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.

Editorial: Calling All Heroes

When tragedies occur, it is the names of the perpetrators that stay in most people’s minds, but not the victims nor the heroes. Unfortunately, we can recall the names of the shooter in the Newtown tragedy, but how many of us know the names of the police officers who charged into the building to rescue the trapped children and educators? To those of you who can recall the terror that was wrought on the LIRR in Dec. 1993, you probably remember the name of the gunman, Colin Ferguson, but do you know the names of the individuals who subdued him and stopped him from taking even more innocent lives?

Maybe we can’t change this throughout the world, but we can help to change our corner of it. That’s why the Massapequan Observer is creating a new feature titled, “Local Hero.” We are asking you, our readers to submit stories of good deeds that have been performed right here in Massapequa. Perhaps it’s something simple, such as a good deed performed by a neighbor or an act of kindness done by a child. There is no good deed that is too small to be recognized. So, please, send your submissions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . By accentuating the positive, maybe we can make the world better, and we can start right here in Massapequa.            

- RS

Editorial: Welcome 2013

For some of you, 2012 was a good year. There are always weddings, graduations, engagements and births to celebrate. For those of you who had a blessed event this year, may the next year continue to be as joyous.

However, for many of us in Massapequa, 2012 was difficult, to say the least. A monstrous storm destroyed many homes and even those who escaped major destruction still had the heartbreak of watching friends and neighbors deal with the devastation. We also lost two longtime public servants in Peter Schmitt and Harry Jacobson. Here’s hoping that 2013 is much better, filled with peace, prosperity and good health for all of us in the Massapequas.

Happy New Year!

-Ronald Scaglia

Not So Humble Opinion: December 28, 2012

That Gun Discussion

We Should Be Having

The standard thing to do in this case would be start with “my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the school shooting in Newtown, CT and their families,” only that would be dishonest because I don’t pray. That’s not an anti-religious statement; I respect the kind of intellectual puzzle that prayer can present, that simultaneous desire for both total humility and divine attention, but it’s never been something that I do personally.

All I can do is participate in the dialogue everyone says we should be having on gun control. However, I tire of each side making a cartoon villain out of the other, and it’s especially bad this time around; after such a particularly senseless attack, targeting the most innocent possible victims, proponents of stricter gun control practically can’t help viewing advocates of gun ownership as evil monsters with children’s blood on their hands, while gun advocates, feeling cornered, are doubling down even more on their dogma of individual freedom as the bedrock of the American spirit. The severity of the event that necessitated that we address this issue now makes it especially unlikely that anyone involved will have a cool enough head to make the right decisions, but there’s no choice.

Editorial: Harry Jacobson’s Legacy

With this being the week before Christmas, I had planned to write an editorial wishing everyone happy holidays, and I still wish all of you the best. However, something happened at a Massapequa Park Village Board meeting which I wish to reflect on. Dan Pearl was sworn in as a trustee, as his family looked on. It was a happy moment that I’m sure he will always treasure, and I wish him well in his new role. After he took his seat on the board, Mayor James Altadonna took the nameplate that belonged to the late Harry Jacobson, whom Pearl is replacing, and handed it to Village Administrator Peggy Caltabiano.

It was a final reminder that Harry is no longer with us, and this made me sad. When you cover a beat, as I have covered Massapequa Park for many years, you get to really know the people in charge. I can state from my personal experience that Harry was a good man. Up until the day he passed on, he always had the best interests of Massapequa Park residents at heart. For example, whenever the owners of a potential new business appeared before the board at a public work session, Harry would always question them to make sure that the proposed business would be an enhancement and not blight to the community. He truly cared for the village and he left a lasting legacy.

Covering All Bases: December 21, 2012

Clarence, We Need A Wonderful World

In my last column, I mentioned It’s A Wonderful Life.  I’m going to reference that movie one final time this holiday season. Even though the holiday season has not always brought me tidings of comfort and joy, I’d like to believe that there is still some magic to be found.

In the movie, Clarence shows George Bailey what the world would be like if George had never been born. It’s a much darker place. When George realizes how wonderful his life really was, he is magically transported back to that much better place. I’m kind of hoping that Clarence would be able to transport us to a happier world. I know that December is his busy season, but here’s hoping for that holiday magic again. Here’s what I’m hoping we’ll find in that place.

Editorial: Massapequa School Board Meetings Should Be Revised

Last week, the Massapequa School Board voted to cancel the last four days of the February break to make up for some of the school time lost due to cancellations caused by Hurricane Sandy. I agree with that decision. According to Superintendent Charles Sulc, the Commissioner of Education is not yet willing to lower the 180 school day requirement, so therefore Massapequa must make up for the lost days. While it will be difficult for some families who had made arrangements for that week, the alternative of taking vacation days away from the December break when families are getting together for Christmas and New Year’s, or the spring break when families are celebrating Passover and Easter, would have been worse.