Editorial: Thanks State Lawmakers

Last week, state lawmakers brought back the good news that proposed school aid funding would be restored to Long Island districts. It is always a fight for Long Island to get its fair share of school aid and this year proved to be no exception. In fact, it is even worse considering the damage that was caused by Sandy to the area, and yet many Albany lawmakers still proposed taking away funds. Therefore, our local state representatives Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, Senator Charles Fuschillo and Senator Kemp Hannon should be recognized for their efforts. Long Island still is not receiving a fair share, but thanks to the efforts our local lawmakers, at least the cuts are not devastating.

- Ronald Scaglia

Editorial: 35 Teachers, 0 Administrators

Last week, the Massapequa School District presented the community with a budget that calls for 35 teacher layoffs. However, many members of the community probably have more questions than answers, starting with Trustee Gary Bennett, who said he needed more information before he would vote to eliminate any teaching positions. Bennett’s position is commendable in seeking more information, but it’s alarming that a board member is asking for more information so late in the budget process and with the stakes so high regarding program cuts. Why did Bennett not have enough information?

Trustee Joe LaBella also questioned district administration and he raised two good questions. First, he wondered why 35 teaching positions needed to be eliminated, but administrative cuts were minimal. Superintendent Charles Sulc responded that the new teacher evaluation system has doubled the work of administrators. Huh? Yes state mandates have required school personnel to work harder, including teachers implementing the Core Curriculum, so it must be asked why teachers may be reduced but not administrators. There has been very little mention of an administrator’s pay freeze or, gasp, an administrator’s pay cut. Why? Shouldn’t administrators bear the burden equally?

Editorial: Get Involved

When there is a presidential election, there is usually a “buzz” about it. Folks seem to get excited about national, state and even county elections. However, when it comes to local politics, particularly school issues, the interest level seems to be one of apathy. Many complain about school taxes, but it seems that few actually attend their school board meetings and participate in them. This is perplexing as school boards and the budgets they pass often have the greatest impact on property taxes as well as the quality of education afforded to children.

Therefore, it was quite inspiring to see how well attended last week’s school board budget discussion was. It is important for the community to get involved in these matters. By coming out and getting involved, Massapequans are sending a message that they care about the quality of the education being offered in Massapequa and also about how the budget will impact them. Well done to everyone who attended and got involved. 

- Ron Scaglia

From the Desk of Senator Kemp Hannon: March 22, 2013

I’m pleased to announce a package of tax relief and reform measures to give an economic boost to New York taxpayers. The current proposal is in line with my previous efforts to provide Nassau taxpayers with meaningful relief during these difficult economic times.

The 2013 Family Tax Relief Act would provide a major economic boost to New York’s middle class families, and seeks to restore the STAR Rebate Check Program to provide real and direct relief to millions of New Yorkers who pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

From Long Island Wins: March 22, 2013

Hate Crimes: Then and Now

The murder of Marcelo Lucero lingers as a scar on Long Island’s conscience.

Four and a half years after the savage hate crime, we still struggle to understand how those involved in the attack could act with such horrific violence. And at the same time we struggle to understand the climate of anger towards immigrants from which this savagery emerged, a rising tide of hatred that clearly helped buoy the attackers to action. The attack was clearly a particularly brutal eruption of a very big problem and in a very real way, the angry teenagers who killed Marcelo Lucero are rightly serving prison sentences for the act, but they didn’t act alone.

Editorial: Way To Go Girls

One of the hardest things about sports is that only one team ends the season happily. The San Francisco 49ers won the NFC Championship, but the lasting memory from their season has been a questionable non-call at the end of the Super Bowl, which sealed the victory for the Baltimore Ravens, instead of the extraordinary season they had in getting that far.

Last week, the Massapequa Girls Varsity Basketball team’s fantastic season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Sachem East in the Long Island Class AA Championship. The team was valiant in defeat, battling throughout.  Each time that Sachem East would expand their lead and appeared to be putting the game away, Massapequa dug in, rallied, and came back, only to run out of time at the end and falling five points shy of their opponents. I’m sure that the players who will be returning next year will use this a motivating factor to get back to the Long Island Championship and avenge this defeat - just as this year’s team was determined to avenge a loss in last year’s county game, which they successfully did.

From The Desk Of The Nassau County Executive: March 15, 2013

Need A Job? ‘Nassau Works’ Can Help

When I was elected County Executive, in the midst of the worst economic downturn in decades, I knew I would need some creative ideas, call it a new way of thinking, to help people who had lost their jobs get back to work.

Recognizing that jobs are the key to a growing economy, I instituted job fairs to link the unemployed with businesses and corporations in need of workers. I also invested funds in job training and retraining centers with our local towns. In partnership with the County’s Industrial Development Agency, I offered incentives that helped create and retain more than 3,500 private sector jobs. My administration worked hand-in-hand with businesses and corporations to ensure they–and their employees—stayed in Nassau County.

Editorial: Check Out The Library

With all of the advancements in technology, it is easy to forget about all of the services offered by public libraries. After all, there is virtually a wealth of information literally at the fingertips of anyone with a tablet, smartphone or computer with Internet access. However, what can get lost in all the technology, is how much public libraries have to offer and especially both branches of the Massapequa Public Library.

I recently stopped by the library and was amazed at all that is offered. There are seminars and classes to take advantage of as well as fun activities. There is a wealth of books that can be perused without the need for downloading. There are also many magazines (remember those?) and newspapers to enjoy.

Editorial: Fire Escape Plan

The Massapequa Fire Department often reminds residents of the dangers of house fires. Last week, we saw that awful realty when a Massapequa Park man was killed in a fire. In our hectic lives, tasks such as developing a fire escape plan can often be put off until a more convenient time arrives. Unfortunately, fires do not work on our schedules. They can occur at any time. If you and your family do not have a fire escape plan, be sure to develop one immediately and hold a drill as soon as possible. In addition, be sure that your home has eliminated any fire hazards, and that every level of your home has a smoke alarm with fresh batteries.

Fire safety is something we can all be lax about. Last week, tragically, we saw why it is so important.                             

- Ron Scaglia

Letter: No Need For Vulgarity

171,476 - 47,156.  Wondering what these numbers represent? These totals are the enormous amount of vocabulary afforded to us, both full entries and obsolete, that exists in the Oxford Dictionary, 2nd edition. So, with all these choices why is it that a good amount of today’s population opt to express themselves, and I am being gentle when I identify their language usage as “colorful” at best?

Since the birth of cable television non-censorship seems to have morphed into a “right.” There are little to non-existent guidelines with content. Recently while tuning into a network program that is viewed at 9 p.m., appearing on the screen before the credits began to roll were warnings advising that mature content, violence, language, and sexual content would be part of this program.