster Drummer Wegmans Opens in Airport (ISP - also known as the MacArthur Hub. Eagle Scouts Talks ‘More Cowbell’ Lake Grove Their primary focus is the five-mile radius Page 22 Page 24 around ISP, home to hundreds of businesses andPage 10 thousands of employees, a central hub of the Suffolk economy. Page Last3 Thursday, the MBA hosted its second annual HangarFest, an event of networking, entertainment, and business showcases, primarily for those within the MacArthur Hub. Last Thursday’s event was held at the Liberty Jet Hangar on Schaefer Drive, just west of the commercial flight terminal that was ranked the Thursday, October 30, 2025 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 2 ~ $1.00 third-best small airport in the 2024 USA Today 10Best survey. Supercars and a private jet outside Liberty Jet Hangar (Credit - Matt Meduri) Continued on page 12
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THE YEAR IN REVIEW
An American flag raised in front of the H. Lee Dennison Building. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Inclusive Sports and Fitness Holds Spring Gala By Aiden Lorenzo
Back in September 2024, The Messenger had the great opportunity to cover an end-of-summer fundraiser for Inclusive Sports and Fitness (ISF), that was held at Kingston’s Clam Bar in West Sayville. Now that it’s March 2025 and spring has sprung, we return the spotlight to Inclusive Sports and Fitness and their latest fundraising event, The Spring Gala. Forget Held this time at Land’s End inDon’t Sayville, ISF’s Spring Gala was a way for people to help To their Lookcause, For while also recognizing a few noteworthy people who have contributed to ISF in one way or another. In The Centerfold The event’s primary honoree was Saul Zabell, a local EveryofWeek! attorney who is also a board member ISF and has supported the cause for a long time now.
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Women for Wehrheim Rally Against Harassment from Trotta Where To Find Us
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Suffolk GOP Suffolk GOP Holds Holds Gilgo Beach and Lake Annual Hangar Annual Hangar the Price of Truth: Ronkonkoma Rally in 2025 Rally in 2025 Justice Meets Forensics on L.I. Home Stretch Home Stretch Gains a Lake Keeper(s) Pages 3, 14, 15
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LaLota Holds Line on SALT Cap Page 11
Bay Shore Baseball: Moving Up
Smithtown BOE Endorsements
Pages 3
Page 26
Smith Blasts Judicial Line Changes Page 8
West Islip Marina Completed Page 26
By Raheem Soto
By Matt Meduri
For more than a decade, the Gilgo Beach murders have haunted Long Island. A lonely stretch of dunes and scrub pine became a cemetery for women discarded as if their lives held no more weight than driftwood washed ashore. The case, mired in false leads and bureaucratic inertia, became a symbol of delay and neglect. For many, it stood as a damning question: did the system care enough about the victims to ever deliver justice? Now, with a suspect in custody and the courts preparing for trial, Suffolk County finds itself at a crossroads between justice delayed and justice delivered.
At last month’s General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, all eighteen legislators unanimously approved a bill that would require developers and builders to include units earmarked for volunteer Fire and EMS personnel at discounted rates. The bill, sponsored by Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), who is also a member of EMS personnel, was signed by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) at the Brookhaven Fire Department in Brookhaven hamlet on Tuesday morning. Thorne says that handling the housing crisis requires a joint effort between federal, state, and municipal partners.
Continued on page 4
(Seated L-R) FRES Commissioner Sunderman, Executive Romaine, Legislator Thorne as Romaine signs the EMS Housing Bill (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Continued on page 4
By Matt Meduri
Since 2021, New York State has been gradually rolling out the legalization of recreational marijuana. Municipalities were By Matt Meduri given the choice whether to sign onto the program (opt-in), which entails the repealing of local laws prohibiting adultThe 2025 Smithtown Supervisors race is heating up to unexpected - and use retail dispensary and/or on-site consumption licenses unnecessary - levels. Two-term incumbent Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) is running for - if such laws exist - and notify the State Office of Cannabis By Matt Meduri a third four-year term. For the last year, term-limited Suffolk County Legislator Management (OCM). ADVERTISE THIS THIS TUESDAY TUESDAY Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) has railed against the Town government in terms of The Town of Islip has remained opted-out of the program, As debate Suffolkcontinues County careens towardstheyet another development, housing, and building density. Trotta’s rhetoric culminated in his but to swirl among public over whether TH TH decision to primary Wehrheim for the Republican nomination on June 24. Election Day - adult-only and the last, for now, odd-year recreational, dispensaries belong inlocal the Town of But the campaign has reached new heights, as multiple ethics complaints election Statehave - the County’s Islip. The TownYork will still local controlRepublican of regulations and Page 3 Page 3in New Page 22 have been filed against Trotta and his legislative aide, Mike Rosato, over their Committee is operation sparing noofexpense to and get lounges. the vote out manners of the shops intimidating behavior that many have described as harassment and downright with Opting-in less than aisweek to go. decision, and one that proponents a permanent bullying. Email publisher@ argue could lead to a windfall ofContinued revenue for while on the pageTown, 4 messengerpapers.com On Monday evening, Wehrheim held a “Women for Wehrheim” rally at his Kings also gradually pushing out illegal dispensaries that operate Park campaign headquarters to bring forth some of the women who have been (Left to right) P.O. McCaffrey, Co. Exec. Romaine, D.A. Tierney, GOP Chairman Garcia, Brookhaven Clerk LaValle outside the OCM’s guidelines and database. intimidated or otherwise harassed by Legislator Trotta. Thursday, October 30, 2025 ~Thursday, Volume October 71 30, ~2025 Issue ~ Volume Number 71 ~ Issue Number 2 ~ $1.00 2 ~ $1.00 Thursday, September 11, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 43 ~ $1.00 Continued on page 17 Islip Town Hall (Credit - Matt Meduri) Continued on page 12 Women rally for Supervisor Wehrheim at his campaign HQ in Kings Park (Credit - Wehrheim for Supervisor)
Smithtown BOE Candidate Spotlights
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PART 2
Annual Hangar Cannabis Opt-In Rally in 2025 Home Stretch
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Renovations Complete for Sayville Girls’ Flag Football Gear Up for 2025 Duck’s 15th Season Page 15
Lawless Legislator:
By Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri
As Suffolk County careens towards yet another As Suffolk County careens towards yet another Election Day - and the last, for now, odd-year local Election Day - and the last, for now, odd-year local election in New York State - the County’s Republican election New York Storyinon page 17State - the County’s Republican Committee is sparing no expense to get the vote out Committee is sparing no expense to get the vote out with less than a week to go. with less than a week to go. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4
(Left to right) P.O. McCaffrey, Co.(Left Exec. to right)Romaine, P.O. McCaffrey, D.A. Co. Exec.Tierney, Romaine, D.A.GOP Tierney,Chairman GOP Chairman Garcia, Garcia, Brookhaven Brookhaven Clerk LaValle Clerk LaValle
D.A. Tierney in Riverhead (Credit - Matt Meduri)
EXCLUSIVE New Bridge at Blydenburgh Lake Lake Murray Secures Know Someone Who Would Enjoy This Paper? County Park: Scan the QR code Infrastructure Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma InSubscribe Memory ofto... Michael Charcon Consider a Gift Subscription subscribe@messengerpapers.com to Papers Inc. Funding FULL STORIES ON:
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By Matt Meduri While the arduous New York State Executive Budget process is known for its delays, gridlock, and intense debate, productivity can still be delivered. Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) has recently announced his securing of year-over-year increases for infrastructure funding for the Third Senate District. The funding is derived through several road and highway programs that will benefit Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, and the villages of Bellport, Lake Grove, and Patchogue. The increases fetch nearly 10% year-over-year in Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Programs (CHIPS) funding. Continued on page 3
Smithtown Messenger Senator Dean (R-East Patchogue) in Hauppauge, December 2024 (Credit - Matt Meduri)
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Caracappa Hosts Successful Blood Drive Page 15
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Candidate Spotlight: Manny Troche Page 15
By Madison Warren
Brookhaven Messenger
Smithtown Historical Society’s 70th Year
Town & County Endorsements
Gains a Lake Gains a Lake Islip Keeper(s) Keeper(s) Page 11
A new bridge now connects hikers at Blydenburgh County Park, thanks to the efforts of Boy Scout Troop 125. The Eagle Scout project, led by member Jake Shabronsky, was officially dedicated this past weekend in memory of the troop’s late scout leader, Mr. Charcon. The bridge not only improves accessibility along the park’s hiking trails but also stands as a lasting tribute to Mr. Charcon’s impact on the scouting community. Story on page 17 Charcon passed away, Boy Scout Troop Back in 2022, when Michael 125 was left shaken by the loss of a man who had been so impactful and influential in their lives. Many of the scouts remained in the program as long as they did because of Mr. Charcon’s guidance. He taught them countless life lessons and helped create memories they will carry with them forever. Eagle Scout Jake Shabronsky stands by the beautiful rebuilt bridge. (Credit - Madison Warren) Continued on page 10
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Garbarino Named Chair Blue Point Park of Homeland Sec. Cmte. Renamed for Veteran
Islip Dems’ Texts Leaked
An autumn scene at Lake Ronkonkoma (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Town IT Coordinator Honored Pages 10
Story on page 17
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High School East Islip Dems’ Texts Receives New Lights Leaked Page 15
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An autumn An scene autumnat scene Lake at LakeRonkonkoma Ronkonkoma (Credit - Matt (Credit Meduri) - Matt Meduri)
Town & CountyIslip Dems’Candidate Texts TownSpotlight: & County Candidate Spotlight: Endorsements Leaked Endorsements Manny Troche Manny Troche Pages 12 & 13
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Pages 12 & 13 Page 15
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Credit: Matt Meduri
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Continued on page 4
Credit: Matt Meduri
Romaine Signs Thorne’s EMS Housing Bill Saul Zabell (center) receives an award from ISF (Credit - Aiden Lorenzo)
Exec. Blakeman (left) and Suffolk Co. Exec. Romaine (right) hold up a sample ballot pursuant to NY’s even-year election law (Credit - Matt Meduri)
A map showing the site of the former Grumman park in Calverton (Inset) - Legislator Stark (Credit - Matt Meduri)
By Matt Meduri
Credit: Matt Meduri
While the Vietnam War was wrought with controversy for the twenty years of its duration, it’s been a near-universal opinion, especially nowadays, that the Veterans of that war were unfairly mistreated. Suffolk County and its municipalities have always given Vietnam Veterans the recognition they deserve, but Saturday’s display was historic for two reasons. Not only did it mark the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the war - observed as March 29, 1975, the day the last American troops left Southeast Asia - but it also served as the largest gathering of Vietnam Veterans in the county’s history, with Armed Forces Plaza at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge packed to a capacity that most in attendance have never seen for any ceremony held there. Continued on page 5
MBA Hosts Second Annual ‘HangarFest’
By Matt Meduri
In Memoriam: Donna Fiedler Page 11
When Grumman was the bread and butter of Long Island’s working class, June 19, aircraft. 2025 The ~ Volume 70 is~ credited Issue Number 35 ~ $1.00 theThursday, company produced military Bethpage facility with the construction of the Apollo lunar module, the first crewed spacecraft to operate exclusively in space and, to date, the only crewed vehicle to land anywhere besides Earth. However, when Grumman ceased its Long Island operations in 1996, it left behind an ecological problem for which Suffolk elected officials and environmental leaders are now sounding the alarm. The Bethpage site was initially cleared for what became Bethpage Community Park, only for multiple layers of chemical drums encased in concrete to have been excavated after what many believe to be decades.
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By Matt Meduri
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By Matt Sal Formica (R-Commack) (Credit - MattMeduri Meduri)
Continued on page 10
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50th Anniversary of Vietnam War’s End
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Pages 12 & 13
Wins Open Leg. Seat
Thursday, February 27, 2025 ~ Volume 70 ~ Issue Number 13 ~ $1.00
Smithtown remained reliably Republican on Tuesday night as Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) easily secured a third term. Wehrheim was re-elected with 12,283 votes over Rosemary Griffin’s (D-Kings Park) 6,970 votes. Griffin had suspended her campaign for Supervisor in July, but remained on the ballot as the deadline to remove her name had passed. Smithtown Democrats then touted a write-in campaign for term-limited Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). Trotta had previously told The Messenger he was not actively campaigning in that regard.
Thursday, April 3, 2025 ~ Volume 70 ~ Issue Number 24 ~ $1.00
Carpenter’s Corner
In The Centerfold Every Week!
Kennedy Audit Finds $6.8M Fraud in Suffolk Homeless Shelters
Happy New Year From The Messenger Family
Tierney Unveils ‘Operation Bloodhound’
Don’t Forget To Look For
School Highlights
Public Hearing on Town Budget
By Matt Meduri
Catalina (center) joined by family, his father ‘Jack’ (left, ‘thumbs up’) and County Clerk Puleo (right)
A routine drive through town turned into a life-or-death emergency when a local firefighter noticed a person in distress on the side of the road. What followed was a rapid response effort from first responders that saved a life—an effort that has now been officially recognized. The Nesconset Fire Department was recently honored for their life-saving efforts during a cardiac arrest emergency nearly a year earlier. The department received recognition from the Smithtown Chief Council, the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, and the State of New York for their heroic actions last February.
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USGS to Monitor Five Suffolk Rivers
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Smithtown CSD Holds Robotics Camp
Honored for Heroic, LifeSaving Rescue
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Smithtown remained reliably Republican on Tuesday night as Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) easily secured a third term. Wehrheim was re-elected with 12,283 votes over Rosemary Griffin’s (D-Kings Park) 6,970 votes. Griffin had suspended her campaign for Supervisor in July, but remained on the ballot as the deadline to remove her name had passed. Smithtown Democrats then touted a write-in campaign for term-limited Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). Trotta had previously told The Messenger he was not actively campaigning in that regard.
Supervisor Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (Credit - Wehrheim For Smithtown)
Nesconset Firefighters
Apply Now for Town Summer Jobs
By Matt Meduri
Wehrheim Secures Third Term Formica
Autopsy: Dems Surge in National Elections
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By Raheem Soto
Formica
Wins Open Leg. Seat
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Credit - Matt Meduri
Confirmed as SCPD Commissioner For the past decade, sixteen-year-old Delilah Gallo, a junior at Smithtown High School West, has competed in the sport of baton twirling. Twirling combines dance, gymnastics and coordination, using a baton to create routines synchronized with music and choreography. “Practicing and performing are my favorite things,” Delilah told us. “I love to show my hard work and talent on the competition floor. I also love sharing my passion of twirling By Matt Meduri with the younger girls that I coach and watch them grow and Last better.” Wednesday, County Executive Ed Romaine become
Secures Third Term
(Left to right) Suffolk GOP Chair Garcia, Suffolk Conservative Tierney(R-Commack) (Credit - Matt Meduri) Supervisor Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (Credit - Wehrheim For Smithtown) Sal Formica (Credit - Matt Meduri) Continued on page 10 Chair Torres, D.A.
School Highlights
for Team USA Catalina Unanimously (R-Center Moriches) announced Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina as his nomination for the department’s full-time commissioner. Commissioner Robert Waring served in an acting capacity for the last year under the condition he would return to his post as SCPD Police Chief. Catalina then went before the Suffolk County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee for a de facto “job interview,” before his nomination was submitted to the full eighteen-member horseshoe. At Thursday’s general meeting, Catalina was Paving for as the SCPD’s LaLota unanimously confirmed nextDelivers Police Commissioner. Edgewood Avenue for Suffolk ContinuedPage on page Page 3 8 4
This month, Delilah will travel to Italy with her partner, Delaney Higgins, to represent the United States at the Don’t Forget International BatonFor Twirling To Look Federation (IBTF) competition. “I’m looking forward to In TheTeam Centerfold representing USA and Every Week! competing against the best athletes in the world,” she said. This isn’t Delilah’s first major competition. In 2022, she was the youngest member of Team USA at just twelve years old. For the past four years, she has represented the United States in international competitions, traveling to Italy, Sweden and England. This year, Delilah will compete in the categories of Artistic Twirl and Artistic Twirl Pairs with Higgins.
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Thursday, November 2025GOP ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 51Torres, ~ $1.00 (Left to right)6, Suffolk Chair Garcia, Suffolk Conservative Chair D.A. Tierney (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Hochul Teases Redistricting
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Thursday, August 7, 2025 ~ Volume 137 ~ Issue Number 38 ~ $1.00
Governor Hochul at ISP in February (Credit - Matt Meduri)
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