Republican Richard Nicolello, who represents the 9th legislative district, was inducted for another two-year term. Nicolello's goal is to help the county avert a takeover by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA), a state appointed board that oversees the county's finances.

The Turnaround New Cassel/Westbury (TANC/W) Drugfighters, in ongoing efforts to combat the threat of drugs, gangs and violence in the local community held a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration on Jan. 21.

The celebration, organized by Margaret Miller-Scott, was aimed at promoting the drug-free message of the local group, while honoring the memory of the late Dr. King. The event included a march, which started at the American Legion Hall and ended at the Westbury African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. A memorial service, led by Rev. Adrienne Brewington, pastor of the Westbury United Methodist Church, followed.

Nassau County Legislator Roger Corbin (D - 2nd District) was sworn in to serve a fourth term, during inaugural ceremonies which saw Democrats take the helm of both the legislature and county executive seat, for the first time in the county's history.

Following his re-election, Westbury's legislator planned to vigorously push his idea for a multi-purpose governmental building, which he spoke about during his re-election campaign. He proposed to sell old county administration buildings to raise funds for a new, more efficient one.

Fifty-year Carle Place resident Mark Thomas, Sr. marked his 80th birthday, surrounded by his family during a special celebration at the Garden City Hotel's Polo Grill restaurant on Jan. 5. Thomas was born on Jan. 8, 1922.

During the celebration, Thomas, a World War II veteran, was presented with his long-awaited military medals, which he earned through his heroic service in the U.S. Army's 75th Infantry Division, in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations- England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, South France.)

The presentation of the war medals was conducted by Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello (9th District), who represents Carle Place. Nicolello also bestowed on Thomas a county citation detailing his heroic service in the war, and thanked him for protecting the freedoms we hold dear.

After the appointment of North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Doreen Banks to be Nassau County Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and General Services by County Executive Thomas Suozzi, the North Hempstead Town Board chose Thomas K. Dwyer to replace her on the board.

At a press conference on Jan. 17, North Hempstead Town Supervisor May Newburger introduced Dwyer and announced other significant North Hempstead appointments. Matthew J. Miner replaced Arthur Gianelli as director of operations; Bonnie Chaiken was appointed the new town attorney and counsel to the Solid Waste Management Authority; Helen Chen was named town comptroller; David Wasserman was named commissioner of buildings and commissioner of planning and Gil Anderson was appointed commissioner of public works.

Beverlee Szimanski, one of Salisbury's most spirited, forceful, and well-known community advocates died on Jan. 26, just one month after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was 69.

Szimanski, who was president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue (CASA) for 10 years, was dedicated to improving the quality of life for all around her. She was a committed advocate for the safety of fellow residents. Ever-mindful of the community's concerns about safety issues regarding the nearby Nassau County Jail, and traffic on Salisbury Park Drive, Szimanski was particularly vigilant on those matters. A graduate of the Nassau County Civilian Police Academy, she worked closely with local police on safety issues.

Szimanski was a watchdog for the community, spending countless hours at county legislature meetings, and keeping her neighbors updated on local issues. She also enthusiastically led her neighborhood's annual holiday tree-lighting ceremonies. Szimanski was also an advocate for children, obtaining grants for anti-drug programs at Bowling Green and Meadowbrook elementary schools, and scholarships for local students. She will be remembered for her enthusiasm and generosity - of both time and spirit.

On Jan. 25, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger gave her ninth annual State of the Town Address, which followed her resounding victory in the November 2001 elections when she won her fifth term of office as town supervisor. The talk was given at the League of Women Voters annual luncheon at the George Washington Manor in Roslyn. Amy Bass chaired the event.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, having taken office in January, inherited a county with fiscal problems so serious that a state oversight board was waiting in the wings to take over Nassau's finances if the need should arise.

In less than 60 days in office, Suozzi learned that the problems are much greater than even he anticipated as his budget team estimated that the county's deficit could reach as high as $428 million by 2005. With a four-year plan, as mandated by the state's oversight board - the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, the county executive as well as the legislature had to act fast in implementing initiatives that would either cut costs or increase revenue to reduce Nassau's budget deficits.

During a meeting with weekly newspaper editors and publishers, the county executive emphasized the need to cut the size of government, reduce the number of workers, negotiate tougher with the unions, reduce the amount of debt the county has and raise new revenues.

Love was in the air at the Regency Senior Living Center in Westbury on Feb. 15 when, for the first time, two residents who met at the Brush Hollow Road facility, were married. Edith Halliday, 67, and Bob Sullivan, 64, exchanged wedding vows in front of nearly 200 residents, staff and guests.

The ceremony was conducted by Rev. John Jurik, pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Huntington Station, and residents and staff of the Regency decorated the center's fireplace lounge with blue and silver balloons and prepared food for the reception. Regency resident Tony Sciarillo walked the bride down the aisle and resident Eugene O'Rouke served as best man. Joanne Stafford, a former Regency aide, served as a bridesmaid and Bonner was the maid of honor.

The Most Reverend John R. McGann, who led the Diocese of Rockville Centre for more than 20 years, died on Jan. 29 at Mercy Medical Center. Bishop McGann had been admitted to Mercy a week prior for treatment to build up his strength which, in recent days, had been waning.

Born in Brooklyn, Bishop McGann was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1951. He was serving in Brentwood in 1957 when Nassau and Suffolk Counties were carved out of the Brooklyn Diocese to form the Diocese of Rockville Centre and automatically became a priest of the new diocese. He became diocesan bishop in 1976 upon the retirement of Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg. In 1999 at the age of 75, he tendered his resignation to the Holy See, as required by church law and it was accepted on Jan. 4, 2000.

A funeral Mass was held on Feb. 4 at the Cathedral of Saint Agnes in Rockville Centre.

In an effort to ensure that citizens are appropriately represented by their elected officials, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment released a rough draft of new state legislative district boundaries and included a proposal to reduce Long Island's Assembly delegation from 22 to 21 seats, granting the remaining seat to New York City.

Eleanor A. Simpson, former mayor of the Village of Old Westbury and devoted community servant, died on March 9.

Simpson, the first female mayor and first woman to head a police department in Nassau County, had over 30 years in community service positions, serving as deputy mayor, police commissioner, village trustee and a member of the planning board. She was also president of the Nassau County Village Officials Association, member of the Long Island Area Development Agency, trustee of the Nassau County Museum of Fine Arts, on the executive committee of the New York State Conference of Mayors and trustee of Old Westbury Gardens where she launched and chaired the Picnic Pops, the Garden's summer concert series.

As director of the Long Island Tourism and Convention Commission, Simpson was instrumental in bringing the Internal Games for the Disabled to Long Island. She was also a trustee and member of the Academic Affairs and University Relations Committees of Long Island - C.W. Post Campus and a member of the Council of Overseers - Tilles Center. In her spare time, Simpson enjoyed skiing, gardening, cooking, opera, deep sea fishing and playing the organ and accordion.

Cathleen Towey celebrated her first anniversary as director of the Westbury Memorial Public Library. Towey, who has more than 15 years of experience in library services, joined the Westbury Library in March 2001, replacing retiring Director Barbara Krampitz.

Prior to coming to Westbury, Towey worked as director of Adult Services for the Port Washington Library for 10 years. Under her direction, an English language class for the Latino population, a retirement planning course and a lunch and learn program were implemented and the library's website. Along with the library's five-member board of trustees, Towey also developed a new mission statement for the library.

North Hempstead Town Councilman Fred. L. Pollack (D), who was elected to a four-year term as North Hempstead Councilman in November 2001 and currently serves as a liaison to Manhasset, New Cassel and Westbury, began working particularly close with civic and community groups in New Cassel.

On the top of the list was New Cassel's housing problem, including Illegal and overcrowded housing caused absentee landlords who allow large numbers of people to live in their home and senior citizen homeowners who, on a limited income, can't make their mortgage without tenants.

Shakira Saunders, a senior at W.T. Clarke High School, was named a finalist in the Cable Television and Telecommunications Association of New York's 2002 Gilbert Scholarship Award. Seventeen-year-old Saunders, one of four finalists, was guaranteed a $1,000 scholarship.

After years of planning and months of hard work by hundreds of volunteers, construction of the Jehovah's Witnesses Westbury Kingdom Hall was completed.

The 9,000 square-foot structure, located at 901 Brush Hollow Road serves as a central house of worship for the approximately 600 to 800 Jehovah's Witnesses currently active in local ministry. The new Westbury church features two stories, with an altar and bathrooms on both floors, as well as meeting rooms. The structure also includes an attached, one-bedroom apartment for use by a traveling minister and his wife. The minister currently travels throughout the eastern seaboard of the U.S. to serve Korean-speaking congregations. He will use the apartment at the Westbury hall when visiting for the purpose of serving those in the metropolitan New York area.

The new hall will serve as a central gathering place for several local congregations now scattered throughout Long Island. Among the groups who gather there include the Westbury congregation, the Hicksville congregation, the Plainview congregation and a Spanish-speaking congregation from the Jericho/Westbury/Hicksville area. A second Spanish-speaking group, as well as a hearing-impaired group which uses sign-language in worship, also use the new hall.

A cornerstone placement and dedication ceremony on March 21 marked the unveiling of a 38-unit senior housing development in New Cassel. Known as Apex, the facility is a joint effort by the not-for-profit Anna and Philip Kimmel Foundation and the Town of North Hempstead.

Located on a one-acre site at Union Avenue, Grand and Center Streets, Apex will provide affordable apartments to 50 seniors on a site that formerly housed two private and rundown homes. Aimed at seniors who are well enough to maintain their own health viability, the goal of Apex is to provide an environment where seniors can flourish rather than just merely survive.

Thanks to the Westbury and Carle Place Rotary Club, four-year-old Natalia Agarkova of Russia can perform normal everyday activities such as riding a bike, running and laughing without worrying about straining her heart. Through the club's Gift of Life Program, Natalia underwent major heart surgery to repair a half-dollar sized hole in her heart.

In January, Natalia and her mother, Irina, embarked on a journey from a small Russian town 300 miles from Moscow to the United States. At this time, Natalia was admitted and her mother moved into the hospital's Hospitality Suite. In late February, surgeons successfully repaired a hole which was located between the two upper chambers of Natalia's heart.

In 1937, a 21-year-old Westbury resident named Carl Lidstrom, Jr. joined the Westbury Fire Department's Hose Company No. 1. In 1939 he was elected as 2nd Lieutenant and, the following year, 1st Lieutenant. Over the years he declined two nominations for captain, the first in 1941 and again 10 years later. But on April 14, after 65 years as a volunteer fireman, Lidstrom finally accepted the title he rightfully deserved.

During a celebration with family, friends and fellow firefighters at the Milleridge Cottage, the department honored Lidstrom for over six and a half decades of volunteerism, bestowing upon him the distinction of being named honorary captain of Hose Company No. 1. Not only was Lidstrom the first person in the company's history to be made an honorary captain, but it was also the first time in the department's 105-year history that someone reached such a milestone in membership.

The North Hempstead Councilmanic District Commission hosted at a public hearing in the Little Theater of Westbury High School on April 24. At this time, some 50 residents of the Westbury and New Cassel communities had the opportunity to hear testimonies from experts and voice their own concerns regarding a proposal to implement a Council District System to replace of the town's current system of electing council members at-large.

To officially kickoff National Volunteer Week (April 22-28), Senator Kemp Hannon bestowed the New York State Senate Liberty Award, one of the state's highest commendations, on more than 15 honorees who aided in the rescue or recovery efforts after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Among those honored were Patrick O'Neil of East Meadow.

In the wake of the attacks, O'Neil went to Ground Zero to search for Steve LaMantia, a childhood friend since kindergarten and best man at his wedding. LaMantia was a family man and an employee at Cantor Fitzgerald. When O'Neil saw the site and vast destruction, he came to the realization that the chances of finding his friend alive were grim. Still, he quit his financial job and worked in rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero for the next two and a half months.

Created in 2000, the New York State Liberty Award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers and their community. Hannon put out a call for Liberty Award nominations at the end of 2001 and his office received over 100 applications. Hannon chose each recipient primarily for his or her initiative, responsiveness and generosity.

Eloise Lane Hicks, a resident of Westbury for over 50 years and former director of the Westbury-based Hicks Nurseries, died on May 3 at St. Mary's Hospital in Langhorne, PA. She was 93.

During the 50 plus years she lived in Westbury, Ms. Hicks was a dedicated supporter of education and the community. When her four children were young, she was involved in the Westbury Cooperative Nursery School and subsequently served on numerous school PTAs. She was a founder of the Westbury Friends School, a private Quaker school established in the late 1950s, and served on its board until her death. When the school came up for accreditation in 1966 it was in need of a staff member with a master's degree. So Ms. Hicks returned to school, earning her master's degree in education from Hofstra University at the age of 58.

As part of the Hicks family, gardening was an important part of Ms. Hicks' life, serving as a member of the Henry Hicks Garden Club of the Westburys until the club disbanded a few years ago. She was also involved with the Westbury Recreation Commission, helping to develop their highly respected Senior Citizen Program and served as a board member for many years.

On May 25 - National Missing Children's Day - parents were encouraged to go to The Mall at The Source for a complimentary fingerprint ID clinic sponsored by MetLife and the F.G. Zachry Financial Group. Officers from the New York City Police Department were on hand professionally fingerprint children.

In 2001, more than 22,000 children were reported missing in the state of New York with some 1,220 from Nassau County alone. By the end of the year, nearly half of the state's total number of missing children were either recovered or had returned home on their own accord. In Nassau, however, 91 cases of missing children filed last year have still not been solved. According to experts, the rapid distribution of a child's information is the key element for a safe and quick return.

To help fourth-graders score high on the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and the mathematics and science assessments, both Westbury's Powell's Lane and Drexel Avenue elementary schools provided an intensive, three-hour learning environment on Saturday mornings. The program included computer-assisted instruction, small classes, a dedicated faculty, as well as the help of volunteers.

Improved student performance levels on the State Assessments this past year are a testament to the success of the program. Saturday Academy has been cited as a factor that led to 76 percent of Westbury's fourth-graders achieving either at Level 3 or Level 4 on the assessments, compared to only 42 percent scoring at these levels just two years ago. Furthermore, Westbury outperformed 49 districts and tied three in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on the fourth-grade ELA exam.

More than 100 Westbury fourth-graders attend the program at both schools, participating in this intensive learning opportunity for three hours each Saturday morning. Thanks to parental support and student interest, attendance has been excellent. This was also made possible by the dedication of faculty and numerous volunteers.

The Nassau County Legislature held a public meeting on May 14 to review practices and procedures at the county's Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), located at 61 Carman Avenue in Westbury.

The JDC, which houses approximately three dozen juvenile offenders, came under scrutiny following allegations that group aides working at the center solicited protection money from parents of youthful offenders to ensure the safety of their children. The parents stated that two group aides at the JDC demanded they pay more than $20,000 to protect their 15-year-old son. They also charged that the employees provided alcohol and marijuana to the children at the center.

In February, an undercover operation by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of a 33-year-old West Babylon man and a 28-year-old Middle Island man, both employed as group work aides at the center. The men were charged with second-degree grand larceny, a class C felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, for extorting money from the parents of an inmate by instilling fears about the inmate's safety.

Westbury School District residents voted 618 to 571 in favor of the district's 2002-2003 spending plan of $61,440,542 on Tuesday, May 21.

The budget is a 9.2 percent or $5,176,694 increase over the 2001-2002 budget of $56,263,848. The budget was broken into three components: Administrative, Program and Capital of which $6,137,423, $48,665,568, and $6,637,551, respectively.

In addition to the budget vote, election of school board trustees also took place. Karen Hollie, who was running unopposed for the seat on the Westbury Board of Education currently held by trustee April Lake who is not seeking another term, received 734 votes. Incumbent Robert Troiano, who was also running unopposed for another term on the board, received 861 votes. Both trustees were elected to three-year terms that commenced July 1, 2002 and expire on June 30, 2005.

The new state legislative district boundaries, as drawn by the Joint Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, reduced Long Island's Assembly delegation from 22 to 21 seats, granting the remaining seat to New York City.

As a result, the 14th A.D. was eliminated and the Republican Party recently nominated New York State Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara of Westbury to run for a newly reapportioned 15th Assembly District (A.D.) Ferrara was selected over Marc Herbst, assemblyman for the 14th A.D.

Joseph Mondello, Nassau Republican chairman, said the GOP chose Ferrara because some 80 percent of the newly configured 15th A.D includes her current district. Ferrara has been a member of the Assembly for 10 years.

More than 50 Lyme disease patients, toting lime green signs, rallied in front of Senator Kemp Hannon's office in Westbury, chanting, "Senator Hannon hear our pleas! We need your help to fight Lyme disease! Senator Hannon pay attention! Lyme disease needs intervention!"

Protesters traveling from as far as Connecticut and Dutchess County, claimed the senator refused to support any companion legislation in the Senate to the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) Reform Bill A11330, which provides due process for physicians that treat Lyme disease and are being investigated by the OPMC New York State agency.

Two former guards at the Nassau County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) pleaded guilty to lesser charges involving a scheme in which they extorted more than $20,000 in protection money from the parents of a 15-year-old juvenile offender incarcerated at the Westbury facility.

Bobby Stewart of West Babylon and Sean Bourne of Middle Island were arrested in February following an undercover operation by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. Stewart, 33, pleaded guilty on charges of third-degree larceny and faces up to seven years in prison.

According to published reports, the plea bargain came a day before a grand jury was scheduled to hear testimony on the charges. Bourne, 28, who also faced charges of second-degree grand larceny, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a violation. He also waived his rights to work at the center again and must pay a $250 fine.

A Westbury couple putting the final touches on their August wedding died tragically on June 10 when two cars simultaneously slammed into their Jeep at the intersection of Eastwoods-Muttontown Road and Route 106 in Muttontown.

The impact of the accident killed the couple, 23-year-old Sophia Bretous and 31-year-old Jean Desir, and split Desir's 1993 Jeep in half. According to police, two cars traveling north on Route 106 plowed into the Jeep as it made a left turn onto Muttontown Road from southbound Route 106 at approximately 10:40 p.m. The cars, a 2002 Corvette driven by 17-year-old Kyle Soukup and a 2002 Mercedes driven by 19-year-old Blake Slade, both of Brookville, were headed north on Route 106.

Both Soukup and Slade suffered minor injuries. Soukup, who suffered internal injuries, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center. Slade, and his passenger, 17-year-old Brett Stitsky, were taken to North Shore University Hospital in Syosset where they were treated and released. The teenagers were arrested and charged with 2nd degree manslaughter.

The Nassau County Legislature released a report containing various recommendations on how to improve conditions at the county-run Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). The report is in response to a public hearing held earlier in the year with JDC officials regarding how to improve conditions and staffing at the Westbury-based facility.

The hearing was called after an undercover investigation by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office led to the arrest of two men, employed at the center as group work aides, for allegedly extorting more than $20,000 in protection money from the parents of a 15-year-old juvenile offender incarcerated at the facility. The men were fired and have since pleaded guilty on lesser charges. In addition, the parents have filed a lawsuit against Nassau County.

The legislature's report included recommendations for improvement in the areas of staffing, facility condition and operation as a whole and allowed for the quick and cost-effective implementation of the following: employee training, employee background checks, employee compensation , security, food, communication as well as other concerns.

After approximately two years of analyzing facilities needs and gathering community input, the Westbury School District hosted a community meeting to discuss various alternatives for a potential bond referendum to fund an historic overhaul of all six of its school buildings.

During the meeting, the board of education presented ideas and received feedback for the development of the multi-million dollar bond issue proposal. The bond issue, which would ultimately be subject to voter approval through a referendum, would fund the first major expansion and renovation of facilities since the buildings were erected in the 1950s or earlier.

To address growing enrollment and program needs, Westbury's bond referendum considerations include both designs to renovate the middle school and designs to build a new middle school, as well as add extensions onto each of the other school buildings in the district. The district is also considering expansions to make way for full-day kindergarten as well as roof replacements, heating and cooling system upgrades, boiler replacements, track and field upgrades, new technology and other interior improvements.

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, members of a local mothers center decided that they not only wanted to learn more about their own experiences as mothers, but also about the experiences of women of other cultures and backgrounds. So they came up with an idea called "Building Bridges, Building Peace," a discussion group program that enables them to meet with members of different religions and backgrounds.

On June 21, several members of the mothers center met with mothers of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury. The purpose of the meeting was to provide women with the opportunity to increase their understanding of Muslim women.

During the meeting, the mothers discussed their mutual experiences as parents, as well as some of the challenges that they face due to their religion or background and how they can teach tolerance and acceptance of others to their children. Those who attended were also treated to a presentation by Westbury resident Dr. Faroque Khan, president-elect of the Islamic Center of Long Island and author of Story of a Mosque in America.

The Joint Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment reduced the number of Congressional Districts (C.D.) throughout the state from 31 to 29. The change, made every 10 years in an effort to ensure that citizens are appropriately represented by their elected officials, resulted in dramatic population increases in each of the Nassau County's three congressional districts.

Both the 4th C.D., which includes Carle Place, Westbury and New Cassel and falls under the jurisdiction of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and the 3rd C.D., which includes Old Westbury and the Brookvilles and falls under the jurisdiction of Congressman Peter King, gained more than 74,000 constituents.

Specifically, the 4th C.D. gained 74,022 people due to the change, including 43,000 people who were completely new to the district. The remaining 31,022 constituents were a result of a population increase since the 1990 census.

On June 26, Dr. Marilyn O'Grady officially announced her candidacy for Congress in the 4th District. O'Grady planned to run in an open primary against fellow Republicans Steven Irace, also of Garden City; Al Skorski of Hempstead; and Dan Frisa of Westbury.

John Spadaro, a 54-year resident of Westbury, was inducted into the New York State Bowling Association Hall of Fame. At the age of 91, Spadaro continued to bowl two days a week and provide bowling lessons to juniors and seniors four days a week at Garden City Bowl and Sheridan Bowl.

Spadaro's love for bowling began in 1926, at the age of 16, while working as a pin boy at the Patterson Recreation Center in New Jersey. In 1948, he moved to Westbury and joined several Long Island leagues in addition to the Republic Aviation Varsity Team. Two years later, he began working as director of the Hempstead Bowling Association - know today as the Eastern Long Island Bowling Association. From 1951 to 1996 Spadaro was a delegate to the National Bowling Congress Convention and bowled in 46 National Bowling Congress Convention tournaments.

In 1951, Spadaro attended the American Junior Bowling Congress (AJBC) School for Instructors in Chicago and became a certified instructor. In addition to the NYS Bowling Association Hall of Fame, Spadaro was inducted into the Nassau & Suffolk Bowling Council Hall of Fame in 1978; the Long Island Junior Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1983; and the Eastern Long Island Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1988. In May 2000 he received the Fifty Year Distinguished Service Award from the Eastern Long Island Bowling Association.

Susan Kenler of Westbury, who was appointed to the Westbury Library Board of trustees in 1986, retired from her position, effective June 27. During her 16-year tenure with the library, Kenler was involved in the expansion of the library. She also oversaw the preservation of the library's children's art collection.

The board appointed John "Jack" Meegan to fill the seat vacated by Kenler. Meegan, a 47-year resident of Westbury, is also a retired owner of the Hicksville-based John J. Meegan insurance company and former 20-year member of the Westbury Village Board. He will serve the remainder of Kenler's term, which expires in April 2003.

Republican Alan Skorski of West Hempstead announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District. Skorski planned to run in an open primary against fellow Republicans Steven Irace and Marilyn O'Grady of Garden City; and Dan Frisa of Westbury.

On June 18, the New Cassel/Westbury Youth Services - in partnership with the Yours Ours Mine (YOM) Community Center, Inc. - launched a program entitled "Access to Success Begins with Youth Development." A pizza party to kick off the event was held in the main room of the Westbury Community Center.

Access to Success is a TANF Services Project from the Department of Social Services. The program promotes youth and family development, encourage positive social interaction and self-sufficient skills among TANF eligible and/or "working families." By the creation of a youth directed service network, the program offers services to TANF eligible, pre-selected working families and their 5- to 15-year-old children in the communities of Westbury, New Cassel, Hicksville and Levittown.

Bobby Stewart of West Babylon, a former guard at the Nassau County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), was sentenced to five months in jail and five months probation for extorting more than $20,000 from the parents of a 15-year-old incarcerated at the Westbury facility.

Stewart, who appeared in court before Nassau County Judge Donald DeRiggi last Monday, was arrested in February 2002 following an undercover operation by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He was originally charged with second-degree grand larceny, but entered into a plea bargain for third-degree grand larceny. If convicted on the initial charge, Stewart could have faced up to seven years in prison.

Sean Bourne of Middle Island, the second guard involved with the scheme, was also arrested in February. Bourne, 28, originally faced charges of second-degree grand larceny - a class C felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison - but in May pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a violation. He also waived his rights to work at the center again and must pay a $250 fine.

Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel, a major community revitalization initiative, kicked off with a series of workshops, focus groups and walking tours. The four-day event, which began with a press conference on July 25 and concluded with a presentation of ideas on July 29, was part of an unprecedented community visioning process.

The purpose of the revitalization initiative was to provide New Cassel residents, small business owners, public safety personnel, educators, clergy, youth and civic groups with the opportunity to work with elected and appointed officials, planners, architects, and design professionals, in an intensive, focused design process. All ideas were welcomed, and the most viable ones were included in a graphically detailed final report.

Seeking A Shared Vision for New Cassel was a collaborative planning process sponsored by the Town of North Hempstead in partnership with the Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation and facilitated by Sustainable Long Island and Walkable Communities, Inc. Both the Westbury Salvation Army and the First Baptist Church of Westbury hosted the many workshops and presentations.

Republican Daniel Frisa of Salisbury officially announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District (C.D.). Frisa was a former assemblyman and member of the House who lost his seat to Democrat Carolyn McCarthy, current congresswoman for the 4th C.D. Frisa planned to run in an open primary against fellow Republicans Steven Irace and Marilyn O'Grady of Garden City; and Alan Skorski of West Hempstead. Westbury residents Ruth and Stanley Rockman celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 16. The Rockman's, who exchanged wedding vows before a group of family and friends during a small church ceremony in 1942, celebrated their 60 years of marriage with a family dinner at the Milleridge Inn. During a press briefing at her office on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy updated members of the local media on several pressing issues currently being discussed in Washington. Homeland security, long-term health insurance, gun safety and education, which greatly affect several communities on the island were some items on the agenda.

Through a collaborative effort coordinated by the Village of Westbury between the Westbury Business Improvement District (BID), Nassau County Department of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs and business owners, commercial businesses along Post Avenue and its side streets were given the opportunity to erect new signs and renovate their exterior structures with very little out-of-pocket costs.

The improvement projects, which included both the Façade and Sign Program, were implemented by the BID in spring 2001. Each business owner and/or merchant who participated was eligible to receive funding from the BID and county through the Village of Westbury. Additional funds were available to participants who are members of the Westbury Chamber of Commerce. To participate, applicants were required to meet various facade requirements.

In addition to improving the exterior appearance of the building, the program also provides property owners within the BID the financial assistance to update, replace or erect new facade signs depicting their business name. The project also called for decorative lighting fixtures, replacing of chain link fences with wrought iron and landscaping.

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Legislator Roger Corbin announced that the new Empire Zones were approved for New Cassel, a step that will establish "tax-free" business sites to help spark new private sector investment, job creation and economic expansion for the local community. Empire Zones were also approved for the Village of Hempstead.

The location of the Empire Zone in New Cassel has its south border following the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Boulevard, proceeding southeast down Grand Boulevard to Old Country Road. The east border runs along Frost Street from Old Country Road to the Long Island Rail Road, proceeding east to Brook Street, then proceeding northwest parallel to Grand Avenue through to the intersection of Hicks Street and Brush Hollow Road; border proceeds northeast, parallel (but south of) Brush Hollow Road.

The north border runs from Brush Hollow Road, south of Prospect Avenue; border surrounds Prospect Avenue commercial corridor, where it returns to intersect with the west border. The west border begins at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Brush Hollow Road, proceeding Southwest along Brush Hollow Road until intersecting the Long Island Rail Road.

After four local Republicans announced their candidacy for the 4th Congressional District (C.D.) and the deadline for signed petitions come and gone, Republican Daniel Frisa of Salisbury challenged the nominating petitions submitted by opponents Alan Skorski, Marilyn O'Grady and Steve Irace. As a result, Skorski withdrew from the race while O'Grady and Irace began a legal ballot to prevent themselves from being eliminated from the ballot set to go before voters at a Sept. 10 primary. The Nassau County Liberal Party appealed a State Supreme Court decision stating that Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's (D-Mineola) name be removed from the party's line this November. In August, Republican candidate Daniel Frisa of Salisbury successfully bumped McCarthy from the Liberal line, alleging she did not secure the required number of signatures to remain on the party's ballot. Jack Olchin, chairman of the Liberal Party since 1960, appealed the Aug. 16 decision by Supreme Court Judge Robert Roberto. With the one-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, local civic, religious, political and community organizations came together in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the day's tragic events. The Westbury Times dedicated two consecutive issues in September in memory of those lost.

The Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court awarded 4th Congressional District (C.D.) candidates Steve Irace and Marilyn O'Grady, both of Garden City, the right to keep their names on the Sept. 10 Republican primary ballot.

The 4 to 1 decision was the result of an appeal set forth by both Irace and O'Grady late last month after opponent Daniel Frisa of Salisbury challenged their nominating petitions. Frisa, a former state assemblyman and member of the House who lost his seat to current Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) in 1996, argued that neither Irace nor O'Grady secured the necessary number of signatures to remain on the ballot.

The Appellate Court heard Irace's and O'Grady's case on Tuesday, Aug. 27. A decision was made the following afternoon. At that time, Frisa appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals on the grounds that the Appellate Division was wrong on the law.

The Rev. Adrienne Brewington, pastor of the Westbury United Methodist Church, was elected to serve as a trustee on the board of Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) in Garden City.

Rev. Brewington, who has been deeply involved in the Westbury community, is a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and also holds a law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark. She practiced law for 13 years before returning to school, graduating in June 2000 and starting a month later at Westbury United Methodist Church as the congregation's first African-American pastor. She is married to civil rights attorney Fred Brewington.

Also appointed to the board of trustees at LICM were Lewis Warren, Jr. of Laurel Hollow, managing director of Salomon, Smith Barney's Corporate and Investment Bank; Dr. Martin Gary Brooks, superintendent of Plainview-Old Bethpage Schools; and Paul A. Schulman, president of Carr Business Systems in Farmingdale.

Councilman Dwyer, a Democrat, announced that he would run in the upcoming election on the Democratic, Working Family, Liberal and Independent lines. Tim O'Connell, a resident of Carle Place, officially announced his candidacy on the Republican ticket.

In January, North Hempstead Councilwoman Doreen Banks resigned from the Town Board when newly elected County Executive Tom Suozzi named her Nassau County Parks Commissioner. As a result, Supervisor May Newburger named Dwyer of East Williston to the post, with his appointment running until the next regular election in November, at which time he would have to run for the completion of Banks' full term, which ends in 2003.

Residents of Westbury and its surrounding communities came out for the first-annual Italian Heritage Festival of Il Circollo Di Amici on Sept. 21. New York State Governor George Pataki attended the event as a guest speaker.

Rather than providing rides and games, the festival offered an educational perspective into Italian culture. Those in attendance learned the history of the tomato, pasta and wine, and participated in pasta-eating, grape-stomping and pizza-twirling contests. Residents could also view exhibits on Italian-American culture and learn more information about local Italian organizations. Members of the group also dressed in costume, portraying famous Italians in American history.

Il Circollo Di Amici (CDA), which means "Circle of Friends" in Italian, celebrated its third anniversary this year on Columbus Day. The group has approximately 100 members from throughout Nassau County.

Westbury author Richard Panchyk published his third book, World War II for Kids: A History With 21 Activities. The 164-page book chronologically takes the reader through the scope of the war, starting in 1933 with the rise of Hitler and ending in 1945 with the surrender of the Japanese and the return of U.S. troops.

World War II for Kids provides children with a fun and educational way to learn about American heroes and the country's second world war. The book includes excerpts from actual wartime letters written to and by American and German troops, personal anecdotes from people who lived through the war and gripping stories from Holocaust survivors. It also provides children with hands-on activities, projects and games as well as previously unpublished photographs and illustrations.

The Valley Stream-based Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union (NEDFCU) opened a state-of-the-art three-story corporate headquarters in Westbury. The new NEFCU branch, located on Corporate Drive, serves as a full-service, central location where members can open savings or checking accounts, apply for loans and perform many other financial transactions. The facility also feature two no-surcharge, 24-hour ATMs with drive-up or walk-up access. The Westbury Chamber of Commerce's $5,000 Reverse Raffle took place on Oct. 27. This year's event honored the Westbury Fire Department for its many contributions to the Village of Westbury. This chamber fundraiser buffet and raffle provides funds for the chamber's annual Scholarship Program which presents cash scholarship awards to two graduating Westbury High School seniors bound for college. Chris Murray of Westbury announced he would run on the Democratic, Liberal and Working Families party lines for the 7th Senate District against incumbent Michael Balboni, a Republican and resident of East Williston. Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger extended the deadline for a public vote on council districts to November 2003. The projected date of the referendum was extended based on a need to modify a 15-year-old town law to comply with current state requirements.

A 16-year-old Westbury High School student working at a Hicksville division of Chase Bank through a school internship, was arrested for allegedly changing customers' credit card account information in the computer and purchasing more than $30,000 of sports paraphernalia over the Internet.

The student, who was working in the Chase Bankcard services division at the bank as part of the Westbury School District's School-to-Career internship program, was arrested on Oct. 9. He was charged with grand larceny - 3rd degree and computer tampering - 3rd degree. Thirteen other Westbury students fulfilling internships at the same bank were also questioned.

Jim Buonagura and George T. Jung, both of Hicksville, announced they were seeking election to the 15th Assembly District. Buonagura ran on the Democratic and Liberal party lines while Jung ran on the Right to Life Party line against incumbent Donna Ferrara, of Westbury, who ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independent and Working Families lines. Westbury resident Thomas Sobczak announced he would be the Democratic candidate for the 17th Assembly District (A.D.). A former registered Republican and party supporter, Sobczak was running against Republican incumbent Maureen O'Connell.

During a solemn ceremony at Westbury High School's Homecoming on Oct. 19, the staff and students of Westbury School District recalled the extraordinary life and contributions of the late Bondene Westring, the district's beloved, longtime athletics secretary.

At the age of 77, Mrs. Westring died Sept. 27, 2002 in the loving arms of her family from complications of diabetes and heart and liver disease. Mrs. Westring worked in Westbury Schools for more than 35 years, and is remembered for her tremendous generosity and caring toward the district's students, especially student-athletes. She was known for using her own money to buy athletes sneakers, cleats, clothes and gloves, as well as typing up college applications and driving students to job interviews.

North Hempstead Republicans filed a petition with the town clerk to hold a town-wide referendum on the creation of a council district system. The Republican-issued petition, which requested a public vote on whether or not a councilmanic or "ward system" should be established to replace the town's current at-large voting system, was the result of a decision made in October by the all-Democratic town board extending the voting deadline for the council district proposal to November 2003.

Westbury resident Joan Boes, a former employee at the Westbury Public Library, filed a $1.5 million notice of claim against the library. In the claim, Boes, who worked at the library for over 20 years before being let go earlier this year, alleged several key points including, but not limited to negligence, discrimination, breach of contract, breach of duty and harassment.

Boes, who began working at the library in November 1981, was employed as a part-time cultural programming specialist. At the start of the year, however, the library revamped the position and changed it to full-time. Since the position fell under civil service, the library turned to the civil service list containing the names of all those eligible for the position. Boes, however, was not eligible for the position since she had not taken the test and her name was not on the list. As a result, she was let go.

According to the notice of claim obtained by The Westbury Times through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Boes charged the library, several of its employees and individuals on the board at the time of her termination, of wrongdoing on 19 separate state and federal counts. The case is still under review.

Local voters returned incumbents to their seats in Congress, the Senate and the Assembly on Election Day 2002, Nov. 5.

In the 5th Senate District, Republican incumbent Carl Marcellino defeated Democratic and Green Party candidate Roger Snyder and Liberal and Right to Life Party candidate Paul Nehrich. Marcellino was first elected to the Senate in 1996.

Residents of the 6th Senate District re-elected Kemp Hannon to his sixth term. Hannon, who was first elected to the Senate in 1989, defeated Democratic candidate Norman St. George, Right to Life candidate Paul F. Callahan and Liberal candidate Patricia Maher.

Michael Balboni, the Republican incumbent for the 7th Senate District, was re-elected to his fourth term. Balboni, who also ran on the Independent and Conservative Party lines, defeated Chris Murray, the Democratic, Liberal and Working Families candidate.

In the 15th Assembly District, Republican incumbent Donna Ferrara was re-elected to serve her sixth term in the newly reapportioned 15th Assembly District. Ferrara, who was first elected in 1992, defeated political newcomer and Democratic challenger Jim Buonagura and Right to Life candidate George Jung.

Residents of the 17th Assembly District re-elected Maureen O'Connell, who ran on the Republican, Independent and Conservative Party lines, over Democratic challenger Thomas Sobczak, Right to Life candidate Joseph Cascio and Liberal candidate Jacqueline Maron.

Carolyn McCarthy was re-elected to her fourth term in the newly reapportioned 4th Congressional District. McCarthy, who ran on the Democratic, Independent, Liberal and Working Families Party lines, defeated Republican, Conservative and Right to Life Party candidate Marilyn O'Grady.

Tom Dwyer, who was appointed to the North Hempstead Town Board last January, was elected to complete the term then vacated by Councilwoman Doreen Banks. Dwyer, who ran on the Democratic, Liberal, Independent and Working Families Party lines defeated Tim O'Connell, the Republican, Conservative and Right to Life candidate. Dwyer will complete the remaining year left on Banks' term and will have to run in November 2003 to be elected to a full term.

At her district office in Hempstead Sept. 30, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy presented Westbury resident Weston E. MacLean with war medals in memory of his son, LCPL Weston D. MacLean, a member of the United States Marine Corps serving in the Vietnam War, who was killed on July 22, 1966. He was 19 years old.

In his son's honor, MacLean was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the Gold Star Lapel button, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color with palm) and the Legion of Merit Medal (Navy/USMC).

In addition, McCarthy also presented MacLean with a medal for his service in World War II. The 50-year resident of Westbury said it wasn't until he started filing paperwork for his son's medals that he realized he never got his.

Despite heavy rain, more than 500 fans from as far as New Jersey came out on Nov. 12 to meet R & B recording artist Ashanti during a meet and greet at Borders Books and Music in Westbury. The 21-year-old singer/songwriter/actress autographed copies of her new book, Foolish/Unfoolish - Reflections on Love.

In his new book, Ethics for Everyone: How to Increase Your Moral Intelligence, Westbury writer Arthur Dobrin addresses such moral questions as "Is it always wrong to lie?," "Is it always right to try to help another person?" and "Are you bound to keep every promise you make?"

Ethics for Everyone is designed to help the reader improve his or her "moral intelligence quotient (IQ)." The book, published earlier this year by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., includes 21 true stories showing real-life ethics, a personal ethics quiz, harm and benefit assessments of various courses of action and expert opinions from spiritual leaders, counselors, attorneys and psychologists as well as Dobrin's.

Over the past 38 years, Dobrin has published numerous non-fiction books. He has also authored three plays, a collection of short stories, a book of fables for children and seven poetry collections, as well as two novels which around a character he created from his experiences in East Africa as a member of the Peace Corps.

Westbury Friends School held a dedication ceremony on Nov. 24 to celebrate the opening of the school's Library Media Center, which includes a library and technology lab equipped with a dozen computer stations. The center is dedicated in memory of the late Leon A. Rushmore, Jr., a Quaker friend and longtime member of the Westbury Friends Board.

Mr. Rushmore, who passed away in January, first became active with the Westbury Friends School in 1995. During his eight-year involvement, Mr. Rushmore was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the school's "Building Friends for the Future" campaign which included the addition of five new classrooms and the development of the Library Media Center (LMC).

The LMC includes teaching, quiet study and group reading spaces as well as substantially expanded book and reference sections. The technology section is a multimedia computer lab complete with Internet access and conference, storage and support areas.

In 1995, four armed individuals entered and ransacked Pierre and Josephine Dorsainvil's home in Arcahaie, Haiti. At this time, the New Cassel residents, who were in their homeland for a brief vacation, were shot and killed. Only the maid, who had been shot by the robbers four times, survived.

Now, more than seven years since his parent's death, Westbury resident Dr. Pierre Dorsainvil, Jr. is fighting to keep his parents memory alive. In June 2001, he established the Dorsainvil Foundation, a private, non-profit organization and opened a free medical clinic for the poor and needy in the Arcahaie home his parents loved. Known as the Complexe Medical Sainte Philomene De L'Arcahaie, the center is the only one of its kind within a 35 mile radius.

Residents of the Carle Place School District voted in favor of creating a Carle Place Library Funding District. Residents also approved the proposed budget and elected five trustees to serve on the newly created district's board.

Some 651 residents, or 12 percent of the district's total population, voted with 472 votes in favor of and 179 against the proposal. In addition, 433 residents approved the spending plan while 167 rejected it. Overall, both the creation of the district and approval of the budget passed by more than 70 percent.

More than 120 school superintendents, guidance counselors, business and community representatives and Nassau BOCES faculty, administrators and board members attended the formal dedication of the newly renovated Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education Center in Westbury on The facility, which was previously called the Nassau Technological Center, was renamed to honor Joseph M. Barry.

Barry, a long time Nassau BOCES Board member who championed technical education for students, died in January 2002. During his life, Barry served as vice district clerk of the Nassau BOCES Board and district clerk until his retirement in 2001. Barry earlier served as a member of the boards of education of Valley Stream District #30 and the Valley Stream Central High School District. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association, the Presidential Award and the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service from the New York State School Boards Association.

The Westbury building, nicknamed "Barry Tech," is a 213,000 square-foot facility featuring a spacious atrium, skylights that illuminate previously dim corridors, energy-efficient classrooms and new state-of-the-art equipment.