Leg. John Kennedy Candidate For County Comptroller "I am very comfortable with taking on the responsibility of the function.”

By  Dana Klosner

When Suffolk County GOP Chairman John Jay Lavalle withdrew from the County Comptroller race Suffolk County Legislator John M Kennedy, Jr. was named the Republican Candidate.

“I had not originally considered running,” Kennedy said. “It was clear John was seeking the position. He was knowledgeable, confident and able. I felt we had a good candidate, a candidate who would run, win and prevail. When he withdrew, the rest of the names (that were being considered by the Republican Party) didn’t have what it took to be a countywide viable candidate. They didn’t have the strong independent voice at the comptroller level.”

And what qualifies Kennedy for the position?

“When you look at my background you see I have 10 years as a legislator and leader of the Republican Caucus. I spent nine years as the director of cooperation in the County Clerk’s office. (I also have) strong academic credentials. I have a Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University with a concentration in Capital Budgeting. I felt that I had the best combination of hands on skills and academic qualities to put myself forward as a candidate. The committee agreed and here we are. I’ve been a candidate for less than a week.” 

Kennedy has said he is “vehemently opposed” to a proposal to merge the offices of county comptroller and treasurer. 

“I’m vehemently opposed because the proposed savings is negligible at best,” he said. The amount of necessary oversight that will be forfeited will be tremendous. It has always been proven that there should be separation of function of those who can write the checks and those who run the ledger. The treasurer is a significant countywide function. Suffolk County is larger than 13 states in the nation. I don’t want to minimize the significance of taxpayer funding.”

“However, if it is the will of the people to consolidate the offices I will likewise be able to answer to the responsibility,” He continued. “I have experience in the tax collection process, the trust in agency process, cash management, cash flow and cash protection. I am very comfortable with taking on the responsibility of the function.”

What are some of the challenges Kennedy thinks he will see if elected County Comptroller.

“The issues are similar to what we’re looking at in general in county operation. There is a long term structural imbalance. We are on track to have a $170 million budget shortfall in 2015. The comptroller is challenged with the review of what’s going on with borrowing and debt offerings at the very best interest rate. We must identify areas where there is financial weakness and make recommendations on how to improve,” he said.

There are many areas this can be done, he said.  He said it’s time for a Department of Social Service audit. Verizon is responsible to remit surcharges within the 911 system. The Parks department is responsible for quickly depositing all the entrance fees into the park. 

“We can make recommendations for improvements,” he said.  

And what does Kennedy say makes him the best candidate as he faces Democrat Jim Gaughran in November?

“I am in my 11^th year as a legislator,” he said. “I have been a legislator since 2004 when we had a relatively stable and growing economy which has moved to one that has presented real challenges. I still believe my opponent to be a good man. I have the most current skills and experiences and I am knowledgeable in savings. I have more contemporaneous skills and more direct hands on knowledge.”

Theater Review - "Deathtrap"

James Lloyd Reynolds and Loren Dunn occupy Center stage on Jon Collins’ magnificent set at the Engeman Theater in Northport..Photo by Michael DeCristofaroTheater Review “Deathtrap”

Produced by the John W. Engeman Theater, Northport.

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

Of all Ira Levin’s works: “The Boys from Brazil” – “Deathtrap” – “The Stepford Wives” – “Rosemary’s Baby” … and dozens of other novels, plays, and film adaptations … “Deathtrap” is the one that incorporates the most convoluted plot. The comedy-thriller is considered in show biz circles an absolute monster to direct, but with Robert Moore at the helm in 1978, the play opened to critical acclaim at the Music Box Theater in New York. And it didn’t close until June of 1982 … after 1800 performances … making the tragicomedy the longest running drama of its genre in Broadway history.

As in most Levin fiction, there are unmistakable elements of truth in the story of a desperate, once successful playwright, listlessly typing away in his Connecticut home. The author’s inner spark seems to have fizzled … the creative wellspring has run dry!

I have never seen a satisfying summary of this ‘plot-reversal’ play, and it’s rather doubtful that one can be written in an abstract shorter than the script for the two-act, six-scene drama itself. Suffice it to say, the unexpected is the one thing we can expect in “Deathtrap.” Therefore, journalistic limitations being what they are, and not wanting to give away too much, the only appropriate suggestion is—find out for yourself … go see this incredibly well-crafted thriller as fast as you can.

The thing that’ll initially take your breath away is Jonathan Collins’ set. The Encore Award-winning scenic designer puts us in a writer’s study so appropriately appointed that we can virtually see and hear the gulls of Westport diving for baitfish in the nearby Sound. And Wilburn Bonnell’s lighting adds its own magic,  especially during a totally convincing electrical storm, and on the three occasions when the fireplace is lit … and glows radiantly.

There are only five characters in “Deathtrap” and one gets the impression that given all the twists and turns that alternately take us wide-eyed, laughing, or alarmed through this ingenious show, the quintet is a perfect squad for enacting what Levin, the master of misdirection, had in mind. One more player in the unpredictable game of ‘Omigosh’ would have been one too many.

James Lloyd Reynolds, whose credits read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of top theater roles—both on and off Broadway—is as good as advertised playing writer ‘Sydney Bruhl.’ And Loren Dunn, a most welcome newcomer to Long Island, complements him nicely as the opportunistic plagiarist ‘Clifford Anderson.’ Veteran Engeman theatergoers will be glad that Dunn’s circuitous path through Arizona and Ohio playhouses, has brought him ultimately to Northport.

Charming Mary Mossberg plays Sydney’s plucky but sickly wife ‘Myra’ to near perfection, while supporting actors, Patrick Husted and Sue Mathys, also succeed in bringing ‘Porter Milgrim’ and ‘Helga Ten Dorp’ to life respectively.

But the hardest won victory here almost certainly involves the directing. What demands concerning well timed action and dialogue this play makes! Accordingly we have Richard T. Dolce to thank for the smooth-as-silk result he’s brought to the Engeman stage. Manipulating the Rubik’s Cube of horror, innocence, deceit, and surprise … and assigning varying degrees of each component’s emphasis appropriately, must have been a maddening challenge at times. Dolce, however, has steered his talented charges through the maze masterfully.

This gasp-a-minute winner runs through September 7^th – Call 631-261-2900 for tickets.

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Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eight novels, and his book and theater reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “Harvest” due in late summer, an American doctor is forced to perform illegal surgeries for a gang of vital organ traffickers in The Balkans.

Book Review - "The Goldfinch"

Book Review

“The Goldfinch” - by Donna Tartt

771 pages -  Little, Brown & Co.

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

When you pack a ton of material between the covers of a novel, the sheer volume, and range of emotions can become noteworthy in itself.

Trouble is, in “The Goldfinch” what Donna Tartt tries to pass off as a ‘…who would have thought it…’ ending is one we have assumed for five hundred pages. The result is downright insulting to the reader.

This is as unforgivable as a Dave Letterman routine wherein he implies (in the comic’s authoritarian way) that he’s just said something extremely funny – and what’s the matter with us? Don’t we realize we should be laughing?

True, Tartt absolutely nails the essence of the narrator as a little boy … but the ‘kid’ in her protagonist still dominates when he’s an adult, exposing the author as rather one-dimensional … a literary ‘one trick pony.’

And the boy’s memorable friend (boy’s … youth’s … man’s) — a Russian – speaks satisfyingly in typical Slavic idioms some of the time … and sometimes not. Example: “I don’t know what happened to you. But I can say that what happened to me is at least five thousand times more.” is immediately followed by “This has been one for the books.”

Now, the latter sentence would have been pleasing but for inclusion of “the” — which should have been excised by any copy editor at Little Brown worth his salt.

It’s the sort of thing that occurs hundreds of times throughout the book … to the point of distraction.

I am not a fan of the impressionist style of writing (my word). For example: at one juncture successive paragraphs lead with the spare, “Black birds.” … “Act of rebellion.” … and … “Bottle of chilled white in the mini-bar.”

I usually conclude (maybe unfairly) that writers who employ this technique throughout a work are plain lazy.

But can the author of a book totaling (by my estimate) a quarter million words be termed a laggard?

Absolutely! Conciseness in writing requires far more industry than does any presumptuous piling-on of verbiage.

Donna Tartt apparently figures that if she empties her whole bag of goodies before us, we’re bound to find something valuable among the detritus of countless hard drug episodes and teenage angst.

I did. But one night’s investment would have given me the same return that seven did.

Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eight novels, and his book and theater reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “Harvest” due in late summer, an American doctor is forced to perform illegal surgeries for a gang of vital organ traffickers in The Balkans.

Smithtown Dish - Small Bites Of Foodie News

Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news

By Nancy Vallarella

Two Twists on Tuna Steak

Tuna with Beet Relish,Spiralized Zucchini with sauteed cherry tomatoesThe dog days of summer are upon us.  The last thing on anyone’s mind is turning on the oven. Here are a few quick and easy recipes that take you outdoors with minimal grill time.

Tuna steaks are quick and easy grilling. Individual serving sizes range from 6 – 8 oz. Pat tuna steaks dry with a paper towel. Rub each side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Arrange on hot grill, turn only once throughout 8 – 10 minutes or less to taste. Season with pepper after removing from grill.

Now this is where the magic happens…Finish tuna steaks with this relish or pesto. These recipes are bright and fresh, and are very complimentary to tuna. The amounts given are enough for four servings of tuna.

Beet Relish 

2 large cooked beets

½ lemon peeled with seeds removed

1 two – three inch piece of ginger peeled and sliced

½ cup of sugar

¼ cup fresh chopped parsley

Boil or pressure cook beets until tender or use equivalent canned or jarred beets*.  In a food processor, combine lemon and ginger and process until finely chopped. Place mixture into a saucepan. Add beets to food processor and process until chopped coarsely and add to saucepan. Stir in sugar.

Cook mixture over medium heat for about 4 minutes and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture has thickened slightly. Transfer to a bowl to cool and then stir in parsley. Refrigerate until serving. This recipe can be made the night before.

*Plain beets are recommended. Do not use pickled or glazed beets. 

If beets are not your thing…

Macadamia Pesto

2 cloves of garlic

1/3 cup pickled ginger

½ cup cilantro leaves

¾ cup toasted macadamia nuts*

1Tbs. sesame oil

½ cup olive oil

2oz. Asiago cheese

Place peeled garlic in food processor. Rough chop garlic, then add ginger, cilantro and toasted macadamia nuts. Process until ingredients are blended. With motor running, gradually drizzle in the sesame oil and the olive oil, then the cheese. 

 Serve pesto on top of tuna steaks or place into a pastry bag and insert ¼ of the pesto inside of the cavities of each of the four tuna steaks. Follow tuna steak cooking directions above. Slice each steak and fan out onto serving plate and garnish with lime.

*To toast macadamia nuts: Place nuts in nonstick pan and heat on medium low heat shanking pan frequently until golden.

The easy way out… Serve tuna steaks with your favorite prepared salsa verde or sofrito.

Stay cool! 

Larissa Barnes - 2014 HSW Graduate And Girl Scouts' Gold Award Recipient

Larissa K. Barnes

“Girl Scout Gold Award recipients are part of an elite group of women who embody community leadership leaving behind a sustainable legacy.” Girl Scouts org.

Larissa K. Barnes, a resident of Smithtown and a 2014 graduate at Smithtown HSW, has received Girl Scouts highest recognition the Gold Award. 

To receive the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award a Girl Scout must complete a challenging project. The focus of a Girl Scouts’ Gold Award project is identifying and researching a community issue that the scout is passionate about, developing a plan to address it in cooperation with her team and community members, establishing a global connection with others and providing sustainability for the project. For her Gold Award project, Larissa set out to create awareness on the hunger problem that exists on Long Island. The first part of the project had Larissa working closely with the Island Harvest, which is the largest hunger relief organization on Long Island.

Larissa helped create an online food pantry directory that listed all the available resources in the geographic area. From the online version, she created a pamphlet that listed an individual area’s resources. The pamphlet included local food pantry addresses, nutritional information and recipes in English which were then translated into Spanish. The second part of the project was to create and maintain a sustainable large food producing garden. Due to hurricane Sandy, maintaining the garden was a challenge, but it still managed to produce some vegetables. The last part of the project was a food drive that Larissa organized in her community which yielded 328 pounds of nonperishable items as well as the produce that was harvested from the sustainable garden.

Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Larissa has demonstrated exceptional commitment in taking action to make the world a better place through her community service.

This fall Larissa will be heading off to Johnson and Wales University in North Carolina where she will be majoring in Restaurant, Food and Beverage Management. When Larissa heads off to school at the end of August she will be leaving behind avery proud parents David and Tara and brother Alex and a Smithtown community that is a little bit better because of this young woman’s efforts.   

Kudos to Larissa Barnes!