Issuu

The

Times of middle counTry CentereaCh • selden • lake grove north

Vol. 12, No. 29

November 3, 2016

$1.00

Election Section

See who’s running and where they stand on issues

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Through the Eyes of a Child exhibit opens in Port Jeff ALSO: Photo of the Week, LIM hosts Family Fun Day

Drafted!

Stony Brook soccer team adopts Middle Country girl — A3 Photo from Stony Brook University

Remember – Tues., Nov. 8 is Election Day! ©152691

PAGE A2 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

Coram veteran receives new roof from Port Jefferson Station company By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com

Corps for eight years and currently works out of MacArthur Airport as a member of the National Guard. He said his roof had several leaks and It’s impossible to adequately thank military members and their families for their the family was already budgeting to repair it in the near future. Moore and his wife sacrifices, but it doesn’t hurt to try. The Port Jefferson Station-based com- both recounted the moment he broke the pany All Pro Remodeling teamed up with news to her over the phone. Understandmanufacturer Owens Corning to provide ably, there were tears. “It means a lot — it debunks all of the veteran Gregory Moore and his family stories out there that we with a new roof for their don’t appreciate our vethome on Sandpiper Lane erans, because we do,” in Coram Nov. 1. All Pro she said. “There are a lot supplied the labor free of of programs out there charge and Owens Cornthat benefit military ing donated the materifamilies. It shows that als as part of their Roof military families are apDeployment Project. The preciated. The sacrifices 501(c)(3) charity Support that are made, it affects Our Troops assisted in senot only the soldier, but lecting the Moores. the family as well.” “I’ve heard of things All Pro Remodeling ownlike this, but it never haper Mike Hughes said he’s pened to me,” Moore said. — Elissa Moore had this idea for some time. “I was always grateful “This is the first time for any veteran getting help, because there’s a lot of veterans in I’m doing something like this,” he said. “I need that are too proud to say they need always wanted to, I just didn’t have the a roof, a car, or any help because we were means. This year it worked out, so I was raised like that — to be independent. So happy to give back and help a veteran.” Moore said he has some plans for the when things like this happen to me, it’s just money they’d been saving now that the amazing.” Moore, 39, and his wife Elissa have roof no longer needs fixing. The couple lived in the home for five years with their plans to bring their son Dana to visit the two sons — Dana, 15, and Mason, 10. United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Moore served in the United States Marine and they’ll also be renovating a bathroom

‘It means a lot — it debunks all of the stories out there that we don’t appreciate our, veterans because we do.’

Photo by Alex Petroski

U.s. Marine Corps veteran Gregory Moore and his wife elissa watch their new roof being installed by All Pro remodeling, with materials donated by owens Corning.

importance of taking care of veterans. “It’s something that makes me proud of my company, that they support military families,” he said. “They’re the ones that protect our freedom and it makes me feel good that we can do something like this.”

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in their home. “Thank you to Owens Corning and All Pro,” Moore said. It’s awesome. I’m very grateful for it.” Owens Corning sales manager for the North East region Joe Russo embraced the

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A3

SBU soccer team drafts young Rylie Laber On July 4, 1939, New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig stood before 60,000 fans at Yankee Stadium and confirmed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and closed his statements by saying: “I might have had a tough break — but I have an awful lot to live for.” This sort of display of courage and determination in the face of great affliction is now being echoed by a 4-year-old girl named Rylie Laber, a student at Middle Country’s Bicycle Path Pre-K/Kindergarten Center, who loves to play soccer and takes great joy in learning new things in the classroom. Those who know her best describe her as energetic, loving, happy, competitive and sassy, with a great laugh. Her spirited personality serves as the ultimate remedy for the rare

genetic disorder she’s suffered from since she was 6 months old. Called Shwachman Diamond Syndrome, the disorder causes bone marrow failure, pancreatic insufficiency, malabsorption of food and vitamins, and growth difficulties. For most of her life, Rylie’s day-to-day schedule has consisted of countless doctor and hospital appointments, infections, taking medications with every meal, bruising easily, mouth sores, and a lot of dehydration due to fevers. Even two hours of mindless fun at Chuck-E-Cheese when she was only 2 years old led to a miserable three months of being sick with a chronic cold and fever. But since late August, when she was taken under the wing of SUNY Stony Brook’s women’s soccer team through the Team Impact program, she’s turned over a new leaf and has something to consistently look forward to. In turn, her involvement as an honorary team member has made life better for her family, and the team itself has been impacted greatly by her fun-loving presence. Rylie’s grandmother Mary Balint, who has full custody, which she shares with Rylie’s father, said that even with her illnesses, Rylie’s always been very cheerful and happy, and that’s only increased tenfold since joining the team. “She is pushing forward and she absolutely loves her team,” Balint said. “Just last month she had asthmatic bronchitis and every day she was like ‘I’m not letting this stop me. I’m going to practice. I’m going to be with my team, I’m going to do what I have to do,’

the

Year

Nominate outstanding members of the community for

The Times of Middle Country Each year, with our readers’ help, we honor the people who have contributed in the communities we serve. ❖ The honorees are profiled in a special edition at the end of the year. ❖ Nominate your choice(s) by emailing desiree@tbrnewspapers.com ❖ Please include your name and contact information, the name and contact information of the person you’re nominating and why they deserve to be a Man or Woman of the Year. ❖ DeaDline: noveMber 15, 2016

2016

so she’s definitely fighting through whatever she needs to fight through to stay with this. She’ll do anything for them. It’s just made her so much stronger.” Because of how rare Rylie’s illness is, every other year she and Balint journey to Camp Sunshine — which provides retreat and support for kids with life-threatening illnesses

2016

Men WoMen Of

photo above from mary Balint; photo left from stony Brook University

above, Rylie Laber stretches with the stony Brook women’s soccer team. Left, head coach Brendan Faherty places a cap on Rylie’s head after she was drafted.

Honesty Makes a Difference

and their families in Maine — for a medical conference. This is where Balint first heard about Team Impact, the organization that drafts kids from Camp Sunshine to become members of local college athletic teams. Initially, as Balint was looking into the program and submitting Rylie’s application,

RYLIE LABER continued on page A5

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PAGE A4 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

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Help Brookhaven Town ensure a happy holiday The Town of Brookhaven is asking for help to make sure Long Island children have a happy holiday. On Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring unwrapped toys, games or nonperishable food items to Brookhaven Town Hall for its Long Island Car & Motorcycle Enthusiasts food and toy drive. Cash donations will also be accepted. There will be live music and entertainment all day, and free hot dogs and beverages will be available to all those bearing gifts for the cause. Santa will arrive at noon. The annual drive is made possible by the Brookhaven Town Youth Bureau Interface program, and is sponsored by the Long Island Car Clubs, so weather permitting, you can drive your ride. There will also be an open car show, with no admission, no judging and no trophies. The event is rain or shine. File photo

The TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY (USPS 004-808) is published Thursdays by TIMES BEaCON RECORD NEwSPaPERS, 185 Route 25a, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $49 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMaSTER: Send change of address to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

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November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A5

Photo from Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University women’s soccer team drafted 4-year-old Rylie Laber.

RyLIe LabeR Continued from page A3 she was told that they generally didn’t start kids until they were 5, but that was until they learned that she had a special interest in soccer — which she’d been playing since she was 3. That’s when the organization touched base with Brendan Faherty, Stony Brook’s new head coach of the women’s soccer team, who, along with the student athletes, took to her immediately. Rylie joins the Seawolves in the weight room, goes to practice and games, stretches with them on the sidelines, and kicks the ball. As Balint says, everything they do, she does. According to Faherty, it didn’t take long for Rylie to be herself among her new friends and teammates. “In the beginning, she was a little bit shy,” he said, “but that lasted about five minutes.

She’s super outgoing. She just wants to talk to its record this season with Rylie by their side. everybody — goes from one player to the next “She just kind of puts everybody in a good — and she’s got a great attitude, and really mood,” Hutchinson said. “Personally, it gives cares about everybody in the program. ... We me a greater appreciation of life, because Rylie try to spend as much time just walks around like the as we can with her. We happiest child in the world, went to one of her soccer even though she has a lot games and she’s actually of things going on — probreally good. She’s super ably more than we realize. aggressive on the field and She clung to us right away. she scores a lot of goals Every time she comes to and just seems to really see us, whether it’s at praclove soccer.” tice or a game, she’ll run In terms of Rylie’s imright out on the field and pact on the students on give us all hugs.” the team, Stony Brook seFor Balint, it was alnior and teammate Lind— Lindsay Hutchinson ways important that Rylie say Hutchinson said that be kept in the loop as to Rylie was with them for almost the entire what was happening with her medically, rathseason, and every day the Seawolves spent er than try to mask it, and said that she knows with her was guaranteed to be a good day. a lot more about her illness than a 4 year old The Stony Brook team even improved upon should. At school, she stays on top of all the

‘It gives me a greater appreciation of life, because Rylie just walks around like the happiest child in the world.’

medication she needs to take and makes sure that she’s using her own crayon box, to avoid coming in contact with others’ germs, and even a small cold could wipe her out for three weeks straight. Being on the team is Rylie’s incentive to keep herself in tip-top shape, especially since she’s going to be part of the team again next year. “Sometimes, I sort of use it as a bargaining chip,” Balint said. “If she won’t do something that she has to do, I’ll say to her ‘you think your team would like that?’” In fact, the team has such an effect on her that she’s even developed a variety of superstitions once it’s game time. “She has to wear the strings out of her shorts,” Balint said, “and she’s gotta wear her red jersey to school and white jersey to the game. Right before every single game, she runs to the coach with a package of Scooby Doo fruit snacks and he has to eat them. It’s been her little superstitious tradition now.”

LEGALS Notice of formation of Realty Wave, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on September 22, 2016. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC (678 Route 25A, Miller Place, NY 11764). Purpose: any lawful purpose. 526 11/3 6x tmc LEGAL NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Fire Commissioners of Centereach Fire District will hold a Workshop Meeting for the sole purpose of Chief Aide Position on November 15, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. at Fire Headquarters, 9 South Washington Avenue, Centereach, New York. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CENTEREACH FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN DATED: October 26, 2016 Jennifer Gardner

District Secretary 535 11/3 1x tmc LEGAL NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the regular Board Meeting scheduled to be held on November 22, 2016 for the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Centereach Fire District at Fire Headquarters, 9 South Washington Avenue, Centereach, New York has been canceled due to no quorum. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CENTEREACH FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN DATED: October 25, 2016 Jennifer Gardner District Secretary 536 11/3 1x tmc NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE IV, SEC. 85-29 OF THE BUILDING ZONE ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND AT ONE INDEPENDENCE HILL, FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. (AUDITORIUM – 2nd FLOOR), ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016 COMMENCING AT 2:00 P.M. TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY 14. Maria DeMasi, 1 Imperial Dr., Selden, NY. Location: Southwest corner Imperial Dr. and Boyle Rd., Selden. Applicant requests front yard setback variance from Boyle Rd. for existing detached shed located in the required front yard (Boyle Rd.). (0200 42400 0500 003000) 19. Brian & Mary McCarthy, 113 Alma Ave., Selden, NY. Location: North side Alma Ave., 400’ West of Linwood St., Selden. Applicant requests permission for existing attached garage converted to living space; also, rear yard variance for

existing roof over concrete. (0200 44600 0200 045000) 20. Sandra L. Garcia, 15 Riviera Dr., Selden, NY. Location: North side Riviera Dr., 567’+/- West of Tempest Rd., Selden. Applicant requests front yard setback variance for existing covered porch exceeding 4’ x 8’ permitted (5.5’ x 9.5’). (0200 39200 0800 033000) 22. John Maliadis, c/o Sal and Andrew Malguarnera 713 Main St., Port Jefferson, NY. Location: West side Abinet Ct., 274’+/- North of Middle Country Rd., Selden. Applicant requests permission for existing finished basement on a 50 ft. lot. (0200 47300 0200 018000) 24. Karen Clemente, 163 Wagon Lane West, Centereach, NY. Location: West side Wagon Lane West, 1290’+/- North of Carl Ct., Centereach. Applicant requests permission for existing inground swimming pool located less than the required 25’ from overhead electrical wires (15’). (0200 44300 0100 043000) 29. Howard and Irene Moller, 6

Peconic Lane, Selden, NY. Location: South side Peconic Ln., 187’+/- West of Cherry St., Selden. Applicant requests rear yard variance for proposed one story residence addition (sunroom). (0200 49000 0200 015000) 31. Michael Decanio, 24 Holbrook Rd., Centereach, NY. Location: West side Holbrook Rd. 68’ South of Lenore Ln., Centereach. Applicant requests rear yard & side yard variances for proposed inground swimming pool. (0200 51600 0300 036000) 42. Anthony Mazza, 8 Rose Ct., Centereach, NY. Location: Southeast corner Rose Ct. and Graces Way, Centereach. Applicant requests rear yard variance for existing detached shed. (0200 48600 0200 042005) 43. Luis Santos, c/o R-Design Cons. Inc. 1070 Rt. 25, Ste. 7, PMB 144, Selden, NY. Location: North side Elmwood Ave., 147’+/- West of Blue Point Rd., Selden. Applicant requests front yard setback variance for proposed roof over wood porch

with steps exceeding 4’ x 8’ permitted (5’ x 13.5’). (0200 49100 0200 037000) 44. Dennis Colantonio, P O Box 738, Centereach, NY. Location: West side Chatham Woods Dr. 163’+/- North of Dor Way & East side of Rustic Rd., Centereach. Applicant requests height variance for existing 6’ high fence located in rear yard on thru lot (Rustic Rd.). (0200 56500 0400 011000) 45. Charles Wolfrath, 21 Salem Rd., Centereach, NY. Location: North side Salem Rd. 80’+/- West of Hammond Rd., Centereach. Applicant requests rear yard variances for existing deck; rear yard & side yard variances for existing hot tub; also, side yard variance for existing detached shed. (0200 42100 0900 041000) CASES WILL BE HEARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD. PAUL M. DE CHANCE CHAIRMAN 541 11/3 1x tmc

PAGE A6 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

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Police Blotter

Incidents and arrests Oct. 25 — Oct. 30 Can I see a doctor’s note?

A 31-year-old man from Coram had prescription medication without a prescription near the intersection of North Bicycle Path and Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station at about noon Oct. 26, according to police. He was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Popped for pills

On Oct. 30 at about noon on Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai, a 28-year-old man from Setauket had Xanax pills without a prescription, according to police. He was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

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At a location on Thompson Street in Port Jefferson Oct. 26 at about 10:30 a.m., a 20-year-old man from Port Jefferson stole an iPhone and Apple Watch, police said. While being arrested in Mount Sinai Oct. 29, he pulled himself out of his sweatshirt and away from officers and fled on foot, according to police. He was arrested shortly after and charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest.

Booming business

A 29-year-old woman from Miller Place stole more than $50,000 from All Island Compressor Services in West Babylon, where she was employed, between January 2012 and March 2015, according to police. She was arrested Oct. 25 in Miller Place and charged with second-degree grand larceny.

Dude, where’s my car?

A 2002 Ford Focus was taken from a location on Route 25A in Rocky Point at about 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 by a 47-year-old man from Port Jefferson and a 43-year-old man from Coram without the owner’s permission, according to police. They were arrested and each charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Cocaine crack down

On Somerset Street in Centereach at about 5 p.m. Oct. 29, a 21-year-old man from Coram driving a 2013 BMW had cocaine in his vehicle, police said. He was arrested and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug.

To make matters worse

A 26-year-old man was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in Selden for an outstanding warrant. While at the 6th Precinct, police discovered he possessed heroin. He was charged with seventhdegree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

A mountain of offenses

On Adirondack Drive in Selden Oct. 26, a 21-year-old woman from Shirley was driving a 2009 Nissan on the wrong side of the road when she was instructed to pull over by police, they said. She then fled a stop sign and drove at a high rate of speed before she eventually pulled over. She was arrested and charged with third-degree fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle.

Never saw it coming

A woman was walking on Route 25A in Setauket at about midnight Oct. 30 when she was punched by an unknown person, according to police. The victim was treated for injuries at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Knock first

At about 12:30 a.m. Oct. 30, someone kicked in the front door of a home on Private Road in Setauket, punched one of the inhabitants in the face, damaged several items and left, according to police.

Park robbery

A 17-year-old man from West Islip and a 17-year-old man from Stony Brook forcibly took a cell phone, cash, lottery tickets and other items from a person at Heritage Park in Mount Sinai at about 3:30 a.m. Oct. 30, according to police. They were arrested and charged with second-degree robbery.

Window wacked

The rear window of a 2012 Nissan was damaged while it was parked outside of a home on Ontario Street in Terryville at about 3 a.m. Oct. 30, according to police.

Tire cutter

The tires on a 2014 Ford were slashed while it was parked outside of a home on Jarvin Road in Port Jefferson Station at about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29, police said. — Compiled by Alex petroski

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A7

Local Election Info For our official endorsements see page A18

PAGE A8 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

incumbent state sen. Ken LaValle, left, and greg Fischer, right, will compete to represent new york’s 1st senate District.

Photos by alex Petroski

LaValle seeks another state senate term, against Fischer By Desirée Keegan desiree@tbrnewspapers.com Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) has been a New York State senator for nearly four decades, and although he’s joked about retirement, he doesn’t plan on vacating the position just yet. That won’t stop Democratic challenger Greg Fischer from trying to unseat him Nov. 8. According to a 2015 New York Public Interest Research Group Report, LaValle was ranked second of 63 legislators in words said on the Senate floor, second in bill introduction, fourth in those that passed the senate and second in those that passed both houses. “It’s a record of relevancy that I think is pretty good,” LaValle said in an interview at TBR News Media’s main office when the combatants sat down to discuss their campaigns. LaValle said he’s excited for the chance to amend the East End’s Community Preservation Fund, which is responsible for the preservation of more than 3,000 acres of vacant land on Eastern Long Island and also improves parcels of historic, recreational and environmental value. He also noted the $400 million in construction going on at Stony Brook University Hospital that will produce jobs for doctors, clerks and others.

Fischer is a business consultant who has a passion for economics, he said, and he sees the economy as the “most important issue of our day, especially for the district.” “We’re constantly on this treadmill of tax and spend, tax and spend,” he said. “And even though I’m a Democrat and you hear Democrats labeled for that, my background is in business and my background is to find the best value.” The candidates are in support of the two percent tax levy increase cap for property owners as a means to curb government overspending, though Fischer said he isn’t sure the policy goes far enough. “It’s only applying the brakes gently — it’s not fixing the problem,” he said. Fischer is running on the mantra: “It’s time for a turnaround.” His platform is about reform, which he said would be a product of his background. He’s not a lawyer like many other legislators. Fischer said he thinks new blood and a democratic representative are needed to be able to better address not just the district’s issues, but statewide issues. “There’s so much we can do, but we’re moving so slowly,” he said. “I think that’s the danger. We all know where we’re headed. People want to move out of state. Students want to be accepted out of state so they can stay out of state.” To combat that mentality, LaValle said

he’s been conducting research on millennials, regarding whether or not they want to be homebuyers or renters, or drive a car as their primary means of transportation. LaValle co-sponsored legislation to allow municipalities to continue tax exceptions for first-time homebuyers of newly constructed homes as an incentive. He is also a supporter of New York State’s School Tax Relief Program, which lowers property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. As chairman of the Higher Education Committee, LaValle said he’s also trying to address how to minimize millennial debt. Fischer said he’s a proponent of free tuition for Suffolk County and New York State residents. Fisher has run unsuccessful campaigns for Riverhead Town and local school board offices. He previously sued the Long Island Power Authority and conducted his own audits of Riverhead school district. More recently, he filed a lawsuit claiming Stony Brook University named its football stadium for LaValle after he secured $22 million in state funds for the venue’s construction, stating in his notice of claim that “It is ludicrous for sitting legislators (seeking re-election or otherwise) to have public structures named for them for the de facto benefit of their personal political careers.” Fischer asked LaValle’s name be removed from both the Nov. 8 ballot and the sta-

dium. The arena was opened and named after LaValle in 2002. Fischer said another issue he’d like to address is corruption in the courtroom, and added he’d like to see cameras allowed in state courtrooms. “I think there needs to be more scrutiny of the judicial process,” he said. “We have a huge problem with corruption. There have been a lot of problems where the transcripts are changed after the fact, and things happen that are problematic.” Fischer also said he believes legislation takes too long in New York, and cited response to the growing opioid abuse issue as an example. While LaValle said it’s his No. 1 priority — adding that many of his colleagues say the same — he believes increased penalties for dealers could put a dent in that problem. Fischer said he understands enforcement sells, but added it’s only part of the solution. “Of course we have to do some more enforcement, but it’s a mental health issue,” he said. “We have reasons for people doing these drugs — even in the suburbs — it’s despair. By the time you’re detecting use, you’ve already got a real problem going on. We have to have a whole new way of thinking about deterrence and really scaring children into the reality that, as a first use, you could have a dependency for life.”

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A9

Congressman. Soldier. Family Man.

LEE’S “NEW ERA OF AMERICAN STRENGTH” AGENDA: - Protecting America’s Security at Home and Abroad

• Defeating ISIS and other terrorist threats, correcting a flawed Iran Nuclear Agreement, strengthening our borders and improving relations with our allies.

- Helping Grow Our Economy

• Improving the business climate to create more good paying, private sector jobs.

- Supporting Our Veterans and First Responders

• Expanding the PFC Joseph Dwyer Program for veterans with PTSD. Standing strong with our police and first responders. Delivering the highest quality of care to our nation's veterans.

- Improving the Quality of Education

• Rolling back federally mandated testing in our schools.

- Repairing Our Nation’s Infrastructure

• Funding critical projects to maintain and upgrade our roads, bridges and other means of transportation.

- Improving Healthcare in America

• Repealing and replacing Obamacare. Advancing America’s pursuit of cures and treatments to diseases both well known and rare.

- Safeguarding Our Environment

• Saving Plum Island and protecting our water supply by passing bills like Rep. Zeldin’s Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act.

Secure Our Country. Grow Our Economy. VOTE LEE ZELDIN ON NOVEMBER 8TH Stony Brook Office - 207 Hallock Rd. | Smithtown Office - 52 N. Country Rd. | Riverhead Office - 127 East Main St. Shirley Office - 895 Montauk Hwy | Hampton Bays Office - 225 W. Montauk Hwy. WWW.ZELDINFORCONGRESS.COM Paid for by Zeldin for Congress 152226

PAGE A10 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

Photos by Alex Petroski

Congressman Lee Zeldin, above, and challenger Anna Throne-Holst, below, face off in the 1st Congressional district, which many have called a ‘surrogate race’ for the presidential election.

Congressional candidates spar ahead of Election Day By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com A clashing of opinions on almost every issue gave way to a tense debate between an incumbent Republican congressman and a former Southampton Town supervisor as the race for the 1st Congressional District seat enters its final stretch. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), who graduated from Albany Law School before serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2014 and seeks to maintain that position Nov. 8. He must first win re-election, however, against Democrat Anna Throne-Holst, whose work in local government has been guided by a “people over politics” platform in an effort to make government work for everyone. The candidates sat down at the TBR News Media office Oct. 27 to square off on a variety of pressing local and national topics, like the environment, veterans issues, Planned Parenthood and the presidential election. Zeldin has accomplished plenty in his 21 months representing the district, which encompasses most of central and eastern Suffolk County, and takes pride in his willingness to work with absolutely anyone, regardless of party. He has worked hard to help veterans suffering from PTSD, secured the repeal of the saltwater fishing license fee, and fought to block the federal government’s proposed sale of Plum Island. Throne-Holst has built and run organizations mostly geared toward educational

and essential services for families in need of support, worked at the U.N. Department of Peacemaking, and wants to utilize the work she’s done abroad to fix what she calls “thorny foreign policy decisions that we are dealing with.” She’s committed to providing a service to families and young people in the community who she said have been sorely underserved. She said Congress is at an alltime low approval rating and has not done enough to deal with the critical issues the country is facing. Before the candidates focused their discussion on the environment, there were accusations from both sides regarding the Environmental Protection Agency. “All due respect, I think it’s important to note the things where funding has either been slashed or not put forward,” ThroneHolst said. “When I think about things, like the EPA, that he voted to decrease funding for … and the kind of funding that supports programs that are crucial to our residents here in district one New York, and that have been mired in partisan politics in Washington, that is part of what I think is troubling.” Zeldin refuted Throne-Holst’s statements. “My opponent repeatedly states that I voted multiple times to defund the EPA,” he said, demanding specific bill numbers from Throne-Holst. “That is not truthful. When there was a vote to cut EPA funding by 17 percent, I voted against the cut. My opponent didn’t read the bill. There are ways to improve the EPA and strengthen the relationship between the EPA and Con-

gress and the American people.” Zeldin introduced a Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act alongside Congressman Steve Israel, and said the health of the Sound would be an important issue if he secured another term. He talked specifically about his involvement in raising money for the National Estuary Program, which provides grants to states threatened by pollution and overuse, and his proposals in relation to Plum Island. “Everyone is entitled to and wants clean air and clean water, and whatever we can do to advance that is important,” Zeldin said. Throne-Holst spoke more broadly about the hazards of climate change, an issue Zeldin has questioned the legitimacy of in the past, and sea-level rise. She said there isn’t a single homeowner or business owner in the region immune to climate change. She said the federal government has a responsibility to lead the way in putting together a climate change resiliency plan, district by district. The debate turned even more contentious when the focus shifted to their respective stances on Planned Parenthood. Zeldin, who voted for a bill that would halt funding for the organization for a year, was asked whether or not he believed it should be defunded. “I respect the position amongst American taxpayers who do not want their dollars to go toward funding abortions,” he said. “I certainly have a sensitivity and respect for both sides of this issue … but the idea that it can be legal for someone to be able to decide to get an abortion in the eighth month

or ninth month, that is something that I very strongly disagree with.” When pressed for clarification on the organization’s funding, Zeldin said “as far as funding abortion services, yeah [it should be halted].” Throne-Holst called their views on the issue a very clear line in the sand. “I believe in a woman’s right to choose,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a question of a personal experience. I think it’s a question of respecting the civil rights of every American. The idea that government has any role to play in making that decision for anyone goes against any provision of humanity.” Zeldin has publicly supported Republican nominee Donald Trump in the race for the White House in the past, though he said we have two flawed options for president, referring to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as well. He offered no defense for Trump’s well-documented controversial statements, including the Access Hollywood leak wherein Trump boasted about sexually assaulting women. He said he sides with Trump on many issues, like improving foreign, tax and immigration policies and defeating “Islamic Extremism.” He said he agrees with Trump more than he agrees with Clinton. Throne-Holst accused her opponent of going on CNN numerous times to defend Trump in the past. She said there is no excuse for overlooking the statements Trump has made and “allowing this man to be the supreme leader of this country and be the role model for our children.”

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A11

Three vie for state senate seat in 2nd district By Victoria Espinoza victoria@tbrnewspapers.com

St. James resident Peter Magistrale, 24, is taking his first swing at elected office, challenging New York State Sen. and Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport) to represent the 2nd district. The candidates met and discussed why they think they could best represent their constituents at TBR News Media’s main office. Magistrale (D) said he is running for office because he wants to tackle political corruption. “I see government at all levels as a tool for powerful people to get what they want,” he said. Magistrale said he wants to focus on ways to reform campaign finance and laws to protect children in sexual abuse cases, among his other platform issues. Flanagan said he’s proud to be the first majority leader from Suffolk County, and proud of the legislation he has helped pass, including a package of bills to combat the county’s opioid abuse problem and restoring funding taken from school districts by the Gap Elimination Adjustment. Flanagan has served in the New York Senate for 14 years, and before that served in the New York State Assembly for 16 years. Part of Magistrale’s campaign has been dedicated to supporting the Child Victims Act, which is legislation that would eliminate both criminal and civil statutes of limitation for child sexual abuse, and provide a one-time, one-year window in the statute of limitations to enable victims whose

photos by Desirée Keegan

Democrat peter Magistrale and state sen. John Flanagan battle each other, and independent stephen ruth for the right to represent the 2nd district nov. 8. claim was time-barred by the current arbitrary limitations to revive their claim. “A child who’s sexually abused cannot come forward after they’ve turned 23,” Magistrale said. “That’s not protection. That’s protecting financial interests who do not want the law changed. To say that the current law protects children — it does not.” Flanagan agreed this is a serious issue, but did not agree with how Magistrale wants to approach the issue. “There are significant protections in the law right now,” he said. “This is a one-year opener that could bring cases going back 40, 50, 60 years. We have statutes of limita-

tions for very cogent reasons and no matter how emotional a subject may be, witness availability, evidence, all those things have a salutary effect in terms of what happens.” Stephen Ruth, referred to as the Red Light Robin Hood, is also running against the two candidates for the 2nd district seat, but did not respond to request for comment. Ruth is an outspoken critic against the red light camera program on Long Island and has been arrested for tampering with red light cameras. “I don’t believe in vigilantism,” Flanagan said of Ruth’s actions. “I don’t like red light cameras, and I voted against them.”

The state senator said that while this program was first suggested as a safety issue, it now seems like more of a measure to increase revenue. Magistrale said he agreed with most of Flanagan’s sentiments. “I think there is a good enough reason to look at if the red lights were shortened,” Magistrale said. “Shortening a yellow light is just as dangerous, and I think we ought to have an investigation to find out if they really were shorted or not.” The candidates found some common ground on education, and agreed the system is in need of improvement. Magistrale said he believes Common Core has lost the consent of the citizens. “We’ve had opt out rates, from grades three through eight, over 50 percent … what does that say?” Magistrale said. “Having standardized exams that reinforce memorization is not a way to create free thinkers. In a time in our history where crimes are being committed in the highest places of government, we need people who will ask questions, not be obedient.” Flanagan said he’s had many hearings and meetings on the subject throughout the state. “This is one subject area where I know more than frankly anybody in the Legislature,” he said. “I don’t like the exams … but all those tests are overwhelmingly mandated by the federal government.” Flanagan said despite the problems with Common Core, changes on the federal level need to be put in place to improve the current system, rather than tearing it down and starting over.

PAGE A12 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

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assemblyman Steve englebright (D-Setauket), left, faces Steve weissbard in the race for new york’s 4th assembly District seat.

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There were areas of agreement and points of sharp contrast between incumbent Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and challenger Steve Weissbard (R) when they sat down together at the TBR News Media main office to discuss their qualifications and plans for New York’s 4th Assembly District. Route 347 and its ongoing reconstruction was high on the challenger’s list of important issues. The traffic and congestion are intolerable and detract from quality of life for area residents, and the redesign has been flawed, Weissbard said. “We need to get rid of the lights and add a third lane,” Weissbard said. “There should have been more overpasses.” The incumbent said he is pleased with the changes to Route 347. Englebright noted the history of the road, which was originally supposed to be leg two of the Northern State Parkway extending all the way out to Orient. “It never happened and we have a roadway that was confused by historical events,” he said. “The first proposals put forth by the [Department of Transportation] — going back more than a decade — would have recreated the Cross Bronx Expressway. Then Senator Jim Lack and I rejected those proposals and asked for something better. The something better is in the works.” Weissbard has ideas for improving the state economy, which he said has been contracting for the last 40 years. “New York is known as the least free state, the most regulated state, the highest tax rate state,” he said. “We’re bleeding industry.” The answer, he added, quoting President Ronald Reagan, isn’t more government, but less government. Englebright offered a different perspective.

“I can’t help but notice that the largest employer is government — and the largest entity, in fact, is in this district: the State University of New York — the largest employer in the bicounty region,” he said. He argued that its presence has helped our community weather deep recessions that have affected other areas on Long Island much more profoundly. On Common Core, however, they agreed completely. “I think it undermines the fundamental relationship between teacher and student,” Weissbard said. His Democratic counterpart was equally critical of the federal program. “In the past, teaching was seen as an art,” Englebright said. “Now it’s trying to be seen as a quantifiable, robotic-like activity.” They both said they would like Common Core to be scrapped for a system that returns control to local school districts and teachers. Englebright said he hopes voters will return him to Albany for a thirteenth term. He stands on his record of accomplishment on behalf of his constituents. “I have made promises [in the past] and I have kept those promises,” he said. Although his record on environmental issues gets lots of attention, he named other legislation that made him proudest. “That the pertussis [whooping cough] legislation I sponsored with Dr. Shetal Shah has, according to his data, reduced the incidence of this killer childhood disease by at least 50 percent since the law’s passage in 2012,” he said. Weissbard said he would like to bring a new perspective to the Assembly. “As a county attorney, as a prosecutor, I’ve been in charge of both the juvenile drug court and, at times, the adult drug court, so I’ve seen the war on drugs on the Island at point blank range,” Weissbard said. “It’s a lot of first-hand knowledge that I would love to bring to the state level.”

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A13

North Shore voters weigh in on who they support By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com As Long Island residents get ready for election day next week, some are certain for whom they will cast their ballot, and others are still undecided.

Eric Corley, Port Jefferson

Sarah Leanza, Port Jefferson

Q: Who are you voting for? A: Clinton. Not because I necessarily trust her like anybody else, but because he’s [Trump] a misogynist, crazy ... I think he’s horrific. I’m a little nervous about her, but I think she has a lot of experience at least, and I think what is wonderful is Trump has created a situation that’s going to make her make sure she’s accountable. I think she’s going to have to be very careful while she’s in office because there are so many people behind him who are so angry, so that makes me trust her situation better. He was like a necessary evil, I think.

Q: Who are you voting for? A: Clinton, because she knows what she’s doing, and there may be some stuff I don’t agree with — probably a lot of stuff — but you have to think of all the people that are going to be brought in as a result of a Clinton administration as opposed to the people who would be brought in with a Trump administration. You look at all the things that have changed over the last eight years, not all of which are good, but so much has changed and that’s all the result of who we elected. We have to think beyond the personalities and beyond whatever is in the media, so that’s why I think it’s an easy choice.

Raymond Diaz, Mount Sinai

Q: Who are you voting for? A: Donald J. Trump, because of the political corruption and the political correctness with Hillary. It just kills me all the scandals and all the people covering up for her; it’s horrible. Trump says some mean things but would you rather have someone say a bunch of horrible things to your face and be your friend or talk behind your back? Oh, it makes me sick. I am such a die-hard Trump fan, and it’s not that I love Trump. We just need change. All the corruption in the government, and she’s just a liar. Trump’s not the best guy in the world, but even if he does a horrible job, what’s wrong with wiping out the government for four years? Getting all the corrupt people out and starting from scratch.

Michael and Cindy Rawdin, Dix Hills

Q: Who are you voting for? Michael: I’d only vote for Clinton. I know she’s imperfect but I would never dream of voting for [Trump] because I know him personally and he’s a disgraceful human being. I owned a website, GoTrump.com, that we opened in January 2006. We had it for 3 years with that “lovely” man. His staff was great, he was disgraceful ... always. Cindy: We brought him into the online travel industry. He wasn’t it in then in 2006. But because of his greed as well, we did not make a lot of money because Trump cut the biggest piece of pie for himself. We really know that Clinton is the brightest and most sophisticated and most experienced, and she’s an elitist. She’s intelligent. Michael: She actually knows what she’s speaking about. The other one is faking it at all times. He didn’t even prep for the debates, which I found truly amazing. People are so desperate for change that they’ll vote for a psychopath. He’s really quite sick. The stupid things he says, the idiotic way he reacts, the fact that he screwed thousands of little guys out of their money. They’d go work at the Taj Mahal and just get screwed. He’s so unfit to be anything but a… make believe billionaire. He’s just a fraud.

Tommy Parris, Port Jefferson

Roe Waltmann, Coram

Q: Who are you voting for? A: I like Trump. I think he’s very gung-ho and I really believe that he can do the things he says he can do — unless I’m naïve. But I don’t want Hillary Clinton; I don’t want a politician. I want somebody with new blood that’s not a politician. Now, he’s become a politician along the way without him realizing, but I really think he can energize [the country, but] if he doesn’t get the Republican Senate he’s not going to do too much. Even though in his mind he’s saying he could, he can’t. And my family wants Trump too because they want somebody new, and that’s how we all feel. I think he’s so energetic and he can revitalize things, and I know he’s going to surround himself with good people. But he should keep his mouth closed sometimes.

Q: Who are you voting for? A: I actually truly haven’t decided yet. I mean, I was leaning more toward Trump initially. There’s not enough accurate information out there; a lot of the stuff that they’re putting out there is very vague, very generic. They’re not being too specific in their campaigns. Everyone’s spoon feeding everybody what they want to hear. They’re basically telling them “Oh yeah, we’re going to make more money, we’re going to fix the economy.” It’s all slogans and sales pitches. And coming from someone in sales, you can see right through that. What’s the plan that goes beyond that? I like the fact that although Trump is not as delicate as he should be or as sensitive with the way he uses his words, he’s more transparent in the sense that you know who you’re dealing with for better or worse, so you can kind of know what to expect. With Hillary, she’s more quiet, cunning; you really don’t know much what’s going on. She’s a better politician when it comes down to it. I think it would be good to have a Republican state of mind back in the office just to kind of balance things out.

Mike Barba, Malverne

Q: Who are you voting for? A: I’m actually voting for Gary Johnson, just because I don’t agree with Hillary [Clinton] on matters, and I don’t think Trump has enough political experience for it. He just talks a little too much for my liking, so I’ll be doing the alternative independent vote. Although Gary Johnson had some slipups on his foreign policy, I still think there should be more than a two-party system in the country. In the United Kingdom, they have more than two, as well as a few other countries. When conservatives and liberals are so far left and far right, it’s nice to have more of a middle ground and somebody who’s more bipartisan on a bunch of matters. Even though the independents realistically won’t win — him or Jill Stein — I think there will be enough independent votes that it will be a little more eye-opening for the country in general just to see “wow, maybe there should be a third candidate to be putting in.”

Check the reader forums Get into the mix @ www.tbrnewsmedia.com

Craig Marcott, Huntington

Q: Who are you voting for? A: It’s really an election of the perceived lesser of two evils in this case. My vote will be on the Republican ticket because I think he’s the lesser of the two evils in this one. It’s been incredible. Right down to the end, they’re just not stopping, between the email stuff on one side, the stuff on him on the other side. They’re two of the most defective candidates we’ve ever had. I’m voting more for the philosophy and for the Supreme Court justices. I don’t think our country can handle two more liberal Supreme Court justices that will rule the country for the next quarter of the century.

PAGE A14 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

OPINION

Images by Mike Sheinkopf

An observer’s perspective In India, 8,431 miles away and 18 way to a promising future because the world months earlier, the American election is in dire need of help. As an Indian, it is sad campaign was an obscure topic of discusto see Indian Americans — or a group of Insion for me. Things would not have changed dians back home — supporting Trump primuch to this present day had it not been so marily on the basis of their common abhormuch of a ridiculous spectacle. From the rence of Islam. However dark it may sound, outside, when you look at how a country a lot of us harbor grudges or hatred against like America would conduct its campaign, other communities or peoples or sects. But, you expect suavity for that matter. But even if a world leader starts encouraging people to a layman, what would garner attention to express their grudges overtly, that sets a is the total brashness of the nature of the dangerous example. It unites people based campaign and its controversies. on a wrong cause where the effect of such For one, Donald J. Trump has been ill preaching is not limited nationally but the star of the show with his specimen tends to go worldwide. In order to maintain of utter cloddishness and a good relationship with Inhard-hearted comments dia, his camaraderie should as a presidential candidate be toward Indians in general on topics related to Islam, and not Hindus particularly, his salacious comments on as India also has the third women and his brashness of largest Muslim population in belonging to the elite class. the world. Where on one hand, many Unlike American eleceminent leaders and visiontions, Indian national elecaries root for peace and tions do not have debates unity by bridging the gap among the candidates. between national mind-sets In India, and in numerand borders, Trump, in his — Elina Mukherjee ous other countries in the extremist self, is advocating world, candidates routinely the very opposite. Building a wall to prevent attempt to bolster their position by slanderMexican invasion of the country or putting ing others, by trading insults. In a democan extra scan on Muslims who enter the racy, I reckon, having debates between States, to only name a few, stimulate the candidates is a progressive step. However, fire. What is unprecedented is the staggergoing by the nature of the last three deing number of Trump supporters who think bates, its principal purpose seems to have him to be a fresh breath of air in the race been defeated for the most part. for the White House. Hillary Clinton, on the America has always led from the front other hand, has come out better, maintainwhen it comes to being progressive. The coring a dignified stance and prompting fewer nerstone of much of Trump’s election camfurrowed eyebrows. But overall, this election paign has been dissemination of negativity has been nothing less than a mockery to the and animosity. Many of his proposed policies world of what America has come to. are regressive to say the least. As an outsider, Dividing in the name of religion is a I — and many others like me — fear that if potential peril. The unpalatable truth for America chooses divisiveness over integrathe citizens is to understand the pressure tion, it would be a harsh moral setback for they are under, bearing the tag of being the many of the developing countries. foremost nation in the world and always beElina Mukherjee ing looked up to, its leader should lead the Stony Brook

‘... if America chooses divisiveness over integration, it would be a harsh moral setback...’

The greater of two evils I did not vote for Donald Trump in the New York primary. His comments about women are loathsome, and I believe it is likely he kissed and groped women during his television career. However, his words and actions pale in comparison to how the Clintons have treated women throughout their careers. Bill and Hillary Clinton represent what I call the Chappaquiddick wing of the Democratic Party. Under this umbrella, it does not matter how you treat women as long as you support abortion on demand and the appointment of liberal Supreme Court justices. For example, a senator from Massachusetts can leave a young woman to drown at the bottom of a pond, get re-elected, and go on to become “the Lion of the Senate.” An attorney general from Arkansas can rape a nursing home executive, get elected governor and demand that a low-level state employee perform oral sex on him. The same sexual predator can then go on to become president, use a cigar to penetrate a young woman in the Oval Office, fondle and grope a recent widow who came to him for counsel, lie under oath in a sexual harassment case, get impeached and disbarred from practicing law in Arkansas and before the Supreme Court and go on to become “first gentleman.” It is also OK for Hillary to laugh as she won her first case in Arkansas, when she minimized the sentence of a 41-year-old man who so savagely raped a 12-year-old girl that she could never have children. If you are concerned about how to explain Donald Trump to your daughters, how will you explain the Clintons? The Sunday New York Times included “I Live in a Lie: Saudi Women Speak Up.” It documents the oppression of women in Saudi Arabia. A March 8, 2015, New York Times

article (“Hillary Clinton Faces Test of Record as Women’s Advocate”) disclosed that Saudi Arabia had given more than $10 million to the Clinton Foundation. While Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, the State Department faulted Saudi Arabia for “a lack of equal rights for women and children,” and said “violence against women, human trafficking and gender discrimination, among other abuses, were all common there.” Apparently, the Chappaquiddick wing provides cover to “fight for women” while simultaneously collecting tens of millions from Saudi Arabia and the like-minded misogynist states of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Algeria and Brunei. Today in The Hill, Assistant FBI Director James Kallstrom (the man who headed the TWA 800 investigation) stated, “the Clinton’s are a crime family.” I am reminded of the climactic scene in “Godfather II” when — Dan Kerr Kate confronts Michael Corleone over her recent miscarriage. “Oh, Michael. Michael, you are blind. It wasn’t a miscarriage. It was an abortion. An abortion, Michael. Just like our marriage is an abortion. Something that’s unholy and evil ... It was a son, Michael! A son! And I had it killed because this must all end!” For the good of this country, I believe the “unholy and evil” reign of the Clintons must end as well. A few days before FBI Director Comey’s letter to Congress, Kimberley Strassel wrote in the Wall Street Journal, “This is how the Clintons operate; they do not change. Anyone that pulls the lever for Mrs. Clinton takes responsibility for setting the nation up for all of the blatant corruption that will follow.” The Clintons are the greater of two evils.

‘Bill and Hillary Clinton represent what I call the Chappaquiddick wing of the Democratic Party.’

These letters are representative of the opposing viewpoints on the 2016 presidential election. They do not speak for the newspaper.

Dan Kerr Stony Brook

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A15

Watch for election results in next week’s issues and online at tbrnewsmedia.com

Sample Ballot

PAGE A16 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

PeoPle

Students learn their way around the library Pre-kindergarten students in Middle Country school district took a field trip to the Middle Country Public Library with their parents to improve literacy and learn their way around a library. During the visit, the students read a story and made crafts, while their parents received a tutorial focusing on the library’s resources that benefit young children. The students then registered for their very own library cards so they can take full advantage of the learning opportunities available to them. Photo from Middle Country Public Library

Pre-kindergarten students in Middle Country school district participate in an activity at the Middle Country Public Library as part of a field trip.

A girl with a dog at a previous Scales and Rails event.

Photo from Middle Country Public Library

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Brookhaven Town Councilman Kevin LaValle speaks to Selden seniors at the Selden Fire Department.

Learn about your pets Councilman meets with Selden senior association On Nov. 5, the Middle Country Public Library will host its ninth annual Scales and Tails: Pet Education and Information Fair. Families are invited to enjoy exhibits and informational booths provided by local and regional organizations, including rescue groups; shelters and adoption facili-

ties; and pet therapy programs that work to ensure the health and safety of Long Island’s pet population. Face painting and activities for children will also be available. The free event will take place at the library’s Centereach location, at 101 Eastwood Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BREAKING NEWS

On Oct. 27, Councilman Kevin LaValle (R-Selden) visited the Selden Seniors Association at the Selden Fire Department. He spoke to the group about services the Town of Brookhaven provides for seniors, such as the Jitney Program and Residential Repair Program.

“I want to thank the Selden Seniors Association for inviting me to come and speak at their October Meeting,” LaValle said. “It was a great opportunity to discuss a number of important issues facing our senior community and ways in which the Town of Brookhaven can assist them.”

www.tbrnewsmedia.com

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A17

SportS

Photo by Desirée Keegan

Newfield slips in quarterfinals: The Newfield girls’ soccer team saw its season come to a close with a 2-0 loss to Smithtown West in the Class AA quarterfinals Oct. 27. Above, senior midfielder Kristen Prevosto reaches to block a pass.

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PAGE A18 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

EndorsEmEnts

Forward with Flanagan Leave it to

We admire Peter Magistrale (D) for running against a political institution like John Flanagan (R-East Northport) at such a young age. He is very passionate about statutes of limitation regarding sexual abuse claims, an issue we’d be glad to see him continue to fight for regardless of the outcome of this election. His idealism is an asset that could serve the community in the future. We also have heard enough from Stephen Ruth to consider his cause regarding red light cameras and yellow light times something worth looking into as a community. However, we are endorsing John Flanagan to retain his seat as the state senator for New York’s 2nd Senate District. We support him both for what he has already accomplished in his 14 years in the position — like the fights he gladly took up against the Gap Elimination Adjustment and heroin abuse in his district and beyond — and for what we hope he can bring to the district in the future. He is constantly visible, available and receptive to his constituents and has helped along with State Sen. Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) to make Stony Brook University what it is today, which is

LaValle

File photo

State Sen. John Flanagan, who was first elected in the senate in 2002, is seeking another term. a tremendous asset to the community. We certainly hope Magistrale continues to look to serve his community, but for this election and this seat, we enthusiastically stand by Flanagan.

Voters in the first senatorial district have two excellent candidates to choose from on Election Day. Incumbent Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1976 and has been re-elected 19 times since. He prides himself on being one of its most productive legislators in terms of bill introduction, bills that pass the Senate and bills that go on to pass both houses. He calls this a record of “relevancy” and we agree. He works hard for our district, understands its problems and thinks there’s more he can do — especially in combatting the heroin/ opioid addiction crisis and increasing environmental protections. His challenger, Gregory Fischer (D) has some interesting ideas and brings the perspective of a business background to his analysis of the issues facing the district and the state. A self-professed reformer, he believes that the Senate needs new blood — and more specifically, blood of the Democratic persuasion.

File photo

State Sen. Ken LaValle will build on 40 years of service with another term.

We endorse Senator LaValle for a 20th term because we believe he has done great work for his constituents and will continue to do so for another two years. His seniority in a body that rewards it, makes him an even more powerful advocate for our interests.

A bright future File photo by Phil Corso

Anna Throne-Holst will need to unseat incumbent Lee Zeldin to earn the 1st Congressional District seat Nov. 8.

Give her the throne Freshman Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) has done some admirable things for constituents of the 1st district. A veteran himself, with four years of active duty — including a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and nine years in the Army Reserves — he has done a lot for Long Island veterans. He was also instrumental in the signing into law of an amendment that bears his name, allowing states to opt out of Common Core without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result. That’s a victory for the nearly unanimous animus we’ve heard candidates express for the program this fall. Challenger Anna Throne-Holst (D) was elected four times to the Southamp-

ton Town Board and, as town supervisor, fixed financial problems, streamlined the budget and put the reallocated funds to use improving quality of life for Southampton residents. And she did this while in the minority, working with Republicans. Now she hopes to bring that skill set to Congress and we’d like to see her do it. These are both hard-working, dedicated politicians, but one aligns with our values and ideals better. Only Throne-Holst believes in background checks for gun purchasers, revamping the existing Affordable Care Act, protecting a woman’s right to choose and overturning Citizen’s United. We endorse Anna Throne-Holst to be our next congressperson.

Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) is the leading environmental voice in the Assembly, and with the climate of the country ever-changing, it’s a much needed one. Englebright, who serves as chairman of the Committee of Environmental Conservation and also is on the Committee on Energy, among others, has fought for preservation with tree removal possibilities looming in Stony Brook, helped welcome a new trail hub in Rocky Point, secured funding for Mount Sinai’s Heritage Park and opposes dumping of dredged spoils in the Long Island Sound. His work supporting planetary exploration at Stony Brook University, ensuring water quality and lowering the cases of whooping cough is also to be commended. He’s been a big supporter of the importance of local history and has celebrated the volunteer work of countless locals who fight to beautify their communities, educate others on the past and preserve what’s left. While we believe his Republican challenger Steven Weissbard is passionate and enthusiastic, and has some good ideas — such as better ways to manage the construction on Route 347, he’s a climatechange denier. Englebright is still currently working to halt dumping of toxic silt into the Long Island Sound and reducing nitrogen levels in our waters. We hope the assemblyman will

File photo

Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s impressive track record makes him an easy choice to represent the 4th district.

continue to be a strong voice for his constituents on these issues and fight to make new plans to mend the issues. The 12-time elected assemblyman, who was initially voted in during a special election in 1992, has continued to have the support of the 4th district. And we vigorously support him for re-election.

November 03, 2016 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A19

OpiniOn

Taking small steps, and stretching, to prevent big problems I

f an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, what should we be preventing? Well, we all brush our teeth. At least, we do most of the time, assuming we haven’t relaxed under the covers too long on a cold night and haven’t allowed ourselves to drift off to a wonderful, warm place where we don’t have to worry about meetings, tests, social anxiety, or delayed trains the next day. Did we also floss? That’s By Daniel Dunaief a ridiculous question for those of us who have seen the 1992 movie Prelude to a Kiss. At the end of the film, Julius, played by Sydney

D. None of the above

Walker, has returned to his body after switching with Meg Ryan on her wedding day. An older man, Julius asks if he can give the young couple a piece of advice. “Floss,” he advises sagely. Okay, so, what else do we prevent? We change the oil in our cars, or maybe a service station does that. They also probably check our brakes, realign our wheels, and check all our other fluids. That’s all good and seems necessary. How often we do that depends on our tradition and our comfort level with our vehicles. Then, there’s our bodies. Insurance plans seem to cover the cost of an annual physical. The doctor asks us about any changes, takes some samples, and gets back to us, reminding us to eat better, to sleep better and to exercise more often. Those visits can either be a source of great pride, as we walk in noticeably lighter than we were last year, or a source of frustration, as the weight we lost the year before seems to

have boomeranged back to us. For our bodies, we can also take some preventive steps. I recently endured some lower back problems. I always thought the one advantage of being on the shorter side was that I wouldn’t have to worry about the bad backs some of the tall people of the world suffer. Wrong. My lower back was so stiff that climbing out of a car took much longer than it should, while walking down steps or a slight incline caused me to wince. My chiropractor helped relieve that pain and gave me some back exercises, which I now do semi-regularly. Okay, well, I don’t do them as often as I brush my teeth, but I do take some time to stretch and strengthen my lower back. When I was young and playing sports, I used to arrive at a field and play baseball, basketball or anything else and immediately start running at top speed. I barely stretched because I couldn’t wait to play. Fast forward to today and the

true weekend warrior in me, who has endured a groin strain and a partial tear of my rotator cuff, requires at least 10 to 15 minutes of stretching. As with most life lessons, we become more aware of pitfalls and potholes after we’ve fallen into them. My experience with kidney stones means that I barely go a waking hour without drinking a cup of water. When the doctor told me that half of all kidney stone patients return within five years, I immediately decided I wanted to be in the other half, so I’m drinking water constantly. I’m sure there are other house items we should maintain, like heaters, air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators and other appliances. After all, even though so many of those run for long periods of time without needing any service, they probably won’t require anything major if we give them that extra ounce of preventive attention.

Some last minute thoughts on Election 2016

ne fact that we can all agree on at the tail end of this clamorous and divisive election season is how happy we are that it is almost over. In a presidential campaign that has been part entertainment, part embarrassment, only slightly about the grave issues of the day, but wholly history making, the people are exhausted. Bombarded relentlessly with political messages, robocalls, knocks at the By Leah S. Dunaief door, endless campaign literature and ugly ads, citizens are yearning for an end. May it all truly be over next Tuesday night. For all the talk, though, about how insufferable the electioneering has been, the candidates have gotten the attention, albeit negatively, of the electorate. At business lunches,

Between you and me

during hair-stylist appointments, at cocktail parties and the daily exchanges at the bus stops, the latest election tomfoolery is the topic of the day. Conversations about the weather, that perennial conversation fodder, are finally being overtaken by the latest political revelations. For a nation that has long been declared apolitical, we breathlessly keep up with who has hurled what insult at whom and what new leaks the media are revealing. It seems to matter little if the leaks are corroborated or not, and social media, the preferred vehicle for dissemination, does not automatically offer any fact checking. Anyone can get away with saying anything, and the more outrageous and indecent, the greater number of viewers. The gloves of decency and civility are off. In our presidential election, we are exploring the twists and turns of sexual accusations — out in the open for everyone to see. London’s backbenchers in Parliament pale with their insults compared to us. At least theirs are often witty. Except for Saturday Night Live, there has been little

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in these last two years of intense campaigning to earn a good laugh. Has our country demonstrated less bigotry by naming a woman as standard-bearer for one of the two major parties? Or has our obvious double standard become only more painfully obvious, with so many men declaring publicly their unwillingness to ever vote for a woman as leader? The same question, about race rather than gender, was posed eight years ago when we elected the first black president. With painful irony, amidst our self-congratulatory open-mindedness, it seems more racial incidents have played out since that election than when George Wallace stood in the doorway and refused entry to black school children. Will the same ironies ensue in the event of a Clinton victory? Perhaps it is cleansing to have our faults out in the open — acknowledgement as the first step toward healing. At least there has been no talk about ageism the way there was during the Reagan campaign in 1980. Both candidates today are within a couple of years of each

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Desirée Keegan EDITOR Desirée Keegan

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other and of the biblical endpoint of three score and ten. At least that is something to be grateful for. In this election season, as with every other during which we have been publishing, we have tried hard to remain as neutral as possible and present you, our readers, with the news in a balanced fashion. There are a number of local races, all critically important for their ultimate effects on our daily lives. As we have always done, we have spent hundreds of hours throughout the month of October interviewing candidates for each local office, two-bytwo, and we have asked them questions and passed the answers along to you in our election section this week. We have also distilled this information during many more hours of discussion among our editorial board members and offered endorsements on our editorial pages. In no way do we intend this to dictate how you should vote. Rather we are telling you how we will vote after the journalistic privilege of personally questioning the candidates and covering the incumbents throughout their terms. We owe you, our readers, no less.

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PAGE A20 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • November 03, 2016

SportS

photos by Desirée Keegan

clockwise from left, rafael celanti gets a shot on goal; nick gomez heads the ball; olvin yanes reaches for a loose ball; anthony mauri shouts in excitement following the win; and head coach Jamie santiago applauds his team and the fans.

Wolverines make history with first county appearance By Desirée Keegan Desiree@tBrnewspapers.com Rafael Celanti started off this season as a center midfielder, and after the decision to move him to center forward, the sophomore’s coaches — and the rest of the Newfield boys’ soccer team — are reaping the benefits. Celanti repeatedly came through for his team after the change, and helped the Wolverines make history. He scored early for his second game-winning goal of the postseason in a 2-0 victory over previously undefeated Hauppauge (15-1-3) Oct. 31, which sent his team to the Suffolk County finals for the first time in school history. “He’s been a superstar,” Newfield’s 12year head coach Jamie Santiago said of Celanti. “He’s doing everything a center forward

Newfield 2 Hauppauge 0

does — he holds the plays up, he scores goals, he’s so elusive there. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for him.” Celanti scored in the eighth minute of the contest when he blasted a shot into the bottom left corner. “I saw the center back coming inside, and he backed away and thought the goalie was going to pick it up, so I ran and got to it first,” the sophomore said. “I’m speechless. Newfield never made it this far and I’m happy to be part of it.” The Wolverines battled through its 161-1 season tallying nine shutouts with a handful of come-from-behind wins. Senior center back John Alves knew what it would take to get the Wolverines further than any Newfield team had been before. “I told the boys it’s going to be a battle, but it’s just going to be another game of soccer,” he said. “I told them we need to settle down and play our game, and we scored early, which helped our emotions.” After several pushes made by Hauppauge to even the score, sophomore center attack and midfielder Nick Gomez put the game out of reach when he headed in a free kick by senior Mike DiDominico. “It’s an indescribable feeling,” he said

of the team making history, adding he was also thankful that his coach didn’t listen to him when he asked for a substitute to get him off the field right before the free kick. “It felt great to make it in and extend the lead for my team.” Santiago said he was proud of his team’s achievements this season, which so far include nabbing the League III title and making it to the Class AA finals after not making the semis in 17 years. “These guys have been through so much all season long,” he said. “There’s been peaks and valleys of emotions, and to be the first team to make the finals is historic, and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone and their effort. It’s a joyous occasion for all of us.” Santiago also credited Alves, the team’s leader on the back line. Sophomore goalkeeper Loui Chen made several diving, quick-reaction saves to maintain the clean

sheet. He finished with eight saves. No. 3 Newfield will face No. 4 Brentwood in the finals at Diamond in the Pines in Coram Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. While Santiago said Brentwood is a program the Wolverines aspire to be like, Alves said his team has the right mindset to continue to make history. “This season’s been a war, and we’ve battled the entire time to come out on top,” he said. “The emotions are crazy right now. I’m happy to finally do something for the school — put ourselves on the map. I tell my teammates to fight for the person next to you and play as hard as you can, and I’m confident we can continue to battle to reach new heights. We’re here to play.”

See more sports coverage on page A13.