Editorial - Businesses On Old Northport Road Are Not Victims

Hank Carlson addressing the Town Board Aug. 15A walk down memory lane. Hundreds of people turned out for the August 15th, 7pm Town Board meeting.   People were being turned away due to overcrowding. Kudos to the women who never gave up and fought for evening meetings. The League of Women Voters, Joanne Grey, Lenore Cernitz, and Zabby - some of the names that come to my mind as I remember the battle to provide access for working people to our Town government. It’s hard to believe but prior to 2006 there were two 2pm town board meetings a month and no televised meetings. The public’s expectations were so different.

It does not require a huge stretch of the imagination to believe that things were really different forty years ago when Hank Carlson relocated his precast business from Main Street, Kings Park to Old Northport Rd. What hasn’t changed is the fact that Mr. Carlson was an astute business man forty years ago and remains so today. Presumably, Mr. Carlson worked out a deal that was very favorable to himself and business.  Another thing that hasn’t changed is the 1 acre zoning on the residential property that is owned by Mr. Carlson. 

Try as he might to paint himself and his businesses (according to Carlson’s bookkeeper there are seven businesses operating from 140 Old Northport Rd.), as victims, his claims do not pass the “smell test”.

According to Town Planner, David Flynn, the Carlson’s, Hank and son Toby, own approximately sixty five acres of property on Old Northport Road.  Approximately 14 acres are zoned for heavy industry, 11 acres are zoned for light industry and 40 acres zoned residential.

Homeowners in the area have repeatedly complained about the noise, the stench and the hours of operation on the property.  The outdoor storage of mulch is not a permitted use, but there it is on site. Aerial photos show the extent of the mining on Mr. Carlson’s property including residentially zoned areas.  Saida Ralda de Pantaleon,  bookkeeper for the Carlson’s, mentioned the $158,000 a year  paid in property taxes to the town. Presumably, that covers the entire sixty-five acres. A lot of money? Not really. Averaged out it’s less than $2,500 per acre. Who else in Smithtown pays so little and gets to maintain their own fiefdom violating town zoning at will? 

As the public becomes more sophisticated about what happens in the Town and more willing to speak up before their elected officials, more stories like this are likely to come to the forefront.  An updated master plan, long overdue, is necessary to resolve the “march of the residents” questioning the legality of businesses near their homes. Residents have every reason to expect the Town Board to be vigilant in enforcing the current zoning and code. They must be wary of what may pass as quick fix “economic development” and “tax revenue” generating plans.

Shame on you Mr. Carlson for blaming the Town for your prosperity. Congratulations to the women who fought to make town government accessible.

Pat

Dr. John J. O'Donnell Road Becomes Official!

Dr. John J. O’DonnellSaturday, August 17 - Dr. John J. O’Donnell Rd. was added as a name of Manor Rd. in Smithtown.

With a beautiful clear sunny sky overhead, scores of family, friends, employees,click on photo to enlarge - O’Donnell Family patients and spectators assembled as Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, and Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (former patient of Dr. O’Donnell)  unveiled a new road sign designating Manor Rd. as Dr. John J. O’Donnell Road. The sign located on the corner of Manor Road and Bank Street memorializes and honors the memory and contributions of Dr. John J. O’Donnell one of Smithtown’s best known and longest practicing pediatricians. 

Steve O’Donnell spoke of his father’s commitment to his patients and scouts.Dr. O’Donnell practiced in the town of Smithtown for over 30 years before retiring in his 80’s. Much of that time was spent in the building on the corner of the Manor Road and Bank Street intersection.  To the people who attended the naming ceremony he was much more than a pediatrician. To 10 people at the ceremony Dr. O’Donnell was “Dad”, to others he was the grandfather, father-in-law and great-grandfather. To Dr. Adler, who attended the ceremony, he was a colleague. To some he was the boss who demanded much of his employees and gave much more back. To some he was a supporter of animals and the guide dog foundation, an Eagle Scout, and to others like Eileen Riehl, who had never met him but heard a lot about him, he was a legend.

Dr. O’Donnell’s daughter Betsy Maniotis was all smiles as she said,”It’s a wonderful memorial to my father, Dr. O’Donnell, for all of his hard work giving back to the community. Not only in medicine but saving animals and supporting the Guide Dog Foundation.  I am one of 11 children it is a wonderful legacy to pass on to our children.”  

Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, with obvious affection for Dr. O’Donnell and his family, stated, ” Dr. O’Donnell was a wonderful man, a great doctor, a great citizen of Smithtown and New York State.”  Judging by the smiles, everyone seemed to share the sentiment!

Young and Looking For Something To Do? Week Of August 19 - 25

This is the final article from summer intern Cristen Feeney. A great big thank you to Cristen, who in addition to having a great smile, is both diligent in her efforts and fun to work with. THANK YOU Cristen, you will be missed!

By Cristen Feeney

August 19-25

Although the summer is coming to a close, Smithtown is still cranking up the heat with these fun summer activities this week.

Before you get the autumn blues, why not try something new and excited to end the summer with a bang! On August 19 or 20, head down to Simply Pilates in Smithtown to try a new way to stay fit, without feeling like you’re working out! Pilates and Barre are fun, but also challenging. There are ways to pay for a single class, as well as paying a monthly/unlimited fee to take as many classes as you’d like! If you want to try pilates, call the studio to make an appointment at 631-979-4278.

On August 21 at the Knox School at 7PM, you and your high school aged child can spend an evening prepping for the SAT’s with world famous author, Dr. Ira Wolf. It is a free event with a discussion and a Q&A period. You do not need to register, but if you would like to save your space, you can pre-register by calling Susan Day-Holsinger at 631-686-1600 ext. 414.

August 22 from 12-2PM is the Developmental Disabilities Institute’s Employment Open House at 99 Hollywood Drive in Smithtown. There are several part time and full time jobs available. By coming to the event, you can guarantee an interview on the spot. If you can not make the event but would still like to be considered for a position, you can email a resume to  HYPERLINK “mailto:jobs@ddiny.org” jobs@ddiny.org.

On August 23, the Abrakadoodle Art Room in St. James is hosting an event for kids who are interested in art. The event begins at 5:30PM. It is $40 for one child, but if you have multiple children, it is $25 for each additional sibling. Food and beverage are included. To register, email  HYPERLINK “mailto:lalbert@abrakadoodle.com” lalbert@abrakadoodle.com or call (631) 366-4ART.

August 24 is the Mommy & Me Spa day at 127-C East Main St in Smithtown. It is $25 for one adult and $20 for one child under 18. You may choose between several treatments that they offer. If you’d like to attend the event, you must purchase a ticket in advance! Space is very limited, and tickets will not be sold at the actual event.

August 25 is the last day to see “Pinkalicious” at Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts at 11AM. It is a children’s theatre production, but all ages are welcome to come see the musical based off the popular children’s book written by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. The story is silly, entertaining and teaches valuable lessons on the power of self-control and moderation.

Who Wants A Night Time Meeting? Apparently Everyone - Town Board Meeting Draws Hundreds

Councilman Tom McCarthy ”I told you so. No one believed me when I said people wanted a nighttime meeting.” Councilman Tom McCarthy.  

At the July work session Councilman McCarthy called for changing the date of the August Town Board meeting from Tuesday, August 13 at 2pm to Thursday, August 15th at 7pm. At the time he stated he had received many calls from people wanting to be heard but not able to attend afternoon meetings. Not everyone on the board was happy with his proposal. 

Last night’s meeting showed how prophetic McCarthy was, hundreds of people showed up and many were turned away at the door due to overcrowding.  People waited in the lobby replacing those who left. By 6:35pm the room was filled to capacity and there was limited parking. By 7pm, the scheduled time of the meeting, no parking was available. Councilman Wherheim addressed the audience around 8pm urging people to leave the room after they addressed the board to allow others the opportunity to speak.

Entering the room you immediately noticed a sea of red as many attendees in the room arrived early, and were workers, employees and family members wearing red shirts in support of the Carlson family and their bid to continue with their controversial operation in Kings Park.

Also in the room at the beginning of the meeting were members of the St. Johnland Board of Directors. Officials from St. Johnland addressed their Uplands project and tried to clarify what they considered to be inaccurate information about the project.

There were clusters of speakers supporting Carlson and the Uplands, they were received with enthusiastic support from the audience. As people exited, residents surrounding the controversial projects, replaced the red shirts and finally had the opportunity to address the board.

KPCA President Sean LehmanOne by one residents questioned the wisdom of board members who supported the controversial projects. Sean Lehman, president of the Kings Park Civic Association (KPCA), refuted many of the statements made by the St. Johnland speakers. He questioned the wisdom of the board’s decision to make the Smithtown Messenger the town newspaper, stating that the paper refused to print his letter. A possible swipe at the three council members, Wherheim, Creighton and Malloy, who supported the Messenger as the official town newspaper. While at the podium, Sean responded to an article in the Messenger in which Councilman Malloy claimed Supervisor Vecchio was riling up the community. Lehman blasted Malloy stating that  KPCA has a long history on the Uplands project implying that they didn’t need to be riled-up. He suggested that Malloy educate himself on the KPCA positions and activities. Lehman refuted the statement that Uplands will benefit the people of Kings Park, calling attention to facts garnered from St. Johnland itself predicting 12% of the residents are expected to be from the community. He refuted the tax benefits sited by St. Johnland officials, pointing out that St. Johnland’s  literature indicates they plan to appeal the proposed tax assessments. 

Other topics included Whisper Winnery in St. James, downtown blight and budget process (Richard Macellaro a candidate for Town Council brought up the budget process). Supervisor Vecchio called Town Attorney John Zollo out of order after he lambasted speaker Michelle Gary as she questioned him about court dates and actions in the Old Northport Rd. - Lawrence Rd. corridor. Zollo, who later apologized, questioned the timing of Ms. Gary’s questions. He asked why, after spending hours in Supervisor Vecchio’s office, had she not stopped in to see him. 

The meeting ended after 9pm and no one seemed happy except for Councilman McCarthy who said, “I told them people wanted to be heard.”

A Primary Responsibility

A Primary Responsibility.

The upcoming Republican and Conservative Primary Election on Tuesday, September 10 is going to decide who will face the Democratic candidates in the November 5 General Elections.That’s Civics Lesson 101. 

But what is a Primary Election? The reasons that a potential candidate challenges their political party’s designated candidate or an incumbent public office holder varies.  The fact is that one side thinks that the other side is not or will not do a good job. That’s Politics Lesson 101.

Primary elections, enable the enrolled party voter, to select their political party’s candidate based on their stand on the current issues of the day.  By actively participating (voting) in your party’s primary election, you are choosing someone to run in a general election.  Demand that your party’s candidates’ actions are effective, transparent and forthright.  That’s Democracy 101.

Finally, become a more informed voter. The Information Age continues to mature.  Social networking, Google searches, electronic media and Facebook accounts, gives you the opportunity to find out about a candidate’s views, plans and promises, instantaneously.  You should review the candidate’s voting record (if they are incumbents) or visit their web sites? Read their campaign literature, newspaper reports and editorials, pay attention to their endorsements (political, union and civic leaders) attend public meetings and ask questions at primary and general election debates or forums. That Information 101.

These activities should help educate and assist you in electing the candidate, who will best represent your interest and concerns?   That’s right, these elected officials or public servants’

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY is to you, the voter.  They are government workers who ensure that the government works and serves you, the public.  That’s the American Way of Life.

Thank you.

Richard S. Macellaro* 

*Richard S. Macellaro is a Democratic Candidate For Smithtown Town Council