This Election Day, voters on the North Fork can take a huge step to improve water quality and preserve open space and farmland. Since 1999, the Community Preservation Fund has raised over $1 billion for land and historic preservation in East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold, which cover 40 percent of Suffolk County’s land.

On Nov. 8, local voters will decide whether to extend the CPF to 2050 and allow up to 20 percent of its revenues to be used for projects that improve water quality pursuant to a specific plan for each town. This could generate nearly $700 million for water quality projects over time and set a model for other parts of Long Island.

In our local hamlets, the Community Preservation Fund has helped keep working farms workable, enabling both generational and new farmers to continue the North Fork’s tradition of agriculture. It’s allowed for innovative farming, public enjoyment and, best of all, fresh, local vegetables for families across Long Island, and especially neighbors here on the East End. It has enabled the farming community — the backbone of our local economy — to stay intact, all the while maintaining aesthetically beautiful and pastoral vistas for us all to enjoy.

The CPF has also allowed some of the North Fork’s most iconic landscapes and seascapes to be preserved, spanning from Peconic Bay to Long Island Sound, from Riverhead to Orient. Key sites of note include Riverhead’s North Fork Preserve, a forested 300-acre tract dotted with freshwater wetlands that has been dubbed “Suffolk’s last great park.” It’s an important site for migratory birds and a beautiful spot for hiking and walking.

Another iconic example of the CPF at work is Sound View Dunes Park in Peconic. This 57-acre duneland and forested habitat offers visitors incredible vistas of Long Island Sound, ending at a prime beachfront spot. The calls of bullfrogs, the sound of waves and wind whispering in the pines are part of what makes this locale a true North Fork gem.

Then there’s Pipes Cove, an impressive wetland complex where protected parcels now span from Long Island Sound to Peconic Bay. Pipes Cove affords our inland properties protection from sea level rise and storm surges, while providing critical habitat for fish and shellfish. It’s also a spot where local oysters are grown, providing added economic value to this area.

Whether it’s keeping the North Fork’s rural look and feel, allowing us a greater connection to the land or just offering a relaxing spot to watch the sunset, the Community Preservation Fund has made it possible.

As development pressure moves ever eastward, we can all see what is happening to our rural landscape and precious water, Now, let’s all take a stand to extend the Community Preservation Fund and keep this place from becoming just anyplace. I urge everyone who lives here to vote yes on Proposal 1 (on the back of the ballot) for the Community Preservation Fund this Election Day.

Bob DeLuca is president of Group for the East End, an environmental organization.

In an election cycle where the size of one candidate’s hands and the pantsuits of the other are discussed as frequently — if not more — than issues facing the country, it can be difficult for people to figure out what to prioritize when it comes to casting their vote.

And for first-time voters who aren’t yet familiar with the election process, it can become even more confusing trying to decide who deserves to be president.

Three weeks ahead of one of the most contentious and unusual elections to date, The Suffolk Times talked to young voters to gauge their thoughts on Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

“It’s a joke,” Kristal Dewey, 20, said of the election. “I still have to decide who to vote for. It’s hard because they’re both foolish.”

A concept often repeated by students in professor Sean Otten’s American National Politics class at Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead is the idea that this election is all about “picking the lesser of two evils.”

Students in the class, which contains 13 first-time voters, seemed dismayed by the thought of having to choose between Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump. Some said they would vote for a third-party candidate instead.

“I know a lot of people say this is going to be awful and nothing will come out of it, but I really believe in the principle of voting,” Peter Pollizatto, 21, said. “So if someone complains and didn’t vote you can say, ‘Well you didn’t vote, so you didn’t really have a say in it.’ … I’m going to vote for [Libertarian] Gary Johnson so I can have a say.”

Other students, such as second-time voter John Bradley, felt that because the two candidates are so “repulsive” and there’s a “much higher risk” this year, it’s particularly important to choose between Mr. Trump and Ms. Clinton.

After polling the class, 17 students said they planned on voting, while five have decided against it.

According to a U.S Census Bureau study, millennials, or people aged 18-35, comprise the smallest group of voters. In 2012, just 38 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 voted. That number increased to 49.5 percent for people aged 25 to 44. Meanwhile, 64.5 percent of those between the ages of 45 and 64 voted, as did 69.7 percent of people 65 and older.

“This election, most of the time you think about the domestic interests and stuff — gay marriage and stuff — but I believe that this election will have major global implications and ways of which it affects the world,” said Peter Gensler, 23.

In general, the class agreed that this election’s candidates are subpar. Regardless, they still think it’s important to help play a role in choosing the country’s next leader.

“Both of the candidates aren’t impressive figures or the best candidates possible, but I think people have started to pay attention to the inner workings of the political machine in the United States and are seeing the corruption on all sides,” Kendra Worth said. “I feel like in the future maybe we’ll make some changes to the way the system operates — hopefully.”

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo: Professor Sean Otten teaches his American National Politics class at Suffolk County Community College about the upcoming election. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

After years of minor annual maintenance at the mouth of Goldsmith Inlet in Peconic, Southold Town officials are hoping for “a more substantial dredging” to keep the inlet opened longer, according to Supervisor Scott Russell.

Town officials met last Tuesday with representatives from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works to come up with a plan for the inlet.

The jetty at the inlet was built in 1963 and turned over to the town the following year, and officials say it contributes to capturing sand that ends up choking off the inlet, in turn threatening the health of the waterway and the marine life there.

Hugh Switzer of the Group to Save Goldsmith Inlet said that if a second jetty had been built east of the current one in 1963, it would have kept the channel open.

“We’ve had one jetty that creates this big funnel and forces all the sand into the pond,” he said in an interview. “It’s like six feet of sand in the pond and it’s killed all the shellfish.”

Mr. Switzer said that Autumn Lake, the pond into which the inlet flows, once had oysters, mussels, scallops, clams, crabs, eels and fin fish. Now, he said, it hardly has any — and even if it did, shellfishing has been banned there for decades because the water is so polluted.

“It completely closed up twice this summer and immediately turned into a swamp,” Mr. Switzer said. “You could see the algae growing and the fish dying.”

He said the jetty’s negative effects weren’t immediate in the 1960s and the pond didn’t get really bad until about 15 years ago.

The Town Trustees conducted field inspections at the inlet throughout the late winter and early spring. Trustee president John Bredemeyer says those inspections, contained in a draft report, confirm reports from concerned citizens and government officials that the inlet was blocked off entirely for extended periods. The Trustees also heard reports from residents of a dead fish odor coming from the inlet at times.

Fearing a potential die-off of marine life there, the Trustees initiated additional testing at the inlet in July and August, which showed low dissolved oxygen levels at six testing stations.

“The observations and data collected for the period Aug. 25-26 strongly support the notion that the headwaters suffered a significant anoxic event, killing fish and nearly killing all beneficial aquatic vegetation during that period,” Mr. Bredemeyer wrote in the report.

Mr. Russell said the maintenance dredging the town does at the inlet each year merely moves the sand farther down the beach and usually doesn’t keep the inlet open for long.

“The goal is to do a dredging that lasts,” he said. “It’s easier said than done.”

The maintenance dredging generally cost $6,000 to $8,000, Mr. Russell said. The last time a more substantial dredging was done, he said, the cost was about $40,000, but that was a long time ago and he doesn’t know what the cost would be now.

Last week’s meeting was not open to the public, but Southold’s town engineers Michael Collins and Jamie Richter did attend, said county Legislator Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue), who was also present.

“The long-term goal is trying to figure out how to keep [the inlet] open and have it flush effectively,” Mr. Krupski said. “Ultimately, it should be opened up for shellfishing. There’s quite a shellfish resource in that inlet.”

It would be up to the state Department of Environmental Conservation to determine if the water is healthy enough to allow shellfishing, he added.

The DEC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working with the town and the county to come up with a solution, Mr. Krupski said.

“The cost will depend on what everyone decides the final project will be,” he said. “How far, how deep, how wide the channels will be.”

Mr. Switzer said residents would support whatever project the Army Corps comes up with to solve the problem.

“They’ve got the expertise in this area that doesn’t exist at the town or county level,” he said.

While small boats could traverse the inlet before the jetty was built, Mr. Krupski said the goal now is merely to preserve the health of the inlet and Autumn Lake.

The county has a screening committee that holds public meetings on dredging projects, and Mr. Krupski said he has requested that such a meeting be set up for this project.

“We want to make sure everyone is on the same page,” he said.

Photo credit: Tim Gannon

tgannon@timesreview.com

Chance Anderson’s pleasant demeanor and friendly face can lead to false impressions. Make no mistake, when he is on the football field, Anderson is a bruising hitter, not hesitant at all about lowering his shoulder into an opponent.

That hard-nosed playing style is what earned Anderson the nickname “Rhino.”

When playing for Greenport/Southold/Mattituck, the Mattituck High School senior isn’t afraid to “bring it,” as they say.

“I got to tell you, that guy is a bruiser,” coach Jack Martilotta said. “He’ll wake some kids up.”

Following the Porters’ 34-14 loss at Mount Sinai on Oct. 15, Martilotta said Anderson “hits like a tank. He woke up No. 12 [Mount Sinai’s Richard Harris] a couple of times. He’s faster than you think, as well.”

Anderson, a quiet sort, is not the type of player who generates a great deal of publicity. He usually plays fullback and middle linebacker. Because of the unavailability of Liam McShane and Kyle Schultz, though, Anderson was moved to defensive end last week.

“I’m not the person you hear about all the time,” he said, “but when it’s time to step up, I step up to the plate and try to help the team as much as I can.”

As a fullback, Anderson’s blocking ability comes in handy (he has carried the ball only once this season). Defensively, he is one of the team’s leading tacklers with 15 solo tackles and three assists. He has one sack and three tackles for losses.

Anderson plays the role of the unsung hero, doing his job with little fanfare.

“I respect that a lot from him,” teammate Jordan Fonseca said. “He’s stepped up big time.”

A four-year varsity player, Anderson recalls the last time for Greenport reached the playoffs and lost to Mount Sinai on a cold Saturday afternoon.

“Nothing was better than when we went to the playoffs when I was a freshman,” he said.

Greenport (3-4 in Suffolk County Division IV) needed to win its final two regular-season game in order to reach the postseason, but fell on Friday night to Port Jefferson.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Greenport/Southold/Mattituck’s Chance Anderson takes down Center Moriches quarterback Sam Cila in a game this season. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk, file)

Think of it as the North Fork’s only farm-to-butcher-case experience.

Last month 8 Hands Farm, the 28-acre sustainable livestock and produce operation in Cutchogue, unveiled a new butcher shop in its farm store. A new wraparound glass case is stocked with a rotating selection of fresh, farm-raised meat.

The farm previously only offered its meat, like rack of lamb and pork shoulder, vacuum-packed from its freezer.

“As a kid growing up in Northport my mom would take me to the butcher and I would see the saw dust on the ground. That kind of old school butcher shop is what we wanted to create,” said 8 Hands co-owner Tom Geppel. “We always wanted to take this [operation] to the next level. We’re super excited to have it open”

READ MORE ON NORTHFORKER.COM

Photo: The new butcher case at the 8 Hands Farm store in Cutchogue. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

John L. Moore III, born Nov. 17, 1967, in Manhasset, died suddenly on Oct. 22, 2016, in Southampton.

John was a graduate of Mattituck High School, Class of 1986 where he was an outstanding athlete excelling in soccer, basketball, and baseball. He had a keen interest in art, music and computer science and received an associate degree in audio recording technology from Five Towns College.

John was a master trim carpenter and made his living working in the construction industry for several companies throughout eastern Long Island.

He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years Laura (Rutkoski) Wall Moore and stepson Michael; his father John L. Moore Jr. and stepmother Lois Moore; aunt and uncle, Carol and Kevin LaTulip of Callawasie Island, S.C. and uncle and aunt, David P. and Janet Moore of Orient and several cousins.

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at New Bethany Cemetery in Mattituck.

This is a paid notice. 

When someone steps inside Darkside Haunted House in Wading River, owner Mike Meola said, it’s like they’re the star of their own horror movie.

“The haunted house was created from a love of Halloween,” said Mr. Meola, whose Route 25 attraction is now in its 19th year.

For Mr. Meola, Halloween starts around June, when he begins to create most of the attraction’s props and sets.

“The attention to detail and everything we put into the show — from the sets to the costumes to how we train our actors — is what really sets us apart,” he said.

For Mr. Meola and his partner, Cathy Gillette, that means creating an entire production and giving visitors a unique experience.

Ms. Gillette said many of Darkside’s actors return each year. Some prefer recurring roles, like a creepy butler who greets people at the elevator or a human doll who hides in the doll room.

To achieve these transformations, makeup artists Shane McGowin and Nicole Boccio spend almost two hours each night airbrushing the actors’ faces and hands. Like a well-oiled assembly line, they move quickly to turn each person into various monsters.

For guests, the experience begins outside, where they walk through a spooky gated maze before entering the house. Mr. Meola said he plants “Easter eggs” in this portion of the haunted house for scary movie buffs. Visitors who dare to enter may encounter Sam from the movie “Trick ‘r Treat” or, in the cemetery, a familiar man with a dog that’s found at Disney’s Haunted Mansion attraction.

“Most people run through with their hoods over their heads so they don’t notice those things,” Mr. Meola said.

Since many people are repeat customers, Mr. Meola said he and Ms. Gillette try to make subtle changes to the attraction each year to maintain suspense.

“The new changes we make are always our favorite,” Ms. Gillette said. “We put a lot into them.”

This typically entails adding new rooms to the house.

“The changes we have made this year have been very well-received,” said Mr. Meola, who didn’t want to give too much away but said people can expect to be afraid. As you walk through the house, the feeling that something may jump out at you is constant.

As enthusiastic as Mr. Meola is about the work he has done at Darkside, he’s also a big supporter of other haunted houses across Long Island. This year, he teamed up with some of the island’s other top haunted houses to form “Scream Long Island.”

“[The idea] was really to encourage people to go to multiple haunted houses,” he said. By going to screamli.com, people can get discounted tickets on multiple haunted houses, like Gateway Haunted Playhouse in Bellport, Chamber of Horrors New York in Hauppauge and Haunted Mansion of Melville at Schmitt’s Family Farm. 

“We put on a show that we’re proud of,” Mr. Meola said of Darkside. “We are always trying to outdo ourselves. Everybody here wants to keep that level up.”

kmassa@timesreview.com

Don’t be afraid

Darkside Haunted House is open Friday, Oct. 28, from 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 p.m. to midnight, Sunday, Oct 30, from 6 to 10 p.m. and on Halloween from 7 to 11 p.m. General admission is $25 and matinees are $10.

Darkside Haunted House is located at 5184 25A in Wading River. Visit darksideproductions.com for more info.

Photos by Krysten Massa:

Edward “Kazzy” Kaczmarek died Oct. 17, 2016, at his home. He was 65.

He was born in Heyfield, Australia, Jan. 23, 1951, to Stefanja (Mazura) and Jozef Kaczmarek. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 1969.

Kazzy was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1971 and served as a SP4 in the 82nd Airborne Division as first machine gunner.

On Sept. 22, 1973, he married Patricia Rogers at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead, and together they made their home in Riverhead.

Kazzy was an employee of Riverhead Building Supply for almost 44 years. He was a member of Riverhead Moose Lodge 1742 and the Hunters Garden Association and also volunteered as a CYO boys and girls basketball coach. He was an avid boater and clammer and all-around handyman.

Kazzy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patty; two children, Carly Coriano and her husband, David, of Aquebogue, and John Kaczmarek of Riverhead; his grandchildren, who called him “G-Pa,” Isabella and Jacob Coriano; and two brothers, Wesley of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Peter, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

The family received visitors Oct. 20 and 21 at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Interment with military honors was held at Calverton National Cemetery on Oct. 24.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

This is a paid notice. 

Esther M. Coppola of Cutchogue died Oct. 20 at Southampton Hospital. She was 88. 

The daughter of Wayman and Sophie Smith, she was born Oct. 17, 1928, in Queens and attended John Adams High School in Queens.

On May 20, 1949, she married Charles Coppola in Queens.

Ms. Coppola was a school bus driver for the Brentwood School District.

She volunteered over 5,000 hours as a Pink Lady at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and was a member of Cutchogue Presbyterian Church and a member of the Transportation Workers Union.

Family members said Ms. Coppola enjoyed watching New York Giants football and New York Rangers hockey and knitting.

Predeceased by her husband in 1999, Ms. Coppola is survived by her children, Barbara McAdam of Cutchogue and Buddy Coppola of Miami; three children and four great-grandchildren.

The family received visitors Oct. 24 at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral service took place Oct. 25 at Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Cutchogue Presbyterian Church.

Former Riverhead resident Edward F. Doroska of Wolcott, N.Y. died Oct. 23 at Pines of Peace Hospice in Ontario, N.Y. 

The family will receive visitors Friday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Isidore R.C. Cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

Clemence L. Cameron of Cutchogue died at his home Oct. 24. He was 89. 

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment with U.S. Navy Honors will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations to East End Hospice would be appreciated.

A complete obituary will follow.

Judy Marshall

Judy Marshall of Greenport, and a former longtime resident of East Marion, passed away Oct. 21, 2016, at Stony Brook University Hospital after a short, unexpected illness. She was 71.

Judy was born June 29, 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., where she lived and worked until 1978, when she relocated to New York City. She continued to work for 3M Company in New York for a total of 30 years, advancing from secretary to national account sales manager.

Judy is survived by her life partner of 38 years and spouse of three, Lynn Menaker, who was by Judy’s side at her passing. Additionally, Judy is survived by two sisters, Nancy, of Texas, and Tami, of Minnesota, and a brother, David, of Wisconsin.

The love that Judy had for Jessica, James, Mark and Rachael, her nieces and nephews, matched the love a mother would have for her children.

Judy loved her family and friends dearly and filled her time immersed in all things political and in reading, enjoying a good meal and socializing.

What Judy wanted everyone to know was that what she enjoyed most was living life and having fun — and boy, did she ever do that.

No formal service will be held, but an informal memorial will be held at a later time, for all to celebrate the life of a “citiot,” who was actually accepted lovingly by an adoptive community.

Donations to Judy’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice. 

Edward “Kazzy” Kaczmarek

Edward “Kazzy” Kaczmarek died Oct. 17, 2016, at his home. He was 65.

He was born in Heyfield, Australia, Jan. 23, 1951, to Stefanja (Mazura) and Jozef Kaczmarek. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 1969.

Kazzy was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1971 and served as a SP4 in the 82nd Airborne Division as first machine gunner.

On Sept. 22, 1973, he married Patricia Rogers at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead, and together they made their home in Riverhead.

Kazzy was an employee of Riverhead Building Supply for almost 44 years. He was a member of Riverhead Moose Lodge 1742 and the Hunters Garden Association and also volunteered as a CYO boys and girls basketball coach. He was an avid boater and clammer and all-around handyman.

Kazzy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patty; two children, Carly Coriano and her husband, David, of Aquebogue, and John Kaczmarek of Riverhead; his grandchildren, who called him “G-Pa,” Isabella and Jacob Coriano; and two brothers, Wesley of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Peter, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

The family received visitors Oct. 20 and 21 at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Interment with military honors was held at Calverton National Cemetery on Oct. 24.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

This is a paid notice. 

The swing of emotions came in an instant.

For the briefest moment, the Mattituck girls soccer team appeared to break through against Center Moriches in overtime of a scoreless game Tuesday afternoon. Freshman Claire Gatz drilled a ball from inside the box into the right corner of the net. But before the celebration could begin, the referee blew the play dead. A Mattituck player in front of Gatz had knocked a Center Moriches defender to the ground, allowing Gatz the room to shoot.

The foul negated the goal.

Less than a minute later, the Red Devils were celebrating, and this time for real.

A goal in the 89th minute of the Class B semifinal at Mattituck High School lifted the defending champion Red Devils to a 1-0 win to set up a rematch of last year’s county championship with a matchup Friday against top-seeded Babylon.

It was the first goal for the Red Devils (9-7-1) in three games against the Tuckers, who were held scoreless for the third time in the past four games.

Center Moriches senior Paige Volkmann delivered the game-winning goal on a play set up by a free kick near the left sideline. Senior Casey Luongo sent the ball into the box, where it deflected off Taylor Brennan and to the feet of Volkmann, who had a clear lane to shoot.

“It’s such a great feeling,” said Center Moriches coach Sara Sullivan. “When I saw that Paige had the ball close to the six, I knew it was coming.”

Volkmann, a team captain, has been one of the team’s top goal scorers all season, Sullivan said.

“She’s been stepping up a lot this season,” she said. “She’s just a great athlete.”

Center Moriches players Anna Ricci (6), Sam Gangi (7) and Keirsten Fuhrmann (19) celebrate the end of the game. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

The second-seeded Tuckers still had a chance after surrendering the late goal. Overtime starts with two 10-minute periods, so the Tuckers had about 11 minutes to try for an equalizer. The Tuckers had a decent chance with an indirect kick in front of the right sideline but couldn’t turn it into a shot on goal.

Mattituck coach Rafael Morais said once the team falls down a goal, it becomes an all-out push.

“At that point it’s not about soccer anymore,” he said. “It’s how can you get the ball in the back of the net.”

The Tuckers opened the game playing into the wind and the Red Devils controlled play for much of the start. But the tide began to shift late in the first half and the Tuckers controlled possession better in the second half. But still opportunities for both teams were few.

Neither goalkeeper faced too big a test throughout regulation. One of the best chances for the Red Devils came in the final minute of regulation when Sam Gangi had an open net from the right side but didn’t have a great angle and shot wide left.

The Tuckers had a direct kick in the first overtime period that set up a corner kick, but it didn’t lead to a shot on goal.

“These are the kind of games you get in when you play big teams and rivalries,” Morais said. “It could go either way. You cannot sleep a second because the ball might end up in the back of the net.”

As the Mattituck players huddled together after a disappointing finish to the season, smiles began to break through amid the tears. The Tuckers finish the year 10-5-2 and will return all but five players next season.

“I’m proud of the girls for making it this far,” Morais said. “And I’m only looking forward to next year.”

Mattituck’s Corinne Reda looks to push the ball up field. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

As a first-year coach at Mattituck, Morais said it took a bit of an adjustment at the beginning of the year for both himself and the players.

“From the mid-season up, I think we did an amazing job,” he said. “The seniors stepped up and brought us this far.”

It was the final game for Corinne Reda, Alya Ayoub, Amy Macaluso, Catherine Hayes and Johanna Pedone.

Sullivan the Tuckers were strong in the midfield, led by Reda. And the Red Devils were also concerned with what Gatz could do, she said.

“We played very strong defensively,” she said, “and then something clicked with us. It just worked.”

Top photo caption: Mattituck senior Amy Macaluso serves the ball toward the box on a free kick. (Credit: Joe Werkmeister)

joew@timesreview.com

Melanie Pfennig marvels at it all. Every year the Mattituck High School girls cross-country team loses good runners to graduation and every year the Tuckers fill the missing pieces. Somehow, the Tuckers find a way to get better and better.

Now, Pfennig said, “I think this is the best Mattituck team we ever had.”

That’s quite a statement, but who can argue?

In the New York State Sportswriters Association poll that was released Monday, Mattituck was ranked third in the state in Class C. Then, on Tuesday, led by Pfennig’s second straight victory in the Section XI Division Championships, Mattituck secured the Division IV title for a second year in a row.

“The girls really have been just putting in a lot of hard work and it’s nice to see them reap the rewards of that hard work,” said coach Julie Milliman, whose team triumphed with 28 points at Sunken Meadow State Park. Bishop McGann-Mercy was second with 41.

Pfennig, a senior and the only team member to have run for all four of Mattituck’s Suffolk County champion teams the past four years, led the way with freshman Payton Maddaloni. The duo took the first two places in 20 minutes, 12.85 seconds and 20:36.57 on the five-kilometer course.

Despite wind gusts and cold weather, Maddaloni ran a personal-best time, as did several of her teammates.

“I love this type of weather,” she said. “I’m a cold-weather runner.”

Also clocking a personal record was eighth-grader Kylie Conroy, who was fourth in 21:09.10. In addition, senior Sascha Rosin came in ninth in 22:27.44. She was followed shortly after by teammates Liv Shutte (12th in 22:53.32), Meg Dinizio (13th in 22:59.51) and Maddie Schmidt (16th in 24:00.99).

“I like to focus on the team because we have such a strong team, so I just tell them always to go out and run for each other,” Milliman said. “As much as it’s an individual sport, we really like to bring in the team concept in these big races.”

Pfennig, who has been battling a minor injury in the arch of her foot, had to deal with the wind, as did the other runners. At the start of the race, the runners had the wind at their backs, but the final straightaway was rough, running into the wind. “It was a little tough, but that’s just something you have to overcome as a runner and you have to adapt to every element that you run in,” said Pfennig.

In the team qualifier, Greenport senior Emily Villareal was 68th in 23:48.93. Jheimy Ugana was the first Southold finisher, coming in 142nd in 26:27.57.

Owen eighth in qualifier. Southold senior Owen Klipstein finished eighth in the boys team qualifier in 17:59.30. Mattituck sophomore Christian Demchak was 51st in 19:17.75.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Mattituck senior Melanie Pfennig became the Division IV champion for a second straight year. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

Update Wednesday 4:30 p.m. — Motorist helped woman escape attack in Greenport; suspect held on bail

Original story:

A Southold man attempted to drag a woman into a wooded area in Greenport on Tuesday afternoon and threatened to rape and kill her, Southold Town police said.

The suspect, Jose Amadeo Perez, 38, was arrested on multiple charges, including felony assault, police said. Police responded to Route 25 in Greenport about 3 p.m. after receiving report of a man physically attacking a woman, officials said. Officers found a 27-year-old woman who reportedly told police that an unknown man threatened her with a pair of cutting shears.

Police located Mr. Perez in the area and he was arrested and held for arraignment.

He also faces charges of first-degree unlawful imprisonment, a felony; second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor; and second-degree harassment.

Top photo: Southold Town police conducting an investigation Tuesday afternoon on Route 25 in Greenport. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)

(Credit: Google Map)

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has unveiled plans for a new boat launching ramp at the site of the former Old Barge Restaurant on Old Main Road in Southold.

Proposed for the 3.2-acre property, dubbed the “Hashamomuck Marine Waterway Access Site,” are a marine pump-out station, a floating dock, two launching ramps, a bike rack, a handicapped-accessible picnic table, a canoe and kayak launching area, a floating “observation pier,” a wash-down station and other features, officials said.

State officials have said the site, which was discussed at Monday’s Southold Town Planning Board work session, would be the DEC’s only waterway access site on the Peconic Bay.

“The DEC is not subject to our review, they can basically build this without our approval,” Southold Planning director Heather Lanza said. “But they came around and met briefly with the Town Trustees and said they would listen to our comments if we had any.”

The only questions Planning Board members had were whether the site would have lighting and, if so, would it comply with the town’s lighting standards. They also wondered where people might park if the lot were full.

In late 2009 after 61 years, the Old Barge closed and the state acquired the property, which had a fair market value of about $2 million. The purchase was made using a federal Sport Fish Restoration grant of $1.5 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a donation from the Denson and Reiter families of Mattituck, who had previously owned the property.

An additional $200,000 in state money was provided for the design of the boat launching facility, state officials said when they acquired the property.

The Old Barge, which has been demolished, was originally a World War II ammunition barge that had been towed to the site in 1948 and turned into a restaurant.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated it would be the first DEC boat launch into the Peconic Bay. The East Creek ramp in Jamesport was originally a DEC ramp before being turned over to Riverhead Town several years ago.

tgannon@timesreview.com

Photo: If approved, the proposed ‘Hashamomuck Marine Waterway Access Site’ will become the first state DEC boat ramp into Peconic Bay. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Charges have been dismissed in the case against the limousine driver involved in last summer’s crash that killed four young women on Route 48 in Cutchogue.

But in a statement Wednesday evening, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said prosecutors will “certainly appeal” the decision.

Carlos Pino, 59, of Old Bethpage, had been charged with criminally negligent homicide and other lesser charges, all of which have been dropped.

Judge Fernando Camacho asked family members of the victims to approach the bench so he could explain his decision in First District Court in Central Islip Wednesday morning. They left the court room sobbing and screaming.

The judge’s decision was based on a motion filed by defense attorney Leonard Lato of Hauppauge claiming the grand jury indictment was invalid because it was improperly presented to the grand jury. The motion alleged that prosecutors used improper testimony to produce an indictment for a collision that does not amount to a crime.

“[I had] no doubt the case would be thrown out,” Mr. Lato said afterward. “Everybody in the DA’s office knew this.

“They knew all along that this was not a criminal case, but rather than have the integrity to tell that to the families of the four girls who died and [those] who survived they went ahead and made a bad presentation.”

[Related story: Grand jury testimony in fatal limo crash released to attorneys]

[Editorial: One year later, let’s not forget limo crash victims’ names]

Mr. Pino was driving the limousine in the July 18, 2015 crash that killed Brittney Schulman, 23, of Smithtown; Lauren Baruch, 24, of Smithtown; Stephanie Belli, 23, of Kings Park; and Amy Grabina, 23, of Commack. Injured but surviving the crash were four additional passengers: Joelle DiMonte, 25, of Elwood; Melissa Crai, 23, of Scarsdale, N.Y.; Alicia Arundel, 24, of Setauket; and Olga Lipets, 24, of Brooklyn.

The eight women had hired Mr. Pino, an employee of Ultimate Class Limousine in Hicksville, for a Saturday afternoon of visits to North Fork tasting spots. The limo had just left nearby Vineyard 48 and the women were headed home when Mr. Pino attempted the ill-fated turn.

Left: Amy Grabina, Lauren Baruch, Stephanie Belli (top) and Brittney Schulman. (Credit: Facebook)

Assistant district attorney John Scott Prudenti said prosecutors knew they had “an uphill battle” with the case against Mr. Pino, but are disappointed in the end result.

“We’re disappointed for the families,” he said, adding that he still believes Mr. Pino was responsible for the crash.

“Mr. Pino was not in danger,” Mr. Prudenti said. “He in fact created the danger.”

In his statement, Mr. Spota said the limo driver’s actions were “far from just careless.”

“Pino, an experienced professional limousine driver carrying eight passengers, turned blindly into a roadway when his view was completely blocked by another car,” Mr. Spota said. “Pino was driving a vehicle he knew or should have known could never make a safe U-turn under the circumstances. Justice Camacho’s decision appears to ignore this critical and distinguishing fact.”

Mr. Spota also said there was “no evidence” that the grand jury was confused by the prosecutor’s presentation.

Mr. Lato maintained that his client made a legal turn and should not be held liable simply because he didn’t see another vehicle. He added that Mr. Pino did not make a statement afterward due to ongoing civil litigation.

The dismissal means it’s unlikely anyone will be held criminally responsible for the crash, though a driving while intoxicated charge is still pending against the other driver.

Mr. Pino had been indicted by a special grand jury in March nearly eight months after the actual crash.

Witnesses who testified before the grand jury, including a driver and three passengers waiting behind the limousine in an eastbound turning lane on Route 48, stated that Mr. Pino attempted to make a U-turn at the Depot Lane intersection despite having a “limited sight line,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota outlined at a March press conference. A westbound Jeep Liberty attempting to make a left-hand turn off Route 48 to head south on Depot Lane obstructed Mr. Pino’s view, he said. Despite this, Mr. Pino attempted to make the U-turn without ever coming to a full stop, the DA added.

File photo: Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota at a press conference March 16, 2015. (Credit: Paul Squire)

As Steven Romeo, 55, of Peconic approached the westbound intersection in his 2005 Dodge Dakota, the turning limousine blocked his lane of travel, Mr. Spota said.  

“The Jeep Liberty completely blocked the limo driver’s view of the oncoming traffic in the main travel lanes,” Mr. Spota said in March. “Mr. Pino failed to take any precaution or action to make sure he could safely enter the westbound travel lanes and he continued to make the U-turn.”

Mr. Romeo, who told investigators he had been drinking beer at home in the hours before the crash, was charged with DWI the following day and pleaded not guilty.

A blood test taken one hour and 40 minutes after the crash revealed that Mr. Romeo’s blood alcohol was 0.066 — under the legal limit of 0.08 — Mr. Spota announced days later. However, he maintained that Mr. Romeo was “most likely” over the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Mr. Romeo’s attorney, Steven O’Brien, has said his client will fight the DWI charges based on Mr. Spota’s comments about blood alcohol content. Mr. Romeo is due back in court Nov. 3.

In addition to criminally negligent homicide, Mr. Pino faced four misdemeanor assault charges related to injuries sustained by the four surviving passengers in his limo; a misdemeanor reckless driving charge; one count of failing to file a required report upon an accident with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, also a misdemeanor; and infractions for turning at an intersection, failure to yield the right of way and failing to stay in a designated lane, according to online court records.

Mr. Lato said that by presenting its case to the grand jury in the manner in which it did, prosecutors forced Judge Camacho into “the unpleasant duty of doing what he had to do.”

“The blame here is really on the district attorney’s office,” said Mr. Lato, himself a former Suffolk County assistant district attorney.

psquire@timesreview.com

Top photo: Carlos Pino, right, at his arraignment with attorney Brendan Ahern. (Credit: James Carbone/Newsday pool photo)

The Southold-Greenport High School Drama Clubs is scheduled to perform the critically-acclaimed play “Almost, Maine” at three performances.

The plays — directed by Casey Rooney and Jessica Ellwood — are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. in the Southold school district auditorium.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors, and will be on sale at the door

Call 631-765-5081 for more information.

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A Jamesport woman was arrested on a drunken driving charge after she was observed failing to stay in her lane of travel in Peconic early Wednesday, according to Southold Town police.

Virginia Morlock, 57, was driving east on Route 48 near Peconic Lane around 7:50 a.m. when police pulled her over, officials said.

After Ms. Morlock “performed poorly” on field sobriety tests, she was arrested and charged with DWI, police said.

She was held for an arraignment at Southold Town Justice court, officials said.