Village Board Notes: November 10, 2011

A regular meeting of the board of trustees was held on Nov.1, at 8 p.m. Prior to the start of the board meeting, Mayor Tweedy asked for a moment of silence in memory of Phyliss Kelleher, mother of Fire Chief John Kelleher and ex-Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher, brothers who have nobly served the Village of Floral Park and sons of an equally civic-minded mother, Phyliss Kelleher.  

Mayor Tweedy announced that before the start of the public hearing and board meeting, there was very important and enjoyable business to attend to.  Community Service Awards were presented to four most deserving young ladies and gentlemen. 

Mayor’s Message Village of Floral Park: November 3, 2011

When newsmakers release a report late on a Friday afternoon, chances are it’s usually not something that puts them in the best light. Stories released in the classic “Friday afternoon dump,” as the cynical strategy is called, are purposely intended to be a one-day story published over the weekend. Such may well be the case of the Long Island Economic Council’s release on late Friday Oct. 14 of its proposal it subtitles “Nassau Hub Transformative Project,” but which could be subtitled “Dump into Belmont Park All Pet Projects.”

Letter: FPMHS Parents Athletic Booster Club Thanks Community

The Floral Park Memorial High School Parents Athletic Booster Club held its annual golf outing on Oct. 20. It was a successful fundraiser and a wonderful event! We would like to thank the Golf Committee and all those who volunteered to contribute to the day’s success. 

Phil-osophically Speaking: October 27, 2011

The Snuggle Thesis

Halloween, it plays to our most primal fears: The living dead, ghosts and goblins, blood suckers and monsters and an entire repertoire of creatures, not all supernatural, designed to strike terror in the human heart. Cinema has brought another dimension to this holiday and I thought it would be in the spirit of its dark, festive atmosphere to explore a few of the horror flicks that made my heart skip a beat. Now I should be clear that I am more of a dilettante in the world of the macabre than a connoisseur of the art form.

Village Board Notes: October 27, 2011

A regular meeting of the board of trustees was held on Oct. 18, at 8 p.m.

Prior to the regular meeting, Mayor Tweedy announced that NYCOM Public Service Recognition Certificates were being presented to six employees who have reached milestones in their careers. Mayor Tweedy said our village is a product of the efforts they make every day and that we would not be a full-service village were it not for these exemplary employees.

Mayor’s Message Village of Floral Park: October 20, 2011

Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz is being called upon by the Floral Park Task Force on the Development and Preservation of Belmont Park to immediately recuse himself from the Long Island Economic Development Council and to cease any further involvement with the group, especially concerning the potential location of a casino or moving the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum from its present 77-acre site, which is adjacent to Hofstra’s 220-acre campus, to Belmont Park, which is owned by the State of New York. The Long Island Economic Development Council, which is co-chaired by Hofstra’s president, was launched this past July by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as one of 10 regional planning groups competing for $1 billion in state funding earmarked for local projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy. The Floral Park Task Force was formed as a result of the State of New York’s taking over control of Belmont Park from NYRA in 2008, and as a hosting neighboring community, Floral Park has been very concerned about the various plans that have been discussed concerning the future of Belmont Park.

Phil-osophically Speaking: October 20, 2011

Barking up the Wrong Tree Is One of America’s Oldest Sports

So what are we to make of this “Occupy Wall Street” movement? Is it “much ado about nothing” or does its global momentum signify something important? One hears echoes of the counter-cultural movement of the ’60s. Back then it wasn’t the money changers on Wall Street per se, but the establishment and the parents who were responsible for everything that was wrong with the world.   Bromides such as “Don’t trust anyone over 30” passed for folk wisdom; but today’s protesters have plenty of graying and balding “Baby Boomers” in their ranks who are caught up in reliving the days of yore. 

Mayor’s Message Village of Floral Park: October 13, 2011

The 10th and final principle relates to oversight and transparency. This principle speaks to more than just a measure of trust; this is a requirement that must be memorialized into law. The State of New York, its governor and elected state representatives, has a moral obligation to fairly and equitably represent the interests of all New Yorkers. Our 2007 Statement of Principles speaks to the fundamental issues of fairness. The analysis of this 10th principle articulates the apparently deliberate yet inequitable treatment the surrounding communities of Belmont Park are subject to when compared with other — state owned; NYRA operated — thoroughbred racing facilities.

Village Board Notes: October 13, 2011

A regular meeting of the board of trustees was held on Oct. 4, at 8:40 p.m.    

Building Department

Trustee Rhatigan reported that the Building Department has received an application for a convenience store at the old Sizzler property on Jericho Turnpike. This application is considered a special use permit so it needs to be heard at a public hearing by the board of trustees.  

The Building Department is waiting for the architect to file the necessary drawings, the building permit application and the approved County permit for Phase II of the Our Lady of Victory Church renovation.  

Mayor’s Message Village of Floral Park: October 6, 2011

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Village of Floral Park dedicated our 9-11 Relic Steel Monument on the lawn in front of Village Hall. While dark clouds and sprinkling of rain may have greeted us earlier that morning, at 10:55 the clouds opened and bright warm sunshine shone down. The dedication ceremony was a wonderful tribute to those honored but was also emblematic of the heart, support and love we unselfishly extend to our neighbors in times of need.  We also saw abundantly expressed the foundation upon which the spirit of Floral Park is deeply rooted and that is, the spirit of volunteerism, which was generously shared with us by our FPPD Color Guard, the American Legion Color Guard, our greatest volunteers; the Floral Park Fire Department, its Color Guard, officers and members, Life Scout Ryan Perge, Eagle Scout James Calan, the New York Metro Pipe Band, FPM students; vocalist Janina Salorio and violinist Fiona Calberson and finally by all the wonderful ladies of our administrative staff who graciously gave of their time to host the events of this historic day. Special thanks to our Village Clerk Susan Walsh, for coordinating and attending to the countless details which made for the dignified ceremony we enjoyed.