David Flynn, Kings Park resident and Smithtown Assistant Town Planner, stands with Stanley Warszycki's work crew. The crew worked all day to complete one stage of a landscape project sponsored by the Kings Park Heritage Museum. The William T Rogers Middle School was given a border of 40 trees- different species in clustered patterns. Designed by David Flynn, constructed by Stanley Warszycki and funded by the Heritage Museum this is a beautification effort pleasing to all.
     Flower beds and bushes will be added sometime in the spring. A community effort, with no cost to the school district, and one which will have long lasting, rewarding result.
 

GREAT WORK!

    Members of Kings Park High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) organization were recently recognized for their work in producing an information video on domestic violence. The group traveled to Albany, where they were awarded first place in the New York State Office of Prevention of Domestic Violence contest. While at the assembly, the video was previewed for all to see. At its conclusion, the students beamed with KP Pride as they received rousing ovation from the audience.

      Following the ceremony, the group received a personalized tour of the Capital and were treated to a special lunch in Senator Balboni's office. While there, Senator John Flanagan who spent a few hours speaking with the students.  

AWESOME JOB!

         Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown) today announced the availability of a tuition assistance scholarship for the Cadet Appointment Program at the State University of New York Maritime College. The university offers full-tuition scholarships to qualified residents of New York state, including one to be chosen by Fitzpatrick on behalf of the 7th Assembly District.
            “The SUNY Maritime College has a unique program that provides the foundation for future employment and career opportunities. While most students find it increasingly difficult to afford college, this tuition scholarship gives young adults a chance to continue their education. I encourage students to take advantage of this valuable opportunity,” said Assemblyman Fitzpatrick.
            The SUNY Maritime program is designed for the Regiment of Cadets. Participation in the program prepares students for licensure through the U.S. Coast Guard. The college’s curriculum blends classroom instruction with three summers of international travel aboard the training vessel, The Empire State VI. The program boasts of a 100 percent career placement rate, and the majority of the students find employment in the business world, armed services and a variety of industries.
            “The SUNY Maritime College provides leadership and job-training skills. The program builds character and instills a strong sense of pride and integrity. The college is an excellent choice for students looking for well-structured academic and athletic programs,” said Assemblyman Fitzpatrick.
            To be eligible for the Cadet Appointment Program scholarship, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a New York state resident for at least one year prior to the student’s enrollment in the college.  An applicant must be a high school graduate and demonstrate evidence of academic excellence and leadership skills. 
            To apply, contact the college’s admissions office at (718) 409-7220. Further information can be obtained at www.sunymaritime.edu. 
            Applicants must complete the application by March 15.
 

     The Arker Companies of Woodmere, New York is the latest prospective purchaser of the Kings Park Psych Center property. Based on information obtained from the internet including the websites of both NY State and the City of NY, the firm is primarily an active developer focusing on remediation and development of properties into "low income", or "workforce" housing units. In addition, Sol Arker a principal of The Arker Companies, is also listed as a member of the Board of Directors of the "Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition." The organization's mission statement indicates:

"Plays a major role in assuring the continuance of the low-income housing tax credit. The Coalition was founded in 1998 with the primary goal of achieving permanent extension of the low-income housing tax credit program. From that time until the credit was permanently extended in 1993, the Coalition worked tirelessly to achieve that end by taking a leading role in coordinating the efforts of many concerned groups and individuals, both on Capitol Hill and throughout the country. "

     At their budget workshop, the Kings Park Central School District has indicated their new budget will yield an increase of about 8%, this does not include any increases by the State, County or Town. Adding 1,800 residential units requiring public services to an already strained school system by a prospective developer whose past developments boasted "Low-Income Housing Tax Credits", will certainly place an even greater strain on the current residents.

      Aspirations carried these young ladies into developing a dance troupe in Kings Park High School. Practicing routines now, for presentation in late spring, the group intends to attract more girls and to create a larger ensemble to add to the school's theatre productions

      The Kings Park Central School District inducted five more alumni into its Science Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in the high school's library on March 2 and coincided with the district's Science Fair Week.  Inductees were chosen by the school's faculty members and representatives of the Kings Park Heritage Museum. The recipients will act as role models for current and future students. All of the inductees were recognized for their outstanding success in their respective fields. Pictured above, receiving their award are William Ohley, for his work in the field of Electrical Engineering, Victor Silberstein's sister accepted for his work in prosthetic research and development, Steven Weinstein for his work as a Research Scientist, Leo Dunn's award for work in medical research was accepted by his brother Bernard Dunn, Joseph Haller received for Gary Sommagren and his optical research and discoveries, Bob Walsh, spoke for and accepted Russell Young's plaque honoring his research in measurements.

 
RUSSELL D. YOUNG, PhD, Electrical Engineering (Class of 1941) Consultant since 1981 in metrology, measurement instrumentation, and surface characterization; division chief and project leader at the National Bureau of Standards involved in such areas as surface science, optics, micro metrology, mechanical processes, industrial systems and mechanical production (1961-81); congratulated by President Reagan for recognition by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences that recipients of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics “Owed much to your original research in scanning tunneling microscopy.
VICTOR H. SILBERSTEIN, D.D.S., US Navy Captain now deceased (Class of 1943). Interned at Kings Park State Hospital after graduation from University of Pittsburgh Dental School (1948); career naval officer (1948-73), including service during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts; youngest Captain in the Navy at time of his appointment; intensively studied and treated head and neck cancer and Cleft palates; as chief of dental services at St. Alban’s Naval Hospital, examined the first group of US prisoners of war from Vietnam; 30 months’ sea duty on the aircraft carrier Intrepid; 13 years’ private prosthetic practice on Marco Island, Florida, until ha retirement in 1986.
STEVEN J. WEINSTEIN, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering (Class of 1979). Research scientist at Eastman Kodak since 1988 with emphasis on interfacial fluid mechanics, transport phenomena and applied mathematics; holder of 7 patents; adjunct professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering, Cornell University.

GARY SOMMAGREN, Ph.D., Optics and Astronomy (Class of 1962) Career divided between applied research and applications in optical metrology. While working at Livermore National Labs he developed the optical heterodyne profilometer. This was recognized as one of the top inventions of the year. In 2003 he again received a research and development award for an innovative extreme ultraviolet lithography system. As a consultant to the Berkeley National Lab, he was a founding member of the Center for Optics. Gary's varied career includes astronomy projects, science engineering and numerous inventions and patents.

WILLIAM OHLEY, PhD., Electrical Engineering (Class of 1966). Professor and Electrical Engineering Department Head, University of Rhode Island; research and design work involving heart support devices; lecturer in France and China. Advisor for N.E.B. of HIgher Education, Science Area.

LEO DUNN, M.D. (Class of 1948) Emeritus professor (since 1996), Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a Masters in Health Administration in 1998 after a long career as a practitioner, medical department dean, medical-association advisor and examiner, professional journal editor and public-policy advisor in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, oncology, aid pelvic surgery cited as distinguished alumnus by Columbia University and Hofstra University.

   Congratulations To All...

      Last week the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce held their Twenty-Second Annual Dinner Dance at the Islandia Marriot. A record number of attendees crowded the hall to honor four remarkable Kings Park residents.
       Persons of the Year - Gail & Jack Hessel were recognized for the assiduous hard work they perform. Both are active members in the literal sense of the word,  and contribute to a myriad of worthy organizations in our community. Whether it is the Fr. John Papallo, Sons of Italy Lodge, the Smithtown Historical Society or the Heritage Museum, where ever you go they are there; sleeves rolled up ready to lend a helping hand. What makes them special is their gentle demeanor and kind hearts. They are two genuine people.

      Humanitarian of the Year - Judy Bishop is a town icon, but because of her deliberate behind the scenes mode of operation, no one would never know it. Always doing, but forever hiding. It is quite rare to get a snap shot of this mystical character. Judy is a combination of legends she has Robin Hood's heart, with Santa's expertise of delivery and truly deserves to be noted in our town's history as a "humanitarian."

       Lifetime Service Award - Kevin O'hare is a doer, an active community member. Always working yet always finding time to give to his special causes. As a participant in many groups ranging from charitable to veteran, from political to youth, Kevin has left his mark with the good deeds he has done. A volunteer at heart.

       The evening was filled with wonderful entertainment starting with the Kings Park High School Chamber Singers and throughout the evening with Kings Park's own "DJ Medic" Kevin Barattini and his crew.   CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Congratulations to this years honorees

      The message was loud and the message was clear... "New York State must negate the sale of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center property and they must act now before it is too late",  so proclaimed Supervisor Vecchio at Wednesday evening's special meeting of the Kings Park Neighbors' Association (KPNA). KPNA is a civic group comprised of residents living in the Kings Park Central School District. The district includes Kings Park, San Remo, and parts of Fort Salonga and Smithtown. Just celebrating their first year in existence, KPNA has grown in numbers and strength and has become an active force in the community. With only a little over a week's notice the association was able to amass over four hundred residents at the RJO School for a rally to hear Supervisor Vecchio speak about the fate of the Kings Park Psych Center property.

      In his presentation the Supervisor gave a brief synopsis on the history of the KPPC, starting from the time the town first learned of its closing in 1993. Soon after hearing of the impending close, he organized a group of citizens, including Mr. Charles Gardner who was serving as the president of the Kings Park Board of Education and asked them to put together a proposal and plan for the soon to be vacant property. Included in their recommendations was the following point:

"Single family detached or sprawl-type development is not preferred because of the tremendous land alteration requirements needed to provide road and utility access to all home sites which would destroy the very amenities which must be preserved. Further, the housing types should minimize the number of bedrooms and square footage to limit the number of school children and municipal tax deficits generated by the development. The development should be shown to be revenue neutral.":

     Subsequent the closing of the hospital, in reaction to concerns of what may happen to the property the State passed a piece of legislation called the "Reinvestment Bill."  The bill called for a comprehensive study of the property and provided funding for a task force to be formed to analyze the possible uses for this property. The task force was comprised of county and town officials and local residents. Upon completion the task force presented their findings to the community. Ironically, the report almost mirrored the original 1993 committee report. Also included in the State's "Reinvestment Bill" was a grant for the town to perform a feasibility study. The study was completed and the results again ironically mirrored the previous studies. Rhetorically the Supervisor questioned, why wouldn't the prospective buyers look at these plans and use them as a guide for their future development? The answer:  To follow any of the three plans, even in part would not be profitable based on the cost of cleanup and remediation of the property. He further commented: "It's terribly unfair of the State of New York, who is responsible for that pollution, to say to a town... change your zoning laws. Make new zoning laws to allow these people (the developers) to get what they need to pay for the cleanup we (the State of New York)  caused.... There is something terribly wrong with that."

    Further into the rally, Supervisor Vecchio outlined Arker Companies plans. He read an excerpt from the company's Brownfield's application which indicated their plans include the development of  "approximately 1,800 units of residential housing and ancillary uses. The housing is anticipated to be a combination of age-restricted, free-market and work force units."  Again he reiterated the town's position on dense development and the town's strict adherence to the current zoning regulations.

    Regarding the Arker Companies' Brownfield Application, the Supervisor believes it contains serious errors and therefore should not be approved. Errors noted: The application contains development which is contrary to the town's own LWRP (Local Waterfront Revitalization Program) as mandated by the state. In addition, the proposal violates two public promises made by Governor George Pataki. First, the Governor made a commitment stating at least three out of every four acres would remain as open space. The purchasers' proposal depicts only 120 out the 372 or one out of every three acres would remain as open space. Secondly, the Governor committed the State to preserve the mature woods through out the site, the proposal indicates approximately  70% of these areas would be destroyed. Based on these misrepresentations, the DEC should deny the application.

    In closing the Supervisor said "We need to say to the Governor and the Economic Development Corporation- Hold that Sale and let's go to the drawing board as partners and come back with a viable plan for that property. "  The Supervisor urged everyone to write to all of their State representatives, including Charles A. Gargano, Chairman and Commissioner of the Empire State Development Corporation to have the sale stopped. And, write to the Department of Environmental Conservation to have the Brownfield's Application denied. Any letters should be sent immediately as time is ticking rather quickly. Both the closing on the sale and Brownfield's Application are expected to be finalized within a few weeks.

Address to write are: