County Executive’s Plan to ‘Fight Fire’ Draws Fire

Debate Heats Up on Nassau Property Tax Reform

If there is a fire, do you first put out the flames or try to find their source? Most agree in Nassau County that the current system by which property taxes are assessed and grieved is a crisis of “fire” proportions – with a quarter of a billion in taxpayer dollars wasted each year and well over $1 billion in existing debt - but officials and interest groups have begun arguing heatedly over how to fight it before the whole county goes down in the blaze.

Levittown School Budget Fails By 23 Votes

Marenghi and Moran Elected to School Board

On May 18, the Levittown School District budget that called for a 3.81 percent tax levy increase failed by 23 votes.

The failed 2010/11 budget of $193,543,816 was a 6.12 percent increase over the 2009/10 budget of $182,382,412.

With 3,227 votes for the budget and 3,250 votes against it, the school district has decided to re-count the votes. A school district official said Wednesday morning that the voting machines were sealed and sent to the Board of Elections for a re-count. It is estimated to take a few days for the re-count results to come in.

Island Trees School Budget Passes

Daum and Medellin Are Elected to School Board

Voters in the Island Trees School District passed the proposed budget that called for a 3.5 percent tax levy increase. The passed budget of $57,020,084 was a 1.2 percent, increase from last year’s budget of $56,319,991.

The budget received 942 yes votes and 574 no votes, according to the school district’s clerk.

Levittown’s Earth Day Cleanup Is a Big Success

Community volunteers gathered on April 17 to spruce up Levittown in commemoration of Earth Day. The community-wide cleanup was a joint venture of the Levittown Community Council and the Town of Hempstead.

Man Driving Stolen Car, Impaired by Drugs Strikes, Kills Levittown Man

Police: Feder Went Through Steady Red Light

A Huntington Station man was arrested after driving through a red light, hitting a Levittown man’s car, killing him on May 4.

Meet the Levittown School Board Candidates

The Levittown Board of Education has two seats open for election for the 2010/11 school year. Trustee Gina Interdonato’s three-year term has expired and she has decided not to run for re-election. President Dan Bornstein’s three-year term has also expired and he is running for re-election. Bornstein, Thomas Kohlman, Peggy Sheridan-Marenghi and James W. Moran are all running for two, at-large positions. The Levittown Tribune has asked them a series of questions. Their answers appear below in alphabetical order.

Meet the Island Trees School Board Candidates

The Island Trees Board of Education has two seats open for election for the 2010/11 school year. Vice President Carl Bonsignore’s three-year term has expired and he has decided not to run for re-election. President Peter Ray’s three-year term has also expired and he has also decided not to run for re-election. Running for vice president are William Buchanan, Barbara Medellin and George Storm. Running for president are Kristen Daum and Brian Kelty. The Levittown Tribune has asked them a series of questions. Their answers appear below in alphabetical order for their respective positions.

Island Trees High School Names Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Valedictorian Roohi Maini and Salutatorian Guiseppe Ferraro

Island Trees High School proudly announces the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2010. Valedictorian Roohi Maini and Salutatorian Guiseppe Ferraro embody all of the distinct qualities necessary for success in their promising futures. Both of these accomplished scholars exercise their talents both in the classroom and in their communities.

Warm, intelligent and enthusiastic, Roohi approaches life’s challenges with a positive attitude. It is her ability to balance hard work and the active pursuit of her academic goals with that of her desire to be involved and make a difference in her school community, that sets her apart as a unique student.

Two Boys Arrested in Connection With Division Avenue Field Arson

Superintendent: We Will Prosecute to the Fullest Extent of the Law

The Nassau County Police Arson/Bomb Squad recently announced the arrest of two males, ages 11 and 12, in connection with a fire that was set to the Division Avenue High School football field concession stand on Jan. 3.

According to police, who have been looking for tips on the fire that they ruled arson, the two youngsters were arrested on April 22 and will be charged with Arson 4th Degree. The youths will be charged as Juvenile Delinquents and will appear in Family Court.

Letter: The Perspective of the Island Trees Teachers

With such controversy and propaganda circulating throughout the Island Trees Community, the United Teachers of Island Trees would like to take this opportunity to express some opinions and concerns with the hope of adding some clarity and comfort to the many families that we impact. We realize that it is quite uncommon for us to feel a need to communicate in this manner but we also feel that remaining silent would only perpetuate some of the negativity that currently exists.