Opinion – RiverheadLOCAL

Continuing turmoil at LIPA — and how to fix it

Karl Grossman — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The turmoil at the Long Island Power Authority continues. Among recent events: Newsday exposed how the Newark, New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group, PSEG, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo arranged to run the Long Island Power Authority’s electric grid, has been contributing to the Suffolk Democratic Party. The June 1 article was headlined “Suffolk Democrats benefited from PSEG…

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Understanding the recent turmoil at LIPA

Karl Grossman — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 10:47:56 +0000

The Long Island Power Authority has been in turmoil in recent months. LIPA was created by the New York State Legislature three decades ago following a grassroots effort led by Murray Barbash and Irving Like to establish a public power entity on Long Island to replace the private Long Island Lighting Company. They headed a group called Citizens to Replace LILCO. A model was a public…

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Questions linger about recycling plant fire

Denise Civiletti — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 13:30:44 +0000

We can’t let this week go by without expressing deep gratitude for the first responders from across the region who fought the massive fire at Crown Recycling in Calverton. The speed of their response and the professionalism and precision with which they came together to fight that dangerous blaze for some 12 hours Wednesday should drive home for all of us how fortunate we are to have brave…

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They put their party before constituents

Denise Civiletti — Wed, 28 May 2025 20:26:53 +0000

Republican representatives Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino were quick to pat themselves on the back for getting the “SALT” cap raised — something that was supposed to be eliminated completely as promised by the President. However, what they gave up getting this cap is far more important to the struggling residents on Long Island. Severe cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and programs for health and food…

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Remembering what they died for

Denise Civiletti — Sun, 25 May 2025 11:11:30 +0000

In Riverhead, Memorial Day is marked by wreath-laying ceremonies, a parade around downtown, flag-raising tributes at cemeteries and monuments — reminders, year after year, that this day is about more than barbecues and beach outings. It is a day of solemn remembrance, honoring those who gave their lives in service to the United States. Here in our community, where veterans’ names are etched…

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Trump’s tariff tactics and budget math don’t add up

Denise Civiletti — Wed, 14 May 2025 11:58:34 +0000

The Economist magazine is not a big fan of the Trump tariffs, as recently noted in that publication. Neither is the former chief economist to Republican Senator Rob Portman, who was also lead research fellow on federal budget and spending policy at the ideologically conservative Heritage Foundation. That economist — whose views are partially excerpted below — recently observed, “[i]t’s not an…

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Urges town to act on accessory dwellings code

Denise Civiletti — Wed, 07 May 2025 12:34:18 +0000

May is Affordable Housing Month, an opportunity to focus on the critical need for long-term and fair housing solutions. Today, I commend the Town of Riverhead for making significant progress in adopting its 2024 comprehensive plan update, which includes Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a key component of its housing plan. At a time when Suffolk County now leads the State of New York in pre…

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No way to deal with flooding

Denise Civiletti — Wed, 07 May 2025 12:05:58 +0000

To the Editor: It would be nice if they would fix the problem with flooding of the road on West Main Street in Riverhead next to Griffing Hardware. Instead of fixing it, they use a truck with a snow plow to push water around. Little ghetto if you ask me. Troy Reynolds Riverhead…

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State’s effort to pre-empt local zoning must be stopped

Editorials — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:11:30 +0000

Legislation pending in the State Legislature would strip local municipalities of their right to govern in a way that, if enacted, will fundamentally change the fabric and character of local communities. The bill would prohibit towns from establishing minimum lot sizes of more than 5,000 square feet — roughly one-eighth of an acre — if a lot has access to sewer and water infrastructure and…

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Truth or consequences

Denise Civiletti — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:55:56 +0000

To the Editor: Legend has it that as a boy George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and when asked, he said, “I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree.” Nixon lied, Clinton could not tell the difference between truth and a lie, and Trump doesn’t care if he lies or tells the truth. Warren McKnight Riverhead…

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