FILE PHOTO |

A 22-year-old Middle Island man found asleep at the wheel with his car still running in the eastbound lane of Sound Avenue in Mattituck is facing DWI and drug charges, Southold Town police said. 

Leroy Jones still had the car in gear when he was awoken shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday, police said. He was also found to be in possession of heroin and crack cocaine, after a bag containing both was found in plain view in the vehicle, police said.

Mr. Jones was arrested at the scene and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Laurel, 2168 Main Road (Credit: Vera Chinese)

The postman’s unofficial creed — “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” — applies just as much to postal patrons in the North Fork’s small hamlets as it does to postal employees themselves.

The facilities are veritable meetinghouses where residents travel not only to pick up and send mail, but to converse with neighbors and gossip about town goings-on — no matter the weather outside. “Post offices are a hub of these little communities,” said local historian Richard Wines.

View them on northforker.com

Braun’s Seafood president and proud Rangers fan Ken Homan shows off a sample of what could be in the Governor’s gift basket. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

All bets are on as the New York Rangers face the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals — and the Governors of the states are getting in the fun.

An interstate wager announced Tuesday could mean a lot of great New York-produced goods will be sent to California, including some North Fork shellfish.

Should the Rangers lose the best of seven series Governor Cuomo will owe California Governor Jerry Brown a Taste NY gift basket. The victory package is complete with 10 products from local businesses across the Empire State including fresh North Fork oysters from Braun’s Seafood Company in Cutchogue.

Read all about it on northforker.com

Bobby Dellicarpini of Wading River at the Sing East End karaoke benefit in Riverhead Saturday. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

The fifth annual Sing East End karaoke benefit was held on Saturday night at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead. 

The event, which benefits East End Hospice’s Camp Good Grief, featured dinner, an auction, and karaoke performances by folks from all across Long Island.

See more photos from the event. 

Looking for work, or know someone who is?

Times/Review classifieds offers local companies a place to advertise their job openings each week, and this week close to 65 positions are available from restaurant help, to a mason, to sailing instructors.

And for anyone interested in submitting a classified ad, email: classifieds@timesreview.com. 

Check out the listings below:
A-TECH: Needed for independent repair shop. Electrical expertise es- sential. Must have tools and trans- portation. Call 631-727-5200 or apply in person at 1290 Flanders Road, Riverhead.

ACCOUNTANT: For East End firm. Seeking highly motivated indi- vidual with 1- 3 years’ experience in public accounting. Experience should include payroll, sales tax, fi- nancial statement prep and corporate/individual tax returns. Email resume, LMuchowski@kfpcpa.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: P/T, weekends. For North Fork real estate office. Computer skills required. Email resume to kterry@1townandcountry.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: F/T. Servpro of the East End, in Westhampton, is looking for a team player with good customer service and communication skills. Computer literacy required. Bilingual a plus. Health, dental, 401(k). Fax re- sume to 631-653-9483 or email Alicia@servproeastend.com

ANSWERING SERVICE TELEPHONE OPERATORS: F/T, mid-night shifts. P/T weekend openings. Smoke-free office. Computer experience required. For details, Call 631- 548-8415.

ASSEMBLY/MACHINE SHOP POSITIONS: CNC machine operators/manufacturing positions. Will train based on mechanical ability. Diversified duties. Competitive salary, health/dental benefits, 401(k) and growth potential. Send resume to wiona@stidd.com or call 631-477- 2400, ext. 132. STIDD Systems, Inc. Greenport, NY 11944.

ASSISTANT COOK: F/T, Sunday-Wednesday, year round. Experience required. With benefits. Fax resume 631-288-1638; call 631-288-1122, ext. 1036; apply in person, 7 Seafield Lane, Westhampton Beach; or email resume lmoran@seafieldcenter.com

AUTO DETAILER: F/T. Experienced only with clean driver’s license/references. Medical/401(k). Call Donna or Gabe, 631-765-9200.

BAKER: Early-morning hours. Will train. East End Bagel Cafe. 631-765- 1642, evening 631-722-7889.

BOOKKEEPER: P/T, Monday/ Thursday. For inventory control and billing. 516-807-5011.

CAREGIVERS: F/T, P/T, hourly, live-in, flexible schedules. Kind, car- ing, compassionate HHAs/companions needed for in-home care. Call Comfort Keepers, 631-369-6080.

CARPENTER’S HELPER: F/T. Motivated. Some experience. Own transportation/clean driver’s license. 631-765-5772.

CARPENTER/HELPER: Experience in all phases of home improvement. Tools, transportation, driver’s license required. 631-298-1956.

CERTIFIED AEROBIC/SPIN INSTRUCTOR: P/T or F/T sub. 631- 734-4042.

CHILDREN’S FACE PAINTER: For monthly weekend event, June-October. Email with resume and small portfolio of previous painting work to, beth.harbesfarm@gmail.com

Mattituck players celebrating the team’s second Long Island championship in four years following their 9-2 win over Wheatley. (Credit: Daniel De Mato)

Here are 10 Suffolk Times stories you may have missed this week. To make sure you stay on top of breaking North Fork news, follow @thesuffolktimes on Twitter. 

Mattituck baseball wins 9-2 in the LIC against Wheatley. Tuckers advance to tomorrow’s regional final. Story to follow.

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 6, 2014

Baseball: Mattituck grad drafted by @RaysBaseball in 17th round of #MLBDraft: http://t.co/IaQaf6sKaY

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 7, 2014

Man who allegedly cooked meth in a Greenport hotel bathroom this week is now being held on $100K bail http://t.co/wLB8yVFOXC

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 4, 2014

Cross Island ferry (@Cross_Sound) secures federal funds to upgrade Orient terminal: http://t.co/4YxIBtWoCP

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 4, 2014

A community divided over New Suffolk waterfront plans http://t.co/3trivWiFZJ

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 3, 2014

Should the Blue Inn restaurant be open to the public? http://t.co/ihqPWeBLZ0

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 3, 2014

Interactive maps of Southold Town roads may soon be available to the public online: http://t.co/KyFzPmXR4b

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 4, 2014

Following controversy last week over a premature opening without proper approvals, Greenport surf shop OK’d: http://t.co/58IBG1qRzJ

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 6, 2014

Southold is considering changing its primary emergency shelter from Southold H.S. to the Peconic Community Center: http://t.co/RuEgFjfzVx

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 6, 2014

Agreement between county exec & green groups settles a lawsuit against Suffolk. Still needs legislature, voter OKs http://t.co/SYHkm5ytqK

— Suffolk Times (@thesuffolktimes) June 5, 2014

Brian Kavanagh, executive chef of Claudio’s, won first place for best clam chowder. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

With nine trophies for making the best chowder in a Greenport now under his belt, Claudio’s executive chef Brian Kavanagh attributes his repeated success to the belief that it’s silly to fix what isn’t broken.

“Consistency is the thing,” he said after taking first place in the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation’s chowder festival, held for the first time outside of the organization annual fall maritime festival.

“When you have something good, don’t change it,” Mr. Kavanagh added. “I’ve been making this chowder for 23 years.”

But change might have been what attracted more than 1,000 people, a record by all accounts, to the chowder festival on Sunday. Once a crowd favorite of the maritime festival, the fundraiser was on hiatus after the seaport museum scratched it in 2013. It was reborn as its own event this year and held in early summer. And the winner was decided by popular vote instead of by a panel of chefs.

“We asked for sun and we got it. It’s well beyond our expectations,” said Keturah Hurst, special events coordinator for the East End Seaport Museum. “Everyone is in heaven with the chowders they have tasted.”

She said participants and chefs both missed the annual competition, which she said was a raging success in 2014.

“Everyone thinks they have the best chowder,” she said. “That’s the reality of living in a seaport town.”

While perennial favorite Claudio’s bested 13 other East End eateries to take home the clam trophy, newcomer First and South was first runner-up.

Tom Schaudel’s aLure took first place in the “other” chowder competition. His new Aquebogue venture, “The Petulant Wino,” took second.

Noah’s, SALT, CJ’s American Grill, The Frisky Oyster, Front Street Station, aMano, Vino N’Vittles, Rhumbline, Six Three One, The Blue Inn, and San Simeon by the Sound also participated.

While most chowder lovers preferred the Claudio’s recipe, the most traditional chowder of the bunch, some preferred new takes on seafood soups, like the brothier variety offered by Vino N’Vittles.

“The creamiest was Claudio’s, but the best was Vino N’Vittles,” said festivalgoer Jerry Yllanes of St. James. “That’s how I like it.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the East End Seaport Museum.

vchinese@timesreview.com

Southold High School nominees are interviewed for MyLITV on Verizon Fios1. (Credit: Grant Parpan)

On the same day Broadway’s best headed to Radio City Music Hall to celebrate a year’s worth of achievement at the Tony Awards, the top performers in East End high school theater gathered at Longwood High School for a celebration of their own. 

The Teeny Awards — presented by East End Arts for the 12th consecutive year — honors the best in theater from high schools located in the five East End towns and a portion of northeastern Brookhaven.

When the last award was handed out and the final musical number was performed at the ceremony, which was emceed by Bonnie Grice of Peconic Public Broadcasting, three local students headed home with a Teeny in their hand.

Local winners included Connor Vaccariello of Southold High School for ”The 39 Steps,” Meg Pickerell of Southold High School for “Rent”and Patrick O’Brien of Bishop McGann-Mercy High School for “Death of a Salesman.”

Host Longwood won the most awards with four.

Below is a complete list of winners in the featured categories. Click here to see a list of all the local nominees.

BEST ACTRESS — DRAMA

Rebecca Dwoskin, Pierson “A Murder Among Us.”

BEST ACTOR — DRAMA 

Patrick O’Brien, Bishop McGann-Mercy “Death of a Salesman”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS — DRAMA

Amili Targownik, The Ross School, “The One-And-A-Half-Year Silent Girl”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR — DRAMA

Yanni Giannakopoulos, The Ross School, “Median”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS — COMEDY

Daniela Herman and Naomi Tankel , The Ross School, “The Grand Scheme” (tie)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR — COMEDY

Connor Vaccariello, Southold, “The 39 Steps”

BEST ACTRESS — COMEDY

Amanda Mullin, Eastport-South Manor, “Blithe Spirit”

BEST ACTOR — COMEDY

John Coyne, Longwood, “Much Ado About Nothing”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS — MUSICAL

Maura Sitzman, Westhampton Beach, “Little Sally”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR — MUSICAL

Sean Mannix, Shoreham-Wading River, “Carousel”

BEST ACTRESS — MUSICAL

Shannon Muthig, Longwood, “Damn Yankees”

BEST ACTOR — MUSICAL

Drew Garrison, Shelter Island, “Young Frankenstein” and Ramsey Pack, Longwood, “Damn Yankees” (tie)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER — COMEDY OR DRAMA

David Letteriello, Longwood, “Much Ado About Nothing”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER — MUSICAL

Meg Pickerell, Southold, “Rent”

JUDGE’S CHOICE AWARD

Pierson, “The Fantasticks,” student director Emily Selyukova

BEST STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY

Ryan Schafer, Center Moriches, “Fame”

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE

Pierson, “A Chorus Line”

PLAYBILL DESIGN

Aly Blazer, Eastport-South Manor, “Blithe Spirit”

See photos from the red carpet.

The staff of First and South with owner Sarah Phillips. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

The hot sun didn’t effect the demand for warm chowder at this year’s Greenport Chowder Festival.

Claudio’s Restaurant took first place in the East End Seaport Museum and Marine Foundation fundraiser, held for the first time outside of the organization annual fall maritime festival.

See the photos on northforker.com.

A calendar of events for this week at each of the local schools, as listed on school calendars.

MATTITUCK-CUTCHOGUE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Thursday, June 12

• 5 p.m. — PTSA End of Year Celebration, location TBA

SOUTHOLD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monday, June 9

• DARE graduation

Wednesday, June 11

• 7:30 p.m. — Board of Education work session, auditorium

Saturday, June 14

• ACT exam

GREENPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT

All week

• Grades 7-12 in-class finals for all non-Regents classes

Wednesday, June 11

• 1 p.m. — Elementary Spring Concert Preview

• 5 p.m. — Kindergarten orientation

• 6 p.m. — PTA meeting

• 7 p.m. — Elementary Spring Concert

Friday, June 13

• Fourth quarter ends

Saturday, June 14

• ACT exam

OYSTERPONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Tuesday, June 10

• Rocket Day

Wednesday, June 11

• 9:30 a.m. — DARE graduation

Friday, June 13

• 9 a.m. — Flag Day celebration

NEW SUFFOLK SCHOOL DISTRICT

7 p.m. — Board of Education meeting

OUR LADY OF MERCY REGIONAL SCHOOL

Thursday, June 12

• Performing Arts, last day to practice

• Pizza lunch, last pizza lunch

• Grades K and 6 report cards sent home

Friday, June 13

• 1 p.m. — Grade 6 graduation, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mattituck.

• Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten graduation, Parish Hall, time TBA.

• Third trimester ends

BISHOP MCGANN-MERCY HIGH SCHOOL

Wednesday, June 11

• Last day of classes

• Junior High Athletic Awards

Thursday, June 12

• Fourth quarter ends

• School finals

Friday, June 13

• Junior High MORP

PECONIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Tuesday, June 10

• 9 a.m. — Early Childhood Facilitator Meet and Greet

• 1:15 p.m. — Tour for prospective families

Thursday, June 12

• 1:30 p.m. — Music

Friday, June 13

• Last day of school

• 12 p.m. — Picnic

Richard G. Ehrlich of Southold died at his home June 7 after a sudden illness. He was 73.

He was born June 10, 1940, in White Plains to Mary (Gates) and Jacob Ehrlich. Mr. Ehrlich graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and then became a philatelist. During this time he traveled the world, buying and selling stamp collections. After retiring in 1978, he continued to travel until he purchased The Clam Bar at Napeague in 1980. Family members said he “continued to learn and develop the business to be where it is today – an iconic Hamptons establishment.”

In 1994, Mr. Erlich bought the Seafood Barge in Southold, which is where he met his wife, Betsy. The restaurant was the first to receive a three-star rating from the New York Times. Family members said it was his vision for the Seafood Barge that put North Fork dining on the map and throughout the years, he shaped many lives of those who worked for him at his restaurants. They also said he loved the beach, the ocean and appreciated the beauty of nature.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Jennifer of San Francisco, Calif.; his son, Jacob; his stepdaughter, Kelly Flinn of New York City; his stepson, Brian Flinn of Nashville, Tenn.; and his sister, Lynn Nielsen of Olympia, Wash.

The celebration of life service will take place Friday, June 13, at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Southold. Arrangements were handled by Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Ehrlich’s name to East End Hopsice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or the Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714.

RACHEL YOUNG PHOTO | Attorney Joseph Giannini, far left, speaks with his client, Erik Oberg, front, and Christopher Miller, rear, after appearing in Southold Town Justice Court last fall.

A commercial fishing boat captain caught illegally spearfishing east of Little Gull Island last summer pleaded down to a misdemeanor charge recently, while agreeing to pay $15,000 in fines after spearing over 900 pounds of bass, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Environmental Conservation Officers were patrolling the waters from Shinnecock to Fishers Island last August when they spotted three divers with spear guns boarding a boat at Valiant Rock. Officials said Captain Christopher Miller’s vessel Sea Spearit had both tagged and untagged striped bass in coolers.

DEC officers seized the fish and found the group had illegally speared over $4,600 worth of fish.

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Mr. Miller — originally charged with a felony for taking over $1,500 worth of fish illegally — pleaded guilty to illegal commercialization of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and wildlife, a misdemeanor. In addition to paying a fine, he has to complete 210 hours of community service in lieu of 45 days of incarceration.

Three others caught fishing were charged, two of whom have already pleaded guilty.

Erik Oberg of Montauk and Mica Marder of East Hampton both copped to violations of the Environmental Conservation Law for illegal commercialization of fish.

They were each ordered to complete 140 hours of community service and pay a fine no higher than $500.

All three originally pleaded not guilty at a court hearing in Southold Town Justice Court last November.

A fourth fishermen allegedly involved in the incident, Peter Correale of New Canaan, Conn, has reportedly remained out of the country since the incident and will be charged at a later date.

According to the DEC, New York State Environmental Conservation Law prohibits taking striped bass for commercial use by spear due to the fact there is a slot size limit that is difficult to determine until the fish are actually in hand. This, the DEC says, is thought to be a much easier way to “secure a fish whose populations have to be managed in order to ensure the continued viability of the fishing stock,” the DEC said.

“New York State’s proud fishing tradition goes back hundreds of years,” said DEC regional director Peter Scully. “It is regrettable when a few bad actors tarnish the reputation of a sound and admirable profession. We are very fortunate to have a police force which works tirelessly to prevent these individuals from taking advantage of our natural resources and ensure they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Mr. Miller of Montauk, Mr. Oberg and Mr. Marder all originally surrendered to authorities Oct. 4, 2013 at New York State Police Headquarters in Riverside.

jpinciaro@timesreview.com

Maria Loja of Queens tries the Flyboard for the first time. (Credit: Paul Squire)

The newest extreme water sport has made its way to the Peconic River.

Flyboards, a water propelled jetpack powered by a Jetski, are now available to rent in downtown Riverhead.

Read more about it and watch a video of a Flyboard in action at northforker.com

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY

Timmy Solomito of Islip was proof positive of the old adage that you can’t keep a good man, or in this case a good race team, down. He swept the Evans Hall of Fame NASCAR Modified Twin 50s on Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway. They were the first wins of the season for Solomito.

In the first race, Solomito flashed under the checker flag first. He was followed by Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead, Howie Brode of East Islip, Brad Van Houten of Wading River and Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn.

The finishing order for Race 2 was once again Solomito, Rogers, Brode and Van Houten, with fifth going to Eric Goodale of Riverhead.

“We needed this,” Solomito said in victory lane. “We had a rocky start to our season.”

The wins were the 9th and 10th of Solomito’s budding career.

In other races:

Mike Mujsce of Quogue notched his 15th career Figure Eight win, leading all but one lap of the 15-lap main event. Johnny Vullo of Farmingville reclaimed second on Lap 11 and held that position to the end. Roger Maynor of Bay Shore was third after starting the race eighth.

Chris Turbush of Wading River became the first repeat winner of 2014 in the Charger division. He dominated a 20-lap feature event for his 37th career win. Scott Pedersen of Shirley used a double-file restart on Lap 8 to move into second where he finished. Cory Midgett of East Hampton was the third driver to cross the finish line.

Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches raced to his second win of the year, becoming the first repeat winner in the Legend Race Car class. The 20-lap race saw second place go to Kyle Soper of Manorville and third to Brad Van Houten of Wading River.

Enduro veteran Jim McCarthy of Bellmore made a late-race pass of Donald Lawrence of Southampton to score his first win of the year in a 75-lap Eight-Cylinder Enduro. Lawrence was second. Jeffrey Otto Jr. of Deer Park scored a career-best, third-place finish.

Annie and Kathy Perretta hope to open their store later this month. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

With a passion for design and a knack for business, longtime North Forkers Kathy and Annie Perretta are opening a one-stop shop for all things home and garden at the former Down Home Store, a landmark building on Main Road in Cutchogue. 

Phoebe & Belle will sell home décor with an emphasis on clean lines and natural, organic beauty inspired by the North Fork. It will also have hostess gifts, kitchen and garden furnishings, similar to its predecessor, which closed last summer.

A self-proclaimed foodie, Kathy Perretta got the idea to open the shop last year to satisfy her love of design and need for a home décor store on the North Fork. With the help of daughter Annie, her business partner and a fellow design and art enthusiast, Phoebe & Belle will open later this month, after the final touches are in place.

NORTHFORKER: DECORATING TIPS and MORE PHOTOS from PHOEBE & BELLE 

The mother, a former designer and public relations manager, and daughter, who previously worked on fundraising campaigns for Lincoln Center in New York City, said their appreciation for aesthetics was not their only motivation to buy and renovate the Main Road building.

“Everyone has memories of this building,” Annie Perretta said. “I remember being 8 years old and shopping at the Down Home Store with my mom. It is special to a lot of people.”

Adding to her daughter’s sentiment, Kathy Perretta said she didn’t want the historic former post office to go unkempt and vacant. In that spirit, they choose to keep the building’s original wooden floors and counter top.

“We wanted to revitalize this beautiful building, but also have some reverence for the space that was here before,” Kathy Perretta said.

The partners are now stocking Phoebe & Belle store unique home décor items, custom-made furniture and products for the garden room — which will feature flowers, plants and gardening tools.

cmurray@timesreview.com

An East Marion man was arrested Monday after he promised another man he could rent out a Greenport property and then pocketed the $1,000 paid in rent, according to a Southold Town police press release.

Roy Lindsay Morrow, 64, allegedly took the money from the victim and promised to rent him an apartment on Fourth Avenue in Greenport, police said. But Mr. Morrow did not have permission to rent the property, police said.

“He basically misrepresented himself,” said Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley. The house is listed as being owned by Antone Ficurilli Jr., according to Southold Town tax records.

Police said Mr. Morrow didn’t return the money to the victim, who notified police last Thursday of the alleged theft.

Mr. Morrow — a Scotland native known in the community as “Sir Roy” — was arrested Monday and charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. He will be arraigned Tuesday, police said.

psquire@timesreview.com

Lake Marratooka in Mattituck. (Credit: Grant Parpan)

Toxic blue-green algae have been detected at Lake Marratooka in Mattituck and residents are being asked to avoid swimming and to keep children and pets away from the area.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation had confirmed that the lake, which is located across from Mattituck High School on Main Road, has high levels of blue-green algae known as “toxic cyanobacteria,” according to a press release issued Monday by the Suffolk County Health Department.

Cyanobacteria has also been found at Lake Agawam in Southampton, and Big Reed Pond in Montauk.

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“Residents who have been recently exposed to cyanobacteria at these water bodies and have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties are advised to seek medical attention,” the release states. “Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately.”

Although it’s natural for lakes and streams to have small amounts of blue-green algae, officials said it can form algae blooms and produce “floating scums on the surface of the water” or may cause the water to take on a “paint-like appearance.”

A Baiting Hollow resident, who declined to give his full name, said Monday he goes fishing at Lake Marratooka regularly and has noticed the water quality hasn’t been as bad as it has been in recent years.

“It comes and it goes,” he said as he packed up his equipment for the day. The fisherman added he’s “never seen someone swim in this lake in 20 years.”

For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County’s website.

Here are today’s top stories. To make sure you stay on top of local news, follow The Suffolk Times on Facebook.

–

Former Mattituck resident Joanne Cooper Bochan of Boca Raton, Fla., passed away June 4, 2014, at Boca Raton Community Hospital. She was 54. 

Ms. Bochan is survived by her husband of 29 years, former Mattituck resident Henry Bochan; her mother, Julie Cooper; her sister, Judy Doroski; her brother, James Cooper; and her niece, Julie.

A memorial service was held June 8 at Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton.

This is a paid notice. 

Mitchell Park may no longer be available for events. (Credit: File)

Those hoping to hold events at Mitchell Park in Greenport Village may be out of luck if a moratorium proposed by Mayor David Nyce is approved.

During a Village Board special meeting on Monday night, Mr. Nyce suggested putting a moratorium on park events that aren’t sponsored by the village until the board develops a comprehensive policy on issuing mass assembly permits.

Get the news to come to you: like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The moratorium proposal comes after two religious groups threaten to take legal action against the village for denying their organizations use of the park for public gatherings.

During the Village Board’s meetings in April and May, the board rejected applications from both Lamb’s Chapel and Maranatha Church to hold events in the park featuring live music and inspirational speakers.

After Mr. Nyce relayed advice to the Village Board from village attorney Joe Prokop, who was absent from Monday’s meeting, the board voted 4-1 to rescind the previous votes and to allow the church events to take place in Mitchell Park on June 29 and July 17.

“We are not in a position to deny these mass assembly permits,” Mr. Nyce said. “We are not on strong legal ground.”

Trustee David Murray cast the lone dissenting vote.

“We should not have to say ‘yes’ to every church,” Mr. Murray said. “This is ridiculous. We need to stop this.”

Mr. Nyce said he’s unwilling to go against Mr. Prokop’s legal advice and proposed a resolution to halt the issuance of any future events until a new policy is developed. Events hosted in partnership with the village, such as Dances in the Park and Maritime Festival, would be exempt from moratorium, he said.

The board is expected to vote on resolution at its next meeting on June 16 at 6 p.m. in the Third Street fire station.

cmurray@timesreview.com