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Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Deer Park veteran honored Page 3 VOL. 60 NO. 24
Local grads and scholars
Obituary: Ronald Caples Page 8
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JULY 16 - 22, 2026
Babylon welcomes scout; honors retiring public works chief
NB-WB Chamber honors outgoing President Garrett Simulcik
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Courtesy NB Chamber of Commerce
Newly instated President Phyllis O’ Leary presents Garrett Simulcik with a plaque from the board members of North Babylon/West Babylon Chamber for his years of service. By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
The North Babylon/West Babylon Chamber of Commerce honored its longtime president, Garrett P. Simulcik Sr., during its June meeting at Mangia Pizza in North Babylon as he announced his retirement after founding the chamber and leading it for the past 11 years. “As everyone knows, this is my last meeting—I’m stepping aside,” Simulcik said. “I wish to thank everyone who showed up tonight and I really think our chamber in 11 years has become one of the better ones in the Town of Babylon.” Vice President Phyllis O’Leary will succeed Simulcik as chamber president. O’Leary praised Simulcik’s leadership and dedication to the organization and local business community. “He works tirelessly with this chamber and does it amazingly,” O’Leary said. “I’m stepping into very large feet here but I’m looking forward to it.” Several elected officials attended to recognize Simulcik’s service, including Suffolk County Legislator Steven Flotteron, Town Councilman Anthony Manetta, Assemblyman Kwani B. O’Pharrow and Brian Zimmerman, representing state Sen. Monica Martinez. Simulcik said he looks forward to supporting
upcoming chamber events, including Light Up Pink and Teal, the annual 5K Run/Walk benefiting the North Babylon Food Pantry, a Veterans Day fundraiser benefiting Paws of War and the chamber’s holiday fundraiser for the Babylon Animal Shelter. He also noted the chamber recently awarded four scholarships each to graduating seniors at North Babylon and West Babylon high schools. The meeting also featured a presentation by Bridget Lopiccolo of Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Jill Johanson of the North Babylon school district on a proposed Career Connections Council, which would partner local businesses with students through work-based learning opportunities. The advisory group would meet five times a year to help students explore careers, develop workplace skills and create paid learning opportunities that could earn high school credit, they said. Community members are invited to learn more at the council’s next meeting at North Babylon High School on Oct. 8 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The chamber also recognized Rachel Joffe of Bricks & Minifigs in West Babylon as its May Member of the Month and Ursula Wagner-Stoiek of B.You.tiful Forever in North Babylon as its June Member of the Month. O’Leary also announced that this year’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Soldier Ride in Babylon this Friday Join the 25-mile cycling event and ride alongside the brave men and women who served our county in support of their journey to recovery on July 17 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. The cost is $100 for adults and $40 for children. The adult price includes an event tee-shirt.
$1.00
There is still time to register. Go to soldierride.org/Babylon. For more information, visit communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject. org/events/674. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email communitysr@woundedwarriorproject. org
The Village of Babylon Board of Trustees welcomed a Boy Scout working toward a citizenship merit badge and honored the retirement of Superintendent of Public Works Scott Glenn during its June 23 meeting. Diego Della Rocca, a member of Boy Scout Troop 194, attended the meeting as part of the requirements for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. The visit gave him an opportunity to learn how village government operates and how Scouts can become more involved in the community. Trustee Anthony Cardali, an Eagle Scout who earned the same merit badge, encouraged Della Rocca to stay involved. “Congratulations, I have that badge as well,” Cardali said. “It’s a good badge, and we do have projects coming up for Scouts who are working toward the rank of Eagle.” Cardali said the village regularly has volunteer opportunities involving parks, infrastructure and other community improvement projects. “We are always looking for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to volunteer and help us out,” he said. Della Rocca also asked how Board of Trustees meetings are organized. Trustee Dominic Bencivenga explained that each meeting follows an agenda outlining items requiring board approval.
“Those are agreed-upon items that the Board of Trustees needs to approve in order to spend money or make decisions,” Bencivenga said. He explained that each trustee oversees different areas of village government, including parks, golf courses, the Nathaniel Conklin House and special events. “When we spend money, because it’s public money, it comes from taxes,” Bencivenga said. “We all have to agree how we’re going to spend the village’s money, and we want to spend it wisely in a way that makes our village a better place to live.” Mayor Mary Adams thanked Della Rocca for attending and invited him to return for a tour of Village Hall and the Babylon Fire Department. Public works superintendent retires The board also recognized Glenn, who retired June 30 after years of service leading the Department of Public Works. “Scott has served the village very well for many years, and he is certainly going to be missed,” Trustee Frank Seibert said. “I think he did an excellent job, and I wish him well.” Bencivenga called Glenn’s retirement “well-earned” and “welldeserved,” while Trustee Jeffrey Szabo praised the respect Glenn earned throughout the village. “He is certainly someone who is respected in the village and outside the village,” Szabo said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9