Upset In Lynbrook Election As Curran Wins Mayor's Seat

The long-running Lynbrook Independent Party's reign came to an abrupt end Tuesday as 4.200 residents turned out and voted to support the New Vision Party's slate of candidates.

Brian Curran was elected Mayor as William Hendrick and Alan Beach were elected trustees.

Lynbrook's Reform Party has endorsed the New Vision Party, telling The Tribune, "Members of the Reform Party can and will work closely with those of the New Vision Party and will work toward making our beloved community the very best place to live, work and raise our families."

Many residents believe it was time for a change and taxpayers were looking for fresh faces and a new start for the Village of Lynbrook.

New Malverne Mayor

The wife of paralyzed New York City Police officer, Patti McDonald, was the overwhelming winner Tuesday in Malverne's mayoral race defeating incumbent mayor Anthony Panzarella by a substantial margin even her strongest supporters never imagined.

After serving nine years as a Malverne Village trustee, McDonald decided she would give the community's prime elected post a run. Some residents believe her conservative approach to the future use of two large areas of land may have turned the election in her favor.

Twenty years ago the McDonald family moved from Rockville Centre to Malverne following Steven McDonald being paralyzed during a NYPD incident in Central Park. For the past two decades Patti has been involved in civic affairs culminating in her election as Malverne Mayor.

Joining McDonald in victory Tuesday night were trustees Michael Bailey and James Callahan III.

Voters Approve County's Open Space Program

Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg joined fellow Majority Legislators, environmentalists and community activists to applaud voters' overwhelming approval of the County's $100 Million Open Space referendum, which received support this past Election Day by 77 percent of the voters.

Legislators will discuss what will happen now, how projects will be selected and how the $100 million may be spent.

"Approval of this environmental bond goes a long way towards helping us preserve our limited natural resources that are so vital to our quality of life here in Nassau," said Denenberg. "The voters of Nassau County have once again responded loudly to the need to preserve the few open spaces left in our communities and to protect our drinking water,"

The first open space bond preserved 72.3 acres of land and development rights were purchased on 43 acres. The first bond also addressed park improvement, clean water, and brownfields projects.

The recently-approved $100M bond will be paid off through a dedicated tax, estimated to cost the average tax payer about $16 a year for 20 years.

According to Tom Maher, Director of Environmental Coordination for Nassau County, there are a number of properties that the advisory committee recommended that could not be acquired and will be considered under the new bond act, including the Armstrong Dairy, Held property, and the Banfi Estate.

County Mandate Protects The Environment

In his ongoing effort to improve Nassau County's environment, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi signed an executive order mandating that "green" cleaning products, free of potentially harmful chemicals, be used in all county facilities.

"These green cleaning products work very well, without all the potentially harmful toxins," Suozzi said. "I hope this serves as an example to Nassau County residents that you don't have to choose between name brand cleaning products and ones that are environmentally friendly." Ê

For the Executive Building, the county is using the award-winning Greening the Cleaning products, developed by the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology, part of the not-for-profit Hackensack University Medical Center. All profits from the sale of Greening the Cleaning products go toward pediatric cancer research, and to studying the environmental causes of cancer.

Shown aabove: County Executive Suozzi, joined by Deirdre Imus, signs the executive order.

Merrick Student Wins 2006 CSEA Scholarship

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray (left) presents an official Town of Hempstead Certificate of Recognition to Rachel Pupa of Merrick (center), the proud recipient of a 2006 CSEA Local 880 Scholarship Award, presented annually to deserving children of Town of Hempstead employees.

CSEA Local 880 President Bill Flanagan was also on hand to congratulate Rachel.

Town Completes New O'Side Parking Lot

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Senior Councilman Anthony Santino are proud to announce the completion of parking lot O-14 on the site of the former Oceanside Motel.

Murray and Santino spearheaded condemnation action against the motel and demolished it in October 2005. The building was the location of frequent police activity, including drug related arrests.

In April of 2004, the officials directed the town attorney's office to move forward with a plan to seize the property under eminent domain law and convert the site to a public benefit use.

The lot, which was completed this summer, includes a decorative "Welcome to Oceanside" sign, brick-paved walkways, Victorian lampposts, attractive plantings, stylized benches, distinctive fencing and accent lighting.

Nassau Courts Honor Little League Champs

The New Hyde Park Little League Minor Division Champions received special recognition when they were invited to the Nassau County Supreme Court by Justice Anthony Marano, Nassau's top judge, to receive certificates of acknowledgment for their stellar 2006 baseball season. Ê

Accompanying Judge Marano in the Nassau Courts' ceremonial courtroom, was County Court Judge David Sullivan, a resident of New Hyde Park, and Judge Christopher Quinn, Acting Supervising Judge of the District Court.

"Teamwork, community involvement and good sportsmanship are qualities that enhance our society," said Judge Marano. "The lessons and values that you have learned from being a part of a team will empower you to achieve great things in the future."

The boys and their parents, including Judge SullivanÕs son, David Jr., each received a certificateÊ signed by Judge Marano.

Photo; Far Left : Judge Sullivan, Judge Quinn.Ê Far Right: Judge Marano h.

Odds In Their Favor

Hempstead Senior Town Councilman Anthony Santino tried his hand at a game of chance to raise funds for senior programs during FOSSI's (Friends Of Senior Services, Inc.) 4th Annual Monte Carlo Casino Night honoring New York State Senator Dean Skelos.

A not-for-profit organization, FOSSI is dedicated to providing an articulate, unified voice for the seniors of Rockville Centre, while raising funds for senior programs and services.

Sher Appointed To State Court of Claims

Nassau County Administrative Judge Anthony Marano announced the Hon. Denise L. Sher, Supervising Judge of the Nassau County District Court, has been appointed to the New York State Court of Claims by Governor George E. Pataki

Judge Sher was elected to the District Court bench in 1995, and was the first female Judge elected as President of the Nassau County District Court Board of Judges in November, 2001. Prior to being elected, she served as Hempstead Deputy Town Attorney specializing in litigation and was in private practice.

Nassau Comptroller Meets With Hicksville Chamber of Commerce

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman (2nd from left) joins members of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce at their recent luncheon at Peppercorn's in Hicksville where Weitzman presented an update on Nassau County's finances and answered questions on issues including special district taxes and state aid for schools.

Pictured (l-r): Sonal Nangia, Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman; chamber president Jim Pavone, and Andrew Saluk.

Dunesday Prediction

Residents of Point Lookout and Lido Beach will appreciate a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planned project which will extend their beachfront and safeguard both communities if and when Long Island is struck by a major tropical storm or hurricane as some meteorologists predict could happen at any time.

Shown above from left: Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, Senator Dean Skelos, Gerry Ottavio and Herb Abbe of the Point Lookout Civic Association.

'Senior' Prom Celebrated In Long Beach

The City of Long Beach Magnolia Senior Center held a "senior" prom for residents aged 62+.

Graduates came dressed in their finest clothes, tuxes, caps and gowns for the celebration. All enjoyed dancing, and each wore a sign stating the year they graduated, which ranged from 1926 through 1999.

City Council Member Denise Tangney encouraged the attendees to share their wisdom with todayÕs youth.

"Every day is a new beginning," said Tangney, "celebrate your community."

Under the directorship of Patrick McCormack, the Community Center and Magnolia Senior Center offer programs for young and old.

Shown above: Valedictorian, the Hon. Pearl Weill, Instructor Lisa Wisel and City Council Member Denise Tangney.

Eaton Is Long Beach City Manager...Again

Edwin Eaton last week was sworn in as Long Beach city manager at a special City Council meeting.

Eaton, who served as city manager from 1979 to 1999 and again in 2001, addressed the audience, saying, "I thank the council for their show of support and pledge I will work with all the members of the governing body to move Long Beach forward."

Weitzman: Tax Districts Can Cut Expenses

Many of Nassau County's hundreds of special tax districts can reduce their expenses, potentially saving taxpayers between $23.8 and $35.7 million per year, according to a report issued by County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman. Comptroller

Weitzman described the findings of the report, "Cost-Saving Ideas for Special Districts in Nassau County," at a news conference, joined by Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, who endorsed the cost-saving measures and promised to work with special districts in their towns to help achieve them.

New Art At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) welcomes the arrival of Waltz of the Polypeptides,Êa sculpture that dramatically brings the worlds of art and science together in a way that both scientists and the public can enjoy.Ê Ê

Created by New York City-based artist Mara G. Haseltine, the eighty foot long, ten foot high sculpture depicts a subcellular protein factory called a ribosome caught in the act of producing the BLyS protein, which stimulates the production of infection-fighting antibodies in the body.

The complete work rests in a carefully landscaped setting that is an integral part of the work. It occupies a prominent site on the CSHL campus, adjacent to Dolan Hall, a residence center for visiting scientists, and the Beckman research building. Ê

The arrival of the Haseltine work coincides with the announcement of CSHLÕs $200 million capital and endowment campaign to speed the translation of genetic discoveries into diagnostics and therapeutic treatments.

More about Waltz of the Polypeptides and other works by this artist is at http://www.calamara.com.

New Deputy Comptroller To Handle Audits

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman has appointed Aline Khatchadourian, CPA, of Manhasset to the position of Deputy Comptroller for Audit and Special Projects.

"Aline's extensive experience at KPMG, one of the world's leading accounting firms, will make her a great asset to the ComptrollerÕs Office as she leads our 20-person field audit division," Comptroller Weitzman said. "Her broad background in auditing and accounting will be very helpful to us as we continue our mission of aggressively auditing county departments, agencies that receive county contracts, and town special tax districts."

Ms. Khatchadourian replaces Manuel Mosquera, who now serves as director of operations for health and human services in the Nassau County Department of Social Services.

New Island Park Village Trustee Installed

At last week's meeting of the Island Park Board of Trustees, Mrs. Irene P. Naudus was installed as the newest Island Park Village trustee during a special ceremony.

Mrs. Naudus was accompanied by her husband Brian Naudus, chief executive of Naudus Communications and F&B Printers located in Island Park, and her three children.

Calabrese Elected President of County Judges

Judge Joseph C. Calabrese, senior judge of the Nassau County Court, has been elected president of the County Judges' Association of New York State.

Calabrese was sworn-in by Hon. Ann T. Pfau, first deputy chief administrative judge of the State of New York, and Hon. Jan H. Plumadore, deputy chief administrative judge for all courts outside the City of New York.

The ceremony took place at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa earlier this month. Calabrese is a St. John's University School of Law '71 graduate and has served as an assistant district attorney and assistant town attorney for the Town of Hempstead before his election to the bench in 1985. Calabrese also serves as an acting Supreme Court judge and acting surrogate.

Shown above (left to right): Hon. Jan H. Plumadore, Hon. Joseph C. Calabrese and Hon. Ann T. Pfau.

Legislator Ford Recognized As "Woman of Distinction"

New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos honored Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford as his 2006 New York State "Woman of Distinction." Senator Skelos presented Legislator Ford with this award at the State Senate's 9th Annual "Women of Distinction" ceremony in Albany.

Denise Ford represents the 4th Legislative District which includes the City of Long Beach, Lido Beach, Atlantic Beach, Point Lookout and parts of Oceanside and Island Park.

"Denise is an exceptional public servant and an even better person," said Senator Skelos. "Her success and personal courage following the tragic loss of her husband are an example for everyone."

Following the death of her husband, Harry, a decorated 27-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department at a fire in Queens on Father's Day 2001, Denise Ford's story has turned from one of loss into a story of strength and inspiration. Denise Ford was elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2003 and reelected in 2005. As an elected official, she has been repeatedly honored for her achievements and constituent service.

In May 2004, Denise received the Big Sister award from Project Challenge for her diligent work to improve the Long Beach community. In October of that year, she was honored as Woman of the Year by the Michael Valente Lodge, as well as being named Woman of the Year by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Denise was also honored as a "Woman of Valor" by the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-el.

Most recently, Legislator Ford was honored as "Woman of the Year" by the Nassau County Court Officers Association.

"There is no greater honor than to be recognized by a person whom I admire as much as Senator Skelos, someone who has done so much for our area," said Legislator Ford. "I thank Senator Skelos for this award and IÕm grateful to my constituents for their continued trust and the opportunity to serve them"

The Senate's "Woman of Distinction" program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify excellence, or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serves as an example to all New Yorkers.

Local Student Wins Correction Officers' Union Scholarship

The Sheriff Officers Association of Nassau County President John Duer (left) and Board Member/Scholarship Coordinator Kevin Imm recently presented East Meadow High School senior Rachel Goldner with the union's fifth annual $1,000 scholarship award during the school's Senior Academic Awards Night.

Rachel Goldner, who is set to attend Binghamton University in the fall, was unanimously elected this year's ShOA scholarship recipient for her ability to demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership and community service.

That's Entertainment!

Robert M. Snyder (left) and Philip Snyder (right), producer/directors of "Fitzgerald's Flask", receive award for Best Short Film-Video from Abe Vigoda (center), star of "The Godfather," at Long Island International Film Expo Gala Awards dinner at the Chateau Briand of Westbury on July 20th.

Vets Saluted At Hempstead Town Event

Supervisor Kate Murray honored the 2006 recipients of the Town of Hempstead Veterans Award at this year's Salute to Veterans ceremony at Town Park Point Lookout on July 1.

As part of the program, Supervisor Murray also welcomed home a Hempstead resident who recently served in Iraq. Additionally, members of the Patriot Guard, a group that dedicates itself to protecting the solemnity of services for fallen members of the military, were recognized for their invaluable contributions.

"I am honored to present the Town of Hempstead Veterans Award to seven deserving individuals," said Murray. "The 2006 winners are James F. Dascole of Franklin Square, Edmond G. Farah of Wantagh, Stewart McKinney of Levittown, Steven V. McManus of Elmont, Raymond B. OÕConnor of Seaford, Joel S. Tuchfeld of North Merrick and Franklin C. Ward of Freeport. These persons have exhibited tireless energy and unending devotion to helping veterans and their families in our community."