Mock Trial Team Takes County Championship

Northport High School’s Mock Trial team won the Suffolk County Champions on April 3 and will be heading to the State Championships in May.

After a season of fierce competition, Northport High School’s Mock Trial team defeated Bay Shore on April 3 for the Suffolk County Championship.

Suffolk Supreme Court Justice David T. Reilly ruled in Northport’s favor after an intense day of competition. The county championship was the first in program history.

“It was a very emotional win,” said senior Emma Canfora. “Our hours and hours of hard work paid off.”

Team members said that as they advanced further in the tournament they became more determined to win. They began practicing every day, including weekends, in order to prepare to face-off against some of Long Island’s most formidable opponents.

Once they defeated Huntington’s Mock Trial Team, last year’s county champions, the Tigers knew they had a real chance at winning county title.

Additionally, the team unanimously agreed that one of the biggest driving forces behind their success was their captain Maggie Dowling, who “exhibited true leadership and dedication as a captain in every way”, according to club advisor David Scott.  Scott also commented that, after pursuing the county champion title for twenty years, the win was an honor.

Over 450 students from 26 public and private high schools participated in this year’s Suffolk County High School Mock Trial Tournament. Teams argue both sides of the case with members assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Judges or attorneys score the teams on the basis of preparation, performance and professionalism.

The Suffolk County Bar Association and its Academy of Law co-sponsored the Suffolk County tournament. Bar association members Glenn P. Warmuth and Leonard Badia headed up the program.

The highest scoring team from the county tournaments proceeds to the regional competition to a mock trial against other county winners. The top teams from each of New York State’s eight regions go on to participate in the state finals.

As the SuffolkCounty regional champion, Northport will represent the county in the state finals to be held May 19-21 in Albany.

Eagle Lovers KO Parking Restrictions

Centershore Road in Centerport near the intersection of Mill Dam Road, above, won’t be getting “No Stopping” signs after fans of the Centerport eagles, inset, rallied the town board Tuesday. Inset photo/Rainey Sepulveda

By Connor Beach

cbeach@longislandergroup.com

More than a dozen wildlife enthusiasts and Centerport residents gathered at town hall Tuesday afternoon to weigh in on a proposal to ban cars from stopping along a Centerport road near Mill Pond. The spot offers some of the best views of a pair of nesting bald eagles that live in the area.

The proposal would have barred cars from stopping on Centershore Road between Westfield Drive and Mill Dam Road. It was drafted in response to an email to town officials citing safety concerns caused by birdwatchers parked along the side of Centershore Road.

Several speakers, including both area residents and bald eagle photographers, challenged the concerns.

“I have used this road all my life, and now I use it to observe the beautiful eagles,” said Bruce Adams, a retired Northport Harbormaster. “There are actually, in my opinion, a number of safe parking spots along the east side of Centershore Road.”

“If all the photographers and others who come to the area to see the bald eagles caused any problems with congestion, noise or unsafe conditions, I would be extremely upset,” said Centerport resident Arline Riordan.” But in all honesty I have never experienced any such difficulty and have found them to be a welcome addition to the community.”

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, also a Centerport resident, said he shared Riordan’s sentiments.

“I think it really functions as it is, and I don’t see the quality of life problems that some have presented,” he said.

The birth earlier this month of two eaglets, the third and fourth chicks to born in the nest, is likely to bring more visitor to the area.

Rob Schwartz, founder of the 20,000 followers strong Bald Eagles of Centerport Facebook Group, also opposed the ban and suggested the town improve parking at town owned land in the area.

After 14 speakers opposed the ban, Supervisor Chad Lupinacci polled the town board. All five members said they did not support enacting the ban.

“We did receive a lot of emails and feedback from people in the community who love the bald eagles, so I think it’s unanimous that we will not be entertaining this restriction any longer,” Lupinacci said.

Spencer Bill Bans Drug Store Cig Sales

Legislator William “Doc” Spencer, at podium, announces the passage of a law banning the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in pharmacies. Photo/Office of Legislator William Spencer

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

It will soon be a little harder to find a place to buy tobacco in Suffolk County.

The County Legislature voted this week to ban the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies. The legislation bans pharmacies from selling or offering everything from cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco to electronic cigarettes, vaping liquid and rolling papers. The law also applies to any retail establishment containing a pharmacy.

Legislator William “Doc” Spencer (D-Centerport) said he decided to sponsor the legislation because the negative health effects of tobacco products are “inconsistent with the mission of pharmacies.”

“Selling tobacco products- although they are legal - doesn’t make sense for pharmacies,” Spencer said. “They’re the only products that if used as directed will actually kill people.”

Spencer said that, although some might see the new law as government interfering in business, the bill received “significant bipartisan support.” Legislator Rudy Sunderman (R-Mastic) was the bill’s primary co-sponsor.

Sixteen of the 18 county legislators voted in favor of the bill, while only Legislator Steven Flotteron (R-West Islip) opposed the restriction and Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Hauppauge) abstained from voting.

Suffolk joins Albany and Rockland counties and the five boroughs, which have adopted similar bans.

At a press conference following Tuesday’s vote, Suffolk County Board of Health member Pat Bishop-Kelly praised the effort to get tobacco out of pharmacies.

“Pharmacies are in the business of helping to make people healthier, not contribute to the causes of diseases that cost the lives of over 28,000 New Yorkers each year,” Bishop-Kelly said.

Spencer said large pharmacy chains like CVS and Wegmans already have a self-imposed ban on tobacco sales, and he didn’t think the tobacco restriction would have a substantial negative economic impact on smaller independent pharmacies.

“The numbers just don’t back that up,” Spencer said. “Most mom and pop pharmacies don’t sell cigarettes… there are very few in the county still selling tobacco.”

Pharmacies could have to clear tobacco products off the shelves as early as November, and would face a fine of up to $2,000 per violation if they don’t.

Pharmacies will be able to continue selling FDA approved nicotine products like skin patches, nicotine gum and lozenges that are designed to help people quit smoking.