1st Annual Neighborhood Fall Festival

Mastic Beach held its first Annual Fall Festival on Neighborhood Road on Saturday, October 18th. Sponsored by Pattersquash Creek Civic Association, the festival was extremely well attended and the weather was spectacular. It included a Scarecrow Contest, a Dunk Tank, featuring local civic activist Victor Zeleny, and of course delicious food. Proceeds from the event are going toward the Mastic Beach Village efforts.

Hope Begins with Mastic Beach Village

The Mastic Beach Village Exploratory committee has not let the grass grow under their feet. They are taking giant steps forward with this effort. In addition to establishing their borders, they have raised more than half of the money needed to fund this proposal. They recently completed a feasibility analysis that has apparently dispelled the myth that Mastic Beach is too poor to become a viable village. But we already knew the true value of Mastic Beach, didn't we!
This is a very exciting time for the Tri-hamlet area. Everyone is watching closely to see if the Mastic Beach village effort is successful. If it indeed comes to fruition, watch for Shirley and Mastic to follow suit. The success of Mastic Beach will surely pave the way for revamping the entire community. Good luck, folks. We're pulling for you!

Back To School

It's that time of year again when our children will be heading back to school. Bus stops will be bustling with youngsters in their new shoes and backpacks. Buses will be stopping at every corner; some on their usual route, familiar with streets, some new to the job, new to the neighborhood and perhaps driving slowly to be sure they don't miss a stop. Whatever the case, we must be patient and put the safety of our children and our neighbors' children first. So give yourself a little extra time in the morning and give those buses and our kids the right of way.

Back to school also means sports registration, scout registration, dance registration and all that goes along with being part of a large school community. Get involved in your community and make a difference. Volunteer, whether for your child's after school activity or in the local fire or ambulance departments. Be a part of the great Floyd community. Remember, change starts with one.

Village Boundaries

The Mastic Beach Village Exploratory Committee has met and adopted proposed boundaries. The excitement generated in the Mastic Beach community has reached an all time high. Although there are a few naysayers, the overall sentiment is "It's About Time".

The Village boundaries include all of the 11951 zip code area. Also included is a small portion of the 11967 zip code that borders Mastic Beach and has been purposely excluded from Smith Point's proposed village boundaries. At a recent meeting it was decided to include these areas rather than leave them out as a potential quality of life threat down the line.

Now that the boundaries have been outlined, the real work begins to bring this proposal to a vote. Everyone within the boundaries will have the opportunity to vote in the village election.
So what does this all mean? It means that it is our responsibility to get the facts, educate ourselves, keep an open mind and make an informed decision when this comes to a vote.

Crime Rate Down in Tri Hamlet Communities

The Suffolk County Police Department and County Executive Steve Levy held a press conference yesterday claiming that new statistics show the crime rate in our community is at its lowest since 2003. Levy credits this drop to new police officers added to the 7th Precinct over the past several years and to increased patrols and crack downs. But you know what they say about "figures" - Figures lie and liars figure. Civic leaders invited to the press conference said that they are pleased with the news. However, it would be nice to hear from the actual residents of the community on their observations, instead of the usual self-appointed spokespersons of the area. While some of those "community leaders" claim things are getting better, most of the community residents disagree. And with the economy heading in the wrong direction.......could be time to reactive the Neighborhood Watch and step up our efforts to look after our streets.

4th of July Fireworks Show Fizzles Out

Efforts to bring back the 4th of July Carnival and Fireworks Show to Smith Point County Park have hit the brick wall at #1 Coraci Blvd. At a meeting that included the Montauk Merchants Association, Mastic-Shirley Chamber of Commerce, and other local civic organizations, Legislator Kate Browning was hard pressed to put forth the resolution that would bring this festival back to the community. Citing opposition from the Suffolk County Parks Department, Park Police and Suffolk County Police Department, the legislator reluctantly agreed to introduce the resolution, although the date of the festival was changed to mid to late August. However the resolution was not introduced and backers of the event were forced to find another locale. It's ashame when events showing the Mastic-Shirley community in a positive light are thwarted instead of supported by those elected to serve. Well, maybe next year we'll see a "spark" of community spirit and everyone will work together to bring positive things to our area.

Taken for "Grant-ed"

Last week's Newsday article exposing the distribution of grant monies from Brookhaven Town has set off a flurry of questioning of other grant money distributed in the community. Starting with the question of grants given to a 501c3 organization who in turn gave political contributions to the elected official that gave them the grant, to a civic leader announcing that an elected official was funnelling grant money through another civic organization, to the community impact funds from a large scale development that seemed to evaporate. These monies, which ultimately come from our tax dollars, are doled out by politicians to win favour with community groups. This is not a new practice, but one that should stop. In Washington DC, they call it pork, here in Suffolk County, we call it B.S. Call it whatever you want, its nothing more than a vote buying scheme. We really do not need our politicians spending any more of our money to support their friends or relatives or buying influence from certain community groups.

To Be A Village...Or NOT To Be A Village...............

Over the past few weeks, much has been written and discussed about the creation of a village or villages within the Tri-Hamlet community. Several civic organizations in the area have started a crusade to bring forth a referendum to incorporate. The Pattersquash Creek Civic group, along with Concerned Citizens of Mastic Beach, both offshoot groups of the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, began raising money and awareness. They have retained municipal attorney, Joseph Prokop, who currently represents several villages in Suffolk County. The groups from Mastic Beach have formed an exploratory village committee whereby they will discuss the proposed boundaries and other steps in the process of taking this proposition to a ballot. There has been some opposition due to concerns by the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association that if the incorporation is successful, ownership of the docks and marinas may be transferred from the MBPOA to the Village. While this is under investigation, the newly formed village exploratory committee will include members of all three civic organizations in the Mastic Beach community and will be responsible for addressing the boundaries, the census and the petition process associated with a village referendum.

By contrast, the Smith Point Beach Property Owners are also investigating the viability of a village referendum for their version of Smith Point Village. The association was formed many years ago by Nick Bohouris, Richard Tufariello and others to service the south Shirley neighborhoods, which some say are being eliminated from the Smith Point Village boundaries. Registered voters as far north as Roberts Road and Flintlock Rd were invited to a meeting with attorney Joe Prokop to discuss the proposed village. Sources say the northward shift of Smith Point Beach Property Owners Association boundaries was done in order to catch the commercial properties by Home Depot and the Estates within the village boundaries for tax revenue. This move was the brainchild of Dominick Licata, former chairman of Smith Point Beach Property Owners Association. Under his leadership, Smith Point Beach Property Owners changed boards several times and developed a reputation for hostile meetings that included Licata's long-winded, self-praising monologues.

Known as the "Sign Nazi", Licata regularly scoured the William Floyd Parkway removing signs, such as yard sale and real estate signs, erecting his own signs along the parkway. He came under fire for the signs after it was discovered that they were erected on county property while he charged businesses a monthly advertising fee to display their names. There are still outstanding questions as to where those fees are going. Mr. Licata, also known for verbally assaulting elected officials and other civic leaders, has been removed from Brookhaven Town Board meetings on several occasions for his outbursts and threats.

Licata orchestrated a successful coup of his own hand picked board, selecting novice member Delia McKernan to run for president, recruiting new members up to a week before the election to insure his candidate's success. Many members, including the entire board left the association and formed the Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners Association, causing a great divide in the Smith Point community.

Smith Point Beach Property Owners Association has also formed a village exploratory committee that includes Dominick Licata, Delia McKernan and Robert Licari, president of Woodland Estates Civic organization. Thanks to the efforts of Legislator Browning, SPBPOA president Ms. McKernan has met with the Holiday Organization, developers of the property at the Links golf course in an effort to raise funds for and promote the village. Those skeptical of the proposed Smith Point Village have been voicing their concerns about these meetings. Smith Point Peninsula Homeowner's Assoc. has not been included in either the Village meetings nor meeting with the Holiday Organization, however they have scheduled Holiday Group to speak at their next general meeting.

So what does this all mean? To Be A Village or NOT To Be......A Village? Its important that we take the time to get all of the facts on this issue before we give it our consideration.

The Buzz About the Links

Development of the Links property it a hot topic in the Mastic-Shirley community these days. Most people are leary of the prospect of the original plan- single family homes- due to the impact it would have on the school district. Others feel that a sewage-treatment plant would benefit the community. Still others want to see the property left undeveloped. Whatever the plan, residents of the Tri-hamlet community should be sure to weigh in at the various civic meetings or Brookhaven Town Hall zoning/planning meetings. The most recent proposal seem to be geared toward planned retirement community with some land donated for recreational usage and and a small sewage treatment plant. Included in the latest plan is commercial development along Wiliam Floyd Parkway. The proposed commercial development could be a restaurant and a bookstore, both of which could be positive attractions for the Mastic-Shirley communities. Keep an eye out for the next community meeting with Holiday Organization.

7th Precinct Hosts Open House for Community

The SCPD 7th Precinct has begun hosting open house community meetings for the hamlets they serve. Inspector John Meehan, the commanding officer of the 7th, has agreed to hold these monthly meetings to address citizens' concerns and bring in special guest speakers. The next meeting will be held on May 15th at the 7th Precinct, which is located on William Floyd Parkway just south of the Long Island Expressway. All are welcome to attend.

WELCOME TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Shirley and the Mastics are communities rich in history, complex in configuration, and sometimes mired in controversy. However, those who travel the narrow streets lined with homes ranging in size from tiny cottages to perfectly landscaped McMansions, know the beauty of this last frontier of Long Island's south shore waterfront property. Unlike the hamlets to the east, this waterfront property has not yet been not acquired by millionaires or celebrities. Well, OK perhaps one or two celebrity types have stumbled onto this well kept secret with its lovely vistas and quiet nature preserves, as well as its beautiful beaches and versatile community life. Autumn is a great time to visit our historic sites, Manor of St. George and the William Floyd Estate. Winter brings fabulous frozen views of the bay and one of Suffolk County's best Christmas parades. Spring brings a terrific fishing season, both salt water and fresh water at our two County Parks. And Summer brings tourists, concerts, festivals and a lively atmosphere for these growning communities. We hope you'll visit us soon.