First Responders Memorial In Nesconset Unveiled

Two years ago a group of first responders, first responder widows and community members envisioned a memorial dedicated to the first responders who succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses.

Today, for the first time, in our great country, we have a place for all those responders to call home. This memorial will be a place where Police Officers, Fire Fighters, EMS and volunteers to name a few can all be honored together and where their loved ones can come to reflect on their great sacrifice to America.

Today continues our journey. Our work is not done. As a committee, we stand very proud. In creating this memorial we exude the same pride every American citizen displayed responding on September 11^th, 2001 and the weeks and months thereafter. We have overcome Irene and an earthquake; torrential rains and frustrating days; and hurdles and obstacles we never imagined.

We have toiled on this very soil putting our blood, sweat and tears to make this very day possible…and now we are here.

While tomorrow we reflect on the horrific events that occurred ten years ago, take solace that you and your loved ones will never be forgotten.

And to all my brother and sister first responders that we have lost, we miss you, we love you and we will always remember you.

In closing to them:

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean we’ll miss you. 
Until we meet again.

God Bless you all and God Bless the United States of America.

Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr.

September 10, 2011

9/11 Responders Remembered Unveiling

9 - 11 Editorial

This Sunday marks the 10^th anniversary of  9-11.  It is hard to believe that ten years have passed since we experienced the horror of watching airplanes filled with everyday people turned into weapons of destruction.    We can all remember the pain and anger we felt upon learning about the death of so many innocent people. We can remember the outrage we felt upon learning that there were extremists who under the guise of religion, slaughtered innocent people here in America.

The world changed ten years ago.  Security at airports, train and bus stations, even bridges and tunnels, is a visible change that although important, inconveniences travelers.  Security in our public spaces, and where people gather, has been increased.  But there have been other more subtle changes as well.  Many Americans express a feeling of vulnerability and loss of innocence.

Our challenge, as witnesses and survivors of that day, is to find an appropriate way to honor the memory of those who died on 9 -11 and those who have died since due to illnesses and injury related to 9 -11. Commemorating the day by participating in a service and creating memorials is one way to honor victims.  Another equally important way to honor their memory is to live life and treat each day and the people in our lives as the wonderful gifts they are. 

Pat

Congratulations - Stephanie Sheehan - Northeast 10 Rookie Of The Week - Volleyball

#12 - Stephanie Sheehan

Position: OH

Year: Fr.

Hometown: Smithtown, NY

High School: St. Anthony’s

Height: 6-0

Major: Elementary Education

Personal/ High School – Born January 12, 1993…daughter of Mike and Teri Sheehan…has one sibling, Michael…three time league champion and two time state champion at St. Anthony’s high school…received the spirit award as a junior…led her team to an undefeated record as a junior and senior…was named to the All-State team as a senior…recipient of the sportsmanship award during her senior campaign…elementary education major at Merrimack.

Stephanie Sheehan, Merrimack (Fr., OH, Smithtown, N.Y.) - In her first two career matches, Sheehan picked up 32 kills (19 against Saint Anselm, 13 against Mercy) and a double-double on 13 kills and 10 digs against Mercy. She hit .319 in two matches and averaged 3.56 kills per set.

northeast-10 LIbero oF the week

northeast-10 setter oF the week

Last week’s resULts

Hurricane Irene Heroes Right Here In Smithtown

Last weekend Hurricane Irene hit Long Island with tropical storm strength winds and rain. As of Friday afternoon, September 2^nd,  LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) was reporting that there were still approximately 7,800 customers throughout the town without power. Historically August 2011 was one of the wettest Augusts’ on record. A combination of a wetter than normal August, additional rain from the storm and winds exceeding 60 miles an hour for an extended period of time caused hundreds of trees in Smithtown to uproot, break and lose branches, often taking power lines with them.

People throughout the town have stories to tell of life without power, Internet, phone service, refrigeration and television.  During the month’s that follow there will be discussions of the weaknesses that were exposed during the storm. There are bound to be conversations about communication failures, the pros and cons of burying power lines and having a single provider for cable, phone and Internet.  

Those discussions can wait until next week.

 Today, the discussion should be about heroes.  And there were many of them. You probably saw them or perhaps you are one of them.  They were the people checking on their neighbors, helping those without refrigeration, phones and hot water.  The heroes are the volunteer firefighters who were trimming trees, directing traffic and checking on the elderly.  The heroes are the Police officers who stood out in the rain and brought order to traffic jams, Ems personnel, public safety personnel and the lines-men and women who dealt with extraordinary circumstances and still managed to get power up and running.

 There will be plenty of time for criticism and to review the adequacy of the response to Hurricane Irene.  Today, however, as we begin Labor Day Weekend, a holiday acknowledging the contributions, struggles and sacrifices made by working people it seems appropriate that we recognize the contributions made by working people during Hurricane Irene. 

 Special recognition goes to:

Mike at Smithtown Bagels Inc.,  1 Miller Pl. Smithtown.  Smithtown Bagels was an oasis in the desert to those of us wandering around desperately seeking caffeine last Sunday and every day since.  Thank you Mike!

Starbucks In Commack – Starbucks became the go to place for Internet access and to get some work done.  For many the hardest part of life without power was the inability to log on and get some work done.  The Commack Starbucks, across from the Mayfair Shopping Center, provided that access.  Each time I went there every table, chair and outlet was occupied.  The staff was friendly, helpful and never did they make anyone feel uncomfortable or pressure anyone to make a purchase.

 WBLI - Thank you and thank you! Radio station WBLI provided the public with information.  In a world accustomed to access to information 24/7 there was little to be found.  WBLI filled that void. It quickly became the go to place for information about the storm, outages in our area, what was happening with LIPA and the restoration of power in our area.  KUDOS to WBLI !

Smithtown Matters  wishes swift power return to those still without … To all those who labored to make it happen, our gratitude.  Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

Pat Biancaniello

Last Minute Shoppers Find Many Items Unavailable

I’m sorry but we are out of flashlights, “D” batteries and generators.  Yes we will be receiving additional shipments of generators. I’m sorry but they are all pre-sold. No, I cannot get a generator from a different store.   That’s the way it was all over Long Island this morning as people began to prepare for Hurricane Irene. 

At Ace Hardware, in Smithtown, the scene was orderly.  Men, women and families came in to the store desperately seeking items that were in short supply.  An employee named Matt was stocking shelves when he was asked what customers were asking for; “There are not enough “D” batteries in the world today. People were snatching the batteries out of my hand before I could put them out. We are sold out.”

Assistant Manager and Smithtown resident, Joe Broome, had a message for the public. “Ace Hardware in Smithtown will open this weekend. If necessary we will operate using a generator. We will work hard to help our customers get through the hurricane.”

Ace Hardware in Smithtown and Nesconset were out of stock on many of the items customers were seeking, having sold out their entire stock of flashlights, “D” batteries and generators the previous day.

Joe Broome was expecting one special delivery of items on Friday and was hoping for additional deliveries.  However, many of the big items being delivered were spoken for. The hot item was generators.  There were no generators to be found at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware.  People, fearing the loss of electricity for days, were streaming into stores hoping to secure a generator of any size. They were unsuccessful. 

Although stores were out of stock on many items those needing candles, rope, tape and plastic were not disappointed.  Nesconset Volunteer Firefighter Carl Anderson was purchasing plastic to cover electronic equipment.  Carl was quite concerned that leaks might cause damage to expensive electronics at the office.  At home he is prepared for any emergency that may arise, including the loss of power. If he needs to cook, his barbecue is ready.

Remax Real Estate Agent, Ronald Maginnis, was shopping at Ace Hardware in Nesconset.  His advice to people, “prepare for the storm by evaluating dangerous situations around their homes.  Put away anything that might be blown around by strong winds.”  Ron had just returned from a property he has listed in Lake Grove.  While there he discovered an outdoor table which could be problematic in a hurricane.  He overturned the table and suggests that others do the same with their outdoor furniture. “Put it away or make it less vulnerable to the elements.”

A Saint James mother named Lori, was out shopping with her two children 8 year old Emma and four and half year old Christopher.  They were out shopping for essentials; candles, flashlights, water.  Hurricane Irene does not intimidate the kids at all. They have a plan.  They are going to bring Bugsy their bunny in the house and together with their cats they are going to stay inside and play. 

Staying dry and playing, not a bad plan for anyone.