Manhasset Additions To Gold Star Honor Roll: Soldiers To Be Honored In Memorial Re-Dedication

On May 26, the American Legion Post 304 will be holding a re-dedication ceremony to recognize the addition of the names of Lieutenant Commander Harry S. Mossman (MHS ’61) and Captain Edward F. Miles (MHS ’62) to our Gold Star Memorials. The ceremony will be held at the Mary Jane Davies Green beginning at noon where our community is invited to join members of the Legion, and the family and friends of Harry and Ed in honoring them for their service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

2012 Budget Vote Successful; Focus Already On 2013

The board and administration expressed delight at the May 17 board meeting over the solid support behind the 2012 school budget that passed with a 69.6 percent yes votes. In the eerily quiet weeks prior to the vote, one of the very few letters to the editor on this subject began with the improbable “For the first time ever, the Manhasset Proponents of School Accountability (MPSA) and the Port Washington Educational Assembly (PWEA) are supporting the proposed school budgets in our communities, as both budgets are meeting the new tax cap limits.” Coupled with an uncontested trustee election in which Carlo Prinzo was re-elected and Ann Marie Curd-Fruhauf was elected for the first time to fill the spot vacated by retiring Cindy Cardinal, it was quiet indeed.

Development Of ‘Village Bath Club’ Property On May 29 Town Board Agenda

Community encouraged to give their opinion to the board

Over the years, the unsightly, denuded Village Bath property has been both ignored, and been in play. Unattractive as it is, it has become part of the familiar landscape and any change is suspect.

The Gate LLC, owner of the 1900 Northern Boulevard commercial retail space that includes Daffy’s and the Apple Store on the corner, had considered purchasing the property, applied for a change of zoning from Residential A to Parking in mid-2011, and withdrew its proposal in the face of unanimous opposition by the neighboring communities.

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.