OB-EN Budget Unvieled

The economy brought people out to the Feb. 23 Oyster Bay-East Norwich School Board meeting, held in the high school library. Last month the meeting was held at the Roosevelt Elementary School and the next meeting, scheduled for March 2 at the Vernon School.

A New Look At an Old Drug

Heroin: Teen’s Drug of Choice

Today’s image of a heroin addict is no longer an unkempt, dirty loser with needlemarks on their arm, but a smiling, smart teenage Prom Queen. That was the message to parents and teens attending a heroin forum, “Not My Child” presented by Kristin M. Fexas, deputy bureau chief from District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s office as she spoke in the St. Dominic High School auditorium recently. Ms. Fexas explained the need to take a decisive stand against the drug merchants.

Black History Celebrated in Oyster Bay

Organist Anthony Teets Talks on Aspects of Slavery on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.

As part of their celebration of Black History Month, members of the Hood A.M.E. Zion Church have planned a host of events. On Sunday, Feb. 21, members gathered at Youngs Memorial Cemetery to consecrate the site of graves of slaves buried there. Small white crosses dot the hill on the way to the burial place of 26th President Theodore Roosevelt.

East Norwich Candidate for 15th Assembly Seat Loses Run

East Norwich candidate Matthew Meng lost his bid for the seat of Assemblyman Rob Walker of the 15th Legislative District. Republicans all got behind Michael Montesano of Glen Head. Automated phone calls from Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, newly elected Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano; Congressman Peter King; and Assemblyman Rob Walker, all helped to get the vote out.

Comptroller George Maragos Gives a Lesson on NC Finances

Vintage Systems Without Oversight Characterize Nassau County Financial Picture

New Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos talked to Anton Community Newspaper editors on Tuesday, Feb. 9, about a month after being inducted into office. He said he has three goals, 1- to streamline government by making it more efficient; 2- to maximize non-tax revenues; 3- to help fix the tax assessment process.

Grow Grass That’s Good for the Bay

Friends of the Bay Lecture on Sustainability Gardening

If it’s true that the grass is always greener in another man’s lawn, it also means he is probably using too much fertilizer.

Here in suburbia, where grass is king, homeowners are always interested in a better way to go green. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Friends of the Bay provided some of the answers as George Thompson of Dodds & Eder; and Neil Lewis and Beth Fiteni of Sustainability Institute at Molloy College (and the Long Island Neighborhood Network) talked about environmentally responsible and sustainable gardening techniques, including how to have a beautiful garden and protect water quality at the same time. The meeting was held in the FOB offices at 2 Townsend Square. It was fitting that the talk was sponsored by FOB since fertilizers are a source of pollution in the bay.

Roosevelt School Transparency In Using New Teaching Methods

OB-EN School Board Meets, Greets, Listens and Responds

Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Gina Faust hosted the Feb. 2 board of education meeting in the school’s cafeteria. The room does double duty as its auditorium. Parents, teachers and members of the community were treated to a SmartBOARD presentation on how the school teaches social/emotional learning, and spelling and grammar that are taught using the newest technologies. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phyllis Harrington said, at the conclusion of that portion of the meeting, “We have districts from all over Long Island and Westchester asking to come tour the school.” The district has partnered with the Columbia College School of Education to bring the latest tools for teaching to enhance learning.

Dr. Harrington told the audience that the Nassau Suffolk School Board Association for Long Island is encouraging a handwritten letter campaign to Albany on the state budget on the issue of aid to education in a more equitable and appropriate manner that is consistent with the true cost of education on Long Island. Their slogan is One Island – One Voice, from Oyster Ponds to Oyster Bay. The board agreed to the idea which they will share with the PTA to get parents and community members to write the letters.

Avianca Flight 52 Survivors Thank Responders

St. Dominic R.C. Church hosted an Avianca Flight 52 reunion, 20 years after the crash of the plane in Cove Neck. Father Kevin Smith, pastor of St. Dominic’s, called the landing of the Avianca plane - a miracle on the hill. “It landed in one of the most unpopulated areas on Long Island and no one on the ground was killed. It was a miracle on the hill,” he said. Another miracle is that Father Smith was at the site. “I remember the children, their voices and cries,” he said.

Pierre Brandt: An OB Treasure

Oyster Bay has a very special treasure in Pierre Brandt, wood carver extraordinaire. You may have seen his work during December when he was installed in a corner of Dodds & Eder, displaying and demonstrating his wood-carving techniques. He has set up his corner with his carvings on display for the past seven years.

TR Park Committee Re-Constituted By Oyster Bay Civic Association

The Oyster Bay Civic Association has re-constituted their Theodore Roosevelt Park Committee. It was originally formed when Marie Knight was president and was created because of concerns that the park was deteriorating. Members of that original committee included Fran Leone and Charles Doering.