Commack Girl Scouts Pay It Forward With "Food From The Heart"

On February 7, 2015 the Girl Scouts of Commack participated in “Food from the Heart”. The troops donated baskets of food for the community. Each troop chose a theme and created a basket that contained items related to the theme. Troops made beautiful baskets with many different themes including  Italian, Mexican, dessert, movie night, soups,  etc..  The Commack Middle School club “Pay it Forward” will help distribute the baskets to the community. (click on photo to enlarge)

Rachel Rock Sets World Planking Record - 2 Hrs- 13 Minutes - 5 Seconds

Smithtown West Student Breaks World Record

Smithtown HSW senior and new Guinness world record-holder Rachel Rock (front, center) is congratulated by (L-R) HSW physical education teacher Deron Brown, her mother Janet Rock, father Robert Rock and brother Robert. Rachel set a new female world record for planking.Smithtown High School West senior Rachel Rock is a world record holder. Before a small audience of family, friends, staff and schoolmates who gathered in the school gymnasium on Feb. 6, Rachel set the women’s world record for the longest time holding the abdominal plank position. Her time was 2 hours, 13 minutes and 5 seconds, breaking a record previously held by Eva Bulzomi of Boise, Idaho.

Rachel, a student with many interests, including art, music, poetry and science, has enjoyed abdominal planking at home for the past few years. She enjoys it because it allows her to stay in shape while multitasking. In fact, as Rachel was breaking the record, she was simultaneously watching a chemistry lesson on her laptop. Rachel is also a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and member of three honor societies with several AP classes already completed. 

According to her mother, Janet Rock, she’s also completed a science research program at Stony Brook University, advanced to the semifinal round at the LIU Post Neurology Bee, viewed a stem cell transplant in New York City, created a mural that was displayed at the Sweetbriar Nature Center and recently scored a perfect 150 on a psychology paper. She has applied to the top research schools in the country including George Washington, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, University of Chicago and Yale. 

 Smithtown HSW senior and new Guinness world record-holder Rachel Rock (front, center) is congratulated by (L-R) HSW physical education teacher Deron Brown, her mother Janet Rock, father Robert Rock and brother Robert. Rachel set a new female world record for planking.HSW physical education teacher Deron Brown learned of Rachel’s interest in planking and encouraged her to go for the record. Brown, along with Principal John Coady and her family and friends were among the first of many spectators on hand to congratulate Rachel when she broke the record. Guinness World Records will review the recorded footage to confirm the results.

Photos courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District

Mickey DeMartis A Hero To All Who Knew Him

Do you have a hero? Some people look up to sports figures,  actors, military personnel often referring to them as heroes. The criteria for labeling someone a hero is subjective and it’s very personal. 

Many Commack residents have identified Michael (Mickey) DeMartis as a hero and on January 19 they honored Mickey posthumously by having  Wyoming Street, the block where he grew up, named Mickey’s Way.  

In an emotional ceremony a group of fifty plus people joined together to celebrate the life of Mickey and to mourn his loss. 

Calling it an update, Mickey’s dad, Mike DeMartis brought everyone to tears as he began the ceremony with “Mickey, it’s Dad.” The heartbreak was palatable.  

Mickey DeMartis died in December of 2011 at the age of 28. He was born in 1983 and was diagnosed with significant congenital heart defects.  During his short life he experienced eight open-heart surgeries and fifty-five cardiac catheterizations. He had his first surgery at six months of age his last was at the age of 17.  Mickey graduated from Commack HS in 2001 and attended Farmingdale State College. He died December 12, 2011, six months before he was to graduate.  

Family and friends describe Mickey as a fighter who never gave up. He was loved by everyone and returned that love generously. He was wise for his age, having experienced hardships that most of us will never experience. “I have learned to live my life one day at a time because I have learned how precious life can be and should never be taken for granted.” Mickey DeMartis.

Mickey’s life ended too soon. For his family and friends, neighbors and classmates his life was a life of meaning. Several people at the ceremony wore shirts with words that guided Mickey’s life, “You just have to keep on fighting and never give up.” Despite never being able to play baseball, never being able to ride a bicycle, despite suffering a stroke and paralysis in his senior year of high school Mickey never gave up.

Overcoming life’s challenges, never giving up, living for the day and never forgetting to say “I love you”, most people say are qualities that make someone a hero.

Mickey DeMartis is a Commack Hero.

Mickey’s sister Tracy Passamenti had this to say at the January 19 ceremony.

“This day is a national holiday to pay tribute to a man (Martin Luther King Jr.) who fought hard every day for equality. He never gave up his on fight because it was too important. He will never be forgotten .

Another man made it his mission in life to teach people to never give up on their fight in life. That person is my brother, Mickey DeMartis. Despite the many battles he had to face he never gave up. Today, we are honoring Mickey as we rename the street that he grew up on. It will be known as “Mickey’s Way”. Those words chosen will make me think every time I go down that street about the WAY in which he lived and how he constantly helped others to see the WAY out of difficulties.

They said that street naming is not even considered unless it was sadly a fallen soldier. My brother was a soldier. He battled 8 open heart surgeries, 55 cardiac catheterizations by age 28 and WON them all. He had to fight every day just to survive and yet put that aside to help others. He deserves this most amazing honor. We should all take a moment to be thankful for these two men today who undoubtedly changed our world for the better.” (Mickey DeMartis FB)

In addition to the naming of Wyoming St. as Mickey’s Way there is a $20,000 annual scholarship awarded in Mickey’s name at Commack High School, and a room at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has been dedicated to Mickey DeMartis.

Town Council Flexes Its Muscle And Tables SAG Agreement

At Tuesday’s Town Board meeting Councilwoman Lynne Nowick made a motion to table the Supervisor’s labor agreement (memorandum of agreement or MOA) with the Smithtown Administrators Guild (SAG). SAG represents town department chairs and deputy department heads. The motion to table was seconded by Councilman Wehrheim. A vote was taken and in a three-two decision (Nowick, Creighton and Wehrheim for tabling – McCarthy and Vecchio opposed) the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was tabled. 

The MOA is a two-year agreement beginning Jan. 1,2015 ending Dec. 31, 2016. It allows for a 1.4% annual salary increase. There are also salary increases for several of the SAG members with increases ranging from $5,000 - $7,500. 

According to Councilman Wehrheim, the Supervisor negotiated the MOA with Russ Barnett, president of SAG, without input from council members and that the true cost of the agreement is close to  $400,000.  In addition, both Creighton and Wehrheim are not happy with the time line.  Neither Councilmember knew anything about the status of the negotiations before receiving notification of the Town Board vote scheduled for Tuesday, February 3.  “The agreement had been signed by the Supervisor and Barnett on Jan. 9  and it was approved by SAG members before we learned of its existence at the end of January,” said Councilman Wehrheim.  

Included in the contract  is a very reasonable 1.4 percent salary increase according to Supervisor Vecchio, who spoke with the press after the Board meeting.  Vecchio acknowleged being miffed that former Town Comptroller Lou Necroto had sent an e-mail to all board members urging them to reject the MOA, implying that funds were not available to pay for the agreement. Mr. Necroto was recruited to fill a County position by Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy and ended his employment with the Town in January.

Vecchio was emphatic that the funding ($125,000) was put in the budget by Necroto at his request. A second e-mail by Necroto clarified his position. According to the Supervisor and councilmen (which councilman) the email indicated that funding for the MOA was set aside in contingency accounts in the 2015 Town Budget.

Councilman Wehrheim, in a conversation after the board meeting, said that although the 1.4 percent increase seemed reasonable, also in the agreement were salary adjustments for certain SAG  members (worth between $5,000 to $7,500 to recipients)  and he would like to know why they are getting increases.   “1.4 percent sounds reasonable, but then consider that there are immediate salary adjustments and step increases coming in July. I would like to know more about how these salary adjustments came to be. The Supervisor has even included a $5,000 increase in the salary for the director of the Animal Shelter. The very same position we are investigating.”

Also, according to Councilman Wehrheim, missing from the MOA is any mention of Department heads documenting their hours of work.  Last year the town implemented a new computerized system for payroll hand scanning. But there is a void because members of SAG do not participate. According to both Councilmen Creighton and Wehrheim this was to be part of the negotiation. In addition there were other suggestions made to the Supervisor that were not included and they would like to know why not?  

According to Wehrheim, these are real issues that transcend the usual political nonsense that is the norm at Town Hall.  How does all of this get resolved? Common sense seems to indicate that discussions amongst the five board members is the answer. 

What's Cooking? Relish and Café Siena

What’s Cookin’?- Smithtown

By Nancy Vallarella

Resident Entrepreneurs Relish the Opportunity to Invest Locally

It’s all about local and community for co-owners Donny Brown and Chef Steve Cardello of Relish in Kings Park.  They are doing much more than talking the talk; they are walking the walk.   Four months shy of Relish’s four year anniversary they are three weeks into their latest local endeavor – Café Siena at St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital in Smithtown.

The former cafe was given a fresh start with a twelve day ceiling to floor cleaning, décor changes, and a new menu. “We wanted to create a space where St. Catherine’s employees and patrons look forward to relaxing, socializing and enjoy a great meal” states Chef Cardello.  A predictable walk in the park for this pair of entrepreneurs. They have successfully carried through on this mission at Relish for several years.

Donny Brown and Chef Steve CardelloAlthough Cardello still stands by his modest description of Relish as being “a greasy spoon without the grease”; it is so much more.  It has been the go-to place for many Town of Smithtown residents to gather around a table and celebrate life’s events both large and small.  The friendly, cheerful environment with freshly made food feels like a home away from home.  Cardello explains, “Our food takes a little longer to get to the table because we make it when ordered.” In the culinary world, the term for this method is a la minute. It refers to when a food item is prepared when ordered, rather than being prepped for in advance and held for service.

The time between ordering and serving is filled with friendly conversation much of which is between the staff and customers.  While having a recent meal there, I overheard a customer mention to a staff member how much they enjoyed the food and that it was their third time there that week.

Fresh is an understatement when it comes to describing the product served.  Chef Steve Cardello is an industry proclaimed ardent locavore.  Poultry and eggs are sourced from Raleigh Farms in Kings Park, a considerable amount of produce is sourced from Sujecki’s Farm in Calverton who sell their products at the King’s Park and Nesconset Farmer’s Markets.  The chef confides, “I always go local when given the option. If not, it has to be sustainable”.

Product is not the only element involved in the owners’ pledge to local. Both Brown and Cardello are Town of Smithtown residents.  Steve Cardello recently purchased a home here. Donny Brown is a lifer. They employ thirty-five employees at Relish and an additional twenty at Café Siena.   The majority of employees live within the town.

Their second eatery (Café Siena), sells breakfast until 8pm, salad, signature Boar’s Head sandwiches, grilled items, hot dish specials and daily baked goods.  There is also a big upgrade in coffee options. Café Siena is open to St. Catherine’s staff and patrons from 6am to 8pm seven days a week.

This is a great example of how local money spent in local business stays in the community.  It is truly an asset to have young entrepreneurs strengthening the economic base of our community, linking neighbors and contributing to local causes.  There is great expectation there will be additional local investments made by this partnership (Donny Brown and Steve Cardello) in the near future.

Save the Date: On April 25th, Relish will be hosting a special fundraising event on behalf of Autism Awareness.

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