Suffolk Closeup - It's Time Suffolk County Creates An Office Of Inspector General

SUFFOLK CLOSEUP

By Karl Grossman

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta is back with his bill to establish an independent office of inspector general in Suffolk. Such an office needed, Mr. Trotta, a long-time Suffolk County Police Department detective told me last week, because of a “culture of corruption and mismanagement” in Suffolk County government. 

Mr. Trotta, a four-term Suffolk legislator from Fort Salonga, twice introduced measures previously to create an office of inspector general in Suffolk. The new bill was inspired, he said, by the death of Thomas Valva, an autistic eight-year-old Center Moriches boy who froze to death in January after being forced to sleep without blankets or a mattress on the cement floor of an unheated garage. The child’s father, a New York Police Department transit officer, and the father’s fiancée have been charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child. 

The Child Protective Services division of the Suffolk Department of Health Services and police and courts in both Suffolk and Nassau Counties had been asked by Thomas’s mother to investigate mistreatment of the boy and his two siblings. At Thomas’s wake, his mother charged: “This could have been preventable. But the people who protect children were protecting the abuser instead.”

In Nassau, three years ago, its county legislature by a unanimous vote approved the establishment of an office of Nassau County inspector general. Its website says: “The mission of the OIG is to foster accountability, efficiency, integrity and restore trust in County government.” 

Mr. Trotta’s previous bills were not enacted. Neither was a similar one sponsored by Suffolk Legislators Kara Hahn and Rob Colarco, both Democrats. Mr. Trotta and the co-sponsor of the new bill, freshman Legislator Anthony Piccirillo, are both Republicans. Mr. Colarco at the start of this year became the legislature’s presiding officer. 

The Trotta-Piccirillo measure declares “that Suffolk County…with a population that exceeds that of eleven states…provides a tremendous range of services to its residents, from policing to public works to environmental protection and public health monitoring.” And “given the size, scope and breadth of services rendered, there are often opportunities for fraud, waste, misconduct and mismanagement to occur.” It says that “in recent years incidents of misconduct, waste and abuse involving various elements of Suffolk County government have been discovered, reported upon by the media and addressed through policy changes initiated by the legislature.” 

It goes on that “it has become clear that greater change and oversight is essential to identify and eradicate instances of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption at the county level to protect public integrity of government and safeguard the use of taxpayer dollars.” 

It then states that “the recent tragic death of Thomas Valva also brings forth questions of possible misconduct and mismanagement on the part of county departments involved with his case which are of tremendous consequence and the utmost importance.” 

It says that “establishment of an independent investigatory authority for Suffolk County is essential to ensuring that the county is subject to necessary oversight and held accountable for living up to its mandates to serve and protect its residents, especially those who are the most vulnerable in our society.” The office would “provide critical accountability and oversight to county government and would be able to identify, investigate and deter fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct and abuse.”

The inspector general would be required to have “at least ten years of experience in any one or a combination” of being a “federal, state or local law enforcement officer/official or prosecutor…a federal or state court judge…an inspector general, certified public accountant or internal auditor.” 

At a public hearing on the bill, former Suffolk County Social Services Commissioner Gregory Blass, who also was a Suffolk Family Court judge and presiding officer of the Suffolk Legislature, testified for it. He said an investigation by a Suffolk inspector general of the Valva death would “do more than an internal departmental investigation [by the Suffolk Department of Social Services] would do.” However, at a subsequent hearing, Thomas’s mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, told legislators that the proposed office would be similar to those that ignored her “crying for help” and “completely failed in protecting my son.”

Meanwhile, Suffolk District Attorney Timothy Sini has just announced the empaneling of a special grand jury to investigate what occurred. Earlier, the legislature moved to form a “special committee” to do the same, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced an “internal review” by county government.

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books. 

Suffolk Closeup - Gardiner's Island An Ecological And Historical Jewel

By Karl Grossman

I’ve been to beautiful islands—Bora Bora, and Moorea in the South Pacific; the Greek islands of Paros, Mykonos and Santorini; the New England islands of Cuttyhunk and Nantucket; Virgin Gorda and Tobago in the Caribbean. But just off Long Island’s shores is a gem, splendorous, an exquisite island that rivals any. It’s been aptly called a paradise.

Gardiner’s Island—an ecological and historical jewel. What will its future be?

The 3,300-acre island is home to hundreds of bird species, freshwater ponds and lagoons, meadows, and the 1,000-acre Bostwick Forest that is the largest stand of White Oak in the Northeast. It was the oldest English settlement in what’s now New York State. Among its structures: a windmill, brilliant white, built in 1795, by Nathaniel Dominy 5^th  which is on the National Historic Register, and a carpenter’s shed that’s the oldest wood-frame building in New York. 

Gardiner’s Island, its nature, its historic buildings —breathtaking. 

I first went to Gardiner’s Island nearly 50 years ago. 

Robert David Lion Gardiner, the “16^th Lord of the Manor” of the island, purchased from the Montaukett Indians in 1639 and privately held by the Gardiner family since, welcomed a big camp-out of Boy Scouts to it in 1971. I covered the camp-out and interviewed Mr. Gardiner. The next year, I got to know him pretty well when he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the lst C.D. on the Conservative Party ticket against Democratic incumbent Otis Pike in protest to Mr. Pike’s effort to make Gardiner’s Island a federally preserved National Monument.  

In 1974, I wrote and presented a 10-part, five-hour television series aired on WLIW/21 on Long Island and WPIX/11 in New York City titled “Can Suffolk Be Saved?” It was about the eastward tide of development on Long Island and whether all of Suffolk County could avoid being enveloped in sprawl. I started it on Gardiner’s Island declaring it a “time capsule” for Long Island. I interviewed Mr. Gardiner for the series and afterwards again on TV and for print.

Mr. Gardiner, who died in 2004 at 93, was an excellent steward of Gardiner’s Island. 

The island is now owned by Mr. Gardiner’s niece, Alexandra Gardiner Creel, who has also been a superb steward of Gardiner’s Island. She is a strong environmentalist with a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry. A great environmentalist, too, was her late husband, Robert Goelet (he died last year), former president of the American Museum of Natural History, New York Zoological Society and the New York Historical Society, too.

After Mr. Gardiner’s death, a conservation easement covering more than 95% of the island was arranged in 2005 with the Town of East Hampton. It is for 20 years—expiring in less than five years. It bars development on the island which earlier was upzoned to five-acre zoning.

Lee Koppelman, the former long-time Suffolk County planner, has described Gardiner’s Island as “perhaps the most important offshore island on the entire Atlantic seashore from Maine to Florida.” Among his recommendations for preserving it has been having “development rights” purchased by government—the basis of the Suffolk County Farmland Preservation Program. He has emphasized: “The overriding concern is for the long-term future.”

The Goelet family—there is a son and a daughter—are committed to preserving the island and keeping it within the family. They want it “preserved…in perpetuity.”

The Goelet family has enormous wealth with ownership of significant real estate in New York City. It has the bucks to keep Gardiner’s Island preserved privately.

But Gardiner’s Island has not had a financially seamless history. During the Depression, the Gardiner family was unable to pay a mortgage taken out on the island. In 1937 it was announced that Gardiner’s Island would be put up for sale. One account stated that there was “’widespread interest’ by ‘out-of-town parties,’ one of which, for example, ambitiously proposed to convert the island into an American Monte Carlo with a casino, hotel and race track.” The auction didn’t happen. Mr. Gardiner’s aunt, Sarah Diodati Gardiner, came to the rescue and purchased it from executors. 

A wise future course to insure this exquisite and highly important island, ecologically and historically, would be Dr. Koppelman’s suggestion of sale of development rights.

Even for the very wealthy, over the long-term—over centuries—there are financial ups and downs. With development rights purchase, the Goelets and their descendants would retain full ownership and full control of the island. The only change would be—as it works with Suffolk’s Farmland Preservation Program—a covenant legally requiring the island have no development in perpetuity. There would be, in effect, a permanent conservation easement for Gardiner’s Island. 

Karl Grossman is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books. 

Mills Pond Students Present "Broadway Bonanza"

The magic of Broadway came alive at Mills Pond Elementary School in the Smithtown Central School District as the fifth grade classes presented their “Broadway Bonanza” on March 12. Featuring music from “Annie,” “TheGreatest Showman” and “The Lion King” the students wowed their classmates and invited guests during their performances with their song and dance numbers. Photos courtesy of Smithtown Central School District

Ian McAlister Becomes 111th Eagle Scout For Troop 343

Ian McAlister becomes Troop 343 (Hauppauge)’s 111^th Eagle Scout

“The Eagle Scout Badge is a symbol of what a boy has done today, but more important…. it represents what a man will do tomorrow.”

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor hosted by Boy Scout Troop 343 (Hauppauge) was held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 St. Thomas More  RC Church for Ian Ryley McAlister as he became the troop’s 111^th Eagle Scout in the 51 year history of the scout troop. 

Scout McAlister’s Eagle Scout community service project was to fundraise, lead and build a Hay Barn for Hoyt Farm.  This allows the animals to stay at the park.  With the help of Project Coach Assistant Scoutmaster Scott Vasile and leading 13 scouts and 3 adults in the construction, Eagle Scout McAlister measured, cut and nailed a Hay Barn for the community to enjoy.  Many local children and schools come to the park to see the animals.  The front porch can be used for photo opportunities. From inception to design, paperwork, purchasing of the materials, and completion of the building, the project took more than 200 hours of manpower  under his leadership skills.

In addition to earning 61 Merit Badge (far more than the required 22 for the highest rank in Boy Scouts) – ranging from First Aid, Fire Safety, Robotics, American Culture, American Heritage, Scholarship, and Home Repairs, to Signs, Signals and Codes, Small Boat Sailing, Fly Fishing and Nuclear Science – he has served as the Troop 343 Chaplains Aide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.  His scouting achievements include the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award (the highest rank in Cub Scouts), earning the Catholic Boy Scout Religious Emblems ( Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII Medals), the  Crime Prevention Award, Leave No Trace Award, World Conservation Award, Physical Fitness Award, and Historic Trails Award. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow (the national Boy Scout Honor Camping Society).  He was member of the waterfront staff at Minsi Scout Reservation for the summer camp season for 2018 and 2019. A  member of the Hauppauge High School’s track team and Swim Team, he is a Red Cross Lifeguard  and a member of the National Honor Society. 

Giving the Eagle Scout Charge was Troop 343 Eagle Scout Dennis Collins, who also led the other Eagle Scouts in attendance in the reaffirmation and the Eagle Oath. Eagle Scout McAlister was presented with certificates of recognition and letters of congratulations from the Hauppauge Public Schools, John Deere Corporation, President Trump, President Bush, state Senator John Flanagan, Congressman Lee Zeldin among other dignitaries and organizations.

A senior at Hauppauge High School, Eagle Scout Ian McAlister is the son of Rosemarie and Eric McAlister, and brother to Robert, Ryan, and Kevin. He will be pursuing a degree in Agriculture Mechanization at Clemson University in South Carolina.

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(Photo of Eagle Scout Ian McAlister of Troop 343 is attached)

Friends Of Caleb Smith Preserve Announce Winners Of Photo Contest

Winning photos can be seen on the Smithtown Matters Gallery page.

Winners have been announced in the First Annual Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve photo contest, which began on August 1, 2019 and ran through January 2020. There were thirty-seven participants in the six-month-long contest, which focused on the beauty of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve on Route 25 West in Smithtown. Judges included three members of the Friends group, and a Park official.

Friends President Chris Duffner said, “The contest was an enjoyable experience as all the beautiful photos came in, and we’re looking forward to holding it again next year.”

The contest was divided into two age groups: Youth, and Adult [ages 18 or over]. There were 22 contestants in the Adult division and 15 in the Youth division, most of whom were from Commack High School. 

The winners in the Adult division are:

First place: Elizabeth Milward of Smithtown for “Reflection”. First place: Elizabeth Milward of Smithtown for “Reflection”. Second Place: Katelynd Hill, East Meadow, for “Goose Stretch”. Third Place:  Gerta Polgardy, Kings Park, for “Barn”. Honorable mentions went to Tom Caruso, Smithtown, for “Deer in Snow Storm,” and Sid Lorber, Smithtown, for “A December Day at Caleb”.

Winners in the Youth division are: 

DiStefano, Commack H.S. for “Frozen Pond”First place: Michela DiStefano, Commack H.S. for “Frozen Pond”. Second Place: Miranda Gonzalez, Commack H.S. for “Emergence”; Third Place: Travis Maffei, Kings Park, for “Ageless Beauty; Honorable mention: Russell Korn, Commack High School, for “Reflection”. 

          A reception honoring the winners and finalists will be held at the Park museum on Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. to honor the winners and award the cash prizes of $100 to each of the first place winners, $50 to the second place winners and $25 to the third place winners. The winning photos will be on display throughout the month of March.