Commack's 2014 Spring Games Special Olympics Was Indeed Special

What did Debbie Virga, coordinator of Commack’s 2014 Spring Games Special Olympics, think of the May 4th event? “It was really amazing” were the words Ms. Virga used to describe the second and final Special Olympics to be held in Commack. According to Virga the Special Olympics Committee requires a two-year commitment from a host organization. In 2013 Commack hosted its first Special Olympics that set the bar very high for this year and for future hosts.  

According to Virga, 650 athletes participated in the games and 500 people volunteered to work the games. If you include the families, supporters, dignitaries, school board members and teachers you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 people attending the event which took place at Commack HS on Scholar Lane. Ms. Virga is quick to point out that this was a tremendous undertaking that required tremendous community participation. She is in the process of putting together a letter thanking those who graciously gave their time, money, service and support for the athletes.

The Spring Special Olympics provides athletes with special needs the opportunity to participate in track and field events. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization provides training and competitions to more than 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries.

In addition to athletes and their families Commack’s Board of Education members and Superintendent of Schools Donald James, County Executive Steve Bellone and NYS Senator John Flanagan, NYS Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, Legislator Robert Trotta (Commack HS graduate) and Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland were all on-hand to welcome everyone to the 2014 Spring Games.

Prior to the track and field events there was the opening ceremony in which Special Olympian T.J. Timmons blew everyone away with his singing of the Star Spangled Banner.  This was followed by another Commack athlete, Connor LaMantia * reciting the Special Olympics Oath written by Eunice Kennedy Shriver for the Inaugural Special Olympics international games in 1968. “Let me win. But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.” The crowd went wild with cheers.

The final event prior to the actual track and file activities was the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by Commack’s Jessica Spitz who also participated in track and field events.  Jessica is somewhat of a celebrity as she is a spokesperson for the Special Olympics. With poise and a smile that melts the heart she ran in to the stadium and lit the cauldron posing and enjoying the applause and well-deserved accolades.  

It was now time for the games to begin. Athletes showed their determination and gave it their all. They supported one another and they were supported by the families and counselors who attended the games.  There was an Olympic Village set up where those waiting for their event could play a game, eat (no charge) win prizes and just relax.  There were many give-aways. The Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club set up a game of tic-tac-toe with prizes of bags of chips and or apples. 18 1/2 lbs of apples were given away at the games as more athletes chose the healthy over the 150 bags of chips that were distributed.

The day turned out to be a little chillier and windier than last year, but people who attended the event reported a special warmth emanating from their heart that kept them comfortable.

Congratulations to the athletes and to their families who encourage them to be “Brave in the attempt” and congratulations to Debbie Virga and the Commack School District for providing the community with this wonderful experience.

*The article was corrected - Connor LaMantia was misidentified in the original posting.

Assembly Candidate Zove - Speed Cameras Put Safety Before Politic

A little over a month ago Smithtown resident Democrat Jason Zove announced his candidacy for New York State Assemblyperson in the 8th Assembly District.  The position is currently held by Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick. Even though the election is seven months away, Zove wants to let people know why he is the best person to represent them in the NYS Assembly. 

Zove released the following statement on School Zone Speed Cameras:

Legislation for school-zone speed cameras was passed by the New York State Assembly on Monday, April 28, by a vote of 103-24, and was later passed by the New York State Senate on Wednesday, April 30. The bill authorizes 56 speed cameras for Nassau County and 69 speed cameras in Suffolk County, one per public school district. Under the new law, cameras must be located within ¼ mile of the school and the cameras will only be turned on to detect speeders from 7am-4:10pm.

“I commend Long Island’s lawmakers in the State Assembly for working across the aisle to vote in favor of speed cameras in school zones and allow Suffolk and Nassau counties to take the lead in protecting our kids,” said Zove. “The passing of this vital legislation proves that safety is not a democratic or republican issue, and I am confident these speed cameras will better ensure the safety of our children across Long Island.”

Mr. Fitzpatrick was the only Assemblyman from all of Long Island who opposed this legislation, stating that the approval of this bill and the implementation of this initiative is only about revenue.

“To say that this program is only about raising money is absolutely ludicrous and completely ignores the importance of protecting our children which is always a top priority as a public official,” said Zove. “I am extremely disappointed that Mr. Fitzpatrick chose to serve his own political agenda and failed to put our kids first. The residents of the 8^th Assembly District deserve a representative who will fight to protect us and make safety the primary objective.” 

Zove said that he has been listening to the public and understands the concerns constiuents have about the speed cameras. He agrees with those who believe that in areas where cameras are installed, “clear warning signs should be posted at every speed camera location. This will provide residents and commuters ample time to slow down as they approach a school zone where children and pedestrians might be crossing.” 

“I want to thank all of the long island assemblymen who put our children and our safety first above politics,” said Zove. 

Commack Resident William Scully - President of Long Island Based Medical Device King Arrested

William Scully of Commack and Shahrad Rodi Lamech of Manhasset, officers of the Long Island based Pharmalogical, Inc. d/b/aMedical Device King were indicted in federal court, Central Islip this morning.  

A 73-count indictment was unsealed in federal court charging William Scully,  President of Medical Device King and Shahrad Rodi Llamech,Vice President with multiple counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, distribution of misbranded and counterfeit prescription drugs, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and smuggling. 

According to the indictment the defendants have operated their illegal schemes since March 2009. In addition to selling counterfeit cancer treatment medication to an oncology practice in Iowa the two are charged with selling other drugs and devices not approved by the U.S. FDA to women’s clinics and health care providers.

“As alleged, instead of seeing an opportunity to alleviate suffering and cure disease, Scully and Lameh saw a chance to make money off the backs of those already fighting for their lives, selling counterfeit cancer medication to an unsuspecting clinic. The defendants deliberately and repeatedly flouted the laws enacted to protect our citizens, all in order to flood the market with counterfeit and unapproved drugs and medical devices just so they could line their own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We and our law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who seek to profit from the illness of others by such fraud.”

Scully, 45, and Lamech, 40, were arrested and will appear at the federal courthouse  in Central Islip this afternoon. See release

On May 13, 2013 The Department of Health and Human Services sent the following alert:

Alert: Suspect Prescription Drugs Distributed by Medical Device King Dear Licensee:

We are writing to alert you to a potential public health problem with certain prescription drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received information indicating that your medical practice may have received prescription drug(s) distributed by Medical Device King (MDK), a distributor that is not licensed in any state. FDA is very concerned these products may cause harm to patients, because they may be unsafe or ineffective. Read entire alert

Prescription drugs distributed by MDK may be counterfeit drugs (not manufactured or distributed by the company indicated on their label); and/or may be drugs from foreign or unknown sources that are not approved for distribution in the United States. These drugs may have unknown ingredients, or may not have been manufactured, transported or stored under proper conditions as required by U.S. law, regulations, and standards.

Suffolk County Legislators Say "Give Us Speed Cameras"

Suffolk County Legislators met at a special meeting on Tuesday and voted Yes to a home rule message requesting NYS to authorize the installation of speed cameras to be placed in school zones in Suffolk County. The vote 14 in favor, 3 opposed ( Kennedy, Trotta, Cilmi), Leg. Kate Browning abstained.

Smithtown Legislator Rob Trotta (13th LD) voted NO and expressed his dismay to Smithtown Matters. “Safety is not the issue here. We have crossing guards at the schools who are doing a great job.  We are being asked to vote without giving us hard facts as to why we need cameras.”  

Trotta suggested that speed cameras are more about budgeting, the cameras are estimated to generate close to $7 million in revenue for the county,  and less about school safety.  “They want to be able to say they didn’t raise General Fund taxes but this is about money not safety,” said Trotta.

Suffolk County will not be obligated to post signs announcing camera useThere are 69 school districts in Suffolk County and the goal is to have one camera for each school district.  The cameras can be moved around the district and according to Trotta there is nothing in the proposal that requires warning signs to be placed in targeted school zones. 

The proposal would sanction the ticketing of drivers who are photographed driving ten miles over the school zone speed limit. The cameras would begin functioning an hour before, during and one hour after school ends.  In addition cameras will be functioning a half-hour before, during and after other school events.  Legislator Trotta is adamant that this is unacceptable. “How are people to know that there is something going on at the school.  People can’t see behind schools, when games are being played. Are we going to be giving tickets to people traveling 31mph when school hours are over and there is an event taking place in the building or behind a school?” 

Theater Review - "Bingo! - The Winning Musical"

Theater Review

“Bingo! – The Winning Musical”

Produced by: Theatre Three – Port Jefferson

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

Everybody knows what Bingo is…but this is the first time I’ve seen the familiar game used as a metaphor for life’s foibles. Thus devised, one-liners spring from Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid, & David Holcenberg’s hilarious “Bingo! The Winning Musical” in rat-tat-tat sequence. Example: In one scene when Sam the Bingo Caller announces that the next game’s objective is to form a single, straight line on the card…the thrice divorced, on-the-hunt sexpot Honey (perfectly played by Laura Bell) proclaims, “Ahhh…’Single’ and ‘Straight’…my two favorite words!”

The other three women in the diverse, Bingo-addicted quartet that continuously fires off similar rib-tickling gems are Vern, Patsy, and Bernice (Debbie D’Amore, Cristina Faicco, and Linda May). They are ably supported by Sam the Caller (Ed Brennan, who has miraculously made the switch from his recent portrayal of the tragic Javert in Les Miserables).

The entire cast of ‘Bingo! - The Winning Musical’ at Theatre Three. Photo by John Lanscombe.Minnie (Sheila Sheffield the Hall Manager) wanders the audience and plays a straight-faced shill for Sam as if the two have been at it for decades—that’s how good the timing is. And timing is everything in rapid fire give-and-take like theirs.

When a neophyte gambler, Alison (delivered convincingly by Amanda Geraci) arrives in the Bingo Hall, the petite gal with the big voice belts out “I’ve Made up My Mind” with authority that belies her diminutive stature. It’s one of a dozen songs rendered with equal gusto by various cast members. Geraci is assigned the only role even remotely associated with a plot in this essentially scenario-free variety show. Wisely, Director Jeffrey Sanzel elects not to emphasize the heavy aspect and risk losing a fun-loving audience that’s already been won.

As everyone involved in local theater knows, Theatre Three major domo Sanzel is about as versatile a figure as can be found in any of Long Island’s numerous playhouses. Having won last year’s Encore Award for his superb direction in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” the executive artistic director of the company that’s rightfully become known as Port Jefferson’s ‘Broadway on Main Street’ has brought a talented troupe full circle. Gone (at least for now) is the gut-wrenching drama of persecution and anti-Semitism played out in a cramped Amsterdam attic…and not surprisingly, in its place Sanzel has mounted a contrasting farcical comedy!

At the outset, let it be said that this critic generally disdains the somewhat underhanded ploy used to name this play. To me, injecting a laudatory double entendre blurb into the name of a theatrical production is akin to titling a book, “A Terrific Novel!” or “My Favorite Mystery.” It smacks of presumption at best, and is intentionally deceptive at worst. Critiquing is best left to those of us who stake our reputations on the appropriate application of such adjectives.

But Mr. Sanzel didn’t name this comic romp, so he’s hardly to blame for any deception, intended or otherwise…and as a matter of fact, the musical on Theatre Three’s Mainstage thru May 24th happens to be ‘winning’…big time!

“Bingo! The Winning Musical” with its minimal cast, modest prop requirements, and contrived opportunities for audience participation, was an ideal off-Broadway vehicle in those regards. Indeed, “Bingo!...” never did make it to the Great White Way, and even downtown the production closed after a relatively brief run. My guess is the proletarian nature of the theme had a lot to do with that. It seems at least questionable whether die-hard Bingo aficionados are similarly dedicated theatergoers.

That said, Theatre Three has successfully used this comic freight train of a play to shine a light on human eccentricities. The result: ‘Bingo!...” deserves the acronym LOL!

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Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eight novels, and his 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.