Brookhaven Notebook: Town Board to Consider Setting Standards for Hearing Officers

A public hearing is set for March 29 to explore a proposed law which would require the town's judicial hearing officers, who handle parking violation hearings, to have a formal legal background.

Supervisor Mark Lesko proposed the law after the town sought to replace five inactive officers and found that the Town of Brookhaven lost 68 percent of potential revenue from parking violations – or more than half a million dollars – in 2010.

The law would require the judicial hearing officers to have a minimum of five years of experience as a prosecutor, judge, magistrate, court officer, or court attorney referee, or a minimum of ten years of experience as a police officer or a peace officer.

“The person who has the responsibility to determine the outcome of parking violations cases must have the knowledge and experience to handle each matter properly and to the letter of the law," Lesko said. "These new qualifications will set clear guidelines for the Town Board when seeking the right candidates for appointment.”

Supervisor Kicks Off Re-election Campaign

Lesko is among a few hopeful Brookhaven Democrats who have formally kicked off campaigns for re-election or new roles in town and county politics. At a recent fundraiser at West Lake Inn Caterers in Patchogue, Lesko said he wants to keep working on the economic climate in Brookhaven.

Town Announces Workshops for Small Business Owners and Nonprofits

The Division of Economic Development has scheduled workshops to benefit small business owners and nonprofit groups on March 14 and March 21 at 6:30 p.m.

The events connect experienced business owners with new and prospective business owners and representatives of nonprofits to help them in areas like technology and management. Four different courses are available from SCORE, a national network of more than 13,000 active and retired business owners.

To register, call 631-451-6563.

Brookhaven Announces Women's Recognition Award Winners

For the last 24 years, Brookhaven has honored the achievements of local women who have made contributions to the community. This year will be no different, and the town has announced the following honorees for its 25th annual Women’s Recognition Night, set for March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall:

• Business: Teresa Ward of Rocky Point, owner of Teresa's Family Cleaning
• Community Service Professional: Darlene M. Jyringi of Stony Brook, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center at Stony Brook Medical Center
• Community Service Volunteer: Janet Godfrey of Wading River, founder of Operation Veronica
• Design: Paula M. Murphy of Patchogue, chairperson of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee
• Education: Jeannine LaPrarie of Rocky Point, a sixth grade teacher at Longwood Middle School
• Government: Donna Napoli, assistant director of the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau
• Law: Emily A. Constant of Port Jefferson, chief assistant district attorney at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
• Law Enforcement: Janine Musmacker of Patchogue, police officer with the Suffolk County Police Department's fifth precinct
• Medicine: Dr. Allison Joan McLarty of East Setauket, cardiac surgeon at Stony Brook University Medical Center
• Healthcare Provider: Janet Stevens of Manorville, critical care nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital
• Science: Dr. Nelly Alia-Klein of Rocky Point, scientist at Brookhaven National Lab
• Sports: Kristen M. Hutchinson of Selden, Gymnastics Coach at Gold Medal Gym
• Visual & Performing Arts: Lori Anne De Iulio Casdia of Mount Sinai, Executive Director of Star Awards