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Reinventing Nassau Coliseum

How can we reinvent Nassau Coliseum to become a vital economic engine for the 21st Century? It may be too early to say, but Nassau County is currently taking suggestions.

After several discussions on the potential future of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with the Forest City Ratner team that designed the business model for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has announced that he is seeking requests for proposals from throughout the real estate community that would reinvent the aging facility as a new and strong economic anchor for the Hub.

Mangano stated, “What the Ratner findings have documented is that a ‘right sized’ arena offering appropriate amenities would be a successful family oriented sports and entertainment venue that creates significant revenue for the county and its taxpayers. Its ability to compliment the surrounding development being planned by Renaissance Downtown would ensure that, together, the economic sum would be greater than its combined parts. We have the means of creating a win-win for every county resident, each of whom has a direct stake in the future of the Hub.”

Respondents need to be prepared to work closely with Renaissance Downtown, the designated “Master Developer” of the Hub and to abide by existing Town of Hempstead zoning for the Hub.

News

Declining enrollment and

reserve funds are key factors

As voters in the Massapequa Union Free School District approach the Tuesday, May 21, budget vote, the proposed spending plan retains popular educational programs while keeping the rise in spending to 1.49 percent.

Despite what district officials call unprecedented increases in state-mandated employer pension contributions, as well as rising health insurance costs, the overall budget is up just over $2.7 million.

After Massapequa resident Sol Goldstein and several friends helped finish building a house for a family 20 years ago for Habitat for Humanity, they had a question: “What do we do now?” They were all retired, had enjoyed working together and accomplishing something for a family in need, and wanted to do more.

“I was looking for something [to do] hands-on,” said Joe Botkin, of Williston Park, a retired principal, who had worked with Goldstein in building the home.


Sports

Vinny Zanfardino started his coaching career in 1997 when he stepped up to coach his daughter’s Little League team.

What started as a hobby turned into a full-blown obsession for Zanfardino, 48. Coaching became an outlet to do some good for children while staying close to the game he loves: baseball.

On Saturday, May 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will conduct a ceremony to officially re-name its golf course in honor of Joseph Colby, a resident of Massapequa Park who served as the Town of Oyster Bay’s 56th supervisor. The Honorable Joseph Colby was appointed supervisor in 1977 and was elected to that office five times in the following ten years. He was then elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1988, a post he held through his retirement from public service in 1992. The unveiling will take place at the main entrance of the course off South Woods Road in Woodbury.

“When the sign for Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is unveiled, it will celebrate an outstanding career in public service,” Supervisor John Venditto said. “Joseph Colby has always had the needs of the public as his top priority and has been widely respected for his innovation and responsiveness. This golf course will now forever bear his name as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.”


Calendar

Line Dancing  

Friday, May 17

Library's Board of Trustees Meeting

Wednesday, May 22

America’s Boating Course

Tuesday, May 28



Columns

Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net

Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net

Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net