EPA Searching For Toxic Plumes In Mineola

Agency says it originated in New Hyde Park, water supplies for both villages not in danger

The Environmental Protection Agency is currently trying to locate a toxic plume of trichloroethylene (TCE) in Mineola, which originated in New Hyde Park. EPA reps indicated that the water supplies to Mineola, New Hyde Park and the surrounding areas have not been affected.

Project manager Kevin Willis said investigators for the agency would begin drilling holes east of Herricks Road into the month of July. He revealed that the plume was first located near Gold’s Gym on Fulton Avenue in Garden City Park.

North Hempstead Town Attorney Stepping Down In July

Since 2004, North Hempstead Town Attorney Richard Finkel has managed the town’s legal affairs, astutely representing the municipality in a variety of capacities from negotiating collective bargaining agreements to successfully suing Nassau County to repay more than $1 million in community college enrollment charge-backs.

Come July, however, Finkel, the town’s lead counsel and a fixture at every town board meeting, will be practicing in the private sector when he joins the Garden City offices of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC as Senior Counsel. His practice will focus on labor and employment, municipal law, and land use and zoning.

John McGrath Attends His Final School Board Meeting

Trustee ends 13-year stay on Mineola School Board, Artie Barnett to be sworn in July 5

It’s been 13 years since the New York Knicks played in the NBA finals, a baker’s dozen since Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace premiered in movie theaters and 13 years since John McGrath first sat down in a seat behind the Mustang-red banner, reading, “Mineola Board of Education.”

As the Bob Dylan song goes, “The times, they are a-changin’.”

Apartment Complex Hearing Adjourned Until August

Public hearing set for August 8 on old Keyspan property rental possibilities

Mineola Properties (MP) LLC requested an adjournment for a second public hearing on its plan to build a rental complex at 250 Old Country Road. Keyspan used to occupy the building.

The meeting would have taken place last week. The Mineola Village Board set Aug. 8 as the date of hearing the changes of MP’s plan. The building is located on the north side of Old Country Road, directly across from the Nassau Legislature and Executive Building on West Street.

Seventh Senate District Race Gains A Challenger

Democrat Daniel Ross to face-off with incumbent Jack Martins for state senate seat

A relatively unknown has surfaced, igniting a battle for New York’s  7th Senate District seat, five months before Election Day.

Instead of putting a known opponent on the Democratic ticket, the Nassau County Democratic Party nabbed Daniel Ross. Ross, an automobile sales manager who recently ran for commissioner of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire District, will oppose Senator Jack Martins in the November election. Ross lost the race for commissioner last year to Andrew DeMartin.

Residents Splash Into Summer

John S. DaVanzo Community Pool Officially opens for its 51st year

The time is here again. The John S. DaVanzo Community Pool reopened for the summer on Saturday, June 16. Many residents, trustees and pool staff members, as well as John DaVanzo and Mayor Scott Strauss, gathered to celebrate.

Upon officially opening the door for the upcoming summer season, Mayor Strauss asked to commemorate a dedicated member of the Mineola community and the founder of Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Core, Joseph DiGiorgio, with a moment of silence. He passed away on June 13 at 90 years young.

Local Graduates Ready To Begin Life After College

Most recent graduates facing a variety of different futures

“We’re so young. We’re so young. We’re 22 years old. We have so much time.”

These lines, written by Marina Keegan just days before her graduation from Yale University, were a message to graduates of the class of 2012 expressing that college students’ best days are still ahead of them, even after they leave the confines of what are dubbed the best years of a persons young life.

Portugal Festival Draws Crowd of 1,500 Strong

Day features, music, food and fun

Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant in Mineola held its first annual Portugal Day in Mineola on Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. in their back parking lot. Manuel Carvalho, owner of the restaurant, and his wife Jackie and son Hector Fomseca formed the event to bring Portuguese culture together in Mineola, to which they saw more than 1,500 people arrive for a day/night of music, dancing and family.

An enormous tent was set up in the parking lot, where families and friends sat at tables and couches to enjoy the festivities. Music for the event was provided by four different bands: Sugartown, Centerfold, Ranchos Folclóricos Sonhos e Juventude de Portugal: Portuguese Dance Group and Quim Barreiros. 

9/11 Sculpture Makes Its Way To Williston Park

Rotary Club and Eagle Scout install bronze statue at local fire department

While parades and barbecues were once again a normal occurrence this Memorial Day, Williston Park residents were treated to a little something extra. At 11 a.m. at the Williston Park Fire House, the Rotary Club of Williston Park installed the sculpture “Every Day a Hero” as a monument donated and dedicated to all of America’s heroes who risked their lives during the September 11th attacks.

The sculpture, which now proudly stands in front of the firehouse, depicts a life-sized firefighter engaged in his work. The sculpture was customized specifically to the firefighters of New York by placing their unique insignia on the helmet, thus making the sculpture one of a kind to New York firefighters.

VFW Post No. 1305 Holds Memorial Day Parade

Local residents, officials remember those who served their country

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1305 hosted its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28.  After traveling down Westbury Avenue, Roslyn Road, Jericho Turnpike and ending at Memorial Park on Marcellus Road, a special ceremony was held to honor those who have died for their country.

Among the many that marched in the parade were the Nassau County Police Department, Mineola Auxilary Police, Mineola Fire Department, Chaminade High School Marching Band, Mineola American Legion, Mineola Chamber of Commerce and Knights of Columbus. Boy Scout Troop 45 also participated, as well as the Mineola Portuguese Center, Irish American Center, Dynamics Dance Studio, among others.