From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy: April 16, 2010

April is Financial Literacy Month

 “Recently President Obama proclaimed April 2010 as Financial Literacy Month. I applaud the president for doing this because the country’s future prosperity depends on the financial security of all Americans.

“As a nation, we have all been impacted by the effects of our struggling economy. While there are many factors that have contributed to the current economic climate, and there is no one cause, we do know that consumers need to be more aware and informed of how their finances work and how to avoid some common financial pitfalls.

From the Desk of Senator Craig Johnson: April 9, 2010

The Third Track Roadblock

This is written in response of Newsday saying that, “The biggest political roadblock to the Third Track is State Senator Craig Johnson.”

The MTA/ LIRR has once again reiterated its commitment to the Third Track Expansion Project. This misguided support for this $1.5 billion project comes despite the state’s financial woes and near-unified opposition from communities along the Main Line.

Letter: Trustee: Superintendent Not Being ‘Forced Out’

During the Westbury Union Free Board of Election’s public meetings on March 9 and March 16, which were held for the purposes of presenting the 2010-2011 school budget to the public and soliciting resident opinion, I witnessed some members of the public attempting to use the public forum and disrupt the entire proceedings to present their case supporting Dr. Constance Clark-Snead’s right to remain superintendent of Westbury Schools due to her ethnicity and gender.

Some members of the group publicly stated that Dr. Clark-Snead’s contract should be extended because she is the first black woman to hold this position in Westbury.  One individual claimed the board is attempting to force her out.

From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy: April 2, 2010

Congresswoman McCarthy Votes in Favor of Heath Care Insurance Reform

I was proud to vote with a majority of my colleagues in favor of historic legislation that gives 32 million more Americans health insurance, stops insurance companies from denying coverage for individuals with a pre-existing condition, closes the prescription drug doughnut hole and brings down health care costs for all Americans.

Mayor’s Corner: April 2, 2010

 2010 U.S. Census Form

Recently, you received your official 2010 U.S. Census form.

 The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that for every person that is not counted, Westbury will lose more than $2,000 per year (or a staggering $20,000 per person over the next ten years) in grants and aid. That will cost Westbury millions and millions of dollars for our schools, senior and youth centers, roadways and other important services and projects.  That would be a lot of money for us to lose out on, but fortunately we do not have to, as full and complete count is totally within our control.

Around the Town: March 26, 2010

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Preparing tax returns can be frustrating and confusing, but we can help. Hempstead Town’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offers free tax assistance to senior citizens.

The Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, operates the VITA Program. Through this program, volunteers are trained to assist seniors in completing their basic income tax returns.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt: March 26, 2010

Mckevitt Announces Sex Offender Registry Notification System

Assemblyman Tom McKevitt announced the beginning of a new sex offender relocation notification system. The new system is being added to New York State Emergency Management Office’s NY-ALERT system, which already sends out notifications about different topics including severe weather, missing children, transportation delays or public health advisories.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Charles Lavine

Census Participation Vital to Community’s Future

Return Questionnaire By April 1

Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine (D-Glen Cove) would like to remind residents that April 1 is Census Day and the short, 10-question forms you will receive by mail must be postmarked and mailed by the April 1 deadline. Residents who fail to respond can expect a call or visit from a census taker.

Lavine said, “Every resident’s participation is not only required by law, it’s vital to our community’s future. The results of the national population tally decide the allocation of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year – money our community depends on for schools, hospitals, roadways, fire and police stations and more. Without doing your part by filling out the census forms, our infrastructure could suffer and critical funding for health care, day care and job training could dry up.

Letter: Westbury School Superintendent Being Pushed Out by Board?

Perhaps a more reasonable question to ask is whether or not the Westbury School Board is amenable to extending the contract of the superintendent, which is about to expire. There may be doubts about this question being answered in the affirmative, and may be the reason why Clark-Snead is apparently considering an offer(s) being made to her by a prominent school district that is in need of her service. I know this to be so because I was one of a cross section of community residents that members of the board of that district interviewed as part of their background checking process. The members of this school board are apparently impressed with Clark-Snead’s remarkable résumé just as we in Westbury were impressed when she was awarded the job 10 years ago after a long, exhaustive national search. As a member of that interview panel, I was delighted to learn that Clark-Snead was a disciple of the Comer Process, a concept that was introduced to the district by former Superintendent Dr. Robert Pinckney, who resigned from the position at the end of August 1999. But that was not all; Clark-Snead’s credentials and performance blew away the competition, and left an indelible imprint in the minds of members of the interview panel.

Desk of Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt

Spread the Word to End the Word

The Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and other organizations are encouraging people to spread the word to stop using the “R-word.” According to the Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, they are working to “raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.” This campaign was started by members of colleges and high schools in order to rally their schools and communities to pledge to stop using the R-word.