News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
Mastic's Moss Lots and the Dana Family
Forge River in Mastic was the setting for a great mansion known as Moss Lots, built in 1883 by William "Buck" Dana, husband of a great-granddaughter of William Floyd, the noted Patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence.
New Starbucks Planned for Shirley
The 1,800-square-foot coffee shop will be built near the Montauk Highway entrance of the center, which is also home to Applebees, Harbor Freight, and Aldi's supermarket. The new building is permitted by town code on the commercial property, and the developers, Damianos Realty Group, are looking to secure site plan approval for the construction. It will be the subject of a Brookhaven Town Planning Board hearing on February 21.
Shirley Mosque on Zoning Board Agenda
The center is requesting a rear yard variance of 25 feet, which will put the house of worship 35 closer to the adjoining property than allowed by town code. The applicant is also seeking approval for a six-foot high fence in the front of the property, as well as larger-than-permitted signage. They would also like to place the sign closer to the parkway than currently allowed.
Romaine Reports Credit Rating Upgrade
Six weeks into his role as Suffolk's chief financial officer, Edward Romaine checked off a major priority of his administration: an upgrade in the county's credit rating.
New Lot for Center Moriches Library With A Little Help From Their Friends
Visitors to the Center Moriches Library will have more places to park thanks to the purchase of nearby property with help from the Friends of the Library.
Shirley Man Busted in Boat Dumping Case
Timothy Hughes, 35, of Shirley, found this out the hard way when he was busted for allegedly trying to get rid of a dilapidated boat in the Manorville Pine Barrens.
From Trustee to Lawmaker for the East End's Ann Welker
One of five new faces in the Suffolk Legislature, Ann Welker is continuing her role in public life with an environmental agenda honed during her service as a Southampton Town Trustee.
Democrat Red to Blue List Targets Three New York Seats
National Democrats have created a hit list for Congressional seats they have targeted in November, and three New York Republicans are on it. GOP wins in the state helped flip the House in 2022, and the Democrats are looking to take it back.
Bill Guiducci, Community Pillar
The community mourns the loss of William "Bill" Guiducci, a pillar of Mastic-Shirley who was behind many service organizations and efforts to help his neighbors. The former banker, 80, was a member of St. Jude's RC Church for more than a quarter century and was active with the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club of the Mastics and Shirley, Kiwanis, and Grace Lutheran Church of Mastic Beach. He is survived by his long-time friend, Peggy, an active partner in all of his charitable activities.
Town Donates High-Water Rescue Vehicles
When flooding deluged the Mastic Peninsula during two major winter storms in January, rescue efforts by fire department volunteers were bogged down by emergency vehicles that weren't entirely up to the task.
William Floyd's Roots Run Deep
The local signer of the Declaration of Independence, William Floyd, was not the family's original settler on the Mastic Peninsula. That honor falls to his grandfather, Richard Floyd, who bought 4,400 acres from Col. William Tangier Smith, another historic figure in the founding of our country.
Rocky Point Civic Leadership Team
An organization that promotes a high quality of life for Suffolk residents, the Rocky Point Civic Association, swore in a new board of directors at a recent ceremony conducted by Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
"Pump the Brakes" on School Bus Electrification
"Pump the Brakes" was the message state legislators sent to Gov. Hochul Monday in asking her to put off forcing school buses to be electrified until a taxpayer impact study is completed. They were joined by school administrators and transportation experts who expressed concerns about the unrealistic and costly requirements of the state mandate.
Fiscal Challenges Confront New Suffolk Executive
Financial challenges lay ahead of the fledgling Romaine administration as the new Suffolk executive confronts a number of issues left in the wake of his predecessor, Steve Bellone. With a Republican in control of the county's top administrative post for the first time in 12 years and the GOP controlling the legislature, officials said they have their work cut out for them in putting Suffolk's fiscal house back in order, rebuilding its aging infrastructure, and providing better services to the taxpayers.
Assemblyman Thiele to Wind Up 45-year Public Service Career
Winding up 30 years in the state legislature and a 45-year public service career, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. announced he will not seek reelection in November. Having served as an elected official for 37 years, Thiele successfully ran for public office 19 times and represented Suffolk's East End in the assembly longer than anyone in history.
Mass Shooting Event Drilled in Suffolk
Shooting victims streamed out of the St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in East Patchogue and were directed to a triage area where they were readied for transport to local hospitals. A Suffolk Police helicopter ferried out the worst of them while personnel from 25 local emergency services and community agencies assisted under the watchful eye of officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New York Office of Emergency Management.
DiNapoli Pegs New York Migrant Problem
Unsustainable spending on the migrant crisis is a serious challenge for New York as the city struggles to deal with the migrants officials invited in under their sanctuary policies, according to an assessment released by the state comptroller.
Rothang Appointed to Open Space Committee
The chief of staff for Suffolk Legislator James Mazzarella, Rothang previously served as executive assistant to former town supervisor Edward Romaine, who's now the county executive.
Officials Double Down on Green Energy, Urge Governor to Move on Sunrise Wind
The $700 million plan to build 90 turbines off Montauk Point and connect them to the mainland via a 123-mile cable at Smith Point is facing some headwinds due to increased construction costs. The state Public Service Commission denied a request by the project's developer, the Denmark-based firm Ørsted, to raise electric rates to cover the higher costs, and Hochul decided to put the project back out to bid.
Rafay Cheema is the Rotary Student of the Month
Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella joined with fellow Rotary Club members, Dr. Fred Miller and Josephine Piech, in recognizing William Floyd High School's Rafay Cheema as Rotary Student of the Month.
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Letters to the Editor: Library Trustees Thank Taxpayers for Victories
I’m deeply grateful to the residents of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library District for approving the library budget, as well as for re-electing me.
State Mandated Safe Boating Courses Coming Up
Long Islanders out on the water are looking to stay safe this summer.
South Shore Press Reporter Makes a Stop at the Grand Canyon
South Shore Press Reporter Robert Chartuk makes a stop at the Grand Canyon.