Editorial - Happy New Year! Goodbye 2012 - Welcome 2013

The year 2012 may go out as the year that left America exhausted. Not beaten, not broken and not demoralized - just plain old exhausted. 2012 was like a bad dream in which you are on a never-ending roller coaster ride. The ride just keeps going on and on and even though you may get used to the path, its highs and the gut dropping lows, your inner self starts to tell you that it was never meant to be like this. Your heart tells you the ride is about to break-down and unless something happens immediately, life as you know it is over. That kind of exhausting. You can’t sleep it off, you can’t even vacation it away, all you can do is go about your life and hope that time will take care of you. 

2012 was not all that bad, I’m sure each of us have had moments that were special and warm and comforting. Children were born, some became parents and grandparents. Elections were won, Olympics medals won, jobs were found, careers started, and college acceptance letters were received. Engagements, marriages, pets, family and faith kept America going when things got really bad.

There were some awful moments: Sandy Hook, Aurora, tornado outbreaks in the Southern United States, super-storm “Sandy”, fires in Western United States, and here we are on December 31, 2012  still dealing with the “fiscal cliff”! An event created to be so horrific that it would force those in office to take action. “They” have not taken action, and “they” are still pointing fingers, and “they” are responsible. How can we not be exhausted?

2012 was exhausting for many, but there were those who spoke through their actions and deeds doing anything and everything they could to make a difference and to let those suffering know that they were not alone. 2012 may be remembered as the year that left America exhausted, but it should be remembered as the year that people showed their humanity over, and over and over again.

Smithtown Residents, like others throughout the United States, reached out to help wherever and whenever it was needed. There were food drives, blood drives and clothing drives. Students in each of our school districts solicited necessities for families affected by “Sandy” and did it without the benefit of electricity and heat in their own homes. Young children gave their allowances and holiday presents to children who were without.  Families shared their homes, food, generators, computers and phones. A family in Hauppauge collected shoes for children and a woman from St. James stood outside Stop and Shop alone collecting food. The Fealgood Foundation collected toys and food. They then opened their doors for a three-day event allowing every parent or guardian who showed up to leave with toys and food to make the holiday a little brighter. No one was left out. 

Throughout Smithtown people were involved in helping others and it felt good. The crisis’ of 2012 were horrible, the memories will last forever, and yet let us not forget the good that was done and that special feeling that comes with the knowledge that we made a difference.

Pat

Letters To Editor - Compromising Positions

I have a long-standing belief that Politics is the “Art of Compromise.”  Saying NO to EVERyTHING, means NO THING EVER gets done.  In life, we make compromises ever day.  If you do not have enough money to buy something, you should not buy it.  However, if you settle for something less, it should still be a good deal.  There in lies the compromise.  I’m sure you have heard the expression, “Champagne taste and beer pockets.”  Good quality, less cost.

The “cliff hanger” that is happening in Washington D. C. is a clear example of the Art of Compromise.  Both sides have presented their proposals to prevent the USA from bankruptcy and now, each side must reach a responsible compromise.  President Obama was re-elected and members of his party maintains a Majority in the Senate and added more members in the House of Representatives.  In fact, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal disclosed the 65% of Americans said Make Compromises while 28% said Stick to Positions. The poll also gave the Democratic Party a 44% approval rating to the Republican Party of 30%. The American people spoke out choosing the President’s initiatives and support making a compromise.  Even in the New State Senate, while Democrats may have won control of that chamber, a compromise is being put together, in the best interest of governing this great state.  That’s called Cooperation or Bipartisanship.

We need to begin compromising to achieve progress and making a difference.  Compromise means each side giving a little and getting a little.  It’s about respecting the other side’s position.  Sacrificing a little to their opponents and getting a little from their opponents.  That’s how we will move forward.  Moving the ball forward by giving something to the other side.  That’s called representative government and respect.  Think about when you are buying or selling your home.  You want your price, and the buyer has their price.  Somewhere you reach a compromise, which each side can live with.   “You can’t always get what you want,” but if you are willing to compromise, you get what you need.

Richard S. Macellaro

Treat Stress With Exercise And Feel Better

Have you ever attempted going to sleep after a long day only to find yourself staring at the ceiling?  Exercise can help you sleep better and smile more by reducing stress.  Keep reading to find out how.

Fight or Flight - When you encounter a stressful situation, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode.  Hormones such as adrenaline start to flow and the most primitive part of your brain is deciding whether to make a break for it (which requires a lot of energy) or channel your inner karate kid (also a lot of energy).  However, we rarely encounter situations where we actually have to fight or run.  It is more likely that the stressful situation is finding a document for your boss that you haven’t seen in months.  Despite not being in real danger, your body provides the chemicals and they will linger in your system.  Exercise is a great way to release these chemicals. 

Endorphins - You have probably heard that exercise increases endorphins, which enhances your mood.  This can help with mild depression and increases your overall sense of well-being.  Some exercises such as cycling and running create a rhythm which soothes the body.  When you focus on exercising, it becomes difficult to focus on the stressful situations that took place during the day.  This can help you remain calm and ready to take on the day.

Improved Sleep - It’s hard to have sleep issues after a hard workout.  Your body is ready to recharge and your sleeping will become more regular (i.e.: you will sleep like a rock).  A good night of sleep will help you keep your energy levels up and increase your productivity throughout the day.  This creates a positive cycle where you get more work done and have less to stress about.  

Increased Self-Confidence - As your health improves and your body changes for the better, your self-confidence will likely increase.  This is a common source of anxiety for many people.  When you have less to worry about, you have less to stress about.  

All in all, exercise is good for your body and your mind.  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote: “Exercise is play and recreation; when your body is busy, your mind will be distracted from the worries of daily life and will be free to think creatively.”  Exercising 30min a day will help reduce stress and make life more fun.  Remember to start slow and slowly increase the intensity as you get stronger. 

Kia Edwards is a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist who lives in New York City. She studied French and Economics at Colgate University, spent 15 years as a high-level competitive gymnast and 6 years as a gymnastics coach.  Her business, La Fortesse At Home Fitness Training, helps clients get healthy with simple at home exercises and nutrition counseling. www.LaFortesse.com 

Editorial - An Observation on December Town Work Session

T’was the rare Town work session,

when all through the town,

Vecchio was determined

to bring Creighton down.

How hard was it you may ask?

not hard at all, Creighton was up to the task!

$100,000 is what we will get , Creighton announced,

it was at that moment that Vecchio pounced!

Really, he said, do you think that’s enough 

to take everyone’s waste  and let Smithtown live with this stuff?

The site is already blighted, is this the best we can do?

I don’t think it’s a good idea Bob, how about you?

And  Councilman Wehrheim,  McCarthy, Malloy 

What would you have the residents enjoy? 

Is it “Sandy” debris from all over the place, 

is that what you would have Santilli put in his place? 

The property’s over the aquifer, in an area that’s been mined,

not to mention the number of times they’ve been fined!

Town Attorney Zollo, what do you think? 

it seems this $100,000 is starting to stink.

More rapid than coursers the councilmen flew 

to distance themselves from this latest snafu 

McCarthy was vocal in his “no” ,

said selling the zoning was the wrong way to go!

Wehrheim, concerned with environmental abuse,

didn’t seem to think this was a very good use. 

Malloy and Creighton are the remaining two,

follow Creighton to see what the dynamic duo will do!

At the close of the meeting,

with a smile on his face

Vecchio seemed to be thinking, 

let’s get on with this race. 

Happy Holidays Smithtown!

Pat

There's Money In Those Polluted, "Sandy" Damaged Vehicles

There is a proposal before the Town Board to house cars damaged during “Sandy” on the Santilli property on Old Northport Rd., in Kings Park.  At the Town’s work session on Tuesday, December 11, Town Attorney, John Zollo explained the proposal to Town Board members.  The proposal garnered skepticism from Supervisor Vecchio, Councilmen McCarthy and Wehrheim. Councilman Malloy was quiet and Councilman Creighton seemed to be in favor of the project calling it an opportunity for the Smithtown to help with the problems created by “Sandy”. 

Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI) is proposing to bring damaged cars from areas outside of Smithtown to the Santilli  property where they will be stored outdoors until such time as they are sold at auction.  Outside storage is not a permitted use at the site. The proposal, as explained by Zollo, would permit the storage of damaged vehicles on the property until the titles are clear for auction, which can take as long as one year.  In an apparent exchange for granting a “dispensation” for the use of the property, the town would receive $100,000. Supervisor Vecchio questioned the $100,000 asking if it was worth it?

According to Planning Director Frank DeRubeis the property in question is zoned Light Industry(LI).  Although outdoor storage of vehicles is not a permitted use in a LI zoned area DeRubeis explained that there is a nine step process the Town could undertake if the Board felt that there was a compelling municipal interest to override the zoning. The process would be undertaken by the Town Attorney’s office ( John Zollo served as legal council for Santilli in its 2004 proposal to the DEC to permit deeper mining of its site and may have to recuse himself).  DeRubeis also explained that the proposed site is in a groundwater recharge zone and that the property has been mined which may create additional problems for the proposal.  

Members of the Board questioned why they should consider this proposal. Councilman McCarthy asked if there was an application for a special use permit, Zollo said “the applicants do not intend to apply for a special use permit” stating that this was a one-shot deal. Councilman Wehrheim expressed concern for environmental problems that could arise from storing so many damaged cars in one place. Wehrheim pointed out the environmental issues that have risen in Riverhead as a result of the storage of damaged vehicles. Vecchio asked  the rhetorical question “If the property owner had been a good neighbor.” Board members were all apparently aware of the property’s history. Councilman McCarthy went on record, “the proposal does not comply with zoning code” , he is not willing to “sell the zoning” ,and “no” the property owner was not a good neighbor. The Board has requested a review of the proposal by Director of Environment and Waterways, Russ Barnett.

Councilman Creighton, asked for a decision on the project within two weeks. Board members agreed.

FYI: 

The DEC, last week announced policy and procedures for vehicle storage including the necessary DEC reviews required in environmentally sensitive areas. 

In 2010 The NYS Department Of Environmental Conservation fined Kings Park sand mine owner Anthony Santilli $200,000 for operating a landfill inside a deep-flow recharge area without a permit and unlawful disposal of solid waste.

In 2008 DEC fined Santilli $275,000 - encroaching a buffer between property and residential neighbors.

In 2004 John Zollo represented Santilli’s Application to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to mine 25 feet deeper than authorized at the Northport-Kings Park Road Site.