Old Village Seeking to Ensure Building Safety

Considering Laws Responding To Roof Collapse

 

In the aftermath of the July 30 roof collapse at 221 Middle Neck Road in the Village of Great Neck, the village’s mayor and board of trustees are seeking to develop new legislation to prevent further safety hazards. During the Aug. 4 board meeting, there was preliminary discussion, with village attorney Steve Limmer directed to draft new legislation.

Arts Center Outreach Programs Expanded

Great Neck Arts Center outreach programs, bringing the arts to underserved public schools in the region, will be greatly expanded to reach thousands of additional students this fall when ArtReach, the outreach program of Friends of the Arts, is incorporated into Arts Center programs.

Middle Neck Road Apartment Roof Collapses

Last Thursday afternoon, July 30, residents of a cooperative apartment building at 221 Middle Neck Road in the Village of Great Neck were disturbed by the sound of “something falling.” In fact, at about 3 p.m. the roof of the co-op building collapsed sending bricks and debris flying. With emergency services immediately on the scene, the building was evacuated and no one was injured. The building has six apartments and is in a complex of 10 buildings, six with the identical roof.

Oginski Saves a Life While on Holiday

Years of training paid off when 17-year-old Joseph Oginski heard the call of a frantic gate attendant at the Fort Myers Airport as he and his parents waited to board their plane back to New York after a family holiday in Naples, Florida. He stepped forward and informed the attendant that he was a trained firefighter and first responder.

Getting to Know Dr. Thomas Dolan

New GNPS Superintendent

Great Neck Public Schools’ brand new superintendent, Thomas Dolan, is well on his way to making his mark on the school district and on the Great Neck community. Hired only months ago, and on the job only since July 1, Dr. Dolan already has a marvelous sense of the schools and the residents. Having spent much time in Great Neck during the several months before he began his new post, Dr. Dolan is now here full-time, already a strong part of the community, brimming with plans and ideas.

Sal Lipari’s Death Mourned

Long-time South Middle Principal

Salvatore (Sal) Lipari died on July 13, 2009, at age 79, after a long illness. A funeral service was held at the Manhasset Quaker Meeting House on July 16.

The longtime Great Neck resident and educator retired as an administrator in the Great Neck Public Schools in June 2004, after a career that spanned 45 years in the school district. He was a principal for 29 years, perhaps setting a record as the employee with the greatest number of years in that position.

Former Mayor Steve Tell Dies

Led Village of Great Neck

Former Village of Great Neck Mayor Steven Tell died this past Sunday, July 19, 2009 following a long illness. He was 66 years old. Serving as mayor from 1997 until 2001, Mayor Tell held many other positions in the Old Village over the years and maintained a deep interest in Great Neck during the past several years since he moved. He was well-known for his great sense of humor and his sense of fair play, especially when it came to village decisions.

AG Sets Up Website for Government Consolidation, Dissolution

Now that the government consolidation bill has been signed into law by Governor David Paterson, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has set up a website with instructions for citizens on how to go about dissolving or consolidating governments. The website, reformnygov.com, includes the method by which citizens of a government can dissolve that government through a petition and referendum vote. The site even contains sample petitions that can be downloaded.

The spirit of the law is to relieve some of the tax burden on New Yorkers by eliminating some levels of government, although some would argue that eliminating some levels of government would not save money.

Feral Cat Meeting, Claws and All

“Everyone wants something done about the feral cats,” said Park District Commissioner Robert Lincoln, “whether out of concern for the animals or whether they are regarded as a nuisance and that’s why we are discussing the situation tonight and looking for humane and effective solutions.” Approximately 40 people had turned out last Thursday to discuss the cat colony at one of the park district’s commuter lots. It was acknowledged at the meeting that the situation goes far beyond the colony of cats near the Long Island Rail Road and is a peninsula-wide problem. It is estimated that there are at least 11 feral cat colonies spread throughout town.

GNPS Installs New Schools’ Superintendent

Dr. Tom Dolan Takes the Reins

The Great Neck Public Schools now officially have a new superintendent of schools, Thomas Dolan. Dr. Dolan was sworn in at the July 1, board of education organizational meeting for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Dolan thanked the school board for putting their trust in him.