Syosset Business Owner Charged With Stealing From Taxpayers

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced that a Muttontown man has been arrested on felony grand larceny charges after authorities charged him Tuesday with failing to give the state and county nearly $800,000 in sales and gasoline tax he collected at his Syosset gas station and auto repair shop.

Michael Ferrari, 43, was arrested Tuesday morning by DA investigators. He has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in First District Court, Hempstead.

Jericho School District Welcomes Students to the 2009-2010 Year

Jericho Schools opened their doors to students on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. Clear blue skies and brilliant warm sunshine set a perfect stage for the flawless opening of the 2009-2010 school year. Uncertain smiles accompanied backpacks, lunches, shopping bags overflowing with supplies, and yes, even an occasional tear as youngsters returned to classes.

Petitioning for a Guardrail Along Wantagh Bike Path

Jericho resident Gina Russo recognized a dangerous situation when she saw the Wantagh Parkway Bike Path, also known as the Ellen Ferrant Bicycle Path, back in February. The 4.5 mile paved path runs from Jones Beach State Park to Cedar Creek Park along the Wantagh Parkway and is utilized by thousands of residents weekly who like to walk, jog, bike, and rollerblade.

A majority of the path has no protection from vehicles on the highway There are no barriers, trees or fencing to protect pedestrians from the oncoming traffic that passes within feet of the path.

County Executive Encourages Residents to Prepare for H1N1

H1N1 Flu Shot Ready in October

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, joined by county, village, school and health officials, announced the county has purchased refrigerators to store H1N1 vaccines, expected to be released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in October.

The county expects to receive enough vaccines for residents who fall into the “high-risk” category: pregnant women, children between the ages of six months and 24 years, individuals between the ages of 25 and 64 years with underlying health conditions, household contacts and caregivers of infants under the age of six months, health care workers and emergency medical personnel. Suozzi reminded residents to take the necessary precautions to remain healthy as schools open and the flu season kicks in.

Grants Available to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Full Time

Less Than 10 Percent of Those Eligible Apply

Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs recently reminded those grandparents who are raising their grandchildren that there is a non-parent caregiver grant available through the state of New York. According to Jacobs, many people who qualify for the grant do not apply for it.

“This is a little known resource to help ease the financial burden that grandparents often experience while raising their grandchildren,” Jacobs said. “And less than 10 percent of the people that are eligible for the grants have applied. I encourage grandparents to contact the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights now. Money should not be an obstacle when raising grandchildren.”

New Assessor Offers Recommendations to Improve Department of Assessment

Homeowners Now Able to Schedule One-on-One Meetings With Field Assessors

The assessed value of a property does not in itself determine the amount of taxes on a property in Nassau County. Assessments only determine an individual property’s share of the taxes imposed by municipalities, school districts or special taxing districts.

That was only one of the messages that Nassau County Assessor Ted Jankowski, appointed by County Executive Suozzi in January of this year, wished to convey at a recent visit to Anton Community Newspapers.

Jericho Resident Contributes to New Book

Book Celebrates Grandparents’ Day

To celebrate Grandparents’ Day, which is September 13, a new book entitled The Art of Grandparenting, to be released by Nightengale Press,will be released. It is billed as “a funny, touching, informing, heartfelt collection of essays, stories, and how-tos from experienced grandparents.”

Local writer Carole Blake, of Jericho, is one of the book’s major contributors. Her essay, “Scary Grandma Stories”, is a humorous look at some of the nerve-wracking experiences that happened to her while on “Grandma Duty.”

Old Brookville Police Department Arrests Suspect

Beginning in late July, the Old Brookville Police Department began receiving larceny reports of items being stolen from unlocked vehicles parked in residential driveways in the villages of Brookville and Muttontown.

The thefts escalated in early August with the theft of two luxury SUV vehicles. Old Brookville Police Detectives assigned to the cases began tracking down purchases made on credit cards, which had been taken from some of the vehicles. These purchases led detectives to the Gravesend section of Brooklyn and during a week-long investigation both stolen vehicles were recovered intact.

Syosset Schools Set to Open September 8

The Syosset School District will open its doors to students on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for another exciting school year.

A statement from the Syosset School District said, “Syosset continues to lead this year with outstanding curriculum development and a new online student information program, Infinite Campus. Infinite Campus will be able to deliver expanded information to parents. We have updated facilities including tennis courts and we are looking forward to another outstanding year.”

Local Author Takes a Presidential Plunge

Roosevelt’s Undersea Adventure and Naval Legacy Recounted by Local Historian

Local author, researcher, and scuba diver Adam Grohman, who has searched for submarines, rum runners, shipwrecks, and other interesting aspects of our local maritime history, has recently completed his research into President Theodore Roosevelt’s historic plunge beneath the waters of Oyster Bay aboard the Plunger submarine in August of 1905. “Theodore Roosevelt,” Grohman commented, “was a fascinating American. He exemplified the ‘can do’ spirit and his support of the nation’s naval forces is sometimes overshadowed by his other myriad accomplishments. Presidential Plunge – Theodore Roosevelt, the Plunger Submarine and the United States Navy highlights his efforts and focuses in on this continuously important aspect of Roosevelt’s legacy.”