BOE Nixes Contract With Search Firm

In what is hoped to be a step forward for the Westbury School District’s ongoing search for a superintendent, the board of education voted to terminate its contract with search firm Hazard, Young, Attea. However, questions still remain. Will the board continue the search with another firm? Will the board conduct the search themselves? Will it consider current Interim Superintendent Mary Lagnado for the position?  And of course, how long will the process take before a permanent superintendent is named?

Avanti Granted Permit

The Westbury Board of Trustees has decided to grant Avanti a special use cabaret permit for a probationary six months. 

The club had its permit rescinded six weeks ago after being in violation of several conditions, including noise and not reporting police activity. It now is required to operate under stricter conditions, including revised operating hours (they can be open until1 a.m. Sunday to

Wednesday and until 2 am. Thursday to Saturday) and having to keep a log book of any police activity. Much of the debate over Avanti had to do with an advertisement that promoted an event of a sexual nature. Club owner Barry Ceriano insisted that nothing of such a nature happened at Avanti and he was unaware of the ads, however the mayor said that the advertisement itself was in violation of the club’s permit and that the owner was responsible for all events that went on in his club. In that strain, the new permit includes a condition that says  “applicant shall be responsible for any and all activities or events occurring at the premises. In the event that the applicant uses or engages the service of a booking agent, event planner, promoter…applicant shall use a written contract…and shall remain responsible and liable for any and all violations of the permit.” The following condition also says “any advertisement…of any event at the Premises, that advertises or promotes an event that would be a violation of this Permit and conditions, is itself a violation.” 

The Future Is Now

ZZ Top breaks 9-year recording hiatus with Rick Rubin-produced effort

For most of the ’80s, ZZ Top was an inescapable presence thanks to a plethora of videos, often times containing underdog storylines revolving around gorgeous gals, a 1933 Ford hotrod and the hirsute threesome serving as a Greek chorus of cool to the aggrieved protagonist. But amidst all the bells and whistles, the most impressive feat pulled off by this Texas power trio was using 1983’s Eliminator to adapt its bluesy hard rock boogie sound and modernize it with synthesizers and drum machines sans any kind of artistic compromising. 

A Humble Hero

John Romandetti saved six people, but he shies away from the title hero. 

“I don’t think of myself as a hero,” Romandetti says. “It’s nothing anyone else wouldn’t have done.”

During Hurricane Sandy, Romandetti risked his own life to go out to Howard Beach and get his girlfriend’s family out of their flooding homes. The Bethpage Air Show recently recognized his bravery, naming him the grand prize winner of the Hurricane Sandy Community Heroes contest. Romandetti, along with nine other winners, will receive VIP tickets to the Bethpage Air Show, plus the reception, and GEICO Skytypers Planeside Meet and Greet. As the grand prize winner, Romandetti also gets the chance to fly with the GEICO Skytypers during next week’s airshow. 

Undercover Detectives Fight Prostitution

Undercover detectives are cracking down on prostitution in Westbury. According to detectives, Lauren Regan, 26, of Valley Stream, and Annie Cruz, 25, of Long Beach, offered to engage in a sexual act with an undercover detective for an agreed upon amount of money while in a Westbury motel. Both defendants were placed under arrest without incident. An hour later, Korah John, 22, of Westbury, was arrested at the same hotel on the same charges. A month ago, two Rhode Island women were also arrested for prostitution in a Carle Place motel. Deputy Inspector Kevin Smith said prostitution is a problem all over the tri-state area, and that a majority of the arrests made in Nassau County are not local residents. 

Westbury BOE: Six Candidates Vye for Three Seats

Westbury Board of Education elections are May 21. The Westbury Times asked the six candidates vying for the 6 open seats why they want your vote and their plans for the district. 

Crime Blotter

No Arrests in Park Ave. Robbery  

The Third Squad reports a robbery that occurred at 1:00 pm on April 28, 2013 in Westbury.

According to detectives, a 38 year old male victim was approached by an unknown male African American who told the victim to meet him in the rear of the Park Avenue School located at 955 Park Avenue so he could buy a cell phone. When the victim met subject one he was also met by a second subject described as being male African American, 20 years of age. Both subjects then began punching the victim in the face, and took an undetermined amount of US currency and his cell phone. They both fled on foot in an unknown direction. The victim was transported by a Nassau County Ambulance to a nearby hospital and treated for contusions of his face.

Space Adventures

Military astronaut Col. Shane Kimbrough visited Carle Place High School recently, sharing his experience in space during a mission to the International Space Station. 

Dressed in a blue flight suit, Kimbrough educated the 7-12th grade students on the space program, taking questions and revealing the truth about common misconceptions about space. 

Students asked questions such as what astronauts ate in space, how they showered, and what the crew did in their free time on the Endeavour. 

A Solid Foundation

Class of ’75 Alum Credits Success to Carle Place Teachers

He’s been to the corners of the world, worked with Jay Leno, and has served in the Middle East. Col. Mark Rado is currently the commander of the U.S. Army Accessions Support Brigade, but back in June 1975, he was just a teenager with a lot of dreams graduating from Carle Place High School. 

 Rado fondly remembers growing up on Roosevelt Ct., walking to school, playing outside with the neighborhood kids and going to Carvel or Bill’s Candy Store to get a treat.  

“It was an idyllic childhood,” Rado says. “It was a comfortable and nurturing suburban upbringing and a great place to grow up.” 

Second Chance For Avanti?

It looks like Avanti Nightclub’s doors will be closed at least a little bit longer, as the village board considers whether or not to grant them a special use permit. The Latin dance club, located at 272 Post Ave., has been closed since a month ago, when their special use permit was revoked after they violated several conditions. 

In early April, the board refused to renew the club’s special use permit, stating that they had violated several conditions. One in particular was a hot topic for debate during last Thursday’s village meeting. At April’s meeting, the mayor accused Avanti of advertising events of a sexual nature that were in direct violation of their permit. Club owner Barry Ceriano continued to deny knowing anything about the ads, saying he was unaware that the singles night was being inaccurately portrayed as a swinger-type event.