Letter: This Time Around
Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00
I refuse to be swayed by Superintendent Clark-Snead’s rhetoric of “it is for the children,” or “our children deserve the same things as other communities give theirs.” This time around I refuse to be taken advantage of by voting against my best interest and that of my family by voting in favor of any school tax increase. I am telling my neighbors to vote against the proposed school tax of 2.48 percent or $112,098.000.
I have waited and hoped for academic improvement.
There has been no appreciable in the school district’s academic standing or ranking.
I simply want value for my school tax dollars. The value I am no longer waiting for is improvement in Westbury’s academic ranking. I have tried to work within the system, attending school board meetings, asking questions, voicing my concerns. The outcome then and now has been utter failure. Yet here we go again asking me to approve a school tax increase that will cost me more than $870.
I am retired on a fixed income. I’m married and our home is paid for outright. We are charitable; however, we are not foolish nor given to voting against our interest when the requestor (Westbury Schools) has not met basic expectation: progressive improvement. Once you look beyond the major structural improvements, a track, a swimming pool and now, a dance studio, none of which have resulted in better scores or ranking, why would any sane person invest (school tax) in Westbury Schools, even if it were a penny stock?
No! Not this time.
Frank J. Telese
Westbury resident
News
Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00
ZZ Top breaks 9-year recording hiatus with Rick Rubin-produced effort
For most of the ’80s, ZZ Top was an inescapable presence thanks to a plethora of videos, often times containing underdog storylines revolving around gorgeous gals, a 1933 Ford hotrod and the hirsute threesome serving as a Greek chorus of cool to the aggrieved protagonist. But amidst all the bells and whistles, the most impressive feat pulled off by this Texas power trio was using 1983’s Eliminator to adapt its bluesy hard rock boogie sound and modernize it with synthesizers and drum machines sans any kind of artistic compromising.
Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00
John Romandetti saved six people, but he shies away from the title hero.
“I don’t think of myself as a hero,” Romandetti says. “It’s nothing anyone else wouldn’t have done.”
During Hurricane Sandy, Romandetti risked his own life to go out to Howard Beach and get his girlfriend’s family out of their flooding homes. The Bethpage Air Show recently recognized his bravery, naming him the grand prize winner of the Hurricane Sandy Community Heroes contest. Romandetti, along with nine other winners, will receive VIP tickets to the Bethpage Air Show, plus the reception, and GEICO Skytypers Planeside Meet and Greet. As the grand prize winner, Romandetti also gets the chance to fly with the GEICO Skytypers during next week’s airshow.
Sports
Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00
Westbury Okinawan Karate recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of coming to the Westbury Recreation Center. Since then, the dojo has trained 250 students, ages six and up, in the art of karate with the style of traditional Okinawan ShorinRyu Shidokan.
Founded by sensei John Power, the classes seek to instill the confidence and strength needed to obtain success in everyday life.
“A lot of kids are lacking confidence,” said Power. “We let them practice leadership in the class and this contributes to their confidence.
Friday, 10 May 2013 00:00
Members of the Carle Place Sparc/Interact club recently donated their time and talents at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens. Working together with students from Mineola High School and Holy Cross High School in Queens, the SPARC members planted over 1,000 indigenous trees to help replenish one section of the 600-acre forest park. The group’s efforts were part of the NYC Plant a Million Trees Project in honor of Arbor Day, celebrated on Friday April 26th. The Carle Place planters were: Sarah Megiel, Kelsey Feit, Julia Powell, Sabrina Feit, Monique Slater, Matt Carr, Katie Megiel, Rob Ibos, and Lauren Powell. They are led by faculty advisor Kieran Morris.
Calendar
Johnny Mathis At NYCB Theatre - May 17, 18
Celebrations In Westbury - May 18
"Miles For Melanoma" - May 19
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
