Cow Harbor Conversations: Recent Episodes
Doug Roberts
Cow Harbor Conversations is a deep dive on Northport Village, with a focus on Village Hall, Village politics, and some NENUFSD school district and school board politics mixed in. CHC is hosted and "produced" by Doug Roberts, a native Northporter and co-founder of the Northport Journal who takes a break from his day job in the K12 Education Industry to nerd out on Village Politics. Go Tigers!
Chris Wiebke, 1996 NHS Graduate and member of the '95 Tigers Downtown Northport Basketball Court Revitalization Project team, joins Doug to talk about the history and origins of the project and what's next in the process for getting the court approved by Mayor Koch and village board. Chris also indulges us in some great reminiscing about the 1995 Tigers' magical season, and shares with us why John Kennedy, after whom the court is to be named, was such an important figure in their lives as young kids growing up here.
CORRECTION: This episode has been edited to remove Doug's opening. The original version talked about the village not posting videos of the board meetings. But if you dig around, the recordings are there after a few clicks from here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://northportny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/BOT-Zoom-Mtg.-5-3-2022.pdf. Not easy to find, but they are there.
Doug is joined by Julia Mescallado, Harrison LeBow, Phillip Greenwood, and Ethan Koenig, all graduates of Northport's great class of 2022. If you want to feel better about our future, listen to these kids reflect on growing up here and talk about their future plans.
Special thanks to Harrison Lebow, who worked with CHC via the Northport Journal during his senior year, for bringing this group of graduates together.
(Photo Credit: Wikicommons)
Doug provides a dispatch from Village Hall with his recap and take on the June 7 Village Board meeting.
-Police Chief contract and Retired Treasurer p/t consulting contract pass with only 3 votes (Sabia and Pucillo voting no or abstaining)
-Basketball court moving forward but we're still getting TOH approval
-Metal Detectors going up at Village Hall
-Hawk Talk!
-Photo Credit Eric Vosper
The budget passes 2,285 to 1,674. Thomas Loughran, Allison Noonan, and Dr. Larry Licopoli re-elected to the board of ed.
But there's still work to be done at NENUFSD. Doug gives his take on the results and next steps.
If you're listening to this podcast, you're likely already a Yes voter.
But if you need talking points for neighbors, friends, family members, or others in town who either don't have kids in the schools or don't really pay attention to this stuff, we've got your back.
Listen to this while you walk your dog, watch your kid's baseball or lax practice, or get in some cardio for 30 minutes and you'll have every talking point you need to help encourage an ambivalent school budget voter in your life to make sure they get to the polls on Tuesday from 6a-9p at Brosnan, Fifth, or Dickinson.
Vote Yes! Support our kids!
There are 4 candidates running for 3 seats up for grabs in the May 17, 2022 Board of Education Trustee election. Each candidate sat down with Doug to chat about why they are running and what they hope to accomplish if elected to the board.
These conversations are being presented as 4 different episodes, in the order in which the candidates appear on the ballot, with the goal of helping the candidates introduce themselves to voters so folks can make an informed choice in the voting booth.
Also on the ballot on May 17th is a resolution to approve the proposed 2022-2023 NENUFSD budget. If the budget does not pass with a majority of the vote, the Board of Ed can try one more time in June to get a budget passed before the district would then be forced to adopt a contingency budget that limits the ability to do any capital projects (i.e. physical plant improvements) and cuts all programs and activities considered to be "non-essential."
Polls are open from 6a-9p on Tuesday, May 17 at Fifth Avenue, Dickinson, and Brosnan. Please vote!
There are 4 candidates running for 3 seats up for grabs in the May 17, 2022 Board of Education Trustee election. Each candidate sat down with Doug to chat about why they are running and what they hope to accomplish if elected to the board.
These conversations are being presented as 4 different episodes, in the order in which the candidates appear on the ballot, with the goal of helping the candidates introduce themselves to voters so folks can make an informed choice in the voting booth.
Also on the ballot on May 17th is a resolution to approve the proposed 2022-2023 NENUFSD budget. If the budget does not pass with a majority of the vote, the Board of Ed can try one more time in June to get a budget passed before the district would then be forced to adopt a contingency budget that limits the ability to do any capital projects (i.e. physical plant improvements) and cuts all programs and activities considered to be "non-essential."
Polls are open from 6a-9p on Tuesday, May 17 at Fifth Avenue, Dickinson, and Brosnan. Please vote!
There are 4 candidates running for 3 seats up for grabs in the May 17, 2022 Board of Education Trustee election. Each candidate sat down with Doug to chat about why they are running and what they hope to accomplish if elected to the board.
These conversations are being presented as 4 different episodes, in the order in which the candidates appear on the ballot, with the goal of helping the candidates introduce themselves to voters so folks can make an informed choice in the voting booth.
Also on the ballot on May 17th is a resolution to approve the proposed 2022-2023 NENUFSD budget. If the budget does not pass with a majority of the vote, the Board of Ed can try one more time in June to get a budget passed before the district would then be forced to adopt a contingency budget that limits the ability to do any capital projects (i.e. physical plant improvements) and cuts all programs and activities considered to be "non-essential."
Polls are open from 6a-9p on Tuesday, May 17 at Fifth Avenue, Dickinson, and Brosnan. Please vote!
There are 4 candidates running for 3 seats up for grabs in the May 17, 2022 Board of Education Trustee election. Each candidate sat down with Doug to chat about why they are running and what they hope to accomplish if elected to the board.
These conversations are being presented as 4 different episodes, in the order in which the candidates appear on the ballot, with the goal of helping the candidates introduce themselves to voters so folks can make an informed choice in the voting booth.
Also on the ballot on May 17th is a resolution to approve the proposed 2022-2023 NENUFSD budget. If the budget does not pass with a majority of the vote, the Board of Ed can try one more time in June to get a budget passed before the district would then be forced to adopt a contingency budget that limits the ability to do any capital projects (i.e. physical plant improvements) and cuts all programs and activities considered to be "non-essential."
Polls are open from 6a-9p on Tuesday, May 17 at Fifth Avenue, Dickinson, and Brosnan. Please vote!
In this episode, Doug recaps the 5/3 VB meeting, including his take on the proposed John Kennedy Basketball Court renovation project.
Documents referenced in this episode:
Lease Agreement between TOH and Village for Woodbine Park
Village Code Ch. 30 Code of Ethics
Village Code Ch. 53 Procurement Policy
We're back!
Cow Harbor Conversations is back and making a pivot to a deep dive on Village issues, beginning with a breakdown of the March 15 Village election that brings us a new mayor and a Village Board with 4 new faces.
Join your host, Doug Roberts, this spring as Cow Harbor Conversations discussed the first 100 days of Mayor Koch's new administration.
Former Huntington Town Council candidate, Hunter Gross, sits down with Doug to breakdown the 11/2 local elections and the GOP sweep, with a focus on the issues that matter to us here- LIPA, the village waterfront situation, and the upcoming cannabis opt-in debate.
We also look forward to the Village election - where control of the Village Board is up for grabs- and next fall's local elections for state Assembly/Senate and Congress.
The Journal's Football Reporter and favorite Football Dad previews the Tigers' second playoff game vs. Lindy on Friday 11/12 6pm.
GO TIGERS!
Northport and East Northport's Assemblyman, the Hon. Keith Brown, sits down with Doug to talk about his first year in office and what he has planned for his second year with a focus on issues of particular importance to Northport and East Northport.
Rebecca Sanin, Councilman Ed Smyth, and Councilman Eugene Cook, your candidates for Huntington Town Supervisor, sit down with Doug to chat about Northport and East Northport issues, from housing, to turmoil at BOE meetings, to LIPA, waterfront management, and much more.
You can learn more about the candidates at their websites:
Rebeca Sanin
Councilman Ed Smyth
Councilman Eugene Cook
The 4 candidates for 2 open Huntington Town Council Seats were invited to participate in a candidate forum moderated by Doug and Journal intern Harrison Lebow. Questions were sourced from readers and edited by Harrison and Doug. The goal of this forum was to help voters make an informed decision at the polls based on their positions on issues important to us here in Northport and East Northport.
In this episode, we present the unedited audio from this 90-minute candidate forum discussion, attended by 3 of the four candidates (click the candidate's name to visit his/her campaign page):
Dr. David Bennardo
Ms. Jennifer Hebert
Mr. Joseph Schramm
Mr. Sal Ferro was invited and sent regrets that he was unable to participate.
The election is on November 2, 2021, and polling places will be open 6a-9p. In most cases, you will vote where your normally vote for November elections, but to make sure, visit the Suffolk County BOE.
Voter registration is open until today, October 8, for new voters. Early voting will be available 10/23-10/31 at the Dix Hills Fire House (check the BOE website for hours). Absentee ballots are also available at the BOE website or at elections.ny.gov.
Our thanks to all the candidates for stepping up to serve our community, and thank you to Dave, Jen, and Joe for giving us 90 minutes of their time to discuss Northport and East Northport issues. Congratulations to NHS Senior and Journal intern Harrison Lebow on a terrific job developing questions for this forum, representing our youngest voters, and helping keep time during the forum.
The Journal's football reporter, John Mohlmann, sits down with Doug to talk about the Northport High School Varsity Football Team's success so far this season and their chances for a playoff run this fall.
Go Tigers!
Superintendent Mr. Rob Banzer and Board of Education President Dr. Larry Licopoli join Doug to talk about the Board of Ed's new strategic initiative to improve transparency, communication, equity of educational opportunity, progress monitoring, and long-range fiscal planning.
Listeners can read the entire plan, as presented to the community at the 9/9/21 BOE meeting here.
The agenda for the 9/23/21 BOE meeting is here.
Darryl St. George sits down with Doug to provide more color and context to the stories he shared in his Op-Ed in The Journal, talk about what he has planned for the 9/11 Memorial he will lead at NHS on 9/10, and share some reflections on his own service to the nation and the community in the wake of 9/11/01.
NENUFSD Music and Fine/Performing Arts director, Dr. Izzet Mergen, and Tiger Band/Symphonic Winds director, Ms. Lynn Cromeyn sit down with Doug to chat about everything happening with music and art in Northport schools this fall. As we prepare for what could be another round of contentious board of education meetings over state mask mandates, Cow Harbor Conversations is pleased to present some of the wonderful positive things happening in our schools as we all prepare for the return of Cow Harbor Day!
This week, Doug sits down with Kevin O'Neill, Executive Producer at the Engeman Theater to talk about the big reopening, the upcoming 21-22 season, and the planned hotel opening in winter of 2022.
This week, Doug sits down with Mr. Don Sherman, retired East Northport Middle School Band teacher, Director of the Northport Community Band, Euphonium player, and lifelong Northport resident.
The Community Band, formed in 1959 by the legendary Robert Krueger, performs free concerts every Thursday evening in July at the Northport Village Park Bandshell (or at the high school if it rains).
Doug sits down with local designer, real estate salesperson with Coldwell Banker, mom, art teacher, and Northport lifer Vanessa Albaneze to talk about how she helps clients find the perfect home, and the interior design trends she is seeing around town.
Also, Doug reflects on the wild ride of the budget vote cycle and looks at what is next for NENUFSD.
You can learn more about Vanessa's Real Estate work on Instagram and on her official Coldwell Banker website. You can email Vanessa at valbaneze@cbamhomes.com.
You can see Vanessa's design work on the Ella Gray Designs Instagram and website.
The third in a series of conversations with each of the three Democratic candidates for Town Council vying in the June 22 primary for two ballot spots on the Democratic line in the general election this November.
You can learn more about Joe and his candidacy at www.schrammforhuntington.com.
The first in a series of conversations with each of the three Democratic candidates for Town Council vying in the June 22 primary for two ballot spots on the Democratic line in the general election this November.
You can learn more about Hunter and his candidacy at www.hunterforhuntington.com.
The second in a series of conversations with each of the three Democratic candidates for Town Council vying in the June 22 primary for two ballot spots on the Democratic line in the general election this November.
You can learn more about Jen and her candidacy at www.jenhebertfortowncouncil.com.
County Legislator Robert Trotta (R-Ft. Salonga) sits down with Doug to chat about his efforts to expose what he describes as corruption in Suffolk County government and the Suffolk County PBA.
Legislator Trotta has become an international celebrity for fans of True Crime stories by way of the Unraveled Podcast, an expose of the Long Island Serial Killer murder case. Legislator Trotta is an outspoken critic of the Suffolk County Police Department leadership, the Suffolk PBA, and the County Executive. The Suffolk PBA backed a challenger to the Legislator in a would-be Republican primary, but the Legislator went to court challenging the legality of the challenger's petitions and won. The Legislator sounds off on LIPA, policing in East Northport and Northport more generally, and on other issues facing our community. The legislator's district covers Fort Salonga, an eastern section of unincorporated Northport, and most of East Northport.
You can read more about the Legislator on the County website.
You can read about the Little Free Flower Stand referenced in Doug's opening segment on the Northport Journal.
Doug sits down with Tammie Topel to talk about her candidacy for the board of education in 2021, her thoughts about the budget vote, and a wide array of concerns she has about the district and how it is being managed.
Get set for Northport's Memorial Day Celebration, 10:00 AM Monday 5/31 beginning at the Civil War Memorial at Church and Main.
American Legion Post 694 Commander and Vietnam Vet, Mr. Bill McKenna, shares with us the Legion's plans for this special day of remembrance up and down Main Street.
The Journal reached out to all 4 BOE candidates for a 30-minute interview. Due to a variety of circumstances, we were only able to get an interview recorded with one candidate, Warner Frey.
The Journal does not endorse any particular candidate and we wish all the candidates the best of luck and thank them for stepping up to sit on our Board of Education.,
Cow Harbor Conversations sits down for its inaugural episode with Village Trustee David Weber, Jr., to discuss the issues facing the village from cannabis opt-in to drive-throughs. We also discuss his work leading the Village's efforts to clean up the harbor by farming kelp and and oysters.