The West Hempstead Civic Association (WHCA) has announced that it has launched a new interactive website - www.WestHempsteadCivic.org.

The new site will not only cover the latest news of interest to residents, it will have a community-wide calendar, designed to list and highlight the activities, meetings and events of all of West Hempstead's community groups and organizations.

Residents are invited to visit the new website, to "bookmark" it for frequent reference, and to offer comments and suggestions to enhance its appearance and improve its content. The webmaster may be contacted through the "Contact Us" link at the top of the web page or at webmaster@WestHempsteadCivic.org.

In addition to community postings, the website will have links to community and government sites, area houses of worship, recreational activities and events available in and around our town, and so much more. Of course, the West Hempstead Civic Association's new website is a "work in progress," so be sure to visit often as updates and changes are made.

All community groups are encouraged to be a part of West Hempstead's cyber-community. Submit your group's news and notices. Send in a link to your organization. Post meeting dates and event information by clicking on "Contact Us."

The West Hempstead Civic Association held its winter town meeting at West Hempstead Middle School on Feb. 24. Over 100 residents gathered to discuss one of the most compelling issues of the day - taxes.

Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, Donald X. Clavin, Jr. reminded residents that neither the receiver of taxes nor the Town of Hempstead set the assessment, and then proceeded with an overview of the new tax bill/statement, which attempts to clarify how much is being paid in taxes, and to whom. The county, the town, the school district and a multitude of special districts are funded by tax dollars and the new format of the tax bill/statement spells this out in an easy to read fashion.

"Residents now know exactly where their tax dollars are going and whom to contact regarding any questions they may have," said Clavin.

Here is the tax schedule for the rest of the year:

April 1 - Second half 2003-2004 school tax due. Payable without penalty to 5/10/04.

May 10 - Last day to pay 2003-2004 school tax without penalty.

July 1 - Second half 2004 general tax due. Payable without penalty to 8/10/04.

August 10 - Last day to pay second half 2004 general tax without penalty.

October 1 - First half 2004-2005 school tax due. Payable without penalty to 11/10/04.

November 10 - Last day to pay first half 2004-2005 school tax without penalty.

Also, Delores Sedacca, a former Commissioner of the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission, and the head of the Speakers' Bureau for the Nassau County Assessor's Office addressed the civic association. Ms. Sedacca gave a concise, line by line "how to" concerning the completion and filing of the AR 1, the County's Application For Correction Of Property Tax Assessment, commonly known as the Tax Grievance.

The form and the process by which residents may challenge their assessed market value are exceptionally straight forward and simple. Indeed, residents can - and are urged to - complete the forms themselves, following the easy to understand instructions prepared by the Assessor's Office.