School District Election Results

On Tuesday, May 15, the 2012-2013 Manhasset Public School District budget vote results were:

Yes   
1235

No    
539

The trustee election results were:

Ann Marie Curd Fruhauf   
1300

Carlo Prinzo   
1269

Fracking: What We Don’t Know May Hurt Us

Speakers agree an army of New Yorkers is needed to ban fracking

The purpose of the gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock on April 23 was to educate and encourage Long Islanders to take action against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. And Sam Bernhardt, Long Island organizer of the national organization Food & Water Watch, wasted no time providing an explanation of fracking, saying it is a relatively new procedure for extracting natural gas through the process of pumping water and chemicals into the ground to crack open the rock that contains the natural gas. The process, he added, can contaminate water, produce large amounts of air pollution, cause earthquakes, crumble roads and deplete the water supply. Despite these concerns, Bernhardt indicated, Governor Cuomo and the department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are drafting regulations to allow fracking in New York. Maybe even sometime this year, if they act expeditiously.

Schimel Versus Schimel Won’t Be On Ballot

Mark Schimel withdraws his candidacy days after his initial acceptance announcement

Just days after announcing his nomination as the Republican candidate for New York State’s 16th Assembly District, Mark Schimel withdrew his candidacy. A flurry of controversy surrounded this upcoming election as Mr. Schimel’s nomination meant that he would challenge his estranged wife, Michelle Schimel, the Democratic incumbent.

Manhasset Under A Monthly Microscope

On May 9, the circle was complete. A liaison from the Village of North Hills attended the monthly meeting of the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations closing the ranks and permitting the council to embrace every organization that represents an area of Manhasset.

The guest speaker at the meeting was newly elected Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio who represents the 6th Council District of the Town of North Hempstead. The area comprises Port Washington, and also includes the villages of Flower Hill, Plandome, Plandome Heights, and Plandome Manor.

What Will Happen On Plandome Road – And When?

Phase I: Safe Routes to Schools grant includes Manhasset Avenue to Park Avenue

It’s finally going to happen. On May 1 in the high school cafeteria North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, officials and project staff held a community wide meeting providing an update on the Plandome Road Visioning Project. Supervisor Kaiman anticipates Phase I to be bid out next month and construction to occur in August 2012.

The entire Plandome Road Visioning Project, covering Northern Boulevard to Webster Avenue, was last presented to the community and discussed in February 2010 and was estimated to cost close to $2.5 million. That amount far exceeds available funding, so the project must be phased in as funding becomes available.

Anti-Fracking Message Spelled Out To Governor

Concerned Long Islanders call on state officials to ‘Ban Fracking Now’

On May 3, Long Island environmental groups not only called on Governor Cuomo to ban hydro-fracking (fracking), a drilling technique that allows producers to extract gas from underground shale reserves, in New York State, but they clearly spelled it out. Participants in this demonstration held up signs with different letters to provide the following message: “Governor Cuomo: Ban Fracking Now.”

Sponsored by New Yorkers Against Fracking, a coalition of more than 80 organizations working to ban fracking in New York, this event was a part of a statewide day of action.

CACF: 2012-13 School Budget

Submitted by the Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance

The Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance (CACF) unanimously supports the adopted Manhasset School District Budget of $87,069,424 for the year 2012-2013. The CACF would like to address some longer-term issues confronting the district. In recent years the district has strictly controlled spending in a difficult economic period and further reduced the tax burden by partially funding current expenses with the district’s reserves. This was done while maintaining school programs, but an austerity program can result in postponing needed investments. New tax cap rules will limit the ability of the district to spend beyond the most critical current needs and replenish reserves to historical levels. Approval of tax levy increases beyond the state-mandated cap will require a super majority vote of the community. Communication of the district’s long-term needs must be of the highest priority of the board in order to achieve that level of community support.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE FIRST OF A THREE-PART SERIES: Just One Pill

Forget dealers—new generation of addicts goes straight for the medicine cabinets

The 10th-grader selected her favorite color. It was a very simple task that she and most young people have probably done countless times before. However, this time, the stakes were never higher. She was not choosing a color for a blouse, a cell phone case or curtains for her bedroom. Instead, she was selecting a pill from a menagerie of narcotics that her peers had brought to a “pharm party” – an alarming and frightening phenomenon that’s been making a comeback among teenagers throughout Long Island.

Manhasset BOE And Support Staff Reach Agreement

Support personnel contract expired June 30, 2010

(Submitted by the Manhasset School District)

The Manhasset Union Free School District and the Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association (MESPA), the union representing the district’s support personnel, have reached an agreement on their contract, which had expired on June 30, 2010. The MESPA includes cleaners, maintainers and groundsmen, clerical staff, teacher assistants and supervisory aides, nurses, an audio visual technician, duplicating machine operator, messenger and interior security.

The new four-year collective bargaining agreement is effective for the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. The board of education, district administration, and MESPA leadership team worked cooperatively to reach an agreement prior to the board of education’s adoption of a proposed budget for the upcoming 2012-13 school year. The agreement was ratified by the membership on April 23, 2012.

Facts On Underage Drinking And Influence Of Parental Example

Students communicate regularly, parents must too—it takes a village

At Manhasset CASA’s recent town hall meeting, parents gathered to discuss the issue of underage drinking in our community. Parents shared personal stories, frustrations and feelings of helplessness. Now as a parent, I realize more than ever the power of comradery. As a fellow struggler on the road of faith and life, I understand the deep need for solidarity and friendship. As a minister working with young people, I realize the need for caring and committed adults to stand up for our young people. We need loving adults to offer friendship and a listening ear. We need caring mentors to give hope and encouragement - to lift our young people to higher ways of thinking, that they might experience an abundant and fulfilled life. We cannot do it alone. It truly takes a village – and this is my challenge to all of us. My article and research on the subject follows.