Unemployment #1 Issue For Veterans

A look at Issues Facing Local Veterans - Unemployment Ranked #1

By Erica Jackson

Since 1919, November 11 has served as a day to honor those who have served America in the military.  Each year, towns across the country hold parades and ceremonies to pay tribute.  Smithtown is no different. Events are being held in Smithtown, Kings Park and St. James.  But aside from our coverage of the various events this Veterans Day, SmithtownMatters.com spoke to leaders of local veterans’ organizations learn more about the issues facing them.

“The main issue,” said Tom Mooney, past commander/current service officer of  Smithtown’s VFW Post 10870, “is unemployment.” Those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are “coming home to a country in a bad economic situation and unless they had a job held for them, they find themselves jobless.”

Back when Mooney served in the army, Mooney said veterans retired from service to the same jobs they left.  “It was a different time,” said Mooney.  “Those returning now weren’t drafted so their employer wasn’t obligated to hold their job.” From what he has heard, many are able to find jobs in civil service, such as with police and fire departments, but there are so many that can’t find employment.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that veterans, who served in the military since September 2001, have a unemployment rate of 10.2 percent as opposed to the jobless rate for all veterans, which is 8.1 percent.

“It is a problem,” said Frank Todaro, commander of the St James VFW Post 395.  “Veterans are just not finding jobs.”  Like Todaro and Mooney, Al Mlodynia, commander of the Nissequogue VFW Post, has heard the same troubling news: “The problem is that these boys didn’t have a job when they were first deployed and they come back and are basically unemployed.”  

All three veteran organizations want to do their part to aid their fellow veterans and say they have the resources and know-how to do it.  Todaro said,“A lot of people are out of work, that’s the economy, but my priority is to find a job for a veteran who needs one.”

However, finding those that need help isn’t an easy task.  “We want and need to reach out to them,” said Mlodynia, “but we are having a problem doing that.”

Perhaps it’s the times, but Mooney says that the Smithtown post is mostly made up of W.W.II and Korean War Veterans that “are getting up in years and don’t have the power at this point in their lives to do membership drives.”  Many of them don’t even drive at night, said Mooney.

Years ago, Mooney said, when someone completed their service, they would look to join a local veterans’ group, but not so much anymore.  He said, “It’s not like when the guys would come back from World War II and entire neighborhoods would get together to form a VFW post.” Mlodynia says he has tried to reach out to those in need of support though church bulletins, but in many cases all he can find is a name, no contact information.  

Mlodynia believes that the younger veterans don’t step forward because many not be aware of the veteran’s organizations that are available to them or they are “afraid to get involved because it will take time away from their family.”

“There are those that think we just get together to drink beer and tell war stories, but that is not the case,” said Mlodynia.  Instead, he said the VFW is a support system that has the know-how and expertise to direct veterans in need to help, whether it be to helping to file for a tax reduction to obtaining health care.

“We are a pretty unique group that is well setup to help other people,” said Todaro.  “We just have a shortage of people that speak up and say they need help, but when they do, we are happy to lend a hand.”

Haupppauge Middle School Orchestra - Performs For NYSSBA

Middle School Orchestra teacher Loretta Ehrlich conducts the Seventh Grade Orchestra at the New York State School Boards Association’s Convention. Hauppauge School District is proud to announce that the Middle School’s Seventh Grade Orchestra recently performed at the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) 91^st Annual Convention in New York City.  Selected from school districts throughout New York State, Hauppauge’s students were the youngest to perform since the convention was established.

Under the guidance of middle school orchestra teacher Loretta Ehrlich, the students performed to a packed audience, including the highest ranking education officials in New York State - the Commissioner of Education and the Chancellor of the Board of Regents.  Also in attendance were New York State board members, superintendents, administrators, and proud members of Hauppauge’s Board of Education.

“The performance by our students was incredible,” said Board of Education President Ann Macaluso. “To hear such beautiful come music from our talented seventh graders is amazing.  We were so proud to see the attending dignitaries give the students a standing ovation. Our students have provided Hauppauge with an opportunity to shine.”

The NYSSBA convention provides numerous workshops for school board members to learn about new initiatives, as well as opportunities to increase knowledge on issues ranging from fiscal accountability to mounting student pressures.

Smithtown Firefighters And Mazelis Landscaping Create "Garden Of Hope" at Stony Brook Hospital

A Garden to Create Hope for Cancer Patients 

By Erica Jackson

The Cancer Unit at Stony Brook University Hospital now features an outdoor reflection area thanks to some Smithtown firefighters.

The new garden, which was recently dedicated as “The Garden of Hope”, was the culmination of work done by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), a non-profit dedicated to providing support to firefighters across the county, who are fighting cancer. 

Serving as FCSN’s director is long-time, volunteer Smithtown firefighter Tony Cruz.  Cruz, a prostate cancer survivor, also sits on the Stony Brook University advisory board.  When he heard the hospital was looking to construct a garden outside the cancer unit, he jumped at the opportunity to help.  Cruz said he remembered that fellow 10-year, volunteer Smithtown firefighter Stephen Mazelis, who owns Mazelis Landscaping, of Smithtown, had donated services in the past so he decided to enlist him.  

Cruz went to Mazelis’ house expecting to get a little help, but before he knew it, Mazelis said he’d take care of the entire project.  “He said he’d do it for free.  I said great.”  From there, Mazelis spearheaded the project, from obtaining donated supplies from venders to providing labor for the construction.

“Tony had what he thought a difficult question to ask me, knowing that I just came off the heels of donating a complete landscape makeover to wounded hero Army Corporal Chris Levi of Holbrook,” said Mazelis.  “Coincidentally, I was just thinking to myself earlier that day, how nice it would be if I can donate one landscape a year to make a difference in someone’s life.  My answer to Tony was, ‘When do you want me to do it?”

Mazelis, whose wife is a cancer survivor, said saying ‘yes’ to donate the landscape was an “obvious answer for me.”

The new garden sits in a 60’x25’ area in front of the entrance to Stony Brook’s cancer treatment facility.  In Mazelis’ words, “A walkway strolls through the garden with three benches to sit on, allowing a direct serene view of a cascading waterfall. Plants were carefully selected to attract local birds and butterflies.  A scalloped picket fence was installed to block out the parking lot and to help create a cozy atmosphere.”

With the economy as it is, Mazelis said he could not afford to take on the entire cost of the project, so he obtained donations from landscape designer Patricia Hopkins, Bissett Nursery, Sam’s B.C, Nurseries and Victorian Fence.  

“They all made it possible for me to get the job done,” said Mazelis.  “I am fortunate to be surrounded by such vendors and friends, who have big hearts.”

“This garden is a wonderful haven for patients and staff to reflect, re-energize and perhaps find inspiration for the day,” said CEO of Stony Brook University Medical Center Steven Strongwater, M.D.  “We thank the firefighters, Cancer Support Network and Mazelis Landscape for donating the garden and benches. The resulting garden is a wonderful example of our growing ties to the community and working to be in tune with the needs of the community.”

Cruz said of the end result, “When you are told you have cancer, you feel like your power has been taken away.  This garden offers someplace where you can sit and think about what’s going on in your life, get your priorities in order and take your power back.”

Cruz intends that the garden will be used for just that purpose by cancer patients, including firefighters, who have been diagnosed with cancer.

According to Cruz, many firefighters across the county, volunteer or paid, are afflicted with cancer as a result of their work.  When going into smoky conditions, firefighters can breathe in toxic fumes that can eventually develop into cancer.  Also, he said, there are so many times that firefighters, when overhauling, pull down ceilings that contain pipes that are wrapped in asbestos.  “Particles, will come down from the ceiling, be digested and develop into cancer,” said Cruz.

Cruz said aside from providing support, FCSN reaches out to provide safety education to firefighters.  For example, Cruz said his organization teaches firefighters to properly clean and store bunker gear.  “We tell them never to bring fire gear into living areas or into their car or trunk where it can contaminate someone.”

Student Sues Kings Park School District

By Erica Jackson

2009 KP Girls SoccerIt sounds like an episode from Beverly Hills 90210, but it’s not. Kings Park High School senior Nina Ottaviano has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the school district for suspending her from all extracurricular activities after she admitted to providing a bottle of alcohol to a fellow student.  

“The bottom line is that we think the punishment is overly harsh,” said Jeffrey Brown attorney for Ottaviano.  “She has been suspended from all activities in her senior year.  It is a hypocritical policy — other male student athletes, who have come to school drunk, have not received such a penalty.”Nina Ottaviano - Girls Soccer 2009

Earlier in the school year, Ottaviano,17, gave a friend a hair spray bottle containing alcohol.  She says she obtained the rum from another student.  Ottaviano’s friend was caught with the bottle on a bus taking students to the Brentwood Country Club for a party.  Ottaviano came forward and admitted giving the liquor to the student. She was suspended from activities as was her friend.

The suspension, said Brown is detrimental to Ottaviano’s chances of getting into college.  “Her family spent a lot of money for lessons to help her get into a college.  Her school athletics should have given her an extra edge.” Prior to her suspension, Ottaviano was involved in soccer, basketball, the honor society and she sat as the editor of the school newspaper.  Brown says it is hoped that the lawsuit will prompt the district to allow Ottaviano back into sports and instead give a different punishment.  For example, Brown suggested not allowing Ottaviano to go to her prom.  “We are hoping to sit down with someone at the school.  But so far the school is not willing to budge,” said Brown.

When asked to respond to the situation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Agruso, said the district has posted a comment on its website.  It reads, “We cannot comment on whether or not there is litigation pending or threatened. The district’s Code of Conduct and Eligibility Policy are posted on the district’s website.”

According to the district’s code of conduct, possessing alcohol is a level V infraction, which calls for “up to permanent loss of privileges; a superintendent’s hearing; community service; referral for counseling; removal of student from calendar year from extra curricular, co-curricular and athletic activities; mandating attendance at outside agency such as AA or Alanon; removal from all honor societies; and a police report.”

With the lawsuit all over the news, articles have appeared in Newsday and on CBS news, Brown says Ottaviano is now dealing with bullying in and outside of school.  Just this week, Ottaviano received death threats on her Facebook page.  A second Facebook page dedicated to Kings Park High School has provided an outlet for Kings Park residents to comment on the issue. 

One poster wrote, “Common reality is most kids in all schools go to prom and senior dinners drunk so why would they go hard on a sober girl with just a bottle. Schools are corrupted I guess.” Another wrote, “While, yes, I do agree that there should definitely be consequences, I’m not sure the punishment fits the crime. But what pisses me off even more, is that Kings Park discipline is so inconsistent. Football players have brought alcohol to school sponsored events and weren’t pulled off the team.”

Message From the Smithtown Democratic Chair

It has been brought to my attention that there is a robo-call going around to local Democrats claiming that the Smithtown Democratic Committee does not support the re-election of Tim Bishop to the US Congress. It is an outrage that an an unnamed group would pretend to speak for our committee. 
 
The Smithtown Democratic Committee strongly endorses Tim Bishop for re-election and strongly condemns this ridiculous lie.

Ed Maher,
Chair
Smithtown Democratic Committee
59 W Main St
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-6520