Plainview School Board Discusses Technological Initiatives

Details on department-by-department budget numbers combed

After being presented with an overview of the first draft of the 2012-2013 school budget on Feb. 27, members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education began going through the numbers, department-by-department, at the latest meeting on Monday, March 5. In general, while most departments covered thus far are projected to see only small increases or reductions from last year, the intention to provide students with access to new technologies accounts for modest increases in some areas.

During the usual slate of announcements, Assistant Superintendent Ryan Ruf acknowledged that Kim Parahus, director of School Facilities and Operations (Buildings and Grounds) was recently named a VIP Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). Parahus later provided information on the Buildings and Grounds budget for next year, as well as planned capital projects, in great detail.

POB Presents First Draft of 2012-2013 Budget

First look shows no cut in instructional programs

On Monday, Feb. 27, members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage (POB) Board of Education got their first look at the proposed 2012-2013 school budget. With a total figure of $137,018,011, the proposal calls for a 2.1 percent increase over last year’s budget, while maintaining all instructional programs. While the board expressed approval with the budget so far, members discussed several concerns with the purchasing of certain instructional materials—concerns that may end up affecting the final budget that residents will vote on this May.

NCPD Precinct Closure Plan Vote Postponed

Negotiations to close four station houses continue between County Executive and PBA

No vote was taken on Monday, Feb. 27, on the plan to close four Nassau County police precincts and convert them into Community Policing Centers.

The Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority had hoped for such a vote, one that would close the First and Fifth and Sixth and Eighth precincts. However, according to a spokeswoman for Presiding Officer Peter J. Schmitt (R-Massapequa), County Executive Edward P. Mangano asked the legislature to delay the vote for at least a week, while his office remains in negotiations over unspecified issues with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

Breathing Easy: The Gary Klausner Story

Plainview resident going strong 13 years after double lung transplant

 On the surface, Gary Klausner lives the typical life of a Plainview resident. A wife, two kids. Works in sales. It is what’s beneath the surface, however, that truly tells his story.

Gary is 47 years old, and has only had his lungs for 13. He is a double lung transplant recipient, the result of his battle with cystic fibrosis. When he was first diagnosed, life expectancy for those afflicted was 16 years. Now it is 35.

Gary almost became a statistic. Now, he is a survivor.

POBJFK Celebrates WPOB 40th Anniversary

Larry “The Duck” attends celebration

WPOB 88.5 FM, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy (POBJFK) High School’s radio station, celebrated 40 years of broadcasting as one of only four high school radio stations on Long Island on Friday, Feb. 10. The anniversary celebration included several well-known speakers in the broadcasting field, many of whom had begun their careers at WPOB.

Past, current, and future broadcasters gathered together at the school’s auditorium with over 400 POBJFK High School students to pay tribute to the groundbreaking and distinguished radio program that has given students a head start in the broadcasting industry for generations.

Nassau Legislators Hold Packed Debate on Precinct Closings

Legislators discuss public safety issues

An overflow audience packed into the Nassau County Legislative chambers on Monday, Feb.13 as that body held a public hearing on a proposal to close four police precincts in the county and transform them into community policing centers.

The hearing focused on public safety issues. It featured a long presentation by Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Dale who maintained that the plan would not compromise public safety, while noting that certain usages of advanced technologies have helped to reduce crime in the county.

Dale said the consolidation would result in a “more effective and efficient” police department, while also addressing the county’s budget situation. The precincts in question are the First, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Precincts.

Globetrotter Spreads C.H.E.E.R. To Local Students

Player entertains crowd at Old Bethpage Elementary School

They’ve been entertaining crowds around the world for 86 years, dazzling millions with their unique style of basketball, sending folks home with smiles on their faces (unless you’re a Washington Generals’ fan). The Harlem Globetrotters are back in town, getting ready to play a couple games at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 19. Well, not games really, more like performances, with shows slated for 1 and 5 p.m.

Before taking the court with his teammates, one Globetrotter paid a visit to students at Old Bethpage Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb 15. ‘Slick’ Willie Shaw stopped by, happy that the Globetrotter tour has brought him close to home.

“I haven’t had a chance to perform in New York in a couple years, “the 29-year old Bronx native and St. John’s grad said. “It’s good to play in front of my people.”

One Giant Day in New York

New York Giants finish magical season with Super Bowl XLVI parade in the City that Never Sleeps

The streets were trembling, the buildings were shaking and the confetti was falling by the truck-full in the Canyon of Heroes on Tuesday, Feb. 7 as New York City said thanks to its beloved Big Blue.

The New York Giants celebrated the 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI (46) victory over the New England Patriots in style with a ticker-tape parade and estimated attendance of one million screaming onlookers. Fans laughed, cheered, even cried as their favorite team passed by on what could be magically mistaken as chariots of the football gods.

An estimated 40 tons of confetti showered the “G-MEN.” Fans barricaded on the sidewalks took to climbing streetlights, signs and building storefronts to could catch a glimpse of the team.

Side and backstreets were filled to the max. One street even sported a touch football game among a sea of red, white and blue.

Lawmakers Seek Further Reductions in MTA Payroll Tax

Two pieces of proposed legislation to exempt villages, towns, counties, libraries from the tax

Numerous Long Island lawmakers, joined by both the Nassau and Suffolk County Executives, plus Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos were out in force last Friday, calling for further reductions in the MTA payroll tax.

The press conference, held at the Nassau County Executive & Legislative Building, introduced state legislation (S-6206), one co-authored by State Senators Jack Martins (R-Mineola) and Lee Zeldin (R,C,I-Shirley). The bill would exempt villages, towns, and counties in New York State from the MTA payroll tax. Municipalities in New York State, both lawmakers said, currently pay a .34 percent tax per $100 of payroll to pay for the MTA.

“Property taxpayers paying for village, town and county services should not have their hard-earned tax dollars diverted to subsidize the MTA through this payroll tax,” Senator Martins said. “We need to alleviate some of the burdens placed on our local governments. This legislation does that and the result will be relief for our taxpayers, something we desperately need.”

Minority Leader Tackles Nassau’s Major Issues

Kevan Abrahams does not think borrowing is the answer for fiscal recovery

There are easier tasks than the one facing Kevan Abrahams. As a Nassau County Legislator, he will be grappling with the issues facing the cash strapped county and in particular will be deliberating on a budget which may call for more layoffs of county workers, reduction of services and changes for Nassau police precincts. As the Democratic Minority Leader in the legislature, he will be one of the more prominent figures as those discussions take place, a position that requires he walk a political tightrope as he leads the opposition to some of those proposals while also trying to get Republican County Executive Ed Mangano and the Republicans in control of the Legislature to give consideration to his party’s suggestions and input. And, he will also do so while getting a feel for his new role as he has just taken over the position of the Minority Leader in the Legislature after being chosen by his party last November. Yet, despite all of this, there is a calmness and confidence about him as he takes this all on, something that he attributes to many years of experience in both politics and finance.