Petition Investigation Report Due Soon

By Margaret Whitely

At the last meeting of the New Hyde Park Village Board, Mayor Warren Tackenberg reported that he recently spoke to the representative of the investigation service regarding the residents' petition for dissolution of the village. Tackenberg commented, "It is felt that although there were some inadequacies it shows no evidence of criminal wrongdoing."

He said that the investigation service will send the village a written report as soon as possible. When the report is received, under the Freedom of Information Act, anyone is welcome to see it. Tackenberg added, "Recently a resident commented that it was time to put this to bed and go on from here. I agree and I hope that this can be done."

The mayor further announced that a letter has been received at the New Hyde Park Garage from the Department of Environmental Conservation. In an effort to clarify the letter the Illustrated contacted the village garage and spoke to supervisor James McCloat, who explained that in the early '80s a used gas tank had been installed and when it was discovered that it had sprung a leak, that tank, along with all others at the garage, was removed. In removing the tank it was discovered that there was contaminated soil around it and so the village is in the process of removing all of that soil so that it will not contaminate the water. Since it is a costly process Tackenberg said he will write a letter to United States Senator Alfonse D'Amato requesting financial assistance to help with the cleanup.

Trustee William Fischl reported that he met with the officers of the newly formed business association and the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Larry Anderer. The group is planning to meet with the store owners in the village to come up with some kind of program after the first of the year. Tony Ciuffo, assistant to the mayor, said that everyone is anxious to move ahead. One of the requests is to provide more garbage cans for the turnpike.

Trustee Frank Komornik, who is in charge of Parks & Recreation, announced that it has been decided to close the tennis courts at Memorial Park until April 1 when an attendant will be in the park. The youngsters are in-line skating on the courts which will destroy them.

Trustee Florence Lisanti said that the annual tree lighting ceremony was very successful. She is writing thank-you letters to all who volunteered, to State Bank of Long Island for sponsoring the wonderful magician; to the New Hyde Park Fire Department, which sent Santa to village hall via one of its trucks; to Applebees who arrived to hand out lollypops and free tickets for a child's lunch, and to the ladies of the New Hyde Park Lions club who made all the chocolate lolly pops that were handed out to the kids.

Lisanti further announced that at the last meeting of the water authority it was mentioned that they would be mailing out state-mandated material regarding residents' rights and responsibilities.

Trustee Lisanti said that she attended a meeting in Mineola regarding the next phase of the Herricks railroad crossing. She said that the meeting discussed the reconstruction of the railroad tracks and the fact that for at least two months there will be no truck traffic in that area. A suggestion was made by Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello to the members of the Department of Transportation requesting that they alert the truck drivers to use Glen Cove Road to get to Old Country Road, which would cut down on traffic through residential areas.

At the end of her report Lisanti said that since June there has been a difference of opinion from those she has known and respected for years and she then made the following statement: "May all the days of all the years that God has still in store be filled with every joy and grace to bless you more and more. May hope of heart and peace of mind beside you ever stay and that's the golden wish I have for you this holiday."