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Vendors Sign Pledges Not to Sell to Minors
Posted on April 16, 2012 Trained volunteers approached tobacco and alcohol vendors and asked them to sign pledges. A campaign to unite licensed alcohol and tobacco vendors with community members to prevent the sale and promotion of these products to underage teens kicked off on March 3. The Alcohol Coalition of Eastern Suffolk (ACES), sponsored by Eastern Suffolk BOCES, is raising awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and the promotion and sale of tobacco products to underage individuals. Brookhaven Town officials joined the effort. Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner commented, “As a mother and former school board member, I am well aware of the challenges faced by young people during their formidable years, especially the temptation to abuse alcohol. I thank ESBOCES for educating our children and businesses about the dangers of underage drinking.” Teams of four volunteers each met at the Rocky Point Fire Department that morning. Included were Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Julie Davis Lutz and her daughters, and ESBOCES Social Workers Amy Roland and Susan Lorenz. "I am pleased to have had the opportunity to be part of this community project where youth, after being trained, approached tobacco and alcohol vendors and asked them to commit to following the law regarding selling products to minors. It is wonderful to see the future of our communities, our youth, take an active role in making them better," said Dr. Lutz.   A U.S. Department of Education grant is funding the ACES project. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilwoman Bonner were on hand for the first round of pledge signing, along with Shoreham-Wading River High School Principal Daniel Holtzman, Rocky Point High School Assistant Principal Susann Crossan, and ESBOCES ACES Project Director Lucille Buergers. Team volunteers arrived from non-profit organizations, local governments, and law enforcement, to join students and parents. The first local business to agree to the pledge was Kevin McCarrick, owner of McCarrick’s Dairy in Rocky Point. Team members stand in front of McCarrick's Dairy (below) where a donated three-foot hero provided lunch.  |
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