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Displaying 1 through 10 of 90 records found.
Raising kids is parents’ job #1
Regarding the Rev. Francis Pizzarelli's Plain Talk column on bullying, etc.:
With all due respect, Reverend, I can't help but disagree with your recommendation that bullying prevention is the responsibility of our children's teachers. Another excuse for our children's parents to blame others for their kids' negative behaviors.
Raising children, especially today, is the hardest job in the world. But because babies don't ask to be born, the very least parents could do is install strong morals and values in their lives. One of the many ways my husband and I do this is the obvious: example setting. How very true it is; children learn what they live.
Reading, writing and arithmetic is what I expect of the fabulous teachers in the Comsewogue School District (especially Mrs. Bruno at Terryville), which is where three of our children currently attend school. Not to be a bully, smoke, drink, do drugs as well as numerous other unacceptable behaviors are to be taught at home by parents.
I'm sure that most readers, like myself, have been educated by reading your weekly column. But because you aren't a dad, is maybe why the obvious is often overlooked. Moms and dads need to be more committed and involved in their children's lives. In turn we wouldn't have to worry about a lack of treatment centers in our county!
Margaret Masone
Port Jefferson Station
P.S. No, I'm not a teacher, but blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. Seven of our nine live at home.
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March 05, 2010
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Any way to run a government?
Ahh yes, winter continues. For the second year in a row, the Port Jefferson Village DPW has sent a plow down First Avenue doing about 40 mph. This results in the destruction of an asphalt berm in front of our house, installed by the Village, which prevents road water runoff onto our property.
Without going into detail, this scenario has resulted in not only the aggravation of having our basement flooded several times, but a monetary cost of over $4,000. Upon investigation by the powers to be at Village Hall, they determined that they were not liable. The condition continues to exist without so much as a return phone call from Mayor Garant or Clerk Juliano, offering some sort of solution.
To put the icing on the cake, or the snow on the sidewalk, if you choose, this past weekend two young Code Enforcement officers arrive at our house and notify me that I have four hours to remove the snow from a sidewalk behind our home. And not doing so will follow with a summons or arrest!
I ask you: Is this any way to treat a disabled senior citizen? Moreover, is this any way to run a village government?
Ron Reinisch
Port Jefferson
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March 05, 2010
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Buttercup’s future
I would like to try and clarify a few items before people are misinformed.
First and foremost: Yes, T-Mobile has asked for Buttercup's Dairy Store's permission to receive town approval for an antenna to be built on the Terryville property. This is of course subject to town board approval which is also subject to community approval. Like all projects, it is up to the applicant to present the project in a way that meets the wants and needs of the community. If these conditions are not met, then the proposal cannot and should not be approved. As per agreement, T-Mobile was to work directly with the town board and civic groups to dispel any concerns of aesthetics or safety.
Secondly, in 1978 the Buttercup property was "grandfathered" a business zoning because the farm and related businesses were operating before the current zoning laws. There were never any open space requirements. At that time, the property also housed a processing plant and a wholesale and retail dairy distributing company. The processing plant, which was at least triple the size of the current store, was destroyed by fire in 1982.
Since this time we have put all our time and effort into Buttercup's Dairy Store. It has always benefited us a comfortable living, but it has not always been easy. We support a rather large piece of commercial land with a relatively small store. The idea of having a tenant use a small portion of land while not interrupting our current business was very appealing. Like all of us residents, the tax burden is larger every year.
When we opened our first drive-through store in 1971 we had a total of about 25 items. Now in 2010 we have 7,000 to 8,000 SKUs at any given time. We have seen our competitors go from Winkler's Deli and Bring's Bakery to Wal-Mart and BJ's and have been bombarded with 24-hour drug and convenience stores. We have been able to stay successful by listening to our customers and providing them with something that they cannot get elsewhere. The neighborhood has taken our business the way that it has wanted to go.
I always describe our business as the quintessential Long Island farm story. People came, cows and small bottling plants faded away as the need for the milkman was replaced by cars and local stores. I am the third generation to make a living on this "farm" and I am excited by the ideas and creations that the fourth generation has developed for our business (and maybe some term papers).
Thank you for your time and continued support. We plan on being here for as long as the community wants us.
Richard Smith
Buttercup's Dairy Store Inc.
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February 18, 2010
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Local history of discouragement
In response to the Master Plan questionnaire mailed to the residents of Port Jefferson, this is an open letter to the mayor and other elected officials on the running of the village.
Instead of asking the residents how to run the village you should take a look at how the previous mayors and elected officials handled the problems facing the village. For instance many years ago the comment made to the mayor by a resident was that it was surprising that Port Jefferson did not have any bums. Well working with the community they were able to import a few bums and as any one will tell you I think we can hold our own with any area on the Island.
When it was noted that we needed more shops in the village the mayor at the time managed to get Danfords to convert the maintenance buildings (that were to be torn down after the hotel construction) into stores. After the shop shortage was over the mayor persuaded them to convert the buildings to much-needed conference rooms.
A most recent example would be the problem that we had with an insidious group that was converging on the village and disturbing the merchants. They were seen parking their cars for hours on end, walking into and out of stores and restaurants, spending money and interrupting the extended coffee breaks and leisurely lunches of merchants. Some were even seen walking along the water just looking at boats and the scenery. The mayor immediately launched a multipronged attack. The village tax was doubled so code enforcement size could be doubled and greater numbers of tickets could be written. Shiny new cars were bought to intimidate anyone trying to park in the village. Working with Brookhaven Town they were able to move the motorcycles from the town parking lot to Main Street to discourage parking and intimidate any visitors to the village. Paid parking was introduced with all revenues being put into a reserve fund in case another way to discourage traffic needed to be funded. This strategy was bold and effective.
Another problem with parking concerning the library was also rapidly solved by the village. Parking on Thompson had always been a problem due to people other than library patrons taking up spaces. Thanks to innovative thinking the village reduced the time limit for parking to 30 minutes, therefore making us the only library in the United States that has on-street parking restricted to speed readers.
You see these are only a few examples of how government can work with business to solve problems. Any other village would raise taxes to improve roads and sidewalks; it takes out-of-the-box thinking to come up with the theory to discourage the use of roads and sidewalks.
John McCuen
Port Jefferson
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February 18, 2010
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Body and soul
Watching all the terrible scenes from Haiti I can feel the terrible suffering that these good people from a poor country feel. Earthquakes are not anyone's fault but some experts say that location and world climate fluctuations particularly temperature fluctuations can have some effect. The houses that are built in Haiti are built with heavy roofs because of hurricanes and this can have a devastating effect during earthquakes. There is little steel in most of the construction and reinforced concrete is rare. Change can come but education must come first. If you watch educational TV you see places like Dubai where a desert people are doing engineering marvels; one should not disqualify such things happening. I suppose the major difference is oil money and tourism. In Dubai they have the world's highest skyscraper and many similar engineering feats. Both areas of the world have their violent conflicts and political problems but Haiti isn't a terrorist country nor have international terrorists taken a foothold there. Haiti has gentle people with good humor despite its economic problems. Haitian immigrants work very hard here and language problems sometimes exist but they are insignificant. Haiti is a very beautiful country with lots of rain and hopefully those suffering can get water as soon as possible.
God in His mercy does have help for those in need. Human Life International gives Haiti an A because its laws foster respect for all life. The USA, Russia, India and China were given an F because of their abortion and contraception practices. Surprisingly Israel only got a C. Much change is needed. Ireland also got an A but like Haiti does have economic problems. The consolation as the Bible states is "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Haiti does have doctors but after an earthquake supplies and beds are badly needed. With all the death, burial practices that are common must be set aside because decomposition can have terrible consequences as regards health. It is not the human body that we should give priority to but the soul that is important. Before any real help can be given the threat of disease must be returned to hygienic stability. The worst cases and injured children must be given a priority in any subsequent rescue relief.
Having studied the sad history of immigration I believe we may need to relax some of our immigration standards to meet the tragedy. Our great country can and must with the help of God relax our laws and quotas. Immigration is what made this country great along with the promise of freedom.
John McGowan
Port Jefferson Station
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February 18, 2010
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Cell tower shame
Back in 1978 the Smith family, owners of the Buttercup Dairy Store located at 285 Boyle Road in Terryville and their lawyers petitioned the Brookhaven Town Board to change the zoning on their property from residential to business so they could continue to run their dairy store on the property. The property was zoned residential and the Smith family was running a business on the property. The town agreed to change the zoning, but placed "restrictive covenants" on the property which would preserve the remaining open space and prevent additional development on the property. The Smith family and their attorneys agreed. It appears as though the Smiths have changed their mind in the year 2010 and now want to amend the existing "restrictive covenant" so they can make additional money by allowing T-Mobile to construct a 65-foot cell phone tower along with additional equipment on the Buttercup Dairy Store property. The Smith family should be ashamed of themselves for disrespecting the people of Terryville, our quality of life and our property values. The people who live in Terryville and Port Jefferson Station are the very same people who support your dairy store, without these people your dairy store makes no money. I strongly suggest that all residents contact Mr. DeChance, chairman of the BZA, Mr. Pascal, chairman of the Planning Board, Town Board Council members and Supervisor Lesko to let them know how you feel about having a 65-foot cell phone tower, with additional equipment, built in your backyard. Shame on the Smith family.
Louis Antoniello
Hamlet Study Chairman
Terryville
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February 18, 2010
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Strict fiscal discipline needed
My thanks to Mayor Margot Garant for taking the time to respond ("Harborfront Park — setting the record straight") to my letter concerning major spending initiatives in the village. While I may have overestimated the amount of the increase in village taxes caused by the Village Center construction, I remind the mayor that the administration at the time of construction repeatedly assured the residents that grants, rather than village taxes, would pay for the project in its entirety. Yet, it is a fact that $1.5 million to cover the construction shortfall was paid for by village taxes, and substantial operating expenses (which were never mentioned when the project was proposed) continue to be funded annually through our taxes.
I wish in her response Mayor Garant would have addressed my main concerns, which were fiscal responsibility and ensuring that village residents have the final say in approving major projects and expenditures. I wish she would have responded to my hope that our elected village leaders adhere to strict fiscal discipline, do nothing to needlessly increase our taxes, and allow residents to approve or reject by referendum any significant project, regardless of where the funds are purported to come from. Committees are wonderful ideas as stepping stones, but the final decisions need to be made by the voters before commitments are made for projects of this nature.
Robert J. Nicols
Port Jefferson
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February 18, 2010
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It’s about quality of life
A special thanks to our Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld and all of the council members who voted for the moratorium which is a necessary part of the process to implement the Terryville-Port Jefferson Station land use plan. Steve's hard work and communication with other council members allowed us to obtain the necessary votes for the moratorium. Thank you to all of the residents who were in attendance to provide support for the moratorium as well as to voice opinions on another construction project that would have negatively affected quality of life. Job well done. A special thanks to Lee Koppelman. Lee was the consultant on our Hamlet Study and from the first day we knew that we made the correct choice. His expertise in planning and land use provided us with the knowledge to complete the Hamlet Study. The Dec. 8 vote was not just a vote for a moratorium or against a specific construction project, it was a vote of respect for our Hamlet Study, our quality of life and for the residents of Terryville and Port Jefferson Station. Thank you.
Happy holidays.
Lou Antoniello,
Hamlet Study Chairperson
Terryville
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December 17, 2009
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Global hoax
Everyone should pay more attention to what's going on in Washington. The media is doing us a disservice by playing favoritism with this administration. They are not giving us fair and balanced journalism. Therefore, it is up to you to be
informed.
Research some of the bills coming out of Washington, such as the stimulus package, health care reform, cap and trade, the Copenhagen Treaty, The Aspire Act, etc. The information is at your fingertips via the Internet. These new bills will cause your taxes to sky rocket! They will cause higher unemployment and possibly bankrupt the country. Our deficit is at $12 trillion and rising.
Even though Glenn Beck has been demoralized constantly for his TV and radio antics, he is just the scapegoat in all of this. What we fail to see is that he is among the few who has brought to light the unethical behavior going on in Washington. He has exposed the special interest groups being funded by your tax dollars, such as Acorn. He has also exposed various individuals working in the government with unscrupulous agendas.
For years we have been hearing all the noise about global warming and the devastating effects it will have. It's hard to believe, but all the hype and fear about global warming is just that.
Recently various emails were discovered at the University of East Anglia proving that the global warming phenomenon has been prefabricated by some scientists who realized that this scare tactic could provide billions of dollars for a few at the
expense of many. Mr. Al Gore and others will generate billions of dollars at our expense!
According to scientific data, water vapor contributes just as much to global warming as CO2 emissions. But you haven't heard any of this
because the media is not reporting on it.
This month the president is going to Copenhagen to discuss a global warming treaty. The Copenhagen Treaty is just a ploy to put pressure on the United States to provide billions of dollars to underdeveloped countries. It will impact our economy by instituting an energy tax on everything we use: electricity, fuel, all goods and services, etc.
Contact your congressman and your senators. Tell them we can't afford another bill to be passed. Don't take my word for it, do your own research and come to your own conclusions. For starters, Google the video by Lord Monckton on the global warming warning.
Louise Brock
Patchogue
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December 04, 2009
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Hard times for Coastal Steward
The Coastal Steward, a non-profit environmental organization based on Long Island, is having a tough time surviving in this economy.
Over the past two years the Coastal Steward has cleaned 35 beaches on Long Island, removing more than 60 tons of garbage with the help of over a thousand volunteers. Students earn community service credit by helping out. School groups, Scout troops, families and seniors all agree that beach cleaning provides a remarkable educational and community building experience and helps preserve the marine environment that surrounds us as well.
The economy has hit the Coastal Steward hard. Operating expenses, insurance costs and permit prices are going up while donations have been going down. In spite of working with many government agencies, grants are increasingly hard to get. Dave Johnson, the founder of the Coastal Steward, diligently works to see that almost every dime received goes to running the Adopt-A-Beach, Sponsor-A-Beach and Shellfish Restoration programs, and yet continually has to reach into his own pocket to the tune of thousands of dollars to keep the program going. It is discouraging to say the least.
Coastal Steward's existence is in jeopardy. Those of us who have worked with Dave for 20 years would find it a shame and a big loss to the community and the environment if it folds. The Coastal Steward does so much to restore and preserve our local beaches and waters. If you can help in any way, please do. All contributions and ideas are valuable at this time.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Coastal Steward, 6 Audrey St., Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776. For information check out www.coastalsteward.org or contact us at coastalsteward@optonline.net.
Kathy O'Sullivan
Port Jefferson
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December 04, 2009
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| 1828: Patrick R. Cleburne, Confederate general. |
| 1832: Daniel Conway Moncure, U.S. clergyman, author, abolitionist |
| 1846: Kate Greenway, painter and illustrator (Mother Goose). |
| 1902: Bobby Jones, American golfer. |
| 1919: Nat King Cole, American jazz pianist and singer. |
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