Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Police: Details Emerged From East Meadow Assault

Victim assaulted for urinating near defendant’s car

Nassau County Police Department’s Third Squad has reported an arrest for an assault that occurred in the parking lot at 2571 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on Nov. 9.

According to the initial police report, John Applewhite, a 34-year-old utility worker who was on assignment from Florida, said he was approached by an unknown subject, who punched him in the face and then fled in a dark colored BMW.

MacArthur High School Boys Soccer Clinches Title

The MacArthur High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team clinched the Conference AA-II title with a 2-0 win over Baldwin recently. They finished conference play with a record of 10 wins, one loss and one tie. It is their first winning season in five years and first double-digit winning season in eight years. They are currently ranked seventh in the Nassau County Soccer Coaches Association poll.

First-year head coach Mr. Atkins and second-year assistant coach Mr. Greenblatt coach the Generals. The victories have been a truly team effort all season long.

Athena Slams Area One Week After Sandy Visit

Overnight storm creates traffic jams, additional power outages as officials work to continue hurricane cleanup

Long Island couldn’t catch a break. Nearly eight days after Hurricane Sandy rocked the Northeast, a nor’easter dubbed Athena rolled in on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Raucous weather dumped snow mixed with rain and sleet, creating hazardous road conditions that made the easiest of trips resemble a scene out of The Day After Tomorrow.

Rush hour last Wednesday on Hempstead Turnpike showcased vehicles jockeying for position, struggling to make their way down slippery, icy roads. According to the Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) website, almost 60,000 customers lost electricity into Thursday morning because of Athena, with combined Sandy outages reaching 200,000 across the island by the morning commute. More than 140,000 were in Nassau County alone.

Local Officials Ask Feds To Help LIPA

Power authority is blasted for delays in power restoration and lack of communication with customers

“LIPA has failed and has failed miserably.”

That is what Congressman Peter King said at a press conference in which elected officials called on the federal government to send resources to get the job done in turning power back on for all Long Island residents. On Friday, Nov. 8, 11 days after super storm Sandy devastated Long Island, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reported that more than 81,000 Nassau County customers remained without power and more than 162,000 throughout Nassau and Suffolk. That was enough for King, County Executive Ed Mangano, Congressman Steve Israel, New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, to hold a press conference and ask the federal government to send the resources to do the job which LIPA has not been able to.

Hurricane Sandy Brings Devastation To Long Island

“I thought my house was going to blow away,” one local homeowner told Levittown Tribune. As he was working on the monumental task of cleaning up his home after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy; he spoke about the frightening feeling that his home would come apart during the storm. Many Levittown homes incurred tremendous damage, as did so many homes throughout Long Island, and in particular, Nassau County. As with many Nassau residents, much of residents’ belongings were ruined and they are left with the task of rebuilding a home.

It is a scene that is devastatingly similar throughout Long Island, and particularly in waterfront areas on the north and south shores. Homeowners desperately tried to remove the water that had flooded homes by opening doors, windows, garage doors, and by using generator-powered vacuums, designed to capture water. Along curbsides, carpets, furniture, clothing, toys, and other treasured belongings were left for sanitation crews to take away. Literally, lifetimes of memories had been washed away.

IT Board Receives Recognition For Its Service

Board accepts grant funding for substance abuse program

It’s always good to be recognized for hard work and dedication, and the Island Trees (IT) Board of Education certainly qualifies for that distinction. At the board’s public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 24, the IT administrators, along with the PTA took a moment to thank the board for their service to the community.

“You voluntarily take on a demanding role, a role that entails complex challenges and a great deal of responsibility. You strive to serve your community as well as the students of the district,” said Penny Fisher on behalf of the administrators.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)

Frustration Mounts At Latest TVASNAC Meeting

Residents rail at overuse of Runway 22L

On Monday, October 22, the Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC) held its most recent meeting at East Williston’s village hall. With the primary topic for that evening’s meeting revolving around the excessive use Runway 22L in and out of JFK Airport, the FAA was represented by New York Terminal District Manager Jeffrey Clarke, public affairs specialist Jim Peter, Claude Vieira from JFK operations control and Robert Jaffe, an aviation safety inspector for the Eastern Region who also happens to be a licensed pilot. Although FAA regional administrator Carmine Gallo was slated to appear, he wound up being a no-show. Given the fact that there have been prior instances of representatives from different agencies failing to show up despite making commitments to the contrary, it wasn’t surprising that the concerned citizens who filled up this meeting started grumbling about yet another federal official blowing off another meeting.

“We were supposed to have Carmine Gallo here. He is the regional administrator for the entire Eastern seaboard and the buck stops at his desk basically,” explained East Williston representative Ray Gaudio before adding with disdain, “He almost has to pass this village to go home to Wantagh and he’s not at this meeting and that’s disgraceful.”

U.S. Marine Corps Kick Off Annual Toys For Tots Drive At Coral House

Toys For Tots gives special nod to the late Peter Schmitt

As tragic news of the death of NCPD ESU Officer Arthur Lopez unfolded during the afternoon on Tuesday, Oct. 23, hundreds of civic, business, community and elected officials gathered in Baldwin at the Coral House to support the annual kick-off of the Long Island Toys for Tots Drive. The toy drive is the nation’s largest gift program for children during the holidays.

Special presentations in memory of Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Peter Schmitt, and recently fallen NCPD Officer Joseph Olivieri were made, including special toy presentations to Schmitt’s infant grandson, Logan, and Schmitt’s wife, Lois, by county officials.