From The Desk Of Assemblyman Charles Lavine: May 24, 2012

Assemblyman Lavine Remembers Fallen Soldiers As Memorial Day Approaches

On May 28, Memorial Day, we are given a chance to honor our nation’s fallen heroes and reflect on their bravery in making the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our freedom. This year, as we remember those who have died in America’s wars throughout our history, we can also commemorate the end of the Iraq War and honor the memories of the thousands of brave men and women who were killed in action.

In December, the Iraq War officially ended. From the time the war began in March 2003, to when it ended in December 2011, more than 1 million troops fought overseas. Over 4,500 American troops were killed and an additional 30,000 were wounded. As President Obama said, the remaining troops left “with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops.” This year, especially, we remember all those who lost their lives in Iraq.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: May 17, 2012

The Future?

“What am I going to do with my life?”

This question is being asked all over our country as college graduations take place. The caps and gowns will soon be discarded and the job search will begin. The celebrity speakers have disappeared and their vague statements are all in the past.

Editorial: Knowing Our School Board Members

In my position, it’s best to be neutral on the Plainview-Old Bethpage school board. I believe that the board members generally have the best interests of both children and taxpayers at heart and do their best; but I also know some residents are dissatisfied with various district policies, and I don’t ever want to seem to be trivializing those concerns. After all, every district has room for improvement, and I’m sure some of the trustees would probably be the first to agree with me.

However, in light of what’s been going on with Syosset Central School District these past few weeks, I wanted to let POB residents know something they might not be aware of: not every school board discusses important issues in public. Not every school board allows residents to ask any question they want during Public Participation. Not every school board features members who are candid about their opinions, or in fact even voice their opinions at all.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: May 10, 2012

Viva Las Vegas

Did you realize that you have to be in perfect physical and mental health to travel on the airlines? From waiting in myriad lines at the airport to removing your belt and shoes, it can make you lose your patience and your inner vitality.

Once you get to your destination, things brighten up. Our final spot was Las Vegas, Nevada. We had been to McCarran Airport 40 years ago: then, it was a lazy little airspot in the desert with only one or two landing strips. It has now grown into a huge metropolitan complex with trains and buses taking you to your awaiting plane.

Editorial: Fern Place Parking Lot: This Is Really Our Big Issue?

It was a coincidence that I happened to write an article on ACDS just now when all the drama about possibly adding a parking lot to The Fern Place School erupted. For those who don’t know, ACDS rents the building on Fern Place from the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, thus is “the tenant” frequently referred to during discussions of the proposed additional parking lot at the Fern Place School.

Letter: On ‘Detaining Americans’

Robert McMillan correctly quotes our Constitution’s Bill of Rights Fifth Amendment promise that “In all criminal prosecutions the accused should (actually, “shall”) enjoy the right to a speedy...trial.” Unfortunately, I can’t remember the last time I heard or read about a speedy trial held anywhere in this country.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: May 3, 2012

Speed, Height, Touch

As a former soccer and basketball coach, I realized that there were certain skills you could not teach, no matter how good you thought you were.

The first skill not teachable was speed. I would take the entire soccer team, line them up on the sidelines and say “run to the opposite sideline and back to here.” That way I could determine who was the fastest. The winner was always Mark Diamond, one of the smallest, and I installed him as a fullback. He could catch anybody who was breaking away. I could not teach speed to the other 10 players.

Editorial: Hidden Gems Right In The Backyard

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Justin Abrams about his quest to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. While it was an interesting story on many levels, one thing I realized when preparing to interview him was that I had never heard of his home gym, Island Rock, despite the fact that it’s located right nearby in Plainview. For many years, a huge gym devoted to rock climbing had been located in my neighborhood, and I had no idea it was there; it just never came up.

To me, rock climbing always seemed exotic and dangerous—something fashion models and professional stunt doubles did to keep fit in Hollywood. Maybe if I knew I could try it out any time I wanted after a 10-minute drive, my assumptions might have been more in line with reality.

Letter: Let The Sun Shine In On SUNY Foundations

You would expect an organization created for public benefit that is largely led by government officials would be obligated to report to the public about its activities. Yet the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY) and its many campus foundations are not required to do so and apparently feel no such compulsion to share information with the public. Instead, these organizations often cloak their activities in secrecy.

As president of United University Professions – the union representing academic and professional faculty at SUNY’s state-operated campuses – I think it’s time to let the sun shine in. It’s time to require the SUNY Research Foundation and campus foundations to be held accountable and to be more transparent.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: April 19, 2012

The Columnist

The Columnist is not my life story, even though I have written a column for Anton Newspapers for the last 14 years. It is the story of Joseph Alsop, of the famed Alsop brothers Joseph and Stewart. During the ’60s they were quite influential in American politics.

To make the 8 p.m. theater opening, we left on the LIRR about 5:30 p.m. to allow time for a nice Manhattan supper before the play. What a surprise it was to see the train filled with Ranger hockey fans of all ages, all wearing blue and red shirts with the names and numbers of players on their backs. Callahan and Lundqvist were two of the popular names adorning the jerseys. These fans were boisterous and gregarious, quite hopeful of a Rangers victory at Madison Square Garden.