Editorial - Political Signs Are Not the Real Issue

Political signs are cropping-up all over and not everyone is happy about it. Lawn signs supporting candidates are commonplace during election cycles cropping up sporadically throughout the town.  The signs typically fall into the standard 18”x 24” and are found on front lawns and in areas of high traffic. Signs are removed by the “sign police” when they obstruct a driver’s vision or they are on public land.  Often times signs are removed by supporters of the opposition.

This year there seems to be a proliferation of huge bill boards placed by the Creighton campaign in support of the three men, Creighton, Malloy and Puleo, who are campaigning together.  Using billboards for political campaigning is controversial. While the message on the sign is usually benign, the size often triggers a negative “visual pollution” reaction.

The Creighton campaign signs were no sooner pounded into the ground when almost immediately people began to react. The phrase “We can do better” is not only subjective, but is proving to be offensive to many in the town who are in an uproar over what they see as the planned paving over of the town for commercial development by Councilmen Creighton (now running for supervisor) and Malloy. To some, the word  “better” on the billboard is synonymous with disregarding the environment, zoning, and taxpayers. 

Creighton and Malloy have become the poster children for almost every controversial land use proposal in the town. They have  infuriated residents by what many call a mindset of “business right -homeowner wrong”.  While this may be an unfair depiction of Creighton and Malloy, there is a genuine stomach-turning fear amongst many that if this team takes out Vecchio, their home values will decrease, and there will be a degradation of both the environment and quality of life.

Recently, billboards and signs placed on 25A and Indian Head Road have been defaced with the word “crooks” spray painted on the signs. There is a lot of finger pointing as to who is responsible for the damage. Although people are reluctant to speak on the record a lot of blame is being attributed to Vecchio, his campaign and his supporters. Who knows whether the blame is justified?

What is incontrovertible is that Councilmen Creighton and Malloy have alienated a lot of people and have a lot of work to do explaining how “We can do better”. Who defaced the signs is not as important as why there are so many people saying they were thinking of doing it themselves.

Pat

Residents To BZA - Protect Our Community

Residents of Amsterdam Rd. and Jennifer Rd. went before the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday evening to ask the board to “not” grant the special exception and eight variances being requested by Prisco Realty, LLC for property located at 927 West Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown.  According to residents, Reliable Tree Service has been operating illegally at the site for almost a decade creating a situation detrimental to their quality of life. The problem, according to residents, is the result of the removal of a buffer and trees which sheltered the residential area from the operation of the commercial business.  In addition to the visual blight seen by homeowners on the two streets, neighbors complained of odors emanating from the illegal storage of mulch on the site. They expressed concerns over future environmental degadation of the site due to car storage on an unpaved surface. Linda Jablonsky, a resident living on Amsterdam, presented a petition from 129 neighbors in the area of Jennifer and Amsterdam Roads objecting to Prisco’s proposal.

Attorney Vincent Trimarco represented Prisco Realty. He made the case that the owners were trying to bring the property into compliance with town code and the special exception and variances were necessary to allow Mr. Prisco to conduct business at the site. Trimarco denied accusations made by residents that Prisco had intruded upon the buffer, that the property’s grading had been altered, and that there was dumping into the small triangular town recharge basin located at the back of the property. Mr. Trimarco rejected almost all the planning department’s suggestions including a restriction on the number of vehicles stored outdoors on the property. 

Questions raised included: “Is there a certificate of occupancy (CO)  for the property? Was there a stop work order issued and was it ever satisfied?  It turns out that a CO was issued for the property on October 28, 1947 for use as a garage and service station. 

If awarded, two businesses will be operating at the site: a trucking station for Reliable Tree Service and an auto dealership which will sell used cars.  Neighbors were concerned by the intense use of the property which is approximately 1.08 acres.  Residents asked for the definition of a “trucking station”,  which proved to be difficult as the Town’s code is vague on the topic.

Residents from Amsterdam and Jennifer line up to address BZAApproximately 12 residents stood at the podium detailing how the commercial property has impacted the on their property value, family and overall quality of life. Those who spoke felt that granting the variances would be seen as a reward to a business that they claim has completely disregarded Smithtown’s code for years.

 The Town Board sent a letter to the BZA advising that they support a 25’ buffer. According to town planners, there may not be an adequate amount of foliage in the sump to consider it as a buffer.

Tony Tanzi, acting as BZA chairperson - after Chairwoman Adrienne Giannadeo recused herself, commented on the items presented by Town Planner David Flynn.  He said,  “a lot of these recomendations are just that - recommendations.”  A question of parking on the property was met with Tanzi’s comment that “restrictions on parking become unenforceable.”

Yolanda Andrews, a resident living on Amsterdam, pleaded with the members of the board, “We are begging you, don’t take down the buffer. Protect our community.”

Scout Troops 3, 214, 349 - "Clean The Stream"

Bright and early, at 9:00 A.M., more than 40 scouts from Troops 3, 214 and 349 gathered at the culverts over the Northeast  branch of the Nissequogue River to kick off the First Annual “ Clean the Stream” effort, sponsored by the Office of Legislator John Kennedy( R-Nesconset), Mr. Rich Kitt of the Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways,  VOB Trustee Mark Delaney, and an ample supply of motivated adult Scout Leaders.  The mission was simple.  Following the ravages of Hurricane Sandy and the Blizzard of February, 2013, many tree limbs had fallen and blocked sections of the Branch.  This important waterway serves not only as a natural habitat to the only indigenous Trout population on Long Island, but also to largemouth bass and other species of fish, as well as various species of turtle.  In addition to being a robust natural habitat for animal and plant life, the Branch serves as the primary conduit for surface water runoff for the surrounding hundreds of homes in the area.

Less than 3 years ago, the Smithtown Supervisor and Town Board collaborated with the County of Suffolk, under the authority of the State Department of Environmental Conservation to engage in a highly successful stream clearance and silt remediation project that saw over 200 yards of runoff and silt buildup removed from the lower 4000 feet of the Branch.  At a total price tag of approximately $1 million, half of which was underwritten by the county, this project has served to transport larger volumes of water during heavy and sustained periods of precipitation.  That greater volume of water transport leads to direct relief for homeowner basement flooding, septic system compromise, and overall difficulty for impacted residents.

Seeking to maintain the positive benefits achieved buy this earlier project, Troop 349 Eagle Scout and Legislative Office summer intern Thomas Kotak proposed the cleanup project to Legislator Kennedy as a simple way to maintain the positive benefits of earlier government intervention.   In true Eagle fashion, Tom got right to work in contacting involved Town and county agencies for necessary approvals and consents, and quickly pulled together scouts at all levels, who were only too eager to jump in the water and get to work.  Suffolk County Vector Control Director Dominick Ninivaggi provided important bug repellent, gloves, trash bags, and appropriate marsh gear, while all brought along a wide array of shovels, rakes and other needed gear.  Scout leaders and older scouts were even supported with a flat bottomed boat supplied by Mr. Kitt from the Town DEW.

“I was very impressed with Tom’s organizational skills, and his smooth way of directing Scouts and parents to needed areas of clearance, “said Legislator Kennedy.  However, it should have been no surprise, as Boy Scouts are true stewards of the environment, and always strive to leave a campsite or gathering spot cleaner than when they found it.  Most debris was removed to the banks, careful not disturb any of the natural ground cover.  Larger downed trees were reported to the appropriate Town agencies, for removal with heavier equipment in the future.  Mr. Kitt was quite thankful, and noted that the thousands of feet of stream cleared would definitely help to preserve good flow throughout the summer and fall.

Girl Scouts "Hang Out With Betsy" At Smithtown's Animal Shelter

What are you doing this summer? If you are a member of Girl Scout Troop #1950, you might be making the world a little nicer for someone or something.  

The Smithtown Animal Shelter loves girl scouts and they apparently love the shelter. Recently Troop #1950 took a tour of the shelter and helped with organizing donations for the animals. After taking the tour they volunteered to walk one of the dogs.  According to Animal Control Officer, Monica Stevens, “This is a picture of one of our adoptable dogs “Bestsy” being walked and hanging out on the nature trail with Girl Scout Troop # 1950.  “Betsy” is a 4 year old Female Staff Terrier mix. She is spayed and up to date with vaccines.  She would need to be the only pet in the home, but she is super sweet with a big happy smile and loves people!!!!

There are many opportunities to help the animals at the shelter. For a list of items to donate or to adopt a pet, visit the shelter’s website or take a ride to the shelter which is located at 410 E. Main Street, Smithtown.

Visit the available Dogs and Cats at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. You just might fall in love!

Theater Review - "Grease"

THEATER REVIEW

“Grease”

Produced by: Smithtown Performing Arts Council

Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

There’s no questioning the staying power of this record-breaking musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. First performed in Chicago in 1971 as the Windy City’s raunchy answer to ‘West Side Story’ the show was sanitized somewhat, was grabbed by Broadway, and didn’t close until 1980. At the time, “Grease” was the longest running production in the history of the Great White Way; it had been performed an impressive 3,388 times, and the play still ranks in (or close to) the top dozen … ever!

But the story of “Grease” doesn’t end with that final curtain at the Majestic Theater in 1980. The show has gone through two Broadway revivals and became a blockbuster film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Indeed “Grease” the movie is one of the most financially successful musical motion pictures to date.

Those of us who were high school students in the mid-20^th century recognize the various 50’s cliches in “Grease” but unfortunately, we wince at director Danny Gorman’s oversights – and there are too many of them to give Gorman an ‘A’ or even a ‘B’ for this effort (which runs at Smithtown’s Main Street theater through July 28). For instance, the director lets his actors lapse into 21^st century shtick, permitting them to mimic telephoning by holding an imaginary device to their ear with thumb and little finger extended a la “Dancing With the Stars.” The fact is kids didn’t do that in the 50’s. And there are other visual boo-boos too numerous to list.

The players in this ambitious production manage to overcome their director’s ineptitude, however. Newcomer, Rachel Greenblatt (Sandy Dumbrowski) leads the way with her appealing interpretation of the naive new girl in school. Anyone who ever took a first drag on a cigarette, or chug-a-lugged those initial gulps of wine at a pajama party, will recognize Greenblatt’s insight and identify with her gagging reactions. Nor is the lead ingénue alone in commanding the audience’s rapt attention. Cara Buschi (as Rizzo) is wonderful. Indeed the most riveting sequence in this episodic play is the one between Greenblatt and Buschi when they sing contrasting numbers toward one another from opposite sides of the stage.

As for the young men in the company – they try hard and some succeed. Notably, Ryan Nolin (as Vince Fontaine) surprises the audience with a superb voice belying the boorish character he plays for three-quarters of the production.

Every play needs a stage setting in which it is performed. Unfortunately, Tim Golebiewski seems to have been singularly uninspired when asked to come up with this one. As for Gorman’s Choreographer function – bad! The director might as well have handed the reins to Costume Designer Ronald R. Green III. At least Green showed a flair for well-balanced color in the women’s garb. Cleverly, Green dresses Greenblatt only in white until the show’s final scene – a device that works well and enhances ‘Sandy’s’ dramatic transformation.

Chris Creevy’s lighting is typically effective. The one or two opening night miscues with the spotlight last Saturday will likely be corrected before you can say, “Greased Lightning.”

Award-winning Smithtown author Jeb Ladouceur has published seven novels. His theater reviews appear in dozens of L. I. newspapers. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “The Dealer” due this summer, Israeli extortionists threaten to destroy Hoover Dam demolishing the Las Vegas Strip - if casino operators don’t pay millions.