Middle Island, June 18, 2012 – Responding to a stunning press release issued this afternoon by incumbent Congressman Tim Bishop urging illegal immigrants to contact his office so he can expedite them taking advantage of President Obama’s unilateral executive order effectively granting them amnesty, self-made businessman and Republican challenger Randy Altschuler said the move demonstrated Bishop’s misplaced priorities and complete lack of focus on creating jobs and improving Long Island’s devastated economy.
Altschuler said that in these tough economic times, Tim Bishop’s priority is assigning a taxpayer funded caseworker to expedite President Obama’s backdoor amnesty program. In contrast, Altschuler’s 10-Point Jobs Plan (www.Randy2012.com/jobsplan) calls for a caseworker in his future office solely focused on bringing new jobs back to Suffolk County.
“Congressman Bishop’s announcement today is a slap in the face to the more than 30,000 Long Islanders who have lost their jobs since he took office nearly ten years ago,” said Altschuler. “While his constituents are in the midst of a deep and sustained economic crisis, Tim Bishop is using taxpayer-funded employees in his office to implement President Obama’s unilateral, backdoor amnesty program for illegal immigrants. This announcement is proof that Congressman Bishop’s head is completely buried in the sand when it comes to our dismal economy and lack of jobs here in Suffolk County. He is so out-of-touch, it’s frightening.”
State Parks held a meeting at 1:30 PM on Thursday, June 14th to brief community leaders about the impending demolition of 19 buildings/structures and associated tunnels at the Nissequogue River State Park. We were told that the work will commence at the end of July and last approximately 8 months.
The $6.4 million contract was awarded to a Bloomington, Indiana company called National Salvage and Service Corporation, which presented the lowest bid on the project. The work is expected to be completed by April or May, 2013. Air monitoring stations will be setup around each demolition site by D&B Engineers and Architects. The monitoring process, part of the community monitoring program, will help ensure our residents safety.
The only change to the original demolition plan is a decision to implode, instead of dismantle, the smoke stack at the former power station. State Parks will establish a 1,000 foot perimeter around the stack before the implosion takes place. They will also setup a viewing station for anyone who wants to watch the action from a safe distance. The community will be notified in advance of the demolition of this specific structure.
Each demolition site will be contained and will have a large buffer zone. Access to each site will be restricted. The park will remain open and operate as normally as possible. The Boulevard will remain open unless it is necessary to close it for safety reasons. Trucks leaving the work area will depart from 25A and Indian Head Road.
We hope Senator Flanagan will encourage State Parks to facilitate the complete remediation of the park in the near future. “The fact that the accepted bid was significantly lower than originally anticipated is an encouraging sign and I look forward to working with State Parks to use the remaining funds in the most effective and efficient way possible,” said Flanagan.
State Parks is in the process of constructing a new website that will update the community on the demolition’s progress. The web address will be www.kppccleanup.com.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact: State Parks Police - 631-321-3700 Director Ron Foley - 631-321-3402
June 16, 2012. The Smithtown Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) held its 4th annual “Soldiers on the Sound” Fluke Fishing Tournament in honor of armed forces who have served or are currently serving in the military. Members of the SBYC brought their boats out of Smithtown Bay Harbor at Long Beach, each with two or three veterans or active service people who were competing in the tournament.
The event is the project of Kings Park resident Mark Garry, who is the president of the SBYC. A retired Nassau detective, Garry describes a day in 2008 when he came back from a long day of fishing. He was struck when he saw on the television images of soldiers overseas trying to relax on their exhausting tour of duty. He says, “It occurred to me that I fish to relax and maybe these guys would want to do the same thing.”
Garry’s idea turned into a quick success. The idea is simple: to give back to the soldiers while having a good time. The SBYC has teamed up with the 106th Rescue Wing to invite both participants and volunteers. This year was the most successful event so far, with 33 boats and more than 70 service people participating. Attendance has more than doubled since 2009, the first “Soldiers on the Sound” event, which consisted of only15 boats and 25 soldiers. Unfortunately, the event is required to be by invitation only, as a safety precaution.
The winners of the tournament were John Angerame and Curtis Johnson, both of the 106th Rescue Wing, captained by Paul Schumann, participating as a guest of SBYC member John Gershio. The boat had no first mate. Both soldiers were on cloud nine after their big win, and Schumann was very pleased as well. “What’s important is that we all helped land that fish,” he said. “It was a team effort.” The fluke they caught was *7 pounds, 15 ounces.
“A team effort” was the theme of the day overall. Each of the boats was successful because of the cooperation between soldiers and boaters, but the event itself would not have been possible without the support of countless volunteers, including SBYC members, community members, and businesses both local and national. The volunteers expertly handled feeding the participants, weighing the fish, and organizing the raffle all at the same time. The raffle consisted of a huge assortment of gifts from Smithtown businesses and national businesses, all of whom took a profound interest in the event. Among the most generous donations were a rifle inscribed with “Soldiers on the Sound 2012,” a 46” flat-screen television, and a one-seat kayak. SBYC public relations manager Michele March said, “Nearly everyone should be able to go home with something.” The Chris Jennings Band, from Northport, provided live music.
In the end, the SBYC succeeded in its mission to serve the soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect our country. 95% of the 106th Rescue Wing are from Long Island, so the day was a community event that brought about lasting friendships. “They’ve got my number now, and we’ll definitely be in touch,” said Schumann about the soldiers who were his partners and winners of the contest.
The day put a personal touch on a bond of service and gratitude.
* This article was amended - the winning fluke was 7lbs 15 ounces not 7lbs. 5oz. as originally written.
Thursday, June 14, 2012. A public informational meeting was held at the Nissequogue River State Park concerning the demolition of buildings formerly part of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. The meeting hosted by Ron Foley, regional director of State Parks, addressed questions about the demolition schedule, methods and safety concerns.
Dvirka & Bartilucci Consulting Engineers (D&B) are currently contracted to manage the project. D&B spokesperson, Frank DeVita, addressed the method of demolition and the equipment to be used. He indicated the equipment was specifically designed to ensure safety. DeVita addressed the concerns about air pollution and noise pollution that have some Kings Park residents worried. To this end, D&B will set up four monitoring stations around each demolition site with each measuring dust, hazardous particles, and noise pollution. Data from these stations will be transmitted directly to staff computers through a remote modem. In the case of an exceedance of any of these emission levels, work will be stopped until engineers find a way to decrease the emission.
Each demolition area will be completely contained, with check-in stations at each entrance preventing anyone from accidentally wandering onto a hazardous demolition site.
The “only major change” in the project since the initial contract with D&B has been the method for demolishing the famous smokestack, which sits close to the north end of Old Dock Road. The smokestack will now undergo a “controlled implosion” from dynamite placed as high as 35 feet from the ground. With the bottom blown out, the smokestack is expected to collapse straight down, without any major hazard. Before demolition, the structure will be wrapped in 9-gauge geotextile, a fabric fence designed to stop debris and dust from escaping.
Despite the minimal hazard anticipated, precautions are being established in the form of a 1000-foot exclusion zone to be maintained during the implosion and for 72 hours afterward. The blast itself is expected to last only 5 seconds and will not exceed noise ordinances.
Nissequogue River State Park will remain open while demolition is occurring. The project has been pushed back once again, and is now expected to begin “in late July” and continue for 8 months. A total of 19 buildings are intended to be demolished. Most of these will be demolished individually, except those, which are located in clusters, such as Buildings 122 and 123. As each work site will be separately contained, park patrons and activities are not expected to be negatively impacted.
Approximately 40 people were in attendance. If residents at the meeting had one concern, it was for the schools. Now that the project will not begin until late summer, it will likely spana good part of the school year. This is a special concern for San Remo Elementary School, William T. Rogers Middle School, and Kings Park High School, all of which are located directly adjacent to former Psychiatric Center Property. Several residents complained both of difficulty in communication with State Park Police and a lack of a public schedule for the demolition. Mr. Foley made assurances that these issues will be resolved well before the actual project begins. The school board and local parents requested that the demolition schedule be planned with consideration for the public school schedule, for which they received an indefinite answer.
D&B plans to launch a website explaining the details of this project. The site will be online within the next couple of weeks at kppccleanup.com.
Summer 2012 is upon us. Time to embrace the great outdoors and fire up the barbie! Before your enthusiasm wanes, start out by cleaning the grill and checking the gas connections for leaks. Remember to store a backup gas tank in a safe place.
Once the grill is in order, get your grilling menu repertoires sparking! The standard hamburger and hot dog feasts get old fast. Get your creative juices following…
The Kings Park Farmers Market opens June 24th. It is located in the Municipal Lot on 25A across from the Kings Park Firehouse. Take a look at their Facebook page for vendor announcements. There will be more there than veggies!
Check out The Crushed Olive of Stony Brook. They offer over 18 different flavor infused extra virgin olive oils and over 20 balsamic vinegars to enhance your grilling ingredients. Items can be purchased on their website but I recommend visiting the store. There you can sample the evoos and vinegars. The store also carries other gourmet items. While visiting in June, ask for the details of their Grilling Recipe Contest. Winners will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to The Crushed Olive and an embroidered Crushed Olive apron.
Feeling a little intimidated around the grill? No worries, there is plenty of help in town. Elegant Eating of Smithtown offers cooking classes. The July BBQ class and Luau class are wait list only but if you hurry, The Thrill of the Grill class in August is open. Reference their website: www.eleganteating.com for class details.
Go to Smithtown Matters Food and Restaurant Directory and click on Sequa Deli. Click their Catering Menu and select Picnics. There you will find Sequa’s gamut of outdoor dining options. All American Picnic and BBQs, Pig Roast, Aloha Hawaiian Luau, Southern BBQ, Long Island Clam Bakes – it’s all there!
Do you fear the etymologist’s predictions that we will pay for our mild past winter with an insect population explosion this summer? Concerned your guests will be carried off by armies of ants or annoyed by nipping mosquitos? We have solutions!
The newest culinary establishment to join Smithtown Matters Food and Restaurant Directory: Butterfields of Hauppauge. Thiscameleonesque establishment is hidden on the boarder of Hauppauge’s industrial complex. Its unassuming exterior gives way to an impressive 40 foot mahogany bar, a surprisingly chic dining area with high back loveseats serving lunch, dinner and catering for up to 140 people. Owner Mike Shalley and Executive Chef /Owner Jerry Suppa magically morph Butterfields from lunch to dinner to late night entertainment establishment seven days a week. Lunch is not served on Saturdays and Sundays but Butterfields is open for private catered events. How do they do it? Let’s just say Mr. Shalley’s savvy hospitality business experience and Chef Suppa’s culinary expertise (Johnson and Whales University College of Culinary Arts, Garden City Hotel and the Oyster Bar) makes a dynamic duo. Do some chillin at Butterfields. Saturday night DJ and dancing to the 70’s and 80’s. Friday night live bands until the end of June. On June 27th, Butterfields will host a four-course California Wine Pairing dinner for $65/ pp.++. Reservations are recommended.
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Monday, June 18, 2012 at 6:16PM 
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