Chamber of Commerce

of the Mastics and ShirleyP.O. Box 4, Mastic, N.Y. 11950

February 2013 Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics & Shirley Newsletter

in Moriches. For more information, call 399-2228.This meeting is open to the Public and Dinner

will be served for $20 per person.

7 p.m. at Ladakins Restaurant

Cham

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ewsletterPresident

Andrea Milano

Vice PresidentRick Drnek

SecretaryMaryann Lewis

TreasurerMike Lubrano

Sgt. at ArmsJohn Liberti, Jr.

February 11, 2013

Chamber of Commerceof the Mastics & Shirley, Inc.

Organized and Incorporated 1951P.O. Box 4 · Mastic, New York 11950 · (631) 399-2228

www.masticshirleychamber.com

“Working Together To Make It Better”

Dear Fellow Members:

I hope everyone is braving the cold and then warm temperatures of this winter season. I am still look-ing for input as to additional speakers for our future meetings. Our speaker for this meeting is from theSurrogates Court and will be discussing Wills and Estates. I would love to hear from members as to whythey are not attending the meetings, whether it is because of the speakers, the day/time of meetings ortheir own time restraints. It is very important to have a strong organization, but to have that we needmember participation. Hope to see you at the meeting.

Sincerely,Andrea MilanoPresident, Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley

A Message from the Chamber President

Holtsville Hal Predicts Six More WeeksOn Saturday, February 2, at 7:15 a.m., “Holtsville Hal”

emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, predicting sixmore weeks of winter for the Town of Brookhaven. Hundredsof people attended the annual Ground Hog Day celebration atthe Town’s Holtsville Ecology Center.

Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “We’ve had some very coldweather recently, so the thought of six more weeks of winter isnot the prediction that I was hoping for from Holtsville Hal. Allin all, our traditional Ground Hog Day celebration was a greatevent and I thank everyone who came out early to join the fun.”

Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico said, "It is a wonderful eventthat brought warm smiles to the faces of the hundreds in at-tendance, even with the prognostication of six more weeks ofwinter. I thank everyone involved and AssemblymanLosquadro and Tax Receiver Marcoccia for also coming out totake part in the wonderful annual event."

Holtsville Hal is one of the many animals that live year-round at the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center.The center is open all year-round and includes a wildlife preserve, greenhouses, gardens, jogging and exercisetrails, three swimming pools, picnic and play area. For more information, go to www.brookhaven.org or call 631-758-9664.

Pictured left to right are Supervisor Ed Romaine, WayneCarrington, “Holtsville Hal’s” handler, Deputy SupervisorDan Panico and Assemblyman Dan Losquadro at theGround Hog Day celebration at the Town’s HoltsvilleEcology Center.

Advertise in Our Newsletter for $99 a Year.Call 399-2228

“WorkingTogether To Make It Better!”The Mastics/Shirley Chamber of Commerce now has over 130 members,

and we grow larger every month. Below is a list of our current 2013 Chamber of Commerce members. Shop locally andsupport your local merchants. Remember, they are the people who live locally, worklocally and employ the residents of our community -- and their products are great!

1040Man, IncAce BuildersAdvance InspectionAll Island FuelAmerican Dream AbstractAMF Shirley LanesAndrea Milano Tax & Accounting ServicesAstoria Federal SavingsAudell/Bennett GasBarbara’s Stage Door Hair StudioBatt & Messinetti, Esq.Bay Gas Service, Inc.Bay Trucking, Inc.Binetti Painting, Inc.Bridgehampton National BankBrookhaven Memorial HospitalParty Lite Candle Lady - Barbara J.Capital One BankCentury 21 - Cor-Ace RealtyCentury 21 - Stanzoni RealtyChris Donovan Assoc. Inc.Coldwell Banker John Liberti R.E.Colonial Youth & Family ServicesColony PreserveD. Antinucci Corp.Dawn M. Schultzer, CPADelphi GroupDeshler Enterprises LLCDynamic Beat EntertainmentEast Coast Marketing & Photography, Inc.East End Sign DesignEmpire National BankF & B MasonryFairfield

Frank Giaccone & AssociatesHansen CarpetHollywood BlvdHSBC BankHylands’ PrintingJ&B Resturant PartnersJ M EngravingJohn’s PizzeriaLadakins RestaurantLaura-Lee Realty Corp.. Inc.LeeAnne’s FloristLee Zeldin Esq.Legwork’s Dance StudioLerner/Heidenberg AssociatesLiberti AssociatesLinsa Torr’s PlaceLong Island AdvanceLong Island Optometric Eye Care PCManor House of MasticMastic LLCMastic Beach Ambulance Corp.Mastic Sports ClubMastic Volunteer AmbulanceMastic Wheel Alignment & Brake ServiceMcGraw Realty Corp.Michael Albert Real EstateMitrani PlasterersM.J.L. Computer Ent.

New York Commercial BankNightscan Security, Inc.North Shore Financial GroupPC Pro SolutionsPeluso RealtyRoma Funeral HomeRoxy Carpet CleanersShirley Community AmbulanceShirley Sleep ShoppeSouth Shore Auto WorksSouth Shore PressSprinklers GaloreState Farm InsuranceStorage-R-UsSubway-ShirleySuffolk County Credit UnionSuffolk Perinatal CoalitionTD BankTeachers Federal Credit UnionTJR of Long IslandThomas M. Neppell & SonsTonino’s PizzaV E P ComputerVillage Music ShoppeWeight Room PlusWilliam Floyd Community SummitWilliam Floyd Plaza, LLC.

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Dan Panico spent a few hours with some great people, and soaked feet, cleaning up the coastal area of MasticBeach Village. A special thanks to the MBPOA for organizing this clean up and thanks to all the volunteers whocame out even though the weather wasn't so great. Also a special thanks to everyone at BNL who sent a greatnumber of people and supplies for the effort.

MASTIC BEACH “SUPERSTORM SANDY"CLEAN-UP DAY

Supervisor Ed Romaine announced that he has set thedate of Tuesday, March 5 for the special election to fill thevacancy in the office of Superintendent of Highways. Theposition, which became vacant on January 1, was previouslyheld by John H. Rouse who was elected as Suffolk CountyCourt Judge in November 2012.

Supervisor Romaine said, “Setting March 5th as the datefor the special election will give candidates the opportunityto get their message out to the people. But more impor-tantly, it provides voters with substantial time to vet the can-didates and study the issues. The Superintendent ofHighways controls a large budget and it’s vital that the peo-ple get all the information they need to make a sound deci-sion come election day.”

Deputy Superintendent of Highways Michael Murphywill be at the helm of the Highway Department until a newSuperintendent is sworn in after the special election.

Supervisor Romaine Sets Special Election for Superintendent of Highways

Assemblyman Dan Losquadro Councilwoman Kathy Walsh

Candidates for Superintendent of Highways

399-3620McGraw Street, Shirley

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COOKING • HEATING • HOT WATER

Cor-Ace Realty346 Montauk Highway, Suite 1

Moriches, NY 11955

Office 631-878-3400 Ext. 103

Office 631-281-5500

Cell 516-639-8527

anthony.liberti@century21.com

Anthony LibertiVice President Licensed Real Estate Broker

Each Office is Independently

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631281-45781167 Wm. Floyd Pkwy.

SHIRLEY

FREE MARKETANALYSIS

John W. Liberti CRB, CRSSales Manager • Licensed Broker

3rd Generation Servicing OurAreas of Shirley and the Mastics

JOHN LIBERTIReal Estate

Support Our Advertisers and Chamber Members

Advertise in ournewsletter for

$99 a year. Call 399-2228.

Cham

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ewsletterWILLIAM FLOYD VARSITY TRACK PLACES

SECOND IN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

The William Floyd Varsity Winter Track Team fin-ished in second place in the recent League 1 Track meetheld on Sunday, January 27th at the Suffolk CountyCommunity College Brentwood Campus. The team’sstrength and resolution was apparent as they competedagainst the top seeded athletes from every school in theleague and medaled in almost half of the 14 events. Thismeet was significant because it was one of the first trackmeets where participants strive to qualify for the op-portunity to compete in the upcoming state champi-onship on March 2nd at Cornell University. Highlights from the meet include the following:

• Diamonte Corley was the league champion in the55 meter and 300 meter dashes. He ran one of the fastesttimes in New York State in the 300 meter – 35.96 sec-onds – which qualified him for the U.S. National FirstTeam Elite Level.

• Dwight Corley earned a silver medal in the triplejump and 5th place in the long jump, quite an accom-plishment for a sophomore.

• Isaiah Lawson displayed incredible stamina byplacing in three events – 2nd place in the 55 meter dash,3rd place in the 300 meter dash and 2nd place in the 600meter dash.

• C.J. Banks took the silver medal in both the longjump and the high jump.

• Daquan Freeman medaled in two events by com-ing in 4th in the long jump and 5th in the high jump.

• David Jackson took 4th place in the triple jump.• Andrew Taitt made it to the finals in the 55 meter

dash.Said Edward Noll, head Boys Varsity Track Coach,

“Our athletes put forth an amazing effort and left every-thing on the track. They lost to a highly ranked teamthat had more depth in all of the events. I am alwaysproud of how competitive they are and how well theyconduct themselves on and off the track as they repre-sent William Floyd. I look forward to seeing some ofthem at the state meet at Cornell University.”

Pictured on left is Assemblyman Edward Hennessey 3rdAD with Mastic Ambulance Member John Conti and his wifeSue at the Mastic Ambulance Company’s Annual InstallationDinner. Assemblyman Hennessey honored John Conti for his40 years of service to the ambulance company and the entireEMS community.

“Nothing could please me more than being able to honor aman like John Conti, who has served the EMS community andthe greater community so ably and nobly. Our first-responderslearn from leaders like John,” said Assemblyman Hennessey.

Hennessey Honors Mastic Ambulance Member as

Pillar of EMS Community

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The William Floyd Navy Junior Reserves Offi-cer Training Corps (ROTC) is proud to report thatthe unit took second place in three events at the re-cent Southold-Mattituck-Greenport Drill Meet heldon Saturday, December 15th at Mattituck HighSchool. NJROTC units came together from acrossLong Island to test their mettle in various eventsthat involved athletics, academics and traditionalmilitary exercises.

Those three categories included:• Varsity Color Guard• Cadence Push-Up Challenge• First Year Academic CompetitionWilliam Floyd senior and NJROTC Executive

Officer Anna Pugliese earned second place in thepush up challenge with an astounding 47 push-ups.In this event, participants must count off, out loud and in time as a group, with each push-up, making the exercisethat much more difficult. The Varsity Color Guard event required four cadets to march in formation while holdingflags and executing turns with razor-sharp precision. For the Academic Challenge, first year cadets from each schooltook the same exam to test their knowledge of navy science material.

“Friendly competition is not just for athletic teams,” said Commander Jay Tweed, NJROTC at William FloydHigh School. “Everyone has a good time working together as a unit and the cadets are so proud when they winrecognition for their school. They worked hard to bring home three trophies.”

WILLIAM FLOYD NJROTC WINS BIG ATLONG ISLAND DRILL MEETSecond Place Trophies in Three Events

Supervisor Ed Romaine and Deputy Supervisor Dan Pan-ico closed on 98.8 acres of land, formerly the site of The Linksgolf course in Shirley which closed in 2010. Present at the clos-ing along with the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor wereEliot and Jerry Monter, the principles of the Holiday Organi-zation, the previous owners of the property. The 98.8 acres willbe used for natural park land, and includes a 6.5 acre lake. InOctober 2012, Deputy Supervisor Panico accepted a $1 millioncheck from the Holiday Organization on behalf of the Town ofBrookhaven to be used for a recreational facility in the Mastic,Mastic Beach and Shirley communities.

“Deputy Supervisor Panico has worked long and hard withthe Holiday Organization to secure this open space and the onemillion dollars. The result of both will be of great benefit to theMastic, Mastic Beach and Shirley community as well as allBrookhaven residents. I thank Dan and the Holiday Organi-zation for a job well done.”

Deputy Supervisor Panico said, “By working out this compromise that is in the community’s interest, we wereable to acquire the last 100 acre undeveloped parcel in the Mastic, Mastic Beach and Shirley area. It is my sincerehope that one day this property will provide the recreational atmosphere and central sense of place for the com-munities to come together in a peaceful and serene park like setting for all to enjoy.”

The Holiday Organization is constructing the Colony Preserve condominiums on the site adjacent to the Town’sopen space property. The Colony Preserve offers two residential choices; The Manors, which include 150 units ofluxurious condominium living for active adults 55+ and Country Woods, 75 single-family homes nestled in a land-scaped haven. The company has been in business for more than 60 years and has created exceptional communitiesfor families throughout Long Island.

Supervisor Romaine and Deputy Supervisor PanicoClose on the Last Undeveloped Hundred Acre Parcel in

the Mastic-Shirley Area for the People For almost two decades, Suffolk

County has been aggressively pursuingthe preservation of critical parcels withinthe Mastic/Shirley Conservation area,not only to protect environmentally sen-sitive parcels, but to also reduce futuredamages within the floodplain. Yester-day, Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) secured the passage of anacquisition resolution to purchase a .46acre parcel at 811 Riviera Drive, which islocated in Sheep’s Pen Marsh in MasticBeach. The acquisition will include thedemolition of a dilapidated house on theproperty and the removal of its utilitiesand sanitary system. In conjunction withthe Nature Conservancy the county willrestore the property to its natural state,which sets an important precedent thatcan and should lead to a larger effort toreverse the poor planning practices of thepast.

The home is located in freshwater/tidalwetlands, and is located in a severely low-lying area that is inundated by daily hightides from Narrows Bay. The property iswithin Suffolk County’s Mastic/Shirleyconservation area, which is an area beingfocused on for preservation through Suf-folk County’s open space program. TheNarrow Bay Floodplain Protection andHazard Mitigation Plan, which was a1997 plan funded by FEMA, outlined rec-ommendations to purchase vacant aswell as improved properties in the floodzone in order to mitigate future flooddamages.

“This home, like many others, wasbuilt within the floodplain and on wet-lands,” stated Legislator Browning. “Thecounty’s Narrow Bay Floodplain Protec-tion Plan provided important recom-mendations that will restore our naturalenvironment and protect the communi-ties of Mastic Beach and Shirley. We havedone an amazing job of preserving va-cant land, but this unique project can beused as a catalyst for additional wetlandsrestoration projects in Suffolk County.”

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy,purchasing parcels that will help mitigatefuture flooding and protect sensitive tidalwetlands has never been more urgent,”said County Executive Steve Bellone.“Legislator Browning and I share that

sense of urgency and are working to-gether to ensure we make meaningfulprogress in the Mastic Beach communityto protect flood-prone coastal areas.”

Before today’s purchase SuffolkCounty has focused primarily on vacantland in the area. The acquisition of an im-proved parcel, which will be demolishedas part of a wetland restoration project,will serve as an important model for wet-lands restoration across Suffolk County.Hundreds of parcels were developed inthe wetlands of Mastic Beach prior to the1970s. The lack of regulations during thattime led to the overdevelopment of prop-erties that would never have been ap-proved for development under today’srequirements. In addition, none of thehomes built during that time period werebuilt to FEMA standards, which has ledto major flooding problems for home-owners throughout the area. The de-struction caused by Hurricane Sandy hasonly increased the urgent need to acquireand restore land within the flood zone.

“We applaud the County's acquisi-tion of the Kramer property in MasticBeach and the restoration of the site totidal marsh. Suffolk County, with itsprograms to protect farmland and openspace, has long been a national leader inthe protection of natural resources,” saidNancy Kelley, executive director of TheNature Conservancy on Long Island.“Nature and natural systems now have avital role to play as Long Island recoversfrom Sandy and prepares for the next

storm. With purchases like this, theCounty provides options for its residentswho want to get out of harm’s way whileprotecting floodplains and inland com-munities, beaches, dunes, marshes andwater quality. With federal matchingfunds now available, we look forward tothe County being able to make more pur-chases like this in the near future.”

“This property should never havebeen permitted for development in thefirst place,” stated Legislator Browning.“The county has been actively pursuingvacant properties located in the wetlandsof Mastic Beach, but this purchase rightlybrings attention to the need for acquiringhomes within our flood prone areas. Un-fortunately, we are now only starting toremedy the poor development decisionsthat were made decades ago, and there isa lot of work ahead of us.”

Suffolk County is in the process ofprioritizing homes in the aftermath ofHurricane Sandy that would be ideal topurchase and preserve. Dozens of prop-erty owners have already expressed in-terest, and Legislator Browning ishopeful that federal hazard mitigationfunding can be used to speed up thisvery important initiative. Homeownersthat live within the floodplain, are vic-tims of Hurricane Sandy, believe theywould be eligible for hazard mitigationfunding and are interested in selling theirproperty should contact LegislatorBrowning’s office at 631-852-1300.

Suffolk County Acquires Key Parcel in Mastic Beach WetlandsBrowning, Bellone and Nature Conservancy Praise Precedent Setting Floodplain Mitigation Project

“This unique project can be used as a catalyst for additional wetlands restoration projects in Suffolk County” – Legislator Kate Browning