Pay Attention When You Are Driving

Dear Editor,

I would like to remind people that school is open and there are children walking to bus stops.  Please be careful when you drive.

I know that everyone is in a hurry and children are not always paying attention.  Kids tend to walk in the street without looking for cars.  It is always up to the driver to be aware and to know what is happening around them.

Do not text, do not talk on the phone and do not play with your radio, ipod or any other gizmo. 

Thank you.

Mary Ann S. – St. James

Horizons Counseling Center Ribbon Cutting

It’s official! Horizons Counseling Center is open in its new home. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, September 20th. The Center’s new home located at 161 East Main Street, Smithtown, has been in the works for over six years.

The counseling center which was moved from its very cramped quarters to its new location, now has ample space ensuring privacy for its patrons.  Is Director Elaine Econonmopoulis happpy? She is ecstatic.  “Because of the tight quarters at the former location, programs were spread out in many different town buildings, creating scheduling challenges. The new building is handicapped accessible, has a working elevator and room for our meetings and programs.”

With a smile from ear to ear, Elaine expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout the planning and moving process “The people here today all played a role in this project and none more than Supervisor Vecchio.”

Supervisor Vecchio gave a brief history of the project, highlighting some of the challenges the town faced in the selection and development of the location. He also emphasized the importance of the facility. He spoke of an article published by Newsday, which identified in detail drug abuse in Smithtown and other towns. The article brought to the forefront of everyone’s conciousness the complexity of the problem and the horrible impact it was having on Smithtown’s residents.  

Supervisor Vecchio, known for his frugal ways, found a way to pay for the project without it impacting on the tax-payers. The funding comes through grants from New York State and according to those involved, it came in on budget. When pressed for a comment, the Supervisor admitted to being proud of this facility and the work being done at Horizons. “There’s not too many Towns that have a facility like this. The Newsday article, in an almost favorable dipiction of the efforts of our community to address a serious serious problem helped to make this happen. It couldn’t have happened years ago. And yes, I am proud.” 

Horizons is a not-for-profit agency funded through NYS to provide adolescent and adult treatment, prevention and education services for drug and alcohol related problems. Fees are based on a sliding scale and insurance is accepted.

In addition to Counseling Horizons offers programs in Parenting, Life Skills, Senior Resiliency Group and much more. To learn more click on Horizons.

Commack Graduate John Mangelli Running For U.S. Senate On The Common Sense Line

To:          The People

John MangelliFrom:    John Mangelli

RE:        John Mangelli for U.S. Senate Campaign 2012

 John Mangelli for U.S. Senate November 2012

 For the people not the special interest.

Allow me to introduce myself.  I am a lawyer, practicing in New York since 1996 and Florida since 1998.  I am also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and Court of International Trade.  I am a Coast Guard Auxiliary member and prior member of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police.  I am the youngest of eight children.  My father is a retired NYCFD Chief.  I am a youth coach, husband and father of three.  I graduated from Commack High School North, went to Suffolk County Community College, then SUNY Farmingdale then graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park.  After graduating college I worked in Asia(Japan, Korea) for AFES a/k/a the Armed Forces Exchange Services.  I worked on military bases all over Asia and it was my first experience with the military and I loved it.  I left Japan to go to law school in Michigan.  I graduated from Thomas Cooley Law School in 1995 and was admitted in New York in 1996.  I may not have been a scholar but I was elected the President of my student body, President of the Italian law society and class representative of the American Bar Association.  I received awards such as most distinguished student.  I became a lawyer because as a young boy I wanted to protect the animals, ocean and the environment.  My father said that if I wanted to make a difference I would first have to become a lawyer.  Life put these goals on hold until recently.  For many years I wanted to make a difference but starting a new business and raising a family is where I put my time.  This year I made a decision not to sit back and hope the politicians running for office will actually do some good.  This year I took it upon myself, knowing my shortcomings to see if there are people out there that feel the same way I do.  I collected about 27,000.00 signatures from Long Island, NYC and upstate New York to get the opportunity to be placed on the ballot this November as a candidate for U.S. Senator.  Everyone is looking for a change and I can provide that by being an independent common sense candidate.  

No more borrowing on the backs of the tax payers.  I have personally experienced the pain that many New Yorkers are feeling and most of it probably is not their fault.  How can you protect yourself from greed and deceit on top of taxes?  I am fiscally conservative and I will fight against spending money we don’t have.  It’s hard out there and we need to keep as much of our own money in our own pockets as possible.  

You can trust that I will advocate for common sense and public opinion.  I stand for a Nation where honesty and hard work pays off.  I stand for believing in God, whatever God you believe in.  I’m not an angel and I’m not applying for the saint position.   

I have represented New Yorkers in all kinds of legal matters, however my practice has been predominately litigation, foreclosure defense and debt related matters.  I have tried to save people from the horror of foreclosure and in most cases have been successful.  I have represented individual clients during my entire practice and I know the trouble New Yorkers are facing.

I am born and raised in New York.  I’m running because I want to return the power to the people.  Everything I want as a candidate I want as a constituent.  Whatever I want for myself I want for you.

I will only make promises that I can keep.  I can promise you that if I was elected you would have a say.  My job is to educate you on the issues and let you decide.  The decisions must be made by the voters of New York, not one person or special interest.

This is the only fair way to bring the power back to the people.  This is the only way to have the people rule not be ruled. 

Give me the chance and I won’t let you down.

In addition I believe white collar criminals should receive the same treatment as any other criminal.  They should do the same time in the same jail.  I believe pedophiles should not get special protection in jail.  I believe the environment needs to be protected and human trafficking must be stopped.  I dont believe this really matters but just in case it does, in 2007 I went bankrupt.  There are many reasons I could give you but the bottom line is that my expenses were much greater then my income.   I have learned alot from that experience and I believe it makes me a stronger candidate.  We must be fiscally conservative.  Again these are just my thoughts and before anything would be done you would have a say.  Thank you for your time.  

Call Leads To Fine For Target Corp. - Selling Illegal Pesticides On LI

TARGET ORDERED TO PAY FINE FOR SALE OF ILLEGAL PESTICIDES

Pesticide removed from store shelves to safeguard Long Island’s drinking water

The Target Corporation agreed to a civil penalty of $43,850 after a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) investigation revealed the company was selling pesticides banned on Long Island.  The company was ordered to remove these pesticides from all stores throughout the region in addition to the penalty.

 “Long Island’s sole source aquifer is especially vulnerable to contamination, and DEC Pesticide Control Specialists take their responsibility to enforce environmental laws very seriously,” DEC Region 1 Director Peter A. Scully said. “This investigation is just one example of the important work that DEC staff perform every day to help protect Long Island’s environment.”

In September, 2011, DEC’s Region 1 Bureau of Pest Management received a telephone inquiry from a concerned resident who had been shopping at a local Target Brands retail store.  While reading a pesticide label for a rose and flower care product, he noticed the following label statement: “Not for sale, sale into, distribution and or use in Nassau, Suffolk, Kings and Queens counties of New York.”

The call sparked an investigation by DEC’s Pesticide Control Specialists, who, following an inspection, discovered several units of two banned pesticides at the Target store in Levittown. The pesticides included Bayer Advanced 2-in-1 Systemic Rose and Flower Care and Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer.  These pesticides have been banned on Long Island, including Kings and Queens counties, to protect the underground aquifer that supplies the region’s drinking water.

The unregistered pesticides were quarantined and, with cooperation from the Target Corporation, DEC ordered the removal of all unregistered pesticides from Target stores throughout the region.  Documents obtained by DEC revealed that while the products were on the shelves, 1,754 units of the unregistered pesticides were sold.

The Target Corporation was found to be in violation of Environmental Conservation Law which requires the registration every two years of any pesticide which is used, distributed, sold or offered for sale within this state or delivered for transportation or transported in intrastate commerce or between points within this state through any point outside the state.  Target Corporation signed an Order on Consent on September 12, 2012 and paid a fine of $43,850.

Any individual who has purchased either of the aforementioned pesticides can contact his or her Town Hall to determine where to safely dispose of the chemicals.  For questions regarding refunds, please contact your local Target store for more information.

Although the pesticides sold are considered safe for handling when label instructions are properly followed, these products, along with nearly 400 other pesticides registered in New York, have been banned from use on Long Island to help protect the groundwater aquifer that supplies the region’s drinking water. When purchasing any pesticide, read the label carefully to ensure the chemical is appropriate for your region and applied properly. A list of currently registered pesticides in New York state can be found on DEC’s website here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/27354.html

Anyone concerned about the sale, use or distribution of pesticides can call DEC Bureau of Pesticides at (631) 444-0340.  For general pesticide questions, contact the National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378.

Anyone who observes an environmental crime in progress can anonymously contact DEC’s Environmental Conservation Officers at (631) 444-0250 or 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7998).

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown - Nesconset Farmer’s Market – More than just veggies!

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

 By Nancy Vallarella - Photos by Nikki Vallarella

Nesconset Farmer’s Market – More than just veggies!

Since the beginning of July, the Nesconset Farmer’s Market has been selling farm fresh goods to Smithtown residents.  Naturally, vegetables are a popular item. They are plentiful here but there are other goods available that are truly noteworthy.

Papa Pasquale Ravioli comes to us from Brooklyn every Saturday morning.  Zagat rated “The Best Ravioli in the 5 Boroughs of NYC”.  The Vallarella family rating – Two thumbs up, unable to speak because it is rude to speak with your mouth full of delicious ravioli! Try their sauce and prepared meals too.

Island hopping from the island of Staten to the island of Long isArtisan Bakers Group. You really can get your carbs on here. Many varieties of bread and baked goodies are offered. My daughter and I arrived at their stand around 9:30 and managed to get the last blueberry scone. It was our lucky day! Try the soft pretzel. I found it very unique in shape, texture and taste.  A welcomed change over the pretzel I had from a vendor in NYC which was traditional in shape but over salted and over baked.  It is no surprise to find out that Artisan Bakers Group supplies many Manhattan restaurants and gourmet stores.

The food industry has always contributed a variety of buzz words to our everyday conversations. Supersize, super food, fast food, slow food, fat free, sugar free to name a few.  Lately the hands down, most popular food industry buzz word goes to – gluten free.  Coming to us from the Bronx is gluten-free Golden Glow Cookies.  Over fifty years ago, when the company was established by a father and daughter, I am sure they were oblivious to this now ever growing need.

A pop culture revitalized phenomenon attributed to Snookie of the Jersey Shore is the popularity of the pickle.  Everything old becomes new again. Guss’ Pickles  was founded by a Polish immigrant, Isidor Guss.  He arrived in New York in 1910 and settled in the Lower East Side. Clustered in the “pickle district” of Essex and Ludlow streets, early 20th century pickle vendors gave birth to what would be known as “New York style” pickles. You can bite into Guss’ Pickles at the market or have them shipped nationwide to your favorite pickle fan.

While we are on the subject of out of town loved ones – BearBerry Artisanal sells their products individually and in care packages – “Customized Gift Baskets made with Love”. Send your homesick college student a basket of stuffed cookies, cupcakes and jarred goods with ingredients to make baked goods like Cake N’ Cup – chocolate cake ingredients that are poured into a coffee cup and baked in the microwave! Beware; everything at this stand looks sinfully good. I am very particular when it comes to sweets. I usually never have a problem passing on desert. I have a big problem passing this stand without making a purchase. I officially give BearBerry cupcakes my Calorie Worthy Seal of Approval. They taste as good as they look.

There is more; fresh fish, plants, flowers, cheese, body care products and of course - vegetables. New vendors and products come on board every week. The Nesconset Farmer’s Market is opened on Saturday from 9:00am till 1:00pm until November 17th. It is located in the parking lot of 127 Smithtown Blvd. (across the street from the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Library).