Nicolello Honors Parente

Legislator Richard Nicolello honored East Williston Deputy Mayor Bonnie Parente at the 15th Annual Nassau County Legislature’s Women of Distinction Awards. Parente was recognized for her dedicated service to the public both in her capacity as deputy mayor and the work she has done for the many volunteer organizations that she is associated with. 

Navarra First Announced Candidate

Fifteen-year Williston Park resident Patricia Navarra is the first out of the gate to challenge incumbent Mineola School Board Trustee Irene Parrino on Election Day in May. District residents have until April 22 to submit petitions to run.

Parrino confirmed to the Mineola American that she would seek re-election next month.

Repaving Project Resumes

Jericho Turnpike road work to restart April 8

The Jericho Turnpike repaving project in Mineola will resume April 8, according to sources close to the project. Work will be done at night to minimize the impact on traffic conditions in the area. Sources say the village’s portion of the project will be completed by the second week in May.

The entire repaving project runs the length of Jericho Turnpike from the New York City line in Floral Park to Glen Cove Road. The project was originally supposed to end at Herricks Road just outside the village, but was extended through prodding by State Sen. Jack Martins and Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss.

Power On The Block?

Possible funds would be used for community development, village hall generator

Mineola Village Hall could receive an emergency generator if federal Community Development Block Grant funds are approved.

These grants are made available to villages to improve the lives of residents in both public and private spaces. The installation of the generator would be a second source of energy should the building lose power.

WE CARE In Mineola

Legal Types Runway Stars?

Lawyers and judges are not exactly known for their fashion statements, but at a recent Dressed to a Tea event, they were the stars of the runway in Mineola. 

The Oscar-themed event was hosted by the WE CARE Fund of the Nassau County Bar Association and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and raised money for several local charities. The night was a great way for members of the Nassau County legal community to relax and enjoy a fun evening with their colleagues at the Bar Association building in Mineola. 

Security Talk Heats Up

Mineola Schools look to improve safety

Mineola School District reps conducted walkthroughs in each of its buildings before cementing security updates in response to the Sandy Hook shootings in December. District Superintendent Michael Nagler said the school board received recommendations from Massapequa-based Intralogic Solutions and Bay Shore-based A+ Technologies on revising security measures.

Trustee Artie Barnett, who’s been touting school security enhancements since the Connecticut incident, suggested the walkthroughs. Mineola officials recommended the district first examine Mineola High School and then upgrade all buildings, at an estimated cost of $50,000.

Walsh Steps Up Werther Says Bye

Ten-year run on Village Board ends for Trustee

Dennis Walsh and incumbent George Durham were the two top vote getters for Mineola village trustee last Tuesday, garnering 858 votes and 836 votes respectively. Ten-year village trustee Larry Werther nabbed 463 votes. Mayor Scott Strauss ran unopposed, securing 1,117 tallies.

The victory of Durham and Walsh secures a majority for the New Line Party on the Mineola Village Board, with Paul Cusato as the lone Hometown Party representative. Walsh, 62, a retired NYPD cop, received the New Line endorsement in 2012.

Mineola Couple Weds

Rival Garbage Haulers Compete For East Williston Contract

Trash talk dominated the discussion in East Williston last week as the village held a public hearing to determine whether to dump their current and somewhat embattled garbage hauler, Dejana, in favor of the next lowest bidding company, Meadow Carting. 

Port Washington-based Dejana Industries, Inc., has been the village’s garbage hauling company since 2009, under a competitively bid contract which provides options to renew at the village’s discretion. The company’s current contract expires on May 31st. 

Ruling Limits Smyles

Court affirms Mineola expansion denial

Learn and Play Day Care on Herricks Road will not be granted a permit to expand from its current location, according to Supreme Court proceedings obtained by the Mineola American. Owner Arthur Smyles filed suit against the Village of Mineola after the board of trustees opposed the day care center’s application in June 2012, noting safety and parking concerns.

Smyles originally wanted to add space from the neighboring 99 cents store, which he also owns but is now vacant. Board members hammered Smyles with questions at a public hearing in 2011.