Last Man Standing at Village Board Meeting

By James Kennedy

Sal Cataldo has been attending village board meetings since the early 70s and has locked horns with many mayors, trustees, business owners and residents. Last Wednesday at the last village hall meeting to be held at the current village hall, a sentimental Cataldo was given the final opportunity to speak his mind, and he did.

Cataldo addressed a wide range of issues, as he always does, beginning with the explanation that he never attacked anyone personally in his statements, but he was constructively criticizing people based on their job performance..

Cataldo wished well Superintendent of Public Works Lou DiDomenico who had been absent from several meetings due to illness.

He again notified the board that the practice of announcing the fire exits at the beginning of a meeting had been neglected.

He questioned whether a permit was issued to a building on Jericho Turnpike which was selling Christmas trees.

Cataldo advised that wearing dark clothes at night on major thoroughfares was dangerous and segwayed into his opinion that the space in the village newsletter could best be utilized by helpful articles rather than too many pictures of politicians.

He questioned whether or not there would be a raise in the water rate now that there is work going to be done on the above the ground wells.

He publicly congratulated newly elected State Senator Mike Balboni, whose inauguration he attended, as well as North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Doreen Banks, who was Balboni's opponent, on a well run race.

He asked the mayor if he would be running for the position in the assembly position that Balboni left vacant.

He asked the status of the Reese Buick property.

He reminded the village board that he warned their predecessors that tax certioris would cost the village a great deal of money.

He asked who printed the newsletter, and if the low bidder was awarded the job.

He said that it was a shame that this would be the last meeting held in that board room. "The ambiance is here," he said, "It's a shame to see this room closed down."

He welcomed former village trustee Al Ratto.

Cataldo called friend Gus Calandralo to the podium and the assemblage applauded for the man Cataldo described as dedicated and always looking to help.

Finally Cataldo thanked the mayor for allowing him to be the last speaker and said he appreciated the good and the bad memories that were kept within these walls.

After the meeting Cataldo, reluctant to leave the site of the many great battles he has waged, reminisced with a small group about the history that had transpired within the walls at 171 Jericho Turnpike.

Other Comments at the Board Meeting

Mayor John P. Colbert wished everyone happy holidays and congratulated Assistant Superintendent of Public Work Tom Rini on the birth of his new baby and welcomed back Superintendent of Public Works Lou DiDomenico who had been absent due to illness.

Colbert thanked his staff at the village for all their hard work and announced that the pedestrian bridge at the LIRR station was underway.

Trustee Warren Brinker announced that 244 locations with graffiti were discovered, 216 were corrected, 25 summonses had been issued and 28 locations were pending. He advised the residents to notify the village when graffiti is discovered because it must be cleaned up.

Brinker announced that Village Attorney John Spellman was being honored by the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also congratulated Rini, welcomed back DiDomenico and wished all a happy holidays.

Trustee Maryanne Warnecke said that the tree planting originally planned for November had been slightly delayed because the leaves on the trees had not fallen yet.

She continued that the trees would be dug out this week and anyone interested in having a tree planted should contact either the village or her.

Warnecke announced that the PAL hockey season had begun with a win for her son's team.

She also explained that due to both Christmas and New Year's Eve falling on Thursdays, normal days for paper pick-up, paper will be collected on the Fridays after each holiday and then the village will return to the normal schedule.

Trustee Lou Santosus announced that the finishing touches were being put on the new village hall which they hope to move into very soon. He added that the new hockey rink at Wilson Park is also underway.

Santosus also said that the board has decided to acquire a cover for the pool which will let water through, but keep the leaves out. It will also prevent children from skateboarding in the empty pool and protect the epoxy from cracking.

Santosus referred to Mineola Fire Chief Walter Langer who announced that the fire department is now accepting calls for Operation Santa.

Santosus closed wishing all a happy holidays.

Trustee Elizabeth Conlon wished everyone a happy holidays.

She also congratulated Fred Booher on his work and announced that the Historical Society had taken over its new headquarters.

She said that the Mineola Auxiliary Police Department had served 537 hours this past month at events including the Mustang Run and the Village Halloween Party. She also congratulated Brad Stein, who is a MAPD member, who was honored at the "We Are Mineola" Gala Dinner.

Bill Urianek asked about the house on East Jericho Turnpike selling Christmas trees and was told that the board has asked for a certified check payable by the Friday following the Wednesday meeting.

If the village does not receive the check, then the the parties will be in court on Monday, and the village will be suing to close them down with a temporary restraining order.

Urianek also questioned about the Reese Buick property and was told that several parties have expressed interest, but there are no definite plans.

Joe Galante asked if the Mineola Noodle Restaurant was adhering to the plans, he advised that there was a dangerous traffic situation on Emory Road and opined that the graphs in the village newsletter appeared deceiving.

Dave Kelly expressed that he would like to see anything done to prevent accidents on Jericho Turnpike and again suggested better signs, perhaps iridescent ones, be posted.