Letter: A School Budget Message From the FPBSD PTA

At the April meetings of the Floral Park-Bellerose School PTA and the John Lewis Childs School PTA, the general memberships unanimously approved motions to support the proposed 2012-13 Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School District budget.

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. Our PTAs believe that the board of education has prepared a fiscally responsible budget designed to achieve the goal of providing a continued quality educational experience for all of our children.

Phil-osophically Speaking: April 19, 2012

“Judge Not”

It’s always a good idea to refrain from being judgmental because you just may be condemning yourself. “Judge not lest ye be judged” is a timeless injunction of the Good Book. In his classic work, Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis has an interesting take on that Biblical admonition. Lewis says that before our lives are judged, we shall be granted the gift of omniscience about ourselves to see how we would have acted or behaved in every circumstance. The truth is we just don’t know how we would act or even feel in other situations and other circumstances.

From the desk of NY State Senator Jack Martins: April 19, 2012

Political Tea Leaves

Each day, including weekends, I receive emails from the Senate Communications Office that contain news stories from media outlets around the state. The emails cover just about everything that would be of interest to state senators and we’re asked to review them to keep abreast of developing issues. I actually kind of enjoy reading most of them. It’s like having all the key issues conveniently delivered every morning and it makes my job that much easier.

Most news “trends” come from unplanned events or circumstances. For example, a hurricane will naturally trigger stories for several days on emergency preparedness or our lack of it.  But I’ve been in politics long enough to read other stories and decipher that something’s happening behind the scenes, a story behind the story. These seemingly innocuous items are gently spun into the news stream to slowly start beating the drum of support for some upcoming issue or agenda.

Phil-osophically Speaking: April 12, 2012

Titanic — The Unsinkable Story

It seemed like an eternity, but just 37 breathless seconds passed when lookout Frederick Fleet espied a dark, glistening object rising menacingly over the placid sea and the collision that tore a 300-foot gash across the Leviathan’s iron and steel starboard side, popping and splitting plates from her forepeak to the boiler rooms.

A floating Babylon, the Titanic was the largest and most luxurious ship in the world. She had everything passengers on a trans-Atlantic cruise could want except, when they needed them, enough lifeboats. But was that necessary when her designers at Harland & Wolff called the ship virtually unsinkable when the designers needed room for a Parisian café?

Village Notes: April 12, 2012

A regular meeting of the board of trustees was held on April 3, at 8:40 p.m.    

Building Department

Trustee Rhatigan reported that this is his final report as liaison to the building department. He thanked Superintendent of Building Department Steve Siwinski and his entire staff for all of their help and cooperation during the time in which he had the pleasure of working with them.

Phil-osophically Speaking: April 5, 2012

A Cycle of Violence

Tremors over the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida continue to reverberate among civil rights leaders, elected officials and minority communities. Martin was a 17-year-old black male who encountered George Zimmerman, a half-white, half Hispanic neighborhood watch man. Their confrontation resulted in the shooting death of Martin, who was unarmed and apparently walking away from Zimmerman. The facts of the case are still being investigated, and while the case against Zimmerman looks strong, he is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Facts are still being uncovered, some of which may support Zimmerman. Unfortunately, it’s been grist for the media that’s intent on trial by television. Racial politics saturate the whole sorry saga and I, for one, believe that it’s a reasonable surmise that if the shooter had been black he most likely would have been arrested. I can understand the anger and resentment that Zimmerman is free. But it hardly justifies the media circus and the racial bombast that hovers over this case like a lit match being waved over an open container of gasoline. The whole messy episode has fueled outrage over what is perceived as different standards of justice.

Guest Column: The Audacity to Hope

If the multi-colored Skittles were a clever planted prop, I’d have to say the all natural Snapple was a masterful addition. And even if the hooded sweatshirt was pure white and angelic like snow, it would have done very little to mask those eyes; yes, those deep menancing eyes, which were only a shade lighter than his dark intimidating skin. The eyes peering from that oversized hood betrayed any facade of innocence, possibly afforded by youth.

Phil-osophically Speaking: March 29, 2012

Judgment in Washington

It’s been years since a Supreme Court case has had such widespread and inherent implications and consequences. The current challenge by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Businesses to the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” will be heard by the nine court justices this week.

On Monday, March 26, the highest court in the land was to preside over a dramatic three-day hearing on the constitutionality of Obamacare. The reason the court chose this case may be because there has been no consensus among the Circuit Courts or, I hope, that Chief Justice Roberts sees in this case a potential redefining, if not upheaval, of the Madisonian architecture that established the core of limited government.

Letter: The Floral Park Community Is Stronger as One

Saint Baldrick’s is a volunteer-driven organization to which they are dedicated to help find cures for childhood cancers. There are a total of 160,000 children diagnosed with cancer worldwide. The more volunteers the better!

This event unites the community and helps bring everyone a little closer. Strangers become friends and stories about survival spark a little hope in everyone’s mind. The Floral Park community in time of need always grows and creates a bond that is inseparable. We are stronger as one. Last year, the total fundraising for Saint Baldrick’s Day from Floral Park was $275,00, which is phenomenal!

Letter: Thank You Floral Parkers

The 100th Anniversary Committee of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Floral Park, along with Lutheran Social Services, would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in the congregation and the community for their contributions to our “Baby Shower.” Many people who could not attend dropped off bags and boxes of baby items and clothing.  For those who attended, we had a great time.  Thank you again to everyone who donated.  

Lisa Santoro
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Floral Park