Annual Celebrate Glen Cove Gala Held

Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce recognizes those who have made a difference

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, residents of Glen Cove and the surrounding communities had a chance to relax and unwind in an elegant setting at the Annual Celebrate Glen Cove Gala presented by the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, held at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

Originally scheduled for Nov. 3, the gala was rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17, and though the date change did have an impact on attendance, the gala was still a success. This year’s gala honored four community members for their contributions to better the welfare of other businesses, residents and the community at large. The honorees were Patty Carrotta of Astoria Federal Savings, Angela Susan Anton of Anton Community Newspapers, Roberto Telese, Glen Cove Police Department and Betsy Gibbs, owner of Worth Repeating.

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Suozzi Commends Storm Recovery Workers

DiLeo praises Ralph Suozzi: ‘I’m proud that he’s our mayor’

During the Tuesday, Nov. 13 Glen Cove City Council meeting, Mayor Ralph Suozzi thanked everyone in the City of Glen Cove for pitching in and doing a “wonderful job” during the recovery period from Hurricane Sandy. 

“Thank you to all city departments and employees, first responders, volunteers, neighbors who helped neighbors, the city council members, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Nassau County OEM (Office of Emergency Management),” Suozzi said.

Sea Cliff Mayor Kennedy Calls For ‘A Clean Sweep’ At LIPA

You can include Sea Cliff Mayor Bruce Kennedy with the many elected officials and Long Island residents who are upset with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). The mayor spoke with the Glen Cove Record Pilot and expressed anger at the way LIPA responded to the power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“I would describe LIPA’s response as an epic failure,” said Kennedy.

Glen Cove Resident Identified In Fire Death

Lewis J. Bodi, former CUNY dean and World War II hero, died in Nov. 4 house fire

Glen Cove lost a war hero, an academic community figure and friend on Sunday, Nov. 4, as police identified Lewis Joseph Bodi, 87, as the victim of a house fire, which police said a kerosene lamp likely caused.

The first American-born child of Hungarian immigrant parents, Bodi was born in 1924 in Racine, Wisconsin. Originally named Lazlo, he was given the name Lewis by his kindergarten teacher, which he kept for life.

Sandy: A Hurricane Of Historic Proportions

Glen Cove, surrounding areas get hit hard

Glen Cove, along with the rest of Long Island, was hit by the now infamous Hurricane Sandy on Monday Oct. 29. The well-known “Frankenstorm” was predicted a few days before Monday and received its nickname due to having both the characteristics of a tropical storm and features of a cold front. The storm took an unusual turn inland from the coast because of the low pressure coming from Canada, making the devastation on the North Shore both unusual and more powerful than expected. The storm was a mixture of the most uncommon elements to ever occur in the Long Island and New York City area in history.

Hurricane Sandy Brings Devastation To Long Island

Destroyed homes, power outages, and long gas lines are left in the storm’s wake

It is a scene that is devastatingly similar throughout Long Island, and particularly in waterfront areas on the north and south shores. Homeowners desperately tried to remove the water that had flooded homes by opening doors, windows, garage doors, and by using generator-powered vacuums, designed to capture water. Along curbsides, carpets, furniture, clothing, toys, and other treasured belongings were left for sanitation crews to take away. Literally, lifetimes of memories had been washed away.

The storm made landfall on Monday, October 29. Although it should have been a regular business day, anyone making their way through the heavy wind and rain realized that it was anything but an ordinary Monday. Businesses that are usually jammed with midday lunch crowds were vacant. Long Island Rail Road stations, were deserted, with not a train or a commuter to be found. Schools were closed and would remain shut for more than a week. Businesses that remained opened were hard to find, although there were a few proprietors who did brave the massive storm.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)

GC City Council Approves Revised Budget

An average of $56 will be added to a homeowner’s annual tax bill

The Glen Cove City Council meeting took place Tuesday, Oct. 23 to vote on the upcoming budget. The revised budget had caused concern for being a financial risk, but Mayor Ralph Suozzi confidently explained his budget plans. All of city council voted Tuesday night to approve spending that will add $56 to the average homeowner’s annual tax bill.

Residents expressed concern at the meeting about Glen Cove’s current deficit, and Mayor Suozzi’s future plans to borrow from the state. Charlie Bozzello asked the mayor if borrowing money would be wise due to Glen Cove’s current debt, and how the city will ever reach economic stability if the city continues to borrow money. The mayor explained that the Glen Cove Police Department will see about 13 police officers retiring this year, an unusually high number, he said, adding that it would be impossible to not borrow. The mayor went on to say that the money borrowed will be dedicated to paying for these retirement plans and that retirement plans “would’ve been a good idea to start 30 years ago.” Roughly 12.3 percent of the budget will go to retirement plans for police.

Superintendent Laria Submits Resignation

Board of Ed adopts district goals at Oct. 15 meeting

At the start of the Oct. 15 Glen Cove City School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Joseph A. Laria shocked the audience by reading a statement of resignation, which he said he had read to the board members in the executive session preceding the public meeting. His final day in the district will be June 30, 2013, and he said he made the decision for both personal and professional reasons.

“After much soul searching, I concluded that now is the time to turn the page and establish more of a balance in a new chapter of my life as I approach 70 years of age,” Dr. Laria began. “I did not come to this decision easily because my service in Glen Cove has been so very fulfilling, both personally and professionally. My notice is submitted early in the school year to give the board sufficient time to complete a superintendent search unencumbered by the pressures of time and by other important issues during the upcoming months.”