Westbury, NCPD Discuss Recent Crime Concerns

Community Forum draws nearly 150 Westbury, Carle Place residents

After Nassau Police reported several sightings of suspicious vehicles and a string of break-ins in the area, approximately 150 residents from the Westbury and Carle Place communities crowded into Westbury Village Hall on Oct. 24 to participate in an informational community forum.

Village of Westbury officials and local police representatives explained the steps currently being taken to address the situations and offered suggestions as to how community members can be a part of the solution.

Union Rep: Waldbaum’s Workers Unwilling to Shoulder Burden

After A&P’s 2010 bankruptcy claim, Local 338 unhappy with demands

The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) declared bankruptcy in 2010 and approached all 13 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Unions, including Local 338 of Waldbaum’s in Carle Place, and asked for “concessionary bargaining to help the company recover financially,” according to Joe Fontano, political director, Local 338.

“The company is seeking savings to help them remain in business and emerge from bankruptcy and they’ve approached their labor force, through the union, basically seeking to re-open the contracts and are looking for savings to help them emerge,” explained Fontano, who couldn’t give specifics on negotiations.

Westbury, New Cassel Residents Tired of Dust, Odors in Homes

Poets Corner Neighborhood Association hosts October 18 forum

Residents from New Cassel and Westbury dealing with dust and odor problems gathered at the Westbury Community Center on Oct. 18 and discussed ways to improve the quality of life in the area.

“We just try to keep our small piece of Westbury in order and looking nice and keep all of our members happy and safe,” said Stan Ercolano, president of the Poets Corner Neighborhood Association (PCNA), the organization that hosted the meeting.

Carle Place Author Paul Mila’s Life Above, Below Sea

Local writer, photographer, coach recalls aquatic adventures

Carle Place’s Paul Mila, an author, certified diver and tennis coach, recently answered a few questions for The Westbury Times regarding books, blogging, family and underwater photography.  

When, and why, did you start diving and taking pictures?

“Ever since watching Sea Hunt in the 1950s and Jacques Cousteau’s underwater explorations in the 1970s, scuba diving has always captivated me. But I never tried it until my wife Carol and I went to Cozumel on a vacation in 1999 with our neighbors, the Catalanos. Our all-inclusive resort offered a free scuba lesson, so I tried it and was hooked like a fish.

Business Owner Sees ‘Bright’ Future for CP During Holidays

Tullio’s Ed Smith Wants to Bring Festivities to Westbury Avenue

Edward Tullio Smith, a resident of Carle Place for 22 years and partner at Tullio’s Pottery at 554 Westbury Ave., hopes this holiday season in the “Hamlet” is unlike any other.

Smith is hoping that “Winter Festival in Carle Place” will create a mini-wonderland of decorations and participation among residents and business owners along the town’s main thoroughfare.

Lively Debate With Incumbent Jon Kaiman, Challenger Lee Tu

Incumbent Supervisor, Challenger Dispute Town of North Hempstead Issues

Many people attended the Port Washington/Manhasset Chapter of the League of Women Voters Meet the Candidates forum on Oct. 11 in order to get a better sense of the North Hempstead Town Supervisor candidates, Incumbent Jon Kaiman (D) and Challenger Lee Tu (R). Mary Ann Fleming, a member of the League of Women Voters from an outside chapter, was the moderator of the forum. While she asked the crowd at the beginning of the debate to not applaud until the end, many people were so enthused by the lively debate that they could not contain their applause and were clapping for both candidates.

Town Clerk Visits Westbury School

Town of North Hempstead Clerk Leslie Gross seems to be everywhere, even on her birthday.

On Sept. 20, Gross spoke at Westbury’s Powell’s Lane School, a small elementary school nestled just south of Jericho Turnpike.

“Local government is your opportunity to be involved in your community. If you have a question, you can be involved, you can be a leader in your community,” Gross said.

Westbury Village Eliminates Residential Uses in Garages

Local Law Passed to Reduce Illegal Housing in Area

The Village of Westbury passed a local law at its monthly meeting on Oct. 13 to combat some of the illegal housing taking place in the village.

Mayor Peter Cavallaro said the village board unanimously adopted a law to eliminate residential uses for accessory buildings like garages and similar structures.

Westbury B.I.D. Holds Annual Fall Festival and Street Fair October 2

Community Enjoys a Day of Family Fun on Post Avenue

Despite a last-minute rain date rescheduling, the Westbury B.I.D.’s annual Fall Festival and Street Fair maintained its traditional mix of commerce, cuisine and community culture.  

From Orchard Street to Cross Street, Post Avenue was a shopper’s paradise.  A huge selection of jewelry, art, clothing, accessories and an endless assortment of toys and novelties awaited crowds of bargain hunters.

Residents, Officials Celebrate Ongoing New Cassel Revitalization

National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra Tracking Progress

A year after the completion of key pieces of the long-awaited revitalization of New Cassel that included street improvements, shopping, and new buildings on Prospect Avenue, a continuing study by the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University (NCSS) has found that many residents are noticing a big difference.

To celebrate the publication of the study, hundreds of residents, public officials, students and church leaders gathered Oct. 1 in the parking lot of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury for a Farmer’s Market and special ceremony. Those who helped with New Cassel’s initial revitalization successes and continuing progress were recognized for their contributions and honored with commemorative certificates.