Waiting For The Union’s Call; TOB Still Willing To Negotiate

With layoffs on the table, Supervisor Venditto leaves the door open for union negotiations

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto is still struggling to solve the town’s cash flow problems. To solve the TOB budget problems he needs union concessions or the town workers will experience layoffs.

Finding a solution began with a retirement offer which included $1,000 for each year of service which was accepted by 89 employees whose last day with the town was Aug. 30. They will receive the funds in a single payment at the end of October. It will be paid with a $7.5 million 10-year bond. The payment included any unused or sick days owed. The workers are guaranteed health care for life and for a surviving spouse, for five years (this is not a reduction or increase, but the same as the current contract).

HFD, Community Holds 9/11 Commemorations

More than 200 firefighters, residents pay respects to fallen friends

Hicksville Fire Department Chief Christopher Moskos, alongside upward of 125 firefighters, followed the sounds of the New York Metro Pipe Band early morning on Saturday, Sept. 9 to Hicksville Fire Department’s Strong Street Fire Station Memorial.

While hauntingly beautiful, the mournful sound of bagpipes respectfully lent itself to the somber mood of what the ceremonies were all about. Once in formation, the chief called the detail to order and summoned the presentation of the Color Guard, which was made up of 11 American flags (once for each of the passing years accompanied by the FDNY/MIA flag). The members were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by their Sergeant-At-Arms, Honorary Chief Nick Brigandi, and remained in position during the National Anthem as program coordinator, Ex-Chief Karl Schweitzer, opened the ceremonies.

East Street Teacher Holding Book Signing At Mall

Scott Starkey, HHS soccer coach, focuses on combating youth bullying

It’s been an exciting year for Hicksville teacher Scott Starkey.

In January, Simon & Schuster published his first novel, How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying. Geared to middle-grade readers, this humorous “boy meets bully” tale has enjoyed strong appeal with parents and kids alike.  But for Starkey, who teaches fifth-grade at East Street Elementary School and serves as head coach of Hicksville High School’s championship soccer team, the Comets, one of the year’s highlights will come on Saturday, Sept. 22, when he appears at the Broadway Mall to sign and discuss his new novel.

Hicksville To Commemorate Two 9/11 Heroes

George Howard, Terry Farrell gave their lives at Ground Zero

Two local heroes, George Howard and Terry Farrell, who both held strong ties to the Hicksville community before their final hours on Sept. 11, 2001, will be honored this Sunday, Sept. 9 with a ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. at the Hicksville Fire Department’s Strong Street Fire Station Memorial.

Honorary Chief George Howard was an ex-captain of Emergency Company 5 and a member of the Port Authority Police Department working out of JFK Airport, where he organized the PAPD Emergency Service Unit. During the attack on the Twin Towers in 1993, Howard responded to the scene on his day off and rappelled down an elevator shaft to rescue more than 60 occupants trapped in an elevator – an effort that awarded him a subsequent Medal of Valor. In addition to his volunteer firefighter service, which spanned nearly three decades, Howard was a youth soccer coach in Hicksville. West John Street between Newbridge Road and Strong Street now reads, “P.O. George Howard Way.”

Long Island Medium Third Season Premiers This Sunday

Hicksville’s Theresa Caputo continues to juggle psychic gift with family life

With almost 200,000 fans on Facebook and millions of viewers tuning in on Sunday nights, Hicksville’s Theresa Caputo, star of the TLC show Long Island Medium, has come a long way since depending on word of mouth and business cards to perform readings. 

The show, which premiers this Sunday night, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m., documents Caputo’s venture into the spirit world and how she manages to maintain a balance between her professional and personal life.

Hicksville VFW Shows Support For 333rd MP Brigade

Group helped recently deployed soldiers, families prepare for service abroad

The Hicksville Veterans of Foreign Wars, William M. Gouse Jr. Post 3211 had a busy August in support of the 333rd Military Police Brigade. 

The 333rd MP BDE (formerly the 800th MP BDE) was deploying to Afghanistan on Aug. 24 for a nine-month tour; their mission will be instructing the Afghan police on techniques of policing.

HFD Announces September 11 Memorial Services

Hicksville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Christopher J. Moskos recently announced the final plans to commemorate the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11. The Hicksville Fire Department will commemorate the somber anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 9 starting at 11 a.m., at the Strong Street Fire Station memorial. The memorial was erected in memory of Ex-Chief Terrence Farrell and Honorary Chief George Howard, both who lost their lives while performing rescue efforts on Sept. 11, 2001.

Ex-Chief Farrell was a member of Citizens Engine Company 3 and elite member of the New York City Fire Department, Rescue 4. Honorary Chief Howard was an ex-captain of Emergency Company 5 and member of the Port Authority Police Department working out of JFK Airport in the Emergency Services Bureau.

Hicksville Resident Named CPHS Principal

Thomas DePaola, former Long Beach vice principal, takes over for Neil Connolly

The halls of the Carle Place Middle and High School will welcome a new principal when the school year starts in September as Thomas DePaola will take the reins from former principal Neil J. Connolly, who retired from his position after 37 years of service to the district.

Prior to his position at Carle Place, DePaola served as vice principal at Long Beach High School for the past three years. He served as a biology and chemistry teacher for 13 years at Farmingdale High School and was also a union officer for six years.

New Training Facilities Constructed At NCFSA

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined by dozens of volunteer firefighters as he furthered his commitment to supporting first responders by breaking ground for the construction of new training facilities, known as Burn Buildings, at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy (NCFSA) in Bethpage on Aug. 20. Half of the current training facilities became unsafe and were closed several years ago after being used for nearly five decades to train first responders on the safety measures needed when fighting structural fires.

“The men and women of Nassau’s volunteer fire departments deliver critical services to every resident and it’s essential that we provide them with proper training facilities so they are prepared when risking their lives to help our neighbors in need of assistance,” Mangano said. “The new facilities will offer our first responders critical hands-on training for both novice and experienced firefighters.”

LI Cruzin’ For A Cure In Hicksville Sept. 9

Annual prostate cancer awareness event to showcase classic cars at Sears Auto Center

Hicksville will act as an outdoor showroom for hundreds of classic and antique cars on Sunday, Sept. 9 as Long Island Cruzin’ For a Cure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting prostate cancer among men, rolls into the Sears Auto Center on Route 106/107 starting at 9 a.m.

The event, which last year featured 535 cars and more than 1,800 spectators, will also host free prostate cancer testing (PSA) for men through North Shore-LIJ. Sandy Kane, event founder, noted that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime and that more than 230,000 cases were recorded in the United States last year alone.