Letter: Distracted Driving - A Serious Problem for All

As we all know, distracted driving has become a very serious problem for our state and our country. In New York State at least one out of five motor vehicle crashes has distracted driving listed as a contributing factor. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver and more than 440,000 were injured.

Letter: National Survey on Drug Use and Health

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released its national survey on Drug Use and Health and sadly there weren’t too many surprises. Drug use among adolescents nationwide increased between 2008 and 2009, reflecting the trend we’ve seen here on Long Island - a trend that’s accelerated into 2010.

Letter: Water District Receives Settlement Fund

On behalf of the South Farmingdale Water District and Board of Commissioners, I have very exciting news to report; news that will give confidence and comfort to all residents in the South Farmingdale Water District.

FMAP Contingency Plan Cuts to Senior Health Care No Longer Needed

Times are tough enough without unnecessary cuts to health care for older adults!

On Sept. 16, the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation was the host site for a Town Hall meeting to discuss the repeal of a Federal Medicaid Assistance (FMAP) Contingency Plan that had recently been adopted by the State, under the assumption that no federal fiscal relief for states would be approved by Congress.

Letter: Operation Wounded Warrior

The members of Locust Valley Fire Department are set to host their 3rd Annual Pasta Dinner fundraiser to benefit the Nassau County Fire Fighters Operation Wounded Warrior (NCFF-OWW).

Letter: Unions Must Also Sacrifice

I applaud County Executive Edward I. Mangano for standing up to the Nassau County’s unions. It’s about time someone did. I, along with most other Nassau residents, have had to cut back and do without because of this recession, yet the unions refuse to give anything back. These are difficult times and we’ve all had to make sacrifices. It’s time the unions did too!

Christopher Schade

Letter: Fresh Air Fund Thanks Local Hosts

This year, 30 New York City children found out once again just how special summer is in Nassau County. Fresh Air Fund hosts, volunteers and local supporters dedicated their time and efforts to help these inner-city youngsters experience simple summertime pleasures, including afternoons of swimming, fishing at sunset and roasting s’mores over a campfire.

Letter: LIPA’s Storm Preparation

Hurricane Earl has raised some concerns about how LIPA prepares for major, forecasted weather events that impact our area. Like any responsible utility, LIPA and its service provider, National Grid, prepare for hurricanes and other major storms based on various sources of information, including forecasts provided by national weather services, local and regional government entities, media outlets, and prior operating experience.

From Long Island Wins: September 17, 2010

Welcoming Strangers: Immigration and Faith

On Long Island, our faith communities have provided significant moral leadership on the issue of making Long Island more welcoming to immigrants, and for immigration solutions that will make our area stronger. This month, I caught up with one of those leaders, Reverend Tom Goodhue, a United Methodist minister and the executive director of the Long Island Council of Churches.

Letter: Letter From the Governor About Health Insurance for the Uninsured

I am writing to you today to let you know about a new temporary statewide insurance option for uninsured legal residents who have medical conditions. This new plan, called the NY Bridge Plan, is New York’s version of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan that was created under federal health care reform. The NY Bridge Plan is a valuable product of health care reform in that it provides health insurance coverage at a lower price than other options currently available in the individual market. Through the NY Bridge Plan, premiums will be $362/month for residents of upstate counties and $421/month for residents of downstate counties. A list of upstate and downstate counties is available in the NY Bridge Plan brochure.