Marching Band ‘Home Show’ Returns To DAHS

A first for this year’s band members

Four years ago this October, Division Avenue High School (DAHS) played host to the New York State Field Band Conference Competition Home Show. On Sunday, Oct. 14 the marching band, all new members, will get their first shot at hosting the showcase and competition event.

“I am very excited for the students, parents, and community of Division Avenue and Levittown for being able to host their first NYSFB Marching Band Home Show since 2008,” said Michael Bastone of DAHS’ music department. “My sincere thanks go out to all the students and parents who have worked so hard to make this event possible; I consider myself very lucky to be able to work with so many talented students each and every day, and I am truly honored to be their director.”

Vandals Destroy Gazebo At Veterans’ Memorial Park

Chamber members call for its rebuilding

Calls began streaming in to the news desk at the Levittown Tribune on Wednesday, Sept. 26 as community members were outraged and saddened to see police activity surrounding the gazebo that once stood at the edge of the Veterans’ Memorial Park, near the Levittown Public Library.

“The roof is down on the ground and looks as though all of the supporting beams have been destroyed; so sad,” said Mary Lynn Borst.

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Dies

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died suddenly on the morning of Oct. 3. According to Ed Ward, spokesperson from the legislator’s office, Schmitt, 62, collapsed while in a budget meeting with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building and was rushed to Winthrop Hospital. He died at 11:55 a.m.

“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant,” said Mangano in a statement. “My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative District.”

Hempstead Town Calls For Bonilla’s Resignation

Investigation alleges town clerk tried to bribe, obtain private photos of female employee

An investigation has revealed that Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla allegedly tried to obtain private images of a Hempstead worker, according to law enforcement officials. The town attorney’s office conducted its own review of complaints made by employees and reported results of their findings to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s office.

According to a criminal complaint filed by DA investigator William Walsh, Bonilla on Aug. 19 attempted to secure intimate photos of a female employee who recently filed a sexual harassment claim. The document obtained by Anton Community Newspapers suggests the town clerk attempted to force town employee Alex Desidoro, 21, to give him photos of the woman because Desidoro had an intimate relationship with her.

Long Island Scouts Honor Arthur R. Eldred

Scouts Parade Through RVC On Eagle Scout Centennial

On Saturday, Sept. 8, more than 2,000 Boy Scout troops from across Long Island, and even some from New Jersey, came to Rockville Centre for the 100th anniversary of the first-ever Eagle Scout, Arthur R. Eldred. The Scouts celebrated the stages of scouting that young men go through before choosing to earn their Eagle Scout rank.

Boy Scouts from Cubs through Eagles assembled in a nearby parking lot waiting for the parade to begin. The parade, sponsored by the Arthur R. Eldred chapter, brought excitement to the streets of Rockville Center.

Crocus Lane Plans Continue To Stir Community

Town postpones public hearing to October 3

The use of the land at Crocus Avenue cross section over the past 100 years is as varied as the present day opinions about the proposed use by Josato, Inc. company (formerly Terra Homes, Inc.). On Wednesday, Oct. 3 Josato will petition the Town of Hempstead Board to rezone the historic Long Island Motor Parkway property, the location of the Vanderbilt Cup Race grandstand and press box during the races held from 1904 to 1910.

Josato is proposing to build a 50-unit condominium complex.

Hempstead Town Holds Sunrise Memorial Service

‘Chain of Love’ Carries Legacy Of Victims

The Town of Hempstead held their annual remembrance service on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 a.m., at Town Park, Point Lookout. Year after year, the town invites residents to the place where hundreds first gathered to mark one fateful day in the nation’s history. Residents wrote messages and names of victims on a 35-foot mural of the New York City skyline, the “Heroes of 9/11 Panorama,” set beside a 15-foot-tall shadow box image of the fallen towers.

Approximately 1,500 participants were in attendance; many of them cast white carnations into a reflecting pool located at the base of a 30-foot steel remnant from the fallen towers. Attendants included families of the victims, clergy members, firefighters, police, rescue workers and the common citizen. Also in attendance was Russell Siller, the brother of Stephen Siller, a heroic firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to reach the burning Twin Towers.

Levittown Fire Department Holds Patriot Day Vigil

Chief Ronald Kerwin Remembered

On the evening of Sept. 11, the Levittown Fire Department (LFD) held their Annual Ladder One 9-11 Memorial Ceremony at the firehouse on Gardiners Avenue, remembering all of the fallen and the tragic death of Ronald T. Kerwin, a FDNY lieutenant and LFD chief.

Since the attacks on 9/11, the years have passed and there have been many new members join the LFD, who never had the honor of meeting Kerwin.

WWII Re-Enactment At Airpower Museum

WWII Re-Enactment At Airpower Museum

“You are assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. You will be handed invasion money in case you need to bribe, steal or cheat for information. Do not use this bribe money for tonight’s poker game; you will need this in case you get into trouble, for a bribe.

“If you haven’t signed up for G.I. Life Insurance, very important, $10,000 that will go to your parents or to your wife in case you don’t make it back. Two years ago every one of you volunteered for this unit. You will remember this day for the rest of your life because once you do your first airborne drop; you will never be the same again.

County Marks Anniversary Of 9/11 Attacks

Dozens gather for sunset candlelight vigil

While this year marks the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America, Nassau County residents and officials gathered at Eisenhower Park to honor the memory of those who lost their lives. A sunset candlelight and remembrance ceremony was held on Sept. 6 at the county’s 9/11 Memorial.

“It was my distinct honor to host the Nassau County Memorial and Remembrance Observance to reflect on residents who lost their lives that tragic morning, those who responded to render aid to our fellow citizens, those who continue to give their lives from post 9-11 injuries and to say thank you to our first responders and our service men and women who continue to make sacrifices to secure our freedom and safety,” said County Executive Edward Mangano.