Letter: It Is Time For Change

Anton Community Newspapers • 132 East 2nd Street • Mineola, NY 11501 • Phone: 516-747-8282 • FAX: 516-742-5867

Letter: It Is Time For Change

Friday, 08 March 2013 00:00

Please join us on March 19 in supporting Frank DeMento for Mayor of Munsey Park. In addition, we ask you to vote for Patrick Hance and Sean Haggerty as trustees.

Until this year our experience with the village had been minimal. Several years ago we renovated our house at 75 Abbey Road and had the unfortunate experience of having to deal with the town regarding permits, fees and other situations. We dismissed the frustrating experience as part of living in Munsey Park. Our view has changed after dealing with the mayor and the village after Hurricane Sandy. Our home was badly damaged by a tree in the storm. The tree that fell on our house was a tree that concerned us and we approached the town about taking the tree down in 2011. The village, along with an arborist, decided that the tree was healthy and therefore could only be trimmed. The “healthy” tree fell on our home destroying half of our house.

We had several interactions with Mayor Nicolaides and the village after the storm. I called the mayor one day to discuss the permit fees that the Village of Munsey Park was charging us to rebuild our home. I pointed out that several towns were waiving permit fees on work related to damage caused by the storm. I then asked if given the nature of our reconstruction, if Munsey Park would do the same. Mayor Nicolaides said, “…you should be grateful that you are only paying $4,300 in permit fees. Because the village is letting you use old plans you are actually avoiding paying tens of thousands of dollars in architectural and permit fees. I know, I’m an architect.” (December 2012) Grateful? One of the many questions that has occurred to us while dealing with the village is why are the permits fees so high and where does that money go?

Reading the letters written in support of the current mayor, we too appreciate all that has been done about generator noise and the location of air conditioning units. We also acknowledge that Mayor Nicolaides has been mayor for 19 years. What we really care about and need however is to feel that we live in a community where the mayor and trustees of our village promote a feeling of trust, safety, and respect among its residents.

We have known Frank DeMento since high school and can attest to his character, integrity and intelligence. Frank and his wife are very involved in Munsey Park and are lovely people. Sean Haggerty was one if the first people to come help us the day after the storm. He, along with 20 other friends and neighbors spent hours helping to clear the trees that fell on our home. The Hance family was very helpful in helping us look for temporary housing. The concern and generosity that we felt from the residents of Munsey Park was overwhelming. We believe that the residents of Munsey Park deserve leadership that will take a fresh look at the issues and advocate for the families who live here. Please vote for Frank DeMento, Sean Haggerty, and Patrick Hance on March 19.

Kelly and John Towers

News

ERASE Racism Benefit

Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00

Arda Haratunian An Organizer

Manhasset resident Arda Nazerian Haratunian is lending her expertise and support to ERASE Racism, a civil rights non-profit that advocates for racial equity on Long Island. As a member of its planning committee for the third year in a row, she is helping to organize ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit Celebration, which will take place on June 5 at the Garden City Hotel.

A strategic communications consultant, Arda has more than 25 years experience in both the private and public sectors. She most recently served as senior policy advisor and communications director to former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and previously worked for New York Governor Mario Cuomo. During the decade between her two careers in public service, Arda was on Wall Street, serving as managing director of global corporate communications for Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank and before that, head of media and public relations at the American Stock Exchange.

Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse

There is a floral treasure in Manhasset, something unique: it’s the greenhouse in front of Manhasset Florist on Orchard Street. “Having my own greenhouse ensures premium plant growth and creates optimum conditions. This allows me to offer the healthiest plants to my customers,” says owner Alexander Otis. Indeed, the plants look truly perfect and a delightful scent of blossoms fills the air of the greenhouse.

“My father bought the business and property 45 years ago. During those years, he opened a total of five flower shops in Nassau County,” said Alex. His father trained him and his sister Aretta in the flower business. “While still attending high school we both helped on Saturdays and during our vacations,” he explains. Alex graduated from the New York Institute of Technology as an architect and worked as an engineer for over six years before returning to his roots to help his father manage his five flower shops and to run one, Garden City Florist. “When my father retired in 1999, I took over Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse and Aretta took over Port Washington Florist.”

Sports

Victorious In Opening Manhasset Valley Park Game

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Logan Hyde pitching. One of Manhasset’s 12U intramural baseball teams defeated Great Neck in the first game played at the renovated Valley Park field on Saturday April 27. Manhasset’s offense scored 10 runs, including a home run from Devin Callery, while pitchers Logan Hyde, Jeff Torborg, James Marchetti and Grant Petracca combined to limit Great Neck to one hit with 11 strikeouts in six innings. Edward Jarvis, Robert DeCastro, Massimo Abruzzo, Colby Schmidt, Gabriel Cohen, Spencer Kaye and Justin Louie each contributed quality defensive plays. Manhasset raised its record to 4-0 and stands in first place in the inter-town intramural league, which includes 8 teams from Merillon, Albertson-Herricks, Great Neck and Manhasset.

JV Ice Hockey Team Finishes The Season

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 10:34

The Manhasset Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Team finished their season Wednesday night, April 17, beating Bellmore/Merrick 4-3 in the championship game at the Bethpage Community Park Ice Rink. Wednesday’s finale marked the end of an impressive campaign by the Indians which included a 19-1 regular season record and a trip to the New York State Championship in Ithaca.

Manhasset got off to a strong start scoring four times in the first period on goals by Michael Walsh, Michael Brzozowski, Mario De Bueriis, and Matthew Cecchini whose tally would prove to be the game winner. Nolan Behringer, Ryan Kiess, and goaltender Alex Feinstein led the defense in shutting down a powerful Bellmore/Merrick squad, securing Manhasset’s first ever Junior Varsity Championship.