Family’s Marathon Nightmare

Mineola family recounts Boston Marathon attacks

Four hours, 12 minutes would have been her time. She was close enough to hear the booms, but never finished the race.

Barbara Stagnari’s husband Jack and daughter Jackie on the other hand, had a clearer view. Stagnari, a Mineola resident, was initially unaware of what happened on Monday, April 15 on Boylston Street in Boston, MA, when two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. 

Stagnari, 51, was on Beacon Street about to turn the corner onto Hereford Street when the first bomb exploded near Sugar Haven Candy Store. At first, she thought it was thunder. After the second explosion near the Mandarin and Lenox Hotels, Stagnari knew something was wrong.

Latest Look At Budget

Mineola School District still making changes

The Mineola School District is floating a 2.20 percent tax increase for next year’s proposed budget, .33 percent below the state-allowed maximum. According to District Superintendent Dr. Michael Nagler, the board of education plans to adopt the budget at the April 17 business meeting for the Election Day/Budget Vote on May 21.

While the numbers are preliminary, the total budget currently sits at $86,143,656, a 2.56 percent increase from the 2012-13 budget.

Grandmaster Publishes First Children’s Book

Charles Water working on second book already

Charles Water, grandmaster and founder of Charles Water Karate & Fitness in Williston Park recently published his first children’s book dedicated help parents easily connect with their children. A song Water  wrote inspired The Road to Iadorre, professionally illustrated for children by Lynise B. Loud. With the help of a red cardinal, twins Zack and Becky are shown to Iadorre, a magical land where they begin their search for their new replacement parents.

Village Budget Up .74%

The Village of Mineola certified its 2013-14 budget last week, finalizing an increase of .74 percent from last year. Mineola originally floated a 1 percent increase when it released the tentative figures on April 2.

The total budget was adopted at $21,718,808. Tax revenue tops off at $13,282,158, a $63,248 increase from last year.

However, the village enacted a 2 percent tax cap override on April 10, which according to Mayor Scott Strauss, “allows flexibility should we need it.” Mineola approved the tax cap override since its inception, but has set increases below the state-allowed tax cap each year. Strauss said the village is below cap requirement.

iPad Wizards

Mineola Schools praised by Apple

Apple presented a Dis-tinguished Program of the Year Award to the Mineola School District on Thursday, April 4. The technology giant has recognized 103 programs nationwide.

In January, District Superintendent Michael Nagler announced the district’s iPad program for the 2012-13 school year was selected for the honor. A school program must have “exemplary learning environments and centers of innovation, leadership and educational excellence,” to be considered for the award, according to Nagler.

Teaching To End Hunger

Nancy Regan, a social studies teacher at Mineola High School who has been an integral part of Long Island’s effort to help end hunger, recently held the schools 2nd Annual “Mineola Making a Difference” fundraiser at the high school. All the profits are sent to the Mary Brennan INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) in Hempstead.

 “Our focus is ending childhood hunger,” said Regan. “We do a whole semester on ending hunger.” Mineola high encourages its students to get involved in the community. It has had food drives, delivered sandwiches to the INN and held awareness programs.

Holding The Line

Mineola Village Board talks budget

The Village of Mineola is currently floating a 1 percent increase in its tentative $21 million 2013-14 operating budget, which is set for a public hearing Wednesday April 10. 

The current fiscal year in Mineola ends May 31.

Mayor Scott Strauss noted though increases in the road maintenance, department of public works and fire department budget lines are prevalent, the budget is still fiscally sound.

Williston Park Overrides Cap

For the second straight year, the Williston Park Village Board voted to override the 2 percent tax cap.  While the village did not exceed the cap last year, Mayor Paul Ehrbar said on Wednesday, April 3 that the same may not be possible this year.

The tax cap limits the increase in property taxes each year for school districts and local governments to 2 percent. Local municipalities have the ability to override it, however.

Last year, the board voted 4-1 to override the cap. This year, the vote was unanimous.

MHS Alums Own Board

Strauss, Durham, Walsh sworn in on Organization Night

A baseball fanatic would used the term “homegrown” if speaking of the Mineola Village Board after Mayor Scott Strauss, Trustee  George Durham and Trustee-elect Dennis Walsh were sworn in at Organization Night on Tuesday, April 1. The board now consists of five Mineola High School graduates.

With 150 or so residents and numerous officials in attendance, Mineola swore in Mayor Strauss and Durham into their second terms. Walsh, a former NYPD cop, attended his first budget session as a rookie trustee on April 2.

17th Annual Pasta Dinner

The Mineola junior Fire Department recently held its 17th annual pasta dinner. More than 700 people attended the 2013 dinner.

Every year, the community joins together for the junior’s pasta dinner fundraiser. Many distinguish guests were present that included Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray was there to make a presentation to the junior fire department.