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Earth Day even to be held tonight at Unitarian Universalists of Southold
As Long Island Catholics looked ahead to Pope Francis’ funeral and wondered who the next pope will be, they remember him for his welcoming spirit, his kindness toward the poor, and his willingness to push the boundaries of what was acceptable to the traditional faithful. As reported in Newsday, Bishop John Barres, head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who leads 1.2 million Catholics on Long Island, stated yesterday that "Pope Francis’ passionate love for the Church and the world ... will continue to inspire us as the Holy Spirit leads us further into the 21st century."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed flags to be lowered to half-staff. Francis’ "leadership transcended religious boundaries," Hochul said in a statement. "He embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace, and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. As a Roman Catholic, I join billions across the globe as we mourn the passing of a true spiritual leader.”
"Compassion, not doctrine, was his ministry," said Richard Koubek, who previously served as public policy administrator for Catholic Charities of Long Island and now coordinates faith-based justice advocacy for Long Island Jobs with Justice. "As a result, he suffered more criticism from within his church than any pope in memory. It did not deter him. He was unwavering in carrying out Christ’s original message: 'love one another as I have loved you,' especially the 'least of my brothers and sisters.'"
***
Southold’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) is holding a “Synergy Summit” this morning, the first of quarterly meetings it’s expecting to hold in the future.
Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that the Synergy Summit is a leadership-focused event designed to bring together organizations that support the vitality of the community, with the objective of knowledge sharing, addressing community needs, and collaboration for efficiency and effectiveness, according to the EDC.
Southold’s Economic Development Committee plans to spur the group to develop and implement an Action Plan, with the goal of economic sustainability.
The summit, which is open to leaders of organizations that make an impact in the Town of Southold, is today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Raphael Vineyards in Cutchogue. Light bites and coffee will be served.
The meeting will begin with introductions from organizations, and a discussion of the group’s mission, purpose, initiatives and programs, followed by a Roundtable Discussion and the creation of an Action Plan.
***
Today is Earth Day, and there are numerous local events celebrating the occasion including this evening's panel discussion at the Unitarian Universalists of Southold…where they will explore Gardening for Change…from 6:15 pm – 8:00 pm. at the UU Meeting House, 51900 Main Road, Southold.
Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that April’s social action event at the UU Meeting House is all about nature, climate change, and practical things we can do (or advocate for) to help improve our environment, water, air – and potentially calm our nerves along the way. Several North Fork environmental groups will give an elevator pitch, followed by a panel of experts.
Expect practical advice on how homeowners can transform their piece of earth into a home for birds and pollinators. Panelists will discuss why each environmental choice we make creates a ripple effect, influencing friends and neighbors.
This evening’s theme revolves around gardening, landscaping and commercial plant growing.
That’s today at 6:15 pm (starting with a demo outside) at the UU Meeting House, 51900 Main Road, Southold.
***
The Trump administration renewed its threats against New York over congestion pricing yesterday, demanding that the state halt the tolling plan or risk the loss of federal funding and approval for other transportation projects. Stefanos Chen and Winnie Hu report in THE NY TIMES that Sean Duffy, the U.S. secretary of transportation, wrote in a letter addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York that she had until May 21 to explain why his department should not make good on its threats. Penalties for not ending the tolls would begin May 28.
“The federal government sends billions to New York — but we won’t foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal toll to backfill the budget of New York’s failing transit system,” Mr. Duffy said in the letter. “We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.”
Federal transportation officials have said that congestion pricing exceeded the scope of the federal program that authorized it, and that a toll on motorists should not subsidize mass transit improvements instead of roads. But the federal judge presiding over a number of lawsuits challenging the toll has already rejected key arguments in those cases.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency that operates congestion pricing, filed its own suit to prevent the Trump administration from interfering with the program almost immediately after Mr. Duffy sent a Feb. 19 letter seeking to kill the tolls. The case is expected to wend through the courts until the fall, which means the tolls could stay active for at least several more months.
The heightened threats come after Governor Hochul and the authority twice defied demands earlier this year to stop the tolls. The program, which began on Jan. 5, was approved by the Biden administration in November after years of planning and review, and some legal experts have argued that the Trump administration does not have the authority to unilaterally revoke its authorization.
Congestion pricing — designed to reduce gridlock, cut pollution and fund critical transit projects…some including the Long Island Rail Road…charges most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak traffic times.
In a statement, Governor Hochul reiterated her support for the program and said the tolls would continue. “I repeat: congestion pricing is legal — and it’s working,” she said.
***
President Donald Trump vowed yesterday to fight for a Nassau County school district to keep its team name and logo after New York State demanded their removal because of a ban on Native American imagery.
The Massapequa school board called on Trump after losing a battle in court for nearly two years to keep “Chiefs,” a nod to the area’s Native American ancestors as the school’s logo. “I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School,” Trump posted on Truth Social. The president added that he is asking Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “to fight” on behalf of the Massapequa School District. “Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population.” Trump said “virtually everyone in the area” is demanding the name be saved. In 2023, New York’s Department of Education ordered all schools with Native American team connections to rebrand. It remains unclear what the Trump administration can do to change New York’s policy other than threatening to pull federal funding unless officials rescind the ban. State Department of Education spokesperson JP O’Hare stood by the ban, saying the Board of Regents adopted the policy because “certain Native American names and images have been shown to perpetuate negative stereotypes. “Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context, but especially in our schools, where all students should feel welcome and supported,” O’Hare said. The spokesperson said the regulations permit the use of Native American names if approved by tribal leaders, and blasted the community’s education leaders for not engaging indigenous leaders and a department “Mascot Advisory Committee” before suing over the matter.
***
The return of a potentially toxic red algae bloom to the waters of western Shinnecock Bay has once again closed the western half of Shinnecock Bay to shellfish and conch harvesting.
Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that blooms of the red algae known as Alexandrium have been occurring intermittently in western Shinnecock Bay since 2012 and have periodically forced closures of shellfish harvesting there — though the much more bountiful harvests of shellfish in the eastern section of Shinnecock Bay have not been affected.
The Alexandrium blooms typically dissipate by mid-May as waters warm and the shellfish harvest bans are lifted. Water conditions are monitored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Alexandrium naturally omits a neurotoxin known as saxitoxin that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and has been known to be harmful or even fatal to humans who consume shellfish from waters where the algae is present.
***
In his 12 years as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, including an estimated 1.2 million on Long Island, Pope Francis regularly eschewed the trappings and luxuries of the papacy, instead using his perch to advocate for the underserved and marginalized, from migrants and the poor to the LGBTQ community. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that the more liberal path of Pope Francis, who died yesterday at age 88, would earn him praise from those seeking a break from the church's conservative orthodoxy but scorn from traditionalists, including many in the United States, particularly on issues of immigration and homosexuality.
Sister Janet Kinney, director of the Long Island Immigration Clinic at the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, said Francis transformed the papacy into one of inclusion.
"Pope Francis was a champion of the marginalized, with an unwavering commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship and care for the poor," Kinney said. "Up until his very last moments on this Earth, he spoke out against the unjust treatment of the migrant, the refugee, the LGTBQIA+ person, and for all those who suffer in our world."
Rick Hinshaw, former editor of The Long Island Catholic, said caring for those on the margins of society has long been central to Catholic teaching.
"But I think Pope Francis saw a special need to keep it front and center throughout his papacy, in the minds and hearts of the Catholic faithful and in the considerations of political, cultural and religious leaders and influencers throughout the world," Hinshaw said. "In short, he wanted everyone to consider what we could do personally to help alleviate human suffering."
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By WLIW-FMAs Long Island Catholics looked ahead to Pope Francis’ funeral and wondered who the next pope will be, they remember him for his welcoming spirit, his kindness toward the poor, and his willingness to push the boundaries of what was acceptable to the traditional faithful. As reported in Newsday, Bishop John Barres, head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who leads 1.2 million Catholics on Long Island, stated yesterday that "Pope Francis’ passionate love for the Church and the world ... will continue to inspire us as the Holy Spirit leads us further into the 21st century."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed flags to be lowered to half-staff. Francis’ "leadership transcended religious boundaries," Hochul said in a statement. "He embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace, and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. As a Roman Catholic, I join billions across the globe as we mourn the passing of a true spiritual leader.”
"Compassion, not doctrine, was his ministry," said Richard Koubek, who previously served as public policy administrator for Catholic Charities of Long Island and now coordinates faith-based justice advocacy for Long Island Jobs with Justice. "As a result, he suffered more criticism from within his church than any pope in memory. It did not deter him. He was unwavering in carrying out Christ’s original message: 'love one another as I have loved you,' especially the 'least of my brothers and sisters.'"
***
Southold’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) is holding a “Synergy Summit” this morning, the first of quarterly meetings it’s expecting to hold in the future.
Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that the Synergy Summit is a leadership-focused event designed to bring together organizations that support the vitality of the community, with the objective of knowledge sharing, addressing community needs, and collaboration for efficiency and effectiveness, according to the EDC.
Southold’s Economic Development Committee plans to spur the group to develop and implement an Action Plan, with the goal of economic sustainability.
The summit, which is open to leaders of organizations that make an impact in the Town of Southold, is today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Raphael Vineyards in Cutchogue. Light bites and coffee will be served.
The meeting will begin with introductions from organizations, and a discussion of the group’s mission, purpose, initiatives and programs, followed by a Roundtable Discussion and the creation of an Action Plan.
***
Today is Earth Day, and there are numerous local events celebrating the occasion including this evening's panel discussion at the Unitarian Universalists of Southold…where they will explore Gardening for Change…from 6:15 pm – 8:00 pm. at the UU Meeting House, 51900 Main Road, Southold.
Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that April’s social action event at the UU Meeting House is all about nature, climate change, and practical things we can do (or advocate for) to help improve our environment, water, air – and potentially calm our nerves along the way. Several North Fork environmental groups will give an elevator pitch, followed by a panel of experts.
Expect practical advice on how homeowners can transform their piece of earth into a home for birds and pollinators. Panelists will discuss why each environmental choice we make creates a ripple effect, influencing friends and neighbors.
This evening’s theme revolves around gardening, landscaping and commercial plant growing.
That’s today at 6:15 pm (starting with a demo outside) at the UU Meeting House, 51900 Main Road, Southold.
***
The Trump administration renewed its threats against New York over congestion pricing yesterday, demanding that the state halt the tolling plan or risk the loss of federal funding and approval for other transportation projects. Stefanos Chen and Winnie Hu report in THE NY TIMES that Sean Duffy, the U.S. secretary of transportation, wrote in a letter addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York that she had until May 21 to explain why his department should not make good on its threats. Penalties for not ending the tolls would begin May 28.
“The federal government sends billions to New York — but we won’t foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal toll to backfill the budget of New York’s failing transit system,” Mr. Duffy said in the letter. “We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.”
Federal transportation officials have said that congestion pricing exceeded the scope of the federal program that authorized it, and that a toll on motorists should not subsidize mass transit improvements instead of roads. But the federal judge presiding over a number of lawsuits challenging the toll has already rejected key arguments in those cases.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency that operates congestion pricing, filed its own suit to prevent the Trump administration from interfering with the program almost immediately after Mr. Duffy sent a Feb. 19 letter seeking to kill the tolls. The case is expected to wend through the courts until the fall, which means the tolls could stay active for at least several more months.
The heightened threats come after Governor Hochul and the authority twice defied demands earlier this year to stop the tolls. The program, which began on Jan. 5, was approved by the Biden administration in November after years of planning and review, and some legal experts have argued that the Trump administration does not have the authority to unilaterally revoke its authorization.
Congestion pricing — designed to reduce gridlock, cut pollution and fund critical transit projects…some including the Long Island Rail Road…charges most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak traffic times.
In a statement, Governor Hochul reiterated her support for the program and said the tolls would continue. “I repeat: congestion pricing is legal — and it’s working,” she said.
***
President Donald Trump vowed yesterday to fight for a Nassau County school district to keep its team name and logo after New York State demanded their removal because of a ban on Native American imagery.
The Massapequa school board called on Trump after losing a battle in court for nearly two years to keep “Chiefs,” a nod to the area’s Native American ancestors as the school’s logo. “I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School,” Trump posted on Truth Social. The president added that he is asking Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “to fight” on behalf of the Massapequa School District. “Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population.” Trump said “virtually everyone in the area” is demanding the name be saved. In 2023, New York’s Department of Education ordered all schools with Native American team connections to rebrand. It remains unclear what the Trump administration can do to change New York’s policy other than threatening to pull federal funding unless officials rescind the ban. State Department of Education spokesperson JP O’Hare stood by the ban, saying the Board of Regents adopted the policy because “certain Native American names and images have been shown to perpetuate negative stereotypes. “Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context, but especially in our schools, where all students should feel welcome and supported,” O’Hare said. The spokesperson said the regulations permit the use of Native American names if approved by tribal leaders, and blasted the community’s education leaders for not engaging indigenous leaders and a department “Mascot Advisory Committee” before suing over the matter.
***
The return of a potentially toxic red algae bloom to the waters of western Shinnecock Bay has once again closed the western half of Shinnecock Bay to shellfish and conch harvesting.
Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that blooms of the red algae known as Alexandrium have been occurring intermittently in western Shinnecock Bay since 2012 and have periodically forced closures of shellfish harvesting there — though the much more bountiful harvests of shellfish in the eastern section of Shinnecock Bay have not been affected.
The Alexandrium blooms typically dissipate by mid-May as waters warm and the shellfish harvest bans are lifted. Water conditions are monitored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Alexandrium naturally omits a neurotoxin known as saxitoxin that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and has been known to be harmful or even fatal to humans who consume shellfish from waters where the algae is present.
***
In his 12 years as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, including an estimated 1.2 million on Long Island, Pope Francis regularly eschewed the trappings and luxuries of the papacy, instead using his perch to advocate for the underserved and marginalized, from migrants and the poor to the LGBTQ community. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that the more liberal path of Pope Francis, who died yesterday at age 88, would earn him praise from those seeking a break from the church's conservative orthodoxy but scorn from traditionalists, including many in the United States, particularly on issues of immigration and homosexuality.
Sister Janet Kinney, director of the Long Island Immigration Clinic at the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, said Francis transformed the papacy into one of inclusion.
"Pope Francis was a champion of the marginalized, with an unwavering commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship and care for the poor," Kinney said. "Up until his very last moments on this Earth, he spoke out against the unjust treatment of the migrant, the refugee, the LGTBQIA+ person, and for all those who suffer in our world."
Rick Hinshaw, former editor of The Long Island Catholic, said caring for those on the margins of society has long been central to Catholic teaching.
"But I think Pope Francis saw a special need to keep it front and center throughout his papacy, in the minds and hearts of the Catholic faithful and in the considerations of political, cultural and religious leaders and influencers throughout the world," Hinshaw said. "In short, he wanted everyone to consider what we could do personally to help alleviate human suffering."