Editorial: The Tax Payroll Decision

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

Editorial: The Tax Payroll Decision

Written by Joe Scotchie Friday, 31 August 2012 00:00

Nearly all politicians willing to speak publicly on the recent court decision overturning the MTA payroll tax were pleased with the result. Nor did it break down on partisan lines. Judicial review is part of the governing process in the United States, but if the payroll tax is undesirable, then the ideal place to overturn it is through the legislative process, which has happened in certain elements of the tax. Higher courts, after all, can overturn lower court rulings. Long Island politicians, obviously, have to stand for the interest of local commuters. In doing so, they often run into the voting bloc that is the New York City delegation in the state assembly. The hard work of grass roots politics and old-fashioned arts of persuasion will have to go forward.

— J.S.

News

Massapequa High School Remembers Fallen Graduate

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete

Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.

A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.

Increased service will save local

commuters up to 40 minutes a day

A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.

The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.

Sports

USTA Honors Michelle Carnovale At Annual Dinner

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Michelle Carnovale is presented with the award by Daniel Burgess, president, U.S. Tennis Association Long Island. The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.

With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.

The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.

Massapequa Observer A’s Clinch Division Title

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Massapequa Observer A’s clinching title against second place Yankees. Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.

On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.