St. Johnland Development Group Makes Its Case For Whisper Landing Assisted Living Facility

By Taylor Fleming

Part I - Of BZA Hearing On Whisper Landing Assisted Living Facility

Smithtown’s Board of Zoning Appeals convened on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 for a public hearing of eleven legal notices. However, the BZA only heard seven of the notices on the agenda. One notice was adjourned until August 15 and six notices were closed without comments from members of the community.

A majority of the meeting was spent discussing pending legal notice 16943 regarding St. Johnland Development Group, LLC’s variance requests for the building of Whisper Landing Assisted Living Facility at River Heights Dr. & Route 25A. Prior to hearing St. Johnland Development Group, Board Chairperson Adrienne Giannadeo said she would allow each member of the Town of Smithtown one opportunity to speak and asked members of the community for “no applause or outbursts.” 

St. Johnland attorney Rich ScheyerSt. Johnland attorney Rich Scheyer was first to take to the podium. He asked the board to amend several of the variances that St. Johnland had previously requested. The company is no longer asking to increase the maximum building height from 35 feet to 49 feet and will build the 35 feet limit. They wish to amend the variance to reduce the minimum truck loading spaces from 3 to 1 and to amend the variance to increase the maximum height of retaining walls from 6 to 12 feet. 

After the amendments to the variance requests, St. Johnland was left to discuss the original and standing variance request to permit structures within 10 feet of environmentally sensitive land. Scheyer emphasized, however, that with regards to environmentally sensitive land, “only 12.1% of the site will be affected” and the building presents no impact for endangered species populations. 

St. Johnland brought in John Breslin of Breslin Appraisals to discuss his study of the variances. “A bulk of the original site will remain essentially green,” said Breslin. He stressed that St. Johnland will minimize the use of environmentally sensitive lands by pulling the structure towards 25A. In conclusion, Breslin said the “totality of the circumstances” does not violate the variance and does not adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood.

Scheyer then asked Thomas Mazzola, an expert on traffic safety, to speak on behalf of St. Johnland. Mazzola suggested that the assisted living facility would generate very little traffic except for around 20 employees for day and evening shifts, 6-8 employees for overnight shifts and a few visitors around lunchtime. Mazzola believes very few of the residents will drive themselves. Although St. Johnland is requesting 80 parking spaces, Mazzola said, “the actual need will be around half that.”

Finally, Scheyer brought in Thomas Cramer, a landscape architect, to discuss the environmental issues of the site. Quoting the Smithtown Town Master plan, Cramer suggested that there is a greater need for assisted living facilities over nursing home facilities. He described Whisper Landing as “almost like a clubhouse for [seniors].” Cramer discussed the 7 categories of environmentally sensitive lands and rendered all except one irrelevant to the St. Johnland site. “The only issue we have are the steep slopes,” said Cramer. Building on steep slopes presents environmental issues like erosion, but Cramer declared that most likely less than 40% of the steep slope will be disturbed at the site. 

David Flynn, Assistant Town Planning Director, raised several questions for Cramer regarding soil permeability, the visual aspects of the building and the noise impacts of the facility. Cramer was accommodating to Flynn’s arguments, stating that St. Johnland would be open to innovative drainage techniques, and has already suggested a chromoglass self-contained sewage treatment facility. He said St. Johnland was also planning to buffer the noise and compromise on the visual impacts of the structure. “A lot of intention went into the design of this building,” said Cramer. “We want it to become part of the community.”

Part II Residents Comments to follow Saturday June 30

Missing KP Woman Arrested In Attempted Shooting In New Orleans

By Naomi Martin, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 

Email the author | Follow on Twitter 

on June 25, 2013 at 4:05 PM, updated June 26, 2013 at 9:39 AM

Kevin Cahill, 29, and Sara Mott, 27

A New York couple was arrested Tuesday after the boyfriend shot another man multiple times in a Central Business District hotel room, police said. Kevin Cahill also accidentally shot his girlfriend in the foot, according to the New Orleans Police Department. 

Police said Cahill, 29, tried to kill a 49-year-old Florida man around 9 a.m. in a hotel room at the Wyndham Garden Plaza Hotel at 201 Baronne Street. Witnesses said the man appeared to be shot in the chest and stomach. Police recovered drugs and a handgun at the scene. 

After the shooting, police said, Cahill and his wounded girlfriend Sara Mott, 27, tried to flee the hotel but were quickly apprehended. Mott was taken to a hospital in good condition; she will be booked on a charge of second degree battery when she is released from the hospital, police said. Click Here for article

Going Off To College? Think "Street Defense"

Empire State Karate Starts Innovative Program for High School and College Bound Students

By Taylor Fleming

Beginning on July 19^th, Empire State Karate of Smithtown is offering “Street Defense,” a five-week seminar for high school and college bound students. Empire State Karate, which will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, offers children and adult martial arts programs as well as kickboxing fitness and mixed martial arts courses. 

Sensei Troy, who has taught at Empire State Karate for over ten years, said, “[‘Street Defense’] is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.” Troy said he and Hanshi Joyce Santamaria, the first ever female blackbelt, often discussed the high school and college bound age group. He described college bound students as “adults but not quite adult” who are in need of training in “not combat but awareness.” The two also conferred about the horror stories they had heard about, or, as Troy said, “when it went wrong” in a college environment.

One such story came to the surface following the submission of a letter from then Amherst College student Angie Epifano to “The Amherst Student” independent newspaper. In her letter, Epifano revealed that another student had raped her in the spring of her freshman year. “I had always fancied myself a strong, no-nonsense woman…” wrote Epifano. “May 25^th temporarily shattered that self-image and left me feeling like the broken victim that I had never wanted to be.” In her letter, she discussed the lack of support she received from the school and her fellow students. Eventually, she left Amherst. Recently, more and more stories like Epifano have surfaced in the media. Over the past year, the Office for Civil Rights has received 38 complaints against colleges, universities and postsecondary schools across the country, related to sexual harassment.

Sensei Troy said that “Street Defense” is aimed at teaching students, “how to see a bad situation…and how to get out of it.” He has created a comprehensive plan, which addresses the key issues involved with incidents of harassment and violence, not unlike Epifano’s encounter.  The first week focuses on awareness, avoidance and evasion. After consulting with several lawyers, Sensei Troy has developed a plan for teaching legal jargon and “keep[ing] the law on your side,” as sexual harassment on campus is now being seen and prosecuted as a federal crime in many schools nationally. For the second week, the instructors plan on hosting a drug and addiction specialist and discussing fitness, nutrition and saying “no.” The third week will work on building student confidence and teaching them safety in any environment. In the fourth week, students will foster an effective attitude and learn escape techniques. Finally, the fifth week will recap the entire course and test students in a live action final exam. 

As a parent, Sensei Troy thinks a major concern is “how…we protect our kids when they go off to college.” HeStreet Defense program begins in Julybelieves this program will help reassure parents that their children are prepared for college life. His students will gain confidence and knowledge as well as skills and techniques. “They have to know this to come home safe to us,” said Sensei Troy. “We want them to have fun, get the most of out of it, but we want them to be aware.” 

Recently, assault on college campuses has become a more prevalent topic of discussion and an explosion of activism has occurred in numerous schools, such as Occidental College, Swarthmore College, Wesleyan University and Yale University. Sensei Troy’s program, however, works not only to address the incidents that have already happened but also to prepare and educate students on preventive measures. Combining techniques from other Empire State Karate classes while targeting the lessons towards students in high school or heading to college, Sensei Troy believes this program will build the confidence and awareness necessary to guard them against the potential dangers surrounding a new, often challenging environment. “I’m around these kids so much,” he said. “I see the changes in them.” The confidence karate grants his students, said Sensei Troy is, “unmatched by any other activity.”

The five-week seminar will run Fridays from 7-8pm from July 19^th to August 16^th. To register, students and parent can call (631) 265-1555 or drop in to 86 Terry Road in Smithtown. More information is available at www.empirestatekarate.com or on Empire State Karate’s Facebook page. 

Young And Looking For Something To Do? Smithtown Summer Offerings

By Cristen Feeney

The Smithtown Youth Bureau kicks off summer programs tomorrow night (6/25) at 6PM the first session “Safe Summer Nights Program” at Hoyt Farm in Commack. Youth in the Town of Smithtown who are entering grade 6 and older are invited to come down and hang out from 6PM until 9PM. This includes all public and private schools in Smithtown, Hauppauge, Commack, and Kings Park. We will have sports, games, arts and crafts, and more!

Smithtown’s Safe Summer Night ProgramAfter finishing a hard year and passing all their finals, often, high school and college students struggle to find something to do over the summer. Sleeping and playing video games are only fun for so long, and a summer job may not take up all of your time. Some students may want to get out and explore what their community has to offer. In Smithtown, there are so many events and opportunities that many people pass up, simply because they do not know they are available. Regardless of your interests, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

            If you’re interested in sports, Smithtown Recreation Department has Basketball, Soccer Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Swimming, Track and Field, Baseball, and tennis programs, for people between the ages of 4-16 (ages vary between programs). These programs run anywhere from 1-3 weeks and focus on placing children and teens in a safe environment for learning or improving their skills in any of the sports listed. If you’re older that 16 and still looking for something to do, they also offer various dance and fitness classes for anyone 18+.

            If you’re interested in music, every Tuesday from July 2-August 13, the Suffolk County Executives Office sponsors concerts at the Nesconset gazebo across from Nesconset Plaza. They are completely free, and anyone is welcome to bring a chair or a blanket and come listen and dance to live music! If you’re closer to Hoyt Park Farm, in Commack, there are also concerts sponsored there by Smithtown Recreation Department every Sunday night starting June 30th.

            If you’re interested in theatre or performance, and you’re between the ages of 7 and 18, Smithtown Performing Arts Center has a “Summer Theatre Enhancement” program. It is a 3 week long program for beginners and seasoned actors, alike. It is every Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm and there is a showcase at the end to show your family and friends everything that you’ve gained from the program.

            If you’re interested in art, the Smithtown Arts Council, has summer classes for people of any age, but there is a camp program created specifically for students in grades 9-12. It’s a great way to keep up with your art during the summer, when art classes in school are not in session.

            If you’re interested in getting a head start with school work for next year, SCOPE has a SAT/PSAT and ACT prep program. Part of the program is online, and anyone is welcome to join.

            If you’re interested in volunteering or doing charity work, Sweetbriar Nature Center is always looking for volunteers to help in outdoor or butterfly gardens. If you don’t want to spend the summer inside, this is a great opportunity to get outdoors and help out.

            There is something for every person to do this summer, whether you are 8 or 80, there is a way to get involved in your community and be a part of something great.

            For daily events across Long Island this summer, you can visit http://long-island.newsday.com/events.

Moreland Commission - " LIPA in its current state, should no longer exist"

What’s wrong with LIPA? Apparently a great deal and it didn’t start with Hurricane Sandy. The Moreland Commission has released its report of LIPA and it is not good. Click here for the NY Times link to Moreland Commission report. The report is critical of LIPA’s lack of oversight in payments to consultants, overcharging customers, misrepresenting rate hikes and more.

In its letter to Governor Cuomo, the members of the Moreland Commission included this statement:

“The Final Report continues the investigation of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) by picking up on the investigation initiated by the Office of the New York State Inspector General (IG), ordered by you in April 2011, which uncovered issues not previously reviewed. The new issues identified appear to be only a sampling of LIPA’s structural dysfunction and blatant disrespect for ratepayers. Furthermore, the Commission believes that some of the issues warrant further investigation by a prosecutor. Ultimately, the Commission concludes that LIPA’s bifurcated management structure fails to work not only during weather emergencies, but also during “blue sky” conditions, reinforcing the Commission’s initial conclusion that LIPA, in its current state, should no longer exist.”

The report hones in on LIPA’s relationship with the consultant firm Navigant. This relationship is a “revolving door” for management for both LIPA and Navigant. Former LIPA CEO Michael D. Hervey left LIPA after Superstorm Sandy and almost immediately became an employee of Navigant. Between 2008 and 2011 LIPA customers paid $65 million to consultants of which $28 million went to Navigant. According to the Commission, consultant bills were seldom scrutinized, resulting in payments to Navigant consultants being reimbursed for expenses including travel, hotel, food, and even an out of state engineering license, that were well beyond acceptable established standards.  

Page 17 of the report addresses concerns the Commission has with Navigant billable hours and lack of oversight. Navigant has between 52 and 64 consultants working with LIPA, mostly senior in rank, and billing between $300 - $500 per hour exclusive of expenses. Some of these consultants have 1,800 billable hours a year. According to the report between 2008 - 2012 “Robert Kendall, Managing Director, who maintains residences in California and Utah, was Navigant’s top billing consultant to LIPA and alone billed LIPA over $4.5 million. During this time, Kendall often billed well over 2,000 hours a year and in 2008 billed almost 3,500 hours. These hourly charges were approved and paid despite internal questions regarding their propriety.”

The Commission did convey the importance of taking steps to prepare for the next weather related emergency, but those recomendations were overshadowed by the very negative information about LIPA’s management.

To read the Moreland Commission report click here.