Editorial: Good Choice, But Questionable Process

Recently, the Massapequa School Board approved the appointment of Lucille Iconis to succeed Charles Sulc as superintendent in Massapequa. I’m sure Iconis will do a fine job. Having listened to her presentations at school board meetings, it is easy to determine that she is quite knowledgeable about education and learning. Perhaps just as importantly, she is quite personable and accommodating when speaking with members of the community. Because the school district already has a well-qualified candidate, it makes perfect sense that Iconis would be chosen, without incurring the expense of doing a search.

Letter: Thanks Stranger

As my wife and I prepared to depart for a new life in Mooresville, N.C., we were in the midst of digging out from a 12-inch plus snowfall when a complete stranger drove up to our driveway and asked if we needed help. Of course I said yes and without a word, he helped us shovel out. There are good individuals willing to help out and this was yet another example. He was a resident of Massapequa but I would call him a “Massapequa Mensch.” Thank you, sir. We were most appreciative of your offer to help. Here’s hoping the good people of Mooresville are likewise kind and helpful.

Herb Stark, Massapequa

Editorial: Some Consideration Please

When big storms hit, residents depend on their municipality to clean everything up and get things back to normal. Therefore, I encourage everyone to make the jobs of our municipal workers as easy as possible.

When last week’s blizzard was approaching, phone calls were placed to residents in which Supervisor Venditto asked residents to remove their vehicles from the streets. Unfortunately, not everyone followed his request as vehicles were left parked on streets.

Editorial: Thanks Town of Oyster Bay

We live in a society where it is often easy to heap criticism upon our elected officials, and in many cases the criticism is indeed valid. However, when a crisis occurs, we often look to our government for help, and the response of elected officials often define their administrations, whether it be for better of for worse

At a recent Town of Oyster Bay board meeting, a Massapequa resident thanked the board for the efforts of the town to help clean up after Sandy. While there was enough criticism to go around after the storm, particularly directed at LIPA as well as Mayor Bloomberg’s call that the New York City Marathon should go on, there are also many leaders who should be credited for their work.

Kudos Congressman King

Across the nations, citizens are upset with party politics taking place in government, which has led to “gridlock” and almost resulted in the whole nation going over a “fiscal cliff.” It seems that many politicians forget that they were elected to represent their constituents and not their party.

Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to commend Rep. Peter King for his efforts to secure Sandy aid from the federal government. When legislation that would have provided Sandy financial aid was stalled in the House of Representatives, King took on members of his own party and demanded that the legislation be passed. While his efforts could have hurt him politically with members of his own party, the Congressman showed that the interests of his constituents were more important than politics, and he helped to secure much needed funding for the area. Well done, Congressman.                           

- Ron Scaglia

Editorial: A Great Town, But Not Mayberry

Massapequa is a great town. It’s a wonderful place to live. However, like any other place, anywhere in the world, it isn’t perfect. We would all love to go to the fictional town of Mayberry where doors are always unlocked, the sheriff doesn’t carry a gun, and crime is nonexistent. However, that town doesn’t really exist.

Recently, there has been an increase of crime in the Massapequas. Vehicles left at the railroad station have had the catalytic converters stolen from them. Personal property has been taken from the inside of vehicles parked on the streets. Some residents have been the target of phone scams. This doesn’t mean we still don’t have a great town. It just means we have to use a little more common sense.

From Long Island Wins

Immigration: Shouldn’t Politicians 

Be Able To Agree?

Election Day should have marked an end to some of the shouting that’s taken hold of our politics. However, with the fiscal cliff crisis in Washington only narrowly averted, and more legislative brinksmanship apparently on the way, that may have been too much to hope for.

However, there is one thing on which all sides should be able to agree: Common sense on immigration issues.

Editorial: Another Step Forward

This week, Massapequa took another small but significant step forward in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy. The walking track and the basketball courts have been reopened at Burns Park. Although the fields remain closed, it is still nice to go to Burns Park and see the entrance open and not blocked by barricades for the first time since the storm hit.

My grandmother used to tell me, “To get sick it happens one, two, three - but to get better takes a lifetime.” Those of you who are battling the flu, which is going around Massapequa, can attest to that. It also applies to the recovery efforts from Sandy. The storm first rolled in on Sunday, Oct. 28 and was gone by the following Tuesday, leaving terrible destruction in its wake that will take a long time to overcome. There is still a long recovery process to go, and it will take time, but each day we see a little bit of improvement. The reopening of Burns Park is just another example of how Massapequans are coming together, to not only overcome, but to rebuild our town even better than it was before.

The reopening of the park shows that things are getting better. Here’s hoping that by next holiday season, the destruction of the storm is just a very bad memory.

-RS

Editorial: Don’t Take Massapequa For Granted

When I interviewed Tim Van Patten, executive director of Boardwalk Empire, about growing up in Massapequa, I was amazed when he told me that he has encountered folks in Los Angeles who know of Massapequa.

When you live in a community and encounter all that it has to offer on a daily basis, it is easy to take it for granted. Don’t take the Massapequas for granted. We have many wonderful shops, beautiful parks, a golf course, and even a preserve running right through the middle of our communities. And if all of that is not enough, Bethpage State Park is just a stone’s throw away. As we enter the winter months, stop by Bethpage and go sledding (if we get snow), walk through the preserve on a crisp, winter day, take a walk around the track at Burns Park or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at one of our fine establishments. We have many great things in Massapequa. Enjoy!    

- Ronald Scaglia

Letter: NRA Is The Problem

On Meet The Press (12/23/12), NRA executive Wayne LaPierre stated, “The NRA would coordinate a national effort to put former military and police officers in schools as volunteer guards.” I have great respect for the military and police officers who have served their country at home and abroad. They deserve to have a secure and trouble free retirement. However, this is not the case for many of these troubled officers. The suicide rate for those returning from war zones and those who put their lives in jeopardy on the streets of our cities exceed the average suicide rate for the rest of our nation. More solders committed suicide than were killed in combat in 2012. This is a problem our nation should also be addressing. All the training afforded by the NRA will not rid the turmoil that exists within those former police and military officers. Hopefully, mental tests can determine those that should not become armed guards within the school systems.