The Board of Directors would like to inform the residents of our area about what has been going on since the last general meeting of the civic association.

In January, our president Frank Sammartano stepped down after five years and the executive board voted in Vice President Rich Lasko as the new president of the civic association.

Rich worked hard to keep our area up to the standards that were set by the previous administration. He and his new board of directors were doing a great job. But Rich had to step down from his post because of personal reasons, and his spot was not filled because of summer vacation. Therefore, the executive board decided to wait until the end of summer to meet and elect a new president. Our area was still being watched over by the past administration and any problems or concerns were addressed.

The executive board of the White Birch/Old Jericho Civic Association at this time would like to publicly thank Mr. Rich Lasko and his family for the years of dedication to our civic association as vice president and for the time he served as our president.

The following concerns have come up and the executive board has addressed each on behalf of our community.

We contacted the Town of Oyster Bay in regards to the eyesore of a building at 333 North Broadway. We have been told that the owner was contacted by the town to board it up before the winter months. We have now learned that the owner will be rebuilding it sometime soon.

The grass running along Parkside Drive will be cut on a more timely basis thanks to all who help pick up papers that have been blowing around our area.

The Board was contacted about the dog walkers along Parkside Drive who do not pick up after their pets. We asked the town to have its enforcement people come by from time to time to enforce the dog-curbing ordinance and fine offenders.

The Robert Williams School playground area is being locked during times when youth games are being played and the parents have been asked to park in the lot for the safety of the children who may run out from behind cars.

The executive board has asked the Education Committee to sit down with the superintendent of schools and discuss the conditions at Robert Williams School. The superintendent and the school board have been very receptive to our committee in the past and we hope to have the same working relationship with them this school year.

The board would like to ask the residents of White Birch/Old Jericho to encourage your new neighbors and friends to get involved in our civic because without your support we cannot survive and serve our community. There are openings on many committees and support areas to the board as well as board members. If you are interested in getting involved in your community, please contact us by mail at:

Board of Directors, White Birch/Old Jericho, Civic Association, PO Box 64, Jericho, NY 11753.

Please watch for our next announcement in the papers. Come out and join us.