Letter: A Message of Thanks

On Friday evening, December 2, this year’s Holiday Lighting of the Village of Farmingdale’s Tricentennial Tree took place on the Village Green. This blue spruce tree was planted following the community’s Tricentennial of Settlement observance in 1987, which commemorated the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the first settler Thomas Powell in 1687. The Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society has been one of the co-sponsors of the Tree Lighting event since the first was held in 1989. Incidentally, we will reach the community’s 325th anniversary of settlement next year, 2012.

This year’s event was the first in its 23-year history to be postponed due to unfavorable weather. The original date, November 29, was a very wet day. We appreciate the decision of Mayor George Starkie and the Village Board to move the program to Friday evening, which was a perfect night weather-wise, clear and seasonably cool.

Letter: Farmingdale Village Green Tree Lighting

The 23rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Farmingdale’s Village Green, on December 2 was truly a community endeavor. So many contributed their time and talents to ensure that this holiday tradition remains a part of the fabric that is Farmingdale.

First, a round of applause must be given to the Beautification Committee for their work decorating the Green so professionally in time for the event. The excellent Third Grade Chorus represented the Farmingdale Public Schools from the Northside School.

Letter: Responding to Sinclair’s ‘Fairy Tales’

(Editor’s note: This letter to the editor is in response to the column “From Long Island Wins” by Maryann Sinclair titled One Set of Facts, One Unavoidable Conclusion that appeared in the Farmingdale Observer on Friday, Nov. 18.)

I cannot wait to get my weekly edition of the Farmingdale Observer to see if there is a new fairy tale in there from Maryann Sinclair.

This week’s [Friday, Nov. 18] “once upon a time” story again tells us how lucky we are to have people that contribute to society here on Long Island. Since all people (excluding Native Americans) are immigrants and/or descendents of immigrants we are only complimenting ourselves.

Letter: Glaring Difference Between Legal and Illegal Immigrants

(Editor’s note: This letter to the editor is in response to the column “From Long Island Wins” by Maryann Sinclair titled One Set of Facts, One Unavoidable Conclusion that appeared in the Farmingdale Observer on Friday, Nov. 18.)

There is a glaring and important difference between legal immigrants who have established themselves properly and within the confines of the law here in the United States, and illegal immigrants. To mix the two into one study was clearly done with intent to fog the issue of illegal immigrants in our towns and villages. This distinction is clearly important, but seemingly not so for Long Island Wins latest opinion piece.

Here are the facts that were not stated loudly and clearly in Maryann Sinclair’s article espousing the contributions of immigrants on Long Island. The immigrants cited in this study were a deliberate mixture of both legal and illegal immigrants. This skewed study purposely includes illegal immigrants in a clear effort to fudge the distinction between the two groups of immigrants.

Letter: American Red Cross Offers Thanks to Community

During this season of hope and thanksgiving, the American Red Cross on Long Island reflects on the generosity of those who helped us bring comfort and assistance to our neighbors in need this year.

We owe a huge measure of gratitude to our partners and donors who have shown a deep commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross. We owe an equal measure of thanks to our thousands of dedicated volunteers. Their tireless work makes it possible for us to respond to disasters throughout our area.

Letter: LIPA’s Hurricane Irene Response Efforts Failed—Miserably

I’m appalled at the lack of LIPA’s response to Hurricane Irene. I lost power at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28 and didn’t regain power until 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. That’s six days without power!

What really aggravated me was the news broadcast I saw at 5 a.m. on August 28th, stating that emergency crews were coming in from Ohio and Pennsylvania, to be stationed at Republic Airport. Republic Airport is two streets and one highway across from me, yet I never saw one linesman come to fix the downed wire that affected four blocks of electricity, including my own.

New York to Seek NCLB Waiver, Improve Test Security

Statement of the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer

Today’s decision by the state Board of Regents to seek a federal waiver from the strictures of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is welcome news for school districts across this state that were facing unrealistic expectations, such as requiring 100 percent proficiency in English/Language Arts and mathematics by 2014.

Letter: I’m Voting for Elizabeth Kase for County Court Judge

My good friend Elizabeth Kase is running for Nassau County Court Judge this Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Liz and I have been friends for years now, and I count her as one of the warmest, smartest, and most honest people I know. Liz is originally from Great Neck and now lives in Port Washington with her husband and three wonderful children: Ben, Sam, and Lucy. She is family oriented and gracefully juggles mom-time with her flourishing legal career.

Letter: Women’s Club Thanks Farmingdale Community

The Women’s Club of Farmingdale would like to say “Thank You” to the Farmingdale Community for their support with Art in the Park. Christy Hinko, editor of the Farmingdale Observer, was very instrumental in advertising, not only in Farmingdale, but with all the surrounding communities. Mayor George “Butch” Starkie supported this project from the onset along with Pat Christiansen, Deputy Mayor and Cheryl Parisi, village trustee and co-chairmen for Art in the Park, Bill Barrett and Ralph Ekstrand, village trustees. “Thank You” to Bob Westfall, a local artist and veteran, who donated a painting that was raffled by purchasing chances. 

Letter: Farmingdale Resident Responds to Town Supervisor Election Coverage

(Editor’s note: This letter is in response to the Election Coverage feature that appeared on the cover to the Friday, Oct. 14 edition of the Farmingdale Observer.)

After reading your headline article, in your October 14, 2011 edition, about both Candidates for the Oyster Bay Supervisor I am compelled to comment.  

I was astounded to read candidate John Capobianco’s statement about the TOB Republicans whom he proclaims very strongly, “borrow,” “spend,” and “tax.” He even stated that Republicans need to demonstrate “fiscal restraint.” Wow, talk about hypocrisy.