Sandy Shake-Up Could Cost Band Trip To Florida

Mineola modifies school calendar, shortening February break and puts band trip in jeopardy

The Mineola School District went dark for five days due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Even though the blustery winds are long gone, the effects are still prevalent in the village and it’s showed after the administration released its newly revised school calendar.

The Mineola High School Marching Band “Disney’s Magic Music Days in Florida” trip from Feb. 15 to 22 was caught in the storm’s fray and is in jeopardy of being canceled. Some parents have already put non-refundable deposits down for the journey south, with the total cost per student reaching $1,300.

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

The Portrait Of Patriotism Displayed In Mineola

Former county executive commissioned more accurate depiction of Washington crossing the Delaware River by local artist

The image of General George Washington crossing the Delaware River is an indelible moment etched into the psyche of American History. The regal, alluring 1851 Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze painting has been showcased clear across the globe, marveled by art lovers and passersby.

As the hours ticked away on Christmas in 1776, the frigid night before the Battle of Trenton, Washington and his men inched towards New Jersey, surprising Hessian forces with an American attack. The story would go on to immortalize the first president of the United States.

Village Departments Still Dealing With Sandy Issues

Mineola still working to get things back on track

Since the day Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island, knocking out nearly 900,000 Long Island Power Authority customers with 12,000 in Mineola, the Mineola Fire Department (MFD) has had 125 response calls. The MFD had 612 in 2011.

All village departments were in prep mode days before the storm made landfall. First Assistant Chief Jeff Clark said the fire department began planning for the storm on Oct. 22, making its final preparations days before the storm.

Athena Slams Area One Week After Sandy Visit

Overnight storm creates traffic jams, additional power outages as officials work to continue hurricane cleanup

Long Island couldn’t catch a break. Nearly eight days after Hurricane Sandy rocked the Northeast, a nor’easter dubbed Athena rolled in on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Raucous weather dumped snow mixed with rain and sleet, creating hazardous road conditions that made the easiest of trips resemble a scene out of The Day After Tomorrow.

Rush hour last Wednesday on Old Country Road near the Mineola Train Station showcased vehicles jockeying for position, struggling to make their way down slippery, icy roads. According to the Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) website, almost 60,000 customers lost electricity into Thursday morning because of Athena, with combined Sandy outages reaching 200,000 across the island by the morning commute. More than 140,000 were in Nassau County alone.

Martins Grabs Second Term As NYS Senator

Current senator, former Mineola mayor beats out Manhasset resident to take 7th senate district

Two years ago, the race for the 7th Senate District seat in New York State was mired in back and forth rhetoric matches, “truth conferences,” multiple rallies and ballot recounts coupled with a lawsuit contesting the results. Then-incumbent Craig Johnson and challenger Jack Martins battled into December, with the former Mineola mayor being declared victor by a 451-vote margin just before Christmas.

This time around the race, although tension-heightened from dark-horse Democratic challenger Daniel Ross, Martins (R-Mineola) came away relatively unscathed, winning his second term as senator on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Martins garnered 52 percent of the vote beating out Ross (D-Manhasset) 48,305-44,707.

Hurricane Sandy Brings Devastation To Long Island

Destroyed homes, power outages, and long gas lines are left in the storm’s wake

The storm left thousands in Mineola without power and residents fighting to pick up the pieces that Hurricane Sandy littered throughout the village. Just two months after being smashed by a storm on Aug. 15, which showcased similar events of downed trees, wires and heavy winds, Mineola was dealt another blow.

It is a scene that is devastatingly similar throughout Long Island, and particularly in waterfront areas on the north and south shores. Homeowners desperately tried to remove the water that had flooded homes by opening doors, windows, garage doors, and by using generator-powered vacuums, designed to capture water. Along curbsides, carpets, furniture, clothing, toys, and other treasured belongings were left for sanitation crews to take away. Literally, lifetimes of memories had been washed away.

All Hands On Deck For North Hempstead

Supervisor profiles towns’ storm solutions and preparedness

Long Island was hit in 2011 with a hurricane, dubbed Irene. One year later, her distant cousin, Sandy smacked the Northeast, wreaking havoc on parts of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The island dealt with high winds, downed trees and wires as well as floods that changed the face of the south shore.

The Town of North Hempstead, specifically the heavily wooded areas, had trees that were nearly 70 years old, ripped from their roots and plunged into homes and street corners. In a conference call with reporters, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman detailed municipal initiatives in place to help residents and updated certain areas of concern like road clearance and the Nor’easter that was expected to hit the area this week.

Election Results

(Unofficial Results)
* winner

U.S. President:
* Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)

The Birth Of A Question

Presidential debate questioner, Mineola worker talks about Libya, Debate 2012 and whom he may vote for

One question, depending on its thoroughness, weight and response could make or break the person who answers it. Whether it’s during a press conference on a drug bust, while standing in line at the supermarket or in front of millions of people on television, a question can create something.

Kerry Ladka knew the importance of a question, and when his name was called he was ready, but after the response, he wanted to know more…much more.