It was bitter cold one day last week and the wind cut like a knife. There were concerns about the stability of the brick wall on the apartment building on Division Ave. As always, this community came together in a time of need.

I want to thank the members of the Levittown Fire Department and Fire Police, led by Chief John Rottkamp for the many hours they stood outside in that bitter cold, until the situation was resolved. These are volunteer firefighters who left their jobs, their families and the warmth to make sure that this emergency was under control. They do this every day and every night for us.

I want to thank Division Ave. High School and the Division Ave. PTA for immediately opening their doors to the residents of the apartment building and serving refreshments while they waited to return to their apartments. Thank you to the Red Cross for their help with those who needed their assistance.

I want to thank the members of our Town of Hempstead building department, parks department (that quickly established our command center), and department of public safety for their tremendous effort to assist Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and myself to help our Levittown residents.

This is a great community of caring people and as always, I am proud to live and raise my family here.