Around the Town with Lou - March 18, 2011

One million people have seen the exhibit called “Women of the Spirit,” the history and story of America’s nuns. It opened in Cincinnati, moved to Dallas, then to the Smithsonian in Washington, then Ellis Island, where New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan officially cut the ribbon. It is now in Iowa and from there will go to Los Angeles, South Bend, Indiana and finally Sacramento, CA. When our daughter, Sister Annmarie and four other sisters begin to work on the project five years ago, they never dreamed that it would be so successful. The exhibit cost $4 million and these women raised that money, wrote the stories, created the graphics, researched the history from the first French sisters to arrive in New Orleans in 1700 until today. The stories tell of the work of these women through war and peace, always fighting for the poor and the desperate. Each exhibit stays about four months in each locale. It will visit nine places over a period of three years.

From the Desk of Senator Jack Martins

Updates from Albany

It has been a busy week in Albany. We continue the process of examining the state budget. These are difficult financial times but working together, we will ultimately succeed in cutting expenses and providing a framework for real long-term relief. In order for us to improve our state’s fiscal health, we need to provide residents with property tax relief, create jobs and control spending.

Letters to the Editor, March 11, 2011

Mineola Resident Mourns Passing of Ed Solosky

It’s with sincere regrets that we all hear of the passing of one of the true gentleman of Mineola, Edward Solosky. Ed was a graduate of Corpus Christi school, and Chaminade high school and a devoted parishioner, parent, friend and teacher.

He was a teacher/athletic director at Bishop Kellenberg high school and his influence to the young people of Long Island can never truly be measured. After a short conversation with Ed, you knew where he stood, on the side of doing the right thing. He will be truly missed; the world is a bit better for having you here. To the Solosky family, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.

From the Desk of Senator Jack Martins

Ability to Vote Is Crucial

Perhaps the most important part of our Democratic process is our citizens’ ability to vote and elect those who will make the crucial decisions for our local governments. On the local level, villages provide our residents with basic services, from emergency services, water and garbage collection to snow removal. As the former mayor for a village for eight years, I am fully aware of the effectiveness of our local villages.

Letter: Mineola Misled By the Anonymous

If you live in the Mineola School District you have likely received several mailings from anonymous groups calling themselves Citizens for XXXX. The return address is usually a UPS store in Garden City Park or Garden City. Since they are anonymous they feel free to spread lies and misinformation about the school district’s reconfiguration.

Around the Town with Lou - March 4, 2011

The Green Bay Packers won the big game which many at the Kiwanis Super Bowl breakfast liked because the Steelers had beaten their beloved Jets. Among those we had a chance to talk to were: Pat Purdy, John Lodigkeit, Paul Cusato, Neil and Madeline Piloto, Pete Owens, Cheryl Lee, Helene and Joel Harris, Ed Hajduk, Bob Rosenthal, Ed Schutz, Ron Clark, Greg Nold, Joe Saporta, Susan Schmuch, Harold Axelrod, Scott Fairgrieve, Joyce Gorycki, Richard, Alex and Andrew Maher, Barry, Jordana and Trey Dworkin, Dick O’Callaghan, Tim May, John, Robert, Thomas, Clare, Joseph, Beth and Maryellen Owens, Dan McAllister, Steve McCarthy, Nicole and M. Destefano, A. Klein, Nick Ruscillo, Mike Rich, Billy Symington, Joe and Anne Tartaglia, Lenny Schmidt, Joy and Marty Wyler, and Paul and Peggy May.

Letter: Retraction Letter Concerning My Previous Letter To Editor

In a letter dated Feb. 14, Mrs. Parrino and I wrote concerning issues relating to implementation of the default option currently being implemented by the Mineola Board of Education. Among the issues discussed was an allegation that Dr. Nagler had personally informed the seventh grade students that they were being assigned to the high school for the 2011-2012 school year. Parents had informed me that this was the case and I accordingly wrote that into last week’s letter. Mrs. Parrino relied on my input with respect to this allegation in signing the letter of Feb. 14 and is not responsible for authoring that portion of the letter.

From the Desk of Senator Jack Martins - February 25, 2011

Interesting Times in New York State

As I complete my second month serving the people of the 7th Senate District, I am continuously reminded that these are interesting times in New York State. There are discussions going on in Albany about subjects that are now getting the serious attention they deserve. Mandate relief, for example, is something we need to discuss in the coming months, especially in light of the likelihood that a 2 percent tax cap will be implemented.

Letter: Mineola BOE Trustees Respond To Bond Vote Results

We write in response to the recent bond vote of Feb. 8 and to comment and clarify our positions on the reconfiguration of our school system in response to that vote and to the Board of Education majority’s decision to immediately implement its Default Option school district reconfiguration plan. We contend that the Board’s Default Option is seriously flawed and should be immediately scrapped.

Around the Town with Lou - February 18, 2011

“Street of Churches” was once the name given to Willis Avenue in Mineola. That name can soon be resumed with the new Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints and the Evangelist Church of Grace joining Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church and Temple Beth Sholm Chabad. Some may remember the Episcopal Church and the long-gone Methodist Church.