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After the Storms: Local Stories of Frustration, Loss and Recovery

A collection of Long Islander's stories on life with power outages, gas shortages, return to business and bloggers' insights.

 

Mom With Two Kids On Ventilators Blasts LIPA

There is no fear more terrifying for a mother than the thought of her children being in a medical crisis - and without power.

For St. James resident Lori Burke, who has two children, Mary Ellen, 25, and Kevin, 24, both with micro syndrome, a rare genetic disorder and neuromuscular disease that requires that they be on ventilators at all times, that nightmare became reality after Hurricane Sandy.

Chase Bank Manager Vows Main Street Branch Will Return

Of the many businesses on Port Jeff's Main Street still cleaning up from the storm, Chase Bank is one of them, but branch manager Meredith Festa says they will be coming back soon.

“The Chase branch in the village has extensive flood damage,” Festa told Patch by email. "They are repairing everything, and will be reopened as soon as possible."

Locals Seeing Shorter Lines First Morning of Odd-Even Rationing

Lines for gas appeared noticeably shorter in Smithtown Friday morning as the first day of temporary mandatory gas rationing went into effect.

A drive along 25A from St. James into Kings Park showed lines with no more than 6-8 cars and wait times at 10 minutes or less. Customers were happy with the change, but station owners said it was a little too late.

What Sandy Taught Me

I type this from the warmth and relative luxury of my Kings Park brother-in-law’s powered house. My home is still out of power, like the seemingly-forever-stuck-on-just-under-5,000 other Commack homes.

Having no power -- and feeling like a first-world refugee -- for a week and counting has made me do something I don’t like to do: think about things. 

Man Killed Trimming Trees Behind Hauppauge Diner

A man was killed while trimming trees behind a Hauppauge diner on Tuesday morning. 

Nicholas Lourikas, 66, of Centereach, was killed when a tree branch struck him on the head behind the Hauppauge Palace Diner on Route 347 in Hauppauge. 

What Sandy Taught Me

I type this from the warmth and relative luxury of my Kings Park brother-in-law’s powered house. My home is still out of power, like the seemingly-forever-stuck-on-just-under-5,000 other Commack homes.

Having no power -- and feeling like a first-world refugee -- for a week and counting has made me do something I don’t like to do: think about things. 

In an effort to provide a warm place for out-of-state power restoration crews brought in to help the Long Island Power Authority with the Hurricane Sandy restoration effort, the Hampton Bays Fire Department has opened their doors.

Looking Forward: The Power of the People of the East End 

Slowly and with some pain we are all getting back to our pre-Sandy routines, as we take aim at Thanksgiving and the bigger holiday season beyond.

Our wallets and savings have taken an immediate hit whether it was for items like generators, heaters, or repair costs not covered by insurance. Some of our neighbors still are suffering the inconvenience of still being without power, water, heat, gas, Internet, cable and telephone coverage

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Commackvoter May 19, 2013 at 11:28 am
Yes John Smith, agree that the PTA SHOULD have video taped and posted it somewhere for the communityRead More to view. This is the 21st century and there is no excuse for them not offering this for those who could not attend. Same goes for the CUFSD but at least the law prohibits them from banning taping public meetings.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Retired May 19, 2013 at 08:45 am
Hey John - No one is being slick. You incorrectly assumed that it was suspicious that there was noRead More video tape of the meet the candidates night. I can understand why you would think that but the fact is that the PTA did not allow any video. I wish video could have been done so the community could have seen each candidate themselves and make their own assessment. If you don't believe what I say just contact the PTA and confirm it with them....
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Retired May 19, 2013 at 09:52 am
@RL - I agree with term limits, but the law says that can only be proposed by the Board. The publicRead More cannot submit such a proposition. The board, at least the current one, will never agree to that b/c they want to keep themselves in power at any cost. By adding 2 new people Prop 2 may a provide an opportunity to have people on aboard that will consider proposing term limits, as well as other changes. So, yet another reason to Vote YES to Prop 2.
RL May 17, 2013 at 08:08 am
I agree new blood can be used and some new thinking and the way to accomplish that is to vote newRead More faces in. Does having more people create a larger bureaucracy thought. Having served on a number of private, charity and corporate boards I can tell you more is not always the answer. I think term limits would be a better approach. This way you don't have the same though process year after year. Two terms six years seems reasonably to me.
Concerned Commackian May 18, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Commack Parent is right. Its definately a costRead More issue.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!! Thanks Parent, that was the best chuckle ive had all day!
LINANA May 17, 2013 at 12:28 am
Since past precedence for a number of years has been to send out literature informing ALL residentsRead More (including those with no children in the schools) of candidates bios, does the omission of the bios raise a legal issue? ??? We all pay school taxes and district has the obligation to provide us with this info. Shame on them!!!! Teacher's union is also "encouraging" votes for Egan & Behar and against adding two additional seats to the board. People with a vested interest "encouraging" you to vote a particular way should raise flags!!! Hopefully people will think for themselves and make an informed vote for the candidate they feel will best represent the students & residents of Commack.
Janice May 16, 2013 at 12:08 pm
IT does raise a red flag! I think it IS definitely time to vote for some new folks. I am going toRead More check out Hartman and Tampellini's bios. If I like what I see, I am voting for change
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:28 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 15, 2013 at 09:02 pm
Doing my best. Please spread the word. Thanks!
GM May 15, 2013 at 08:30 pm
You go Girl! Spread the word. It's less than a week until we vote and you can quickly educate usingRead More social media.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 12:47 pm
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
ergodic May 16, 2013 at 11:09 am
Hey, PTA, BOE/// try lending a hand///don't criticize things you don't understand///the community isRead More clearly beyond your command///your 100 year road is rapidly aging///and, the times, they are changing. CUFSD has experienced a decline in total enrollment from a peak of 7830 in 2008-09 to 6934 (projected) in 2013-14, a decrease of 11.4%. During that period, spending per pupil increased from $19,759 to $25,871 - an increase of 30.9%. This performance does not reflect well on the financial management capabilities of the BOE. And, is it a surprise that NYSUT is an advocate for the status quo? A more democratic approach to decision-making via a vote for Prop 2 should be helpful.
re May 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
Vote yes for the additional members of the board. Save our schools. Save our schools with fairRead More representation. Join a new taxpayers representation committee at the Commack community assoc effective September 2013. Our next meeting is May 30 at 7pm at the Bristol assisted living community room( next to sears) Do not let this civic group wither away as it would be a victory for the school board that monitors any opposition to the way the district operates.