Letter: In Support of Venditto This Election Day

This year’s election in the Town of Oyster Bay is once again directly connected to the future fate of the proposed mall on the former Cerro Wire property on Robbins Lane in Syosset.

Based on recent activities initiated by the developer, all signs indicate the Taubman Company is gearing up for another major push for its mall project. For more than 15 years the community has waged a successful battle against the mall.  However, Taubman is now saying times have changed and opposition from the surrounding area is minimal.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: October 27, 2011

The Retirement Years

When I retired from dentistry on November 4, 1994 (but who’s counting?) I was positive that some whiz-bang American company would pick me up and hire me for a position that I would enjoy.

Here it is, 17 years later, and that wonderful offer has not shown up yet. After all, I consider myself talented and interesting and I ran a successful dental practice for 48 years. What is the matter with these tycoons and industrialists?

Letter: In Support of Supervisor Venditto

As a longtime resident and civic leader in the Town of Oyster Bay, I believe we have been fortunate to have a Town Supervisor who has done an outstanding job over the last 14 years in making the Town of Oyster Bay one of the leading towns in New York State to live and raise our families.  

Back in 2001, Supervisor John Venditto heard our voices when it counted most by voting against the proposed 860,000 square foot mall on the former Cerro Wire site on Robbins Lane. Since then, he has continued to act in the best interests of the residents of Jericho and Syosset by consistently saying no to the idea of a mall and supports the community’s call for alternate development instead. 

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: October 20, 2011

‘America, America’

Europe – too expensive?

The Euro – too strong versus the dollar?

Language Problems?

The Hudson River Valley is “the landscape that defined America.”

How about a railroad trip up the Hudson River? Lorraine and I are going to a Bar Mitzvah in Albany, the state capital.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: October 13, 2011

77

Men usually gauge their lives by the amount of years that their father lived. When they approach that number, they get uneasy and a bit uncomfortable. It has no rational basis, but it is just a rule of thumb or a bad guess.

My birthday is Oct. 13, 1934. That calculates out to 77 years on Thursday. Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America day is Oct. 12, 1492. I always joked that “I was born on the day after Chris discovered America.” “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue!”

A Bird’s Eye View: October 13, 2011

Migrating Raptors Leave ‘Footprints’

Last year, the first Saturday in October had the makings of a big day at the Fire Island Hawk Watch. The wind was out of the northwest and a cold front had come through after a previous day of rain, indicating that a large number of migrating raptors should be flying by.

The hawk watch platform itself is a two-tiered wooden structure designed for hawk watchers to count migrating raptors during the fall. The upper tier has an excellent view of the horizon, but today space there is scarce. I stay below where there are three photographers. During the course of the day, the images on their camera screens are going to change how I think about bird photography and will have an unconscious effect on me that I won’t realize for nearly a year.  

Over 60…And Getting Younger: October 6, 2011

Friendship

Friends fall into three categories:

There are the childhood friends, early-adult and just married friends, and the recently acquired senior friends.

The kindergarten and public school chums are a delight because they unleash memories of early and carefree years that have faded from our daily existence. Hopefully, they are in good health so that illness does not change or impinge on the relationship. Old stories and old deeds come to mind and seeing them triggers a whole mental scenario. They are irreplaceable and they understand us in depth as we appreciate and comprehend them.

From the desk of Assemblyman Charles Lavine: October 6, 2011

October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remember those who have lost the battle to breast cancer and support those who continue the fight daily. Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, more women are winning the fight against breast cancer. As we continue to progress toward a cure, we’re also learning more about how to prevent the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society’s 2011 report, with the exclusion of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly one in four cancers diagnosed in U.S. women. This year alone, it is estimated that there will be over 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the U.S., including new cases of primary breast cancer among survivors. In New York, nearly 16,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year. It is also estimated that by the end of 2011, there will be nearly 40,000 breast cancer-related deaths nationwide.

Eliminating breast cancer is an ongoing battle, with prevention and early detection being of utmost importance. Self-examinations and mammography screening remain the best available methods to detect breast cancer early. Numerous studies have shown that early detection using mammography screenings greatly improves treatment options and survival. While every woman is unique, in general, survival rates for breast cancer can reach 93 percent when detected in the earliest stages. For mammograms and other early detection methods to be as effective as possible, the American Cancer Society suggests women:

-obtain a regular mammography screening starting at the age of 40;

-obtain annual clinical breast exams;

-perform monthly breast self exams; and

-obtain a risk assessment from a physician.

Measures have been taken by the Assembly to protect women in New York who are fighting and surviving breast cancer, ensuring that they receive the best care possible. In recent years I supported laws to:

-ensure that information relating to the availability and access to reconstructive surgery following breast cancer surgery is provided to all breast cancer patients (Ch. 354 of 2010);

-require commissioners of environmental conservation and health to produce an environmental facility and cancer incidence map (Ch. 638 of 2008);

-expand membership of the Health Research Science Board to include six new members who have or have had breast cancer from six geographic regions of the state to give wider voice to breast cancer concerns (Ch. 621 of 2007); and

-allow community-based groups, which provide counseling, education and outreach services to persons with breast cancer, to receive funding through the Breast Cancer Detection and Education Advisory Council (Ch. 623 of 2007).

Research continues to explore the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Studies find lifestyle factors and habits can increase the risk of breast cancer. Some studies indicate exercise, weight gain or loss and diet can affect breast cancer rates. Researchers are also learning more about how genes influence breast cancer. About five percent to 10 percent of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be a frightening event that affects not only you but your whole family. For more information on treatment, guidance and community support, you can go to www.health.state.ny.us/publications/0401/resources.htm, the New York State Department of Health’s breast cancer resource and information center.

Early diagnosis and other preventive measures, along with the right treatment, can help save lives and end the battle against this deadly disease. Please contact my office at 676-0050 for more information about this or any other issue.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 29, 2011

Life Is Beautiful!

In my last column, I must have sounded very despondent. The column was called “Inner Thoughts” and in it I sounded as if I were complaining about growing older and losing some of my life skills.

I was rejuvenated by three e-mails from three of my compassionate readers who picked up on my insecurities. I am thankful for the three messages that tried to cheer me up. Each letter made me get a hold of myself and stop public weeping and feeling sorry for myself. Their names are mentioned here: Beth, Rick Feinstein, and Phyllis and Jerry Tenenbaum.

Letter: CSEA Has Nothing Left to Give

Nassau County is heading closer and closer to its demise. Following a national Republican trend, the administration is targeting government workers and their unions as the main reason for the county’s financial collapse. It implies our county is being destroyed by overgenerous labor agreements, and if those aren’t amended, massive layoffs will occur.

But a lack of transparency on the county’s part clearly exists. The administration complains that Nassau has the second highest taxes in the nation, yet if the county got rid of all 6,000 of its Civil Service Employees Association workers, Nassau would still hold that regrettable status. In fact, in a $10,000 property tax bill, only $300 is for the services provided by CSEA members.