Mineola Youth Alive and Well

Survives Budget Cuts, Expects to Operate at Full Capacity

Mineola Youth and Family Services, a Mineola-based youth agency, is expecting to operate at full capacity as the 2010 Nassau County budget calls for the restoration of funding to the county’s youth board to the level it was in 2008.

In this tough economy, it takes a lot of resiliency for some businesses and non-profit groups to survive but that is exactly what Mineola Youth and Family Services has done.

Nicolello, Sedacca Vie for 9th Legislative District

Incumbent Richard Nicolello, of New Hyde Park (R, I, C) and Dolores Sedacca, (D, WF) of East Williston are running for the 9th Nassau County Legislative District seat, which encompasses Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, Carle Place, Floral Park, Floral Park Centre, Garden City Park, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Westbury and the Willistons. The candidates were asked to make statements on: what they feel is the major issue facing the district, the home energy tax, the Lighthouse project and consolodation.

The Race for Nassau County Executive

In the race for Nassau County Executive, Democrat Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove will attempt to retain the post he has held since 2002. He is running against longtime Republican Legislator Ed Mangano of Bethpage.

Ferrara, George Running for 3rd Councilmatic District

Republican Angelo Ferrara is seeking re-election to the Town of North Hempstead 3rd Councilmatic District. Democrat Matthew George is challenging him. The 3rd District encompasses Garden City Park, Mineola, Williston Park, Garden City, and parts of New Hyde Park. Both candidates were asked to submit biographical information and to submit responses to questions.

Meet the Candidates - Town of North Hempstead Supervisor

Democratic incumbent Jon Kaiman is seeking re-election to his fourth two-year, term as Town of North Hempstead Supervisor. Challenging him this year is Albertson resident and Republican candidate Lee Tu. The election is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Both candidates were asked to submit biographical information, their platforms and to state what they would bring to the office of town leader.

A Taste of Mineola In Style Thursday This Thursday

Mineola Chamber of Commerce president Ray Sikorski, past president Steve Ford and many of the chamber’s dedicated volunteers are organizing a fundraising event that will provide a gala evening of dining.

Under then-chamber president Carmela Bernacchio, the chamber came up with two ways in which the businesses in Mineola could showcase themselves to the community.

Village Meeting With New Rules Is a Short One

Cataldo Says He Will No Longer Attend

Residents Sal Cataldo and Bill Urianek have been attending Mineola Village Board meetings for nearly four decades, but last Wednesday’s may have been their last, at least while the new rules and procedures for the public meetings instituted by the village board are in place.

Last Wednesday, the first meeting with the new rules was held and was adjourned approximately 15 minutes after the public portion of the meeting started with no member of the public addressing the board. It had to be a first for Mineola.

Mayor Says Village Fiscally Healthy

Says Village Balances Budgets, Pays Down Debt

While many municipal governments may be struggling to balance budgets and put forth fiscal plans that are sound, the Village of Mineola is in better shape than ever, says its Mayor, Jack M. Martins.

“The economic downturn that has played havoc with other layers of government — federal, state, county and other towns and villages — has largely left Mineola unscathed. Not through change, but because of basic, sound fiscal management,” Mayor Martins said in his annual state-of-the village address to the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. “At a time when every level of government is addressing looming and ever-increasing deficits due to the basic inability to just stop spending, Mineola has posted six consecutive balanced budgets.”

Firefighter Serves Community, Nation

MFD Member Being Deployed to Afghanistan

On Friday, Sept. 25, the members of the Mineola Fire Department assembled at headquarters to pay homage to their brother firefighter, Michael Marotta, who proudly serves as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Marotta is a combat engineer, and will be serving as a squad leader in a Light Armored Reconnaissance Division when he deploys to Afghanistan this month. The firefighters came together along with firefighter Marotta’s parents and his brother Andrew, who is also a firefighter in Engine Company #1, to offer well wishes and thanks to Mike.

Suozzi Proposes ‘90/10 Solution’ For ‘New Suburbia’

Says Targeted Growth Would Preserve Suburbs, Lower Taxes   

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi held a meeting at Nassau Coliseum to present his plan for a “New Suburbia” in Nassau, proposing that strategic development of 10 percent of the county would help preserve in the other 90 percent, “all that is good about suburban life.” He addressed and then took questions from community leaders, government officials, civic groups and business interests, all of whom were called upon to join the “90/10 Coalition,” which will collectively address the four major problems in this county - property taxes, a lack of young people, traffic congestion and pockets of poverty. The group will help maintain things like single family homes, low crime, good schools, parks and open spaces, while also planning “mega projects” - like the redevelopment of Nassau Coliseum and the Glen Cove Waterfront, meant to create industry, jobs and sales tax - and “cool downtowns,” which would bring young people back into Nassau.