Around The Town With Lou

Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 59 years, and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.

Letter: Parrino, The Wrong Choice For Mineola Board Of Education

As a school board member, it was my intent to remain on the sidelines of this year’s campaign. However, early on, inaccurate comments and assertions by Mrs. Irene Parrino needed to be clarified. Indeed, when she claimed to be the only board member with children in the district I corrected her, there are currently three board members with children in the district. She chose to ignore this and sat on the stage at Meet the Candidates Night and again stated she is the only candidate with children in our schools. The first time it is an innocent mistake; once corrected, her insistence to repeat this is a conscious effort to deceive the voters.

Letter: Vote For Pat Navarra

I am writing in support of Patricia Navarra who has been an active member of our community for many years.  Her selfless dedication and commitment to the children of the entire district is evident by her years of service.  She has served as president of Middle School District Council and currently president of the Music Parents Association. Always willing to lend a hand, Patricia chaired countless committees and helped with others. As a supporter of our Fine Arts, you would find her at our many marching band competitions, concerts, drama productions and musicals, whether or not her own children were involved.

Letter: Navarra Is The Key

This letter is to endorse Mrs. Patricia Navarra in her run for candidate for the Board of Education in  the Mineola School District. I have known Patricia Navarra for many years from different volunteer activities within the Mineola School District.

She has served her community well over the years, serving as a PTA Member on the  PTA Board, district council, music parents just to name a few. I know that she exemplifies the characteristcs that our school district needs right now to continue the forward momentum of the vision of our school district.

Mother And Child

I remember clearly

the cute little form of our child

born at the bright edge of morning.

How everything was a gift

building on this prolog,

the transfer of blood and love.

I remember what it is

to feel your belly

before our child was born,

the transfer of warmth and love.

How you talked and sang

soothing melodies 

in the still calm night, your words 

reaching to cradle our child 

in outstretched arms

was music flowing through me, too.

All the mysteries

folded into a delicate bundle,

wrapped in satin and

lined with Queen Ann’s lace.

The easiness of the first meeting,

our child known, seeing your joy—

tiny hands wrapped around your fingers.

Now the long hair already,

such forward little feet,

how promise and love wake to body.

Despite the rift of years, 

the warmth continues to move inward,

still bringing me to my knees.

The heart pushes the flesh,

we all move into the uncertain seed

of the unknown.

But how like cloud is the realm of love.

Stephen Cipot

Garden City Park

Letter: Vote For Pat Navarra

I have been a resident of the Mineola School District for 24 years. I was very happy to be involved as a volunteer in many ways over the course of my children’s education in our schools. During this time I came to know and work with some wonderful people, who selflessly gave their time and efforts to make things better for all of the children in our district.  

Letter: Support Patricia Navarra

As parents, and community members, we support Patricia Navarra for school board.  

We feel her academic background as professor at Hofstra University along with her knowledge of common core and the future of academics in public education will continue to keep Mineola School District as model and leader in education. 

Letter: Vote For Navarra

I am writing on behalf of school board candidate Patricia Navarra. I have known Patricia Navarra for the past 15 years.  We have sat side by side for many school functions, including PTA meetings, fundraisers and sporting events. I know her as a friend, parent and neighbor and I have always found her to be an honest and caring person. Patricia and I have had hundreds of conversations centered on education.  We have daughters the same age and grade and have shared their triumphs and challenges.  As parents and teachers between the both of us we have pretty much seen it all. 

Letter: Navarra Is The Choice

I was so happy to hear of Patricia Navarra’s announcement that she is seeking election to the Mineola School Board.

I have known of Pat for many years through her very visible volunteerism, benefiting the community, as president of both the PTA District Council and Mineola Middle School PTA.  Recently, I have worked with Pat as a member of P.E.A.C.E. and have come to know her personally. What I learned about Pat was she is someone who accepted facts and understands that we have a community comprised of many types of people, who have different expectations and perspectives. 

Around The Town With Lou

Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 59 years, and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.

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Maureen O’Connell, the Nassau County Clerk, was the speaker at the recent Mineola Chamber of Commerce meeting. She is a registered nurse, a graduate of St. John’s Law School and a member of the Nassau County Bar Association. Maureen served as the deputy mayor and a member of the board of directors for the Village of East Williston from 1991 to 1998. In 1998, she became the first woman ever elected to the NY State Assemby from this district. In 2005, she was elected to her present position. Maureen lives in East Williston with her husband Don, and son Donald, Jr. The Chamber found her talk enlightening and peppered her with questions.