Grand Opening Held at Jericho’s Equestrian Center at Old Mill

40-Acre Property Purchased Through Environmental Bond Act

Earlier this week, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced the formal opening of the 40-acre property, formerly known as the Old Mill Horse Farm and newly named the Equestrian Center at Old Mill, located at 62 Route 106 in Jericho, just north of the Long Island Expressway.

The property, which was acquired by Nassau County in October 2008 for $12 million under the $150 million 2006 Environmental Bond Act, incorporates a comprehensive and affordable equestrian center designed for use by the general public.

Students Named Semifinalists in Merit Scholarship Competition

Syosset Central School District announced the four Syosset High School students who were named 2010 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists: Ross Berger, Ben Lederman, Jennifer Matte and John Sullivan.

More than 1.5 million entrants in over 21,000 U.S. high schools nationwide entered the 2009 Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The highest scorers in each state were designated semifinalists, in numbers representing less than one percent of each state’s high school graduating class. This year 16,000 were selected as semifinalists. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to become Merit finalists, making them eligible to receive college scholarships.

Teachers, Students Dedicate a Habitat for Humanity Home

Tina Springer and her two children, Amber, 14, and Hunter, 4, received the home they longed for in Bay Shore last week. Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk (HFHS) teachers and students from Syosset High School and volunteers who worked on the house, joined the Springer family for the dedication ceremony.

The Syosset Teachers Association decided to sponsor and build the Springer house after they recognized the success of their students in the Habitat Suffolk Student Build program. Construction began on Nov. 3, 2008 with 25 teachers and students. During the construction period, Syosset teachers and students were joined by additional volunteers from Long Island businesses, Henry Schein and Estee Lauder. “The Syosset students have participated in many of Habitat’s Student Build houses,” said Les Scheinfeld, associate director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

County Executive Suozzi Says No to Property Tax Increase

But Republicans Harp on New Taxes

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi said it wasn’t easy but he has managed to propose a $2.617 billion budget for the 2010 fiscal year that doesn’t increase property taxes for Nassau County taxpayers. However, his critics say a new tax in the form of an Energy Tax that was imposed earlier this year is unfairly burdening taxpayers who are already paying hefty taxes.

Jericho Students Learning Valuable Lessons Outside of School

‘Erica’s Eradicators’ Fighting Juvenile Diabetes

Erica Leibowitz, a senior at Jericho High School, was diagnosed with diabetes at 7 years old and started her fundraising efforts 9 years ago.

Leibowitz has been a Youth Ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation (JDRF) since she was diagnosed. As a Youth Ambassador, she volunteers her time creating awareness of diabetes by attending diabetes-related conferences and being an advocate for other young people with diabetes. In addition she participates in a variety of ways for fundraising events that JDRF sponsors.

Residents Enjoy Annual Syosset Street Fair

The Syosset Chamber of Commerce held its sixth annual Street Fair on Sunday, under sunny skies in Syosset. There was a great turnout with so many residents coming out to enjoy the festivities, shopping and entertainment on Jackson Avenue.

The kids enjoyed bouncy rides, pony rides, face painting and a train that ran up and down the streets throughout the festival as their parents shopped and ate with their choice of cuisine with so many booths.

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.