The Suffolk Times

‘Cabaret’ will be presented May 18 to June 4 at North Fork Community Theatre in Mattituck. (Credit: North Fork Community Theatre courtesy photo/Rory MacNish)

North Fork Community Theatre in Mattituck will present the musical “Cabaret” from May 18 to June 4. Performances will be held Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

The musical by Joe Masteroff, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, is set in 1930 Berlin, as the threat of the Third Reich looms.

The cast includes Brianna Kinnier (as Sally Bowles), Justin Harris (Emcee), Nick Motlenski, Linda Aydinian, Michael Horn, Colin Palmer, Jennifer Eager, John Hudson, Joseph Podlas, Tom DelPrete, Matt Eager, Chelsea Chizever, Tamara Flanell, David Lopez, Katrina Lovett, Julia Pulick, Lisa Rasmussen, Haley Unger and Ryan Zlatniski.

A free opening night reception is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18.

Tickets are $25 and available at nfct.com or by calling 631-298-6328. Student rush tickets are $20 at the door 10 minutes before curtain (if available).

See more photos below:

Brianna Kinnier as Sally Bowles.

Justin Harris as the Emcee.

Nick Motlenski (left) and Colin Palmer.

Linda Aydinian and Michael Horn.

Nick Motlenski and Brianna Kinnier.

From left: Nick Motlenski, Linda Aydinian and Brianna Kinnier.

Linda Aydinian and Nick Motlenski.

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Even before the first pitch was thrown this season, it was known that the Southold High School baseball team was armed and dangerous with a formidable pitching staff. What wasn’t as certain, but soon became obvious, was that those arms came with bats. They go hand in hand.

With the help of Dylan Clausen’s resilient, strong left arm and a display of explosive firepower at the plate, Southold won its third consecutive Suffolk County Class C championship Thursday. Last year was the first time Southold had won back-to-back county titles, according to coach Mike Carver.

The First Settlers rang up all 14 of their runs in the first three innings (including a nine-run burst in the third) to bounce Pierson/Bridgehampton, 14-4, in the decisive third game of the finals in Southold.

After the final out was recorded, gloves flew in the air and happy Southold players mobbed each other, forming a human mound near the pitcher’s mound.

“It’s surreal,” Southold catcher Shane Zimmer said. “It really is.”

Just two days earlier, Southold (22-1) was held to three hits by James Sherry in a 4-1 loss that evened the series at one game each. That defeat, the team’s only one this season, had an impact.

“I hope it was a little reality check for us that we are beatable and can’t just walk through games,” said Pat McFarland, who played shortstop before throwing the final inning of relief.

Carver said: “They had a mission. They were focused at practice yesterday. They took a lot of swings, and it paid off. That loss could have been the best thing to happen to us.”

It was a refocused Southold team that took the field Thursday, with Clausen (9-0) starting on the mound for the second time in four days. The senior had thrown 87 pitches in Game 1, a three-hit shutout. With three nights rest, he was asked again to take the ball. The thinking was, by having Clausen pitch, McFarland could remain at shortstop where he is heavily valued.

Clausen said he didn’t throw at all yesterday in practice and iced his arm. After the game he said he felt “a little more pain than usual.” He added, however, “You got to put your heart on the line. You got to sacrifice something for the team.”

Clausen threw 102 pitches over six innings. He surrendered four hits and of the four runs scored off him, two were earned. His pitching line also included nine strikeouts and one walk. He hit two batters. (Southold batters were hit four times, including Joe Hayes twice.)

“He’s a workhorse,” Zimmer said of Clausen. “He did really well today. He had to settle in. Every start, he gets stronger as he keeps going on.”

Pierson (17-6) gave Southold cause for concern by opening the game with a three-run rally in the first. Sean Sloane (2-for-3) slammed a two-run double over centerfielder Doug Fiedler and later scored on an error after stealing third base.

Southold’s response was immediate. The First Settlers plated two runs in its half of the inning from Zimmer’s two-run double.

In the second, Southold went in front. McFarland supplied a sacrifice fly, Zimmer drew a bases-loaded walk and Luke Hansen scored on a Clausen groundout for a 5-3 lead.

But the real coup de grace came in the third. Nine runs from five hits and three errors.

On an afternoon when the temperature at game time was 86 degrees, Southold’s bats were hot. The First Settlers churned out 12 hits, the strangest of them all being Billy Burns’ first career home run to lead off the third. The junior drove a ball deep that the leftfielder, Sloane, got the tip of his glove to. The ball then ricochetted over the fence and Sloan followed. Call it an assisted home run.

“I can’t believe it actually happened,” Burns said. He added: “When I hit that ball, I felt good about it, but I didn’t think it was going that far.”

Southold’s offense came through in a big way, starting with Zimmer, who had five RBIs from a 3-for-4 showing with a walk. McFarland knocked in three runs on 3-for-4 hitting. Burns had a double to go with his homer. Seven of Southold’s nine starters had at least one hit.

“I have to say, the kids really showed me a lot today,” said Carver, who had a bucket of water dumped over him by players during a postgame interview. “Losing that game Tuesday and then going down 3-nothing in the first inning like that, and then to come back, that says a lot about this team.”

Zimmer said, “We were just so focused on winning that nothing else mattered.”

Now Southold has a two-week break before its next game against the Nassau County champion in a regional semifinal on June 1 at SUNY/Old Westbury.

That’s a break Clausen welcomes. “Thank God,” he said. “A little rest.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Southold players jump for joy after securing the team’s third straight county championship. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

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Local nominating conventions will begin this coming week and with that comes the start of what has long been dubbed “silly season.”

With that in mind, we’ve dusted off our biennial editorial outlining election season rules.

We have long prided ourselves on providing coverage of town and county races through our newspapers and websites, and we will continue to do so this season, including a candidates debate we plan to host with our friends from southoldlocal.com.

We understand that candidates and committee members sometimes want to reach our readers in their own words. This can sometimes be a slippery slope, with the newspaper’s editors often having to play referee — rejecting op/eds or cutting unproven and potentially libelous facts from letters and political advertisements.

In the coming weeks, our opinion section will undoubtedly carry considerable commentary about the individuals on the November ballot.

We ask those who seek office to stick to the issues and abide by our general letters policy. That means keep it to under 350 words and prepare to be edited as we deem fair and appropriate.

Aside from a single introductory letter from each candidate, this isn’t the place for self-promotion and résumé dumping. We ask that any additional letters or op/ed submissions focus on a single topic or event. You should also expect that we will allow your opponent to respond in a subsequent letter or equal time piece, with no additional back and forth beyond that. We also will not allow a single candidate to hijack our opinion pages with repeated editorials or letters, so choose your words wisely.

For letter writers who do stick to the issues and call out officials or others on their actions or positions, remember to keep it civil. We live in a small town and today’s adversaries can be tomorrow’s friends and neighbors. That’s not a prohibition against tough criticism, but it is a ban on nasty personal attacks.

Also, if you belong to a local political committee or work for someone already in office, we ask that you identify yourself as such. If not, we’ll do it for you.

We also ask that political advertisements from fringe committees be submitted with the name of an individual on them. Our readers deserve to know who is behind a certain campaign.

Lastly, we ask you to keep in mind that we will not accept political letters for the print edition beyond Monday, Oct. 23 — with the exception of allowing a nominated candidate to address a claim made against them in that week’s paper. We may allow online-only submissions beyond that date, but will limit it to newly raised issues.

Let the silliness begin.

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Earlier this month, business owners and managers around the North Fork received an email asking them to advertise on a printed schedule for the Mattituck varsity football team.

Businesses could pay anywhere from $200 to $800 for an ad in the program.

The email might have appeared to some as a great opportunity to reach fans of the team. But to others more in tune with the local high school football landscape, it was a curious solicitation.

“First of all, Mattituck doesn’t have its own football team,” said Mattituck-Cutchogue School District Superintendent Anne Smith. “We combine with Greenport, so it’s actually Greenport football team and the district cannot and does not solicit any kind of paid advertisement that would come through the Booster Club or the PTA.”

The subject line of the email, which was first reported on May 6 by Southoldlocal.com, read “2017 Mattituck HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL VARSITY SCHEDULE PROGRAM … GO Tuckers.” Mattituck students actually play on a football team nicknamed the Porters.

School officials said the program is not affiliated with the district in any way.

Instead, the email was sent by a senior project director from CW Promotions LLC of Iowa, whose representative denied any wrongdoing in a telephone interview with The Suffolk Times.

Michael Brawson, an assistant manager at CW Promotions, said the company takes steps to clarify for businesses it contacts that it is not affiliated with a school district or other entity. He compared the business to companies such as VistaPrint.

“Our attorneys will say [team] schedules are public information that can be used anywhere,” Mr. Brawson said. “We don’t use official trademarks, we don’t use official logos, we don’t represent ourselves as the school itself.”

CW Promotions typically looks for about five businesses to advertise on schedule programs, he said. Interested businesses must fill out and sign a form that indicates they understand CW Promotions does not represent high school and is not affiliated with any local entity — that it’s strictly selling advertising.

“We wouldn’t go any farther until we have that because we’re not going to be told that we’re misrepresenting or anything like that,” he said. “That can’t be done because once I have that in hand they cannot say they didn’t know.”

Businesses are then assigned a graphic designer who builds an advertisement that must be approved before they purchase the space on the program.

Mr. Brawson said the company can mail the printed copies to businesses that advertise in a schedule program or can set up distribution points in a particular market — typically about 10 high-traffic locations like grocery or convenience stores. An advertiser would initially receive 200 programs and can receive up to 5,000, depending on the size of the market, he said.

Mr. Brawson added that he believes the public doesn’t understand the laws that allow the unaffiliated advertisements and that some people don’t do their research or call CW Promotions themselves before labeling it a “scam.”

But that’s exactly what chambers of commerce around the country have said about the company. Chambers in Missouri and Washington State have posts on their Facebook pages or websites warning of a “scam” and telling members to disregard any communication from the company.

The Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that tracks marketplace ethics, gave CW Promotions an “F” rating. The BBB posted a business alert stating that the office of the Iowa Attorney General has asked consumers with complaints to contact an investigator from the state Consumer Protection Division.

Several local business owners contacted this week by The Suffolk Times said they were unaware of the solicitation. Mattituck Chamber of Commerce president Danielle Lascala did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Dr. Smith said the school district has reached out to its legal counsel for guidance on how to address the issue of outside solicitations. She said the district wants to make it clear to local businesses that it would never seek advertising money for its sports programs.

“How do we help the public know when it’s not our local Booster Club?” she said she asked attorneys.

Mattituck School Board president Laura Jens-Smith said this type of solicitation is “preying on people’s good nature.”

Dr. Smith said the community is often generous when it comes to school-related fundraisers, whether organized by the Booster Club or the Parent Teacher Association.

“People are so willing to do things for the kids, that you may not read the fine print, so that’s unfortunate that that’s happening,” the superintendent said. “It’s not a fundraiser. You’re getting an advertisement and putting a schedule out that no one here has asked for.”

The school district will continue its legal research on the matter, she said.

“They might be legitimate for what they do, but it feels like they’re using our kids, our teams. It doesn’t feel right,” she said. “Legitimate is one thing, right is another.”

kzegers@timesreview.com

File photo: Greenport/Southold/Mattituck’s Dylan Marlborough on a quarterback keeper Sept. 19, 2014. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

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Both the Harbourfront Deli and The Loft restaurant in Greenport Village have served their last customers.

Owner Perry Angelson closed both businesses Sunday and sold the Front Street building Thursday. He has owned the deli for nearly three decades and opened the second-floor restaurant 11 years ago.

“It’s mixed emotions,” he said in a telephone interview Friday, adding he’s looking forward to his retirement. “You’re excited for the next chapter, but you’ll miss the customers. It’s like a double-edged sword, but it’s good. It’s a part of life.”

Broker Hal Zwick of Town and Country Real Estate said Jeff and Shari Zuckerman of Manhattan purchased the building and plan to lease it. They declined to be interviewed for this story, he said.

The final sale price has not yet been disclosed. It was listed at $1.8 million.

“Basically, it’s a phenomenal building in a phenomenal location,” Mr. Zwick said. “It’s a growing area and the only downtown area really on the North Fork.”

Some potential renters have expressed interest in keeping it as a deli and restaurant, he said, adding another person inquired about turning the first floor into a bar and restaurant.

In June, Mr. Angelson also sold the Coronet Luncheonette. Crazy Beans opened its third location in that Front Street space a few months later.

“It was a nice run,” Mr. Angelson said about working in the restaurant industry. “I’m going to miss doing it, but it’s time to move on.”

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo credit: Nicole Smith

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Eastern Long Island Hospital contacted police Sunday night after an intoxicated woman attempted to drive away from the hospital parking lot, according to a Southold Town police report.

Police found Kristen Quadland, 50, of Sag Harbor around 7 p.m. in the driver’s seat of a parked, running vehicle, officials said. During the investigation, Ms. Quadland was found to be intoxicated and in possession of marijuana, police said.

She was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

• A Mattituck man contacted police Monday around 10:15 a.m. after he found graffiti written in black magic marker with the word “niger” on a town sign by the bridge on Grand Avenue in Mattituck, the report states.

Southold police took photographs of the graffiti and contacted the Suffolk County police hate crime unit, officials said.

“Since the graffiti didn’t target a specific person, it was not considered a bias crime,” the report states.

Town police removed the markings, officials said.

• Police investigated a report of squatters living at a home on Route 25 in Cutchogue Friday morning, officials said. A police officer and a town code enforcement officer responded to the location and found a man, woman and child inside the residence, officials said. The woman said she found an advertisement on Craig’s List to rent the home for $1,900 per month, police said.

The residence had power, but no running water and there wasn’t any food inside the home, officials said. The incident was reported to child protective services and police weren’t able to locate the property owner, the report states.

• A Greenport woman contacted police Sunday around 7:10 p.m. after she found a baby raccoon in a box at the basketball courts on Third Street, the report states. The officer released the raccoon in Moore’s Woods, police said.

• Police were called last Thursday around 9:30 a.m. after two people got into an argument over property lines on Carpenter Street in Greenport, the report states. An officer advised the complainant to contact Greenport Village to clarify the property lines, officials said.

Both subjects agreed to stay away from each other, police said. No further action was taken.

• A burglary was reported last Wednesday around 9:30 a.m. at a home on Fishermans Beach Road in Cutchogue, police said. Nearly $1,000 in change was reported stolen and the investigation is continuing, officials said.

• A Greenport resident reported last Sunday that his white Schwinn bicycle was stolen from a home on Third Street, police said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Following a pair of recent “social host” law arrests, the issue of teen drinking is on the minds of local police and school officials, who say education is key to preventing similar incidents.

The county’s social host law, which makes it illegal for anyone over 18 who owns or rents a home to “knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor” on the premises, was first approved in 2007. It was strengthened last year from a violation to a misdemeanor.

Southold Town police have made a pair of arrests under the law in the past month, following house parties at homes in Southold and Mattituck.

While police officials said it’s too early to tell if the change in the law has made a difference in enforcement, school administrators say the recent arrests have raised awareness of the law and the prevalence of teen drinking.

“I would say we’re very tuned into this,” said Mattituck-Cutchogue Superintendent Anne Smith. “Certainly, when something actually happens it heightens everyone’s awareness.”

Dr. Smith said it’s important for families to be aware of the law and the amount of underage drinking in order to keep students safe and away from situations they may not be equipped to handle.

Southold and Greenport Superintendent David Gamberg said the social host law is discussed each year at Southold during a pre-prom meeting with parents and students and parents also receive a mailing about the law. In Greenport, he said, Kym Laube of HUGS in Westhampton gave separate presentations this year for students and parents about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Both districts, Mr. Gamberg added, provide students attending prom with bus transportation to and from the schools.

Southold Town police Captain Frank Kruszeski echoed the administrators’ sentiments.

“That’s a big part of what really needs to take place here, is education,” he said. “A lot of parents I don’t think would knowingly do this. I think they’re of the opinion that kids are going to go drink anyway, so they think they’re doing something good by providing a safe place where people won’t drive and we won’t have any of those tragedies. But that’s really not permissible.”

Dr. Smith said her school district hosts an annual meeting on underage drinking before the end of each school year — when prom and graduation occur. Capt. Kruszeski said that’s also the time of year when police are most on the lookout for underage drinking.

In an interview last year, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said his department was among the first to charge someone under the social host law, but has made few arrests since the law was enacted.

Capt. Kruszeski said it remains to be seen if there will be any significant increase or decrease in the number of social host law cases under the new law, but he said two arrests in such close proximity was noticeable.

The first recent social host incident involved 35-year-old Mary Shalvey of Southold, who was arrested April 14 following a party with over 75 people at her Pine Avenue home. Ms. Shalvey declined comment when reached by telephone this week.

Pedro Diaz, 49, was arrested May 6 following a party attended by over 50 youths at his home on Factory Avenue in Mattituck. He could not be reached by telephone this week.

A first-time social host offense carries a fine up to $500. Those who commit a second offense can face fines of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail, Capt. Kruszeski said.

Both Ms. Shalvey and Mr. Diaz are due back in Southold Town Justice Court June 2.

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo: Concerns about underage drinking at parties are usually heightened during prom and graduation season. A pair of recent arrests has thrust that conversation further into the spotlight. (Credit: Thai Nguyen / flickr.com)

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It’s a tight squeeze for drivers on a portion of Main Street in Greenport Village, especially when there’s a car traveling in the opposite direction.

Village officials are looking to change that this summer.

The village plans to bond $800,000 to widen and repave Main Street between Bay and Central avenues, as well as repave several other roads, Mayor George Hubbard Jr. said during Thursday’s Village Board work session.

“We want to start this work by the end of June,” he said, adding the project involves removing sidewalks and curbs on the east side of the street in order to widen the road by 22 inches. “I think this will stop all the side-view mirrors from being hit. It will be the same size the rest of Main Street after this.”

The road will comply with New York State code and federal Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, Mr. Hubbard said.

Other projects include: repairing aprons at the firehouse, repaving Sixth Street between Fourth and Fifth streets; adding curbed sidewalks on Wiggins Street; and repaving Broad Street.

“Broad Street is in really bad shape,” Mr. Hubbard said. “And it’s the widest road, so it’s costing more. It’s like doing two roads.”

The work is expected to take about a month and a half to complete. Construction activities will not be conducted on Fourth of July weekend, the mayor said.

While the village has been repaving roads using unspent funds from previous years, Mr. Hubbard said a bond is needed to pay for this work because there isn’t enough fund balance to pay for these jobs, which he described as the “longest overdue projects.”

The village received a $125,000 grant from the state, village treasurer Robert Brandt said. He added a $31,800 contingency fund is included in the bond.

The bond, which will be a tax exempt municipal bond, is expected be repaid over 10 years, which is considered the practical lifespan of the work, he said.

Resident Chatty Allen, who drives a school bus for the Greenport School District, said she’s in favor of the construction proposal.

“I commend you on the project to widen Main Street,” she told the Village Board.

Resident John Winkler questioned why the village plans to bond the money instead of paying for the project with a portion of the $1.3 million it plans to receive for allowing the power authority to run an underground electric cable below village streets to Shelter Island.

Mr. Hubbard said the village hasn’t received that payment yet. In addition, he said the cable project isn’t related to the proposed road widening work.

tgannon@timesreview.com

Photo credit: Krysten Massa

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An unlicensed driver and another man accused of causing a pair of motor vehicle crashes were arrested in separate incidents on the North Fork Friday, according to Southold Town police press releases.

Police said Bryan Burke, 30, of Southold struck a car at the corner of Front and Main streets about 10:30 p.m. before traveling on and striking a tree at the entrance to Mitchell Park.

Mr. Burke, who police found to be intoxicated, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He was also treated for minor injuries at Eastern Long Island Hospital before being released back into police custody. He was expected to be arraigned Saturday morning.

About an hour earlier on Main Road in Cutchogue, police arrested Carlos Osorio of Greenport for driving while intoxicated and driving without a license. Another motorist had alerted police to Mr. Osorio’s failure to stay in his lane of travel. He is also expected to be arraigned Saturday.

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I was 16 years old the first time I consumed alcohol in the presence of an adult. Around that same time, I began asking strangers outside the King Kullen in Wading River to purchase beer for me. I can’t recall a single time I went home empty-handed.

That was 1995 and, boy, have things changed since then.

The social host law, first approved in 2007, makes it illegal for anyone over age 18 who owns or rents a home to “knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor” on the premises.

The law also punishes any homeowner or tenant who fails to take corrective action after learning that alcohol is being consumed by minors there.

A bill approved last year strengthened the law by raising the penalty from a violation to a misdemeanor, enabling law enforcement to make an arrest based on eyewitness statements.

The law has been in the news the past two months due to a pair of arrests in Southold Town involving minors who were allegedly consuming alcohol at large house parties. In each instance, an adult was charged with violating the social host law.

Thinking back to my own youth, I’d venture to guess about half of my close friends’ parents could have been charged with such a crime during my high school and college years. While most of our house parties were held when parents were away, it wasn’t uncommon for us to drink beer in smaller groups out on the back deck or in the basement of someone’s home while their folks watched TV inside. On occasion, parents might even join us.

While I’m sure they’ll cringe at the thought of me mentioning this in the hometown paper, my own parents were certainly guilty of turning a blind eye to occasional underage drinking. The rationale, if I can speak for them, was that they’d rather we drink at home than drink elsewhere and get into a car.

While I can see the logic in that mentality, parents who think that way today are risking a lot.

There’s a part of me, however, that also feels a crackdown on underage alcohol sales has contributed to the spread of opioid abuse among teens. We touched upon that in an editorial published in this newspaper last July.

“While it’s difficult to imagine anyone arguing that a social host law is anything but well-intentioned, it should be noted that in the decade since the county has begun cracking down on the service and sale of alcohol to minors, the use of opioids among teens and young adults has been on the rise,” we wrote. “As alcohol has become harder for underage consumers to get their hands on, prescription pills and heroin have become easier to obtain.”

Well over 6 feet tall by my 16th birthday, I was often the friend who would buy alcohol or approach adults for help buying it. Some of our friends would wait behind the store, while I’d seek out someone who looked like they might not mind buying beer for a bunch of teens — most of the time it would be a young man in his early 20s. We’d usually buy 12-packs of Meisterbrau in those early years, as we were less concerned with rich flavor and more focused on the $3.99 price tag.

“Hey man, I left my ID at home,” I’d say. “I actually just turned 21, but the guy at the register doesn’t believe me. Would you mind picking it up for me?”

Most of the time people would say no, but we’d wait it out until we hit pay dirt. When rejected, we’d complain.

“What? Did this guy not drink when he was a teen?” I’d say. “When I’m 21, I’ll buy for any kid that asks me.”

Then I turned 21 and started telling every underage kid to back off. I can proudly say, I’ve never purchased alcohol for a minor.

When my own children — an infant and a toddler today — get to high school, I will gladly buy them plenty of 12-packs. Every one of them will say “seltzer” on the packaging.

And if I see their friends consuming alcohol in my presence it won’t take a neighbor calling the police to put an end to it. I’ll dial the number myself.

It just doesn’t matter how we grew up or the logic we used back in the day. There’s simply no excuse for anyone to allow underage teens to drink in their homes today. The ignorance ship set sail a long time ago.

I’m sure the teenage version of me would be disappointed in all this, but that guy didn’t know what he was talking about anyway.

The author is the executive editor of Times Review Media Group. He can be reached at gparpan@timesreview.com

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Since its founding in 1983, Paumanok Vineyards has been consistently considered one of Long Island’s top wine producers.

The winery is owned and operated by Charles and Ursula Massoud, as well as their three sons, Kareem, Salim and Nabeel. Their outstanding wines have won the Aquebogue vineyard numerous accolades over the years, including the Winery of the Year Award at the New York Wine and Food Classic in 2004 and 2015.

It’s also one of the most serene and beautiful spots to spend a mid-spring afternoon.

Enjoy your one minute on the North Fork.

Paumanok Vineyards is located at 1074 Main Road in Aquebogue.

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The first day of the North Fork Dog Dock-Diving Competition kicked off at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic on Saturday.

Dozens of dogs — both dock-diving novices and experienced pros — leapt off a dock into a 20 by 40 foot pool.

The charitable event continues tomorrow, Sunday, May 21 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Greenport Harbor Brewery is located at 42155 Main Road, Peconic. Pet owners are also welcome to bring non-competing dogs. More info on the event can be found here.

“It was exciting because he didn’t want to go in first,” said participant Rudy Bruer, a financial advisor from Southold who brought his dog Gus to the event. “He got used to it after the second or third time. He likes to jump and swim in the Sound so I figured why not here.”

Proceeds benefit two local charities: North Fork Animal Welfare League in Southold and American Legion Burton Potter Post No 185 in Greenport (funds will help rehab the floor for roller skating).

It also benefits Canine Companions for Independence, a national group that matches highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities at no cost to the beneficiaries.

The event is sponsored by Harbor Pet and Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.

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A vote on a bill to let the public vote on reducing the size of the Suffolk County Legislature from 18 members to 13 appears unlikely.

The Legislature’s ways and means committee voted last Thursday to have the proposal “tabled subject to call.”

“You probably won’t see this being considered by the [full] Legislature,” said East End Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Sag Harbor), chairperson of that committee.

The bill was first introduced last November and has been tabled several times at committee. Now that it is “subject to call,” a majority of the seven committee members would need to vote in favor of placing it back on the agenda. Ms. Fleming said only one member of the committee supports the bill.

“There wasn’t an appetite on the committee at this time to approve it for consideration by the full Legislature,” she said.

Legislator Bill Lindsay III (D-Bohemia) proposed the bill in November and estimated in December that it would save $4.5 million.

“We have reached the point where we cannot add any further burden on the taxpayers, and in order to make up the difference, some services, including the Legislature, need to be consolidated to allow for taxpayer dollars to be invested back into the community,” Mr. Lindsay said at the time.

“Our residents pay for 18 legislators to receive a $100,000 a year salary, 18 individual district offices with two county centers, other benefits of a county car and cellphone and other incentives that come at the taxpayers’ expense,” he said.

Five residents spoke at a pair of December public hearings on the measure, with four of them opposed to shrinking the size of the Legislature.

“If you add 35,000 more constituents to the remaining districts, you’re going to have to hire people, not make savings,” said Mary Anne Johnston of the Association of Brookhaven Civic Organizations.

North Fork Legislator Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue) said the bill had very little support among elected officials. He added that he would be in favor of debating the issue of a smaller Legislature, but that debate would need to be focused on how it might impact public services.

Ms. Fleming said she opposed the bill.

Her district, she said, comprises 240 square miles, stretching from Montauk to eastern Brookhaven Town and Shelter Island.

“Sometimes I spend upwards of three hours in the car,” Ms. Fleming said. “I’m all for saving money, and its a great idea to look at, but if we want the Legislature to be responsible to the public, you can only go so far.”

Mr. Lindsay says he plans to reintroduce the bill next year.

“What’s wrong with letting the people choose what type of government they want?” he asked. “All the bill does is set a referendum.”

tgannon@timesreview.com

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The owners of the Arcade, Greenport Village’s iconic Front Street department store, are due in court this week to face a slew of charges that include renting illegal apartments above the store.

The village has charged 2012 Front Street LLC, the corporation that owns the property, and Arcade co-owner David Akcay with 26 counts of various building and fire code violations, court records show.

The Arcade was shut down May 1 after village code enforcement officer Greg Morris and building inspector Eileen Wingate obtained a court order and searched the building with Southold Town fire inspector Bob Fischer and officers from the Southold Town Police Department.

The charges, which were issued May 6, include making illegal alterations that were not in compliance with building code and illegally renting out units for residential use in a building that’s zoned for only commercial, retail and storage uses, according to village documents.

The property owners charged tenants $1,500 per month, court records show. When asked how many apartments were being rented out, village administrator Paul Pallas declined comment because it’s an open investigation.

Mr. Akcay also declined comment. He is scheduled to appear in Southold Town Justice Court Friday, May 26.

Investigators described the apartments as “unfit for human occupancy” and found they were overcrowded and lacked proper windows, ventilation and interior lighting, court records show. In addition, investigators found no hallway lights and “makeshift lighting using extension cords.”

The Arcade opened in 1928 on Front Street, where the Levine family ran it for more than 50 years.

Bob Paquette of East Marion, who had owned the Arcade for about 15 years, said he decided to sell the business in 2012 because he felt he could no longer compete against big box stores. He closed the Arcade in 2010 and reopened a year later as One-Eyed Bob’s Clearance Center & Discount Emporium, but ultimately sold it to Mr. Akcay the following year.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Hundreds turned out to Out Run Rett Saturday in New Suffolk.

The annual 5K raises money for research to a cure for Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder impacting several local children. This year’s event honored four kids living with Rett.

Organized by Lena DeSantis, whose daughter Maren has Rett, the race is in its second year.

Shawn Fitzgerald of Cutchogue finished first in 18:30. The women’s winner was Suzy Heffernan of Cutchogue in 20:38.

Rett syndrome is as prevalent as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s and ALS, which are better known. It is vastly underfunded compared to those disorders, according to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust, which seeks to raise research funding.

Researchers discovered in 1999 that it is caused by mutations in a gene on the X chromosome known as MECP2, which produces proteins critical for normal brain function.

Because it is an X-linked disorder, Rett affects girls almost exclusively. Girls diagnosed with Rett are often called “silent angels,” as they quietly see all that is going on around them.

Rett affects an estimated one in 10,000 females and is not an inherited disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Event organizer Lena DeSantis and her daughter, Maren — a Mattituck resident with Rett Syndrome. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Three Long Island girls with Rett Syndrome – Maren DeSantis of Mattituck, Ella Rogers of Garden City, and Rachel Garms of Southold.

Christine Salerno of Manhattan (left) and Maren’s aunt Dawn DeSantis of Los Angeles (right) traveled to New Suffolk to support Out Run Rett.

Mary, Mia, and Lily Slovak of Laurel and Sue, Reese, and Ellie McKenna of Cutchogue running the bake sale.

Volunteers sold homemade treats to raise money for Rett research.

Volunteers sold homemade bracelets and key chains to raise money for Rett research.

Megan Rice of Southampton, Jayla Snider of Cutchogue, and David Rice of Southampton.

Keri Stromski of Jamesport and Kristin Lievre of Wading River embracing this year’s theme – Superheroes.

Women of Just Kids showing their support with a “GO MAREN” superhero ensemble. G: Kristin Oliver, O: Kate Oliver, M: Maria Passadakes, A: Sarah Caggiano, R: Caren Goebel, E: Tammy Federlin, N: Holly Felice.

Racers hit the ground running.

Lena and Maren DeSantis lead the 5K.

Maren’s Just Kids preschool teachers Kate Oliver and Maria Passadakes enjoying the race.

Runners take to the streets of New Suffolk.

Mattituck Girls Lacrosse Team showing their support

Mattituck Girls Lacrosse Team showing their support.

Jayla Snider of Cutchogue and the Mattituck girls lacrosse team.

Christine Salerno of Manhattan.

Jack Kelsh of Garden City racing for Team Elladoodle in his Capitan America and Batman costumes.

A young girl running in her superhero costume.

Members of Team Elladoodle racing for Ella Rogers.

Shawn Fitzgerald of Cutchogue finished 1st overall with a time of 18:30.

Suzy Heffernan of Cutchogue and Indira Schwarting of Southold high-five at the finish line.

Contestants race to the finish line

Lena and Maren DeSantis reach the finish line.

Children race to the finish line.

Mattituck Girls Lacrosse Team crossing the finish line.

Team Elladoodle: Ella Rogers’ family supporting her in her fight against Rett Syndrome.

Ginger Johnson of Shoreham, Denise McKeon of Holtsville, StephanieMincieli of Laurel, Amy Prager of Mattituck, and Jayla Snider of Cutchogue with Rachel Garms, a Southold resident with Rett Syndrome.

The Mattituck girls lacrosse team.

Ben Ortiz of Greenport finished 3rd overall with a time of 19:59.

Mother and son medal-winners Tina and Tanner Vaccarella of Cutchogue.

Bonnie Connelly of Riverhead wearing her homemade superhero cape.

The Out Run Rett 5K was held in honor of four little girls with Rett Syndrome – Lily Salerno of Manhattan, Maren DeSantis of Mattituck, Rachel Garms of Southold and Ella Rogers of Garden City.

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The Miles for Mike 5K Walk/Run was held Saturday at Greenport High School. The event raised money for the Michael Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was established by Michael’s family after his death in 2010.

This year’s scholarship recipient was Christopher North of Greenport.

Sharice Welch of Greenport took the lead organizing the event this year.

See more photos below:

Family and friends come together every year to organize a fundraiser honoring the memory of Michael Brown. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Michael’s cousin, Sheena Welch of Greenport and Ben Daggett of Long Island City. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Tracey Welch of Greenport greeting family friend Barbara Martin of Middle Island. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Sharice Welch of Greenport took the lead in organizing this year’s Miles for Mike fundraiser. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Event organizer Sharice Welch of Greenport with volunteer and longtime family friend Beckie Cairns of New York City. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Debra Martocchia of Southold and Tracey Byrnes, Hannah Henry, and Madelyn Tonyes of East Marion. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Emily and Porter Rees of Cutchogue stop to take a photo under the “Home of the Porters” scoreboard. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Justin Moore of Greenport and Catherine Bosco of Southold supporting the crowd from the bleachers. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Recipient of the 2017 Michael Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, Christopher North of Greenport. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Event organizers Sharice Welch and Karre Brown, Michael Brown’s sister, with Michael Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund grant recipient, Christopher North. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

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Lifelong Cutchogue resident Michael J. Kaloski died at his home May 20. He was 99.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, May 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue, Father Mariusz Gorazd officiating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations to the Cutchogue Fire Department, 260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue, NY 11935 would be appreciated.

A complete obituary will follow.

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Michael “Mike” Kenneth Jacobi, 72 of Southold, passed away May 18, 2017, at home with his wife by his side. Mike was born in Greenport Hospital and was a “Sterling Baby.”

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Kristine “Kris” Jacobi; his children, Kenny Jacobi, Kelli (Joe) Strittmatter, and Melissa McGinness; his granddaughters, Danielle, Amanda, and Jessica Strittmatter and his siblings, Henry (Carol) Jacobi, Iris (Buzz) Begora, Kathy (Norman) Conklin, and Robin Jacobi.

For 48 years Mike managed his own plumbing business, Mike Jacobi Plumbing and Heating. Many recognized his logo of a Snoopy and his statement of faith in Jesus Christ on the side of his trucks.

Mike’s faith in Christ defined his life. He was an evangelist disguised as a plumber and those who called him for a broken pipe often found themselves hearing of Mike’s personal testimony of the abundant love of Jesus. He was best known for sharing his trust in Jesus and his testimony with all whom he met. Many of his customers became friends and extended family. He reached out to those struggling with drug and alcohol addition and assisted many in their rehabilitation through Teen Challenge, a Christian rehab center. He loved his Christian family at Mattituck Community Christian Fellowship.

In the early years of their marriage, Mike and Kris enjoyed many motorcycle trips spanning from Canada to Virginia. He also had a love and enjoyment of photography.
Mike had a sense of humor and enjoyed joking with everyone he came to know. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and for making spaghetti with his own “Secret Sauce” recipe.

To celebrate his life, a Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 27, at 2 p.m. at Mattituck Community Christian Fellowship.

Kris is grateful for all of the prayers, love, and support of Mattituck Community Christian Fellowship, Dan Reiter, Dr. Micha and Gayle Kaplan, and George Giannaris.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the East End Hospice in memory of Mike.

This is a paid notice.

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The Suffolk County Democratic Committee renominated East End county legislators Al Krupski and Bridget Fleming Monday night, but held off on a decision on the high-profile positions of district attorney and sheriff.

Both those countywide offices will be left vacant by retiring incumbents.

“We have not come to a conclusion,” Democratic chairman Richard Schaefer said at the convention, which was held at the IBEW Local 25 Union Hall in Hauppauge. “We have seven people who’ve interviewed for district attorney and we haven’t had any candidates come forward for sheriff.”

He also said it’s possible that one of the district attorney candidates will seek the sheriff position instead.

Mr. Schaefer said Democrats will not cross endorse the Republican candidates for district attorney and sheriff, as has been done in the past. Suffolk Republicans will host their nominating convention June 5.

The Democratic committee has authorized Mr. Schaefer, in consultation with the screening committee, to name a candidate for sheriff and district attorney at a later date.

District Attorney Thomas Spota and Sheriff Vincent DeMarco have decided not to seek re-election. Both were originally elected with Democratic backing and received cross endorsements from Republicans.

Democratic contenders for district attorney include Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini, former Suffolk County Planning Commission chairman Dave Calone, Parents for Megan’s Law founder Laura Ahearn, and attorneys Maureen McCormick, Tad Schafenberg, Billy Wexler and James Chalifoux.

Prior to the convention, Mr. Sini, a former federal prosecutor, received the endorsement of former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara.

“As the Suffolk County Police Commissioner, he has worked tirelessly to restore professionalism and integrity to the leadership of the police department,” Mr. Bharara said in a statement. “As District Attorney, he will bring the culture of the Southern District of New York to the top law enforcement office in Suffolk County.”

The committee renominated all incumbent Democratic county legislators up for re-election and made no endorsement for the six seats currently held by Republicans.

Democrats hold a 12-6 majority in the Legislature, including Mr. Krupski of Cutchogue and Ms. Fleming of Sag Harbor. While the Democrats currently have a majority, three legislators — Kate Browning, Steve Stern and Lou D’Amaro — will leave office at the end of this year as the result of term limits. Nominations were made for their seats Monday night.

The Democrats also nominated Theresa Whelan of Wading River for Family Court judge and David Morris of Islip for county court judge.

Mr. Krupski said his top priorities include roads, energy conservation and wastewater treatment projects.

Ms. Fleming said she looks forward to continue building on recent progress with water quality issues, tick-borne illness and economic development.

“There’s still lots more to do and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to earn another term and get those things done,” she said.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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