CRUSH THIS

102 W. Main Street, Smithtown, is once again a source of contention for Smithtown’s Town Board members.  The owner of the property, VEA 181st Realty Corp, has razed the buildings on the property and was required, as part of their demolition plan, to remove the concrete from the premises. VEA is requesting a waiver from this requirement and seeking permission to grind-up concrete on the property. After the material is ground it will be converted into a 5-ft berm and stored on the property for later use. This proposal has drawn the ire of Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio. 

At the July 14 Town Board work session Supervisor Vecchio blasted the waiver request. “Why would the Town accommodate him (Salvatore DiCarlo, Owner of VEA 181st Realty Corp) to allow him to grind up material on the property,” said Supervisor Vecchio. Mr. DiCarlo submitted his original site plan to the Town in 2007. In 2009 without a demolition site plan, buildings on the property were demolished even after the Town issued a stop-work-order. In 2014 the Town Board approved the demolition site plan for Mr. DiCarlo in which he was required and agreed to remove the concrete from the property. 

Since the demolition no site plans have been submitted to the Planning Department although Planning Director David Flynn acknowledged that many renditions have been examined and planners have spent many hours going over the renditions. No fees have been received for examining the renditions. Mr. Vecchio accused DiCarlo of playing the Town. Councilman Creighton disagreed with Vecchio’s assessment. “I believe this applicant has been trying to build for years and we have been, in many cases, an obstacle to his building. In some cases, without much justification.” said Councilman Creighton. 

“I, for one, will vote no on the waiver…It’s about time he puts the pedal to the metal,” said Supervisor Vecchio.  

102 W. Main Street (the former Nassau-Suffolk Lumber) is located across from Town Hall and multiple small businesses. It is in close proximity to residential areas and the New York Avenue School which hosts Smithtown SD’s administration, a day-care facility, and many of the Smithtown Kickers soccer games and practices.  

Home overlooking a pile of building debrisSome residents in the area are not happy and plan to attend meetings to let the Town Board members know how unhappy they are. Jen Bender has lived in her home on New York Ave. for thirteen years. In a conversation with Smithtown Matters she expressed her dissatisfaction with the waiver request. “I am very concerned, I have one son with asthma. The proposal makes me sick. My kids play in the back yard constantly. We lived through the demolition and now they want to grind the concrete. What about the health and well being of my family and the other kids in this area?” Ms. Bender is determined to make sure her voice is heard at a future Town Board meeting. 

Smithtown Matters reached out to former resident of Smithtown, Jason Toto. Mr. Toto is a trained geologist and educator with Sachem Central School District. Mr. Toto had this to say about the proposal, “As a trained geologist & educator of earth science for the last 12 years I would have great concern about the open air particulates that would be released due to the proposed plan of action to grind-up the concrete from the old Nassau Suffolk Lumberyard.  You must first and foremost understand the pulverized material that will be created can easily measure less than 0.0001cm in diameter.  Such sized particulates would create a significant respiratory concern for the local merchants, community members, children in their homes and for those using the adjacent sports fields.  Such particulates have been found when inhaled to cause throat and lung irritation, which could long term raise significant health concerns. Proper remediation of this site should include a closed system in which the rock could be crushed and the microscopic airborne particulates contained and filtered from freely entering the atmosphere. It would be preferable to remove the material in large sections and bring them to an off-site facially for processing.  Aside from a visual inspection of this material, it would behoove the citizens of Smithtown to have a sample of this material sent off to an accredited laboratory to ascertain exactly what the true chemical and physical composition of the material in question is prior to allowing more of this multi-decade old material to enter the environment. It can adversely affect the public’s health as well as yield potential environmental concerns as the material is whisked into the surrounding ecosystems, drainage system and the ventilation systems of surrounding homes and businesses as free radicals which are know to adversely affect health.  Furthermore, the use of water to keep the dust particles from becoming airborne is not without merit; however, it too yields a secondary problem as the copious amounts of water with dissolved and non-soluble rock product could enter the surrounding environment.” 

Planning Director Flynn took the position that the grinding of concrete on the property would reduce truck traffic.  “It is our opinion that if this mound was only five-feet high and vegetated it would be a good design.” Said Flynn. 

Flynn also said that Mr.DiCarlo would be going “above and beyond” normal Town Code ordinaces for grinding operations. The work would take place during the hours of 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Supervisor Vecchio brought up the issue of noise and questioned whether rock crushing was permitted in the area.

The waiver request was tabled until August.

Commack Cougars Move A Mountain Of Rock For 9-11 Memorial Garden

Gridiron Crew Moves a Mountain (of rock)

(photo courtesy of Brenda Lentsch)

The Commack Cougar High School Football Teams used their muscle to remove a truckload of rocks from around the District’s 9-11 Memorial. Gardens will surround the three newly planted “Survivor Trees” added to the memorial. A callery pear tree became known as the “Survivor Tree” after enduring the September 11, 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center. In October 2001, the tree was discovered at Ground Zero severely damaged, with snapped roots and burned and broken branches. It was removed and rehabilitated. The tree was returned to the Memorial in 2010. The Survivor Tree embodies our nation’s spirit of hope and healing, strength and resilience in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

On September 11, at 6:30 p.m., the District will hold its 14th Annual Candlelight Night of Remembrance Ceremony on the Heroes Memorial Track at Commack High School. The “Flags of Freedom” will line the roadway (Scholar Lane) and the ceremony is dedicated to patriotism, remembrance, tolerance and resiliency. The Survivor Trees will be dedicated at the ceremony.

Even a decade plus after September 11, 2001, the Commack community fills the bleachers to commemorate those who perished, and those still suffering from the horrific events of that day. All are welcome to attend the ceremony.

Smithtown's Patrick Teese Class of 2015 Receives Prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship

Patrick Teese Wins Prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship

Patrick Teese (photo courtesy proud dad, James Teese)New York, NY – Patrick Teese, a high school student from St. James, NY, has been awarded the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship, which covers a year of study and cultural immersion in Germany. The CBYX program is operated under funding by the U.S. Department of State and administered in the Northeast United States by AFS-USA, a worldwide nonprofit student exchange organization. Patrick is one of only 50 students in the Northeast to receive this prestigious scholarship, and will be spending the 2015-2016 academic year living with a German host family and attending a local high school.

Patrick was selected as a Congress-Bundestag scholar due to his demonstrated academic qualifications, cultural open-mindedness and motivation. Patrick will serve as a “youth ambassador” from the United States for the academic year, while participating in educational, cultural and political events, including receptions and meetings with both German and American government officials.

Introduced under a Presidential initiative in 1983, the CBYX program aims to strengthen U.S.-German relations through citizen diplomacy and cultural understanding. In this time of global interdependence, the strong ties that bind the U.S. and Germany through trade and diplomatic relations are essential in U.S. foreign affairs. The CBYX program sees the importance of youth ambassadorship as a means to strengthen these ties. Dedicated supporter Senator Richard Lugar (IN) calls CBYX “an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the world, gain a deeper understanding of people and issues, build lifelong skills, and expand horizons.”

To learn more about the CBYX program and find out how to apply for the 2016-2017 academic year, visit www.usagermanyscholarship.org. To learn more about additional opportunities to study abroad, host an exchange student, or bring intercultural learning into the classroom with AFS-USA, the administering organization, visit www.afsusa.org.

Caleb Smith's Historic Barn - A Piece Of Smithtown's History

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

“This old barn has been around for a very long time. I don’t want to lose it on my watch” Paul Micciche

One of the oldest, if not the oldest, historic barn in Smithtown is located at the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. It is believed that the original barn (main, middle section) was built sometime around 1750 by the Smith family. Additions to the barn were made as needs changed. According to Town Historian Bradley Harris, to enter the barn is to take a trip back to a time when barn building was done with local materials and craftsmanship that is no longer seen on Long Island. “One must see the hand cut beams,  joists and  framing in the barn to get a real understanding of  the time and work that was involved in building this structure that has been around for hundreds of years.” said Bradley.

Caleb Smith BarnTime has taken a toll on the Caleb Smith barn, it is in a state of disrepair. Most recently the barn has been used as a maintenance facility for the park. The area surrounding the barn is currently fenced off. Public access to the barn is prohibited with limited access for park employees. 

Earlier this year a meeting of interested parties convened to discuss the barn’s deterioration.  Attending the meeting were representatives from New York State Caleb Smith BarnParks Department, members from Friends of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve and Town Historian Bradley Harris.  At this meeting a determination was made that an engineering study would be done to determine if the building was structurally sound. 

According to people in the Caleb Smith Friends group there have been comments made and other indications that NYS might be leaning towards tearing the barn down. “Tearing down the oldest barn in Smithtown is a terrible idea. This barn is a part of our history that if destroyed is gone forever. ” said Bradley Harris. Many concur with Bradley. Paul Micciche has been an advocate for the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve for decades, “Smithtown is celebrating its 350th Anniversary this year. There are all kinds of celebrations taking place recognizing the town’s history. How NYS could even consider demolishing one the most historic buildings in Smithtown is beyond me.” 

According to NYS Regional Parks Director Brian Foley there has not been any determination made about the Caleb Smith Barn.  “The barn’s structure has been compromised and termite infestation is a problem but there has been no decision made at this time to demolish the building. Sometime this summer we will have a meeting with those who attended the last meeting where we will discuss the engineering report and how to best proceed at Caleb Smith.” 

“If that’s what Brian said I will accept that and look forward to hearing the results in the engineering study and options that may preserve the Town’s oldest historic barn.” said Paul Micciche. Others who spoke with Smithtown Matters and asked not to be named in the article were more skeptical, upon hearing Brian Foley’s words they seemed both relieved and unnerved, taking a time will tell attitude.

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

581 West Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787   (631) 265-1054 

Book Review - "Go Set A Watchman"

BOOK REVIEW - “Go Set a Watchman” – by Harper Lee - 288 pages – Harper Collins - Reviewed by Jeb Ladouceur

Oh, oh! We’ve been had, folks … again! But first, by way of background: Harper Lee is known recently to have proclaimed in the following rather awkward statement:

“In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called ‘Go Set a Watchman.’ It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman and I thought it a pretty decent effort. My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel from the point of view of the young Scout. I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn’t realized it [‘Watchman’] had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years.”

Indeed, Nelle Lee did exactly as she was told by her publisher, J.B. Lippincott, back in the ‘50s. In effect they said, “Be quiet and let us take care of this!” And dutifully, Lee did so … she shut up like a clam. Of course, that was nothing new for the reclusive woman. She’d been close-mouthed ever since the writing of ‘Mockingbird’ … almost as if she had something to hide.

But though Lippincott was dealing with a relatively self-effacing and impressionable new novelist whom they could push around at will, the city slickers (now Harper Collins Publishing) were in for a real awakening with the advent of the new millennium. Our permissive, racially-charged age brought the arrival on the scene of one Tanja Carter, a late-blooming, headstrong Alabama lawyer who replaced Nelle Lee’s hundred-year-old sister as the family attorney. It was this Tanja who allegedly ‘found’ the ‘Watchman’ manuscript hidden away in a bank vault (or safe deposit box, the accounts vary).

But the mystery surrounding the discovery, sequence, and authorship of the ‘Mockingbird’ sequel is probably better left for exploration in other forums (stay tuned). Even in its simplest form, that whole knotty business … dare we say, ‘shady’ business? … requires more careful attention than we can give it in this brief space.

‘Go Set a Watchman’ takes place during the mid-1950s and includes many of the characters from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ … albeit some twenty years later. Grown-up Scout (she now prefers to call herself Jean Louise) has returned to Maycomb, Alabama from New York City and is visiting her father, Atticus. Back in fictional Maycomb, she must wrestle with issues both personal and sociological as she tries to make sense of her formerly-sainted daddy’s strange new attitude toward what she considers an enlightened culture. Her own feelings about the small town of her birth … the place where she emerged from childhood … have become ambivalent. In short, Scout Finch’s tabula rasa, her once-innocent ‘blank slate,’ has been inscribed with big city Liberalism.

The former, saccharine-sweet Atticus Finch (as portrayed by Gregory Peck) would have been thrilled by Jean Louise’s epiphany, though the one-dimensional actor never could have successfully played the current Atticus of ‘Watchman.’

I suppose it is possible that, unlike ‘Mockingbird,’ this sequel/prequel, (whatever) actually could have been written by Nelle Harper Lee. For that matter, it could have been penned by any half-way literate product of ‘progressive’ America … where even the likes of Atticus Finch must be termed evil incarnate if suggesting, as he does in ‘Go Set a Watchman,’ that he wants Alabama “…to be left alone to keep house without advice from the NAACP.” And he describes that organization as a bunch of paid lawyers “…standing around like buzzards.” Oh, my!

So yes, there’ll be a film … I’d be surprised if ‘Watchman’ hasn’t already been optioned, the contract signed (under lawyer Tanja Carter’s hovering supervision, naturally), and the roles cast. But barring a substantial screenplay re-write, we can forget more Academy Award honors for Harper Lee. Even if this new, sacrilegious Atticus were played by a miraculously resurrected and ‘corrupted’ Gregory Peck, today’s Hollywood would never reward him with an Oscar.

In sum: despite howls of protest from Black activists, you can confidently look for ‘Watchman’ at the top of the New York Times charts, but don’t expect any National Book Award. As for another Pulitzer … that’s now out of the question too.

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of ten novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. Ladouceur’s newest thriller THE QUANTUM SYNDROME is patterned on the Atlanta child murders of the 80s and is set on Eastern Long Island. His next novel is titled “THE SEQUEL.” It will explore the odd relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote. The Website is www.Jebsbooks.com.