Mayor ‘Fully Expects’ To Run For Second Term

Peter Cavallaro discusses ups and

downs of heading Westbury Village

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro ran for his current position in March 2009 during the middle of a fiscal crisis and was replacing a mayor that had been in office for nearly three decades.

Despite these circumstances, Cavallaro has proven to be the right man for the job, as evidenced in the village’s increased bond ratings, lack of tax levy increases and revitalized downtown, which is set to receive a significant boost once the Post Avenue theater opens its doors next year.

“When I was elected, I had big shoes to fill because Ernie [Strada] had been around for 28 years. We set out some priorities that we wanted to pursue, and from my perspective, I think we’ve done a pretty good job trying to accomplish those things,” said Cavallaro, who joked that Strada “got out at the right time” because since Ernie’s departure, the village had to endure two hurricanes and a blizzard in a three-year period.

Former Carle Place Resident Celebrates 104th Birthday

Ida Zipkis, a former Carle Place resident and current resident of the Bristal Assisted Living Community in Westbury, recently celebrated her 104th birthday with her daughter Roberta and son-in-law Jay Katzeff and fellow residents of the Bristal. Zipkis’ wish as she blew out the candles was “health and happiness for everyone.”

The key to longevity, she said, is simple, “just leave it to God.”

BOCES Names CP Teacher ‘Most Innovative Educator’

CP alum Maddalena Buffalino an ideal role model for students

Maddalena Buffalino, a former Carle Place High School student and current social studies teacher at the school, was recently named the recipient of BOCES Most Innovative Educator Technology Award.

The award commends Buffalino, a Westbury resident, as a “teacher who demonstrates creative, resourceful uses of technology that significantly impacts student achievement,” according to BOCES.

Village Continues Hurricane Clean-Up Efforts

Cavallaro says village will waive certain storm-related building department fees

Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro announced that as the Village of Westbury continues to clean up after Hurricane Sandy and the nor’easter, the village board has decided to waive certain building department fees related to storm repairs.

“Our DPW crews and staff have worked tirelessly, and we thank them, for their efforts in getting our village back to normal. We have much more work to do to clean up remaining debris, replace or repair lost or damaged street signs and do all of the other things that are necessary to repair damage and return to normal,” the mayor said. 

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Officials, Residents Unite Against Bristal Tax Exemption

Assisted living facility applies to extend its tax abatement PILOT for additional decade

Numerous local elected and appointed officials flanked Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro on Wednesday, Nov. 14 as he asked residents to express disapproval for The Bristal Assisted Living facility’s tax abatement application, which Cavallaro said could cost Westbury, Old Westbury and New Cassel taxpayers and municipalities an estimated $7 million over the next 10 years if approved.

The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will be reviewing The Bristal’s application to extend its Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for another 10 years. Cavallaro said The Bristal (117 Post Ave.) signed its original PILOT in 1999 when its owners first opened the facility and that a revision was made to the original PILOT in 2005, which the village opposed but the IDA approved. This most recent application marks the third time The Bristal has requested tax abatement. 

Man Charged In 2001 Westbury Hit-And-Run Murder Case

Sebastian Barba, 34, allegedly ran over woman, 80, crossing Post, Maple Avenues

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that a man suspected of being the driver in a 2001 hit-and-run death that killed an 80-year-old woman in Westbury was arraigned on Nov. 13 after he was captured in Panama.

Sebastian Barba, 34, formerly of Hicksville, is charged with second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. Barba faces up to 25 years to life if convicted. He was remanded by Judge Sullivan and was scheduled to return to court on November 14, 2012.

Nor’easter Further Complicates Life In Westbury

Additional 1,600 residents lose power following snowfall, wind gusts

When it rains, it pours – and in the case of the recent nor’easter that hit Westbury late Wednesday evening last week: when it snows, it sticks.

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro continued his daily updates via email and Facebook, as he indicated that the nor’easter caused power outages in more homes, while others, who never regained power after Superstorm Sandy, remained in darkness.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union Relief Drive On Friday, November 16

The 4th Annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union (BFCU) Turkey Drive will expand to support Hurricane Sandy victims by asking those Long Islanders who were not severely affected by the hurricane to help support their neighbors in need and make a donation to Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization.

In addition to frozen turkeys, Bethpage and Island Harvest are requesting easy-to-open shelf stable food items, cleaning supplies and baby items such as diapers. The BFCU Turkey, Emergency Food and Relief Drive will take place on Friday, Nov. 16 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (rain or shine) outside of Bethpage’s main branch located at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)