While thumbing through my favorite local newspaper the other day, I happened upon an editorial by a former political candidate Abigail Caplovitz Field opining about my votes on an election reform package that passed the Legislature a few weeks ago. The rhetorical title caught my attention and, as is typical in 2019, the article had an ominous tone and suggested some sinister reason for the positions I took. As I read further, I realized that Ms. Fields actually misrepresented some of my votes and a few others needed better clarification.

Keeping in mind that despite our differences in ideology, I know and respect Ms. Fields so I will give her the benefit of the doubt that she wasn’t intentionally trying to mislead or disseminate “fake news.” However, I’ll take this opportunity to briefly explain my position on those bills she highlighted with a few corrections:

• Early voting — I did vote “no.” Several studies have indicated that early voting “had no measurable increase in voter turnout.” In fact, the Washington Post wrote in December 2016 that some studies have concluded that early voting states had a reduction in the overall turnout for the election cycle. Most importantly, the central reason for my “no” vote was the governor did not fund the new process. This unfunded mandate will now require polling places to be open for 9 more days at the expense of our local taxpayers and Boards of Elections who are already quite overburdened. I think we pay enough in taxes on Long Island and the cost will be in the millions of dollars. For those purposes, I voted against this new mandate. In that vein, I actually voted “yes” on the No Excuse Vote by Mail bill. No excuse absentee voting is a great idea particularly since we already have the absentee program in place and this is the best way to improve voter turnout.

• Same Day Registration, Statewide Voter Registration Transfer and Preregistration of 16-year-olds — I did vote “no” on these due to the fact that there is currently no way to verify if someone registering to vote is actually eligible to do so, they were unfunded mandates that will cost the taxpayer and the early registration does not actually register 16- and 17-year-olds. It sounds like a great idea, but under this bill, after the preregistered 16-year-old turns 18, they still have to verify their qualifications and address with the Board of Elections. So after all of the fanfare, the individual still has to go back to the Board of Elections and essentially re-register anyway. It’s a nice idea, but it’s not free. I’d rather the New York State Department of Education place a greater focus on civics in our classrooms than have us create an unnecessary preregistration process and force our local Boards to pay for it.

• Closing the LLC Loophole — I actually voted “yes” on this bill. It’s been a long time coming (the governor has collected millions of campaign dollars as a result of this loophole), so I’m glad it’s finally law.

As I mentioned above, the hysteria that we currently call American politics can evoke passion in all of us and I have a feeling this legislative session will be no different. Quite frankly, I expect I will see a few more opinions contrary to mine before the summer break from Albany, particularly in light of the governor’s new extremely liberal agenda. He has already signed legislation that provides college scholarships to illegal immigrants and another that allows late-term abortions, while pushing to legalize recreational marijuana, eliminate cash bail and to bring sports betting to New York — and we are only three weeks into the year! I welcome any opinion about my performance and a healthy debate, as this is what makes America the greatest country the world has ever known — but cooler heads must always prevail and fact check. This is always important before lashing out publicly since in this political climate, more misleading accusations are the last thing we need.

Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo represents the 2nd Assembly District.

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Alice T. Malinauskas of Peconic died Feb. 3. She was 91.

Visitors will be received Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold with services officiated by Deacon Chris Ervin. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Catholic Church, officiated by Fr. Mariusz Gorazd, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice Kanas Center for Hospice Care or Southold Animal Shelter.

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You get to see stuff that a lot of people don’t. We do a lot of farmer’s markets. The people that come to those farmer’s markets, they want fresh seafood. The look on their faces when they see stuff laid out, they know they’re getting something fresh. People always come back and tell me how fresh my stuff is.

It’s great and you just get the satisfaction of being outside. You get to work with a bunch of different guys. We’ll get on a boat, we’ll go out, lift however many cages we need to.

Today we’re doing a couple thousand pieces, so we had to lift four or five cages, six cages. You have to pick through all of them. You have to get the right size. Some places are picky, they want a specific size. Other places, they don’t really care. They’re more about the taste. Everybody that works for me says that these are the best tasting oysters they’ve ever had.

“The Work We Do” is a Suffolk Times multimedia project profiling workers on the North Fork. It is made possible by Peconic Landing. See more photos on Instagram @thesuffolktimes. 

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Mattituck might have looked at its penultimate regular-season boys basketball game as a slam dunk, but Ryan Seifert took things to a different level.

Seifert, who had never dunked in a game before, was presented with a golden opportunity 5 minutes, 26 seconds into Monday night’s Suffolk County League VI game at Port Jefferson High School. Xavier Allen set him up and Seifert took care of the rest. The 6-3 senior slammed down a right-handed dunk.

“I had a pretty clear lane,” he said. “I lnew I could get it. I jumped up and I threw it down. When I came down I was shocked. I just dunked in a basketball game!”

Correction: He dunked twice in a basketball game.

Seifert followed that up with a second dunk, an uncontested jam off a fastbreak pass from H’Nahdari Joyner at 2:54 of the second quarter.

And there was an opportunity for a third dunk late in the third quarter when Seifert stole the ball and had nothing but the basket in front of him. He opted to lay that one in instead, though.

“He said he was being humble,” said Mattituck assistant coach Tom Ascher.

No matter. Seifert got his two dunks and Mattituck bounced Port Jefferson, 92-48, for a win that coach Paul Ellwood said clinched the Tuckers (10-9, 5-6) a playoff spot since they will have at least a .500 league record against fellow Class B teams.

Mattituck has one game left on the schedule, Wednesday night at home to Babylon. In those teams’ first meeting on Jan. 14, Mattituck beat Babylon, 61-42. That was three days after Mattituck’s previous game, an 82-54 rout of Port Jefferson.

Seifert (17 points) was feeling it Monday. So was Allen, although his weapon of choice is a deadly accurate outside shot. The junior knocked down five three-pointers and 17 points in the first quarter on the way to a 27-point performance. His first shot was a three that was all net.

“I felt I was hot,” said Allen, who also had nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. “If that first shot goes in, I know I’m good, especially a three.”

Mattituck also received 10 points from Nick Perino and nine from Chris Nicholson.

“Our transition was good,” Allen said. “The defense was good. A nice team win.”

Port Jefferson (1-18, 0-11), which suffered its 15th straight loss, was led by Drew Feinstein (14 points), Manu Idir (12) and Grant Caleudville (nine).

It was Senior Night for Port Jefferson’s four seniors, including three who started: Caleudville, Johnathan Bahman and Feinstein. A fourth senior, the injured Charlie Rolfe, didn’t play.

Mattituck opened the game with pressing defense and hit 16 of its first 21 field-goal attempts for a 38-10 lead. That was the game.

“Our game plan was to come out and put it away early,” said Seifert, who also did a nice job weaving through traffic in the lane for a layup and finishing an alley-oop pass from Joyner.

Allen dealt with a swollen right ankle he suffered in a 47-42 home win over Hampton Bays Friday night. Points did not come easily for the Tuckers that night.

“It was the exact opposite tonight,” Ellwood said. “We made everything we took tonight.”

The Tuckers shot a sizzling 57.4 percent (39-for-68) — and went 2-for-2 on dunk attempts.

At Sunday’s practice, Ellwood said he had told his players he wanted to institute an alley-oop play, but couldn’t because none of them could dunk. That’s when Seifert spoke up.

Ellwood said Seifert had been dunking in practice, “just barely getting it over the rim.”

Seifert is the first Mattituck player to dunk in a game since Gene Allen, Xavier’s brother, who graduated in 2014, said Ellwood.

“It’s a feeling I don’t know,” jested Ellwood, who was a guard for Mercy High School in his playing days.

So, will we be seeing more dunks from Seifert in the near future?

“I hope so,” he said. “All my friends were like, ‘You got to do it again at home.’ I’ll try.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Mattituck coach Paul Ellwood and his team clinched a playoff berth with their win in Port Jefferson. (Credit: Bob Liepa)

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It was February, 1980. The United States Olympic ice hockey team surprised the world by upsetting the team from the Soviet Union in the semifinal round. As the clock was winding down at the end of the game, ABC sportscaster Al Michaels delivered, perhaps, the quintessential call ever at a sporting event, “Do you believe in miracles?!”

You can bet Greenport High School sports faithful are believers.

GPO-TV, the school television station, began live-streaming some of the team’s home basketball games last season. Quite a feat for one of the few schools, and one of the smallest, in Suffolk County to produce live video broadcasts of a sporting event. For fans of Greenport Basketball, being able to watch All-State player Ahkee Anderson work his magic live at Richard “Dude” Manwaring Gymnasium on Coach Al (Edwards) Court from anywhere in the world was nothing short of a miracle.

Kevin Webster, whose day job is that of Southold Town tax assessor, is the play-by-play announcer and was instrumental in getting the project up and running. “I was watching former Greenport player Gavin Dibble live on Facebook when he was playing college ball in Maine and thought, ‘This is great,’ ” said Webster.

After a few meetings with Greenport/Southold school superintendent David Gamberg, the pieces starting coming together. Last season the station live-streamed, to great reviews, six home varsity basketball games, including one girls game.

This season, things have changed big time. While attending a Porters playoff game at Pace University last March, Webster pulled out his phone and live-streamed the game. Instead of the lengthy labor- and equipment-intensive process that had been used at the school to broadcast the games, using his phone, a tripod, and Facebook, the Webster Sports Network (WSN) was born.

Another Greenport miracle.

“The process has now been streamlined due to Facebook technology,” said Ryan Case, director of educational technology for Greenport and Southold. “The number of support people has been reduced and the connections are better through cell service rather than through the school internet. It used to take at least an hour to set up, but now with Kevin’s phone he can set up in five minutes.”

Fans around the globe can watch Webster’s home and away broadcasts on his Facebook page or on the school website. And you don’t have to join Facebook. Simply “Google” Facebook Webster Sports Network to watch the Porters in action.

“The Greenport community is very supportive of our athletic teams,” Greenport athletic director Chris Golden said. “Kevin has now provided a means by which people who can’t attend athletic contests can watch, and comment during his broadcasts via the live-stream.”

Webster has homework to do prior to each broadcast. “I contact the athletic director of the opposing team to get rosters, coaches, etc. Then I research the opponents’ records from different websites.”

Returning this year in the role of color commentator is senior Tommy Tsavaras. With no broadcasting experience before last season, but a wiz with stats, Tsavaras took to his job behind the microphone like a fish does to water. “I might have been a little nervous for the first broadcast, but after I had a game under my belt, my nervousness turned into excitement.”

Tsavaras, an excellent student, will be heading off to college in the fall. “I plan on taking broadcasting courses in college and if I get the opportunity to be a broadcaster, I’ll definitely take it,” he said. “Mr. Webster has been an amazing mentor. He’s shown me how to be a better broadcaster. I’m able to improve every game thanks to his leadership.”

Rounding out the WSN team is cameraman Ryan Weingart. A 2014 Greenport High School graduate, Weingart played four years of soccer for coach Chris Golden. He was on the camera for WSN last fall when he and Webster live-streamed the boys and girls soccer playoffs.

“One of the best things about working and living in Greenport is to be around people like Kevin and others who go to great lengths to support our athletes and teams,” Golden said.

Webster said: “I’m a sports fan and love my community. I want to give back.”

Photo caption: Play-by-play announcer Kevin Webster, left, and color commentator Tommy Tsavaras working a boys basketball game at Greenport High School. (Credit: courtesy photo)

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Did you go to elementary school in the 1970s or ’80s? Was it the 1950s or ’60s? If so, you probably took statewide standardized tests along with 100 percent of your classmates — tests that were designed to give our teachers valuable information on how to help us improve as students.

Contrast that with how tests are used today, when as many as 83 percent of students in Greenport School District did not take the tests that are now used to rank and sort students, teachers and schools. No valid conclusion can or should be drawn from such a small sample size; a mere 17 percent of students actually took the tests. Yet that is exactly what happened when Greenport School District was labeled as needing academic improvement.

These tests fail to account for many factors, even beyond the small sample of test-takers. Take, for example, the fact that 60 percent of Greenport’s students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch programs. As a result, our district decided to fund a pre-kindergarten program in 2014 to level the playing field for those children who need early support at school. None of the recent “New Accountability Designations” released by the New York State Education Department take into account the incredible support provided by this relatively new program. This program is locally funded with no state government support.

Why are tests being used differently now?

The reason stems in part from the 1983 report titled “A Nation at Risk.” This report set the stage for one of the more recent education reform movements in our nation’s history. There have been many such movements, dating back to the early 1900s. Yet while early education reform primarily focused on experiential learning, the current reform is based primarily on standardized tests.

With ultra-sophisticated tools at hand, these tests are used to record, decipher and spin data in a myriad of ways. The algorithms that have brought us Amazon Prime, Yelp reviews and automation at speeds unparalleled in human history are now being used to predict and project the success or failure of our public schools and the students who attend them.

Does this seem right to you?

I began my career as an elementary school teacher in the early 1980s and I’ve dedicated my career to education. I have seen an overwhelming amount of research that shows standardized testing, which takes place early and often in a child’s education, does little to predict his or her future success — and even less to help address more immediate academic and other concerns. Lost in these analyses are the real stories of what builds capable, thoughtful and decent citizens. Allow me to tell you about a few of those stories from our school — the same one that has recently been labeled with a target on its back. 

In a six-month project that was completed in January 2019, technology teacher Mike Davies worked with students in both middle school and high school to build a sophisticated hydroponic growing system that provides fresh produce for our students in the cafeteria in the middle of the winter. It gives kids an experiential learning opportunity that also helps provide fresh, healthy produce for the entire school. 

I’m also thinking of the 50-plus Greenport students who participate in our award-winning ROTC program, which provides hundreds — if not thousands — of hours of community service every year.

Then, there’s one high school student in our school who was inspired to study the reason why the honeybee population is in decline. He won prestigious scientific awards along this self-directed, staff-supported learning journey.

I could go on about the authentic learning — in theater programs, classroom projects and student newspaper and TV broadcasting programs — that we provide, along with the required reading and writing lessons taught by our dedicated teaching and support staff. These are just a few examples of the active engagement of students and staff that no standardized test or algorithmic target label could ever record.

Lawmakers and education policymakers can help.

If there is any academic achievement gap in our schools that needs to be closed, I believe the first way to do this is to support struggling readers and writers with robust early intervention programs. Millions of dollars now spent on annual testing should be redirected to programs such as the nationally renowned and well-researched Parent-Child Home Program. This brings books and training directly into the homes of our most at-risk students.

Funding our pre-K program — and other schools with programs like ours — would also be a tremendous help. And I’d like to see more support to maintain other important academic programs, especially in an effort to stay under the state tax cap.

It’s my sincere hope that New York State starts to focus their efforts on less shaming and blaming, and steps up with more funding of programs that will actually make a difference in the lives of our children.

Mr. Gamberg is the superintendent of both the Southold and Greenport school districts.

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Students in the East End Arts 2019 Music Masters Mentorship Program performed a jazz concert Friday night with jazz pianist, educator and vocalist Eli Yamin. The performance was held at Hotel Indigo in Riverhead.

Franklin Mastrangelo of Orient, a student at Greenport High School, performed on piano, baritone saxophone and vocals. Natalia Rahim of Riverhead High School performed on violin and vocals. Eric Guli of Shoreham-Wading River High School performed on vocals.

A total of 10 students completed the intense three-week program where they were immersed in jazz and blues with an emphasis on creativity, culture and telling their personal story in collaboration with others. One student missed Friday’s show due to illness.

Mr. Yamin is a Long Island native who has performed as a “jazz and blues ambassador” in more than 25 countries and in the United States. He has recorded with a quartet and a blues band and created three youth-centered musicals.

Eric Guli of Shoreham-Wading River High School and Natalia Rahim of Riverhead High School on vocals with Tristen Brown-DeVirgilio of Middle Island (Suffolk County Community College) on electric guitar. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Brothers Brown perform an original composition, “Frame of Mind,” with Gage Brown-DeVirgilio on bass and vocals, Rowan Brown-DeVirgilio on drums, and Tristen Brown-DeVirgilio on electric guitar (all of Middle Island). (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Brothers Brown perform an original composition, “Frame of Mind,” with Gage Brown-DeVirgilio on bass and vocals, Rowan Brown-DeVirgilio on drums, and Tristen Brown-DeVirgilio on electric guitar (all of Middle Island). (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Franklin Mastrangelo of Greenport High School performs Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” with Anika Gott of Shirley on violin. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Anika Gott of Shirley performs Jorja Smith’s “On My Mind.” (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Gilda DelBianco of The Stony Brook School on vocals with Rowan Brown-DeVirgilio of Middle Island (Suffolk County Community College) on drums. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Natalia Rahim of Riverhead High School on vocals with brothers Gage Brown-DeVirgilio and Tristen Brown-DeVirgilio of Middle Island on electric bass and electric guitar. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Franklin Mastrangelo of Greenport High School on saxophone. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Eli Yamin with Anika Gott of Shirley on violin. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Anika Gott of Shirley on violin with Alex Nazaretski of Westhampton Beach High School on electric guitar. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

Eli Yamin plays alongside students of the East End Arts Music Masters Mentorship Program. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

East End Arts Education Director, Diane Giardi, (right) introduces the performers. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

2019 East End Arts Music Masters Mentorship Program students with mentor Eli Yamin. (Credit: Elizabeth Wagner)

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The daily update, a podcast briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork, is brought to you by San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, award winning care, when and where you need it most.

Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning by subscribing to our newsletter. Or listen through Apple Podcasts by subscribing to Closer Look. 

Here are the headlines across the North Fork for Tuesday, Feb. 5:

NEWS

Capital One alerts customers it will close Greenport branch in May

IDA grants 15-year, $2.9 million tax abatement to company at EPCAL

Five stories or less? Debating the future of downtown Riverhead

Local students perform alongside jazz musician Eli Yamin

WEATHER

The high temperature is expected to reach 54 degrees as a stretch of unseasonably warm weather continues today.

There will be areas of fog this morning, but it will give way to mostly sunny skies. expect a low of 31 tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

The post Daily Update: Bank branch closing, tax incentives granted, building heights debated appeared first on Suffolk Times.

Marjorie Orlando of Calverton died Tuesday, Jan. 29. She was 86 years old.

Marjorie was born July 21, 1932, in Richmond Hill, N.Y. to Florence (Lockhart) and John Tweedie.

She was an avid fan of the New York Knicks and NASCAR. Above all else she enjoyed caring for her family.

Marjorie was predeceased by her husband Salvatore Michael Orlando in 1999. She is survived by her children William, of Riverhead, Michael, of Rochester, Joseph (Liz), of Cutchogue, John (Colleen), of North Carolina, Eugene (Tracy), of Calverton, Cindy (Dave) Brigati of Calverton and Andrew (Lucia), of Riverhead; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her sister, Dorothy McMahon of Manorville.

The family received friends Feb. 1 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Funeral services were held Feb. 2 at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. George Summers. Interment followed at Cutchogue Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.

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It was difficult, almost impossible, for the Mattituck High School girls basketball team not to look ahead to its regular-season finale, a showdown with Pierson/Bridgehampton/Shelter Island on Thursday night that will determine the Suffolk County League VI champion(s).

“We definitely got that in the back of our minds and want to prove to Pierson who we are,” said Mattituck forward Ashley Perkins.

Even before Mattituck’s Senior Night game against Hampton Bays Tuesday night — a 49-13 romp by the Tuckers — second-place Mattituck was contemplating its rematch against first-place Pierson. Pierson headed into its game against Greenport/Southold Tuesday night a win away from clinching at least a share of the league title, holding a 15-3 record, 14-0 in the league.

Regardless of the result of that game, Mattituck (16-3, 14-1) ensured it has at least a share of the league title to play for when the teams meet again Thursday in Sag Harbor. Mattituck has won three successive league championships and seven overall.

“I just think it’s important because we need to get another year up” on the banner, Mattituck forward Julie Seifert said. “It’s about keeping tradition here.”

Pierson is responsible for the single blemish on Mattituck’s league record. When the teams played on Jan. 14, Pierson prevailed, 47-38, as Mattituck struggled with 29-percent shooting.

“I think we’re going to go in there fighting hard,” Perkins said. “We’re going to do our best. I think we’re going to do great.”

Still, first things first. And the first matter of business on Tuesday was handling Hampton Bays (0-19, 0-14).

Prior to the game, Mattituck’s six seniors, whose teammates created personalized posters for them, were announced and escorted to center court by their parents.

“We were talking about who was going to cry and who was not going to cry,” said Seifert.

Coach Steve Van Dood, in his pregame remarks during the ceremony, said: “This team had a lot on them. They came in after the best team in Mattituck history … There was a lot of pressure on their shoulders.”

Then Van Dood told his players, “I want you to take this moment in.”

Mattituck’s all-senior starting lineup then helped the Tuckers fly out to a 20-6 lead and roll from there. Hampton Bays was held to three points in the second half. It was similar to a defensive effort earlier this season when Mattituck limited Center Moriches to two points over the first three quarters.

Perkins, shooting 6-for-8 from the field, finished with a career-high 13 points as well as 10 rebounds. Seifert shot 6-for-11 and supplied 10 points and seven rebounds.

Rebecca Heaney was the leading scorer for Hampton Bays with seven points.

Mattituck started seniors Dominique Crews, Rachel Janis, Jaden Thompson, Perkins and Seifert, with another senior, Miranda Hedges, coming in off the bench. It was just the sort of Senior Night Mattituck’s seniors were hoping for — all the pomp and ceremony, along with a win in what possibly could be the Tuckers’ final game in their home gym this season.

“I knew it was going to be [a good performance] because, honestly, who likes to lose on Senior Night?” Seifert asked. “Nobody does.”

Not all was good for Mattituck, though. Sarah Santacroce took a shot to her nose and headed to the locker room 62 seconds into the second quarter. The junior left the gym early in the third quarter.
Afterward, Van Dood said a concussion was ruled out for Santacroce, an occasional starter. “She’s our spark plug,” he said. “We’re going to need her.”
While Mattituck’s primary focus is on the Suffolk Class B title, the Tuckers made it clear they want to add another league crown to their résumé.

“It’s important,” Van Dood said. “We don’t like relinquishing anything.”

Not that the Tuckers are taking anything for granted. They recognize what Pierson is capable of doing.

“We really can’t take them lightly because they have a lot of dual threats,” said Seifert.

Nonetheless, Perkins sounded confident.

“I think we’re going to give Pierson a run for their money,” she said. “I think we’re going to do great.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Julie Seifert, one of Mattituck’s six seniors, shot 6-for-11 for 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. (Credit: Garret Meade)

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The late Lyle Wells’ passion for furthering the farming community has inspired a grant aimed at helping the future of Long Island agriculture.

The Wells family established the Lyle C. Wells Passion for Agriculture organization after the 11th-generation Riverhead farmer died in a workplace accident in January 2018. He was 62.

The $5,000 grant, raised through community donations given in lieu of flowers, is available for an innovative Long Island farmer. The Lyle C. Wells Passion for Agriculture organization has teamed up with the Long Island Farm Bureau to distribute the grant funding. Mr. Wells, former president of the Long Island Farm Bureau, is recognized as an outspoken leader in the Long Island farming community with a gift for growing produce.

These values are reflected in the grant, Mr. Wells’ daughter Jessica de Vera Wells said.

“My dad was really happy to make changes in the name of progress,” she said. “He always wanted to make progress on his farm. He didn’t keep things the same. He was constantly adapting to be innovative. He made the farmer much more impactful than it had ever been and that is what we’re looking for, people who have really innovative ideas.”

This is the first time the grant is being offered and the organization hopes to continue the grant annually, Ms. de Vera Wells said. All Long Island farmers are eligible.

The deadline for submissions is March 31. To receive an application, email lcwpassionforagriculture@gmail.com.

czaweski@timesreivew.com

Photo caption: Mr. Wells in one of his asparagus fields in Northville. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch Photo)

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The last race of the high school boys winter track season for the Southold/Greenport 4×200-meter relay team brought about a significant ending.

Southold junior Kenny Latham, junior Jackson Wile, senior Miguel Torres and senior Dante Tramontana set a team record Sunday in the Section XI small school team championships at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood. The foursome clocked 1 minute, 41.34 seconds, slicing 19/100ths of a second off the previous mark, set in 2017. Latham, Sean McCabe, Jorge Torrento and Max Pasko made that record-setting run two years ago.

“Whenever you’re doing a sprint relay like a 4×2 or a 4×1, there’s virtually no room for error,” Southold coach Karl Himmelmann said. “I said to them, ‘Boys, you’re all ready to do this. You just need to put it all together,’ and they did. Their handoffs were the best they’ve been all season.”

Amityville was first in 1:36.90.

Pasko ran the 55-meter dash in 6.96 in the prelims. Pasko, whose best time is 6.83, didn’t qualify for the final, but the junior will compete in the state qualifying meet Feb. 11 in Brentwood.

Mattituck senior Christian Demchak ran the 3,200 in 10:45.53, bringing him eighth place. Demchak was also 21st in the 1,600 in 5:17.20.

Mount Sinai took the team title with 82 points, 24 more than runner-up Eastport/South Manor. Neither Mattituck or Southold scored a team point.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: From left, Dante Tramontana, Max Pasko, Miguel Torres, Jackson Wile and Kenny Latham competed for Southold/Greenport in the Section XI small school team championships. (Credit: Karl Himmelmann, courtesy photo)

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Greenport Union Free School District has unveiled an ambitious $29.8 million proposal to transform the current school building, improve security and upgrade athletic facilities, among other changes. Superintendent David Gamberg presented the plan at a special Board of Education meeting Tuesday.

“This is the most comprehensive list of changes to the Greenport district,” Mr. Gamberg said after outlining the overhaul, which, if approved, would most likely begin during the summer of 2020.  “Our students deserve this.”

The proposal , known as the Capital Improvement Plan, would be funded in two ways: $775,000 would be appropriated from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund, a budget for capital-related projects, and bonds would be issued to cover the remaining  $29.1 million. The plan would require voter approval.  

If the proposition passes, the average household with an assessed value of $6,400 would be see a tax increase of roughly $799 annually over the 20 year life of the bonds to pay for the bonds, Mr. Gamberg said. 

Officials expect the proposition to go before voters in June 2019, a month after the regular state budget for the 2019-20 academic year goes for a vote, as per requirements from the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act.

The plan comes only a year after the district asked voters — for the third time since 2011 — to pierce the state tax cap to avoid staff and service cuts. More than 60 percent of voters supported piercing the cap last year. 

Following numerous public hearings and community input meetings beginning in November, Mr. Gamberg, the school board and Bill Wisbauer, of Tetra Tech Architects and Engineers, outlined the proposal which was presented Tuesday night. 

Cost estimates for upgrades, Mr. Gamberg said, were based on a mandatory building condition survey conducted in 2015 and other previous audits.

The plan would improve security; upgrade educational, administrative, community and athletics spaces; and preserve and improve existing infrastructure.

Interior and exterior security changes would include replacement of doors and hardware, installation of  exterior security cameras and a PA system. Security upgrades account for $5.5 million of the total proposed amount.

The updates to education and administration spaces would transform the building layout, Mr. Gamberg said. Classrooms would be moved around to place elementary and high school administrative offices on the south side of the building near the main entrance.

“We just want to give you an overview, but trust me, we have a space for every displaced class,” Mr. Gamberg explained to the audience of 40 parents, teachers and community members.

A new gymnasium, wood, and automotive shop would also be in the budget. The auto shop could accommodate  students from neighboring districts, like Southold and Mattituck-Cutchogue, instead of asking them to travel over an hour to Bellport  for specific programs in BOCES, Mr. Gamberg said.

Greenport athletic facilities would also be upgraded. The proposal calls for a new track, turf field, playground, parking lots, scoreboard, bleachers, concession stand and press box, as well as reconstruction of the existing tennis courts. The Southold School District unveiled its new track complex in May 2018 and officials in Mattituck have also discussed the possibility of adding a track field, although no formal plans are in proposed.

Infrastructure changes would account for $13.2 million for  new floors, masonry, walls, ceilings and lockers throughout the building. The main power supply in the school building,  manufactured in 1971, would be replaced, as would light fixtures and power panels for computer use.

Mr. Gamberg said the district would also need to consider additional custodial staff in the future to maintain the updated building.

The next step in the process,  the superintendent said, is to gather final community input on the plan. Then, he said, the board will adopt a final plan for residents to vote on in June.

Community members at the meeting expressed support for the project following the presentation. 

Sandy Martocchia of Greenport said that while she supports the Capital Improvement Plan, it may be difficult to convince locals that the tax changes are beneficial to the village.  

“It’s just getting the word out to everyone in the community,” she said. “We should be on-par with all the other public schools on the East End.”

Mr. Gamberg said the board intends to update the presentation, create a brochure for residents and continue to spread a message that the project will benefit the students.

“It’s a multi-prong approach, definitely a community effort,” he said. 

knalepinski@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Superintendent David Gamberg presented the plan at a special Board of Education meeting Tuesday. (Kate Nalepinski photo)

The post Greenport school district proposes $29.8M in infrastructure changes appeared first on Suffolk Times.

The daily update, a podcast briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork, is brought to you by San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, award winning care, when and where you need it most.

Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning by subscribing to our newsletter. Or listen through Apple Podcasts by subscribing to Closer Look. 

Here are the headlines across the North Fork for Wednesday, Feb. 6:

NEWS

Historic Case House crosses Youngs Avenue en route to Cleo’s Corner

Grant honoring Lyle Wells available for innovative LI farmers

Developer proposes to build 35 luxury apartments in Riverhead

SPORTS

Boys Basketball: Riverhead suffers a dud

Boys Winter Track: Southold 4×200 relay team sets record

WEATHER

Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high of 42 degrees. A 90 percent chance of rain is in the forecast after 10 p.m. with a low tonight of 37, according to the National Weather Service.

The post Daily Update: School bond proposed, historic house moved appeared first on Suffolk Times.

Douglas E. Constant of Orient died Feb. 4. He was 72.

Visiting hours will take place Friday, Feb. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport, where Pastor Roger Joslin will conduct services at 6 p.m. Cremation was private.

A complete obituary will follow.

The post Douglas E. Constant appeared first on Suffolk Times.

At the end of Tuesday night’s practice, Mattituck High School boys basketball coach Paul Ellwood had some final business to attend to. He gave the Tuckers’ scorekeeper, senior Dez Whitehurst, a jersey to wear for the team’s final regular-season game the following night.

“I said, ‘This falls in the category of better late than never,’ ” said Ellwood.

Whitehurst, in his third season as the team’s scorekeeper, had never played in a high school game before, but he had his moment in Mattituck’s Senior Night game against Babylon. With 2 minutes, 42 seconds left in the game, Whitehurst, wearing a No. 3 jersey, entered the game to the loudest applause of the night.

“It was just a good feeling,” Mattituck senior Jayden Ford said. “He never touched the court before and he wanted to.”

It was all part of the Senior Night 2019 experience for the Tuckers, who honored nine senior players and six senior cheerleaders before the game.

Mattituck had already secured a playoff berth, but that didn’t mean pressure wasn’t involved in its 70-38 win over Babylon.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” said Ellwood, who for the second time in three years had nine seniors on his squad. “The parents are there. You want it to be special for everyone.”

And players themselves felt pressure with a gym full of eyes on them.

“It was a lot of pressure, to be honest,” Ford said. “Everybody was coming out.”

They saw the Tuckers (11-9, 6-6 Suffolk County League VI) shoot 51.1 percent from the field, 23-for-45, through the first three quarters. Mattituck never trailed, taking leads of 20-7, 36-17 and 57-30 after each of the first three quarters.

“It was a good note to end the [regular] season on,” Mattituck senior Trevor Poole said. “I would say we had a good all-around performance.”

Xavier Allen led the way for Mattituck with 22 points. Poole and Ryan Seifert added 12 points each.

Babylon (3-15, 2-10) was led by Peter Szuchy (12 points) and Luke Lassen (nine).

Three of Mattituck’s seniors — H’Nahdari Joyner, Poole and Seifert — were in the starting lineup. Other seniors were later called off the bench. Matt Sledjeski entered the proceedings when Joyner got into early foul trouble. Nick Perino knocked down a pair of three-pointers late in the second quarter. More seniors came off the bench. Bryce Grathwohl and Tyler Olsen drew applause when they reported to the scorer’s table.

All nine seniors played and seven made it into the scorebook. It was a demonstration of appreciation for Mattituck’s practice players more than anything else.

“I value those guys as much as the guys who put up 20 [points] a game,” Ellwood said. “I haven’t had to motivate these kids at all. It’s just a great group.”

During his pregame remarks to the crowd during the Senior Night ceremony, Ellwood said: “The night is always bittersweet. It gets harder every year.”

Wednesday’s game is the final one Mattituck has played in its gym this season. Although the seeding meeting is Friday and the playoff brackets haven’t been released, Ellwood said the Tuckers will play a Suffolk Class B semifinal at Southampton next week.

“For the last time playing a team game on our home floor, it is a little upsetting, I’m not going to lie,” said Poole, who battled in the paint for nine rebounds.

Following the game, Ellwood called it the second-best Senior Night game he ever coached, rating it behind the 2010 game in which his current assistant coach, Tom Ascher, hit a buzzer-beating three-point shot to beat Port Jefferson.

All in all, Ellwood was happy with how things turned out.

“You want to get everybody in” the game, he said. “You want to win. We got to check all the boxes.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Posters were hung up in honor of Mattituck’s nine seniors. (Credit: Bob Liepa)

The post Boys Basketball: Mattituck shows senior appreciation appeared first on Suffolk Times.

Dear Suffolk Times reader,

Our mission has long been to provide you with the very best community journalism.

In 1857, The Suffolk Times’ inaugural editorial said it aimed to be, “above all else, a good newspaper.”

If we were to write that same editorial today, we’d describe ourselves as not merely a weekly newspaper but rather a multimedia company producing content on a daily basis. The way we tell stories has changed dramatically in recent years, from words and photos on a page to videos and podcasts that bring those stories to life on our websites and through social media. This month, we’re launching a series of events that will give our readers the opportunity to engage with stakeholders on the issues that are most important to them.

Our talented staff consistently strives to produce top-quality work that we believe makes a positive difference in your life and in our community.

It is our belief that at Times Review Media Group we produce journalism worth paying for — and in order to adapt to new technology and rising production costs we will be making several changes in the months ahead to the ways we charge for content.

Beginning with this issue, our newsstand price has been increased from $1.50 to $2. In the coming months, our home-delivery subscription rate will also increase, to $85 per year.

Perhaps the biggest change will affect users of our website, as we will soon begin selling subscriptions for unlimited access to digital content. All visitors will still receive a certain number of free clicks per month, but once that limit is reached, users will be asked to subscribe for $52 per year or $6 a month.

If you already subscribe to our print edition, you can simply link that subscription to our website at no additional cost. We will be sharing more details about this change in the coming months.

To minimize the impact of these changes, for a limited time, we are offering existing print and new subscribers the opportunity to renew for one year at the current lower rates.

If you’d like to take advantage of this extension offer, please be sure to contact circulation manager Keysha Terry at 631-354-8014 or kterry@timesreview.com before March 29. You can also mail your renewal request to The Suffolk Times, P.O. Box 1500, Mattituck, NY 11952.

We appreciate your continued loyalty to our newspaper, which we have been proud to print for more than 160 years. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at 631-354-8031 or aolsen@timesreview.com.

Sincerely,
Andrew Olsen
Publisher

The post A note from the publisher about newsstand, subscription increases appeared first on Suffolk Times.

Listings prepared for Times Review Media Group by Suffolk Research Service, dated Dec. 10-16, 2018.

Brought to you by:

AQUEBOGUE (11931)

• Wheaton, S to Koc, Hakan, 50 West Ln (600-67-1-23), (R), $450,000

• Mikolinski, T & V to Busch, Douglas, 59 Trout Brook Ln (600-112-2-25.7), (R), $524,900

• Marmott, S & I to Mullins, Daniel, 64 Meetinghouse Creek Rd (600-113-2-52.1), (R), $630,000

BAITING HOLLOW (11933)

• Filasky, P by Executor to Maidhof, James, 601 Fox Hill Dr (600-11.1-1-109), (R), $365,000

• Gao, G to Mickoliger, Tammy, 1008 Bluffs Dr N (600-11.2-1-34), (R), $394,500

• Empire State Bankrupt to Fata, Anthony, 53 Glenn Rd (600-38-3-29), (R), $325,000

CALVERTON (11933)

• Davidson, E to Harkins III, John, Fern Rd (600-38-3-52), (V), $30,000

• Van De Wetering, S to Natjoste Realty LLC, 1974 Sound Ave (600-39-1-26.1), (R), $240,000

• SRBH LOTS LLC to Grams, Kenneth, 29 Kerry Ct (600-81-1-17.2), (R), $519,000

CUTCHOGUE (11935)

• Krone, J Trust to Manno, Peter, 595 Pequash Ave (1000-103-7-27.1), (R), $723,000

• Ryan, D & C Trusts to Louey, Robert, 3210 Beebe Dr (1000-103-9-2), (R), $985,000

• Remke, M & S to Mischief Managed LLC, 555 Alvahs Ln (1000-109-1-29), (R), $637,500

• El Chaar, E to Gabor Galgo LLC, 550 Carrington Rd (1000-111-7-10), (R), $515,000

FLANDERS (11901)

• Galatoulas, P to Perino, William, 12 Nash Ave (900-123-3-19), (R), $175,000

• Scura, et al by Referee to US Bank Trust NA, 27 Deck St (900-142-1-24), (R), $285,452

• CitiMortgage Inc to UC Properties LLC, 820 Flanders Rd (900-143-3-48), (R), $174,200

• Fannie Mae to 84 Suffolk LLC, 84 Suffolk Ave (900-144-1-79), (R), $245,000

• Deutsche Bank Nat to Insource East Properties, 217 Oak Ave (900-145-1-59), (R), $228,960

• Empire Property by Referee to 87 Sandy Court LLC, 105 Flanders Blvd (900-145-2-18), (R), $148,510

GREENPORT (11944)

• Siegel, E & Goldstein, E to Clifford, Brendan, 1075 Moores Ln (1000-33-2-32), (R), $850,000

• Kowalski, R & K to Jedi Group LLC, 69430 Route 25 (1000-45-5-1), (R), $475,000

• Nowell, R to Chao, Cindy, 1020 Seventh St (1000-48-2-40), (R), $708,500

• Grattan, P & N to 250 Sixth Ave Greenport, 250 Sixth Ave (1001-4-4-20), (R), $449,000

• Bendik, M to Schwartz, Noah, 279 Second St (1001-4-9-12.2), (R), $440,000

• Miller, B to Stuessi, Kevin, 417 Clark St (1001-7-5-14), (R), $599,000

JAMESPORT (11947)

• Schadt, K & H to LaFace Jr, Joseph, 711 Herricks Ln (600-9-2-6.5), (R), $820,000

• Quinn, Raine & Downs Trs to Corily Bayfront LLC, 12 Phyllis Ln (600-70-2-50.3), (R), $940,000

• Nictas, B Trust to Powers, Jan, 105 Washington Ave (600-90-2-14), (R), $453,100

MATTITUCK (11952)

• FHV LLC to Martorana, Frank & Mindy, 3400 Deep Hole Dr (1000-115-17-11), (R), $650,000

• Kubo, K & Shigetomi, C to Winter, Christopher, 4340 Ole Jule Ln (1000-122-4-30), (R), $705,000

NEW SUFFOLK (11956)

• Auriemma, L to Feghali, Joseph, 945 Fanning Rd (1000-117-4-26), (R), $552,500

ORIENT (11957)

• DeLuca, A & M to Keating, Joseph, 1045 Uhl Ln (1000-15-5-24.7), (R), $640,000

RIVERHEAD (11901)

• Smith, Naugles, et al to Canepa, Edwin, 155 Eight Bells Rd (600-13-2-5), (R), $250,000

• Fontana, Rissland & to Loiacono, Stephen, 84 Crows Nest Dr (600-14-1-9), (R), $560,000

• Maynard, R to Keener, Audrey, 5 Plover Ct (600-18-1-2.3), (R), $615,000

• Bothwell, J & M to Kobetitsch, James, 2806 Bayberry Path (600-18.1-2-178), (R), $415,000

• Waloski, D & J to Robinson, Yvonne, 2404 Cedar Path (600-18.1-4-150), (R), $385,000

• Schwartz, A & M Trusts to Cahill, Lawrence, 125 Windflower Ln (600-43-5-12), (R), $642,500

• Dell, M to Carl, Karen, 3406 Amen Corner (600-64.2-1-42), (R), $295,000

• Aspen Creek Estates to Gonzalez, Victor, 25 Aj Court (600-65-1-4.1), (R), $489,999

• Tyrer, D to Vilcinskas, Vytautas, 207 Rabbit Run (600-65-1-29.58), (R), $316,000

• Brynda, J & D to Kondracki, Rafal, 19 Malcolm Way (600-81-1-25.11), (R), $300,000

• Kluko, J & L to Cofresi, Michael, 186 Stoneleigh Dr, #3401 (600-82.5-3-9), (R), $512,000

• Mickoliger, T to Johnson, Shereika, 440 Marcy Ave & Lot 15 (600-123-2-14), (R), $370,000

• Garcia, R & D to Ortiz-Placido, Benito, 60 Sandy Hollow Ct (600-125-1-8.5), (R), $325,000

• Palencia, W to Applin, Jeremiah, 291 Fishel Ave (600-127-3-17), (R), $280,000

• Hill, T & E to Aronica, Diana, 280 Newton Ave (600-127-3-45), (R), $454,000

SOUTH JAMESPORT (11970)

• Herman, S to Greenberg, Grant, 115 Big Fresh Pond Rd (900-94-3-1), (R), $1,300,000

• Totsas, H & H to Krittman, Daniel, 150 Second St (600-92-5-11.1), (R), $1,065,000

SOUTHOLD (11971)

• Yaxa, D & D & L to Lawi, Neil, 215 Colony Rd (1000-52-5-60.2), (R), $2,200,000

• Pierson, Grigonis, & to Sethi, Ashvani, 4402 Youngs Ave (1000-55-2-8.13), (R), $482,000

• Clay, B to Panagiotopoulos, Hristos, 52645 Route 25 (1000-63-5-14), (R), $555,000

• Hazelbaker, E by Referee to Kane, Douglas, 250 Rogers Rd (1000-66-2-15), (R), $458,000

• Maxwell, B & J to Stellato, Robert, 340 Grange Rd (1000-78-1-2), (R), $525,000

• Sciscente Sr, J & R to Gorman, Sharon, 2350 Paradise Shores Rd (1000-80-1-10.1), (R), $429,000

• O’Connor, B & J to Sorvillo, Michael, 195 Mid Way (1000-88-4-20), (R), $678,000

• Weinberg, S & A to Quigley, Kenneth, 2245 Little Peconic Bay Ln (1000-90-1-16), (R), $954,200

WADING RIVER (11792)

• Tufaro, L by Executor to Henning, Mark, 176 Overlook Dr (600-55-1-14), (R), $425,000

• Migneco, S & N & S to Drepanis, Andrew, 88 Calverton Ct (600-115-1-10.35), (R), $625,000

(Key: Tax map numbers = District-Section-Block-Lot; (A) = agriculture; (R) = residential; (V) = vacant property; (C) = commercial; (R&E) = recreation & entertainment; (CS) = community services; (I) = industrial; (PS) = public service; (P) = park land; as determined from assessed values in the current tax rolls.)

The post Real Estate Transfers: Feb. 7, 2019 appeared first on Suffolk Times.

The New York State Department of Transportation has approved Greenport Village’s request for a lowering of the speed limit on a section of Main Road.

The DOT’s regional traffic engineer, M.T. Vijayendran, notified village attorney Joseph Prokop of the decision in a Jan. 30 letter.

“Based on our study, we will lower the speed limit on NYS Route 25 (Front Street) from 30 mph to 25 mph from Moore’s Lane to Main Street,” he wrote.

The DOT also agreed that lowering the speed limit from the intersection of Front Street and Main Street, north to Bridge Street is appropriate, according to the letter, which Trustee Doug Roberts posted on his Facebook page Tuesday.

“We’re encouraged by the decision and appreciate the support of our village officials in getting this done,” said Main Street resident Bridget Elkin, who was one of the first to recommend the lower speed zone in Nov. 2017. “With proper signage and enforcement, this is a positive step for the safety and quality of life in our community.”

The DOT will install the new signs on Front Street, but the village is responsible for maintenance on Main Street and will install those signs.

The Village Board debated the issue for a little over half a year before voting in late June of 2018 to officially ask the state to lower the speed limits on sections of Front Street and Main Street. Since those roads are state roads, the village could only request the state to do the speed limit change.

The board was not unanimous in supporting the new limits. The vote to request the change was split, with Mayor George Hubbard Jr. and trustees Roberts and Jack Martilotta voting in support of the recommendation, while Trustee Julia Robins voted no and Trustee Mary Bess Phillips abstaining, saying she didn’t have enough information.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley had opposed the change, saying he didn’t think the 5 mph changes would have an effect on traffic.

The post Department of Transportation approves lower speed limit on Front and Main appeared first on Suffolk Times.

The daily update, a podcast briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork, is brought to you by San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, award winning care, when and where you need it most.

Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning by subscribing to our newsletter. Or listen through Apple Podcasts by subscribing to Closer Look. 

Here are the headlines across the North Fork for Thursday, Feb. 7:

NEWS

Department of Transportation approves lower speed limit on Front and Main

Riverhead Walmart reverses policy on locked items after community backlash

Developer proposes to build 35 luxury apartments in Riverhead

‘Higher-end’ seafood restaurant to replace Deep Water Bar & Grille in Greenport

A note from the publisher about newsstand, subscription increases

SPORTS

Boys Basketball: Mattituck shows senior appreciation

WEATHER

Following a period of rain overnight, expect cloudy skies Thursday with a high near 45 degrees. There could be some more rain again overnight when the low will dip to 39 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The post Daily Update: Speed limit change, Walmart controversy, new restaurant coming appeared first on Suffolk Times.