Town Board To Accept Kings Park Youth Association's AED Offer

KPY Trustee John McQuaid“Acceptance of an AED from the Kings Park Youth Organization pursuant to the town’s current policy on AED equipment and to further authorize the Supervisor to execute any and all agreements, on a form approved by the Town Attorney.” Resolution 4R on Town’s agenda May 17, 2012.

In a unanimous decision (Councilman Malloy was not in attendance) the Smithtown Town Board reversed its long-standing position regarding Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Kings Park Youth (KPY) Association Trustee, John McQuaid, couldn’t be happier.  Mr. McQuaid’s twin 12-year old sons play on one of the KPY teams.  Mr. McQuaid was concerned that a piece of equipment that could possibly save the life of a child would not be available when it was needed. 

John McQuaid went to work on correcting what he felt was a no-brainer.  KPY would pay for the AED and keep it at **Kings Park Memorial Field where the kids played.  The AED would be available should anyone need it. Adults would train to use it appropriately.  There was a consensus in the KPY organization that this was something they wanted to do.  Other towns had them and there is a history of AEDs saving lives.

According to Pediatric Cardiologist, Dr. T. Biancaniello Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Columbia Doctors- Pediatric Cardiology, “There are many studies that prove the effectiveness of AEDs in out-of-hospital arrests.  One early study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002, reported the outcomes at Chicago airports where AED’s were placed within a 60-90 second brisk walk from any location.  Of the 18 patients who developed Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), bystanders saved 11. Without the AED all would have died.  Studies have also shown that time is of the essence.  Within 3-5 minutes of an arrest, AEDs have a good chance of success.”

KPY sent a letter to the Town Board on March 20^th announcing KPY’s donation of an AED. The surprise came when a letter, dated April 12^th, from Deputy Town Attorney Matt Jakubowski, arrived and stated that the Town was not willing to accept the donation.  Subsequent to the letter the Board met on April 19 and Mr. McQuaid made his appeal in person.  The Town Board was still resistant calling it a liability issue. The Supervisor stated that he had coached Kings Park Little League for 12 years and couldn’t recall ever needing a defibrillator.

According to Dr. Biancaniello, “While the overwhelming numbers of victims of VF are adults, there are three conditions that occur in children and adolescents that result in death from VF during exercise.  Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a primary cardiac muscle disorder) and anomalous origin of the left coronary artery  (a congenital birth defect where the main coronary artery comes off the wrong part of the circulatory system) are conditions that can cause sudden VF during exercise.  Without the prompt administration of defibrillator, these patients will die within minutes.  The other condition is called commotio cordis, which is a result of blunt force impact to chest.  If a young child or adolescent is struck with a hard object in the chest at a critical time in the cardiac electrical cycle (a certain part that last only 15-30 milliseconds), ventricular fibrillation results.  Again, CPR without defibrillation cannot terminate VF and prevent sudden death.”

Since the April Board meeting there have been ongoing conversations between Mr. McQuaid and Town Attorney Zollo, Supervisor Vecchio and Council members.  According to Mr. McQuaid KPY will cover the cost of the AED and its housing.  The Town is examining the liability issue, which is not expected to be a problem. There will be further discussion before the agreement between KPY and the Town is signed. 

Today, Mr. McQuaid is happy.  “If we save the life of one child it is worth it. Hopefully it won’t be vandalized or tampered with, but if it is we will replace it. That is the commitment we are happy to make to the kids.”

According to Dr. Biancaniello, “AEDs are life saving devices we cannot afford to do without.” Mr. McQuaid couldn’t agree more.  And now, it seems, Smithtown’s Town Board agrees.

 **The article was corrected - the field was incorrectly identified as Tiffany Field and has been changed to Kings Park Memorial Field. **

What's Cookin? Smithtown

A big welcome to Nancy Vallarella.  Nancy loves food and restaurants.  That may sound like a path leading to obesity but not in Nancy’s case.  She is a savy consumer who takes pride in making the right culinary choices for herself, her family and now for you!

Nancy is busy creating our new restaurant/food directory.  Click Here She has recently committed to informing readers at SmithtownMatters.com about events hosted by local restaurants and food venues. She can be reached here a Smithtown Matters by leaving a comment below the article or Nancy@smithtownmatters.com or at her facebook page What’s Cookin? Smithtown.

Ciao or Chow for now.

What’s Cookin?  Smithtown – By Nancy Vallarella

A great big helping of customer satisfaction and service!

The first Smithtown restaurants to help launch our new culinary column are innovators that are always customer oriented.  They offer the best quality food; value and service to our community are at the top of their priority lists.

The Seaqua Deli of St. James serves up an extensive breakfast menu, countless gourmet sandwiches, wraps, grilled items, a chopped salad bar and daily specials that include homemade soups and hot dinners. I know for a fact they are a popular go to resource for many busy households and local business, including the kitchen staff of many local restaurants! Great food and friendly service are always available but the goodness doesn’t stop there. Daily specials are posted via facebook. Orders are currently taken in person, by phone, fax and now…by text!  Text your Sequa Deli orders to 631-682-8495. 

Butera’s of Smithtown has become the star of family dining. Christenings, Communions, Confirmations, Bridal and Baby Showers are easily accommodated for everyone’s tastes and needs.  Everyday dining menu selections are offered as individual and family style servings.   Pasta and sandwich lunch entrees are available for $10 and kids eat for free (from the kids menu) with the purchase of an adult entrée. Bye-bye fast food drive thru. It’s no surprise that Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days here. What’s new? - Reservations can now be made through Open Table or Butera’s web site.   

Faradays of Smithtown is an iconic Main Street establishment. Current owner’s Tom and Claudia have been at the helm for nearly twenty years and have worked here for several more! Pride in ownership and reaching out to the community are as visible as the mouthwatering Continental cuisine served here. Late night dining, daily drink specials, 4 Course Price Fix Menu offered Mon. – Thurs. for $18.95, outdoor dining and CRAFT BEER WEEK until May 20^th.  Check out their web site for $20 off check promotion!  

Please visit Smithtown Matters Restaurant Guide for direct access to the above mentioned establishment’s web sites and facebook pages.

Nancy Vallarella

Upcoming Culinary Events:

Uncle Giuseppe’s will host reality TV stars Jacqueline Laurita and Caroline Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey at their Smithtown location on Saturday 5/19 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  They are there to promote BLK Water.  American Roadside in Smithtown announced on-line ordering available now on their web site. The Kitchen a Trottoria of Saint James is hosting a beer pairing dinner with Port Jeff Brewing Company on Sunday, May 20th from 1-4pm. Their menu will be a 5 course pairing for $65.00plus tax & gratuity. Crumb Belles of Saint James will be participating in Art in the Park – Heckscher Park, Huntington, June 2 &3 rd. Their divine tasty treats will be available to sample and purchase.  Mark your calendar, Sunday, June 3^rd is Smithtown Day!

Safety Improvements on Main Street Completed

It’s finished.  On Friday, May 11, 2012 the New York State Department of Transportation’s (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald announced the completion of pedestrian safety improvements in Smithtown.  The improvements, on NYS Route 25/25A – Main Street, were enacted to encourage safer and slower driving on a stretch of road in Smithtown that has been the scene of serious pedestrian injuries and deaths.

“We moved quickly to provide safety improvements that provide greater protections for pedestrians.” Said Joan McDonald in her press statement. “Walkers should feel more secure when crossing and motorists should better understand the need to drive with caution.”

Changes to Route 25/25A include a new configuration for westbound travel.  Westbound travel will merge into a single lane after the Rte. 111 intersection.  There will be left turn lanes at intersections between Rte. 111 and New York Avenue/Redwood lane.

In addition to new crosswalks and pedestrian signals, existing crosswalks have been widened.  Pedestrian walk signal timing has been altered to stop traffic in all directions allowing walkers more time to start crossing before vehicles get a green light.

A “rest in red” policy has been implemented at Lawrence and Maple Avenues.  Rest in red means traffic signals will remain red until a vehicle has pulled up to the intersection. Only when the car is at the intersection will the signal turn green.  According to the DOT this will help deter speeding during off-peak hours when there is less traffic and increased opportunity to speed. 

Left turns will be prohibited at Singer Avenue and the Branch Shopping Center.

Will these changes work? Some people think not.  One resident who declined to give his name likened the changes to putting paint on a structurally unsound house. “ It may look better but the underlying problems still exist.”

NYSDOT is hopeful that the safety improvements will work and reduce pedestrian –vehicle accidents.  The DOT will continue to monitor the traffic and determine whether further enhancements are warranted.

Nesconset resident Ray G. put it this way “It is the state’s responsibility to make the road safe and navigable. It is however, ultimately, up to drivers and pedestrians to follow traffic laws.”

Update on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 8:48AM by .

7:57 A.M. Tuesday 5/15/2012 - Westbound traffic on 25 backed up to Mavis Transmission.

8:12 A.M. Tuesday 5/15/2012 - Westbound traffic moving along. No traffic back-up until the merge on Main Street.

Students From Bretagne, France Experience Smithtown Lifestyle

French Exchange 2012

      Last March, twenty students from Bretagne, France were welcomed into Smithtown High School West. They experienced the “American lifestyle”, by attending school, living with American families, and participating in activities that typical teenagers would. Sixteen High School Students, from Madame Gallagher’s class,  (Nicole Barriere, Taryn Dunigan, Nick Eng, Cassidy Foley, Mike Gerver, Danielle Gladstone, Sara Heinlein, Sarah Kearns,  Catherine Kinney, Samantha Kodack, Krista Lamberti, Nicholai Mitchko, Sam O’Carroll, Vera Penavic, Emily Roach, and Faryn Solomon) , eagerly, opened their homes to the French. I happened to have the privilege of hosting two exchange students and it was absolutely amazing. They had the chance to see NYC for the first time and all of the beautiful sights on long island. All of the host students and I became extremely close with the exchange students.  We were able to learn so much about each other. There is so much out there in the world and experiences like this help us to broaden our perspectives. I can’t wait to participate in the exchange next year. —Sara Heinlein

Smithtown Graduate Mike Vigliarolo Named Atlantic 10 Rookie Of The Week

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Saint Louis freshman first baseman Mike Vigliarolo was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for games played April 30 - May 6. He is the first Billiken freshman to earn Rookie of the Week accolades this season.

Vigliarolo powered the Billikens to four wins last week, including a conference sweep of St. Bonaventure to put Saint Louis in a tie for first place in the A-10. On the week, he hit .375 with a .725 slugging percentage. Against the Bonnies, the Smithtown, N.Y., native hit .500 (5-10) with a .600 slugging percentage and .545 on-base percentage.

In addition to his balanced production at the plate, Vigliarolo showed prowess in the field, by going error-free in 26 chances on the week. On the season, he has only one error in 243 chances and a Billiken freshman-record 232 putouts.

Vigliarolo and the Bills will return to action Thursday, May 8, against Eastern Illinois at 6:00 p.m. The contest will be the final home game for Saint Louis in 2012. (Reprint Newport News)