Dear Town Board Members,

It is so very difficult for me to believe that it has all come to this. When Victor and I first moved to this Township, it was with the understanding that Smithtown was an “animal friendly” place to live. We felt our home was an ideal place to create a little paradise-on-earth called Angel’s Gate. Our mission was to serve what most consider the lowest of our population, the animals that were less than perfect, and the outcasts of our society, many of whom were doomed for euthanasia. Within months of moving to 18 Josephine Lane, Fort Salonga our first family member arrived. Thus, it began; if it was broken, battered, defeated, neglected or unwanted the animal found his/her way to our door.

Over the years the success and uniqueness of the care Angel’s Gate provides has spread everywhere. I have pioneered animal hospice care. Our home sets the standard. We not only care for animals in our home. I work with people in their homes and on the telephone throughout the country and on occasion, the world. We are blessed with recognition for the work we are doing. The Martha Stewart featured Angel’s Gate on her October; 05 show. Articles have appeared in Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Animal Fair, Animal Wellness, Whole Dog Journal and People Magazine. News stories have appeared in Long Island’s Newsday, the New York Times, the Long Island Press, the Lexington Times, the Washington Times, the Chicago Daily Herald, all the local newspapers, and many others. I was honored as a CBS- Hometown Hero, News 12 Long Island- People Making a Difference and we was featured on Fox 5, WB11 News, and The CBS Early Show. In 2003, I was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the State of New York. I was given the ASPCA Founders Award, nominated as Woman of the Year by Woman of Substance, and most recently honored by Carl Marcellino for my work with Katrina victims. Our work is featured in documentaries in Canada, France, and Japan.

I recognized the need for education. You see “Hospice Care” is a new concept in veterinary medicine. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) only wrote the guidelines for hospice care in April of 2001. Hospice is not a place but a concept of care. It means to provide comfort and palliative care to those in end stages of life, with the dying surrounded by their loving family. With the hope of educating others about hospice, last year I wrote a book with Denise Flaim called “Getting Lucky”. The ASPCA delivered Lucky, the Great Dane/Shepherd mix, to his new home on Christmas Eve 1999. He epitomized all we want to accomplish in our home. Brutally abused at the hands of humans all his fourteen years, Lucky was defeated physically, emotionally, and spiritually. During the year and three months he was with us, we turned all that around. Lucky died in my arms knowing that he was loved. It was in his final months Lucky left his legacy. Lucky changed many lives before his death. Angel’s Gate gave him that opportunity. “Getting Lucky” is recommended summer reading for Long Island’s children because of the life’s lessons the book teaches.

For all we have accomplished I am most proud of the relationship we have with persons with disabilities. Special needs adults and children can volunteer or work at Angel’s Gate caring for our special needs animals. This summer we are working with learning disabled students from Kings Park Schools. Between these beings, there is a bond and an understanding that I can only imagine and appreciate. These special need people enrich our lives and the lives of our animals. Here at Angel’s Gate, special needs people are considered a blessing.

I am also very excited by the growth of our Junior Volunteer Program. Students starting at 12-years-old can volunteer at Angel’s Gate. Their motivation to be at Angel’s Gate varies but there is always a common thread- their love of animals. We work with the children to find their talents and skills. The children help host our “Reverence for All Life” program, going into the classroom and educating peers about humane and compassionate care and treatment of others. Many of the children have received awards, scholarships, and other recognition for their efforts. A few were published and have been written about nationally. The children work hard when they are at Angel’s Gate and we hope they are learning a work ethic that will stay with them for a lifetime.

However, as the saying goes “No good deed goes left unpunished.” Four years ago, I received a call from a co-worker of my new neighbor May Burke. She said that May was on a “mission to destroy” us. She said, “She is going to use her influence and find an ordinance to get you out. She wants you off her block and out of her town.” Soon after, we began receiving visits from the different agencies of the Town of Smithtown. In the last eight months, it has escalated and we have had numerous surprise visits from just about every agency in town. The Assistant Town Attorney and the Department of Health and Safety have even “staked” us out. The Town came into my home and took pictures of my animals (some were sent to me from the Smithtown Pound, Islip Pound, and Huntington Pound), every room, my closets, and my laundry. You have asked me to avoid parking cars on the street in front of our home. We have demonstrated repeatedly a willingness to compromise and ameliorate any problem you have brought to us. No matter what we have done, it is NEVER enough! Moreover, even after all your scrutiny, Town of Smithtown has not found us to be in violation of any town ordinances. The “stake out” revealed that Angel’s Gate “does not have a negative impact on the immediate community”. From the street, we look like any other house on the block.

My service to this community is clearly documented through the years. Locally, for over 35 years I have cared for families helping parents say goodbye to their dying children. I currently am doing the same for families with animal companions. I was an active participant at ground zero during 9-11. Nationally I volunteered in New Orleans Louisiana, running a medical unit and doing search and rescue during my off time. Internationally I volunteered for a month in Albania caring for the victims of Kosovo. So now, I must ask you. “Why would you create a new zoning code that would stop our good work and kick my family and Angel’s Gate to the curb like yesterday’s garbage?” I, implore you, “What have I, and Angel’s Gate done that would make you do such a thing.” The zoning code is clearly targeted at my home, as there is nothing else like my home in the Town of Smithtown. You say it is a “land use” issue. From the street, you cannot identify our home. We had neighbors who have stated that they did not even know that we existed until it appeared in the newspapers.

How does this new amendment serve the residents of our Township?

You define “animal hospice” as - ALL OR PART OF THE PREMISES, BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES UTILIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING IN AND PROVIDING FOR THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF SICK, ABANDONED, HOMELESS, INJURED, DEFORMED AND/OR TERMINALLY ILL ANIMALS.

The number one myth regarding hospice is; it is a place. Again, I will tell you that “hospice” is a concept of care not a place. Here you are describing animal rescue thus by your definition of “animal hospice” every animal rescue will become an “animal hospice”. This will have far-reaching devastating ramifications. Clearly, hospice as you have defined it here is for your own purposes. This is NOT what hospice is. Hospice does not belong in a commercial area, nor is it a hospital, or a kennel. Hospice is palliative care that is usually given in a home, where loved ones surround the dying. It is what I choose to do in my home. Again, the Town of Smithtown is targeting my home.

In the new zoning code, the Town now will decide who the members of one’s family will be. Today many situations bring extended family members together. Many people live together with non-blood relatives. Would you consider people in-group homes, foster care or adopted less a “family” because they do not share the same blood? Again, this edict is directly aimed at preventing people from coming to our home to assist in our efforts. Do you really want to start telling people who can or cannot visit their homes?

The new zoning code states, “the use would not be evident to neighbors”. Well maybe you have more faith in humans then I but it sounds like the Town Board is truly looking for a big headache with this one. As evidence as to what is happening with our home any home that cares for sick, abandoned, homeless, injured, deformed and/or terminally animals would now be the potential target of a disgruntled neighbor. I thought that this type of zoning was written out of the constitution years ago.

Of greatest concern, “Why has the Town never come to me other then to ask me to do things to placate my neighbors?” March 3, 2006 I contacted the Town Attorney’s office and my neighbors via certified letter requesting there be a sit down to get this matter resolved in a fair and civil way. Why did you not insist that this meeting take place? My neighbors refused and you said, “Oh well.” You are the leaders of this town. Why have you not insisted that both sides sit down and come up with a compromise? This situation has gone on for years and is out of control. You have consistently asked me to bend. You have scrutinized every aspect of my life. You have sent in every agency form the Town of Smithtown to my home. No surprise visits have found us to be in violation. Now, Smithtown Town Board’s solution is to write a new zoning ordinance that will destroy the home that Vic, our animal family, and I have created and loved for 13 years. Where is the justice in that? I beg you; please do not change the zoning codes. Instead, help foster a compromise, which will put Smithtown Township in a good light.

Namaste,

Susan Marino
Founder/Director
Angel’s Gate Inc.