Attorney General Cuomo’s Office Offers Information About Home Contractors

A representative from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office spoke to residents at the Plainview Old Bethpage Library about home improvement fraud, as part of Cuomo’s statewide Consumer Awareness Initiative.

Paul Matthews, an investigator from Cuomo’s Nassau office, discussed home improvement contracts law and the Attorney General’s website, www. nyknowyourcontractor.com, which provides New Yorkers with the tools they need to make informed decisions when it comes to hiring a home improvement contractor.

Plainview Old-Bethpage School District Welcomes New Assistant Superintendent

The Plainview Old-Bethpage School District welcomes a new assistant superintendent for curriculum to the 2009-10 school year. Jill M. Gierash, formerly of the Sachem Central School District, joins the district with 15 years of experience in the education field.

Plainview Water District Will Not Increase Rates

Earlier this week, the commissioners of the Plainview Water District announced a pledge that the Plainview Water District did not raise its rates last year and will not raise its rates this year. The district’s conservative budgeting practice and strict cost-cutting measures, limiting expenditures, have allowed the district to maintain a strong fiscal outlook.

Plainview Fire Department Holds Open House

On October 4, the Plainview Fire Department, under the direction of Chief James Mertz, kicked off it’s annual Fire Prevention week at Plainview Fire Department headquarters on Old Country Road.

Families from the community came out and were informed about fire safety, fire prevention and what to do in case of an emergency. There were also four live demonstrations. One was a mock auto accident where fire fighters used the Hurst Tool (Jaws of Life), hydraulic cutters and a sawz-all to remove the doors and roof of the auto in record time.

Plainview Resident Publishes Seventh Book

Dr. Mario Macaluso, a resident of Plainview and a retired Syosset School District teacher, recently published his seventh book, which is entitled Sicilian Myths and Legends.

Sicilian Myths and Legends is written for all Sicilian descendants living all over the world. According to Macaluso, myths, legends and stories are the precious jewels of 3,000 year-old Sicilian culture and civilization and those legends connect people to the past, and “make us proud of our ancestors whose literary and spiritual heritage bears witness to their indomitable struggle under the rule of colonizers who trampled our island, but did not kill our spirit.”

Former Library Staff Member’s Memory Preserved With Garden

Bea Shacknow was well loved and respected at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library. She devoted a great deal of time to the children in the community and was also a master gardener.

After she passed away, the staff at the library wanted to honor her memory and in 2008 decided to create a memorial garden.

Plainview-Old Bethpage Students Create Event to Stand Up for a Cause

On Friday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. three high school students will watch as their event comes to life for the second year in a row. Four hilarious professional comedians will take the stage at the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School for this special fundraising event called Stand-Up For a Cause. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Kicks Off New Season

The Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce (POBCOC) kicked off its fall season with a networking lunch Wednesday, September 16 at AMF Plainview Bowl.

POBCOC board members Marianne Plummer, Don Ingram, Gary Epstein, Ilene Somer, Bryan Trugman, Elan Wurtzel, Sheila Maiman, Marcia Finkelstein and Francesca Carlow welcomed many new faces and encouraged everyone to get involved with this growing network of people.

POB Library Unveils New Look

The Plainview Old Bethpage Public Library opened its doors on Saturday, after being closed for a week, with a new look. After entering the library and walking through the lobby, residents are now greeted with an information desk and circulation desk.

The library staff member seated at the information desk is there to help with general questions and information on programs, fax machine assistance, help with the copy machines, program registration and information about other library services and materials. The circulation desk will strictly be for transitions involving checking materials in and out.

Plainview Fire Department Pays Respects to Ex-Chief Edmund Ocker

On September 8, the Plainview Fire Department lost a very dear friend, ex-Chief Ed Ocker. He was 90 years old. Ex-Chief Ocker joined the department on January 1, 1940 and proudly served his community until his passing last Tuesday. He rose to the rank of Chief in 1949 and held that position until 1951. He was also a charter member of the 9th Battalion Chief’s Council. For 50 of his almost 70 years of service, ex-Chief Ocker gave the children of the department’s members tremendous joy as their Santa Claus at the annual Children’s Christmas Party, inheriting that task from his father Anton. Afterward, he would then go across the street to Central General Hospital where he would visit the pediatric unit to spread some holiday cheer.