SCPD Make Heroic Efforts To Save Lives Every Day

Suffolk County Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron recognized the heroic efforts of Suffolk County Police Officers at a press conference Wednesday, November 16. Chief of Police Cameron commended the work of Emergency Service Section Officer Thomas Russo, Emergency Service Section Officer Gerald Sheridan, Aviation Section Sergeant Brian Barrett, Seventh Precinct Police Officer James Anson, Sixth Precinct Gang Unit Officer William Cope, Sixth Precinct Gang Unit Officer Donny Calcagno.

L-R Officer Russo, Chief Cameron, Officer Sheridan, Sergeant Barrett and Chief Brown in back row.Chief Cameron discussed two recent events; the first involved the rescue of three women who were attempting suicide at a building on the grounds of the Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park (former Kings Park Psychiatric Center), the second was a house fire in Centereach. In each case police officers put their well-being in jeopardy and saved lives.  

In the Kings Park incident Suffolk County Police officers saved the lives of three young suicidal woman.  The women entered into building 93 at the Nissequogue River State Park (former Kings Park Psychiatric Center) climbed to the top, climbed out on the ledge of the 13th floor and were prepared to jump when SCPD Emergency Service Section Officers Thomas Russo and Gerald Sheridan grabbed the women and brought them to safety.

Chief Cameron along with the officers described the incident that took place which started with a phone call at 4:30 pm on November 11 from NYS Park Police notifying them of a potential suicide event on park property.  A search of the grounds ensued with Aviation Section Sergeant Brian Barrett operating a helicopter and using a camera to try to spot the young woman. Once located, he realized that there were two additional women on the ledge of bldg. 93. All three women appeared to be acting erratically and making several attempts to put their legs over the ledge. This information was relayed to Officers Russo and Sheridan who were on the scene anticipating the rescue of a single person.

Due to the erratic behaviors of the three women as reported by Sergeant Barrett, Russo and Sheridan sought and received permission to enter the bldg. without their hazmat gear. The Officers using only respirators and without any floor plans of the interior of the bldg. entered and began their climb to the thirteenth floor. The building has many stairwells and is contaminated with asbestos. In many places the floor boards have completely rotted out leaving only floor board planks or rafters to walk on. With no existing floor there is the danger of falling through.

To get out to the ledge one has to crawl through a small opening in a outside wall. Walking on the rafters the officers approached the opening as one of the women was rentering the bldg. Officer Sheridan grabbed her, as he did the woman attempted to throw herself off the rafter. Officer Sheridan was able to secure her. As he was holding the woman Officer Russo went through the hole as one of the women attempted to throw her leg over the ledge. He grabbed and held onto both women. The officers than had to get the women down the thirteen flights of stairs where Kings Park EMS was waiting for them. 

The young women were saved, the building was secured and life goes on for the officers until their next call. 

L-R Fire Chief Corley, Chief of Police Cameron, Officer Anson , Officer Calcagno, Officer Cope and In the back Chief BrownIn Centereach Police Officer James Anson, Gang Unit Officer William Cope, Gang Unit Officer Donny Calcagno and Centereach Fire Department First Assistant Chief Bob Corley were recognized for saving the lives of a family of four.  Officer Anson was off-duty and at home when his daughter informed him that a neighbor’s house was on fire.  The officer told his daughter to call 911 and immediately got a ladder ran to the home where the family was in an upper level room. Officer Anson without fire protection gear or a respirator went to the window grabbed the children one at a time and handed them off to Officers Cope and Calcagno. The officer assisted the parents down the ladder as the Centereach Fire Department arrived to put out the fire and subsequent fires flaring on adjacent homes. Fire Chief Corley praised the officers for their heroic and unselfish behavior.  The family lost everything in the fire and Chief Corley announced that the Centereach Fire Department would be accepting donations for the family at headquarters located at 9 South Washington Avenue
Centereach, NY 11720.

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP - Election 2016

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman 

The astonishing win of the U.S. presidency by Donald Trump on the Republican ticket has overshadowed all other political news out of the 2016 election. 

In Suffolk County—which Mr. Trump carried with 52% of the vote, a percentage-point more than Democrat Barack Obama did here in in 2012—there was a variety of less astonishing but still interesting results. Foremost was the, not unrelated, first re-election victory to Congress of Republican Lee Zeldin.  

Mr. Zeldin’s sweeping win with 59% of the vote in the lst C.D., which includes most of the Town of Smithtown, compared to 41% for a strong Democratic nominee, Anna Throne-Holst, indicates that Mr. Zeldin will be very difficult to dislodge in future contests. There have been several long-time incumbents in the lst C.D. topped in modern times by Democrat Otis Pike of Riverhead who held the seat for 18 years until his retirement. There’s enormous re-election power in incumbency. (A top aide and strategist for Mr. Pike through his tenure between 1961 and 1979 was a Smithtown man, former town Democratic leader Joe Quinn.)

A question is whether the expensive and lengthy primary battle for the Democratic nomination in the lst C.D. between Ms. Throne-Holst and Dave Calone had a negative effect on her general election run. After the brutal battle she said at least it probably raised her visibility in the district, which in addition to most of Smithtown includes the five East End towns,  all of Brookhaven Town—Mr. Calone’s home base—and a slice of Islip Town. But at what cost?

Ms. Throne-Holst of Noyac gave up what would have been an easy re-election bid for Southampton Town supervisor to run for Congress. Her campaign against Mr. Zeldin, of Shirley, had a central focus on his intense support of Mr. Trump. And Mr. Zeldin was indeed a leading Trump advocate locally and nationally. The election results showed it didn’t hurt him.

Watch for an international wrinkle in the time ahead for Mr. Zeldin. He’s the only Jewish Republican member of the House of Representatives. Indeed, President Obama invited him to fly with the president and others on Air Force One to the recent funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres. Mr. Obama’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been filled with conflict while Mr. Trump has stressed his support for Mr. Netanyahu. If U.S. policy regarding Israel changes under Mr. Trump, look for Mr. Zeldin, with his robust backing of Mr. Trump and solid support of Israel, to play a part.

In other Congressional races in districts which include Suffolk, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, won in the 3^nd C.D., replacing retiring Huntington Democrat Steve Israel, and winning in the 2^nd C.D. was longtime Representative Peter King, a GOPer and former Nassau County comptroller. Unlike the lst C.D. which comprises only Suffolk, both of these districts include both Suffolk and Nassau. Last week’s election results mean that two of the three members of the House representing Suffolk are from neighboring Nassau.

Riverhead Town voters, meanwhile, spoke emphatically on an issue that has often been raised in Suffolk and elsewhere—extending the terms of elected officials. In this instance it was lengthening the term of the Riverhead supervisor from two to four years. There’s a mixed pattern of two and four-year terms for town supervisors in Suffolk. The argument made for longer terms is that they allow an office-holder to concentrate better on the job rather than re-election. Riverhead voters didn’t buy that and by a margin of 64% voted the move down. The counter-argument is that shorter terms allow voters to have more control over politicians—and that won the day in Riverhead.

The future of Suffolk Republican Chairman John Jay LaValle, along with Mr. Zeldin an avid Trump supporter, might portend a bigger stage for him. Mr. LaValle, a former Brookhaven Town supervisor, was a regular surrogate in TV appearances for Mr. Trump. And he  presided over a big Trump rally this summer—“Donald Trump in Patchogue” was the title of the article about it in the New Yorker magazine. He said in the piece: “Look, you may not like the tone and content of what Trump says, but you have to appreciate that he’s coming straight at people. He’s the single most important candidate to run in modern history. He’s being provocative, that’s refreshing.” Will Mr. LaValle be heading for a position in the Trump administration?

Finally, the referenda in the East End towns to extend the Community Preservation Fund another 20 years and allow up to 20% of the money raised to go to improving water quality passed overwhelmingly in every town—yet another demonstration of the commitment of Suffolk residents to environmental preservation. Initially approved by East End voters in 1998 and subsequently extended by them to 2030, the fund is based on a charge to buyers in most real estate transactions. It has raised $1.1 billion and preserved more than 10,000 acres of land. It’s a program that should go countywide.

Meanwhile, will the money raised mostly go to advanced wastewater treatment systems to cut back on nitrogen discharge or will developers and their allies in government be able to get at some of the dough to have sewers built and make more money on development?

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books.

Theater Review - 'Young Frankenstein'

THEATER REVIEW - ‘Young Frankenstein’ - Produced by: Star Playhouse – Commack  

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur 

There’s no questioning the comic genius of Star Playhouse favorite, Mel Brooks. And for those who might have thought America’s premier jokester exhausted all his rib-tickling talent when creating ‘The Producers,’ they simply must catch The Star’s current production of Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein.’ It’s an immensely funny slam-dunk musical. 

Unfortunately, this gem of a show closes after its Sunday, November 20 matinee, so theater aficionados will be well advised to call for tickets at: 631-462-9800-extension 136. 

One cannot overstate the enthusiasm that Commack’s zealous troupe has brought to its long list of hits over the years. These include ‘Spamalot,’ ‘A Funny Thing…,’ ‘Annie,’ ‘Chorus Line,’ ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ and dozens of other classics. The company’s many notable shows have invariably been performed at its beautifully appointed theater (74 Hauppauge Road) with gusto and near-perfect timing. But director Rick Grossman, choreographer, Leia DePalo, and costumer Maxine Katz, might have outdone themselves with ‘Young Frankenstein.’

It’s common knowledge that many parodies inspired by motion pictures … 1974’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ is actually a spoof on horror films in general—in particular, ‘Frankenstein’, and ‘Son of Frankenstein’ … frequently such movie-inspired plays have been known to fall flat. Not so, this musical. Based on the film that Brooks himself has called, “my best motion picture,” the comic satire has become a staple for repertory companies, and is enthusiastically received worldwide.

The Broadway production of ‘Young Frankenstein’ spawned by Mel Brooks’ favorite movie actually debuted at New York’s Hilton Theatre (since re-named the Foxwoods Theatre) on November 8, 2007 … though the Mel Brooks-Gene Wilder film of the same title opened, as noted, 33 years earlier. The impresario was obviously spurred on by the immense success of his 2001 stage production, ‘The Producers.’

But reviews of the new parody were mixed … and ‘Young Frankenstein,’ though wildly successful in the repertory niche it carved for itself, has become known as a sort of bridesmaid to ‘The Producers.’ Of course, the label is hardly pejorative, since that phenomenal show won 12 of its 15 Tony nominations, setting the record for most Theatre Wing awards in history, and becoming one of the few musicals to win a Tony in every category for which it was nominated!

In a rat-a-tat production like ‘Young Frankenstein,’ it’s virtually impossible to single out individual performances for acclaim … so far be it for this reviewer to try. Let it be said, merely, that Director Grossman has welded his huge cast into a cohesive unit in which every actor, singer, and dancer, works smoothly and with interrelated precision. The overriding impression is that Grossman must have supervised casting of the named players, but there is no way for the theatergoer to know that for certain. Thus, if there is an anonymous casting director at the Star Playhouse, hats off to him or her for coming up with the right people.

Obviously, no such precise dovetailing of talent is possible in a musical comedy without an orchestra in which the musicians not only know their instruments, but are also intimately attuned to the action on stage. In that regard, Music Director Remy D’Esposito’s charges never miss a note or a beat. Their instrumental expertise fills the huge hall with lyricism that is both expressive and functional.

With ticket prices set at $18. and $25. the magnificent, audience-friendly Star Playhouse represents one of the most satisfying theater bargains available anywhere on Long Island. Even for those of us whose day-to-day job it is to report on artistic productions and their various sites, attending this stunning venue is, in itself, always an event of the first order.

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of a dozen novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s recently completed thriller, THE SOUTHWICK INCIDENT, is due in December. It involves a radicalized Yale student and his CIA pursuers. Mr. Ladouceur’s revealing website is www.JebsBooks.com

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP - What's In Your Playground's Artificial Turf?

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

For years debates have raged on Long Island and in the nation about the use of artificial or synthetic turf, also called plastic turf—and by critics, “toxic turf.”

The use of the stuff as a substitute for grass on sports fields began with the installation at the Houston Astrodome in 1966 of what was originally sold as “ChemGrass” and then “AstroTurf.” As years have passed, there has been greater concern about artificial turf—as often happens with the introduction of an industrial product made of problematic chemicals.

However, there are now nearly 12,000 sports fields in the U.S. using artificial turf and more are proposed including in the school district where I live, Sag Harbor. There’ll be a referendum next month that could stop it there.

On Long Island, an organization in the lead in opposing artificial turf is Grassroots Environmental Education. A succinct summary of its dangers are on the group’s website. It notes that “artificial turf fields are typically filled with up to ten tons of ground-up truck and automobile tires. This recycled rubber contains high levels of toxic substances which prohibit its disposal in landfills….Recent studies conducted in Connecticut and New York have confirmed the presence of hazardous materials on existing fields. Chemical toxins identified included the metals arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead and zinc, the chemicals acetone, ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene, toluene and xylene, and phthalates….While advocates claim the fields are safe, the potential health effects of exposure to these chemicals—endocrine disruption, neurological impairment and cancer—can take years to manifest themselves.”

Dr. Philip Landrigan, M.D., director of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Children’s Environmental Health Center in New York, linking the materials in artificial turf to diseases especially cancer, speaks of “these toxins being inhaled, absorbed through the skin and even swallowed by children who play on synthetic turf fields.”

Dr. David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute of Health and the Environment at SUNY’s Albany State University, says: “I recommend schools go with old-fashioned grass. I understand the issue that when it rains a grass field can get muddy, but that doesn’t increase the risk that kids are going to have an increased chance of developing diseases.”

Google the words artificial turf or synthetic turf and you will find much information.

Of course, those making money from it say it’s safe. Commenting on this claim at a Sag Harbor school board meeting in March, Susan Lamontagne said: “For generations, if you look back at the history of environmental health, there are all kinds of chemicals and products we are promised are safe” because “industry has one priority and that is profit.” She said parents of Sag Harbor school children  “have only one priority and that is the health and safety of our children.” 

Thereafter, Ms. Lamontagne decided to run for a seat on the board. With this as a major issue, she was elected, taking office in July. She was saying last week that she just returned from a “wellness training program” at BOCES at which the instructor noted “how cigarette smoking by students and teachers was allowed as recently as the 1980s. I think this is a pretty good analogy to artificial turf. Smoking cigarettes had been accepted and allowed!” Then the deadly impacts of smoking were realized. “It takes a while to understand health effects when they take time to manifest.” Moreover, young people “are much more susceptible to the effects of environmental contaminants.”

Ms. Lamontagne declared: “I don’t understand why these fields are at any schools.”

Another opponent is Helen Roussel, the mother three children in Sag Harbor schools who said last week she was “dismayed at the thought of them running across a field of crumbed pieces of petroleum-based tires with toxic dust flying into their mouths, eyes, hair and clothes. Why recklessly expose them to lead, chromium and a host of other carcinogens as well as injuries and burns from the plastic? Cancer rates in the U.S. are skyrocketing, and exposure to carcinogens is now a significant factor in a huge amount of cases. I am not willing to gamble with my children’s health or the health of our beautiful bays and sources of water. Synthetic turf is unsustainable—it is a health and environmental hazard period.”

Not only is it a health issue, it’s expensive. Why will there be a new referendum in Sag Harbor on December 14 on the turf plan? It is because the original cost of $1.62 million has jumped by $365,625.  

Last week I read this column, up to here, to students in the Environmental Journalism class I’ve taught at SUNY College at Old Westbury for four decades. They erupted with their own experiences. One young woman spoke of “always getting cut up” falling on artificial turf playing soccer. A young man said in playing football at a Long Island high school, “I got these nasty pieces of plastic embedded in me. It took weeks to pull each of them out.” 

What is being done to our young people?

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books.

Life Without Limits Raise $215,000 For United Cerebral Palsy

Life Without Limits Gala Raises Over $215,000 for UCP of Long Island 

Hauppauge, NY – Over 200 friends and supporters of United Cerebral Palsy of Association of Long Island gathered at Flowerfield in St. James, NY on October 28, 2016 for the organization’s Life Without Limits Gala. This year’s event honored Steve Louro, CEO and Founder of Professional Group Plans and raised over $215,000.

Students from the Children’s Center perform at The Life Without Limits Gala

Mr. Louro has been very involved with The Children’s Center at UCP of Long Island as a sponsor of the school’s annual Breakfast with Santa event. To honor him, students sang “Who I Am” by Will.i.am to the delight of the audience and presented Louro with a beautiful handmade scroll. Congressman Lee Zeldin was then presented with The 2016 Life Without Limits Award for his dedication and commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities. 

Maria Pfundstein, a UCP of Long Island parent, shared her family’s challenges of raising a child with a disability and spoke of how her son, Joseph, has benefited from The Children’s Center. With not a dry eye in sight, Pfundstein received a standing ovation for her heartfelt testimony. 

The event was co-chaired by Brian Stone of M&T Bank and Carmen Tomeo of WE Transport/Towne Bus Corp. The evening would not have been possible without the commitment of our generous sponsors: Professional Group Plans, WE Transport/Towne Bus Corp., M&T Bank, Bridgehampton National Bank, Enright Court Reporting, Suffolk County National Bank, UnitedHealthcare, Astoria Bank, National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, The Schaefer Agency and Skyline Restoration Group. 

For over 65 years, UCP of Long Island has been committed to advancing the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with disabilities by creating Life Without Limits. UCP of Long Island provides programs and services to children and adults with disabilities annually.  The Children’s Center at UCP of Long Island offers early intervention, preschool and school aged programs.  The agency provides Adult Day services which include Day Treatment, Day Habilitation and Respite programs, and job training and placement services.  In addition, UCP of Long Island has 31 residences and a 12-unit apartment complex in Suffolk County for individuals with disabilities.