Editorial: Officially Replaced
Friday, 28 September 2012 00:00
What will forever be remembered as the symbol of the replacement official saga in the National Football League is the image of two referees standing in the end zone over a crowd of Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks – and both men in stripes are signaling different calls.
The real loser wasn’t Green Bay – who were given a raw deal following a series of questionable calls and non-calls on Seattle’s final drive – but the replacement officials themselves. The abuse directed toward these men, who are likely just middle-class workers and diehard football fans just like the rest of us, was, pun intended, uncalled for.
The replacement refs stepped in to make sure football was delivered to its fans. The replacement refs threw themselves into unfamiliar environments under the highest stress level possible with coworkers they likely never met before in order for the season to start on time. How are they at fault?
Clearly, the referees were overmatched and underprepared for professional football. That much was obvious throughout the NFL’s first three weeks. The history books may include an asterisk to include the fact that regular referees didn’t step in until week four, who knows? What we do know is that football returned on schedule and yes, replacement refs we should be thanking for that.
— C.T.
News
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
Hicksville School District Superintendent Maureen Bright gave an overall picture of the district profile at the school board meeting last Wednesday night. The meeting was the final one before the upcoming budget vote, which will take place on Tuesday, May 21 at Hicksville High School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The total number for the 2013-14 proposed budget is $124,595,008. This is a 3.29 percent increase or $3,963,375 from the 2012-13 school year. In 2012-13 the total budget was $120,631,633.
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
On Saturday, May 11 the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of Nassau County held their Annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony at St. Frances de Chantal Parish in Wantagh. This is the 15th year for the ceremony, originally started by the late Tom Benet and the late Vincent Esposito as a way to honor those military brethren who are still listed as prisoners of war (POW), or missing in action (MIA).
Rick Gales, Town of Hempstead Veteran Affairs liaison, quartermaster of the Elmont VFW, and Nassau County Chairman of the POW/MIA Committee continues the tradition and told Anton Newspapers that the POW/MIA ceremonies are usually held in April or May, coinciding with the fall of Vietnam and the end of a war era.
In 2010, the Department of Defense reported more than 1,700 Vietnam era soldiers as POW/MIA status.
Sports
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
James Russo, 11, of Hicksville, came in sixth place in the States Competition at 120lbs. Ryan Schecht, 11, of Hicksville, placed third in the States at 105lbs, and is on his way to the Nationals Championship.
Thursday, 09 May 2013 00:00
Begins Saturday, May 11
Seasonal beach stickers may be purchased beginning on Saturday, May 11, so that residents may get their beach stickers ahead of time and avoid the rush during the Memorial Day weekend, when some town beaches will open for weekends.
“So many residents enjoy the beautiful beaches that we have here in the Town of Oyster Bay and eagerly look forward to the first opportunity to enjoy those beaches during the Memorial Day weekend,” Councilman Joseph Pinto said. “Town residents, who purchase a town beach sticker in advance of the beaches opening, will avoid the possibility of waiting in line during opening weekend.”
Calendar
Pride Day, Cleanup Hicksville
Saturday, May 18
Blood Drive
Monday, May 20
Parade Announcement
Monday, May 27
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
