WH Man Found Dead

A 28-year-old West Hempstead man was found dead early Saturday morning, a victim of an apparent homicide, according to police.

Police said that Victor Reyes was found dead on Saturday, June 20 between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. in the rear of the Mana Bar, 124 Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Gateway Youth Outreach Aims for Summer Program

Funding May Come Via Wal-Mart Settlement

Gateway Youth Outreach, the Elmont-based youth organization, has been among the agencies that have had to hold their breath during the county’s budget crisis. GYO is preparing for its summer program because the Nassau County Youth Board is expected to receive funding for a settlement involving Wal-Mart.

NYS Comptroller: WHSD Didn’t Seek Competitive Bids

Three Village Times News

Contracts Awarded Without Seeking Competition

The Office of the New York State Comptroller completed an audit of the West Hempstead School District and found that the district did not solicit competitive proposals prior to hiring several service providers.

Senator Dean Skelos Names Rosalie Norton Woman of Distinction

New York State Senator Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) honored Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Civic Association, as a 2009 Woman of Distinction as part of a reception in the Capitol Building in Albany on June 10.

Skelos Back as Majority Leader

Republican Senator Dean Skelos is back as the leader of the Majority of the State Senate after two Democratic Senators helped the Republican leadership usher out Senator Malcolm Smith as Majority Leader.

The Democrats had the majority in both the New York State Senate and Assembly since January. However, Democratic Senators Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens voted with the Republicans on resolution to oust Smith.

Government Consolidation Bill Passes Assembly, Senate

Gives Residents Power to Dissolve Special Taxing Districts

The government consolidation law that would make it possible for citizens to dissolve town and village governments as well as special districts has passed overwhelmingly in the New York State Assembly and Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.

The bill, proposed by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, is aimed at reducing the number of layers of government some residents of the state fall under. However, the bill also includes a mechanism to disband villages, which many believe are the most efficient forms of government.

Consolidation Bill Passes Assembly

Bill Gives Mechanism for Dissolving Governments

A bill that is being considered in Albany that would give the power to residents to dissolve local governments including towns, villages and special districts has passed the Assembly overwhelmingly by a 118 to 26 margin, and, as of Tuesday, was expected to be taken up in the New York State Senate.

The bill, entitled the “New N.Y. Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act,” was unveiled by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Nassau County Energy Tax Kicks In June 1

Republican Members of Legislature Seek Repeal

Just a little more than a week after Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced that his campaign for another term as county executive would be about a property tax revolution, the energy tax imposed on Nassau County residents kicked in on June 1.

Suozzi announced the need for the tax as part of his plan to close a projected deficit in the county’s budget. The 2.5 percent tax will be imposed on residential energy sources and servicing including gas, propane in containers of 100 pounds or more, electricity and steam as well as coal, fuel oil and wood for residential heating.

Suozzi Announces Bid to Run For Re-election

Says It’s Time For a Property Tax Revolution

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi has announced his bid to run for re-election to the post he has held since 2001. Suozzi will be running this November to continue as the Nassau County Executive in a time when residents are hurting financially from a national recession.

With residents of Nassau County particularly finding it difficult to continue their way of life in the communities they call home because of the property tax burden, Suozzi says it’s time for a property tax revolution.

Candidate Changes Parties to Run for Legislature

Nina Petraro Bastardi to Challenge John Ciotti

On May 20, Nina Petraro Bastardi announced her plans to seek the Democratic nomination for Nassau’s Third Legislative District.

Petraro Bastardi, 26, an attorney from Valley Stream and former president of the Nassau County Young Republicans, recently changed her registration to a Democrat and will challenge Legislator John Ciotti.