Village Grants Available

Through the state, NYSERDA assists

villages in obtaining grants for improvements

that will also help the environment

Villages seeking to make infrastructure improvements can find free, state-funded grant-seeking assistance through New York State’s New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). David Berg of Cameron Engineering and Neil Lewis of Sustainability Institute presented the information to mayors and trustees at the March 12, Nassau County Village Officials Association meeting.

NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 under New York State law. At this time, NYSERDA’s goal is to help the state meet its energy goals, which include reducing energy consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy sources and protecting the environment. And to this end, NYSERDA works to facilitate change through the widespread development and use of innovative technologies to improve the state’s energy, economic and environmental wellbeing.

Push For Supermajority Budget Vote

Every year at this time the school board and administration hold meetings and workshops to educate the community on the current budget that it will vote on in May.

On March 2, the school board held its annual budget work session beginning with Superintendent Charlie Cardillo holding a one hour PowerPoint presentation on the 2013-2014 preliminary budget. He outlined the issues influencing the district’s ability to maintain the current programs in the “4 A’s” such as academics, the arts and athletics, and activities in the co-curricular program, while dealing with challenges including the district’s inability to allocate already depleted reserves to the budget, the significant increase in pension and benefit costs, continued increases in enrollment, the continuing loss of state aid—all exacerbated by the requirements of the tax levy cap legislation.  

Update From Kaplan

It was evident Councilwoman Anna Kaplan had done her homework when she reported to a standing room only crowd at the March 13 Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations.

Plandome Road

When Plandome Road was repaved the yellow line to make a left turn onto Northern Boulevard from Plandome Road was painted too short. Once warm weather arrives, Councilwoman Anna Kaplan said, it should be extended by an additional two car lengths.

Difference Of A Week

Irma, employed at Manhasset Florists on Orchard Street, managed to arrive at work almost at her regular time in spite of the heavy, wet snowfall Friday morning, March 8. Her home in Port Washington is a mere 10-15 minute drive most days, but it took a half hour, she said, “and the problem was other cars without 4-wheel drive went too slow.”

Outside the flower shop St. Patrick’s Day banners took a beating. It sounded more like Valentine’s Day, though, to hear Irma tell it. Her husband had their sidewalk shoveled by 7:30 a.m. and had cleaned off her car, cranked up the heat and handed her a hot drink for her ride to work.  

The snow caused problems early in the day but warm weather followed and by the weekend seemed an unreal memory.                     

–Pat Grace

 

Manhasset Library Update: March 15, 2013

Live Music for Kids

Pre-K Through Grade 4

In celebration of National Nutrition Month you and your kids are invited to join us on Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m.  You won’t want to miss this fabulous show starring singer/songwriter Robert Poe. He will share his love for fruits and veggies and inspire children with his music, high energy style, and feats of strength. This program is free.  Registration is not required.  Join your friends and neighbors in your library’s Community Room for what promises to be a fantastic show. This program is for ages preschool to grade four (with caregiver).  We look forward to seeing you.  For more information call 627-2300, ext. 301 or 150.  

Chamber Member Of The Week

Gerard Zohouri of HOMEREDI

After 24 years of involvement in general construction, site development and home building on Long Island, in January 2012 Gerard Zohouri started HOMEREDI, his specialized home-remodeling and renovation business based in Port Washington. HOMEREDI helps prospective home buyers determine what work needs to be done on a house before they purchase it and what other remodeling they wish to do before moving in. This unique service enables new home buyers to start their desired renovation project the day after their closing. The company also works with homeowners to make upgrades in their homes, and even with realtors or motivated sellers to prepare a house to its full potential prior to putting it on the market.

Zohouri says: “I have a passion for architecture and really enjoy my work. I love helping clients create their dream homes.” He believes his success is based on his complete dedication to each project and the fact that his company takes care of every detail. He explains: “I call this our ‘white glove treatment.’ People are not used to getting such good care during construction and renovation work, and my clients appreciate not only the quality of the work we do but also how we do it.”

GOP Passes Districting Map

Despite protests, Republican map passes legislature

The turbulent redistricting process in Nassau County came to an end last week with a party line vote approving a map drawn up by the Republican majority. But the strong possibility of a lawsuit by those opposed to the new map looms.

Republican legislators were booed by members of the audience as they voted for the GOP map. Critics of the map had held out hope that Legislator Denise Ford, who had voted against a similar Republican map in 2011, would vote against her caucus, but she voted with the majority.  The map passed 10-9.

Local Fred Astaire Is One Year Old

No baby steps for this franchise

“I still recall the DJ at our wedding pleading with the guests to join the dance floor to rescue us from our first dance as husband and wife. Now, 30 years later, I am happy to say we rocked the dance floor in our routine,” gushed Carol Hiller. Along with her husband, Hiller was a contestant on Feb. 24 from Manhasset’s Fred Astaire Dance Studio at Long Island’s first ever Fred Astaire Long Island Winter Ball at the Huntington Marriot Hotel. As the youngest studio represented, the Manhasset studio just turned one-year-old; they were praised for their accomplishments in such a short period of time.

Ukrainian National Champions Eugene Yeremenko and Marisa Yatsenko run the studio on Park Avenue just off Plandome Road. When asked why Manhasset was able to garner so much praise in such a short period of time, Eugene remarked, “Our students love to have fun and they just brought that to the dance floor.” And Marisa added, “Ballroom dance is incredibly fulfilling for individuals and couples. It’s great exercise and the best stress reliever I know. You can’t help but smile while dancing.”

Work On LIRR’s Manhasset Viaduct

Train service limitations and road closures

MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide bus service between Great Neck and Port Washington as workers replace bridge timbers on the LIRR viaduct that spans Bayview Avenue in Manhasset.

The work will also require the closure of Bayview Avenue to vehicular traffic on the two remaining weekends of the project. Motorists should follow posted detour signs.

Plandome Native Returns Home

Commander Gordon “Gordo” Wilson, a native of Plandome and son of A. Scott and Patty Wilson, retired from the United States Navy during a formal ceremony in the hangar of Patrol Squadron 30 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL on June 8, 2012 after more than 21 years of faithful service to the Nation.

Commander Wilson graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 and subsequently earned his Wings of Gold and designation as a Naval Aviator in 1993.  During his career, he deployed throughout the world in direct support of combat and peacetime deterrence operations, highlighted by service in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and his role as commanding officer of Patrol Squadron 45 from 2008-2009.