Smithtown Notebook: Concert Series Begins, Sen. Flanagan Explains Vote

Almost Queen Kicks Off Concert Series, Sponsored by Legis. Kennedy, Nesconset Chamber

Almost Queen, a Queen tribute band, launched the fourth annual Nesconset Summer Concert Series with a live performance July 5 at the Nesconset gazebo.

More than 2,000 residents attended the show, the first show of the series, sponsored by Legis. John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset, and the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce.

The band performed hits from the storied Queen catalogue, spanning nearly 20 years, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You."

Long Island Cares Food Bank in Hauppauge is a sponsor of the series for the third straight year and concertgoers are encouraged to bring canned or sealed-packaged foods as donations.

The series will feature six concerts in total and commence on Aug. 9.

Sen. John Flanagan Explains Gay Marriage Vote

Sen. John Flanagan was consistent with his 2009 ‘no’ vote on gay marriage, although the outcome of the vote was different, as it was passed by the New York state Senate 33 votes to 29 on June 24.

The senator explained in a phone interview that his vote this year wasn’t as easy to make, citing a push for support the bill by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a reason.

“You had a much more active role being played by Gov. Cuomo,” Flanagan said. “Gov. Patterson had tried to do this but had not done so as effectively and I think the lobbying effort generally on this was vastly different in terms of what happened two years ago.”

Flanagan said he received more than 10,000 emails and phone calls from constituents regarding the gay marriage bill, with a somewhat even split between those in support of the bill and those against it.

Upcoming Town Meetings

There are two town meetings this week, both on Tuesday. The first meeting is the town board meeting at 2 p.m. at Town Hall. Following the town board meeting is the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at 7 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cannataro Smithtown Senior Citizen Center.