Library At Central Avenue Serving As A Refuge

Will be open on Veteran’s Day to accommodate residents

Massapequans without power may turn to the library as a place of refuge during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Although the Bar Harbour branch has been without power and therefore has been closed, the Central Avenue building has been open since its power was restored on Thursday, Nov. 1. According to the library’s director, Janis Schoen, residents have been coming to the library to charge their cell phones, watch movies, enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and escape the cold and misery of living without electricity.

“At one point we had more than 100 people in the Central Avenue building,” said Schoen.

Water District: Water Is Safe

Despite concerns about the water supply in other areas of Nassau County, the Massapequa Board of Commissioners is assuring Massapequa Water District customers that the water is safe to drink. According to the commissioners, the water district experienced no significant interruptions in its water supply as a result of the recent hurricane, and that an advisory to boil water was never issued.

“Due to diligent preparations, our staff did a tremendous job ensuring that our residents would have clean and safe water to drink during and after the massive storm that hit our region,” said commissioner Joe Tricarico. “Several steps will be taken to ensure that our distribution system will be vigorously monitored.”

Arlo Drugs Broken Into

According to Nassau County Police, Arlo Drugs was broken into on Wednesday Oct. 31 at 11:40 p.m. Police say, a 16-year-old allegedly broke into the front window of the pharmacy located on Park Boulevard. The police report that witnesses called the police after observing the 16-year-old enter and exit the pharmacy and running to the rear of the building. The police further report that responding officers located the accused, who was found to be in possession of $3,000 of prescription medication. The accused is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)

Plainedge School Bus Driver Arrested

Charged with DWIA after bus has accident with 29 seventh-graders aboard; Deputy Supt. speaks about safety protocols in Massapequa

For the second time in less than a month, a resident of the Massapequas has been arrested for allegedly driving a school bus with students on board, while also being under the influence of alcohol. James Sommer, 47, of Massapequa was arrested by Suffolk County Police, and charged with allegedly driving while his ability was impaired. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to Suffolk County Police, Sommer was driving a school bus with 29 Plainedge Middle School seventh-graders on board, when he attempted to park the bus and backed into a tree limb. The Plainedge School District released a statement from Superintendent Edward Salina, stating the teacher chaperoning the trip notified the building principal of the incident and local police were contacted. The statement from the district further explained that the principal, the district transportation supervisor, and the assistant to the superintendent for facilities and special projects arrived to assess the situation and ensure the students’ safety. According to the police, one of the students was taken to Huntington Hospital with minor injuries.

Red Ribbon Week At Plainedge

The Students Against Destructive Decisions Club held a series of activities during the week of Oct. 22 in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week. During the week, daily morning announcements with anti-drug messages were made. In addition, students signed a pledge against drugs and bullying, and after signing the pledge, affixed their name to a board outside of the cafeteria. The club also hosted a multimedia anti-drug presentation and handed out drug- and addiction-related informational packets.

Sparks Fly At MSD Board Meeting

Resolution to approve Pride For Youth workshop is defeated

Midway through the Oct. 18 Massapequa School Board meeting, Board President Maryanne Fisher’s cell phone rang and she left the meeting to take the call. A few moments later, she returned and announced that she had to leave due to a family issue. Her absence would have a significant impact later on.

Following the report of Superintendent Charles Sulc, as well as a presentation on the district’s Summer Stars program, the board voted on the resolutions on the agenda. The process was going rather ordinarily as the annual audit was accepted, IEP recommendations were approved, a performance agreement for a production of Grease at Berner Middle School was approved, and the board also approved Long Island Neuropsychological Consultants to serves as special education consultants for the school year, although trustee Jane Ryan abstained from that vote. She later told the Massapequan Observer that she chose not to vote because she has done business with the consultants and although she has no issue with them, she felt it would be a conflict of interest for her to cast a vote. However, when the board got to the fifth resolution on the agenda, the meeting took a controversial turn.

Meet The Candidates For Legislator

Maglione, Venditto vie to win special election

Joanne Maglione, 42, and Michael Venditto, 31, are challenging each other for the position of legislator from the 12th Legislative District. The winner of the special election to be held on Election Day, November 6, will become only the second person to hold the position which Peter Schmitt occupied from the inception of the legislature in 1996, until his death earlier this month.

Maglione is a former deputy county attorney and currently works at the law firm of Jaspan Schlesinger in Garden City. She is running on the Democratic line, although she describes herself as “a lifelong Republican.” Maglione is a graduate of SUNY Albany and Brooklyn Law School, She and her husband live in Massapequa Park with their two children, Dominick, 7, and Paul, 4.

Bocce Tournament Winners Receive Trophies

At the Oct. 15, Village Board meeting, the winners of the annual bocce tournament were presented with trophies. Mayor James Altadonna commented that the tournament has become so popular that teams were turned away this year. He further added, that an additional bocce court is being added to accommodate more teams in the future.

Blessing Of The Animals At Maria Regina

Pastor Frank Nelson with a four-legged friend at Maria Regina Church. Many parishioners brought their pets to Maria Regina on Oct. 6 for the blessing of the animals.                                      

Photo by Ronald Scaglia