Here are some of the top stories which occurred in Levittown in 2001, as selected by the editor. They are not being run in order of importance. In early January, the body of 46-year-old Frank Curatola was found in a closet in the man's home in the Island Trees area. The man's body was discovered after his brother and tenant searched the house because Curatola had been missing for a couple days. His brother found him in the closet. In addition to the murder, Curatola's van was also reported missing at the scene. Soon after the incident, Curatola's son, Eric Curatola, was arrested and charged with murdering his father. It was alleged that the son, after having an extensive argument with his father, struck him with a dumbbell and hit him several times in the back and head and then dragged his father's body into the closet, tied his hands and concealed the body with some clothing. Police stated that the son then took off and fled from the scene in his father's van, after stealing some money and credit cards from him. Police said that they connected the son with the murder through witnesses and physical evidence at the scene. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation held a public information meeting regarding the American Drive In Cleaners on Hempstead Tpke. in early March. The DEC met to discuss with residents its proposed remedial action plan regarding the Class 2 hazardous waste site. Several years ago, the site was declared as Class 2 hazardous due to the fact that the dry cleaning solvent tetrachloroethene, also known as perchloroethene or PCE or "perc" was apparently disposed of in drains leading to on site cesspools sometime prior to 1981. Due to its classification, which signifies that there is significant threat to public health or the environment and action is required, the DEC moved quickly to put their plan into effect. Some time after, the store was closed down and the cleaners are no longer operating out of that location. Full Day Kindergarten in Island Trees In February, the Island Trees Board of Education unanimously approved the proposal they considered since Sept. of 2000, a full day kindergarten program to implement throughout the district. Over the summer, six classrooms were prepared at Stokes School and four at Sparke. To accommodate, the district decided to move the business and administration offices from Stokes into vacant rooms at Gallow. With that move, kindergartners would be able to continue through elementary school at the building where they began kindergarten. Levittown Cited as High Performing District In early spring, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Herman Sirois presented banners to each of the six elementary schools in the district, in recognition of Levittown being named a "High Performing District," based on the fourth grade state test results. This distinction, which was bestowed upon Levittown by the New York State Department of Education, is based on the 1999 fourth grade ELA and math results. Dr. Sirois said he believes that this honor was given to approximately the top 50 out the 750 districts across the state. The district received a citation from the state in recognition of this achievement and individual banners were made up for each of the Levittown elementary schools, which were personally presented to the school by Dr. Sirois. Student Arrested in Bomb Scare A 16-year-old male student at Division Avenue High School was arrested in May for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to the school that week. According to Detective Francis Como of the Eighth Squad, the student called Nassau County Police 911, stating "I am bombing the school." Detective Como said that this call was made from one of the two pay phones next to the gym doors outside the cafeteria at Division Avenue High School. He added that the school was searched by the police following the threat but nothing was found. Como said that the Eighth Squad conducted an investigation and with the help of witnesses were able to make the arrest. School Bond Issues In mid-May, the Levittown School District's approximate $119.6 million budget was one of four in Nassau County to fail on budget voting day. The bond failed by a mere 36 votes and the Board of Education put the same budget up for a revote in June. After holding a public hearing on May 23, the district asked residents to revote on June 6 and the bond passed by more than 60 percent of residents voting in favor. At the June 6 revote, the budget was approved at each of the nine polling places, as opposed to May 15 when it was voted down at four of the locations. Residents of the Levittown School District came out in full force, with the third largest voter turnout in three decades, to approve the budget 3823 to 2320, a 62.2 percent approval rate. Only 3930 voters came out for the first vote. In late May, the Levittown community was hit with acts of vandalism, including a case of arson at Division Avenue High School and severe playground equipment damage at the Israel Community Center. It was suspected that teenagers were involved in causing the damage in both locations. The major incidence of vandalism that weekend took place at Division Avenue High School. As part of his pre-prom initiative, urging high school students to think before they drink and drive, use drugs or drive with excessive speed, Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes and the Town of Hempstead, along with Coachman Autoworks of East Meadow who donates the vehicles, put crashed cars on the lawns of both MacArthur and Division Avenue High Schools. Very early one Sunday morning, a person or persons torched the four-door Chevy station wagon on the front lawn of Division, completely destroying it and burning the Town of Hempstead sign that hung above the car which read, "Don't let your night end like this!" The Rev. Monsignor George P. Graham, J.C.D., Ph.D., retired from St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church during the summer after a 20-year tenure. Later in the summer, the church welcomed Father Gerard Ringenback as its new pastor. The family of Dr. Laurie Miller Spencer, who was murdered in March by her ex-boyfriend while she was sleeping, established a memorial scholarship fund in her honor over the summer. Spencer, a graduate of the Levittown School District, has many local family members and friends who wish to help others the way Spencer did throughout her life. To help keep her memory alive, the family decided to award the annual scholarship to a female student at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM), of which Spencer was an alumna, who is planning a career in emergency medicine and needs financial assistance to get through college. The scholarship was designed to help a student who wants to save other people's lives through a career in emergency medicine, as Spencer had in her life. Race for County Executive Early in the year, Republican legislators announced that they would not support County Executive Tom Gulotta if he pursued another term in office. Gulotta announced that he would not run again in March. Also early in the year, Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli and Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi, both Democrats, announced their intention to run, as did businessman Bruce Bent. Suozzi was elected in November. 15th Legislative District In the early fall, Nassau County Legislator of the 15th District Dennis Dunne, incumbent for the seat, faced Levittown resident Rich Ahrens in a Republican Party primary. In November, Dunne was re-elected to serve his fourth term in office, beating out Democratic candidate Teresa Butler. 14th Legislative District Republican Incumbent Legislator Salvatore B. Pontillo was re-elected to serve his fourth term in office, winning in a very close race against Democratic opponent Dave Mejias. 13th Legislative District Republican Legislator Norma Gonsalves, incumbent in the 13th LD, was elected to serve her third term on the legislature. She was challenged for the seat by Democratic candidate Rita Eilenberg. 6th Councilmatic District Republican Incumbent Gary Hudes was re-elected to serve the residents of the 6th Councilmatic District for a full four-year term. Hudes won over his Democratic challenger, Patricia Maher. Hempstead Town Supervisor Town of Hempstead Supervisor Rich Guardino was re-elected to serve his third term, winning over Democratic challenger Kevin Gorman. Receiver of Taxes Republican Don Clavin, Jr., appointed Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes back in February when his predecessor Angie Cullin was elected councilwoman, was elected to serve another term as the town's receiver of taxes, defeating challenger Democrat Fred Hirsh. Town Clerk Levittown native Kate Murray, a Republican, was elected to the town clerk's position Town of Hempstead Clerk. She won over Democratic challenger Hazel Scottie Coads. Murray was the New York State Assemblywoman for the 19th Legislative District up to her inauguration to town hall. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 11, two planes crashed into both of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center causing thousands of casualties and injuries. Firefighters, police officers, EMS workers and others from all over New York and some from out of state rushed to the site, later coined "Ground Zero," to assist in the recovery efforts in any way possible. Local residents came out in full force to help in the rescue and relief efforts. Students from every school in the district helped out by collecting supplies and raising money. Patriotism was clear all over the community with candlelight vigils and gatherings. In November, the Levittown School District took time out of a school board meeting to personally thank and recognize students from all schools for their efforts during the tragedy. In addition, the board recognized the teachers of the district, thanking them for their efforts during that week of Sept. 11, particularly their help in ensuring that school was a safe place for the children. In the wake of the attacks, residents mourned the life of many dear to their hearts, including Lt. Kevin Donnelly of Ladder Company 3, FDNY, who was also a member of the Wantagh Fire Department and Levittown resident Robert Parro, who was also a New York City firefighter. Chief Ron Kerwin The events of Sept. 11 also resulted in the loss of Levittown Fire Department Chief Ron Kerwin, who lost his life heroically at the World Trade Center as a member of the New York City Fire Department's Squad 288. Later in the year, Deputy Chief John Rottkamp was sworn in as the new chief of the department. District Hosts Illuminated Walk In late November, hundreds of local residents attended an illuminated walk on the streets of the community to honor and remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and to recognize the heroic efforts of uniformed services and citizens. The event was coordinated by the Levittown Board of Education and the School District as a whole, who said that since the devastating events of Sept. 11, the Levittown community has exhibited an exemplary spirit of caring and that too many families have suffered overwhelming pain and they feel their deep sense of loss.