Legislator Mejias Concedes to Belesi

After weeks of recounting votes and challenging findings from the Nov. 3 election, Joseph Belesi has been declared the winner in the 14th Legislative District.

Democratic incumbent Legislator Dave Mejias conceded to Republican contender Belesi on Monday, Nov. 30, and Belesi will take his seat in the County Legislature in January.

Suozzi Concedes Election to Mangano

Says He’s Proud of Accomplishments

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced on Tuesday, Dec. 1 that he will not challenge the election between him and Republican opponent Ed Mangano, ensuring that Mangano will become the next Nassau County Executive next month.

Music Creativity in Massapequa

Diamond Wrote Lyrics While Walking Our Streets

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond was born Jan. 24, 1941 in Coney Island. During Diamond’s youth, he spent time in Massapequa and at the south shore beaches during the summer months. It was in the early 1960s when Neil met Jaye Posner, a local school teacher. Jaye’s father operated a menswear shop in the former Bar Harbour Shopping Center. Diamond married Jaye in 1963. They had two daughters before they divorced in 1969. While they were married Neil and Jaye made their home in Massapequa’s Biltmore Shores section on Frankel Road. The one-and-a-half story wood framed home remains about the same as when the Diamonds lived in it. Some of its features include a loft-type second floor containing bedrooms, a living room with a wood burning fireplace and a finished basement where Neil did his composing. A large piano that he had built is said to be too large to be taken out and remains there. Neil played the piano while working on lyrics for his songs and music for his shows.

Local School Sells Bracelets for Bubba

Inspired by Massapequa Boy’s Courage to Overcome Disabilities

In 1989, Scott “Bubba” Pollack was born without arms and with malformed legs, but he worked with what he had, learning to do everything, including eating, typing, writing and playing basketball with his feet. His parents, Scott and Madeline, who are residents of Massapequa, formed the Bubba Fund to memorialize his courage and to help others with physical disabilities lead rewarding lives.

Work Continues in the Massapequa Preserve

As reported in a recent issue of the Massapequan Observer construction work began in the Massapequa Preserve. Upon completion, the drainage ponds will be dredged to clear debris and the water reeds and other marine growth. The water flow in the creek will be increased. In addition, the installation of filtration tanks installed at 15 roadside catch basins where storm water has been funneled to the drainage ponds in the preserve will now be collected. Debris and toxic wastes from the streets and other material harmful to shellfish in the bay as well as fish and waterfowl in the Massapequa Lake and the former Brooklyn Water Works Reservoir at the Brady Park. The filtration tanks have cast iron covers and will be maintained by the Nassau County Highway Department. Underground piping connecting a pumping system from Linden Street south to Merrick Road has been completed and approximately 3,500 feet of the bicycle/hiking path has been repaved. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2010.

Drug Free Awareness Walk December 5

Residents Take a Stand Against Abuse Problem

With heroin-related arrests in the Massapequa area among the highest in all of Nassau County, local residents are banding together to raise community awareness of the growing problem.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a Drug Free Massapequa Awareness Walk at John J. Burns Park.

Latest Happenings at Village Hall

The agendas of the public meetings of the Village of Massapequa Park Board of Trustees remain modest in scope and size. Still, village business goes on.

At the Oct. 26 meeting, the BOT approved the establishment of an Identity Theft Prevention Program for the village.

Conference of Mayors Calls for Amendments

Criticize ‘Devilish Details’ of New Law for Village Dissolution

The sponsors call it, the “Empowerment Act” for short, but local governments are calling it, the “Disenfranchisement Act” because the sweeping legislation passed this June, going into effect in March 2010, requires voters to vote to dissolve or consolidate local government before they know whether such actions would save money or not.

No Village Funds for Shuttle Bus

Since April of this year, the Mobilized Interfaith Coalition Against Hunger (MICAH) has lobbied the Village of Massapequa Park for a shuttle bus to connect residents to the Long Island Rail Road and mass transit buses.

However, due to the current economic climate, Mayor James Altadonna claims that the village cannot fund such a project.

Nassau Republicans Sweep Back Into Power

County Legislature Changes Hands; Schmitt Set for Leadership Post

The anti-incumbent mood reached Nassau County last Tuesday night as the Republican Party, after a decade-long hiatus from power, won back the Nassau County legislature. The implications for the Massapequa area could be profound.

In the seventh legislative district, Republican challenger Howard Kopel upended Democratic incumbent Jeffrey Toback to give the GOP their legislative edge. According to unofficial results, Kopel won his seat by a solid 6,654 to 5,544 margin.