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.


Commack Fire Dept. Puts Out Car Fire At North Ridge Primary School

 Just as the buses were beginning to arrive, but prior to students exiting the buses, it was reported that a car was on fire on the far side of the parking lot.  Given the circumstances, students remained on their buses and a staff member boarded each bus to assist children. The buses were then diverted to the High School where they waited for about 20 minutes until the Commack Volunteer Fire Dept. put out the fire, and the traffic on Townline Road subsided.  Everyone was then returned to the school and escorted to their classrooms for the start of the school day.  Teachers will take time to explain what happened and how the adults worked together to assure they were safe at all times.  

Students are now safely back at North Ridge and the Halloween Parade scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon will be held as planned.  To the credit of Mrs. Rihm and her entire staff, I am happy to report that the school’s emergency preparedness plans for such an event were enacted without fault. 

 I’d like to thank everyone that helped ensure the safety of our students and staff this morning, including district office staff, the Suffolk County Police Department, the Commack Volunteer Fire Department, and North Ridge staff.

Dr. Donald James,

Superintendent of Schools

Spanish Honor Society Comes Through For Long Island Cares

Giuseppe Castelli, Michael Bosco,Sam Rossano, Ms. Bermúdez and Ms. Curran-Hernández The Spanish Honor Society of Smithtown High School West collected seven bins of food Sunday, October 24th from 10 AM to 6 PM at Stop &Shop though the humanitarian organization, Long Island Cares. The following students helped in the collection process.

Paige Kelly, Alex Tammaro, Courtney Lawrence, Kelly Weller, Lindsay DeLuna, Victoria Lowe, Katie Lowe, Jenn Booth, Michelle Kolakowski, Kaitlyn Hendricks, Jillian Cohen, Giuseppe Castelli, Michael Bosco, Jenna Martucci, Sam Rossano, Frankie Olito, Mike Vetri, Rob Fitting, Eric Culver, Tiffany Lai, Keira Murphy, Max Jacobs, Marc Giuffrè

These foods and toiletries will be donated to the Long Island Cares food and toiletries bank and through L.I.C. the goods will be distributed to the less fortunate in time so that they may celebrate and enjoy a Thanksgiving and Holiday season that will be one to remember! We thank the students who volunteered their time as well as the Honor Society’s advisors, Ms. Bermúdez and Ms. Curran-Hernández for doing their part in helping to help ameliorate suffering and poverty in our community.

Defendant charged with second degree murder not responsible by reason of mental disease

 

The Fort Salonga woman charged almost one year ago for the fatal stabbing of her husband will not stand trial after pleading not responsible by reason of mental

disease or defect today in Suffolk County court.

 

Kathleen Prisco remains incarcerated in the Suffolk County jail without bail.  

 

By statute, the New York State Office of Mental Health will direct the defendant to a state mental health facility for additional testing and treatment.  Reports compiled from these psychiatric exams will be provided to the court and a hearing will be scheduled to determine whether or not the defendant has a dangerous mental disorder.