From Sustainable Long Island - February 5, 2010

Planning: Community By Community

What motivates people to action, to make changes for the better? There’s the annual New Year’s resolution. There are tragedies and scares. There are new ideas and innovations. And there is the power of a movement, like-minded people joining together to make change.

From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

“I am pleased to announce the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Floral Park Fire Department a grant for $142,500. The grant is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

The Need for Safe and Drug-Free School Funding

“For the last year, I have been working with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to avert drastic school safety cuts the president proposed in his 2010 budget. Sadly, a few weeks ago, it was officially reported that Long Island schools will lose more than $1.5 million next year because of the elimination of the state grants portion of the Safe and Drug-Free School (SDFS) program. I am greatly concerned by these cuts and have formally asked the Administration to provide an explanation for the cuts and what they plan to do to assist our schools to provide a safe zone for our children.

Village Board Notes - January 29, 2010

The following are trustee reports from the Jan. 19 Floral Park village board meeting.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Mayor Kevin Greene swore in the newest members of the Floral Park Police Department, Police Officer Christopher Timm, Police Officer Michael Vigorito and Police Officer Matthew Viscusi in the presence of their families, friends and members of the Floral Park Police Department. Police Officers Timm and Vigorito are both former members of the New York City Police Department and will begin employment immediately in the village. Police Officer Viscusi will be attending the Nassau County Police Academy for training.

Around the Town - January 22, 2010

India Republic Day Commemoration

The Town of Hempstead will be hosting its 7th Annual India Republic Day commemoration on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Phil-osophically Speaking - January 22, 2010

The searing images of suffering and loss in Haiti have saddened the world. The monster quake, which has shaken the impoverished nation to its foundations, has entombed thousands under mountains of rubble while pulverizing airports, roads and communication systems. Assistance crawls at a snail’s pace and the fear that thirst, hunger and disease could ignite another human catastrophe becomes more ominous with every passing hour.

Village Board Notes - January 15, 2010

The following are trustee reports from the Jan. 5 Floral Park village board meeting.

Trustee Mary-Grace Tomecki offered Resolution No. 2010-02; that pursuant to the village law, notice is hereby given that the General Village Election will be held on Tuesday, March 16 and that the polls thereof will be open at 12 p.m. and closed at 9 p.m. The polling places will be as follows:

Phil-osophically Speaking - January 15, 21010

It was one big mess. From such lofty aspirations and grand beginnings it had sadly come to this: states circulated a dozen different currencies, most of which had little value; neighboring states taxed each other’s goods and state legislatures refused to pay the ballooning debts they had incurred during the eight-year Revolutionary War. Worst of all, citizens began taking matters in their own hands by taking up arms against duly authorized governmental bodies. This was no less than insurrection and the fragile union of states trembled at the prospect of dissolution just three years after the Peace Treaty of Paris secured their separation from Great Britain as an independent nation.

From the Desk of Senator Craig Johnson - January 8, 2010

MTA Capital Plan Vetoed

Last week, the proposed 2010-2014 MTA Capital Plan was vetoed by the Executive Branch’s representative to the MTA Capital Program Review Board (CPRB.) This veto, the first vote cast, automatically sent the plan back to the MTA under CPRB rules.

As the Senate Majority’s representative on the CPRB, I strongly urge MTA officials to reassess its capital needs and draft a better, balanced and more responsible plan for approval.

Phil-osophically Speaking - January 8, 2010

Vats of ink have been spilled regarding the fiasco of flight 253 to Detroit on Christmas Day. If not for the quick thinking and action of some of its passengers and crew, the airliner would have exploded into a smoldering, fiery wreck; another charred trophy of Islamic fanaticism. Security measures failed; Janet Napolitano has confirmed nagging fears that she is hopelessly miscast as Homeland Security Director and President Obama, despite some stalwart posturing, blithely plays the role of the reluctant warrior in the war against terror.