(Editor’s Note: The following letter is in response to Gregory Bennett’s letter that appeared in the June 18, 2009 edition of The Westbury Times.)
In response to concerns from residents in all parts of the village, I and the village board have placed a renewed emphasis on code enforcement efforts. We have done so in order to maintain Westbury’s quality of life, and the safety and attractiveness of our neighborhoods. As most people know, in recent years there has been a proliferation in Nassau County of illegal and unsafe housing, as well as other code violations, that affect the health, safety and attractiveness of our neighborhoods.
New York State Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt (R, C, I – East Meadow) would like to inform his constituents about the New York Prescription Saver. This free discount card, which was introduced by the New York State (NYS) Department of Health, can reduce the cost of prescriptions for lower income state residents.
“With the harsh economy that we are all experiencing right now, it is important that my constituents should not have to choose between getting their prescriptions or paying their bills,” said McKevitt.
Recently two code enforcement agents from the Village of Westbury stopped me in front of my residence and asked me if I had 20 people living in my apartment. I permitted them to search my apartment and they determined since I have a single bed I must live alone. They wanted to photograph my apartment, which I would not authorize.
On Thursday, June 4, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy introduced three pieces of legislation focused on the state of nursing in the nation. The bills, the Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2009, Nurse Training and Retention Act of 2009 and a resolution recognizing the need for safe patient handling and movement, are a series of initiatives addressing such issues as increasing the number of school nurses, fixing the nation’s critical nursing shortage and improving workplace safety for nurses.
Thanks to the community’s support, we are able to offer our students a unique educational experience rivaling or exceeding many of our neighboring districts. Some of the programs include full-day pre-kindergarten, a groundbreaking magnet program at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, an innovative marine sciences program, more advanced placement classes and many other programs and courses designed to stimulate the mind and enrich the soul while preparing our children to succeed in a highly complex and competitive world.
Nassau County Legislator Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) announced two workshops that are being sponsored by the Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL).
On Tuesday, June 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. the workshop topic is “Tenants Rights for People with Disabilities” facilitated by Rhonda Morgan, housing advocate. The guest speaker that day will be Michelle Santantonio from Long Island Housing.
On Wednesday, June 17 the topic will be “How Do I Find Housing When I Have a Disability and I Have No Money?” This workshop will be led by Dr. Marc Ross Miller, director of Long Island Housing.
Both workshops will be held at the LICIL center, which is located at 3601 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.
LICIL is committed to the empowerment of consumers with disabilities. LICIL staffs function as “ambassadors” to the belief that individuals with disabilities have a responsibility to take an active role in their own lives and a self-determined view of their futures.
To reserve your spot, call Donna Vogt at 796-0144.
Nassau County Legislator Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) reminds parents that there is a great deal they can do to keep their teenagers safe on Prom Night and ensure that it is a positive experience.
“Parents can help to ensure that Prom Night is a great experience for their children,” Corbin said. “It requires some forethought on their part, a commitment to discussions prior to the event with their children, and knowledge of who they plan to spend the evening with, and where, if anywhere, that they plan to go after prom. Knowledge is power when applied for parents, and informed parents can help keep teenagers safe on what should be one of the best nights of their young lives.“
Some tips for parents to keep teenagers safe on Prom Night include:
• Know and discuss the school code of conduct before the prom with your child
• Does the school code of conduct extend to off-site functions that have been approved by the school?
• Know who your child is attending the prom with and discuss the events for pre-and post-prom parties with other parents
• Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving. New York State law mandates arrest and license revocation/suspension of any person under 21 driving with .02 percent or more Blood Alcohol Content which is only one drink
• Talk with your child about the dangers of club drugs, warning signs and who to notify for assistance
• Pre-plan and role-play answers that your child can use to get out of uncomfortable situations. (e.g., offered alcohol, getting a ride from an intoxicated driver, unwanted sexual advances, etc.)
• Discuss guidelines and a curfew. Discuss the consequences of violating these rules
• Discuss travel plans, and use a reputable limousine service that will not allow a person to bring, serve or introduce alcohol into the vehicle
• Know who is driving to the prom and who will be a passenger. Limit the number of passengers to increase safety and reduce driver distractions
• Know the location of post-prom parties and who is sponsoring them
• Talk to your teenager about the serious dangers and consequences of underage drinking and driving
• If your child’s’ plans change, confirm the change with the parents of other children
• Remind your child that you are there for them. Encourage them to call you if they need a ride home or to an after-prom affair.
Peter Cavallaro, mayor of the Village of Westbury, joined mayors from across Nassau County in opposing New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s local government consolidation plan. The Village of Westbury is a member of the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA), which is comprised of 64 incorporated villages in Nassau County representing nearly 450,000 residents.
“This proposed bill is nothing more than a ploy to generate media attention,” said Mayor Cavallaro. “Many believe New York State has too many levels of government. But the proliferation of the thousands of special taxing districts is the creation of the towns and cities and has nothing to do with villages.”
On May 13 Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and Congressman Steve Israel (NY-02) hosted a press conference to announce the introduction of the No Fly, No Buy Act, which seeks to close the ‘terror gap’ by preventing people whose names appear on the Transportation Security Administration’s terrorist “no fly list” from being eligible to buy guns.
New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker (R, C, I, WF – Hicksville) has once again partnered with the New York State Library and libraries throughout Nassau County to bring the 2009 Summer Reading Challenge to school children. This program, which encourages children to develop reading habits when they are young, has been shown to decrease learning losses typical during the summer break.
“In my fifth year of participating in this program, I am hoping it will be bigger and better than ever,” said Walker. “We all know that reading is an essential life skill that needs to be cultivated in our children when they are young. By making reading fun, I believe this program encourages both parents and children to get involved, spend time together and enrich their lives.”
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