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Fire destroys home in Babylon Village
New fence at BJSHS draws criticism
This week’s Pets, Pets column
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VOL. 75 NO. 42
OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2025
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A Village fair to remember By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Courtesy S.C. Legislature
Shown at event are: Chief Deputy Sheriff Christopher Brockmeyer; Deputy Undersheriff Kevin Heavey; Undersheriff Steven J. Kuehhas; Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr.; Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey; Undersheriff John M. Becker; Deputy Undersheriff Dr. Keith L. Taylor, Sr., and Chief of Staff Charles L’Hommedieu.
SC Legislature recognizes Sheriff’s Week By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey on Wednesday, Sept. 3, presented a proclamation to Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol Toulon Jr., officially declaring the week of Sept. 14–20 as Sheriff’s Week in Suffolk County. McCaffrey said he was proud to introduce the proclamation, which honors the dedication and service of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and its members. “I thank the more than 1,400 uniformed and professional staff employees for their dedicated service to county residents,” McCaffrey said. “The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is the largest suburban sheriff’s office in New York State.” The proclamation highlights the long and storied history of the Office of the Sheriff, which was established in New York State’s
first Constitution following the colonies’ declaration of independence in 1776. In Suffolk County, the office traces its origins even earlier—to 1683—when Josiah Hobart was appointed as the first sheriff during the British colonial period. “Since then, the Office of the Sheriff has been an integral part of the criminal justice system in Suffolk County for centuries,” the proclamation states. “It has maintained a continuous existence, preserved its distinguishing heritage, and evolved into a modern, professional, fullservice, accredited law enforcement agency.” The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office currently operates two county correctional facilities, two courthouse detention centers, patrols 425 miles of county roadways, and provides maritime enforcement along 1,000 miles of county coastline. The agency is also responsible for enforcing court orders, including warrants, summonses, orders of protection, extreme risk protection orders and civil process.
After being postponed a week due to rain, the sun came out for the Village of Babylon’s Annual Fair on Sept. 14 — a welcome sight that Mayor Mary Adams and Christina Reynolds of the Babylon Beautification Society said was surely sent by Trustee Sean Goodwin, who died on Sept. 2 following a battle with lung cancer. “You know, there’s going to be some sort of a number of 40,000 to 50,000 people celebrating today, enjoying all the food and festivities and the vendors,” Adams said. “However, there’s one person who is missing out of 40,000 people, and that is Trustee Sean Goodwin. “This man truly loved our village — not just for being a trustee but for taking care of it, for protecting it, for enjoying it, for beautifying it, and for the love of our government as well.” Adams encouraged attendees to take a moment during the fair to say a prayer and remember Goodwin, and to thank him for all he did for the community. “If you see a hydrangea — those were Sean’s favorite flowers — maybe say a little prayer to him, thank him for all that he’s done for the village,” she said. “He will be very sorely missed.” Reynolds, a board member with the Babylon Beautifi-
cation Society, described Goodwin as “that extra bit special.” “Every once in a while, you meet someone who exceeds kindness, offers friendship without condition, and whose love for their community shines through in generous ways that truly matter — Sean was that kind of person,” she said. “His kind, gentle manner impacted every one of us. He gave us his time, his care, and his heart to Babylon — not because he had to, but because he loved the village that he lived in and the people in it.” This year’s fair was formally dedicated to Goodwin. Reynolds presented his husband, Charles Torres, with a plaque to commemorate the moment. “His spirit is with us in the plantings around this gazebo, in the booths he helped run, in the warmth of every laugh and smile shared today,” Reynolds said. “For all of us who were lucky enough to have known Sean, we are better for it. We miss him deeply, and we will celebrate his generous and beautiful spirit not just today but every day.” The fair was held in Argyle Park and Mayor Adams thanked the Babylon Beautification Society, which hosted the event, as well as all the volunteers, the Babylon Fire Department, the parks, highway and sanitation departments, and the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10