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.

Mayor, Trustees Express Frustration With LIPA

Many Massapequa Park residents remain without power more than a week later

At a special Nov. 5 village board meeting, which was held because of the postponement of the previous week’s meeting due to the hurricane, the board attended to routine business. However, one glance at the faces of the board members, and it was easy to see that the past week has been anything but routine. With Massapequa and Massapequa Park having been hit so destructively by the massive storm, local officials have been constantly working to attend to the needs of the residents, and it was easy to see the toll it has taken, as the normally upbeat board members looked tired and weary.

Adding to their fatigue is frustration with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). A week after the storm hit, village residents, including some village officials, remained without power.

Village Offering Free Gas To Those Without Power

With many Massapequa Park residents still without power, and gas to power generators in short supply, the Village of Massapequa Park is trying to help. Village residents who are without power may go to Village Hall, beginning daily at 3 p.m., and they will receive three gallons of gas to power a generator. Residents must show proof of residency and must live in an area where power has not been restored.

“This will go on as long as residents of Massapequa Park are without power or gas becomes plentiful,” said Mayor James Altadonna.

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.”