From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy - June 12, 2009

Protecting, Supporting and Increasing America’s Nurses

On Thursday, June 4, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy introduced three pieces of legislation focused on the state of nursing in the nation. The bills, the Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2009, Nurse Training and Retention Act of 2009 and a resolution recognizing the need for safe patient handling and movement, are a series of initiatives addressing such issues as increasing the number of school nurses, fixing the nation’s critical nursing shortage and improving workplace safety for nurses.

McCarthy, a nurse for over 30 years, has been at the forefront of issues regarding nursing throughout her tenure in the House of Representatives and was successful in including several nursing education provisions in the historic reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act last year.

From the Desk of Senator Craig Johnson - June 5, 2009

Belmont Happenings

Last week, the MTA reversed its short-sighted and wrong-headed decision to eliminate regular train service to the Belmont Park Race Track.

This is good news for Belmont’s host communities and for Nassau County and New York State as a whole. As we work together to make Belmont a world-class destination, the MTA’s decision to limit the availability of mass transit options was simply counterproductive.

Mayor’s Message - June 5, 2009

Consolidation Bill

The village board and I attended a meeting hosted by the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) last Wednesday evening.  The meeting was to discuss the recently proposed Consolidation Bill (A8501 and S5661) that was presented in Albany May 26, conveniently after the Memorial Day weekend.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the current law for Consolidation and Dissolution of Local Government. This bill is being introduced by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, at the behest of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, sponsored in the Senate by Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, and supported by Governor David A. Paterson. In short, it will amend the process to dissolve villages. Simplifying this process makes our village vulnerable to outside influences and costly unnecessary expenditures.

Letter: Thank You, Wednesday Mother's Club

Thank You, Wednesday Mother’s Club
The executive board and families that comprise the Floral Park Youth Council would like to thank the members of the Wednesday Mother’s Club, their president, Christy Reisig and Cathy Doyle, for the wonderful fundraiser they conducted on our behalf.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Thomas Alfano

Bill Extending Unemployment Benefits for New Yorkers Law

Bill Provides Additional 13 Weeks of Unemployment Compensation

Struggling unemployed Long Islanders whose unemployment benefits are about to run out will be able to tap into a $645 million federal grant for unemployment compensation under legislation overwhelmingly passed by the assembly, Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced.

Alfano, who is ranking member of the powerful Assembly Labor Committee, voted to move the bill to the floor of the assembly that will allow unemployment compensation recipients to receive a 13-week extension on their benefits.

From the Desk of Senator Frank Padavan - May 22, 2009

Padavan Honors Local Soldiers During Freedom Salute at Whitestone Armory

Senator Frank Padavan joined fellow veterans, families and friends in thanking and honoring the soldiers of the 4th Finance Detachment at a “Freedom Salute” Saturday, May 2, at the Whitestone Armory. The ceremony honored 24 soldiers for their service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Around the Town - By Kate Murray, Town of Hempstead Supervisor - May 22, 2009

The Town of Hempstead is pleased to announce its 12th Annual Calendar Photograph Contest. Each year the town produces a calendar, which is delivered to every resident.

What makes our calendar unique is that it includes photographs that are all taken by town residents. Friends and neighbors are asked to submit their own original photographs that depict a seasonal Town of Hempstead event, park, neighborhood or other inspiring subject matter. The pictures must be taken within our township.

From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy: May 15, 2009

McCarthy and Steve Israel Announce ‘No Fly, No Buy’ Act

On May 13 Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and Congressman Steve Israel (NY-02) hosted a press conference to announce the introduction of the No Fly, No Buy Act, which seeks to close the ‘terror gap’ by preventing people whose names appear on the Transportation Security Administration’s terrorist “no fly list” from being eligible to buy guns.

At the event, McCarthy and Israel were flanked by law enforcement officials and joined by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence to highlight the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of people that are known or suspected terrorists and their continued commitment to fighting to strengthen gun violence prevention laws that protect police and our communities.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Thomas Alfano: May 15, 2009

Assembly Passes Package to Preserve and Protect the Environment

Assemblyman Tom Alfano announced the Assembly has passed a comprehensive 12-bill package aimed at preserving New York’s natural resources by limiting greenhouse gas emissions, mandating the recycling of consumer electronic products and expanding the state’s role in protecting wetland areas.

Assemblyman Alfano was a sponsor of several bills of the package aimed at protecting the environment, recycling and “going green.” Alfano also called for an Earth Day revitalization of communities aimed at creating jobs and cleaning up brownfield sites.

Letter: Residents Encouraged To Attend FP-Bellerose Budget Hearing

The purpose of the PTA is to advocate for and to promote the welfare of children and youth in the home, school and community. The PTA recognizes that every child deserves excellence in education and in quality of life. We encourage residents to attend the Floral Park-Bellerose School District Budget Hearing on Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the John Lewis Childs School to view a detailed presentation of the budget.