A New York State of Decline

Another census means more congressional seats lost

New York is losing some of its influence, and that can mean trouble for Long Islanders.

In 1950, when Harry S. Truman was president, New York had 45 congressional seats, the most in the nation. The recent past had seen the four terms of Hyde Park’s Franklin D. Roosevelt, with FDR’s distant cousin, Theodore, serving as president earlier in the century. Further back, the 19th century had seen several New Yorkers as president: Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Chester Arthur, and the popular Grover Cleveland.

NIFA Mandates Nassau County Pay Freeze

Marlin criticizes proposed sewage deal

For the second consecutive year, Nassau County workers will have their wages frozen.

The Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) made the announcement last week, citing a possible budget deficit this year of up to $100 million.

County Executive Edward Mangano praised the decision as a “stabilizing” force in the budget process.

The Tebow Trade: Fans Weigh In

Pros and cons of acquiring the former Heisman winner

Last week, the New York Jets stunned the sports world with its sudden pickup in a trade of Tim Tebow.

Following the earlier and equally stunning news that future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning would sign as a free agent with the Denver Broncos, Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner, found himself on the trade block. The Jets swooped in and acquired the lefty, while surrendering two mid-round draft picks. So, what’s the early verdict?

Pharmacy Giant Looking to Expand Into Elmont

Would be one of four pharmacies within quarter-mile of each other

Walgreens was an ice cream and soda shop back in its heyday and now stands as a pharmacy giant with 8,270 stores across the country. Whether or not its 8,271st store will call Elmont home remains to be seen.

If a proposal to build a Walgreens pharmacy on Meacham Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont is approved, a shopping center with seven stores would be demolished. The plan has been hit at every angle, from resident and business outcry to the turnpike recently being voted as one of the most dangerous roads in Nassau County…again.

Legislature Approves Police Retirement Incentive Program

Lawmakers seek $21 million in savings

Last Monday’s session of the Nassau County Legislature lasted from early afternoon into the evening. But it also lasted long enough for that body to approve a retirement incentive program for county police, one that lawmakers hope will result in $21 million in savings from the county budget.

Passage came after hours of negotiations between the county executive’s office and the three police unions—-Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the Nassau County Detectives Association (DAI), and the Superior Officers Association (SOA)—-in order for the majority to receive the necessary votes from Democratic lawmakers.

Elmont Woman Arrested for Sexual Act with Student

Cops say Freeport substitute teacher had affair with FHS student

An Elmont woman allegedly engaged in sexual acts with a Freeport High School (FHS) student, police revealed at a press briefing on Friday, March 9. The affair spanned four months and according to school district officials, it cost the woman her job.

Math and earth science teacher Kaitlin Grant, 23, was arrested last Friday at 2:17 a.m. outside her home and was charged with three felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. Grant will be fired from her position at FHS, according to district superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham.

Goodbye, Heartbreak Hotel

Dingy Courtesy structure to be replaced by exciting new rental complex

Gone is the heartbreak that was the Courtesy Hotel. Its unfriendly stature erased, its shadow now turned to dust. The blight cast on Hempstead Avenue and Westminster Road is all but a distant memory and has been replaced with the rising structure that will be the Alexan@West Hempstead.

The rental complex project has seen a rocky road to fruition. It was supposed to break ground Summer 2009, but the finalization of complete ownership by Mill Creek Residential Trust (MCRT) hit a roadblock in demolition permits. The sale of the property was finalized in February 2010.

County Legislature Approves New Police Precinct Plan

First, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Precincts to be downsized as negotiations continue

Valley Stream resident Milagros Vincente clutched her daughter as the Nassau County Legislature voted 10-9 to realign four of its eight police precincts on Monday, March 5. She echoed sentiments of dozens of residents, business owners and police in attendance that opposed the plan from its inception.

The plan will alter the First, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Precincts. The county has been trying to erase a $310 million deficit in 2012 and touted this plan as a step in the direction of eliminating it. In 2011, the deficit totaled $145 million.

Dale Officially In As NCPD Commissioner

Says he’s not involved in day-to-day negotiations going on

Thomas Dale was tapped to man the Nassau County Police Department three months ago but was not officially designated until hours before the County Legislature voted 10-9 to realign four of its eight police precincts on March 5. His designation vote went along party lines.

Dale’s welcome party never came and there was no ticker-tape parade, just more questions on what’s to be done with the publicly dubbed “Super Precincts,” revamped station houses called “community policing centers” and boos and jeers from residents at the hearing prior to the vote, concerned with public safety.

NCPD Precinct Closure Plan Vote Postponed

Negotiations to close four station houses continue between County Executive and PBA

No vote was taken on Monday, Feb. 27, on the plan to close four Nassau County police precincts and convert them into Community Policing Centers.

The Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority had hoped for such a vote, one that would close the First and Fifth and Sixth and Eighth precincts. However, according to a spokeswoman for Presiding Officer Peter J. Schmitt (R-Massapequa), County Executive Edward P. Mangano asked the legislature to delay the vote for at least a week, while his office remains in negotiations over unspecified issues with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).