Massapequans Win Town Awards

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, together with members of the Town Board, honored eight extraordinary recipients at the 15th annual Town of Oyster Bay “Women of Distinction” Awards Ceremony, which was held at Town Hall in Oyster Bay. Three of the eight honorees are from Massapequa.

“The ‘Women of Distinction’ Program has certainly proven to be a memorable tradition, honoring women who stand as role models for the younger generation in the Town of Oyster Bay,” said Venditto. “These women are a shining example of the outstanding citizenship that has made the Town of Oyster Bay such a special place to live and raise a family.”

The winners from Massapequa include:

• Distinguished Woman in Community & Civic Affairs: Massapequa Moms Group

The Massapequa Moms Group started as a Facebook page as a forum for local moms (and dads) to be able to share information to other local neighbors. Facebook ‘friends’ not only were able to share a good place to find a plumber, a new children’s doctor or a local restaurant review, but also were suddenly forming new friendships through this group. That concept took on a life of its own following the events of Hurricane Sandy, when the group became a source of solace for many, where neighbors could turn to help other neighbors in their time of need.

Robbery In Preserve

Two young people have been arrested and charged with robbing two victims in the Massapequa Preserve.              

According to police, the 16-year-old and a 19-year-old were walking through the preserve, when they were approached by Aidan Boyle, 17, and Boden Woelk. Boyle allegedly displayed a three-inch gravity knife and demanded property from the 16-year-old victim, who handed over a knap sack containing keys and a credit card. Police also allege that Woelk threatened the 19-year-old victim with physical force, who then handed over $10, as he feared for his safety. Both of the accused fled the scene, police said, and were arrested at Burger King in Seaford.

Office Holders Re-Elected

Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna, Trustee Tina Schiaffino, and Justice Gerard Giannattasio, were returned to office in last week’s Massapequa Park village elections. Daniel Pearl, who was appointed as a trustee in December, was also elected. All ran unopposed. There were no write-in votes.

“I want to thank the citizens of Massapequa Park for coming out and supporting local government,” said Altadonna. “We’re appreciative of them taking the time out of their day to cast their vote. We will continue to work hard for them.”

Teacher Cuts Coming?

Administrators for the Massapequa School District finally unveiled the proposed 2013-2014 budget and, if adopted, it is bad news for Massapequa teachers. The proposed budget calls for the elimination of 35 teacher positions, amongst other cuts. A large crowd, comprised of many Massapequa teachers, filled the auditorium of Massapequa High School and learned the grim news at the latest school board meeting and budget presentation.

Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock had been warning that the district faced a $5.9 million shortfall, due in large part, to increasing pension costs and the loss of High Tax Aid from New York State. According to Adcock, next year’s student enrollment will continue a pattern of decline in students. Although reducing teachers will significantly reduce the potential shortfall, Adcock said that the cuts are necessary regardless of the budget because of the enrollment situation. According to the deputy superintendent, Massapequa’s enrollment in 2005 was 8,376 with next year’s enrollment projected to be 7,450. The drop between the current school year and next is expected to be between 200 and 300 students, based on next year’s kindergarten enrollment.

Legislator Venditto Helping His District

Recently, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano gave a State of the County speech for the fourth time. However, for Michael Venditto it was a first, as it was the first State of the County that he attended as a Nassau County Legislator, having being elected to the position last November. While that alone is significant for Venditto, so is the topic of helping the county recover from Hurricane Sandy, which Mangano spoke of in his speech.

“The 12th Legislative District was among the most, if not the most devastated area on Long Island,” Venditto recently said while speaking to the Massapequan Observer. “One step at a time, one resident at a time, we are trying to restore the area that we all love.”

Cops Arrest Two For Prostitution

Nassau County Police are reporting that two women were arrested for prostitution at Healthy Spa, located at 185 Jerusalem Avenue. According to police, Mei Ying Ding, 49 and Jia Hiu He, 20 allegedly each performed massage therapy with out a license to an undercover detectives. In addition, they both allegedly also offered to engage in a sexual act for an additional amount of money. They were both placed under arrest and are charged with one count of prostitution and one count of unauthorized practice of a crime.

Honor Schmitt With Preserve

At his state of the county address, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano opened his remarks by mourning the loss of Peter Schmitt, who passed away in October. Schmitt represented the 12th Legislative District in the Nassau County Legislature since its inception in 1996. To honor his memory, Mangano said that the Massapequa Preserve would be renamed the Peter J. Schmitt Memorial Preserve

“Peter was a good friend and colleague,” said Mangano. “He led the Legislature with decorum while serving as an outspoken leader for the residents of the 12th Legislative District. Peter had a passion for making his constituents’ voices heard.  He maintained order and dignity as Presiding Officer and made significant advances in environmental preservation as a Legislator.”

Weitzman Wants Back In

Former comptroller is seeking his former job and

says he has ties to southeast Nassau

“The comptroller is there to protect the taxpayers.”

That is what former Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman says is the job of a comptroller. It’s something he says he did during his eight years in the position, and it’s something that he wants to do again. Weitzman was elected to the position in 2001 and 2005 before being narrowly defeated by current Nassau County George Maragos in 2009.

Topping The Tax Cap?

Massapequa Park will hold a public hearing next week to discuss the possibility of exceeding the tax cap when the budget is adopted in April.

In order to exceed the tax cap, a municipality must first pass a law, enabling it to do so. It is quite common for municipalities to pass such a law in case it is necessary to do so, even though the tax cap ceiling is not superseded. However, Mayor James Altadonna seemed to indicate that the village might indeed be doing so.

Budget Shortfall Looms

Massapequa School District officials say

potential deficit could be $5.9 million

There’s cause for concern, like possibly $5.9 million worth of concerns.

That’s the message delivered by Massapequa School District administrators about the upcoming 2013-14 school budget that will be presented for the community’s approval in May.