Harned Road On County Schedule To Be Repaved

Richard Kerr at intersection on Harned/Jericho/Indian Head and Sunken Meadow ParkwayA drive down Harned Road is never dull. Traffic, pot holes, pavement breaking off and then there’s the roller coaster like part of the roadway you experience as you head north nearing the busy Jericho, Harned, Indian Head Rd., Sunken Meadow Parkway  intersection. The road has been deteriorating for years, but that is coming to an end. According to Supervisor Vecchio Harned Road in Commack will be repaved in October.

It can’t happen soon enough for those who live near the road. Commack resident Richard Kerr has been advocating for the reconstruction/repaving of Harned Road. Mr. Kerr says he has sent emails to Town officials about the road. The message he received back was that the road was a Suffolk County roadway and that it was the responsibility of the county to make the repairs. 

It was Mr. Kerr’s understanding that Smithtown was in litigation with Suffolk County over the maintainence of Harned Rd.  “Not true”, said Supervisor Vecchio “There is no litigation over Harned Rd.  The Supervisor went on to say that there were discussions between Suffolk County and Smithtown over who would maintain the road after it was repaved by the county.

“Having the road fall apart while the town and county fight over who’s responsible is not the way government is supposed to operate.” said Mr. Kerr. There are many other residents who agree with Mr. Kerr. “We pay taxes, a lot of taxes and to allow the road to fall apart is a poor reflection on our leaders and their concern for the public” said one Commack resident who wished not to be identified.

Suffolk County Legislator Kennedy (13th LD) did not discuss with Smithtown Matters whether or not there is controversy about ownership of Harned Rd. She has confirmed with Suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Gilbert Anderson that Harned Road will be repaved and that the work is scheduled for some time in October.

Mr. Kerr seemed satisfied with the news.

What’s Cookin’ with Chef Guy Reuge

By Nancy Vallarella of What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

Chef Guy ReugeLife’s plate is full for Chef Guy Reuge, and the menu is always changing.

Two hundred people attended Chef Guy’s Annual Pig RoastThis past Friday, at Mirabelle Tavern in Stony Brook, two hundred attendees gathered for Chef Guy’s Annual Pig Roast.  From prep to the finale, Chef Guy was present overseeing and collaborating with Sous Chef Eric Werner.

The alfresco dining experience had all the fixings of a traditional BBQ event with many elevated extras.  Red and white checkerboard linens dressed the tables where guests placed their overflowing plates filled with traditional BBQ fare and some stand-out menu items. Stand-outs included: roasted suckling pig, BBQ spare ribs, pork and foie gras sliders, shrimp succotash, pork and dried fruit stuffed apples, local fish salad with lemon mayonnaise, southern grits with bacon, and red beet and watermelon salad.  So many choices made it difficult to leave room for dessert.  The talented Rob Baione performed.  His music motivated guests to take a break from eating and get up to dance or sing along.

Next Saturday, August 22, Chef Reuge will be headed east to McCall Vineyards and Ranch in Cutchogue. There he will be honored along with Jim Trezise President of NY Wine and Grape Foundation at Dan’s Harvest East End. 

If you enjoy food and wine, you will want to be there too!  Over 40 local wineries (large and small production) will be pouring their best.  As for the food, 2014 honoree, Chef Tom Schaudel has confirmed he will be there to honor Chef Guy. Chef Schaudel will bring along the best of the best from all four of his restaurants A Lure, A Mono Osteria & Wine Bar, Jewel and Petulant Wino.  Nassau county’s newcomer -  Hush Bistro ‘s celebrated chef Marc Anthony Bynum is also on board along with over 30 other restaurants and chefs from all over Long Island. 

This is the first year Dan’s Harvest East End will have an official host, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Chef Zakarian is a well-known Iron Chef, a judge on the Food Network’s Chopped, co-host of Food Network’s The Kitchen and author of the Perfect Pantry.

Stop eating now and join in on this extraordinary culinary event. If you hurry, there still may be tickets available: www.danstasteofsummer.com

Chef Guy will travel west to Cold Spring Harbor for the newest Reuge/Lessing collaboration; Sandbar. They have been renovating space on Main Street (formerly occupied by Charlotte’s Bistro) for several months. As of now, the opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 19^th. Check Sandbar’s Facebook page for updates.

On September 26^th & 27^th head into Manhattan. Times Square will be transformed for the Best of France.  This event has morphed from the Taste of France held in Bryant Park in 2014 and 2013. Grand Wine Tasting and Gastronomy are only the tip of the Eiffel Tower.  The Best of France is documented as the “world’s largest event dedicated to France”.  French craft demonstrations, French markets with bistro spaces, musical and dance performances, fashion shows, technology and art and culture round off this event. This year’s Chairman of Food – Chef Guy Reuge. www.bestoffrance.org

Just prior to the holiday season keep an eye out for the release of Chef Guy’s new book. With approval from culinary greats (Daniel Boulud, Sara Moulton, Andre Soltner of Lutece and Jacques Pepin) it is sure to be a gift hit with foodie friends and relatives.

Democratic Chairman Ed Maher Calls Out Creighton & Wehrheim Over Failure To Follow Campaign Finance Law

Creighton and Wehrheim Ignore NYS Election Regulations

SMITHTOWN, NY- Ed Maher, Chairman of the New Democratic Party of Smithtown, was outraged today when he discovered that Town Councilmen Bob Creighton and Ed Wehrheim were negligent in filing their campaign finance reports by the required date.

“Their 32-Day Pre-Primary Financial Disclosure report was required to be filed with the Suffolk County Board of Elections by Monday, August 10,” said Ed Maher. “Amazingly, as of 11:04 a.m. on Tuesday August 18, they had still not complied with this New York State election regulation – over one week after it was due!” 

“This is what happens when career politicians, who have been in office forever, think that the rules don’t apply to them,” continued Mr. Maher. “By ignoring New York State Election regulations, they demonstrate their indifferent disregard for the public. If they can’t comply with a simple filing deadline, how can voters trust them to budget their tax dollars?”

“Hypocritically, both Mr. Creighton and Mr. Wehrheim were ‘sticklers’ for the rules during the failed attempt to remove Supervisor Vecchio after his re-election in early 2014,” said Chairman Maher. “When their Conservative Party ally, Town Clerk Vincent Puleo tried to invalidate the legitimate election of Mr. Vecchio on a technicality, both Councilmen Creighton and Wehrheim originally supported this action. It’s also important to note that Mr. Puleo did not attempt to make Mr. Vecchio aware of the deadline.”

“This hypocrisy on the part of these two career politicians is a perfect example of why people have begun to lose faith in their elected officials,” concluded Mr. Maher. “This November, the voters of Smithtown have the opportunity to vote out the incumbents…ethical conduct matters.”

Smithtown Historical Society Restores Homestead Porch

Historic Homestead Porch Restored

In April 2015 the Smithtown Historical Society began groundwork on an exciting buildings & grounds project made possible by a generous anonymous donor. After receiving some much need preservation work, the Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead was ready for the restoration of its front porch. Once a beautiful gathering spot for the family, this architectural feature was lost over time as the structure underwent multiple renovations. Under the guidance of Mancini Architecture and the craftsmanship of Schoolhouse Remodeling, the physical reconstruction is complete and the house is back to its original glory! “To have this porch be completed, to have this building be completed, is such an achievement for the Smithtown Historical Society.  With this new structure we are now able to tell another chapter of the story of the families that lived here,” said Executive Director Marianne Howard.  “We are very grateful to our anonymous donor, Mancini Architecture and to School House Remodeling for helping to make this dream a reality.” 

Ribbon Cutting: (l-r): Architect Mark Mancini, School House Remodeling Owner & Contractor Matt Fleece, Executive Director Marianne Howard and Town Historian Brad Harris celebrate the completion of the Smithtown Historical Society’s Historic Judge John Lawrence Smith Homestead with a ribbon cutting and community barbecue.A ribbon cutting ceremony announcing the official opening of the porch was the centerpiece of the Smithtown Historical Society’s annual community summer barbecue.  More than 100 community members gathered around the porch to celebrate its completion and to enjoy an all you can eat barbecue catered by Panico’s Community Market. Refreshing Italian ices were also served thanks to the generosity of Uncle Louie G’s of Smithtown. The barbecue was made possible through the sponsorship of Mancini Architecture, Neal and Janice Richman, People’s United Bank, School House Remodeling, Uncle Louie G’s of Smithtown, Dot and Peter Micciche, Carolyn and Jim Borella, and Fairway Market. 

The barbecue was just the beginning! The porch will allow the historical society to use the historic house in many new ways for educational and social programming. Currently the society is working on developing special events to showcase the building’s recent addition. Ms. Howard is confident that the new porch will serve the community well, “It will be such an asset to us and the community for generations to come.”

Two-Vehicle Crash Sends SUV Through Park Bake Shop In Kings Park

photos courtesy of Michael Shtanko - click on photos to enlarge.

A two-vehicle crash Sunday, August 9 at 3:52 a.m at the corner of Main Street (25 A) and Pulaski Rd. sent one vehicle, an SUV, through the door and wall of Park Bake Shop 112 Main Street, in Kings Park.  

Park Bake Shop owner Lucy Shtanko said in a phone conversation with Smithtown Matters that she was shocked by the incident and extremely relieved that their were no serious injuries. “Things happen and even though the damage to the bakery is substantial the important thing is that those involved were able to get out of the car, everything else can be repaired.”said Lucy.

According to Police the Fire Marshall and the Smithtown Building Inspector deemed the building structurally sound.  Park Bake Shop is open for business, but there are a lot of repairs to be made. The vehicle went through the front of the shop taking out glass cases and counters, even the ceiling was impacted.  

According to Suffolk County Police minor injuries were sustained by those in the vehicles. Two summonses were issued at the scene of the accident. No further information is available at this time.