Candidates Must Put Forth Their Plans - Voters Need To Be Informed

Steve Bellone, Democratic candidate for Suffolk County Executive, announced his plan for Suffolk County’s economic recovery last week.

The economic plan Bellone calls “Innovate Suffolk” provides a framework for creating a sustainable economy.  Bellone’s plan is to pull together industry, research assets and government,  creating a job friendly environment here in Suffolk County. 

Pointing to the success of North Carolina’s “Research Triangle” Bellone plans to create a similar pro job – pro business environment in Suffolk.

Bellone’s plan calls for:

1. Creation of a new Innovation Zoning Category.
2. Help for Start Ups
3. Expand High – Tech Workforce
4. Elimination of Roadblocks
5. Reform County Health Department
6. Reform County Industrial Development Agency
7. Prioritize Business Friendly Environment
8. Aggressive Incentives

In today’s political climate candidates are criticized for not communicating ideas. At the national level taking a pledge seems to be an acceptable substitution for governing. It is not! We need visionaries, we need leaders and we need to know how candidates will address issues.  This is not the time for a cookie-cutter approach to budget deficits and declining tax revenues.  It is refreshing to have Steve Bellone put forth his plan for Suffolk County’s economic recovery and it is time for Republican Candidate Angie Carpenter to do the same.

 Pat Biancaniello - Editor

FealGood Foundation Awards Scholarship To CHS Student Yvonne Domingo

(Front) John Feal - Fealgood Foundation Pres., Debbie Virga (Community Relations Director), Yvonne Domingo , (Back row) James T. Ryder Board Member FealGood Foundation, Commack BOE President Mary Jo Masciello and Commack HS Asst. Principal Susan ShapiroJohn Feal of Nesconset created the FealGood Foundation to bring awareness to the catastrophic health effects suffered by responders on 9/11.  His organization is the force behind a memorial being constructed in Nesconset.   The memorial, scheduled to be dedicated on September 10, 2011, is in memory of those whose lives were shortened after their exposure to toxins at ground zero. 

In addition to raising awareness to the illnesses suffered by responders, John Feal is an advocate for peace.  He is a staunch believer that “it is through young people that peace will be achieved.”  John wants young people to get involved and he wants them to begin a dialog about peace.  The FealGood Foundation challenged students in the Commack School District to write essays entitled “What Peace Means To Me”. 

Yvonne Domingo, a 16-year old student at Commack High School, won the essay contest.   Yvonne’s essay will go into  “Pages For Peace”, expected to be the largest book ever created.  The book will include drawings, essays, letters and articles on peace.

Yvonne’s essay closed with the following statement.“Peace to me is having differences but learning to tolerate them.  It’s compromise and understanding the depth of one’s actions. It’s also having fears but learning to stand up for what you believe.” 

John Feal seems to know how to get things done.  Those who know him are betting that when peace does break out John Feal will have had something to do with it.  

For more information about the FealGood Foundation

Kings Park's Musical Moments Concert Series - Review

On a perfect night for music, Kings Park’s Musical Moments Concert Series filled the bill last night.  At a little before 7PM, in the Russ Savatt Park off Main Street, in Kings Park, people gathered with lawn chairs in hand.  Entertaining us last night were Joanne Amante, vocals, and Frank Walker, vocals and guitar. They ranged easily through a repertoire of traditional, folk, and classical rock, from Beatles tunes to James Taylor.  They had the park rocking, toe-tapping, and singing along to the Turtle’s “So Happy Together”.

The show was hosted by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and the Kings Park Civic Association, and sponsored by Clayton Funeral Home, Edelweiss Deli, Marketta USA, Professors Diner, R. Scheider Construction Corp., Ralph’s Italian Ices, SmithtownMatters.com and Winn Drugs.

Nesconset Branch of The Smithtown Library Is Open For Business The Park Is Open For Fun

Purchased from New York State in 1994 for the grand sum of $1 the Nesconset Armory stood vacant for almost seventeen years.  From 1994 until 2008 the building sat rotting from neglect.   For years, Town Government couldn’t decide whether to turn the building over to the library, use it for a recreation center or for a YMCA.  Eventually the building was turned over to the Smithtown Library and on June 30, 2011 the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library opened its doors to the public. On Wednesday, August 3 at 10am a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held and the most controversial branch of the Smithtown library will take its permanent place along side Commack, Kings Park and the Main Branch in Smithtown.

In 2008 voters throughout the town approved a $21 million bond for the expansion and improvement of all the Library’s buildings. The Nesconset Branch, located in rented space in a strip mall since the 70’s, had outgrown its surroundings. The armory, across the street from the strip mall, proved to be a viable facility for a library and community center in Nesconset.

After considerable reconstruction of the building the former armory was transformed.  The blighted building covered in graffiti has become a welcoming, clean and airy library.

The inside of the library is well lit and provides easy access to books, and all types of media.  There are reading areas for children and community areas for children’s programs.  There are designated areas for teens and new computers.  But it is the combination of the Library and the town park outside the library that makes this branch unparalleled in the Smithtown Library system.

Behind the Nesconset Library to the right of the building is a children’s park that is separated by fencing from a children’s water park.  On the opposite side of the parking lot there is a deck hockey rink and a small skateboard area.  There is also a track for jogging and walking, tennis courts and soccer fields.

The Administrative and Business Offices have been permanently moved to the Nesconset location.  The address of the Nesconset branch is 148 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset, NY  11767 the phone number is 631-265-3994. The hours of operation for the Nesconset Branch are Monday – Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday 10 is – 6pm and Saturday 9am -5pm.

The Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library will be holding its ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 3 at 10:00am.  The Board of Trustees is hoping the public will join them at the ceremony. 

The next Trustees meeting will be held in the community room at the Nesconset Branch on August 16 at 7pm.  The meeting is open to the public. 

Smithtown Main Library and Kings Park Branches are currently closed and will remain closed until the spring of 2012. 

Smithtown's First Couple Making History

By Pat Biancaniello

Couple John Garand, Rene Meyer with Susan Sillaro issuing Smithtown’s first marriage license to same sex couple John Garand and Rene Meyer have waited a very long time for this moment.  Together since 1980 and unofficially married in 1981, the couple watched as other states and countries embraced the concept of marriage for same sex partners.  They knew they would get married some day but didn’t expect it to be in New York.

Rene, born in Switzerland, is a naturalized citizen who grew up in Hauppauge.  John is originally from New Hampshire. They met in 1980 and committed to each other in 1981. They each wear inscribed gold bands honoring that commitment made thirty years ago. Tomorrow, a little more than 24-hours after receiving their license, in a ceremony at Carlyle On The Green along with 99 other couples, they will officially become married partners and spouses.

To say they are happy and excited would be an understatement. Both John and Rene have been active in the movement to allow same sex couples to marry.  They remember a time in the not so distant past when landlords in Manhattan wouldn’t rent an apartment to a gay couple.  Leases were not offered jointly and everything had to be in one name. It was a very different world than the world we live in today.

The couple purchased their current home in Hauppauge seven years ago from Rene’s parents. Their neighbor’s have been very accepting of them and have been supportive in their quest to marry.  Both John and Rene’s family have embraced the relationship and commitment the men have made to each other.  Although John said “ it took a little time for my parents to jump on board. We celebrated with them in New Hampshire a few weeks ago, but at 88 and 91 years of age it is not possible for them to be here for the wedding. The card they gave us stated, “Although we cannot be there for the wedding we will be there in spirit.”

Rene lost his mom a short time ago. His father’s response was excitement and happiness.  His first words were “it is a shame that your mom isn’t here for this.”

Originally planning to elope, they were disappointed that marriages were not performed at Smithtown’s Town Hall.  It was at the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender) Center in Bay Shore that they were invited to the special ceremony at Carlyle On The Green. The center’s director, David Kilmnick, will act as their witness. They are looking forward to the wedding and are excited about the wedding cake, which they have read about in Newsday. Even though they will not have family with them, the day will be special and they will have happy people sharing the wonderful experience surrounding them.

Both John and Rene have opted to keep their last names.  The couple will be honeymooning in Switzerland where they will celebrate their marriage with Rene’s family.  Rene’s elderly aunt, when learning of the impending marriage after a thirty-year relationship said, “It’s about time.”