Anton Community Newspapers  •  132 East 2nd Street  •  Mineola, NY 11501  •  Phone: 516-747-8282  •  FAX: 516-742-5867
Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Letter: Red Fox Sightings

I think you should make your readers aware of a danger that has surfaced in the vicinity of Birchwood Lane and West Shore Road in Kings Point.

For the last five months there have been sightings of a red fox in the Birchwood Lane area. About three months ago a cat was severely ripped apart and partially eaten by something ferocious at the end of the lane.

About a month ago my neighbor at 171 West Shore, corner of Birchwood Lane, saw a red fox walk up her driveway in the middle of the morning. The fox didn’t appear to be very cautious of people as he walked about 10 feet in front of where she and her son stood watching it.

Just last week my stray cat, who had lived on my property for over a decade, was found dead and virtually completely eaten on my terrace. She slept in a box there. The fox must have surprised her and killed her right there. I fed her every morning and she never really left the property. I missed her early last week but didn’t find her remains until this past Saturday, what little was left of her. No raccoon could have done this since I feed them and the cat routinely mingled with them. 

These killings of these two cats are just the two that I know of. There may have been others and small dogs as well, since a fox will attack something smaller than itself. It is possible that this fox was somewhat domesticated and then let loose in this area to fend for itself. That would explain the fact that it is not afraid of people. 

I have never, in the more than 30 years I am living here, had anything like this happen. The cats were not only killed but ripped apart and eaten by whatever killed them. No raccoon would do that. They are not that ferocious.

I think you should warn the people in this area, especially those who have cats and small dogs that they let out into the yard. The danger is especially prevalent at night when this animal roams the area unobserved.

Thank you and I hope this info will be helpful and no more pets will be killed by this animal who doesn’t belong here.

Sharon Kalin Pretto

 


News

Once again the Great Neck School District received a host of gifts and donations. All were recently approved and accepted by the Board of Education at school board public action meetings.

 

Eight donations were received for the Robotics Club, to help offset some of the many costs associated with running a successful robotics program. Donations were sent from: the Rotary Club of Gold Coast, Cathy Sung, Stephen and Beth Wolf, Joel and Ellen Dressner, Jay and Judi Bosworth, Edith Novick and Dmitriy Tokar, Gary and Bianna Gal, Scott and Barbara Erlich and Jill A. Krieger.

Residents in the Great Neck School District vote on the proposed $209,442,904 2013-2014 school budget this coming Tuesday, May 21. In addition to the budget vote (Proposition No. 1), eligible voters also vote on the Great Neck Library budget (Proposition No. 2) and for one Board of Education trustee, Monique Bloom (who is running unopposed, having been appointed to the school board last year).

 

As always, by far the largest percentage of the budget is dedicated to instruction. This amounts to around 75 percent of each year’s budget.


Sports

The Great Neck Park District, in partnership with the Great Neck Figure Skating Club and the Great Neck School District, started the Therapeutic Skating program in February 2013. This program was extremely beneficial to students with special needs from Great Neck North Middle and High Schools. The skaters met bi-monthly at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink through Tuesday, April 23. They ended the season with a skating session as usual and then enthusiastically were awarded their trophies. 

The Great Neck Dodgers baseball team opened against Manhasset at the new Manhasset Valley Park on Saturday, April 27.  Coaches Mat Rubin and Steve Menist cheered the boys through an exciting game on the brand new turf field. Pictured (l. to r.): Kevin Li, Brandon Walter, Kenny Li, Alec Rich, Noah Kniesly, Philip Menist, Brad Fritzhand, Jordan Seidenberg, Max Silverstein, Josh Rubin, James Kessler, Michael Jacobs, coaches Steven Menist and Mat Rubin.



Calendar

 Lakeville School Concert - May 16

South High Improv - May 17

Park District Get Active - May 19


Columns

Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net

Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net

Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net