Motor Vehicle Crash in Hauppauge Pedestrian Killed

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Hauppauge last night.

Thomas Martino was driving a 2006 Honda Accord westbound on Express Drive North in Hauppauge when his vehicle struck Robert Denise, who was attempting to cross the road near MacArthur Boulevard at 8:30 p.m.

Denise, 56, of Dorado Circle, Hauppauge, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Martino, 26, of 18 Surrey Lane, East Northport, was not injured.

The Honda was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

The Candidates For State Assembly - 7th District

State Assembly - 7th District

By Erica Jackson

In the State Assembly race, incumbent, Republican Michael Fitzpatrick is vying to keep his seat from Democratic challenger Richard Macellaro.

Michael Fitzpatrick has served in the New York State Assembly since November 2002.  Prior to his election, he served as a Smithtown Town Board member for 15 years.

A graduate of Hauppauge High School, Fitzpatrick is an investment associate with UBS Financial Service, Inc. of Port Jefferson. 

Fitzpatrick is active in the community and is involved in the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and sits on the board of directors of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame.

Fitzpatrick and his wife, Lorena have two children Corina and Michael.  They live in St. James.

 What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as a representative? 

As the strongest fiscal conservative in entire legislature, I am uniquely qualified to deal with serious fiscal issues. I am a representative with the fortitude and the backbone to deal responsibly with these issues. That makes me uniquely qualified.  

What do you hope to accomplish, if re-elected? 

I look forward to partnering with the new governor to move this state on the right fiscal track and improve the employment picture for the people of this state. Building a stronger business climate is priority number one. 

Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you. 

I am willing to take a tough stand on fiscal issues and will defend my position.  

Richard Macellaro holds a degree in political science from Queens College and has worked as a special assistant for two assembly members, Joseph Lentol and the late Fred Schmidt.  He has 20 years experience as a home health care administrator.

Macellaro is active in the community and is an executive officer of the Smithtown Democratic Committee, a trustee of the Kings Park Fr. John Papallo Lodge and is an officer of the Lakebridge Condo II Board of Managers.

Macellaro and his wife, Diane have two daughters, Andrea and Jillian.

What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as the state assemblyman for the 7th AD?

As a special assistant for two NYS Assembly members for more than 5 years, I was responsible for constituent concerns and researched issues that were of significance to those Member’s districts. I was a founding member of a not-for-profit, community based organization (The St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp.,) partnering with government, industry, business, youth, education and neighborhood residents, to find common sense solutions to community problems.  I was a Home Health Care Administrator, for more than 20 years.  I wrote competitive and successful program and managed operating budgets ranging from $30 to $50 million per year.  I supervised thousands of home care workers and advocated for safeguarding the rights of the elderly and disabled, working towards increased medical care, while reducing Medicaid costs.  I was instrumental in negotiating contracts with worker unions, vendors and NYC governmental agencies. Additionally, I was a paid consultant for a local, proprietary Home Care Agency.  I’m 58 years old and retired from full-time employment.

What do you hope to accomplish, if elected?

I will bring to the 7th Assembly District my experience and commitment as it applies to the various state issues.   I plan to meet with as many of my neighbors, friends and residents to better my understanding of the issues and concerns that affect our community and to encourage a dialogue with various civic and elected leaders to arrive at the best solutions as they make important decisions for the betterment of Y(our) district.  We need common sense solutions to district problems. 

I have the training, education and ability to seek and provide funding sources to successfully maintain service projects, such as; health care programs (drug prevention and secession,) provide for more elderly or youth activities (recreational and sports associations,) job training and skills development resources, equal job protections for men and women, more jobs and better community jobs.

I hope to bring more funds back to the district by obtaining and providing more funding sources for district initiatives and insure that district residents and community based organizations receive funding for their activities, that benefit the District, including food pantries. 

Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you.

 I am not the incumbent.  I hope to bring a new and refreshed prospective to the NYS Assembly and to initiate meaningful growth and development programs and projects for the entire district.  I believe that we need to upgrade and expand upon new ideas and create a more harmonious atmosphere for district voters/residents.  Competence, effectiveness, conciliation, tenacity and a full-time commitment will be the hallmarks of my tenure as your next assembly member. 

The Candidates For State Senate - 2nd District

And the Candidates Are…

 By Erica Jackson

On Tuesday, November 2 voters are being asked to vote for candidates running in various elections. To help our readers to make an informed decision, we have compiled biographical information for each candidate. We have also asked each candidate three questions to respond to in their own words. 
 

State Senate - 2nd District

In the race for State Senate are Republican incumbent John Flanagan and Democratic challenger Ira Bernstein.

John Flanagan was raised in Huntington, attending Harborfields High School. He holds a BA in Economics from the College of William and Mary and holds a law degree from Toro Law School. He previously served in the state assembly.

As a member of the State Senate since 2002, Flanagan says he has fought to “reduce the tax burden on Long Island”  He says he has worked hard on local issues.  In Kings Park, he says he successfully halted the sale of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.  

Flanagan and his wife Lisa reside in East Northport.  They have three children.

Flanagan did not respond to the three questions asked by SmithtownMatters.com as of press time.

 

Ira Bernstein, of Centereach, is a financial services advisor and a former Commack School District teacher, where he worked for 25 years.  He is a graduate of SUNY Stonybrook and Columbia University.

Bernstein is a member of Lions International and a member of the Brookhaven Senior Advisory Board, where he served as a negotiator for seniors to lower LIPA rates for seniors. He is an activist for Citizens Campaign for the Environment and a past youth work study coordinator of the Lake Grove School.  He also is a member of the Ronkonkoma Revitalization Committee.

What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as a representative in the Senate? 

I am a former teacher, who taught in Commack schools for over 25 years.  I am now a licensed financial representative with knowledge in finance. Getting more out of services and not wasting government money is my asset. I am uniquely qualified in that as a member of the Brookhaven Senior Advisory Board, I lowered rates for seniors on their LIPA bills.   

 

What do you hope to accomplish, if elected?

I will work to protect the schools.  Mr. Flanagan does not give money to the school and has hurt all of our educational programs, especially in Smithtown.  He has cut funding from every school district.  He wants to put a cap on taxes, which sounds good to homeowners, but does not help businesses.  The other most important issue is Wallstreet. They got away scott-free with what they did.

 

Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you?

I am a member of the NYSID, a group of 6000 teachers. Without them education would not advance.  They are the main assets for our children. They motivate them to become good citizens.

Hauppauge School District’s Third Annual Kicks for Cancer Event Raises $32,000

The Hauppauge girls’ varsity soccer team is joined by the girls’ U10 soccer travel team.

Once again, the Hauppauge community has rallied to support the High School Soccer Program’s third annual Kicks for Cancer event, held in memory of Courtney Tomkin.  This year, the event raised more than $32,000 through community donations, raffles and T-shirt sales.  Proceeds will be donated to the Making Headway Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Lung Association and the Courtney Tomkin Athletic Scholarship Award.

 An avid supporter of the girls’ varsity soccer program, Courtney, 17, served as student manager of the soccer team until she lost her valiant battle against brain cancer in December 2008.

Playing on a field lined in pink, the girls and boys teams wore pink jerseys inscribed with Courtney’s quote, Fight on that field just as hard as I am fighting cancer.  Both teams were victorious, as the boys defeated Bellport, 3-2, and the girls defeated Harborfields, 3-0. Girls’ varsity coach and Kicks for Cancer coordinator Jesseca Kulesa (right) thanks Community Service Award recipient Lizette Gonzalez (left) for her tireless efforts in supporting the Kicks for Cancer event.

As a sign of solidarity and support, 21 Suffolk County school districts will be hosting their own Kicks for Cancer event, committing to raise more than $500. “We are very excited to have so many schools involved this year, and sincerely appreciate their dedication in support of this meaningful cause,” said girls’ varsity coach and Kicks for Cancer coordinator Jesseca Kulesa.

 “Kicks for Cancer is about honoring those who are fighting cancer, and remembering those who have lost the battle,” said Ms. Kulesa. “The Hauppauge community, again, has come together to support one another.”

And the Candidates Are...

By Erica Jackson

On Tuesday, November 2 voters are being asked to vote for candidates running in various elections. To help our readers to make an informed decision, we have compiled biographical information for each candidate. We have also asked each candidate three questions to respond to in their own words.

US Congress - 1st District
Tim BishopIn the race for US Congress, incumbent, Democrat Tim Bishop is running to keep his seat from Republican challenger Randy Altschuler.

Tim Bishop has served in the United States Congress since 2002.  He is a lifelong Southampton resident, graduating from Southampton High School in 1968.  He obtained an AB in history from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA and has a masters in public administration from Long Island University.
During his tenure in Congress, Bishop says his focus has been on protecting middle-class families as well as “improving the economy, fighting for veterans, safeguarding the environment, strengthening access to education and reforming health care.”
Bishop and his wife, Kathryn reside in Southampton and have two daughters, Molly and Meghan.
As of press time, Congressman Bishop did not respond to election coverage questions asked by SmithtownMatters.com.

Randy Altschuler, a resident of St. James, Altschuler holds a BA from Princeton University and a MBA withRandy Altschuler Distinction from the Harvard Business School.  He studied in Vienna, Austria as a Fulbright Scholar.
Altschuler is the cofounder and executive chairman of CloudBlue, a provider of recycling services for electronic equipment.  He is was also the cofounder and chief executive officer of OfficeTiger, which is a company that offers business support services.
Randy and his wife, Cheryl have a son, Noah.

What makes you uniquely qualified to sit as a representative in Congress?
In these tough economic times, I would have to say my experience working as a businessman; growing two companies and creating over 700 jobs for hardworking Americans. I’m not a career politician. I’m private citizen, who has private sector skills, a good dose of common sense and I know what has to be done to turn this economy around. We need to change the mindset about how the federal government does business. We need to end the reliance on higher taxes and increased debt as the way we fund government’s needs. We must come to the realization the big government’s addiction to spending is unsustainable and that it puts the economic well being of this nation is at risk. My opponent, incumbent Congressman Tim Bishop, is a career politician who has voted 125 times for higher taxes during his four terms in Congress. Someone who does that is obviously out of touch with the voters of Eastern Long Island. He doesn’t seem to understand that in the midst of an economic crisis you need to cut taxes, not raise them.

What would you hope to accomplish, if elected?
Perhaps one of the most important things is for Congress is to pass a balanced budget amendment.  We have to stop spending more than we take in; government has to learn to live within its means.
To create a true stimulus package for the economy we need cut taxes, red tape and regulation, so the private sector can expand, creating jobs and opportunity for Americans. The voters need to understand that government cannot create jobs without creating more spending and placing higher taxes on the backs of its citizens. Only the private sector can create good paying, self sustaining jobs that will grow the economy
We also need to repeal ObamaCare and solve the healthcare mess with commonsense solutions like breaking down state barriers to make Insurance companies more competitive. Legal reform, so as to ease the incredibly high cost of insurance for medical professionals; a cost that in the end, is merely passed on to the patient. In addition, we must have twin efforts to cut waste and improve efficiencies so that quality medical care can be delivered at the lowest possible cost.

Name one thing that you would like the public to know about you?
I’m an outsider and a self made businessman who has earned everything I have and am not beholden to the political clubhouses or special interest groups. When I’m in Congress, my bosses will be the residents of Suffolk County and not the bosses of a political party. I will work hard to make sure that Suffolk County, our state and our nation grow, prosper and remain secure.