Q&A: Candidates for Hempstead Town Supervisor

Anton Newspapers asked Republican incumbent Kate Murray and Democratic challenger Gary Port to respond to the following questions.

Kate Murray

Since the majority of voters did not approve floating bonds to fund the Hub project, what is the next step for instituting a new plan for the site and how will you work with the county to do so?

Nassau County’s proposal to have taxpayers authorize a bond referendum to finance a refurbished Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was resoundingly defeated. Since the property upon which the Coliseum sits, as well as surrounding land, belongs to the county, Nassau’s administration is working to secure development proposals for the county’s hub. Hempstead Town’s role rests in its zoning authority. Indeed, the entire town board voiced its desire for reasonable development at the site and our united goal of keeping the Islanders Hockey Team at its Uniondale home by creating a flexible development/building zone in June of this year. The new zone allows sports, recreation, convention, hotel, conference, business, education, housing, technology and a host of other uses at the site.

Health and Fitness Clinic on October 15

Senator Jack Martins announced on Oct. 4 that he will be hosting his first annual “Athletic, Health and Fitness Clinic” at Elmont’s Valencia Gym on Saturday, Oct. 15. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will service people of all ages for free. The program is another community outreach initiative by Senator Martins promoting quality of life issues and healthy lifestyle choices.

“The clinic is going to have countless classes aimed for high school students, college age, seniors and everyone in between,” said Senator Martins adding, “dietary choices, fitness, healthy lifestyles and workout sessions will be offered. There will also be special athletic boot camps, bodybuilding, fitness training for all ages and much more.”

West Hempstead School District Fills Vacant Board Seat

Former Board President Joins Board of Education

The West Hempstead School District Board of Education filled the vacant seat of former board member Anthony Brita, who resigned from his post on June 29. His reason for resigning is still unknown at this time.

Fifty-five year West Hempstead resident Vincent Trocchia was appointed to join the West Hempstead Board of Education on Sept. 20. The board made the decision to appoint someone to the seat instead of holding a special election or leaving it vacant until the next regular election in May.

State Senate Hearing Calls Out LIPA’s ‘Failure’ After Irene

LI Senators Say Investigation Needed Before LIPA Renews National Grid Contract

Senator Carl Marcellino questioned LIPA and National Grid representatives last week, introducing a State Senate hearing with wording that many on the island might use at this point: “What the hell happened?”

After Tropical Storm Irene left many Long Island residents, municipal facilities and even emergency responders without power for days, and some for over a week, New York state senators held a hearing, first, to determine what went wrong in LIPA and National Grid’s storm preparedness plans and, second, to call for a delay in the renewal of the contract between LIPA and National Grid until an independent review can be done to see if Long Island could be better served by a different arrangement.

Gary Port to Run for Hempstead Town Supervisor

The Democratic candidate issued the following statement.

“Gary Port was born in 1962 in Brooklyn, New York.  As a young boy Gary learned the importance of hard work, commitment, personal responsibility and public service.

“Gary graduated cum laude from New York University in 1983 after only three years with a double major in psychology and history. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School, Gary decided against a Wall Street type job and joined the United States Army.

Candidacies Announced for Third District County Legislator

Incumbent Republican Ciotti Is Facing Democratic Challenger Solages

John J. Ciotti

The candidate released a statement saying in part, “John J. Ciotti (R-C), was elected on Nov. 7, 1995, to the first session of the Nassau County Legislature as the representative of the 3rd Legislative District. He has since been re-elected in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

“Ciotti also serves as the deputy presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature. The 3rd Legislative District includes Elmont, Franklin Square, North Valley Stream, Bellerose Terrace, South Floral Park, and portions of Valley Stream and West Hempstead.

Covert Avenue 17th Annual Street Fair Comes to Town

Bringing Carnival Fun, Rides and More to the Streets of Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Surrounding Areas

Would you like to kiss a bulldog, taste a fried Oreo or hop on a mechanical ride? If you do, then get ready because the Covert Avenue Street Express is coming to Floral Park and Stewart Manor this weekend.

Thousands are expected to attend the 17th annual Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, which took place on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., bringing tons of family fun, food, vendors, face painting, bouncy and mechanical rides, inflatable bouncers, singers, dancers, and musical performances, from Tulip to Cisney avenues.

New Exhibit Pays Homage to Fallen Nassau County Firefighters

“Lives of Service; Celebrating the Heroes of September 11” Unveiled in Garden City

An ice hockey jersey, a set of Irish bagpipes, a beloved pair of Timberland boots are just some of the personal mementos that once belonged to the 18 active Nassau County firefighters who perished on Sept. 11 and are now part of a new exhibit held in Garden City.

Last week, the Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum opened its new 5,000-square-foot exhibition, entitled “Lives of Service; Celebrating the Heroes of September 11.” While many 9/11 exhibits are taking place throughout New York this month, Museum Director Alana Petrocelli explained that the Nassau County Firefighter Museum’s exhibit focuses on the personal lives and stories of the local residents who died on that tragic day. A year in the making, the monumental project was the brainchild of Firefighter Museum President Angelo Catalano.

Thousands Attend Hempstead Town’s 9/11 Sunrise Memorial

Ten-year anniversary commemorations of the 9/11 attacks were held across the nation Sunday, but the heartfelt ceremony at Point Lookout was among the most touching of them all.

Emotion filled the air as grieving families, along with rescue workers from New York City and local town officials, gathered to honor the memories of the 2,983 innocent lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Kiwanis Club Dinner To Honor Past President Bob Smith

The Kiwanis Club of West Hempstead will be honoring Robert (Bob) Smith, past president of the Kiwanis Club of West Hempstead at their 16th annual dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 7 to 9 PM, at the Pompei Restaurant, 401 Hempstead Avenue., West Hempstead.

Robert (Bob) Smith was a longtime West Hempstead resident, a past president and secretary of the West Hempstead Kiwanis Club who passed away recently.  His friends, family, and fellow Kiwanis community know how tireless he worked for the Kiwanis Club of West Hempstead and how he supported the residents of West Hempstead.  Bob was generous in his donations, time and spirit to the community.