Syosset's BDG Bids For Nassau Coliseum

Syosset’s Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG), headed by Ed Blumenfeld, has proposed a $200 million design to demolish Nassau Coliseum and build a new arena and state-of-the-art exhibition center for the 21st century.

“The existing facility cannot be effectively retrofitted,” said Brad Blumenfeld, BDG Vice President, adding “Our team is committed to building a new, preeminent facility—other proposals only call for renovations to the existing arena.”

Tensions Spark At School Board Meeting

During a Syosset school board meeting last week, tension arose between Superintendent of Schools Carole Hankin, Trustee Joshua Lafazan, and Fred Gang, a resident speaker on transparency and accusations made against the district.

During public comment, Gang expressed disapproval of the district’s proposed budget for 2013-14, and inquired about reports of the district’s use of software to target various community members with the objective of increasing voter turnouts — which is illegal under New York State election law as Gang pointed out.

BCA Votes on Budgets, Candidates

During its April and May meetings, the Birchwood Civic Association  welcomed Board of Education members and candidates from the Syosset School District, as well as Board of Education members and administrators from the Jericho School District to discuss budget proposals and issues facing the districts. The BCA voted to endorse both the Syosset and Jericho budgets, as well as the Jericho Library budget, acknowledging that all made a strong effort to retain programs while staying below the state tax levy cap. In addition, the BCA voted in support of Jericho's Proposition 2 regarding the establishment of a capital reserve fund. The Syosset Library budget was not reviewed.

Parker Runs As ‘Only True Independent’

Susan Parker, a resident of Syosset for 24 years, is running for a trustee seat on the Syosset Board of Education.  

A mother of three and employee of the Syosset Fire District for the past seven years, Parker has been an active PTA member for the past 21 years on a local and county level. Parker received her BS from SUNY Binghampton and her MBA from Boston University. Parker says she has two “gainfully employed” graduates of the school district, and a son currently attending Syosset High School.

Two Candidates Running For Syosset Library Trustee Seats

The Syosset Public Library Board of Trustees will have two candidates in the upcoming election on May 21 - incumbent Lorraine Trachtman and Alene Shorin.

Trachtman, having served on the library board since 1998, says she has “seen the library grow and change to meet the community’s needs - my family enjoys all the services the library has to offer.”

BOE President Unopposed For Re-election

President of the Jericho Board of Education Joseph Lorintz will be running unopposed for his expiring seat on the school board in the May 21 school board election. Completing his ninth year on the board, Lorintz says his biggest accomplishment is “being part of putting together a team of professionals who work together in a collaborative, collegial and cohesive manner - concentrating on education issues.”

Lorintz, who received his juris doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, began his tenure on the school board as trustee in July 2004. He became president in 2011.

Three Independent Candidates Run For BOE

With three empty seats and four candidates for the upcoming Syosset Board of Trustee election on May 21 school board meeting, Tracy Frankel, Robert Gershon and William Weiner are all running on an independent ticket, advocating for “transparency, responsiveness and new perspectives.”

Trustees Lana Ajemian, Stephanie Avidon and Marc Herman will not be returning to the school board.

Frankel, a resident of Syosset since 2004, is a mother of two children in the school district and a PTA member.  

Jericho BOE Opposes Bristal

The Jericho school board has opposed a plan to build a Bristal Assisted Living facility across the street from Jericho High School and Middle School on Old Cedar Swamp Road. The application is for a zoning change and special use permit, and the school board made its decision based on financial considerations, commercial zoning considerations, traffic concerns, environmental concerns and health and safety concerns.

“The health and safety of our students and their families are our primary responsibility, and we need to voice opposition here,” Superintendent of Schools H.L. Grishman said.

On Stage At Synagogue

Rehearsals are underway at Jericho’s Temple Or Elohim for the Saturday, May 11, performance of “Opera On Broadway.”

Cantor David Aaron Katz, well known as a soloist with orchestras around the world, as well as his work as a member of The Three Jewish Tenors, will be joined by soprano Michelle Trovato, who performs internationally and has been praised for her “well-rounded creamy soprano.”

BOE Approves $209 Million Budget

The Syosset Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s 2013-14 budget of $209,054,963 during its Wednesday evening school board meeting - a 5.5 percent increase of $11 million increase from last year.

The district will come in below the tax cap of 3.0 percent at 2.8 percent, with a maximum allowable tax levy limit including exclusions and exemptions of $188,229,063. The tax levy limit is $183,028,521, and coming year exemptions are TRS above two percent of $2.4 million and capital tax levy of $2.8 million.