November 15th Is America Recycles Day

November 15th, 2010  has been designated America Recycles Day by the Keep America Beautiful Organization.  Since 1953 this organization has been working to get Americans to take responsibility for improving the environment in their communities. The goal is to get people focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, beautification and community improvement. 

For many people recycling has become second nature but for too many of us it is not.  We recycle when we think about it or it is convenient.  We return cans and bottles for our deposit money, most of the time.  And we don’t always know what can be recycled or how to properly dispose of items.  Are you doing all you can to ensure that your recyclables are not ending up in the waste stream?  Probably not.  

The Keep America Organization is asking you to take the following pledge and the people who will benefit from it live in your community.  They are your family, your neighbors and all the people who will come after you.  Take the pledge, do your part to make a better today and a better tomorrow.  

I RECYCLE PLEDGE:

I pledge to find out what materials I can and cannot recycle in my curbside recycling program.

I pledge to lead by example in my place of work or school by recycling.

I pledge to recycle my used batteries, cell phones and other electronic waste through a take-back program or e-waste facility near me.

I pledge to tell five friends that recycling is one of the easiest things they can do to reduce their carbon emissions.

 Pat

Rotary Club Of Smithtown - Awards Shirley Reiter Human Rights Award To Smithtown Students

The Rotary Club of Smithtown, along with the Smithtown Anti-Bias Task Force presented four Smithtown Students with the Shirley Reiter Human Rights Award in recognition for promoting harmony and unity in their communities.  Pictured in the first photo Glenn Williams (Rotary President Elect), Taha Ali Alivi (Commack HS) Lauren Barnett (Smithtown HSE), Christopher Biancaniello (Smithtown HSW), Elizabeth Schneider (Kings Park HS), Barbara Bernard (Anti-Bias Task Force)

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.”