Open Position On The Plainedge Board Of Education

The Plainedge Board of Education is now accepting applications to fill the current vacancy on the board. The individual who is appointed will serve through June 20, 2013. In May, there will be an election in which voters of the Plainedge School District will choose a candidate for the position.

What’s Next For Embattled LIPA?

COO resigns amidst calls for major change

In the first domino to fall in the aftermath of the public’s frustration with the efforts of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to restore power to its customers following Hurricane Sandy, chief operating officer (COO) Michael D. Hervey has resigned his position effective Dec. 31.

“Mike has provided 12 years of valuable service to LIPA, including taking on the responsibility to perform the functions of CEO of the organization over the past two years,” said Chairman of the Long Island Power Authority Howard E. Steinberg. “Mike has played a leadership role in connection with the planned structural changes at LIPA going forward which will result in better service and accountability to LIPA’s customers in the years ahead.”

Thankful For Those Who Restored Our Electricity

Legis. Walker Hosts Home Cooked Dinner For Out-Of-State Utility Workers

They rode into town in electrical repair trucks, but to the many who were desperate to have their power restored, they were knights in shining armor who rode in on white horses. They were the out-of-state utility workers, who came to the area to help LIPA repair the damage that was caused by Hurricane Sandy. While most Long Islanders were living in the misery of powerless homes without heat, the workers who came to help were not living in the most luxurious of accommodations. Most of them left their wives and children behind to come to the Island to help out. Although cots were set up at LIU Post and other facilities, many of the workers slept in their trucks.

Their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Mike Magee, a lieutenant with the Hicksville Fire Department, came across workers from J.F. Electric, a company from southern Illinois, near St. Louis, that according to its website, “provides electrical design and construction services to utility, commercial, industrial and communications customers.” As the workers fixed a pole, Magee asked them if they needed a shower or a meal and they responded that they were sleeping in their trucks.

Elections Held In Shadow Of Hurricane Sandy

King, Fuschillo, Hannon, McKevitt and Saladino all return to office and Venditto wins special election for legislator

Status Quo. That pretty much sums up the results of this year’s elections, both nationally and locally. On the national level, President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term. Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate, while Republicans held on to the majority in the House of Representatives. Statewide, U.S. Senator Kirstin Gillibrand was elected to her first full term. Control of the New York State Senate remained in question, awaiting the outcome of two very close upstate races in which absentee ballots would determine the outcome. Locally, all of the incumbents were re-elected.

However, this year’s elections will be more remembered for the circumstances under which they were held. With Hurricane Sandy having hit the island the week prior to Election Day, many residents were dealing with the power outages, or the outright destruction of their homes by the storm. Those who were elected did not express tremendous joy at their victories as concern for the victims of the hurricane took precedence.

Helping Others Get Through The Devastation

YES CCC, Massapequa Schools Personnel Helping To Aid In Recovery From Storm

When things are at their worst, that’s when special people are at their best. Massapequans have seen the best in each other during times of crisis, and are doing so again in the days following the devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to the area. The paraprofessionals, secretaries and teachers of Massapequa have reached out to the New York State Teachers Union (NYSUT), and in conjunction with YES Community Counseling Center are working to help those who were affected by the storm.

“As a community-based agency, we feel a very strong responsibility to do whatever we can,” said Jamie Bogenshutz, executive director of YES.

Annual Children’s Rag-A-Muffin Costume Parade Held

On Sunday, October 28, The North Massapequa Fire Department held their 38th Annual Children’s Rag-A-Muffin Costume Parade. As a long-standing tradition, this event serves as a great opportunity allowing local residents, merchants, and members of the fire department to get together and celebrate the upcoming holiday of Halloween.

Beginning at noon, the parade started at the corner of North Nassau Avenue and North Broadway, and finished at the firehouse. There, gifts including bicycles, gift certificates, and iPods were raffled off to children who participated in the costume contest. Registration for the event was free, and made possible thanks to the generous donations of local residents and members of the Massapequa community. The Rag-A-Muffin Parade was also made possible through the hard work and dedication of the events chairman, Ralph Raymond.

Class Of ’77 Reunion At Runyons

There is a Massapequa High School Class of 1977 Reunion at Runyon’s in Seaford (’77’s Grail McGinley, co-proprietor), on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.. The event will also be a fundraiser for Massapequa High School and Berner alumni who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. For more information or to donate, please visit www.active.com/donate/redcupreunion.

Local Officials Ask Feds To Help LIPA

Power authority blasted for delays in restoring power, lack of communication with customers

“LIPA has failed and has failed miserably.”

That is what Congressman Peter King said at a press conference in which elected officials called on the federal government to send resources to get the job done in turning power back on for all Long Island residents. On Friday, Nov. 8, 11 days after super storm Sandy devastated Long Island, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reported that more than 81,000 Nassau County customers remained without power and more than 162,000 throughout Nassau and Suffolk. That was enough for King, County Executive Ed Mangano, Congressman Steve Israel, New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, to hold a press conference and ask the federal government to send the resources to do the job which LIPA has not been able to.

School Tax Deadline Extended For 34 School Districts In Nassau

Under an executive order signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the deadline for school tax payments in 34 school districts in Nassau County will be extended to Dec. 4. Cuomo said this grace period is due to the disruption in people’s lives caused by Hurricane Sandy. The governor said that not all school districts have requested the extension and that more districts may be added retroactively.

Hurricane Sandy Brings Devastation

Destroyed homes, power outages, and long gas lines are left in the storm’s wake

“I thought my house was going to blow away.”

As Robert Rohan, a Massapequa waterfront homeowner was working on the monumental task of cleaning up his home after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, he spoke about the frightening feeling that his home would come apart during the storm. Rohan’s home incurred tremendous damage, as did so many homes throughout Long Island, and in particular, Nassau County. As with many Nassau residents, much of Rohan’s belongings were ruined and he is left with the task of rebuilding a home, which he no longer feels as secure in as he did just a couple of weeks ago.