A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN TO SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TODAY FOR FAILURE TO STUDY “FRACKING”

NEW YORK - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced he will file a lawsuit today against the federal government for its failure to commit to a full environmental review of proposed regulations that would allow natural gas drilling – including the potentially harmful “fracking” technique – in the Delaware River Basin.  Last month, the Attorney General notified the federal government that if it did not commit to conducting an environmental review before the regulations authorizing gas drilling are finalized, he would take legal action to compel such a study. “Before any decisions on drilling are made, it is our responsibility to follow the facts and understand the public health and safety effects posed by potential natural gas development,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “The federal government has an obligation to undertake the necessary studies, and as I made clear last month, this office will compel it to do so. The welfare of those living near the Delaware River Basin, as well as the millions of New Yorkers who rely on its pure drinking water each day, will not be ignored.” In April, just one day before a blowout at a Pennsylvania natural gas drilling site caused gallons of chemical-laced water to spill over neighboring land and into a stream, the Attorney General demanded that the federal government comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The law requires federal agencies to conduct a full review of actions that may cause significant environmental impacts. Despite the legal requirement, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) – with the approval of its supporting federal agencies – proposed regulations allowing natural gas development in the Basin without undertaking any such review. Represented by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General Peter A. DeLuca, the involved federal agencies include the Army Corps, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.  Schneiderman called on the federal government to comply with its NEPA obligations by suspending its consideration of the proposed regulations and undertaking a full review of all public health and safety risks posed by natural gas development in the Basin.  At that time, Schneiderman further called for this review to include an evaluation of the cumulative impacts of widespread fracking within the Basin as well as the alternative of not authorizing natural gas development within the portion of the Basin that includes New York City’s West-of-Hudson watershed.  While the federal agencies determined that natural gas drilling in the Basin would potentially result in significant environmental impacts and that the study of those impacts should be performed, the DRBC’s lead agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responded last week and made clear that it and the other member agencies would make no such commitment. The determination undermines the NEPA requirement. As a result, Schneiderman announced today that he is filing a lawsuit in federal District Court in Brooklyn, where General DeLuca’s office is located, to compel an environmental review before regulations authorizing gas drilling are finalized. The proposed natural gas development regulations allow high-volume hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling (a technique commonly referred to as “fracking”) – within the Basin. Unless studied and subject to strict controls, fracking poses risks to the environment, health, and communities, including the withdrawal of large volumes of water from creeks and streams, potential contamination of drinking water supplies, waste generation, increased noise, dust and air pollution, and potential harms to community infrastructure and character from increased industrial activity. Due to the potential for significant impacts from gas fracking within the Basin, the relevant federal agencies are obligated to comply with NEPA by performing a full review of the impact of the DRBC proposed natural gas development regulations.   The Delaware River Basin includes a portion of the New York City watershed and parts of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Schoharie, Green, Ulster, Orange and Sullivan Counties. The federally designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (and its tributaries), is a nationally significant fishing, boating and recreational destination. In addition, roughly 58 percent of the land area of New York City’s West-of-Hudson watershed is within the Basin.   That portion of the watershed provides most of the drinking water used by over nine million New York residents and visitors.   The DRBC estimates that its proposed regulations would allow 15,000 to 18,000 gas wells to be drilled within the Basin, most of which are expected to be developed by fracking.  The regulations were proposed without first conducting an assessment of the environmental impacts related to allowing fracking in the Basin. The DRBC is a federal-interstate body created through a compact agreed to by the President, Congress, state Legislators and governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  The Commission has legal authority to approve or disapprove activities that may have a substantial effect on the water resources within the 13,500 square mile Delaware River Basin — including over 2,300 square miles in New York. Under federal law, the DRBC and the federal agencies involved in formulating its policies and regulations are subject to NEPA.     This matter is being handled by New York City Watershed Inspector General Philip Bein, New York City Watershed Inspector General Scientist Charles Silver, Ph.D., and Assistant Attorneys General Michael J. Myers, Morgan Costello and Adam Dobson under the supervision of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic.

Memorial Day Parades - A Memorable Salute in Smithtown, St. James

By Phil Forte

SMITHTOWN – Hundreds of people gathered along Main Street in Smithtown on Monday at noon for the annual Knights of Columbus Memorial Day Parade. From Singer Lane to Town Hall, crowds of singles, families, and veterans alike cheered the marching bands, antique roadsters and trucks, while taking in the smell of barbequed hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages.

“It was a great parade,” said Tony LaVecchia, a veteran and proud member of the Knights of Columbus. “I’ve never seen so many people at one parade. The community was quite supportive, too.”

Cheers engulfed Main Street as veterans; followed by police, fire trucks and marching bands from Smithtown and Hauppauge school districts paraded down Main Street.  Cub scouts, karate teams and baton twirlers were also greeted with cheers as they headed towards Town Hall to the reviewing stand. 

The festivities ended with a solemn 21-gun salute following a rendition of Taps on a bugle, honoring the nations flag and those who died fighting in the nation’s wars.

“It turned out pretty well,” said Nick Albanese, Commander of the American Legion, James Ely Miller Post 833 in Smithtown.

 “The remembrance this day brings makes you think about a lot.”

“It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made in the past,” added Larry Cervellino, a veteran of two overseas tours as an aircraft carrier pilot, who, when asked what his favorite part of the parade was, described that instead of marching on foot, he was excited to be riding in a vintage car. “I was fortunate enough to get a ride in one of the antique automobiles, a 1956 Packard coupe.”

Earlier in the day, on Woodlawn and Lake Avenue, VFW Post 395 in St. James held their own parade. After concluding their march and memorial ceremony at St. James Elementary School, members of the VFW Post 395 and members of the community headed back to the post where tents were set up for a barbeque-fueled lunch consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, vegetables an array of toppings, soda, juice, water and beer, too.

“That’s what it’s all about right there,” said Chairman Lee Dike, pointing to a couple paying homage to the American flag. “It’s about remembering those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to appreciate those who came before us.”

Commander of the VFW Post 395 Frank Todaro added, “It’s good to see the veterans receiving recognition from the public. The memorial service leads the course, though. 

Play Ball - Age Defying Seniors Swing for the Fences

By Anthony Vertucci

Some say that youth is wasted on the young. The members of the Suffolk Senior Softball League apparently never got that memo, as they continue to play with the same passion and fire that drives little leaguers.

The Smithtown Patriots battled the Huntington Baymen in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday morning in a back and forth encounter which saw four lead changes. The spirit of competition and the desire to win in this 60 and over league is intense proving that one is never too old to enjoy America’s pastime.

The Baymen jumped out early with a leadoff triple, which quickly turned into an RBI on the second pitch of the game. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the first inning, the home field Patriots showed zero signs of intimidation. They fired back with four runs of their own, including a sacrifice fly to deep right from Palmer Scumaci.

“This is a tough club and we fought hard today,” said Patriots’ manager Bill McKadden. “We have seven guys out of 18 roster players who are in their 70s, so it’s a little tough for us when we play other teams who have younger players in their early 60s. We can beat them and we do, but it’s tougher playing guys 15 years younger than you. So it’s great to get a win like this.”

In the top of the sixth the Baymen overcame a three run deficit with four hits, including a two-out two-run double up the middle. After shutting down the Patriots in the bottom half of the inning the Baymen tacked on one more run to head to the bottom of the seventh and final inning with an 8-6 lead.

The Patriots knew they were down but not out, they had faced a similar situation on May 3 in a game against the Chiefs. Down five runs entering the seventh, Smithtown rallied to an 11-10 victory.

Greg Anderson, 67, led off the final frame with a hard-hit single to left. Anderson, who grew up in Nassau, has been playing ball all his life and has known some of his teammates for over fifty years.

After climbing back into the game mid fielder Dennis Cassidy, who celebrates his sixty-first birthday tomorrow, delivered the game winning hit to complete the rally and give his team the 9-8 win. The Patriots briefly celebrated their victory before heading back to the dugout to prepare for the second game.

“What a great comeback. It’s the second time this year we came back in the bottom of the seventh inning to win, and it feels great to contribute like that,” said Cassidy. “We got some lucky breaks finally. We got a beautiful day out, great weather, and the field was in great condition.”

The Patriots were not so fortunate in the second game, as they fell to the Baymen 7-1.

The Patriots maintain third place in the National division after the split. They will have an opportunity to gain some ground on the league leading Brookhaven Silver Streaks when the two teams meet on Tuesday.

Brady Park is shared between both the Smithtown Patriots and the Bulls. Every Tuesday and Thursday, one-team hosts a doubleheader while the other is on the road.

Groundbreaking Ceremony For Kings Park Branch

The end is in sight.  The Kings Park Branch of the Smithtown Library is now temporarily closed for renovations. The groundbreaking ceremony on May, 13^th marked the beginning of its remodeling. 

Flanked by elected officials, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, Suffolk County Legislator Lynne C. Nowick, and library board members, Joseph A. Vallone, Library Board President, announced the start of the Kings Park Branch remediation project and the re-opening of the Commack Branch.  Vallone acknowledged the different people who played a role in bringing an improved library into fruition including former board members whom he thanked for their work and commitment to the Smithtown Library.  

Library Director, Robert Lusak began the program by calling on Father Sean, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, for an opening prayer.  Lusak went on to talk about community and the bridging of the past to the future.  He spoke about the library’s development into a community resource providing programs and technology as well as books.

The program included presentations by Legislator Nowick,Town Supervisor Vecchio, Director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library system, Kevin Verbesey, as well as Community groups. Kings Park Civic Association was represented by Michael Rosato and Kings Park Chamber of Commerce was represented by its president Charles Gardner.

Mr. Gardner, was the most compelling. He touched on the importance of libraries and reminisced about the first library in Kings Park.  He spoke of the library as the “Crown Jewel” of Kings Park and also called on business owners to do their part to ensure that their buildings become a source of pride in the community.

James Cress Florists Closing - Thanks For The Memories

The Store Is Currently Closed; if you have a PRE-PAID please knock.  If you are an existing Event customer please call 631-807-2040.  Thank you. James Cress Florists.”

And then a second note below the first – “We Are Retiring!  Thank you for your business these 47 years. It’s been our pleasure to serve the people of Smithtown.”

These simple words end the presence of James Cress Florists in Smithtown.  The closing seems to be a shock to everyone who hears about it.

A call to the posted number was answered with “Elegant Events”.  The woman answering the phone didn’t give her name and said “Mr. Cress was not taking calls at this time.” The woman politely declined to answer any questions.   She did, however, say that James Cress Florists in Port Jefferson was also closed.

For forty-seven years James Cress Florists has been a part of family celebrations and it will be missed.  More than a florist it is part of the memories associated with past weddings, proms, anniversaries, births and deaths. 

To the James Cress Family and its staff, thanks for the memories.