Aquebogue duck farm facing bird flu outbreak, euthanizing 99,000 ducks

Long Island Morning Edition

Long Island education officials reacted with a mixture of concern and caution yesterday at the news that federal immigration agents can now make arrests at schools and other "sensitive" areas. Darwin Yanes reports in NEWSDAY that a directive was issued Monday — President Donald Trump's first day in office — rescinding guidance that had protected migrants from being arrested by law enforcement agencies, such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, while in or near locations like places of worship, health care facilities and schools.

Dafny Irizarry, president of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association, criticized the policy change, saying, "Schools are places where our kids come to learn, not to be interrogated about their status, not a place to be arrested."

The NYS Education Department, along with the offices of Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James, issued a nine-page document that addressed issues such as enrollment requirements at schools, the release of student information and potential law enforcement detention of students. The guidance states that "law enforcement officers may not remove a student from school property or interrogate a student" without the consent of a parent or person in parental relation, unless a warrant or an order authorizing the custody is issued.

In a statement yesterday, state Education Department spokesman J.P. O'Hare said, "New York State law guarantees every student, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, the fundamental right to a free public education. Through this joint guidance, we reminded school districts of their legal obligation to educate every student and offered our full support in this vital mission."

***

The Farrell Companies plan to install nitrogen-reducing I/A septic systems for all of the new “manufactured homes” they plan to install at the former Lier’s Mobile Home Park in Eastport — but maintain that they are still entitled to erect 93 of the units that were on the property’s original certificate of occupancy. Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that the installation of new residences that had been underway has been halted since early December after Southampton Town issued a second stop-work order at the property demanding that no new concrete pads or new homes be built or installed until the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has determined how the development can move ahead. In June, a county health department official sent a memo to Southampton Town officials stating that the trailer park’s septic allowances were not, in fact, grandfathered in, allowing the existing decades-old wastewater systems to remain in place at the property. The site of the property being cleared in Eastport and new “double wide” residences being brought in sparked objections from neighbors, saying that the renewal of the trailer park as a bustling residential neighborhood would bring new problems of traffic, environmental conditions and soaring school population in the tiny hamlet. Only 14 residents still live at the property, some of whom have also raised concerns that they will be pushed out unfairly by Farrell. But an attorney for the Farrell Companies assured members of the Planning Board that the current residents would be allowed to remain as long their leases remain up to date and are paid regularly.

***

The National Weather Service has announced on its website that it's seeking volunteers for its Cooperative Program to serve as volunteer weather observers in Mattituck, NY.

Volunteers will participate by taking daily temperature and precipitation readings, the NWS said, adding, "Your data will help save lives and property!"

Instruments and training will be provided free, including a temperature sensor and snow boards. Training will include instruction on how to take measurements and submit data through the NWS website.

The perfect candidates should have "long-term commitment and a passion for weather observing," the NWS said. "We are looking for individuals who can commit to take observations for many years. A passion for weather is required."

Backup observers are also needed for when volunteers are away.

If interested visit the NWS website here.

***

A gift card went missing from the Amagansett School before Christmas break in 2023 — and now the school's principal could lose her job over it. Dandan Zou reports in NEWSDAY that the district is trying to fire principal Maria Dorr after accusing the longtime educator of stealing the card. District officials have said in disciplinary proceedings that she broke the trust of the Amagansett School community. But Dorr, who was never criminally charged, has denied she stole the card. Her attorneys called the allegations “scandalous, defamatory and without merit.” They asked: Why would an educator with an “unblemished record” of 25 years steal a gift card worth $50 or less, putting her career and reputation in jeopardy?

After seven hearings — with more than 42 hours of testimony and 15 witnesses — the case could soon have a resolution. Attorneys for both sides filed post-hearing briefs last Friday and a state-designated hearing officer is expected to issue a decision within 30 days. Dorr, 51, who earned $215,764 in 2023-24, was suspended with pay last January.

The hearing officer, Timothy Taylor, instructed the witnesses not to speak about the case. But unlike most disciplinary hearings, Dorr chose to make hers public.

The Amagansett school system is one of the smallest on Long Island, with about 120 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade all housed in one building.

***

Long Island’s last large commercial duck farm, in Aquebogue, had a bird flu outbreak, requiring 99,000 ducks to be euthanized. Any hope of saving the genetics of the ducks sits with 10,000 sanitized eggs that are in quarantine and must undergo rounds of testing before they can be safely hatched off the facility. The presence of the virus, which is highly contagious and deadly among domestic poultry, was confirmed by lab tests last Thursday, Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin said yesterday. The farm was established in 1908 and remains the last commercial duck farm on Long Island, once world-renowned for its ducks. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that no one at Crescent Duck Farm is known to have contracted the virus, Corwin said. Everyone is being monitored. The Suffolk County Health Department said in a statement this Tuesday that the “county is working with state agencies to ensure public health and safety. There is minimal risk to public health.” Corwin said the outbreak at his family’s farm leaves its future up in the air. After culling operations are completed, which will take about a week, a massive cleanup will be undertaken.

Mark Harrington and Lisa L. Colangelo report in NEWSDAY that 47 workers at Crescent Duck Farm were laid off. Around 20 Crescent workers remain on staff, helping in the effort to sanitize. The employees laid off were given notices explaining the situation of their release for unemployment benefits. Many of the workers have been with the company for 20 to 30 years, one for 35 years. The Corwin land in Aquebogue has been in the Corwin family since the 1600s.

***

Legal Counsel Natalia Rodriguez, of the Central American Refugee Center (CARACEN) says that local students have one overwhelming question for her: “What will happen to me if my parent gets detained or deported?” Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that Ms. Rodriguez explains to the students the process by which their parents can file for “Standby Guardianship,” an 18-page form available on the New York State Unified Court System’s website, which must be signed by two witnesses and notarized, allowing their parents to designate a person to care for them if they are detained.

She said the families should give a copy of the form to the guardian, which they can bring to Suffolk County Family or Surrogate Court if the child’s parents are detained or deported. They will then be granted guardianship for 60 days.

“They can get an extension, but what happens after 60 days, I don’t know,” said Ms. Rodriguez.

CARACEN has long been a partner with the Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation in Southold, better known locally as CAST helping immigrants on the North Fork navigate these challenges.

CAST plans to hold informational seminars as national policy becomes clearer.

New York State Unified Court System’s website

***

A new survey of Long Island CEOs shows division over the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the workplace. James T. Madore reports in NEWSDAY that among the 268 executives who participated in the annual Long Island Economic Survey, 35% said DEI is part of their company’s mission and is a company priority, while an additional 33% said DEI is important but not a company priority.

“There’s a significantly high adoption rate on Long Island,” said Don Levy, a pollster and director of the Siena College Research Institute, which conducted the survey from Sept. 16 through Nov. 4 with the accounting firm PKF O’Connor Davies. "You've got two-thirds of CEOs that we interviewed who say DEI is either a priority or at least important to their company."

But 32% of respondents said DEI isn't something they think about.

The results of the survey, which was conducted before the presidential election, were released this morning.

Levy, the pollster, said the CEOs surveyed “are not a left-leaning constituency.” They much preferred Trump to win the White House and for Republicans to control both houses of Congress, Levy said yesterday.

This is the first time in the survey's 30 years that CEOs have been asked about DEI.

DEI, or diversity, equity and inclusion, refers to organizations' efforts to recognize and value individual differences, ensure fair opportunities—particularly for legally protected groups such as women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, those with disabilities and religious minorities—and foster a workplace where all feel respected and welcomed.

Leaders of local business groups said private-sector employers should be given latitude in terms of how, or if, they embrace DEI.