State, County Enter Sudden Death Overtime

NIFA Gives Mangano

20 Days to Avoid Takeover

Approaching New Year’s Eve last week, many people might have feared starting 2011 with a hangover, but for County Executive Edward P. Mangano, it was the prospect of a takeover, of the county’s finances by New York State agency Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) on Jan. 1, that became very real.

The NIFA Board of Directors held its last meeting of the year on Dec. 30, at which time, many believed the authority would vote to enter what is called a “Control Period,” which enables the group to step in and take a leading role in Nassau County’s financial affairs. This is one of the functions of the watchdog agency that was created by New York State in 2000 due to the county’s poor fiscal situation. The group has served first, to restructure the county’s debt, and second, to oversee its financial operations, mandated to assume control of them if the county ever misses debt payments or if its major operating funds, the budget upon which it functions, suffers from a deficit of larger than 1 percent.    

Martins Hits Ground Running Visiting Elmont Schools

State Senator-elect Jack Martins has kept his word to the Elmont community again recently as he has made yet another stop in the community to highlight a priority of his—public education. This time, Dutch Broadway School was the scene for Martins’ visit.

Joining the Senator on the visit was Elmont School Superintendent Al Harper, Dutch Broadway Principal Walter Aksionoff, Elmont Coalition Chair Sandra Smith, School Trustee Michael Jaime and Elmont residents Franklin Thomas, Marvin Lee and Scott Cushing.

NYCOM’s Task Force Advocates Reforms on Mandate and Property Tax Relief

‘You can’t cap what you can’t control,’ was the mantra of a delegation of mayors from across New York State, who recently descended upon Garden City’s Village Hall to discuss recommendations of New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) Mayors’ Task Force on Mandate and Property Tax Relief.

Earlier this year, NYCOM formed a working task force of 20 mayors to come up with a set of mandate relief proposals that they say must be adopted by the state legislature prior to considering any form of a property tax cap. During a press conference, Sam Teresi, NYCOM president and mayor of the city of Jamestown, NY, explained that the task force’s recommendations focus on first reforming the cost drivers that lead to high property taxes in New York, in particular the many mandates on local governments pertaining to collective bargaining and managing workforce costs.

Teresi stated that the report entitled, You Can’t Cap What You Can’t Control, was built on a series of fundamental and simple foundations; namely, that property taxes in the State of New York are too costly. “Whether it is in the 62 cities, the 555 villages, the 900 towns, the several hundred school districts, special taxing jurisdictions, property taxes are simply too high in New York State and are one of the leading causes for taking what I believe is the greatest state and the greatest country in this world and making us unattractive and uncompetitive for business development,” Teresi said.

Elmont Youth Honored at Mineola Village Meeting for Funds Raised

Veteran Christopher Levi Presented With

Checks From Elmont and Mineola Village Residents

“A long time coming,” Bill Urianek said at last week’s board meeting; a long time indeed.

Urianek, with the help of other residents (both in and outside Mineola), has been on a quest; a quest to bestow gratitude upon veteran Christopher Levi. With the help of Urianek, countless Mineola residents, an Elmont resident and the Mineola Fire Department, checks were donated to Levi of Holbrook, who was injured overseas in an effort for him to purchase a special “Vet-Dog,” a trained dog for injured veterans.

For the last 64 years, America’s VetDogs have provided guide dogs, service dogs and new technologies for disabled veterans. Men and women who have lost their eyesight or limbs, suffered traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder are given companions to help them lead a more active life.

Carey December Seniors of the Month

Carey High School’s December Male Senior of the Month is one of the most visible students in the school as he is involved in many activities and has already left an eternal impression here at Carey. This young man has shown his vast leadership skills as a Class Board and Student Government Rep, Secretary of the Carey Clipper, and an extremely valuable member of LOG, Model UN, and our Alert team.

His love for music has led to his induction into our Tri-M Music Honor Society and has most recently been cast as a member of the Ensemble for our upcoming musical, Anything Goes. This multi-talented individual is also on the Varsity Wrestling team where he had earned the Seahawk Spirit Award.

His dedication to Carey was noted by his peers and faculty when he was selected as a member of the Senior Homecoming Court. Outside of school this young go-getter is involved in the Franklin Square Fire Department’s Explorer’s Club and in Boy Scouts where he is currently working on his Eagle Scout project here at Carey. Carey High School’s Ronnie Eith is December’s male senior of the Month.

3 on 3 Holds Victory Celebration for Martins

Basketball Tourney Members Honor Martins, Skelos

After narrowly beating incumbent Sen. Craig Johnson by 451 votes after all the rigmarole that was the 7th Senate District race, Senator-elect (pending Johnson appeal) and current Mineola Mayor Jack Martins received a warm welcome from part of his new district of Elmont, courtesy of the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The Dec. 9 event held at the Elmont Memorial Public Library concluded a long and arduous November for Martins, just in time for the holiday season.

Ninth District Senator and new Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos was also on hand to welcome Martins to Albany. “I know he’s going to do great things up [in Albany],” he said. “I can’t wait to work with him.”

Sporting a green baseball cap with “Elmont’s Senate Majority Leader” across the front, Skelos said that he was quite confident on Election Day that the Republicans would regain the majority and the people of New York State would gain back stability in the Senate. Martins received a cap titled, “Elmont’s Senator” as well.

Actor to Perform Live Interpretation of Jackie Robinson at Library

“Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience,” a national traveling exhibition which chronicles the remarkable history of baseball’s Negro leagues and the challenges and successes of African-American baseball players, will be celebrated with an “Opening Pitch” event at the Elmont Memorial Library on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event.

A highlight of the event will be actor Stephen Hill’s live interpretation of Jackie Robinson, a sample of what is to come during the months of the exhibition. As Jackie Robinson, Stephen Hill provides a first hand account of the challenges and triumphs of this legendary American hero.

Supreme Court Certifies Senate Race

Martins Declared Winner; Johnson Will Appeal

At first considered a long-shot, he won by a nose hair.

After all the counts, recounts, deliberations and court sessions, the 7th Senate District has a new senator. Mineola Mayor Jack Martins was declared the victor over incumbent Craig Johnson in the aftermath of the conundrum that was the 7th Senate District race last Saturday morning.

Carey High School’s November Seniors of the Month

Alana Mutum is well known for her organizational skills, ability to delegate duties and follow through on all tasks. You can’t think of school spirit without this young lady coming to mind.

She is not often in the spotlight, nor does she seek it. Yet she gives 110 percent to Carey at all times.

Mutum is editor of the Carey Clipper, one of the editors of the yearbook, co-founder of the Habitat for Humanity Club, member of the National, Tri-M and Science Honor Societies and has been involved with Food Rescue since freshman year. She is diligent and hard working, respected by faculty and peers alike.

Mangano Holiday Message: Shop Locally

Local Businesses Count on Big December Sales

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over and the holiday season is here. On Tuesday, Nov. 30, Nassau County Executive Edward I. Mangano held a press conference to deliver his own holiday message to his fellow Long Islanders: Namely, shop locally during the vital month of December.