Editorial: Is This Year’s Syosset School Board Campaign Too Contentious?

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Editorial: Is This Year’s Syosset School Board Campaign Too Contentious?

Friday, 11 May 2012 00:00

Around the neighborhood and online, there’s been a fair amount of talk that this year’s Syosset School Board election has involved a lot of name-calling, mudslinging, and other less-than-perfectly-civil behavior. Personally, I’ve seen more complaining about alleged name-calling than actual name-calling, but I can’t be everywhere: for all I know, the campaign is triggering energetic brawls behind Mario’s Pizza. I highly doubt it, but one never knows.

However, I think we have to keep in mind that after having uncontested elections for several years, we’ve all been a bit isolated from what an election of this nature can actually be like. Discussion of substantive issues can get a little heated, as well it should: we don’t want robots pronouncing their campaign ambitions in a monotone, we want actual residents who have different opinions about how best to educate our children cost-effectively. We also want them to be passionate enough about their beliefs that they won’t just clam up the moment someone disagrees with them. Arguments aren’t necessarily pleasant, but we want candidates who are at least willing to argue, and that’s what we have this year.

Is the election this year really all that contentious? Or is this just what happens when people who care disagree? We could always be more civil toward one another, but I think some of the friction we see when we finally discuss issues that have been smoldering under the surface is not only to be expected, but even welcome.

By the time you read this, Meet the Candidates Night at South Woods Middle School will already be over, but for me it hasn’t happened yet; I hope the whole thing doesn’t degenerate into a chair-throwing extravaganza, which would undermine my whole point here. Then again, the chairs in the South Woods Auditorium bolt into the floor, so we’re probably safe.

-K.G.

News

Beautifying With Street Lights

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:00

Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) joined with community leaders in front of street lights which have started to be installed in the Hamlet of Oyster Bay. Jacobs and the Town of Oyster Bay were each able to provide funding for the street lights.
Jacobs said: “The combination of the lamp posts and the new street signs gives a nautical look to the entire area. It is always a pleasure to share in the happiness which we derive from enhancing our downtowns.”

(Left to right) Rob Brusca; Board Member Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce; Susan Dembo; Susan Dembo Acupuncture; Fran Walker: Chef Fran’s Kitchen; Leg. Jacobs; John DeLillo: Treasurer, OB/EN Chamber; Michele Browner: Secretary, OB/EN Chamber; Dottie Simons: President, OB/EN Chamber.

Town Lowers Speed Limit On Cold Spring Road

Wednesday, 19 June 2013 00:00

The Town of Oyster Bay unanimously voted to decrease the speed limit on a stretch of Cold Spring Road from Arizona Avenue to Laurel Hollow from 40 mph to 30 mph last Tuesday during a town board meeting. The selected area had become a primary concern for residents of Syosset and nearby towns and villages, following multiple accidents over the past few years.

Cold Spring Road is a Nassau County road, and the Town of Oyster Bay maintains jurisdiction on setting speed limits within the town’s locations.

Sports

Bruce Grant Earns Honorable Mention

Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:00

Bruce Grant received honorable mention All-Liberty League singles accolades for their play his season. The all-conference awards are voted on by the Liberty League head coaches.

Grant split time between the top two singles spots. He was 6-16, including a 4-8 mark at No. 2, finishing his career with three wins in his final five matches, all against conference opponents. Grant was named the Liberty League Performer of the Week on April 15 after posting a 2-1 singles record and a 2-1 doubles record, suffering his only losses that week against eventual Liberty League champion Vassar.